JP2933139B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a ball discharge device which is operated by an electric drive source based on a detection signal from a prize ball detector capable of detecting one prize ball. The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a ball discharge control device for discharging a predetermined number of prize balls.

[Prior Art] In a conventional gaming machine, a prize ball discharge device composed of a ball sheath or the like is operated by a link mechanism using a weight or a size of a prize ball that has won a prize hole, and the prize ball is responded to the prize ball. A number of prize balls were being ejected.

In recent years, a large number of prize balls have been generated when a special game mode has occurred, and there have appeared gaming machines in which a player can obtain a large number of prize balls in a short period of time. Some of them have a set number of balls, and some have machines released from rental machines. In such a gaming machine, since it is difficult to cope with the conventional prize ball discharging mechanism, a winning ball is electrically detected, and based on this electric signal,
More and more game ball discharging devices discharge a required number of prize balls.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, noise is generated from various devices disposed on a so-called island in which a large number of gaming machines are arranged, friction between a plastic component and a ball frequently used in current gaming machines, and the like. In many cases, noise is generated by the discharge of static electricity that is charged to the gaming machine itself, and the noise causes the winning ball detector to malfunction or malfunction, or the noise is controlled by the winning ball detector. A signal other than the detection of a winning ball is input to the control device from the winning ball detector side due to the influence of the wiring connecting the device, and a state occurs in which the ball discharging device malfunctions.

In addition, in recent years, an act of an intentional player intentionally generating noise to cause a malfunction of a gaming machine has occurred.

In view of such a situation, noise countermeasures have been taken for electric control devices in the past, but it has become difficult to cope with diversified noise in recent years. It is demanded to prevent disadvantages due to a prize ball discharge and a disadvantage to a player due to a failure of a prize ball detector.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A gaming machine according to the present invention provides a prize section (for example, a specific prize port 10) provided in a gaming area for solving the above-mentioned problems.
9,109 etc.), a winning ball detecting means capable of detecting a winning ball winning, and a ball discharging device (for example, a winning ball discharging unit 700) capable of discharging a required number of balls by the action of an electric drive source, In a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 10) configured to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls from the ball discharge device based on the generation of the prize balls, the prize ball detection means may include a prize ball derivation gutter (820). Before discharging the winning prize ball to the winning prize ball, the prize ball is continuously and continuously collected while flowing down in the flowing state.
Winning ball detector (for example, safe sensor 83)
0), and a pulse judging means (for example, a pulse judging means for judging whether or not a pulse signal outputted from the winning ball detector as a detection signal is within a predetermined pulse width range. The width detection unit 1603, the safe ball determination unit 1604, the safe sensor failure detection unit 1601, etc.) and the pulse determination unit determines that the pulse signal sequentially output from the winning ball detector has a predetermined pulse width. A prize ball storage means (for example, a safe sphere storage unit 1605) capable of sequentially adding and storing the pulse signal as a prize storage value for operating the ball discharge device; and the prize ball detector by the pulse determination means. If the pulse signal output from the CPU is determined not to be within the predetermined pulse width range, the pulse signal is not stored in the winning sphere storage means as a winning storage value. Management means (e.g., a pulse width detector 1603, Safe sphere determination unit
1604, safe sensor failure detection section 1601).

The abnormality processing means, when it is determined by the pulse determination means that the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is shorter than the predetermined pulse width range, the pulse signal is stored in the winning ball storage means On the other hand, if it is determined that the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is longer than a predetermined pulse width range by the pulse determination means, the pulse signal is not stored as a winning memory value. While not storing the winning storage value in the ball storage means, a predetermined game disabling process (for example, firing prohibition, step S622)
Perform 8).

[Operation] According to the present invention, the prize ball detector sequentially and continuously collects the prize balls flowing down the prize ball derivation trough in the flowing state before discharging the prize balls to the prize balls. 1
The pulse judging means judges whether or not the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is within the range of a predetermined pulse width.

When it is determined that the pulse width is within the range of the predetermined pulse width, the pulse signal output from the winning sphere detector is added and stored in the winning sphere storing means as a winning storing value, and based on the winning storing value. Thus, a predetermined number of balls are discharged from the discharge device by the action of the electric drive source.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the pulse signal is not within the range of the predetermined pulse width, the abnormality processing means does not store the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector as the winning stored value in the winning ball storing means. Therefore, when the pulse width is abnormal, the prize ball is not discharged from the ball discharge device.

Hereinafter, a prize ball discharge control system of a pachinko gaming machine exemplified as a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the front face of a pachinko gaming machine 10 to which the present invention is applied. A hitting ball launching device 1 driven when the lower operation dial 105 is rotated is provided on the front face of a game board 300.
The hit ball fired by 50 (see FIG. 2)
A guide area 313 is provided to guide the player to the upper part of the game board 300, and a game area is formed in a space surrounded by the guide rail 313 on the front of the game board 300 and the glass window 101 (see FIG. 2).

In the center of this game area, a pair of left and right movable members 53, 53
A variable winning device 50 including a winning space 51 opened and closed by the pair of movable members 53, 53 is provided.

A doll member 52 is provided in the prize space 51, and below the doll member 52, general prize ports 55 and 55 and a special prize port 54 are provided as a prize section.

A special prize device for a double opening of a tulip type as a prize portion is provided immediately below the variable prize device 50 of the game board 300 as a prize portion.
108, a pocket-type one-time opening special winning opening 109, 109 is provided at a position diagonally below the left and right as a winning portion, and at the upper end of the center of the variable winning device 50 is a general winning called a winning winning portion as a winning portion. A mouth 56 is provided.

At the diagonally lower position of the action of the variable prize device 50, pocket-type general prize openings 120, 120 are provided as prize portions, and at the diagonally lower positions, tulip-type general prize devices 121, 121 are provided as prize portions. .

At an appropriate position on the front of the game board 300, there are a number of obstacle nails 111 for randomly changing the direction of a hit ball (game ball) falling from above the game area, and a windmill for changing the falling speed and direction of the hit ball. A rolling guide member 112 is provided.

In the lower part of the game board 300, there is provided an out ball collection port 310 for collecting a game ball which could not be won in each of the winning portions 56, 108, 109, 109, 120, 120, 121, 121, etc. on the back side of the game board 300 while falling from above. .

In the upper part of the game board 300, each of the above winning portions 56, 108, 109, 109,
A safe lamp 272 or a pachinko gaming machine 1 that is temporarily lit when a game ball wins a winning section such as 120, 120, 121, 121, etc.
When 0 is stopped, or the storage tank 2 on the back of the gaming machine
A completion lamp 271 that lights when the prize balls serving as spare balls stored in 01 (FIG. 2) runs short.

An information display device 400 (see FIG. 3) is provided above the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine that holds the gaming board 300 having the above configuration. The information display device 400 includes a pair of lamp units 425, 425 and an information unit (message board) 431 for displaying characters, symbols, and the like in dots. The lamp unit 425 has a failure indicator lamp (described later) for displaying an error state of the winning ball detector (safe sensor).
However, one of the lamp units 445 is provided with an indicator lamp (discussed later) indicating that there is a prize ball for which the discharge of the corresponding prize ball has not yet been completed (see FIG. 3). .

The information unit (message board) 431 is based on a command signal sent from the prize ball discharge control device 600 or the accessory control device 500, which is exemplified as a ball discharge control device. Such various messages are displayed.

The operation dial 105 provided on the front frame includes
The touch switch 105a detects whether or not the player is gripping the operation dial 105 and sends a signal (switch ON) indicating that the player is gripping the operation dial 105 to a prize ball discharge control device 600 described later.
(See FIG. 4).

A supply plate 102 for storing hit balls supplied to a hit ball launching device 150 is attached to an opening / closing panel 110 attached to the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine, and a supply plate 1
A saucer 103 for storing the prize balls overflowing from 02 is provided. On one side of the supply tray 102, a ball collection button 106 for projecting a prize ball in the supply tray 102 to the receiving tray 103 side is provided so as to protrude therefrom.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 configured as described above is generally controlled as follows by a control device (to be described later) such as a computer system installed in the pachinko gaming machine.

In an initial state in which electric power is supplied from a main power supply (not shown) to the pachinko gaming machine 10 by operating a power switch (not shown), the left and right movable members 53, 53 of the variable winning device 50 rise substantially vertically and receive a variable winning. The inflow port in the prize space 51 of the device 50 is closed, and the prize space 51 of the variable prize device 50 is maintained in a state in which game balls are not received (first state).

Then, when the shot ball is launched by the hit ball launching device 150 into the specific winning device 108 or the specific winning opening 109, 109, a start winning detector (not shown) installed therein outputs a signal indicating the winning. The movable members 53 and 53 of the variable winning device 50 are opened and closed (turned) twice or once based on the detection signal. Accordingly, the winning space 51 in the variable winning device 50 is converted twice or once into a state (second state) in which game balls can flow.

When the game ball is not won in the special winning opening 54 while the second state is maintained, the movable members 53, 53
Is brought to the vertical state shown in FIG. 1, the inflow port is closed, and the winning space 51 returns to the first state in which the winning space 51 does not accept the game ball.

The above operation is repeated every time a game ball wins the specific winning device 108 or the specific winning opening 109, and while the winning space 51 is in the second state, the game ball is accidentally moved to a special position in the variable winning device 50. When the winning opening 54 is won, it is detected by a special winning detector (not shown) installed in the special winning opening 54, and a special game state called a big hit occurs based on the detection signal.

Here, the special gaming state is a gaming state in which the player has more chances of winning a prize ball than the normal gaming state.
For example, a predetermined number (for example, 18) of opening / closing operations of the movable members 53, 53 is performed in one cycle (however, before the predetermined number of opening / closing operations are completed, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 ) When a prize is won, the cycle up to that point may be regarded as one cycle), and the operation is performed up to a predetermined cycle (for example, up to 8 cycles) on condition that the game ball wins in the special prize opening 54 during each cycle. Is what is done.

When the special game state ends, the game returns to the normal game state again.

During the game, the winning portions 54 and 5 in the winning space 51 of the variable winning device 50
5 When the game ball wins, other winning sections 56, 108,
A predetermined number (for example, thirteen) of prize balls are discharged for each one prize in the same manner as when prizes are won for 109, 120, 121 and the like.

 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG.

This pachinko gaming machine 10 opens and closes (rotates) on a mounting frame 350.
A front frame 100 attached to the front frame 100, a game board 300 installed to be replaceable on the front side of the front frame 100, and an opening / closing panel 110 attached to the front side of the front frame 100 so as to be opened and closed (rotated).
And a back mechanism board 200 attached to the back side of the front frame 100, and an opening / closing door 250 attached to the back side of the back mechanism board 200.

The front frame 100 constitutes a contour portion of the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a support shaft 135 and a bearing 136 provided at an upper end and a lower end on a base side thereof are respectively provided on one upper end and a lower end of the mounting frame 350. By being supported by a bearing 355 and a support shaft 356 provided in the portion, the unit is installed so as to be able to open and close (rotate) with respect to the mounting frame 350.

At the upper front side of the front frame 100, a game board installation section (not visible in the drawing) is provided in a concave shape, and the game board 300 is detachably installed in the installation section.

An opening 140 for exposing the back side of the game board 300 is provided at the upper center of the front frame 100, and the tray 103 (FIG. 1) is attached to the lower front side.

Further, a locking device 130 for locking the front frame 100 in a closed state with respect to the mounting frame 350 is provided on the rear side of the front frame 100 on the free end side.

A ball launching device 150 provided with a motor 151 as a drive source operated by operating the operation dial 105 (FIG. 1) is installed on the lower back side of the free end side of the front frame 100.

A prize ball discharge control device 60 that controls a prize ball discharge system is located at a position near the hitting ball launching device 150 at the lower rear side of the front frame 100.
0 is set.

The opening / closing panel 110 covers the front side of the front frame 100, and is attached to the front side of the front frame 10 so that it can be opened and closed (rotated) by being supported by the front side of the base side of the front frame 10.

A locking piece (not shown in the figure) is provided on the back side of the free end of the opening and closing panel 110. Meanwhile, the front frame
At the position corresponding to that of the front side of 100, the opening and closing panel 1
An opening / closing mechanism (not shown) is provided which engages with the locking piece and keeps the closed state when the 10 is closed.

The back mechanism board 200 constitutes a prize ball discharging mechanism and the like, and has, for example, a U-shape and is attached to the back side of the front frame 100.

A storage tank 201 for storing spare balls (prize balls before dispensing) is provided at the upper end on the back side of the back mechanism board 200. The guide gutter 202 is provided so as to face the lower end opening of the storage tank 201.
Is connected. The guide gutter 202 guides the internal reserve spheres in a self-aligned manner, and reaches the one side (the base side in this embodiment) of the back mechanism board 200 while gently inclining downward. At the lower end of the flow of the guide gutter 202, a prize ball discharge unit 700 as a ball discharge device is formed so as to be continuous therewith.
Are arranged vertically.

In the lower center of the back mechanism board 200, a prize ball as A prize ball processing means for processing a prize ball from a prize ball collecting gutter 301 provided to collect a prize ball in the game board 300 and discharging the ball downward. A processing unit 800 is provided.

The opening / closing door 250 covers the opening 140 so that the back side of the game board 300 is not exposed, and the base end side is pivotally supported by the inside of the base of the back mechanism board 200 so as to be openable and closable.
On the free end side of the door 250, a locking lever that engages with an engaging portion (not shown) provided at a position corresponding to that of the front frame 100 and locks the door 250 in a closed state. 251 is attached.

Also, in the center of the back side of the opening and closing door 250, the gaming board 300
The accessory control device 500 for controlling the above-mentioned variable prize device 50 and the like installed in the game device is installed.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the information display device 400 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side.

The information display device 400 includes a base frame 470 attached to the pachinko gaming machine 10 and a lid frame 460 attached to the front side of the base frame 470, as shown in FIG.

The base frame 470 is attached to the front side of the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (see FIG. 1), and an information unit (message board) 431 constituting an information display 430 is installed at the center of the front side. A pair of lamp units 425 and 445 are provided on both left and right sides of the information unit 431. The information unit 431 and the pair of lamp units 425 and 445 are provided with a later-described accessory control device 500 and a ball discharge device 60.
Connected to 0.

Information unit (message board) 431 in the front center
Is a dot display 432 of a dot matrix arrangement in which various messages relating to pachinko games and the like are displayed as characters and symbols in accordance with a command from the accessory control device 500 or the prize ball discharge control device 600, and a dot matrix display. 432 is provided with a number of lead wires 433 for sending display command signals from the accessory control device 500 or the prize ball discharge control device 600. Then, the dot display 432 is attached to the center of the front side of the base frame 470, and the lead wire 433 is provided in the opening provided in the center of the base frame 470.
It is guided to the back side of the front frame 100 via 470a, and is connected to the accessory control device 500 and the prize ball discharging device 600.

Further, the lamp units 425, 445 include lamp substrates 425a, 425a fixed to the base frame 470, and the lamp substrates 425a, 445a.
Failure indicator lamps 425c, 425c inserted into the respective terminals 425b, 425b, 445b, 445b, and indicator lamps 445c, with residual sphere remaining, respectively.
445c and buffer insulating members 42 provided between the base ends of the failure indicating lamps 425c and 425c and the lamp substrate 425a, respectively.
5d, 425d (only one is shown) and indicator 445 with remaining discharge ball
c, 445c and buffer insulating members 445d, 445d (only one is shown) provided between the base end of the lamp substrate 445a and the lamp substrate 445a, respectively. The lamp substrates 425a and 445a are provided with lead wires (not shown) for guiding electricity from the accessory control device 500 / prize ball discharge control device 600 to the lamp substrates 425a and 445a. And the lamp unit 425,44
Lamp substrates 425a and 445a supporting the remaining discharge lamp having a residual sphere and the failure display lamp are provided between a pair of support pieces 470b and 470b provided on the front left side of the base frame 470 and on the front right side. The pair of support pieces 470d, 470d are installed while being held between the pair of support pieces 470d, 470d.
It is guided to the back side of the base frame 470 via openings 470c, 470e provided between 70b, 470d, 470d.

In addition, the lamps 425c and 425c of the lamp units 425 and 445 installed on the base frame 470 as described above, and the lamps 425c on the front surface of the base frame 470 located behind the discharge lamps 445c and 445c indicating that there is a discharge sphere. , 425c, 445c, and 445c, are provided with reflection members 427 and 427 (only the failure display lamp side is shown) for collecting the light forward.

The lid frame 460 is attached to the front surface of the base frame 470 on which the information unit 431 and the lamp units 425 and 445 are disposed in such a manner as to cover the front portion. At the center of the lid frame 460, a message display window 461 is provided,
Further, a pair of mode display windows 462, 462 are provided on both left and right sides thereof.

A translucent anti-reflection plate 435 is attached to the central message display window 461, and transmissive lens members 426, 426 are attached to the left and right mode display windows 462, 462.

FIG. 4 shows the prize ball discharging section 700 shown in FIG.
A rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 10 showing the internal configuration of the winning ball processing unit 800 in an easily understandable manner is shown.

The guide gutter 202 has two passages separated by a median strip 203 and is gently inclined. A pendulum-type ball leveling 204 is disposed on the way, and a ball stopper / ball leveling lever 205 is disposed downstream. At the upstream end of the guiding gutter 202, a replenishment request detecting device 210 provided with a replenishing sensor 211 is installed, while at the downstream end of the guiding gutter 202, a semispherical ball detecting device 220 having an odd sensor 221 is provided.
Is installed. Then, the replenishment request detecting device 210
The shortage of spare balls in the storage tank 201 is thereby detected, and the odd ball detecting device 220 detects the odd state of the spare balls for prize ball discharge (the state in which the number of spare balls is no longer seen as two prize ball discharges). Is detected.

The winning ball processing device 800 is disposed at the lower end of the guide gutter 202 so as to be continuous therewith.

The prize ball discharge unit 700 includes a prize ball discharge unit 700A and a prize ball discharge gutter unit 700B. The prize ball discharge unit 700A is provided with two prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 4 corresponding to the two passages of the guide gutter 202. And these prize ball derivation gutters 710,71
A lock device 720 for stopping the discharge of the prize ball in the event of fraud or the like is installed in the upstream part of the apparatus, and the first and second prize ball discharge sensors (discharge sensors 1 and 2) 730 and 730 are provided in the downstream part. First and second prize ball discharging devices 740, 740 are provided.

On the other hand, the prize ball discharge gutter unit 700B is provided with a ball lead-out gutter 750 for leading out the prize balls or drawn balls flowing down from the first and second prize-ball lead-out gutters 710, 710. The ball outlet gutter 750 includes a prize ball discharge gutter 751 for discharging the stored game balls as a prize ball to the supply tray 102 or the tray 103 on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a collection gutter of the island facility as a pull ball. (Not shown). A ball punching device 760 is installed at a branch of the ball outlet gutter 750. The ball removing device 760 includes a switching gate 762 that is rotatably installed around a pin 762a at a branch portion of the ball outlet gutter 750, and a ball removing solenoid 761 that rotates the switching gate 762. The base of the gate 762 and the operating rod 761a of the ball removing solenoid 761 are connected by connecting means 763. When the ball-pulling solenoid 761 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the operating rod
761a is returned to its lowered state by its own weight and the return force of a return spring (not shown), and the connecting means 763 causes the switching gate 762 to close the ball-drawing gutter 752 (the state shown by the solid line in the figure). Conversely, when the ball-pulling solenoid 761 is excited (turned on), its operating rod 761a rises, and the connecting means 763 operates the switching gate 762 to close the prize ball discharge gutter 751 as shown by the chain line in FIG. Let me know. Also, prize ball discharge gutter 751
An overflow detector 770 for detecting a state in which the prize balls in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 are accumulated at a certain level or higher is provided at an intermediate position.

In addition, a recovery switch 780 that is pressed and operated by a game store attendant is installed near the award ball discharging device 740. The recovery switch 780 is used to release the lock device 720 which operates when the prize ball is illegally discharged. When the switch is pressed, the solenoid 721 of the lock device 720 is forcibly excited (ON). The prize ball can be discharged again.

On the upper side of the winning ball processing section 800, a winning ball receiving gutter 810 for receiving the winning balls (safe balls) collected by the winning ball collecting gutter 301 is provided in a vertical direction in the figure.

At the outlet side of the winning ball receiving gutter 810, a winning ball deriving gutter 820 is provided as a winning ball flowing down gutter connecting the winning ball receiving gutter 810 to a collecting gutter (not shown) of the island equipment.

A winning ball detector (safe sensor) 830 and a safe ball outflow prevention device 850 are provided in the middle of the winning ball deriving gutter 820.

The safe ball outflow prevention device 850 is provided with a safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851 as a driving means, and the winning ball derivation gutter 8 rotated by the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851 as appropriate.
20 and a locking claw member 853 for preventing a winning ball from flowing down.

Inside the pachinko gaming machine 10 above the operation dial 105, there is provided a launch ball supply unit 900 for supplying a launch ball to a hit ball launch unit (not shown).

At a position near the lower center of the pachinko gaming machine 10, an out ball guided from an out ball collecting port 310 provided at the lower center of the gaming board 300 into a collecting gutter (not shown) of the island facility. A collection gutter 260 is provided.

At the top of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a completion lamp 271 notifying a hit state and a prize indicating lamp 272 (safe lamp) notifying a player that a game ball has won a prize hole of a game board are provided to the player. It is installed so that the lighting light can be viewed.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration diagram of the winning ball detector (safe sensor) 830 shown in FIG.

The safe sensor 830 outputs an output signal that changes from a low (L) level to a high (H) level when a winning game ball passes through the inside (potential of the terminal B).
As shown in the figure, a safe ball detector 830A, a pulse width detector 830B, and a short detector 830C are provided.

Among safe detection unit 830A is normally (when the state where there is no internal winning ball) potential of the output side (A point), the value of the transistor Tr ₁ is turned ON pulse width detector 830B (e.g. 6.5V: L
Level). Also, when there is a winning ball inside it,
The potential of the output side (A point) value to turn OFF the transistor Tr ₁ of the pulse width detection unit 830B (e.g., 12V: H level) changes.

The pulse width detection unit 830B determines whether the change in the output signal (potential at point A) obtained by the operation of the safe detection unit 830A is due to the fact that the winning game ball actually passes through the safe detection unit. This is to determine whether the noise is caused by noise or the like.

More specifically, the pulse width detection unit 830B includes resistors R ₁ to
R ₅ , a transistor Tr ₁ , a capacitor C _1, and an inverter. An integrating circuit is formed by the resistor R ₅ and the capacitor C _1. Will be removed.
The width of the noise removed by the integrating circuit is equal to the resistance R ₅
And it is adjustable appropriately by the capacitance of the capacitor C _1.

An example of this circuit constant is shown below for reference.

R ₁ : 330Ω, R ₂ : 680Ω, R ₃ : 6.8KΩ, R ₄ : 4.7KΩ, R ₅ : 100KΩ,
C ₁ : 0.022 μF The pulse width detector 830B turns on the transistor Tr ₁ when the winning game ball reaches the safe detector 830A and the voltage level at point A changes from L level to H level. At this time, the output level of the output side (point B) of the pulse width detection unit 830B also changes from L level to H level.
Will change to a level.

Also, the short detecting unit 830C is for detecting this when the short circuit occurs in the interconnection of the safe detection portion 830A side, the resistor R _1, R _2, resistors R ₆ to R _9, transistor Tr ₂ Comprising.

An example of this circuit constant is shown below for reference.

_{R 1: 330Ω, R 2:} 680Ω, R 6: 100KΩ, R 7: 100KΩ, R 8: 10KΩ This short detection portion 830C is in the safe detection portion 830A with short occurs in the wiring of the safe detection portion 830A side when the output level (potential at point a) becomes 0V, the transistor Tr ₂ has a configuration in which the off-disposed therein. Therefore, it can be determined that a short circuit has occurred in the safe detection section 830A when the output level on the output side (point C) of the short detection section 830C changes from the L level to the H level.

A winning ball detector (safe sensor) having such a circuit configuration
In 830, when the sensor itself is in the open state, the output level of the sensor at point B is always at the H level regardless of the presence or absence of an actual game ball.

As described above, the output signal of the sensor which is always at the H level in the open state has a time interval from the rising to the falling in the determination of the safe ball determination processing (FIG. 28) described later, which is a predetermined value (for example, a game ball). A value significantly longer than the characteristic of the output waveform (time interval of 4 msec to 50 msec) output by passing through;
100 msec), and when the time interval at which the H level is higher than this value is long, it is determined that the safe sensor is in the open state.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prize ball discharge unit 700A constituting the prize ball discharge unit 700 installed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

The prize ball discharge unit 700A includes a prize ball discharge guide frame 701A attached to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

The prize ball discharge guide frame 701A guides the prize balls sent from the two passages of the guide gutter 202 connected to the storage tank 201 to the ball discharge gutter 750, and is provided on both sides of the partition plate 702, respectively. A prize ball outlet gutter 710 that connects the lower end exits of the two passages of the guide gutter 202 and the entrance of the ball outlet gutter 750 is provided.

These winning ball derivation gutters 710, 710, the upper part, the middle part,
The lower part is a decompression path 710a, 710a, a marginal path 710b, 71 respectively.
0b, and discharge paths 710c, 710c.

The pressure reducing passages 710a, 710a extend from the storage tank 201 to the guiding gutter 20.
The moving pressure of a spare ball as a prize ball sent through 2 is reduced, and as shown in FIG. The marginal road 710b, 710
b is for allowing the prize balls passing through the discharge paths 710c and 710c thereunder to be spaced apart so that the discharge of the prize balls by the prize ball discharge device 740 described later is easily stopped by a stopper, and the decompression path 710a And a direction changing passage portion 712 communicating with a discharge passage 710c described later. At the lower end of the vertical passage portion 711, a moving force attenuating inclined portion 71 for attenuating the moving force of the ball in the downflow direction.
3 is provided in a state of being gradually inclined downward toward the direction change passage portion 712. Also, the direction change passage portion 712
In front of is a guide inclined wall 714 that changes the flowing direction of the sphere flowing down along the attenuation inclined portion 713 vertically downward. On the other hand, on a rear wall portion of the vertical passage portion 711 behind the direction changing passage portion 712, a ball clogging prevention protrusion 715 is provided to protrude forward. This ball blocking prevention projection 71
5 allows the center position of the ball on the lowest damping slope portion 713 of the spheres stopped vertically along the vertical passage portion 711 to be always located ahead of the center position of the sphere above it. As a result, the downward moving pressure of the upper ball always pushes the ball reaching the lowest damping slope 713 forward, so that the lowest ball is always pushed downstream of the damping slope 713 and the ball moves downward. Clogging is prevented.

Further, a lock device 720 for stopping the discharge of the prize balls is provided on the upper front side of the prize ball discharge guide gutter 701A when a certain reason such as fraud occurs.

The lock device 720 is driven by a lock solenoid 721 as a drive means installed on the front side (front side) of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A and a driving force of the lock solenoid 721 to generate first and second prizes. It has first and second locking members 728, 729 for controlling the flow of the sphere in the decompression passages 710a, 710a of the sphere outlet gutters 710, 710.

The lock solenoid 721 is lowered (extended) and returned by its own weight and the force of a return spring (not shown) at the time of its demagnetization (off), and has an operating rod 722 that rises (shrinks) at the time of excitation (on). .

The first and second lock members 728 and 729 are
Bearing hole 702a provided through partition plate 702 above 10a
By being fixed to both ends of a rotating shaft 727 rotatably inserted therein, they can rotate together.

The second lock member 7 of these lock members 728 and 729
A connecting pin 729a protrudes from one side of 29, and the connecting pin 729a
And the lower end of the operating rod 722 are connected by a connecting plate 726.

Then, when the lock solenoid 721 is in the demagnetized (OFF) state, the operating rod 722 is lowered and the first and second
Of the lock members 728, 729 enter the decompression paths 710a, 710a of the first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710 via the notches 703a, 703a, respectively.
The game ball in 0a is prevented from flowing down.

On the other hand, when the lock solenoid 721 is excited (ON),
The operating rod 722 rises and the first and second locking members 7
28,729 can be rotated in the direction in which their tip sides rise to escape from the decompression paths 710a, 710a of the first and second prize ball derivation gutters 710, 710, and allow the balls in the decompression paths 710a, 710a to flow down. It has become.

In addition, a front frame 10 is provided above the front side of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A.
A ball removal sensor 719 for detecting that a ball removal rod (not shown) for a ball removal operation has been inserted through an operation hole (not shown) of No. 0 is provided.

Discharge paths 710c, 71 of the first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710
In 0c, first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730, 730 (discharge sensors 1, 2) for detecting balls flowing down these discharge paths 710c, 710c are provided.

In addition, the first and second sides of the lower and upper sides of the partition plate 702 of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A for controlling the flow of balls in the discharge paths 710c, 710c of the first and second prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710. Second prize ball discharging devices 740 and 740 are provided, respectively.

These first and second prize ball discharging devices 740 and 740 respectively include first and second prize ball as electric drive sources installed on both front and back sides of the lower part of the partition plate 702 of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A. Discharge solenoid 741,741 (discharge solenoid 1,2)
Driven by the driving force of these solenoids 741 and 741, and the discharge paths 710c,
It comprises first and second downflow prevention members 745 and 745 for controlling discharge of the sphere in 710c.

The first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 741
Each has an operating rod 742 which is lowered and returned by its own weight and the force of a return spring (not shown) when demagnetized (off) and rises when excited (on).

On the other hand, the first and second downflow prevention members 745, 745
Are first and second support shafts 705 protruding from the front and back sides of the lower part of the partition plate 702 of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A, respectively.
Is rotatably supported.

Connecting pins 746, 746 protrude from one side of the first and second flow-stopping members 745, 745, respectively, and the lower ends of the connecting pins 746, 746 and the operating rods 742, 742 of the first and second winning ball discharge solenoids 741, 741. Are connected by connecting plates 747, 747, respectively.

Then, the first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 74
When 1 is in the demagnetized (off) state, the operating rods 742, 7
42 descends so that the tips of the first and second flow-stopping members 745, 745 enter the discharge paths 710c, 710c of the first and second prize-ball lead-out gutters 710, 710 through the notches 703b, 703b, respectively. Thus, the game balls in the discharge paths 710c, 710c are prevented from flowing down.

On the other hand, the first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 741
Are excited (turned on), the operating rods 742, 742 are raised, and the first and second flow-down preventing members 745, 745 are rotated in a direction in which their distal ends are raised, and the first and second prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710 are formed. From the discharge paths 710c, 710c, and the balls in the discharge paths 710c, 710c can flow down.

As described above, the prize ball discharge guiding frame 701A in which the lock device 720, the first and second prize ball discharge devices 740, 740, the ball pullout sensor 719, the prize ball discharge sensors 730, 730, and the like are installed is the first prize ball. Pachinko machine 10 on the outflow gutter 710 side (back side)
, While the second prize ball outlet gutter 710 side (front side) is sealed by a lid frame 701B.

Then, the lock solenoid 721 and the ball removal sensor 71
9. The first and second prize ball discharge solenoids 741 and 741 and the first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730 and 730 are connected to the prize ball discharge control device 600 (FIG. 2) via connectors 723, 719a, 743, 743, and 731, 731, respectively. It is electrically connected.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the internal mechanism of the prize ball discharging unit 700A.

As described above, the prize ball discharge gutter 710 is provided inside the prize ball discharge unit 700A, and the discharge of the prize ball is stopped along the prize ball discharge gutter 710 when a certain reason such as fraud occurs. A lock device 720 for causing the prize ball to be discharged, a prize ball discharge device 740 for discharging the prize ball, and a prize ball discharge sensor 730 for detecting the discharge of the prize ball are provided.

The prize ball outlet gutter 710 is connected to the upstream decompression path 7 as described above.
10a, middle cut-off path 710b and downstream discharge path 710c
It is composed of And the marginal path 710b is composed of a vertical passage portion 711 and a direction change passage portion 712,
In particular, the sphere reaching the lower portion of the vertical passage portion 711 is pressed against the rear wall portion of the lower portion of the vertical passage portion 711 such that the center portion thereof is located forward (left side in the figure) from the center position of the sphere immediately above. A ball clogging prevention projection 715 is provided.

The center position of the sphere B ₅ was pushed forward by the ball plug-preventing protrusions 715, by a distance of the width of the sphere clogging prevention convex portion d (> 0) on at least forward of the center position of the sphere B ₆ immediately thereabove It is designed to be located forward. As a result, the ball (B ₅ ) on the lowest damping slope portion 713 of the balls stopped vertically along the vertical passage portion 711 is attenuated by the downward moving pressure of the ball (B ₆ ) immediately above it. It is possible to prevent the ball from being clogged by being pushed to the rear side of the inclined portion 713.

The inlet side of the prize ball outlet gutter 710 is connected to the lower end of the guide gutter 202, and the outlet side is connected to the upper end inlet of the ball outlet gutter 750.

FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) are explanatory diagrams of the safe ball outflow preventing operation by the safe ball outflow preventing solenoid 851 of the winning ball processing device 850. FIG.

The safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851 has its demagnetization (O
An operating rod 852 which is lowered (extended) by its own weight and the restoring force of a spring (not shown) at the time of FF) and rises (shrinks) at the time of excitation (ON). The base of the locking claw member 853 is rotatably mounted around a pin 853a. The intermediate portion thereof is linked to the lower end of the operating rod 852 of the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851. The locking claw member 853 rotates as the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851 moves up and down, so that the claw portion 853b at the tip of the locking claw member 853 enters and exits the winning ball derivation gutter 820.

The safe ball outflow device 850 is configured as described above, and operates as follows.

That is, in a normal game state, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851 is excited (ON).
In this state, the operating rod 852 is held in the raised state, and the tip of the locking claw member 853 is in a state of being removed from the winning ball deriving gutter 820. At this time, the safe ball that has won the winning opening of the game board 300 flows down the winning ball derivation gutter 820, passes through the safe sensor 830, and moves downstream of the sensor. At this time, the safe sensor detects the passage of the winning ball and outputs a pulse signal indicating the passage.

In this state, a failure of the safe sensor, a power failure, or the like occurs.
When 1 is demagnetized (OFF), the operating rod 852 descends, and the claw portion 853b at the tip of the locking claw member 853 enters the winning ball lead-out gutter 820 as shown in FIG. The ball is prevented from flowing downstream from the sensor mounting position of the winning ball lead-out gutter 820.

9 (A) and 9 (B) are internal mechanism diagrams of a launching ball supply unit 900 for supplying game balls from the supply tray 102 to a launching ball standby unit of a launching rail, that is, a hitting ball launching unit (not shown).

The launching ball supply unit 900 is a part for appropriately sending game balls supplied from the supply tray 102 (FIG. 1) one by one to a hitting ball launching unit (not shown), or blocking the supply thereof. A launch ball supply passage 950 for guiding game balls supplied from the supply port 102b to an internal hitting ball launching unit is provided inside the supply port 102b of the game ball that passes.

In the lower part of the launch ball supply passage 950, a pachinko machine 1
A collection passage 962 is provided to communicate with the tray 103 at the lower front side of 0. An opening / closing passage member 961 constituting a passage bottom plate of the shooting sphere supply passage 950 is provided at the upper end opening of the collection passage 962 so as to be reciprocally slidable in the direction of the arrow. The opening / closing passage member 961 is moved and returned in a direction (left side in the drawing) to close the collection passage 962 by a return force of a return spring (not shown).
2 and a ball collection button 106 (first
By pressing (Fig.), The entrance of the recovery passage 962 can be opened.

Further, a launching ball introduction space 970 leading to a hitting ball launching unit (not shown) is provided in front of the launching ball supply passage 950. A ball feeder 980 is installed in the introduction space 970.

This ball feeder 980 separates the game balls B waiting on the launching ball supply passage 950 one by one and supplies them to the hitting ball launching unit. It is installed movably.

A ball intake 981 is provided at the tip of the ball feeder 980. The ball capturing section 981 is provided in, for example, a U-shape, and a ball capturing space 981a that captures the game balls B waiting on the launching ball supply passage 950 one by one in the center thereof.
In the lower part, the captured ball B is hit by a ball launcher (not shown)
A ball transfer inclined portion 982b having an inclined surface for rolling and transferring in the direction is provided at the upper portion until the launch of the ball B sent to the hit ball launch portion (not shown) by the ball transfer inclined portion 982b is completed. A locking portion 982a for keeping the ball B on the launching ball supply passage 950 is provided.

The ball feeder 980 configured as described above has a firing motor 151
A cam (not shown) rotated by (FIG. 2) rotates in synchronization with the launch of a game ball, and operates as follows.

That is, the ball (the previous ball) previously transferred to the hitting ball firing unit (not shown) by the ball feeding device 980 is hit by the hitting ball firing device 150.
Until fired by the ball feeder 980, the ninth
As shown in FIG. 9A, the leading end side is lowered and returned by its own weight, and the launching ball supply passage 950 is moved by the locking portion 982a at the upper end thereof.
The next upper ball B is kept locked.

Then, when the previous ball has finished firing, the firing motor
By the driving force of 151 (FIG. 2), the distal end side of the ball feeding device 980 is rotated in the ascending direction. Then, at the time when the waiting ball B is taken into the ball taking-in space 981a at the tip with the rotation, the ball is returned to the state where the tip is lowered as shown in FIG. 9 (A). At the same time, the captured ball is transferred to a hit ball launching section (not shown), and at the same time, the next standby ball is locked by the locking section 982a on the upper side.

In this way, every time the ball of the hitting ball firing unit is fired, the ball feeder 980 takes in the standby balls B on the firing ball supply passage 950 one by one and transfers them to the hitting ball firing unit.

In the upper part of the launching ball supply unit 900, when it is confirmed by the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 that the prize balls in the storage tank 201 (FIG. 2) have disappeared, the launching ball supply passage 95 is provided.
A shutter device 910A is provided to lock the standby ball B on the zero and prevent the standby ball B from being taken in by the ball feeding device 980.

The shutter device 910A includes a shutter solenoid 910 as a driving source installed above the launching ball supply unit 900.
And a supply blocking member 920 that is driven by the driving force of the shutter solenoid 910 to lock the standby ball B on the firing ball supply passage 950 so as not to be taken into the ball feeding device 980.

The shutter solenoid 910 has an operating rod 912 that is lowered by its own weight and the force of the return spring 911 when demagnetized (OFF), and rises (shrinks) when excited (ON).

On the other hand, the supply blocking member 920 has
Is installed so as to be rotatable in the direction in which the front end side and the rear end side move up and down with the axis as the axis. An opening 9 provided in the upper wall of the launching ball supply passage 950 is provided at the tip of the supply blocking member 920.
A locking claw 921 that enters the launching ball supply passage 950 through the 51 and locks the standby ball B in the supply passage 950 at a position where it can be collected in the collection passage 962 is curved in an arc shape. It is provided facing downward.

The rear end of the supply blocking member 920 is connected to the connecting member 913.
Is connected to the operating rod 912 of the shutter solenoid 910, and the supply blocking member 920 is rotated as the operating rod 912 moves up and down, so that the locking claw 921 at the tip thereof enters and exits the firing ball supply passage 950. It has become.

The shutter device 910A is configured as described above,
Normally, the shutter solenoid 910 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the operating rod 912 is lowered, and the tip side of the supply blocking member 920 is raised and returned. You have escaped. At this time, the standby ball B in the shooting ball supply passage 950 can be moved to the hitting ball firing unit (not shown) by the ball feeding device 980.

When the shutter solenoid 910 is excited when the ball in the storage tank 201 (FIG. 4) is lost and the output of the replenishment sensor 211 becomes H level, the operating rod 9 is turned on.
12 rises, the tip side of the supply blocking member 920 is lowered, and the locking claw 921 at the tip enters the firing ball supply passage 950 as shown in FIG. B
Is locked at a position where it can be collected in the collecting passage 962, that is, the state where the leading standby ball B in the supply passage 950 rests on the upper end opening of the collecting passage 962 and on the opening / closing passage member 961.

As described above, when the standby ball B in the firing ball supply passage 950 is locked by the shutter device 910A, the projection ball is set to protrude toward one side of the supply plate 102 (FIG. 1) on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. When the opening / closing passage member 961 is moved (slid) in the direction of retreating by operating the ball collection button 106 to open the upper end opening on the collection passage 962, the waiting ball in the fired ball supply passage 950 is opened. All but one machine B is the saucer 103 (first
In addition, all the balls B newly entering the launching ball supply passage 950 via the supply port 102b can be collected in the receiving tray 103.

FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view of the prize ball discharge control device 600.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 controls the prize ball discharge system of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and is installed on the lower left side on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (FIG. 2).

The prize ball discharge control device 600 is configured by arranging various electronic components such as a microcomputer related to the prize ball discharge control and electronic circuits on a control base 610 attached to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Each main part of the 600 is covered by a protective lid 690. In addition, the control board 610 includes a backup battery 612 for supplying power to the main part of the prize ball discharge control device, and further to other control units of the pachinko game machine at the time of a power failure, and the number of prize balls stored in the microcomputer 620. Number of winning balls stored value display unit (winning ball display) 613 for displaying stored values (safe stored values)
A clear switch 614 for artificially clearing the stored value of the stored winning ball count, other various electronic components, and the like are provided, and a number of connectors 615, 615,...

FIG. 11 shows the opening / closing door 2 attached to the back mechanism panel 200.
50 and the accessory control device 5 installed behind the door 250
FIG.

A pair of installation rails 251 and 251 for installing the accessory control device 500 are arranged parallel and upward at a position near the free end on the back side of the door 250. Each of the rails 251 has an L-shaped cross section, and the upper end thereof is open and the lower end thereof is closed. Also,
Opening door 2 closer to the free end than those rails 251, 251
The pair of rails 251-251 is located closer to the free end of 50.
A protective cover 252 that covers the accessory control device 500 installed therebetween is pivotally supported so as to be freely opened and closed (rotated). When the protective lid 252 is closed, the inner wall of the free end of the protective lid 252 engages with the locking projections 253, 253 provided at corresponding positions on the back side of the opening and closing door 250. It does not open. The protective cover 252 is provided with a plurality of heat radiation holes 255.

On the other hand, in the accessory control device 500, various electronic components and electronic circuits such as a microcomputer 520 for controlling the accessory of the pachinko gaming machine 10 are installed on the accessory control base 510, and a plurality of connection connectors 585 are installed. It is configured.

On the back side of the accessory control device 500, an installation plate 590 is attached so as to maintain a mutual cushioning effect with cushioning materials 595, 595 attached on the front side thereof.

In this manner, the accessory control device 500 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow in the same figure between the rails 251 and 251 on the back side of the opening and closing door 250 in a state of being held together with the installation plate 590 with a quick characteristic. By doing so, the accessory control device 500 is installed between the rails 251 and 251. In the state of being installed in this way, the left and right ends of the accessory control device 500 and the installation plate 590 which are held together with a cushioning property are gripped by the left and right rails 251, 251 respectively. It is immovable.

FIG. 12 is a control block diagram showing an overall configuration of a safe ball processing control unit system for performing input processing of the safe ball of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

As shown in the figure, the control block of the safe ball processing system includes a recovery switch 780, a safe sensor (winning ball detecting means) 830, a memory clear switch 614, and a recovery switch 780 connected to the input side of the safe ball processing means 1600. The prize ball discharging means 1650 connected to the output side of the processing means 1600, the first drive source 1610, the second
The drive source 1620, the amplifier means 1630, and among these, the first drive source 1610, the second drive source 1620, the amplifier means
Safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851, connected to 1630 respectively
Speaker 689, discharge status display means for displaying an error display / winning ball display (failure display lamp 425c, winning ball number display 61)
3) 1640 is a component. Among them, the safe ball processing means 1600, the first and second drive sources 1610 and 1620, the amplifier means 1
630 is constituted by the prize ball discharge control device 600.

The safe ball processing means 1600 is provided for the prize ball discharge control device.
The MPU 620 includes a safe sensor failure detection unit 1601, a short detection unit 1602 that receives an output of the safe sensor and detects that a short circuit has occurred in the safe sensor 830, and a pulse width (rising edge) of the output signal from the safe sensor 830. Pulse width detection unit (pulse width detection means) 1603 for detecting the interval between the pulse and the fall, and the pulse width detected by the pulse width detection unit 1603 is within a predetermined range (occurs when the safe sphere actually passes. A safe ball determination unit (winning ball determination means) 1604, which determines whether or not the pulse width of the output signal is within an allowable range; for example, between 4 msec and 50 msec) and outputs a signal indicating the determination result. The safe ball storage unit 1605 receives the signal from the safe ball determination unit 1604, adds 1 to the “safe ball storage value” stored up to that point, and stores this as a new “safe storage value”.

The pulse width detection unit 1603, the safe ball determination unit 1604, and the safe sensor failure detection unit 1601 cooperate to configure pulse determination means and abnormality processing means.

The safe sensor failure detection unit (failure detection means) 1601 is provided with a pulse width of the pulse signal from the pulse width detection unit (1010) which can be generated when a failure (error) of the sensor itself or an improper occurrence occurs.
0 msec or more), a signal indicating the occurrence of a short circuit from the short detection unit 1602 in addition to the signal from the recovery switch 780, and the safe sensor 830 based on these input signals. A first drive source 1610, a second drive source 1620, and an amplifier that exemplify a signal indicating that an error has occurred in the safe sphere detection system including an error as an error processing means connected to the output side of the failure detection unit 1601 Via the 1630, they are supplied to the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851, the failure indicator lamp 425c of the discharge state display means 1640, and the speaker 689, respectively. As described above, the safe sensor failure detection unit 1601 functions as an abnormality determination unit that outputs a signal indicating the abnormality of the safe ball detection system, and the output of such a signal is a signal indicating the ON state of the recovery switch. When stopped.

In response to the signal indicating the abnormality, the safe ball falling prevention solenoid 851 prevents the safe ball from flowing down in the winning ball derivation gutter 820 from the safe sensor failure detection unit 1601 and the failure indicator lamp 425c of the discharge state display means 1640. Receives a signal indicating the above-mentioned abnormality and indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the safe ball detection system, and the speaker 689 indicates the occurrence of the abnormality by voice.

On the other hand, the safe ball storage unit 1605 increases the “safe storage value” by 1 when a signal indicating that a safe ball has been detected is input from the safe ball determination unit 1604, and the increased “safe storage value” The second drive source 1620
Through the prize ball display unit 613 of the discharge state display means 1640, and further supplies the signal to the discharge control means 1650. The discharge control means 1650 outputs the "safe storage value" represented by the signal. Emission control is performed based on.

The safe ball storage unit 1604 further has a memory clear switch.
614 is connected, and the storage unit 1604 stores the clear switch 6
When a signal indicating switch-on 14 is inputted, the "safe storage value" is reset to "0" (corresponding to the conventional ball-pulling-out processing of a winning ball).

The safe ball flow prevention solenoid 851, the speaker 689, and the failure display lamp 425c of the discharge state display means constitute a failure processing means, while the safe ball processing means 1600 comprises the MPU 620 of the prize ball discharge control device 600. Have been.

FIG. 13 shows a control block diagram of a prize ball discharge control system of the pachinko gaming machine 10 by the prize ball discharge control device 600.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 controls the prize ball discharge system of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The microcomputer (MPU) 620 controls the prize ball discharge system, a low-pass filter 631 connected to the input side thereof, A driver 632 connected to the output side of the microcomputer 620, a power supply circuit 680 for supplying electricity to the microcomputer 620 (the power supply circuit includes a power supply monitoring circuit 680a and an auxiliary power supply circuit 680b), An oscillator 634 for generating a reference time and an amplifier 688 for amplifying an audio signal from the microcomputer 620 and supplying the amplified signal to a speaker 689 are provided.

The microcomputer 620 includes a ROM 621 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 622 that is a memory that can be read and written at any time, a timer counter 623, and a sound generator 6.
26, input port buffer 624, and output port latch 625
And so on.

Of these, the ROM 621 includes an operation pattern of the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851, an operation pattern of the first and second award ball discharge solenoids 741 and 741, an operation pattern of the shutter solenoid 910, an operation pattern of the lock solenoid 721, and the number of winning balls. Fixed data such as a lighting pattern of the display 613, a lighting pattern of the completion lamp 271 notifying that the game has been completed by hitting, and a lighting pattern of the safe lamp 272 are stored.

On the other hand, various sensors 211, 221, 730, 730, 830, 614, 770, 78 sent through the low-pass filter 631 are stored in the RAM 622.
A detection signal sent from 0 or the like, a signal indicating ON (ON), and an information signal of a set number of prize balls from a prize ball number setting device 530 installed in a game board or a control device for an accessory, etc. are temporarily stored. A storage area for temporarily storing information, a work area (work area) of the microcomputer 620, and the like are provided.

An input port buffer 624 of the microcomputer 620 is supplied with a supply sensor 211, an odd sensor 221 and first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730 and 73 via a low-pass filter 631.
0, various switches such as a safe sensor 830, a memory clear switch 614, an overflow detector 770, a recovery switch 780, and a prize ball number setting device 530 are connected.

On the other hand, the driver 632 of the microcomputer 620 has a winning ball number indicator 613, a failure indicator lamp 425c, a remaining ball indicator lamp 445c, a discharge solenoid 741,741, a shutter solenoid 910, a safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851, a safe lamp 272, and the like. The central control device 685 is connected via a lamp 271, a lock solenoid 721, an external information relay circuit 687, and a firing motor 151 via a firing motor relay circuit 686.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 is configured as described above, and a signal from the various sensors 211, 211, 730, 730, 830, 614, 770, 780, and further, a signal from the prize ball number setting device 530 is supplied to the low-pass filter 631.
Is sent to the microcomputer 620 via
The microcomputer 620 sends an output signal corresponding to the type of the sent signal to the driver 632, and displays a winning ball number indicator 613 (FIG. 10), a failure indicator lamp 425c, and a discharge remaining ball indicator lamp 445c (FIG. 3), the corresponding indicator is turned on, the safe ball downflow prevention solenoid 851, the prize ball discharge solenoid 741, 741, the shutter solenoid 910,
Activate the corresponding solenoid among various solenoids such as lock solenoid 721, or complete lamp 27
1 is turned on, and the safe lamp 272 is turned on. Also, when the prize ball discharge control device 600 determines that replenishment should be performed based on a signal from the replenishment sensor 211,
A supply command signal is sent to the central management apparatus 685 of the game arcade via the driver 632 and the external information relay circuit 687. Further, based on the signal from the overflow detector 770, the prize ball discharge control device 600 determines that the discharged prize ball has reached the detector mounting position in the prize ball discharge gutter 751, and determines that the driver 63
A stop signal is sent to the launching motor 151 via the launching motor control relay circuit 686 and the launching motor control relay circuit 686 to stop the operation.

Next, the procedure of the prize ball discharge control performed by the above-described prize ball discharge control device 600 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 to 36.

The discharge control of the prize ball is started at the same time as the power supply of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on, and the process is repeatedly performed as long as the power supply is turned on (FIG. 14). Every time a predetermined time elapses (for example, 0.5 msec) after the power is turned on, the background control process is interrupted during the background control process, and the process is interrupted. These two control processes are roughly divided into processes.
Executed by MPU 620 in 0. In a background process performed between the start of one interrupt process and the start of the next interrupt process, one loop process (steps S8 to S19) is performed a plurality of times. It has become.

First, the main routine of the background control processing of the prize ball discharge control will be described with reference to FIG.

This main routine is repeatedly performed after the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is dropped as described above.

When the power is turned off, first, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the “safe storage value” is “0”.

This “safe stored value” is used in the safe ball determination process (FIG. 28) of the interrupt process (FIG. 18) described later every time it is determined that the safe ball has passed through the safe sensor, as described in detail later. The value of 1 is added to the value, and the predetermined number of discharges (for example, 13) corresponding to one safe ball is performed in the discharge process (FIG. 32).
Each time one prize ball is discharged, the value of the prize ball is decremented by one.

If the determination result in step S2 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S4 to clear the storage content of the RAM 622 in the MPU 620, reset various determination flags used in various subroutines described later (set to "0"), , Output reset (output is set to L level) to various operation units (various solenoids, various lamps, etc.) is sequentially performed, and after performing such initialization, the process proceeds to step S8 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S2 is "NO", that is, if the safe storage value is equal to or greater than "1" at the start of the program, in other words, the safe storage value is determined before the start of the program. At the end of the series of control programs (or at the time of interruption), if the prize ball discharging process has not yet been completed the number of times corresponding to the number of safe balls for which winning has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S6. The degaussing lamp unit 445c, which is lit (ON) to indicate that there are still safe balls (hereinafter referred to as "remaining discharge balls") for which discharge processing has not been performed, is demagnetized ( OF
F), and then proceed to the step S8 and thereafter. (The above-mentioned lamp 445c with remaining discharge balls indicates that the remaining discharge balls are present when the power supply voltage is not supplied from the main power supply (not shown) due to a power failure or the like. In the power down process (FIG. 36), the lamp is lit to indicate that there is a remaining ball to be discharged.)

In the following steps S8 and S10, it is determined whether or not the processing number is "2" or "1", respectively.

When the value of this process number (process NO) is “1”, a discharge start process described later (FIG. 29) is started, and when the value is “2”, a discharge process described later (FIG. 32) Is to start. Then, when the predetermined number (for example, 13) of the prize balls has been discharged in step S4, which is executed immediately after the power is dropped, or in the discharging process (FIG. 32) described later,
The value is reset to “0”, and in the reset processing NO, when it is determined that the safe storage value at that time is not “0”, the value is immediately reset to “1” (step described later). (S12, S20), and then the discharge start process is started again.

Further, the value of the process NO immediately before the end of the discharge start process is set to “2”, and the discharge process is subsequently started.

 Such a processing procedure will be sequentially described according to a flow.

Suppose now that the safe storage value is “0” immediately after the power is turned off (at this time, all control variables and control flags are reset to “0” in step S2). .

At this time, the determination results in steps S8 and S10 are both “No”.
It is determined in step S12 whether the safe storage value is “0”. In this case, the determination result is “Yes”, and the storage clear processing of the safe storage value based on the output signal of the storage clear switch in step S14 (FIG. 15 described later)
After performing a replenishment process (FIG. 16), which will also be described later, in step S16, it is determined in step S17 whether or not the safe error flag is "1".

This safe error flag is set based on the level of the output signal of the safe sensor 830 in the safe ball determination process (FIG. 28) described later, and when the value is “1” (the details will be described later). When the time during which the output signal is held at the H level is abnormally long or when a short circuit is detected), it indicates that an abnormality (or illegal operation) has occurred in the safe sensor.

If the determination result of step S17 is "No", the process directly proceeds to step S18, and the number of the winning balls (safe storage value) stored at this time is displayed as the number of winning balls indicator 613 provided in the winning ball discharging device 600. , The process is started again from step S8.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S17 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S19, and an error recovery process described below (step 17) is performed.
), The processing is started again from step S8.

While repeatedly performing the above steps S8 to S19,
Safe ball determination processing (see FIG. 18 described later) in the interrupt processing (FIG. 18)
By executing (FIG.), It is newly confirmed that the safe ball has actually won, and 1 is added to the safe storage value. As a result, when the value becomes “1” or more, the determination result of step S12 becomes “No”. Then, step S20 is executed.

In step S20, the process NO is set to "1", and then steps S14 to S19 are executed, and the process is started again from step S8.

In the next process, the process NO is set to “1”, so
The determination result in step S10 changes to "Yes", and in step S22, a discharge start process (FIG. 29) is performed.

As will be described in detail later, this discharge start processing is performed prior to the discharge processing (FIG. 32 described later), and the prize ball setting number (for example, 1 to 15) stored in the prize ball setter 530 is used. Prize ball discharge pattern (1
(Discharge discharge, alternate discharge, combined discharge), a process of previously exciting (ON) the discharge solenoid, and the like. In the discharge start process, the value of the process NO is “2”. To ".

When the discharge start processing is completed, the above-described steps S14 to S19 are subsequently performed, and thereafter, the processing from step S8 is restarted again.

In the next loop, since the process NO is set to "2", the determination result of step S8 is changed to "Yes" and the discharge process (FIG. 32) is started (step S24).

As will be described in detail later, this discharge process discharges a predetermined number (prize ball set number) of prize balls by the number of times corresponding to the safe stored value. When the discharge is completed, the process NO is once set to "0". In the loop immediately after that, the determination results in steps S8 and S10 both become "No", and the determination in step S12 is performed again. At this time, if the safe storage value is not “0”, the result of the determination in step S12 is “No” and the processing is performed.
NO is set to "1", and the discharge start processing and the discharge processing are restarted. Each time such a series of processing is performed, the safe storage value is decremented by one, and the discharge processing is repeatedly executed until the safe storage value becomes “0”.

Thereafter, when a predetermined number of prize ball discharge processes are performed by the number of times corresponding to the safe storage value, the process NO is reset to “0” in the discharge process as described later. As a result, in the subsequent loop, the determination results of steps S8 and S10 are both "No" again, and the determination of step S12 is performed.

If the result of the determination in step S12 is "No" (safe storage value $ 0), the processing NO is set to "1" (step S2).
0) The prize ball discharge control is performed again. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, a new prize ball is detected by a safe sensor input process of an interrupt process performed separately from the main routine. Steps S8 to S18 or step S19 are repeatedly executed.

FIG. 15 shows the main routine of the prize ball discharge control described above (see FIG. 15).
15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a memory clear process performed in step S14 of FIG. 14).

When this routine is started, first, it is determined in step S1402 whether or not the storage clear flag is “1”, and then, in step S1404, it is determined whether or not the process NO is “0”.

This memory clear flag has been changed from an L level ("0") to an H level ("1") from an L level ("0") in a memory clear switch input process (FIG. 26) executed in an interrupt process described later. Sometimes, the value is set to "1". On the other hand, as described above, the processing NO is reset when the main routine of the winning ball discharge control is started (step S4) or when the discharge processing is completed. When it is reset to "0" and the discharge of the prize ball is started (when the safe memory becomes "1" or more), "1" is set in step S20 of the main routine.
Is set to "2" in the discharge start processing, and determines the control flow of the main routine as described above.

If the determination result of either step S1402 or step 1404 is “No”, that is, if the memory clear switch is not pressed, or if the prize ball discharging process is not completed, the subsequent steps S1406 and S1408 are skipped. To end this routine.

On the other hand, the determination results in steps S1402 and S1404 are both “Y
In the case of "es", the safe storage value is reset to "0" (step S1406), and the storage clear flag used for the determination in step S1402 is reset to "0" (step S1408), and this routine ends. .

FIG. 16 shows the main routine of the prize ball discharge control described above (No.
15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a supply process performed in step S16 of FIG. 14).

When this routine is started, first, in step S1600, the replenishment sensor input process (the 22nd
It is determined whether or not the replenishment sensor start-up flag, the value of which is determined in FIG. When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the prize ball is discharged, the storage tank
When there is no prize ball up to the position of the supply sensor 211 of 201, the completion lamp is turned “ON” to indicate that the prize ball is insufficient (step S1604), and the shutter solenoid is turned “ON” to prohibit the launch of the game ball. (Step S1606), the external information relay is turned “ON” (Step S1608), and the replenishment sensor start-up flag is returned to “0” (Step S1610), followed by terminating the present routine.

If the determination result in the step S1600 is "No", it is determined in a succeeding step S1602 whether or not the replenishment sensor fall flag whose value is also determined in a replenishment sensor input process described later is "1". Is done. When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the supply is performed and the prize ball has reached the position where the supply sensor 211 of the storage tank 201 is installed, the completion lamp is turned “OFF” (step S1612), and the game ball is fired. The shutter solenoid to “OFF” (step S1
614), turning off the external information relay (step S161)
6) Then, the replenishment sensor fall flag is returned to "0" (step S1618), and this routine ends.

FIG. 17 shows the main routine of the prize ball discharge control (No.
14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an error recovery process performed in step S19 of FIG. 14).

When this routine is started, first, in step S1702, it is determined whether the recovery ON flag is “1”. The recovery ON flag is determined in a recovery switch input process (FIG. 27) described later based on the output signal of the recovery switch 780. The fact that the value is "1" means that the game store staff Indicates that the lock solenoid 721 once demagnetized (OFF) is forcibly excited (ON) again by depressing the switch to cause the prize ball discharge to be restarted.

Therefore, when the flag is “0” (the determination result of step S1702 is “No”), the subsequent steps S1704 to S1708 are skipped, and the present routine is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S1702 is “Yes”, the safe error flag used for the determination in step S17 of the main routine (FIG. 14) is reset to “0” (step S170
4), proceed to step S1706.

In steps S1706 and S1708, as will be described in detail later, the processing performed when the output signal from the safe sensor is determined to be abnormal in the safe ball determination processing (FIG. 28) (processing at the time of sensor failure) is canceled. Is performed. That is, in step S1706, the motor control relay whose operation has been stopped (OFF) at the time of sensor failure is driven again (O
N) Then, in step S1708, the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851, which was also demagnetized when the sensor failed and prevented the discharge of the prize ball, is again excited (ON), the error processing is canceled, and this routine ends. I do.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 18 to 28, a detailed procedure of an interrupt process performed every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 msec) elapses, prior to the main routine (background process) described above (FIG. 14). Will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the interrupt processing is started, first, count values of various timers such as a discharge wait timer and a safe ball wait timer, which will be described later, are updated (step S42). Input processing (step S44), input processing of the discharge sensor 2 (step S46), input processing of the safe sensor (step S48), input processing of the replenishment sensor (step S50), input processing of the odd sensor (step S52), overflow A switch input process (step S54), a firing motor control process (step S56), a memory clear switch input process (step S58), a recovery switch input process (step S60), and a safe ball determination process (step S62) are sequentially performed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1 performed in step S44.

When a prize ball is present in the sensor, the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 (and a discharge sensor 2 described later) becomes H level, and the prize ball flows out and temporarily or continuously exists in the sensor. The output signal is set to the L level when no longer occurs. Therefore, in the present flow, when the output signal rises from the L level to the H level (when the discharge sensor 1 rise flag = "1" and the discharge sensor 2 rise flag = "1", which will be described later), the prize ball is generated. It is determined that it has reached the inside of the sensor.

When this routine is started, first, in step S4402, it is determined whether or not the emission 1 change flag is “1” in the subsequent steps.
In S4404, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1L level flag is “1”.

By the way, as described above, all the determination flags are set to “0” in step S4 of the main routine (FIG. 14) immediately after the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600.

Therefore, when the routine is executed immediately after the interrupt processing is first started, the determination results in steps S4402 and S4404 are both “No” regardless of the output signal level of the sensor 1, and first in step S4406, the current loop is executed. It is determined whether or not the output signal is at the L level (the output of the discharge sensor 1 = "0").

If the prize ball stays in the discharge sensor 1 and the discharge solenoid 1 is operated, the prize ball is supplied to the supply tray.
Consider the case of being discharged to the 102 side.

When the prize ball remains on the sensor 1, the sensor 1
Remains at the H level, the result of the determination in step S4406 is "No", and this routine is immediately terminated (steps S4402 to S4406 are executed after initialization.
This is repeated until the output signal of the sensor 1 changes to the L level for the first time).

From this state, the prize ball in the ejection sensor 1 moves (leaves out of the sensor 1), and when the output signal of the sensor 1 changes from the H level to the L level, the determination result in the step S4406 becomes "Yes". Proceeding to step S4408, the discharge 1L level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the sensor 1 has become L level in the current loop, and the present routine ends.

When proceeding to the next loop, step S4 of the immediately preceding loop is performed.
Since the discharge 1L level flag is set to "1" by the process of 408, the determination result of step S4404 changes to "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S4410, where the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 in this loop is at the H level (discharge). It is determined whether or not sensor 1 output = "1"). If this determination result is "No", that is, if the output signal is at the L level in the current loop following the previous loop, the subsequent steps 4412 and 4414 are skipped, and this routine ends. Therefore, steps S4402, S4404, and S4410 are repeated as long as the output signal is at the L level.

On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 that has been at the L level until the previous loop rises from the L level to the H level before shifting to the current loop, the rising in the current loop is performed. The emission 1 change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the
At the same time, the discharge 1L level flag is reset to "0" to store that the output signal in the current loop is no longer at the L level, and this routine ends.

In the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises, first, in step S4402, it is determined whether the discharge 1 change flag is “1”. In this case, the determination result is “Yes”, and in the next step S4416, it is determined whether the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still at the H level in the current loop.

When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor rises in the previous loop and the H level is maintained in the current loop, the prize ball reaches the inside of the discharge sensor 1. Is determined, and the discharge sensor 1 start flag used as a sensor output in the alternate discharge processing (FIG. 34) described later and the combined discharge processing (FIG. 35) described later is set to “1” (step S4418). At the same time, the discharge 1 change flag storing the rise of the output signal is reset (set to "0") (step S4420), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, steps S4402, S4404, and S4406 are repeated as long as the output signal still maintains the H level.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4416 is “No”,
That is, when the output signal falls again in the loop immediately after the output signal has risen, it is determined that the change in the output signal is not a change due to the passage of the prize ball (such as generation of a noise signal), and the output signal in this loop is determined. Is stored at the L level (step S4422), and the emission 1 change flag is reset (set to "0") in step S4420 (the rising that has occurred this time is determined to be caused by noise, and Is invalidated), and this routine ends.

By executing the above routine, the discharge sensor 1 start flag is only displayed when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises and the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while interrupt processing is performed twice). Is set to "1", so that the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 1. Note that this discharge sensor 1 start-up flag is used for alternate discharge processing in the background processing (main routine) or combined discharge processing (FIG. 34, FIG.
It is reset immediately after it is used for discrimination in (Fig. 35).
By the way, since the processing routine including the above-described discharge processing of the main routine is to be executed a plurality of times from the end of one interrupt processing to the start of the next interrupt processing, this flag is set. The next interrupt processing (input processing of the discharge sensor 1) is not performed while the state of is set to "1".

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the input processing routine of the discharge sensor 2 performed in step S46 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 18). This flow is performed in the same procedure as the above-described input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1.

When the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on and all the determination flags are set to “0” in step S4 of the main routine, and then this routine is started by the interrupt processing, the discharge is first performed in step S4602. It is determined whether or not the 2 change flag is “1”, and in a succeeding step S4604, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2L level flag is “1”. These steps S4602,
The determination result in S4604 is “No” regardless of the output signal level of the sensor 2 (all the flags are set to “0”). In step S4606, the output signal in the current loop is at the L level (the output of the discharge sensor 1). = “0”).

If the prize ball stays in the discharge sensor 2 and the discharge solenoid 2 is operated, the prize ball is supplied to the supply tray.
Consider the case of being discharged to the 102 side.

When the prize ball remains on the sensor 2,
Remains at the H level, so that the result of the determination in step S4606 is "No", and this routine is terminated.

From this state, the prize ball in the ejection sensor 2 moves (leaves out of the sensor 2), and when the output signal changes from the H level to the L level, the determination result in step S4606 becomes "Ye".
s ", and the flow advances to step S4608 to store that the output signal of the sensor 2 was at the L level in the current loop.
The discharge 2L level flag is set to "1", and this routine ends.

When proceeding to the next loop, step S4 of the immediately preceding loop is performed.
Since the discharge 2L level flag is "1" at 608, the result of the determination at step S4604 is turned to "Yes", and step S46 is performed.
At 10, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 in this loop is at the H level (the output of the discharge sensor 2 = “1”). If the determination result is “No”, that is, if the output signal is at the L level in the current loop following the previous loop, the subsequent steps S4612 and S4614 are skipped, and the present routine ends. Therefore, as long as the output signal is at L level, step S4
Steps 602, S4604, and S4610 are repeatedly performed.

On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 that was at L level until the previous loop rises from L level to H level before shifting to the current loop, the rise has occurred. In order to store this, the emission 2 change flag is set to “1” (step S4612), and the emission 2L level flag is reset (“0”) to store that the output signal in this loop is no longer at the L level. Is set), and the routine ends.

In the loop immediately after that, that is, in the next loop after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 has risen, first, in step S4602, it is determined whether the discharge 2 change flag is "1". In this case, the determination result is "Yes", and subsequently, in step S4616, it is determined whether the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still maintaining the H level in the current loop.

When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor rises in the previous loop and the H level is continuously maintained in the current loop, the prize ball reaches the inside of the discharge sensor 2. Is determined, the discharge sensor 2 start flag used as a sensor output in the alternate discharge processing (FIG. 34) and the combined discharge processing (FIG. 35) described later is set to “1”.
(Step S4618), and resets (sets to "0") the discharge 2 change flag that stores the rise of the output signal (step S4620), and terminates this routine.

In the subsequent loop, steps S4602, S4604, and S4606 are repeated as long as the output signal still maintains the H level.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4616 is “No”,
That is, when the output signal leaves again in the loop immediately after the output signal has risen, it is determined that these changes in the output signal are not changes due to the prize ball reaching the sensor mounting position (such as generation of a noise signal). Then, after storing that the output signal in the current loop is at the L level (step S462).
2) In step S4620, the discharge 2 change flag is reset (set to "0") (the rising that has occurred this time is determined to be caused by noise and is invalidated), and this routine ends.

By executing the above routine, only when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises and the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while interrupt processing is performed twice), the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is set. Is set to "1", so that the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 2. The discharge sensor 2 start flag is also the same as the discharge sensor 1 start flag described above, and alternate discharge processing in the background processing (main routine) or combined discharge processing (FIGS. 34 and 35 described later). Is reset immediately after being used for discrimination. Since the processing routine including the above-described ejection processing of the main routine is to be executed a plurality of times from the end of one interruption processing to the start of the next interruption processing, Flag is "1"
Next interrupt processing (input processing of discharge sensor 2) in the state of
Is not performed.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a safe sensor input processing routine performed in step S48.

As described above (FIG. 5), the safe sensor outputs an output signal (terminal B) when a winning ball exists in the sensor.
Is set to the H level, and when the winning ball flows out and temporarily or continuously no longer exists in the sensor, the output signal thereof is set to the L level. Therefore, in this flow, when the output signal rises from the L level to the H level (safe start flag = “1”), it is determined that the winning ball has reached the inside of the sensor, and the output signal changes from the H level to the L level. When falling (safe fall flag =
"1") It is determined that it has passed through the sensor.

Suppose now that the sensor output is in a state where no game ball has won.

In this state, the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600,
When the routine is started, first, in step S4802, the output signal of the sensor 830 becomes H level (safe sensor output =
"1") is determined. In this case (when the game ball has not reached the sensor mounting position), the determination result is “No” and the process proceeds to step S4804 and subsequent steps.

In the next step S4804, the safe fall change flag is set to "1".
In step S4806, it is determined whether the safe start-up change flag is "1". In step S4808, it is determined whether the safe H level flag is "1".
In S4810, it is determined whether or not the safe L-bell flag is "1".

By the way, all flags are “0” immediately after the initialization of the MPU620.
Therefore, the determination results in steps S4804 to S4810 are all “No”, and in step S4812, the safe L level flag is stored in order to store that the output signal of the safe sensor was L level in the current loop. Set to “1” and end this routine.

Since the safe L level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loops, steps S4802, S4804, S4806, S4808, and S4808 are performed as long as the output signal of the safe sensor keeps the L level.
S4810 will be repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, when the game ball wins and the game ball (safe ball) reaches the installation position of the safe sensor 830 in the winning ball derivation gutter 820, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 changes to the H level, and the process proceeds to step S4802. The determination result is “Yes”, and the steps from S4830 are executed.

When the processing after step S4830 is performed for the first time, the safe L level flag is “1”, and all other flags are “0”. Therefore, the determination in step S4830 (the safe startup change flag is “1”) ), The result of the determination in the next step S4832 (whether the safe fall change flag is “1”) is “No”, and the following step S4834 (safe L
The result of the determination of whether the level flag is “1” is “Yes” and steps S4836 and S4838 are executed.

In step S4836, the safe start-up change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the safe sensor 830 has changed (rising) from the L level to the H level from the previous loop to the present loop, and is continued. In step S4838, the safe L level flag set to “1” until the previous loop is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the safe sensor 830 continues to be at the H level in the next loop, since the safe startup change flag is set to “1” in step S4836 of the previous loop, the determination result in step S4830 changes to “Yes”. Then, in the following steps S4840 to S4846, the safe ball is a winning ball deriving gutter 820.
The safe sensor start-up flag is set to “1” in order to memorize that the safe sensor 830 has been set to the position (step S4
840), and when the value is “1”, a safe sensor fall flag indicating that there is no safe ball at the installation position of the sensor 830 (after the safe ball has passed) (this step is performed only after initialization). When it is executed, "0" is reset to "0" (step S4842), and then the safe start-up change flag is reset to "0" (step S4844). The replenishment H level flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is at the H level (step S4846), and this routine ends.

Even in the next and subsequent loops, if the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is at the H level, the safe rising change flag, the safe falling change flag, and the safe L level flag are all "0", and the safe H level flag is "1". Therefore, steps S4802, S4830, S4832, S4834 and step S4848 (determination whether the safe H level flag is "1") are repeatedly executed (the determination result in step S4848 is "Yes"). At this time, the safe sensor rising flag is held at "1" and the safe sensor falling flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 changes from L level to H level.
If the output signal falls to the L level again in the loop immediately after falling to the level (the step S4836 was executed in the previous loop, the safe startup change flag becomes “1”, and the sensor If the output falls to the L level), the result of the determination in step S4802 turns to “No”, and the result of the determination in step S4804 is “N”.
o ", the result of the determination in step S4806 is determined to be" Yes ", and in step S4828 the safe fall change flag is set to" 1 "in order to store that the output signal has fallen from the previous loop to the current loop. Set and step S482
At 9, the safe start-up change flag that was set to "1" during the previous loop is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, unless the H-level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the safe sensor 830 rises (at least during the time when this interrupt processing is performed twice), the safe startup flag is set to “1”. (Safe ball wins prize ball 820
(Indicating that the sensor 830 has reached the set position), so that it is possible to cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the safe sensor.

Next, let us consider a case where the safe ball reaches the inside of the sensor 830 and the safe start-up flag is once set to "1", and the safe ball flows down from this state and is positioned outside the sensor.

First, in step S4802, the output signal of the sensor 830 becomes H
It is determined whether or not the level (safe sensor output = "1"). In this case, the determination result is "No" and the determination in step S4804 is performed. In this case, step S4804
Is "No", and it is determined in step S4806 whether the safe startup change flag is "1". At this time, the result of the determination in step S4806 is also “No” (set to “0” in step S4844), and step S4808
Then, it is determined whether or not the safe H level flag is "1".

At this point, the safe H level flag is set in step S4.
Since “1” is set in 846, the determination result in step S4808 is “Yes”, and the flow advances to step S4814 to change the output signal of the safe sensor 830 from the H level to the L level from the previous loop to the current loop. In order to memorize (fall), set the safe fall change flag to “1”,
In a succeeding step S4816, the safe H level flag that has been set to “1” until the previous loop is reset (set to “0”).
Then, this routine ends.

If the output signal of the safe sensor 830 continues to be at the L level in the next loop, step S4814 of the previous loop is performed.
Since the safe fall change flag is set to “1”,
The determination result of step S4804 changes to "Yes". Then, in the following steps S4818 to S4824, the safe sensor fall flag is set to “1” in order to store that the safe sensor 830 does not have a safe ball (after the safe ball has passed) by the safe sensor 830 ( Step S4818), and when the value is "1", the safe sensor start-up flag indicating that the safe ball has reached the sensor is reset to "0" (step S4820). Is reset to “0” (step S4822), and the safe L level flag is set to “1” (step S4824) to store that the output signal of the safe sensor 830 in this loop is at the L level (step S4824). End the routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is at the L level, the above steps S4802, S4804, S4806, S4808, S4810
Are repeatedly executed. At this time, the safe fall flag is held at "1" and the safe rise flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 changes from the H level to the L level.
When the output signal rises to the H level in the loop immediately after the fall to the level (the step S4814 was executed in the previous loop and the safe fall change flag is set to “1”).
And the current loop is at the H level), the determination result of step S4802 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S4830 is “No”, and the determination result of step S4832 is “Yes”, In step S4850, the safe start-up change flag is set to “1” to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop, and in step S4852, the safe start change flag set to “1” during the previous loop is set. The lower change flag is reset to “0” and this routine ends.

As described above, unless the L level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the safe sensor 830 falls (at least during the time when this interrupt processing is performed twice), the safe fall flag is set to “1”. The process of setting (indicating that the safe ball has disappeared in the safe sensor 830) is not performed, and the safe fall flag is erroneously set to “1” when noise occurs in the output signal of the safe sensor. "Is not set.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the replenishment sensor 211 performed in step S50 of the interrupt processing shown in FIG.

As described above, the replenishment sensor 211 detects the shortage of the game balls (reserve balls) in the storage tank 201, and the stored reserve balls accumulate up to the installation position of the replenishment sensor 211 in the tank 201. It is configured to output an L-level signal when the signal is present, and an H-level signal when not.

Now, suppose a state where the spare sphere is not filled up to the sensor installation position in the tank 201 (insufficient state).

In this state, the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600,
When the routine is started, first, in step S5002, the output signal of the sensor 211 becomes H level (supply sensor output =
"1") is determined. In this case, the determination result is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S5004.

By the way, all flags are “0” immediately after the initialization of the MPU620.
Therefore, the determination results in steps S5004 to S5010 are all "No", and in step S5012, the replenishment H level flag is stored to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor was H level in the current loop. Set to “1” and end this routine. Since the supply H level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loop, steps S5002, S5004, S5006, S5008, and S501 are performed as long as the output signal remains at the H level.
0 will be repeatedly executed.

After that, the replenishment of game balls (reserve balls)
When the spare ball is filled up to the position where the replenishment sensor 211 in 201 is placed, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 turns to L level,
If the determination result in step S5002 is "No",
Proceed to S5030 and later.

When step 5030 is performed for the first time, the replenishment H level flag is “1”, and all other flags are “0”.
Therefore, the determination result in step S5030 and the next step S5032 are both “No”, the subsequent step S5034 is “Yes”, and steps S5036 and S5038 are executed.

In step S5036, the replenishment fall change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has changed (falled) from the H level to the L level from the previous loop to the current loop. In step S5038,
The supply H level flag set to “1” in the previous loop is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is L
At the level, the supply fall change flag is set to "1" in step S5036 of the previous loop.
The determination result of S5030 changes to “Yes”. Then, in subsequent steps S5040 to S5046, the replenishment sensor 211 in the storage tank 201
Set the replenishment sensor fall flag to “1” to memorize that the spare ball is filled to the installation position (step S5040)
At the same time, when the value is “1”, a supply sensor start-up flag indicating that there is no prize ball at the installation position of the sensor 211 (set to “0” when this step is executed for the first time after initialization) ) Is set to “0” (step S5042), the replenishment falling change flag is reset to “0” (step S5044), and the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 in this loop is at the L level. Is set to "1" (step S5046) to end the routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is at the L level, steps S5002, S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the replenishment sensor fall flag is set to “1” and the replenishment sensor is set to “1”. The rising flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has fallen from the H level to the L level, if the output signal has risen to the H level (Step S5036 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment fall change occurs). Flag is "1"
And the sensor output is at the H level in the current loop), the determination result in step S5002 is “Yes”, the determination result in step S5004 is “No”, and the determination result in step S5006 is “Yes”. In step S5028, the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop, and set to "1" in the previous loop in step S5029. The supplied fall change flag is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, the supply fall flag is set to "1" unless an H level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the supply sensor 211 falls for at least a predetermined time (at least during the time when the main interrupt process is performed twice). The processing is not performed (indicating that the spare sphere has been filled up to the sensor 211 set position in the storage tank 201) so that it can cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the replenishment sensor. Has become.

Next, let us consider a case where the power is supplied to the prize ball discharge control device 600 in a state where the spare ball is filled up to the sensor 211 installation position in the storage tank 201, and this routine is started.

First, in step S5002, the output signal of the sensor 211 becomes H
It is determined whether or not the level is (replenishment sensor output = "1"). In this case, the determination result is "No" and step S50 is performed.
Continue to 30.

Immediately after the initialization of the MPU 620, all the flags are set to “0”, so the determination results in steps S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are all “No”, and in step S5054, the output of the replenishment sensor in the current loop The supply L level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the signal is at the L level, and this routine is terminated.

In the subsequent loop, since the supply L level flag is set to "1", steps S5002, S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed as long as the state of the output signal L level continues.

Thereafter, when the position of the spare replenishment sensor 211 in the tank 201 becomes insufficient due to discharge of the prize ball, the replenishment sensor 2
The output signal of 11 becomes H level, the determination result of step S5002 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S5004 and subsequent steps.

When step S5004 is performed for the first time, the supply L level flag is “1” and all other flags are “0”, so that the determination results in step S5004 and the next step S5006 are both “No”, S5008 becomes "Yes", and step S5014 is executed.

In this step S5014, the replenishment rise change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has changed (rising) from the L level to the H level from the previous loop to the current loop. Then, in the following step S5016, the supply L level flag that was set to "1" in the above-described step S5054 until the previous loop is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the supply sensor 211 continues to be H
At the level, since the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" in step S5014 of the previous loop, the determination in step S5002 is performed, and then the determination in step S5004 changes to "Yes". And the following steps S5018 to S50
At 24, the replenishment sensor start flag is set to "1" to store that the prize ball has disappeared at the replenishment sensor 211 installation position in the storage tank 201 by the replenishment sensor 211 (step S501).
8) At the same time, when the value is “1”, a replenishment sensor fall flag indicating that there is a prize ball at the sensor installation position in the storage tank 201 (reset to “0” when this step is executed for the first time of initialization). Is set to “0” (step S502).
0) Then, the supply start-up change flag is reset to "0" (step S5022), and the supply H level flag is set to "H" to store that the output signal of the supply sensor 211 in this loop is at the H level. 1 "(step S502
4) End this routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is at the H level, the steps S5002, S5004, S5006, S5008, and S5010 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the replenishment start flag is set to "1" and the replenishment fall The flag is kept at "0".

On the other hand, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has risen from the L level to the H level, if the output signal has fallen to the L level (Step S5014 was executed in the previous loop, the If the flag is “1” and the current loop is at L level,
The determination result of S5002 is “No”, the determination result of step S5030 is “No”, and the determination result of step S5032 is “Yes”. In step S5050, the output signal falls from the previous loop to the current loop. In addition, the supply fall change flag is set to “1” in order to store the
In step 2, the replenishment start-up change flag that was set to "1" during the previous loop is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As described above, unless the H level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has risen for at least a predetermined time (at least while this interrupt processing is performed twice), the replenishment start flag is set to “1”. Set (sensor 211 in storage tank 201)
The processing is not performed (indicating that the prize ball has disappeared at the installation position), so that it is possible to cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the replenishment sensor.

The replenishment sensor rising flag and the replenishment sensor falling flag that are set to “0” or “1” in this way are the aforementioned replenishment processing (FIG. 16) executed in step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 14). Used in

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a routine of the input processing of the odd sensor 221 performed in step S52 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 18).

The odd sensor outputs a signal for setting an odd sensor ball presence flag used in a discharge start process (FIG. 29) described later, and when a prize ball is sufficiently stored in the guiding gutter 202. The output signal is set to H level (when the spare balls are stored more than the number of prize balls discharged for two times), and set to L level when the number of spare balls is less than the above number and in an odd state.

When this routine is started, first, in step S5200, the output of the odd sensor is at the H level (the odd sensor output = "1").
Is determined.

Now, let us consider a case where a spare ball is supplied from the state where the spare ball is not stored up to the position where the half-end sensor of the guiding gutter 202 is installed, and reaches the installation position.

If the spare ball has not reached the installation position, the determination result of step S5200 is “No”. At this time, the discrimination flags are all reset to “0” (steps in FIG. 14).
S4), the result of the determination in the following step S5202 (whether the odd sensor ball absence flag is “1”) and the determination in step S5204 (whether the odd ball no-monitoring flag is “1”) are both “No”, The non-monitoring flag is set to “1” (step S5206),
The hemisphere presence monitoring flag is set to “0” (step S520
8) Then, the hemisphere no-timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S5210), and this routine ends.

Here, the hemisphere no-monitoring flag determines whether or not a state in which the spare sphere has not reached the installation position is detected (step
S5204) is a flag used to determine whether or not the surplus sphere monitoring flag has been detected twice consecutively, where the reserve sphere has accumulated to the installation position (step S5204).
S5220).

In the next loop, if the spare ball does not remain at the installation position, the determination results in steps S5200 and S5202 are both “No”, and the determination result in step S5204 is “Yes”.
And step S5212 is executed.

In step S5212, it is further determined whether the ballless timer has timed out, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare ball has not accumulated at the installation position (the above-described step S5212).
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed (after execution of S5206 to S5210). If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5214 and S5216 are skipped, and this routine ends.
On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S5212 is “Yes”, in a step S5214, the odd sensor ball absence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the spare ball is not accumulated up to the sensor installation position of the guide gutter 202. At the same time, in the next step S5216, an odd sensor ball presence flag (the initial value is set to “0” when this step is performed for the first time after initialization)
Is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare sphere does not accumulate to the installation position, the determination result of step S5200 is “No”, and step S520
The result of the determination of 2 is “Yes”, and these steps are repeatedly executed.

From this state, when the reserve balls are accumulated to the position where the end sensor 221 of the guide gutter 202 is installed by supplying the game balls to the storage tank 201, the determination result of step S5200 becomes “Yes”. In the following step S5218, the odd sensor ball presence flag for which it is determined whether or not the flag is "1" is still set to the initial value "0" at this point, so the determination result is "No", and the subsequent step S5220 (If the odd-sphere presence monitoring flag is “1”) also becomes “No” by executing the above-described step S5208, and the process proceeds to step S5222.

In step S5222, the odd-sphere existence monitoring flag is set to “1”, and in step S5224, the odd-sphere non-existence flag is set to “0”, and the odd-sphere existence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec).
Is set (step S5226), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, if the reserve sphere continues to accumulate at the position where the odd sensor is installed, the determination result in step S5200 is "Yes", the determination result in step S5218 is "No", and the determination result in step S5220 is "Yes". "(Step S of previous loop
(Set to "1" in 5222), and step S5228 is executed.

In this step S5228, it is further determined whether or not the ball timer has timed out, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare ball has accumulated to the installation position (the aforementioned step S522).
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed (after execution of steps 2 to S5226), and if the determination result is “No”, a succeeding step S52 is performed.
30, the routine skips S5232 and ends. on the other hand,
When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the spare ball has accumulated at the sensor mounting position, in step S5230, it is indicated that the spare ball has accumulated to the installation position of the odd sensor 221. The odd sensor ball presence flag is set to “1”, and in the next step S5232, the odd sensor ball absence flag is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare ball is stored up to the position of the odd sensor in the guiding gutter 202, the determination result of step S5200 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S5218 is “Yes”, and these steps are performed. Is repeatedly executed.

As described above, in this input processing, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the odd sensor 221 changes from the L level to the H level (or from the H level to the L level), the change from the L level to the H level (or from the H level). (Change of L level) is stored only (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the next loop is still at H level (or L level), and a predetermined time (2 sec) has elapsed since the change. Only after the elapse of the elapsed time, the odd sensor ball presence flag, which is the final output value of this routine, is changed to "1" (or the odd sensor ball absence flag is set to "1"). By adopting such a control procedure, even when the output signal level of the odd sensor changes instantaneously due to noise or the like, the change is not immediately determined to be a normal change, and the noise occurrence or the like is not determined. Malfunction can be prevented.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the overflow detector 770 performed in step S54 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 18).

The overflow detector 770 determines in step S56 of the interrupt processing.
This is for outputting a signal for determining the overflow sphere no flag used in the firing motor control processing (FIG. 25) and the discharge start processing (FIG. 29) to be described later. The configuration is such that when the prize balls in the gutter 751 are accumulated above a certain level, the output signal becomes H level, and when it is below the certain level, it becomes L level.

When this routine is started, first, in step S5400, the output of the detector is at H level (overflow output = "1").
Is determined.

Now, suppose that the prize ball is ejected from the state where the prize ball has not reached the installation position of the overflow detector in the ball outlet gutter 750 to the state where it has reached the position of the detector 770 in the ball outlet gutter 750. Think.

If the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”. At the beginning of this routine, the determination flags are all reset to “0” (the
Since step S4 in FIG. 14), the determination in the following step S5402 (whether the overflow sphere absence flag is “1”) and the step
S5404 discrimination (Overflow ball non-monitoring flag is "1"
Are both "No", the overflow sphere non-monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S5406), and the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S540).
8) In addition, the overflow sphere no timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec)
Is set (step S5410), and this routine ends.

Here, the overflow ball no-monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not the state where the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector has been detected twice or more continuously (control in step S5404). The overflow ball presence monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not the state where the prize ball has reached the position of the detector is detected two or more times in a row (determination in step S5402).

In the next loop, if the prize ball has not reached the above position, the results of the determinations in steps S5400 and S5402 are both “N”.
o ", the result of the determination made in the following step S5404 is" Yes ", and step S5412 is executed.

In this step S5412, it is determined whether the ballless timer has timed out, that is, after it is first determined that the prize ball has not reached the mounting position of the detector (step S540 described above).
6 to S5410) It is determined whether a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed. If the determination result is "No", the subsequent step S54 is performed.
This routine is terminated by skipping 14, S5416. on the other hand,
When the determination result is “Yes”, in step S5414, the overflow sphere no flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, and in step S5416, the overflow sphere no flag is set. Yes flag (when this step is performed for the first time after initialization, the initial value is "0"
Is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, unless the prize ball has reached the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”, and step S5
The determination result of 402 becomes “Yes”, and these steps are repeatedly executed.

Next, the prize balls discharged from this state accumulate and the detector
Consider the case where the position reaches 770. At this time, step S
The determination result of 5400 is "Yes", and in a succeeding step S5418, it is determined whether or not the overflow ball presence flag is "1". Since the overflow sphere presence flag has been set to “0” by the previous loop (step S5416).
The result of this determination is “No”. In subsequent step S5402, the result of whether the overflow ball presence monitoring flag is “1” is performed. Since the overflow ball presence monitoring flag has been set to “0” by the previous loop (step S5408), the determination result is as follows. “No”, the overflow sphere monitoring flag is set to “1” (step S5422), and
The overflow sphere no-monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S5424), and the overflow sphere existence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S5426), and this routine ends.

If the prize ball continues to reach the position of the detector 770 in the next loop, the result of the determination in step S5400 is “Ye
s ", the determination result in step S5418 is" No ", and the determination result in step S5420 is" Yes ", and step S5428 is executed.

In this step S5428, a predetermined time (2 sec) elapses after the ball existence timer has timed out, that is, after it is first determined that the prize ball has reached the above position (after execution of the above-described steps S5422 to S5426). It is determined whether or not the process has been performed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5430 and S5432 are skipped, and the present routine ends. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, the overflow ball presence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has reached the position of the detector in step S5430, and the overflow ball presence flag is set in the next step S5432. The ball absence flag is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the prize ball reaches the position of the detector 770 in the prize ball discharge gutter 751, the determination result in step S5400 is “Yes”, and the determination result in step S5418 is “Yes”. Are repeatedly executed.

As described above, in this input processing, as in the case of the safe sensor, in the loop immediately after the output signal changes from the L level to the H level (or from the H level to the L level), the change from the L level to the H level (or Only the change from the H level to the L level is stored (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the H level (or the L level) is still maintained in the next loop.
Only after a lapse of a predetermined time (2 sec) from the above change point, the overflow ball presence flag, which is the final output value of this routine, is changed to "1" (or the overflow ball absence flag is set to "1"). I have to. By adopting such a control procedure, even when the output signal level of the overflow instantaneously changes due to noise or the like, the change is not immediately determined to be a normal change, and the change due to the noise or the like is not performed. Malfunctions can be prevented.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the firing motor control process performed in step S56 of the interrupt process (FIG. 18).

When this routine is started, first, in step S5600, the touch switch 105a provided on the hit ball firing device 150
It is determined whether or not the flag is "N", that is, whether or not the player is gripping the operation dial 105. In the next step S5602, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned overflow ball absence flag is "1", that is, whether or not the ejection is performed. The detected prize ball is still in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 in the detector 7
It is determined whether it has not reached the 70 installation positions. When the determination results of these two steps are both “Yes”, the motor control relay (not shown) of the hit ball firing device 150 is turned “ON” to operate the firing motor 151 (step S560).
4), end this routine.

On the other hand, when one of the determination results in steps S5600 and S5602 is “No”, the motor control relay is set to “OF”.
F "(step S5606), and this routine ends.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the memory clear switch 614 performed in step S58 of the interrupt processing of FIG.

As described above, the memory clear switch 614 is operated by the game store clerk to clear the safe storage value (set to “0”), that is, the clear switch 614 installed in the prize ball discharging device 600 is pressed by the clerk. The output signal is H level at the time, and L level at other times.

Therefore, in the present flow, when the output signal from the switch 614 changes from the L level to the H level, the memory clear flag described later is set to “1”, and the game shop clerk clears the safe stored value. Is shown. The award ball discharge control device performs the above-described stored value clearing process (FIG. 15) based on the stored clear flag set to “1”.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S5802 whether or not the clear change flag is "1".
In S5804, it is determined whether or not the clear L level flag is “1”.

By the way, as described above, all the determination flags are set to “0” in the main routine (step S4 in FIG. 17) immediately after the power in the winning ball discharge control device 600 is turned on. The determination result of S5802 and S5804 are both “NO”
In step S5806, it is determined whether the output signal of the memory clear switch is at the L level (memory clear switch output = "0").

Suppose now that the memory clear switch installed in the prize ball discharge control device is pressed by a game store attendant from a state where it has not been pressed yet.

When the memory clear switch is not pressed, the output signal of the switch 614 remains at the L level, so that the determination result of the flag S5806 is "Yes", and the step S5808 is performed.
Then, the clear L level flag is set to "1", and this routine ends.

In a subsequent loop, if the signal from the memory clear switch is still holding the L level, the clear L level flag is set to "1".
The determination result of 804 changes to "Yes", and the process advances to step S5810 to determine whether the output signal of the memory clear switch in this loop is at the H level (memory clear switch output = "1"). At this time (when the output signal of the memory clear switch is at the L level), the determination result is “No”, and the routine ends as it is. Therefore, steps S5802, S5804, and S5810 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal of the memory clear switch holds the L level.

When the memory clear switch is pressed from this state and the signal from the switch changes from the L level to the H level, the result of the determination in step S5810 is changed to "Yes", and in the next step S5812, the memory clear switch 614 is executed in the current loop. The clear change flag is set to "1" in order to memorize that the output signal has changed from L level to H level.
At 814, the clear L level flag is reset to “0”,
This routine ends.

When the output signal is at the H level in the current loop following the previous loop, the clear change flag is set to "1" by the processing in step S5812 in the immediately preceding loop, so that the determination result in step S5802 changes to "Yes". , Step S58
Proceeding to 16, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the memory clear switch in this loop is at H level (memory clear switch output = "1"). If the determination result is "Yes", that is, if the output signal is at the H level in the current loop following the previous loop, the clear change flag is reset to "0" in the subsequent step 5818, and the storage clear flag is set to "S5820". Set to 1 "and end this routine.

In a subsequent loop, when the output signal of the memory clear switch is still at the H level, the determination result of step S5802 is “No”.
(The clear change flag has been reset to "0"), and the determination results in steps S5804 and S5806 both become "No", and thereafter, steps S5802, S5804, and S5806
Is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, immediately after the output signal of the memory clear switch changes from L level to H level (step S5812, step S5812).
In the loop immediately after S5814 is executed), when the output signal of the memory clear switch changes to L level again, the result of the determination in step S5816 becomes “No”, and
S5818 (clear change flag = “0”), step S5820
(Step S5822), the clear L level flag is set to “1” without executing (memory clear flag = “1”).
Further, the clear change flag is reset to “0” (step
S5824), this routine ends.

After the output signal of the memory clear switch changes from the L level to the H level, the memory clear flag is set only when the output signal holds the H level during at least two processing loops. Is set to "1", so that even if noise or the like temporarily occurs and the output signal temporarily rises to the H level, the memory clear flag is not erroneously set to "1".

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the recovery switch 780 performed in step S58 of the interrupt processing of FIG.

As described above, the recovery switch 780 is demagnetized (OFF) at the time of occurrence of improper operation to re-energize the lock solenoid 721 closing the first and second prize-ball deriving gutters 710, 710 to enable the discharge of the prize ball. The output signal is high when the operator presses the recovery switch, and low when the operator does not press the recovery switch.

Therefore, in this flow, when the output signal from the switch 780 changes from the L level to the H level, the recovery described later will be performed.
This indicates that the staff at the game store has performed an operation for exciting (ON) the lock solenoid 721 to set the ON flag to “1”. Then, the award ball discharge control device performs the above-described error recovery process (FIG. 17) based on the recovery ON flag set to “1”.

When this routine is started, first, in step S6000, it is further determined in step S6 whether or not the recovery change flag is "1".
In 002, it is determined whether or not the recovery L level flag is "1".

By the way, as described above, all the determination flags are set to “0” in the main routine (step S4 in FIG. 14) immediately after the power supply in the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on. Both S6000 and S6002 discrimination results are “No”
In step S6004, the output signal of the recovery switch becomes L
It is determined whether or not the level is (recovery switch output = "0").

Now, let us consider a case where the recovery switch 780 provided on the back mechanism panel 200 has not been pressed yet, and a case where the recovery switch 780 has been pressed thereafter by a game store attendant.

When the recovery switch is not pressed, the switch 78
The output signal of 0 remains at the L level. Therefore, the determination result of step S6004 is "Yes", and the flow advances to step S6006 to store that the output level of the recovery switch in the current loop is at the L level. The recovery L level flag is set to “1”, and the recovery ON flag is set to “0” in step S6008.
(This is already reset to "0" immediately after the power is turned on), and this routine ends.

When the signal from the recovery switch is still at the L level in the subsequent loop, the recovery L level flag is set to "1", so that the determination result in step S6002 changes to "Yes" and the step Proceeding to S6010, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the recovery switch in this loop is at the H level (recovery switch output = "1"). At this time (when the output signal of the recovery switch holds the L level), the determination result is “No”, and the routine ends as it is. Therefore, steps S6000, S6002, and S6010 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal of the recovery switch holds the L level.

When the recovery switch 280 is pressed from this state and the signal from the switch changes from the L level to the H level, the determination result of the step S6010 is changed to "Yes", and in the next step S6012, the recovery switch 780 is turned on in the current loop. The recovery change flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal has changed from the L level to the H level. Then, in step S6014, the recovery L level flag is set to indicate that the output of the recovery switch is no longer at the L level. This routine is reset to “0” and this routine ends.

When the output signal is at the H level in the current loop following the previous loop, the recovery change flag is set to "1" by the processing in step S6012, so that the determination result in step S6000 changes to "Yes", and the flow proceeds to step S6016. Then, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the recovery switch in this loop is at the H level (recovery switch output = "1"). At this time, the determination result is “Yes”, and in the subsequent step S6018, the recovery change flag is reset to “0”, and further, in step S6
At 020, the recovery ON flag is set to "1" and the routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, when the output signal of the recovery switch is still at the H level, the determination result of step S6000 turns to "No" (the recovery change flag has been reset to "0" in step S6018), and then in step S6002, Step S600
The result of determination in step 4 is “No”, and thereafter, step S6000,
S6002 and S6004 are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, immediately after the output signal of the recovery switch changes from the L level to the H level (steps S6012 and S6014).
Immediately after the execution of the step S6), when the output signal of the recovery switch changes to the L level again,
The result of the determination in step 016 is “No”, and in step S6018 (recovery change flag = “0”) and step S6020 (recovery ON
Without executing flag = “1”), the recovery L level flag is set to “1” in step 6022 to store that the output level in the current loop is L level, and the recovery change flag is further set to “1”. It is set to "0" (step S6024), and this routine ends.

As described above, the output signal of the recovery switch is changed from L level to H level.
Since the recovery ON flag is set to "1" only when the output signal holds the H level during at least two processing loops after the change to the level, noise and the like are set. Does not occur, the recovery ON flag is erroneously set to "1" even if the output signal temporarily rises to the H level.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of safe ball determination processing performed in step S62 of the interruption processing of FIG.

This subroutine is based on the safe rising flag and the safe falling flag whose values are determined in the above-described safe sensor input processing (FIG. 21). ) Is measured, and the time interval at which the H level is maintained is within a predetermined range (for example, a range (e.g., 4 msec to 50 m) that is experimentally determined according to the shape of the winning ball lead-out trough through which the safe ball in the pachinko machine flows down.
sec)), it is determined that the output signal indicates the passage of the safe ball, and the safe storage value is added by one. On the other hand, when the time interval is abnormally long (for example, 100 msec or more) and the sensor 830 When a short circuit is detected, error processing is performed, and this is notified to a game store clerk.

When this routine is started, first, in step S6202, it is determined whether or not the safe error flag is “1”. As will be described later in detail, the safe error flag indicates that the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is set to the H level for a predetermined time (100 msec).
When the value is held over the above or when a short circuit of the sensor 830 is detected, the value is set to “1” in step S6226 described later.
Is set to

When this routine is started for the first time, the flag is reset to “0”, so the determination result in step S6202 is “No”, and in step S6204, it is determined whether the safe sensor 830 is short-circuited. This determination is the fifth
The determination is made based on the output signal appearing at the output terminal C of the short detection unit 830c of the safe sensor 830 shown in FIG. That is, when the output level at the point C is at the L level, it is determined that the safe sensor 830 is not short-circuited, and when it is at the H level, it is determined that the safe sensor 830 is short-circuited.

When a short circuit is detected based on the output level of the output terminal C (the determination result in step S6204 is “Yes”), a series of error processing in steps S6226 to S6234 described below is performed.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S6204 is "No", the process proceeds to step S6206 and thereafter, where the waveform monitoring (pulse width check) of the output signal using the safe rising flag and the safe falling flag is performed.

First, in step S6206, it is determined whether the pulse width check flag is “1”. This pulse width check flag is set to “1” when the output signal of the safe sensor rises (safe start flag = “1”) (step S6210 described later). Is held at "1" while the operation is being performed.

It is now assumed that a winning game ball (safe ball) has not yet reached the safe sensor 830, has reached the safe sensor, and has subsequently escaped from the safe sensor 830.

First, when the safe ball has not reached the inside of the sensor, the pulse width check flag is "0" (the flag is set to "1" for the first time by executing step S6210). It is determined whether or not the upper flag is "1".

If the safe ball has not yet reached the inside of the sensor, the result of this determination is “No”, and this routine is terminated as it is. Therefore, only the steps S6202 to S6208 are repeatedly executed until the safe ball reaches the inside of the sensor.

Thereafter, when the safe ball reaches the inside of the sensor (when the safe sensor output rises to “1”), the safe start flag is set to “1” by the above-described safe sensor input processing (FIG. 21), and the aforementioned step S6208 is performed. Turns to “Yes”. In a succeeding step S6210, the pulse width check flag is set to "1". Then, in a step S6212, the pulse width timer starts counting (starts) from "0", and thereafter ends this routine.

This pulse width timer measures a time interval during which the output signal rises (holds the H level), and the measured value is used for determination in steps S6216, S6220, and S6222 described later.

In the next loop, the result of the determination in step S6206 turns to "Yes", and the flow advances to step S6214 to determine whether or not the safe fall flag is "1". In this loop, when the output signal of the safe sensor is still at the H level (when the safe ball is moving in the sensor), the value of the safe falling flag is “0” (the determination result is “No”). "), In step S6216, it is determined whether or not the count value of the pulse width timer at this time has become equal to or more than a predetermined value (100 msec).

When the determination of this step is performed for the first time after the output signal of the safe sensor 830 has risen, the determination result is “N
o ", and this routine ends as it is.

Then, step until the safe ball comes out of the sensor
Steps S6202, S6204, S6206 and steps S6214, S6216 are repeatedly performed.

From this state, when the safe ball comes out of the sensor (safe sensor output = "0") and the safe fall flag is set to "1" by the above-described safe sensor input processing, the result of the determination in step S6214 is determined. It turns to “Yes” and resets the pulse width check flag to “0” to indicate that the counting of the pulse width is ended in step S6218, and then proceeds to step S6220.
Proceed to S6222. In steps S6220 and S6222, it is determined whether or not the count value (the period during which the output signal is at the H level) of the pulse width timer at this time is within a predetermined range.

That is, in step S6220, it is determined whether or not the count value is less than a minimum time (first predetermined value; for example, 4 msec) required for the safe ball to pass through the inside of the safe sensor 830, and in step S6222, The count value is the maximum value of the time required for the safe ball to pass through the sensor (second value).
(For example, 50 msec) or less.

When the safe ball passes through the safe sensor 830,
If the decision result in the step S6220 is “No”, the step S6
The determination result at 222 should be “Yes”. At this time, the process proceeds to step S6224, where 1 is stored as the safe storage value at this time.
Is added, and the routine ends.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S6220 is "Yes", that is, a time interval (while the H level is held) from the time when it is determined that the output signal of the safe sensor has risen to the time when it is determined that the output signal has fallen (timer) When the count value is less than the minimum value (4 msec), it is determined that the rise and fall of the signal are caused by noise, and the routine is terminated without adding the safe storage value. At this time, the pulse width check flag is already
Since it has been reset to "0" in S6218, the pulse width check after the output signal of the sensor has risen again in the next and subsequent loops is restarted from the beginning.

The time interval (timer count value) from the time when it is determined that the output signal of the safe sensor has risen to the time when it is determined that the output signal of the safe sensor has fallen is “Max” (50 msec). Is exceeded, the rise and fall are regarded as those in which the safe sensor has erroneously determined that the foreign matter that has entered the sensor is a safe ball, and this routine is executed without adding the safe stored value. finish. At this time, since the pulse width check flag has already been reset to "0" in step S6218, the pulse width check after the output signal of the sensor has risen again in the next and subsequent loops is restarted from the beginning.

On the other hand, in this routine, when the output signal of the safe sensor has risen and the output signal has not yet fallen despite the elapse of a predetermined time (third predetermined value; 100 msec) (the determination result of step S6216 is “Yes”). When ""), the safe sensor itself has failed or the player has intentionally inserted a foreign object (such as a piano wire) into the sensor to cause an improper pulse, and a short circuit is detected. As in the case where the determination result of step S6204 is "Yes", error processing of step S6226 and thereafter is performed.

In this error processing, first, in step S6226, the safe error flag is set to "1" in order to store that the error processing has been started, and in step S6228, the motor control relay is turned off (OFF) so as to prohibit the firing of the game ball. , Step S6230
Then, the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid is demagnetized (OFF) in order to prevent the safe ball outflow that has been won at that time and has not yet been detected by the safe sensor 830, and then a failure indicator lamp of the information display device (FIG. 4). An error is displayed at 425c (step S6232), an error sound is generated at the speaker 689 (step S6234), and the routine ends.

Once it is determined that an error has occurred (if the safe error flag is set to “1”) by the determination in step S6216 or the determination in step S6204, the determination result in step S6202 is “ Yes "
Only steps S6232 (error display) and S6234 (error sound generation) are executed.

The error processing that is continued in this way is the error recovery processing (FIG. 17) performed in step S19 of the main routine (FIG. 14), and is canceled only based on the output signal of the recovery switch (by the recovery ON flag). It is supposed to be.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process executed in step S22 of the main routine (FIG. 14) of the award ball discharge control device described above.

In this subroutine, in order to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls once performed for one winning ball (safe ball), the predetermined number (prize ball set number) of two prize balls are provided. The first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710 (FIG. 4, FIG.
Of the prize ball in accordance with the above-mentioned mode, and the discharge solenoid 1 and / or the discharge solenoid 2 are excited (ON) to determine how many are discharged from one side and how many are discharged from the other side. Is to be started.

When this routine is started, first, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the odd sensor ball presence flag set in the above-mentioned odd sensor input processing (FIG. 23) is "1", that is, whether the guiding gutter is used.
It is determined whether or not a spare ball is accumulated at the position of the half-end sensor 202.

Subsequently, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the overflow sphere absence flag set in the above-described overflow detection input processing (FIG. 24) is "1", that is, whether the discharged prize ball overflows in the prize ball discharge gutter 751. It is determined whether the detector 770 has not reached the installation position.

When one of the determination results in steps S102 and S104 is “No”, the following steps S106 to S150 are performed.
Is skipped and the routine ends. On the other hand, when both the determination results of the step S102 and the step S104 are “Yes”, the processing after the step S106 is executed.

In step S106, the prize ball setting number stored in the prize ball setting device 530 (see FIG. 13) connected to the prize ball discharge control device 600 is set in the discharge register 0. In step S108, the discharge register 0 is set. Is determined whether the value of the discharge register 0 is equal to or less than "8" in step S110.

When the result of the determination in step S108 is "Yes", that is, when the value of the discharge register 0 is "1", the one discharge flag is set to "1".
(Step S112), the alternate discharge flag is set to “0” (Step S114), and the one-discharge processing described later (No. 33)
1) is set to a predetermined value (step S116), and the inversion flag process of step S122 is performed.

Here, the above-described one-discharge flag and alternate discharge flag are set in the discharge process (the 32nd
The prize ball discharge mode of FIG. 3 is described below in one of three modes (one discharge process of discharging only one game ball by operating one of the discharge solenoids 1 and 2); the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are alternately operated. This is a discrimination flag used when selecting from alternate discharge processing for discharging the game balls by causing the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 to be simultaneously operated to discharge the game balls.
When the individual discharge flag is set to “1”, the single discharge processing (when the number of award balls set is 1) is performed, and the alternate discharge flag is set to “1”.
, The alternate discharge processing (when the number of set prize balls is 2 to 8) is performed, and when both flags are set to “0”, the combined discharge processing (the set number of prize balls is 9 to 15) is performed. It is performed respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 29, the result of the determination in step S108 is “N
o ", when the determination result in step S110 is" Yes ", that is, when the value of the discharge / discharge register 0 is a value of" 2 "or more and" 8 "or less, the single discharge flag is set to" 0 "(step
(S118), and set the alternate discharge flag to “1” (step S1).
20), the inversion flag processing of step S122 is performed.

This reversal flag processing is performed when one prize ball is discharged by one discharge processing or alternate discharge processing, and the discharge solenoid 1 of the first prize ball discharge device 740 and the discharge solenoid 2 of the second prize ball discharge device 740 are used. The value of the "reversal flag" provided to alternately operate the solenoid is alternately reversed every time the solenoid is operated. As shown in FIG. 30, the reversal flag is set to " 1 "(corresponding to the discharge solenoid 2) (the determination result of step S8001 is" Yes ")
Is inverted to "0" (step S8002), while, when the inversion flag is "0" (corresponding to the discharge solenoid 1) (the determination result in step S8001 is "No"), it is inverted to "1". (Step S8003).

When this inversion flag processing (step S122) ends,
In step S124, it is determined whether or not the inversion flag is “0”. When the determination result is “Yes”, the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON) to discharge the prize ball by the first prize ball discharge device 740 (step S126), while the determination result in step S124 is “ If the result is "No", the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON) to discharge the prize ball by the second prize ball discharge device 740 (step S128), and the process proceeds to step S144 and later described later.

When both the determination results of the steps S108 and S110 are "No", that is, when the number of awarded ball discharges is 9 or more, after performing a discharge number dividing process (FIG. 31) described later (step S13).
0) The single discharge flag is set to “0” (step S13)
2), and set the alternate discharge flag to “0” (step S13)
4) Further, the values of the discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2 end flag used in the combined discharge processing described later are reset to “0” (steps S136 and S138), and both the discharge solenoid 1 and the discharge solenoid 2 are excited. (ON) (steps S140 and S142), and the process proceeds to step S144 and subsequent steps.

In step S144, the discharge weight flag set to "1" is reset to "0" when the discharge of a predetermined number of prize balls is completed in a discharge process described later. In the next step S146, the above-mentioned processing number (processing NO) is set to “2”, and in step S148, the three processings performed in the discharging processing (FIG. 32) (one discharging processing, alternate discharging processing, Discharge processing)
After the end of each process, the discharge end flag that is set to "1" is reset to "0", and the safe lamp is turned on (ON) in step S150, and then this routine ends.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge number dividing process executed in step S130 of the discharge start process (FIG. 29).

This routine is a process to be performed only when the prize balls are discharged in a combined discharge process described later (when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is 9 or more and 15 or less). This is because in the combined discharge process, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are simultaneously operated in one control loop, so the value previously stored in the discharge register 0 is divided into two and the two discharge registers 1 and 2 are used.
2 are stored separately. And these two
The discharge solenoids 1, 2 are independently operated in accordance with the values of the two discharge registers 1, 2.

When this routine is started, whether the value of the discharge register is “9” (step S152), whether it is “10” (step S154) is sequentially determined in steps S152 to S162.
Whether it is “11” (step S156), whether it is “12” (step S158), whether it is “13” (step S156)
S160), it is determined whether or not “14” (step S162).

If the determination result of step S152 is "Yes", the value of the discharge register 1 is set to "5" in step S164, and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "4" in step S166. To end.

Thereafter, when the determination result of step S154 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "5" (steps S168 and S170), and when the determination result of step S156 is "Yes", the discharge is performed. The value of the register 1 is set to "6" (step S172), and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "5".
(Step S174). When the result of the determination in step S158 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "6" (steps S176 and S178), and the result of the determination in step S160 is If “Yes”, the value of the discharge register 1 is set to “7” (step S180), and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to “6” (step S182).
When the determination result of step S162 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "7" (step S184,
Step S186), respectively, ends this routine.

On the other hand, when all of the determination results in steps S152 to S162 are “No”, the value of the discharge register 1 is set to “8”.
(Step S188), the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "7" (step S190), and this routine is terminated.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge process executed when the process number is “2” in the main routine (FIG. 14) performed by the MPU 620 on the award ball discharge control device side.

When this routine is started, first, in step S202, it is determined whether or not the discharge weight flag is “1”. This discharge weight flag is set to "1" in step S222 described later, and is reset to "0" in the above-described discharge start processing. When the value is "1", the discharge weight flag corresponds to one safe ball. This indicates that a predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged (the number of discharged prize balls).

When the determination result is “No”, it is determined whether or not the one-discharge flag whose value is set based on the winning ball setting number in the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 29) is “1” (step S20
4) It is determined whether or not the alternate discharge flag whose value is set according to the set number of prize balls is "1" (step S206).

When the result of the determination in step S204 is "Yes", that is, when the winning ball set number (discharge register 0) is "1", the flow proceeds to step S208, and the one-discharge process (described in detail below) is performed.
After the prize ball is discharged according to FIG.

If the decision result in the step S204 is "No",
When the determination result of 206 is “Yes”, that is, when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is “2” or more and “8” or less, the process proceeds to Step S210.
After discharging the prize ball according to FIG. 33), the process proceeds to step S218 and subsequent steps.

When both the determination results in the step S204 and the step S206 are “No”, that is, when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is “9” or more, the process proceeds to the step S212, and the details will be described later. After discharging the prize ball according to FIG. 35), the process proceeds to step S218 and thereafter.

In step S218, it is determined whether the discharge of a predetermined number (the set number of prize balls) of prize balls corresponding to one winning ball has been completed (whether or not the discharge end flag is "1"). When the result is determined to be “No”, that is, when it is determined that the discharge of the predetermined number (prize ball set number) of prize balls corresponding to one winning ball has not been completed yet, the subsequent steps S220 to S226 are skipped, and End the routine.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S218 is "Yes", the value of the "safe storage value" added to 1 is subtracted by 1 each time a winning ball is detected by the safe sensor (step S220), and the discharge weight is reduced. The flag is set to "1" (step S222), and the discharge wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 400 m).
sec) (step S224), the safe lamp is turned off (OFF) (step S226), and this routine ends.

In the loop after the determination result of step S218 turns to “Yes”, the determination result of step S202 turns to “Yes”,
Step S214 is performed. In this step S214, it is determined whether or not the time of the discharge wait timer has expired, and
If the determination result is “No”, that is, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls, the present routine is terminated as it is, and only steps S202 and S214 are performed until the predetermined time has elapsed. Execute repeatedly. Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed (the determination result in step S214 is “Yes”), the process proceeds to step S216, where the process number (process NO) is set to “0”, and this routine ends.

As described above, when the discharge process of the predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to one winning ball by the discharge process (the process NO is maintained at “2” during this period), the process NO is set to “0”.
In the next and subsequent main routines, the prize ball is discharged (the number of prizes equal to the set number of prize balls) in the number of times corresponding to the number of “safe storage values” obtained by subtracting 1 in step S220. (Discharge of a ball) is repeatedly executed from the beginning.

FIG. 33 shows step S2 of the above-described discharge processing (FIG. 32).
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of one piece discharge processing performed in 08.

As described above, this routine is a process that is performed only when the number of prize balls to be ejected (award ball set number) is “1”.

When this routine is started, it is determined in step S232 whether or not the one-discharge timer set to a predetermined value in step S116 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 29) has expired.

The one-discharge timer activates the discharge solenoid 1 or 2 and then activates the first and second flow-down preventing portions 745 and 745 entering the first and second prize-ball deriving gutters 710 and 710 (see FIG. 7). However, it is set to a time (about 35 msec) until only one prize ball flows down from the outlet gutters 710, 710 actually. Therefore, when the one-discharge timer has not yet timed out (the determination result is “No”), the subsequent steps S234 to S240 are skipped, this routine ends, and when the time is up (the determination result is “Yes”). In step (2), it is determined that one piece has been discharged.
Proceed to 34.

In step S234, it is determined whether or not the inversion flag at this time is "1". If the determination result is "No", the discharge excited in step S126 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 28) is performed. Demagnetize (OFF) solenoid 1 (step S23)
6) If “Yes”, step S of the discharge start process
The discharge solenoid 2 excited at 128 is demagnetized (OFF) (step S238), and the process proceeds to step S240, where the discharge end flag is set to "1" to indicate that the discharge of the prize ball by this process has been completed. Then, this routine ends.

FIG. 34 shows step S210 of the above-described discharging process (FIG. 32).
5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an alternate discharge process performed by the subroutine.

As described above, this routine is a process performed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (award ball setting number) is equal to or more than “2” and equal to or less than “8”. In this routine, the first and second routines described above are performed.
The prize balls are discharged by alternately using the prize ball discharging devices 740 and 740 of the prize ball.

When this routine is started, first, the discharge start processing (first
It is determined whether or not the inversion flag set in step S122 of FIG. 29 is “0” (step S252).

When the determination result is “Yes”, the first prize ball discharging device
The prize ball discharging process by the 740 (steps S254 to S264) is performed, while when the determination result is “No”, the prize ball discharging process by the second prize ball discharging device 740 (steps S266 to S264).
274, S264).

First, in step S254, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 1 startup flag is "1". The result of this determination is “No”
That is, if the discharge sensor 1 has not yet detected the discharge of the prize ball after the discharge solenoid 1 has been excited (ON) in step S126 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 29), the subsequent steps S256 to S264 are skipped. Then, this routine ends.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S254 is "Yes", the value of the discharge register 0 at this time is subtracted by 1 (step S256), and the discharge sensor 1 start flag is reset to "0" (step S256). Step S258) and proceed to step S260.

In step S260, it is determined whether or not the subtracted value is "1". If the result is "No", that is, if the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON), the value is discharged from the first prize ball discharge device. If it is determined that the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 1 has not reached the “prize ball set number−1”, the subsequent steps S262 and S264 are skipped, and the present routine ends.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S260 is “Yes”, that is,
Excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 1 in the above-mentioned discharge start processing
When the discharge sensor 1 detects the number of prize balls of “the number of set prize balls−1”, the discharge sensor 1 determines that the discharge of the prize balls for the set number of prize balls has been completed. In step S262, the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OFF). In step S264, the discharge end flag is set to "1", and this routine ends.

By the way, as described above, when the number of prize balls of "the set number of prize balls-1" is detected by the discharge sensor 1, it is considered that all the prize balls of the "set number of prize balls" are discharged. For reasons. That is, immediately before the discharge solenoid 1 is energized (ON) in step S126 of the discharge start processing, as shown in FIG.
Th prize balls B ₂ is positioned (at this time the output level of the H level). Thereafter, the excitation of the discharge solenoid 1 causes the
10 the first time the sensor when the figure third prize balls B ₃ reaches the discharge sensor 1 detects that the prize balls is one discharged. Thus, for example, when the prize ball by the sensor is immediately deenergized exhaust solenoid 1 after being detected 1 (prize balls B ₃ passes through the sensor, the discharge is blocked by the flow-down preventing member 745), two prize The spheres B ₁ and B ₂ are sphere outgoing troughs
Will be discharged to the side. Therefore, in the alternate discharge process and the combined discharge process described later, the discharge process is performed by counting the rising of the discharge sensor by "the number of prize balls set -1" which is one less than the discharge number (the set number of prize balls). The prize balls for the set number of prize balls are discharged.

Referring back to FIG. 34, the determination result of step S252 is “N
o ", that is, the process performed when the inversion flag is" 1 ",
First, in step S266, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is "1". If the result of this determination is “No”, that is, the discharge of the prize ball has not yet been detected by the discharge sensor 2 even though the discharge of the prize ball has been started by the excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 2 in the above-described discharge start process. ,
Subsequent steps S268 to S274 and the aforementioned steps
Skip S264 and end this routine.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S266 is "Yes", that is, it is confirmed by the ejection sensor 2 that the prize ball has reached the inside of the sensor (the ejection sensor 2 startup flag is "1"), the current The value of the discharge register 0 is subtracted by 1 (step S268), the discharge sensor 2 start flag is reset to “0” (step S270), and the process proceeds to step S272.

In step S272, it is determined whether or not the subtracted value is "1". If the result is "No", that is, if the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON), the value is discharged from the second prize ball discharge device. If it is determined that the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 2 has not reached the “prize ball set number−1”, the step S274 and the step S264 are skipped, and this routine ends.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S272 is “Yes”, that is,
Excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 2 in the above-mentioned discharge start processing
When the discharge sensor 2 detects a prize ball of “prize ball set number−1”, the discharge of the prize ball is started.
It is considered that the discharge of the prize balls of the set number of prize balls has been completed, and the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OF) in step S274.
F) Then, the process proceeds to step S264 to set the discharge end flag to “1”, and then ends this routine.

By the way, also in the discharging process of the second prize ball discharging device 740 side, as described above, when the prize balls of the number of “prize ball set number−1” are detected by the discharge sensor 2, the “prize ball set number” The reason why all the prize balls are considered to have been discharged is the same as the reason described in the discharge processing of the first prize ball discharge device 740 side.

FIG. 35 shows step S2 of the above-described discharge processing (FIG. 32).
13 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a combined discharge process performed in step S12.

As described above, this routine is executed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (a set number of prize balls) is 9 or more (but not more than 15), and the first and second prize balls are processed in one loop. The discharging devices 740, 740 discharge the prize balls at the same time (when the number of setting the prize balls is an odd number, the last one is discharged by one device, for example, the first prize ball discharging device).

When this routine is started, it is determined in step S302 whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is “1”. This discharge 1
The end flag is set to “1” in step S314 described below when the discharge of the prize balls for the number of prize balls to be discharged by the first prize ball discharge device (hereinafter, referred to as “first divided prize ball number”) is completed. Is set to "

If the result of the determination in step S302 is "No", that is, the first prize ball discharge device still discharges the prize balls for the first divided prize balls set in the discharge division process (FIG. 31). If the processing has not been completed, the processing of the following steps S304 to S314 is performed.

First, in step S304, the discharge sensor 1 start flag is set to "1".
Is determined, the result is "No", that is, after the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON) in step S140 of the discharge start process (FIG. 29), the discharge of the prize ball is still discharged. If it has never been detected by the sensor 1,
Subsequent steps S306 to S314, and step S316 described later
And skip to step S318.

On the other hand, when the result of this determination is “Yes”, the value of the discharge sensor 1 start flag indicating that one prize ball has been discharged is reset from “1” to “0” (step S306), and Subtract the value of the discharge register 1 by 1 (step
(S308), and it is further determined whether or not the subtracted value has reached "1" (step S310).

The determination result in step S310 is "No", that is, the first prize ball discharging device discharges the prize balls, and the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 1 does not reach "the first divided prize ball number-1". In some cases, the subsequent steps S312, S314, and S316 are skipped, and the process directly proceeds to step S318 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S310 is “Yes”, that is, “the first divided prize ball number−” that is discharged by the first prize ball discharge device and the number of prize balls is detected by the discharge sensor 1.
1 ", it is considered that all the prize balls of the first divided prize ball number have been issued, and the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OF
F) (Step S312), and set the discharge 1 end flag to "1" to store that the discharge of the prize balls by the first prize ball discharging device is completed (Step S314), and
Proceed to S316 and later. Therefore, when the determination of the step S302 is performed after the discharge of the prize balls for the first divided prize balls is completed, the steps S304 to S314 are skipped, and the process proceeds directly to the step S316 and subsequent steps.

In step S316, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1". When the second prize ball discharging device finishes discharging the prize balls of the number of prize balls to be discharged by the second prize ball discharge device (hereinafter, referred to as “second divided prize ball number”), the discharge 2 end flag is set in step S328 described later. Is set to “1”.

The result of this determination in step S316 is "No", that is, at this time, the second winning ball discharging apparatus performs the discharging number division processing (the
When the discharge of the prize balls for the number of the second divided prize balls set in FIG. 31) is not completed, the processing of steps S318 to S330 is performed.

First, in step S318, the discharge sensor 2 start flag is set to "1".
Is determined, the result is "No", that is, after the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON) in step S142 of the discharge start process described above, the discharge sensor 2 still detects any discharge of the prize ball. If not, the following step S320 ~
The process skips S332 and ends the routine.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S318 is “Yes”, the ejection sensor 2 indicating that one prize ball has been ejected.
The value of the rising flag ("1" at this time) is reset to "0" (step S320), and the value of the discharge register 2 is subtracted by 1 (step S322), and the value obtained by the subtraction is "1".
Is determined (step S324).

The determination result in step S324 is "No", that is, the number of prize balls discharged by the second prize ball discharging device and detected by the discharge sensor 2 does not reach "the second divided prize ball number -1". Sometimes, the following steps S326, S328, S330
And, skip step S332 and end this routine.

On the other hand, the determination result in step S324 is "Yes", that is, the number of prize balls ejected by the second prize ball ejection device and detected by the ejection sensor 2 is calculated as "the second divided prize ball number-
When the number becomes "1", it is considered that all the prize balls for the second divided prize balls have been issued, and the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OF
F) (step S326), and at the same time, set the discharge 2 end flag to "1" to store that the discharge of the prize ball by the second prize ball discharging device is completed (step S328). It is determined whether the value of the discharge 1 end flag is "1" (step S330).

When the determination result of the step S330 is "No", the subsequent step S332 is skipped and the present routine is terminated.

When the determination result in step S330 is "Yes", or when the determination result in step S316 is "Yes" (the discharge 1
The end flag is always set to "1" to indicate that all the set number of prize balls have been discharged by the combined discharge processing.) In step S332, the discharge end flag is set to "1". Then, this routine ends.

As described above, when the prize ball set number is set to a large value (9 to 15), the set number is divided and the values are stored in the two discharge registers 1 and 2, and the discharge registers 1 and 2 are stored. By operating the first and second prize ball discharge devices independently based on the value of the prize balls, a large number of prize balls can be discharged more quickly.

As described above, in the combined discharge processing as well, when the discharge sensors 1 and 2 detect the prize balls of the “prize ball set number−1”, the prize balls for the “prize ball set number” are detected. It is considered that all the sheets are discharged for the same reason as described in the description of the alternate discharge processing.

Next, when a power failure occurs during the processing of the prize ball discharge control by the prize ball discharge control device described above and the supply of power from the main power supply is stopped, the prize ball discharge control performed as a backup process is performed. The power-down interrupt processing on the device side will be described with reference to FIG.

This power-down interruption processing is performed by the
When a power supply monitoring circuit 680a (see FIG. 13) that constantly monitors a power supply voltage from a main power supply (not shown) supplied to the unit 0 outputs a signal indicating a power failure state, the main routine ( This process starts the process in place of the interrupt process (Fig. 18) and the interrupt process (Fig. 18), while minimizing the power consumption after the occurrence of a power outage and for which no safe / out decision has yet been made. The process of executing the determination of the ball for a predetermined time (counting by the safe detection timer) after the occurrence of the power failure, the safe sensor 830a occurring at that time
Is performed to determine whether or not the output signal is due to winning of a safe ball, and further, a backup process is performed to indicate the presence of a safe ball that has not been paid for a prize ball when a power failure occurs.

First, when the occurrence of a power failure is detected based on a signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 680a and the present process is started, various types such as a safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851, a firing motor 151, discharge solenoids 1, 2, a shutter solenoid 910, etc. The power supply to the operation unit is stopped (output reset) (step S3
0). In particular, by demagnetizing (turning off) the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851 at the time of the power failure as described above, the safe ball that wins before the power failure occurs and whose winning has not yet been detected by the safe sensor is prevented from flowing out. It can be retained in the sensor by the solenoid 851 (FIG. 8B).

Next, in step S31, the safe detection timer is set to a predetermined value (for example, 5 seconds). This safe detection timer uses the demagnetized safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851
After degaussing, the time required to actually stop the outflow of the safe ball, and the time required to measure the time interval from the rise to the fall of the output signal of the safe sensor to complete the safe ball determination process It is for counting longer time.

After the safe detection timer is set, step S32
Then, the processing NO is reset to "0".

By forcibly resetting the processing NO at the time of a power failure, the power failure occurs when the prize ball discharge start processing or the discharge processing (FIG. 29 or 32) is executed for one safe ball. Even if it occurs, the discharge of the prize ball to the safe ball is restarted from the beginning again, so that it is not disadvantageous for the player.

In the next step S33, it is determined whether or not the safe storage value is "0". The determination result is "No", that is, at this time (when a power failure occurs), the discharge of the corresponding prize ball has been completed. When no winning balls remain (hereinafter, referred to as “remaining discharge balls”), the remaining discharge ball presence indicator lamp 445c of the information display device 400 is turned on (ON) to indicate that in step S34.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S35, while if the determination result is “Yes”, the process directly proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the time of the safe detection timer set in step S31 has expired. The determination result is "No", that is, the predetermined time (5se
If c) has not elapsed, and therefore, there is a possibility that a game ball whose outflow was not prevented by the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid may be detected by the safe sensor, step S3
In step S37, the timer is updated, and in step S37, the safe sensor input process (FIG. 21) is performed in the same procedure as that performed in the above-described interrupt process. After performing the safe ball determination process (Fig. 28) in the same procedure as that performed in the interrupt process,
Until the determination result of S35 turns to "Yes", the process returns to step S33 and the process is repeatedly executed.

Therefore, the safe sensor input process in step S37 and the safe ball determination process in step S38 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses from the occurrence of the power failure, and the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid prevents outflow. The safe ball that has not been detected can be reliably detected by the safe sensor, and further, it can be determined whether or not the sensor output indicating the safe ball is a legitimate one.

When the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed after the occurrence of the power failure (step S35
Is "Yes"), the routine ends, and the prize ball discharge control device 600 shifts to the standby mode.

In the standby mode, the function of the prize ball discharge control device 600 required during the power failure by the power supply voltage supplied from the auxiliary power supply circuit 680b (FIG. 13) while the power failure occurs (holding of the safe stored value, This is a mode for ensuring the display by the information display device 400), and the amount of power consumed at that time can be suppressed to a necessary minimum.

That is, in the control performed on the prize ball discharge control device 600 side, if a power failure occurs during the normal control processing (the main routine in FIG. 14, the interruption processing in FIG. 18), a predetermined time after the power failure occurs The input process of the safe sensor and the safe ball determination process can be continuously performed over a period of time, and then the process shifts to the standby mode. Therefore, after a power failure occurs, the auxiliary power supply supplied to the prize ball discharge control device 600 after the power failure occurs By securing the minimum amount of power required from the circuit to detect the winning ball and determine the output of the safe sensor, the winning ball immediately after the power failure, which has been invalidated due to the power failure, can be processed effectively. Become.

Further, after the lapse of the predetermined time, it is only necessary to have at least enough power to store and hold the safe storage value. Therefore, the backup battery used as the auxiliary power supply is small and can sufficiently cope with a long-term power failure. .

As described above, in the prize ball discharge control system of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, the safe sensor 830 is provided with the short detection section (circuit), while the prize ball discharge control device is provided.
A pulse width detector 1603 for measuring the pulse width of the pulse signal from the safe sensor 830 is provided in the MPU 620 of 600, and a failure state of the safe sensor is determined based on a signal from at least one of the short detector and the pulse width detector. (Short, open, illegal state, etc.) is detected, and at this time, failure processing (notification of failure occurrence, stop of the game state, etc.) is performed. On the other hand, when the failure state is not detected, the pulse is output. Since the safe ball judging unit, which has received the signal from the width detecting unit, outputs a signal to discharge the prize ball, the occurrence of a failure is quickly and accurately detected, and the failure to the player caused by the occurrence of the failure is prevented. Profit can be compensated appropriately. In particular, in this embodiment, when a failure (error) state is detected, the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851 installed in the winning ball derivation gutter is demagnetized, and the outflow of the safe ball in the winning ball derivation gutter is immediately stopped. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately compensate for the number of unpaid prize balls corresponding to the number of unpaid safe balls due to the occurrence of a failure.

In addition, the prize ball discharge control device 600 determines whether or not the pulse width of the output signal of the safe sensor 830 detected by the pulse width detection unit 1603 is caused by winning of the safe ball. Since the means 1604 is provided, only an output signal of a waveform that can be generated by winning of the safe ball is processed as a normal output signal, and thus, an output signal generated by noise or a foreign object entering the safe sensor is output. Exclusion from the target of the prize ball discharge control allows the accuracy of the prize ball discharge control to be improved, and it becomes possible to provide a fair pachinko game to the player.

In this embodiment, when the pulse width of the sensor is between the first predetermined value (4 msec) and the second predetermined value (50 msec), it is determined that the safe ball has won, and the third predetermined value ( 100mse
c) In the above cases, it is determined that an error (failure or illegal) has occurred. In the above determination, when the pulse width is equal to or more than the second predetermined value, this is immediately determined to be an error. Is also good.

Further, in this embodiment, the failure (error) of the safe sensor
The short state is detected by the short detection section provided inside the sensor, and the open state is detected by the MPU 620 (pulse width detection section 1603) in the prize ball discharge control device receiving the output signal of the sensor. However, without being limited to this, the MPU 620 may detect both the short state / open state,
Alternatively, a circuit for detecting the open state may be added to the sensor itself. Further, a circuit for detecting an open state may be configured in the sensor, which is opposite to the embodiment, and the MPU 620 may detect a short-circuit state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the output signal of the safe sensor indicates the winning of the safe ball is performed by measuring the real time from the rise to the fall of the sensor output, and this is determined by a plurality of predetermined values (first to first). 3, the same effect can be obtained by measuring the predetermined value and simultaneously monitoring the output state at this time, contrary to the embodiment. .

Further, the first to third predetermined values are not limited to the values shown in the embodiment, but may be experimentally determined according to the back mechanism panel of the pachinko game machine, or may be values once experimentally set. It may be changed periodically in accordance with the change over time of the prize ball discharge control system.

Further, in this embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine having one prize ball setting number, that is, the pachinko gaming machine having one prize ball processing system such as the prize ball receiving gutter 810 and the prize ball derivation gutter 820 has been described. The pachinko gaming machine control device according to (1), the prize ball setting number of two types of pachinko gaming machines (in this case, the prize ball receiving gutter, the winning ball derivation gutter, etc. are provided independently in two lines,
The above-described control may be performed on the output of the second safe sensor, as a matter of course.

Further, in this embodiment, the outlet gutter for discharging the prize ball is provided in two sections (first section).
Although the example of the pachinko gaming machine of (1, the second prize ball outlet gutter) is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine having one outlet gutter or three or more outlet gutters. It is also possible.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the prize sphere detector sequentially and continuously changes the prize sphere flowing down the prize sphere outflow trough to the prize sphere before discharging the prize ball to the prize sphere. 1
The pulse signal output from the prize-ball detector is detected by the pulse determining means to determine whether or not the pulse signal is within a predetermined pulse width range. If it is determined that the value is within the predetermined range, the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is added to the winning ball storage means as a winning memory value, and is stored in the winning ball storage unit. Are discharged by the action of the electric drive source. On the other hand, if it is determined that the pulse signal is not within the predetermined pulse width range, the foreign matter processing means does not store the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector as the winning memory value in the winning ball storage means. When noise is generated from various devices on the island where many machines are arranged, or noise is generated due to static electricity charged to the game machine itself due to friction between ball and plastic parts that are diversified in current game machines Also, even when the winning ball detector fails due to the noise, the signal at that time is determined as an abnormal pulse, and the prize ball can be prevented from being discharged from the ball discharging device.

In addition, unintentional players may intentionally generate noise,
Even if a prize ball detector is malfunctioned by inserting a foreign object through a gap in the gaming machine, it is possible to prevent prize balls from being ejected due to wrongdoing and prevent the gaming shop from being disadvantaged.

In particular, a prize ball flowing down the prize ball derivation gutter is detected one by one by the prize ball detector while continuously and continuously collecting the prize ball in the flowing state before discharging the prize ball to the prize ball, In a gaming machine of the type in which the pulse signal based on the detection is stored by the winning ball storage means and the winning ball is discharged based on the storage, the amusement shop suffers a great disadvantage due to the discharging of the winning ball due to noise or fraud. Since it is easy to be worn, it is advantageous in preventing it.

Further, the abnormality processing means, when it is determined by the pulse determination means that the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is shorter than a predetermined pulse width range, the pulse signal, the pulse signal On the other hand, when the pulse signal is determined by the pulse determination means to be longer than a predetermined pulse width range, the pulse signal is not stored in the winning ball storage means. If the prize ball storage means does not store the prize ball as a prize storage value and if it is performed in a predetermined game inactivation process, when a short signal due to noise or the like is generated, the prize ball discharge by the detection signal is performed. To prevent other games from being deactivated, without affecting each other's games. In the case where an abnormality has occurred, in addition to preventing the prize balls emissions from the detection signal, it becomes possible to predetermined game deactivation process is performed, efficient correspondence is possible for various abnormal pulse signal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the front of a pachinko gaming machine 10 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and FIG. 3 is an information display device 400 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view seen from the front side, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 10 showing the internal configuration of the prize ball discharge unit 700 and the prize ball processing unit 800, and FIG. 5 is a prize ball detector ( FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prize ball discharge unit 700A constituting the prize ball discharge unit 700 installed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and FIG. FIGS. 8 (A) and (B) are sectional views of essential parts for explaining the safe ball outflow prevention operation by the safe ball outflow prevention solenoid 851 of the winning ball processing device 850, FIG. (A) and (B) show launching ball supply for supplying game balls from the supply tray 102 to the launching ball standby portion of the launching rail. 900 is an internal mechanism diagram, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the prize ball discharge control device 600, and FIG. 11 is an opening / closing door 250 attached to the back mechanism panel 200 and installed behind the opening / closing door 250. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the accessory control device 500. FIG. 12 is a control block diagram showing an overall configuration of a safe ball processing control system for performing input processing of a safe ball of the pachinko gaming machine 10. FIG. 13 is a prize ball discharge control. FIG. 14 is a program flowchart showing a main routine of the prize ball discharge control performed by the prize ball discharge control device 600, and FIG. 15 is a main routine of the prize ball discharge control. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a memory clearing process performed in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a replenishing process performed in a main routine of the prize ball discharging control. FIG. 17 is a main routine of the prize ball discharging control. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an error recovery process performed by the user, FIG. 18 is a program flowchart showing an interrupt process performed every predetermined time prior to the main routine, and FIG. 19 is a process performed in the interrupt process. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the discharge sensor 1, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the discharge sensor 2 performed in the interrupt processing, and FIG. 21 is a subroutine of the safe sensor input processing performed in the interrupt processing. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the replenishment sensor performed in the interrupt processing. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a routine of an odd sensor input processing performed in the interrupt processing. Is the overflow detector used in the interrupt processing
770 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of firing motor control processing performed in interrupt processing, and FIG. 26 is a subroutine of memory clear switch input processing performed in interrupt processing. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a recovery switch input process performed in an interrupt process. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a safe ball determination process performed in an interrupt process. FIG. 29 is a prize. A flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process executed in the main routine of the ball discharge control device, FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a reversal flag process performed in the discharge start process, and FIG. 31 is executed in a discharge start process Flow chart showing the subroutine of the number-of-emissions division process. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharging process performed in the main routine. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a single discharging process performed in the discharging process. FIG. 34 is a subroutine of an alternate discharging process performed in the discharging process. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of combined discharge processing performed in the discharge processing. FIG. 36 is a power down interrupt processing of the prize ball discharge control performed when the supply of power from the main power supply is stopped. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of FIG. 10 ... Pachinko machine (Gaming machine), 109 ... Specific prize port (winning section), 700 ... Prize ball discharging section (ball discharging device), 820 ...
… Winning ball derivation gutter, 830… safe sensor (winning ball detector), 1601… safe sensor failure detection unit (pulse determination unit, abnormality processing unit), 1603 …… pulse width detection unit (pulse determination unit, abnormality processing) Means), 1604... Safe ball determination unit (pulse determination means, abnormality processing means), 1605... Safe ball storage unit (winning ball storage means).

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prize ball detecting means capable of detecting a prize ball that has won a prize portion provided in a game area, and a ball discharge device capable of discharging a required number of balls by the action of an electric drive source. In a gaming machine wherein a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged from the ball discharge device based on the generation of the prize balls, the prize ball detection means converts the prize balls flowing down the prize ball derivation gutter into the prize balls. Before the prize ball is discharged, the prize ball detector is configured to have a prize ball detector capable of detecting one piece while continuously flowing down and collecting the prize ball in a flowing state, and output as a detection signal from the prize ball detector. Pulse determination means for determining whether a pulse signal to be output is within a predetermined pulse width range, and a pulse signal sequentially output from the winning ball detector by the pulse determination means. If it is determined that the width A winning ball storage means capable of sequentially adding and storing the pulse signal as a winning memory value for operating the ball discharging device; and a pulse signal output from the winning ball detector by the pulse determination means to the predetermined signal. A gaming machine comprising: an abnormality processing unit that, when it is determined that the pulse signal is not within the range of the pulse width, does not store the pulse signal as a winning storage value in the winning ball storage unit. 2. The abnormality processing means, if the pulse determination means determines that the pulse signal output from the winning ball detector is shorter than the predetermined pulse width range, the pulse processing means includes: While the prize sphere storage means is not stored as a prize storage value, if the pulse determination means determines that the pulse signal output from the prize sphere detector is longer than a predetermined pulse width range, While not storing the pulse signal in the winning ball storage means as a winning memory value,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined game disabling process is performed.