JP3035793B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention can discharge a required number of balls.
Ball discharge device and safe that can detect winning balls one by one
The present invention relates to a gaming machine provided with a sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game area has an electric game machine.
Game board that can be freely attached to and detached from the
The required number of prizes for playing balls in the prize area of the game board
And a ball discharge device that can discharge
A game board control circuit for controlling the game operation of the game device
Pachinko and other gaming machines are known
(For example, JP-A-2-203883).

[0003] As the electric game machine, for example,
In the case of pachinko machines called so-called wings, the game area
1 movable member based on the winning of the game ball into the starting winning opening
Perform a preliminary game operation that performs opening or closing conversion twice or twice,
Games that have flowed into the internal prize space due to the preliminary game operation
The movable member is reserved based on the ball winning the special winning opening.
Advantageously, for example, the opening / closing conversion is performed 18 times more than the game operation.
A variable winning device capable of generating a special game state is known.
Pachinko game machines, so-called Seven machines
If the game ball wins the starting winning opening in the game area,
Display device for playing a variable display game by
When the game stop result mode is set to the special game state,
There is a variable winning device that is controlled to open
You.

The game board control circuit includes the blade
In the case of objects, the starting control of preliminary game operation and special game ball state,
Controls such as opening and closing of the variable winning device
In the case of the machine, the variable display game and the special game state
Control such as opening and closing control of the variable winning device was performed. this
In some types of gaming machines, a prize of a game ball is
If there is a prize under the control of the emission control circuit
Based on the number of ejected balls (prize balls)
A predetermined number of balls are discharged.

[0005]

However, recent gaming machines
Is that the game board that generates the game content is
Most are configured to be removable and replaceable.
When exchanging seeds, only the game board can be exchanged.
It has become. When the game board is replaced,
Prize balls for winning according to the game content
May change. In such a case, the game board and its
Each time the game board control circuit accompanying it is replaced, the discharge control
The circuit must also be replaced,
Replacement work is troublesome and costly
There was a problem that.

Therefore, as a result of various studies, the emission control
It is not necessary to change the circuit every time the game board is replaced
In order to achieve this, the prize ball control signal for winning
It should be configured to transmit from the control circuit to the emission control circuit.
I came to the conclusion that However, the game board control circuit and
When the output control circuit is separately configured, the circuit itself is compatible
At the time of one day of operation in a game store, while the versatility and versatility increase
3,000 or more game balls won between games
And the various types of gaming machines themselves
Noise from the electric drive source or play
Bad conditions for electronic circuits such as static electricity charged on the ball
In the game board control circuit to the discharge control circuit
Prize ball control signals must be accurately and reliably controlled
No.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a discharge control circuit even when the number of prize balls changes variously with replacement of a game board. By exchanging the game board and the accompanying game board control circuit without replacing it, it is possible to discharge prize balls corresponding to the new prize ball form of the game board, and to control the prize ball control signal for the winning ball. Is transmitted from the game board control circuit to the discharge control circuit, the discharge control circuit can accurately control the reception timing of the prize ball control signal , and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can receive only a new prize ball control signal and that employs a control method that enables accurate and reliable discharge control of prize balls generated many times a day.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a ball discharge device (170) capable of discharging a required number of balls is provided.
In example was the gaming machine, the gaming machine, the game board control circuit is configured one-to-one with at least the game board (e.g., a game machine controller 400) discharge control circuit for controlling involved in and the ball discharging unit (e.g., the discharge The game board control circuit includes a storage unit (for example, a prize ball number storage unit 412) for storing at least prize ball number data to be ejected, and a prize corresponding to the prize ball number data.
Controls the timing of capturing the ball count signal and the signal at the destination
Synchronization signal (eg, data strobe signal)
Transmitting means for transmitting a prize ball control signal to the discharge control circuit;
Wherein the discharge control circuit receives the same signal from the transmitting means.
Signal is maintained at an effective level indicating acquisition for a predetermined time or more.
Determining means for determining whether the
Based on the confirmation that the effective level of the synchronization signal has been maintained
Signal capturing means for capturing the prize ball number signal, and the signal
A memory for storing the prize ball number signal captured by the capturing means.
Storage means (for example, award ball discharge number storage operation unit 661).
It is configured to obtain .

[0009]

According to the above-mentioned means, the prize ball control signal is transmitted to the discharge control circuit by the game board control circuit having the means for storing the data of the number of prize balls to be discharged. Also,
The prize balls control signal, includes a synchronization signal for controlling the timing related to the acquisition of the prize balls speed signal and that prize ball speed signal as a prize cell count data, the prize of the discharge control circuit from the game board control circuit side Since the prize ball number signal is transmitted to the ball discharge number storage means based on the synchronization signal, the reception timing of the prize ball number data can be accurately controlled. Moreover, the emission control circuit has a synchronization signal.
Is it maintained at an effective level indicating acquisition for more than a predetermined time?
Determining means for determining, and the synchronization signal
Prize balls based on confirmation that the effective level of
Since signal acquisition means for acquiring signals is provided, synchronization signals
Level is set correctly by the game board control circuit.
To determine whether an abnormal signal such as noise
Separately, it is possible to accurately capture the prize ball number signal,
It is possible to prevent prize balls from being discharged.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a card type pachinko gaming machine as a gaming machine according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the ball lending machine 200 are configured to form a pair, and each ball lending machine 200 has a built-in card reader, and a front panel 210 of the ball lending machine 200.
The card slot 211 corresponding to the above card reader
, An inserted balance display 220 for displaying the balance of the inserted card, and a valid display lamp 230 for displaying that the ball lending machine is in the operating state.

On the other hand, the front frame 10 of the pachinko gaming machine 100
1 , an operation panel 121 is formed on the upper surface of the supply tray 120, and a balance display 122 for displaying the balance of the card inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 211 on the operation panel 121; A conversion button 123 for giving an instruction to convert to a ball, a return button 124 for issuing a card ejection (return), and a ball lending possible display 126 for displaying that the conversion button 123 is active are provided. I have.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a prize ball discharge indicator lamp which is lit when a prize ball is discharged. Reference numeral 113 denotes a loan ball discharge indicator lamp which is lit when a rental ball is discharged. When a hitting state occurs in a pachinko game machine. A completion lamp 140 is lit, 140 is a receiving tray for storing prize balls overflowing inside when the supply tray 120 is full, and 142 is a ball that is launched one by one from the supply tray 120 into the game area. It is an operation dial of the hit ball launching device. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko game board is the same as the conventional one, and can take any configuration.

In this embodiment, when the conversion button 123 is pressed, a predetermined amount (for example, 200 yen) is set within the range of the amount of the card provided that the card is inserted into the card reader of the ball lending machine 200. A command for converting the minute into a lending ball is sent to a control device of a ball discharging device provided on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 100. The remaining amount of the converted card is displayed on the balance display 122 in a unit of 100 yen as one unit.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of the back mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 170 denotes a ball discharging device which discharges a predetermined number of lending balls based on a discharging request signal from the ball lending machine 200 or discharges a prize ball in response to a request signal from a pachinko gaming machine, and 151 denotes a ball discharging device. Storage tank for storing the previous ball, 152 is storage tank 1
A guiding gutter for guiding the balls in the line 51 in a line and guiding the balls to the ball discharging device 170. The guiding gutter 152 is not particularly limited, but is formed in two lines so that a large amount of balls can be supplied in a short time. On the way, a ball leveling 153 and a standby ball detector 160 for preventing the balls from overlapping are provided.

Further, below the ball discharge device 170, the discharged balls are supplied to the outlet 12 of the supply tray 120 on the front of the gaming machine.
Discharge trough 155 to induce the 9 and over the feed tray 120
An overflow gutter 156 for guiding the flowed balls to the lower tray 141 is provided continuously, and a ball drain gutter 157 branched from the middle of the discharge gutter 155 is disposed in parallel with the overflow gutter 156. A flow path switching valve 158 is provided at a branch portion between the ball drop gutter 157 and the discharge gutter 155. Reference numeral 159 denotes a collecting gutter for collecting winning balls flowing into a winning port provided on the front surface of the gaming machine at one place, and reference numeral 180 denotes a winning ball separation detecting device provided at a lower end of the collecting gutter 159.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the ball discharging device 170. The ball discharge device 170 includes a guide gutter 710 that is configured to be continuous with the guide gutter 152 that guides the spare ball stored in the storage tank 151. The guide gutter 710 is formed in two lines corresponding to the guide gutters 152, and a discharge means 740 including a stopper 745 as a flow-down prevention means and a discharge solenoid 741 for driving the stopper 745 corresponding to the passage of each line. Two sets are provided.

The guide gutter 710 is composed of three parts due to its function, and is a pressure reducing section 711, a rim section 712, and a discharge section 713 in order from the top. Decompression section 7
Numeral 11 reduces the pressure of the reserve sphere sent from the storage tank 151 via the guide gutter 152, and has a structure in which the U-turn is performed in a gentle inclination state as shown in FIG.
The edge cutting portion 712 is provided to make a distance between the balls passing through the discharging portion 713 thereunder so as to easily prevent the balls from flowing out by the lower discharging means 740.
1 and a discharge portion 713 to be described later.
And a direction changing passage portion 722 that leads to the direction.

At the lower end of the vertical passage portion 721, a ball clogging prevention projection 723 is provided to protrude forward. By the ball clogging prevention protrusion 723, the center position of the lowest ball among the balls vertically stopped in the vertical passage portion 721 is always positioned ahead of the center position of the ball above it. As a result, the downward moving pressure of the upper sphere acts so as to always press the lowest sphere forward, thereby preventing clogging of the sphere.

In the middle of the discharge section 713 of each guide gutter 710, a non-contact discharge ball detection sensor 730 (discharge sensors 1 and 2) for detecting a flowing ball is provided. In the middle of each discharge unit 713, the discharge sensor 73 is used.
Immediately after 0, the stopper 74 constituting the discharging means 740 is used.
There is provided a notch 703 in which 5 can appear. Each of the stoppers 745 is rotatably supported by a support shaft , and a connecting pin 746 is provided on one side of the stopper 745 so as to project therefrom.
6 and the lower end of the operating rod 742 of the discharge solenoid 741 are connected by a connecting plate 747, respectively.

When the discharge solenoid 741 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the operating rod 742 is lowered, and the tip of the stopper 745 is moved from the notch 703 to the guide gutter 7.
10 into the discharge sections 713, respectively.
13 to prevent the game balls from flowing down. On the other hand, when the discharge solenoid 741 is excited (turned on), the operating rod 742 rises and the stopper 745 is rotated in the upward direction, comes out of the notch 703 of the discharge portion 713, and the ball in the discharge portion 713 Is released, and the spare ball in the guide gutter 710 is discharged to the lower discharge gutter 155.

As described above, the ball discharge device 170 of the above embodiment is used.
Since the discharge sensor 730 detects the flowing balls one by one and stops the discharge by operating the stopper 745 when the predetermined number is reached, the prize balls and the lending balls having different numbers of discharged balls as described above. Can be discharged by the same ball discharge device. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 750 denotes a ball removal sensor 750 for detecting that a ball removal rod has been inserted through an operation hole (not shown) provided in the front frame 101 of the pachinko gaming machine 100. When the ball removal sensor 750 is turned on, the discharge solenoid 741
Are continuously excited to discharge the spare ball in the guide gutter 710 and actuate the driving means (solenoid) of the flow path switching valve 158 in the discharge gutter 155 to discharge the discharged ball through the ball extraction gutter 157. It is designed to be discharged outside.

The ball removal sensor 750, the discharge solenoid 741, and the discharge sensor 730 are provided by the discharge control device 600.
(See FIG. 4). FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a control system of the pachinko gaming machine 100. This control system can be roughly divided into a game board control circuit mainly controlling a game board of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
Board control device 400 as a game , and ball lending control device 500 as a ball lending control circuit for controlling a card reader or the like
A discharge control circuit for controlling the ball discharge device 170 ;
And a discharge control device 600. Among the above control devices, the game board control device 400 receives a detection signal from various winning ball detectors provided on the game board 102 of the pachinko game machine, forms a drive signal of the accessory, and controls the back of the pachinko game machine. In response to a signal from a detector (safe sensor) 181 in the winning ball separation detecting device 180 provided on the mechanism panel, a safe solenoid 182 for winning ball separation is operated or a drive signal for the speaker 190 is formed.

Further, the game board control device 400 monitors the game state and informs the pachinko store management device 700 of information regarding the state of the pachinko machine being operated, occurrence of a big hit, occurrence of a hit, etc. It has a function to communicate. The discharge control device 600 controls a pair of stoppers 745 provided in the middle of the two guide gutters 710 in the ball discharge device 170 based on a discharge command signal from the ball lending control device 500 or the game board control device 400. When the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b to be operated are excited, the discharge sensor 730 is activated.
a, and discharges a predetermined number of spare balls in each guide gutter 710 based on the detection signals of 730b, and discharge solenoid 74 based on an ON signal from ball release switch 750.
1a and 741b are excited, and the drive source of the flow path switching valve 158 is operated to store the storage tank 151 and the guide gutter 152.
Or to discharge all the spare balls inside.

The discharge control device 600 is provided with an open / close switch 10 provided on the base frame 109 of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
3 (see FIG. 1), an overflow detector 104 (see FIG. 2) provided in the middle of the overflow gutter 156, and a detection signal from the standby ball detector 160 provided in the middle of the guide gutter 152 are discharged. Solenoids 741a, 74
In addition to suspending the excitation of 1b, the discharge by the ball discharge device 170 is stopped, and at the time of discharge, for example, the prize ball discharge display lamp 112 or the lending ball discharge display lamp 113 is turned on according to the contents of the discharge command signal, or the game board control. Device 40
For 0, a prize ball or lending ball ejection sound request signal is transmitted. Further, the discharge control device 600 includes the replenishment sensor 1
06 or a signal from the out sensor 107, the completion lamp 108 is turned on, or the pachinko parlor management device 70
For 0, a replenishment request signal K, a discharged prize ball number signal I, a discharged lending ball number signal J (for example, the number of discharged balls is 25 in one pulse), an out-ball number signal L, and the like are transmitted as data. It is configured.

The ball lending control device 500 receives the read data from the card reader in the ball lending machine 200 and displays a display drive signal X for the balance display 122 and an effective display lamp 230 for displaying that the card reader is in the operating state. Ball lending possible display 126 provided in a pachinko or pachinko gaming machine
, And a balance data rewrite signal q, a punch hole processing signal m, and a card ejection signal n for the card reader control device 250. In addition, the ball lending control device 500 receives an on signal of the ball lending conversion switch (123) and the card return switch (124), sends a ball lending request signal T to the discharge control device 600, and transmits a ball lending request signal to the card management company. 1 for the management device 800
It also has a function of transmitting a card payment signal j indicating that conversion to a lending ball for a degree (100 yen) has been performed.

FIG. 5 shows a specific configuration example of the game board control device 400 as the game board control circuit . That is, the game board control device 400 according to this embodiment includes a prize ball number determining unit 410 that determines the number of prize balls to be discharged based on the detection signal from the safe sensor 181, the determined prize ball data B and its strobe. Discharge control device 6 for signal C
A prize ball data transmitting means 420 for outputting to the game machine 00, a game control means 430 for controlling a game based on a signal from the game board 102, a drive signal for a safe solenoid 182 for separating a prize ball, and a pachinko parlor management apparatus. 7
It comprises an output unit 440 for forming a status signal for 00 and an audio output unit 450 for driving the speaker 190.

The winning ball number determining means 410 detects a rising edge of a detection signal from the safe sensor 181 to form a winning ball detecting signal, for example, and a winning ball detecting means 411 ;
To a prize ball number storage means 412 for storing the number of prize balls for one prize ball detection signal, and to a specific prize area provided in a game board or the like and giving a prize ball number different from the number of prize balls for general prize balls. Specific winning number storage means 413 for storing the number of winning game balls is configured to output a predetermined prize ball data corresponding to each winning ball when a winning ball is detected.

The safe sensor 181 is provided in the winning ball separation detecting device 180, and receives a response signal (reading confirmation signal) H from the discharge control device 600 to output the safe solenoid 18.
Since two drive signals are formed and the winning balls are separated and detected one by one, the discharge command signal is formed exactly as many as the number of general winning balls according to the occurrence. However, since the detection signal of the specific winning ball is continuously input to the game board control device 400, in this embodiment, the specific winning number storage means 413 for storing the detected number of the specific winning ball is provided. And
This specific winning number storage means 413 uses the response signal H from the discharge control device 600 as a control signal when the readout signal is A
By feeding back the information through the ND gate 421, the memory is decremented by one every time the discharge of one winning ball is completed.

The game control means 430 includes a specific winning ball detecting means 431 similar to the above-mentioned winning ball detecting means 411 and a signal for outputting a control signal for driving a solenoid or a motor provided on the game board or a big hit signal P. It is provided with forming means 432 and the like. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the audio output unit 450. The sound output means 450 includes a game sound request signal X for requesting generation of a game sound such as a sound effect accompanying driving of the solenoid from the game control means 430, and a discharge control device 600.
, A prize ball discharge sound request signal D and a lending ball discharge sound request signal E are input.

In the voice output means 450, R for storing voice generation codes respectively corresponding to the three types of request signals are stored.
Voice generating means 4 such as OM (Read Only Memory)
51, 452, 453, a sound generator 457 for generating a signal for driving the speaker 190 based on the signal output from these sound generating means, and which of the request signals should be given priority to generate the corresponding sound. And a priority control means 458 for determining, and when a plurality of request signals are received at the same time, a voice generating means having the highest priority is selected to output a voice code. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the discharge control device 600.

The discharge control device 600 as a discharge control circuit of this embodiment includes a control unit 610 including a microcomputer and the like, a frame sensor 103 and an overflow detector 1.
04, a discharge enable condition confirming unit 620 that forms a discharge enable signal based on a signal from the standby ball detector 160 and indicates whether the ball discharge device 170 is in a dischargeable state and supplies the signal to the control unit 610; A state output unit 630 that outputs a status signal indicating a discharge state of the prize ball discharge, ball lending, supply, or the like to the management device 700;
A counter 640 that counts the signal from the counter 07 and supplies an out signal to the management device 700 for every 10 balls, and a display driving unit 650 that drives the segment type lending ball discharge display lamp 113 and the prize ball discharge display lamp 112. And the like.

The discharge control device 600 includes an input buffer BFFi that receives control signals from various sensors, the game board control device 400, and the ball lending control device 500, and a control unit 610.
And an output buffer BFFo for outputting a control signal from the controller to an external control device, and a driver DRV for forming drive signals for various solenoids. The dischargeable condition checking means 620 includes an AND gate G2 that calculates the logical product of the detection signals from the detectors 103, 104, and 160, and a discharge enable signal indicating that discharge is possible only when all the detectors are on. A is given to the control unit 610. As a result, the front frame 101 of the pachinko gaming machine is open, the overflow gutter 156 is full of prize balls, or there is no spare ball in the guide gutter 152.
The discharge operation in a situation where it is not desirable to discharge is suspended.

The control unit 610 includes a prize ball discharge control unit 616 and a lending ball discharge control unit 617 as shown in FIG.
And a ball ejection control unit 618 and a power failure control unit 619. The prize ball discharge control unit 616 receives the prize ball data B from the game board control device 400 and the data strobe signal C indicating the timing of capturing the prize ball data B, stores the number of prize balls, and outputs the detection signal from the discharge sensor 730 Prize ball discharge count storage calculation unit 661 that calculates the actual discharge count based on the
And an emission control signal forming unit 662 that determines the remaining number of emissions based on the calculated number of emissions and forms a drive signal for the emission solenoids 741a and 741b.

The discharge control signal forming section 662 includes a drive signal for the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b, a prize ball discharge end signal M, a prize ball discharge number signal N indicating that the discharge number has reached 10, and a prize ball. Status signal R indicating that discharging is in progress
Is formed and output. The lending ball discharge control unit 617 includes a data storage unit 671 that stores a conversion rate to lending balls and an upper limit of an amount that can be converted into lending balls continuously at one time, and a lending request signal T from the lending ball controller 500. The lending-ball discharge number storage operation unit 672 that starts the lending of the lending balls based on the detection signals from the discharge sensors 730a and 730b based on the detection signals from the discharge sensors 730a and 730b, and the remaining number of litters based on the calculated number of discharges Control signal forming unit 673 for determining a drive signal of the discharge solenoid 741 and a signal indicating the number of discharges from the discharge control signal forming unit 673 and the data storage unit 67
A lending ball upper limit determination unit 674 that determines whether the lending ball has reached the upper limit based on the upper limit value from 1 and prohibits further discharge when the upper limit is reached. When the ball lending request signal T is set to a high level, the conversion rate stored in the data storage unit 671 is the lending ball discharge number storage calculating unit 6
72, whereby the formation of a lending ball discharge signal is started.

The discharge control signal forming section 673 includes a ball lending ready signal U indicating that lending balls can be discharged, a signal Q indicating that lending balls are being discharged, and a lending, provided that the prize ball discharge control section 616 is not performing prize ball discharge control. A signal O indicating the end of ball discharge is formed and output. The ball ejection control unit 618 includes the prize ball discharge control unit 6.
16 and the lending ball discharge control section 617 are activated by an ON signal from the ball removal sensor 750 on condition that the discharge control is not being performed, and the discharge solenoid 741 and the flow path switching valve 1
It has a function of outputting a signal for driving the solenoid 58 and a signal p indicating that ball ejection is being performed.

The power failure control unit 619, as shown in FIG.
A power failure detection means 691 for detecting the occurrence of a power failure when the number of waves of the power supply waveform of the AC power supply becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number,
Power failure recovery detecting means 695 for detecting the recovery of the power supply voltage based on a signal from the voltage level detecting means and the like, and progressing based on status signals R and Q from the prize ball discharge control unit 616 and the lending ball discharge control unit 617. Discharge mode storage means 692 for storing the discharge mode of the discharge ball number, and discharge ball number storage means 6 for storing the discharge ball number during each discharge operation by the discharge number signals a and b.
93 and discharge continuation control means 694 for continuing the discharge interrupted by the power failure from the middle when the power failure is recovered.

The discharge mode storage means 692 and the discharge ball number storage means 693 are constituted by, for example, a RAM (random access memory) backed up by a battery 696, and when the power failure detection means 691 detects the occurrence of a power failure, Discharge mode and discharge mode storage means 692
And when the power outage is restored, the discharge continuation control means 694 is activated to determine whether the discharge by the prize ball discharge control unit 616 or the lending ball discharge control unit 617 has been interrupted. According to the result, the number of balls held in the number-of-discharged-balls storage means 693 is stored in the prize-ball discharge control unit 616 or the lending-ball discharge control unit 617.
The remaining number of balls is discharged by continuing the discharge interrupted when a power failure occurs.

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a ball lending control device 500 as a ball lending control circuit . The ball lending control device 500 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 510 including a single-chip microcomputer, a transceiver 502 for interfacing data transmission and reception between the control unit 510 and the card reader control device 250, and a segment type display. Display driving means 503 for forming a driving signal of a balance display comprising:
And ball lending possible display 126 and ball lending validity display lamp 2
Buffers 504a and 504 which receive signals from drive circuits DRV1 and DRV2 driving drive 30 and return button 124 and conversion button 123 and input to control section 510.
04b, a relay 505 for supplying a card settlement signal j to the card management device 800, and the conversion switch 12
3 is constituted by a ball lending number setting means 506 and the like for setting the number of discharges for one operation (100 yen is regarded as one time).

The control unit 510 reads data from the card reader control device 250, and writes data and control signals for the card reader control device 250 and forms display data for the balance display unit 122. A ball lending request control means 512 for generating a ball lending request signal T to the emission control device 600; and a ball lending request signal to the ball lending request control means 512 when a conversion request signal is input from the conversion button 123. Ball lending request validating means 51 for generating a control signal t for permitting generation of T
And 3. Ball lending number setting means 506
Can be constituted by a storage means such as a ROM or a setting device such as a slide switch.

When the ball lending request control means 512 receives the control signal t from the ball lending request validation means 513, the ball lending request control means 512 performs discharge control based on the ball lending enable signal U indicating that the ball lending can be discharged from the discharge control device 600. Ball lending request signal output means 521 for forming a ball lending request signal T to the device 600;
The number-of-discharges counting means 522 that counts the number of times the ball has been discharged in response to the payout completion signal V from the discharge control device 600; A comparator 523 for negating the ball lending request signal T when they match and a signal u indicating that the card balance has become "0" from the card control means 511 and a signal from the return button 124 A ball lending request canceling means 524 for negating the ball lending request signal T immediately when a signal comes in.

The drive circuit DRV1 for driving the ball lending possible display 126 receives the ball lending request signal T, and the ball lending possible display lamp 126 only while this signal is negated.
Is turned on, and is turned off while the ball lending request signal T is asserted. FIG. 11 shows a specific configuration example of the card control unit 511 of the ball lending control device 500. That is, the card control unit 511 extracts the card balance from the read data sent from the card reader control unit 250.
41, balance storage means 542 for storing the read balance data, amount subtraction means 544 for subtracting the stored contents of the balance storage means 542 based on the lending ball payout completion signal V from the discharge control device 600, Punch hole processing control means 54 for giving a punching command to a punch device in a card reader every time the amount of money in storage means 542 reaches a predetermined number
5, a card balance determination unit 546 for determining whether or not the amount stored in the balance storage unit 542 has become zero, and a zero amount signal u from the determination unit 546, a card return request signal from the return button 124, and the like. Card insertion / ejection control means 54 which forms a card ejection command signal n for the insertion / ejection motor of the card reader and a control signal of ball lending possible display 126
7 and the settlement information for forming the settlement signal j that informs the card management device 800 that manages the amounts of all the cards that the prepaid card has been used once (eg, 100 yen) based on the lending ball payout completion signal V. Forming means 548. This payment signal j can be transmitted to a computer of a card management company via a transmission line. The card balance reading means 541, the balance storage means 542 for storing the read balance data, and the amount subtraction for subtracting the contents stored in the balance storage means 542 based on the lending ball payout completion signal V from the discharge control device 600. The means 544 constitutes the balance data control means 549. Then, the contents of the balance storage means 542 are updated each time the loaned ball is paid out, and the balance storage means 542 is updated.
Is displayed on the balance display 122 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100.

Next, the procedure of controlling the discharge of a lending ball and a prize ball performed by the above-described discharge control device 600 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The discharge control of the prize ball is started at the same time when the power of the discharge control device 600 is turned on, and the process is repeatedly performed as long as the power is turned on, so-called background control process (FIG. 12).
Interrupt processing in which the background control processing is interrupted during the background control processing and executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 0.5 msec) by a timer interrupt after the power is turned on (see FIG. 13) are roughly classified into two control processes, and these two control processes are executed by the control unit 610 including a CPU.

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 discharge control device 600 is turned on as described above. When the power is turned on, first, it is determined in step S1 whether or not the “power failure flag” is “1”. This "power failure flag"
Is set to "1" when a power failure is detected in the processing described later (FIG. 26).

When the result of the determination in step S1 is "No", the operation proceeds to step S2 , and when the result is "Yes", the operation proceeds to step S2 .
Proceeding to step S13 , the "processing number" prepared in the reference area in the RAM is set to "5" and then step S13 is executed.
Proceed to 3. This is because the power failure recovery process (step S15) is performed later. In step S2, initial settings such as clearing the RAM, setting flags, and resetting the output buffer are performed. In the following step S3, after confirming that the illegal discharge is not performed by performing the discharge device illegal monitoring process (FIG. 27) described later, the process proceeds to step S4, and the discharge illegal flag set in the above process is set to " It is determined whether the flag is "1". If the flag is "1", the unauthorized release processing of step S14 is performed.
Go to 5. In steps S5 to S9, it is determined whether or not the number is "5" or "4", "3", "2", or "1" with reference to the processing number (processing NO).

When the value of this process number is "5", a power failure recovery process (FIG. 50) to be described later is started, and when the value is "4", a ball removal process to be described later (FIGS. 40 to 42). When the value is “3”, the later-described ball lending discharge process (FIG. 39) is started, and when the value is “2”, the later-described prize ball discharge process (FIG. 32) is started. When the value is "1", a prize ball start process (FIG. 29) described later is started. When the corresponding process is executed, the process number is changed to another number or reset to "0" in the process flow.

On the other hand, if the processing number is "0", the process proceeds to step S10, where it is determined whether or not the ball-extraction flag is "1". If the flag is "1", the processing number is set to "1" in step S20. Set to 4 ". This is for shifting to the ball-pulling-out processing of step S16 when the main routine is executed again. If it is determined in step S10 that the ball extraction flag is "0", the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is checked whether or not a ball lending request signal V is received from the ball lending control device 500. If the signal is received, a ball lending start process (FIG. 38) is executed. If there is no ball lending request signal, step S12 is performed. Proceed to. In step S12, if it is checked whether or not a prize ball discharge request (strobe signal C of prize ball data) is received from the gaming board control device 400, the process number is set to "1" in step S22. This is for shifting to the winning ball start processing of step S19 when the main routine is executed again. Step S
If there is no ejection request in step 12, after the supply process (FIG. 43) and the information output process (FIG. 44) are executed, the above-described step S3 is performed.
Return to

FIG. 13 shows a procedure of a timer interrupt process performed by the discharge control device 600 every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 msec) elapses, prior to the main routine (background process) of FIG. I have. This interrupt processing is performed for reading various input signals. When the interrupt processing is started, first, the count values of various timers are updated (step S40), then a ball lending request detection processing (step S41), a prize ball data detection processing (step S42), a frame sensor Input processing (step S43), input processing of the discharge sensor 1 (step S44), input processing of the discharge sensor 2 (step S4).
6), discharge sensor 1 level input processing (step S4)
8), discharge sensor 2 level input processing (step S5)
0), input process of a ball sensor (step S52), input process of a replenishment sensor (step S54), input process of an overflow detector (step S56), input process of a standby ball detector (step S58), and out sensor input process (Step S60) is sequentially performed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the ball lending request detection processing routine performed in step S41. In this processing routine, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous ball lending counter prepared in the RAM and updated in the ball lending discharge processing routine of FIG. 39 is "5" (step S4102). If there is, step S41
The process proceeds to step 04 to check whether or not a prize ball is being discharged. If the prize ball is being discharged, the ball lending request flag is reset and the process ends (step S4118). If a prize ball is not being discharged, it is determined in the next step S4106 whether or not a ball is being discharged. If a ball is being discharged, the process ends without doing anything. In this embodiment, even if one conversion to a lending ball is set to a unit such as 200 yen or 300 yen, 10 conversions are required for the discharge solenoid.
This is because a discharge command is issued in units of 0 yen.

If it is determined in step S4106 that ball lending is not being performed, the flow advances to step S4108 to determine whether the ball lending request signal T is at a low level.
s "If the signal is continuously check whether has become 5m second low level (step S4120). ball lending request signal is A support after confirming that the succession has become 5m seconds low level
This is to prevent malfunction due to noise by judging that the operation has been performed. If "No" is determined in step S4120, nothing is performed, and if "Yes", the ball lending request flag is set, and the process ends (step S4122). Accordingly, “Yes” is determined in step S11 in the main routine of FIG. 12, and the ball lending start processing S21 is started. Further, step S41
If “No” in 08, that is, it is determined that the ball lending request signal T is at the high level, the process advances to step S4110 to determine whether the ball lending request signal T is continuously at the high level (H level) for 5 ms. . If the high level is continuously attained for 5 msec, it is determined that there is no ball lending request, the continuous ball lending counter is cleared, the ball lending request flag is reset, and the P-unit ready flag indicating that ball lending is possible is set. Clear to "0" and end the processing (step S4
124, S4126, S4128).

On the other hand, “Ye” is determined in step S4102.
If s ", the flow advances to step S4112 to determine whether or not the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 is at a high level. If the ball lending request signal T is at a low level (L level), If the ball lending request signal T is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S4114, and the ball lending request signal T is continuously 5 m.
It is determined whether the level is high for a second. If the ball lending request signal T is continuously at the high level for 5 msec, it is determined that the ball lending request signal T has been negated, the continuous ball lending counter is cleared, and the process ends (step S411).
6). This is to avoid conversion exceeding 500 yen at a time.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a winning ball data detection processing routine performed in step S42. In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the ball is being discharged (step S4202). If the ball is not being discharged, the process proceeds to step S4204 to determine whether or not the prize ball discharging process has already been started. End the process without doing
If the prize ball is not being discharged, the flow advances to step S4206 to check whether the data strobe signal C from the game board control device 400 has been asserted to a low level. Here, if it is determined that the data strobe signal C is at the low level, the process proceeds to step S 4212 to determine whether the signal is continuously at the low level for 10 ms or more, and if “Yes”, the number of award balls from the game board control device 400. After reading the data B, the prize ball request flag is set and the process is terminated (steps S4214 and S4216). As a result, FIG.
In step S12 of the second main routine, "Yes" is determined, and the processing number is set to "1". Thereafter, "Yes" is determined in step S9, and the prize ball start processing S19 is started. In this embodiment, as described above,
Data strobe signal C as a start signal
Prize ball count day
Data strobe because data B is read.
If the level of signal C is set correctly by the game board control circuit
Or abnormal signal such as noise
And can accurately capture the prize ball number signal,
Incorrect prize ball ejection can be prevented. The number of prize balls is game
Are directly related to the interests and disadvantages of the
If the prize ball is not ejected, the player
Amusement stores lose their credibility
Use a control method such as that in the embodiment.
Thus, the loss of credit of the game store can be prevented.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4202 that the ball is being lent and discharged, the flow shifts to step S4208 to reset the prize ball number data and the prize ball request flag set in steps S4214 and S4216, and terminate the process. (Step S4210). This is for giving priority to the ball lending discharge processing over the prize ball discharge processing. However, the ball lending discharge processing is prioritized only when the prize ball count data and the prize ball request flag are set, and once the prize ball discharge operation is started, the prize ball discharge processing is reset. This is dealt with in the ball lending request detection processing of FIG. 14 so as not to be performed (see steps S4104 and S4118).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the frame sensor input processing routine performed in step S43. This frame sensor input processing is a game console information output processing flow (FIG. 7) which takes in a signal of the frame sensor 103 provided in the pachinko gaming machine and forms a signal to be output to the hall management device 700 in the information output processing S24. 48)
This is a process for setting a frame opening flag and a frame closing flag used in the process of forming a frame opening signal inside.
When this routine is started, first, in step S4300
It is determined whether or not the output signal of the frame sensor 103 is at a high level (frame sensor output = "1").

It is now assumed that the front frame 101 of the pachinko gaming machine is closed. Then, the determination result of step S4300 is “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step S4302 to determine whether the frame closing flag is “1”. Here, since the determination flags are all set to “0” in the initial setting (step S2 in FIG. 12), the determination in step S4302 and the determination in the next step S4304 (whether the frame closing monitoring flag is “1” or not) ) Are both "No",
The frame closing monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S430).
6), and set the frame opening monitoring flag to “0” (Step S)
4308) Further, the frame closing timer is set to a predetermined value (100 ms).
Is set (step S4310), and this routine ends.

If the frame sensor is still on when the next loop is started, the above-mentioned step S430 is performed.
The determination result of step S4302 is “No”, and the determination result of step S4302 is “Yes”.
s "and the step S4312 is executed. In the step S4312, it is determined whether or not the time of the frame closing timer started in the step S4310 has expired.
This routine is ended by skipping 314 and S4316. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S4312 is “Ye
s ", the frame sensor closing flag is set to" 1 "in step S4314, and the next step S43
At 16, the frame sensor open flag is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

On the other hand, "No" in step S4300
That is, when it is determined that the frame sensor 103 is off,
The flow proceeds to step S4318 to execute a routine consisting of steps S4318 to S4332, which are steps complementary to steps S4302 to S4316, to set the frame opening flag to “1” and the frame closing flag to “0”, respectively. To end this routine. In other words, first steps
The determination result is both "No" next flop S4318 (frame opening flag whether "1") and the next step S4320 (whether the frame opening monitor flag is "1" or), Step S43
After setting the frame opening monitoring flag to "1" at 22, the frame closing monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S432).
4) Then, a frame release timer is started (step S432).
6), end this routine.

If the frame sensor is still off when the next loop is started, step S430 is performed.
The determination result of 0 is “No”, the determination result of subsequent step S4318 is “No”, and the determination result of S4320 is “Yes”.
And step S4328 is executed. In this step S4328, it is determined whether or not the time of the frame release timer started in step S4326 has expired. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent step S433 is performed.
0, S4332 is skipped, and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S4328 is "Yes", the frame sensor open flag is set to "1" in a step S4330, and in the next step S4332, the frame sensor closing flag is reset (" (Set to "0"), and this routine ends. However,
As the set time of the frame opening timer started in step S4326, a time such as 1000 ms, which is much longer than the frame closing timer (step S4310), is selected. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1 performed in step S44.

This routine is for detecting the state of the discharge sensor 730a. When the prize ball is present inside, the output signal of the sensor becomes high level.
The output signal becomes low level when the prize ball flows out and no longer exists in the sensor temporarily or continuously. Therefore, in this routine, the sensor 730 is used.
When the output signal “a” rises from a low level to a high level, a discharge sensor 1 start-up flag described later is set to “1” to memorize that the prize ball has reached the inside of the sensor. On the other hand, when the output signal of the sensor 730a (hereinafter, referred to as the discharge sensor 1) falls from the high level to the low level, the discharge sensor fall flag described later is set to "1", and the prize ball is removed from the sensor. I remember what I did.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S4402 whether the output signal of the sensor 1 is at a high level (the output of the discharge sensor 1 = "1").
It is now assumed that one prize ball remains in the sensor 1 without discharging the prize ball. At this time, step S
The result of the determination at 4402 is “Yes”, and the
Steps 404 and thereafter are executed. In step S4404, it is determined whether the discharge 1 startup change flag is "1" in step S4404.
At 4406, it is determined whether the discharge 1 fall change flag is "1", at step S4408, whether the discharge 1 low level flag is "1", and then, at step S4410, the discharge 1 high level flag is "1". Is determined respectively. By the way, immediately after the initialization of the CPU 610, since all the flags are set to “0”, the step S
All the determination results in 4404 to S4410 are “No”, and in step S4412, the discharge 1 high level flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 was at the high level in the current loop. To end this routine.

In the subsequent loop, since the discharge 1 high level flag is set to "1", as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 holds the high level state, step S44 is performed.
02, S4404, S4406, S4408, S441
0 will be repeatedly executed. After that, the discharge of the prize ball is started, and when the prize ball which has stayed in the sensor 1 until then moves outside of the discharge sensor 1 and comes out of the sensor 1, the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 falls to low level. The result of the determination in step S4402 is "No", and steps S4432 and thereafter are executed.

When the processing after step S4432 is performed for the first time, the discharge 1 high level flag is "1" and the other flags are all "0".
The results of the determination in step S4432 (whether the discharge 1 fall change flag is “1”) and the next determination in step S4434 (whether the discharge 1 rise change flag is “1”) are both “No”, The result of the determination of the following step S4436 (whether the discharge 1 high level flag is "1") becomes "Yes", and steps S4438 and S4440 are executed.
In step S4438, the discharge 1 fall change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 has changed (falled) from the high level to the low level from the previous loop to the current loop. Step S4
At 440, the discharge 1 high level flag that has been set to "1" up to this point is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is continuously at the low level in the next loop, the discharge 1 fall change flag is set to "1" in step S4438 of the previous loop. Turns to “Yes”. Then, the subsequent step S4442
In steps S4448 to S4448, the discharge sensor 1 fall flag is set to "1" to store the fact that the prize ball has escaped from the inside of the discharge sensor 1 (step S4442). Discharge sensor 1 indicating that there is a prize ball
The rise flag (set to “0” when this step is executed for the first time after initialization) is reset to “0” (step S4444), and then the discharge 1 fall change flag is set to “0”. (Step S4446), and sets the discharge 1 low level flag to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 in this loop is low level (step S4448), and terminates this routine.

In the next and subsequent loops, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a low level, the discharge 1 fall change flag
Since the discharge 1 rise change flag and the discharge 1 high level flag are all “0” and the discharge 1 low level flag is “1”, steps S4402, S4432, and S443 are performed.
4, S4436 and step S4450 (determination of whether or not the discharge 1 low level flag is "1") are repeatedly executed (at this time, the determination result of step S4450 is "Y
At this time, the discharge sensor 1 fall flag is held at "1" and the discharge sensor 1 rise flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 falls from the high level to the low level,
When the output signal has risen to the high level again (when the step S4438 is executed in the previous loop, the discharge 1 fall change flag becomes “1”, and the sensor output rises to the high level in the current loop) In), the determination result of step S4402 changes to “Yes”, the determination result of step S4404 changes to “No”, and step S44
It is determined that the result of the determination in step 06 is "Yes". In step S4428, the discharge 1 rise change flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop. , Step S443
At 0, the discharge 1 fall change flag set to "1" at the time of the previous loop is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, the discharge 1 fall flag is set to "1" unless a low level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 falls (at least during the time when the main interrupt processing is performed twice). (The prize ball is sensor 1
The processing is not performed, and when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 generates noise and the signal falls instantaneously, the discharge 1 fall flag is erroneously set. It is not set to "1".

Next, consider a case where the next prize ball reaches the inside of the sensor 1 after the previous prize ball comes out of the sensor 1. At this time, the determination in step S4402 (determination whether or not the output signal of the sensor 1 is at the low level) is “Yes”, and the determination in step S4404 (the discharge 1 rise change flag is “1”) is performed. In this case, the determination result is “N
o, and it is determined in step S4406 whether the discharge 1 fall change flag is “1.” At this time, the determination result in step S4406 is also “No” (“0” in step S4446). Is set), the process proceeds to step S4408, and it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 low level flag is “1”.

At this time, since the discharge 1 low level flag is set to "1" in step S4448, the determination result in step S4408 is "Yes", and the flow advances to step S4414 to execute the discharge sensor from the previous loop to the current loop. In order to memorize that the output signal of No. 1 has changed (rising) from the low level to the high level, the discharge 1 rising change flag is set to "1", and the following step S4
At 416, the discharge 1 that has been set to “1” up to this point
The low level flag is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is continuously at the high level in the next loop, the discharge 1 rise change flag is set to "1" in step S4414 of the previous loop, so that the result of the determination in step S4404 is obtained. Turns to “Yes”. Then, the subsequent step S4418
In steps S4424 to S4424, the start-up flag of the discharge sensor 1 is set to "1" to store that there is a prize ball in the discharge sensor 1 (step S4418), and when the value is "1", the prize ball is output from the sensor. Is reset to "0" indicating that the sensor has come off (step S442).
0) Then, the discharge 1 rise change flag is reset to "0" (step S4422), and the discharge 1 high level flag is stored to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 in this loop is at the high level. Is set to "1" (step S4424), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at the high level, steps S4402 and S440 are performed.
4, S4406, S4408, and S4410 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the discharge 1 rise flag is held at "1" and the discharge 1 fall flag is held at "0". On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 has risen from the low level to the high level, if the output signal has fallen to the low level (Step S4414 was executed in the previous loop and the discharge 1 rise change flag Becomes “1” and the output signal of the current loop is low level), the determination result of step S4402 is “N”.
o ", the determination result in step S4432 is" No ", and the determination result in step S4434 is" Yes ". In step S4452, the fact that the output signal has fallen from the previous loop to the current loop is stored. The discharge 1 fall change flag is set to "1", and in step S4454, the discharge 1 rise change flag that was set to "1" in the previous loop is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

As described above, unless the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises and the high level state is detected for a predetermined time or more (at least during the time when the main interrupt process is performed twice), the discharge 1 rise flag is set. The process of setting to “1” (indicating that there is a prize ball in the discharge sensor 1) is not performed, and when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 generates noise, the discharge 1 is erroneously set. The upper flag is not set to "1".

By executing the above routine,
After the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises, the discharge sensor 1 start flag is set to “1” only when the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while the main interrupt process is performed twice), Therefore, the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 1. Conversely, after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 has fallen, the discharge sensor 1 fall flag is set to "1" only when the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while the main interrupt process is performed twice). Thus, the fall flag indicates that the prize ball has fallen out of the discharge sensor 1. The discharge sensor 1 rise flag and the discharge sensor 1 fall flag are referred to in the alternate discharge process in the background process (main routine) or the combined discharge process ( FIGS. 35 and 36 described later ) .

FIG . 18 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 2 performed in step S46 of the interrupt processing ( FIG. 17 ). This routine uses the discharge sensor 7
This is for detecting the state of 30b, and is performed in the same procedure as the above-described input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1. In this routine, similarly to the above-described input processing of the discharge sensor 1, when the output signal of the sensor 730b (hereinafter referred to as the discharge sensor 2) rises from a low level to a high level, the discharge sensor 2 rise flag is set to "1". Is set to "" to store that the prize ball has reached the inside of the sensor. On the other hand, when the prize ball falls from the high level to the low level, the discharge sensor 2 fall flag is set to "1" and the prize ball is set in the sensor. I try to memorize that I have escaped.

Specifically, when this routine is started,
First, in step S4602, it is determined whether the output signal of the sensor 2 is at a high level (the output of the discharge sensor 2 = “1”). It is assumed that a prize ball is not ejected and one prize ball remains in the sensor 2. At this time, the determination result of step S4602 is “Yes”, and the steps from step S4604 are executed. Step S46
In step S4606, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 rise change flag is "1" in step S4606, and whether or not the discharge 2 fall change flag is "1" in step S4608.
It is determined whether the low level flag is “1”, and then, in step S4610, whether the discharge 2 high level flag is “1”.

By the way, immediately after the initialization of the CPU 610, all the flags are set to "0".
The results of the determination in steps 4604 to S4610 are all “No”, and in step S4612, the discharge 2 high level flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 was at the high level in the current loop. To end this routine. In the subsequent loop, since the discharge 2 high level flag is set to “1”, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 holds the state of the high level, step S460 is performed.
2, S4604, S4606, S4608, S4610
Is repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, the discharge of the prize ball is started, and when the prize ball which has stayed in the sensor 2 until then moves outside the discharge sensor 2 and comes out of the sensor 2, the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 becomes low level. Falling in step S4
The result of the determination in 602 is “No” and the step S463
2 and subsequent steps are executed. When the processing after step S4632 is performed for the first time, since the discharge 2 high level flag is “1” and all other flags are “0”, the determination in step S4632 (the discharge 2 fall change flag is “1”). 1), the result of the determination in the next step S4634 (whether the discharge 2 rise change flag is "1") is "No", and the following step S4636 (the discharge 2 high level flag is "1"). Is "Yes"
As a result, steps S4638 and S4640 are executed.

In step S4638, the discharge 2 fall change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 has changed (falled) from the high level to the low level from the previous loop to the current loop. In the subsequent step S4640, the discharge 2 high-level flag that has been set to “1” up to this point is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends. In the next loop, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is continuously at the low level, the discharge 2 fall change flag is set to "1" in step S4638 of the previous loop.
The result of the determination at 4632 turns to “Yes”. Then, in the following steps S4642 to S4648, the discharge sensor 2 fall flag is set to "1" in order to store that the prize ball has come out of the discharge sensor 2 (step S4642), and the value is set to "1". At this time, the discharge sensor 2 start flag indicating that there is a prize ball in the sensor 2 (set to “0” when this step is executed for the first time after initialization) is reset to “0” (step S4644). Then, the discharge 2 fall change flag is reset to "0" (step S4646), and the discharge sensor 2 in the current loop is reset.
Output 2 to memorize that the output signal of
The low level flag is set to "1" (step S46).
48) This routine ends.

In the next and subsequent loops, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at the low level, the discharge 2 fall change flag
Since the discharge 2 rise change flag and the discharge 2 high level flag are all "0" and the discharge 2 low level flag is "1", steps S4602, S4632, and S463 are performed.
4, S4636 and step S4650 (determination of whether or not the discharge 2 low level flag is "1") are repeatedly executed (at this time, the determination result of step S4650 is "Y
At this time, the discharge sensor 2 fall flag is held at "1" and the discharge sensor 2 rise flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 falls from the high level to the low level,
When the output signal rises to the high level again (when the step S4638 is executed in the previous loop, the discharge 2 fall change flag becomes “1”, and the sensor output rises to the high level in the current loop) ), The determination result of step S4602 changes to “Yes”, the determination result of step S4604 changes to “No”, and step S46
It is determined that the result of the determination in step 06 is "Yes". In step S4628, the discharge 2 rise change flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop. , Step S463
At 0, the discharge 2 fall change flag that was set to "1" in the previous loop is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, the discharge 2 fall flag is set to "1" unless the low level state is detected for a predetermined time or more (at least during the time when the main interrupt processing is performed twice) after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 falls. (Prize ball is sensor 2
The processing is not performed, and noise is generated in the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 and the discharge 2 fall flag is erroneously set to "1", for example, when the signal falls instantaneously. "Is not set.

Next, consider a case where the next prize ball reaches the inside of the sensor 2 after the previous prize ball comes out of the sensor 2. At this time, the determination in step S4602 (determination whether or not the output signal of the sensor 2 is at a low level) is "Yes", and the determination in step S4604 (whether the discharge 2 startup change flag is "1") is performed. In this case, the determination result is “N
o, and it is determined in step S4606 whether the discharge 2 fall change flag is “1.” At this time, the determination result in step S4606 is also “No” (“0” in step S4646). Is set), the process proceeds to step S4608, and it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 low level flag is “1”.

At this time, since the discharge 2 low level flag is set to "1" in step S4648, the determination result in step S4608 is "Yes", and the flow advances to step S4614 to execute the discharge sensor from the previous loop to the current loop. In order to memorize that the output signal of No. 2 has changed (rising) from the low level to the high level, the discharge 2 rising change flag is set to "1", and the following step S4
At 616, the discharge 2 that has been set to “1” up to this point
The low level flag is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 continues to be at the high level in the next loop, the discharge 2 rise change flag is set to "1" in step S4614 of the previous loop. Turns to “Yes”. Then, the following step S4618
In steps S4624, the start-up flag of the discharge sensor 2 is set to "1" to store that there is a prize ball in the discharge sensor 2 (step S4618), and when the value is "1", the prize ball is The discharge sensor 2 fall flag indicating that the sensor has been removed is reset to "0" (step S4620),
Subsequently, the discharge 2 rise change flag is reset to "0" (step S4622), and the discharge 2 high level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 in this loop is at the high level. "(Step S4624) and terminates this routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at the high level, the aforementioned steps S4602, S460
4, S4606, S4608, and S4610 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the discharge 2 rise flag is held at "1" and the discharge 2 fall flag is held at "0". On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises from the low level to the high level, if the output signal falls to the low level (Step S4614 is executed in the previous loop and the discharge 2 rise change flag Is “1” and the output signal of the current loop is low level), the determination result of step S4602 is “N”.
o ", the determination result of step S4632 is" No ", and the determination result of step S4634 is" Yes ". In step S4652, the fact that the output signal has fallen from the previous loop to the current loop is stored. The discharge 2 fall change flag is set to "1", and in step S4654, the discharge 2 rise change flag set to "1" in the previous loop is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

As described above, after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises, unless the high level state is detected for a predetermined time or more (at least during the time when the main interrupt processing is performed twice), the discharge 2 rise flag is set. Is set to "1" (indicating that there is a prize ball in the discharge sensor 2), and when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 generates noise, the discharge 2 is erroneously performed. The rise flag is not set to "1".

By executing the above routine,
After the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises, the discharge sensor 2 start flag is set to "1" only when the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while the main interrupt process is performed twice), Therefore, the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 2. Conversely, after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 falls, the discharge sensor 2 fall flag is set to "1" only when the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while the main interrupt processing is performed twice). Therefore, the fall flag indicates that the prize ball has fallen out of the discharge sensor 2. The discharge sensor 2 rise flag and the discharge sensor 2 fall flag are used in the alternate discharge processing in the background processing (main routine) or the combined discharge processing ( FIGS. 35 and 36 described later).

FIG . 19 shows step S of the interrupt processing ( FIG. 13 ) .
48 is a flowchart showing a routine of a level input process of the discharge sensor performed at 48. In this level input processing, the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is set to a high level (sensor 1
Is a state in which a prize ball is detected) is a routine for determining whether or not the period during which the prize ball is detected has continued for a predetermined period or more.
Is set to “1” when a predetermined period (50 msec) has elapsed and stored, and the discharge sensor 1 is discharged when a second predetermined period (2 sec) elapses after the above change. This is stored by setting the 1 error release flag to "1". These two flags are used in the discharge device fraud monitoring process (see FIG.
8 ), prize ball start processing ( FIG. 29 ), ball lending start processing ( FIG. 3)
8 ), used in the ejection error recovery process ( FIG. 37 ).

When this routine is started, step S7
At 200, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level (discharge sensor 1 output = "1"). When the determination result is “No”, that is, when the output signal is at the low level, the discharge one ball presence flag is set to “0” (step S7202), the discharge sensor one ball presence flag is set to “0” (step S7204), and the discharge is performed. The 1-error monitoring flag is set to “0” (step S7206), and the above-described discharge 1 error cancel flag is set to “0” (step S7208), and the routine ends.

Here, in the loop where the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is determined to be at the high level, both the discharge 1 ball existence monitoring flag and the discharge 1 error monitoring flag are obtained immediately after the loop rises from the low level to the high level. This is used to determine whether or not the loop is a loop (steps S7212 and S7224 described later). Thereafter, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 changes from the low level to the high level, in the loop immediately after that, the determination result of the step S7200 becomes “Yes”, and in the subsequent step S7210, the discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag is set to “1”. It is further determined in step S7212 whether or not discharge 1
It is determined whether or not the ball presence flag is “1”. In this case, the determination results are both “No”, and in a succeeding step S7214, the one-ball discharge monitoring flag is set to “1”.
In step S7216, the one-ball discharge timer is set to the first predetermined period (50 msec), and the flow advances to step S7222.

In step S7222, it is determined whether the discharge 1 error release flag is "1". In this case (immediately after the output signal of the sensor 1 has changed from the low level to the high level), the determination result is "No", and in a succeeding step S7224, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 error monitoring flag is "1". In the current loop, this determination result is also “No”, so the discharge 1 error monitoring flag is set to “1” in step S7226, and the subsequent step S722.
At 8, the discharge 1 error timer is set to the second predetermined period (2 sec).
Is set and the routine ends.

In the next loop, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still at the high level, the aforementioned step S720
The determination result of 0 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S7210 is “No”, and the determination result of step S7212 is “Y”.
es ", the flow proceeds to step S7218. In step S7218, it is determined whether or not the timer with the ball set in step S7216 has timed out. When the determination result is" No "(the output signal When the first predetermined period has not yet elapsed since the change to
, Skip the following step S7220 and proceed to step S7222.

In this loop, this step S7222
Is "No", and the determination in step S7224 is "Yes", and the flow advances to step S7230. In step S7230, it is determined whether the discharge 1 error timer set in step S7228 has expired. If the determination result is "No" (the output signal has changed to a high level and the second If the predetermined period has not elapsed), the subsequent step S7322
Is skipped, and this routine ends. Further, in the next and subsequent loops, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at the high level, steps S7200, S7210, S7
212, S7218 and step S7222 and thereafter are repeatedly executed, and the determination result of step S7218 is “No”
Is changed to "Yes" (immediately after the elapse of the first predetermined period), in step S7220 the discharge sensor 1
The ball presence flag is set to "1", and thereafter, step S720
0, S7210 and step S7222 and thereafter are repeatedly executed.

Also, with regard to the processing after step S7222, steps S7222, S7224, and S7230 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at the high level, and the determination result of step S7230 changes from "No" to "Yes". When the state has been changed (immediately after the lapse of the second predetermined period), the above-described discharge 1 error release flag is set to “1” in step S7322, and thereafter, step S720 is performed.
0, S7210, and S7222 (when the discharge 1 error release flag is "1", the discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag is naturally "1") is repeatedly executed. And
When the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 has once changed to the low level, the flags are reset to “0” in steps S7202 to S7208. Therefore, even if the flag returns to the high level immediately after that, the processing in step S7210 and thereafter is performed again. It will be started from the beginning.

FIG. 20 shows the step S of the interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
5 is a flowchart showing a routine of a level input process of the discharge sensor 2 performed at 50. This routine is performed in the same procedure as the level input process of the discharge sensor 1 described above. This level input processing is a routine for determining whether or not a period in which the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level (a state in which the sensor 2 is detecting a prize ball) has continued for a predetermined period or more. After changing from a state without a prize ball to a state with a prize ball, a first predetermined period (50 msec)
Is set to "1" when the time has elapsed, and this is stored. When the second predetermined period (2 sec) has elapsed after the above change, the emission 2 error release flag is set to "1". This is stored by setting it to 1 ". These two flags are also used in the prize ball start processing (FIG. 29), the ejection error circuit processing (FIG. 37), etc., which will be described later in detail.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S7400 whether or not the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level (output of the discharge sensor 2 = "1"). When the determination result is “No”, that is, when the output signal is at the low level, the two-ball discharge flag is set to “0” (step S7402), the two-ball discharge sensor flag described above is set to “0” (step S7404), and the discharge is performed. 2 The error monitoring flag is set to “0” (step S7406),
The error release flags are set to “0” (step S7408), respectively, and the routine ends. Here, both the discharge 2 ball presence monitoring flag and the discharge 2 error monitoring flag are loops immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is determined to be at the high level, and the loop is immediately after rising from the low level to the high level. This is used to determine whether or not (Steps S7412 and S7424 described later).

Thereafter, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 changes from the low level to the high level, in the loop immediately after that, the determination result of the step S7400 is "Yes".
Then, in a succeeding step S7410, it is further determined whether or not the discharge sensor 2 ball existence flag is “1” in a succeeding step S7.
At 412, it is determined whether or not the two-ball discharge monitoring flag is "1". In this case, the determination results are both "No", and in the following step S7414, the discharge two-ball presence monitoring flag is set to "1", and in step S7416, the discharge two-ball presence timer is set to a first predetermined period (50 msec). Then, the process proceeds to step S7422.

In step S7422, it is determined whether the discharge 2 error release flag is "1". In this case (immediately after the output signal of the sensor 2 changes from the low level to the high level), the determination result is “No”, and in a succeeding step S7424, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 error monitoring flag is “1”. In the current loop, this determination result is also “No”, so the emission 2 error monitoring flag is set to “1” in step S7426, and the subsequent step S742
At 8, the discharge 2 error timer is set to the second predetermined period (2 sec).
Is set and the routine ends.

In the next loop, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still at the high level, the aforementioned step S740 is executed.
The determination result of step S7410 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S7410 is “No”, and the determination result of step S7412 is “Y”.
es ", the flow proceeds to step S7418. In step S7418, it is determined whether or not the timer with the ball set in step S7416 has timed out. When the determination result is" No "(the output signal is high level). When the first predetermined period has not yet elapsed since the change to
, Skip the following step S7420 and proceed to the step S7422.

In the current loop, this step S7422
Is "No", and the determination in step S7424 is "Yes", and the flow advances to step S7430. In step S7430, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 error timer set in step S7428 has expired. If the determination result is "No" (the output signal has changed to a high level and the second If the predetermined period has not elapsed), the subsequent step S7432
Is skipped, and this routine ends. Further, in the next and subsequent loops, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at the high level, steps S7400, S7410, S7
412, S7418 and step S7422 and thereafter are repeatedly executed, and the determination result of step S7418 is “No”
Is changed to “Yes” (immediately after the elapse of the first predetermined period), in step S7420 the discharge sensor 2
The ball presence flag is set to "1", and thereafter, step S740
0, S7410 and step S7422 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

Also in the processing after step S7422, steps S7422, S7424, and S7430 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at the high level, and the determination result of step S7430 changes from "No" to "Yes". At the time of switching (immediately after the lapse of the second predetermined period), the above-described discharge 2 error release flag is set to “1” in step S7432, and thereafter, step S740 is performed.
0, S7410, and S7422 (when the discharge 2 error release flag is "1", the discharge sensor 2 ball presence flag is of course "1") is repeatedly executed. And
When the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 has once changed to the low level, the flags are reset to “0” in steps S7402 to S7408. Therefore, even if the flag returns to the high level immediately after that, the processing after step S7410 is performed again. It will be started from the beginning.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing step S of the interrupt process shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart of the input processing routine of the ball removal sensor 750 performed in 52. The ball removal sensor 750 is, as described above, an operation for the staff of the game store to start the ball removal process, that is, an operation provided on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
This is for detecting that an operation of inserting a ball-extraction rod into a hole (not shown) is performed. When the insertion of the ball-extraction rod is detected, the output signal of the sensor 750 becomes a high level and is not detected. Sometimes, the output signal is held at a low level. By the way, in this flow, when the output signal from the sensor 750 changes from the low level to the high level, a ball pulling flag described later is set to “1”, and it is determined that the ball pulling process has been performed by a game store attendant. It has become. Then, the prize ball discharge control device starts the ball removal process (FIGS. 40 to 42) to be described later by the ball removal flag set to "1" (step S16 of the main routine).

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S5300 whether or not the above-mentioned processing number is "0". In the main routine (FIG. 12), when the processing number is not set to “0”, such as when the prize ball (ball lending) discharge start processing and the prize ball (ball lending) discharge processing are performed (at this time, Step S5300
(No in step S5303), without going to step S5303 or later, the ball removal sensor change flag is set to “0” (step S5301), and the ball removal sensor L level flag is set to “0” (step S5302). ), End this routine. Here, the ball-excluding sensor change flag is a flag for storing that the output signal of the sensor 750 has changed from low level (L) to high level (H) in this loop (set to “1” at this time). And the ball removal sensor L
The level flag is a flag for storing that the output signal of the sensor was low level (L) in the current loop.

By performing the above-described determination in step S5300, even when the game shop staff performs the ball-pulling operation, the ball-pulling processing described later (FIGS. No. 42) is prohibited. Now, if the prize ball is not discharged (process NO = “0”), and the ball is not inserted into the operation hole of the gaming machine 100 , the ball at the game store is changed by a staff at the game store. Let us consider a case where the state changes to a state where the punching bar is inserted.
When the prize ball discharging process is not performed, the determination result of the step S5300 is “Yes”, and in a succeeding step S5303, it is determined whether or not the ball removal sensor change flag is “1”. It is determined whether or not the removal sensor L level flag is “1”.

As described above, all the determination flags are set to "0" in the main routine (step S2 in FIG. 12) immediately after the power in the winning ball discharge control device 600 is turned on.
, And the processing N even after the initialization is performed.
When O is other than "0", steps S5301, S5
Since it is set to “0” in 302, the above-described step S5
The determination results of 303 and S5304 are both "No", and it is determined in step S5306 whether or not the output signal of the ball-absorbing sensor is at the L level (ball-absorbing sensor output = "0"). In a state where the ball-pull-out rod is not inserted into the operation hole 261, the output signal of the sensor 750 remains at the L level, and therefore, the determination result of the step S 5306 is “Ye”.
s ", the flow proceeds to step S5308, and the ball removal sensor L
The level flag is set to “1” and the routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, if the output signal of the ball-extraction sensor still holds the L level, the ball-extraction sensor L level flag is set to "1", and the result of the determination in step S5304 is "1". In step S5310, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the ball extraction sensor in this loop is at a high level (ball extraction sensor output = "1"). At this time (the output signal of the ball-extraction sensor holds the low level), the determination result is “No”, and the routine ends as it is. Therefore, as long as the output signal of the ball-absence sensor holds the L level, step S530
0, S5303, S5304, and S5310 are repeatedly executed.

In this state, when the ball-pulling rod is inserted into the operation hole and the output signal of the ball-pulling sensor changes from L level to H level, the result of the determination in step S5310 is "Yes".
In a succeeding step S5312, the ball removal sensor change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the ball removal sensor 750 has changed from a low level to a high level in the current loop, and then the ball is removed in a step S5314. The sensor L level flag 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 ball extraction sensor change flag is set to “1” by the execution of the step S5312 in the immediately preceding loop, so that the determination result in the step S5303 is “Yes”. Proceeding to step S5316, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the ball-absorbing sensor in this loop is at a high level (ball-absorbing sensor output = "1"). If the determination result is "Yes", that is, if the output signal is at the high level in the current loop following the previous loop, the ball removal flag is set to "1" in the subsequent step S5318, and the ball removal sensor is set in step S5320. The change flag is reset to “0”, and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, when the output signal of the ball-extraction sensor is still at the high level, the determination result in step S5303 changes to "No" (the ball-extraction sensor change flag is reset to "0"), and then in step S5304 , The determination result of step S5306 is both "No",
Thereafter, steps S5303, S5304, and S5306 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the ball-extraction sensor changes from low level to high level (immediately after execution of steps S5312 and S5314), when the output signal of the ball-extraction sensor changes to low level again, The determination result in S5316 is "No", and the step S532 (ball extraction flag = "1") is not executed, and the step S532 is executed.
After setting the ball-extraction sensor L level flag to "1" in step 2, the above-mentioned step S5320 is executed, and this routine ends.

As described above, when the output signal of the ball sensor changes from the low level to the high level, the output signal becomes H during at least two processing loops.
Only when the level is held, the ball-extraction flag is set to "1". Therefore, when noise or the like occurs, the ball-extraction flag is not erroneously set to "1". FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the replenishment sensor 106 performed in step S54 of the interrupt processing shown in FIG. As described above, the replenishment sensor 1
06 serves to detect the insufficiency of the game balls in the storage tank 151 (spare bulb), pooled pre spheres said Tan
It is configured to output a low level signal when it is accumulated up to the position where the replenishment sensor 106 is installed in the housing 151 and a high level signal otherwise.

Now, let us consider a case where the spare sphere is not filled up to the sensor installation position in the tank 151 (insufficient state). In this state, when the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600 and the routine is started, first, in step S5
At 002, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the sensor 106 is at a high level (supply sensor output = "1"). In this case, the determination result is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S50.
Go to 04. By the way, immediately after the initialization of the CPU 610, since all the flags are set to “0”, the step S
All the determination results in steps 5004 to S5010 are "No", and in step S5012, the supply H level flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal of the supply sensor was high level in the current loop. End the routine. Since the supply H level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loop, steps S5002, S5004, and S500 are performed as long as the output signal remains at the high level.
6, S5008, and S5010 are repeatedly executed.

After that, by replenishing game balls (spare balls)
When the spare sphere is filled to the position where the replenishment sensor 106 is installed in the storage tank 151 , the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 changes to low level, the determination result in step S5002 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step S5030 and thereafter. .
When the step S5030 is performed for the first time, the replenishment H level flag is "1" and all other flags are "0", so that the determination results in the step S5030 and the next step S5032 are both "No" and continue. Step S5034 becomes "Yes" and step S503 is performed.
6, S5038 is executed. In step S5036, the replenishment sensor 10
In order to store that the output signal of No. 6 has changed (falled) from the high level to the low level, the replenishment fall change flag is set to "1". In the subsequent step S5038, the flag is set to "1" in the previous loop. The supplied H level flag is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is continuously low in the next loop, since the replenishment fall change flag is set to "1" in step S5036 of the previous loop, the determination result of step S5030 is "Ye".
s ". Then, the following steps S5040 to S5
At 046, the replenishment sensor fall flag is set to “1” in order to store that the spare sphere has been filled to the position where the replenishment sensor 106 is installed in the storage tank 151 (step S504).
0) and a replenishment sensor start flag indicating that there is no prize ball at the installation position of the sensor 106 when the value is “1” (set to “0” when this step is executed for the first time after initialization). Is set to "0" (step S5042), and then the replenishment fall change flag is set to "0".
(Step S5044), the replenishment L level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 in this loop is at the low level (step S5046), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is at the low level, steps S5002 and S50 are performed.
30, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the replenishment sensor fall flag is held at "1" and the replenishment sensor rise flag is kept at "0". On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 has fallen from the high level to the low level, if the output signal has risen to the high level (Step S5036 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment fall change flag Is “1” and the sensor output is at the high level in the current loop), the determination result of step S5002 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S5004 is “No”, and the determination result of step S5006 is “Yes”.
In step S5028, the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop. The supply fall change flag set to "1" is returned to "0", and this routine is ended.

As a result, the supply fall flag is set to "1" unless a high level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the supply sensor 106 has fallen (at least during the execution of the main interrupt process twice). Set to ( storage tank 1
The processing is not performed, which indicates that the spare sphere has been filled up to the set position of the sensor 106 in 51 ), so that it is possible to cope with a case where noise is generated in the output signal of the supply sensor. . 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 position where the sensor 106 is installed in the storage tank 151 , and this routine is started.

First, in step S5002, the sensor 1
06 output signal is high level (supply sensor output =
It is determined whether or not “1”). In this case, the determination result is “No” and the process proceeds to step S5030. CP
Immediately after the initialization of U610, since all the flags are set to "0", steps S5030, S5032,
The determination results of 5034 and S5048 are all "No." In step S5054, the supply L level flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal of the supply sensor is low level in the current loop, and End the routine. In the subsequent loop, since the supply L level flag is set to "1", steps S5002, S5030, and S503 are performed as long as the output signal remains at the low level.
2, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, the prize balls are discharged to the tank 15.
When the position of the replenishment sensor 106 in 1 is less than the installation position,
The output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 becomes high level, the determination result in 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 the other flags are all "0".
The determination results of step S5004 and the next step S5006 are both “No”, and the subsequent step S5008 is “Ye”.
s ", and the step S5014 is executed. In the step S5014, the replenishment is performed in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 has changed (rising) from the low level to the high level from the previous loop to the current loop. The rising change flag is set to "1", and the subsequent step S50
In step S5054, the previous step S5054
Resets the supply L level flag set to "1" (sets to "0"), and terminates this routine.

When the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is continuously at the high level in the next loop, the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" in step S5014 of the previous loop. The determination result of step S5004 changes to "Yes". Then, in the following steps S5018 to S5024,
The replenishment sensor start flag is set to “1” to store that the prize ball has disappeared at the replenishment sensor 106 installation position in the storage tank 151 by the replenishment sensor 106 (step S).
5018) and when the value is “1”, the storage tank
The replenishment sensor fall flag indicating that there is a prize ball at the sensor installation position in the key 151 (set to "0" when this step is executed for the first time of initialization) is set to "0" (step (S5020) Then, the replenishment start-up change flag is reset to "0" (step S5022), and the replenishment H level flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 in the current loop is at the high level. 1 "(step S5024), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is at the high level, steps S5002 and S50
04, S5006, S5008, and S5010 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the supply start-up flag is held at "1" and the supply fall-down flag is held at "0". on the other hand,
In the loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 has risen from the low level to the high level, if the output signal has fallen to the low level (Step S5414 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment rise change flag is set to “1”). , And the current loop is at the low level), the determination result of step S5002 is “No”, the determination result of step S5030 is “No”, and step S503
In step S5050, the replenishment 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. In step S5052, 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 high level state is detected for a predetermined period of time after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 has risen for at least a predetermined time (at least during the time when the main interrupt process is performed twice), the replenishment start flag is set to “ Set to 1 "( storage tank
) Treatment is shown that the prize ball runs out sensor 106 installed position within 151 is adapted not performed, complement
It is possible to cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the supply sensor 106 or the like. The replenishment sensor rising flag and the replenishment sensor falling flag set to “0” or “1” in this manner are used in the replenishment process (FIG. 43) executed in step S23 of the main processing routine (FIG. 12). Can be

FIG. 23 shows the step S of the interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the input process of the overflow detector 104 performed in 56. The overflow detector 104 performs a main processing routine (FIG. 1).
This is for outputting a signal for determining the value of the overflow sphere absence flag used in the processing (FIGS. 29 and 38) performed in steps S19 and S21 of 2), and a prize in the overflow gutter 156. The output signal is at a high level when the sphere is accumulated above a certain level, and at a low level when the sphere is below a certain level. When this routine is started, first, in step S5400, it is determined whether or not the output of the detector is at a high level (overflow output = "1").

[0120] O in the overflow gutter 156 to now temporarily
The prize ball is discharged from the state where the prize ball has not reached the installation position of the bar flow detector 104 , and the overflow gutter 15
Consider the case where the change in the state reaching the position of the detector 104 in 6. If the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”. Since the determination flags are all reset to “0” at the beginning of this routine (step S2 in FIG. 12), the determination in the following step S5402 (whether the overflow ball absence flag is “1”) and the determination in step S5404 ( If the overflow ball non-monitoring flag is “1”, the result is “N
o ", the overflow sphere no monitoring flag is set to" 1 "(step S5406), the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is set to" 0 "(step S5408), and the overflow sphere no timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec). This is set (step S5410), and this routine ends.

Here, the overflow ball no-monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not a state in which the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector has been detected two or more times (control in step S5404). On the other hand, 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 continuously detected two or more times (determination in step S5420). In the next loop, if the prize ball has not reached the above position, the determination results in steps S5400 and S5402 are both “No”, and the subsequent step S5404
Is "Yes", and step S5412 is executed.

In step S5412, it is determined whether or not the ballless timer has timed out, that is, after it is first determined that the prize ball has not reached the detector mounting position (after execution of steps S5406 to S5410 described above). It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (2 sec) has elapsed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5414 and S54
Step 16 is skipped and this routine ends. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, in step S5414, the overflow ball no flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, and in step S5416, Reset the overflow sphere flag (set to the initial value "0" when this step is performed for the first time after initialization) ("0").
Is set) and the routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, unless the prize ball reaches the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”, and the determination result of step S5402 is “Yes”.
And these steps are repeatedly executed. Next, the prize balls discharged from this state accumulate and the detector 10
Let us consider the case where the position 4 is reached. 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 determination result is "No".
In subsequent step S5420, it is determined whether or not the overflow sphere monitoring flag is "1" . Since the overflow sphere monitoring flag has been set to "0" by the previous loop (step S5408). The result of this determination is "No", and the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S54).
22) 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.

In the next loop, the prize ball is continuously detected by the detector 1.
04 has reached the position of step S5400.
Is "Yes", 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, it is further determined whether or not the timer with a ball has timed out, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the prize ball has reached the above-described position (step S542 described above).
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed (after execution of steps S2426 to S5426). If the determination result is "No", the subsequent steps S5430 and S5432 are skipped, and this routine ends. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, in step S5430, the overflow ball presence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has reached the position of the detector, and the overflow is determined in the next step S5432. The ball absence flag is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, the overflow gutter 156
As long as the prize ball reaches the position of the detector 104 within
The result of the determination in step S5400 is "Yes" and the result of the determination in step S5418 is "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. As described above, in the present input processing, as in the case of the safe sensor, the output signal is changed from low level to high level (or from high level to low level).
In the loop immediately after the change, the change from the low level to the high level (or the change from the high level to the low level) is only stored (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the high level (or Low level)
And a predetermined time (2 sec.)
Only after elapse of c), 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").
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. 24 shows the step S of the interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
It is a flowchart which shows the routine of the input process of the waiting ball detector 160 (hereinafter, referred to as an odd sensor) performed at 58. The odd sensor 160 outputs a signal for setting an odd ball presence flag used in a prize ball start process (FIG. 29) to be described later. The output signal is set to a high level (when the spare balls are stored more than the number of prize balls discharged for two times), and set to a low level when the number of the spare balls is less than the above number and is in an odd state. When this routine is started, first, in step S5200 , it is determined whether or not the output of the standby sphere detector is at a high level (standby sphere detector output = "1").

Now, let us consider a case where a spare ball is supplied from the state where no spare ball is stored to the stand-by ball detector setting position of the guiding gutter 152 and reaches the above-described setting position. If the spare ball has not reached the installation position, step S52
The determination result of “ 00 ” is “No”. At this time, since the determination flags are all reset to "0" (step S2 in FIG. 12), the determination in the following step S5202 (whether the no- semisphere flag is "1") and the determination in step S5204 (no- semisphere no monitoring) Flag is “1”) are both “N”
o ", and sets the hemisphere no-monitoring flag to" 1 " .
( Step S5206 ), the odd-sphere presence monitoring flag is set to “0” ( step S5208 ), and the odd-sphere absence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) ( step S5210 ).
This routine ends.

Here, the half-sphere non-monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not the state where the spare sphere has not reached the installation position is detected ( step S5204 ). This flag is used to determine whether or not the state in which the reserve sphere has accumulated to the installation position is detected twice consecutively ( step S5220 ). In the next loop, if the reserve sphere is not accumulated up to the installation position, the above-mentioned steps S5200, S5
Both the determination results of step 202 are “No” and the following step S
The determination result of 5204 becomes “Yes”, and step S5
Step 212 is executed.

In this step S5212 , it is further determined whether or not 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 (after execution of the above-described steps S5206 to S5210 ). It is determined whether or not the time (2 seconds) has elapsed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5214 and S52
Step 16 is skipped and this routine ends. On the other hand,
If the determination result in step S5212 is “Yes”, in step S5214 , the odd ball no-flag is set to “1” to indicate that the spare ball has not accumulated to the sensor installation position of the guiding gutter 152, and the next step is performed. Step S5
At 216 , the odd-sphere 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 the routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare sphere does not accumulate at the above-mentioned installation position, the determination result of step S5200 is “N”.
o ", the result of the determination in step S5202 is" Yes ", and these steps are repeatedly executed. When the position is accumulated , the determination result of step S5200 becomes “Yes”.
In the following step S5218 , the odd-sphere presence flag for which it is determined whether or not the flag is "1" is still the initial value "0" at this time.
, The result of this determination is “No”,
The results of the determination of the next step S5220 (odd ball chromatic monitoring flag is either "1"), "No" next by the execution of the aforementioned step S5208, the process proceeds to step S5222.

[0131] Set to Step S5224 and sets, in step S5222 the odd ball chromatic monitor flag "1", the odd ball set to "0" no monitoring flag, further odd ball chromatic timer a predetermined value (a time of 2 sec) ( Step S
5226 ) This routine ends. In the next loop, if the reserve sphere continues to accumulate to the position of the odd sensor,
Question of the step S5200 is "Yes", stearyl
If the determination result in step S5218 is "No,"
The answer to the question of the flop S5220 is "Yes" (previous loop scan
Stearate is to be set to "1" in step S5222)
Step S5228 is executed.

In this step S5228 , it is further determined whether or not the ball- existing timer has timed out, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare ball has accumulated to the above-mentioned installation position (after execution of the above-described steps S5222 to S5226 ). It is determined whether or not the time (2 sec) has elapsed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5230 and S52
This routine is ended by skipping 32 . 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, the step is performed.
In step S5230 , the odd ball presence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the spare ball has accumulated to the position where the odd sensor 160 is set, and in the next step S5232 , the odd 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 where the odd sensor is installed in the guiding gutter 152, the step is continued.
The determination result of step S5200 is “Yes”, and step S52
The determination result at 18 is "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. As described above, in this input processing, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the odd sensor 160 changes from the low level to the high level (or from the high level to the low level), the change from the low level to the high level (or the change from the high level to the low level) ) Is only stored (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the first time after the predetermined time (2 sec) has elapsed from the time when the change is still at the high level (or low level) in the next loop and the above change. The routine output flag, which is the final output value of the routine, is changed to "1" (or the non-semisphere flag is set to "1"). By adopting such a control procedure, even if 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 generation or the like is not determined. Malfunction can be prevented.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the input signal input processing routine of the out sensor 107 performed in step S60 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 13). The number of out balls is counted by this processing. When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S6002 whether or not the out-sensor change flag is “1”. All flags used in this flow are "0" at the first initialization.
Since the out sensor change flag is "0" until the first out ball detection signal is input,
In step S6002, “No” is determined first. Then, subsequently, in step S6004, it is determined whether or not the outlow level flag is “1”. here,
If “No”, in step S6006 the out sensor 107
, It is determined whether or not the output is low level. If the output is low, the out-low level flag is set to "1" (step S600).
8) If high, terminate the routine without doing anything.

Once the out-low level flag is set to "1" in this way, in the next routine, "Yes" is determined in step S6004, and step S601 is performed.
0, and determines whether the signal from the out sensor 107 is at a high level (“1”). Here, out sensor 1
If the signal from 07 is high level, the out sensor change flag is set to "1", the out low level flag is cleared to "0", and the process is terminated (steps S6012 and S6012).
6014).

Next, when the routine is started, step S
It is determined “Yes” in 6002 and step S6016
Then, it is determined whether or not the out-low level flag is "0". Normally, when the out sensor change flag is "1", the out low level flag is "0" (step S6).
012 and S6014), so it is determined as “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S6018. In step S6018, the signal from the out sensor 107 is at a high level ("1").
Is determined. Here, if the signal from the out sensor 107 is at a high level, the out sensor change flag is cleared to “0”, the out counter is incremented (+1), and the process ends (steps S6020, S602).
2). After that, steps S6002 to S6004, S
The above procedure is repeated with 6006 to count the number of out balls.

Since the above-described routine is repeated every 0.5 ms by the timer interrupt, if noise of 0.5 ms or less is picked up and the out-sensor change flag is set to "1" in step S6010, Step S6
Since “No” is determined in 018, step S602
Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where the outlow level flag is set to "1" and the processing is terminated. That is, in the above routine, the number of out balls is incremented only after detecting the rising edge and confirming the high level, instead of counting the signal only at the rising edge of the out sensor. Therefore, erroneous counting of noise as a sensor output is prevented. Further, if the out-low level flag is set to "1" in step S6024, "No" is determined in step S6016 in the next routine, and the out-sensor change flag is cleared to "0" (step S6016). S6026)
Therefore, the setting of the out sensor change flag due to noise is also canceled.

In FIG. 26, in addition to the above-described interrupt processing, the number of power supply waveforms of the AC power supply is counted, and when the number of power supply waveforms becomes equal to or less than a predetermined number, the interruption is performed by an interrupt signal from a power failure detection means 691 for detecting occurrence of a power failure. An example of a specific procedure of the power failure interruption process is shown. In this interrupt routine, first, it is checked whether or not the discharging process is being performed. If the discharging process is not being performed, nothing is performed and the process ends (step S3002). If the discharge process is being performed, each discharge solenoid 7 of the two discharge paths is used.
After turning off 41a and 741b, discharge registers 1 and 2
The value of (see FIG. 31) is stored in the backed-up RAM (steps S3004-S3010). Then, it is determined whether the prize ball is being discharged or the ball is being discharged (step S).
3012) If the prize ball is being ejected, the number of prize balls not ejected is set to R
In the AM (step S3014), if the ball is being lent out, the data on the number of undischarged lending balls and the fact that the discharge to be interrupted is the ball lending discharge is stored in the RAM (step S301).
4, S3018). Then, the power failure flag assigned to the last backed up address in the RAM is set to "1", and the routine ends (step S30).
20). Since the interruption process can be performed in a very short time, the interruption process can be completed after the interruption signal from the power failure detection means 691 is input and before the power is actually lost.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a specific procedure of the discharge device illegality monitoring process S3 executed in the main process flow of FIG. 12 which is performed in parallel with the timer interrupt and the power failure interrupt process. In the monitoring process S3, first, one of the two discharge systems, the discharge solenoid 741a
Is turned on (step S1101), and "N
If "o", it is determined whether or not a rising flag indicating that the detection signal of the discharge sensor 730a has risen is "1" (step S1102). If "Yes", the discharge illegality monitoring counter 1 is incremented (step S1104).
This is because if there is a discharge ball even though the discharge solenoid is not turned on, this is detected as an illegal discharge.

If "Yes" in step S1101, that is, if it is determined that the discharge solenoid is on , the flow advances to step S1103 to clear the discharge illegality monitoring counter 1. Even if the discharge solenoid is not turned on, there is a discharge ball, and after the discharge irregularity monitoring counter 1 is incremented in step S1104, the rising flag of the discharge sensor 1 is once cleared to "0" and then the discharge irregularity monitor is performed. It is determined whether or not the value of the counter 1 has become "3" or more (steps S1105 and S1106). Since the discharge stopper 745 and the discharge sensor 730 are provided at separate positions, even if the discharge solenoid is turned off, the signal from the sensor does not disappear immediately, and at least between the discharge sensor and the discharge solenoid. Only the number of possible reserve spheres takes into account the fact that a detection signal will enter. Therefore, the threshold value “3” is a value that should be appropriately changed according to the distance from the discharge sensor to the discharge solenoid.

If it is determined in step S1106 that the value of the discharge irregularity monitoring counter 1 has become "3" or more, the flow advances to step S1113 to drive the solenoid for driving the flow path switching valve 158 (hereinafter, referred to as a ball ejection solenoid). ) Is turned on. Thus, when the discharge solenoid is operated improperly, the discharged balls are guided not to the supply tray 120 but to the collection gutter of the pachinko game store through the ball extraction path, so that it is possible to prevent unfair profit. . After turning on the ball ejection solenoid, a lending ball discharge indicator lamp 113 is set to “1” for a discharge fraud flag indicating that illegal discharge has occurred.
And the prize ball discharge display lamp 112 is blinked to display the occurrence of the unauthorized state to the outside (steps S1114 and S114).
1115, S1116).

[0142] When it is determined "No" in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1104, the processing for the first discharge system 1 for the other discharge system 2 S110
Steps S1107 to S1112 similar to 1-S1106 are executed, and if it is determined that the value of the discharge irregularity monitoring counter 2 is equal to or more than "3", the flow shifts to step S1113 to turn on the ball ejection solenoid. FIG. 29 shows an example of a specific procedure of the ejection device unauthorized release processing S14. In step S1114 of the main flow of FIG. 13, the discharge illegal flag is set to “1”, and when “Yes” is determined in step S4 of the flow of FIG. 12, the illegal discharge device release process S14 of FIG. 32 is started. This ejection device illegal release processing S
In FIG. 14, first in steps S1121 and S1122, FIG.
It is determined whether the error release flags of the discharge paths 1 and 2 set in the routine of FIG. 9 and FIG. 20 are “1”. ”, And then the ballless solenoid 15
8 is turned off (step S1124). Then, a blinking lending-ball discharge indicator lamp 113 indicating an illegal discharge and a prize
The product ball discharge display lamp 112 is turned off, and the discharge device illegal release process ends (steps S1125 and S1126).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the prize ball starting process executed in step S19 of the main routine (FIG. 12) of the above-mentioned prize ball discharge control device. This subroutine is started when a prize ball request is detected in step S12 of the main routine (FIG. 12), the processing number is set to "1", and "Yes" is determined in step S9. When this subroutine is started, first, a discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag and a discharge sensor 2 ball presence flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine of FIGS. 19 and 20, and an odd sensor input processing routine of FIG. The flag for the presence of an odd sensor is set, and the flag for no overflow is set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 23 (steps S81-S84). If any one flag is "0" , The discharge enable flag is cleared to "0", and the process is terminated (step S85). On the other hand, if all the flags are "1", the discharge enable flag is set to "1" (step S86), and the award ball data read in the award ball data detection processing routine of FIG. (Step S87). Also award
After turning on the product ball discharge indicator lamp 112 and setting the prize ball sound request flag to "1", the discharge start processing routine shown in FIG. 30 is executed, the process number is set to "2", and the processing is ended. (Steps S88-S91).

The prize ball sound request flag set in step S89 sets the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D output to the game board control device 400 to a low level in a sound request output process (FIG. 49) described later. It is intended to be asserted. In the discharge start processing routine shown in FIG. 30, when discharging a predetermined number of prize balls performed once for one winning ball (safe ball), the predetermined number (prize ball set number) of the above-mentioned predetermined number of prize balls are used. , A guide gutter 710 provided in the two sections (see FIG. 3)
The discharge modes, such as how many are discharged from one side and how many are discharged from the other side, are determined in advance, and the discharge solenoids 1 and / or
Alternatively, the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON) to start discharging the prize ball according to the above-described embodiment.

When this routine is started, first, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 is set to "1". If the value of the discharge register 0 is not "1", it is determined in step S104 whether the value of the discharge register 0 is "8" or less. As a result of the determination in steps S102 and S104, when the value of the discharge register 0 is "1", the process proceeds to step S106, where the single discharge flag is set to "1", and the alternate discharge flag is cleared to "0" ( One is discharged from step S108).
The output timer is set (S110), and the process proceeds to the determination of the inversion flag in step S118 . On the other hand, step S1
As a result of the determination in step 04, when it is determined that the value of the discharge register 0 is equal to or less than "8", the process proceeds to step S112, where the single discharge flag is cleared to "0", and the alternate discharge flag is set. Is set to “1” (step S114), and then step S114
The process proceeds to the determination of the inversion flag of 118. Further, as a result of the determination in step S104, when it is determined that the value of the discharge register 0 is "8" or more , step S12
4 and subsequent processes are executed.

Here, the alternate discharge flag is used to determine whether the prize ball is to be discharged in the discharge process (FIG. 33) performed subsequently to this routine in two modes (prize balls by alternately operating discharge solenoids 1 and 2). Discharge process or a combined discharge process of simultaneously discharging the prize balls by simultaneously operating the discharge solenoids 1 and 2), and the alternate discharge flag is set to "1". Sometimes alternate discharge processing (when the number of prize balls set is 1 to 8)
When it is set to “0”, the combined discharge processing (the number of set prize balls is 9 to 15) is performed. After the value of the alternate discharge flag is set to "1" in this manner, step S is executed.
At 118 , the inversion flag is determined.

The reversal flag indicates that the first discharge solenoid 1 (741a) and the second discharge solenoid 2 of the ball discharge device 170 are used when the prize balls are discharged in the alternate discharge process.
(741b) and the two
This is provided to improve durability by using the outgoing route equally, and the value of the "reversal flag" is
It is inverted to "1" or "0" every time the operation is performed, that is, each time one discharge is completed. If the determination result of the inversion flag is “Yes”, the discharge solenoid 1 is excited in step S120 to start discharging from the first guide gutter , and then the inversion flag is inverted to “0” (step S120).
121). When the result of the determination in step S118 is "No", the discharge solenoid 2 is excited in step S122 to start discharging the prize ball from the second guide gutter , and then the reversal flag is reversed to "1". (Step S123).

On the other hand, when the number of prize balls discharged is 9 or more (when the result of the determination in step S104 is "No"), the flow proceeds to step S124 to perform the combined discharge processing. In this combined discharge processing, first, a discharge number dividing process (FIG. 31) described later is performed in step S124, and then a single discharge flag and an alternate discharge flag are set to "0" (steps S126 and S128). The value of the discharge 1 end flag and the value of the discharge 2 end flag used in the combined discharge process
(Step S130, Step S13)
At the same time, the discharge solenoid 1 and the discharge solenoid 2 are both excited to start the combined discharge (step S134, step S136). Thereafter, in step S138, the discharge weight flag set to "1" when the discharge weight timer is started in the prize ball discharge processing (FIG. 32) described later is reset to "0".

In the next step S140, when the one-piece discharge processing, the alternate discharge processing or the combined discharge processing is completed, the discharge end flag which is set to "1" to indicate that fact is reset to "0". In step S142, the discharge monitoring timer (for example, 3 seconds) is set, and the process ends. The discharge monitoring timer determines whether or not the discharge of all the prize balls to be discharged by the alternate discharge processing or the combined discharge processing described later is completed by a predetermined time after the discharge of the prize balls is started. It is provided for monitoring. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge number dividing process executed in step S124 of the discharge start process (FIG. 30).

This routine is executed when the ball is ejected by the combined ejection process described later (when the value of the ejection register 0 is 9 or more and 2
5 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 set in the discharge registers 1 and 2 respectively. It is something to keep. The discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are independently operated in accordance with the values of these two discharge registers 1 and 2. When this routine is started, it is sequentially determined in steps S151 to S175 whether the value of the discharge register is "9" (step S15).
1), whether it is "10" (step S152),
Whether it is "11" (step S153), "12"
Is determined (step S154), and similarly, up to “25” is determined (step S175).
The reason why the determination is made up to "25" is that in the case of ball lending discharge, 25 balls are discharged for one discharge request.

If the result of the determination in step S151 is "Ye
If s ", the value of the discharge register 1 is set to" 5 "in step S181, and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to" 4 "in step S182, and this routine ends. Thereafter, the determination result of step S152 is "Ye
s ", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to" 5 "(steps S183 and S184), and if the result of the determination in step S153 is" Yes ", the value of the discharge register 1 is set to" 6 ". Yes (Step S18)
5) the value of the discharge register 2 with set to "5" (step S186), the determination result in step S154 is when the "Yes" is set to both the value of the discharge registers 1 and 2 "6" (step S187 , Step S18
8). Similarly, when the value of the discharge register 0 is odd, the discharge register 1 is set to a value larger by one than the value of the discharge register 2, and when the value of the discharge register 0 is even, the same value is set for the discharge registers 1 and 2. Set the value.

FIG. 32 shows a main routine (FIG. 1) executed by the CPU 610 of the prize ball discharge control device.
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the prize ball discharge processing performed in step S18 of 2). This routine is started when the processing number is determined to be "2" in step S8 of the main routine (FIG. 12). First, in step S202, it is determined whether or not the discharge wait flag is "1". You. The value of this discharge weight flag becomes “1” when a predetermined number (prize ball discharge number) of prize balls corresponding to one safe ball has been discharged and a later-described wait timer is activated (step S210). Step S in the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 30)
It is reset to "0" at 138. Therefore, the determination result of step S202 becomes "Yes" only after the discharge of a predetermined number (prize ball discharge number) of prize balls corresponding to one safe ball is completed. While the determination result of step S202 is “No”, the process proceeds to step S204, and after the prize ball is discharged by the discharging process (FIG. 33), the process proceeds to step S206. In this step S206, it is determined whether or not the discharge end flag is "1". This discharge end flag indicates that a predetermined number (a set number of prize balls) of one prize ball or the like corresponding to one prize ball or the like is obtained by one discharge (FIG. 34), alternate discharge processing (FIG. 35), or combined discharge processing (FIG. 36). When the discharge is completed, the value is set to “1”. Therefore, when the result of this determination is “No”, the subsequent steps S208 to S216 are skipped, and this routine ends.

When the predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged and the determination result of step S206 turns to "Yes", the discharge weight flag is set to "1" (step S206).
208), the discharge wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 40
0 ms) (step S210), and further turns off (OFF) the prize ball discharge display lamp 112 (step S212). Then, the reading confirmation flag is set to “1”, and the prize ball count data is set to the prize ball discharge counter. And the routine is terminated (steps S214 and S216). The read confirmation flag and the prize ball discharge power counter are used when notifying the data of the pachinko gaming machine to the hall management device 700 in the prize ball information output process (FIG. 47) described later.

If the result of the determination in step S206 is "Ye
In the loop after the transition to "s", the discharge wait flag is set to "1" in step S208, so that the result of the determination in step S202 changes to "Yes", and step S218 is executed. Then, it is determined whether or not the time of the discharge wait timer has expired. If the result of the determination is "No", that is, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls, this routine is terminated as it is. Then, only steps S202 and S218 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses, and when the predetermined time elapses and the determination result of step S218 becomes “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S220 and the processing number is set to “ Set to 0 ”
This routine ends.

FIG. 33 shows the prize ball discharging process (FIG. 3)
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the discharge process performed in step S204 of 2). When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S222 whether or not the discharge error flag is "1". This discharge error flag is set when the discharge start process is executed (step S1 in FIG. 33).
42) to the set discharge monitor timer is set to the value "1" to indicate an abnormality in the exhaust control system when the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls to until it <br/> to time up does not complete (Set to "1" in step S242 described later). Therefore, if the determination result in this step S222 is "Yes", in step S252, a later-described ejection error recovery process (FIG. 37) is performed, and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S222 is "N
If "o", the process proceeds to step S224, where it is determined whether or not the discharge end flag is "1". This discharge end flag is, as described above, one discharge (FIG. 34) and alternate discharge processing (FIG. 34). 35) or when a predetermined number (a set number of prize balls) of balls corresponding to one winning ball or the like has been discharged by the combined discharge processing (FIG. 36), the value is set to "1". The determination result of step S222 is "N
If it is “o”, the process proceeds to step S226, and it is determined whether the discharge monitoring timer set at the time of execution of the discharge start process (step S142 in FIG. 30) has expired, and if “No”, step S228. , S230
Then, the one-discharge flag and the alternate discharge flag set in the above-described discharge start processing (FIG. 30) are checked, and when the one-discharge flag is “1”, the one-discharge processing in step S232 (FIG. 34) Step S234 (see FIG. 35) when the alternate discharge flag is “1”.
Further, when the alternate discharge flag is "0", step S2 is executed.
36 is executed (FIG. 36).

On the other hand, if the discharge monitoring timer has timed out in step S226, that is, if it is determined that the discharge is not completed after a certain period of time from the start of discharge, it is determined that a discharge abnormality has occurred and the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are turned off. (Steps S238 and S240) and the discharge error flag is set to "1" (step S242). If the prize ball is being discharged according to the processing number, the prize ball discharge display lamp 1
12 and, if the ball is being discharged, the ball rental discharge indicator lamp 1
13 are turned on and off, an error is displayed, and the process is terminated (steps S244, S246, S248, S
250). FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the single discharge process performed in step S232 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33).

When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the one-discharge timer set in step S110 in FIG. 30 has expired (step S262).
If it is “o”, nothing is performed, and if “Yes”, that is, the time set in the single discharge timer elapses, step S264 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether the inversion flag is "1" or "0". If the reversal flag is "0", the discharge solenoid 1 is turned off (step S266). If the reversal flag is "1", the discharge solenoid 2 is turned off (step S268) to finish discharging one piece. Is set to "1", and the routine ends (step S270).

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the alternate discharge process performed in step S234 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33). As described above, this routine is a process performed when the number of prize balls to be discharged (the number of prize balls set) is equal to or less than "8". Is used to discharge prize balls. When this routine is started, first, in step S272, it is checked whether the inversion flag is “0” or “1”. Then, the inversion flag is “0”
In step S274, the flow advances to step S274 to determine whether the discharge sensor 1 rising flag is "1". This discharge 1
The value of the rising flag is set to “1” when the spare ball comes out of the discharge sensor 1. Accordingly, if this determination result is “No”, nothing is performed, and if “Yes”, the value of the discharge register 0 (the number of discharged balls) is subtracted by one, and then the rising flag of the discharge sensor 1 is cleared ( Steps S276 and S278). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1", that is, whether or not a predetermined number of balls have been discharged (step S2).
80) When the value of the discharge register 0 becomes "1", the discharge solenoid 1 is turned off, and the discharge end flag is set to "1".
And the routine ends (step S282,
S284).

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S272 is "No ", that is, if the inversion flag is "1", the flow advances to a step S286. In step S286, the discharge sensor 2
It is determined whether or not the rising flag is “1”. The value of the discharge 2 rise flag is set to “1” when the spare ball comes out of the discharge sensor 2. Therefore,
If this determination result is “No”, nothing is performed, and “Yes”
When it becomes, the value of the discharge register 0 (the number of discharged balls) becomes 1
After subtracting only one, the rising flag of the discharge sensor 2 is cleared (steps S288 and S290). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1", that is, whether or not a predetermined number of balls have been discharged (step S292), and the value of the discharge register o has become "1". If you
After the discharge solenoid 2 is turned off, the discharge end flag is set to "1" and the routine ends (step S2).
94, S284).

In this routine, the reason why the discharge by the discharge solenoid 1 or 2 is terminated when the value of the discharge register 0 becomes "1" is to adjust the OFF timing of the discharge solenoid. That is, in the present embodiment, since the stopper is disposed on the downstream side of the discharge sensor, if the discharge is stopped when the value of the discharge register 0 becomes “0”, one more ball is actually discharged. It is because it is done. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the combined discharge process performed in step S236 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33). As described above, this routine is a process performed when the number of prize balls to be discharged (prize ball set number) is "9" or more. In this routine, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 of the above-described prize ball discharge device 170 are used. At the same time to discharge the prize balls.

When this routine is started, first, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag reset in step S130 of the discharge start processing in FIG. 30 has become "1" (step S302). Immediately after the discharge is started, the discharge 1 end flag is “0”, so that “No” is determined and step S3 is performed.
Proceeding to 04, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 1 rising flag is "1". If the determination result is “No”, nothing is performed, and if “Yes”, the value of the discharge register 1 (the number of discharged balls) is subtracted by one, and then the discharge sensor 1 rising flag is cleared (steps S306 and S308). . Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1", that is, whether or not a predetermined number of balls have been discharged (step S310), and the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1". If so, the discharge solenoid 1 is turned off, and the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1" (steps S312 and S3).
314).

Next, the flow advances to step S316 to determine whether or not the discharge 2 end flag reset in step S132 of the discharge start processing in FIG. 30 has become "1". Immediately after the start of discharge, the discharge 2 end flag is “0”, so “N
o, the flow advances to step S318, and it is determined whether or not the rising flag of the discharge sensor 2 is "1." After the rising flag 2 is cleared, the value of the discharge register 2 (the number of discharged balls) is subtracted by one (steps S320 and S322).
Is determined to be "1", that is, whether or not a predetermined number of balls have been discharged (step S324). When the value of the discharge register 2 becomes "1", the discharge solenoid 2 is turned off. And the discharge 2 end flag is set to "1" (steps S326, S328). Then discharge 1
It is determined whether the end flag is "1" (step S33).
0), if "Yes", the discharge end flag is set to "1" in the next step S332, and the routine ends. If the discharge system 1 side has finished discharging first, step S33
The process proceeds to 0-S332 and ends. On the other hand, if the discharge system 2 side has finished discharging first, "N
o, and when this routine is executed again, the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1" in step S314, and the process proceeds to step S316, where "Ye" is set.
s ", the process jumps to step S332, sets the discharge end flag to" 1 ", and ends the routine.
As described above, when the set number of prize balls is set to a large value (9 to 15), the set number is divided and the value is stored in the two discharge registers 1 and 2, and the discharge registers 1 and 2 are stored. By operating the first and second discharge solenoids independently based on the value of, a large number of prize balls can be discharged more quickly.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the ejection error recovery process performed in step S252 of the above-described ejection process (FIG. 33). When this routine is started, first, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 error release flag set in step S7322 of the discharge sensor 1 level input processing of FIG. 19 is “1”, and the discharge sensor 2 level input processing of FIG. It is determined whether or not the discharge 2 error release flag set in step S7432 is “1” (steps S342 and S344). If both the determinations are “Yes”, step S34 is performed.
6 and below are performed. In steps S346-S352, steps S81-S in the winning ball start process of FIG.
In accordance with the same procedure as in the case of FIG. 86, the discharge sensor 1 ball present flag and the discharge sensor 2 ball present flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine of FIGS.
In addition, the odd sensor existence flag set in the odd sensor input processing routine of FIG. 23 and the overflow ball absence flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 23 are checked, and any one of the flags is "0". In this case, the dischargeable flag is cleared to "0" and the process is terminated (step S354).

On the other hand, if all the flags are "1", the discharge enable flag is set to "1" (step S356), and in the next step S358, the discharge enable flag becomes "1". It is checked whether it is "1", and if it is "1", it is determined in steps S360 and S362 whether the values of the discharge register 1 and the discharge register 2 respectively exceed "1",
When the value of the discharge register 1 is "1" or less, the value of the discharge register 2 is used. When the value of the discharge register 2 is "1" or less, the value of the discharge register 1 is used. If both values exceed "1", both values are set in the discharge register 0 (step S364).
S366, S368). Then, the same process as the discharge start process of FIG. 30 is performed (step S378).

In this way, even when one of the two discharge systems is clogged with a ball and a discharge error occurs, the number of undischarged balls remaining in the discharge register is set again in the discharge register 0. Then, the discharge is started again, so that the discharge using the other normal discharge system is performed, and the interruption of the game of the pachinko gaming machine due to the failure can be avoided. In this routine, prior to the discharge start processing (step S378), the processing number is checked. The discharge indicator lamps 113 are turned on (steps S370, S372, S374, S3).
76). Further, the discharge start process (step S37)
8) After the end, the discharge error flag is cleared to "0", and this routine ends (step S380).

If the value of the discharge register 1 is equal to or less than "1" in step S360, the value of the discharge register 2 is set to the discharge register 0 in step S364 because the value of the discharge register is "1". Means that the ejection has been completed, and the reason why the error recovery processing of this routine is started is that it can be estimated that the number of undischarged balls remains in the ejection register 2. Similarly, step S36
If the value of the discharge register 2 is equal to or smaller than "1" in step S2, the value of the discharge register 1 is set in the discharge register 0 in step S366 because the number of undischarged balls remains in the discharge register 2. Because you can.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the ball lending start process executed in step S21 of the main routine (FIG. 12) of the above-described discharge control device.
In this subroutine, a ball lending request flag is set in step S4122 of the ball lending request detection processing routine of FIG. 14, and "Ye" is set in step S11 of the main routine.
When this subroutine is started, first, the flag with one discharge sensor and the two balls with discharge sensor set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine of FIGS. A flag, an odd sensor ball presence flag set in the odd sensor input processing routine of FIG. 24, and an overflow ball absence flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 23 are checked (steps S402 to S408). If any one of the flags is "0", the dischargeable flag is cleared to "0" and the process is terminated (step S41).
0).

On the other hand, if all the flags are "1", the discharge enable flag is set to "1" (step S412), and the conversion rate (ball lending number data) set in the ROM in advance is set. Is set in the discharge register 0 (step S414). In addition, the ball lending discharge display lamp 11
3 is turned on (step S416), the ball lending sound request flag and the P-unit ready flag are set to "1" (steps S418, S420), and then a discharge start processing routine common to the prize ball discharge processing (see FIG. 30). ) To start the discharge by the ball discharge device 170, then set the process number to “3” and end (steps S422 and S42).
4). In the ball lending discharge, the ball lending number data is set to a value (> 8), for example, 25 pieces, so that step S422 is performed.
Is executed, the discharge using the two discharge systems at the same time is started.

It should be noted that the ball lending request flag set in steps S418 and S420 is
The ball lending sound generation request signal E output to 0 is set to a low level in a sound request output process (FIG. 46) described below, and the P-ready flag is set to a ball lending ready signal U output to the ball lending control device 500. Is a lending ball information output process described later (FIG. 45).
To assert the respective low level. FIG. 39 shows the CPU 61 of the discharge control device described above.
13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a ball lending discharge process executed in step S17 of the main routine (FIG. 12) executed by the routine 0.

This routine is based on the above subroutine (FIG. 3)
The process number is set to "3" in step S424 of 8), and the process is started when the process number is determined to be "3" in step S7 of the main routine (FIG. 12). It is determined whether the flag is “1”. This discharge weight flag is set to “1” when a predetermined number of lending balls corresponding to one ball lending request signal have been discharged and a later-described wait timer is activated (step S440),
This is reset to "0" in step S138 of the above-described discharge start processing (FIG. 30). Therefore, the determination result of step S432 becomes "Yes" only after the discharge of the predetermined number of lending balls corresponding to one lending request signal is completed. While the determination result of step S432 is “No”, the process proceeds to step S434, in which the loaned ball is discharged by the common prize ball discharging process (FIG. 33) and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S436. This step S436
Then, it is determined whether or not the discharge end flag is "1". This discharge end flag is set to one by the combined discharge processing shown in FIG. 36 (one discharge and alternate discharge processing are not performed in principle in the lending ball discharge) shown in FIG. 36 performed during the discharge processing routine (FIG. 33). When a predetermined number of balls corresponding to the ball lending request signal have been discharged, the value is set to "1". Therefore, when the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S438 to S446 are skipped, and the present routine ends.

When the predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged and the determination result of step S436 has turned to "Yes", the discharge weight flag is set to "1" (step S43).
438), the discharge wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 40
0 msec) (step S440), and the payout end flag is set to "1" ( step S442 ).
Thereafter, the ball discharge indicator lamp 113 is turned off (OFF), the continuous ball lending counter is incremented, and the routine ends (steps S444 and S446). The payout end flag is referred to in order to set the payout completion signal V to a low level in a lending ball information output process (FIG. 45) described later. Referenced in S4102,
Six or more consecutive conversions, that is, ball lending discharges of 600 yen or more are avoided.

If the result of the determination in step S436 is "Ye
In the loop after the transition to "s", the discharge wait flag is set to "1" in step S438, so that the result of the determination in step S432 changes to "Yes", and step S448 is executed. Then, it is determined whether or not the time of the discharge wait timer has expired. If the result of the determination is "No", that is, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls, this routine is terminated as it is. Then, only steps S432 and S448 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time elapses, and when the predetermined time elapses and the determination result of step S448 becomes “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S450 and the processing number is set to “ Set to 0 ”
This routine ends.

FIGS. 40 to 42 are flow charts showing a subroutine of ball removal processing executed in step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 12) executed by the CPU 610 of the above-described discharge control device. In this ball-pulling processing routine, the ball-pulling sensor input processing (FIG. 21) is performed when the ball-pulling-out switch is pressed by a game store attendant.
The flag is set to "1", the result of the determination is "Yes" in step S10 of the main routine, the processing number is changed to "4" in step S20, and the processing is performed in step S6 of the main routine. This is started when the number is determined to be "4".

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S602 whether or not the forced end flag is "1". This forced end flag is set when the ball release switch is pressed twice (when the ball release switch is pressed again during execution of this routine, and the determination result in step S616 or step S626 described later is “Yes”). The value is set to "1" in step S696 immediately before the forced termination processing in steps S700 to S736 is executed. Therefore, once the flag is set to "1" by execution of step S696, in the subsequent loop, the determination result of step S602 becomes "Yes", and only the forced termination processing of step S700 and thereafter described below is executed. Will be done.

When the result of the determination in step S602 is "N
In the case of "o", it is determined in step S604 whether or not the ball removal execution flag is "1", and in the following step S606, whether or not the ball removal start flag is "1". The value of the flag is set to “1” in step S614 so as to store the fact that the processing of steps S608 to S612 has been performed even once, and the ball skipping execution flag will be described later. Steps S620 and S
When excitation of the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 is started by 622 and the ball removal process is executed, it is set to “1” in step S624 to store the fact.

Here, consider the case where the main ball removal processing routine is performed for the first time. In this case, step S60
4, the determination results in S606 are both "No", and the process proceeds to step S608. Reset to "0". In the next steps S609 and S610, the discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2 end flag used to store the fact that the ball discharging process by the first and second discharging means is completed are set to "0". Reset it. The discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2 end flag used in the above-described combined discharge processing can be diverted as they are, and the two flags are determined in steps S628 and S described later.
646 and the like. Further next step S61
At 1, the ball start timer is set / started. This ball removal start timer is for providing a predetermined idle time sufficient to switch the switching valve 158 of the ball removal device in advance before the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are actually excited (ON). .

In the next step S612, the switching valve 15
In step S614, the ball- extraction solenoid is excited (ON) so as to switch to No. 8 , and then the ball- extraction start flag is set to "1". In the following step S616, the ball-extraction flag is set to "1" again during the execution of steps S602 to S614.
, That is, whether or not the ball release switch has been pressed again (whether or not the switch has been pressed twice). If the result of this determination is "Yes", steps S692-S69
After the execution of step 8, the process proceeds to the forced termination process in step S700 and subsequent steps to forcibly terminate the ball removal process.

More specifically, first, in steps S692 and S694, steps S628 to S64 described later are performed.
No discharge one ball flag used in the processing of step 4 and discharge 2 used in the processing of steps S646 to S662 described below.
The no-ball flags are reset to "0", respectively, and step S6
At 96, the forced termination flag is set to "1" to indicate that the process has proceeded to the forced termination process, and a forced termination provided to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed from immediately after the transition to the forced termination process. The timer is set, and forcible termination processing in step S700 and later described later is performed.

On the other hand, when the result of this determination is "No", it is determined whether or not the ball start start timer started in step S611 has timed out. If the ball start start timer has not yet timed out (the determination result is “No”), the routine ends without performing the subsequent processing. In the next and subsequent loops, steps S602 to S606 and S6 are performed until the timer expires.
16, only S618 is repeatedly executed. When the timer times out and the determination result of step S618 turns to “Yes”, steps S620, S62
At 2, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are excited (ON), respectively, to start the flow of the prize ball, and the above-mentioned ball removal execution flag is set to “1” (step S624).

As described above, once the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are excited (ON) and the ball removal execution flag is set to "1", in the next and subsequent loops, the aforementioned step S604 is performed.
Is "Yes", and steps S606 to S606
24 will be skipped. In the next step S626, it is again determined whether or not the ball removal flag is "1", that is, whether or not the ball removal switch has been pressed twice to forcibly end the ball removal process. If the result of this determination is “Yes”, then steps S684 to S684
690, the steps S692 to S698,
Further, the process proceeds to the forcible termination process after step S700 described later.

In the processing of steps S684 to S690,
First, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is “1” (step S684), and the result of this determination is “Yes”, that is, at this time, the outflow of the prize ball on the first discharge solenoid side of the ball discharge device 170 is performed. If all of them have been completed (the flag is set to "1" in step S642 to be described later when the outflow of the prize ball on the first discharge solenoid side is completely completed), the flow proceeds to step S686 and the discharge solenoid 1 Is demagnetized (OFF), and then the process proceeds to step S688. On the other hand, when the determination result is “No”, the process proceeds to step S68.
Skip to step S688 and proceed to step S688.

In step S688, it is further determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1".
es ", that is, when all the prize balls on the second discharge solenoid side of the ball discharge device 170 have been flown out at this time (the flag is set when the flow of all the prize balls on the second discharge solenoid side is completed). (The value is set to "1" in step S660.) The process proceeds to step S690 to demagnetize (OFF) the discharge solenoid 2 and then to step S69.
The process advances to step S692 while skipping step S690 if the determination result is "No".

At this time, the second press of the ball release switch is not performed, and the result of the determination in step S626 is "No".
, It is determined in step S628 whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is "1". This discharge 1
The end flag is reset to “0” in the above-described step S609 when the main ball removal processing is executed for the first time. It is set to "1" in step S642. Therefore, the first ball of the ball discharging device 170 is
When the discharge of the prize ball on the discharge solenoid side has not been completed yet, the determination result in step S628 is “No”, and the processing in step S630 and thereafter is executed.

First, in step S630, it is determined whether or not the one-ball-discharge no-ball flag is "1". This no-one-ball-discharge flag is determined in step S4 of the main routine or in the ball discharge.
When the ball discharging process on the first discharge solenoid side of the device 170 is completed (step S644), the ball is reset to “0”,
When the prize ball flows out by the main ball removal processing and the prize ball disappears in the first guide gutter (in the discharge sensor 1) and the sensor output becomes "0", the value is set to "1". It is. Therefore, this determination result is “No” until no prize ball is left in the discharge sensor 1 after the start of ball removal, and
In step S632, it is determined whether the output of the discharge sensor 1 is at a low level ("0"). If the prize ball still remains in the ejection sensor 1 without completing the ball removal process, the determination result is “No”, and step S6 is performed as it is.
Proceed to 46 and thereafter.

[0186] The first guide depending from the state to the ball disconnect processing
When there is no prize ball in the gutter (in the sensor 1), step S
The determination result of step 632 changes to “Yes”, the above-described one-ball-discharge-no-ball flag is set to “1” (step S634), and then the one-ball discharge for measuring the time elapsed from the time when there is no prize ball in the sensor 1. The no-timer is set (step S636), and the process proceeds to step S646 and subsequent steps. In the subsequent loop, the determination result of step S630 is “Yes”
Then, in step S638, it is determined again whether the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is at the low level ("0").

When the result of this determination is "Yes", that is, when it is determined that the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is maintained at the low level in the current loop following the previous loop, the flow proceeds to step S640, and the discharge set in step S636 is performed. It is determined whether or not the one-ball no-timer has timed out. When this determination result is “No”, that is, the first
If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since it was determined that there was no prize ball in the guide gutter (in the discharge sensor 1), steps S642 and S644 are skipped and step S64 is performed.
Proceed to 6 and later. Thereafter, the determination results in steps S630 and S638 are both "Ye" until the predetermined time elapses.
s ", and the determination result of step S640 is" No ".

When the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed while the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is maintained at the low level, the process proceeds to step S6.
The determination result of 40 changes to "Yes", the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1" (step S642), and further the discharge 1
The no-ball flag is reset to "0" (step S64)
4) The process proceeds to step S646 and subsequent steps. As described above, once the discharge 1 end flag is set to “1”, the determination result of step S628 is “Y” in the next and subsequent loops.
es ", skipping steps S630 to S644 and proceeding directly to step S646 and subsequent steps.

By the way, after this routine is started and the output of the discharge sensor 1 once becomes a low level (at this time, the discharge one ball absence flag is "1"), before the discharge one ball absence timer times out, the discharge sensor 1 is restarted. When the output level of the discharge sensor 1 changes to a high level ("1"), step S63 is performed.
The determination result of No. 8 changes to "No", and the discharge 1 end flag is reset to "0" in step S644 without setting the discharge 1 end flag to "1" (skipping step S642). Then, the process proceeds to step S646 and thereafter. As a result, when one prize ball passes through the discharge sensor 1 and falls until the next prize ball reaches the inside of the sensor 1, the output signal falls, or when noise is generated in the output signal of the sensor 1. When the waveform of the output signal temporarily falls, it is not erroneously determined that the flow of the prize ball in the guide gutter is completed.

In the next step S646, it is further determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1". This discharge 2
The end flag is reset to "0" in the above-described step S610 when the main ball removal processing is executed for the first time, and will be described later when all the prize balls have flowed out by the ball removal processing. It is set to “1” in step S660. Accordingly, when the prize ball is not completely discharged from the second discharge solenoid side of the prize ball discharge device 170 by the main ball removal processing, the determination result in step S646 is “No”.
As a result, the processing from step S648 is executed.

First, in step S648, it is determined whether the no-discharge two-ball flag is "1". This no-discharge 2-ball flag is set in step S4 of the main routine or in the ball discharge.
When the ball discharging process on the second discharge solenoid side of the device 170 is completed (step S662), the ball is reset to “0”,
When the prize ball flows out by the main ball removal processing and the prize ball disappears in the second guide gutter (in the discharge sensor 2) and the sensor output becomes "0", the value is set to "1". It is.

Therefore, the determination result is "No" until the prize ball is exhausted from the discharge sensor 2 after the start of removing the ball, and the output of the discharge sensor 2 is at low level ("0") in step S650. Is determined. When the prize ball remains in the ejection sensor 2 without completing the ball removal process, the determination result is “No”, and the process directly proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. The this state by the sphere disconnect process
When there is no prize ball in the guide gutter No. 2 (inside the sensor 2), the determination result in step S650 changes to "Yes", and the above-described two-ball discharge flag is set to "1" (step S65).
2) Then, a two-ball discharge no-timer for measuring the time elapsed from the point at which no prize ball is left in the sensor 2 is set (step S654), and the flow proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps.

In the subsequent loop, step S64
The determination result of No. 8 changes to "Yes", and in step S656, it is determined again whether the output level of the discharge sensor 2 is the low level ("0"). If this determination result is "Yes", that is, it is determined that the output level of the discharge sensor 2 is maintained at the low level in the current loop following the previous loop, the process proceeds to step S658, and the discharge two balls set in step S654 are not detected. It is determined whether the timer has expired. When this determination result is “No”, that is, in the second guide gutter (discharge sensor 2
If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since it was determined that there is no prize ball in (in), steps S660 and S662 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps.

Thereafter, until the predetermined time elapses, the determination results in steps S648 and S656 are both "Ye".
s "and the result of the determination in step S658 is" No. "When the above-described predetermined time has elapsed while the output level of the discharge sensor 2 is maintained at the low level, the result of the determination in step S658 changes to" Yes ". The discharge 2 end flag is set to “1” (step S660), and further, the discharge 2 no-ball flag is reset to “0” (step S660).
662), and proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. in this way,
Once the discharge 2 end flag is set to “1”, the determination result of step S646 is “Yes” in the next and subsequent loops, skipping steps S648 to S662, and proceeding to step S664 and subsequent steps. .

By the way, after this routine is started and the output of the discharge sensor 2 once becomes low level (at this time, the discharge two-ball no-time flag is set to "1"), before the timer of the discharge two-ball no-timer expires, the routine is restarted. When the output level of the discharge sensor 2 changes to a high level ("1"), step S65 is performed.
The determination result of No. 6 changes to "No", and the discharge two-ball no flag is reset to "0" in the step S662 without setting the discharge 2 end flag to "1" (skipping step S660). Then, the process proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. As a result, when an output signal falls after one prize ball passes through the discharge sensor 2 until the next prize ball reaches the inside of the sensor 2 or when noise is generated in the output signal of the sensor 2 or the like. When the waveform of the output signal temporarily falls, it is not erroneously determined that the flow of the prize ball in the guide gutter is completed.

As a result of executing steps S646 to S662, after it is determined that the prize ball on the second discharge solenoid side of ball discharge device 170 has flowed out, step S6 is performed.
The determination result of 46 changes to "Yes", and in step S664, it is determined again whether or not the prize ball on the first discharge solenoid side has been completely removed (the discharge 1 end flag is "1"). When the result of this determination is “No”, the processing in the current loop is terminated as it is, and the process proceeds to the next loop (in the next loop, steps S628 to S644 are executed again).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination is "Yes", that is, if it is determined at this time that the ball discharge process by the first and second discharge solenoids of the ball discharge device 170 has been completed, first the ball discharge execution flag and Both the ball start flag is set to “0”
(Steps S666 and S668), and demagnetization (OF) of the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 to end the ball removal process.
F) (steps S674 and S676), and further performs degaussing (OFF) of the ball-pulling solenoid (step S678), resets the process NO to "0" (step S680), and terminates this routine.

Next, steps S602, S616, S
The forced termination process (the process after step S700) performed when any one of the determination results of 626 is “Yes” will be described. This process is executed when the switch is pressed again (double press) after the ball release switch is pressed and the ball removal process is started once. First, in step S700, it is determined whether the time of the forced termination timer has expired. The forced termination timer is activated when the switch is pressed for the second time (steps S616 and S62).
6. The counting is started in step S698) executed immediately after the result of the determination is "No". If this determination result is “No”, that is, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the second switch pressing, step S702
It is determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is "1".

When the result of the determination in step S702 is "N
o ", that is, before the ball removing process is completed (when the value of the flag is" 1 ", it indicates that ball removing on the first discharge solenoid side of the ball discharging device 170 has been completed), the forced termination process is started. In step S704, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 1 start flag is “1.” When the determination result is “Yes,” that is, after the forced termination process is performed once, When a new prize ball reaches the inside of the sensor 1, the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OFF) at this time.
Then, the discharge 1 end flag is forcibly set to "1" (step S708), and the process proceeds to step S710. On the other hand, if "No", the steps S706 and S708 are skipped. Step S
Proceed to 710.

In step S710, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1". This step S71
The determination result of 0 is “No”, that is, before the ball removing process is completed (when the value of the flag is “1”, the ball discharging device 170
(Indicating that the ball ejection on the second discharge solenoid side has been completed) is started), it is further determined in step S712 whether or not the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is "1". . When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the prize ball newly reaches the inside of the sensor 2 after the forced termination process is performed once, the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OFF) at this time (step S714). Then, the discharge 2 end flag is forcibly set to "1" (step S716), and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result is "No", the steps S714 and S716 are skipped, and this routine ends. Thus, the forced termination process (step S
The start of the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 (a new prize ball has reached the inside of the sensor) is detected until a predetermined time elapses after the start of the processing after 700 and the discharge 2 end flag is once set to "1". In the next and subsequent loops, the determination result of step S710 becomes "Yes", and it is further determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is "1" (step S718). If the determination result is “No”, that is, at this time, the first discharge sensor 1 of the prize ball discharge device has not detected a new prize ball after the start of the forced termination process,
This routine ends as it is. In this case, the processes of steps S702 to S708 are continuously performed in the next and subsequent loops.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S718 is "Yes", that is, after the forced termination process has been executed, both the first and second ejection sensors 1 and 2 of the prize ball ejecting device cause a new prize ball to be obtained. When it is detected that the sensor has reached the inside of the sensors 1 and 2, the processing of step S724 and thereafter described later is performed.
In addition, while the processing of steps S702 to S718 is being executed, a predetermined time has elapsed and the forced termination timer times out, and the determination result of step S700 is “Yes”.
(At this time, the discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2
One of the end flags is “0”), step S
In steps 720 and S722, the discharge solenoid 1 and the discharge solenoid 2 are forcibly demagnetized (OFF), respectively, and step S724 is performed.
Proceed to the following.

At step S724, the above-mentioned forced termination flag is reset to "0".
At 728, both the ball removal execution flag and the ball removal start flag are reset to “0”, and the ball removal solenoid is demagnetized (O
FF) (step S734), the process NO is reset to "0" (step S736), and this routine ends. FIG. 43 shows an example of a specific procedure of the replenishment process performed in step S23 in the main process flow of FIG.

When the replenishment process is started, the replenishment sensor rising flag set during the replenishment sensor input process (FIG. 22) for detecting the detection signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is checked (step S752). In step S754, the completion lamp 108 is turned on, the replenishment request flag is set to "1", the replenishment sensor rising flag is cleared to "0", and the routine ends (steps S756 and S758). . The replenishment flag is referred to in order to assert a replenishment signal K to the management device 700 in the game console information output process (FIG. 48) described later.

On the other hand, if "No" is determined in the step S752, the process proceeds to the step S760 to determine whether or not the falling flag indicating that the replenishment sensor has fallen is "1". If no, nothing is done, and if "Yes", the completion lamp 108 turned on in step S754.
Is turned off (step S762), the replenishment request flag and the replenishment sensor fall flag are each cleared to "0", and this routine is terminated (step S76).
4, S766). FIG. 44 shows the specific contents of the information output process performed in step S24 in the main process flow of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 44, this information output process includes a lending ball information output process S800 for forming an output signal to the ball lending control device 500 and a sound for forming an output signal to the game board control device 400. Request output processing S8
50, a prize ball information output process S900 for forming an output signal to the hall management device 700, a gaming table information output process S950, and an error information output process S990. FIG. 45 shows an example of a specific procedure of the lending ball information output processing S800 in the information output processing flow.
When this routine is started, it is checked in step S802 whether a ball lending request flag is set. The ball lending request flag detects that the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 has continuously been at the low level for 5 ms or more during the ball lending request detection processing routine shown in FIG. The flag is set at the time (step S4122).

As a result of the determination in step S802, "Ye
s ", that is, if the ball lending request flag is set, or" No ", that is, if the ball lending request flag is reset, the P-unit ready flag is cleared to" 0 "in step S804, and The process proceeds to step S806. The P-unit ready flag is a flag used in step S810 described later to determine whether the ball lending ready signal U is changed to a high level or a low level. When the ball leasing discharge is started by executing (FIG. 38), step S42 is performed.
Set to 0.

In this step S806, it is determined whether the payout completion signal V output to the ball lending control device 500 is low level (valid) or high level (invalid). If the result is a high level , the flow advances to step S808 to determine whether or not the payout end flag set when the discharge is completed in the ball lending discharge processing routine (FIG. 38) is "1".
If "No", the process proceeds to step S810, where it is determined whether or not the P-unit ready flag is "1".
If "o", the ball lending ready signal U is negated to the high level, and if "Yes", the ball lending ready signal U is asserted to the low level, and the routine ends (step S81).
2, S814).

Accordingly, the ball lending request detection processing (FIG. 1)
In 4), when the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 is detected and the ball lending request flag is set, "Yes" is determined in step S11 of the main routine, and the ball lending start processing routine (FIG. 38) ) Is executed to start the ball lending discharge and the P-unit ready flag is set to “1”. Therefore, in the ball lending information output processing routine, the process jumps from step S802 to step S806, and in steps S806 and S808, respectively. "No" is determined, and in step S810, "Yes" is determined, and the ball lending ready signal U is asserted to a low level.

Then, when the ball lending discharge is completed and the payout end flag is set to "1" in the ball lending discharge processing routine (FIG. 39), step S80 of this routine is performed.
8, the flow advances to step S816, and the payout completion signal V to the ball lending control device 500 and the discharged lending ball number signal J output to the hall management device 700 (balls whose pulse is the minimum conversion unit) Are respectively asserted to a low level, the payout completion timer is set (activated), and the payout end flag is cleared to "0" (steps S816, S818, S820, S82).
2), the process proceeds to steps S810 to S814 to continuously assert the ball lending ready signal U to a low level.

Next, when this routine is executed again, "Yes" is determined in step S806, that is, it is determined that the payout completion signal V is at a low level, and the flow shifts to step S824, where the timer set in step S820 times out. It is determined whether or not. Here, if the timer has not yet timed up, the process directly proceeds to step S810. If the time has elapsed, the payout completion signal V and the number of discharged lending balls signal J are negated to a high level, respectively (step S826). , S828), and proceeds to steps S810-S814 to continuously assert the ball lending ready signal U to the low level.

When the payout completion signal V is negated to the high level by the above processing, the ball lending control device 500 detects this and negates the ball lending request signal to the high level. In FIG. 14, it is detected that the ball lending request signal T has changed to a high level, and the ball lending request flag is reset. Then, when this routine is executed again, “No” is determined in step S802, and the process proceeds to step S804 to clear the P-unit ready flag to “0”. Also, since the payout completion signal V is negated to a high level,
In step S806, “No” is determined, and step S806
The process proceeds to 808 and S810, and “No” in step S810
That is, the P-unit ready flag is determined to be “0”. As a result, the ball lending ready signal U is negated to the high level, and the processing ends.

FIG. 46 shows an example of a specific procedure of the sound request output processing S850 in the information output processing flow. When this routine is started, first, step S85
In step 2, it is checked whether or not the lending ball discharge sound generation request signal E to the game board control device 400 is asserted at a low level. I do. The ball lending sound request flag is set in the ball lending start processing routine (FIG. 3).
This flag is set in step S418 when lending is started by executing 8).

If "Yes" is determined in the step S854, the process shifts to a step S856 to assert the lending ball discharge sound generation request signal E to a low level, set a lending sound timer, and set a lending sound request flag. It is cleared to "0" and this routine ends (steps S858 and S860).
On the other hand, if "No" in step S854, that is, if the ball lending request flag is determined to be "0", the flow advances to step S872 to check whether or not the prize ball emission sound generation request signal D to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level. If the level is high, the flow advances to step S874 to determine whether or not the prize ball sound request flag is set to "1". The prize ball sound request flag is set in the prize ball start processing routine (FIG. 32).
Is executed to start prize ball discharge, step S8
9 is a flag set.

If "Yes" is determined in the step S874, the process shifts to a step S876 to assert the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D to a low level, set a prize ball sound timer, and set a prize ball sound request flag. It is cleared to "0" and this routine ends (steps S878, S880). Then, when the present routine is started again, when the process proceeds to step S852, it is determined that “Yes”, that is, the lending ball discharge sound generation request signal E is at the low level, the process proceeds to step S862, and the process proceeds to step S858. It is determined whether or not the ball lending timer has timed out. If the time is not up, the routine is terminated as it is. If the time is up, the lending ball discharge sound generation request signal E is negated to a high level and the routine is terminated (step S864).

On the other hand, after the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D is asserted to a low level in step S876, the present routine is started again, and when the routine proceeds to step S872, “Ye
s ", that is, it is determined that the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D is at the low level, and the flow shifts to step S882 to determine whether or not the prize ball sound timer set in step S878 has timed out. If not, the routine is terminated as it is, and if the time is up, the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D is negated to the high level and the routine is terminated (step S884). 9 shows an example of a specific procedure of the award ball information output processing S900 for the hole management device 700. The award ball information is output to the hole management device 700.

When this routine is started, it is checked in step S902 whether the read determination signal H output to the game board control device 400 has been asserted to a low level. It is determined whether the flag has been set to "1". The read confirmation flag is a flag that is set in step S214 when the above-described prize ball discharge processing routine (FIG. 32) is executed to start prize ball discharge. If “Yes” is determined in step S904, step S906 is performed.
Then, the read determination signal H is asserted low, the read determination timer is set, the read determination flag is cleared to "0", and this routine is terminated (steps S908 and S910).

After the read confirmation signal H is asserted to the low level, this routine is started again. When the routine reaches step S902, "Yes", that is, it is determined that the read confirmation signal H is at the low level, and the process proceeds to step S9.
Then, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether the reading determination timer set in step S908 has timed out. If the time is not up, the routine is terminated as it is. If the time is up, the read confirmation signal H is negated to the high level and the routine is terminated (step S).
914).

On the other hand, if "No" in step S904, that is, if the read confirmation flag is determined to be "0", then step S904 is executed.
In step 920, it is determined whether the prize ball number signal I (representing 10 ejected balls in one pulse) to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level. Is set to “1”. The prize ball transmission prohibition flag is a flag set to prohibit the transmission of the prize ball signal I for a predetermined time when the prize ball number signal I is negated in step S932 described later.

If “No” is determined in the step S 922, the process shifts to a step S 924, and a prize ball discharge counter (FIG. 3)
The value of the number of discharges (the number of prize balls) is updated once at the end of discharge in step S216 during the prize ball discharge process of No. 2 (10).
It is determined whether or not the number is equal to or more than "No", that is, if the number is equal to or less than 9, the routine is terminated.
Is asserted to a low level, the award ball count timer 1 is set, and this routine ends (steps S926 and S926).
928). This is for outputting one pulse of the prize ball number signal I having a predetermined pulse width to ten ejected balls.

Then, when this routine is started again, if "Yes" in step S920, that is, if it is determined that the award ball number signal I is at the low level, step S93 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S928, and it is determined whether or not the prize ball count timer 1 set in step S928 has expired. And
If the time has not elapsed, the routine is terminated as it is. If the time has elapsed, the award ball number signal I is negated to a high level in step S932, and the value of the award ball discharge counter is decremented by "10" (timer The value of the counter is also updated during the operation of 1 and cannot be cleared to "0".) Also, the prize ball transmission prohibition flag is set to "1", the prize ball timer 2 is started, and this routine is executed. The process ends (steps S934, S936, S938).

When the present routine is started again after the prize-ball transmission prohibition flag is set to "1", it is determined in step S922 that "Yes", that is, the prize-ball transmission prohibition flag is "1". Therefore, step S940
Then, it is determined whether or not the award ball count timer 2 has timed out. If the time is not up, the routine is terminated as it is, and if the time is up, the award ball transmission prohibition flag is cleared to "0" and the routine is terminated (step S942). As a result, it is possible to output the prize ball number signal I having a predetermined pulse width (set time of the timer 1) every ten prize ball numbers. Transmission is prohibited. As a result, the management device 700, which receives the number-of-prize-ball signals from a number of pachinko game machines, sets the prize-ball number signal I from each of the pachinko game machines.
Can be reliably captured.

FIG. 48 shows the information output process (FIG. 44).
An example of a specific procedure of the gaming machine information output processing S950 in the flow is shown. This gaming table information is also output to the hall management device 700. When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S952 whether or not the supply request flag has been set to "1". The replenishment request flag is determined by the replenishment sensor input processing routine described above (FIG. 22).
When the input of the replenishment sensor 106 is detected by this and the replenishment process (FIG. 43) in the main routine is executed, the flag is set in step S756. If "No" is determined in this step S952, the replenishment request signal K is negated to the high level in the next step S953, and if "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S954 to assert the replenishment request signal K to the low level. from to,
The process moves to step S956 .

In step S956, the frame release flag set by detecting a change in the signal from the frame sensor 103 in the frame sensor input processing routine (FIG. 16), and in the subsequent step S958, the frame sensor input processing routine (FIG. 16) 1
A frame stoppage flag set by 6) Examine each asserts the frame release signal if the frame release flag is "1" to low level, negates the frame occlusion signal if the frame closure flag is "1" to the high level ( The process moves from step S957, S959) to step S960. In step S960, the number of outs output to the game board control device 400
It is checked whether the signal L (one pulse represents ten out balls) is asserted at a low level. If the signal L is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S962, and the out transmission inhibition flag is set to "1".
It is determined whether or not it has been set. The out transmission inhibition flag indicates that the out number signal L is high in step S972 described later.
This flag is set when the level is negated.

If "No" is determined in the step S962, the process shifts to the step S964, and the out counter (FIG. 25)
Step S602 in the out sensor input processing routine of
2 is updated for each ball). If the value is 10 or more, the routine is terminated if the value is 9 or less. If the value is 10 or more, the out-number signal I is asserted to low level, and then the 1 is set, and this routine ends (steps S966 and S968). This is for outputting one out-number signal L having a predetermined pulse width to ten out-balls.

Then, when this routine is started again, when it reaches step S960, "Yes", that is, it is determined that the number-of-outs signal L is low level, and the routine goes to step S970 to set the out-timer set in step S968. It is determined whether 1 has timed out.
Then, ended as it routine unless the time is up, is subtracted from the negated out number signal L to high level at step S972 if the time-up, the value of the out counter by "10", also out The transmission prohibition flag is set to "1", the out timer 2 is started, and the present routine ends (steps S974 and S97).
6, S978).

When the routine is started again after the out transmission inhibition flag is set to "1", "Yes", that is, the out transmission inhibition flag is determined to be "1" in step S962. , Step S98
0, and determines whether or not the time out of the out timer 2 has elapsed. If the time is not up, the routine is terminated as it is, and if the time is up, the out transmission inhibition flag is cleared to "0" and the routine is terminated (step S982). FIG. 49 shows the error information output process S in the information output process (FIG. 44) flow.
990 shows an example of a specific procedure. This error information is also output to the hall management device 700.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S992 whether or not the discharge error flag is "1". If “No” is determined in this step S992, it is determined in the next step S994 whether or not the discharge improper flag is “1”. The discharge error flag is determined in step S14 of the discharge start processing routine (FIG. 30) in the discharge processing routine (FIG. 33) described above.
When the set discharge monitoring timer 2 is not completed discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls before counting up, stearyl
In step S242, the value is set to "1" to indicate an abnormality of the emission control system. When the discharge error flag is set to "1", the above-described discharge error recovery processing (FIG. 3)
7) is executed, and the error information of this routine is output. On the other hand, the above-described discharge improper flag is set in step S1114 by detecting the input of the discharge sensor in spite of the discharge solenoid being in the off state by the above-described discharge device improper monitoring process routine (FIG. 27). It is.

If the determination in step S992 or S994 is “No”, the next routine 9
In step 96, the error signal is negated to the high level. If "Yes" is determined in either step S992 or S994, the process proceeds to step S998 to assert the error signal to the low level and terminate. FIG. 50 shows an example of a specific procedure of the power failure recovery processing performed in step S15 in the main processing flow of FIG. In this power failure recovery processing, the data being discharged (the number of prize balls discharged or the number of lending balls discharged) is saved by the above-described power failure interruption processing (FIG. 26), and the power failure flag is set to “1” in the final step S3020. After the power is restored, the power
When the power is supplied to the power supply and the main routine is started, the power outage flag is determined to be "1" in step S1, the process proceeds to step S13, the process number is set to "5", and then the process proceeds to step S5. It is started when it is determined as “Yes” when it is done.

When the power failure flag is determined to be "1" in step S1, the process proceeds to step S13 without immediately executing the power failure recovery processing, and the processing number is temporarily set to "5" to stop the power failure. Remember what happened
The reason why the power failure recovery process is started when it is determined to be “Yes” at step S5 is that at step S5
This is because the discharge device illegality monitoring process 3 is executed first to confirm that there is no discharge irregularity, and then the discharge interrupted by the power failure is restarted. When the power failure recovery process of FIG. 50 is started, first, a discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag and a discharge sensor 2 ball presence flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine (FIGS. 19 and 20), The incomplete sensor ball presence flag set in the sensor input processing routine and the overflow ball absence flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 26 are checked (steps S1002-S1008), and any one flag is set to “0”. If it is "", the dischargeable flag is cleared to "0" and the process is terminated (step S101).
0).

On the other hand, if all the flags are set to "1", the discharge enable flag is set to "1" (step S1012), and then the value of the discharge register saved in the backup RAM or the interrupted state is set. The save data such as a flag indicating that the discharged discharge is a ball lending discharge is returned to the original register or flag (step S1014). In the next step S1016, it is checked whether or not the discharge enable flag is "1". If "1", the process proceeds to step S1018.
In S1020, it is determined whether the values of the discharge register 1 and the discharge register 2 each exceed “1”, and when the value of the discharge register 1 is “1” or less, the value of the discharge register 2 is
When the value of the discharge register 2 is "1" or less, the value of the discharge register 1 is further increased.
If both values exceed "1", both values are set in the discharge register 0 (steps S1022 and S102).
4, S1026).

Then, it is determined whether or not the interrupted discharge is a ball lending discharge (step S1028). Then, "Yes" if the step S1030 performs continuous ball lending discharge after, "No" ie interrupted discharged prize
If the ball has been discharged , the continuous prize ball discharge after step S1042 is performed. Thereby, even if the number of undischarged balls remains in one of the two discharge systems when a power failure occurs, the number of undischarged balls is set again in the discharge register 0 and discharge is started again. As a result, undischarged balls can be discharged immediately after the recovery from the power failure.
When the value of the discharge register 1 is equal to or smaller than "1" in step S1018, the value of the discharge register 2 is set in the discharge register 0 in step S1022. This means that the discharge has ended, and it can be estimated that the number of undischarged balls remains in the discharge register 2. Similarly, if the value of the discharge register 2 is equal to or less than “1” in step S1020, step S102
The reason why the value of the discharge register 1 is set in the discharge register 0 in step 4 is that it can be estimated that the number of undischarged balls remains in the discharge register 1.

In the continuous ball lending discharge, first, the ball lending sound request flag and the P-unit ready flag are set to "1" (steps S1030 and S1032), and the lending ball discharge display lamp 113 is turned on (step S1034). Then, the same routine as the discharge start processing shown in FIG. 30 is executed to start discharge by the ball discharge device 170 (step S1036). Then, the memory that the ball is being lent out is erased, the process number is set to “3” (steps S1038, S1040), and then the process proceeds to step S1050 to clear the power failure flag to “0”. End the routine. The processing number is set to “3” in order to end the lending ball discharge started in step S1036 in the ball lending discharge processing S17 of the main routine.

On the other hand, in the continuous prize ball discharge after step S1042, the prize ball discharge display lamp 112 is turned on, and then the same routine as the discharge start process shown in FIG. The discharge is started (step S1044). Then, the memory that the prize ball is being discharged is erased, and the processing number is set to “2” (steps S1046 and S1048). End the routine. The process number is set to "2" in order to end the prize ball discharge started in step S1044 in the prize ball discharge process S18 of the main routine. Then, ball lending request signal for the control signal and the balance display 122 ball lending conversion button 123 thus <br/> the discharge control device 600 on the signal from that provided in the drive signal and the pachinko machines for the card reader 250 or the like The control procedure of the ball lending control device 500 for forming and outputting the above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 51 shows an outline of a main routine of the ball lending control device. This main routine is repeatedly executed when the ball lending control device 500 is turned on. When the power is turned on, first, initial settings such as clearing of a RAM, setting of a flag, and resetting of an output buffer are performed (step S8002). Next step S80
In step 04, the ball lending possible display 126 is temporarily turned off, and a drive signal for displaying the balance zero ("000" in the case of three-digit display) is formed and output on the balance display 122 (step S8006). ). Then, the process proceeds to the next step, in which four processes of a ball lending process (step S8008), a return process (step S8010), a function transmission / reception process (step S8012), and a settlement signal output process (step S8014) are simultaneously performed in parallel with each other. Perform progressively.

FIGS. 52 and 53 show an example of a specific procedure of the ball lending process executed in step S8008 of the main routine (FIG. 51). When this processing is started, first, the ball lending enable signal U sent from the discharge control device 600 is checked to determine whether or not the signal has fallen (step S8102). And "N
o ", that is, when the ball lending enable signal U has not fallen, the process proceeds to step S8104, and the ball lending enable signal U is examined to determine whether the signal has risen. In response to sending the ball lending request signal T (low level) to the emission control device 600,
0 is a signal that changes to a low level when it is detected that the shortage of balls in the storage tank 151 or the hitting state of the game board has been released, the system is turned on, and the control of the discharge control device 600 starts. When this is done, the ball lending enable signal U is set to the high level state. Therefore, if the ball lending control device 500 detects the falling of this signal in step S8104 and determines “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S8104.
The flow shifts to 8106, where a function code transmission notice for notifying the card reader controller 250 that the card can be accepted is reserved, and the flow returns to step S8102.

Next, steps S8102-S810 are performed again.
If the determination is "No" in step S8104, the flow advances to step S8108, and the ball lending available indicator 126 is displayed.
Check if is lit. This ball lending possible indicator 126
Is a function transmission / reception process described later (FIGS. 55 and 56).
Is a lamp that is turned on when a card amount is received from the card reader control device 250. Therefore, before the card is inserted into the card reader, step S81
The determination at 08 is "No" and the process returns to step S8102 to repeat the above steps.

Then, when the card is inserted into the card reader, the card amount is transmitted from the card reader control device 250, and the ball lending possible display 126 is turned on, the judgment in step S8108 becomes "Yes" and the step S
Proceed to 8110. In step S8110, it is determined whether or not the ball lending enable signal U is at a high level.
If "s", the process proceeds to the next step S8112, and if "No", the process returns to step S8102.As described above, the ball lending enable signal U sends the ball lending request signal T This signal is changed to low level in response to the transmission, and the ball lending enable signal U is at low level because it is considered that the ball lending discharge process has already been started.

On the other hand, if the fall of the ball lending enable signal U is detected in step S8102, the process proceeds to step S8103.
Then, it is determined whether or not the ball lending available indicator 126 is lit. If it is lit, the process proceeds to step S8105, the ball lending display 126 is turned off, and a magnetic write function transmission reservation is made (step S8107). Proceeding to S8109, make a transmission reservation for a non-reception function indicating that the card cannot be received, and execute step S81.
Return to 02. This is because the ball lending enable signal U falls to a low level even when the discharge control device 600 detects the shortage of balls in the storage tank 151 or the release of the stopped state of the game board.

If "Yes" in step S8110, that is, it is confirmed that the ball lending enable signal U is at the high level, the flow advances to step S8112, where the balance storage means 542 is set.
The balance of the card in is checked to determine whether the balance is zero. Here, if “Yes”, the process returns to step S8102 without doing anything. If “No”, that is, if the balance is not zero, the ball lending number setting means 50 in steps S8116 to S8122.
Check the value set in 6. If the set value is “0”, the process returns to step S8102 and repeats the above steps. Usually, the power is turned on with the ball lending number setting means 506 always set.

If it is determined in step S8116 that the lending amount for 500 yen has been set, the flow shifts to step S8124 to compare the set amount with the remaining amount of the card, and determine that the card amount is higher. It is determined whether the number is large. Then, only when the amount of money of the card is larger, step S8
The process proceeds to 130, where the number-of-payouts register is set to "5", and if the amount of the card is smaller, step S81.
25, it is determined whether or not the balance of the card is 400 yen or more. If "Yes", the value of the number-of-payouts register is set to "4" (step S8131). Step S
If “No” is determined in 8125, that is, it is determined that the card balance is less than 400 yen, or if it is determined in step S8118 that the number of balls to be lent for 300 yen is set, the process proceeds to step S8126 and the balance of the card is reduced. It is determined whether it is 300 yen or more, and if “Yes”, the flow shifts to step S 8132 to set the payout number register to “3”. Further, in step S8126, it is determined whether "No", that is, the balance of the card is less than 300 yen, or 200 in step S8120.
If it is determined that the number of balls to be lent is set, the process proceeds to step S8128 to determine whether or not the balance of the card is 200 yen or more. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S8134 to set the payout number register to “2”. Set to Similarly, in step S8128 , it is determined whether "No", that is, the card balance is less than 200 yen, or step S812.
If it is determined in step 2 that the lending number for 100 yen has been set, the flow shifts to step S8136 to set the payout number register to "1".

Thus, when the ball lending discharge number of the ball lending control device 500 is set to “2” (for 200 yen) or more and the balance of the card inserted into the card reader is less than the set amount. In addition, the remaining balance of the card can be converted into a lending ball, and it is possible to prevent the card from becoming unusable with a fraction remaining. After the number of payouts is set in steps S8130 to S8136, the flow advances to step S8138, and the ball lending possible display 1
It is checked whether or not 26 is turned off. If it is turned on, the ball lending flag is set to "1" in step S8140, and then the flow shifts to step S8142 in FIG. However, if it is determined in step S8138 that the ball lending possible display 126 is turned off, step S819 in FIG. 53 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S6, the transmission reservation of the magnetic writing function and the card ejection function is made (step S8198), and the ball lending flag is cleared (step S8188).
It returns to the first step S8102. This is so that if the return button is pressed immediately after the conversion button is pressed, the ball lending and discharging process is not started. In the return process of FIG. 56, if the return button is turned on while the ball lending possible display 126 is lit, a command to turn off the ball lending possible display 126 and then eject the card from the card reader is given. It has become. Steps S8130 to S813
The payout number set in 6 is rewritten when the card is inserted again and the process proceeds to the above step.

In the case where the flow proceeds to step S8142 in FIG. 53, the ball lending request signal T to the emission control device 600 is asserted to a low level, and then the ball lending enable signal U is asserted.
A PRQ timer (3 ms) waiting for the response is set (step S8144). Then, it is determined whether the ball lending enable signal U from the emission control device 600 has fallen,
If “No”, it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out (steps S8146, S8148). Where P
If the ball lending enable signal U falls before the RQ timer times out, step S is executed to suspend the ball lending process.
Jump to 8192 to reserve transmission of magnetic write function and unacceptable function (step SS819)
4) After that, the ball lending flag set in step S8140 is cleared to “0” (step S8188),
It returns to the first step S8102. Emission control device 600
Since the ball lending enable signal U is asserted to a low level 5 ms after the ball lending request signal T enters, the ball lending enable signal U falls to a low level within 3 msec. This is because 600 is considered to be a case where it is detected that the number of balls in the storage tank 151 is short or the hit state of the game board is released. The function transmission / reception processing of FIG. 55 is executed by the transmission reservation. However, in this case, the card balance data sent to the card reader together with the magnetic writing function code is the same as the data at the time of reading.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8148 that the PRQ timer has expired before the ball lending enable signal U falls, the flow advances to step S8150 to display a ball lending possible display to inform that ball lump discharging processing has started. 126 is turned off. Then, set the PRQ timer to 3
Seconds are set (step S8152). It is determined whether or not the timer has expired, and if "No", it is determined whether or not the ball lending enable signal U is at a low level (steps S8154 and S8156). Here, if the PRQ timer times out before the ball lending enable signal U becomes low level, the process jumps to step S8196 to reserve the transmission of the magnetic writing function and the card ejection function (step S8198), and then in step S8140 The set ball lending flag is cleared to "0" (step S8188), and the first step S810 is executed.
Return to 2. The discharge control device 600 asserts the ball lending enable signal U to a low level 5 ms after the ball lending request signal T enters, so that 3 seconds or more have elapsed after the ball lending request signal T falls. The reason why the ball lending enable signal U does not become low level is that it is considered that there is an abnormality on the side of the discharging device.

If it is determined in step S8154 that the ball lending enable signal U has become low before the PRQ timer times out, the flow advances to step S8158 to set a discharge timer (3 seconds). Then, it is determined whether the timer has expired (step S8160),
If “No”, it is determined in step S8162 whether the return button is turned on. If it is on, steps S8130, S8
After changing the number of payouts set in steps 132 and S8134 to “1” (step S8164), if the number of payouts is off, the process directly proceeds to step S8166 to determine whether the payout completion signal V has risen (step S8166). Usually, the discharge is completed in 3 seconds, and the payout completion signal V does not rise even after 3 seconds, because it is considered that there is an abnormality in the discharge device. Also, the reason why the number of payouts is changed to “1” when the return button is turned on is that once the conversion button is operated, if the user notices an erroneous operation or a big hit occurs, the user can operate the return button. This is to allow the ball lending discharge process to be interrupted halfway. However, since the processing has already been started, the number of payouts is changed from "0" to "1" in order to discharge the lending ball for one time, that is, 100 yen.

If the discharge timer times out before the payout completion signal V rises, the flow jumps to step S8196 to reserve the transmission of the magnetic writing function and the unacceptable function (step S8198).
The ball lending flag set in step S8140 is set to “0”
Is cleared (step S8188), and the first step S
Return to 8102. If the payout completion signal V rises before the expiration timer expires, step S8168.
Then, the card balance (frequency) and the number of payouts are reduced by “1”, and the settlement signal j to the card management device 800 is set.
The (pulse) output counter is increased by "1" (steps S8170, S8172). Then, the process proceeds to step S8174 to determine whether or not the number of payouts has become “0”. If “No”, the process returns to step S8158 to repeat the above procedure. If “Yes”, that is, if the number of payouts is “0”, The process moves to S8176. In step S8176, the ball lending request signal T is negated to the high level, and in the next step, the PRQ timer is set to 3 seconds (step S8178).

Then, it is determined whether or not the timer has timed out, and if "No", it is determined whether or not the ball lending enable signal U is at a high level (step S81).
80, S8182). Here, the ball lending enable signal U is
If the PRQ timer times out before the high level is reached, the process jumps to step S8196 to make a transmission reservation of the magnetic writing function and the card ejection function (step S8198), and then sets the ball lending flag set in step S8140 to “ 0 ”(Step S8
188), and returns to the first step S8102. The reason why the ball lending enable signal U does not become high even after 3 seconds or more has elapsed since the ball lending request signal T is activated is because it is considered that there is an abnormality in the discharging device.

If it is determined in step S8182 that the ball lending enable signal U has gone high before the PRQ timer times out, the flow advances to step S8184 to determine whether or not the card balance is "0". If the card balance is "0", the flow jumps to step S8196 to make a reservation for transmission of the magnetic writing function and the card ejection function (step S8198), and then to step S814.
The ball lending flag set at 0 is cleared to "0" (step S8188), and the process returns to the first step S8102.
Thereby, even if the card is held in the card reader during the game, when the card balance becomes "0", the card is automatically ejected from the card reader, and the card balance becomes "0" for the player. You can know that quickly.
When making a transmission reservation for the magnetic writing function, the card balance data is written as text along with the write function code in the transmission buffer.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8184 that the card balance is not "0", the flow advances to step S8186 to display that the ball lending discharge processing is completed and the next ball lending conversion button can be operated. Ball lending possible display 12
After turning on 6, the flow advances to step S8188 to clear the ball lending flag set in step S8140 to zero, and then returns to the first step S8102. FIG. 54 shows a step S801 of the main routine (FIG. 51).
An example of a specific procedure of the card return process executed at 0 is shown.

When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the return button 124 has been turned on (step S820).
2) If "Yes", the flow advances to step S8204 to check whether or not the ball lending available indicator 126 is turned on. This ball lending possible display 126 has a card inserted into a card reader,
This lamp is turned on when the ball lending conversion button 123 is valid. If "Yes" in step S8204, that is, if it is determined that the lamp is turned on, the process advances to step S8206 to turn off the ball lending possible display 126 and then write the magnetic book. After making a reservation for transmission of the transfer function and a reservation for transmission of the card discharge function, the process returns to step S8202 and waits for the next return button to be turned on (step S820).
8208, S8210). When the card reader receives this function, the card is ejected from the card reader.

On the other hand, if the return button is turned on when the ball lending possible display 126 is turned off, the above-described step S
The process moves from step 8204 to step S8212, and the ball lending flag set in step S8140 of the ball lending process (FIG. 52) is checked to determine whether the ball lending process is in progress. If no ball is being lent, the process returns to step S8202 without doing anything. Since the ball lending indicator 126 is turned off because the card is not held in the card reader, it is not necessary to instruct the card reader to return the card even if the return button is turned on. is there.

If "Yes" in step S8212, that is, it is determined that a ball is being lent, the flow advances to step S8214 to check the ball lending flag and determine whether the ball lending process is completed. This step is repeated until the ball lending flag becomes "0". When the ball lending process is completed, the flow shifts to step S8216 to determine whether or not the card balance is "0". Here, if the card balance is not "0", the flow shifts to step S8206 to proceed to the ball lending possible display 1
After turning off the light source 26, a magnetic write function transmission reservation and a card ejection function transmission reservation are made, and the process returns to step S8202 to wait for the next return button to be turned on (steps S8208, S821).
0).

In step S8216, the card balance is “0”
If no, the process returns to step S8202 and waits for the next return button operation. When the card balance becomes "0", steps S8196 and S819 of the ball lending process described above.
This is because the transmission reservation of the magnetic writing function and the ejection function is made in FIG. FIGS. 55 and 56 show the card reader control device 250 executed in step S8012 of the main routine (FIG. 51).
5 shows an example of a specific procedure of the function transmission / reception process between.

The transmitted / received functions are transmitted in a data format in which an STX code is added at the head of the function code and an ETX code is added at the end. In addition to the function code,
There are an ENQ code (transmission inquiry) and an ACK code (acknowledgement), which are transmitted alone without adding a head STX code or a tail ETX code. When the function transmitting and receiving process is started, the ball lending process at Step S8300 (Fig. 52, 53) or function sends pre by card return processing (FIG. 54)
It is determined whether an approximate setting has been made. If there is no transmission reservation, the flow shifts to step S8350 to check the ENQ reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 60) described later, and the card reader control device 250
(Inquiry code) is determined.

If it is determined in step S8300 that "transmission reservation exists", the flow shifts to step S8302 to set the number of retransmissions to 3, and then writes the ENQ code in the transmission buffer (step S8304). The writing to the transmission buffer causes a transmission interrupt and starts a transmission interrupt process described later. Then, step S83
After setting the response timer to 10 seconds at 06, step S
At 9308, it is determined whether or not the response timer has expired. If "No", the ACK (response code) is checked by checking the ACK reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 60).
Is determined (step S8310). If the response timer times out before receiving the ACK, the process moves to step S8312 and proceeds to step S812.
After subtracting "1" from the number of retransmissions set in 302, it is determined whether the number of retransmissions has become "0" (step S8314).
Returning to step 304, the ENQ code is retransmitted.

On the other hand, if the ACK is received before the response timer expires, the flow advances to step S8316 to clear the ACK reception flag to "0" and write the STX code indicating the head of the transmission data in the transmission buffer. .
Then, after setting the response timer to 10 seconds in step S8318, it is determined in step S8320 whether the response timer has timed out. If "No", the ENQ reception flag set in the reception interrupt process (FIG. 60) is reset. To determine whether an ENQ has been received (step S832).
2). Since this ENQ is an inquiry as to whether the reception result may be sent from the card reader control device 250 to the ball lending control device 500, the ball lending control device 500 receives the ENQ before the response timer times out. In this case, the flow advances to step S8324 to clear the ENQ reception flag to "0" and write the ACK code into the transmission buffer. If the response timer times out before receiving the ENQ, it means that there was no response of the reception result to the text transmission, so it is determined that there was a communication error, and the flow shifts to step S8340 to show an error code indicating the communication error Is written to the display data buffer, and step S834 is executed.
In step 4, the code is displayed on the balance display 122, and the control operation is stopped.

After transmitting the ACK in step S8324, the response timer is set again to 10 seconds (step S833).
26) After that, in step S8328 , it is determined whether or not the response timer has expired . If “No”, a function indicating the contents of the reception result is received by checking the FNC reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 60). It is determined whether it has been performed (step S8330). If the response timer times out before receiving the function, it means that there is no response to the ACK transmission. Therefore, it is determined that there is a communication error, and the flow shifts to step S8340 to set an error code indicating the communication error. The code is written into the display data buffer, and the code is displayed on the balance display 122 in step S8344, and the control operation is stopped.

If a function is received before the response timer expires, the flow advances to step S8332 to clear the FNC reception flag to "0". Then, the content of the received function is "retransmission request" or "abnormal". "End" or "normal end" (step S833).
4, S8336, S8338). Abnormal termination is
This message is sent when there is no abnormality in the communication itself but there is an abnormality such as writing failure in the card reader. Therefore, if the received function is a retransmission request, the flow returns to step S8302 to perform transmission again, and if abnormally terminated, the flow proceeds to step S8342 to write an error code indicating a card reader abnormality to the display data buffer. In step S8344, the code is displayed on the balance display 122, and the control operation is stopped.
If the transmission has been completed normally, the process returns to step S8300 assuming that a series of transmission processing has been completed, and performs processing for the next transmission reservation.
Returning to step 318, the function code of the reception result is received again.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8300 that "transmission is not reserved", the flow shifts to step S8350 in FIG. 56 to set ENQ set in the reception interrupt process (FIG. 60).
By checking the reception flag, it is determined whether an ENQ from the card reader control device 250 has been received. If the ENQ has been received, the flow shifts to step S8352 to clear the ENQ reception flag and write the ACK code in the transmission buffer, and then sets the response timer to 10 seconds (step S8354). By writing to this transmission buffer, a transmission interrupt occurs and a transmission interrupt process described later is started,
ACK is transmitted to card reader control device 250. Therefore, in step S8356, it is determined whether or not the response timer has expired, and if “No”, it is determined whether a function indicating the content of the reception result has been received by checking the FNC reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 60). (Step S8358). If the response timer times out before receiving the function,
Since there is no response to the K transmission, it is determined that there is a communication error, and the flow shifts to step S8340 in FIG. 55 to write an error code indicating the communication error into the display data buffer. The control operation is stopped by displaying on the display 122.

If the function is received before the response timer expires, the flow advances to step S8360 to clear the FNC reception flag to "0", and then to determine whether the received card balance together with the received function is "0". Is determined (step S8362). If the result of the determination is "Yes", that is, if the card balance is "0", the process returns to step S8300 without doing anything and repeats the above routine. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S8362 is “No”, the flow proceeds to step S8364 and the ball lending possible display 1
26 is turned on, the contents of the reception buffer (balance data) are written into the card balance storage unit, and the reception processing is terminated. FIG. 57 shows step S of the main routine (FIG. 51).
An example of a specific procedure of the settlement signal output process executed in 8014 is shown.

When this process is started, first, the settlement signal number counter counted up in step S8172 in the ball lending process of FIG. 53 is checked to determine whether or not the number of settlement signals is “0” (step S8402). If "No", that is, if it is determined that the number of payment signals is one or more, step S
Proceeding to 8404, the on-time timer is set to 200 ms, the settlement signal j is asserted to a high level, and then the timer is awaited ( step S840).
6, S8408 ). Then, the process proceeds to step S8410 to set the off-time timer to 200 ms, negate the settlement signal j to low level, and waits for the timer to expire (steps S8412 and S841).
4).

Then, in step S8416, the above-mentioned settlement signal number counter is decremented by "1", and step S8402 is performed.
Then, the settlement signal pulse is output until the settlement signal number counter becomes “0”. Thereby, the pulse width 20
A settlement signal j of 0 ms is output. Also, when outputting the pulse “2” or more, the interval between the pulses is set to 200 ms, and the card management device 800 that receives the pulse can reliably count the settlement signal pulse. FIG. 58 shows an example of a specific procedure of a timer interrupt process executed by the ball lending control device 500 by a timer interrupt, for example, every 1 millisecond, separately from the main routine (FIG. 51).

In this timer interrupt processing, the balance data is read from the card balance storage unit, a display signal of the balance display unit 122 is formed and output, and the card balance is displayed (step S8502), and is used in the main routine. Each of the timers is decremented by "-1" (step S85).
04). 59 and 60 show an example of a specific procedure of the transmission interruption process and the reception interruption process executed by the ball lending control device 500 separately from the main routine (FIG. 51).

Of these, the transmission interrupt is transmitted to the transmission buffer during the ball lending process (see FIG. 53) and the function transmission / reception process (see FIG. 55) of the main routine.
It is generated by writing a code, an STX code or an ACK code. When this transmission interrupt is started, steps S8602, S8604,
In step S8606, it is determined which code is written in the transmission buffer. If the code written in the transmission buffer is any one of ENQ, ACK and ETX (code indicating the end of text data), the flow advances to step S8612 to transmit the code in the transmission buffer and end the interrupt. .

On the other hand, if all of the above determinations result in "No", the code in the transmission buffer is an STX code, a function code or text data, and there are subsequent codes. Therefore, in that case, the process proceeds to step S8608 to transmit the code, then increments the address of the transmission buffer, transmits the code stored in the next buffer, and ends (step S86).
10, S8612). The reception interrupt in FIG. 60 is generated when a transmission from the card reader control device 250 enters.

When this reception interrupt is started, it is determined whether the code received in steps S8652 and S8654 is an ENQ code or an ACK code. Then, if the received code is an ENQ code, step S8656
And set the ENQ reception flag to “1”
If the code is a K code, the ACK reception flag is set to "1" in step S8658, and the interrupt processing ends. E above
The NQ reception flag and the ACK reception flag are referred to in the function transmission / reception processing flow.

On the other hand, if the received code is neither the ENQ code nor the ACK code, step S
Proceeding to 8660, it is determined whether the received code is an ETX code. If "No", the flow proceeds to step S8662 to save the received code from the reception buffer to the memory, update the reception buffer address, and end (step S862). S8664). If a subsequent reception code remains in the reception buffer, a reception interruption is performed again. Therefore, by repeating the above routine, the reception code is saved in the memory.
If it is determined in step S8660 that the ETX code has been received, the process advances to step S8666 to check whether the length of the received function code is normal. If "Yes", the flow advances to step S8668 to set the function reception flag to "1" to end the interrupt processing. If "No", the flow shifts to step S8670 to make a retransmission request function transmission reservation and interrupt processing. finish.

Next, the card is inserted into the ball lending machine 200,
FIG. 9 shows the specific timing of signals transmitted and received between the ball lending control device 500 and the discharge control device 600 when the ball lending request is made by pressing the conversion button 123 provided on the pachinko gaming machine 100. This will be described using reference numeral 61. The figure shows the signal timing when the conversion button to the loaned ball for 200 yen is pressed. When the conversion button 123 is pressed, the ball lending control device 500 detects this and sends a conversion request signal Y (pulse) to the ball lending control device 50.
0 (timing t1). Then, the ball lending control device 500 detects this, and asserts the ball lending request signal T (BRQ) to the emission control device 600 to a low level (timing t2). The discharge control device 600 that has received the ball lending request signal T (BRQ), if the ball discharge device 170 is in a dischargeable state, discharge solenoids 741 a and 741.
1b and the drive signal of the lending ball discharge display lamp 113, the lending ball discharge sound request signal E (pulse) is transmitted to the game board control device 400, and the lending ball control device 500 is transmitted to the game board control device 400. The supplied ball lending enable signal U (PRQ) is asserted to a low level (timing t3).

The discharge control device 600 monitors the detection signals from the discharge sensors 730a and 730b, and when the discharge number reaches 25 (equivalent to 100 yen), the discharge solenoid 7
The drive signal for the ball-discharge indicator lamp 113 and the drive signal for the ball-discharge display lamp 113 are turned off, the payout completion signal V (pulse) is sent to the ball-lending control device 500, and the settlement signal J is sent to the hall management device 700. Is transmitted (timing t4). When receiving the payout completion signal V, the ball lending control device 500 subtracts the card balance, and when judging that the balance is not zero and a predetermined number of discharges have not been completed, the ball lending request signal T is asserted to a low level as it is. (Timing t5). Then, the discharge control device 600 again controls the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b.
And the drive signal of the lending ball discharge display lamp 113, and transmits a lending ball discharge sound request signal E (pulse) to the game board control device 400 (timing t6).

When the number of discharges reaches 25 (for 100 yen), the drive signal of the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b and the drive signal of the lending ball discharge display lamp 113 are turned off. Payout completion signal V (pulse) and the hall management device 700
The settlement signal J is transmitted to the user (timing t7). When judging that the predetermined number of discharges has been completed, the ball lending control device 500 negates the ball lending request signal T to a high level (timing t8). Then, the discharge control device 600 negates the ball lending enable signal U supplied to the lending control device 500 to a high level, and ends the ball lending discharge process.

[0271] In the above embodiment, the conversion button 123 for a loaned ball, the return button 124, the balance display 122, and the like are provided on the operation panel 121 on the upper surface of the supply tray 120. The present invention is not limited thereto, and may be provided at any position on the front of the pachinko gaming machine or on the front of the ball rental machine 200. Further, in the embodiment, the card reader is built in the ball lending machine arranged between the gaming machines, but the card reader is the tray 1 of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
It may be arranged on one side of 40 or the like and built in the gaming machine.

[0272]

As described above, according to the present invention, a prize ball control signal is transmitted to a discharge control circuit by a game board control circuit having means for storing data of the number of prize balls to be discharged. This eliminates the need for the emission control circuit to store the prize ball number data. As a result, even when the game board is replaced, there is an effect that the discharge control circuit does not need to be replaced. In addition, the prize balls control signal, includes a synchronization signal for controlling the timing related to the acquisition of the prize balls speed signal and that prize ball speed signal as a prize cell count data, the discharge control circuit from the game board control circuit side Since the prize ball number signal is transmitted to the prize ball discharge number storage means based on the synchronization signal, the discharge control circuit can accurately control the reception timing of the prize ball control signal.
The discharge control of the prize balls generated many times a day can be performed accurately and reliably. In addition, when the synchronization signal
Judge whether it is maintained at the effective level indicating
Determining means for validating the synchronization signal by the determining means.
Based on the confirmation that the level has been maintained,
Since the signal acquisition means is provided, the level of the synchronization signal
The game is correctly set in the game board control circuit
Determine if there is any abnormal signal such as noise
The prize ball number signal can be accurately captured, and the wrong prize ball
There is an effect that outflow can be prevented . further,
Since the game board control street and the discharge control circuit are separately configured, each circuit itself can be reduced in size, which is economical.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a card-type pachinko gaming machine as a gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a configuration example of a back mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 100.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view showing one embodiment of a ball discharging device 170.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control system of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the ball rental machine 200.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of a game board control device 400.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sound output unit 450.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an emission control device 600.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit 610 of the discharge control device 600.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power failure control unit 619 of the emission control device 600.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a ball lending control device 500.

FIG. 11 shows a card control unit 51 of the ball lending control device 500.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main routine of a background control process performed by the discharge control device 600.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a timer interrupt process performed by the discharge control device 600 every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 msec) elapses.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a ball lending request detection processing routine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a winning ball data detection processing routine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a frame sensor input processing routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 2.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a routine of a level input process of the discharge sensor 1.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a routine of a level input process of the discharge sensor 2.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the ball-out sensor 750.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an input process of the supply sensor 106.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the overflow detector 104.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of an input process of a standby sphere detector 160 (irregular sensor).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an output signal input processing routine of the out sensor 107.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of a power failure interruption process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of a discharge device improper monitoring process S3 performed in the main process flow of FIG . 12 ;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of a discharge device unauthorized release process S14.

29 is a main routine of the prize ball discharge control device ( FIG. 1)
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the prize ball start process performed in step S19 of 2 ).

FIG. 30: Step S9 of the prize ball start processing ( FIG. 29 )
9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process executed at 0.

FIG. 31: Step S1 of the discharge start processing ( FIG. 30 )
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the discharge number division | segmentation process performed in 24.

FIG. 32 is a step S18 of a main routine ( FIG. 12 ) executed by the CPU 610 of the winning ball discharge control device .
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the prize ball discharge process performed in.

FIG. 33: Step S2 of the prize ball discharging process ( FIG. 32 )
9 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a discharging process performed in the subroutine 04.

FIG. 34 is a step S232 of the discharge processing ( FIG. 33 ) .
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of one-piece discharging processing performed in FIG.

FIG. 35: Step S234 of the discharge processing ( FIG. 33 )
5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an alternate discharge process performed by the subroutine.

FIG. 36 is a step S236 of the discharge processing ( FIG. 33 );
6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a combined discharge process performed in step (a).

FIG. 37: Step S252 of the discharge processing ( FIG. 33 )
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge error recovery process performed in step (a).

38 shows a main routine of the prize ball discharge control device ( FIG. 1)
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball lending start process performed in step S21 of 2 ).

39 is a step S17 of a main routine ( FIG. 12 ) executed by the CPU 610 of the winning ball discharge control device .
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball lending discharge process performed in.

40 is a step S16 of a main routine ( FIG. 12 ) executed by the CPU 610 of the winning ball discharge control device .
5 is a flowchart showing a part of a subroutine of a ball-pulling-out process executed in FIG.

41 is a step S16 of a main routine ( FIG. 12 ) executed by the CPU 610 of the winning ball discharge control device .
5 is a flowchart showing a part of a subroutine of a ball-pulling-out process executed in FIG.

[Figure 42] prize balls emission control device side main routine executed by the CPU610 (Figure 1 2) step S16 of
5 is a flowchart showing a part of a subroutine of a ball-pulling-out process executed in FIG.

FIG. 43: Step S2 in the main processing flow of FIG .
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of a supply process performed in Step 3.

44 is a step S2 in the main processing flow of FIG . 12 ;
6 is a flowchart showing specific contents of an information output process performed in Step 4.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of a loaned ball information output process S800 in the information output process flow.

FIG. 46 shows an example of a specific procedure of a sound request output process S850 in the information output process flow.

FIG. 47 shows the prize ball information output processing S900 to the hole management device 700 in the information output processing flow.
5 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of FIG.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the gaming machine information output processing S950 in the information output processing ( FIG. 44 ) flow.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the error information output processing S990 in the information output processing ( FIG. 44 ) flow.

50 is a step S1 in the main processing flow of FIG. 12;
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of a power failure recovery process performed in Step 5.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing an outline of a main routine of the ball lending control device.

FIG. 52: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (first half) of the specific procedure of the ball lending process performed by 8008.

FIG. 53: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (2nd half) of the specific procedure of the ball lending process performed by 8008.

FIG. 54: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part of specific procedure of the card return process performed in 8010.

FIG. 55: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (first half) of the specific procedure of the function transmission / reception process performed by 8012.

FIG. 56: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (second half) of the specific procedure of the function transmission / reception process performed by 8012.

FIG. 57: Step S of the main routine (FIG. 51)
It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific procedure of the settlement signal output process performed in 8014.

58 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a timer interrupt process performed by the ball lending control device 500 every time a predetermined time (for example, 1 msec) elapses, prior to the main routine (background process) of FIG. 51.

59 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a transmission interruption process performed by the ball lending control device 500 prior to the main routine (background process) of FIG. 51.

60 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a reception interruption process performed by the ball lending control device 500 prior to the main routine (background process) of FIG. 51.

FIG. 61 shows the ball lending control device 500 and the discharge control device 6
6 is a time chart showing specific timings of signals transmitted and received between 00 and 00.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Pachinko gaming machine 120 Supply tray 122 Balance display 123 Ball lending conversion button 200 Ball lending machine 211 Card insertion / ejection slot 220 Insert balance display 230 Effective display lamp 400 Gaming board control device 500 Ball lending control device 600 Discharge control device 700 Hall Management device 800 Card management device

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball discharge device capable of discharging a required number of balls is provided.
In example was the gaming machine, the gaming machine, comprise a separate discharge control circuit for controlling relating to <br/> game board control circuit and the bulb discharging device is configured one-to-one with at least the game board, the game board control The circuit is a storage means for storing at least data of the number of prize balls to be discharged.
And a prize ball number signal corresponding to the prize ball number data and a transmission destination
A prize including a synchronization signal for controlling the timing of signal acquisition
Transmitting means for transmitting a ball control signal to the discharge control circuit, wherein the discharge control circuit indicates that the synchronization signal from the transmission means captures for a predetermined time or more.
Determining means for determining whether the synchronization signal is maintained at an effective level; and maintaining the effective level of the synchronization signal by the determining means.
Captures the above prize ball number signal based on the confirmation of
The signal capturing means and the prize ball number signal captured by the signal capturing means are recorded.
A gaming machine characterized by comprising a storage means for remembering .