JP4962636B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a revolving game machine using a game ball that can enjoy a game of a revolving game machine such as a slot machine using a game ball such as a pachinko ball.

As shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, a game ball-use spinning machine can enjoy a game of a spinning machine such as a slot machine using a game ball such as a pachinko ball. When the player inserts a predetermined number of game balls and operates the start lever, the game is started. That is, the rotating drum (annular reel) on which a plurality of symbols (a type of identification information) is displayed at predetermined intervals starts to rotate, and the variation display of the symbol sequence starts. Usually, three spinning cylinders are provided, and when the player presses a stop switch while these spinning cylinders are rotating, the spinning cylinders corresponding to the pressing stop one by one. After all the spinning cylinders have stopped rotating, the combination of the spinning cylinder stop symbols is used to determine whether or not the game is successful, and if it is a game, the number of game balls corresponding to that game is paid out and the player is given a predetermined number. The game value is given (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In general, a medal used for a slot machine game is rented for 20 yen per piece, and a pachinko ball (game ball) used for a pachinko machine is rented for 4 yen per piece. For this reason, in a slot machine, if a game performed by inserting three medals using a game ball is used, it is necessary to insert 15 game balls.

JP 2003-305167 A JP 2003-305168 A

  However, in the game ball-use spinning machine disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the game balls are thrown in one by one using one passage, it takes a long time for the throwing operation. As a result, there is a problem that the smooth progress of the game is hindered with respect to the slot machine where the game is started by inserting a medal and operating the start lever. In particular, since the player operates the start lever continuously after operating the game ball input switch, it takes time to input the game ball, and when the start lever is operated, the game ball input ends. Otherwise, the game will not start even though the start lever is operated. For this reason, the player must operate the start lever again after confirming that the start lever has been operated again or that the game ball has been thrown in, so that the smooth progress of the game is hindered. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of smoothly playing a game medium and smoothly progressing the game.

In order to achieve this object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is stored in a storage means for storing a plurality of game media, a plurality of passages connected to the storage means and into which the game media flows, and stored in the storage means. Control is performed to input a predetermined number of game media input to the plurality of passages by operating the input operation unit operated to input the game media to be inserted into the gaming machine. Input control means, provided in each of the plurality of passages, allowing or prohibiting passage of the game medium through the passages, and the gate in the passage direction of the game medium passing through the passages Detecting means provided on the downstream side of the means and capable of detecting each of the game media passing through the plurality of passages, wherein the making operation means is operated by the making operation means. The detection means detects the start and completion of passage of the game medium distributed to the passage by the distribution means, and a distribution means that distributes a predetermined number of game media to be introduced by the distribution means. Detecting and judging means for judging based on the result; and when the insertion operation means is operated and when the insertion of the game medium into the passage is started, the gate means is allowed to allow passage of the game medium into the passage. In addition, when the last game medium distributed to the passage by the distribution means is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means. before, a gate control means for controlling said gate means such that the last game media to prohibit the passage of the game media into the passage that initiated passes, said by the distributing means It is possible to measure a first time that elapses after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow passage of game media distributed on the road, and the game media distributed by the distribution means are Measuring means capable of measuring a second time elapsed after the detection judging means determines that the passage has started, and the last game medium is judged to start passing by the detection judgment means, and the passage of the gaming medium is prohibited. After the gate means is controlled by the gate control means, when the last game medium is judged to have passed by the detection judgment means, the process proceeds to the first process, and the last game medium is detected. If the determination means does not determine that the passage has been completed, the process proceeds to a second process different from the first process, and the gate is allowed to allow the game medium to pass. When the first time elapses after the means is controlled by the gate control means is measured by the measurement means for a first predetermined time or when the game medium is judged to start passing by the detection judgment means, the time elapses. When the second time is measured by the measuring means for a second predetermined time, and in all passages other than the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured by the measuring means, the distributing means When passage of the distributed game media is completed, the process proceeds to a third process different from the first process and the second process .

  In addition, in claim 1, “injecting game media into the gaming machine” means inserting game media necessary for starting a game in the gaming machine, and is provided in the gaming machine. This includes a case where game media is thrown into a storage unit such as a box or a dish, and a case where the inserted game media is discharged outside the game machine without being stored in the game machine. Here, the outside of the gaming machine is, for example, the back side of the gaming machine, and the inserted game medium is discharged to the back side or the like via a path different from the path connected to the storage means.

  The detection means provided on the downstream side of the gate means may be provided in the vicinity of the gate means. In the passage where the game medium flows down, it is preferable that the detection means be as close as possible to the gate means because the passage of the game medium can be detected at an early stage. Further, even if the position where the detecting means is provided is in the vicinity of the gate means, at least a predetermined distance is set so that at least the game medium that has passed through the gate means passes stably (in a state in which the play of the game medium is small). It is kept and provided.

  The first predetermined time is a time for checking whether or not the first time that has elapsed since the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow the passage of the game medium has reached the predetermined time. For example, in a state in which the game medium is stored in the storage means, the time from when the gate means operates to allow passage of the game medium until the first game medium starts to pass can be set. In this case, the first predetermined time may be a time sufficiently longer than the time required for the game medium to pass through the detection means in a normal state where no clogging has occurred in the passage upstream from the gate means. By setting a time sufficiently longer than the time required for the game medium to normally pass through the detection means as the first predetermined time, it is possible to reliably distinguish the state in which the game medium has passed and the state in which the game medium has not passed. Further, the second predetermined time is a time for confirming whether or not the second time that has elapsed since the game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, and therefore, for example, the storage means In the state in which the game media are stored, the time from when at least one game media passes through the detection means to when the next game media passes through the detection means can be set. In this case, in a normal state where no clogging has occurred in the passage upstream from the detection means, the time is sufficient for the next game medium to pass through the detection means and be determined to start passing by the detection determination means. A long time may be set as the second predetermined time. A state in which the next game medium starts to pass by setting the second predetermined time as a time sufficiently longer than the time that the next game medium normally passes through the detection means and is determined to be started by the detection determination means. And a state in which the next game medium does not start to pass can be reliably distinguished.

  According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the input operation means is operated and a predetermined number of game media are input into the plurality of passages, the passages are passed through the plurality of passages so that the same number of game media passes through the passages. It is distributed to. When the input operation means is operated, the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to allow passage of the game medium to the passage, and the last game medium distributed by the distribution means has started to pass by the detection determination means. When judged, the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage. Thereafter, if the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to the first process, and if the last game medium is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to the second process.

  Thus, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when a predetermined number of game media are inserted, the predetermined number of game media are distributed to each passage approximately the same number, and the game is played through each passage. The medium is loaded. Therefore, since game media can be input simultaneously in each passage, game media can be input quickly. Here, in a general gaming machine, a game is started by operating the start operation means after the game medium is inserted, so that the player operates the start operation means in succession to the operation of the input operation means. Therefore, when the insertion operation means is operated, if the insertion of the game medium does not end early, the game is not started even if the start operation means is operated, so a waiting time until the game starts is required. However, the game media can be loaded quickly by distributing the media so that almost the same number of game media pass through a plurality of passages, and the waiting time until the game starts is shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 There is an effect that the game can be made shorter and the game can proceed smoothly.

  In addition, when the last game medium determined to have started to pass through the passage is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means, it is possible that the game medium is clogged in the passage or the detection means is abnormal. According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to the first process, and the last game medium is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means. In this case, since the process proceeds to the second process, the process to be transferred can be made different depending on whether or not the last game medium has been passed. Therefore, when the last game medium has been completely passed, the process can proceed to a process of waiting for the start of the game. You can also Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to reliably distinguish between a state where the game can be normally progressed and a state where an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

  In addition, when the last game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means among the game media distributed by the distribution means, before the last game medium is determined to have passed by the detection determination means, Since the gate means is controlled so as to prohibit the passage of game media through the passage, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce that unnecessary game media are thrown in.

In addition , a first time that elapses after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow the passage of the game medium and a second time that elapses after the game medium is judged to be passed and detected by the detection determination means are measured. Measured by means. When the first time is measured by the measuring means for the first predetermined time or when the second time is measured by the measuring means for the second predetermined time, the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured When the passage of the game medium is completed in all the passages other than, the process proceeds to a third process different from the first and second processes. Therefore, the process shifts to a different process depending on whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the passage of the game medium is permitted, or whether or not the second predetermined time has passed since the game medium started to pass. be able to. Here, when the gate means operates so as to allow the passage of the game medium, the start of the passage of the game medium is not detected for a predetermined time, or the next game for the predetermined time after the start of the passage of the game medium is confirmed. When the passage of the medium cannot be confirmed, there may be a state where there is no game medium in the storage unit or a state where the game medium is clogged in the passage on the upstream side of the detection unit. That is, when the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time elapses, there are unfilled game media in the game media distributed to the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured. According to claim 1 the gaming machine described in the first predetermined time or a second predetermined time is measured, the passage of gaming media in all passages other than the first predetermined time or a second predetermined time measured passage When completed, the process shifts to a third process different from the first and second processes, so that the process of waiting for the game to start (normal state) and the process of notifying an abnormality (occurrence of an abnormality) according to the passing state of the game medium (State) and processing for reallocating and throwing in game media that have not yet been thrown in, and the like, it is possible to shift to processing according to each state. Accordingly, since it is possible to redistribute the game media that are not yet inserted while distinguishing between the normal state and the abnormality occurrence state, it is possible to reliably insert the number of game media to be inserted into the gaming machine. There is. In addition, in the case of shifting to the third process, there is provided an informing means for informing the outside that there is an unfilled game medium, and the player is urged to supply the game medium into the storage means by the informing means. It is good as a thing.

It is a perspective view which shows the game ball use spinning machine and card unit in this embodiment. It is a front view of a game ball use spinning machine and a card unit. It is a perspective view of a surface change block. It is the perspective view which separated and showed the front frame provided in the front surface of the game machine main-body part, and a saucer block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a saucer block. It is a top view of the top plate with which the dosing unit was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view of an input unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a dosing unit. It is sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the injection | throwing-in unit. It is explanatory drawing of throwing-in operation | movement and discharge | emission operation | movement of a throwing-in apparatus, (a) has illustrated the standby state in which neither throwing-in operation and discharge | emission operation are performed, (b) The execution state of (take-in operation) is illustrated, and (c) illustrates the execution state of the game ball discharge operation. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the game ball use spinning machine. It is explanatory drawing of each memory provided in RAM of the main controller. 5 is a flowchart showing a power-up process executed after power is turned on in the main control device. It is the flowchart which showed the normal process which is the main process performed with MPU of a main controller. It is the flowchart which showed the lottery process performed in a normal process. It is the flowchart which showed the reel control process performed in a normal process. It is the flowchart which showed the game ball payout process which is executed in the normal process. It is the flowchart which showed the special game state process performed in a normal process. It is the flowchart which showed the bonus symbol determination process. It is the flowchart which showed the game ball throwing-in process performed in a normal process. It is the flowchart which showed the throwing number distribution processing. It is the flowchart which showed insertion execution processing. It is the flowchart which showed the timer interruption process periodically performed with the main controller. It is the flowchart which showed the process at the time of a power failure. It is the flowchart which showed NMI interruption processing. It is explanatory drawing of each memory provided in RAM of the main controller. It is the flowchart which showed the game ball throwing-in process performed in the normal process of 2nd Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the throwing number distribution processing of 2nd execution form. It is the flowchart which showed the input execution processing of 2nd execution form. It is the flowchart which showed the timer interruption process periodically performed with the main control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game ball-use spinning machine 1 that uses a game ball as a game medium to play a game will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the gaming machine 1 and the card unit 20, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 and the card unit 20. With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the external appearance structure of the game machine 1 is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 is used by being connected to the card unit 20, and within the range of the remaining amount (valuable value) of a card, bill, etc. (rental medium) inserted into the card unit 20, A game ball as a medium is rented, and the player plays a game using the rented game ball.

  The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment requires the insertion of a predetermined number of game balls (for example, pachinko balls) when playing a game, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a plurality of or a large number of game balls depending on circumstances, It is configured to be paid out as a game value. The game machine 1 is supplied with game balls from a game ball supply system common to the pachinko machines in a game hall, etc., and the existing island facility (pachinko island) where the pachinko machines are installed, This gaming machine 1 can be installed.

  The gaming machine 1 has an outer frame 2 as a main body frame, and a gaming machine main body portion 3 attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plates to four sides, and has a rectangular shape as a whole. When installing the gaming machine 1 in the gaming hall, the outer frame 2 is attached and fixed to the island facility. The outer frame 2 can be made of a metal such as synthetic resin or aluminum.

  A visual recognition window 4 having a substantially trapezoidal shape as a symbol visual recognition portion is formed in the upper half of the front surface of the gaming machine main body 3. A transparent panel 5 made of a flat transparent plate is fitted into the visual recognition window 4, and the inside of the main body 3 can be visually recognized through the transparent panel 5. The transparent panel 5 has two panel parts (an upper panel part 5a and a lower panel part 5b) which are divided vertically and slightly bent. The upper panel portion 5a is disposed in a substantially vertical direction, and the lower panel portion 5b is disposed so as to be inclined slightly upward. The upper panel portion 5a covers the front surface of a liquid crystal display unit 81 to be described later, and a display image of the liquid crystal display unit 81 is visually recognized through the upper panel portion 5a (see FIG. 3). The lower panel portion 5b covers the front surface of a reel unit 82, which will be described later, and the design of the reel unit 82 is visually recognized through the lower panel portion 5b (see FIG. 3).

  According to such a relatively large viewing window 4 (transparent panel 5), it is possible to give a great impact to the player by the display effect of the image using the large liquid crystal display unit 81. In addition, the visibility of the symbol of the reel unit 82 which is the main display device of the gaming machine 1 can be improved.

  A central lamp 6 projecting forward from the transparent panel 5 is provided above the viewing window 4. Similarly, a pair of side lamps 7 projecting forward from the transparent panel 5 are provided on both sides of the viewing window 4. Is provided. A speaker 8 is provided above each of the pair of side lamps 7. In the game, the lamps 6 and 7 and the speaker 8 perform lamp effects and sound effects according to the game situation each time. That is, the player is notified of the establishment of a role in the game by appropriately changing the light emission color and light emission pattern by the lamps 6 and 7 or by appropriately changing the sound pattern by the speaker 8. In addition, error notification is performed using the lamps 6 and 7 and the speaker 8.

  Below the viewing window 4, there is provided a long plate-like sub-panel 10 that extends to the left and right. On the right side of the sub-panel 10, an acquired ball number display 11 that displays the number of balls acquired when the small role is established, and a game number display that displays the number of remaining games in a special game state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. 12 are provided. These are constituted by 7 segment LEDs, but may be replaced by a liquid crystal display or the like.

  On the left side of the sub-panel 10, a ball rental operation unit 13 is provided. The ball lending operation unit 13 is a ball lending operation or a card returning operation in the state where a bill or a card is inserted into a vertically long card unit (ball lending unit) 20 disposed on the left side of the gaming machine 1, for example. The ball lending button 14, the return button 15, and the frequency indicator 16 are arranged in parallel. The ball lending button 14 is a button operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like, and the remaining amount is left on the card or the like inserted into the card unit 20 by the operation of the ball lending button 14. Lending balls are paid out as long as they exist. The return button 15 is a button operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit 20. The frequency display 16 is a display for displaying remaining amount information such as a card inserted in the card unit 20, and is composed of 7 segment LEDs. The frequency display 16 may be replaced with a liquid crystal display.

  Below the sub-panel 10, there is provided an operation unit 30 provided with various operation members and the like operated by the player. The operation unit 30 is provided with a start lever 31 and stop switches 32, 33, and 34 including triple buttons, and a button-like bet switch 35 is provided at the upper end of the operation unit 30. .

  The bet switch 35 allows the player to set a bet (the number of bets), and a predetermined number of game balls stored in the upper plate 36 are taken in (inserted) by the pushing operation. In this gaming machine 1, a so-called MAX bet switch is provided as the bet switch 35, and 15 game balls equivalent to 3 bets are inserted by an effective one-time pressing operation. If a bet switch 35 is operated during the execution of a JAC game, which will be described later, five game balls equivalent to one bet are inserted.

  In addition to the bet switch 35 as the MAX bet switch, a 1-bet switch or a 2-bet switch may be provided. The 1-bet switch is a switch for inserting 5 game balls corresponding to 1 bet by one push operation, and the 2-bet switch is for inserting 10 game balls corresponding to 2 bets by 1 press operation. Switch. During the execution of the JAC game, even if the 2-bet switch is operated, 5 game balls equivalent to 1 bet are inserted.

  The start lever 31 is an operation member for starting rotation of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R (rotating body) of the reel unit 82 shown in FIG. By operating the start lever 31, the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R start to rotate, and the symbol variable display is started. Note that the start lever 31 may be configured as a button-like switch, like the bet switch 35 and the stop switches 32 to 34.

  The stop switches 32 to 34 are respectively provided corresponding to the three rows 82L, 82M, and 82R of the left, middle, and right, and are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 82L, 82M, and 82R. Is done. When the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are rotated at a constant speed, they can be stopped by pressing the corresponding stop switches 32-34. During the stoppable state, the lamps provided in the stop switches 32 to 34 are respectively lit and displayed to notify the player that the stop operation is possible. When the rotation of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is stopped, the lamps corresponding to the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are turned off.

  A notch 37 is formed at the lower right of the operation unit 30. The cutout portion 37 is provided with a return lever 38 for returning the game ball on the upper plate 36 or the already inserted game ball to the gaming machine 1 to the lower plate 41. An opening 42 is formed in the bottom of the lower plate 41, and the opening 42 is closed by an opening / closing plate 43. A ball removal lever 44 formed to be slidable in the left-right direction is provided at the lower right of the lower plate 41. By operating the ball removal lever 44 leftward, the opening 42 is opened, and the lower plate The game ball in 41 falls downward and is discharged. By arranging a ball storage box (so-called dollar box) in advance below the lower plate 41, the game balls discharged from the lower plate 41 can be stored in the ball storage box. By releasing the operation of the ball removal lever 44, the lever 44 slides in the right direction, and at the same time, the opening 42 is closed by the opening / closing plate 43. Further, a speaker 45 is disposed in the back of the lower plate 41, and sound output such as sound effects is also performed from this portion.

  Next, the surface changing block 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The face change block 80 is provided with main parts for displaying game contents, and includes a liquid crystal display unit 81 and a reel unit 82, and is disposed in the back of the transparent panel 5 of the viewing window 4. For example, the model replacement can be performed by replacing the surface replacement block 80 with a new model from the current model.

  A liquid crystal display unit 81 is disposed above the surface changing block 80. The liquid crystal display unit 81 is a display device for performing an auxiliary effect of the effect performed by the reel unit 82, and not only during the rotational driving of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R of the reel unit 82, but also before or after the rotational driving. When stopping after driving, etc., an auxiliary effect is performed according to the gaming state at that time.

  A reel unit 82 is disposed below the surface changing block 80. The reel unit 82 includes a left reel 82L, a middle reel 82M, and a right reel 82R each formed in a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R only needs to be configured as at least an endless belt, and is not limited to a cylindrical shape (annular shape). Moreover, you may comprise as a rotating drum, such as a belt and a drum.

  Each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is rotatably supported so that the center axis thereof becomes the rotation axis of the reel. The rotation axes of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are arranged on the same axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and a part of the surface of each reel 82L, 82M, and 82R is visible through the lower panel portion 5b of the transparent panel 5. It is in a state. When the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R rotate forward, the surfaces of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are projected through the lower panel portion 5b as if moving from top to bottom.

  Each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is connected to the stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R, and each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is individually, that is, independent, by driving the stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R. And is driven to rotate. The stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R are set to rotate once by giving, for example, a drive signal of 504 pulses (also referred to as an excitation signal or an excitation pulse; the same applies hereinafter). , 91R, that is, the rotational positions of the corresponding reels 82L, 82M, 82R are controlled.

  On each belt of each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R, a plurality, specifically 21 symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). Therefore, 24 pulses (= 504 pulses ÷ 21 symbols) are required to switch from one symbol to the next symbol at a predetermined position. Based on the number of pulses from when the detection signal is output from the reel index sensor that detects the origin positions of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R, it is recognized which symbols are visible from the lower panel portion 5b. Or control to make an arbitrary symbol visible from the lower panel portion 5b.

  Next, the saucer block 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the front frame 3 a provided on the front surface of the gaming machine main body 3 and the tray block 50 separately, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tray block 50. In FIG. 4, the card unit 20 is omitted. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the upper plate 36 on which the charging unit 52 is mounted. The saucer block 50 temporarily stores game balls that are lent out based on instructions from the card unit 20 and game balls that are awarded and paid out as a result of the game, and stores game balls for starting games in the gaming machine. It is for taking in (input).

  As shown in FIG. 4, an upper plate 36 for temporarily storing rented or paid out game balls is provided in front of the tray block 50. First, the details of the upper plate 36 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the upper plate 36 is formed in a horizontally long bowl shape, and is surrounded by a bottom plate portion 361 and a peripheral wall portion 362 to form a game ball storage area. A discharge port 363 for discharging the game ball into the upper plate 36 is formed in the wall portion on the far left side of the peripheral wall portion 362. An opening 364 is formed on the right side of the bottom plate portion 361. The game balls stored in the upper plate 36 are taken into the game machine 1 from the opening 364 via the input unit 52 described later, or discharged to the lower plate 41.

  The bottom plate portion 361 is generally configured to be lowered from the discharge port 363 toward the opening 364 (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6). Specifically, the bottom plate portion 361 is formed in two stages in the front-rear direction, and further, the back region thereof is formed in two stages on the left and right. In this case, in the bottom plate portion 361, the front region R1 is the highest, the back left region R2 is next high, and the back right region R3 is the lowest. Accordingly, the game balls discharged from the discharge port 363 to the upper plate 36 flow to the opening 364 on the downstream side in the order of the regions R2, R1, and R3 or in the order of the regions R2 and R3.

  In the front region R1 of the bottom plate portion 361, a protruding guide portion 365 protruding from the bottom plate portion 361 is formed. Therefore, the game ball that has flowed into the front region R1 is guided to the back right region R3 by coming into contact with the protruding guide portion 365.

  Two partition portions 366 and 367 protrude from the rear right region R3 which is the lowest position of the upper plate 36. The right end of the far right region R3 is partitioned by the two partition portions 366, 367 and is divided into three rows of guide passages 371, 372, 373. Each of the guide passages 371 to 373 communicates with the opening 364, and its width corresponds to one game ball. Therefore, the game balls discharged into the upper plate 36 are lined up on the respective guide paths 371 to 373 in the back right region R3 and are thrown into the throwing unit 52 disposed in the opening 364. Note that the rear right region R3 is formed so as to be inclined with the region R1 side being high and the gaming machine 1 side being low. Therefore, the game ball in the upper plate 36 is configured to be easily guided to the guide passages 371 to 373 along the side surface of the back right region R3 on the gaming machine 1 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cover member 375 is provided above the opening 364 of the upper plate 36 and the guide passages 371 to 373 so as to cover them. The cover member 375 is a member for restricting the size in the height direction of each guide passage 371 to 373 to approximately one game ball. By attaching the cover member 375 to the upper plate 36, each guide passage 371 is provided. The game balls are taken in (inserted) one by one from ˜373 into the insertion unit 52. The cover member 375 is made of a transparent material so that it can be visually confirmed whether or not there is a game ball below it.

  In the lower right front of the upper plate 36, a payout operation transmission device 51 is disposed. The payout operation transmission device 51 slides the return lever 38 to the left to discharge the game balls stored in the upper plate 36 to the lower plate 41 and is inserted into the gaming machine 1 by the input unit 52 described later. The game balls (taken) are discharged to the lower tray 41.

  A ball passage forming body 53 is provided on the back side of the upper plate 36. The ball passage forming body 53, together with the passage cover 53a, discharges the game ball to the outside of the gaming machine 1 (island facility of the game hall), and lower plate discharge for discharging the game ball to the lower plate 41. A passage is formed. The game balls that have passed through the lower tray discharge passage are discharged to the lower tray 41 from the discharge port 53d. Further, a discharge passage 53 e communicating with the discharge port 363 of the upper plate 36 is formed in the upper left part of the ball passage forming body 53 (near the most upstream portion). The game ball that has passed through the discharge passage 53e flows into the upper plate 36 from the discharge port 363 of the upper plate 36.

  A game ball distribution member 53b for distributing and discharging game balls to the external discharge passage, the lower tray discharge passage, and the discharge passage 53e is attached in the vicinity of the discharge passage 53e and on the upper left side of the ball passage forming body 53. It has been. The game ball distribution member 53b is formed with three passages 53b1 to 53b3. When the game ball distribution member 53b is attached to the ball passage formation body 53, the passage 53b1 communicates with the external discharge passage, and the passage 53b2 The game balls passing through the respective passages 53b1 to 53b3 are distributed to the respective passages in communication with the lower dish discharge passage, and the passage 53b3 is in communication with the discharge passage 53e. Further, a horizontally long thin plate-like sheet plate 53 c is attached to the upper part of the ball passage forming body 53. The sheet plate 53 c is attached in a state where the upper plate 36 is mounted on the ball passage forming body 53, and functions as an upper lid on the back side of the upper plate 36.

  A substantially square opening 53f for accommodating a later-described throwing unit 52 is formed at the lower right of the spherical passage forming body 53. In addition, a payout control unit 55 is attached to the back surface of the ball passage forming body 53. The payout control unit 55 is configured by arranging a payout control device 57 and a power supply device 58 side by side, and connecting these devices 57 and 58 with a connector 56.

  Next, the making unit 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. The gaming machine 1 starts a game on the condition that 15 or 5 gaming balls are thrown into the gaming machine 1, and the throwing unit 52 is used for throwing the gaming balls into the gaming machine 1. Is. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the charging unit 52, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the charging unit 52. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the charging unit 52. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the charging operation and the discharging operation of the charging device 521a.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the charging unit 52 is formed in a substantially cubic shape as a whole by arranging three charging devices 521 a to 521 c in parallel. Side surfaces (left side surfaces when the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front) of each of the input devices 521a to 521c are coupled by a coupling plate 523. In the upper surfaces of the charging devices 521a to 521c, inlet passages 522a to 522c that are opened upward and exposed to the outside are formed. The entrance passages 522a to 522c serve as entrances for game balls to the insertion unit 52, and the game balls supplied from the guide passages 371 to 373 of the upper plate 36 are first guided to the entrance passages 522a to 522c ( After that, it is taken into (inserted) into the input unit 52.

  Next, with reference to FIG.8 and FIG.9, the structure of each injection | throwing-in apparatus 521a-521c is demonstrated. Since each of the input devices 521a to 521c has a substantially similar configuration, the description will be given by taking one input device 521a as an example.

  The feeding device 521a includes front and back integrated housing members 521a1 and 521a2 made of a synthetic resin molded product, and both housing members 521a1 and 521a2 are coupled by screws or the like to form a substantially square box-shaped housing. In the internal space of the housing, a passage for a game ball, which will be described later, is formed, and an opening / closing gate mechanism for opening and closing the passage is accommodated.

  Passage walls 524a1 and 524a2 are formed on the upper surfaces of the housing members 521a1 and 521a2. By connecting the two housing members 521a1 and 521a2, the above-described inlet passage 522a is provided between the opposing passage walls 524a1 and 524a2. Is formed. The bottom surface of the inlet passage 522a is slightly inclined downward to the right in FIG.

  An arcuate recess 525a1 is formed in the front-side passage wall 524a1, and a triangular mountain-shaped protrusion 525a2 is formed in the rear-side passage wall 524a2 at a position facing the recess 525a1. The recess 525a1 and the protrusion 525a2 constitute a rectifying unit for keeping the flow of the game ball constant. When the game ball flowing downstream (rightward in FIG. 9) through the inlet passage 522a reaches the rectifying unit composed of the recess 525a1 and the projection 525a2, it first collides with the projection 525a2, and then hits the inner wall of the recess 525a1. It collides and flows down while changing the flow direction (path). In this way, the course of the game ball is changed by the rectifying portion (the recess 525a1 and the protrusion 525a2) of the inlet passage 522a, so that the momentum of the flow of the game ball is reduced and the subsequent flow speed is reduced. Although the detection of the game ball is performed after passing through the rectifying unit, the false detection can be reduced by reducing the flow velocity. In addition, when a large number of game balls are connected in a daisy chain and inserted into the input device 521a, a passing interval between adjacent game balls can be increased due to a speed difference generated through the rectifying unit. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem of erroneously detecting a plurality of game balls as one game ball. In this manner, the detection of the game ball can be ensured by the rectifying unit (the recess 525a1 and the projection 525a2).

  The charging device 521a is provided with a charging channel 526a formed by being surrounded by both housing members 521a1 and 521a2 and a discharge channel 527a on the downstream side of the inlet channel 522a. Similar to the inlet passage 522a, the input passage 526a and the discharge passage 527a have passage widths sufficient to allow the game balls to pass through in a row. The input passage 526a is provided continuously to the inlet passage 522a, and is formed so as to be bent in the vertical direction. When the bet switch 35 is pressed by the player, a total of 15 through the insertion passages 526a through 526c of the respective insertion devices 521a through 521c, and 5 during the normal game (except during the JAC game) A game ball is thrown into (taken in) the gaming machine 1. On the other hand, the discharge passage 527a is formed to branch from the bent portion of the input passage 526a from the input passage 526a. At the time of payment accompanying the end of the game, the game balls remaining in the present insertion devices 521a to 521c and the upper plate 36 are discharged to the lower plate 41 through the discharge passages 527a to 527c and returned to the player.

  The housing members 521a1 and 521a2 have different dimensions in the thickness direction, and most of the inlet passage 522a, the input passage 526a, and the discharge passage 527a are on one side (the front side in FIG. 8) on the housing member 521a1 side. Is formed. Thereby, the path | route with which a game ball actually contacts becomes the site | part remove | deviated from the boundary part (joining part) of both the housing members 521a1 and 521a2. Dust and dust are likely to accumulate at the boundary between the housing members 521a1 and 521a2. However, by adopting a configuration in which such a boundary portion is removed from the path where the game ball actually contacts, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the flow of the game ball is hindered by dust or dust accumulated in the boundary portion. .

  In FIG. 9, an input gate member 530a is disposed on the left side of the input passage 526a so as to be along the vertical portion of the input passage 526a. The input gate member 530a is supported so as to be swingable about the support shaft 531a, and the claw portion 532a formed at the distal end portion of the input gate member 530a is moved by the swing with the support shaft 531a as a fulcrum. It appears at 526a. A passage cutout portion 533a is formed in the passage wall of the introduction passage 526a, and the claw portion 532a of the introduction gate member 530a protrudes and appears in the introduction passage 526a from the passage cutout portion 533a. At normal times, the claw portion 532a of the insertion gate member 530a protrudes into the insertion passage 526a, and the passage of the game ball through the insertion passage 526a is blocked. On the other hand, when the game ball is thrown in (taken in), the claw portion 532a of the throw gate member 530a is retracted from the throw passage 526a, and the game ball is allowed to pass through the throw passage 526a.

  It should be noted that the protrusion / disengagement position of the claw portion 532a of the input gate member 530a is provided immediately downstream of the corner portion where the input passage 526a bends in the vertical direction. Therefore, the game ball that has flowed to the corner portion of the insertion passage 526a in a state where the claw portion 532a of the insertion gate member 530a protrudes into the insertion passage 526a does not flow into the vertical portion of the insertion passage 526a. Accordingly, when a later-described discharge gate member 540 is operated to discharge game balls in the input unit 52, the game balls are not clogged in the input passage 526a and do not remain in the input unit 52. That is, with this configuration, the game ball in the insertion unit 52 can be completely discharged via the discharge passages 527a to 527c.

  Next, the closing solenoid 534a for moving the closing gate member 530a in and out will be described. In the housing members 521a1 and 521a2, a closing solenoid 534a as a drive source of the closing gate member 530a is disposed. The closing solenoid 534a includes a rod-shaped output shaft 535a, and this output shaft 535a is held in an extended state by a coil spring 536a as shown in FIG. When the closing solenoid 534a is energized in this state, the output shaft 535a is drawn into the closing solenoid 534a against the urging force of the coil spring 536a. A guide 537a is attached to the tip of the output shaft 535a. A part of the guide 537a is engaged with a swing piece 539a that swings about the shaft portion 538a, and the closing gate member 530a swings by the swing of the swing piece 539a. ing.

  In this configuration, when the closing solenoid 534a is not energized, the output shaft 535a of the closing solenoid 534a is held in an extended state by the urging force of the coil spring 536a as shown in FIG. 9, and the closing gate member 530a The claw portion 532a is in a state of protruding into the charging passage 526a. Thereby, the insertion passage 526a is closed, and the passage of the game ball through the insertion passage 526a is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the closing solenoid 534a is energized, the output shaft 535a moves in the contracting direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 536a. That is, the output shaft 535a is drawn into the closing solenoid 534a. Then, by the guide 537a attached to the tip of the output shaft 535a, the swing piece 539a swings and rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 about the shaft portion 538a, and the claw portion 532a of the input gate member 530a It is in a state of being immersed from the charging passage 526a. As a result, the insertion passage 526a is opened, and the passage of the game ball through the insertion passage 526a is allowed.

  Thereafter, when the energization to the closing solenoid 534a is stopped, the output shaft 535a is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 536a, and the swing piece 539a swings and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 9 about the shaft portion 538a. Then, the claw portion 532a of the charging gate member 530a returns to the state where it projects into the charging passage 526a. In this way, by applying power to the charging solenoid 534a, the charging passage 526a is opened, and by stopping the power supply, the charging passage 526a is closed.

  Next, the discharge gate member 540 will be described. The discharge gate member 540 is a member that is operated when the game ball in the input unit 52 is discharged. When the discharge gate member 540 is actuated, the inlet passage 522a and the discharge passage 527a communicate with each other, and the game balls in the insertion unit 52 are discharged to the lower plate 41 through the discharge passages 527a to 527c.

  Through holes 541a1 and 541a2 are formed at the entrance position of the discharge passage 527a of the housing members 521a1 and 521a2, and the discharge gate member 540 is slidable through the through holes 541a1 and 541a2 in the front-rear direction in FIG. It is installed. The discharge gate member 540 is not individually provided in each of the input devices 521a to 521c, but one discharge gate member 540 is provided in common to all the input devices 521a to 521c. Depending on the operating state of the discharge gate member 540, the discharge (ball removal) of the game balls is allowed or prevented simultaneously in each of the input devices 521a to 521c.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge gate member 540 has a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and substantially square-shaped openings 542a to 542c are formed at three locations. Wall-shaped wall plate portions 543a to 543c are formed between the openings 542a to 542c, respectively. The openings 542a to 542c and the wall plate portions 543a to 543c are formed corresponding to the discharge passages 527a to 527c of the input devices 521a to 521c, respectively, and slide the discharge gate member 540 in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the discharge passages 527a to 527c are simultaneously opened or closed.

  A spring receiving portion 544 is formed at one end portion (the right front end portion in FIG. 8) of the discharge gate member 540, and a rod 545 is formed at the other end portion. Further, a cover member 528 is provided on one side surface of the charging device 521c. A coil spring (not shown) is incorporated between the cover member 528 and the spring receiving portion 544, and the discharge gate member 540 is constantly urged toward the left front side in FIG. 8 by the coil spring. In such a state, the discharge passages 527a to 527c are closed by the wall plate portions 543a to 543c, thereby preventing the game balls from being discharged.

  The rod 545 of the discharge gate member 540 is configured to operate in conjunction with the operation of the return lever 38 described above. When the return lever 38 is operated, the rod 545 of the discharge gate member 540 is changed to FIG. As a result, the discharge gate member 540 slides in this direction. As a result, the openings 542a to 542c reach the positions of the discharge passages 527a to 527c, the inlet passages 522a to 522c and the discharge passages 527a to 527c communicate with each other, and the game balls in the input unit 52 are discharged. It is discharged to the lower tray 41 through the passages 527a to 527c. On the other hand, when the operation of the return lever 38 is completed, the discharge gate member 540 is pushed back leftward in FIG. 8 by the biasing force of the coil spring, and as a result, the discharge gate member 540 slides in this direction. Thereby, each wall-plate part 543a-543c returns to the position of each discharge channel | path 527a-527c, and each discharge channel | path 527a-527c is closed.

  Next, detection means (insertion sensor units (W sensors) 550a to 550c and insertion downstream detection sensors 555a to 555c) for detecting the insertion of game balls in the insertion devices 521a to 521c will be described.

  The throwing device 521a is provided with a throwing sensor unit 550a for detecting a game ball passing through the throwing passage 526a. The input sensor unit 550a constitutes a game ball counting means for counting the number of game balls passing through the input passage 526a, and includes a known optical sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The closing sensor unit 550a has a pair of arm portions 551a and 552a, is formed in a substantially U shape, and is assembled so as to straddle the pair of housing members 521a1 and 521a2.

  A light emitting element is accommodated in one of the arm portions 551a, and a light receiving element is accommodated in the other of the arm portions 552a. A pair of upper and lower sensor detection holes 553a and 554a are formed at the inner end portions of the arm portions 551a and 552a, respectively, at the inner portions. Two light emitting elements and two light receiving elements are accommodated in the pair of arm portions 551a and 552a, and these elements emit and receive light through the sensor detection holes 553a and 554a.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sensor detection holes 553a and 554a are provided at positions that are somewhat offset from the center (positions that are slightly shifted to the left in FIG. 9) in the input passage 526a (not shown). The same applies to the sensor detection hole 554a). The positions where the sensor detection holes 553a and 554a are formed are the game ball detection positions by the insertion sensor unit 550a. In this case, since the sensor detection holes 553a and 554a are provided immediately below the claw portion 532a formed at the tip of the insertion gate member 530a, the insertion is performed unless the claw portion 532a of the insertion gate member 530a moves to the immersive side. A game ball is not detected by the sensor unit 550a.

  When the throwing gate member 530a is opened and a game ball is thrown (when the game ball is taken into the throwing device 521a), the upper and lower sensor elements of the throw sensor unit 550a are first played by the upstream sensor element. Is detected, and then the game ball is detected by the sensor element on the downstream side. Detection signals from these sensor elements are sequentially output to a main controller 110 (to be described later) that manages the insertion (intake) of game balls. In this case, main controller 110 determines whether or not the game ball has been normally inserted based on the detection signal of the game ball by each sensor element. Specifically, it is determined that the game ball has been inserted normally only when the game ball is detected in the order of the upstream sensor element and then the downstream sensor element within a predetermined specified time. To do.

  If the required time from the detection of the game ball by the upstream sensor element to the detection of the game ball by the downstream sensor element is longer than the specified time, or contrary to normal, the downstream sensor element, Next, when the game balls are detected in the order of the sensor elements on the upstream side, it is recognized as abnormal, a notification to that effect is made, and the subsequent games are stopped. Therefore, for example, by attaching a string or the like to a game ball or other dummy object to be moved up and down, it is possible to prevent an illegal act such as disguised as if a plurality of game balls were inserted.

  At the most downstream portion of the insertion passage 526a, an insertion downstream side detection sensor 555a for detecting the game ball that has passed through the insertion gate member 530a by the insertion sensor unit 550a and detecting the game ball again is provided. This insertion downstream side detection sensor 555a is constituted by a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and detects the passage of the game ball by the change of the magnetic field accompanying the passage of the game ball.

  Similar to the detection signal of the closing sensor unit 550a, the detection signal from the closing downstream detection sensor 555a is output to the main controller 110 described later. In this case, in main controller 110, the detection result of this game ball (determination result by insertion sensor unit 550a) is normal based on the detection signal of input sensor unit 550a and the detection signal of input downstream detection sensor 555a. It is determined whether it is a thing, that is, whether it is not illegal. Specifically, the number of game balls counted by the insertion sensor unit 550a (for example, the number of game balls counted by the detection result of one sensor element) is compared with the number of game balls counted by the insertion downstream detection sensor 555a. When these count numbers match, it is determined that the current detection result of the game ball (determination result by the insertion sensor unit 550a) is normal. On the other hand, when the count numbers do not match, it is determined that the current game ball detection result (determination result by the insertion sensor unit 550a) is not a regular one but is due to an illegal act.

  As described above, since the two sensor devices (the input sensor unit 550a and the input downstream side detection sensor 555a) having different detection methods are arranged in the input passage 526a, a game ball is provided in any one of the sensor devices. It is difficult to perform fraudulent acts that cause false detection. Therefore, it is possible to make a countermeasure against fraud in the input device 521a desirable.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the throwing-in operation (take-in operation) and the discharging operation of the game ball by the throwing device 521a will be described. FIG. 10A illustrates a standby state in which neither the insertion operation nor the discharge operation is performed, and FIG. 10B illustrates the execution state of the game ball insertion operation (take-in operation). FIG. 10C shows the execution state of the game ball discharging operation.

  The standby state in FIG. 10A is a case where the closing solenoid 534a is not energized and the discharge gate member 540 is not operated (the return lever 38 is not operated). That is, since the closing solenoid 534a is not energized, the claw portion 532a of the closing gate member 530a protrudes into the closing passage 526a. Further, since the discharge gate member 540 is not operated, the wall plate portion 543a of the discharge gate member 540 is positioned at the discharge passage 527a, and the inlet of the discharge passage 527a is closed. That is, the insertion gate member 530a and the discharge gate member 540 close the input passage 526a and the discharge passage 527a, thereby preventing the game ball from passing. In this case, of the game balls that have entered the insertion device 521a, the leading game ball is held in a state where it hits both the input gate member 530a and the discharge gate member 540.

  When the energizing solenoid 534a is energized from the standby state of FIG. 10 (a), the game ball is placed (taken) in an operation state shown in FIG. 10 (b). That is, when energization to the making solenoid 534a is performed, the claw portion 532a of the making gate member 530a is in a state of being retracted (retracted) from the making passage 526a. In such a state, the game balls are allowed to pass through the insertion passage 526a, and the game balls are sequentially inserted (taken in). When the game ball is thrown in, the game ball that has entered the entrance passage 526a from the entrance passage 522a collides with the wall plate portion 543a of the discharge gate member 540 in the passage closed state, and the momentum of the flow is reduced by the collision. In addition, after a momentary stop state, the air flows to the downstream side of the charging passage 526a. For this reason, in the insertion passage 526a, the front and rear game balls flow down in a state of being separated from each other, so that the insertion sensor unit 550a can reliably detect the passage of the game balls.

  When the player performs a discharge operation (operation of the return lever 34 by the player) from the standby state of FIG. 10A, the game ball discharge operation state shown in FIG. In such a state, the discharge gate member 540 operates (slides), the opening 542a of the discharge gate member 540 reaches the position of the discharge passage 527a, and the discharge passage 527a is opened. At this time, since the closing solenoid 534a is not energized, the claw portion 532a of the closing gate member 530a protrudes into the closing passage 526a, and the closing passage 526a is in a closed state. Therefore, the game ball that has entered from the entrance passage 522a is blocked from passing to the input passage 526a and allowed to pass to the discharge passage 527a. As a result, the game ball passes through the discharge passage 527a and is discharged to the lower plate 41. Is done. Thereby, the game balls are discharged (ball removal).

  The throwing unit 52 is provided with three throwing devices 521a to 521c configured as described above, and game balls are supplied from the guide passages 371 to 373 of the upper plate 36 to the throwing devices 521a to 521c, respectively. When the bet switch 35 is operated by the player, the game balls are inserted (taken in) by the input devices 521a to 521c. Specifically, when, for example, 15 (maximum bet) gaming balls are thrown in, the throwing gate members 530a to 530c are simultaneously operated to the immersive positions in all the throwing devices 521a to 521c, so that the gaming balls are thrown in at the same time. To begin. At this time, each of the throwing devices 521a to 521c takes in five game balls.

  However, of any of the three throwing devices 521a to 521c, if any of the throwing devices is not filled with a game ball, or if any of the throwing solenoids 534a to 534c is faulty, When it does not operate, the game balls are thrown in by the remaining throwing devices that can perform a normal throwing operation. In the case where any of the throwing devices is not filled with the game ball, the game ball is in the upper plate 36, but stops at any of the guide passages 371 to 373, and as a result, communicates with the guide passages 371 to 373. In some cases, the throwing devices 521a to 521c are not filled with game balls. For example, when the throwing device 521a is not filled with a game ball, or when the throwing solenoid 534a of the throwing device 521a is out of order, the other throwing devices 521b and 521c other than the throwing device 521a A game ball is thrown in (taken in). On the other hand, when the game balls remaining on the input devices 521a to 521c and the upper plate 36 are discharged to the lower plate 41, the discharge gate member 540 slides with the operation of the return lever 38 by the player, The game balls are discharged all at once from the devices 521a to 521c.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the game ball using spinning machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The main control device 110 is for performing main control of the gaming machine 1. The main controller 110 is equipped with an MPU 111 of a microcomputer, which is an arithmetic processing means. The MPU 111 includes a ROM 112 which is a non-rewritable memory storing control programs and fixed value data, a RAM 113 which is a rewritable memory used as a work memory, a timer circuit, various peripheral control devices, etc. It has a built-in transmission / reception circuit and the like. The processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 to 25 are stored in the ROM 112 as a part of the control program. Details of the work memory of the RAM 113 will be described later with reference to FIG. A clock circuit (not shown) that outputs a rectangular wave with a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 114, and the like are connected to the MPU 111 via an internal bus or the like. The main control device 110 functions as a main board that performs main control of the gaming machine 1.

  On the input side of the input / output port 114 of the main control device 110, an output signal line 122a of a reset switch 122 provided in a power supply device 120, which will be described later, a start lever detection switch 31a, a latch circuit 132, left, middle, Stop switches 32 to 34 that individually stop the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R that are rotating in the right three rows, a bet switch 35 that allows a player to set a bet (the number of bets), and a return lever detection switch 38a , Two sensors provided in each of the input sensor units 550a to 550c of the input devices 521a to 521c, input downstream detection sensors 555a to 555c provided to the input devices 521a to 521c, and a reel index, respectively. Sensors 83L, 83M, 83R, setting key detection switch 133, An output signal line from the dispensing controller 210 which predicates are connected respectively.

  The start lever detection switch 31a is a switch for detecting the operation of the start lever 31, and when the operation of the start lever 31 is detected, the operation is sent to the input / output port 114 of the main controller 110 and a latch circuit 132 described later. A detection signal is output.

  The random number counter update circuit 131 includes a clock having a predetermined frequency and a 16-bit random number counter, and counts up the value of the random number counter by one count every time the clock pulse output from the clock falls, for example. . The random number value of the random number counter is constantly updated in the range of “0 to 65535” by a clock pulse at a high speed that cannot be followed by software control. The updated random number value is always output to the latch circuit 132. In addition to the input / output port 114 described above, the latch circuit 132 is connected to the random number counter update circuit 131 and the start lever detection switch 31a. The latch circuit 132 is configured by a 16-bit storage circuit, and latches a signal (random number value) output from the random number counter update circuit 131 at the operation timing of the start lever 31. That is, the random number value of the random number counter is latched by the latch circuit 132 at the operation timing of the start lever 31. The random value latched by the latch circuit 132 is output to the MPU 111.

  The random number counter update circuit 131 and the latch circuit 132 are mounted on the main controller 110. As the clock of the random number counter update circuit 131, a clock that is asynchronous with the operation clock of the MPU 111 and cannot obtain an interval of 1.49 msec is used. By updating the random number counter at an interval asynchronous with the operation period of 1.49 msec, which is the operation cycle of the main control device 110, an unauthorized substrate called a “hanging substrate” is transferred to the main control device 110 (MPU 111). Even if it is attached to the gaming machine 1 so as to operate in synchronization, the value of the random number counter (random number value) cannot be grasped by the “hanging board”.

  The return lever detection switch 38 a is a switch for detecting an operation of the return lever 38, and outputs an operation detection signal to the input / output port 114 of the main controller 110 when the operation of the return lever 38 is detected. The reel index sensors 83L, 83M, and 83R are for individually detecting the rotation origin positions of the corresponding reels 82L, 82M, and 82R. When the rotation origin positions are detected, the detection signals are detected. Output to the input / output port 114 of the main controller 110. The setting key detection switch 133 is a switch for detecting that a setting key has been inserted into a setting key insertion hole (not shown) and that the setting key has been rotated. The operation detection signal is output to the input / output port 114 of the control device 110.

  On the output side of the input / output port 114 of the main control device 110, there are a display control device 310, an acquired ball number display 11 for displaying the number of acquired balls when a small combination is established, and a special game state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. The number-of-games display 12 for displaying the number of remaining games, etc., the input solenoids 534a to 534c provided in the input devices 521a to 521c of the input unit 52, and the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R, respectively. Stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R that are individually rotated, an external terminal board 134 that transmits information to a hall management device (not shown), and an output signal line and a command signal line to a payout control device 210 described later are connected to each other. Has been.

  The display control device 310 is a control device for driving and controlling the central lamp 6, the side lamp 7, the speakers 8 and 45, and the liquid crystal display unit 81. A control board. Then, after receiving a signal (for example, a command) from the main control device 110, the display control device 310 independently controls the driving of the central lamp 6, the side lamp 7, the speakers 8, 45 and the liquid crystal display unit 81. . Therefore, the display control device 310 is a sub-board that performs auxiliary control in relation to the main control device 110 that is a main board that manages and manages games. As described above, the sub-board is provided for the voice, lamp, and display related to indirect games, and the control load is reduced by controlling the sub-board.

  The payout control device 210 is for paying out a prize ball based on an instruction from the main control device 110 and for paying out a rental ball based on an instruction from the card unit 20. The payout control device 210 is equipped with an MPU 211 of a microcomputer that is an arithmetic processing means. The MPU 211 includes a ROM 212 which is a non-rewritable memory storing control programs and fixed value data, a RAM 213 which is a rewritable memory used as a work memory, a timer circuit, various peripheral control devices, and the like. It has a built-in transmission / reception circuit and the like. A clock circuit (not shown) that outputs a rectangular wave with a predetermined frequency, an input / output port 214, and the like are connected to the MPU 211 via an internal bus or the like.

  The input / output port 214 of the payout control device 210 is connected to an empty-out prevention switch 221, a payout count switch 222, a payout solenoid 223, an overflow detection switch 224, and a card unit connection board 21.

  The empty-out prevention switch 221 is a switch for detecting whether or not a game ball is stored in a storage tank (not shown) for storing game balls used for payout. This is because the game ball cannot be paid out when there is no game ball in the storage tank. When the dispense control device 210 detects the absence of the storage tank ball for 200 ms in the “in-use tank ball” state by the output of the empty-out prevention switch 221, the state transitions to “in-the-ball no tank” state. To do. Conversely, when the presence of a storage tank ball is continuously detected for 2000 (= 200 × 10) ms in the state of “without tank ball”, the state transitions to “with tank ball”. As described above, the state transition to “with tank ball” or “without tank ball” is performed when the output of the emptying prevention switch 221 continues for 200 ms or more or 2000 ms or more, so that the game is temporarily stored in the storage tank. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the influence of noise or the like when there is no sphere. In particular, when the transition condition to “with tank ball” is made stricter than the transition condition to “without tank ball”, the “with tank ball” state can be reliably detected.

  The payout count switch 222 is a switch for counting the paid game balls. In order to shorten the payout time of game balls, four payout passages (not shown) are provided, and the game balls are discharged through the four payout passages, respectively. Therefore, a total of four payout count switches 222 are provided in each of the four payout passages. The payout solenoid 223 is an actuator for starting payout of the game ball. When the payout solenoid 223 is energized, a payout gate member (not shown) is operated to open the payout passage, and the game ball is paid out. As with the payout count switch 222, a total of four payout solenoids 223 are provided in each of the four payout passages.

  The overflow detection switch 224 is a switch for detecting whether or not the lower tray 41 is full with the paid out game balls. This is because even if the game balls are further paid out in a state where the lower plate 41 is full, the game balls overflow into the payout passage or the like and the game balls cannot be paid out. When the discharge control device 210 continuously detects that the lower plate 41 is not full in the “bottom full” state by the output of the overflow detection switch 224 for 200 ms, the state is “no lower plate ball is present”. Transition to. On the contrary, when the full tank of the lower plate 41 is continuously detected for 200 ms in “without bottom pan ball”, the state transitions to “under full bottom pan”. As described above, when the output of the overflow detection switch 224 continues for 200 ms or more, the state transition to “bottom pan full” or “bottom pan no longer” is performed. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection or erroneous detection due to the influence of noise or the like.

  The card unit connection board 21 is a relay board for connecting the payout control device 210 and the card unit 20 to each other. The card unit 20 exchanges data and the like with the payout control device 210 via the card unit connection board 21. In addition to the card unit 20, the card unit connection board 21 includes a ball lending button 14 that prompts the player to pay out a lending ball, a return button 15 that prompts the return of the card inserted into the card unit 20, and the card unit 20. A frequency indicator 16 for displaying remaining amount information such as a card inserted in the card is connected.

  The power supply device 120 includes a power supply unit 121 that supplies driving power to each electronic device of the gaming machine 1 including the main control device 110, a reset switch 122, a backup power supply unit 123, and a power failure monitoring circuit 124. . The reset switch 122 is a switch for canceling an error that has occurred in the gaming machine 1. When the reset switch is operated, a reset signal 122a is output to each control device including the main control device 110 and the payout control device 210, and initialization is performed in each control device. This initialization cancels the error that has occurred.

  The backup power supply unit 123 is for supplying a backup voltage to the main controller 110 even after the gaming machine 1 is powered off. Therefore, main controller 110 can retain the data in RAM 113 by receiving the backup voltage from backup power supply unit 123 even when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the power switch being turned off.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 124 monitors the power shut-off state and outputs a power failure signal 124a when a power failure occurs or when the power is shut off due to the power switch being turned off. The power failure monitoring circuit 124 monitors a stabilized drive voltage of, for example, DC 12 volts output from the power supply unit 121, and determines that the power is shut off when the drive voltage drops below, for example, 10 volts. It is configured to output 124a. The power failure signal 124a is output to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 111, and the MPU 111 executes a power failure process described later by inputting this power failure signal. The power supply unit 121 is configured to output a stabilized voltage of 5 volts used as a drive voltage in a control system such as the main controller 110 even when the output voltage is reduced to less than 10 volts. As the time during which the stabilization voltage is output, sufficient time is secured to execute the power failure process by the main controller 110.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 124 may be provided in the main controller 110 instead of the power supply device 120. Further, the power failure signal 124 a output from the power failure monitoring circuit 124 may be output not only to the NMI terminal of the MPU 111 but also to the input / output port 114 of the main controller 110. In this case, the MPU 111 turns on the power failure flag 113h by the power failure signal 124a input to the NMI terminal. Then, during the power failure process executed by turning on the power failure flag 113h, the state of the power failure signal 124a input via the input / output port 114 is monitored, and the power failure signal 124a is still output. The power failure process may be continued. On the other hand, if the power failure signal 124a has already been turned off, the power failure flag 113h may be turned off to stop the power failure process. According to such a configuration, even when the output of the power failure signal 124a is unstable due to some state, the gaming machine 1 can be stably controlled without frequently performing the power failure process.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, each memory provided in the RAM 113 of the main controller 110 will be described. The RAM 113 is provided with various memories, flags, counters, and the like shown in FIG.

  The success / failure random number memory 113a is a memory for storing a random number value for determining a combination corresponding to the started game. It is determined by the value stored in the success / failure random number memory 113a which winning combination is won or missed. Of the random number values output from the random number counter update circuit 131, the random number value latched in the latch circuit 132 when the start lever 31 is operated is written in the random number memory 113a (S206 in FIG. 14). In the lottery process (S207 in FIG. 15) to be described later, the MPU 111 performs a lottery of the role in light of the random number value stored in the pass / fail random number memory 113a against a random number table selected based on various conditions. It is determined whether or not the winning combination corresponding to the random number value (whether the winning combination is to be won or missed) and, if the winning combination is a winning combination, the type of winning combination to be won.

  Next, the bonus game will be described prior to the description of the RB winning flag 113b, the RB setting flag 113c, the BB winning flag 113d, the BB setting flag 113e, the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f, and the remaining JAC game number counter 113g. There are two types of bonus games, a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) game and a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as “BB”) game.

  The RB game is composed of 12 JAC games. A JAC game is a game (game) that is started only when five game balls are inserted, and a game with a very high probability that a JAC symbol (for example, a “replay” symbol) is aligned on an active line, that is, a JAC symbol is established. It is. When a JAC symbol is established in a JAC game, the maximum number (75 in this case) of game balls is paid out. When the JAC symbol is established 8 times, the RB game is ended even before the JAC game reaches 12 times.

  On the other hand, the BB game is composed of a plurality of small role games and a plurality of JAC ins. The small role game is a game in which a small role is won with high probability (for example, “bell” symbols and the like are arranged on the active line). “JAC in” means that 12 JAC games are entered, and JAC in symbols (for example, “replay” symbols. In this embodiment, the same as the JAC symbols) are aligned on the active line during the small role game. JAC Inn is established. The JAC game is the same as that of the RB game. Further, when the total number of game balls to be paid out in the BB game becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined total amount to be paid out, the BB game ends regardless of whether or not the JAC game is in JAC in.

  The RB winning flag 113b is a flag that is turned on when an RB game is won by lottery processing (S207), and the RB setting flag 113c is a flag that is turned on when the RB game is established. That is, the RB setting flag 113c is turned on when the RB symbols are aligned in a state where the RB winning flag 113b is turned on. When the RB setting flag 113c is turned on, the RB winning flag 113b is turned off. When the RB game ends, the RB setting flag 113c is turned off.

  Similarly, the BB winning flag 113d is a flag that is turned on when the BB game is won by the lottery process (S207), and the BB setting flag 113e is a flag that is turned on when the BB game is established. . That is, the BB setting flag 113e is turned on when the BB symbols are aligned in a state where the BB winning flag 113d is turned on. When the BB setting flag 113e is turned on, the BB winning flag 113d is turned off. When the BB game ends, the BB setting flag 113e is turned off.

  The remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f is a counter that stores the remaining number of JAC symbols that can be established in the RB game or in the JAC in BB game. In the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f, 8 is set as an initial value, and the value is subtracted by 1 every time the JAC symbol is established. When the value of the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f becomes 0, the JAC game in the RB game or the BB game is ended. The remaining JAC game number counter 113g is a counter that stores the number of remaining JAC games in the RB game or the JAC game in the BB game. The remaining JAC game number counter 113g is set to 12 as an initial value, and the value is decremented by 1 every time the JAC game is executed. When the value of the remaining JAC game number counter 113g becomes 0, the JAC game in the RB game or the BB game ends.

  The power failure flag 113h is a flag for notifying that a power failure has occurred or that the gaming machine 1 is powered off. When the power of the gaming machine 1 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal 124a is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 124 to the MPU 111 of the main controller 110. When the MPU 111 receives the power failure signal 124a, the MPU 111 executes an NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 25), and as a result, the power failure flag 113h is turned on. When the power failure flag 113h is turned on, a power failure process (S920) is executed in the timer interruption process (see FIG. 23). Once the power failure flag 113h is turned on, the power failure flag 113h is turned off in the power recovery process (S110 to S117) of the power-on process (see FIG. 13).

  The remaining payout number counter 113i is a counter that stores the payout number of game balls instructed from the main control device 110 to the payout control device 210 by a payout command. When the payout control device 210 pays out a game ball, a payout count signal is output from the payout control device 210 to the main control device 110. Main controller 110 decrements the value of remaining payout number counter 113i by 1 each time a rising pulse of the payout count signal is detected. In the power-on process (see FIG. 13), if the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is not 0, a payout command corresponding to that value is sent to the payout control device 210, and payout is incomplete before the power is shut off. The game balls are paid out when the power is turned on.

  The thrown-in number counter 113j is a counter that stores the number of game balls thrown into the gaming machine 1 by the game ball throwing process (S201). When the value of the inserted number counter 113j becomes 15 in the normal game and 5 in the JAC game, a new game can be started. When the game is started by operating the start lever 31, the value of the inserted number counter 113j is cleared to 0 (S206).

  The total thrown number counter 113k is a counter that stores the total number of game balls thrown by the game ball throwing process of that time. In the normal game, the value of the 15-inserted number counter 113j is set in the total inserted number counter 113k, and in the JAC game, the value of the 5-inserted number counter 113j is set. The value of the total thrown-in counter 113k is decremented by 1 every time it is confirmed that a game ball has been thrown in. When this value becomes zero, the game ball throwing process ends.

  The scheduled loading number counter 113m is a counter that stores the scheduled loading number in each of the loading devices 521a to 521c. The first to third counters 113m1 to 113m3 are provided corresponding to the three charging devices 521a to 521c, respectively. The first item corresponds to the charging device 521a, the second item corresponds to the charging device 521b, and the third item corresponds to the charging device 521c. The value of the estimated number-of-insert counter 113m is set by the input number distribution process (S813), and the value is subtracted by the input execution process (S816). When the value of the planned number-of-inputs counter 113m becomes 0, the input process for that item is completed.

  The input item pointer 113n is a pointer for designating the first item to the third item input item (input devices 521a to 521c). It is updated in the range of 1, 2, 3 in conjunction with Article 1 to Article 3. The input number distribution process (S813) and the input execution process (S816) are performed for each input device 521a to 521c by designating the value of the input item pointer 113n.

  The insertion retry flag 113o is a flag for storing whether or not the insertion devices 521a to 521c can perform a game ball insertion operation. The first to third flags 113o1 to 113o3 are provided corresponding to the three charging devices 521a to 521c, respectively. If the input retry flag 113o is turned on, the input operation is possible, and if it is off, the input operation is impossible. All the insertion retry flags 113o are once turned on at the start of the game ball insertion process (S201). Then, as the input execution process (S816) proceeds, the flags 113o1 to 113o3 of the input devices 521a to 521c that have become impossible to input are sequentially turned off. When the throw-in retry flag 113o for all items is turned off, the game ball throw-in process (S201) for that time ends.

  The closing solenoid operation flag 113p is a flag for instructing to turn on or off the closing solenoids 534a to 534c. First to third flags 113p1 to 113p3 are provided corresponding to the three charging devices 521a to 521c, respectively. If the making solenoid operation flag 113p is on, the corresponding making solenoids 534a to 534c are turned on by the processing of S818, the making gate members 530a to 530c are operated, and the making passages 526a to 526c are opened. The ball can be thrown in. On the other hand, if the making solenoid operation flag 113p is off, the corresponding making solenoids 534a to 534c are turned off by the processing of S818, the making gate members 530a to 530c are operated, and the making passages 526a to 526c are closed. , Throwing of game balls is prohibited.

  The throwing-in game ball counter 113q is the time elapsed after the throwing gate members 530a to 503c are operated and the throwing passages 526a to 526c are opened (first time), after the throwing sensor units 550a to 550c detect the throwing start. The counter stores a value corresponding to the elapsed time (second time) or the time (third time) that has elapsed after the first time or the second time has reached the maximum waiting time (timeout time). Maximum waiting time (timeout time, first predetermined time) from when the input gate members 530a to 503c are operated to open the input passages 526a to 526c until the first game ball is detected by the input sensor units 550a to 550c Is 360 ms, and the maximum waiting time (timeout time, second predetermined time) until the insertion start of the next game ball is detected by the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c after the insertion start is detected by the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c. Is 300 ms, and the maximum waiting time (third predetermined time) until the input execution process (S201) ends after the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time have elapsed is 100 ms. In the present embodiment, a count value corresponding to 360 ms of the first predetermined time is set in the process of S835, a count value corresponding to 300 ms of the second predetermined time is set in the process of S860, and 100 ms of the third predetermined time is set. The count value corresponding to is set in the process of S876. The value of the input game ball counter 113q is updated (subtracted) every time the counter subtraction process (S871) in the input execution process shown in FIG. 22 is executed. Further, first to third throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are provided corresponding to the three throwing devices 521a to 521c, respectively.

  The insertion prohibition timer 113r is a timer for counting a wait time for waiting for the subsequent processing when the game ball on the upper plate 36 is discharged to the lower plate 41 by operating the return lever 38. When the operation of the return lever 38 is detected, 370 ms is set in the insertion prohibition timer 113r, and the subsequent processing is waited until the value of the timer 113r becomes zero. If a throwing-in operation or the like is performed immediately after the return operation of the game ball, the operation may not be performed normally. Therefore, it waits for the return operation to be completed completely. The value of the insertion prohibition timer 113r is updated by the timer interrupt process shown in FIG.

  The timer interrupt execution flag 113s is a flag indicating that the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 23 has been executed. If the throw execution process (S816) is continuously performed on the same item, the throwing of one game ball may be erroneously detected as two or more throws. Therefore, the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is provided so that one item of execution execution processing (S816) is executed once for each execution of the timer interrupt processing. Specifically, the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned on every time the timer interrupt process is executed. Only when the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned on, the making execution process (S816) can be started, and at the time of starting, the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned off.

  Next, each process executed by the main controller 110 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the power-on process that is executed after power-on in main controller 110. The power-on process is executed when power is turned on by recovery from a power failure or by turning on a power switch.

  First, a stack pointer value is set, and an interrupt mode for executing interrupt processing is set. Thereafter, initialization processing such as various settings for the register group of the MPU 111 and the I / O device is executed (S101). When these initialization processes (S101) are completed, a wait process for a predetermined time is executed (S102) in order to adjust the startup timing with the other control devices 210 and 310.

  After execution of the weight process (S102), it is determined whether or not the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole and operated (S103). When the setting key is operated (S103: Yes), a setting change process is performed (S104). In the setting change process (S104), first, all data stored in the RAM 113 is cleared, and then, among the six preset setting states (“Setting 1” to “Setting 6”), the setting key is operated. After determining which setting state has been selected, internal processing corresponding to the selected setting state is executed. After executing the setting change process (S104), the normal process (S105) in FIG. 14 is executed.

  If the setting key is not operated in the process of S103 (S103: No), it is confirmed whether or not the setting value obtained by the previously executed setting change process (S104) is maintained normally (S106). If it is normal (S106: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the power failure flag 113h is turned on (S107). If the power failure flag 113h is turned on (S107: Yes), it is further confirmed whether or not the RAM determination value is normal (S108). Specifically, the checksum value in the RAM 113 is checked, and it is confirmed whether the value is normal, that is, whether the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0 (S108). If the checksum value including the RAM determination value is 0 (S108: Yes), it is determined that the data in the RAM 113 is normal. Therefore, in such a case, that is, when the power failure flag 113h is on and the RAM 113 determination value is normal, the power failure processing (S920) at the previous power shutdown is normally completed, so the processing is performed. The process proceeds to S110 and a power recovery process is executed (S110 to S117).

  On the other hand, in the process of S106, when the setting value set by the setting change process (S104) is abnormal (S106: No), when the power failure flag 113h is off (S107: No), the RAM judgment value is If it is abnormal (S108: No), some abnormality has occurred at the time of the previous power shutdown. Therefore, in such a case, an error display process is executed (S109), and the occurrence of the error is notified to the employees of the game hall. In this case, when the employee of the game hall temporarily turns off the power of the gaming machine 1 and then turns on the power again with the setting key inserted, the error is cleared. As described above, when the power is turned on again with the setting key operated (S103: Yes), the setting change process (S104) is executed and the contents of the RAM 113 are cleared. As a result, the error is canceled and the gaming machine 1 returns to the normal state.

  In the power recovery process from S110, the stack pointer value stored in the RAM 113 is written to the stack pointer of the MPU 111 during the power failure process (S920), and the stack state is restored to the state before the power shutdown ( S110). Next, an internal state command (recovery command) that informs the execution of power recovery processing is transmitted to the payout control device 210 and the display control device 310 (S111). After that, a stop setting saving process is performed as a gaming state (S112), and initialization of a memory for storing states of sensors provided in the start lever detection switch 31a and the input sensor units 550a to 550c, that is, initialization of various sensors is performed. (S113) and the power failure flag 113h is turned off (S114).

  The value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is confirmed (S115). If the value is 0 (S115: Yes), the process proceeds to S117. On the other hand, if the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is not 0 (S115: No), the payout control device executes the payout command setting process and pays out the game ball having the value stored in the remaining payout number counter 113i. A payout command to be sent to 210 is set (S116).

  In the process of S117, a return instruction is executed. As a result, a jump is made to the address stored in the stack memory before the power is shut off. Specifically, the process jumps to a watchdog timer clear process (S903) of a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 23) described later. Thereby, the timer interruption process is executed, and the payout command set in the payout command setting process is transmitted to the payout control apparatus 210 by the port output process (913), and the payout control apparatus that has received the payout command. At 210, a game ball is paid out.

  When the paid-out game ball is detected by the payout control device 210, a payout count signal is output from the payout control device 210 to the main control device 110. Each time the main controller 110 detects the rising pulse of the payout count signal, it confirms the payout of one game ball and subtracts the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i by one. The payout count signal is detected by the sensor monitoring process (S907) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 23), and the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is subtracted by the timer subtraction process (S908).

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14, the normal process (S105) which performs main control regarding a game is demonstrated. The normal process constitutes a main process executed by the MPU 111 of the main control device 110.

  In the normal process, first, a game ball throwing process for throwing a game ball as a game start condition is executed (S201). The game can be started on the condition that 15 game balls are inserted in the normal game, and on the condition that 5 game balls are inserted in the JAC game. The game ball throwing process is a process for throwing 15 or 5 game balls stored in the upper plate 36 into the gaming machine 1 according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1. This game ball insertion process will be described later.

  After the game ball insertion process (S201) is executed, it is confirmed whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a JAC game (S202). If it is not during the JAC game (S202: No), it is checked whether or not the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 15 (S203), and if it is not 15 (S203: No), the game start condition is satisfied. Therefore, the process proceeds to S201, and the game ball insertion process (S201) is executed again. If the JAC game is in progress (S202: Yes), it is checked whether or not the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 5 (S204), and if it is not 5 (S204: No), Since the start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S201, and the game ball insertion process (S201) is re-executed.

  On the other hand, when the JAC game is not being executed (S202: No), the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 15 (S203: Yes), or during the JAC game (S202: Yes), the value of the inserted number counter 113j. Is 5 (S204: Yes), since the game start condition is satisfied, the operation of the start lever 31 is monitored next (S205).

  When the start lever 31 is operated, the operation is detected by the start lever detection switch 31a. If the start lever 31 has not been operated (S205: No), the process proceeds to S201, and the operation of the start lever 31 is awaited again. On the other hand, when the operation of the start lever 31 is detected by the start lever detection switch 31a (S205: Yes), the random number value latched in the latch circuit 132 is written to the random number memory 113a and input at the timing of the operation. The value of the completed number counter 113j is cleared to 0 (S206).

  Next, a lottery process for lottery of the winning combination and the winning combination is executed for the game executed with the operation of the start lever 31 (S207). After the lottery process is executed, a fractional ball payout process is executed (S208). The fractional ball payout process is a process for paying out a fractional number of game balls when more than the required number of game balls are thrown into the gaming machine 1 by the game ball insertion process (S201). After execution of the fractional ball payout process, a reel control process for controlling the rotation and stop of each reel 82L, 82M, 82R is executed (S209). In this reel control process, the rotation of the corresponding reel is stopped due to the operation of the stop switches 32 to 34, and the combination and symbol determined in the lottery process (S207) by the stopped reels 82L, 82M, and 82R. Based on the sliding table determined in the lottery process (S207), the stop of each reel 82L, 82M, 82R is controlled so as to appear. When each of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is stopped, the reel control process is ended.

  After the end of the reel control process (S209), a game ball payout process for paying out a game ball in accordance with the combination of symbols of the stopped reels 82L, 82M, 82R is executed (S210). After the game ball payout process (S210) is completed, a special game state process for executing a bonus game, which is a special game that is more advantageous than usual when a bonus combination is won, is executed (S211). After execution of the special game state process, the process proceeds to S201, and each process described above is repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the lottery process executed in the normal process (S105) of FIG. The lottery process (S207) is a process for lottery of the winning and the winning combination for the game to be executed. First, a random number table for determination of success / failure is selected based on the current setting state of the gaming machine 1 and the level of the small role probability (S301). Here, the setting state of the gaming machine 1 is any one of “setting 1” to “setting 6” set using a setting key (not shown), and the random number having the lowest winning probability of the combination when “setting 1” is set. A table is selected, and when “setting 6” is selected, the random number table having the highest winning probability of the combination is selected. In addition, there are two types of small role probabilities: a random number table with a high small role winning probability is selected when the current payout rate is below a predetermined expected value, and small when it exceeds a predetermined expected value. A random number table with a low winning probability is selected.

  In S302, the random number table selected in this manner is compared with the value stored in the random number memory 113a, that is, the random number counter update circuit 131 latched in the latch circuit 132 when the start lever 31 is operated. The lottery is performed (S302). Then, it is determined whether or not any winning combination has been won (S303), and if any winning combination has not been won (deviated) (S303: No), this processing is terminated as it is. When one of the winning combinations is won (S303: Yes), the winning flags 113b, 113d and the like corresponding to the winning combination are turned on (S304), and the effective line to which the symbols should be aligned is determined. After the process of S304, a slide table for reel stop control is determined, and this is stored in the slide table storage area of the RAM 113 (S305), and the lottery process (S207) is terminated.

  Here, the slip table is a symbol to be stopped when the symbol on the predetermined effective line at the timing when the stop switches 32 to 34 are pressed differs from the symbol to be stopped on the effective line. Is a table that defines how much the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are slid so as to stop on the predetermined effective line. In the reel control process (S209), the stop positions of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are controlled using such a slide table, so that the modes of the stopped reels 82L, 82M, and 82R can be matched with the lottery results.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the reel control process executed in the normal process (S105) of FIG. The reel control process (S209) starts rotation of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R, and performs stop control of the rotating reels 82L, 82M, and 82R in conjunction with the pressing operation of the stop switches 32-34. Process.

  In the reel control process, first, a wait process is executed (S401). This wait process is performed in the previous game (game) until a predetermined wait time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of the rotation of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R. , 82R for waiting without starting to rotate. This process is provided in order to limit the number of games played during a certain time and to limit the number of game balls consumed during the certain time. If the wait time has elapsed, the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R immediately start rotating. On the other hand, if the wait time has not elapsed, it is assumed that the player has inserted a game ball and operated the start lever 31. In addition, the rotation of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is on standby.

  After the wait process of S401, a reel rotation process is performed (S402), and the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are rotated. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 0.8 seconds) has elapsed since the left reel 82L started to rotate (S403), and if not (S403: No), the predetermined time has elapsed. Wait until it has passed. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed after the start of rotation of the left reel 82L (S403: Yes), the process proceeds to S404.

  The process of S403 is a delay timer provided for waiting until each reel 82L, 82M, 82R reaches a stable rotational speed. The reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are rotationally driven by stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R, and a large torque is generated at the time of starting and stopping. Therefore, if the stop process is performed at the time of starting each of the reels 82L, 82M, 82R, a large load is applied to the stepping motors 91L, 91M, 91R and the life is shortened. Therefore, by providing a delay timer for a predetermined time (reel stabilization time), it is possible to prevent the life of the stepping motors 91L, 91M, and 91R from decreasing.

  In the process of S404, it is determined whether or not any of the stop switches 32 to 34 is pressed to generate a reel stop command (S404). If no stop command has been issued (S404: No), it is determined whether or not the maximum rotation time (for example, 300 seconds) has elapsed for each reel 82L, 82M, 82R (S405). The maximum rotation time is an elapsed time measured after the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R start rotating as a result of operating the start lever 31. In the process of S402, the initial value updated to “0” after 300 seconds is written in the counter for measuring the maximum rotation time at the timing when the reel starts to rotate, and is subtracted by 1 by the subsequent timer interrupt process. Update and measure. If the stepping motors 91L, 91M, 91R continue to be driven for a long time, the stepping motors 91L, 91M, 91R will generate heat and cause a failure. Generation can be reduced. Note that the maximum rotation time may be measured using another known technique.

  If the rotation time of each reel 82L, 82M, 82R has not passed the maximum rotation time (S405: No), the process proceeds to S404. On the other hand, if the maximum rotation time has elapsed (S405: Yes), a forced stop process is executed to forcibly and sequentially stop all the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R that are rotating (S406). After executing the forced stop process, the process proceeds to S412.

  In the process of S404, when any stop switch 32 to 34 is pressed and a stop command is generated (S404: Yes), a reel stop process is executed (S407). In this reel stop process (S407), the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R corresponding to the pressed stop switches 32 to 34 are stopped, but the winning combination is won in the winning lottery, and the winning flags 113b, 113d are set ( If it is determined in step S304, the winning table is stored in the sliding table storage area of the RAM 113 and controlled so that the winning combinations are arranged on a predetermined effective line as much as possible. For example, when the “watermelon” symbol is lined up on the lower line and the stop switch 32 to 34 is pressed at the timing when the “watermelon” symbol stops on the upper line, the “watermelon” symbol is The reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are slid by two symbols so as to stop at the line. However, since the range that can be slid is determined in advance (for example, up to four symbols), the “watermelon” symbol may not be stopped on the lower line depending on the timing when the stop switches 32 to 34 are pressed. .

  It is determined whether or not the current stop command is the first stop command, that is, whether or not the stop switches 32 to 34 are pressed when all the three reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are rotating (S408). In the case of a 1 stop command (S408: Yes), a sliding table change process is performed (S409). In this slip table changing process (S409), for example, it is determined whether or not a combination of combinations occurs when trying to align the combinations on the selected effective line. When a combination of combinations is generated, the selected effective line is changed to another effective line, and after changing to a sliding table suitable for the changed effective line, the process proceeds to the next step. Here, “combination of combinations” means that, for example, when a “watermelon” symbol is arranged on the upper line, a “cherry” symbol appears on the lower line at the left reel 82L. When you do. The slip table changing process (S409) may be performed other than when avoiding the combination of the combinations.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S408 that the current stop command is not the first stop command (S408: No), whether or not the current stop command is the second stop command, that is, the three reels 82L and 82M. , 82R, when one reel is stopped and the other two reels are rotating, whether or not the stop switches 32-34 corresponding to the other rotating reels 82L, 82M, 82R are pressed down Is determined (S410).

  When the current stop command is the second stop command (S410: Yes), the second reel is in a stopped state, so stop eye determination processing is performed in order to determine the symbol displayed at that time (S411). In this stop eye determination process (S411), when two reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not the two reels are aligned with a bonus symbol such as “7” symbol. If they have been prepared, sound effects and the like are generated from the speakers 8 and 45, and then the process proceeds to the next step. In the stop eye determination process, it may be determined whether another condition other than the two bonus symbols is satisfied, or an effect using the liquid crystal display unit 81 may be performed in addition to the sound effect.

  After executing the slip table changing process (S409) or the stop eye determination process (S411), or when it is determined in the process of S410 that the current stop command is not the second stop command (S410: No), It is determined whether or not all the rotations of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R are stopped (S412). If it is determined that any of the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R is rotating (S412: No), the process returns to S404, and the above-described processes of S404 to S412 are repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotation of all the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R has stopped (S412: Yes), a payout determination process is executed (S413).

  In the payout determination process (S413), it is determined whether or not the winning combination is arranged on the effective line. When the winning combination is not aligned on the effective line, 0 is set in the remaining payout number counter 113i of the RAM 113, and the winning combination is valid. When lined up on the line, the number of payouts corresponding to the lined combination is set in the remaining payout number counter 113i. When a combination is on the active line, it is determined whether or not the combination matches the winning combination. If the combination does not match, an error is caused by blinking the center lamp 6 or the side lamp 7. While displaying, it is good also as what sets 0 to the remaining payout number counter 113i.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the game ball payout process executed in the normal process (S105) of FIG. The game ball payout process (S210) is a process for instructing the payout control device 210 to pay out a game ball generated as a result of the game and confirming the payout of the instructed game ball.

  In the game ball payout process, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i set by the above-described payout determination process (S413) is 0 (S501). If the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is 0 (S501: Yes), there is no game ball to be paid out. In this case, this game ball payout process is terminated.

  If the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i set by the payout determination process (S413) is not 0 (S501: No), a payout command setting process is executed (S502). In the payout command setting process, a payout command for instructing to pay out the game ball having the value set in the remaining payout number counter 113i is set. The set payout command is transmitted to the payout control device 210 by a port output process (S913) of a timer interrupt process (see FIG. 23) described later.

  When a payout command is received by the payout control device 210, the number of game balls designated by the payout command is paid out. When the paid-out game ball is detected by the payout control device 210, a payout count signal is output from the payout control device 210 to the main control device 110. Each time the main controller 110 detects the rising pulse of the payout count signal, it confirms the payout of one game ball and subtracts the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i by one. The payout count signal is detected by the sensor monitoring process (S907) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 23), and the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is subtracted by the timer subtraction process (S908).

  Therefore, after the payout command setting process, the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is confirmed (S503). If the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i is not 0 (S503: No), each process of S503 is repeated until the value becomes 0. On the other hand, when the value of the remaining payout number counter 113i becomes 0 (S503: Yes), the payout of all the game balls is finished. In this case, the game ball payout process is finished. The game ball payout process ends when the payout of all game balls is completed.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the special game state process executed in the normal process (S105) of FIG. The special game state process (S211) is a process for controlling the RB game and the BB game. In the special game state process, first, it is determined whether or not the game state is in the bonus game (S601), and if it is not in the bonus game (S601: No), the bonus symbol determination process shown in FIG. 19 is executed (S602). ).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the bonus symbol determination process. The bonus symbol determination process (S602) is a process for establishing RB or BB according to the stop symbol. First, it is determined whether or not the RB winning flag 113b is turned on (S701). If it is turned on (S701: Yes), whether or not RB symbols (for example, “BAR” symbols) are aligned on the current effective line. Is determined (S702). If the RB symbols are not prepared (S702: No), this bonus symbol determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if RB symbols are aligned on the current effective line (S702: Yes), RB game initial setting processing is executed (S703). In the RB game initial setting process, values such as counters and flags are set in a state where the RB game can be started. In particular, the RB winning flag 113b is turned off, the RB setting flag 113c is turned on, 8 is set in the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f, and 12 is set in the remaining JAC game number counter 113g. After the process of S703, the bonus symbol determination process is terminated.

  In the processing of S701, if the RB winning flag is turned off (S701: No), it is determined whether the BB winning flag 113d is turned on (S704). If not turned on (S704: No), a bonus is determined. The symbol determination process ends. If the BB winning flag 113d is turned on in the processing of S704 (S704: Yes), it is determined whether or not BB symbols (for example, symbol “7”) are aligned on the current effective line (S705). If there are no BB symbols on the active line this time (S705: No), the bonus symbol determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the BB symbols are aligned on the active line this time (S705: Yes), the BB game initial setting process is executed (S706). In the BB game initial setting process, values such as counters and flags are set in a state where the BB game can be started. In particular, the BB winning flag 113d is turned off and the BB setting flag 113e is turned on. Furthermore, the total number of payouts that can be paid out in one BB game (see S615) is set. After the process of S706, the bonus symbol determination process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 18, the special gaming state process (S211) will be described. In the process of S601, if the gaming state is a bonus game (S601: Yes), it is determined whether or not the bonus game is a JAC game (S603). If it is not a JAC game (S603: No), it is determined that whether or not the JAC in symbols are aligned on the active line because the small-game of the BB game is in progress (S613). If the JAC in symbols are aligned on the active line (S613: Yes), the JAC game initial setting process in the BB game is executed in order to start the JAC game because it is JAC in (S614). In the JAC game initial setting process, values such as counters and flags are set so that the JAC game can be started. In particular, the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f is set to 8, and the remaining JAC game number counter 113g is set to 12.

  After the process of S614 or when the JAC in symbols are not aligned on the active line in the process of S613 (S613: No), the total payout number of game balls in the current BB game is one BB game. It is determined whether or not the total number of payouts allowed is exceeded (S615). If the total payout number of game balls is not equal to or greater than the total payout number (S615: No), the special game state process is terminated while the BB game is continued. On the other hand, if the total number of game balls to be paid out is equal to or greater than the total number of payouts (S615: Yes), the BB game cannot be continued any more, so a special game state end process is executed (S612). The game state process is terminated. In the special game state ending process (S612), the BB setting flag 113e and the RB setting flag 113c are turned off, and each ending process of the BB game is executed during the BB game, and the RB game is executed during the RB game. Is done.

  If it is determined in the processing of S603 that the JAC game is being played (S603: Yes), it is determined whether or not the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line (S604). If the JAC symbols are aligned on the active line (S604: Yes), 1 is subtracted from the value of the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f (S605). After the processing of S605 or if the JAC symbols are not aligned on the active line in the processing of S604 (S604: No), one JAC game has been digested, so the value of the remaining JAC game number counter 113g is decremented by 1. (S606).

  Subsequently, the value of the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f is confirmed (S607). If the value is 0 (S607: Yes), the JAC game is ended, and the process proceeds to S609. If the value of the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f is not 0 (S607: No), the value of the remaining JAC game number counter 113g is confirmed (S608). If the value is 0 (S608: Yes), similarly, Since the JAC game is over, the process proceeds to S609.

  In the process of S609, the JAC game elimination process is performed, and the JAC game is terminated (S609). At this time, each value of the remaining JAC establishment number counter 113f and the remaining JAC game number counter 113g is cleared to 0.

  After the processing of S609, the RB setting flag 113c is confirmed (S610). If the RB setting flag 113c is turned on (S610: Yes), the current special game is an RB game, so the above-described special game state ends. The process is executed (S612), and this special game state process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the RB setting flag 113c is turned off (S610: No), since the current special game is a BB game, the total payout number of game balls in the current BB game is allowed for one BB game. It is determined whether or not the total number of payouts to be made is reached (S615). If the total payout number of game balls is not equal to or greater than the total payout number (S615: No), the special game state process is terminated while the BB game is continued. On the other hand, if the total number of game balls to be paid out is equal to or greater than the total number of payouts (S615: Yes), the BB game cannot be continued any more, so a special game state end process is executed (S612). The game state process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the value of the remaining JAC game number counter 113g is not 0 in S608 processing (S608: No), the current JAC game is ongoing, so the RB setting flag 113c is checked (S611), and the RB setting flag is checked. If 113c is turned off (S611: No), since the current special game is a BB game, it is determined whether or not the total number of payouts allowed for one BB game is exceeded (S615). If the total payout number of game balls is not equal to or greater than the total payout number (S615: No), the special game state process is terminated while the BB game is continued. On the other hand, if the total number of game balls to be paid out is equal to or greater than the total number of payouts (S615: Yes), the BB game cannot be continued any more, so a special game state end process is executed (S612). The game state process is terminated. If the RB setting flag 113c is turned on as a result of the confirmation in S611 (S611: Yes), the current special game is an RB game and the current JAC game continues as confirmed in the process in S608. Since it is in the middle, the special game state process is terminated without performing any particular process.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the game ball insertion process executed in the normal process (S105) of FIG. The game ball throwing process (S201) is for throwing (taking in) 15 game balls into the gaming machine 1 from the above-described upper plate 36 through the throwing unit 52 in the normal game and five game balls in the JAC game. It is processing of.

  In the game ball insertion process (S201), it is first determined whether or not a JAC game is in progress (S801). If it is not during the JAC game (S801: No), it is checked whether the value of the inserted number counter 113j for storing the number of game balls thrown into the gaming machine 1 is 15 (S802). If the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 15 (S802: Yes), 15 game balls have already been inserted, and it is not necessary to insert a new game ball to start the game (game). In this case, the game ball insertion process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the inserted number counter 113j is not 15 (S802: No), the process proceeds to S804.

  In the process of S801, if the JAC game is in progress (S801: Yes), it is confirmed whether the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 5 (S803). If the value of the inserted number counter 113j is 5 (S803: Yes), 5 game balls have already been inserted, and it is not necessary to insert a new game ball to start the game (game). In this case, the game ball insertion process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the inserted number counter 113j is not 5 (S803: No), the process proceeds to S804.

  In the process of S804, it is confirmed whether or not the bet switch 35 for instructing the insertion of a game ball has been pressed (S804). If it is not pressed (S804: No), this game ball insertion process is terminated. When the bet switch 35 is pressed (S804: Yes), if the JAC game is not in progress (S805: No), the value of 15-inserted number counter 113j is set in the total inserted number counter 113k (S806), and the JAC game If it is medium (S805: Yes), the value of the 5-inserted number counter 113j is set in the total inserted number counter 113k (S807). As a result, the total number of game balls to be inserted in the current game ball insertion process is set in the total insertion number counter 113k.

  Then, the first to third insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are respectively turned on (S808), and initial setting is performed so that the insertion processing is performed for all of the three input devices 521a to 521c. The first and third flags and counters are provided in correspondence with the three input devices 521a to 521c, including the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3. The second article corresponds to the charging device 521b, and the third article corresponds to the charging device 521c.

  In the process of S809, if any of the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 is turned on (S809: Yes), the value of the total input number counter 113k is confirmed (S810), and if the value is not 0 (S810: No), it is checked whether or not all the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are turned on (S811). As described above, since the all-article throw-in retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are turned on in the processing of S808, when the game ball throw-in process is executed first, the all-row throw-in retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are turned on. (S811: Yes), the process proceeds to the input number distribution process in S813 without performing the wait process in S812. On the other hand, if any of the insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 is turned off in the processing of S811 (S811: No), as described later, the game ball has been thrown behind in any of the items. After waiting for a predetermined time before redistributing the balls (S812), the process proceeds to the throwing number distribution process of S813. In the present embodiment, the wait time executed in the process of S812 is 80 ms. This weight process is provided to prevent the game balls in the entrance passages 522a to 522c from flapping when the game ball insertion passages 526a to 526c are closed by the insertion gate members 530a to 530c.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 21, the throwing number distribution process executed in the process of S813 will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the throwing number distribution process. As described above, the throwing unit 52 includes three throwing devices 521a to 521c, and the three throwing devices 521a to 521c are used to throw game balls, respectively. Therefore, in the throwing number sorting process (S813), in order to throw the game balls evenly in the throwing devices 521a to 521c, the number of thrown pieces to be thrown by each throwing device 521a to 521c is sorted. Process.

  In the input number distribution process, first, the value of the total input number counter 113k is saved in the stack area (S831). Next, the values of the 1st to 3rd scheduled insertion number counters 113m1 to 113m3, which store the scheduled loading numbers in the loading devices 521a to 521c, are each cleared to 0 (S832). Is initialized by writing (S833). Of the three throwing devices 521a to 521c, the throwing pointer 113n is designated as 3, 2, 1, 3,... In order from the throwing devices 521c, 521b, and 521a disposed on the gaming machine 1 side. Are updated in order.

  The state of the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 indicated by the value of the input item pointer 113n is confirmed (S834), and if it is on (S834: Yes), the game ball using the input devices 521a to 521c corresponding to the item Can be input. Therefore, in such a case, 1 is added to the value of the planned number-of-insertion counters 113m1 to 113m3 of the item, and one game ball is distributed so as to be input from the input devices 521a to 521c corresponding to the item. Further, the throwing solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 of the item are turned on, and a value 180 corresponding to the maximum waiting time (time-out time) until the first game ball is thrown is set to the value of the throwing game ball counter 113q1 to the item. Set to 113q3, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the total input number counter 113k (S835). In this embodiment, in the state where the game ball is in the upper plate 36, the insertion gate members 530a to 530c open the game ball insertion paths 526a to 526c, and the first game ball flowing down the insertion paths 526a to 526c is the first game ball. The time required to normally reach the input sensor units 550a to 550c is about 10 ms, and 360 ms is set as the maximum waiting time (first predetermined time) as a time sufficiently having a margin from 10 ms. If the first predetermined time is set to a time close to 10 ms, the game ball flutters, and the first predetermined time frequently elapses to perform re-injection (retry) control. It will decline. Therefore, in consideration of fluttering that occurs when the game ball flows down, a time with sufficient margin is set as the maximum waiting time. In addition, the count value of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 is decremented by 1 every time the execution execution process of S816 is executed. Is repeatedly executed every 2 ms. Therefore, 180 is set to the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 in the process of S835.

  Further, in the process of S835, by turning on the closing solenoid operation flag 113p1 to 113p3 of the corresponding item, the closing solenoids 534a to 534c of the corresponding charging devices 521a to 521c are turned on by the process of S818 in FIG. The throwing passages 526a to 526c for game balls are opened by the members 530a to 530c, and the throwing operation is started in the throwing devices 521a to 521c.

  Next, the value of the total inserted number counter 113k is confirmed (S836), and if it is not 0 (S836: No), the game ball distribution is not completed, so the value of the input item pointer 113n is updated (S838, S839, S834). Specifically, if the value of the input item pointer 113n is not 1 but 3 or 2 (S838: No), the value of the input item pointer 113n is decremented by 1 (S839), and the process proceeds to S834. On the other hand, if the value of the input item pointer 113n is 1 (S838: Yes), the process proceeds to S833, and the value of the input item pointer 113n is initialized to 3 (S833).

  In the process of S836, if the value of the total thrown-in counter 113k is 0 (S836: Yes), as a result of repeating each process of S833 to S839, distribution of all game balls to be thrown is completed. Then, the value of the total inserted number counter 113k saved in the process of S831 is restored (S840), and the input number distribution process is terminated.

  In addition, in the process of S834, if the insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 indicated by the value of the insertion item pointer 113n are off (S834: No), the game ball using the input devices 521a to 521c corresponding to the item is updated. Input is impossible. Therefore, in such a case, the processing of S835 and S836 is skipped so that the game balls are not distributed to the input devices 521a to 521c corresponding to the article, and each information and value corresponding to the article is initialized. (S837), and the process proceeds to S838. In the process of S837, information and values used in the game ball throwing-in process such as the planned throwing-in number counters 113m1 to 113m3, the throwing solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3, and the throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are initially set. It becomes.

  Thus, since the game balls to be thrown are distributed one by one to the three throwing devices 521a to 521c, the number of gaming balls thrown by the three throwing devices 521a to 521c can be made substantially equal. . Therefore, when the charging is started using the three charging devices 521a to 521c simultaneously, the charging can be completed in a short time. This is because if a large number of game balls to be thrown are allocated to any of the throwing devices 521a to 521c, it takes a long time to throw in the throwing devices 521a to 521c, and the overall throwing time becomes longer.

  The game balls to be thrown are distributed so that the number of throwing devices 521c, 521b, and 521a arranged on the main body side of the gaming machine 1 among the three throwing devices 521a to 521c increases. The rear right region R3 which is the lowest position of the upper plate 36 shown in FIG. 6 is formed so as to be inclined with the region R1 side being high and the gaming machine 1 side being low. Therefore, the game ball in the upper plate 36 is configured to be easily guided to the guide passages 371 to 373 along the side surface of the back right region R3 on the gaming machine 1 side. Accordingly, the game balls are configured to easily pass through the guide passages 371 to 373 on the main body side of the gaming machine 1, so that the throwing devices 521 a to 521 c that are arranged on the main body side of the gaming machine 1 distribute the game balls to be thrown. By increasing the number of game balls, game balls can be smoothly inserted. Such a game ball distribution method allows the game balls to be smoothly inserted even when the number of game balls in the upper plate 36 decreases. This is because a large number of game balls are distributed to the input device 521c communicating with the guide passage 373 in which the game balls easily flow.

  Returning to FIG. After the execution number distribution process (S813) is executed, the state of the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is confirmed (S814). If the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned on (S814: Yes), 3 is written into the input item pointer 113n to initialize it (S815), and then the input execution process shown in FIG. 22 is executed (S815). S816).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the input execution process. The throwing execution process (S816) is distributed to each throwing device 521a to 521c by the throwing number sorting process (S813), and then counts the number of game balls started to be thrown by each throwing device 521a to 521c. And processing for managing the end of the input. In each of the throwing devices 521a to 521c, the number of game balls stored in the planned number-of-throw counters 113m1 to 113m3 corresponding to its own strip is thrown.

  In the throwing execution process, first, the values of the throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the relevant item are confirmed (S851). Since the making operation by is finished, this making execution processing is finished. Note that the entry solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 for the article are turned off when the value of the scheduled entry counters 113m1 to 113m3 of the article becomes 0 (see S862). The solenoids 534a to 534c are already turned off (see S819 in FIG. 20).

  If the value of the throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the item is not 0 (S851: No), the return lever 38 for returning the game balls stored in the upper plate 36 to the lower plate 41 is being operated. It is confirmed whether or not (S852). The operation of the return lever 38 can be confirmed by the output signal of the return lever detection switch 38a. If the return lever 38 is not being operated (S852: No), it is checked whether there is a change in the output of the input sensor units (W sensors) 550a to 550c of the article (S853). If there is no change (S853: No) ) Since there is no change in the inserted state of the game ball, the execution of each process from S854 to S861 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S871. On the other hand, if there is a change in the output of the input sensor units 550a to 550c of the article (S853: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the change phase is normal (S854).

  As described above, the input sensor units 550a to 550c are provided with two pairs of upper and lower two pairs of sensors each including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. In the process of S854, whether or not the game ball is normally inserted is monitored by the phase change of the output signals of the two sets of sensors. If the change phase output from the input sensor units 550a to 550c of the article is abnormal (S854: No), error processing is executed to notify the occurrence of an error in phase abnormality (S855). The error processing in S855 is an infinite loop, and the error can be solved only by resetting the gaming machine 1. Therefore, the occurrence of the error can be surely reported to a game shop clerk or the like.

  As described above, when a phase abnormality occurs in the output signals of the input sensor units 550a to 550c, a phase abnormality error is generated, the error process is infinitely looped, and the progress of the game is stopped. Therefore, if a phase abnormality error occurs due to some fraudulent act, the player cannot continue the subsequent game, so the fraudulent act cannot be continued, and therefore execution of the fraudulent act can be prevented in advance.

  In the process of S854, if the change phase output from the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c of the article is normal (S854: Yes), the game ball is inserted normally. Confirms whether or not the passage of the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c of the article has been completed (S856). Completion of the passage can be confirmed when the upper and lower two-stage sensors of the input sensor units 550a to 550c no longer detect the game ball. If the game ball has completed the passage of the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c of the item (S856: Yes), it is determined that one game ball has been detected, and the total insertion number counter 113k and the planned number of items to be inserted are detected. The values of the counters 113m1 to 113m3 are each decremented by 1, and the value of the inserted number counter 113j is incremented by 1 (S857). Then, the values of the planned number-of-insert counters 113m1 to 113m3 of the item are confirmed (S858). If the value is 0 (S858: Yes), all the game balls scheduled to be inserted in the item are completed. Therefore, the charging solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 of the article are turned off (S862), and the charging execution process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the number-of-insertion counters 113m1 to 113m3 of the item is other than 0 (S858: No), the process proceeds to S871.

  In the process of S856, if the game ball has not completed the passage of the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c of the item (S856: No), it is confirmed whether or not the game ball starts to pass (S859). The start of the passing of the game ball should be confirmed when the upper and lower two-stage sensors of the input sensor units 550a to 550c change from the state where none of the upper and lower sensors detect the game ball to the state where only the upper sensor detects the game ball. Can do. If the game ball does not start to pass (S859: No), the process proceeds to S871.

  If the start of the passing of the game ball is detected in the process of S859 (S859: Yes), the maximum waiting time until the start of the passing of the next game ball of the game ball that has started to pass (timeout time) ) Is set to 150 in the value of the input game ball counter 113q1 to 113q3 of the item (S860). Thereafter, the values of the scheduled number-of-input counters 113m1 to 113m3 of the article are confirmed (S861). If the value is not 1 (S861: No), the input execution process is terminated. In the present embodiment, in the state where there is a game ball in the upper plate 36, the time from when the start of passage of one game ball is confirmed until the next game ball starts to pass normally and the last game ball pass. The time from the start to the completion of the passage of the last game ball is about 10 ms, and 300 ms is set as the maximum waiting time (second predetermined time) as a time sufficiently longer than 10 ms. The reason why a sufficiently long time is set for the second predetermined time is because, as described above, the fluttering that occurs when the game ball flows down is taken into consideration. In addition, in the process of S860, 150 is set in the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the item because the input execution process is repeatedly executed every 2 ms as described above. As described above, 360 ms is set for the first predetermined time (S835), and 300 ms is set for the second predetermined time (S860). This is because when the throwing gate members 530a to 530c are opened and the operation (flowing down) starts from the state where the game ball is stopped, the next game ball starts to pass while the game ball is flowing down continuously. This is because the game ball can pass in a shorter time in the case of doing so, and therefore the second predetermined time is set 60 ms shorter than the first predetermined time. The first predetermined time and the second predetermined time may be set to the same time.

  On the other hand, in the process of S861, if the value of the scheduled number-of-insertions counter 113m1 to 113m3 of the article is 1 (S861: Yes), the game ball that has started to pass is thrown in the throwing devices 521a to 521c. It is the last game ball that should be. Therefore, in such a case, in order to prevent the game ball from being thrown thereafter, the throwing solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 of the article are turned off (S862). Accordingly, the charging solenoids 534a to 534c of the corresponding input devices 521a to 521c are turned off by the processing of S819 in FIG. The making operation in 521a to 521c is completed.

  In the process of S871, a counter subtraction process is executed. This counter subtraction process is a process of subtracting 1 from the value of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3. Each time this counter subtraction process is executed, the value of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 is decremented by 1, and when the value of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 becomes 0, a set time (timeout time) Is measured. In the counter subtraction process, the subtraction process is performed only when the count value of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 is 1 or more, and when the count value is 0, no further subtraction process is performed. Yes.

  When the counter subtraction process of S871 is completed, the values of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the relevant item are confirmed (S872). If the value is not 0 (S872: No), the current execution process is ended. The inserted game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 detect the start of the next game ball from the detection of the start of the game ball during the timeout time (first predetermined time) 1 until the start of the first game ball is detected. A counter that measures the timeout time (second predetermined time) until the game time passes (second predetermined time) or after the first predetermined time or second predetermined time has elapsed is there. Therefore, if the values of the timers 113q1 to 113q3 are not 0, the timeout period has not yet been reached, and in this case, the current execution process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the process of S872, if the value of the throwing game ball counter 113q1 to 113q3 for the item is 0 (S872: Yes), the game ball throwing interval is particularly long in the throwing devices 521a to 521c for the item. Or, the time until the first game ball is thrown out is too long and time-out occurs. Therefore, in order to confirm whether or not the game ball whose start of passage has been detected has been completely inserted, it is checked whether or not the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c are in the process of passing (S873). If it is (S873: Yes), the game ball is clogged (stagnated) in the input sensor units 550a to 550c for some reason. In such a case, error processing is executed to notify the occurrence of a game ball retention error (S874). The error processing in S874 is an infinite loop, and the error can be eliminated by resetting the gaming machine 1 after eliminating the staying state of the game balls. It should be noted that such a game ball retention error may be eliminated by releasing the retention state. As described above, immediately after the time-out is confirmed in the process of S872 (S872: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the game ball has passed normally (S873), so the set time-out time (360 ms) Alternatively, it is possible to confirm whether or not the game ball has been passed in a state where the error is small with respect to 300 ms). In addition, when the time-out is confirmed, it is the timing at which the insertion execution process ends, so that the abnormality detection can be performed after the process accompanying the insertion of the game ball is performed. Here, in the present embodiment, when the passage start of the last game ball is confirmed (S861: Yes), before the completion of the passage of the last game ball is confirmed, the throwing solenoid operation flag 113p1 of the article is set. Since -113p3 is turned off (S862), as soon as the closing solenoid operation flags 113p1-113p3 are turned off, it is determined that the estimated number of throwing-in has been thrown, and the game ball throwing-in process (S201) can be ended. However, if the insertion solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 are turned off to end the game ball insertion process, it cannot be confirmed whether or not the last game ball has been completely inserted. If you do not confirm the completion of the insertion of the last game ball, the game will start even if the number of game balls to be inserted has not been inserted, so the hall will be lost or the game ball will be blocked in the passage There is a problem that the game is continued in the state. Therefore, it is possible to confirm that the game ball has been reliably inserted by checking whether or not the game ball is in the process of passing at the timing when the insertion execution process ends.

  If no error is detected in the process of S873 (S873: Yes), the state of the closing solenoid operation flag 113p1 to 113p3 of the article is confirmed (S875), and if the flag 113p1 to 113p3 is off (S875) S875: No), since it is a case where all of the game balls have been thrown in the throwing devices 521a to 521c, the throwing execution process is terminated. On the other hand, in the process of S875, if the insertion solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 of the article are on (S875: Yes), the game ball insertion interval is too long and a time-out occurs. The time-out occurs when the game ball is clogged (stays) in the input sensor units 550a to 550c, or when the game ball does not pass through the input devices 521a to 521c. In such a case, there is no game ball to be thrown in the upper plate 36, or even if there is a game ball in the upper plate 36, the game ball is clogged (stopped) on the upper plate 36, and the corresponding throw is made. This is a case where a game ball does not flow into the input passages 526a to 526c of the devices 521a to 521c. Therefore, the charging solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 for the item and the retry retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 for the item are turned off, and the values of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 for the item are set to 50 (S876). The execution process is terminated.

  In the processing of S876, 50 is set in the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3, even if the input gate members 530a to 503c are controlled to close the input passages 526a to 526c, the input gate members 530a to 530c Since there is an operation time for operating from the open state to the closed state, the input passages 526a to 526c are not immediately closed. Therefore, 50 is set to the values of the game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 in order to monitor the passage of the game balls even after the insertion gate members 530a to 530c are operated. In addition, when the insertion gate members 530a to 530c are operated, the game balls do not flow smoothly with the operation, or the input gate members 530a to 530c are biting the game balls between the input passages 526a to 526c. There is. Therefore, 50 corresponding to 100 ms is set to monitor the passage of a game ball that does not flow smoothly. Accordingly, it is possible to monitor whether or not the game ball has been normally inserted while operating the insertion gate members 530a to 530c early so as to close the insertion passages 526a to 526c. In addition, when the process of S873 is Yes, you may alert | report outside that the game ball was jammed. For example, the notification to the outside may be indicated by the lighting state of the lamps 6 and 7 provided in the gaming machine 1, or may be indicated by outputting sound from the speaker 8. An image of “no game ball” may be displayed on the screen for suggestion. By notifying to the outside, the player can confirm that there is no game ball, so the player can immediately replenish the game ball and start the game. Further, when the processing of S809 is No, there is no game ball in the upper plate 36, so even in this case, the “no-ball state” is notified to the outside using the lamps 6, 7, the speaker 8, and the liquid crystal display unit 81. It is good to do.

  Further, in the process of S876, by turning off the closing solenoid operation flag 113p1 to 113p3 of the article, the execution of the process of S819 in FIG. 20 turns off the closing solenoids 534a to 534c of the corresponding charging devices 521a to 521c, The input passages 526a to 526c of the input devices 521a to 521c are closed by the input gate members 530a to 530c. Further, in the retry process (re-input process (S813 to S820)) started in the branch of S809: Yes in FIG. 20 by turning off the input retry flag 113o1 to 113o3 of the article, the input devices 521a to 521c Set so that it will not be thrown in. This is because even if the throwing-in device 521a to 521c having the problem is tried again (even if retry processing is performed), the throwing of the game ball cannot be completed. Since the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 of the article are turned off, the determination of No is made in the processing of S811 in FIG.

  If the return lever 38 is being operated in the process of S852 (S852: Yes), all the closing solenoids 534a to 534c are immediately turned off (S881), and the closing passages 526a to 526c of all the closing devices 521a to 521c are turned on. Close. By operating the return lever 38, the discharge gate member 540 slides, the openings 542a to 542c communicate with the inlet passages 522a to 522c, and all the discharge passages 527a to 527c are opened. Therefore, the game balls on the upper plate 36 are discharged to the lower plate 41 through the discharge passages 527a to 527c.

  In order to secure at least 370 ms after the next operation, 370 ms is set in the input prohibition timer 113r (S882). Again, it is confirmed whether there is an operation of the return lever 38 (S883). If there is an operation of the return lever 38 (S883: Yes), the process proceeds to S882 and 370 ms is reset to the insertion prohibition timer 113r. On the other hand, if the return lever 38 is not operated (S883: No), the value of the insertion prohibition timer 113r is confirmed (S884). If the value of the insertion prohibition timer 113r is not 0 (S884: No), the next operation cannot be executed. Therefore, the process proceeds to S883 to check whether the return lever 38 is operated.

  If the value of the throwing-in prohibition timer 113r becomes 0 (S884: Yes), the game ball throwing-in process (S201) including this throwing-in execution process (S815) is temporarily terminated. The value of 113m3 is cleared to 0, all the throwing solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 are turned off, the value of the total throwing number counter 113k is cleared to 0, the value of the throwing pointer 113n is set to 1, and all throwing game balls The counters 113q1 to 113q3 are turned off (S885), and then the throwing-out process of the thrown ball is executed (S886), and the throwing execution process is terminated. The throwing-out process for the thrown-in ball is a process for paying out the thrown-in game ball to the upper plate 36 or the lower plate 41 when there is a game ball that has already been thrown in. That is, the throwing-out process of the inserted ball confirms the value of the inserted number counter 113j, and when the value of the inserted number counter 113j is larger than 0, the number of game balls corresponding to the value of the inserted number counter 113j Pay out. Further, the process of S885 is a process for setting the game ball throwing process to an initial state. In particular, when all the throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are turned off, the process of S820 in FIG. Therefore, the input execution process can be finished early. In addition, since the values of all the inserted game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are 0 (S820: Yes) and the total inserted number counter 113k is 0 in the process of S810 (S810: Yes), the game ball input process (S201). Ends.

  Returning to FIG. After the completion of the execution process (S816), the value of the input line pointer 113n is confirmed (S817). If the value is not 1 (S817: No), the value of the input line pointer 113n is decremented by 1 (S818). ), The process proceeds to S816, and the execution process is performed again. Since the insertion execution process is started with the value of the input item pointer 113n set to 3 (see S815), the input execution process is executed with the value of the input item pointer 113n set to 3, 2, and 1, respectively. Therefore, the loading execution processing is executed in the order of 521c, 521b, and 521a with respect to the three loading devices 521a to 521c.

  If the value of the input line pointer 113n is 1 (S817: Yes), the input solenoids 534a to 534c are turned on or off according to the state of all the input solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 (S819). As described above, when the charging solenoids 534a to 534c are turned on, the charging devices 521a to 521c that have been turned on start charging of the game balls, and conversely, when the charging solenoids 534a to 534c are turned off, they are turned off. The throwing-in operation of the game ball is finished in the throwing devices 521a to 521c.

  As described above, since the state of each of the input devices 521a to 521c changes simultaneously according to the state of all the input solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 by the processing of S819, Operations can be started simultaneously. In each of the throwing devices 521a to 521c, by starting the throwing operation of the game balls at the same time, the total time required for the throwing operation can be shortened compared to the case where the throwing operations are started separately. Therefore, the throwing-in operation can be completed in a short time, and the game can proceed smoothly.

  The values of all the thrown-in game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are confirmed (S820). If the values are not all zero (S820: No), the number of game balls thrown has not reached the original planned number. Therefore, in such a case, the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned off (S821), and then the process proceeds to S814, and the above-described processes of S814 to S819 are repeated. In the process of S814, execution of the subsequent processes is waited until the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned on (S814: No). This means that when the execution execution process is continuously performed for the same item (the value of the input item pointer 113n is the same), the input of one game ball is erroneously detected as two or more inputs. Because there is.

  If the values of all the throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 are 0 (S820: Yes), the throwing of the planned number of game balls has been completed or the process is shifted to the retry process (S813 to S820). The process proceeds to S809. In the processing of S809, if all the insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are off (S809: No), it is not possible to perform the game ball insertion operation by any of the insertion devices 521a to 521c. This game ball insertion process is terminated.

  If any of the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 is on (S809: Yes), the value of the total input number counter 113k is confirmed (S810). If the value is 0 (S810: Yes), it should be input. Since all the number of game balls have been inserted, in this case, the game ball insertion process is terminated.

  If the value of the total thrown-in counter 113k is not 0 (S810: No), it is necessary to throw the game ball again (retry processing needs to be performed). Therefore, in this case, since the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 corresponding to at least one item are 0 (No in S811), a wait process (80 ms in the present embodiment) is performed before the retry process is executed. (S812), and then retry processing (S813-S820) is performed.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing that is periodically executed by the main controller 110. The MPU 111 of the main controller 110 generates a timer interrupt, for example, every 1.49 msec.

  First, in the register saving process shown in S901, the values of all the registers in the MPU 111 are saved in the stack area of the RAM 113 (S901). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the power failure flag 113h is turned on (S902). If the power failure flag 113h is turned on (S902: Yes), a power failure process is executed (S920). The power failure process will be described later with reference to FIG. After execution of the power failure process, the process proceeds to S903. In the process of S902, if the power failure flag 113h is turned off (S902: No), the process proceeds to S903.

  In S903, a watchdog timer clearing process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed (S903). In S904, an interrupt end declaration process for giving an interrupt permission to the MPU 111 itself is performed (S904). In step S905, in order to rotate the reels 82L, 82M, and 82R, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 91L to 91R, which are the respective rotary drive motors, is performed (S905). In S906, a switch reading process for monitoring the state of various switches (see FIG. 11) connected to the input / output port 114 is performed (S906). In S907, sensor monitoring processing for monitoring the state of various sensors (see FIG. 11) connected to the input / output port 114 is performed (S907). In S908, a timer subtraction process for subtracting the value of each counter (excluding the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3) and the timer is performed (S908). In S909, a counter process is performed to output the results of counting the number of game balls bet and the number of payouts to the external terminal board 134 (S909).

  In S910, command output processing for transmitting a command or the like to the display control device 310 is performed (S910). In S911, a segment data setting process for setting the segment data displayed on the acquired ball number display 11 and the game number display 12 is performed (S911). In S912, a segment data display process is performed in which the segment data set in the segment data setting process is output to the respective indicators 11 and 12 to display the corresponding numbers and symbols (S912). In S913, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port 114 is performed (S913). A command to the payout control device 210 is output by this port output processing. In S914, the timer interrupt execution flag 113s is turned on (S914). In S915, the value of each register saved in the stack area in the previous S901 is restored to the corresponding register in the MPU 111 (S915). In S916, an interrupt permission process for permitting the next timer interrupt is performed (S916). With these processes, this series of timer interrupt processes is completed.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the power failure process (S920). Since the power failure process is performed immediately after the register saving process in the timer interrupt process, other interrupt processes can be executed without interruption. Therefore, for example, during the process of transmitting various commands, during the process of reading the switch state (on / off), the process at the time of power failure is not executed by interrupting each process. There is no need to create a power failure processing program that takes this into consideration. This simplifies the processing program for power failure processing and reduces the program capacity. This also makes it possible to simplify the processing program of the above-described power recovery processing (S110 to S117 in FIG. 13).

  In the power failure process (S920), it is first determined whether or not the command transmission has ended (S931). If the transmission is not completed (S931: No), the power failure process (S920) is terminated, the process returns to the timer interrupt process of FIG. 23, and the command transmission is terminated. In this way, it is determined whether or not the command transmission is completed at the initial stage of the power failure process. When the transmission is not completed, the transmission process is given priority. After the unit command transmission process is completed, the power failure process (S920) is performed. By adopting the configuration to execute, it is not necessary to construct a power failure processing program that takes into account that power failure processing is executed during command transmission. As a result, it is possible to simplify the power failure processing program and reduce the program capacity.

  In the process of S931, when the command transmission is completed (S931: Yes), the value of the stack pointer of the MPU 111 is stored in the RAM 113 (S932). Thereafter, as a stop process, the RAM determination value is cleared and the output state of the output port in the input / output port 114 is cleared, and all actuators are turned off (S933). Further, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the RAM 113 (S934). The RAM determination value is specifically a 2's complement of the checksum of the RAM 113. By saving the RAM determination value, the checksum of the RAM 113 becomes zero. After the check sum of the RAM 113 is set to 0, subsequent access to the RAM 113 is prohibited (S935). After that, an infinite loop is entered in preparation for the case where the power supply is completely shut down and processing cannot be executed.

  In consideration of the case where the power failure flag 113h is erroneously set due to noise or the like, for example, it is confirmed whether or not the power failure signal 124a is output until the infinite loop is entered, and the power failure signal 124a is not output. If it is, it means that the power has been restored from the power failure state, so that writing to the RAM 113 is permitted and the power failure flag 113h is turned off to return to the timer interrupt processing of FIG. In this case, if the output of the power failure signal 124a continues, the infinite loop is entered.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process. When the power is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal 124a is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 124 of the power supply device 120 to the main controller 110. Since the power failure signal 124a is input to the NMI terminal of the MPU 11 of the main controller 110, when the MPU 11 inputs the power failure signal 124a, this NMI interruption process is executed immediately.

  In the NMI interrupt process, each register of the MPU 111 is saved to the stack area (S1001), and the power failure flag 113h is turned on (S1002). Each saved register is restored (S1003), and this NMI interrupt processing is terminated. Note that the register saving and restoring process (S1001, S1003) is performed only for the register used to turn on the power failure flag 113h, so the NMI interrupt process can be completed in a short time.

  In addition, the power supply unit 121 of the power supply device 120 has a stabilization voltage (5 volts) used as a drive voltage for the control system for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 25 and the process of power failure of FIG. It is configured to hold the output. In this embodiment, the drive voltage is continuously output for 30 msec.

  As described above, the game ball use spinning machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the three throwing devices 521a to 521c, and the gaming balls are almost equally distributed to the three throwing devices 521a to 521c. Can be sorted. Therefore, the game balls can be thrown in simultaneously by the three (plural) throwing devices 521a to 521c, so that the game balls can be thrown in early. Therefore, since the game can be started by operating the start lever 31 continuously with the operation of the bet switch 35, the game can be progressed smoothly.

  In addition, among the game balls distributed to the input devices 521a to 521c, when the input start of the last game ball is detected by the input sensor units 550a to 550c, the input solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 are turned off ( S862) Since the insertion passages 526a to 526c are closed by the insertion gate members 530a to 503c, it is possible to reliably prevent the game ball from passing thereafter.

  When the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c confirm the passage of the game ball, a time-out time having a sufficient margin for the completion of the game ball is set in the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 (S860), When the value of the thrown game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 becomes 0 (timing when the throw execution process ends) (S872: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the game ball has been thrown normally. The occurrence of abnormality can be confirmed within one cycle of the execution process (S816) that is repeatedly executed. Therefore, the occurrence of abnormality can be confirmed with a small time error.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment is provided with throwing game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 to measure the throwing-out time of gaming balls, and is configured to subtract 1 count each time the throwing execution process is executed once. Yes. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 are provided, and each time a timer interrupt process is executed, a value corresponding to 2 ms is subtracted. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of each memory provided in the RAM 1113 of the main controller 1110 according to the second embodiment. The RAM 1113 of the second embodiment is provided with input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 instead of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the RAM 113 of the first embodiment. The input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 are set with a time-out time until the first game ball passes, or a time-out time until the game ball whose start of passage is detected by the input sensor units 550a to 550c is completed. Each time a timer subtraction process in the timer interrupt process of FIG. 30 is executed, a value corresponding to 2 ms is subtracted (S908). For example, the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 store a value of 180 when the timeout time is set, and each time the timer subtraction process is executed, the value is subtracted by one.

  Further, the RAM 1113 is provided with a making time elapse flag 1113t and a making time elapse flag 1113u. The throwing time elapsed flag 1113u is a flag that is turned on when the time-out time set in the throwing game ball timer 1113q has elapsed. The timer subtraction process is executed in the timer interrupt process, and It is turned on when the value becomes 0, and turned off when a timeout time is newly set in the input game ball timer 1113q. The insertion time elapsed flag 1113t is a flag that is turned on when it is confirmed that the insertion time elapsed flag 1113u is turned on (S1006: Yes in FIG. 29). Turns off when set. When the insertion time elapse flag 1113t is turned on, the insertion execution process is skipped (S1003: Yes in FIG. 29). The first to third charging time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 and the charging time elapsed time flags 1113u1 to 1113u3 are provided corresponding to the three charging devices 521a to 521c, respectively.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 27 to 30, the game ball insertion process will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a game ball insertion process executed by the MPU 1111 of the main controller 1110 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in order to repeatedly execute the game ball insertion process in Articles 1 to 3, it is confirmed in the process of S1001 whether or not all the insertion time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 are turned on. is doing. That is, when the game ball insertion process (S815 to S819) is completed, it is confirmed whether or not all the insertion time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 are turned on (S1001), and one of the insertion time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3. Is turned off (S1001: No), the process proceeds to S821 in order to execute the game ball throwing process again, and if all throwing time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 are turned on (S1001: Yes). In order to end the game ball insertion process or execute the retry process, the process proceeds to S809.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the throwing number distribution process executed by the MPU 1111 of the main controller 1110 according to the second embodiment. In the throwing number distribution process of the second embodiment, when the throwing retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are on (S834: Yes), as in the first embodiment, the throwing planned number counters 113m1 to 113m1 are set. 1 is added to the value of 113m3, the charging solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 of the item are turned on, 1 is subtracted from the value of the total charging number counter 113k, and in addition, the charging game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 of the item are added. 360 ms is set, and the insertion time elapse flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 and the insertion time elapse flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 are turned off (S1002).

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the execution execution process executed by the MPU 1111 of the main controller 1110 according to the second embodiment. When the execution execution process of the second embodiment is started, it is confirmed whether or not the insertion time elapsed flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 of the item is turned on (S1003), and the input time elapsed flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 of the item is checked. If is turned on, the throwing game ball timer has timed out, and the throwing execution process is terminated. On the other hand, if the insertion time elapse flag of the article is off (S1003: No), the process proceeds to S852, and the execution process is continued.

  When the insertion sensor unit 550a to 550c confirms the start of the passing of the game ball (S859: Yes), 300 ms is set to the input game ball timer 1113q1 to 1113q3 of the article (S1004), and then the input game ball timer Since a new timeout time has been set in 1113q1 to 1113q3, the insertion time elapsed flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 and the insertion time elapsed flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 of the item are turned off (S1005), and the process proceeds to S861.

  Further, there is no change in the output of the charging center units 550a to 550c for the item (S853: No), the value of the estimated number counter 113m1 to 113m3 of the item is not 0 (S858: No), When the passing start of the game ball is not confirmed by 550a to 550c (S859: No), it is confirmed whether or not the throw time elapse flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 of the article is turned on (S1006). If the entry time elapse flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 of the article is off (S1006: No), this entry execution process is terminated, and if the entry time elapse flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 of the article is on (S1006: Yes) Since the time-out occurs, in order to prevent the execution process from being executed thereafter, the input time elapsed flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 of the article are turned on (S1007), and the process proceeds to S874.

  Also, if the entry solenoid operation flag 113p1 to 113p3 for the item is turned on in S876 (S876: Yes), the entry solenoid operation flag 113p1 to 113p3 for the item is turned off as in the first embodiment. At the same time, instead of turning off the insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 of the item and setting 50 to the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 of the item, the value of the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 of the item is set to 100 ms. Furthermore, since a new timeout time has been set for the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3, the input time elapsed flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 and the input time elapsed flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 of the item are turned off (S1008). The execution process is terminated.

  Further, when the return lever is operated (S852: Yes) and the value of the insertion prohibition timer 113r becomes 0 (S884: Yes), the total insertion number counters 113m1 to 113m3, the total insertion number counter 113k, and the entire input game The values of the ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 are set to 0, all the charging solenoid operation flags 113p1 to 113p3 are turned off, the value of the charging thread pointer 113n is set to 1, and all the charging time elapse time flags 1113t1 to 1113t3 are set. Turns on (S1009). In the process of S1009, the all-article insertion time lapse flag 1113t1 to 1113t3 is turned on. Therefore, when the process returns to the game ball insertion process (see FIG. 27) and the process of S1001 is executed, the all-article insertion time lapse flag immediately follows. It is confirmed that 1113t1 to 1113t3 are on (S1001: Yes), and the process proceeds to S809. Thereafter, since the value of the total thrown-in counter 113k is 0 (S810: Yes), the game ball throwing-in process can be finished early.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process executed by the MPU 1111 of the main controller 1110 according to the second embodiment. When the timer interruption process of the second embodiment is executed and the timer subtraction process is executed (S908), the values of the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 are subtracted in the timer subtraction process. Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the value of each input game ball timer 1113q1 to 1113q3 is 0 (S1010). If the value of the input game ball timer 1113q is not 0 (S1010: No), the process is performed. If the value of the input game ball timer 1113q is 0 (S1010: Yes), a time-out occurs, so that the time of input of the item in which the value of the input game ball timer 1113q is 0 has elapsed. The hour flag 1113u is turned on (S1011), and the process proceeds to S909.

  As described above, in the gaming ball using rotating gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment, the inserted gaming ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3 are subtracted every 2 ms every time the timer interrupt process is executed. , Accurate time can be measured. In addition, when the time-out flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 is turned on at the time-out timing and the time-of-throw-in flag 1113u1 to 1113u3 is on (S1006: Yes), the game balls of the throwing sensor units 550a to 550c are turned on. Since the passage abnormality is detected, the abnormality detection can be performed at the exact timing when the timeout occurs.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on each embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be easily made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the game balls are sorted in the process of S813, and the total number of game balls thrown is sorted in order for each of the articles for which the insertion retry flags 113o1 to 113o3 are turned on. Instead of the above processing, game balls (game media) may be allocated to each item based on the result obtained by dividing the total number of items inserted by the number of items for which the input retry flags 113o1 to 113o1 are turned on. In the case of this configuration, if the total thrown number cannot be divided by the number of items, the remaining number of game balls may be distributed to any item.

  In the above embodiment, the time-out time is measured by subtracting the values of the input game ball counters 113q1 to 113q3 and the input game ball timers 1113q1 to 1113q3, but a predetermined value is added from the initial value. The timeout time may be measured when the input game ball counter and the input game ball timer reach predetermined values.

  In the above-described embodiment, the insertion sensor units 550a to 550c are configured as W sensors to detect (determine) the insertion start and insertion completion of game balls. It may be configured to detect. In this configuration, when the input sensor detects a game medium and a signal rises, the input starts, and when the game medium passes and the signal falls, the input is completed.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the case where the game balls in the upper plate 36 are distributed evenly to three or a plurality of input devices 521a to 521c, but also a prize ball or a card unit 20 as a result of the game. It can also be applied to paying out a rental ball lent through In that case, the game balls stored in the storage tank are distributed so as to be almost evenly paid out from the four or plural payout passages. That is, the present invention can be applied not only to a game ball throwing-in operation but also to a payout operation.

Below, the gaming machine and the modification of the present invention are shown. Storage means for storing a plurality of game media, a plurality of passages that communicate with the storage means and into which the game media flows, and an input operation that is operated to input the game media stored in the storage means into the gaming machine A plurality of passages, wherein the plurality of passages are provided with means for controlling the introduction of a predetermined number of game media to be thrown into the plurality of passages. Gate means provided respectively and allowing or prohibiting the game medium from passing through the passage, and provided downstream of the gate means in a passing direction through which the game medium passes through the passage and passing through the plurality of passages. Detecting means capable of detecting each of the game media to be played, wherein the input control means detects a predetermined number of game media input by operating the input operation means. An allocating unit that distributes approximately the same number for each passage, and a detection determination unit that determines the start and completion of passage of the game medium distributed to the passage by the allocating unit based on the detection result of the detection unit; When the insertion operation means is operated and the insertion of the game medium into the passage is started, the gate means is controlled to allow the passage of the game medium into the passage, and the distribution means enters the passage. When the last game medium thus distributed is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, the last game medium starts passing before the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means. Gate control means for controlling the gate means so as to prohibit the passage of game media into the passage, and the last game medium is determined to be passed by the detection judgment means. After the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to prohibit the passage of the game medium, the process proceeds to the first process when the last game medium is judged to be passed by the detection judgment means. The gaming machine 1 is characterized in that if the last game medium is not judged to be passed by the detection judging means, the game machine 1 shifts to a second process different from the first process.
According to the gaming machine 1, when the input operation means is operated and a predetermined number of game media are input into the plurality of passages, the plurality of passages are distributed to each passage so that approximately the same number of game media passes through each. When the input operation means is operated, the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to allow passage of the game medium to the passage, and the last game medium distributed by the distribution means has started to pass by the detection determination means. When judged, the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage. Thereafter, if the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to the first process, and if the last game medium is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to the second process. Therefore, when a predetermined number of game media are inserted, the predetermined number of game media are distributed to each passage approximately the same number, and the game media are input through the respective passages. A medium can be input, and a game medium can be input quickly. Here, in a general gaming machine, a game is started by operating the start operation means after the game medium is inserted, so that the player operates the start operation means in succession to the operation of the input operation means. Therefore, when the insertion operation means is operated, if the insertion of the game medium does not end early, the game is not started even if the start operation means is operated, so a waiting time until the game starts is required. However, the game media can be loaded quickly by distributing the media so that almost the same number of game media pass through a plurality of passages, and the waiting time until the game starts is shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 It can be shorter than the machine and the game can proceed smoothly.
In addition, when the last game medium determined to have started to pass through the passage is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means, it is possible that the game medium is clogged in the passage or the detection means is abnormal. According to the gaming machine 1, the process proceeds to the first process when the last game medium is determined to be completed by the detection determination means, and the first process is performed when the last game medium is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means. Since the process shifts to two processes, the process to be shifted can be made different depending on whether or not the last game medium has been passed. Therefore, when the last game medium has been completely passed, the process can proceed to a process of waiting for the start of the game. When the last game medium has not been completely passed, the process proceeds to a process for notifying a ball jam or an abnormality in the detection means. You can also Therefore, it is possible to reliably distinguish between a state in which a game can proceed normally and a state in which an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.
In addition, when the last game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means among the game media distributed by the distribution means, before the last game medium is determined to have passed by the detection determination means, Since the gate means is controlled so as to prohibit the game medium from passing through the passage, it is possible to reduce the unnecessary insertion of the game medium.
In the gaming machine 1, “injecting game media into the gaming machine” means that game media necessary for starting a game in the gaming machine is inserted and provided in the gaming machine. This includes a case where game media is thrown into a storage unit such as a box or a dish, and a case where the inserted game media is discharged outside the game machine without being stored in the game machine. Here, the outside of the gaming machine is, for example, the back side of the gaming machine, and the inserted game medium is discharged to the back side or the like via a path different from the path connected to the storage means. The detection means provided on the downstream side of the gate means may be provided in the vicinity of the gate means. In the passage where the game medium flows down, it is preferable that the detection means be as close as possible to the gate means because the passage of the game medium can be detected at an early stage. Further, even if the position where the detecting means is provided is in the vicinity of the gate means, at least a predetermined distance is set so that at least the game medium that has passed through the gate means passes stably (in a state where the play of the game medium is small). It is kept and provided.
In the gaming machine 1, the input control means measures a first time that elapses after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow passage of the game medium distributed to the passage by the distribution means. A measuring means capable of measuring a second time that elapses after the game medium distributed by the distribution means is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, and allows the game medium to pass. When the first time elapsed after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means is measured by the measurement means for a first predetermined time or after the game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means. When the elapsed second time is measured by the measuring means for a second predetermined time and by the measuring means the first predetermined time Alternatively, when the passage of the game medium distributed by the distribution means is completed in all the passages other than the passage where the second predetermined time is measured, a third process different from the first process and the second process is performed. 1. A gaming machine 2 characterized by being transferred to.
According to the gaming machine 2, the first time that elapses after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow the passage of the game medium, and the first time that elapses after the game medium is determined to be started by the detection judgment means. Two hours are measured by the measuring means. When the first time is measured by the measuring means for the first predetermined time or when the second time is measured by the measuring means for the second predetermined time, the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured When the passage of the game medium is completed in all the passages other than, the process proceeds to a third process different from the first and second processes. Therefore, the process shifts to a different process depending on whether or not the first predetermined time has passed since the passage of the game medium is permitted, or whether or not the second predetermined time has passed since the game medium started to pass. be able to. Here, when the gate means operates so as to allow the passage of the game medium, the start of the passage of the game medium is not detected for a predetermined time, or the next game for the predetermined time after the start of the passage of the game medium is confirmed. When the passage of the medium cannot be confirmed, there may be a state where there is no game medium in the storage unit or a state where the game medium is clogged in the passage on the upstream side of the detection unit. That is, when the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time elapses, there are unfilled game media in the game media distributed to the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured. According to the gaming machine 2, when the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured and the passage of the game medium is completed in all the passages other than the passage for which the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured, Since the process shifts to a third process different from the first process and the second process, a process for waiting to start a game (normal state), a process for notifying an abnormality (abnormal state), according to the passing situation of the game medium, It is possible to shift to a process corresponding to each state, such as a process of reallocating and inserting game media for which the game has not yet been loaded. Therefore, since the game media can be redistributed while distinguishing between the normal state and the abnormality occurrence state, the number of game media to be inserted into the gaming machine can be reliably inserted. In addition, in the case of shifting to the third process, there is provided an informing means for informing the outside that there is an unfilled game medium, and the player is urged to supply the game medium into the storage means by the informing means. It is good as a thing.
The first predetermined time is a time for checking whether or not the first time that has elapsed since the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow the passage of the game medium has reached the predetermined time. For example, in a state in which the game medium is stored in the storage means, the time from when the gate means operates to allow passage of the game medium until the first game medium starts to pass can be set. In this case, the first predetermined time may be a time sufficiently longer than the time required for the game medium to pass through the detection means in a normal state where no clogging has occurred in the passage upstream from the gate means. By setting a time sufficiently longer than the time required for the game medium to normally pass through the detection means as the first predetermined time, it is possible to reliably distinguish the state in which the game medium has passed and the state in which the game medium has not passed. Further, the second predetermined time is a time for confirming whether or not the second time that has elapsed since the game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, and therefore, for example, the storage means In the state in which the game media are stored, the time from when at least one game media passes through the detection means to when the next game media passes through the detection means can be set. In this case, in a normal state where no clogging has occurred in the passage upstream from the detection means, the time is sufficient for the next game medium to pass through the detection means and be determined to start passing by the detection determination means. A long time may be set as the second predetermined time. A state in which the next game medium starts to pass by setting the second predetermined time as a time sufficiently longer than the time that the next game medium normally passes through the detection means and is determined to be started by the detection determination means. And a state in which the next game medium does not start to pass can be reliably distinguished.
In the gaming machine 2, the gate control means measures the first predetermined time by the measurement means for a first predetermined time after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow passage of the game medium. Or when the second time elapsed after the game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means is measured for a second predetermined time by the measurement means, the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time The gate means is controlled so as to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage whose time is measured by the measuring means, and the allocating means has the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time as the measuring means. The gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage by the measurement by the distribution means. The gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage when it is determined by the detection judgment means that passage of the last game medium has been distributed, If the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to prohibit the passage of the game medium, the passage of the game medium is completed in the passage measured by the measurement means for the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time. 2. A gaming machine 3 characterized in that unfilled game media are redistributed to a passage other than the passage measured by the measuring means for the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time.
According to the gaming machine 3, when the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured, the gate means provided in the passage is controlled by the gate control means to prohibit the passage of the game medium, and the distribution means When the last game medium thus distributed is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to prohibit the passage of the game medium. Thereafter, the game medium for which the game medium has not yet been inserted and has not yet been passed is redistributed by the distribution means to a path other than the path where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured. Therefore, if there is an unfilled amount of game media to be thrown by operating the throwing operation means, the game media is thrown again to the passage other than the passage where the unfilled has occurred. Therefore, it is possible to reliably insert the game medium to be inserted. In addition, since the reassignment to the passage where the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured is not performed, the throwing control in the passage where the game medium cannot pass can be omitted, and the throwing control can be performed efficiently. it can.
In the gaming machine 3, the distribution unit distributes the game media to the plurality of passages, and the uninjected portion is inserted into a passage other than the passage measured by the measurement unit. The gate control unit executes a common process for allowing the game media distributed by the distribution unit and the redistributed game media to pass through. A gaming machine 4 characterized by being executed in the above.
According to the gaming machine 4, at least a part or all of the control processes of the distribution means and the gate control means are executed in a common process for the initially distributed game media and the redistributed game media. Therefore, the program capacity can be reduced accordingly.
In the gaming machine 3 or 4, the measuring unit adds a time value to the value stored in the time storage unit and a time storage unit that stores a value corresponding to the first time or the second time. A game distributed by the distribution means, comprising: addition / subtraction means; and time determination means for determining whether or not the value stored in the time storage means is a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time. A series of processes for determining the start and completion of the passage of the medium by the detection determination means are repeatedly executed, and are stored in the time storage means by the addition / subtraction means while the series of repeatedly executed processes are performed for one cycle. A process of adding or subtracting a predetermined value to or from a value to be determined, and whether or not the value added or subtracted by the addition / subtraction means is a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time Gaming machine 5, characterized in that the process for determining the stage is performed.
According to the gaming machine 5, within a series of processes for determining the start and completion of the passage of the game medium by the detection determination means, the addition or subtraction means adds or subtracts a predetermined value and corresponds to the first or second predetermined time. A process is performed in which the time determination means determines whether or not the stored value is stored in the time storage means. Therefore, during one cycle that is repeatedly executed, addition or subtraction is performed by the addition / subtraction means, and the time determination means determines whether the added or subtracted value corresponds to the first or second predetermined time. The time error with respect to the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time can be reduced, and when the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are measured, the process can be shifted to the third process at an early stage.
In the gaming machine 3 or 4, the measuring unit adds a time value to the value stored in the time storage unit and a time storage unit that stores a value corresponding to the first time or the second time. Addition / subtraction means, time determination means for determining whether or not the value stored in the time storage means is a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time, and the time determination means stores the value in the time storage means. When it is determined that the value to be processed is a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time, a time lapse storage means for storing that fact is stored in the time storage means by the addition / subtraction means. A process for adding or subtracting a predetermined value to or from a value, and a process for determining by the time determination means whether or not the value added or subtracted by the addition / subtraction means is a value corresponding to the first and second predetermined times. , At the time The process of storing in the time lapse storage means that the value stored in the time storage means is determined by the determination means to be a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time is executed at predetermined intervals. The process performed by the detection determination means to determine whether or not the game medium determined to start passing by the detection determination means has been completed by the detection determination means is a value stored in the time storage means. The gaming machine 6 is characterized in that the game machine 6 is performed when the time determination means determines that the value corresponds to the first or second predetermined time is stored in the time passage storage means.
According to the gaming machine 6, within the interrupt process executed at predetermined intervals, a process for adding or subtracting a predetermined value by the addition / subtraction means and a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time is stored in the time storage means. A process for determining by the time determination means whether or not it has been performed, and a process for storing in the time passage storage means that it has been determined that a value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time is stored in the time storage means Is done. Therefore, it is possible to accurately measure that the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time have elapsed, and it is possible to reduce a temporal error with respect to the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time. Further, it is stored in the time lapse storage means that it is determined that the value corresponding to the first or second predetermined time is stored in the time storage means as to whether or not the game medium has been passed. Since the first and second predetermined times are set to be sufficiently longer than the time for the game medium to normally pass through the passage, after the time sufficient for the game medium to normally pass through the passage is passed. Completion of passing of the game medium can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the game medium has passed through the passage.
And have you to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 6, wherein the distributing means comprises: a first distribution means for distributing one for each channel the total number of game media to be passed through the plurality of passages, by its first distribution means A scheduled passage number storage means for storing the scheduled number of game media distributed to each passage for each passage, and the gate control means stores the scheduled number of passages stored in the scheduled passage number storage means. When the passage is equal to or greater than 1, the gate means is controlled to allow game media to pass therethrough, while the passage of the number of game media stored in the passage number storage means passes through the passage. Further, the gaming machine 7 is characterized in that the gate means is controlled to prohibit the passage of game media in the passage.

According to the gaming machine 7 , the total number of game media that pass through the plurality of passages is allocated to each passage by the first distribution means, and this is stored in the scheduled passage number storage means. Then, according to the planned number of passages stored in the planned number of passages storage means, the gate control means controls the gate means for each passage to permit or prohibit the passage of the game medium. Therefore, according to such control, it is possible to distribute a plurality of game media through a plurality of passages almost equally.

And have you to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 6, wherein the sorting means, the total number of game media to be passed through the plurality of passages, a second distributing means for distributing substantially evenly based on the ratio between the total number and the path number And a scheduled passage number storage means for storing the planned number of passages of the game medium distributed to each passage by the second distribution means for each passage, and the gate control means stores the scheduled number of passages. For a passage whose content is one or more, the gate means is controlled to allow the passage of game media through the passage, while the number of game media stored in the passage number storage means passes through the passage. In this case, the gaming machine 8 is characterized in that the gate means is controlled to prohibit the passage of game media in the passage.

According to the gaming machine 8 , the total number of game media that pass through the plurality of passages is distributed almost evenly for each passage based on the ratio between the total number of passages and the number of passages by the second distribution means, and the number of passages is determined. It memorize | stores in a memory | storage means. Therefore, when the total number is divisible by the number of passages, the total number of passages can be allocated to each passage, so that the control burden of the input control means can be reduced. Further, according to the planned number of passages stored in the planned number of passages storage means, the gate control means controls the gate means for each passage to permit or prohibit passage of the game medium. Therefore, according to such control, it is possible to distribute a plurality of game media through a plurality of passages almost equally. Here, in the second distribution means described in the gaming machine 3, based on the ratio of the total number of game media and the number of passages, the game media is divided into each passage based on the result of dividing the total number of game media by the number of passages. It is good also as what distributes every.

And have you either from the gaming machine 1 8, wherein the gate control means, the state of the gate means, in the case of transition from a state of prohibiting the passage of gaming media in a state that allows the passage, the plurality of 8. A gaming machine 9 characterized in that gate means respectively provided corresponding to the passages are operated simultaneously. According to the gaming machine 9 , the gate means provided corresponding to the plurality of passages are simultaneously operated to allow passage of the passage by the game media, so that the introduction of the game media in each passage can be started simultaneously. Can do. Therefore, the game medium can be input quickly.

And have you either from the gaming machine 1 to 9, connecting portion between the plurality of passageways of said storage means, as the main body of the gaming machine as a game medium tends to flow, more body-side passage of the gaming machine In the case where the same number of game media cannot be distributed to the plurality of passages, the number of passages provided on the main body side of the gaming machine is larger. The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that it distributes the game media.

According to the gaming machine 10, when the number of game media distributed to each passage is fractional and the game media cannot be evenly distributed to each passage, the number of passages provided on the main body side of the gaming machine is larger. Game media are distributed. Each passage is formed so as to be inclined lower toward the main body side so that the game medium can easily flow into the main body side of the gaming machine, so that when the number of game media stored in the storage means decreases, A large number of game media can be allocated to a passage through which media can easily flow. Therefore, the game medium can be smoothly inserted.

And have you from the gaming machine 1 in any one of 10, connecting portions between the plurality of passageways of said storage means, as preferentially game media flows relative to the first passage of the plurality of passages, In the case where the one passage is inclined so as to be positioned lower than the other passages, and the distribution means cannot distribute the same number of game media to the plurality of passages, The gaming machine 11 is characterized in that a larger number of game media are allocated to the other passage than the other passages.

According to the gaming machine 11 , when a fraction occurs in the number of game media distributed to each passage, and the game media cannot be equally distributed to each passage, the game medium flows preferentially among the plurality of passages. More game media are distributed to one formed passage. Therefore, when the number of game media stored in the storage means decreases, a large number of game media can be distributed to the passage through which the game media most easily flow, so that the game media can be smoothly inserted.

Here, in the present embodiment, the processing of S813 in FIG. 21 corresponds to the gaming machine and the distribution means of the gaming machine 1 according to claim 1 , and the detection determination of the gaming machine and the gaming machine 1 according to claim 1 22 corresponds to the process of S856 and S859 of FIG. 22. As the gate control means of the gaming machine and the gaming machine 1 according to claim 1, the process of turning on the input solenoid operation flag of S835 of FIG. applicable process for turning off the charged solenoid operated flags S862 of 22, subtraction unit of the game machine 5 is the processing of S871 of FIG. 22 is the case, appropriate processing of S872 in FIG. 22 is a time determining means of the game machine 5 and, as a subtraction means of the game machine 6 applies the processing in S908 of FIG. 30, the time determination unit of the game machine 6 process in S1009 in FIG. 30 corresponds.

1 Revolving game machine using a game ball (game machine)
35 Bet switch (loading operation means)
36 Upper plate (storage means)
52 Input Units 113m1 to 113m3 Scheduled Number Counter (Scheduled Number Storage Unit)
113q1-113q3 throwing game ball counter (part of measuring means, time storage means)
371-373 Guide passage (part of passage)
521a to 521c Input device 522a to 522c Entrance passage (part of passage)
526a to 526c Input passage (part of passage)
527a to 527c discharge passage (part of passage)
530a to 530c input gate member (gate means)
534a to 534c closing solenoid 550a to 550c closing sensor unit (detection means)
1113q1 to 1113q3 throwing game ball timer (part of measuring means, time storage means)
1113u1 to 1113u3 Input time elapsed flag (part of measuring means, time elapsed storage means)

Claims (1)

Storage means for storing a plurality of game media, a plurality of passages that communicate with the storage means and into which the game media flows, and an input operation that is operated to input the game media stored in the storage means into the gaming machine A gaming machine comprising: a means; and a loading control means for performing a control for loading a predetermined number of gaming media loaded by operating the loading operation means into the plurality of passages.
Gate means provided in each of the plurality of passages, and allowing or prohibiting the game medium from passing through the passages;
Detection means provided on the downstream side of the gate means in the passing direction through which the game medium passes through the passage, and capable of detecting the game media passing through the plurality of passages, respectively.
The input control means includes
A distribution unit that distributes a predetermined number of game media to be input by operating the input operation unit, approximately the same number for each passage;
Detection determination means for determining the start and completion of passage of the game media distributed to the passage by the distribution means based on the detection result of the detection means;
When the insertion operation means is operated and the insertion of game media into the passage is started, the gate means is controlled to allow the passage of game media into the passage, and the distribution means controls the passage. When the last game medium assigned to is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, the last game medium starts to pass before the last game medium is determined to have passed by the detection determination means. Gate control means for controlling the gate means to prohibit the passage of the game medium to the passage ,
It is possible to measure a first time that elapses after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means so as to allow the game media distributed to the passage by the distribution means, and the distribution means distributes the game media. Measuring means capable of measuring a second time that elapses after the determined game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means ,
After the last game medium is determined to start passing by the detection determination means, and the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to prohibit the passage of the game medium, the last game medium is detected to the detection determination means. If it is determined that the passage is completed, the process proceeds to the first process, and if the last game medium is not determined to be completed by the detection determination means, the process proceeds to a second process different from the first process .
The first time elapsed after the gate means is controlled by the gate control means to allow passage of the game medium is measured by the measurement means for a first predetermined time or when the game medium is the detection determination means. Other than the passage in which the second time elapsed after the passage start is determined by the measurement means is measured by the measurement means for the second predetermined time, and the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time is measured by the measurement means In all of the passages, when the passage of the game media distributed by the distribution means is completed , the game machine moves to a third process different from the first process and the second process .

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