JP2017121498A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of outputting proper information corresponding to diversification of errors to be generated.SOLUTION: As types of errors, a Pachinko game machine has a plurality of types of errors at least including a specific type error and a predetermined type error other than the specific type error. Between the specific type error and the predetermined type error, a condition to be detected by error detection means is different. In an error information display part, only one of the specific type error and the predetermined type error can be displayed as error information. Regardless of whether the predetermined type error is being held or not, if the specific type error is being held, it is so configured that the error information related to the specific type error is displayed with priority till a predetermined release condition related to the specific type error being held is satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  It relates to gaming machines.

  As a recent pachinko game machine, a big hit lottery with a predetermined probability is made when a game ball enters the starting port on the game board surface (game area), and if the big hit lottery is won, The mainstream is pachinko gaming machines that transition to the state and can open a large winning opening provided on the game board surface to obtain a large number of prize balls. Among the pachinko gaming machines configured in this manner, there is a probability-changing gaming state that increases the winning probability in the jackpot lottery and a time-reducing gaming state that increases the efficiency of symbol variation for notifying the lottery result in the jackpot lottery There is also a gaming machine that enhances the interest of the game by creating a game progress state that is advantageous to the player by these game states. And the maintenance of game progress is enhanced by appropriately detecting, notifying, and canceling errors generated during the progress of these games.

JP 2000-229169 A JP 2008-253577 A JP 2012-85818 A

  However, with recent gaming machines, the errors that occur are diversifying along with the complexity of the gameability and internal structure, and there is a problem that improvement for enhancing the maintenance of game progress is desired.

The gaming machine according to this aspect is
An error information display section capable of displaying error information;
An error detection means for detecting an error;
An error holding means for holding an error detected by the error detecting means;
An error canceling means for canceling an error held by the error holding means when a predetermined release condition is satisfied,
As the types of errors, there are a plurality of types of errors including at least a specific type error and a predetermined type error other than the specific type error, and the specific type error and the predetermined type error are detected by an error detection unit. The conditions are different,
In the error information display section, only one of the specific type error and the predetermined type error can be displayed as error information, and the specific type error is held regardless of whether or not the predetermined type error is held. In the case, the error information related to the specific type error is preferentially displayed until the predetermined release condition related to the held specific type error is satisfied,
The predetermined type error has a plurality of types of errors, the conditions for detecting the plurality of types of errors by the error detection means are different, and a plurality of types of errors among the plurality of types of errors are held simultaneously. In the error information display unit, only one of the plurality of types of errors can be displayed as error information, and when displaying the error information, the plurality of types of errors can be displayed. It is configured to display in order from the highest display priority assigned in advance to each of the errors,
When there is a change in the type of the predetermined type error held by the error holding means, the display is performed sequentially from the one with the highest display priority based on the type of the predetermined type error held before the change. Even in the middle of the game, the game machine is configured to display again sequentially from the one with the highest display priority order based on the type of the predetermined type error held after the change.
<Appendix>
In addition, although the different aspect different from this aspect is listed below, it can implement without being limited to these at all.
The pachinko gaming machine according to this different aspect is
A payout means capable of paying out game balls by performing a payout operation;
A payout control means for controlling the payout operation of the game ball by the payout means;
An error information display section capable of displaying error information,
Withdrawal control means
An error detection means for detecting an error;
An error holding means for holding an error detected by the error detecting means;
An error canceling means for canceling an error held by the error holding means when a predetermined release condition is satisfied,
As the types of errors, there are a plurality of types of errors including at least a specific type error and a predetermined type error other than the specific type error, and the specific type error and the predetermined type error are detected by an error detection unit. The conditions are different,
In the error information display section, only one of the specific type error and the predetermined type error can be displayed as error information, and the specific type error is held regardless of whether or not the predetermined type error is held. In the case, the error information related to the specific type error is preferentially displayed until the predetermined release condition related to the held specific type error is satisfied,
The predetermined type error has a plurality of types of errors, the conditions for detecting the plurality of types of errors by the error detection means are different, and a plurality of types of errors among the plurality of types of errors are held simultaneously. In the error information display unit, only one of the plurality of types of errors can be displayed as error information, and when displaying the error information, the plurality of types of errors can be displayed. It is configured to display in order from the highest display priority assigned in advance to each of the errors,
When there is a change in the type of the predetermined type error held by the error holding means, the display is performed sequentially from the one with the highest display priority based on the type of the predetermined type error held before the change. The pachinko game machine is configured to display again sequentially from the one with the highest display priority order based on the type of the predetermined type error held after the change even during the change. .
<Appendix>
In addition, although the different aspect different from this aspect is listed below, it can implement without being limited to these at all.
The pachinko gaming machine according to this different aspect is
A payout means (for example, a prize ball payout unit 100) capable of paying out game balls by performing a payout operation;
A payout control means (for example, a payout control board 230) for controlling the payout operation of the game ball by the payout means (for example, the prize ball payout unit 100);
An error information display unit (for example, status display unit 130) capable of displaying error information,
The payout control means (for example, the payout control board 230)
An error detection means (for example, error control means 3200) for detecting an error;
An error holding means (for example, error flag temporary storage means 3221) for holding an error detected by an error detection means (for example, error control means 3200);
An error canceling means (for example, error control means 3200) for canceling an error held by an error holding means (for example, error flag temporary storage means 3221) when a predetermined release condition is satisfied,
The error types include a plurality of types of errors including at least a specific type error and a predetermined type error other than the specific type error. The specific type error and the predetermined type error include error detection means (for example, error control means). 3200), the conditions for detection are different,
In the error information display unit (for example, the status display unit 130), only one of the specific type error and the predetermined type error can be displayed as error information, regardless of whether or not the predetermined type error is held. When a specific type error is held, error information related to the specific type error is preferentially displayed until the predetermined release condition related to the held specific type error is satisfied. A pachinko machine characterized by that.
In addition, the pachinko gaming machine according to this aspect is
The predetermined type error has a plurality of types of errors, the conditions for detecting the plurality of types of errors by an error detection unit (for example, the error control unit 3200) are different, and among the plurality of types of errors, The error information display unit (for example, the status display unit 130) can display only one of the plurality of types of errors as error information. In addition, when displaying error information, each of the plurality of types of errors is configured to be sequentially displayed in descending order of display priority assigned in advance.
When there is a change in the type of the predetermined type error held by the error holding unit (for example, the error flag temporary storage unit 3221), the display is performed based on the type of the predetermined type error held before the change. Even in the middle of displaying sequentially from the one with the highest priority, it may be configured to sequentially display again from the one with the highest display priority based on the type of the predetermined type error held after the change. Good.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present aspect, it is possible to output appropriate information according to diversification of errors that occur.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the prize ball payout unit in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of commands and information transmitted and received between the main control board and the payout control board of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a main flowchart on the main control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of unpaid prize ball (before prize ball payout command transmission) management processing on the main control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the payout control board transmission control process on the main control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the payout control board reception control process on the main control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an error handling control process on the main control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a main flowchart on the payout control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the error control process at the time of a payout stop abnormality detection on the payout control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of error display control processing on the payout control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a detailed explanation of the error display content determination reference table and error types on the payout control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of payout command correspondence information transmission processing on the payout control board side in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 2 including a gaming machine frame unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pachinko machine 2 includes a gaming machine frame 3, a gaming board unit 5, a glass 10, a launch unit (not shown), and a ball tray 14. The launch units can launch the game balls 23 one by one toward the game area 16 configured in the game board unit 5.

  In the pachinko machine 2, when a player operates a launcher handle 15 described later, a game ball 23 is launched by the launch unit toward the game area 16, and a game by the flow of the game ball 23 is realized. In addition to the pachinko machine 2, the gaming machine can be an arcade machine such as a pachinko slot machine or a coin game machine, and various game machines. In short, a gaming area that realizes a game by the flow of gaming media. Any gaming machine you have is included. In addition, in the pachinko machine, any pachinko machine such as a combination pachinko machine such as an arrangement ball machine or a sparrow ball machine, a so-called digipachi type (one type) or a honey mono type (two types) pachinko machine can be conceptualized. In this embodiment, a so-called one-type pachinko machine that realizes a digipachi game (also referred to as a one-type game or a symbol variation game) will be described as an example. The symbol variation game will be described later.

  The gaming machine frame 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a gaming board unit 5 to be described later, and is configured to surround the peripheral side surface of the pachinko machine 2 and the front side or the rear side in addition thereto. In addition to the game board unit 5, various mechanism parts such as various control boards and paths for game media, which are described later, are arranged on the inner side of the gaming machine frame 3. Unauthorized access to the inside of the pachinko machine 2 from behind is prevented.

  The outer frame 4 that surrounds the pachinko machine 2, the front frame 9 that is swingably supported by a hinge 22 inside the pachinko machine 2 so as to be able to be opened and closed forward, and that can hold the game board unit 5. The gaming machine frame 3 is configured to include the glass frame 12 that holds the decorative member 32 that is supported in a swinging manner and decorates the periphery of the glass 10. The glass 10 is a transparent member that allows the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the gaming machine frame 3 from the front. The gaming machine frame unit includes a front frame 9 that holds the game board unit 5 and a prize ball payout unit 100 described later.

  The glass 10 is a transparent plate that is spaced apart from the game board 6 by a certain distance or more. The glass 10 is formed of two transparent flat glasses and is held on the back side of the glass frame 12, and has a function of forming a flowing-down space for the game ball 23 to flow between the game board 6 and the player through the glass 10. The function of ensuring visibility so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized and the function of preventing unauthorized access so that the player cannot illegally access (contact) the game board 6 are exhibited.

  The ball tray 14 is a dish member disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to store the player's ball, and in the present embodiment, has an upper ball tray 14a and a lower ball tray 14b. Yes. The upper ball tray 14a has a ball punching member 14c and is disposed below the game board 6, that is, a lower portion of the glass frame 12, and the lower ball tray 14b is disposed further below the upper ball tray 14a. .

  The launch unit launches (balls) the game ball 23 sent from the upper ball tray 14a as a part of the ball tray 14 to the launch position by the ball feeder (not shown) toward the upper part of the game area 16. belongs to. The launch unit includes, for example, a launcher for projecting the game ball 23 at the launch position, a launch motor for driving the launcher, a launch spring for energizing the launcher to generate a ball force, and the like. It is attached to the front frame 9. In order to launch a ball by the launch unit, a launcher handle 15 is provided below the front surface of the pachinko machine 2 to realize on / off of the launch of the ball and adjustment of its launch intensity based on the player's operation.

  The game board unit 5 has a game board 6 in which a center object 7 as a game object is arranged at substantially the center on the game board surface 6a side, and a number of game nails 27 are also arranged on the game board surface 6a. ing. An effect display device 7a as an image display means is disposed at the center of the center accessory 7, and a display opening 7d for exposing the display portion 7b of the effect display device 7a is formed.

  The game board 6 is a board-like member for constituting a game area 16 for realizing a game by the flow of the game ball 23 on the surface side thereof, so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized from the front by the player. It is held in the gaming machine frame 3 (in this embodiment, the front frame 9 as a part of the gaming machine frame 3). A rail ornament 26 is attached to the surface of the game board 6 in a substantially circular shape so as to surround the periphery, and an outer rail 26a of the rail ornament 26 is arranged so as to stand on the game board. The game area 16 is a substantially circular area defined by the outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 and facing the outer rail 26a.

  The game nails 27 are flow-down changing members that collide with the game balls 23 flowing down the game area 16 and change the flow-down direction thereof, and many of them are arranged in the game area 16. Further, in the game area 16, a ball winning member such as a normal winning port 28, a starting winning port 29, a big winning port 31, and the out port 30 are arranged. Furthermore, a gate 33, a windmill 34, and the like are arranged in the game area 16, and the game balls 23 that flow down flow into each ball entry member, pass through the gate 33, and rotate the windmill 34. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the down-flow game by the game ball 23.

  The center accessory 7 is configured to cover the periphery of the effect display device 7a, and realizes a symbol variation game (one type game). A first symbol (special symbol) display device 17 as a symbol display means is disposed on the center accessory 7, and an effect display device 7 a is disposed in the center of the center accessory 7.

  The first symbol display device 17 displays the variation of the first symbol 17a, which is the lottery result of the lottery means. The first symbol is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery executed when the game ball 23 enters the start winning opening 29. A big hit as a first special game occurs when the variable display of the first symbol is stopped in a predetermined winning manner.

  The effect display device 7a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display, an LED, and the like, and is arranged so that the player can see from the game board surface 6a side, and displays an image on the display unit 7b. It is. A display symbol (first decorative symbol) 7c linked to the first symbol is displayed on the display unit 7b of the effect display device 7a. The display symbol is a symbol for visually producing the lottery result of the first lottery means, and corresponds to the first game. Further, for example, an effect image as a story tailoring image by a character or the like is also displayed on the display unit 7b. An effect control board as a game control means is electrically connected to the effect display device 7a via a relay board, and image display is controlled by the effect control board.

  On the back side of the game board 6, the main control board case 35 containing the main control means (main control board) 200 for controlling the whole of the pachinko machine 2 and effect control such as image display of the effect display device 7a are performed. An effect control board case 36 containing the effect control means (effect control board) 220 and a payout control board case containing payout control means (payout control board) 230 for controlling the payout of prize balls by the prize ball payout unit 100 described later. 37 and a power supply board case 38 containing power supply means (not shown) are arranged. A game is realized by each control means accommodated in each control board case. The main control board case 35 and the effect control board case 36 are mounted on the rear surface of the game board unit 5 and are configured to be detachable from the front frame 9 together with the game board unit 5.

  Furthermore, an external output terminal plate 39 for outputting game information such as the gaming state of the pachinko machine 2 to the outside is provided on the back side of the game board 6. Further, on the back side of the pachinko machine 2, a cover member 42 that covers a part of the effect control board case 36 and the prize ball payout unit 100 is provided.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, on the back of the pachinko machine 2, the ball storage as a game ball storage device for temporarily storing the game balls 23 supplied from the equipment of the hall where the pachinko machine 2 is installed. The game balls 23 from the tank 40 and the ball storage tank 40 flow in, and the prize ball payout unit 100 that passes the game balls 23 one by one, and the game balls 23 that have passed the prize ball payout unit 100 are placed in the ball tray 14. A prize ball supply passage 41 that leads toward the player.

  The prize ball payout unit 100 is configured to be driven and controlled by a payout control means 3300, which will be described later, in response to a request for a game ball 23 to be entered into various winning holes and a player's lending request for the game ball 23. Thus, the game ball 23 is supplied to the player. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of the payout process for winning balls based on the entering of game balls 23 into various winning ports. The prize ball payout unit 100 will be described later.

  When the game ball 23 is launched by a ball launcher (not shown), the game ball 23 travels along the outer rail 26 a of the rail decoration 26 and reaches the upper part in the game area 16. Thereafter, the game ball 23 moves along a plurality of passing trajectories, some moves to the right along the outer rail 26 a of the rail decoration 26, and some moves in the game area 16 while colliding with the game nail 27. Some things flow downward, some flow into the normal winning opening 28 and trigger the payout of a certain number of winning balls, and some things do not flow into any of the pitching devices and are out at the bottom in the game area 16 It flows into the mouth 30 and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 2 as an out ball.

  When the game ball 23 flows into the start winning opening 29 during the symbol variation game, the display symbol 7c of the effect display device 7a starts rotating display (the first special game lottery) due to the inflow. If 7c stops and displays with a predetermined symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”), a big hit (first special game; hereinafter referred to as a symbol fluctuation big hit) occurs in the symbol change game. Then, the special winning opening 31 is opened to accept a large amount of winning balls, and a large amount of winning balls are paid out to the ball tray 14.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, an electrical schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a main control board 200 that controls the progress of the game, a payout control board 230 that controls the payout of game balls based on commands from the main control board 200, Various effects on the effect display device 2140 such as decoration pattern change / stop, etc., effects such as lighting of the sound / game effect lamp 190 from the speaker 114, and an effect control board 220 for controlling the prize ball payout error notification, and effects And a sub-sub control board 4000 for controlling decoration display variation display / stop display, hold display, notice display, and the like on the display device 2140. Here, the payout control board 230 is connected to a prize ball payout unit 100 that executes payout of game balls, and a state display unit 130 that displays a state related to payout of game balls to the outside by an LED, 7-segment, or the like. . In the present embodiment, the status display unit 130 is configured to have one 7-segment display (however, the present invention is not limited to this).

  Here, the main control board 200, the payout control board 230, the effect control board 220, and the sub-sub control board 4000 are handled by a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores programs that prescribe the arithmetic processes of the CPU, and a CPU. An information processing RAM for temporarily storing data (various data generated during the game, computer programs read from the ROM, etc.) is mounted.

  Here, transmission and reception of commands and information between the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230, transmission of information and commands from the main control board 200 to the effect control board 220, information from the effect control board 220 to the sub-sub control board 4000, The command may be transmitted by parallel communication or serial communication. In addition, a single line for transmitting a prize ball payout status is arranged between the payout control board 230 and the main control board 200, and a payout signal is sent when a prize ball payout command is transmitted from the main control board 200 side. Is turned on, and when the payout is completed and the motor is stopped, the payout signal is turned off.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 200 has various winning opening sensors S (for example, a special detection start opening detection sensor or a large winning opening detection sensor) via an input port (not shown). Connected. In addition, the effect control board 220 is connected to an error notification means 195 (for example, a game effect lamp 190 that changes the flashing mode according to the type of error) via an output port (not shown).

<Functional configuration>
Next, functions of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The functions mainly shown here are functions between the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230 that are particularly related to the present invention.

(Main control board 200)
First, the main control board 200 (main control means 1000) performs transmission / reception for controlling transmission / reception of commands and information between the game control means 1100 for controlling the progress of the game and the determination of award ball payout, and the payout control board 230 side. Control means 1200, processing related information temporary storage means 1400 for temporarily storing information related to payout-related processing, and error control means 1500 for controlling errors related to prize ball payout in the main control board 200, the payout control board 230, etc. And having. The game control means 1100 has a well-known configuration that conventional machines have. Specifically, the game control means 1100, as a process related to the progress of the game, for example, taking the case of the conventional type 1 gaming machine as an example, random number generation and random number acquisition triggered by the starting entrance ball , Well-known, such as lottery using the random numbers obtained, fluctuations in the symbol (special symbol) based on the lottery result, execution of a special game that opens the variable prize opening that is normally closed when the lottery is won Processing is executed, and when a game ball enters each winning opening, a payout determination process for the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning opening is executed. Hereinafter, each characteristic means of the present invention will be described in detail.

  First, the transmission / reception control unit 1200 includes information (signals) from the transmission control unit 1210 that controls transmission from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 230 and the like and various peripheral devices (for example, the payout control board and various signal output devices). And a reception control means 1220 for receiving the information.

  Here, the transmission control means 1210 has a payout control side transmission control means 1211 for transmitting commands and information to the payout control board 230 side. The payout control side transmission control means 1211 further includes a transmission command temporary storage means 1211a in which a prize ball payout command to be transmitted to the payout control board 230 is set at the time of prize ball payout.

Further, the reception control means 1220 includes a game side reception control means 1221 for receiving information (signals) from a signal output device (for example, a winning mouth sensor S ₁ , S ₂ ...) Provided in the gaming machine, Payout control side reception control means 1122 for receiving information from the payout control board 230. Here, the game side reception control unit 1221 further includes a game side reception information temporary storage unit 1221a for temporarily storing information received from the signal output device until processing related to the information is executed. The payout control side reception control means 1122 further includes payout control side reception information temporary storage means 1222a for temporarily storing the information received from the payout control board 230 until processing related to the information is executed. Yes.

  Next, the processing-related information temporary storage means 1400 includes an unpaid prize ball information temporary storage means 1410 for temporarily storing unpaid prize ball information (standby prize ball payout information) that has not reached the prize ball payout order. In addition.

  Next, the error control unit 1500 monitors game-related errors including errors related to prize ball payout on the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230 side (for example, door opening error as errors other than prize ball payout errors). In addition, an abnormality notification control unit 1510 that controls to notify an abnormality to the outside when a predetermined error occurs is further provided. Here, the abnormality notification control unit 1510 further includes an error flag temporary storage unit 1511 for temporarily storing an on / off state of the game related error flag.

(Discharge control board 230)
Next, the payout control board 230 includes transmission / reception control means 3100 for controlling transmission / reception of commands and information to / from the main control board 200 side and the card unit C side, and errors related to payout on the payout control board 230 side. The error control means 3200 for executing the control of the game, the payout control means 3300 for executing the payout processing of a predetermined number of game balls in response to the prize ball payout command or the lending command, and the state display unit 130 when the error occurs. Error display control means 3600 for controlling error display. Hereinafter, each means will be described in detail.

  First, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 transmits information to the main control board 200 and the card unit C, and the reception control unit 3110 that controls reception of information (for example, commands and signals) from the main control board 200 and the card unit C. Transmission control means 3120 for controlling the control.

  Here, the reception control unit 3110 further includes a main-side reception control unit 3111 that controls reception of information (for example, commands) from the main control board 200. The main-side reception control means 3111 further includes a main-side reception information temporary storage means 3111a in which information transmitted from the main control board 200 side is temporarily stored. Further, the transmission control unit 3120 further includes a payout-related error information temporary storage unit 3121 in which error information related to a payout operation for transmission to the main control board 200 side is temporarily stored.

  Next, the error control unit 3200 includes an error flag temporary storage unit 3221 for temporarily storing an on / off state of an error flag such as a payout on the payout control board 230 side, a prize ball payout operation, and a prize ball payout retry. An error control means 3230 for detecting a dispensing motor operation abnormality that controls an error (hereinafter also referred to as a dispensing motor operation error) when a change in the rotor position confirmation sensor is detected a predetermined number of times or more when not in operation, and excessive dispensing Error control means 3240 that controls the error (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an excessive payout error) control when detecting a predetermined number of times, and an error (hereinafter referred to as an error when a shortage of payout is detected when paying out a prize ball) , Sometimes referred to as a ball path error) Error control means 3250 at the time of ball path abnormality detection that controls the control, and at the time of paying out a prize ball Discharge motor abnormality detection error control means 3260 for controlling error (hereinafter also referred to as payout motor sensor error) control when the state where the rotor position confirmation sensor cannot be blocked or transmitted continues for a predetermined number of times, and count Error control means 3270 upon detection of a required payout stop abnormality that controls an error (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a prize ball device error) control when the sensor is turned on for a predetermined time or more, and a power-on command from the main control board 200 side Of the communication with the main control board 200 and the power-on command non-reception error control means 3275 that controls the error (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a power-on command non-reception error) when an abnormality that is not received is detected. A communication error control means 3280 for controlling an error (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a communication error) when an abnormality is detected; Error control unit 3285 that controls the error (hereinafter referred to as a “dish full error”), and an error (hereinafter referred to as a CR unit) that is detected when a signal from the game ball lending device is turned off. CR unit non-connection error control means 3290 for controlling (which may be referred to as non-connection error) is further provided. Here, the payout motor operation abnormality detection error control means 3230 further includes an unauthorized payout accumulation counter 3231 for accumulating and counting the number of times the discharge motor operation abnormality is detected. Further, the payout abnormality detection error control means 3240 further includes an excessive payout accumulation counter 3241 for accumulating and counting the number of payouts of excessive prize balls. The ball path abnormality detection error control means 3250 further includes a payout interval extension control means 3251 for executing a payout interval time extension process related to prize ball payout. The payout motor abnormality detection error control means 3260 further includes retry operation control means 3261 for executing a retry operation (retry operation) for eliminating the abnormal operation of the motor 141d.

  Here, the error (or error type) canceling method described above will be listed. The condition for canceling the payout motor operation error is power-on again, the condition for canceling the payout excessive error is power-on, and the ball path The condition for canceling the error is when the payout is normal when paying out the prize ball. The condition for canceling the payout motor sensor error is when the blocking or transmission of the rotor position confirmation sensor 150 can be detected. Is when the count sensor is turned off continuously for a predetermined time or more, the condition for canceling the power-on command not received error is when the power-on command is received, and the condition for canceling the communication error is normal communication with the main control board 200 The condition for canceling the pan full tank error is when the pan full switch is turned off continuously for a predetermined time or longer, and the CR unit is not connected. Ra of the release conditions are when detecting an ON signal from the game ball such as renting machine.

  Next, the payout control means 3300 has payout process related information temporary storage means 3310 for temporarily storing information necessary for the payout process. Here, the payout processing related information temporary storage means 3310 is a payout state flag temporary storage means 3311 for temporarily storing a state related to payout (for example, whether payout is being performed or whether a payout abnormality has occurred). In the payout process, the payout counter 3312 in which the number of game balls to be paid out is set, the step counter temporary storage means 3313 for temporarily storing the number of steps to be driven by the motor 141d, and the motor 141d are driven. And the excitation stator position specifying counter value temporary storage means 3314 for temporarily storing the position information of the excited stator, and a predetermined time after the single continuous payout operation (unit payout operation) The ball passing waiting timer 3315 for measuring the motor stop time) and the number of game balls to be paid out by the unit payout operation A unit payout counter 3317 to be set further includes a. Here, in this embodiment, the ball passage waiting timer 3315 is a decrementing timer and is configured to stop when the timer value reaches 0, but is not limited thereto, and is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure using a timer.

  Next, the error display control means 3600 includes an error display priority counter (EC) 3610 which is a counter for controlling the repetition processing according to the error display priority in the error display processing, and the error display priority and error. An error display content determination reference table 3620 that is referred to in order to determine error display content such as display display time (base display time), and an error display time timer 3630 for measuring the display time of error display. Have. In this embodiment, the error display time timer 3630 is a decrement timer and is configured to stop when the timer value reaches 0. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure using a timer.

  Next, the structure of the prize ball payout unit 100 of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in the upper part of the figure, the winning ball payout unit 100 has a motor (stepping motor) 141d that is driven at the time of payout. The winning ball payout unit 100 has a cam shaft connected to the motor 141d. The prize ball payout unit 100 having such a structure operates according to the following principle. First, when a game ball enters a winning opening in the game area, a winning signal is sent to the main control board 200, the main control board 200 determines the number of payouts, and transmits a signal of a winning ball to the payout control board 230. Alternatively, a ball lending request is made from the gaming ball lending device such as the card unit C to the payout control board 230. In response to this, the payout control board 230 operates the prize ball payout unit 100, and the motor 141d in the prize ball payout unit 100 executes the payout of the game ball. Further, as the motor 141d rotates, the camshaft rotates and game balls are paid out one by one. The game balls that have been paid out are detected by a count sensor 143 that is continuously provided downstream of the prize ball payout unit 100. The lower part of the figure schematically shows a rotor position confirmation sensor (dispensing motor sensor) 150 and a rotating body (sprocket) 141 (an example). The rotor position confirmation sensor 150 has a pair of measurement units, and is a photosensor that detects an object between the measurement units by projecting and receiving light. Here, the pair of measuring units is a light projecting unit that projects light and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light projecting unit, and is disposed with the rotation confirmation member 141c interposed therebetween. Here, the rotation confirmation member 141c has six recesses formed along the circumference, and is turned off when the rotation confirmation member 141c is interposed between the light projecting part and the light receiving part. When the rotation confirmation member 141c is not interposed between the light projecting part and the light receiving part, it is turned on.

<< Contents of commands and information sent and received >>
Next, the contents of commands and information transmitted and received between the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, a command (prize ball payout command) from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 230 is configured in units of 2 bytes, and is transmitted serially in units of 1 byte. Similarly, information from the payout control board 230 to the main control board 200 (prize ball payout command correspondence information) is also configured in units of 2 bytes, and is transmitted serially in units of 1 byte.

  First, a prize ball payout command transmitted from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 230 will be described. First, the first transmission command includes first command identification information, operation status on the main control board 200 side, and information on the number of prize balls. Specifically, bits 7 to 6 (the first and second bits) are fixed to “10” (identification information that the command is the first command). Next, bits 5 to 4 (upper third and fourth bits) relate to the operating status on the main control board 200 side, and “00” is operating normally (the status where no abnormality has occurred after power-on). “01” means when the power is turned on and the RAM contents on the main control board 200 side are cleared (initialized), and “10” means when the power is turned on and the main control is performed. This means that the RAM contents on the board 200 side have been restored (information backed up when the power is turned off), and “11” is in an abnormal state (a situation in which some abnormality has occurred after the power is turned on). Means. Next, bits 3 to 0 (lower 4 bits) relate to the number of prize balls. For example, 0 (0000B) means 0 prize balls and 15 (1111B) means 15 prize balls. It means that there is.

  On the other hand, the second command to be transmitted is the second command specifying information, manufacturer information on the manufacturer of the main control board 200 (the manufacturer of the board itself or the manufacturer of the program enclosed in the ROM), and the divided payout number. Consists of information. Specifically, bits 7 and 4 (upper and fourth bits) are fixed values of “0” and “1” (identification information indicating that the command is the second command). Next, bits 6 and 5 (higher 2nd and 3rd bits) are manufacturer information relating to the manufacturer of the main control board 200, and an identifier that differs for each manufacturer (in this example, “00” is manufacturer A = the main ("01" means manufacturer B, "10" means manufacturer C, and "11" means manufacturer D)) Assigned. Next, bits 3 to 0 (lower 4 bits) relate to the divided payout number (details will be described later). In the present embodiment, as will be described later, even when there is no prize ball to be paid out, at the timing when the first command transmission process is executed, the first command, which is zero prize balls, is on the payout control board 230 side. Always throw (for example, every scheduled interrupt processing). In this embodiment, the command relating to the number of divided payouts is added to the second transmission command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if it is added to the first transmission command, the first transmission command and the second transmission command are also included. May be configured to be transmitted to the payout control board as a separate command.

  Next, prize ball payout command correspondence information transmitted from the payout control board 230 to the main control board 200 will be described. First, the first transmission information is data obtained by inverting the first transmission command from the main control board 200 (for example, when the first transmission command from the main control board is “10101010”, the inverted data is “01010101”). On the other hand, the second information to be transmitted includes the second command correspondence information specifying information, the manufacturer information on the manufacturer of the payout control board 230 (the manufacturer of the board itself or the manufacturer of the program enclosed in the ROM), and the payout control. It consists of information related to the operating state on the substrate 230 side. Specifically, bit 7 (upper first bit) is fixed to “0” (identification information indicating that the information is second command correspondence information). Next, bits 6 and 5 (higher 2nd and 3rd bits) are manufacturer information related to the manufacturer of the main control board 200, and are different for each manufacturer (related to manufacturer information related to the manufacturer of the main control board 200 described above) Assigned). Next, bit 4 (the upper 4th bit) is used for fraud detection on the payout control board 230 side (for example, when more game balls are detected by the count sensor 143 than the number of game balls to be paid out). Such error information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as fraud detection error), “0” means that the event is not detected, and “1” means that the event is being detected. Next, bit 3 (the upper fifth bit) is error information (hereinafter referred to as a drive system error) related to an abnormal operation of the winning ball payout unit 100 (for example, when a failure of the count sensor 143 or the motor 141d is detected). “0” means that the event has not occurred, and “1” means that the event is occurring. Next, bit 2 (upper 6th bit) is error information (hereinafter referred to as a ball) when game balls are insufficiently stored in the gaming machine (for example, when game balls are not stored in a so-called ball tank or tank rail). “0” means that the event does not occur, and “1” means that the event is occurring. Next, bit 1 (the upper 7th bit) is error information (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a tray status) relating to the storage status of game balls in the tray (upper ball tray 14a, lower ball tray 14b). “0” means that the pan is not full, and “1” means that the pan is full. Next, bit 0 (the upper 8th bit) is operation state information relating to a game ball payout operation using the prize ball payout unit 100, and “0” means that a non-payout operation is in progress. , “1” means that the payout operation is in progress.

"processing"
Next, control processing executed in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts and table configuration diagrams of FIGS. 7 to 11 are flowcharts showing processing on the main control board 200 side. 12 to 16 are a flowchart and a table configuration diagram showing processing on the payout control board 230 side. Hereinafter, it will be described in order.

<Processing on the main control board>
First, FIG. 7 is a main flowchart showing a general processing flow performed by the main control board 200. After powering on the gaming machine, the process of FIG. That is, after turning on the power of the gaming machine, after initial setting (not shown, register initialization, input / output port setting, etc.), in step 1002, the main control board 200 displays a RAM clear button. The reset port (RAM clear button) of a power supply unit (not shown) has been operated, that is, an operation of intentionally clearing the contents of the RAM is performed by a game hall manager or the like. It is determined whether or not In the case of Yes in step 1002, in step 1004, the main control board 200 clears all the RAM contents on the main control board 200 side. Next, in step 1006, the information transmission control means MT executes a power-on command and a RAM clear command to execute a power-on command with RAM clear (a command related to the operation status, and a part of a power-on command to be described later). ) To the payout control board 230 side, and the process proceeds to step 1016. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 1002, in step 1008, the main control board 200 checks the contents of the RAM area in the main control board 200 (for example, stored in the checksum and the RAM area recorded at the time of power interruption). Comparison with the amount of information). Next, in step 1010, the main control board 200 determines whether or not the contents of the RAM are not normal based on the check result (whether or not the information at the time of power interruption is accurately backed up in the RAM). If YES in step 1010, that is, if the data backed up in the RAM is abnormal, the process proceeds to step 1004 (RAM clear process described above). On the other hand, if the data backed up to the RAM in Step 1010 is normal, that is, if the data backed up to the RAM is normal, the main control board 200 is stored (backed up) in the RAM of the main control board 200 in Step 1012. In step 1014, the information transmission control means MT acquires the information command, and the power-on command and the RAM restoration are executed. Is transmitted to the payout control board 230 side, and the process proceeds to step 1016.

  Here, the lower right part of the figure shows an example of the contents of the power-on command. As shown in the figure, in this example, in step 1006 or step 1014, a power-on command with RAM clear or a power-on command without RAM clear is transmitted to the payout control unit side as the command of the first transmission command. In this example, the power-on command with RAM clear and the power-on command without RAM clear are collectively referred to as a power-on command. Further, in the power-on command with RAM clear, the command content corresponding to the operation status “A” is “power-on + when RAM is cleared”, while on the other hand, the power-on command without RAM clear is the operation status. The command content corresponding to “A” is “power-on + RAM restoration”.

  Next, in step 1016, the main control board 200 is triggered by a scheduled execution interrupt (for example, about every 1.5 ms) related to main processing on the main control board 200 side shown in FIG. However, in this example, the interrupt period is set to T) (as a result, when the execution scheduled interrupt timing is reached, (b) in FIG. 11 is executed), the process proceeds to step 1018. . After step 1018, main control board 200 repeatedly executes various random number update processing (for example, random number counter increment processing) until the next scheduled interrupt timing is reached.

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. The main control board 200 executes the process shown in FIG. 5B based on the interrupt request generated when the scheduled interrupt timing is reached. That is, when the scheduled interrupt period T is reached (for example, a software interrupt about every 4 ms), in step 1100, the main control board 200 controls the execution of a special game (so-called big hit game) and the main game symbol ( A game-related control process, which is a process related to control of fluctuations of so-called special symbols, is executed. Next, in step 1200, the main control board 200 executes an unpaid prize ball (before a prize ball payout command transmission) management process described later. Next, in step 1300, the main control board 200 executes a payout control board transmission control process described later. Next, in step 1400, the main control board 200 executes a payout control board reception control process described later. Next, in step 1500, the main control board 200 executes an error handling control process, which will be described later, and returns to the process executed immediately before the execution of this interrupt process.

  Next, NMI interrupt processing will be described. As described above, the main control board 200 is configured such that the power interruption signal from the reset IC is input to the NMI terminal of the CPU, and the processing of FIG. Is done. That is, when the gaming machine is powered off (NMI interrupt in this example), in step 1020, the main control board 200 sets power interruption information (for example, checksum) based on the information in the RAM area. Next, at step 1022, the main control board 200 prohibits writing to the RAM area, prohibits timer interrupt processing, and shifts to power-off waiting loop processing.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of unpaid prize ball (before prize ball payout command transmission) management processing according to the subroutine of step 1200 in FIG. First, at step 1205, the game side reception control means 1221 refers to the game side reception information temporary storage means 1221a, and whether or not a prize signal is received from any of the prize opening sensors S (S1, S2,...). Determine. In the case of Yes in Step 1205, in Step 1210, the game side reception control means 1221 temporarily stores the unpaid prize ball information related to the received winning signal in the unpaid prize ball information temporary storage means 1410 for the next processing ( The process proceeds to a payout control board transmission control process in step 1300. Even in the case of No in step 1205, the processing shifts to the next processing (anti-payout control board transmission control processing in step 1300).

  Next, FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the payout control board transmission control process according to the subroutine of step 1300 of FIG. First, in step 1305, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 refers to the input port of the second line (a line for transmitting an ONOFF signal relating to whether or not a prize ball is being paid out), and determines whether or not the payout signal is OFF. That is, it is determined whether or not a payout is not currently being executed. In the case of Yes in step 1305, in step 1310, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 refers to the unpaid prize ball information temporary storage means 1410, and makes an unpaid prize ball (still a prize ball payout command to the payout control board 230 side. It is determined whether there is a prize ball that has not been transmitted. In the case of Yes in step 1310, in step 1315, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 refers to the error flag temporary storage means 1511, and a prize ball payout-related error (for example, an error that is inappropriate for paying a prize ball) (for example, It is determined whether or not an error relating to a failure of the payout motor, an upper pan full, a ball out error, etc. has occurred. In the case of Yes in step 1315, in step 1320, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 stores the unpaid prize ball information in the order in which the current payout process is executed, which is temporarily stored in the unpaid prize ball information temporary storage means 1410. Are set in the transmission command temporary storage means 1211a. In step 1325, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 deletes the unpaid prize ball information corresponding to the currently set prize ball payout command from the unpaid prize ball information temporary storage means 1410, and shifts the subsequent information. Execute the process. Next, in step 1330, the payout control side transmission control means 1211 transmits the prize ball payout command set in the transmission command temporary storage means 1211a to the payout control board 230 side for the next process (the payout control board in step 1400). (Receive control processing). In addition, also in the case of No in step 1305, step 1310, and step 1315, the process proceeds to the next process (the payout control board reception control process in step 1400).

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the payout control board reception control process according to the subroutine of step 1400 of FIG. First, in step 1405, the payout control side reception control means 1122 refers to the payout control side received information temporary storage means 1122a, and determines whether or not payout related information has been received. Here, in the case of Yes in step 1405, in step 1410, the error control unit 1500 determines whether or not error information (out of ball error, upper plate full tank error, other payout related errors) exists in the received payout related information. Determine whether. In the case of Yes in step 1410, in step 1415, the error control unit 1500 accesses the error flag temporary storage unit 1511 and turns on the error flag related to the corresponding error, thereby error information on the payout control board 230 side. Are also managed (unified management) on the main control board 200 side. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 1410, in step 1420, the error control unit 1500 accesses the error flag temporary storage unit 1511 and turns off the error flag related to the error on the payout control board 230 side. In step 1425, the transmission / reception control unit 1200 determines whether or not prize ball payout completion information exists in the received payout related information. In the case of Yes in step 1425, in step 1430, the transmission / reception control means 1200 clears the prize ball payout command (the prize ball payout command related to the completion of the current payout) set in the transmission command temporary storage means 1211a. The process shifts to an error handling control process in step 1500. In addition, also in the case of No in step 1405 and step 1425, the process proceeds to the next process (control process for handling an error in step 1500).

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the error handling control process related to the subroutine of step 1500 in FIG. First, in step 1505, the error control unit 1500 refers to the error flag temporary storage unit 1511 to determine whether an error has occurred. In the case of Yes in step 1505, in step 1510, the error control unit 1500 determines whether or not the generated error is an important error (for example, a full bowl error with a high risk of fraud). In the case of Yes in step 1510, in step 1515, the error control means 1500 transmits error information corresponding to the error that has occurred this time to the hall computer via the external output terminal board 39, immediately before execution of this interrupt processing. Return to the process that was being executed. Even in the case of No in step 1505 or step 1510, the process returns to the process executed immediately before the execution of this interrupt process.

  Next, processing on the payout control board 230 side will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts and table configuration diagrams of FIGS.

  First, FIG. 12 is a main flowchart showing the flow of general processing performed by the payout control board 230. After powering on the gaming machine, the process of FIG. That is, after the game machine is turned on and initialized, in step 2002, the power-on command non-reception error control means 3275 displays a power-on command (power-on command with RAM clear or RAM clear at the status display unit 130). (None power-on command) An error display related to non-reception (in this example, “A” is displayed and the details will be described later) is executed, and the process proceeds to step 2004. Next, in step 2004, the power-on command non-reception error control means 3275 refers to the main-side received information temporary storage means 3111a, and from the main side, a power-on command (power-on command with RAM clear or power-on command without RAM clear). ) Is received. If Yes in Step 2004, the process proceeds to Step 2006. If No, the process returns to Step 2002, and the processes in Step 2002 and Step 2004 are repeated until the power-on command is received.

  Next, in step 2006, the power-on command non-reception error control means 3275 receives the power-on command, so that an error display related to the power-on command not received displayed in the status display unit 130 (in this example, , “A” is displayed). Next, in step 2008, the power-on command not received error control means 3275 determines whether or not the power-on command received from the main side is a power-on command with RAM clear. In the case of Yes in step 2008, in step 2010, the payout control board 230 clears all the RAM contents on the payout control board 230 side. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2008, in step 2012, the payout control board 230 checks the contents of the RAM area in the payout control board 230 (for example, stored in the checksum and RAM area recorded at the time of power interruption). Comparison with the amount of information). Next, in step 2014, the payout control board 230 determines whether or not the contents of the RAM are not normal based on the check result (whether or not the information at the time of power interruption is accurately backed up in the RAM). If YES in step 2014, that is, if the data backed up in the RAM is abnormal, the process proceeds to step 2010 (RAM clear process described above). On the other hand, if NO in step 2014, that is, if the data backed up in the RAM is normal, the process proceeds to step 2016. Next, in step 2016, the payout control board 230 is triggered by a scheduled execution interrupt (for example, a software interrupt about every 1 ms, for example) related to the main process on the payout control board 230 side shown in FIG. However, in this example, the interrupt cycle is T ′, where T ′ is shorter than the timer interrupt cycle T of the main control board) (as a result, the execution scheduled interrupt timing is reached) Sometimes (b) will be executed}. After step 2016, main control board 200 repeatedly executes various random number update processing (for example, random number counter increment processing) until the next scheduled interrupt timing is reached.

  Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. The payout control board 230 executes the process shown in FIG. 5B based on the interrupt request generated when the scheduled interrupt timing is reached. That is, when the scheduled interrupt period T is reached (for example, a hardware interrupt about every 1.5 ms), in step 2100, the payout control board 230 executes an error control process when detecting a payout stop abnormality, which will be described later. To do. Next, in step 2200, the payout control board 230 executes an error display control process, which will be described later. Next, in step 2300, the payout control board 230 executes payout command correspondence information transmission processing, which will be described later, and returns to the processing executed immediately before the execution of this interrupt processing.

  Next, NMI interrupt processing will be described. As described above, the payout control board 230 is configured such that the power interruption signal from the reset IC is input to the NMI terminal of the CPU, and the processing of FIG. Is done. That is, when the gaming machine is powered off (NMI interrupt in this example), in step 2020, the payout control board 230 sets power interruption information (for example, checksum) based on the information in the RAM area. Next, in step 2022, the payout control board 230 prohibits writing to the RAM area, prohibits timer interrupt processing, and shifts to power-off waiting loop processing.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of error control processing at the time of detecting a required payout abnormality according to the subroutine of step 2100 of FIG. First, the purpose of this process is to turn on a flag indicating the occurrence of an error when a fatal abnormality related to the continuation of the prize ball payout process is detected, and The award ball payout process cannot be continued until the abnormality is resolved. Here, the fatal abnormality related to the continuation of the prize ball payout process includes a communication error between the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230, a communication error between the card unit C and the payout control board 230, and a sensor of the count sensor 143. Abnormality, tray (ball tray) fullness abnormality, etc. may be mentioned. The flow of processing when each error occurs will be described below. Specific examples of error occurrence conditions are summarized in the “Status” column in “Detailed description of error type” in FIG.

  First, in step 2102, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a communication abnormality between the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230 has been detected. If Yes in step 2102, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns on the communication error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 in step 2104, and proceeds to step 2108. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2102, in step 2106, the payout stop abnormality detection time error control means 3270 turns off the communication error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and proceeds to step 2108. Next, in step 2108, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a sensor abnormality of the count sensor 143 has been detected. If YES in step 2108, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns on the prize ball device error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 in step 2110, and proceeds to step 2114. On the other hand, if No in step 2108, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the prize ball device error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 in step 2112, and the process proceeds to step 2114. Next, at step 2114, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a tray (ball tray) full tank abnormality has been detected. If Yes in step 2114, the error control means 3270 upon detection of required payout stop abnormality turns on the saucer full tank error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 in step 2116, and the process proceeds to step 2116. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2114, in step 2118, the error control means 3270 upon detection of required payout stop abnormality turns off the saucer full tank error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2120. Next, in step 2120, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a card unit C connection abnormality is detected. In the case of Yes in step 2120, in step 2122, the error control unit 3270 upon detection of required payout stop abnormality turns on the CR unit unconnected error flag in the error flag temporary storage unit 3221, and proceeds to step 2126. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2120, in step 2124, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the CR unit unconnected error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and proceeds to step 2126.

  Next, at step 2126, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not an excessive payout abnormality is detected. In the case of Yes in step 2126, in step 2128, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns on the excessive payout error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2132. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2126, in step 2130, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the excessive payout error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and proceeds to step 2132. Next, in step 2132, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a payout motor operation abnormality is detected. In the case of Yes in step 2132, in step 2134, the payout stop abnormality detection time error control means 3270 turns on the payout motor operation error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2138. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2132, in step 2136, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the payout motor operation error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2138.

  Next, in step 2138, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a payout motor sensor abnormality is detected. In the case of Yes in step 2138, in step 2140, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns on the payout motor sensor error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2144. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2138, in step 2142, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the payout motor sensor error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and proceeds to step 2144. Next, in step 2144, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 determines whether or not a ball path abnormality is detected. In the case of Yes in step 2144, in step 2146, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns on the ball path error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221, and proceeds to step 2150. On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2144, in step 2148, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 turns off the ball path error flag in the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and proceeds to step 2150.

  Next, in step 2150, the payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 refers to the error flag temporary storage means 3221 to refer to the communication error flag, prize ball device error flag, saucer full tank error flag, CR unit unconnected error. It is determined whether all error flags of the flag, the payout excessive error flag, the payout motor operation error flag, the payout sensor error flag, and the ball path error flag are off. In the case of Yes in step 2150, in step 2150, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 executes a normal payout operation in the payout control means 3300, and shifts to the next process (process of step 2200). On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2150, in step 2154, the required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3270 forcibly suspends the payout operation in the payout control means 3300 and proceeds to the next process (process of step 2200). Transition.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart of error display control processing according to the subroutine of step 2200 in FIG. First, the purpose of this process is to execute error display sequentially according to a predetermined priority order of error display when any error flag is turned on in the error control process at the time of abnormality detection in step 2100. is there. Here, in the present embodiment, error display is executed by making full use of the status display unit 130. The status display unit 130 is provided with one 7-segment display, and the 7-segment display is displayed. On the vessel, only one type of error display mode can be displayed simultaneously (see FIG. 15). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of errors may occur at the same time. In this process, a process for monitoring whether or not an arbitrary error flag is turned on is executed, and when it is detected that an arbitrary error flag is turned on, a predetermined error display priority is set. Among the ranks, the highest priority is set as an initial value in the subsequent repetitive processing so that error display is tried sequentially from the error set to the highest priority (rank 1 in this example).

  First, in step 2202, the error display control means 3600 determines whether or not the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610 is zero. Here, the case where the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610 is set to 0 means that (1) all error flags are off, (2) any error flag is on, and When the error display from the error set to the highest priority (rank 1 in this example) to the error set to the lowest priority (rank 8 in this example) is executed according to the priority, (3) When there is a change in various error flag states (details will be described later). That is, when a numerical value other than 0 is set in the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610, it means that an error display process corresponding to the priority order indicated by the numerical value is being executed. ing. In the case of Yes in Step 2202, in Step 2204, the error display control means 3600 refers to the error flag temporary storage means 3221 and refers to the above-mentioned error flags (communication error flag, prize ball device error flag, pan full error flag, CR It is determined whether any one of a unit unconnected error flag, a payout excess error flag, a payout motor operation error flag, a payout sensor error flag, and a ball path error flag is on. In the case of Yes in step 2204, in step 2206, the error display control means 3600 sets a value (1 in this example) that is the highest priority of error display to the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610. To do. Next, in step 2208, the error display control unit 3600 refers to the error flag temporary storage unit 3221, temporarily stores various current error flag states in the error flag state monitoring information temporary storage unit 3641, and proceeds to step 2216. . Note that if the result is No in step 2204, the process proceeds to step 2216.

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2202, in step 2210, the error display control unit 3600 displays various error flag states in the error flag temporary storage unit 3221 and various error flag states in the error flag state monitoring information temporary storage unit 3641. The comparison is made to determine whether there is a change in various error flag states (that is, whether there is an error flag that has been switched from on to off or from off to on). In the case of Yes in step 2210, in step 2212, the error display control unit 3600 ends the error display being executed in the status display unit 130. Next, in step 2214, the error display control unit 3600 sets 0 to the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610, and proceeds to step 2216. Note that if the answer is No in Step 2210, the process proceeds to Step 2216. As described above, when there is a change in the above-described (3) various error flag states, the error display process currently being executed is temporarily terminated and newly set to the highest priority (rank 1 in this example). The error display from the given error to the error defined in the lowest priority (rank 8 in this example) is executed once again according to the priority.

  Next, in step 2216, the error display control means 3600 determines whether or not the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610 is not zero. In the case of Yes in step 2216, in step 2218, the error display control unit 3600 refers to the error display content determination reference table 3620 based on the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610 and acquires the error type. At the same time, it is determined whether or not an error display corresponding to the error type is not executed. In the case of Yes in step 2218, in step 2220, the error display control means 3600 refers to the error display content determination reference table 3620 based on the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610 and acquires the error type. Then, the error flag temporary storage means 3221 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the error flag corresponding to the error type is on. In the case of Yes in step 2220, in step 2222, the error display control means 3600 refers to the error display content determination reference table 3620 on the basis of the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610, and acquires the error display mode. In addition, the error display mode is displayed on the status display unit 130. Next, in step 2224, the error display control means 3600 refers to the error display content determination reference table 3620 based on the counter value of the error display priority counter (EC) 3610, and displays the base display time (all in this example). And the obtained time value is set in the error display time timer 3630. In step 2226, the error display control means 3600 starts (counts down) the error display time timer 3630, and proceeds to the next process (process in step 2300).

  On the other hand, in the case of No in Step 2220, in Step 2228, the error display control means 3600 adds (increments) 1 to the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610. Next, in step 2230, the error display control means 3600 determines whether or not the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610 exceeds the maximum number of error display priority orders (8 in this example). In other words, it is determined whether or not the error display processing up to the lowest priority among the error display priorities predetermined in the error display content determination reference table 3620 has been executed. In the case of Yes in step 2230, in step 2232, the error display control means 3600 sets 0 in the counter value of the error display priority order counter (EC) 3610, and proceeds to the next processing (processing in step 2300). Even in the case of No in step 2230, the process proceeds to the next process (the process in step 2300).

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2218, in step 2234, the error display control means 3600 determines whether the timer value of the error display time timer 3630 is 0 (that is, whether the base display time set in step 2224 has elapsed). Or not). In the case of Yes in step 2234, in step 2238, the error display control unit 3600 ends the error display displayed on the status display unit 130, and proceeds to step 2228. In the case of No in step 2234 or step 2216, the processing proceeds to the next processing (processing in step 2300).

  Next, FIG. 15 shows an example of the error display content determination reference table 3620 and a detailed description of the error type. First, as shown in the table on the left side of the figure, the error display content determination reference table 3620 has an error display priority, an error type, a base display time, and an error display mode. Based on this, the error type, base display time, and error display mode are uniquely determined. Here, the error display priority is a value that is predetermined in comparison with the importance of the error that has occurred, except for the power-on command unreceived error, from the highest priority “1” to the lowest priority. Numerical values up to a certain “8” are assigned. The error types correspond to various error flags described later, except for power-on command unreceived errors, and the same error name is assigned to the same type of error. In this embodiment, the base display time is the same time (1 second) regardless of the error display priority, but is not limited to this, and the base display time increases as the error display priority increases. You may comprise so that the time value of may become long. In addition, when a power-on command non-reception error occurs, the status display unit 130 displays the power-on command non-reception error with the highest priority regardless of whether an error other than the power-on command non-reception error has occurred. A mode (display of “A” in this example) is displayed (see step 2002 and step 2004 in FIG. 12). For the power-on command non-reception error, the base display time is not provided, and the display mode related to the power-on command non-reception error (in this example, “ A ") will continue to be displayed. Further, the table on the right side of the figure is a detailed description of the error type, and as described above, the error generation condition and the error cancellation condition according to the error type can be different depending on the error type. If the power-on command unreceived error has the highest priority and priorities are set for other errors, there is no problem even if the type and number of error types are appropriately changed.

  Next, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of payout command correspondence information transmission processing according to the subroutine of step 2300 of FIG. First, in step 2302, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 determines whether or not the payout control board 230 is executing a payout operation. In the case of Yes in step 2302, in step 2304, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 refers to the main side reception information temporary storage unit 3111a and determines whether or not a prize ball payout command has been received from the main side. In the case of Yes in step 2304, in step 2306, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 refers to the main-side received information temporary storage unit 3111a and determines whether the most significant bit is “1” (or the upper and lower 1 bits are It is determined whether or not the command received from the main control board 200 side is the first command. In the case of Yes in step 2306, in step 2308, the transmission / reception control means 3100 refers to the main-side received information temporary storage means 3111a, and from the main side, a power-on command (power-on command with RAM clear or power-on command without RAM clear) Is received. In the case of Yes in step 2308, in step 2310, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 executes an error display (display of “1” in this example) related to a communication error on the status display unit 130, and the process proceeds to step 2312. On the other hand, also in the case of No in step 2308, the process proceeds to step 2312. If an error display related to a communication error is executed in step 2310, the payout control board 230 side stops the operation until the power interruption is restored.

  Next, in step 2312, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 transmits the information temporarily stored in the main-side received information temporary storage unit 3111a to the main control board 200 side (for example, the information obtained by copying the information is subjected to main control). Transmitted to the substrate 200 side). Next, in step 2314, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 stores the received contents (upper fourth and fifth bits) related to the operation status on the main control board 200 side in the main side received information temporary storage unit 3111a in the buffer A (not shown). Store. Next, in step 2316, the transmission / reception control means 3100 uses the buffer C (not shown) based on the information temporarily stored in the main-side received information temporary storage means 3111a (particularly, bits 3 to 0 which are the lower 4 bits). The received content related to the prize ball number information is stored in, and the process returns to the process executed immediately before the execution of this interrupt process.

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2306, in step 2318, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 has the upper 1 bit of the command temporarily stored in the main side received information temporary storage unit 3111a being “0” and the upper 4 bits. Is “1”, that is, whether the command received from the main control board 200 this time is the second command is determined. In the case of Yes in step 2318, in step 2320, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 acquires manufacturer information relating to the manufacturer on the payout control board 230 side. The manufacturer information is stored as a fixed value when the payout control board 230 is manufactured (in this example, “00” = manufacturer A company, “01” = manufacturer B company, “10” = manufacturer C company, “11 "= Any one of the manufacturers D is stored based on the manufacturer). Next, in step 2322, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 determines whether or not the upper second and third bits (second command) match the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the payout control board 230. Here, in the information transmitted from the main control board 200 side, the upper 2nd and 3rd bits (second command) mean an identifier related to the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the main control board 200. It is supplemented that the determination process determines whether or not the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the payout control board 230 is the same as the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the main control board 200. In the case of Yes in step 2322, in step 2324, the payout control means 3300 sets the divided payout number in the divided number storage area based on the lower 4 bits of the command temporarily stored in the main side received information temporary storage means 3111a. To do. Here, the number of divided payouts is a game ball paid out by driving the motor 141d once. For example, when the number of prize balls is 15 and the number of divided payouts is 5, 5 payouts are executed 3 times. As a result, the game ball (driven by the motor three times) is paid out. Next, in step 2326, the payout control means 3300 temporarily stores (transfers) the contents of the buffer A in the storage area for the main-side operation status information. Next, in step 2328, the payout control means 3300 sets the number of prize balls in the payout counter 3312 based on the contents of the buffer C (contents relating to the number of prize balls). Next, in step 2330, the payout control board 230 clears the buffer A and the buffer C, and proceeds to step 2334.

  On the other hand, in the case of No in step 2318 or step 2322, in step 2332, the payout control means 3300 executes the handling process related to the communication error (for example, the process related to the payout control is canceled and the process related to communication with the card unit). And the process proceeds to Step 2334. To supplement this point, the processing of step 2318 is a determination processing for checking the consistency of information transmitted from the main control board 200 side, and is a processing that is customary in conventional gaming machines. On the other hand, the process of step 2322 is a process unique to the present embodiment, and is a determination process for checking the identity of the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the payout control board 230 and the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the main control board 200. is there. In this example, in the case of No in step 2322 (when the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the main control board 200 and the manufacturer information that is the manufacturer of the payout control board 230 do not match), the communication is immediately performed in step 2332. Although the error setting process is configured to be executed, the present invention is not limited to this. In that case, the event that becomes No in step 2322 may be a predetermined number of times (for example, three times, and the number of times may be a continuous number of times (if the number is not No in step 2322, the number is reset). The cumulative number of times (the number of times may not be reset until the power is turned off) may be generated. In the event of occurrence, a communication error setting process according to step 2332 may be executed, or two normal commands ( A communication error related to step 2332 due to the elapsed time from the reception of the first transmission command, the second transmission command) to the reception of the next two normal commands for two commands exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 100 ms). May be configured to execute the set process (in the case of No in S2322 the main control group is determined based on the determination that the command is not normal). Timer starts to measure the time of receiving the normal 2 command 200 is not cleared, the timer value is a communication error by reaching a predetermined time).

  Next, in step 2334, the payout control means 3300 prior to the transmission of the confirmation information to the main control board 200 side, the operation status on the payout control board 230 side (in this example, the occurrence status of fraud detection error, drive system error) Occurrence status, occurrence status of ball shortage system error, ball path status, saucer status, operation status related to payout operation, etc.). Next, in step 2336, the transmission / reception control unit 3100 has acquired the confirmation information to the main control board 200 side, the most significant bit is a fixed value (“0”), and the second and third bits are acquired in step 2320. Information on the contents of the manufacturer information of the manufacturer of the payout control board 230 and the information related to the acquired operation status on the payout control board 230 side is transmitted. Next, in step 2338, the payout control means 3300 starts payout operation based on the number of prize balls set in the payout counter 3312 and the divided payout number set in the divided number storage area, and executes this interrupt process. Return to the process that was executed immediately before. Even in the case of No in step 2302 or step 2304, the process returns to the process executed immediately before the execution of this interrupt process.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, when an error relating to a game ball payout operation occurs, error information is output based on a predetermined error information output priority order. Therefore, when multiple types of errors occur in duplicate, it is possible to preferentially report errors that have a high degree of importance, and serious errors that require early resolution are required. There is an effect that the occurrence of an error can be quickly notified. Further, since the error information is configured to be switched and displayed, there is also an effect that it is possible to display even an error having a low importance level. In addition, when a top-priority error (in this example, a power-on command not received error) occurs, regardless of the type of error that has occurred and the priority of the error that has occurred, By configuring so that the display mode (in this example, “A” is displayed) is always displayed (the error information is not switched and displayed), the priority of error cancellation is assigned to the hall staff of the game hall for the highest priority error. Etc. can be clearly notified.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the present embodiment, in the event that any error information is output and a further error related to the game ball payout operation occurs, error notification is immediately started. {For example, a communication error (priority is “1”) and a ball path error (priority is “5”) have occurred, and an error display related to the ball path error (display of “5”) is executed. If a pan full error (priority is “4”) occurs at the specified timing, the communication error with the highest priority is displayed and displayed in the order of communication error → pan full error → ball path error} By configuring, even if the error occurrence status changes (even if the number of generated errors increases or decreases), it is possible to report from the error with the highest priority. The display mode of the error in the status display unit is not limited to this. For example, when another error occurs during the display of a certain error, the priority order of the other error is higher than the certain error. If the error is higher, the display related to the other error is executed. On the other hand, if the priority of the other error is lower than the certain error, the error display being executed is continuously displayed. You may comprise so that the display of the said other error may be performed after the display of the said certain error is complete | finished.

  In the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, when a power-on command non-reception error that is the highest priority occurs during the occurrence of a certain error with priority, the status display unit 130 An error display (in this example, “A” is displayed) related to a throwing command non-reception error is executed, and all error flags (in this example, a communication error flag, a prize ball device error flag, a saucer) Full tank error flag, CR unit unconnected error flag, payout excess error flag, payout motor operation error flag, payout sensor error flag, ball path error flag) are turned off, but the timing when the power-on command not received error has been resolved If an error with a certain priority order that occurred when the power was turned off has not been resolved, Error flag relating to that error by turned on, so that the error indication relating to the certain error is executed.

200 main control board, 1100 game control means 1200 transmission / reception control means, 1210 transmission control means 1211 payout control side transmission control means, 1211a transmission command temporary storage means 1220 reception control means, 1221 game side reception control means 1221a game side reception information temporary storage Means 1122 payout control side reception control means 1122a payout control side received information temporary storage means 1400 processing related information temporary storage means 1410 unpaid award ball information temporary storage means 1500 error control means 1510 abnormality notification control means 1511 error flag temporary Storage means 230 Delivery control board, 3100 Transmission / reception control means 3110 Reception control means, 3111 Main side reception control means 3111a Main side received information temporary storage means, 3120 Transmission control means 3121 Delivery related error information temporary storage means, 320 Error control means 3221 Error flag temporary storage means, 3230 Discharge motor abnormality detection error control means 3231 Unauthorized payout accumulation counter, 3240 Discharge abnormality detection error control means 3241 Excess payout accumulation counter, 3250 Error detection means 3251 when ball path abnormality is detected Interval extension control means, 3260 payout motor abnormality detection error control means 3261 retry control means, 3270 required payout stop abnormality detection error control means 3300 payout control means, 3310 payout processing related information temporary storage means 3311 payout state flag temporary storage means, 3312 Dispensing counter 3313 Step counter temporary storage means, 3314 Excitation stator position specifying counter value temporary storage means 3315 Ball passing waiting timer, 3317 Unit payout counter 3600 Error display control means, 3610 Error display priority order counter 3620 Error display content determination reference table, 3630 Error display time timer 100 Prize ball payout unit, 141d Motor 143 Count sensor, 150 Rotor position confirmation sensor

Claims (1)

An error information display section capable of displaying error information;
An error detection means for detecting an error;
An error holding means for holding an error detected by the error detecting means;
An error canceling means for canceling an error held by the error holding means when a predetermined release condition is satisfied,
As the types of errors, there are a plurality of types of errors including at least a specific type error and a predetermined type error other than the specific type error, and the specific type error and the predetermined type error are detected by an error detection unit. The conditions are different,
In the error information display section, only one of the specific type error and the predetermined type error can be displayed as error information, and the specific type error is held regardless of whether or not the predetermined type error is held. In the case, the error information related to the specific type error is preferentially displayed until the predetermined release condition related to the held specific type error is satisfied,
The predetermined type error has a plurality of types of errors, the conditions for detecting the plurality of types of errors by the error detection means are different, and a plurality of types of errors among the plurality of types of errors are held simultaneously. In the error information display unit, only one of the plurality of types of errors can be displayed as error information, and when displaying the error information, the plurality of types of errors can be displayed. It is configured to display in order from the highest display priority assigned in advance to each of the errors,
When there is a change in the type of the predetermined type error held by the error holding means, the display is performed sequentially from the one with the highest display priority based on the type of the predetermined type error held before the change. Even in the middle of the game, the game machine is configured to sequentially display again from the one with the highest display priority order based on the type of the predetermined type error held after the change.

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