JP5284411B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a revolving game machine, and other game machines using game media such as game balls and game medals, and in particular, smooth control operations are executed. The present invention also relates to a gaming machine in which a control program can be easily changed.

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

  For example, a stepping motor as a payout motor is connected to the rotation shaft of such a payout rotating body, and the payout motor is intermittently rotated by a predetermined angle (θ). It is supposed to be discharged. The payout operation is controlled by a control command transmitted from the main control board, and is realized by rotating the payout rotating body at a necessary angle and at a necessary angle.

  In addition to such a payout device, the gaming machine is connected to a liquid crystal display, speakers, and a large number of LED lamps, and these need to operate orderly within a limited time. There is a fact that it is required. In addition, game machines such as a ball ball game machine and a slot machine generally have a short product life and need to be upgraded one after another in a short period of time.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and provides a gaming machine equipped with a control program that is devised to operate orderly within a limited amount of time and that can easily change control contents. The task is to do.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention determines whether to maintain or erase the work area information that is backed up when the power is turned off in the initial processing after power-on, and then the work that has been maintained or erased. Based on the area, a gaming machine in which a steady process including a game medium payout operation is started, the 1-byte length of operation information transferred from the fixed storage area to the work area and used, and the operation information There are provided a plurality of data set tables in which the number of 2-byte length information configured with the address information of 1-byte length specifying the transfer destination as a relative address value of the work area is stored as many as specified by the identification data the identification data is either the number of operation information to be transferred, or is data of 1 byte length indicating that the operation information to be transferred there are no more, for the dispensing operation A step counter for storing a number corresponding to the payout amount of one unit of game media, and a motor drive timer which stores a number corresponding to the time required game media to the rotation of the minimum angle of rotation of the paying out payout motor provided the step counter, and / or an initial value of the motor driving the timer is stored in a predetermined data set table as part of a group of motion information, a group of motion information of said given data set table, The step counter and / or the motor drive timer are initialized by being transferred to the work area when the steady process is required.

  The fixed storage area is typically a ROM, while the work area is generally reserved in RAM. Moreover, it is preferable that the operation information includes a flag value indicating the operation state and count information. Here, the count information means, for example, a counter value or a timer value. Generally, the identification data indicates the number of operation information to be transferred, or indicates that there is no more operation information to be transferred. In the former case, the transfer program is realized as shown in FIG. 27, and in the latter case, the transfer program is realized as shown in FIG.

For example, the data set table is configured as shown in FIG. 30, and the number of data to be transferred is stored as identification data at the head of each data set table. In the illustrated example, the operation information is 8-bit data such as a flag value and a timer value, but the address information of the work area to which the operation information is to be transferred is stored in combination. For example, three sets of data 3200H, 375AH, and 45FAH are stored in the data set table (D DSTBL4), and 00H (value of the payout stop flag) is in the area + 32H from the top (TOP) of the work area. Means stored.

  The same applies hereinafter, and 37H (value of the payout retry flag) is stored in the TOP + 5AH address, and 45H (value of the motor stop timer) is stored in the TOP + FAH address. The work area is configured as shown in FIG. 29, for example. In this example, the TOP address is 7F00H. Thus, if the lower 8 bits of the head address of the work area are set to 00H, the transfer program can be simplified as shown in FIG.

  In the case of the data set table configured as shown in FIG. 30, the transfer program (transfer process) is realized as shown in FIG. FIG. 27 shows a program executed by the Z80 CPU. First, the 8 bits of the start address of the work area are loaded into the D register (ST100). As described above, in this example, the start address of the work area is 16 bits long, but the lower 8 bits are 00H.

  Next, the contents of the address indicated by the HL register are loaded into the B register (ST101), and the HL register is incremented (ST102). When this data set process (subroutine) is CALLed, the start address (D DSTBL **) of any data set table (see FIG. 30) is stored in the HL register. , B registers the number of data to be transferred.

  Next, the contents of the address indicated by the HL register are loaded into the E register (ST102), the HL register is incremented again (ST103), and the contents (operation information) of the address indicated by the HL register are loaded into the ACC (ST106). ). Then, the value is transferred to the address indicated by the DE register (ST106). At this stage, since the upper 8 bits of the start address of the work area are stored in the D register and the relative address value from the TOP address is stored in the E register, it is read from the ROM area (data set table). The flag value and counter value thus set are transferred to the corresponding address in the work area.

  Therefore, next, after incrementing the HL register (ST107), the B register is decremented (ST108), and the processes of steps ST102 to ST109 are repeated until the B register becomes zero. With the above processing, the operation information stored in each data set table is transferred to the work area at a necessary timing. As will be described in detail later, the operation information stored in the data set table D DSTBL4 is transferred in the process of step ST93 in FIG. 8B, and the operation information stored in the data set table D DSTBL21 is The operation information transferred in step ST48 of FIG. 10 and stored in the data set table D DSTBL 26 is transferred in steps S5 to S7 of FIG.

The present invention is particularly preferably applied to a ball game machine, and, as described in claim 4, a step counter for storing a numerical value corresponding to a payout amount of one unit of game media, and paying out game media A motor drive timer for storing a numerical value corresponding to a time required for rotation of the minimum rotation angle of the payout motor, and the initial value of the step counter and / or the motor drive timer is transferred by the transfer process. Is preferred. In this case, the design of the rotational operation of the motor (high-speed rotation / low-speed rotation, arbitrary rotation angle) can be arbitrarily changed. Note that the game medium is typically a game ball used in a ball game machine or a medal used in a spinning game machine.

  Further, the total number TOTAL of game media to be paid out is given by the relational expression of TOTAL = a × N + b in relation to the reference number N (b <N), and the payout amount of one unit is N or b. It is typically set. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and is given by a relational expression of TOTAL = a × N1 + b × N2..., And a plurality of reference numbers N1, N2. It is also suitable to have. For example, if the reference number is 5, 10, or 15, a total of 105 game media are paid out as 15 × 6 + 10 + 5. In addition, said coefficient a, b, c, ... contains zero.

  Further, all game media may be paid out at once by the rotation operation of the motor for one unit. In this case, 1 unit = the number of game media TOTAL to be paid out. Conversely, one unit of payout may be one game medium.

  In addition, as described in claim 5, an initial state in which a game medium payout operation is not started, an operating state in which a game medium payout operation is in progress, and a game medium payout for one unit are performed. A gaming machine that is provided with a finished finish state, and that circulates by managing the three states according to the value of the prize ball flag, the value of the prize ball flag being changed by the transfer process when necessary In this case, a complicated operation can be smoothly realized.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 6, the non-drive state (00H) of the payout motor for paying out the game medium, the operation state (5AH) in which the payout motor is in the drive state, and the drive state of the payout motor are temporarily stopped. A stop state (A5H) to be controlled, and the three states are controlled by the value of the payout motor flag and circulated, and the value of the payout motor flag is changed by the transfer process when necessary In this case, a complicated operation can be smoothly realized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine equipped with a control program that is devised to operate in an orderly manner within a limited time and that can easily change control contents.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The peripheral circuit (a) of the payout control board and the operation principle (b) of the stepping motor are illustrated. 1 schematically illustrates the structure of a dispensing device. It is drawing explaining the payout operation | movement by a payout apparatus. It is a time chart explaining the payout operation by the payout device. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a payout control board. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine (a) of a payout control board, a reception interruption routine (b), a timer interruption routine (c), and an NMI routine (d). It is a flowchart explaining command analysis processing. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball process. It is a flowchart explaining a prize ball detection process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor process. It is a flowchart explaining a payout error process. It is a flowchart explaining a motor drive start process (a) and a motor drive process (b). It is a flowchart explaining the motor stop process (a) and the motor retry process (b). It is a flowchart explaining a data output process. It is a flowchart explaining backup restoration processing. It is drawing explaining a prize ball flag and a payout hotter flag. It is a time chart explaining a motor retry process. This is a summary of the normal prize ball payout process. This is a summary of prize ball payout processing when the number of payouts is insufficient or when a payout restart command is received. This is a summary of prize ball payout processing after power is turned on. This is a summary of error handling. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is the flowchart and program explaining the data set process which implement | achieves a transfer process. It is a flowchart explaining another data set process. It illustrates the contents of the work area. A part of the data set table is illustrated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.

  The illustrated pachinko machine includes a main control board 1 that mainly controls game operations, a symbol control board 2 that controls the operation of the display device 8, a voice control board 3 that realizes a voice game effect, and lamps. Lamp control board 4 for flashing operation, payout control board 5 for paying out game balls, launch control board 6 for launching game balls under the control of the payout control board 5, and receiving AC24V, direct voltage is applied to each part of the device The power supply board 7 to be supplied is mainly configured.

  As shown in the figure, backup power is supplied from the power supply board 7 to the main control board 1 and the payout control board 5 in order to maintain the stored contents of the RAM area even after the power is shut off. The main control board 1 and the payout control board 5 are supplied with a RAM clear signal RAMCLR that clears the RAM of each control board to zero in response to an operator's switch operation.

The main control board 1, the symbol control board 2, the voice control board 3, the lamp control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each composed of a computer circuit having a one-chip microcomputer, and the sub control boards 2 to 5 are the main control boards. Individual control operations are realized based on control commands from the control board 1. In the case of this embodiment, the control command is composed of MODE data indicating the type of command and EVENT data for specifying specific contents, each having an 8-bit length.

  The control command transmitted from the main control board 1 to the payout control board 5 includes an award ball number designation command (MODE data = 8 AH) for instructing the number of game balls to be paid out, and an operation for instructing stop / restart of the payout operation. The designated command (MODE data = 9AH) is roughly classified, and the prize ball number designation command (= 8AxxH) designates the number of prize balls by EVENT data (= xxH). On the other hand, a payout stop command (= 9A11H) and a payout restart command (= 9A12H) are prepared as the operation designation commands.

  In this embodiment, at the start of operation, the main control board 1 always transmits a payout stop command or a payout restart command to the payout control board 5. The payout stop command is transmitted when an error state is detected at the start of operation on the main control board. Specifically, when the lower plate is full, and the supply of the game ball is interrupted. This is the case. In this embodiment, at the start of operation on the main control board 1 (and the payout control board 5), a payout stop command or a payout restart command is transmitted to the payout control board 5, and in response to this, the payout control board 5 The game ball payout rotating body is accurately aligned, which will be described later.

  The payout stop command is transmitted from the main control board 1 to the payout control board 5 not only at the start of the operation, but also when the lower plate is full or the supply of game balls is interrupted during the subsequent game operation. Is done. The payout control board 5 that has received the payout stop command immediately stops the payout operation of the game ball even if the payout operation is in progress, and then waits in that state until receiving a payout restart command. ing.

  As will be described later, in the case of the present embodiment, the game ball passage leading to the payout rotating body RO (FIG. 3) is divided into two on the left and right. Therefore, in this embodiment, the main control board 1 grasps the supply state of the game balls separately on the left and right sides, and outputs a payout stop command to the payout control board 5 if either one is out of supply. I am doing so. However, it is not particularly limited to this configuration, and a payout stop command may be output only when both the left and right passages are out of supply. Alternatively, the supply state of the game ball may be grasped overall on the source side of the supply path of the game ball, and the payout stop command may be output only when the supply is completely stopped.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a peripheral circuit of the payout control board 5. As shown in the figure, the payout control board 5 not only has a power supply voltage (including a backup power supply) from the power supply board 7, but also a command signal RAMCLR for clearing the RAM of the payout control board 5 (one-chip microcomputer), It receives an NMI (non maskable interrupt) signal, a power supply reset signal SYSRST, etc. accompanying the drop. The payout control board 5 is also connected to the prepaid card unit 22 and transmits and receives various control signals (BRDY, BRQ, EXS, PRDY) related to the ball lending operation. The ball lending information signal is output to the outside. The payout control board 5 receives the DC voltage 18v from the prepaid card unit 22, and permits the operation of the launch control board 6 on condition that the voltage value can be normally received.

  The payout control board 5 needs to pay out a predetermined number of game balls as a winning ball accompanying a winning game ball or as a rental ball that is liquidated with a prepaid card. Therefore, the four-phase drive pulse data Φ1 to Φ4 are output to the payout motor M as the stepping motor, and the game balls to be paid out as the payout motor M rotates are changed to the left and right prize ball counting switches RSW1 and LSW1 or left and right. The ball rental counting switches RSW2 and LSW2 are used for detection. 2A, the signals of the left and right prize ball counting switches RSW1 and LSW1 are also transmitted to the main control board 1.

  FIG. 3 illustrates the payout motor M and its peripheral members. As shown in the drawing, the payout rotating body RO connected to the rotating shaft of the payout motor M is formed with holding grooves on the left and right that can hold six game balls. Along with the rotation of the payout rotating body RO, the game balls held in the holding groove are alternately released downward from the left and right one by one. In this embodiment, however, the driving data Φ1 that changes every 18 mS is normal. .About..PHI.4 is output in four steps (the payout rotating body RO is rotated by 30.degree.) To pay out one game ball (see FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 3, prize ball counting switches RSW 1 and LSW 1 and ball lending counting switches RSW 2 and LSW 2 are provided in the downstream passage of the payout rotating body RO. Also, a payout operation switching lever LE is arranged, and by being guided by the payout switching lever LE, the game ball passes through either a prize ball counting switch or a ball lending counting switch. The payout switching lever LE switches the posture in accordance with the ON / OFF operation of the payout switching solenoid shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 shows that the left and right prize ball counting switches RSW1, LSW1 pass the game ball. The prize ball operation state to be detected is illustrated. Note that the signals of the left and right prize ball counting switches RSW1, LSW1 (and the ball rental counting switches RSW2, LSW2) are transmitted to the payout control board 5, and the necessary number of ball rental operations and prize ball operations are managed.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the internal configuration of the payout control board 5. As shown in the figure, the payout control board 5 includes an input buffer 10 that receives a control command from the main control board, a comparator group 11 that receives a switch signal from a prize ball and a ball lending counter, a first input port 13, and a first input port 13. A two-input port 12, a one-chip microcomputer 14 incorporating a Z80 CPU equivalent, a decoder 15 for generating a chip select signal of an input / output port, a first output port 16, a second output port 17, and a first output port A transistor group (open collector) 18 that supplies a drive signal received from 16 to a payout motor M is mainly configured.

  In this embodiment, the input buffer 10 and the first and second input ports 12 and 13 are constituted by 74541 equivalent bus buffers, and the decoder is constituted by 74138 equivalents. The output ports 16 and 17 are 74273 equivalent D-type flip-flops.

As shown in the figure, the signals from the left and right prize ball counting switches SW1 (R, L) are supplied to bit0, bit1 of the first input port 13, and the left and right ball lending counting switches SW2 (R) are supplied to bit2, bit3. , L). In addition, the bit4, the signal from the abnormality release switch ER _S that is manually operated is supplied, the RAM clear signal RAMCLR from power supply board 7 is supplied to bit5. Control signals BRDY and BRQ from the prepaid card unit 22 are supplied to the bits 6 to 7 of the first input port 13.

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

From the bit 3 to bit 0 of the first output port 16, drive pulse data of (Φ4, Φ3, Φ2, Φ1) = 0101 → 0110 → 1010 → 1001 → 0101 →. (See FIG. 5). Further, the bit4 of the first output port outputs the LED driving signal to the error notification lamp ER _L, from bit7, clear signal of the watchdog timer circuit (not shown) are outputted at predetermined time intervals .

  On the other hand, from bit0 of the second output port 17, a switching signal is output to the switching solenoid when the posture of the switching lever LE is switched. Further, a ball rental information signal for external output is output from bit 3 of the second output port 17, and control signals PRDY and EXS are output to the prepaid card unit 22 from bits 6 and 7.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a program executed by the payout control board 5 shown in FIG. The operation of the payout control board 5 can be outlined as follows: a main routine (FIG. 7A) that is started after the power is turned on and is repeated in an infinite loop, and an interrupt processing routine that is activated by a strobe signal STB from the main control board 1 (FIG. 7 (b)), a timer interrupt routine (FIG. 7 (c)) started every fixed time (2 mS), and a non-maskable state started by receiving an NMI signal from the power supply board 7 when the power supply voltage drops. And an NMI routine (FIG. 7D).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, in the reception interrupt routine, a control command is acquired from the first input port 12, and this is stored in the command buffer area of the RAM, and the process ends (ST100). Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the timer interrupt routine, the interrupt confirmation flag is rewritten to 5AH, and the process ends (ST200). The value of this interrupt confirmation flag is checked in step ST10 of the main routine, and the processing of the main routine proceeds on condition that this value is 5AH. That is, in the interrupt waiting process (ST10) of the main routine, the process waits until the interrupt confirmation flag becomes 5AH, and when it becomes 5AH, the interrupt confirmation flag is rewritten to 00H, and then the process proceeds to step ST11. Therefore, the processes after ST11 are repeatedly executed every 2 ms.

  As shown in FIG. 7D, in the NMI routine, after the register value is saved (ST301), the value of the stack pointer SP is saved in the RAM storage area (ST302). Next, a control command is input from the second input port 12, and if it is a new control command, it is stored in the command buffer area of the RAM (ST303). After that, 5AH is stored in the backup flag BAKFLG to indicate that the minimum processing is completed (ST304), and then the checksum value (8-bit length) of the RAM area is calculated and stored in the corresponding area (ST305). Finally, the one-chip microcomputer is set to a RAM access prohibited state (ST305), and the infinite loop process is executed to wait for the power supply voltage to be cut off (ST306).

  Based on the above operation, the operation content of the main routine (FIG. 7A) will be described. When the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 7 and the system reset signal SYSRST is supplied, the CPU is set to the interrupt disabled state (ST1), and then the initial setting of each part of the one-chip microcomputer 14 is performed (ST2). Next, based on the data from the first input port 13, it is checked whether or not the RAM clear signal is supplied from the power supply board 7 (ST3). In this embodiment, when the pachinko hall is in operation, especially when the staff operates the RAM clear switch of the power supply board 7 to turn on, the RAM clear signal RAMCLR is supplied. Normally, the RAM clear signal is not supplied.

  If the RAM clear signal is not supplied, the value of the backup flag BAKFLG stored in the processing of step ST304 of the NMI routine is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, next, step ST305 of the NMI routine is performed. The checksum value stored in the above process is confirmed (ST5). If the sum value calculated in the main routine matches the sum value stored in the NMI routine, the backup restoration process is executed and the process returns to the process before the backup process (ST19).

Specifically, the backup recovery processing is as shown in FIG. First, step ST30
The value of the stack pointer SP backed up in the process 2 is returned (ST400), and the post-return payout stop flag and the return state flag are set to 5AH (ST401). Further, the backup confirmation flag is cleared to 00H to indicate that the return processing is completed, and the storage area of the stack pointer SP is cleared to zero (ST401). Thereafter, the register value is restored (ST402), and the state before execution of the NMI processing is restored.

  By the way, the control command (payout stop command or payout restart command) transmitted from the main control board 1 until the return state flag is cleared to 00H because the return state flag is set to 5AH by the process of step ST401. Is stored in a special command buffer area for return instead of the normal command buffer. The return state flag set to 5AH is cleared to zero when the payout stop command or the payout restart command is stored in the return command buffer area.

  The case where the RAM clear switch is not turned on when the power is turned on has been described above. Returning to FIG. 7, the description of the main routine will be continued. When the staff member turns on the RAM clear switch at the time of business disclosure, and when the power supply voltage drops before the NMI routine ends normally, the RAM area of the one-chip microcomputer 14 is cleared to zero (ST7). . It should be noted that the drop in the power supply voltage until the NMI routine ends normally is detected by BAKFLG ≠ 5AH or a checksum error. In such a case, normal backup recovery is considered impossible. Therefore, the RAM area is cleared to zero.

  Thereafter, 5AH is set in the payout stop flag (ST8), and the CPU is returned to the interrupt enabled state (ST9). The setting of the payout stop flag in step ST8 is closely related to the alignment operation of the payout motor M described later.

  Subsequently, the processes in steps ST10 to ST18 are repeated in an infinite loop, and the infinite loop processes in ST11 to ST18 are executed at regular intervals (2 mS) by the interrupt wait process (ST10) described above. In the infinite loop process, first, a switch input signal is acquired through the first input port 13 (ST11). This is a process for confirming whether or not the game ball has been paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M. Subsequently, a subtraction process (-1) of an 8-bit or 16-bit timer is performed (ST12). Note that one unit time of the subtraction timer means 2 mS by executing the infinite loop process every 2 mS.

  When the timer subtraction process is completed, the control command obtained by the reception interrupt process is analyzed (ST13). As shown in FIG. 8A, the command analysis process is divided into a command analysis process (ST85 to ST88) at the time of backup restoration and a command analysis process (ST89 to ST90) at the normal time. It is executed every time.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the command analysis process, first, the value of the command buffer for return is acquired (ST85). As described above with reference to FIG. 16, in the backup return state, the first control command (payout stop command or payout resume command) transmitted from the main control board 1 is stored in the return command buffer. . As described above, the main control board 1 first transmits a payout restart command to the payout control board 5 at the time of power-on, unless an error state relating to a game ball is detected, including at the time of backup recovery. . However, if the power is cut off during the transmission of the prize ball number designation command, the prize ball number designation command is exceptionally transmitted. On the other hand, if it is detected that the lower plate is full or the game ball is out of supply, the main control board 1 first transmits a payout stop command.

The payout stop command or payout resume command is detected from the command buffer for return when recovering from a power failure or when the staff does not operate the RAM clear switch when the power is turned on. When the payout restart command is detected, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, and the motor stop timer is set to 250 (ST87a). Further, the payout stop flag and the post-return payout stop flag are cleared to 00H (ST87a).

  The payout operation is enabled by clearing the payout stop flag and the payout stop flag after return. However, when the payout retry flag is 5 AH, the payout motor is rotated slowly until one game ball is paid out. The operation status mode (FIG. 11B) is set. In addition, since the motor stop timer is set to 250, the motor is maintained in the stopped state by 500 mS (= 250 × 2) prior to the payout of the game ball by the retry operation. Here, the stopped state of the motor means that the same drive pulses (Φ1 to Φ4) are continuously supplied to the stepping motor M, and that the stepping motor M is in a non-driven state (all transistor groups 18 are OFF). Are distinguished.

  On the other hand, if a payout stop command is detected from the return command buffer as a result of the determination in step ST86, the payout stop flag is set to 5AH, and the post-return payout stop flag is cleared (ST87b). Then, when any of the processes of steps ST87a and ST87b is executed, the value of the command buffer for return is cleared to zero (ST88).

  As described with reference to FIG. 16, the command buffer for return is used only when the return status flag is 5AH. This return status flag indicates that the command buffer for return is used even once. Since it is cleared, the process of steps ST87 to ST88 is always skipped after the process of either step ST87a or ST87b is executed.

  Therefore, thereafter, analysis processing (ST89, ST90) of the newly received control command is performed every 2 mS. Specifically, when the validity of the newly received control command is confirmed (ST89), the EVENT data which is the lower 8 bits of the control command is checked (ST90).

  FIG. 8B illustrates the contents of the event check process (ST90). First, it is determined whether or not the newly received control command is a payout restart command (S91). Here, when the payout restart command is detected, the RAM clear switch is operated to turn on the power, or the backup operation is incomplete when the power is cut off, and an abnormal situation relating to the game ball occurs. If not.

  In such a case, the value of the payout stop flag that defines whether or not the payout operation should be stopped is determined (ST92). If the payout operation is possible, the payout stop flag = 00H, the payout retry flag. = 5AH and motor stop timer = 250 are set (ST93).

  Since the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, the retry operation status mode (FIG. 11 (b)) in which the payout motor rotates slowly until one game ball is paid out is set. In addition, since the motor stop timer is set to 250, the motor is maintained in the stop state by 500 mS (= 250 × 2) prior to the payout of the game ball by this retry operation. This is the same as the case where the operation of the gaming machine is started after the backup return processing (S19).

  If the determination in step ST91 is no, it is determined whether the newly received control command is a payout stop command (ST94). If the payout stop command has been received, the value of the payout stop flag is determined (ST95). If it is 00H, the payout stop flag is set to 5AH to stop the payout operation (ST96).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step ST94, if the newly received control command is a prize ball number designation command that defines the number of game balls to be paid out, the newly designated prize ball is displayed in the total prize ball number counter. A number is added (ST97). As described above, the total number of game balls to be paid out from the gaming machine is sequentially updated based on the received control command by the command analysis process (ST13) (ST97).

  Hereinafter, returning to FIG. 7, the description of the main routine will be continued. After performing the communication process with the prepaid card unit 22 (ST14) and the ball lending process (ST15) cleared by the prepaid card, the prize ball process ( ST16), motor processing (ST17), and data output processing (ST18) are performed, and the processing returns to step ST10.

  The motor process (ST17) is a preparation process for rotating the payout motor M. Specifically, drive data (Φ1 to Φ4) for the payout motor M is generated and stored in the work area MOOUT. On the other hand, the data output process (ST18) is a process for outputting various data including the drive data from the first and second output ports 16 and 17. The prize ball process (ST16) is a process for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out. The number of prize balls is determined based on the value of the total prize ball counter updated by the command analysis process (ST13), and data output is performed. The payout motor M is rotated by the process (ST18), and the operation end timing of the payout motor is determined with reference to the payout state of the game ball grasped by the data input process (ST11).

  Prior to the description of the prize ball processing (ST16) and the motor processing (ST17), the data output processing (ST18) will be described based on FIG. In the data output process, first, motor drive data prepared in the motor process (specifically, ST68 in FIG. 11) is acquired from the MOOUT address (ST70). Note that the motor drive data is binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001, and when these are output as shown in FIG. 5, the payout motor M rotates. In this embodiment, normally, the rotation time of one step of the payout motor M is set to 18 mS, and the payout motor M rotates 30 degrees by the output of the data drive data for 4 steps to pay one game ball. It is set to be issued. Note that the rotation time of one step of the dispensing motor M is managed by a motor drive timer, and the rotation time of 18 mS for one step corresponds to nine timer interruptions. Is set to 9.

In any case, if motor drive data is prepared in the B register by the process of step ST70, it is determined whether the LED flag is set to 5AH (ST71). The LED flag is a flag for turning on the error notification lamp ER _L (see FIG. 6) when the abnormal state of the payout operation continues for a predetermined time (22.4 seconds). Therefore, if the LED flag is 5AH, bit 4 of the B register is set to 1 (ST73).

Next, bit 7 of the B register is set to 1 (ST73), and the value of the B register is output to the first output port 16 (ST74). As a result, the payout motor M is outputted drive data, error notification lamp ER _L is turned on or off. Further, since bit 7 of the B register is output to the watchdog timer, after time consumption processing (ST75), bit7 is returned to zero and is output again from the first output port 16 (ST7). Although the watchdog timer is cleared to zero by this operation, if the data output process (ST18) that should be executed every 2 ms is not executed due to the program runaway, the CPU is forced to operate based on the operation of the watchdog timer circuit. Will be reset.

In any case, following the processing of step ST76, the switching solenoid flag, the ball lending signal flag, the PRDY flag, and the EXE flag are referred to, and data in which the corresponding bit is set is output to the second output port 17 (ST78). As a result of this operation, in some cases, a ball lending information signal is output to the outside, and the attitude of the switching lever LE (FIG. 3) is changed. The PRDY signal and the EXE signal are control signals output to the prepaid card unit 22.

  While the main routine shown in FIG. 7 has been schematically described above, the winning ball process (ST16) and the motor process (ST17) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9, in the prize ball process, it is first determined whether or not a prize ball is detected (ST20). The payout of the prize ball may occur when the payout motor M rotates one step due to the data output process (ST18). If there is a payout, it is acquired as switch edge data by the process of step ST11. In this embodiment, bit 0 of the switch edge data represents the detection state of the left prize ball counting switch, and bit 1 represents the detection state of the right prize ball counting switch (see FIG. 6).

  The specific contents of the winning ball detection process (ST20) are as shown in FIG. 10, and the left and right winning ball data (bit 0 and bit 1 of the switch edge data) are acquired in the variable D1, and 2 is set in the B register ( ST40). Next, the contents of bit0 of the switch edge data are moved to the carry flag CY by shifting the variable D1 to the right by 1 bit (ST41).

  If CY = 1, it means that the left prize ball counting switch is ON, but at this stage, since the rotation of the payout motor has not started, CY = 0 should have been assumed. Therefore, the value of the B register is decremented by -1 (ST49 to ST50), and the variable D1 is further shifted to the right by 1 bit (ST41). If CY = 1 at this stage, it means that the right prize ball counting switch is ON, but at this stage, since the rotation of the payout motor has not started, CY = 0 should have been assumed. Accordingly, the prize ball detection process is completed through the processes of steps ST49 to ST50.

  On the other hand, after rotation of the dispensing motor M is started, CY = 1 may be obtained in the determination of step ST42. In this case, the contents of the prize ball flag are checked (ST43). The prize ball flag is one of the flags for managing the payout operation of the present embodiment, and is initially 00H. However, when the payout number for one unit (25 or less) is set in the payout remaining number counter, 5AH (ST27 to ST29 in FIG. 9). When the payout for one unit is completed and the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, the value of the prize ball flag is changed to A5H (ST48 in FIG. 10), and then immediately returned to the initial state 00H (FIG. 9). ST31).

  Therefore, since the prize ball flag is 00H at the beginning, the payout detection flag is set to 5AH corresponding to the prize ball counting switch being ON, and the payout remaining number counter is decremented by 1 (ST45 to 46). ). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout remaining number counter is zero (ST47). If it is zero, the payout motor flag and the prize ball flag are changed to A5H (ST48). The payout motor flag is a flag for determining whether or not the payout motor M is in a driving state, and changes almost in conjunction with the prize ball flag.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, initially, the payout motor flag is 00H, but is set to 5AH when the payout number for one unit (25 or less) is set in the payout remaining number counter. (ST27 to ST29 in FIG. 9). When the payout for one unit is completed and the value of the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, it is changed to A5H (ST48 in FIG. 10). Thereafter, if the payout operation continues, the prize ball flag is set to zero (ST31), and then returned to 5AH when the payout number for one unit is set in the payout remaining number counter (ST27 to ST29). ). On the other hand, when the payout operation is completed by paying out all the prize balls without any shortage, the value is returned to 00H (S27, S40 in FIG. 14).

  In this embodiment, the payout motor flag defines whether the payout motor M is driven or not driven. If the payout motor flag is 5AH or A5H, the motor drive state is set to 00H. If there is, it becomes a non-driving state. Here, the motor drive state means that significant drive data (any one of binary numbers 0101, 0110, 1010, and 1001) is output to the first output port 16, and the non-drive state means the first This means that the binary number 0000 is output to the output port 16. When the binary number 0000 is output to the first output port 16, all the open collector type transistor groups 18 are turned off, and the payout motor M is in a free rotation state (see FIG. 6).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the payout motor flag and the prize ball flag are A5H, it is a state in which payout of one unit of game balls has been completed. Therefore, after the process of step ST48 shown in FIG. 10, it is impossible that CY = 1 in the determination of step ST41. In the event that a payout is detected with the prize ball flag = A5H or 00H (CY = 1), after the original payout has been completed, an extra prize ball has been accidentally paid out based on the weight of the game ball, etc. Can be considered a thing.

  Therefore, when the winning ball flag is A5H or 00H and CY = 1, the payout retry flag is set to 5AH (ST44). The payout retry flag is a flag for changing the operation state of the operation status = 0 to the operation status = 3 (S1 in FIG. 13). Thereafter, the motor is turned off until the first game ball is detected. Rotate very slowly (9/350 times in the example). As long as the game ball is accidentally paid out, the stop position of the payout motor is considered to be deviated from the original position. Therefore, the game ball is corrected to the original position.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the original stop position of the payout motor M, and shows a state immediately before the game ball is paid out (FIG. 4A) and a state where the game ball has been paid out. In this embodiment, since the payout motor is designed to rotate by 7.5 degrees in one step, when the driving data advances by one, the state shown in FIG. 4 (a) is changed to FIG. 4 (b). Transition to the state. Then, from the state shown in FIG. 4B in which the left and right game balls are paid out, when the operation further proceeds by 4 steps, the left and right game balls are paid out. That is, the state of FIG. 4B is considered to be a state in which the game balls on the left and right sides are least likely to be paid out accidentally due to their own weight or the like.

  In view of this point, in the present embodiment, the state shown in FIG. 4B after the game ball has been paid out is set to the stop position (home position) of the payout motor. However, with the subsequent operation of the payout motor, the home position may shift in the clockwise direction due to a problem with the device accuracy, or may shift in the counterclockwise direction due to a problem with the device accuracy or the weight of the game ball.

  Therefore, insufficient payout of game balls (usually thought to be due to a clockwise shift of the home position) or excessive payout of game balls (usually considered to be due to a counterclockwise shift of the home position) If it occurs, the operation status is changed to 3 (see S5 in FIG. 13), and the next payout operation, the payout motor M is turned on by 7.5 degrees until the first game ball is paid out. Rotate slowly to correct the home position shift (retry process).

  Hereinafter, the prize ball process of FIG. 9 will be described. After the prize ball detection process (ST20), first, the value of the prize ball flag is checked (ST21). When the driving of the payout motor is not started, the prize ball flag is 00H (FIG. 17), and the value of the total prize ball counter updated in the data input process (ST11) is acquired in the variable D1 ( ST22). If the variable D1 is D1 ≠ 0, the maximum value 25 of the number of payouts for one unit is stored in the variable D2, and the variable D2 is subtracted from the variable D1 (ST24).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the subtraction result is negative (ST25). If negative, the value of the total prize ball counter is stored in the variable D2, and the variable D1 is set to zero (ST26). Thereafter, the value of the variable D2 is stored in the payout remaining number counter, and the value of the variable D1 is stored in the total winning ball number counter (ST27, ST28). As a result of the above processing, if the total number N of winning balls is N> 25, the maximum payout number 25 for one unit is set in the payout remaining number counter, and the total number of winning balls is updated to N-25. Is done. On the other hand, if the total number N of winning balls is N <25 at the start of the winning ball processing, the value N is set in the payout remaining number counter, and the total number of winning balls is zero. Note that the initial value of the payout remaining number counter set in the process of step ST27 is usually any of 5, 10, 25.

  Thereafter, the award ball flag and the payout motor flag are set to 5AH and the award ball processing ends (ST29), but the award ball flag set to 5AH is changed to A5H in the processing of step ST48 of FIG. Since the value is maintained, in the next prize ball process, the process proceeds from step ST21 to step ST30, and the prize ball process is completed only by performing the prize ball detection process. Thereafter, when the prize ball flag is changed to A5H, the prize ball flag is returned to 00H by the process of step ST31. In the next prize ball process (ST16), the processes of steps ST22 to ST29 in FIG. Will be executed.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating the specific contents of the motor processing (ST17). In the motor process, a payout error process (ST60) is first executed. The payout error processing, or to turn on the error indicator lamp ER _L, a preparation process for starting the retry process, the specific contents are as shown in FIG. 12. In the payout error process, first, the payout error flag is checked, and if it is set to 5AH, the value of bit4 of the data (switch edge data) acquired in the data input process (ST11) is determined (S81).

Payout error flag is a flag indicating that there was no payout of even prize balls repeatedly retry processing 32 times, is set to 5AH in the process of step S80 with LED flag indicating the lighting of the error notification lamp ER _L Yes. Further, bit4 switch edge data shows ON / OFF state of the error recovery switch ER _S corresponds to bit4 of the first input port 13 (FIG. 6). Then, the abnormal release switch ER _S are those attendant to correspond to the lighting of the abnormality notifying lamp ER _L is turned ON by a manual operation after eliminating the abnormal condition related to payout motor M.

  Therefore, when the payout error flag is 5AH, it just waits for the abnormality release switch to be turned ON, and when the ON operation is confirmed by the determination in steps S81 and S82, the payout error flag and the LED flag are returned to 00H. The retry counter, the winning ball counting counter (two), and the ball lending counting counter (two) are cleared. Also, 250 is set in the motor stop timer, and 5 AH is set in the payout retry flag.

  The motor stop timer is for stopping the payout motor in a driving state prior to rotating the motor (see ST65 and ST68 in FIG. 11). Even after the ON operation is performed, the payout motor is driven in a stopped state for 0.5 seconds (the same drive data is continuously output). Therefore, by closing the opened gaming machine for repairing an abnormal situation, the stop position of the motor does not shift even if strong vibration is applied to the payout motor M. Further, when the payout retry flag is set to 5AH, the retry process is started after the repair is completed, and the payout motor M is correctly set to the home position.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S70 that the payout error flag is not 5AH, the value of the retry counter is checked (S71). The retry counter is counted up every time a game ball is not detected even after retrying for one step (S31 to S33 in FIG. 14). Then, as shown in the last row of FIG. 18, when a game ball is not detected even after repeating the retry process 32 times, the payout error flag and the LED flag are set to 5AH. As a result of this operation, thereafter, the error notification lamp is turned on (ST72 to 74 in FIG. 15), and the driving operation of the payout motor is canceled (S62 to S63 in FIG. 11). As described above, this state is canceled by turning on the abnormality release switch.

  If it is determined in step S71 that the value of the retry counter is less than 32, the information of the prize ball counting switch and the ball lending count switch acquired in the process of step ST11 is determined based on the switch edge data, The counting counters of the winning ball counting switch and the left and right ball lending counting switch are incremented by 1 (S74 to S79). Although four counting counters are prepared, the number of game balls detected in one data input process (ST11) is one in a normal state, so the counter is counted up by one payout error process. Is one.

  As described above, on the condition that there is no payout error, the counter value of either one of the counter counters for the left and right prize ball counting switches (two) or the counter counter for the left and right ball lending counter switches (two) is incremented by +1 (S74 to S79). As is clear from the structure of the payout rotating body RO shown in FIG. 3, for example, in a prize ball operation, after the left prize ball counting switch detects a game ball, the right prize ball counting switch (usually after 4 × 18 mS) Should detect a game ball (see FIGS. 4 and 5). That is, it is impossible that one prize ball switch continuously detects a game ball.

  However, one prize ball counting switch is continuously connected because the left and right game ball passages leading to the left and right prize ball counting switches are clogged, or one of the left and right prize ball counting switches is disconnected. It is also possible to detect a game ball. Therefore, in this embodiment, when one of the left and right prize ball counting switches detects a game ball, the count counter value for the other prize ball counting switch is set to zero, and the number of game balls in which the prize ball counting switch continues. Is detected (S75, S77). By this operation, in the normal state, both the count counters for the left and right award ball count switches (two) and the count counters for the left and right ball lending count switches (two) are all zero at the end of the payout error process.

  On the other hand, at the time of abnormality, a count counter that does not return to zero remains at the end of the payout error process. Normally, the clogging of the game ball passage communicating with the prize ball counting switch is naturally resolved. Therefore, when 25 game balls are continuously detected by one prize ball counting switch, the other prize ball count is counted. The switch is most likely broken. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the count value of the count counter exceeds 25, it is determined that a fatal trouble has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S80 (S75).

  Returning to FIG. 11, when the payout error process (ST60) ends, the contents of the MOOUT address storing the motor output data are cleared (ST61), the payout stop flag, the post-return payout stop flag, and the payout error flag. It is determined whether or not all of these are zero (ST62 to 63). When the power is turned on or when the power is restored, the payout stop flag and the payout stop flag after return are set to 5AH (ST8, ST401), so the motor output data remains binary 0000 (see ST61) and data output Regardless of the process (ST18), the payout motor M is not driven. This is the same when the payout error flag is 5AH.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST63 that there is no error, the value of the payout motor flag is checked, and unless it is zero, the value of the motor stop timer is checked (ST64, ST65). The value of the motor stop timer is decremented by 1 every 2 mS by the timer subtraction process (ST12). Until this value becomes zero, the payout motor continues to be driven in a stopped state (ST68).

  When the value of the motor stop timer is zero, the motor drive start process (ST67a), the motor drive process (ST67b), the motor stop process (ST67c), and the motor retry process according to the value of the operation status at that time After any of (ST67d) is executed, motor drive data is selected according to the position of the payout motor M determined by these processes, and stored in the MOOUT address.

  In this embodiment, the position of the dispensing motor M is managed from 0 to 3 (see FIG. 5). For example, motor drive data (0101, 0110, 1010, 1001) is output according to the motor position (0, 1, 2, 3), respectively.

  13 to 14 illustrate specific contents of the motor drive start process (ST67a), the motor drive process (ST67b), the motor stop process (ST67c), and the motor retry process (ST67d). Since the operation status is 0 in the initial state, the motor drive start process shown in FIG. 13A is executed.

  In the motor drive start process, the value of the payout retry flag is checked (S1). If the payout retry flag is not equal to 5AH, the value of the payout remaining number counter is multiplied by 4 and stored in the step counter (S2). The initial value of the payout remaining number counter is the payout amount N (= 25 or less) for one unit set in the process of step ST27. In this embodiment, four-step drive data is supplied to the payout motor M, rotated by 30 degrees, and one game ball is paid out. Therefore, the total number of drive data to be supplied to the payout motor M is totaled. As a result, a value of 4 × N is set in the step counter.

  After setting the initial value of the step counter as described above, the operation status is changed to 1, and the motor drive timer is initialized to 9, and the process is terminated (S3 to S4). The motor drive timer designates a time interval for supplying drive data to the dispensing motor M, and the initially set motor drive timer is decremented by 1 in the timer subtraction process in step S12. The motor position changes at the time interval (= 18 mS) shown in FIG. Each time the motor drive timer becomes zero, the step counter is decremented by one.

  If the operation status is 0, if the payout retry flag is 5 AH, the operation status is changed to 3 (S5). Further, the motor drive timer is set to 350, and the payout retry flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero. When the operation status is changed to 3, the retry process is started thereafter. However, since the motor drive timer is initially set to 350, thereafter, the time interval of one step is 700 mS (= 2 × 350). The dispensing motor M is driven very slowly. Note that the processing of steps S5 to S7 is executed when the motor drive start processing is started by excessive payout of the game balls (see ST44 in FIG. 10). Therefore, 5AH is set in the processing of step ST45. The payout detection flag is cleared to zero.

  After the operation status is set to 1 by the process of step S3 in FIG. 13A, the motor driving process shown in FIG. 13B is executed. Here, first, the value of the motor drive timer is checked (S10), and if it is not zero, the process is terminated without doing anything. Therefore, for example, when the motor drive timer is initially set to 9, the same drive data is output in nine motor processes (ST17) (ST67b to ST68). Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the value of the step counter initially set to 4 × N is decremented by 1, and the motor position is incremented by 1 within the range of 0 to 3 (S11 to S12).

  Thereafter, the value of the step counter is determined (S13). If it is not zero, the motor drive timer is initialized to 9 again and the process is terminated (S14). On the other hand, when the value of the step counter becomes zero, the payout of the game ball for one unit (N ≦ 25) has been completed formally, so the operation status is changed to 2 and the motor The value of the drive timer is initialized to 350 (S15 to S16). In addition, since the value of the step counter has become zero, in terms of form (in terms of time), one unit (N ≦ 25) of game balls has been paid out. There may be cases where the amount is excessive or insufficient.

  If the payout amount is insufficient, the payout remaining number counter is not zero, so the payout motor flag is not changed to A5H and remains 5AH. On the other hand, if the payout motor flag is A5H, the payout remaining number counter is This means that it has become zero (see ST48). However, there may be a further payout after the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, and there may be a case where the payout retry flag is 5AH even if the payout motor flag is A5H (ST44).

  As shown in FIG. 14A, in the state of the operation status 2, the motor stop process is executed. Here, first, the value of the payout motor flag is checked, and if it is A5H, it can be determined that at least payout is not insufficient, so the operation status is changed from 2 to 0 and the motor drive timer is set to zero (S25 to S26). . Further, the payout motor flag and the payout detection flag are cleared to zero (S27).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the payout motor flag is not equal to A5H, if the payout motor flag is 5AH, it means that the payout amount is insufficient, so the motor drive timer first becomes zero. (S21). Note that when the operation status is changed from 1 to 2, the motor drive timer is initialized to 350 (S16), and here, 700 mS is consumed. Thereafter, when the motor drive timer becomes zero, the operation status is changed from 2 to 3, the motor drive timer is initialized to 350, and the payout detection flag is cleared (S22 to S24).

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the operation status is 3, first, it waits for the motor drive timer to become zero (S30). Since the motor drive timer is initially set to 350 when the operation status is changed to 3 (S6, S23), 700 mS is consumed here. Thereafter, the value of the payout detection flag is checked (S31). The payout detection flag is set to 5AH when the payout of the game ball is confirmed (ST45 in FIG. 10), and is set to zero when the operation status is changed to 3 (S24 in FIG. 14, S7 in FIG. 13). ).

  Therefore, in the motor retry process, the payout detection flag is initially zero so that the motor position is advanced by 1 in the range of 0 to 3 (S32). Further, the retry counter is incremented by 1 and 350 is set in the motor drive timer (S33 to S34). Therefore, a retry process for updating the drive data every 1 step = 700 ms is executed thereafter.

  FIG. 18 illustrates this retry process, and shows that the dispensing motor M rotates slowly at a speed 9/700 times the normal speed. As is clear from steps S30 to S34, every time the dispensing motor M rotates by one step (7.5 degrees), that is, every time the motor drive timer becomes zero (set in the process of step ST45 in FIG. 10). Based on the value of the payout detection flag, the game ball is checked for payout, and the same operation is repeated until the payout is detected (S31).

  If such processing is repeated, the payout detection flag eventually becomes 5 AH. In this case, the value of the payout motor flag is checked next (S35). The payout motor flag is set to A5H when the payout remaining number counter becomes zero, that is, when a game ball is paid out without a shortage (ST48 in FIG. 10). Therefore, since the payout motor flag ≠ 5AH means that there is a game ball that has not been paid out, a value obtained by quadrupling the value of the payout remaining number counter is stored in the step counter (S36). Further, the operation status is changed from 3 to 1, the retry counter is cleared, and 9 is set in the motor drive timer (S37, S38).

  As a result of this setting process, normal motor rotation for updating drive data every 1 step = 18 mS is started thereafter (see FIG. 5). When the above operation is confirmed based on FIG. 11B and FIGS. 14 to 15, when the payout operation is formally completed (step counter = 0) and the operation status is changed from 1 to 2. (S15) If there is a payout shortage, the operation status is changed from 2 to 3 (S22). When the payout motor M rotates at a low speed in the state of the operation status 3 and pays out one game ball, if there is a further shortage, the operation status is changed from 3 to 1 (S37), and then The normal operation in the operation status 1 is executed until the shortage is resolved.

  Now, continuing the description of the motor retry process of FIG. 14B, when the payout motor flag = A5H in the determination of step S35, first, the operation status 3 is changed to 0 (S39). When the payout is detected (payout detection flag = 5AH) and the payout motor flag is A5H, one game ball is paid out with the operation status = 3, and the payout remaining number counter becomes zero. (See ST48). In other words, it means that the shortage of payout has been completed, so that the operation status is changed from 3 to 0, and then it is made to wait until the time when the payout operation is required again. Therefore, all the values of the retry counter, the payout motor flag, and the payout detection flag are set to zero (S40).

  The operation of the payout control board 5 according to the embodiment has been described in detail above, but FIGS. 19 to 23 show the operation contents in an organized manner. In addition, it is not limited to such a structure, Furthermore, various changes are possible.

  Finally, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 24 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. A plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 22.

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

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing game balls for launch. A lower plate 29 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are disposed below the front frame 24. And are provided. The launch handle 30 is interlocked with a launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod 31 (see FIG. 26) that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle.

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

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

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

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

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward. When the stop symbol after the symbol change in the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, the “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. There is a specific area 36b inside the big winning opening 36, and when the winning ball passes through the specific area 36b, a special game advantageous to the player is continued.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 36b, the special game ends, but if it passes through the specific area 36b, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times, which is advantageous to the player. To be controlled. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

Any of the following is suitable as an example of the special state. That is, (1) a special symbol high probability state in which the probability that the stop symbol after symbol variation of the special symbol display parts Da to Dc becomes a big hit symbol such as “777” is increased compared with the case of the non-special state, 2) Compared to the case of non-special state, compared to the case of extended special opening time, which increases the opening time of the large prize opening so that more game balls can be won more easily. In order to make it easier for more game balls to win, the number of times of opening of the big prize opening is increased, and (4) it is easier to win more game balls than in the non-special state. Compared to the state of increasing the amount of opening of the large winning opening for increasing the amount of opening of the large winning opening, or (5) the case of the non-special state, the probability that the stopped symbol after the variation of the symbol of the normal symbol display unit 39 becomes a winning symbol is increased. Compared to the normal pattern high probability state to be raised and (6) non-special state Electric tulip opening time extended state that extends the opening time of the electric tulip so that more game balls can be won more easily, and (7) Electricity so that more game balls can be won more easily than in the non-special state Electric tulip opening number increase state to increase the number of tulip opening, (
8) Compared to the case of the non-special state, the electric tulip opening amount increasing state that increases the opening amount of the electric tulip so that more game balls can be easily won, or (9) Special compared to the case of the non-special state Special symbol variation shortened state that shortens the symbol variation time, (10) Compared with the non-special state, the effective stop line increased state that increases the effective stop line of the special symbol, or (11) Non-special state Compared to, a normal symbol fluctuation shortening state in which the normal symbol fluctuation time is shortened can be considered.

  Any of these may be combined, and the generated special state is preferably terminated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, the predetermined condition means that a predetermined symbol is changed after a predetermined number of special symbol display portions Da to Dc, a predetermined number of normal symbol display portions 39 is changed, a predetermined time has elapsed, and a normal symbol display portion 39 has been changed. When the stop display is performed, when the predetermined symbol is stopped and displayed after the symbol changes in the special symbol display portions Da to Dc, when the game ball is won at a predetermined winning opening, when the game ball passes through the predetermined gate unit 38, etc. Typical.

  As shown in FIG. 26, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 for holding the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 23) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45, and the symbol control board 2 is disposed on the front side thereof (see FIG. 24). Below the main control board 1, the lamp control board 4 is provided in the case CA2 attached to the back cover 45, and the sound control board 3 is provided in the adjacent case CA3.

  Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. A launch control board 6 is provided inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30. And these circuit boards 1-7 are each comprised independently, and the computer circuit provided with the one-chip microcomputer is mounted in the control boards 1-5 except the power supply board 7 and the launch control board 6. FIG.

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

21 bullet ball machine DDSTBL data set table

Claims (1)

In the initial processing after turning on the power, whether to maintain or erase the work area information that was backed up at the time of power-off is determined, and after that, the game medium payout operation is included based on the maintained or erased work area. It is a gaming machine where steady processing is started ,
2 bytes composed of a fixed storage area and a 1-byte length of operation information to be used by being transferred to the work area, a 1-byte length of the address information specifying the transfer destination as a relative address value of the work area of the operation information A plurality of data set tables in which the length information is stored in the number specified by the identification data are provided ,
The identification data is the number of operation information to be transferred, or 1-byte data indicating that there is no more operation information to be transferred ,
A step counter for storing a numerical value corresponding to a payout amount of one unit of game medium for the payout operation, and a motor for storing a numerical value corresponding to the time required for rotation of the minimum rotation angle of the payout motor for paying out the game medium A drive timer is provided,
The step counter, and / or an initial value of the motor driving the timer is stored in a predetermined data set table as part of a group of motion information, a group of motion information of said given data set table, the by being transferred to the work area required when the steady process, the gaming machine wherein the step counter, and / or the motor drive timer, characterized in that it is initialized.

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