JP2019005662A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To give a plurality of functions to a control means at an instruction reception side while improving a configuration relating to a communication between a control means at an instructing side and the control means at the instruction reception side.SOLUTION: A sub-MPU 82 determines contents of a performance for a predetermined period based on a command from a main control device, and performs emission control following the contents to various kinds of emission parts 44a-44k. The sub-MPU 82 also performs sound output instruction to a sound output LSI 86 via a bus B1 in line with the contents of a determined performance, and allows the sound output LSI 86 to perform output control of sound from a speaker part 45. In this case, emission data are stored also in a common ROM 87, and a state in that the sub-MPU 82 accesses the sound output LSI 86 via the bus B1 for performing a sound output instruction and a state for accessing the sound output LSI 86 via the bus B1 to transmit the emission data are switched through signal output by the sub-MPU 82.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  As a kind of gaming machine, a pachinko machine or a slot machine is known. In these gaming machines, when a condition for paying out game media is satisfied as a result of the game by the player, the game media is paid out to the player using the payout device. 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. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-6412

  Here, in the gaming machines such as the above-mentioned examples, it is necessary to optimize the management of game media, and there is still room for improvement in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can contribute to optimization of management of game media.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that main control means for outputting payout command information;
A payout control means 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;
A power interruption power supply means for supplying power during power interruption to the storage means of the main control means,
With
The payout control means includes
Means for outputting predetermined information to the outside of the gaming machine when the number of paid-out game media reaches a reference number determined as a plurality of numbers;
Means for outputting specific information to the main control means each time a game medium is paid out from the payout means;
Means for outputting completion information to the main control means when the predetermined information is output outside the gaming machine;
With
The main control means includes
Means for updating the information in the specific storage area of the storage means based on the output of the specific information, thereby enabling measurement of the number of times the specific information is output;
Means for updating the information in the specific storage area so that a value corresponding to the reference number is subtracted from a value of the number of times the specific information is output when the completion information is input;
Means for outputting correspondence information corresponding to information stored in the specific storage area to the payout control means based on the start of supply of operating power;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to contribute to optimization of management of game media.

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. 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 win / no-win decision. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption 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 payout output process performed in the main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed in payout 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 payout control 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 front view of the external terminal board provided in the pachinko machine, (b) It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of an external terminal board. 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 the output of the prize ball completion signal performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the power failure information storage process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the command interruption process performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the fraction interruption process performed in payout side MPU. It is a timing chart which shows the mode of the process at the time of a power failure. It is a flowchart which shows the power-on setting process performed in main side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the payout control process performed in the payout side MPU in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the input state monitoring process performed in main side MPU in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 1 prize ball completed signal monitoring process performed in main side MPU. It is a timing chart which shows the mode of the output of the signal of one prize ball completed performed in payout side MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the power-on setting process performed in the main | side MPU in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure regarding payout of the game ball in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the input state monitoring process performed in main side MPU in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the 1 prize ball completed signal monitoring process performed in main side MPU in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball completion signal 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.

  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 performing a predetermined signal output so that the hall computer of the game hall recognizes 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. 7 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. 8, when the jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery in which the jackpot is generated, the jackpot type counter C2 used when 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, each process performed in order to advance a game in MPU92 in the main controller 71 is demonstrated. The processing of the MPU 92 is roughly divided into main processing that is started when the power is turned on, and timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 4 msec).

<Main processing>
First, the main process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, power-on wait processing is executed. In the power-on wait process, for example, the process waits without progressing to the next process until 1 sec elapses after the main process is activated. In the subsequent step S102, access to the RAM 94 is permitted, and in step S103, the internal function register of the main MPU 92 is set.

  Thereafter, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch provided in the power supply and launch control device 79 is manually operated. In subsequent step S105, the power failure flag of the main RAM 94 is set to “1”. It is determined whether or not. In step S106, a checksum calculation process for calculating a checksum is executed. In subsequent step S107, it is determined whether or not the checksum matches the checksum stored when the power is turned off, that is, the validity of the stored data is determined. .

  In the pachinko machine 10, for example, when RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, such as when a game hall starts business, the power is turned on while the RAM erase switch is pressed. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S108. Similarly, when the information on occurrence of power shutdown is not set, or when an abnormality of data stored and held is confirmed by the checksum, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the RAM 94 is cleared as initialization of the RAM 94. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S109.

  On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch has not been pressed, step S109 is executed without executing step S108 on condition that the power failure flag is set to “1” and the checksum is normal. Proceed to In step S109, a power-on setting process is executed. Details of the power-on setting process will be described later.

  Then, it progresses to the residual process of step S110-step S113. That is, the MPU 92 is configured to periodically execute the timer interrupt process, but a remaining time is generated between one timer interrupt process and the next timer interrupt process. The remaining time varies depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt process, but the remaining processes in steps S110 to S113 are repeatedly executed using such irregular time. In this regard, it can be said that the remaining processes in steps S110 to S113 are non-periodic processes that are performed irregularly.

  In the remaining process, first, in step S110, an interrupt prohibition setting is performed in order to prohibit the generation of the timer interrupt process. In the subsequent step S111, a random number initial value update process for updating the random number initial value counter CINI is executed, and a change counter update process for updating the change type counter CS is executed in step S112. In these update processes, the current numerical value information is read from the corresponding counter of the RAM 94, and the process of adding 1 to the read numerical information is executed, and then the process of overwriting the read-out counter is executed. In this case, each counter value is cleared to “0” when it reaches the maximum value. Thereafter, in step S113, an interrupt permission setting for switching from a state in which the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited to a state in which the timer interrupt process is permitted is performed. If the process of step S113 is performed, it will return to step S110 and will repeat the process of step S110-step S113.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, a hardware configuration for periodically executing timer interrupt processing in the MPU 92 will be described. The main control board 91 is provided with a clock circuit as pulse signal output means for outputting a pulse signal at a predetermined cycle, and further, a frequency dividing circuit so as to exist in the middle of the signal path between the clock circuit and the MPU 92. Is provided.

  The frequency dividing circuit functions as a frequency changing unit that changes the cycle of the pulse signal from the clock circuit, and is configured to output a pulse signal for specifying the start timing of the timer interrupt processing by the MPU 92. That is, the pulse signal is supplied from the frequency dividing circuit to the MPU 92 at intervals of a 4 msec period which is a specific period. The MPU 92 executes a process for confirming the occurrence of a specific signal form such as the rise or fall of the pulse signal, and starts and executes the timer interrupt process with at least one condition that the occurrence of the specific signal form is confirmed. To do.

  In this case, when the occurrence of the specific signal form is confirmed in the situation where the start of timer interrupt processing is prohibited, the timer is changed when the interrupt is permitted from the state where the interrupt is prohibited. Interrupt processing is started. In other words, depending on the execution status of the process in the MPU 92, there is a case where the next timer interrupt process is started after 4.1 msec from the start of the previous timer interrupt process. The timer interrupt process is started after 3.9 msec from the start of the immediately preceding timer interrupt process.

  However, since the output of the pulse signal from the frequency dividing circuit is performed at a specific cycle of 4 msec regardless of the progress of the processing in the MPU 92, the timer interrupt processing is basically started at the specific cycle. Furthermore, the processing configuration of the MPU 92 is such that even if the timer interrupt process at a predetermined timing is started after a period exceeding a specific period since the previous timer interrupt process was started, the timing next to the predetermined timing In the timer interrupt processing at, the portion exceeding the specific period is absorbed, and the timer interrupt processing at the next timing is set to be started at the timing when the input of the pulse signal is confirmed.

  In the timer interrupt process, first, a power failure information storage process is executed in step S201. Details of the power failure information storage process will be described later.

  In subsequent step S202, a lottery random number update process is executed. In the lottery random number update process, 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. Specifically, after executing the process of sequentially reading the current numerical information from the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4, and adding 1 to each of the read numerical information Then, a process of overwriting the reading source counter is executed. In this case, each counter value is cleared to “0” when it reaches the maximum value.

  Thereafter, in step S203, the random number initial value update process is executed in the same manner as in step S111, and in step S204, the variation counter update process is executed in the same manner as in step S112. In a succeeding step S205, a game stop determination process is executed. In the game stop determination process, it is monitored whether or not the progress of the game is to be stopped. If the progress of the game is to be stopped, the execution of the process for progressing the game is stopped.

  Thereafter, in step S206, it is determined whether or not the progress of the game is stopped, and the processing after step S207 is executed on the condition that the progress of the game is not stopped.

  In step S207, port output processing is executed. In the port output process, when the output information is set in the previous timer interrupt process, a process for performing output corresponding to the output information to the various drive units 32c and 34b is executed. For example, when the information for switching the open / close door 32a to the open state is set, the output of the drive signal to the variable winning drive unit 32c is started, and when the information to be switched to the closed state is set, Stop driving signal output.

  In a succeeding step S208, a reading process is executed. In the reading process, signals other than the power failure signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in future processing.

  In subsequent step S209, a winning detection process is executed. In the winning detection process, first, 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 S202 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, a winning process for the operating port is executed. In the winning process for the working opening, first, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred in the upper working opening 33 or the lower working opening 34. If a winning has occurred, it is determined whether or not the number of start-pending memories stored in the holding number storage area NA of the holding ball storage area is less than an upper limit value (for example, “4”). If the number of start-pending memories is less than the upper limit value, the start-pending memory number is incremented by 1, and 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 S202 is held. Information is stored in the holding area RE of the holding ball storage area. 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.

  In the subsequent step S210, timer update processing for updating the numerical information of a plurality of types of timer counters provided in the RAM 94 is executed. In this case, the timer counter that is updated by subtracting the stored numerical information is handled in an integrated manner. However, both the updating of the subtracting timer counter and the updating of the adding timer counter are performed collectively. It is good also as a structure.

  In subsequent step S211, a fraud detection process for monitoring whether or not a predetermined event set as a fraud monitoring target has occurred is executed. In the fraud detection process, by monitoring the occurrence of a plurality of types of events and confirming that a predetermined event has occurred, the game stop setting is made in step S205 in the next timer interrupt process, An affirmative determination is made in step S206.

  In the subsequent step S212, a launch control process for controlling the launch of the game ball is executed. In a situation where the launch operation is continued with respect to the launch operation device 28, as already described, one game ball is launched at a predetermined launch period of 0.6 sec.

  In subsequent step S213, various processes are performed based on the information read in the reading process in step S208 as the input state monitoring process. Details of the input state monitoring process will be described later.

  In the subsequent step S214, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 78 are confirmed, and a payout state receiving process for performing a process corresponding to the confirmation result is executed. In step S215, a payout output process for setting a prize ball command as an output target is executed. Details of the payout output process will be described later.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S206, or after the processing in steps S207 to S215 is executed, the timer interrupt processing is terminated.

<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. 11, a power supply line is indicated by a double arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid 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. Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the MPU 92, ROM 93 and RAM 94 of the main control board 91 are referred to as the main MPU 92, main ROM 93 and main RAM 94, and the MPU 112, ROM 113 and 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.

Note that the power supply unit 123 for power interruption is not limited to a capacitor, and may be a battery, a non-rechargeable battery, or the like. 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 S213 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) 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. 13, 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 addition, since the winning to the upper working port 33 and the winning to the lower working port 34 can occur at the same time within the range of one processing time of the normal processing, in the processing of step S401 to step S402, three prize balls The process of incrementing the counter for 1 may be performed twice.

  If a negative determination is made in step S401, or after the process of step S402 is executed, it is determined in step S403 whether or not a winning to the general winning opening 31 has occurred. 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 404. 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.

  If a negative determination is made in step S403, or after the processing of step S404 is executed, it is determined in step S405 whether or not winning in the variable winning device 32 has occurred. If a 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 S406. 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. When a negative determination is made in step S405, or after the process of step S406 is executed, the main winning monitor process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of the input state monitoring process (FIG. 12), 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, after the prize ball permission signal monitoring process is executed in step S306, the input state monitoring process is terminated. Next, the winning 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”.

<Discharge output processing>
Next, the payout output process executed in step S215 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) 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. 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. 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.

  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.

<Main processing>
Next, main processing executed by the payout side MPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This main process is started upon reset at power-on.

  First, in step S701, initial setting associated with power-on is executed. In a succeeding step S702, an initial display process is executed. In the initial display process, “0” is displayed as an initial display on a 7-segment display (not shown) provided on the payout control board 111.

  In subsequent step S703, RAM access is permitted, and in step S704, an external interrupt vector is set. Thereafter, in step S705, the entire area of the payout side RAM 114 is cleared to “0”, and the MPU peripheral device is initialized in step S706. In subsequent step S707, it is determined whether or not a fraction return command is received from the main MPU 92, and various fractions are set in step S708. Details of the processes in steps S707 and S708 will be described later. In the subsequent step S709, interrupt permission is set. The series of processes from step S701 to step S709 described above corresponds to the start-up process in the payout-side MPU 112, and it takes, for example, 300 msec until the start-up process is completed. The time required for the start-up process is not limited to 300 msec, and is arbitrary as long as it is shorter than the time required for the start-up process in the main MPU 92.

  Thereafter, the process of step S709 is repeatedly executed until the power is completely shut off and the process cannot be executed. Note that, by repeatedly executing the interrupt permission setting process in step S709 in this manner, even if the interrupt permission setting is canceled due to the influence of noise or the like and the non-permitted setting is made, the interrupt permission state is restored. Can be set again.

<Timer interrupt processing>
Next, timer interrupt processing executed for controlling the payout of game balls by the payout side MPU 112 will be described with reference to FIG. The timer interrupt process is started periodically (in the pachinko machine 10 at a cycle of 2 msec).

  First, in step S801, 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 a succeeding step S802, a state return switch (not shown) provided in the payout control device 78 is checked, and when it is determined that the state return operation is started, the state return operation is executed.

  In subsequent step S803, a full tank process for determining whether or not the lower plate 62a is in a full tank state is executed based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and in step S804, 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 prize ball setting process is executed in step S805. Details of the winning ball setting process will be described later. In the subsequent step S806, a ball rental setting process is executed. In the lending setting process, first, 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. If the lending status flag is not set to “1”, the lending status setting process is executed. If the lending status flag is set to “1”, the lending status processing is executed. Run.

  In the lending status setting process, 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 whether or not the 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 whether or not 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.

  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. 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. Then, after setting “1” in the lending state flag of the payout side RAM 114, 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.

  Further, in the lending state processing, it is determined whether or not a lending request signal is input from the 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 is input, an addition process to the ball rental number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is executed. 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.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not an end signal is input from the ball lending device 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 input, the ball rental state flag in the payout side RAM 114 is cleared to “0”, and after the ball suspension permission signal output stop state is set, the present ball rental setting process is terminated.

  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.

  Returning to the description of the timer interrupt process, in step S807, a payout number setting process is executed. In the payout number setting process, the information stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a or the rented ball number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is used as the payout number counter 114c of the payout side RAM 114, which is an execution area when paying out game balls. Is stored. Thereafter, a payout control process is executed in step S808, and after a prize ball permission signal setting process is executed in step S809, the timer interrupt process is terminated. The prize ball setting process in step S805, the payout control process in step S808, and the prize ball permission signal setting process in step S809 will be individually described below.

<Prize ball setting process>
First, the winning ball setting process executed in step S805 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S901, it is determined whether or not a prize ball command is received from the main MPU 92. 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 S902. 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 S902, the above addition operation is executed for the prize ball command that is the current processing target.

  In the subsequent step S903, the prize ball command which is the current processing target is deleted from the payout side RAM 114. In a succeeding step S904, it is determined whether or not the result calculated in the step S902 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 S905.

  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 S905, 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 S906, a mask process at the time of addition 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 process in step S906, 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 S907, it is determined whether or not the information on the number of prize balls to be added, that is, the information on the number of prize balls specified in step S905 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 S908.

  In step S908, it is determined whether 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 S909. By executing the processing of step S907 and step S908 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 S909, an award ball number addition process is executed. In the addition process, the information on the number of prize balls specified in step S905 is added to the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a after the addition-time mask process in step S906.

  In subsequent step S910, whether or not the information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a after the addition process in step S909 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 directly proceeds to step S912. If the information on the number of winning balls is “19” or more, the process proceeds to step S911. In step S911, 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 the abnormality in the number of prize balls can be carefully eliminated by executing the processes of step S906, step S907, step S908, and step S911. However, it is not essential to execute all these processes. For example, the processes in steps S907 and S908 may not be performed. Even in this case, the anomalies in the number of winning balls can be resolved by executing the processing of step S906 and step S911.

  In a succeeding step S912, 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 S912, the process proceeds to step S914 as it is. 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 S913, and then the process proceeds to step S914. 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 S914, an error flag erasing process 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 S914 when a winning ball command is normally input and a winning ball setting process for the winning ball command is executed. After executing the error flag erasing process in step S914, the winning ball setting process is terminated.

<Discharge control processing>
Next, the payout control process executed in step S808 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1001, a payout state setting process is executed. In the payout state setting process, the payout operation of the payout device 77 is set. Specifically, it is first determined whether or not a payout error state has occurred. If it is in the payout error state, the stop state is set to stop the payout operation of the payout device 77. Thereby, the payout operation of the payout device 77 is stopped. If it is determined that the payout error state is not set, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout number counter 114c in the payout side RAM 114 is “0”. When the value of the payout number counter 114c is “0”, it means that there is no game ball to be paid out, and therefore the payout device 77 is set in a stopped state. Further, when it is determined that the value of the payout number counter 114c is not “0”, it is determined whether or not it is a retry state. 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 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”, the normal state is set so that the payout speed of the payout device 77 is the normal cycle, and then the payout state setting process is terminated. If the normal cycle has already been set, that state is maintained.

  On the other hand, when the prize ball low speed flag is set to “1”, the payout state setting process is terminated after setting the low speed state so that the payout speed of the payout device 77 is the low speed cycle. If the low speed cycle is already set, this state is maintained.

  Returning to the explanation of the payout control process, after the payout state setting process is executed in step S1001, the drive signal output process is executed in step S1002. 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 S1001, so that the drive signal is output in a manner corresponding to the set state. Payout of game balls is executed.

  In the subsequent step S1003, 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 S1004, it is determined whether one game ball is detected by the payout ball detection sensor 77h. If a negative determination is made in step S1004, the payout control process is terminated as it is.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1004, it is determined in step S1005 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 S1006 to S1011 is executed. On the other hand, if the renting operation is in progress, the payout subtraction process in steps S1012 to S1013 is executed, and then the payout control process is terminated.

  In the winning ball subtraction process, first, in step S1006, the value of the winning ball number storage area 114a of the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S1007, the value of the payout number counter 114c of the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1. . In step S1008, 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 S1009, 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 S1010 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. If the prize ball low speed flag is not set to “1”, the prize ball low speed flag is set in step S1011. After setting “1”, the payout control process is terminated.

  Further, in the renting subtraction process, first, in step S1012, the value in the rented number storage area 114b of the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1, and in the subsequent step S1013, 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 executed in step S809 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S1101, 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 S1105, 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 S1101, whether or not the ball removal operation is being performed in step S1102. Determine. If the ball removal operation is not in progress, it is determined in step S1103 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 S1105, 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 S1102 or a negative determination is made in step S1103, the award ball permission signal setting process is terminated after setting the award ball permission state in step S1104.

  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. 21 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. 21, 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, the configuration for transmitting information to the hall computer HC in the pachinko machine 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22A is a front view of the external terminal plate 81 provided in the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 22B is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the external terminal plate 81. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22A, 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 ended, an external terminal 81e used to output information indicating that a predetermined fraud has been detected, An external terminal 81f used to output information indicating that the gaming machine main body 12 is open; an external terminal 81g used to output information indicating that the front door frame 14 is open; An external terminal 81h used for outputting information on the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 (prize ball completion signal) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 22B, the external terminals 81a to 81h are configured 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. Has been. 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.

  Here, in the connection unit 141 having a plurality of (eight) electrical wirings electrically connected to each of the external terminals 81 a to 81 h, 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, the electrical connection work with respect to the external terminal board 81 at the time of manufacture of the pachinko machine 10 and the attachment / detachment work of electrical connection with the external terminal board 81 at the time of maintenance can be facilitated.

  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 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 with reference to FIG. 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 S801, which is the first execution timing.

  In the payout side external output process, first, in step S1201, 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. That is, the output of the LOW level signal is maintained for a period until the next prize ball completion signal becomes the payout side recognition output state with the prize ball completion signal in the payout side recognition output state. . Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize that the HI level signal is output to the hall computer HC. 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 processing of step S1201, in step S1202, 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 S1203 whether or not the payout side recognition counter value is 25 or more, so that the output state for the payout side recognition 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 S1203, 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.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1203, it is determined in step S1204 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 S1204, 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 process 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 S1204, the flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 is set in step S1205 to set the payout side recognition output state. 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 S1206, and after the value of the payout side recognition counter is cleared to “0” in step S1207, the external output process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1202, 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 S1208. 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 S1208, 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.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1208, the output state for payout side recognition is canceled by performing clear processing of a flag provided in the payout side RAM 114 in step S1209. 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 S1210, the external output process is terminated.

<External output processing>
Next, referring to FIG. 24, the external output of the winning ball completion signal will be described. FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing an output state of a prize ball completion signal executed by the payout side MPU 112.

  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. 24A, the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the pay-out side RAM 114 increases. . Then, at the timing of t1, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d reaches the value of the payout side specific number (specifically, “10”), so that the winning 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 t1 to the timing t2. 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.

  Here, the sum of the payout-side recognition output continuation period (100 msec) and the payout-side output setting limit period (50 msec) is 150 msec. Further, the shortest payout period of the game balls is 30 msec, and it takes 300 msec (30 msec × 10) for the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d to reach the value of the payout side specific number. That is, it takes longer than the sum of the payout-side recognition output continuation period and the payout-side output setting limit period for the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d to reach the value of the payout-side specific number. Therefore, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d does not reach the value of the specific number on the payout side within the total time of the output continuation period for payout side recognition and the output setting limit period on the payout side.

  In addition, if the shortest payout period of the game balls is shorter than 30 msec or the output continuation time for payout side recognition is shorter than 100 msec, the winning ball completion counter is in the middle of the output continuation time for payout side recognition. Even if the value of 114d can newly reach the value of the specific number of payout side, every time a payout of one game ball is detected, the value of the winning ball completion counter is incremented by 1 and a winning ball completion signal Since the prize ball completion counter 114d is decremented by 10 at the time of a new output, the number of times that the number of game balls paid out reaches the value of the specific number of payouts and the prize ball completion signal from the LOW level to the HI level. It is possible to reliably match the number of switching times. However, if the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d newly reaches the value of the specific number of payout side during the output continuation period for payout side recognition, the output setting of the prize ball completion signal for reaching the specific number of payout side is This is performed after the output continuation period ends and the output setting limit period on the payout side elapses.

<Various treatments during power interruption>
Here, when using the prize ball completion signal output so that the information on the number of prize balls actually paid out from the payout device 77 can be recognized by the hall computer HC, the number management can be strictly performed. The problem of not being able to occur can arise. The problem will be described.

  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, a new payout is made. When the number of prize balls issued is less than the specific number on the payout side, the state where the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is 1 or more is continued. In this case, since power for power interruption is not supplied to the pay-out side RAM 114, when the business is terminated or a power failure occurs in the above state, the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 and the power supply to the launch control device 79 are cut off. 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.

  Further, as described in the prize ball setting process (FIG. 18), information on the number of prize balls not paid out is stored in a prize ball number storage area 114 a provided in the payout side RAM 114. However, if the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 and the power supply to the launch control device 79 are cut off in a situation where there are unpaid prize balls, the value in the prize ball number storage area 114a is cleared. Therefore, it may be disadvantageous for the player.

  In response to the above-described problem, when a power failure signal is received from the power failure monitoring board 95, it is possible to store information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls stored in the payout side RAM 114 in the main side RAM 94. If it exists, the said subject can be solved. Hereinafter, the contents of the process for solving the above-described problem will be described in detail.

<Power failure information storage processing>
First, the power failure information storage process executed by the main MPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The power failure information storage process corresponds to the process in step S201 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) executed by the main MPU 92.

  In step S1301, it is determined whether or not a power failure signal corresponding to the occurrence of power shutdown is received from the power failure monitoring board 95. If the power failure signal has not been received, the power failure information storage process is terminated.

  If a power failure signal is received from the power failure monitoring board 95, a fraction request command is transmitted to the payout side MPU 112 in step S1302. The fraction request command is a command for requesting prize ball number data stored in the prize ball number storage area 114 a and the prize ball completion counter 114 d provided in the payout side RAM 114. In the case of the prize ball number storage area 114a, the stored data is information on the number of prize balls that have not been paid out, and in the case of the prize ball completion counter 114d, information on the number of prize balls that have been paid out.

  In a succeeding step S1303, it is determined whether or not a fraction save command is received from the payout MPU 112. Details of the fraction saving command will be described later. If the fraction save command has not been received, the process stands by until the fraction save command is received. If a fraction save command has been received, information on the number of prize balls transmitted from the payout side MPU 112 is stored in the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and prize ball fraction counter 94d provided in the main side RAM 94 in step S1304. To do. The prize ball completion fraction counter 94c is a counter for storing the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114, and the prize ball fraction counter 94d is the number of prize balls provided in the payout side RAM 114. It is a counter for storing the value of the storage area 114a.

  Here, as described above, in a power-off state such as when a power failure occurs (when power supply from an external power source is cut off), the power-supply unit for power interruption 123 is discharged and the main RAM 94 is used for memory retention. Power is supplied. Therefore, even when the power is cut off such as when a power failure occurs, the various counter information stored in the main RAM 94 is not erased while the power for storage holding is supplied from the power supply unit for power interruption 123. Retained. Accordingly, the information of the various counters 94a to 94d including the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the prize ball fraction counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94 is stored and held.

<Command interrupt processing>
Next, command interrupt processing executed by the payout MPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the command interrupt process is started by the input of a command from the main MPU 92 and is executed with priority over the process executed in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17).

  In the command interrupt process, it is first determined whether or not the command input in step S1401 is a fraction request command. The fraction request command is a command for requesting prize ball number data stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 as described above. If it is a fraction request command, a fraction interrupt process is executed in step S1402. Details of the fraction interrupt processing will be described later.

  On the other hand, if the input command is not a fraction request command, the currently received prize ball command is stored in a ring buffer provided in the payout side RAM 114 in step S1403, and this command interruption process is terminated.

<Round interrupt processing>
Next, the fraction interrupt processing executed by the payout MPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1501, the output of the drive signal to the payout motor is stopped. Thereby, the rotating body 77e provided in the game ball passage 77c of the payout device 77 is stopped. In the subsequent step S1502, 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 S1503, it is determined whether one game ball is detected by the payout ball detection sensor 77h. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1503, it is determined in step S1504 whether or not a ball lending 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. If the ball lending operation is not in progress, the value of the award ball number storage area 114a provided in the payout side RAM 114 is decremented by 1 in step S1505, and the payout number counter provided in the payout side RAM 114 in the subsequent step S1506. 1 is subtracted from the value of 114c, and 1 is added to the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 in the subsequent step S1507.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1504, 1 is subtracted from the value of the number of rented balls storage area 114b in step S1508, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the payout number counter 114c in step S1509. That is, the game ball existing in the game ball passage 77c when the ball rental operation is being performed means “rental ball”, and the game ball existing in the game ball passage 77c when the ball rental operation is not being performed is “ "Prize ball" means.

  Thereafter, in step S1510, it is determined whether or not the payout ball detection period has ended. Specifically, it is determined whether the time derived in the design stage of the pachinko machine 10 has elapsed. As described above, when the game ball flowing down the game ball passage 77c reaches the concave portion 77g of the rotating body 77e provided in the game ball passage 77c, the game ball moves downstream as the rotation body 77e rotates. Derived. Here, the time derived in the design stage of the pachinko machine 10 means that the game ball is rotated downstream in a state where the game ball is accommodated in the recess 77g of the rotary body 77e, and the game ball is downstream from the recess 77g of the rotary body 77e. It is the longest time required from the timing of falling to the timing when the payout ball detection sensor 77h detects the game ball. That is, even when the output of the drive signal to the payout motor stops at the timing when the game ball falls downstream from the recess 77g of the rotating body 77e, the payout ball detection sensor 77h can detect the game ball.

  In subsequent step S1511, a fraction save command is transmitted to the main MPU 92, and this fraction interrupt processing is terminated. The fraction save command has a 2-byte configuration, and the upper bit of the first byte (7th to 4th bits) is set with information indicating that it is a fraction save command. (3rd bit to 0th bit) is set with information of the number of paid-out prize balls stored in the prize-ball completion counter 114d. In the other byte, information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a is set.

  Here, if there is 1 byte, the information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a can be set, and if 4 bits, the number of paid-out prize balls stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d. The reason why information can be set will be described. The range of numbers that can be expressed by 1 byte is “0” to “255”, and the range of numbers that can be expressed by 4 bits is “0” to “15”. First, the prize ball number storage area 114a will be described. The information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a includes a maximum prize ball number (15 prize balls) for one winning at most and permission. It is “18” which is the sum with the reference number. Accordingly, if there is 1 byte, it is possible to set information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a.

  Next, the prize ball completion counter 114d will be described. When the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d becomes “10”, “0” is cleared. In other words, the information on the number of paid-out prize balls that can be stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d is “10” at the maximum. Therefore, if there are 4 bits, it is possible to set information on the number of paid-out prize balls stored in the prize-ball completion counter 114d.

<Timing chart for power failure processing>
Next, the state of the power failure process will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

  FIG. 28A shows the timing at which a fraction request command is transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112, FIG. 28B shows how the state of the payout motor changes, and FIG. 28C shows the payout ball detection. FIG. 28 (d) shows a payout ball detection period after the payout side MPU 112 stops output to the payout motor, and FIG. 28 (e) shows a winning ball completion counter. FIG. 28 (f) shows the timing at which the fraction save command is transmitted from the payout MPU 112 to the main MPU 92. In the initial state, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is “0”.

  First, at the timing of t1, as shown in FIG. 28C, the payout of the game ball is detected. Specifically, an HI level signal is transmitted from the payout ball detection sensor 77h to the payout side MPU 112. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 28E, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 is incremented by one. That is, every time the payout ball detection sensor 77h detects the payout of the game ball, the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 is incremented by one.

  Thereafter, at the timing of t2, a fraction request command is transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112 as shown in FIG. As described above, the fraction request command is a command for requesting information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114. At the same timing, as shown in FIG. 28B, the output to the payout motor is stopped, so that the payout state of the payout motor is set to the stop state. Thereby, the rotating body 77e provided in the intermediate part of the game ball passage 77c stops. Also, from the same timing to the timing t4, a payout ball detection period is provided as shown in FIG. The payout ball detection period is the longest time required from the timing at which the game ball falls downstream from the recess 77g of the rotating body 77e to the timing at which the payout ball detection sensor 77h detects the game ball. This is the time derived in the design stage. When the payout ball detection sensor 77h detects a game ball within the payout ball detection period as shown in FIG. 28 (c) at the timing of t3, a prize provided in the payout side RAM 114 as shown in FIG. 28 (e). The value of the ball completion counter 114d is incremented by 1. If the payout ball detection sensor 77h does not detect a game ball within the payout ball detection period, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is not incremented by one.

  Thereafter, at the timing of t4, a fraction save command is transmitted to the main MPU 92 as shown in FIG. In addition, information on the winning ball number storage area 114a provided in the payout side RAM 114 is also set in the fraction saving command. The information in the prize ball number storage area 114a is information on the number of prize balls that have not been paid out.

  Thereafter, when the power is turned off at the timing of t5, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 becomes “0”. As described above, since the power of the power interruption time unit 123 is not supplied to the payout-side RAM 114, the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is erased when the power is turned off.

<Processes executed when the power is turned on>
Next, processing executed when the power is turned on will be described.

<Power-on setting process>
The power-on setting process executed in step S109 of the main process (FIG. 9) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1601, the values of the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the prize ball fraction counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94 are read. The read value is a value stored at the time of power failure. That is, the values of the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 before the power failure.

  In subsequent step S1602, a fraction return command is transmitted to the payout MPU 112. The fraction return command is composed of 2 bytes, and the upper bit of the 1st byte (7th to 4th bits) is set with information indicating that it is a fraction return command. (3rd to 0th bits) is set with information of a winning ball completion fraction counter 94c. In the other byte, information of a prize ball fraction counter 94d is set. As described above, the information stored in the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the prize ball fraction counter 94d is information stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d and the prize ball number storage area 114a, respectively. Therefore, the data amount of each bit of the fraction return command is the same as that of each bit of the fraction save command. Thereafter, in step S1603, the values of the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the prize ball fraction counter 94d are cleared to “0”. By executing the processing in step S1603, it is possible to store the fraction save command information transmitted from the payout MPU 112 when a power failure occurs again. After executing the process of step S1603, the power-on setting process ends.

<Processing on fraction return command in payout side MPU 112>
Here, the processes of steps S707 and S708 of the main process executed by the payout side MPU 112 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the process of step S707, it is determined whether or not the fraction return command transmitted in the process of step S1602 of the power-on setting process executed by the main MPU 92 is received. In the fraction return command, the values of the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the prize ball fraction counter 94d are set as described above. If the fraction return command has not been received, the process waits until the fraction return command is received. By waiting until the fraction return command is received, the information on the number of unpaid and dispensed prize balls stored in the main RAM 94 is stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d. Various processes can be performed.

  If the fraction return command has been received, processing for setting various fractions is executed in the subsequent step S708. More specifically, information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball fraction counter 94d is stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a provided in the payout side RAM 114. Further, the information on the number of paid-out prize balls stored in the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c is stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout-side RAM 114. Thereby, the values stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a and the winning ball completion counter 114d before the power interruption can be set again. That is, it is possible to add the number of prize balls that have been paid out again from the value stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d before the power interruption. Furthermore, the information on the number of unpaid prize balls before the power interruption is set again in the prize ball number storage area 114a, so that the number of unpaid prize balls can be surely paid out to the player. It is possible to prevent a disadvantage from being caused.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  The main RAM 94 is provided with a prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and a prize ball fraction counter 94d. When a power failure signal is received from the power failure monitoring board 95, by sending a fraction request command to the payout-side MPU 112, unpaid and paid-out prizes stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a and the winning ball completion counter 114d. It is possible to store the value of the number of balls. Further, when the power is turned on, the fraction return command is transmitted to the payout side RAM 114, so that the value of the number of award balls that have not been paid out and that has been paid out before the power interruption can be set again. This makes it possible to add the number of prize balls already paid out from the value stored in the prize ball completion counter 114d before the power interruption, and strictly manage the number of prize balls that have been paid out. Can do. In addition, the information on the number of unpaid prize balls before the power interruption is set in the prize ball number storage area 114a again, so that the unpaid prizes stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a before the power interruption are stored. Since the number of balls can be paid out to the player, it is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged.

  Further, by setting the command interrupt process executed by the payout side MPU 112, the fractional interrupt process can be preferentially executed over the timer interrupt process executed by the payout side MPU 112. This makes it possible to execute fraction interrupt processing immediately after the power interruption, and promptly send a fraction save command in which information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls before the power interruption is set to the main MPU 92. It becomes possible to transmit.

  Further, when the payout side MPU 112 receives the fraction request command from the main side MPU 92, the payout side MPU 112 stops the output of the drive signal to the payout motor, and stops the rotating body 77 e provided in the game ball passage 77 c of the payout device 77. Thereafter, by executing processing for determining whether or not the time derived in the design stage of the pachinko machine 10 has elapsed, when the output of the drive signal to the payout motor stops, the downstream side of the game ball passage 77c It becomes possible to cause the payout ball detection sensor 77h to detect the game ball housed in the concave portion 77g of the rotating body 77e at the time of falling. At that time, by adding 1 to the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d and subtracting 1 from the value of the winning ball number storage area 114a, it is possible to strictly manage the number of unpaid and paid out winning balls.

<Second Embodiment>
In this embodiment, every time one payout ball is paid out, the payout side MPU 112 transmits one award ball completed signal to the main side MPU 92. Further, the main RAM 94 is provided with a single winning ball counter (not shown). The one winning ball counter is provided for storing the number of times the one winning ball signal has been output. Therefore, each time the one award ball signal is output, the value of the one award ball counter is incremented by one. Further, when the value of the one awarded counter is “10”, “0” is cleared. In other words, the one winning ball counter is set so as not to store information on the number of paid winning balls of “10” or more.

  Here, as described in the electrical configuration relating to the game ball payout, when the power supply from the external power source to the pachinko machine 10 is stopped, all the information stored in the payout side RAM 114 is erased ( Will be destroyed). In this case, assuming that the payout-side RAM 114 stores all the information on the number of prize balls that have been paid out as in a conventional pachinko machine, the power to the pachinko machine 10 is in a situation where there is information on the number of prize balls that have been paid out. When the supply is stopped, the information on the number of paid-out prize balls is erased.

  If the main MPU 92 can be notified each time a prize ball is paid out with respect to the above problem, the above problem can be solved. Hereinafter, a configuration for solving the above problem will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, the payout side MPU 112 transmits one prize ball completed signal to the main side MPU 92 every time one payout ball is paid out, so that the fraction request command and the fraction save command are not transmitted during a power failure. Therefore, the processing related to the fraction request command and the fraction save command in the first embodiment is not executed in this embodiment. Further, the configuration relating to the payout control process executed by the payout MPU 112, the power-on setting process executed in the main MPU 92, and the input state monitoring process is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Discharge control processing>
First, the payout control process in step S808 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 17) executed by the payout side MPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Processing other than step S1709 is the same as the processing of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, after 1 is added to the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d in step S1708, one winning ball signal is transmitted to the main MPU 92 in subsequent step S1709. That is, every time one payout ball is paid out, one winning ball signal is transmitted to the main MPU 92. As a result, it is possible to store information on the number of paid-out prize balls in the main RAM 94.

<Input status monitoring process>
Next, the input state monitoring process in step S213 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) executed by the main MPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Processing other than step S1807 is the same as that of the first embodiment. After the prize ball permission signal monitoring process is executed in step S1806, one prize ball completed signal monitoring process is executed in the subsequent step S1807. The single winning ball signal monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1901, it is determined whether or not one winning ball signal has been received from the payout MPU 112. If a single winning ball signal has been received, the value of the single winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 is incremented by 1 in step S1902. This makes it possible to store information on the number of paid-out prize balls. In a succeeding step S1903, it is determined whether or not the value of the one winning ball counter is “10”. If the value of the single winning ball counter is “10”, the value of the single winning ball counter is cleared to “0” in step S1904, and then the single winning ball signal monitoring process is terminated.

<Output timing of one award signal>
Next, referring to FIG. 33, the state of outputting one winning ball signal will be described.

  FIG. 33 (a) shows how the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d fluctuates, FIG. 33 (b) shows the output state of one winning ball signal, and FIG. 33 (c) shows one winning ball counter. It shows how the value of fluctuates.

  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 balls are detected by the pay-out ball detection sensor 77h, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 33A, the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the pay-out side RAM 114 is added. . Then, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), one winning ball completion signal is generated for the number of values set in the winning ball completion counter 114d. After that, the main MPU 92 that has received one winning ball signal adds the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 as shown in FIG.

<Power-on setting process>
Next, the power-on setting process in step S109 of the main process (FIG. 9) executed by the main MPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S2001, the value of a single winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 is read. As described above, the value of the one winning ball counter is the same as that before the power interruption of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114. In subsequent step S2002, a fraction return command is transmitted. The fraction return command has a 1-byte configuration, and information indicating that it is a fraction return command is set in the higher-order bits (7th to 4th bits), and the lower-order bits are (3 bits (0th bit to 0th bit) Information on one winning ball counter is set. When the value of the one award ball counter is “10”, “0” is cleared. In other words, the maximum value that can be stored in one awarded counter is “10”. Therefore, if there are 4 bits, it is possible to set the value stored in the one winning ball counter.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  Each time the payout side MPU 112 pays out one award ball, the payout side MPU 112 transmits one award ball completed signal to the main side MPU 92. The main MPU 92 is provided with a single winning ball counter. This makes it possible to store information on the number of prize balls that have been paid out in the main RAM 94. Further, as described above, since power for power interruption is supplied to the main MPU 92, the power is supplied to the pachinko machine 10 and the power supply to the launch control board 121 is provided in the main RAM 94. The value of the single winning ball counter will not be cleared. By using the one-awarded signal, the fraction request command transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112 or the fraction transmitted from the payout MPU 112 to the main MPU 92 at the time of power interruption in the first embodiment. Since it is not necessary to use a save command, it is possible to simplify the processing when a power failure occurs.

  In addition, when the value of the one winning ball counter is “10”, the value of the one winning ball counter is cleared to “0”. Further, when the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d becomes “10”, the payout side RAM 114 transmits a winning ball completion signal to the hall computer HC and subtracts “10” from the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d. That is, the conditions for subtracting the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d and the one winning ball counter are equal (both counters are decremented by “10” when the value becomes “10”). As a result, the winning ball completion counter 114d can be counted again from the value stored in the winning ball counter. This makes it possible to strictly manage information on the number of prize balls that have been paid out.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a prize ball completion signal is transmitted from the payout side MPU 112 to the hall computer HC and the main side MPU 92. A configuration in which a winning ball completion signal is transmitted from the payout side MPU 112 to the hall computer HC and the main side MPU 92 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration relating to the payout of game balls.

  As described above, the main control board 91 is connected to the payout control board 111 using the connection unit 105, and the electrical wiring of the connection unit 105 is connected to the external terminal 81 h for the winning ball completion signal at the payout side MPU 112. Electric wiring for setting the output is included. The main control board 91 is electrically connected to the connector 106 to which the connection unit 105 on the payout control board 111 side is connected and the connector 142 to which the connection unit 141 on the external terminal board 81 side is connected. Thus, a relay circuit 143 is formed. The relay circuit 143 branches on the way, and a winning ball completion signal is transmitted to the main MPU 92 via the winning ball completion signal line 144.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the main-side RAM 94 is provided with a single winning ball counter (not shown). The one winning ball counter is provided for storing the number of one winning ball signal output from the payout side MPU 112.

  Note that, as in the second embodiment, the main-side RAM 94 is supplied with electric power for power interruption, so that the value of the one-awarded counter stops power supply and power supply to the launch control board 121. Even if it is a situation, it is retained. The configuration other than the configuration related to the input state monitoring process executed by the main MPU 92 is the same as that of the second embodiment.

<Input status monitoring process>
First, the input state monitoring process in step S213 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 10) executed by the main MPU 92 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Processing other than step S2107 and step S2108 is the same as the processing of the second embodiment. After the winning ball permission signal monitoring process is executed in step S2106, one winning ball completed signal monitoring process is executed in subsequent step S2107. The single awarded signal monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S2201, it is determined whether one winning ball signal has been received from the payout side MPU 112 or not. The one award ball completion signal is transmitted from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 every time one payout ball is paid out. If one winning ball signal has been received, the value of the one winning ball counter is incremented by 1 in the following step S2202, and the one winning ball signal monitoring process is terminated.

  Returning to the description of the input state monitoring process (FIG. 36), the winning ball completion signal monitoring process is executed in step S2108. The prize ball completion signal monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S2301, it is determined whether or not a prize ball completion signal is received from the payout side MPU 112. The prize ball completion signal is sent to the hall computer HC and the main MPU 92 when the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 reaches the value of the payout side specific number (10 in this embodiment). This is a signal to be transmitted, and is provided to specify information on the number of paid-out prize balls. If the winning ball completion signal has been received, the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 is decremented by “10” in the next step S2302, and the winning ball completion signal monitoring process is terminated.

  According to the embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  Since the winning ball completion signal transmitted from the payout MPU 112 is transmitted not only to the hall computer HC but also to the main MPU 92, the main MPU 92 can clear the value of the one winning ball completed counter to “0”. It becomes. As a result, the main MPU 92 can recognize that 10 prize balls have been paid out to the player.

  In addition, the winning ball completion signal is not transmitted separately from the payout side MPU 112 to the hall computer HC and the main side MPU 92, but is branched by the relay circuit 143 provided on the main control board 91, and the hall computer HC and the main computer HC. To the side MPU 92. This eliminates the need for providing an electrical wiring for transmitting a prize ball completion signal from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 separately from the electrical wiring used to transmit to the hall computer HC, thereby reducing the cost of the pachinko machine 10. It becomes possible to reduce.

<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) In the first embodiment, the number information set in the prize ball command may be used when the fraction save command is transmitted. More specifically, it is assumed that a prize ball command table for reading the number information from the prize ball command is provided in the payout ROM 113 first. In the prize ball command table, various prize ball commands and number information are set in a one-to-one correspondence. More specifically, the number information is “3” and the three award ball commands are in a one-to-one correspondence, the number information is “10” and the ten award ball commands are in a one-to-one correspondence. There is a one-to-one correspondence between information “15” and 15 prize ball commands. Based on the prize ball command table, the payout side MPU 112 reads the corresponding prize ball command from the number information stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d at the time of power failure. In addition, since the prize ball command in the pachinko machine 10 is composed of 2 bytes, the information indicating that it is a fraction save command is set in the upper bit of the 1st byte (7th to 4th bits). In the lower bits (3rd to 0th bits), information indicating which of the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d corresponds as the number information of the current fraction save command Set. Also, information on the number of prize balls is set in the other byte. Thereafter, two types of fraction saving commands are transmitted to the main MPU 92, respectively. Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d and the prize ball number storage area 114a are both “3” at the time of power interruption. In this case, referring to the prize ball command table, two three prize ball commands are read out, and for one of the three prize ball commands, the content of 1 byte in which information indicating that the prize ball command is set is set. The information indicating that it is a fraction saving command and the information indicating that the information corresponding to the prize ball number storage area 114a is set as the number information is rewritten, and the other three prize ball commands are The contents of the first byte in which the information indicating the presence is set are rewritten into information indicating that the information is the fraction save command and information indicating that the information corresponding to the winning ball completion counter 114d is set as the number information. Then, each command after the rewriting is transmitted to the main MPU 92. Further, for example, when the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d is “3” and the value of the winning ball number storage area 114a is “10” at the time of power interruption, three balls are referenced with reference to the winning ball command table. The prize ball command and the 10 prize ball commands are read out, the contents of the first byte of the prize ball commands are rewritten as described above, and each command after the rewrite is transmitted.

  Further, for example, when the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d and the prize ball number storage area 114a are both “8” at the time of power interruption, the prize ball command table is referred to and the prize ball command closer to “8” ( The pachinko machine 10 reads out two (10 prize ball commands), rewrites the contents of the first byte of the two prize ball commands as described above, and transmits the rewritten commands. That is, when at least one of the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d and the value of the prize ball number storage area 114a does not correspond to the prize ball command defined in the prize ball command table, the number close to those values The fraction save command may be transmitted using a prize ball command corresponding to the information.

  Further, a plurality of prize ball commands may be used to transmit a fraction save command corresponding to either the prize ball completion counter 114d or the prize ball number storage area 114a. For example, when the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is “8” and the prize ball command type is set to three prize ball commands and five prize ball commands, the prize ball completion is completed. In order to transmit the fraction save command corresponding to the value of the counter 114d, the three prize ball commands and the five prize ball commands are read, and the contents of the first byte of each prize ball command are rewritten as already described, Each command after the rewriting may be transmitted as one fraction save command. For example, when the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d is “8” and one prize ball command is set as the kind of prize ball command, eight prize ball commands are read out. The contents of the first byte of each prize ball command may be rewritten as described above, and each command after the rewrite may be transmitted as one fraction save command.

  (2) In the first embodiment, when the payout side MPU 112 receives the fraction request command, the value of the prize ball number storage area 114a provided in the payout side RAM 114 and the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d are composed of 2 bytes. Although it is transmitted to the main MPU 92 as one command (fraction save command), it is not limited to this and may be transmitted separately, for example.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the main MPU 92 uses one command (fraction return command) consisting of two bytes for the value of the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c and the value of the prize ball fraction counter 94d provided in the main RAM 94. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be transmitted separately, for example.

  (4) In the first embodiment, information on the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d is transmitted as a fraction save command from the payout side MPU 112 to the main side MPU 92 when power is interrupted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the ball rental information stored in the ball rental number storage area 114b may be transmitted to the main MPU 92. In this case, a lending fraction counter is provided in the main RAM 94, information on the lending number storage area 114b provided in the payout RAM 114 is set in the lending fraction counter, and a power-on setting process executed in the main MPU 92 Then, information on the lending fraction counter is transmitted to the payout MPU 112. Thereby, it becomes possible to store the information on the number of rents before the power interruption in the rented number storage area 114b.

  (5) In the fraction interrupt processing (FIG. 27) executed by the payout side MPU 112 of the first embodiment, the fraction save command is transmitted to the main MPU 92 at the timing when the payout ball detection period ends. For example, the fraction save command may be transmitted to the main MPU 92 at the timing when the output of the drive signal to the payout motor is stopped. As a result, the fraction save command can be quickly transmitted to the main MPU 92 at the time of power interruption.

  (6) In the first embodiment, the payout MPU 112 receives the fraction request command transmitted from the main MPU 92 and transmits the fraction save command to the main MPU 92 after the payout ball detection period has elapsed. The fraction save command may be transmitted to the main MPU 92 at the timing when the fraction request command is received, for example. Further, a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring board 95 may be transmitted to the payout side MPU 112, and a fraction save command may be transmitted to the main side MPU 92 at the timing when the power failure signal is received. As a result, the fraction save command can be quickly transmitted to the main MPU 92 at the time of power interruption.

  (7) In the first embodiment, when the power is turned on, the main MPU 92 reads the value of the prize ball fraction counter 94d in which the number of unpaid prize balls is stored, sets the fraction return command, and transmits it to the payout MPU 112. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of unpaid prize balls may not be set as a fraction return command, but may be sent to the payout MPU 112 as a prize ball command. More specifically, for example, when the value of the prize ball fraction counter 94d is “10” when the power is turned on, 10 prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112. Further, when the value of the winning ball fraction counter 94d is “8” when the power is turned on, a winning ball command closer to “8” (10 winning ball commands in the pachinko machine 10) is transmitted to the payout MPU 112. . Here, when 10 award ball commands are not set in the pachinko machine 10 and a 1 award ball command is set, the configuration may be such that one award ball command is transmitted 8 times. When the individual prize ball command is set, the configuration may be such that the four prize ball commands are transmitted twice.

  Further, when the value stored in the prize ball completion fraction counter 94c is “3” when the power is turned on, three prize ball commands are read, and information indicating that the prize ball command itself is a fraction return command. It is replaced with certain information and sent to the payout MPU 112. If the value stored in the winning ball completion fraction counter 94c is “8” when the power is turned on, the winning ball command closer to “8” (10 winning ball commands in the pachinko machine 10) is read out. The information that is a prize ball command may be replaced with the information that is a fraction return command and transmitted to the payout MPU 112. Here, when ten award ball commands are not set in the pachinko machine 10 and a one award ball command is set, the one award ball command is read and information indicating that the award ball command is itself is obtained. The information may be replaced with information that is a fraction return command, and the fraction return command may be transmitted to the payout MPU 112 eight times. Further, when the four prize ball commands are set, the four prize ball commands may be transmitted twice. Thereby, it becomes possible to set information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls by using the prize ball command.

  (8) In the second embodiment, information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a at the time of power failure is not transmitted to the main MPU 92, and information on the number of unpaid prize balls is erased. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information on the number of unpaid prize balls may be stored in the main RAM 94. Specifically, the main side RAM 94 is provided with a prize ball schedule counter for storing information on the number of prize balls scheduled to be awarded. When the three prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “3”. When the ten prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “10”. Similarly, when 15 prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “15”. Then, every time one winning ball signal is sent from the payout side MPU 112, the value of the winning ball scheduled counter provided in the main side RAM 94 is decremented by one. Thus, even if the information on the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a at the time of power interruption is deleted, the value of the number of unpaid prize balls can be determined by referring to the value of the above-mentioned prize ball scheduled counter. It becomes possible to grasp information. Further, in the process of step S2002 of the power-on setting process (FIG. 34) in the main MPU 92, the information on the number of unpaid award balls is set in the fraction return command transmitted to the payout MPU 112, thereby Information about the number of unpaid prize balls before the time can be stored again in the prize ball number storage area 114a. The timing for setting the value in the winning ball scheduled counter in the main RAM 94 is not limited to the timing at which the winning occurs, and for example, a winning ball command is transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. It may be timing.

  Using the value of a single winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 94 and the winning ball command transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112 before power interruption, the number of winning balls is stored before power interruption. A configuration may be adopted in which the payout-side MPU 112 grasps the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the area 114a. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the main MPU 92 clears the value of the one winning ball counter to “0” when the value of the one winning ball counter becomes “10”. However, even if the value of one winning ball counter is “10”, “0” is not cleared. In addition, when a prize ball command is transmitted from the main MPU 92, the transmitted prize ball command is sequentially written in each area of a ring buffer provided in the main RAM 94. At the time of power-on, all winning ball commands stored in the ring buffer are transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the paying side MPU 112 as a fraction return command corresponding to the number of unpaid winning balls, and one winning ball counter The fraction return command in which the value is set is transmitted from the main MPU 92 to the payout MPU 112. In addition, when the main MPU 92 transmits these fraction return commands at the time of power-on, it clears all the transmitted prize ball commands stored in the ring buffer and clears the value of one prize ball completed counter to “0”. To do. The payout side MPU 112 subtracts the total number of winning balls specified from the fraction return command in which the value of the one winning ball counter is set from the total number of winning balls specified from the winning ball command received as the fraction return command By doing so, it becomes possible to specify the number of unpaid prize balls at the time of power interruption. Also, the payout side MPU 112 divides the remaining number obtained by dividing the total number of winning balls specified by the fraction return command in which the value of the one awarded ball counter is set by the payout side specific number 10 at the time of power failure. It can be specified as a fraction of the number of completed prize balls. In this configuration, in order to reduce the total number of commands transmitted at the time of power-on, the total value of the number information corresponding to a plurality of transmitted prize ball commands stored in the ring buffer is the natural number of the payout side specific number In the case of a double, the transmitted prize ball command may be deleted from the ring buffer, and a natural number multiple of the payout side specific number may be subtracted from the one prize ball completed counter. For example, it is assumed that the total value of the number information corresponding to a plurality of transmitted prize ball commands stored in the ring buffer is “30”. The value “30” is a value obtained by multiplying the payout side specific number (specifically, “10”) by three times. In this case, the transmitted prize ball command stored in the ring buffer is deleted and the value of one prize ball completed counter is subtracted by “30”.

  (9) In the second embodiment, the number of unpaid prize balls stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a at the time of power interruption may be transmitted to the main MPU 92. As a result, the number of unpaid award balls before the time of power interruption can be stored in the main RAM 94, and the number of unpaid award balls at the time of power interruption is not erased. By sending a prize ball command corresponding to the number of prize balls that have not been paid out when the power is turned on to the payout side MPU 112, it becomes possible to surely pay out the prize balls to the player.

  (10) The main MPU 92 is configured to transmit the fraction return command to the payout MPU 112 when the power is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fraction return is performed at the timing when the prize ball command is transmitted to the payout MPU 112. The command may be transmitted to the payout MPU 112. The timing for transmitting the fraction return command will be specifically described. This is the timing for transmitting the first prize ball command to the payout MPU 112 after the power is turned on again.

  (11) Although the power from the power interruption power supply unit 123 is supplied to the main RAM 94 and not supplied to the payout RAM 114, the present invention is not limited to this. The power from the hour power supply unit 123 may be supplied. Also in this configuration, the fraction saving command may be transmitted to the main MPU 92, and information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls may be stored in the main RAM 94. In this case, the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls stored in the main side RAM 94 when the power is restored is set in the fraction return command and transmitted to the payout side MPU 112. The payout-side MPU 112 matches the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls stored in the payout-side RAM 114 with the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls set in the fraction return command. It is determined whether or not. In the case of an affirmative determination, the value is added again from the values stored in the winning ball number storage area 114a and the winning ball completion counter 114d. On the other hand, in the case of negative determination, the values of the winning ball number storage area 114a and the winning ball completion counter 114d are cleared to “0”. As a result, it is possible to increase the reliability of the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls stored in the payout-side RAM 114 before power interruption. Whether the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls stored in the pay-out side RAM 114 matches the information on the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls set in the fraction return command. Without making this determination, the fraction return command information may be stored in the prize ball number storage area 114a and the prize ball completion counter 114d.

  (12) Although the configuration is such that the output setting of the prize ball completion signal is performed by the payout side MPU 112, the output setting of the prize ball completion signal may be performed by the main side MPU 92 instead. Specifically, the main side RAM 94 is provided with a prize ball completion counter 114d, and each time one game ball is paid out, the payout side MPU 112 transmits one winning ball signal to the main side MPU 92. When the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d becomes “10”, the main MPU 92 transmits a winning ball completion signal to the hall computer HC. That is, the main MPU 92 specifies the timing of transmitting the prize ball completion signal to the hall computer HC and the timing of clearing the value of the prize ball completion counter 114d to “0” by receiving one prize ball completed signal 10 times. It becomes possible. In addition, the main side RAM 94 is provided with a planned winning ball counter that stores information on the number of winning balls scheduled for winning. When the three prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “3”. When the ten prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “10”. Similarly, when 15 prize ball commands are transmitted to the payout MPU 112, the value of the prize ball schedule counter is incremented by “15”. Then, every time one winning ball signal is sent from the payout side MPU 112, the value of the winning ball scheduled counter provided in the main side RAM 94 is decremented by one. As a result, the main MPU 92 can grasp the number of unpaid and paid-out prize balls. Even if the value of the prize ball number storage area 114a provided in the payout side RAM 114 is erased at the time of power interruption, the value of the award ball scheduled counter is set as a fraction return command when the power is turned on and transmitted to the payout side MPU 112. By doing this, it is possible to store information on the number of unpaid prize balls before the interruption of power in the prize ball number storage area 114a.

  Further, when the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d provided in the payout side RAM 114 reaches “10” which is the payout side specific number, a signal is transmitted to the main MPU 92, and the main MPU 92 receives the signal. By doing so, the configuration may be such that the winning ball completion signal is externally output to the hall computer HC. More specifically, the payout side MPU 112 transmits an output start signal to the main side MPU 92 when the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d reaches the payout side specific number. Further, the payout side MPU 112 transmits the output start signal to the main side MPU 92, and then subtracts “10” from the value of the winning ball completion counter 114d. The main MPU 92 that has received the output start signal switches the winning ball completion signal to the HI level. Further, in this configuration, the payout side RAM 114 is provided with a prize ball completion counter 114d. Therefore, as shown in the seventh embodiment and other examples, the number of prize balls that have been paid out at the time of power interruption is saved and charged. It is better to have a configuration for returning the number of paid-out prize balls. Further, the output setting of the winning ball completion signal may be performed in a control device different from the main MPU 92 and the payout MPU 112.

  (13) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above embodiments, for example, a pachinko machine in which an electric accessory is released a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or a game ball 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 capture device, and the start lever is operated after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage unit are captured by the capture 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.

<Invention Group Extracted from the Embodiments>
Hereinafter, the features of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiments 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. Main control means (main MPU 92) for outputting payout command information for paying out game media;
A payout control means (payout side MPU 112) for driving and controlling the payout means (payout device 77) so as to pay out the game medium when the main control means outputs the payout command information;
A power supply means during power interruption (power supply unit for power interruption 123) for supplying power during power interruption to the storage means of the main control means;
With
The payout control means includes the main control means for storing information on the number of game media that have been paid out in a predetermined period or specific information for allowing the main control means to store number information that is information that can be derived from the information. Specific output means (a function for executing the process of step S1511 in the payout side MPU 112 in the first embodiment, a function for executing the process of step S1709 in the payout side MPU 112 in the second embodiment). A gaming machine characterized by that.

  According to the characteristic A1, specific information is output from the payout control means to the main control means, and the number information corresponding to the number of game media paid out in the main control means to which power is supplied during interruption is stored. Even when the supply of operating power to the gaming machine is stopped, information corresponding to the number of paid out gaming media can be prevented from being lost. As a result, the number of game media that have been paid out can be suitably managed.

  Feature A2. The main control means is a return output means for outputting return information corresponding to the number information after the supply of electric power to the main control means is started (step in the main MPU 92 in the first embodiment). The gaming machine according to Feature A1, further comprising a function of executing the process of S1602, a function of executing the process of Step S2002 in the main-side MPU 92 in the second embodiment.

  According to the feature A2, when the supply of operating power is resumed, information corresponding to the number of paid-out game media saved in the main control means is output to the payout control means as return information. Thus, even if the information corresponding to the number of paid-out game media has been lost in the payout control means when the supply of operating power is resumed, the return information from the main control means can be used to The management of the number of game media that have been paid out can be started from a state before the supply of power is stopped.

Feature A3. The payout control means is a predetermined output means for outputting predetermined information when the number of paid-out game media reaches a reference number determined as a plurality of numbers (function for executing the process of step S1205 in the main MPU 92). With
The specific output means outputs the specific information so that the main control means can store information corresponding to the number of paid-out game media that is less than the reference number. The gaming machine described in 1.

  According to the feature A3, the payout control means is configured to output the predetermined information when the information on the number of paid game media reaches a reference number determined as a plurality of numbers. Can be suppressed. In this case, the specific information is output so that the main control means can store information corresponding to the number of paid-out gaming media that is less than the reference number, so that the information on the number of paid-out gaming media is the reference. Even if the supply of operating power to the gaming machine is stopped in a situation where the number is less than the number, it is possible to prevent the information on the number of paid-out items from being lost.

  Feature A4. The specific output means outputs the specific information to the main control means based on occurrence of a predetermined trigger that occurs in a situation where supply of operating power to the gaming machine is stopped. A gaming machine according to any one of A3 to A3.

  According to the feature A4, information corresponding to the number of paid-out game media at the timing when the supply of operating power is stopped can be stored in the storage unit of the main control unit. In addition, since the specific information is output at the timing when the supply of operating power is stopped, the output frequency of the specific information can be suppressed.

Feature A5. The payout control means includes
A payout stop means (a function of executing the process of step S1501 in the payout control means 112) for stopping the payout operation of the payout means when the predetermined trigger occurs;
When the predetermined opportunity occurs, it is monitored whether or not a new payout of the game medium has been performed in the monitoring period, and when it is determined that the payout has been performed, the paid-out measuring means (prize ball completion counter 114d) Updating means for updating the information on the number of paid-out game media being measured at the number of specified payouts (function for executing fractional interrupt processing in the payout control means 112),
The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein the specific output means outputs information corresponding to information measured by the paid-out measuring means as the specific information after the monitoring period has elapsed. .

  According to feature A5, when a predetermined trigger occurs, not only the payout operation of the payout means is stopped, but also the occurrence of a new payout of the game medium is monitored over the monitoring period, and a new payout occurs. The specific information is output to the main control means in a state in which the information corresponding to the paid-out number is reflected. As a result, even if the supply of operating power is stopped in a situation where game media is being paid out, the number of game media paid out in a state where the game media being paid out is measured is stored in the storage means of the main control means The number of game media that have been paid out can be managed accurately.

Feature A6. The payout means is
A payout operation executing means (a function for executing the process of step S1002 in the payout control means 112) for executing a payout operation for guiding the game medium downstream;
A payout detection means (a payout ball detection sensor 77h) for detecting the game medium guided downstream by the payout operation executing means;
With
The monitoring period is set as a period longer than a maximum period assumed as a period required for the game medium that has reached the flow start position by the payout operation of the payout operation executing means to be detected by the payout detecting means. The gaming machine according to Feature A5, characterized by:

  According to the feature A6, even if the supply of operating power is stopped in a situation where a game medium is paid out, it is possible to reliably measure the number of game media that have been paid out. It becomes.

  Feature A7. The gaming machine according to any one of features A4 to A6, wherein the predetermined opportunity is that power failure information is output from the main control means.

  According to the feature A7, the specific information is output from the payout control unit in response to the output of the power failure information from the main control unit. Therefore, it is possible to output the specific information under a condition that can be received by the main control unit. .

Feature A8. Power outage monitoring means for outputting power outage occurrence information to the payout control means when the occurrence of a power outage is specified,
The gaming machine according to any one of features A4 to A6, wherein the predetermined opportunity is that the power failure occurrence information is output from the power failure monitoring means.

  According to the feature A8, when the power failure information output from the power failure monitoring means is received, the specific information is output from the payout control means to the main control means. Can be done.

Feature A9. The payout control means comprises payout grasping means (prize ball number storage area 114a) for grasping information on the number of game media corresponding to the payout command information and the number of unpaid game media,
The specific output means outputs information corresponding to information on the number of game media grasped in the payout grasping means when the specific trigger is generated and the specific information is outputted. A gaming machine according to any one of A8.

  According to the feature A9, information on the number of unpaid game media can be accurately managed.

  Feature A10. The main control means is measured by the payout measuring means after the supply of electric power during charging to the main control means is started and before the supply of operating information and information corresponding to the number information is stopped. A feature described in feature A9, comprising return output means (function for executing the processing of step S1602 in the main MPU 92) for outputting return information including information corresponding to the information on the number of game media that have been stored. Game machines.

  According to feature A10, when the supply of operating power is resumed, information corresponding to the number of paid-out game media and information about the number of unpaid game media saved in the main control means Information is output to the payout control means as return information. As a result, when the supply of operating power is resumed, even if the information corresponding to the number of game media paid out in the payout control means and the information corresponding to the number of unpaid game media are lost, the main control By using the return information from the means, it is possible to start managing the number of game media that have been paid out and paying out unpaid game media from the state before the supply of operating power is stopped.

  Feature A11. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A3, wherein the specific output means outputs the specific information each time a transmission trigger occurs in a situation where operating power is supplied.

  According to the feature A11, since the specific information is output in a situation where the operating power is supplied, the number of game media that have been paid out can be managed without performing special processing when the supply of the operating power is stopped. It becomes possible to carry out appropriately.

Feature A12. The specific output means outputs the specific information every time a game medium is paid out from the payout means,
The game machine according to Feature A11, wherein the main control means includes specific measurement means (one winning ball counter) that measures the number of times the specific information has been output.

  According to the feature A12, since the main control means measures the number of times of output of the specific information that is output every time the game medium is paid out from the payout means, the number of game media paid out in units of one main It can be managed by the control means.

Feature A13. The payout control means is a predetermined output means for outputting predetermined information when the number of paid-out game media reaches a reference number determined as a plurality of numbers (function for executing the process of step S1205 in the main MPU 92). With
The game according to Feature A12, wherein the specific measurement means performs the measurement so that information of the number of times of measurement is initialized when the predetermined information is output from the predetermined output means. Machine.

  According to the feature A13, the number of paid-out game media measured in a range less than the reference number in the pay-out control means and the number of paid-out game media managed in the main control means can be matched. It becomes possible.

Feature A14. The predetermined output means outputs the predetermined information to both management means (hall computer HC) outside the gaming machine and the main control means,
The gaming machine according to Feature A13, wherein the specific measurement unit initializes information of the number of times of measurement when the predetermined information is received.

  According to the feature A14, it is possible to produce an effect based on the configuration described in the feature A13 while using a configuration that outputs predetermined information to a management unit outside the gaming machine.

  Feature A15. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A14, wherein the power supply means during power interruption does not supply the power during power interruption to the storage means of the payout control means.

  According to the feature A15, even if the power during interruption is not supplied to the storage means of the payout control means, the management of the number of paid-out game media can be appropriately managed by providing the feature A1. Can be done.

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

  As a kind of gaming machine, a pachinko machine or a slot machine is known. In these gaming machines, when a condition for paying out game media is satisfied as a result of the game by the player, the game media is paid out to the player using the payout device. 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.

  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 B group>
Feature B1. Main control means (main MPU 92) for outputting payout command information for paying out game media;
A payout control means (payout side MPU 112) for driving and controlling the payout means (payout device 77) so as to pay out the game medium when the main control means outputs the payout command information;
A power supply means during power interruption (power supply unit for power interruption 123) for supplying power during power interruption to the storage means of the main control means;
With
The payout control means includes
Payout grasping means (prize ball number storage area 114a) for grasping information on the number of game media corresponding to the payout command information and the number of unpaid game media;
Based on the occurrence of a predetermined trigger that occurs when the supply of operating power to the gaming machine is stopped, payout correspondence information corresponding to information on the number of gaming media grasped by the payout grasping means is stored in the main information. A payout corresponding output means (a function of executing the processing of step S1511 in the payout side MPU 112) to be output to the control means;
With
When the main control means receives the payout correspondence information, the main control means stores unpaid information corresponding to the payout correspondence information in the storage means (prize ball fraction counter 94d).

  According to the characteristic B1, since the payout correspondence information is output from the payout control means to the main control means, information corresponding to the number of unpaid game media is stored in the main control means to which power during interruption is supplied. Is possible. As a result, even when the supply of operating power to the gaming machine is stopped, information corresponding to the number of unpaid game media can be prevented from being lost. This makes it possible to accurately pay out game media.

  Feature B2. The main control means executes a return output means for outputting return information corresponding to the unpaid information after the start of the supply of electric power to the main control means (the process of step S1602 in the main MPU 92) The gaming machine according to Feature B1, further comprising:

  According to feature B2, when the supply of operating power is resumed, information corresponding to the number of unpaid game media saved in the main control means is output to the payout control means as return information. As a result, even if the information corresponding to the number of unpaid game media is lost in the payout control means when the supply of operating power is resumed, the return information from the main control means can be used to It becomes possible to start paying out game media from a state before the supply of power is stopped.

Feature B3. The payout control means includes
A payout stop means (a function of executing the process of step S1501 in the payout control means 112) for stopping the payout operation of the payout means when the predetermined trigger occurs;
When the predetermined trigger occurs, it is monitored whether or not a new payout of the game medium has been performed during the monitoring period. Update means (function for executing fraction interruption processing in the payout control means 112) for updating the information on the number of payouts by the specified payout number;
With
The payout correspondence output means outputs information corresponding to information on the number of game media grasped in the payout grasping means as the payout correspondence information after the monitoring period has elapsed. Or the gaming machine described in B2.

  According to feature B3, when a predetermined trigger occurs, not only the payout operation of the payout means is stopped, but also the occurrence of a new payout of the game medium is monitored over the monitoring period, and a new payout occurs. The payout correspondence information is output to the main control means in a state in which information corresponding to the number of payouts is reflected. As a result, even if the supply of operating power is stopped in a situation where game media is being paid out, the number of game media that have not been paid out in the state where the game media being paid out is measured is stored in the storage means of the main control means And the number of unpaid game media can be managed accurately.

Feature B4. The payout means is
A payout operation executing means (a function for executing the process of step S1002 in the payout control means 112) for executing a payout operation for guiding the game medium downstream;
A payout detection means (a payout ball detection sensor 77h) for detecting the game medium guided downstream by the payout operation executing means;
With
The monitoring period is set as a period longer than a maximum period assumed as a period required for the game medium that has reached the flow start position by the payout operation of the payout operation executing means to be detected by the payout detecting means. The gaming machine according to Feature B3, characterized by

  According to the feature B4, even if the supply of operating power is stopped in a situation where a game medium is being paid out, it is possible to reliably measure the number of game media that have been paid out. It becomes.

  Feature B5. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B4, wherein the predetermined opportunity is that power outage information is output from the main control means.

  According to the feature B5, the specific information is output from the payout control unit in response to the output of the power failure information from the main control unit, so that it is possible to output the specific information under a condition that can be received by the main control unit. .

Feature B6. Power outage monitoring means for outputting power outage occurrence information to the payout control means when the occurrence of a power outage is specified,
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B4, wherein the predetermined trigger is that the power failure occurrence information is output from the power failure monitoring unit.

  According to the feature B6, when the power failure information output from the power failure monitoring means is received, the specific information is output from the payout control means to the main control means. Can be done.

  Feature B7. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B6, wherein the power supply means during power interruption does not supply the power during power interruption to the storage means of the payout control means.

  According to the feature B7, even if the power during interruption is not supplied to the storage means of the payout control means, it is possible to appropriately manage the number of game media paid out by having the structure of the feature B1. Can be done.

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

  As a kind of gaming machine, a pachinko machine or a slot machine is known. In these gaming machines, when a condition for paying out game media is satisfied as a result of the game by the player, the game media is paid out to the player using the payout device. 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.

  Here, in a gaming machine such as the above-described example, a configuration capable of accurately paying out gaming media is required, 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 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.

  A spinning machine such as a slot machine: the rotation of the circulating body is started based on the operation of the start operation means, the rotation of the circulating body is stopped based on the operation of the stop operation means, and the player is made according to the pattern after the stop. A gaming machine that grants bonuses.

  77 ... Dispensing device, 77h ... Dispensing ball detection sensor, 92 ... Main side MPU, 94d ... Prize ball fraction counter, 112 ... Dispensing side MPU, 114a ... Award ball number storage area, 114d ... Prize ball completion counter, 123 ... Power interruption Power supply for time

Claims (2)

Main control means for outputting payout command information;
A payout control means 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;
A power interruption power supply means for supplying power during power interruption to the storage means of the main control means,
With
The payout control means includes
Means for outputting predetermined information to the outside of the gaming machine when the number of paid-out game media reaches a reference number determined as a plurality of numbers;
Means for outputting specific information to the main control means each time a game medium is paid out from the payout means;
Means for outputting completion information to the main control means when the predetermined information is output outside the gaming machine;
With
The main control means includes
Means for updating the information in the specific storage area of the storage means based on the output of the specific information, thereby enabling measurement of the number of times the specific information is output;
Means for updating the information in the specific storage area so that a value corresponding to the reference number is subtracted from a value of the number of times the specific information is output when the completion information is input;
Means for outputting correspondence information corresponding to information stored in the specific storage area to the payout control means based on the start of supply of operating power;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine.

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