JP2014212912A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can perform an appropriate payout operation of a game medium without increasing a control load.SOLUTION: A game machine is provided with a process (ST10) for setting payout retrial flag after resetting a CPU, a process (S1) for determining execution of a positioning operation on the basis of the payout retrial flag at the time of starting payout of a game medium, processes (S30 to S38) for repeating an intermittent operation until the first game medium is paid out from a payout device, and processes (S41 to S43) for making the payout device operate in an additional step (X) which is less than a reference step (N) after the first game ball is paid out. The payout retrial flag is eliminated in response to the execution of the positioning operation (S7).

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses game media such as game balls and game medals, and more particularly, to a game machine with improved game media payout operation.

  For example, in a ball game machine, after a game ball has been rented in advance, the game ball is continuously fired in order to win the game ball at the symbol start opening. When a game ball wins a symbol start opening, a big win lottery process is executed, and when a winning state is achieved, a large winning opening is repeatedly opened so that a large number of game balls are paid out as winning balls.

JP 2008-073296 A JP 2008-259662 A JP 2008-279064 A JP 2009-089726 A JP 2009-219790 A JP 2009-219791 A JP 2009-226147 A JP 2009-273561 A JP2011-147524A

  Since this type of gaming machine has the above-described gaming properties, the game ball payout operation is particularly important, and the present applicant has also proposed a number of inventions (Patent Documents 1 to 9). However, further improvement is desired, and in particular, a simple configuration that reliably realizes a smooth payout operation is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that enables an appropriate payout operation of game media without increasing the control burden.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a main control unit that is centrally responsible for game control operations, and drives a payout device based on a command from the main control unit or another device to play game media. And a sub-control unit that executes a payout operation, wherein the game device is configured to pay out one game medium when the payout device operates in a reference step (N), and functions after the CPU reset, and the payout device The first information for storing initialization information that defines the execution of the positioning operation of the first and the initialization information at the start of payout of a predetermined number of game media executed based on a payout command from the main control unit or other equipment A second means for determining whether or not to execute the positioning operation by determining the presence of the game, and functioning when performing the positioning operation, until the first game medium is paid out from the payout device Reams slower than the withdrawal speed Or a third means for repeating an intermittent operation for providing a waiting time after an operation in a predetermined step, and a first game ball is paid out by the third means, and then the payout device is operated in an additional step (X). The additional step (X) is set to be less than the reference step (N), and the initialization information is configured to disappear corresponding to the execution of the positioning operation.

  In the present invention, since the additional step (X) is set to be less than the reference step (N) and the fourth means functions, the subsequent payout operation can be started from the optimum position and the problem of insufficient payout does not occur. A payout operation in which the prescribed number of steps for paying out a predetermined number A of game media is set to A * N can be stably realized.

  The present invention preferably sets the specified number of steps for paying out a predetermined number A of game media to A * N and starts the operation of the payout device, while the number of payouts regardless of the operation of the specified number of steps. If the predetermined number has not been reached, the third and fourth means should function. The number of additional steps is preferably set to N / 2 or less, and more preferably set to the same number or more as the predetermined step in the intermittent operation.

  Preferably, the third means is configured to control the payout device to an abnormally stopped state when the payout of the game medium is not permitted despite repeating the continuous operation or the intermittent operation. In this case, the third means is preferably configured to function even after recovery from the abnormal stop state of the dispensing device, and responds to human operation after recovery from the abnormal stop state of the dispensing device. It is preferable that the third means functions.

  Further, the present invention provides a full power mode for supplying a drive current at a reference level to the payout device, a power saving mode for supplying a drive current below the reference level, and a non-drive mode not supplying a drive current, and a payout device The abnormal stop state is optimally realized in the power saving mode or the non-driving mode.

  According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that enables an appropriate payout operation of game media without increasing the control burden.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The peripheral circuit (a) of the payout control board and the operation principle (b) of the stepping motor are illustrated. The connection relationship between the payout control board and the motor driver is illustrated. It is a time chart explaining the paying-out operation by a motor driver. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a motor driver. It is drawing explaining the constant current operation | movement of a motor driver. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine (a) of a payout control board, and a reception interruption routine (b). It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption routine (a) and a power supply monitoring process (b). It is a time chart explaining a ball lending process. It is a flowchart explaining a part of card | curd communication process. It is a flowchart explaining another part of card | curd communication process. It is a flowchart explaining another part of card communication processing. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending process. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending / prize ball switching process. It is a flowchart explaining a ball lending detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a payout error process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor drive start process (a) and a motor drive process (b). It is a flowchart explaining a motor stop process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor position initialization process. It is a time chart explaining data output processing. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. The detection switch which detects a full ball clogging state is illustrated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall circuit configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine has a power supply board 7 that receives 24 VDC and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, a RAM clear signal CLR, and the like, and a main control board 1 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. An effect control board 2 that executes a lamp effect and an audio effect based on a control command CMD ′ received from the main control board 1, an effect interface board 3 that transmits a signal received from the effect control board 2 to each part, and an effect The liquid crystal control board 4 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD "received from the interface board 3 and the payout motor M based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 1 are used to pay the game ball. The payout control board 5 to be taken out and the launch control board 6 for launching a game ball in response to the player's operation are mainly configured.

  Here, the payout control board 5 is connected to the ball lending machine 22, and the ball lending machine 22 realizes a ball lending operation by the payout control board 5 within the range of the cash inserted here. In order to realize such an operation, the payout control board 5 receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs two control signals EXS and PRDY to the ball lending machine 22. Yes.

  A launch handle 30 is connected to the launch control board 6, and a game ball is launched by intermittently supplying a drive current having a strength VL corresponding to the rotation position to the rotary solenoid SL 1. The ball feed solenoid SL2 is intermittently energized at the same timing, so that the game balls are continuously supplied to the launch position, and the game balls are launched at a speed of about 100 per minute.

  The main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, in this specification, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the circuits mounted on the payout control board 5 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named. It may be called the control part 1, the production control part 2, the liquid crystal control part 4, and the payout control part 5. Note that all or part of the effect control unit 2, the liquid crystal control unit 4, and the payout control unit 5 are sub-control units.

  The main control unit 1 transmits a control command CMD to the payout control unit 5 in one direction, while the payout control unit 5 receives a prize ball count signal indicating a payout operation of a game ball, a payout operation, and a ball lending operation. The status signal CON related to the abnormality is received. The status signal CON includes a replenishment signal and a full ball clogging signal.

  In the case of this embodiment, the control command CMD is composed of MODE data indicating the type of command and EVENT data for specifying specific contents, each having an 8-bit length. The control command CMD transmitted to the payout control unit 5 is roughly divided into a prize ball number specifying command for instructing the number of game balls to be paid out and an operation specifying command for instructing stop or restart of the payout operation. A prize ball number designation command (for example, 8AxxH) designates the number of prize balls by EVENT data (= xxH). On the other hand, a payout stop command and a payout restart command are prepared as the operation designation commands. Including the following cases, H is a subscript meaning a hexadecimal number.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 are supplied with a backup power supply BU of DC 5V from a power supply board 7. Therefore, even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to the end of business or a power failure, the RAM data in the one-chip microcomputer is retained. In this embodiment, the storage contents of the RAM are designed to be retained for at least several days.

  Further, the power supply board 7 is configured to output a voltage drop signal ABN to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 when the AC power supply 24V is shut off. In this embodiment, the voltage drop signal ABN is supplied to the input port instead of the interrupt terminal of each one-chip microcomputer. The main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 grasp the level drop of the voltage drop signal ABN by the flag sense method, and then save necessary data in the RAM. Therefore, coupled with the operation of the backup power supply BU described above, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 can resume the operation before the power shutoff at the start of business or at the time of recovery from a power failure.

  Further, the power supply board 7 outputs a RAM clear signal CLR indicating that the clerk has turned on the RAM clear switch to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. This RAM clear switch is turned on when the power is turned on in order to erase the stored contents of the RAM held by the backup power supply BU. Therefore, the control boards 1 and 5 can grasp the presence or absence of the switch operation by the staff by determining the level of the RAM clear signal CLR.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a peripheral circuit of the payout control board 5. As shown in the drawing, the payout control unit 5 not only receives the DC power supply voltage (including the backup power supply BU) from the power supply board 7 but also the RAM clear signal CLR for clearing the RAM of the payout control unit 5 (one-chip microcomputer), A voltage drop signal ABN indicating a voltage drop of the AC power supply and a system reset signal SYS are received.

  The payout control unit 5 is also connected to the ball lending machine 22 and transmits and receives various control signals (BRDY, BRQ, EXS, PRDY) related to the ball lending operation. Here, the BRDY signal is a signal for transmitting from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine that the player is in a ball lending operation in which the ball lending switch 32b is turned on. The BRQ signal is a signal for requesting a lending operation for one unit (usually 25) from the ball lending machine 22 to the gaming machine.

  As will be described later with reference to FIG. 10, when the BRQ signal falls while the BRDY signal is at the H level, 25 ball lending operations are started, and when the ball lending operation ends, the BRDY signal is at the L level, Alternatively, when the BRDY signal changes to the L level within a predetermined time after the end of the ball lending operation, the ball lending operation is no longer executed. Therefore, the BRDY signal can be considered as a “ball lending permission command”, and the BRQ signal can be considered as a “ball lending start command”. That is, as long as the BRDY signal is at the H level, the ball lending operation is permitted, and in the case of the embodiment, when the BRQ signal falls within this permitted section, 25 games are responded accordingly. The ball dispensing operation is started.

  On the other hand, the PRDY signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the gaming machine is capable of lending the ball. The EXS signal is a signal for transmitting to the ball lending machine 22 that the lending operation for one unit (normally 25 pieces) has been completed.

  The payout control unit 5 receives the DC voltage 18V from the ball lending machine 22 and outputs a permission signal CTL to the firing control board 6 on the condition that the voltage value can be normally received, thereby permitting the firing operation. ing.

  Returning to FIG. 2 and continuing the description, the payout control unit 5 includes a circuit board having a balance display unit 32a indicating a 3-digit numerical value related to the ball lending operation, a ball lending switch 32b, and a return switch 32c. The payout control unit 5 is provided between the circuit board and the ball lending machine 22 and relays necessary signals. Each time the ball lending switch 32b is pressed once, the cash deposited in the ball lending machine 22 is consumed, for example, by 500 yen, the display content of the balance display portion 32a is decreased by -5, and 125 game balls Is paid out.

  By the way, the payout control unit 5 needs to pay out the game balls not only as the rental balls cleared by the above-described ball lending machine 22 but also as prize balls associated with the winning of the game balls. It is desirable that the ball dispensing speed is fast.

  However, since the inertial force of the payout motor M increases in response to the fast payout rate of the game supply, the stop position shifts under normal control, and if this positional shift is accumulated, a malfunction occurs. In addition, the amount of power consumption per unit time increases as the payout speed increases, and heat generation of the payout motor M becomes a problem. Furthermore, if the drive voltage supplied to the payout motor M fluctuates, not only wasteful power consumption occurs, but a stable payout operation is hindered.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, while the game balls are paid out at a high speed of about 15 pieces / second, the payout motor M also at the motor stop timing (pause section) during the payout operation. The displacement of the dispensing motor M due to the inertial force is avoided by continuing the drive to (excitation stop). On the other hand, after all the payout operations are completed, the payout motor M is stopped and driven (power saving is stopped) with the suppressed drive current to save power.

  Further, even if the drive voltage of the payout motor M fluctuates greatly, the payout motor M is driven at a constant current by chopper control so that the drive current does not fluctuate. If the one-chip microcomputer is in charge of such advanced control, the control burden increases. In this embodiment, the payout motor M is driven via the motor driver 18. That is, in this embodiment, instead of the payout control unit 5, the motor driver 18 optimally controls the payout motor M, thereby reducing the control burden on the payout control unit 5.

  Specifically, the connection relationship between the payout control unit 5 and the motor driver 18 is as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3A, the payout control unit 5 provides the motor driver 18 with motor control signals Ac and Bc for realizing two-phase excitation, and a mode switching signal X1 (X1a and X1b) for controlling the power mode. And a drive control signal SB for realizing the non-driving state of the payout motor M. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, each signal Ac, Bc, X1, BS is output from the lower 4 bits (P0 to P3) of the first output port 16 (FIG. 7).

  FIG. 2B (specifically, FIG. 4) shows a payout operation realized by the motor driver 18 that has received four types of signals Ac, Bc, X1, and BS from the payout control unit 5. In this embodiment, the motor control signals Ac and Bc are changed (step operation) at every 2.8 mS, which is two timer interruptions, so that the stepping motor as the payout motor M is two-phase excited. Corresponding to the rotation of the dispensing motor M, the rotational position of the dispensing rotating body RO is the motor position (0) → motor position (1) → motor position (2) → motor position (3) → motor position (0).・ The game ball is paid out by stepping like this and repeating this. The driving currents Ia and Ib of the A-phase winding and B-phase winding of the payout motor M at the motor position (0) to the motor position (3) are as shown in the truth table of FIG.

  Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, it is configured to pay out one game ball through a step operation of 24 steps, and by moving the payout motor M one step every 2.8 mS, about 1 second is achieved. Fifteen game balls are paid out. This payout operation is executed all at once until payout unit (maximum 25) game balls are paid out, and after maintaining a predetermined rest period (for example, about 0.2 seconds) and the motor position up to that point in a driving state. (Excitation stopped), the game balls of the next payout unit are paid out at a stretch.

  After the required game balls have been paid out, the payout motor M is maintained at the same motor position (excitation stop) after a predetermined pause period, and then the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. In the power saving mode, driving of the dispensing motor M with the suppressed driving current is continued to maintain the motor position (power saving is stopped). After that, at the timing when the next payout operation is started, the power saving mode is shifted to the full power mode, and after a suitable return time (for example, excitation stop of about 4 mS), the payout operation is started. . When an abnormality is detected during the payout operation, the drive control signal SB is changed to H level to stop the drive operation of the payout motor M (de-energized stop).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the payout operation of the game ball in the payout unit → the excitation stop for about 0.2 seconds → the payout operation of the game ball in the payout unit →... A proper payout operation without any problem is realized. Further, after the necessary payout operation is completed, stop driving in the power saving mode (power saving stop) is executed to prevent the occurrence of misalignment while suppressing power consumption.

The internal configuration of the motor driver 18 that realizes such a specific payout operation is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, and includes four switching transistors Q1 to Q4 (a pair of left and right CMOS) and four damper diodes D1. 2 systems of switching circuits Ach and Bch constituted by D4 are incorporated. Since a pair of left and right CMOSs (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors) are complementarily turned on, a positive driving current + Ia / + Ib flows out of the output terminal A ₋ / B ₋ and flows into the output terminal A ₊ / B _+. Alternatively, a reverse drive current -Ia / -Ib flows.

Thus, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the constant current controlled excitation currents ± Ia / ± Ib flow through the entire A-phase and B-phase excitation windings, so that the driving efficiency for rotating the payout rotating body RO is improved. Are better. In addition, since the power supply voltage Vcc (about 12 V) supplied to the motor driver 18 serves as a driving power source for the payout motor M, the wiring to the payout motor M has two wires (A ₋ A ₊ ) for the A-phase winding. There is also an advantage that a total of four wires (B ₋ B ₊ ) for the B-phase winding is sufficient.

  On the other hand, in the conventional gaming machine, the center taps of the A-phase and B-phase excitation windings become common terminals, and the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied thereto, so that the excitation current flows only in half of the excitation winding. However, even if the drive current is the same, the magnetomotive force is only half. Note that an extra wiring for supplying the power supply voltage is also required.

  The internal configuration of the motor driver 18 will be described. The motor driver 18 includes an energization control circuit 61 that controls ON / OFF of two systems of switching circuits Ach and Bch, and a flip-flop that specifies ON / OFF timing of the switching circuits Ach and Bch. 62a and 62b, an oscillation circuit OSC that generates an internal clock that defines the operation of each part, timing circuits 63a and 63b that define the set timing of the flip-flops 62a and 62b, and a detection voltage Vs from the detection resistors Rs and Rs. Are compared with the comparison voltage Vr, the reference voltages Vra and Vrb are appropriately amplified, the variable amplifiers 65a and 65b are configured to generate the comparison voltage Vr, and the 4-bit signal Ac, And a decoder 66 for receiving Bc, X1, and SB. There.

  As illustrated, the flip-flops 62a and 62b are reset based on the output signals of the comparators 64a and 64b, and are set based on the output signals of the timing circuits 63a and 63b. In this embodiment, the two detection resistors Rs and Rs and the two reference voltages Vra and Vrb are set to the same fixed value.

  As shown in the figure, each of the detection resistors Rs forms a closed circuit including the payout motor M, and the power supply voltage (drive voltage) Vcc → one side of the CMOS → the payout motor M → the other side of the CMOS → the detection resistor Rs. The drive current flowing through the path is detected (see FIG. 6).

  The decoder 66 defines the amplification factor of the variable amplifier 65 based on the mode switching signals X2 and X1, but in this embodiment, the mode switching signals X2a and X2b are both fixed at the L level. On the other hand, the mode switching signals X1a and X1b are always connected so as to be at the same level, and receive the 1-bit length mode switching signal X1 from the payout control unit.

  When the mode switching signal X1 = L level (full power mode), the decoder 66 functions so that the amplification factor of the variable amplifying unit 65 becomes higher than when the mode switching signal X1 = H level (power saving mode). To do. For this reason, in the power saving mode in which the mode switching signal X1 = H level, the comparison voltage Vr is at a lower level than in the full power mode, and the detection voltage Vs of the detection resistor Rs is switched at a relatively low timing at the switching circuits Ach, Bch. As a result, the driving current of the dispensing motor M is lowered.

  The drive control signal SB is normally at the L level, but when this changes to the H level, the two switching circuits Ach and Bch are all configured to transition to the OFF state. When all of the two switching circuits Ach and Bch are switched to the OFF state, no driving current flows through the payout motor M, so that the payout motor M enters a free rotation state in an unconstrained state (non-excitation stop).

  In the present embodiment, the drive control signal SB is configured to be controlled to the H level only at the initial operation when power is supplied to the gaming machine or when an abnormality such as a ball clogging occurs. Therefore, the initial operation of the motor driver 18 after the start of the power supply can be smoothed, and the staff operation at the time of abnormality is facilitated. Since the drive control signal SB is controlled independently of the motor control signals Ac and Bc, the payout control unit 5 can easily control the motor from the drive state to the non-drive state.

  Next, the motor control signals Ac and Bc will be described. The motor control signals Ac and Bc are decoded by the decoder 66 to become control signals for the energization control circuit 61. Then, the current directions of the A-phase and B-phase drive windings of the payout motor M are defined by controlling the ON / OFF states of the switching transistors Q1 to Q4 constituting the switching circuits Ach and Bch. As illustrated, the A-phase drive current Ia of the payout motor M is controlled by the operation of the switching circuit Ach, and the B-phase drive current Ib of the payout motor M is controlled by the operation of the switching circuit Bch.

Drive current Ia, the direction of Ib is as shown in the truth table of FIG. 3 (b), when the motor control signal Ac = H is outputted from the output terminal A ₊ terminal A _- to toward the driving current ( -Ia) flows, in the case of the motor control signal Ac = L, the output terminal a _- are configured drive current (+ Ia) flows as toward the output terminal _{a +} from.

The same applies to the motor control signals Bc, when the motor control signal Bc = H, the output terminal B ₊ from the output terminal B _- drive current (-Ib) flows toward the case of the motor control signal Bc = L the output terminal B _- drive current (-Ia) flows from the output terminal _{B +.} The positive and negative ± of the drive currents Ia and Ib is a sign for convenience, but corresponds to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  Next, constant current control of the motor driver 18 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 (a) to 6 (d) show a state in which the switching circuit Ach is under constant current control and flows a positive direction drive current + Ia, and the motor driver 18 receives the L level motor control signal Ac. It shows the state. On the other hand, when the motor driver 18 receives the H level motor control signal Ac, the ON / OFF states of the elements Q1 to Q4 and D1 to D4 are reversed left and right in FIGS. Become. Needless to say, in any operation state, the drive control signal SB is at the L level (normal operation state).

  In the illustrated state in which the L-level motor control signal Ac is received, the switching circuit Ach of the motor driver 18 is based on the control of the energization control circuit 61, so that the first state PH1 (FIG. 6A) → the second state PH2. (FIG. 6 (b)) → third state PH3 (FIG. 6 (c)) → fourth state PH4 (FIG. 6 (d)) → first state PH1 (FIG. 6 (a)) →... It has become.

  In the first state PH1 (FIG. 6A), the transistors Q1 and Q4 are in the ON state, and the drive current Ia increases exponentially as shown in FIG. 6F. Since this drive current flows through the path of the power supply voltage Vcc → the transistor Q1 → the A-phase winding of the payout motor M → the transistor Q4 → the detection resistor Rs, the detection voltage Vs also increases. The detection voltage Vs is compared with the comparison voltage Vr by the comparator 64a. In the following description, it is assumed that the detection voltage Vs is operating in the full power mode (mode switching signal X1 = L).

  As described above, since the comparison voltage Vr in the full power mode is higher than the comparison voltage in the power saving mode, the output of the comparator 64a changes until the drive current Ia reaches the 100% position shown in FIG. do not do. However, when the detection voltage Vs further increases and reaches the comparison voltage Vr (100% position) in the full power mode, the output of the comparator 64a changes, and the energization control circuit 61 functions in response to this change. The switching circuit Ach shifts to the operation of the second state PH2 (FIG. 6B).

  In the second state PH2, since the transistor Q1 transitions to the OFF state, the damper diode D2 is turned on, and the current in the path shown in FIG. In the second state PH2, since the power supply voltage Vcc does not function, the increase of the drive current is stopped and the current exceeding the specified value (100% position) is prevented from flowing.

  In the second state PH2, the drive current decreases due to the discharge of the accumulated energy of the A-phase winding of the payout motor. Thereafter, the energization control circuit 61 changes the transistor Q2 to the ON state at an appropriate timing, and the first state PH2. The operation is shifted to the operation of the three state PH3. As described above, in the motor driver 18 of this embodiment, since the transition to the third state is made via the second state, the two transistors Q1 and Q2 constituting the CMOS are not simultaneously turned on, and the transistor Q1 → The through current of transistor Q2 is prevented.

  Next, the energization control circuit 61 returns the transistor Q2 to the OFF state at an appropriate timing, shifts the operation from the third state PH3 to the fourth state PH4, and then shifts the transistor Q1 to the ON state. Thus, the operation is shifted to the first state PH1. The subsequent operation is the same, and the same operation is repeated as long as the motor driver 18 receives the L-level motor control signal Ac.

  As is apparent from the above operation, the storage energy of the A-phase winding of the payout motor M is repeatedly charged and discharged, so that a substantially constant drive current + Ia flows through the A-phase winding. In the present embodiment, since such constant current control is executed, even if the voltage level of the power supply voltage Vcc is unstable, it is possible to maintain a stable magnetomotive force that rotates the payout rotor RO. Moreover, there is no wasteful power consumption, and abnormal heating of the dispensing motor M is prevented.

  The full power mode in which the mode switching signal X1 is at the L level has been described above. However, when the mode switching signal X1 changes to the H level, the operation in the power saving mode is performed. That is, when the mode switching signal X1 is changed to the H level, the comparison voltage Vr is decreased by controlling the gain of the variable amplifying unit 65a to be decreased. Then, when the driving current + Ia that increases in the first state PH1 (FIG. 6A) reaches the comparison voltage Vr (1 / N position) in the power saving mode, the output of the comparator 64a changes, and the switching circuit Ach Will shift to the second state PH2 (FIG. 6B).

  Thereafter, the state returns to the first state PH1 (FIG. 6A) through the third state PH3 (FIG. 6C) → the fourth state PH4 (FIG. 6D), and the same charge / discharge operation is repeated. As the comparison voltage Vr is low, the upper limit value of the drive current is lowered, and a suppressed motor drive is realized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the full power mode in which the payout motor M is driven with 100% power and the power saving mode in which the payout motor M is driven with 1 / N are provided. It is controlled by a mode switching signal X1 output from the unit 5 to the motor driver 18.

  As described above, after the payout operation is completed, a minimum drive current is maintained (power saving mode) to realize a stopped state in which the payout motor M is appropriately restrained (power saving stop). The position shift due to the inertial force is prevented. Therefore, even if an unscrupulous player hits the gaming machine, the rotation stop position does not shift like the payout motor M maintained in the non-driven state (non-excitation stop). Of course, in a gaming machine where a player is long away, wasteful power consumption occurs, but power consumption can be reduced to a minimum by optimizing the power saving mode.

  The specific suppression rate 1 / N is appropriately set, but is preferably about 1/5 to 1/2 in order to suppress power consumption and maintain a stable stop state. The suppression rate is about 3.

  Returning to FIG. 2, another configuration of the payout control unit 5 will be described. In this embodiment, a game ball lent to a gaming machine passes through the same route as that of a winning ball associated with a winning game ball. The number of payouts is detected by the common left and right counting switches RSW and LSW.

  The payout control unit 5 is supplied with a switch signal for detecting an out-of-supply state or a full ball clogging state. Here, the out-of-supply state means a state in which the game balls supplied from the upstream side of the payout rotating body RO that is rotationally driven by the payout motor M are interrupted, and the winning ball operation and the ball lending operation are virtually impossible. To do. The full ball clogging state means a state in which the downstream side of the payout rotating body RO is full and no further payout is practically possible.

  The detection switch that detects a full ball clogging state is, for example, a limit switch having a movable piece LVR, and the pressing member BDY pushes the movable piece LVR so that the ON state is maintained until the game ball finishes passing through the position. (See FIG. 29). However, as long as the game ball is normally paid out, whether it is a winning ball operation or a ball lending operation, even if a large number of game balls are moving in a row, the pressing member BDY repeatedly swings, The detection switch repeats an ON state and an OFF state.

  In this embodiment, the game ball is paid out at a speed of about 15 pieces / second during the prize ball operation, so the output of the detection switch repeats the ON / OFF state at the same speed. However, when the movement of the game ball is stagnant and the ON state continues for 0.5 seconds or more, it is determined that the full ball clogged state has occurred.

  When such a full ball clogging state or a replenishment state is reached, the subsequent rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited (operation prohibited state), and the system waits until the abnormal state is resolved. It should be noted that the out-of-supply state is automatically canceled or is canceled by an operator's operation. Also, the full ball clogging state is eliminated by the player's operation in response to the notification operation.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the internal configuration of the payout control unit 5. As shown, the payout control unit 5 includes an input buffer (bus buffer) 10 that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit 1, a first input port 13A that receives various switch signals and control signals CLR and ABN, An input port 12, a third input port 13B, a one-chip microcomputer 14 incorporating a Z80 CPU equivalent product, an address decoder 15 that generates a chip select signal for an input / output port, a first output port 16, and a second output port 17 and the motor driver 18 that receives a motor control signal from the first output port 16.

  As shown in the figure, the third input port 13B receives two control signals BRDY and BRQ from the ball lending machine 22 via a photocoupler and an inverter. The two control signals BRDY and BRQ are less susceptible to noise because they pass through the photocoupler. That is, since the control input signals BRDY and BRQ are supplied to the cathode terminal of the diode, the output of the phototransistor is not affected by noise. Further, ringing, overshoot, undershoot and the like do not occur in the output of the phototransistor. These relationships are the same for the control output signals PRDY and EXS.

  The first input port 13A is supplied with switch signals from a counting switch, a replenishment detection switch, and a full ball clogging detection switch. The first input port 13A is also supplied with a RAM clear signal CLR, which is a control signal from the power supply board 7, and a voltage drop signal ABN. In this embodiment, the input buffer 10, the first, second and third input ports 12, 13A, 13B are configured by 74541 equivalent bus buffers, and the address decoder is configured by 74138 equivalents. Yes. The output ports 16 and 17 are 74273 equivalent D-type flip-flops.

  The control command CMD is supplied from the main control board 1 to the second input port 12 via the bus buffer 10, and the main control board 1 is supplied with the strobe signal STB in accordance with the supply of the control command CMD. The The strobe signal STB is supplied to an interrupt terminal (maskable interrupt) of the CPU core. Accordingly, the payout control board 5 starts a reception interrupt routine to acquire a control command CMD.

  As described with reference to FIG. 3, from the bit 0 to bit 3 of the first output port 16, the motor control signals Ac and Bc for realizing the two-phase excitation, the mode switching signal X1 for controlling the power mode, and the discharge motor M not being driven A drive control signal SB for realizing the state is output. Further, an LED drive signal is output to bit 4 of the first output port 16, and the abnormal lamp ER is turned on. Note that a clear signal of a watchdog timer circuit (not shown) is output to bit 7 of the first output port 16 every predetermined time.

  The bit 1 and bit 2 of the second output port 17 output a replenishment signal and a full ball clogging signal to the main control unit 1. On the other hand, control signals PRDY and EXS are output from the bit 6 and bit 7 of the second output port 17 to the ball lending machine 22. The control signals PRDY and EXS are transmitted to the ball lending machine 22 via an inverter and a photocoupler. Since the control signals PRDY and EXS are also transmitted via the photocoupler, they are not easily affected by noise or the like.

  8 to 9 are flowcharts for explaining a program executed by the payout control unit 5 shown in FIG. In summary, the operation of the payout control unit 5 is a main routine (FIG. 8A) that starts after power-on and ends with an infinite loop process, and a reception interrupt processing routine that is activated by a strobe signal STB from the main control unit 1. (FIG. 8 (b)) and a timer interrupt routine (FIG. 9 (a)) started every fixed time (1.4 mS).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, in the reception interrupt routine, the control command CMD is acquired from the second input port 12 and stored in the command buffer area of the RAM (ST101). EI) is set, and the process ends (ST103).

  Next, the operation content of the main routine (FIG. 8A) will be described. When the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 7 and the system reset signal SYS is supplied, the CPU sets itself to the interrupt disabled state (DI) (ST1), and then initializes each part of the one-chip microcomputer 14. Perform (ST2). This initial setting operation includes initial setting of the stack pointer of the CPU, and the stack pointer points to the bottom of the LIFO type stack area. In this embodiment, the data in the stack area is maintained by the backup power supply BU even after the power supply is cut off, but the stack area is released by the processing in step ST2.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied from the power supply board 7 based on the data acquired from the first input port 13A (ST3). In this embodiment, when the game hall is in operation, especially when the clerk turns on the RAM clear switch of the power supply board 7, the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied. Normally, the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied.

  If the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied, the value of the backup flag BAKFLG stored in the process of step ST237 of the power supply monitoring process (FIG. 9B) is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, next, the same checksum operation as that in step ST238 of the power monitoring process is executed to calculate the sum value (ST5), which is the sum value stored in the RAM area. (ST6). If the sum value calculated in the main routine matches the sum value stored in the power supply monitoring process (ST23), it is considered that the process before power-off can be resumed, so the backup flag BAKFLG is cleared. (ST7).

  On the other hand, (1) as a result of the determination in step ST3, the RAM clear signal CLR is in an ON state, (2) as a result of the determination in step ST4, the backup flag is a value other than 5AH, or (3) step If an abnormality is recognized by the sum check in ST6, the entire RAM area is cleared (ST8).

  Then, regardless of whether or not the RAM area is cleared, first, an initialization pulse is output to Bit 3 of the first output port 16 (ST9). The output initialization pulse is supplied to the corresponding terminal of the motor driver 18 as the drive control signal BS, whereby the motor driver 18 is correctly initialized and the subsequent normal motor operation is secured.

  Next, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, and the power saving flag is set to 5AH (ST10). Since the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, in the first payout operation, the motor operation status 00H shifts to the motor operation status 03H (see S1 and S5 to S7 in FIG. 21). The motor position initialization process shown is executed. As will be described in detail later, in the motor position initialization process, after confirming the payout of the first game ball, the payout motor M is additionally rotated by four steps, thereby accurately positioning the payout motor M. Realized.

  The first payout operation is realized by either the ball lending process (ST88) or the prize ball process (ST89). In the case of the ball lending process (ST88), the power saving flag is first set. In addition to being set to 00H, the payout motor flag is set to 5AH (RT15 in FIG. 14). This is the same in the case of the prize ball process (ST89). First, the power saving flag is set to 00H (ST34 in FIG. 17), and the payout motor flag is set to 5AH (ST33 in FIG. 17). ).

  Since the start operation of the motor operation status 00H (S1 in FIG. 21) is executed on condition that the payout motor flag is not 00H (see ST65 to ST68 in FIG. 20), the first ball after the CPU reset is finally obtained. The payout operation in the full power mode is executed from the lending operation or the winning ball operation, and the motor initialization process (FIG. 23) is executed when the first game ball is paid out.

  Note that the execution of the process in step ST10 does not depend on whether or not the RAM area is cleared (ST18). Therefore, in the first ball lending operation or prize ball operation after the CPU is reset, the motor position is always initial. Process (FIG. 23) is executed, and the previous day's position shift is not carried over to the next day.

  When the initial processing (ST9 to ST10) having the above significance is completed, the CPU is set in an interrupt enabled state (ST10), and the infinite loop processing is repeated. When the CPU is in the interrupt enabled state, the periodic processing (ST82 to ST92) shown in FIG. 9A is executed by the subsequent timer interrupt.

  Next, the timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. This timer interrupt routine is executed at regular intervals (for example, every 1.4 mS) by interrupting the infinite loop processing of the main routine.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the timer interruption routine of this embodiment outputs the motor control data at the address MOTOUT to rotate the payout motor M (ST92), and outputs the motor control data at the address MOTOUT. A card that advances the card operation status according to the communication protocol with the ball lending machine, the motor process (ST91) to be changed as appropriate, the data input process (ST84) to detect the game ball paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M It includes a communication process (ST87) and a ball lending process (ST88) for managing whether a predetermined number of payout operations have been executed based on the payout detection result of the data input process. In the prize ball process (ST89), a prize ball operation based on a control command (award ball number designation command) received from the main control unit 1 is realized, but the ball lending process (ST88) is practically exclusive. Is supposed to work.

  The timer interrupt routine will be specifically described below. First, the CPU in the interrupt disabled state (DI) is returned to the interrupt enabled state (EI) (ST82). As a result of this process, the reception interrupt of FIG. 8B is also applied during the timer interrupt process, and the control command CMD from the main control unit 1 is acquired without being read out. In this embodiment, in the infinite loop processing of the main routine, the CPU does not substantially perform any processing, and therefore it is not necessary to save the CPU register at the time of timer interruption. Therefore, at the beginning of the timer interrupt process of FIG. 9A, there is no group of PUSH instructions, and at the end of the timer interrupt process, there is no group of POP instructions.

  When the process of step ST82 is completed, a power supply monitoring process is executed (ST83). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, first, the voltage drop signal ABN is acquired through the first input port 13A (ST230), and it is determined whether it is an abnormal level (ST231). If it is not an abnormal level, the abnormal number counter is cleared to zero and the process ends (ST232).

  On the other hand, if the voltage drop signal ABN is at the abnormal level, the abnormality counter is incremented by 1 (ST233), and it is determined whether the counting result exceeds the upper limit value MAX (ST234). This is because the acquired data from the first input port 13A may be garbled due to the influence of noise or the like, and continuously for a predetermined number of times (for example, the upper limit value MAX = 5). When the abnormal level is maintained, it is determined that the AC power supply is actually shut off.

  As a result of the determination in step ST234, if the count value of the abnormal number counter coincides with the upper limit value MAX, the CPU is first set in an interrupt disabled state in order to prohibit subsequent reception interrupts (ST235). Next, after the abnormality number counter is cleared to zero (ST236), 5AH is set to the backup flag BAKFLG (ST237). Next, the same calculation as in step ST5 of the main routine is executed for the same work area (work area), and the calculation result is stored (ST238). The operation to be executed is typically an 8-bit addition operation. After that, the one-chip microcomputer is set to the RAM access prohibited state (ST239), and the DC power supply voltage is lowered while repeating the infinite loop process.

  Next, the data input process at step ST84 will be described. The data input process is mainly a process for confirming whether or not the game ball is actually paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M. As described above, not only a game ball is paid out by a winning ball operation accompanying a winning or the like, but also a game ball is similarly paid out by a ball lending operation related to the ball lending machine 22.

  In the data input process (ST84), 8-bit data of the first input port 13A is acquired, it is determined whether the signal level has changed by comparison with the previous acquired value, and if a level change is detected, The edge data is stored in the work area EDG in the RAM area. As shown in FIG. 8C, the fact that the level of the switch signal from the counting switches LSW and RSW has changed (the switch signal has risen) is stored in the work area EDG. In the work area LVL, the bit inversion data of the switch signals from the counting switches LSW and RSW acquired this time is stored and referred to in the next data input process.

  When the data input process (ST84) is completed in this way, the subtraction process (-1) for various timers of 8 bits or 16 bits is performed (ST85). Since the timer interrupt process is executed every 1.4 mS, one unit time of the subtraction timer means 1.4 mS.

  When the timer subtraction process is completed, the control command obtained by the reception interrupt process is analyzed (ST86). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the received control command CMD is a prize ball number designation command. When a prize ball number designation command is received, the prize ball number specified by the command is added to the total prize ball counter provided in the work area of the RAM. The value of the total prize ball counter is read and used in the process of step ST26 (FIG. 17) in the prize ball process (ST89).

  Next, a communication process (ST87) with the ball lending machine 22 and a ball lending process (ST88) cleared by the ball lending machine 22 are executed. 10 to 16 are time charts and flowcharts for explaining the details of these processes.

  The specific processing contents of the card communication process (ST14) are managed by the card operation status. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, in accordance with the value of the card operation status (= 00H to 0DH), the BRDY waiting process (RT0), the BRQ waiting process (RT1), the ball lending start waiting process (RT2) ), Ball lending start processing (RT3), ball lending processing (RT4), ball lending end waiting processing (RT5), and communication error processing (RT60, RT61) are executed.

<Card operation status = 00H>
In the initial state, the card operation status is 00H, and the BRDY wait process (RT0) shown in FIG. 11B is executed. Specifically, the PRDY flag is set to 5AH (RT001).

  The PRDY flag prescribes whether or not the H-level control signal PRDY is output to the ball lending machine 22, and when the gaming machine is started normally, the PRDY flag set in the process of step RT001. Based on the value (= 5 AH), the control signal PRDY of H level is output in the data output process (ST92) (see timing (a) in FIG. 10).

  When the initial processing of step RT001 is completed, the level of the control signal BRDY received from the ball lending machine 22 is determined (RT002), and only when this rises (see timing (b) in FIG. 10), the card operation status is 01H. And the card timer value is set to an appropriate initial value t1. The initial values t1, t2, t3, and t4 of the card timer and the lower limit value of the card timer value are values that are appropriately determined based on the interface specifications (protocol) between the ball lending machine and the gaming machine.

<Card operation status = 01H>
When the card operation status is changed from 00H to 01H (RT003), the BRQ waiting process (RT1) shown in FIG. 11C is executed. Here, first, the card timer value is determined (RT101), and if it is not zero, it is determined whether both the control signals BRDY and BRQ output from the ball lending machine 22 are at the H level (RT102).

  When both of the control signals BRDY and BRQ become H level (see timing (c) in FIG. 10), it is determined whether or not the card timer value is equal to or higher than the lower limit value (RT103). The operation status is set to 02H, and the card timer value is newly set to the initial value t4 (RT104).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step RT103 that the card timer value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value, it is determined that a communication error has occurred, and the card operation status is set to 07H and the card timer value is newly set. The initial value t2 is set (RT105). In this way, when the card operation status is set to 07H, appropriate communication error processing (RT60, RT61) is subsequently executed, including the case of passing through other processing.

  As is apparent from the processing of steps RT101 and RT103, it is determined that the control signals BRDY and BRQ are both H level too early or too late as a communication error. Specifically, in this embodiment, only when the two control signals are BRDY = BRQ = H level between 28 ms and 50 ms after the start of the BRQ waiting process (RT1), the card operation status is displayed. It is proceeding to 02H. Such operation improves noise resistance.

<Card operation status = 02H or 06H>
When the card operation status is changed from 01H to 02H (RT104) or the card operation status is changed from 05H to 06H (RT505 in FIG. 12C), the ball rental shown in FIG. 11D is started. A waiting process (RT2) is executed. In this ball lending start waiting process, first, the card timer value is determined (RT201), and if it is not zero, it is determined whether the value is less than the lower limit value (RT202).

  If the prize ball flag is zero at this timing (RT203), the card operation status is changed from 02H to 03H, the card timer value is set to the initial value t1, and the EXS flag is set to 5AH (RT204). . The process of step RT204 is a process for notifying the ball lending machine 22 that the ball lending process is started because the control signals BRDY and BRQ are already at the H level at this timing (RT102). Based on the EXS flag set to 5AH, in the subsequent data output process (ST92), the H level control signal EXS is output to the ball lending machine 22 (see timing (d) in FIG. 10).

  In addition, when time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses without satisfying the conditions of RT202 to RT203 and the value of the card timer becomes zero, at the timing when both of the control signals BRDY and BRQ become L level. Then, the card operation status is returned to 00H (RT206).

  As described above, in this embodiment, for example, about 10 seconds are waited for the prize ball flag to change to 00H. This prize ball flag is set to 5AH at the start of the prize ball operation (ST33 in FIG. 17), and returns to 00H when the necessary prize ball operation is completed (ST47, ST24). It seems that there is enough time.

  On the other hand, even when 10 seconds have passed without the prize ball flag becoming 00H, the control unit continues to wait for the control signal to become BRDY = BRQ = L level, and to change the card operation status at the timing of BRDY = BRQ = L level. 00H. This operation means that the operation of the ball lending machine 23 continues to wait for the operation to return to the initial state. In short, the ball lending machine 23 is given a sufficient grace time.

  Similarly, the operation preparation time of the ball lending machine 23 is ensured by not outputting the control signal EXS for 10 mS, for example, after starting the ball lending start processing (RT2) by the process of step RT202.

<Card operation status = 03H>
When the card operation status is changed from 02H to 03H (RT204), a ball lending start process (RT3) shown in FIG. 12A is executed. In this ball lending start process, first, the card timer value is determined (RT301). If it is not zero, it is determined whether the control signal BRDY is at the H level and the control signal BRQ is at the L level ( RT302). When this condition is satisfied (see timing (e) in FIG. 10), it is determined whether the card timer value is equal to or greater than the lower limit value (RT303).

  If the card timer value is less than the lower limit value, the card operation status is set to 04H, and the card timer value is newly set to the initial value t2 (RT304).

  If it is determined in step RT301 that the card timer value is zero, or if it is determined in step RT303 that the card timer value is greater than or equal to the lower limit value, the card timer value is set to the initial value t2. At the same time, the card operation status is set to 07H (RT307).

  As is clear from the processing in steps RT303 and RT301, it is determined that the control signal BRDY = H level and the control signal BRQ = L level are communication errors regardless of whether they are too early or too late. Specifically, in this embodiment, the card operation status is advanced to 04H only when the above condition is satisfied during 28 mS to 50 mS after shifting to the ball lending start process (RT3). By such operation, noise resistance is improved.

<Card operation status = 04H>
When the card operation status is changed from 03H to 04H (RT304), the ball lending process (RT4) shown in FIG. 12B is executed. In this ball lending process, when the card timer value is zero and the ball lending flag is 00H, the card operation status is changed to 05H (RT403). In accordance with this, the card timer is set to the initial value t3, and the EXS flag is set to 00H. Based on the EXS flag set to 00H, an L level control signal EXS is output to the ball lending machine 22 in the data output process (ST92) (see timing (f) in FIG. 10).

  The ball lending flag determined in step RT402 is initially set to 5AH at the timing of actually starting the ball lending processing for 25 pieces (RT15 in FIG. 14). After passing through a certain value (= A5H) (RT51 in FIG. 16), it is finally returned to 00H (RT18 in FIG. 14). Therefore, in the ball lending process (RT4), the fact that the ball lending flag = 00H is detected means that 25 gaming balls have been paid out, so that the L level control signal EXS is output. The EXS flag is returned to 00H (RT403).

  It should be noted that the value of the ball lending flag is not checked until the predetermined time t2 elapses after the process of step RT401 shifts to the ball lending processing (RT4). This is because in this embodiment, the ball lending operation is executed with 25 units as one unit, so that the ball lending flag does not return to 00H earlier than the predetermined time. That is, the execution of the meaningless determination process (RT402) is avoided.

<Card operation status = 05H>
When the card operation status is changed from 04H to 05H (RT403), a ball lending end waiting process (RT5) shown in FIG. 12C is executed. In this ball lending end waiting process, it is determined whether the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the H level (RT502) on the condition that the card timer value is not zero (RT501). Here, the case where the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the H level means that the control signal BRQ that has been at the L level again becomes the H level (timing (c) in FIG. 10). 'reference). In other words, this means that the ball lending machine 22 instructs the gaming machine to execute the payout of 25 gaming balls per unit again.

  Therefore, when BRDY = H level and BRQ = H level, the card operation status is set to 06H and the card timer is set to the initial value t4 (RT505). When the card operation status is set to 06H, the ball lending start waiting process (RT2) shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step RT502 is NO, it is next determined whether or not both control signals BRDY and BRQ are at the L level (RT503). Here, the case where the two control signals BRDY and BRQ are both at the L level means that the control signal BRDY that has been at the H level at the start of a series of ball lending operations (see timing (b) in FIG. 10). , It means that it has returned to the L level (see timing (g) in FIG. 10). In other words, as a result of repeating the payout operation of 25 game balls per unit a plurality of times, a series of ball lending processes in response to one pressing operation of the ball lending switch 23b is completely completed. means.

  Therefore, when BRDY = L level and BRQ = L level, the card operation status is set to the initial state 00H, and the card timer is initialized to zero (RT504). When the card timer becomes zero without executing any card operation status change processing (RT505, RT504) (for example, 250 mS has elapsed), the card operation status is set to 07H because the communication is abnormal. At the same time, the card timer is set to the initial value t2 (RT506). However, since the ball lending machine 22 lowers the BRDY signal after a predetermined time after the last BRQ signal is lowered, usually the processing of step RT504 is executed immediately, and it is not determined that there is a communication abnormality.

<Card operation status = 07H to 0DH>
The operation after the card operation status is changed to 07H will be described with reference to FIG. When the card operation status is 07H, the communication error process (RT60) shown in FIG. 11A is executed as in the case where the card operation status is 08H to 0CH.

  Regardless of the card operation status (07H to 0CH), the communication error process (RT60) waits until the card timer value becomes zero (RT600), and the process corresponding to the card operation status 07H to 0CH is executed. .

  Specifically, as shown in the figure, when the card operation status is 07H, the PRDY flag is changed to 00H, the card timer value is set to 50, and the card operation status is changed to 08H. . Next, when the card operation status is 08H, the EXS flag is changed to 00H, the card timer value is set to 50, and the card operation status is changed to 09H. Note that the L level control signals PRDY and EXS are output in the subsequent data output process ST92 (FIGS. 9 and 24) according to the value of the PRDY flag and the EXS flag (= 00H). Further, since the card timer value is set to 50, for example, the transition of the card operation status requires an elapsed time of 70 mS in this embodiment.

  The same processing continues thereafter, and when the card operation status is 09H, the PRDY flag is changed to 5AH, the card timer value is set to 50, and the card operation status is changed to 0AH. Next, when the card operation status = 0AH, the PRDY flag is changed to 00H, the card timer value is set to 50, and the card operation status = 0BH.

  When the card operation status = 0BH, the PRDY flag is changed to 5AH, the card timer value is set to 50, and the card operation status = 0CH. Next, when the card operation status = 0CH, the PRDY flag is changed to 00H, the card timer value is set to 5000 this time, and the card operation status = 0DH.

  As a result of the above processing, the control signal PRDY repeats the H level and the L level through the data output processing ST92 (FIGS. 9 and 24). This pulse-like change tells the ball lending machine 22 that a communication abnormality has occurred, and the ball lending machine 22 that has recognized this will return its operating state to the initial state.

  As described above, when the card operation status changes from 07H → 08H → 09H → 0AH → 0BH → 0CH → 0DH, the communication error process (RT61) shown in FIG. 13B is executed.

  In the communication error process (RT61), after waiting for the card timer value to become zero (RT610), the PRDY flag is set to 5AH (RT611). As a result, an H level control signal PRDY is output to the ball lending machine 22 to notify that the gaming machine is capable of lending the ball. In the card operation status 0CH, since the card timer value is set to 5000, a sufficient time elapses after the control signal PRDY changes in a pulse shape until the H level control signal PRDY is fixedly output. Time (10 seconds) is secured.

  Next, after confirming that the BRDY signal and the BRQ signal output from the ball lending machine 22 are at the L level (RT612), the card operation status is set to the initial value 00H (RT613). The card timer value is set to 0.

  As a result of the above processing, the ball lending machine and the gaming machine normally return to the initial state. Note that it takes about 10 seconds from the start of the communication error process (RT60) shown in FIG. 13A to the end of the communication error process (RT61) shown in FIG. 13B. In the embodiment, since the photocoupler is provided and the wiring cable is devised, a communication error occurs very rarely and no particular problem occurs.

  The processing contents according to the card operation status values 00H to 0DH have been described in detail above. The state transition diagram of the card operation status is as shown in the lower part of FIG. As shown in the figure, the card operation status changes from 00H → 01H → 02H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 06H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 06H → 03H... 5 or 20 times), and finally, the transition is made from 06H → 03H → 04H → 05H → 00H to finish the ball lending process. When it is determined that the communication is abnormal, the operation of the ball lending machine 22 is returned to the initial state through the processing shown in FIG. 13, and the card operation status is returned to 00H in the gaming machine.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a ball lending process (ST88) executed following the card communication process (ST87). In the ball lending process (ST88), first, a ball lending / prize ball switching process is executed (RT11). The specific contents are as shown in FIG. 15A. First, the switching flag is set to 00H (RT30).

  Next, only when the card operation status is 03H or more and less than 07H, the switching flag is rewritten to 5AH (RT33). Therefore, once the switching flag is rewritten to 5AH, ball lending start processing (card operation status 03H) → ball lending processing (card operation status 04H) → ball lending end wait processing (card operation status 05H) → sphere As long as the lending start waiting process (card operation status 06H) → the ball lending start process (card operation status 03H) is repeated, the switching flag is maintained at 5AH, and then the ball lending end waiting process (card operation status 05H) to the BRDY waiting process When shifting to (card operation status 00H), the switching flag returns to 00H.

  When such a ball lending / prize ball switching process (RT11) is completed, a ball lending detection process is then executed (RT12). Ball lending specifically means payout of game balls, but payout of game balls occurs when the payout motor M rotates due to the data output process (ST92). If a game ball is paid out, the fact is stored as switch edge data in the work area EDG by the data input process (FIG. 9A) in step ST84 (FIG. 8C).

  Therefore, in the ball lending detection process (R12), it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending (game ball payout) based on the data in the work area EDG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, first, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of paying out a game ball based on whether or not the switching flag is 5AH (RT40). If the switching flag = 5 AH, the switch edge data is stored in the C register (RT41). In this embodiment, bit 0 of the switch edge data represents the detection state of the left counting switch, and bit 1 represents the detection state of the right counting switch.

  Next, after storing the numerical value 2 in the B register (RT42), the value in the C register is rotated right by 1 bit (RT43). By this rotation processing (Z80 CPU ROTATION instruction), the value of bit 0 of the C register is moved to the carry flag CY. Therefore, when CY = 1, it means that the least significant bit before the execution of the ROTATION instruction is 1, which means that a game ball is detected in the data input process (ST84).

  Therefore, 5AH is set in the payout detection flag in order to store this (RT45). Next, it is determined whether or not the ball lending flag is 5AH (RT46). If the ball lending flag is not equal to 5AH, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH (RT47). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 14, when the payout operation is started, the ball lending flag is set to 5AH (RT15 in FIG. 14). Therefore, the ball lending flag ≠ 5AH despite the detection of the game ball payout means an abnormal situation in which the game ball has fallen due to its own weight or inertia. Therefore, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH in order to position the payout rotating body RO (RT47).

  However, since the ball lending flag is normally 5AH, it is next determined whether or not the payout remaining number counter is zero (RT48). If not, the payout remaining number counter is decremented (RT49). The payout remaining number counter is a counter for managing the number of balls lending, and is initially set to 25 which is a ball lending unit at the start of the operation (RT15 in FIG. 14).

  When the value of the remaining counter after decrement becomes zero, the payout motor flag and the ball lending flag are set to A5H (RT51). The payout motor flag has an initial value of 00H at the timing when the payout motor M is stopped, but is set to 5AH at the start timing at which the payout motor M should be driven (RT15 in FIG. 14), and the drive is stopped. It is set to A5H at the present timing (RT51).

  In any case, when the processing of steps RT45 to RT51 is completed, the value of the B register is decremented (RT52), and the same processing is repeated until the value of the B register becomes zero (RT53). Since the B register is initially set to 2 (RT42), the processing of steps RT43 to RT52 is executed twice, and the value of the payout remaining number counter is subtracted according to the detection result of the left and right left counting switches. Will be.

  Subsequently, returning to FIG. 14, the description of the ball lending process is continued. After the ball lending detection process (RT12) is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the value of the card operation status matches 04H (RT13). Card operation status = 04H means “ball lending”, but the ball lending operation is not actually started, and the card operation status is changed from “ball lending start” to “ball lending” at the beginning. Timing is also included. In such a case, the ball lending flag remains at the initial value of 00H.

  Therefore, when the ball lending flag = 00H, 25 ball lending units are set in the payout remaining number counter and the new payout counter, 5AH is set in the ball lending flag and the payout motor flag, and power saving The flag is set to 00H, and the subroutine processing ends (RT15).

  The payout motor flag effectively means a rotation command of the payout motor M. When the payout motor flag is changed from 00H to 5AH, the motor operation status is thereafter determined in motor processing (ST91 in FIG. 9 and FIG. 20). A game ball payout operation is executed in correspondence with the transition of (00H to 03H). As described above, when the value of the payout retry flag set to 5AH is maintained in the process of step ST10, the motor position initialization process (FIG. 23) is first executed. .

  Further, even if the power saving flag set to 5AH is maintained at the time of CPU reset (ST10 in FIG. 8) or at other timing (ST35 in FIG. 17), it is set to 00H in the process of step RT15. Thus, the control in the power saving mode (see ST64 in FIG. 20) is canceled.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step RT14 that the ball lending flag is not equal to 00H, it means that a substantial payout operation (ball lending operation) has already been started. Therefore, in this case, it is determined whether or not the ball lending flag is A5H (RT16). If the ball lending flag = A5H, the ball lending is performed on the condition that both the left and right counting switches are at the OFF level. The flag is returned to 00H (RT18). As described above, the ball lending flag is set to A5H in the process of step RT51 of FIG. 16 when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero. Therefore, when the ball lending flag = A5H, it is confirmed that the game ball has passed the left and right counting switches LSW, RSW, and then returned to 00H in the initial state.

  When the ball lending process (ST88) is completed as described above, the prize ball process (ST89) is then executed. The winning ball process (ST89) is a process similar to the ball lending process (ST88), but is configured to operate alternatively to the ball lending process.

  That is, in the prize ball detection process (ST20) executed at the head of the prize ball process (ST89), first, the value of the switching flag is determined, and if the value is 5AH, the process is finished without doing anything ( ST39 in FIG. 18). As described above, the switching flag is set to 5AH only when the card operation status is 03H or more and less than 07H. In short, the ball lending operation is being executed. Therefore, at the timing when the ball lending process (ST88) is functioning, the prize ball detection process (ST20) is effectively skipped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the subsequent processing (ST22 to ST34) in the prize ball processing (ST89) also functions only when the card operation status is 00H. That is, if the card operation status is not equal to 00H, the value of the prize ball flag is determined (ST23). If the prize ball flag is A5H, the prize ball flag is cleared and the process is completed (ST24). At the timing when the process (ST88) is functioning, the winning ball process (ST89) is effectively skipped.

  FIG. 19 shows the operation contents of the payout error process (ST90). The payout error process (ST90) includes a retry error detection process (S70), a count switch error detection process (S71), and a replenishment error detection process. (S72) and full ball clogging error detection processing (S73).

  In the retry error detection process (S70), it is determined whether or not a new game ball has been paid out based on the value of the switch edge data of the work area EDG updated in the data input process (ST84) (S701). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the values of bit 0 and bit 1 of the first input port 13A have risen at the time of the current timer interruption. Here, when the payout of the game ball is detected, it means that the ball clogged state where the game ball is not paid out has been eliminated as a result of a motor position initialization process (FIG. 23) described later. Accordingly, when it is confirmed that the game ball has been paid out, all of the retry error flag, the retry error LED flag, the undetected number counter, and the power saving flag are set to 00H, and the process ends (S704). Since the power saving flag is set to 00H, even if the error is recovered while the power is cut off (see ST10), there is no problem in starting the subsequent motor position initialization process.

  On the other hand, if the payout of the game ball is not detected yet, the processing is finished as long as the value of the undetected number counter does not exceed the upper limit value MM, and when the upper limit value MM is exceeded, the retry error flag and the retry error LED flag Is set to 5AH, and the process ends (S703).

  When the retry error LED flag is set to 5AH in the process of step S703, the abnormal lamp ER indicating the clogged state is turned on in the subsequent data output process (ST92).

  By the way, the value of the undetected number counter is updated (+1) in the process of step S39 in the motor position initialization process of FIG. Since this motor position initialization process (FIG. 23) is executed with the payout motor flag = 5 AH and the motor operation status = 03H, the clerk repairs the abnormality of the payout rotating body RO and, if necessary, manpower When the game ball is paid out, the motor position initialization process shown in FIG. 23 is executed again. When the payout of the game ball is confirmed, the error flag and the undetected number counter are cleared, and the retry error LED flag is set to 00H (S704).

  By the way, in the replenishment error detection process (S72), it is determined whether or not the switch signal to the first input port 13A is at an abnormal level over a predetermined time. The error flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the replenishment error flag is reset to 00H.

  Also, in the full ball clogging error detection process (S73), it is determined whether or not the corresponding switch signal to the first input port 13A is continuously at an abnormal level over a predetermined time, and the abnormal level continues. If so, the full ball clogging error flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the full ball clogging error flag is reset to 00H.

  Next, the motor process (ST91) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the motor processing, the values of the above-mentioned various error flags (retry error flag, replenishment error flag, full ball error error flag) are determined (ST61). If any error flag value is 5AH, Bit3 The motor control data set to 1 is written to the address MOTOUT (ST62). The motor control data stored at the address MOTOUT is output from the output port 16 in the subsequent data output process (ST92 in FIG. 9).

  As described with reference to FIG. 3, Bit 3 of the motor control data is data defining whether or not the payout motor M is set to the non-driving state, and after the data output process (ST92), as the drive control signal BS, the output port 16 To the motor driver 18. Therefore, thereafter, since the payout motor M is in a non-driven state (free rotation state), the clerk who detects the lighting of the abnormal lamp ER can relatively freely rotate the rotation shaft of the payout rotating body RO, Ball clogging can be easily resolved.

  However, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 20, when the error notification operation with the error flag = 5 AH is set to the power saving stop state, the payout rotating body RO cannot be easily rotated in the energized state. There is also a payout rotating body RO that cannot be rotated from the outside.

  In such a case, therefore, the ball clogging state on the upstream side of the payout rotator RO is eliminated, or if no ball clogging is recognized on the upstream side, the payout rotator RO is replaced and It is preferable to cause the gaming machine to recognize the abnormal recovery by operating the clear switch. Such modified embodiments will be described more specifically at the end of the specification.

  If the various error flags are all normal (00H), then the power saving flag is determined (ST63). The power saving flag defines whether the payout motor M is driven in the full power state or the power saving state, and is cleared to 00H in the process of step RT15 in FIG. 14 or step ST34 in FIG. It is set to 5AH in the process of step ST35 of FIG.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step ST63 that the power saving flag is 5 AH, the motor control data set to Bit3 = 0 and Bit2 = 1 is written to the address MOTOUT (ST62). Bit 2 of the motor control data stored at the address MOTOUT is output to the motor driver as an H level mode switching signal X1 in the data output process (ST92), and thereafter, the payout motor M is driven in the power saving mode. Will be.

  As described above, the motor driver 18 that has received the H-level mode switching signal X executes power-saving driving that reduces the motor driving current to 1 / N (see FIGS. 6 (f) to 6 (g)). . As described above, in this embodiment, the suppression rate is 1 / N = 1/3.

  Note that only the motor control data Bit3 and Bit2 change in the processing of steps ST62 and ST63, and Bit1 and Bit0 of the MOTOUT address corresponding to the motor control signals Ac and Bc do not change. Therefore, when the process of step ST62 is repeated, the dispensing motor M is in a non-excitation stop state, and when the process of step ST64 is repeated, the power saving stop state is entered. Since the value of the MOTOUT address does not change during the stop operation, when the error state is resolved or when the full power mode is restored, the smooth rotation operation continues to the previous motor position. Will be started.

  In any case, when the determination in step ST63 is completed, the value of the payout motor flag is determined (ST65). As described above, the payout motor flag effectively means a rotation command for the payout motor M, and after being initially set to 5AH (RT15 in FIG. 14, ST33 in FIG. 17), it is changed to A5H ( At RT51 in FIG. 16 and ST47 in FIG. 18, the timing is returned to 00H at the timing when the payout processing ends normally (S27 in FIG. 22 and S49 in FIG. 23).

  Therefore, if the payout motor flag is 00H, it is determined that there is no need to rotate the payout motor M, and the subroutine processing is terminated (ST65). On the other hand, when the payout motor flag is 5AH or A5H, the motor drive start process (ST67a), the motor drive process (ST67b), the motor stop process (ST67c), the motor according to the value of the motor operation status at that time After any of the retry processing (ST67d) is executed, motor control data is selected according to the position of the payout motor M determined by these processing and stored in the address MOTOUT (ST68). In this embodiment, the motor position of the payout motor M is managed from 0 to 3, and accordingly, Bit1 and Bit0 of the motor control data are four types (00, 01, 11, 10), By outputting these in the order shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, the payout motor M is advanced in the forward direction.

  18 to 19 illustrate specific contents of the motor drive start process (ST67a), the motor drive process (ST67b), the motor stop process (ST67c), and the motor position initialization process (ST67d). . Since the motor operation status is 00H in the initial state, the motor drive start process in FIG. 18A is executed on condition that the payout motor flag is not 00H.

<Motor operation status = 00H>
In the motor drive start process, the value of the payout retry flag is checked (S1). If the payout retry flag is not equal to 5AH, the value N of the new payout counter is multiplied by 24 and stored in the step counter (S2). As described above, in this embodiment, the payout motor M is advanced by 24 steps so as to pay out one game ball. Therefore, the total number of drive data to be output to the payout motor M is 24. A value of × N is set in the step counter.

  The value N of the new payout counter is the number of ball lending units (= 25) set in the processing of step RT15 in FIG. 14 during the ball lending operation. On the other hand, during the prize ball operation, the value is set in the process of step ST31 in FIG. 17 (= 25 or less).

  After setting the initial value of the step counter as described above, the motor operation status is changed to 01H, and the motor drive timer is set to 3 (S4). The motor drive timer designates a time interval for outputting drive data to the payout motor M, and the motor drive timer set to 3 is determined in the process of step S10 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the motor operation status is 00H and the payout retry flag is 5AH, the motor operation status is changed to 03H (S5). Further, the motor drive timer is set to 2 and the initialization rotation flag is set to 5AH (S6). Further, the payout retry flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S7).

  When the motor operation status is changed to 03H, motor position processing (FIG. 23) starts thereafter. In this embodiment, since the payout retry flag is set to 5AH after the CPU reset, During the payout operation, the motor position processing (FIG. 23) is always executed.

  Also, the payout retry flag determined in the process of step S1 is the same as that in step ST47 of the ball lending detection process (FIG. 16) or the step ST45 of the prize ball detection process (FIG. 18) when the game ball is overpaid. Since the process is also set to 5AH, the motor position initialization process is executed even in such an abnormality. In starting the motor position initialization process (FIG. 23), in order to set the payout detection flag to 0, the first game ball is detected, and the initialization rotation flag is set to 5AH. This is for determining the presence or absence of payout by providing a pause period for each excitation rotation of 4 steps.

<Motor operation status = 01H>
After the motor operation status is set to 01H by the process of step S3 in FIG. 18A, the motor driving process shown in FIG. 18B is executed. Here, first, the value of the motor drive timer is checked (S10), and if it is not zero, the process is terminated without doing anything. Therefore, for example, in this embodiment in which the motor drive timer is initially set to 3 (see S4), the same three drive processes (ST91) output the same drive data (ST67b to ST68).

  Since the power saving flag is set to 00H at the timing when the payout motor flag is set to 5AH (RT15 in FIG. 14 and ST33 in FIG. 17), the above three motor processes realize the excitation stop state. (See FIGS. 4A to 4C). Since this excitation stop state is continued for about 4 mS (= 1.4 mS * 3), the internal operation of the motor driver 18 is reliably stabilized during that time, and the rotation operation in the full power mode started thereafter is stabilized. Will be.

  In any case, when the motor drive timer becomes zero after a predetermined time, the value of the step counter initialized to 24 × N is determined in the process of step S2 (S11). 1 and the motor position is incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S12 to S13).

  Further, 2 is set in the motor drive timer (ST14). Therefore, after that, the processes of steps S11 to S14 are executed at intervals of 2 × 1.4 mS. This execution interval is nothing but the step interval of the payout motor M, and the payout motor repeats the step operation every 2.8 mS (see FIGS. 4A to 4B). As described above, in this embodiment, since one game ball is designed to be paid out by a stepping operation of 24 steps, the payout speed of the game ball is about 15 (= 1000/24) per second. /2.8). Since this stepping operation is executed in the full power mode (see FIG. 4C), there is no shortage of rotational energy.

  If such a stepping operation is repeated, the value of the step counter thereafter becomes zero. In this case, the motor operation status is changed to 02H, and the value of the motor drive timer is initialized to 143 (S15). To S16).

  As described above, the payout for the new payout is completed when the value of the step counter becomes zero in the motor driving process of motor operation status = 01H. However, even during this series of payout operations, there is a possibility that a new control command CMD (award ball number designation command) has been received, and the value of the total award ball number counter is updated by the command analysis process (ST86). In some cases, further payout may be necessary (for example, in the case of a big hit state). In addition, due to a malfunction of the payout rotating body RO, there may be an excess or deficiency in the payout amount N for the new payout.

  If the payout amount is insufficient, the payout remaining number counter is not zero, so the payout motor flag is not changed to A5H and remains 5AH. On the other hand, if the payout motor flag is A5H, the payout remaining number This means that the counter has become zero (see ST47 in FIG. 18). At the time of overpayment in which further payout is made after the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout motor flag is A5H and the payout retry flag is 5AH (see ST45 in FIG. 18).

<Motor operation status = 02H>
If the description is continued based on the above, as shown in FIG. 22, the motor stop process is executed in a state where the motor operation status is 02H. Here, it is first determined whether or not the value of the payout motor flag is A5H (S20). As described above, if the payout motor flag is A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter has become zero (ST47). In such a case, the motor operation status is changed from 02H to 00H to drive the motor. The timer is set to zero (S25 to S26). Further, the payout motor flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S27).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the payout motor flag is not equal to A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter is not yet zero. Therefore, when the payout motor flag is not ≠ A5H, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S21). Since the motor drive timer is set to 143 in the process of step S16 (FIG. 21B), the motor position is about 200 mS (= 143 * 1.4 mS) at the motor position at which the step counter is 0, full power The stop state (excitation stop) at is continued. This stop time is a standby operation for confirming whether or not the number of payouts (up to 25) has been paid out by rotation of a specified angle of the payout motor (an angle corresponding to the initial value of the step counter). By providing a waiting time, it is possible to prevent omissions from being detected.

  On the other hand, if the value of the payout motor flag does not become 0 after the time consumption of about 0.2 seconds, it is determined that the payout is defective and the motor operation status is changed from 02H to 03H (S22). Further, the motor drive timer is initialized to 125, the initialization rotation flag is initialized to 5AH (ST23), and the payout detection flag is cleared (S24).

  The reason for clearing the payout detection flag is to detect the first game ball in the subsequent motor position initialization process. The reason why the initialization rotation flag is set to 5AH is to determine the presence or absence of the first payout by providing a pause period for each excitation rotation for 4 steps.

<Motor operation status = 03H>
As shown in FIG. 23, when the motor operation status = 03H, first, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S30). At the stage when the motor operation status is changed to 03H, the motor drive timer is initially set to 2 (S6, S23), and here, the time is consumed by 2.8 mS.

  Then, after a predetermined consumption time, the value of the initialization rotation flag is determined (S31). Since the initialization rotation flag is initially set to 5AH in the processing of step S6 (FIG. 21) or step S23 (FIG. 22), the processing after step S32 is executed here.

  Then, after resetting the motor drive timer that has become zero to 2 (S32), the motor position is updated by one step (S33). Then, after incrementing the unit rotation counter, it is determined whether or not this has reached 4 (S35). In this embodiment, after the payout motor M is rotated by 4 steps, it waits for a predetermined time (≈0.2 seconds) and confirms the payout of the game ball (abnormal recovery drive) (see FIG. 23), the unit rotation counter is used for the purpose of managing the step rotation speed of the dispensing motor M.

  Therefore, when the unit rotation counter reaches 4, the motor drive timer is set to 145 in order to set the standby time (S36), the unit rotation counter and the initialization rotation flag are cleared to zero, and the process ends (S37).

  After the initialization rotation flag has been cleared to zero, after 145 * 1.4 mS (≈0.2 seconds), the process proceeds from step S31 to S38, and the payout detection flag is determined (S38). The payout detection flag is set to 5 AH when a payout is detected in the ball lending detection process (FIG. 16) or the prize ball detection process (FIG. 18).

  Therefore, whether or not the first game ball (initial ball) has been paid out can be determined based on whether the payout detection flag is 5AH or 00H. Therefore, if the payout detection flag = 00H, it is determined that the initial sphere has not been detected, the undetected number counter is updated (S39), and the motor drive timer is reset to 2 until this reaches the upper limit value NN (= 7). Then, the initialization rotation flag is reset to 5AH, and the process ends (S43).

  By setting the motor drive timer = 2 and the initialization rotation flag = 5 AH, the abnormality recovery drive process of steps S32 to S37 is executed after 2 × 1.4 mS. That is, after the payout motor M is rotated by 4 steps, an operation for waiting for a predetermined time and confirming the payout of the game ball is executed (see the lower column of FIG. 23).

  If such an abnormal recovery driving process is repeated without detecting the initial sphere, the undetected number counter eventually reaches the upper limit value MM (S40). In such a case, the payout error process (FIG. 19) is performed thereafter. In step S703, the retry error flag and the retry error LED flag are set to 5AH (S703), and an abnormality notification operation is performed by turning on the abnormality lamp ER.

  In this embodiment, it is designed that one game ball is paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M for 24 steps. Therefore, when the abnormal recovery driving for executing the 4-step rotation is repeated 6 times, one game ball is paid out. It should be done. Therefore, the upper limit value NN is set to 7 in order to determine that the total number of steps of the abnormality recovery drive exceeds 24 steps. However, NN = 7 is not particularly required, and NN ≧ 7 or more is sufficient. Note that an abnormality can be quickly detected by setting NN = 7.

  In any case, when the retry error flag = 5 AH, in this embodiment, the payout motor M is in a non-excitation stop state (non-drive state) (ST62 in FIG. 20), but the attendant manually sets the payout rotating body RO. The retry error flag, the retry error LED flag, the undetected number counter, and the power saving flag are cleared by forcibly paying out the game ball (see S704 in FIG. 19).

  Note that, by forcibly paying out the game ball, the payout detection flag becomes 5AH (ST42 in FIG. 18), but the value of other initialization rotation flag = 00H and the value of the payout motor flag = 5AH do not change. Therefore, in the subsequent motor initialization process, the positioning process after step S41 is executed.

  If an initial sphere is detected as a result of the abnormal recovery drive (S32 to S37), the positioning flag is determined (S41). The positioning flag is used to rotate the payout motor M by a predetermined angle after paying out the first game ball.

  Since this positioning flag is 00H in the initial state, after this is set to 5AH (S42), the initialization rotation flag is reset to 5AH, the motor drive timer is set to 2 and the process is terminated (S43). .

  Therefore, thereafter, the processes of steps S32 to S37 are executed again. This operation is the same as the abnormal recovery drive, but is an additional rotation for 4 steps and has the significance of accurate positioning. That is, in this embodiment in which one game ball is paid out in 24 steps, in order to pay out N game balls, the step counter is initially set to 24 * N and the payout motor M is advanced by 24 * N steps. I am letting.

  Therefore, in the configuration of the conventional gaming machine, when the motor stop position is shifted by one step or more for some reason, there is a possibility that the last one gaming ball cannot be paid out. However, in this embodiment, after the first game ball is detected in the motor position initialization process (FIG. 23), an additional rotation for four steps is provided, so that the motor stop position is shifted after that. Even if the difference is not extreme, the last one payout will not fail. In the unlikely event of failure, the positioning operation is executed again, so that a stable payout operation is realized. The number of additional rotations is not limited to 4 steps. However, in consideration of a delayed positional shift and a forward positional shift, it is meaningless if it exceeds half of 24 steps for paying out one game ball. Should.

  By the way, at first glance, the configuration of this embodiment is similar to a configuration in which the payout motor M is always advanced by 24 * N + 4 steps in order to pay out N game balls. However, if such a configuration is adopted, a positional deviation of +4 steps is accumulated and an overpayment state is surely generated. Therefore, the value of this embodiment in which the payout motor M is advanced by exactly 24 * N steps is high. Since the additional rotation is a step of only 4 steps, there is no possibility that the second game ball is paid out.

  At the timing when the additional rotation for four significant steps as described above ends, the initialization rotation flag = 00H (S37), the payout detection flag = 5AH (not changed by the additional rotation), and the positioning flag 5AH. The value of the flag and the undetected counter is cleared to 00H (S44), and the value of the payout motor flag is determined (S45).

  The payout motor flag is set to A5H when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, that is, when the game ball is paid out without any shortage (RT51 in FIG. 16 or ST47 in FIG. 18). Accordingly, since the payout motor flag ≠ A5H means that there is a game ball that has not been paid out, a value obtained by multiplying the value of the payout remaining number counter by 24 is stored in the step counter (S46). Then, the motor operation status is changed from 03H to 01H, and 2 is set in the motor drive timer (S47, S48). As a result of this setting process, normal motor rotation for updating the drive data every 1 step = 2.8 mS is started thereafter. Therefore, after that, for example, in the first ball lending operation after the CPU reset and the first prize ball operation, the remaining game balls are smoothly paid out.

  By the way, when the payout motor flag becomes A5H in the determination of step S45, it means that the game ball has been paid out without any shortage. Therefore, the unit number counter, the payout motor flag, and the payout detection flag are cleared to 00H (S49), and the motor operation status is changed from 03H to 00H (S50).

  That is, since the shortage of payout has been completed, the motor operation status is changed from 03H to 00H, and thereafter, it waits again until the time when the payout operation is necessary. Since the motor operation status becomes 00H, the power saving flag is set to 5AH through the processing of ST20 → ST21 → ST22 → ST26 → ST27 in the subsequent prize ball processing (FIG. 17), and the power saving mode. (ST35), the payout motor M enters a power saving stop state in which the drive current is suppressed (see ST63 to ST64 in FIG. 20).

  Next, the data output process (ST92) will be described with reference to FIG. In the data output process, first, motor control data prepared in the motor process ST91 (specifically, ST68 in FIG. 20) is acquired from the MOTOUT address (ST70). The lower 2 bits of the motor control data are binary numbers 00, 01, 11, and 10, and are output in the order shown in FIG. 3B, whereby the payout motor M rotates. Further, Bit 3 of the motor control data indicates whether or not the motor is in a driving state. Usually, the normal level is 0, and Bit 2 indicates whether the power saving mode (= 1) or the full power mode (= 0). Show.

  If motor control data is prepared in the B register by the process in step ST70, it is determined whether the retry error LED flag is set to 5AH (ST71). The retry error LED flag is a flag for lighting the abnormal lamp ER (see FIG. 7) when the abnormal state of the payout operation continues for a predetermined time. Therefore, if the retry error LED flag is 5AH, bit 4 of the B register is set to 1 (ST72).

  Next, bit 7 of the B register is set to 1 (ST73), and the value of the B register is output to the first output port 16 (ST74). As a result, drive control data is output to the payout motor M, and the abnormal lamp ER is turned on or off. Also, bit 7 of the B register is output to the watchdog timer. Then, after the time consumption process (ST75), the bit7 is returned to zero and is output again from the first output port 16 (ST76), thereby clearing the watchdog timer to zero. However, if the data output process (ST92) which should be executed every 2 ms is not executed due to the program runaway, the CPU is forcibly reset based on the operation of the watchdog timer circuit.

  In any case, following the processing of step ST76, the OVR flag, the PRDY flag, the EXE flag, the replenishment error flag, and the full ball clogging error flag are referred to, and the data in which the corresponding bit is set is sent to the second output port 17 (ST78). As a result of this operation, a PRDY signal or EXE signal may be output to the hall computer or the ball lending machine 22, and a replenishment signal or a full ball signal may be output to the main control unit 1.

  The ball lending operation (ST88) has been mainly described above. Next, the prize ball processing (ST89) resulting from the control command received from the main control unit 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the prize ball process, it is first determined whether or not a prize ball has been detected (ST20). The specific contents of the prize ball detection process (ST20) are as shown in FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 15, when the card operation status is 03H to 06H, the switching flag is 5AH (RT33), and all the following winning ball detection processing is skipped. That is, after the control signal EXS is changed to the H level and the ball lending start process (RT3, FIG. 11A) is started, the prize ball detection process is not executed.

  Therefore, in the following description, it is assumed that the ball lending operation is not in progress, and therefore the switching flag is 00H (see FIG. 15). In such a case, the left and right prize ball data (bit 0 and bit 1 of the switch edge data) are acquired in the variable D1, and 2 is set in the B register (ST40). Next, the contents of bit0 of the switch edge data are moved to the carry flag CY by shifting the variable D1 to the right by 1 bit (ST41).

  If CY = 1, it means that the counting switch is ON. However, if CY = 1 is determined in step ST42, the payout detection flag is rewritten to 5AH (ST43), and then the contents of the prize ball flag Is checked (ST44). Until the payout operation is completed, the value of the prize ball flag is 5AH (see ST32 in FIG. 17). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout remaining number counter is zero (ST46).

  As in the case of the ball lending operation, the payout remaining number counter manages the remaining number of game balls to be paid out through the data output process (ST32). At this timing, the payout of the game ball is confirmed by the determination in step ST42. Therefore, if the value of the payout remaining number counter is not zero, the counter value is decremented by -1 (ST48), and the process proceeds to step ST50.

  On the other hand, if the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero as a result of the decrement process (ST48), after setting the payout motor flag and the prize ball flag to A5H (ST47), the process proceeds to step ST50. The payout motor flag and the prize ball flag are set to 5 AH when the value of the new payout counter is added to the payout remaining number counter (ST31 to ST33 in FIG. 17).

  The processes in steps ST41 to ST51 described above are executed twice based on the initial value (= 2) of the B register. Then, after the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout operation is not executed. Therefore, in the determination of step ST42, CY = 1 should not be inherent.

  However, the possibility of overpayment due to the influence of the inertial force of the payout rotating body RO cannot be denied. When such an abnormality occurs, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH to indicate an overpayment state (ST45). This payout retry flag is a flag that is set to 5AH also in step ST10 (FIG. 8) after power-on. If the payout retry flag is 5AH, the motor operation status changes from 00H to 03H at the start of the next payout operation (see FIG. 21), the motor position initialization process (FIG. 23) is executed, and the game As the payout rotating body RO advances until one ball is paid out, precise alignment processing is realized.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the description of the winning ball processing will be continued. After the above-described winning ball detection processing (ST20), first, the value of the card operation status is checked (ST21). If the card operation status is not equal to 00H, it is determined whether the prize ball flag is A5H (ST23). If the prize ball flag = A5H, this is set to 00H and the process is terminated (ST24). As shown in FIG. 18, the prize ball flag is set to 5H at the end of the prize ball operation when the payout remaining number counter reaches zero (ST47), and the prize ball flag is set to zero in the process of step ST24.

  Here, assuming that the ball lending switch is turned on before the payout operation by the winning ball operation is completed, the value of the card operation status changes from 00H to 01H through the card communication process (ST87). In this case, since the switching flag is 00H, the processing after step ST40 in FIG. 18 is executed to check the payout completion in the winning ball operation (see ST47).

  Thereafter, when the prize ball flag changes from A5H to 00H (see ST47 and ST24), the card operation status is changed to 03H after the determination in step RT203 of FIG. 11C (RT204). When the card operation status value becomes 03H, the switching flag becomes 5AH, and thereafter, all the processes in FIGS. 16 and 17 are effectively skipped.

  The case where the card operation status ≠ 00H has been described above. Next, the case where the card operation status = 00H will be described. In this case, following step ST21, the value of the motor operation status is checked (ST22). As described above, the motor operation status defines the operation content in a series of prize ball payout operations, and the motor processing (ST91) executed every 1.4 mS is a motor operation status = 00H to 03H. The point executed in any state is as described above.

  If it is determined in step ST22 that the motor operation status is 01H and the timer interrupt timing at which the motor driving process (FIG. 21B) is to be executed, nothing is done and the winning ball process is performed. Finish. If it is determined that the motor operation status = 03H and the timer interrupt timing at which the motor position initialization process (FIG. 23) should be executed, the value of the prize ball flag is checked (ST23). If it is set to A5H, the prize ball flag is rewritten to 00H and the prize ball processing is finished (ST24).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of step ST22 that the motor operation status is now 02H and the timer interruption timing at which the motor stop process (FIG. 20) is to be executed, the value of the payout retry flag is checked. (ST25) If it is set to 5AH, the prize ball processing is finished as it is, and if it is set to a value other than 5AH (= 00H), the process proceeds to step ST26 (ST25).

  If it is determined in the process of step ST22 that the current timer interruption time is the motor operation status = 00H and the timer interruption timing at which the drive start process (FIG. 21A) is to be executed, first, the command The value of the total winning ball counter updated in the analysis process (ST86) is acquired in the variable D1 (ST26).

  If the variable D1 is D1 = 0 (ST27), the power saving flag is set to 5AH and the process ends (ST35). The motor operation status = 00H means that it is in an initial state after the power is turned on or that all game balls to be paid out have been paid out. Therefore, when the motor operation status is 00H and there is no game ball to be paid out thereafter, the power saving flag is set to 5AH to shift the driving of the payout motor M from the full power mode to the power saving mode. It is set (ST35). Since the power saving flag is changed to 5AH, thereafter, the payout motor M shifts from the excitation stopped state to the power saving stopped state (see ST64 in FIG. 20 and ST74 in FIG. 24). The power saving flag is set to 00H at the start of the subsequent payout operation (ST34), thereby returning from the power saving stop state to the excitation stop state.

  By the way, if it is determined in step ST27 that D1 ≠ 0, the maximum value 25 of the new payout number is stored in the variable D2, and the value of the variable D2 is subtracted from the variable D1 (ST28). Next, it is determined whether or not the subtraction result is negative (ST29). If negative, the value of the total prize ball counter is stored in the variable D2, and the variable D1 is set to zero (ST30). Thereafter, the value of variable D2 is stored in the new payout counter, and the value of variable D1 is stored in the total prize ball counter (ST31). Note that the value of the new payout counter set in the process of step ST31 is usually any of 5, 10, or 25 (maximum value of the new payout number).

  Subsequently, the value of the payout remaining number counter is stored in the variable D3, and the value of the variable D2 is added to the variable D3. Then, the value of the variable D3 as the addition result is stored in the payout remaining number counter (ST32). As a result of this processing, the total number of winning balls to be paid, which is grasped at this timing, is stored in the payout remaining number counter.

  Thereafter, the prize ball flag and the payout motor flag are set to 5AH (ST33), the power saving flag is set to 00H, and the prize ball processing is ended (ST34). Since the power saving flag is set to 00H, the dispensing motor M shifts from the power saving stop state to the excitation stop state (see ST68 in FIG. 20 and ST74 in FIG. 24). Note that the prize ball flag set to 5AH maintains that value until it is changed to A5H in the process of step ST47 of FIG.

  On the other hand, the payout motor flag set to 5AH is changed to A5H by the process of step ST47 of FIG. 18, and is changed to 00H by the process of step S27 of FIG. 22 and step S49 of FIG. That is, the payout motor flag is initially set to 5AH, and then changed to A5H when the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero (ST47), and then changed from motor operation status = 02H to motor operation status = 00H. Alternatively, it is changed to 00H at the timing when the motor operation status = 03H is changed to the motor operation status = 00H (S27, S49).

  By the way, in this embodiment, since a payout remaining number counter is provided in addition to the new payout counter, smooth payout is possible even when returning from an operation prohibited state (non-driven state due to error occurrence) in which the payout motor M is not driven. Operation is realized. For example, if the processing of steps ST26 to ST34 is repeated while the payout motor M is not driven, the value of the remaining payout counter is the same as the decrease in the total winning ball number counter (ST28, ST31) in a state where no game balls are paid out. Increases by +25 (ST32), but after returning from the non-driven state, the game balls for the accumulated payout counter are paid out at a stretch.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a smooth payout operation is realized by appropriately switching between the ball lending operation and the prize ball operation by the switching flag and the prize ball flag. Hereinafter, the priority order of the two payout operations, ie, the ball lending operation and the prize ball operation will be summarized.

  In the initial state after the power is turned on, the card operation status is 00H, but the card communication process (ST87) is executed prior to the prize ball process (ST89) (see FIG. 9). When the level control signal BRDY is received (timing (b) in FIG. 10), the card operation status immediately changes from 00H to 01H (RT003 in FIG. 11).

  Then, after the card operation status returns to 00H, the process after step ST26 is not executed in the winning ball operation (ST89) (see FIG. 17). Therefore, in this embodiment, in this sense, the ball lending operation has priority over the prize ball operation.

  However, when an H-level control signal BRDY is received during a prize ball operation, the card action status is changed from 00H to 01H, but the switching flag is 00H. ) Is continued (see ST39 in FIG. 18). In the prize ball process (ST89), the prize ball flag is checked (see ST21 → ST23 in FIG. 17), and the prize ball operation is continued until the prize ball flag becomes A5H.

  As described above, the award ball flag is set to 5AH at the start of the award ball operation (see ST33 in FIG. 17), and thereafter, when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, it becomes A5H at the timing of step ST47 in FIG. .

  In the present embodiment, as long as no trouble occurs in the gaming machine, the value of the payout remaining number counter is set to the number of payout units (maximum 25) (see ST30 to ST32 in FIG. 17). Accordingly, when the H-level control signal BRDY is received after the start of the winning ball operation, the winning ball flag is changed from A5H to 00H after waiting for the payout unit number to be paid (see FIG. 17 ST24), the ball lending operation is started. That is, as shown in FIG. 11D, until the prize ball flag is changed to 00H, the card operation status does not change from 02H to 03H (RT203), so that the ball lending operation is waited.

  After the card operation status changes to 03H, the switching flag is set to 5AH (RT33 in FIG. 15), so that even if a control command (prize ball number designation command) is received from the main control unit 1, for example. The prize ball processing is not started. The winning ball process is started when the ball lending process ends and the switching flag returns to 00H.

  In this embodiment, when a full ball clogging error or a replenishment error occurs when the motor operation status is 00H or 02H, every time the value of the total winning ball counter is -25 (see ST28 in FIG. 17). ), The value of the payout remaining number counter is +25 (ST31 to ST32 in FIG. 17), and the value of the payout remaining number counter may exceed 25. However, the value of the payout remaining number counter greatly exceeds 25 when the award ball number designation command is repeatedly received from the main control unit 1, and the ball lending switch 32b is pressed at such timing. There is virtually no problem.

  Next, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 26 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. Note that a plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the ball lending machine 22. The ball lending machine 22 receives cash prior to the start of the game, and at the end of the game, discharges a card storing a numerical value corresponding to the balance.

  The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing a game ball for launch. A lower plate 29 communicating with the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are provided at the lower portion of the front frame 24. In this embodiment, the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1 is changed in accordance with the rotation angle of the firing handle 30, and the striking rod 31 is intermittent with the strength corresponding to the driving current of the rotary solenoid SL1. The game ball is fired by operating. The game ball on the upper plate 28 is guided to the launch position by the striking rod 31, while the overflowing game ball is automatically guided to the lower plate 29.

  On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for ball lending operation for the ball lending machine 22 is provided. In this operation panel 32, a value of 1/100 of the balance of the ball lending machine 22 is a three-digit number. Are displayed, a ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount (for example, 500 yen), and a return switch 32c pressed at the end of the game. When the return switch 32c is pressed, the card corresponding to the balance is discharged from the ball lending machine 22.

  On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. Further, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 indicating a replenishment state or a full ball clogging state are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and the display device 8 (specifically, at the approximate center of the game area 25a on the inner side thereof. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward. When the stop symbol after the symbol change in the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, the “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. Inside the big winning opening 36, there is a winning area 36b for detecting a winning ball.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 28, a back mechanism plate 40 that presses the game board 25 from the back side is detachably attached to the back side of the front frame 24. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 25) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45 (see FIG. 28).

  Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. A launch control board 6 is provided inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the payout motor M is abnormally stopped, the payout motor M is in a non-drive stop state, but may be in a power saving stop state (see the broken line in FIG. 20).

  In this case, even if the abnormality of the payout motor M is recovered in the power-off state, if the retry error flag is cleared by the payout operation by the staff after the power is turned on, the value of the payout motor flag held by the backup power supply BU ( 5AH) and the motor operation status value (03H), the execution of the motor position initialization process (ST67d in FIG. 23) can be started.

  Note that the method for resuming the process in step ST67d is not limited to clearing the retry error flag by an artificial payout operation (S704), and the payout motor M is when the payout rotor RO is stopped abnormally. An appropriate switch ON operation may be performed regardless of whether the non-driving stop state or the power saving stop state.

  For example, considering the case where a payout rotating body RO having a structure that cannot be rotated from the outside is taken into consideration, (1a) giving appropriate vibrations to eliminate the clogged state including the upstream side of the payout rotating body RO, or ( 1b) When the clogged ball state is not resolved, it is preferable to replace the payout rotating body RO and (2) let the gaming machine recognize the abnormal recovery by operating the RAM clear switch.

  In such a case, as a retry error flag clear process, a process of step ST701 'is executed instead of the process of step ST701 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 23, the error notification operation is executed when the value of the undetected counter is 7 or more (S40, S702). During this error notification operation, the motor operation status is 03H and the payout The detection flag is 00H, the payout motor flag is 5AH, and the retry error flag is 5AH.

  These values are maintained by the backup power supply BU even if the power supply is cut off. However, when the retry error flag is set to 00H by executing the process of step ST701 ′, the operation status is 03H. The motor position initialization process of the payout motor M is resumed (see ST61, ST63, ST66 in FIG. 20). The reason why the power saving flag is set to 00H in the process of step ST701 'is that the power saving flag is initially set to 5AH when the power is restored (ST10).

  In the above embodiment, in the motor position initialization process (ST67d), the stepping speed in steps S32 to S37 is set to about 2.8 mS in the same manner as in the normal payout speed. By increasing the set value of the timer, a slower step speed may be set. In the embodiment, the stepping operation in steps S32 to S37 is an intermittent operation provided with a waiting time (about 0.2 seconds), but is not limited at all, and may be a low-speed continuous rotation.

  In addition, although the Example demonstrated the ball game machine, it is applicable not only to a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball game machine but also to a spinning machine using medals and a spinning machine using game balls. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 5 Sub control part 21 Game machine 22 External equipment 43 Dispensing apparatus ST10 1st means S1 2nd means S30-S38 3rd means S41-S43 4th means

Claims (8)

A main control unit that performs game control operations in a centralized manner, and a sub-control unit that drives a payout device and executes a game medium payout operation based on a command from the main control unit or another device A gaming machine configured to pay out one game medium when the payout device operates in a reference step (N),
A first unit that functions after the CPU reset and stores initialization information that defines the execution of the positioning operation of the payout device;
Determining whether or not to execute the positioning operation by determining the presence of the initialization information at the start of payout of a predetermined number of game media executed based on a payout command from the main control unit or another device; Means,
Functions when performing positioning operation, until the first game medium is paid out from the payout device, continuous operation at a speed lower than the normal payout speed, or intermittent operation providing a waiting time after the predetermined step operation A third means of repeating,
A fourth means for operating the payout device in an additional step (X) after the first game ball is paid out by the third means;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the additional step (X) is set to be less than the reference step (N), and the initialization information is erased in correspondence with execution of the positioning operation. While the prescribed number of steps for paying out a predetermined number A of game media is set to A * N, the operation of the payout device is started,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the third means and the fourth means are configured to function when the number of payouts does not reach a predetermined number in spite of the prescribed number of steps.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of additional steps is set to N / 2 or less.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the additional step X is set to be equal to or more than a predetermined step in the intermittent operation.   The third means is configured so that the payout device is controlled to be in an abnormally stopped state when the payout of the game medium is not permitted despite repeating the continuous operation or the intermittent operation. A gaming machine according to any one of the above.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the third means is configured to function even after the payout device is recovered from the abnormally stopped state.   The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the third means functions in response to an artificial operation after the payout device is recovered from the abnormally stopped state. A full power mode for supplying a driving current at a reference level to the dispensing device, a power saving mode for supplying a driving current below the reference level, and a non-driving mode for supplying no driving current are provided.
The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the abnormal stop state of the payout device is realized in a power saving mode or a non-driving mode.

Images