JP4500841B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko gaming machine capable of storing and holding various control information in a gaming machine even when a power supply voltage supplied to the gaming machine is cut off due to, for example, a power failure.

  Conventionally, when a power supply voltage (for example, AC 24V) supplied to a gaming machine is interrupted due to, for example, a power failure, the gaming machine control information (for example, the number of game balls to be paid out) is stored and retained. Pachinko machines that are known are known. According to such a pachinko gaming machine, even when the power supply voltage is cut off, when the power supply voltage is restored, the game can be resumed based on the stored control information.

  However, in the conventional pachinko gaming machine, the control information stored in the storage means (for example, RAM or the like) at the time of power-off is stored and retained after power-off. Therefore, when the power supply voltage is cut off immediately after the ball payout device constituting the ball payout device for paying out the game ball is activated, the ball detection means for detecting the paid game ball is not activated, and the game ball There was a problem that control information (the total number of prize balls) related to the number of payouts could not be accurately stored and held. That is, although the game ball is paid out based on the operation of the ball paying means, the game ball is not detected by the ball detecting means, and the value of the total number of prize balls is stored without change. Has been. Therefore, after the power is restored, if game balls are paid out based on the total number of prize balls stored and held, extra game balls are to be paid out.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art, and its purpose is to detect the game ball payout state even in a situation where the power supply voltage is cut off, and to perform accurate control. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pachinko gaming machine that can store and hold information.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a ball paying means for permitting or restricting the passage of a game ball entering / exiting at least a predetermined ball passage, and an operation control of the ball paying means. In a pachinko gaming machine having a ball payout device comprising ball detecting means for detecting a game ball passed through the ball passage based on the main board for outputting various control signals for gaming state control, A payout control board for operating the ball payout device to control the payout of the game ball, and a power supply monitoring circuit for determining whether or not the power supply voltage value supplied to the gaming machine has dropped to a predetermined voltage value A backup power source for storing control information stored in the main board and the payout control board when the power supply voltage to the gaming machine is cut off, and the main board is arranged on the game board. Established Stores the total number of prize balls for main board, which is obtained by adding the number of prize balls corresponding to each prize opening in accordance with the winning of game balls to each prize opening, and outputs it when the ball detecting means detects the game balls. The main board award ball total number is managed by subtracting and rewriting the value of the main board award ball total number by the number of game balls paid out by the ball paying device by input of a payout signal, and the payout control board Stores the total number of payout control board prize balls obtained by adding the number of prize balls in response to input of each prize ball control signal corresponding to the number of prize balls output from the main board, and the ball detecting means is configured to play the game balls. The payout control board award ball total number by subtracting and rewriting the value of the payout control board award ball total number by the number of game balls paid out by the ball payout device by the input of a payout signal output when detecting Manage and before The main board and the payout control board each perform a backup process for repeatedly executing a game ball detection operation in the ball detection means for a predetermined detection process time when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit is affirmative. And when the ball payout device inputs the payout signal for paying out the game ball in the backup process, the value of the total number of prize balls managed by each is subtracted and rewritten. Stored and held even after the power is shut off, and the detection processing time indicates a state in which the ball dispensing means of the ball dispensing device allows the game ball to pass before the game ball is dispensed from the ball dispensing device. The game ball is moved to the ball after the time Ta that has been maintained and the ball payout means that has allowed the game ball to pass are restricted from passing the game ball. Time Tb until detection by the detection means, and until the payout of the game ball is detected by the input of the payout signal in the main board and the payout control board after the ball detection means outputs the payout signal. (Ta + Tb + Tc) − on the basis of the time Tc and the time Td until the game ball can pass through the ball passage after the ball paying means operates to allow the game ball to pass. The gist is that the time is calculated from an arithmetic expression of Td.

  According to the present invention, even when the power supply voltage is shielded, the payout state of the game ball can be detected, and accurate control information can be stored and held.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a pachinko gaming machine of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “gaming machine”) is embodied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration of various control boards disposed inside the gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. A power source AC (AC24V in the present embodiment) of the game hall is supplied to the power supply board 10. . The power supply board 10 has a power supply voltage V1 (DC30V in this embodiment, “power supply voltage supplied to the gaming machine”) to be supplied to the various components of the gaming machine and various control boards. A power supply circuit 11 that performs conversion processing is provided. The power supply circuit 11 is connected to a main board 15 as a control means, a payout control board 17 as a control means, and a sub board 18 which are described later via power supply lines L1 to L3 as power supply paths. The power supply circuit 11 converts the power supply voltage V1 into power supply voltages V2 to V4 to be supplied corresponding to the boards 15, 17, and 18, respectively. The power is supplied through power lines L1 to L3.

  The power supply circuit 11 is connected to a power supply monitoring circuit 12 as a voltage determining means via a power supply line L4 as a power supply path. The power supply monitoring circuit 12 is connected to the power supply voltage V1 from the power supply circuit 11. And the voltage value of the power supply voltage V1 is monitored. That is, the power supply monitoring circuit 12 determines whether or not the power supply voltage V1 has dropped to the power supply voltage V (DC 20 V in the present embodiment, corresponding to a “predetermined predetermined voltage value”). In addition, a reset signal circuit 13 is connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 12, and when the determination result in the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative, a power cut signal indicating that the power supply voltage V1 has dropped to the power supply voltage V. S is input. The reset signal circuit 13 outputs a reset signal Re to the substrates 15, 17 and 18 based on the input power-off signal S. The power supply board 10 is provided with a backup power supply 14 made of, for example, an electric double layer capacitor.

  The main board 15 is a control board that outputs various control signals to the boards 17, 18 and the like for controlling the game state in the gaming machine. The main board 15 controls the gaming state of the gaming machine. A CPU 15a is provided. The CPU 15a is connected to a RAM 15b for storing control information that is sequentially changed according to a gaming state (a jackpot state, a reach state, a symbol variation state, etc.). Note that the RAM 15b as the control information relates to, for example, the stored value of the number of starting reserved balls and the number of reserved symbols of normal symbols, and various random numbers (bonus, reach, and display symbols) extracted with winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening. ) Is stored. In addition, the RAM 15b stores the total number of main board prize balls in which the number of prize balls corresponding to each prize opening is added together with the winning of game balls to each prize opening provided on the game board. . The RAM 15b is connected to the backup power supply 14 of the power supply board 10, and the control information is obtained based on the power supply VB supplied from the backup power supply 14 when the power supply voltage V1 (power supply AC) is cut off. The memory can be retained.

  The CPU 15a is connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 12 of the power supply board 10, and the power-off signal S is input when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative. The CPU 15a, which has received the power-off signal S, executes a backup process to be described later. Further, a reset input circuit 15c is connected to the CPU 15a, and the reset signal Re output from the reset signal circuit 13 is input when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative. The CPU 15a stops its operation based on the reset signal Re input via the reset input circuit 15c.

  Further, a ball payout device 16 for paying out game balls is connected to the main board 15. As is well known, the ball payout device 16 includes a solenoid 16a as a ball payout means for allowing or restricting the passage of a game ball passing through the ball passage in the middle of the ball passage, and on the upstream side of the solenoid 16a. A ball control sensor 16b for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball for prize balls (for rental balls) is provided. The ball payout device 16 serves as a ball detection means for detecting a game ball (award ball or rental ball) that has been passed through the ball passage based on the operation control of the solenoid 16a on the downstream side of the solenoid 16a. A sphere counting sensor 16c is provided. The main board 15 is supplied with a control signal (payout signal) that is output every time the ball counting sensor 16c detects a game ball (that is, every time one game ball is paid out). The main board 15 receives the payout signal and subtracts (-1) the value of the total number of main board prize balls stored in the RAM 15b for rewriting.

  The payout control board 17 is a control board for controlling the operation of the ball payout device 16 based on a control signal (prize ball control signal) from the main board 15, and controls the payout of game balls. CPU 17a is provided. The prize ball control signal is a control signal corresponding to the number of prize balls. The CPU 17a is connected to a RAM 17b for storing control information that is sequentially changed according to the game ball payout state. Then, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball control signal input from the main board 15 is sequentially added to the RAM 17b as the control information, and the number of prize balls corresponding to the number of times of driving control of the ball dispensing device 16 is added up. The total number of payout control board prize balls is stored. Further, the RAM 17b is connected to the backup power supply 14 of the power supply board 10, so that the control information can be stored and held based on the power supply VB supplied from the backup power supply 14 when the power supply voltage V1 is cut off. It has become.

  Further, the CPU 17a is connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 12 of the power supply board 10, and the power-off signal S is inputted when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative. The CPU 17a, to which the power-off signal S is input, executes a backup process that will be described later. Further, a reset input circuit 17c is connected to the CPU 17a of the payout control board 17, and the reset signal Re output from the reset signal circuit 13 is input when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative. It has become. The CPU 17a stops its operation based on the reset signal Re input through the reset input circuit 17c.

  Furthermore, the ball payout device 16 is connected to the payout control board 17 in a state where signals can be input and output bidirectionally, and game balls are paid out from the payout control board 17 to the ball payout device 16. A control signal for controlling is output. The ball paying device 16 outputs control signals from the ball control sensor 16b and the ball counting sensor 16c to the payout control board 17. The payout control board 17 receives a control signal (payout signal) that is output every time the ball counting sensor 16c detects a game ball. The payout control board 17 outputs the payout signal. By inputting the value, the value of the total number of payout control board prize balls stored in the RAM 17b is subtracted (-1) and rewritten. Accordingly, based on the payout signal output from the ball counting sensor 16c, the total number of prize balls for the main board / payout control board is rewritten on both the boards 15 and 17, and the total number of both prize balls is normally matched. .

  The sub-board 18 is provided with a CPU 18a for performing corresponding control based on a control signal from the main board 15. The sub-board 18 is a control signal input from the main board 15, or various components of the gaming machine (a special symbol display device, an electric display such as a lamp, independently of the main board 15, This is a control board for controlling a speaker or the like. In the gaming machine, as the sub board 18, for example, a special symbol display board, a lamp control board, a voice control board, and the like are disposed. Further, a reset input circuit 18b is connected to the CPU 18a, and the reset signal Re output from the reset signal circuit 13 is input when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative. The CPU 18a stops its operation based on the reset signal Re input via the reset input circuit 18b.

  Next, in the gaming machine configured as described above, the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is affirmative, that is, the operation mode of each of the boards 10, 15, 17, and 18 when the power supply voltage V1 drops to the power supply voltage V. Will be described based on the timing chart shown in FIG.

  Normally, the power supply board 10 is supplied with the power supply AC of the game arcade, and the boards 15, 17, and 18 are supplied with power supply voltages V2 to V4 based on the power supply AC. At this time, as a normal process, the game state control of the gaming machine is performed on the main board 15, the game ball payout control is performed on the payout control board 17, and various components of the game machine are controlled on the sub-board 18. . When the power supply monitoring circuit 12 detects that the power supply voltage V1 has dropped to the power supply voltage V, the power supply monitoring circuit 12 sends the reset signal circuit 13 of the power supply board 10 and the boards 15 and 17 to the A power-off signal S is output.

  In the present embodiment, as the power supply voltage V, a predetermined tolerance voltage value (for example, 12V (actually measured value)) that is the minimum required for the ball counting sensor 16c to detect a game ball is used. 8V) is added to a voltage value (20V in this embodiment). This is because, until the power supply monitoring circuit 12 outputs the power-off signal S, for example, during a big hit game, the main board 15 performs control based on the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening as the normal processing. On the control board 17, payout control of game balls is performed. For this reason, it is possible to secure a minimum voltage value necessary for operation control (ON operation) of the solenoid for opening / closing the start winning opening and the large winning opening arranged on the game board and the solenoid 16a of the ball payout device 16. The predetermined tolerance voltage value is determined and added. Accordingly, the normal processing by each of the substrates 15, 17, and 18 is normally performed by executing the backup processing with the power supply voltage V required for the normal processing of each of the substrates 15, 17, and 18 as a threshold value. be able to. However, in the backup process, if the operation voltage value necessary for the ball counting sensor 16c to detect a game ball is secured, the game ball detecting operation in the ball counting sensor 16c is sufficiently performed. Can do.

  Then, the CPUs 15a and 17a of the main board 15 and the payout control board 17 to which the power-off signal S has been input are backed up from normal processing in order to store the control information stored in the RAMs 15b and 17b after power-off. The process is executed only during the processing time T1. In this backup processing, mainly, the detection operation of the game ball in the ball counting sensor 16c is repeatedly executed for the detection processing time T2, and the processing for storing the control information in the RAM 15b, 17b is performed for the processing time T3 (for example, It is executed only for about 3 ms). The sub-board 18 performs normal processing until the processing time T1 elapses even when the main board 15 and the payout control board 17 execute backup processing by the input of the power-off signal S.

  Here, the detection processing time T2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The detection processing time T2 is a position detected by the ball counting sensor 16c from a position where the game ball is allowed to pass through the ball passage by the solenoid 16a. This is a time obtained by adding a predetermined tolerance time Te to a time T (game ball payout time T) required to reach (by falling movement). The game ball payout time T can be calculated from the time Ta, Td required for the operation of the solenoid 16a and the time Tb, Tc required for the operation of the ball counting sensor 16c by the following equation.

T = (Ta + Tb + Tc) −Td (1)
The time Ta is the time during which the solenoid 16a remains on until the game ball is paid out by the operation control of the solenoid 16a, and the time Td is after the solenoid 16a is activated (ON state). The time required for the game ball to pass through the ball passage is shown. The time Tb is the time from when the solenoid 16a is turned off until the game ball is detected by the ball counting sensor 16c. The time Tc is the time from when the payout signal is output from the ball counting sensor 16c. The time until the payout of game balls is detected on the boards 15 and 17 is shown. In the equation (1), since the game ball is not allowed to pass through the ball passage until the time Td elapses even if the solenoid 16a is activated (ON state), the game ball payout time T is time. Differences are made without including Td. When the game ball payout time T is calculated based on the actual measurement value, the ball payout device 16 requires approximately 29 ms to pay out one game ball.

Therefore, the detection processing time T2 can be calculated by adding the tolerance time Te to the game ball payout time T calculated by the equation (1) (T2 = T + Te).
The tolerance time Te is a time (for example, about 3 ms) that is determined when the game ball passes through the ball passage and is blocked from passing due to a clogged ball in the ball passage. ). Further, in the present embodiment, in consideration of the case where the power-off signal S is input immediately after the solenoid 16a is actuated, the minimum required game ball payout for the ball counting sensor 16c to detect a game ball is considered. A detection processing time T2 obtained by adding the tolerance time Te to the time T is secured.

  When the processing time T1 elapses, the reset signal circuit 13 of the power supply substrate 10 outputs a reset signal Re to the reset input circuits 15c, 17c, and 18b. As a result, the CPUs 15a, 17a, 18a of the substrates 15, 17, 18 stop their operation based on the input of the reset signal Re. The power supply monitoring circuit 12 stops the output of the power-off signal S when a time obtained by adding a predetermined tolerance time T4 (for example, about 2 ms) to the processing time T1 has elapsed. When the power supply AC is completely shut down without being restored to the gaming machine, the CPU 15a, 17a, 18a is not supplied with the minimum operating voltage V5 (DC5V in this embodiment) necessary for its operation, The power supply voltage V1 drops to approximately 0V (time T5). Therefore, the reset signal circuit 13 stops outputting the reset signal Re to each of the reset input circuits 15c, 17c, 18b.

Next, the backup processing performed on the main board 15 and the payout control board 17 will be described in more detail based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
First, the backup process in the main board 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The CPU 15a newly stores a register and a stack pointer in the RAM 15b as control information to be stored in the RAM 15b after the power supply AC is shut off (Step M101, Step M102).

  Next, the CPU 15a performs a process for stopping various outputs of various components constituting the gaming machine (step M103). That is, for example, the normal symbol variation process and the operation processes of various solenoids for opening and closing the special prize opening and the ordinary electric accessory are stopped. The CPU 15a outputs, for example, a control signal for instructing the lamp control board, which is the sub board 18, to turn off various display members (such as lamps), and a voice output from the speaker to the audio control board, which is also the sub board 18. A control signal instructing to stop the operation is output. Accordingly, the sub-board 18 performs predetermined control during the processing time T1 based on the input control signal.

  Next, the CPU 15a determines whether or not the power-off signal S is input during the game ball detection operation in the ball counting sensor 16c, that is, whether or not the power supply voltage V1 has dropped during the game ball detection operation. Determination is made (step M104). The CPU 15a performs the determination process based on a flag that is set when the game ball detection operation starts (game ball payout start). When the determination result is affirmative, the CPU 15a temporarily initializes the control information stored in the RAM 15b with the detection operation, that is, the ON signal (payout signal) / OFF signal output from the ball counting sensor 16c. (Clear) (step M105).

  Thereafter, the CPU 15a repeatedly executes the game ball detection operation in the ball counting sensor 16c for the detection processing time T2 (step M106). That is, the CPU 15a performs a process of detecting the payout of the game ball based on the input of the payout signal output when the ball counting sensor 16c detects the game ball only during the detection processing time T2. . At this time, when the payout of the game ball is detected based on the detection operation of the game ball, the CPU 15a subtracts the value of the total number of main board prize balls stored in the RAM 15b and rewrites the game ball. If not, the value of the total number of main board prize balls is not rewritten. In step M106, the CPU 15a operates the solenoid 16a of the ball dispensing device 16 in response to the input of the power-off signal S to allow the game ball to pass into the ball passage, and the ball counting sensor 16c plays the game. The operation to detect the sphere is not forcibly performed. If the determination result in step M104 is negative, the CPU 15a proceeds to step M106.

  Next, the CPU 15a determines whether or not the detection processing time T2 has elapsed (step M107). If the determination result is negative, that is, if the detection processing time T2 has not elapsed, the CPU 15a waits for processing for a predetermined time T6 (for example, 2 ms) (step M108), and then proceeds to step M106. The game ball detection operation is repeatedly executed. If the determination result in step M107 is affirmative, that is, if the detection processing time T2 has elapsed, the CPU 15a ends the game ball detection operation by the ball counting sensor 16c.

  Then, the CPU 15a sets a backup flag in the RAM 15b (step M109). The backup flag is a flag for determining whether or not the control information stored in the RAM 15b is normal at the time of power recovery. Then, after prohibiting access to the RAM 15b (step M110), the CPU 15a waits for the operation until the reset signal Re is input through the reset input circuit 15c (step M111). Thereafter, when the power supply AC supplied to the gaming machine is completely cut off, the control information stored in the RAM 15b is stored and held by the power supply VB from the backup power supply 14.

Next, the backup process in the payout control board 17 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the CPU 17a newly stores a register, a back register, and a stack pointer in the RAM 17b as control information to be stored in the RAM 17b after the power source AC is shut off (steps S101 to S103). Then, the CPU 17a performs processing for stopping various outputs of various components constituting the gaming machine (step S104). Specifically, for example, the operation process of the solenoid 16a of the ball dispensing device 16 is stopped (turned off). Accordingly, when the power-off signal S is input during the time Td in the game ball payout by the ball payout device 16, the game ball is paid out because the game ball is not allowed to pass into the ball passage. There is no such thing. Then, the CPU 17a stores a control signal (for example, a prize ball control signal) output from the main board 15 in the RAM 17b as control information to be stored in the RAM 17b after the power source AC is shut off (step S105).

  Steps S106 to S113 described below are the same as the steps M104 to M111 in the backup process of the main board 15, and therefore the overlapping description is simplified or omitted. That is, at the time of backup processing, the same processing contents are performed independently on both the boards 15 and 17.

  Then, the CPU 17a that has finished the step S105 determines whether or not the power-off signal S is input during the game ball detection operation in the ball counting sensor 16c (step S106). If this determination result is affirmative, the CPU 17a once initializes (clears) the ON signal (payout signal) / OFF signal output by the ball counting sensor 16c (step S107). Then, the CPU 17a repeatedly executes the game ball detection operation in the ball counting sensor 16c for the detection processing time T2 (step S108). At this time, when the payout of the game ball is detected based on the detection operation of the game ball, the CPU 17a subtracts the value of the total number of payout control board prize balls stored in the RAM 17b and rewrites the game ball. If not, the value of the total number of payout control board prize balls is not rewritten. In step S108, the CPU 17a does not forcibly perform the operation of detecting the game ball by the ball counting sensor 16c by operating the solenoid 16a as in the backup process (step M106) of the main board 15. Absent. If the determination result in step S106 is negative, the CPU 17a proceeds to step S108.

  Then, the CPU 17a determines whether or not the detection processing time T2 has elapsed (step S109). If the determination result is negative, that is, if the detection processing time T2 has not elapsed, the CPU 17a waits for processing for a predetermined time T6 (for example, 2 ms) (step S110), and then proceeds to step S108 to play the game. Repeatedly detect the sphere. If the determination result in step M109 is affirmative, that is, if the detection processing time T2 has elapsed, the CPU 17a ends the game ball detection operation by the ball counting sensor 16c.

  Then, the CPU 17a sets a backup flag in the RAM 17b (step S111). Further, after prohibiting access to the RAM 17b (step S112), the CPU 17a waits for the operation until the reset signal Re is input through the reset input circuit 17c (step S113). Thereafter, when the power supply AC supplied to the gaming machine is completely cut off, the control information stored in the RAM 17b is stored and held by the power supply VB from the backup power supply 14.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the power supply voltage V1 drops to the power supply voltage V, both the boards 15 and 17 execute the game ball detection operation in the ball counting sensor 16c for the detection processing time T2 based on the power-off signal S. Yes. Therefore, before the power supply AC is cut off, the payout state of the game ball due to the operation of the solenoid 16a can be detected by the ball counting sensor 16c. As a result, the execution result of the detection operation (whether or not a payout is made) can be reflected in the control information stored in the RAMs 15b and 17b, and the main board / payout control board award ball total number relating to the number of game balls to be paid out can be accurately determined. Can be stored in memory. Further, after the power is restored, the game balls can be paid out accurately based on the total number of prize balls stored and held in the RAMs 15b and 17b.

  (2) The detection processing time T2 obtained by adding a predetermined tolerance time Te to the payout time T of the game ball is secured as the time required for the detection operation of the game ball in the ball counting sensor 16c. Therefore, the detection operation can be surely ended before the power source AC is shut off, and the accurate total number of prize balls can be stored and held. Further, since the tolerance time Te is added, the detection operation can be performed with a sufficient margin even when the passage of the game ball is hindered due to a ball blockage in the ball passage.

  (3) The power supply monitoring circuit 12 outputs the power-off signal S to a power supply voltage V obtained by adding a predetermined tolerance voltage value to the operating voltage value of the ball counting sensor 16c. Therefore, normal normal processing can be performed on each of the substrates 15, 17, and 18 until the power supply voltage V 1 drops to the power supply voltage V. Therefore, it is possible to suppress discomfort given to the player based on an abnormal operation (for example, the big prize opening does not open or close during the big hit game). Further, in the backup process of the main board 15 and the payout control board 17, the ball counting sensor 16c can surely perform the detection operation of the game ball. Accordingly, the exact total number of prize balls can be stored and held in the RAMs 15b and 17b.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, backup processing may be executed by the main board 15 and the payout control board 17 even when the power supply voltage V1 instantaneously drops to the power supply voltage V. When the power supply voltage V1 is restored, the reset signal circuit 13 stops the output of the reset signal Re after the elapse of time T5, so that the substrates 15, 17, and 18 can shift to normal processing. Further, even when the power supply voltage V1 recovers during the backup process of the main board 15 and the payout control board 17 and drops again as shown by the two-dot chain line, the backup process can be executed with certainty, and no problems occur. Absent.

  In the above embodiment, a time obtained by adding the tolerance time Te to the payout time T of the game ball is secured as the detection time T2 of the game ball in the ball counting sensor 16c, but the tolerance time Te needs to be added. There is no. That is, if at least the payout time T of the game ball is secured as the detection processing time T2, the operation of detecting the game ball in the ball counting sensor 16c can be performed.

  In the embodiment, the minimum voltage value required for normal processing of the substrates 15, 17, and 18 is set as the power supply voltage V. However, the operating voltage value of the ball counting sensor 16 c is set as the power supply voltage V. You may do it. The power supply voltage V may be a voltage value obtained by adding a predetermined tolerance voltage (for example, 3V, 5V, etc.) to the operating voltage value. When there is no difference between the power supply voltage V1 and the power supply voltage V, a backup process is executed each time the power supply voltage V1 drops instantaneously. It is preferable to determine V with a certain difference from the power supply voltage V1.

  In the embodiment, the power supply monitoring circuit 12 is connected to the power supply line L4, but may be further arranged in the power supply lines L1 to L3. In this way, it is possible to monitor the drop state of the power supply voltages V2 to V4 supplied to the respective boards 15, 17, and 18. For example, in the failure state of the gaming machine due to the disconnection of the power supply lines L1 to L3, etc. Backup processing can be executed by the substrate 15 or the payout control substrate 17.

  In the embodiment, the game ball detection operation is performed by the ball counting sensor 16c on the main board 15 and the payout control board 17. For example, when the total number of prize balls is managed only by the main board 15, the main board 15 The detection operation may be executed on the substrate 15. In other words, the detection operation may be performed on a substrate on which the total number of prize balls is managed.

  The time and voltage values described in the embodiment and the control information stored in the RAMs 15b and 17b are not limited to the contents described in the embodiment. That is, these numerical values and control information are appropriately determined by the gaming machine maker based on the specifications of the gaming machine and various components constituting the gaming machine.

Next, technical ideas other than those described in the claims that can be grasped from the embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The control means stores and holds the execution result of the detection operation in the control information related to the gaming state control of the gaming machine when the power supply voltage value drops.

(B) The predetermined voltage value is a minimum operation voltage value required for the control means to normally control the gaming state of the gaming machine.
(C) The voltage determination means is arranged in a power supply path in the gaming machine.

  (D) The main board and the payout control board are stored in the storage unit when the ball detecting means outputs when the ball detecting means is detecting the game ball when the power monitoring circuit makes a positive determination. The stored payout signal is cleared.

(E) In the power supply path in the gaming machine, the power monitoring circuits having the same configuration are arranged at a plurality of locations.
(F) A sub board for controlling various components of the gaming machine based on a control signal input from the main board is connected to the main board separately from the payout control board, and the main board and the payout The control board executes the backup process when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit is affirmative, while the sub board performs normal processing even when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit is affirmative .

The block diagram which shows the connection aspect of the various board | substrates arrange | positioned at the game machine. The timing chart which shows the operation | movement aspect of the various board | substrates at the time of the fall of a power supply voltage. The timing chart which shows the paying-out mode of the game ball of a ball paying-out apparatus. The flowchart which shows the backup process in a main board | substrate. The flowchart which shows the backup process in a payout control board. The time chart which shows the operation | movement aspect of the various board | substrates at the time of the instantaneous fall of a power supply voltage.

Explanation of symbols

  L1 to L4 ... signal line (power supply path), T ... game ball payout time, T2 ... detection processing time, Te ... tolerance time, V ... power supply voltage (predetermined voltage value), V1 ... power supply voltage (to game machine) Power supply voltage value to be supplied), 12 ... Power supply monitoring circuit (voltage determination means), 15 ... Main board (control means), 16 ... Ball dispensing device, 16a ... Solenoid (ball dispensing means), 16c ... Ball counting sensor (sphere) Detection means), 17... Dispensing control board (control means).

Claims (1)

Ball payout means for allowing or restricting the passage of a game ball entering / exiting at least a predetermined ball path, and a ball detection means for detecting a game ball discharged through the ball path based on an operation control of the ball payout means In a pachinko gaming machine having a ball dispensing device composed of
A main board that outputs various control signals for gaming state control;
A payout control board for operating the ball payout device to control the payout of game balls;
A power supply monitoring circuit for determining whether or not a power supply voltage value supplied to the gaming machine has dropped to a predetermined voltage value,
A backup power source for storing control information stored in the main board and the payout control board when the power supply voltage to the gaming machine is cut off, and
The main board stores the total number of prize balls for main board, which is obtained by adding the number of prize balls corresponding to each prize opening in accordance with the winning of game balls to each prize opening provided on the game board, and detecting the ball By subtracting and rewriting the value of the total number of prize balls for the main board by the number of game balls paid out by the ball payout device by input of a payout signal output when the means detects the game ball. While managing the total number of prize balls,
The payout control board stores a total number of payout control board prize balls obtained by adding the number of prize balls in response to an input of a prize ball control signal corresponding to the number of prize balls output from the main board. The payout control board is obtained by subtracting and rewriting the award ball total number for the payout control board by the number of game balls paid out by the ball payout device in response to an input of a payout signal output when the game ball is detected. Manage the total number of prize balls
The main board and the payout control board perform backup processing for repeatedly executing a game ball detection operation in the ball detection means for a predetermined detection processing time when the determination result of the power supply monitoring circuit is affirmative. When each of the executions is performed and the ball payout device inputs the payout signal for paying out the game ball in the backup processing, the value of the total number of prize balls managed by each is subtracted and rewritten, and the value after the subtraction Is stored and retained even after the power
The detection processing time includes a time Ta during which the ball payout unit of the ball payout device permits the game ball to pass before the game ball is paid out from the ball payout device, and the game A time Tb from when the ball paying means in a state allowing passage of the ball has restricted passage of the gaming ball until the gaming ball is detected by the ball detecting means, and the ball detecting means A time Tc from when the payout signal is output to when the payout of the game ball is detected by the input of the payout signal on the main board and the payout control board, and the ball payout means allows the game ball to pass. A pachinko gaming machine that is a time calculated from an arithmetic expression of (Ta + Tb + Tc) −Td based on a time Td from when the operation is performed until the game ball can pass through the ball passage.

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