JP2016000323A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which achieves smooth game progress, prevents interruption of the game progress by automatically and surely inputting a captured game medium, and suppresses complication of a structure related to capturing detection, and increases in a capacity of a program related to removal of a capturing medium and a processing load.SOLUTION: In a game machine which includes: input regulation means which regulates input of a game medium; medium detection means which includes a pair of medium detection parts for detecting the game medium; passage permission period management means which manages a passage permission period for permitting the passage of the game medium; and input control means which controls the input control means, the medium detection part on the uppermost stream side detects the game medium captured by the input regulation means, the input control means terminates input in accordance with the detection of a standard passage phase due to the medium detection means, detects capture of the game medium on the basis of detection of the capturing medium and detection of the termination of the passage permission period, starts re-input of the game medium in accordance with the capturing detection and terminates re-input in accordance with the detection of an irregular passage phase due to the medium detection means.

Description

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

  A conventional spinning-type game machine includes a selector that controls whether or not a game medium is taken into the game machine. The selector includes an entrance through which a game medium enters and an intake port that communicates with the entrance, and is provided with an input restricting member that restricts the passage of the game medium from the entrance to the intake port.

  The selector is provided with a medium detection device that detects a game medium toward the intake port downstream of the insertion restricting member in the passage direction of the game medium, and is taken in based on detection of the game medium by the medium detection device. The number of played game media is counted. When the betting instruction is input, the passage of the game medium to the intake is permitted, and the game medium is allowed to pass to the intake when the number of the taken game media reaches a predetermined number according to the situation. It is forbidden.

  Due to the interference between the game medium and the insertion restricting member, the game medium may be captured by the insertion restricting member in the medium passage leading from the entrance to the intake port. When the game medium is captured, the insertion of the game medium is not completed, and the progress of the game is interrupted until the captured game medium (hereinafter also referred to as “capture medium”) is removed. In addition, since the capture of the game medium is generated inside the selector, it cannot be recognized by visual recognition that the game medium has been captured, and it takes time to find out the reason why the game cannot be continued.

  In the above, the case of the selector restricting member of the selector has been described, but the passage restricting member in general that restricts the passage of the game medium holds.

JP 2006-217968 A

  Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the game is suitably advanced.

The gaming machine according to the present invention is
A flow regulation means for regulating a flow caused by the dead weight of the game medium in the medium passage by a state transition between a flow permitted state and a flow prohibited state;
Medium detection means including a pair of medium detection units for detecting game media flowing down the medium passage;
A flow control means for controlling the flow restriction means so as to flow the number of game media based on the flow instruction;
A gaming machine including
Including capture detection means for detecting capture of the game medium by the flow-down regulating means in the medium path based on the detection state of the pair of medium detection units,
The flow-down control means, based on the fact that the change in the combination of detection states of the pair of medium detection units with respect to the last game medium to flow down is a change to a predetermined combination in a predetermined normal transition, In the case where the flow restricting means is in the flow prohibition state, and the capture detecting means detects the capture of the game medium, the flow restricting means is again set in the flow permitting state and is captured. Based on the fact that the change in the combination of detection states of the pair of medium detection units with respect to the game medium is a change from the combination in the captured state to the combination in the subsequent state in the regular transition, To
It is characterized by that.

  With the gaming machine of the present invention, the game can be suitably advanced.

The front side perspective view showing an example of a ball-type spinning machine. The perspective view represented in the state which opened an example of the ball-type spinning machine in block unit. The perspective view showing an example of a selector. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a selector. The principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of a selector and an upper plate ball stop part in the passage prohibition state of an insertion flicker and a return shutter. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a selector and an upper dish ball removing operation unit in a state where passage of a charging flicker and a return shutter is prohibited. The principal part expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of a selector and an upper plate ball stop part in the passage prohibition state of a insertion flicker, and the passage permission state of a return shutter. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a selector and an upper dish ball removing operation unit in a state where a throwing flicker is prohibited and a return shutter is permitted. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a payout block. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a payout apparatus, (A) The figure represents the state which is not paying out, (B) The figure represents the state which is paying out, (C) The figure is a ball extraction The figure showing the state which is operating. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a game block. The front view showing an example of a game panel. The partial exploded perspective view showing an example of a rotating drum unit. It is a development view showing an example of a symbol seal, (A) the figure represents the left symbol seal, (B) the figure represents the middle symbol seal, (C) the figure represents the right symbol seal. The block diagram showing an example of the electrical structure of a ball-type spinning machine. The flowchart showing an example of the timer interruption process in a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the sensor monitoring process in the timer interruption process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the auxiliary | assistant insertion number count process in the sensor monitoring process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the normal game process of a main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the fluctuation waiting process in the normal game process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the game ball betting process in the fluctuation waiting process of the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the insertion monitoring process in the game ball betting process of the main control board. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the phase of the passage sensor in insertion control. The flowchart showing an example of the 1st article throwing-in control processing in the game ball betting processing of the main control board. The timing chart showing an example of the injection | throwing-in operation in which re-input is not performed. The timing chart showing an example of the throwing-in operation | movement in which re-throwing by a ball break is performed. The flowchart showing an example of the rotation control process in the normal game process in the main control board. The flowchart showing an example of the timer interruption process in a payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process in the payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the game ball payout process in the main process of the payout control board. The flowchart showing an example of the main process in a sub control board. The flowchart showing an example of the reception command confirmation process in the main process of a sub control board. The flowchart showing an example of the period timer process in the main process of a sub control board. The partial cross-sectional view of the selector for demonstrating an example of a suspended ball state. The timing chart showing an example of the injection | throwing-in operation | movement in which the re-throw with a hanging ball is performed.

A conventional swivel type gaming machine includes a selector that controls whether the game medium is taken into the game machine or returned to the player. The selector includes an entrance into which the game medium enters, an intake port that communicates with the entrance, and a return port that communicates with the intake port. At a branching point with the medium passage leading to the return port, an input restricting member for restricting the passage of the game medium from the entrance to the intake port and a return restricting member for restricting the passage of the game medium from the entrance to the return port And are provided. When the passage of the game medium is prohibited by the insertion restriction member and the return restriction member, the game medium is stopped at the branch portion, the passage of the game medium is prohibited by the insertion restriction member, and the game is played by the return restriction member. When the passage of the medium is permitted, the game medium is returned to the player through the return port, and when the passage of the game medium is permitted by the insertion restriction member, the game medium is passed through the intake port. Is taken in. Note that the game media taken into the gaming machine is stored in an internal storage means provided inside in a general spinning-type game machine using medals as a game medium, and a general game using a sphere as a game medium. In the trunk type game machine, it is discharged to an external sphere reflux device. The insertion restriction member operates in response to detection of a bet instruction such as pressing of a bet button by the player, and the return restriction member operates in conjunction with a return operation such as a slide of a return lever by the player.
The selector is provided with a medium detection device that detects a game medium toward the intake port downstream of the insertion restricting member in the passage direction of the game medium, and is taken in based on detection of the game medium by the medium detection device. The number of played game media is counted. When the betting instruction is input, the passage of the game medium to the intake is permitted, and the game medium is allowed to pass to the intake when the number of the taken game media reaches a predetermined number according to the situation. It is forbidden.
Due to the interference between the game medium and the insertion restricting member, the game medium may be captured by the insertion restricting member in the medium passage leading from the entrance to the intake port. When the game medium is captured, the insertion of the game medium is not completed, and the progress of the game is interrupted until the captured game medium (hereinafter also referred to as “capture medium”) is removed. In addition, since the capture of the game medium is generated inside the selector, it cannot be recognized by visual recognition that the game medium has been captured, and it takes time to find out the reason why the game cannot be continued.
In the above, the case of the selector restricting member of the selector has been described, but the passage restricting member in general that restricts the passage of the game medium holds. In this way, in order to suppress the interruption of the progress of the game due to the capture of the game medium by the passage restricting member, using the rotating body as the passage restricting member, the game medium is sent one by one in accordance with the rotation control of the rotating body, There has been proposed a gaming machine provided with a capture medium detection device for detecting a capture medium, informing the occurrence of the capture medium when it is detected, or automatically removing the capture medium (for example, the following patent document) 1). However, when a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member, it takes a long time to pass a predetermined number of game media, and the smooth progress of the unit game is hindered. When a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member, the game medium is captured while the rotating body is rotating, and the rotation of the rotating body is stopped by the captured game medium.
In order to achieve a smooth game progression, a substantial width of the medium passage such as arranging a part of the passage restriction member inside the medium passage or arranging the whole passage restriction member outside the medium passage. It is preferable to restrict the passage of the game medium by controlling the above. However, when the passage of the game medium is restricted by controlling the passage width, the capture of the game medium occurs only when the passage width is reduced, that is, after the medium detection device detects a predetermined number of game media. In addition, the automatic trapping medium removal method when a rotating body is used as the passage restricting member cannot be simply applied. In the restriction control of the passage restriction member, when the passage of the game medium is restricted by the passage width control, the passage restriction is performed in order to prevent the game medium from being captured as much as possible and to prevent the game medium from passing excessively. Stricter time control is required than when a rotating body is used as a member.
Therefore, it is possible to realize the smooth progress of the game and detect the occurrence of the capture medium without providing a dedicated capture medium detection device for detecting the capture of the game medium by the passage restricting member, and the game progress due to the occurrence of the capture medium In order to suppress interruption of the game machine, the gaming machine according to the present invention has the following configuration.
Means 1.
The flow of the game medium due to its own weight in the medium passage inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (for example, the storage passage and the discharge passage of the selector) is caused by the transition between the passage permission state and the passage prohibition state in which the substantial width of the medium passage is different. Input restriction means for controlling (for example, input flicker and input solenoid);
Medium detection means (for example, a passage sensor) including a pair of medium detection units (for example, an upper element and a lower element) for detecting a game medium flowing down by the transition of the insertion restriction means to the passage permission state;
Bet input means for inputting bet instructions (for example, a maximum bet button and a 1 bet button);
A passage permission number determining means (for example, a planned insertion number determining process for the main control board) for determining the permitted number of game medium input in response to the input of the betting instruction;
A passage permission period management means (for example, a passage permission period setting process of the main control board, a passage permission time update process, and a passage permission period release process) for managing a passage permission period allowing the passage of the game medium in the medium detection means; ,
A plurality of types of combinations with different detection states of the pair of medium detection units are set as a plurality of types of passing phases, and a predetermined sequence of the plurality of types of passing phases is set as a normal passing phase transition. Input number measuring means for measuring the number of inputs in response to detection that the passage phase transition based on the detection state of the pair of medium detection units is the same as the normal passage phase transition (for example, the total number of main control boards already charged) Number update process or total number of scheduled inputs remaining update process),
A closing control means for controlling the closing restriction means (for example, a closing solenoid drive control process and a passage restriction information changing process for the main control board),
A gaming machine including
The last inserted game medium according to the number of allowed inputs is the final input medium, and the game medium captured by the input restricting means in the medium path is the capture medium.
Among the pair of medium detection units, a medium detection unit (for example, an upstream passage detection sensor) disposed on the uppermost stream side in the flow-down direction of the game medium detects the capture medium,
The input control means is
Change of the passage phase based on the detection of the pair of passage detectors with respect to the final input medium, and the insertion restricting means is shifted to the passage permission state according to the determination of the number of passage permission by the passage permission number determining means. Basic passage control means for causing the insertion restricting means to shift to the passage prohibited state in response to the detection that is a change to a predetermined basic passage phase (for example, the second passage phase) in the regular passage phase transition. For example, the passage restriction information changing process at the time of the first loading operation on the main control board),
Based on the detection state of the pair of passage detection units after the end of the passage permission period, capture detection means for detecting capture of the game medium (for example, a suspended ball generation determination process in the main control board),
After detecting the capture of the game medium by the capture detection means, the insertion restricting means is shifted to the passage permission state, and the change of the passage phase based on the detection of the pair of passage detection units with respect to the capture medium is the normal passage phase. An anomalous passage that shifts the input restricting means to the passage-inhibited state in response to detection of a transition from the predetermined basic passage phase to a predetermined anomalous passage phase (for example, a third passage phase) in the order of transition. Control means (passage restriction information changing process at the time of re-injection operation on the main control board);
It is characterized by including.
The “substantial width of the medium passage” means the minimum width in a cross section perpendicular to the flow-down direction of the medium passage, which changes in accordance with the insertion / extraction of a part of the members constituting the input regulation means into / from the medium passage. In addition, the “passing permission state” is a state in which a game medium can pass, while the “passing prohibition state” means a state in which a game ball cannot pass. For example, the passage permission state includes a case where the substantial width is larger than the diameter of the game ball and the case where the substantial width is larger than the thickness of the game medal, while the passage prohibition state includes a substantial passage There are cases where the width is smaller than the diameter of the game ball or smaller than the thickness of the game medal.
“Bet” means depositing (betting) a game medium necessary for performing a unit game.
The “pair of medium detection units” means at least two medium detection units that can simultaneously detect the same game medium. Examples of each of the pair of medium detection units include a composite element such as a photosensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a single element such as a proximity sensor and a magnetic sensor.
The “detection state of a pair of medium detection units” means a state in which the passage of a game medium is detected (passage detection state; on state) or the passage of a game medium in each medium detection unit constituting the pair of medium detection units Is not detected (non-passing detection state; off state).
The “plural types of passing phases” means all combinations of the on state or the off state of each medium detection unit, and the number of types (number of combinations) is based on “2” and the number of medium detection units is an index. It becomes the number to do. Specifically, for example, when the pair of medium detection units includes an upstream medium detection unit and a downstream medium detection unit, a combination of the detection states [the detection state of the upstream medium detection unit, the downstream In the detection state of the side medium detection state, the plural types of passing phases are [OFF state, OFF state], [ON state, OFF state], [ON state, ON state], [OFF state, ON state]. Of 4 (2 squared) kinds of passing phases.
“Regular passage phase transition” represents a change process of passage phase that occurs when one game medium normally passes through the medium detection means. Specifically, for example, when the pair of medium detection units includes an upstream medium detection unit and a downstream medium detection unit, the normal passing phase transition is changed from [OFF state, OFF state] to [ON state]. , OFF state] → [ON state, ON state] → [OFF state, ON state] → [OFF state, OFF state].
“Change in passing phase” means a transition from one passing phase to another passing phase.

  With the above configuration, the game medium can flow down the medium path by its own weight, and a predetermined number of game media can be taken in at high speed by restricting the flow of the game medium by the substantial width of the medium path. Can do. As a result, smooth progress of the unit game can be realized. In addition, since the trapping medium is also used as the input medium detection means that is originally used for measuring the number of passages, no separate detection means for detecting the trapping medium is required, and the structure can be prevented from becoming complicated. The game medium can be detected near the portion where the substantial width of the passage changes, and the game medium can be prevented from being excessively taken in. Further, in the irregular passage control means, the trapping medium is automatically and reliably re-established by shifting the insertion restricting means to the passage prohibition state in accordance with the change from the predetermined basic passage phase to the predetermined irregular passage phase. Can be charged. Thereby, it is possible to prevent interruption of the game progress due to the capture medium. In addition, in order to control the operation of the input restriction means for re-inputting the capture medium by shifting the input restriction means in the irregular passage control means to the passage prohibited state according to the change of the passage phase, a separate component member is used. It is possible to prevent complication of the structure as in the case of providing the control program, and it is possible to prevent complication of the control program and increase of the control processing load as in the case of separately managing the period for the control.

Mean 2.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 1,
In accordance with the determination of the number of permitted inputs in the permitted number of inputs determination means, the number of permitted permits for each system (for example, a plurality of gaming ball throwing units) with reference to the permitted number of throws (for example, a plurality of game ball throwing units) And further including an allowed input number distribution means (main control board input number distribution process) for determining an input remaining number).
The medium path includes a plurality of system-specific medium paths corresponding to the plurality of input systems one by one (for example, a storage path and a discharge path in each of the plurality of game ball input units),
The input restriction means includes a plurality of system-specific input restriction means (for example, first to third input flickers and first to third input solenoids) for restricting the flow of game media for each input system,
A plurality of system-specific medium detecting means for detecting game media passing through the plurality of system-specific medium paths for each of the input systems (for example, the upper element and the lower element of the first to third articles) Including
Each of the plurality of system-specific medium detection means includes the pair of medium detection units,
Among the pair of medium detection units in each of the plurality of system-specific medium detection units, a medium detection unit (for example, an upper element of the first to third items) disposed on the most upstream side in the flow-down direction of the game medium. Detect the capture medium,
The passage permission period management means manages a plurality of passage permission periods management means for each system (for example, a main permission period management means for managing the passage permission periods for each of the plurality of medium detection means for each of the input lines. Including the allowable passage time setting process and the allowable passage time update process in the first to third insertion control processes of the control board),
The input number measuring means measures a plurality of input number measuring means for each system (for example, main control) for measuring the input number for each input system in response to detection that the passing phase transition is the same as the normal passing phase transition. Further, subtracting the number of remaining inputs in the first article loading control process to the third article loading control process),
A plurality of system-specific capture detection means for detecting capture of game media in the plurality of system-specific medium paths for each input system (for example, first control input control processing to third control input control of the main control board) Including a suspended ball generation determination process)
The input control means for each system is
The game medium that passes through last according to the number of permitted inputs by system is the final input medium by system,
In accordance with the determination of the number of permitted inputs for each system by the permitted number of distributions distribution means, the input restriction means for each system is shifted to the permitted input state for each input system, and the final input for each system is determined for each input system A plurality of basic passage control means for each system (main control) that shifts the input restriction means for each system to the passage prohibited state in response to detection that the change in the passing phase with respect to the medium is a change to the predetermined basic passing phase. Board passage control information change processing at the first loading operation in the first loading control processing to the third loading control processing of the substrate),
For each of the input systems, a plurality of system-specific capture detection means (for example, a first main control board) that detects capture of a game medium based on a detection state by the pair of medium detection units after the passage permission period for each system is completed. The throwing ball generation determination process in the third throwing control process),
For each of the input systems, after the detection of the capture of the game medium by the system-specific capture detection means, the plurality of system-specific input restriction means are shifted to a passage-permitted state, and for each of the input systems, the pair of capture mediums A plurality of system-specific irregular passage control means that shifts the system-by-system input restriction means to the passage prohibition state in response to detection that a change in the passage phase based on the detection state of the medium detection unit is a change to the irregular passage phase. (Pass regulation information changing process at the time of re-feeding operation in the 1st article loading control process to the 3rd article loading control process of the main control board),
It is characterized by including.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to divide into a plurality of input systems and input game media at the same time, so that a predetermined number of game media can be taken in at a higher speed. In addition, since it is possible to execute the input of game media for each input system, it is possible to complete the input of only the captured medium by operating only the input restricting means corresponding to at least one input system that has detected the capture of the game medium.
The permitted passage number distribution means is means for distributing the number of game balls to be inserted in each of the input systems, and is not a means for mechanically distributing the inflow destination of the actual game balls for each input system.

Means 3.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 2,
In each of the system-specific medium detection means, only the most upstream medium detection part of the pair of medium detection parts detects the capture medium,
The predetermined basic pass phase in each of the system-specific basic pass control means is the same pass phase as when the capture medium is detected (for example, the second pass phase),
The anomalous passage phase in each of the system-specific anomalous passage control means is a change to the next anomalous passage phase (for example, the third passage phase) of the predetermined basic passage phase in the normal passage phase transition.
It is characterized by that.

  If it is said structure, since only the most upstream side medium detection part detects a capture medium, the capture of a game medium can be detected simply. Since the basic passage phase for shifting the passage restriction by means of the system to the passage prohibited state is the same as the passage phase based on the detection state in which the passage of the final passage medium by the system is detected earliest, it follows the final passage medium by the passage. It is possible to reliably block the input of game media, and to reliably prevent the excessive input of game media by the system-basic basic passage control means. In addition, since the irregular passing phase that causes the system-by-system charging restricting means to shift to the passage prohibiting state is a backward passing phase in the normal passing phase transition with respect to the basic passing phase, the capturing medium can be reliably loaded. In addition, since the irregular passing phase that causes the system-by-system charging restriction means to shift to the passage-inhibited state is the same as the passing phase based on the detection state in which the passage of the system-by-system final input medium is detected second fastest, It is possible to reliably block the input of subsequent game media, and to reliably prevent the excessive input of game media by the system-basic basic passage control means. Note that the speed at which the trapping medium input by the system-specific anomalous passage control means passes through the medium detection means is slower than the speed of the final input medium by system input by the system-basic basic passage restriction control, and follows the trapping medium. Since the speed at which the game medium flows into the medium detection means is slower than the speed at which the system-by-system final input medium flows into the system-by-system medium detection means, the timing for shifting the system-by-system input restriction means to the passage prohibited state is Even if the input medium is different from the case of the capture medium, it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of game media from being input. Further, the system-specific irregular passage control means controls the operation of the system-specific throwing restriction means for completing the loading of the trapping medium by shifting the line-wise throwing restriction means to the passage prohibited state in accordance with the change in the passage phase. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the complexity of the structure as in the case where a separate component member is provided, and to complicate the control program and increase the control processing burden as in the case of separately managing the control period. Can be prevented.

Means 4.
In the gaming machine described in the above means 3,
The pair of medium detection units in each of the system-specific medium detection means includes only an upstream medium detection unit and a downstream medium detection unit arranged along the flow-down direction,
In the plurality of types of passing phases, a detection state in which the upstream medium detection unit is in a non-passing detection state and a downstream medium detection unit is in a non-passing detection state is defined as a first passing phase, and the upstream medium detection unit is in a passage detection state And a detection state in which the downstream medium detection unit is in a non-pass detection state is defined as a second passage phase, and a detection state in which the upstream medium detection unit is in a passage detection state and the downstream medium detection unit is in a passage detection state is a third state. A detection state in which the upstream medium detection unit is in a non-pass detection state and the downstream medium detection unit is in a passage detection state is defined as a fourth passage phase.
The normal pass phase transition is a transition that sequentially changes from the first pass phase to the second pass phase, the third pass phase, and the fourth pass phase and returns to the first pass phase,
In each of the system-specific medium detection means, only the upstream medium detection unit of the pair of medium detection units detects the capture medium,
Each of the system-specific medium detection means detects the capture of the game medium only when the passing phase based on the detection of the pair of medium detecting units for each input system is the second passing phase among the plurality of types of passing phases. And
The basic passage phase in each of the system-based basic passage control means is the second passage phase,
The anomalous passage phase in each of the system-specific anomalous passage control means is the third passage phase,
It is characterized by that.

  With the above configuration, for the same reason as in the case of the above-mentioned means 3, it is possible to more reliably prevent an excessive amount of game media from being input by the system-specific basic passage control means and the system-specific irregular passage control means. It is possible to prevent the complexity, the complexity of the control processing program, and the increase of the control processing burden.

Means 5.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2 to 4,
Each of the plurality of system-specific capture detection means detects the capture of the game medium by the system-specific capture detection means after the expiration of all the system-specific pass permission periods according to the input by the plurality of system-specific pass control means. It is characterized by doing.

  With the above configuration, when game media are captured in two or more input systems, the captured media can be detected collectively, and two or more system-specific input regulation means can be detected collectively. Since it is possible to shift to a passage-permitted state, it is possible to simplify and control the control program required for a plurality of system-specific capture detection means and a plurality of system-specific anomalous passage control means compared to a configuration in which they are individually controlled. The processing burden can be reduced.

Means 6.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 5,
The input control means manages the acquisition determination waiting period management means (for example, main control) for managing the acquisition determination waiting period from the transition of all of the plurality of basic passage control means for each system to the passage prohibition state until a predetermined time elapses. A re-start start standby process in the first input control process to the third input control process of the substrate),
Each of the plurality of system-specific trapping medium detection means is predetermined by the capture determination waiting period management means from the expiration of all of the plurality of system-specific passage permission periods of the game medium input by the plurality of system-specific passage control means. In accordance with the detection of the end of the capture medium determination standby period, it is determined that the capture of the game medium by the system-specific capture detection means is determined.

  If it is said structure, only a capture | acquisition medium can be thrown in reliably. This is because the trapping medium is once trapped by a weak stress, but the charging may be completed after that. In such a case, the recharging due to the generation of the trapping medium becomes unnecessary.

Mean 7
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2-6,
In any one of the plurality of input systems, when the game medium is detected by the system-specific medium detection means outside the system-specific pass permission period and the capture of the game medium is not detected, the game medium passing time A passage time abnormality detection means for judging abnormality (0 determination processing of the passage sensor counter of the article on the main control board, determination processing during passage of the passage sensor of the article);
Passage time error control means (passing time error processing) for stopping the progress of the game in response to detection of passage abnormality by the passage time abnormality detection means;
Is further included.

  If it is said structure, the illegal act using a fraud apparatus can be suppressed, without interrupting a game progress by the detection of the game medium by the medium detection means outside the passage permission period resulting from the capture of the game medium.

Means 8.
In the gaming machine according to the above means 2-7,
In any one of the plurality of input systems, when the passing phase transition is different from the regular passing phase transition and the capture of the gaming medium is not detected, the passing order abnormality is determined to be a gaming medium passing order abnormality. Detection means (determination process of normal phase change of main control board);
Passing order error control means (passing order error processing) for stopping the progress of the game in response to detection of a passing abnormality by the passing order abnormality detecting means;
Is further included.

  With the above configuration, the illegal throwing device was used without interrupting the game progress depending on the difference caused by the capture of the game medium between the passing phase transition based on the detection state of the medium detecting means and the normal passing phase transition. Cheating can be suppressed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The center panel portion 1112 of the front panel 1100 is made of colorless and transparent glass, and describes the predetermined winning conditions, the number of game balls to be paid out (the number of winning balls), the game method, and the like. This is a window through which an information posting panel (not shown) can be seen. In order to make it easy to see the display contents of the information posting panel, a fluorescent lamp 1041k (see FIG. 12) is installed on the back side of the central panel portion 1112. A 1-bet button 1114 is disposed on the left side of the central panel portion 1112. General-purpose buttons 1116 and 1118 are disposed on the right side of the central panel portion 1112. The general-purpose buttons 1116 and 1118 are buttons whose usage can be appropriately set for each type of gaming machine, such as switching of gaming modes and switching of display modes on a liquid crystal screen. A key cylinder insertion hole 1120 that exposes the front surface (key hole) of the door key cylinder 1202 for opening and closing the front block is provided on the right side of the general-purpose button 1116 and the like of the central panel portion 1112. An operation panel portion 1122 that protrudes forward is disposed below the central panel portion 1112.

  In the operation panel section 1122 of the front panel 1100, a start lever 1124 for starting rotation of later-described rotating cylinders L, M, and R (see FIG. 13) and rotation of the left rotating cylinder L are sequentially arranged from the left side of FIG. A left-turn cylinder stop button 1126L for stopping the rotation of the center cylinder M, a middle-turn cylinder stop button 1126M for stopping the rotation of the middle cylinder M, and a right-turn cylinder stop button 1126R for stopping the rotation of the right cylinder R A small window hole 1130 is provided for exposing an upper plate ball removal lever 1386 for performing an operation of flowing a game ball from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128. The start lever 1124 is a lever that is pressed and operated by the player when the player starts the game, and automatically returns to the original position after the hand is released. When the start lever 1124 is operated while a predetermined number of game balls are betted, the cylinders L, M, and R start to rotate at the same time. Above the base end of the start lever 1124, each cylinder L, M, R is ready for rotation, that is, a predetermined number of game balls are taken in by the selector 1400 (see FIG. 2), and the start lever 1124 is operated. A start lever LED (not shown) for notifying the acceptable state is embedded. Further, around each of the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, and 1126R, the spinning cylinder stop buttons LEDL, 134M, and 134R for notifying the state in which the operation can be accepted are embedded. Each spinning cylinder stop button LED 1134L, 1134M, 1134R is turned on when the corresponding spinning cylinder L, M, R is rotating at a constant speed, and is extinguished when the rotation of the corresponding spinning cylinder L, M, R is stopped. A lower tray 1128 for storing game balls is disposed below the operation panel unit 1122.

  On the inner surface of the lower plate 1128, there is a lower speaker cover unit 1136 that covers the lower speaker unit 1204 (see FIG. 2) provided on the front block frame 1200, and an outlet for game balls flowing from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128. In addition, there is provided a lower tray payout outlet 1138 in which game balls may be directly paid out from a payout device 1033 (see FIG. 9) described later. In addition, a lower plate ball removal lever 1140 for performing an operation of dropping a game ball from a lower plate 1128 to a game ball housing case (a so-called dollar box) (not shown) disposed below the lower plate 1128 is provided at the lower front portion of the lower plate 1128. Is provided. The game ball can be dropped from the lower plate 1128 by sliding the closing plate 1144 with the lower plate ball removing lever 1140 to open the opening 1142. An ashtray 1146 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 1128. A left lower effect LED cover portion 1148 and a lower right effect LED cover portion 1150 are provided on both sides of the operation panel portion 1122 and the lower plate 1128, respectively. The lower left effect LED cover portion 1148 and the lower right effect LED cover portion 1150 cover a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (not shown) attached from the back side of the front panel 1100.

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper plate unit 1300 is a member having an upper plate 1302 for storing game balls, and the operation panel unit is configured to close the opening between the central panel unit 1112 and the operation panel unit 1122. It is attached to the back side of 1122. The upper plate unit 1300 includes an upper plate unit main body 1320, a CR operation unit 1350, an upper plate ball stopper 1360 (see FIG. 5), and an upper plate ball removal operation unit 1380.

  The upper plate unit main body 1320 is a member having the upper plate 1302 as described above, and is formed with a desired depth and an inclination from the left side to the right side in the drawing. A game ball guide path 1322 (see FIG. 5) branched into a plurality (for example, three) is provided in a downstream portion of the upper plate 1302 (below the CR operation unit 350). The game ball guide path 1322 aligns the game balls and sequentially guides them to the selector 1400 (see FIG. 5).

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

  The upper dish ball removal operation unit 1380 includes a ball removal lever 1386 (see FIG. 6) exposed on the front side of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 and a lever operation provided on the inner side of the ball-type spinning machine 1010. A transmission mechanism. In response to the operation of the ball removal lever 1386, the lever operation transmission mechanism moves the return shutter 1420 (see FIG. 6) of the selector 1400. As a result, the game balls stored in the upper plate 1302 are paid back to the lower plate 1128.

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

  In the selector 1400, a predetermined number of game balls stored on the upper plate 1302 and the upper surface of the selector 1400 are ball-typed according to the operation of the 1 bet button 1114 (see FIG. 1) and the mac bet button 1304 (see FIG. 1). It is taken into the inside of the revolving game machine 1010 or paid back to the lower plate 1128 (see FIG. 1) in accordance with the operation of the upper plate ball removing operation unit 1380. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the selector, and FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an example of the selector. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the selector 1400 includes a plurality of game ball insertion units 1410 a corresponding to the plurality of game ball guide paths 1322 (see FIG. 5) of the upper plate 1302 one by one. , 1410b, 1410c, a return shutter 1420 for restricting the flow of game balls from the upper tray 1302 to the lower tray 1128, and a return switch board provided with a return switch 1441 for detecting translational movement of the return shutter 1420 from the reference position 1440, a substrate cover 1450 including the hollow protrusion 1408 and one end of the return shutter 1420 and the return switch substrate 1440, and a coil spring (not shown) disposed inside the hollow protrusion 1480 to return the return shutter 1420 to the reference position Between the main control board 1045a and the plurality of game ball throwing portions 1410a, 1410b, 1410c And a selector relay apparatus 1460 including a relay terminal plate cover 1464 which covers the selector relay terminal plate 1462 and the selector relay terminal plate 1462 relays transmission of electrical signals. The selector 1400 disperses a predetermined number of game balls according to a bet operation into a plurality of game ball insertion units 1410a, 1410b, and 1410c and simultaneously inputs them, so that only a single game ball insertion unit is provided. This makes it possible to quickly perform a throw-in operation (bet operation).

  Here, the upper plate ball removal operation unit 1380, the upper plate ball stopper 1360, and the selector 1400 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper bowl stopper 1360 as seen from the rear side. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper dish ball removal operation unit 1380. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper bowl stopper 1360 as seen from the rear side. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example of the selector 1400 and the upper dish ball removal operation unit 1380. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the case where the input flicker and the return shutter are in the passage-inhibited state, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the input flicker in the passage-inhibited state and the return shutter in the passage-permitted state. Some cases are shown. In the following, the game ball throwing units 1410b and 1410c have substantially the same configuration as the game ball throwing unit 410a, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the upper plate ball stopper 1360 includes a casing 1361, a shaft member 1362 that is rotatably provided in the casing 1361 within a rotation range of 90 degrees, and a shaft member 1362. An operating handle (not shown) provided at the end and an opening / closing member 1363 that can move according to the rotation of the shaft member 1362 are provided. The shaft member 1362 includes pressing portions 1375a and 1375b formed at a tip opposite to the operation handle at intervals of about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. Each pressing portion 1375a, 1375b is formed in a tongue-like shape, and protrudes in the radial direction of the shaft member 1362, respectively. The opening / closing member 1363 includes a plurality of closed portions 1376 for closing each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 and pressed portions 1378a and 1378b that receive stress that moves the opening / closing member.

  The state shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 is a state in which the pressing portion 1375a presses the pressed portion 1378a and the opening / closing member 1363 is moved to the right side. In this state, each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is shown. Inflow of game balls to is allowed. When the shaft member 1362 is rotated clockwise as viewed from above in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 by operating the operation handle from the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the pressing portion 1375b opens and closes in a substantially horizontal direction. The pressed portion 1378b of the member 1363 is pressed. As a result, the opening / closing member 1363 moves to the left, and the size of the inlet of the storage passage 1402 is narrowed by the closing portion 1376. In this state, the inflow of game balls into each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is prohibited. In this state, even if the selector 1400 is removed in a state where the game balls are stored in the upper plate 1302 and the game ball guide path 1322, those game balls will not be dropped. Conversely, when the shaft member 1362 is rotated counterclockwise by the operation of the operation handle from this state, the inflow of game balls into each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 is permitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the upper plate ball removing unit 1380 is a base attached to the lower side of the upper plate unit main body 1320 (see FIG. 1) via the CR operation display unit 1350 (see FIG. 1). A portion 1381, a rotating piece 1384 and a pressing piece 1385 that rotate around support shafts 1382 and 1383 erected on the base portion 1381, and an upper dish ball removing lever 1386 that slides along the front surface of the base portion 1381. Have. A connecting portion 1384 b that is pivotally attached to an upper dish ball removing lever 1386 is provided on the base portion 1384 a of the rotating piece 1384. In addition, the base portion 1384 a of the rotating piece 1384 is connected to the base portion 1381 via a coil spring 1387. A bifurcated grip 1384 c is provided at the tip of the rotating piece 1384. The grip portion 1384c is a portion that slidably grips the convex portion 1385b provided on the base portion 1385a of the pressing piece 1385. A pressing portion 1385 c that presses the return shutter 1420 of the selector 1400 is provided at the tip of the pressing piece 1385. The hollow protrusion 1408 of the selector 1400 stores a coil spring that presses the return shutter 1420 toward the pressing piece 1385 side.

  The state shown in FIG. 6 is a state where the upper dish ball removing lever 1386 is not operated. That is, the rotating piece 1384 is pulled counterclockwise by the coil spring 1387, and the pressing piece 1385 is pulled clockwise by the rotating piece 1384, so that the pressing portion 1385c is separated from one end of the return shutter 1420. State. In this state, the return shutter 1420 is at the reference position by the urging force of the coil spring 1430 disposed inside the hollow protrusion 1408. When the upper plate ball removal lever 1386 is picked from this state and moved downward in the figure (actually, from the right side to the left side when viewed from the front of the ball-type rotary game machine 1010), as shown in FIG. The rotation piece 1384 rotates clockwise along with the ball removal lever 1386, the pressing piece 1385 is rotated counterclockwise by the rotation piece 1384, and the pressing portion 1385 c presses the return shutter 1420. As a result, the return shutter 1420 moves. In this state, when the hand is released from the upper dish ball removal lever 1386, the return shutter 1420 is pressed forward by the urging force of the coil spring disposed in the hollow protrusion 1408, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is restored.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the selector 1400 includes a plurality of game ball insertion portions 1410 a, 1410 b, 1410 c, a return shutter 1420, a return switch board 1440, a board cover 1450, and a return A coil spring (not shown) for returning the shutter 1420 to the reference position and a selector relay device 1460 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the game ball insertion portion 1410 a of the selector 1400 includes a resin casing including a casing 1411 and a cover 1412. The outer surface of the casing 1411 is an attachment surface for the cover 1412 of the adjacent game ball insertion portion 1410b, and the outer surface of the cover 1412 of the game ball insertion portion 1410a is an attachment surface for the substrate cover 1450. When the casing 1411 and the cover 1412 are assembled, a bowl-shaped portion 1417 constituting the storage passage 1402 is formed. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the game ball throwing unit 1410 a includes a throwing flicker 1413 a (a kind of throwing restriction means) and a throwing solenoid 1414 a (a kind of throwing restriction changing means). , A passage sensor 1415a and a count sensor 1416a. In addition, a guide passage 1404 extending obliquely downward and a discharge passage 1406 extending substantially vertically downward are formed in the game ball throwing portion 1410a on the downstream side of the storage passage 1402.

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

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

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

  The passage sensor 1415a is disposed in the discharge passage 1406a and immediately downstream of the opening / closing part 1413a5 of the input flicker 1413a, and detects whether or not the game ball has been normally taken in. The passage sensor 1415a has a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to surround the tip end portion 1413a2 of the input flicker 1413a, and a light emitting element is provided on either the front side or the back side of the input flicker 1413a, and on the other side. The light receiving element is provided. In addition, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided as a pair in the upper and lower directions and at an interval shorter than the diameter of one game ball. After the game ball is detected by the upper element 1415a1, the game balls are simultaneously detected by the upper and lower elements 1415a1 and 1415a2, and then only the lower element 1415a2 is detected within a predetermined time. When it is determined that the game ball has been properly taken in. Conversely, when the lower element 1415a2 does not detect a game ball even after a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the game ball with the upper element 1415a1, or after the game element is detected with the lower element 1415a2, the upper side and When the lower balls 1415a1 and 1415a2 detect a game ball at the same time, and then only the upper ball 1415a1 detects a game ball, it is determined that the game ball has been inserted by unauthorized means, 1010 informs that an error has occurred and prohibits the game. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as using a fraudulent tool as if a game ball is taken in. The upper element 1415a1 is in a state where the number of game balls detected by the passage sensor 1415a is one less than the number of game balls to be inserted by the game ball insertion unit 1410a (for example, 4, 9, or 14). When the last game ball is detected, the charging solenoid 1414a is de-energized, the opening / closing part 1413a5 of the charging flicker 1413a protrudes into the discharge passage 1406, and the game ball is configured from the storage passage 1402 to the discharge passage 1406. Yes.

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

  The return shutter 1420 has a plurality of window holes 1422, one corresponding to each of the plurality of game ball guide paths 1322, and the storage passages 1402 and the guide passages 1404 a, 1404 b, and 1404 c are formed on the sides of the window holes 1422. Blocking walls 1424a, 1424b and 1424c for blocking are provided. In addition, tongue pieces 1426a, 1426b, and 1426c extending to the storage passages 1402a, 1402b, and 1402c are provided below the respective window holes 1422a, 1422b, and 1422c. Each tongue piece 1426a, 1426b, 1426c is a part for guiding a game ball from the storage passages 1402a, 1402b, 1402c to the respective window holes 1422a, 1422b, 1422c. When the upper dish ball release lever 1386 is not operated, the return shutter 1420 is at the reference position, and the game balls from each of the plurality of storage passages 1402 to the plurality of guide passages 1404 at the blocking wall 1424 of the return shutter 1420. Inflow is prohibited. On the other hand, when the upper tray ball removal lever 1386 is operated and the pressing portion 1385c of the return shutter 1420 is pressed, the return shutter 1420 moves from the reference position and passes through the window holes 1422a, 1422b, and 1422c of the return shutter 1420. Inflow of game balls from the storage passage 1402 to the guide passage 1404 is permitted. As a result, the game ball flows from the upper plate 1302 to the lower plate 1128 through the guide passages 1404a, 1404b, and 1404c. At this time, the movement of the return shutter 1420 from the reference position is detected by the return switch 1441 (see FIG. 4) of the return switch board 1440. Based on the detection result, the operation acceptance of the 1 bet button 1114 and the max bet button 1304 is accepted. A state that makes it impossible occurs.

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

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

  FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an example of the payout block 1030. As shown in FIG. 9, the payout block 1030 includes a game ball tank 1032 for storing game balls for lending and winning balls, a payout device 1033 for paying out game balls, and a game. A tank rail 1034 and a case rail 1035 for guiding the game ball from the ball tank 1032 to the payout device 1033, a payout relay terminal plate 1036, a payout control device 1037 for controlling the payout operation of the game ball, and a power supply of the game ball And a CR unit connection terminal plate 1039 for connecting the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 to the CR unit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10A to 10C are longitudinal sectional views showing an example of the configuration of the dispensing device. FIG. 10A shows that the game ball is being paid out, FIG. 10B shows that the game ball is being paid out to the upper plate, and FIG. 10C shows the case where the game ball is being discharged to the outside of the gaming machine. ing.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the payout device 1033 has a resin casing including a casing 1033a and a cover (not shown). Inside the casing, a payout flicker 1033b, a payout solenoid 1033c, , And a switching piece 1033g. Formed inside the casing 1033a are a ball passage 1033d, a discharge passage 1033e extending substantially vertically downward on the downstream side of the ball passage 1033d, and a discharge passage 1033f extending from the middle of the discharge passage 1033e and extending obliquely downward. Yes. The switching piece 1033g is disposed at a branch portion from the payout passage 1033e to the discharge passage 1033f. Normally, since the switching piece 1033g is maintained substantially vertically upward, the game ball does not flow into the discharge passage 1033f.

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 10 (A), in a state where the ball passage 1033d is closed by the opening / closing portion 1033b5 of the payout flicker 1033b, a predetermined winning condition is satisfied, or there is a remaining number in the frequency display portion 1352. When the ball lending button 1306 is pressed, the dispensing solenoid 1033c is energized. Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (B), the piston 1033c2 is contracted, and the proximal end portion 1033b1 of the payout flicker 1033b is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end portion 1033b2 of the payout flicker 1033b rotates clockwise in the drawing to open the ball passage 1033d, so that the game ball can fall naturally. On the contrary, when the discharge solenoid 1033c is deenergized, the piston 1033c2 is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 1033c4 to rotate the proximal end portion 1033b1 of the discharge flicker 1033b clockwise in the drawing. At the same time, the tip end portion 1033b2 of the payout flicker 1033b rotates counterclockwise in the drawing to close the ball passage 1033d, and the game ball returns to the state where it cannot fall naturally, that is, the state shown in FIG.

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

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

  A substantially fan-shaped operation lever 1033j (see FIG. 9) is disposed outside the casing 1033a. 10A to 10C, the operation lever 1033j can rotate around the rotation shaft 33a4. The operating lever 1033j is connected to a protrusion 1033g1 provided at the intermediate portion of the switching piece 1033g and a protrusion 1033i2 provided at the base end of the pressing piece 1033i. That is, when the operation lever 1033j is rotated, the switching piece 1033g and the pressing piece 1033i are configured to be interlocked. When the operation lever 1033j is operated counterclockwise in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 10C, the payout passage 1033e is closed by the switching piece 1033g and the ball passage 1033d and the discharge passage 1033f are communicated. On the other hand, the knob 1033c3 of the dispensing solenoid 1033c is pushed up by the pressing piece 1033i, and the dispensing flicker 1033b opens the ball passage 1033d. When the operation lever 1033j is operated as described above while preventing the game ball from flowing with the ball stop lever 1034c provided on the tank rail 1034, the game ball on the downstream side of the ball stop lever 1034c is It is discharged outside. When the payout device 1033 or the case rail 1035 fails, the payout device 1033 or the case rail 1035 is discharged in a state where the downstream game ball is discharged from the ball stop lever 1034c to the outside of the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 as described above. (See FIG. 9) can be replaced.

  The payout control device 1037, the power supply control device 1038, and the CR unit connection terminal plate 1039 shown in FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an example of the game block. The payout control device 1037 controls payout of prize balls and lending balls, and as is well known, a payout control board 1037a (see FIG. 15) including a central CPU and other ROM, RAM, various ports, and the like. It has.

  The power supply control device 1038 generates and outputs a predetermined power supply voltage required by various control devices. The power control device 1038 is provided with a power control board 1038 ′, a power switch 1038a, a RAM erasing reset switch 1038b, a stop switch 1038c, and a setting change key cylinder (not shown). Yes. When the power switch 1038a is turned on, it supplies power to each unit including the CPU. When the reset switch 1038b is pressed and the power switch 1038a is simultaneously turned on, the contents of the RAM are reset. When the reset switch 1038b is pressed while the power switch 1038a is turned on, the error state is reset. The stop switch 1038c is for switching whether or not to temporarily stop the game at the end of the big bonus. The setting change key cylinder 1038d constitutes a setting change device. In the setting change device, the ball turnout rate of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 is determined in advance in a plurality of steps (for example, 6 steps), and the ball turnout rate is set in any step. The procedure for changing the setting is as follows. First, with the power switch 1038a turned off, a setting change key (not shown) is inserted into the setting change key cylinder and rotated 90 degrees clockwise. When the power switch 1038a is turned on in this state, the current ball-out rate (setting) is set to numerical values “1” to “6” on the 7-segment LED display 1041g (see FIG. 12) on the front surface of the game block 1040 described later. Displayed either. Next, when the reset switch 1038b is pushed, the number displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g changes and increases by 1 (however, in the case of “6”, it returns to “1”). When the start lever 1124 (see FIG. 1) is pressed in a state where any number from “1” to “6” is displayed on the 7-segment LED display portion 1041g, the exit rate (setting) is determined.

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

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

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

  FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the game block 1040. As shown in FIG. 11, the game block 1040 has a game panel 1041 that is visually recognized through a window hole 1102 (see FIG. 1) of the front panel 1100. The gaming panel 1041 includes a pair of upper and lower window holes 1041a and 1041b. A liquid crystal display device 1042 is attached to the back side of the game panel 1041 corresponding to the upper window hole 1041a, and the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 1042 can be viewed through the upper window hole 1041a. In addition, the spinning unit 1043 is attached to the back side of the game panel 1041 corresponding to the lower window hole 1041b, and the symbol display by the spinning unit 1043 can be visually recognized through the lower window hole 1041b. Further, on the back side of the game panel 1041, a main control device 1045 is attached to one side of the spinning unit 1043 via a main mounting base 1044, and a sub-control is provided behind the liquid crystal display device 1042 via a sub mounting base 1046. A device 1047 is attached. The main controller 1045 is arranged in a vertically long shape so as to be orthogonal to the game panel 1041.

  FIG. 12 is a front view of the game block 1040. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a plurality of (for example, 21) symbols in a row are removed from the rotating drum unit 1043 for convenience and strip-shaped symbol seals 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R (see FIG. 13) are removed.

  From the lower window hole 1041b of the game panel 1041, three of the symbols of the symbol seals 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R attached to each of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are exposed from the lower window hole 1041b. In FIG. 12, nine pairs of left and right LEDs 1043L1, 1043M1, and 1043R1 are exposed in three rows and three columns.

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

  On the both sides of the upper window hole 1041a of the game panel 1041, there are provided the electric actors 1041d and 1041e. In addition, on the right side of the lower window hole 1041b, an electric accessory 1041f, a 7-segment LED display unit 1041g, and an LED display unit 1041h are arranged in this order from the top. These electric actors 1041d, 1041e, and 1041f are used for game effects, big bonus or regular bonus confirmation notifications, and the like. The 7-segment LED display unit 1041g is a part for displaying the number of game balls bet and the number of payouts, an error code, the total number of payouts in the bonus, and six levels of settings when the settings are changed. The LED display unit 1041h is provided with four LEDs. Among them, the upper three LEDs constitute a bet number display portion 1041h1. The bet number display section 1041h1 displays the bet number within a range of 1 to 3 by turning on the number of LEDs corresponding to the number of game balls inserted into the selector 1400. The remaining one LED is a re-game display unit 1041h2. The replay display portion 1041h2 is lit when the replay symbols (the symbols displayed as “re” in a substantially fan-shaped frame) of the symbol stickers 1043L, 1043M, and 1043R shown in FIG. 14 are aligned on the active line. This notifies that the next unit game can be played without a betting of a game ball. When the start lever 1124 is pressed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the replay symbols are aligned on the active line, the replay display portion 1041h2 is turned off as the rotating cylinders L, M, and R rotate.

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

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

  FIG. 13 is a partial exploded perspective view of an example of the rotating drum unit 1043. As shown in FIG. 13, the rotating drum unit 1043 has three rotating drums (so-called reels) L, M, and R, and each of the rotating drums L, M, and R is housed in the rotating drum unit frame 1043a. is there. Since each of the spinning cylinders L, M, and R has substantially the same configuration, the right spinning cylinder R will be described as an example.

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

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

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

  The stepping motor 1043R4 is set so that the right cylinder R makes one round by a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter), and the rotational position is controlled by this excitation pulse. That is, when the right turn R makes one round, 21 symbols are sequentially exposed from the lower window hole 1041b of the gaming panel 1041, so 24 pulses (= 504 pulses / 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next. ). Then, based on the number of pulses from when the detection signal of the rotating drum position detection sensor 1043R7 is output, it is recognized which symbol is exposed from the window hole 1041b, or an arbitrary symbol is exposed from the window hole 1041b. Control can be performed. In this embodiment, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor employing a 1-2 phase excitation method is used as the stepping motor 1043R4. The stepping motor 1043R4 is not limited to a hybrid type or two-phase, and various stepping motors such as a three-phase stepping motor and a five-phase stepping motor can be used. A drive signal (drive signal data) for the stepping motor 1043R4 is given to the motor driver 1070 (see FIG. 15) as excitation data.

  The main control device 1045 is responsible for the main control of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010. Specifically, the main control device 1045 receives a signal from the start lever 1124 and receives a winning combination (big bonus, regular bonus, small combination, replay). And a command signal is issued to the sub-control device 1047 and the payout control device 1037 based on the lottery result. As shown in FIG. 15, the main controller 1045 has a configuration in which a CPU 1045a1 that controls the main control, a ROM 1045a2 that stores a game program, a RAM 1045a3 that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, and various devices are connected. A main control board 1045a including an output port 1045a4, a random number generation circuit 1045a5 used for various lotteries, a clock circuit 1045a6 used for time counting and synchronization, and a transparent resin that accommodates the main control board 1045a A substrate case 1045b (1045b1, 1045b2) (see FIG. 11) made of a material or the like is used.

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

(Control system for ball-type spinning machine)
A control system of the ball-type spinning machine 1010 will be described. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a ball-type spinning machine.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the main control board 1045a functions as a control unit configured as a microcomputer centering on a CPU 1045a1 that is an arithmetic processing unit, and a ROM (or flash memory) 1045a2 that stores a processing program, temporarily A working RAM 1045a3, an input / output port 1045a4, and the like for storing data are connected to the CPU 1045a1 via an internal bus.

  The input / output port 1045a4 of the main control board 1045a has a reset signal from the reset switch 1038b, a setting signal from the setting key switch 1038d1, a 1-bet signal from the bet button 1114, a maximum bet signal from the max bet button 1304, and a selector 1400. The auxiliary passage detection signals from the count sensors 1416a1, 1416b1, 1416c1 for detecting the game balls taken in, and the upper elements 1415a1, 1415b1, 1415c1 in the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, 1415c for detecting the game balls taken in by the selector 1400 Upstream passage detection signals from the lower element passage sensors 1415a2, 1415b2, 1415c2 in the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, 1415c, Fluctuation start signal from the moving lever 1124, stop signal from each of the spinning cylinder stop buttons 1126L, 1126M, 1126R, detection signal from the spinning cylinder position detection sensors 1043L7, 1043M7, 1043R7, a count for detecting a game ball dispensed from the dispensing device 1033 A count signal based on the count switch signal from the sensor 1033h, a game ball detection signal from the ball break detection device 1035b for detecting a game ball in the case rail 1035, a paying out signal indicating the payout period, and the like are input.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Furthermore, when the power is turned on after the setting key switch 1038d1 is turned on when the power is turned off, that is, when the power is turned on after the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder 1038d and rotated. A state in which the exit rate of the trunk game machine 10 can be changed occurs. In this state, when a reset signal is transmitted from the reset switch 1038b, the bonus probability and the small role probability of the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 are changed, and the change result is represented by the numbers “1” to “6”. It outputs to 7 segment LED display part 1041g (refer FIG. 12). Then, when a setting confirmation signal is received from the start lever 1124 in a state in which any number from “1” to “6” is displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g, the turn-out rate of the ball-type rotating game machine 1010 Confirm (Setting).

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

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

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

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing in the main control board 1045a. In the main control board 1045a, timer interrupt processing is periodically performed. In this embodiment, the timer interrupt process is substantially performed at a period of 1.49 ms [milliseconds].

  In the timer interrupt process, first, information on all registers used in the normal process in the main process described later is stored in the backup area of the RAM 1045a3 ("interrupt start process" S1101). After the interrupt start process S1101, it is confirmed whether or not a power failure flag is set (S1102). When the power failure flag is set, the backup process S1103 is executed.

  In the backup process S1103, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission of various commands stored in the ring buffer has been completed. If the transmission of these commands has not ended, the backup process S1103 is temporarily ended and control returns to the timer interrupt process. This is control for completing the transmission of the command before starting the backup process S1103. On the other hand, when the transmission of these commands is completed, the value of the stack pointer of the CPU 1045a1 is saved in the backup area in the RAM 1045a3 ("stack pointer saving process"). After the stack pointer saving process, a RAM determination value, which will be described later, is cleared and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 1045a4 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off ("stop process"). After the stop process, a new RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area (“RAM determination value storage process”). The RAM determination value is a 2's complement of the checksum value in the work area of the RAM 1045a3. Here, the 2's complement of the tick sum value is a value generated when each digit (bit) of the check sum value is inverted in binary representation. In this case, the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR (“FFFF”) of the checksum value of the RAM 1045a3 and the RAM determination value is “0”. In this embodiment, the complement of the checksum value is used as the RAM determination value. However, in the present invention, the checksum value itself may be used as the RAM determination value. After the RAM determination value storage process, access to the RAM 1045a3 is prohibited ("RAM access prohibition process"). Thereafter, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the processing cannot be executed due to complete interruption of the internal power. Note that, for example, when the power failure flag is erroneously set due to noise or the like, although not shown, it is confirmed whether the power failure signal is still input before entering the infinite loop. If the power failure signal is not output, the internal power supply is restored, so that writing to the RAM 1045a3 is permitted, the power failure flag is released, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process. On the other hand, if the power failure signal is continuously input, an infinite loop is entered (not shown).

  As described above, it is determined whether or not the command transmission has been completed at the initial stage of the backup processing S1103, and when those transmissions are incomplete, the transmission processing is prioritized. By adopting a configuration in which the backup process S1103 is executed after the command transmission process is completed, it is not necessary to construct a power failure processing program considering that the backup process is executed during the command transmission. As a result, it is possible to simplify the program related to the processing at the time of power failure and to reduce the capacity of the ROM 1045a2. The power supply unit 1038e of the power supply control board 1038 ′ outputs backup power used as drive power for the control system for a sufficient time to complete the power failure interrupt process and the backup process even after a power failure occurs. . With this backup power, backup processing of power failure interrupt processing and timer interrupt processing is performed. In this embodiment, backup power is continuously output for 30 ms [milliseconds] after the occurrence of a power failure.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1102 that the power failure flag is not set, a watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is initialized, and an interrupt permission is issued to the CPU 1045a1 itself ("interrupt end declaration"). Process "S1104).

  After the interrupt end declaration process S1104, the left stepping motor 1043L4 for rotating the left cylinder L, the middle stepping motor 1043M4 for rotating the middle cylinder M, and the right stepping motor 1043R4 for rotating the right cylinder R The drive is controlled ("left cylinder motor control process" S1105, "middle cylinder motor control process" S1106, "right cylinder motor control process" S1107).

  After various spinning motor control processes S1105 to S1107, the states of various switches and sensors connected to the input / output port 1045a4 are monitored ("switch reading process" S1108). The RAM 1045a3 includes information on the on / off state detected by the current timer interrupt, information on the on / off state detected by the previous timer interrupt, and information on the on / off state detected by the previous timer interrupt. Information on state changes (rising and falling) based on on / off states detected by previous and current timer interrupts, and state changes based on on / off states detected by current and previous and previous timer interrupts Such information is also held, and in the switch read process S1108, the information is updated for each timer interrupt.

  After the switch reading process S1108, the state of the sensors in various devices connected to the input / output port 1045a4 is monitored ("sensor monitoring process" S1109). In the sensor monitoring process S1109, the number of game balls passing through the count sensor is measured. In the sensor monitoring process S1109, the occurrence of an error is detected according to the state of various sensors and other related information. Note that specific error control and error notification control are performed during a variation waiting process of a normal game process (to be described later, for example, an insertion error process and a payout error process). In the sensor monitoring process S1109, not only the sensors connected to the main control board 1045a are monitored, but also information based on some sensors connected via the payout control board 1037a (for example, based on the payout count sensor). The payout count signal and the payout signal indicating the payout period) are also substantially monitored.

  Here, the sensor monitoring process S1109 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the sensor monitoring process. In the sensor monitoring process S1109, as shown in FIG. 17, it is first determined whether or not a payout operation is being performed (S801), and whether or not the receipt of a payout count signal from the payout control board 1037a is detected. It is determined whether or not (S802). Specifically, whether or not the payout operation is being performed is determined as a payout operation when reception of a payout signal from the payout control board 1037a is detected, and a payout operation when it is not detected. Judge that it is not in. If the payout count signal is received even though the payout operation is not in progress, it is determined that the game ball has not passed through normal payout, and an out-of-period payout error flag is set (“out-of-period payout error” Flag setting process "S803). When the out-of-period payout error flag is set, an error process is executed and an error is notified in a payout error process described later.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a closing operation is being performed (S804), and it is determined whether or not a passing sensor signal is detected (S805). Specifically, whether or not the closing operation is in progress is determined as a closing operation when the closing operation period flag is set, and is not in the closing operation when the closing operation period flag is not set. Is determined. If the upstream passage detection signal or the downstream passage detection signal from the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c is received even though the throwing operation is not being performed, it is determined that the game ball does not pass due to normal throwing, and the time is out of period. The input error flag is set ("out-of-period input error flag setting process" S808). When the out-of-period input error flag is set, error processing is executed and the occurrence of a number error is notified in input error processing (see S1403 in FIG. 21) described later. Next, when the signal states from various sensors have changed, the sensor detection information is updated ("sensor detection information update process" S809).

  After the sensor detection information update process S809, the number of game balls that normally pass through the count sensors 1416a to 1416c (auxiliary throwing number) is counted ("auxiliary throwing number counting process" S810). Here, the auxiliary input number counting process S810 will be described in detail. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the auxiliary input number counting process. In the auxiliary thrown-in number counting process S810, first, if the fall of the auxiliary passage detection signal from any of the strips is detected, the value of the auxiliary thrown-in number is added by the number of strips in which the fall has been detected. It is updated to a value ("auxiliary input number addition process" S901). After the auxiliary number-of-inputs addition process S901, it is determined whether or not a number comparison timer for determining the timing for comparing the value of the number of inputs and the value of the auxiliary number of input is set (S902). Specifically, when the value of the number comparison timer is larger than “0”, it is determined that the number comparison timer is set, and when it is “0”, the number comparison timer is released. Determined. The number comparison timer is a software timer set to a predetermined value (in this embodiment, “203” corresponding to about 300 ms) in accordance with the operation of the start lever 1124 by the player. If the number comparison timer is not set, the auxiliary thrown number counting process S810 ends. On the other hand, if the number comparison timer is not set, the value of the number comparison timer is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value (“number comparison timer update process” S903). After the number comparison timer update process S903, it is determined whether or not the number comparison timer has been released (S904). When the number comparison timer is released, the auxiliary thrown-in number counting process S810 ends. On the other hand, if the number comparison timer has not been released, it is determined whether or not the game is in a re-game state (S905), and if it is in the re-game state, the auxiliary thrown-in number counting process S810 ends. If it is determined in the determination process S905 that the game is not in the re-playing state, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary input number is equal to or greater than the input number (S906). When the number of auxiliary inputs is equal to or greater than the number of inputs, the auxiliary input counting process S810 ends. When the number of auxiliary inputs is less than the number of inputs, a number error flag is set (“number error flag setting process” S907). Thereafter, the auxiliary number-of-inputs counting process S810 ends. As described above, the auxiliary input number counting process S810 includes the auxiliary input number adding process S901 to the number error flag setting process S907.

  After the auxiliary input number counting process S810, as shown in FIG. 17, it is determined whether the state to be notified has occurred or changed (S811), and if there is no change in the state to be notified, the sensor The monitoring process S1109 ends. On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, a sensor detection command corresponding to the state to be notified is set (“sensor detection command setting process” S812), and the sensor monitoring process S1109 ends. The set sensor detection command is output to the sub control board 1047a in a command output process (S1112 in FIG. 16) described later. As described above, the sensor monitoring process S1109 includes the determination process S801 to the sensor detection command setting process S812.

  After the sensor monitoring process S1109, various counter values and various timer values are subtracted ("timer subtraction process" S1110). After the timer subtraction process S1110, the bet number and the acquired number of balls are output to an external concentration terminal board (not shown) in order to count the number of difference balls (difference between the total number of bets and the total number of bets) ("difference balls" Count process "S1111). After the difference ball counting process S1111, various commands accumulated in the ring buffer are transmitted to the sub control board 1047a (“command output process” S1112). After the command output process S1112, segment data displayed on the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g and the like is set ("segment data setting process" S1113). The segment data set in the segment data setting process S1113 is transmitted to a predetermined segment data display device in the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g or the like (“segment data display process” S1114). Accordingly, the 7-segment LED display unit 1041g and the like display numbers, characters, symbols, and the like corresponding to the received segment data. Data is output from the input / output port 1045a4 to the I / O device ("port output processing" S1115). After the port output process S1115, the data of each register saved in the backup area in the interrupt start process S1101 is restored to a predetermined register in the CPU 1045a1, and the next timer interrupt is permitted ("interrupt end process" S1116). . A series of timer interrupt processing is completed through the above processing.

  The main process in the main control board 1045a will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board 1045a. The main process of the main control board 1045a is executed when returning from the power failure state.

  In the main processing of the main control board 1045a, first, an initial value of the stack pointer is set, an interrupt mode that permits interrupt processing is set, and various settings for the register group and I / O device in the CPU 1045a1 are performed. ("Start-up process" S1201). After the start-up process S1201, a setting key is inserted into the setting key switch 1038d1, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation (right rotation operation or the like) is performed (on state or off state) (S1202). If it is determined that the setting key switch 1038d1 has been operated, 1 is selected from a predetermined plurality of types of probability settings (in this embodiment, six-stage settings from “Setting 1” to “Setting 6”). Data in all areas of the RAM 1045a3 excluding a predetermined area that holds the set values of the two probability settings is forcibly cleared ("forced RAM clear processing" S1203). After the forced RAM clear process S1203, the current setting value can be reset (setting re-setting) ("probability setting selection process" S1204). In changing the set value, the operation of the reset switch 1038b and the operation of the start lever 1124 are used. After the probability setting selection process S1204, the process proceeds to the normal game process.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1202 that the setting key switch 1038d1 is not operated, whether or not the set value of the selected probability setting is a value within a predetermined range (“1” to “6”). Is determined (S1205). It should be noted that the set value takes only a value within a predetermined range unless an abnormal situation such as mechanical or electrical destruction of the RAM 1045a3 occurs between the occurrence of the power failure state and the return from the power failure state. Absent. If the set value is within a predetermined range, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is set (S1206). When the power failure flag is set, the checksum value of the work area of the RAM 1045a3 is newly calculated, and it is determined whether or not the new checksum value is normal (S1207). The new checksum value is normal means that the new checksum value and the checksum value before the occurrence of the power failure state are the same, that is, the new checksum value and the RAM determination held in the backup area of the RAM 1045a3. It means that the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR with the value is “0”. This value is “0” when the new checksum value and the checksum value before the occurrence of the power failure are the same, and other than “0” when they are different. This value is not other than “0” unless an abnormal situation such as mechanical or electrical destruction of the RAM 1045a3 occurs between the occurrence of the power failure state and the return from the power failure state. If it is determined in the determination process S1205 that the set value of the probability setting is not a value within the predetermined range, it is determined in the determination process S1206 that the power failure flag is not set, or a new checksum is determined in the determination process S1207. If it is determined that the value obtained by adding 1 to the exclusive OR of the value and the RAM determination value is other than “0”, the interrupt is prohibited, all the output ports of the input / output port 1045a4 are cleared, All the actuators connected to the input / output port 1045a4 are turned off, and error processing and error notification processing for notifying the occurrence of the error are performed ("recovery error processing" S1208). The error state and the error notification state are continued until the reset switch 1038b is operated.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1207 that the new checksum value is normal, the value of the stack pointer stored in the backup area is written to the stack pointer of the CPU 1045a1, and the value of the stack pointer is before the occurrence of the power failure state. ("Program return process" S1209). As a result, after returning from the power failure state, it is possible to resume from the process interrupted by the occurrence of the power failure state. After the program recovery process S1208, a power recovery command indicating recovery from the power failure state is set ("power recovery command setting process" S1210). As a result, the power recovery command is transmitted to the payout control board 1037a and the sub control board 1047a. After the power recovery command setting process S1210, the state of the stop changeover switch 1038c is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 (“game form setting process” S1211). After the game form setting process S1212, the sensor states of various devices are initialized ("sensor initialization process" S1212). After the sensor initialization process S1212, the power failure flag is canceled ("power failure flag cancellation process" S1213). After the power failure flag release process S1213, when there is a game ball to be paid out as in the case where a power failure occurs during payout, a payout command is set to resume payout that has been completed halfway (“ Midway payout completion processing ”S1214). After the midway payout completion processing S1214, the processing is resumed from the processing at the address before the occurrence of the power failure indicated by the stack pointer. Specifically, an interrupt end declaration process S1104 (see FIG. 16) after the backup process S1103 (see FIG. 16) in the timer interrupt process described above is executed.

  A normal process for performing main control related to the game at normal time will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a normal game process executed on the main control board 1045a. The normal game process of the main control board 1045a is executed after the end of the probability setting process S1204 (see FIG. 19) in the main process. Also, after the completion of the midway payout completion process S1214 (see FIG. 19), the normal game process is executed halfway.

  In the normal game process, as shown in FIG. 20, first, interrupt permission is set (“interrupt permission setting process” S1301). After the interrupt permission setting process S1301, the state of the stop switch 1038c for determining the game form is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 (“game form setting process” S1302). The game form setting process S1302 is the same process as the game form setting process S1211 (see FIG. 19) in the main process. After the game form setting process S1302, the process proceeds to the loop process described below. In the following, a case where a continuous game is in progress will be described.

  In the loop processing, first, data in an area holding information that changes for each game in the RAM 1045a3 is cleared (“game information clear processing” S1303). Specifically, information related to the previous game is cleared. The information to be cleared includes, for example, information related to random numbers, information related to control of the reels L, M, and R, information related to winning, and information related to errors. Information related to winning includes information such as winning symbols, winning lines, and number of game balls to be won.

  After the game information clear process S1303, it waits while performing a predetermined process until a change start signal is input ("change wait process" S1304). Here, the variable standby process S1304 will be described in detail. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the variation standby process.

  In the variation waiting process S1304, first, a game monitoring timer is set (“game monitoring timer setting process” S1401). Here, the setting of the game monitoring timer means that the value of the timer is reset and a new time measurement by the timer is started. The game monitoring timer is a software timer for measuring a game interval (updated at a timer interrupt interval), and when a predetermined time has passed, a picture of the liquid crystal display device 1042 is displayed as a predetermined time. Used to transfer to an image (demonstration image).

  After the game monitoring timer setting process S1401, it is determined whether or not a re-game player has won in the previous unit game. If the re-game player has won a game, the bet number of the previous unit game is automatically set. To the same number of bets ("automatic betting process" S1402).

  After the automatic betting process S1402, it is confirmed whether an error has occurred in the selector 1400. If an error has occurred, the error process is executed and the speakers 1106, 1204, light emitting devices 1132, 1134L1. A throw error command for notifying the LED covered with various LED cover portions, the liquid crystal display device 1042, etc. of the error is stored in the ring buffer (“fill error processing” S1403). For example, a case where an upstream passage detection signal or a downstream passage detection signal is received from the passage sensors 1415a, 1415b, 1415c outside the game ball insertion period can be given. Specifically, these detections are performed in the sensor monitoring process S1109 (see FIG. 16) in the timer interrupt process, and various processes are executed based on the detection. The input error command stored in the ring buffer is output to the sub control board 1047a in the command output process S1112 of the timer interrupt process executed after the storage. Also, in the following, various commands stored in the ring buffer are the same as in the case of the input error command, in the command output process S1112 of the timer interrupt process executed after the storage of these commands, the payout control board 1037a and the sub control board 1047a. Is output.

  After the insertion error processing S1403, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the payout device 1033. If an error has occurred in the payout device 1033, error processing is executed and the speakers 1106, 1204, A payout error command for notifying the liquid crystal display device 1042 and the like such as the light emitting devices 1132 and 1134L1 is stored in the ring buffer (“payout error processing” S1404). For example, it is determined whether or not a paying-in signal from the payout board 1037a is in an on state and whether or not it is in an on state. Although the payout signal is not in the on state (during the payout period), the count signal from the payout substrate 1037a based on the count switch signals from the various count sensors 1033h is in the on state. Note that the same payout error process is executed in a state waiting for some input from the player even during other processes, for example, in a waiting state for a rotation stop during rotation of the rotation.

  After the payout error process S1404, it is determined whether or not the operation of the upper tray ball removal lever 1386 is being performed. If the player is returning the game ball, input by the operation of other buttons or the like is prohibited. If there is a game ball, the same number of game balls that have been thrown in (the number of balls that have been thrown in) are returned after completion of the operation of the upper tray ball removal lever 1386 ("return processing" S1405).

  After the return process S1405, a process for betting a game ball and a process associated with the bet are executed in accordance with the operation of the 1-bet button 1114 or the max bet button 1304 ("game ball bet process" S1406).

  Here, the game ball betting process S1406 will be described in detail. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the game ball betting process. In the game ball betting process S1406, first, light emission of a light emitting device (not shown) for notifying whether or not the max bet button 1304 is operated and a light emitting device 1132 for notifying whether or not the start lever 1124 is operated are controlled (“switch LED light emission control”). Process "S201). Specifically, light emission is controlled according to the setting of the switch lighting flag.

  After the switch LED light emission control process S201, it is determined whether or not the input operation is permitted (S202). Specifically, it is determined whether or not a lighting flag of the light emitting device indicating whether or not the max bet button 1304 is operable is set. Note that the period during which the lighting flag is set is determined by the insertion prohibition timer. If it is not in the insertion operation permission state (the insertion operation prohibited state), the game ball betting process S1406 ends. On the other hand, if it is in the making operation permission state, it is determined whether or not making operation is started (S203). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the 1 bet signal or the maximum bet signal according to the operation of the 1 bet button 1114 or the max bet button 1304 is in the rising state (transition from the off state to the on state). Note that the actual ON / OFF state of the 1-bet signal or the maximum bet signal is monitored in the switch reading process S1108 (see FIG. 16) of the timer interrupt process. In the determination process S203, the switch reading process S1108 Information. If the 1-bet signal or the maximum bet signal is not in the rising state, the game ball betting process S1406 is ended.

  If the 1 bet signal or the maximum bet signal is in the rising state, it is determined whether or not the bet is completed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not 1 bet (5 balls has been inserted) has been completed in the case of the JAC game state in the special game state, and 3 bets (15 balls in the other game state). Is determined) (S204). If the bet has not been completed, the number of game balls to be inserted (the planned number of games) is determined (S205). Specifically, with reference to the number of game balls that have already been inserted (the number of inserted balls), the type of bet signal, and the type of gaming state (whether or not it is a JAC game state), the number of balls to be inserted Is determined. For example, if the inserted number is “0” and the rising edge of the maximum bet signal is detected, the estimated number of insertions is set to “5” in the JAC game state, and the insertion is scheduled in other than the JAC game state. The number is set to “15”. In addition, when 5 balls are thrown by operating the 1 bet button 1114 or when only 5 balls can be thrown in the previous throwing operation due to running out of balls, etc., despite the max bet button 1304 being operated, When the rising of the bet signal is detected, “10”, which is obtained by subtracting the number of inserted “5” from “15”, is set as the planned number of inputs. After the planned number-of-insertions determination process S205, a process for substantially managing the input of game balls is executed ("input monitoring process" S206).

  Here, the input monitoring process S206 will be described in detail. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the input monitoring process. In the input monitoring process S206, first, the planned number of inputs is set as the remaining input number ("input remaining number determination process" S301), and the first game ball input unit 1410a (hereinafter abbreviated as "first item"). , The throwing operation in all of the second game ball throwing section 1410b (hereinafter abbreviated as "second article") and the third game ball throwing section 1410c (hereinafter abbreviated as "third article"). The permission setting is performed ("all-item insertion permission setting process" S302). In the setting of permission for the making operation, specifically, the making operation permission flag for each item is set. When the loading operation permission flag of each item is “1”, it indicates a loading permission state where loading is permitted, and when it is “0”, it indicates a loading prohibition state. After the all-items input permission setting process S302, the input monitoring information is initialized ("input monitoring information initialization process" S303). Specifically, each of the planned number of inputs ([Number of permitted inputs by system]) is set to “0”, each of the by-pass passage restriction flags (input restriction information) is canceled, All the values of the allowable passage allowable time corresponding to each remaining time of the passage permission period information ([passage permission period for each system]) are set to “0”, and the values are set as the reference passage phases according to the conditions. One pass phase is selected.

  The reference passing phase is a passing phase selected from the normal passing phase pattern ([normal passing phase transition]) stored in the ROM 1045a2. Here, a normal passing phase pattern will be described. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a normal passing phase pattern. As shown in FIG. 24, the normal pass phase pattern is a sequence of the first pass phase, the second pass phase, the third pass phase, and the fourth pass phase in this order. Each passage phase is a combination of the detection state (on state or off state) of the upstream passage detection signal and the detection state (on state or off state) of the downstream passage detection signal in the same line. The first passing phase is [OFF state, OFF state] and the second passing phase is [ON state, OFF state], if expressed by the detection state of the upstream passage detection signal, the detection state of the downstream passage detection signal] The third pass phase is [ON state, ON state], and the fourth pass phase is [OFF state, ON state]. In addition, although the same regular passing phase pattern is referred to for all the strips, the reference passing phase of each strip changes individually.

  After the input monitoring information initialization process S303, a loop process (S304 to S320) that is executed at the time of the first input operation that is the first input operation and executed at the time of the re-input operation that is performed after the initial input operation as necessary. Migrate to

  In the loop process, first, whether or not the throwing operation (initial throwing operation or re-throwing operation) is to be finished is determined (S304) whether or not the throwing-in number of game balls have been thrown is completed, and the previous initial Determining whether or not there is a line in which the number of game balls allocated according to the line by the throwing-in operation or re-throwing operation (the number of distribution throws) is normally terminated and further re-throwing is permitted (S305) ) And judge. If the number of game balls to be thrown in has not been filled in and there is an article that is permitted to be thrown in, the process proceeds to the next process. On the other hand, in other cases, that is, it is not necessary to perform the re-loading operation if the planned number of inputs has been input, and the input operation itself cannot be continued if there is no article permitted to be input. Finally, the input monitoring process S206 ends.

  After the determination process S305, it is determined whether or not it is the first input (S306). If it is the first input operation, the process proceeds to the planned number distribution process S309. On the other hand, when the operation is not the first input operation (when the operation is a re-input operation), it waits for a predetermined waiting time (in this embodiment, the number of timer interruptions “54” corresponding to about 80 ms) (“re-input start standby processing”). "S307). After the re-insertion start waiting process S307, it is determined whether or not a suspended ball ([capturing medium]) has been generated. If a suspended ball has not been generated, the process proceeds to the estimated number distribution process S309.

  In the planned number distribution process S309, the number of game balls that should be thrown in each throwing permission item (sorting) is divided substantially evenly so that the number of throwing items does not differ by 2 or more in each throwing permission rule. The planned number of inputs) is determined, and each of the other input monitoring information is set as predetermined initial information for starting input. In determining the planned number of allocations, the game balls that have flowed into the upper plate 1302 are structurally most likely to flow into the third game ball insertion unit 1410a and most into the first game ball insertion unit 1410a. The number of game balls allocated to Article 3 is greater than or equal to the number of game balls allocated to Article 1 and Article 2, and the number of game balls allocated to Article 2 because it is difficult to flow in. Are assigned with a priority so that the number of game balls can be more than the number of game balls assigned to the first article. In addition, the passage restriction flag is set for all the items whose estimated number of distributions is “1” or more, “203” is set in the passage permission remaining time information, and the reference passage phase becomes the first passage phase. Is set. Since the passage permission remaining time information is decremented by “1” for every 1.49 ms interval timer interruption, about 300 ms is set as the passage permission remaining time. In this embodiment, in each strip, the opening flickers 1413a to 1413c are opened to open the passages from the storage passages 1402a to 1402c to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c, and the first game ball flowing down to the discharge passages 1406a to 1406c is normal. The average time to reach the upper elements ([upstream medium detection section]) 1415a1, 1415b1, 1415c1 of the passage sensors ([pair of medium detection sections]) 1415a to 1415c is about 10 ms. Since the average time from the start of the passage of 1415a1, 1415b1, 1415c1 to the completion of the passage of the lower elements ([downstream medium detection unit]) 1415a2, 1415b2, 1415c2 is about 40 ms, As the time with sufficient margin, the allowable passage time is about 300ms. It is set.

  If it is determined in the determination process S308 that a suspended ball is generated, a suspended ball generation flag (suspended ball detection information) is set ("suspended ball detection information setting process" S310). After the hanging ball detection information setting process S310, each of the throwing monitoring information is set as initial information for starting the throwing of the hanging ball ("loading monitoring information setting process" S311). Specifically, a passage restriction flag is set for the item on which the hanging ball is generated. The control related to the hanging ball is a main feature of the present invention and will be described separately in detail.

  After the scheduled number distribution process S309 and the input monitoring information setting process S311, the system waits until a timer interrupt is executed ("timer interrupt wait process" S312), and a return operation is started in response to the completion of the timer interrupt. It is determined whether or not (S313). When it is determined that the return operation is started, a process for canceling the input is executed ("input cancel process" S314).

  If it is determined in the determination process S311 that the return operation is not started, the loading operation flag (in-loading information) indicating that any of the articles is in the passage-permitted period is canceled (“in-loading information”). Initialization process "S313). The throwing-in-operation flag is set when the passage permission period of each item has not ended in the first item throwing control process S316, the second item throwing control process S317, and the third item throwing control process S318 described later. . After the loading operation initialization process S313, a loading control process for the first item, a loading control process for the second item, and a loading control process for the third item are executed ("first item charging control process" S316, " Article 2 input control process "S317," Article 3 input control process "S318). The in-loading information initialization process S313 and the first to third input control processes S316 to S318 are executed once within the timer interrupt interval. Note that details of the first input control process S316, the second input control process S317, and the third input control process S318 will be described after the overall description of the input monitoring process S206.

  After the third article throwing control process S318, the drive of all the throwing solenoids is controlled with reference to the passage restriction flag of each article ("all article throwing solenoid driving process" S319). Specifically, the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c for which the passage restriction flag is newly set are changed to an on state (passing permission state), and the closing solenoids 1414a to 1414c whose passage restriction flag is already set are turned on. , The entry solenoids 1414a-1414c of the strips whose passage restriction flag is newly released are changed to an off state (passage prohibition state), and the entry solenoids 1414a-1414c of the strips whose passage restriction flag has already been released are off. Maintain state. The passage restriction flag for each article may be changed from cancellation to setting in the scheduled number distribution process S309. The first article entry control process S316, the second article entry control process S317, and the third article entry control process S318. May be changed from setting to releasing.

  After the all-throw-in solenoid driving process S317, it is determined whether or not all-throw-in operation has been completed (S318). Specifically, when the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that all the throwing operations have been completed. This is synonymous with the fact that the passage permission period of virtually all articles has ended.

  Here, the first article throwing control process S316, the second article throwing control process S317, and the third article throwing control process S318 will be described in detail. In addition, since the 2nd article throwing control process S317 and the 3rd article throwing control process S318 are substantially the same as the 1st article throwing control process S316, in the explanation of the 1st article throwing control process S316, The term "" is read as "Article 2" in the second article input control process S317 and "Article 3" in the third article input control process S318, and the detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the first article insertion control process.

  In the first article insertion control process S316, it is first determined whether or not it is during the first article passage permission period. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is “0” (S401). If the passage permission remaining time information of Article 1 is “0”, it means outside the passage permission period of Article 1, and if the passage permission remaining time of Article 1 is greater than “0”, Article 1 Means within the passage permission period. After the determination process S401, it is determined whether the first passage phase has changed (S402). Specifically, the first passage phase read in the immediately preceding timer interrupt processing switch read processing S1108 is the currently selected first passage phase (hereinafter referred to as the first passage phase) of the normal passage phase patterns. It is determined whether it is the same as the reference passage phase of the strip).

  When it is determined in the determination process S402 that there is no change in the first passage phase, it is determined whether or not the first passage permission period expires in the current first insertion control process S316 ( S403). Specifically, the determination is made based on whether the value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value of the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”. Here, the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is not updated. When it is determined that the first passage permission period ends, the first passage permission remaining time information is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (“passage permission time update process” S404). On the other hand, if it is determined that the first passage permission period does not end, it is determined whether or not the first insertion flicker 1413a is in a passage prohibited state (S405). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the first article passage restriction flag is set.

  In addition, when the passage restriction flag of Article 1 is set, it means whether the throwing flicker 1413a of Article 1 has already prohibited the flow of the game ball or is moving to prohibit it. If the first passage restriction flag is not set, it means that the first insertion flicker 1413a permits the flow of the game ball or is moving to allow it. As a case where an affirmative determination is made in the determination process S403, for example, (1) the first game ball to be inserted is first within the passage permission period of the first article set in the estimated number distribution process S309. When the passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a is not started (when the ball is out of ball), or (2) the first passage permission set for the first number of gaming balls to be thrown is set in the throwing number distribution processing S309 When the passage of the first article is not started within the period (when the ball is clogged), or when the first throwing sensor 1415a of the first thrown game ball (hereinafter also referred to as the preceding ball) starts to pass A game ball (hereinafter also referred to as a succeeding ball) that is to be thrown into the preceding ball within the first passing permission period (passing permission period extending process S420 described later) does not start passing the first passing sensor 1415a. (The place where the ball runs out ) And (4) When the succeeding sphere does not complete the passage of the first passage sensor 1415a within the first passage permission period (passage permission period extension processing S420 described later) extended at the start of passage of the preceding sphere. (In the case of ball clogging).

  If it is determined in the determination process S405 that the first article is not in the passage-inhibited state, the first article entry operation permission flag (the entry operation permission information) is canceled in order to prohibit re-entry by the first article ( “Re-insertion prohibition setting process” S406). In addition, when the passage permission period of Article 1 is scheduled to expire, but is in the passage permission state, the passage of at least the last game ball that should have been thrown in Article 1 has not started. The re-input operation as a whole will be executed, but the re-input operation according to Article 1 will not be performed.

  After the reintroduction prohibition setting process S406, it is determined whether or not the game ball is passing the first passage sensor 1415a (S407). When the game ball is passing through the first passage sensor 1415a, the first game ball is within the passage permission period of the first due to a clogged ball or an illegal act using an unauthorized insertion device (not shown). Since the passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a has not been completed, the passage time error command is a ring to stop the progress of the game of the ball-cylinder gaming machine 1010 and notify the occurrence of an error (passage time error). It is stored in the buffer ("passing time error processing" S408). The passing time error process S408 is an infinite loop, and continues until the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 is reset according to the operation of the reset switch 1038b. On the other hand, if the game ball is not passing, the Article 1 passage restriction flag is canceled without causing an error because the passing permission period of the Article 1 due to running out of the ball in the Article 1 is scheduled to expire (" “Pass Control Information Change Process” S409), and by setting “140” in the passage permission remaining time information of the first article, the passage permission period of the first article is extended by a time substantially corresponding to about 200 ms (“pass”). Permit period extension process "S410).

  After the passage permission time update process S404 of the first article and the passage permission period extension process S410, it is determined whether or not the passage permission period of the first article has ended (S411). Specifically, when the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”, it is determined that the passage permission period in Article 1 has ended (outside the passage permission period), and it is “0”. If not, it is determined that the passage permission period of Article 1 has not ended (within the passage permission period). When the passage permission period of the first article has ended, the first article insertion control process S312 ends, and when the passage permission period of the first article has not expired, the flag during the insertion operation is set. ("In-operation information setting process" S412), and then the first article insertion control process S312 ends.

  When it is determined in the determination process S402 that there is a change in the first passage phase, it is determined whether the phase change is normal (S413). Specifically, the first passage phase detected in the switch read processing S1108 of the immediately preceding timer interrupt processing is the same as the passage phase ordered next to the first passage reference passage phase in the normal passage phase pattern. If it is, it is determined that the phase change is normal, and if they are different, it is determined that the phase change is not normal. When it is determined in the determination process S413 that the passage phase change of the first article is not normal, the game progress of the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 is stopped and an error (passing order error) is notified. A passing order error command (a kind of error command) is stored in the ring buffer ("passing order error processing" S414). The passing order error process S414 is an infinite loop, and continues until the ball-type spinning gaming machine 1010 is reset according to the operation of the reset switch 1038b. As a result, once an error occurs due to some fraud, it is possible to prevent the fraud from continuing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the phase change of the first article is normal, the reference passing phase of the first article is changed from the currently selected passing phase according to the order in the normal passing phase pattern to the next passing phase. It is updated cyclically ("reference passing phase update process" S415). For example, the reference passage phase in Article 1 is updated to the second passage phase when the currently selected passage phase is the first passage phase, and the currently selected passage phase is the fourth passage phase. In this case, the first passing phase is updated.

  After the reference passing phase update process S415, it is determined whether or not the passing of the game ball is completed and whether or not the passing of the game ball is started (S416, S417). Specifically, in the determination process S415, it is determined that the passage is complete when the first passage phase is the first passage phase, and the passage is completed when the first passage phase is the first passage phase. It is determined that it is not. In the determination process S416, it is determined that the passage is started when the first passage phase is the second passage phase, and the passage is started when the first passage phase is not the second passage phase. Is done.

  If it is determined in the determination process S417 that the game ball has started to pass, the game ball that has started to pass through the first passage sensor S1415a is the first ball in the first row ([final catch medium classified by system]). It is determined whether or not there is (S418). Specifically, if the value obtained by subtracting the number of remaining inputs in Article 1 by “1” is “0”, it is determined that the game ball that has started passing is the final ball of Article 1, and the value If is not "0", it is determined that the game ball that has started to pass is not the final ball of the first article. At this time, the value of the number of remaining inputs in Article 1 is not updated. When it is the start of the passage of the final ball of the first article, the passage restriction flag of the first article is canceled in order to prohibit the inflow by the flicker 1413a of the first article ("passing regulation information changing process" S419), “203” is set in the passage permission remaining time information of the first article, and the passage permission period of the first article is extended (“passage permission period extension process” S420). Note that the driving of the state transition from the inflow permission state to the inflow prohibition state of the first flicker 1413a is performed in the all-throw-in solenoid driving process S316 (see FIG. 24) executed after the release of the first passage restriction flag. Done. On the other hand, if it is not the start of the passage of the first ball of the first article, the passage restriction information changing process S419 is skipped and the passage permission period extending process S420 is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to determination process S411.

  If it is determined in the determination process S417 that the first passage of the game ball is not started, it is determined whether or not the suspended ball generation flag is set and whether or not the passing phase is the third passing phase. (S427, S428). If the suspended ball generation flag is set and the first passage phase is the third passage phase, the first passage restriction flag is canceled ("pass restriction information changing process" S429). In other cases, the passage restriction information changing process S429 is skipped. Thereafter, similarly to the case where it is determined in the determination process S402 that there is no change in the passage phase of the first article, the passage determination process S403 to the in-operation information setting process S412 are executed.

  If it is determined in the determination process S416 that the first pass of the game ball has been completed, the total remaining number is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value (“all remaining number updating process”). S421), the total number of inserted coins is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” to the current value (“all inserted coins updating process” S422), and the display of bet information such as the number of coins inserted and the number of bets is updated as necessary. ("Bet information update process" S423), the number of remaining inputs in the first article is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current value ("article-specific input number update process" S424). After the number-by-section insertion number update process S424, it is determined whether or not the game ball that has passed through the first section passage sensor S1415a is the first section final ball (S425). Specifically, when the number of remaining throws in the first article is “0”, it is determined that the game ball that has passed is the final ball of the first article, and the remaining number of throws in the first article is “0”. Otherwise, it is determined that the game ball that has passed is not the final ball of the first article. If it is determined in the determination process 425 that the passage of the first sphere is completed, “0” is set in the passage permission remaining time information of the first lane. Thereby, the passage permission period of Article 1 ends. On the other hand, if the passage of the last ball of the first article is not completed, it is not the start of the passage of the first article of the game ball in the judgment process S402 or when it is determined that there is no change in the passage phase of the first article Similarly to the case where it is determined, the passage determination process S403 to the in-operation information setting process S412 are executed.

  Whether or not the passage permission period of Article 1 has ended after the processing related to the passage permission period of Article 1 (passage permission time update processing S404, passage permission period extension processing S412, S420, and passage permission period end processing S426) Is determined. Specifically, when the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is “0”, it is determined that the passage permission period in Article 1 has ended (outside the passage permission period), and it is “0”. If not, it is determined that the passage permission period of Article 1 has not ended (within the passage permission period). When the passage permission period of the first article has ended, the first article insertion control process S312 ends, and when the passage permission period of the first article has not expired, the flag during the insertion operation is set. ("In-operation information setting process" S428), then, the first article insertion control process S312 ends. As described above, the first entry control process S314 includes the determination process S401 to the passage restriction information change process S429.

  When the setting of the bet button LED and the start lever LED needs to be changed according to the control in the above-described input monitoring process S208 as shown in FIG. 22 after the input monitoring process S206, these In order to change the display, the settings of various LEDs are updated ("switch lighting flag update process" S207). After the switch lighting flag update process S207, it is determined whether or not it is in the on-loading return state (S208). Specifically, when the return switch signal from the return switch 1441 based on the player's operation of the upper bowl return lever 1386 is in the on state, the return switch signal is determined to be in the on-loading state, and the return switch signal is in the on state. In this case, it is determined that the return state is not simply a throwing-in state. If it is in the return state while being thrown in, it waits until the return switch signal shifts to the OFF state, and also waits for a predetermined time after shifting to the OFF state ("top tray storage ball return completion waiting process"). "S209). When the waiting is completed, if game balls have already been thrown in, specifically, if the number of thrown balls is not “0”, the same number of game balls are thrown out. The thrown ball payout command is set to “inserted ball return process” S210. The throwing ball return process S210 is substantially the same process as the return process S1405. The thrown ball payout command is transmitted to the payout control board 1037a, and the payout control board 1037a pays out the same number of game balls as the number of thrown balls from the payout device 1033 in response to receiving the thrown ball payout command.

  After that, even when various bet buttons 1114 and 1304 are operated, a insertion prohibition timer is set for determining a period during which processing corresponding to the operation is not executed ("insertion prohibition timer setting process" S211). Thus, various bet button operations are invalidated until a predetermined time has elapsed. After the insertion prohibition timer setting process S211, an auxiliary passage permission period is set. Specifically, “203” (corresponding to about 300 ms) is set in the auxiliary passage permission remaining time information. Note that the auxiliary passage permission remaining time information is a value obtained by subtracting “1” every time the timer interruption process is executed when the auxiliary passage permission time information exceeds “0” in the sensor monitoring process in the timer interruption process. Updated to The auxiliary passage permission period is a period in which the passage of the game ball is permitted as a normal passage and the number of passages (the number of auxiliary throws) is counted. During the throwing operation, the game ball is allowed to pass normally and the number of passes is counted. After the auxiliary passage permission period setting process S212, when the throwing is being performed or the throwing period is being returned, the throwing flag and the returning flag being thrown are cancelled, and the throwing period is completely terminated ("ball processing" State update process "S213). As described above, the game ball betting process S1406 includes the switch LED light emission control process S201 to the ball process state update process S213.

  After the game ball betting process S1406 ends, as shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number (S1407). If the bet number is less than the minimum prescribed number, the insertion error process S1403 to the determination process S1407 are repeated. On the other hand, if the bet number is not less than the minimum prescribed number, it is determined whether or not a change start signal corresponding to the operation of the start lever 1124 has been received (S1408). If the variation start signal has not been received, the process from the insertion error process S1403 to the determination process S1408 is repeated. On the other hand, when the fluctuation start signal is received, the fluctuation waiting process S1304. As described above, through the processing steps (S1401 to S1408), the fluctuation waiting process S1304 is completed.

  Here, the throwing-in operation according to the flowchart of the above-described game ball betting process S1406 will be described with reference to a substantially chronological order. A case where the throwing operation is completed without performing the refilling operation and a case where the refilling operation due to the occurrence of the ball break is performed will be described. In addition, since it is a characteristic part of this invention, the case where re-injection operation | movement is performed by generation | occurrence | production of a suspended ball state is demonstrated in detail separately. FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing an example of a closing operation in which the closing operation is completed without performing the recharging operation. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing an example of a throwing operation in which re-throwing due to a ball break is executed.

  In response to the detection (ta) of the rising of a maximum bet operation signal (a kind of “bet instruction”) based on the operation of the maximum bet button 1304 by the player in the insertion operation permission state (S203: Y) (S203: Y), First, in the case of the normal gaming state, the value obtained by subtracting the number of inserted games from “15”, while in the case of the JAC game in the special gaming state, the value obtained by subtracting the number of inserted games from “5”. (S205). Note that, when the insertion of the planned number of insertions is completed in the previous insertion control, no substantial processing is performed even if the maximum bet operation signal is detected. The planned number of inputs is assigned to the items that can be input (hereinafter referred to as “input permission items”) among the first, second, and third items, and the value of the remaining number of inputs is determined for each item.

  After completing the allocation of the planned number of inputs, the update of the passage permission remaining time information in Article 1 is substantially started (tb). Specifically, a value corresponding to a predetermined permission time (in this embodiment, “203” corresponding to about 300 ms in this embodiment) is set as the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article. Note that the value of the passage permission remaining time information is subtracted by “1” for each timer interruption, that is, substantially every 1.49 ms when the value is “0” or more (S404). Further, according to the setting of the first passage restriction flag, energization to the first insertion solenoid 1414a is started and the first insertion flicker 1413a is activated (S316), and the game in the storage passage 1402a is performed. The passage of the ball is permitted and the insertion of the game ball in the first article is actually started. The energization of the first entry solenoid 1413a is maintained until the first article passage restriction flag is released. Similarly, the insertion of game balls in Article 2 and Article 3 is actually started (S416). In the following, as shown in FIG. 26, a case will be described in which the values of the number of remaining inputs in Article 1, Article 2 and Article 3 are “5”.

  When the passage of the game ball is permitted, the flow of the game ball from the storage passage 1402a to the discharge passage 1406a is started. Note that the output states of the upstream passage detection signal and the downstream passage detection signal of the first article are regularly monitored (S1108), and for each timer interrupt, the detection phase of the first article and the previous first article are detected. The previous detection phase of the first article and the current detection phase of the first article are updated.

  When the game ball starts to flow down, the first article insertion control process (S316) is executed at each timer interrupt interval until the detection condition of the first article changes (S402: Y), and the passage permission is made each time. The value of the remaining time information is subtracted by “1” (S404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is not “0” (S427), a making operation flag (in making operation information) is set. The throwing operation flag is not information unique to Article 1, but is information common to Articles 2 and 3. If the throwing operation flag is “0” at the time of determination (S318), all items are set. This means that the value of the passage permission remaining time information at “0” is “0”. In addition, the in-operation flag is initialized to “0” in accordance with one round of the input control processing S316 to S318 for all items. In the first to third embodiments, this flag is not used. After the closing operation flag is set, the state of the first closing solenoid 1413a does not change because the passage restriction flag is not released in the current first charging control process (S316) (S317). Further, since the throwing operation flag is set, it is not determined that the passage permission period in all the sections has ended (S318: N), and the next first article throwing control process is awaited for the execution of the timer interrupt process. (S316) is executed.

  Unlike FIG. 26, when the detection phase of the first article does not change (S402: N) and the passage permission period of the first article ends (when the value of the passage permission remaining time information is “1”) ) (S403), since the first flickering flicker 1413a is not in the passage prohibition state, it is determined that there is no gaming ball to be thrown in the first flare storage passage 1402a, and the processing at the time of the ball break which will be described later Is executed. Details of the processing when the ball is cut will be described later. In addition, when the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is “0” (S411: Y), the making operation flag is not set (S412 skip). When the first article passage restriction flag is released (S409), the first article closing solenoid 1413a shifts to a passage prohibited state (S316). If the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that the passage permission period for all items has ended (S318: Y), and the initial throwing operation period ends. When the predetermined condition is satisfied (S304: Y, S305: N), the operation is shifted to the re-input operation, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the input operation is terminated.

  Within the first passage permission period (S401: Y), the first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (t11), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S413: Y). ), The reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the first passage phase to the second passage phase ([basic passage phase]) (S415). In addition, since it is not the final ball (S418: N) and the first ball has started to pass (S417: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is set to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta (about 300 ms). It is reset (S420). The period until the value of the passage permission remaining time information becomes “0” after the passage of the first sphere is the passage permission period ([passage permission period for each system]) of the first article. This period also serves as the maximum allowable period from the start of passage of the first sphere in the first article to the start of passage of the second sphere passage sensor 1415a in the first article. Since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is not “0” (S411: N), the making operation flag is set (S412).

  In contrast to FIG. 26, when the detected phase has a phase change but is not determined to be a normal phase change (S411: N), a passing order error process is executed (S413).

  Thereafter, within the first passage permission period (S401: Y), the first downstream passage detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state (t12), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S413). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the second passage phase to the third passage phase (S414). In addition, since the passage sensor 415a does not start or finish passing (S416: N, S417: N) and does not end the passage permission period (S403: N), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is Only “1” is subtracted (S404). In addition, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S411), the in-operation flag is set (S412).

  Thereafter, within the first passage permission period (S401: Y), the first upstream detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state (t13), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S411). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the third passage phase to the fourth passage phase (S414). In addition, since the passage sensor 1415a does not start or finish passing (S416: N, S417: N) and does not end the passage permission period (S403: N), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is Only “1” is subtracted (S404). Further, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S429), the in-operation flag is set (S430).

  In contrast to FIG. 26, when it is determined that the phase change is not normal (S413: N), a passing order error process is executed (S414). If it is determined that the passage permission period is over (S403: Y), the insertion operation permission flag is canceled because the first article is not used as the insertion permission article (S409), and the first passage sensor is detected. 1415a is being passed (S407: Y), so the transit time error process is executed (S408).

  Thereafter, within the first passage permission period (S401: Y), the first downstream passage detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state (t14), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S411). : Y), the reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the fourth passage phase to the first passage phase (S414). At this time, the second sphere has not yet reached the first element upper element 1415a1, and the first element upstream passage detection signal is maintained in the OFF state. In addition, since the completion of the passage of the first ball passage sensor 1415a is detected (S416: Y), the number of remaining inputs common to all items is subtracted by "1" (S421), and the number of inputs already common to all items is obtained. Only “1” is added (S422), and the value of the number of remaining inputs in the first article is subtracted by “1” (S424). Further, the bet number and the bet number display are updated as necessary (S423). Thereafter, since the first ball is not the final ball (S425: N) and is not the end of the first passage permission period (S403: N), the value of the remaining passage permission time information of the first article is “ 1 "is subtracted (S404). Further, since the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article after the subtraction is not “0” (S411), the in-operation flag is set (S411).

  Unlike FIG. 26, even if it is determined that the first passage permission period has ended (S403: Y), the first flicker 1413a is already in the passage-prohibited state. The value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is subtracted by “1” without executing the passage time error process (S408). In addition, when the first sphere is the final sphere in the first article (S425: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information in the first article is forcibly set to “0”. The insertion permission period ends (S426). As a result, the first throwing operation (the throwing operation) in Article 1 is completed.

  The first sphere that has passed through the first passage sensor 1415a further flows down the discharge passage 1406a toward the first count sensor 1416a. When the passage of the first count sensor 1416a is started, the count sensor signal shifts from the off state to the on state (t15). When the completion of passage of the first count sensor 1416a is detected by the transition of the count sensor signal from the on state to the off state (t16), the auxiliary input number is incremented by "1" (S901). In this embodiment, the number of game balls passing through the count sensors (1416a to 1416c) is not measured for each item, but only the total number of game balls passing through the count sensors 1416a to 1416c is measured.

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

  Within the first passage permission period (S401: Y), the first upstream passage detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (t51), and this phase change is a normal phase change (S413: Y). ), The reference passage phase of the first article is updated from the first passage phase to the second passage phase (S415). In addition, since the first ball passing start (S417: Y) is the final ball (S418: Y), after the passage restriction flag of the first article is released (S419), the remaining passage permission time of the first article The value of the information is reset to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta (S420), and the in-operation flag is set (S412).

  Thereafter, as in the case of the first ball, the first-pass downstream detection signal shifts from the OFF state to the ON state (t52) within the first-pass passage permission period (S401: Y). Within the passage permission period (S401: Y), the first passage upstream detection signal shifts from the on state to the off state (t53), and then within the passage permission period of the first section (S401: Y). The downstream passage detection signal of the first article shifts from the on state to the off state (t54). Similar to the case of the first ball, the update of the remaining number of common items for all items (S421) and the number of charged items common to all items according to the detection of the completion of the passage of the fifth ball passing sensor 1415a (S416: Y). Update (S422), update of the bet number and bet number display (S423) and update of the remaining number of insertions in the first article (S424) as necessary. Further, since the fifth ball is the final ball (S425: Y), the value of the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is forcibly set to “0” (S426), and the throwing operation flag is released. This state is maintained (S412).

  At the time when the first input operation in Article 1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 26, since the initial input operation in Article 2 and Article 3 has already been completed, In S317 and the third article throwing control process S318, since the throwing operation flag is not set, it is determined that the passage permission period for all the articles has ended (S318: Y). As a result, the initial input operation period ends, and at the same time, the input operation period flag is canceled and the input operation period ends (tc; S215). Prior to the end of the input operation period, an input operation prohibition period in which processing according to the operation of the max bet button 1304 is not executed is provided (S211), and the number of game balls passing through the first count sensor 1416a is set. In order to extend the counting period by a predetermined time Tb, an auxiliary passage permission period is set (S212). Since the fifth ball of the first ball has passed through the first count sensor 1416a after the closing operation period has ended (t56) is within the auxiliary passage permission period (S806: Y), the period The outsourcing error flag is never set (S808 skip).

  A number comparison timer is set in accordance with the operation (te) of the start lever 1124 after the predetermined number of game balls have been inserted, and a predetermined time Tc has elapsed from the operation (te) of the start lever 1124. At the time (tf), it is determined whether the number of inputs and the number of auxiliary inputs satisfy a predetermined condition (the number of inputs ≦ the number of auxiliary inputs) (S906), and if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the number It is determined that there is an error, and the number error flag is set (S907). When the number error flag is set, the progress of the game is forcibly stopped and the number error is notified after the end of the current unit game (S1403).

  Here, the difference between the case where the re-throwing operation is not performed and the case where the re-throwing operation is performed due to the occurrence of a ball break will be described. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing an example of the throwing operation when the refilling operation is performed due to the occurrence of a ball-free state. In FIG. 27, in the 2nd article | item, the case where a ball break occurs by throwing in the 2nd ball | bowl is represented.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the second ball does not start passing through the second passage sensor 1415a within the second passage permission period (corresponding to S401: Y). When the time from the start of passage of the strip passage sensor 1415a reaches a predetermined time Ta (t27 ′; equivalent to S403: Y), the second row throwing operation permission flag is set so that the second row is not regarded as a throwing permission clause. Is released (S406). After the release operation permission flag of the second article is released, the third ball is not passing the passage sensor 1415b in the second article (S407: equivalent to N), so that the second insertion flicker 1413b is returned to the passage prohibited state. Therefore, the passage restriction flag in Article 2 is released. After the release restriction flag in Article 2 is released, the passage permission remaining time information in Article 2 is reset to a value ("75") corresponding to a predetermined ball-out waiting time Td (in this embodiment, about 200 ms). . As a result, the passage permission period in Article 1 is extended by the ball waiting time. Since the passage permission period in Article 2 ends after a predetermined ball-out waiting time Td (corresponding to S403: Y), and the passage restriction flag in Article 2 has already been released (S405: Y), Of the 5 balls allocated to Article 2, only 2 balls have been thrown in, and since Articles 1 and 3 are throwing permission clauses, it is determined that the throwing operation has not been completed ( S304: N, S305: Y). In addition, since the hanging ball generation flag is not set (S307: N) and the second article is not the entry permission article (S307: Y), after waiting for a predetermined time Te (S5508), the re-insertion operation is performed. It will start (th).

  The number of game balls that should have been thrown in Article 2 during the initial throw-in operation period but were not thrown ("3" in FIG. 27) is distributed only to Article 1 and Article 3 that are throw-in permission clauses ( S5509). Specifically, in consideration of the priority of each item in the distribution, two balls are assigned to the third item, and one ball is assigned to the first item. In this case, the second ball in Article 3 and the first ball in Article 1 are final balls. When the re-insertion operation is started (th), two game balls are inserted in the third article and one game ball in the first article in the same manner as in the first insertion operation. In the re-insertion operation, when the passage permission period of the first article ends (t64) and the passage permission period of the third article ends (t74 "), the re-insertion operation period ends. Since the insertion of the planned number of game balls has been completed (S5504: Y), the insertion operation period flag is canceled substantially simultaneously and the insertion operation is completed (tc; S213).

  After the variable waiting process S1304, as shown in FIG. 20, the value of the random number counter latched by hardware when the start lever 1124 is operated is read and stored in the RAM 1045a3 (“random number generation”). Process "S1305). When the start lever 1124 is operated, the random number counter is latched by hardware so that the operation of the start lever 1124 and the acquisition of the random number value are synchronized in time. Note that although the value of the random number counter can be read by software, in this case, the time from the operation of the start lever 1124 to the acquisition of the random number value is more uneven than in the case of latching by hardware.

  After the random number generation process S1305, the winning combination corresponding to the random value acquired in the random number generation process S1305 is determined with reference to the random number table corresponding to the probability setting, the number of bets, and the gaming state, and according to the type of the winning combination Winning flags (for example, Big Bonus Winning Flag, Regular Bonus Winning Flag, Cherry Winning Flag, Bell Winning Flag, Watermelon Winning Flag, Replay Winning Flag) are set. A set value command representing a value is set ("internal lottery process" S1306). Winning roles include, for example, a big bonus role (hereinafter also referred to as “BB”), a regular bonus role (hereinafter also referred to as “RB”), and various small roles (in this embodiment, a cherry role, a bell role, and a watermelon role) , A re-playing role and a loser role. A plurality of types of winning combinations may be selected in the unit game.

  After the internal lottery processing S1306, based on the winning combination, the number of bets and the gaming state, one manual stop control table used for controlling each of the cylinders L, M, R from the manual stop control table group held in the ROM 1045a2 is reference-controlled. The table is selected as a table, and the table number of the reference control table is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 ("rotation initialization process" S1307). When the winning combination is other than losing, slip control is performed in accordance with this reference control table to rotate the rotating cylinder extra within a predetermined range (5 symbols) in order to win the winning combination as much as possible. When the winning combination is lost, the same slip control is performed in order to prevent other winning combinations from winning. This reference control table is reselected from the manual stop control table group as necessary. Details will be described in a rotation control process S1309 described later.

  After the rotation initialization process S1307, a symbol variation standby process S1308 is executed. In the symbol variation standby process S1308, first, it is determined whether or not the measurement time by the symbol variation monitoring timer is equal to or longer than a predetermined specified time (for example, 4.1 seconds). Here, the “symbol fluctuation monitoring timer” is a timer that measures the elapsed time from the time of the last symbol display fluctuation start. If the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is less than a predetermined specified time, a symbol fluctuation waiting command (internal state) indicating that the specified time has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as “symbol fluctuation waiting state”). A kind of command) is stored in the ring buffer. Note that the player is informed of the symbol variation standby state by a variation standby state display device (not shown). After that, until the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer reaches a predetermined specified time or more, whether or not the measurement time by the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is not less than a predetermined specified time while the symbol fluctuation standby state is being notified. The determination is repeated. On the other hand, when the measurement time of the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is equal to or longer than the predetermined specified time, the symbol fluctuation monitoring timer is reset and started, the notification of the standby state for the specified time is stopped, and the predetermined specified time has elapsed. A specified time lapse command (a kind of internal state command) indicating this and a bet number command for outputting to the external concentration terminal board are stored in the ring buffer. Thereafter, information related to drive control of each of the stepping motors 1043L4, 1043M4, and 1043R4 of the rotating drum unit 1043 in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 is initialized for starting rotation. For example, the value of the wait timer is set to “0”, and the value of the acceleration counter is set to “26”. The actual driving of the stepping motors 1043L4, 1043M4, and 1043R4 is controlled by various rotary motor control processes S1105 to S1107 (see FIG. 16) of the timer interrupt process.

  After the symbol variation standby process S1308, a rotation control process S1309 for controlling the rotation of each of the spinning cylinders L, M, R in the spinning cylinder unit 1043 is executed. Here, the rotation control process S1309 will be described in detail. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the rotation control process.

  In the rotation control process S1309, information on the rotation of each of the spinning cylinders L, M, R in a predetermined area of the RAM 1045a3 is initialized, and an all-rotating cylinder rotation command indicating that all the spinning cylinders L, M, R are rotating. (A type of spinning rotation information command) and a symbol variation state command (a type of internal state command) indicating the symbol display variation state in the spinning unit 1043 are stored in the ring buffer ("rotation start process" S1601). ). After the rotation start process S1601, the process waits until a predetermined stop standby time elapses ("design stop standby process" S1602). The “predetermined stop standby time” in the symbol stop standby process S1602 is substantially the same as the average time required from the start of rotation of each of the cylinders L, M, and R to the steady rotation at a constant speed. After the symbol stop standby process S1602, it is determined whether or not the rotations of all the spinning cylinders L, M, and R are steady rotations (S1603). Specifically, whether or not these rotations are steady rotations is determined by whether or not a detection signal is received from the rotating cylinder position detection sensor 1043R7 corresponding to the rotating cylinder that has started rotating last. If the detection signal is received, it is determined that the rotations are steady rotations. If the detection signal is not received, it is determined that the rotation of any of the rotating cylinders is not steady rotations. . If these rotations are not steady rotations, the determination process S1603 is repeatedly executed. In this embodiment, all the spinning cylinders L, M, R start to rotate simultaneously.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1603 that the rotations of all the cylinders are steady rotations, an automatic stop timer for measuring the fluctuation time of the symbol display until the automatic stop is set ("automatic stop timer setting process" S1604). ). After the automatic stop timer setting process S1604, it is determined whether or not the time measured by the automatic stop timer exceeds the specified rotation time (S1605). If the measurement time by the automatic stop timer does not exceed the specified rotation time, the following process for manually stopping the symbol display fluctuation is executed.

  It is determined whether or not a left stop signal corresponding to the operation of the left cylinder stop button 1126L is received (S1606). If the left stop signal has not been received, it is determined whether or not a middle stop signal corresponding to the operation of the middle-cylinder stop button 1126M has been received (S1607). If the middle stop signal has not been received, it is determined whether a right stop signal corresponding to the operation of the right-turn cylinder stop button has been received (S1608). When the right stop signal is not received, that is, when none of the left stop signal, the right stop signal, and the right stop signal is received, the determination process S1606 is executed.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1606 that a left stop signal has been received, it is determined whether a left stop flag is set (S1609). The “left stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the left cylinder L is rotating or stopped, and is canceled in the rotation initialization process S2307. When the left stop flag is set, it indicates that the left cylinder L has already stopped, and when the left stop flag is released, it indicates that the left cylinder L is rotating. When the left stop flag is set, the determination process S1606 is executed. On the other hand, when the left stop flag is canceled, the left turn cylinder stop process S1610 is executed. In the left turning cylinder stop process S1610, first, the left stepping motor 1043L4 that rotates the left turning cylinder L is stopped with reference to the reference control table. After the left stepping motor 1043L4 is stopped, a left stop flag is set, the number of stop rotations is incremented, and a left rotation stop command (a type of rotation rotation information command) indicating that the left rotation L is stopped; A left swirl symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the left swirl L is stored in the ring buffer. The “number of stopped spinning cylinders” represents the number of stopped spinning cylinders, and is reset to “0” in the rotation start process S1601.

  Here, the left cylinder stop process S1610 will be described in detail. In the left-turn cylinder stop process S1610, first, with reference to the current symbol number held in the RAM 1045a3, the stop reference symbol number is set to a value obtained by adding 1 to the current symbol number. After the stop reference symbol number is set, if the left cylinder L is the second cylinder that has been stopped, the currently selected reference control table is changed to another control table as necessary. . If the left turn cylinder L is not the second stop, the control table is not changed. Thereafter, referring to the reference control table, a slip amount corresponding to the stop reference symbol number is extracted, and a value obtained by adding the slip amount to the stop symbol number is set as the stop symbol number. When the stop symbol number exceeds 20 (maximum symbol number), the stop symbol number is changed to a value obtained by subtracting 21 from the current value. After the stop symbol number is set, the stop interval timer is set. The stop interval timer is a timer that measures a period during which a stop instruction for the next spinning cylinder is not accepted. Note that the value of the stop interval timer is set to a predetermined time exceeding the maximum time in consideration of the time required for the rotation corresponding to the slip amount and the subsequent stop of the spinning cylinder. Thereafter, when the measurement time of the stop interval timer exceeds a predetermined time, a left stop flag is set, and the left cylinder stop process S1610 is ended.

  After the left turning cylinder stop processing S1610, it is determined whether or not the number of stopping cylinders is 3 (S1611). If the number of stop cylinders is not 3, that is, if at least one of the cylinders is rotating, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed (S1612). When it is necessary to change the reference control table when stopping the unstopped cylinder, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process"). S1613). In the control table change process S1613, the stop position of the already-rotated cylinder of the middle and right cylinders M and R is referenced together with the stop position of the left cylinder L. As a case where it is necessary to change the reference control table, for example, there is a case where a combination other than the winning combination wins.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1607 that an intermediate stop signal has been received, it is determined whether or not an intermediate stop flag is set (S1614). As in the case of the left stop flag, the “intermediate stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the middle cylinder M is rotating or stopped, and is canceled in the rotation start process S1601. If the middle stop flag is set, determination processing S1606 is executed. On the other hand, when the middle stop flag is released, it is determined whether or not the number of stop rotations is 0 (S1615). When the number of stop cylinders is not 0, the middle cylinder stop process S1617 is executed. On the other hand, when the number of stop rotations is 0, a predetermined manual stop control table in the manual stop control table group is reset as a reference control table (“control table resetting process” S1616), and the control table is reset. After the process S1616, the middle cylinder stop process S1617 is executed. Note that the middle cylinder stop process S1617 is the same process as the case of the left cylinder stop process S1610. In the middle cylinder stopping process S1617, first, the middle stepping motor 1043M4 that rotates the middle cylinder M is stopped with reference to the reference control table. The control for stopping the middle stepping motor is substantially the same as the control for stopping the left stepping motor 43L4. After the middle stepping motor 1043M4 is stopped, a middle stop flag is set, the number of stop turns is incremented, and a middle turn stop command (a kind of turn rotation information command) indicating that the middle turn cylinder M is stopped. ) And a middle-rotor symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the middle drum M is stored in the ring buffer.

  After the middle cylinder stop process S1617, it is determined whether or not the number of stop cylinders is 3 (S1618). If the number of stop cylinders is not 3, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed when stopping the unrotated cylinder (S1619). When the reference control table needs to be changed, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process" S1620). In the control table changing process S1620, the stop symbol numbers of all the rotating cylinders that have already stopped among the left rotating cylinder L and the right rotating cylinder R are referred to together with the stopping position of the intermediate rotating cylinder M.

  If it is determined in the determination process S1608 that a right stop signal has been received, it is determined whether a right stop flag is set (S1621). The “right stop flag” is a flag for identifying whether the right cylinder R is rotating or stopped, as in the case of the left stop flag and the middle stop flag, and is canceled in the rotation start process S1601. If the right stop flag is set, determination processing S1606 is executed. On the other hand, when the right stop flag is released, it is determined whether or not the number of stop rotations is 0 (S1622). If the number of stop rotations is not 0, right rotation stop processing S1624 is executed. On the other hand, when the number of stop rotations is 0, a predetermined manual stop control table in the manual stop control table group is reset as the reference control table (“control table resetting process” S1623), and the control table is reset. After the process S1623, a right cylinder stop process S1624 is executed. Note that the right crotch stop processing S1617 is the same processing as the left crotch stop processing S1610. In the right turning cylinder stop process S1617, first, the right stepping motor 1043R4 that rotates the right turning cylinder R is stopped with reference to the reference stop control table. The control for stopping the right stepping motor is substantially the same as the control for stopping the left stepping motor 1043L4. After the stop of the right stepping motor 1043R4, a right stop flag is set, the number of stop rotations is incremented, and a right rotation stop command (a type of rotation rotation information command) indicating that the right rotation R is stopped ) And a right swirl symbol command (a kind of stop symbol command) representing a stop symbol of the right swirl are stored in the ring buffer.

  After the right turn stopping process S1624, it is determined whether or not the number of stop turnings is 3 (S1625). If the number of stop rotations is not 3, it is determined whether or not the reference control table needs to be changed when stopping the unrotated rotation (S1626). When the reference control table needs to be changed, the reference control table is changed to another manual stop control table selected from the manual stop control table group ("control table change process" S1627). In the control table changing process S1627, the stop symbol numbers of all the rotating cylinders that have already stopped among the left rotating cylinder L and the middle rotating cylinder M are referred to together with the stop position of the right rotating cylinder R.

  In the determination process S1605, when the time measured by the automatic stop timer exceeds the specified rotation time, the rotation of all the cylinders L, M, R currently rotating is stopped (“automatic stop process” S1628). After the automatic stop process S1628 and when it is determined in the determination process S1611, the determination process S1618, and the determination process S1625 that the number of stop rotations is “3”, the automatic stop timer is canceled.

  Here, the automatic stop process S1628 will be described in detail. In the automatic stop process S1628, first, one table is set as a reference control table from the automatic stop control table group held in the ROM 1045a2 by referring to the stop symbol number (stop position) of the rotating cylinder that has already stopped. . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the left stop flag is set. If the left stop flag is not set, the rotation of the left cylinder L is stopped. Next, it is determined whether or not the intermediate stop flag is set. If the intermediate stop flag is not set, the rotation of the intermediate drum M is stopped. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the right stop flag is set. If the middle stop flag is not set, the rotation of the middle cylinder R is stopped.

  After the rotation control process S1309, as shown in FIG. 20, a winning confirmation process S1310 is executed. In the winning confirmation process S1310, first, the pattern pattern for each activated line is confirmed, and if any winning combination other than the winning combination has been won, an error process for notifying the occurrence of a winning error is executed. The On the other hand, if only the winning combination is winning, a winning flag corresponding to all winning winning combinations (for example, big bonus winning flag, regular bonus winning flag, cherry winning flag, bell winning flag, watermelon winning flag, A replay winning flag) is set. Further, the number of acquired game balls corresponding to each winning combination won is added within a range not exceeding the maximum number of acquired game balls, so that the number of acquired game balls is finally determined. Further, in the winning confirmation processing S1310, a winning combination command including information on the type of winning combination, a winning line command including information on the type of winning line, and a winning combination error command including information on winning errors are stored in the ring buffer. .

  After the winning confirmation process S1310, a payout command including information on the number of acquired game balls is set ("acquired ball payout process" S1311). After the acquired game ball payout process S1311, a re-game process S1312 is performed. In the re-game process S1312, when the re-game winning flag is set in the winning confirmation process S1310, various processes such as setting the internal state to re-game are performed. Further, a re-game command (a kind of internal state command) indicating that the next game is a re-game is stored in the ring buffer.

  After the re-game process S1312, an accessory operating process S1313 is performed. In the process of operating a bonus item S1313, a process during actives such as a big bonus (BB) combination and a regular bonus (RB) combination is performed. When the internal state is the big bonus game state, control during the small role game, transition control from the small role game to the JAC game, control during the JAC game, transition control from the JAC game to the small role game, and the big bonus Game state end control and the like are performed. The end determination of the big bonus game state is determined by whether or not the total number of game balls acquired during that state is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. When the total number of acquisitions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of acquisitions, a big bonus end process is performed. On the other hand, when the total number of acquisitions is less than the predetermined number of acquisitions, the big bonus end process is skipped. On the other hand, when the internal state is a regular bonus, control during the JAC game, end control of the regular bonus game state, and the like are performed. The termination condition for the regular bonus is also determined by whether or not the total number of acquisitions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of acquisitions.

  After the accessory operating process S1313, an accessory operating determination process S1314 is performed. In the bonus operation determining process S1314, a winning flag for the big bonus combination indicating that the big bonus combination is won is set, and a winning flag for the big bonus combination indicating that the big bonus combination is won is set. If so, a process for starting the big bonus is executed ("BB start process"). In addition, when the regular bonus combination winning flag indicating that the regular bonus combination is won is set and the regular bonus winning flag indicating that the regular bonus combination is won is set, the regular bonus combination is set. Is executed ("RB start process").

  A game progress display process S1315 is executed after the accessory operation determination process S1314. In the game progress display processing S1315, when the internal state is a big bonus game state or a regular bonus game state, data for displaying the number of remaining JAC games, the total number of acquired game balls in one big bonus, and the like. Is set. In addition, after the end of the big bonus or regular bonus, the internal state is changed to the specific game state when the winning probability of replay is shifted to a specific game state such as a replay time (“RT”) higher than the normal game state. The specific game state command (a kind of internal state command) indicating the specific game state is set and stored in the ring buffer.

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

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

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing of the payout control board 1037a. In the timer interrupt process, as shown in FIG. 29, first, it is determined whether or not a command reception flag is set (S3101). When the command reception flag is set, the command stored in the data buffer for reception is read (“command reading process” S3102). After the command reading process S3102, the command reception flag is canceled ("command reception flag cancellation process" S3103). After the command reception flag release processing S3103, it is determined whether or not the read command is a payout command (S3104). If it is a payout command, the number of prize balls (number of payouts) corresponding to the type of payout command is set in the prize ball number counter (“prize ball number counter setting process” S3105). On the other hand, when the read command is not a payout command, the winning ball number counter setting process S3105 is skipped. If it is determined in the determination process S3101 that the command reception flag is not set, the command reading process S3102 to the prize ball number counter setting process S3105 are skipped.

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

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

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

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

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

  The main process in the payout control board 1037a will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of main processing of the payout control board. In the main process, first, as shown in FIG. 30, various settings are made for a register group around the CPU, an I / O device, and the like ("initial setting process" S3201). After the initial setting process S3201, access to the RAM 1037a3 is permitted ("RAM access permission process" S3202), and an external interrupt vector is set ("external interrupt vector setting process" S3203). After the external interrupt vector setting process S3203, all areas of the RAM 1037a3 are cleared to “0” (S3204), and then an initial value is set in the RAM 1037a3 (“RAM initial setting process” S4105), and other peripheral devices of the CPU 37a1. Initial setting is performed ("CPU peripheral device initial setting process" S3206). After the CPU peripheral device initial setting process S3206, interrupt permission is set (S3207), and the game ball payout process S3208 is repeatedly executed. In a normal game, in response to receiving a payout command from the main control board 1045a, pay out game balls with the number of winning balls based on the type of payout command, and pay out 25 game balls when a lending payout request is made. It is processing to issue.

  Here, the game ball payout process S3208 will be described in detail. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the game ball payout process. In the game ball payout process S3208, as shown in FIG. 31, it is first determined whether or not the value of the payout state counter is “0” (S3301). When the payout state counter is “0”, that is, when no payout command is received, it is determined whether or not reception of a count switch signal from the count sensor 33h is detected (S3302). When reception of the count switch signal is detected, processing for outputting the count signal to the main control board 1045a is performed (“count signal output processing” S3303). On the other hand, when the reception of the count switch signal is not detected, the count signal output process S3303 is skipped. If it is determined in the determination process S3301 that the value of the payout state counter is other than “0”, the determination process S3302 and the count signal output process S3303 are skipped.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  A control process executed by the sub control board 1047a will be described. The control process of the sub control board 1047a is roughly divided into a main process that is activated when the external power is restored from a power failure or a power is restored by turning on the power, and an interrupt process that interrupts the main process. For convenience of explanation, after describing the interrupt process, the main process will be described. As interrupt processing, there are timer interrupt processing that is internal interrupt processing that periodically interrupts, and command interrupt processing that is external interrupt processing based on command transmission from the main control board 1045a.

  The timer interrupt process is executed with a period of approximately 1 ms. In the timer interrupt processing, first, an interrupt flag is read, and if it is a timer interrupt among various interrupts, the value of the timer interrupt timer counter is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” to the current value (“ Interrupt timer counter update processing ").

  The command interruption process is executed in response to reception of a strobe signal related to command transmission from the main control board 1045a. Since the command transmission in the main control board 1045a is performed with a period of approximately 1.49 ms, this processing is performed with a period of approximately 1.49 ms. In the command interrupt process, various commands transmitted following the strobe signal are received (“command reception process”).

  The main process executed by the sub control board 1047a will be described in detail. FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the main process of the sub control board.

  In the main processing, first, in response to the supply of internal power from the power supply control board 1038 ′, initialization of the sub control board 1047a itself and initialization of peripheral devices such as the liquid crystal display device 1042 connected to the sub control board 1047a are performed. Is performed ("initialization process" S4101). After the initialization process S4201, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4102). Here, the system state includes a voltage drop state indicating that the supply voltage is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage, and an initialization indicating that the sub-control board 1047a and the peripheral device connected to the sub-control board 1047a are being initialized. It implies a state and a normal state indicating that the supply voltage is a predetermined voltage and normal game can be performed. Note that the initialization state is selected during the execution of the initialization process S4101.

  If the system state is not a voltage drop state, it is determined whether or not the value of the interrupt timer counter has changed (S4103). When there is a change in the value of the interrupt timer counter, the value of the interrupt timer counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the current value (“interrupt timer counter update processing” S4104). After the interrupt timer counter update process S4104, a periodic timer process S4105 described later is performed. After the cycle timer process S4105, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4106). If the system state is not a voltage drop state, any command from the main control board 1045a is received in the command interrupt process. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (S4107). If a command has been received, the base value of the random number that determines the details of the effect is updated after receiving command confirmation processing S4108 described later ("random number base value update processing" S4109), while the command is received. If not, the received command confirmation process S4108 is skipped and the random number base value update process S4109 is executed. After the random number base value update process S4109, the process returns to the determination process S4102.

  If it is determined in the determination processing S4102 and the determination processing S4106 that the system state is a voltage drop state, register data and stack data are stored in the external RAM ("backup processing" S4110). After the backup process S4110, it is determined whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4111). If the system state is a voltage drop state, the determination process S4111 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is not in the voltage drop state, it waits for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 30 ms) to confirm that the cancellation of the voltage drop state is not a malfunction due to noise or the like ("wait process" S4112). After the wait process S4112, it is determined again whether or not the system state is a voltage drop state (S4113). If the system state is a voltage drop state, the process returns to the determination process S4111. On the other hand, if the system state is not a voltage drop state, it is determined that the supply of internal power has been resumed normally, and a process for starting the main process is performed ("start process" S4114). After the startup process S4114, the process returns to the initialization process S4101 and the main process is resumed.

  Here, the received command confirmation processing S4108 will be described in detail. FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a received command confirmation process. In the received command confirmation process S4108, first, the type of the received command is determined (S4201). Specifically, the command identification information included in the upper byte (8 bits) is extracted from the command stored in the reception buffer, and the process proceeds to processing according to the extracted command identification information. When a plurality of commands are stored in the reception buffer, the commands are sequentially processed according to the reception order. In the following, processing according to each command identification information will be described.

  When it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a stop symbol command, the lower byte information of the stop symbol command is extracted and the stop symbol of each reel is determined based on the information. Based on the combination pattern based on the stop symbol, the type of effect by the various peripheral devices connected to the sub-control board 1047a is selected ("stop symbol command processing" S4202). For example, when two turning cylinders of the left turning cylinder L, the middle turning cylinder M, and the right turning cylinder R are stopped and a predetermined symbol pattern is stopped on at least one effective line, various sound effects are produced. From the predetermined sound effects and various light emission effects, a predetermined light emission effect is selected. As the predetermined symbol pattern, for example, two sets of “7” symbol and “youth” symbol of the same type and “BAR” symbol are listed.

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is an error command such as a payout error command or a throw-in error command, information on the lower bytes of the error command is extracted, and errors by various peripheral devices based on the information are extracted. The type of notification is determined ("error command processing" S4203).

  When it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is an initialization command such as a power recovery command and a reset command, information on the lower byte of the initialization command is extracted, and based on the value of the extracted lower byte The sub-control board 1047a itself and various peripheral devices connected to the sub-control board 1047a are initialized ("initialization command processing" S4204).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is an internal state command such as a replay command, a big bonus command, or a regular bonus command, information in the lower byte (internal state type) of the internal state command is extracted. Based on the information, the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined ("Internal state command processing" S4205).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a lottery result command such as a big bonus combination winning command, a regular bonus combination winning command, a re-playing player winning command, or a winning command for various small roles, a lottery result command The lower byte information (type of winning combination) is extracted, and the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined based on the lottery result based on the information and random numbers ("lottery result command processing" S4206).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a winning symbol command such as a re-game winning command, a big bonus winning command, a regular bonus winning command, or a winning command for various small roles, the lower byte of the winning symbol command Information (winning symbol type) is extracted, and based on the information, the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined ("winning symbol command processing" S4207).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the command is a setting change command, the type of notification by various peripheral devices is determined ("probability setting value process" S4208).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a winning line command corresponding to the active line on which the winning symbol pattern is displayed, the information on the lower byte of the winning line command (the type of the winning line) is extracted, Based on the information, the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined ("winning line command processing" S4209).

  When it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a rotation rotation information command such as a stop command for various rotation cylinders L, M, and R, information in the lower byte of the rotation rotation information command (stop rotation cylinder) Type) is extracted, and based on the information, the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined ("rotating cylinder rotation information command process" S4210).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is an acquired ball number command, information (acquired ball number) of the lower byte of the acquired ball number command is extracted, and effects by various peripheral devices based on the information are extracted. Are determined ("acquired ball number command processing" S4211).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a bet command such as a maximum bet command, information (the number of bets) of the lower byte of the bet command is extracted, and effects by various peripheral devices based on the information are extracted. Is determined ("bet command process" S4212).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a JAC maximum game number command, information in the lower byte (JAC maximum game number) of the JAC maximum game number command is extracted, and various peripherals are based on the information. The type of effect produced by the device is determined ("JAC maximum game number command process" S4213).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a JAC round number command, information of the lower byte (JAC round number) of the JAC round number command is extracted and notified by various peripheral devices based on the information. Is determined ("JAC round number command processing" S4214).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a set value command, lower byte information (established set value) of the set value command is extracted, and the types of notification by various peripheral devices based on the information Is determined ("probability setting value information processing" S4215).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a ball release command such as an acquired ball payout start command or an award ball acquisition ball payout end command set at the start of payout of the winning ball, the lower order of the ball release command Byte information (numerical value indicating start or end) is extracted, and based on the information, the type of notification and the notification period by various peripheral devices are determined ("ball release command processing" S4216).

  When it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is an effect information command related to the effect determined by the main control board 1045a, information in the lower byte (effect information type) of the effect information command is extracted. Based on the lottery results using the information and random numbers, the types of effects by various peripheral devices are determined (“effect information command processing” S4217).

  If it is determined in the determination process S4201 that the received command is a ball information command such as a bet number command, the lower byte information (final bet number) of the ball information command is extracted, and various peripherals are based on the information. The type of effect produced by the device is determined ("ball information command processing" S4218).

  Here, the periodic timer process S4105 in the main process of the sub control board 1047a will be described in detail. FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the cycle timer process. By executing the timer interrupt process substantially every 1 ms, the periodic timer process S4105 is also executed substantially every 1 ms.

  In the cycle timer process 4105, first, it is confirmed whether or not any command is received from the main control board 1045a within 2 seconds after the execution of the start process S4114 (see FIG. 32), and any command is received from the main control board 1045a. Is not received, it is determined that the main control board 1045a has not been normally activated, and a process of notifying the occurrence of an error is performed ("activation command confirmation process" S4301).

  After the startup command confirmation processing S4301, the liquid crystal display device 1042, the speakers 1106, 1204, and various effect LED cover sections 1104, according to various commands confirmed to be received in the reception command confirmation processing S4108 (see FIG. 33). Actual drive control of a light emitting device (not shown) covered with 1108 and 1110, various light emitting devices 1132 and 1134L1, etc. is performed ("device control process" S4302).

  After the device control process S4302, it is determined whether or not the system state has changed, and an initialization flag indicating the initialization state is set or canceled according to the determination result ("system state change process" S4303). . When the voltage drop flag and the initialization flag are canceled, the system state is regarded as a normal state. After the system state changing process S4303, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the internal power supplied from the power supply board 1038 ′ is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage. If the internal voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, a voltage drop flag is set. If the voltage drop flag is set, the voltage drop flag is set. On the other hand, if the internal voltage is not equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage, the voltage drop flag is released if the voltage drop flag is set ("voltage monitoring process" S4304). . After the voltage monitoring process S4304, the long cycle timer counter is updated to a value obtained by adding the value of the cycle timer counter to the current value ("long cycle timer counter update process" S4305).

  After the long cycle timer counter update processing S4305, it is determined whether or not the value of the long cycle timer counter is “10” or more (S4306). By the determination process S4305, the following processes (S4307 to S4312) are executed approximately every predetermined number of times (in the present embodiment, 10 times) of the periodic timer counter. In this embodiment, since the periodic timer counter is updated approximately every 1 ms, the following processing (S4307 to S4312) is executed approximately every 10 ms.

  If it is determined in the determination process 2402 that the value of the long-period timer counter is less than the specified thinning number (in this embodiment, “10”), this process ends. On the other hand, when the value of the long cycle timer counter is “10” or more, the value of the long cycle timer counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the specified thinning number “10” from the current value (“long cycle timer counter”). Specified thinning-out number subtraction process "S4307). After the specified thinning number subtraction process S4307, during the light emission effect or the light emission notification, the light emission unit data constituting the selected light emission effect pattern or the light emission notification pattern is selected, and the selected light emission unit data is for output. Are stored in the data buffer ("light emission data update process" S4308). Here, each light emission effect pattern includes a plurality of light emission unit data. The light emission unit data constituting each light emission effect pattern is stored in the ROM of the sub control board 1047a and is selected in the reception command confirmation processing S4108. The stored light emission unit data is output to a desired light emitting device in device control processing 4302. By repeatedly executing the light emission notification changing process, the light emission unit data is sequentially changed, and a light emission effect or light emission notification of a predetermined light emission pattern is performed.

  After the light emission data update process S4308, a process for synchronizing the display effect, the light emission effect, and the sound effect is performed ("notification synchronization process" S4309).

  After the light emission / acoustic synchronization process S4309, in a situation where an audio effect is being performed, when the player is left for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds in this embodiment) without any input. The sound volume of the BGM in the sound effects and various special game states is changed to a low sound volume (“acoustic fade-out process” S4310).

  After the acoustic fade-out process S4310, whether or not to shift to demonstration notification (customer waiting effect) is determined for a predetermined time (this embodiment) without any input operation such as a bet operation, a start operation, or a stop operation performed by the player. In this case, the demonstration notification is substantially started when the predetermined time has elapsed ("demonstration notification transition process" S4311). Specifically, in the demonstration notification transition processing S4311, a display notification pattern for performing demonstration notification is selected, and a demonstration flag is set. Here, the demonstration notification pattern is composed of a plurality of light emission notification unit data, similarly to the light emission effect pattern. Demonstration effects are started in a predetermined peripheral device such as the liquid crystal display device 1042.

  After the demonstration notification transition processing S4311, the volume setting of the volume adjustment switch (not shown) in the volume changing operation device (not shown) is confirmed, and the reference volume for the speakers 106 and 204 is updated (“reference volume setting”). Process "S4312).

  In order to control the liquid crystal display device 1042 and the speakers 106 and 204 after the reference volume setting process S4312 is finished and when it is determined in the determination process S4306 that the value of the long-period timer counter is less than the prescribed thinning-out number. Display notification unit data, display effect unit data, and the like are updated ("sound / display notification change process" S4313).

[Main configuration related to the present invention]
The structure of the main characteristic part of the ball-type cylinder game machine 1010 of the present invention will be described. The ball-type spinning game machine 1010 substantially simultaneously inserts a predetermined number of game balls in cooperation with three input systems. As shown in FIG. 3, the ball-type spinning game machine 1010 includes three game ball insertion units 1410 a to 1410 c and a return shutter 1420 corresponding to each of the three insertion systems. Here, the game ball throwing units 1410a to 1410c will be described. The three input systems are identified by the notations “Article 1”, “Article 2”, and “Article 3”. Since the three game ball throwing portions 1410a to 1410c have substantially the same configuration, only the first throwing ball throwing portion 1410a will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the first throwing ball throwing portion 1410a includes the first throwing flicker 1413a and the first throwing solenoid 1414a ([input restriction means for each system]; And a pair of upper elements 1415a1 ([upstream medium detection section]) and lower elements ([downstream medium detection section]) 1415a2 arranged in the flow-down direction of the game ball. 1 passage sensor 1415a ([system-specific medium detecting means]; part of [medium detecting means]). The inflow of game media from the storage passage (part of [medium passage]) 1402a to the discharge passage (part of [medium passage]) 1406a in the first article is caused by the tip 1413a5 of the first input flicker 1413a being the medium. It is regulated according to a substantial change in passage width caused by shifting between a passage prohibition state arranged in the passage and a passage permission state arranged outside the passage. In the passage-inhibited state, the tip end portion 1413a5 of the first insertion flicker 1413a is disposed on the upstream side of the upper element 1415a1 of the first passage sensor 1415a. The first storage passage 1402a and the first discharge passage 1406a are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the vertical direction). The first discharge passage 1406a is substantially the same as the vertical direction, and is substantially inclined by 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The regulation of the inflow of game media from the storage passage 1402a to the guide passage 1404a in the first article shifts the return shutter 1420 from the passage prohibition state shown in FIG. 6 to the passage permission state shown in FIG. 8 by translational movement. Is done by. The return shutter 1420 translates mechanically in conjunction with the operation of the upper bowl return lever 1386 by the player.

  When the first flickering flicker 1413a shifts from the passage-permitted state to the passage-prohibited state, as shown in FIG. 35, at the boundary portion between the first row storage passage 1402a and the first row discharge passage 1406a. In some cases, the first flicker 1413a and the return shutter 1420 may be caught (clamped). Hereinafter, the captured game ball is referred to as a “hanging ball”. The upper element 1415a1 of the first passage sensor 1415a is disposed at a position where the suspended ball can be detected, and the lower element 1415a2 is disposed at a position where the suspended ball cannot be detected.

  The throwing control of the game ball when the hanging ball is generated will be described along the time system. FIG. 36 is a timing chart showing an example of a throwing operation in which re-filling with a hanging ball is executed. FIG. 36 shows a case where a suspended ball is generated only in the first row. In the case where the initial condition of the making operation shown in FIG. 26 is the same as the initial condition, only the operation different from the making operation shown in FIG. 26 will be described in detail.

  In response to detection (ta) of the rising of a maximum bet signal (a kind of “bet instruction”) based on the operation of the maximum bet button ([bet input means]) 1304 by the player in the insertion operation permission state (S203: Y) (S203: Y), the estimated number of inputs ([number of allowed inputs]) is determined (S207). After the planned number of inputs has been determined, the remaining number of inputs by item is determined by allocating the planned number of inputs to the input permission item in which the input operation permission flag is set in Articles 1, 2, and 3. ([Number of inputs permitted by system]) is determined. Further, when the number of remaining inputs by item is “1” or more, the passage restriction flag (injection restriction information) of the first item is set, and the insertion of the game ball in the first item is substantially started.

  After completing the allocation of the planned number of inputs, the input permission remaining period of Article 1 is started (tb). Specifically, a value (“203” in the present embodiment) corresponding to a predetermined time (about 300 ms in the present embodiment) is set in the entry permission remaining time information in the first article. Further, in accordance with the setting of the first passage restriction flag, energization to the first insertion solenoid 1414a is started and the first insertion flicker 1413a is activated (S317), and the game in the storage passage 1402a is performed. The passage of the ball is permitted and the insertion of the game ball in the first article is actually started. The energization of the first entry solenoid 1413a is maintained until the first article passage restriction flag is released. Similarly, the insertion of game balls in Article 2 and Article 3 is actually started (S317).

  In the first article, the insertion of the first ball to the fourth ball is completed in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, when the fifth sphere (final sphere) in the first article starts to pass through the first element upper element 1415a1, the first article upstream passage detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state. (T51). At this time, the downstream passage detection signal of the first article remains off.

  When the passage start of the fifth ball passage sensor 1415a is detected in the first article (S416: N, S417: Y), the fifth ball that has started to pass is the final ball (S418: N). The first passage restriction flag is canceled, and the first passage permission remaining time information is reset to a value ("203") corresponding to a predetermined time Ta (about 300 ms) (t51; S420). When the passage permission period of the first article is extended, the passage permission remaining time information of the first article is not “0” (S411: N), and thus a making operation flag is set (S412). After the setting of the in-operation flag, since the passage restriction flag is canceled in the current first article insertion control process (S314), the actual transition from the passage permission state of the first article insertion flicker 1413a to the passage inhibition state is performed. Is performed (S319). Thereafter, in the same manner as when waiting for the start of passage of the upper element 1415a1 of the first sphere, it waits for the output of the upstream passage detection signal or downstream passage detection signal of the first article to change. However, during the movement of the first flickering flicker 1413a, the fifth ball in the first ball becomes a suspended ball, and the flow of the fifth ball is stopped.

  When the fifth ball becomes a suspended ball, the detection passage phase does not change (S402: N), the passage permission period of the first article is scheduled to expire (S403: Y), and the passage restriction flag of the first article is already canceled. (S405: Y), and the first passage upstream detection signal is in the ON state (S406: Y), the first passage permission period finally ends (S404). This completes the initial throwing operation in Article 1. Since the passage permission period of the first article has ended (S411: Y), the throwing operation flag is not set (S412). As shown in FIG. 36, since the insertion of the number of game balls to be inserted in the second and third articles has been completed, it is determined that the passage permission period for all articles has ended (S318). : Y). Thereby, the initial charging period ends (tg).

  After the first throwing period, the number of throwing balls in Article 1 is not counted as thrown, so the number of throws for all items has not been thrown in (S304: N). Since it is a strip (S305: Y) and the first throwing operation is completed (S306: N), the throwing operation is not completed and the operation is shifted to the refilling operation. In the re-input operation, first, it waits for a predetermined time Te (about 80 ms) (S307). Thereafter, since the upstream passage detection signal is in the on state and the downstream passage detection signal is in the off state (S308: Y), the occurrence of the suspended ball is detected and the suspended ball generation flag is set (th; S310). Further, the passage restriction flag of the first article is reset, and the passage permission remaining period information is set to a value corresponding to the predetermined time Ta, thereby setting the passage permission period of the first article (S311). Note that, unlike the case of the re-injection operation due to ball breakage or the like, the reference passage phase is not changed.

  Since only the first article passage restriction flag is set, the recharging operation is executed only by the first article. The first flicker solenoid 1414a is driven to actuate the flicker 1413a, and the flow of the suspended ball from the storage passage 1402a to the discharge passage 1406a is resumed. (S319). In addition, at the time of resumption of injection, the first passage upstream detection signal is in the on state, and the first passage downstream detection signal is in the off state.

  Thereafter, the first passage downstream detection signal shifts from the off state to the on state within the first passage permission period (S401: Y) (t52; S402: Y). This phase change is a normal phase change because the reference passing phase is not initialized when shifting from the initial charging operation to the recharging operation. Since the phase change is normal (S413: Y), the first reference passing phase is updated from the second passing phase to the third passing phase ([anomalous passing phase]) (S414). In addition, when the passage sensor 1415a does not start passing or is not completed (S416: N, S417: N), the hanging ball generation flag is set (S427: Y), and the passing phase is the third passing phase (S428). : Y), the passage restriction flag in the first article is canceled (S429). Thereafter, the charging operation proceeds in the same manner as in the case of the initial charging operation, and the recharging operation is finally completed.

  With the above configuration, the game medium can flow down the medium path by its own weight, and a predetermined number of game media can be taken in at high speed by restricting the flow of the game medium by the substantial width of the medium path. Can do. In addition, a predetermined number of game balls can be taken in at a higher speed by simultaneously throwing in a plurality of items. By these, smooth progress of the unit game can be realized. Further, since the upper elements 1415a1 to 1415c1 of the passage sensors 1415a to 1415c that are originally used for measuring the number of input of the capturing medium are used for detection, a dedicated detection means for detecting the capturing medium is not required, and the configuration is complicated. The game medium can be detected in the vicinity of the portion where the substantial width of the medium passage changes, and the game medium can be prevented from being taken in excessively. Further, in the irregular passage control means, the trapping medium is automatically and reliably re-established by shifting the insertion restricting means to the passage prohibition state in accordance with the change from the predetermined basic passage phase to the predetermined irregular passage phase. Can be charged.

  Moreover, if it is said structure, since only upper element 1415a1-1415c1 detects a suspended ball, generation | occurrence | production of a suspended ball can be detected simply.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, in the first throwing operation, the second passing phase (basic passing phase) that shifts the first to third throwing flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 to the passage prohibition state is most likely to pass the final sphere. Since it is the same as the passing phase based on the detection state detected early, it is possible to reliably block the insertion of game balls following the final ball, and to reliably prevent the excessive insertion of game balls. Further, in the re-throwing operation caused by the hanging ball, the first to third throwing flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1 are shifted to the passage prohibited state in accordance with the change of the passing phase, so that the first hanging ball is thrown. It is possible to prevent complication of the structure by providing a separate configuration for controlling the operation of the first to third feed flickers 1413a1 to 1413c1, and to separately manage the control period. It is possible to prevent a complicated control program and an increase in control processing load.

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

  In addition, by determining the occurrence of a suspended ball after a predetermined time from the expiration of the first throwing operation of all the strips, if the trapping medium is once trapped with a weak stress but then throwing is completed, the trapping medium It is not possible to perform re-input due to the occurrence. Therefore, only the capture medium can be reliably input in the re-input due to the generation of the capture medium.

  By detecting the game medium by the medium detection means outside the passage permission period due to the capture of the game medium, it is possible to suppress an illegal act using the illegal insertion device without interrupting the progress of the game.

  In the above description, a configuration has been described in which a game ball throwing operation is performed in cooperation with a plurality of articles (article 3). However, in the present invention, a configuration in which a game ball throwing operation is performed in a single manner may be employed.

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

1045a: Main control board 1045a2: ROM
1045a3: RAM
1114: One bet button (part of bet input means)
1304: Max bet button (part of bet input means)
1402: Storage passage (part of medium passage)
1406: Discharge passage (part of medium passage)
1410a, 1410b, 1410c: Game ball throwing portion 1413a, 1413b, 1413c: Throwing flicker (part of throwing restriction means)
1414a, 1414b, 1414c: closing solenoid (part of closing control means)
1415a, 1415b, 1415c: Pass sensors (input medium detection means)
1415a1, 1415b1, 1415c1: Upper element (upstream medium detection unit)
1415a2, 1415b3, 1415c2: Lower element (downstream medium detector)

Claims (1)

A flow regulation means for regulating a flow caused by the dead weight of the game medium in the medium passage by a state transition between a flow permitted state and a flow prohibited state;
Medium detection means including a pair of medium detection units for detecting game media flowing down the medium passage;
A flow control means for controlling the flow restriction means so as to flow the number of game media based on the flow instruction;
A gaming machine including
Including capture detection means for detecting capture of the game medium by the flow-down regulating means in the medium path based on the detection state of the pair of medium detection units,
The flow-down control means, based on the fact that the change in the combination of detection states of the pair of medium detection units with respect to the last game medium to flow down is a change to a predetermined combination in a predetermined normal transition, In the case where the flow restricting means is in the flow prohibition state, and the capture detecting means detects the capture of the game medium, the flow restricting means is again set in the flow permitting state and is captured. Based on the fact that the change in the combination of detection states of the pair of medium detection units with respect to the game medium is a change from the combination in the captured state to the combination in the subsequent state in the regular transition, To
A gaming machine characterized by that.

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