JP2017148665A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of optimally suppressing a fraud intentionally blocking a smooth flow of game balls in a game area.SOLUTION: A game board 24 includes an out hole 37, and game balls not entering any of a general winning hole 31, a variable winning device, an upper actuation hole 33, and a lower actuation hole 34 are discharged via the out hole 37 to a back face side of the game board 24. The game balls discharged to the back face side of the game board 24, including game balls passing through the out hole 37 are detected by a discharge detection sensor 89. A detection result of the discharge detection sensor 89 is output to a main control device, and the main control device measures the number of game balls discharged from a pachinko machine 10 by using the detection result of the discharge detection sensor 89. In that case, when a period when the discharge detection sensor 89 is put in the detection state is a prescribed period or more, a notification representing that it is a discharge error state is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 34

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Pachinko machines are known as a kind of gaming machine. Specifically, the pachinko machine has a game board in which a game area in which game balls flow down is formed, and the game board is provided with a plurality of entrance parts into which game balls flowing down the game area can enter. ing. When a game ball enters the ball entry part, a privilege such as payout of the game ball or execution of an internal lottery is given to the player. In addition, the game ball that has entered the entrance part is discharged to the back side of the game board. In addition, the game board is provided with a discharge unit for discharging game balls that have not entered any of the entry units to the outside of the game area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-6412

  Here, in the pachinko machine such as the above-described example, an illegal act that intentionally inhibits the smooth flow of the game ball in the game area is assumed, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances and the like, and provides a gaming machine capable of suitably suppressing fraudulent acts that intentionally inhibit the smooth flow of game balls in a game area. It is intended.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a game board in which a game area is formed,
A bonus entry part that is provided on the game board and generates a bonus when a game ball flowing down the game area enters,
A discharge unit for discharging game balls from the game area;
A discharge detection means capable of detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge unit or a game ball flowing down toward the discharge unit;
A ball entry specifying means for specifying that a game ball has entered the bonus ball entry part;
Based on the fact that the entry of the game ball to the bonus entry part is specified by the entry specifying unit when the state in which the discharge detection unit is in the non-detection state continues for a predetermined period or more, Special processing execution means for executing special processing;
It is characterized by having.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to suppress suitably the fraud which intentionally inhibits the smooth flow of the game ball in a game area.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. (A), (b) It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the display content on the display surface of a symbol display apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the channel | path structure formed inside the dispensing device. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a discharge channel | path part, (b) is a figure which expands and shows a part of Fig.7 (a). It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the various counters used for a success or failure lottery. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the normal process performed in main side MPU. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure regarding payout of a game ball. It is a flowchart which shows the input state monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the prize-winning monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball permission signal monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the output process for the payment performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball setting process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the ball rental setting process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the payout number setting process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the payout control process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the payout state setting process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball permission signal setting process performed in payout side MPU. It is the schematic for demonstrating the outline | summary of the electrical structure of the game hall in which many pachinko machines were installed. (A) It is a rear view of the pachinko machine which expands and shows an external terminal board and its periphery, (b) It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of an external terminal board. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge | emission monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the external output process for discharge performed by the main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the external output process for prize ball schedules performed by the main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the external output process of the payout side performed in payout side MPU. It is a timing chart which shows the mode of an external output. It is a flowchart which shows the external output process for the separate discharge performed with the main side MPU in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the payout side external output process performed in the payout side MPU in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process for individual output performed in payout side MPU. (A) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the discharge | emission detection sensor and its periphery in 4th Embodiment, (b) It is a figure which shows typically the lower side area | region of a game board. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge | emission monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the discharge | emission detection sensor and its periphery in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge | emission monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a figure which shows typically the lower area | region of the game board in 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge | emission monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the out ball | bowl monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a figure which shows typically the lower side area | region of the game board in 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the stop monitoring process performed in main side MPU.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing an unfolded main configuration of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 2, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting wooden plates to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a ball lending device (for example, CR unit) Y is provided on the side of the outer frame 11. A card insertion slot H is provided on the front side of the ball lending device Y so that a number of game balls corresponding to the amount stored in the card can be lent by inserting the card into the card insertion slot H. It has become. In addition, what is inserted into the ball lending device Y when receiving the lending of the game ball is not limited to the card, and may be cash or a coin in which cash information is stored.

  The gaming machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11. Specifically, the inner frame 13 can be rotated forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in front view.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side as a rotation base end side and the right side as a rotation front end side in a front view. It is said that. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a backpack unit 15 is rotatably supported on the inner frame 13, and when viewed from the front, the left side is the rotation base end side and the right side is the rotation front end side. It is possible to move.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotating tip, and the gaming machine main body 12 is locked to the outer frame 11 so that it cannot be opened. And has a function of locking the front door frame 14 to the inner frame 13 so that the front door frame 14 cannot be opened. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using the unlocking key on the cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

  Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine body 12 will be described.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed at the center of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and a game area formed on the front surface of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21.

  Here, the structure of the game board 24 is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board 24.

  The game board 24 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction by being subjected to router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, an upper operating port 33, a lower operating port 34, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a main display unit 43, an accessory display unit 44, and the like. ing.

  When a ball enters the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34, it is detected by a detection sensor (not shown) disposed on the back side of the game board 24, Based on the detection result, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this case, when a ball enters the upper working port 33 and when a ball enters the lower working port 34, the payout of three prize balls is executed. When it occurs, 10 prize balls are paid out, and when a prize is entered into the variable winning device 32, 15 prize balls are paid out. However, the number of these prize balls is arbitrary. For example, the number of prize balls in both the operation holes 33, 34 is larger than the number of prize balls in the lower action opening 34 than the number of prize balls in the upper action opening 33. It may be different. Further, the number of winning balls related to the variable winning device 32 is not limited to a configuration that is larger than the number of other winning balls, and may be configured to be smaller than the number of winning balls related to the general winning opening 31, for example.

  In addition, an out port 37 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 24, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area through the out port 37. In addition, the game board 24 is provided with a large number of nails 38 and various members such as a windmill in order to appropriately distribute and adjust the falling direction of the game ball.

  Here, the entry ball means that the game ball passes through a predetermined opening, and is not only a mode of being discharged from the game area after passing through the opening, but is discharged from the game area after passing through the opening. Embodiments that are not included are also included. However, in the following description, in order to clearly distinguish the game ball from entering the out port 37, the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, the lower operating port 34, or the through gate 35 are entered. The entry of a game ball is also expressed as a prize.

  The upper operating port 33 and the lower operating port 34 are unitized as an operating port device and are installed in the game board 24. Both the upper working port 33 and the lower working port 34 are opened upward. Further, both the operation ports 33 and 34 are arranged in the vertical direction so that the upper operation port 33 is on the upper side. The lower working port 34 is provided with an electric accessory 34a as a guide piece made up of a pair of left and right movable pieces.

  The electric combination 34a is connected to an electric combination driving unit 34b mounted on the back side of the game board 24, and is driven by the electric combination driving unit 34b and arranged in either a closed state or an open state. . In the closed state of the electric accessory 34a, the game ball cannot be won in the lower operation port 34, and when the electric accessory 34a is in the open state, it is possible to win the lower operation port 34.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is a motorized state in which a winning of a game ball to the lower working port 34 is likely to occur and a state in which a winning is less likely to occur than a state in which winning is not impossible but is likely to occur. It is good also as a structure by which the accessory 34a is switched. Further, the electric accessory 34a may be omitted, and switching between a state in which a winning is likely to occur and a state in which a winning is less likely to occur is performed by the displacement of the lower operation port 34 itself.

  The variable winning device 32 is provided with a large winning opening (not shown) that leads to the back side of the game board 24 and an open / close door 32a that opens and closes the large winning opening. The open / close door 32a is connected to a variable winning drive unit that is integrally provided as the variable winning device 32, and is driven by the variable winning drive unit to be placed in either a closed state or an open state. Specifically, the game ball is normally closed so that it cannot win, and the game ball can be switched to an open state in which the game ball can win when it is elected to shift to the opening / closing execution mode in the internal lottery. By the way, the opening / closing execution mode is a mode that is shifted to when a big win or a special loss occurs. Note that, in the closed state, winning may not be impossible, but it may be configured such that winning is less likely to occur than in the open state.

  In the main display unit 43, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning at the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34 as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the winning to the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34 is achieved. The result of the internal lottery performed based on the display is clearly shown. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, the winning to the upper working port 33 and the winning to the lower working port 34 are not distinguished in the internal lottery, and are performed based on the winning to the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34. The result of the internal lottery is displayed on the main display unit 43 which is a common display area. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34 is a winning result corresponding to the shift to the opening / closing execution mode, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the main display unit 43. After the display and the change display are stopped, the mode shifts to the opening / closing execution mode.

  The main display unit 43 is configured by a segment display in which a plurality of segment light emitting units are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this, and is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, You may be comprised by other types of display apparatuses, such as CRT or a dot matrix display. In addition, as a pattern variably displayed on the main display unit 43, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, or a plurality A configuration in which the color of the seed is switched and displayed can be considered.

  In the accessory display unit 44, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning to the through gate 35 as a trigger, and the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning to the through gate 35 is displayed as a result of stopping the variation display. Explicit by display. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the through gate 35 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the state where the electric role is opened, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the accessory display unit 44 and displayed in a variable manner. After is stopped, it shifts to the electric utility open state. In the electric combination open state, the electric combination 34a provided in the lower working port 34 is opened in a predetermined manner.

  The variable display unit 36 is provided with a symbol display device 41 for variably displaying a symbol which is a kind of symbol, and a center frame 42 is provided so as to surround the symbol display device 41. The symbol display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and display contents are controlled by a display control device described later. The symbol display device 41 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be another display device having a display screen such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT, and a dot matrix display. It may be a vessel.

  In the symbol display device 41, the variation display of the symbol is started based on winning in the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34. That is, when variable display is performed on the main display unit 43, variable display is performed on the symbol display device 41 accordingly.

  The display contents of the symbol display device 41 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the display surface G of the symbol display device 41.

  Although illustration is omitted, a symbol which is a kind of symbol is composed of nine types of main symbols each having numerals “1” to “9” and sub-patterns composed of shell-shaped symbols. . More specifically, the main symbols are configured by attaching numbers “1” to “9” to nine types of character symbols such as octopus.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, on the display surface G of the symbol display device 41, three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3 of an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage are set as a plurality of display areas. Each of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 includes a main symbol and a sub symbol arranged in a predetermined order. Specifically, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in descending order of numbers in the upper symbol row Z1, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. . In the lower symbol row Z3, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in ascending numerical order, and one sub symbol is arranged between the main symbols.

  That is, the upper symbol row Z1 and the lower symbol row Z3 are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the middle symbol row Z2, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in ascending numerical order, and then between the main symbol “9” and the main symbol “1”. In addition, a main symbol “4” is additionally arranged, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In other words, only the middle symbol row Z2 is composed of 20 symbols by arranging 10 main symbols.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, on the display surface G, three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol row, and as a result, a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3 are stopped and displayed. It is like that. On the display surface G, five effective lines, that is, a left line L1, a middle line L2, a right line L3, a right lowering line L4, and a right uppering line L5 are set.

  When a game-turning effect is performed on the display surface G based on winning at the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34, the symbols in the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are scrolled in a predetermined direction with periodicity. The variable display is started. Then, the display is switched from the variable display to the standby display in the order of the upper symbol row Z1 → the lower symbol row Z3 → the middle symbol row Z2, and finally the game is used in a state where a predetermined symbol is statically displayed in each of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3. The production of is ended.

  In addition, when the effect for the game round ends, if it is a game round corresponding to the occurrence of a highly accurate big hit result, which will be described later, a combination of symbols in which the same odd number is attached to any active line is formed. In the game times corresponding to the occurrence of a low probability winning result to be described later, a combination of symbols in which the same even number is attached to any one of the active lines is formed. The contents of each jackpot result will be described later.

  In addition, based on the winning in one of the operation ports 33 and 34, the main display unit 43 and the symbol display device 41 start the variable display, until a predetermined stop result is displayed and the variable display is stopped. It corresponds to one game time.

  Further, the variation display mode of the symbol in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above, and is arbitrary, such as the number of symbol columns, the direction of symbol variation display in the symbol column, the number of symbols in each symbol column, etc. Can be appropriately changed. Also, the pattern that is variably displayed on the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above-described pattern, and for example, only numbers may be variably displayed as the pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first holding lamp portion 45 corresponding to the main display portion 43 and the symbol display device 41 is provided in the upper left portion on the front side of the center frame 42. A maximum of four game balls won in the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34 are reserved, and the number of reservations is displayed when the first reservation lamp unit 45 is turned on.

  In the upper right portion of the center frame 42, a second holding lamp portion 46 corresponding to the accessory display portion 44 is provided. The number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 35 is held up to a maximum of 4 times, and the number of held balls is displayed when the second holding lamp unit 46 is turned on. In addition, it is good also as a structure by which the function of each holding | maintenance lamp | ramp part 45 and 46 is fulfill | performed by the display in the one part area | region of the symbol display apparatus 41. FIG.

  An inner rail portion 48 and an outer rail portion 49 are attached to the game board 24, and a guide rail is constituted by the inner rail portion 48 and the outer rail portion 49, and a game launched from the game ball launching mechanism 51. A ball is guided to the upper part of the game area. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball launching mechanism 51 is attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21, and is stored in a launch rail 52 extending toward the guide rail and an upper plate 61a described later. A ball feeding device 53 that supplies game balls onto the launch rail 52 and a solenoid 54 that is an electric actuator that launches the game balls supplied onto the launch rail 52 toward the guide rail are provided. By operating a firing handle 55 provided on the front door frame 14, the solenoid 54 is driven and controlled, and a game ball is launched.

  A front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 56 so that almost the entire gaming area can be viewed from the front. The window part 56 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 57 is fitted therein. The window panel 57 is colorless and transparent formed of glass, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed colorless and transparent of synthetic resin, and the game area is visually recognized through the window panel 57 from the front of the pachinko machine 10. If possible, it may be colored and transparent.

  Around the window portion 56, light emitting means such as various lamp portions are provided. A display lamp part 58 is provided above the window part 56 as a part of various lamp parts. In addition, on both the left and right sides of the display lamp unit 58, speaker units 59 for outputting sound effects according to the gaming state are provided.

  Below the window portion 56 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 61 and a lower bulging portion 62 bulging toward the front side are arranged in parallel. An upper plate 61 a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulging portion 61, and a lower plate 62 a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulging portion 62. The upper plate 61a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later and guiding them to the game ball launching mechanism 51 side while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 62a has a function of storing game balls that become surplus in the upper tray 61a.

  A ball lending operation device 65 is disposed in the upper bulging portion 61. The ball lending operation device 65 is provided with a ball lending button 66, a return button 67, and a frequency display unit 68. With the card or the like inserted into the ball lending device Y, the ball lending operation device 65 can check the ball lending operation, the card return operation, and the card frequency. That is, the ball lending button 66 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is paid out as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. The return button 67 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the ball lending apparatus Y. The frequency display unit 68 displays remaining amount information such as a card.

  Next, the configuration on the back side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24), a main control device 71 for controlling the main game, and voice and lamp display and a display control device (not shown) are controlled. A voice light emission control device 72 is mounted.

  In addition, you may provide the trace structure for giving the trace means for leaving the trace of the opening | release to the board | substrate box 71a of the main control apparatus 71, or leaving the trace of the open | release. As the trace means, a plurality of case bodies constituting the substrate box 71a are unseparably coupled, and a configuration of a coupling portion (caulking portion) that requires destruction of a predetermined part at the time of separation, or an adhesive layer is bonded when peeled off A configuration is conceivable in which a seal seal that leaves a trace of being peeled off by being left is attached so as to straddle the boundary between a plurality of case bodies. Moreover, as a trace structure, the structure which apply | coats an adhesive agent with respect to the boundary between the some case bodies which comprise the board | substrate box 71a can be considered. In addition, you may provide such a trace structure in the board | substrate box of the payout control apparatus 78 mentioned later.

  The back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13 including the main controller 71 and the sound emission controller 72. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 73 formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and a payout mechanism 74 and a control device assembly unit 75 are attached to the back pack 73.

  The payout mechanism unit 74 includes a tank 76 in which game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished, and a payout device 77 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 76. The configuration of the dispensing device 77 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a passage structure formed inside the dispensing device 77. In FIG. 6, a game ball flowing down inside the payout device 77 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In the housing 77a of the payout device 77, a game ball inlet 77b for taking in a game ball supplied from the tank 76 side is formed at the upper end thereof, and a game that has entered from the game ball inlet 77b inside is further formed. A game ball passage 77c for passing the ball is provided.

  The game ball passage 77c communicates with a game ball outlet 77d formed at the lower end of the housing 77a, and the game balls that have entered from the game ball inlet 77b flow down one by one toward the game ball outlet 77d. An accommodation portion having a passage width widened to the left and right is provided in an intermediate portion of the game ball passage 77c, and a rotating body 77e is accommodated in the accommodation portion. The center of the rotating body 77e is fixed to the output shaft 77f of the payout motor. Moreover, the recessed part 77g is formed in the periphery of the rotary body 77e at two places at intervals of 180 °. When the game ball flowing down the game ball passage 77c reaches the recess 77g of the rotator 77e, the game ball is led to the downstream side as the rotator 77e rotates.

  The payout motor is constituted by a stepping motor, and the output shaft 77f is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. The payout motor is driven and controlled by a payout control device 78 described later. In this case, when the payout motor is continuously driven at a normal speed while the game balls are continuously supplied from the tank 76 side, one game ball is paid out at a cycle of 30 msec.

  In the game ball passage 77c, a payout ball detection sensor 77h having a substantially flat plate shape is installed at a position downstream of the housing portion. The payout ball detection sensor 77h is configured by a known magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and converts the change in the magnetic field caused by the game ball passing through the through hole of the detection unit into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The payout ball detection sensor 77h is not limited to a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and may be any as long as it can detect a game ball. For example, a photo sensor or a limit sensor may be used. . The payout ball detection sensor 77 h outputs an electrical signal to the payout control device 78. Specifically, a LOW level signal is output when a game ball is not detected, and an HI level signal is output when a game ball is detected. The output level relationship may be reversed. The number of game balls paid out via the payout device 77 can be confirmed by the payout ball detection sensor 77h.

  The game balls paid out from the payout device 77 are discharged to the upper plate 61a or the lower plate 62a through a payout passage provided on the downstream side of the payout device 77. The payout mechanism 74 is provided with a back pack substrate having a power switch for turning on and off the power supply, for example, while supplying a main power of AC 24 volts.

  The control device assembly unit 75 generates and outputs a predetermined power required by a payout control device 78 having a function of controlling the payout device 77 and various control devices and the like, and a game associated with the operation of the launch handle 55 by the player A power supply and launch control device 79 for controlling the launch of the ball. The payout control device 78 and the power supply / launch control device 79 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 78 is located behind the pachinko machine 10.

  In addition to the control devices 78 and 79, the control device assembly unit 75 includes game balls that have been launched by the game ball launching mechanism 51 and have reached the game area and have been discharged to the back side of the game board 24. And a discharge passage 85 for discharging the game ball to the island facility of the game hall. The configuration of the discharge passage 85 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a longitudinal sectional view of the discharge passage portion 85, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 7A.

  A game ball that has won a prize in any one of the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34 is led out to the back side of the game board 24 and detected by detection sensors corresponding to the winning units. Is done. Then, the game ball is guided to the lower end portion of the game board 24 by a collection passage portion 86 provided on the back surface of the game board 24. Further, the game ball that has entered the out port 37 of the game board 24 and led out to the back side of the game board 24 is also guided to the lower end portion of the game board 24 by the collection passage portion 86.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a discharge passage portion 85 is provided so as to exist below the collection passage portion 86. The discharge passage portion 85 is formed so that the inlet portion faces the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 85 from below, and the inlet portion of the discharge passage portion 85 is discharged from the outlet portion of the discharge passage portion 85. While it is formed in a wide mouth so that it can receive all game balls, it is narrow on the outlet side of the discharge passage portion 85 so that the game balls are not aligned in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction. It is formed in the mouth. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, an inclined portion 87 is formed so that the passage cross-section becomes narrow at a midway position in the vertical direction, and after this inclined portion 87, the game ball is in the passage direction. On the other hand, it is an alignment passage area 88 that makes it impossible to line up in a direction orthogonal to each other. Since the inclined portion 87 is inclined downward toward the entrance of the alignment passage area 88, the game balls that have reached the inclination portion 87 flow down toward the alignment passage area 88 due to their own weight.

  The alignment passage area 88 leads to the outlet of the discharge passage portion 85, and the game balls that have passed through the alignment passage area 88 are discharged to the island facility. The alignment passage area 88 is provided with a discharge detection sensor 89 so as to detect the game balls passing through the alignment passage area 88 one by one.

  The discharge detection sensor 89 is configured by a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and a change in the magnetic field when the game ball passes through the detection range is detected and output as an electric signal. The discharge detection sensor 89 is not limited to a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and may be any as long as it can detect a game ball. For example, a photo sensor or a limit sensor may be used. The discharge detection sensor 89 outputs an electrical signal to the main controller 71. Specifically, a LOW level signal is output when a game ball is not detected, and an HI level signal is output when a game ball is detected. The output level relationship may be reversed.

  With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, all the game balls introduced into the discharge passage portion 85 pass through the alignment passage area 88. The game balls passing through the alignment passage area 88 are detected one by one by the discharge detection sensor 89, and after being detected by the discharge detection sensor 89, they are discharged to the island facility.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the back pack 73 is provided with an external terminal plate 81 in addition to the payout mechanism 74 and the control device collective unit 75. The external terminal plate 81 is installed at the upper corner of the back pack unit 15 on the back side of the pachinko machine 10 and on the upper corner. The external terminal board 81 is a board for outputting a predetermined signal in order to make the hall computer of the game hall recognize the state of the pachinko machine 10. Details of the external terminal board 81 will be described later.

<Electric configuration of pachinko machine 10>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

  The main control device 71 includes a main control board 91 that controls the main game and a power failure monitoring board 95 that monitors the power supply. An MPU 92 is mounted on the main control board 91. The MPU 92 includes a ROM 93 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 92 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 93 is executed. A RAM 94, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like are incorporated. Note that it is not essential that the ROM 93 and the RAM 94 are made into one chip with respect to the MPU 92, and each may be made into a chip individually. The same applies to the MPUs of control devices other than the main control device 71.

  The MPU 92 is provided with an input port and an output port. A power failure monitoring board 95 and a payout control device 78 provided in the main control device 71 are connected to the input side of the MPU 92. In this case, the power failure monitoring board 95 is connected to a power source and a launch control device 79 having a function of supplying operating power, and the MPU 92 is supplied with power via the power failure monitoring board 95.

  Various sensors such as various winning detection sensors 96a to 96e are connected to the input side of the MPU 92. Each of the various winning detection sensors 96a to 96e is provided with a one-to-one detection with respect to a winning-corresponding pitched portion such as a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, an upper operating port 33, a lower operating port 34 and a through gate 35 A sensor is included, and the MPU 92 makes a winning determination for each winning part. Further, the MPU 92 executes various lotteries based on winnings in the upper working port 33 and the lower working port 34.

  A power failure monitoring board 95, a payout control device 78, and a sound emission control device 72 are connected to the output side of the MPU 92. For example, a payout ball command is output to the payout control device 78 based on a winning determination result for the winning-corresponding winning portion. Various commands such as a change command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the sound emission control device 72.

  Further, on the output side of the MPU 92, a variable winning drive unit 32c that opens and closes the open / close door 32a of the variable winning device 32, an electric combination drive unit 34b that opens and closes the electric combination 34a of the lower working port 34, and a main display unit. 43 and the display part 44 for an accessory are connected. The main control board 91 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 92 executes drive control of various drive units through the driver circuits.

  That is, in the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 92 performs drive control of the variable winning drive unit 32c so that the variable winning device 32 is opened and closed. In addition, when the electric combination 34a is won, the MPU 92 performs drive control of the electric combination drive unit 34b so that the electric combination 34a is opened and closed. In each game round, the display control of the main display unit 43 is executed in the MPU 92. In addition, when the lottery result indicating whether or not the electric accessory 34a is to be opened is clearly indicated, the display control of the accessory display unit 44 is executed in the MPU 92.

  The power failure monitoring board 95 relays between the main control board 91 and the power source and launch control device 79, and monitors the voltage of 24 VDC which is the maximum voltage output from the power source and launch control device 79. The payout control device 78 performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 77 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 71.

  The power source and launch control device 79 is connected to, for example, a commercial power source (external power source) in a game hall or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, necessary operating power is generated for each of the main control board 91 and the payout control device 78 and the generated operating power is supplied. A configuration for supplying the operating power will be described later. The power supply and launch control device 79 is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 51, and the game ball launch mechanism 51 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

  The sound emission control device 72 controls the driving of the various lamp units 45, 46, 58 and the speaker unit 59 based on the command received from the main control device 71 and transmits the command to the display control device 101. The display control device 101 analyzes various commands received from the sound emission control device 72 or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received various commands to execute display control of the symbol display device 41.

<Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the MPU 92 of the main controller 71>
Next, an electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the MPU 92 of the main controller 71 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MPU 92 uses lots of counter information in the game to perform jackpot occurrence lottery, setting of the display of the main display unit 43, setting of symbol display of the symbol display device 41, setting of display of the accessory display unit 44, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery in which the jackpot is generated, the jackpot type counter C2 used for determining the jackpot type, and the symbol display device 41 are changed. Reach random number counter C3 used for the reach generation lottery, random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and the variation type counter for determining the display continuation time in the main display unit 43 and the symbol display device 41 CS is used. Furthermore, the electric accessory release counter C4 used for the lottery to determine whether or not the electric accessory 34a of the lower working port 34 is in the electric utility open state is used. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in the RAM 94.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 94. Among these, in the lottery counter buffer, information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 is acquired information in the RAM 94 when a winning to the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34 occurs. It is stored in a storage ball storage area provided as a storage means.

  The holding ball storage area includes a holding area RE and an execution area AE. The holding area RE includes a first holding area RE1, a second holding area RE2, a third holding area RE3, and a fourth holding area RE4, and matches the winning history to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34. The combination of numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 stored in the lottery counter buffer is stored in any of the holding areas RE1 to RE4 as holding information.

  In this case, in the first reservation area RE1 to the fourth reservation area RE4, when the winning to the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34 is continuously generated a plurality of times, the first reservation area RE1 → the second reservation area. Each numerical information is stored in time series in the order of RE2 → third reserved area RE3 → fourth reserved area RE4. By providing the four holding areas RE1 to RE4 as described above, up to four game balls winning histories to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34 are stored on hold. In addition, the holding area RE includes a holding number storage area NA, in order to specify the number in which the winning history to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34 is stored in the holding number storage area NA. Is stored.

  Note that the number that can be reserved and stored is not limited to four, but may be any other number such as two, three, or five or more.

  The execution area AE is an area for moving each numerical information stored in the first holding area RE1 of the holding area RE when starting the variable display on the main display unit 43, and at the start of one game round. Is determined based on various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

  Each of the counters will be described in detail.

  The jackpot random number counter C1 is configured such that one by one is added in order within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and after reaching the maximum value, returns to 0. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The big hit random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and stored in the holding ball storage area at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34.

  The random number value for winning the jackpot is stored in the ROM 93 as a success / failure table. As the success / failure table, a success / failure table for the low probability mode and a success / failure table for the high probability mode are set. In other words, in the pachinko machine 10, the low probability mode and the high probability mode are set as the lottery modes in the winning lottery means.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is incremented one by one within the range of 0 to 29, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The big hit type counter C2 is periodically updated and stored in the holding ball storage area at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34.

  The game result distribution destination for the big hit type counter C2 is stored in the ROM 93 as a distribution table. In the distribution table, among the values of the big hit type counter C2 of “0 to 29”, “0 to 9” corresponds to the low probability big hit result, and “10 to 29” corresponds to the high probability big hit result. ing.

  The low probability big hit result is a big hit result that the success / failure lottery mode becomes the low probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends. However, the high-frequency support mode ends when the number of games reaches the end reference number (specifically, 100 times) after the shift, and shifts to the low-frequency support mode. Further, the high-probability big hit result is a big hit result in which the success / failure lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

  The opening / closing execution mode is a mode in which a round game is played 15 times. A round game is a game that continues until either a predetermined upper limit duration elapses or a predetermined upper limit number of game balls win the variable winning device 32 is satisfied. That is. The upper limit duration is set to 29 sec, and the upper limit number is set to nine. In each round game, the variable winning device 32 is opened only once, but the opening may be performed a plurality of times.

  In the pachinko machine 10, in a situation where the launch handle 55 is operated by the player, the game ball launching mechanism 51 is driven and controlled so that one game ball is launched toward the game area in 0.6 sec. . Then, in each round game, an upper limit duration time that is longer than the product of the launch period of the game balls and the upper limit number of one round game is set. Therefore, in each round game, it can be expected that the variable prize device 32 will receive the maximum number of winnings in one round game.

  The support mode is a mode in which the frequency with which the electric accessory 34a of the lower working port 34 is opened per unit time is different, and the high frequency support mode is set so that the frequency becomes relatively high and low. Low frequency support mode is set.

  Specifically, in the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the power combination open state in the electric combination release lottery using the electric combination release counter C4 is the same (for example, both 4/5) However, in the high-frequency support mode, the number of times that the electric accessory 34a is opened when the electrified open state is won is set more than in the low-frequency support mode, and one more release is performed. The time is set longer. In this case, in the high frequency support mode, when the electrified open state is selected and the open state of the electric accessory 34a occurs a plurality of times, the closure from the end of one open state until the start of the next open state is performed. The time is set shorter than one opening time. Also, in the high-frequency support mode, a shorter time is secured as the minimum secured time after the next electric-power-operated object opening lottery is performed after the electric-powered object opening lottery is performed than in the low-frequency support mode. It is set to be selected.

  As described above, in the high frequency support mode, there is a higher probability of winning a prize for the lower working port 34 than in the low frequency support mode. In other words, in the low frequency support mode, there is a higher probability that a prize will be given to the upper working port 33 than to the lower working port 34, but in the high frequency support mode, the lower working port 34 is connected to the lower working port 34. The probability of winning a prize increases. When a winning is made to the lower working port 34, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. Therefore, in the high frequency support mode, the player plays a game while not reducing the number of possessed balls so much. be able to.

  The configuration for increasing the frequency at which the high frequency support mode is set to the power release state per unit time as compared with the low frequency support mode is not limited to the above-described configuration, for example, the electric component release lottery It is good also as a structure which makes high the probability that it will be elected in the electric character open state in. In addition, a secured time (e.g., on the display part 44 for an accessory based on a winning to the through gate 35) that is secured after the next electric character opening lottery is performed after the electric character releasing lottery is performed once. In the configuration in which multiple types of variable display time) are prepared, the short support time is more easily selected in the high frequency support mode or the average secure time is shorter than in the low frequency support mode. May be. Further, the number of times of opening is increased, the opening time is lengthened, and the secured time that is secured when the next electric winning combination opening lottery is performed after the first electric winning combination releasing lottery is shortened (that is, , Shorten the one time variable display time on the display unit 44 for an accessory), shorten the average time of the secured time and increase the winning probability, apply any one condition or any combination of conditions By doing so, the advantage of the high frequency support mode over the low frequency support mode may be increased.

  For example, the reach random number counter C3 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and reaches a maximum value and then returns to 0. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area at the timing when the game ball wins the upper working port 33 or the lower working port 34.

  Here, in the pachinko machine 10, reach display is set as a kind of display effect in the symbol display device 41. Reach display includes a symbol display device 41 capable of performing variable display of symbols, and in a gaming machine in which the stop display result after the variable display becomes a special display result in the game times in the opening / closing execution mode, This is a display state for making the player think that the state is a variable display state that is likely to be the special display result before the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display of the symbol 41 is started.

  In the reach display, a combination of jackpot symbols may be established by stopping and displaying symbols for some of the plurality of symbol sequences displayed on the display surface of the symbol display device 41. A display state in which the combination is displayed and the symbols are displayed in the state of the remaining symbols in that state is included. In addition, in the state where the combination of reach symbols is displayed as described above, the variation display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol columns, and a reach effect is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image in the background image. In addition, there are those that perform a reach effect by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire display surface after reducing or not displaying a combination of reach symbols.

  The reach display is executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 in the game times corresponding to the jackpot result. Further, in the game times corresponding to the result of losing, the reach random number counter C3 acquired at a predetermined timing with reference to the reach table stored in the ROM 93 is executed when the reach display is generated. That is, the numerical information of the reach random number counter C3 is used to determine whether or not to execute reach display. However, in determining the type of reach display, the numerical information of the reach random number counter C3 is not used.

  The variation type counter CS is, for example, incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 198, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used when the MPU 92 determines the display continuation time on the main display unit 43 and the symbol display continuation time on the symbol display device 41. The variation type counter CS is updated in each timer interrupt process described later, and the value of the variation type counter CS is determined when the variation display is determined at the start of variation display in the main display unit 43 and at the variation start of the symbol by the symbol display device 41. Is acquired. In determining the display duration, the display duration table stored in advance in the display duration table storage area of the ROM 93 is referred to.

  Here, when it is determined that the reach display is to be generated based on the numerical information acquired from the reach random number counter C3, or the reach display is generated due to the game times to shift to the opening / closing execution mode. When it is determined, the type of reach display is determined using the numerical information acquired from the variation type counter CS. Each reach display differs in the type of character appearing in the reach display, the period during which the reach display is executed, and the like.

  The electric accessory release counter C4 is, for example, configured to increment one by one within a range of 0 to 250 and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. The electric accessory release counter C4 is periodically updated, and stored in the electric role reservation area provided in the RAM 94 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the electric accessory 34a to the open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory release counter C4.

<About various processes executed by main controller 71>
Next, timer interrupt processing and normal processing that are executed in order to advance the game in the MPU 92 in the main controller 71 will be described. In addition to the timer interrupt process and the normal process, the MPU 92 executes a main process that is started when the power is turned on and an NMI interrupt process that is started when a power failure signal is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). Description of these processes is omitted.

<Timer interrupt processing>
First, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is periodically activated by the MPU 92 (in the pachinko machine 10 at a cycle of 2 msec).

  In step S101 and step S102, an external output process for discharging for setting an external output for the hall computer of the game hall and an external output process for scheduling a prize ball are executed. Details of these processes will be described later.

  In a succeeding step S103, reading processing of various detection sensors is executed. In the reading process, the states of the various winning detection sensors 96a to 96e are read, the states of the various winning detection sensors 96a to 96e are determined, and the winning detection information is stored. However, in this process, a process for giving a prize ball instruction such as a prize ball command output setting to the payout control device 78 is not executed.

  Thereafter, in step S104, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S105, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. .

  In a succeeding step S106, a through winning process for winning through the through gate 35 is executed. In the through winning process, if a winning to the through gate 35 has occurred, the number of stored bonus items stored in the electronic role holding area is less than the upper limit number (for example, “4”). As a condition, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in step S105 is stored in the electric utility reservation area. Moreover, the process for making the audio | voice light emission control apparatus 72 light the 2nd reservation lamp | ramp part 46 corresponding to the number of articles | goods reservation memory | storage is performed.

  Thereafter, in step S107 to step S110, a winning process for the working port is executed. In the winning process for the operating port, first, in step S107, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred in the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port. If no winning has occurred, the timer interrupt process is terminated.

  If a winning has occurred, it is determined in step S108 whether or not the number of start-pending storages stored in the number-of-holds storage area NA of the holding ball storage area is less than an upper limit (eg, “4”). Determine. If the start pending storage number is the upper limit value, the timer interrupt process is terminated as it is. If the start pending storage number is less than the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, 1 is added to the number of start pending storage. In the subsequent step S110, the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 updated in step S105 is stored in the holding area RE of the holding ball storage area as holding information. In this case, the data is stored in the first reserved area among the empty reserved areas RE1 to RE4 of the reserved area RE, that is, the reserved area corresponding to the current start reserved memory number. Further, a process for lighting the first hold lamp unit 45 corresponding to the number of start hold memories is executed for the sound emission control device 72. After executing the process of step S110, the timer interrupt process is terminated.

<Normal processing>
Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is started when the power is turned on, and the main process of the game is executed in the normal process. As an outline, the processing of steps S201 to S208 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S210 and S211 is executed with the remaining time.

  Specifically, in step S201, the variation type counter CS is updated. In subsequent step S202, a game times control process for advancing the game of each game time is executed. In the game turn control process, the hold information stored in the first hold area RE1 of the hold area RE is executed on the condition that the hold information that is not the start target of the game turn is stored in the hold area RE. While shifting to area AE, the process which shifts each holding information memorize | stored in 2nd-4th reservation area RE2-RE4 to a higher-order area is performed. And when the said shift process is performed, the judgment of whether or not it becomes a big win is performed using the numerical information of the big hit random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE. Further, in the case of winning a big hit, it is determined which of the big hit results and the low hit big results is to be made using the numerical information of the big hit type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. Execute distribution determination for Further, when the winning is not a big win, a lottery is executed as to whether or not a reach display is to be generated in the game times that result in losing using the numerical information of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area AE. .

  In the game times control process, after performing these various lotteries, the numerical information of the variation type counter CS at that time is acquired, and the main display section of the game times is obtained using the acquired numerical information and the various lottery results. The display continuation period of the pattern variation display at 43 is selected, and the pattern variation display on the main display unit 43 is started. In addition, the MPU 92 transmits a change command including information on the display continuation period and a type command including information on the result of the success / failure determination process and the result of the distribution determination process to the sound emission control device 72. The sound emission control device 72 determines an effect pattern of the game times according to the contents of the received command, executes light emission control of the display lamp unit 58 according to the effect pattern, and controls sound output of the speaker unit 59. Run. Also, the sound emission control device 72 transmits the contents of the effect pattern determined by itself to the display control device 101 as a command. The display control device 101 causes the symbol display device 41 to execute the display effect of the game times in accordance with the received command.

  In the game times control process, the pattern mode displayed on the main display unit 43 is changed according to a regular pattern until the display continuation period elapses during the game times. When the display continuation period has elapsed, the display of the variation of the pattern on the main display unit 43 is terminated in a state in which the display corresponding to the result of the success / failure determination process and the distribution determination process is performed. In this case, a final stop command is transmitted to the sound emission control device 72. The sound emission control device 72 receives the final stop command, and ends the light emission control and the sound output control based on the effect pattern of the game times. Further, the final stop command is transmitted from the sound emission control device 72 to the display control device 101, and the display control device 101 receives the final stop command, thereby ending the display control based on the effect pattern of the game times.

  Returning to the description of the normal process (FIG. 11), in the subsequent step S203, a game state transition process is executed. In the game state transition process, the game state is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode on condition that the game round that is the jackpot result has been completed. In the opening / closing execution mode, the variable winning device 32 is opened and closed in the manner already described. Then, when one game ball wins the variable winning device 32, 15 game balls are paid out. Therefore, in the opening / closing execution mode, a large number of game balls can be expected, which is advantageous to the player. . Also, in the game state transition process, when the opening / closing execution mode ends, transition setting of the success / failure lottery mode and the support mode is performed according to the type of jackpot result that triggered the transition of the opening / closing execution mode.

  In the subsequent step S204, an electric combination support process for driving and controlling the electric combination 34a provided in the lower working port 34 is executed. In this electronic combination support process, an electronic combination release lottery for determining whether or not to open the electric combination 34a using numerical information acquired from the electric combination release counter C4 stored in the electric combination holding area of the RAM 94. In addition, when the electrified open state is won, the opening / closing process of the electric accessory 34a is executed. In addition, display control of the accessory display unit 44 is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electric character release lottery.

  In a succeeding step S205, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, a predetermined launch period is set on condition that a launch permission signal output from the power source and launch control device 79 is input based on the launch operation being performed on the launch handle 55. The solenoid of the game ball launching mechanism 51 is excited once (for example, 0.6 sec). Thereby, the game ball is launched toward the game area.

  After step S205, an input state monitoring process is executed in step S206, and a payout output process is executed in step S207. These processes will be described in detail later. Thereafter, in step S208, it is determined whether or not a power failure flag is set in the RAM 94. The power failure flag is a flag that is set when the occurrence of a power failure is confirmed in the power failure monitoring board 95 and a power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring board 95 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 92, and is erased in the next main processing.

  If the power failure flag is not set, the last process of the plurality of processes that are repeatedly executed is completed, so whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process is reached in step S209, that is, the previous normal process It is determined whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing. That is, in step S210, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S211, the variation type counter CS is updated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 208 that the power failure flag has been set, the power interruption has occurred, so the power interruption process from step S212 is executed. That is, in step S212, the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited, and then the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in step S213. After the access to the RAM 94 is prohibited in step S214, the power supply is completely shut off and the process is performed. Continue infinite loop until no longer runs.

<Electric configuration for paying out game balls>
Next, the electrical configuration and processing configuration related to game ball payout will be described in detail. First, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 12, a power supply line is indicated by a double line arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid line arrow.

  The main control board 91 is electrically connected using a connection unit 105 and a payout control board 111 provided in the payout control device 78. In this case, the connection unit 105 is provided with a plurality of (for example, 14) electrical wires (or signal lines) between a pair of connectors, and one of the pair of connectors is provided on the main control board 91. The other connector 106 is detachably attached to the connector 106, and the other is detachably attached to the connector 107 provided on the payout control board 111. The connection unit 105 includes a command line that allows a command having a data amount of a plurality of bits to be transmitted in parallel from the main control board 91 to the payout control board 111, and from the main control board 91 through the command line. A command is transmitted to the payout control board 111. Further, the connection unit 105 includes various electrical wirings for outputting signals from the payout control board 111 to the main control board 91, and various kinds of signals are sent from the payout control board 111 to the main control board 91 through the various electrical wirings. Is transmitted.

  As described above, the payout control board 111 executes payout control for prize balls and the like using the payout device 77. The MPU 112 as an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 113 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 112, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 114 that is used as a work memory.

  Note that some or all of the MPU 112, the ROM 113, and the RAM 114 may be provided as separate chips. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the MPU 92, the ROM 93, and the RAM 94 of the main control board 91 are referred to as the main MPU 92, the main ROM 93, and the main RAM 94, and the MPU 112, the ROM 113, and the RAM 114 of the payout control board 111 are dispensed. These are referred to as a side MPU 112, a payout ROM 113, and a payout RAM 114.

  The payout side MPU 112 is provided with an input / output port. On the input side of the payout side MPU 112, there are a main control board 91, a power supply and launch control board 121 provided in the power supply and launch control device 79, and a ball lending connection terminal plate 125 provided in the back pack unit 15. It is connected. In addition, a payout ball detection sensor 77h of the payout device 77 is electrically connected to the input side of the payout side MPU 112 so that the number of game balls actually paid out toward the downstream side can be grasped. Yes. On the other hand, the main control board 91 and the ball rental connection terminal board 125 are connected to the output side of the payout side MPU 112.

  The ball lending connection terminal board 125 is a board for relaying the electrical connection between the payout control board 111 and the ball lending apparatus Y. The payout-side MPU 112 performs control of lending by inputting / outputting electric signals to / from the lending device Y.

  In the power source and launch control board 121, as already described, the operation power required for the main control board 91, the payout control board 111, etc. is generated based on the external power supplied from the commercial power source, and the generation thereof Supply operating power. Specifically, the power and launch control board 121 is provided with a power-on power supply unit 122 and a power-off power supply unit 123.

  The power-on power supply unit 122 is connected to, for example, a commercial power source (external power source) in a game hall or the like, and generates operating power in a situation where external power is supplied from the commercial power source. It has a function of supplying operating power. The power supply unit for power interruption 123 includes a capacitor, and the power supplied from the power supply unit for power supply 122 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is ON (when power is supplied from an external power supply). Is charged. Further, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is OFF or when the power is cut off such as when a power failure occurs in the commercial power supply (when the power supply from the external power supply is cut off), the main power unit 123 is discharged from the power interruption. Memory holding power is supplied to the side RAM 94. Therefore, even in this situation, the information stored in the main RAM 94 is stored and held without being erased while the power for storing and holding is supplied from the power supply unit 123 for power interruption.

  More specifically, the power from the power-on power supply unit 122 is supplied to the VCC terminal of the main MPU 92 and the VCC terminal of the payout MPU 112. In a situation where power is supplied from the external power supply by the power supplied to the VCC terminal, various control processes are executed in the MPUs 92 and 112, and information is stored and held in the RAMs 94 and 114. Is called.

  On the other hand, the power from the power supply unit 123 for power interruption is supplied to the VBB terminal of the main MPU 92 and is not supplied to the VBB terminal of the payout MPU 112. The VBB terminal is a terminal that can selectively supply power to the RAMs 94 and 114 in a situation where power supply to the VCC terminal is interrupted. In this case, as described above, power is supplied to the VBB terminal of the main MPU 92 from the power supply unit 123 for power interruption, whereas power is not supplied to the VBB terminal of the payout MPU 112. The power from the hour power supply unit 123 is supplied to the main RAM 94 but is not supplied to the payout RAM 114.

  The VBB terminal of the payout side MPU 112 is grounded or not connected to any electrical wiring. Further, instead of the configuration in which the power supplied to the VCC terminal in each MPU 92, 112 is supplied to both the arithmetic unit and the RAMs 94, 114, the power supplied to the VCC terminal is supplied only to the arithmetic unit, and VBB Only the power supplied to the terminals may be supplied to the RAMs 94 and 114. In this case, as described above, the power interruption power is supplied to the main RAM 94 and the power interruption power is not supplied to the payout RAM 114. Power is supplied to the VCC terminal and VBB terminal of the main MPU 92, and the power is supplied to the VCC terminal and VBB terminal of the payout MPU 112. Electric power is supplied to the VBB terminal of the main MPU 92 while not supplied to the VBB terminal of the payout MPU 112.

  The capacity of the power supply unit 123 for power interruption is ensured to be relatively large, and information stored in the main RAM 94 before the power supply is shut off is retained within a predetermined period (for example, 1 day or 2 days). In this case, as described above, the power of the power supply unit 123 for power interruption is supplied to the main RAM 94, but is not supplied to the payout RAM 114, so that the payout RAM 114 cannot be backed up. However, it is possible to reduce the required capacity of the power supply unit 123 for power interruption, and to reduce the cost of the pachinko machine 10.

  In addition, the power supply part at the time of a power interruption is not limited to a capacitor | condenser, A battery, a non-rechargeable battery, etc. may be sufficient. In the case of a non-rechargeable battery, it is not necessary to store power in the power supply means for power interruption when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is ON, but it is necessary to replace it periodically. The power supply and launch control board 121 is provided with a power supply unit for power failure processing (not shown) different from the power supply unit for power interruption 123. In the power supply and launch control board 121, even after the DC stable 24 volt power supply becomes less than 22 volts, the power supply unit for power failure processing discharges for a time sufficient for execution of power failure processing described later. The output of 5 volts, which is the drive power source for the control system, is configured to maintain a normal value. Thus, the main control board 91 and the like can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

<Processing configuration related to game ball payout and processing configuration in main MPU 92>
Next, a processing configuration in the main side MPU 92 related to payout of game balls will be described. In the following description, the value of the counter area refers to a value that virtually represents the value of the counter area configured in units of bytes in decimal.

<Input status monitoring process>
First, the input state monitoring process executed in step S206 of the normal process (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the input state monitoring process, first, a winning monitoring process is executed in step S301. In the winning monitoring process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred in any of the operation ports 33 and 34. If a winning has occurred in any one of the operation ports 33, 34, 1 is added to the value of the three prize ball counters provided in the various prize ball counters 94a of the main RAM 94 in step S402. To do. The three prize ball counter is for counting the number of times a three prize ball command to instruct the payout side MPU 112 to pay out three game balls is to be output. In the subsequent step S403, 3 is added to the value of the award ball scheduled counter 94c provided in the main RAM 94. The prize ball schedule counter 94c is for counting the number of prize balls designated to the payout side MPU 112. As will be described in detail later, the designated number of prize balls is externally output to the hall computer HC of the game hall. To be used.

  It should be noted that since the winning to the upper working port 33 and the winning to the lower working port 34 can occur simultaneously within the range of one processing time of the normal processing, in the processing of step S401 to step S403, three prize balls There is a possibility that the process of adding 1 for the counter for use and the process of adding 3 for the planned winning ball counter 94c are performed twice.

  If a negative determination is made in step S401, or after the processing in step S403 is executed, it is determined in step S404 whether or not a prize has been generated for the general winning opening 31. If a winning is made to the general winning opening 31, 1 is added to the value of the 10 winning ball counters provided in the various winning ball counters 94 a of the main RAM 94 in step S 405. The 10-award ball counter is for counting the number of times a 10-award ball command for instructing the payout side MPU 112 to pay out 10 gaming balls should be output. In the subsequent step S406, 10 is added to the value of the scheduled winning ball counter 94c in the main RAM 94.

  If a negative determination is made in step S404, or after the processing of step S406 is executed, it is determined in step S407 whether or not a winning to the variable winning device 32 has occurred. If the winning to the variable winning device 32 has occurred, 1 is added to the value of the 15 winning ball counters provided in the various winning ball counters 94a of the main RAM 94 in step S408. The counter for 15 prize balls is for counting the number of times to output 15 prize ball commands for instructing the payout MPU 112 to pay out 15 game balls. In the subsequent step S409, 15 is added to the value of the scheduled winning ball counter 94c in the main RAM 94. When a negative determination is made in step S407, or after the process of step S409 is executed, the main winning monitor process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of the input state process (FIG. 13), after the winning monitoring process is executed in step S301, the payout abnormality signal monitoring process is executed in step S302. In the payout abnormality signal monitoring process, when an abnormal signal is input from the payout side MPU 112, a payout abnormality command is output to the sound emission control device 72, and abnormality notification is executed. It should be noted that the payout abnormality includes a non-ball state of the tank 76, and the payout side MPU 112 receives a signal from the non-ball detection sensor for detecting whether or not the tank 76 is in the non-ball state. Is done.

  In the subsequent step S303, a full tank signal monitoring process for specifying whether or not the lower plate 62a is full is executed. In the full tank signal monitoring process, when a full tank signal is received from the payout side MPU 112, a full tank state command is output to the voice light emission control device 72 to execute full tank notification. A signal from the full tank detection sensor for detecting whether the lower plate 62a is full is received by the payout MPU 112.

  In a succeeding step S304, a main body frame opening signal monitoring process for specifying whether or not the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state is executed. In the body frame opening signal monitoring process, when a body frame opening signal is received from a body frame opening switch provided in the inner frame 13, a body frame opening state command is output to the sound emission control device 72 to notify the body opening. Is executed.

  In a succeeding step S305, a front door frame opening signal monitoring process for specifying whether or not the front door frame 14 is in an open state is executed. In the front door frame opening signal monitoring process, when a front door frame opening signal is received from a front door frame opening switch provided on the front door frame 14, a front door frame opening state command is output to the sound emission control device 72. Then, the front door opening notification is executed.

  Thereafter, a prize ball permission signal monitoring process is executed in step S306, and after the discharge monitoring process is executed in step S307, the input state monitoring process is terminated. The discharge monitoring process in step S307 will be described in detail later. First, the prize ball permission signal monitoring process in step S306 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

<Prize ball permission signal monitoring processing>
Here, in the pachinko machine 10, as already described, the power from the power source and the power supply unit 123 for the interruption of the launch control board 121 is supplied to the main RAM 94, but not supplied to the payout RAM 114. . With this configuration, as already described, the capacity of the power supply unit 123 for power interruption can be reduced, and the cost of the pachinko machine 10 can be reduced accordingly.

  However, in this configuration, when the power supply from the external power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped, all the information stored in the payout side RAM 114 is erased (destroyed). In this case, if all the information on the number of unpaid prize balls is stored in the payout side RAM 114 as in the conventional pachinko machine, the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 can be performed in a situation where there are unpaid prize balls. When stopped, all the unpaid prize balls are erased without being paid out. If it does so, it will cause a great disadvantage to a player.

  On the other hand, in the present pachinko machine 10, unpaid prize ball information is basically stored in various prize ball counters 94a of the main RAM 94, and the main MPU 92 inputs a prize ball permission signal from the payout MPU 112. A prize ball command is output to the payout side MPU 112. In the payout side MPU 112, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is the maximum prize ball number (15 prize balls) for one winning at a maximum. The output start timing and output stop timing of the prize ball permission signal are set so as to be the sum of the permitted reference number. In addition, this permission reference number is the minimum number of winning balls for one winning or less. Thereby, even if the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped in a situation where a large number of unpaid prize balls remain, it is possible to reduce the number of prize balls to be erased as much as possible. That is, the prize ball permission signal is information output from the payout MPU 112 to the main MPU 92 in order to specify the output timing of the prize ball command in the main MPU 92.

  In the winning ball permission signal monitoring process, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not a winning ball permission signal is received. If a prize ball permission signal is received, it is determined in step S502 whether or not the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b provided in the main RAM 94 is "5" or more. The prize ball permission counter 94b is stored when the prize ball permission signal is received, because it is actually output from the payout side MPU 112, noise or the like The main MPU 92 specifies whether the data is stored due to the cause of the error.

  If the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is “5” or more, an affirmative determination is made in step S502, and the present winning ball permission signal monitoring process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b is less than “5”, a negative determination is made in step S502, and the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, after adding 1 to the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b, the prize ball permission signal monitoring process is terminated.

  Here, since the prize ball permission signal monitoring process is executed as a part of the normal process, its execution cycle is about 4 msec. Accordingly, when a prize ball permission signal is output from the payout side MPU 112 and the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b is less than “5”, the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b is incremented by 1 at a cycle of about 4 msec. . When the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is “5” or more even when the output of the winning ball permission signal from the payout side MPU 112 is continued by executing the process of step S502. Does not execute the process of adding the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b.

  If a negative determination is made in step S502, the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is cleared to “0” in step S504, and then the winning ball permission signal monitoring process is terminated. That is, in a situation where no prize ball permission signal is output from the payout side MPU 112, the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b is maintained at “0”.

<Output processing for withdrawal>
Next, the payout output process executed in step S207 of the normal process (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The payout output process is a process for outputting various commands from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112.

  In the payout output process, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not the state of the front door frame 14 has changed. If the state of the front door frame 14 has changed, after outputting the front door frame opening command or the front door frame closing command to the payout side MPU 112 in step S602 according to the side on which the state change has occurred. The payout output process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S601, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, it is determined whether or not the front door frame 14 is being opened. If the front door frame 14 is open, the payout output process is terminated as it is. If the front door frame 14 is closed, it is determined in step S604 whether or not the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b of the main RAM 94 is "5" as the output permission reference number.

  Here, as described above, the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is about 4 msec when the winning ball permission signal is output from the payout side MPU 112 and the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is less than “5”. 1 is added at a period. The value of the prize ball permission counter 94b is cleared to “0” when the output of the prize ball permission signal from the payout side MPU 112 is stopped. Therefore, in step S604, it is determined whether or not the output of the winning ball permission signal from the payout side MPU 112 has continued to be 20 msec as the output permission continuation period.

  If the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is not “5”, the payout output process is terminated. If the value of the winning ball permission counter 94b is “5”, in step S605, the three winning ball counters, the ten winning ball counters, and the fifteen prizes in the various winning ball counters 94a of the main side RAM 94 are obtained. It is determined whether any value of the ball counter is 1 or more. If all the prize ball counter values are “0”, the payout output process is terminated.

  If the value of any prize ball counter is 1 or more, the value of the prize ball permission counter 94b in the main side RAM 94 is cleared to “0” in step S606. Thereafter, in step S607, after the prize ball command output process is executed, the payout output process is terminated.

  In the prize ball command output process, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the 15 prize ball counter is 1 or more. If the value is 1 or more, the 15 prize ball commands are output to the payout MPU 112. At the same time, 1 is subtracted from the value of the 15 prize ball counters. Thereafter, the prize ball command output process is terminated. When the value of the 15 prize ball counter is “0”, it is determined whether or not the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more. The prize ball command is output to the payout side MPU 112 and the value of the 10 prize ball counters is decremented by one. Thereafter, the prize ball command output process is terminated. When the value of the 10 prize ball counter is “0”, it is determined whether or not the value of the 3 prize ball counter is 1 or more. A prize ball command is output to the payout side MPU 112 and the value of the counter for three prize balls is decremented by one. Thereafter, the prize ball command output process is terminated.

  As described above, even if the main side MPU 92 receives the prize ball permission signal, the main side MPU 92 does not immediately specify that the output of the prize ball command is permitted in the payout side MPU 112, but the output permission standard set as a plurality of times. When the prize ball permission information is confirmed continuously for the number of times, that is, when it is confirmed that the prize ball permission signal is output over the output permission reference period of 20 msec, the prize ball command is output. Specify that it is permitted (identify that output is permitted). Then, by specifying that the output of the prize ball command is permitted, one prize ball command corresponding to one win is output to the payout side MPU 112. Since the output permission reference period is set in this way, as described above, when a prize ball permission signal is received, the prize ball permission signal is output from the payout MPU 112. The main MPU 92 can identify whether the data is received due to noise or received due to noise or the like. Therefore, when a prize ball permission signal is received due to noise or the like, it is possible to prevent the prize ball command from being output in response thereto.

  In particular, as will be described later, the number of prize balls exceeding the predetermined maximum reference number cannot be stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114. In this case, if a prize ball permission signal is received due to noise or the like and a prize ball command is output for that, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command is erased without actually being paid out. End up. This will be detrimental to the player. On the other hand, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent such inconvenience.

<Processing configuration in payout side MPU 112>
Next, a timer interrupt process executed to control the payout of the game ball by the payout side MPU 112 will be described. Note that the payout side MPU 112 executes an input interrupt process when receiving a main process and a command activated upon power-on in addition to the timer interrupt process, and description of these processes is omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the payout side MPU 112. The timer interrupt process is started periodically (in the pachinko machine 10 at a cycle of 2 msec).

  First, in step S701, a payout-side external output process for setting an external output for the hall computer HC of the game hall is executed. Details of this processing will be described later.

  In subsequent step S702, a state return switch (not shown) provided in the payout control device 78 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation has started, the state return operation is executed.

  In a succeeding step S703, a command determination process is executed. In the command determination process, the command stored in the storage area to be read this time is read out from the storage area (for example, the ring buffer) in which the command received from the main MPU 92 is stored in the payout side RAM 114, If the command is a front door frame opening command, a process is performed to make the fact that the payout side MPU 112 can specify the fact by setting a flag, and if the command is a front door frame closing command, the flag is cleared. For example, the payout-side MPU 112 can identify the fact.

  In subsequent step S704, a full tank process is executed to determine whether or not the lower plate 62a is full based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and in step S705, no ball is detected. Based on the detection result of the sensor, a sphere useless process for determining whether or not the tank 76 is in a sphere-free state is executed.

  Thereafter, a winning ball setting process is executed in step S706, a lending setting process is executed in step S707, a payout number setting process is executed in step S708, and a payout control process is executed in step S709. After executing the winning ball permission signal setting process in S710, the timer interruption process is terminated. Each of these processes will be described individually below.

<Prize ball setting process>
First, the winning ball setting process in step S706 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S801, it is determined whether a prize ball command is received from the main MPU 92 or not. If no winning ball command has been received, the winning ball setting process is terminated.

  If a prize ball command has been received, calculation processing for the prize ball command is executed in step S802. Here, three types of prize ball commands, three prize ball commands, ten prize ball commands, and 15 prize ball commands, are set, and each of these prize ball commands consists of upper information and lower information. Consists of bytes. Each prize ball command is set such that the form of information consisting of 1 byte when the addition of the upper information and the lower information is calculated is “FF”. In step S802, the above-described addition operation is executed for the prize ball command that is the current processing target.

  In the subsequent step S803, the winning ball command that is currently processed is erased from the payout side RAM 114. In a succeeding step S804, it is determined whether or not the result calculated in the step S802 is normal. Specifically, it is determined whether or not it is “FF” in hexadecimal. If it is “FF”, it means that the current prize ball command is normal, and the process proceeds to step S805.

  On the other hand, if it is not “FF”, it means that the current prize ball command has been rewritten due to noise or the like in the command transmission path from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. Then, the present winning ball setting process is finished as it is. In this case, the current prize ball command is deleted without being added to the prize ball number storage area 114a as information on the number of prize balls. Thereby, when the prize ball command is rewritten due to the influence of noise or the like, damage to the game hall or the like can be reduced. That is, in the prize ball command, the lower information corresponds to the information on the number of prize balls, but the lower information is rewritten. For example, the number of prize balls should be 100 although the number of prize balls should be three. There is a risk that. On the other hand, by not adding the prize ball command as prize ball number information to the prize ball number storage area 114a as described above, the information rewritten by the noise or the like is not added, Damage to game halls is reduced.

  Returning to the description of the winning ball setting process, in step S805, a winning ball number specifying process is executed. Specifically, based on the information stored in the payout-side ROM 113, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command to be processed this time is specified. In this case, the low-order information of the prize ball command is collated with the information stored in the payout ROM 113, and the number of prize balls is specified.

  In the subsequent step S806, an addition time mask process is executed. In the addition mask processing, the logical product is calculated so that the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is equal to or less than a predetermined number of prize balls for correction at the time of addition (specifically, three). Execute the operation.

  Here, as will be described later, the payout-side MPU 112 starts outputting the prize ball permission signal when the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a becomes three or less as the permitted reference number. The prize ball permission signal is input from the main MPU 92 and the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a becomes four or more, and the output of the prize ball permission signal is stopped. Therefore, when a prize ball command is input from the main MPU 92 and information on the number of prize balls is added to the prize ball number storage area 114a, the number is equal to or less than the permitted reference number stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a. Should be less than 3).

  However, in the pachinko machine 10, noise or the like may occur at various timings, and the number of prize balls after the start of the prize ball permission signal output from the payout side MPU 112 until the prize ball number adding process is executed. There is a risk that information in the storage area 114a may be rewritten. For example, if the information in the prize ball number storage area 114a is originally 3 pieces but is rewritten to 131 pieces or the like, it will cause a great disadvantage to the game hall. End up.

  On the other hand, in the addition mask processing in step S806, the logical product is calculated so that the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is three or less as the number of prize balls for correction at the time of addition. Perform the operation. In the present configuration, the number of prize balls for correction at the time of addition coincides with the permitted reference number.

  Thereafter, in step S807, it is determined whether or not information on the number of prize balls to be added, that is, information on the number of prize balls specified in step S805 is 1 or more. If the information on the number of prize balls to be added is “0”, the prize ball setting process is terminated. If the information on the number of prize balls to be added is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S808.

  In step S808, it is determined whether or not the information on the number of prize balls to be added is less than “16”. If the information on the number of prize balls to be added is “16” or more, the prize ball setting process is terminated. If the information on the number of prize balls to be added is less than “16”, the process proceeds to step S809. By executing the processing of step S807 and step S808 as described above, if the information on the number of prize balls to be added is abnormal, it can be invalidated.

  In the subsequent step S809, an award ball number addition process is executed. In the addition process, the information on the number of prize balls specified in step S805 is added to the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a after the addition mask process in step S806.

  In the subsequent step S810, whether or not the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a after the addition process is executed in step S809 exceeds the upper limit number of prize balls in the prize ball number storage area 114a. Determine whether. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is “19” or more.

  If the information on the number of winning balls is less than “19”, the process proceeds to step S812 as it is. If the information on the number of winning balls is “19” or more, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, post-addition correction processing is executed. Specifically, the information on the number of prize balls in the prize ball number storage area 114a is corrected to “18”. Thereby, when the information stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a exceeds the upper limit prize ball number due to the influence of noise or the like, it can be corrected to the upper limit prize ball number. Therefore, it can suppress that a game hall suffers a disadvantage. In addition, when the upper limit number of winning balls is exceeded, it is not invalidated (that is, set to “0”), and the player may suffer a disadvantage by correcting to the upper limit winning ball number. Absent.

  It should be noted that by executing the processes of step S806, step S807, step S808, and step S811, the abnormality in the number of prize balls can be carefully eliminated. However, it is not essential to execute all these processes. For example, the processes in steps S807 and S808 may not be performed. Even in this case, the abnormality in the number of prize balls can be resolved by executing the processing of step S806 and step S811.

  In a succeeding step S812, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the prize ball low speed flag of the payout side RAM 114. The prize ball low speed flag is a case where the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is the switching reference number (specifically “2”) stored in advance in the payout ROM 113. Is a flag that is erased by exceeding the switching reference number.

  Here, when the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a becomes the switching reference number, the pachinko machine 10 sets the payout speed of the payout device 77 in the normal cycle until then. It is comprised so that it may change into a low speed cycle. This is due to the following reason. That is, in a situation where the information on the number of prize balls is not stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a, the driving of the payout device 77 is stopped. In this case, if a single winning is repeatedly generated at a predetermined interval, it is necessary to repeatedly start and stop driving of the payout device 77. Since driving of the dispensing device 77 requires a larger driving force than when the driving state of the dispensing device 77 is maintained, it is not preferable to repeatedly start and stop driving the dispensing device 77 as described above. . On the other hand, when the information on the number of winning balls stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a becomes the switching reference number, the payout speed of the payout device 77 is switched to a low speed cycle, so that a single winning can be achieved. Even if it occurs repeatedly at a predetermined interval, there is a higher possibility that the next winning will occur while the reference number of winning balls is executed at a low speed cycle, and the driving start and stop of the payout device 77 are repeated. The possibility of being done is reduced.

  A configuration in which the payout speed of the payout device 77 is always low is also conceivable. However, in this case, the payout speed of the game ball is chronically slowed down, and the player receives a prize ball in spite of the occurrence of a win. It takes a considerable amount of time to receive, which is not preferable.

  If “1” is not set in the prize ball low speed flag in step S812, the process directly proceeds to step S814. On the other hand, if the prize ball low speed flag is set to “1”, the prize ball low speed flag is cleared to “0” in step S813, and then the process proceeds to step S814. When the prize ball low speed flag is cleared to “0”, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a becomes the switching reference number, so that the payout speed of the payout device 77 set in the low speed cycle. Will return to the normal period.

  In step S814, error flag erasure processing is executed. The error flag is a flag stored when a command that cannot be analyzed is input from the main MPU 92, for example. The error flag is erased in step S814 when a winning ball command is normally input and a winning ball setting process for the winning ball command is executed. After the error flag erasing process is executed in step S814, the winning ball setting process is terminated.

<Rental setting process>
Next, the ball lending setting process in step S707 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S901, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the lending state flag of the payout side RAM 114. The lending state flag is a flag used in the payout-side MPU 112 to identify whether or not the lending request signal from the lending device Y is in an input waiting state, and is stored by entering the input waiting state. It is deleted when it is no longer necessary to receive a lending request signal.

  When “1” is not set in the lending status flag, the lending status setting process in steps S902 to S906 is executed, and when “1” is set in the lending status flag, The processing during the rented state in steps S907 to S911 is executed.

  In the lending state setting process, first, in step S902, it is determined whether or not a connection confirmation signal and a lending standby signal are input from the lending device Y. The connection confirmation signal is a signal indicating a state in which the ball lending device Y can communicate with the payout MPU 112. In addition, the ball lending standby signal is stored in the ball lending device Y with information on unpaid balls (specifically, a card on which information on unpaid balls has been stored is held in the ball lending device Y). This is a signal for allowing the payout-side MPU 112 to grasp that the ball lending button 66 of the ball lending operation device 65 is being operated in a situation where it is inserted. The connection confirmation signal may be omitted.

  If neither one of the connection confirmation signal and the lending standby signal is input, the lending setting process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if both the connection confirmation signal and the lending standby signal are input, it is determined in step S903 whether or not a payout error state has occurred. The payout error state is a state corresponding to any of the front door frame open state, the lower pan full state, the tank ball free state, or the payout device abnormal state.

  If it is in the payout error state, the present lending setting process is terminated as it is. If it is not a payout error state, it is determined in step S904 whether a payout operation is in progress. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the payout device 77 is stopped. The situation where the lending status flag is not stored and the payout device 77 is operating is a situation where a payout of a prize ball is being executed or a lending operation based on one lending operation has already been performed. It means that the payout is being executed. That is, in step S904, it can be said that it is determined whether or not a winning ball operation is being performed or a lending operation based on a single lending operation is being performed.

  If the payout operation is in progress, the present lending setting process is terminated as it is. If the payout operation is not in progress, the output state of the lending permission signal is set in step S905. As a result, the payout side MPU 112 starts outputting a ball lending permission signal to the ball lending device Y, and the ball lending device Y inputs the ball lending permission signal, thereby lending based on one operation of the ball lending button 66. The request signal is output. After that, in step S906, “1” is set in the lending status flag of the payout side RAM 114, and then the lending setting process is terminated. Note that the ball lending device Y has not operated the ball lending button 66 when the ball lending permission signal is not input for a predetermined period (for example, 2 sec) after the ball lending standby signal is output. Treat as.

  In the ball lending state processing in steps S907 to S911, it is first determined in step S907 whether or not a ball lending request signal is input from the ball lending device Y. The ball lending request signal is a signal that is output when a ball lending device Y requests a lending of a ball. If a ball rental request signal has not been input, the process proceeds directly to step S909. If a ball rental request signal has been input, in step S908, an addition process to the ball rental number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is executed, and then the process proceeds to step S909. In the addition process, information on the number of lent balls corresponding to 25 pieces corresponding to 100 yen is added to the rented number storage area 114b. That is, the ball lending device Y periodically outputs a ball lending request signal in accordance with a ball lending operation in the lending state, and the payout side MPU 112 sets a predetermined number of units each time a ball lending request signal is input. The information on the corresponding number of rented balls is added to the number of lent balls storage area 114b.

  In step S909, it is determined whether an end signal is input from the ball lending apparatus Y. The end signal is a signal that is output when one ball lending operation is performed and the ball lending request signal is output five times, and the paying side indicates that the output of the ball lending request signal for one ball lending operation has ended. This is a signal for the MPU 112 to recognize. If the end signal is not input, the present lending setting process is ended as it is. If the end signal has been input, the lending status flag of the payout side RAM 114 is cleared to “0” in step S910, and the lending permission signal output stop state is set in step S911. End the sphere setting process.

  Incidentally, in a situation where the ball lending device Y outputs a lending request signal to the payout MPU 112 based on one lending operation, even if the ball lending operation is continuously performed, the payout MPU 112 Until the output of the ball rental permission signal is newly started, the ball rental request signal based on the ball rental operation is not output. Therefore, only the information on the number of rents based on one rent operation is stored in the rented number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114. The ball lending device Y is configured to invalidate a new lending operation even if a new lending operation is performed in a situation where a lending request signal is output to the payout-side MPU 112 based on a single lending operation. It is good.

  As described above, the payout side MPU 112 is set in the ball lending state when the ball lending standby signal is input from the ball lending device Y and is not in a payout error state and is not in a payout operation. In particular, even if a ball lending operation is performed in the ball lending operation device 65 while the payout of a prize ball is being executed by preventing the setting of the ball lending state during the payout operation. Priority can be given to paying out prize balls.

  Assuming a configuration that prioritizes the ball lending when a ball lending operation is performed in a situation where award ball is being dispensed, information on the number of award balls is stored in the award ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114. Nevertheless, it is necessary to stop paying out prize balls. In this case, when the pachinko machine 10 is in a power-off state, the information on the number of winning balls is erased as the power-off power is not supplied to the payout side RAM 114 as described above. On the other hand, the ball lending device Y has its own function of holding information when power is interrupted (that is, information on unpaid balls is stored and stored in a card), so that award balls are paid out. If the ball lending device Y does not receive a ball lending request signal, the information on the number of balls lent is retained in the ball lending device Y, and even if the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, The information on the number of balls is not erased. In the above circumstances, even if a ball lending operation is performed in a situation where a prize ball is being dispensed, the prize ball information will be erased without actually being dispensed by giving priority to the prize ball. It is prevented.

<Payout quantity setting process>
Next, the payout number setting process in step S708 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the payout number setting process, information stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a or the rented number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is stored in the payout number counter 114c of the payout side RAM 114, which is an execution area when paying out game balls. The storing process is executed.

  In the payout number setting process, first, a payout setting time mask process is executed in step S1001. In the payout setting time mask process, the logical product is calculated so that the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is equal to or less than a predetermined number of prize balls for correction at the time of payout. Run.

  Here, as will be described later, the payout-side MPU 112 starts outputting the prize ball permission signal when the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is three or less, which is the permitted reference number. The prize ball permission signal is output when the prize ball command corresponding thereto is input from the main MPU 92 and the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is four or more as the non-permitted reference number. To stop. Further, in the pachinko machine 10, the maximum number of winning balls for one winning is 15. In the above configuration, the upper limit number of winning balls in the winning ball number storage area 114a is 18 which is the sum of the permitted reference number and the maximum number of winning winning balls.

  However, in the pachinko machine 10, noise or the like may occur at various timings, and information on the number of prize balls is set in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 in the prize ball setting process (FIG. 18). There is a possibility that the information in the prize ball number storage area 114a will be rewritten afterwards and before the completion of payout of game balls for the number of prize balls. For example, when the information in the prize ball number storage area 114a is originally 10 pieces but is rewritten to 131 pieces or the like, the game hall is greatly disadvantaged. End up.

  On the other hand, in the payout setting mask process of step S1001, the logical product is calculated so that the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is 31 or less as the number of prize balls for correction at the time of payout. Execute the operation.

  In a succeeding step S1002, it is determined whether or not the ball removing operation is being performed. The ball removal operation refers to an operation for discharging the game balls stored in the tank 76 to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. If the ball removal operation is not in progress, it is determined in step S1003 whether or not there is a payout error state. The payout error state has already been described. If it is in the payout error state, the payout number setting process is terminated as it is. This prevents the game ball from being paid out in the payout error state.

  If it is not a payout error state, it is determined in step S1004 whether or not it is a retry state. The retry state is a state in which the rotating body 77e of the payout device 77 is subjected to a process of alternately repeating a normal rotation performed during normal payout and a reverse rotation opposite to the normal rotation. When the payout device 77 is executing a payout operation, the payout side MPU 112 is set to a retry state when it is not specified that the payout of the game ball has been detected for a predetermined period.

  If it is in the retry state, the payout number setting process is terminated as it is, and if it is not in the retry state, the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, it is determined whether or not a ball rental operation is in progress. The renting operation is in a state where the lending state flag of the payout side RAM 114 is set to “1”, or in the state where the number of rented balls is stored in the rented number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114. That means. When the lending status flag is set to “1” or information on the number of rented balls is stored in the number of rented balls storage area 114b, the information on the number of rented balls storage area 114b is paid out in step S1006. After updating the payout number counter 114c of the side RAM 114, the payout number setting process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the rent status flag is not stored and the information on the number of rented balls is not stored in the number of rented balls storage area 114b, the information on the number of winning balls stored in the RAM 114 is stored in step S1007. After updating the payout number counter 114c of the payout side RAM 114, the payout number setting process is terminated. Even in the case where the ball removal state is set in step S1002, after the information in the prize ball number storage area 114a is updated to the payout number counter 114c in step S1007, the payout number setting process is ended.

<Discharge control processing>
Next, the payout control process in step S709 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S1101, a payout state setting process is executed. In the payout state setting process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, first, in step S1201, it is determined whether or not a payout error state is present. If it is in the payout error state, in step S1207, a stop state is set to stop the payout operation of the payout device 77, and then the payout state setting process is terminated. Thereby, the payout operation of the payout device 77 is stopped.

  If it is determined in step S1201 that the payout error state is not set, it is determined in step S1202 whether or not the value of the payout number counter 114c in the payout side RAM 114 is “0”. If the value of the payout number counter 114c is “0”, it means that there is no game ball to be paid out, so that the payout state is set after the payout device 77 is set to the stop state in step S1207. The setting process ends.

  If it is determined in step S1202 that the value of the payout number counter 114c is not “0”, it is determined in step S1203 whether or not a retry state is set. In the retry state, the payout device 77 performs a retry-only operation, and thus the payout state setting process is terminated without executing the subsequent processes. If not in the retry state, it is determined in step S1204 whether or not “1” is set in the prize ball low speed flag of the payout side RAM 114.

  If the prize ball low speed flag is not set to “1”, in step S1206, after setting the normal state so that the payout speed of the payout device 77 is set to the normal cycle, the payout state setting process is performed. finish. If the normal cycle has already been set, that state is maintained.

  On the other hand, if the prize ball low speed flag is set to “1”, in step S1205, after setting the low speed state to set the payout speed of the payout device 77 to the low speed cycle, this payout state setting is performed. The process ends. If the low speed cycle is already set, this state is maintained.

  Returning to the explanation of the payout control process (FIG. 21), after executing the payout state setting process in step S1101, the drive signal output process is executed in step S1102. In the drive signal output process, a drive signal is output to the payout device 77 in accordance with the state set in the payout state setting process in step S1101, so that the drive signal is output in a manner according to the set state. Payout of game balls is executed.

  In the subsequent step S1103, a ball detection process for specifying whether or not one game ball is detected by the payout ball detection sensor 77h is executed. In step S1104, it is determined whether one game ball is detected by the payout ball detection sensor 77h. If a negative determination is made in step S1104, the payout control process is terminated as it is.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1104, it is determined in step S1105 whether or not a ball lending operation is in progress. If the ball lending operation is not in progress, the payout control process is terminated after the prize ball subtraction process in steps S1106 to S1111 is executed. On the other hand, if the renting operation is in progress, the payout subtraction process in steps S1112 to S1113 is executed, and then the payout control process is terminated.

  In the winning ball subtraction process, first, in step S1106, the value in the winning ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S1107, the value of the payout number counter 114c in the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1. . In step S1108, 1 is added to the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114. The prize ball completion counter 114d is for counting the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77. As will be described in detail later, the number of prize balls actually paid out is used as a game. It is used for external output to the hall computer HC of the hall.

  After that, in step S1109, it is determined whether or not the value of the prize ball number storage area 114a is “2” or less. If it is not “2” or less, the payout control process is terminated as it is. If it is “2” or less, it is determined in step S1110 whether or not “1” is set in the prize ball low speed flag of the payout side RAM 114. If the prize ball low speed flag is set to “1”, the payout control process is terminated as it is. If the prize ball low speed flag is not set to “1”, the prize ball low speed flag is set in step S1111. After setting “1”, the payout control process is terminated.

  In the lending process for lending, first, in step S1112, the value in the lending number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S1113, the value of the payout number counter 114c in the payout side RAM 114 is set to 1. After the subtraction, the payout control process ends.

<Prize ball permission signal setting processing>
Next, the winning ball permission signal setting process in step S710 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1301, it is determined whether or not the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is three or less, which is the permitted reference number. If the number is four or more, after setting the prize ball non-permission state in step S1305, the prize ball permission signal setting process is terminated.

  Specifically, when the prize ball permission state flag of the payout side RAM 114 is set to “1”, the prize ball permission state flag is cleared to “0” and the prize ball is not permitted. Stop outputting the permission signal. In a situation where the winning ball permission state flag is “0”, the output of the winning ball permission signal from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 is stopped and the state is maintained.

  In this pachinko machine 10, since the state in which the prize ball permission signal is output is the output state of the HI level signal, the state in which the output of the prize ball permission signal is stopped is the output state of the LOW level signal. . However, when the state where the prize ball permission signal is output is the output state of the LOW level signal, the state where the output of the prize ball permission signal is stopped may be the output state of the HI level signal.

  On the other hand, if the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is three or less, which is the permitted reference number, in step S1301, whether or not the ball removal operation is being performed in step S1302. Determine. If the ball removal operation is not in progress, it is determined in step S1303 whether or not there is a payout error state.

  If it is in the payout error state, after setting the prize ball non-permission state in step S1305, the prize ball permission signal setting process is terminated. In this way, by setting the prize ball non-permission state in the payout error state, in the payout error state, the output of the prize ball permission signal is stopped and the output of the prize ball command is prohibited.

  As already explained, in the payout error state, payout of the game ball is stopped. Further, in the pachinko machine 10, when the power supply from the external power supply is stopped, the information stored in the payout side RAM 114 is erased. Therefore, when a prize ball command is output in the payout error state, if the power supply is stopped while the payout error state continues, the prize ball corresponding to the prize ball command is erased without being paid out. . That is, in a configuration in which a prize ball command is output in a payout error state, there is a high possibility that a prize ball corresponding to the prize ball command is erased without being paid out. On the other hand, according to the present configuration, such inconvenience can be prevented.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1302 or a negative determination is made in step S1303, the winning ball permission signal setting process is terminated after setting the winning ball permission state in step S1304.

  Specifically, for setting the winning ball permission state, when the winning ball permission state flag of the payout side RAM 114 is not set to “1”, the winning ball permission state flag is set to “1”, and a winning ball permission signal is set. Starts output. In a state where the prize ball permission state flag is set to “1”, output of the prize ball permission signal from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 is started, and this state is maintained. That is, in a state where the ball removal operation is not being performed, the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is three or less, which is the permitted reference number, and is not in a payout error state. In this case, the output of the winning ball permission signal is continued.

<External output from pachinko machine 10 to hall computer HC>
Next, a configuration for external output from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC will be described. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of an electrical configuration of a game hall in which a large number of pachinko machines 10 are installed.

  As shown in FIG. 24, an island facility S is provided in the game hall, and a large number of pachinko machines 10 are installed in the island facility S. In the island facility S, a data counter DC is installed to correspond to each pachinko machine 10 on a one-to-one basis. Each data counter DC is mounted above the corresponding pachinko machine 10, and includes a first display unit DC1 for displaying the number of game times executed, and a first display unit DC1 for displaying the number of times of execution of a predetermined opening / closing execution mode. 2 display part DC2 is provided.

  A hall computer HC is provided in the game hall as management control means for managing each pachinko machine 10 and each data counter DC. The hall computer HC is an electronic arithmetic unit having a management program, and an MPU 201 is mounted therein. In the MPU 201, various control programs executed by the MPU 201 and ROM 202 storing fixed value data, and various data and information input from the pachinko machine 10 when the control program stored in the ROM 202 is executed are temporarily stored. And a RAM 203 which is a memory for storing the data.

  The hall computer HC is electrically connected to each pachinko machine 10 through an electrical wiring group EL1, and is also electrically connected to each data counter DC through an electrical wiring group EL2. And while performing the management process based on the information received from each pachinko machine 10, the signal according to the result of the management process is transmitted to each data counter DC.

  Here, a configuration for transmitting information to the hall computer HC in the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 25A is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10 showing the external terminal board 81 and its periphery in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 25B is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the external terminal board 81. .

  As shown in FIG. 25A, the external terminal plate 81 is provided with a plurality of external terminals (output terminals) 81a to 81h. A total of eight external terminals 81a to 81h are provided, and the types of information output to the hall computer HC are different.

  The jackpot external terminal 81a is used to output information indicating that it is in the open / close execution mode based on the winning jackpot in the main MPU 92. The external terminal 81b for the opening / closing execution mode is used for outputting information indicating that the opening / closing execution mode is being performed. Both the jackpot external terminal 81a and the open / close execution mode external terminal 81b are used for outputting information indicating that the open / close execution mode is being executed, but the conditions for outputting the information are different. ing.

  In addition to the external terminals 81a and 81b, the external terminals 81a to 81h include a support mode external terminal 81c used for outputting information indicating that the support mode is in the high frequency support mode. An external terminal 81d for the number of games used to output information indicating that the game round has been completed, and an external terminal 81e used to output information indicating that a predetermined fraud has been detected. ,It is included. In addition to these, an external terminal 81f used for outputting information (discharge signal) of the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S, and payout from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. An external terminal 81g used for outputting information on the number of designated prize balls (scheduled ball signal) and information on the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 (prize ball completion signal) are output. An external terminal 81h used for this purpose is provided.

  The types of the external terminals 81a to 81h are not limited to those described above. For example, the external terminals used for outputting information indicating that the gaming machine main body 12 is open or the front door frame 14 are used. There may be provided an external terminal used for outputting information indicating that is open.

  As shown in FIG. 25 (b), each of the external terminals 81a to 81h is transmitted by a photocoupler 131 in order to prevent the reverse flow while enabling transmission of an electrical signal from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC. It is configured. A light emitting diode 132 that is the primary side of the photocoupler 131 is connected to the main controller 71 via a resistor 133, and a light receiving element (phototransistor) 134 that is a secondary side is connected to the hall computer HC. Accordingly, when a signal is output from the pachinko machine 10 side to the external terminals 81a to 81h, the light emitting diodes 132 of the external terminals 81a to 81h to which the signal is output emit light, and the light is emitted from the external terminals 81a to 81h. The light receiving element 134 receives the light and converts it into an electrical signal, which is output to the hall computer HC.

  Note that the form of the electric signal output to the hall computer HC is arbitrary, and in the situation where no external output is made from the pachinko machine 10 side, a signal of 0V is output, and a predetermined value greater than 0V is generated by the external output. It is also possible to output a signal having a voltage of 1 or a mode in which the output pattern of the signal has a reverse relationship. Further, in a situation where no external output is made from the pachinko machine 10 side, a signal having a reference voltage larger than 0V is output, and a signal having a voltage larger or smaller than the reference voltage is output by performing the external output. It is good.

  A part of the external terminals 81a to 81h is subjected to output setting processing in the main MPU 92, and the rest is subjected to output setting processing in the payout MPU 112. Specifically, of the eight external terminals 81a to 81h, the seven external terminals 81a to 81g including the discharge signal external terminal 81f and the winning ball scheduled signal external terminal 81g are output from the main MPU 92. The setting process is executed, and the remaining one winning ball completion signal external terminal 81h is subjected to the output setting process in the payout MPU 112. However, in the connection unit 141 having a plurality of (eight) electrical wires electrically connected to each of the external terminals 81a to 81h, the connector on the opposite side to the external terminal plate 81 is connected to the main control board 91. Has been. Such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the main control board 91 is connected to the payout control board 111 using the connection unit 105, but a prize ball command is sent from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112 in the electrical wiring of the connection unit 105. Not only the command line for transmission and the electrical wiring for transmitting various signals from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 but also the payout side MPU 112 for setting the output to the external terminal 81h for the winning ball completion signal. The electrical wiring is also included.

  The main control board 91 is relayed so as to electrically connect a connector 106 to which the connection unit 105 on the payout control board 111 side is connected and a connector 142 to which the connection unit 141 on the external terminal board 81 side is connected. A circuit 143 is formed. The winning ball completion signal output from the payout side MPU 112 propagates in the order of the connection unit 105 on the payout control board 111 side → the relay circuit 143 → the connection unit 141 side on the external terminal board 81 side, and from the external terminal 81h to the hall computer. It will be in the state which can output toward HC. That is, the winning ball completion signal is output from the main control board 91 toward the external terminal board 81 although the processing of the main MPU 92 is not involved in the output setting. With this configuration, in the configuration in which the output setting to the external terminal plate 81 is performed in both the main side MPU 92 and the payout side MPU 112, the external terminal plate 81 is prevented from affecting the processing load of the main side MPU 92. It is possible to consolidate connector portions to which electrical wiring is connected into one connector. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate electrical connection work with respect to the external terminal plate 81 at the time of manufacturing the pachinko machine 10 and attachment / detachment work of electrical connection with the external terminal plate 81 at the time of maintenance.

  Although not shown in the figure, the ball lending device Y is also electrically connected to the hall computer HC, and information on the number of game balls instructed to be lent from the ball lending device Y to the payout side MPU 112 (lending instruction) Signal) is output to the hall computer HC.

<Process for Performing External Output at Main MPU 92 and Discharge MPU 112>
Next, processing for external output in the main side MPU 92 and the payout side MPU 112 will be described. However, in the following description, among the external terminals 81a to 81h of the external terminal board 81, the discharge signal external terminal 81f, the prize ball scheduled signal external terminal 81g, and the prize ball completion signal external terminal 81h are used. Processing for external output will be described.

<Process for setting output of discharge signal>
First, a process for performing external output through the discharge signal external terminal 81f in the main MPU 92 will be described. As described above, the discharge signal is output so that the hall computer HC can recognize information on the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S. Therefore, prior to the description of the process for executing the external output, a discharge monitoring process for monitoring the number of game balls discharged to the island facility S will be described.

  The discharge monitoring process is executed in the input state monitoring process (FIG. 13) as already described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the discharge monitoring process.

  In the discharge monitoring process, it is determined in step S1401 whether or not the game ball is detected by the discharge detection sensor 89. As described above, the discharge detection sensor 89 is provided for the alignment passage area 88 of the discharge passage portion 85 through which all the game balls led to the back side of the game board 24 pass after flowing down the game area. It has been. The detection result is output to the main MPU 92.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1401, it is determined in step S1402 whether or not “1” is set in the discharge detected flag provided in the main RAM 94. The discharge detected flag is used to prevent the main MPU 92 from specifying the detected state as the passage of a plurality of game balls when the discharge detection sensor 89 continuously detects one game ball. Flag. When “1” is set in the discharge detected flag, the discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is.

  If “1” is not set in the discharge detected flag, 1 is added to the value of the discharge detection counter provided in the main RAM 94 in step S1403. When the discharge detection counter receives a signal indicating that a game ball is being detected from the discharge detection sensor 89, one discharge is detected on the condition that the main MPU 92 confirms the reception state a plurality of times. It is a counter for specifying that it has been discharged.

  In a succeeding step S1404, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge detection counter is 2 or more. If it is not 2 or more, the present discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is, and if it is 2 or more, the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, 1 is added to the value of the discharge ball counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94. The discharge ball counter 94d is for counting the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S. As will be described in detail later, the number of game balls discharged to the island facility S is calculated. Used for external output to the hall computer HC. Thereafter, “1” is set to the discharge detected flag in step S1406, and the value of the discharge detection counter is cleared to “0” in step S1407, and then the present discharge monitoring process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1401, the discharge detection flag is cleared to “0”, and then the discharge monitoring process ends.

  Next, in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10), the execution timing is earlier than the process (for example, the counter update process) in which the processing time fluctuates greatly during each process execution. The external output process for discharge executed in step S101 as the timing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the discharge external output process, first, in step S1501, the value of the discharge recognition counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by one. When the hall computer HC recognizes the number of game balls discharged to the island facility S, the discharge signal is an HI level signal that is an output state for discharge recognition, whereas the hall computer HC recognizes the discharge signal. If not, it is a LOW level signal. The HI / LOW relationship may be reversed. In the main MPU 92, when the discharge signal is set to the output state for discharge recognition, the state is maintained for a predetermined period. When the output state for discharge recognition is canceled, the main MPU 92 is set for the predetermined period. Prevent resetting to the output state for discharge recognition. In this case, the discharge recognition counter is used to count each of these predetermined periods.

  Further, as described above, the external output processing for discharge is executed at the execution timing before the processing in which the processing time varies greatly in each processing time in the timer interruption processing (FIG. 10). Thereby, the process of adding 1 to the discharge recognition counter is basically executed periodically (specifically, in 2 msec), and it becomes possible to accurately measure each period described later.

  After executing the processing of step S1501, it is determined in step S1502 whether or not it is in the output state for discharge recognition by checking the state of the flag provided in the main RAM 94. When it is not the output state for discharge recognition, the timing at which the output state for discharge recognition was previously released is determined in step S1503 by determining whether or not the value of the discharge recognition counter is 25 or more. It is determined whether or not 50 msec or more has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S1503, the external output process is terminated as it is. Thereby, when the output state for discharge recognition is canceled, other conditions for setting the output state for discharge recognition are at least until 50 msec which is the output setting limit period on the discharge side elapses. Even if it is established, setting the output state for the discharge recognition is restricted.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1503, it is determined in step S1504 whether the value of the discharge ball counter 94d of the main RAM 94 is 10 or more. Here, when the main MPU 92 sets the discharge signal to an output state for discharge recognition, it is a case where 10 or more game balls are discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S, and the discharge is performed. When the output state for recognition is set, 10 is subtracted from the value of the discharge ball counter 94d as described later. That is, when the discharge signal is set to the output state for recognition of discharge, the hall computer HC is notified that a specific number of game balls on the discharge side predetermined as a plurality of numbers have been newly discharged to the island facility S. . In this case, in step S1504, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is 10 or more. If it is less than 10, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the number of game balls newly discharged to the island facility S is less than 10, it is possible to prevent the discharge signal from being set to the output state for discharge recognition.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1504, the output state for discharge recognition is set by setting the flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S1505. Thereby, the discharge signal becomes an output state for discharge recognition. Thereafter, the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is decremented by 10 in step S1506, and after the value of the discharge recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1507, the external output process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1502, that is, if the discharge signal is in an output state for discharge recognition, it is determined in step S1508 whether the value of the discharge recognition counter is 50 or more. By determining, it is determined whether or not the output state for discharge recognition is continued for 100 msec or more. If a negative determination is made in step S1508, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for discharge recognition is set, the discharge signal is maintained in the output state for discharge recognition until 100 msec, which is the output continuation period for discharge recognition, elapses.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1508, the output state for discharge recognition is canceled by performing a clear process for the flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S1509. As a result, the discharge signal is not in an output state for discharge recognition. Thereafter, after the value of the discharge recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1510, the external output process is terminated.

<Process for setting the output of the prize ball scheduled signal>
Next, a process for performing external output through the external terminal 81g for scheduling a prize ball in the main MPU 92 will be described. As described above, the prize ball schedule signal is output so that the hall computer HC can recognize information on the number of prize balls instructed to be paid out from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. Then, the output setting of the winning ball scheduled signal is performed at an execution timing before a process (for example, a counter update process) in which the processing time varies greatly at each processing time in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10). More specifically, it is executed in an external output process for a prize ball schedule activated in step S102. The prize-scheduling external output process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the award ball schedule external output process, first, in step S1601, the value of the prize ball schedule recognition counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by one. The award ball schedule signal is an HI level signal that is an output state for award ball schedule recognition when the hall computer HC recognizes the number of award balls instructed from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. On the other hand, when the hall computer HC does not recognize the signal, it is a LOW level signal. The HI / LOW relationship may be reversed. In the main MPU 92, when the award ball schedule signal is set to the output state for the award ball schedule recognition, the state is maintained for a predetermined period, and when the output state for the award ball schedule recognition is canceled. The resetting to the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is not performed over a predetermined period. In this case, the winning ball schedule recognition counter is used to count each of these predetermined periods.

  In addition, as described above, the prize-scheduling external output process is executed at the execution timing before the process in which the processing time varies greatly at each processing time in the timer interruption process (FIG. 10). The As a result, the process of adding 1 to the winning ball schedule recognition counter is basically executed periodically (specifically, at 2 msec), and it becomes possible to accurately measure each period described later. .

  After executing the process of step S1601, it is determined in step S1602 whether or not it is the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule by checking the state of the flag provided in the main RAM 94. If it is not the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule, in step S1603, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter for winning ball schedule recognition is 5 or more, so that the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is obtained. It is determined whether or not 10 msec or more has elapsed since the timing at which the above was released last time. If a negative determination is made in step S1603, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is canceled, the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is set until at least 10 msec, which is the output setting restriction period on the winning ball schedule side, has elapsed. Even if the other conditions are satisfied, the setting to the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is restricted. The award-ball scheduled side output setting limit period is shorter than 50 msec, which is the discharge-side output setting limit period.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1603, it is determined in step S1604 whether or not the value of the award ball scheduled counter 94c in the main RAM 94 is 1 or more. Here, when the main side MPU 92 sets the prize ball schedule signal to the output state for the prize ball schedule recognition, the number of prize balls instructed to be paid out from the main side MPU 92 to the payout side MPU 112 becomes one or more. When the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is set, 1 is subtracted from the value of the winning ball schedule counter 94c as described later. In other words, when the prize ball schedule signal is set to the prize ball schedule recognition output state, the number of prize balls instructed to be paid out from the main MPU 92 to the payout side MPU 112 becomes a predetermined prize ball schedule side specific number. This is notified to the hall computer HC.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1604, the external output process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1604, a flag provided in the main RAM 94 is set in step S1605, thereby setting the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule. As a result, the winning ball schedule signal becomes an output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule. Thereafter, 1 is subtracted from the value of the prize ball schedule counter 94c in step S1606, and after the value of the prize ball schedule recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1607, the external output process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1602, that is, if the prize ball schedule signal is in an output state for prize ball schedule recognition, the value of the prize ball schedule recognition counter is 5 or more in step S1608. It is determined whether or not the output state for recognizing the winning ball schedule has been continued for 10 msec or more. If a negative determination is made in step S1608, the external output process is terminated as it is. Thus, when the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule is set, the winning ball schedule signal is output in the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule until 10 msec, which is the output continuation period for recognition of the winning ball schedule, elapses. Will be maintained. The output continuation period for recognition of the winning ball schedule is shorter than 100 msec, which is the output continuation period on the discharge side.

  If the determination in step S1608 is affirmative, in step S1609, the flag provided in the main RAM 94 is cleared to cancel the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule. As a result, the winning ball schedule signal is not in the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule. Thereafter, after the value of the winning ball schedule recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1610, the external output process is terminated.

<Process for setting output of prize ball completion signal>
Next, processing for external output through the external terminal 81h for a prize ball completion signal in the payout side MPU 112 will be described. As described above, the prize ball completion signal is output so that the hall computer HC can recognize information on the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77. Then, the output setting of the prize ball completion signal is an execution timing before a process (for example, a payout control process) in which the processing time varies greatly at each processing time in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17). More specifically, it is executed in the payout-side external output process activated in step S701, which is the first execution timing. The external output processing on the payout side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the payout-side external output process, first, in step S1701, the value of the payout-side recognition counter provided in the payout-side RAM 114 is incremented by one. The prize ball completion signal is an HI level signal that is an output state for payout side recognition when the hall computer HC recognizes the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77. When the hall computer HC does not recognize the signal, it is a LOW level signal. The HI / LOW relationship may be reversed. The payout side MPU 112 maintains the state for a predetermined period when the award ball completion signal is set to the payout side recognition output state, and when the payout side recognition output state is canceled, The resetting to the payout side recognition output state is not performed over a period. In this case, the payout side recognition counter is used to count each of these predetermined periods.

  Further, as already described, the external output processing on the payout side is executed at the execution timing before the processing in which the processing time varies greatly at each processing time in the timer interruption processing (FIG. 17). As a result, the process of adding 1 to the payout side recognition counter is basically executed periodically (specifically, at 2 msec), and it becomes possible to accurately measure each period described later.

  After executing the process of step S1701, in step S1702, the state of the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 is confirmed to determine whether or not it is an output state for payout side recognition. If it is not the payout side recognition output state, it is determined in step S1703 whether or not the payout side recognition counter value is 25 or more, so that the payout side recognition output state is canceled last time. It is determined whether or not 50 msec or more has elapsed from the determined timing. If a negative determination is made in step S1703, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for payout side recognition is canceled, at least 50 msec which is the output setting limit period on the payout side has passed, the other output state for setting the payout side recognition is different. Even if the condition is satisfied, setting to the output state for the payout side recognition is restricted. The payout side output setting limit period is longer than the award ball scheduled side output setting limit period and is the same as the discharge side output setting limit period.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1703, it is determined in step S1704 whether or not the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d in the payout side RAM 114 is 10 or more. Here, when the payout side MPU 112 sets the prize ball completion signal to the payout side recognition output state, it is a case where the number of game balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 becomes 10 or more. When the output state for the payout side recognition is set, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is decremented by 10 as will be described later. That is, when the winning ball completion signal is set to the payout side recognition output state, the hall computer HC indicates that a specific number of paying side game balls predetermined as a plurality of numbers are newly paid out from the payout device 77. To be notified. In this case, in step S1704, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is 10 or more. If it is less than 10, the external output processing is terminated as it is. As a result, when the number of game balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 is less than 10, the winning ball completion signal can be prevented from being set to the payout side recognition output state.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1704, a flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 is set in step S1705 to set an output state for payout side recognition. As a result, the winning ball completion signal becomes an output state for payout side recognition. Thereafter, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is decremented by 10 in step S1706, and after the value of the payout side recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1707, the external output processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1702, that is, if the winning ball completion signal is in an output state for payout side recognition, the value of the payout side recognition counter becomes 50 or more in step S1708. By determining whether or not there is, it is determined whether or not the output state for payout side recognition is continued for 100 msec or more. If a negative determination is made in step S1708, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for payout side recognition is set, the winning ball completion signal is maintained in the output state for payout side recognition until 100 msec, which is the output continuation period for payout side recognition, elapses. Will be. The output continuation period for payout side recognition is longer than 10 msec, which is the output continuation period for winning ball schedule recognition, and is the same as the output continuation period, 100 msec, on the discharge side. .

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1708, the output state for payout side recognition is canceled by performing clear processing of the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 in step S1709. As a result, the winning ball completion signal is not in the payout side recognition output state. Thereafter, after the value of the payout side recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1710, the external output process is terminated.

<External output and operational effects of this embodiment>
Next, the state of external output and the effects of this embodiment will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. FIG. 30 (a) is a timing chart for explaining the state of the external output of the discharge signal, FIG. 30 (a1) shows how the value of the discharge ball counter 94d fluctuates, and FIG. 30 (a2) shows the discharge signal. Indicates the output state. FIG. 30B is a timing chart for explaining the external output of the prize ball completion signal, and FIG. 30B 1 shows how the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d fluctuates. b2) shows the output state of the winning ball completion signal. FIG. 30 (c) is a timing chart for explaining the state of the external output of the winning ball schedule signal. FIG. 30 (c1) shows how the value of the winning ball schedule counter 94c fluctuates. c2) shows the output state of the winning ball scheduled signal.

  First, an external output state of the discharge signal will be described with reference to FIG.

  As the player performs a launch operation on the launch handle 55 and continues to launch the game ball toward the game area, the game ball is continuously discharged to the island facility S through the discharge passage portion 85. Then, by detecting these discharged game balls by the discharge detection sensor 89, the value of the discharge ball counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94 increases as shown in FIG. 30 (a1). In this case, the game balls to be discharged include game balls that have won prizes such as the general prize opening 31, the variable prize winning device 32, the upper working opening 33, and the lower working opening 34 as described above, A game ball entering the mouth 37 is also included. Then, when the value of the discharge ball counter 94d reaches the value of the discharge side specific number at the timing of t11, the discharge signal becomes an output state for discharge recognition. This output state is continued over an output continuation period for discharge recognition from the timing t11 to the timing t12. The output continuation period for the discharge recognition is 100 msec. In addition, when the launch operation by the player with respect to the launch handle 55 is continued, the launch period of the game ball is 600 msec, and for the value of the discharge ball counter 94d to reach the value of the specific number on the discharge side, it is used for discharge recognition. It takes more time than the output duration. That is, the time from when the output state for discharge recognition is released until the next output state for discharge recognition is reached is equal to or longer than the output continuation period for discharge recognition.

  Next, referring to FIG. 30B, an external output state of the winning ball completion signal will be described.

  As a result of the game ball being launched toward the game area, a payout occurs from the main MPU 92 due to the occurrence of a winning in any of the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34. A prize ball command is transmitted to the MPU 112, and the payout device 77 is driven and controlled by the payout side MPU 112, whereby the game ball is paid out. The paid-out game ball is detected by the pay-out ball detection sensor 77h, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 30 (b1), the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the pay-out side RAM 114 increases. . Then, at the timing t21, the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d reaches the value of the payout side specific number, so that the prize ball completion signal becomes an output state for payout side recognition. This output state is continued over the output continuation period for payout side recognition from the timing t21 to the timing t22. The output continuation period for payout side recognition is 100 msec. Further, when the payout device 77 is continuously driven, the shortest payout period of the game ball is 30 msec, and the payout side recognition output continuation period is required for the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d to reach the value of the payout side specific number. It takes more time. That is, the time from when the output state for payout side recognition is released until the next output state for payout side recognition is equal to or longer than the output duration period for payout side recognition.

  As described above, for each of the discharge signal and the winning ball completion signal, the period during which the output state for recognition continues and the period from when the output state is canceled until the next output state is set are relatively long. By setting the period, even if the hall computer HC has a relatively slow processing speed such as a signal monitoring period of 40 msec, the discharge signal is in an output state for discharge recognition, and The hall computer HC can recognize that the winning ball completion signal is in the payout side recognition output state.

  In addition, when the number of game balls newly discharged becomes a specific number on the discharge side set as a plurality of numbers, the discharge signal is set to an output state for discharge recognition. In the machine 10, it is possible to reduce the frequency at which the discharge signal becomes the output state for discharge recognition. Similarly, when the number of prize balls newly paid out becomes a specific number on the payout side set as a plurality of numbers, the prize ball completion signal is set to an output state for payout side recognition. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the frequency at which the winning ball completion signal becomes an output state for payout side recognition in each pachinko machine 10. In the hall computer HC of the game hall using the discharge signal and the winning ball completion signal, it is necessary to process all of the discharging signal and the winning ball completion signal transmitted from each pachinko machine 10 existing in the gaming hall. In this case, by reducing the frequency with which the discharge signal and the prize ball completion signal are set to the output state for recognition as described above, these signals can be used even for a hall computer HC having a relatively low processing speed. It is possible to suitably perform the processing.

  Here, the hall computer HC manages the number of game balls present in the game hall. Specifically, in the hall computer HC, information on the number of game balls paid out transmitted from each pachinko machine 10 (for example, a prize ball completion signal), and the number of game balls lent out transmitted from each ball lending device Y are shown. The total number of the game balls paid out to the player in each pachinko machine 10 is totaled (hereinafter, this total number is also referred to as the total number of payouts).

  In addition, the game hall is provided with one or more totaling devices that count the number of game balls paid out to the player when returning to the island facility S. , Is sent to the game hall as a collection signal. In the hall computer HC, the information on the number of collected game balls transmitted from the counting device and the information on the number of discharged game balls (discharge signal) transmitted from each pachinko machine 10 are summed, and the island computer HC The number of game balls returned to the facility S is totaled (hereinafter, this total number is also referred to as a discharge total number).

  In the hall computer HC, for example, at the start of business or at the end of business, the total number of game balls existing in the game hall is managed by comparing the total number of payouts and the total number of discharges. For example, if there is no abnormality with respect to the game balls existing in the game hall, the total number of payouts and the total number of discharges match, or depending on the size of the game hall, for example, about 100 errors However, in this case, the hall computer HC notifies that the management result of the game ball is normal (for example, output to the display).

  On the other hand, if a player or other person brings a game ball into the game hall or illegally obtains a game ball from the game hall and supplies the game ball to the game area, The total number of emissions is greater than the total number of payouts. When such an event occurs, there is a possibility that a great disadvantage will occur in the game hall. On the other hand, the hall computer HC notifies that the number of game balls is excessive (for example, output to a display) as a management result of game balls.

  In addition, when the player returns home with a large number of game balls left in the pachinko machine 10, or when the player takes away the game balls from the game hall, the above-mentioned total number of discharges is greater than the total number of discharges. More than. In particular, in recent years, there are many sales forms in which the number of game balls rented out for a unit amount is different. In this case, in the game hall, for example, the pachinko machine of the island facility S in which the number of loans is set large. It is necessary to manage whether or not the game balls obtained in 10 are used in the pachinko machine 10 of the island facility S set with a small number of loans, and if so, the game balls of each island facility S having a different number of loans are managed. It becomes necessary to manage the total number. In this case, in the case of the island facility S in which the number of loans is set to be large, if the above-mentioned total number of payouts is greater than the above-mentioned total number of discharges, the number of loans from the island facility S side where the number of loans is large There is a possibility that a small amount of game balls are brought into the island facility S side. When each event as described above occurs, there is a possibility that a great disadvantage will occur in the game hall. On the other hand, the hall computer HC performs notification (for example, output to a display) that the game balls are insufficient as a management result of the game balls.

  As described above, even with a hole computer HC having a relatively low processing speed, it is possible to manage the number of game balls present in the game hall by using the discharge signal and the winning ball completion signal. . However, when the prize ball completion signal is used, there may be a problem that the number cannot be strictly managed. The problem will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the configuration in which the prize ball completion signal is set to the payout side recognition output state when the number of newly awarded prize balls reaches the payout side specific number set as a plurality of numbers, FIG. As shown after the timing t23 in b), when the number of newly awarded prize balls is less than the specified number on the payout side, the state where the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is 1 or more continues. Will be. In this case, since the power for interruption is not supplied to the payout side RAM 114 as already described, the business is terminated in a state after the timing of t23, and the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 and the power supply to the launch control board 121 are performed. When blocked, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is cleared. Such a situation can occur for the number of pachinko machines 10 existing in the game hall. For example, since the specific number on the payout side is 10, the average number remaining in the prize ball completion counter 114d in each pachinko machine 10 is 4.5, and the pachinko machine 10 is 1000 in the game hall. If there is a table, an error of 4500 pieces can be generated on a daily basis with respect to management of the number of game balls. Further, since the error is an error on the side where the total number of discharges is larger than the total number of payouts, it is difficult to find fraudulent acts carried in by bringing game balls. Furthermore, the error is not offset even if the number of game balls is managed evenly over a plurality of business days, and the error tends to increase. How to see this error depends on the business policy of the game hall, but it is not preferable in a game hall that wants to strictly manage game balls.

  On the other hand, the present pachinko machine 10 can solve the above-mentioned problem by enabling the output of a prize ball schedule signal separately from the prize ball completion signal. The state of external output of the winning ball schedule signal will be described with reference to FIG.

  As a result of the game ball being fired toward the game area, winning in any one of the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34 occurs, so that FIG. 30 (c1). As shown in the drawing, at the timing of t31, information on the number of prize balls is set in the prize ball schedule counter 94c provided in the main RAM 94. In this case, a winning to the general winning opening 31 occurs, and the value of the scheduled winning ball counter 94c is set to 10. Then, combinations of the setting of the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule and the cancellation of the output state for the winning ball schedule signal are generated by the number of values set in the winning ball schedule counter 94c. Also, at the timing of t32, when the winning to the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34 occurs, the value of the winning ball scheduled counter 94c is set to 3. Even in this case, the combination of the setting of the output state for recognition of the winning ball schedule and the cancellation of the output state for the winning ball schedule signal is generated by the number of values set in the winning ball schedule counter 94c.

  As described above, in a game hall in which it is desired to strictly manage game balls and has a hall computer HC whose processing speed is relatively fast, the award ball schedule signal should be used for managing the number of prize balls. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the event that the game computer is not recognized in the hall computer HC even though the game ball is actually paid out, and it is possible to strictly manage the game ball. Become.

  The prize ball schedule signal has an output continuation period for recognition of the prize ball schedule of 10 msec and an output setting limit time on the prize ball schedule side of 10 msec. Is shorter than 30 msec, which is the shortest payout cycle when paying out continuously. Thereby, the deviation between the timing when the prize ball schedule signal is in the output state for the prize ball schedule recognition and the timing when the corresponding game ball is actually paid out by the payout device 77 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the time when the prize ball is actually paid out in the hall computer HC.

  Even if the game ball can be strictly managed by using the prize ball schedule signal as described above, the external terminal board 81 has an external terminal 81g for the prize ball schedule signal. Aside from this, an external terminal 81h for a prize ball completion signal is provided, and the prize ball completion signal can be output, so that there is no need to strictly manage game balls, In a game hall having a hall computer HC having a relatively slow speed, it is possible to use a prize ball completion signal instead of a prize ball schedule signal. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the diversity of game halls. Furthermore, for the game hall, signals used in the hall computer HC can be transmitted through the selection of the external terminals 81g and 81h, so that selective use in the game hall is facilitated.

  In addition to the above effects, according to the present embodiment, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  A discharge detection sensor 89 is provided to detect each game ball that is led out from the game area to the back side of the game board 24 and discharged to the island facility S through the discharge passage portion 85, and the game ball discharged to the island facility S is By being configured to be detected by the pachinko machine 10 itself, it is possible to reliably detect the game balls discharged to the island facility S. For example, in the configuration for detecting game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 in the island facility S, a configuration in which a receiving ball receiving portion is provided below each pachinko machine 10 and the game ball is detected in the receiving portion, or the island A configuration is conceivable in which an area in which the game balls are aligned in a line in the circulation path of the equipment S is set and the game balls are detected in the alignment area. However, in the former configuration, it is necessary to make the configuration of the receiving part versatile so as to be compatible with various manufacturers and various models, and thus the versatile configuration. In this case, a game ball discharged from the pachinko machine 10 jumps on the receiving part, and a situation that cannot be detected as a discharged ball may occur. Further, in the latter configuration, there may be a problem that the configuration of the circulation path of the island facility S is complicated and a circulation speed of the game ball is lowered. On the other hand, as described above, the game ball discharged to the island facility S is detected by the pachinko machine 10 itself, so that the discharged ball can be reliably detected without causing such inconvenience. It becomes possible.

  The number of game balls discharged to the island facility S is measured by the main MPU 92, and the measurement result is stored in a discharge ball counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94. Since the power for power interruption is supplied to the main RAM 94, the information of the discharge ball counter 94d is stored and held even if the power supply to the power supply and the launch control board 121 is stopped after the business is over. . As a result, the predetermined business day ends in a state where the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is 1 or more, and even if an error occurs in the management of the discharge ball for the predetermined business day, the information of the discharge ball counter 94d Is stored and used on the next business day, so by managing the number of discharged balls evenly over multiple business days, the above error can be offset and the number of discharged balls can be managed accurately. Can be performed.

  The hall computer HC uses both the award ball scheduled signal and the award ball completion signal, so that the award ball scheduled number set based on the occurrence of the winning and the award ball completion number actually paid out with respect to it. It is possible to manage whether or not and match.

<Second Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the external terminal board 81 is an external terminal for outputting information on the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S, and is used as an external terminal for the discharge signal in the first embodiment. In addition to the terminal 81f, an external terminal for an individual discharge signal is provided, and an output setting process for the external terminal is executed by the main MPU 92, whereby an individual discharge signal can be output to the hall computer HC. ing. The main RAM 94 is provided with an individual discharge ball counter so that the external output of the discharge number through the individual discharge signal can be performed independently of the external output of the discharge number through the discharge signal. Yes. For this individual discharge ball counter, when the addition process of the discharge ball counter 94d is executed, the same number of addition processes are executed.

  Note that, as in the first embodiment, the main-side RAM 94 is supplied with power for power interruption, so that the value of the individual discharge ball counter is stopped when the power supply to the power source and the launch control board 121 is stopped. Even under certain circumstances, it is retained. The configuration other than the configuration relating to the output setting of the individual discharge signal is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the individual output external output process executed by the main MPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 31. The external output process for individual discharge is executed immediately after the external output process for discharge (step S101) is executed in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10).

  In the individual discharge external output process, first, in step S1801, the value of the individual discharge recognition counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by one. The individual discharge signal is an HI level signal that is an output state for individual discharge recognition when the hall computer HC recognizes the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S. When the hall computer HC does not recognize the signal, it is a LOW level signal. The HI / LOW relationship may be reversed. In the main MPU 92, when the individual discharge signal is set to the individual discharge recognition output state, the state is maintained for a predetermined period, and when the individual discharge recognition output state is canceled, the predetermined period is set. In this way, resetting to the output state for individual discharge recognition is not performed. In this case, the individual discharge recognition counter is used to count each of these predetermined periods.

  In addition, the individual output external output process is executed at an execution timing prior to a process in which a variation in the processing time is large at each processing time in the timer interruption process (FIG. 10). As a result, the process of adding 1 to the individual discharge recognition counter is basically executed periodically (specifically at 2 msec), and it becomes possible to accurately measure each period described later.

  After executing the processing of step S1801, in step S1802, the state of the flag provided in the main RAM 94 is confirmed to determine whether or not the output state is for individual discharge recognition. If it is not the output state for individual discharge recognition, the output state for individual discharge recognition is canceled last time by determining whether or not the value of the individual discharge recognition counter is 5 or more in step S1803. It is determined whether or not 10 msec or more has elapsed from the determined timing. If a negative determination is made in step S1803, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for individual discharge recognition is canceled, the output state for individual discharge recognition is not changed until at least 10 msec, which is the output setting limit period on the individual discharge side, has elapsed. Even if the above condition is satisfied, setting to the output state for the individual discharge recognition is restricted. The output setting limit period on the individual discharge side is shorter than the output setting limit period on the discharge side and 50 msec which is the output setting limit period on the payout side, and is the same as the output setting limit period on the winning ball scheduled side. It has become.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1803, it is determined in step S1804 whether the value of the individual discharge ball counter in the main side RAM 94 is 1 or more. Here, when the main MPU 92 sets the individual discharge signal to the output state for individual discharge recognition, it is a case where one game ball is discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S. 1 is subtracted from the value of the individual discharge ball counter as will be described later. That is, when the individual discharge signal is set to the output state for individual discharge recognition, the number of game balls newly discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S has become a predetermined specific number on the individual discharge side. Is notified to the hall computer HC.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1804, the external output process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1804, an output state for individual discharge recognition is set by setting a flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S1805. Thereby, the individual discharge signal becomes an output state for individual discharge recognition. Thereafter, the value of the individual discharge ball counter is decremented by 1 in step S1806, and after the value of the individual discharge recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1807, the external output processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1802, that is, if the individual discharge signal is in an output state for individual discharge recognition, whether the value of the individual discharge recognition counter is 5 or more in step S1808. By determining whether or not, it is determined whether or not the output state for individual discharge recognition is continued for 10 msec or more. If a negative determination is made in step S1808, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for individual discharge recognition is set, the individual discharge signal is maintained in the output state for individual discharge until 10 msec, which is the output continuation period for individual discharge recognition, has elapsed. It will be. This individual discharge recognition output continuation period is shorter than the discharge-side output continuation period and the payout-side output continuation period of 100 msec, and is the same as the output continuation period on the award ball scheduled side. Yes.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1808, the output state for individual discharge recognition is canceled by performing clear processing of a flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S1809. As a result, the individual discharge signal is not in the output state for individual discharge recognition. Thereafter, after the value of the individual discharge recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1810, the external output process is terminated.

  According to the above configuration, in the game hall, either the discharge signal or the individual discharge signal can be selected as a signal for managing the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S. It becomes possible. When an individual discharge signal is selected, each time one discharge ball is generated, the individual discharge signal becomes an output state for individual discharge recognition, so the hall computer HC manages the discharge balls in units of one. It becomes possible to do. In the discharge signal, since the output state for discharge recognition is set when the number of discharge balls reaches a specific number on the discharge side determined as a plurality of numbers, the discharge ball counter 94d is operated in a state of 1 or more. There is a possibility that the day ends, and in this case, it is not possible to strictly manage the emission balls in business days. On the other hand, by using the individual discharge signal, as described above, the hole computer HC can manage the discharged balls in units of one, and therefore it is possible to strictly manage the discharged balls. Become.

  Further, even if the configuration is such that the discharge ball can be strictly managed by using the individual discharge signal as described above, the external terminal plate 81 is provided separately from the external terminal for the individual discharge signal. Since the discharge signal external terminal 81f is provided and the discharge signal can be output, there is a game hall that does not require strict management of the discharge ball, or a hall computer that has a relatively low processing speed. In a game hall having HC, it is possible to use a discharge signal instead of an individual discharge signal. Therefore, it is possible to deal with the diversity of game halls. Further, for the game hall, since the signal used in the hall computer HC can be transmitted through selection of the external terminal, selective use in the game hall is facilitated.

  In addition, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, a game hole having a hole computer HC with a relatively high processing speed and for which the management of the game ball is strictly performed is scheduled for a prize ball as a management of the number of prize balls. In addition to using the signal and using the individual discharge signal as a management of the number of discharged balls, both the management of the number of prize balls and the management of the number of discharged balls can be managed in units of one game ball. It becomes possible to manage the number of game balls accurately in units of one business day. On the other hand, in a game hall having a hall computer HC having a relatively slow processing speed, a prize ball completion signal is used for managing the number of prize balls, and a discharge signal is used for managing the number of discharge balls. For both the management of the number of balls and the management of the number of discharged balls, it is possible to reduce the signal output frequency and the signal switching frequency, and to manage the number of game balls.

  In the present embodiment, a power interruption power may be supplied to the winning ball completion counter 114d. In this case, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is also stored and held even if the supply of operating power to the power source and the firing control board 121 is stopped. Therefore, in a game hall having a hall computer HC with a relatively slow processing speed, a configuration is used in which a prize ball completion signal is used for managing the number of prize balls and a discharge signal is used for managing the number of discharged balls. When the management of the number of game balls is averaged over a plurality of business days, the error is offset and the management can be performed strictly.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the output mode of the winning ball completion signal is configured to change depending on the situation. Hereinafter, the different configuration will be described. The configuration other than the different configuration is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a payout-side external output process executed by the payout side MPU 112 in the present embodiment.

  First, in step S1901, by checking the state of the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114, it is determined whether or not it is an individual output state. If it is not in the individual output state, the processing in steps S1902 to S1911 is executed. The processes in steps S1902 to S1911 are the same as the processes in steps S1701 to S1710 of the payout-side external output process (FIG. 29) in the first embodiment. As a result, when the individual output state is not set, as in the first embodiment, when the number of paid-out prize balls reaches a specified payout-side number, a prize ball completion signal is issued. The output state for payout side recognition is set, and the output continuation period for payout side recognition is 100 msec, and the output setting limit period on the discharge side is 50 msec.

  Conditions for making a new setting to an output state for payout recognition when a negative determination is made in step S1904 or step S1905 in the processing of steps S1902 to S1911, that is, when the output state is not for payout recognition If the condition is not satisfied, it is determined in step S1912 whether the individual output condition is satisfied. The individual output condition is a condition that is satisfied when a state in which a game is not being performed by the player continues for a switching reference period (for example, 60 seconds). Specifically, the operation of the firing handle 55 is performed during the switching reference period. It is determined that the individual output condition is satisfied when the operation continues. The individual output condition is not limited to this, and for example, when the demo screen is displayed on the symbol display device 41, the individual output condition may be determined to be satisfied.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1912, the external output process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S 1912, the external output process is terminated after setting the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 in step S 1913 to set the individual output state. .

  By setting the individual output state, the next external output process makes an affirmative determination in step S1901, and executes the individual output process in step S1914. The individual output processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S2001, 1 is added to the value of the individual recognition counter provided in the payout-side RAM 114. The individual recognition counter is used to count a period in which the prize ball completion signal is in the individual recognition output state in the individual output state and a period after the output state is canceled.

  After executing the process of step S2001, in step S2002, it is determined whether or not it is an output state for individual recognition by checking the state of the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114. When it is not the output state for individual recognition, the timing at which the output state for individual recognition was previously released is determined in step S2003 by determining whether the value of the individual recognition counter is 25 or more. It is determined whether or not 50 msec or more has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S2003, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the output state for individual recognition is canceled, other conditions for setting the output state for individual recognition until at least 50 msec, which is the output setting limit period on the individual side, have passed. Even if it is established, setting the output state for the individual recognition is restricted. This individual-side output setting limit period is the same as the payout-side output setting limit period, but it may be shorter or longer.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S2003, it is determined in step S2004 whether or not the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d in the payout side RAM 114 is 1 or more. Here, the case where the payout side MPU 112 sets the prize ball completion signal to the individual recognition output state is a case where one or more game balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 are newly added. When the output state for individual recognition is set, 1 is subtracted from the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d as described later. In other words, when the prize ball completion signal is set to the output state for individual recognition, it is indicated that the individual specific number of game balls determined as a number smaller than the specific number on the payout side are newly paid out from the payout device 77. It is notified to the computer HC.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2004, the external output process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2004, an output state for individual recognition is set by setting a flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 in step S2005. As a result, the winning ball completion signal becomes an output state for individual recognition. Thereafter, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is decremented by 1 in step S2006, and the value of the individual recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S2007, and then this external output process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2002, that is, if the winning ball completion signal is in an output state for individual recognition, whether or not the value of the individual recognition counter is 100 or more in step S2008. It is determined whether or not the output state for individual recognition is continued for 200 msec or more. If a negative determination is made in step S2008, the external output process is terminated as it is. As a result, when the individual recognition output state is set, the winning ball completion signal is maintained in the individual recognition output state until 200 msec, which is the individual recognition output continuation period, has elapsed. Become. The output continuation period for individual recognition is a period longer than 100 msec, which is the output continuation period for payout-side recognition set when the individual output state is not set. As a result, in the hall computer HC of the game hall, even if the signal is received from the external terminal 81h for the winning ball completion signal, due to the difference in the output duration when it is in the recognition output state, It is possible to identify whether the state is set in the individual output state or the state set in a state other than the individual output state.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S2008, the output state for individual recognition is canceled in step S2009 by clearing the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114. As a result, the winning ball completion signal is not in the output state for individual recognition. Thereafter, after the value of the individual recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S2010, the process proceeds to step S2011.

  In step S2011, whether or not the individual output state cancellation condition is satisfied is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is 10 or more, or “0”. Determine. If a negative determination is made in step S2011, the external output processing is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S2011, a clearing process of a flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 is performed in step S2012. Thus, after releasing the individual output state, the external output process is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, in a situation where a game is being played by the player, it is not in the individual output state, so that the number of award balls that are paid out becomes a specific number on the payout side determined as a plurality. In this case, the award ball completion signal is set to an output state for payout side recognition, and the hall computer HC is informed that the payout side specific number of award balls has been paid out. On the other hand, when the game is not performed by the player, the individual output state is set, so that the prize ball completion signal is set to the individual recognition output state for each prize ball, and for each prize ball. Notification to the hall computer HC is performed. By adopting such a configuration, in a situation where a game is being played by the player, in a situation where the game is not being played by the player while suppressing the frequency at which the winning ball completion signal is set to the payout side recognition output state. The value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is 1 or more so that it is not output until the end of the business day. The Hall computer HC can identify each of the signal outputs in the former case and the signal output in the latter case because the signal output modes are different. Therefore, even when the hall computer HC, which has a relatively slow processing speed, manages the number of prize balls using the prize ball completion signal, it operates with the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d being 1 or more. Occurrence of the event that the day ends is prevented, and the number of prize balls can be managed strictly.

  In addition, a configuration in which the output mode of the prize ball completion signal is switched between the individual output state and the non-existing state while using the prize ball completion signal instead of using a signal different from the prize ball completion signal. Therefore, the above excellent effects can be achieved without increasing the number of external terminals of the external terminal plate 81.

  In addition, since the above-described switching is performed by changing the period when the prize ball completion signal is continued in the recognition output state, the processing configuration for performing the switching and the switching are identified. This simplifies the processing configuration.

  In addition, in the case of the individual output state, the hall computer HC has a relatively slow processing speed because the period during which the winning ball completion signal is held in the recognition output state is longer than before. However, it is possible to cope with the switching.

  Further, switching to the individual output state is performed when the state in which the firing handle 55 is not operated by the player continues. As a result, since the switching to the individual output state is performed in a state in which the frequency at which the winning ball completion signal is in the recognition output state is reduced, the frequency of the recognition output state is suppressed as described above. It is possible to achieve excellent effects.

  If a prize ball command is received in the situation of the individual output state, even if the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d at the time before receiving the prize ball command is 1 or more, the individual output state It is good also as a structure which cancels | releases. Thus, basically, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a prize ball completion signal is set to an output state for recognition when a plurality of payout side specific number of prize balls are generated. It is possible to reduce the frequency of setting.

  In addition, the specific method for switching the output mode of the prize ball completion signal is not the configuration for changing the output duration for recognition as described above, but the voltage value or current when the output state for recognition is set. The configuration may be such that the value is changed, or the output setting limit period may be changed.

  In addition, the configuration in which the signal output mode is switched as described above may be applied to the discharge signal in addition to or instead of the winning ball completion signal.

<Fourth Embodiment>
The pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a discharge detection sensor 89 for detecting a game ball discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S as in the first embodiment. In this case, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there is provided a configuration for dealing with an illegal act using the provision of the discharge detection sensor 89. Hereinafter, the different configuration will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is basically omitted.

  FIG. 34A is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of the discharge detection sensor 89 and its periphery, and FIG. 34B is a diagram schematically showing a lower region of the game board 24.

  As shown in FIG. 34A, the discharge detection sensor 89 is provided in the alignment passage area 88 of the discharge passage portion 85 as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the discharge detection sensor 89 includes a through hole 89a that allows the game balls B1 to pass one by one, and the through hole 89a is coaxial with the alignment passage region 88. A discharge detection sensor 89 is installed. The discharge detection sensor 89 detects a change in the magnetic field when the game ball passes through the through-hole 89a, and outputs the detection result to the main MPU 92 as an electrical signal. The opening area of the through hole 89a is narrower than the passage cross section of the alignment passage region 88, and a stepped portion 89b is formed between the through hole 89a and the passage wall of the alignment passage region 88.

  Here, in the above configuration, when the illegal sphere B2 having a diameter smaller than the passage width of the alignment passage area 88 and larger than the diameter of the through hole 89a is launched into the game area, the illegal sphere B2 is By being caught on the stepped portion 89b of the discharge detection sensor 89, the passage of the game ball B1 in the alignment passage area 88 is inhibited. Then, the game ball B1 subsequently launched toward the game area stops at the alignment path area 88 with the illegal ball B2 as the head. If the game ball B1 continues to be fired in this state, the game ball B1 overflows from the out port 37 of the game board 24 to the game area side as shown in FIG. 34 (b). In this case, when the game ball B1 overflows to the surroundings of the general winning opening 31 or the upper operating opening 33, the subsequently released gaming ball B1 wins the general winning opening 31 or the upper operating opening 33. It becomes easy, and it becomes possible for a fraudster to obtain an illegal profit.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the above fraud by executing the discharge monitoring process in the main MPU 92. The discharge monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The discharge monitoring process is executed in step S307 of the input state monitoring process (FIG. 13), as in the first embodiment.

  In the discharge monitoring process, first, in step S2101, it is determined whether or not the discharge detection sensor 89 is ON. If it is ON, 1 is added to the value of the discharge detection counter provided in the main RAM 94 in step S2102. The discharge detection counter is a counter for specifying the number of times the main MPU 92 has confirmed that a signal indicating that a game ball is detected from the discharge detection sensor 89 has been received.

  In a succeeding step S2103, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the discharge detection completed flag provided in the main RAM 94. Similarly to the first embodiment, when the discharge detection sensor 89 continuously detects one game ball, the discharge detection completed flag is detected by a plurality of game balls in the main MPU 92. It is a flag to prevent it from being identified as passing.

  If “1” is not set in the discharge detected flag, it is determined in step S2104 whether the value of the discharge detection counter in the main RAM 94 is 2 or more. If a negative determination is made in step S2104, the present discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2104, the value of the discharge ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by 1 in step S2105. The discharge ball counter is for counting the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S, as in the first embodiment, and the number of game balls discharged to the island facility S. Is output to the hall computer HC externally. Thereafter, in step S2106, “1” is set in the discharge detected flag of the main RAM 94, and then the discharge monitoring process is terminated.

  When “1” is set in the discharge detection completed flag of the main RAM 94 in a state where the discharge detection sensor 89 is in the ON state, an affirmative determination is made in step S2103 and the process proceeds to step S2107. In step S2107, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge detection counter of the main RAM 94 is equal to or greater than “500”, which is a stop determination reference value. Since the discharge monitoring process is started at a cycle of 4 msec in the main MPU 92, whether or not the state in which the discharge detection sensor 89 is in the ON state has continued for 2 sec or more which is the stop determination reference period in step S2107. It will be determined.

  During the stop determination reference period, the game ball is moved from the position of the detection range of the discharge detection sensor 89 to the position of the out port 37 of the game board 24 after the illegal ball B2 is caught at the position of the discharge detection sensor 89. It is set as a period shorter than the minimum period assumed as the time required for filling. Thereby, even if the illegal ball B2 is caught at the position of the discharge detection sensor 89, the notification indicating that the discharge ball is overflowing from the out port 37 before the game ball B1 overflows may be started. It becomes possible.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2107, the present discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S 2107, “1” is set to a discharge error flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S 2108, and a discharge error command is sent to the sound emission controller 72 in step S 2109. Output to. Thereafter, the discharge monitoring process is terminated.

  The discharge error flag is a flag for specifying in the main MPU 92 that a discharge error state is present. The main MPU 92 can specify whether or not it is in the discharge error state by the discharge error flag, but does not stop the progress of the game even in the discharge error state. That is, even if it is in the discharge error state, the same processing as in the situation that is not in the discharge error state is executed.

  The discharge error command is a command that is output to cause the sound emission control device 72 to recognize that a discharge error state has occurred, and the sound light emission control device 72 receives the discharge error command, whereby the display lamp unit 58 is received. Is lit in a predetermined manner and a notification sound is output from the speaker unit 59. When the sound emission control device 72 receives a discharge error command, the sound light emission control device 72 transmits a corresponding command to the display control device 101. The display control device 101 displays the notification image on the symbol display device 41 by receiving the command. Note that the notification mode in the case of a discharge error state is not limited to the above-described one, and instead of performing all of the above-described notification modes, only a part may be performed. For example, a notification signal may be output to the outside.

  On the other hand, if the discharge detection sensor 89 is OFF, a negative determination is made in step S2101 to proceed to step S2110. In step S2110, the value of the discharge detection counter in the main RAM 94 is cleared to “0”. In step S2111, the discharge detection flag of the main side RAM 94 is cleared to “0”. Thereafter, in step S2112, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the discharge error flag of the main RAM 94.

  If the discharge error flag is not set to “1”, the discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is. If the discharge error flag is set to “1”, the discharge error flag is cleared to “0” in step S2113, and an error release command is transmitted to the sound emission controller 72 in step S2114. End the emission monitoring process.

  The sound emission control device 72 ends the notification of the discharge error state in the display lamp unit 58 and the speaker unit 59 by receiving the error release command. Further, when receiving the error cancellation command, the sound emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control apparatus 101 ends the notification of the discharge error state in the symbol display apparatus 41 by receiving the command.

  According to the present embodiment described in detail above, when the period in which the game detection ball B1 is continuously detected by the discharge detection sensor 89 becomes the stop determination reference period, an error notification is given. As a result, even if the illegal ball B2 that is larger than the game ball B1 is stopped at the position of the discharge detection sensor 89 and the game ball B1 overflows to the game area side, it is determined that the stop has occurred. Since it is notified to the manager of the hall, the manager of the gaming hall can cope with it.

  In addition, since it is possible to specify whether or not the above fraud has occurred using the discharge detection sensor 89, it is possible to deal with the above fraud while simplifying the configuration. It becomes.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the processing configuration of the discharge monitoring process is different from that of the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, the different configuration will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment is basically omitted.

  Prior to the description of the discharge monitoring process, the contents of fraudulent actions that can be dealt with in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the discharge detection sensor 89 and its periphery.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the discharge passage portion 85 is formed with an alignment passage region 88 so as to be continuous with the inclined portion 87 on the downstream side, and a discharge detection sensor 89 is provided in the alignment passage region 88. ing. In this case, when the illegal sphere B3 having a diameter larger than the passage width of the alignment passage area 88 is allowed to flow into the discharge passage portion 85 and is launched into the game area, the illegal sphere B3 is formed in the alignment passage area 88. By being caught at the entrance portion, the inflow of the game balls B1 into the alignment passage area 88 is inhibited. Then, the game ball B1 subsequently launched toward the game area is stopped at the discharge passage portion 85 with the illegal ball B3 as the head. If the game ball B1 continues to be fired in this state, the game ball B1 overflows from the out port 37 of the game board 24 to the game area side as in the case of the fourth embodiment. turn into. Further, since the illegal sphere B3 is caught at the entrance portion of the alignment passage area 88, the illegal sphere B3 is not detected by the discharge detection sensor 89.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the above fraud by executing the discharge monitoring process in the main MPU 92. The discharge monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The discharge monitoring process is executed in step S307 of the input state monitoring process (FIG. 13), as in the first embodiment.

  In the discharge monitoring process, first, in step S2201, it is determined whether or not the discharge detection sensor 89 is ON. If it is OFF, processing at the time of non-detection of discharge is executed in step S2202. In the process when no discharge is detected, the same process as steps S2110 to S2114 of the discharge monitoring process (FIG. 35) in the fourth embodiment is executed.

  In the subsequent step S2203, 1 is added to the value of the non-detection counter provided in the main RAM 94. The non-detection counter is a counter for specifying the number of times the main MPU 92 has confirmed that a signal indicating that a game ball has not been detected is received from the discharge detection sensor 89.

  Thereafter, in step S2204, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in effect. In step S2205, a prize for any one of the general winning port 31, the upper operating port 33, the lower operating port 34, and the through gate 35 is generated. In step S2206, it is determined whether or not the value of the non-detection counter in the main RAM 94 is equal to or greater than the non-detection determination reference value “1000”. Incidentally, since the discharge monitoring process is started at a cycle of 4 msec in the main MPU 92, has the discharge detection sensor 89 been in the OFF state in step S2206 for 4 sec or more which is the non-detection determination reference period? It is determined whether or not.

  When it is the open / close execution mode (step S2204: YES), when no winning has occurred (step S2205: NO), or when the value of the non-detection counter is not 1000 or more (step S2206: NO), This discharge monitoring process is finished as it is. On the other hand, when it is not the opening / closing execution mode (step S2204: NO), a winning has occurred (step S2205: YES), and the value of the non-detection counter is 1000 or more (step S2206: YES), step S2207 In step S2208, a non-detection discharge error flag provided in the main side RAM 94 is set to “1”, and a non-detection discharge error command is output to the sound emission control device 72. End the emission monitoring process.

  The discharge error flag at the time of non-detection is for the main MPU 92 to specify that the discharge error state at the time of non-detection is in the non-detection state because the game detection ball B1 is not continuously detected by the discharge detection sensor 89. Flag. Although the main MPU 92 can specify whether or not it is a discharge error state at the time of non-detection by a discharge error flag at the time of non-detection, it does not stop the progress of the game even if it is a discharge error state at the time of non-detection . That is, even if it is a discharge error state at the time of non-detection, the same processing as that in the situation where the discharge error state at the time of non-detection is not performed is executed.

  The discharge error command at the time of non-detection is a command that is output to make the sound emission control device 72 recognize that the discharge error state at the time of non-detection has been reached. By receiving the error command, the display lamp unit 58 is lit in a predetermined manner and a notification sound is output from the speaker unit 59. When the sound emission control device 72 receives a discharge error command at the time of non-detection, the sound light emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control device 101 displays the notification image on the symbol display device 41 by receiving the command. In addition, the notification mode in the case of a discharge error state at the time of non-detection is not limited to the above-described one, and instead of performing all of the above-described notification modes, only a part may be performed. The notification signal may be externally output toward the game hall.

  On the other hand, if the discharge detection sensor 89 is ON, an affirmative determination is made in step S2201 to proceed to step S2209. In step S2209, processing at the time of discharge detection is executed. In the processing at the time of discharge detection, the same processing as steps S2102 to S2109 of the discharge monitoring processing (FIG. 35) in the fourth embodiment is executed. Thereafter, in step S2210, the value of the non-detection counter in the main RAM 94 is cleared to “0”.

  In the subsequent step S2211, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the discharge error flag when the main RAM 94 is not detected. If “1” is not set in the discharge error flag at the time of non-detection, this discharge monitoring process is ended as it is. If “1” is set to the discharge error flag at the time of non-detection, the discharge error flag at the time of non-detection is cleared to “0” at step S2212, and the error release command at the time of non-detection is set at step S2213. Is output to the sound emission controller 72, and then the discharge monitoring process is terminated.

  The sound emission control device 72 ends the notification of the discharge error state at the time of non-detection in the display lamp unit 58 and the speaker unit 59 by receiving the error cancellation command at the time of non-detection. When the sound emission control device 72 receives a discharge error command at the time of non-detection, the sound light emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control apparatus 101 ends the notification of the discharge error state at the time of non-detection in the symbol display apparatus 41 by receiving the command.

  According to the embodiment described above in detail, in addition to the functions and effects described in the fourth embodiment, the following excellent functions and effects can be achieved.

  In a situation where the period during which the game ball B1 is not continuously detected by the discharge detection sensor 89 is longer than the non-detection determination reference period, the general winning port 31, the upper operating port 33, the lower operating port 34, and the through gate 35 When a prize is awarded to any one of them, an error notification is given. As a result, even if the illegal ball B3 larger than the game ball B1 is stopped at the entrance portion of the alignment passage area 88 and the game ball B1 overflows to the game area side, the stoppage has occurred. Since it is notified to the manager of the game hall, the manager of the game hall can cope with it.

  Further, in the opening / closing execution mode, the variable winning device 32 that is directly above the out port 37 is in an open state, so that even if the game is being played properly, the discharge detection sensor 89 plays a game ball. A situation may occur in which the period during which B1 is not continuously detected is equal to or longer than the non-detection determination reference period. On the other hand, even if a winning occurs in a situation where the period during which the discharge detection sensor 89 does not continuously detect the game ball B1 is longer than the non-detection determination reference period during the open / close execution mode, Since the discharge error state at the time of detection is not set, the possibility of being set to the discharge error state at the time of non-detection despite the regular game being performed is reduced.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the configuration for measuring the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S is different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the different configuration will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is basically omitted.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram schematically showing a lower region of the game board 24 in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge detection sensor 89 is not provided. Instead, as shown in FIG. 38, on the back side of the game board 24, an out ball detection sensor 37a for detecting the game balls that have passed through the out port 37 one by one is provided. The out ball detection sensor 37a detects only the game ball that has passed through the out port 37, and the game ball that has entered the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34. Is not detected.

  The out ball detection sensor 37a is a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and a change in the magnetic field when the game ball passes through the detection range is detected and output as an electric signal. The out-ball detection sensor 37a is not limited to a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and may be any as long as it can detect a game ball. For example, a photo sensor or a limit sensor may be used. . The out ball detection sensor 37 a outputs an electrical signal to the main control device 71. Specifically, a LOW level signal is output when a game ball is not detected, and an HI level signal is output when a game ball is detected. The output level relationship may be reversed.

  On the back side of the game board 24, in the same way as in the first embodiment, the winning detection is made in a one-to-one correspondence with the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34. Sensors 171 to 176 are provided. These winning detection sensors 171 to 176 are magnetic detection type proximity sensors, and a change in the magnetic field when the game ball passes through the detection range is detected and output as an electric signal. The winning detection sensors 171 to 176 are not limited to magnetic detection type proximity sensors, and may be arbitrary as long as they can detect a game ball. For example, a photo sensor or a limit sensor may be used. Good. The winning detection sensors 171 to 176 output electrical signals to the main controller 71. Specifically, a LOW level signal is output when a game ball is not detected, and an HI level signal is output when a game ball is detected. The output level relationship may be reversed. In the main MPU 92, as in the first embodiment, the winning results for the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34 are obtained using the detection results of the winning detection sensors 171 to 176. If the presence or absence of a prize is specified, and the occurrence of a winning is specified, processing for generating a prize ball and various internal lotteries are executed.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the discharge monitoring process executed by the main MPU 92. The discharge monitoring process is executed in step S307 of the input state monitoring process (FIG. 13), as in the first embodiment.

  First, in step S2301, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the out detection flag provided in the main RAM 94. The out detection flag is a flag for the main side MPU 92 to specify that one game ball has been detected by the out ball detection sensor 37a. If “1” is set in the out detection flag, the value of the discharge ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by 1 in step S2302, and the out detection of the main RAM 94 is detected in the following step S2303. Clear the flag to “0”. The discharge ball counter is for counting the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S, as in the first embodiment, and the number of game balls discharged to the island facility S. Is output to the hall computer HC externally.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2301, or if the process of step S2303 is executed, whether or not “1” is set in any winning detection flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S2304. Determine whether. The winning detection flag is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the winning detection sensors 171 to 176, and the main MPU 92 detects that one game ball has been detected by the corresponding winning detection sensors 171 to 176. It is a flag to specify.

  If all the winning detection flags are “0”, the present discharge monitoring process is terminated as it is, and if any winning detection flag is set to “1”, the process proceeds to step S2305. In step S2305, the value corresponding to the number of winning detection flags for which “1” is set is added to the discharge ball counter of the main RAM 94. Thereafter, in step S2306, the value of each winning detection flag is cleared to “0”, and then the discharge monitoring process is terminated.

  The main side MPU 92 refers to the discharge ball counter of the main side RAM 94 and outputs a discharge recognition signal to the hall computer HC of the game hall. The output setting of the signal for discharge recognition is executed in the external output process for discharge (FIG. 27), as in the first embodiment.

  Here, even in the configuration in which the out-ball detection sensor 37a is provided in the out-port 37, as in the case where the discharge detection sensor 89 is provided, the out-ball is out using the illegal ball having a larger diameter than the game ball. An illegal act is assumed in which the flow of the game ball is blocked at the position of the ball detection sensor 37a, and the game ball overflows from the out port 37 to the game area side. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a processing configuration for preventing the illegal act is employed in the out-ball monitoring process.

  The out-ball monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the out-sphere monitoring process, first, in step S2401, it is determined whether or not the out-sphere detection sensor 37a is ON. If it is ON, 1 is added to the value of the out detection counter provided in the main RAM 94 in step S2402. The out detection counter is a counter for specifying the number of times the main MPU 92 has confirmed that a signal indicating that a game ball is being detected from the out ball detection sensor 37a has been received.

  In a succeeding step S2403, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in an out detection completed flag provided in the main RAM 94. The out-detected flag is used to prevent the main-side MPU 92 from specifying the detection state as the passage of a plurality of game balls when one game ball is continuously detected by the out-ball detection sensor 37a. Flag.

  If “1” is not set in the out detection completed flag, it is determined in step S2404 whether the value of the out detection counter in the main RAM 94 is 2 or more. If a negative determination is made in step S2404, the out-ball monitoring process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2404, "1" is set to the out detection flag of the main RAM 94 in step S2405. As already described, the out detection flag is a flag for the main side MPU 92 to specify that one game ball is detected by the out ball detection sensor 37a. Thereafter, in step S2406, “1” is set to the out-detected flag in the main side RAM 94, and then the out-ball monitoring process is terminated.

  When “1” is set to the out detection completion flag of the main side RAM 94 in a state where the ON state of the out ball detection sensor 37a continues, an affirmative determination is made in step S2403 and the process proceeds to step S2407. In step S2407, it is determined whether or not the value of the out detection counter in the main RAM 94 is equal to or greater than “300”, which is a stop determination reference value. Since the out-sphere monitoring process is started at a cycle of 4 msec in the main MPU 92, in step S2407, the out-sphere detection sensor 37a is in the ON state for 1.2 sec or more which is the stop determination reference period. It is determined whether or not it has continued.

  By the way, during the stop determination reference period, from the state in which an illegal ball is caught at the position of the out-ball detection sensor 37a, the detection range of the out-ball detection sensor 37a is used as the head until the position of the out port 37 of the game board 24. It is set as a period shorter than the minimum period assumed as the time required for the game ball to be filled. Thereby, even if an illegal ball is caught at the position of the out-ball detection sensor 37a, it is possible to start a notification indicating that an out-error state occurs before the game ball overflows from the out-port 37 to the game area side. It becomes.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2407, the out-ball monitoring process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S 2407, “1” is set to the out error flag provided in the main RAM 94 in step S 2408, and an error command is sent to the sound emission control device 72 in step S 2409. Output. Thereafter, the out-ball monitoring process is terminated.

  The out error flag is a flag for the main MPU 92 to specify that an out error state has occurred. Although the main MPU 92 can specify whether or not it is in an out error state by the out error flag, even if it is in an out error state, the progress of the game is not stopped. That is, even if it is an out-error state, the same processing as in a situation that is not in the out-error state is executed.

  The error command is a command that is output to cause the voice light emission control device 72 to recognize that an out-error state has occurred, and the voice light emission control device 72 receives the out error command, and the display lamp unit 58 While lighting in a predetermined manner, a notification sound is output from the speaker unit 59. Further, when receiving the out error command, the sound emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control device 101 displays the notification image on the symbol display device 41 by receiving the command. Note that the notification mode in the case of an out-error state is not limited to that described above, and instead of performing all of the above-described notification modes, only a part of the notification mode may be performed. For example, a notification signal may be output to the outside.

  On the other hand, if the out ball detection sensor 37a is OFF, a negative determination is made in step S2401 to proceed to step S2410. In step S2410, the value of the out detection counter in the main RAM 94 is cleared to “0”. In step S2411, the out-detected flag in the main RAM 94 is cleared to “0”. Thereafter, in step S2412, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the out error flag of the main RAM 94.

  If “1” is not set in the out error flag, the out ball monitoring process is terminated as it is. If “1” is set in the out error flag, the out error flag is cleared to “0” in step S2413, and an error cancel command is transmitted to the sound emission controller 72 in step S2414. The out ball monitoring process is terminated.

  The sound emission control device 72 ends the notification of the out-error state in the display lamp unit 58 and the speaker unit 59 by receiving the error cancellation command. Further, when receiving the error cancellation command, the sound emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control apparatus 101 ends the notification of the out error state in the symbol display apparatus 41 by receiving the command.

  According to this embodiment described in detail above, the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating that enable the game balls flowing down the game area to be led out to the back side of the gaming board 24. Game ball detection sensors 171 to 176 and 37a are provided corresponding to the mouth 34 and the out mouth 37, respectively, and the pachinko machine 10 is connected to the island facility based on the detection results of the detection sensors 171 to 176 and 37a. The number of game balls discharged to S is measured. Thus, by measuring the number of discharges using the individual detection sensors 171 to 176, 37a, there is no need to individually detect the game balls in the discharge passage portion 85 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to measure the number of discharges without causing restrictions on the passage design of the discharge passage portion 85.

  Further, when the period during which the out-ball detection sensor 37a continuously detects the game ball becomes the stop determination reference period, an error notification is made for that. As a result, even if an illegal act in which an illegal ball larger than the game ball is stopped at the position of the out-ball detection sensor 37a and the game ball overflows to the game area side, the fact that the stop has occurred Since it is notified to the manager, the manager of the game hall can cope with it.

  In addition, since it is possible to specify whether or not the above fraud has occurred using the out ball detection sensor 37a, it is possible to deal with the above fraud while simplifying the configuration. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the fraudulent act which inhibits passage of a game ball upstream from the out ball | bowl detection sensor 37a is assumed. For example, an improper act that blocks the out port 37 is assumed. On the other hand, by using the processing configuration shown in the fifth embodiment in the out-ball monitoring process in the present embodiment, it is possible to cope with the illegal act.

<Seventh Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the configuration for detecting that an illegal act of overflowing the game ball from the out port 37 of the game board 24 to the game area side is different from the fourth to sixth embodiments. Hereinafter, the different configuration will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the fourth to sixth embodiments is basically omitted.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram schematically showing a lower region of the game board 24 in the present embodiment.

  On the back side of the game board 24, a pair of left and right stops at a position below the variable winning device 32 and above the out port 37 and further behind the area where the game balls flow down in the game area. Detection sensors 181 and 182 are provided. The stop detection sensors 181 and 182 are photosensors, and output an electric signal corresponding to the game ball when the game ball is present in the detection range. The stop detection sensors 181 and 182 are not limited to photosensors, and may be arbitrary. For example, a magnetic detection type proximity sensor or a limit sensor may be used. Each of the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 outputs an electrical signal to the main controller 71. Specifically, a LOW level signal is output when a game ball is not detected, and an HI level signal is output when a game ball is detected. The output level relationship may be reversed.

  By providing the stop detection sensors 181 and 182, it is possible to detect, for example, when the game ball overflows to the game area side due to the out port 37 being blocked illegally. Since the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 are provided below the variable winning device 32 and above the out port 37, before the game ball overflows to the position of the variable winning device 32. The overflowing game balls can be detected by the stop detection sensors 181 and 182.

  Next, a processing configuration for monitoring the stop of a game ball using the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the stop monitoring process. The stop monitoring process is executed in the input state monitoring process (FIG. 13) of the main MPU 92. In addition, the stop monitoring process is executed individually for the pair of stop detection sensors 181 and 182. In the following description, a stop monitoring process using one stop detection sensor 181 will be described. The processing content of the stop monitoring process using the other stop detection sensor 182 is the same as the following processing content.

  In the stop monitoring process, first, in step S2501, it is determined whether or not the stop detection sensor 181 is ON. If it is ON, 1 is added to the value of the stop detection counter provided in the main RAM 94 in step S2502. The stop detection counter is a counter for specifying the number of times the main MPU 92 has confirmed that a signal indicating that a game ball has been detected is received from the stop detection sensor 181.

  In subsequent step S2503, it is determined whether or not the value of the stop detection counter is equal to or greater than “500” which is a stop determination reference value. Since the stop monitoring process is started in the main MPU 92 at a cycle of 4 msec, whether or not the state where the stop detection sensor 181 is in the ON state has continued for 2 sec or more which is the stop determination reference period in step S2503. It will be determined.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2503, the stop monitoring process is terminated as it is. When an affirmative determination is made in step S2503, in step S2504, a stop error flag provided in the main RAM 94 is set to “1”, and in step S2505, a stop error command is sent to the sound emission control device 72. Output to. Thereafter, the stop monitoring process is terminated.

  The stationary error flag is a flag for the main side MPU 92 to specify that it is in the stationary error state. Although the main MPU 92 can identify whether or not it is in the stop error state by the stop error flag, even if it is in the stop error state, the progress of the game is not stopped. That is, even if it is in the stationary error state, the same processing as that in the situation that is not in the stationary error state is executed.

  The stationary error command is a command that is output to cause the voice light emission control device 72 to recognize that a stationary error state has occurred. The voice light emission control device 72 receives the stationary error command, and thereby the display lamp unit 58 is received. Is lit in a predetermined manner and a notification sound is output from the speaker unit 59. In addition, when receiving the stationary error command, the sound emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control device 101 displays the notification image on the symbol display device 41 by receiving the command. In addition, the notification mode in the case of a stop error state is not limited to the above, and instead of performing all of the above notification modes, only a part may be performed. For example, a notification signal may be output to the outside.

  On the other hand, if the stop detection sensor 181 is OFF, a negative determination is made in step S2501 to proceed to step S2506. In step S2506, the value of the stop detection counter in the main RAM 94 is cleared to “0”. Thereafter, in step S2507, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the stationary error flag of the main RAM 94.

  If “1” is not set in the stop error flag, the stop monitoring process is terminated as it is. If the stop error flag is set to “1”, the stop error flag is cleared to “0” in step S2508, and an error release command is transmitted to the sound emission control device 72 in step S2509. The stop monitoring process is terminated.

  The sound emission control device 72 ends the notification of the stationary error state in the display lamp unit 58 and the speaker unit 59 by receiving the error cancellation command. Further, when receiving the error cancellation command, the sound emission control device 72 transmits a command corresponding to the command to the display control device 101. The display control apparatus 101 ends the notification of the stationary error state in the symbol display apparatus 41 by receiving the command.

  According to this embodiment described in detail above, when the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 continuously detect a game ball becomes the stop determination reference period, an error notification is given to that. . As a result, even if an illegal act of preventing the game ball from passing through the out port 37 and causing the game ball to overflow to the game area side is performed, it is possible that the game ball is stopped in the game area. Since it is notified to the person, the manager of the game hall can cope with it.

  In addition, it is assumed that an illegal act that inhibits the passage of the game ball upstream from the stop detection sensors 181 and 182, or that the game ball stops by chance upstream of the stop detection sensors 181 and 182. . On the other hand, it is possible to cope with the above event by using the processing configuration shown in the fifth embodiment in the stop monitoring process in the present embodiment.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of each embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation improvement is possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, you may change as follows. Incidentally, the configurations of the following different forms may be applied individually or in combination to the configurations of the above embodiments.

  (1) When a prize is awarded to any of the general prize opening 31, the variable prize winning device 32, the upper working opening 33, and the lower working opening 34, a value is set in the planned winning ball counter 94c of the main RAM 94. The timing is not limited to the timing at which the winning is generated, and may be a timing at which a prize ball command is transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. For example, in the prize ball command output process of step S607 in the payout output process (FIG. 16), when setting the output of 15 prize ball commands, the value of the prize ball scheduled counter 94c is incremented by 15 and the 10 prize ball commands are set. When the output setting is performed, the value of the prize ball schedule counter 94c is incremented by 10, and when the output setting of three prize ball commands is performed, the value of the prize ball schedule counter 94c is incremented by 3. In this case, it is possible to bring the timing when the prize ball schedule signal is in the output state for the prize ball schedule recognition closer to the timing when the corresponding prize ball is actually paid out.

  (2) When the game ball is paid out continuously from the payout device 77 by the sum of the output continuation period for recognition of the prize ball schedule and the output setting restriction period on the prize ball schedule side for the prize ball schedule signal It is good also as a structure which corresponds with a normal payout period. In this case, it is possible to bring the timing when the prize ball schedule signal is in the output state for the prize ball schedule recognition closer to the timing when the corresponding prize ball is actually paid out.

  (3) Instead of providing the discharge detection sensor 89 in the discharge passage portion 85, only the game balls that have flowed down the game area and led to the back side of the game board 24 and passed through the out port 37 are detected. It is good also as a structure which provides the detection sensor for out outlets. In this case, in order to detect these winnings, the number of game balls won in the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34 and led out to the back side of the game board 24. A detection sensor 89a to 96e is provided, and the number of game balls that have passed through the out port 37 is detected by a detection sensor for the out port, thereby providing a discharge detection sensor 89. Even without this, the number of game balls discharged from the pachinko machine 10 to the island facility S can be measured.

  (4) Information on the number of rental balls paid out from the payout device 77 may be externally output from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC. In this case, the timing at which the lending signal is set to the output state for lending recognition may be the case where the number of lending balls being measured reaches a certain number on the lending side determined as a plurality, for example, ten. It may be the case where the number of rented balls is one. In addition, an external terminal corresponding to each of the lending signal output at the former timing and the lending signal output at the latter timing is provided on the external terminal plate 81 so that each signal can be output individually. Good. In this case, the former lending signal is longer than the latter lending signal by making the recognition output continuation period and output setting limit period longer, so that the former lending signal has a relatively slow processing speed in a game hall having a hall computer HC. It becomes easy to use the rental signal. Further, the main body that performs the output setting of the lending signal may be the payout side MPU 112, the main side MPU 92, or another control device. Further, the information for measuring the number of lending balls may be stored in a RAM to which power for interruption is supplied, or may be stored in a RAM to which power for interruption is not supplied. .

  (5) Among the prize ball schedule signal and the prize ball completion signal, the output setting of the prize ball schedule signal is performed by the main side MPU 92, and the output setting of the prize ball completion signal is performed by the payout side MPU 112. Instead, both the output setting of the winning ball scheduled signal and the output setting of the winning ball completion signal may be performed by the main MPU 92, or may be performed by the payout MPU 112. In addition, at least one of these output settings may be performed in a control device different from the main MPU 92 and the payout MPU 112.

  (6) The recognition output continuation period may be the same for the winning ball scheduled signal and the winning ball completion signal, or the winning ball scheduled signal may be longer than the winning ball completion signal. Even in this case, by setting the number of prize balls that trigger the setting to the output state for recognition to be less than the prize ball schedule signal than the prize ball completion signal, When used, it becomes possible to strictly manage the number of prize balls. On the other hand, when a prize ball completion signal is used, the frequency of the recognition output state can be reduced.

  (7) A configuration may be adopted in which no discharge signal exists as a signal that can be output from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC. In this case, the number of discharged balls is measured on the island facility S side, and the measurement result is output to the hall computer HC, so that the signal and the winning ball scheduled signal or the winning ball completion signal are used. This makes it possible to manage the number of game balls.

  (8) The winning ball scheduled signal may not be present as a signal that can be output from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC. Even in this case, the number of game balls can be managed in the hall computer HC by using the discharge signal and the winning ball completion signal.

  (9) The winning ball completion signal may not be present as a signal that can be output from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC. Even in this case, it is possible to manage the number of game balls in the hall computer HC by using the discharge signal and the winning ball schedule signal.

  (10) The trigger for setting the discharge signal to the recognition output state is not limited to the configuration in which the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is 10, and the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is other than 10. Or a configuration in which the value of the discharge ball counter 94d is 1. Further, the discharge ball counter 94d is not limited to the configuration provided in the RAM to which power for interruption is supplied, and may be provided in the RAM to which power for interruption is not supplied. . Further, the output signal output setting is not limited to the configuration performed by the main MPU 92, but may be performed by the payout MPU 112, or may be performed by another control device.

  (11) The opportunity for setting the prize ball schedule signal to the recognition output state is not limited to the configuration in which the value of the prize ball schedule counter 94c is 1, and the prize ball schedule counter 94c It is good also as a structure which is a case where a value becomes a value defined as multiple. Further, the winning ball scheduled counter 94c is not limited to the configuration provided in the RAM to which power for interruption is supplied, and may be provided to the RAM to which power for interruption is not supplied. Good. The output setting of the winning ball scheduled signal is not limited to the configuration performed by the main MPU 92, but may be performed by the payout MPU 112, or may be performed by another control device. When the output setting of the prize ball scheduled signal is performed by the payout side MPU 112, the output setting of both the prize ball scheduled signal and the prize ball completion signal is performed by the payout side MPU 112.

  (12) The trigger for setting the prize ball completion signal to the recognition output state is not limited to the configuration in which the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is 10, and the prize ball completion counter 114d A configuration in which the value is a plurality of values other than 10 may be employed, or a configuration in which the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is 1 may be employed. Further, the prize ball completion counter 114d is not limited to the configuration provided in the RAM to which power for interruption is supplied, but may be configured to be provided in the RAM to which power for interruption is supplied. Good. The output setting of the winning ball completion signal is not limited to the configuration performed by the payout side MPU 112, but may be configured by the main side MPU 92 or may be configured by another control device. When the output setting of the prize ball completion signal is performed by the main side MPU 92, the output setting of both the prize ball completion signal and the prize ball scheduled signal is performed by the main side MPU 92.

  (13) The discharge signal and the winning ball schedule signal are output by the main MPU 92 and are supplied from the main control board 91 to the external terminal board 81 without passing through another board. A configuration may be adopted in which the external terminal board 81 is supplied via another board such as 111 or a relay board. The prize ball completion signal is output by the payout side MPU 112 and supplied from the payout control board 111 to the external terminal board 81 via the main control board 91, but passes through the main control board 91. It is good also as a structure supplied to the external terminal board 81, and it is good also as a structure supplied to the external terminal board 81 via boards other than the main control board 91, such as a relay board | substrate.

  (14) The output signal limit period may not be set for the discharge signal. Even in this case, the trigger for setting the discharge signal to the recognition output state is set when the number of discharge balls is the specific number on the discharge side, which is set as a plurality. Since a period longer than the output-side output continuation period is required from the release of the output state to the next output state for recognition, even the hall computer HC having a relatively slow processing speed Can be recognized as an output state for recognition.

  (15) The configuration may be such that the output setting limit period is not set for the winning ball completion signal. Even in this case, the opportunity to set the prize ball completion signal to the recognition output state is set as a case where the number of prize balls is a specific number on the payout side. Since a period longer than the payout-side output continuation period is required from the release of the recognition output state to the next recognition output state, even the Hall computer HC having a relatively slow processing speed It is possible to recognize that the winning ball completion signal is in the recognition output state.

  (16) Although the output signal limit period is shorter than the output continuation period, the discharge signal is not limited to this, and the output setting limit period and the output continuation period may be the same. The output setting restriction period may be longer than the output continuation period.

  (17) The award ball completion signal is configured such that the output setting limit period is shorter than the output continuation period, but is not limited to this, and the output setting limit period and the output continuation period may be the same. The output setting limit period may be longer than the output continuation period.

  (18) The prize ball scheduled signal has a configuration in which the output setting limit period and the output continuation period are the same, but the output setting limit period may be shorter than the output continuation period. May be longer than the output duration.

  (19) For each of the discharge signal, prize ball schedule signal, and prize ball completion signal, specific values for the output setting limit period and the output continuation period are arbitrary. Further, for each of the discharge signal, the winning ball schedule signal, and the winning ball completion signal, the specific number that triggers the setting of the output state for recognition is arbitrary.

  (20) When the discharge signal is set to the recognition output state, the number of discharge balls is set to a plurality of numbers such as ten, and the prize ball completion signal is also set to the recognition output state. The number of prize balls to be set may be set to a plurality of numbers such as 10, and power for power interruption may be supplied to both the discharge ball counter 94d and the prize ball completion counter 114d. As a result, even if the supply of operating power to the power supply and launch control board 121 is stopped, the values of the discharge ball counter 94d and the prize ball completion counter 114d are stored and held, so that the hall computer HC having a relatively slow processing speed. Even so, while managing the number of gaming balls is possible, if the management of the number of gaming balls is averaged over a plurality of business days, the error is offset and the management can be performed strictly. In this configuration, the output mode of the discharge schedule signal is arbitrary. For example, the number of discharge balls that are set as an output state for recognition is set to a plurality of numbers such as ten, and the prize ball schedule is further set. The power supply for power interruption may be supplied to the counter 94c.

  (21) The number of game balls that triggers the output state for recognition for all of the discharge signal, prize ball completion signal, and prize ball schedule signal is set to one, and the discharge ball counter 94d and the prize ball A power interruption power supply may be supplied to all of the completion counter 114d and the winning ball schedule counter 94c. As a result, the number of game balls can be strictly managed in units of one business day in the hall computer HC having a relatively high processing speed.

  (22) In the power failure process in the main MPU 92, the discharge signal may be set to the recognition output state by the value remaining in the discharge ball counter 94d. In this case, by setting the output continuation period to a period different from that when the power failure is not being processed, it is possible to identify in which situation the Hall computer HC is set to the output state for recognition. Become. Similarly, in the process at the time of a power failure in the payout side MPU 112, the prize ball completion signal may be set to the recognition output state for the value remaining in the prize ball completion counter 114d. In this case, by setting the output continuation period to a period different from that when the power failure is not being processed, it is possible to identify in which situation the Hall computer HC is set to the output state for recognition. Become.

  (23) Display control based on a command output from the main control device 71 instead of a configuration in which the display control device 101 is controlled by the sound emission control device 72 based on a command output from the main control device 71 The device 101 may be configured to control the sound emission control device 72. Further, instead of the configuration in which the sound emission control device 72 and the display control device 101 are separately provided, both the control devices may be provided as a single control device, and one of the two control devices has a function. May be integrated into the main controller 71, and both functions of these two controllers may be integrated into the main controller 71. The configuration of commands output from the main control device 71 to the sound emission control device 72 and the configuration of commands output from the sound emission control device 72 to the display control device 101 are also arbitrary.

  (24) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above-described embodiments, such as pachinko machines that release a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or game balls in a specific area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that generates a right if a player enters, a pachinko machine equipped with other objects, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and other gaming machines.

  Also, a non-ball-type gaming machine, for example, a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols attached in the circumferential direction, starts rotation of the reel by inserting a medal and operating a start lever, and a stop switch is operated. If a specific symbol or a combination of specific symbols is established on the effective line visible from the display window after the reel has stopped after a predetermined time has passed, a privilege such as paying out medals is given to the player The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine.

  In addition, the gaming machine main body that is supported by the outer frame so as to be openable and closable is provided with a storage unit and a take-in device. Thus, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused, which starts rotating the reel.

  (25) A discharge detection sensor for detecting that the game ball is being fired is provided, and the discharge detection sensor 89 or the out-ball detection sensor 37a in a situation in which continuous launch of the game ball is detected by the launch detection sensor When a game ball is not detected for a predetermined period of time, a special process such as notification of an error state may be executed. In this configuration, although it is necessary to separately provide a launch detection sensor, it is accurately identified that a situation in which a game ball is stopped upstream of the discharge detection sensor 89 or the out-ball detection sensor 37a has occurred. It becomes possible to do.

  (26) In the fifth embodiment, when any winning occurs in a situation where the period during which the discharge detection sensor 89 does not continuously detect the game ball is equal to or longer than the predetermined period, opening / closing is executed. Even in the mode, a special process such as notification of an error state may be executed.

  (27) In the fifth embodiment, the detection range of the discharge detection sensor 89 may be set to an area in which the game ball does not pass when the game ball flows down toward the variable winning device 32. For example, a game ball flowing down so as to pass through a region on the right side of the symbol display device 41 can enter and a game flowing down so as to pass through a region on the left side of the symbol display device 41. In the configuration in which the variable winning device 32 is provided at a position where the ball cannot enter, the detection range of the discharge detection sensor 89 may be set in the left area. In this case, in a situation where a game ball is being launched toward the variable winning device 32, a situation where the game ball is not detected by the discharge detection sensor 89 is continued. Therefore, in this configuration, it is preferable that an error state is not set during the opening / closing execution mode regardless of the detection result of the discharge detection sensor 89, as in the fifth embodiment.

  (28) In the fifth embodiment, the game ball flowing down so as to pass through the region on the right side of the symbol display device 41 can enter the region on the left side of the symbol display device 41. A lower operation port 34 is provided at a position where a game ball flowing down so as to be unable to enter, and a game ball flowing down so as to pass through a region on the left side of the symbol display device 41 is provided. In the configuration in which the upper operation port 33 is provided at a position where the ball can enter, the detection range of the discharge detection sensor 89 may be set in the left region. In this case, in a situation where a game ball is being launched toward the lower working port 34, a situation where the game ball is not detected by the discharge detection sensor 89 is continued. Therefore, in this configuration, it is preferable that the error state is not set regardless of the detection result of the discharge detection sensor 89 during the high-frequency support mode in which winning to the lower working port 34 is likely to occur. .

  (29) In the seventh embodiment, the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 may be configured to detect a game ball on the upstream side of the game area with respect to the variable winning device 32. For example, by providing the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 so that the detection range includes a place where the game ball is likely to stop even in a situation where the game is normally played, the game ball is stopped at the place. It is possible to perform notification or the like when it is in progress.

  (30) In the case of a discharge error state, an out error state, or a stop error state, the progress of the game may be stopped instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the pachinko machine 10 is notified. In this case, it may be configured such that the execution of a part of the process for advancing the game is blocked, or may be configured to block the execution of the entire process for advancing the game. For example, it may be configured such that at least the process for launching the game ball is not executed, and the game ball has entered a ball-entry unit such as the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper operating port 33, and the lower operating port 34. It may be configured such that at least the monitoring process of whether or not the internal lottery process based on the entrance of the game ball into the upper operating port 33 or the lower operating port 34 is not executed.

  (31) The game board 24 may have a plurality of out ports 37. For example, in the configuration in which the decorative member is provided on the game board 24 so that the game area is divided into left and right, the left area out port 37 and the right area out port 37 are provided separately. Also good. In this case, the out-port 37 formed in one of the left region and the right region is a ball entry portion provided in the other region (for example, the general winning port 31, the upper operation port 33, the lower operation). It is good also as a structure provided in the upper side (namely, upstream of a game area | region) rather than the opening | mouth 34).

  Even in the configuration in which a plurality of out ports 37 are provided as described above, any out in the configuration in which the discharge detection sensor 89 is provided in the discharge passage portion 85 as in the first to fifth embodiments. Even a game ball that has entered the mouth 37 can be detected by the discharge detection sensor 89. In addition, by applying the configuration of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to identify any illegal sphere that has entered any of the outlets 37. In addition, by applying the configuration of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to specify that the illegal act is being performed even if any of the outlets 37 is illegally blocked.

  Further, in the configuration in which a plurality of out ports 37 are provided as described above, the out ball detecting sensor 37a may be individually provided for each out port 37 as in the sixth embodiment. In this case, it is possible to individually detect the game balls that have entered the respective outlets 37, and cheating using illegal balls that are larger than the game balls or illegally blocking the outlets 37 are performed. In this case, it is possible to specify which out port 37 is a fraud target.

  Further, in the configuration in which a plurality of out ports 37 are provided as described above, the stop detection sensors 181 and 182 may be individually provided for each out port 37 as in the seventh embodiment. In this case, it is possible to individually specify whether or not the game ball is stopped in each game area partitioned by the decorative member.

<Invention Group Extracted from the Embodiments>
Hereinafter, the features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses and the like, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses and the like.

<Feature A group>
Feature A1. The number of game media discharged from the gaming machine is measured using a medium detection means (discharge detection sensor 89) provided in the gaming machine, and the measurement result is stored in the discharge information storage means (discharge ball counter 94d). Discharge measuring means (function to execute discharge monitoring processing in the main MPU 92),
Even when power supply to the discharge measuring means is stopped, power is supplied to the discharge information storage means, and the discharge information storage means enables information storage during the interruption. (Power supply unit 123 for power interruption),
When the number of game media corresponding to the number-of-discharges information stored in the discharge information storage means is equal to or greater than the specified discharge number, which is a number of 2 or more, the discharge recognition signal (the output state for discharge recognition is entered). A discharge side output means (a function for executing external output processing for discharge in the main side MPU 92) that enables output to the outside of the gaming machine,
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature A1, since the number of gaming media discharged from the gaming machine is measured and the measurement result is output to the outside of the gaming machine, the hall computer of the gaming hall ejects the gaming machine. It becomes possible to manage the number of game media.

  In this case, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is detected by the gaming machine, the number of gaming media to be ejected can be measured without requiring a complicated configuration on the island facility side. Can be performed accurately.

  In addition, since the discharge recognition signal is output when the number measured as the discharged game medium is equal to or greater than the specified discharge number which is a number of 2 or more, the frequency at which the discharge recognition signal is output is set. It can be reduced. Thereby, for example, even a hall computer having a relatively low processing speed can easily recognize the discharge recognition signal.

  In addition, since the discharge information storage means is configured to supply power during power interruption, the discharge information storage means is stored in a situation in which discharge number information corresponding to a number of 1 or more and less than the specified number of discharges is stored. Even if the power supply is cut off, the information is stored and held. Thereby, even if it is the structure which reduced the frequency with which the discharge | emission recognition signal is output as mentioned above, it becomes possible to manage strictly the number of the game media discharged | emitted.

  Feature A2. When the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is greater than or equal to the number specified for the ejection, a separate ejection recognition signal (individual ejection signal in the output state for individual ejection recognition) is sent to the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to Feature A1, further comprising separate discharge side output means (a function of executing an external output process for individual discharge in the main MPU 92) that enables output to the outside.

  According to the feature A2, in the game hall, if it is desired to reduce the frequency of outputting the recognition signal, the discharge recognition signal is used, and the number of game media to be discharged is more finely managed although the frequency increases. It is possible to select a desired signal in the game hall, such as using another discharge recognition signal if desired. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with various business forms of the game hall.

  Note that by setting the “number smaller than the specified number of discharges” to 1, the number of game media to be discharged can be strictly managed.

Feature A3. The discharge side output means maintains the output state of the discharge recognition signal for the discharge side continuation period when outputting the discharge recognition signal, and at least the discharge side regulation period elapses when the output state is canceled. Until the output status is reset.
The separate discharge side output means maintains the output state of the separate discharge recognition signal for another discharge side duration when outputting the separate discharge recognition signal, and at least separate discharge when the output state is canceled. To prevent resetting to the output state until the side regulation period elapses,
The gaming machine according to Feature A2, wherein the discharge side continuation period is longer than the separate discharge side continuation period, and the discharge side regulation period is longer than the separate discharge side regulation period.

  According to the feature A3, when the discharge recognition signal is used, both the period during which the output of the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are longer than in the case of the separate discharge recognition signal. Therefore, it becomes easier for the hall computer having a relatively low processing speed to recognize the discharge recognition signal. On the other hand, when using another emission recognition signal, both the period during which the signal continues and the period during which the output state is restricted are shorter than in the case of the emission recognition signal. However, it is possible for a hall computer having a relatively high speed to quickly recognize when a game medium is discharged.

  Feature A4. A terminal for signal output by the discharge side output means and a terminal for the separate discharge side output means are connectable to the electrical wiring for performing signal output to a device provided outside the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to feature A2 or A3, wherein a signal terminal is provided separately.

  According to the feature A4, for the game hall, it is possible to select the side to be used among the discharge recognition signal and the separate discharge recognition signal only by selecting the type of the terminal to which the electric wiring is connected. Therefore, complication of work when selecting and using a signal is suppressed.

Feature A5. The payout measuring means (in the main MPU 92) that measures the number of game media paid out or paid out to the player and stores the measurement result in the payout information storage means (award ball scheduled counter 94c, prize ball completion counter 114d). A function of executing the processes of step S403, step S406 and step S409, a function of executing the process of step S1108 in the payout-side MPU 112),
When the number of game media corresponding to the payout number information stored in the payout information storage means exceeds the specified payout amount, the payout recognition signal (the winning ball schedule in the output state for winning ball schedule recognition) A payout side output means (a function for executing an external output process for award ball schedule in the main side MPU 92) that can output a signal, a prize ball completion signal in an output state for recognition of a prize ball completion) to the outside of the gaming machine , A function of executing a payout-side external output process in the payout-side MPU 112),
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A4, comprising:

  According to the feature A5, since the number of gaming media to be paid out in the gaming machine is measured, and the measurement result is output to the outside of the gaming machine, the game paid out by the gaming machine in the hall computer of the gaming hall It becomes possible to manage the number of media. Since the hall computer can manage not only the number of game media to be paid out but also the number of game media to be ejected, the game media existing in the game hall can be managed. .

  Feature A6. The gaming machine according to Feature A5, wherein the specified number of payouts is one.

  According to the feature A6, it becomes possible to strictly manage the number of game media to be paid out in the gaming machine.

  Feature A7. The gaming machine according to Feature A5, wherein the specified payout number is 2 or more.

  According to the feature A7, since the payout recognition signal is output when the number of payout or payout game media exceeds the specified payout number which is a number of 2 or more, the payout It is possible to reduce the frequency with which the recognition signal is output. Thereby, for example, even in a hall computer having a relatively low processing speed, the payout recognition signal can be recognized without difficulty.

  Feature A8. When the number of game media measured by the payout measuring means becomes equal to or greater than another specified payout number that is less than the specified payout number, another payout recognition signal (a prize ball that is in an output state for award ball schedule recognition) The payout-side output means (a function for executing an external output process for award ball scheduling in the main MPU 92) that enables the output of the (schedule signal) to the outside of the gaming machine is provided. Gaming machine.

  According to the feature A8, in the game hall, if it is desired to reduce the frequency at which the recognition signal is output, the payout recognition signal is used, and although the frequency increases, the number of game media to be paid out or paid out is increased. If it is desired to perform more detailed management, it is possible to select a desired signal in the game hall, such as using a separate payout recognition signal. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with various business forms of the game hall.

Feature A9. The payout side output means maintains the output state of the payout recognition signal for the payout side continuation period when outputting the payout recognition signal, and at least the payout side regulation period elapses when the output state is canceled. Until the output status is reset.
The separate payout side output means maintains the output state of the separate payout recognition signal for the separate payout side duration when outputting the separate payout recognition signal, and at least separately pays out when the output state is canceled. To prevent resetting to the output state until the side regulation period elapses,
The gaming machine according to claim A8, wherein the payout-side continuation period is longer than the separate payout-side continuation period, and the payout-side restriction period is longer than the separate payout-side restriction period.

  According to feature A9, when the payout recognition signal is used, both the period during which the output of the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are longer than in the case of the separate payout recognition signal. Therefore, it becomes easier for the hall computer having a relatively low processing speed to recognize the payout recognition signal. On the other hand, when using another payout recognition signal, both the period during which the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are shorter than in the case of the payout recognition signal. However, it is possible for a hall computer that is relatively fast to quickly recognize when a game medium is paid out or when it is paid out.

  Feature A10. A terminal for signal output by the payout-side output means and a terminal for output by the separate payout side as terminals that can be connected to electrical wiring for performing signal output to a device provided outside the gaming machine. The gaming machine according to feature A8 or A9, wherein a signal terminal is provided separately.

  According to the feature A10, for the game hall, it is possible to select the side to be used from among the payout recognition signal and the separate payout recognition signal only by selecting the type of terminal to which the electrical wiring is connected. Therefore, complication of work when selecting and using a signal is suppressed.

Feature A11. The payout-side output means is capable of outputting the payout recognition signal when the number of game media more than the specified payout amount has been paid out,
The separate payout-side output means can output the separate payout recognition signal even when the payout of the game media is completed when a condition for paying out the game media exceeding the separate payout prescribed number is satisfied. The gaming machine according to any one of features A8 to A10, wherein the gaming machine is a thing.

  According to the feature A11, when the payout recognition signal is used, the number of game media actually paid out can be recognized, and the management accuracy is improved. When the separate payout recognition signal is used, Management in the hall computer can be performed at an early stage.

Feature A12. Main control means (main-side MPU 92) for outputting payout command information when a condition for paying out game media is satisfied;
A payout control means (payout side MPU 112) for driving and controlling the payout means so as to pay out the game medium when the main control means outputs the payout command information;
With
The gaming machine according to A11, wherein the main control means has the separate payout side output means, and the payout control means has the payout side output means.

  According to the feature A12, it is possible to output each of the payout recognition signal and the separate payout recognition signal by using the respective functions of the main control means and the payout control means.

Feature A13. The number of game media discharged from the gaming machine is measured using a medium detection means (discharge detection sensor 89) provided in the gaming machine, and the measurement result is stored in the discharge information storage means (discharge ball counter 94d). Discharge measuring means (function to execute discharge monitoring processing in the main MPU 92),
Even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, power is supplied to the discharge information storage means, and the discharge information storage means enables storage of information during power interruption ( Power supply unit 123) for power interruption,
When the number of game media corresponding to the number-of-discharges information stored in the discharge information storage means is equal to or greater than the specified discharge number, which is a number of 2 or more, the discharge recognition signal (the output state for discharge recognition is entered). A discharge side output means (a function for executing external output processing for discharge in the main side MPU 92) that enables output to the outside of the gaming machine,
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature A13, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is measured and the measurement result is output to the outside of the gaming machine, it is ejected from the gaming machine in the hall computer of the gaming hall. It becomes possible to manage the number of game media.

  In this case, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is detected by the gaming machine, the number of gaming media to be ejected can be measured without requiring a complicated configuration on the island facility side. Can be performed accurately.

  In addition, since the discharge recognition signal is output when the number measured as the discharged game medium is equal to or greater than the specified discharge number which is a number of 2 or more, the frequency at which the discharge recognition signal is output is set. It can be reduced. Thereby, for example, even a hall computer having a relatively low processing speed can easily recognize the discharge recognition signal.

  In addition, since the discharge information storage means is configured to supply power during power interruption, the power to the gaming machine is stored in a state in which discharge number information corresponding to a number that is 1 or more and less than the specified number of discharges is stored. Even if the supply is cut off, the information is stored and held. Thereby, even if it is the structure which reduced the frequency with which the discharge | emission recognition signal is output as mentioned above, it becomes possible to manage strictly the number of the game media discharged | emitted.

Feature A14. The number of game media discharged from the gaming machine is measured using a medium detection means (discharge detection sensor 89) provided in the gaming machine, and the measurement result is output as a discharge information storage means (discharge ball counter 94d, individual discharge). Discharge measuring means (function to execute discharge monitoring processing in the main MPU 92) to be stored in the ball counter),
When the number of game media corresponding to the number-of-discharges information stored in the discharge information storage means exceeds the specified number of discharges, the corresponding discharge recognition signal (discharge signal in the output state for discharge recognition) , A discharge side output means that can output an individual discharge signal in an output state for individual discharge recognition to the outside of the gaming machine (a function of executing external output processing for discharge in the main MPU 92, for individual discharge) Function to execute external output processing), and
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature A14, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is measured and the measurement result is output to the outside of the gaming machine, the gaming machine is ejected from the gaming machine in the hall computer of the gaming hall. It becomes possible to manage the number of game media.

  In this case, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is detected by the gaming machine, the number of gaming media to be ejected can be measured without requiring a complicated configuration on the island facility side. Can be performed accurately.

Feature A15. The number of game media discharged from the gaming machine is measured using a medium detection means (discharge detection sensor 89) provided in the gaming machine, and the measurement result is output as a discharge information storage means (discharge ball counter 94d, individual discharge). Discharge measuring means (function to execute discharge monitoring processing in the main MPU 92) to be stored in the ball counter),
Playing a discharge recognition signal (a discharge signal in an output state for discharge recognition, an individual discharge signal in an output state for individual discharge recognition) corresponding to the discharge number information stored in the discharge information storage means Discharge-side output means that enables output to the outside of the machine (function of executing external output processing for discharge in the main MPU 92, function of executing external output processing for individual discharge),
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature A15, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is measured and the measurement result is output to the outside of the gaming machine, the gaming machine is ejected from the gaming machine in the hall computer of the gaming hall. It becomes possible to manage the number of game media.

  In this case, since the number of gaming media ejected from the gaming machine is detected by the gaming machine, the number of gaming media to be ejected can be measured without requiring a complicated configuration on the island facility side. Can be performed accurately.

<Feature B group>
Feature B1. Specific measuring means for measuring the number of game media to be paid out to the player (a function for executing the processes of steps S403, S406 and S409 in the main MPU 92);
When the number of gaming media measured by the specific measuring means exceeds a specific prescribed number, a specific recognition signal (a prize ball schedule signal in an output state for a prize ball schedule recognition) is sent to the outside of the gaming machine. Specific output means for enabling output (function of executing external output processing for award ball scheduling in the main MPU 92);
With
The specific output means is capable of outputting the specific recognition signal even when the payout of the game media is completed when a condition for paying out the game media of the specific specified number or more is satisfied. A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the feature B1, by using the specific recognition signal, it is possible not only to manage the number of game media paid out in the hall computer of the game hall, but also when a condition for paying out the game media is satisfied. The management can be performed at an early stage.

Feature B2. Predetermined measuring means for measuring the number of game media paid out to the player (function of executing the process of step S1108 in the payout side MPU 112);
When the number of game media measured by the predetermined measuring means exceeds a predetermined specified number, a predetermined recognition signal (a prize ball completion signal in an output state for recognition of a prize ball completion) corresponding thereto Predetermined output means (a function of executing a payout-side external output process in the payout-side MPU 112) that can be output to the outside,
A gaming machine according to Feature B1, wherein

  According to the feature B2, when the specific recognition signal is used, management in the hall computer can be performed at an early stage, and when the predetermined recognition signal is used, the number of game media actually paid out is recognized. Management accuracy is improved.

  Feature B3. The gaming machine according to Feature B2, wherein the specific specified number is smaller than the predetermined specified number.

  According to the feature B3, in the game hall, if it is desired to reduce the frequency of outputting the recognition signal, the predetermined recognition signal is used, and the number of game media payouts is to be managed more finely although the frequency increases. In this case, it is possible to select a desired signal in the game hall, such as using a specific recognition signal. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with various business forms of the game hall.

Feature B4. The specific output means maintains the output state of the specific recognition signal for a specific duration when outputting the specific recognition signal, and at least until the specific regulation period elapses when the output state is canceled To prevent resetting to the output state,
The predetermined output means maintains the output state of the predetermined recognition signal for a predetermined duration when outputting the predetermined recognition signal, and at least until the predetermined regulation period elapses when the output state is canceled. To prevent resetting to the output state,
The gaming machine according to feature B2 or B3, wherein the specific duration is shorter than the predetermined duration, and the specific regulation period is shorter than the predetermined regulation period.

  According to the feature B4, when the predetermined recognition signal is used, both the period during which the output of the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are longer than in the case of the specific recognition signal. For a hall computer having a relatively low processing speed, it becomes easier to recognize the predetermined recognition signal. On the other hand, when the specific recognition signal is used, both the period during which the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are shorter than in the case of the predetermined recognition signal, so that the processing speed is increased. For a relatively fast hall computer, it is possible to quickly recognize when a game medium is paid out or when it is paid out.

  Feature B5. A terminal for signal output by the specific output means and a signal output by the predetermined output means as terminals to which electrical wiring for performing signal output to a device provided outside the gaming machine can be connected The gaming machine according to any one of features B2 to B4, wherein the terminal is provided separately.

  According to the feature B5, for the game hall, it is possible to select the side to be used among the specific recognition signal and the predetermined recognition signal only by selecting the type of terminal to which the electrical wiring is connected. Therefore, complication of work when selecting and using a signal is suppressed.

Feature B6. Main control means (main-side MPU 92) for outputting payout command information when a condition for paying out game media is satisfied;
A payout control means (payout side MPU 112) for driving and controlling the payout means so as to pay out the game medium when the main control means outputs the payout command information;
With
The gaming machine according to any one of features B2 to B5, wherein the main control means includes the specific output means, and the payout control means includes the predetermined output means.

  According to the feature B6, it is possible to output each of the predetermined recognition signal and the specific recognition signal by using the functions of the main control unit and the payout control unit.

Feature B7. Specific measuring means for measuring the number of game media to be paid out to the player (a function for executing the processes of steps S403, S406 and S409 in the main MPU 92);
A specific output means (a prize ball scheduled signal that is in an output state for prize ball schedule recognition) corresponding to the number of game media measured by the specific measurement means can be output to the outside of the gaming machine ( A function of executing an external output process for award ball schedule in the main MPU 92),
With
The specific output means is capable of outputting the specific recognition signal even when the payout of the game media is completed when a condition for paying out the game media of the specific specified number or more is satisfied. A gaming machine characterized by

  According to the feature B7, by using the specific recognition signal, the hall computer of the game hall can not only manage the number of game media paid out, but also when a condition for paying out the game media is satisfied. The management can be performed at an early stage.

<Feature C group>
Feature C1. When the number of game media targeted for a specific event, which is one of the discharge of game media from the gaming machine and the delivery of game media to the player, exceeds the first specified number, the first recognition signal (for discharge recognition) The first output means (external output processing for discharge in the main MPU 92) that can output the discharge signal in the output state and the payout completion signal in the output state for payout side recognition) to the outside of the gaming machine , A function of executing a payout-side external output process in the payout-side MPU 112),
When the number of game media for the specific event is equal to or greater than a second prescribed number that is less than the first prescribed number, a second recognition signal (an individual discharge signal or an award that is in an output state for individual discharge recognition) Second output means (a function for executing an external output process for individual discharge in the main MPU 92, a payout side MPU 112) that can output an award ball scheduled signal in an output state for ball schedule recognition to the outside of the gaming machine. Function to execute external output processing for winning ball schedule in
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature C1, in the game hall, if it is desired to reduce the frequency at which the recognition signal is output, the first recognition signal is used, and although the frequency increases, the game medium should be managed more finely. For example, it is possible to select a desired signal in the game hall such as using the second recognition signal. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with various business forms of the game hall.

Feature C2. The first output means maintains the output state of the first recognition signal for the first duration when outputting the first recognition signal, and at least the first regulation period when the output state is canceled. Until the time elapses, the output state is not reset.
The second output means maintains the output state of the second recognition signal for the second duration when outputting the second recognition signal, and at least the second regulation period when the output state is canceled. Until the time elapses, the output state is not reset.
The gaming machine according to Feature C1, wherein the second duration is shorter than the first duration, and the second regulation period is shorter than the first regulation period.

  According to the feature C2, when the first recognition signal is used, both the period in which the output of the signal is continued and the period in which the output state is restricted are longer than in the case of the second recognition signal. Therefore, it becomes easier for the hall computer having a relatively low processing speed to recognize the first recognition signal. On the other hand, when the second recognition signal is used, both the period during which the signal is continued and the period during which the output state is restricted are shorter than in the case of the first recognition signal. For a hall computer having a relatively high speed, it is possible to quickly recognize that a specific event occurs.

  Feature C3. A terminal for signal output by the first output means and a second output means are output as terminals to which electrical wiring for performing signal output to a device provided outside the gaming machine can be connected. The gaming machine according to the feature C1 or C2, wherein a signal terminal is provided separately.

  According to the feature C3, for the game hall, it is possible to select a side to be used among the first recognition signal and the second recognition signal only by selecting the type of terminal to which the electrical wiring is connected. Therefore, complication of work when selecting and using a signal is suppressed.

Feature C4. When the number of game media targeted for a specific event, which is one of the discharge of game media from the gaming machine and the delivery of game media to the player, exceeds the first specified number, the first recognition signal (for discharge recognition) The first output means (external output processing for discharge in the main MPU 92) that can output the discharge signal in the output state and the payout completion signal in the output state for payout side recognition) to the outside of the gaming machine , A function of executing a payout-side external output process in the payout-side MPU 112),
In a situation where the number of game media targeted for the specific event is a second prescribed number less than the first prescribed number or more than the second prescribed number, a second recognition signal (an output state for individual discharge recognition and The second output means (external output processing for individual discharge in the main MPU 92) that can output the individual discharge signal and the winning ball scheduled signal in the output state for the recognition of the winning ball schedule) to the outside of the gaming machine , A function of executing an external output process for award ball scheduling in the payout side MPU 112),
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature C4, in the game hall, if it is desired to reduce the frequency at which the recognition signal is output, the first recognition signal is used, and although the frequency increases, the game medium should be managed more finely. For example, it is possible to select a desired signal in the game hall such as using the second recognition signal. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with various business forms of the game hall.

<Feature D group>
Feature D1. Information on the number of game media targeted for a specific event, which is one of the discharge of game media from the gaming machine and the delivery of game media to the player, a special recognition signal (a prize ball in an output state for payout side recognition) A special output means (a function for executing an external output process on the payout side of the payout side MPU 112 in the third embodiment) that can be output to the outside of the gaming machine as a completion signal)
The special output means is
First special output means (steps S1902 to S1911 in the payout side MPU 112) that outputs the special recognition signal in the first mode when the number of game media targeted for the specific event is equal to or greater than a special number that is two or more. Function to execute processing)
A second special output means for outputting the special recognition signal in the second mode (a function for executing the individual output processing in the payout side MPU 112) even if the number of game media targeted for the specific event has not reached the special number; ,
Switching means for switching the target to which the special recognition signal is output from the first special output means to the second special output means in the specific situation (the processing of steps S1912 and S1913 in the payout side MPU 112 is executed) Function)
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature D1, it is possible to cause the hall computer to individually recognize the number of game media targeted for a specific event when a specific situation occurs while reducing the frequency with which a special recognition signal is normally output to the hall computer. It becomes possible. As a result, even for a hall computer having a relatively slow processing speed, the number of game media targeted for a specific event can be managed, and the management can be performed strictly.

Feature D2. The first aspect is an aspect in which the output state of the special recognition signal is maintained over a first duration period.
The gaming machine according to Feature D1, wherein the second mode is a mode in which the output state of the special recognition signal is maintained for a second duration.

  According to the feature D2, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect as described in the feature D1 with a simple configuration in which the period for maintaining the output state of the special recognition signal is adjusted.

  Feature D3. The gaming machine according to Feature D2, wherein the second duration is longer than the first duration.

  According to the feature D3, the special recognition signal can be recognized in the hall computer having a relatively low processing speed in both cases where the special recognition signal is output in the first mode and in the second mode. It becomes possible.

  Feature D4. The switching means performs the switching when a special event that occurs in the process of playing a game has not occurred over a special period as the specific situation. A gaming machine according to any one of D3 to D3.

  According to the feature D4, it is possible to strictly manage the number of game media targeted for a specific event using a situation in which no game is played.

  According to the invention of the feature A group, the feature B group, the feature C group, and the feature D group, the following problems can be solved.

  For example, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine, the game medium is paid out to the player using the payout device when a condition for paying out the game medium is satisfied as a result of the game by the player. For example, some pachinko gaming machines include a symbol display device that displays a plurality of symbols on a display surface in a variable manner, and symbol variation display is started when a ball enters a predetermined operating port provided in the game area. The In addition, a winning lottery is performed at the time of entering the operating hole, and at the time of winning the win, a display to that effect is displayed on the symbol display device, the predetermined winning opening is opened, and the number of the winning balls at the predetermined winning opening The number of game balls corresponding to is paid out using the payout device.

  The gaming machine is installed and used in a gaming hall. In the gaming hall, the gaming machine is installed in an island facility. The island facility is provided with a circulation facility for circulating the game media discharged from each gaming machine, and the game media discharged from each gaming machine can be reused in each gaming machine.

  Here, a large number of gaming machines are installed in the gaming hall, and accordingly, a large amount of gaming media are used in the gaming hall. In this case, it is necessary to manage game media in the game hall, and it is necessary to provide a gaming machine that can contribute to optimization of the management.

<Feature E group>
Feature E1. A game board (game board 24) in which a game area is formed;
A bonus entry part (general prize opening 31, variable prize winning device 32, upper action opening 33, lower action opening 34) which is provided on the game board and generates a bonus when a game ball flowing down the game area enters. When,
A discharge section (out port 37) for discharging game balls that are provided downstream of the gaming area from the bonus area and have not entered the bonus area, from the gaming area;
Discharge detection means capable of detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge unit or a game ball flowing down toward the discharge unit (discharge detection sensor 89 in the fourth and fifth embodiments, and out ball in the sixth embodiment Detection sensor 37a, stop detection sensors 181 and 182) in the seventh embodiment,
Special process execution means (fourth) for executing special processing based on the fact that the situation where the discharge detection means is in the detection state continues or the situation where the discharge detection means is in the non-detection state continues. In the fifth embodiment, a function for executing the discharge monitoring process in the main MPU 92, in the sixth embodiment, a function for executing the out-ball monitoring process in the main MPU 92, and in the seventh embodiment, the stop monitoring in the main MPU 92 Processing function), and
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to the feature E1, the special processing is executed based on the fact that the situation where the discharge detection means is in the detection state or the situation where the discharge detection means is in the non-detection state is continued. If a game ball stops in the game area due to an action, or if the game ball stops in the game area in the course of a regular game, the game hall manager can be encouraged to deal with it It becomes.

  The special process execution means may be configured to execute a notification process as a special process, or may be configured to execute a process for preventing execution of a part of the process for advancing a game as a special process. It is good also as a structure which performs the process for preventing execution of all the processes for advancing a game as a special process.

  Feature E2. The gaming machine according to feature E1, wherein the special processing execution unit executes the special processing based on a situation in which the discharge detection unit is in the detection state for a predetermined period or more.

  According to the feature E2, it is possible to execute the special process when the game ball is stopped in the detection range of the discharge detection means, and prompt the game hall manager to release the stopped state. It becomes possible. In addition, special processing is executed when the situation in which the game ball is detected by the discharge detection means continues for a predetermined period or longer. It is possible to prevent the processing from being executed.

Feature E3. The detection range of the discharge detection means is set on the downstream side of the discharge unit,
The predetermined period is shorter than a minimum period assumed as a period required for game balls to continue from the detection range of the discharge detection means to the position of the discharge unit and to overflow from the discharge unit to the game area side. The gaming machine according to Feature E2, characterized in that

  According to the feature E3, even if the game ball stops in the detection range of the discharge detection means, the special process is executed until the game ball overflows from the discharge unit to the game area side, and it is possible to cope with it.

  Feature E4. In any one of the features E1 to E3, the special processing execution unit executes the special processing based on a situation in which the discharge detection unit is in a non-detection state for a predetermined period or longer. The gaming machine described.

  According to the feature E4, the special processing is executed when the game ball is stopped upstream from the detection range of the discharge detection means and the flow of the game ball downstream is prevented from flowing downstream. It is possible to prompt the game hall manager to release the parked state. In addition, special processing is executed when a situation in which the game ball is not detected by the discharge detection means continues for a predetermined period or longer, and therefore, the special process is performed in a situation where the game is normally performed by adjusting the predetermined period. It is possible to prevent the processing from being executed.

Feature E5. Provided with a ball entry specifying means (a function for executing the process of step S2205 in the main MPU 92) for specifying that a game ball has entered the bonus ball entry part,
The special processing execution means specifies the entry of a game ball into the bonus entry part by the entry specifying means when the state in which the discharge detection means is in a non-detection state continues for a predetermined period or longer. The gaming machine according to Feature E4, wherein the special processing is executed based on the result.

  According to the feature E5, the special process is executed based on the game ball entering the bonus ball entry part even though the game ball is not detected by the discharge detection unit, so that the game is performed normally. The possibility that special processing will be executed in a situation where it is inadvertent is reduced.

Feature E6. As the bonus entry part, variable entry means (variable winning device 32) that can be switched between an open state and a closed state,
Lottery means for executing a lottery process for determining whether or not to generate a special game state (a function for executing a game times control process in the main MPU 92);
Transition means for shifting the gaming state to the special gaming state in which the variable pitching means is controlled to be opened and closed when the special gaming state is won in the lottery process (the gaming state transition process in the main MPU 92). Function to execute)
With
The gaming machine according to claim E4 or E5, wherein the special process execution unit does not execute the special process regardless of a detection result of the discharge detection unit in the special game state.

  In a situation where the variable entry means is opened and closed, a situation may occur in which the game ball is not continuously detected by the discharge detection means even if the game ball is not stopped. On the other hand, according to the feature E6, in the special game state, the special process is not executed regardless of the detection result of the discharge detection unit, and therefore the special process may be executed in a situation where the game is normally performed. Is reduced.

  In the configuration in which the detection range of the discharge detection unit is set to a region downstream from the variable ball entry unit, or a region where game balls flowing down toward the variable ball entry unit do not pass, It is preferable to apply the configuration of E6.

  Feature E7. Using the detection result of the discharge detection means, measurement means for measuring the number of game balls discharged from the game area (in the fourth embodiment, a function for executing the process of step S2105 in the main MPU 92, sixth In the embodiment, the gaming machine according to any one of features E1 to E6, including a function of executing the processing of steps S2302 and S2305 in the main MPU 92).

  According to feature E7, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that the game ball is parked in the game area by using the discharge detection means for measuring the number of game balls discharged from the game ball. Is possible.

  Feature E8. The discharge detection means is provided so as to detect a game ball discharged from the discharge unit downstream of the discharge unit, according to any one of the features E1 to E7, Gaming machine.

  In a configuration in which game balls discharged from the discharge unit can be detected, a ball clogged at the position of the discharge detection means is generated by throwing an illegal ball larger than the game ball into the game region, and the game region passes through the discharge unit. A fraudulent act that overflows game balls on the side is assumed. On the other hand, by providing the configuration of the feature E1, it is possible to prompt the manager of the game hall to cope with such an illegal act.

  The discharge detection unit may be configured to detect the game ball discharged from the discharge unit and not to detect the game ball that has entered the privilege ball input unit. It is good also as a structure which detects the game ball discharged | emitted from the discharge | emission part, and also detects the game ball | bowl which entered the said privilege entrance part.

  Feature E9. The gaming machine according to any one of features E1 to E8, wherein the discharge detection means detects a game ball that is flowing down the game area.

  Even if the act of stopping the game ball in the game area by improperly blocking the discharge unit is performed, the configuration of the feature E1 is provided to prompt the manager of the game hall to deal with it. It becomes possible.

  Feature E10. The said discharge | emission detection means is a game ball which exists downstream from the privilege entry part (variable prize-winning apparatus 32) which exists in the most downstream among the said privilege entry parts, and exists upstream from the said discharge part. The gaming machine according to Feature E9, wherein the gaming machine is provided so as to detect the game.

  According to the feature E10, when the game ball is stopped from the discharge unit toward the upstream side, it can be detected at an early stage.

Feature E11. A game board (game board 24) in which a game area is formed;
A bonus entry part (general prize opening 31, variable prize winning device 32, upper action opening 33, lower action opening 34) which is provided on the game board and generates a bonus when a game ball flowing down the game area enters. When,
A discharge part (out port 37) for discharging the game ball from the game area;
Discharge detection means capable of detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge unit or a game ball flowing down toward the discharge unit (discharge detection sensor 89 in the fourth and fifth embodiments, and out ball in the sixth embodiment Detection sensor 37a, stop detection sensors 181 and 182) in the seventh embodiment,
Special process execution means (fourth) for executing special processing based on the fact that the situation where the discharge detection means is in the detection state continues or the situation where the discharge detection means is in the non-detection state continues. In the fifth embodiment, a function for executing the discharge monitoring process in the main MPU 92, in the sixth embodiment, a function for executing the out-ball monitoring process in the main MPU 92, and in the seventh embodiment, the stop monitoring in the main MPU 92 Processing function), and
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

  According to feature E11, since the special process is executed based on the fact that the situation in which the discharge detection means is in the detection state continues or the situation in which the discharge detection means is in the non-detection state continues, If a game ball stops in the game area due to an action, or if the game ball stops in the game area in the course of a regular game, the game hall manager can be encouraged to deal with it It becomes.

  The special process execution means may be configured to execute a notification process as a special process, or may be configured to execute a process for preventing execution of a part of the process for advancing a game as a special process. It is good also as a structure which performs the process for preventing execution of all the processes for advancing a game as a special process.

  In addition, by applying any one of the features E2 to E10 to the configuration of the feature E11, it is possible to achieve a synergistic effect by providing each configuration.

  In addition, according to the invention of the feature E group, the following problems can be solved.

  Pachinko machines are known as a kind of gaming machine. Specifically, the pachinko machine has a game board in which a game area in which game balls flow down is formed, and the game board is provided with a plurality of entrance parts into which game balls flowing down the game area can enter. ing. When a game ball enters the ball entry part, a privilege such as payout of the game ball or execution of an internal lottery is given to the player. In addition, the game ball that has entered the entrance part is discharged to the back side of the game board. In addition, the game board is provided with a discharge unit for discharging game balls that have not entered any of the entry units to the outside of the game area.

  Here, in the pachinko machine such as the above-described example, an illegal act that intentionally inhibits the smooth flow of the game ball in the game area is assumed, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which the above features can be applied or applied to each feature is shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means operated by a player, game ball launching means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, a ball path for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, and a game A gaming machine that includes each gaming component arranged in an area, and gives a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of each gaming component.

  Revolving type gaming machine such as a slot machine: equipped with a picture display device for variably displaying a plurality of pictures, variably starting display of the plurality of pictures due to the operation of the start operation means, and due to the operation of the stop operation means In addition, the game machine is configured such that the variable display of the plurality of patterns is stopped when a predetermined time elapses and a privilege is given to the player according to the pattern after the stop.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 24 ... Game board, 31 ... General winning port, 32 ... Variable winning device, 33 ... Upper operating port, 34 ... Lower operating port, 37 ... Out port, 37a ... Out ball detection sensor, 89 ... Discharge detection Sensors 91... Main control board 92. Main side MPU 93. Main ROM ROM 94 Main RAM 181 182 Stop detection sensor

Claims (1)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A bonus entry part that is provided on the game board and generates a bonus when a game ball flowing down the game area enters,
A discharge unit for discharging game balls from the game area;
A discharge detection means capable of detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge unit or a game ball flowing down toward the discharge unit;
A ball entry specifying means for specifying that a game ball has entered the bonus ball entry part;
Based on the fact that the entry of the game ball to the bonus entry part is specified by the entry specifying unit when the state in which the discharge detection unit is in the non-detection state continues for a predetermined period or more, Special processing execution means for executing special processing;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:

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