JP2014004395A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of detecting the occurrence of a ball jam in an internal area of a variable winning device unit.SOLUTION: A pachinko machine 10 includes opening and closing control means for performing a switching control for switching between an open state of enabling a game ball to enter an internal area of a variable winning device unit and a closed state of disabling a ball from entering. The pachinko machine 10 includes: ball entering detecting means for detecting a game ball entering the internal area; and discharge detecting means for detecting a game ball discharged from the internal area. The machine 10 includes residual ball monitoring means for determining whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area based on detection of the ball entering detecting means and detection of the discharge detecting means. When the residual ball monitoring means determines that a game ball exists, the opening and closing control means is not allowed to perform the switching control and enters an inactive state, and when the residual ball monitoring means determines that no game ball exists, the opening and closing control means is allowed to perform the switching control and enters an active state. Further the machine 10 includes open and closed state storage means for storing the fact that the power interruption is caused during the switching control of the opening and closing control means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a kind of gaming machine, for example, a game board is provided with a starting port and a variable winning device unit, and the variable winning device unit is temporarily opened based on the game ball entering the starting port. If a game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable prize device at this time enters a specific ball portion provided in the internal area of the variable prize device, a special gaming state occurs and the variable prize device unit is opened and closed. A gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine, which is repeatedly performed and allows many game balls to enter is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-197312

  In such a gaming machine, there is a possibility that the game may be hindered if a ball clogging occurs in the internal area of the variable prize device. For example, due to a clogged ball, the probability of entering a specific entry part, that is, the probability that a special game state is given will increase or decrease, and a game is played in such a state. As a result, the hall side or the player side may suffer a disadvantage. In particular, in recent years, in order to improve interest, there are many cases where devices such as a device for distributing game balls are provided in the internal area of the variable winning device, and in this case, ball clogging is likely to occur. There is concern.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems and the like, and its purpose is to quickly eliminate a clogged ball that has occurred in the internal region of the variable winning device unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of detecting the occurrence of a clogged ball.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
The game ball guided to the game area has an internal area in which the game ball can enter, an open state in which the game ball can enter the internal area, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the internal area Switchable variable entry means,
Opening / closing control means for performing switching control for switching the variable pitching means between a closed state and an open state;
Incoming ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the inner area;
A specific entry part and a non-specific entry part that enter the inner area and can enter the game balls detected by the entry detection means,
Specific detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry section;
Based on detection by the specific detection means, a game state control means capable of executing a special game process for generating a special game state advantageous to the player;
An effective state for permitting switching control to switch the variable pitching means by the opening / closing control means to an open state, and an open permission control means for switching to an invalid state not permitted,
When a game ball enters the internal area, it is detected by the entrance detection means, and then enters the specific entrance part or the non-specific entrance part and is discharged from the internal area. Configuration,
A discharge detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry part and a game ball that has entered the non-specific ball entry part;
After a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means executed based on a predetermined trigger is completed and the variable pitching means is closed, detection by the pitch detection means and detection by the discharge detection means And a remaining ball monitoring means for performing a remaining ball monitoring process for determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal area,
When it is determined by the remaining ball monitoring process that a game ball is present in the inner area, the invalid state is set.
When it is determined that no game ball is present in the internal area after the invalid state, the release permission control means sets the valid state.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a clogged ball in the internal region of the variable winning device unit.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the pachinko machine of the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the inner frame etc. in the state which open | released the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a front view of a variable winning device unit. It is a perspective view of a game ball distribution mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows a part of game ball distribution mechanism. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st control board unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 2nd control board unit. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows an opportunity corresponding port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows a count switch process. It is a flowchart which shows a specific area switch process. It is a flowchart which shows a remaining ball process switch process. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the opening / closing control process of a variable winning apparatus unit. It is a flowchart which shows the opening / closing control process of a variable winning apparatus unit. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot control process. It is a flowchart which shows processing during jackpot closing. It is a flowchart which shows processing during jackpot release. It is a flowchart which shows a residual sphere monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows an error alerting control process. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of the payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a reception interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a command determination process. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball control. It is a flowchart which shows ball rental control.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 shows a lower plate unit in which a front frame set 14 serving as a front door is opened with respect to an outer frame 11 described later and an inner frame 12 serving as a support frame. It is a perspective view showing the state where 13 was removed. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which the front frame set 14 is removed from the pachinko machine 10. However, in FIGS. 2 and 3, for the sake of convenience, the configuration in a game area on the surface of the game board 30 described later is shown blank.

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed. The opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set so as to extend vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward by using the opening / closing axis as an axis.

  A lower tray unit 13 is attached to the inner frame 12 at the lowermost portion, and a front frame set 14 is attached to correspond to a range excluding the lower tray unit 13. The front frame set 14 is attached to the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is located on the front side with an open / close axis extending vertically to the left when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. It can be opened.

  The lower tray unit 13 is provided with a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray at a substantially central portion, so that game balls discharged from the outlet 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Reference numeral 24 denotes a sound output port from the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2), and reference numeral 25 denotes a ball release lever for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 downward.

  A game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle”) 18 is disposed on the right side of the lower plate 15 so as to protrude to the front side. An ashtray 26 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 15.

  On the other hand, an upper plate 19 serving as a ball receiving plate is provided above the lower plate 15. Here, the upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray that temporarily stores the game balls and guides them to a game ball launching device as launching means while aligning them in a line. The upper plate 19 is integrally formed with the glass frame portion that supports the glass 137 in the front frame set 14.

  In FIG. 3, the inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 20 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially circular window hole 21 is formed at the center of the resin base 20. A game board 30 (see FIG. 4) is detachably mounted on the rear side of the resin base 20. The game board 30 is made of a rectangular plywood, and is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the resin base 20 (inner frame 12). Accordingly, a substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 21 of the resin base 20. The resin base 20 is provided with an opening detection sensor 22 that detects opening of the front frame set 14. Although not shown, an open detection switch for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is also provided.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes general winning ports 31a and 31b, a first opportunity corresponding port 33, a second opportunity corresponding port 34, a variable winning device unit 37, and the like arranged in through holes formed by router processing. It is attached from the front side with wood screws. In the present embodiment, the variable winning device unit 37 corresponds to variable pitching means. Moreover, the 1st opportunity corresponding port 33 and the 2nd opportunity corresponding port 34 are equivalent to a starting ball entry means (starting port).

  Here, the arrangement positions of the general winning openings 31a, 31b and the like will be described. A variable winning device unit 37 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game board 30, a second opportunity corresponding port 34 is disposed below the variable winning device unit 37, and at the left and right sides of the second opportunity corresponding port 34, respectively. The first opportunity corresponding port 33 is disposed, and the general winning ports 31a and 31b are disposed on the left and right outer sides of the respective first opportunity corresponding ports 33. As is well known, when a game ball enters the general winning ports 31a and 31b, the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, and the variable winning device unit 37, the upper plate 19 ( Alternatively, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the lower plate 15). In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36 so that game balls that have not entered the various entrances are guided through the out port 36 toward a ball discharge path (not shown). It has become. A number of nails are planted on the game board 30 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (functions) such as the windmill 27 are arranged.

  Here, the variable winning device unit 37 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. The variable winning device unit 37 is connected to a main control device 261 (main board), which will be described later, through electric wiring (not shown), and is controlled by the main control device 261.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the variable winning device unit 37. The variable winning device unit 37 includes a substantially hollow main body 401, a game ball distribution mechanism 402 provided at a lower portion of the main body 401, and a moving body 403 that moves up and down above the game ball distribution mechanism 402. A game ball rolling portion 404 provided on the upper portion of the main body 401, a pair of blades 405a and 405b pivotably supported at both left and right sides of the game ball rolling portion 404, and a game ball rolling portion A guide passage 406 for guiding the game ball from the back side of 404 to the game ball sorting mechanism 402 is provided. A count switch 223b, which will be described later, is provided in the middle position of the guide passage 406. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the variable winning device unit 37 includes a moving body motor D1 for moving the moving body 403 up and down, and blade solenoids D2 and D3 for opening and closing the blades 405a and 405b. Is provided.

  6 is a perspective view of the game ball sorting mechanism 402, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the game ball sorting mechanism 402. As shown in FIG. The game ball distribution mechanism 402 is fitted into a base portion 411, a surrounding frame portion 412 attached to the upper portion of the base portion 411, a motor 413 fixed to the base portion 411, and a recess 412 a of the surrounding frame portion 412. And a rotating body 414 rotatably supported on a rotating shaft 413a of the motor 413.

  The rotating body 414 has a plurality (ten in this embodiment) of accommodating portions along the periphery. The plurality of storage units are configured by a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of first storage units 421, one second storage unit 422, and one third storage unit 423. The first housing portion 421 is configured in a substantially U shape with a lower surface inclined so that the game ball can be transferred outward in the radial direction of the rotating body 414. The second housing portion 422 has a bridged lower surface that is stretched along the circumferential direction of the rotating body 414, and is not shown so that a game ball can be transferred from the bridged lower surface toward the center of the rotating body 414. It has a configuration with a drop opening. The third housing portion 423 is configured to be able to hold a game ball so that the game ball does not roll out in a radial outward direction of the rotating body 414. In the present embodiment, the rotating body 414 is configured to continuously rotate in a normal state (normal game state) or a big hit state (special game state).

  On the other hand, in the recess 412a of the surrounding frame portion 412, a first passage port 425 is formed at the side wall portion, and a second passage port 426 and a third passage port 427 are formed at the bottom portion. For convenience, reference numerals are omitted, but of course, the base portion 411 is also provided with holes corresponding to the second passage port 426 and the third passage port 427.

  The first passage port 425 is for discharging the game ball accommodated in the first accommodation portion 421 to a ball discharge portion (not shown). That is, when the rotating body 414 rotates and the position of the first storage portion 421 that stores the game ball coincides with the position of the first passage port 425, the game ball is discharged from the first storage portion 421. ing.

  The second passage port 426 is formed near the center axis of the rotating body 414, and is for discharging the game ball stored in the second storage portion 422 to a ball discharge portion (not shown). That is, when the rotating body 414 rotates and the position of the drop port of the second storage unit 422 that stores the game ball coincides with the position of the second passage port 426, the game ball is discharged from the second storage unit 422. It is like that.

  The third passage port 427 is formed near the periphery of the rotating body 414, and is used for discharging the game ball stored in the third storage portion 423 to a ball discharge portion (not shown). That is, when the rotating body 414 rotates and the position of the third storage portion 423 that stores the game ball coincides with the position of the third passage port 427, the game ball is discharged from the third storage portion 423. ing.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, a specific area switch 223a is provided at a position where a game ball that has entered the third passage port 427 can be detected, and a game ball that has entered the first passage port 425 and the second passage port 426. The remaining sphere processing switch 225 is provided at a position where it can be detected (see FIG. 9). Of the game balls that have entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37, the game balls that have entered the third passage opening 427 are detected by the specific area switch 223a, and the first passage opening 425 and the second passage opening 426 are detected. The game ball that entered the ball is detected by the remaining ball processing switch 225. In the present embodiment, the first passage port 425 and the second passage port 426 correspond to a non-specific entrance portion, and the third passage port 427 corresponds to a specific entrance portion. Moreover, without being limited to this, the first storage portion 421 and the second storage portion 422 can be regarded as a non-specific entrance portion, and the third storage portion 423 can be regarded as a specific entrance portion. That is, an area in which a game ball can enter by opening the blades 405a and 405b, and the game ball that has entered the area is one of the first accommodation unit 421, the second accommodation unit 422, and the third accommodation unit 423. It can be defined that the area until distribution to is an internal area.

  A first shielding mechanism 431 that shields the first passage port 425 is provided in the vicinity of the first passage port 425, and a second shielding mechanism 432 that shields the third passage port 427 in the vicinity of the third passage port 427. Is provided.

  The first shielding mechanism 431 includes an operating part 435 that is pivotally supported between the base part 411 and the surrounding frame part 412 and a first solenoid 436 that drives the operating part 435. The operating portion 435 is provided with a first shutter 437 that closes the first passage port 425. When the first solenoid 436 is energized, the first shutter 437 is in a position to open the first passage port 425 in the normal state, that is, in the non-excited state of the first solenoid 436 (the state shown in FIG. 7). The actuating portion 435 rotates, and the first shutter 437 moves to a position (the state shown in FIG. 6) where the first passage port 425 is closed. Accordingly, the first passage 425 is closed by the first shutter 437, and the game ball cannot pass through the first passage 425.

  The second shielding mechanism 432 includes an operating part 441 that is pivotally supported between the base part 411 and the surrounding frame part 412, and a second solenoid 442 that drives the operating part 441. The operating portion 441 is provided with a second shutter 443 that closes the third passage port 427. In the normal state, that is, in the non-excited state of the second solenoid 442, the second shutter 443 is in a position where the third passage port 427 is opened, and when the second solenoid 442 is excited, the operating unit 441 rotates. Then, the second shutter 443 moves to a position where the third passage port 427 is closed. Accordingly, the third passage port 427 is closed by the second shutter 443, and the game ball cannot pass through the third passage port 427.

  As will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are energized during the big hit round, and the first shutter 437 and the second shutter 443 are closed. ing. At the end of the round, the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are returned to the non-excited state, and the first shutter 437 and the second shutter 443 are opened.

  In the present embodiment, a winning invalidity notification lamp 43 (see FIG. 5) is provided below the variable winning device unit 37. As will be described in detail later, the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 is turned off when the entry of the game ball into the first and second opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is effective as an opening opportunity of the variable winning device unit 37. When it is invalid, it is turned on.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the game board 30 is provided with a rail unit 50 as a rail member for guiding the game ball launched from the game ball launching device to the upper part of the game board 30. Thus, the game balls launched are guided to a predetermined game area through the rail unit 50. The rail unit 50 is formed of a ring-shaped resin molded product, and includes an inner rail constituent part (inner rail part) 51 and an outer rail constituent part (outer rail mounting part) 52 that are integrally formed in an inner and outer double. Have. The inner rail constituting portion 51 is formed in a substantially annular shape except for about 1/4 of the upper portion. Further, the outer rail constituting portion 52 is formed so that a part (mainly the left side portion) faces the inner rail constituting portion 51. In such a case, the inner rail constituting portion 51 and the outer rail constituting portion 52 mainly constitute a guide rail, and each of the rail constituting portions 51 and 52 is guided by a ball by a portion (left portion toward the left) that is parallel with a predetermined interval. A passage is formed.

  Next, the game area will be described. The game area is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the inner periphery (inner and outer rail components 51 and 52) of the rail unit 50. In the present embodiment, when the game area is viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, guidance that is a parallel part of the inner and outer rail constituting parts 51 and 52 among the area surrounded by the inner rail constituting part 51 and the outer rail constituting part 52. The area excluding the rail area.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, in the resin base 20, below the window hole 21 (game board 30), a launch rail 61 for guiding the game ball immediately after being launched from the game ball launcher is attached. The firing rail 61 is fixedly attached to the resin base 20 integrally with the metal plate 62 behind the firing rail 61, and is configured to extend linearly at a predetermined firing angle (launch angle). Accordingly, the game ball launched by the turning operation of the handle 18 is first launched obliquely upward along the launch rail 61 and then guided to the game area through the ball guide passage of the rail unit 50 as described above. It has become.

  Further, there is a gap of a predetermined interval between the firing rail 61 and the rail unit 50 (guidance rail), and a foul ball passage 63 is formed below the gap. Therefore, if the game ball launched from the game ball launching device does not reach the game area and returns to the inside of the guide rail as a foul ball, the foul ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 through the foul ball passage 63. The Further, the game ball launching device is provided with a ball striking ball, and the game ball is fired with the rotation of the ball striking center around the shaft portion.

  In addition, the code | symbol 67 in FIG. 3 is the discharge port connected to the upper plate 19, and a game ball is discharged to the upper plate 19 through this discharge port 67. FIG. An open / close shutter 68 is attached to the discharge port 67. Although detailed disclosure of the drawings is omitted, the shutter 68 is rotatable about the shaft portion provided along the lower side portion thereof, and is in a state where the front frame set 14 is opened (state of FIG. 3). The shutter 68 substantially closes the discharge port 67 by a biasing force such as a spring. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by a ball passage rod 69 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front frame set 14. Note that the game ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 in the opened state of the front frame set 14.

  In the middle of the foul ball passage 63, a lower pan full tank switch (not shown) for detecting that the lower pan 15 is full of balls is provided so as to form a part of the bottom of the passage. When the balls are dispensed in a large amount in a short period of time, the balls start to accumulate on the lower plate 15 after the upper plate 19 is full. Thereafter, even if the balls continue to be paid out, if the balls in the lower plate 15 are not pulled out, the balls start to accumulate in the middle of the foul ball passage 63. It is stopped by a payout control device 311 described later.

  Next, the front frame set 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The front frame set 14 is formed with a substantially elliptical window 101 so that most of the game area can be visually recognized from the outside. A pair of glass 137 having a rectangular shape is attached to the front frame set 14 at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. In addition, the front frame set 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps around it (for example, a corner portion). These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach.

  In addition, a ball lending operation unit 120 is disposed below the window unit 101, and the ball lending operation unit 120 is provided with a ball lending button 121, a return button 122, and a frequency display unit 123. If the ball lending operation unit 120 is operated in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, a game ball is lent according to the operation. . The ball lending button 121 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper plate 19 as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. Is done. The return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display unit 123 displays remaining amount information such as a card. It should be noted that the ball rental operation unit 120 is not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, that is, a so-called cash machine.

  Further, the locking mechanism of the front frame set 14 is integrated with the locking mechanism of the inner frame 12, and the main body of the integrated locking mechanism G1 (see FIG. 8 and the like) is located on the back side of the inner frame 12. Is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the configuration of the game board 30 in the inner frame 12.

  First, an overall outline of the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. In the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged on the back side (actually the back side of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30) so as to be arranged vertically or horizontally, or to be stacked in front and back, A game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a protective cover made of resin, and the like are attached. In this embodiment, various control boards are divided into two mounting bases to form two control board units, and these control board units are individually attached to the inner frame 12 or the back of the game board 30. ing. In this case, the main board and the sound lamp control board are mounted on one mounting base to form a unit, and the dispensing control board, launch control board, and power supply board are mounted on the other mounting base to form a unit. Here, for convenience, the former unit is referred to as “first control board unit 201”, and the latter unit is referred to as “second control board unit 202”. In addition, since the dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”. The detailed configuration of each unit 201 to 203 will be described later.

  As will be described later, the first control board unit 201 having a substantially L-shape is arranged at substantially the center of the pachinko machine 10, and the second control board unit 202 is arranged therebelow. Further, the back pack unit 203 is arranged in a region partially overlapping the first control board unit 201.

  In addition, a back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 so as to surround the variable winning device unit 37. The back frame set 215 is a thin resin molded product (for example, made of ABS) provided so as to stick to the back surface of the game board 30 and is formed with a game ball collecting mechanism for collecting game balls won in various winning portions. Has been. Specifically, below the back frame set 215, the general winning ports 31a and 31b, the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the second opportunity corresponding port 34, and the game board opening of the variable winning device unit 37 (see FIG. 4 respectively). Corresponding and a collection passage 216 that gathers at one place on the downstream side is formed. In addition, a discharge passage board 217 made of resin (for example, made of polycarbonate resin) is also attached to the inner frame 12 below the game board 30, and discharge balls are sent to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 in the discharge passage board 217. A discharge passage 218 for guiding is formed. Therefore, as exemplified by the phantom line in FIG. 9, the game balls won in the general winning openings 31a, 31b and the like are all collected through the collection passage 216 of the back frame set 215, and further the discharge passage of the discharge passage board 217. It is discharged outside the pachinko machine 10 via 218. In addition, the out port 36 (see FIG. 4) similarly communicates with the discharge passage 218, and the game balls that have not won any winning opening are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge passage 218.

  Also, on the back surface of the game board 30, a winning detection mechanism (entrance detecting means) for detecting the passage of gaming balls such as various winning holes is provided. Specifically, a winning port switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general winning ports 31 a and 31 b on the front side of the game board 30.

  In addition, the variable winning device unit 37 is provided with a specific area switch 223a as specific detection means, a count switch 223b as ball detection means, and a remaining ball processing switch 225. As described above, the specific area switch 223a is a switch that detects that a game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 has entered the third passage port 427, and the count switch 223b It is a switch to detect. The remaining ball processing switch 225 is a game ball that has entered the variable winning device unit 37 and that has not entered the third passage port 427 (enters the first passage port 425 and the second passage port 426). It is a switch for detecting a game ball. In the present embodiment, the remaining ball processing switch 225 and the specific area switch 223a constitute a discharge detection unit.

  Further, a first opportunity corresponding port switch 224a is provided at a position corresponding to the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and a second opportunity corresponding port switch 224b is provided at a position corresponding to the second opportunity corresponding port 34. . In this embodiment, the 1st opportunity corresponding | compatible opening switch 224a and the 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible opening switch 224b are equivalent to a start ball | bowl entering detection means.

  The specific area switch 223a and the count switch 223b are connected to the board relay board 226 through electric wiring (not shown), and this board relay board 226 is further connected to a main board (main controller 261) described later. The winning port switch 221 is connected to the winning port relay board 227 via electric wiring, and the winning port relay board 227 is connected to the main board (main control device 261) via electric wiring. On the other hand, the 2nd opportunity corresponding | compatible port switch 224b and the 1st opportunity corresponding | compatible port switch 224a are directly connected to the main board | substrate (main control apparatus 261) via the electrical wiring, without passing through a relay board | substrate.

  In FIGS. 8 and 9, reference numeral 228 denotes a set handle including a hitting ball and the like, and reference numeral 229 denotes a firing motor. The game ball launching device is constituted by the set handle 228, the firing motor 229, and the like.

  The detection results detected by the winning sensing mechanism (detecting means) are taken into a main board (main control device 261) described later, and a payout command (game ball of the game ball) corresponding to the winning situation each time is received from the main board. The number of payouts) is transmitted to the payout control board. Then, a predetermined number of prize balls (game balls) are paid out by the output of the payout control board. Note that the number of award balls (game balls) to be paid out corresponds to each winning portion (general winning ports 31a, 31b, etc.). For example, in the present embodiment, the number of payouts corresponding to the general winning ports 31a and 31b, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the second opportunity corresponding port 34 is four, and the number of payouts corresponding to the variable winning device unit 37 is fifteen. Is set.

  Next, the first control board unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the unit 201.

  The first control board unit 201 has a mounting base 251 having a substantially L shape, and the main control device 261 and the initialization device 543 (board box 263) and the sound lamp control device 262 (board box 265) are mounted on the mounting base 251. ) And are installed.

  The main control device 261 includes a CPU that controls the main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, a port for communicating with various devices, and a random number used in various lotteries. It includes a main board including a generator, a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, and the like. In the present embodiment, the main controller 261 corresponds to the gaming state control means.

  The initialization device 543 is electrically connected to the RAM erase switch 323, detects whether the RAM erase switch 323 has been pressed, and transmits the detection result to the main control device 261. (Refer to FIG. 13).

  The main board and the RAM erasing switch circuit 543a are housed in a board box 263 (encapsulating means) made of a transparent resin material or the like, thereby constituting a main controller 261 and an initialization unit 543. The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other by a sealing unit 264 (sealing means) so that the substrate box 263 is sealed.

  The RAM erase switch 323 that is electrically connected to the initialization device 543 is a switch that is operated when the pachinko machine 10 is returned to the initial state when the power is turned on. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, it maintains the state at the time of the power failure, and can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure when returning from the power failure (power recovery) It has become. Therefore, if the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the hall is closed), the state before the power is turned off is stored. If you want to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, turn on the power while holding down the RAM erase switch 323. We are going to throw it in.

  As the sealing unit 264 as the sealing means, any configuration can be applied as long as the box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened, but here, the sealing unit 264 has a configuration in which five sealing members are connected. The box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be opened by inserting a locking claw into the long hole of the member. The sealing process by the sealing unit 264 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. It is possible to perform the opening / sealing process again even after the operation. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting the locking claw into the long hole of at least one sealing member among the five sealing members constituting the sealing unit 264. And when opening the board | substrate box 263 by the malfunction of the accommodated main board | substrate etc., the connection of the sealing member in which the latching claw was inserted, and another sealing member is cut | disconnected. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, the locking claws are inserted into the long holes of the other sealing members. If the history of opening the board box 263 is left in the board box 263, it can be easily found that the illegal opening has been performed by looking at the board box 263.

  The voice lamp control device 262 includes a CPU that controls voice and lamp display according to instructions from the main control device 261 (main board), and a voice lamp control board that includes ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. The sound lamp control board is housed in a board box 265 made of a transparent resin material or the like. A power relay board 266 is mounted on the sound lamp controller 262, and power supplied from a power board described later is output to the sound lamp controller 262 via the power relay board 266. .

  A board box 263 in which the main controller 261 (main board) and the initialization device 543 are accommodated on one board mounting surface is disposed in a horizontally oriented direction, and an audio lamp control is provided on the other board mounting surface. A board box 265 in which the device 262 (sound lamp control board) is accommodated is arranged in a vertically long direction. In particular, the main control device 261 (board box 263) is arranged on the near side when viewed from the back of the pachinko machine 10, and the sound lamp control device 262 (board box 265) is arranged on the back side.

  Next, the second control board unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the unit 202.

  The second control board unit 202 has a horizontally long mounting base 301 on which a payout control device 311, a firing control device 312, a power supply device 313 and a card unit connection board 314 are mounted. The payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, and the power supply device 313 are equipped with a control board including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports and the like as is well known. The payout of prize balls and rental balls is controlled by the substrate. The launch control board of the launch control apparatus 312 controls the launch motor 229 in accordance with the player's operation of the handle 18, and the power supply board of the power supply apparatus 313 generates a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control apparatuses. Is output. The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation unit 120 on the front surface of the pachinko machine and a card unit (not shown). The card unit connection board 314 takes a ball lending operation command from the player and outputs it to the payout control device 311. is there. Note that the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted in a cash machine in which game balls are lent directly to the upper plate from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit.

  The payout control device 311, the firing control device 312, the power supply device 313, and the card unit connection substrate 314 are respectively configured to be accommodated in substrate boxes 315, 316, 317, and 318 made of a transparent resin material or the like. In particular, in the dispensing control device 311, similarly to the main control device 261 described above, the box base and the box cover constituting the substrate box 315 (encapsulating means) are connected by the sealing unit 319 (sealing means) so that they cannot be opened. Thus, the substrate box 315 is sealed.

  The payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse so that the ball jam is eliminated (return to the normal state). It has become.

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is a unit in which a back pack 351 molded with resin and a payout mechanism portion 352 for a game ball are integrated, and a rear view seen from the back of the pachinko machine 10 is shown in FIG.

  The back pack 351 has a substantially flat base portion 353 and a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward of the pachinko machine and has a horizontally long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable winning device unit 37.

  In addition, a payout mechanism portion 352 is disposed on the base portion 353 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back pack 351, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 that has two rows (two rows) of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, the tank rail 356 is arranged vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. A case rail 357 is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor 358a. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19.

  A vibrator 360 that applies vibration to the tank rail 356 is attached to the tank rail 356. Therefore, if a clogged ball occurs near the tank rail 356, the clogged ball is eliminated by driving the vibrator 360.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and a power switch board 382 that takes in the main power from the outside. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, AC 24V main power via a voltage converter, and is turned on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 382a.

  Further, the base 353 of the back pack unit 203 is provided with an opening 391 for the external relay terminal plate 230, so that the external relay terminal plate 230 can be removed and operated even when the back pack unit 203 is fixed. It is possible.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the pachinko machine 10. The main controller 261 (main board) of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. Various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 503 has a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501, the return address of the control program executed by the CPU 501, various flags (such as a big hit flag described later) and counters (such as a remaining ball monitoring counter described later). ), A work area (work area) in which values such as I / O are stored, and a backup area 503a. The RAM 503 is configured to retain (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 503a. Data is backed up.

  The backup area 503a stores values such as a stack pointer, each register, and I / O when the power is shut down (including when a power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter) when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. At the time of power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation, the same applies hereinafter), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area 503a. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed when the power is shut off by normal processing (see FIG. 15), and on the contrary, returning of each value written to the backup area 503a includes power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation). The same processing is performed in the main process (see FIG. 14). The N501 terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When the signal SK1 is input to the CPU 501, the NMI interruption process as the process at the time of power failure is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 505 is connected to an initialization device 543, a payout control device 311, a second opportunity corresponding port 34, a variable winning device unit 37, and other switches (not shown). In the present embodiment, a ball entry error return switch 324 (see FIG. 8), which will be described in detail later, is also connected to the input / output port 505.

  The initialization device 543 is provided with a RAM erase switch circuit 543a, and a RAM erase switch 323 is electrically connected to the RAM erase switch circuit 543a. The RAM erase switch circuit 543a is a circuit that outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 for clearing backup data to the main controller 261 when the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed when the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the data in the RAMs 503 and 513 (backup areas 503a and 513a) of the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 are cleared. As described above, the initialization device 543 and the main control device 261 are housed in the board box 263.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor 358a. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, has a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return address of the control program executed by the CPU 511, various flags and counters, A work area (work area) in which values such as I / O are stored, and a backup area 513a are provided. In the work area, a payout permission flag 513b in which the payout permission of the prize ball by the payout control device 311 is set, a command reception flag 513c that is set when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received, and main control A command buffer 513d for storing a command transmitted from the device 261 is provided. The RAM 513 is configured to hold (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a. Data is backed up.

  The backup area 513a stores a stack pointer at the time of power interruption, a value of each register, I / O, a storage pointer and a read pointer in the command buffer 513d, etc. when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. When the power is turned on, the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is shut off based on the information in the backup area 513a. Writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is shut off by the main process (see FIG. 29), and restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is executed in the main process when the power is turned on. As with the CPU 501 of the main controller 261, the power failure signal SK1 is input to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When input to the CPU 511, NMI interrupt processing as power failure processing is immediately executed.

  The payout permission flag 513b is a flag for setting a prize ball payout permission, and is turned on when a specific command for permitting the payout of prize balls is transmitted from the main control device 261, and when the specific command is received, It is turned off when returning to the setting process or before power-off. In the present embodiment, the specific commands are a payout initialization command for instructing the initial processing of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command for instructing payout of a prize ball, and the main controller 261 having been restored to power. There are three payout return commands to be transmitted in this case.

  The command reception flag 513c is a flag for confirming whether or not the payout control device 311 has received a command. The command reception flag 513c is turned on when any command is received, and, similarly to the payout permission flag 513b, It is turned off when the power is restored before the power is shut off, and is turned off when the received command is determined by command determination processing (see FIG. 32) described later.

  The command buffer 513d is configured by a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from the main control device 261. The ring buffer has a predetermined storage area, and commands are stored with regularity from the beginning to the end of the storage area. When commands are stored in all storage areas, the ring buffer is at the start of the storage area. The return command is configured to be updated. Therefore, when the command is stored and when the command is read, the storage pointer and the read pointer in the command buffer 513d are updated, and the command is stored and read based on each pointer.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 via a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. The main controller 261, the launch controller 312 and the payout motor 358a are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the gaming machine by the launch motor 229, and the launch motor 229 is permitted to drive when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal is detected that the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch that stops firing is operated. On the condition that it is not done, the launch motor 229 is driven, and a game ball is launched with an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

  Further, the power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10 and a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power interruption due to a power failure or the like. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches and motors, + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, etc. These + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute a power failure process (NMI interrupt processing).

  It should be noted that the power supply unit 541 is the drive voltage of the control system for a time sufficient to execute the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. It is comprised so that the output of a volt | bolt may be maintained at a normal value. Therefore, the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process (NMI interrupt process).

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described. Each control process executed mainly by the CPU 501 in the main controller 261 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processing of the CPU 501 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec), and a stop to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). There is NMI interrupt processing activated by signal input. For convenience of explanation, first, timer interrupt processing and NMI interrupt processing will be described, and then main processing will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. This process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 every 2 msec, for example. In the timer interrupt process in the present embodiment, a process of reading the state of various switches connected to the main control device 261 and determining the state of the switch and storing winning detection information is performed. In the present embodiment, the RAM 503 (the work area) has various flags (an opportunity corresponding port invalid flag, a release flag, a big hit release operation flag, a big hit release flag, a specific hit flag, a valid entry flag, Entry error flag, specific area passage flag, remaining sphere monitoring flag, passage completion determination flag, final release completion flag, sphere standby flag, return operation flag, etc., various counters (first and second prize balls described later) Counters, opening / closing control counters, remaining ball monitoring counters, incoming counters, round counters, big hit hourly entry counters, etc.) and various timers (ball entry error timer, opening / closing control timer, big hit control timer, etc. described later) Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the timer interrupt process includes a winning mouth switch process in step S301, an opportunity corresponding mouth switch process in step S302, a count switch process in step S303, a specific area switch process in step S304, and a remaining ball process in step S305. It consists of a series of processing such as switch processing.

  In the winning port switch process, first, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the winning port switch 221. If it is determined that a detection signal has been input, the value of the first prize ball counter is incremented by 1, and the process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal is not input, this processing is terminated as it is. In the external output process of the normal process, which will be described later, based on the value of the first prize ball counter, prize ball commands of the number of prize balls (four in this example) corresponding to the prize winnings to the general prize opening 31a, 31b are received. It is output to the payout control device 311. Further, when the prize ball command is output, the value of the first prize ball counter is reset.

  The opportunity corresponding port switch process in step S302 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the first trigger corresponding port switch 224a or the second trigger corresponding port switch 224b (see FIG. 9). That is, it is determined here whether or not a game ball has entered the first opportunity corresponding port 33 or the second opportunity corresponding port 34 (see FIG. 4). If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S401, in step S402, 1 is added to the value of the first prize ball counter that is taken into account when setting the prize ball command output to the payout control device 311. In the external output process of the normal process described later, based on the value of the first prize ball counter, the number of prize balls corresponding to entering the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the second opportunity corresponding port 34 (4 in this example) ) Prize ball commands are output to the payout control device 311.

  Subsequently, in step S403, it is determined whether or not the opportunity corresponding port invalid flag is on. This opportunity corresponding port invalid flag indicates that the ball entering the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224a and the second opportunity corresponding port switch 224b is opened by the variable winning device unit 37 (the wing solenoids D2 and D3 are excited, When the blades 405a and 405b are opened) are in an effective state (starting trigger valid state), they are off. On the other hand, when they are invalid (starting trigger invalid state), they are on. It is. Here, when it is determined that the opportunity corresponding port invalid flag is on (step S403: YES), this processing is ended as it is. That is, the variable winning device unit 37 is not opened.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is not on (step S403: NO), the process proceeds to step S404, and the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is turned on. The opportunity corresponding port invalid flag is turned off in the remaining ball monitoring process (FIG. 31: step S1304) described later. That is, until the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is turned off in the remaining ball monitoring process, even if there is a ball entering the first trigger corresponding port 33 and the second trigger corresponding port 34, the variable winning device unit resulting from the pitch 37 is not opened. In the present embodiment, a process for determining whether or not the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is on in step S403, a process for turning on the trigger corresponding port invalid flag in step S404 if a negative determination is made in step S403, Step S406 performed after step S404, processing for setting a numerical value in the opening / closing control counter to perform the opening / closing control processing in step S407, and response to trigger of step S1304 described later performed when the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is 0 The process of turning off the mouth invalid flag corresponds to the opening permission control means and the start trigger state switching means.

  Then, it progresses to step S405 and it is determined whether the detection signal by which the input was confirmed by the said step S401 is a detection signal from the 1st opportunity corresponding | compatible port switch 224a. If the determination is affirmative, in step S406, the value of the open / close control counter JC used in the open / close control process of the variable prize device unit 37, which will be described later, is set to indicate that there is a ball in the first opportunity corresponding port 33. Set to “1” as shown, and the process ends. As will be described in detail later, the opening / closing control counter JC takes any value from “0” to “9”, and the processing content is determined based on this value when the variable winning device unit 37 is opened / closed. Is done.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S405, that is, if the detection signal whose input has been confirmed in step S401 is a detection signal from the second trigger corresponding port switch 224b, the opening / closing control counter JC is determined in step S407. The value is set to “3” indicating that there is a ball in the second opportunity corresponding port 34, and this process is terminated.

  Next, the count switch process in step S303 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the game winning ball enters the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 when the variable winning device unit 37 is open (when the blades 405a and 405b are open), The ball is guided from the game ball rolling unit 404 to the game ball sorting mechanism 402 via the guide passage 406. At this time, the game ball is detected by the count switch 223b.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the count switch 223b (see FIG. 9). That is, here, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S501, in step S502, 1 is added to the value of the second prize ball counter that is considered when setting the prize ball command. In the external output process of the normal process, which will be described later, based on the value of the second prize ball counter, prize ball commands corresponding to the number of prize balls (15 in this example) corresponding to the prize winning unit 37 are paid out. It is output to the control device 311. Further, when the prize ball command is output, the value of the second prize ball counter is reset.

  Subsequently, in step S503, 1 is added to the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter that is taken into consideration in the remaining sphere monitoring process described later. The remaining sphere monitoring counter is reset to 0 when the power is turned on while the RAM erasing switch 323 is pressed. That is, the initial value in this embodiment is zero. Thereafter, in step S504, it is determined whether or not an open flag indicating whether or not the variable winning device unit 37 is in an open state (blades 405a and 405b are in an open state) is on. When a negative determination is made here, that is, when the variable winning device unit 37 is not in an open state, a jackpot opening operation in-progress flag indicating that the jackpot round is being performed (not an interval between rounds) is turned on in step S505. It is determined whether or not When a negative determination is made here, that is, when the big hit round is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S508.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S504 or step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, and it is determined whether or not the value of the pitching counter that counts the number of pitches into the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 is 10 or more. To do. If a negative determination is made here, the value of the entrance counter is incremented by 1 in step S507, and the process proceeds to step S508. If an affirmative determination is made in step S506, the process proceeds to step S508 without adding the value of the entrance counter.

  In step S508, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag indicating that the big hit is on is on. If a negative determination is made here, that is, if the jackpot is not being hit, it is determined in step S509 whether or not the specific area valid flag is on. This specific area valid flag indicates whether or not the game ball entering the third passage port 427 (detection of the specific area switch 223a) is in an effective state as a trigger for starting the big hit state when it is other than the big hit. When the jackpot is hit, it indicates whether or not the game ball entering the third passage port 427 is in an effective state as an opportunity to continue the round hitting the jackpot.

  Then, if a negative determination is made in step S509, that is, if the game ball is in a state where no big hit occurs even if it enters the third passage port 427, this processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, in step S510, when the game ball entering the third passage port 427 is in a state that is effective as a trigger for the big hit state or the continuation of the round, the variable winning device unit 37 The valid entry flag is turned on to indicate that there was an entry (detection of the count switch 223b) in the inner area. Thereafter, in step S511, a count sound command for generating a count sound corresponding to the ball entering the internal area of the variable winning device 37 is set, and then this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S508, that is, if the jackpot is being hit, the process proceeds to step S512, where it is determined whether or not the round counter for counting the number of rounds that is jackpot is zero. That is, here, it is determined whether or not it is the first round (a state in which a jackpot will be started from now on). Here, when an affirmative determination is made, the present process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S513, and whether or not the value of the big hit hour entry counter for counting the number of balls entered into the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 during the big hit is 10 or more. Determine. If an affirmative determination is made here, the present process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, 1 is added to the value of the big hit entry counter in step S514. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S515, and after setting the count command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp and the voice mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the ball entering the internal area of the variable winning device 37, The process ends. This count command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in an external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201) of a normal process described later. Then, the sound lamp control device 262 that has received the count command turns on, blinks, or turns off the lamp, or outputs sound from the speaker 249 based on the count command.

  Next, the specific area switching process in step S304 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when a game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 is guided to the game ball distribution mechanism 402, the game ball is accommodated in any one of the accommodating portions of the rotating body 414. . Here, when the game ball is accommodated in the third accommodation portion 423, it enters the entry into the third passage 427 and is detected by the specific area switch 223a.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not a ball entry error flag indicating an error state due to illegal ball entry or the like into the third passage port 427 is on. If a negative determination is made here, the process advances to step S602 to determine whether or not a detection signal is input from the specific area switch 223a. That is, here, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the third passage port 427. If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S602, the process proceeds to step S603 to determine whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is zero. As described above, the remaining ball monitoring counter is counted up when a game ball is detected by the count switch 223b (a ball entering the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37) (FIG. 18: (See step S503). In addition, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is 0 in a state where the count switch 223b is not detected and the specific area switch 223a and the remaining sphere processing switch 225 are not detected (for example, an initial state when the power is turned on). It is. If a negative determination is made here, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is decremented by 1 in step S604. In the present embodiment, the remaining sphere monitoring counter corresponds to the count storage means, and the process of adding the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter in step S503 corresponds to the first update means, and the remaining in step S604 and the remaining in step S703 described later. The process of subtracting the value of the sphere monitoring counter corresponds to the second update means. Further, the process for determining whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter in step S603 is 0 corresponds to the specific remaining sphere monitoring means that is performed when the specific detection means detects.

  Subsequently, in step S605, it is determined whether or not the specific area valid flag is on. If a negative determination is made here, that is, if the game ball is in a state where a big hit is not made even if it enters the third passing port 427, the present process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S605, the process proceeds to step S606, and when the ball entering the third passage port 427 is in an effective state as a trigger for opening the variable winning device unit 37, the game A specific area passage flag indicating that the ball has entered the third passage port 427 (detection of the specific area switch 223a) is turned on. Subsequently, in step S607, a specific area passing command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp and the sound mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the game ball entering the third passage port 427 is set. The specific area passing command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in an external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201) of a normal process described later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S603, that is, if the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is 0, the ball entry error flag is turned on in step S608. In the present embodiment, the game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 is first detected by the count switch 223b and then detected by the specific area switch 223a or the remaining ball processing switch 225. For this reason, normally, in the stage where the specific area switch 223a detects a game ball, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter cannot be zero. In other words, if the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is 0 at this timing, an illegal act is performed in which the specific area switch 223a is illegally detected by illegally entering a game ball into the third passage port 427 or the like. There is a high possibility. For this reason, in this step S603, the entrance error flag indicating that the detection by the specific area switch 223a is performed due to an illegal act or the like is turned on. Further, in step S609, a game stop time (for example, 31 seconds) is set in the pitching error timer. Although the entry error timer is described as setting time for convenience, a numerical value for determining time is actually set. For example, when it is desired to grasp the elapse of 31 seconds in the timer interrupt process, the timer interrupt process is performed every 2 msec in this example, so a value such as 15500 is set in the pitch error timer. Each time the timer interrupt process is performed (every 2 msec), the value of the entrance error timer is decremented by 1, and when the entrance error timer value becomes 0, the passage of 31 seconds can be grasped. is there.

  Subsequently, in step S610, after setting the lighting error command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp and the sound mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the error caused by the illegal entry to the third passage 427. This process is terminated. The incoming ball error command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in an external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201) of a normal process described later. In the present embodiment, the process for turning on the specific area passing flag in step S606 and the process for turning off the specific area passing flag in step S1002 performed when a negative determination is made in step S603 corresponds to the special gaming state occurrence determination means. To do.

  If the determination in step S601 is affirmative, that is, if the pitch error flag is on, it is determined in step S611 whether the pitch error timer is zero. That is, here, it is determined whether or not the game stop time (31 seconds in this example) has elapsed. If a negative determination is made here, the value of the pitching error timer is decremented by 1 in step S615, and then this process ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S611, the ball entering error flag is turned off in step S612, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is reset (set to 0) in step S613, and a ball entering error cancel command is issued in step S614. Set and finish this process. In other words, even if a hall official does not operate a ball-turning error return switch 324, which will be described later, after the game stop time (for example, 31 seconds) has elapsed, an error state caused by illegal ball-turning is released. . The incoming ball error cancel command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in an external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201) of a normal process described later.

  Next, the remaining sphere process switch process in step S305 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, first, in step S701, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the remaining ball processing switch 225 (see FIG. 9). As described above, a game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 by the remaining ball processing switch 225 that detects a game ball that has entered the first passage port 425 and the second passage port 426. Among these, game balls that have not entered the third passage port 427 (game balls that are not detected by the specific area switch 223a) are detected. If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S701, it is determined in step S702 whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is zero. If a negative determination is made here, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is decremented by 1 in step S703, and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S702, that is, if a game ball is detected by the remaining ball processing switch 225 in a state where no game ball is detected by the count switch 223b, a ball entry error is detected in step S704. In addition to turning on the flag, in step S705, the game stop time (31 seconds in this example) is set in the pitching error timer, and this processing is terminated.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt processing. This processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By performing this NMI interrupt, the state of the main controller 261 at the time of power-off in the normal processing described later is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

  That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main controller 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process. In step S801, the CPU 501 stores the power interruption occurrence information in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power interruption occurrence information, and performs the NMI interruption process. finish.

  The above NMI interrupt processing is executed in the same manner in the payout control device 311, and information on occurrence of power interruption is stored in the backup area 513 a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SK1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout controller 311 and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed. The NMI interrupt process in FIG. 21 is started. The contents are as described above.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a main process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. This main process is started upon reset when power is turned on.

  First, in step S101, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, in order to set a predetermined value in the stack pointer and wait for the sub-side control device (sound lamp control device 262, payout control device 311 etc.) to become operable, for example, Wait processing is performed for about 1 second. In the subsequent step S102, RAM access is permitted.

  Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed (ON). If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S115 to clear (erase) the backup data. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, it is determined in the subsequent step S104 whether or not occurrence information of power supply interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if it is not set, no backup data is stored. In this case as well, the process proceeds to step S115. If power failure occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, a RAM determination value is calculated in step S105, and in the subsequent step S106, whether or not the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off. That is, the effectiveness of the backup is determined. If the RAM determination value calculated here does not match the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, the backed up data is destroyed, and in this case, the process also proceeds to step S115.

  In the process of step S115, a payout initialization command (and voice initialization command, etc.) is transmitted to initialize the payout control device 311 (and the voice lamp control device 262 and the like) as the sub-side control device. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S116, etc.). Note that the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Instead of the RAM determination value, it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 is correctly stored. In the present embodiment, the RAM initialization process in step S116 corresponds to the initial value setting means.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 10 is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323 when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall starts business. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is turned on, the process proceeds to a RAM initialization process (step S116, etc.). Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power interruption is not set, or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like), the process proceeds to initialization processing of the RAM 503 (step S116 or the like). That is, in step S116, the used area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S117, the initial value of the RAM 503 is set. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S114, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 has not been pressed, the power-off occurrence information is set, and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. Execute the process (process when power is restored).

  More specifically, in step S107, it is determined whether or not a big hit flag (see step S1005 in FIG. 24 to be described later) indicating that a big hit is on. In other words, it is determined whether or not the power is cut off during the jackpot state (specifically, during the jackpot control process described later).

  If a negative determination is made here, the value of the opening control counter JC (see step S901 in FIG. 22 described later) indicating that the variable winning device unit 37 is being opened / closed is not “0” in step S108. It is determined whether or not. That is, it is determined whether or not the power supply has been cut off during the opening control of the variable winning device unit 37 triggered by entering the opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S107 or an affirmative determination is made in step S108, the return operation flag is turned on in step S109, and then the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in both step S107 and step S108 (when the big hit flag is off and the value of the release control counter JC is “0”), the process proceeds to step S110 as it is.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag in step S107 is on, and whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC in step S108 is other than “0”. The process corresponds to a startup time determination unit. In the present embodiment, the in-return operation flag corresponds to the determination result storage unit. Incidentally, the flag is a storage area for storing a numerical value of “0” or “1”. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the flag value “0” is referred to as “off”, and the flag value “1” is referred to as “on”. In the present embodiment, the fact that the big hit flag is on means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means (progress storage means) is a specific value, and the big hit flag is off. This means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means (progress storage means) is a value other than a specific value. The value stored in the open / close state storage means (progress storage means) is a specific value that the value of the opening control counter JC is a value other than “0” (“1” to “9”). In other words, the value of the open control counter JC being “0” means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means (progress storage means) is a value other than a specific value.

  In step S110, the stack pointer before power-off is restored. In subsequent step S111, the information on occurrence of power interruption is cleared. In subsequent step S112, a command for returning the sub-side control device to the gaming state at the time of power-off is transmitted. In the subsequent step S113, the used register is restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. As described above, by executing the process at the time of power recovery, the continuation of the process performed at the time of power-off is executed. Thereafter, interrupt permission is set in step S114, and the routine proceeds to normal processing described later.

  Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this normal process, the main process of the game is executed. As its outline, the processes of steps S201 to S208 are executed as a periodic process with a period of 4 msec.

  In FIG. 15, first, in step S201, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. For example, the presence / absence of winning detection information is determined. If there is winning detection information, a winning ball payout command corresponding to the acquired winning ball is transmitted to the payout control device 311. In addition, here, control signals for driving various actuators such as the variable winning device unit 37 are also output.

  In step S202, the winning ball counting signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S203, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Thereafter, an opening / closing control process of the variable prize device unit 37 is performed at step S204, a big hit control process is performed at step S205, and a remaining ball monitoring process is performed at step S206. Details of the processes in steps S204 to S206 will be described later.

  After that, in step S207, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power supply interruption is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If the occurrence information of the power interruption is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S208 whether or not the next normal process execution timing has been reached, that is, a predetermined time from the start of the previous normal process (4 msec in the present embodiment). ) Or not. And if predetermined time has already passed, it will transfer to Step S201 and will repeat the processing after the above-mentioned Step S201. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous normal process, this step is repeatedly executed until the next normal process execution timing is reached.

  In step S207, if the information on occurrence of power interruption is set, the power is turned off. Therefore, the processing after step S209 is performed as a power failure process at the time of power interruption. In the power failure process, first, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S209, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area in step S210, and the value of the stack pointer is saved in the backup area 503a in step S211. To remember. Thereafter, in step S212, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to another control device. In step S213, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Thereafter, the RAM access is prohibited in step S214, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and the processing cannot be executed.

  Note that the process of step S207 is executed at the timing when the series of processes corresponding to the game state change performed in steps S201 to S206 ends or when the remaining time ends. Therefore, in the normal process of the main controller 261, the occurrence information of the power interruption is confirmed at the end of each process, so that the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is less than that in the middle of each process. And can be easily memorized. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the main control device 261 can be reduced. . Furthermore, since the generation of interrupt processing is prohibited before data storage (step S211), it is possible to prevent data from being changed when the power is shut off, and to reliably store the state before the power is shut off. .

  If a power failure occurs during the opening / closing control process of the variable prize device unit 37, which will be described in detail later, the value of the opening / closing control counter JC, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST used in the opening / closing control process, and the remaining ball The value of the monitoring counter or the like is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. When power is restored, the continuation of the open / close control process performed when the power is turned off is executed based on the value of the open / close control counter JC and the value of the open / close control timer ST stored in the backup area 503a. (See step S103 in FIG. 14).

  In addition, when a power failure occurs during the jackpot control process, which will be described in detail later, the value of the round counter used in the jackpot control process, the value of the number-of-releases counter, the value of the jackpot control timer, and the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter Etc. are stored in the backup area 503a. Then, when power is restored, the continuation of the jackpot control process that was performed when the power was turned off based on the value of the round counter stored in the backup area 503a, the value of the number-of-releases counter, the value of the jackpot control timer, etc. Will be executed.

  When a power failure occurs, the value of the open / close control counter JC, the value of the open / close control timer ST, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter, etc. are not stored (saved) in the backup area 503, but the open / close control counter JC, The open / close control timer ST, the remaining ball monitoring counter, and the like may store (maintain) the values stored before the power failure even after the power failure. In this embodiment, the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 corresponds to an open / close state storage unit, a progress storage unit, and a disconnection storage unit. More specifically, in the backup area 503a, an area for storing the value of the open / close control counter JC, the value of the big hit control timer, etc. corresponds to the open / closed state storage means (elapsed storage means), and the on / off state of the big hit middle flag The area for storing the number corresponds to the off-time storage means.

  Here, the opening / closing control processing of the variable winning device unit in step S204 will be described with reference to FIGS. The opening / closing control process is performed when the entry of a game ball into the first opportunity corresponding port 33 or the second opportunity corresponding port 34 is detected in the opportunity corresponding port process (see FIG. 17). In this process, the blades 405a and 405b of the unit 37 are opened. In the present embodiment, when there is a ball entering the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the blades 405a and 405b are opened once, and when there is a ball entering the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the blades 405a and 405b are opened. Opened twice. Further, the opening time of the blades 405a and 405b in the present embodiment is set to 0.6 seconds per time.

  As shown in FIG. 22, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is other than zero. If a negative determination is made here, this processing is terminated as it is. That is, the value of the open / close control counter JC being “0” indicates that the open / close control process is not being performed. As described above, the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “1” or “3” when a ball enters the first opportunity corresponding port 33 or the second opportunity corresponding port 34. (See FIG. 17: Steps S406 and S407).

  Here, the open / close control counter JC will be described. As described above, the open / close control counter JC takes any value from “0” to “9”, but when the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1” or “3”, the variable winning device unit 37 This is the stage before opening, and when “2”, “4”, and “6”, it is the opening start stage of the variable winning device unit 37. When it is “5”, it is the first closing stage (interval stage between the first opening and the second opening) when the variable winning apparatus unit 37 is opened twice, and when it is “7”, the variable winning apparatus is This is the closing stage of the unit 37. “8” is an elapse stage of a period in which the ball entering the third passing port 427 is effective as a trigger for the occurrence of the big hit state after the variable winning device unit 37 is closed. This is the end stage of the control process.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S901, it is determined in step S902 whether or not an open flag indicating whether or not the variable prize-winning device unit 37 is in an open state. If an affirmative determination is made here, it is determined in step S903 whether or not the value of the entrance counter is 10 or more. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S904, and the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “7”. Then, the process proceeds to step S905, after resetting the value of the open / close control timer ST for determining whether or not the time to proceed to the next step in the open / close control process has arrived (after being set to 0), Control proceeds to step S941 (see FIG. 23).

  In addition, although the description that the time is set is described in the opening / closing control timer ST for the sake of convenience, a numerical value for determining the time is actually set. For example, when it is desired to grasp the elapse of 0.6 seconds, since the normal process is performed every 4 msec in this example, a value such as 150 is set in the open / close control timer ST. Then, every time the normal process (open / close control process) is performed (every 4 msec), the value of the open / close control timer ST is decremented by 1, and the value of the open / close control timer ST becomes 0 for 0.6 seconds. It is a condition that the progress of can be grasped.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S902 or step S903, it is determined in step S906 whether the value of the open / close control counter JC is “9”. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S910 described later.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S906 (when JC = “9”), it is determined in step S907 whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. If an affirmative determination is made here, the value of the open / close control timer ST is reset in step S908 (the value of the open / close control timer ST is set to 0), and then the process proceeds to step S912. In the present embodiment, the process of determining whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter in step S907 is “0” corresponds to the early remaining sphere monitoring process.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S907 (if the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is not “0”), in step S909, is the returning operation flag (see FIG. 14: step S109) turned on? Determine whether or not. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a power interruption during the opening / closing control process. If the determination is affirmative (when the power is turned off during the opening / closing control process), the process proceeds to step S910. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S909, the present process is terminated as it is. In the present embodiment, the process for determining whether or not the returning operation flag in step S909 is on corresponds to the early history determination means.

  In step S910, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control timer ST is "0". If a negative determination is made here, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is decremented by 1 in step S911, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S910, the process proceeds to step S912. If an affirmative determination is made in step S907 as described above, step S910 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S912. Thus, even if the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is not “0”, the subsequent processing (step S912 and subsequent steps) can be executed. If an affirmative determination is made in step S907, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is reset in step S908, and the same effect is exhibited even if the process proceeds to step S910.

  In step S912, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1” or “3”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not it is a stage for setting a waiting time before opening the variable winning device unit 37 (exciting the blade solenoids D2 and D3). If an affirmative determination is made here, the standby time (0.6 seconds in this example) is set in the open / close control timer ST in step S913, and then the process proceeds to step S947 (see FIG. 23).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S912, the process proceeds to step S914 to determine whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “6”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not it is a stage where the variable winning device unit 37 is opened. If an affirmative determination is made here, it is determined in step S915 whether or not the big hit flag is on. If the determination is affirmative, the value of the opening control counter JC is set to “9” in step S916, and then the process proceeds to step S947 (see FIG. 23). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S915, the process proceeds to step S918.

  If a negative determination is made in step S914, the process proceeds to step S917 to determine whether the value of the open / close control counter JC is “2” or “4”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not it is a stage where the variable winning device unit 37 is opened. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S918.

  In step S918, an opening time (0.6 seconds in this example) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST. Subsequently, in step S919, an opening flag indicating that the variable winning device unit 37 is in an open state is turned on. In step S920, a game ball enters the third passage port 427 (detection of the specific area switch 223a). A specific area valid flag indicating that the jackpot state is in an effective state as a trigger is started. Thereafter, in step S921, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 (see FIG. 9) are set in an excited state (ON). That is, here, the variable prize-winning device unit 37 is opened. Then, after step S921, the process proceeds to step S947 (see FIG. 23).

  Further, when a negative determination is made in step S917 (when the value of the open / close control counter JC is other than “2” or “4”, that is, any one of “5”, “7”, “8”, “9”). If YES, the process proceeds to step S922.

  In step S922, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “8”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not a valid time (see FIG. 23: step S944), which will be described later, has elapsed after the variable winning device unit 37 is closed. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S925 described later. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S922, the process proceeds to step S923, and is variable when the game ball enters the third passage port 427 in a valid state (when the specific area valid flag is on). It is determined whether or not a valid entry flag (see FIG. 18: step S510) indicating that there has been a turn in the internal area of the winning device unit 37 is ON. If the determination is negative, 1 is added to the value of the open / close control counter JC in step S924. That is, here, since 1 is added to the value of the open / close control counter JC being “8”, the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “9”. Then, after step S924, the process proceeds to step S925.

  In step S925, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “9”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not a series of opening / closing control processing based on the entrance to the opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is completed. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S941 (see FIG. 23). On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S925, it is determined in step S926 whether or not a big hit flag indicating that a big hit is on is on. If an affirmative determination is made here, that is, if a big hit is being made, the process proceeds to step S941 (see FIG. 23).

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S926, the specific area valid flag is turned off in step S927, and in step S928, a remaining sphere monitoring flag indicating that a remaining sphere monitoring process to be described in detail later is performed is turned on. After step S928, after setting an open end command in step S929, the process proceeds to step S941 (see FIG. 23).

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S923 (when the valid entry flag is on), the valid entry flag is turned off in step S930 and the opening / closing control timer ST in step S931. Set the extension time to (2.5 seconds in this example). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S941 (see FIG. 23).

  Turning to the description of FIG. 23, in step S941, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “5”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not the first release period of the two releases based on the entrance to the second opportunity corresponding port 34 is over. If the determination is affirmative, in step S942, a standby time (0.6 seconds in this example) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST, and then the process proceeds to step S945.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S941, it is determined in step S943 whether the value of the open / close control counter JC is “7”. Note that, by this determination, it is determined whether or not the opening period of the variable winning device unit 37 is over. If an affirmative determination is made here, an effective time (2 seconds in this example) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST in step S944, and then the process proceeds to step S945. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S943, the process proceeds to step S947.

  In step S945, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are set in a non-excited state (off). That is, here, the variable winning device unit 37 is in a closed state. Subsequently, in step S946, after turning off the release flag indicating that the variable winning device unit 37 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S947.

  In step S947, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “2”. If the determination is affirmative, the value of the open / close control counter is set to “7” in step S948, and this process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S947, it is determined in step S949 whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “9”. If the determination is affirmative, the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “0” in step S950, and then the present process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S949, the value of the open / close control counter JC is incremented by 1 in step S951, and then this process is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the processing performed when the value of the open / close control counter JC is other than “0” as described above (particularly when the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1” to “7”). The processing performed) constitutes an opening / closing control means. In this embodiment, the period from when the valid time is set in the open / close control timer ST in step S944 until the value of the open / close control timer ST becomes “0” corresponds to the first valid period. The process of S944 corresponds to first valid period setting means. In addition, the period from when the extension time is set in the opening / closing control timer ST in step S931 until the value of the opening / closing control timer ST becomes “0” corresponds to the second effective period, and the processing in step S931 is performed. This corresponds to the second validity period setting process.

  The opening / closing control processing of the variable winning device unit is performed as described above. Here, for example, after the game ball enters the first opportunity corresponding port 33 (second opportunity corresponding port 34), it is variable. A flow until the winning device unit 37 (blades 405a and 405b) is opened and then closed is described.

  First, when a game ball enters the first opportunity corresponding port 33, “1” is set to the value of the open / close control counter JC based on the detection information of the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224a (see FIG. 17).

  In the subsequent opening / closing control process, since the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is not “0” (because it is “1”), an affirmative determination is made in step S901, and the flow proceeds to step S902. In step S902, since the variable winning device unit 37 has not been opened yet, the process proceeds to step S910 via step S906 (NO determination). In step S910, since the time has not yet been set in the opening / closing control timer ST and the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is 0, the process proceeds to step S912. In step S912, since the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1”, the process proceeds to step S913. In step S913, a waiting time (for example, 0.6 seconds) until the variable winning device unit 37 is opened is set in the opening / closing control timer ST. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S947 (NO determination) and step S949 (NO determination). In step S951, the value of the open / close control counter JC is incremented by 1 (here, the value of the open / close control counter JC becomes “2”). The process ends.

  Thereafter, the variable winning device unit opening / closing control process is performed in a state where the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “2”. Therefore, until the standby time elapses, negative determination is continued in step S910 after proceeding with step S901 (YES determination), step S902 (NO determination), and step S906 (NO determination). When the standby time has elapsed (ST = 0), the value of the open / close control counter JC is “2”. It progresses to the process which makes the variable prize-winning device unit 37 an open state.

  That is, an opening time (for example, 0.6 seconds) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST in step S918, the opening flag is turned on in step S919, the specific area valid flag is turned on in step S920, and the blade solenoid is turned on in step S921. After D2 and D3 are in the excited state, the process proceeds to step S947 (see FIG. 23).

  In step S947, since the value of the open / close control counter JC is “2”, an affirmative determination is made, and the flow proceeds to step S948. In step S948, the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “7”, and then the present process is terminated.

  Thereafter, the variable winning device unit opening / closing control process is performed in a state where the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “7”, but the opening time (for example, 0.6 seconds) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST. Therefore, the negative determination is continued in step S910 after proceeding with step S901 (YES determination), step S902 (YES determination), step S903 (NO determination), and step S906 (NO determination) until the opening time elapses. . If the opening time has elapsed (ST = 0), a negative determination is made in any of step S912, step S914, step S917, step S922, and step S925, and the process proceeds to step S941. However, even before the opening time has elapsed, if it is determined in step S903 that there are 10 or more balls entered into the variable winning device unit 37, the process proceeds to step S941. In this case, in step S905, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is reset (set to 0), and even before the opening time has elapsed, the process shifts to a process of closing the variable winning device unit 37.

  In step S941, since the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is not “5”, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to step S943. In step S944, after an effective time (for example, 2 seconds) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST, the process proceeds to a process of closing the variable winning device unit 37. That is, in step S945, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are de-energized, and the release flag is turned off in step S946.

  After step S946, the process proceeds to step S947 (NO determination) and step S949 (NO determination). In step S951, the value of the open / close control counter JC is incremented by 1 (the value of the open / close control counter JC becomes “8”). This process ends.

  Thereafter, the variable winning device unit opening / closing control process is performed in a state where the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “8”, but an effective time (for example, 2 seconds) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST. Until the valid time elapses, a negative determination is continued in step S910 after step S901 (YES determination), step S902 (NO determination), and step S906 (NO determination).

  If the effective time has elapsed (step S910: YES), the process proceeds to step S922 via step S912 (NO determination), step S914 (NO determination), and step S917 (NO determination). In step S922, since JC = “8”, an affirmative determination is made, and the flow proceeds to step S923. If it is determined in step S923 that the valid entry flag is on, the valid entry flag is turned off in step S930, and the open / close control timer ST is extended in step S931. In this example, 2.5 seconds) is set, and then the process proceeds to step S941. That is, if a game ball enters the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 by the time set in step S944, the game ball still enters the ball entering the third passage port 427. Since there is a possibility of a ball, the period (valid time) during which the game ball enters the third passage port 427 is effective as a trigger for the occurrence of the big hit state is extended.

  Note that the effective time set in step S943 (for example, 2 seconds) is sufficient to detect the game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable winning device unit 37 is closed by the count switch 223b. It is set in anticipation of grace. That is, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter does not increase after the effective time has elapsed. In addition, the total time (for example, 4.5 seconds) of the effective time and the extended time (for example, 2.5 seconds) is the same as that for the game ball that entered the internal area immediately before the variable prize-winning device unit 37 is closed. It is set in anticipation of sufficient time to be discharged from the internal area. In other words, after the extended time has elapsed, there is no gaming ball in the inner region unless a ball clogging occurs.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S923, 1 is added to the value of the open / close control counter JC in step S924, and the value of the open / close control counter becomes “9”. Then, after step S925 (YES determination), it is determined in step S926 whether or not a big hit is being made. Note that the jackpot flag is turned on in a jackpot control process described later. Here, if a negative determination is made, the specific area valid flag is turned off in step S927 (when the passing of the game ball to the third passing port 427 is invalid and there is a ball entering the ball) Is not a big hit). Then, the remaining sphere monitoring flag is turned on in step S928. That is, the remaining sphere monitoring process is performed at the end of the opening / closing control process. After step S928, an open end command is set in step S929, and then the process proceeds to step S941.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S926, that is, if a big hit is being made, the process directly proceeds to step S941. That is, when the big hit state is given, the remaining ball monitoring process is not performed at the end of the open / close control process (after the big hit state is finished).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S941 (NO determination), step S943 (NO determination), and step S947 (NO determination). In step S949, it is determined whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC is “9”. Here, when “9” is set to the value of the open / close control counter JC in step S924, an affirmative determination is made and the routine proceeds to step S950. In step S950, the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “0”, and this process ends. This completes a series of opening / closing control processes.

  In addition, when not passing through the above-described step S924, that is, when the variable winning device unit 37 is open or there is a ball in the internal area within the effective time and the extension time is set, the opening / closing control counter JC Since the value remains “8”, in step S951 after step S949 (NO determination), the value of the open / close control counter JC is incremented by 1 (the value of the open / close control counter JC becomes “9”). This process ends.

  Thereafter, the opening / closing control process is performed in a state where the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “9”. That is, after step S901 (YES determination) and step S902 (NO determination), since the value of the open / close control counter JC is “9” in step S906, an affirmative determination is made.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S907, and it is determined whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. If an affirmative determination is made here, the value of the open / close control timer ST is reset in step S908, and then the process proceeds to step S912. After step S912 (NO determination), the process proceeds to step S925 via step S914 (NO determination), step S917 (NO determination), and step S922 (NO determination). The subsequent step transition and processing contents are as described above.

  As described above, when the opening / closing control process is performed in the state where the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “9”, the extension time (for example, 2.5 seconds) is set in the opening / closing control timer ST. . However, in this embodiment, prior to determining whether the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is “0” (step S910), determining whether the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. (Step S907) is performed. If it is determined that the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is “0” (no game ball is present), the value of the open / close control counter JC is set to “0” without waiting for the extension time to elapse. The opening / closing control process is completed. That is, if all the game balls are discharged from the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37, there should be no balls entering the third passage port 427 within the extended time thereafter. For this reason, when it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area, the extended time (a period during which the game ball enters the third passage port 427 is effective as a trigger for the occurrence of the big hit state) is ended.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S907, it is determined in step S909 whether or not the returning operation flag is on. That is, it is determined whether or not the power is turned off during the opening / closing control process. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S910. However, since the extension time is set in the opening / closing control timer ST as described above, a negative determination is made, and after the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is decremented by 1 in step S911, this processing is terminated. Thereafter, in step S910 after step S901 (YES determination), step S902 (NO determination), step S906 (YES determination), step S907 (NO determination), and step S909 (YES determination) until the extension time elapses. The negative determination continues (however, only when the positive determination is not made in step S907 until the extension time elapses). When the extension time has elapsed, the opening / closing control process is completed through a step transition in which the value of the opening / closing control counter JC is “9”.

  If a negative determination is made in step S909, the process is terminated as it is. In this case, if an affirmative determination is not made in step S907, the process cannot proceed to step S910 and subsequent steps. For this reason, the value of the open / close control counter JC cannot be set to “0”, and the open / close control process is not completed. Since the remaining sphere monitoring flag is not turned on, the remaining sphere monitoring process is not performed.

  Note that the open / close control process based on the entry into the second opportunity corresponding port 34 also uses a different value for the open / close control counter JC, but the process flow is almost the same. If different points are mentioned, the same process is performed twice in order to open the variable winning device unit 37 twice (open / close control when the value of the open / close control counter JC is “4”, “6”). (Closed when the value of the counter JC is “5” or “7”), the interval time between the first opening and the second opening is set in the open / close control timer ST (step S942), the first time When a game ball enters the third passage opening 427 at the time of opening or when there are ten or more balls entering the variable winning device unit 37 at the first opening, the second opening (Step S914: YES, step S915: YES, step S916). In the present embodiment, the above-described opening / closing control process and a series of processes for opening / closing the blades 405a, 405b of the variable winning device unit 37 in the big hit state described later constitute an opening / closing control means.

  Next, the jackpot control process in step S205 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the jackpot control process corresponds to a special game process.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step 1001, it is determined whether or not a specific area passing flag (see FIG. 19: step S606) is on. This specific area passing flag indicates whether the game ball has entered the third passage port 427 when the game ball has entered the third passage port 427 in an effective state as an opening of the variable winning device unit 37. Indicates whether or not. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1009 described later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1001, the specific area passing flag is turned off in step S1002. Subsequently, in step S1003, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag indicating that the big hit is on. If a negative determination is made here, that is, if it is determined that the jackpot is not yet hit, processing for starting the jackpot state is performed. That is, in step S1004, the specific area valid flag turned on in step S920 (see FIG. 22) of the opening / closing control process is turned off, and in step S1005, the big hit middle flag indicating that the big hit is on. Thereafter, in step S1006, a jackpot opening command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp for notifying the start of the jackpot and the voice mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) is set. The jackpot opening command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in the external output process of the normal process (see FIG. 15: step S201). The sound lamp control device 262 that has received the jackpot opening command turns on / flashes / turns off the lamp or outputs sound from the speaker 249 based on the jackpot opening command. After step S1006, in step S1007, an opening time (time until an effect or the like performed based on the jackpot opening command ends) is set in a jackpot control timer, which will be described in detail later, and then the present process ends.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1008 to turn on a passed determination flag indicating that a game ball has entered the third passing port 427 during the big hit round, and to step S1009. Transition. This passed determination flag is considered when determining whether or not to continue the round (whether or not to end the jackpot state).

  In step S1009, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is on. If a negative determination is made in this step, the present process is terminated. That is, in a normal gaming state where the game ball does not enter the third passage port 427 and is not in a big hit, both the negative determination is made in step S1001 and step S1009, and the big hit control process is exited.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1009, it is determined in step S1010 whether or not a big hit release operation in-progress flag indicating that a big hit round is in progress is on. If a negative determination is made here, in step S1011, a jackpot closing process, which will be described in detail later, is executed, and then this process ends. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1010, in step S1012, a jackpot opening process that will be described in detail later is executed, and then this process ends.

  Here, the jackpot closing process in step S1011 will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot closing process is a process performed mainly immediately before the start of the first round, the interval between rounds, and immediately after the end of the final round.

  First, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not the jackpot control timer is “0”. The jackpot control timer is a timer used in the jackpot closing process and the jackpot opening process to be described later. Or, it is used to determine whether or not it is time to start the jackpot round. In addition, in the jackpot control timer, for the sake of convenience, it is described that time is set, but actually, a numerical value for determining the time is set. For example, when it is desired to grasp the passage of 1 second, the normal processing is performed every 4 msec in this example, so a value such as 250 is set in the jackpot control timer. Each time normal processing is performed (every 4 msec), the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is decremented by 1, and the value of the jackpot control timer becomes 0 so that 1 second can be grasped. .

  If a negative determination is made in step S1101, the value of the jackpot control timer is decremented by 1 in step S1102, and this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1103, and it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter that counts the number of rounds that are jackpots is zero. That is, it is determined whether it is the first round. If an affirmative determination is made here, it is determined in step S1106 whether or not the specific area valid flag (here, whether the game ball has entered the third passing port 427 is valid as an opportunity to continue the round of jackpots). After turning on (shown), the process proceeds to step S1107, which will be described later, in order to perform processing for starting the (initial) round.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1103, the process proceeds to step S1104, and whether or not the final released flag indicating the final round (the final round has been completed at this time) is on. Determine. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1105, and a passed determination flag indicating that the game ball has entered the third passage port 427 during the big hit (during the big hit round) (see FIG. 24: step S1008). It is determined whether or not is in an on state. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1107 to perform processing for starting the (next) round.

  In step S1107, the round counter value is incremented by one. Subsequently, in step S1108, it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter is 15. In this embodiment, since the jackpot state is set so that a maximum of 15 rounds are performed, it is determined here whether or not it is the final round (whether or not the final round is started). If a negative determination is made here, the process advances to step S1109 to turn on a jackpot opening operation in progress flag indicating that a jackpot round is in progress. Note that when the jackpot opening operation in-progress flag is turned on in step S1109 (or step S1115 described later), an affirmative determination is made in step S1010 of the jackpot control process (see FIG. 24), and the jackpot opening processing described later is performed. (See FIG. 26).

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S1110, the passed determination flag turned on in step S1008 of the jackpot control process (see FIG. 24) is turned off, and the release time (1 second in this example) is set in the jackpot control timer in step S1111. . Thereafter, in step S1112, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are energized (the blades 405a and 405b are opened, and the variable winning device 37 is opened). In subsequent step S1113, the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are set in an excited state (ON). Accordingly, the first passage port 425 and the third passage port 427 are closed, and the game balls accommodated in the first accommodation portion 421 or the third accommodation portion 423 are not discharged from the passage ports 425 and 427, and each accommodation portion Will stop at. After step S1113, in step S1114, 1 is added to the value of the number-of-opening counter for counting the number of times of excitation of the blade solenoids D2, D3 (number of times of opening of the blades 405a, 405b) during the big hit round. Exit.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1108, that is, if the final round is started, the process proceeds to step S1115, and the jackpot release operation flag is turned on. Subsequently, the passed determination flag is turned off in step S1116, and the final released flag indicating the final round is turned on in step S1117. Thereafter, an opening time (1 second in this example) is set in the jackpot control timer in step S1118, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are energized in step S1119, and the value of the opening number counter is incremented by 1 in step S1120. Then, this process is terminated.

  If the determination in step S1104 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1121, and after the final released flag (see step S1117) that was turned on when the final round is started is turned off, the process proceeds to step S1122. . In addition, if a negative determination is made in step S1105, that is, if the game ball does not enter the third passing port 427 during the big hit round, the process proceeds to step S1122.

  Step S1122 and subsequent steps are processing for ending the jackpot state. That is, in step S1122, when the big hit is started, the big hit medium flag turned on in step S1005 of the big hit control process (see FIG. 24) is turned off. Thereafter, the passed determination flag is turned off in step S1123 (if a negative determination is made in step S1105, the passed determination flag is already in an off state, and is thus turned off only when passing through step S1121). Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S1124, and when the first round is started, the specific area valid flag turned on in step S1106 is turned off. Then, the round counter is reset (set to 0) in step S1125, the remaining sphere monitoring flag indicating that the remaining sphere monitoring process described later is executed is turned on in step S1126, and the ending end command is set in step S1127. This process is terminated.

  Next, the big hit release process in step S1012 will be described with reference to FIG. The process during the jackpot release is a process performed during the jackpot round. In the present embodiment, in the big hit state, 18 rounds of opening of the blades 405a and 405b or 10 pitches into the variable winning device unit 37 are defined as one round, and 15 rounds are executed at the maximum.

  First, in step S1201, it is determined whether or not a ball waiting flag (see step S1218), which will be described in detail later, is on. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step S1202 whether the value of the jackpot control timer is zero. Here, it is determined whether or not a ball waiting time (see step S1217) described later has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S1202, the value of the jackpot control timer is decremented by 1 in step S1203, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S1202, the process proceeds to step S1214 described later.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1201, it is determined in step S1204 whether or not the value of the pitching counter is 10 or more. That is, here, it is determined whether or not the end time of the round has come. When an affirmative determination is made here (when the value of the winning counter is “10” or more), the process proceeds to step S1214, which will be described later, in order to perform processing for ending the round.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1204, the process proceeds to a process of opening and closing the blades 405a and 405b. That is, in step S1205, it is determined whether or not the value of the jackpot control timer is zero. If a negative determination is made here, that is, if it is not yet time to switch between opening and closing of the blades 405a and 405b, the value of the jackpot control timer is decremented by 1 in step S1210, and this processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1205, it is determined in step S1206 whether or not the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are in an excited state. When a negative determination is made here, processing for opening the blades 405a and 405b is performed. First, in step S1207, 1 is added to the value of the opening number counter for counting the number of times of excitation of the blade solenoids D2 and D3 during the big hit round. Subsequently, in step S1208, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are energized, and in step S1209, an open time (1 second in this example) is set in the jackpot control timer, and this process is terminated. As described above, only the opening control at the beginning of the jackpot round is performed in the jackpot closing process (see FIG. 25: Step S1111, Step S1112, Step S1118, Step S1119). The opening control that is performed is from the second opening during the jackpot round.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1206 (when the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are in an excited state), the process proceeds to step S1211 to determine whether or not the value of the number-of-openings counter is “18” or more. To do. That is, here, it is determined whether or not the end time of the round has come.

  If a negative determination is made here, that is, if the end time of the round has not yet arrived, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are de-energized in step S1212 and the blades 405a and 405b are closed, and a big hit in step S1213 A closing time (the length of the interval between releases: 0.6 seconds in this example) is set in the control timer, and this process ends. Thereafter, the opening and closing of the blades 405a and 405b are repeated until there are ten balls in the inner region of the variable pitching device unit 37 or until the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are opened 18 times. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S1211 (when the value of the number-of-openings counter is “18” or more), the process proceeds to step S1214 to perform a process of ending the round.

  In step S1214, the blade solenoids D2 and D3 are brought into a non-excited state. In a succeeding step S1215, it is determined whether or not the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are in a non-excited state (off state). The first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are excited at the start of the round (see FIG. 25: Step S1113). However, in the final round, the first and second solenoids 436 and 442 remain in a non-excited state.

  If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1216, and the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are returned to the non-excited state. As a result, the first passage port 425 and the third passage port 427 are opened, and the game balls stored in the first storage portion 421 or the third storage portion 423 are discharged from the passage ports 425 and 427. Then, the next round operation is executed on condition that the game ball enters the third passage port 427. In the present embodiment, normally, the probability that the game ball guided to the game ball distribution mechanism 402 is accommodated in the third accommodation unit 423 is at least apparently 1/10. However, during the round (excluding the final round), the first solenoid 436 and the second solenoid 442 are in an excited state (see FIG. 25: step 1113), so that the game ball introduced first is stored in the first. When it is accommodated in the part 421 and stopped, the probability that the next guided game ball is accommodated in the third accommodating part 423 is 1/9. As described above, assuming that the game balls are successively guided to the game ball sorting mechanism 402 without being stored in the third storage unit 423, and are stored and stopped in the first storage unit 423, the third storage unit The probability that a game ball is accommodated in 423 increases according to the number of game balls that are stopped in the first accommodation portion 421. Since the game ball is not stopped in the second storage unit 422, the probability of being stored in the third storage unit 423 is ½ at the maximum.

  After step S1216, the process proceeds to step S1217, and the ball waiting time is set in the jackpot control timer. Note that the next round is performed when the game ball enters the third passing port 427 within the ball waiting time set in step S1217. This waiting time for entering the ball is slightly longer than the sum of the time required for the rotating body 414 to make one rotation and the time required for the game ball discharged from the third housing portion 423 to enter the third passage port 427. Is set. For this reason, if a game ball is stored in the third storage unit 423 at the end of the round, the game ball will enter the third passage port 427 within the ball waiting time. In addition, when this step is performed due to an affirmative determination in step S1204, the value of the jackpot control timer at this point is not 0, but here, the waiting time for entering the ball is not added. Then, the waiting time is overwritten on the value of the jackpot control timer. After step S1217, in step S1218, a ball waiting flag indicating that the vehicle is in a standby state is turned on, and then the present process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1215, the final released flag that is turned on in step S1117 of the jackpot closing process (see FIG. 25) is turned on when the final round is started in step S1219. It is determined whether or not it is in a state. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1220, and an interval time (interval time until the next round is started) is set in the jackpot control timer. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1221, and in the interval until the next round is started, a round opening command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp and the audio mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the interval is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S1224. The round opening command is output to the audio lamp control device 262 in the external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201) of the normal process.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1219, that is, if the final round is completed, an ending time (interval time until the normal gaming state is started) is set (overwritten) in the jackpot control timer in step S1222. . Thereafter, in step S1223, in the interval until the normal gaming state is started, a jackpot ending command for deriving the lighting mode of the lamp and the voice mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the interval is set. To step S1224. This ending command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in the external output process of the normal process (see FIG. 15: step S201). In addition, the ending time is set in consideration of a time delay sufficient for a game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable winning device unit 37 is closed to be discharged from the internal area. That is, after the ending time elapses, there is no gaming ball in the inner area unless a ball clogging occurs.

  In step S1224, the big hit release operation flag is turned off. Note that when the jackpot opening operation flag is turned off in step S1224, a negative determination is made in step S1010 of the jackpot control process (see FIG. 24), and the process proceeds to the jackpot closing process in FIG. Thereafter, the number-of-opening counter is reset at step S1225, the entrance counter is reset at step S1226, the big hit entry counter is reset at step S1227, and the entrance standby flag (see step S1219) is turned off at step S1228. This process is finished.

  Next, the remaining sphere monitoring process in step S206 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1301, it is determined whether the remaining sphere monitoring flag is on. As described above, the remaining ball monitoring flag is turned on at the end of the big hit state (see FIG. 25: Step S1126) and at the end of the opening / closing control process (see FIG. 22: Step S928). If a negative determination is made here, the process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S1302.

  In step S1302, it is determined whether or not the returning operation flag (see FIG. 14: step S109) is on. That is, it is determined whether or not the power is cut off during the open / close control process of the variable winning device unit 37 or the big hit control process. If a negative determination is made here, it is determined in step S1303 whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. That is, in the present embodiment, the specified value (initial value) is “0”. As described above, the remaining ball monitoring counter is incremented by 1 when there is a ball entering the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 of the game ball and the count switch 223b is detected (FIG. 18). : Refer to step S503). When the game ball enters the third passage port 427 and the specific area switch 223a is detected (see FIG. 19: step S604), or the game ball is the first passage port 425 or the second passage port 426. 1 is subtracted when the remaining ball processing switch 225 is detected (see FIG. 19: step S703).

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1302 or an affirmative determination is made in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the trigger corresponding port invalid flag that is turned on in the trigger corresponding port switch process (see FIG. 17: step S404) is set. Turn off. Thereby, the ball entering the first and second opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is switched to the start opportunity valid state that is validated as the opportunity to open the variable winning device unit 37.

  Subsequently, the remaining sphere monitoring flag is turned off in step S1305, the returning operation flag is turned off in step S1306, and the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is reset in step S1307 (the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is set to 0). Thereafter, in step S1308, in order to derive the lighting state of the lamp and the sound mode of the speaker 249 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the normal time (a state where the jackpot is not being won and the variable winning device unit 37 is not opened). Set the normal command of and finish this processing. The normal time command is output to the sound lamp control device 262 in the normal output external output process (see FIG. 15: step S201). In this embodiment, the process of determining whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter in step S1303 is “0” corresponds to the remaining sphere monitoring means that is performed after the variable pitching means is closed. To do. The process of determining whether or not the returning operation flag in step S1302 is on corresponds to the history determination means. The process of resetting the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter in step S1307 corresponds to the initial value setting means.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1303, the present process ends. That is, when the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is not “0”, the game ball that has entered the variable winning device unit 37 is not normally discharged from the variable winning device unit 37. In other words, in this case, a ball clogging is occurring in the variable winning device unit 37 or an unauthorized state is being performed. In this case, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the second opportunity corresponding still remain. Even if there is a game ball to the mouth 34, the start trigger invalid state in which the blades 405a and 405b are not opened is maintained.

  Here, the flow when a power failure occurs during the opening / closing control process or the jackpot control process of the variable winning device unit 37 will be described. Since the details are as described above, a brief description will be given while omitting intermediate steps.

  When the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, a power failure process is performed, and the stack pointer, each register, I / O, and other values at the time of power interruption are stored in the backup area 503a (steps S210 and S211). In particular, when a power failure occurs during the opening / closing control process, the value of the opening / closing control counter JC, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST used in the opening / closing control process, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter, etc. It is stored in 503a. If a power failure occurs during jackpot control processing, the value of the round counter used in the jackpot control processing, the value of the number of opening counters, the value of the jackpot control timer, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter, etc. It is stored in 503a.

  When the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed at the time of power recovery, it is a condition that the information on occurrence of power interruption is set and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal. Execute processing at power recovery. Here, in this embodiment, the state of the big hit flag and the value of the open / close control counter JC stored (backed up) in the backup area 503a are confirmed (steps S107 and S108). If it is stored that the big hit flag is on, it can be determined that the power was cut off during the big hit control process. Further, when it is stored that the value of the open / close control counter JC is other than “0”, it can be determined that the power has been cut off during the open / close control process. As described above, when the power is cut off during the big hit control process or the open / close control process, the returning operation flag is turned on (step S109).

  Moreover, in the process at the time of power recovery, the pachinko machine 10 is returned to the state before power-off based on the information in the backup area 503a. Thereby, the continuation of the jackpot control process or the open / close control process performed before the power is turned off is performed. After returning the stack pointer and the register to be used to the state before power-off (after step S110 and step S113), it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is on, and the open / close control counter JC Even if a configuration is adopted in which a determination is made as to whether or not the value of the return value is other than “0” and the affirmative determination is made in any one of these determinations, the return operation flag is turned on. The

  Thereafter, the remaining ball monitoring process is performed after the big hit control process or the open / close control process is completed. In the remaining ball monitoring process, it is determined whether or not the returning operation flag is on (step S1302). If it is determined that the flag is on, the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is turned off (step S1303) without determining whether the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0” (step S1303). S1304), the remaining sphere monitoring flag is turned off (step S1305), the returning operation flag is turned off (step S1306), the remaining sphere monitoring counter is reset (step S1307), and the normal time command is set (step S1308). . That is, when the power is cut off during the big hit control process or the open / close control process, the start trigger valid state is switched regardless of the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter.

  Next, an error notification control process performed by the sound lamp control device 262 will be described with reference to FIG. This error notification control process determines whether or not the game ball is entered into the internal area of the variable prize device unit 37 and whether or not the game ball is discharged from the variable prize device unit 37. This is a process for deriving the corresponding lamp lighting mode and the audio mode of the speaker 249. When the voice lamp control device 262 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261, the voice lamp control device 262 stores the command in the RAM (command buffer) of the voice lamp control device 262, and the command is sent from the main control device 261. A reception interrupt process for turning on the command reception flag is performed in order to store the transmission. When the command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referred to and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is updated to store the next received command in the next storage area. The error notification control process is executed when it is determined that the command reception flag is turned on in the normal process performed every 4 msec by the sound lamp control device 262. Although details are omitted, in the error notification control process, a received command is read from the command buffer, and then a command reception flag is turned off. The error notification control process constitutes a remaining ball notification unit and a specific entry invalid notification unit. Also, the remaining ball notification means and the specific entry invalid notification means are also configured for the output of the normal time command, the output of the ending end command, and the output of the entrance error command of the main controller 261.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step S1401, it is determined whether or not a normal time command has been received. If the determination is negative, it is determined in step S1402 whether an ending end command (see FIG. 25: step S1127) has been received. If a negative determination is made here, it is determined in step S1403 whether or not an open end command (see FIG. 23: step S929) has been received. If a negative determination is made here, it is determined in step S1404 whether or not a ball entering error command (see FIG. 19: step S610) has been received. If a negative determination is made here, it is determined in step S1405 whether or not a ball entry error cancellation command (see FIG. 19: step S614) has been received. If a negative determination is made here, this processing ends.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1402 or step S1403, the process proceeds to step S1406, the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 (see FIG. 5) is turned on, and the present process is terminated. The notification only needs to be such that the variable winning device unit 37 is not opened even if a game ball enters the opportunity corresponding port 33, 34. In addition to the notification based on the points and the like, the configuration may be such that the notification is performed based on the sound mode such as the speaker 249 and the display mode on the display device such as a liquid crystal device which is not provided in the present embodiment. In addition, a cable connected to the hall computer managed by the hall is connected to the output side of the input / output port 505, and a signal indicating that a clogged ball or an illegal act has occurred is output to the hall computer. It may be broken.

  In addition, when an affirmative determination is made in step S1404, that is, there is no detection by the count switch 223b and there should be no entry into the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37, but the specific area switch 223a or the remaining ball processing switch 225 If the incoming ball error command indicating that there has been a detection has been received, the incoming ball invalid notification lamp 43 is blinked in step S1407, and then this processing is terminated.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1401, that is, if the normal game is resumed normally, or if an affirmative determination is made in step S1405 (when a ball entry error release command is received), in step S1408 This process is terminated after the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 is turned off.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, a ball entry error return switch 324 connected to the main controller 261 (input / output port 505) is provided. When the ball entry error return switch 324 is pressed when an error as described above occurs, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is reset (set to “0”). As a result, a normal time command is output from the main control device 261 to the sound lamp control device 262, and the sound lamp control device 262 that has received the normal time command turns off the entry invalid notification lamp 43. Also, in the open / close control process of FIG. 22, if the negative determination continues in step S909 due to the occurrence of a defect such as a ball clogging, the remaining sphere monitoring counter is reset and affirmative in step S907. As a result, the open / close control process can be completed. In the subsequent remaining ball monitoring process, the start corresponding to the trigger corresponding ports 33 and 34 is switched to a valid start trigger valid state. In addition, when the pitch error return switch 324 is pressed, the value of the pitch error timer is reset and a pitch error cancel command is output from the main control device 261 to the sound lamp control device 262. Also good.

  Next, payout control executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 will be described. For convenience of explanation, the reception interrupt process will be described first with reference to FIG. 30, and then the main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt process executed by the payout control apparatus 311. The reception interrupt process is a process executed by interruption when the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the payout control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, the other processing executed by the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311 is temporarily waited, and the reception interrupt process is executed. When the reception interrupt process is executed, first, the command transmitted from the main controller 261 in step S2101 is stored in the command buffer 513d of the RAM 513, and the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is stored in step S2102. At this time, the command reception flag 513c is turned on, and this reception interrupt process is terminated. As described above, when a command is stored in the command buffer 513d, the storage pointer is referred to and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the next received command is stored to be stored in the next storage area. The pointer is updated.

  In the present embodiment, the reception process of the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is performed by the interrupt process executed when the command is received. For example, as illustrated in FIG. In the timer interrupt process, before the command determination process (step S2201) is performed, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received. If a command has been received, the command is stored in the command buffer 513d of the RAM 513. The command reception flag 513c may be turned on, and if a command has not been received, the process may proceed to command determination processing. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not a command has been received by checking a port corresponding to a command input of the input / output port 515 at predetermined intervals.

  Next, main processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the main process of the payout control device 311. This main process is started upon reset when the power is turned on.

  First, in step S2001, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. In step S2002, RAM access is permitted, and in step S2003, an external interrupt vector is set.

  After that, in step S2004, it is determined whether or not occurrence information of power supply interruption is set in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. If the occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a, a RAM determination value is calculated in step S2005, and in step S2006, the RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off. No, that is, the validity of the backup is determined. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address in the RAM 513. It should be noted that it is possible to determine the effectiveness of backup based on whether or not the keywords written in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 are correctly stored.

  If power failure occurrence information is not set in step S2004, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (such as a checksum value) in step S2006, the process proceeds to initialization processing of RAM 513 after step S2013. Transition.

  In step S2013, the entire area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in step S2014, the initial value of the RAM 513 is set. Thereafter, in step S2015, the CPU peripheral device is initialized, and the process proceeds to step S2012 to permit interruption.

  On the other hand, on the condition that the information on occurrence of power interruption is set in step S2004 and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal in step S2006, the process at the time of power recovery (at the time of recovery from power interruption) Process). That is, in step S2007, the stack pointer before power-off is restored, information on occurrence of power-off is cleared in step S2008, and a payout permission flag 513b permitting the payout of prize balls is cleared in step S2009. In step S2010, the CPU peripheral device is initialized, and in step S2011, the used register is restored from the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. In step S2012, an interrupt is permitted.

  After the interruption is permitted in step S2012, it is determined in the process of step S2016 whether power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 513a. Here, if the information on occurrence of power supply interruption is set, the power supply is cut off, and therefore, the process after step S2017 is performed as a power failure process at the time of power supply interruption. In the power failure process, first, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited in step S2017, and a command determination process described later is executed in the next step S2018. Thereafter, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in the stack area in step S2019, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 513a in step S2020, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S2021, and the backup area 513a is stored. In step S2022, RAM access is prohibited, and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed. Here, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and work area to be backed up in the RAM 513.

  In the process of step S2016, the occurrence information of the power interruption is confirmed after the process performed when the power is turned on, so that the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 is smaller than that in the middle of each process. Less and can be easily memorized. Further, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a is small, it can be easily restored and the processing load of the payout control device 311 can be reduced. .

  Next, timer interrupt processing of the payout control device 311 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This timer interrupt process is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 msec).

  In the timer interrupt process, first, a command from the main control device 261 is acquired, and a determination process for the command is performed (step S2201). This command determination process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing command determination processing performed by the payout control device 311. In the command determination process (steps S2018 and S2201), first, in step S2301, it is determined whether or not the command reception flag 513c is turned on. The command reception flag 513c is turned on when a command transmitted from the main controller 261 is received in the above-described reception interrupt process (see FIG. 30).

  If it is determined in step S2301 that the command reception flag 513c is off, a new command has not been received from the main controller 261, and thus this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2301 that the command reception flag 513c is on, the received command is read from the RAM 513 in step S2302, and the command reception flag 513c is turned off in step S2303. By turning off the command reception flag 513c in step S2303, the processing in steps S2302 to S2311 can be skipped until a new command is received, so that the control of the payout control device 311 can be reduced.

  In step S2304 to step S2306, the type of command read from the RAM 513 is determined. In step S2304, it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command. In step S2305, it is determined whether or not it is a payout return command. In step S2306, it is determined whether the command is a prize ball command. It is determined whether or not.

  If the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is a payout initialization command, it is determined in step S2307 whether or not the payout permission flag 513b is already turned on. If the payout permission flag 513b is turned off, the power is turned on. Since the initialization of the RAM 513 is sometimes instructed from the main controller 261, the work area (area) other than the stack area of the RAM 513 is cleared to 0 in step S2308, and the initial value of the RAM 513 is set in step S2309. To do. Thereafter, in step S2311, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, and the payout permission for the prize ball is set.

  As described above, the main controller 261 performs initialization processing of the RAM 503 after transmitting the payout initialization command, and the payout control device 311 initializes processing of the RAM 513 after receiving the payout initialization command. Therefore, the timing at which the RAM 503 is initialized and the timing at which the RAM 513 is initialized are substantially at the same time. Therefore, even if the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261 due to a shift in the initialization timing, the RAM 513 is initialized, and control corresponding to the received command cannot be performed. The occurrence of adverse effects can be prevented. In addition, since the payout permission flag 513b is turned on after the RAM 513 is initialized, it is possible to reliably set the payout allowance for prize balls.

  On the other hand, if the payout permission flag 513b has already been turned on in step S2307, the command determination process is terminated without clearing the work area of the RAM 513 and the initialization process of the RAM 513. That is, the process of step S2307 prohibits the RAM 513 from being initialized with the payout permission flag 513b set. The payout initialization command is transmitted only when the RAM erase switch 323 is turned on when the power is turned on. Therefore, the payout initialization command is not received when the payout permission flag 513b is turned on. It is conceivable that the payout control device 311 has recognized the payout initialization command due to the influence of noise or the like. Therefore, if the work area of the RAM 513 is cleared (step S2308) and the initial value setting of the RAM 513 (step S2309) is executed in a state where the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, the payout is not made when a prize ball remains. However, the RAM 513 is prevented from being initialized while the payout permission flag 513b is turned on, so that the player is prevented from being lost. it can.

  Further, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S2304: NO, step S2305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before power-off. In order to permit the payout of the winning ball, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in step S2311. That is, when there is information on occurrence of power interruption and the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 return to the state before the power interruption, the payout of the prize ball is permitted. When the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the process of step S2311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer 513d is completed, so that the read pointer corresponds to the next storage area. Updated to pointer.

  Further, if the command transmitted from main controller 261 is a prize ball command (step S2305: NO, step S2306: YES), the received prize ball number is added to the total prize ball number and stored in step S2310. In order to permit the payout of the prize ball, the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in step S2311. That is, since a prize ball corresponding to the number of prize balls is paid out based on the prize ball command transmitted from the main controller 261, the prize ball command is a payout instruction command for instructing the prize ball to be paid out. It is. In addition, when a winning ball command is received, the payout permission is immediately set, so that the winning ball can be paid out early for winning. When the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the process of step S2311, the process based on the command stored in the predetermined storage area of the command buffer 513d is completed, so that the read pointer corresponds to the next storage area. Updated to pointer.

  Note that the command transmitted from the main controller 261 is not a payout initialization command (step S2304: NO), is not a payout return command (step S2305: NO), and is not a prize ball command (step S2306: NO), The command determination process is terminated without turning on the payout permission flag 513b.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. When the command determination process ends, it is determined in step S2202 whether or not the payout permission flag 513b is turned on in the command determination process. Here, if the payout permission flag 513b is not turned on, this processing is ended as it is. That is, it is possible to prevent award balls from being paid out before a command is transmitted from the main controller 261.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2202, the launch permission setting is set for the launch control device 312 in step S2203, the state return switch 321 is checked in step S2204, and the state return operation is determined to be started. Perform a return operation. With this process, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, for example, when the payout motor is clogged, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse to eliminate the ball clogging (return to the normal state). .

  Thereafter, in step S2205, setting of the lower pan full tank state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed in accordance with the change in the state of the lower pan 15. That is, when the lower pan 15 is full based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, the lower pan full state is set when the lower pan is full. Set the lower pan full tank release state. In step S2206, the setting of the tank ball absence state or the tank ball absence release state is executed according to the change in the tank ball state of the tank 355. That is, the absence of the tank ball is determined based on the detection signal of the no-ball detection switch. When the tank ball is not used, the setting of the tank ball no-use state is executed. Perform configuration.

  Thereafter, in step S2207, the presence / absence of a state to be notified is determined. If there is a state to be notified, a state display unit (7 segment LED) (not shown) provided in the payout control device 311 is notified.

  In steps S2208 to S2210, prize ball payout processing is executed. In this case, if the prize ball is not paid out and the total number of prize balls stored in step S2201 is not 0 (both NO in steps S2208 and S2209), the process proceeds to step S2210 and a prize ball control process (described later). FIG. 33) is started. Further, if the prize ball cannot be paid out or if the total number of prize balls is 0 (YES in any of steps S2208 and S2209), the process proceeds to a lending payout process.

  Thereafter, in steps S2211 to S2213, a rental ball payout process is executed. In this case, if it is not possible to pay out the rented ball and if a rented ball payout request is received from the card unit (step S2211 is NO, S2212 is YES), the process proceeds to step S2213, and a renting control process (described later). FIG. 34) is started. Further, if a rental ball cannot be paid out or a rental ball payout request has not been received (YES in step S2211 or NO in S2212), a subsequent ball removal process is executed.

  In step S2214, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute the ball removal process on condition that the state return switch 321 is checked and the ball removal disabled state is not set and the ball removal operation is not started. In the subsequent step S2215, the control of the vibrator 360 (vibration motor control) is executed on condition that the ball is clogged. Thereafter, the process returns to the top of the payout control process.

  Here, in the prize ball control process shown in FIG. 33, in step S2401, the payout motor 358a is driven to execute the prize ball payout. In the subsequent step S2402, it is determined from the detection result of the dispensing rotation sensor whether the rotation of the dispensing motor 358a is normal. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process advances to step S2403 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process proceeds to step S2404, and whether or not the game ball is normally counted is determined based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process proceeds to step S2405, where the payout motor 358a is driven to execute a retry process and a stop process for the payout motor 358a, and then the process returns to the timer interrupt process of FIG.

  If the game ball count is normal, the process advances to step S2406 to determine whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached the total number of winning balls and the payout has been completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the payout motor 358a is executed in step S2407, and then the process returns to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  In the ball lending control process shown in FIG. 34, in step S2501, the payout motor 358a is driven to pay out a lending ball. In the subsequent step S2502, whether the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal is determined based on the detection result of the payout rotation sensor. If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is not normal, the process advances to step S2503 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  If the rotation of the payout motor 358a is normal, the process advances to step S2504 to determine whether or not the game ball is normally counted based on the detection result of the payout count switch. If the game ball count is not normal, the process advances to step S2505 to drive the payout motor 358a to execute a retry process and execute a stop process of the payout motor 358a, and then return to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  Further, if the game ball count is normal, the process proceeds to step S2506, where it is determined whether or not the game ball count by the payout count switch has reached a predetermined number of rented balls (25) and the payout is completed. If the payout has been completed, a stop process for the payout motor 358a is executed in step S2507, and then the process returns to the timer interrupt process in FIG.

  As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the count switch 223b that detects a game ball that has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37, and the specific area switch that detects a game ball that has entered the third passage 427. In addition to 223a, among the game balls won in the variable winning device unit 37, game balls that did not enter the third passage port 427 (game balls that entered the first passage port 425 or the second passage port 426) A remaining sphere processing switch 225 is provided for detecting. When there is detection by the count switch 223b, 1 is added to the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter, and when there is detection by the specific area switch 223a and detection by the remaining sphere processing switch 225, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter. 1 is subtracted. Therefore, by checking the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter, it is possible to grasp whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. Accordingly, the game balls that have entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 are not discharged from the internal area, that is, the occurrence of a clogged ball in the internal area or the failure of the specific area switch 223a or the remaining ball processing switch 225. It is possible to detect that such a problem has occurred.

  Further, at the end of the jackpot control process and at the end of the opening / closing control process, when it is detected that a game ball is present in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 (when the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is not 0) This is notified by turning on the ball entry invalid notification lamp 43 (see FIG. 5). As a result, it is possible to quickly cope with problems such as ball clogging, and to quickly resolve problems such as ball clogging. Furthermore, even if there is a ball entering the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the start timing invalid state in which the blades 405a and 405b are not opened (in this embodiment, the first opportunity corresponding port 33 and the second opportunity corresponding port 33 If there is a ball entering the opportunity corresponding port 34, the ball is switched to a state in which the ball entering the first and second opportunity corresponding ports 33, 34 does not trigger the opening of the variable winning device unit 37 in step S404. Is maintained. For this reason, when the game is performed in a state where the probability that the game ball enters the third passage port 427 is unreasonably high or low due to the ball clogging, the hall side or the player side is disadvantageous. The fear of being covered can be suppressed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the game balls existing in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 are grasped based on detection by the count switch 223b, the specific area switch 223a, and the remaining ball processing switch 225. For this reason, for example, even when a configuration in which the game ball is temporarily invisible in the internal region of the variable prize winning device unit 37 is adopted and the ball is clogged in the invisible area, the occurrence of the clog is generated. Can be reliably detected. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the ball clogging is left as it is because the ball clogging cannot be visually recognized. As a result, it is possible to relax the design restrictions on the configuration of the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37.

  As described above, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter updated based on the detection by the count switch 223b, the specific region switch 223a, and the remaining ball processing switch 225 is a game existing in the internal region of the variable winning device unit 37. Shows the number of spheres. However, if the power is cut off during the open / close control process or the jackpot control process of the variable winning device unit 37 (when a power failure occurs), the game balls actually existing in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 There may be a situation where the number does not match the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter.

  That is, of course, in the power-off state (during a power failure), the count switch 223b, the specific area switch 223a, and the remaining ball processing switch 225 are not detected. However, game balls in the inner area move even during a power outage. For this reason, during a power failure, a game ball may enter the first passage port 425, the second passage port 426, and the third passage port 427, or may pass through a detection point by the count switch 223b. Due to this, there is a possibility that the game ball cannot be detected. In this case, even though all the game balls that have entered the internal area are discharged from the internal area, it is erroneously assumed that there is a game ball in the internal area (ball clogging occurs) in the remaining ball monitoring process after power recovery. This may make a determination that the start timing invalid state is maintained.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, when the power is cut off during the open / close control process or the big hit control process, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0” after the power is turned on and after the power is restored. Even if not, it is forcibly switched to the start trigger valid state. That is, as described above, when a power failure occurs, it cannot be said that the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter matches the number of game balls existing in the internal area. The start trigger invalid state is not maintained for the reason that the value of is not “0”, but the start trigger valid state is forcibly switched. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the start trigger invalid state is maintained even though there is no game ball in the internal region. In addition, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the hall personnel will be chased by the work to cancel the start trigger invalid state.

  Further, as described above, if the power is cut off during the big hit control process or the open / close control process, the start trigger valid state is forcibly switched, but the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is still “0”. If it is a value other than, it is determined in the subsequent remaining ball monitoring process that there is a game ball in the internal area, and the start trigger invalid state is eventually maintained. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, in the remaining ball monitoring process, if the returning operation flag is on (forcibly switching to the start trigger valid state), the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is reset ( Step S1307). Thereby, the above situation can be avoided.

  Further, at the time of power recovery, the pachinko machine 10 is returned to the state before power-off based on the information (value) backed up in the backup area 503a. Thereby, the continuation of the jackpot control process or the open / close control process performed before the power is turned off is performed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a player's disadvantage that an opportunity to enter a game ball into the internal area is lost.

  In addition to the above configuration, as a configuration for confirming the presence of a game ball in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37, for example, a first count that counts the number of balls that have entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. A configuration is possible in which a counter and a second counter that counts the number of game balls discharged from the internal area are provided, and the value of the second counter is subtracted from the value of the first counter. However, in this case, in addition to the process of counting each of the two counters, an operation process of subtracting the value of the other counter from the value of one counter becomes necessary. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the value of one counter (remaining sphere monitoring counter) is added or subtracted, it is not necessary to perform the above arithmetic processing, and the processing is simplified. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the remaining sphere monitoring process is performed when the remaining sphere monitoring flag is on. This remaining sphere monitoring flag is turned on at the end of the big hit state and at the end of the opening / closing control process. After that (see step S1126 and step S928), in the remaining sphere monitoring process, it is turned off when it is determined that the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is zero. For this reason, the remaining ball monitoring process is repeated until there is no game ball in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. Therefore, for example, when the ball clogging is released naturally, the ball entering the first and second opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is opened to the variable winning device unit 37 without requiring an artificial operation. It is possible to return to the normal gaming state that is effective as a trigger for the game. In addition, even when the person concerned with the hall clears the clogged ball, the game ball that has been clogged can be returned to the normal gaming state simply by entering the first passing port 425 or the second passing port 426, for example. it can. As described above, it is possible to return to the normal gaming state also by pressing the entry error return switch 324.

  In addition, the remaining sphere monitoring process is not performed immediately after the closing of the blades 405a and 405b in the open / close control process or the big hit state, but is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the blades 405a and 405b are closed. . That is, in the open / close control process, the game ball enters the internal area of the variable prize winning device unit 37 at the time when the effective time (see step S944) has elapsed after the blades 405a and 405b are closed or until the effective time has elapsed. In the case of a ball, the remaining ball monitoring process is performed when the extended time (see step S931) has elapsed after the effective time has elapsed. Alternatively, the remaining ball monitoring process is performed at the time when the big hit ending display is finished after the blades 405a and 405b are closed in the big hit state. As a result, the correspondence between the occurrence of a defect such as a ball clogging in the internal region of the variable winning device unit 37 and the lighting of the invalid ball notification lamp 43 can be matched, and a more reliable occurrence of a defect such as a ball clogging can be achieved. Detection is possible. Also, in the opening / closing control process, the effective time is extended (extended time is set) only when the game ball enters the internal area until the effective time elapses after the blades 405a and 405b are closed. If the ball has not entered the internal area, the opening / closing control process ends and the remaining ball monitoring process is performed when the effective time has elapsed. For this reason, if the game ball does not enter the internal area before the effective time elapses after the blades 405a and 405b are closed in the opening / closing control process, the entry into the opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is performed at an early stage. The ball can be returned to a valid state. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player such that the variable winning device unit 37 cannot be opened.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is checked when a game ball enters the third passage port 427 other than at the end of the big hit state and at the end of the opening / closing control process. ing. If the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is not 0, the detection of the specific area switch 223a generates a big hit state or continues the big hit round. On the other hand, when the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is 0, that is, when it is determined that the game ball has entered the third passage port 427 even though there should be no ball entering the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. Disables the detection of the specific area switch 223a and turns on the incoming ball invalid notification lamp 43. In this way, the big hit state is not generated only by the condition that the game ball has entered the third passage port 427, and further, the remaining ball monitoring counter of the game ball when the game ball has entered the third passage port 427 A jackpot state can be generated based on the value. For this reason, for example, even if there is no ball entering the internal area of the variable prize winning device unit 37, an illegal act such as causing a specific area switch 223a to erroneously detect by a cell or radio wave or the like and generating a jackpot state. Can be deterred. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to detect not only the state where the variable winning device unit 37 is closed, but also illegal entry when the variable winning device unit 37 is open.

  Further, when the specific area switch 223a is detected, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is confirmed before subtracting 1 from the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter based on the detection. For this reason, the process of checking and determining the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter performed when the specific area switch 223a is detected (step S603), and the remaining sphere performed after the end of the opening / closing control process and the jackpot control process The same processing content (whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is 0) can be the same as the processing (step S1303) for checking and determining the value of the monitoring counter. Therefore, the process can be simplified.

  In addition, when a ball clogging (or a failure of the specific area switch 223a or the remaining ball processing switch 225) occurs, the incoming ball invalid notification lamp 43 is turned on, and when there is an illegal incoming ball, the incoming ball invalid notification lamp 43 is turned on. Therefore, by checking the lighting state of the incoming ball invalid notification lamp 43, it is possible to determine whether there is a ball clogging or whether there is an illegal incoming ball.

  Further, in the present embodiment, during the opening / closing control process, the variable winning device unit 37 is opened until the closed state, and after the effective time is set until the effective time elapses. In the period from when the extended time is set to when the extended time elapses, the specific area valid flag is on, and if a ball enters the third passage 427 at this time, a big hit state occurs To do.

  For example, if the specific area valid flag is turned off at the same time when the variable winning device unit 37 is closed, a game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable winning device unit 37 is closed is third. Even if a ball enters the passing port 427, a big hit state will not occur. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the specific area valid flag is on for a while (at least until the valid time elapses) even after the variable winning device unit 37 is closed, the above-described fear It can be avoided.

  In the open / close control process, an effective time is always set. For this reason, it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area before the game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable winning device unit 37 is closed is detected by the count switch 223b. A situation in which the valid flag is turned off can be avoided.

  Furthermore, a ball is entered in the internal region either after the variable winning device unit 37 is opened until the variable winning device unit 37 is closed or when the valid time is set and the valid time elapses. Only if there is, the extension period is set after the expiration of the effective time. In other words, if a ball entering the internal area is not confirmed before the effective time elapses, a game ball enters the third passage port 427 even if the period during which the specific area effective flag is on is further extended. There is no possibility of a ball, so no extra time is set. Therefore, compared to the case where the extension time is always set, the remaining sphere monitoring process can be performed at an early stage when the entry into the internal region is not confirmed before the effective time elapses. As a result, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player such that the variable winning device unit 37 cannot be opened.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the internal region from when the extended time is set until it elapses (step S907), and there is no game ball in the internal region. When it is determined that the extension time has ended. That is, if all the game balls are discharged from the internal area, there cannot be a ball entering the third passage port 427 within the subsequent extended time. Therefore, even if the specific area valid flag is turned off when it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area, the player will not suffer any disadvantage. In such a case, even before the time (2.5 seconds) set as the extension time has elapsed, the opening / closing control process is ended, and the trigger corresponding port invalid flag is turned off in the remaining ball monitoring process thereafter (step S1304). As a result, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player such that the variable winning device unit 37 cannot be opened.

  In addition, when the occurrence of the big hit state is determined during the open / close control process, the remaining ball monitoring process is not performed immediately after the end of the open / close control process, but is performed after the big hit state ends. For example, even when a jackpot state occurs, when the remaining ball monitoring process is performed immediately after the end of the opening / closing control process, the remaining ball monitoring process is performed while the variable winning device unit 37 is opened based on the occurrence of the jackpot state. May be executed. In this case, of course, a game ball may be present in the inner area, but the remaining ball monitoring process is performed, for example, the game is interrupted even though the ball is not clogged. Moreover, when it is configured to be able to notify the occurrence of a clogged ball, there is a possibility that such notification may be performed. In this respect, the occurrence of the above-described problem can be avoided by adopting the above configuration.

  In the present embodiment, whether or not the returning operation flag is on when it is determined that a game ball exists in the internal area from when the extended time is set until the extended time elapses. It is determined whether or not (step S909). As described above, when the power supply is interrupted during the opening / closing control process, there is a possibility that the determination as to whether or not there is a game ball in the internal area is erroneous. On the other hand, when there is no power interruption during the opening / closing control process, it is accurately determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area. That is, in step S909, it is determined in step S907 that there is a game ball in the internal area, but it is determined whether or not the determination is credible. Thereby, it is possible to perform different control by distinguishing between the case where the determination that the game ball is present in the internal region is accurate and the case where there is a possibility that the game ball is erroneous.

  That is, if the determination that the game ball exists in the internal area is accurate, and it is determined that the game ball exists in the internal area after the extended time has elapsed, the occurrence of a ball clogging or the specific area switch 223a, There may be a problem such as a failure of the remaining ball processing switch 225. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the determination process of whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0” is repeatedly performed until a defect such as a clogged ball is resolved. In this case, the specific area valid flag is not turned off until the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter becomes “0”. For this reason, for example, after the extended time elapses, the ball clogging is resolved naturally, and even if the game ball enters the third passage port 427, a big hit state can be generated by using the ball as a trigger. it can.

  On the other hand, if there is a possibility that the game ball is present in the internal area may be wrong, even if it is determined that there is a game ball in the internal area after the extended time has passed, I can't conclude. For this reason, the process of determining whether or not the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is “0” is not repeated until it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area. After the area valid flag is turned off, the open / close control process is completed, the remaining ball monitoring process (step S1302) is performed, and the start trigger valid state is switched. Therefore, it is erroneously determined that there is a game ball in the internal area even though there is no game ball in the internal area, and the start trigger invalid state is maintained even after the jackpot control process or the opening / closing control process is completed. Fear can be avoided.

  In this embodiment, since the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is stored in the backup area 503a when the power is turned off, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter at the time of power recovery and the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter before the power is turned off are stored. Can be matched. For this reason, for example, when the power is cut off during the open / close control process, the game balls that existed in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 before the power cut off are restored before being discharged from the internal area. When power is supplied, the same processing can be executed as when power is not cut off.

  As mentioned above, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, and it cannot be overemphasized that it can implement with a various form, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the remaining ball processing switch 225 is configured to detect only the game balls that have not entered the third passage port 427 among the game balls that have won the variable winning device unit 37. However, the remaining ball processing switch 225 is connected to the junction where the game ball that has entered the third passage port 427 and the game ball that has entered the first passage port 425 and the second passage port 426 or the downstream portion thereof. It may be configured to detect a game ball that is provided in the third passage port 427. Also in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment is achieved.

  (B) In the above embodiment, when there is detection by the count switch 223b, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is incremented by 1, and when there is detection by the specific area switch 223a and detection by the remaining sphere processing switch 225, Although the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is decremented by 1, when there is detection by the count switch 223b, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is decremented by 1, and detection by the specific area switch 223a and detection by the remaining sphere processing switch 225 are performed. If there is, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter may be incremented by one. Also in this case, the same effect as the above-described embodiment is achieved.

  (C) In the above embodiment, the remaining ball monitoring process is performed after the ending time (see step S1222) has elapsed or the effective time (extended time) has elapsed since the closing of the blades 405a and 405b in the big hit state or the opening / closing control process. However, the remaining sphere monitoring process may be performed immediately after closing the blades 405a and 405b. In the case of adopting such a configuration, as soon as all the game balls that have entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 are discharged, the winning to the first and second opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is immediately changed to the variable winning device unit. It is possible to return to the state (normal game state) that triggers the opening of 37. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player such that the variable winning device unit 37 cannot be opened. However, the notification is performed at a timing after the elapse of a predetermined time as described in the above-described embodiment where it is certain that an error such as a ball clogging has occurred.

  (D) In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is not 0 in the remaining sphere monitoring process, the repeated remaining sphere monitoring process is performed. Except when adopting the configuration). In this case, it is possible to return to the normal gaming state only by pressing the pitch error return switch 324.

  (E) The configuration of the variable winning device unit 37 in the above embodiment is not particularly limited, and various configurations can be employed. For example, between the count switch 223b and the specific area switch 223a, a game ball path through which a game ball entering the internal area can pass and an opaque wall member covering the front of the game ball path are provided. You may comprise so that the game ball which entered the ball becomes temporarily invisible. When such a configuration is adopted, if the ball clogging occurs on the back side of the wall member, the ball clogging cannot be visually recognized from the front, so it may take time to check the ball clogging or it may not be found. Although there is a possibility, by adopting the configuration of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reliably detect the occurrence of clogging of the balls, and to eliminate the above-mentioned fear.

  (F) In the above embodiment, in the opening / closing control process (see FIG. 22), the specific area valid flag is turned on when the variable winning device unit 37 is released. Assuming that a grace time from entering the ball to the third passage port 427 is assumed in advance, the specific area valid flag is turned on when the grace time elapses after the variable winning device unit 37 is opened. Also good. In this case, an illegal act of illegally entering a game ball into the third passage port 427 and generating a special game state becomes more difficult, and the illegal act can be suppressed.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the number of game balls existing in the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37 is ascertained using one counter (remaining ball monitoring counter), but the internal area is determined using two counters. It is good also as a structure which grasps | ascertains the number of the game balls which exist in. For example, when there is a detection by the count switch 223b, the first remaining sphere monitoring counter to which the counter value is incremented by one, and when the detection by the specific area switch 223a and the detection by the remaining sphere processing switch 225 are detected, the counter value is A second remaining sphere monitoring counter that is incremented by one is provided. In the remaining sphere monitoring process, the counter value of the second remaining sphere monitoring counter is subtracted from the counter value of the first remaining sphere monitoring counter, and the value is zero. It may be configured to determine whether or not.

  (H) In the above embodiment, the process of checking and determining the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter (step S603) performed based on the detection of the specific area switch 223a is the remaining sphere monitoring based on the detection of the specific area switch 223a. Although it is performed before the process of subtracting 1 from the counter (step S604), it may be performed after that. When such a configuration is employed, the process of checking and determining the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter based on the detection of the specific area switch 223a is a process of determining whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is 0 or more. If an affirmative determination is made here, a process of turning on a specific area passing flag is performed, and if a negative determination is made, a process of setting a ball entering error command is performed. In this case, the remaining sphere monitoring counter is configured to take a negative value.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the ball invalidation notification lamp 43 is turned on when a ball clogging occurs. For example, at the time when the process of turning on the trigger corresponding port invalid flag in step S404 is performed. The entry invalidity notification lamp 43 may be turned on. In this case, the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 is turned on when the entry into the opportunity corresponding ports 33 and 34 is invalid. In addition, when such a configuration is adopted, at the timing when the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 of the above embodiment is turned on, the entry invalidity notification lamp 43 is changed from the lighting state (the flashing state when there is an illegal entry) It may be changed to a different blinking state (for example, a blinking interval is short). In this case, generation | occurrence | production of ball | bowl clogging can be grasped | ascertained reliably.

  (J) In the above embodiment, the open / close control process is terminated as it is when a negative determination is made in step S909. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a configuration. For example, if a negative determination is made in step S909, the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is decremented by 1, and then it is determined whether or not the value of the opening / closing control timer ST is “0”. Here, if it is determined that it is other than “0”, the process is terminated as it is, and if it is determined that it is “0”, a command at the time of ball clogging indicating the occurrence of ball clogging is set. And it is good also as a structure which lights the entrance invalid alerting lamp 43 (refer FIG. 5) by the audio | voice lamp control apparatus 262 receiving the command at the time of a ball clogging generation | occurrence | production. In this case, it is possible to easily grasp that the start trigger is in an invalid state because of the ball clogging.

  (K) Step S909 in the above embodiment may be omitted, and if a negative determination is made in step S907, the process may proceed to step S910. Further, the configuration may be such that steps S906 to S909 are omitted and the process proceeds to step S910 when a negative determination is made in step S902 or step S903.

  (L) In the above embodiment, when the second solenoid 442 is in a non-excited state, the third passage port 427 is opened, and the second shutter 443 is moved by exciting the second solenoid 442 so that the third The passage 427 may be closed. In this case, when the power is turned off, the third passage port 427 is closed and the game ball is accommodated (stopped) in the third accommodation portion 423. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the big hit state is not generated when the game ball passes through the third passage port 427 during a power failure. It should be noted that the variable winning device unit 37 is of course closed when the power is cut off.

  (M) In the above embodiment, when a power failure occurs during the open / close control process, at least until the effective time and the extended time elapse, the backup power supply detects at least the specific area switch 223a and the specific area The detection information may be stored by the switch 223a. In this case, when the game ball passes through the third passage port 427 during a power failure, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the occurrence of the big hit state does not occur.

  (N) In the above embodiment, after power is restored, the game may be resumed based on a predetermined operation by the player. For example, a standby flag that is turned on when processing at power recovery is performed (for example, after step S112) is provided. Then, prior to step S201 of the normal process, it is determined whether or not the standby flag is on. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S201. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made, for example, it is determined whether or not the handle 18 has been operated. If a negative determination is made here, the normal process is terminated as it is, whereas if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S201. When such a configuration is adopted, the game is resumed only after the power is restored, for example, when the handle 18 is operated. In this case, after the power is restored, the game is suddenly resumed. For example, it is possible to suppress a situation where the player misses the opportunity even though the corner variable winning device unit 37 is resumed in the opened state. can do. For example, an announcement such as “game is resumed when the handle 18 is touched” may be made. In addition, the trigger for resuming the game is not limited to the operation of the handle 18, and for example, a button that can be operated by the player may be provided, and the game may be resumed by using the button operation as a trigger.

  (O) In the above embodiment, the return operation flag is turned on even when a power failure occurs when the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1” or “3”, but it may not be turned on. That is, when the value of the open / close control counter JC is “1” or “3”, it is before the first opening in the series of switching control, so there is a possibility that a game ball has entered the internal area of the variable winning device unit 37. Therefore, the entrance and exit of the game ball into the internal area during the opening / closing control process are accurately detected. Therefore, since it can be said that the determination of whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter performed during the opening / closing control process is “0” is accurate, the opening / closing control counter JC If a power failure occurs when the values are “1” and “3”, the return operation flag need not be turned on. Even during the jackpot control process, when the value of the round counter is “0”, the returning operation flag does not have to be turned on for the reason described above.

  However, just because the variable winning device unit 37 is in the closed state does not mean that the returning operation flag need not be turned on. For example, when the variable winning device unit 37 is continuously opened a plurality of times, even if the variable winning device unit 37 is in the closed state, the game ball has already entered the internal area at the time of the previous opening. May exist. That is, when a power failure occurs when the variable winning device unit 37 is in the closed state, there is a possibility that game balls that have already entered the internal area are discharged from the internal area during the power failure. For this reason, there is a possibility that the number of game balls actually existing in the internal area is different from the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter. Therefore, when the variable winning device unit 37 is continuously opened a plurality of times, and when a power failure occurs after the variable winning device unit 37 has already been opened, the return operation flag is always turned on. .

  (P) In the above embodiment, when a big hit state occurs during the opening / closing control process of the variable prize device unit 37, the opening / closing control process may be immediately terminated. For example, if a negative determination is made in step S902 or a negative determination is made in step S903, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is on. If the determination is affirmative, the open / close control counter A configuration in which the subsequent processing is performed after the value of JC is set to “9”. Alternatively, when a negative determination is made in step S1003, the value of the open / close control counter JC may be set to “9” and the value of the open / close control timer ST may be reset. As described above, even if a ball enters the third passage port 427 during the big hit state, the big hit state does not occur due to the incoming ball (see step S1004). That is, even if the open / close control process is terminated when the big hit state occurs, there is no loss of the player. Further, when such a configuration is adopted, step S914, step S915, and step S916 are omitted, and the process of step S917 is performed with any of the values of the open / close control counter JC being “2”, “4”, or “6”. It is desirable to change the process to determine whether or not.

  (Q) In the above embodiment, in the remaining ball monitoring process, it is determined whether the return operation flag is on, so that whether or not the power is cut off during the open / close control process or the big hit control process. Judgment is being made. Incidentally, when the power is turned on (when power is restored), the return operation in progress flag is stored in the backup area 503a indicating that the big hit flag is on, or the open / close stored in the backup area 503a. Turned on when the value of the control counter JC is other than “0”.

  However, the configuration for determining whether or not the power supply is interrupted during the open / close control process or the big hit control process is not particularly limited. For example, in the remaining ball monitoring process, the big hit flag is set in the backup area 503a. It may be determined whether or not the ON state is stored, and whether or not the value of the open / close control counter JC stored in the backup area 503a is other than “0”. .

  Further, for example, a value of “1” is stored when the open / close control process is being performed when the power is turned off (turned on), and a value of “0” is stored when the open / close control process is not being performed (off state) Open / close control flag is provided. When the power is turned off, the value of the open / close control flag (on / off state) is stored in the backup area 503a. In the remaining ball monitoring process after power recovery, it is determined whether the value of the open / close control flag is “1”. If the determination is affirmative, the process from step S1304 is performed, and if it is “0”. May be configured to determine whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”.

  (R) In the above embodiment, in the remaining sphere monitoring process of FIG. 27, the returning operation flag is turned on prior to the determination process (step S1303) of whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. The process of determining whether or not the state is in a state (step S1302) is performed. Prior to the process of determining whether or not the returning operation flag is on, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. You may perform the determination process of whether there exists. In this case, for example, when an affirmative determination is made in step S1301, it is determined whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1304. If a negative determination is made, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the returning operation flag is on. If a positive determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S1304. If a negative determination is made, the remaining sphere monitoring process may be terminated as it is. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, whether or not the returning operation flag is on is determined even in the case where an affirmative determination is made in the determination processing whether or not the returning operation flag is on (step S1302). Even if a negative determination is made in the determination process (step S1302), a positive determination is made in the determination process (step S1303) whether or not the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is “0”. Although the process of S1304 to step S1308 is performed, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a structure. For example, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1302 of the remaining sphere monitoring process, the returning operation flag is turned off, the value of the remaining sphere monitoring counter is reset, and the remaining sphere monitoring process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1302, the process proceeds to step S1303. If an affirmative determination is made here, the trigger corresponding port invalid flag and the remaining ball monitoring flag are turned off, and a normal time command is set and the remaining time is set. The ball monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1303, the remaining sphere monitoring process is terminated as it is. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (S) In the said embodiment, it is implemented as a pachinko machine of the type which a big hit state generate | occur | produces by entering into the 3rd passage port 427 in the variable winning apparatus unit 37. FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be implemented as other types of pachinko machines. In addition to pachinko machines, various game machines such as an arrangement ball machine and a sparrow ball can be implemented.

  For example, as a pachinko machine in which a predetermined winning lottery process is performed based on a game ball entering the starting ball entry means and a winning result is obtained by the winning lottery process, a big win state consisting of a plurality of rounds occurs You may implement. In this case, it is advantageous for a player who is provided with variable ball entry means that is open only in the final round of a plurality of rounds, and that is likely to generate the next big hit state based on the game ball entering the variable ball entry means. Specific processing is executed. Specific processing advantageous to the player that makes it easy to generate the next jackpot state is, for example, a winning lottery process for determining whether or not to generate the next jackpot state, and making it easier for the game ball to enter the starting ball entry means An example is processing.

[Appendix]
The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.

Means 1. A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
The game ball guided to the game area has an internal area in which the game ball can enter, an open state in which the game ball can enter the internal area, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the internal area Switchable variable entry means,
Opening / closing control means for performing switching control for switching the variable pitching means between a closed state and an open state;
Incoming ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the inner area;
A specific entry part and a non-specific entry part that enter the inner area and can enter the game balls detected by the entry detection means,
Specific detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry section;
Based on detection by the specific detection means, a game state control means capable of executing a special game process for generating a special game state advantageous to the player;
An effective state for permitting switching control to switch the variable pitching means by the opening / closing control means to an open state, and an open permission control means for switching to an invalid state not permitted,
When a game ball enters the internal area, it is detected by the entrance detection means, and then enters the specific entrance part or the non-specific entrance part and is discharged from the internal area. Configuration,
A discharge detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry part and a game ball that has entered the non-specific ball entry part;
After a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means executed based on a predetermined trigger is completed and the variable pitching means is closed, detection by the pitch detection means and detection by the discharge detection means And a remaining ball monitoring means for performing a remaining ball monitoring process for determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal area,
When it is determined by the remaining ball monitoring process that a game ball is present in the inner area, the invalid state is set.
A gaming machine that is brought into the valid state by the release permission control means when it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area after the invalid state,
A specific value is stored when the power supply is interrupted during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, and other than the specific value when the power supply is not interrupted during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means. Open / close state storage means for storing the value of
A history determination means for determining whether a value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value after power-on or power-return;
A remaining state storage means for storing whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area when a power interruption occurs during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means,
When it is determined by the history determination means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value, the opening permission control means is in the valid state even if there is no detection by the discharge detection means. A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the means 1, the remaining ball monitoring means can grasp that the game ball exists in the internal area of the variable pitching means. As a result, it is possible to detect that the game ball that has entered the internal area has not been discharged from the internal area, for example, that a clogged ball has occurred in the internal area. Furthermore, if there is no power outage during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means and the game is being played normally, if it is detected that a game ball is present in the internal area, the variable entry Even if the opportunity to open the means comes, the variable pitching means will not be released. In this way, by adopting a configuration in which a game is interrupted when a ball clogging occurs, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a game is performed in a state where the probability of entering a specific entry portion is biased. . As a result, the possibility that the hall side or the player side suffers a disadvantage can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present means, the game balls existing in the internal region are grasped based on the detection by the incoming ball detection means and the detection by the discharge detection means. For this reason, for example, a configuration in which a game ball is temporarily invisible in the internal region is adopted, and even when a ball clog occurs in the invisible area, the occurrence of the ball clogging is reliably detected. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the ball clogging is left as it is because the ball clogging cannot be visually recognized. As a result, design restrictions on the configuration of the internal region (for example, a device that distributes game balls provided in the internal region) can be relaxed.

  As described above, the remaining ball monitoring process for determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal region is performed based on detection by the ball detection unit and detection by the discharge detection unit. However, there is a concern that detection by the entrance detection means and detection by the discharge detection means may not be performed accurately when the power is cut off during a series of switching control by the variable entry means (when a power failure occurs). Is done.

  In other words, in the power-off state (during a power failure), of course, the detection by the entrance detection means and the discharge detection means is not performed. However, game balls in the inner area move even during a power outage. For this reason, during a power outage, it is possible that a game ball enters a specific entry part or a non-specific entry part or passes a detection point by an entry detection means. Due to this, there is a possibility that the game ball cannot be detected. In this case, for example, there is a game ball in the internal area in the remaining ball monitoring process after power recovery even though all the game balls that have entered the internal area are discharged from the internal area (ball clogging occurs) May be erroneously determined to be in an invalid state (the invalid state is maintained).

  In this respect, according to the present means, when the power supply is interrupted during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, for example, the ball detection means has detected before the power supply is cut off, Because the game ball is discharged from the internal area at the time, the detection is not detected by the discharge detection means after the power is turned on or after the power is restored, and the remaining ball monitoring means determines that the game ball exists in the internal area. Even in such a state, it is considered valid. That is, as described above, the remaining ball monitoring process performed after a power failure occurs is not reliable, and in this case, the game is invalidated because a game ball exists in the internal area ( (Invalid state is not maintained), but it is in a valid state. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the invalid state is maintained even though the game ball does not actually exist in the internal region. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the possibility that hall personnel are chased by work to cancel the invalid state at the time of power recovery. Further, by checking the remaining state storage means, it can be determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area before the power is turned off. For this reason, for example, when the power supply is interrupted during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, the game ball that existed in the internal area before the power supply is cut off before the game ball is discharged from the internal area. In this case, it is possible to execute the same processing as when there is no power interruption during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means.

  The discharge detecting means may be provided at the junction where the game balls that have entered the specific entrance and the game balls that have entered the non-specific entrance or at the downstream side thereof. Also, a configuration is provided in which non-specific detection means for detecting only game balls that have entered the non-specific ball entry portion is provided, and both the non-specific detection means and the specific detection means detect game balls discharged from the internal region. May be adopted. In this case, the discharge detection means is constituted by the specific detection means and the non-specific detection means. In addition, the remaining state storage means may store a specific value when a game ball exists in the internal area, and store a value other than the specific value when a game ball does not exist in the internal area. . Further, for example, the remaining storage means may store the number of game balls existing in the internal area.

  Further, in the embodiment described later, the process of turning on the trigger corresponding mouth invalid flag in step S404 performed when a negative determination is made in step S403, the trigger of step S1304 performed when an affirmative determination is made in step S1302 or step S1303. The process of turning off the corresponding port invalid flag corresponds to the opening permission control means.

Mean 2. A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
The game ball guided to the game area has an internal area in which the game ball can enter, an open state in which the game ball can enter the internal area, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the internal area Switchable variable entry means,
Opening / closing control means for performing switching control for switching the variable pitching means between a closed state and an open state;
Incoming ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the inner area;
A specific entry part and a non-specific entry part that enter the inner area and can enter the game balls detected by the entry detection means,
Specific detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry section;
Based on detection by the specific detection means, a game state control means capable of executing a special game process for generating a special game state advantageous to the player;
Starting ball entry means capable of entering a game ball guided to the game area;
Starting entrance detecting means capable of detecting a game ball entering the starting entrance means;
Start performing start trigger state switching control for switching between a start trigger valid state where the detection by the start pitching means is an opening trigger of the variable pitching means and a start trigger invalid state where the detection by the start pitching means is not an opening trigger An opportunity state switching means,
When a game ball enters the internal area, it is detected by the entrance detection means, and then enters the specific entrance part or the non-specific entrance part and is discharged from the internal area. Configuration,
A discharge detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry part and a game ball that has entered the non-specific ball entry part;
After a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means executed based on a predetermined trigger is completed and the variable pitching means is closed, detection by the pitch detection means and detection by the discharge detection means And a remaining ball monitoring means for performing a remaining ball monitoring process for determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal area,
If the start ball detection means is detected in the start trigger valid state, the opening / closing control means performs switching control based on the detection of the start ball detection means, and the start trigger state switching means Switched to the start trigger invalid state,
When it is determined by the remaining ball monitoring process by the remaining ball monitoring means that there is no game ball in the internal area, the start trigger state switching means is set to a start trigger valid state, and it is determined that a game ball exists in the internal area. A gaming machine that is in a start-up opportunity invalid state when
A specific value is stored when the power supply is interrupted during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, and other than the specific value when the power supply is not interrupted during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means. Open / close state storage means for storing the value of
A history determination means for determining whether the value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value after the power is turned on or after the power is restored;
A remaining state storage means for storing whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area when a power interruption occurs during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means,
If it is determined by the history determination means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value, the start trigger state switching means is not started by the discharge detection means. A gaming machine characterized by being in a trigger-enabled state.

  According to the means 2, from immediately after the entrance to the starting entrance means is detected, until it is determined that there are no more game balls in the internal area after the switching control by the opening / closing control means, Even if there is a ball, the variable pitching means is not released. That is, when a ball clogging occurs, the game is interrupted. Further, when it is determined by the history determination means that the value stored in the open / close state storage means is a specific value, the starting trigger valid state is set. As a result, the same effects as those of the means 1 are achieved.

Means 3. A first effective period setting means for setting a first effective period after the end of a series of switching control by the opening and closing control means, triggered by the detection by the start ball detection means;
In a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, the first entry detection means detects the first entry during the period from when the variable entry means is opened until the first effective period elapses. A second effective period setting means for setting a second effective period after the effective period has elapsed,
In the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, the gaming state control means may determine the specific period of time until the first effective period elapses after the variable pitching means is opened or during the second effective period. A special game state is generated when there is a ball in the ball club,
The remaining ball monitoring process by the remaining ball monitoring unit and the determination process by the history determining unit are performed by detecting the incoming ball until the first effective period elapses after the variable pitching unit is opened. If there is no detection by the means, the detection is performed after the first effective period elapses, and the detection by the entry detection means is performed after the variable entry means is opened until the first effective period elapses. And when there is no detection by the discharge detection means, it is performed after the second effective period has passed,
When the second effective period is set after the elapse of the first effective period, an early remaining ball for determining whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area of the variable entry means during the second effective period Equipped with early residual ball monitoring means to perform monitoring processing,
3. The means 2 according to claim 2, wherein when the early remaining ball monitoring means determines that there is no game ball in the internal area, the start trigger valid state is set even before the second valid period has elapsed. Gaming machine.

  According to the means 3, in the series of switching control by the opening and closing control means, the variable pitching means is in the open state until the first effective period elapses, or during the second effective period, the specific pitching part A special gaming state occurs when there is a ball. In other words, the state in which the detection by the specific detection means is effective as a trigger for the occurrence of the special gaming state during the period from when the variable pitching means is opened until the first effective period elapses and during the second effective period (special Trigger effective state).

  For example, if the variable pitching means is closed and the special trigger effective state is terminated at the same time, the game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable pitching means is closed Even if a player enters the game, a special gaming state will not occur. In this respect, according to the present means 3, since the special ball entering means is in the special trigger effective state for a while even after the variable pitching means is closed, the above-described fear can be avoided.

  Further, the first effective period is always set after the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means is completed (after the variable pitching means is closed). For this reason, it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area before the game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable ball entry means is closed is detected by the ball detection means. A situation in which the valid state is terminated can be avoided. Note that the first effective period is preferably set in consideration of a time delay sufficient for a game ball that has entered the internal area just before the variable entry means is closed to be detected by the entry detection means. .

  Further, according to the present means, only when there is a ball in the inner region between the time when the variable pitching means is opened and the first valid period elapses, the first count after the first valid period elapses. 2 Validity period is set. In other words, if the entry into the internal area is not confirmed before the first effective period elapses, the game ball can enter the specific entry part even if the period in the special trigger effective state is extended further. Therefore, the second valid period is not set. Therefore, compared to the case where the second effective period is always set, the remaining ball monitoring process can be performed at an early stage when the entry into the internal region is not confirmed before the first effective period elapses. . As a result, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player as much as possible, such that the variable pitching means cannot be opened. It should be noted that the combined period of the second effective period and the first effective period is a period of time sufficient for a game ball that has entered the internal area immediately before the variable entry means is closed to be discharged from the internal area. It is desirable to set in anticipation.

  Further, according to the present means, it is determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area during the second effective period, and if it is determined that no game ball exists in the internal area, the second effective period Even before the elapse of time, the start trigger is valid. In other words, if all the game balls are discharged from the inner area, there is no possibility that there will be a ball entering the specific ball entry portion within the subsequent second effective period. In such a case, even if it is before progress of a 2nd effective period, it switches to a starting opportunity effective state. As a result, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state for the player as much as possible, such that the variable pitching means cannot be opened. If it is determined by the early residual ball monitoring means that there are no game balls in the internal area, when the number of game balls that are present in the internal area is confirmed to be discharged (at the time), It is good also as setting it as the said start opportunity effective state before progress of a 2nd effective period.

  The occurrence of a special gaming state during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means that is triggered by detection by the start ball detection means (a series of switching by the opening / closing control means triggered by detection of the specific detection means) When execution of control is determined, the remaining ball monitoring process and the determination process by the history determination means are not performed after the first effective period or the second effective period has elapsed, but only after the special gaming state has ended. It is desirable that the configuration be performed.

  When the special gaming state occurs in this way, the remaining ball monitoring process performed at the end of a series of switching control performed by the opening / closing control unit triggered by the detection by the starting ball detecting unit, and the determination by the background judging unit The process may be executed while the variable pitching means is opened based on the occurrence of a special gaming state. In this case, of course, a game ball may be present in the internal area. Moreover, when it is configured to be able to notify the occurrence of a clogged ball, there is a possibility that such notification may be performed. In this respect, the occurrence of the above-described problem can be avoided by adopting the above configuration.

  Means 4. Early history determination means for determining whether or not the value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value when it is determined by the early residual ball monitoring means that a game ball exists in the internal region The gaming machine according to means 3, comprising:

  When the power is cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, there is a possibility that the judgment as to whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area is erroneous as described above. On the other hand, if there is no power interruption during the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, it is accurately determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area. That is, according to this means 4, it is possible to perform different control by distinguishing between the case where the judgment by the early residual sphere monitoring means is accurate and the case where there is a possibility that it is erroneous.

  For example, when the early history determination means determines that the value stored in the open / close state storage means is the specific value, the early remaining ball monitoring process is performed until the second effective period elapses. When it is determined that the value stored in the opening / closing state storage means is not the specific value by the early history determination means, there is a game ball in the internal area in the early residual ball monitoring process. The early residual sphere monitoring process may be repeated until it is determined not to be performed.

  That is, in the latter case, if it is determined that a game ball is present in the internal area after the second effective period has elapsed, a defect such as a ball clogging has occurred. For this reason, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the early residual sphere monitoring process is repeatedly performed until problems such as ball clogging are resolved.

  On the other hand, in the former case, even if it is determined that a game ball exists in the internal area after the second effective period has elapsed, it cannot be determined that a defect such as a ball clogging has occurred. Therefore, the early remaining ball process is not repeatedly performed until it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area, and after the second effective period has elapsed, the start trigger is based on the determination process by the history determination unit. It is desirable to have a configuration that can be switched to an effective state.

  For example, only when the value stored in the open / closed state storage means is a specific value, the state in which the detection by the specific detection means is effective as a trigger for the occurrence of the special gaming state (special opportunity valid state) remains early. It may be configured to continue until it is determined in the ball monitoring process that there is no gaming ball in the internal area. In this case, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a special gaming state does not occur even if a game ball enters the specific ball entry section when the ball clogging is naturally resolved after the second effective period has elapsed.

  Means 5. A progress storage means for storing a predetermined value corresponding to each control stage of the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means when the switching control means by the opening / closing control means is in progress at the time of power-off. 5. A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 4.

  According to the means 5, by confirming the value stored in the progress storage means, it is possible to grasp at which timing of the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means the power is cut off. That is, the game can be resumed from the state of the variable pitching means when the power is cut off based on the value stored in the progress storage means at the time of power-on and power-on. That is, when the power is turned off immediately after the variable pitching means is in the open state, the game can be resumed after the variable pitching means is in the open state when the power is turned on and when the power is restored. As a result, it is possible to suppress a player's disadvantage that an opportunity to enter a game ball into the internal area is lost. The progress storage means is preferably non-volatile, which does not require a power source for storing values.

  It should be noted that, as each control stage of the series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, at least the switching control by the opening / closing control means has been determined to be performed, but the variable entry means has not yet been opened, There is a stage in which the ball means is open. When the power supply is cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, one of the values corresponding to each control stage is stored in the progress storage means. Further, when the power is turned off while the variable pitching means is open, a value indicating the elapsed time (residual time until closing) after the variable pitching means is opened is stored in the progress storage means. It is good also as memorize | storing. In addition, when the variable pitching means is opened and closed a plurality of times by one switching control by the opening / closing control means, a value indicating the number of times of opening of the variable pitching means (the remaining number of times of opening) is stored in the progress storage means. It may be done. In the case of adopting such a configuration, at the time of power-on and power-on, the continuation of a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means performed before the power-off is based on the value stored in the progress storage means. Can be executed.

  Note that, by taking into account the value stored in the progress storage means, it is possible to determine whether or not the power supply has been cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means. That is, when a predetermined value corresponding to the control stage of the opening / closing control means is stored in the progress storage means, it can be determined that the power has been cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means. .

  For example, the determination process by the history determination unit is performed by determining whether or not the value stored in the progress storage unit is one of predetermined values corresponding to the control stage of the opening / closing control unit. It is also possible that In this case, the progress storage means corresponds to the open / close state storage means, and a predetermined value corresponding to the control stage of the open / close control means corresponds to the specific value.

  In addition, for example, at the time of power-on and power-on, it is determined whether or not the value stored in the progress storage means is any one of predetermined values corresponding to the control stage of the opening / closing control means. A specific value when it is determined that the value stored in the progress storage unit by the startup determination unit and the value stored in the progress storage unit is one of predetermined values corresponding to the control stage of the opening / closing control unit Other than the specific value when it is determined by the start time determination means that the value stored in the progress storage means is not one of predetermined values corresponding to the control stage of the opening / closing control means. And a determination result storage means for storing the value of. The determination process by the history determination unit may be performed by determining whether or not the value stored in the determination result storage unit is the specific value. Also in this case, the progress storage means corresponds to the open / close state storage means. When such a configuration is adopted, the value stored in the progress storage means may be erased or rewritten when it is read after the power is turned on and after the power is restored. .

  Of course, apart from the progress storage means, a specific value is stored when a series of switching control is being performed by the switching control means when the power is cut off, and is specified when a series of switching control is not being performed by the switching control means when the power is cut off And a determination process of the history determination unit is performed by determining whether or not the value stored in the disconnection storage unit is the specific value. It is good also as a structure to be called. In this case, the disconnection storage means corresponds to the open / close state storage means.

Means 6. Count storage means for storing the count value;
First update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has increased more than before;
A second update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has decreased than before;
The remaining ball monitoring means is configured to perform a remaining ball monitoring process by determining whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area based on a count value stored in the count storage means,
An initial value setting unit that sets a count value of the count storage unit to an initial value when the history determination unit determines that the value stored in the open / close state storage unit is the specific value; A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, characterized in that:

  According to the means 6, the count value after being updated based on the detection by the entrance detection means becomes a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has increased more than before. In addition, the count value after being updated based on the detection by the discharge detection means is a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has decreased more than before. That is, based on the count value of the count storage means, it can be determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area. As a result, the operational effects of the means 1 and 2 are reliably achieved.

  As described in Means 1 and 2, when the power is cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means, the remaining ball monitoring means determines that there is a game ball in the internal area. Even if it exists, it is switched to the valid state or the start trigger valid state. In other words, since the detection of the entrance detection means and the discharge detection means is not performed during a power failure, the remaining ball monitoring means may make a mistake in the remaining ball monitoring processing performed after the power failure. For this reason, it is decided to switch to the valid state or the start trigger valid state when the determination process by the history determination means is performed without maintaining the invalid state or the start trigger invalid state because the game ball exists in the internal area. ing. However, if the count value of the count storage means is still a value indicating that there is a game ball in the internal area, it is determined that there is a game ball in the internal area in the subsequent remaining ball monitoring process, and eventually the invalid state Or it will be switched to a starting opportunity invalid state.

  In this respect, according to this means, when the history determination means determines that the value stored in the open / close state storage means is a specific value, the count value of the count storage means is set to the initial value. For this reason, the above situations can be avoided, and as a result, the operational effects of the means 1 and 2 are reliably exhibited.

  Note that the count value of the count storage means may be backed up when the power is turned off. In this case, for example, after the power is turned on or after the power is restored, it can be determined based on the count value of the count storage means whether or not there is a game ball in the internal area before the power is turned off. In this case, the count storage means corresponds to the remaining state storage means.

Means 7. As the count storage means, there are a first count storage means and a second count storage means,
The first update means updates the count value stored in the first count storage means by a prescribed number for one detection by the entrance detection means,
The second update means updates the count value stored in the second count storage means by a prescribed number for one detection by the discharge detection means,
The remaining ball monitoring means is based on the count value stored in the first count storage means and the count value stored in the second count storage means after the variable pitching means is closed. The game machine according to claim 6, wherein a remaining ball monitoring process is performed by determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal area.

  According to the means 7, when the game ball enters the internal area of the variable ball entry means, the count value stored in the first count storage means is updated by a specified number (for example, 1 is added), and the game ball is By discharging from the area, the count value stored in the second count storage means is updated by a specified number (for example, 1 is added). For example, by checking the difference between the count value stored in the first count storage area and the count value stored in the second count storage area, the number of game balls that have entered the internal area and the internal area The difference from the number of discharged game balls, that is, the number of game balls existing in the internal area can be grasped. This makes it possible to determine whether or not a game ball is present in the internal region, and as a result, the operational effect of the means 6 is reliably achieved. In the remaining ball monitoring process, it can be determined whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area by determining whether or not the difference between the two count values is a specified value (for example, 0). Good.

  Further, for example, from the count value stored in the first count storage means updated to the plus side or the minus side by the first update means, the second update means updates the same side as the update of the first update means. If the count value stored in the second count storage means is subtracted and the initial values of the count values of the first and second count storage means are the same, the difference value is greater than 0. The remaining sphere monitoring process may be performed by determining whether or not. In this case, if it is determined that the difference value is greater than 0, it is possible to determine that there is a game ball in the internal region, and if it is determined that the difference value is not large, it can be determined that there is no game ball in the internal region. In this case, a value of 0 or less corresponds to the specified value.

  In addition, for example, in the case of determining whether or not a value obtained by dividing one count value by the other count value is a specified value, the number of game balls entered into the internal area and the game balls discharged from the internal area It is possible to grasp whether or not the numbers match. Thus, by determining whether or not the divided value is a specified value (for example, 1 when the initial values of the count values of the first and second count storage means are the same), the game ball is placed in the internal area. It can be determined whether or not it exists. More specifically, when it is determined that the divided value is the specified value, it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area, and it is determined that the divided value is not the specified value. In this case, it is determined that a game ball exists in the internal area. In addition, it is good also as providing the initial value setting means which can set the count value memorize | stored in the said 1st and 2nd count memory | storage means to an initial value at least at the time of power activation. In this case, the initial value of the count value of the first and second count storage means can be determined as a constant value.

  In addition, from the count value stored in the first count storage means that is updated to the plus side or the minus side by the first updating means, the second updating means is updated to the opposite side to the updating of the first updating means. If the count value stored in the second count storage means is added and the initial values of the count values in the first and second count storage means are the same, the difference value is greater than zero. The remaining sphere monitoring process may be performed by determining whether or not. In this case, if it is determined that the difference value is greater than 0, it is possible to determine that there is a game ball in the internal region, and if it is determined that the difference value is not large, it can be determined that there is no game ball in the internal region. In this case, a value of 0 or less corresponds to the specified value. The specified value is set to an appropriate value for each model, for example, according to the counter value updating method, the remaining ball monitoring process determination method, the difference between the initial values of the two count values, and the like. The specified value may be one value (for example, 0), or may be a plurality of values (for example, a value of 0 or more).

Means 8. The first update means updates the count value stored in the count storage means for a single detection by the entrance detection means to a plus or minus side by a specified number,
The second update means updates the count value stored in the count storage means for one detection by the discharge detection means by a prescribed number opposite to the update of the first update means,
The remaining sphere monitoring means performs a remaining sphere monitoring process by determining whether or not the count value stored in the count storage means is a specified value after the variable pitching means is closed. A gaming machine according to means 6 characterized by the above.

  According to the means 8, the count value is updated by a specified number (for example, 1 is added) when the game ball enters the internal area of the variable ball entry means, and the count value is calculated by discharging the game ball from the internal area. The specified number is updated (for example, 1 subtraction) to the opposite side. Therefore, by confirming the count value, it is possible to grasp the difference between the number of game balls entering the internal area and the number of game balls discharged from the internal area, that is, the number of game balls existing in the internal area. . Then, by determining whether or not the count value is a specified value (for example, 0 when the count values of the first and second count storage means are the same), there is a game ball in the internal area. It can be determined whether or not. More specifically, when it is determined that the count value is the specified value in the remaining ball monitoring process, it is determined that there is no gaming ball in the internal area, and the count value is determined in the remaining ball monitoring process. If it is determined that the value is not the specified value, it is determined that a game ball is present in the internal area. As a result, the function and effect of the means 6 are reliably achieved.

  Further, as described in the above means 7, in the case of a configuration in which the number of game balls that have entered the internal area of the variable ball entry means and the number of game balls that have been discharged from the internal area are counted separately, In addition to the process of counting the number of balls entering and discharging from the inner area of the sphere, an arithmetic process such as subtracting or dividing the other count value from one count value or adding both count values is required. End up. In this respect, according to the present means, the count value of the (one) count storage means is added or subtracted based on the detection of the entrance detection means and the discharge detection means. The process can be simplified. It is to be noted that a similar effect can be obtained by subtracting the count value when detection is made by the entrance detection means and adding the count value when detection is made by the discharge detection means.

  When it is determined that the count value is a specified value, the state is switched to a valid state (starting trigger valid state), and when it is determined that the count value is not a specified value, it is switched to an invalid state (starting trigger invalid state). It is good also as switching.

  Means 9. The game machine according to any one of means 1 to 8, wherein the remaining ball monitoring means repeatedly performs a remaining ball monitoring process when a game ball is present in the internal area.

  According to the means 9, the closed state of the variable pitching means is maintained until all the game balls entering the inner area are discharged, and if all the game balls entering the inner area are discharged, the variable input The ball means can be opened. For this reason, for example, when the ball clogging is released naturally, it is possible to return to a state in which the switching control by the opening / closing control means can be executed without requiring an artificial operation. In addition, even when a person involved in the hall clears the clogged ball, the switching control by the opening / closing control means can be executed simply by entering the game ball that has been clogged into the specific ball entry part or the non-specific ball entry part. Can be restored.

  Note that a configuration is adopted in which the remaining ball monitoring process is performed immediately after a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means executed based on a predetermined trigger is completed and the variable pitching means is closed. May be. In this case, the switching control by the opening / closing control means can be performed as soon as all the game balls that have entered the internal area are discharged. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the disadvantageous state to the player such that the variable pitching means cannot be opened.

Means 10. The remaining ball monitoring process by the remaining ball monitoring unit and the determination process by the history determining unit are performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the variable ball entering unit is closed,
In the remaining ball monitoring process, it is determined that a game ball is present in the internal area, and the value stored in the open / close state storage unit is determined not to be the specific value by the history determination unit. The game machine according to any one of means 1 to 9, further comprising a remaining ball notifying means capable of notifying that effect.

  According to the means 10, when the remaining ball monitoring means determines that a game ball is present in the internal region, the power supply is not cut off during a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means. If the remaining ball monitoring process is reliable, it can be notified to the hall personnel and players. As a result, problems such as ball clogging can be quickly resolved.

  Note that the game ball that has entered the internal area is still discharged from the internal area until a predetermined time elapses after the variable pitching means is closed, even if a ball clogging or the like does not occur. It is also possible that this has not been done. Therefore, for example, when adopting a configuration capable of performing notification based on the result of the remaining ball monitoring process performed immediately after the variable pitching means is closed, there is a problem such as ball clogging in the internal region. Notification is performed even in a state in which no occurrence has occurred. On the other hand, for example, assuming a time from when the game ball enters the internal area to the time when it is discharged, at least a time longer than the time is set as a “predetermined predetermined time”. Thus, notification can be performed in response to the occurrence of a defect such as a ball clogging, and a more reliable detection of the occurrence of the defect becomes possible. In addition, the notification includes notification by a lighting mode in the lighting unit, a voice mode in the voice unit, a display mode in an auxiliary display device that performs various effects display, and the like. In addition, an output unit connected to a cable connected to a hall computer managed by the hall, and output control means capable of outputting a signal from the output unit to the hall computer via the cable, a game ball is provided in an internal area. Notification (reporting) may be performed by outputting a signal indicating the presence to the hall computer.

  In correspondence with the above means 3, “after a predetermined time has elapsed” means that “the first effective period is not set after the first effective period has elapsed”. It is “after the elapse of the period”, and “after the elapse of the second effective period” when the second effective period is set after the elapse of the first effective period.

  Incidentally, in correspondence with the means 8 described above, there may be provided a remaining ball notifying means capable of notifying the fact when it is determined that the count value is not a specified value. In an embodiment to be described later, a process for setting an opening end command in step S929, a process for setting an ending end command in step S1127, a process for setting a normal time command in step S1308, and a normal time command in step S1401 are received. A process for determining whether or not an ending end command in step S1402 has been received, a process for determining whether or not an opening end command has been received in step S1403, and an affirmative determination in step S1402 or step S1403 The process of turning on the ball invalidation notification lamp in step S1406 performed in this case, and the process of turning off the ball invalidation notification lamp in step S1408 performed when an affirmative determination is made in step S1401 constitutes the remaining ball notification means.

Means 11. Special game state occurrence determining means for determining whether or not to allow the gaming state control means to execute special game processing;
The remaining ball monitoring means determines the number of game balls existing in the internal area based on detection by the incoming ball detection means and detection by the discharge detection means when detection by the specific detection means occurs. Perform specific residual sphere monitoring processing,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 10, wherein the special game state occurrence determination means makes the determination based on a result of the specific remaining ball monitoring process.

  According to the means 11, the special game state is not generated only on the condition that the game ball has entered the specific entrance part, and further, the specific remaining that is performed when the game ball enters the specific entrance part. A special gaming state can be generated based on the result of the ball monitoring process. By adopting such a configuration, for example, a separate game ball other than the game ball guided to the game area by being launched by the launching means is entered into the internal area (the game ball is directly held by hand). Even if there is no illegal entry (such as entering the internal area) or entering the internal area of the variable entry means, the special detection means is erroneously detected by a cell or radio wave, and a special game state is generated. It is possible to prevent such illegal acts.

Means 12. Count storage means for storing the count value;
First update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has increased more than before;
A second update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has decreased than before;
The remaining ball monitoring means includes the count storage means after the count value is updated by the second update means, which is performed based on the game detecting ball entering the specific entrance portion being detected by the discharge detecting means. Monitoring the specific remaining ball by determining whether or not the number of game balls entering the internal area is smaller than the number of game balls discharged from the internal area based on the count value stored in the internal area Process,
The special gaming state occurrence determination means is
In the specific remaining ball monitoring process, when it is determined that the number of game balls that have entered the internal area is not less than the number of game balls that have been discharged from the internal area, Execute game processing,
When it is determined that the number of game balls that have entered the internal area is less than the number of game balls that have been discharged from the internal area, the game state control means does not execute special game processing. A gaming machine according to claim 11.

  In the configuration of the gaming machine, the game ball detected by the specific detection means should be detected by the incoming ball detection means before that. That is, when the number of game balls detected by the entrance detection means is smaller than the number of game balls detected by the discharge detection means, other than the game balls guided to the game area by being launched by the launch means There is a possibility that illegal acts such as illegally entering a separate game ball into the internal area or using a cell or radio wave to cause the specific detection means to falsely detect and cause a special game state Is expensive. In this regard, according to the present means 12, when such a situation occurs, the special gaming state is not generated, and it is possible to suppress the illegal act.

  There are a plurality of methods for determining whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the internal area of the specific remaining ball monitoring process is smaller than the number of game balls that have been discharged from the internal area. For example, as described in the means 3, when there are two count storage means and the initial values of the count values stored in both count storage means are the same value, the first count storage The specific residual sphere monitoring process is performed by determining whether or not a difference value obtained by subtracting the count value stored in the second count storage means from the counter value stored in the means is smaller than 0, If the difference value is 0 or more, the special game process may be executed. Of course, the specific residual sphere monitoring is performed by determining whether or not the difference value obtained by subtracting the count value stored in the second count storage means from the counter value stored in the first count storage means is 0 or more. Processing may be performed. Further, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by dividing the counter value stored in the first count storage means by the count value stored in the second count storage means is smaller than 1 (0 or less). A configuration may be adopted in which the ball monitoring process is performed and the special game process is executed if the divided value is 1 or more. Further, as described in the means 8, when the count value of one count storage means is added by the first update means and subtracted by the second update means, the initial value of the count value of the count storage means is If the count value is 0, the specific remaining ball monitoring process is performed by determining whether or not the count value is smaller than 0. If the count value is 0 or more, the special game process is executed. Good. If there is only one count storage means, the count value can be both larger and smaller than the initial value.

Means 13. Count storage means for storing the count value;
First update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has increased more than before;
A second update means for updating the count value stored in the count storage means to a value indicating that the number of game balls existing in the internal area has decreased than before;
The remaining ball monitoring unit is configured to perform the first update before the count value is updated by the second update unit based on the fact that the game ball that has entered the specific entrance unit is detected by the discharge detection unit. Based on the count value stored in the count storage means and the count value stored in the second count storage means, it is determined whether or not there is a game ball in the internal region, so that the specific remaining ball Perform the monitoring process,
The special gaming state occurrence determination means is
In the specific remaining ball monitoring process, when it is determined that a game ball is present in the internal area, the game state control means executes a special game process,
According to the gaming machine means 13 according to the means 11, the gaming machine control means 13 does not cause the gaming state control means to execute special game processing when it is determined that there is no gaming ball in the internal area. The same effect is exhibited. In addition, the specific remaining ball monitoring process performed when the specific ball detecting means is detected and the remaining ball monitoring process performed when the variable pitching means is closed may have the same processing content. It is possible to simplify the processing. Note that there are a plurality of methods for determining whether or not a game ball exists in the internal area of the specific remaining ball monitoring process, as in the case of the means 7 and 8.

  Means 14. When there is a detection by the specific detection means, the special game state occurrence determination means includes a specific entry invalid notification means capable of notifying the execution of the special game process when not permitted. A gaming machine according to any one of means 11 to 13.

  According to the means 14, for example, there is a high possibility that the detection by the specific detection means is due to an illegal act, for example, when there is no entry into the internal area but the entry into the specific entry portion is confirmed. In such a case, it is possible to notify the hall officials and players to that effect, and as a result, cheating etc. can be suppressed.

  Incidentally, in correspondence with the means 12, in the specific remaining ball monitoring process performed when the specific detection means has been detected, the number of game balls that have entered the internal area is discharged from the internal area. When it is determined that the number is less than the number of game balls, it is possible to provide a remaining ball notification means capable of notifying that effect. Further, in response to the above means 13, when it is determined that there is no game ball in the internal area in the specific remaining ball monitoring process performed when the specific detection means has detected, that fact is indicated. It is good also as having the remaining ball alerting | reporting means which can alert | report. In an embodiment to be described later, a process of setting a ball entering error command in step S610 performed when an affirmative determination is made in step S603, a process of determining whether or not a ball entering error command in step S1404 has been received, step S1404. The process of blinking the entry invalidity notification lamp in step S1407, which is performed when an affirmative determination is made, constitutes a specific entry invalidity notification means.

  Means 15. A gaming machine having the game area on the front surface side, wherein the front of a part of the area through which the game ball can pass is opaque between the entrance detection means and the specific entrance part in the internal area A gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 14, wherein a wall member is provided.

  According to the means 15, for example, a game ball that has entered the internal area is temporarily hidden (hidden behind the wall member) and then becomes visible again. The visual aspect can be changed, and as a result, the interest is improved. On the other hand, if a ball clog occurs on the back side of the wall member, it cannot be seen from the front, so it takes time to check the ball clog or it cannot be detected. There is a risk of In other words, the game is performed in a state where the balls are jammed, and there is an increased risk that the player side or the hall side will suffer a disadvantage. In this regard, by adopting the configuration of each of the above means, it is possible to reliably detect the occurrence of the ball clogging regardless of whether the ball clogging is visible from the front or not, and it depends on whether or not the ball clogging has occurred. The above-described fear can be suppressed by performing the operation. Therefore, the decoration can be applied without worrying that the clogged ball cannot be detected, and as a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

  The basic configuration of various gaming machines to which the above means are applied is shown below.

  A. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a ball game machine. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (ball guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area, and each game component (general winning port, variable winning device, operating port, etc.) arranged in the gaming area ”Ball game machine”.

  B. The gaming machine in each of the above means is a bullet ball gaming machine having a gaming area extending in a substantially vertical direction. As more detailed mode examples, “an operation means (game ball launching handle) operated by a player, a ball launching means (such as a launch motor) for playing a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the launch A ball path (rail guide path of the rail unit) for guiding the played game ball to a predetermined game area extending in a substantially vertical direction (for example, the game area is constituted by a game board surface, etc.), and each of the game areas arranged in the game area A ball ball game machine having a gaming part (general winning port, variable winning device, operation port, etc.) and configured to be able to visually recognize the behavior of a game ball flowing down the game area.

  C. The gaming machine in each of the above means or each of the above ball game machines is a pachinko machine or a gaming machine equivalent to a pachinko machine.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a gaming machine, 33 ... 1st opportunity corresponding port as starting pitching means, 34 ... 2nd opportunity corresponding port as starting pitching means, 37 ... Variable winning apparatus unit as variable pitching means, 223a: specific detection means, specific area switch constituting discharge detection means, 223b ... count switch as entry detection means, 224a ... first trigger corresponding port switch constituting start entry detection means, 224b ... start entry detection 2nd opportunity corresponding port switch constituting means, 225... Remaining ball processing switch constituting discharge detecting means, 261. 426: Second passage opening as a non-specific entry portion, 427: Third passage opening as a specific entry portion, 503a: Opening / closing state storage means, progress storage means, disconnection storage means Back-up area of.

Claims (1)

A game area in which a game ball fired by a predetermined launching means is guided;
The game ball guided to the game area has an internal area in which the game ball can enter, an open state in which the game ball can enter the internal area, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the internal area Switchable variable entry means,
Opening / closing control means for performing switching control for switching the variable pitching means between a closed state and an open state;
Incoming ball detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the inner area;
A specific entry part and a non-specific entry part that enter the inner area and can enter the game balls detected by the entry detection means,
Specific detection means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry section;
Based on detection by the specific detection means, a game state control means capable of executing a special game process for generating a special game state advantageous to the player;
An effective state for permitting switching control to switch the variable pitching means by the opening / closing control means to an open state, and an open permission control means for switching to an invalid state not permitted,
When a game ball enters the internal area, it is detected by the entrance detection means, and then enters the specific entrance part or the non-specific entrance part and is discharged from the internal area. Configuration,
A discharge detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry part and a game ball that has entered the non-specific ball entry part;
After a series of switching control by the opening / closing control means executed based on a predetermined trigger is completed and the variable pitching means is closed, detection by the pitch detection means and detection by the discharge detection means And a remaining ball monitoring means for performing a remaining ball monitoring process for determining whether or not a game ball is present in the internal area,
When it is determined by the remaining ball monitoring process that a game ball is present in the internal area, the invalid state is set.
A gaming machine characterized in that when it is determined that no game ball is present in the internal area after the invalid state, the release permission control means sets the valid state.

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