JP6676862B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine (generally referred to as a “pachinko machine”) or a spinning-type gaming machine (generally referred to as a “pachislot machine”).

  In recent gaming machines, complicated game control is required in order to enhance the interest of the game. Along with this, a gaming machine has been proposed in which a plurality of control boards provide functions corresponding to each other, and perform processing while sharing the role of game control (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-159953 A

  In the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1, signals are transmitted to and received from each control board, and control corresponding to the signals received by each control board is performed. And the processing may be delayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing an increase in the load on a control board.

A gaming machine comprising: first control means for controlling the progress of a game; and second control means capable of executing control based on the game information notified from the first control means,
The first control means includes:
Game information storage means capable of temporarily storing the game information,
A game information notifying means capable of notifying the second control means of the game information stored in the game information storing means;
With
The second control means includes:
Game information receiving means for receiving game information notified from the first control means,
Game information response means for transmitting a response signal indicating that the game information has been received to the first control means,
With
The game information notification means periodically transmits the game information stored in the game information storage means to the second control means ,
When the game machine is powered on, the first control means executes an initial setting process for setting necessary for starting a game in the game machine,
The game information notification means transmits a game stop enable command capable of temporarily stopping at least a part of the function of the game to the second control means as the game information when the initial setting process is executed,
The game information response means, when the game information receiving means receives the game stop enable command, transmits a game stop release enable command for releasing the stop of the function of the game as the response signal to the first control means,
The first control means includes:
After the initial setting process is executed, a timer interrupt process that is periodically executed, a main loop process that is executed after the timer interrupt process ends, and whether or not the game stop release enable command is received is determined. Power failure processing that is executed when the voltage of the gaming machine falls below a predetermined value,
The timer interrupt processing can be executed between the transmission of the game stop enable command and the reception of the game stop release enable command, but the first processing included in the timer interrupt processing cannot be executed. age,
Even during the period from transmitting the game stop enable command to receiving the game stop release enable command, the second process included in the main loop process can be executed,
The first process and the second process are processes that provide at least a part of the function of the game,
The first process is a process that can be executed by receiving the game stop release enable command, and a state in which the stop of the game function is released by the execution of the first process and the game can be played. game machine and wherein the Rukoto Do with.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to solve the above problem and provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing an increase in control load.

It is a front view showing a game machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention, and a checkout machine attached to a game machine. It is a front view of the gaming machine which shows and removes a door frame. It is a front perspective view showing a main part frame which constitutes a game machine. It is a rear perspective view showing a main body frame constituting the gaming machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a ball launching device, a deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit, and a ball collecting unit. It is a right view which shows a ball launching device, a ball supply path member, and a ball lifting device. It is the perspective view by the line of sight which looked up at the upper part of the game board from the lower front of the game board showing the ball launching device and the launch area. It is a front view showing a ball launching device (a launching hammer hitting ball position). It is a perspective view which shows a ball launching apparatus seen from the front left side. It is a perspective view which shows a ball launching apparatus seen from the rear left side. It is a perspective view which shows the ball launching apparatus seen from the rear left side with the ball feed unit cover removed. It is a figure showing an open state of a ball launching device in a gaming machine shown with a door frame removed. It is a right view which shows the longitudinal section of the gaming machine which removes and shows a door frame. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA of FIG. 2. It is the perspective view which showed the joint part with the base plate in the ball launching apparatus, and the state which the projection part of the panel holder in a game board has contacted. It is a perspective view which shows a ball launching apparatus seen from the front right side. It is a front view showing a ball launching device (a launching hammer standby position). It is a right view which shows a ball launching apparatus (ball feed solenoid non-excitation, a ball feed member is a holding position and a return ball blocking position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sphere launching device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (the ball-feeding solenoid is not excited, the ball-feeding member is at the holding position and the return ball-blocking position). It is a perspective view which shows the ball feed member, the ball feed shaft, and the ball feed sheet metal in a ball feed device from diagonally rear. It is a right view which shows a ball launching apparatus (ball feed solenoid excitation, a ball feed member is a supply position and an allowable position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sphere launching device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (ball feed solenoid excitation, ball feed member supply position and allowable position). It is sectional drawing which fractured | ruptured the main body frame in the longitudinal direction so that the ball launching device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device may be shown. It is a time chart which shows the drive timing of a ball feed solenoid and a firing solenoid. It is a front perspective view of a ball outlet opening / closing unit. It is a rear perspective view of a ball outlet opening / closing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between an upper firing unit and a ball exit opening / closing unit in a main body frame. It is an external appearance perspective view explaining a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a state where the magnetic ball discharge unit cover is separated and turned over in FIG. 28. It is a top view of a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a rear view of a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the base plate of a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure which separates and describes a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit into a deformed sphere discharge unit and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the course by which a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere are discharged in a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the situation where a magnetic sphere is separated from a circulating route, and is discharged. It is a figure explaining the state where the magnetic sphere reached the magnetic sphere discharge slope. It is a front left perspective view of a ball collection part and a ball lifting device. It is a front view of a ball collection part and a ball lifting device. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the ball polishing cartridge in a ball collection part. It is a rear perspective view which shows the state of the case of the ball collection part, and the cover of the ball lifting device removed. FIG. 41 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the sphere assembly in FIG. 40. FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of FIG. 41. It is the top view which removed the case of the ball collection part. It is a rear perspective view showing the state where an upper gear box and a lower gear box were removed. It is a right view which shows the state which removed the cover of the ball lifting device. It is an enlarged view of (A) in FIG. It is a figure showing the state which disassembled the screw. It is a perspective view which shows the upper part of a ball lifting device. It is a figure which shows the fitting / non-fitting state of a screw and a fitting member. It is a left view which shows the state in which the ball polishing cartridge was mounted. It is a perspective view explaining the mechanism which fixes a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of mounting a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the ball and the ball polishing cloth of a ball polishing cartridge are pressed against a game ball. It is a left view which shows the state in which the ball | ball polishing cloth of a game ball and a ball polishing cartridge is pressed. FIG. 55 is a left side view showing the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 54 with the left side cover removed. FIG. 55 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 55. It is a perspective view showing the state where the ball polishing cartridge was attached. FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which only the right outer side cover is removed in FIG. 57 for explanation. FIG. 58 is an upper perspective view showing a state where the right side cover is opened in FIG. 58; It is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge. It is a front view of a ball polishing cartridge. It is a side view of a ball polishing cartridge. FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG. 62. It is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between a ball polishing cartridge and a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. FIG. 40 is an enlarged view in which the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge of FIG. 39 is enlarged. It is a side view which shows 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a top view showing the state where an upper gear box was removed in a hoisting device. It is a rear view which shows the state which removed the lifting part cover in the lifting device. It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which less than a predetermined number of game balls have been inserted when a game ball is sealed in a sealed ball game machine. It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a predetermined number of game balls have been inserted when the game balls are sealed in a sealed ball game machine. It is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of a game ball when the number of the game balls inserted exceeds a predetermined number when the game balls are sealed in a sealed ball type game machine. It is a perspective view showing the state where the game ball introduction member in the game panel protruded. It is a perspective view showing the state where the game ball introduction member in the game panel was stored. It is a block diagram showing an important section in an embodiment of a main control board arranged in an enclosed ball game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the ball information control board | substrate arrange | positioned at the enclosed ball type game machine. It is a block diagram showing each element connected to the checkout machine. 9 is a flowchart showing main control-side power-on processing executed by a main control MPU of the main control board. FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the main control-side power-on processing in FIG. 79. It is a flowchart which shows the main control side timer interruption process which a main control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of power-on of the ball information control side performed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board. FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control-side power-on processing in FIG. 82. 84 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information ball concession control-side power-on process following FIG. 83. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the sphere information control power supply cutoff which the sphere information control MPU of a sphere information control board performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a ball information control side timer interrupt process. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball lending process which a ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the hitting possible / impossible determination process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball count control processing which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball feed / fire drive process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the shooting ball detection process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the lifting drive process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process which a ball information control MPU performs. It is the figure which showed the cushion and the following member provided in the back side of the door frame, and the cushion receiving plate provided in the ball launching apparatus. It is an example of a block diagram showing a game board connected to a drawer connector and a main body frame. It is an example of a block diagram showing a game board connected to a drawer connector and a main body frame. It is a figure showing the conventional example in the signal output from a ball information control board to an external terminal board. It is a figure showing this example in a signal output from a ball information control board to an external terminal board. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a game machine ecosystem. It is a block diagram showing an outline of a gaming machine management system. It is a perspective view showing a main part frame of a game machine of Embodiment 2. (A)-(C) is a perspective view showing a fitting procedure of the game board of the gaming machine of the second embodiment. It is a sectional front view showing a game board of a game machine of Embodiment 2. It is sectional front view which shows the state which accommodated the ball launching device in the notch part of the game board of Embodiment 2. FIG. 105B is an enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 105B. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows the modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows the modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows the modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2. FIG. 107 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SS in FIG. 106, showing a state in which the game board is not sufficiently installed. FIG. 107 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SS in FIG. 106, showing a state in which the game board is normally installed. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows the modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2. It is a principal part enlarged front view which shows the modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2. It is a partially enlarged front view showing the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2 and the upper part of the gaming board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating main control-side power-on processing executed by a main control MPU of a main control board according to the present modification. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process at the time of power-on of the main control side of FIG. 114A. It is a modification of the flowchart which shows the main-control-side timer interrupt processing which the main control MPU in this modification performs. It is a figure explaining an example of winning information transmitted from a main control board to a ball information control board in this modification. It is a figure explaining an example of the table which defines the number of prize balls corresponding to a winning opening in this modification. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of including the number of prize balls in winning information in this modification, (A) is a case where the number of winning is totaled for every general winning opening, (B) is aggregating the general winning opening and winning. This is the case of counting the numbers. It is a figure which shows the example which memorize | winned the prize information in this modification in order of a prize. It is a figure showing an example of game information transmitted to a ball information control board from a main control board in this modification, (A) is an example of winning information, and (B) is an example of main control recognition information. It is a figure showing another example of game information transmitted to a ball information control board from a main control board in this modification. It is a figure explaining communication between a main control board and a ball information control board at the time of starting of a game machine of this modification. It is a figure showing a case where there is no response from a ball information control board to a notice from a main control board in communication between a main control board and a ball information control board of a game machine of this modification. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another example of a case where there is no response from the ball information control board to a notification from the main control board in communication between the main control board and the ball information control board of the gaming machine of the present modified example.

[Embodiment 1]
[Outline of gaming machines]
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The gaming machine 1 (enclosed ball-type gaming machine) according to the first embodiment can be installed on the existing island facilities in a hall (game hall), and the content of the game is the same as that of a well-known gaming machine. However, the game machine does not use the ball supply mechanism and the ball discharge mechanism of the island facility. That is, the enclosed ball-type gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment accommodates a predetermined number of game balls formed of a non-magnetic material (for example, stainless steel) in the game machine, and places the game balls in the game area by the ball launching device. The game is performed by firing, playing the game, collecting the game ball that has completed the game, and guiding the game ball to the ball launching device, for example, by circulating the game ball previously sealed in the game machine. Then, the game balls can be fired in accordance with the number of game balls (data of the number of held balls) based on the data of the number of ball rentals input from a storage medium such as a card via a settlement system or the like, and the game balls are fired. Then, the data of the number of held balls is subtracted corresponding to the number of launched game balls.

  Also, when a launched game ball wins a winning opening in the game area and a prize ball (game ball) is generated, the actual game ball is not paid out, and the data of the number of held balls does not include the number of prize balls. Is added. Further, when the data of the number of held balls becomes “0”, the game balls cannot be fired. In this state, when a numerical value (the number of rented balls) is added to the data of the number of held balls based on the data of the amount of money or the data of the stored balls stored in a storage medium such as a card, the game balls can be fired again. Becomes

  First, a main body frame 2 (FIG. 3) and a door frame 3 (FIG. 1) of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a payment machine 4 as an external device.

The gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 1a (FIG. 12) configured in a rectangular frame shape and installed on the island facility on the hall side, and a game board 5 (FIG. 2) supported by the outer frame 1a to be freely opened and closed. The apparatus is provided with a main body frame 2 that can be mounted, and a door frame 3 that is pivotally supported by the main body frame 2 to be freely opened and closed.
At a position below the main frame 2 and the door frame 3, a decorative cover 6 is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 1a, and the door frame 3 and the decorative cover 6 completely close the front surface of the outer frame 1a. It has become. The outer frame 1a, the body frame 2 and the door frame 3 are arranged such that their upper ends are substantially aligned, and the body frame 2 is rotatable by a hinge 7 (FIG. 3) provided on the left side of the outer frame 1a. The main frame 2 is pivotally supported, and the main frame 2 is opened by moving the right side of the main frame 2 forward with respect to the outer frame 1a. The door frame 3 is rotatably attached to the main body frame 2 with pins, and is opened by moving the right side of the door frame 3 to the front side.

[Door frame 3]
The door frame 3 includes a game window 9 in which a player can visually recognize a game area 8 of the game board 5 into which a game ball is driven, and a game window 8 disposed below the game window 9 and operated by the player. It has a hit ball handle 10 for hitting a game ball. A transparent plate 11 is attached to the game window 9 so as to cover the front surface (game area 8) of the game board 5 mounted on the body frame 2 in a state where the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the body frame 2. Have been. The hitting handle 10 drives the launching solenoid 13 (see FIG. 5) of the ball launching device 12 attached to the upper left of the main body frame 2 based on the turning operation of the player to play the game in the game area 8. The ball is driven. The hitting handle 10 has a microswitch (not shown) that is turned on when the ball is turned, a firing stop switch that is turned off when the microswitch is pressed while the microswitch is turned on, and a hitting handle 10. And a touch switch for detecting the contact of the player with the hitting handle 10 via the conductive plating applied to the outer peripheral surface of the player. The ball launching device 12 will be described later.

  The door frame 3 and the main body frame 2 are connected by a key device arranged at the lower right corner of the door frame 3, and the key is inserted into the key device and rotated to one side, whereby the door frame 3 is moved. It can be opened to the body frame 2.

[Touch panel unit 14]
The door frame 3 is provided with a touch panel portion 14 formed horizontally below a portion below the game window 9 (a portion corresponding to the upper plate of a well-known game machine of a non-enclosed ball type). The touch panel section 14 displays the remaining count, the number of balls held in the gaming machine, and the number of end balls.

  Here, the remaining number is a value corresponding to the amount of money stored in the card used in the checkout machine 4, and the number of balls held by the player is lent to the player by lending the ball. This is the sum of the number of balls and the number of prize balls obtained by the player as a result of playing the game.

  On the touch panel section 14, a ball lending button as a ball lending command input device operable by the player and a settlement button as a settlement command input device operable by the player are displayed. The ball lending button is used to instruct lending of a ball held for playing a game. The settlement button is used to end the game and instruct settlement.

  Further, the touch panel section 14 further displays an end ball number display button as an end ball number display command input means that can be operated by the player. Here, the end ball number is the surplus ball number when the player's ball number is divided by the ball number corresponding to one special prize at the time of prize exchange. When the display of the number of end balls is instructed by the end ball number display button, the touch panel unit 14 can also display a message such as “Do you hit only end balls?”. A message in the form of an interactive question is displayed together with the end ball number display button, and a YES button and a NO button are displayed for the player to make a selection input for responding to either yes or no.

[Body frame 2]
The main body frame 2 is a box-like shape having a frame-shaped fitting frame 15 and a peripheral wall portion 16 so as to just fit in the rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 1a (FIGS. 3 and 4). The fitting frame 15 has a rectangular accommodation opening 17 for fitting the game board 5 into the front side thereof. A projecting wall 18 projecting inward is integrally formed behind the housing opening 17 (FIGS. 3 and 12). The back is closed with a back cover. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main frame 2, the front surface (game area 8) of the game board 5 accommodated in the main frame 2 can be seen through the game window 9 of the door frame 3.

  A deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit housing portion 19 is formed below the housing opening 17, and a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is disposed in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit housing portion 19. . And, as will be described later, the discharge ball receiving box 234 for accommodating the deformed ball or the magnetic ball smaller in diameter than the regular game ball discharged from the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 is provided for the gaming machine. It can be attached and detached from the front.

  FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the main body frame cut in the vertical direction to show the ball launching device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 23, the main body frame 2 is provided with a ball launching device 12, a ball collecting section 21, a ball lifting device 22, and a ball supply path member 24. The ball collecting unit 21 is a part that receives game balls that have passed through the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20 and guides them to the base of the ball lifting device 22 (FIG. 5), and includes a ball polishing device and the like.

  A ball launching device 12 for launching a game ball toward the game area 8 is disposed at a front portion and an upper side (upper left corner) of the main body frame 2 (FIGS. 3 and 23). In addition, the ball feeding device 28 for feeding game balls arranged and stored in a guiding path (a ball feeding guiding gutter 69 described later, see FIG. 11) one ball at a time to the firing position of the ball firing device 12 includes the ball firing device 12. Are arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction (FIGS. 6, 23).

  The ball lifting device 22 uses the screw 25 driven by the ball lifting motor 150 (see FIG. 24) in the first embodiment, and the game balls reaching the base are rotated by the screw 25 so that the distance between the game balls is increased. , And is lifted to the upper part of the main body frame 2 from below. The ball lifting device 22 is attached to the rear surface of the main body frame 2 behind the ball launching device 12, and the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is disposed above the ball feeding device 28 (FIGS. 3 and 3). 4, FIG. 23).

  Between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper portion of the ball launching device 12, a ball supply in the front-rear direction for feeding game balls pumped by the ball lifting device 22 from above to the ball feeding device 28. A path member 24 is provided (FIGS. 3, 4, and 23). In the present embodiment, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end portion of the ball lifting device 22 and has a gentle downward slope toward the front, so that the lifted game balls are moved forward from above. The ball discharge gutter 23 is formed at the rear upper portion of the ball launching device 12 and is connected to the ball discharge gutter 23 and has a gentle downwardly inclined forward communication gutter 65. The game balls lifted by the ball lifting device 22 are sent to the ball sending gutter 23. The ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball supply path member 24 is provided with a launch standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball flowing down the ball delivery gutter 23 (see FIG. 6).

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing the ball launching device, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the front left side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the rear left side, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the rear left side with the ball feed unit cover removed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an open state of the ball launching device in the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed, and FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a longitudinal section of the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a sectional perspective view taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint portion between the ball launching device and a base plate is in contact with a projection portion of a panel holder in a game board.

  16 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the front right side. FIG. 17 is a front view showing the ball launching device (a launching hammer standby position). FIG. 18 is a right side showing the ball launching device. FIG.

  The ball launching device 12 receives a base plate 39 in the form of a metal plate to be rotatably attached to the main body frame 2 and a game ball reaching from the ball supply path member 24, and a hitting and launching position of the launching hammer 30 (FIG. 8). A ball feed solenoid 28 (see FIG. 11) and a ball feeder 28 that surely feeds the game balls one by one using a ball feed member 32 are provided (see FIGS. 8 to 11).

  The ball feeder 28 receives a game ball that arrives from the ball supply path member 24 (FIG. 6), and transfers one game ball to the firing position of the hammer 30 (FIG. 8) of the ball firing device 12 with the ball feeder 32. This is a device for sending out each one surely.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the ball launching device 12 includes a launching hammer 30, a launching solenoid 13, a rail member 33, a launching stopper 34, a returning stopper 35, a launching ball confirmation switch 36, a ball launching device hinge 37, and a launching port. 38. These members are mounted on a base plate 39 (a metal plate in this embodiment) as a substrate. The discharge port 38 is formed so as to face the tip of the firing hammer 30, and the rail member 33 is attached to this portion. The rail member 33 is a member that holds one game ball sent to the firing position (ball hitting position) by the ball feeding member 32 by the rail portion 332. The game ball launched by the launch hammer 30 is launched from the launch port 38 to the game area 8.

  The launch ball confirmation switch 36 is disposed with respect to the rail portion 332 of the rail member 33, detects the presence or absence of a game ball driven by the launch hammer 30, and detects the detection of the game ball by the launch ball confirmation switch 36. By switching, it is detected that one game ball has been fired by the hammer 30 for firing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the circulation mechanism (circulation route) of the game ball includes the ball launching device 12, the game area 8, the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20, the ball collecting section 21, the ball lifting device 22, the ball supply route. The game ball, which is generally constituted by the member 24 and is launched from the ball launching device 12 to the launch area 40 (FIG. 7) of the play area 8, flows down the play area 8 from above to below, and the winning opening 41 or the out opening From 42, the ball returns to the ball launching device 12 via the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20, the ball collecting section 21, the ball lifting device 22, and the ball supply path member 24.

[Game board]
The game board 5 is mounted on the fitting frame 15 of the main body frame 2. In this embodiment, in the game board 5, a transparent panel plate 44 is attached to a panel holder 43, and a front component 45 is attached to the front surface thereof. The front component 45 divides the game area 8 into a substantially circular shape (FIG. 2). , FIG. 12).
The front component 45 extends the game area 8 from the launch port 38 of the ball launching device 12 to the rubber ball hitting portion 29 provided on the side opposite to the ball launching device 12 in the range of a subarc. And a lower game area partition 452 that partitions the lower game area.
Further, the upper game area partitioning section 451 is a ball firing side upper partitioning section 454 on which a rising curved surface 453 for guiding a game ball in an arc shape from the firing port 38 of the ball firing device 12 to the top of the game area 8 is formed. And a ball-collision-side upper partition 456 having a descending curve surface 455 for guiding a game ball in an arc from the top of the game area 8 to the ball-collision section 29. In the first embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the arc length of the rising curve surface 453 and the arc length of the falling curve surface 455 are substantially the same.

  The mechanical and electrical connection between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 is made by a connection using a drawer connector as shown in FIG. The game board 5 is provided with a game board side main drawer connector and a game board side sub drawer connector, and the main body frame 2 is provided with a main body frame side main drawer connector and a main body frame side sub drawer connector. I have. When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2, the game board side main drawer connector and the main body frame side main drawer connector are connected, and the game board side sub drawer connector and the main body frame side sub drawer connector are connected. And the body frame 2 are electrically connected at the same time as they are mechanically connected. As a result, electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2.

A cutout 47 (FIG. 12) is formed at the upper left corner of the game board 5 so as to match the contour of the ball launching device 12. The notch 47 extends from the front component 45 to a part of the transparent panel board 44 in the game area 8. The opening 38 of the ball shooting device 12 faces the place where the transparent panel plate 44 is cut out, and as shown in FIG. 7, the game area 8 near the shooting opening 38 along the upward rising curved surface 453. Is the launch area 40.
Therefore, the game ball strongly hit by the firing hammer 30 of the ball firing device 12 rises along the rising curve surface 453 of the front component 45 in the firing region 40, passes over the top of the game region 8 as it is, and descends. The ball hits the ball collision part 29 along the surface 455 and rebounds or falls short of the ball collision part 29, and flows down from the center or upper right part of the game area 8 toward the out port 42. On the other hand, the weakly hit game ball exits the launch port 38 and immediately descends to flow down from the upper left portion of the game area 8 mainly toward the out port 42.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming area 8 of the first embodiment is provided with a number of obstacle nails 503, a liquid crystal display device 1400, and various winning ports such as a general winning port 93x and a large winning port 98x. A predetermined number of prize balls are awarded in accordance with winnings in various winning openings. Since the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment is of the enclosed ball type, "1" is subtracted from the data of the number of held balls in accordance with the driving of one gaming ball, while the prize corresponding to the winning in various winning ports. The number of balls is added to the data of the number of held balls, and the corresponding number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

  In addition, since the ball is an enclosed ball type, prize balls are not paid out, and the number of outgoing balls, the number of incoming balls, the number of difference balls, the number of held balls, and the like are not the actual number of game balls but data numerical values. . That is, the number of actually used game balls is limited to a predetermined number (for example, 50 or 75) that is used cyclically, and the number of held balls is, for example, the number of game balls to be fired in the game area 8 detected. The number of shot balls counted and counted, the number of collected balls detected and counted by detecting game balls fired and collected in the game area 8, the number of prize balls when winning, the number of ball rentals borrowed from the hall side, etc. The number of incoming balls, the number of outgoing balls, the number of difference balls, and the number of held balls can be obtained.

  That is, the number of fired balls = the number of collected balls unless there is a trouble such as opening the door frame 3 and causing the game balls to go outside. Then, the number of incoming balls = the number of collected balls = the number of launched balls, the number of outgoing balls = the number of awarded balls (integrated value) = the number of incoming balls-the number of balls for rental (number of replayed balls) + the number of held balls Number of balls (or number of replayed balls) + Number of outgoing balls-Number of incoming balls, Number of outgoing balls-Number of incoming balls = Number of difference balls, Number of held balls = Number of ball rentals (or Number of replayed balls) + Number of difference balls Becomes In this way, the game by the gaming machine 1 is performed completely as a numerical value on the data, and there is no error caused by spilling the game ball or leaving the game ball on the lower plate or the upper plate, It can be managed reliably in integer units. In the structure of the ball launching device 12 to be described later, basically no foul ball is generated due to damage.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the front component 45, the panel holder 43, and the transparent panel plate 44 are formed as separate members. However, these components may be integrated by bonding, for example, or may be integrally formed as one member. Alternatively, the front component 45 can be screwed to a wooden plywood. As described above, when the front component 45 and the panel holder 43 are integrally formed on the transparent panel board 44, the notch 47 is provided on the game board 5, so that the front component 45 and the panel holder 43 have the same. It is possible to suppress the structural weakening of these members due to the cutting of the frame structure (the four sides are connected).

[Ball launching device 12]
The ball launching device 12 is capable of hitting a game ball supplied from the ball feeder 28 into the game area 8 of the game board 5 with a strength corresponding to a rotation operation of the hitting ball handle 10. The ball launching device 12 includes a launching solenoid 13 mounted on the upper rear surface of the base plate 39 so that the rotary drive shaft 60 projects forward, and a launching hammer 30 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 60 of the launch solenoid 13 so as to be integrally rotatable. A hammer tip 61 fixed to the tip of the hammer 30 for firing; a rail member 33 attached to the front surface of the base plate 39 with a predetermined position on the movement locus of the hammer 61 as a firing position; The launching stopper 34 for restricting the rotation of the hammer tip 61 in the counterclockwise direction from the hitting position at which the stopped game ball can be hit, and the firing hammer 30 is in a standby position (initial position) in its turning operation. A return stopper 35 for restricting the game ball, a launch ball confirmation switch 36 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball parked at the launch position, And 置用 hinge 37, the ejection port 38 which is opened to face the game area 8, and a (8, 9, 16, see FIG. 18).

  Although not shown in detail, the firing solenoid 13 of the ball firing device 12 is configured such that the rotation drive shaft 60 reciprocates at a strength (speed) corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the hitting handle 10. The launching hammer 30 of the ball launching device 12 has a fixed portion 301 fixed to the rotation drive shaft 60 of the firing solenoid 13, and a gentle arc extending from the fixed portion 301, and the tip is located at the axis of the rotation drive shaft 60. A rod portion 302 facing the normal direction and having a tip 61 fixed to the tip thereof, and a stopper extending to the opposite side with respect to the rod portion 302 with the fixing portion 301 interposed therebetween, and capable of contacting the stopper 34 at the time of firing. A contact portion 303. When the stopper abutment portion 303 of the firing hammer 30 abuts the stopper 34 at the time of firing, rotation in a counterclockwise direction in front view is restricted (see FIG. 8).

  A ball supply port 63 formed in a ball feeding unit base (described later) of the ball feeding device 28 is disposed directly above the rail member 33 of the ball firing device 12. The rail member 33 stops one game ball sent from the ball supply port 63 by the ball feeding operation of the ball feeding member 32 of the ball feeding device 28 described below at the firing position.

  The rail member 33 is formed by bending a metal plate, and includes a mounting plate portion 331 fixed to the base plate 39 and a rail portion 332 bent forward from the mounting plate portion 331. (See FIG. 8). The rail portion 332 for setting the firing position has a substantially L-shape inclined 45 degrees to the left in a front view, and a left rail plate 333 forming the left side of the rail portion 332 and a right side of the rail portion 332. (See FIG. 8). The left rail plate 333 has a through hole 335 through which the hammer 61 passes when the firing hammer 30 hits the ball (see FIGS. 9 and 21).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when viewed from the front, a portion from the center in the vertical direction to the lower end of the right side portion of the ball launching device 12 is exposed and arranged facing the game area 8. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, a discharge port decoration member 64 is disposed on the front right side of the base plate 39, and the discharge port decoration member 64 is attached to the base plate 39 and a ball feed unit base 67 described later. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 16, the opening decoration member 64 has the right side surface and the lower side surface exposed so as to face the game area 8. The face portion and the lower side surface portion are formed on a ball entry prevention wall 51 for preventing a game ball hit into the game area 8 from entering the inside of the ball launching device 12. The launch port 38 is formed on the ball entry prevention wall 51 on the right side of the launch port decoration member 64, and the ball entry prevention wall 51 surrounds the launch port 38 and is substantially flush with the rear end face of the game area 8. It has an arch shape that rises forward.

  As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 16, the opening 38 is positioned obliquely rightward and upward with respect to the rail portion 332 in a front view. As can be understood from FIGS. 8 and 17, the distance between the rail portion 332 (firing position) and the firing port 38 is short (about twice the diameter of the game ball P). It is possible to reliably hit the shot game ball into the game area 8 without generating a foul ball.

  The launch ball confirmation switch 36 detects the presence / absence of a game ball parked at the launch position, and the detection of the game ball is not detected by the launch of the game ball at the launch position by the hammer 30 for launch. , It is detected that one game ball has been fired by the hammer 30 for firing.

  The launching ball confirmation switch 36 is composed of a transmission type photo sensor, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as to straddle the rail section 332 that sets the launching position back and forth. The firing sphere confirmation switch 36 is supported by the photo bracket 361 and is arranged at the firing position, and the photo bracket 361 is attached and fixed to the lower front surface of the base plate 39.

  The ball launching device 12 includes a stopper cover 62 that covers the front surface of the launching stopper 34 that can regulate the rotating end of the launching hammer 30 toward the ball hitting position, and a position that is separated from the hitting position of the launching hammer 30. A return stopper 35 is provided for restricting the rotation end (the rotation end in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front). The surfaces of the stoppers 34 and 35 are covered with rubber, so that the impact when the firing hammer 30 abuts can be absorbed and noise generated by the abutment can be suppressed. .

  In addition, the ball launching device 12 is configured such that the launching solenoid 13 is driven by a ball information control unit described later with a driving strength corresponding to the rotation operation of the hitting handle 10, and the ball feeding device 28 The solenoid 31 is driven so as to perform a ball hitting operation at a drive timing described later with respect to the drive timing of the solenoid 31 (see FIG. 24). Specifically, in the ball feeder 28 that supplies the game balls to the ball launcher 12, when the ball feed solenoid 31 is driven (ON), the game balls received by the ball feeder member 32 are sent to the ball launcher 12, and the state is changed. When the driving of the ball feeding solenoid 31 is released (OFF), the ball feeding member 32 receives the game ball.

  In the ball firing device 12, when the hitting handle 10 is fired, energization / disconnection of the firing solenoid 13 is repeated with a voltage corresponding to the operation amount. 8 and 17, the firing hammer 30 rotates from the initial position (FIG. 17) in the firing direction (counterclockwise) to the firing position, as shown in FIGS. After hitting the stopped game ball with the mallet 61 (FIG. 8), the firing operation that rotates clockwise and returns to the initial position is repeated.

[Ball feeder 28]
Next, the ball feeding device 28 will be described. The ball feeding device 28 is mainly configured as a unit as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and has a ball inlet 66 connected to the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball supply path member 24 shown in FIG. A ball feeder connected to the gutter 65 and the lifting communication gutter 65 and having a ball supply port 63 for supplying game balls entered from the lifting communication gutter 65 to the ball launching device 12, and having an open rear portion. A unit base 67, a ball feed unit cover 68 that closes the rear end of the ball feed unit base 67 and is open at the front, a ball feed solenoid 31 disposed below the ball feed unit base 67, and a ball feed solenoid 31 And a ball feeding member 32 that simultaneously realizes a ball feeding operation and a return ball blocking operation to be described later.

  The lifting communication gutter 65 is gently inclined downward from the rear end where the ball inlet 66 is formed to the front end. The ball feed unit base 67 is attached to the left side of the rear surface of the base plate 39, the front end of the discharge communication gutter 65 is connected to the upper right portion, and is connected to the front end of the discharge communication gutter 65 in rear view. From the right side of the upper part to the center in the vertical direction, a gentle downward slope is applied leftward in the left-right direction, and a ball-feeding guide gutter 69 bent downward and formed halfway, and a lower end of the ball-feeding guide gutter 69 And a ball supply port 63 penetrating in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 11).

  Further, on the rear surface of the ball feed unit cover 68 that is below the bent portion of the ball feed guide gutter 69 and above the ball supply port 63, the game balls waiting in the ball feed guide gutter 69 are provided. A launch standby ball detection switch 70 for detecting the presence / absence is provided (see FIG. 10). The launch-standby-ball detection switches 70 are each composed of a flat proximity switch that detects a game ball as a metal body by changing the impedance of the detection coil of the high-frequency oscillation circuit.

  The ball feed solenoid 31 of the present embodiment is formed of an electromagnet, and is disposed below the ball feed unit base 67 in a posture in which a suction part that exerts a suction function by excitation is directed downward. The ball feed member 32 is disposed below the ball feed unit base 67 adjacent to the left of the ball feed solenoid 31. The ball-feeding member 32 in the present embodiment is provided at an allowable position where the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is excited and de-energized, and does not interfere with the hitting ball fired from the firing position by the hitting operation of the ball-emitting device 12, and allows the passing of the hitting ball. And a return ball blocking portion that is movable between a return ball blocking position for blocking the entry of a return ball returning from the game area 8 to the launch port 38.

[Ball feed member 32]
Hereinafter, the ball feeding member 32 will be described. FIG. 18 is a right side view showing the ball launching device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is not excited, and the ball feed member 32 takes the holding position and the return ball blocking position). FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the ball launching device 12 cut along the line B (the ball feeding solenoid 31 is not excited, and the ball feeding member 32 takes the holding position and the return ball blocking position). FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the ball feed member 32, the ball feed shaft, and the ball feed sheet metal in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a right side view showing the ball launching device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is excited, and the ball feed member takes a supply position and an allowable position). FIG. 22 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ball launching device shown by being broken by a line (the ball feeding solenoid 31 is excited, and the ball feeding member 32 takes a supply position and an allowable position).

  As shown in FIG. 20, a shaft hole 75 is formed in the middle of the ball feed member 32 in the up-down direction toward the left-right direction. A ball feed shaft 76 is inserted into the shaft hole 75 with both ends protruding. Both ends of the ball feed shaft 76 in the left-right direction are supported by a ball feed unit base 67. Thus, the ball feed member 32 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction about the ball feed shaft 76 as a rotation center.

  In the middle of the ball feeding member 32, an arm portion 77 is formed to extend rearward, and at the lower end of the arm portion 77, as shown in FIG. A rod portion 72 is formed, a sheet metal receiving portion 73 is formed in the operating rod portion 72, and a ball feed sheet metal 71 made of a metal material attracted by a magnet is stored in the sheet metal receiving portion 73.

  Immediately below the sheet metal housing 73, a sheet metal engaging claw 78 is formed to protrude rearward to prevent the ball feeding sheet metal 71 from dropping off. The ball feeding sheet metal 71 is prevented from dropping from the sheet metal housing 73.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a locking projection 79 is formed at an end of the operating rod 72, and one end of the tension spring 52 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the other end of the tension spring 52 is hooked on a spring locking portion 53 formed on the lower bottom surface of the ball feed unit base 67.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a roof-shaped ball feed portion 74 is formed above the shaft hole 75 of the ball feed member 32 and integrally with the ball feed member 32 toward the lower edge of the ball supply port 63. I have. The ball feed portion 74 is formed in a chevron shape in which the center of the upper surface is raised upward, and is directed forward from the center, that is, the ball feed port 63 formed at the lower end of the ball feed guide gutter 69 in FIG. An arc convex toward the lower edge, and toward the ball feeding unit cover 68 that blocks the rear end of the ball feeding guiding gutter 69 in FIG. And a ball holding surface 81 inclined downwardly. At the rear end of the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeding section 74, a hanging piece 82 hanging downward is formed.

  The upper part of the ball feeding member 32 in the up-down direction penetrates the ball feeding unit base 67 toward the front, and as shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 21, the rail portion 332 (the firing position) in a side view. A return ball blocking portion 83 in the form of a rectangular frame is formed extending toward the hitting ball path from the ball, and a hit ball passage opening 85 opened in a rectangular shape is formed in the center of the return ball blocking portion 83.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 formed integrally with the ball feed member 32 is arranged adjacent to the firing port 38 in the firing position direction. Further, a ball stopper 84 whose base is horizontal and protrudes in a triangular shape toward the rail part 332 is formed on the side of the part of the return ball blocking part 83 located on the front side of the frame in the firing position direction. The ball stopper 84 is disposed in front of the ball feeder 74 and at a distance above the firing position so as to face the ball feeder 74.

  The ball feed unit cover 68 is provided with a ball guide projection 54 having a vertical cross section in the shape of a letter "K" at the position facing the ball supply port 63 at the rear of the ball supply port 63. On the upper part of the ball guide projection 54 facing forward, a front guide surface 55 having a circular arc concave shape facing the ball supply port 63 is formed. The lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 is formed to be curved convexly rearward, and is provided in a space below the lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 in the front-rear direction of the ball feed member 32 about the ball feed shaft 76 as the rotation center. In the turning operation, the ball feeder 74 can be retracted. At the lower end of the ball guide projection 54, a stopper piece 56 is formed to project forward.

[Ball feed operation of ball feed member 32 and return ball prevention operation]
A description will be given of a ball feeding operation and a return ball blocking operation by the ball feeding member 32 of the ball feeding device 28 configured as described above. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state, the ball feed solenoid 31 is hooked on the hooking projection 79 at the end of the operating rod 72 of the ball feed member 32 and the spring locking portion 53 formed on the lower bottom surface of the ball feed unit base 67. Due to the tensile force of the tension spring 52 that has been stopped, the lower end of the ball feed member 32 is drawn toward the ball feed unit base 67.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in a normal state (when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state), the ball feeding member 32 is a rectangular frame-shaped return ball in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76. The blocking portion 83 assumes a posture inclined backward, and the launching of the firing opening 38 in the side view as viewed from the game area 8, that is, in the hitting path from the launching position of the ball launching device 12 to the launching opening 38, At the position on the position direction side, the portion of the return ball blocking portion 83 located in front of the frame has a posture intersecting with the firing opening 38, and the hitting ball passage opening 85 with respect to the firing opening 38 in the hitting path. Is shifted rearward, and it is impossible for the ball to pass to the hit ball passing port 85 in the hit ball path. That is, in this position, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes a return ball blocking position for preventing the return ball returning from the game area 8 to the firing port 38 from entering.

  After the hit ball is fired, the return ball blocking portion 83 takes the return ball blocking position, thereby blocking the game ball launched into the game area 8 from becoming a return ball and entering the firing port 38, thereby preventing the return ball. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the return ball from reducing the interest in the game.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in a normal state (when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state), the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeding unit 74 is in contact with the ball guide projection of the ball feeding unit cover 68. The ball retreats into the space below the portion 54, the hanging piece 82 formed at the lower end of the ball feeding portion 74 abuts against the stopper piece 56, and in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76 of the ball feeding member 32 as a rotation center. And the holding position in the ball feeding operation.

  In the holding position, the ball feeding guide surface 80 of the ball feeding portion 74 is located in front of the lower end of the front guide surface 55 of the ball guide projection 54, and is located on an extension in the tangential direction of the front guide surface 55. Further, the ball stopping portion 84 approaches toward the ball supply port 63, and the game ball P1 fits in a gap between the lower end portion of the ball supply port 63 and the ball stopping portion 84, and the game ball P1 stays. Becomes

[Excitation of ball feed solenoid 31]
When energized by energizing the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball feed sheet metal 71 is attracted upward by the electromagnet function, and the operating rod 72 of the ball feed member 32 moves upward against the tensile force of the tension spring 52, The ball feed member 32 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 19 about the ball feed shaft 76 as a rotation center, and as shown in FIGS. Move to the permissible position.

  Thereby, the ball stopper 84 moves forward from the position approaching the ball supply port 63, and at the same time, the ball feeder 74 moves forward and sends out the game ball P1 remaining at the holding position to the firing position (FIG. 22). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in the excited state, the rectangular frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 takes an upright posture in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76, and the game area 8, that is, at a position on the side of the launching direction from the launching position of the ball launching device 12 to the launching opening 38, which is immediately in the direction of the launching position of the launching opening 38, with respect to the launching opening 38. The hitting hole passages 85 are located at the same positions, and are positions where the passing of the ball to the hitting ball passage openings 85 is allowed in the hitting path. That is, in this position, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes an allowable position that allows the passing of the hit ball without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the ball feed solenoid 31 is in the excited state, the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feed unit 74 is positioned in front of the ball guide projection 54 of the ball feed unit cover 68 at the supply position in the ball feed operation. Then, the subsequent game ball P2 fits into the gap between the upper end portion of the ball supply port 63 and the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeder 74, and the subsequent game ball P2 stays. By the ball feeding operation described above, the ball feeding member 32 sends the game balls aligned and stored in the ball feeding guide gutter 69 one by one to the firing position of the ball firing device 12.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. When the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the firing solenoid 13 is turned on when the period A has elapsed, and when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off when the period B has elapsed, and the ball feeding is performed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has elapsed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

  In the first embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feed member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a shooting ball when a shooting ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time (a period D is set to 30 ms). I do.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

  Operation control is performed by a ball information control MPU 111 of a ball information control unit 118 described below in accordance with the drive timing of the ball feed solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13 shown in FIG. That is, when the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feed member 32 is at the permissible position, the ball launching device 12 is operated to perform the ball hitting operation by the launching hammer 30, and the ball launching device 12 is set in advance from the time of operation of the ball launching device 12. After the elapse of the specified time (after the elapse of 30 ms), the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 31 is released and the return ball blocking portion 83 is moved to the return ball blocking position so that the return ball is blocked by the return ball blocking portion 83. Control.

  According to this, when the return ball blocking unit 83 takes the allowable position, the passing of the hit ball is allowed without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position, so that the hit ball does not interfere with the shooting ball. It is possible to prevent the player from being distrusted by hitting the ball at the target position, and to prevent the interest in the game from decreasing.

  After the hit ball is fired, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes the return ball blocking position, so that the game ball launched into the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the firing opening 38, and is blocked by the return ball blocking unit 83. Since the return ball can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the return ball from reducing the interest in the game.

  In the first embodiment, since the return ball blocking portion 83 is formed integrally with the ball feed member 32, the ball is moved to the firing position by the excitation / de-excitation of one electric drive source (ball feed solenoid 31). Feeding and return ball prevention can be realized simultaneously. That is, the ball feed member 32 is located on the hitting path through which a game ball fired from the firing position passes when the supply position is taken, while the ball feeding member 32 deviates from the hitting path when taking the holding position. And a frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 formed so that the hit ball passage opening 85 is located at the retracted position.

  When the ball feeding member 32 takes the supply position, the return ball blocking portion 83 takes the allowable position and does not interfere with the hit ball fired from the firing position. It is possible to prevent a feeling of distrust and prevent a decrease in interest in the game.

  Further, when the ball feed member 32 moves to the holding position, the return ball blocking portion 83 moves to the return ball blocking position at the same time, so that the game ball launched into the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the firing port 38. Can be blocked and the return ball can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the return ball from deteriorating the interest in the game.

  When the launching hammer 30 performs a ball-hitting operation, the ball launching device 12 of the present embodiment allows the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feed member 32 to allow the launching ball to pass through (the ball passing port 85 and the launching port 38). Are both on the hitting path) and do not interfere with the shooting ball, so that it is only necessary to provide a hitting force enough to hit the hitting ball in the game area 8, and therefore, an electric drive source having a small power It is possible to respond sufficiently by adopting. Therefore, the electric drive source can be reduced in size and thickness, and the power consumption required for the drive can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the state where the firing solenoid 13 is excited for the period C from the time when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on and the hammer tip 61 penetrates through the through hole 335 of the rail portion 332 (FIG. 9). As a result, the game ball can be prevented from being stopped on the rail portion 332, and the return ball can be prevented, and the error count of the fired ball can be further ensured.

  Although the return ball blocking portion 83 of the first embodiment has a rectangular frame shape and is provided with a hit ball passage opening 85 in the center, the shape of the return ball blocking portion 83 is not limited to this. For example, the shape may be flaky or rod-shaped, and the hit ball passing port 85 may not be provided. That is, on a hitting path from the firing position to the firing port 38, an allowable position that is provided adjacent to the firing position direction of the firing port 38 and allows the passing of the hit ball without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position. It is only necessary to be able to move between the return ball blocking position for preventing the return ball returning from the game area 8 to the firing port 38 from entering.

  In the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to the present embodiment described above, the ball lifting device 22 is provided at the front of the body frame 2 and behind the ball launching device 12 arranged on one side of the upper portion. Mounted on the rear surface, the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is disposed above the ball feeding device 28, and the ball lifting device 22 is located between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper portion of the ball launching device 12. A ball supply path member 24 extending in the front-rear direction for feeding the game balls pumped in the above into the ball feeder 28 from above is provided.

  With the above-described configuration, the ball supply path member 24 includes various members (movable body, power transmission mechanism for driving the movable body (for example, gear train)) attached to the rear of the game board 5, Slide rail for guiding in the direction, a drive motor as a drive source, a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the movable body, an LED board, a relay board, etc.), and the ball is provided at the rear of the gaming machine. The game balls lifted to the upper part of the main body frame 2 by the lifting device 22 can be smoothly fed into the ball firing device 12.

  Further, since the ball supply path member 24 does not obstruct various members attached to the rear of the game board 5, a space formed behind the ball launching device 12 is provided at the rear of the game board 5. It can be applied to the arrangement space of each member that is provided.

  The ball launching device 12 shown in FIG. 23 employs an electric drive source that is smaller and thinner than the conventional one for the above-mentioned reason. As shown in FIG. 23, the electrical drive source (the launch solenoid 13) of the ball launch device can be reduced in size and thickness, so that the electrical drive source does not protrude behind the ball launch device 12. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a large space 57 for disposing each member attached to the rear portion of the game board 5.

  The ball launching device 12 of the first embodiment can be rotated by the ball launching device hinge 37 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2 (FIG. 12). Can be pivotally arranged at a position deviated from the movement path when the left end of the is inserted. Therefore, the operation of attaching the game board 5 to the main body frame 2 is easy.

  In this case, when the ball launching device 12 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2, even if the game balls remain in the ball sending gutter 23, the ball sending gutters 23 are not spilled. It is preferable to provide a spill sphere preventing means for blocking the sphere outlet 58 of the sphere.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the spilled ball preventing means (ball exit opening / closing unit) will be described. FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the ball outlet opening / closing unit, and FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the ball outlet opening / closing unit. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the upper firing unit and the ball outlet opening / closing unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 23, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22, and sends the lifted game balls forward from above to a ball delivery gutter 23, and an upper firing unit. 12 is formed at the upper rear part of the rear part 12 and is connected to the ball discharge gutter 23 and a lifting communication gutter 65. When the upper firing unit 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 is closed. By opening the ball outlet 58, the ball outlet 58 communicates with the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the lifting communication gutter 65, and game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66.

  The ball feeding device of the ball launching device 12 includes an opening / closing operation piece 426 for operating the opening / closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 on the right side of the ball feeding unit cover (FIG. 27). The opening / closing operation piece 426 rotates the opening / closing crank 413 by abutting on the spherical contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 in the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 when the ball launching device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2. The opening and closing shutter 412 can be opened.

[Ball exit opening and closing unit]
The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 in the main body frame 2 of the present embodiment is mounted on a mounting member 407 mounted on the lower surface of the ball discharge gutter 23 of the ball lifting device 22, and launches a ball to the main body frame 2. When the device 12 is opened, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 is closed, and the flow of game balls from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball feeding device 28 of the ball launching device 12 is controlled. It can be cut off.

  The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a shutter base 411 mounted on a vertically hanging wall 408 of the mounting member 407, a plate-shaped opening / closing shutter 412 held by the shutter base 411 in a vertically slidable manner, An opening / closing crank 413 for sliding the shutter 412 in the vertical direction, and an opening / closing spring 414 for urging the opening / closing shutter 412 upward through the opening / closing crank 413 are provided.

  The shutter base 411 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a pair of vertically extending slide grooves 415 for holding the opening / closing shutter 412 slidably in the up / down direction so as to protrude above the upper end of the shutter base 411, A rectangular opening 416 penetrating in the front-rear direction between the pair of slide grooves 415, and a crank disposed on the front surface of the left end portion in front view so as to rotatably support the open / close crank 413 about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. A support portion 417 and a spring locking portion 418 for locking one end (upper end) of the opening / closing spring 414 are provided. The crank support portion 417 of the shutter base 411 is disposed on the left side of the opening 416 when viewed from the front, and the spring locking portion 418 is disposed near the upper left of the center in the left-right direction in the front view.

  Further, the opening / closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 has a flat shutter body 419 and a pair of sliding protrusions (not shown) that project from the front surface of the shutter body 419 and slide in the slide grooves 415 of the shutter base 411. ), And a horizontally long rectangular drive hole 420 that is disposed between the pair of sliding protrusions and faces the opening 416 of the shutter base 411 and penetrates in the front-rear direction.

  The opening / closing crank 413 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a shaft portion 421 supported rotatably around an axis extending in the front-rear direction by a crank supporting portion 417 of the shutter base 411, and a right side outer periphery of the shaft portion 421 in a front view to the right. A driving rod 422 extending outward and having a distal end extending to near the center in the left-right direction of the opening 416, and protruding rearward from the distal end of the driving rod 422 and slidably inserted into a driving hole 412 b of the opening / closing shutter 412. A drive pin 423, a contact portion 424 extending downward from the lower outer periphery of the shaft portion 421 in a front view and having a spherical tip, and a drive pin 422 formed on the upper surface in the middle of the drive rod 422, and the other end of the open / close spring 414. (A lower end).

  The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 is inserted into the driving pin 423 at the same time as the driving pin 423 of the opening / closing crank 413 is rotated in the vertical direction in an arc by rotating the opening / closing crank 413 about an axis extending in the front-back direction. The opening / closing shutter 412 slides up and down via the driving hole 420.

  When the ball launching device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 contacts the opening / closing operation piece 426 of the ball launching device 12, and The rotation of the drive pin 424 in the clockwise direction in the front view against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 414 causes the drive pin 423 to rotate in the clockwise direction in the front view together with the contact portion 424. The opening / closing shutter 412 is lowered to open the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball sending gutter 23. That is, the ball outlet 58 is communicated with the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the lifting communication passage 65 so that game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66.

  When the ball firing device 12 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2 from this state, the contact between the contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 and the opening / closing operation piece 426 of the ball firing device 12 is released, and the opening / closing crank 413 is opened / closed by the opening / closing spring. At the same time as rotating counterclockwise in front view by the urging force of 414, the opening / closing shutter 412 is raised to close the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 (FIG. 27). ).

  Thus, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 can be automatically opened and closed by the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 according to the opening / closing of the ball launching device 12 with respect to the main body frame 2. Even if the ball launching device 12 is opened with the game balls remaining in the ball discharge gutter 23, it is possible to prevent the game balls from spilling from the ball outlet 58.

[Deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit]
FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the magnetic ball discharge unit cover separated and turned upside down in FIG. FIG. 30 is a plan view of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 31 is a rear view of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a base plate of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 33 is a view for explaining the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit separated into a deformed sphere discharging unit and a magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a path through which the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere are discharged in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a situation where the magnetic sphere is separated from the circulation path and discharged. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the magnetic sphere reaches the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 has a deformed sphere discharging function and a magnetic sphere discharging function. The deformed sphere is a spherical object such as a bearing having a smaller diameter than a regular game sphere. The deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is a transparent resin molded product, is disposed in the lower part of the game machine main body (deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit accommodation portion 19), and has a front plate (not shown) on the front side and a rear side. The side is covered with a rear plate (ball trough base 201). In the upper part, there are out balls that have flowed down without winning any of the various winning ports (special variable winning device, general winning port, ordinary variable winning device) and safe balls that have flowed into the various winning ports and have flowed down the safe ball discharge path. Is provided with a collection port 202 for collecting game balls. The out ball flows into the recovery port 202 via the out port 42 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). The safe ball flows into the collection port 202 via the winning port 41 (see FIG. 5).

  A circulation path in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 communicating with the collection port 202 is formed by meandering left and right in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 and folding up and down. The apparatus includes a detection switch 203, a deformed sphere discharge unit 204, a magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, a full ball path detection switch 206, and a proper ball quantity detection switch 207. The game balls that have flowed into the recovery port 202 move in a line along the circulation path in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 to reach the ball collecting part 21 connected to the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20. However, the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere are separated from the circulation path of the regular game balls in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 and discharged out of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 so as not to move to the ball collecting unit 21. You.

  Next, the movement of the game balls collected in the collection port 202 in the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 will be described step by step. The number of game balls collected in the collecting port 202 is counted one by one by the collected ball detection switch 203. The game ball that has passed through the collected ball detection switch 203 reaches a deformed ball discharging unit 204. When the difference between the number of game balls detected by the recovered ball detection switch 203 and the shooting ball detection unit increases, it is possible to detect that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

  The deformed sphere discharge unit 204 includes a deformed sphere discharge unit base 208 fixed to a deformed sphere discharge unit base mounting unit 212 provided on the ball trough base 201, and two fixed sphere discharge unit bases 208 fixed to the deformed sphere discharge unit base 208. It is composed of deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the deformed sphere discharge base mounting portion 212 is a rectangular opening provided in the ball trough base 201. As shown in FIG. 28, the deformed sphere discharging portion base mounting portion 212 is provided to be inclined to the ball receiving gutter base 201 such that the side on the collection port 202 side is higher. As a result, the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 are arranged at an angle, so that the game balls can move from the upstream side 213 (see FIG. 30) to the downstream side 214.

  FIG. 33 is a view for explaining the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit separated into a deformed sphere discharging unit and a magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 33A shows the deformed sphere discharging section 204. FIG. 33B shows the magnetic sphere discharging unit 205.

  The deformed sphere discharging unit 204 uses the difference in diameter between the legitimate game ball and the illegal ball to exclude a fraudulent ball having a diameter smaller than the legitimate game ball from the circulation path in the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20. . As shown in FIG. 30, the deformed sphere discharge unit 204 includes two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 having a circular cross section arranged in parallel from the upstream side 213 to the downstream side 214 of the circulation path. In order to exclude a deformed sphere, that is, an inactive sphere having a smaller diameter than a regular game sphere, from the circulation path in which the regular game sphere circulates, the gap distance between the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 increases in the upstream 213 The deformed sphere separation shaft is formed so as to be smaller than the diameter of the regular game sphere and wider on the downstream side 214 than the diameter of the regular game sphere, that is, so that the distance between the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 gradually increases. 209 and 210 are fixed to the deformed sphere discharging portion base 208.

  The game balls flowing down one by one to the deformed sphere discharge unit 204 via the collecting port 202 and the collected ball detection switch 203 flow down while rolling over the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210. I do. On the upstream side, the gap distance between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 is smaller than the diameter of the regular game balls, so that the regular game balls do not fall from between the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210.

  On the other hand, an irregular ball, which is a deformed ball having a smaller diameter than a regular game ball, falls from between the two deformed ball separating shafts 209 and 210. The dropped deformed sphere is discharged from the deformed sphere discharge port 216 to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 via the deformed sphere discharge path 215 as shown in FIG. The modified sphere discharge path 215 is formed by a modified sphere discharge path forming member 217 attached to the front side of the ball receiving gutter base 201 and below the modified sphere discharge section base 208. Note that the deformed ball discharge path forming member 217 is also provided integrally with a communication path 218 for guiding a ball having the same diameter as a regular game ball to the magnetic ball discharge unit 205.

  A regular-sized game ball that rolls down and flows down the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 falls from the space between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 on the downstream side 214 and passes through the communication path 218. After that, it reaches a circulation path 219 formed in the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205.

  The magnetic ball discharge unit 205 is fixed to the ball trough base 201 as shown in FIG. FIG. 33 shows a state in which the magnetic ball discharge unit 205 is removed from the ball trough base 201. An inclined surface 220 connected to the communication path 218 is formed in the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, and a falling surface 221 that descends sharply is connected downstream of the inclined surface 220, and a portion where the inclined surface 220 is extended is provided at a location where the inclined surface 220 is extended. , A magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222 is formed. A gap between the discontinuous portions 223 is provided so that the inclined surface 220 and the magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222 are not continuous. In the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, at least one of the side wall 224 and the ceiling wall 225 has a magnet attached to at least one of the front surface, the rear surface, and the inside thereof.

  FIG. 35 shows an example in which a magnet 229 is mounted in the magnet housing space 230 on the back surface of the ceiling wall 225. The magnet accommodating space 230 is formed as a rectangular space arranged along the back surface of the ceiling wall 225. The magnet 229 is a plate-like magnet, and is a permanent magnet having one side having an N pole or S pole and the other side having an S pole or N pole. The magnetic force of the magnet is not so strong that the game ball (magnetic ball 232) made of a magnetic material is attracted and the rolling is hindered, and flows down the area of the inclined surface 220 and falls from the discontinuous portion 223. Instead, it is only necessary that it can reach the magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222. The attached magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

  The regular game ball 233 flowing from the connecting path 218 rolls down the inclined surface 220 and flows down while rolling down the falling surface 221 from the inclined surface 220. The non-magnetic regular game ball 233 falls down the discontinuous portion 223 and passes through the circulation path 219 to reach the ball collecting section 21 connected to the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20.

  On the other hand, the illegal sphere (magnetic sphere 232) made of a magnetic material sticks to the inner wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 by the attraction of the magnet 229 accommodated in the magnet accommodation space 230, and moves the circulation path 219 upstream of the inclined surface 220. It flows down while rolling by the action of gravity from the side to the downstream side. Then, as shown in FIG. 35, the magnetic sphere 232 does not fall from the discontinuous portion 223 and reaches the region of the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 (see FIG. 28) as shown in FIG. The illegal sphere made of a magnetic material that has reached the region of the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 is discharged from the magnetic sphere discharge port 227 to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 via the magnetic sphere discharge path 226 (see FIG. 34). ).

  The portion of the ceiling wall 225 above the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 is configured as a magnetic force adjusting unit 231. The magnetic force adjusting section 231 is formed such that the distance between the magnet housing space 230 and the magnetic sphere discharge path 226 increases as it goes downstream of the magnetic sphere discharge path 226. In FIG. 35, the magnetic ball discharge path 226 has a curved portion, and this curved portion functions as the magnetic force adjusting unit 231. As a result, the distance between the magnetic sphere 232 and the magnet 229 becomes longer toward the downstream of the magnetic sphere discharge path 226. Then, the magnetic force (attraction) of the magnet 229 acting on the magnetic sphere 232 gradually decreases. For this reason, the magnetic sphere 232 sticking to the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and moving in the downstream direction separates from the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and falls on the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222. Then, it is discharged from the magnetic ball discharge port 227 via the magnetic ball discharge path 226.

  The deformed sphere and the irregular magnetic sphere are discharged to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 from the deformed sphere discharge port 216 and the magnetic sphere discharge port 227, respectively (FIG. 34). The deformed sphere or magnetic sphere discharged from the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is collected in the discharged sphere receiving box 234 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). In this way, using the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20, the irregular sphere composed of the deformed sphere and the magnetic material can be eliminated from the circulation path 219 of the regular game sphere. In the present embodiment, the configuration can be simplified by using gravity to discharge the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20. The deformed sphere discharge path 215 is arranged along the side surface of the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, and the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 can be configured compactly.

  The deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 can eliminate irregular balls made of deformed spheres or magnetic materials from the circulation path 219 of regular game balls without stopping the game, thereby reducing the interest of the player. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the chance that employees of the gaming hall are called to each gaming machine for processing illegal balls and deal with malfunctions of the gaming machine. Note that the deformed sphere discharging unit 204 and the magnetic sphere discharging unit 205 may be configured independently. In other words, when discharging the deformed ball by another component in the gaming machine, the magnetic ball discharging unit 205 may be configured alone.

  And one embodiment of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine of the present invention, a game board in which a game area is sectioned and formed, a main body frame in which the game board is fitted and accommodated, and an upper part of the main body frame, A ball launching device that launches a game ball toward the game area, and a game ball fired by the ball launching device is collected as an enclosed ball on the back side of the game board to eliminate illegal balls and re-enter the ball launching device. A circulating path including a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging means for supplying the spheres and magnetic spheres, and the enclosing spheres arranged and stored in an arranging passage formed in a part of the circulating path based on the driving of an electric drive source. A ball feeder that sends the ball to the firing position of the ball launcher one by one, a main control board that performs a game control process relating to a game, and a bidirectional data communication with the main control board is connected, and in the game control process, Sent from the main control board Control of the number of held balls based on the prize ball command and the ball number information of the shooting balls fired by the ball shooting device, the launch control of game balls by the ball shooting device, and the game by the ball feeding device A ball information control board for controlling the feeding of a ball to the firing position, and without a payout of the game ball, a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated to play a game. The ball launching device performs a hitting operation based on driving of a firing rail for stopping a game ball at the firing position and an electric drive source, and fires a game ball stopped at the firing position. A launching member to be fired, and launching ball confirmation means for detecting a game ball parked at the launching position, wherein the ball information control board is provided with the launching ball confirmation means for a predetermined period of time. By the launch position When a stopped game ball is detected, a launching ball detection determining unit that determines that there is a launching ball, and on the condition that the launching ball detection determining unit determines that a launching ball is present, by the launching ball confirmation unit When a game ball is not detected, it is determined that the game ball parked at the launch position has been fired, and the number of held balls is subtracted by one.

  According to the first embodiment, when a game ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the launching ball confirmation unit for a predetermined time, a launching ball detection determining unit determines that there is a launching ball. And, on condition that the launching ball detection determining means determines that there is a launching ball, if no launching ball is detected by the launching ball confirmation means, it is determined that the playing ball parked at the launching position has been fired, and the holding ball Since the number is reduced by one, if noise enters the launching ball confirmation means, it is possible to eliminate the counting of erroneous launching balls due to the noise, thereby increasing the certainty in detecting the launching ball, Balls and magnetic balls can be excluded from the circulation path through which regular game balls circulate.

[Spherical assembly 21]
37 is a front left perspective view of the ball collecting unit and the ball lifting device, FIG. 38 is a front view of the ball collecting unit and the ball lifting device, and FIG. 39 is a state where the ball polishing cartridge in the ball collecting unit is removed. FIG. FIG. 40 is a rear perspective view showing a state where the case of the ball collecting part and the cover of the ball lifting device are removed, and FIG. 41 is a rear perspective view in which the ball collecting part in FIG. 40 is enlarged. FIG. 43 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 41, and FIG. 43 is a plan view of the sphere collecting part with the case removed.

  The ball collecting section 21 (FIG. 41) has a ball feed passage 275, a ball polishing cartridge 251, a ball polishing cartridge mounting section 273 (FIG. 39), and a lifting inlet switch 156. The ball feed passage 275 has a groove structure having walls on both sides arranged at a lower portion of the whole ball collecting portion 21, and a ball receiving port 275 a connected to a ball outlet (not shown) of the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20. It has a ball feed port 275b that opens to a ball feed rotating body 350 (described later) (FIGS. 41, 42, and 43).

  The ball polishing cartridge mounting section 273 is an opening provided in the ball collecting section 21 for attaching and detaching a ball polishing cartridge 251 described later (FIG. 39). The ball polishing cartridge 251 can be attached to and detached from the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 from the front side of the gaming machine. A ball polishing cloth 263 is provided on a portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing a ball lifting device 22 described later. (FIG. 41). The lifting entrance switch 156 is provided outside one wall constituting the ball feeding passage 275, and detects the presence or absence of a game ball passing through the ball feeding passage 275 (FIG. 41).

[Ball lifting device 22]
FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view showing a state where the upper gear box and the lower gear box are removed. FIG. 45 is a right side view showing a state where the cover of the ball lifting device is removed, and FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of a portion (A) in FIG. FIG. 47 is a view showing a state in which the screw is disassembled, FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing an upper part of the ball lifting device, and FIG. FIG.

  The ball lifting device 22 includes a screw 25 (FIG. 40), a ball lifting motor 150 (FIGS. 38 and 48), a lifting guide rail 282 (FIGS. 40 and 44), and an upper gear box 356 (FIG. 37). 40, a lower gear box 357 (FIGS. 37 and 40), a ball feed rotating body 350 (FIG. 40), a ball feed inclined portion 351 (FIGS. 40 and 41), and a lifting portion cover 353 (FIG. 40). 37), a spiral base cover 352 (FIG. 37), a lifting slope member 354 (FIG. 46), and a ball discharge gutter 23 (FIGS. 44, 46, and 48).

The spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are cover members 368 arranged so as to surround the screw 25, and are formed of a transparent resin (acrylic resin). In the spiral base cover 352, an opening 281 is provided obliquely in a portion of the ball collecting portion 21 opposed to the ball polishing cartridge 251 (FIG. 39).
In addition, a projection is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 368 to install the lower surface of an upper gear box 356 described later (FIG. 69).

  The screw 25 is disposed vertically from the base to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 inside the rectangular tubular cover member 368. The cover member 368 is disposed so as to surround the screw 25 by assembling the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353. The screw 25 is composed of a screw shaft 25a, two small pitch ridge members 25b positioned vertically, and four large pitch ridge members 25c positioned at the center (FIG. 45). . These are fitted on the screw shaft 25a.

  The small pitch ridge member 25b includes a cylindrical portion 25e and a spiral ridge 25d (FIG. 45). As shown in FIG. 47, the small pitch ridge member 25b is obtained by assembling a half body 25bR and a half body 25bL that are entirely divided into two by a vertical plane including the screw shaft 25a with the screw shaft 25a interposed therebetween. It is one. A pair of a concave portion 25g and a convex portion 25h for assembling the half portions 25bR and 25bL on both sides are formed vertically on the cut surface of the cylindrical portion 25e which is divided in half. it can.

  The upper edge 25i of the half body 25bR, 25bL is formed with an upper edge recess 25j that is open upward, and the lower edge 25k is formed with a lower edge protrusion 25m that projects downward. The upper edge concave portion 25j and the lower edge convex portion 25m are for connecting the small pitch ridge member 25b and the large pitch ridge member 25c in the vertical direction and transmitting rotation to each other.

  The same applies to the large pitch ridge member 25c, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description is omitted, but the pitch of the spiral ridge 25d is larger than that of the small pitch ridge member 25b. The pitch of the continuous portion of the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b and the spiral ridge 25d of the large pitch ridge member 25c changes, but is smoothly continued. The large pitch ridge member 25c includes a half-split body 25cR and a half-split body 25cL.

  The pitch is the interval between the spiral ridges 25d along a straight line. The pitch of the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b is smaller than the spiral ridge 25d of the large pitch ridge member 25c. For example, the pitch of the small pitch ridge member 25b is 25 mm, and the pitch of the large pitch ridge member 25c is 43.2 mm.

  The screw shaft 25a shown in FIG. 47 is a rotating shaft of the screw 25. As shown in FIG. 44, the upper lifting gear 360 (spur gear) is fixed to the upper end and the lower lifting gear 362 ( Spur gear) is fixed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 49, the small pitch ridge member 25b at the lower portion of the screw 25 has a lower edge convex portion 25m and a fitting concave portion 366a of a fitting member 366 formed integrally with the lower lifting gear 362. It is fitted using the concave and convex fitting, and is driven and rotated integrally with the screw shaft 25a and the lower lifting gear 362.

  The ball lifting motor 150 is a motor that drives the screw 25, and is attached to the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 of the ball lifting device 22 (FIGS. 38 and 48).

  The upper gear box 356 is disposed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and houses and supports the ball lifting motor gear 358, the idle gear 359, and the upper lifting gear 360 (FIGS. 40 and 44). . The ball lifting motor gear 358 is fixed to the drive shaft of the ball lifting motor 150 and meshes with the idle gear 359. The idle gear 359 is a two-stage gear in which an upper-stage gear having a large number of teeth and a lower-stage gear having a small number of teeth on its lower surface are integrated. The idle gear 359 meshes with the ball lifting motor gear 358 by the upper stage gear. It is in mesh with the upper lifting gear 360. These gears are spur gears and the upper gearbox has a reduced vertical dimension. The upper lifting gear 360 is fixed to the upper end of the screw shaft 25a. With these gear configurations, the screw 25 is driven and rotated by the ball lifting motor 150.

  The lower gear box 357 is disposed from the lower end of the ball lifting device 22 to the lower end of the ball collecting unit 21, and houses and supports the lower lifting gear 362 and the ball feed rotating gear 363 (FIG. 44). The lower lifting gear 362 is fixed to the lower end of the screw shaft 25a, and meshes with the ball-feed rotating body gear 363. The gear ratio between the ball feed rotating body gear 363 and the lower lifting gear 362 is 2: 1.

  The ball feed rotator 350 is fixed to the gear shaft 363 a of the ball feed rotator gear 363, and the ball feed rotator 350 is driven and rotated by the ball feed rotator gear 363. The ball feed rotator 350 is disposed corresponding to the ball feed port 275b of the ball feed passage 275 in the ball collecting part 21 and is a low columnar member. A ball engaging recess 350a for accommodating a ball is provided. The ball engaging recess 350a has a depth that accommodates about half of a game ball (FIG. 43).

  The ball feeding inclined portion 351 (FIG. 42) is a member formed around the ball feeding rotating body 350 and having a slope for lifting a game ball. The range in which the ball feed inclined portion 351 exists is such that the ball feed rotator 350 screwes the game ball from the position of the ball feed port 275b which is the ball feed rotator side exit of the ball feed passage 275 in the rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 350. 25 to the delivery position.

  The ball feeding inclined portion 351 has an arc shape along the outer circumference of the ball feeding rotating body 350 from the ball feeding port 275b to the delivery position as described above, and also moves upward 7 mm (about 5 to 8 mm) from the position of the ball feeding port 275b. ) An inclined surface 351a that rises to a high transfer position, and a top inclined portion 351b that projects from the top toward the screw 25 and that slopes downward. The width of the inclined surface 351a is 4 mm (about 3 to 5 mm), and the top inclined surface 351b is formed in a range larger than the diameter of the game ball before and after the transfer position in the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotary body 350.

  The positional relationship between the ball feed rotator 350 and the screw 25 in a plan view is a positional relationship in which a game ball dropped from the top inclined surface 351b can be received between the pitches of the spiral ridge 25d. Note that a cover member 368 (not shown) is arranged along the outer periphery of the ball-feeding inclined portion 351 up to the vicinity of the delivery position, and prevents a game ball from dropping from the inclined surface 351a.

  A guide block 365 (FIGS. 42 and 43) is disposed on the upper surface of the lower gear box 357 near the lower front side of the screw 25. The guide block 365 has an arc-shaped spherical guide surface near the spiral ridge 25d of the screw 25, 365a, and a stopper surface 365b following the spherical guide surface. The spherical guide surface 365a is formed from the vicinity of the top inclined surface 351b to the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352, and the tip is a stopper surface 365b (FIG. 43).

Two lifting guide rails 282 are arranged in parallel and adjacent to the screw 25, and have a role of a guide for guiding a game ball lifted by the screw 25 linearly upward, and have a diameter of about 5 mm. Is a round bar-shaped guide member. The lifting guide rail 282 is located on a side substantially opposite to the ball feeding rotating body 350 with respect to the rotation direction of the screw 25, and is located at a position corresponding to the upper end of an opening 281 (FIG. 39) provided obliquely in the spiral base cover 352. The upper gear box 356 is arranged vertically upward, and the upper end is fixed to the lower surface of the upper gear box 356. The distance between two adjacent lifting guide rails 282 is a width (5 to 8 mm inside the lifting guide rail 282) through which a game ball (diameter 11 mm) cannot pass.
In addition, when the game ball is lifted, it is lifted while being in contact with the guide rail 282. Therefore, the lift guide rail 282 has a low coefficient of friction and is guided from the game ball generated by the rotation of the screw 25. It is assumed that the rigidity is such that it is not deformed by the pressing force on the rail 282. It is preferable to use stainless steel as a material.

The support member 367 is a cushion member that prevents deformation of the lifting guide rail 282 and absorbs vibration transmitted between the game ball and the lifting guide rail 282 and to the ball firing device 12. 282 in a proper position, and has a thickness enough to enter between the cover member 368 including the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. A plate-shaped block member has a flat surface on the side in contact with the cover member 368, and has a concave portion on the side supporting the lifting guide rail 282.
The lifting guide rail 282 has such a rigidity that it is not deformed by the pressing force from the game ball to the guide rail 282 generated by the rotation of the screw 25, but the pressing force from the game ball is applied over a long period of time. Then, the lifting guide rail 282 is gradually deformed in the pressing direction, and there is a possibility that the game ball is deviated from the guidance by the lifting guide rail 282, so that the deformation is restricted.

Furthermore, since a design is made with a clearance in a portion where game balls pass, such as the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, vibration generated by driving the ball lifting motor 150 is generated by the screw. 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, which may cause abnormal noise between the lifting guide rail 282 and the game ball. Further, the lifting device 22 includes a cover member 368 with the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282. Is enclosed, when an abnormal noise is generated in the lifting device 22, the sound resonates and becomes loud. However, by arranging the support member 367, vibration generated in the gaming machine can be absorbed, and generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed.
The number of the support members 367 is set between the cover member 368 and the lifting guide rail 282 such that the deformation of the guide rail 282 can be restricted and an abnormal noise due to vibration does not occur.

  The lifting slope member 354 shown in FIG. 46 is a block member having a slope formed on the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 facing the upper end of the screw 25, and the slope intersects the path along which the game ball is fed up. The game ball, which is vertically arranged by the screw 25, is turned in the horizontal direction, and is guided to the ball discharge gutter 23.

  The ball sending gutter 23 is provided at the upper end of the spiral base cover 352 and is a passage having an inclination for sending game balls guided from the lifting slope member 354 to the ball launching device 12. Further, a ball removing member 355 for discharging a game ball inside the gaming machine to the outside of the gaming machine is provided on a side surface of the ball sending gutter 23 (FIGS. 44 and 48). The ball removing member 355 is a detachable lid member, and can be removed from the side wall of the ball delivery gutter 23 by operating a lower knob to open an opening provided in the side wall. The ball discharge gutter 23 has a sloping portion, and a ball removing member 355 is disposed on a wall on the tip side of the sloping portion (FIG. 44).

  Further, a launch ball standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball is arranged on the outer surface of the ball sending gutter 23 (FIG. 45). When the standby ball detection switch 26 does not detect a game ball, the screw 25 is driven and new game balls are supplied from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball firing device 12 one by one.

[Operation of ball collecting unit 21 and ball lifting device 22]
The game balls sent from the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 which forms a part of the circulation path are sent to the ball feed rotator 350 in the ball lifting device 22 through the ball feed passage 275 of the ball collecting unit 21. Can be On the other hand, the driving of the ball lifting motor 150 causes the screw 25 to rotate through the gear trains 358, 359, and 360, and the ball feed rotary body 350 to rotate through the screw shaft 25a and the lower gear trains 362 and 363. Since the gear ratio between the lower lifting gear 362 and the ball feed rotator gear 363 is 2: 1, two rotations of the screw 25 rotate the ball feed rotator 350 once. The ball feed rotator 350 receives game balls one by one from the ball feed passage 275 into the ball engaging recess 350a and rotates counterclockwise (FIG. 43).

Thereafter, the game ball is engaged with the ball engaging concave portion 350a by the rotation of the ball feed rotary body 350 and moves, and the other outer half moves along the inclined surface 351a of the ball feed inclined portion 351 and the top inclined surface. 351b. Since the top slope 351b is inclined downward, the game ball is fed from that position into the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b. At this time, the game balls fed from the slightly inclined top inclined surface 351b have a large interval with the subsequent game balls and are surely separated one by one.
In order to carry out stable feeding of the game balls, it is conceivable that the end of the top inclined surface 351b and the delivery position of the game balls of the small pitch ridge member 25b are made substantially the same height.
Further, when sending game balls from the top inclined surface 351b to the small pitch ridge member 25d, the present invention is not limited to using the downward inclination, and for example, a configuration in which the game balls are guided to the small pitch ridge member 25d using rails may be used. .
If the step between the end of the inclined surface 351a and the small pitch ridge member 25d below the screw 25 that receives the game ball is small, the game ball may be directly dropped from the inclined surface 351a to the small pitch ridge member 25d. It is possible.

Next, the game ball moves along the ball guide surface 365a of the guide block 365 with the rotation of the small pitch ridge member 25b and collides with the stopper surface 365b. During this time, the game ball rises with the rotation of the screw 25 and reaches the lower end of the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352. In this case, as described above, the ball feed rotating body 350 has the ball engaging recesses 350a every 180 degrees, and rotates at a half speed with respect to the screw 25, so that one ball every half rotation Game balls are supplied to the screw 25. Since one-half turn of the ball feed rotator corresponds to one pitch of the small pitch ridge member 25b, a game ball fed from the ball feed rotator 350 always moves one ball between the pitches of the small pitch ridge member 25b. It is sent one by one and continuously. (FIG. 41).
That is, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being linked together in the ball lifting device 22.

  The opening 281 is in contact with the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251. That is, as the game balls are lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22, the game balls are rubbed against the ball polishing cloth 263 through the openings 281 to perform cleaning and ball polishing of the game balls (FIG. 39). And the area of the ball polishing cloth 263 can be effectively utilized by being guided obliquely upward.

After passing through the opening 281, the game ball is lifted to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 with the rotation of the screw 25, and at this time, the game ball is moved to the lifting guide rail 282 arranged in parallel. It is guided and moves in a straight line. The guide rail 282 permits the vertical movement of the game ball lifted by the screw 25 and restricts the movement in the left and right direction. During this time, the lifting of the game ball is performed in such a manner that the movement of the game ball is relatively slow due to the small pitch at the small pitch ridge member 25a at the lower portion so that the ball receiving from the ball feed rotating body 350 is not hindered. I have. In addition, the pitch of the small pitch ridge member 25b at the upper portion is small, so that the movement of the game ball is relatively slow, so that there is no problem in sending the ball to the ball firing device 12.
On the other hand, in the middle portion of the screw 25, there is no particular problem even if the lifting speed of the game ball is increased. The number of game balls circulated in the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced. Further, this can reduce the load due to the weight of the game ball applied to the screw 25 (FIG. 45).
In addition, the term “lifting” in the present embodiment is used to mean that game balls are continuously carried from the lower part to the upper part of the gaming machine.

The game ball that has reached the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 contacts the slope of the lifting slope member 354 from below, so that the moving direction of the game ball lifted by the screw 25 changes from the vertical direction to the substantially horizontal direction. The ball is turned, and the game ball is smoothly fed from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball sending gutter 23. The game balls fed into the ball sending gutter 23 roll on the gentle slope of the ball sending gutter 23 and are sent to the ball launching device 12 (FIG. 46).
In this case, when the lifted game balls come into contact with the slope portion of the lifting slope member 354, the balls are released from the guide of the lifting guide rail 282 and naturally flow down to the floor surface of the ball discharge gutter 23. Thus, it is possible to smoothly feed the guide rail 282 and the screw 25 without applying a spherical pressure.

  When it is necessary to take out the circulating game balls from the game machine at the time of maintenance or the like, the ball can be easily discharged to the outside of the game machine by operating the ball removing member 355 provided on the outer surface of the ball delivery gutter 23 ( 37 and 48).

  In the present embodiment, the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are made of a transparent resin (acrylic resin). By using such a transparent resin, the state inside the ball lifting device 22 can be improved. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 may be made of an opaque resin, metal, or the like.

  Further, the small pitch ridge member 25b and the large pitch ridge member 25c are configured to be joined in a half-split manner, but may be a cylindrical member integrally formed from the beginning. Further, if the molding technique of the synthetic resin is fully utilized, the entire screw 25 except for the screw shaft 25a can be integrally molded.

  In addition, the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 are made of a material having good slip and having such a rigidity that the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 are not deformed by the pressing force from the game ball to the lifting guide rail 282 generated by the rotation of the screw 25. Preferably, a metal such as aluminum or a synthetic resin may be used. In addition, it is conceivable that the spiral ridge 25d uses a hardened silicon material or the like at least in a portion for receiving the game ball from the ball feed rotating body 350. Thereby, it is possible to absorb an impact generated when the game ball falls on the spiral ridge 25d.

  The lifting guide rail 282 in the present embodiment guides the game ball vertically by two rails, but is not limited to the two rails. For example, one lifting guide rail 282 is used and another is used. One of the guides may be configured to extend the inner wall of the cover member 368 so as to be adjacent to the lifting guide rail 282 and to guide the game ball.

  Further, the support member 367 is disposed between the cover member 368 composed of the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. The support member 367 may be disposed so as to cover not only the member 368 but also both ends of the lifting guide rail 282 as shown in FIG. 70, for example. Thereby, the player operates the vibration generated by the operation of an electric drive source such as a movable accessory (not shown) or a motor arranged on the game board, and the touch panel unit 14 arranged on the door frame 3. Various vibrations that occur in the gaming machine, such as vibrations due to the shocks that occur when the game is played, are absorbed, so that the game balls may not be able to be lifted off the guide rail guide, or the launch of the game balls may be Instability can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the game balls are sent out one by one at a pitch of the spiral ridge 25d continuously over the entire length of the screw 25, and the game balls are pumped. The configuration is not limited to this as long as the game balls are continuously lifted without being sent.

  In addition, the lifting slope member 354 may have any structure as long as it can smoothly feed game balls vertically lifted by the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 to the ball discharge gutter 23, and are formed integrally with the upper gear box 356. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, the upper surface of the ball delivery path 23 may be extended to the lifting path of the game ball, and a slope may be formed on the lower surface of the extended portion.

  Further, the ball lifting device 22 of the first embodiment is configured to lift the game ball using the vertical screw 25, but lifts the game ball so as to guide and transport the game ball vertically. If so, various methods can be selected, such as a belt conveyor that can continuously carry game balls, in addition to the screw.

[Ball polishing device]
Next, a description will be given of a ball polishing device for cleaning and polishing a game ball enclosed in a gaming machine. FIG. 38 described above is a front view showing a state in which a ball polishing cartridge is attached to the ball polishing device, and FIG. It is a front view showing the state where it did.

  FIG. 50 is a left side view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 51 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism for fixing the ball polishing cartridge. FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of mounting the ball polishing cartridge.

  53 and FIG. 54 are views showing a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 53 shows a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cartridge of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 55 is a view in which the left side cover of the ball polishing cartridge is removed in FIG. It is a left view which shows the state which performed. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which the right outer side cover is removed for explaining the inside of the right side cover in FIG. FIG. 59 is a top perspective view showing a state where the right side cover is opened in FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 38 and 50, a ball collecting unit 21 is provided below the ball lifting device 22, and a ball polishing cartridge 251 is attached to a ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 of a part of the ball collecting unit 21. Can be attached. Here, the outside of the ball lifting device 22 is formed of a transparent plastic member, so that even if a game ball is clogged in the ball lifting device 22, the clogging location can be easily visually recognized. It has become. As shown in FIG. 51, the ball polishing cartridge 251 mounted on the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has one end supported on the shaft and the other end pivotally provided on the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270. The other end of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 which has been enabled is hung on the ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 272 also provided in the ball collecting portion 21 so as to press the ball polishing cartridge 251 in the depth direction and left direction. It has a structure. In FIG. 51, both the open state and the closed state of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 are illustrated in order to make the movement mode of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 easy to understand.

  FIG. 39 is a front view showing a state where the ball polishing cartridge 251 has been removed. As shown in FIG. 39, the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has a ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 having a hollow portion into which the ball polishing cartridge 251 can be mounted. In FIG. 39, the mounting sensor 291 and the drive shaft 290 are provided inside the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 and the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 for easy viewing, and are visible from the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 66 is an enlarged view in which the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 of FIG. 39 is enlarged. Behind the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 inside the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270, below the right side, and coaxial with the second drive gear 257 shown in FIG. A drive shaft 290 that fits into one gear shaft 261 is provided, and a mounting sensor 291 having a pushable button 292 is provided above the right side surface. When the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pressed by a series of mounting operations of the ball polishing cartridge 251, the mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is detected. The specific mode of the mounting operation will be described later.

  In addition, in a portion of the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 which is the deepest portion and faces the ball lifting device 22, the ball lifting device 22 has a long side whose ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 described later advances. An opening 281 having an angle different from the direction is provided. As a result, a deviation occurs between the lifting direction of the game ball and the traveling direction of the ball polishing cloth 263, so that only a part of the ball polishing cloth 263 having a predetermined width in the width direction is used, and the ball polishing cloth is not used. It is possible to effectively use the width of 263 to clean and polish the game balls.

  Further, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 is such that at least a part of the periphery of the game ball pumped by the ball lifting device 22 can protrude outside the ball lifting device 22 at the opening position. In this embodiment, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 is set to 8.4 mm with respect to the diameter of the game ball of 11 mm. The game balls are configured to protrude from the opening 281 toward the ball polishing cloth 263 by about 1.5 mm.

  As a result, during the game period, the game balls to be pumped in the ball lifting device 22 have a part of the peripheral edge projecting to the outside of the ball lifting device 22 at the position of the opening 281 to polish the ball. The ball polishing cloth 263 of the cartridge 251 can be in contact with the game ball. In particular, when the ball polishing cartridge 251 has an elastic member and is configured to press the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, the ball polishing cloth 263 can be more reliably brought into contact with the game ball. Reliable ball polishing becomes possible.

  In addition, even if the ball polishing cartridge 251 is removed in a state where the game balls remain in the ball lifting device 22 during a time period outside the game period, the width of the opening 281 is smaller than the diameter of the game balls. In this configuration, the game balls remaining in the ball lifting device 22 do not spill to the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 of the ball polishing cartridge 251.

  FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of mounting the ball polishing cartridge 251 from the state of FIG. As can be seen from FIGS. 39 and 52, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is configured to be inserted and mounted from the front of the main body frame 2.

  60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge 251, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG. Here, 259 is a take-up roller, 260 is a driven roller, 261 is a first gear shaft, and 262 is a second gear shaft. The first gear shaft 261 is a take-up roller 259, and the second gear shaft is a second gear shaft. It is configured to be coaxial with the drive gear 257, and the second gear shaft 262 is configured to be coaxial with the driven roller 260. Further, reference numeral 268 denotes a game ball contact mark. As shown in FIG. 39, the lifting direction of the game ball by the ball lifting device 22 and the winding direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 are: Since the angle is different from the vertical direction, the game ball contact mark 268 is formed to be inclined with respect to the long side direction of the ball polishing cloth 263.

  53 and FIG. 54 are views showing a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 53 shows a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which a game ball and a ball polishing cloth of a ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other.

  As shown in FIG. 53 and FIG. 54, the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 provided in the ball lifting device 22, and the ball lifting device 22 and the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 are moved. At the opposing position, the game ball comes into contact with the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 through the opening 281 of the ball lifting device 22, and the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22. As a result, the ball is rubbed with the ball polishing cloth 263, and the cleaning and ball polishing of the game ball are performed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the shape of the screw 25 in the ball lifting device 22 is different between the upper part, the lower part, and the middle part. In the upper part and the lower part, the inclination angle of the spiral of the screw 25 (spiral ridge 25d in FIG. 47) is made smaller to make the pitch narrower, whereas in the middle part, the inclination angle of the screw spiral is made larger to make the pitch smaller. Also wide. In the middle part, since it is not necessary to spend time for lifting, by increasing the inclination angle of the spiral and raising the lifting speed, it is possible to lift the game ball in a short time, and , It is possible to reduce the number of game balls included in the game machine, and it is possible to reduce the number of game balls sealed inside the gaming machine.

  Further, by reducing the pitch interval in the lower portion, the lifting speed of the game ball in a portion where the game ball faces the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is reduced, so that the game ball and the ball polishing cloth 263 are reduced. The contact time with the ball can be lengthened to reliably perform the cleaning and polishing of the game ball. Furthermore, by narrowing the pitch interval at the upper part, the lifting speed of the game ball at the lifting end portion of the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced, and the ball is transferred from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball sending gutter 23. It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of trouble such as biting of the ball at the time of delivery, and to smoothly send the game ball to the ball sending gutter 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 54, the ball lifting device 22 is provided with two guide rails 282 for guiding the lifting of the game balls. The distance between the two guide rails is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the game ball, but adjustment is also made to make the portion of the game ball to be transported that may be severely narrower and more stable. be able to. In this way, the game balls are lifted in the ball lifting device 22 so that both guide rails can support both sides.

  FIG. 55 is a left side view showing the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 54 with the left side cover removed. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. Here, 259 is a take-up roller, and 260 is a driven roller, to which a driving force from a ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 described later is transmitted. The rotation of the second drive gear 257 that is configured to be coaxial with the take-up roller 259 causes the take-up roller 259 to rotate, and the frictional force between the take-up roller 259 and the driven roller 260 causes the ball polishing cloth to rotate. 263 is wound up.

  Further, a ball polishing cloth 263 is arranged in a portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing the ball lifting device 22, and a tensioner 267 having a function of pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 is provided behind the ball polishing cloth 263. Behind the tensioner 267, there are provided two coil-shaped ball polishing cloth pressing springs 264 having a function of pressing the tensioner 267 and the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball. Further, a spring retainer 266 that supports the ball polishing cloth presser spring 264 is provided behind the ball polishing cloth presser spring 264. Further, a leaf spring 265 is provided at the upper part of the ball polishing cartridge. The leaf spring 265 presses the ball polishing cloth 263 lightly to align the ball polishing cloth 263, and places the ball polishing cloth 263 on a portion facing the ball lifting device 22. It plays a role of aligning before sending.

  The ball polishing cloth 263 wound by the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260 is stored in the ball polishing cartridge 251. In FIGS. 55 and 56, the ball polishing cloth 263 is moved by the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260. The illustration of the ball polishing cloth 263 inside the ball polishing cartridge after being wound is omitted.

  FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted. Reference numeral 253 denotes a right side cover, which is composed of a right outer side cover 253a and a right inner side cover 253b, and is integrated. Reference numeral 258 denotes a second drive gear case that covers a second drive gear 257 described later. FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state where only the right outer side cover 253a is removed from the right side cover 253 in FIG. 57 for the purpose of explanation, 253b is a right inner side cover, and 155 is a ball polishing ribbon. The feed motor is a driving source for winding the ball polishing cloth 263 in the ball polishing cartridge 251. Further, a hinge 255 that engages with the hinge receiving portion 254 is provided at a rear end of the right side cover 253, and the right side cover 253 is rotatable around the hinge 255 as a fulcrum. In this embodiment, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 is a stepping motor. The specific driving mode of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 will be described later.

  FIG. 59 is an upper perspective view showing a state where the right side cover 253 is opened in FIG. 58, and the right side cover 253 is rotatable around a hinge 255 engaged with the hinge receiving portion 254 as a fulcrum. . Between the right outer side cover 253a and the right inner side cover 253b of the right side cover 253, a first shaft (not shown) rotated by driving the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 coaxially with the rotation axis of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155. A drive gear is provided, and in this embodiment, a gear having 16 teeth is used. Similarly, a second drive gear coaxial with the drive shaft 290 and meshing with the first drive gear is provided between the right outer side cover 253a and the right inner side cover 253b. Use the gear.

  Next, the mounting operation and the mounting detection of the ball polishing cartridge 251 will be described. FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge mounting section 270, and FIG. 65 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the ball polishing cartridge 251 and the ball polishing cartridge mounting section 270. The ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 is configured such that the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 is expanded with the hinge portion as a fulcrum when the right side cover 253 is rotated about the hinge 255 (direction A in FIG. 64). I have.

  In this state, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted into the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 from the front as shown in FIG. At the time of insertion, since the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 is widened by the rotation of the right side cover 253, the drive shaft 290 and the mounting sensor 291 do not hinder the insertion. After the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of A in FIG. 64 so that the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 returns to the original width, and then the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever By engaging the ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 272 with the ball polishing cartridge 271, the drive shaft 290 engages with the first gear shaft 261 of the ball polishing cartridge 251, and the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pushed, so that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is moved. The attachment is detected.

  If the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is depressed while the power of the gaming machine is turned on, it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is normally mounted and no notification is made, but the power is turned on. Nevertheless, when the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is not depressed, it is notified that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not properly mounted. As a mode of the notification, the display can be performed by displaying that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not mounted on a display device (not shown) that is normally provided in the gaming machine and performs an effect display according to the mode of the game. . In addition, as another notification mode, the notification can be performed by lighting or blinking a decorative lamp for production or a dedicated lamp indicating the mounted state of the ball polishing cartridge 251 in a predetermined mode.

  Also, in the enclosed ball type gaming machine as in the present embodiment, the game is performed by circulating the gaming ball enclosed in the gaming machine, so that the game is continued for an extremely long time without cleaning the gaming ball. Then, since the dirt on the game balls may accumulate and the rolling of the game balls may be deteriorated, it is preferable to perform the cleaning of the game balls by the ball polishing device in any part of the circulation path of the game balls. However, this does not mean that the game can not be played without the ball polishing device, so even if it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge is not installed, the game can be continued only by informing by the display device or lamp. it can.

  The game time of the player is cumulatively measured by measuring means (not shown) based on detection by the touch switch 87 provided on the steering wheel. In the present embodiment, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 is fed one step each time the accumulated measurement time by the measuring means becomes one minute. In this embodiment, since the diameter of the winding roller 259 is 25 mm, the circumferential length is about 78.5 mm (= 25 × 3.14), and the first driving gear 256 and the second driving gear 257 Considering that the gear ratio is 1/2, the feed amount of the ball polishing cloth 263 per step is 0.11 mm (= 78.5 / 360/2).

In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is fixed by pressing the ball polishing cartridge 251 by hanging the lever on the stopper. However, the fixing method is not limited to this method. A method can also be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, as a means for pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, a coil-shaped ball polishing cloth pressing spring 264 is used. However, the pressing means is not limited to this. Shaped springs and other elastic members can also be used.

  In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is arranged at the lowermost part of the game machine. However, the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not limited to this position. They can also be placed. In that case, the opening provided in the portion of the ball lifting device 22 facing the ball polishing cartridge 251 may be changed to a position corresponding to the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as a method of making the lifting direction of the game ball by the ball lifting device 22 and the winding direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 different, the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is used. Is transported in the vertical direction, and the lifting direction of the game balls of the ball lifting device 22 in the portion facing the ball polishing cloth 263 is transported in a direction inclined from the vertical direction. The direction of conveyance of the game ball of the ball lifting device 22 is not limited to the vertical direction, and the direction of conveyance of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 may be a direction inclined from the vertical direction, or both may be inclined. Various methods such as a direction can be selected.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 has a pushable button 292 as a mounting sensor 291, and when the button 292 is pressed by the mounting operation of the ball polishing cartridge 251, the mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is performed. Although detected, the mode of the mounting sensor 291 is not limited to these sensors, and other types of sensors such as an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor can be used.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if it is detected by the mounting sensor 291 that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly mounted, the game can be continuously performed only by making a notification, When it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly mounted, the game can be prevented from being performed.

[Gaming ball enclosing operation]
Next, a description will be given of an enclosing operation for enclosing a predetermined number of game balls in an enclosed ball-type game machine when a newly installed ball-type game machine is installed, or when a dirty ball is once removed and cleaned. I do. The enclosing operation is performed in a state where the power is not turned on to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine. Therefore, the ball lifting device 22 and the various sensors in the enclosed ball game machine are not operating.

In the enclosed ball-type gaming machine, the game ball is fired into the game area by the launching device, and thereafter, after rolling in the game area, wins the prize device or is collected from the out port 42, and the collected game ball is It is conveyed again to the launching device, and is fired again in the game area in the launching device to play a game. That is, a circulation path of the game ball is formed as a whole.
The introduction of the game ball in the enclosing operation may be performed by putting the game ball in this circulation path. In this embodiment, the game ball is introduced from the out port 42. Thus, there is no need to separately provide a sealing port for sealing the game balls into the sealed ball game machine, and the configuration of the sealed ball game machine can be simplified. Further, instead of the out port 42, a game ball may be introduced from the prize port 41 of the prize device. The game balls entering the prize port 41 of the prize device are also merged with the game balls entered the out port 42 and then conveyed to the launching device. Even if the game ball is introduced, the game ball can be put into the circulation path in the same manner as when the game ball is introduced into the out port 42. In any case, when introducing the game ball, care must be taken so that the game ball, hand, and the like do not hit the nail. When a game ball is introduced into the out port 42, by providing a game ball introduction member 427 described later, it is possible to prevent the game ball from hitting the nail at the time of insertion. Note that the out port 42 and the winning port 41 correspond to a game ball collecting port.

  FIG. 71 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the number of game balls is less than a predetermined number when the game balls are sealed in the sealed ball game machine. As described above, at the time of the enclosing operation of the game balls, the power is not turned on to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine, so that the ball lifting device 22 is not driven. Therefore, the game balls inserted from the out port 42 or the winning port 41 enter through the collection port 202 and pass through the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 and are aligned with the front of the ball lifting device 22 as the head.

  FIG. 72 shows a state in which game balls are further inserted from the state of FIG. 71 to reach a predetermined number of game balls. As shown in FIG. 72, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the lastly inserted game ball 233 is a discontinuous portion 223 where the magnetic ball discharge path 226 and the path of the regular game ball are branched. , And is configured to block the discontinuous portion 223.

  FIG. 73 shows a state in which game balls are further inserted from the state of FIG. 72 and game balls exceeding a predetermined number are inserted. As described above, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the lastly inserted game ball 233 is configured to block the discontinuous portion 223. 235, and cannot enter the path of the regular game ball 233 from the discontinuous portion 223, but is guided to the magnetic ball discharge chest 227 from the magnetic ball discharge path 226 and collected.

  In the present embodiment, in the magnetic ball discharge section, the discontinuous portion 223 where the regular game balls 233 are guided when a predetermined number of game balls are sealed is closed, and a predetermined number or more of the game balls are removed. Although it is configured to be collected at the discharge section, similarly, in the deformed ball discharge path, the path where the regular game balls 233 are guided when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed is closed and collected at the deformed ball discharge section. You can also do so.

  In addition, in order to increase the efficiency of inserting game balls into the out port 42, a game ball introduction member 427 is provided on the rail portion of the front component 45 located at the lower edge of the out port 42 (FIG. 74, FIG. 74). 75). When a game ball is placed on the upper surface of the game ball introduction member 427, the game ball is poured toward the out port 42, so that the game ball can be efficiently enclosed. Also, a game ball can be inserted without hitting a nearby nail.

  FIG. 74 is a perspective view showing a state where the game ball introduction member 427 is projected. The game ball introduction member 427 can be protruded by opening the door frame 3 and sliding it toward the user.

  FIG. 75 is a perspective view showing a state where the game ball introduction member 427 is stored. From the state of FIG. 74, the game ball introduction member 427 can be stored by pushing it inward, so that the game is not hindered.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball introduction member 427 has a structure in which it can advance and retreat by manually sliding, but the invention is not limited to the above-described method, and a door frame may be formed by using an urging member such as a spring. Various methods can be selected, such as automatically opening and closing by opening and closing the shutter 3.

[Outline of control of gaming machines and external devices]
Next, an outline of control of the gaming machine 1 and the payment machine 4 as an external device arranged adjacent to one side thereof will be described. FIG. 76 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of an embodiment of a main control board provided with an RTC and provided in an enclosed ball game machine. The control of the gaming machine 1 is roughly divided into a main board group and a peripheral board group, of which the main board group controls a game operation, and the peripheral board group performs a staging operation (the liquid crystal display device 1400, Lamp, body frame lamp, door frame lamp, sound). The main board group includes a main control board 100 and a ball information control board 110, and the peripheral board group includes a peripheral control board 130.

[Main control board 100]
The main control board 100 controls a game. The main control board 100 and a ball information control board 110 described later are connected so that bidirectional data communication is possible. As shown in FIG. 76, the main control board 100 for controlling the progress of the game is a main control MPU 101 which is a microprocessor having a built-in ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands and a RAM for temporarily storing data. A main control I / O port 102 as an input / output device (I / O device), a main control input circuit 103 to which detection signals from various detection switches are input, and a main control solenoid for driving various solenoids A drive circuit 104 and a RAM clear switch 105 for completely erasing information stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in RAM”) built in the main control MPU 101 are provided.

  The main control MPU 101 has a built-in ROM (hereinafter, referred to as a “main control built-in ROM”) and a main control built-in RAM, a watchdog timer for monitoring the operation (system), and a countermeasure for preventing impropriety. And other functions are also built-in. The main control MPU 101 has a built-in nonvolatile memory. This nonvolatile RAM has a unique code (a code that exists only once in the world) for identifying an individual by a manufacturer that manufactures the main control MPU 101. ) Are stored in advance. Since the ID code once assigned is stored in the nonvolatile RAM, it is not rewritten even by using an external device. The main control MPU 101 can take out the ID code from the nonvolatile RAM and refer to it.

[RTC control unit]
Further, the main control MPU 101 of the embodiment includes an external real-time clock (hereinafter, referred to as “RTC”) 107 capable of acquiring time information as time information acquiring means. Although not shown, the RTC 107 includes a register circuit, a clock input circuit, a clock output circuit, an interrupt output circuit, a data input / output circuit, and a control circuit.

  The RTC 107 has a clock / calendar function. The clock / calendar function is a function for counting time by counting the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. If necessary, a counter that counts up to the day of the week may be used. The RTC control unit 106 includes an RTC 107 and a battery 108 for driving the RTC 107. The provision of the battery 108 prevents the RTC 107 from interrupting the timekeeping and calendar functions even when the power supply of a power supply board (not shown) is shut off.

  The battery 108 may be a primary battery (for example, a button battery) or a rechargeable secondary battery, thereby avoiding the necessity of disposing a backup power supply and avoiding complicating the configuration of the main control board 100. Can be. The battery 108 is also used as a backup power supply for the RAM 109.

  The main control MPU 101 has a function of specifying year / month / day / hour / minute / second (calendar information and time information) by including the RTC 107. The main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 acquires time information (hour / minute / second) from the RTC 107 when the power of the gaming machine is turned on.

  An upper starting port detection switch 90 for detecting a gaming ball winning an upper starting port (not shown) arranged in the game area 8 of the game board 5, and detecting a gaming ball winning a lower starting port (not shown). A detection signal from the lower starting port detection switch 91 and a general winning port detection switch 93 for detecting a game ball that has won a general winning port (not shown) is first input to the main control input circuit 103, and the main control I / O The data is input to the main control MPU 101 via the O port 102.

  Further, a gate switch 92 for detecting a game ball passing through a gate portion (not shown), a general winning opening detection switch 94 for detecting a game ball winning a general winning opening (not shown), a large winning opening (not shown). First, a detection signal from the count switch 98 for detecting a game ball which has won a prize is input to the main control input circuit 103 via a panel relay terminal plate 140 attached to the game board 5, and is input to the main control I / O port. The data is input to the main control MPU 101 via the control unit 102.

  The main control MPU 101 outputs a control signal from the main control I / O port 102 to the main control solenoid drive circuit 104 based on these detection signals, so that the starting port solenoid 96 and the large A drive signal is output to the winning opening solenoid 97, an upper special symbol display 142, a lower special symbol indicator 143, an upper special symbol from the main control I / O port 102 through the panel relay terminal board 140 and the function display board 141. A drive signal is output to the symbol memory display 144, the lower special symbol memory display 145, the ordinary symbol indicator 146, the ordinary symbol memory display 147, the game state indicator 148, and the round indicator 149.

  Further, the main control MPU 101 transmits various kinds of information (game information) related to the game and various commands related to the winning prize according to the winning to the ball information control board 110 in a serial manner, and the gaming machine from the ball information control board 110. Various commands relating to the status 1 are received in a serial manner. Further, the main control MPU 101 transmits various commands relating to control of the game effect and various commands relating to the state of the gaming machine 1 to the peripheral control board 130. When receiving the control command transmitted from the main control board 100, the peripheral control board 130 performs various effects (for example, a decorative design for notifying the result of the determination on the display panel of the liquid crystal display device 1400) according to the received control command. The control related to the fluctuation display of the column, the effect display, the lamp, the sound, and the operation of the movable decorative accessory for the effect, etc.) is performed.

[Sphere information control board 110]
FIG. 77 is a block diagram showing a main part of a ball information control board 110 mainly provided in a sealed ball-type gaming machine. The ball information control board 110 includes a launching solenoid 13 and a ball feed solenoid 31 as a first drive source for controlling the holding ball and driving the ball launching device 12, and a ball polishing ribbon feed as a second drive source for driving the ball polishing device. A ball information control unit 118 that performs various controls related to the motor 155 and the ball lifting motor 150 as a third driving source for driving the ball lifting device 22 is provided. Further, the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 are connected so that bidirectional data communication is possible.

[Sphere information control unit 118]
As shown in FIG. 77, the sphere information control unit 118 includes a sphere information control MPU 111 which is a microprocessor including a ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and the like. A sphere information control I / O port 112 as an O device, and an external watchdog timer 116 (hereinafter referred to as "external WDT 116") for monitoring whether or not the sphere information control MPU 111 is operating normally. A ball lifting motor drive circuit 114 for outputting a drive signal to a ball lifting motor 150 of the ball lifting device 22 for performing ball lifting, and a ball information control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches are inputted. 113, a CR unit input / output circuit 115 for exchanging various signals with the settlement machine 4, and a drive signal to the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155. A spherical polish ribbon feeding motor driving circuit 119 for, and a. In addition to the built-in ROM (hereinafter referred to as “ball information control built-in ROM”) and the RAM (hereinafter referred to as “ball information control built-in RAM”), the sphere information control MPU 111 can detect illegalities. Functions are also built in to prevent this.

  The ball information control MPU 111 receives various information related to the game (game information) from the main control board 100 and various commands related to the prize balls in a serial manner via the ball information control I / O port 112, and receives from the main control board 100. The operation signal (detection signal) of the RAM clear switch 105 is input via the ball information control I / O port 112.

  The detection signals from the door frame opening switch 131 for detecting the opening of the door frame 3 with respect to the body frame 2 and the body frame opening switch 132 for detecting the opening of the body frame 2 with respect to the outer frame are first input to the ball information control input circuit 113. The data is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112. Further, a touch detection signal (ON signal) by the touch switch 87 for detecting whether a palm or a finger is touching the hitting ball handle 10 is input to the ball information control board 110 via the handle relay terminal plate 123, and the touch is further performed. The detection signal is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112.

  Further, the ball information control MPU 111 is connected to the firing solenoid 13 through the firing solenoid drive circuit 120, is connected to the ball feed solenoid 31 through the ball feed solenoid drive circuit 122, and responds to the control output from the ball information control MPU 111. And the ball feed solenoid 31 is driven. In addition, the presence / absence of game balls to be supplied to the launch standby ball detection switches 26 and 70, the launch ball confirmation switch 36, the recovery ball detection switch 203, the ball path full tank detection switch 206, the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207, and the ball lifting device 22. 156, a lifting motor sensor (photosensor) 157 for detecting the rotation speed of the ball lifting motor 150, and a ball polishing cartridge containing a ball polishing cloth ribbon. The detection signal from the cassette detection switch 158 for detecting the input is input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the sensor relay board 124, and is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112. I have. The ball information control MPU 111 sends drive signals for driving the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, the firing solenoid 13, and the ball feed solenoid 31 to each drive element via the ball information control I / O port 112. Output to

  The touch panel unit 14 is connected to the ball information control MPU 111 so as to be displayed by a control output from the ball information control I / O port 112. The sphere information control board 110 relays the electrical connection between the main control board 100 and the external terminal board 133, and furthermore, the door frame open switch 131, the body frame open switch 132, and the external terminal board 133. Relays the electrical connection between them. The external terminal plate 133 is electrically connected to a hall computer installed in a game hall (hall).

  Detection signals from a touch switch 87 for detecting whether a palm or a finger is in contact with the hitting handle 10 and a firing stop switch 86 for detecting whether to forcibly stop launching a game ball by a player's will. Is first input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the handle relay terminal plate 123. When the payment machine 4 and the ball information control board 110 are electrically connected, they are input to the CR unit input / output circuit 115 as a CR connection signal.

  Note that a DC power supply of +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V is supplied from a power supply board (not shown) to the sphere information control board 110. In addition, DC power supplies +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V are supplied to the main control board 100 via the ball information control board 110.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 117 compares and monitors the voltage V1 based on +24 V and the reference voltage, and monitors the voltage V2 based on +12 V and the reference voltage, respectively. When the voltage becomes lower than the voltage, a power failure notice signal is output as a power failure notice. The power failure notice signal output from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is supplied to the ball control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 and also to the main control MPU 101. Although not shown, the power failure notice signal is also input to the peripheral control board 130.

[Electrical connection between game board 5 and body frame 2]
The electrical connection of the game board 5 to the main frame 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 97 is a block diagram showing a game board and a main body frame connected using a drawer connector. The mechanical and electrical connection between the game board 5 and the main frame 2 is made by a drawer connector. The game board 5 is provided with a game board side main drawer connector and a game board side sub drawer connector, and the main body frame 2 is provided with a main body frame side main drawer connector and a main body frame side sub drawer connector. I have. When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2, the game board side main drawer connector and the main body frame side main drawer connector are connected, and the game board side sub drawer connector and the main body frame side sub drawer connector are connected. And the body frame 2 are electrically connected at the same time as they are mechanically connected. As a result, electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2.

[Authentication of main control board 100 and ball information control board 110]
When it becomes possible to perform electrical communication between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 as described above, mutual authentication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is performed when the power is turned on. The authentication function of the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  It has been described that the ID code is stored in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 described above in advance, but the ID code described above is also stored in the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 in advance. Hereinafter, the ID code stored in the main control MPU 101 in advance is referred to as a first MPU identification number, and the ID code stored in the ball information control MPU 111 in advance is referred to as a second MPU identification number.

  The main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 in the present embodiment can perform bidirectional data communication, and perform authentication processing between the boards when the power is turned on, so that each MPU is a regular one. It is configured to be able to determine whether or not there is. The details will be described below.

  The main control board 100 includes at least a main control MPU 101. The main control MPU 101 has a first MPU identification number storage unit 101a storing a first MPU identification number stored in advance, and whether the second MPU identification number is appropriate. And a main encryption communication unit 160 that encrypts information transmitted to the sphere information control MPU 111 and decrypts information transmitted from the sphere information control MPU 111. Further, the first authentication unit 162 includes a second MPU identification number storage unit 161 that stores the second MPU identification number.

  The ball information control board 110 includes at least a ball information control MPU 111. The ball information control MPU 111 includes a second MPU identification number storage unit 111a storing a second MPU identification number stored in advance, and a first MPU identification number. A second authentication unit 167 that performs an authentication process as to whether the information is appropriate and a sphere information encryption communication unit 165 that encrypts information transmitted to the main control MPU 101 and decrypts information transmitted from the main control MPU 101 The second authentication unit 167 further includes a first MPU identification number storage unit 166 that stores the first MPU identification number.

  When the gaming machine is powered on, the first MPU identification number is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160 from the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a by bidirectional communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110. The ball information control MPU 111 transmits the second MPU identification number to the main information communication unit 160 after being encrypted by the ball information encryption communication unit 165.

  Next, the main control MPU 101 decodes the second MPU identification number transmitted from the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 from the sphere information control MPU 111 using the main encryption communication unit 160, and then decrypts the second MPU identification number in the first authentication unit 162. The sphere information control MPU 111 stores the first MPU identification number transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the sphere information encryption communication unit 165, and stores the first MPU identification number in the second authentication unit 167 in the second authentication unit 167. It is stored in the 1 MPU identification number storage section 166.

  Next, the main control MPU 101 performs an authentication process in the first authentication unit 162 based on the second MPU identification number stored in the second MPU identification number storage unit 161 and determines whether the second MPU identification number is appropriate. I do.

  On the other hand, the ball information control MPU 111 performs an authentication process in the second authentication section 167 based on the first MPU identification number stored in the first MPU identification number storage section 166, and the first MPU identification number is appropriate. Judge.

  When it is determined that the main control MPU 101 and the ball control MPU 111 are appropriate based on the results of the authentication performed by the first authentication unit 162 and the second authentication unit 167, respectively, when the main control side power is turned on in FIG. The process and the start of the ball information control side power-on process of FIG. 82 are permitted, and the game can be started. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not proper, the main control side power-on process and the ball information The start of the control-side power-on process is not permitted, and the game cannot be played.

  With these configurations, the main control MPU 101 and the sphere information control MPU 111 mutually perform authentication processing, and when such authentication processing is not properly performed, a game is not performed. It is possible to effectively suppress illegal acts such as the main control MPU 101 or the ball information control MPU 111 being replaced with a counterfeit chip.

  As described above, when it is determined that the mutual authentication result is appropriate in the authentication processing performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, the main control-side power-on processing shown in FIG. The start of the ball information control-side power-on process 82 is permitted. That is, the game board 5 is properly mounted on the main body frame 2 on condition that the mutual authentication result between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is determined to be appropriate. That the game board 5 exists.

[Certification of combination of main frame and game board]
Next, a description will be given of a maker authentication processing execution means relating to the combination of the main body frame 2 and the game board 5 with reference to FIGS.
When a pachinko or pachislot machine is delivered to a game hall (game hall) and replaced, it is necessary to receive an application each time and obtain a permit. It is obligatory to apply for a set of the main body frame 2 and the frame including the door frame 3 as a set of gaming machines. Therefore, even if the body frame is common to each manufacturer, the combination of the body frame and the game board must be the combination for which the application has been received.

  Further, even if the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3 are applied as a set of gaming machines, since the main body frame in the present embodiment has a structure common to each maker, a different combination of main bodies is used. Even if the game board has been fitted into the frame, it can not be determined from the appearance alone whether or not it is the wrong combination, and which game board of which manufacturer is really fit in the main body frame of the correctly determined place May be difficult to grasp and manage. The present embodiment presents a specific solution for solving the above problem.

  First, a specific method of performing authentication for determining whether a combination of the game board 5 and the frame body including the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3 is the requested combination will be described.

  In addition to the first MPU identification number and the second MPU identification number used for authentication as to whether or not the MPU is legitimate, the main control MPU 101 on the main control board 100 includes maker information and model number of the game board. Game board maker identification information required for recognition is stored in advance, and frame maker identification information is stored in the ball information control MPU 111 on the ball information control board 110 in advance.

  The game board 5 stores different game board maker identification information for each individual, and can be separately recognized based on a difference in a character string of the identification information. Further, the body frame 2 also stores different frame maker identification information for each individual, and can be separately recognized based on differences in character strings of the identification information.

  Next, the interrelationship between words in the present invention and the present embodiment will be presented. The main control board 100 corresponds to the first control board, the ball information control board 110 corresponds to the second control board, the main control MPU 101 corresponds to the first MPU, and the ball information control MPU 111 corresponds to the second MPU.

  The main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 in the present embodiment are capable of bidirectional data communication. When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 and the power is turned on, the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 are connected to each other. By performing the combination authentication processing in, it is possible to determine whether or not the game board and the main body frame are a proper combination. The details will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 98, the main control board 100 includes at least a main control MPU 101. The main control MPU 101 includes a game board maker identification information storage unit 4101 in which game board maker identification information stored in advance is stored; A first authentication unit 162 for performing authentication processing to determine whether or not the identification information is appropriate; a main encryption communication unit for encrypting information transmitted to the ball information control MPU 111 and decrypting information transmitted from the ball information control MPU 111 160, and the first authentication unit 162 further includes a frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 that stores frame maker identification information.

  The ball information control board 110 includes at least a ball information control MPU 111. The ball information control MPU 111 has a frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 in which frame maker identification information stored in advance and a game board maker identification information are appropriate. A second authentication unit 167 for performing authentication processing as to whether or not the information is transmitted, and a sphere information encryption communication unit 165 for encrypting information transmitted to the main control MPU 101 and decrypting information transmitted from the main control MPU 101. The second authentication unit 167 further includes a game board maker identification information storage unit 4101 for storing game board maker identification information.

  When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 and the game machine is powered on, the main board 100 and the ball information control board 110 communicate with each other by the two-way communication between the game board maker identification information storage section 4101 and the game board maker identification. The information is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160 and then transmitted to the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and the frame maker identification information from the frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 is encrypted by the ball information encryption communication unit 165. It is transmitted to the main encryption communication unit 160.

  Next, the main control MPU 101 decrypts the frame maker identification information transmitted from the sphere information control MPU 111 from the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 using the main encryption communication unit 160, and then decrypts the frame in the first authentication unit 162. The ball information control MPU 111 stores the information in the maker identification information storage unit 4112, and decrypts the game board maker identification information transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and then stores the information in the second authentication unit 167. It is stored in the game board maker identification information storage unit 4101.

  Thereafter, the main control MPU 101 performs an authentication process in the first authentication unit 162 based on the frame maker identification information stored in the frame maker identification information storage unit 4112, and determines whether the frame maker identification information is appropriate. I do.

  Then, the ball information control MPU 111 performs an authentication process in the second authentication section 167 based on the game board maker identification information stored in the game board maker identification information storage section 4101, and the game board maker identification information is correct. Determine if there is.

  If it is determined that the game board 5 and the body frame 2 are a proper combination at the time of application based on the results of authentication by the first authentication section 162 and the second authentication section 167, the game is started. Becomes possible, and if it is determined that the game is not appropriate, it becomes impossible to start the game.

  With these configurations, an authentication process is performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, and a game is not performed if the authentication process is not properly performed. It is possible to effectively prevent the game board from being mistakenly fitted into the frame different from the one applied at the time of installation and starting the game in a combination different from the set of gaming machines applied for Become.

  Further, the result of the authentication process performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is transmitted to the hall computer installed in the game hall via the external terminal board 133. When it is determined that the combination of the game board maker identification information and the frame maker identification information is abnormal, an error signal is output from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer, whereby the game board 5, the main body frame 2, the door frame, It is possible to accurately grasp the combination abnormality of the three.

[Information output from conventional external terminal board]
Next, how information is output and managed from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer will be described with reference to FIG. As the game progresses, various signals are transmitted from the ball information control board 110 to the external terminal board 133, and the signals are transmitted to the hall computer installed in the game hall, so that all of the signals installed in the game hall are set. It has a mechanism to manage gaming machines. Specifically, in addition to the door frame opening signal and the body frame opening signal, a prize ball number information output signal indicating the number of prize balls to the player, a 15-round big hit from the main control board 100 via the ball information control board 110 In addition to the jackpot information output signal such as the information output signal and the two round jackpot information output signal, the information output signal during the probability fluctuation, the special symbol display information output signal, the normal symbol display information output signal, the information output signal during the time reduction, and the start A game information signal such as a winning information output signal is output to the external terminal board 133.

  As described above, as the information output from the sphere information control board 110, a signal such as, for example, a 15-round jackpot information is transmitted to the external terminal board 133 and then output from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer. The signal is transmitted after the game process is started.

  In the authentication process of this embodiment, the time when the result of the above-described authentication process is output from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer is when the power is turned on after the game board is fitted into the main body frame (see step S20 in FIG. 79). ). For this reason, it is possible to divert the output line that outputs to the external terminal board 133 during the game as the output line that outputs the result of the authentication processing.

  Conventionally, the ball information control board 110 and the external terminal board 133 are directly connected, and after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the power was turned on after the game board 5 was fitted into the main body frame 2. , A code for identifying the manufacturer of the gaming machine, a code for identifying the model name of the gaming machine, and various information such as MPU-specific information are outputted to the external terminal board, and thereafter outputted from the external terminal board to the hall computer. Thus, the various information transmitted from the ball information control board 110 is directly output to the external terminal board.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in addition to the code for identifying the manufacturer of the gaming machine, the code for identifying the model name of the gaming machine, and the MPU-specific information, the authentication information related to the above-described authentication is output as an authentication information output signal to be described later. The data is output to the hall computer through the external terminal board 133.

[Information output from external terminal board of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, a switching circuit switch for selecting one of a 15-round jackpot information output signal and an authentication information output signal for transmitting MPU-specific information and an authentication result between the ball information control board 110 and the external terminal board 133. Is provided (FIG. 100). The pulse width changing circuit C1 has two switching circuit switches, a normally open contact and a normally closed contact, therein, and each time the pulse width changing circuit C1 receives the switching control signal S1 transmitted from the ball information control board 110. At this time, the normally open contact and the normally closed contact are switched and controlled, so that one of the 15 round big hit information output signal and the authentication information output signal is selected.

  The 15-round jackpot information output signal transmitted from the ball information control board 110 is output through LINE1. During the game, the ball is switched from the ball information control board 110 so as to be connected to a connection point which is a contact with LINE2 described later through the normally closed contact of the pulse width changing circuit C1 and then output to the external terminal board 133 through LINE3. It is controlled by the control signal S1.

  The authentication information output signal from the ball information control board 110 is output through LINE2. When the gaming machine is powered on and enters the authentication processing in the main control-side power-on processing and the ball information control-side power-on processing described above, each contact is switched by the switching control signal S1 from the ball information control board 110. , The normally closed contact is opened, and the normally open contact is closed. Then, the pulse width of the authentication information output signal including the MPU-specific information and the authentication result is changed by the memory PMC provided in the pulse width changing circuit C1 through LINE2 (described later). Thereafter, the signal is output from the LINE3 connected to the connection point, which is the contact point between the LINE1 and the LINE2, to the external terminal board 133, and then to the hall computer.

  Before being output to the external terminal board 133, the MPU unique information and the authentication signal are converted into, for example, 1-bit pulses of 125 ms (millisecond) width by the memory PMC provided in the pulse width changing circuit C1 (corresponding to 8 bps). ), The output is expanded to a pulse width that can be reliably received by the hall computer. When such information is transmitted by serial transmission, for example, in a mode in which one frame is composed of a total of 10 bits of 8 bits of data and 1 bit of stop bit, one MPU specific information, a game board, If the manufacturer identification information and the frame manufacturer identification information are 4 bytes, and the authentication result is 1 byte, the start bit and the stop bit are added to the data of 5 bytes and each byte data for convenience. Is sent. Assuming that the pulse width of one bit is 125 ms, it takes 125 ms × 50 bits = 6.25 s to transmit all the bits.

  According to the configuration described above, a signal for outputting an authentication information output signal and a signal for outputting jackpot information can be output by switching between a normally open contact and a normally closed contact. Output can be performed without adding a dedicated terminal for 133.

  In this embodiment, the terminal for transmitting the 15-round jackpot information output signal during the game is used as the terminal for outputting the authentication information output signal only when the power is turned on. It is. During the power-on process, the output terminals other than the 15 round jackpot information output signal do not output any signal, so that various terminals can be selected and used.

[Checkout machine 4]
FIG. 78 is a block diagram mainly showing each element connected to the checkout machine 4. The settlement machine 4 and the ball information control board 110 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional data communication. Although not shown, the controller of the checkout machine 4 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, a communication interface, and the like.

  The payment machine 4 is connected to be able to input operation input signals of a ball lending button and a payment button arranged on the touch panel unit 14 of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine 1 through, for example, an interface. In addition, a remaining frequency display unit and an operable notification lamp provided on the touch panel unit 14 of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine 1 are connected so as to be displayed by a control output from the settlement machine 4. The payment machine 4 is provided with a card processing machine 402 at the back of the card insertion slot in FIG.

[Card 403]
The card 403 used in the embodiment is composed of, for example, a magnetic card or an IC card, and is issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) and provided to the player when the player pays a predetermined amount. FIG. 78 shows a data configuration stored in the card 403.

  The card 403 has an ID storage unit 404 in which an ID number (hereinafter simply referred to as ID) as identification information individually given to the card 403 is stored, and corresponds to the amount paid when the card 403 is purchased. Remaining number storage unit 305 in which the remaining number as value information to be stored is stored, and the number of held balls storage unit 406 in which the number of held balls (number of held game machines) obtained by the player as a result of playing the game is stored. Is set. When the card 403 is issued, the ID is stored in the ID storage unit 404, and the remaining number corresponding to the amount paid when purchasing the card 403 is stored in the remaining number storage unit 405 (for example, the paid amount is 5,000 yen). In this case, “5000” is stored as the remaining frequency, but “0” is stored in the held ball count storage unit 406 as an initial value of the held ball count.

  The card processor 402 is a conventionally known one, and includes a card sensor for detecting the card 403, a card reader / writer for reading data stored in the card 403 and writing data to the card 403, and reading data for the card 403. A card transport unit is provided for sending the card 403 to the writing position and discharging the card 403 to the card insertion slot. When the card 403 is inserted into the card insertion slot, the card processor 402 sends the card 403 to a predetermined data read / write position, and the stored data, that is, the ID, the remaining number, The number of balls is read and output to the checkout machine 4. In addition, in response to a write command from the settlement machine 4, the ID, the remaining number, and the number of held balls are written (stored) in each of the above-described storage units.

  The checkout machine 4 stores the ID, the remaining number, and the number of held balls read from the card 403 through the card processor 402 in the RAM.

[Rental ball by card 403]
When the payment machine 4 reads the data from the card 403, the balance number stored in the RAM is displayed on the balance number display unit. When the card 403 can be used, the checkout machine 4 lends a ball in response to the operation of the ball lending button. In this ball lending, it is assumed that, for example, a ball lending number 125 (ball unit price is 4 yen) is lent by one operation of the ball lending button. In the case of ball lending, if there is a number of held balls, and if the number of held balls is less than 125, the ball is loaned with the total number of held balls as the number of balls to be loaned. The settlement machine 4 transmits the number of ball rentals to the ball information control board 110. Further, the settlement machine 4 obtains consideration for the ball lending by multiplying the set unit price of the ball by the number of balls for lending, and subtracts the calculated price (the value corresponding to the ball lending is the remaining number) from the current remaining number. In addition, when there is a number of held balls and the ball lending is performed based on the number of held balls, the number of ball rentals is subtracted from the current number of held balls. The settlement machine 4 displays this result on the remaining frequency display unit. Further, the residual count is written in the residual count storage unit 405 of the card 403.

[Game start]
The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 receives the number of ball rentals transmitted from the settlement machine 4 and adds the number to the number of balls held by the gaming machine, and displays the addition result on the touch panel unit 14. The ball launching device 12 can be launched and the game can be played.

[Playing]
When the player operates the hitting handle 10, the ball launching device 12 is activated, and when a game ball at the ball launching position is launched into the game area 8 by the launch hammer 30, this is detected by the launching ball confirmation switch 36. Based on this, it is detected that each game ball is driven into the game area 8. Then, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 sequentially detects “1” from the gaming machine possessed ball number data stored in the gaming machine possessed ball number storage area in response to such hit detection of each gaming ball. Is subtracted, and the number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

  On the other hand, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 includes a gate switch 92 provided on a gate portion (not shown) of the game board 5 on which a game ball can enter and pass, and a normal winning port (not shown). ), A winning switch (not shown), a count switch 98 provided for a special winning opening (not shown), and a start switch (not shown) serving as an upper starting opening. Based on the detection signals from the upper and lower starting port detection switches 90 and 91, processing relating to the game is performed, and commands and signals as processing results are transmitted to the ball information control board 110, the peripheral control board 130, the upper and lower specials. The symbols are output to the symbol displays 142 and 143, the upper and lower special symbol storage displays 144 and 145, the normal symbol display 146, the normal symbol storage and display 147, the starting opening solenoid 96, the special winning opening solenoid 97 and the like.

  When a game ball launched by the ball launching device 12 wins various winning openings (starting winning opening, large winning opening, etc.) in the game area 8, the gaming ball is provided with various winning detection switches provided for each winning opening. (Upper opening detecting switch 90, lower starting opening detecting switch 91, general winning opening detecting switch 93, general winning opening detecting switch 94, and count switch 98).

  The main control MPU 101 responds to a detection signal of a detection switch (corresponding to a general winning opening detection switches 93 and 94, a count switch 98, and upper and lower starting opening detection switches 90 and 91) provided for each winning opening. Then, a prize ball command indicating the number of prize balls set according to the winning opening in which the game ball has won is output to the ball information control board 110 as necessary.

  Further, the main control MPU 101 periodically outputs a game state signal (status) indicating the type of the current game state to the peripheral control board 130. The gaming state is, for example, a start-up opening and a winning lottery due to a winning in the starting-up opening, a special symbol is variably displayed based on the lottery result, the symbol is stopped, and the lottery result is hit. In the case of the first type of pachinko gaming machine which shifts to the special gaming state (big hit gaming state) in the case of, the normal gaming state (the probability of hitting by lottery is the normal probability, and the time of variable display of the ordinary symbols is usually), Game state (normal symbol variable display time is shorter than usual, information output signal during reduced hours), jackpot game state (15 round jackpot information output signal or 2 round jackpot information output signal), high probability game State (state where the probability of winning by lottery is higher than usual, information output signal during probability fluctuation), special symbol fluctuation (special symbol display information output signal), hold based on starting opening winning There are certain conditions (starting opening winning information output signal) and the like.

  In addition, the peripheral control board 130 is based on a command output from the main control board 100, and the liquid crystal display device 1400, the accessory decoration board (not shown), the board decoration board (not shown), and the frame decoration board (FIG. By outputting a control signal to a display (not shown), the lighting display of various decorative LEDs is controlled, and a sound (sound, sound, sound effect, etc.) output from a speaker (not shown) is controlled, and a liquid crystal display is displayed. The symbols to be rendered and displayed by the device 1400 are controlled.

  The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 displays the number of balls held by the launch solenoid 13, the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the touch panel unit 14 based on various input signals. And outputs a signal to the settlement machine 4.

  The game state signal and the prize ball command output from the main control board 100 are input to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110.

  The ball information control MPU 111, in response to receiving such a prize ball command, sets the value of the number of prize balls set in advance for each winning port in the game machine possessed ball number data stored in the game machine ball number storage area. Are added and displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

[End of game, settlement]
Thereafter, when the settlement button is operated by the player to end the game, the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110.

  When the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 in response to the operation of the settlement button, the ball information control MPU 111 receives the game end command sent from the settlement machine 4 and controls the ball information control. The MPU 111 transmits “end possible” to the checkout machine 4. Next, the ball information control MPU 111 stops the launch solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 to stop the game. The current game machine ball count stored in the game machine ball count storage area is transmitted to the checkout machine 4.

  Then, when the processing of the settlement machine 4 corresponding to the number of game machine possessed balls transmitted from the ball information control MPU 111 ends, the settlement machine 4 transmits a processing end, and the ball information control MPU 111 receives the processing end. Thus, the game machine possessed ball count storage area of the RAM is cleared to 0, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, after the settlement machine 4 receives "end possible" as a response to the termination state with respect to the game termination command, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits the number of balls held by the gaming machine to the settlement machine 4, so that the settlement machine 4 When the number of possessed balls is received, the number of game machine balls received is added to the number of cleared game machine balls stored in the RAM when the card is inserted, and the addition result is stored as the number of cleared game machine balls. As a result, all of the number of balls held as a result of the game played by the player are stored as the number of balls held by the checkout machine. Then, the end of processing is transmitted to the ball information control MPU 111, the number of balls held in the adjusting machine is written in the held ball number storage unit 406 of the card 403, the card 403 is ejected from the card insertion slot, and the processing is ended. As a result, the card 403 rewritten by adding the number of balls held by the gaming machine as a game result is returned to the player.

[Various control processing of main control board]
First, various control processes performed by the main control board 100 shown in FIG. 76 in accordance with the progress of the game of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing main control-side power-on processing executed by main control MPU 101 of main control board 100. FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing a continuation of main control-side power-on processing of FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main-control-side timer interrupt processing executed by the main control MPU 101.

[Main control side power-on processing]
When the game machine 1 is powered on, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the main control MPU) performs a main control-side power-on process as shown in FIGS. When the main control-side power-on process is started, the main control MPU sets a stack pointer (step S10). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack for temporarily storing the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or temporarily indicates a return address of the present routine when the subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the present routine. It indicates the address on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. In step S10, an initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, the contents of the register, the return address, and the like are stacked on the stack.
Then, the stack pointer is returned to the initial address by reading sequentially from the last stack to the first stack.

  Subsequent to step S10, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S12), and it is determined whether a power failure notice signal is input (step S14). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. On the other hand, in the event of a power failure or momentary power failure (a phenomenon in which the supply of power is suddenly stopped temporarily), the voltage drops. When the voltage falls below the power failure warning voltage, the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the sphere information control board 110 notifies the power failure warning as a power failure warning. A signal is output and input to the main control MPU. Similarly, when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure notice voltage from when the power is turned on to a predetermined voltage, a power failure notice signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the sphere information control board 110.

  Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S12 is a process for waiting after the power is turned on until the voltage becomes higher than the power failure notice voltage and stabilizes. In the present embodiment, the waiting time (wait timer) is 200 milliseconds (wait timer). ms) is set. The determination in step S14 is performed based on a power failure notice signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. After the power is turned on, when the voltage becomes higher than the power failure notification voltage and stabilizes, the power failure monitoring signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is not output, and the main control MPU proceeds to step S16.

  When proceeding to step S16, the main control MPU determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 (FIG. 76) has been operated (step S16). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 has been operated and the operation signal (detection signal) has been input to the main control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated. On the other hand, when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has not been operated.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to a value of 1 (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S30. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed, a value 0 is set to the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  The RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is a game related to a game such as a probability variation, an unpaid award ball, and the like stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in RAM”) built in the main control MPU 101. This flag indicates whether or not information is to be deleted. The flag is set to 1 when the game information is deleted, and to 0 when the game information is not deleted. The value of the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG set in steps S18 and S19 is stored in a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) of the main control MPU.

  In step S20, a combination authentication process is performed to determine whether the combination of the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is appropriate. The frame maker identification information output from the ball information control board is stored in the frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 of the main control MPU 101, and it is authenticated whether or not appropriate frame maker identification information has been output. If the authentication is properly performed, the process proceeds to step S30. If it is determined that the authentication is not appropriate, an abnormality is notified using a speaker, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

  When shifting to step S30, the main control MPU performs wait timer processing 2 (step S30). In the wait timer process 2, the system waits until the system that performs the drawing control of the liquid crystal display device 1400 by the liquid crystal control unit of the peripheral control board 130 starts (boots). In the present embodiment, 2 seconds (s) is set as the time until booting (boot timer).

  Subsequent to step S30, it is determined whether the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG has a value of 0 (step S32). As described above, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to the value 1 when the game information is deleted, and to the value 0 when the game information is not deleted. If it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is equal to 0, that is, if the game information is not to be deleted, a checksum is calculated (step S34). This checksum is to calculate the sum of the game information stored in the main control built-in RAM as a numerical value.

  Subsequent to step S34, it is determined whether the calculated checksum value (sum value) matches the checksum value (sum value) stored in the main control-side power-off process (power-off) described later. Is determined (step S36). If they match, it is determined whether the backup flag BK-FLG has the value 1 (step S38). The backup flag BK-FLG stores backup information such as game information, a checksum value (sum value), and a value of the backup flag BK-FLG in the main control built-in RAM in a main control power-off process described later. This flag is set to 1 when the main-control-side power-off process has been completed normally, and to 0 when the main-control-side power-off process has not been normally completed.

  When the backup flag BK-FLG has a value of 1 in step S38, that is, when the main control-side power-off process has been normally completed, the work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as power recovery (step S40). This setting includes setting a value 0 to the backup flag BK-FLG, reading power recovery time information from a ROM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in ROM”) built in the main control MPU, and reading the power recovery time. The time information is set in a work area of the main control built-in RAM. In addition, `` power recovery '' means, besides the state where the power is turned on from the state where the power is turned off, the state where the power is restored after a power failure or momentary power failure, the fact that high frequency has been irradiated, and reset, It also includes the status after returning.

  Subsequent to step S40, power-on command creation processing is performed (step S42). In the power-on command creation process, game information is read from the backup information, and various commands corresponding to the game information are stored in a predetermined storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is not the value 0 (the value is 1), that is, when the game information is deleted, or in step S36, the checksum values (sum values) match. If not, or if it is determined in step S38 that the backup flag BK-FLG is not the value 1 (it is the value 0), that is, if the main-control-side power-off process has not been completed normally, The entire area is cleared (step S44). Specifically, this is performed by writing the value 0 into the main control built-in RAM (a predetermined value may be read from the main control built-in ROM and set as an initial value). In addition, the random number for the jackpot determination initial value determination to be used to determine the initial value of the jackpot determination random number, when the game information is erased by operating the RAM clear switch 105, when the sum value does not match, or When the main-control-side power-off process has not been completed normally, the unique ID code stored in advance in the nonvolatile RAM of the main control MPU is extracted, and the big hit determination random number is updated based on the extracted ID code. An initial value deriving process for always deriving the same fixed value from the fixed numerical value range of the counter to be executed is executed, and this fixed value is set as the initial value.

  Subsequent to step S44, a work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as an initial setting (step S46). For this setting, initial information is read from the main control built-in ROM, and the initial information is set in a work area of the main control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S46, RAM clear notification and test command creation processing are performed (step S48). In this RAM clear notification and test command creation processing, a power-on command classified to power-on for notifying that the main control built-in RAM has been cleared and the initial setting has been performed is created. A test command classified for a test for performing an inspection is created and stored in the transmission information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as transmission information.

  Subsequent to step S42 or step S48, interrupt initial setting is performed (step S50). This setting is for setting an interrupt cycle when a later-described main control timer interrupt process is performed. In this embodiment, it is set to 4 ms.

  Subsequent to step S50, interrupt permission setting is performed. (Step S52). With this setting, the main control timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt cycle set in step S50, that is, every 4 ms. The processing in steps S10 to S52 is referred to as "main control-side power-on processing".

  Subsequent to step S52, the value A is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S54). By setting the value A, the value B, and the value C in this watchdog timer clear register WCL in order, the watchdog timer is cleared.

  Subsequent to step S54, it is determined whether a power failure notice signal has been input (step S56). As described above, when the power of the gaming machine 1 is cut off, a power failure or an instantaneous power failure occurs, if the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power failure warning voltage, the power failure warning signal is output as the power failure warning signal to the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. Is entered from The determination in step S56 is made based on this power failure notice signal.

  If there is no input of the power failure notice signal in step S56, a non-hit random number updating process is performed (step S58). In the non-hit random number updating process, for example, the reach determination random number, the variation display pattern random number, the big hit symbol initial value determining random number, and the small hit symbol initial value determining random number are updated. As described above, in the non-hit random number updating process, the random numbers that are not involved in the hit determination (big hit determination) are updated. Note that the normal symbol hit determination random number, the normal symbol hit determination initial value determination random number, the normal symbol variation display pattern random number, and the like are also updated by this non-hit random number update process.

  Subsequent to step S58, the process returns to step S54, where the value A is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL. In step S56, it is determined whether or not a power failure notice signal has been input. For example, the non-hit random number updating process is performed in step S58, and steps S54 to S58 are repeatedly performed. Note that the processing of steps S54 to S58 is referred to as "main control side main loop processing".

  On the other hand, when a power failure notice signal is input in step S56, interrupt disable setting is performed (step S60). By this setting, a main control timer interrupt process described later is not performed, writing to the main control built-in RAM is prevented, and rewriting of game information is protected.

  Subsequent to step S60, the starting opening solenoid 96, the special winning opening solenoid 97, the upper special design display 142, the lower special design display 143, the upper special design storage display 144, and the lower special design storage display shown in FIG. The driving signals output to the device 145, the ordinary symbol display 146, the ordinary symbol storage display 147, the game status indicator 148, the round indicator 149, and the like are stopped (step S62).

  After step S62, a checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S64). This checksum is calculated assuming that the game information in the work area of the main control built-in RAM, excluding the storage area of the above-mentioned checksum value (sum value) and the value of the backup flag BK-FLG, is regarded as a numerical value.

  Subsequent to step S64, the value 1 is set to the backup flag BK-FLG (step S66). This completes the storage of the backup information.

  Subsequent to step S66, clear setting of the watchdog timer is performed (step S68). As described above, this clear setting is performed by sequentially setting the value A, the value B, and the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL.

  Subsequent to step S68, the process enters a loop process of repeating a state in which nothing is executed. Note that the processing of step S60 to step S68 and the loop processing are referred to as “main control-side power-off processing”. In this loop processing, since the value A, the value B, and the value C are not sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, the watchdog timer is not set to be cleared. For this reason, the watchdog timer times out and outputs a time-out signal, and the main control MPU is reset by the time-out signal. Thereafter, the main control MPU performs the main control-side power-on process again from the beginning.

  The gaming machine 1 (main control MPU 101) is reset when a power outage or a momentary power outage occurs, and performs a main control-side power-on process by restoring power thereafter.

  In step S36, it is checked whether or not the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM is normal. Then, in step S38, it is determined whether or not the main control-side power-off process has been completed normally. Inspection. As described above, the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM is double-checked to check whether or not the backup information has been stored due to fraud.

[Main control timer interrupt processing]
Next, the main control timer interrupt processing will be described. This main-control-side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at an interrupt cycle (4 ms in this embodiment) set in the main-control-side power-on processing shown in FIGS. 79 and 80.

  When the main control timer interrupt process is started, the main control MPU of the main control board 100 sets the value B in the watchdog timer clear register WCL as shown in FIG. 81 (step S70). At this time, a value B is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL following the value A set in step S54 of the main control side main loop processing.

  Subsequent to step S70, the interrupt flag is cleared (step S72). When the interrupt flag is cleared, the interrupt cycle is initialized, and the next interrupt cycle is counted from the initial value.

  Subsequent to step S72, switch input processing is performed (step S74). In this switch input process, various signals input to the input terminal of the main control I / O port 102 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S74, a timer subtraction process is performed (step S76). In the timer subtraction process, for example, the time during which the upper special symbol display 142 and the lower special symbol indicator 143 are turned on in accordance with the variable display pattern determined in the later-described special symbol and special electric accessory control process, the normal symbol and the later-described symbols The ball information control board 110 transmits various commands transmitted by the main control board 100 (main control MPU) in addition to the time during which the normal symbol display 146 is turned on according to the normal symbol variation display pattern determined in the normal electric accessory control process. When judging whether or not the ball information main ACK signal indicating normal reception has been input, time management such as an ACK signal input judgment time set as the judgment condition is performed. Specifically, when the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display pattern or the ordinary symbol fluctuation display pattern is 5 seconds, the timer interruption cycle is set to 4 ms. Therefore, every time this timer subtraction processing is performed, the fluctuation time is reduced by 4 ms. When the result of the subtraction becomes 0, the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display pattern or the normal symbol fluctuation display pattern is accurately measured.

  In the present embodiment, the ACK signal input determination time is set to 100 ms. Each time the timer subtraction process is performed, the ACK signal input determination time is subtracted by 4 ms, and the result of the subtraction becomes 0, thereby accurately measuring the ACK signal input determination time. The various times and the ACK signal input determination time are stored in the time management information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as time management information.

  Following step S76, a hit random number update process is performed (step S78). In the hit random number updating process, the above-described large hit determination random number, large hit symbol random number, and small hit symbol random number are updated. In addition to these random numbers, the random number for initial value determination for a jackpot symbol, which is updated in the non-hit random number updating process in step S58 in the main control side power-on process (main control side main process) shown in FIG. And the random number for initial value determination for small hit symbols is also updated. The random number for determining the initial value for the big hit symbol and the random number for determining the initial value for the small hit symbol are updated in the main control-side main process and the main control-side timer interrupt process, respectively, to further enhance the randomness. . On the other hand, the random number for the big hit determination, the random number for the big hit symbol, and the random number for the small hit symbol are random numbers related to the hit determination (big hit determination). Counts up. For example, as described above, the counter for updating the jackpot determination random number is an initial value update type counter, and a predetermined fixed numerical value range from the minimum value to the maximum value (in this embodiment, the value It is updated within the value 32767) as 0 to the maximum value, and the range from the minimum value to the maximum value is counted up by adding 1 to the value every time the main control timer interrupt processing is performed. It counts up from the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination toward the maximum value (value 32767), and then counts up from the minimum value (value 0) to the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination. When the counter for updating the random number for jackpot determination finishes counting up the range from the minimum value to the maximum value of the random number for jackpot determination, the random number updating process for the jackpot determination updates the random number for jackpot determination initial value determination. At this time, the value to be updated is always the same from the fixed numerical value range of the counter that retrieves the ID code from the built-in nonvolatile RAM by the main control MPU and updates the random number for jackpot determination based on the retrieved ID code. An initial value deriving process for deriving a fixed value of is performed, and the derived fixed value is set as an initial value. In other words, the same fixed value derived based on the ID code by executing the initial value deriving process is always overwritten and updated as the initial value of the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination. The above-mentioned random number for normal symbol determination and the random number for initial value determination for normal symbol hit determination described above are also updated by the hit random number updating process. The normal symbol hit determination random number and the like are the same as the above-described method of updating the big hit determination random number, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Subsequent to step S78, a prize ball control process is performed (step S80). In this prize ball control processing, input information is read from the above-mentioned input information storage area, and based on the input information, a prize ball command for transmitting to the sphere information control board 110 is created. For example, a self-check command for confirming a connection state between the control board 110 and the board is created. Then, the created award ball command and the self-check command are transmitted to the ball information control board 110 as main ball information serial data. For example, when one game ball enters the special winning opening and enters, a prize ball command representing 15 balls as the number of prize balls is created and transmitted to the ball information control board 110, or the prize ball command is transmitted to the ball information control board. When the ball information main ACK signal notifying that the reception of the ball 110 has been normally completed is not input within a predetermined time, a self-check command for confirming the connection state between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is created. The information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110.

  Subsequent to step S80, a frame command receiving process is performed (step S82). The ball information control board 110 transmits various 1-byte (8-bit) commands classified into status displays. In the frame command receiving process of step S82, when the various commands are normally received as ball information main serial data, information for notifying the command to the ball information control board 110 is output to the output information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as output information. Remember. Further, the command normally received as the ball information main serial data is shaped into a command of 2 bytes (16 bits) and stored as transmission information in the above-mentioned transmission information storage area.

  Subsequent to step S82, a fraud detection process is performed (step S84). In this cheating detection processing, an abnormal state related to the prize ball is confirmed. For example, when the input information is read from the above-described input information storage area and the detection signal is input from the count switch 98 when the jackpot is not in the gaming state (when a game ball enters the special winning opening) or the like, A prize abnormality display command classified as a notification display as an abnormal state is created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area described above.

  After step S84, a special symbol and special electric accessory control process is performed (step S86). In the special symbol and special electric accessory control process, the value of the counter for updating the random number for determining the big hit described above is taken out, and it is determined whether or not the value matches the big hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM (big hit). It is determined whether or not a game state is to be generated (referred to as "special lottery"), and a value of a counter for updating the random number for the big hit symbol is taken out, and a probability change hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM is determined. It is determined whether or not they match (determination of whether or not to generate a probability change). Here, the “probability variation” means that the probability of a big hit changes to a high probability (at the time of a probable change) that is set higher than at the normal time (a low probability). In the present embodiment, the value 32668 to the value 32767 is set as the range of the big hit determination value (big hit determination range) in the low probability, and is read from the normal time determination table, whereas the value 32438 is read in the high probability. ３32767 are set, and are read from the probability change determination table. As described above, in the special symbol and special electric accessory control process in step S86, it is determined whether the value of the counter for updating the random number for big hit determination matches the big hit determination value stored in the main control built-in ROM in advance. The determination is made based on whether or not the value of the counter for updating the big hit determination random number is included in the big hit determination range.

  When these determination results are based on the upper starting port detection switch 90, various commands related to the special effect 1 tuning performance are created, while when the lottery result is based on the lower starting port detection switch 91, special commands are generated. FIG. 2 Creates various commands related to the tuning effect, stores them in the transmission information storage area as transmission information, and turns on the upper special symbol display 142 or the lower special symbol display 143 according to the determined special symbol variation display pattern. The output of the lighting signal to the upper special symbol display 142 or the lower special symbol display 143 is set, and is stored as output information in the output information storage area described above.

  In addition, when a big hit game state is set, for example, according to the game state to be generated, various commands classified into big hit relations are created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area, and the opening / closing member is opened and closed. The output of the drive signal to the winning opening solenoid 97 is set and stored in the output information storage area as output information. When the number of times (round) in which the special winning opening changes from the closed state to the open state is two times, round display is performed. The output of the lighting signal to the two round display lamp is set so that the two round display lamp of the device 149 is turned on, and is stored in the output information storage area as output information. The output of the lighting signal to the 15 round display lamp is set so as to light the 15 round display lamp, and the output information is output as the output information. And stores in the storage area, presence or absence of occurrence probability variations sets the output of the lighting signal to the game state indicator 148 to be lit in a predetermined color, or stored in the output information storage area as the output information.

  Subsequent to step S86, a normal symbol and normal electric accessory control process is performed (step S88). In the normal symbol and normal electric accessory control process, the input information is read from the input information storage area described above, and a gate winning process is performed based on the input information. In the gate winning process, it is determined from the input information whether a detection signal from the gate switch 92 has been input to the input terminal. When the detection signal is input to the input terminal based on the result of the determination, the value of the counter for updating the random number for determining a normal symbol hit described above is extracted and the gate information storage area of the main control built-in RAM is extracted as gate information. To memorize.

  Subsequent to step S88, port output processing is performed (step S90). In the port output processing, output information is read from the output information storage area described above from the output terminal of the main control I / O port 102, and various signals are output based on the output information. For example, when various commands from the ball information control board 110 are normally received from the output terminal of the main control I / O port 102 based on the output information, the main ball information ACK signal is output to the ball information control board 110 or the like. In the big hit game state, the driving signal is output to the special winning opening solenoid 97 for opening and closing the opening and closing member of the special winning opening, and the driving signal is output to the starting opening solenoid 96 for performing the opening and closing operation of the movable piece. In addition, 15 rounds jackpot information output signal, 2 rounds jackpot information output signal, probability fluctuation information output signal, special symbol display information output signal, normal symbol display information output signal, hourly information output information, starting opening winning information output signal For example, various information (game information) signals relating to the game, such as the game information, are output to the ball information control board 110.

  Subsequent to step S90, a peripheral control board command transmission process is performed (step S92). In the peripheral control board command transmission processing, the transmission information is read from the transmission information storage area described above, and the transmission information is transmitted to the peripheral control board 130 as main circumference serial data. This transmission information includes various commands that are created in the main control timer interrupt process of this routine and are classified into special figure 1 tuning effect-related, various commands classified in special figure 2 tuning effect-related, and big hit-related. Command, various commands classified for power-on, various commands classified for general drawing synchronizing effects, various commands for normal electric production effects, various commands for information display, status display Various commands to be classified, various commands to be related to the test, and various commands to be classified are stored. In the main circumference serial data, one packet is composed of three bytes.

  Specifically, the main serial data has a status indicating a type of command having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), a mode indicating a variation of an effect having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), and a status. And a sum value calculated by assuming the mode as a numerical value, and the sum value is created at the time of transmission. Note that the processing from step S74 to step S92 is referred to as "game control processing".

  Subsequent to step S92, the value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S94). By setting the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL in step S94, the value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL following the value B set in step S70. As a result, the value A, the value B, and the value C are sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, and the watchdog timer is set to clear.

  Subsequent to step S94, the register is switched (returned) (step S96), and this routine ends. Here, when the main control timer interrupt process of the present routine is started, the main control MPU saves the contents of the general-purpose registers on the stack by hardware. This prevents the contents of the general-purpose registers used in the main processing on the main control side from being destroyed. In step S96, the contents saved on the stack are read and written to the original register. Note that the main control MPU sets interruption permission after the return in step S96.

[Various control processing of ball information control board]
Next, various control processes performed by the ball information control board 110 shown in FIG. 77 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing the sphere information control-side power-on processing executed by the sphere information control MPU 111 of the sphere information control board 110, and FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the sphere information control-side power-on processing of FIG. FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control-side power-on process following FIG. 83. FIG. 85 shows the ball information control power-off process executed by the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110. FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing an example of the ball information control side timer interrupt processing.

[Processing when turning on the ball information control side]
When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the ball information control MPU 111 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the ball information control MPU) of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110, as shown in FIGS. Performs information control side power-on processing. When the sphere information control-side power-on process is started, the sphere information control MPU sets an interrupt mode (step S500). This interrupt mode sets the priority of the interrupt of the ball information control MPU. In the present embodiment, the ball information control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, is set as the highest priority, and when an interrupt of the ball information control unit timer interrupt process occurs, that process is performed with priority.

  Subsequent to step S500, input / output settings (I / O input / output settings) are performed (step S502). In this I / O input / output setting, the input / output setting of the I / O port of the ball information control MPU is performed.

  Subsequent to step S502, output of a power failure clear signal to the power failure monitoring circuit 117 shown in FIG. 77 is started (step S504). The power failure monitoring circuit 117 includes a voltage comparison circuit and a D-type flip-flop IC. The voltage comparison circuit compares the voltage between +24 V and the reference voltage, or compares the voltage between +12 V and the reference voltage, and outputs the comparison result. The result of this comparison is that when no power failure or instantaneous power failure occurs, the logic becomes HI and is input to the PR terminal, which is a preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop. The logic becomes LOW and is input to the PR terminal which is a preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop. In step S504, the output of the power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal which is the clear terminal of the D-type flip-flop is started. The logic of this power failure clear signal becomes LOW via the ball information control I / O port 112 of the ball information control unit 118 and is input to the clear terminal. This allows the ball information control MPU to release the latch state of the D-type flip-flop, and inverts the logic input to the PR terminal, which is the preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop, until the latch state is set. Then, a state can be obtained in which the signal is output from the 1Q terminal which is the output terminal, and the signal from the 1Q terminal can be monitored.

  Subsequent to step S504, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S506), and it is determined whether a power failure notice signal is input (step S508). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. On the other hand, in the event of a power failure or momentary power failure (a phenomenon in which the supply of power is suddenly stopped temporarily), the voltage drops, and when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning. Similarly, during the period from when the power is turned on until the voltage rises to the predetermined voltage, when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure notice voltage, a power failure notice signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117. Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S506 is a process for waiting after the power is turned on until the voltage becomes larger than the power failure notice voltage and stabilizes. In the present embodiment, the wait time (wait timer) is 200 milliseconds (wait timer). ms) is set. In step S508, it is determined whether or not the power failure notice signal has been input. This determination is made based on the signal output from the 1Q terminal, which is the output terminal of the above-described D-type flip-flop, as the power failure notice signal.

  Subsequent to step S508, the output of the power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D type flip-flop, is stopped (step S510). By stopping the output of the power failure clear signal, the logic becomes HI via the ball information control I / O port 112 and is input to the CLR terminal which is a clear terminal. Thereby, the ball information control MPU can set the D-type flip-flop to the latch state. The D-type flip-flop outputs a power failure notice signal from its output terminal 1Q when it latches the state where the logic is input to the preset terminal PR as LOW.

  Subsequent to step S510, it is determined whether the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated (step S512). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 has been operated and the operation signal (detection signal) has been input to the ball information control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, and when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has not been operated.

  If it is determined in step S512 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the value 1 is set in the ball information RAM clear flag (step S514), and the process proceeds to step S518, while the RAM clear switch 105 is operated in step S512. If it is determined that it has not been performed, the value 0 is set to the ball information RAM clear (step S516), and the process proceeds to step S518.

  The ball information RAM clear flag is stored in, for example, various flags and various information storage areas stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “ball information control built-in RAM”) built in the ball information control MPU. This flag indicates whether or not various types of ball information are deleted. The value is set to 1 when the ball information is deleted, and set to 0 when the ball information is not deleted. The sphere information RAM clear flag set in steps S514 and S516 is stored in a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) of the sphere information control MPU.

  Subsequent to step S514 or step S516, a setting for permitting access to the ball information control built-in RAM is performed (step S518). This setting allows access to the sphere information control built-in RAM, for example, to write (store) or read sphere information.

  Subsequent to step S518, a stack pointer is set (step S520). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack for temporarily storing the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or temporarily indicates a return address of the present routine when the subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the present routine. It indicates the address on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. In step S520, an initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, the contents of the register, the return address, and the like are stacked on the stack. Then, the stack pointer is returned to the initial address by reading sequentially from the last stack to the first stack.

  After the step S520, the process proceeds to a step S521 to execute a combination authentication process for determining whether or not the combination of the ball information control MPU 111 and the main control MPU 101 is appropriate. The game board maker identification information output from the main control board 100 is stored in the game board maker identification information storage section 4101 of the ball information control MPU 111 to authenticate whether or not appropriate game board maker identification information has been output. If the authentication is properly performed, the process proceeds to step S527. If it is determined that the authentication is not appropriate, an abnormality notification is performed using a speaker, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

  Subsequent to step S521, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S527. In step S527, it is determined whether or not the ball information RAM clear flag has a value of 0 (step S527). As described above, the ball information RAM clear flag is set to a value of 1 when the ball information is deleted, and to a value of 0 when the ball information is not deleted.

  If the sphere information RAM clear flag has the value 0 in step S527, that is, if the sphere information is not to be erased, a checksum is calculated (step S528). The checksum is obtained by regarding the ball information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM as a numerical value and calculating the sum thereof.

  Subsequent to step S528, it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value stored in the later-described ball information control unit power-off process (when the power is turned off) (step S530). ). If they match, it is determined whether or not the ball information backup flag has a value of 1 (step S532). The ball information backup flag is a flag indicating whether or not ball information backup information such as ball information and a checksum value has been stored and held in the ball information control built-in RAM in a later-described ball information control unit power-off process. The value is set to 1 when the processing for powering off the ball information control unit is normally completed, and to 0 when the processing for powering off the ball information control unit is not completed normally.

  If the sphere information backup flag has the value 1 in step S532, that is, if the sphere information control unit power-off processing has been normally completed, the work area of the sphere information control built-in RAM is set as power recovery (step S534). In this setting, in addition to setting the value 0 to the ball information backup flag, power recovery time information is read from a ROM (hereinafter, referred to as “ball information control built-in ROM”) built in the ball information control MPU. The power recovery time information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM. As a result, information used for various processes is set based on various flags, various information stored in various information storage areas, etc., which are the above-mentioned ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM. . Note that “power recovery” includes not only a state where the power is turned on after the power is turned off, but also a state where the power is restored after the power failure or the momentary power failure.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S527 that the ball information RAM clear flag is not the value 0 (it is the value 1), or if the checksum values do not match in step S530, or if the ball information backup flag is set to the value in step S532, If it is determined that the value is not 1 (the value is 0), that is, if the processing at the time of powering off the ball information control unit is not completed normally, the entire area of the ball information control built-in RAM is cleared (step S536). Thereby, the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM is cleared.

  Subsequent to step S536, a work area of the sphere information control built-in RAM is set as an initial setting (step S538). For this setting, the initial information is read from the ball information control built-in ROM, and the initial information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S534 or step S538, interrupt initialization is performed (step S540). This setting is for setting an interrupt cycle when a later-described ball information control unit timer interrupt process is performed. In the present embodiment, it is set to 2 ms.

  Subsequent to step S540, interrupt permission setting is performed (step S542). With this setting, the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt cycle set at step S540, that is, every 2 ms.

  Subsequent to step S542, it is determined whether a power failure notice signal has been input (step S544). As described above, when the power of the gaming machine 1 is cut off, a power failure or a momentary power failure occurs, if the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning. The determination in step S540 is made based on the power failure notice signal.

  If there is no input of the power failure notice signal in step S544, it is determined whether the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has a value of 1 (step S546). The 2 ms elapse flag HT-FLG is a flag for measuring 2 ms in a sphere information control unit timer interrupt process which is performed every 2 ms, which will be described later. The value is set to 1 when 2 ms has elapsed and to 0 when 2 ms has not elapsed. Each is set.

  If it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 0, that is, if 2 ms has not elapsed, the process returns to step S544 to determine whether a power failure notice signal has been input.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1, that is, when 2 ms has elapsed, the value 0 is set in the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG (step S547), and the process proceeds to step S550. The external WDT clear signal is output to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 (turned on, step S550). The external WDT 116 monitors the operation (system) of the ball information control MPU. When the external WDT clear signal is not stopped during the clear signal release time, a reset signal is sent to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112. Is output to reset (the system of the ball information control MPU is periodically diagnosed whether or not it runs away).

  Subsequent to step S550, port output processing is performed (step S552). In this port output process, various information is read from the output information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM, and various signals are output from the output terminal of the sphere information control I / O port 112 based on the various information.

  In the output information storage area, for example, ball information main ACK information for notifying that various commands (prize ball command or self-check command) regarding the prize ball from the main control board 100 have been normally received, Various information such as drive information for performing drive control is stored, and when a prize ball command from the main control board 100 is normally received from the output terminal of the ball information control I / O port 112 based on this output information. The ball information main ACK signal is output to the main control board 100, and the drive signal is output to the firing solenoid 13.

  Subsequent to step S552, port input processing is performed (step S554). In this port input processing, various signals input to the input terminal of the ball information control I / O port 112 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the ball information control built-in RAM. For example, a door frame opening switch 131, a main body frame opening switch 132, a standby ball detection switch 26, 70, a firing ball confirmation switch 36, a collection ball detection switch 203, a full ball path detection switch 206, a proper ball quantity detection switch 207, Lifting entrance switch 156, lifting motor sensor (photo sensor) 157, cassette detection switch 158, firing stop switch 86, touch switch 87, BRQ signal, BRDY signal and CR connection signal from payment machine 4, and command transmission processing described later. The main control board 100 reads the various commands transmitted by the main control board 100 in a normal state. The main sphere information ACK signal and the like from the main control board 100 are read and stored in the input information storage area as input information.

  Subsequent to step S554, a timer update process is performed (step S556). The various determination times are stored as time management information in the time management information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM. In the timer updating process, it is determined whether or not the timer values of various timers are set, and if the timer values are set, the timer values are decremented by one. For example, if “1000” is set as a value corresponding to 2 seconds (2000 ms) in the timer, the timer interrupt cycle is set to 2 ms. Therefore, the timer value is incremented by 1 every time the timer subtraction processing is performed in the 2 ms cycle. The time is up when the subtraction results in the value 0, and the time is accurately measured.

  Subsequent to step S556, a settlement machine communication process is performed (step S558). In the checkout machine communication process, input information is read from the above-described input information storage area, and based on the input information, it is determined whether various signals (BRQ signal, BRDY signal, and CR connection signal) from the checkout machine 4 have been input. Is determined. The ball information control MPU exchanges various signals with the settlement machine 4 based on various signals from the settlement machine 4. The ball information control MPU, for example, upon receiving the number of balls to be transmitted transmitted from the settlement machine 4, adds the number of balls to the game machine to the data on the number of balls to be retained.

  Subsequent to step S558, command reception processing is performed (step S560). In this command receiving process, various commands (prize ball commands and self-check commands) regarding the prize balls from the main control board 100 are received. When the various commands are normally received, the sphere information main ACK information notifying the fact is stored in the output information storage area described above. On the other hand, when the various commands cannot be received normally, a connection that informs that the connection between the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 is abnormal (the various command signals are abnormal). The abnormality information is stored in the state information storage area described above.

  Subsequent to step S560, a command analysis process is performed (step S562). In the command analysis process, the command received in step S562 is analyzed, and the analyzed command is stored as received command information in the received command information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S562, main operation setting processing is performed (step S564). In the main operation setting process, the ball information control MPU sets the operation of the firing solenoid 13, the ball feeding solenoid 31, the ball lifting device 22 (ball lifting motor 150), the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the like. Further, the ball information control MPU sequentially detects “1” from the game machine possessed ball number data stored in the game machine possessed ball count storage area in response to the hit detection of each game ball based on the ball detection of the launch ball confirmation switch 36. Is subtracted. Further, when a prize ball command is stored in the received command information storage area, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command is added to the game machine possession ball number data stored in the game machine possession ball number storage area.

  Subsequent to step S564, an LED display data creation process is performed (step S566). In the LED display data creation processing, for example, the game machine held ball count data stored in the above-described gaming machine held ball count storage area is read, and display data for displaying the held ball count on the touch panel unit 14 is created. The display information is stored in the output information storage area described above.

  Subsequent to step S566, command transmission processing is performed (step S568). In this command transmission processing, various types of information are read from the above-described status information storage area, various types of commands classified into status display are created based on the various types of information, and transmitted to the main control board 100.

  Subsequent to step S568, the output of the external WDT clear signal to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 is stopped (turned off, step S570). This clears the external WDT 116 so that the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112 are not reset. When the output of the external WDT clear signal is stopped, the external WDT 116 starts measuring the clear signal release time.

  Subsequent to step S570, the process returns to step S544 again to determine whether or not the power failure notice signal has been input. If the power failure notice signal has not been input, the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1 in step S546. If the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1, that is, if 2 ms has elapsed, the value 0 is set to the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG in step S547, and the external WDT 4120c is set in the external WDT 4120c in step S550. A WDT clear signal is output (ON), a port output process is performed in step S552, a port input process is performed in step S554, a timer update process is performed in step S556, a settlement machine communication process is performed in step S558, and a step S560 is performed. Command reception processing is performed, and command analysis processing is performed in step S562. In step S564, main operation setting processing is performed, in step S566, LED display data creation processing is performed, in step S568, command transmission processing is performed, and in step S570, output of the external WDT clear signal to the external WDT 116 is stopped (OFF). Steps S544 to S570 are repeatedly performed. Note that the processing of steps S544 to S570 is referred to as “ball information control main processing”.

  On the other hand, when a power failure notice signal is input in step S544, interrupt prohibition setting is performed (step S572). With this setting, the sphere information control unit timer interrupt processing described later is not performed, writing to the sphere information control built-in RAM is prevented, and the above-described sphere information rewriting is protected.

  Subsequent to step S572, a power failure clear signal is output to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D type flip-flop of the power failure monitoring circuit 117, via the ball information control I / O port 112 (step S574). Thus, the D-type flip-flop can release the latched state by outputting the power failure clear signal.

  Subsequent to step S574, the output of the drive signal to the firing solenoid 13 is stopped (step S576). Thus, the launch of the game ball is stopped. Subsequent to step S576, the output of the drive signal to the ball feeding solenoid 31 is stopped (step S578). Thus, the feeding of the game balls to the ball launching device 12 is stopped.

  Subsequent to step S578, an external WDT clear signal is output to the external WDT 116, and the output is stopped (ON / OFF, step S580). As a result, the external WDT 116 is cleared. After step S580, the checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S582). This checksum is calculated assuming that the ball information in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM is a numerical value except for the storage area of the value of the checksum calculated in step S528 and the value of the ball information backup flag HBK-FLG, and calculates the sum thereof. I do. Subsequent to step S582, the value 1 is set to the ball information backup flag (step S584). Thereby, the storage of the ball information backup information is completed. Subsequent to step S584, prohibition of access to the ball information control built-in RAM is set (step S586). With this setting, access to the ball information control built-in RAM is prohibited, writing and reading are disabled, and the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM is protected.

  Subsequent to step S586, the process enters a loop process of repeating a state in which nothing is performed. In this loop processing, the clear signal is not turned on / off to the external WDT 116. For this reason, the external WDT 116 outputs a reset signal to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112 to perform reset. Thereafter, the ball information control MPU performs the ball information control-side power-on process again from the beginning. Note that the processing of step S572 to step S586 and the loop processing are referred to as “ball information control power-off processing”.

  The gaming machine 1 (ball information control MPU) is reset when a power failure or momentary power failure occurs, and performs a ball information control-side power-on process by restoring power thereafter.

  In step S530, it is checked whether the sphere information backup information stored in the sphere information control built-in RAM is normal or not. Then, in step S532, the sphere information control unit power-off processing is normally terminated. Is being tested. As described above, by double checking the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM, it is checked whether or not the ball information backup information has been stored due to fraud.

[Sphere information control timer interrupt processing]
Next, the ball information control side timer interrupt processing will be described. This sphere information control timer interrupt process is repeatedly performed at every interrupt cycle (2 ms in the present embodiment) set in step S540 of the sphere information control power-on process shown in FIG.

  When the ball information control side timer interrupt process is started, the ball information control MPU of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110 sets the timer interrupt to prohibition and switches the register (see FIG. 86). Evacuation) (step S590). Here, the general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) used in the above-described ball information control unit main processing is switched to the auxiliary register. By using this auxiliary register in the ball information control side timer interrupt processing, the value of the general-purpose register is not overwritten. This prevents the contents of the general-purpose register used in the ball information control-side main processing from being destroyed.

  Subsequent to step S590, the value 1 is set to the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG (step S592). The 2 ms elapse flag HT-FLG is a flag that counts 2 ms every time the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is performed, that is, a value of 1 when 2 ms has elapsed, and a value of 0 when 2 ms has not elapsed. Are set respectively. Subsequent to step S592, switching (return) of the register is performed (step S594). This return switches from the auxiliary register used in the sphere information control timer interrupt processing to a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register). By using this general-purpose register in the ball information control side main processing, the value of the auxiliary register is not overwritten. This prevents the contents of the auxiliary register used in the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing from being destroyed. Subsequent to step S594, interrupt permission is set (step S596), and this routine ends.

[Each Process Executed in Ball Information Control Main Process]
Next, each process executed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110 every 2 ms in the ball information control main process of FIG. 84 will be described. First, the ball lending process will be described, and subsequently, the hitting / ball hitting determination process, the held ball count process, the ball feed / launch drive process, the launched ball detection process, and the held ball number subtraction process will be described. The hitting / non-hitting determination process, the held ball count process, the ball feed / launch drive process, the launched ball detection process, the held ball number subtraction process, and the lifting drive process are one of the main operation setting processes in step S564. The processing is executed in the order of hitting possible / impossible determination processing, held ball count processing, ball feeding / launch drive processing, launched ball detection processing, held ball number subtraction processing, and lifting drive processing.

  When the player inserts the card 403 into the card insertion slot, the payment machine 4 detects the insertion of the card 403, and the data stored in the card 403 is read through the card processor 402. That is, the ID stored in the ID storage unit 404 of the card 403 of FIG. 78, the remaining number stored in the remaining number storage unit 405, and the number of held balls stored in the held ball number storage unit 406 are read into the RAM. Is stored in a predetermined storage area (ID storage area, remaining number storage area, held ball number storage area).

  Next, the checkout machine 4 determines whether the inserted card 403 is usable or unusable. In this embodiment, when the read residual count is 0 and the read ball count is 0, the card 403 is determined to be unusable, and the card 403 is ejected from the card insertion slot. For this reason, when it is determined that the card 403 is unusable, the following processes of the held ball count processing, the ball feeding / launch drive processing, and the held ball number subtraction processing described below are not executed.

  On the other hand, if the read remaining number is not 0, or if the read remaining number is 0 but the read ball count is not 0, the settlement machine 4 determines that the card is usable, and returns the ball information. The card use information is transmitted to the control board 110.

  When the player presses the ball lending button to perform a game, an operation signal of the ball lending button is input to the settlement machine 4. In response to the operation signal of the ball lending button, the settlement machine 4 performs a ball lending process, for example, transmits a prescribed number of ball lending to the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110, and thereafter, from the ball information control MPU. Wait until the sent ball rental end is received.

[Rental processing]
Here, the ball lending process executed by the ball information control MPU will be described. FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a ball lending process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball lending process is executed as one of the settlement machine communication processes in step S558 that is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the ball lending process, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the card usable information transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received (step S600). In step S600, if the card use information transmitted from the checkout machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S601, and the number of held balls counter (a game machine possession) which is a part of the storage area set in the built-in RAM. The ball number storage area) is cleared to 0 (step S601), and the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if the card usable information transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is not received in step S600, the process directly proceeds to step S602. Note that the initial value of the held ball counter is set to “0” due to the power recovery setting of the RAM work area in step S534.

  When proceeding to step S602, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the number of ball rentals transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is received (step S602). In step S602, when the number of balls for rental transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S603, and the received number of balls for rental is added to the value of the held ball counter (step S603), and the ball The lending end is transmitted to the settlement machine 4 (step S604), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball lending process.

  On the other hand, in step S602, if the number of balls to be transmitted transmitted from the settlement machine 4 has not been received, the process does not proceed to steps S603 and S604, but directly exits the subroutine of the ball lending process.

  As described above, only when the newly usable card 303 is inserted into the checkout machine 4, the card usable information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110. Further, only when the operation signal of the ball lending button is input to the settlement machine 4 after the card usable information is received, the ball lending number is transmitted to the ball information control MPU. Then, when the number of available balls is received, the number of available balls is first added to the value of the held ball counter and stored.

[Hitting ball impossibility judgment processing]
Next, the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process executed by the ball information control MPU will be described. FIG. 88 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process performed by the ball information control MPU. The hitting / non-hitting determination process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the hitting possible / impossible determination process, it determines whether or not the number of held balls is 0, that is, whether or not the value of a held ball counter is 0 (step S710). If it is determined in step S710 that the value of the held ball counter is not 0, that is, if step S710 is determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S711, and the standby ball detection switch 70 (see FIG. 10) ) Is turned on, that is, whether or not there is a waiting ball in the ball feeding device 28 (step S711).

  If it is determined in step S711 that the standby ball detection switch 70 (see FIG. 10) is on, the firing enable flag is set to 1 (fire possible) (step S712), and the hitting availability determination processing is performed. Exit the subroutine. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S710 that the value of the held ball counter is 0, and when it is determined in step S711 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is not on (off), the firing is performed. The possible flag is set to 0 (impossible to fire) (step S713), and the process exits the subroutine of hitting possible / impossible determination.

  As described above, when the value of the held ball counter is not 0 and there is a standby ball in the ball feeder 28, the firing solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 can be driven, and the game area 8 of the game ball is substantially The game is in a playable state in which the player can be driven. When the value of the held ball number counter is 0 or when there is no standby ball in the ball feeder 28, the firing solenoid 13 cannot be driven, and the game ball is substantially driven into the game area 8. The game cannot be played. At the same time, the ball feed solenoid 31 cannot be driven.

[Counting the number of held balls]
Next, a description will be given of a held ball number counting process corresponding to ball information processing during a game assuming that the game is substantially enabled. FIG. 89 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the held ball count processing performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the held ball number counting process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  Upon starting the held ball count processing, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not there is a winning ball command analyzed in the command analysis processing of step S562 (step S720). That is, it is determined whether or not a prize ball command is stored in the received command information storage area. If the winning ball command is stored, it is determined that step S720 is present, and the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning ball command stored in the received command information storage area is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored (step S722). ), Exit the subroutine of the held ball count processing. On the other hand, if there is no memorized prize ball command, it is determined that step S720 is absent, and the process exits the subroutine of the held ball count process.

  For example, when a prize occurs in the winning opening set to the number of prize balls “4”, the number of prize balls “4” is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored. When a prize is generated in the winning opening (large winning opening) set in, the winning ball number “15” is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored.

[Ball feed / launch drive processing]
Next, the ball feeding / firing drive processing will be described. FIG. 90 to FIG. 91 are flowcharts showing an example of a subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the ball feeding / firing drive process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. When the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the firing solenoid 13 is turned on when the period A has elapsed, and when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off when the period B has elapsed, and the ball feeding is performed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has elapsed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

  In this embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feed member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a shooting ball when a shooting ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time (a period D is set to 30 ms). I do.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

  When the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8, and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. As a result, the number of held balls is decremented by one.

  When starting the ball feeding / firing drive process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the firing enable flag is 1 (fire is possible) (step S730). When it is determined in the hitting possible / impossible determination processing that the shooting is possible, the firing possible flag is set to 1 (fireable). If it is determined in step S730 that the fireable flag is not 1 (fireable), that is, if the fireable flag is 0 (no fireable), the process exits the subroutine of the ball feed / fire drive process. In this case, the substantial ball feeding / firing drive processing is not executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S730 that the firing enable flag is 1 (fire is enabled), the flow shifts to step S731 to determine whether the processing flag is 0 (step S731).

  Here, the processing flag is a flag for identifying whether the ball information control MPU branches to any one of the processes in the ball feeding / firing driving process described later, in other words, the control in the ball feeding / firing driving process. A flag for identifying the state. "0" means an initial setting, and "1" specifies a period from when the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on to when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on. Yes, it defines the period from turning on the firing solenoid 13 at "2" to turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31, and turning off the firing solenoid 13 after turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31 at "3". This defines the period up to.

  At the time when the ball feeding / firing drive process is started, the value of the process flag is set to 0. Therefore, it is determined YES in step S731, and the process proceeds to step S732 to set a timer value corresponding to the period A (see FIG. 24, 300 ms) in the timer (step S732), and turn on the ball feeding solenoid 31 (step S733). , The processing flag is set to 1 (step S734), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive process. Note that the timer value set in the timer is decremented by one at a cycle of 2 ms in the timer updating process of step S556 in FIG.

  The next processing cycle of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is after 2 ms. As a result of the processing flag being set to 1, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, it is determined that the step S730 is YES, the step S731 is NO, and the process proceeds to the step S735. In step S735, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 1 (step S735). In this case, since the processing flag is set to 1, the determination in step S735 is YES, and the flow advances to step S736 to determine whether the timer has expired (step S736). If the timer has not expired, step S736 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding and firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereinafter, until the timer that sets the period A expires, based on the value of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be YES, and step S735 is determined to be YES. The processing routine for determining NO in S736 is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S736, and it is determined that the period A has elapsed, and the process advances to step S737 to set a timer value corresponding to the period B (see FIG. 26, 30 ms) in the timer. (Step S737), the firing solenoid 13 is turned on (Step S738), the processing flag is set to 2 (Step S739), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 2, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to step S740. . In Step S740, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 2 (Step S740). In this case, since the processing flag is set to 2, the determination in step S740 is YES, and the flow advances to step S741 to determine whether the timer has expired (step S741). If the timer has not expired, step S741 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereafter, until the timer that sets the period B expires, based on the value of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be NO, and step S735 is determined to be NO. The processing routine in which S740 is determined as YES and step S741 is determined as NO is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S741, and it is determined that the period B has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S742, and the timer value corresponding to the period C (see FIG. 24, 50 ms) is set in the timer. (Step S742), the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off (Step S743), the processing flag is set to 3 (Step S744), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 3, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing of the next cycle, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and step S740 is determined as NO. Judge, and proceed to step S745. In step S745, it is determined whether the timer has expired (step S745). If the timer has not expired, step S745 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereinafter, until the timer set for the period C expires, based on the value of the processing flag 3, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, and step S735 is determined to be NO. The processing routine of determining NO in S740 and determining NO in step S745 is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S745, and it is determined that the period C has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S746, the firing solenoid 13 is turned off (step S746), and the processing flag is set to 0. It returns to the initial value (step S747), and exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing.

[Launch sphere detection processing]
Next, the shooting ball detection processing will be described.
FIG. 92 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a shot ball detection process performed by the ball information control MPU. The shooting sphere detection process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564, which is executed every 2 ms in the sphere information control main process.

  Upon starting the fired ball detection process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is on (step S750). As described above, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the shooting ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feeding member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36.

  If it is determined that the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, the value of the time counter, which is a counter for counting the time during which the shooting ball is ON, is incremented by 1 (step S751), and the process proceeds to step S753.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not on, that is, when the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off, 0 is set in the time counter (step S752), and the process proceeds to step S753.

  When the process proceeds to step S753, it is determined whether the value of the time counter has reached a predetermined time D (30 ms in this example) (step S753). If the value of the time counter has not reached the predetermined time D, the determination in step S753 is NO, and the process exits the subroutine of the shooting ball detection process.

  Since the launching ball detection process is performed every 2 ms, if the game ball stopped at the launching position by the launching ball confirmation switch 36 is continuously detected for a predetermined specified time D, the time counter of the time counter is set every 2 ms. The value increases by one, and the value of the time counter reaches a predetermined time D (30 ms, count value 15 in this example). In this case, step S753 is determined to be YES, it is considered that a shot ball has been detected, and a shot ball detection flag is set to 1 (detected) (step S754), and the subroutine of the shot ball detection process is exited.

  On the other hand, when noise enters the shooting ball confirmation switch 36, the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is momentarily turned on, but thereafter, the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. Accordingly, the value of the time counter is set to 0 in response to the firing ball confirmation switch 36 being turned off, and the value of the time counter is set to the predetermined specified time D (30 ms, count value 15 in this example). Never reach.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

[Subtraction number subtraction process]
Next, the held ball number subtraction process will be described. FIG. 93 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the held ball number subtraction process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the held ball number subtraction process, it first determines whether or not the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected) (step S760). If it is determined that the fired ball detection flag is not 1 (detected), that is, if NO is determined in step S760, the process exits the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process. In this case, the number of held balls is not subtracted.

  If it is determined in step S760 that the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected), that is, if it is determined as YES in step S760, the process proceeds to step S761 to determine whether the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off. It is determined whether or not it is (step S761). If it is determined in step S761 that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not off, that is, if it is determined in step S761 that the determination is NO, the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process is exited.

  As described above, when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8 and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. As a result, the number of held balls is decremented by one. If it is determined in step S761 that the launch ball confirmation switch 36 is off, that is, if the determination in step S761 is YES, the value of the held ball counter is decremented by one (step S762), and the launched ball detection flag is set. 0 (no detection) is set (step S763), and the process exits the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process.

  As described above, when a game ball parked at the firing position is detected by the firing ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time period, it is determined that there is a firing ball, and it is determined that there is a shooting ball. If no game ball is detected by the launch ball confirmation switch 36, it is determined that the game ball parked at the launch position has been launched, and the number of balls held is reduced by one. When noise enters 36, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous ball count of the shooting sphere due to the noise, and it is possible to increase the certainty in detecting the shooting sphere.

[Ball lifting drive processing]
Next, the lifting drive processing will be described. FIG. 94 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the lifting drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. The lifting drive process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  Upon starting the lifting drive process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the launch standby ball detection switch 26 is on (step S770). If it is determined in step S770 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is off, that is, if step S770 is NO, the process advances to step S771 to determine whether the unloading entrance switch 156 is on. (Step S771). If it is determined in step S771 that the lifting entrance switch 156 is ON, that is, if step S771 is determined to be YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S772), and a subroutine of the lifting driving process is performed. Through.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S770 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is ON, that is, if step S770 is determined as YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting drive process is performed. Exit the subroutine.
Also, when it is determined in step S771 that the lifting entrance switch 156 is off, that is, when it is determined as NO in step S771, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting driving process is performed. Exit the subroutine.

  As described above, when a game ball is not detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26, it is determined that the required number of game balls is not satisfied in the ball supply path member 24, and the ball feeding path is determined by the lifting inlet switch 156. When a game ball waiting for alignment is detected in the ball 275, the ball lifting motor is driven on the condition that it is determined that there is a game ball, and the ball waiting path detection switch 26 sets the ball in the ball supply path member 24. On condition that the game balls waiting to be aligned are detected, the driving of the ball lifting device 22 is stopped, and the lifting of the game balls is stopped. As a result, the occurrence of clogging can be suppressed. Thus, since the configuration is such that the game balls are lifted, the game balls can be fed into the ball supply path member 24 without excess or shortage.

Also, compared to the launch cycle of the game balls of the ball launching device 12 in the upper launching unit 12 and the ball feeding cycle of the game balls of the ball feeder 28, the game balls to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 are compared. Is set short. In this embodiment, the launching cycle of the game ball of the ball launching device 12 and the ball sending cycle of the game ball of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots per minute), and the ball supply path member by the ball lifting device 22. The sending cycle of the game balls to 24 is 384 ms.
By this, during the game, the operation of the upper firing unit 12 causes the ball to be launched into the game area by the ball launching device 12 and the game ball to be sent to the launch position by the ball feeder 28. In addition, since the sending period of the game balls to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 is shorter than the sending period of the game balls to the firing position, the game device stands by before being pumped by the pumping inlet switch 156. In a case where the state in which the game balls are filled is maintained, while the game balls are being driven, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are no longer detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26. Then, the ball lifting device 22 is driven to start the lifting of the game ball, and the game ball is supplied to the ball supply path member 24 at a faster pace than the game ball is driven. When the game balls which are aligned and waiting in the ball supply path member 24 are detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26 during that time, the ball lifting device 22 stops driving and the game balls are lifted. Is stopped. That is, during the game, the ball lifting operation of the ball lifting device 22 is performed intermittently, so that the occurrence of ball clogging can be suppressed and the game ball can be efficiently and stably lifted. It is possible to efficiently supply balls to the upper firing unit with a stable number of balls.

  In the present embodiment, the launching cycle of the game ball of the ball launching device 12 and the ball sending cycle of the game ball of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots per minute), and the ball supply by the ball lifting device 22 is performed. Although the sending cycle of the game ball to the path member 24 is set to 384 ms, the method is not limited to this, and the firing cycle and the ball sending cycle of the game ball, and the sending cycle of the game ball to the ball supply path member 24. Are set to 600 ms with each other, and various methods can be selected.

[Clogging notification processing]
Next, the ball clogging notification processing will be described. FIG. 95 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a ball clogging notification process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball clogging notification process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process. In addition, the ball clogging notification processing is performed next to the hitting ball possible / impossible determination processing shown in FIG. 88. In addition, the standby ball detection switch 26 corresponds to a first standby ball detection unit, and the standby ball detection switch 70 corresponds to a second standby ball detection unit.

  When starting the ball clogging notification process, the ball information control MPU 111 first determines whether or not the launch standby ball detection switch 26 is on (step S780). If it is determined in step S780 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is ON, that is, if the determination in step S780 is YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S782), and the flow advances to step S786 to wait for firing. It is determined whether or not the ball detection switch 70 is on (step S786). If it is determined in step S786 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is off, that is, if step S786 is determined to be NO, the abnormality detection flag is set to 1 (step S788), and the notification unit is turned on. (Step S789) Exits the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S786 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is ON, that is, if step S786 is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S787, and it is determined whether the abnormality detection flag is 1 (step S787). Step S787). When the abnormality detection flag is determined to be 1 in step S787, that is, when it is determined to be YES in step S787, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0 (step S790), the abnormality notification unit is turned off (step S792), and the recovery notification unit is set. Is turned on (step S794), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process.

  If it is determined in step S780 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is off, that is, if step S780 is NO, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S784), and the abnormality detection flag is set. It is determined whether it is 1 (step S787). If the abnormality detection flag is determined to be 0 in step S787, that is, if step S787 is determined to be NO, the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process is exited.

  As described above, the ball supply path member 24 and the ball feeder 28 are provided with the sensors for detecting game balls, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are detected, and the game balls in the ball feeder 28 are detected. On the condition that the ball is not clogged, it is determined that the ball is clogged and an abnormal state is detected, and a notification is made by abnormality notification means (not shown, but, for example, notifying the touch panel unit 14 that the ball is clogged). Thus, for example, it is possible to reliably notify the staff of the game hall that the ball is clogged.

  Further, the ball launching device 12 of the first embodiment can be rotated by the ball launching device hinge 37 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2 (FIG. 12). After the door frame 3 is opened, the state of the ball firing device 12 can be immediately grasped, and the clogging of the ball can be easily eliminated. When the clogging of the ball is eliminated, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0, and the abnormality notification means stops. Thereafter, the recovery notifying means (for example, on the touch panel unit 14 displays an indication to the effect that the staff of the game hall can recognize that the ball has been clogged from the clogged state (for example, 5 seconds to 10 seconds)). It is possible to recognize that the ball clog has been resolved.

  The position of the standby ball detection switch 70 is set so as to detect a game ball near the firing position in the path of the ball feeder 28, but to detect a game ball passing through the path of the ball feeder 28. Various arrangement positions can be selected as long as the arrangement can be performed.

[Gaming machine ecosystem]
By the way, in the industrial world, interest in eco (environmental problems, resource problems, etc.) is increasing. In the pachinko and pachislot machine industry, it is necessary to consider the treatment of successively removed pachinko / pachislot machines from an ecological standpoint. For example, if a removed gaming machine including many reusable parts is simply destroyed and disposed of, the reusable resources are wasted.

  When recycling a gaming machine, it is effective to track the sold gaming machines, but in order to track the gaming machines, it is conceivable to use an identification ID or the like for identifying the gaming machines. Even in a removed gaming machine, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, a proximity switch, etc. can be reused as it is, and a motor, a solenoid, etc. can be melted and separated into iron, copper, steel and reused as a material. . ABS resin and the like that constitute the transparent resin panel and the back box are crushed into flakes, separated by type and color, and then reused as a material for a new game machine member, thereby enabling recycling. Therefore, it is preferable for a gaming machine maker to reliably collect and recycle gaming machines removed from the hall.

  Therefore, the embodiment described below allows a gaming machine maker to reliably trade in a gaming machine from a hall (installation store) for recycling, and what is the current recycling rate? It relates to a gaming machine ecosystem that provides an environment where the user can know the situation at any time.

[Outline of the gaming machine ecosystem]
It is assumed that all new game machines shipped from manufacturers will be traded in by the manufacturer after the market is over. The game machine to be shipped is provided with a game board identification ID as a unique ID that enables individual identification of the game board 5.

  The game board identification ID is, for example, the first MPU identification number stored in advance in the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a of the main control MPU 101 mounted on the main control board 100 provided in the game board 5 described in FIG. Alternatively, the unique ID code described in FIG. 76 can be used. The first MPU identification number corresponds to the first MUID registration number described in claim 1. Hereinafter, the first MUID registration number will be described as a game board identification ID. Further, a maker management device and a hall management device are connected via a communication network centering on the center management device.

  Each management device includes a computer such as a PC, and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a database, a device for manual input, and the like. Then, the following processing is performed at the time of shipment of the new game machine and at the time of trade-in of the game machine.

[When shipping new machines]
The shipping information of the gaming machine is input and recorded in the maker management device. The maker management device transmits, to the center management device, the recorded contents of the shipping information input at the time of shipping the new game machine with respect to the gaming machine. The shipping information includes at least the game board specifying ID, the hole specifying ID of the destination hall, the shipping date, and the manufacturer ID.

  On the other hand, when this new game machine is installed in the hall, the hall management device that recognizes the installation transmits the installation information regarding the new game machine to the center management device. The installation information includes at least a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, an installation date, a manufacturer ID, and the like. The center management device collates the shipping information transmitted from the maker management device with the installation information transmitted from the hall management device based on the game board identification ID, and records the collation result (new unit shipping process).

  The collation result is a “pair” of the shipping information and the installation information whose gaming board identification IDs match, and this pair is recorded in the database. This data can be accessed from outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

[When trade-in]
When a manufacturer trades in an old gaming machine due to replacement with a new stand, etc., trade-in information of the gaming machine is input to the manufacturer management device and recorded. The manufacturer management device transmits the input trade-in information to the center management device. The trade-in information includes a game board specifying ID, a hall specifying ID, a trade-in date, a maker ID, and the like.

  On the other hand, on the hall side, with the removal of the old gaming machine caused by the exchange with the new stand, the removal information of the gaming machine is transmitted to the center management apparatus through the hall management apparatus. The removal information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, a removal date, a maker ID, and the like.

  The center management device collates the trade-in information transmitted from the maker with the removal information transmitted from the hall management device, and records a verification result (trade management process). The collation result is a “pair” of trade-in information and removal information having the same game board identification ID, and this pair is recorded in the database. This data can be accessed from outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

  As described above, since the gaming machine ecosystem stores the comparison result in the database, it is possible to know the current state of the gaming machine having the gaming board identification ID by searching the database using the gaming board identification ID as a key. Can be. For example, if the verification result is stopped at the shipping information and the installation information, the gaming machine should be present in the hall having the hole identification ID, and furthermore, the removal result and trade-in information are added to the verification result. For example, it means that the gaming machine has been traded in from the hall having the hall identification ID.

  Since the shipping information and the installation information, and the removal information and the trade-in information are to be paired with each other in the center management device, it is abnormal for the center management device to have only one of them for a long period of time. From a viewpoint, it is possible to proceed to a situation where the cause is investigated.

  Furthermore, if there is shipping information, installation information, removal information, or trade-in information for which the center management device does not record a verification result for a certain period due to a mismatch in the game board identification ID, the manufacturer is determined based on the game board identification ID. Inform the manufacturer that a plurality or one of these pieces of information cannot be collated by the center management device. This makes it possible to confirm at which point the location of the gaming machine has become unknown. As a result, basically all gaming machines can be collected and traded in, and useful resources such as a liquid crystal display screen, a proximity switch, a transparent panel, a motor, a solenoid, and ABS resin can be recycled.

[Overall configuration of gaming machine ecosystem]
FIG. 101 shows the overall configuration of a gaming machine ecosystem 1010. In this embodiment, in addition to a center management device 1020, a maker management device 1040, and a hall management device 1050, an eco unit 1060, a used dealer management device 1070 And a decryption management device 1080, which are connected by a communication network. The communication network uses the Internet 1100 (the communication network may be a dedicated line). The eco unit 1060 is connected only to the hall management device 1050 by I / O (not shown). Furthermore, the decryption management device 1080 is dedicated to the center management device 1020 from the viewpoint of security, and is connected by a dedicated line.

  The gaming machine ecosystem 1010 according to the present embodiment is based on a center management device 1020, a maker management device 1040, and a hall management device 1050. Therefore, the basic configuration will be described first.

  The center management device 1020 is composed of, for example, a device centered on a personal computer, and includes a CPU, a database, a ROM, a RAM, a manual input device, an I / O, a display, and a memory such as a hard disk. Organically connected by computer wiring. In addition, it is connected to the Internet 1100 and the decryption management device 1080 via I / O.

  The maker management device 1040 is composed of, for example, a device mainly including a personal computer, and includes a memory such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I / O, a display, and a hard disk (not shown). Organically connected by computer wiring. It is connected to the Internet 1100 via I / O.

  The hole management device 1050 is formed of, for example, a device centered on a personal computer, and includes a memory such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I / O, an eco unit 1060, and a hard disk (not shown). It is organically connected by ordinary computer wiring. It is connected to the Internet 12 via I / O.

  When a maker ships a new machine to the hall, shipping information is manually input to the maker management device 1040, and the shipping information is sent to the center management device using a shipping information line L1 configured on the Internet 1100 (communication network). Sent to 1020. The installation information is manually input to the hall management device 1050 of the hall where the new game machine is installed, and the input installation information is transmitted to the center management device 2 using the installation information line L3 configured on the Internet 12 (communication network). Sent to.

  Each piece of information sent from the hall management device 1050 to the line L3 is encrypted and transmitted, including installation information and later-described removal information and non-operation information, for security reasons. The center management device 2 collates the shipping information and the installation information transmitted from the maker management device 1040 and the hall management device 1050 based on the game board identification ID, and determines the information having the same game board identification ID as a “pair”. And this pair is set as a collation result. The collation result is transmitted to the database 1030 using the collation result line L5 and recorded. This database 1030 can be accessed from outside.

  When an old gaming machine is traded in by a manufacturer for replacement of a new machine or the like, removal information is manually input to the hall management device 1050, and the removal information is transmitted through a removal information line L3 formed on the Internet 1100 (communication network). It is transmitted to the center management device 1020.

  Trade-in information is manually input to the maker management device 1040, which is the trade-in side of the old gaming machine, and the trade-in information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through a trade-in information line L4 configured on the Internet 1100 (communication network). . The center management device 1020 compares the trade-in information transmitted from the maker management device 1040 with the removal information transmitted from the hall management device 1050 based on the game board identification ID, and when the game board identification IDs match, The “pair” of these pieces of information is transmitted to the database 1030 through the collation result line L5 as a collation result and recorded.

  Next, in this embodiment, an eco unit 1060, a used dealer management device 1070, and a decryption management device 1080 are attached to the above-described basic configuration. The eco unit 1060 is located between the gaming machine 1 and the hall management device 1050. In FIG. 101, the gaming machine 1 and the eco unit 1060 are connected via an ECO gaming machine interface. Since the eco unit 1060 functions as a relay device for connecting the gaming machine 1 to the hall management device 1050, the eco unit 1060 can also be used for a currently known CR unit or the settlement machine 4 shown in FIG. The decryption management device 1080 is dedicated to the center management device 1020 and is connected by a dedicated line.

  When the gaming machine 1 is installed in the hall and the power is turned on, the eco unit 1060 receives the gaming board identification ID from the installed gaming machine 1 and transmits this to the hall management device 1050. The hall management device 1050 stores a game board identification ID for business management.

  If the operation information does not reach the hall management device 1050 through the eco unit 1060 even though the hall management device 1050 has already acquired the game board identification ID, the hall management device 1050 is not operated after the set predetermined period. Information is automatically transmitted to the center management device 1020 via the non-operation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100. The non-operation information includes at least a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, a non-operation date, and a maker ID.

  The second-hand dealer management device 1070 is composed of, for example, a device centering on a personal computer, and includes a memory (not shown) such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I / O, a display, and a hard disk. And these are organically connected by a normal intra-computer communication network.

  The decryption management device 1080 includes a computer-centered device and the like, and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I / O, and a display (not shown), which are organically connected by ordinary computer wiring. Are combined.

  As described above, the installation information, the removal information, and the non-operation information are encrypted when transmitted from the hall management device 1050 so as not to leak to the outside. Therefore, these pieces of information received by the center management device 1020 are decoded so as to be readable by the decoding management device 1080, and are directly transmitted to the center management device 1020 via the line L3 configured on the dedicated line.

  The operation of the embodiment is summarized as follows. The operation is performed when the new unit is shipped, when the used vehicle is moved, and when trade-in is performed. In the present embodiment, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the gaming machine 1 has a security function. The main control MPU 101 has a security function, for example, a function of determining whether a built-in ROM is a ROM that has been authenticated, and an internal function when an access is made to an area other than a predetermined area. A function of causing a reset, a game board identification ID stored in a ROM built in the main control MPU 101, data stored in the ROM, and the like can be read from a terminal provided outside the main control MPU 101. It has functions that can be performed.

[When shipping new units]
When the manufacturer ships new gaming machines, as described above, a gaming board identification ID that can identify the main control MPU 101 of each gaming machine is assigned. In FIG. 101, at the time of shipment, a game board identification ID, a hole identification ID of a hole to be shipped, a shipping date (for example, date) are input from a manual input device to the manufacturer management device 1040.

  The maker management device 1040 records in a memory (not shown) as shipping information based on operation software stored in the ROM. Next, when a command for transmitting shipping information to the center management device 1020 is input from a manual input device (not shown), the maker management device 1040 adds maker identification information (maker ID) to the shipping information stored in the memory. The information is sent to the center management device 1020 via the shipping information line L1 configured on the Internet 1100 as shipping information.

  When the shipment information is transmitted from the maker management device 1040, the center management device 1020 stores and registers the shipment information in a shipment information file set in the database 1030. In this way, every time the shipment information is transmitted from the maker management device 1040, the shipment information is stored in the shipment information file. The shipping information includes a game board specifying ID, a hole specifying ID of a hall, a shipping date (for example, date), and a maker ID.

  On the other hand, in the shipping destination hall, when the power is supplied to the installed new game machine 1, a game board specific to the game machine built in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the new game machine 1 is specified. The user ID is read and transmitted to the eco unit 1060 (see FIG. 101).

  The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the new game machine 1 together with the game board identification ID, and transmits this to the hall management device 1050. Upon receiving the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, the hall management device 1050 records this in a memory based on operation software stored in a ROM (not shown).

  Next, the hall management device 1050 uses the game board identification ID, the hole identification ID for identifying the own hole, the installation date (for example, date), the manufacturer ID, and the like as installation information on the Internet 1100. The information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the configured installation information line L3.

  The installation information and non-operation information (described later) transmitted from the hall management device 1050 are encrypted and transmitted to the Internet, decrypted by the decryption management device 1080, and transmitted to the center management device 1020.

  The decryption management device 1080 receives the encrypted installation information from the hole and decrypts the encrypted installation information stored in the RAM (not shown) using decryption software stored in a ROM (not shown), and temporarily decrypts the RAM. (Not shown), and transmits the installation information to the center management device 1020 through an installation information line L3 formed on a dedicated line.

  The center management device 1020 receives the installation information when the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, and performs collation using collation software stored in a ROM (not shown). The shipping information file is searched using the game board identification ID included in the received installation information as a search key. If the shipping information including the game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, the hole identification ID included in the received installation information is Then, it is determined whether or not the hole identification ID of the hole which is the shipping destination included in the matched shipping information matches.

  Then, as a collation result, a “pair” of these pieces of information is transmitted to the database 1030 using the collation result line L5 and recorded. Note that, when the verification is successful, the verification information may be added to the shipping information stored in the shipping information file, and the storage information may be stored and registered again. This data is set to be accessible (inquired) from outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

  As a result, the information from the shipping side (manufacturer) and the installation side (hall) associated with the shipment of the new machine are recorded as being matched (correctly processed) by using the game board identification ID as a key. You.

  Also, for example, when the installation information is not transmitted from the hall management device 1050, or when the game board identification ID between the installation information and the shipping information does not match, the matching result is not recorded, and the matching result corresponding to the shipping information is not recorded. Data is missing. In the case of the configuration described above, the collated information is not added to the shipping information stored in the shipping information file.

  In the case where the center management device 1020 does not obtain a collation result for the shipping information stored in the shipping information file for a certain period (for example, three days after the shipping date), in this embodiment, the game board identification ID is used. Is used as a key, and the center management device 1020 notifies the maker management device 1040 of the maker's maker management device 1040 via the notification line L6 configured on the Internet 1100 indicating that the game board identification ID could not be verified. Notify.

  The notification information includes the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID of the hall, the shipping date (for example, date), and the fact that collation is not possible. By doing so, the cause can be ascertained, and the appearance of a gaming machine that cannot be traded in again can be prevented.

[Verification of game board]
By the way, at present, each manufacturer develops and produces the main body frame in which the game board is fitted, but from the viewpoint of reducing development costs and countermeasures against environmental destruction, each manufacturer must use it in common. It is conceivable to develop a body frame that can be used.

  However, if the main frame is a common frame that is independent of the manufacturer, the structure of the main frames is the same, so even if different combinations of game boards are fitted into the main frame, it is wrong just by appearance. It may not be possible to determine whether or not the combination is a proper combination, and there may be a problem that it is difficult to grasp and manage whether the regular game board is fitted in the main body frame.

  In the embodiment described below, authentication is performed to determine whether or not the game board 5 fitted to the main body frame 2 is a regular one. FIG. 102 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the gaming machine management system according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 97 and 102, the gaming machine 1 includes a first MPU (main control MPU 101) that is provided on the game board 5 and performs game control, and is used to receive a game ball into a winning opening. A first control board (main control board 100) that outputs a prize ball signal based on the prize ball signal, and a second MPU (ball information control MPU 111) that is provided in the main body frame 2 and controls a prize ball based on the prize ball signal. 2 control board (sphere information control board 110).

  As described above, in the shipping destination hall, when the installed gaming machine (described as a new machine, but also used later) 1 is powered on, the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 The game board identification ID is read from the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a by means of two-way communication with the ball information control MPU 111, and is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160 and transmitted to the ball information encryption communication unit 165. , The second MPU identification number is encrypted by the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 and then transmitted to the main encryption communication unit 160 (see FIG. 97).

  The ball information control MPU 111 stores the game board identification ID transmitted from the main control MPU 101 in the first MPU identification number storage section 166 in the second authentication section 167 after decrypting the ID using the ball information encryption communication section 165. (See FIG. 97). Next, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits the game board identification ID stored in the first MPU identification number storage unit 166 to the eco unit 1060 via the communication unit 1110 (see FIG. 102).

  The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the new game machine 1 together with the game board identification ID, and transmits this to the hall management device 1050. Upon receiving the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, the hall management device 1050 records this in a memory based on operation software stored in a ROM (not shown).

  Next, the hall management device 1050 uses the game board identification ID, the hole identification ID for identifying the own hole, the installation date (for example, date), the manufacturer ID, and the like as installation information on the Internet 1100. The information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the configured installation information line.

  The installation information and non-operation information (described later) transmitted from the hall management device 1050 are encrypted and transmitted to the Internet, decrypted by the decryption management device 1080, and transmitted to the center management device 1020.

  The decryption management device 1080 receives the encrypted installation information from the hole and decrypts the encrypted installation information stored in the RAM (not shown) using decryption software stored in a ROM (not shown), and temporarily decrypts the RAM. (Not shown), and transmits the installation information to the center management device 1020 through an installation information line configured on a dedicated line.

  The center management device 1020 receives the installation information when the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, and performs collation using collation software stored in a ROM (not shown). The shipping information file is searched using the game board identification ID included in the received installation information as a search key. Then, when shipping information including the game board specifying ID that matches the game board specifying ID included in the received installation information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, “match” is determined as a determination result through the Internet 1100 in the hole management. Reply to device 1050. The determination result may include the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID of the hall, and the date of shipment (for example, date).

  On the other hand, if the shipping information including the gaming board identification ID that matches the gaming board identification ID included in the received installation information is not stored and registered in the shipping information file, in other words, the game board between the installation information and the shipping information If the identification IDs do not match, “not matched” is returned to the hall management device 1050 via the Internet 1100 as the determination result.

  When receiving the determination result, the hole management device 1050 transmits the received determination result to the eco unit 1060, and the eco unit 1060 transmits the received determination result to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 through the ECO gaming machine interface. Send. When receiving the determination result transmitted via the communication unit 1110, the ball information control MPU 111 executes the prize ball control when the determination result is “match”, and performs the prize ball control when the determination result is “not matched”. Do not perform ball control.

  Therefore, it is possible to authenticate whether the game board fitted to the main body frame is genuine without connecting the matching machine from the outside of the board box and individually inspecting the MPU. It is possible to determine whether or not the combination with is valid. In addition, when the determination result of the authentication processing is “not matched”, by preventing the prize ball control from being performed, it is possible to prevent the game from being performed on an unauthorized gaming board, and to prevent the MPU from using a forged chip. Can be effectively suppressed.

[When used]
When the used dealer moves the used gaming machine to the hall, a manual input device (not shown) is used to transfer the used gaming machine to the used dealer management device 1070 together with the gaming machine identification ID of the used gaming machine to be moved (it does not change from the time of shipment of the new machine). The movement information (installation information) including the destination hall identification ID, the movement date (for example, date), and the manufacturer identification information (the manufacturer ID) is input. These data are once stored in the memory, and when a transmission command is input from a manual input device (not shown), the movement information is transmitted from the used sales company management device 1070 to the center management via the used movement line L2 configured on the Internet 1100. It is transmitted to the device 2. The used sales company acquires the gaming machine 1 by, for example, purchasing the gaming machine 1 removed from the hall.

  When the movement information is transmitted from the used dealer management apparatus 1070, the center management apparatus 1020 stores the movement information in the memory. The center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the movement information as a search key, and compares the movement information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which performs.

  In this case, when shipping information including the game board specifying ID that matches the game board specifying ID included in the received movement information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is determined that the verification is established.

  In this way, the center management device 1020 can recognize how many years have passed since the shipment date the used gaming machine related to the movement by comparing the shipment date with the movement date. Then, for example, when a sellable period is set from the shipment, it is possible to know that the sellable period has passed by using this system. For example, it is possible to raise a due date alarm from the center management device 1020. It becomes possible, and it will be possible to prompt the hall as appropriate guidance information.

  In the destination hall of the used gaming machine, the same processing as the installation of the new gaming machine described above is performed. When the power of the moved and installed gaming machine is turned on, the eco unit 1060 recognizes the gaming board identifying ID of the gaming machine 1 and transmits the gaming board identifying ID to the hall management device 1050.

  The hall management device 1050 once records the game board identification ID in the memory, and then determines that the gaming machine 1 having the game board identification ID is installed based on software stored in a ROM (not shown), and The encrypted installation information is encrypted as information and transmitted to the center management device 1020 via the installation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100 via the decryption management device 1080. The decryption management device 1080 decrypts the encrypted installation information and transmits it to the center management device 1020 via the installation information line L3 configured on a dedicated line.

  Then, the center management device 1020 collates the installation information with the movement information from the used dealer management device 1070, and when both game board identification IDs match, “pair” of these information is used as a comparison result, The data is transmitted to the database 1030 through the collation result line L5 and recorded. The recorded result of the collation can be externally referred to using the game board identification ID as a key. Thereby, it can be grasped that the gaming machine has been moved from the second-hand dealer to the hall.

  If the game board identification ID of the information to be paired does not match and the information of the other party to be paired does not reach after the set period, the center management device 1020 sends the information from the center management device 1020 as the set period elapses. The non-verification information is automatically transmitted to the management device 1040 via the notification line L6.

  The non-verifiable information includes the game board identification ID of the movement information (which does not change from the time of shipment of the new machine), the destination hall identification ID, the movement date (for example, date), the maker ID, and the fact that collation is not possible. include. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a situation where the gaming machine is unknown.

  As described above, the hall management device 1050 determines a non-operational gaming machine based on the gaming machine operation information received from the eco unit 1060, and specifies the non-operational information regarding the gaming machine as the game board identification information. It is automatically transmitted to the center management device 1020 via the decryption management device 1080 and the Internet 1100 using the non-operation information line L3 together with the user ID. This transmission is encrypted in the hall management device 1050, decrypted in the decryption management device 1080, transmitted to the center management device 1020 through a dedicated line, and stored in the RAM (not shown) of the center management device 1020. This non-operation information is timer-managed by the center management device 1020 and is associated with the next trade-in information.

[When trade-in]
When a gaming machine is traded in from a hall due to replacement with a new gaming machine or the like, the power of the gaming machine 1 is first turned off, so that the eco unit 1060 does not recognize the operation of the gaming machine 1. The eco unit 1060 transmits the fact that the operation cannot be recognized to the hall management device 1050, and the hall management device 1050 uses the information as the non-operation information to specify the game board identification ID of the non-operational game machine and the hall as described above. The identification ID, the non-operation day, the manufacturer ID, and the fact that the operation is non-operation are transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the non-operation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100. Since the transmission of this information is encrypted, it is decrypted by the decryption management device 1080, and the non-operation information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the non-operation information line L3 configured on the dedicated line.

  When the non-operation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 stores the non-operation information in the memory. The center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the non-operation information as a search key, and searches for the non-operation information and the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. May be compared.

  In this case, when shipping information including the game board specifying ID that matches the game board specifying ID included in the received non-operation information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is determined that the verification is established.

  When the removal information is input for the gaming machine removed for trade-in from the manual input device (not shown), the hall management device 1050 transmits the information to the center management device 1020 together with the game board identification ID to the center management device 1020 on the Internet 1100. It is transmitted through the configured removal information line L3. The removal information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of a hall, a removal date (for example, a date), and a maker ID.

  When the removal information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 stores the removal information in the memory. The center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the removal information as a search key, and compares the removal information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which performs.

  In this case, when shipping information including the game board specifying ID that matches the game board specifying ID included in the received removal information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is determined that the verification is established.

  On the other hand, when the maker trades in the gaming machine 1, the maker management device 1040 sends the trade-in information of the trade-in gaming machine 1 to the center management device 1020 together with the game board identification ID on the Internet 1100. The information is transmitted through the information line L4. The trade-in information includes a game board specifying ID, a hall specifying ID of a hall, a trade-in date (for example, date), and a maker ID.

  When the trade-in information is transmitted from the maker management device 1040, the center management device 1020 stores the trade-in information in the memory. The center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the trade-in information as a search key, and compares the trade-in information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which performs.

  In this case, when shipping information including the game board specifying ID that matches the game board specifying ID included in the received trade-in information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is determined that the verification is established.

  The center management device 1020 compares the non-operation information with the removal information and the trade-in information, and when these game board identification IDs match, the information is stored in the database 1030 as a “pair” using the comparison result line L5. Record as That is, the non-operation information and the removal information are recorded as being caused by the trade-in of the gaming machine.

  However, since the non-operation information may occur for reasons other than these causes, if a period is set as described above and another paired information does not reach the center management device 1020 within the period, It is designed to alert the manufacturer, who is a trade-in side, as something abnormal. According to this, it is possible to know that the gaming machine has been properly traded in by matching the removal information and the trade-in information.

  In addition, after storing the non-operation information, if the state where the removal information is not transmitted continues for a long time, the center management device 1020 determines that the abnormality is abnormal, and notifies the manufacturer management device 1040 of the abnormality information. The abnormality information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, a non-operation day (for example, date), a maker ID, and a non-operation abnormality. Thus, it is possible to take measures before trade-in becomes impossible due to an abnormal situation.

  Also, when the removal information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050 to the center management device 1020, trade-in possible information (the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID, the removal date, the trade-in information) is sent from the center management device 1020 to the manufacturer management device 1040. (A possible effect) may be notified through the notification line L6. By doing this, the manufacturer can trade in the gaming machine that has been removed from the hall.

[Notification line]
By the way, gaming machines are tested by the Security Communication Association, a designated testing organization of the National Public Safety Commission, to determine whether they meet the prescribed conditions. It can be installed in the hall only after receiving it.

  The validity period of the test is three years, and gaming machines that have passed the validity period cannot be installed in the hall. If you want to continue to operate the gaming machine in the future, before the expiration period of 3 years, and if it is installed in the gaming hall, the gaming hall is under the jurisdiction of the police station (hereinafter referred to as the police station) , And accreditation body), and it will be possible to operate for three years from the date of accreditation.

  In other words, if three years have passed since the expiration of the validity test without receiving certification, you will not be able to receive certification after that, so even if you want to continue to operate the machine, You have to remove it.

  In order to solve this problem, when the deadline is approaching (for example, six months ago), a date alarm is transmitted from the center management device 1020 to the hall management device 1050 via the notification line L6, and how long is the grace period of the validity period of the test later? Notify what it is. Thus, it is possible to prevent a gaming machine that has expired from being installed, and to prevent a situation in which it is not possible to obtain certification by a certification organization. The details will be described below.

  The configuration in which a notification alarm relating to the test date is notified from the center management device 1020 to the hall management device 1050 through the notification line L6 is as follows. First, the test date information (including the game board identification ID) for the gaming machine 1 that has been verified by the verification organization. ) Is input using a manual input device (not shown), and is stored in the center management device 1020.

  Thereafter, when the game machine having been verified is installed in the game hall and the power is turned on, the game machine identification ID unique to the game machine built in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the game machine is read out. Then, it is transmitted to the eco unit 1060 (see FIG. 101).

  The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the gaming machine 1 together with the gaming board identification ID, and transmits this to the hall management device 1050. Upon receiving the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, the hole management device 1050 records this in the memory. Next, the hall management device 1050 encrypts the game board identification ID, the hole identification ID for identifying the own hole, the installation date (for example, date), the manufacturer ID, and the like as installation information. Then, the data is transmitted to the decryption management device 1080 through the installation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100.

  The decryption management device 1080 receives the encrypted installation information from the gaming hall, decrypts the information using a decryption software, temporarily stores the information in a RAM (not shown), and then transmits the information through the installation information line L3 configured on a dedicated line. The decrypted installation information is transmitted to the center management device 1020.

  The center management device 1020 receives the installation information when the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, and performs collation using collation software stored in a ROM (not shown). Using the game board identification ID included in the received installation information as a search key, a shipping information file stored at the time of shipment of a new machine is searched.

  If the shipping information including the game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, the hole identification ID included in the received installation information is Then, it is determined whether or not the hole identification ID of the hole which is the shipping destination included in the matched shipping information matches.

  Next, when the installed gaming machine 1 is in an installed state without being removed by second-hand sale or trade-in, the center management apparatus 1020 may check whether the gaming machine 1 has reached the validity test period of three years (for example, , 6 months ago), the verification date information stored at the time of shipment of the new unit is compared with the current date and installation information, and the date stored in the verification date information and the current date information are compared. When the difference between the test date and the current date has reached a preset number of days (for example, six months), a due date alarm is transmitted to the hall management device 5 via the notification line L6.

  As a result, before the elapse of three years in which the gaming machine can be operated in the gaming hall, it is possible to notify the fact to that effect. It is possible to know the machine immediately, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game machine has expired and cannot be certified.

  The first embodiment has been described above. According to this, the manufacturer can grasp the location and state (whether a new machine or a used machine) of the gaming machine from shipment to trade-in. When the recycling rate is low, various databases are searched. By notifying the cause by notifying the center management device 1020 to the maker management device 1040 through the notification line L6 or the like, the recycling rate of the gaming machine 1 can be increased, which can lead to eco-activity.

  Further, since the center management device 1020 can also manage the location information of the gaming machine 1, the manufacturer can grasp the current and past locations of each gaming machine based on the gaming board identification ID. This enables specific tracking when the recycling rate is low, which leads to, for example, suppression of illegal dumping.

  In the above-described embodiment, the Internet 1100 is used for communication between the center management device 1020, the maker management device 1040, and the second-hand dealer management device 1070. However, these may be communication lines such as dedicated telephone lines. In this case, there is no need to encrypt information transmitted from the hall management device 1050 via the line L3. Accordingly, the decryption management device 1080 is not required.

  Further, it is assumed that all information transmitted from the hall management device 1050 to the center management device 1020 is encrypted. However, encryption is limited to information important for management, and other information may be transmitted without encryption. Conceivable.

[Embodiment 2]
103 to 113 show the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 103 is a perspective view showing a main body frame of the gaming machine, and FIGS. 104 (A) to (C) show a fitting procedure of the gaming board. FIG. 105A is a cross-sectional front view showing a game board of a gaming machine, FIG. 105B is a cross-sectional front view showing a state where a ball launching device is housed in a notch of the game board, and FIG. 106 is a two-dot chain line in FIG. 105B. FIG. 107 to FIG. 109 are enlarged front views of main parts showing modified examples of the game board and the ball launching device, and FIG. 110A is a state in which the game board is not sufficiently installed. 110B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line S-S in FIG. 106 showing a normal installation state of the game board, and FIGS. 111 and 112 are enlarged front views of main parts showing modified examples of the game board and the ball launching device. FIG. 113 is a partially enlarged front view showing the upper part of the ball launching device and the game board. The gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment is based on the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to elements having the same or the same functions as the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Configurations, operations, and the like of the first embodiment that are not described in the following description also apply to the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment in principle. The gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment is described as a base of the second embodiment, and the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment corresponds to a mode for carrying out the present invention.

[Ball launcher]
As described above, the ball shooting device 12 drives the game balls supplied from the ball feeder 28 to the rail member 33 into the game area 8 of the game board 5.
The ball launching device 12 of the second embodiment has a check valve in the middle of the launching path from the rail portion 332 of the rail member 33 to the launching port 38 instead of the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball launching device 12 of the first embodiment. 121 are provided.

[Check valve]
The non-return valve 121 includes a pair of gate pieces 121a that are pivotally mounted at the mechanical end positions so as to close the firing path and are urged in a direction to close the firing path. In other words, the pair of gate pieces 121a are in a closed state in which the distance between the tip ends thereof is smaller than the diameter (11 mm) of the game ball by a spring or the like so as to close the firing path. It is possible to change to an open state in which the distance between the distal ends is equal to or larger than the diameter (11 mm) of the game ball so as to open. More specifically, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 106, the pair of gate pieces 121a are changed from the closed state to the open state by being pushed around by the game ball fired from the rail portion 332, and the game ball is moved to the game area by eight. After entering the game area, the firing path is returned to a closed state by the bias of a spring or the like to prevent the backflow of the game ball from the game area 8 side. In a state where the game board 5 is normally set on the main body frame 2, the surface of the exit portion of the firing port 38 of the ball launching device 12 and the surface of the entrance portion of the game area 8 on the game board 5 side (boundary portion) Are substantially flush with each other, such that when the pair of gate pieces 121a are in the open state, the distal end portion of the lower gate piece 121a enters the game area 8 side. .

  Further, in the ball launching device 12 of the second embodiment, a transparent front cover portion 121b is provided in front of the launch position from the rail portion 33 to the launch port 38, and the gaming window 9 is opened by the front cover portion 121b. In addition to preventing the ball from spilling forward, a stable supply of the ball into the game area 8 is enabled. Further, in the ball launching device 12 of the second embodiment, the side frame member 121c corresponding to the ball entry prevention wall 51 (see FIG. 16) of the first embodiment is formed of a translucent resin including a transparent resin, and the ball launching device The internal mechanism of the device 12 can be grasped from the outside to improve maintenance performance.

The ball launching device 12 according to the second embodiment is fixedly attached to the upper left of the main body frame 2.
Therefore, when the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 for installation of a new stand or the like, the game board 5 must be fitted avoiding the ball launching device 12. However, since the ball launching device 12 is arranged on the same surface on which the game board 5 is fitted, it is difficult to handle the game board 5 when it is fitted. And the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 may be damaged. Therefore, in order to cope with such a problem, a positioning guide member 450 which plays a role of positioning when the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 is arranged on the main body frame 2.

[Positioning guide member]
The positioning guide member 450 is provided on the inner wall of the left side plate of the main body frame 2 as shown in FIG. The positioning guide member 450 is rotatably supported by a hinge member and can rotate about 90 degrees. Further, since the game board 5 is urged by an urging member such as a spring, when the game board 5 is not fitted into the main body frame 2, a portion abutting on the left side surface of the game board 5 faces the front side. In addition, a floor surface is formed to reach the lower left corner of the game board 5. Further, in order to stabilize the fitting, the positioning guide member 450 having no floor surface may be arranged above the positioning guide member 450 having the floor surface.

  As shown in FIG. 104A, the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 by positioning the left side face and the left corner lower face of the game board 5 with the positioning guide members 450, respectively, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 104, the game board 5 is rotated toward the main body frame 2 with the positioning guide member as a fulcrum, and fitted into the main body frame 2 as shown in FIG. 104 (C). By doing so, the positional relationship between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 is fixed without play.

  Also, by fitting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2, the positioning guide member 450 rotates in accordance with the fitting operation of the game board 5, so that the game board 5 serves as a guide for pulling the game board 5 into the fitted position of the main body frame 2. The board 5 can be fitted into the main body frame 2 without accidentally colliding with the ball launching device 12. Therefore, the risk that the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 are damaged by collision can be reduced.

[Game board]
As described above, the game board 5 is removably attached to the fitting frame 15 of the main body frame 2, and corresponds to the right side and the lower side of the ball firing device 12 at the upper left corner of the transparent panel board 44. It has a notch 47 formed in the shape (see FIG. 105A). The ball launching device 12 is arranged so as to fit in the empty area outside the notch 47, and the notch 47 and the ball launching device 12 are arranged in a state where the game board 5 is normally installed in the main body frame 2, The surface of the exit portion of the launch port 38 of the launch device 12 and the surface of the entrance portion of the game area 8 on the gaming board 5 side are provided to be substantially flush.

[Game board-launch area section]
In the game board 5 according to the second embodiment, a position below the notch portion 47, that is, a position facing the lower side than the firing port 38 of the side frame member 121 c of the ball firing device 12, the game area 8 side to the ball firing device 12. A fence-shaped firing area partitioning section 500 is provided so as to prevent a game ball from entering the game area. The firing area partitioning section 500 is in the form of an upright wall provided so as to rise from the surface portion of the transparent panel board 44, and is attached to the front side of the transparent panel board 44 via a not-shown attachment section (screwed section). I have. Of course, as means for preventing invasion of game balls from the game area 8 side, as in the case of the ball launching device 12 of the first embodiment, the ball launching device 12 itself may be provided with the side frame member 121c. However, in the gaming machines 1 of the first and second embodiments, since the ball launching device 12 is provided in the main body frame 2 and is separate from the gaming board 5, the gaming balls are rubbed or collided by long-term use. Dirt and damage can occur. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the launch area partitioning section 500 is provided on the game board 5 side so that the game balls do not come into contact with the ball launching device 12, thereby preventing the ball launching device 12 from being stained or damaged due to long-term use. Can be suppressed.

[Game board-visual confirmation structure]
Since the launch area partitioning section 500 is provided so as to cover the lower portion of the sphere launching device 12, the launching region defining portion 500 itself may hinder visual confirmation of a relative positional relationship with the sphere launching device 12.
If the ball launching device 12 is provided at the upper corner of the game board 5 as in the gaming machines 1 of the first and second embodiments, the launch position and the game area 8 are too close to correct the disturbance of the ball flying. Since there is almost no gliding area to be obtained, disturbance at the time of launching the game ball may affect the game. Therefore, if the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 is out of order and a gap or a step is generated between the ball launching device 12 and the game area 8 of the game board 5, for example, The launch is not stable, and the player may feel stress.

  In view of the above-described problem, the launch area partitioning section 500 of the second embodiment has the state of the ball launching device 12 and the relative position of the ball launching device 12 and the gaming board 5 in a state where the gaming board 5 is installed on the main body frame 2. A visual confirmation structure is provided so that the positional relationship can be checked. This visual confirmation structure has two major structural features, the first of which is the height of the emission area partitioning section 500 of the second embodiment (the height rises from the surface side of the transparent panel plate 44 toward the front side). The height of the game board 5 is set to be equal to the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball firing device 12 when the game board 5 is normally installed on the main body frame 2. Thereby, as shown in arrow E1 of FIG. 110A and arrow E3 of FIG. 110, the height of the firing area partitioning section 500 is smaller than the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball firing device 12 in the normal installation state. (The gaming board 5 is in a floating state with respect to the main body frame 2), and although not shown, the height of the launch area partitioning section 500 is set to the height of the side frame member 121 c of the ball launching device 12. That the height is lower than the normal installation state with respect to the height (the ball launching device 12 is floating, and the game board 5 is relatively recessed with respect to the main body frame 2). The relationship between the height of the launch area partitioning section 500 and the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball firing device 12 can be recognized from the outside, thereby facilitating the maintenance of the ball firing device 12 and the game board 5, Make sure the player can play the ball Rukoto is enabled.

It should be noted that the height of the launch area partitioning portion 500 and the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball launching device 12 do not necessarily need to be set to be equal, and the gaming board 5 is attached to the main body frame 2 from the relationship between these heights. If it is possible to specify that the relative positional relationship in the installed state is different from that in the normal case, for example, the height of the firing area partitioning section 500 may be slightly higher than the height of the side frame member 121c, or the firing area The height of the partition section 500 may be slightly lower than the height of the side frame member 121c.
Further, the side frame member 121c of the ball launching device 12 may be made of either a transparent material or an impermeable material, but using an impermeable material is advantageous in that the visual confirmation can be easily performed. .

  The second structural feature of the visual check structure is that the firing area partitioning section 500 is formed of a transparent material (a material having transparency) that can be seen through the back side. That is, since the launch area partitioning section 500 is provided so as to cover the lower part of the sphere launching apparatus 12, if the launching area partitioning section 500 is made of an opaque material, the launching section defining section 500 itself is in relative relation to the sphere launching apparatus 12. It may be an obstacle to visually confirming the positional relationship.

  In this regard, when the launch area partitioning section 500 of the second embodiment is viewed from the gaming area 8 side with the game board 5 installed on the main body frame 2, the launch area partitioning section 500 shown in FIG. The state of the ball launching device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 through the launching region partitioning portion 500 (the height of the launching region partitioning portion 500 and the side of the ball launching device 12 as described above) (The relationship of the height of the frame member 121c) can be checked. In particular, in the state where the game board 5 is installed in a floating state with respect to the main body frame 2 (inappropriate installation state), if the firing area partitioning section 500 is made of an opaque material, the game area 8 side May delay discovery. In this regard, by making the rear side of the launch area partitioning section 500 transparent as in the second embodiment, the height of the launch area partitioning section 500 is set to the side frame member 121c of the sphere launching device 12 as shown in FIG. 110A. That the game board 5 is higher than the regular installation state (the gaming board 5 is floating with respect to the main body frame 2) from the gaming area 8 side. It can be easily found through 500. Thereby, the state of the ball launching device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 can be visually confirmed in a state where the game board 5 is installed on the main body frame 2. The maintenance of the game board 5 is facilitated, and the player can surely perform a game with a normal ball jump.

  Further, in order to make the above-described visual confirmation structure more effective, the firing area partition portion 500 made of a transparent material can be visually recognized through the game window 9 in a state where the door frame 3 is closed. It is preferable that, even when the door frame 3 is closed, the state of the ball launching device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 can be confirmed from the front side. Therefore, maintenance efficiency can be further improved.

In addition, as a visual confirmation structure of the launch area partitioning section 500, in addition to being made of a transparent material, one or a plurality of through holes may be provided in an upright wall portion so that a part of the sphere launching device 12 can be visually recognized. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to form a fence having a height of about half a game ball so as not to obstruct the visual observation of the ball launching device 12 and to inhibit the invasion of the game ball to the ball launching device 12 side. Can be
Further, as described above, the side frame member 121c of the sphere launching device 12 may be made of either a permeable material or an opaque material. The use of this material is advantageous in that it is easier to visually confirm.

Further, the above-described visual check structure does not necessarily have to have the second structural feature, and only the first structural feature of the visual check structure may be adopted according to the game board 5. . Furthermore, if only the first structural feature of the visual check structure is adopted, the firing area partitioning section 500 may be made of an opaque material.
In adopting the second structural feature of the visual check structure, the launch area partitioning section 500 is not limited to being formed of a colorless and transparent material, but is formed of a colored and transparent material to enhance the decorative performance. You may keep it.

  Further, in addition to the launch area partitioning section 500, the front component 45 is also made of a material having the same height and transparency as the launch area partitioning section 500, and the height of the front component 45 is on the right side of the sphere launching device 12. The height of the upper member is lower than the normal installation state (the gaming board 5 is recessed with respect to the main body frame 2), The height is higher than the height of the upper member on the right side of the ball launching device 12 as compared to the normal installation state (the gaming board 5 is floating with respect to the main body frame 2). ) May be recognized from the outside based on the relationship between the height of the front component 45 and the height of the upper part on the right side of the ball firing device 12. Thereby, maintenance of the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 can be performed from various directions, and it is possible for the player to surely perform a game with a normal ball jump.

  In addition, when a visual confirmation structure in which the launch area partitioning section 500 is formed of a transparent material is employed, the following configuration may be adopted in order to facilitate confirmation on the ball launching device 12 side. That is, in the example shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 110B, the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44 are formed of a transmissive member, and the light emitting unit that irradiates light to the effect device 501 provided on the rear surface side thereof forward. (Lighting for performance is available), and the light of the light emitting portion is guided forward through the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44. Then, the light passing through the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44 further passes through a launch region partitioning portion 500 made of a transparent material provided on the front side of the transparent panel plate 44 and exits from the ball launching device 12. The vicinity (the vicinity of the launch port 38) is illuminated. By doing so, it is easy to visually confirm the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (near the launching opening 38), and the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (the launching opening 38) from the front side of the gaming machine 1 during the game. (Nearby) can be confirmed easily.

  Further, in the example shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 110B, since the transparent front cover portion 121b is provided on the front surface of the firing position from the rail portion 33 to the firing port 38, the panel holder 43, the transparent panel plate 44, and The light that has passed through the launch area partitioning section 500 is also guided to the front cover section 121b side, and the front side of the sphere launching device 12 becomes bright via the front cover section 121b. This makes it easy to visually check the internal structure of the ball launching device 12 (near the back side of the front cover portion 121b) in addition to the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (around the launching opening 38), and also during the game. By checking the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (near the launching opening 38) from the front side of the gaming machine 1, the situation of launching can be easily confirmed.

  In addition, about the internal structure of the ball launching device 12 (near the back side of the front cover part 121b), in view of the fact that the player does not want to know details from the viewpoint of fraud prevention or the like, the door frame 3 is closed. The outer edge of the game window 9 is closer to the center of the game area than the front cover portion 121b so that the internal structure of the ball launching device 12 (near the back side of the front cover portion 121b) is not visible or difficult to see through the game window 9. (The inside of the game area) or a decorative and blindfold seal may be applied to the upper corner of the transparent plate 11 of the game window 9. Accordingly, only when the door frame 3 is opened, the front side of the ball launching device 12 becomes bright via the front cover portion 121b, so that it is possible to improve the maintenance efficiency of the inspecting worker while preventing fraud. .

[Game board-guidance section]
As shown in FIG. 106 to FIG. 108, the launch area partitioning portion 500 of the game board 5 has a guide that can cause the flowing direction of the game ball to the center side of the game area 8 when the game ball collides (contacts). A portion 502 is provided, and a game ball that was not normally fired due to some trouble, or a game ball conventionally fired with a remarkably weak firing force to become a foul ball, enters the game area 8, Even if it flows down in the area directly below the ball launching device 12 without any interest irrespective of the intention of the player, the guiding section 502 reduces the probability that the game ball will bounce toward the center of the game area 8. By changing the behavior of the game ball by the obstacle nail 503 or the like and actively entering the winning opening due to the provision of profit, it is possible to suppress a decrease in game interest. Hereinafter, the form of each guiding section 502 in FIGS. 106 to 108 will be described in order.

  First, the guiding portion 502 in FIG. 106 has a contact surface 504 in which the upper end surface of the launch region partitioning portion 500 on the game region 8 side is bulged in an arrowhead shape, and a game ball hitting the contact surface 504 is in the game region. 8 bounces toward the center. In this case, the angle of the contact surface 504 with respect to the vertical line is made different from the angle of the outer surface (the outer surface on the game area 8 side) of the lower gate piece 121a (the backflow prevention valve 121) with the lower side of the ball firing device 12. When the game ball rebounds on any of the contact surface 504 and the outer surface of the gate piece 121a (the check valve 121), the ball is directed toward the center of the game area 8.

  In addition, the guiding unit 502 in FIG. 106 is configured to bounce the game ball toward the center of the game area 8 regardless of whether the game ball rebounds upon the guide unit 502 or the game ball rebounds upon the check valve 121. Since the direction of the rebound is changed, it is possible not only to relieve the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended manner, but also to make the flow variation thereof various. In addition, it is possible to provide advantageous and disadvantageous game characteristics depending on which member bounces off. By the way, in the second embodiment, when the gate piece 121a is in the closed state described above, the outer surface of the lower gate piece 121a (the check valve 121) and the contact surface 504 of the guide portion 502 have different rebounding modes. When the gate piece 121a is in the closed state described above, it is closest to the vertical line and has a steep inclination. Thereby, in addition to a countermeasure for a decrease in amusement caused by the game ball having entered the game area 8 in an unintended manner, a relatively rare form of the game ball flowing down (the game ball hits the gate piece 121a in the closed state). In the case, it is possible to give a privilege that the game ball rebounds as far as possible upstream of the game area 8 so that the player can fully enjoy the flow of the game ball.

  The guiding portion 502 in FIG. 106 has a jaw-shaped recess formed so as to be recessed from the lowermost portion of the contact surface 504 toward the ball launching device 12. The staying time in which the missing game ball stays in the game area 8 is set to be slightly longer. Thus, even if the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended manner of falling does not collide with the contact surface 504 and rebounds upward from below the guiding portion 502, the game ball immediately rebounds downward. Without the depression area of the depression portion alone, the staying time during which the game ball stays in the game area 8 can be secured, and a decrease in the game entertainment can be suppressed.

  Next, the guiding unit 502 of FIG. 107 will be described. The guiding portion 502 in FIG. 107 is configured such that the hitting surface 504 is bent in a dogleg shape so that the direction of the rebound varies depending on the surface on which the game ball collides. That is, the lower contact surface 504 of the dog-shaped contact surfaces 504 shown in FIG. 107 has an angle closer to a vertical line than the upper contact surface 504, and any of the contact surfaces 504 Depending on whether the game ball collides with the part, the direction of the rebound of the game ball is changed, so that not only the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended falling mode is relieved, but also its downflow variation. Can be varied.

  Next, the guiding unit 502 in FIG. 108 will be described. The guide portion 502 in FIG. 108 is configured as a shooter-shaped through hole 505 as a passage portion through which game balls are discharged toward the center of the game area 8. This passage portion has a passage length that allows two game balls to stay inside in the up-down direction, and even if the game balls that have entered the game area 8 in an unintended falling manner continue, By relieving them, game balls can be released toward the center of the game area 8. At the right end of the passage shown in FIG. 108, a right standing wall having a slanting shape which is inclined to the lower right is formed, and the right standing wall itself also directs a game ball hit from the outside toward the center of the game area 8. It can be bounced off. The passage portion is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 108, and may have a passage length in which three or more game balls can stay inside in the vertical direction, or one game ball in the vertical direction. It may have a passage length that allows only one piece to stay inside. Further, the route may change in the middle of the passage, or the route may be branched into a plurality of portions in the middle of the passage, and the game balls may be discharged toward the center of the game area 8 from different places. May be used.

  In addition to the case where the guiding portion 502 as shown in FIGS. 106 to 108 described above is provided integrally with the distal end portion of the firing region partitioning portion 500 as described above, as shown in FIG. May be separate islands. By doing so, maintenance can be facilitated when the guiding portion 502 is deteriorated or damaged due to a collision of a game ball. In addition, even when the variation of the firing area partitioning section 500 is changed for each model, the guiding section 502 can be diverted and the versatility can be improved.

  Further, the above-described visual confirmation structure may be adopted for the launch area partitioning section 500 integrally provided with the guide section 502 as shown in FIGS. 106 to 108 described above. Specifically, the launch area partitioning section 500 can be constituted by a member or the like having transparency with the guiding section 502. In this case, in addition to suppressing the above-mentioned decrease in interest, the maintenance performance is improved by the visual confirmation structure. It is possible to exhibit both effects.

[Game board-backflow guard section]
The game board 5 has a backflow guard portion 506 for preventing a game ball flowing backward from the game area 8 toward the ball launching device 12 from colliding with the backflow prevention valve 121 outside the movable range of the backflow prevention valve 121. May be provided. Hereinafter, FIGS. 111 and 112 will be sequentially described as an example of the configuration of the backflow guard unit 506.

  First, the backflow guard portion 506 in FIG. 111 is provided below the firing port 38 and uses the same nail as the obstruction nail 503, and the game area 8 of the backflow prevention valve 121 (a pair of gate pieces 121a). The lower gate piece 121a, which is relatively likely to be affected by the rebound of the game ball inside, is planted outside the movable range of the lower gate piece 121a so as not to hinder its operation. Has been established. By this backflow guard portion 506, a game ball flowing backward from the game area 8 toward the ball launching device 12 hits an obstacle nail which is the backflow guard portion 506 before colliding with the lower gate piece 121a on the backflow prevention valve 121. Since it collides and is returned to the game area 8, it does not collide with the lower gate piece 121a of the check ring 121. Therefore, even if the timing at which the game ball previously fired rebounds from the game area 8 and heads toward the check valve 121 overlaps the timing at which the next game ball is fired, the game ball that flows back is protected by the backflow guard. Since the ball hits the part 506 and is returned to the game area 8 side, the game ball of the ball firing device 12 is normally fired from the firing port 38 through the check valve 121.

  The backflow guard portion 506 in FIG. 111 is composed of a plurality of obstacle nails arranged vertically at an interval smaller than the diameter of the game ball, in other words, the obstacle nails form a wall extending vertically. It is formed as follows. Thereby, the backflow guard portion 506 not only prevents the backflow prevention valve 121 from colliding with the lower gate piece 121a, but also, like the above-described guide portion 502, the game ball is directed toward the center side of the game area 8. It also has the property of bouncing back.

  In addition, the backflow guard portion 506 of FIG. 111 has the lower gate piece 121a of the check valve 121 in the above-described open state and the lower gate piece 121a of the check valve 121 in the above-described closed state. In any case, the distance from the tip of the gate piece 121a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the game ball (in this embodiment, 11 mm or less). Although the game ball is prevented from staying between the front end portion of the game ball 121a and the front end portion, the gap is set to be larger than the diameter of the game ball (12 mm or more in the present embodiment). The game ball may be prevented from staying between 506 and the tip of the gate piece 121a. Further, in spite of adopting such a configuration, in the event that a game ball stays between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip of the gate piece 121a, the ball launching device 12 It can also be recognized that there is a possibility that some abnormality (deviation) has occurred in the state of attachment between the game board 5 and the game board 5, so that the effect can be exerted in improving the maintenance performance.

  Next, the backflow guard unit 506 in FIG. 112 will be described. The backflow guard portion 506 in FIG. 112 is provided with the backflow guard portion 506 so as to extend at the upper end of the launch area partitioning portion 500 integrally provided with the guide portion 502 described above. The backflow guard portion 506 has an outer surface that is closer to the vertical than the lower guide portion 502, and a game ball that rebounds on the outer surface and a game ball that rebounds on the guide portion 502 have different angles at the center of the game area 8 at different angles. I'm going to head. Thereby, the backflow guard portion 506 not only prevents the game ball from colliding with the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the backflow prevention valve 121, but also plays the second guiding portion toward the center of the game area 8 toward the center. With the property of bouncing the ball, it is possible to contribute to the suppression of a decrease in gaming interest.

  In addition, similarly to the backflow guard portion 506 in FIG. 111, the backflow guard portion 506 in FIG. 112 is different from the backflow prevention valve 121 when the lower gate piece 121 a is in the above-described open state. In any case when the gate piece 121a is in the closed state described above, the distance from the tip of the gate piece 121a is smaller than the diameter of the game ball (less than 11 mm in this embodiment). Further, the height relationship of the tips is arranged such that the tip of the lower gate piece 121a is higher than the tip of the backflow guard portion 506, and each tip constitutes a downward-sloping spherical flow path. Like that. This allows the game ball to flow down without staying between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip of the gate piece 121a. Further, in spite of adopting such a configuration, when a situation where a game ball stays between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip portion of the gate piece 121a occurs, the ball launching device 12 It can also be recognized that there is a possibility that some abnormality (deviation) has occurred in the state of attachment between the game board 5 and the game board 5, so that the effect can be exerted in improving the maintenance performance.

[Game board-Upper game area section]
As described above, the front component 45 is attached to the front surface of the transparent panel plate 44 of the game board 5.
The front component 45 extends the game area 8 from the launch port 38 of the ball launching device 12 to the rubber ball collision portion 29 provided on the side opposite to the ball launching device 12 in a range of a subarc. It has an upper game area section 451 that divides and a lower game area section 452 that divides the lower section, and forms a substantially circular game area 8 as a whole.

Further, the upper game area partitioning section 451 is a ball firing side upper partitioning section 454 on which a rising curved surface 453 for guiding a game ball in an arc shape from the firing port 38 of the ball firing device 12 to the top of the game area 8 is formed. And a ball-collision-side upper partition 456 formed with a descending curved surface 455 for guiding game balls in an arc from the top of the game area 8 to the ball-collision section 29. In the second embodiment, FIG. As shown in the figure, the arc length α2 of the descending curve surface 455 is longer than the arc length α1 of the upward curve surface 453.
By doing so, when the player wants to play a game far away from the launch port 38, for example, on the right side of the game area 8 (so-called right strike), the game ball fired from the ball firing device 12 in the upper left portion of the game board 5 However, since the ball reaches the ball collision portion 29 from the rising curve surface 453 of the upper game area partitioning portion 451 along the descending curve surface 455 longer than before, the dropping time is longer, so that it is easier to grasp the feeling of a ball jump, and the hitting handle It becomes easy to perform subtle setting of the hitting ball strength by 10 or the like. Thereby, even if the ball launching device 12 is provided in the upper left portion of the game board 5, it is possible to suppress the interest of the game on the right side of the game area 8 from being lowered.

  Also, if the length of the arc length α2 of the descending curve surface 455 shown in FIG. 113 is such that it reaches near the lower right side of the game area 8, the game on the right side of the game area 8 cannot be sufficiently performed. there is a possibility. In this respect, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 113, while providing the ball collision portion 29 equal to or upstream of the various members (the gate portion 92 and the windmill) provided on the right side of the game area 8, the "rise curve" The arc length α1 of the surface 453 is kept smaller than the arc length α2 of the descending curve surface 455. By doing so, it is possible to sufficiently play the game on the right side of the game area 8 in consideration of the rebound distance of the game ball when the game area 8 collides with the ball collision section 29. It is possible to efficiently suppress a decrease in the interest of the game on the right side.

In addition, the front component 45 may be configured such that the upper game area partition 451 and the lower game area partition 452 are separately formed and combined. By doing so, it is possible to change the position of the ball collision portion 29 in accordance with the game content only by changing the upper game area partitioning portion 451.
In addition, for the same reason, the upper game area section 451 may be divided into a ball launching upper section 454 and a ball collision side upper section 456 and combined.

[Circulation stop control means]
The ball-enclosed gaming machine 1 has a circulating mechanism, a ball launching device 12 that launches a game ball to the game area 8 by being driven by a firing solenoid 13 serving as a first drive source and a ball feed solenoid 31, and flows down the game area 8. A ball polishing device for polishing the surface of the game ball by a ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 as a second driving source, and a ball lifting motor 150 as a third driving source for the game ball polished by the ball polishing device. And a ball lifting device 22 for lifting the ball to the ball launching device 12.
In the second embodiment, a circulation stop control unit that stops the circulation mechanism based on a predetermined circulation stop condition is provided.
The circulation stop control means stops at least a part of the drive by the first drive source, the drive by the second drive source, and the drive by the third drive source when a specific circulation stop condition is satisfied. In this case, it is possible to execute a process of continuing driving by another driving source.
Specifically, the circulation stop condition is satisfied by detecting the ball clogging by the ball lifting device 22 and the ball lifting motor 155 (third drive source) of the ball lifting device 22 is stopped. For example, when the game state is advantageous to the player (big hit state), the hitting ball firing by driving the firing solenoid 13 of the ball firing device 12 and the ball feeding solenoid 31 (first driving source), and the ball polishing ribbon feeding motor After the driving of 155 (second driving source) is continued as much as possible, the second driving source and the first driving source are sequentially stopped. As a result, it is possible to minimize the damage that the player can suffer by stopping the circulation mechanism.
Alternatively, even when the ball stop device detects the ball clogging and the circulation stop condition is satisfied and the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 (second driving source) is stopped, for example, the game state is advantageous to the player. In such a case (big hit state), the ball is fired by driving the firing solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 (first driving source) of the ball firing device 12, and the ball lifting motor 155 (third driving source) is driven. Is continued as much as possible, and then the first drive source and the third drive source are sequentially stopped. As a result, it is possible to minimize the damage that the player can suffer by stopping the circulation mechanism.
Alternatively, even after stopping the launching of the ball by stopping the launching solenoid 13 of the ball launching device 12 and the ball feed solenoid 31 (first drive source) due to fraud detection, the launch standby ball detection switches 26 and 70 (see FIG. 6). Drive of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 (second drive source) and the ball lifting motor 155 (third drive source) as long as possible until the third drive source is detected. And the second drive source are sequentially stopped. This makes it possible to prepare an environment for performing the next launch smoothly.

As described above, the circulation stop control unit includes the second drive source (ball polishing) and the first drive source (ball launch) when the circulation stop condition of the third drive source (ball lifting) is satisfied. A stop pattern for sequentially stopping, and a stop for sequentially stopping the first drive source (ball firing) and the third drive source (ball lifting) when the circulation stop condition of the second drive source (ball polishing) is satisfied. A pattern and a stop pattern for sequentially stopping the third drive source (ball lifting) and the second drive source (ball polishing) when a circulation stop condition of the first drive source (ball launch) is satisfied are set. ing.
In addition, in order to prevent clogging of the game balls circulating before the follow-up stop, the ball storage area provided in each device may be expanded.

[Technical idea included in Embodiment 2]
The gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment has been described above. The gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment includes, for example, technical ideas 1 to 5 corresponding to the following solutions 1 to 5. It should be noted that the technical ideas 1 to 5 mentioned here are such that the ball launching device 12 is movable with respect to the main body frame 2 as in the first embodiment, but is fixed as in the second embodiment. May be either. In addition, the arrangement of the ball launching device 12 does not need to be limited to the upper left corner of the game board 5 and may be located at the upper right corner.

[Solution 1]
If the ball launching device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the launch position and the game area are very close, and the disturbance at the time of launching the game ball may affect the game. This is because there is almost no sliding area that can correct the disorder of the ball flight.
Therefore, if there is a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device and the game board and, for example, a gap or a step is generated between the ball launching device and the game area of the game board, the launch of the game ball is not stabilized, May be a stress for the player.
The invention of the technical idea 1 has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to provide a game machine in which a ball launching device separate from the game board is provided at the upper corner of the game board. The point is to get the jump.
[Technical Thought 1]
A ball launching device that launches a game ball,
A game board in which a game area in which a game ball fired from the ball firing device flows down is formed,
The ball launching device is separate from the game board and is disposed at a position corresponding to an upper corner of at least one of the game boards,
The gaming board is a gaming machine in which a cutout portion in which the ball launching device fits is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device,
The game board is provided with a launch area partitioning section that partitions the gaming area below the cutout and that can prevent invasion of gaming balls from the gaming area side to the ball launching device,
Further, the launch area partitioning section is configured so that a relative positional relationship with the ball launch device can be visually confirmed.
[Technical Thought 1-2]
The launch area partitioning section is formed of a transparent material, or a part of the sphere launching apparatus is provided with a through hole that can be seen, or is set to a height that does not hinder the visual view of the sphere launching apparatus. A gaming machine of the technical concept 1 characterized by the following.
[Technical Thought 1-3]
The launch area section has a visual confirmation structure formed of a transparent material, and the launch area section is illuminated with light from the rendering device on the game area or the rear side of the game board, and the light is used as a ball launcher. A gaming machine according to the technical concept 1, wherein at least a part of the gaming machine is illuminated.
[Technical Thought 1-4]
A transparent plate-shaped front cover portion is formed on the front side of the ball launching device on the anti-game board side, and light from the rendering device applied to the launching region partitioning portion is applied to the frontal cover portion. The gaming machine according to the technical concept 1-3, wherein the gaming machine is illuminated through a unit, and the light illuminates at least a part of the ball launching device.
According to the above-described gaming machine, since the launching area partitioning portion that can prevent invasion of gaming balls from the gaming area side is provided on the gaming board side, even if the launching area partitioning section becomes dirty or damaged by contact of the gaming balls. The old and new are replaced with the game board. Therefore, it can be used in a beautiful state for a long time without replacing the ball launching device.
In addition, since the launch area partitioning portion is provided so as to cover below the ball launching device, the launching region partitioning portion itself may hinder visual confirmation of a relative positional relationship with the ball launching device. Since the launch area partitioning section is provided with a visual confirmation structure, for example, formed of a transparent material, it is possible to visually confirm the relative positional relationship with the ball launching apparatus so that a normal ball flight can be obtained. .

[Solution 2]
Conventionally, in a gaming machine, for example, when the launching intensity of the ball launching device is too weak against the intention of the player, the game ball flows down directly below the ball launching device, and the flowing down mode of the game ball in the game area Although there is a problem that the player cannot enjoy the game sufficiently, if the ball launching device is provided in the upper corner of the game board, the launch position and the game area are very close, so When the game ball flows down directly, a stronger sense of loss is likely to be felt, which may lead to a decrease in gaming interest.
The invention of Technical Thought 2 has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to suppress a decrease in gaming interest in a gaming machine provided with a ball launching device at an upper corner of a gaming board.
[Technical Thought 2]
A ball launching device that launches a game ball,
A game board in which a game area in which a game ball fired from the ball firing device flows down is formed,
The ball launching device is separate from the game board and is disposed at a position corresponding to an upper corner of at least one of the game boards,
The gaming board is a gaming machine in which a cutout portion in which the ball launching device fits is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device,
In the game board, below the notch, a launch area partitioning section that partitions the gaming area and that can prevent invasion of a game ball from the gaming area side to the ball launching device is provided,
A game machine further comprising a guide portion at or near the launch area partition itself, which is capable of directing the flowing direction of the contacting game ball to the center of the game area.
According to the gaming machine of the technical idea 2, even when a game ball immediately after being fired flows down in the downward direction, the game ball can be hit by hitting an obstacle nail and contacting the launch area division itself or a guide provided in the vicinity thereof. Since the probability of flowing down toward the center of the area increases, it is possible to suppress a decrease in gaming interest.

[Solution 3]
If the ball launching device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the launching position is very close to the game area, and the launched game ball may hit an obstacle or the like and bounce off the launching portion of the ball launching device.
In order to prevent the bouncing of the game ball, the firing portion of the ball launching device is urged in a direction to close the shooting path of the game ball, while being pushed by the game ball to be fired to open the shooting path. It is only necessary to provide a check ring which can be rotated at a time, but in rare cases, the timing at which the previously shot game ball rebounds from the game area and collides with the check valve, and the next game ball is fired In some cases, the timing may overlap, and in such a case, the ball may be left behind on the launching portion of the ball launching device, resulting in damage.
The invention of Technical Thought 3 has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to prevent a ball from being hit by a game ball in a gaming machine having a ball launching device at an upper corner of a game board. It is in.
[Technical Thought 3]
A ball launching device that launches a game ball,
A game board in which a game area in which a game ball fired from the ball firing device flows down is formed,
The ball launching device is separate from the game board and is disposed at a position corresponding to an upper corner of at least one of the game boards,
The gaming board is a gaming machine in which a cutout portion in which the ball launching device fits is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device,
The ball launching device is provided with a check ring which is constantly urged in a direction to close the launching path of the game ball, and is capable of rotating in a direction to open the launching path by being pushed by the launched game ball,
In the game board, a backflow guard portion is provided outside the movable range of the check valve to prevent a game ball flowing backward from the game area toward the ball launching device from colliding with the check valve. A gaming machine characterized by becoming.
[Technical Thought 3-1]
In the game board, below the notch, a launch area partitioning section that partitions the gaming area and that can prevent invasion of a game ball from the gaming area side to the ball launching device is provided,
Further, the launch area partition section is provided with the backflow guard section, and a guide surface capable of bouncing the game ball toward the center side of the game area when the game ball collides. A gaming machine of Technical Thought 3.
According to the gaming machine of the technical idea 3, since the game ball flowing backward from the game area toward the ball launching device collides with the backflow guard portion and returns to the game area side, it does not collide with the check ring. Therefore, even if the timing at which the previously launched game ball rebounds from the game area toward the check ring and the timing at which the next game ball is fired overlap, even if the timing at which the next game ball is fired overlaps, Since the ball is returned to the game area, the game ball of the ball firing device is normally fired.

[Solution 4]
If the ball launching device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the launch position and the game area are very close, so when the player desires a game on the right side of the game area, for example (when so-called right-handed), The game ball fired from the ball firing device draws a small arc and immediately reaches the right side of the game area. For this reason, it is difficult to grasp the feeling of flying a ball, and it is difficult to perform fine setting of the right hitting strength, and thus there is a possibility that the interest in the game may be reduced.
The invention of the technical idea 4 has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to suppress a decrease in amusement of a gaming machine provided with a ball launching device at an upper corner of a gaming board.
[Technical Thought 4]
A ball launching device that launches a game ball,
A game board in which a game area in which a game ball fired from a firing port of the ball firing device flows down is formed,
The ball launching device is disposed at a position corresponding to an upper corner of at least one of the game boards,
The gaming machine, wherein the gaming board is provided with an upper gaming area section having an arc-shaped section above the gaming area and having a ball collision portion on a side opposite to the ball launching device. ,
The upper game area partition section includes a ball launch side upper partition section formed with a rising curve surface that guides a game ball in an arc shape from the launching hole of the ball launch device to the top of the game area in an arc shape; A ball-collision-side upper partition having a descending curve surface for guiding a game ball in an arc from the top of the area to the ball-collision section,
A gaming machine characterized in that the arc length of the descending curve surface is longer than the arc length of the rising curve surface.
In this case, it is preferable that the lower limit of the ball collision section be set at approximately 3 o'clock in the substantially circular game area.
[Technical thought 4-1]
The gaming machine according to Technical Concept 4, wherein the upper game area partitioning section is formed separately from other game area partitioning sections that partition the game area.
[Technical thought 4-2]
The gaming machine according to the technical concept 4-1 wherein the upper game area partitioning section is different from the ball launching upper partitioning section and the ball collision side upper partitioning section.
According to the gaming machine of the technical idea 4, when the player desires a game far from the launch port, for example, on the right side of the gaming area (so-called right-handed), the game ball fired from the ball launching device is used for the upper game. Since the ball reaches the ball collision area from the rising curve surface of the area section along the descending curve surface longer than before, the longer the fall time, the easier it is to grasp the feeling of ball flying, and the easier it is to make delicate setting of hitting strength etc. .

[Solution 5]
In the above-described enclosed gaming machine, when any device of the circulating mechanism is stopped at the same time when all devices constituting the circulating mechanism are stopped at the same time, trouble may occur at the time of restarting operation. For example, when the ball polishing device is stopped due to a failure or the like, if the other devices are stopped at the same time, if the device is in a big hit state, there is a possibility that the player may be disadvantaged.
The invention of the technical idea 5 has been made in view of the above, and an object of the invention is to make it possible to safely stop a circulating mechanism for circulating enclosed game balls in a game machine.
[Technical Thought 5]
In a game machine equipped with a circulation mechanism that circulates the enclosed game ball inside the machine,
A ball launching device that launches a game ball into a game area by being driven by a first drive source;
A ball polishing device for polishing a surface of a game ball flowing down the game area by driving by a second driving source;
A ball lifting device for lifting a game ball polished by the ball polishing device to the ball launching device by driving by a third driving source;
A circulation stop control means for stopping the circulation mechanism based on predetermined circulation stop conditions,
The circulation stop control means,
When a specific circulation stop condition is satisfied and at least a part of the driving by the first driving source, the driving by the second driving source, and the driving by the third driving source are stopped, A gaming machine capable of executing a process of continuing driving by another driving source.
[Technical Thought 5-1]
The gaming machine according to the technical concept 5, wherein the circulation stop control means causes another drive source to follow and stop after the stopped drive source.
According to the gaming machine of the technical concept 5, by stopping at least the device that satisfies the circulation stop condition and executing the process of continuing the driving of the other devices, it is possible to prevent trouble from occurring when the circulation is restarted. it can. Therefore, the circulation mechanism can be safely stopped.

[Modification]
The configuration, control, and management system of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to the present embodiment has been described above. Subsequently, a modified example of the game control and the ball information control in the enclosed ball game machine will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the game is controlled based on the preset setting information. However, in the present modification, the configuration is such that the setting information can be changed, thereby giving various changes to the game. , Can enhance interest.

  Confirmation (“setting confirmation”) and change (“setting change”) of the setting information can be executed when a specific operation unit is operated. For example, a configuration in which setting information is displayed on a display device when a predetermined operation is performed on a specific operation unit, and the setting information can be changed when a specific operation unit is operated while operating the RAM clear switch 105. I do. For example, the setting information may be displayed on the touch panel unit 14 so that the setting information can be changed when the setting is changed. The setting confirmation and the setting change can be performed when the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on and during the game. However, the position where the operation cannot be performed unless the door frame is opened so that the player cannot confirm (change) the setting information. It is necessary to arrange an operation unit in the device or to operate the device only by using a specific device (for example, a key). Hereinafter, a configuration for executing the setting confirmation and the setting change will be described focusing on the main control-side power-on processing and the main control-side timer interrupt processing.

  In this modification, the main control recognition information, which is information for recognizing the main control board 100, is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 when the power of the gaming machine is turned on and when the setting information is changed. The main control recognition information includes, for example, a chip ID number of the main control MPU 101. Thus, the ball information control board 110 determines whether the main control MPU 101 (main control board 100) installed in the gaming machine is legitimate, and if it is not determined to be legitimate, the ball information The control board 110 can stop the operation related to the prize ball, thereby preventing the main control MPU 101 (main control board 100) from being tampered with, and changing the setting information on the main control board 100 to the ball information. This can be reflected on the control board 110 at an appropriate timing.

[Processing at main control side power-on (modification)]
First, the main control-side power-on processing in this modification will be described. FIGS. 114A and 114B are flowcharts showing the main control-side power-on processing according to this modification. The main control-side power-on processing according to this modification example includes processing related to setting information in addition to the main control-side power-on processing described with reference to FIGS. 79 and 80. Since the basic processing flow is the same as the main control-side power-on processing described in FIGS. 79 and 80, the description of the common processing is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given.

  When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 starts execution of each processing, and is common from the setting of the stack pointer (step S10) to the wait timer processing 2 (step S30). Execute the process. When the wait timer process 2 (Step S30) is completed, in the present modified example, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not an operation for changing the setting information has been performed (Step S3031). The operation of changing the setting information is not an operation for confirming the setting information but an operation for changing the setting information.

  When there is an operation of changing the setting information (the result of step S3031 is “YES”), the main control MPU 101 proceeds with the game after the power is turned on based on the new setting information. In order to clear the game information, a process after step S44 is executed.

  On the other hand, when there is no operation of changing the setting information (the result of step S3031 is “NO”), the main control MPU 101 branches the process based on the value of the RAM clear notification flag RCL_FLG (step S32). The subsequent steps up to the determination of the backup flag in step S38 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  Here, as a case of clearing the game information in the storage area in the process of step S44, when the RAM clear switch is operated (RAM clear operation, the result of step S32 is "NO"), the information is normally stored in the RAM. If the setting has not been made (the RAM is abnormal, the result of step S36 is "NO", the result of step S38 is "NO"), the setting may be changed (the result of step S31 is "YES"). The area to be cleared may be different. For example, at the time of the RAM clear operation, the area other than the set value and the work area related to the setting (including a part of the RAM area related to the game processing) is cleared. When the RAM is abnormal, all the areas in the RAM are cleared. Only a part of the RAM area related to the game processing may be cleared. That is, when the RAM is abnormal, all areas are cleared, but in other cases, the corresponding areas are cleared according to the operation contents. For example, the setting area and the work area related to the setting process are cleared unless it is determined that the RAM is abnormal. Don't do it.

  For clearing the area, besides setting "00h" in each area, an initial value that does not cause a disadvantage to the player or the game hall (hall) may be set. For example, if the setting value is "00h" and the setting is the most advantageous for the player (high setting), 00h is set when the RAM is cleared and the game starts from the high setting, which is advantageous for the player. However, when the work area of the set value is cleared, the minimum setting (for example, “05h”) is set.

  When the backup flag determination process (Step S38) ends, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not an operation for confirming the setting information has been performed (Step S3038). If the operation for confirming the setting information has been performed (the result of step S3038 is "YES"), the setting confirmation information indicating that the setting information is being confirmed is set (step S3039). In order to prevent the game from continuing when the setting information is being confirmed, it is possible to control not to execute the processing relating to the game or the prize ball by setting the information during the setting confirmation. If there is no operation for confirming the setting information (result of step S3039 is "NO"), or after setting the information during the confirmation of the setting (step S3039), the processing of steps S40 and S42 is executed. These processes are the same as the procedure described in FIG.

  When the process of step S42 is completed, the main control MPU 101 determines whether there is a setting process, that is, whether there is a setting confirmation or a setting change (step S3048). If there is no setting process (result of step S3048 is “NO”), setting is made to notify main control recognition information to ball information control board 110 (step S3049). If there is a setting process (the result of step S3048 is “YES”), the process after step S50 is executed without performing the setting for notifying the sphere information control board 110 of the main control recognition information. In this case, in the main-control-side timer interrupt processing, the setting for notifying the sphere information control board 110 of the main control recognition information is performed after the setting confirmation or the setting change is completed.

  Further, the main control MPU 101 clears a storage area for storing information to be transmitted to the ball information control board 110 when setting notification of main control recognition information. For example, if the area for storing the untransmitted information is a ring buffer format, a read counter and a write counter indicating the read position and the write position in the buffer are initialized (both are set to 0), and furthermore, the SIO communication Clear the buffer as well. If information remains in these buffers, the first remaining information is transmitted when the power is restored, so that the main control recognition information is always transmitted to the ball information control board 110 first after power-on. It is configured in this way. When receiving the main control recognition information from the main control board 100, the sphere information control board 110 executes a corresponding process in the sphere information control main process shown in FIG. 84 and transmits a response signal to the main control board 100. The main control board 100 is in a main control recognition information response signal reception standby state after setting the notification of the main control recognition information and before receiving the response signal. When the response signal of the main control recognition information is received, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is released.

  Subsequently, the main control MPU 101 permits execution of the main control-side timer interrupt process by executing an interrupt-related process (steps S50 and S52). In this modification, when the setting for notifying the ball control board 110 of the main control recognition information is made, the process for performing the normal game is not executed until the response signal is received from the ball information control board 110. Be composed. For example, it is determined whether or not a response signal has been received in a main control timer interrupt process described later, and if not, the process is skipped. With this configuration, the game can be started after the ball information control board 110 is reliably started.

  When the execution of the main control timer interrupt process is permitted, the main control MPU 101 executes the main control side main loop process. The main control side main loop processing from step S54 to S58 is the same as the processing described in FIG. 80, and is continuously executed until a power failure notice signal is detected. When the power failure notice signal is detected, the main control-side power-off processing from step S60 to S68 is executed. The main control-side power-off processing is the same as the processing from steps S60 to S68 in FIG. 80, and performs backup of game information and the like when the power of the gaming machine is turned off.

[Main control timer interrupt processing (modified example)]
Next, a main control timer interrupt process according to the present modification will be described. FIG. 115 is a flowchart of the main control timer interrupt process in this modification. The difference from the main control timer interrupt processing described in FIG. 81 is that processing for confirming and changing setting information is added. The main control timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed at a set interrupt cycle (4 ms in the present embodiment), similarly to the main control timer interrupt process described with reference to FIG. Also, as for the main control timer interrupt processing, similar to the main control power supply power-on processing, the processing common to the main control timer interrupt processing described with reference to FIG. .

  When the main-control-side timer interrupt process according to the present modification is started, the main control MPU 101 first determines whether or not the main control recognition information response signal is waiting to be received (step S3070). As described above, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is a state in which, after setting the notification of the main control recognition information, the apparatus waits until a response signal output from the ball information control board 110 is received. When the main control MPU 101 is in the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state (the result of step S3070 is “YES”), the subsequent processing is skipped, and the main control timer interrupt processing ends. In the process of step S3070, a process of performing communication with the ball information control board 110 may be executed in addition to determining whether or not the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is set. For example, various signals transmitted from the ball information control board 110 in the process of step S3070 are received, and when a response signal of main control recognition information is included, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is released, In the case of other signals, processing corresponding to the received signal may be performed. When the standby state for receiving the main control recognition information response signal is released, a firing permission signal is input to the ball information control board 110, so that the ball can be fired from the hitting ball firing device and a game can be started. .

  When the main control MPU 101 is not in the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state (the result of step S3070 is “NO”), the main control MPU 101 executes the processing of step S70 and subsequent steps. The processing from setting the watchdog timer clear register WCL in step S70 to the hit random number updating processing in step S78 is the same as the procedure shown in FIG.

  When the hit random number updating process in step S78 ends, the main control MPU 101 determines whether a process (setting process) related to the setting information is being executed (step S3080). Specifically, it is determined whether the setting information is being changed or confirmed. For example, it may be determined whether the setting confirmation information is set in the main control-side power-on process. If the processing related to the setting information is not being executed (the result of step S3080 is “NO”), the processing after step S80 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the processing related to the setting information is being executed (the result of step S3080 is “YES”), the main control MPU 101 stops the progress of the game by skipping the processing such as the prize ball control processing (S80). Let it. Then, a setting change / confirmation process for changing or confirming the setting information is executed (step S3082). In the setting change / confirmation process, the setting information is displayed on the touch panel unit 14 or the liquid crystal display device 1400, or a change in the setting information is received from an input device such as the touch panel unit 14.

  Subsequently, the main control MPU 101 determines whether the setting process (setting change / confirmation process) has been completed (step S3083). If the setting process has not been completed (the result of step S3083 is “NO”), the subsequent processes are executed. On the other hand, when the setting change / confirmation processing is completed (the result of step S3083 is “YES”), the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 (step S3084), and the processing after step S92 is executed. At this time, the storage area (work area) temporarily used for executing the setting processing is initialized, and thereafter, the setting processing is set so that the setting processing is not executed, for example, the setting confirmation information is released. Thereafter, until a response signal of the main control recognition information is received from the ball information control board 110, the main control board 100 is in a standby state for receiving a main control recognition information response signal.

  As described above, when the setting information is changed or confirmed, the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 after the completion of the setting processing, while when the setting information is not changed or confirmed, the power-on processing is performed. Transmits the main control recognition information to the ball information control board 110 (step S3039). As described above, the present modification is configured to transmit the main control recognition information to the ball information control board 110 only once when the power is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the processing related to the setting information from being executed unnecessarily a plurality of times in the ball information control board 110, and to quickly complete the start-up by reducing the load at the time of starting the game machine.

  Here, in the main control timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 115, the processing from step S80 to step S90 was skipped during the setting processing, but the switch input processing (step S74), the timer subtraction processing (step S76), The hit random number update process (step S78) may be skipped. Further, the port output processing (step S90) may be skipped. During the execution of the setting process, the process for performing the normal game is not executed, so that even if these processes are not executed, there is no problem in the subsequent game. Therefore, the load on the gaming machine during the setting process may be reduced by skipping the process related to the random number, or the process related to the random number may be performed while the employee or the like of the game arcade performs the setting process. May be performed to advance the update of the random numbers so that the randomness of the random numbers becomes higher. Also, regarding the switch input processing and the port output processing, the load on the gaming machine may be reduced by skipping the processing during the setting change, or by continuing the processing during the setting change from the setting processing. The result of the switch input received during the setting change may be immediately reflected after the return, or the port output may be continuously performed so that the processing at the output destination is not delayed.

[Data transmission to ball information control board]
In the above-described embodiment, the transmission of data (main sphere information serial data) from the main control board 100 to the sphere information control board 110 is executed by the port output processing of the main control side timer interrupt processing. As described above, the main ball information serial data includes information on the winning ball (prize ball command) and information for confirming the connection state (self-check command), and also includes the main control recognition information in the present modification. It is.

  Since the main control timer interrupt process is executed every 4 ms, the main ball information serial data is frequently transmitted to the ball information control board 110. However, the total number of prize balls is not wrong, and the player It is not always necessary to pay out the prize balls in the winning order of the winning opening as long as the player does not feel uncomfortable. When a prize is generated in a plurality of types of prize holes in a short period of time, for example, after a prize is generated in a prize hole set to the number of prize balls “4”, a prize port set to the number of prize balls “15” is set. Even if a prize is generated in the (large winning opening), there is no problem if the prize ball number "15" and the prize ball number "4" are processed in this order. Therefore, when a situation occurs in which a prize ball command is frequently created such as a big hit game state, the load may temporarily increase.

  Here, in this modification, the interval at which data is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 is set to be longer than the execution interval (4 ms) of the timer interrupt processing (for example, 100 ms), and the number of times of communication is set. , The load of transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the sphere information control board 110 is reduced. In addition, the prize ball command is not generated for each winning, but the prize ball information is aggregated for each communication cycle to the ball information control board 110 to reduce the amount of data to be communicated, thereby further reducing the load. Plan. Hereinafter, a configuration example of the prize ball data transmitted to the ball information control board 110 will be described.

  FIG. 116 is a view for explaining an example of winning information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in the present modification. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 116, the number of winnings for each winning opening including the gate is counted and stored as winning information. Then, every time the communication cycle arrives, the stored winning information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110. At this time, if the winning number is 0, it may not be transmitted.

  When receiving the winning information from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 calculates the number of award balls in association with the award ball number table shown in FIG. In the examples shown in FIGS. 116 and 117, the winning number of the gate is 1, the winning number of the upper starting opening is 2, the winning number of the general winning opening 1 is 1, and the winning number of the general winning opening 2 is 1. The prize ball of the gate is 1 × 0 = 1, the prize ball of the upper starting port is 2 × 3 = 6, the prize ball of the general prize port 1 is 1 × 1 = 1, and the prize ball of the general prize port 2 is 1 × 1 = The total number of prize balls is 0 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 8.

  Alternatively, the ball information control board 110 may transmit the winning information including the number of prize balls without holding the prize ball number table. Furthermore, if the number of prize balls is the same even if the prize balls are arranged in a plurality of game areas as in a general winning opening, they may be aggregated. FIG. 118 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the winning information includes the number of winning balls in the present modified example. FIG. 118 (A) shows the case where the number of winning is counted for each general winning opening, and FIG. 118 (B) shows the general winning opening. This is a case where the number of winnings is aggregated and collected. This eliminates the need to hold the prize ball number table in the ball information control board 110, and allows the main control board 100 to manage the table in a unified manner.

  In the examples described with reference to FIG. 116 to FIG. 118, the winning information is created ignoring the winning order in the communication cycle, but conventionally, the winning order is generated by sequentially generating commands at the time of winning so that the winning order can be grasped. Was. Here, FIG. 119 shows an example in which the prize information is transmitted collectively for each communication cycle, while the information on the prize order is added. FIG. 119 is a diagram showing an example in which the winning information is stored in the order of winning in this modified example.

  In the example shown in FIG. 119, each time a game ball wins the winning opening, 1 is added to the order counter, and a record composed of the order, the winning type (winning opening), the number of winning balls, and the winning number is generated. The number of award balls may be omitted if the ball information control board 110 holds the award balls. The winning number is usually one, and may be omitted. However, when a winning is continuously generated at the same winning opening, the winning number may be added by the number of consecutive winnings.

  In the examples shown in FIGS. 116 to 118, one is added to the winning number for each winning, and the winning information for transmission is created at the timing of transmitting the winning information to the ball information control board 110, but is shown in FIG. 119. In the example, each record of the winning information is generated for each winning, and the winning information generated for each communication cycle is transmitted. In any case, the transmitted winning information is discarded, and the winning number is cleared to 0 in the examples shown in FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 119, the transmitted record may be deleted.

  As in the examples shown in FIGS. 116 to 118, by ignoring the winning order and counting only the winning number, it is possible to reduce the processing load at the time of winning. On the other hand, as in the example shown in FIG. 119, by generating the winning information at the time of winning, it is possible to maintain the winning order, and at the time of transmitting the winning information, it is generated without having to create the winning information again. Since the prize information may be transmitted as it is, the load at the time of transmitting the prize information can be reduced. Further, when the same winning port is successively won, the number of winning information can be reduced by adding the winning number. Normally, in the case of a jackpot game state, a game ball is fired aiming at a big winning port, and when a winning port that can be won only in a specific game state (for example, a probable change state) is arranged, a specific game state is provided. In this case, since the game ball is fired aiming at the winning opening, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of winning information, particularly in a state where the winning number increases.

  The configuration for transmitting the winning information from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 has been described above. The information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 includes not only winning information (prize ball information and prize ball commands), but also a game state signal and a signal between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110. A self-check command for confirming the connection state of the main control is transmitted, and in the present modification, the main control recognition information is transmitted at the time of power-on or at the time of setting processing (setting change / confirmation).

  Here, it is necessary to transmit the game state signal to the ball information control board 110 at least every time the game state changes. Therefore, the transmission processing is shared by transmitting the prize information in the same communication cycle and aggregating the prize information, the game state signal, and other information to be transmitted to the ball information control board 110 as game information in a common format. , The control can be simplified.

  FIG. 120 is a diagram showing an example of game information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in the present modified example, in which (A) is an example of winning information, and (B) is an example of main control recognition information. It is. In the example shown in FIG. 120, "data type" as a large classification and "type 1" and "type 2" as small classifications are defined in order to distinguish types of data to be transmitted. The item for distinguishing the data type may be changed as necessary.For example, the data type may be defined in detail to exclude other types, or to set a more detailed classification. Items may be increased. In FIG. 120, the names for distinguishing the types of data are described as they are for easy understanding. Actually, however, coded information is set in advance. In the example shown in FIG. 120, two types of data can be stored, and the size of each data is 1 byte.

  FIG. 120 (A) shows data corresponding to winning information, and "winning" (or "winning ball") indicating the winning information (winning ball data) is set in the data type. The type 1 is set with the type of winning opening, and the type 2 is set with information for specifying the winning opening. At this time, if only the information for specifying the winning opening needs to be set, one of the items may be left blank. In the example shown in FIG. 120, two types of data can be set. In the example shown in FIG. 120A, the number of winning balls and the number of winnings can be set. Since the number of winning balls and the number of winnings do not actually exceed 100, the number of winning balls is set in the upper 4 bits, and the number of winnings is set in the lower 4 bits. May be set. When there is no winning, data indicating that there is no winning and that the number of winning balls is 0 may be transmitted.

  FIG. 120A shows a case where five kinds of prize ball information (prize ball commands) are transmitted in one data (command) transmission cycle, but more (for example, (10 types) of prize ball information may be transmitted together. On the other hand, if the number of data (commands) to be transmitted becomes too large, such as when a large number of prize balls are generated, the unit time for the transmission side (main control board 100) and the reception side (ball information control board 110) of data (commands) is Since the load per hit increases, an upper limit for transmission in one cycle may be set. In this case, data (commands) that could not be transmitted in one cycle (exceeding the upper limit) are transmitted in the next cycle. When a large amount of prize balls are generated, such as during a big hit, a time lag may occur between the actual winning and the addition of the prize balls, giving the player a sense of incongruity. However, since the transmission cycle of data (command) is about 100 ms compared to 600 ms, even if the upper limit is temporarily exceeded, the number immediately becomes less than the upper limit, and the possibility that the player will feel uncomfortable is reduced. ing. Although the firing period (600 ms) is fixed, the command transmission period can be set arbitrarily. Therefore, the shorter the data (command) transmission period is set, the shorter the data (command) transmission period. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a time lag when the number exceeds the upper limit number.

  FIG. 120B shows an example in which a chip ID for identifying the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 included in the main control recognition information is transmitted. Here, the data length of the chip ID is 4 bytes, and data of two records is stored. The chip ID is recorded in the main control MPU 101, and is defined by, for example, a specific register and can be read from a program. In this modification, data (commands) of a plurality of data types can be transmitted in one cycle, but if the number of data (commands) that can be transmitted in one cycle exceeds the upper limit, Alternatively, a priority may be set for each data type, and data (command) having a higher priority may be transmitted with priority. For example, as described above, a large amount of data to be transmitted is more likely to occur for prize ball information than other data, but it is unlikely that a player will feel uncomfortable even if a slight time lag occurs as described above. Therefore, data (command) of another data type may be preferentially transmitted. In addition, regardless of the data type, the data (command) may be transmitted up to the upper limit in the generation order.

  In the example shown in FIG. 120, since the data size is fixed, there is a problem that the number of records increases when transmitting large-capacity data. For example, if the chip ID included in the main control recognition information shown in FIG. 120B is 9 bytes, it is necessary to transmit data for 5 records, and all information such as the data type is set in each record. There is a need. Therefore, the data length is set for each record, and the data is made to have a variable length so that it can be adapted to data of various types. FIG. 121 is a diagram showing another example of the game information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in the present modification.

  In the example shown in FIG. 121, an item indicating the data length is added, and the item indicating the data can store data of any size within an allowable range. In the example shown in FIG. 121, since there is no need to divide the data, the items indicating the detailed classification are reduced from 2 to 1. Note that data to be transmitted has a variable length and may have a large capacity. Therefore, a check item such as a checksum may be added.

  Subsequently, communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 will be described. FIG. 122 is a diagram illustrating communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 at the time of starting the gaming machine of the present modification. In the gaming machine 1 of this modification, when the power is turned on and the main control board 100 is started, the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 by the main control side power-on processing or the main control side timer interrupt processing. Notify (main control recognition information notification). As described above, the main control recognition information is information for identifying the main control board 100, and the ball information control board 110 determines whether the received main control recognition information is normal. If the notification of the main control recognition information is not normal, for example, if the main control board 100 is not a proper one and an incorrect MPU is mounted, it is notified that the main control board 100 is abnormal.

  Also, when the time from when the power is turned on to when the main control recognition information notification is transmitted exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 200 seconds), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the occurrence of the abnormality is notified. At this time, the activation of the main control board 100 may be continued as it is, and when the activation process is completed during the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality, the alarm output may be stopped at that time, or the notification may be continued as it is. Good. If the notification is to be continued as it is, an employee or the like of the game hall may check the situation and determine whether or not to use the gaming machine as it is.

  When receiving the main control recognition information notification from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 transmits a response signal (main control recognition information response notification) to the main control board 100. When the main control board 100 receives the main control recognition information response notification from the ball information control board 110, the main control board 100 is ready to start a normal game.

  After that, the main control board 100 periodically transmits game information to the ball information control board 110 (game information notification). The transmission interval of the game information is 100 milliseconds as described above. As a specific example of the game information, there is prize ball information (prize ball command). When receiving the game information from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 transmits a response signal (game information response notification) to the main control board 100. As described above, by transmitting the response signal from the ball information control board 110 to the game information notification from the main control board 100, it is possible to ensure that the communication is normally performed. When the ball information control board 110 notifies the main control board 100, a response signal is similarly transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110.

  Subsequently, a case where an abnormality occurs in communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 will be described. FIG. 123 is a diagram showing a case where, in communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 of the gaming machine according to the present modification, there is no response from the ball information control board 110 to a notification from the main control board 100. It is.

  In the example shown in FIG. 123, the game information is notified from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 at a predetermined communication cycle. The communication is interrupted assuming that an error has occurred, and the occurrence of an abnormality is notified. Here, the predetermined number is set to eight times, and game information having the same content is notified eight times at the maximum. Note that, even after the communication from the main control board 100 is cut off, if a response signal is received from the ball information control board 110, the communication cutoff is canceled assuming that it has returned to a normal state, and the processing is performed. To resume. In the example shown in the figure, the notification is made again when a response signal is not received within one communication cycle. However, the notification of the next cycle is stopped, a response is waited, and the end of the next cycle is completed. If a response signal cannot be received later, it may be determined that one communication has failed. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a response signal from being missed.

  When there is no response from the ball information control board 110, in addition to the case where the game information has not reached the ball information control board 110 from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 In some cases, the response signal does not reach the main control board 100 from the ball information control board 110 even though the game information has reached. Here, in the latter case where the game information is the prize ball information (prize ball command), there is a possibility that the prize ball may be paid out continuously based on the same prize ball information. There may be a discrepancy in the number of awarded balls issued. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem, an example in which the next game information is transmitted without retransmitting the game information even when the response signal cannot be normally received will be described.

  FIG. 124 shows another example in which, in the communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 of the gaming machine of the present modification, there is no response from the ball information control board 110 to the notification from the main control board 100 FIG. Here, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 123, the game information is transmitted in each communication cycle, and the next game information is transmitted even if a response signal cannot be received. If a response signal for the maximum number of times of transmission (for example, eight times) cannot be received continuously, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the communication is cut off, and the occurrence of the abnormality is reported. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a discrepancy occurs in the number of prize balls when the game information is prize ball information.

  In addition, by retransmitting the same game information, there is a possibility that newly generated game information in the course of the progress of the game may stay in the buffer and cannot be held, but this can be prevented. Note that the next information is transmitted without performing retransmission only in the case of prize ball information in which a large amount of data is likely to be created, and other information in which a relatively small amount of data is created is shown in FIG. The processing may be made different depending on the data type, for example, by retransmission as shown. In this case, the number of times that the response signal cannot be continuously received (the number of transmission failures) is counted.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. And design changes are possible.

  That is, in the embodiment, the gaming machine applied to the pachinko machine 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to a pachislot machine or a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine are combined. In this case, the same operation and effect can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming machine 5 Gaming board 500 Launch area division part 501 Production device 502 Guidance part 503 Obstacle nail 504 Contact surface 505 Through hole 506 Backflow guard part 100 Main control board 101 Main control MPU
101a First MPU identification number storage section 102 Main control I / O port 103 Main control input circuit 104 Main control solenoid drive circuit 105 RAM clear switch 109 RAM
110 Ball information control board 111 Ball information control MPU
111a 2nd MPU identification number storage unit 112 sphere information control I / O port 113 sphere information control input circuit 117 power failure monitoring circuit 118 sphere information control unit 12 sphere launcher 121 backflow prevention valve 121a gate piece 121b front cover part 121c side frame member 8 Game area 13 Launch solenoid (circulation mechanism)
22 Ball lifting device (circulation mechanism)
28 Ball feeder (circulation mechanism)
29 Ball collision part 31 Ball feed solenoid (circulation mechanism)
45 Front component member 451 Upper game area section 452 Lower game area section 453 Ascending curve surface 454 Ball launch side upper section 455 Falling curve surface 456 Ball collision side upper section α1 Upward curve arc length α2 Falling curve Surface arc length 47 Notch 150 Ball lifting motor (circulation mechanism)
155 Ball polishing ribbon feed motor (circulation mechanism)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising: first control means for controlling the progress of a game; and second control means capable of executing control based on the game information notified from the first control means,
The first control means includes:
Game information storage means capable of temporarily storing the game information,
A game information notifying means capable of notifying the second control means of the game information stored in the game information storing means;
With
The second control means includes:
Game information receiving means for receiving game information notified from the first control means,
Game information response means for transmitting a response signal indicating that the game information has been received to the first control means,
With
The game information notification means periodically transmits the game information stored in the game information storage means to the second control means ,
When the game machine is powered on, the first control means executes an initial setting process for setting necessary for starting a game in the game machine,
The game information notification means transmits a game stop enable command capable of temporarily stopping at least a part of the function of the game to the second control means as the game information when the initial setting process is executed,
The game information response means, when the game information receiving means receives the game stop enable command, transmits a game stop release enable command for releasing the stop of the function of the game as the response signal to the first control means,
The first control means includes:
After the initial setting process is executed, a timer interrupt process that is periodically executed, a main loop process that is executed after the timer interrupt process ends, and whether or not the game stop release enable command is received is determined. Power failure processing that is executed when the voltage of the gaming machine falls below a predetermined value,
The timer interrupt processing can be executed between the transmission of the game stop enable command and the reception of the game stop release enable command, but the first processing included in the timer interrupt processing cannot be executed. age,
Even during the period from transmitting the game stop enable command to receiving the game stop release enable command, the second process included in the main loop process can be executed,
The first process and the second process are processes that provide at least a part of the function of the game,
The first process is a process that can be executed by receiving the game stop release enable command, and a state in which the stop of the game function is released by the execution of the first process and the game can be played. game machine and wherein the Rukoto Do with.

Images