JP2013090982A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly advance a game, and to prevent the suspension of the advancing game caused by the capture of a game medium.SOLUTION: The game machine comprises a loading restraining means for restraining the loading of a game medium, a loaded medium detecting means for detecting a loaded game medium, a passage permissible period managing means for managing a passage permissible period in which the passage of a game medium is permitted, and a loading control means for controlling the start and end of the loading of game medium. The loading restraining means restrains the game medium from flowing down by its own weight due to the substantial change of the width of the medium pathway, and the loaded medium detecting means detects a captured game medium. The game machine further comprises a captured medium detecting means for detecting the capture of the game medium on the basis of the detection of the captured game medium and the detection of the elapse of the passage permissible period, and a captured medium reloading control means for controlling the loading restraining means after the detection of the capture of the game medium by the captured medium detecting means and reloading the captured game medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a swivel type gaming machine.

  A conventional swivel type gaming machine includes a selector that controls whether the gaming medium is taken into the gaming machine or returned to the player. The selector includes an entrance through which a game medium enters, an intake port that communicates with the entrance, and a return passage that communicates with the intake port, and a medium passage and entrance that leads from the entrance to the intake port. At the branch point with the medium passage leading from the entrance to the return port, an input restricting member for restricting the passage of the game medium from the entrance to the intake port, and a return regulation for restricting the passage of the game medium from the entrance to the return port And a member. When the passage of the game medium is prohibited by the insertion restriction member and the return restriction member, the game medium is stopped at the branch portion, and the passage of the game medium is prohibited by the insertion restriction member, and the game is not played by the return restriction member. If the passage of the medium is permitted, the game medium is returned to the player through the return port, and if the passage of the game medium is permitted by the insertion restriction member, the game medium is passed through the intake port. Is taken in. Note that the game media taken into the gaming machine is stored in an internal storage means provided inside in a general spinning-type game machine using medals as a game medium, and a general game using a sphere as a game medium. In the trunk type game machine, it is discharged to an external sphere reflux device. The insertion restriction member operates in response to detection of a bet instruction such as pressing of a bet button by the player, and the return restriction member operates in conjunction with a return operation such as sliding of a return lever by the player.

The selector is provided with a medium detection device that detects a game medium toward the intake port downstream of the insertion restricting member in the passage direction of the game medium, and is taken in based on detection of the game medium by the medium detection device. The number of played game media is counted. When the betting instruction is input, the passage of the game medium to the intake is permitted, and the game medium is allowed to pass to the intake when the number of the taken game media reaches a predetermined number according to the situation. It is forbidden.
Due to the interference between the game medium and the insertion restricting member, the game medium may be captured by the insertion restricting member in the medium passage leading from the entrance to the intake port. When the game medium is captured, the insertion of the game medium is not completed, and the game progress is interrupted until the captured game medium (hereinafter also referred to as “capture medium”) is removed. In addition, since the capture of the game medium occurs inside the selector, it cannot be recognized by visual recognition that the game medium has been captured, and it takes time to find out the reason why the game cannot be continued.

  In the above, the case of the selector restricting member of the selector has been described, but the passage restricting member in general that restricts the passage of the game medium holds. In this way, in order to suppress the interruption of the progress of the game due to the capture of the game medium by the passage restricting member, using the rotating body as the passage restricting member, the game medium is sent one by one in accordance with the rotation control of the rotating body, There has been proposed a gaming machine provided with a capture medium detection device for detecting a capture medium, informing the occurrence of the capture medium when it is detected, or automatically removing the capture medium (for example, the following patent document) 1-6). However, when a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member, it takes a long time to pass a predetermined number of game media, and the smooth progress of the unit game is hindered. When a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member, the game medium is captured while the rotating body is rotating, and the rotation of the rotating body is stopped by the captured game medium.

JP-A-5-237239 JP-A-5-237245 JP-A-5-309166 JP-A-6-79045 JP-A-2003-205146 JP 2006-217968 A

  In order to achieve a smooth game progression, a substantial width of the medium passage such as arranging a part of the passage restriction member inside the medium passage or arranging the whole passage restriction member outside the medium passage. It is preferable to restrict the passage of the game medium by controlling the above. However, when the passage of the game medium is restricted by controlling the passage width, the capture of the game medium occurs only when the passage width is reduced, that is, after the medium detection device detects a predetermined number of game media. In addition, the automatic trapping medium removal method when a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member cannot be simply applied. In the restriction control of the passage restriction member, when the passage of the game medium is restricted by the passage width control, the passage restriction is performed in order to prevent the game medium from being captured as much as possible and to prevent the game medium from passing excessively. Stricter time control is required than when a rotating body is used as a member.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the interruption of the game progress due to the capture of the game medium is suppressed.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention is:
A flow restriction means for restricting the flow of the game medium in the medium passage;
Medium detecting means for detecting a game medium flowing down the medium passage;
Flow control means for controlling the operation of the flow control means;
A gaming machine including
The flow restricting means takes a flow prohibition state that prohibits a flow due to the weight of the game medium and a flow allowable state that allows a flow due to the weight of the game medium;
The medium detection means maintains a detection state of the game medium when the game medium is captured by the flow-down restriction means in the medium passage;
The game medium is captured by the flow restriction means when the medium detection means is in a game medium detection state after a predetermined period based on the start of the transition from the flow restriction state to the flow restriction state by the flow restriction means. Medium capture detection means for detecting
Based on the detection of the game medium captured by the medium capture detection means, the capture medium flow control means for re-controlling the flow restriction means to flow the captured game medium down,
It is characterized by including.

  With the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to suppress interruption of game progress due to the capture of the game medium.

The front side perspective view showing an example of a ball-type spinning machine. The perspective view represented in the state which opened an example of the ball-type spinning machine in block unit. The perspective view showing an example of a selector. The principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a selector and an upper plate ball stop part. The partial cross section figure showing an example of a selector and an upper plate ball extraction operation part. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a payout block. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a payout apparatus, (A) The figure represents the state which is not paying out, (B) The figure represents the state which is paying out, (C) The figure is a ball extraction The figure showing the state which is operating. The exploded perspective view showing an example of a game block. The front view showing an example of a game panel. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a rotating drum unit. It is a development view showing an example of a symbol seal, (A) the figure represents the left symbol seal, (B) the figure represents the middle symbol seal, (C) the figure represents the right symbol seal. The block diagram showing an example of the electrical structure of a ball-type spinning machine. The flowchart showing an example of the timer interruption process in a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the normal game process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the fluctuation waiting process in the normal game process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the game ball betting process in the fluctuation waiting process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the throwing number distribution process in the game ball betting process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the insertion execution process in the game ball betting process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the rotation control process in a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the command interruption process in the payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the timer interruption process in a payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process in the payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the game ball payout process in the main process of the payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the timer interruption process in a sub control board. The flowchart showing an example of the command interruption process in a sub control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process in a sub control board. The flowchart showing an example of the period timer process in the main process of a sub control board. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detection phase and detection phase information. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the generation | occurrence | production state of the suspended ball in Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a game ball bet process according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an insertion monitoring process in the game ball betting process according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an input permission number distribution process in the input monitoring process according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first item insertion control process in the game ball betting process according to the second embodiment. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a closing control operation in which a reclosing operation is not executed. The timing chart showing an example of the throwing-in control operation in which the re-throwing operation resulting from a ball piece or a ball clogging is performed. The timing chart showing an example of the injection | pouring control operation in which the re-injection operation resulting from a hanging ball is performed. The timing chart showing an example of the injection | pouring control operation | movement in which the re-injection operation resulting from a hanging ball and the re-injection operation resulting from a ball piece are performed.

The gaming machine according to the present invention has the following configuration.
Means 1.
Input control means (input flicker and input solenoid) for controlling input of game media;
An input medium detecting means (passage sensor) for detecting a game medium input by releasing the restriction of the input restricting means;
Bet input means for inputting bet instructions (max bet button and 1 bet button);
An insertion permission number determining means (a total insertion number counter setting process for the main control board) for determining the number of gaming medium insertions permitted in response to the input of the betting instruction;
Inserted number measuring means for measuring the number of input based on the detection of the game medium by the input medium detecting means (added number A added process of main control board or scheduled input number counter subtracting process);
A passage allowance period management means (passage sensor counter setting process and passage sensor counter update process of the main control board) for managing a passage allowance period allowing the passage of the game medium in the input medium detection means;
In response to the input of the betting instruction, the insertion restricting means starts the insertion of the game medium, and the detection of the last inserted game medium according to the number of permitted insertions by the input medium detecting means is performed. The closing control means (the closing solenoid operation flag setting process of the main control board, the closing solenoid operation flag release process and the entire closing solenoid operation control process) to be terminated,
A gaming machine including
The throw-in restricting means changes the substantial width of the medium passage inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to restrict the flow of the game medium due to its own weight;
The throwing medium detection means detects the game medium captured by the throwing restriction means in the medium path (the ball path and the discharge path in the selector);
The gaming machine is
Medium capture detection means for detecting capture of a game medium in the medium path by the input restriction means based on detection of the game medium by the input medium detection means and detection of passage of the passage allowable period by the passage allowable period management means. (Hanging ball generation determination processing);
After detecting the capture of the game medium by the medium capture detection means, the capture medium re-injection control means (the suspension ball generating line insertion solenoid is controlled by controlling the input restriction means to re-inject the game medium being captured. Operation flag setting process and full-throw solenoid operation control process),
Is further included.

“Bet” means depositing (betting) a game medium necessary for performing a unit game.
“Changing the substantial width of the medium passage” means changing the minimum width of the medium passage in the cross-section in the flow direction by, for example, inserting or removing a part of the members constituting the input restricting means. For example, the minimum width is shifted between a state where the minimum width is larger than the diameter of the game ball and a state where the minimum width is smaller.
The period during which re-insertion is performed by the capture medium re-injection control means starts immediately after the detection of the capture of the game medium or after a certain time, or immediately after the predetermined condition is satisfied after the detection of the capture of the game medium or after a certain time. Or a case where it ends immediately after a predetermined time has passed since the start or after a predetermined condition is satisfied after the start or after a predetermined time.

  With the above configuration, the game medium can flow down the medium path by its own weight, and a predetermined number of game media can be taken in at high speed by restricting the flow of the game medium by the substantial width of the medium path. Can do. As a result, smooth progress of the unit game can be realized. In addition, since the captured game medium is also used as the input medium detection means that is originally used for measuring the number of input, there is no need for a separate detection means for detecting the captured game medium, and the configuration can be prevented from becoming complicated. The game medium can be detected in the vicinity of the portion where the substantial width of the medium passage changes, and the game medium can be prevented from being taken in excessively. Furthermore, since the captured game medium is automatically re-inserted and removed in response to the occurrence of the captured game medium, it is possible to prevent interruption of the game progress due to the captured game medium.

Mean 2.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 1,
The number of inputs by which the gaming machine determines the number of allowances to be assigned to each of a plurality of input systems with reference to the input permission number determined by the input permission number determination means in response to detection of the input of the betting instruction It further includes a distribution means (a process for distributing the number of input main control boards),
The medium passage includes a plurality of distribution medium passages (a ball passage and a discharge passage in the game ball insertion portion) corresponding to the plurality of input systems one by one,
The medium input restricting means corresponds to the plurality of input systems one by one, and a plurality of distribution input restricting means (injection flicker for each article) for changing the substantial width of the plurality of distribution medium paths for each input system. And a closing solenoid)
The input medium detecting means corresponds to the plurality of input systems one by one, detects game media input by releasing the restriction of each of the plurality of input control means for each input system, and the plurality of distribution media Including a plurality of sorting input medium detecting means (pass sensors for each item) for detecting the game medium captured in each of the passages for each input system;
The input number measuring means corresponds to the plurality of distribution input medium detecting means one by one, and the distribution input number is determined for each input system based on detection of game media by each of the plurality of distribution input medium detecting means. Including a plurality of distribution input number measuring means (scheduled input number counter subtraction processing for each article) to be measured,
A plurality of distribution passages, wherein the permissible passage period management means corresponds to each of the plurality of input systems, and manages a permissible passage period for allowing passage of game media in each of the plurality of distribution input medium detection means. Including a permissible period management means (pass sensor counter setting process and pass sensor counter update process for each article),
The input control means corresponds to each of the plurality of input systems one by one, and after detecting a game medium to be input last according to the number of distribution input allowed, a plurality of input of the game medium is ended for each input system Including distribution charging control means (setting solenoid operation flag setting process for each line, closing solenoid operation flag release process and all-line closing solenoid operation control process),
The capture medium detection means corresponds to the plurality of input systems one by one, the game medium is detected by the plurality of distribution input medium detection means, and the distribution passage permission by the plurality of distribution passage allowable period management means. Including a plurality of sorting catch medium detecting means (hanging ball generation determination processing for each strip) for detecting the catching of the game media in each of the plurality of sorting medium passages for each input system based on the detection of the passage of the period ,
The capture medium re-input control means corresponds to the plurality of input systems one by one, and after the detection of the capture of the game medium by each of the plurality of distribution capture medium detection means, the plurality of distribution input restriction means A plurality of distribution capture medium re-injection control means for controlling re-injection of the game media that has been captured (the suspension solenoid operation flag setting process of the suspension ball generation line for each line and the operation of all-line injection solenoids Control processing).

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to divide into a plurality of input systems and input game media at the same time, so that a predetermined number of game media can be taken in at a higher speed. Since re-injection of game media can be executed for each input system, it is possible to re-inject captured game media by operating only the distribution input restricting means corresponding to at least one input system that has detected the capture of game media. Note that the start and end of the period during which re-input is performed by the capture medium re-input control means may be the same or different in all input systems.
The number-of-insertion distribution means is means for distributing the number of game balls to be inserted in each of the input systems, and is not means for distributing the inflow destinations of the actual game balls for each input system.

Means 3.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 2,
Each of the plurality of distribution medium capturing detection means detects the passage of the distribution passage allowable period by the distribution passage allowable period control means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution passage allowable period control means. When the passage of the game medium is detected by the distribution input medium detection means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution input medium detection means, the capture of the game medium in the same input system occurs. It is characterized in that it is determined that

  If it is said structure, in each insertion system | strain, the capture | acquisition of a game medium can be detected separately and quickly from the input control of another input system | strain. This makes it possible to execute the input of the captured game medium even if the input of the game medium is not completed in the input system different from the input system where the capture of the game medium has occurred.

  Note that “when the sorting medium detection means detects passage of a game medium” means that when the sorting medium detection means includes one detection device, the detection device detects the game medium. In the case where the sorting medium detection means includes a plurality of detection devices, the case where only one predetermined detection device detects a game medium or some of the predetermined plurality of detection devices. This means that the detection device detects a game medium or all of the detection devices detect a game medium.

Means 4.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 2,
Each of the plurality of sorting medium capturing detection means is configured to detect the plurality of sorting input medium detection means after the plurality of sorting input control means has shifted to all the input prohibition states of the plurality of sorting input control means. Among them, when the game medium is detected by the distribution medium detection means corresponding to the same input system, it is determined that the capture of the game medium has occurred.

  “After the transition of all of the plurality of sorting input restricting means to the prohibiting state of the plurality of sorting input control means by the plurality of sorting input control means” This means that the minute charging restriction means is after the transition to the charging prohibition state, and includes the case where the distribution charging restriction means that is not in the charging permission state is included. That is, it means after all of the plurality of sorting input restricting means are in the input prohibited state.

  If it is said structure, generation | occurrence | production of the capture | acquisition of the game media in all the injection | throwing-in systems of an insertion control period can be detected collectively. Thereby, the input control and its control program can be simplified.

Means 5.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 2,
A re-insertion waiting period management unit that manages a predetermined re-insertion waiting period after the transition to all the input prohibition states of the plurality of distribution input control units by the plurality of distribution input control units;
Each of the plurality of distribution medium capture detection means is a game medium by the distribution input medium detection means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution input medium detection means after the predetermined re-input waiting period. Is detected, it is determined that the capture of the game medium has occurred.

  If it is said structure, generation | occurrence | production of the capture of the game media in all the input systems can be detected collectively. Thereby, the input control and its control program can be simplified. In addition, by waiting for a predetermined re-insertion waiting period, the passage of the game medium in all the distribution medium paths is surely terminated, and the captured game medium is input without any game medium in all the distribution medium paths. Can be done. In addition, since the capture of the game medium is detected immediately before the capture game medium is input, the capture game medium can be reliably and smoothly input. This is because once the game medium is captured, the capture is canceled as time elapses, and the capture medium may not be normally inserted.

Means 6.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 5,
After each of the plurality of sorting capture medium re-feeding control means shifts the sorting throwing restriction means corresponding to the same throwing system from the throwing prohibition state to the throwing permission state among the plurality of sorting throwing restriction means. In accordance with the elapse of a predetermined time, the sorting input restricting means is again shifted from the input allowable state to the input prohibited state.

  With the above-described configuration, the state in which the restriction is released by the insertion restricting means in order to input the capture medium is a fixed time, and only the captured game medium can be input. Note that the predetermined length of time is optimized depending on the size of the game medium.

Mean 7
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 5,
Each of the plurality of sorting capture medium re-feeding control means temporarily shifts the sorting throw-in restricting means corresponding to the same throwing-in system from the throwing-in prohibited state to the throwing-allowed state among the plurality of sorting throw-in restricting means, According to a predetermined change in the state of detection of the game medium by the distribution input medium detection means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution input medium detection means, the distribution input restriction means is changed from the input allowable state to the input prohibited state. It is characterized in that it is shifted again.

  Here, the “predetermined change in the detection state of the game ball” is a state in which a game ball is detected by the detection device (passing) when the sorting medium detection means includes only one detection device. State) means that the game ball is not detected (non-passing state), and when the sorting medium detection means includes a plurality of detection devices, at least one predetermined detection of them Implying a transition from a passing state to a non-passing state for the devices and a transition from a non-passing state to a passing state for those at least one predetermined detection device.

  With the above-described configuration, the game medium detection state by the distribution input medium detection unit can be confirmed and the distribution input restriction unit can be shifted from the input allowable state to the input prohibition state. Can be thrown into. This is because there is uncertainty in the time required to input the captured game medium because the game medium is captured in various spatial modes, and the input restriction means is shifted to the input prohibited state after a certain time. It is because it is hard to receive the influence than. Further, if necessary, it is possible to continuously input the captured game medium and the subsequent game medium.

Means 8.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2-7,
One for each of the plurality of input systems, and the number of distribution input measured by each of the plurality of distribution input number measuring means corresponds to the same input system among the plurality of distribution input number distribution means. The distribution passage allowable period management means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution passage allowable period management means when the distribution input permission number determined by the input number distribution means is not reached. Based on the detection of the end of the sorting passage allowable period, the sorting input restriction means is shifted from the charging permission state to the charging prohibition state, and after the transition to all the charging prohibition states of the plurality of sorting input restriction means, Of the plurality of distribution input restricting means, at least one distribution input restricting means different from the input system in which the end of the allocation passage allowable period is detected is re-controlled for each input system, and the number of incomplete input game media Re-inject Is characterized by further comprising a plurality of distribution cycling control means for.

  In the case of the above configuration, the same number of game media as the number of allowed distribution passages were not thrown in a single regulation operation from the transition to the throwing permitted state to the throwing prohibited state of each sorting throwing restriction means. In this case, the same number of game media as the number of incomplete inputs (the number that has not been completed) can be automatically re-input in a different input system from the input system in which the input has not been completed. As long as the same number of game media as the permitted number of games are supplied in the system, they can be reliably loaded.

Means 9.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 8,
Each of the plurality of distribution capture medium re-input control means is configured to detect the plurality of distribution capture medium detection means according to detection of game medium capture by the distribution capture medium detection means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution capture medium detection means. In this case, only the distribution input restriction means corresponding to the same input system is controlled, and only the game media captured by the distribution input restriction means are input.

  With the above configuration, since the trapping medium and the incompletely charged game media are individually input, it is possible to reliably execute the input. This is because, in the case where the capturing medium and the incompletely input game media are input all together, at least one of the capturing medium and the incompletely input number of game media is continuous in the input system in which the capturing of the game media has occurred. However, the above-mentioned configuration does not cause such a problem, although the interval between the capture medium and the subsequent game medium is narrower than normal and cannot be normally inserted. Because. Note that either the input of the capture medium or the input of the incompletely input game medium may be executed first.

Means 10.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 9,
Each of the plurality of sorting re-entry control means is configured to control the plurality of sorting catch medium re-feeding controls when the capture of the game medium is detected by at least one of the plurality of sorting medium catching detection means. According to the present invention, after all of the plurality of sorting input restricting means shifts to the input prohibition state, the incomplete input number of game media are re-input.

  With the above configuration, since the time from when the capture of the game medium occurs until the capture medium is input is shortened, the capture medium can be reliably input normally. This is because once the game medium is captured, the capture is canceled as time elapses, and the capture medium may not be normally inserted.

Means 11.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 8,
One for each of the plurality of input systems, and the number of distribution input measured by each of the plurality of distribution input number measuring means corresponds to the same input system among the plurality of distribution input number distribution means. The distribution passage allowable period management means corresponding to the same input system among the plurality of distribution passage allowable period management means when the distribution input permission number determined by the input number distribution means is not reached. A plurality of sorting input interruption control means for shifting the sorting input restriction means from the charging permission state to the charging prohibition state based on detection of the end of the distribution passage allowable period;
Among the plurality of sorting capturing medium re-feeding control means, at least one sorting catching medium re-feeding control means different from the feeding system in which the end of the sorting passage allowable period is detected among the plurality of sorting throwing-in control means. Each of the plurality of sorting input restriction means controls at least one sorting input restriction means corresponding to the same system among the plurality of sorting input restriction means after transitioning to all the entry prohibition states. The game media is characterized in that the captured game media and the incompletely loaded game media are re-entered.

Means 12.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 11,
Each of the plurality of distribution input control means finishes the insertion of the game medium after a predetermined input end waiting time from the detection by the input medium detection means of the game medium to be input last according to the number of permitted distribution input It is characterized by letting.

  If it is said structure, it can suppress that a game medium is capture | acquired as much as possible by controlling the operation timing of each distribution insertion control means.

Means 13.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 12,
This corresponds to a case where each of the plurality of input systems corresponds to each other, and a game medium is detected by the plurality of distribution input medium detection means outside the distribution passage allowable period, and the game medium is captured in the same input system. A plurality of passage time abnormality detecting means for detecting a passage time abnormality of the game ball when not detected (0 determination processing of the passage sensor counter in the main control board, determination processing during passage of the passage sensor of the article) When,
Passage time abnormal game progress stopping means (passing time error processing) for stopping game progress in response to detection of the passage time abnormality by any of the plurality of passage time abnormality detection means;
Is further included.

  If it is said structure, the fraudulent act using a fraudulent throwing-in apparatus can be suppressed, without interrupting the game progress outside the allocation passage allowable period resulting from the capture of game media.

Means 14.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 13,
Each of the plurality of sorting-in medium detection means includes an upstream detection means (upper element) for detecting a game medium, and a downstream detection means (downwardly disposed downstream of the upstream detection device). Side element),
Each of the distribution input control means ends the input of the game medium after detection of the game medium to be input last according to the number of allowed distribution input by the upstream side detection means corresponding to the same input system,
Only the upstream side detection means in each of the plurality of sorting input medium detecting means detects game media captured by the sorting input regulation means corresponding to the same loading system among the plurality of loading regulation means,
The gaming machine corresponds to the plurality of input systems one by one, and the detection order of game media by the upstream detection means and the downstream detection means is different from a predetermined prescribed passing order, and the game A plurality of passage order abnormality detection means (determination process of normal phase change of the main control board) for detecting a passage order abnormality of the game ball when the capture of the medium is not detected;
Passing order abnormal game progress stopping means (passing order error processing) for stopping the game progress in response to detection of the passing order abnormality by any of the plurality of passing order abnormality detecting means;
Is further included.

  If it is said structure, the fraudulent act using a fraud apparatus can be suppressed, without interrupting a game progress by the difference in the regulation passage order resulting from the capture of game media, and a detection order.

  The best mode of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the gaming machine is a spinning-type gaming machine using a gaming sphere as a gaming medium (hereinafter referred to as a “ball-type spinning gaming machine”) is described. Applicable to general machines. Moreover, even if it is a rotating type game machine, it is not limited to the specific form demonstrated below, You may change the design suitably, unless it deviates from the main point of this invention.

Embodiment 1
The configuration of the ball-type spinning machine of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a ball-type spinning game machine, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the ball-type spinning game machine opened in units of blocks.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the ball-type spinning machine 1010 is supported by an outer frame 1011 that forms an outer shell of the ball-type spinning machine 1010 and one side of the outer frame 1011 so that it can be opened and closed. Door block 1012. The door block 1012 is attached to the outer frame 1011 so as to be openable and closable by hinges 1013 and 1013, and an opening / closing axis thereof is set to extend vertically on the left side when viewed from the front of the ball-spinning game machine 1010. The door block 1012 can be sufficiently opened to the front side with the opening / closing axis as the axis. As shown in FIG. 2, the door block 1012 includes a front block 1020 that constitutes the front surface of the ball-cylinder gaming machine 1010, a payout block 1030 that is attached to the front block 1020 so as to be openable and closable rearward, The game block 1040 is attached to the front block 1020 so as to be openable and closable rearward and is encapsulated by the front block 1020 and the payout block 1030.

(Configuration of front block)
As shown in FIG. 2, the front block 1020 includes a front panel 1100, a front block frame 1200, a rotating display panel 1022, a display panel presser frame 1024, an upper plate unit 1300 (see FIG. 1), and a selector 1400 ( Game ball throwing device).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 1100 has a window hole 1102 for exposing a game area provided on the front surface of the game block 1040 (see FIG. 2), and has an upper effect so as to surround the window hole 1102. An LED cover portion 1104, upper speaker portions 1106 and 1106, a right middle effect LED cover portion 1108, a left middle effect LED cover portion 1110, a central panel portion 1112, an operation panel portion 1122 and the like are disposed.

  The top effect LED cover portion 1104, the right middle effect LED cover portion 1108, and the left middle effect LED cover portion 1110 of the front panel 1100 are each a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (LED) (not shown) attached from the back side of the front panel 1100. Covering. This light-emitting device is turned on or blinked as the game progresses, thereby providing a visual effect of the game. The upper speaker units 1106 and 1106 play various sound effects as the game progresses, and inform the player of the game state to produce an auditory effect of the game.

  The center panel portion 1112 of the front panel 1100 is made of colorless and transparent glass, and describes the predetermined winning conditions, the number of game balls to be paid out (the number of winning balls), the game method, and the like. This is a window through which an information posting panel (not shown) can be seen. In order to make the display contents of the information posting panel easy to see, a fluorescent lamp 1041k (see FIG. 9) is installed on the back side of the central panel portion 1112. A 1-bet button 1114 is disposed on the left side of the central panel portion 1112. General-purpose buttons 1116 and 1118 are arranged on the right side of the central panel portion 1112. The general-purpose buttons 1116 and 1118 are buttons whose usage can be appropriately set for each type of gaming machine, such as switching of gaming modes and switching of display modes on a liquid crystal screen. A key cylinder insertion hole 1120 that exposes the front surface (key hole) of the door key cylinder 1202 for opening and closing the front block is provided on the right side of the general-purpose button 1116 and the like of the central panel portion 1112. An operation panel portion 1122 that protrudes forward is disposed below the central panel portion 1112.

  In the operation panel section 1122 of the front panel 1100, a start lever 1124 for starting rotation of later-described rotating cylinders L, M, and R (see FIG. 10) and rotation of the left rotating cylinder L are sequentially arranged from the left side of FIG. A left-turn cylinder stop button 1126L for stopping the rotation of the center cylinder M, a middle-turn cylinder stop button 1126M for stopping the rotation of the middle cylinder M, and a right-turn cylinder stop button 1126R for stopping the rotation of the right cylinder R A small window hole 1130 is provided for exposing an upper plate ball removal lever 1386 for performing an operation of flowing a game ball from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128. The start lever 1124 is a lever that is pressed and operated by the player when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 1124 is operated while a predetermined number of game balls are betted, the cylinders L, M, and R start to rotate at the same time. Above the base end of the start lever 1124, each cylinder L, M, R is ready for rotation, that is, a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the selector 1400 (see FIG. 2), and the start lever 1124 is operated. A start lever LED (not shown) for notifying the acceptable state is embedded. Further, around each of the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, and 1126R, the spinning cylinder stop buttons LEDL, 134M, and 134R for notifying the state in which the operation can be accepted are embedded. Each spinning cylinder stop button LED 1134L, 1134M, 1134R is turned on when the corresponding spinning cylinder L, M, R is rotating at a constant speed, and is extinguished when the rotation of the corresponding spinning cylinder L, M, R is stopped. A lower tray 1128 for storing game balls is disposed below the operation panel unit 1122.

  On the inner surface of the lower plate 1128, there is a lower speaker cover unit 1136 that covers the lower speaker unit 1204 (see FIG. 2) provided on the front block frame 1200, and an outlet for game balls flowing from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128. In addition, there is provided a lower tray payout outlet 1138 in which game balls may be directly paid out from a payout device 1033 (see FIG. 6) described later. In addition, a lower plate ball removal lever 1140 for performing an operation of dropping a game ball from a lower plate 1128 to a game ball housing case (a so-called dollar box) (not shown) disposed below the lower plate 1128 is provided at the lower front portion of the lower plate 1128. Is provided. The game ball can be dropped from the lower plate 1128 by sliding the closing plate 1144 with the lower plate ball removing lever 1140 to open the opening 1142. An ashtray 1146 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 1128. A left lower effect LED cover portion 1148 and a lower right effect LED cover portion 1150 are provided on both sides of the operation panel portion 1122 and the lower plate 1128, respectively. The lower left effect LED cover portion 1148 and the lower right effect LED cover portion 1150 cover a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (not shown) attached from the back side of the front panel 1100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front block frame 1200 is a rectangular frame that is slightly smaller than the front panel 1100, and is screwed to the back side of the front panel 1100. A lower speaker unit 1204 for auditory performance is attached to the lower part of the front block frame 1200. By providing the speaker unit 1106 (see FIG. 1) and the speaker unit 1204 above and below, an auditory effect full of realism can be performed. The front block frame 1200 is provided with a door opening / closing mechanism 1208. When a key (not shown) is inserted into the door key cylinder 1202 (see FIG. 1) constituting the door opening / closing mechanism 1208 and rotated to the right side, the locking claws 1210 and 1210 that are locked to the outer frame 1011 rotate downward. Then, the locking to the outer frame 1011 is released. Conversely, when a key (not shown) is inserted into the door key cylinder 1202 and rotated to the left, the locking claws 1212 and 1212 that are locked to the dispensing block 1030 rotate downward, and the locking to the dispensing block 1030 is locked. Canceled. In addition, the front block frame 1200 is provided with a guide passage 1214 that continues to the lower tray discharge outlet 1138.

  The rotating display panel 1022 is a colorless and transparent glass plate and has a substantially trapezoidal shape corresponding to the shape of the window hole 1102 of the front panel 1100. The display panel presser frame 1024 is screwed to the front block frame 1200 with a rotating display panel 1022 interposed between the display panel presser frame 1024 and the front panel 1100. The display panel presser frame 1024 has a substantially trapezoidal shape corresponding to the shape of the rotary display panel 1022 and is formed with a predetermined depth. That is, the window hole 1102 of the front panel 1100 protrudes forward from the central panel portion 1112 and is formed with a depth corresponding to the protruding length.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate unit 1300 is a member having an upper plate 1302 for storing game balls, and the operation panel unit is configured to close the opening between the central panel unit 1112 and the operation panel unit 1122. It is attached to the back side of 1122. The upper plate unit 1300 includes an upper plate unit main body 1320, a CR operation unit 1350, an upper plate ball stopper 1360 (see FIG. 4), and an upper plate ball removal operation unit 1380.

  The upper plate unit main body 1320 is a member having the upper plate 1302 as described above, and is formed with a desired depth and an inclination from the left side to the right side in the drawing. A gaming ball guide path 1322 (see FIG. 4) branched into a plurality (for example, three) is provided in a downstream portion of the upper plate 1302 (below the CR operation unit 350). The game ball guide path 322 aligns the game balls and sequentially guides them to the selector 1400 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

  The CR operation unit 1350 includes a frequency display unit 1352, a ball lending button 1306, a ball lending button LED (not shown), a ball lending switch (not shown), a card return button 1308, and a card return switch (not shown). . The frequency display unit 1352 displays a frequency corresponding to the remaining amount of the card by inserting the card into a CR unit (not shown) arranged adjacent to the ball-type spinning game machine 1010. A ball lending button 1306 is a button for performing a game ball lending operation. The ball lending switch 1356 is a switch that detects a lending operation by the ball lending button 1306. The ball lending button LED 1354 notifies the player by lighting that the game ball can be lent, and when the game ball is lent, the ball lending button LED 1354 blinks to lend the game ball. To inform you that you are in the middle of When the ball lending button 1306 is operated while the ball lending button LED 1354 is lit, a predetermined number of game balls are lended to the upper plate 1302. Note that the operation of the ball lending button 1306 is not accepted when the ball lending button LED 1354 is blinking. The card return button 1308 is a button for performing a return operation of the card inserted in the CR unit. The card return switch is a switch that detects a return operation by the card return button 1308. When the card return button 1308 is operated, the card is returned from the CR unit.

  The upper dish ball removal operation unit 1380 includes a ball removal lever 1386 (see FIG. 5) exposed on the front side of the spinning-reel game machine 1010, and a lever operation transmission mechanism provided on the inner side of the revolving game machine 10. With. In response to the operation of the ball removal lever 1386, the lever operation transmission mechanism moves the return shutter 1420 (see FIG. 5) of the selector 1400. As a result, the game balls stored in the upper plate 1302 are paid back to the lower plate 1128.

  The upper plate ball stopper 1360 is attached to the lower side of the game ball guide path 1322 and opens and closes the entrance from the game ball guide path 1322 to the selector 1400. Specifically, the upper tray ball stopper 1360 prevents the gaming ball from falling from the upper tray 1302 even if the selector 1400 is removed when the selector 1400 needs to be replaced due to a failure or the like.

  In the selector 1400, a predetermined number of game balls stored on the upper plate 1302 and the upper surface of the selector 1400 are ball-typed according to the operation of the 1 bet button 1114 (see FIG. 1) and the mac bet button 1304 (see FIG. 1). It is taken into the inside of the revolving game machine 1010 or paid back to the lower plate 1128 in accordance with the operation of the upper plate ball removing operation unit 1380. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the selector 1400 includes a plurality of game ball insertion portions 1410a, 1410b, one corresponding to the plurality of game ball guide paths 1322 (see FIG. 4) of the upper plate 1302, respectively. 1410c, a return shutter 1420 that restricts the flow of the game ball from the upper tray 1302 to the lower tray 1128, a return switch board 1440 that detects whether the return shutter 1420 has moved from the reference position, and a hollow protruding portion 1408. A substrate cover 1450 that covers one end of the return shutter 1420 and the return switch substrate 1440, a coil spring (not shown) that is disposed inside the hollow protrusion 1480 and returns the return shutter 1420 to the reference position, a main control substrate 1045a, and a plurality of Selector relay that relays transmission of electrical signals to and from the game ball throwing units 1410a, 1410b, and 1410c And a selector relay device 1460 that includes a daughter board 1462 and the relay terminal board cover 1464 which covers the selector relay terminal plate 1462. The selector 1400 disperses a predetermined number of game balls according to a bet operation into a plurality of game ball insertion units 1410a, 1410b, and 1410c and simultaneously inputs them, so that only a single game ball insertion unit is provided. This makes it possible to quickly perform a throw-in operation (bet operation).

  Here, the upper plate ball removal operation unit 1380, the upper plate ball stopper 1360, and the selector 1400 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper bowl stopper 1360 as seen from the rear side. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper dish ball removal operation unit 1380. In the following, the game ball throwing units 1410b and 1410c have substantially the same configuration as the game ball throwing unit 410a, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper bowl stopper 1360 is provided at the end of the casing 1361, the shaft member 1362 that is rotatably provided in the casing 1361 within a rotation range of 90 degrees, and the end of the shaft member 1362. And an opening / closing member 1363 that is movable according to the rotation of the shaft member 1362. The shaft member 1362 includes pressing portions 1375a and 1375b formed at a tip opposite to the operation handle at intervals of about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. Each pressing portion 1375a, 1375b is formed in a tongue-like shape, and protrudes in the radial direction of the shaft member 1362, respectively. The opening / closing member 1363 includes a plurality of closing portions 376 for closing each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 and pressed portions 1378a and 1378b that receive stress that moves the opening / closing member.

  The state shown in FIG. 4 is a state where the pressing portion 1375a presses the pressed portion 1378a and the opening / closing member 1363 is moved to the right side. In this state, a game to each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is performed. Sphere inflow is allowed. When the shaft member 1362 is rotated clockwise as viewed from above in FIG. 4 by operating the operation handle from the state shown in FIG. 4, the pressing portion 1375b is directed substantially in the horizontal direction and the pressed portion of the opening / closing member 1363 Press 1378b. As a result, the opening / closing member 1363 moves to the left, and the size of the inlet of the storage passage 1402 is narrowed by the closing portion 1376. In this state, the inflow of game balls into each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is prohibited. In this state, even if the selector 1400 is removed in a state where the game balls are stored in the upper plate 1302 and the game ball guide path 1322, those game balls will not be dropped. Conversely, when the shaft member 1362 is rotated counterclockwise by the operation of the operation handle from this state, the inflow of game balls into each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is permitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper dish ball removing portion 1380 includes a base portion 1381 attached to the lower side of the upper plate unit main body 1320 via the CR operation display portion 1350, and a support shaft erected on the base portion 1381. 1382, a rotating piece 1384 and a pressing piece 1385 that rotate about 1383, and an upper dish ball removing lever 1386 that slides along the front surface of the base portion 1381. A connecting portion 1384 b that is pivotally attached to an upper dish ball removing lever 1386 is provided on the base portion 1384 a of the rotating piece 1384. In addition, the base portion 1384 a of the rotating piece 1384 is connected to the base portion 1381 via a coil spring 1387. A bifurcated grip 1384 c is provided at the tip of the rotating piece 1384. The grip portion 1384c is a portion that slidably grips the convex portion 1385b provided on the base portion 1385a of the pressing piece 1385. A pressing portion 1385 c that presses the return shutter 1420 of the selector 1400 is provided at the tip of the pressing piece 1385. The hollow protrusion 1408 of the selector 1400 stores a coil spring that presses the return shutter 1420 toward the pressing piece 1385 side.

  The state shown in FIG. 5 is a state where the upper dish ball removing lever 1386 is not operated. That is, the rotating piece 1384 is pulled counterclockwise by the coil spring 1387, and the pressing piece 1385 is pulled clockwise by the rotating piece 1384, so that the pressing portion 1385c is separated from one end of the return shutter 1420. State. In this state, the return shutter 1420 is at the reference position by the urging force of the coil spring 1430 disposed inside the hollow protrusion 1408. From this state, if the upper dish ball removal lever 1386 is picked and moved downward in the figure (actually, from the right side to the left side when viewed from the front of the ball-type revolving game machine 1010), the upper dish ball removal lever 1386 is rotated. The moving piece 1384 rotates clockwise, and the pressing piece 1385 is rotated counterclockwise by the rotating piece 1384, and the pressing portion 1385 c presses the return shutter 1420. As a result, the return shutter 1420 moves. In this state, when the hand is released from the upper tray ball removal lever 1386, the return shutter 1420 is pressed forward by the urging force of the coil spring disposed in the hollow protrusion 1408, and the state shown in FIG. 5 is restored.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the selector 1400 includes a plurality of game ball insertion portions 1410 a, 1410 b, 1410 c, a return shutter 1420, a return switch board 1440, a board cover 1450, and a return shutter 1420. A coil spring (not shown) for returning to the reference position and a selector relay device 1460 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game ball throwing portion 1410 a of the selector 1400 includes a resin casing including a casing 1411 and a cover 1412. The outer surface of the casing 1411 is an attachment surface for the cover 1412 of the adjacent game ball insertion portion 1410b, and the outer surface of the cover 1412 of the game ball insertion portion 1410a is an attachment surface for the substrate cover 1450. When the casing 1411 and the cover 1412 are assembled, a bowl-shaped portion 1417 constituting the storage passage 1402 is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, the game ball throwing portion 1410a has a throwing flicker 1413a (a kind of throwing restriction means), a throwing solenoid 1414a (a kind of throwing restriction changing means), and a passage sensor. 1415a and a count sensor 1416a. In addition, a guide passage 1404 extending obliquely downward and a discharge passage 1406 extending substantially vertically downward are formed in the game ball throwing portion 1410a on the downstream side of the storage passage 1402.

  The input flicker 1413 a regulates the inflow of game balls from the storage passage 1402 to the discharge passage 1406. The insertion flicker 1413a has a proximal end portion 1413a1 and a distal end portion 1413a2 that are rotatably connected by a support shaft 1413a3. The proximal end side portion 1413a1 and the distal end side portion 1413a2 of the input flicker 1413a are rotatably supported by the support shafts 1411a1 and 1411a2 of the casing 1411a, respectively. A gripping portion 1413a4 for gripping the tongue piece 1414a1 of the closing solenoid 1414a is provided at the proximal end portion of the closing flicker 1413a. In addition, an opening / closing portion 1413a5 for opening / closing the discharge passage 1406a is provided at the tip of the charging flicker 1413a.

  The closing solenoid 1414a is energized by the operation of the bet buttons 1114 and 1304 and operates to contract the piston (plunger) 1414a2 upward. A knob 1414a3 is attached to the tip of the piston 1414a2. The knob portion 1414a3 has the tongue piece 1414a1 extending in the radial direction of the piston 1414a2. The piston 1414a2 is provided with a coil spring 1414a4. The coil spring 1414a4 biases the main body portion 1414a5 of the closing solenoid 1414a and the knob portion 1414a3 in the direction of separating them. That is, when the energization to the closing solenoid 1414a is cut off, the piston 1414a2 extends downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 1414a4.

  When the bet buttons 1114 and 1304 are pressed, the closing solenoid 1414a is energized, and the piston 1414a2 is contracted to rotate the proximal end portion 1413a1 of the closing flicker 1413a counterclockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end side portion 1413a2 of the input flicker 1413a rotates clockwise in the drawing to open the discharge passage 1406a, and the game ball waiting in the storage passage 1402a can fall naturally. On the contrary, when the energization of the closing solenoid 1414a is cut off, the piston 141a2 is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 1414a4 and the proximal end portion 1413a1 of the closing flicker 1413a is rotated clockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end side portion 1413a2 of the insertion flicker 1413a rotates counterclockwise in the drawing and closes the discharge passage 1406a at the opening / closing portion 1413a5, so that the game ball cannot fall naturally.

  The passage sensor 1415a is disposed in the discharge passage 1406a and immediately downstream of the opening / closing part 1413a5 of the input flicker 1413a, and detects whether or not the game ball has been normally taken in. The passage sensor 1415a has a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to surround the tip end portion 1413a2 of the input flicker 1413a, and a light emitting element is provided on either the front side or the back side of the input flicker 1413a, and on the other side. The light receiving element is provided. In addition, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided as a pair in the upper and lower directions and at an interval shorter than the diameter of one game ball. When a game ball is detected by the upper element 1415a1, and then the upper and lower elements 1415a1 and 1415a2 detect the game ball at the same time, and then only the lower element 1415a2 detects the game ball within a predetermined time. It is determined that the game ball has been properly captured. Conversely, when the lower element 1415a2 does not detect a game ball even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the game ball is detected by the upper element 1415a1, or after the game element is detected by the lower element 1415a2, the upper and lower elements are detected. When a game ball is detected at 1415a1 and 1415a2 at the same time, and then only the upper element 1415a1 is detected, it is determined that the game ball has been inserted by unauthorized means, and an error occurs in the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 The game is prohibited while notifying that it has been done. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as using a fraudulent tool as if a game ball is taken in. The upper element 1415a1 is in a state where the number of game balls detected by the passage sensor 1415a is one less than the number of allowances thrown by the game ball throwing unit 1410a (for example, four, nine, or fourteen). When the last game ball is detected, the charging solenoid 1414a is de-energized, the opening / closing part 1413a5 of the charging flicker 1413a protrudes into the discharge passage 1406, and the game ball is configured from the storage passage 1402 to the discharge passage 1406. Yes.

  The count sensor 1416a counts the game balls thrown in by the game ball throwing unit 1410a separately from the passage sensor 1415a. The count sensor 1416a detects the passage of the game ball by an action different from that of the passage sensor 1415a. If the number of game balls counted by the count sensor 1416a is less than the number of game balls determined to have passed normally by the passage sensor 1415a, a bet error will occur. This further prevents fraud. Specifically, the passage sensor 1415a is an optical sensor, but the count sensor 1416a is a magnetic sensor. When a magnetic sensor is used as the count sensor 1416a, it can be determined whether or not the material that has passed is an iron material. Thereby, an illegal act of playing a game can be prevented even better by inserting an inexpensive resin game ball or the like that is different from a normal game ball.

  The return shutter 1420 has a plurality of window holes 1422, one corresponding to each of the plurality of game ball guide paths 1322, and the storage passages 1402 and the guide passages 1404 a, 1404 b, and 1404 c are formed on the sides of the window holes 1422. Blocking walls 1424a, 1424b and 1424c for blocking are provided. In addition, tongue pieces 1426a, 1426b, and 1426c extending to the storage passages 1402a, 1402b, and 1402c are provided below the respective window holes 1422a, 1422b, and 1422c. Each tongue piece 1426a, 1426b, 1426c is a part for guiding a game ball from the storage passages 1402a, 1402b, 1402c to the respective window holes 1422a, 1422b, 1422c. When the upper dish ball release lever 1386 is not operated, the return shutter 1420 is at the reference position, and the game balls from each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 to the plurality of guide passages 1404 at the blocking wall 1424 of the return shutter 1420. Inflow is prohibited. On the other hand, when the upper tray ball removal lever 1386 is operated and the pressing portion 1385c of the return shutter 1420 is pressed, the return shutter 1420 moves from the reference position and passes through the window holes 1422a, 1422b, and 1422c of the return shutter 1420. Inflow of game balls from the storage passage 1402 to the guide passage 1404 is permitted. As a result, the game ball flows from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128 through the guide passages 1404a, 1404b, and 1404c. At this time, the movement of the return shutter 1420 from the reference position is detected by a return switch (not shown) of the return switch board 1440, and based on the detection result, it is impossible to accept operations of the 1-bet button 1114 and the max-bet button 1304. A state occurs.

  The selector relay terminal plate 1462 transmits the detection results of the passage sensor 1415a and the count sensor 1416a to the main controller 1045 described later.

(Composition of withdrawal block)
As shown in FIG. 2, the payout block 1030 is attached to the front block 1020 so that it can be opened and closed. The opening / closing axis of the payout block 1030 is set so as to extend up and down on the left side when viewed from the front of the ball-cylinder gaming machine 1010, and the payout block 1030 can be sufficiently opened rearward with the opening / closing axis as an axis. It has become. The payout block 1030 is locked to the front block 1020 by a door opening / closing mechanism 1208. Specifically, the locking claws 1212 and 1212 of the door opening / closing mechanism 1208 are locked to the engaging portions 1031a and 1031a of the payout block 1030. The door key (not shown) is inserted into the door key cylinder 1202 and rotated to the left to lock. The latches 1212 and 1212 are unlocked. The payout block 1030 has a one-touch type stopper 1031b, and is connected to the front block 1020 by this stopper 1031b.

  FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an example of the payout block 1030. As shown in FIG. 6, the payout block 1030 includes a game ball tank 1032 for storing game balls for lending and winning balls, a payout device 1033 for paying out game balls, and a game. A tank rail 1034 and a case rail 1035 for guiding the game ball from the ball tank 1032 to the payout device 1033, a payout relay terminal plate 1036, a payout control device 1037 for controlling the payout operation of the game ball, and a power supply of the game ball And a CR unit connection terminal plate 1039 for connecting the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 to the CR unit.

  The payout block main body 1031 protrudes rearward in the center to cover a game block 1040 (see FIG. 2), and a game ball tank 1032 and a tank rail 1034 so as to surround the protective cover portion 1031c. A case rail 1035, a payout device 1033, a payout relay terminal plate 1036, a CR unit connection terminal plate 1039, a payout control device 1037, and a power supply control device 1038 are mounted. The payout block main body 1031 has an upper plate guide passage 1031d for guiding game balls from the payout device 1033 to the upper plate 1302, a lower plate guide passage 1031e for guiding game balls from the payout device 1033 to the lower plate 1128, and a payout device 1033. A discharge passage 1031f is formed for discharging the game ball from the outside to the outside of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010. In the lower dish guide passage 1031e, when the upper dish guide passage 1031d overflows with game balls, the game balls are introduced from the payout device 1033. The upper plate guide passage 1031d and the lower plate guide passage 1031e communicate with the upper plate discharge port 1312 and the lower plate discharge port 1138, respectively.

  The payout block main body 1031 is provided with a pair of upper and lower rotating shaft portions 1031g. In each rotating shaft portion 1031g, a bracket 1031h extends from the payout block main body 1031 in a substantially horizontal direction, and protrudes downward from the bracket 1031h. The front block 1020 is provided with an annular bearing portion (not shown) into which the rotary shaft portion 1031g is dropped, so that the front block 1020 and the dispensing block 1030 can be easily attached and detached.

  The game ball tank 1032 is a horizontally long box-shaped container that opens upward, and game balls supplied from the game ball circulation facility in the game machine installation island are sequentially replenished. The bottom of the game ball tank 1032 is gently inclined. The downstream end of the bottom of the game ball tank 1032 is opened to send the game ball to the tank rail 1034.

  The tank rail 1034 is attached below the game ball tank 1032 and has four rows of bowl-shaped passages (not shown) in the horizontal direction. The bowl-shaped passage is gently inclined toward the downstream side. On the tank rail 1034, four pendulums 1034a and 1034b that rectify the game balls so as not to flow due to being stacked are attached in two rows and two columns. A ball stop lever 1034c for preventing the game ball from flowing from the tank rail 1034 to the case rail 1035 is attached to the downstream side of the pendulums 1034a and 1034b.

  The case rail 1035 is arranged vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 1034. The case rail 1035 has a ball passage 1035a that is curved to the left and right with wavy undulations so that the game ball does not flow vigorously, and a ball breakage detection device 35b is assembled to the upper portion thereof. The ball breakage detecting device 1035b has a case in which there are not enough game balls inside the case rail 1035, that is, a ball is clogged upstream from the case rail 1035 and the game balls are not sufficiently supplied to the case rail 1035. Is detected. Based on the detection result of the ball break detection device 1035b, a ball clogging error is notified. Note that a plurality of case rails 1035 (for example, four) are connected in the front-rear direction corresponding to the number of bowl-shaped passages of the tank rail 1034.

  The payout device 1033 is for paying out a predetermined number of game balls by satisfying a predetermined winning condition or by pressing a ball lending button 1306 with a card inserted in a CR unit (not shown). In this embodiment, the maximum number of prize balls of the pachinko machine is 15 balls, whereas the maximum number of prize balls of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 is 75, which is a ball-type spinning machine compared to the pachinko machine. In view of the fact that the maximum number of prize balls of the gaming machine 10 is large, more payout devices 1033 are provided than pachinko machines so that prize balls can be quickly paid out. In other words, if the pachinko machine has two payout devices 1033, the game can proceed quickly, but in the case of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010, the number of prize balls is large and all the prize balls are not paid out. In this embodiment, four payout devices 1033 are provided in the front-rear direction to speed up the payout of the winning ball so that the game can proceed without delay.

  The mounting bases 1036a and 1036b are divided into two parts, and have ball passages 1036a1 and 1036b1 connected to the upper plate guide passage 1031d and the lower plate guide passage 1031e, and ball passages 1036a2 and 1036b2 connected to the discharge passage 1031f on the right side. Have. The upper parts of one of the ball paths 1036a1 and 1036b1 are slightly inclined toward the upper dish guide path 1031d, respectively, so that it is easier to guide the game ball to the upper dish guide path 1031d than the lower dish guide path 1031e. Further, the lower part of one of the ball passages 1036a1 and 1036b1 has a tapered shape so as to straddle the upper plate guide passage 1031d and the lower plate guide passage 1031e. The other spherical passages 1036a2 and 1036b2 are configured such that the spherical passage 1036a2 on the back side merges with the spherical passage 1036b2 on the front side and continues to the discharge passage 1031f on the front side.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are longitudinal sectional views showing an example of the configuration of the dispensing device. When FIG. 7A is not paying out, when FIG. 7B is paying out the game balls to the upper plate, FIG. 7C shows the case where the game balls are being discharged to the outside of the gaming machine. ing.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the payout device 1033 has a resin casing including a casing 1033a and a cover (not shown). Inside the casing, a payout flicker 1033b, a payout solenoid 1033c, , And a switching piece 1033g. Formed inside the casing 1033a are a ball passage 1033d, a discharge passage 1033e extending substantially vertically downward on the downstream side of the ball passage 1033d, and a discharge passage 1033f extending from the middle of the discharge passage 1033e and extending obliquely downward. Yes. The switching piece 1033g is disposed at a branch portion from the payout passage 1033e to the discharge passage 1033f. Normally, since the switching piece 1033g is maintained substantially vertically upward, the game ball does not flow into the discharge passage 1033f.

  The payout flicker 1033b is a member for opening and closing the ball passage 1033d. The payout flicker 1033b includes a base end side portion 1033b1 and a tip end side portion 1033b2 that are rotatably connected by a support shaft 1033b3. The proximal end portion 1033b1 and the distal end portion 1033b2 of the payout flicker 1033b are rotatably supported by the spindles 1033a1 and 1033a2 of the casing 1033a, respectively. A gripping portion 1033b4 for gripping the tongue piece 1033c1 of the payout solenoid 1033c is provided at the base end portion of the payout flicker 1033b. An opening / closing portion 1033b5 for opening / closing the ball passage 1033d is provided at the tip of the payout flicker 1033b.

  The payout solenoid 1033c is energized by pressing a ball lending button 1306 while satisfying a predetermined winning condition or by inserting a card into a CR unit (not shown), and contracts the piston (plunger) 1033c2 upward. Is. A knob portion 1033c3 is attached to the tip of the piston 1033c2. The knob portion 1033c3 has the tongue piece 1033c1 extending in the radial direction of the piston 1033c2. The piston 1033c2 is provided with a coil spring 1033c4. The coil spring 1033c4 biases the main body portion 1033c5 of the payout solenoid 1033c and the knob portion 1033c3 in a direction to separate them. That is, when the power supply to the dispensing solenoid 1033c is turned off, the piston 1033c2 moves downward by the urging force of the coil spring 1033c4.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in a state where the ball passage 1033d is closed by the opening / closing portion 1033b5 of the payout flicker 1033b, a predetermined winning condition is satisfied, or there is a remaining number in the frequency display portion 1352. When the ball lending button 1306 is pressed, the dispensing solenoid 1033c is energized. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the piston 1033c2 is contracted to rotate the proximal end portion 1033b1 of the payout flicker 1033b counterclockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end portion 1033b2 of the payout flicker 1033b rotates clockwise in the drawing to open the ball passage 1033d, so that the game ball can fall naturally. On the contrary, when the discharge solenoid 1033c is deenergized, the piston 1033c2 is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 1033c4 to rotate the proximal end portion 1033b1 of the discharge flicker 1033b clockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end portion 1033b2 of the payout flicker 1033b rotates counterclockwise in the figure to close the ball passage 1033d, and the game ball returns to the state where it cannot fall naturally, that is, the state shown in FIG.

  The payout device 1033 is equipped with a count sensor 1033h having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The count sensor 1033h is arranged immediately downstream of the opening / closing portion 1033b5 of the payout flicker 1033b, and is for counting the game balls falling in the ball passage 1033d. When the number of game balls detected by the count sensor 1033h reaches a predetermined value (for example, 35, 75, 125, or 250), the payout solenoid 1033c is de-energized and the payout flicker 1033b passes through the ball path 33d. It is configured to close.

  A substantially L-shaped pressing piece 1033i for moving the knob portion 1033c3 up and down is provided below the payout solenoid 1033c. The pressing piece 1033i is rotatably attached to the support shaft 1033a3 of the casing 1033a, and presses the knob portion 1033c3 upward at the distal end portion 1033i1.

  A substantially fan-shaped operation lever 1033j (see FIG. 6) is disposed outside the casing 1033a. 7A to 7C, the operation lever 1033j can rotate around the rotation shaft 33a4. The operating lever 1033j is connected to a protrusion 1033g1 provided at the intermediate portion of the switching piece 1033g and a protrusion 1033i2 provided at the base end of the pressing piece 1033i. That is, when the operation lever 1033j is rotated, the switching piece 1033g and the pressing piece 1033i are configured to be interlocked. When the operation lever 1033j is operated counterclockwise in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 7C, the payout passage 1033e is closed by the switching piece 1033g and the ball passage 1033d and the discharge passage 1033f are communicated. On the other hand, the knob 1033c3 of the dispensing solenoid 1033c is pushed up by the pressing piece 1033i, and the dispensing flicker 1033b opens the ball passage 1033d. When the operation lever 1033j is operated as described above while preventing the game ball from flowing with the ball stop lever 1034c provided on the tank rail 1034, the game ball on the downstream side of the ball stop lever 1034c is It is discharged outside. When the payout device 1033 or the case rail 1035 fails, the payout device 1033 or the case rail 1035 is discharged in a state where the downstream game ball is discharged from the ball stop lever 1034c to the outside of the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 as described above. (See FIG. 6) can be replaced.

  The payout control device 1037, the power supply control device 1038, and the CR unit connection terminal plate 1039 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The payout control device 1037 controls the payout of prize balls and lending balls. As is well known, a payout control board 1037a (see FIG. 12) including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. It has.

  The power supply control device 1038 generates and outputs a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control devices. The power control device 1038 is provided with a power control board 1038 ′, a power switch 1038a, a RAM erasing reset switch 1038b, a stop switch 1038c, and a setting change key cylinder (not shown). Yes. When the power switch 1038a is turned on, it supplies power to each unit including the CPU. When the reset switch 1038b is pressed and the power switch 1038a is simultaneously turned on, the contents of the RAM are reset. When the reset switch 1038b is pressed while the power switch 1038a is turned on, the error state is reset. The stop switch 1038c is for switching whether or not to temporarily stop the game at the end of the big bonus. The setting change key cylinder 1038d constitutes a setting change device. In the setting change device, the ball turnout rate of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 is determined in advance in a plurality of steps (for example, 6 steps), and the ball turnout rate is set in any step. The procedure for changing the setting is as follows. First, with the power switch 1038a turned off, a setting change key (not shown) is inserted into the setting change key cylinder and rotated 90 degrees clockwise. In this state, when the power switch 1038a is turned on, the current turn-out rate (setting) of the 7-segment LED display portion 1041g (see FIG. 9) on the front surface of the game block 1040 described later is a numerical value “1” to “6”. Displayed either. Next, when the reset switch 1038b is pushed, the number displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g changes and increases by 1 (however, in the case of “6”, it returns to “1”). When the start lever 1124 (see FIG. 1) is pressed in a state where any number from “1” to “6” is displayed on the 7-segment LED display portion 1041g, the exit rate (setting) is determined.

  The CR unit connection terminal plate 1039 is electrically connected to the ball lending button 1306 (see FIG. 1) on the front surface of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 and a CR unit (not shown), and receives a ball lending operation command from the player. This is output to the payout control apparatus 1037. Note that the CR unit connection terminal plate 39 is unnecessary in a cash machine in which game balls are rented directly from the ball lending device or the like to the upper plate 1302 (see FIG. 1) without using a CR unit.

  The payout control device 1037 and the power supply control device 1038 are configured such that a control board is accommodated in a substrate case made of a transparent resin material or the like.

(Game block configuration)
As shown in FIG. 2, the game block 1040 is attached to the front block 1020 so as to be freely opened and closed. The opening / closing axis of the game block 1040 is the same as the opening / closing axis of the payout block 1030, and, like the payout block 1030, the game block 1040 is attached to be openable and detachable by a drop structure. The game block 1040 has a one-touch type stopper 1040a, and is connected and fixed to the payout block 1030 by the stopper 1040a. A stopper 1031i for hooking the stopper 1040a is fixed to the payout block 1030 side. In other words, the game block 1040 is integrated with the payout block 1030 and is opened and closed with respect to the front block 1020, and after being disconnected from the payout block 1030, the game block 1040 is configured to rotate forward with respect to the payout block 1030. The The game block 1040 is a main block that forms the core of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010, and the game block 1040 can be replaced by making such a game block 1040 easy to attach and detach as described above. By replacing the gaming block 1040, it is possible to change to a gaming machine having completely different gaming characteristics, and to reduce the cost of replacing a new gaming machine.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the game block 1040. As shown in FIG. 8, the game block 1040 includes a game panel 1041 that is visually recognized through a window hole 1102 (see FIG. 1) of the front panel 1100. The gaming panel 1041 includes a pair of upper and lower window holes 1041a and 1041b. A liquid crystal display device 1042 is attached to the back side of the game panel 1041 corresponding to the upper window hole 1041a, and the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 1042 can be viewed through the upper window hole 1041a. In addition, the spinning unit 1043 is attached to the back side of the game panel 1041 corresponding to the lower window hole 1041b, and the symbol display by the spinning unit 1043 can be visually recognized through the lower window hole 1041b. Further, on the back side of the game panel 1041, a main control device 1045 is attached to one side of the spinning unit 1043 via a main mounting base 1044, and a sub-control is provided behind the liquid crystal display device 1042 via a sub mounting base 1046. A device 1047 is attached. The main controller 1045 is arranged in a vertically long shape so as to be orthogonal to the game panel 1041.

  FIG. 9 is a front view of the game block 1040. FIG. 9 shows a state where a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols in a row are removed from the rotating drum unit 1043 for convenience, and the strip-shaped symbol stickers 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R (see FIG. 11) are removed.

  From the lower window hole 1041b of the game panel 1041, three of the symbols of the symbol seals 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R attached to each of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are exposed from the lower window hole 1041b. In FIG. 9, nine pairs of left and right LEDs 1043L1, 1043M1, and 1043R1 are exposed in three rows and three columns.

  An effective line display portion 1041c is provided on the left side of the lower window hole 1041b of the game panel 1041. The active line display unit 1041c includes a 1-bet display unit 1041c1, 2-bet display units 1041c2 and 1041c2 arranged above and below, and 3-bet display units 1041c3 and 1041c3 arranged at the uppermost and lowermost levels. The predetermined bet display portions 1041c1 to 1041c3 are lit according to the number of bets on the game balls.

  On the both sides of the upper window hole 1041a of the game panel 1041, there are provided the electric actors 1041d and 1041e. In addition, on the right side of the lower window hole 1041b, an electric accessory 1041f, a 7-segment LED display unit 1041g, and an LED display unit 1041h are arranged in this order from the top. These electric actors 1041d, 1041e, and 1041f are used for game effects, big bonus or regular bonus confirmation notifications, and the like. The 7-segment LED display unit 1041g is a part for displaying the number of game balls bet and the number of payouts, an error code, the total number of payouts in the bonus, and six levels of settings when the settings are changed. The LED display unit 1041h is provided with four LEDs. Among them, the upper three LEDs constitute a bet number display portion 1041h1. The bet number display section 1041h1 displays the bet number within the range of “1” to “3” by turning on the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of game balls inserted into the selector 1400. The remaining one LED is a re-game display unit 1041h2. The replay display section 1041h2 is lit when the replay symbols (the symbols indicated as “re” in a substantially fan-shaped frame) of the symbol stickers 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R shown in FIG. 11 are aligned on the active line. This notifies that the next unit game can be played without a betting of a game ball. When the start lever 1124 is pressed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the replay symbols are aligned on the active line, the replay display portion 1041h2 is turned off as the rotating cylinders L, M, and R rotate.

  Further, an information posting panel (not shown) exposed from the center panel portion 1112 is attached below the lower window hole 1041b. A certificate 1041i and a model name sticker 1041j are affixed to one end of the information posting panel. Further, as shown by a broken line, a fluorescent lamp 1041k for illuminating the information posting panel from the rear side is disposed inside the information posting panel.

  The liquid crystal display device 1042 provides a notification effect for winning a small role during a normal game, a suggestion effect for suggesting that the game state transitions from a normal game state to a bonus state, an effect during a big bonus or a regular bonus, Display of the number of small-games and the number of JAC games, the effect of notifying that a specific gaming state (for example, an RT state in which replay is easy to win), the timing and order of pressing of the rotation stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, 1126R An effect to notify the user is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a partial exploded perspective view of an example of the rotating drum unit 1043. As shown in FIG. 10, the rotating drum unit 1043 has three rotating drums (so-called reels) L, M, and R, and each of the rotating drums L, M, and R is accommodated in the rotating drum unit frame 1043a. is there. Since each of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R has substantially the same configuration, the right spinning cylinder R will be described as an example.

  The right drum R is obtained by winding a symbol seal 1043R in which 21 symbols (identification elements) are drawn at equal intervals around the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical skeleton member 1043R2 forming a cylindrical cage, and the cylindrical skeleton member 1043R2 Is attached to the rotating shaft 1043R5 of the stepping motor 1043R4 for the right turn cylinder via the disk-shaped reinforcing plate 1043R3.

  The stepping motor 1043R4 for the right swirl is screwed to a motor plate 1043R6 that is suspended from the swivel unit frame 1043a. The motor plate 1043R6 has a pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements. A position detection sensor 1043R7 is installed. A pair of photosensor elements (not shown) that constitute the rotation position detection sensor 1043R7 are arranged in the sensor casing while maintaining a predetermined interval.

  A sensor cut van 1043R9 extending in the axial direction is attached to one of the five vehicle radii 1043R8 of the cylindrical skeleton member 1043R2. The sensor cut bang 1043R9 is aligned so that it can pass through the gap between both elements of the rotation position detection sensor 1043R7. Then, every time the right cylinder R makes one rotation, the cylinder position detection sensor 1043R7 detects the passage of the tip of the sensor cut bang 1043R9, and outputs a detection signal to the main controller 1045 each time it is detected. Based on this detection signal, main controller 1045 can check and correct the angular position of right cylinder R every rotation.

  The stepping motor 1043R4 is set so that the right cylinder R makes one round by a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter), and the rotational position is controlled by this excitation pulse. That is, when the right turn R makes one round, 21 symbols are sequentially exposed from the lower window hole 1041b of the gaming panel 1041, so 24 pulses (= 504 pulses / 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next. ). Then, based on the number of pulses from when the detection signal of the rotating drum position detection sensor 1043R7 is output, it is recognized which symbol is exposed from the window hole 1041b, or an arbitrary symbol is exposed from the window hole 1041b. Control can be performed. In this embodiment, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor employing a 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the stepping motor 1043R4. The stepping motor 1043R4 is not limited to a hybrid type or two-phase, and various stepping motors such as a three-phase stepping motor and a five-phase stepping motor can be used. A drive signal (drive signal data) for the stepping motor 1043R4 is given to the motor driver 1070 (see FIG. 13) as excitation data.

  The main control device 1045 is responsible for the main control of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010. Specifically, the main control device 1045 receives a signal from the start lever 1124 and receives a winning combination (big bonus, regular bonus, small role, replay). And a command signal is issued to the sub-control device 1047 and the payout control device 1037 based on the lottery result. As shown in FIG. 15, the main controller 1045 has a configuration in which a CPU 1045a1 that controls the main control, a ROM 1045a2 that stores a game program, a RAM 1045a3 that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, and various devices are connected. A main control board 1045a including an output port 1045a4, a random number generation circuit 1045a5 used for various lotteries, a clock circuit 1045a6 used for time counting and synchronization, and a transparent resin that accommodates the main control board 1045a A substrate case 1045b (1045b1, 1045b2) (see FIG. 8) made of a material or the like is used.

  The sub-control device 1047 is based on a command signal (command) issued from the main control device 1045, and a light-emitting device for game effect (not shown) that is covered with various LED cover portions such as the LED cover portion 1104 (see FIG. 1). LED) is turned on and blinking, sound effects emitted from the upper and lower speakers 1106 and 1204 (see FIG. 1), and the display mode displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1042 are controlled. The configuration of the sub-control device 1047 is the same as that of the main control device 1045. The sub-control including the CPU for controlling the various LEDs, the upper and lower speakers 1106, 1204, and the liquid crystal display device 1042, and other ROM, RAM, input / output ports, and the like. A substrate 1047a and a substrate case 1047b (1047b1, 1047b2) made of a transparent resin material or the like for accommodating the sub-control substrate 1047a.

(Control system for ball-type spinning machine)
A control system of the ball-type spinning machine 1010 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the ball-type spinning machine.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the main control board 1045a functions as a control unit configured as a microcomputer centering on a CPU 1045a1 which is an arithmetic processing unit, and a ROM (or flash memory) 1045a2 for temporarily storing a processing program. A working RAM 1045a3, an input / output port 1045a4, and the like for storing data are connected to the CPU 1045a1 via an internal bus.

  The input / output port 1045a4 of the main control board 1045a has a reset signal from the reset switch 1038b, a setting signal from the setting key switch 1038d1, a 1-bet signal from the bet button 1114, a maximum bet signal from the max bet button 1304, and a selector 1400. The auxiliary passage detection signals from the count sensors 1416a1, 1416b1 and 1416c1 for detecting the game balls taken in by the upper sensors 1415a1, 1415b1 and 1415c1 in the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b and 1415c for detecting the game balls taken in by the selector 1400 Upstream passage detection signal and downstream passage detection signals from the lower elements 1415a2, 1415b2, 1415c2 in the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, 1415c, the start lever 11 4, a stop signal from each of the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M and 1126R, a detection signal from the spinning cylinder position detection sensors 1043L7, 1043M7 and 1043R7, and a count sensor 1033h which detects a game ball paid out from the payout device 1033 A count signal based on the count switch signal, a game ball detection signal from the ball break detection device 1035b that detects a game ball in the case rail 1035, a paying out signal indicating the payout period, and the like are input.

  Further, from the input / output port 1045a4 of the main control board 1045a, the closing solenoids 1414a, 1414b, 1414c based on the betting signals from the betting buttons 1114, 1304, the closing solenoids based on the count values of the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, 1415c. 1414a, 1414b, 1414c drive stop signals, fluctuation start signals from the start lever 1124, and drive signals for the spinning stepping motors 1043L4, 1043M4, 1043R4 based on stop command signals from the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, 1126R, etc. Is output. Control signals for controlling the contents of effects displayed on the liquid crystal display device 1042, sound effects emitted from the speakers 1106 and 1204, lighting and blinking of various light emitting devices (LEDs) covered with the upper LED cover 1104, etc. Is output to the sub-control board 1047a.

  The above-described CPU 1045a1 includes a ROM 1045a2 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 1045a1 and fixed value data, and a work area that temporarily stores various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 1045a2. In addition to the working RAM 1045a3 for securing the above, various processing circuits necessary for the ball-type spinning machine 1010 such as a timer circuit and a data transmission / reception circuit such as an interrupt circuit as well known are incorporated, although not shown. ing.

  The ROM 1045a2 and the RAM 1045a3 constitute a main memory, and a processing program (including an output control information generation processing program) for executing various processes is stored in the ROM 1045a2 described above as a part of the processing program. In the RAM 1045a3, a plurality of work areas are secured functionally. As is well known, in addition to a stack memory (stack memory area) for storing the value of the program counter provided in the CPU 1045a1, in this example, a power failure flag memory for storing a power failure flag and a stack for storing a stack pointer Pointer storage memory, checksum correction value memory for storing correction values related to the checksum of data stored in the RAM 45a3, and memory such as a power recovery command buffer and power recovery command counter used during power recovery Area is secured.

  In addition to I / O devices such as the sub-control board 1047a, the input / output port 1045a4 is an external device capable of transmitting information to a gaming machine management device (not shown) such as a computer for a hall manager, an external information display device, The centralized terminal board, the power failure monitoring circuit 1038f provided on the power supply control board 1038 ′, the closing solenoids 1414a, 1414b, 1414c, the payout control board 1037a, and the like are electrically connected.

  The power supply control board 1038 ′ is equipped with a power supply unit 1038 e that supplies driving power to each electronic device of the ball-type spinning machine 1010 including the main control board 1045 a, the power failure monitoring circuit 1038 f described above, and the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 1038f monitors the power-off state, and generates a power failure signal not only at the time of power failure but also at the time of power-off by the power switch 1038a. For this reason, the power failure monitoring circuit 1038f monitors the stabilized drive voltage of 24 VDC output from the power supply unit 1038e, and determines that the power has been disconnected when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 22 volts. A signal is output. The power failure signal is supplied to each of the CPU 1045a1 and the input / output port 1045a4, and the CPU 1045a1 recognizes this power failure signal to execute the power failure process. The power supply unit 1038e is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main control board 1045a even when the output voltage is reduced to less than 22 volts. As a time during which the stabilization voltage is output, a sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main control board 1045a.

  Further, when the reset signal is transmitted from the reset switch 1038b at the same time when the stabilization drive voltage is supplied from the power supply unit 1038e, the main control board 1045a erases the information written in the RAM 1045a3 and stabilizes from the power supply unit 1038e. When a reset signal is transmitted from the reset switch 1038b in a state where the drive voltage is supplied, the error state is reset.

  In addition, when the power is turned on after the setting key switch 1038d1 is turned on when the power is turned off, that is, when the power is turned on after the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder 1038d and rotated. A state in which the exit rate of the trunk game machine 10 can be changed occurs. In this state, when a reset signal is transmitted from the reset switch 1038b, the bonus probability and the small role probability of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 are changed, and the change result is represented by the numbers “1” to “6”. It outputs to 7 segment LED display part 1041g (refer FIG. 9). Then, when a setting confirmation signal is received from the start lever 1124 in a state in which any number from “1” to “6” is displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g, the turn-out rate of the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 Confirm (Setting).

  The payout control board 1037a has a configuration substantially similar to that of the main control board 1045a, and includes a CPU, a ROM (or flash memory) for storing a processing program, a working (working) RAM for temporarily storing data, Input / output ports and the like are connected to the CPU via an internal bus.

  A control process executed on the main control board 1045a will be described. The control processing of the main control board 1045a is roughly divided into main processing that is activated in response to power recovery by external power supply restart or power switch 1038a being turned on, and interrupt processing that interrupts the main processing. The For convenience of explanation, after describing the interrupt process, the main process will be described. As interrupt processing, there are power failure interrupt processing for interrupting in response to reception of a power failure signal at the NMI terminal, and timer interrupt processing for periodically interrupting by measuring time with a timer.

  First, the power failure interrupt process will be described. When a power failure occurs, a power failure signal is generated by the power failure monitoring circuit 1038f of the power control board 1038 'and output to the main control board 1045a. In main control board 1045a, the NMI terminal of CPU 1045a1 receives a power failure signal, and an interrupt process (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “power failure interrupt process”) is executed in which a power failure flag is set in response to the reception of the power failure signal. In the power failure interrupt process, first, the register data currently used is saved in a backup area in the RAM 1045a3 ("register save process"). After the register saving process, the power failure flag is set (“power failure flag setting process”). The power failure flag is information representing the occurrence of a power failure state held in a specific area in the RAM 45a3. After the power failure flag setting process, the CPU 1045a1 is notified of the end of the process in its own interrupt ("interrupt end declaration process"). After the interrupt end declaration process, the register data saved in the backup area of the RAM 1045a3 in the register saving process is restored to the register of the CPU 1045a1 ("register restoration process"). After the register restoration process, a new interrupt is permitted (“interrupt permission process”). The power failure interrupt process ends when the interrupt permission process is completed. If the power failure flag setting process can be performed without destroying the data in the register in use, the register saving process and the register restoring process can be omitted.

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing in the main control board 1045a. In the main control board 1045a, timer interrupt processing is periodically performed. In this embodiment, the timer interrupt process is substantially performed at a period of 1.49 ms [milliseconds].

  In the timer interrupt process, first, information on all registers used in the normal process in the main process described later is stored in the backup area of the RAM 1045a3 ("register save process" S2101). After the register saving process S2101, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set (S2102). When the power failure flag is set, the backup process S2103 is executed.

  In the backup process S2103, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission of various commands stored in the ring buffer has been completed. If the transmission of these commands has not ended, the backup process S2103 is temporarily ended and control returns to the timer interrupt process. This is control for completing the transmission of the command before starting the backup process S2103. On the other hand, when the transmission of these commands is completed, the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 1045a1 is saved in the backup area in the RAM 1045a3 ("stack pointer saving process"). After the stack pointer saving process S2102, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared, and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 45a4 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off ("stop process"). After the stop process, a new RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area (“RAM determination value storage process”). The RAM determination value is a 2's complement of the checksum value in the work area of the RAM 1045a3. Here, the 2's complement of the tick sum value is a value generated when each digit (bit) of the check sum value is inverted in binary representation. In this case, the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR (“FFFF”) of the checksum value of the RAM 1045a3 and the RAM determination value is “0”. In this embodiment, the complement of the checksum value is used as the RAM determination value. However, in the present invention, the checksum value itself may be used as the RAM determination value. After the RAM determination value storage process, access to the RAM 1045a3 is prohibited ("RAM access prohibition process"). Thereafter, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the processing cannot be executed due to complete interruption of the internal power. Note that, for example, when the power failure flag is erroneously set due to noise or the like, although not shown, it is confirmed whether the power failure signal is still input before entering the infinite loop. If the power failure signal is not output, the internal power supply is restored, so that writing to the RAM 1045a3 is permitted, the power failure flag is released, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. On the other hand, if the power failure signal is continuously input, an infinite loop is entered (not shown).

  As described above, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the backup process S2103, and when those transmissions are not completed, the transmission process is prioritized. By adopting a configuration in which the backup process S2103 is executed after the command transmission process is completed, it is not necessary to construct a power failure processing program that also considers that the backup process is executed during the command transmission. As a result, it is possible to simplify the program related to the processing at the time of power failure and to reduce the capacity of the ROM 1045a2. The power supply unit 1038e of the power supply control board 1038 ′ outputs backup power used as drive power for the control system for a sufficient time to complete the power failure interrupt process and the backup process even after a power failure occurs. . With this backup power, backup processing of power failure interrupt processing and timer interrupt processing is performed. In this embodiment, backup power is continuously output for 30 ms [milliseconds] after the occurrence of a power failure.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2102 that the power failure flag is not set, a watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is initialized, and an interrupt permission is issued to the CPU 1045a1 itself (“interrupt end declaration”). Process "S2104). After the interrupt end declaration process S2104, the left stepping motor 1043L4 for rotating the left cylinder L, the middle stepping motor 1043M4 for rotating the middle cylinder M, and the right stepping motor 1043R4 for rotating the right cylinder R The drive is controlled ("left stepping motor control process" S2105, "middle stepping motor control process" S2106, "right stepping motor control process" S2107). After various stepping motor control processes S2105 to S2107, switch state changes in various devices connected to the input / output port 1045a4 are monitored ("switch reading process" S2108). After the switch reading process S2108, the sensor state change in various devices connected to the input / output port 1045a4 is monitored ("sensor monitoring process" S2109). After the sensor monitoring process S2109, various counter values and various timer values are subtracted ("timer subtraction process" S2110). After the timer subtraction process S2110, the bet number and the acquired ball number are output to the external concentration terminal board in order to count the difference ball number (difference between the total number of bets and the total number of acquisitions) ("difference ball counting process" S2111). . After the difference ball counting process S2111, various commands accumulated in the ring buffer are transmitted to the sub control board 47a ("command output process" S2112). After the command output process S2112, segment data displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g, the acquired number display device, and the like are set ("segment data setting process" S2113). The segment data set in the segment data setting process S2113 is transmitted to a predetermined segment data display device in the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g or the like (“segment data display process” S2114). Accordingly, the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g and the like display numbers, characters, symbols, and the like corresponding to the received segment data. Data is output from the input / output port 1045a4 to the I / O device ("port output processing" S2115). After the port output process S2115, the data of each register saved in the backup area in the register save process S2101 is restored to a predetermined register in the CPU 1045a1 ("register restore process" S2116). After the register restoration process S2116, the next timer interrupt is permitted ("interrupt permission process" S2117). A series of timer interrupt processing is completed through the above processing.

  The main process in the main control board 1045a will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board 1045a. The main process of the main control board 1045a is executed when returning from the power failure state.

  In the main process of the main control board 1045a, first, an initial value of the stack pointer is set ("stack pointer initial setting process" S2201). After the stack pointer initial setting process S1201, an interrupt mode permitting the interrupt process is set ("interrupt mode setting process" S2202). After the interrupt mode setting process S2202, various settings for the register group, I / O device, and the like in the CPU 1045a1 are performed ("register setting process" S2203). After the register setting process S2203, a setting key is inserted into the setting key switch 1038d1, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation (such as a right rotation operation) is performed (S2204).

  If it is determined that the setting key switch 1038d1 has been operated, 1 is selected from a predetermined plurality of types of probability settings (in this embodiment, six-stage settings from “Setting 1” to “Setting 6”). Data in all the areas of the RAM 1045a3 excluding a predetermined area that holds the set values of the two probability settings is forcibly cleared ("forced RAM clear processing" S2205). After the forced RAM clearing process S2205, the current setting value can be reset (resetting the setting) ("probability setting selection process" S2206). In changing the set value, the operation of the reset switch 1038b and the operation of the start lever 1124 are used. After the probability setting selection process S2206, the process proceeds to the normal game process.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2204 that the setting key switch 1038d1 is not operated, is the set value of the selected probability setting within a predetermined range (“1” to “6”)? It is determined whether or not (S2207). Note that the set value takes only a value within a predetermined range unless an abnormal situation such as mechanical or electrical destruction of the RAM 45a3 occurs between the occurrence of a power failure state and the return from the power failure state. Absent. If the set value is within a predetermined range, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is set (S2208). When the power failure flag is set, the checksum value of the work area of the RAM 45a3 is newly calculated, and it is determined whether or not the new checksum value is normal (S2209). The new checksum value is normal means that the new checksum value and the checksum value before the occurrence of the power failure state are the same, that is, the new checksum value and the RAM determination held in the backup area of the RAM 45a3. It means that the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR with the value is “0”. This value is “0” when the new checksum value and the checksum value before the occurrence of the power failure are the same, and other than “0” when they are different. Unless an abnormal situation such as mechanical or electrical destruction of the RAM 45a3 occurs between the occurrence of a power failure state and the return from the power failure state, this value is not “0”. If it is determined in the determination process S2207 that the set value of the probability setting is not within the predetermined range, if it is determined in the determination process S2208 that the power failure flag is not set, or a new checksum is determined in the determination process S2209 When it is determined that the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR of the value and the RAM determination value is other than “0”, the interrupt is prohibited (“interrupt prohibition setting process” S2216). After the interrupt inhibition setting process S2216, all output ports of the input / output port 1045a4 are cleared, and all actuators connected to the input / output port 1045a4 are turned off ("all output port clear process" S2217). After the all output port clear process S2217, a process for notifying the occurrence of an error is performed ("error notification process" S2218). This error notification state continues until the reset switch 1038b is operated.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2209 that the new checksum value is normal, the value of the stack pointer stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 1045a1, and the value of the stack pointer is before the occurrence of the power failure state. ("Stack pointer return process" S2210). As a result, after returning from the power failure state, it is possible to resume from the process interrupted by the occurrence of the power failure state. After the stack pointer recovery process S2210, a power recovery command indicating recovery from the power failure state is set ("power recovery command setting process" S2211). As a result, the power recovery command is transmitted to the sub control board 1047a. After the power recovery command setting process S2211, the state of the stop changeover switch 1038c is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 ("game form setting process" S2212). After the game form setting process S2212, the sensor values of various devices are initialized ("sensor initialization process" S2213). After the sensor initialization process S2213, the power failure flag is canceled ("power failure flag cancellation process" S2214). If a power failure occurs during payout after the power failure flag release process S2214, a payout command for resuming payout is set ("payout command setting process" S2215). After the payout command setting process S2215, the process is resumed from the process at the address before the occurrence of the power failure indicated by the stack pointer. Specifically, an interrupt end declaration process S2104 after the backup process S2103 (see FIG. 13) in the timer interrupt process described above is executed.

  The normal process for performing the main control related to the game at the normal time will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal game process executed on the main control board 1045a. The normal game process of the main control board 1045a is executed after the end of the probability setting process S2206 (see FIG. 14) in the main process. In addition, after the payout command setting process S2215 ends, the normal game process is executed halfway.

  In the normal game process, as shown in FIG. 15, first, interrupt permission is set ("interrupt permission setting process" S2301). After the interrupt permission setting process S2301, the state of the stop change switch 1038c for determining the game form is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 (“game form setting process” S2302). The game form setting process S2302 is the same process as the game form setting process S2212 (see FIG. 19) in the main process. After the game form setting process S2302, the process proceeds to the loop process described below. In the following, a case where a continuous game is in progress will be described.

  In the loop process, the data in the area holding information that changes for each game in the RAM 1045a3 is cleared ("game information clear process" S2303). Specifically, information related to the previous game is cleared. The information to be cleared includes, for example, information related to random numbers, information related to control of the reels L, M, and R, information related to winning, and information related to errors. Information related to winning includes information such as winning symbols, winning lines, and number of game balls to be won.

  After the game information clear process S2303, it waits while performing a predetermined process until a change start signal is input ("change wait process" S2304). Here, the fluctuation waiting process S2304 will be described in detail. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the variation standby process.

  In the variable waiting process S2304, first, a game monitoring timer is set (“game monitoring timer setting process” S2401). Here, the setting of the game monitoring timer means that the value of the timer is reset and a new time measurement by the timer is started. The game monitoring timer is a timer for measuring a game interval, and when a predetermined time has elapsed without being played by the player, the image on the liquid crystal display device 42 is transferred to a predetermined image (demonstration image). Used to make

  After the game monitoring timer setting process S2401, it is determined whether or not a re-game has been won in the previous game. If a re-game has been won, the same number of games as the previous game bet is automatically set. The ball is automatically bet ("automatic betting process" S2402).

  After the automatic betting process S2402, it is confirmed whether an error has occurred in the selector 1400. If an error has occurred, the speaker 1106, 1204, the light emitting devices 1132, 1134L1, and various LED cover portions are covered. A throw error command for notifying the LED, the liquid crystal display device 1042, and the like of the error is set ("load error notifying process" S2403). For example, a case where an upstream passage detection signal or a downstream passage detection signal is received from the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, and 1415c except during a game ball insertion period can be mentioned. The throw error command stored in the ring buffer is output to the sub control board 1047a in the command output process S2112 of the timer interrupt process executed after the storage. In the following, various commands stored in the ring buffer are output to the sub-control board 1047a in the command output process S2112 of the timer interrupt process executed after the storage as in the case of the input error command.

  After the insertion error notification process S2403, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the payout device 1033. If an error has occurred in the payout device 1033, a liquid crystal such as a speaker 1106, 1204 light emitting device 132, 134L1, etc. A payout error command for informing the display device 42 of an error is set ("payout error notification process" S2404). Specifically, whether or not a signal being paid out from the payout board 1037a is in an on state, and whether or not a count signal from the payout board 1037a based on count switch signals from various count sensors 1033h is in an on state. Is determined. If the result of this determination is that the payout signal is not in the on state (during the payout period) but one of the count signals is in the on state, error processing is executed and a payout error command is set. The As a result, the game cannot proceed and an error is notified. Note that the same payout error notification process is executed in a state waiting for some input from the player even during other processes, for example, in a reel stop waiting state during reel rotation.

  After the payout error notification process S2404, it is determined whether or not the return button 1308 has been operated. If the return button 1308 is being returned, input by the operation of another button or the like is prohibited ("return process" S2405).

  After the return process S2405, it is confirmed whether or not the 1 bet button 1114 or the max bet button 1304 is operated. If any of the bet buttons is operated, a predetermined number of game balls are bet (“ “Game Ball Bet Processing” S2406). Note that the number of inserted game balls is counted by the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, and 1415c. Separately, it is also counted by the count sensors 1416a, 1416b, and 1416c.

  Here, the game ball betting process S2406 will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the game ball betting process S2406. In the game ball betting process S2406, it is first determined whether or not the insertion has been completed (S2501). Specifically, in the normal gaming state or the like, if the bet number is “3” (the number of inserted balls is 15), it is determined that the insertion is completed, and during JAC, the bet number is “1” (the inserted ball). When the number is 5), it is determined that the insertion is completed. If the insertion has been completed, the game ball betting process S2406 ends. If the insertion has not been completed, it is determined whether or not a maximum bet signal has been received (S2502). When the maximum bet signal is received, the value of the total inserted number counter is set to “15” in the normal gaming state or the like, and to “5” during JAC or the like (“total inserted number counter setting process”). "S2503). On the other hand, if the maximum bet signal has not been received, it is determined whether or not a 1 bet signal has been received (S2504). When the 1-bet signal is received, the value of the total inserted number counter is set to “5” (“total inserted number counter setting process” S2505), and when it is not received, the game ball bet process S2406 is performed. Ends.

  When the value of the total number-of-inserts counter is set in the total number-of-inputs counter setting processing S2503, S2505, the input retry flags of the first to third items are respectively set ("all input retry flag setting processing" S2506). Initialization is performed so that the insertion process is performed in all of the three game ball insertion units 1410a to 1410c. After all throw retry flag setting processing S2506, it is determined whether or not any throw retry flag is set (S2507), and if all payout retry flags are not set, game ball betting processing is performed. S2406 ends. On the other hand, if the input retry flag is set for any item, it is determined whether or not the value of the total input number counter is “0” (S2508), and the value of the total input number counter is “0”. If there is, the game ball betting process S2406 ends.

  If the value of the total inserted number counter is not “0” in the determination process S2508, it is determined whether or not the all-item payout retry flag is set (S2509). In the determination process 2509, if the throw-in retry flag of any item is released, the payout of the game ball is delayed in any item as will be described later. The system waits for a time (“wait process” S2510), and then proceeds to the input number distribution process S2511. In this embodiment, the wait time in the wait process S2510 is 80 ms. This weight process S2510 is provided in the storage passages 1402a to 1402c in order to prevent the game balls from fluttering when the flow of the game balls to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c is prohibited by the input flickers 1413a to 1413c. . Further, it is provided to accurately determine the transient response of the voltage in driving the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c for operating the closing flickers 1413a to 1413c.

  In order to throw game balls as evenly as possible in the plurality of game ball throwing units 1410a to 1410c, the number of each game ball throwing unit thrown is distributed, and the planned number of throws corresponding to each game ball Is determined ("input number distribution process" S2511).

  Here, the input number distribution process S2511 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the input number distribution process S2511. In the throwing number distribution process S1511, as shown in FIG. 18, it is first determined whether or not the hanging ball flag is set (S1601). The suspended ball flag is a flag indicating whether or not a suspended ball is generated. When the suspended ball flag is set, the suspended ball is generated and the suspended ball flag is released. Indicates that no hanging ball is generated.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1601 that the hanging ball flag is not set, the value of the total thrown number counter is saved in the stack area ("total thrown number counter value saving process" S1602). Next, the values of the planned loading number counters in the first to third articles that store the planned loading numbers in the three storage passages 1402a to 1402c are each cleared to “0” (“all scheduled loading number counter initial value” In addition, the maximum value “3” is set in the input item pointer 905 (“input item pointer maximum value setting process” S1603). The throw-in pointer 905 sequentially repeats from the storage passage 1402a disposed on the front side of the gaming machine 1010 to the storage passage 1402c disposed on the back side of the gaming machine 1010 among the three storage passages 1402a to 1402c. Specify (updated as 3, 2, 1, 3,...).

  It is determined whether or not the input retry flag of the item indicated by the value of the input item pointer is set (S1605). If the input retry flag of the item is set, the storage passages 1402a to 1402c corresponding to the item are set. Since it is possible to throw in game balls, it is possible to add one game ball from the storage passages 1402a to 1402c corresponding to the item by adding “1” to the value of the number of planned items to be inserted. ("Scheduled input number counter addition process for the item" S1606). Furthermore, the throwing solenoid operation flag for the item is set ("Throwing solenoid operation flag setting process for the item" S1607), and the maximum waiting time (timeout time, detection time) until the first game ball is thrown is supported. The value “180” is set in the passage sensor counter of the relevant item (“pass sensor counter setting process of the relevant item” S1608), and the value of the total throwing number counter is subtracted by “1” (“total throwing number counter subtraction process”). "S1609). In this embodiment, in each section, the opening flickers 1413a to 1413c are opened to open the passages to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c in the storage passages 1402a to 1402c, and the first game ball flowing down to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c Since the time required to normally reach the upper elements 1415a1, 1415b1, and 1415c1 of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is about 10 ms, 360 ms is set as the maximum waiting time as a time with more sufficient margin. The reason for setting the time with a sufficient margin in this way is that fluttering occurring when the game ball flows down is taken into consideration. Further, the value of the passage sensor counter of each item is decremented by “1” every time the timer interrupt process is executed. Since the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 13) is repeatedly executed at intervals of about 1.49 ms as described above, about 270 ms is designated by setting each passing sensor counter to “180”.

  Further, by setting the closing solenoid operation flag for the item in the setting solenoid operation flag setting process S1607 for the item, the dispensing solenoids 1414a to 1414c for the item are set in the dispensing solenoid operation control processing S2518 for all the items (see FIG. 17). Is turned on, the discharge flickers 1413a to 1413c open the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c from the storage passages 1402a to 1402c, and the throwing operation on the strip is started.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the total inserted number counter is “0” (S1610). If the value of the total inserted number counter is not “0”, the game ball distribution is not completed. The value of the input item pointer is updated. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the input item pointer is the minimum value “1” (S1611), and if the value of the input item pointer is not the minimum value “1” but “3” or “2”. Then, the value of the input item pointer is subtracted by “1” (“input item pointer subtraction process” S1613), and the process returns to the determination process S1605. On the other hand, if the value of the input item pointer is “1”, the process returns to the input item pointer maximum value setting process S1604.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1610 that the value of the total inserted number counter is “0”, the distribution of all the game balls to be inserted is completed, so the total inserted number counter value saving process S1601. The saved value of the total input number counter is restored ("total input number counter value return process" S1614).

  In addition, if the throw retry flag of the item indicated by the value of the throw item pointer 905 is not set in the determination process S1604, it is impossible to throw a game ball using the item, so a game to the item is not performed. In order not to distribute the balls, the processing skips from the planned number-of-insert counters processing S1605 to the determination processing S1609 of the item and initializes information and values corresponding to the item (“initializing process of item”). S1610), the process proceeds to the determination process S1611. In the item initialization process S1610, information and values used in the item execution process S1514, such as the estimated item number counter, the insertion solenoid operation flag, and the passage sensor counter, are initialized.

  In addition, when the hanging ball flag is set in the determination process S1601, the throwing solenoid operation flag of the line for which the hanging ball flag is set is set ("hanging ball generating line throwing solenoid operation flag setting process"). In step S1615, the value of the passage sensor counter is set to a predetermined initial value when the suspended ball is generated (S1616), and the throwing number distribution process S2511 ends.

  After the throwing number distribution process S2511, as shown in FIG. 17, it is determined whether or not the throwing timer interrupt execution flag is set (S2512). If the insertion timer interrupt execution flag is set, the maximum value “3” is set in the input item pointer (“input item pointer maximum value setting process” S2513). After the throwing-in pointer maximum value setting process S2513, the game is assigned to each of the game ball throwing units 1410a to 1410c by the throwing number sorting process S2511 and thrown in each game ball throwing unit 1410a to 1410c. The number of balls thrown is counted and a process for managing the end of the throw is executed ("insertion execution process" S2514).

  Here, the input execution process S2514 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the input execution process S2514. As shown in FIG. 19, in the loading execution process S2514, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the passage sensor counter of the item is “0” (S1702). If the value of the passage sensor counter of the item is not “0” in the determination process S1702, whether or not at least one of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal from the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c corresponding to the item has changed Is determined (S1702). Here, the change in the upstream passage detection signal means a change from the off state to the on state or vice versa. Specifically, the output state (on state or off state) of the previous upstream passage detection signal is held, and whether or not it has been changed by comparing the current output state of the upstream passage detection signal with the previous output state. Judgment. The same applies to the downstream passage detection signal. When there is no change in both the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal from the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c, the input execution process S2514 is ended. On the other hand, when at least one of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal has changed, the phase identified by the combination of the output state of the upstream passage detection signal and the output state of the downstream passage detection signal changes normally. It is determined whether or not it has been done (S1703). Note that the phase of the four types of phases is specified by the combination of the output state of the upstream passage detection signal and the output state of the downstream passage detection signal. Specifically, the phase identifier (an integer from “0” to “3”) corresponding to the previous phase is held, and the change from the previous identifier to the current phase identifier is stored in the ROM 1045a2. It is determined whether or not the combination matches the normal change combination.

  When it is determined in the determination process S1703 that the phase change is normal, the process proceeds to a process according to the passing state of the game ball as will be described later. On the other hand, if the phase change is not normal, error processing (passage order error processing) is executed (S1704), and the occurrence of an abnormality in phase change is notified. This error processing S1704 is an infinite loop, and continues until the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 is reset. As a result, once an error occurs due to some fraud, it is possible to prevent the fraud from continuing. The same applies to a passage time error and an auxiliary passage time error described later. When a hanging ball is generated, the phase change is terminated halfway in the throwing process, and the phase change is started halfway in the throwing process. Since the combined phase change is a normal phase change, this error processing is not executed.

  If it is determined in the determination process 1705 that the phase change is normal, it is determined whether or not the game ball has completed the passage of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the article (S1705). Specifically, it is determined whether the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal have changed from the phase in which the upstream passage detection signal is off and the downstream passage detection signal is on to the phase in which the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal are off. . If the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the article are completed, the value of the total thrown number counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the current value (“total thrown number counter subtraction process” S1706) and the article is scheduled to be thrown in. The value of the number counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the current value ("Subjected number counter subtraction process for the item" S1707), and the value of the number counter that has already been added is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 to the current value. ("Inserted number counter A addition process" S1708). After the thrown-in number counter A addition process S1708, the count sensor counter of the item is set to a predetermined value (in this embodiment, “250”) (“count sensor counter setting process of the item” S1709), and the execution process S2514 ends. In this embodiment, setting the value of the count sensor counter to “250” means starting measurement of a time of about 370 ms.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1705 that the passage of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is not completed, it is determined whether or not the game ball has started to pass the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the row (S1710). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the phase in which the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal are in the off state has changed to the phase in which the upstream passage detection signal is in the on state and the downstream passage detection signal is in the off state. . If it is not the passage start of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the article, the input execution process S2514 ends. On the other hand, when the passage sensor 1415a to 1415c of the article starts to pass, the value of the passage sensor counter is set to a predetermined value ("140" in this embodiment) ("pass sensor setting of the article" Processing "S1711). In this embodiment, setting the value of the passage sensor counter to “140” means starting measurement of a time of about 200 ms.

  After the passage sensor counter setting process S1711 for the item, it is determined whether or not the value of the scheduled number-of-inserts counter for the item is “1” (S1712). If the value of the scheduled number-of-inputs counter of the item is not “1”, the input execution process S2514 ends. On the other hand, in the case where the value of the planned number-of-inserts counter in the article is “1”, the game ball that has started to pass through the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is the final game ball to be thrown in. In order to prevent the ball from being thrown in, the throwing solenoid operation flag for the item is canceled ("the charging solenoid activation flag canceling process for the item" S1713), and the loading execution process S2514 is ended.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1701 that the passage sensor counter of the item is “0”, it is determined whether or not the game ball is passing the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the item (S1714). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not at least one of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal is on. If the passage sensor counter of the article is “0”, the game ball insertion interval is too long and time-out occurs, the time until the first game ball starts to pass is too long and time-out occurs, Is generated. If it is determined that the game ball is passing the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the item, it is determined whether or not a suspended ball is generated (S1715). If no hanging ball is generated, the passage is not completed within a predetermined time, so an error process (passage time error process) is executed (S1717), and the passage time and passage timing are abnormal. Is reported. This error processing S 1722 is an infinite loop, and continues until the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 is reset. On the other hand, when a suspended ball is generated, a suspended ball flag is set.

  In the determination process S1714, when it is determined that the game ball is not passing the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c of the item and when the hanging ball flag is set, whether or not the throwing solenoid operation flag of the item is set is determined. It is determined (S1718). If the entry solenoid operation flag of the item is not set, the entry execution process S2514 ends. On the other hand, if the entry solenoid operation flag for the item is set, the entry solenoid activation flag for the item is canceled ("release solenoid operation flag release process for the item" S1719), and the entry retry flag for the item is set. (“Retry flag release processing for the item” S1720), and the value of the passage sensor counter for the item is set to a predetermined value (“50” in this embodiment). Setting process "S1721). As a result, the insertion process of the article is substantially ended. In addition, after about 75 ms corresponding to the value “50” of the passage sensor counter, the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c are shifted to the off state, and the insertion of the game ball is completed. As described above, the standby solenoids 1414a to 1414c are shifted to the OFF state after waiting for about 75 ms, thereby suppressing the occurrence of the suspended ball as much as possible. Through the above process, the input execution process S2514 is completed.

  After the insertion execution process S2514, as shown in FIG. 17, a process for managing the counting of the number of game balls passing through the respective count sensors 1416a to 1416c is executed (“count sensor passing number counting process” S2515). After the count sensor passing number counting process S2515, it is determined whether or not the throwing line pointer is the minimum value “1” (S2516). If the input item pointer is not “1”, the value of the payout item pointer is decreased by “1” (“input item pointer subtraction process” S2517), and the process returns to the input execution process S1514. On the other hand, if the making line pointer is “1”, the driving of each making solenoid 1414a to 1414c is controlled based on each making solenoid operation flag (“all entry solenoid operation control process” S2518). Specifically, the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c having the newly set closing solenoid operating flag are changed to the on state, and the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c having the closing solenoid operating flag already set are maintained in the ON state. The closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c whose solenoid operation flag has been newly released are changed to the off state, and the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c whose release solenoid operation flag has already been released are maintained in the off state.

  After the all-row solenoid operation control processing S2518, it is determined whether or not the value of the all-pass sensor counter is “0” (S2519). If the value of the all-pass sensor counter is “0”, the process returns to the determination process S2507. On the other hand, if the value of any of the passage sensor counters is not “0”, the input timer interrupt execution flag is canceled (“input timer interrupt execution flag release process” S2520), and the process returns to the determination process S2512. As described above, the game ball betting process S2406 is realized by the determination process S2501 to the insertion timer interrupt execution flag releasing process S2520.

  Returning to FIG. 16, after the game ball betting process S2406 is completed, it is determined whether or not the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number (S2407). If the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number, the insertion error notification process S2403 to the determination process S2407 are repeated. On the other hand, if the bet number is not less than the minimum prescribed number, it is determined whether or not a change start signal corresponding to the operation of the start lever 1124 has been received (S2408). If the variation start signal has not been received, the process from the error notification process S2403 to the determination process S2408 is repeated. On the other hand, when the change start signal is received, the number of game balls counted by the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c in the game ball betting process S2406 is compared with the number of game balls counted by the count sensors 1416a to 1416c. If the number of game balls counted by the count sensors 1416a to 1416c is less than the number of game balls counted by the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c, an error process (number error process) is executed ("injected ball"). Number comparison process "S2409). As described above, through the processing steps (S2401 to S2409), the fluctuation waiting process S2304 is completed.

  After the variable waiting process S2304, as shown in FIG. 15, the value of the random number counter latched by hardware when the start lever 1124 is operated is read and stored in the RAM 1045a3 (“random number generation”). Processing "S2305). When the start lever 1124 is operated, the random number counter is latched by hardware so that the operation of the start lever 1124 and the acquisition of the random number value are synchronized in time. Note that although the value of the random number counter can be read by software, in this case, the time from the operation of the start lever 1124 to the acquisition of the random number value is more uneven than in the case of latching by hardware.

  After the random number generation process S2305, the winning combination corresponding to the random value acquired in the random number generation process S2305 is determined by referring to the random number table corresponding to the probability setting, the number of bets, and the gaming state, and according to the type of the winning combination Winning flags (for example, Big Bonus Winning Flag, Regular Bonus Winning Flag, Cherry Winning Flag, Bell Winning Flag, Watermelon Winning Flag, Replay Winning Flag) are set. A set value command representing a value is set ("internal lottery process" S2306). Winning roles include, for example, a big bonus role (hereinafter also referred to as “BB”), a regular bonus role (hereinafter also referred to as “RB”), and various small roles (in this embodiment, a cherry role, a bell role, and a watermelon role) , A re-playing role and a loser role. Note that a plurality of types of winning combinations may be selected in one game.

  After the internal lottery process S2306, based on the winning combination, the number of bets, and the gaming state, one manual stop control table used for controlling each of the cylinders L, M, R from the manual stop control table group held in the ROM 1045a2 is reference-controlled. The table is selected as a table, and the table number of the reference control table is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 ("rotation initialization process" S2307). When the winning combination is other than losing, slip control is performed in accordance with this reference control table to rotate the rotating cylinder extra within a predetermined range (5 symbols) in order to win the winning combination as much as possible. When the winning combination is lost, the same slip control is performed in order to prevent other winning combinations from winning. This reference control table is reselected from the manual stop control table group as necessary. In this embodiment, each of the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, and 1126R are arranged in a predetermined order (for example, “left spinning cylinder stop button 1126L → middle spinning cylinder stop button 1126M → right spinning cylinder stop button 1126R” and “left spinning cylinder stop button 1126L”). → right turn stop button 1126R → middle turn stop button 1126M ”), and in other operation orders, the reference control table is reselected from the manual stop control table group. The predetermined symbol pattern is stopped by another control method or by using them. Further, when the change of the symbol display is automatically stopped, it is stopped with a predetermined symbol pattern by referring to the automatic stop control table held in the ROM 1045a2.

  After the rotation initialization process S2307, a symbol variation standby process S2308 is executed. In the symbol variation standby process S2308, first, it is determined whether or not the measurement time by the symbol variation monitoring timer is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds). Here, the “symbol fluctuation monitoring timer” is a timer that measures the elapsed time from the time of the last symbol display fluctuation start. If the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is less than a predetermined specified time, a variable waiting command (internal state command of the internal state command) indicating that the specified time has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as “variable waiting state”). Is stored in the ring buffer. Note that the player is informed of the variable standby state by a variable standby state display device (not shown). After that, until the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer becomes equal to or longer than the predetermined specified time, whether or not the measurement time by the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is equal to or longer than the predetermined specified time while the change waiting state is notified. Is repeated. On the other hand, when the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is equal to or longer than the predetermined specified time, the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is reset and started, the notification of the standby state for the specified time is stopped, and the predetermined specified time has elapsed. A specified time lapse command (a kind of internal state command) indicating this and a bet number command for outputting to the external concentration terminal board are stored in the ring buffer. Thereafter, information related to drive control of each of the stepping motors 1043L4, 1043M4, and 1043R4 of the rotating drum unit 1043 in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 is initialized for starting rotation. For example, the value of the wait timer is set to “0”, and the value of the acceleration counter is set to “26”. The actual driving of the stepping motors 1043L4, 1043M4, and 1043R4 is controlled by various stepping motor control processes S2105 to S2107 (see FIG. 13) of the timer interrupt process.

  After the symbol variation standby process S2308, a rotation control process S2309 for controlling the rotation of each of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R in the spinning cylinder unit 1043 is executed. Here, the rotation control process S2309 will be described in detail. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the rotation control process.

  In the rotation control process S2309, information about rotation of each of the spinning cylinders L, M, R in a predetermined area of the RAM 45a3 is initialized, and an all-rotating cylinder rotation command indicating that all of the spinning cylinders L, M, R are rotating. (A type of spinning rotation information command) and a symbol variation state command (a type of internal state command) indicating a symbol display variation state in the spinning unit 1043 are stored in the ring buffer ("rotation start process" S2601). ). After the rotation start process S2601, the process waits until a predetermined stop standby time elapses ("design stop standby process" S2602). The “predetermined stop standby time” in the symbol stop standby process S2602 is substantially the same time as the average time required from the start of rotation of each of the cylinders L, M, and R to steady rotation at a constant speed. After the symbol stop standby process S2602, it is determined whether or not the rotations of all the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are steady rotations (S2603). Specifically, whether or not these rotations are steady rotations is determined by whether or not a detection signal is received from the rotating cylinder position detection sensor 1043R7 corresponding to the rotating cylinder that has started rotating last. If the detection signal is received, it is determined that the rotations are steady rotations. If the detection signal is not received, it is determined that the rotation of any of the rotating cylinders is not steady rotations. . If these rotations are not steady rotations, the determination process S2603 is repeatedly executed. In this embodiment, all the spinning cylinders L, M, R start to rotate simultaneously.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2603 that all the rotations of the cylinders are steady rotations, an automatic stop timer for measuring the fluctuation time of the symbol display until the automatic stop is set ("automatic stop timer setting process" S2604). ). After the automatic stop timer setting process S2604, it is determined whether the time measured by the automatic stop timer exceeds the specified rotation time (S2605). If the measurement time by the automatic stop timer does not exceed the specified rotation time, the following process for manually stopping the symbol display fluctuation is executed.

  It is determined whether or not a left stop signal corresponding to the operation of the left cylinder stop button 1126L is received (S2606). If the left stop signal has not been received, it is determined whether or not an intermediate stop signal corresponding to the operation of the middle-cylinder stop button 1126M has been received (S2607). If the middle stop signal has not been received, it is determined whether or not a right stop signal corresponding to the operation of the right-turn cylinder stop button has been received (S2608). If the right stop signal has not been received, that is, if any of the left stop signal, the right stop signal, and the right stop signal has not been received, the determination process S2606 is executed.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2606 that a left stop signal has been received, it is determined whether a left stop flag is set (S2609). The “left stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the left cylinder L is rotating or stopped, and is canceled in the rotation initialization process S2307. When the left stop flag is set, it indicates that the left cylinder L has already stopped, and when the left stop flag is released, it indicates that the left cylinder L is rotating. When the left stop flag is set, the determination process S2606 is executed. On the other hand, when the left stop flag is released, the left-turn cylinder stop process S2610 is executed. In the left turning cylinder stop process S2610, first, the left stepping motor 1043L4 that rotates the left turning cylinder L is stopped with reference to the reference control table. After the left stepping motor 1043L4 is stopped, a left stop flag is set, the number of stop rotations is incremented, and a left rotation stop command (a type of rotation rotation information command) indicating that the left rotation L is stopped; A left swirl symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the left swirl L is stored in the ring buffer. The “number of stopped spinning cylinders” represents the number of stopped spinning cylinders, and is reset to “0” in the rotation start process S2601.

  Here, the left turn cylinder stop processing S2610 will be described in detail. In the left-turning cylinder stop processing S2610, first, with reference to the current symbol number held in the RAM 1045a3, the stop reference symbol number is set to a value obtained by adding 1 to the current symbol number. After the stop reference symbol number is set, if the left cylinder L is the second cylinder that has been stopped, the currently selected reference control table is changed to another control table as necessary. . If the left turn cylinder L is not the second stop, the control table is not changed. Thereafter, referring to the reference control table, a slip amount corresponding to the stop reference symbol number is extracted, and a value obtained by adding the slip amount to the stop symbol number is set as the stop symbol number. When the stop symbol number exceeds 20 (maximum symbol number), the stop symbol number is changed to a value obtained by subtracting 21 from the current value. After the stop symbol number is set, the stop interval timer is set. The stop interval timer is a timer that measures a period during which a stop instruction for the next spinning cylinder is not accepted. Note that the value of the stop interval timer is set to a predetermined time exceeding the maximum time in consideration of the time required for the rotation corresponding to the slip amount and the subsequent stop of the spinning cylinder. Thereafter, when the measurement time of the stop interval timer exceeds a predetermined time, the left stop flag is set, and the left cylinder stop process S2610 ends.

  After the left rotation stopping process S2610, it is determined whether or not the number of stop rotations is 3 (S2611). If the number of stop cylinders is not 3, that is, if at least one of the cylinders is rotating, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed (S2612). When it is necessary to change the reference control table when stopping the unstopped cylinder, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process"). S2613). In the control table change process S2613, the stop position of the already-rotated cylinder of the middle and right cylinders M and R is referred to together with the stop position of the left cylinder L. As a case where it is necessary to change the reference control table, for example, there is a case where a combination other than the winning combination wins.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2607 that an intermediate stop signal has been received, it is determined whether or not an intermediate stop flag is set (S2614). As in the case of the left stop flag, the “intermediate stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the middle drum M is rotating or stopped, and is canceled in the rotation start process S2601. If the middle stop flag is set, determination processing S2606 is executed. On the other hand, when the middle stop flag is released, it is determined whether or not the number of stop rotations is 0 (S2615). If the number of stop cylinders is not 0, the middle cylinder stop process S2617 is executed. On the other hand, when the number of stop rotations is 0, a predetermined manual stop control table in the manual stop control table group is reset as a reference control table (“control table resetting process” S2616), and the control table is reset. After the process S2616, a mid-cylinder stop process S2617 is executed. Note that the middle cylinder stop process S2617 is the same process as the left cylinder stop process S2610. In the middle cylinder stopping process S2617, first, the middle stepping motor 1043M4 that rotates the middle cylinder M is stopped with reference to the reference control table. The control for stopping the middle stepping motor is substantially the same as the control for stopping the left stepping motor 43L4. After the middle stepping motor 1043M4 is stopped, an intermediate stop flag is set, the number of stop rotations is incremented, and a middle rotation stop command (a kind of rotation rotation information command) indicating that the middle rotation cylinder M is stopped. ) And a middle-rotor symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the middle drum M is stored in the ring buffer.

  After the middle cylinder stop process S2617, it is determined whether or not the number of stop cylinders is 3 (S2618). If the number of stop cylinders is not 3, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed when stopping the unrotated cylinder (S2619). When the reference control table needs to be changed, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process" S2620). In the control table changing process S2620, the stop symbol numbers of all the rotating cylinders that have already stopped among the left rotating cylinder L and the right rotating cylinder R are referred to together with the stop position of the middle rotating cylinder M.

  If it is determined in the determination process S2608 that a right stop signal has been received, it is determined whether a right stop flag is set (S2621). As in the case of the left stop flag and the middle stop flag, the “right stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the right cylinder R is rotating or stopped, and is canceled in the rotation start process S2601. If the right stop flag is set, determination processing S2606 is executed. On the other hand, if the right stop flag is released, it is determined whether or not the number of stop rotations is 0 (S2622). When the number of stop rotations is not 0, the right rotation stop process S2624 is executed. On the other hand, when the number of stop rotations is 0, a predetermined manual stop control table in the manual stop control table group is reset as the reference control table (“control table resetting process” S2623), and the control table is reset. After the process S2623, a right cylinder stop process S2624 is executed. Note that the right crotch stop processing S2617 is the same processing as the left crotch stop processing S2610. In the right cylinder stop process S2617, first, the right stepping motor 1043R4 that rotates the right cylinder R is stopped with reference to the reference stop control table. The control for stopping the right stepping motor is substantially the same as the control for stopping the left stepping motor 1043L4. After the stop of the right stepping motor 1043R4, a right stop flag is set, the number of stop rotations is incremented, and a right rotation stop command (a type of rotation rotation information command) indicating that the right rotation R is stopped ) And a right swirl symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the right swirl are stored in the ring buffer.

  After the right turn stopping process S2624, it is determined whether or not the number of stop turns is 3 (S2625). If the number of stop cylinders is not 3, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed when stopping the unrotated cylinder (S2626). When the reference control table needs to be changed, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process" S2627). In the control table changing process S2627, the stop symbol numbers of all the rotating cylinders that have already stopped among the left rotating cylinder L and the middle rotating cylinder M are referred to together with the stop position of the right rotating cylinder R.

  In the determination process S2605, when the time measured by the automatic stop timer exceeds the specified rotation time, the rotation of all the cylinders L, M, and R that are currently rotating is stopped ("automatic stop process" S2628). After the automatic stop process S2628, and when it is determined in the determination process S2611, the determination process S2618, and the determination process S2625 that the number of stop rotations is “3”, the automatic stop timer is canceled.

  Here, the automatic stop process S2628 will be described in detail. In the automatic stop process S2628, first, one table is set as a reference control table from the automatic stop control table group held in the ROM 1045a2 with reference to the stop symbol number (stop position) of the rotating cylinder that has already stopped. . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the left stop flag is set. If the left stop flag is not set, the rotation of the left cylinder L is stopped. Next, it is determined whether or not the intermediate stop flag is set. If the intermediate stop flag is not set, the rotation of the intermediate drum M is stopped. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the right stop flag is set. If the middle stop flag is not set, the rotation of the middle cylinder R is stopped.

  After the rotation control process S2309, as shown in FIG. 15, a winning confirmation process S2310 is executed. In the winning confirmation process S2310, first, the pattern pattern for each activated line is confirmed, and if any winning combination other than the winning combination has been won, an error process for notifying the occurrence of a winning error is executed. The On the other hand, if only the winning combination is winning, a winning flag corresponding to all winning winning combinations (for example, big bonus winning flag, regular bonus winning flag, cherry winning flag, bell winning flag, watermelon winning flag, A replay winning flag) is set. Further, the number of acquired game balls corresponding to each winning combination won is added within a range not exceeding the maximum number of acquired game balls, so that the number of acquired game balls is finally determined. Further, in the winning confirmation processing S2310, a winning combination command including information on the type of winning combination, a winning line command including information on the type of winning line, and a winning combination error command including information on winning error are stored in the ring buffer. .

  After the winning confirmation process S2310, a payout command including information on the number of acquired game balls is set ("acquired ball payout process" S2311). After the acquired game ball payout process S2311, a re-game process S2312 is performed. In the re-game process S2312, various processes such as setting the internal state to a re-game are performed when the re-game win flag is set in the win confirmation process S2310. Further, a re-game command (a kind of internal state command) indicating that the next game is a re-game is stored in the ring buffer.

  After the re-game process S2312, an accessory operating process S2313 is performed. In the in-community-acting process S2313, processing during the actuating of an accessory such as a big bonus (BB) combination and a regular bonus (RB) combination is performed. When the internal state is the big bonus game state, control during the small role game, transition control from the small role game to the JAC game, control during the JAC game, transition control from the JAC game to the small role game, and the big bonus Game state termination control and the like are performed. The end determination of the big bonus game state is determined by whether or not the total number of game balls acquired during that state is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. When the total number of acquisitions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of acquisitions, a big bonus end process is performed. On the other hand, when the total number of acquisitions is less than the predetermined number of acquisitions, the big bonus end process is skipped. On the other hand, when the internal state is a regular bonus, control during the JAC game, end control of the regular bonus game state, and the like are performed. The termination condition for the regular bonus is also determined by whether or not the total number of acquisitions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of acquisitions.

  After the accessory operating process S2313, an accessory operating determination process S2314 is performed. In the combination act determination process S2314, a winning flag for the big bonus combination indicating that the big bonus combination is won is set, and a big bonus winning flag indicating that the big bonus combination is won is set. If so, a process for starting the big bonus is executed ("BB start process"). In addition, when the regular bonus combination winning flag indicating that the regular bonus combination is won is set and the regular bonus winning flag indicating that the regular bonus combination is won is set, the regular bonus combination is set. Is executed ("RB start process").

  After the accessory operation determination process S2314, a game progress display process S2315 is executed. In the game progress display processing S2315, when the internal state is a big bonus game state or a regular bonus game state, data for displaying the number of remaining JAC games, the total number of acquired game balls in one big bonus, and the like. Is set. In addition, after the end of the big bonus or regular bonus, the internal state is changed to the specific game state when the winning probability of replay is shifted to a specific game state such as a replay time (“RT”) higher than the normal game state. The specific game state command (a kind of internal state command) indicating the specific game state is set and stored in the ring buffer.

  A control process executed by the payout control board 1037a will be described. The control process of the payout control board 1037a is roughly divided into a main process that is activated in response to power recovery by restarting the supply of external power or turning on the power switch 1038a, and an interrupt process that interrupts the main process. The For convenience of explanation, after describing the interrupt process, the main process will be described. The interrupt process includes a command interrupt process for interrupting in response to reception of various commands from the main control board 1045a and a timer interrupt process that is periodically and repeatedly executed (2 ms in this embodiment). For convenience of explanation, the interrupt process will be described first, followed by the main process.

  First, command interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of command interruption processing of the payout control board 1037a. The command interruption process is executed when the payout control board 1037a receives a command from the main control board 1045a. When the command interrupt process is executed, as shown in FIG. 21, first, the received command is stored in the data buffer for reception (“received command storage process” S3001). After the command reception process S3001, a command reception flag is set ("command reception flag setting process" S3002). The external interrupt process ends when the command reception flag setting process S3002 ends.

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing of the payout control board 1037a. In the timer interrupt process, as shown in FIG. 22, it is first determined whether or not a command reception flag is set (S3101). When the command reception flag is set, the command stored in the data buffer for reception is read (“command reading process” S3102). After the command reading process S3102, the command reception flag is canceled ("command reception flag cancellation process" S3103). After the command reception flag release processing S3103, it is determined whether or not the read command is a payout command (S3104). If it is a payout command, the number of prize balls (number of payouts) corresponding to the type of payout command is set in the prize ball number counter (“prize ball number counter setting process” S3105). On the other hand, when the read command is not a payout command, the winning ball number counter setting process S3105 is skipped. If it is determined in the determination process S3101 that the command reception flag is not set, the command reading process S3102 to the prize ball number counter setting process S3105 are skipped.

  Next, the state of the detection signal from the overflow detection switch (not shown) is confirmed, and setting control of the lower pan full state is performed based on the reception state ("lower pan full state setting process" S3106). . Specifically, when the overflow detection switch is continuously detected for 200 ms, “bottom pan is full”, the lower pan full state is set, and in other cases, the lower pan is full. Is released.

  After the lower plate full state setting process S3106, the reception state of the game ball detection signal from each ball break detection device 1035b is confirmed, and setting control of the ball presence state is performed based on the reception state (“ball presence state”). Setting process "S3107). Specifically, setting control for the presence of a sphere is performed as follows. First, it is determined whether or not all the game ball detection signals are in the ON state, that is, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number or more of game balls are stored in all of the ball paths 1033d and 1035a. When all the game ball detection signals are in the on state, it is confirmed whether or not the state continues for 2000 ms. When the on-state of the game ball detection signal has passed 2000 ms, there are more than a predetermined number (20 in this embodiment) of game balls in all the ball passages 1035a. When the ball presence state setting process S4007 ends and the on-state of the game ball detection signal has not elapsed 2000 ms, the ball presence state setting process S3106 ends as it is. On the other hand, when at least one of the game ball detection signals is in the off state, it is determined whether or not the state continues for 200 ms. If the state has passed for 200 ms, the ball presence flag is canceled. Then, the sphere presence state setting process S3107 ends, and if the state does not continue for 200 ms, the sphere presence state setting process S3107 ends as it is.

  After the ball presence state setting processing S3107, when the state in the lower pan full state setting processing S3106 or the ball presence state setting processing S3107 is a state to be notified, the state is notified ("state notification process" S3108). . Specifically, in the case of “full of lower tray ball”, the player is informed by the sound from the speakers 1106 and 1204, or the player is informed by the image by the liquid crystal display device 1042. . Further, when the game ball is not stored in the game ball tank 1032 (when the flag with a ball is released), the player is similarly notified of the fact.

  After the status notification process S3108, it is determined whether or not the prize ball payout is disabled (S3109). The prize ball payout disabled state is a case where a payout of a ball is currently being executed. If the prize ball payout is not disabled, it is determined whether or not the value of the prize ball number counter is “0” (S3110). When the value of the prize ball number counter is “0”, there is no game ball to be paid out based on the payout command, so the process proceeds to S3112. If the value of the prize ball number counter is not “0”, Since there is a game ball to be paid out based on the payout command, “1” is set in the payout state counter (“payout state counter setting process” S3111). If it is determined in the determination process S3109 that the prize ball cannot be paid out, or if the value of the prize ball number counter is “0” in the determination process S3110, the process proceeds to the next process S3112.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the rental ball payout state is disabled (S3112). Note that the rental ball payout disabled state is a case where the payout of the winning ball is currently being executed. If it is not in the lend-out status, it is determined whether or not a lend-out request signal is received from the card unit (S3113). If the rental ball payout request signal has been received, “2” is set in the payout state counter in order to pay out the winning ball (“payout state counter setting process” S3114). On the other hand, when the lending payout request signal has not been received, the payout state counter setting process S3114 is skipped. If it is determined in S3112 that the rental ball payout is not possible, the determination process S3113 and the payout state counter setting process S3114 are skipped. Thereafter, a payout timer interrupt execution flag is set ("payout timer interrupt execution flag setting process" S3115).

  The main process in the payout control board 1037a will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the main process of the payout control board. In the main process, first, as shown in FIG. 23, various settings are made for a register group, an I / O device, etc. around the CPU ("initial setting process" S3201). After the initial setting process S3201, access to the RAM 1037a3 is permitted ("RAM access permission process" S3202), and an external interrupt vector is set ("external interrupt vector setting process" S3203). After the external interrupt vector setting process S3203, all areas of the RAM 1037a3 are cleared to “0” (S3204), and then an initial value is set in the RAM 1037a3 (“RAM initial setting process” S4105), and other peripheral devices of the CPU 37a1. Initial setting is performed ("CPU peripheral device initial setting process" S3206). After the CPU peripheral device initial setting process S3206, interrupt permission is set (S3207), and the game ball payout process S3208 is repeatedly executed. In a normal game, in response to receiving a payout command from the main control board 1045a, pay out game balls with the number of winning balls based on the type of payout command, and pay out 25 game balls when a lending payout request is made. It is processing to issue.

  Here, the game ball payout process S3208 will be described in detail. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the game ball payout process. In the game ball payout process S3208, as shown in FIG. 24, it is first determined whether or not the value of the payout state counter is “0” (S3301). When the payout state counter is “0”, that is, when no payout command is received, it is determined whether or not reception of a count switch signal from the count sensor 33h is detected (S3302). When reception of the count switch signal is detected, processing for outputting the count signal to the main control board 1045a is performed (“count signal output processing” S3303). On the other hand, when the reception of the count switch signal is not detected, the count signal output process S3303 is skipped. If it is determined in the determination process S3301 that the value of the payout state counter is other than “0”, the determination process S3302 and the count signal output process S3303 are skipped.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a sphere presence flag is set (S3304). When the ball presence flag is not set, the game ball payout process S3208 is not performed because the game balls cannot be paid out because a predetermined number or more of the game balls are not stored in the ball passage 1035a of the case rail 1035. finish. On the other hand, when the ball presence flag is set, the process proceeds to S3305 and subsequent steps in order to pay out the game ball.

  If it is determined in the determination process S3304 that the ball presence flag is set, the value of the payout state counter is confirmed (S3305, S3307), and if the value is neither “1” nor “2” Since it is not the situation to pay out the game ball, the game ball payout process S3208 ends. When the value of the payout state counter is “1”, the game ball is paid out based on the payout command, so the value of the prize ball number counter is set in the total payout number counter (“total payout number”). Counter setting process "S3306). On the other hand, when the value of the payout state counter is “2”, “25” is set as the value of the total payout number counter (“total payout number counter setting process” S3308). The reason why “25” is set as the value of the total payout number counter is that, in this embodiment, 25 game balls are paid out each time a lending payout request signal is received.

  In the total payout number counter setting processing S3306 and S3308, when the value of the total payout number counter is set, the payout retry flags for the first to fourth items are set ("retry flag setting processing for all items" S3309). ) Initial setting is performed so that the payout process is performed for all the four ball passages 1033d. After the all-item payout retry flag setting process S3309, output of a payout signal to the main control board 1045a is started ("payout signal output start process" S3310).

  After the payout signal output start process S3310, it is determined whether any payout retry flag is set (S3311). If all the payout retry flags are not set, error processing is executed to It is notified that the payout has become impossible in a state where the ball has not been paid out ("error processing" S3312). The error process S3312 is an infinite loop, and the error can be eliminated by resetting the ball-type spinning gaming machine 10. On the other hand, if any one of the payout retry flags is set, it is determined whether or not the value of the total payout number counter is “0” (S 3313), and if the value of the total payout number counter is “0”. Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout state counter is “2” (S3314). If the value of the payout state counter is “2”, a lending end signal is output to the CR unit (“lending end signal output process” S3315). Since the payout is not based on the payout request signal, the loan end signal output process S3315 is skipped. Next, the value of the payout state counter is set to “0” (“payout state counter initialization process” S3316), the output of the payout signal is stopped (“payout signal output stop process” S3328), and the game ball The payout process S3308 ends. When the value of the payout state counter is set to “0”, the winning ball payout is prohibited and the lending payout is prohibited.

  Before the determination process S3313, it is confirmed whether or not the payout retry flag of any of the articles is released. If the payout retry flag is not set even in one of the articles, an abnormality such as a ball clogging occurs. Therefore, error processing may be performed. That is, if even one of the ball paths 1033d of the payout device 1033 is clogged, even if 80 or more game balls are stored in the ball path 1035a of the case rail 1035, the game balls cannot be paid out reliably. In some cases, the game ball can be paid out reliably by urging the user to cancel the abnormality by executing error processing.

  If the value of the total payout number counter is not “0” in the determination process S3313, it is determined whether or not the payout retry flag for all items is set (S3317). If one of the payout retry flags is canceled in the determination process 3317, the payout of the game ball has been delayed in any of the articles as will be described later, so that it waits for a predetermined time before redistributing the game balls. ("Wait process" S3318), and thereafter, the process proceeds to a payout number distribution process S3319. In this embodiment, the wait time in the wait process S4218 is 80 ms. This wait process S4218 is provided to suppress fluttering of the game ball on the upstream side of the payout passage 1033e when the ball passage 1033d of the game ball is closed by the payout flicker 1033b. Further, it is provided to accurately determine the transient response of the voltage in driving the dispensing solenoid 1033c that operates the dispensing flicker 1033b. On the other hand, when the all-item payout retry flag is set, the process proceeds to the payout number distribution process S3319 without performing the wait process S3318.

  In order to pay out game balls evenly in the four ball passages 1033d from which game balls are paid out, the number of payouts to be paid out by each of the ball passages is distributed (“payout number distribution process” S4219). ). After the payout number distribution process S3319, it is determined whether or not a payout timer interrupt execution flag is set (S3320). If the payout timer interrupt execution flag is set, the maximum value “4” is set in the payout item pointer (“payout item pointer maximum value setting process” S3321). After the payout item pointer maximum value setting process S3321, the number of game balls that are distributed to each ball path by the payout number distribution process S3319 and started to be paid out in each ball path 33d are counted and the payout is performed. Is executed (“payout execution process” S3322). After the payout execution process S3322, it is determined whether or not the payout item pointer is the minimum value “1” (S3323). If the payout item pointer is not “1”, the value of the payout item pointer is decreased by “1” (“payout item pointer subtraction process” S3324), and the process returns to the payout execution process S4222. On the other hand, if the payout line pointer is “1”, each payout solenoid 1033c is driven based on each payout solenoid operation flag (“all line payout solenoid operation control process” S3325). Specifically, in each article, when the payout solenoid operation flag is newly set, the payout solenoid 1033c is changed to an on state, and when the payout solenoid operation flag is already set, the payout solenoid 1033c is turned on. When the state is maintained and the payout solenoid operation flag is newly released, the payout solenoid 1033c is changed to an off state, and when the payout solenoid operation flag is already released, the off state of the payout solenoid 1033c is maintained. The

  After all payout solenoid operation control processing S3325 for all items, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout game ball counter for all payouts is “0” (S3326). If all the payout game ball counter values are “0”, the process returns to the determination process S3311. On the other hand, if the value of any payout game ball counter is not “0”, the payout timer interrupt execution flag is canceled (“payout timer interrupt execution flag release process” S3328), and the process returns to the determination process S3320. As described above, the game ball payout process S3208 is realized by the determination process S3301 to the payout signal transmission stop process S3328.

  A control process executed by the sub control board 1047a will be described. The control process of the sub control board 1047a is roughly divided into a main process that is activated when the external power is restored from a power failure or a power is restored by turning on the power, and an interrupt process that interrupts the main process. For convenience of explanation, after describing the interrupt process, the main process will be described. As interrupt processing in the CPU, there are regular timer interrupt processing and regular command interrupt processing.

  The timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing in the sub-control board 1047a.

  The timer interrupt process is executed with a period of approximately 1 ms. In the timer interrupt process, first, an interrupt flag is read (“interrupt flag read process” S4001). After the interrupt flag reading process S4001, it is determined whether or not the interrupt flag is valid (S4002). Specifically, it is confirmed that it is a timer interrupt among various interrupts to the CPU. If the interrupt flag is valid, the interrupt timer counter is incremented and the interrupt timer counter is updated ("interrupt timer counter update process" S4003). After the interrupt timer counter update process S4003, the interrupt flag related to the timer interrupt is canceled ("interrupt flag release process" S4004). As a result, the next timer interrupt process for the CPU can be executed. If it is determined in the determination process S4002 that the interrupt flag is not valid, the interrupt timer counter update process S4003 and the interrupt flag release process S4004 are skipped because they are other interrupt processes.

  The command interrupt process will be described in detail. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of command interrupt processing in the sub-control board 1047a. The command interrupt process is executed in response to the transmission of a command from the main control board 1045a. Since the command transmission in the main control board 45a is performed with a period of approximately 1.49 ms, this processing is performed with a period of approximately 1.49 ms.

  In the command interrupt process, first, it is determined whether or not the strobe signal from the main control board 45a is normal (S4101). If the strobe signal is normal, command data is acquired ("command data acquisition process" S4102). After the command data acquisition process S4102, it is determined whether or not the content is normal (S4103). When the command data is normal, the command is received (“command reception process” S4104), and after the command reception process S4104, the retry counter value is changed to a predetermined retry maximum value (“retry counter maximum value setting”). Process "S4105).

  If it is determined in step S4101 that the strobe signal is not normal, the retry counter value is changed to a predetermined maximum retry value (S4106). If it is determined in the determination process S4103 that the command data is not normal, the retry counter value is changed ("retry counter update process" S4107). In this change, the retry counter value is increased by one. After the process of changing the retry counter value (S4105, S4106, S4107), it is determined whether the retry counter value is the maximum value (S4108). When the retry counter value is the maximum value, the interrupt flag is read (“interrupt flag read process” S4109). After the interrupt flag reading process S4109, the value of the retry counter is cleared to the initial value “0” (“retry counter clear process” S4110). After the retry counter clear process S4110, the interrupt flag is released ("interrupt flag release process" S4111). By releasing the interrupt flag, the next command interrupt process can be executed.

  When the retry counter value is not the maximum value, that is, when the strobe signal is normal but the command data is not normal, the interrupt flag read process S4109, the retry counter clear process S4110, and the interrupt flag release process S4111 are skipped. The acquisition of command data at a predetermined timing is repeated until the retry counter value reaches a predetermined maximum retry value.

  The main process executed by the sub control board 1047a will be described in detail. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the main process of the sub control board.

  In the main processing, first, in response to the supply of internal power from the power supply control board 1038 ′, initialization of the sub control board 1047a itself and initialization of peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal display device 1042 connected to the sub control board 1047a are performed. Is performed ("initialization process" S4201). After the initialization process S4201, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4202). Here, the system state includes a voltage drop state indicating that the supply voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, and an initialization indicating that the sub-control board 1047a and the peripheral device connected to the sub-control board 1047a are being initialized. It implies a state and a normal state indicating that the supply voltage is a predetermined voltage and normal game can be performed. Note that the initialization state is selected during the initialization process S4201.

  When it is determined in the determination process S4202 that the system state is a voltage drop state, a backup process S4210 described later is executed. On the other hand, if the system state is not a voltage drop state, it is determined whether or not the value of the interrupt timer counter has changed (S4203). When the value of the interrupt timer counter is changed, the interrupt timer counter is updated (“interrupt timer counter update process” S4204). In the interrupt timer counter update process S4204, the value of the interrupt timer counter is decreased by 1. After the interrupt timer counter update process S4204, a periodic timer process S4205 described later is performed. After the cycle timer process S4205, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4206). If the system state is not a voltage drop state, it is determined whether any command is received from the main control board 1045a (S4207). If a command has been received, a received command confirmation process S4208 described later is performed. On the other hand, if a command has not been received, the received command confirmation process S4208 is skipped. After the received command confirmation process S4208, the base value of the random number that determines the details of the effect is updated ("random number base value update process" S4209). After the random number base value update process S4209, the process proceeds to a determination process S4202. When the system state is not a voltage drop state, the above-described processes (S4202 to S4209) are repeatedly executed in sequence.

  If it is determined in the determination processing S4202 and determination processing S4206 that the system state is a voltage drop state, register data and stack data are stored in the external RAM ("backup processing" S4210). After the backup process S4210, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4211). If the system state is a voltage drop state, the determination process S4211 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the voltage drop state is not established, the system waits for a predetermined time (30 ms in this embodiment) to confirm that the cancellation of the voltage drop state is not a malfunction due to noise or the like (“wait process” S4212). After the wait process S4212, it is determined again whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4213). If the system state is a voltage drop state, the process returns to the determination process S4211. On the other hand, if the system state is not a voltage drop state, it is determined that the supply of internal power has been resumed normally, and a process for starting the main process is performed ("start process" S4214). After the startup process S4214, the process returns to the initialization process S4201, and the main process is resumed.

  The periodic timer process S4205 in the main process of the sub control board 1047a will be described in detail. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the cycle timer process. By executing the timer interrupt process substantially every 1 ms, the periodic timer process S4205 is also executed substantially every 1 ms. In the cycle timer process 4205, as shown in FIG. 28, first, a startup command confirmation process S4301 is executed. In the startup command confirmation process S4301, it is confirmed whether any command is received from the main control board 1045a within 2 seconds after the execution of the startup process S4214. When no command is received from the main control board 45a, it is determined that the main control board 1045a has not been normally activated, and processing for notifying the occurrence of an error is performed. On the other hand, if any command is received from the main control board 1045a, this process is terminated and the process proceeds to the device control process S4302.

  In the device control process S4302, the liquid crystal display device 1042, the speakers 1106 and 1204, and the various effect LED cover units 1104 are selected according to various commands confirmed to be received in the received command confirmation process S4208 (see FIG. 27) described below. Drive control of a light emitting device (not shown) covered with 1108 and 1110, various light emitting devices 1132, 1134L1, and the like is performed.

  In the system state change process S4303, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the system state. Depending on the determination result, the voltage drop flag indicating the voltage drop state and the initialization flag indicating the initialization state are set or canceled. . If there is a change in the system state, processing corresponding to the change is executed. When the voltage drop flag and the initialization flag are canceled, the system state is regarded as a normal state, and this process ends. After the system state changing process S4303, a voltage monitoring process S4304 is executed.

  In the voltage monitoring process S4304, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the internal power supplied from the power supply board 1038 ′ is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage. If the internal voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, the voltage drop flag is canceled. If the voltage drop flag is set, the voltage drop flag is set. On the other hand, if the internal voltage is not lower than the predetermined voltage, the voltage drop flag is canceled if the voltage drop flag is set. After the voltage monitoring process S4304, the value of the cycle timer counter is added to the value of the long cycle timer counter, and the long cycle timer counter is updated ("long cycle timer counter addition process" S4305). After the long cycle timer counter update process S4305, it is determined whether or not the value of the long cycle timer counter is 10 or more (S4306). By the determination process S4305, the following processes (S4307 to S4312) are executed approximately every 10 updates of the periodic timer counter. Since the periodic timer counter is updated approximately every 1 ms, the following processing is executed approximately every 10 ms.

  If it is determined in the determination process 2402 that the value of the long-period timer counter is less than 10, this process ends. On the other hand, when the value of the long cycle timer counter is 10 or more, the value of the long cycle timer counter is decreased by 10 and the value of the long cycle timer counter is updated ("long cycle timer counter subtraction process" S4307). . After the long period timer counter subtraction process S4307, data of a desired light emission pattern from a light emission data table including a plurality of light emission patterns for various light emitting devices (light emitting devices 132, 134L1, etc.) held in the ROM of the sub control board 1047a. Is extracted and stored in the output data buffer ("light emission data update process" S4308). The stored data is output by the device control process 4302 in the next periodic timer process S4206.

  After the light emission pattern data update process S4308, a process for synchronizing the light emission effect and the sound effect is executed ("light emission / sound synchronization process" S4309). After the light emission / sound synchronization processing S2405, in the situation where the sound effect is being performed, if the player is left for a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) without any input, The volume of the sound effect is changed to a low volume (“acoustic fade-out process” S4310). Further, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 50 seconds) has passed without any input by the player, and a demonstration flag is set ("demonstration start confirmation process" S4311). A predetermined demonstration effect is started in the liquid crystal display device 1042 by setting the demonstration flag. After the demonstration start confirmation processing S4311, the volume setting of the volume adjustment switch (not shown) in the volume changing operation device (not shown) is confirmed, and the volume at the time of error notification or production for the speakers 1106 and 1204 is updated. ("Volume setting process" S4312). After the volume setting process S4312, data for controlling the liquid crystal display device 1042, the speakers 1106 and 1204, the light emitting devices 132 and 134L1, and the like are updated (“notification data change process” S4313).

[Main configuration related to the present invention]
The structure of the main characteristic part of the ball-type cylinder game machine 1010 of the present invention will be described. The ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 throws game balls in a distributed manner by three input systems. The ball-type spinning game machine 1010 includes three game ball insertion units 1410a to 1410c corresponding to each of the three input systems. Here, the game ball throwing units 1410a to 1410c will be described. The three input systems are identified by the notation "Article 1", "Article 2", and "Article 3". Since the three game ball throwing portions 1410a to 1410c have substantially the same configuration, only the first throwing ball throwing portion 1410a will be described in detail below. The first throwing ball throwing portion 1410a includes a first throwing flicker 1413a and a first throwing solenoid 1414a (sorting throwing restriction means), and a first throwing upper element disposed in the flow direction of the game ball. A pair of passage sensors 1415a (distribution medium detection means) including 1415a1 and a lower element 1415a2. The inflow of the game medium from the storage passage 1402a (part of the medium passage) in the first article to the discharge passage 1406a (part of the medium passage) is such that the tip portion 1413a5 of the first input flicker 1413a is disposed in the passage. The passage is restricted according to a substantial change in passage width caused by shifting between the passage prohibited state and the passage permission state disposed outside the passage. In the passage prohibition state, the tip end portion 1413a5 of the first insertion flicker 1413a is disposed on the upstream side of the upper element 1415a1 of the pair of passage sensors 1415a. The storage passage 1402a and the discharge passage 1406a are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the vertical direction). The discharge passage 1406 is substantially the same as the vertical direction, and is substantially inclined by 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

  When the first flickering flicker 1413a shifts from the passage-permitted state to the passage-prohibited state, a game ball may be captured by the first flickering flicker 1413a at the boundary portion between the storage passage 1402a and the discharge passage 1406a. The upper element 1415a1 of the pair of passage sensors 1415a in the first article is arranged at a position where a captured game ball (hereinafter referred to as "hanging ball") can be detected, and the lower element 1415a2 detects the hanging ball It is placed at a position where it cannot.

  Game ball insertion control when betting game balls will be described generally along the timeline. It should be noted that, even when the maximum bet button 1304 is operated and when the 1-bet button 1114 is operated, the insertion operation and the insertion control are generally the same except that the number of allowed insertions is different. Only the case of operation will be described. In addition, since the game ball throwing operation and the control at the time of throwing in the game ball throwing portions 1410a to 1410c are substantially the same, detailed description of the second and third game ball throwing portions 1410b and 1410c is omitted. To do.

  In accordance with the detection of the maximum bet signal (bet instruction) based on the operation of the max bet button 1304 by the player (S2502: Y), first, the value obtained by subtracting the inserted number A from “15” in the normal gaming state. On the other hand, in the case of a JAC game in the special gaming state, a value obtained by subtracting the number of thrown-in A from “5” is set as the planned number to be thrown in (number of allowed throws) (S2503). Except for a special case in which the input of the planned number of inputs was not completed in the previous input control, the input number A is “0”. In addition, when the insertion of the planned number of insertions is completed in the previous insertion control (S2501), no substantial process is performed even if the maximum bet signal (bet instruction) is detected. After the setting of the planned number of throws, if no catching ball has been generated in the previous throwing control, the planned number of throws can be thrown out of the first, second and third terms (a retry flag is set). If the catching ball is generated by the previous throwing control (the suspended ball flag corresponding to any of the strips) Is set), the distribution is not performed again (S2511). In this distribution, when all the items can be input, the number of distribution input permission in each of the first, second and third items is uniformly distributed so as not to differ by two or more. The priority of the first input system is set to the lowest, and the priority of the third input system is set to the highest. Specifically, in the case of throwing one ball, the number of allowed to throw in the first throwing system, the number of allowed throwing in the second throwing system, and the number of allowed throwing in the third throwing line are respectively “0”, “0” and “1” when throwing one ball, “0”, “1” and “1” when throwing two balls, and throwing three balls Are "1", "1", and "1". As a result, the number of game balls to be assigned according to the determined distribution is input in the game ball input units 1410a to 1410c of each item.

  Specifically, when the hanging ball flag is not set (S1601: N), the total throwing number is increased every time the value of any one of the throwing number counters in Article 3 to Article 1 is increased by 1. The distribution to decrease the counter value by 1 is repeated in the order of Article 3, Article 2, and Article 1 until the total input number counter value becomes 0 (S1604 to S1613). Further, when the planned number of throws in the first article is equal to or greater than “0”, the first entry solenoid operation flag is set (S1607), and the introduction of the game balls in the first article is substantially started. In addition, in the case where it is impossible to insert a game ball in any of the sections (the insertion retry flag is released) (S1605: N), in order to prevent the game balls from being inserted according to that section. The game ball to be thrown is not assigned to the item, and the throwing solenoid operation flag for the item is not set (S1606 to S1610 are skipped). When the hanging ball flag is set (S1601: Y), the throwing solenoid operation flag of the line where the hanging ball is generated is set (S1615), and the value of the passage sensor counter is set to a predetermined value. (S1616).

  In accordance with the setting of the first charging solenoid operation flag, energization of the first charging solenoid 1414a is started, the first charging flicker 1413a is activated, and the passage of the game ball in the storage passage 1402a is permitted. The game balls in the first article are actually started (S2518). In addition, energization to the 1st making solenoid 1413a is maintained until the 1st making solenoid operation flag 907a is canceled. Similarly, the insertion of game balls in Article 2 and Article 3 is actually started (S2518). In the following, an explanation will be given by taking as an example the case where each of the number of distribution inputs permitted in Articles 1, 2 and 3 is “5”.

  Substantially simultaneously with the setting of the throwing solenoid operation flag in Article 1, the reintroduction when the flow of the game ball stagnates for a predetermined time for some reason, the reintroduction when the suspended ball occurs, and the game ball pass sensor Time measurement is started in order to determine a passing error when the vehicle does not pass 415a within a predetermined time. Specifically, the first ball is passed through the operation of the closing solenoids 414a to 414c in each of the first to third passage sensor counters that are updated in accordance with the execution of the timer interrupt processing in the main control board 1045a. Corresponds to the maximum allowable time (approximately 370 ms in this embodiment) allowed as the time until the start of the passage of 1415a, and sets a value (250 in this embodiment) calculated in consideration of the timer interrupt processing cycle To do. As a result, the passage sensor counter of the first article becomes an integer other than “0”, and the update of each passage sensor counter (S2210) is started in the timer interrupt process.

  A process for monitoring the passage of the game ball will be described. When the passage of the game ball is permitted, the flow of the game ball from the storage passage 1402a to the discharge passage 1406a is started. At this time, since the first game ball (hereinafter abbreviated as “first ball”) has not reached either the upper element 1415a1 or the lower element 1415a2 of the pass sensor 1415a, the upstream pass detection signal ( Both the output signal from the upper element 1415a1) and the downstream passage detection signal (the output signal from the lower element 1415a2) are in the OFF state. The output states of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal are regularly monitored (S2109). Depending on the execution of timer interrupt processing, the output status of the upstream monitoring detection signal and the downstream detection signal of the previous monitoring and the output status of the previous monitoring are compared with the output status of the previous monitoring and that of the current monitoring. The output state is updated, and a change (rise and fall) of the output state of at least one of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal is detected. When the change in the output state is detected, the value of the detection phase information of the previous time and the value of the previous detection phase information are updated to the value of the previous detection phase information and the value of the current detection phase information.

  Here, the value of detected phase information will be described. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detection phase and detection phase information. The value of the detected phase information is any one of four phase information values (phase identifiers) for identifying the passing state of the game ball. The values of the four pieces of phase information differ depending on the combination of the output state of the upstream passage detection signal and the output state (on state or off state) of the downstream passage detection signal. When the combination of the output states of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage signal is represented by (the output state of the upstream passage detection signal, the output state of the downstream passage detection signal), the value of the phase information is as shown in FIG. In addition, the first phase (off state, off state) is “0”, the second phase (on state, off state) is “2”, and the third phase (on state, on state). State) is “3”, and the case of the fourth phase (off state, on state) is “1”. The value of the detected phase information is “0 (first phase) → 2 (second phase) → 3 (third phase) → 1 (fourth phase) → 0 → 2 →... → 1 → 0”. What is repeatedly updated is the phase change when all of the planned number of game balls have passed in the normal passing order (in the case of normal passing). In order to identify this phase change, it is assumed that the detected phase change pattern is represented by a change in the value of phase information (“0 → 2”, “3 → 1”, etc.), “0 → 2”, “2 → 3”. , Four phase change patterns “3 → 1” and “1 → 0” are stored as phase change patterns for normality determination.

  When the first game ball (hereinafter abbreviated as “first ball”) starts to pass through the upper element 1415a1 of the passage sensor 1415a, the upstream passage detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state. In response to the detection of the rising edge of the upstream passage detection signal, the previous and current detection phase information values are updated from “0” and “0” to “0” and “2”, respectively (S2207).

  According to the update of the detection phase information, the detection phase change pattern “0 → 2” determined by the value “0” of the previous detection phase information and the value “2” of the current detection phase information is the normal determination phase. It is determined whether or not it matches the change pattern (S1703), and it is determined whether or not it matches the phase change pattern “0 → 2” at the start of passage (S1710), and the phase change pattern “1 → 0 when the passage is completed”. Is determined (S1705). In this case, since the detected phase change pattern matches one phase change pattern (“0 → 2”) included as the normal determination phase change pattern and matches the phase change pattern at the start of passage, the normal phase change And the start of passage of the first sphere passage sensor 1415a. If it is not determined that the phase change is normal (S1703: N), it is determined that a passage order error has occurred. Passing order error processing is executed in response to detection of occurrence of a passing order error (S1704).

  When the passage start of the passage sensor 1415a is detected, measurement of the time for which the first sphere passes the passage sensor 1415a is started. Specifically, the passage sensor counter of the first article corresponds to the maximum permitted passage time (in this embodiment, about 200 ms) that allows the game ball to be permitted as the passage time of the passage sensor 1415a, and considers the timer interrupt processing cycle. The calculated value (140 in this embodiment) is set (S1718). As a result, the subtraction (S217) of the first passage sensor counter in the timer interruption process is started. The period in which the value of the first passage sensor counter is a value other than “0” is the first permission period (sorting permission period).

  Further, when the passage start of the first article passage sensor 1415a is detected (S1710), the game balls that have started passing should be thrown in according to the first article with reference to the current number of throws in the first article. It is determined whether it is the final game ball (final ball) (S1712). Since the first sphere is not the final sphere, no special processing is performed. If the game ball that has started to pass is the final ball (1712: Y), the first entry solenoid operation flag is canceled (S1719), thereby energizing the first entry solenoid 1414a. Is stopped, and the operation of the first flicker 1413a is stopped. As a result, the flow of game balls subsequent to the final ball is prohibited.

  As the flow of the first sphere proceeds, the first sphere starts to pass through the lower element 1415a2 of the passage sensor 1415a, and the downstream passage detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state. At this time, the first sphere is still passing through the upper element 1415a1, and the upstream passage detection signal remains on. In response to the detection of the rising edge of the downstream passage detection signal, the previous and current detection phase information values are updated from “0” and “2” to “2” and “3”, respectively (S2109). In the same manner as the processing according to the detection of the rising edge of the upstream passage detection signal, it is determined that the phase change is normal, but neither the phase change at the start of passage nor the phase change at the completion of passage (S1705: N and S1710: N).

  When the flow of the first sphere further proceeds, the first sphere completes the passage of the upper element 1415a1, and the upstream passage detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state with the completion of the passage. At this time, the first sphere is passing through the lower element 415a2, and the downstream passage detection signal remains on. In response to the detection of the falling edge of the upstream passage detection signal, the previous and current detection phase information values are updated from “2” and “3” to “3” and “1”, respectively (S2109). When the detection phase information is updated, the phase change is normal in the same manner as the processing according to the detection of the rising edge of the upstream passage detection signal, but the phase change at the start of passage or the phase change at the completion of passage. (S1705: N and S1710: N).

  Finally, the passage of the lower element 1415a2 is completed, and the downstream passage detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state with the completion of the passage. At this time, the game ball following the first ball (abbreviated as “second ball”) has not yet reached the upper element 1415a1, and the upstream passage detection signal remains in the OFF state. In accordance with the detection of the falling edge of the downstream passage detection signal, the previous and current detection phase information values are updated from “3” and “1” to “1” and “0”, respectively (S2109). In the same manner as the processing according to the detection of the rising edge of the upstream passage detection signal, it is determined that the phase change is normal and the phase is changed when the passage is completed (S1705: Y).

  When it is detected that the first ball has completed the passage of the passage sensor 1415a (S1705: Y), the total estimated number is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value (S1706). The planned number is updated to a value reduced by 1 (S1707), and the passed number A is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” to the current value (S1708). Through the above process, the passage detection of the first sphere by the passage sensor 1415a is completed.

  In the passage detection process of the first sphere in the passage sensor 1415a, when the maximum allowable time Tf has elapsed or the maximum allowable time Tm has elapsed and the value of the passage sensor counter is “0”, the upstream passage detection signal If only the on-state is on, it recognizes that a suspended ball has been generated and sets the suspended ball flag. . In response to the detection of the occurrence of the passage time error, passage time error processing is executed (S1716). In addition, since a suspended ball is not generated except for the final ball, the suspended ball flag is not substantially set.

  Regarding Articles 2 and 3, the same process as in Article 1 is followed, and the introduction of the first ball to Articles 2 and 3 is completed. In addition, the second ball to the fourth ball for the first, second, and third articles are completed by performing the same process as the first ball.

  When the final sphere (fifth sphere) for the first article flows down and the final sphere starts to pass through the upper element 1415a1 of the passage sensor 1415a, the rising of the upstream passage detection signal is detected, the phase change is normal, and It is determined that the phase change is at the start of passage. Further, when the passage start of the passage sensor 1415a is detected, measurement of the time for which the final sphere passes the passage sensor 1415a is started. It is also determined whether or not the game ball that has started to pass is the final ball. The process so far is substantially the same as the case of other game balls thrown before the final ball. When the passage start of the passage sensor 1415a is detected, the game ball that has started to pass through the passage sensor 1415a is the final ball (S1712: Y), and therefore the first entry solenoid operation flag is canceled (S1713). As a result, the energization of the first charging solenoid 1414a is stopped, and the first charging flicker 1413a shifts to the passage prohibition state. As a result, the flow of the game ball subsequent to the final ball to the discharge passage 1406a is prohibited. Thereafter, the insertion of the final sphere proceeds through substantially the same process as that of the first sphere. Then, after waiting for the value of the first passage sensor counter to become “0”, it is determined whether or not a suspended ball is generated. Specifically, it is determined whether the current detection phase information is “2” (only the upstream passage detection signal is ON). When the suspended ball is generated, the suspended ball flag of the first article is set, and the process shifts to reintroduction control for releasing the suspended ball. The same applies to Articles 2 and 3.

  After that, it is determined whether or not the input retry flag of any item is set, and if the input retry flag of all items is not set (S2507), there is no item that can be input, Since the input process cannot be continued, the input process is temporarily terminated. Further, it is determined whether or not the planned number of game balls have been inserted, and if the insertion has been completed, the insertion process is terminated. In other cases, that is, in the case where the throw-in retry flag of one of the articles is set, but the throw-in of the number of game balls to be thrown in is not completed, the re-fill process is executed. . Specifically, when there is no game ball in the storage passages 1402a to 1402c, or when a suspended ball is generated, a re-injection process is executed.

  In the re-loading process in the case where the hanging ball is generated, the re-distribution of the planned number of throws is not substantially executed (S1602 to S1614 skipped), and the first throwing solenoid operation flag is set (S1615). ), And the value of the first passage sensor counter is reset to a value corresponding to the time allowed for the re-insertion time for the suspended ball (in this embodiment, about 20 ms). As a result, the reintroduction in Article 1 is substantially started. When the hanging ball starts to flow down, the passage start of the passage sensor 1415a is detected (S1710). In the following, the throwing ball is monitored as in the case of normal throwing without re-charging.

  In the case where there is no game ball and the insertion of the planned number of introductions is not completed, the first retry flag in the redistribution is canceled at the time of re-injection (S1605: N). Game balls are not thrown in according to the rules. On the other hand, when the throwing ball is generated and the planned number of throwing-in is not completed, re-charging is performed only in the first article where the hanging ball is generated.

[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, a gaming machine that realizes substantially the same operation except that the re-insertion operation is different will be described. Specifically, in the gaming machine of the first embodiment described above, the throwing flickers 1413a to 1413c of the strip in which the hanging ball is generated are changed from the throwing-in prohibited state to the throwing-permitted state in the re-throwing operation when the hanging ball is generated. Although the throwing flickers 1413a to 1413c are transitioned from the throwing-permitted state to the throwing-inhibited state after a lapse of a certain time after the transition, the gaming machine of the second embodiment has a configuration in which a hanging ball is generated. In response to the detection of the start of the passing of the game ball by the lower elements 1415a2 to 1415c2 of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c after the transition of the input flickers from the insertion prohibition state to the insertion permission state, the insertion flickers 1413a to 1413c It is configured to shift to the throwing-in prohibition state, and the throwing ball is generated and the throwing of the ball is not completed due to the ball being cut or clogged. Case, it is configured to perform re-closing operation to inject only the game balls unfinished payout based on again subsequently sphere breakage or balls jam operation to inject Tsutama only. In the following, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, only the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 ([upstream detection means]) of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c can detect the hanging ball ([capturing medium]). FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a situation of occurrence of a suspended ball in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 30, when a suspended ball is generated, the suspended ball stays in the detection region of the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 ([upstream detection means]), and the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 ([upstream detection means). ]) Outputs an upstream medium detection signal.

  The game ball betting process of this embodiment will be described in detail. Each process other than the game ball bet process (corresponding to the game ball bet process S1406 of the first embodiment) is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the game ball betting process. In the game ball betting process S5406, first, the light emission of a light emitting device (not shown) for notifying whether or not the max bet button 1304 can be operated and the light emitting device 1132 for notifying whether or not the start lever 1124 can be operated are controlled (“switch LED light emission control”). Process "S6101). Specifically, light emission is controlled according to the setting of the switch lighting flag.

  After the switch LED light emission control process S6101, it is determined whether or not the input operation is permitted (S6102). Specifically, it is determined whether or not a lighting flag of the light emitting device indicating whether or not the max bet button 1304 is operable is set. If it is not in the insertion operation permission state (when it is in the insertion operation prohibited state), the present game ball betting process S5406 ends. On the other hand, if it is in the closing operation permission state, it is determined whether or not charging is started (S6103). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the 1 bet signal or the maximum bet signal according to the operation of the 1 bet button 1114 or the max bet button 1304 is in the rising state (transition from the off state to the on state). Note that the actual ON / OFF state of the 1-bet signal or the maximum bet signal is monitored by the switch reading process S2108 (see FIG. 16) of the timer interrupt process, and is acquired by the switch reading process S2108 in the determination process S6103. Information. If the 1-bet signal or the maximum bet signal is not in the rising state, the present game ball bet process S5406 ends.

  If the 1 bet signal or the maximum bet signal is in the rising state, it is determined whether or not the bet is completed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not 1 bet (5 balls has been inserted) has been completed in the case of the JAC game state in the special game state, and 3 bets (15 balls in the other game state). Is determined) (S6104). If the bet has not been completed, the number of game balls to be thrown (number of throws allowed) is determined, and the value is set in the total thrown number counter (“putting allowance number determination process” S6105). Specifically, referring to the number of game balls that have already been inserted (the number of inserted balls), the type of bet signal, and the type of gaming state (whether or not it is a JAC game state), the number of allowed insertions Is determined. For example, when the inserted number is “0” and the rising edge of the maximum bet signal is detected, the number of allowed insertions is set to “5” in the JAC game state, and the permitted to be inserted in other than the JAC game state The number is set to “15”. In addition, when 5 balls are thrown by operating the 1 bet button 1114 or when only 5 balls can be thrown in the previous throwing operation due to running out of balls, etc., despite the max bet button 1304 being operated, When the rising of the bet signal is detected, “10”, which is obtained by subtracting the inserted number “5” from “15”, is set in the total inserted number counter. After the throw-in permission number determination process S6105, a process for substantially managing the throwing-in of game balls is executed ("insertion monitoring process" S6106).

  Here, the input monitoring process S6106 will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the input monitoring process. In the insertion monitoring process S6106, first, the permitted number of insertions is set as the remaining number of insertions ("injection remaining number determination process" S6201), and the first game ball insertion unit 1410a (hereinafter abbreviated as "first article"). , The throwing operation in all of the second game ball throwing section 1410b (hereinafter abbreviated as "second article") and the third game ball throwing section 1410c (hereinafter abbreviated as "third article"). The permission setting is performed ("all-item insertion permission setting process" S6202). Specifically, in the permission setting for the input operation, the input retry flag for each item is set. When the input retry flag of each item is “1”, it indicates an input permission state where input is permitted, and when it is “0”, it indicates an input prohibition state.

  After the all-items input permission setting process S6202, the input monitoring information is initialized ("input monitoring information initialization process" S6203). Specifically, each of the number of permitted inputs for each item ([number of permitted items for distribution]) is set to “0”, and each of the input solenoid operation flags (input restriction information) for each item is canceled. Or all the values of the passage permission remaining time information (passage sensor counter of each row) corresponding to the remaining time of each passage permitted period ([assignment passage allowable duration]), The first pass phase (“0”) is selected as each of the reference pass phases for each item.

  The reference pass phase is a pass phase selected from a normal pass phase pattern [normal pass phase transition]. Here, a normal passing phase pattern will be described. As shown in FIG. 29, the normal pass phase pattern includes the first pass phase (“0”), the second pass phase (“2”), the third pass phase (“4”), and the fourth pass phase. ("3") in this order. Each passage phase is a combination of the detection state (on state or off state) of the upstream passage detection signal and the detection state (on state or off state) of the downstream passage detection signal in the same line. The first passing phase is [OFF state, OFF state] and the second passing phase is [ON state, OFF state], if expressed by the detection state of the upstream passage detection signal, the detection state of the downstream passage detection signal] The third pass phase is [ON state, ON state], and the fourth pass phase is [OFF state, ON state]. In addition, although the same regular passing phase pattern is referred to for all the strips, the reference passing phase of each strip changes individually.

  After the input monitoring information initialization process S6203, a loop process (S6204 to S6220) that is executed at the time of the first input operation that is the first input operation, and that is executed at the time of the reinput operation that is performed following the initial input operation as necessary. Migrate to

  In the loop processing, first, whether or not to finish the throwing operation (initial throwing operation, re-throwing operation when throwing a suspended ball or supply abnormality), whether or not throwing of permitted number of game balls has been completed. (S6204), and the number of game balls assigned according to the condition (number of permitted throwing-in) by the previous initial throwing-in operation or re-throwing-in operation is normally completed, and further re-throwing is permitted. Judgment is made based on whether there is a strip (S6205). If the throwing-in permitted number of game balls has not been thrown and there is an article that is allowed to be thrown, the process proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, in other cases, that is, if the number of game balls permitted to be thrown has been thrown in, there is no need to perform the throw-in operation again. Since the process cannot be continued, the main input monitoring process S6106 ends.

  After the determination process S6205, it is determined whether or not it is an initial input operation (S6206). In the case of the initial input operation, the process proceeds to the input permission number distribution process S6209. On the other hand, when it is not the first throwing operation (when throwing a ball is thrown or when it is a refilling operation at the time of supply abnormality), a predetermined waiting time (in this embodiment, the number of timer interruptions “54” corresponding to about 80 ms) ("Re-input start waiting process" S6207). After the re-insertion start waiting process S6207, it is determined whether or not a suspended ball has been captured (S6208). If the catching of the suspended ball has not occurred, the process proceeds to the allowance number allocation process S6209. As shown in FIG. 33, the throwing-permission number distribution process S6209 includes the determination process S1601 shown in the throwing number distribution process S1511 (see FIG. 18) in the first embodiment and the throwing ball generating line throwing solenoid. The operations are the same except for the operation flag setting process S1615 and the passing ball counter sensor setting process S1616. Note that the processes S6301 to S6313 correspond to the processes S1602 to S1614, respectively.

  In the throwing permission number distribution process S6209, the throwing permission number is distributed substantially evenly so that the number of throwing permission items does not differ by 2 or more, and the number of game balls to be thrown in each throwing permission rule (the remaining charge amount) Number) is determined and set in the scheduled input number counter, and each of the other input monitoring information is set as predetermined initial information for starting input. In determining the number of remaining games, the game balls that have flowed into the upper plate 1302 are structurally most likely to flow into the third game ball insertion section 1410a and most into the first game ball insertion section 1410a. Because the number of game balls allocated to Article 3 is greater than or equal to the number of game balls allocated to Article 1 and Article 2, and the number of game balls allocated to Article 2 is Priorities are assigned so that the number of game balls allocated to one item is equal to or greater. In addition, a closing solenoid operation flag is set for all the items whose remaining charging number is “1” or more, “203” is set in the passage permission remaining time information, and the reference passing phase is set as the first passing phase. Is done. Since the passage permission remaining time information is decremented by “1” for every 1.49 ms interval timer interruption, about 300 ms is set as the passage permission remaining time. In this embodiment, in each strip, the opening flickers 1413a to 1413c are opened to open the passages from the storage passages 1402a to 1402c to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c, and the first game ball flowing down to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c is normal. The average time required for the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c to reach the upper elements 1415a1, 1415b1, and 1415c1 is about 10 ms, and the lower elements 1415a2, 1415b2, and 1415c2 after the passage of the upper elements 1415a1, 1415b1, and 1415c1 is started. Since the average time to complete the passage is about 40 ms, about 300 ms is set as the allowable passage time as a time with a sufficient margin.

  When it is determined in the determination process S6208 that the catch of the suspended ball has occurred, a suspended ball flag (capture detection information) is set (“suspended ball detection information setting process” S6210). After the hanging ball detection information setting process S6210, each of the throwing monitoring information is set as initial information for starting the throwing of the hanging ball (“loading monitoring information setting process” S6211). Specifically, the throwing solenoid operation flag of the line where the hanging ball is generated is set, and “203” is set as the passage permission remaining time information of the line where the hanging ball is generated.

  After the input permission number distribution process S6209 and the input monitoring information setting process S6211, it waits until a timer interrupt is executed (“timer interrupt wait process” S6212), and returns operation in response to completion of one timer interrupt. It is determined whether or not has been started (S6213). When it is determined that the return operation is started, a process for canceling the input is executed ("input cancel process" S6214). Specifically, it is determined that the return operation is started when the return switch signal from the return switch 1441 based on the player's operation of the upper bowl return lever 1386 shifts to the ON state.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6213 that the return operation is not started, the loading operation flag (in-loading information) indicating that any of the articles is in the pass-permitted period is canceled (“in-loading operation in progress”). Information initialization process "S6215). The throwing-in-operation flag is set when the passage allowable period of each strip has not ended in the first strip throwing control processing S6216, the second strip throwing control processing S6217, and the third strip throwing control processing S6218 described later. . After the throwing operation information initialization process S6215, the throwing control process for the first to third articles is executed ("first feeding control process" S6216, "second feeding control process" S6217, "third" Strip input control process "S6218). The in-operation information initialization process S6215 and the first to third input control processes S6216 to S6218 are executed once within the timer interrupt interval. Note that details of the first input control process S6216, the second input control process S6217, and the third input control process S6218 will be described after the overall description of the input monitoring process S6106.

  After the third feed control process S6218, the drive of all the feed solenoids is controlled with reference to the feed solenoid operation flags of the respective strips ("filling solenoid drive control process" S6219). Specifically, the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c in which the closing solenoid operation flag is newly set are changed to an ON state (a closing allowable state), and the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c whose setting solenoid operation flag is already set are changed. The closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c of the strip in which the closing solenoid operation flag is newly released are changed to the off state (closing prohibition state), and the closing solenoid operation flag 1414a of the strip in which the closing solenoid operation flag has already been released is maintained. -1414c remains off. The charging solenoid operation flag for each item may be changed from release to setting in the input permission number distribution processing S6208 or the input monitoring information setting processing S6211, and the first item input control processing S6216 and the second item input control processing S6217. In the third article insertion control process S6218, the setting may be changed to the cancellation.

  After the all-throw-in solenoid driving process S6219, it is determined whether or not the full-throwing-in operation has been completed (S6220). Specifically, when the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that all the throwing operations have been completed. This is synonymous with the fact that the passage allowance period for virtually all articles has ended.

  Here, the first article throwing control process S6216, the second article throwing control process S6217, and the third article throwing control process S6218 will be described in detail. In addition, since the 2nd article throwing control process S6217 and the 3rd article throwing control process S6218 are substantially the same as the 1st article throwing control process S6216, the "1st article throwing control process S6216" in the description of the 1st article throwing control process S6216. "In the second article input control process S6217" and "third article" in the third article input control process S6218, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first article insertion control process.

  In the first article insertion control process S6216, it is first determined whether or not it is during the first article passage allowable period. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is “0” (S6401). If the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”, it means outside the passage permitted period in Article 1. If the passage permission remaining time in Article 1 is greater than “0”, then Article 1 Means within the permissible passage period. After the determination process S6401, it is determined whether or not the passage phase of the first article has changed (S6402). Specifically, the first passage phase read in the previous timer interrupt processing switch read processing S2108 (see FIG. 13) is the currently selected first passage phase in the normal passage phase pattern. (Hereinafter referred to as the reference passing phase in Article 1) is determined.

  When it is determined in the determination process S6402 that there is no change in the first article passage phase, it is determined whether or not the first article passage allowable period expires in the current first article insertion control process S6216 ( S6403). Specifically, the determination is made based on whether the value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value of the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”. Here, the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is not updated. When it is determined that the passage allowable period of Article 1 does not end, the passage permission remaining time information of Article 1 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (“passage permission time update process” S6404). . On the other hand, when it is determined that the first passage allowable period is over, it is determined whether or not the first insertion flicker 1413a is in a passage prohibited state (S6405). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the first entry solenoid operation flag is set. If the first entry solenoid operation flag is not set, the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” by the passage permission time update process ”S6404.

  In addition, when the 1st throwing-in solenoid operation flag is set, it means whether the 1st throwing flicker 1413a has already prohibited the flow of the game ball or is moving to prohibit it, If the first entry solenoid operation flag is not set, it means that the first introduction flicker 1413a permits the flow of the game ball or is moving to allow it. As a case where an affirmative determination is made in the determination process S6403, for example, (1) the first game ball to be thrown is within the first permitted passage period set in the throwing permission number distribution process S6209. When the passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a is not started (when the ball is out), or (2) the first passage allowance set in the throwing permission number distribution processing S6209 is set for the first game ball to be thrown When the passage of the first article is not started within the period (when the ball is clogged), or when the first throwing sensor 1415a of the first thrown game ball (hereinafter also referred to as the preceding ball) starts to pass A game ball (hereinafter also referred to as a succeeding ball) that is to be thrown into the preceding ball within the first permitted passage period (passable period extending process S6420 described later) does not start passing the first passing sensor 1415a. (ball In this case) and (4) the succeeding sphere passes the first passage sensor 1415a within the first passage allowable period extended at the start of passage of the preceding sphere (passage allowable period extension processing S6420 described later). A case where it is not completed (in the case of a ball clogging) is mentioned.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6405 that the first article is not in the prohibition state, the first entry retry flag is canceled in order to prohibit the re-input according to the first article ("re-entry prohibition setting process"). S6406). In addition, when the passage permitted period of the first article is scheduled to expire, but the passage is permitted, at least the last game ball that should have been thrown in the first article has not started. The re-input operation as a whole will be executed, but the re-input operation according to Article 1 will not be performed.

  After the re-insertion prohibition setting process S6406, it is determined whether or not the game ball is passing the first passage sensor 1415a (S6407). When the game ball is passing through the first passage sensor 1415a, the first game ball is within the permitted passage period of the first due to clogging of the ball or an illegal act using an unauthorized insertion device (not shown). Since the passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a has not been completed, the passage time error command is a ring to stop the progress of the game of the ball-cylinder gaming machine 1010 and notify the occurrence of an error (passage time error). It is stored in the buffer ("passing time error processing" S6408). The passing time error process S6408 is an infinite loop, and continues until the ball-turning game machine 1010 is reset according to the operation of the reset switch 1038b. On the other hand, if the game ball is not passing, the throwing solenoid operation flag of the first article is canceled without causing an error because it is scheduled to expire the first article passage allowable period due to the ball breakage in the first article ( “Pass restriction information changing process” S6409), by setting “140” in the passage permission remaining time information of the first article, the passage permission time of the first article is substantially extended by a time corresponding to about 200 ms (“ “Passable period extension process” S6410).

  After the passage permission time update process S6404 of the first article and the passage permission time extension process S6410, it is determined whether or not the passage permission period of the first article has ended (S6411). Specifically, if the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”, it is determined that the passage allowable period in Article 1 is over (outside the passage allowable period), and it is “0”. If not, it is determined that the passage allowable period of Article 1 has not ended (within the passage allowable period). If the first article allowance period has expired, the first article entry control process S6216 ends, and if the first article allowance period has not expired, the entry operation flag is set. ("In-operation information setting process" S6412), and then the first article insertion control process S6216 ends.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6402 that there is a change in the passage phase of the first article, it is determined whether the phase change is normal (S6413). Specifically, the first passage phase detected in the immediately preceding timer interrupt processing switch read processing S2108 (FIG. 13) is ordered next to the first passage reference passage phase in the normal passage phase pattern. When it is the same as the passing phase, it is determined that the phase change is normal, and when they are different, it is determined that the phase change is not normal. When it is determined in the determination process S6413 that the passage phase change of the first article is not normal, in order to stop the game progress of the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 and to notify the occurrence of an error (passing order error) A passing order error command (a kind of error command) is stored in the ring buffer ("passing order error processing" S6414). The passing order error process S6414 is an infinite loop and continues until the ball-turning game machine 1010 is reset according to the operation of the reset switch 1038b. As a result, once an error occurs due to some fraud, it is possible to prevent the fraud from continuing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the phase change of the first article is normal, the reference passing phase of the first article is changed from the currently selected passing phase according to the order in the normal passing phase pattern to the next passing phase. It is updated cyclically ("reference passing phase update process" S6415). For example, the reference passage phase in Article 1 is updated to the second passage phase when the currently selected passage phase is the first passage phase, and the currently selected passage phase is the fourth passage phase. In this case, the first passing phase is updated.

  After the reference passing phase update process S6415, it is determined whether or not the passing of the game ball is completed and whether or not the passing of the game ball is started (S6416, S6417). Specifically, in the determination process S6416, it is determined that the passage is complete when the first passage phase is the first passage phase, and the passage is completed when the first passage phase is the first passage phase. It is determined that it is not. In the determination process S6417, it is determined that the passage is started when the first passage phase is the second passage phase, and the passage is started when the first passage phase is not the second passage phase. Is done.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6417 that the game ball has started to pass, whether or not the game ball that has started to pass through the first pass sensor 1415a is the first ball in the first ball (sorting final medium). Is determined (S6418). Specifically, if the value obtained by subtracting the number of remaining inputs in Article 1 by “1” is “0”, it is determined that the game ball that has started passing is the final ball of Article 1, and the value If is not "0", it is determined that the game ball that has started to pass is not the final ball of the first article. At this time, the value of the number of remaining inputs in Article 1 is not updated. If it is the start of the passage of the first ball of the first article, the entry solenoid operation flag of the first article is canceled in order to prohibit the inflow by the first flicker 1413a ("passage regulation information changing process" S6419). Then, “203” is set in the passage permission remaining time information of the first article, and the permitted passage period of the first article is extended (“allowable passage period extension process” S6420). In addition, the drive of the state transition from the inflow permission state to the inflow prohibition state of the first flicker 1413a is performed in the all-row injection solenoid drive control processing S6219 (see FIG. 32) executed after the release of the first injection solenoid operation flag. ). On the other hand, if it is not the start of the passage of the first ball of the first article, the passage restriction information changing process S6419 is skipped and the passage allowable period extending process S6420 is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to determination processing S6411.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6417 that the first pass of the game ball is not started, it is determined whether or not the hanging ball flag is set and whether or not the passing phase is the third passing phase. (S6427, S6428). When the hanging ball flag is set and the first passage phase is the third passage phase, the first entry solenoid operation flag is canceled ("passage regulation information change process" S6429). In other cases, the passage restriction information changing process S6429 is skipped. Thereafter, similarly to the case where it is determined in the determination process S6402 that there is no change in the passage phase of the first article, the passage determination process S6403 to the in-operation information setting process S6412 are executed.

  If it is determined in the determination process S6416 that the first pass of the game ball has been completed, the total remaining insertion number (total inserted number counter) is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value (“all "Remaining thrown number update process" S6421), the total thrown number (inserted number counter A) is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current value ("all thrown number update process" S6422), and the number of bets and bets The bet information such as the number display is updated as necessary ("Bet information update process" S6423), and the remaining number in the first article (scheduled number counter in the first article) is subtracted by "1" from the current value. The updated value is updated ("input remaining number update process" S6424). After the insertion remaining number update process S6424, it is determined whether or not the game ball that has passed the first passage sensor 1415a is the first final ball (S6425). Specifically, when the number of remaining throws in the first article is “0”, it is determined that the game ball that has passed is the final ball of the first article, and the remaining number of throws in the first article is “0”. Otherwise, it is determined that the game ball that has passed is not the final ball of the first article. If it is determined in the determination process S6425 that the passage of the last ball of the first article has been completed, “0” is set in the passage permission remaining time information of the first article. Thereby, the passage allowable period of the first article ends. On the other hand, if the passage of the first ball of the first sphere is not completed, it is not the start of the passage of the first ball of the game ball in the determination processing S6402 or when it is determined that there is no change in the passage phase of the first sphere. As in the case where it is determined, the passage determination process S6403 to the in-operation information setting process S6412 are executed.

  Whether or not the first permitted passage period has ended after the processing related to the first permitted passage period (passage permission time update process S6404, permitted passage period extension processing S6412, S6420 and permitted passage period end process S6426). Is determined. Specifically, if the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”, it is determined that the passage allowable period in Article 1 is over (outside the passage allowable period), and it is “0”. If not, it is determined that the passage allowable period of Article 1 has not ended (within the passage allowable period). If the first article allowance period has expired, the first article entry control process S6216 ends, and if the first article allowance period has not expired, the entry operation flag is set. After that ("in-operation information setting process" S6428), the first article insertion control process S6216 ends. As described above, the first entry control process S6216 includes the determination process S6401 to the passage restriction information change process S6429.

  When it is necessary to change the setting of the bet button LED and the start lever LED in accordance with the control in the above-described input monitoring process S6106 after the input monitoring process S6106, as shown in FIG. In order to change the display, various LED settings are updated ("switch lighting flag update processing" S6107). After the switch lighting flag update processing S6107, it is determined whether or not it is in the on-state return state (S6108). Specifically, when the return switch signal from the return switch 1441 based on the player's operation of the upper bowl return lever 1386 is in the on state, the return switch signal is determined to be in the on-loading state, and the return switch signal is in the on state. In this case, it is determined that the return state is not simply a throwing-in state. If it is in the return state while being thrown in, it waits until the return switch signal shifts to the OFF state, and also waits for a predetermined time after shifting to the OFF state ("top tray storage ball return completion waiting process"). "S6109). When the waiting is completed, if game balls have already been thrown in, specifically, if the number of thrown balls is not “0”, the same number of game balls are thrown out. The thrown ball payout command is set to “inserted ball return process” S6110. The throwing ball return process S6110 is the same process as the return process S2405. The thrown ball payout command is transmitted to the payout control board 1037a, and the payout control board 1037a pays out the same number of game balls as the number of thrown balls from the payout device 1033 in response to receiving the thrown ball payout command.

  After that, even when various bet buttons 1114 and 1304 are operated, an insertion prohibition timer for determining a period during which processing corresponding to the operation is not executed is set (“insertion prohibition timer setting process” S6111). Thus, various bet button operations are invalidated until a predetermined time has elapsed. After the insertion prohibition timer setting process S6111, an auxiliary passage allowable period is set ("auxiliary passage allowable period setting process" S6112). Specifically, “203” (corresponding to about 300 ms) is set in the auxiliary passage permission remaining time information. The auxiliary passage permission remaining time information is “1” every time the timer interruption process is executed when the auxiliary passage permission time information exceeds “0” in the sensor monitoring process S2109 (FIG. 13) in the timer interruption process. It is updated to the value obtained by subtracting only. The auxiliary passage allowance period is a period in which the passing of the game ball is allowed as a normal passage and the number of passages (the number of auxiliary throws) is counted. During the throwing operation, the game ball is allowed to pass normally and the number of passes is counted. After the auxiliary passage permissible period setting process S6112, when the charging is being performed or the charging period is being returned, the charging control flag and the returning flag during the charging period are canceled, and the charging control operation period ends ("ball" Process status update process "S6113). As described above, the game ball betting process S5406 includes the switch LED light emission control process S6101 to the ball process state update process S6113.

  After the game ball betting process S5406 is completed, it is determined whether or not the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number (corresponding to S2407), as shown in FIG. If the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number, the insertion error process S2403 to the determination process S2407 are repeated. On the other hand, if the bet number is not less than the minimum prescribed number, it is determined whether or not a variation start signal corresponding to the operation of the start lever 1124 has been received (corresponding to S2408). If the fluctuation start signal has not been received, the process from the error process S2403 to the determination process S2408 is repeated. On the other hand, when the fluctuation start signal is received, the fluctuation waiting process S2304 ends. In the present embodiment, the same process as the throwing ball comparison process S2409 shown in FIG. 16 is executed in the sensor monitoring process S2109 in the timer interrupt process. Further, the throwing ball comparison determination is executed after a predetermined fixed period from the reception of the fluctuation start signal.

  Here, the throwing-in operation according to the flowchart of the above-described game ball betting process S5406 will be described with reference to a substantially chronological order. A case where the throwing operation is completed without performing the refilling operation and a case where the refilling operation due to the occurrence of the ball break is performed will be described. In addition, since it is a characteristic part of this invention, the case where re-injection operation | movement is performed by generation | occurrence | production of a suspended ball state is demonstrated in detail separately. FIG. 35 is a timing chart showing an example of a closing operation in which the charging is completed without performing the recharging operation. FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing an example of a throwing operation in which re-throwing due to a ball break is executed.

  First, in response to the detection (ta) of a max bet operation signal (a kind of “bet instruction”) based on the player's operation of the max bet button 1304 in the throwing operation permission state (S6103: Y) (S6103: Y), In the normal gaming state, the value obtained by subtracting the inserted number from “15”, while in the case of the JAC game in the special gaming state, the value obtained by subtracting the inserted number from “5” is set as the permitted number of inputs. It is set (S6105). Note that, when the insertion permission number has been inserted in the previous insertion control, no substantial processing is performed even if the max bet operation signal is detected. The number of permitted inputs is divided into the items that can be entered among Articles 1, 2 and 3 (hereinafter referred to as “permitted items”), and the remaining number of items allowed for each item ([number of permitted inputs for distribution]) The value of is determined.

  After completing the allocation of the number of allowed inputs, the update of the first passage permission remaining time information (first passage sensor counter) is substantially started (tb). Specifically, a value corresponding to a predetermined permission time (in this embodiment, “203” corresponding to about 300 ms in this embodiment) is set as the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article. When the value of the passage permission remaining time information is a value equal to or greater than “0”, “1” is subtracted every timer interruption, that is, substantially every 1.49 ms (S6404). Further, according to the setting of the first charging solenoid operation flag, energization to the first charging solenoid 1414a is started and the first charging flicker 1413a is activated (S6119). The game ball is allowed to be thrown in and the game ball in the first article is actually started. It should be noted that energization of the first charging solenoid 1413a is maintained until the first charging solenoid operation flag is released. Similarly, the first throwing-in operation of the game balls in Article 2 and Article 3 is actually started (S6416). In the following, as shown in FIG. 35, a case will be described in which the values of the number of remaining inputs in Article 1, Article 2 and Article 3 are “5”.

  When the insertion of the game ball is permitted, the flow of the game ball from the storage passage 1402a to the discharge passage 1406a is started. The output state of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal of the first article is regularly monitored (S2108), and for each timer interruption, the detection phase of the first article and the previous first article are detected. The previous detection phase of the first article and the current detection phase of the first article are updated.

  When the game ball starts to flow down, the first article insertion control process (S6216) is executed at each timer interrupt interval until the detection condition of the first article changes (S6402: Y), and the passage permission is made each time. The value of the remaining time information is subtracted by “1” (S6404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is not “0” (S6427), the making operation flag (in making operation information) is set. The throwing operation flag is not information unique to Article 1, but is information common to Articles 2 and 3. If the throwing operation flag is “0” at the time of determination (S6220), all items are listed. This means that the value of the passage permission remaining time information at “0” is “0”. In addition, the in-operation flag is initialized to “0” in accordance with one cycle of the input control processing S6216 to S6218 for all items. In the first embodiment, this flag is not used. After the making operation flag is set, the state of the first entry solenoid 1413a does not change because the making solenoid operation flag has not been released in the current first entry control process (S6216) (S6219). In addition, since the throwing operation flag is set, it is not determined that the allowable passage period for all the sections has ended (S6220: N), and the next first article throwing control process is waited for the execution of the timer interrupt process. (S6216) is executed.

  Unlike FIG. 35, the detection phase of the first article remains unchanged (S6402: N), and the first passage allowable period ends (when the value of the passage permission remaining time information is “1”). ) (S6403), since the first flickering flicker 1413a is not in the passage prohibition state, it is determined that there is no gaming ball to be thrown in the first flare storage passage 1402a, and the processing when the ball breaks, which will be described later, is performed. Is executed. The details of the process when the ball is cut will be described later with reference to FIG. In addition, when the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is “0” (S6411: Y), the making operation flag is not set (S6412 skip). When the first entry solenoid operation flag is released (S6409), the first entry solenoid 1413a shifts to the prohibition state (S6219). If the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that the permissible passage period for all items has ended (S6220: Y), and the initial throwing operation period ends. Note that when a predetermined condition is satisfied (S6204: N, S6205: Y), the re-input operation is shifted to, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the input operation is ended.

  The first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state within the first passage allowable period (S6401: Y) (t11), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S6413: Y). ), The reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the first passage phase to the second passage phase (basic charging prohibition transition phase) (S6415). In addition, since it is not the final ball (S6418: N) and the first ball has started to pass (S6417: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is set to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta (about 300 ms) It is reset (S6420). The period until the value of the passage permission remaining time information becomes “0” after the start of the passage of the first sphere is the first passage allowable period ([permitted passage allowable period]). This period also serves as a passage allowable period from the start of passage of the first sphere in the first article to the start of passage of the second sphere passage sensor 1415a in the first article. Since the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is not “0” (S6411: N), a making operation flag is set (S6412).

  Unlike FIG. 35, when it is not determined that there is a normal phase change despite a phase change in the detected phase (S6413: N), a passing order error process is executed (S6414).

  After that, the first passage downstream detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state within the first passage allowable period (S6401: Y) (t12), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S6413). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the second passage phase to the third passage phase (S6414). Further, since the passage of the first passage sensor 1415a is not started or completed (S6416: N, S6417: N), and the passage allowable period is not over (S6403: N), the remaining passage permission time of the first passage The value of information is subtracted by “1” (S6404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S6411), the in-operation flag is set (S6412).

  Thereafter, within the first passage allowable period (S6401: Y), the first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the ON state to the OFF state (t13), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S6411). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the third passage phase to the fourth passage phase (S6414). Further, since the passage of the first passage sensor 1415a is not started or completed (S6416: N, S6417: N), and the passage allowable period is not over (S6403: N), the remaining passage permission time of the first passage The value of information is subtracted by “1” (S6404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S6429), the in-operation flag is set (S6430).

  Unlike FIG. 35, when it is determined that the phase change is not normal (S6413: N), a passing order error process is executed (S6414). If it is determined that the passage allowable period is over (S6403: Y), the insertion retry flag is canceled because the first article is not set as the insertion permission article (S6409), and the first passage sensor 1415a is set. (S6407: Y), the transit time error process is executed (S6408).

  Thereafter, the first passage downstream detection signal shifts from the ON state to the OFF state within the first passage allowable period (S6401: Y) (t14), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S6411). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the fourth passage phase to the first passage phase (S6414). At this time, the second sphere has not yet reached the first element upper element 1415a1, and the first element upstream passage detection signal is maintained in the OFF state. In addition, since the completion of the passage of the first ball passage sensor 1415a is detected (S6416: Y), the input remaining number common to all the items is subtracted by “1” (S6421), and the number of charged items common to all the items is obtained. Only “1” is added (S6422), and the value of the number of remaining inputs in the first article is subtracted by “1” (S6424). Further, the bet number and the bet number display are updated as necessary (S6423). Thereafter, since the first sphere is not the final sphere (S6425: N) and is not the end of the first passage allowable period (S6403: N), the value of the first passage permitted remaining time information is “ 1 "is subtracted (S6404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S6411), the in-operation flag is set (S6411).

  Unlike FIG. 35, even if it is determined that the first allowed passage period has ended (S6403: Y), the first flickering flicker 1413a is already in the prohibited passage state. The value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is subtracted by “1” without executing the passage time error process (S6408). In addition, when the first sphere is the final sphere in the first article (S6425: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is forcibly set to “0”. The insertion permission period ends (S6426). As a result, the first throwing operation (the throwing operation) in Article 1 is completed.

  The first sphere that has passed through the first passage sensor 1415a further flows down the discharge passage 1406a toward the first count sensor 1416a. When the passage of the count sensor 1416a of the first article is started, the count sensor signal shifts from the off state to the on state (t15). When the completion of passage of the first count sensor 1416a is detected by the transition of the count sensor signal from the on-state to the off-state (t16), the auxiliary input number is incremented by “1”. In the present embodiment, the number of game balls passing through the count sensors 1416a to 1416c is not measured according to the item, but the total number of game balls passing through the respective count sensors 1416a to 1416c is collectively measured.

  For Article 2 and Article 3, the introduction of the first ball to Article 2 and Article 3 is completed through substantially the same process as in Article 1 (t14 ', t14 "). The second ball to the fourth ball with respect to the first, second and third balls are completed by performing the same process as the first ball of the first ball (t24 to t44, t14 'to t44). ', T14 "to t44") In the following, only the processing that is different from the case where the fifth sphere, which is the final sphere, is inserted will be described in detail.

  Since the first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (t51) within the first passage allowable period (S6401: Y), this phase change is a normal phase change (S6413: Y). ), The reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the first passage phase to the second passage phase (S6415). In addition, since the first ball, which is the final ball (S6418: Y), has started to pass (S6417: Y), after the first entry solenoid operation flag is released (S6419), the first passage pass permission remains. The value of the time information is reset to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta (S6420), and a making operation flag is set (S6412).

  After that, as in the case of the first ball, the downstream detection signal of the first article shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (t52) within the allowed passage period of the first article (S6401: Y). Within the allowed passage period (S6401: Y), the first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state (t53), and thereafter, within the permitted passage period of the first article (S6401: Y). The downstream passage detection signal of the first article shifts from the on state to the off state (t54). Similar to the case of the first ball, in accordance with the detection of the completion of the passage of the fifth ball passing sensor 1415a (S6416: Y), the update of the remaining number of common items in all items (S6421), the number of charged items common to all items Update (S6422), update of the bet number and bet number display (S6423) as necessary, and update of the number of remaining inputs in the first article (S6424). Further, since the fifth ball is the final ball (S6425: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is forcibly set to “0” (S6426), and the throwing operation flag is cleared. This state is maintained (S6412).

  At the time when the first throwing operation in Article 1 is completed, if the case shown in FIG. 35, the first throwing operation in Article 2 and Article 3 has already been completed. Also in the control process S6217 and the third article throwing control process S6218, since the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that the passage allowable period for all the articles has ended (S6220: Y). As a result, the initial making operation period ends, and the making control in-progress flag is canceled substantially simultaneously, and the making control operation period ends (tc; S6113). Prior to the end of the closing control operation period, a closing operation prohibition period in which processing according to the operation of the max bet button 1304 is not performed is provided (S6111), and the number of game balls passing through the first count sensor 1416a In order to extend the period for counting the time by a predetermined time Tb, an auxiliary passage allowable period is set (S6112). In addition, after the throwing operation period ends, the fifth ball of the first article completes passing through the first count sensor 1416a (t56), but the out-of-period throwing error flag is set because it is within the auxiliary passage allowable period. Will never be done.

  A number comparison timer is set in accordance with the operation (te) of the start lever 1124 after the insertion of the predetermined number of allowed game balls is completed, and a predetermined time Tc has elapsed from the operation (te) of the start lever 1124. At the same time (tf), it is determined whether the number of inputs and the number of auxiliary inputs satisfy a predetermined condition (number of inputs ≦ auxiliary input number or input number ≦ auxiliary input number + 3 (article number)), If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the number error flag is set by determining that the number is an error. When the number error flag is set, the progress of the game is forcibly stopped and the number error is notified after the end of the current unit game (S2403).

  Here, a case where the re-insertion operation is performed due to the occurrence of a ball breakage or a ball clogging will be described. FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing an example of the throwing operation when the refilling operation is performed due to the occurrence of a ball breakage or a ball clogging. In FIG. 36, in the second article, a case where a ball break occurs due to the insertion of the second ball is shown. In the following, only the operation different from the case where the recharging operation is not performed will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the second ball does not start passing through the second passage sensor 1415a within the second passage allowable period (corresponding to S6401: Y), and the second sphere second When the time from the start of passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a reaches the predetermined time Ta (t27 ′; equivalent to S6403: Y), the second article insertion retry flag is set so that the second article is not set as the insertion permission section. It is released (S6406). After the release retry flag in the second article is released, the second ball is not passing the passage sensor 1415b in the second article (S6407: equivalent to N), so that the second introduction flicker 1413b is returned to the passage prohibited state. The second entry solenoid operation flag is released. After the release solenoid operation flag of the second article is released, the second passage permission remaining time information is reset to a value (“75”) corresponding to a predetermined ball-out waiting time Td (in this embodiment, about 200 ms). The As a result, the passage allowable period in the first article is extended by the ball waiting time. After the predetermined ball-out waiting time Td, the passage allowable period in the second article is finished (corresponding to S6403: Y), and the second article throwing solenoid operation flag has already been released (S6405: Y). Since only two of the five balls allocated to Article 2 have been thrown in, and Articles 1 and 3 are throwing permission clauses, it is determined that the throwing control operation has not been completed. (S6204: N, S6205: Y).

  After the initial throwing-in operation period and after waiting for a predetermined time Te (about 80 ms) (S6207), it is detected that the hanging ball flag is not set (S6208: N), and the first and third articles. The re-input operation is started at (th). The number of game balls that should have been thrown in Article 2 but not thrown ("3" in FIG. 36) is distributed only to Article 1 and Article 3 which are throwing permission articles (S6209). Specifically, in consideration of the priority of each item in the distribution, two balls are assigned to the third item, and one ball is assigned to the first item. In this case, the second ball in Article 3 and the first ball in Article 1 are final balls. When the re-insertion operation is started (th), two game balls are inserted in the third article and one game ball in the first article in the same manner as in the first insertion operation. In the re-insertion operation, when the first passage allowable period ends (t64) and the third passage allowable period ends (t74 "), the re-input operation period ends. Since the insertion of the permitted number of game balls has been completed, it is determined that the passage allowance period for all items has been completed (S6220: Y), and the throwing control in-progress flag is substantially canceled at the same time, and the throwing control operation period ends. (Tc; S6113).

  Here, the throwing control of the game ball when the suspended ball is generated will be described along the time system. FIG. 37 is a timing chart showing an example of a re-throwing operation in which throwing is re-executed based on the catching of the hanging ball. In the case where the initial condition of the making operation shown in FIG. 35 is the same as the initial condition, only the operation different from the making operation shown in FIG. 35 will be described in detail.

  In the first article, the insertion of the first ball to the fourth ball is completed in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 37, when the fifth sphere (final sphere) in the first article starts to pass through the first upper element 1415a1, the first article upstream passage detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state. (T51). At this time, the downstream passage detection signal of the first article remains off.

  When the passage start of the fifth ball passing sensor 1415a is detected in the first article (S6416: N, S6417: Y), the fifth ball that has started to pass is the final ball (S6418: N). The first entry solenoid operation flag is canceled, and the first passage permission remaining time information is reset to a value ("203") corresponding to a predetermined time Ta (about 300 ms) (t51; S6420). Since the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is not “0” when the passage permission period of the first article is extended (S6411: N), a making operation flag is set (S6412). After the setting of the in-operation flag, since the input solenoid operation flag is canceled in the current first item input control process (S6216), the actual change from the input-permitted state of the first item input flicker 1413a to the input-inhibited state is practical. Migration is performed (S6219). Thereafter, in the same manner as when waiting for the start of passage of the upper element 1415a1 of the first sphere, it waits for the output of the upstream passage detection signal or downstream passage detection signal of the first article to change. However, during the movement of the first flickering flicker 1413a, the fifth ball in the first ball becomes a suspended ball, and the flow of the fifth ball is stopped.

  When the fifth ball becomes a suspended ball, the detection passage phase does not change (S6402: N), the first passage allowable period is scheduled to expire (S6403: Y), and the first entry solenoid operation flag is already released. (S6405: Y) and the first passage upstream detection signal is in the ON state (S6406: Y), the passage of the first passage is finally ended (S6404). This completes the initial throwing operation in Article 1. Since the passage allowable period of the first article has ended (S6411: Y), the making operation flag is not set (S6412). As shown in FIG. 37, since the insertion of the number of game balls having the permitted number of articles in the second and third articles has been completed, it is determined that the passage permitted period for all the articles has ended (S6220). : Y). As a result, the initial charging operation period ends (tg).

  After the first throwing operation period, the throwing balls of Article 1 are not counted as thrown, so throwing of the number of throwing permits for all items is not completed (S6204: N), and Articles 1 to 3 are thrown. Since it is a permission condition (S6205: Y) and the initial charging operation has been completed (S6206: N), the charging control operation is not terminated and the process shifts to a recharging operation. In the re-input operation, first, it waits for a predetermined time Te (about 80 ms) (S6207). Thereafter, since the upstream passage detection signal is in the on state and the downstream passage detection signal is in the off state (S6208: Y), the occurrence of the suspension ball is detected and the suspension ball flag is set (th; S6210). ). Further, the first entry solenoid operation flag is reset, and the passage permission remaining time information is set to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta, thereby setting the first passage allowable period (S6211). Note that, unlike the case of the re-injection operation due to ball breakage or the like, the reference passage phase is not changed.

  Since only the first entry solenoid operation flag is set, the re-entry operation is executed only by the first article. The charging solenoid 1414a of the first article is driven (S6219), the charging flicker 1413a shifts to the charging permission state, and the flow of the suspended ball from the storage passage 1402a to the discharge passage 1406a is resumed. Note that, at the start of the recharging operation, the first passage upstream detection signal is in the on state, and the first passage downstream detection signal is in the off state.

  Thereafter, the first article downstream passage detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state within the first article passage allowable period (S6401: Y) (t52; S6402: Y). This phase change is a normal phase change because the reference passing phase is not initialized when shifting from the initial charging operation to the recharging operation. Since the phase change is normal (S6413: Y), the first reference pass phase is updated from the second pass phase to the third pass phase (anomalous throwing prohibition transition phase) (S6414). The passage sensor 1415a of the first article is neither started nor completed (S6416: N, S6417: N), but the hanging ball flag is set (S6427: Y), and the passing phase is the third passing phase. In order to be present (S6428: Y), the first entry solenoid operation flag is canceled (S6429). After that, the recharging operation proceeds in the same manner as in the first charging operation, and the recharging operation is finally completed.

  Here, the throwing control of the game ball when the suspended ball is generated and the ball is cut or clogged will be described generally along the time system. FIG. 38 is a timing chart showing an example of a throwing-in control operation in which a re-throwing operation based on catching a suspended ball and a re-throwing operation based on ball breakage or ball clogging are executed. Note that, in the case where the initial condition of the making operation shown in FIG. 37 is the same as that of the making operation shown in FIG. 37, only an operation different from the making operation shown in FIG. FIG. 38 shows a case where a suspended ball is generated in the first line and a broken ball is generated in the second line.

  Since the suspended ball by the fifth ball is generated in the first article, the passage allowable period of the first article is ended (S6404), and thereby, it is determined that the passage allowable period of all the articles is ended (S6220). : Y), the initial charging operation period ends (tg1). In the case shown in FIG. 38, in the second article, a ball break occurs after the second ball is thrown in, and the permitted passage period of the second article has ended, and in the third article, a game ball Has been completed and the passage allowable period of Article 3 has ended. After the initial throwing-in operation period, throwing of the suspended balls in the first article and throwing of three game balls in the second article have not been completed, so that the number of throwing permits corresponding to all the articles has not been thrown. (S6204: N), Article 1 and Article 3 are input permission items (S6205: Y), and the initial input operation is completed (S6206: N), so the input control operation is not terminated. It will shift to re-injection operation.

  After the initial throwing-in period, after waiting for a predetermined time Te (about 80 ms) (S6207), the occurrence of a hanging ball is detected, and a re-throwing operation for throwing only the hanging ball in the first article is started. (Th1). Even when the throwing ball has been thrown (tg2), the throwing of three game balls that should have been thrown in Article 2 in the first throwing operation has not been completed (S6204: N), Article 3 and Article 3 are input permission conditions (S6205: Y), and the initial input operation has been completed (S6206: N). It becomes.

  After the re-throwing operation caused by the suspended ball, after waiting for a predetermined time Te (about 80 ms) (S6207), the re-throwing operation of throwing three game balls according to the first and third terms is started. (Th2). When the insertion of the three game balls is completed, it is determined that the number of game balls corresponding to the entire number has been inserted (S6204: Y), the re-insertion operation is completed, and the injection control period is substantially simultaneously. Ends (tc).

  With the above configuration, the game ball can flow down the medium passage by its own weight, and a predetermined number of game balls can be taken in at high speed by restricting the flow of the game ball by the substantial width of the medium passage. And smooth progress of unit games can be realized. Furthermore, since the upper balls 1415a1 to 1415c1 of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c, which are originally used for measuring the number of thrown balls, are used for detection, there is no need for dedicated detection means for detecting the hanging balls, and the configuration is complicated. The game ball can be detected near the portion where the substantial width of the insertion passage changes, and the game ball can be prevented from being excessively taken in. Furthermore, since the suspended ball is automatically re-inserted and removed, the interruption of the game progress due to the capture medium can be suppressed.

  Moreover, if it is said structure, a predetermined number of game balls can be taken in at higher speed by throwing simultaneously by multiple articles | stripes.

  If it is said structure, generation | occurrence | production of the capture of the game medium in all the lines can be detected collectively at the same timing. Thereby, the input control and its control program can be simplified. In addition, by waiting for a predetermined re-insertion standby period, it is possible to input the suspended ball in a state where there is no game ball in all of the sorting medium passages (entire supply passages). Further, since the trapping of the suspended ball is detected immediately before the suspended ball is thrown, the suspended ball can be reliably and smoothly thrown in. This is because even if a suspended ball is generated once, its capture is released with the passage of time, and the suspended ball may not be normally inserted.

  In addition, with the above configuration, the detection state of the game medium by the first to third passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is confirmed, and the first to third insertion flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 are changed from the insertion allowable state. Since it is possible to shift to the prohibition state, it is possible to reliably input the captured game medium. This is because there is uncertainty in the time required to throw the suspended ball because the game ball is captured in various spatial ways, and the first to third steps after a certain time as in the first embodiment. This is because it is less susceptible to the effect than when the throwing flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 are shifted to the throwing prohibition state.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, in the first throwing operation, the second passing phase (basic passing phase) that shifts the first to third throwing flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 to the passage prohibition state is most likely to pass the final sphere. Since it is the same as the passing phase based on the detection state detected early, it is possible to reliably block the insertion of game balls following the final ball, and to reliably prevent the excessive insertion of game balls. Further, in the re-injection operation due to the generation of the hanging ball, the third passage phase (anomalous passage phase) for shifting the first to third insertion flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 to the passage prohibited state is the second passage of the final sphere. Since it is the same as the passing phase based on the detection state detected early, it is possible to reliably block the insertion of the game ball following the capture medium and to reliably prevent the excessive insertion of the game ball. The speed at which the suspended ball passes through the first to third passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is slower than the speed of the final ball in the first throwing operation, and the game medium following the suspended ball is from the first to the third. Since the speed of flowing into the three passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is slower than the speed at which the final ball in the first throwing operation flows into the system-specific medium detecting means, it passes through the first to third throw flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1. Even if the timing of shifting to the prohibited state is different between the case of the first throwing operation and the case of the re-throwing operation caused by the hanging ball, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of game media from being thrown in the same way.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the upstream capture is performed by shifting the first to third throw flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 to the passage prohibited state in accordance with the change of the passage phase in the refilling operation caused by the hanging ball. In order to control the operation, it is possible to prevent the construction of a separate structure from being provided in order to control the operation of the first to third throwing flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 for throwing the hanging balls. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the control program from becoming complicated and the control processing load from increasing as in the case of separately managing the period.

  Further, with the above configuration, the number of permitted passages for each article in one regulation operation from the transition from the entry-permitted state of Articles 1 to 3 to the entry-permitted state to the entry-prohibited state. If the same number of game balls are not thrown, the same number of game balls as the number of unfinished throws (the number of thrown balls that have not been thrown in) will be automatically thrown back in a different row from the row that has not been thrown in. Therefore, as long as the same number of game balls as the number of permitted permits are stored in all the storage passages, they can be reliably inserted.

  In addition, with the above-described configuration, since the throwing ball is thrown and the incompletely thrown number of game balls are thrown individually, it is possible to reliably perform the throwing. This is because, in a case where the suspension balls and the incompletely-introduced number of game media are input all together, at least one of the suspension balls and the incompletely-introduced number of game balls is continuously provided in the input system in which the suspension balls are generated. When thrown, the interval between the suspended ball and the game medium that follows it may be narrower than usual and cannot be thrown normally. However, with the above configuration, such a problem does not occur. is there.

  Further, with the above configuration, when the game ball is once captured with a weak stress by determining the occurrence of the suspended ball after a predetermined time from the expiration of the initial throwing operation period, the throwing is completed thereafter. If there is, re-injection due to the generation of the suspended ball can be prevented. Therefore, only the capture medium can be reliably input in the re-input due to the generation of the capture medium.

  Moreover, if it is said structure, the fraudulent act using an unauthorized throwing-in apparatus can be suppressed, without interrupting a game progress by the detection of the gaming medium by the throwing medium detection means outside the passage allowable period resulting from a hanging ball.

  Further, with the above configuration, when the game balls are inserted, the passing order of the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 and the lower elements 1415a2 to 1415c2 of the passing sensor 1415 is monitored, and the passing order of the gaming balls is set to a predetermined specified passing order. When it is different and the hanging ball is not detected, it is possible to suppress the illegal act using the illegal throwing device without interrupting the game progress by determining that the passing order of the game ball is abnormal. In the above configuration, the passage time from the start of passage of the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 to the completion of passage of the lower elements 1415a2 to 1415c2 is monitored, and the passage sensor is outside a predetermined passage allowable period. When a game ball is detected by 1415 and a suspended ball is not detected, it is determined that the game ball has an abnormal passage time, and the game progress is not interrupted. The action can be suppressed.

  In the above description, a predetermined number of game balls are thrown in jointly in Article 3, but in the present invention, it may be jointly performed in multiple articles different from Article 3 or in only one article. Good.

  The present invention is suitable for a gaming machine such as a swivel type gaming machine.

1045a: Main control board 1045a2: ROM
1045a3: RAM
1402: Storage passage (part of medium passage)
1406: Discharge passage (part of medium passage)
1410: Game ball throwing part 1413: Throwing flicker (part of throwing regulation means)
1414: Input solenoid (part of input control means)
1415: Passing sensor (input medium detecting means)

Claims (1)

A flow restriction means for restricting the flow of the game medium in the medium passage;
Medium detecting means for detecting a game medium flowing down the medium passage;
Flow control means for controlling the operation of the flow control means;
A gaming machine including
The flow restricting means takes a flow prohibition state that prohibits a flow due to the weight of the game medium and a flow allowable state that allows a flow due to the weight of the game medium;
The medium detection means maintains a detection state of the game medium when the game medium is captured by the flow-down restriction means in the medium passage;
The game medium is captured by the flow restriction means when the medium detection means is in a game medium detection state after a predetermined period based on the start of the transition from the flow restriction state to the flow restriction state by the flow restriction means. Medium capture detection means for detecting
Based on the detection of the game medium captured by the medium capture detection means, the capture medium flow control means for re-controlling the flow restriction means to flow the captured game medium down,
A gaming machine characterized by including:

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