JP4642040B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a revolving game machine, and other game machines that use game media such as game balls and game medals, and in particular, can realize a large amount of payout smoothly without trouble. It relates to gaming machines.

  For example, a bullet ball game machine is a game machine in which about 5 to 15 game balls are paid out when a game ball wins a predetermined winning opening, and the more game balls (prize balls) paid out, the higher the value. It can be exchanged for a free gift. For paying out the game balls, for example, a payout rotating body capable of holding a plurality of game balls in the left and right holding grooves is used.

For example, a stepping motor as a payout motor is connected to the rotation shaft of such a payout rotating body. As a result of intermittently rotating the payout motor by a predetermined angle, game balls are discharged in order from the left and right holding grooves. It is like that. The payout operation is controlled by a control command transmitted from the main control board, and is realized by rotating the payout rotating body at a necessary angle at a necessary angle (Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-41256 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, in any case, the payout motor can perform only a prize ball operation of a reference number (for example, 25) or less, and there is a problem in this respect. In other words, if a problem occurs when the supply of game balls is out of stock or the lower tray of the game machine is full, even after these are resolved, the game balls are paid out only by the reference number, which is somewhat smoother. It was missing.

  For example, if the gaming machine is in a big hit state, a large number of prize balls are expected, so there is a high possibility that the number of prize balls accumulated at the time of the above trouble will also be a considerable amount, which is paid out without any problems after the trouble is solved. The payout control to be performed is strongly desired. However, the reference position (home position) of the payout operation and the maximum number of payouts should be set correctly, and an unlimited amount of game balls should not be paid out.

  If the driving torque of the payout motor can be increased and the home position can be adjusted automatically and precisely, troubles such as ball clogging can be reliably prevented even if a large number of game balls are paid out at once.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above idea, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine devised so that a required number of game media can be paid out without any problem even when a large amount of money is paid out. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine with increased driving torque and increased positioning accuracy.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention increases the total number of winning balls, which is the number of game media to be paid out , in response to a payout command received from the main control part and the main control part, which is centrally responsible for game control operations. On the other hand, a sub-control unit that executes a payout process of game media, reduces the total number of winning balls by the number of paid-out game media, and executes the payout command by digesting the total number of winning balls until it reaches zero In the gaming machine payout operation executed by the sub-control unit, the payout device is continuously driven so as to pay out the payout unit number set to a value not exceeding the reference number at once. When driving is performed once or intermittently several times, and each time continuous driving is completed, it is determined whether or not the game medium corresponding to the number of payout units has been paid out. The payout process is terminated because the number of winning balls has been consumed, or In the normal operation of digesting the remaining number of all winning balls by shifting to continuous driving, and in the abnormality related to the discharge or replenishment of game media, while increasing the number of all winning balls in response to a payout command received from the main control unit, , A payout prohibiting operation for prohibiting the operation of the payout device, and when the total number of winning balls is not zero, driving of the payout device is started on the condition that the prohibition of the operation of the payout device is released, and one game medium The payout device is stopped in a state where the payout has been paid out, or driving of the payout device is started on the condition that the prohibition of operation of the payout device is released, and the total number of winning balls after one continuous drive If it is not zero, the payout device is stopped in a state in which another game medium is paid out, and an alignment operation using the stop position as a reference position for the subsequent payout operation, and all prize balls after the alignment operation If the number is not zero, as long as the upper limit is not exceeded , In order to stretch the payout of the total number of prize balls remaining, the continuous drive of the dispensing device, and is configured to have, and the abnormal return operation to run continuously required number.

  The payout device is preferably configured by gear-connecting a payout rotating body that pays out game media by a rotating operation and a payout motor that drives the payout rotating body. In this case, for example, by connecting the payout rotator and the payout motor at a G to 1 gear ratio set such that G ≧ 2, the driving torque is increased and the minimum rotation angle of the payout rotator is set to the minimum rotation of the payout motor. It can be refined to 1 / G times the angle. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the home position can be increased by a factor of G and the driving torque is high, so that no problem occurs even if a large number of prize ball operations are executed at once.

Further, it is preferable that the fourth means continuously drives the payout device corresponding to the number of payouts at the timing as long as the upper limit value is not exceeded. In this case, the upper limit value is the minimum rotation angle of the payout rotator, the reference rotation angle required for the payout rotator to pay out one game medium, and an even value n of 2, 4, 6. Therefore, it is preferable to set the maximum integer value smaller than (16 ⁿ −1) ÷ (reference rotation angle ÷ minimum rotation angle).

In this case, the upper limit value that can be paid out by continuous driving is approximately (16 ⁿ −1) ÷ (reference rotation angle ÷ minimum rotation angle), so that a large number of game media can be used without any problems by using the work area without difficulty. You can pay out at once. Typically, n = 4, and the upper limit LT can be set to LT≈65535 / K. K is a reference rotation angle / minimum rotation angle, and is typically set to any of 4, 8, 16, and 32. In this embodiment, since K = 16, up to 4095 game media are paid out at a stretch. Therefore, even if the gaming machine is in a big hit state, even if the supply is out of supply or the lower plate is full, a large amount of payout accumulated until these troubles are solved can be consumed at once.

  According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that increases the driving torque and the positioning accuracy. Further, even when a large amount of money is paid out, it is possible to pay out necessary game media at once without any trouble.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall circuit configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine has a power supply board 7 that receives 24 VDC and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, a RAM clear signal CLR, and the like, and a main control board 1 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. An effect control board 2 that executes a lamp effect and an audio effect based on a control command CMD ′ received from the main control board 1, an effect interface board 3 that transmits a signal received from the effect control board 2 to each part, and an effect The liquid crystal control board 4 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD "received from the interface board 3 and the payout motor M based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 1 are used to pay the game ball. The payout control board 5 to be taken out and the launch control board 6 for launching a game ball in response to the player's operation are mainly configured.

  Here, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, in this specification, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the circuits mounted on the payout control board 5 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named. It may be called the control part 1, the production control part 2, the liquid crystal control part 4, and the payout control part 5. Note that all or part of the effect control unit 2, the liquid crystal control unit 4, and the payout control unit 5 are sub-control units.

  While the main control unit 1 transmits a control command CMD to the payout control unit 5 in one direction, the payout control unit 5 is associated with a prize ball count signal indicating a payout operation of game balls and an abnormality in the payout operation. The status signal CON is received. The status signal CON includes, for example, a replenishment signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal.

  In the case of this embodiment, the control command CMD is composed of MODE data indicating the type of command and EVENT data for specifying specific contents, each having an 8-bit length. The control command CMD transmitted to the payout control unit 5 is roughly divided into a prize ball number specifying command for instructing the number of game balls to be paid out and an operation specifying command for instructing stop or restart of the payout operation. A prize ball number designation command (for example, 8AxxH) designates the number of prize balls by EVENT data (= xxH). On the other hand, a payout stop command and a payout restart command are prepared as the operation designation commands.

  As shown in the figure, a backup power supply BU of DC 5V is supplied from the power supply board 7 to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. Therefore, even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to the end of business or a power failure, the RAM data in the one-chip microcomputer is retained. In this embodiment, the storage contents of the RAM are designed to be retained for at least several days.

  Further, the power supply board 7 is configured to output a voltage drop signal ABN to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 when the AC power supply 24V is shut off. In this embodiment, the voltage drop signal ABN is supplied to the input port instead of the interrupt terminal of each one-chip microcomputer. The main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 grasp the level drop of the voltage drop signal ABN by the flag sense method, and then save necessary data in the RAM. Therefore, coupled with the operation of the backup power supply BU described above, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 can resume the operation before the power shutoff at the start of business or at the time of recovery from a power failure.

  Furthermore, the power supply board 7 outputs a RAM clear signal CLR indicating an operator's switch operation to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. This switch operation is mainly performed when the power is turned on, but is an operation for erasing the stored contents of the RAM held by the backup power supply BU. Therefore, the control boards 1 and 5 can grasp the presence or absence of the switch operation by the staff by determining the level of the RAM clear signal CLR.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a peripheral circuit of the payout control board 5. As shown in the drawing, the payout control unit 5 not only receives the DC power supply voltage (including the backup power supply BU) from the power supply board 7 but also the RAM clear signal CLR for clearing the RAM of the payout control unit 5 (one-chip microcomputer), A voltage drop signal ABN indicating a voltage drop of the AC power supply and a system reset signal SYS are received.

  The payout control unit 5 is also connected to the prepaid card unit 22, and transmits and receives various control signals (BRDY, BRQ, EXS, PRDY) related to the ball lending operation. The ball lending information signal is output to the outside. The payout control unit 5 receives the DC voltage 18V from the prepaid card unit 22 and outputs a permission signal CTL to the firing control board 6 on the condition that the voltage value can be normally received, thereby permitting the firing operation. ing.

  The payout control unit 5 needs to pay out a predetermined number of game balls as a winning ball associated with a winning game ball or as a rental ball that is liquidated with a prepaid card. Therefore, four types of drive pulse data Φ1 to Φ4 are output to the payout motor M, which is a stepping motor (unipolar 2-2 phase excitation), and the game balls to be paid out as the payout motor M rotates are counted as left and right prize balls. Detection is performed by the switches RSW and LSW (see FIG. 3A). Note that, as shown in FIG. 2A, the signals of the left and right prize ball counting switches RSW and LSW are also transmitted to the main control board 1.

  Further, the dispensing control unit 5 is supplied with a switch signal for detecting an out-of-supply state or a lower plate full state. Here, the out-of-supply state means a state in which a game ball supplied from the upstream side of the payout rotating body RO (FIG. 3) is interrupted and a winning ball operation is virtually impossible. Further, the lower plate full state means a state where the downstream side of the payout rotating body RO is full and no more prize balls are practically possible.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in any of the above cases, the subsequent rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited (operation prohibited state), and is on standby until the abnormal state is resolved. It should be noted that the out-of-supply state is automatically canceled or is canceled by an operator's operation. Further, the lower plate full state is canceled by the player's operation.

  FIG. 3 shows the connection relationship between the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO in detail. As shown in FIG. 3A, an intermediate gear 21 is provided between the drive gear 20 provided on the rotating shaft of the payout motor M and the driven gear 22 provided on the payout rotating body RO. The payout rotating body RO is configured to rotate when the two gears mesh with each other. An operation shaft 23 that can be operated by a staff member is projected from the rotation shaft of the payout rotating body RO.

  The gear ratio of the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22 is set to 1 to G (here, G = 2). Therefore, the rotation angle of the payout rotating body RO is 1 with respect to the rotation angle of the payout motor M. / G times. In this embodiment, since the drive gear 20 and the driven gear 22 are connected via the intermediate gear 21, the rotation direction of the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO can be matched, and the payout motor M and the payout The arrangement position of the rotator RO can be set relatively freely. Therefore, for example, even when the clerk rotates the operation shaft 23 to eliminate the ball clogging, a work space that is as large as the diameter of the intermediate gear 21 can be used. The payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO rotate clockwise as viewed from the operation shaft 23 (see FIGS. 3C and 3D).

  In this embodiment, since the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO are gear-connected at a gear ratio of 1 to G, the rotational torque of the payout rotating body RO can be increased and ball clogging is effectively prevented. be able to. Further, since the minimum rotation angle of the payout rotating body RO is 1 / G of the minimum rotation angle (step angle) θ of the payout motor M (stepping motor), the reference position (home position) in the payout operation is set to θ / G. Each can be adjusted precisely. In this embodiment, the home position is automatically aligned when a large number of consecutive winning balls are used, which will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d), in the present embodiment, the payout rotating body RO is formed with holding grooves at intervals of 120 [deg.] That can hold three game balls, shifted left and right by a half pitch of 60 [deg.]. Has been. Along with the rotation of the payout rotating body RO, the game balls held in the holding grooves are alternately released one by one from the left and right every time the payout rotating body RO rotates 60 °. In this embodiment, since the step angle of the payout motor M is 7.5 °, when the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 that change every 4 mS in normal times are output in 16 steps, the payout motor M rotates 120 °. At this time, it is designed so that one game ball is paid out when the payout rotating body RO is rotated by 60 °.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the internal configuration of the payout control unit 5. As shown, the payout control unit 5 is equivalent to an input buffer 10 that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit, a first input port 13 that receives various switch signals and control signals, a second input port 12, and a Z80 CPU. Drive signal received from the first output port 16, the first output port 16, the second output port 17, and the decoder 15 that generates the chip select signal of the input / output port A transistor group (open collector) 18 supplied to the motor M is mainly configured.

  As shown in the figure, the first input port 13 is supplied with switch signals from a prize ball counting switch, a replenishment detection switch, and a lower plate full detection switch. The first input port 13 is also supplied with a RAM clear signal CLR and a voltage drop signal ABN, which are control signals from the power supply board 7. In this embodiment, the input buffer 10 and the first and second input ports 12 and 13 are constituted by 74541 equivalent bus buffers, and the decoder is constituted by 74138 equivalents. The output ports 16 and 17 are 74273 equivalent D-type flip-flops.

  As described above, the control command CMD from the main control board 1 is transmitted to the second input port 12, and the strobe signal STB is supplied from the main control board 1 in accordance with the transmission of the control command CMD. The strobe signal STB is supplied to an interrupt terminal (maskable interrupt) of the CPU core. Accordingly, the payout control board 5 starts a reception interrupt routine to acquire a control command CMD.

From the bit 3 to bit 0 of the first output port 16, drive pulse data of (Φ4, Φ3, Φ2, Φ1) = 0101 → 0110 → 1010 → 1001 → 0101 →. (See FIG. 2 (b)). Further, the bit4 of the first output port outputs the LED driving signal to the error notification lamp ER _L, from bit7, clear signal of the watchdog timer circuit (not shown) are outputted at predetermined time intervals .

  A ball rental information signal for external output is output from bit 3 of the second output port 17, and control signals PRDY and EXS are output to the prepaid card unit 22 from bits 6 and 7.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a program executed by the payout control unit 5 shown in FIG. In summary, the operation of the payout control unit 5 is a main routine (FIG. 6A) that starts after power-on and ends with an infinite loop process, and a reception interrupt processing routine that is activated by a strobe signal STB from the main control unit 1. (FIG. 6 (b)) and a timer interrupt routine (FIG. 7 (a)) started every fixed time (2mS). In this embodiment, there is no non-maskable NMI routine.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, in the reception interrupt routine, the control command CMD is acquired from the second input port 12 and stored in the command buffer area of the RAM (ST101). EI) is set, and the process ends (ST103).

  Next, the operation content of the main routine (FIG. 6A) will be described. When the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 7 and the system reset signal SYS is supplied, the CPU sets itself to the interrupt disabled state (DI) (ST1), and then initializes each part of the one-chip microcomputer 14. Perform (ST2). This initial setting operation includes initial setting of the stack pointer of the CPU, and the stack pointer points to the bottom of the LIFO type stack area. In this embodiment, the data in the stack area is maintained by the backup power supply BU even after the power supply is cut off, but the stack area is released by the processing in step ST2.

  Next, based on the data from the first input port 13, it is checked whether or not the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied from the power supply board 7 (ST3). In this embodiment, when the game hall is in operation, especially when the clerk turns on the RAM clear switch of the power supply board 7, the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied. Normally, the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied.

  If the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied, the value of the backup flag BAKFLG stored in step ST237 of the power supply monitoring process (FIG. 7B) is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, next, the same checksum operation as that in step ST238 of the power monitoring process is executed to calculate the sum value (ST5), which is the sum value stored in the RAM area. (ST6). If the sum value calculated in the main routine matches the sum value stored in the power supply monitoring process (ST23), it is considered that the process before power-off can be resumed, so the backup flag BAKFLG is cleared. Later (ST7), the CPU is set to an interrupt enabled state (ST10), and the infinite loop process is repeated.

  When the CPU enters the interrupt enabled state, the periodic processing (ST82 to ST92) shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the subsequent timer interrupt. In the processing so far, except for the backup flag BAKFLG, the stored contents of the RAM are completely Since no change has been made, the process before power-off is restarted correctly thereafter.

  On the other hand, (1) as a result of the determination in step ST3, the RAM clear signal CLR is in an ON state, (2) as a result of the determination in step ST4, the backup flag is a value other than 5AH, or (3) step If an abnormality is recognized by the sum check in ST6, the entire RAM area is cleared (ST8).

  Then, after setting the payout retry flag to 5AH (ST9), the CPU is set to the interrupt enabled state (ST10), and the infinite loop process is repeated. When all the RAM areas are cleared in the process of step ST8, the operation is started from the initial state by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. In addition, since the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, the first prize ball motion is executed in the state of motion status 3 (this point will be further described later).

  Next, the timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. This timer interrupt routine is executed at regular intervals (2 mS) by interrupting the infinite loop processing of the main routine.

  In the timer interrupt routine, first, the CPU in the interrupt disabled state (DI) is returned to the interrupt enabled state (EI) (ST82). As a result of this process, the reception interrupt of FIG. 6B is also applied during the timer interrupt process, and the control command CMD from the main control unit 1 is acquired without being read out. In this embodiment, in the infinite loop processing of the main routine, the CPU does not substantially perform any processing, and therefore it is not necessary to save the CPU register at the time of timer interruption. Therefore, at the beginning of the timer interrupt process of FIG. 7A, there is no group of PUSH instructions, and at the end of the timer interrupt process, there is no group of POP instructions.

  When the process of step ST82 is completed, a power supply monitoring process is executed (ST83). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, first, the voltage drop signal ABN is acquired through the first input port 13 (ST230), and it is determined whether or not it is an abnormal level (ST231). If it is not an abnormal level, the abnormal number counter is cleared to zero and the process ends (ST232).

  On the other hand, if the voltage drop signal is at an abnormal level, the abnormal number counter is incremented by 1 (ST233), and it is determined whether the counting result exceeds the upper limit value MAX (ST234). This is because the data acquired from the first input port 13 may be garbled due to the influence of noise or the like, and continuously for a predetermined number of times (for example, the upper limit value MAX = 5). When the abnormal level is maintained, it is determined that the AC power supply is actually shut off.

  Thus, in this embodiment, even when the power is shut off, the backup process is not started immediately, and the operation start timing is delayed by (MAX-1) × 2 mS. However, (1) the power drop signal ABN detects the drop of the AC DC voltage, not the drop of the DC power supply voltage, and (2) the DC power supply voltage is for a while after the AC power supply is cut off by the large capacity capacitor. It is maintained, (3) the power supply monitoring process is repeated at a high speed (every 2 ms), and (4) the backup process is extremely simple and finishes quickly, so there is virtually no adverse effect.

  By the way, as a result of the determination in step ST234, if the count value of the abnormal number counter coincides with the upper limit value MAX, the CPU is first set to the interrupt disabled state in order to prohibit the subsequent reception interrupt (ST235). Next, after the abnormality number counter is cleared to zero (ST236), 5AH is set to the backup flag BAKFLG (ST237). Next, the same calculation as in step ST5 of the main routine is executed for the same work area (work area), and the calculation result is stored (ST238). The operation to be executed is typically an 8-bit addition operation.

  After that, the one-chip microcomputer is set to the RAM access prohibited state (ST239), and the DC power supply voltage is lowered while repeating the infinite loop process. At this timing, the head address (address data) of the data input process, which is the return address of the subroutine (power supply monitoring process), is stored at the top of the FILO (First in Last out) type stack area. . This address data is maintained by the backup power supply even after the power is shut off. In this embodiment, after the power is restored, the stack pointer value is set to the initial state (ST2), so that the stack area is released. Therefore, there is no possibility that the stack area is eroded every time the power is turned off.

  In this sense, this embodiment has an advantage that it is not necessary to save the value of the CPU stack pointer when the power is turned off. In the main routine after the power is restored, even if the route of steps ST6 → ST7 → ST10 is passed, the timer interruption is first executed (ST82).

  By the way, in this embodiment, the main control unit 1 also monitors the presence / absence of power-off at every interrupt cycle 2 mS with the same algorithm. Then, the upper limit value MAX ′ of the abnormal number counter in the main control unit 1 is set smaller than the upper limit value MAX in the payout control unit 5, thereby preventing the payout control unit 5 from overwriting the control command CMD. That is, even after the AC power supply is cut off, the payout control unit 5 is in the interrupt-permitted state for at least (MAX-1) × 2 = 8 ms (see ST82 and ST235). When the control unit 1 finishes transmitting the control command CMD (MAX ′ <MAX), the loss of the control command is prevented.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the main control unit 1 performs one timer interrupt process (in other words, within a time of 2 mS) for one control command CMD having a 16-bit length composed of EVENT and MODE. The transmission process has been completed. In addition, the timer interrupt signals of the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 have the same pulse period but are not synchronized with each other at all, so that the timing of the interrupt signal differs from that of the voltage drop signal (transmission delay). MAX ′ ≦ MAX−2 is set in consideration of (including time deviation).

  It should be noted that the timer interrupt interrupt periods of the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 do not necessarily coincide with each other. In practice, the timer interrupt interrupt period of the main control unit 1 is set to the timer interrupt of the payout control unit 5. It is preferable to set an integer multiple of the interrupt cycle (2 mS). However, also in this case, by configuring the power supply monitoring process of the payout control unit 5 to be delayed, it is possible to reliably prevent the payout control unit 5 from overwriting the control command CMD. In particular, it is effective to execute the power supply monitoring process at substantially the same timing during each timer interrupt process (specifically, at the beginning of the timer interrupt process).

  The power supply monitoring process (ST83) has been described in detail above. Next, the data input process in step ST84 will be described. The data input process is mainly a process for confirming whether or not the game ball is actually paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M.

  In the data input process (ST84), 8-bit data of the input port 13 is acquired, it is determined whether the signal level has changed by comparison with the previous acquired value, and if a level change is detected, an edge is detected. The data is stored in the work area EDG in the RAM area. As shown in FIG. 6C, the fact that the level of the switch signal from the prize ball detection switches LSW and RSW has changed (the switch signal has risen) is stored in the work area EDG. In the work area LVL, the bit inversion data of the switch signal from the prize ball detection switches LSW and RSW acquired this time is stored and referred to in the next data input process.

  When the data input process (ST84) is completed in this way, the 8-bit or 16-bit timer subtraction process (-1) is performed (ST85). Note that one unit time of the subtraction timer means 2 mS by executing the infinite loop process every 2 mS.

  When the timer subtraction process is completed, the control command obtained by the reception interrupt process is analyzed (ST86). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the received control command CMD is a prize ball number designation command. When a prize ball number designation command is received, the prize ball number specified by the command is added to the total prize ball counter provided in the work area of the RAM. The value of the prize ball number counter is read and used in the process of step ST25 (FIG. 8) in the prize ball process (ST89).

  Next, a communication process (ST87) with the prepaid card unit 22 and a ball lending process (ST88) cleared with the prepaid card are executed. Thereafter, prize ball processing (ST89), payout error processing (ST90), motor processing (ST91), and data output processing (ST92) are executed, and the timer interrupt processing ends.

  The motor process (ST91) is a preparation process for rotating the payout motor M. Specifically, drive data (Φ1 to Φ4) for the payout motor M is generated and stored in the work area MOOUT address. . On the other hand, the data output process (ST92) is a process for outputting various types of data including the drive data described above from the first and second output ports 16 and 17.

  The prize ball process (ST89) is a process for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out. The prize ball number is determined based on the value of the total prize ball counter updated by the command analysis process (ST86), and the data output is performed. The payout motor M is rotated by the process (ST92), and the operation end timing of the payout motor M is determined by referring to the payout state of the game ball grasped by the data input process (ST84).

  Prior to the description of the prize ball processing (ST89) and the motor processing (ST91), the data output processing (ST92) will be described based on FIG. In the data output process, first, the motor drive data prepared in the motor process ST91 (specifically, ST66 in FIG. 11) is acquired from the MOOUT address (ST70). Note that the motor drive data is binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001, and when these are output as shown in FIG. 4, the payout motor M rotates. In this embodiment, normally, the rotation time of one step of the payout motor M is set to 4 mS, and the payout rotating body RO is rotated by 60 ° by the output of the data drive data for 16 steps, thereby obtaining one game ball. It is set to pay out. Note that the rotation time of one step of the payout motor M is managed by a motor drive timer, and the rotation time of 4 mS for one step corresponds to two timer interruptions. Is set to 2.

In any case, if the motor drive data is prepared in the B register by the process of step ST70, it is determined whether the retry error LED flag is set to 5AH (ST71). The retry error LED flag is a flag for turning on the error notification lamp ER _L (see FIG. 5) when the abnormal state of the payout operation continues for a predetermined time (see S703 in FIG. 10). Therefore, if the retry error LED flag is 5AH, bit 4 of the B register is set to 1 (ST72).

Next, bit 7 of the B register is set to 1 (ST73), and the value of the B register is output to the first output port 16 (ST74). As a result, the payout motor M is outputted drive data, error notification lamp ER _L is turned on or off. Since bit 7 of the B register is output to the watchdog timer, after time consumption processing (ST75), bit7 is returned to zero and re-output from the first output port 16 (ST76). Although the watchdog timer is cleared to zero by this operation, if the data output processing (ST92) that should be executed every 2 ms is not executed due to the program runaway, the CPU is forced to operate based on the operation of the watchdog timer circuit. Will be reset.

  In any case, following the processing of step ST76, the ball lending signal flag, the PRDY flag, and the EXE flag are referred to, and data in which the corresponding bit is set is output to the second output port 17 (ST78). As a result of this operation, a ball lending information signal is output to the outside in some cases. The PRDY signal and the EXE signal are control signals output to the prepaid card unit 22.

  The timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. 7A has been schematically described above. Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13, the prize ball process (ST89), the payout error process (ST90), and the motor process ( ST91) will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the prize ball process, it is first determined whether or not a prize ball is detected (ST20). The payout of the prize ball may occur when the payout motor M rotates due to the data output process (ST92). If there is a payout, the data input process (FIG. 7A) of step ST84 The effect is stored as switch edge data in the work area EDG (FIG. 6B). In this embodiment, bit 0 of the switch edge data represents the detection state of the left prize ball counting switch, and bit 1 represents the detection state of the right prize ball counting switch (see FIG. 5).

  The specific contents of the winning ball detection process (ST20) are as shown in FIG. 9, and the left and right winning ball data (bit 0 and bit 1 of the switch edge data) are acquired in the variable D1, and 2 is set in the B register ( ST40). Next, the contents of bit0 of the switch edge data are moved to the carry flag CY by shifting the variable D1 to the right by 1 bit (ST41).

  If CY = 1, it means that the left prize ball counting switch is ON, but at this stage, since the rotation of the payout motor M has not started, CY = 0 should have been assumed. Therefore, the value of the B register is decremented by -1 (ST50 to ST51), and the variable D1 is further shifted by 1 bit to the right (ST41). If CY = 1 at this stage, it means that the right prize ball counting switch is ON, but at this stage, since the rotation of the payout motor M has not started, CY = 0 should have been assumed. Therefore, the prize ball detection process is completed through the processes of steps ST50 to ST51.

  On the other hand, after rotation of the dispensing motor M is started, CY = 1 may be obtained in the determination of step ST42. Therefore, in this case, after rewriting the payout detection flag to 5AH (ST43), the contents of the prize ball flag are checked (ST44).

  Until the payout operation is completed, the value of the prize ball flag is 5AH (see ST32 in FIG. 8). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout remaining number counter is zero (ST46). As will be described later, the payout remaining number counter manages the remaining number of game balls to be paid out through the data output process (ST32). At this timing, the payout of the game ball is confirmed by the determination in step ST42. Therefore, if the value of the payout remaining number counter is not zero, the counter value is decremented by -1 (ST48), and the process proceeds to step ST50.

  On the other hand, if the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero as a result of the decrement process (ST48), after setting the payout motor flag and the prize ball flag to A5H (ST47), the process proceeds to step ST50. Note that the payout motor flag and the winning ball flag are set to 5 AH when the value of the new payout counter is added to the payout remaining number counter (ST30 to ST32 in FIG. 8 described later).

  The payout motor flag defines whether the payout motor M is driven or not driven. If the payout motor flag is 5AH or A5H, the motor is driven. It becomes a non-driving state. Here, the motor drive state means that significant drive data (any one of binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001) is output to the first output port 16, and the non-drive state means the first This means that the binary number 0000 is output to the output port 16. When the binary number 0000 is output to the first output port 16, all the open collector type transistor groups 18 are turned off, and the payout motor M is in a free rotation state (see FIG. 5).

  The processes in steps ST41 to ST51 described above are executed twice based on the initial value (= 2) of the B register. Then, after the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout operation is not executed. Therefore, in the determination of step ST42, CY = 1 should not be inherent.

  However, the possibility of overpayment due to the influence of the inertial force of the payout rotating body RO cannot be denied. However, in such an abnormality, since the prize ball flag is A5H (see ST47) and CY = 1 in the determination of step ST42, in this embodiment, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH to indicate the overpayment state. (ST45).

  This payout retry flag is a flag that is set to 5AH even in step ST9 (FIG. 6) after power-on. If the payout retry flag is 5AH, a retry process (FIG. 13B) described later is started, and the payout rotating body RO advances at a pitch of 3.75 ° until one game ball is paid out. Thus, precise alignment processing is realized (see S1, S5 to S7 in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B).

  Next, the prize ball process of FIG. 8 will be described. After the above-described prize ball detection process (ST20), first, the value of the operation status is checked (ST21). Here, the operation status defines the operation content in a series of prize ball payout operations, and the motor processing (ST91) executed every 2 mS is executed in any state of the operation status 0 to 3. The Specifically, the motor process (ST91) includes a motor drive start process with an operation status 0 (FIG. 12A), a motor drive process with an operation status 1 (FIG. 12B), and a motor stop with an operation status 2. Either the intermediate process (FIG. 13A) or the motor status process during operation retry 3 (FIG. 13B) is executed at intervals of 2 mS (see ST65a to ST65d in FIG. 11).

  Returning to FIG. 8, if it is determined in the process of step ST21 that the operation status is now 1, and it is the timer interrupt timing for executing the motor driving process (FIG. 12B), nothing is done. Finish the prize ball processing. If it is determined that the operation status 3 is now the timer interruption timing at which the motor retry process (FIG. 13B) is to be executed, the value of the prize ball flag is checked (ST22). If it is set to A5H, the prize ball flag is rewritten to 00H and the prize ball processing is finished (ST23).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST21 that the current operation status is 2 and it is the timer interrupt timing at which the motor stop process (FIG. 13A) should be executed, the value of the payout retry flag is checked. However, if it is set to 5AH, the prize ball process is finished as it is, and if it is set to a value other than 5AH (= 00H), the process proceeds to step ST25 (ST24).

  If it is determined in step ST21 that the current timer interruption time is the operation status 0 and the timer interruption timing at which the drive start process (FIG. 12A) is to be executed, first, the command analysis process The value of the total winning ball counter updated in (ST86) is acquired in the variable D1 (ST25). If variable D1 is D1 ≠ 0, the maximum value 25 of the new payout number is stored in variable D2, and the value of variable D2 is subtracted from variable D1 (ST27).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the subtraction result is negative (ST28). If negative, the value of the total winning ball counter is stored in the variable D2, and the variable D1 is set to zero (ST29). Thereafter, the value of the variable D2 is stored in the new payout counter, and the value of the variable D1 is stored in the total winning ball counter (ST30). Note that the value of the new payout counter set in the process of step ST30 is usually 5, 10, or 25 (maximum value of the new payout number).

  Subsequently, the value of the payout remaining number counter is stored in the variable D3, and the value of the variable D2 is added to the variable D3. Then, the value of the variable D3 as the addition result is stored in the payout remaining number counter (ST31). As a result of this processing, the total number of winning balls to be paid, which is grasped at this timing, is stored in the payout remaining number counter.

  Thereafter, the prize ball flag and the payout motor flag are set to 5AH (ST32), the operation status is set to 0, and the prize ball processing is completed (ST33). The prize ball flag set to 5AH maintains that value until it is changed to A5H in the process of step ST47 of FIG.

  On the other hand, the payout motor flag set to 5AH is changed to A5H by the process of step ST47 of FIG. 9, and is changed to 00H by the processes of step S27 and step S40 of FIG. That is, after the payout motor flag is initially set to 5AH, when the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, it is changed to A5H (ST47), and thereafter, the operation status 2 is changed to the operation status 0. Alternatively, it is changed to 00H at the timing when the operation status 3 is changed to the operation status 0 (S27, S40).

  As is clear from the above operation transition, the payout motor flag is set to 5AH at the start of a series of payout operations, and after that, even though it is changed to A5H, the series of payout operations is completed. At the timing of returning to the operation status 0 (initial state), it is always 00H. In this embodiment, whether the payout motor M is driven or not driven is managed according to the value of the payout motor flag. If the payout motor flag is A5H or 5AH, the drive state and payout are determined. If the motor flag is 00H, a non-driven state is entered (see FIG. 11).

  Further, in this embodiment, a payout remaining number counter is provided in addition to the new payout counter, so that a smooth payout operation can be realized even when returning from an operation prohibited state in which the payout motor M is not driven. For example, when the processing of steps ST25 to ST33 is repeated in the operation prohibited state, the value of the payout remaining number counter is incremented by +25 by the decrease of the total prize ball number counter (ST27, ST30) in the state where the game ball is not paid out. However, after returning from the operation prohibited state (ST31), the accumulated game balls for the remaining payout counter are paid out at once (this point will be described later).

  FIG. 10 shows the operation content of the payout error process (ST90). The payout error process (ST90) includes a retry error detection process (S70), a count switch error detection process (S71), and a replenishment error process ( S72) and a lower plate full error detection process (S73).

  In the retry error detection process (S70), it is determined whether or not a new game ball has been paid out based on the value of the switch edge data of the work area EDG updated in the data input process (ST84) (S701). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the values of bit 0 and bit 1 of the first input port 13 have risen at the current timer interrupt. Here, when the payout of the game ball is detected, it means that the clogged state where the game ball is not paid out has been eliminated as a result of the retry process described later. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the game ball has been paid out, all of the retry error flag, the retry error LED flag, and the retry counter are set to 00H, and the process ends (S704).

  On the other hand, when the payout of the game ball has not been detected yet, the processing is finished as long as the value of the retry counter does not exceed the upper limit value MM (for example, 127), and when the value exceeds the upper limit value MM, the retry error flag, the retry error LED All of the flag and the payout retry flag are set to 5AH, and the process ends (S703). Note that the value of the retry counter is updated (+1) in the process of step S33 in the retry process of FIG.

By retry error LED flag is set to 5AH in the process of step S703, the subsequent data output process (ST92), an error notification lamp ER _L is turned on. Further, as long as the value of the retry error flag is 5 AH, the motor drive data is set to 00H in the subsequent motor processing (ST91), and therefore the payout motor M is in the non-driven state (ST92) in the subsequent data output processing (ST92). Free rotation state). Therefore, attendant detecting the lighting of the error notification lamp ER _L can rotate the operation shaft 23 of the dispensing rotator RO relatively freely, easily can be eliminated spheres clogging state.

  By the way, in the replenishment error detection process (S72), it is determined whether or not the switch signal to the first input port is at an abnormal level over a predetermined time. The flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the replenishment error flag is reset to 00H.

  Also, in the lower plate full error detection process (S73), it is determined whether or not the corresponding switch signal to the first input port is at an abnormal level over a predetermined time, and when the abnormal level continues, The lower plate full error flag is set to 5AH. If the normal level is returned to the normal level, the lower pan full error flag is reset to 00H. These out-of-supply error flag and lower pan full error flag determine whether or not to enter an operation prohibition state in which the rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited (see ST62 in FIG. 11).

  Next, the motor process (ST91) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the motor processing, the contents of the MOOUT address storing the motor drive data are cleared (ST61), and it is determined whether or not the values of various error flags are all 00H (ST62). Here, the determined error flags include a retry error flag, a replenishment error flag, and a lower pan full error flag.

  If all error flags are 00H and no error has occurred, the value of the payout motor flag is subsequently determined (ST63). On the other hand, if any of the retry error flag, the replenishment error flag, and the lower tray full error flag is not ≠ 00H, or if the payout motor flag is = 00H, the motor processing is performed without doing anything. Finish (ST62, ST63). As a result, the motor drive data (contents of the MOOUT address) remains binary 0000, and the payout motor M is not driven even when the data output process (ST92) is executed. Therefore, an operation prohibition state in which the rotation operation of the payout rotating body RO is prohibited is entered.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST63 that the payout motor flag is not 00H, the motor drive start process (ST65a), the motor drive process (ST65b), and the motor stop are performed according to the value of the operation status at that time. After either the intermediate process (ST65c) or the motor retry process (ST65d) is executed, the motor drive data is selected according to the position of the payout motor M determined by these processes and stored in the MOOUT address. (ST66). In this embodiment, the motor position of the payout motor M is managed from 0 to 3, and corresponding to this, there are four types of motor drive data (0101, 0110, 1010, 1001), which are shown in FIG. The payout motor M is stepped forward in order.

  12 to 13 illustrate specific contents of the motor drive start process (ST65a), the motor drive process (ST65b), the motor stop process (ST65c), and the motor retry process (ST65d). Since the operation status is 0 in the initial state, the motor drive start process shown in FIG.

  In the motor drive start process, the value of the payout retry flag is checked (S1). If the payout retry flag is not equal to 5AH, the value N of the new payout counter is multiplied by 16 and stored in the step counter (S2). As described above, in this embodiment, the payout motor M is advanced by 16 steps and rotated by 120 °, thereby rotating the gear-connected payout rotating body RO by 60 ° and paying out one game ball. As a result, a value of 16 × N is set in the step counter as the total number of a series of drive data to be output to the payout motor M. Note that the value N of the new payout counter is a value (= 25 or less) set in the process of step ST30 in FIG.

  After setting the initial value of the step counter as described above, the operation status is changed to 1, and the motor drive timer is initialized to 2 to finish the process (S3 to S4). The motor drive timer specifies a time interval for outputting drive data to the payout motor M, and the motor drive timer that is initially set to 2 is decremented by 1 in the timer subtraction process (ST85) every 2 mS. In this case, the motor position changes at a time interval of 2 × 2 = 4 mS. Each time the motor drive timer becomes zero, the step counter is decremented by 1 (S12).

  If the operation status is 0 and the payout retry flag is 5AH, the operation status is changed to 3 (S5). Further, the motor drive timer is set to 125 (S6), and the payout retry flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S7). When the operation status is changed to 3, the retry process is started. However, since the motor drive timer is initially set to 125, thereafter, it is slowly performed at a time interval of 1 step 250 mS (= 2 × 125). The payout motor M is driven.

  After the operation status is set to 1 by the process of step S3 in FIG. 12A, the motor driving process shown in FIG. 12B is executed. Here, first, the value of the motor drive timer is checked (S10), and if it is not zero, the process is terminated without doing anything. Therefore, for example, when the motor drive timer is initially set to 2, the two motor processes (ST91) output the same drive data (ST65b to ST66).

  Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the value of the step counter initially set to 16 × N is determined in the process of step S2 (S11). Is incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S12 to S13). Further, the value of the motor drive timer is initialized to 2 again, and the process ends (S14). Therefore, in the motor driving process with the operation status 1, the payout motor M advances every 4 mS.

  If such a stepping operation is repeated, then the value of the step counter becomes zero. Therefore, in this case, the operation status is changed to 2 and the value of the motor drive timer is initialized to 350 (S15 to S16).

  As described above, the payout for the new payout is completed when the value of the step counter becomes zero in the motor driving process of the operation status 1. However, even during this series of payout operations, there is a possibility that a new control command CMD (award ball number designation command) has been received, and the value of the total award ball number counter is updated by the command analysis process (ST86). In some cases, further payout may be necessary (for example, in the case of a big hit state). In addition, due to a malfunction of the payout rotating body RO, there may be an excess or deficiency in the payout amount N for the new payout.

  If the payout amount is insufficient, the payout remaining number counter is not zero, so the payout motor flag is not changed to A5H and remains 5AH. On the other hand, if the payout motor flag is A5H, the payout remaining number This means that the counter has become zero (see ST47). At the time of overpayment in which further payout is made after the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the payout motor flag is A5H and the payout retry flag is 5AH (see ST45).

  If the description is continued based on the above, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the state of the operation status 2, the motor stop process is executed. Here, it is first determined whether or not the value of the payout motor flag is A5H (S20). As described above, if the payout motor flag is A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter has become zero (ST47). In such a case, the operation status is changed from 2 to 0 and the motor drive timer is set. Is set to zero (S25 to S26). Further, the payout motor flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S27).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the payout motor flag is not equal to A5H, it means that the payout remaining number counter is not yet zero. Therefore, when the payout motor flag is not ≠ A5H, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S21). Note that when the operation status is changed from 1 to 2, the motor drive timer is initialized to 350 (S16), and here, 700 mS is consumed. Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the operation status is changed from 2 to 3, the motor drive timer is initialized to 125, and the payout detection flag is cleared (S22 to S24).

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the operation status is 3, first, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S30). Since the motor drive timer is initially set to 125 when the operation status is changed to 3 (S6, S23), the time is consumed by 250 mS here. Thereafter, the value of the payout detection flag is checked (S31). The payout detection flag is set to 5AH when the payout of the game ball is confirmed (ST43 in FIG. 10), and is set to zero when the operation status is changed to 3 (S24 in FIG. 13, S7 in FIG. 12). ).

  Therefore, in the motor retry process, the payout detection flag is initially zero so that the motor position is advanced by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S32). In addition, the retry counter is updated by +1, and 125 is set in the motor drive timer (S33 to S34). Therefore, a retry process for updating the drive data every 1 step = 250 mS is executed thereafter.

  In this retry process, the dispensing motor M rotates slowly at a speed 2/125 times that of the normal time. Specifically, as is clear from steps S30 to S34, the dispensing motor M rotates by one step (7.5 °) every 250 mS according to the initial setting value of the motor drive timer, and the dispensing rotation is correspondingly performed. Each time the body RO rotates 3.75 °, the payout of the game ball is checked, and the same operation is repeated until the payout is detected (S31). The payout of the game ball is determined in the process of step ST42 in FIG. 9, and when the payout of the game ball is detected, the payout detection flag is set to 5AH (ST43).

  Therefore, if the processing in steps S30 to S34 is repeated, the payout detection flag eventually becomes 5AH. In this case, the value of the payout motor flag is checked next (S35). The payout motor flag is set to A5H when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, that is, when the game ball is paid out without any shortage (ST47 in FIG. 9). Therefore, since the payout motor flag ≠ A5H means that there is a game ball that has not been paid out, a value obtained by multiplying the value of the payout remaining number counter by 16 is stored in the step counter (S36).

  However, in this embodiment, an upper limit value LT of the payout amount after retry processing is provided, and specifically, the upper limit value LT is set to LT <4096 so that 65536> LT × 16. Therefore, even if the payout remaining number counter is limited to a 16-bit length, there is no possibility that the remaining payout counter overflows and the number of winning balls disappears in a big hit state where a large number of winning balls are continuously obtained. The upper limit LT of the payout amount is given by the following formula.

LT <(16 ⁿ −1) ÷ (reference rotation angle ÷ minimum rotation angle)
Minimum rotation angle = step angle θ ÷ gear ratio G
Here, n = 2, 4, 6..., And the reference rotation angle is, by design, the rotation angle of the payout rotating body RO that pays out one game ball, and the minimum rotation angle is about the payout rotating body RO. Is the minimum rotation angle. The step angle θ is the minimum rotation angle of the payout motor M that drives the payout rotary body RO, and the gear ratio G is the gear connection ratio between the payout motor M and the payout rotary body RO given by 1: G. G> 1 is always set.

  In this embodiment, since the upper limit value LT = 4095 is set, the maximum value of the payout remaining number counter is 65520. However, following the process of step S36, the operation status is changed from 3 to 1. The retry counter is cleared and 2 is set in the motor drive timer (S37, S38). As a result of this setting process, the normal motor rotation for updating the drive data every 1 step = 4 mS is started thereafter.

  Incidentally, when the payout motor flag is A5H in the determination in step S35, the operation status 3 is changed to 0 (S39). When the payout is detected (payout detection flag = 5AH) and the payout motor flag is A5H, one game ball is paid out with the operation status = 3 and the payout remaining number counter becomes zero. This means that (see ST47). In other words, it means that the shortage of payout has been completed, so that the operation status is changed from 3 to 0, and then it is made to wait until the time when the payout operation is required again. Therefore, all the values of the retry counter, the payout motor flag, and the payout detection flag are set to zero (S40).

  FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 illustrate the above operation in a confirming manner. First, a normal prize ball operation will be described based on the state transition diagram of FIG.

<Normal ball operation (FIG. 15A)>
In this case, a predetermined number of winning balls (25 or less) is set in the new payout counter (ST30), and after the step counter is set to 25 × 16, the operation status 0 is shifted to the operation status 1 (S2). ~ S4). Thereafter, every 4 mS when the motor driving timer becomes zero, the step counter is decremented by 1, and the payout rotating body RO advances by 3.75 ° (S10 to S14).

  Then, when 64 mS elapses and the step counter is set to −16, the payout rotating body RO rotates 60 ° and one game ball is paid out. By repeating such an operation, for example, when 25 prize ball operations are completed, the operation status shifts from 1 to 2 (S15). At the normal time, since the payout motor flag is already A5H at this timing (ST47), the operation status is immediately shifted to 0 and the payout motor flag is cleared (S25 to S27).

<Operation when payout is insufficient (FIG. 15B)>
Next, the operation when payout is insufficient due to ball clogging or the like will be described based on the state transition diagram of FIG. As shown in the figure, after paying out only a predetermined number (25) (status 0-> status 1-> status 2), the operation status 1 is shifted to 2, and it is determined whether there is a shortage of payout from the value of the payout motor flag. (S20).

  When the payout motor flag value is 5 AH, when the payout shortage is detected, the operation moves to the retry operation of the operation status 3 and rotates by 7.5 ° in 250 mS time until the game ball payout is detected. The payout motor M is rotated at a low speed (S32 to S34). In this embodiment, since the payout motor M and the payout rotating body RO are connected with a one-to-two gear ratio, the driving torque is high, and even if the ball is in a blocked state, the ball is blocked by this low speed rotation (retry operation). Is often resolved. In addition, every time the payout rotating body RO rotates 3.75 °, it is determined whether or not the game ball is paid out. As a result, precise alignment is realized.

  As a result of paying out one game ball by such a retry operation, when the payout shortage is resolved, the operation status 3 is shifted to the operation status 0. On the other hand, if there is a further shortage, the operation status 3 is shifted to the operation status 1, and a prize ball operation at a normal speed is executed.

<Prize Ball Operation after Returning from Operation Prohibited State to Normal State (FIG. 16)>
Next, the winning ball operation after returning from the operation prohibited state to the normal state will be described based on the state transition diagram of FIG. As described above, the operation-prohibited state means a state in which the dispenser rotating body RO is not driven in the free rotation state because an out-of-supply error or a lower pan full error has occurred.

  Even in such an operation prohibited state, the main control unit 1 freely transmits a prize ball number designation command. The transmitted prize ball number designation command is acquired as usual by the reception interrupt routine (FIG. 6B), so in the command analysis process (ST86), the value of the total prize ball number counter is sequentially updated. Will do.

  On the other hand, at the timing of the operation prohibited state, it is assumed that the operation status is 0, or the operation status is 2 and the payout retry flag is not 5AH. In such a case, in the subsequent prize ball processing (ST89), the value of the total prize ball counter is decremented by −25 (ST25, ST27, ST30), and the value of the payout remaining number counter is +25. It is added and updated (ST31). Then, these update processes are permanently repeated until the operation returns from the operation prohibited state to the normal state. As described above, in the operation prohibited state, the motor output data remains cleared (ST61) and the data output process (ST92) is executed.

  Thereafter, such an operation-prohibited state is automatically or artificially canceled and returns to a normal state. However, at the timing of returning to the normal state, the value of the payout remaining number counter may have increased to a considerably large value, especially if the gaming machine at that time is in the big hit state.

  Even in such a case, a predetermined number of prize balls of 25 is set in the new payout counter at the start of the prize ball operation (ST30), and the value of the new payout counter is set in the step counter at the transition from the operation status 0 to 1. A value 16 times (= 25) is set (S2 to S4 in FIG. 12A). In other words, no matter how large the value of the payout remaining number counter is, the number of prize balls for the payout operation in the operation status 1 is set to 25.

  Thereafter, every 4 mS when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the step counter initialized to 400 (= 25 × 16) is decremented (−1). Then, when the step counter reaches zero, the operation status 1 shifts to the operation status 2 (S15 in FIG. 12B). It should be noted that at this timing, 25 prize balls have been finished unless ball clogging has occurred.

  However, since the value of the payout remaining number counter is only -25, and has not yet become zero, the payout motor flag remains 5AH. That is, since the process of step ST47 in FIG. 9 has not yet been executed, the operation status 2 is shifted to the operation status 3 (S21 to 24 in FIG. 13). Note that the operation status shifts from 2 to 3 after a waiting time of 700 mS.

  Next, in the retry process of the operation status 3, after the first game ball is slowly paid out (S30 to S31), the step counter is set to 16 times the value of the remaining payout counter at that time. (S36), the operation status 3 is shifted to the operation status 1 (S37). Then, in the motor driving process of the operation status 1, the award ball operation is executed for the number of the remaining payout counters. When all the award ball operations are completed, the operation in the initial state is performed from the operation status 1 to the operation status 2. Return to status 0.

  As described above, in this embodiment, after returning from the operation prohibited state with the operation status 0 to the normal state, no matter how many award balls are paid out, only a predetermined number (25) is initially used. After paying out (status 0 → status 1 → status 2), the home position of the payout rotating body RO is aligned. After that, the game balls are paid out at a stretch by the value of the payout remaining number counter (status 2 → status 3 → status 1). Since precise positioning at intervals of 3.75 ° is executed in advance, Executing the payout operation (continuous drive) has no adverse effect. Further, in this continuous driving, the upper limit value of the payout amount is limited, so that the winning ball does not disappear due to overflow.

  After returning from the operation prohibited state to the normal state with the operation status 2 (however, the payout retry flag ≠ 5AH), after one game ball is first paid out (status 1 → status 2), the payout remaining number The game balls are paid out at a stretch for the remaining value of the counter (status 3 → status 1).

<Operation at overpayment>
FIG. 17 is a transition diagram for explaining the operation when paying out more game balls than the original number of prize balls. After a series of payout operations (status 0 → status 1 → status 2 → status 0), the occurrence of an overpayment state is detected when the payout retry flag is 5AH (see ST45). Therefore, after that, the operation status shifts from 0 to 3, and the retry operation is executed (S5 to S7).

  Then, after one game ball is paid out by the low-speed retry operation, the operation status returns to the initial state. In the retry operation, every time the payout rotating body RO rotates 3.75 °, the presence / absence of payout of the game ball is determined, so that precise home position alignment is realized.

  Finally, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. A plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 22.

  The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing game balls for launch. A lower plate 29 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are disposed below the front frame 24. And are provided. The launch handle 30 is linked to the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod 31 (see FIG. 22) that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle.

  On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for lending the ball to the card-type ball lending machine 22 is provided, and on this operation panel 32, a card remaining amount display unit 32a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number. A ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount, and a return switch 32c for instructing to return the card at the end of the game. On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. In addition, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 are provided to indicate a replenishment state or a full state of the lower plate.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and the display device 8 (specifically, at the approximate center of the game area 25a inside the game rail 25 is provided. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. Inside the big winning opening 36, there is a winning area 36b for detecting a winning ball.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 22, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 for holding the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 19) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45 (see FIG. 22).

  Inside the case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. A launch control board 6 is provided inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the embodiment, a ball game machine has been described, but it is applicable not only to a pachinko machine, an arrange ball machine, and a sparrow ball machine, but also to a spinning machine using medals and a spinning machine using game balls. Of course you can.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The peripheral circuit (a) of the payout control board and the operation principle (b) of the stepping motor are illustrated. 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a dispensing device. It is drawing explaining the payout operation | movement by a payout apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine (a) of a payout control board, and a reception interruption routine (b). It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption routine (a) and a power supply monitoring process (b). It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a payout error process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor drive start process (a) and a motor drive process (b). It is a flowchart explaining the motor stop process (a) and the motor retry process (b). It is a flowchart explaining a data output process. It is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the operation status at the normal time. It is a state transition diagram which shows transition of the operation status at the time of payout shortage. It is a state transition diagram which shows transition of the operation status at the time of overpayment. It is drawing explaining the relationship of the power supply monitoring process of a main control part and a payout control part. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main control unit 5 Dispensing control unit

Claims (7)

A main control unit that is responsible for game control operations centrally, and in response to a payout command received from the main control unit , increases the total number of winning balls, which is the number of game media payouts, while executing game medium payout processing. A sub-control unit that reduces the total number of winning balls by the number of paid-out game media, digests all the winning balls until it reaches zero, and executes a payout command ,
The game media payout operation executed by the sub-control unit is as follows:
The payout device is continuously driven to pay out the number of payout units set to a value not exceeding the reference number at once, and this continuous drive is executed once or intermittently multiple times, and each time continuous drive is finished, It is determined whether or not the game medium corresponding to the number of payout units has been paid out. If there is no shortage of payout, the payout processing is terminated with the total number of winning balls being consumed, or the next continuous drive is started. Normal operation to digest all remaining prize balls,
A payout prohibiting operation for prohibiting the operation of the payout device while increasing the number of all prize balls in response to a payout command received from the main control unit in the event of an abnormality related to the discharge or replenishment of game media;
When the total number of winning balls is not zero, driving of the payout device is started on the condition that the prohibition of the operation of the payout device is released, and the payout device is stopped in a state where one game medium is paid out, or The driving of the payout device is started on the condition that the prohibition of the operation of the payout device has been released. If the total number of winning balls after execution of one continuous drive is not zero, another game medium is added. An alignment operation in which the dispensing device is stopped in the dispensed state, and the stop position is set as a reference position for the subsequent dispensing operation,
If the total number of winning balls after the alignment operation is not zero, unless the upper limit is exceeded, an abnormality that continuously drives the payout device continuously as many times as necessary to pay out all the remaining winning balls at once And a return operation . When it is determined that there is insufficient payout for the number of payout units when one continuous drive is completed in continuous drive of the payout device that is intermittently executed a plurality of times in order to pay out the payout units at once. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to stop the payout device in a state where one game medium has been paid out, and to set the stop position as a reference position for the subsequent payout operation.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the payout device includes a payout rotating body that pays out game media by a rotating operation and a payout motor that drives the payout rotating body. The upper limit value includes a minimum rotation angle of the payout rotator, a reference rotation angle required for the payout rotator to pay out one game medium, and an even value n of 2, 4, 6. From the relationship
The gaming machine according to claim 3 , wherein the gaming machine is set to a maximum integer value smaller than (16 ⁿ -1) ÷ (reference rotation angle ÷ minimum rotation angle). The gaming machine according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the payout rotating body and the payout motor are connected with a gear ratio of G to 1, which is set such that G ≧ 2. The even value n gaming machine according to claim 4 which is set to n = 4.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the payout rotating body and the payout motor are gear-connected through an intermediate gear.

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