JP2013099479A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To move a movable body without damaging the movable body during a performance.SOLUTION: A performance control CPU 92 executes maximum movable step setting processing to set the maximum number of steps allowed in continuously rotating forward a stepping motor 103 of a movable performance unit 100 during a performance. In the maximum movable step setting processing, the performance control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal for rotating forward the stepping motor 103 by the number of default steps stored in a RAM 94 to move a movable generator 120 forward from a first position to a second position. Next, the performance control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal for reversely rotating the stepping motor 103 to move the movable generator 120 backward from the second position to the first position. The performance control CPU 92 stores the number of pulses of the pulse signal output to the stepping motor 103 during the backward movement in the RAM 94 as the maximum number of movable steps.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine installed in a game hall such as a game hall.

  Patent Document 1 describes a pachinko gaming machine including a general CPU that executes a movable body effect performed by operating a plurality of movable bodies. In this pachinko gaming machine, a display frame is mounted in the approximate center of the game area of the game board. The display frame body is composed of a front side member attached to the game board from the front side of the game board and a back side member attached to the game board from the rear side of the game board. In the approximate center of the display frame body, a set port is formed that opens in a horizontally long rectangle when viewed from the front. An upper movable body that reciprocates in the vertical direction is disposed on the upper side of the set port in the back side member. The upper movable body is attached to the free end portion of the support portion extending rightward from the upper base member supported so as to be reciprocally movable in the vertical direction on the back surface side member. A rack in which a pinion is meshed is formed on the left side of the upper base member, and the pinion is connected to a rotating shaft of an upper motor (stepping motor) as a driving means fixed to the back side member. At the time of execution of the movable body effect, the general CPU outputs a drive signal to the upper motor to start rotational driving (right rotation), and moves the upper movable body from the initial position where the upper movable body is positioned to the lowermost position. The drive signal is output to the upper motor and rotated (left rotation) until the elapsed time after the upper motor is driven to rotate reaches the predetermined time. Move from the maximum movement position to the initial position.

JP 2010-259458 A

  For a gaming machine that reciprocates between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position along a predetermined path during the production of a game, such as a pachinko gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, a stepping motor is provided. The stepping motor is driven by a predetermined number of steps in one direction so as to move forward from a predetermined first position to a predetermined second position, and the movable body moves forward to a predetermined second position. Some of them have a control unit that drives the stepping motor in the other direction and moves the movable body back to the first position. In addition, there is a type in which a stopper is provided at an end portion on the forward movement direction side of a predetermined path so as to contact the movable body and stop the forward movement of the movable body.

  However, in the pachinko gaming machine of Patent Document 1 adopting the control unit and the stopper, if there is a variation in the shape of the movable body or an assembly error, the movable body when the control unit drives the stepping motor by a predetermined number of steps. The moving position of is not constant. When the moving position of the movable body is located on the forward direction side with respect to the predetermined second position, the control unit drives the stepping motor by a predetermined number of steps to move the movable body forward. Before the drive for the number of steps is completed, the movable body is moved forward beyond the predetermined second position to contact the stopper, and the movable body is to be moved forward even after contacting the stopper. By repeating, there is a possibility that the movable body is damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can be moved without damaging the movable body during production.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine of the present invention includes a movable body, a stepping motor, a first determination unit, a second determination unit, a first drive control unit, a step number measurement unit, Movable step number storage means; and second drive control means.

  The movable body is supported by the gaming machine main body so as to be capable of reciprocating along a predetermined path including the first position and the second position. The stepping motor can be rotated by the number of steps, and is connected to the movable body to drive the movable body. The first determination unit determines whether or not the movable body is in the first position. The second determination unit determines whether or not the movable body is in the second position. The first drive control means controls the driving of the stepping motor, and after the first determination means determines that the movable body is in the first position, the second determination determines that the movable body is in the second position. The movable body is moved forward along a predetermined path until the means determines, and the second determining means determines that the movable body is in the second position, and then the movable body is in the first position. The movable body is moved back along a predetermined path until the first determination means determines. The step number measuring means counts the number of steps of the stepping motor when the movable body moves forward or backward under the control of the first drive control means. The movable step number storage means stores a step number equal to or less than the step number measured by the step number measurement means as the movable step number. The second drive control means controls the driving of the stepping motor during the game, and when the movable body is at the first position, drives the stepping motor by the number of movable steps, and moves the movable body along a predetermined path. Move it to produce a moving object.

  In the above configuration, even when the stopper is provided at the end in the forward movement direction on the predetermined path, the second drive control means sets the second position when performing the effect by the movable body during the game. Since the movable body is not moved forward, the movable body is not brought into contact with the stopper, or the movable body is not moved forward after the movable body comes into contact with the stopper. For this reason, damage to the movable body can be prevented.

  The gaming machine may include an index and default step number storage means. The index is provided on the movable body and moves integrally with the movable body. The default step number storage means stores a default step number in advance. The first determination means may be index detection means that is fixed to the gaming machine main body and determines that the movable body is in the first position by detecting the index of the movable body in the first position. The second determination means is configured such that when the index detection means detects the index, the first drive control means drives the stepping motor by the default number of steps, and the movable body moves forward along a predetermined path. You may determine with a movable body being in a 2nd position. The step number measuring means may count the number of steps of the stepping motor when the movable body moves backward under the control of the first drive control means.

  In the above configuration, the step number measuring means counts the number of steps of the stepping motor when the movable body moves backward under the control of the first drive control means. Therefore, for example, when the stopper is provided at the end in the forward movement direction on the predetermined path, and the first drive control means drives the stepping motor by a predetermined number of steps to move the movable body forward, Even when the movable body comes into contact with the stopper before the drive for the number of steps is completed, the second drive control means is restored by the first drive control means at the time of production. Since the stepping motor is driven and the movable body is moved forward by setting the number of steps equal to or less than the number of steps of the stepping motor when moving, the second driving means does not contact the movable body with the stopper or is movable Do not try to move the movable body forward after the body contacts the stopper. For this reason, damage to the movable body can be prevented.

  The gaming machine may include a third determination unit. The third determining means determines whether or not the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The movable step number storage means counts the step number measurement means when the third determination means determines that the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measurement means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The number of steps equal to or less than the number of steps is stored as the number of movable steps, and the number of default steps is determined when the third determining unit determines that the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring unit is less than a predetermined value. May be stored as the number of movable steps.

  In the above configuration, the number of movable body steps when the degree of variation in the shape of the movable body, assembly error, etc. is relatively large, and the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring means is a predetermined value or more. The storage means can store the number of steps equal to or less than the number of steps counted by the step number measuring means as the number of movable steps.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to move the movable body without damaging it during production.

1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which open | released the glass door and front board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is an enlarged front view of the integrated display unit of the pachinko machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a movable effect unit of the pachinko machine of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the movable effect unit in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram excluding a decorative portion and an upper case of the movable effect unit of FIG. 5. It is the figure which looked at the movable production unit of Drawing 7 from the upper part. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the maximum movable step number setting process of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the movable production unit of Drawing 7 of a 2nd embodiment from the upper part. It is a flowchart which shows the maximum movable step number setting process of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the left-right direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the gaming machine viewed from the front (player side).

  A pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) P shown in FIG. 1 uses a game ball as a game medium. A player borrows a game ball from a game hall operator and uses the pachinko machine P. Play a game. In the game of the pachinko machine P, each of the game balls is a medium having a game value, and the privilege (benefits) enjoyed by the player as a result of the game is, for example, a game ball acquired by the player Based on the number of games, it can be converted into a game value. Hereinafter, the configuration of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Overall configuration of gaming machine]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pachinko machine P includes a machine frame (outer frame) 1, an inner frame door (front frame) 2, a glass door 3, and a game board 5. The machine frame 1 is a vertically long wooden frame, and is fastened and fixed to an island facility (not shown) in the game hall. The inner frame door 2 is attached to the machine frame 1 so as to be freely opened and closed, and the glass door 3 is attached to the inner frame door 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. The opening / closing shafts of the inner frame door 2 and the glass door 3 extend in the vertical direction along the edge of one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the pachinko machine P.

  The game board 5 is accommodated inside the inner frame door 2 and is detachably fixed to the inner frame door 2. A vertically oval opening window 6 is formed at the center of the glass door 3, and a transparent glass plate 7 covering the front of the game board 5 is attached to the opening window 6. The front surface (board surface) of the game board 5 includes a game area 8 that a player can visually recognize from the front through the opening window 6, and when the glass door 3 is closed, the inner surface (rear face) of the glass plate 7 and the game area 8. A space in which a game ball can flow down is formed.

  A cylinder lock 9 is provided on an edge of one side (right side in FIG. 1) of the inner frame door 2. When the inner frame door 2 and the glass door 3 are closed with respect to the machine frame 1 and the cylinder lock 9 is locked, the opening of the inner frame door 2 and the glass door 3 with respect to the machine frame 1 is prohibited.

  The glass door 3 integrally has a front board 4 at a lower portion thereof, and the front board 4 is provided with an upper plate 10 and a lower plate 11 protruding forward. The upper plate 10 is disposed on the upper portion of the front board 4, and the lower plate 11 is disposed below the upper plate 10. The upper plate 10 stores game balls (rented balls) rented to players and game balls (prize balls) acquired by winning a prize, and the lower plate 11 further pays out when the upper plate 10 is full. Played game balls are stored. The pachinko machine P of the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (a model connected to the CR unit 50 (shown in FIG. 9)), and the game balls borrowed by the player are placed on the upper plate 10 separately from the prize balls. To be paid out.

  On the upper surface of the front board 4, a lending operation unit 15 and an effect button 23 are provided. The lending operation unit 15 includes a ball lending switch 12, a return switch 13, a frequency display device 14, and a ball lending display device 24, and the player places a valuable medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium) in the CR unit 50 (shown in FIG. 9). When the ball lending switch 12 is operated by inserting a memory IC built-in medium or the like, the number of game balls corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 times corresponding to 500 yen) (for example, 125) is obtained. The loan is displayed and the ball lending display device 24 displays that the lending process is in progress. The frequency display device 14 displays the remaining frequency of the valuable medium loaded in the CR unit 50. In the present embodiment, a CR machine is used as an example, but the pachinko machine P may be a model other than the CR machine (a model not connected to the CR unit 50). The effect button 23 receives an operation from the player regarding the effect.

  On the front surface of the front board 4, an upper dish ball removing operation unit 16 and a lower dish ball removing operation unit 17 are provided. When the upper tray ball removal operation section 16 is operated, the game balls in the upper tray 10 flow down to the lower dish 11, and when the lower dish ball removal operation section 17 is operated, the game balls in the lower dish 11 fall downward. Then discharged. The game ball discharged from the lower plate 11 is received by, for example, a ball receiving box (not shown).

  A launch handle 18 is rotatably supported at the lower right portion of the front board 4, and a launch device 19 is attached to the lower portion of the inner frame door 2. The game balls on the upper plate 1 are supplied one by one to the launching device 19, and when the player rotates the launching handle 18, the launching device 19 (launching motor 86 (shown in FIG. 9)) is activated to enter the game area 8. A game ball is launched. The game area 8 is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the guide rail 20 and the game ball regulating rail 21, and the game ball launched from the launching device 19 slides along the rails 20, 21 and moves upward to the game area 8. And then flow down by being guided and guided by game nails and windmills.

  Speakers 22 are respectively attached to the upper part of the glass door 3 and the lower part of the inner frame door 2, and a plurality of frame lamps 25 are attached to the front surface of the glass door 3. The speaker 22 emits various sound effects related to the game. The frame lamp 25 performs an effect by, for example, light emission (lighting or blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.) of the built-in LED.

[Configuration of the board]
In the game area 8, there are an integrated display unit 30, an effect display device 31, a through chucker 32, an electric tulip (ordinary electric accessory) 33, a stage 34, a first start winning opening (first special figure starting winning opening) 35, Second starting prize opening (second special figure starting prize opening) 36, general winning prize opening 37, out opening 38, attacker device (special electric accessory) 39, movable effect unit 100, a plurality of panel lamps 60, game nails (illustrated) (Not shown), a windmill (not shown), and the like are provided. The first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36 are arranged with an interval in the vertical direction. The panel lamp 60 performs an effect by, for example, light emission (lighting and blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.) of an LED incorporated therein.

  The integrated display unit 30 is arranged in the lower right part of the game board 3 so as not to enter the field of view of the player who is viewing the effect display device 31 at the same time. As shown in FIG. 4, the integrated display unit 30 includes a first special symbol display device (first special symbol display device) 40, a second special symbol display device (second special symbol display device) 41, and a general-purpose display. A device (normal symbol display device) 42 and a state display device 43 are provided, and these display devices 40 to 43 are attached to the game board 5 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 48.

  The first special symbol display device 40 changes the first special symbol (number or pattern) based on the result of the electronic lottery related to the first special symbol, which is performed when the game ball is won at the first start winning opening 35. It is to stop display after it has been made. The second special symbol display device 41 changes the second special symbol (number or pattern) based on the result of the electronic lottery related to the second special symbol, which is performed in response to the winning of the game ball in the second start winning port 36. It is to stop display after it has been made. The first special symbol display device 40 and the second special symbol display device 41 of the present embodiment stop-display the first special symbol and the second special symbol after fluctuation by the 7-segment LED. In the present embodiment, a game based on winning in the second start winning opening 36 is executed with priority over a game based on winning in the first starting winning opening 35. Further, the first special symbol and the second special symbol do not change at the same time.

  The normal symbol display device 42 stops and displays the result of the electronic lottery related to the normal symbol, which is performed when the game ball of the through chucker 32 passes, after changing the normal symbol (number or pattern). The normal symbol display device 42 of the present embodiment stops and displays the normal symbol after the fluctuation by the 7-segment LED.

  The state display device 43 includes a round number display unit 44, a first special figure reservation number display unit 45, a second special figure reservation number display unit 46, and a general figure reservation number display unit 47. The round number display unit 44 is composed of four lamps (LEDs), and the number of rounds of the jackpot game provided to the player based on the result of the electronic lottery related to the special symbol by the combination of turning off, turning on or blinking the lamps (In this embodiment, a 15- or 2-round jackpot game is provided based on the result of the electronic lottery). The first special figure hold number display unit 45 wins a game ball in the first start winning opening 35, and a random number determined per first special figure (a jackpot determined random number) acquired in accordance with the winning is the first special figure hold When stored as a random number in the first special figure reservation random number storage area (not shown) of the RAM 75, the stored number is displayed as the current reservation number. The second special figure reservation number display unit 46 receives a game ball in the second start winning opening 36, and the second special figure determined random number (a jackpot determined random number) acquired in accordance with the winning is the second special figure reserved When stored as a random number in the second special figure reserved random number storage area (not shown) of the RAM 75, the stored number is displayed as the current reserved number. The figure holding number display unit 47 stores the figure holding random number stored in the RAM 75 as a figure holding random number as a figure holding random number obtained as a figure holding random number obtained in response to the passing of the game ball through the through chucker 32. When stored in an area (not shown), the stored number is displayed as the current reserved number. Each of the number-of-holding display units 45, 46, and 47 is composed of lamps (LEDs), and “0” to “4” (upper limit on the number of stored ball random numbers) depending on the combination of turning off, turning on, or blinking the lamps. ) To display the number of holds.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 31 has a liquid crystal image display, and is provided at a substantially central portion of the game board 3, and game balls to the first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36. A predetermined effect image is displayed on the basis of the result of the electronic lottery concerning the special symbol performed in response to the winning of the prize. The effect image includes a dummy symbol (effect symbol) that fluctuates in synchronization with the first special symbol and the second special symbol that are variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 40 and the second special symbol display device 41, A display of the number of retained random numbers per special figure and a display of the number of retained random numbers determined per second special figure are included. In addition, the effect display device 31 displays a demonstration video (demonstration screen) such as a video introducing the contents of the game in a standby state where no game is being played.

  The electric tulip 33 includes a pair of blade members 49 and an electric tulip driving device 51 (shown in FIG. 9). The pair of blade members 49 are rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the game board 3 and are disposed on the left and right sides of the entrance of the second start winning opening 36. When a solenoid (not shown) of the electric tulip driving device 51 is energized, the pair of blade members rotate away from each other, the electric tulip 33 opens, and the entrance of the second start winning prize port 36 is expanded. . In a state where the electric tulip 33 is closed (normal state), a game ball cannot be won in the second start winning opening 36, and winning in the second starting winning opening 36 is restricted when the electric tulip 33 is opened.

  The stage 34 is a structure in which the game ball stays temporarily while rolling, and is disposed below the effect display device 31. A first start winning opening 35 is arranged directly below the center of the stage 34, and a game ball that has dropped from the central portion of the stage 34 is guided to the first starting winning opening 35 with a high probability.

  The movable effect unit 100 is disposed in front of the effect display device and is adjacent to the right side of the stage. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the movable effect unit 100 includes a movable accessory (movable body) 120, a case 101, a gear box 102, a stepping motor 103, a screw shaft 104, a guide shaft 105, Have

  The case 101 has a bottomed elongated lower case 107 having an upper surface opened and an upper case 106 that closes an upper opening end of the lower case 107 integrated by snap coupling. The case 101 defines an accommodation space 108 inside. Both ends of the screw shaft 104 and the guide shaft 105 are rotatably supported on the joint surface on the short side of the lower case 107 and the upper case 106, and the screw shaft 104 and the guide shaft 105 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. And extend in parallel in the left-right direction within the accommodation space 108. The upper case 106 is formed with a horizontally-long rectangular insertion hole 109 extending in the left-right direction. The insertion hole 109 is located between the screw shaft 104 and the guide shaft 105 and extends in parallel therewith.

  A stopper 110 is erected on the inner bottom surface in the vicinity of the left end portion of the lower case 107, and this stopper 110 extends in a flat plate shape in a direction perpendicular to both at a position below the screw shaft 104 and the guide shaft 105. When the movable accessory 120 moves in the X1 direction shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 and is positioned on the leftmost side, the stopper 110 comes into contact with the left side surface of a pedestal portion 122 of the movable body 120 described later to move the movable accessory. The movement of 120 in the X1 direction is restricted. A circuit board 111 is mounted on the right side of the inner bottom surface of the lower case 107. On the circuit board 111, a right index detection sensor (first determination means) comprising a photo interrupter having a light emitting unit 112a and a light receiving unit 112b. , Index detection means) 112 is mounted.

  A gear box 102 is screwed to the right side surface of the lower case 107, and a stepping motor 103 disposed below the lower case 107 is fixed to the left side surface of the gear box 102. Each time the rotating shaft 103a (see FIG. 7) of the stepping motor 103 receives one pulse of a pulse signal output from a sub-control device 72, which will be described later, according to a predetermined excitation pattern for normal rotation or excitation pattern for reverse rotation. Step forward (rotate clockwise as viewed from the left side of the pachinko machine P) or reverse (rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the same side) step by step. The rotation shaft 103a of the stepping motor 103 rotates once by driving 200 steps continuously in either the forward or reverse direction. That is, it rotates 1.8 degrees (basic step angle) per step. A gear 113 is attached to the rotating shaft 103 a of the stepping motor 103, and the gear 113 is engaged with a gear 115 attached to one end of the screw shaft 104 via a relay gear 114. The gears 113, 114, and 115 are housed in the gear box 102. When the rotating shaft 103a rotates in either the forward or reverse direction, the rotation is transferred to the screw shaft 104 via the gears 113, 114, and 115. It is to be transmitted.

  The movable accessory 120 includes a decorative portion 121 and a pedestal portion 122, and the decorative portion 121 and the pedestal portion 122 are formed of a synthetic resin material or the like. The decoration part 121 is formed to imitate a person who has a gun in hand. The pedestal portion 122 includes an upper pedestal portion 123, a lower pedestal portion 124, and a tubular portion 125. The upper pedestal 123 and the lower pedestal 124 are integrated by screwing the screw shaft 104 and the guide shaft 105 from above and below.

  A lower fitting hole 126 is formed in a substantially central portion of the lower pedestal portion 124, and the upper surface of the lower pedestal portion 124 is aligned in the front-rear direction with the lower fitting hole 126 interposed therebetween and parallel to the left-right direction. A pair of extending guide grooves 127 is formed. In addition, a flat plate-like right index (index) 128 that protrudes rightward and has a predetermined width in the left-right direction is formed on the right side surface of the lower pedestal portion 124. The right index 128 is interposed between the light emitting unit 112a and the light receiving unit 112b of the right index detection sensor 112 when the movable accessory 120 is in a predetermined position. When the right index 128 is interposed between the light emitting unit 112a and the light receiving unit 112b, the right index detection sensor 112 outputs a right index detection signal to a sub-control device 72 described later.

  An upper fitting hole 129 that communicates with the lower fitting hole 126 is formed in a substantially central portion of the upper pedestal portion 123, and the lower surface of the upper pedestal portion 123 is lined up and down across the upper fitting hole 129. A pair of U-shaped grooves 130 extending in parallel in the left-right direction are formed. The cylindrical portion 125 extends in the vertical direction, and the lower portion is inserted and fitted into the lower fitting hole 126 and the upper fitting hole 129 that are communicated with each other, and is fixed to the lower pedestal portion 124 and the upper pedestal portion 123. The Further, the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 125 is inserted through the insertion hole 109 of the upper case 106 and is fitted into a fitting hole (not shown) provided in the lower end portion of the decorative portion 121. Thereby, the decoration part 121, the cylindrical part 125, and the base part 122 are integrated.

  The screw shaft 104 is inserted into a cylindrical hole defined by a U-shaped groove 130 in front of the upper pedestal portion 123 and a guide groove 127 in front of the lower pedestal portion 124. An engaging portion (not shown) protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the U-shaped groove 130 is engaged with a helical groove 104 a carved on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 104. The guide shaft 105 is inserted into a cylindrical hole defined by a U-shaped groove 130 behind the upper pedestal 123 and a guide groove 127 behind the lower pedestal 124. Therefore, when the screw shaft 104 rotates with the stepping motor 103 as a drive source, the movable accessory 120 is guided in the guide shaft 105 along a predetermined path along the axis of the screw shaft 104 (FIGS. 5 and 8). In the X1-X2 direction). Specifically, when the rotation shaft 103a of the stepping motor 103 rotates in the forward direction, it moves in the X1 direction (forward movement), and when the rotation shaft 103a rotates in the reverse direction, it moves (reverse movement) in the X2 direction.

  As a result of an electronic lottery concerning a special symbol that is performed when a game ball wins at the first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36, the attacker device 39 becomes a jackpot game per special figure (big hit). Is a device that is opened a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, 2 rounds or 15 rounds). The attacker device 39 includes a horizontally long rectangular prize-winning opening 52, a horizontally long plate-like lid member 53, and an attacker driving device 54 (shown in FIG. 9). The lower part of the lid member 53 is supported to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction about a horizontal axis. When a solenoid (not shown) of the attacker drive device 54 is energized, the upper part of the lid member 53 tilts forward and downward. The attacker device 39 is opened to expose the big prize opening 52, and a large amount of game balls are guided to the upper surface (back side) of the lid member 53 and can win the big prize opening 52. In the state where the attacker device 39 is closed (normal state), the lid member 54 closes the big prize opening 54, so that the prize winning to the big prize opening 52 is limited when the attacker device 39 is opened.

  When a game ball is won in each winning opening (first starting winning opening 35, second starting winning opening 36, general winning opening 37, large winning opening 52), a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out to the player as winning balls. The winning game balls are collected from the winning openings 35, 36, 37, 52 to the back side of the game board 5. In addition, game balls that have not won any of the winning openings 35, 36, 37, 52 are finally collected from the out opening 38 to the back side of the game board 5. The collected game balls are discharged out of the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine P through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further join a supply route (not shown) of the island facility.

Inside the through chucker 32, the first start winning opening 35, the second starting winning opening 36, the general winning opening 37, and the large winning opening 52, there are sensors for detecting the passage of the game balls (passing through the gate shown in FIG. 9). A ball detection sensor 55, a first special figure start ball detection sensor 56, a second special figure start ball detection sensor 57, a big winning ball detection sensor 58 and a general winning ball detection sensor 59) are provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the pachinko machine P, a power supply device 61, a main control board unit 62, a payout control board unit 63, a sub control board unit 64, an external information terminal board 65, a power cord (power plug) 66, a ground wire (ground terminal) 67, various electronic devices (including a control computer not shown) and the like constituting the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine P are installed.

  The external information terminal board 65 is an interface for connecting the pachinko machine P to an external electronic device (for example, a hall computer 68 (shown in FIG. 9) or a data display device). Various external information signals (for example, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol determination number information, jackpot information, start port information, etc.) representing the maintenance state and the like are transmitted from the external information terminal board 65 to an external electronic device.

  The power cord 66 is connected to a power supply device (for example, AC 24V) installed in the island facility of the amusement hall to secure a power source (electric power) necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine P. The ground wire 67 is connected to a ground terminal installed in the island facility, and grounds the pachinko machine P.

[Configuration related to control]
Next, a configuration related to the control of the pachinko machine P will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in the pachinko machine P.

  The pachinko machine P includes a main control device 70, a payout control device 71, and a sub control device 72. The main control device 70 is the center of the control operation, has a function of mainly controlling the execution of game processing in the pachinko machine P, and is built in the main control board unit 62. The payout control device 71 has a function of mainly controlling payout and launch of game balls, and is built in the payout control board unit 63. The sub-control device 72 mainly has a function of controlling effects and is built in the sub-control board unit 64. The main controller 70 and the payout controller 71 are connected by serial communication capable of bidirectional communication.

(Power supply device 61)
The power supply device 61 is supplied with external power (for example, 24V AC power) from the island facility through the power cord 66, and a plurality of constant voltage DC power sources or coarse rectified DC power sources that use this AC power source in the pachinko machine P. The power is converted into power and supplied to the main controller 70, the payout controller 71, the sub controller 72, and the like.

(Main controller 70)
The main controller 70 is equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which a main control CPU 73 that is a central processing unit (central instruction processing unit) is mounted. The main control CPU 73 includes a CPU core and various registers (general purpose). Register, flag register, index register, refresh register, interrupt register, instruction register, etc.), stack pointer, program counter, instruction recorder (all not shown), etc., and LSI together with semiconductor memory such as ROM 74 and RAM (RWM) 75 It is configured as. Each register holds an operation result, an address of an instruction to be read next, an execution state, and the like. The main controller 70 is equipped with a hard random number generation circuit 76 and a sampling circuit (not shown). The hardware random number generation circuit 76 generates hardware random numbers (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation), and the generated random numbers are input to the main control CPU 73 through the sampling circuit. The hardware random number is used as a determined random number per first special figure and a determined random number per second special figure for jackpot determination, or a determined random number per universal figure for hit (per common figure) determination. The main controller 70 is equipped with peripheral ICs such as a clock (frequency generating circuit unit) 77, an input / output (I / O) port, a counter / timer circuit (CTC), etc., which are circuit boards together with the main control CPU 73. Implemented above.

  In addition, the main control CPU 73 updates the value of the loop counter one by one within a predetermined range based on an interrupt signal that is periodically input (for example, every 4 milliseconds). It also functions as (not shown). The main control CPU 73 also functions as a variation pattern command determining means (not shown) that determines a variation pattern command that is a command for determining the effect mode and transmits the command to the sub-control device 72. The variation pattern command determining means is preset according to the result of the electronic lottery concerning the special symbol based on the determined random number per first special figure or the determined random number per second special figure and the software random number generated by the software random number generating means. One of the plurality of variation pattern commands for the effect is selected and determined, and the determined variation pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control device 72. Note that the plurality of variation pattern commands for the production set in advance correspond to different production modes.

The RAM 75 has a work area (not shown) including a storage area for various flags. When an interrupt occurs or when a subroutine or function is called, data being processed, a return address, and the like are stored in a stack area (a save area) of the work area. ) Is temporarily evacuated. The main control CPU 73 functions as a power-off detection unit and an execution control unit by executing processing according to the game control program stored in the ROM 74.
The winning detection signals of the ball detection sensors 56 to 59 are input to the main control CPU 73 via an input / output driver (not shown). In this embodiment, the winning detection signals from the first special figure starting ball detection sensor 56 and the second special figure starting ball detection sensor 57 are directly transmitted to the main control device 70, and the gate passing ball detection sensor 55, Winning detection signals from the winning ball detection sensor 58 and the general winning ball detection sensor 59 are transmitted to the main controller 70 via a relay terminal board (not shown).

  Each display of the first special figure display device 40, the second special figure display device 41, the universal figure display device 42, and the status display device 43 is controlled by a control signal from the main control CPU 73. The main control CPU 73 outputs control signals for the display devices 40 to 43 in accordance with the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED.

  The driving of the electric tulip driving device 51 and the attacker driving device 54 is controlled by a control signal from the main control CPU 73. The solenoids of the drive devices 51 and 54 are operated (excited) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 73 to open / close (activate) the electric tulip 33 and the attacker device 39.

  A glass door opening switch 78 is installed on the glass door 3, and an inner frame door opening switch 79 is installed on the inner frame door 2. When the glass door 3 is opened from the inner frame door 2, a contact signal from the glass door opening switch 78 is input to the main control device 70 via the dispensing control device 71. The main control CPU 73 that has received the contact signals from the switches 78 and 79 transmits a control signal instructing execution of these notification processes to the sub-control device 72 in order to notify the opening of the door by sound, LED, liquid crystal or the like. To do. Also, the dispensing control device 71 that has received the contact signal from the switches 78 and 79 outputs an external information signal indicating that the door is open.

  The pachinko machine P is provided with an error detection sensor 98 that detects magnetism, radio waves, and the like. The error detection sensor 98 transmits an error detection signal to the main controller 70 when it detects magnetism, radio waves, and the like. Receiving the error detection signal, the main control CPU 73 executes predetermined error processing and outputs an external information signal indicating error detection.

(Discharge control device 71)
The payout control device 71 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which a payout control CPU 80 is mounted. The payout control CPU 80 also includes a CPU core (not shown), like the main control CPU 73, and includes a ROM 81 and a RAM 82. It is configured as an LSI together with a semiconductor memory. The payout control CPU 80 controls the game ball payout operation based on the prize ball instruction command (payout command transmission signal) received from the main control CPU 73, and causes the specified number of game balls to be paid out. The main control CPU 73 generates and outputs a prize ball information signal as an external information signal together with a prize ball instruction command.

  The game balls replenished from the ball supply path (not shown) of the game hall are stored in a prize ball tank (not shown), and flow down a prize ball bowl (not shown) and introduced into a prize ball case (not shown). , And supplied to the upper plate 10 from the prize ball case.

  The prize ball case is provided with a payout motor (for example, a stepping motor) 83, and the payout control device 71 (payout control board unit 63) is provided with a drive circuit (not shown) of the payout motor 83. The payout control device 71 rotationally drives the payout motor 83 based on the prize ball instruction command received from the main control CPU 73, and pays out the designated number of game balls from the prize ball case. The game balls that have been paid out flow down to the front board 4 through a payout passage (not shown).

  A payout counting switch 84 is installed on the downstream side of the payout motor 83, and when a prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 83, a count signal from the payout count switch 84 is transmitted to the payout control device 71. The payout control CPU 80 detects the actual payout number and the out-of-ball state based on the received count signal, and manages the payout of game balls.

  A tray full tank switch 85 is installed in the supply path of game balls to the upper plate 10 (shown in FIG. 1), and when the lower plate 11 (shown in FIG. 1) is full of game balls, the plate full tank switch 85 is turned on. It becomes ON, and a full tank detection signal is transmitted to the payout control device 71. The payout control CPU 80 that has received the full tank detection signal temporarily holds the prize ball operation according to the prize ball instruction command received from the main control CPU 73, and stores the unpaid prize ball remaining number in the RAM 82. The RAM 82 can be backed up even when the power is cut off, so that even if a power outage (including momentary power outage) occurs during the game, the information on the number of remaining unpaid prize balls will not be lost. .

  The firing device 19 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided with a firing motor 86 and a ball feed solenoid 87, and the firing handle 18 (shown in FIG. 1) has a firing volume 88, a touch sensor 89, a firing stop switch 90, Is provided. The ball feed solenoid 87 sends game balls that have flowed down from the upper plate 10 (shown in FIG. 1) one by one to the launch position, and the launch motor 86 launches the game balls sent to the launch position. In addition, the launch interval of game balls is, for example, about 0.6 seconds (within 100 per minute).

  The firing volume 88 transmits a firing force instruction signal proportional to the rotational operation amount (stroke) of the firing handle 18 (shown in FIG. 1) to the dispensing control device 71. The touch sensor 89 detects that the player's body is touching the firing handle 18 from the change in capacitance, and transmits the detection signal to the payout control device 71. The firing stop switch 90 transmits a firing stop signal (contact signal) to the payout control device 71 when operated by the player.

  When the player rotates the firing handle 18, a firing force instruction signal corresponding to the amount of rotational operation is transmitted from the firing volume 88 to the payout control device 71. The payout control CPU 80 controls driving of the firing motor 86 based on the received firing force instruction signal. Thereby, the launch strength of the game ball is adjusted according to the operation amount of the player. However, the payout control CPU 80 stops driving the firing motor 86 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 89 is off (low level) and when the firing stop signal is input from the firing stop switch 90. In addition, the payout control CPU 80 stops the driving of the firing motor 86 when the CR unit 50 is not connected to the pachinko machine P.

  When the ball lending switch 12 or the return switch 13 is operated, the operation signal is transmitted to the CR unit 50 via the relay board 91. From the CR unit 50, a frequency signal indicating the remaining frequency of the valuable medium is transmitted to the frequency display device 14 via the relay substrate 91.

(Sub-control device 72)
The sub-control device 72 includes an effect control CPU (first determination means, index detection means, second determination means, first drive control means, step number measurement means, second drive control means, and third determination. The circuit board (composite sub-control board) on which the means 92 is mounted is provided, and the effect control CPU 92 includes a CPU core (not shown) as well as the main control CPU 73, ROM 93, RAM (movable step number storage means). ) It is configured as an LSI together with a semiconductor memory such as 94. The sub-control device 72 is equipped with an input / output driver and various peripheral ICs (both not shown).

  The ROM 93 of the sub-control device 72 stores an effect control program related to effect control and a plurality of effect patterns, and the effect control CPU 92 transmits a variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 73 in accordance with the stored effect control program. Based on the above, one effect pattern is selected from the plurality of effect patterns, and the effect control of the effect display device 31, the various lamps 25 and 60, the sound generator 97, and the movable effect unit 100 is executed. The effect display device 31 includes an image processor, a liquid crystal, and the like, and the sound generation device 97 includes a sound processor, a speaker 22, and the like. The production control includes display control of the image on the production display device 31, light emission control of the various lamps 25 and 60, sound generation control from the speaker 22, and drive control of the stepping motor 103 of the movable production unit 100. Note that the image processor and the sound processor may be provided in the sub-control board unit 64.

  In the RAM 94 of the sub-control device 72, a maximum movable step number storage area in which the maximum number of movable steps used when the effect control CPU 92 performs drive control of the movable effect unit 100 is set. The maximum number of movable steps is the maximum number of steps allowed when the effect control CPU 92 continuously rotates the stepping motor 103 of the movable effect unit 100 in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100 during the effect. The default number of steps is stored in the maximum movable step number storage area in the initial state immediately after the pachinko machine P is turned on. The default number of steps is set in advance based on simulation results at the time of designing the pachinko machine P and test results of prototypes in an ideal state without any variation in the shape of the movable accessory 120 and assembly errors during mass production trial production. ing. The default number of steps is movable by rotating the stepping motor 103 forward by the number of default steps from the position (first position) at which the right index detection sensor 112 starts to detect the right index 128 of the movable accessory 120 moving backward in the X2 direction. When the accessory 120 is moved forward in the X1 direction (see FIGS. 5 and 8), the base 122 of the movable accessory 120 is in the vicinity of the stopper 110, and the left side surface of the base 122 is in contact with the stopper 110. It is set to stop at a position where it does not. In this embodiment, after the maximum movable step number setting process described later is executed, the movable accessory is accompanied by the normal rotation of the stepping motor 103 by the maximum movable step number stored in the maximum movable step number storage area. The position where 120 moves forward from the first position is referred to as a maximum movable position. The RAM 94 is set with a count value storage area for storing the count value of the number of drive steps of the stepping motor 103 counted by the effect control CPU 92 in the maximum movable step number setting process described later. In the count value storage area in the initial state, 0 is stored as the count value.

  In the drive control of the movable effect unit 100, the effect control CPU 92 selects one effect pattern from the plurality of effect patterns stored in the ROM 93 based on the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 73, and the selected effect pattern In response to this, a pulse signal is output to the stepping motor 103 in accordance with a predetermined excitation pattern for normal rotation or excitation pattern for reverse rotation, the drive of the stepping motor 103 is controlled, and the stepping motor 103 is rotated forward or reverse. The movable accessory 120 is moved forward or backward. Whether or not the production control unit CPU92 has received the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 at the start of the drive control so that the movable production unit 100 can be accurately controlled with the selected production pattern. Determine. If received, the drive control is continued. If not received, the drive control is stopped.

  Further, the effect control unit CPU 92 starts receiving the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 at the end of the drive control, and then the stepping motor for a predetermined number of pushing steps, that is, two steps in this embodiment. A pulse signal for reversing 103 (that is, a two-pulse pulse signal according to the excitation pattern for reversing) is output, and thereafter, the driving of the stepping motor 103 is stopped, and a pushing process for stopping the movable accessory 120 is executed. As a result, the movable accessory 120 stops at the position (origin position) moved further from the first position in the X2 direction (right side) in the figure, so that after the movable accessory 120 stops, it is transmitted from the outside to the pachinko machine P. Even if the movable accessory 120 moves slightly in the X1 direction (left side) in the figure due to vibrations that are generated, the right index detection sensor 112 reliably maintains the state in which the right index 128 is detected. be able to.

  Therefore, in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100, the effect control CPU 92 causes the effect pattern selected based on the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 73 to move the movable accessory 120 from the first position to the maximum movable position. Then, if the effect pattern has the content of moving backward from the maximum movable position to the first position, the maximum number of movable steps stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 is added to two steps of the pushing step number. A pulse signal that rotates the stepping motor 103 forward is output by the number of steps, and then a pulse signal that reversely rotates the stepping motor 103 is output until the right index detection sensor 112 detects the right index 128, and the right index detection sensor 112 Right index of 128 When starting the knowledge, by executing the above-mentioned pushing process, the movable won game 120 is stopped at the home position, and terminates the drive control of the movable direction unit 100.

  Further, the ROM 93 of the sub-control device 72 stores a maximum movable step number setting program, and the effect control CPU 92 executes the maximum movable step number setting process according to the stored maximum movable step number setting program. It is executed as part of a series of so-called initial operations such as input / output check and memory check at power-on.

  In the maximum movable step number setting process, the effect control CPU 92 determines whether the right index detection sensor 112 receives the right index of the movable accessory 120 based on whether the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 is received. Whether 128 is detected or not is determined. If it has been received, it is determined that the right index detection sensor 112 has detected the right index 128, and a pulse signal for normal rotation of the stepping motor 103 is output for a predetermined number of steps, 10 steps in this embodiment. . As a result, the movable accessory 120 is moved forward in the X1 direction (see FIGS. 5 and 8) to a position where the right index detection sensor 112 does not detect the right index 128. Next, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal that reverses the stepping motor 103 until the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 is received, and causes the movable accessory 120 to move backward in the X2 direction. When receiving the right index detection signal, the effect control CPU 92 determines that the movable body accessory is at the first position, and stops outputting the pulse signal. At this time, the effect control CPU 92 does not execute the pushing process. That is, the effect control CPU 92 stops the movable accessory 120 at the first position.

  Next, the effect control CPU 92 refers to the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 and outputs a pulse signal for normal rotation of the stepping motor 103 by the stored default step number, in this embodiment, by 400 step number. . Thereby, the movable accessory 120 moves from the first position to the position where the stepping motor 103 moves forward in the X1 direction as the stepping motor 103 rotates forward by the default number of steps of 400, that is, the second position in the present embodiment. Move. The effect control CPU 92 determines that the movable accessory 120 is in the second position when the output of the pulse signal that causes the stepping motor 103 to rotate forward by the number of 400 steps is finished. The presentation control CPU 92 that has determined that the movable accessory 120 is in the second position outputs a pulse signal that reverses the stepping motor 103 until the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 is received. The accessory 120 is moved backward from the second position to the first position.

  The effect control CPU 92 counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output to the stepping motor 103 when the movable accessory 120 is moved back from the second position to the first position as the number of driving steps of the stepping motor 103. Specifically, the effect control CPU 92 adds 1 to the count value stored in the count value storage area of the RAM 94 and stores it every time one pulse signal is output to the stepping motor 103. When the right index detection signal is received, the effect control CPU 92 determines that the count value stored in the count value storage area, that is, the absolute value of the difference between the counted step number and the default step number is a predetermined value, in this embodiment. It is determined whether it is 5 or more. For example, when the counted number of steps is 395 and the default number of steps is 400, when the absolute value of the difference between the two values is 5 or more, a predetermined number of steps from the counted number of steps, in this embodiment, 394 steps minus one step are updated and stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as the maximum movable step number, and the maximum movable step number setting process is terminated. On the other hand, if the absolute value of the difference between the two values is less than 5, such as when the counted number of steps is 399 and the default number of steps is 400, the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as described above. The maximum movable step number setting process is terminated without performing update storage. That is, in this case, the state where the default step number of 400 steps is stored in the maximum movable step number storage area as the maximum movable step number is maintained. The effect control CPU 92 clears the count value stored in the count value storage area of the RAM 94 at the end of the maximum movable step number setting process.

(Output to the outside)
Various external information signals generated in the main control device 70 and the payout control device 71 are output from the external information terminal board 65 to the outside. The signals output from the external information terminal board 65 are totaled, for example, by a hall computer 68 in a game hall.

[Maximum movable step number setting process]
Next, the maximum movable step number setting process executed by the effect control CPU 92 of the sub control device 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the maximum movable step number setting process is started, the effect control CPU 92 determines whether or not the right index detection sensor 112 has detected the right index 128 of the movable accessory 120. If it is detected (step S1: YES), the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, when not detecting (step S1: NO), it transfers to step S3.

  In step S2, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal for normal rotation of the stepping motor 103 by a predetermined number of steps, 10 steps in this embodiment, and moves the movable accessory 120 in the X1 direction (FIGS. 5 and 8). (See), the right index detection sensor 112 moves forward to a position where the right index 128 is not detected, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal that reverses the stepping motor 103 by one step, moves the movable accessory 120 back in the X2 direction, and proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, based on whether or not the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 is received, it is determined whether or not the movable accessory 120 is in the first position. (Step S4: YES), the output of the pulse signal is stopped, the movable accessory 120 is stopped at the first position, and the process proceeds to Step S5. On the other hand, when it is not in the first position (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S5, the effect control CPU 92 refers to the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94, and outputs a pulse signal for normal rotation of the stepping motor 103 by the stored default step number, in this embodiment, by 400 step number. Then, the movable accessory 120 is moved forward from the first position to the second position, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal that reverses the stepping motor 103 by one step, moves the movable accessory 120 back in the X2 direction, and proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the effect control CPU 92 counts the number of pulses output to the stepping motor 103 as the number of steps driven by the stepping motor 103 when the movable accessory 120 is moved backward, specifically, the count value of the RAM 94. One is added to the count value stored in the storage area and stored, and the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, whether or not the right index detection sensor 112 has detected the right index 128 of the movable accessory 120 is determined based on whether or not the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112 has been received. If it is determined and detected (step S8: YES), the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, when not detecting (step S8: NO), it transfers to step S6.

  In step S9, whether or not the count value stored in the count value storage area, that is, the absolute value of the difference between the counted step number and the default step number (default value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, is 5 or greater in the present embodiment. If the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, a predetermined step number (predetermined value) from the counted number of steps, and in this embodiment, a step number obtained by subtracting one step is stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as the maximum movable step number, and this processing is performed. finish.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is a variation in the shape of the movable accessory 120 and an assembly error, and as described above, the number of steps counted by the effect control CPU 92 in the maximum movable step number setting process is 395. When the step number is 400 and the default step number is 400 steps, that is, the effect control CPU 92 drives the stepping motor 103 by the default step number and moves the movable accessory 120 forward in the X2 direction. Before the driving for several minutes is completed, the movable accessory 120 is brought into contact with the stopper 110 and is moved forward after the contact (in this case, elastic deformation or stepping of the pedestal portion 122 of the movable accessory 120) If the motor 103 idles, etc., and these occur repeatedly, the movable accessory 120 Even in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100 in the effect during the game, the effect control CPU 92 has the maximum number of movable steps 394 stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94. Since the stepping motor 103 is driven stepwise and the movable accessory 120 is moved forward to the maximum movable position, the movable accessory 120 at the maximum movable position is not brought into contact with the stopper 110. For this reason, damage to the movable body can be prevented.

  In addition, when the absolute value of the difference between the step number counted in the maximum movable step number setting process and the default step number is 5 or more, the counted step number can be stored as the maximum movable step number. If the degree of variation in the shape of the object 120 and the assembly error are relatively large and the stepping motor 103 is driven by the default number of steps, there is a high possibility that the movable accessory 120 will be damaged. It can be adopted as the number of steps.

  The effect control CPU 92 may store the number of steps counted in the maximum movable step number setting process (395 steps in the above example) as the maximum movable step number in the maximum movable step number storage area. In this case, in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100 in the effect during the game, the effect control CPU 92 drives the stepping motor 103 by the maximum number of movable steps 395 steps stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94. Since the movable accessory 120 is moved forward to the maximum movable position, the movable accessory 120 comes into contact with the stopper 110 at the maximum movable position and stops, but the effect control CPU 92 moves the movable accessory 120 after the contact forward. Since it does not do so, damage to the movable body can be prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the circuit board 116 including the left index detection sensor 117 is mounted on the left side of the inner bottom surface of the lower case 107 of the movable effect unit 100, and the left side of the lower pedestal portion 124 of the movable accessory 120. The point where the left index 131 is formed on the surface and the effect control CPU 92 move the movable accessory 120 forward from the first position until the left index detection sensor 117 detects the left index 131 in the maximum movable step number setting process. It differs from the first embodiment in that the number of pulses of the pulse signal that is sometimes output is counted. In the following second embodiment, descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an insertion hole 110 a through which the left index 131 is inserted at a substantially central portion of the stopper 110 erected on the inner bottom surface in the vicinity of the end portion of the lower case 107 of the movable effect unit 100 of the present embodiment. Is formed. A circuit board 116 is mounted on the left side of the inner bottom surface of the lower case 107. On the circuit board 116, a left index detection sensor 117 including a photo interrupter including a light emitting unit 117a and a light receiving unit 117b is mounted. .

  Further, a flat plate-like left index 131 that protrudes to the left and has a predetermined width in the left-right direction is formed on the left side surface of the lower pedestal portion 124 of the movable accessory 120 of the movable effect unit 100. The left index 131 is inserted between the light emitting part 117a and the light receiving part 117b of the left index detection sensor 117 through the insertion hole 110a of the stopper 110 when the movable accessory 120 is in a predetermined position. The left index detection sensor 117 outputs a left index detection signal to the sub-control device 72 when the left index 131 is interposed between the light emitting unit 117a and the light receiving unit 117b. The left-hand index 131 has a width in the left-right direction between the light-emitting part 117a and the light-receiving part 117b of the left-side index detection sensor 117 when the left side surface of the pedestal part 122 of the movable accessory 120 contacts the stopper 110. The length to be set.

  In the maximum movable step number setting process in this embodiment, the effect control CPU 92 first stops the movable accessory 120 at the first position, as in the first embodiment.

  Next, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal for causing the stepping motor 103 to rotate forward, and the left index 131 of the movable accessory 120 is moved from the first position between the light emitting unit 117a and the light receiving unit 117b of the left index detection sensor 117. The movable body is moved forward to a position interposed therebetween (second position in the present embodiment). That is, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal that causes the stepping motor 103 to rotate normally until it receives the right index detection signal output from the right index detection sensor 112.

  Further, the effect control CPU 92 counts the number of pulses of the pulse signal output to the stepping motor 103 when the movable accessory 120 moves forward from the first position to the second position as the number of driving steps of the stepping motor 103. Specifically, the effect control CPU 92 adds 1 to the count value stored in the count value storage area of the RAM 94 and stores it every time one pulse signal is output to the stepping motor 103. When the left index detection signal is received, the effect control CPU 92 determines that the count value stored in the count value storage area, that is, the absolute value of the difference between the counted step number and the default step number is a predetermined value, for example, 5 or more. It is determined whether or not there is. For example, when the counted number of steps is 410 and the default number of steps is 400, when the absolute value of the difference between the two values is 5 or more, a predetermined number of steps from the counted number of steps, in this embodiment, 409 steps minus one step are updated and stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as the maximum movable step number. When the absolute value of the difference between the two values is less than 5, the state in which the default step number of 400 steps is stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as the maximum movable step number is maintained.

  The effect control CPU 92 stops the power supply to the left index detection sensor 117 after the maximum movable step number setting process, and turns it off. In addition, in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100 in the effect control, the effect control CPU 92 causes the effect pattern selected based on the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 73 to move the movable accessory 120 from the first position to the maximum. In the case of an effect pattern with a content that moves forward to a position and then moves backward from the maximum movable position to the first position, the number of steps obtained by adding the maximum number of movable steps to the number of pushing steps as in the first embodiment. A pulse signal for forward rotation of the minute stepping motor 103 is output, and then a pulse signal for reverse rotation of the stepping motor 103 is output. Therefore, in the drive control of the movable effect unit 100, when the movable accessory 120 is moved forward to the maximum movable position, it is based on the determination as to whether or not the left index detection signal output from the left index detection sensor 117 is received. The control of stopping the driving of the stepping motor 103 is not performed, a pulse signal for rotating the stepping motor 103 forward by the maximum number of movable steps is output, and then a pulse signal for reversing the stepping motor 103 is transmitted. The drive of the movable effect unit 100 can be controlled by the control.

[Maximum movable step number setting process]
Next, the maximum movable step number setting process executed by the effect control CPU 92 of the sub control device 72 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since Steps S11 to S14 are the same as Steps S1 to S4 of the maximum movable step number setting process in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S15, the effect control CPU 92 outputs a pulse signal that causes the stepping motor 103 to rotate forward by one step, moves the movable accessory 120 forward in the X1 direction (see FIGS. 5 and 8), and proceeds to step S16. .

  In step S <b> 16, the effect control CPU 92 counts the number of pulses output to the stepping motor 103 as the number of steps driven by the stepping motor 103 when traveling forward, and specifically, is stored in the count value storage area of the RAM 94. 1 is added to and stored in the count value, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, based on whether or not the left index detection signal output from the left index detection sensor 117 is received, whether or not the left index detection sensor 117 detects the left index 131 of the movable accessory 120 is determined. If it is determined and detected (step S17: YES), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, when not detecting (step S17: NO), it transfers to step S15.

  In step S18, the count value stored in the count value storage area, that is, whether or not the absolute value of the difference between the counted number of steps and the default step number (default value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or 5 in the present embodiment. If the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, a predetermined step number (predetermined value) is stored in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94 as a maximum movable step number in the present embodiment, which is obtained by subtracting one step in the present embodiment. finish.

  According to the present embodiment, the effect control CPU 92 sets the step number of the stepping motor 103 when moving the movable body from the first position to the second position as the maximum movable step number in the maximum movable step number storage area of the RAM 94. Can be remembered.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the discussion and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the pushing process is performed at the end of the drive control of the movable effect unit 100 in the effect control, but the pushing process may be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the production control CPU 92 executes the maximum movable step number setting process as part of the initial operation has been described. However, the production control CPU 92 is in a standby state in which the pachinko machine P is not playing a game. At some time, the maximum movable step number setting process may be executed. In addition, the effect control CPU 92 may execute the maximum movable step number setting process when the gaming machine is shipped from the factory or when it is installed in the gaming hall. In this case, the sub-control device 72 is equipped with a nonvolatile RAM (for example, NVRAM), and the effect control CPU 92 stores the number of steps counted in the maximum movable step number setting process in the nonvolatile RAM.

  That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all included in the scope of the present invention.

72: Sub-control device, 92 ... Production control CPU (first determination means, index detection means, second determination means, first drive control means, step number measurement means, second drive control means, third (Determination means), 94 ... RAM (movable step number storage means), 100 ... movable effect unit, 103 ... stepping motor, 120 ... movable accessory (movable body), 112 ... right index detection sensor (first determination means, index) Detecting means) 117 ... Left index detection sensor 128 ... Right index (index), P ... Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (3)

A movable body supported by the gaming machine main body so as to be capable of reciprocating along a predetermined path including the first position and the second position;
A stepping motor capable of controlling the rotation by the number of steps and driving the movable body connected to the movable body;
First determination means for determining whether or not the movable body is in the first position;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the movable body is in the second position;
The first determination unit determines that the movable body is in the first position by controlling the driving of the stepping motor, and then the second determination unit determines that the movable body is in the second position. Until the determination is made, the movable body is moved forward along the predetermined path, and the second determination means determines that the movable body is in the second position. First drive control means for moving the movable body back along the predetermined path until the first determination means determines that it is in the first position;
Step number measuring means for counting the number of steps of the stepping motor when the movable body moves forward or backward by the control of the first drive control means;
Movable step number storage means for storing the number of steps equal to or less than the number of steps measured by the step number measuring means as a movable step number;
The driving of the stepping motor is controlled during the game, and when the movable body is at the first position, the stepping motor is driven by the number of movable steps, and the movable body is moved forward along the predetermined path. And a second drive control means for performing an effect by the movable body. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
An index provided on the movable body and movable integrally with the movable body;
A default step number storage means in which the default step number is stored in advance,
The first determination means is index detection means that is fixed to the gaming machine main body and determines that the movable body is in the first position by detecting the index of the movable body in the first position. ,
In the second determination unit, the stepping motor is driven by the default number of steps by the first drive control unit from the state in which the index detection unit is detecting the index, and the movable body is moved to the predetermined path. It is determined that the movable body is in the second position when moving forward along
The gaming machine characterized in that the step number measuring means counts the number of steps of the stepping motor when the movable body moves backward under the control of the first drive control means. A gaming machine according to claim 2,
Third determining means for determining whether or not a difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring means is a predetermined value or more;
The movable step number storage means, when the third determining means determines that the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring means is a predetermined value or more, the step number measuring means. Is stored as the number of movable steps, and the third determining means determines that the difference between the default step number and the step number counted by the step number measuring means is less than a predetermined value. When this is done, the default number of steps is stored as the number of movable steps.

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