JP4269575B2

JP4269575B2 - Game machine

Info

Publication number: JP4269575B2
Application number: JP2002129052A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 慎也岩崎; 秀彰船橋
Original assignee: Toyomaru Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyomaru Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-30
Filing date: 2002-04-30
Publication date: 2009-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-30
Also published as: JP2003320129A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、パチンコ機等の遊技機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の遊技機の一例であるパチンコ機には、上部の遊技球タンクから上皿までに至る一対の遊技球通路が設けられており、その遊技球通路の途中に、払い出し装置が設けられている。この払い出し装置は、各遊技球通路ごとに連続し、遊技球を１個または複数個ずつ送り出し可能な払い出し機構を夫々備え、各払い出し機構には、送り出される遊技球の検出ごとに確認信号を発信する検出器が設けられている。
【０００３】
払い出し装置への払い出しの要請球数は、入賞球の検出信号（入賞信号）に基づいて加算され、検出器からの確認信号に基づいて減算される。入賞信号は、当たり判定処理を含むメインプログラムを実行する主基板のみに流入し、払い出しは、主基板の負担を軽減するため、払い出し基板を介して払い出し装置へ指令される、よって、主基板は、払い出し基板に対して、要請球数への加算数を通知することになる。
一方、払い出し基板は、貸し出しボタンの押し操作による貸し出し信号の受信により、貸し出し単位数（例えば２５個）を加えて、球貸しのための払い出しについて同様に要請球数を算出し、払い出し装置へ指令する。よって、払い出し装置の払い出し機構は、一方が賞品球の払い出し用として、他方が球貸し用として夫々別個に動作制御されている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記払い出し基板は、各払い出し機構において球詰まり等により払い出し動作が正常に行われなかった場合、すなわち検出器からの確認信号が得られなかった場合には、数十回〜百数十回の払い出し動作を繰り返し行わせ（リトライ）、このリトライの間に確認信号が得られないとエラー発生としているため、エラー発生の確認に時間がかかっていた。
一方、払い出し機構が夫々賞品球の払い出し用と球貸し用とに区別して使用されていたため、大当たり状態等払い出しの総数が多い場合に払い出すのにも時間がかかってしまう。また、払い出し機構ごとの稼働時間が不均等になりやすいため、一方の払い出し機構で構成部品の劣化を早め、ひいては払い出し装置全体の寿命を短縮化させることにもなる。
【０００５】
そこで、請求項１に記載の発明は、払い出し機構の正常な動作を迅速にチェックできる遊技機を提供することを目的としたものである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、入賞球を誘導する入賞球通路において少なくとも払い出し単位ごとに設けられ、夫々入賞球の検出に応じて入賞信号を発する入賞球検出器と、その入賞球検出器と接続され、入賞信号の受信及び払い出し単位に基づいて賞品球の払い出し加算数を算出する主制御手段と、前記各遊技球通路上に夫々設けられ、前記各遊技球通路を通る遊技球を１または複数個ずつ下流側へ払い出し可能な第一払い出し機構および第二払い出し機構と、それらの第一払い出し機構および第二払い出し機構にそれぞれ設けられ、払い出される遊技球の検出に応じて確認信号を発信する第一検出器および第二検出器と、前記主制御手段及び各払い出し機構及び各検出器と夫々接続され、前記主制御手段から受けた払い出し加算数を加算すると共に、前記検出器から受けた確認信号に基づいて減算することで、払い出しの要請球数を算出し、その要請球数に応じて前記払い出し機構を動作させる払い出し制御手段とを備え、前記払い出し制御手段は、第一検出器あるいは第二検出器からの確認信号が得られない場合でも、当該未検出側の払い出し機構を動作させ、その動作に応じた確認信号の未検出数を各払い出し機構ごとに記憶するとともに、各払い出し機構による払い出し動作に応じた第一検出器および第二検出器の確認信号が検出されたか否か判断し、確認信号が検出されなかった場合、一定時間が経過した後に、第一検出器の確認信号が検出されたか否かを判別し、検出されていれば、第一払い出し機構の確認信号の連続未検出数をクリアし、未検出であれば、連続未検出数に１を加算し、しかる後、第二検出器の確認信号が検出されたか否かを判別し、検出されていれば、第二払い出し機構の確認信号の連続未検出数をクリアし、未検出であれば、連続未検出数に１を加算する一方、第一検出器あるいは第二検出器の連続未検出数が一定回数に達した場合には、エラー発生として、第一払い出し機構あるいは第二払い出し機構における払い出し動作を停止することを特徴とする。
【０００７】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１の目的に加えて、払い出し動作をより確実に行わせるために、払い出し制御手段は、要請球数が１個になると、前回の払い出し動作で第一検出器あるいは第二検出器からの確認信号が未検出か否かを判別し、第一検出器からの確認信号が未検出であれば、第二払い出し機構を作動させて払い出しを行い、第二検出器から確認信号が得られれば、第二検出器からの連続未検出数をクリアし、確認信号が得られなければ、一定時間の経過した後に第二検出器の連続未検出数に１を加算し、第二検出器からの確認信号が未検出であれば、第一払い出し機構を作動させて払い出しを行い、第一検出器から確認信号が得られれば、第一検出器からの連続未検出数をクリアし、確認信号が得られなければ、一定時間の経過した後に第二検出器の連続未検出数に１を加算するとともに、第一検出器あるいは第二検出器の連続未検出数が一定回数に達した場合には、エラー発生として、第一払い出し機構あるいは第二払い出し機構における払い出し動作を停止する構成としたものである。
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１または２の目的に加えて、賞品球の払い出しと遊技球の貸し出しとにかかわらず、払い出しを短時間で可能とするために、予め設定された貸し出し単位数で遊技球の貸し出し信号を発する貸し出し要請手段を備えるものにあっては、払い出し制御手段は、主制御手段から受けた払い出し加算数と、前記貸し出し要請手段から受けた貸し出し信号に基づく貸し出し単位数とを加えた要請球数を算出し、その要請球数に応じた払い出しを、前記各払い出し機構を同時に動作させて行う構成としたものである。
請求項４に記載の発明は、第一検出器あるいは第二検出器の連続未検出数が一定回数に達した場合には、エラー発生として、報知手段を作動させる構成としたものである。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
図１は遊技機の一例であるパチンコ機の正面説明図で、パチンコ機１は、上半部手前にガラス枠２を有していると共に、その背面側に遊技盤３を保持している。遊技盤３の前面には、円形の遊技領域４が形成されており、遊技領域４内には、障害釘５，５・・及び図柄表示装置６、並びに普通入賞口７，７・・、図柄始動口８、大入賞口９等の各種入賞口が配設されている。図柄始動口８及び大入賞口９は、１入賞あたり１５個の賞品球を提供すること、即ち払い出し単位として１５が予め定められており、普通入賞口７，７・・は、１入賞あたりの払い出し単位が５とされている。
また、ガラス枠２の下方には、上皿１０及び下皿１１が突設されており、下皿１１の右側には、上皿１０からの遊技球を遊技領域４へ打ち込む操作に使用するハンドル１２が突設されている。
【０００９】
さらに、図２は、遊技盤３に固定された表示用ユニットを省略して示すパチンコ機１の背面説明図で、上部には遊技島の遊技球循環装置からの遊技球を蓄えるタンク１３が設けられ、タンク１３には、球詰まりを防止して遊技球の流れを円滑にするために振動を発生させるモータ１４が備えられている。また、タンク１３の下部には、遊技球直径強の幅を有する２つの遊技球通路１５，１５が並設されて、上皿１０の裏側へ連結されている。なお、パチンコ機１は、遊技球通路１５，１５の下端縁の下方を起点とする溢れ球通路（図示せず）を内包しており、上皿１０から逆行してきた遊技球を下皿１１へ導くようになっている。１６は、パチンコ機１の背面中央付近に設けられてパチンコ機１を制御し、本発明の主制御手段となる主基板、１７は、サブ基板の一つで本発明の払い出し制御手段となる払い出し基板である。
【００１０】
そして、遊技球通路１５，１５の途中には、払い出し装置１８が設置されている。払い出し装置１８は、図３，４に示す如く、ハウジング１９の左右両側へ、各遊技球通路１５に対応する払い出し機構２０，２０を対称に備えている。この払い出し機構２０は、遊技球通路１５と連続する払い出し球通路２１内にあって、夫々６個の球切り爪２３，２３・・及び停止爪２４，２４・・が周設され、回動可能に軸支された回転体２２と、その回転体２２の上方で、払い出し指令としての電圧が印加（通電）されている時間のみ磁場変化を生じてプランジャ２６を上昇させるソレノイド２５と、プランジャ２６と回転体２２との間で揺動可能に軸支され、プランジャ２６の下端に連結される停止部材２７とを有している。
【００１１】
プランジャ２６は、ソレノイド２５が非通電状態であると、自重により下降し、停止部材２７の先端を下げる。下降した停止部材２７の先端は、回転体２２の停止爪２４に係止することにより、図５（ａ）に示すように、回転体２２及び球切り爪２３が支持する払い出し球通路２１内の遊技球列を固定する。一方、ソレノイド２５が通電されていると、同図（ｂ）のようにプランジャ２６が上昇し、停止部材２７が上方に揺動されて停止爪２４から離脱する。この離脱により、回転体２２は固定状態を解かれ、支えていた遊技球列の重力により回転し、遊技球Ｓを球切り爪２３，２３・・で１個ずつ区切りながら下方へ送ることができる（同図（ｃ））。
ここで、球切り爪２３，２３・・と停止爪２４，２４・・とは、対応するよう同数設けられているので、ソレノイド２５へ瞬間的に通電してプランジャ２６を上下動させ、離脱箇所に隣接する停止爪２４に係止するようにして、１個の遊技球を送り出すことができるし（同図（ｄ））、比較的長時間通電して、まとめて送り出すようにすることもできる。
【００１２】
さらに、各払い出し球通路２１における回転体２２の下方部分には、孔２８に遊技球が通過すると誘導電圧である確認信号を発生する払い出し球検出器（以下単に「検出器」という）ＣＳＷ１（左側）及びＣＳＷ２（右側）が設置されている。また、各回転体２２には、遊技球１個強の重さを持ち、外方へ揺動可能なハンマー状の回転規制部材２９が接触して、係止解除時の回転体２２の廻り過ぎを規制している。そして、ハウジング１９の左右にネジ止めされて払い出し機構２０を閉塞するカバー３０，３０の表面上で、回転体２２のすぐ外側には、内側の電場変化により回転体２２が区切っている遊技球をカバー３０越しに検出する球切れセンサ３１が取り付けられている。
【００１３】
一方、図６はパチンコ機の一部内部構成図で、主基板１６、払い出し基板１７は、書き換え可能な不揮発性の記憶手段であるＥＥＰＲＯＭ３２，３３を夫々備えると共に、主ＣＰＵ３４、払い出しＣＰＵ３５を有しており、それぞれ図示しないインターフェイスを介して、主基板１６から払い出し基板１７へコマンド送信可能に接続されている。３６は、他のサブ基板として主基板１６に電気的接続される中継基板で、その下流側には、モータ１４、払い出し停止ランプ３７、球切れランプ３８が夫々接続されている。
さらに、各種入賞口７〜９から、図示しない入賞球通路がそれぞれ延設され、大入賞口９に係る入賞球通路には、入賞球検出器ＳＷ１が、同様に図柄始動口８に係る入賞球通路には、入賞球検出器ＳＷ２が、各普通入賞口７，・・，７に係る入賞球通路には、入賞球検出器ＳＷ３，ＳＷ４・・，ＳＷ７が夫々設けられている。各入賞球検出器ＳＷ１〜ＳＷ７は、図示しない孔の周囲にコイルを巻回していて、遊技球の孔通過により、入賞信号としての誘導電圧を発生するようになっている。
【００１４】
また、主基板１６は、入賞信号や球切れのための検出信号を受けるべく、各入賞球検出器ＳＷ１，ＳＷ２・・及び球切れセンサ３１と接続されており、払い出し基板１７は、払い出し装置１８のソレノイド２５，２５及び検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２と接続されている。さらに、主基板１６のＥＥＰＲＯＭ３２には、パチンコ機１を制御するための主プログラムが格納されている他、賞品球に関する払い出し加算数（初期値０）のための記憶領域が確保されている。払い出し加算数は、主プログラムにより払い出し基板１７へ払い出し数の増加分を通知するために記憶される。
【００１５】
一方、払い出し基板１７には、上皿１０へ設けられた貸し出し要請手段としての貸し出しボタン３９が接続され、この貸し出しボタン３９の押し下げにより、払い出し基板１７に予め設定された貸し出し単位数（例えば２５個）で遊技球の貸し出し信号が発せられる。払い出し基板１７のＥＥＰＲＯＭ３３には、払い出し装置１８を制御するための払い出しプログラムが格納されている他、主基板１６から受信した払い出し加算数の領域と、遊技球に関する払い出しの要請球数Ｐ（初期値０）のための記憶領域と、後述する払い出しプログラムにおいて用いられる、検出器ＣＳＷ１，ＣＳＷ２ごとの連続未検出数の記憶領域も確保されている。
要請球数Ｐは、主基板１６から受けた払い出し加算数と、貸し出し信号の受信による貸し出し単位数とを加えると共に、検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２からの確認信号分だけ減らすことにより算出される。払い出しＣＰＵ３５は、要請球数Ｐの分の払い出しの指令を、払い出し装置１８に指令する。なお、主基板１６と各種部材とは、不正防止のため、ワンウェイの通信のみ行うようになっている。
【００１６】
以上の如く構成されたパチンコ機１においては、遊技者がハンドル１２を捻って遊技領域４に打ち込んだ遊技球が、例えば普通入賞口７，７・・に入賞すると、入賞口７毎の入賞球検出器ＳＷ３〜ＳＷ７が入賞信号を発する。主基板１６の主ＣＰＵ３４は、各入賞信号を略常にモニタし、入賞球検出器ＳＷ３〜ＳＷ７から入賞信号を受信すると、何時でも、払い出し加算数を、１入賞信号あたり、対応する払い出し単位である５だけ増し、主基板１６のＥＥＰＲＯＭ３２において更新する。
【００１７】
主ＣＰＵ３４は、入賞球検出器ＳＷ１，ＳＷ２から入賞信号を受信すると、払い出し加算数Ｍを、１入賞信号あたり、対応する払い出し単位である１５だけ増し、更新する。また、主ＣＰＵ３４は、図柄始動口８の入賞球検出器ＳＷ２から入賞信号を受けると、大当たり判定を行うと共に、図柄表示装置６に表示コマンドを送信して大当たり判定に基づく図柄の変動表示後の停止表示を指令し、停止表示図柄が所定の大当たり図柄であると、適宜各種演出を伴った大入賞口９の断続的開成を行う。大入賞口９は、開成しない限り入賞することができず、入賞毎に１５という多数の払い出し個数が予め定められているため、大当たり図柄が表示されると遊技者にとって有利な大当たり状態となる。
【００１８】
また、主ＣＰＵ３４は、主プログラムの略最終段階における通信処理時、賞品球に関する払い出し加算数を含む信号（コマンド）を発行し、インターフェイスを介して払い出し基板１７へ送信する。ここで、複数の入賞信号を受信した場合には、それら入賞信号に基づく合計の値（送信時点での払い出し加算数）を送る。なお、送信直後、払い出し加算数は０にクリアされる。また、通信処理時、払い出し加算数が０であった場合には、コマンド送信は行わない。
【００１９】
一方、払い出し基板１７において、払い出しＣＰＵ３５は、要請球数Ｐの加算を、次のように行う。すなわち、今回通知された払い出し加算数を、増加分として要請球数Ｐに加算すると共に、検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２からの確認信号の受信をモニターし、確認信号の受信ごとに要請球数Ｐの減算をする。同様に、貸し出し信号の受信があった場合は、要請球数Ｐに貸し出し単位数を加算すると共に、検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２からの確認信号の受信をモニターし、確認信号の受信ごとに要請球数Ｐの減算を行う。
【００２０】
以下に、払い出しプログラムとそれに伴う払い出し装置１８の動作とを図７，８のフローチャートで詳細に説明する。
まず、払い出しＣＰＵ３５は、Ｓ１において、要請球数Ｐが２個以上であるか否かを判別する。ここで要請球数Ｐが２個以上であると、Ｓ２で、払い出し装置１８において左右のソレノイド２５，２５に通電させ、夫々１個の遊技球を払い出す。ここでは左右の払い出し機構２０，２０が同時に作動するので、合計２個が送り出されることとなる。
【００２１】
次に、Ｓ３の判別で、検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２からの確認信号が検出されれば、その検出毎に要請球数Ｐを１減らしてＥＥＰＲＯＭ３３に記憶すると共に、Ｓ４で、ＥＥＰＲＯＭ３３に記憶されていた左右の連続未検出数をクリアし、Ｓ５の判別に移る。ここで未検出数はクリアされているので、そのままＳ１の判別へ戻る。
このような動作を繰り返し、払い出し加算数及び確認信号の受信数に基づいて要請球数Ｐを演算し、要請球数Ｐ分の遊技球を払い出す。すなわち、左右の払い出し機構２０，２０を利用して２個ずつの払い出しが繰り返される。
【００２２】
一方、Ｓ３の判別で、少なくとも一方の確認信号を検出しなかった場合、Ｓ６で一定時間の経過後、Ｓ７で、左側の払い出し機構２０において検出器ＣＳＷ１からの確認信号が検出されたか否かを判別し、左側で検出されていれば、Ｓ８で左連続未検出数をクリアし、左側で未検出であれば、Ｓ９で左連続未検出数を１加算する。続いてＳ１０で、右側の払い出し機構２０において検出器ＣＳＷ２からの確認信号が検出されたか否かを判別し、右側で検出されていれば、Ｓ１１で右連続未検出数をクリアし、右側で未検出であれば、Ｓ１２で右連続未検出数を１加算する。こうして、Ｓ５の判別で連続未検出数が一定回数に達すると、Ｓ１３でエラー発生として当該払い出し機構での払い出し動作を停止すると共に、払い出し停止ランプ３７で報知して、店員等による対処を促す。なお、エラー報知は、左右何れの払い出し機構２０にかかわらず、払い出し停止ランプ３７の点灯や点滅等で行っても良いが、払い出し停止ランプ３７の点滅のパターンを変えたりする等して、左右何れの払い出し機構２０でエラーが発生したかを判別できるようにするのが望ましい。勿論左右別個に払い出し停止ランプ３７を設けても良い。
【００２３】
逆に、確認信号が得られなくても、連続未検出数がＳ５で一定回数に達するまでは、Ｓ１〜Ｓ３及びＳ６〜Ｓ１２までのソレノイド２５の動作と確認信号の検出確認とが繰り返され（リトライ）、リトライ中に確認信号が得られると、所定の払い出し個数となるまで引き続いて払い出し動作が左右の払い出し機構２０，２０で行われることとなる。このように左右個別に確認信号の有無を確認して連続未検出数をカウントすることで、球詰まり等の不具合が発生した払い出し機構２０を確実に判別することができる。
【００２４】
なお、要請球数Ｐが１個になると、Ｓ１から図８に示すＳ１４の判別を経て、Ｓ１５では、前回の払い出しで左側の検出器ＣＳＷ１からの確認信号が未検出か否かを判別する。ここで未検出であれば、Ｓ１６で右ソレノイド２５を作動させて払い出しを行う。よって、検出器ＣＳＷ２から確認信号が得られれば（Ｓ１７）、Ｓ１８で右連続未検出数をクリアしてＳ５以降の処理に戻り、Ｓ１７で確認信号が得られなければ、Ｓ１９で一定時間の経過を待って、Ｓ２０で右連続未検出数を１加算し、Ｓ５以降の処理に戻る。
【００２５】
一方、Ｓ１５の判別がＮＯ、すなわち前回の払い出しで右側の検出器ＣＳＷ２からの確認信号が未検出であれば、Ｓ２１で左ソレノイド２５を作動させて払い出しを行う。ここで検出器ＣＳＷ１から確認信号が得られれば（Ｓ２２）、Ｓ２３で左連続未検出数をクリアしてＳ５以降の処理に戻り、Ｓ２２で確認信号が得られなければ、Ｓ２４で一定時間の経過を待って、Ｓ２５で左連続未検出数を１加算し、Ｓ５以降の処理に戻る。よって、各払い出し機構２０における払い出し動作は、例えば１５個払い出しの場合は、右が８回、左が７回のように、一方が他方より１個だけ多くなるように振り分けた数で行われることになる。
【００２６】
このように上記形態のパチンコ機１によれば、検出器ＣＳＷ１またはＣＳＷ２からの確認信号が得られない場合でも、当該未検出側の払い出し機構２０を動作させると共に、その動作に応じた確認信号の未検出数を払い出し機構２０ごとに記憶して、未検出数が所定回数連続した場合には、その未検出側の払い出し機構２０の動作を停止させる一方、確認信号が得られた場合には、未検出数の記憶をクリアすることで、払い出しの正常な動作を各払い出し機構２０ごとに迅速にチェック可能となる。
【００２７】
また、主基板１６から受けた払い出し加算数と、貸し出しボタン３９から受けた貸し出し信号に基づく貸し出し単位数とを加えた要請球数Ｐを算出し、その要請球数Ｐに応じた払い出しを、左右の払い出し機構２０，２０を同時に動作させて行うようにしたことで、賞品球の払い出しと遊技球の貸し出しとにかかわらず、払い出しに要する時間が大幅に短縮される。例えば従来は、遊技球７５個の払い出しに６〜７秒要していたものが、払い出し装置１８によれば３秒で払い出し可能となる。また、左右の払い出し機構２０，２０が略均等に使用されるから、部品の消耗が偏って生じることがなく、払い出し装置１８全体で寿命を延ばすこともできる。
さらに、要請球数Ｐが１個になると、前回の払い出しにおいて確認信号の未検出がなかった払い出し機構２０を選択して払い出し動作させているから、払い出し動作がより確実になされる。
【００２８】
なお、本発明は、以下に例示するように、種々の変更が可能である。
例えば、払い出し装置において、回転体の通電毎の回転及び停止は、停止爪と、ソレノイドのプランジャの停止部材との係脱により行われる必要はなく、ステッピングモータにより行われても良い。また、払い出し機構の形状、大きさ、ハウジング及びカバーに対する設置態様などは何ら実施形態に限定されず、球切り爪の数を少なくし、或いは間隔を広げて２個以上の遊技球を受け入れるようにしたり、停止部材を軸支せずプランジャに固定したり、ハウジングやカバーに爪を突設し、ソレノイド等を係止したりすることができる。さらに、ハウジングやカバー自体も同様に形状や取り付け態様などを変更することができる。
一方、上記形態では、払い出し機構を左右一対設けた構造で説明しているが、払い出し機構の数を３以上配置して同時に制御することも可能である。
【００２９】
また、払い出しの要請球数は、上記形態では払い出し基板１７側でのみ算出させているが、検出器ＣＳＷ１及びＣＳＷ２と貸し出しボタン３９とを主基板１６側へも接続して、主基板１６側でも要請球数Ｐを算出させて、ノイズ等により払い出し基板１７側への払い出し加算数の加算コマンドが欠落し、主基板１６側で払い出す要請があると認識しているにもかかわらず実際に払い出されない場合、すなわち払い出しの数が過小である場合が生じると、主基板１６にバックアップコマンドを送信させて主基板１６側の要請球数を払い出し基板１７側の要請球数に上書きさせることもできる。このように主基板１６側で要請球数を監視させれば、過小分を払い出して、払い出しの個数を入賞に基づく正当な個数に修正可能となる。
【００３０】
さらに、上記形態では、要請球数Ｐが１個の場合は、Ｓ１４以降の処理において、前回の払い出しで確認信号が未検出でなかった側の払い出し機構で払い出しを行っているが、これと逆に、あえて確認信号が未検出であった側の払い出し機構で最後の１個を払い出すようにして、リトライを行った側の払い出し機構の正常な動作の確認を図っても良い。
【００３１】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の発明によれば、払い出し制御手段は、確認信号が得られない場合でも、当該未検出側の払い出し機構を動作させると共に、確認信号の未検出数を各払い出し機構ごとに記憶して、未検出数が所定回数連続した場合には、当該未検出側の払い出し機構の動作を停止させる一方、未検出側の払い出し機構において確認信号が得られた場合には、未検出数の記憶をクリアすることで、払い出しの正常な動作を各払い出し機構ごとに迅速にチェック可能となる。
【００３２】
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１の効果に加えて、払い出し制御手段は、要請球数が１個になると、前回の払い出しにおいて確認信号の未検出がなかった払い出し機構を選択して払い出させるようにしたことで、払い出し動作がより確実になされる。
請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項１または２の効果に加えて、前記貸し出し要請手段を備えるものにあっては、払い出し制御手段は、主制御手段から受けた払い出し加算数と、貸し出し要請手段からの貸し出し単位数とを加えた要請球数を算出し、その要請球数に応じた払い出しを各払い出し機構を同時に動作させて行うことで、賞品球の払い出しと遊技球の貸し出しとにかかわらず、払い出しに要する時間が大幅に短縮される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】パチンコ機の正面説明図である。
【図２】表示ユニットを省略したパチンコ機の背面説明図である。
【図３】払い出し装置の斜視説明図である。
【図４】払い出し装置の分解斜視図である。
【図５】（ａ）〜（ｄ）とも、払い出し装置の断面説明図であって、払い出し動作の説明図である。
【図６】パチンコ機の一部内部構成説明図である。
【図７】払い出し制御のフローチャートである。
【図８】払い出し制御のフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１・・パチンコ機、１５・・遊技球通路、１６・・主基板、１７・・払い出し基板、１８・・払い出し装置、２０・・払い出し機構、２２・・回転体、２３・・球切り爪、２４・・停止爪、２５・・ソレノイド、２６・・プランジャ、２７・・停止部材、３２，３３・・ＥＥＰＲＯＭ、３４・・主ＣＰＵ、３５・・払い出しＣＰＵ、ＣＳＷ１，ＣＳＷ２・・払い出し球検出器。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A pachinko machine, which is an example of a conventional gaming machine, is provided with a pair of game ball passages from an upper game ball tank to an upper plate, and a payout device is provided in the middle of the game ball passage. . This payout device is provided with a payout mechanism that is continuous for each game ball passage and can send out one or more game balls, and sends a confirmation signal to each payout mechanism each time a game ball is sent out. A detector is provided.
[0003]
The number of balls requested to be paid out to the payout device is added based on a winning ball detection signal (winning signal) and subtracted based on a confirmation signal from the detector. The winning signal flows only into the main board that executes the main program including the hit determination process, and the payout is instructed to the payout device via the payout board in order to reduce the burden on the main board. Then, the payout board is notified of the number added to the requested number of balls.
On the other hand, the payout board adds the number of lending units (for example, 25) by receiving a lending signal by pressing the lending button, calculates the requested number of balls for lending for ball lending, and instructs the lending device. To do. Therefore, the payout mechanism of the payout device is controlled to operate separately for one for paying out prize balls and for the other for ball lending.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If the payout operation is not performed normally due to ball clogging or the like in each payout mechanism, that is, if a confirmation signal is not obtained from the detector, the payout board is discharged several tens to hundreds of times. Since the operation was repeated (retry) and an error occurred if no confirmation signal was obtained during this retry, it took time to confirm the occurrence of the error.
On the other hand, since the payout mechanism is separately used for prize ball payout and ball lending, it takes time to pay out when the total number of payouts such as a big hit state is large. In addition, since the operating time of each payout mechanism is likely to be uneven, one payout mechanism accelerates the deterioration of the component parts, and consequently shortens the life of the entire payout apparatus.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can quickly check the normal operation of the payout mechanism.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a winning ball detector which is provided at least for each payout unit in a winning ball path for guiding a winning ball, and emits a winning signal in response to detection of the winning ball. And a main control means connected to the winning ball detector for calculating a prize ball payout addition number based on a winning signal reception and payout unit;Each game ball passageProvided above,Each game ball passageOne or more game balls passing through can be paid downstreamFirst payout mechanism and second payout mechanismWhen,Their first payout mechanism and second payout mechanismInRespectivelyA confirmation signal is sent in response to detection of a game ball provided and paid outFirst detector and second detectorAnd the main control means andEach payout mechanismas well asEach detectorAnd adding the payout addition number received from the main control means, and subtracting based on the confirmation signal received from the detector to calculate the requested ball number for payout, and to the requested ball number A payout control means for operating the payout mechanism in response, the payout control means,First detector or second detectorEven if the confirmation signal is not obtained from theMake it work, The number of undetected confirmation signals according to the operation for each payout mechanismWith memory,It is determined whether or not the confirmation signals of the first detector and the second detector corresponding to the dispensing operation by each dispensing mechanism are detected. If no confirmation signal is detected, the first detector If it is detected, the number of consecutive undetected numbers in the confirmation signal of the first payout mechanism is cleared, and if not detected, 1 is added to the number of consecutive undetected signals. After that, it is determined whether or not the confirmation signal of the second detector has been detected, and if it is detected, the number of consecutive undetected confirmation signals of the second payout mechanism is cleared. While adding 1 to the number of undetected, if the number of consecutive undetected number of the first detector or the second detector reaches a certain number of times, an error occurs and the payout operation in the first payout mechanism or the second payout mechanism To stopIt is characterized by that.
[0007]
  In addition to the object of claim 1, the invention described in claim 2 provides a payout control means that, in order to perform the payout operation more reliably,It is determined whether or not the confirmation signal from the first detector or the second detector has not been detected in the previous dispensing operation. If the confirmation signal from the first detector has not been detected, the second dispensing mechanism is activated. If the confirmation signal is obtained from the second detector, the number of consecutive undetected signals from the second detector is cleared, and if the confirmation signal is not obtained, the second detector If 1 is added to the number of consecutive undetected and the confirmation signal from the second detector is not detected, the first dispensing mechanism is operated to perform dispensing, and if the confirmation signal is obtained from the first detector, If the continuous undetected number from one detector is cleared and a confirmation signal is not obtained, 1 is added to the continuous undetected number of the second detector after a lapse of a fixed time, and the first detector or the second detector If the number of undetected detectors reaches a certain number, an error will occur. As generated, stops the dispensing operation in the first payout mechanism or the second payout mechanismIt is a configuration.
  In addition to the object of claim 1 or 2, the invention described in claim 3 is a lending set in advance so that the payout can be made in a short time regardless of the payout of prize balls and the lending of game balls. In the case of providing a lending request means for issuing a gaming ball lending signal in the number of units, the payout control means is a lending unit based on a payout addition number received from the main control means and a lending signal received from the lending request means. The number of requested balls added to the number is calculated, and payout according to the requested number of balls is performed by simultaneously operating the respective payout mechanisms.
  The invention according to claim 4When the number of consecutive undetected numbers of the first detector or the second detector reaches a certain number of times, the notification means is activated as an error has occurred.It is a configuration.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front explanatory view of a pachinko machine that is an example of a gaming machine. The pachinko machine 1 has a glass frame 2 in front of the upper half and holds a game board 3 on the back side thereof. A circular game area 4 is formed on the front surface of the game board 3. In the game area 4, the obstacle nails 5, 5..., The symbol display device 6, and the normal winning openings 7, 7. Various winning openings such as a start opening 8 and a large winning opening 9 are arranged. The symbol start opening 8 and the big winning opening 9 provide 15 prize balls per winning, that is, 15 is predetermined as a payout unit, and the normal winning opening 7, 7,. The payout unit is 5.
Further, an upper plate 10 and a lower plate 11 project from the lower side of the glass frame 2, and a handle used for driving a game ball from the upper plate 10 into the game area 4 on the right side of the lower plate 11. 12 is protrudingly provided.
[0009]
Further, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1 in which the display unit fixed to the game board 3 is omitted, and a tank 13 for storing game balls from the game ball circulation device on the game island is provided in the upper part. In addition, the tank 13 is provided with a motor 14 that generates vibrations to prevent clogging of the balls and smooth the flow of the game balls. In addition, two game ball passages 15 and 15 having a width that is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball are juxtaposed at the lower portion of the tank 13 and connected to the back side of the upper plate 10. Note that the pachinko machine 1 includes an overflow ball passage (not shown) starting from below the lower edge of the game ball passages 15, 15, and the game ball reversing from the upper plate 10 is transferred to the lower plate 11. It comes to lead. 16 is provided near the center of the back surface of the pachinko machine 1 and controls the pachinko machine 1, and a main board serving as a main control means of the present invention, 17 is a sub-board, and is a payout control means of the present invention. It is a substrate.
[0010]
A payout device 18 is installed in the middle of the game ball passages 15 and 15. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the payout device 18 has symmetrical payout mechanisms 20 and 20 corresponding to the game ball passages 15 on the left and right sides of the housing 19. The payout mechanism 20 is in a payout ball passage 21 continuous with the game ball passage 15 and has six ball-cutting claws 23, 23... And stop claws 24, 24. A rotating body 22 that is pivotally supported by the motor, a solenoid 25 that raises the plunger 26 by causing a magnetic field change only during a period in which a voltage as a payout command is applied (energized) above the rotating body 22, A stop member 27 that is pivotally supported between the rotary body 22 and connected to the lower end of the plunger 26 is provided.
[0011]
When the solenoid 25 is in a non-energized state, the plunger 26 is lowered by its own weight and lowers the tip of the stop member 27. The tip of the lowered stop member 27 is engaged with the stop claw 24 of the rotator 22, and as shown in FIG. 5A, the tip of the stop member 27 in the payout ball passage 21 supported by the rotator 22 and the ball claw 23. Fix the game ball train. On the other hand, when the solenoid 25 is energized, the plunger 26 ascends as shown in FIG. 5B, and the stop member 27 is swung upward and detached from the stop claw 24. By this separation, the rotating body 22 is released from the fixed state, and is rotated by the gravity of the game ball row that has been supported, so that the game balls S can be sent downward while being separated one by one by the ball cutting claws 23, 23. (FIG. (C)).
Here, the same number of the ball-cutting claws 23, 23,... And the stop claws 24, 24,... Are provided. One game ball can be sent out so as to be locked to the stop claw 24 adjacent to the same ((d) in the figure), or can be sent out collectively for a relatively long time. .
[0012]
Further, a payout ball detector (hereinafter simply referred to as “detector”) CSW1 (on the left side) that generates a confirmation signal that is an induced voltage when a game ball passes through the hole 28 is provided below the rotating body 22 in each payout ball passage 21. ) And CSW2 (right side). In addition, each rotating body 22 comes in contact with a hammer-like rotation restricting member 29 that weighs a little over one game ball and can swing outward, so that the rotating body 22 goes too far when the lock is released. Is regulated. Then, on the surfaces of the covers 30 and 30 that are screwed to the left and right of the housing 19 to close the payout mechanism 20, a game ball in which the rotating body 22 is partitioned by an inner electric field change is placed just outside the rotating body 22. A ball break sensor 31 for detecting through the cover 30 is attached.
[0013]
On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a partial internal configuration diagram of the pachinko machine. The main board 16 and the payout board 17 have EEPROMs 32 and 33 as rewritable nonvolatile storage units, respectively, and have a main CPU 34 and a payout CPU 35. The main board 16 is connected to the payout board 17 through an interface (not shown) so that commands can be transmitted. Reference numeral 36 denotes a relay board that is electrically connected to the main board 16 as another sub-board, to which the motor 14, the payout stop lamp 37, and the ball break lamp 38 are connected, respectively.
Further, a winning ball passage (not shown) is extended from each of the various winning openings 7 to 9, and a winning ball detector SW1 similarly receives a winning ball related to the symbol start opening 8 in the winning ball passage related to the big winning opening 9. A winning ball detector SW2 is provided in the passage, and winning ball detectors SW3, SW4,..., SW7 are provided in the winning ball passages related to the respective normal winning openings 7,. Each of the winning ball detectors SW1 to SW7 has a coil wound around a hole (not shown), and generates an induced voltage as a winning signal when the game ball passes through the hole.
[0014]
The main board 16 is connected to each of the winning ball detectors SW1, SW2,... And the ball break sensor 31 so as to receive a winning signal and a detection signal for running out of the ball. Are connected to the solenoids 25 and 25 and the detectors CSW1 and CSW2. Further, the EEPROM 32 of the main board 16 stores a main program for controlling the pachinko machine 1 and also has a storage area for a payout addition number (initial value 0) for prize balls. The payout addition number is stored in order to notify the payout board 17 of the increase in the payout number by the main program.
[0015]
On the other hand, a lending button 39 as a lending request means provided on the upper plate 10 is connected to the payout board 17, and the number of lending units set in advance on the payout board 17 (for example, 25 pieces) by pushing down the lending button 39. ) A game ball rental signal is issued. The EEPROM 33 of the payout board 17 stores a payout program for controlling the payout device 18, as well as the area of the payout addition number received from the main board 16, and the requested number P of payouts regarding the game balls (initial value). 0) and a continuous undetected number of storage areas for the detectors CSW1 and CSW2, which are used in a payout program to be described later, are also secured.
The requested number of balls P is calculated by adding the number of payouts received from the main board 16 and the number of lending units by receiving the lending signal, and reducing it by the amount of the confirmation signal from the detectors CSW1 and CSW2. The payout CPU 35 instructs the payout device 18 to issue a payout for the requested number of balls P. The main board 16 and various members are configured to perform only one-way communication in order to prevent fraud.
[0016]
In the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above, when a game ball that a player twists the handle 12 and drives into the game area 4 wins, for example, a normal winning slot 7, 7,... The detectors SW3 to SW7 issue a winning signal. The main CPU 34 of the main board 16 almost always monitors each winning signal, and when receiving a winning signal from the winning ball detectors SW3 to SW7, the payout addition number is a corresponding payout unit per winning signal at any time. It is increased by 5 and updated in the EEPROM 32 of the main board 16.
[0017]
When the main CPU 34 receives the winning signal from the winning ball detectors SW1 and SW2, the main CPU 34 updates the payout addition number M by 15 corresponding to the payout unit for each winning signal. Further, when the main CPU 34 receives a winning signal from the winning ball detector SW2 of the symbol starting port 8, it performs a jackpot determination and transmits a display command to the symbol display device 6 to display a symbol variation display based on the jackpot determination. When stop display is instructed and the stop display symbol is a predetermined jackpot symbol, the special winning opening 9 is intermittently opened with various effects as appropriate. The big winning opening 9 cannot be won unless it is opened, and since a large number of payouts of 15 for each winning is determined in advance, when the big win symbol is displayed, it becomes a big win state that is advantageous for the player.
[0018]
The main CPU 34 issues a signal (command) including a payout addition number related to a prize ball at the time of communication processing at a substantially final stage of the main program, and transmits the signal (command) to the payout board 17 via the interface. Here, when a plurality of winning signals are received, a total value based on the winning signals (the number of payouts added at the time of transmission) is sent. Note that the payout addition number is cleared to 0 immediately after transmission. Also, when the payout addition number is 0 during communication processing, command transmission is not performed.
[0019]
On the other hand, on the payout board 17, the payout CPU 35 adds the requested number of balls P as follows. That is, the payout addition number notified this time is added to the requested ball number P as an increase, and reception of confirmation signals from the detectors CSW1 and CSW2 is monitored, and the requested ball number P is subtracted every time a confirmation signal is received. do. Similarly, when a lending signal is received, the number of lending units is added to the requested number of balls P, and reception of confirmation signals from the detectors CSW1 and CSW2 is monitored. Subtract P.
[0020]
In the following, the payout program and the operation of the payout device 18 associated therewith will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
First, in step S1, the payout CPU 35 determines whether or not the requested number of balls P is two or more. Here, if the requested number of balls P is two or more, in S2, the left and right solenoids 25, 25 are energized in the payout device 18 to pay out one game ball. Here, since the left and right payout mechanisms 20, 20 operate simultaneously, a total of two are delivered.
[0021]
Next, if a confirmation signal from the detectors CSW1 and CSW2 is detected in S3, the requested number of balls P is reduced by 1 and stored in the EEPROM 33 for each detection, and stored in the EEPROM 33 in S4. The left and right consecutive undetected numbers are cleared, and the process proceeds to S5. Since the undetected number is cleared here, the process returns to the determination of S1 as it is.
Such an operation is repeated, the required number of balls P is calculated based on the number of payout additions and the number of confirmation signals received, and game balls for the required number of balls P are paid out. That is, two payouts are repeated using the left and right payout mechanisms 20, 20.
[0022]
On the other hand, if at least one of the confirmation signals is not detected in S3, it is determined whether or not a confirmation signal from the detector CSW1 is detected in the left payout mechanism 20 in S7 after a predetermined time has passed in S6. If it is determined and detected on the left side, the left continuous undetected number is cleared in S8, and if not detected on the left side, 1 is added to the left continuous undetected number in S9. Subsequently, in S10, it is determined whether or not a confirmation signal from the detector CSW2 has been detected in the right-hand payout mechanism 20, and if it is detected on the right side, the number of consecutive right undetected is cleared in S11, If it is a detection, 1 is added to the number of undetected right continuous in S12. Thus, when the number of consecutive undetections reaches a certain number in S5, the payout operation in the payout mechanism is stopped as an error occurs in S13, and the payout stop lamp 37 is notified to prompt the store clerk to take action. The error notification may be performed by turning on or blinking the payout stop lamp 37 regardless of the left or right payout mechanism 20, but by changing the blinking pattern of the payout stop lamp 37 or the like. It is desirable to be able to determine whether an error has occurred in the payout mechanism 20. Of course, a payout stop lamp 37 may be provided separately on the left and right.
[0023]
On the contrary, even if the confirmation signal is not obtained, the operation of the solenoid 25 and the detection confirmation of the confirmation signal are repeated until S1 to S3 and S6 to S12 until the continuous undetected number reaches a certain number in S5 ( Retry) When a confirmation signal is obtained during the retry, the payout operation is continuously performed by the left and right payout mechanisms 20 and 20 until the predetermined payout number is reached. In this way, by confirming the presence / absence of a confirmation signal separately on the left and right sides and counting the number of consecutive undetections, it is possible to reliably determine the payout mechanism 20 in which a defect such as a ball clogging has occurred.
[0024]
When the requested number of balls P becomes 1, through S1 through S14 shown in FIG. 8, in S15, it is determined whether or not the confirmation signal from the left detector CSW1 has not been detected in the previous payout. If it is not detected here, the right solenoid 25 is operated in S16 to perform payout. Therefore, if a confirmation signal is obtained from the detector CSW2 (S17), the right continuous undetected number is cleared in S18, and the process returns to S5 and subsequent steps. If no confirmation signal is obtained in S17, a certain time elapses in S19. In step S20, 1 is added to the right undetected number, and the process returns to step S5 and thereafter.
[0025]
On the other hand, if the determination in S15 is NO, that is, if the confirmation signal from the right detector CSW2 is not detected in the previous dispensing, the dispensing is performed by operating the left solenoid 25 in S21. If a confirmation signal is obtained from the detector CSW1 (S22), the number of unsuccessful left consecutive detections is cleared in S23, and the process returns to S5 and subsequent steps. In S25, 1 is added to the left undetected number, and the process returns to S5 and subsequent steps. Therefore, the payout operation in each payout mechanism 20 is performed in a number that is distributed so that one is one more than the other, for example, in the case of 15 payouts, the right is 8 times and the left is 7 times. become.
[0026]
Thus, according to the pachinko machine 1 of the above-described form, even when the confirmation signal from the detector CSW1 or CSW2 is not obtained, the undetected-side payout mechanism 20 is operated, and the confirmation signal corresponding to the operation is changed. When the undetected number is stored for each payout mechanism 20 and the undetected number continues for a predetermined number of times, the operation of the undetected payout mechanism 20 is stopped, while when the confirmation signal is obtained, By clearing the memory of the undetected number, it is possible to quickly check the normal operation of the payout for each payout mechanism 20.
[0027]
Further, a requested ball number P is calculated by adding the number of payouts received from the main board 16 and the number of lending units based on the lending signal received from the lending button 39, and the payout according to the requested ball number P is Since the payout mechanisms 20 and 20 are operated at the same time, the time required for payout is greatly reduced regardless of the payout of prize balls and the rental of game balls. For example, in the past, it took 6 to 7 seconds to pay out 75 game balls, but according to the payout device 18, it can be paid out in 3 seconds. In addition, since the left and right payout mechanisms 20 and 20 are used approximately evenly, the wear of parts does not occur unevenly, and the life of the payout device 18 as a whole can be extended.
Further, when the requested number of balls P is 1, since the payout mechanism 20 that has not detected the confirmation signal in the previous payout is selected and the payout operation is performed, the payout operation is more reliably performed.
[0028]
The present invention can be variously modified as exemplified below.
For example, in the dispensing device, the rotation and stop of the rotating body each time energization is not necessarily performed by engaging / disengaging the stop claw and the stop member of the solenoid plunger, and may be performed by a stepping motor. Further, the shape and size of the payout mechanism, the manner of installation with respect to the housing and cover, etc. are not limited to the embodiment, and the number of ball-cutting claws is reduced or the interval is increased to receive two or more game balls. In addition, the stop member can be fixed to the plunger without being pivotally supported, or a claw can be provided on the housing or the cover to lock the solenoid or the like. Further, the shape and mounting manner of the housing and the cover itself can be similarly changed.
On the other hand, in the above embodiment, a structure in which a pair of left and right payout mechanisms is provided is described, but it is also possible to arrange three or more payout mechanisms and control them simultaneously.
[0029]
Further, in the above embodiment, the requested number of balls to be paid out is calculated only on the payout board 17 side. However, the detectors CSW1 and CSW2 and the lending button 39 are also connected to the main board 16 side, and the main board 16 side is also connected. The requested number of balls P is calculated, and the command for adding the number of payout additions to the payout board 17 side is missing due to noise or the like. If not issued, that is, if the number of payouts is too small, a backup command may be transmitted to the main board 16 to overwrite the requested number of balls on the main board 16 side with the requested number of balls on the payout board 17 side. . In this way, if the requested number of balls is monitored on the main board 16 side, it becomes possible to pay out the under-charge and correct the number of payouts to a valid number based on the winnings.
[0030]
Further, in the above embodiment, when the requested number of balls P is one, in the processing after S14, payout is performed by the payout mechanism on the side where the confirmation signal is not detected in the previous payout, but the reverse is true. In addition, it is possible to check the normal operation of the retry mechanism on the retry side by paying out the last one with the payout mechanism on the side where the confirmation signal has not been detected.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the payout control means operates the undetected payout mechanism even when a confirmation signal is not obtained, and stores the number of undetected confirmation signals for each payout mechanism. When the undetected number continues for a predetermined number of times, the operation of the undetected-side payout mechanism is stopped, while when the confirmation signal is obtained in the undetected-side payout mechanism, the undetected number of undetected numbers By clearing the memory, the normal operation of payout can be quickly checked for each payout mechanism.
[0032]
  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1,When the requested number of balls reaches one, the payout control means selects the payout mechanism for which the confirmation signal has not been detected in the previous payout, and makes the payout operation more reliable.
  According to invention of Claim 3, in addition to the effect of Claim 1 or 2,In the case where the lending request means is provided, the payout control means calculates the requested number of balls by adding the number of payouts received from the main control means and the number of lending units from the lending request means. By paying out according to the number by operating each payout mechanism at the same time, the time required for payout is greatly shortened regardless of the payout of prize balls and the rental of game balls.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory front view of a pachinko machine.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of a pachinko machine in which a display unit is omitted.
FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of a payout device.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing device.
FIGS. 5A to 5D are cross-sectional explanatory views of the payout device, illustrating the payout operation.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a partial internal configuration of the pachinko machine.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of payout control.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of payout control.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 .. Pachinko machine, 15 .. Game ball passage, 16 .. Main board, 17 .. Discharge board, 18 .. Dispensing device, 20 .. Dispensing mechanism, 22 .. Rotating body, 23. 24 .. Stop claw, 25 .. Solenoid, 26 .. Plunger, 27 .. Stop member, 32, 33 .. EEPROM, 34 .. Main CPU, 35 .. Discharge CPU, CSW1, CSW2. .

Claims

A winning ball detector that is provided at least for each payout unit in the winning ball passage for guiding the winning ball, and that emits a winning signal in response to detection of the winning ball;
A main control means connected to the winning ball detector, for calculating the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the reception of the winning signal and the payout unit;
A first payout mechanism and a second payout mechanism provided on each of the game ball passages and capable of paying out one or a plurality of game balls passing through the game ball passages to the downstream side;
A first detector and a second detector, which are provided in each of the first payout mechanism and the second payout mechanism , and transmit a confirmation signal in response to detection of a game ball to be paid out;
The main control means, each payout mechanism, and each detector are connected to each other, and the payout addition number received from the main control means is added and subtracted based on the confirmation signal received from the detector to A payout control means for calculating a requested ball number and operating the payout mechanism according to the requested ball number;
Even when the confirmation signal from the first detector or the second detector cannot be obtained, the dispensing control means operates the undetected dispensing mechanism and sets the number of undetected confirmation signals according to the operation. Remember each payout mechanism,
It is determined whether or not the confirmation signals of the first detector and the second detector corresponding to the dispensing operation by each dispensing mechanism are detected. If no confirmation signal is detected, the first detector If it is detected, the number of consecutive undetected numbers in the confirmation signal of the first payout mechanism is cleared, and if not detected, 1 is added to the number of consecutive undetected signals. After that, it is determined whether or not the confirmation signal of the second detector has been detected, and if it is detected, the number of consecutive undetected confirmation signals of the second payout mechanism is cleared. While adding 1 to the undetected number,
A gaming machine characterized in that when the number of consecutive undetected numbers of the first detector or the second detector reaches a certain number of times, the payout operation in the first payout mechanism or the second payout mechanism is stopped as an error occurrence. .

The payout control means determines whether or not the confirmation signal from the first detector or the second detector has not been detected in the previous payout operation when the requested number of balls reaches one ,
If the confirmation signal from the first detector is not detected, the second dispensing mechanism is activated to perform dispensing, and if the confirmation signal is obtained from the second detector, the number of consecutive undetected numbers from the second detector is calculated. If it is cleared and no confirmation signal is obtained, 1 is added to the number of consecutive undetected values of the second detector after a lapse of a certain time,
If the confirmation signal from the second detector is not detected, the first dispensing mechanism is operated to perform dispensing, and if the confirmation signal is obtained from the first detector, the number of consecutive undetected numbers from the first detector is calculated. If it is cleared and the confirmation signal is not obtained, 1 is added to the continuous undetected number of the second detector after a certain time has elapsed,
The payout operation in the first payout mechanism or the second payout mechanism is stopped as an error when the number of consecutive undetected numbers of the first detector or the second detector reaches a certain number. The gaming machine according to 1.

In the case of providing a lending request means for issuing a game ball lending signal with a preset lending unit number, the payout control means includes the number of payouts received from the main control means and the lending received from the lending request means. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a requested number of balls including a rental unit number based on a signal is calculated, and a payout according to the requested number of balls is performed by simultaneously operating the respective payout mechanisms. .

The game according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the number of consecutive undetected numbers of the first detector or the second detector reaches a certain number of times, an informing means is operated as an error occurrence. Machine.