JP6107889B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines represented by pachinko machines and slot machines.

Conventionally, game control of a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is mainly performed by a main control board. The main control board, etc. to drive the dispensing motor disposed within a sphere dispensing apparatus dispensing control board for performing a payout control such as winning balls are connected. Control of dispensing control board is carried out based on commands sent from the main control board.

The balls to be paid out by the payout control board are detected by detection means provided in the ball payout device, and the detection signal is output to the main control board or the payout control board, so that the balls are reliably paid out. It is configured to be able to confirm whether or not there is. Here, if a ball payout abnormality is confirmed due to a failure of the detecting means for detecting the ball payout or a ball biting of the payout motor, the drive of the payout motor is restricted and the progress of the game is stopped. Thus, it is configured so as not to pay out an illegal ball.

In addition , when a ball payout abnormality occurs, a predetermined switch is operated to release the payout abnormality and resume a game that has been stopped (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP-A-8-224344

However, if a payout abnormality occurs, control such as notification of abnormality, monitoring or return of abnormal conditions, etc. places a burden on the control of the game, and if there is an abnormality in the progress control of the game, There was a problem that it could be disadvantageous.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that suitably controls the progress of a game.

In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 is characterized in that a main control means for controlling a game related to a prize for giving a player at least a predetermined game value, and the main control when the prize is generated. A payout control means for performing payout control of a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a payout instruction output from the means, a payout means driven by the payout control means for paying out the valuable object, and the payout means a payout monitoring means for monitoring the dispensing state, the payout regulating means by the dispensing monitoring means payout of the valuable objects to restrict the driving of the dispensing means when it is determined to be abnormal, the dispensing means by the payout regulating means and a restriction releasing means for releasing the restriction of the driving of the dispensing means by being predetermined operation when the drive is restricted, the main control unit, the payment The control of the game is continued without performing the control relating to the abnormality under the situation where the driving of the payout means is restricted by the restriction means, and the payout instruction is output when the winning occurs. The release means is disposed on the back side of the gaming machine.
A gaming machine according to a second aspect is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the restriction release means is connected to the payout control means without being connected to the main control means.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the main control means continues to control the game without performing control related to an abnormality in a situation where the driving of the payout means is restricted by the payout restricting means, and pays out when a winning occurs. Since the instruction is output, there is an effect that the progress control of the game can be suitably performed.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine which is the 1st example of the present invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the pachinko machine. It is sectional drawing of a ball dispensing apparatus. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process performed with the main control board and the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the main process performed with the main control board. It is a flowchart of the initialization process performed with a main control board and a payout control board. It is a flowchart of a prize ball number data transmission process performed by the main control board. It is a flowchart of the data reception process performed with a payout control board. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by the payout control board. It is a flowchart of a prize ball operation process executed in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of a ball lending operation process executed in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the payout process performed in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of a payout switch detection process executed in the payout process. It is a flowchart of the slit detection process performed in the payout process. It is a flowchart of the return time payout process executed in the payout process. It is a flowchart of the pulse count process performed in each process in the main process of the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the payout process performed in the main process of the payout control board of 2nd Example.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the first embodiment, description will be made using a pachinko machine that is a kind of a ball game machine, in particular, a first type pachinko game machine as an example of the game machine. Note that it is naturally possible to use the present invention for the third kind pachinko gaming machine and other gaming machines.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to a first embodiment. A game board 2 is disposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1 (the front side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 1).

  A substantially arc-shaped outer rail 3 is planted on the front surface of the game board 2, and an arc-shaped inner rail 4 is planted at an inner position of the outer rail 3. A game area 5 into which a ball (hitting ball) P is driven is formed on the front surface of the game board 2 surrounded by the inner rail 4 and the outer rail 3, and the ball P is awarded around the game area 5. Accordingly, a plurality of normal winning openings 6 are provided through which a predetermined number (for example, five) of balls P are paid out as prize balls. A variable display device 8 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 7 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game area 5 where the plurality of normal winning holes 6 are disposed. Has been. Instead of the liquid crystal display 7, for example, a variable display device may be configured using a reel or the like.

  An error notification lamp 46 is provided in the diagonally upper right direction of the game board 2 to indicate to the player an abnormality or the like that has occurred in the pachinko machine 1. The error notification lamp 46 is lit when a count abnormality (error) of a payout count switch 66 (to be described later) or a drive abnormality of a payout motor 62 (to be described later) occurs. The player can recognize that some abnormality is occurring in the pachinko machine 1 by recognizing that the error notification lamp 46 is lit. Therefore, when the error notification lamp 46 is lit, the player can stop the game and call an employee at the game hall to solve the abnormality.

  Below the variable display device 8, a symbol operation gate (first type start port) 9 is arranged. When the ball P passes through the symbol operation gate 9, the first type start port switch 39 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, and the above-described variable display of the variable display device 8 is started. Will be paid out as a prize ball. In addition, a variable winning device 10 is disposed below the symbol operating gate 9, and an opening 10 a for a big winning opening is formed in a substantially central portion of the variable winning device 10. The opening 10a of the big prize opening is a predetermined time (so that the ball P can easily win a prize when the display result after the change of the variable display device 8 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations (big win display). For example, it is opened until 30 seconds) or until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of balls P wins a prize opening 10a. The state in which the opening / closing operation of the opening 10a of the special winning opening can be performed is a state to which a so-called predetermined game value is given (special game state, commonly known as “big hit” state).

  A front door plate (waist plate) 11 is disposed below the variable winning device 10 and outside the game area 5 described above. A ball P is stored on the front surface of the front door plate 11 and the game area 5 An upper plate 12 for supplying the sphere P to a sphere launcher (not shown) for driving the sphere P therein is disposed. A lower plate 13 for storing the balls P that could not be stored in the upper plate 12 is disposed below the upper plate 12 and in the lower part of the pachinko machine 1. In the upper center of the front door plate 11 above the upper plate 12, a balance indicator 14 composed of a 7-segment LED is arranged to display the balance amount of the card read by the card reading unit 18 described later. Has been. On the right side of the balance indicator 14, a return button 15 that is pressed when taking out a card inserted into a card insertion slot 19 of the card reading unit 18 described later is disposed, while on the left side of the balance indicator 14 Is provided with a lending button 16 that is pressed when starting lending (lending) a ball. Further, a lending button lamp 17 for notifying whether or not the lending button 16 can be pressed is disposed on the upper left side of the lending button 16, and this lending button lamp 17 is in a state where the lending button 16 can be pressed. On the other hand, it is turned off when the lending button 16 cannot be pressed. Therefore, the player can determine whether or not the lending button 16 can be pressed by visually recognizing the lending button lamp 17.

  On the left side of the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above, a card reading unit 18 having a rectangular shape in front view is provided in parallel. The card reading unit 18 is for reading the balance amount data stored in the card, and a card insertion slot 19 for inserting a card having a valuable value similar to money at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction. Is arranged. A card availability lamp 20 is disposed above the card insertion slot 19 and above the card reading unit 18. The card availability lamp 20 can insert a card into the card insertion slot 19, for example. On the other hand, the light is turned on when the card cannot be inserted into the card insertion slot 19. Therefore, the player can determine whether or not the card reading unit 18 is usable by visually recognizing the card available lamp 20.

  An amount setting button for setting a loan amount based on the balance amount data recorded on the card at a position between the card insertion slot 19 and the card usable lamp 20 and above the card reading unit 18 21 is arranged, and by pressing this amount setting button 21, the loan amount can be set to 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen or 500 yen. Normally, the loan amount is set to 500 yen, and the payout of the ball P corresponding to 100 yen (for example, 25 balls) is made five times (for example, 125 balls).

  A fraction display button 22 is disposed below the amount setting button 21. The fraction display button 22 is pressed when displaying the fraction on the balance display 14 when the balance amount stored in the card is less than the minimum amount (for example, 100 yen) of the loan amount. .

  Below the fraction display button 22, a pair of upper and lower connection table direction display lamps 23 formed in a substantially triangular shape is disposed. The pair of connecting table direction indicator lamps 23 are for indicating the direction of arrangement (parallel arrangement) of the pachinko machine 1 to which the card reading unit 18 is connected, and one LED is built in each of them. ing. Therefore, for example, when the card reading unit 18 is connected to a pachinko machine (not shown) arranged on the left side, the upper LED is turned on. A card insertion-in-progress lamp 24 composed of a single LED is disposed below the connection table direction indicator lamp 23. The card insertion-in-progress lamp 24 has a card inserted into the card insertion slot 19. When the card is present, the light is turned off. When the card is not inserted into the card insertion slot 19, the light is turned off. The card usable lamp 20 and the connecting table direction indicator lamp 23 are turned on when the card reading unit 18 is turned on.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1, and in particular, a main control board C that controls the game contents of the pachinko machine 1, and a payout control board that performs payout control for prize balls and balls. It is the block diagram which showed the electric constitution with H.

  The main control board C of the pachinko machine 1 includes an MPU 31 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 32 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 31 and fixed value data, and a RAM 33 that is used as a work memory. Yes. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 are stored in the ROM 32.

  The RAM 33 is provided with a backup area 33a, a prize ball buffer 33b, a prize ball pointer 33c, a remaining prize ball number counter 33d, a tank ball no flag 33e, and a lower dish full flag 33f.

  In the backup area 33a, when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 1 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 33a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 4). Conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 33a is performed when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). In the following, the same processing is performed (refer to S15 and S16 in FIG. 6).

  The prize ball buffer 33b is a buffer for storing the number of prize balls to be paid out when the ball P driven into the game area 5 wins the normal winning slot 6 or the like. The number of winning balls to be paid out is stored in the winning ball buffer 33b for each winning ball P. For this reason, the prize ball buffer 33b is composed of a plurality of bytes. The prize ball number data stored in the prize ball buffer 33b is erased from the prize ball buffer 33b when it is sent as a prize ball command to the payout control board H by the prize ball number data transmission process of FIG. Specifically, after the number of prize balls stored in the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is transmitted to the payout control board H, the value of the 1st and later prize ball buffers 33b is sequentially shifted by 1 byte to the smaller address side. As a result, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is erased.

  Here, the prize ball command is a command for instructing the payout control board H of the number of prize balls to be paid out, and is composed of 2 bytes. The first byte data of the prize ball command is data (for example, “A0H”) indicating that the command is a prize ball command, and the second byte data indicates the number of prize balls to be paid out. The data is shown. Since the maximum number of winning balls for one winning is 15 balls, 15 types of data “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum number of winning balls are used as the second byte data of the winning ball command. Yes.

  The prize ball command may be composed of 1 byte. As described above, since the maximum number of winning balls for one winning is 15 balls, when the winning ball command is composed of 1 byte, “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum winning ball number. Fifteen types of data are used as prize ball commands. In other words, when the upper 4 bits of a command composed of 1 byte are “0”, it is determined as a prize ball command.

  The prize ball pointer 33c is a pointer indicating the position of the prize ball buffer 33b in which the number of prize balls is stored. The number of prize balls to be paid out is stored in the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c. The value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by “1” by writing the prize ball number into the prize ball buffer 33b, and the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is paid out by the prize ball number data transmission process (S37). By transmitting to H, “1” is subtracted.

  The remaining prize ball counter 33d is a counter for storing the number of unpaid prize balls, and is a counter for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out by the payout control board H on the main control board C. Each time the main control board C instructs the payout control board H to pay out the prize ball, the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d is incremented. Conversely, the payout control board H pays out the prize ball. Each time the paid-out count switch 66 detects the paid-out prize ball, “1” is subtracted.

  The tank ball non-flag 33e is a flag for determining the storage state of a ball in a ball storage tank (not shown) disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. This tank ball no flag 33e is turned on when there is no ball in the ball storage tank, that is, when a tank ball no switch 42 described later is turned on. Conversely, when a ball is stored in the ball storage tank, it is turned off. When the tank ball no flag 33e is turned on, a payout motor drive stop command is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H, the drive of the payout motor 62 is stopped, and the ball payout operation is stopped.

  The lower pan full flag 33f is a flag for determining the storage state of the balls in the lower pan 13. The lower pan full flag 33f is turned on when a ball stored in the lower pan 13 is full, that is, a lower pan full switch 43 described later is turned on. Conversely, when the ball stored in the lower tray 13 is not full, it is turned off. When the lower pan full flag 33f is turned on, a payout motor drive stop command is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H, and the drive of the payout motor 62 is stopped, similarly to the tank ball no flag 33e. , Stop payout operation.

  The MPU 31 including the ROM 32 and the RAM 33 is connected to an input / output port 35. The input / output port 35 is connected to the payout control board H via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and is also normally awarded. Mouth switch 38, first type start port switch 39, V count switch 40, 10 count switch 41, tank ball no switch 42, lower pan full switch 43, payout count switch 66, and other input Each is connected to an output device 45.

  The normal winning port switch 38 is a switch for detecting the ball P that has won the normal winning port 6 in the game area 5, and is provided near the entrance of the normal winning port 6. The first type starting port switch 39 is a switch for detecting the sphere P that has passed the symbol operating gate (first type starting port) 9, and is provided in the vicinity of the symbol operating gate 9. When the ball P is detected by the normal winning port switch 38 or the first type starting port switch 39, the number of winning balls “5” to be paid out by winning the normal winning port 6 or the symbol operating gate (first type starting port) 9 is displayed. Is written into the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c, and the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by "1".

  The V count switch 40 is a switch for detecting a ball P that has won a prize winning opening constituted by the variable prize winning device 10 and has passed through a V zone (not shown) in the prize winning opening. Further, the 10 count switch 41 is a switch for detecting a ball P that has passed through a portion other than the V zone among the balls P that have won the grand prize opening constituted by the variable winning device 10. When the ball P is detected by the V-count switch 40 or the 10-count switch 41, “15”, which is the number of prize balls to be paid out by winning in the big prize opening, is written to the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c. Then, the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by “1”.

  The conventional pachinko machine is configured so that when the payout is abnormal, that is, when the ball cannot be normally paid out to the player, the driving of the payout motor is restricted and the ball is not paid out to the player. Has been. However, in a pachinko machine configured as described above, if a game is stopped due to a minor payout abnormality such as a drive abnormality of the payout motor due to the ball biting, the payout abnormality is resolved by an employee at the game hall. Since the game will be stopped unless it is received, there is a problem that the progress of the game does not proceed slowly and the player may be disadvantaged. More specifically, for example, when a payout abnormality occurs during a big hit, the ball is not paid out to the player thereafter, and the ball that is launched into the game area is broken. In other words, since there are no balls to be launched into the game area, the right to continue the jackpot cannot be obtained after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the jackpot ends without obtaining the gaming value corresponding to the jackpot. there were.

  Further, in the conventional pachinko machine, when the payout is abnormal, that is, when the ball cannot be normally paid out to the player, the drive of the payout motor is restricted and a simple error canceling operation (retry operation), for example, The payout motor is configured to be able to eliminate the payout abnormality by repeatedly executing forward / reverse rotation processing and the like of the payout motor. However, for example, if a payout abnormality that cannot be resolved by forward / reverse rotation processing occurs, the pachinko machine repeats the error canceling operation unless the payout abnormality is resolved by an amusement hall employee, etc. There is a problem in that it is executed and places a burden on a payout device such as a payout motor.

  Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the game can be resumed when a ball wins each of the switches 38 to 41 when the payout is abnormal. More specifically, the payout control board H receives a payout instruction from the main control board C even when the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner when the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality. The game can be resumed by releasing the drive restriction of the payout motor 62. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the payout device such as the payout motor 62, and even if the payout of the ball is delayed due to a slight payout abnormality, the payout motor 62 is not delayed without delaying the progress of the game. Therefore, smooth play can be performed without causing the player to be disadvantaged.

  The tank ball non-switch 42 is a switch for monitoring the storage state of the balls P stored in a ball storage tank (not shown) disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. The tank ball no switch 42 is turned on when the ball P is no longer in the ball storage tank, and is configured to turn on a tank ball no flag 33e described later. The payout of the winning ball or the rental ball uses the ball P stored in the ball storage tank, so that the payout becomes impossible when the ball P stored in the ball storage tank runs out. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, the storage state of the sphere P in the sphere storage tank is monitored by the tank ball non-switch 42, and it is detected by the switch 42 that the sphere P is not stored in the sphere storage tank. In this case, the tank ball no flag 33e is turned on, a payout motor drive stop command is transmitted to the payout control board H, and the payout motor 62 is stopped.

  The lower pan full tank switch 43 is a switch for monitoring whether or not the lower pan 13 storing the balls P that could not be stored in the upper plate 12 is full with the balls P. The lower plate full tank switch 43 is turned on when the lower plate 13 is filled with the ball P, and is configured to turn on a lower plate full tank flag 33f described later. The lower plate 13 is provided to store the ball P that could not be stored when the upper plate 12 could not store the ball P, and the lower plate 13 was filled up with the ball P. If a prize ball or a lending ball is paid out, ball clogging or the like occurs in a ball payout device 60 (see FIG. 3) described later. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the storage state of the balls in the lower plate 13 is monitored by the lower plate full tank switch 43, and the balls P stored in the lower plate 13 are filled by the switch 43. When it is detected that the lower pan full flag 33f is turned on, a payout motor drive stop command is transmitted to the payout control board H, and the payout motor 62 is stopped.

  The payout count switch 66 is a switch for counting the number of prize balls paid out by the payout control board H, and its output is input to the main control board C and the payout control board H. The payout count switch 66 checks for payout of prize balls exceeding the original number of prize balls or payout of prize balls less than the original number of prize balls.

  The payout control board H performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls, and is used as an MPU 51 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 52 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 51, fixed data, and a work memory. The RAM 53 is provided. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 and FIGS. 8 to 16 are stored in the ROM 52. Further, the RAM 53 of the payout control board H has a backup area 53a, a reception buffer 53b, a command reception flag 53c, a total prize ball counter 53d, a prize ball payout counter 53e, a lending payout counter 53f, and a rental A ball payout flag 53g, a payout execution flag 53h, a timer counter 53i, a pulse count counter 53j, a count error flag 53k, a motor error flag 53l, an abnormal number counter 53m, and a prize ball number data reception flag 53n Is provided.

  Similarly to the backup area 33a of the main control board C described above, the backup area 53a returns the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned off when a power failure occurs. Therefore, it is an area for storing a stack pointer at the time of power-off (including when a power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter), values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 53a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 4). Conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 53a is performed when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). In the following, the same processing is performed (refer to S35 to S37 in FIG. 6).

  The reception buffer 53b is a buffer that temporarily stores data (for example, winning ball number data) transmitted from the main control board C. The command reception flag 53c is a flag that is turned on when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H. That is, it is turned on when the data (control command) transmitted from the main control board C is stored in the reception buffer 53b, and the data is stored in one of the memories by each processing of the control program stored in the ROM 52. It is configured to be turned off when written. In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, the command reception flag 53c is referred to in the prize ball operation process (S62) in order to confirm whether or not the prize ball number data is transmitted from the main control board C.

  The total prize ball number counter 53d is a counter for storing the number of prize balls paid out instructed from the main control board C. When a prize ball command composed of prize ball number data transmitted from the main control board C is received by the payout control board H, prize ball number data corresponding to the prize ball command is temporarily written in the reception buffer 53b, The prize ball number data written in the reception buffer 53b is added to the total prize ball number counter 53d (see S73 in FIG. 10). The prize ball number data written in the total prize ball counter 53d is added to a prize ball payout counter 53e described later when it is determined that a prize ball payout operation is possible (see S78 in FIG. 10). ).

  The prize ball payout counter 53e is a counter that stores the number of prize balls to be paid out. The value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is the value of the total winning ball number counter 53d described above when it is determined that the paying out of the winning ball is possible, that is, when the lending payout operation is not executed. Are added (see FIG. 10, S78). When the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is “1” or more, regardless of the value of the lending payout counter 53f, which will be described later, the payout operation of the winning ball is performed by the payout process (S64) of FIG. In other words, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the payout operation of the winning ball is performed with priority over the payout operation of the rental ball. Further, the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is decremented by “1” every time a prize ball paid out by the payout count switch 66 is detected in the payout switch detection process (S97) of FIG.

  The ball rental payout counter 53f is a counter that stores the number of balls to be paid out. Since the rental balls are configured to be loaned 25 balls for every lending amount of 100 yen, “25” is set to the value of the lending payout counter 53f for each ball lending request. When the value of the lending payout counter 53f is “1” or more and the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is “0”, a lending payout operation is performed by the payout processing (S64) of FIG. The value of the lending payout counter 53f is decremented by "1" every time a lending ball paid out by the payout count switch 66 is detected in the payout switch detection process (S97) of FIG.

  The ball paying-out flag 53g is a flag indicating that a ball paying-out operation (ball lending operation) is in progress. This ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on when a ball lending request is generated and the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is “0”, that is, when a prize ball payout operation is not executed. When the ball lending operation ends, that is, when the value of the ball lending payout counter 53f becomes “0”, it is turned off. With this ball rental paying flag 53g, it is possible to restrict the payout of prize balls during the payout operation of the balls or the payout of the balls during the payout operation of the prize balls. Without mixing the operations, it is possible to clearly distinguish the payout operation of the winning ball or the rental ball, and it is possible to execute a stable payout operation.

  The payout execution flag 53h is a flag for indicating that payout of a winning ball or a rental ball has started. The payout execution flag 53h is turned on when the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball rental payout counter 53f is “1” or more, that is, when a prize ball or a ball is paid out (see FIG. 12). On the contrary, when the payout of the winning ball or the rental ball is detected by the payout count switch 66, when the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e and the rental ball payout counter 53f becomes “0”, that is, the winning ball and the rental ball It is turned off when the ball dispensing operation is completed (see FIG. 13). Further, when a payout abnormality occurs, that is, when a later-described count error flag 53k or motor error flag 53l is turned on, when a later-described prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on, in other words, any one of the switches 38 When a ball is won at .about.41 and a command for winning ball number data is received from the main control board C, it is turned off (see S108 in FIG. 12).

  In the state where the payout execution flag 53h is turned on, the value of a timer counter 53i or a pulse count counter 53j, which will be described later, is discriminated so that the winning ball or the loaned ball paid out by the payout motor 62 is normally paid out. It can be determined whether or not.

  The timer counter 53i is a counter for measuring an elapsed time after the winning ball or the rental ball is paid out. The value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to “0” when the values of the prize ball payout counter 53e and the ball rental payout counter 53f are “0”, that is, when no prize balls or balls are paid out. The value of the timer counter 53i is configured to be cleared to “0” when an error occurs when a winning ball or a rental ball is not detected within a predetermined time. On the other hand, the value of the timer counter 53i is configured to be incremented by “1” every time the main process of the payout control board H is executed once (see FIG. 9, S67 and S68). The value of the timer counter 53i is in a state in which there is no drive abnormality of the payout motor 62, and the payout execution flag 53h is kept on, that is, the prize ball or the rental ball is not detected by the payout count switch 66. When “1000” is reached, the payout control board H determines that the payout count switch 66 is not operating normally, turns on a count error flag 53k described later, and drives the payout motor 62 thereafter. regulate.

  The main process of the payout control board H of the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to be performed about every 2 ms. That is, the payout control board H stops the payout operation when the ball P is not detected by any of the payout count switches 66 until about 2 seconds elapse after issuing the payout instruction for the prize ball or the like. It is configured as follows.

  The pulse counting counter 53j is a counter for counting the number of pulses for instructing driving of a payout motor 62 described later. The value of the pulse counting counter 53j is cleared to “0” when the values of the prize ball payout counter 53e and the ball rental payout counter 53f are “0”, that is, when no prize balls and balls are paid out. . Further, the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is configured to be cleared to “0” when a slit 63d appears by a slit sensor 63e described later. On the other hand, the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is configured to be incremented by "1" every time a one-pulse signal is output in order to drive the dispensing motor 62, which is a stepping motor, by one step (see FIG. 16).

  The pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to pay out one ball by outputting a 30-pulse signal to the payout motor 62. Therefore, when paying out a winning ball or a lending ball, when the driving of the payout motor 62 is not detected and the value of the pulse count counter 53j is equal to or greater than “45”, a conveyance plate, which will be described later, by ball engagement or the like. Assuming that 63a and 63b are not normally driven, a motor error flag 53l described later is turned on. That is, in a state where the count error flag 53k is not turned on and the payout execution flag 53h is turned on, the slit sensor 63e described later does not detect the slits 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b described later, When the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is equal to or greater than “45”, the payout control board H determines that the payout motor 62 is not operating normally or that the balls are biting in the transport plates 63a and 63b. Then, a motor error flag 53l, which will be described later, is turned on to restrict subsequent driving of the payout motor 62.

  The count error flag 53k is a flag for indicating whether either a winning ball or a lending ball paid out by the payout motor 62 is detected within a predetermined time by the payout count switch 66. The count error flag 53k is used to issue a payout instruction for one or more balls to the payout motor 62 when a motor error flag 53l described later is not turned on, that is, when there is no drive abnormality of the payout motor 62. Turned on when the situation in which the ball P is not detected by the payout count switch 66 is repeated three times even after about 2 seconds have passed since the output. On the contrary, it is configured to be turned off when a ball is detected by the payout count switch 66.

  The motor error flag 53l is a flag for indicating a driving state of the ball receiving member 63 driven by the payout motor 62. The motor error flag 53l is used to give a payout instruction for one ball to the payout motor 62 when the count error flag 53k is not turned on, that is, when a ball detection abnormality has not occurred by the payout count switch 66. After being output, the slit sensor 63e described later does not detect a slit 63d formed in the conveyance plates 63a and 63b described later, and is turned on when the value of the pulse count counter 53j becomes "45" or more. . On the contrary, it is configured to be turned off when the slit 63d is detected by the slit sensor 63e.

  The abnormal frequency counter 53m counts the number of times that a ball is not detected by the payout count switch 66 even after about 2 seconds have passed since the payout instruction is output from the payout control board H to the payout motor 62. Counter. The value of the abnormal number counter 53m is incremented by “1” when the value of the timer counter 53i becomes “1000” in a state where the payout execution flag 53h is turned on. Conversely, when the count error flag 53k is turned on, that is, when the abnormality count 53m is "3" and a count abnormality of the payout count switch 66 occurs, "0" is cleared. ing.

  In the first embodiment, when the value of the abnormal number counter 53m becomes “3”, that is, when the value of the timer counter 53i reaches “1000” three times with the payout execution flag 53h turned on, the payout count The count error flag 53k is turned on in order to restrict the drive of the payout motor 62, assuming that the count of the switch 66 is abnormal. Further, each time the value of the abnormal number counter 53k is incremented by “1”, the forward / reverse rotation processing of the payout motor 62 is executed, so that the ball engagement of the payout motor 62 can be eliminated. By configuring as described above, it is possible to eliminate trivial payout abnormalities such as a slight ball biting in the payout motor 62 without significantly delaying the progress of the game.

  The prize ball number data reception flag 53n is a flag for confirming whether or not a prize ball number data command has been received from the main control board C. The prize ball number data reception flag 53n is used when the command received from the main control board C is a prize ball number data command, that is, the data stored in the reception buffer 53b is a prize ball number data command. It is turned on when Conversely, it is turned off each time a payout process (see FIG. 12) described later is executed.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, when the payout abnormality has occurred, when the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on, the count error flag 53k, the motor error flag 53l, and the payout execution flag are set. 53h is turned off. That is, when a prize ball number data command is received from the main control board C at the time of payout abnormality, the payout motor 62 is turned off by turning off the count error flag 53k and the motor error flag 53l for restricting the drive of the payout motor 62. It is possible to release the drive restriction so that it can be driven. Further, when the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on at the time of payout abnormality, the payout control board H can output a payout instruction to the payout motor 62 again by turning off the payout execution flag 53h.

  The MPU 51 including the ROM 52 and the RAM 53 is connected to an input / output port 55. The input / output port 55 is connected to the main control board C via a plurality of signal lines 37 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and card operation. The units 14 to 17, the card reading unit 18, the driver circuit 57, the payout count switch 66, the slit sensor 63e, the error return button 44, the error notification lamp 46, and other input / output devices 45 are connected to each other. Has been.

  The driver circuit 57 is a circuit for driving and rotating the payout motor 62. When the payout motor 62 is rotated by the driver circuit 57, the ball receiving member 63 (see FIG. 3) is rotated to pay out a winning ball or a rental ball.

  The payout motor 62 is a device for rotationally driving a ball receiving member 63 described later. The motor used in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment is a stepping motor and is configured to be driven one step (twice in the first embodiment) by one pulse signal output from the MPU 51 of the payout control board H. Has been. In addition, one ball is paid out by outputting a 30-pulse signal to the payout motor 62.

  The slit sensor 63e is a sensor for detecting a plurality of slits 63d formed in the conveying plates 63a and 63b of a ball receiving member 63 disposed in a ball dispensing device 60 described later. The slit sensor 63e is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the driving of the ball receiving member 63, and is disposed at a position where each slit 63d can be detected. The slit sensor 63e detects the driving amount of the ball receiving member 63 that is rotationally driven by the payout motor 62. Therefore, although the pulse signal is output to the payout motor 62 for paying out the winning ball or the rental ball, the slit sensor 63e detects the slit 63d formed in the transport plates 63a and 63b described later. Instead, when the value of the pulse count counter 53j becomes “45” or more, the motor error flag 53l is turned on to limit (stop) the driving of the payout motor 62.

  The error return button 44 cancels the drive limitation of only the payout motor 62 when the payout operation of the winning ball or the rental ball is delayed, that is, when the count error flag 53k or the motor error flag 53l is turned on. It is a button to make it. The pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is configured such that two balls P are paid out from the payout motor 62 when the error return button 44 is pressed by an employee of the game hall. Thereafter, when the ball that has been paid out is detected by the payout count switch 66 and the driving of the ball receiving member 63 is confirmed by the slit sensor 63e and each of the slits 63d, the payout control board H eliminates the ball payout abnormality. Recognizing that the payout of the ball has returned to normal, the drive restriction of the payout motor 62 and the game stop state are released. On the contrary, when the ball paid out by the payout count switch 66 is not detected, or the driving of the ball receiving member 63 is not confirmed by the slit sensor 63e and each slit 63d, the value of the pulse count counter 53j is “45”. ”, The payout control board H recognizes that the ball payout abnormality is not solved and the ball payout remains in an abnormal state, and again restricts the driving of the payout motor 62 ( Stop).

  The error return button 44 is disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 (not shown), and can be operated only by an employee holding a key or the like when disposed in the game hall (hall). It is arranged. Therefore, when the driving of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to ball clogging or the like, that is, when a payout abnormality (error) occurs, the player of the pachinko machine 1 calls the employee of the game hall and the employee When the cause of the error (for example, ball clogging or the like) is eliminated by an operator and the error return button 44 is pressed, the drive limitation of the payout motor 62 can be released.

  The power supply board 70 includes a power supply part 70a for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine 1, a power failure monitoring circuit 70b, and a clear switch 70c. The power failure monitoring circuit 70b is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal 71 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 31 of the main control board C when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 70b monitors the voltage of 24 VDC, which is the largest voltage output from the power supply unit 70a, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal 71 is output to the main control board C and the payout control board H. By the output of the power failure signal 71, the main control board C and the payout control board H recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure process (NMI interrupt process in FIG. 4). In addition, the power supply unit 70a normally outputs the output of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient for the execution of the power failure process even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Since it is configured to maintain the value, the main control board C and the payout control board H can normally execute the power failure process.

  The clear switch 70c is a switch for clearing data backed up in the RAM 33 of the main control board C and the RAM 53 of the payout control board H, and is configured as a push button type switch. When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on while the clear switch 70c is pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the RAM 33 and RAM 53 are cleared by the main control board C and the payout control board H. Is done.

  FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a ball payout device 60 that performs a payout operation for winning balls and rental balls. The ball payout device 60 is disposed on the back surface of the pachinko machine 1 (not shown), and a payout motor 62 is provided by the payout control board H according to the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball payout payout counter 53f. Are controlled, and a payout operation for winning balls or lending balls is executed.

  The ball payout device 60 receives the ball P supplied from a ball storage tank (not shown) and flows into the ball payout device 60, and receives the flowed ball P and transports it downstream. The ball receiving member 63 is provided with a pair of substantially circular plate-shaped transport plates 63a and 63b formed in substantially the same shape. The ball receiving member 63 is connected to a payout motor 62 via a connecting shaft 63c, and is rotated around the connecting shaft 63c as the payout motor 62 rotates.

  A total of six slits 63d are formed in each of the transport plates 63a and 63b of the ball receiving member 63. Each of the conveying plates 63a and 63b is provided with three recesses, three in total, and a ball P falls from a storage tank (not shown) into each recess, and the dispensing motor 62 is driven to rotate. As a result, the balls P stored and held in the recesses are alternately paid out. Therefore, by making slits 63d equivalent to the number of recesses, slits 63d corresponding to the number of balls P to be paid out can be detected by the slit sensor 63e. Therefore, when one sphere P is paid out, the slit sensor 63e is always configured to detect any one of the slits 63d, so that the driving of the sphere receiving member 63 can be detected. .

  In addition, the ball receiving member 63 is configured such that a ball paying-out operation is alternately performed from the transport plates 63a and 63b by rotating the transport plates 63a and 63b by a payout motor 62. Here, when the ball bite, which is one of the payout abnormalities, occurs, the ball bite is occurring in one of the transport plates 63a and 63b. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, when a drive abnormality or a payout abnormality error occurs, the ball biting can be eliminated by driving the payout motor 62 forward and reverse. Further, when the error return button 44 is pressed during the payout abnormality, two balls are paid out in order to confirm whether or not the payout abnormality has been resolved, so that one ball is discharged from each of the transport plates 63a and 63b. It is paid out and it can be confirmed whether or not the ball biting has been eliminated in any of the transport plates 63a and 63b.

  A ball discharge path 68 communicating with the inflow path 61 is provided on the downstream side of the ball receiving member 63. A payout count switch 66 for detecting the sphere P passing through the ball discharge path 68 is disposed in the downstream portion of the ball discharge path 68. The payout count switch 66 constitutes a part of the ball discharge path 68, and a ball detection portion 66a, which is a circular opening through which one ball P can pass, is formed at a substantially central portion thereof. Yes. By passing the sphere P through the sphere detector 66a, the sphere P that has passed through the sphere discharge path 68 can be detected, and the number of spheres P that have been paid out can be counted.

  The payout count switch 66 is configured by a proximity switch including a magnetic sensor, but instead of this, an optical sensor configured by combining a light emitting diode, a phototransistor, or the like may be used.

  Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 16. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of NMI interrupt processing executed separately on the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power of the pachinko machine 1 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption processing, the states of the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like are stored in the respective backup areas 33a and 53a. The NMI interrupt process is a process that is separately mounted on the ROM 32 of the main control board C and the ROM 52 of the payout control board H, but can be represented in the same manner in the notation of the flowchart. Are collectively shown in FIG.

  When the power of the pachinko machine 1 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, the power failure monitoring circuit 70b outputs a power failure signal 71 to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminals of the MPUs 31 and 51 of the main control board C and the payout control board H, respectively. The When the power failure signal 71 is input to the NMI terminal, each of the MPUs 31 and 51 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. Power is supplied from the power supply unit 70a of the power supply board 70 so that the processing of the main control board C and the payout control board H can be executed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal 71 is output, and within this predetermined time, The NMI interrupt process of FIG. 4 is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, the values of each register and I / O are written to the stack area (S1), and then the values of the stack pointer are written to the backup areas 33a and 53a and saved (S2). Further, the power failure occurrence information is written in the backup areas 33a and 53a (S3), and the state at the time of power failure due to the occurrence of the power failure is stored. Then, after performing other power failure processes that differ depending on the main control board C and the payout control board H (S4), the process is looped until the power supply is completely cut off and the process cannot be executed.

  Next, each process performed on the main control board C will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main process executed by the main control board C every predetermined time (2 ms in the first embodiment). In the main process, first, initialization processing including initialization of the RAM 33 is executed (S11).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the initialization process (S11 or S61) that is separately executed on the main control board C and the payout control board H. The initialization process is a process that is separately mounted on the ROM 32 of the main control board C and the ROM 52 of the payout control board H, but can be represented in the same manner in the notation of the flowchart. They are shown together.

  In the initialization process, first, a stack pointer is set (S31), and it is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 70c is turned on (S32). If the clear switch 70c is not turned on (S32: No), it is confirmed whether the backup is valid (S33). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keywords written in the predetermined areas of the RAMs 33 and 53 are correctly stored. If the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed and the backup is not valid.

  If the backup is valid (S33: Yes), the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup areas 33a and 53a and written to the stack pointer. The state at the time of power interruption (before power failure), that is, before the occurrence of the NMI interrupt The state is returned (S35). Next, the stack area after returning the value of the stack pointer, that is, data such as each register and I / O saved in the backup areas 33a and 53a is read from the backup areas 33a and 53a, and each of these data is restored to the original data. Write to registers, I / O, etc. (S36), and then store the interrupt status before power failure (pre-power failure) stored in the process of FIG. Return to the previous state (S37), execute an NMI interrupt return to return to the place where the processing was performed before the power was turned off, and continue the control from the state before the power was turned off.

  On the other hand, if the clear switch 70c is turned on (S32: Yes) or the backup is not valid (S33: No), RAM clear and initialization processing is executed (S34), and the RAMs 33, 53 and I / O Each value such as is initialized and the process ends. After completion of the initialization process (S11 or S61), the process returns to the main process in FIG. 5 or the main process in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after executing the initialization process (S11), it is confirmed whether or not the ball P is detected by the normal winning opening switch 38 or the first type starting port switch 39 (S12). When the ball P is detected by the normal winning port switch 38 or the first type starting port switch 39 (S12: Yes), in order to pay out five prize balls, the value-th prize ball of the prize ball pointer 33c is given. “5” is written to the buffer 33b (S13), the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by “1” (S14), and the process proceeds to S15. On the other hand, when the ball P is not detected by the normal winning opening switch 38 or the first type start port switch 39 in S12 (S12: No), the process of S13 and S14 is skipped and the process proceeds to S15.

  In the process of S15, it is confirmed whether or not the sphere P is detected by the V count switch 40 or the 10 count switch 41 (S15). When the ball P is detected by the V count switch 40 or the 10 count switch 41 (S15: Yes), in order to pay out 15 prize balls, the value-th prize ball buffer 33b of the prize ball pointer 33c is “ 15 ”is written (S16), the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is incremented by“ 1 ”(S17), the process proceeds to S18, and the prize ball number data written in the prize ball buffer 33b is transferred to the payout control board H. In order to transmit, prize ball number data transmission processing is executed (S18). In S15, when the ball P is not detected by the V count switch 40 or the 10 count switch 41 (S15: No), the process of S16 and S17 is skipped and the process proceeds to the award ball number data transmission process of S18. .

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the winning ball number data transmission process (S18). In the winning ball number data transmission process, first, it is checked whether or not the value of the winning ball pointer 33c is “0” (S41). If the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is “0” (S41: Yes), there is no prize ball number data to be transmitted, and the prize ball number data transmission process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is not “0” in the process of S41 (S41: No), the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is transmitted to the payout control board H (S42). The value of the winning ball buffer 33b is added to the value of the remaining winning ball number counter 33d (S43), and the value of 33b in the first and subsequent winning ball buffers is sequentially shifted by 1 byte to the smaller address side (S44). While updating the value of the buffer 33b, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 33b is deleted. Thereafter, the value of the prize ball pointer 33c is decremented by “1” (S45), and the prize ball number data transmission process is terminated. After completion of the winning ball number data transmission process (S18), the process returns to the main process of FIG. 5 and the process of S19 is executed.

  In the process of S19, it is determined whether or not the payout count switch 66 is turned on (S19). When it is detected that the payout count switch 66 is turned on (S19: Yes), it means that one ball has been paid out, so that it is confirmed whether or not the payout of the ball is a payout operation of the prize ball. Whether the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d is “0” or not is checked (S20). If the value is not “0” (S20: No), it corresponds to the paid-out prize ball. Then, “1” is subtracted from the value of the remaining prize ball counter 33d (S21), and the process proceeds to S22.

  If it is not detected that the payout count switch 66 is turned on in the process of S19 (S19: No), the process of S20 and S21 is skipped because the ball is not detected, and the process proceeds to S22. Even if it is detected that the payout count switch 66 is turned on, if the value of the remaining winning ball counter 13d is “0” (S19: Yes, S20: Yes), it is a payout operation of the rental ball, and so on. The process is skipped, and the process proceeds to S22 without subtracting the value of the remaining winning ball counter 33d.

  In the process of S22, each process according to the game state is executed (S22). After the execution of each process, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time (2 ms in the first embodiment) has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S12 (S23). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous execution of S12 (S23: No), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses, while if the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of S12 (S23: Yes). The process proceeds to S12, and the next main process is started. Therefore, the main processing from S12 to S22 is executed at predetermined time intervals.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 16, a payout operation of prize balls and rental balls performed on the payout control board H will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a data reception process executed when a control command transmitted from the main control board C is received.

  In the data reception process, the control command transmitted from the main control board C is written to the reception buffer 53b (S51), and the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S52). The prize ball command for instructing the prize ball number data is received as a part of the control command by this data reception process and written into the reception buffer 53b.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of main processing executed in the payout control board H. In this process, first, the initialization process described above is executed (S61). Thereafter, a prize ball movement process shown in FIG. 10 is executed (S62). Thereafter, a ball lending operation process shown in FIG. 11 is executed (S63), a payout process for paying out a winning ball or a lending ball is performed (S64), other processes are performed (S65), and the process proceeds to S66. . In the process of S66, in order to execute the main process of the dispensing control board H at intervals of about 2 seconds, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (about 2 ms in the first embodiment) has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S62. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S62 (S66: No), the process waits until the predetermined time elapses, while the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S62. If (S66: Yes), the process proceeds to S67.

  In the process of S67, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the timer counter 53i is “1000” (S67). If the value of the timer counter 53i is not “1000” (S67: No), “1” is added to the value of the timer counter 53i (S68), the process proceeds to S62, and the next main process is started. On the other hand, when the value of the timer counter 53i is “1000” (S67: Yes), the process of S68 is skipped, the process proceeds to S62, and the next main process is started. Therefore, the main processing from S62 to S68 is executed at predetermined time intervals.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the above-described prize ball motion processing (S62). This prize ball movement process (S62) is executed when the prize ball number data received from the main control board C is once written in the total prize ball number counter 53d and the prize ball payout operation is in an executable state. This is a process for writing the value of the prize ball number counter 53d into the prize ball payout counter 53e.

  In the prize ball movement process (S62), first, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S71). If the command reception flag 53c is turned on (S71: Yes), the main control board C starts. Since a new control command is transmitted to the payout control board H, it is confirmed whether or not the control command is a prize ball command (S72). If the control command stored in the reception buffer 53b is a prize ball command, that is, a prize ball number data command (S72: Yes), the prize ball number data is added to the total prize ball number counter 53d ( (S73), the winning ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on (S74), the command reception flag 53c is turned off (S75), and the process proceeds to S76. When the command reception flag 53c is not turned on in the process of S71 (S71: No), or when the command in the reception buffer 53b is not a command for winning ball number data in the process of S72 (S72: No). , S73 to S75 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S76.

  In the process of S76, it is confirmed whether or not the rental paying flag 53g is turned on (S76). As a result of the confirmation, if the ball paying-out flag 53g is not turned on (S76: Yes), it is not in the operation of paying out the ball, so next, whether the value of the total winning ball number counter 53d is “0”? It is confirmed whether or not (S77). If the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is not “0” (S77: No), since the prize ball number data is stored in the total prize ball number counter 53d, the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is awarded. The value is added to the ball payout counter 53e (S78), the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is cleared to “0” (S79), and this prize ball movement process (S62) is terminated. In the process of S76, if the renting out flag 53g is turned on (S76: Yes), the renting out operation is in progress, so S77 to S79 in order to prioritize the renting out operation. This process is skipped, and the winning ball movement process (S62) is terminated. In the process of S77, when the value of the total prize ball number counter 53d is “0” (S77: Yes), no new prize ball number data has been received from the main control board C. The process of S79 is skipped, and this prize ball movement process (S62) is terminated. After the award ball operation process (S62) ends, the process once returns to the main process in FIG. 9 and the ball lending operation process (S63) shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the above-described ball lending operation process (S63). The ball lending operation process (S63) is a process for setting the number of balls lending to the lending payout counter 53f in response to a ball lending request generated when the lending button 15 is pressed by the player.

  In this ball lending operation processing (S63), first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending operation is in progress by checking whether or not the ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on (S81). If the ball paying out flag 53g is off (S81: No), the ball lending operation is not in progress. In this case, the lending button 15 is pressed to check whether there is a ball lending request (S82). ). If there is no ball lending request (S82: No), the ball lending operation process is terminated as it is, while if there is a ball lending request (S82: Yes), the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is “0”. It is confirmed whether or not (S83). If the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is not “0” (S83: No), the paying out of the winning ball is in progress. Therefore, in order to prioritize the paying out of the winning ball, this lending operation processing (S63) is performed. finish.

  If there is a ball lending request (S82: Yes) and the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is “0” (S83: Yes), the value of the ball lending payout counter 53f corresponds to a lending amount equivalent to 100 yen. "25" is set (S84), the ball paying-out flag 53g is turned on (S85), and this ball lending operation processing (S63) is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the processing of S81, if the ball lending payout flag 53g is turned on (S81: Yes), since the ball lending operation is in progress, next, whether the value of the lending payout counter 53f is “0”? It is confirmed whether or not (S86). If the value of the ball lending payout counter 53f is not “0” (S86: No), the ball lending operation processing (S63) is ended because the lending for the previous ball lending request has not been paid out. If the value of the lending payout counter 53f is “0” (S86: Yes), the lending payout operation is completed, so the lending lending flag 53g is turned off (S87). The operation process (S63) ends. After completion of the ball lending operation process (S63), the process once returns to the main process in FIG. 9, and a prize ball or lending is made according to the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the ball payout counter 53f set in FIG. 10 or FIG. A payout process for paying out a ball is executed (S64).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the above-described payout process (S64). With this payout process, the payout motor 62 is driven to rotate in accordance with the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f, and the payout operation of the prize ball or the lending ball is performed.

  In this payout process (S64), first, it is confirmed whether or not the motor error flag 531 or the count error flag 53k is turned on (S91). If the motor error flag 53l or the count error flag 53k is not turned on as a result of the confirmation (S91: No), it means that the payout operation can be executed normally. Next, the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is “0”. It is confirmed whether or not (S92). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is not “0” (S92: No), the prize ball number data to be paid out is stored, so that the process is executed to execute the ball payout operation. The process proceeds to S94.

  On the other hand, if the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is “0” in the processing of S92 (S92: Yes), it is next checked whether or not the value of the lending payout counter 53f is “0”. (S93). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the lending payout counter 53f is not “0” (S93: No), the lending data to be paid out is stored. The process proceeds to S94.

  In the processes of S92 and S93, when both the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e and the lending payout counter 53f are “0” (S92: Yes, S93: Yes), the winning ball or the loaned ball to be paid out. In this case, the driving of the payout motor 62 is stopped (S100), the value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to “0” (S101), and the value of the pulse count counter 53j is set to “ “0” is cleared (S102), the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned off (S99), and the payout process (S64) is terminated. Therefore, when there is no payout instruction, the above-described S100 to S102 are executed.

  In the process of S94, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S94). If the payout execution flag 53h is turned off (S94: No), the payout motor 62 is driven to pay out the balls corresponding to the values stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f (S95). ). Therefore, the driving amount of the payout motor 62 is configured to change according to the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f. For example, when the value stored in the winning ball payout counter 53e is “1”, a signal of 30 pulses is output to the payout motor 62 so that one winning ball is paid out. . When the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e is “15”, a signal of 450 pulses, which is a value obtained by multiplying 30 pulses by 15, is output to the payout motor 62 to obtain 15 prizes. The ball is configured to be paid out.

  After the process of S95, the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S96) so that the process of S95 is not passed until the balls of the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f are paid out. Then, the process proceeds to a payout switch detection process in S97.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the payout switch detection process (S97). This payout switch detection process is performed by calculating “1” from the value of the payout payout counter 53e or the payout payout counter 53f when the payout ball or the rental ball paid out by the payout motor 62 is detected by the payout count switch 66. When the situation in which the ball dispensed from the dispensing motor 62 is not detected by the dispensing count switch 66 is repeated three times, the counting error flag is regarded as a dispensing error. This is a process for turning on 53k and restricting (stopping) subsequent payout operations.

  In the payout switch detection process (S97), first, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S111). If the payout execution flag 53h is not turned on (S111: No), the winning ball or the rental ball has not been paid out, and the payout switch detection process (S97) ends. On the other hand, if the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S111: Yes), next, it is confirmed whether or not the motor error flag 53l is turned on in order to confirm whether or not a drive abnormality has occurred ( (S112) If the motor error flag 53l is on (S112: Yes), a drive abnormality of the payout motor 62 has occurred. First, this payout switch detection process ( S97) is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the motor error flag 53l is not turned on in the process of S112 (S112: No), it is next checked whether or not the value of the timer counter 53i is “1000” (S113). When the value of the timer counter 53i is “1000” (S113: Yes), since about 2 seconds have passed since the winning ball or the rented ball is not detected by the payout count switch 66. “1” is added to the value of the abnormal number counter 53m (S114), and the motor forward / reverse rotation processing is performed to eliminate the ball biting (S115). Next, the value of the abnormal number counter 53m is “3”. It is confirmed whether or not (S116). As a result of the confirmation, if the value of the abnormal number counter 53m is not “3” (S116: No), the process proceeds to S117 since 6 seconds have not elapsed since the payout is delayed. When the value of the abnormal number counter 53m is “3” (S116: Yes), since about 6 seconds have passed since the payment is delayed, the count error flag 53k is turned on (S126), and the abnormal number counter The value of 53m is cleared to “0” (S127), and this payout switch detection process (S97) is terminated. In the process of S113, if the value of the timer counter 53i is not “1000” (S113: No), the process of S114 to S116 is skipped and the process proceeds to S117.

  In the process of S117, it is confirmed whether or not the payout count switch 66 has detected a ball (S117). As a result of the confirmation, if the payout count switch 66 does not detect a ball (S117: No), the payout switch detection process (S97) is terminated, while if the payout count switch 66 detects a ball (S117: Yes), in order to confirm whether the detected ball is a prize ball or a rental ball, it is confirmed whether the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is “1” or more (S118). If the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e is equal to or greater than “1” (S118: Yes), the detected ball is a ball that has been paid out as a winning ball, so “1” is subtracted from the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e. (S119), and the process proceeds to S121. On the other hand, if the value of the prize ball payout counter 53e is not equal to or greater than “1” (S118: Yes), the detected ball is a ball that has been paid out as a loaned ball. 1 "is subtracted (S120), and the process proceeds to S121.

  In the process of S121, since the payout count switch 66 has detected the ball normally, the value of the timer counter 53i is cleared to “0” (S121), the count error flag 53k is turned off (S122), and then the prize ball It is confirmed whether or not the values of the payout counter 53e and the lending payout counter 53f are “0” (S123). If the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e or the rental ball payout counter 53f is not “0” (S123: No), the winning ball or the rental ball to be paid out remains, so that the payout execution flag 53h is not turned off. The payout switch detection process is terminated. On the other hand, if the value of the winning ball payout counter 53e or the rental ball payout counter 53f is “0” (S123: Yes), it means that the payout operation of the winning ball or the rental ball to be paid out has been completed normally, so that the payout is executed. The flag 53h is turned off (S124), the error notification lamp 46 is turned off (S125), and the payout switch detection process (S97) is terminated. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a payout abnormality occurs, the error notification lamp 46 is kept on until a ball is detected by the payout count switch 66. Therefore, once the payout abnormality occurs and the game is stopped, the error notification lamp 46 can be kept on until the ball is normally paid out to the player, so that the payout abnormality has occurred. Regardless of the person, it can be made easier for employees of the game hall to recognize. After the payout switch detection process is completed, the process returns to FIG. 12 and then the slit detection process shown in FIG. 14 is executed (S98).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the slit detection process (S98). The slit detection process is a process for confirming whether or not the ball receiving member 63 is normally operated by the payout motor 62. By this slit detection process and the above-described payout switch detection process, it is possible to recognize whether a payout abnormality due to the occurrence of ball biting or a payout abnormality due to a detection abnormality of the payout count switch 66.

  In the slit detection process (S98), first, it is confirmed whether or not the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S131). If the payout execution flag 53h is not turned on as a result of the confirmation (S131: No), the payout operation for the winning ball or the rental ball is not executed, and the slit detection process is terminated. On the other hand, when the payout execution flag 53h is turned on (S131: Yes), the payout operation of the winning ball or the rental ball is being executed. Next, it is determined whether or not the count error flag 53k is turned on. Confirm (S132). If the count error flag 53k is turned on (S132: Yes), since a payout abnormality has occurred, first, this slit detection process is terminated to eliminate the payout abnormality.

  On the other hand, if the count error flag 53k is not turned on (S132: No), then the slit sensor 63e checks whether or not one slit 63d is detected (S133). As a result of the confirmation, if one slit 63d is not detected by the slit sensor 63e (S133: No), then it is confirmed whether or not the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is “45” or more (S134). It is confirmed whether or not a 45-pulse signal has been output to the payout motor 62 after a drive instruction for the payout motor 62 is generated. If the value of the payout abnormality counter 53j is equal to or greater than “45” (S134: Yes), one ball is paid out even with a 45-pulse signal, although one ball is paid out with a 30-pulse signal. In order to indicate that the ball receiving member 63 is not normally driven by the occurrence of the ball biting or the like, the motor error flag 53l is turned on (S135) to cancel the ball biting or the like. Next, the motor forward / reverse rotation process is executed (S136), and the slit detection process (S98) is terminated.

  In the process of S133, if the slit sensor 63e detects one slit 63d (S133: Yes), it means that the ball receiving member 63 is driven normally, and therefore the value of the pulse count counter 53j is set. “0” is cleared (S137), the motor error flag 53l is turned off (S138), and the slit detection process is terminated. In the process of S134, when the value of the pulse count counter 53j is not equal to or greater than “45” (S134: No), a 45-pulse signal has not yet been output after the drive instruction for the payout motor 62 is generated. Therefore, the process of S135 and S136 is skipped, and this slit detection process is terminated. After completion of the slit detection process, the process returns to FIG. 12, the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned off (S99), and the payout process (S64) is completed.

  Here, in S91 of the payout process of FIG. 12, when the motor error flag 531 or the count error flag 53k is turned on (S91: Yes), that is, in the payout switch detection process (S97), a payout instruction is generated. When a payout abnormality has occurred in which a ball has not been detected within about 6 seconds by the payout count switch, or in the slit detection process (S98), the slit sensor 63e has one slit 63d after the payout instruction is generated. If the value of the pulse count counter 53j is “45” or more and the drive abnormality of the payout motor 62 has occurred before the detection of the discharge, in order to restrict (stop) the drive of the payout motor 62, The process proceeds to S103.

  In the process of S103, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on (S103). As a result of the confirmation, if the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is not turned on (S103: No), the prize ball number data command is not output from the main control board C. It is confirmed whether or not the error return button 44 has been pressed (S104). If the error return button 44 has not been pressed by a game hall employee (S104: No), the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted (S104). In order to maintain the stopped state, the error notification lamp 46 is turned on (S105), and the process proceeds to S100. On the other hand, when the error return button 44 is pressed by an employee of the game hall (S104: Yes), a return payout process for paying out a ball is executed to confirm whether or not the payout abnormality has been resolved. (S106).

  On the other hand, if the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on (S103: Yes), it means that a command for the prize ball number data has been received from the main control board C. Therefore, an error recovery process is performed based on the winning of the ball. In order to execute, the process shifts to the return payout process in S106. That is, when the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality, the payout control board H receives the payout instruction from the main control board C even if the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner, so By executing the process, the game can be resumed. With this configuration, even if the game is stopped due to a slight payout abnormality, it can be resumed without delaying the progress of the game, so that a smooth game can be performed without incurring a disadvantage to the player. .

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the return payout process (S106). In this return-time payout process, it is determined whether or not the payout abnormality has been resolved by driving the payout motor 62 to pay out the balls of the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f. It is a process for confirming.

  In the return payout process (S106), the payout motor 62 is driven to pay out the balls of the value stored in the prize ball payout counter 53e or the lending payout counter 53f (S141), and payout of the balls to be paid out is performed. In order to confirm whether or not the operation is normally performed, a wait process is performed for a predetermined time during which the ball is paid out (S142), and the return payout process (S106) is ended. After the return payout process is completed, the process proceeds to the payout switch detection process (S97) of the payout process in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the pulse count process executed in each process (S65) in the main process of the payout control board H. By this pulse count processing, every time one pulse signal for driving the payout motor 62 is output, the value of the pulse count counter 53j that monitors the drive motor 62 for driving abnormality is incremented by “1”.

  In this pulse count process, first, it is confirmed whether or not a one-pulse signal has been output to the payout motor 62 in order to drive the payout motor 62 by one step (S151). As a result of the confirmation, if one pulse signal is output to the dispensing motor 62 to drive the dispensing motor 62 (S151: Yes), the value of the pulse counting counter 53j is incremented by “1” (S152). This pulse count process is terminated. On the other hand, if one pulse signal is not output to the payout motor 62 to drive the payout motor 62 (S151: No), the process of S152 is skipped and the pulse count process is terminated.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the payout control board H is controlled by the payout control board H even when the error return button 44 is not operated when the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality. By receiving a payout instruction from the board C, the game can be resumed. With this configuration, the burden on the payout device such as the payout motor 62 can be reduced, and even if the game is stopped due to a slight payout abnormality, it can proceed without delaying the progress of the game. A smooth game can be performed without incurring a disadvantage to the player.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, based on the winning of a ball at the time of payout abnormality, a return process for re-driving the payout motor 62 while keeping the payout abnormality is executed. Instead, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the second embodiment, the payout motor 62 can be driven by releasing the drive restriction of the payout motor 62 due to the occurrence of the payout abnormality based on the winning of the ball at the time of the payout abnormality. Configure to be in state. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof is omitted, and different parts will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the payout process (S64) executed in the main process of the payout control board H of the second embodiment. In the payout process of the second embodiment, if the motor error flag 531 or the count error flag 53k is turned on (S91: Yes), that is, if any payout abnormality has occurred, the payout motor 62 is driven. To restrict (stop) the process, the process proceeds to S103.

  In the process of S103, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on (S103). As a result of the confirmation, if the winning ball number data reception flag 53n is turned on (S103: Yes), it means that the winning ball number data command has been received from the main control board C, and therefore the motor error flag 53l and the count error flag 53k. Is turned off (S161), the drive restriction of the payout motor 62 is canceled to enable the payout of the ball, the payout execution flag 53h is turned off (S162), and the payout signal is sent to the payout motor 62 again. Is ready to output, and the process proceeds to S99.

  With the configuration described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the second embodiment, the payout control board H can be used even when the error return button 44 is not operated in a predetermined manner when the drive of the payout motor 62 is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality. However, the game can be resumed by receiving a payout instruction from the main control board C. With this configuration, the burden on the payout device such as the payout motor 62 can be reduced, and even if the game is stopped due to a slight payout abnormality, it can proceed without delaying the progress of the game. A smooth game can be performed without incurring a disadvantage to the player.

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

  For example, when the payout abnormality occurs and the progress of the game is restricted, the restriction occurrence information indicating that the progress of the game is restricted may be output to a management computer or the like of the game hall. By configuring as described above, it is possible to accurately grasp the state of the pachinko machine 1 in the management computer of the game hall, and it is possible to dispatch employees and the like promptly when game regulation occurs.

  You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said Example. For example, once a big hit, a pachinko machine that raises the expected value of the big hit until a big hit state occurs (for example, two times or three times) including that (for example, a two-time right item, a three-time right item) May also be implemented. Moreover, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special game state under the condition that a ball is awarded in a predetermined area. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the game machine may be implemented as various game machines such as an alepatchi, a sparrow ball, a slot machine, a game machine in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated.

  In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating a control lever in a state where a symbol effective line is determined by inserting coins, and a symbol is stopped and confirmed by operating a stop button. Is. Accordingly, the basic concept of the slot machine is that “a variable display means for confirming and displaying a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed in a variable manner, and the symbol resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, an operating lever). The change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol Is a slot machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player. In this case, the game medium is typically a coin, a medal or the like.

  The gaming machine and modified examples of the present invention are shown below. Main control means for controlling a game, payout control means for paying out a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a payout instruction output from the main control means, and driven by the payout control means A payout means for paying out a valuable object, a payout monitoring means for monitoring a payout state by the payout means, and a game restricting means for restricting the progress of the game when the payout monitoring means determines that the payout of the valuable object is abnormal And a gaming machine comprising a regulation releasing means for releasing the game regulation by a predetermined operation at the time of the game regulation by the game regulation means, the payout control means when the game regulation by the game regulation means, It comprises a reception restriction release means capable of releasing the game restriction when the payout instruction is received from the main control means. Tricks machine 1. The payout control means, when the progress of the game is restricted by the game restricting means, that is, when the game is restricted due to a payout abnormality, when the payout instruction is received from the main control means by the receiving restriction release means. It is comprised so that regulation can be cancelled | released. In other words, at the time of game regulation due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality, the game regulation can be released without receiving the regulation release means by receiving a payout instruction from the main control means. Therefore, even if the progress of the game is restricted due to a small payout abnormality, the restriction can be released without delaying the progress of the game, so that a smooth game can be performed without causing any disadvantage to the player. It can be carried out.

  Note that the time of game regulation includes, for example, a state in which control of the entire gaming machine is stopped, a state in which only the device and control relating to the payout operation are restricted, and the device and control relating to the display device are normally executed, etc. Is done.

  In the gaming machine 1, the game restricting means includes drive restricting means for restricting driving of the payout means when the progress of the game is restricted, and the payout control means receives the payout instruction from the main control means. In this case, the gaming machine 2 is configured to release the drive restriction of the payout means by the drive restriction means. The drive restricting means restricts driving of the payout means when the game restricting means controls the game, and the payout control means is configured to cancel the drive restriction of the payout means when receiving a payout instruction from the main control means at the time of game restricting. Has been. Therefore, when the game is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality, the game can be resumed by receiving a payout instruction from the main control means, so even if the game stops due to a slight payout abnormality, The regulation can be released without delay, and a smooth game can be performed without causing a disadvantage to the player.

  In the gaming machine 1, the game restricting means includes drive restricting means for restricting driving of the payout means when the progress of the game is restricted, and the payout control means receives the payout instruction from the main control means. In this case, the gaming machine 3 is configured to drive the payout means while maintaining the drive restriction of the payout means by the drive restriction means. The drive restricting means restricts the driving of the payout means when the game restricting means controls the game, and the payout control means pays out while maintaining the drive restriction of the paying means when receiving a payout instruction from the main control means during the game restricting. The means is configured to be driven. That is, when the payout control means receives the payout instruction from the main control means, the payout means can be driven only once and the valuable object can be paid out in a state where the drive control of the payout means is being executed. It is configured. Therefore, when the game is restricted due to the occurrence of a payout abnormality, the game can be resumed by receiving a payout instruction from the main control means, so even if the game stops due to a slight payout abnormality, The regulation can be released without delay, and a smooth game can be performed without causing a disadvantage to the player.

  In any one of the gaming machines 1 to 3, the main control unit or the payout control unit includes a regulation time suggesting unit that suggests that the progress of a game is regulated at the time of game regulation by the game regulation unit, The control means or the payout control means continues to suggest that the progress of the game is restricted by the restriction suggesting means until the payout monitoring means determines that the payout of the valuable object is normal. A gaming machine 4. Until the payout monitoring means determines that the payout of the valuable object is normal, the restriction suggesting means continues to suggest that the progress of the game is restricted. Therefore, once the payout abnormality occurs and the game is restricted, it can continue to suggest that the progress of the game is restricted by the restriction suggestion means until the valuable object is normally paid out to the player. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier for employees of the game hall to recognize that a payout abnormality has occurred, regardless of only the player.

  In any of the gaming machines 1 to 4, the main control means or the payout control means externally outputs restriction occurrence information indicating that the progress of the game is restricted when the progress of the game is restricted by the game restriction means. A gaming machine 5 characterized by being output to When the progress of the game is restricted, the game machine can be played in an external device such as a game hall management device by outputting restriction occurrence information indicating that the progress of the game is restricted to the outside (for example, the game hall management device). Can be accurately grasped, and employees can be dispatched promptly when game regulation occurs. The outside is exemplified by a game hall management device that manages each gaming machine arranged in the game hall.

  The gaming machine 6 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 5, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine. Above all, the basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine is provided with an operation handle, and a ball is launched into a predetermined game area according to the operation of the operation handle, and the ball is placed in an operation port disposed at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning a prize (or passing through the operating port), the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is confirmed and stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. Examples include those to which values (including data written on magnetic cards as well as premium balls) are given.

  Unlike pachinko machines such as slot machines, pachinko machines have time restrictions on games in a special game state. Therefore, during a special game state in a pachinko machine, the player must always participate in the game.For example, the player can stand up in the middle of the game or become out of the ball and cannot participate in the game. If it becomes, it is comprised so that the game value corresponding to a special game state cannot be acquired. In such a pachinko gaming machine, for example, if a payout abnormality occurs during a special game state, the winning ball will not be paid out even if the ball is won at the winning opening, and the ball will run out. You may not be able to participate. In such a case, the employee is called to resolve the payout abnormality and participate in the game again, but the special game state is ongoing while the employee has resolved the payout abnormality. There is a problem that even if the player participates in the game after the payout abnormality is resolved, the game value corresponding to the special game state cannot be obtained. Therefore, in the event of a payout abnormality, when the game is stopped due to a slight payout abnormality in the special gaming state by resolving the payout abnormality when the ball wins the winning opening and re-paying the ball. However, since the game can be advanced (the payout operation is performed) without delaying the progress of the game, a smooth game can be performed without causing any disadvantage to the player.

  The gaming machine 7 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 5, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the slot machine is “equipped with variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and for operating the starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). As a result, the dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. The game machine is provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information is specific identification information. In this case, examples of the game media include coins and medals.

  The gaming machine 8 according to any one of the gaming machines 1 to 5, wherein the gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the merged gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). Due to the operation of the identification information, the change of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of stoppage is specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium, and the identification information The game machine is configured such that a predetermined number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display, and a large number of balls are paid out when the special gaming state occurs.

1 Pachinko machine (game machine)
44 Error recovery button (part of restriction release means)
53h Payout execution flag (part of payout monitoring means)
53i timer counter (part of payout monitoring means)
53j Pulse counting counter (part of payout monitoring means)
53k count error flag (part of payout control means)
53l Motor error flag (part of payout control means)
53m Abnormal frequency counter (part of payout monitoring means)
60 ball dispensing device (part of dispensing means)
62 Dispensing motor (part of dispensing means)
66 payout count switch (part of payout monitoring means)
C Main control board (Main control means)
H Dispensing control board (dispensing control means)
P sphere (valuable object)

Claims (2)

Main control means for controlling a game related to a prize that gives a player at least a predetermined game value ;
Payout control means for performing payout control of a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a payout instruction output from the main control means when the winning occurs ;
A payout means driven by the payout control means to pay out the valuable object;
A payout monitoring means for monitoring a payout state by the payout means;
A payout restricting means for restricting the drive of the payout means when the payout monitoring means determines that the payout of the valuable object is abnormal;
In a gaming machine comprising a restriction release means for releasing the restriction of the drive of the payout means by a predetermined operation when the drive of the payout means is restricted by the payout restricting means,
The main control means continues the control of the game without performing control related to the abnormality under the situation where the driving of the payout means is restricted by the payout restricting means, and gives the payout instruction when the winning occurs. Output
The gaming machine characterized in that the restriction release means is arranged on the back side of the gaming machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the restriction release means is connected to the payout control means without being connected to the main control means.

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