JP7277957B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

Conventionally, in a gaming machine, for example, a pachinko gaming machine, game balls supplied from a supply mechanism are shot by a shooting mechanism, and when the game balls flowing down a game area enter a winning hole, prize balls are paid out. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-57751 A

By the way, in a gaming machine that internally circulates game balls, it is necessary to store the number of game balls as data. However, in such a game machine, a situation may occur in which game balls are not shot even though the number of game balls stored as data is subtracted in relation to the operation of the shooting mechanism and the supply mechanism. Conceivable. In such a situation, the number of game balls stored as data and the game situation do not match, and there is a possibility that the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls is lowered.

A game machine for solving the above-mentioned problems is a game machine capable of storing the number of game balls as data, and capable of playing a game based on the data, in which shooting operation means is capable of operating to shoot game balls. a stop operation means capable of stopping the shooting of game balls, a shooting mechanism for shooting game balls, a supply mechanism for supplying game balls to the shooting mechanism, and a control means for performing predetermined control. The number of game balls stored as the data is subtracted in relation to at least one of the shooting operation by the shooting mechanism and the supply operation by the supply mechanism, and the shooting of game balls is permitted. a first condition that is a firing allowable state, a second condition that is a contact detection state in which contact with the firing operation means is detected, and a detection that the amount of operation of the firing operation means exceeds a predetermined amount. When all of the third condition, which is an operation detection state in which the game ball is stopped, and the fourth condition, which is a non-stop state in which an operation to stop the shooting of the game ball is not detected, are met and the shooting condition is established. , a supply operation by the supply mechanism and a shooting operation by the shooting mechanism are performed, and at least one of the first condition, the second condition, the third condition, and the fourth condition When one specific condition is no longer satisfied and the firing condition is no longer satisfied, special control is performed to cause the firing mechanism to perform a firing operation while the feeding operation of the feeding mechanism is stopped . A firing prohibited state in which the first condition is not satisfied includes a state in which a predetermined error has occurred, and during the period in which the special control is being performed, the special control is terminated prematurely by cutting off the power supply from the outside. Then, the special control that was terminated in the middle is not restarted after the power supply from the outside is started, but the game is started from the number of game balls whose update is terminated in the middle due to the interruption of the power supply from the outside. The gist is that it is possible to resume control regarding

With respect to the gaming machine, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted during at least one of the period during which the normal control is performed and the period during which the special control is performed, the firing mechanism , at least one firing operation should be possible after the external power supply is interrupted.

The game machine is provided with a backup power supply capable of supplying power when the power supply from the outside is cut off, and the shooting mechanism performs a shooting operation at predetermined time intervals when the normal control is performed, and the backup power supply is provided. The power source may be capable of supplying power to the firing mechanism until at least the predetermined time has elapsed after the power supply from the outside is interrupted.

According to the present invention, the reliability of data regarding the number of game balls can be improved.

Front view of a pachinko game machine and a card unit. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the operation panel of the card unit; The front view of the game board of the pachinko game machine. An enlarged view of the counting switch, the counting lamp, and the game ball number display device of the pachinko game machine. The schematic diagram which shows the recovery passage of a pachinko game machine. The schematic diagram which shows the supply apparatus of a pachinko game machine. The schematic diagram which shows the supply apparatus of a pachinko game machine. The schematic diagram which shows the launching device of a pachinko game machine. A block diagram of a pachinko machine. A block diagram of a pachinko machine. Explanatory drawing which shows the detectable error in a pachinko game machine. A timing chart for explaining a firing operation in a firing sequence. A timing chart for explaining supply operation in a firing sequence. A timing chart for explaining special control (special sequence). A timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence. A timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence. A timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence. A timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence in the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining a blank firing sequence in the second embodiment; FIG.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, on island facilities (game islands), a pachinko game machine 10, which is an example of a game machine, and a card unit 100, which is an example of a management device, are arranged alternately. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is provided with the card unit 100 . In one example of the present embodiment, one card unit 100 is connected to one pachinko gaming machine 10, but this is not limiting, and a plurality of card units 100 are connected to one pachinko gaming machine 10. , or a configuration in which one card unit 100 is connected to a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 10 .

The card unit 100 will be explained.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the card unit 100 has a card insertion section 101 for inserting a management card, which is an example of a storage medium. The management card can store at least the balance of cash and the number of game balls possessed by the player (hereinafter referred to as the number of balls held) as data, as an example of the value that enables the game to be played. The management card may be capable of storing player's personal information as data. The management card may be configured to store the balance paid in advance (prepaid balance) instead of the balance of cash.

The card unit 100 includes a banknote insertion portion 102 into which banknotes, which are an example of cash, can be inserted. In the card unit 100, when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion part 102, it is added to the balance stored in the inserted management card or the initialized management card. The card unit 100 may be configured to accept coins as an example of cash.

The card unit 100 has an operation panel 104 . The operation panel 104 includes a ball lending button 104a, a payout button 104b, a return button 104c, a pitch display section 104d, and a balance display section 104e. The ball lending button 104a is operated when increasing the number of game balls managed by the pachinko gaming machine 10 based on the balance stored in the management card. The payout button 104b is operated to increase the number of game balls managed by the pachinko gaming machine 10 based on the number of balls stored in the management card. The return button 104c is operated when the management card inserted in the card unit 100 is to be returned. The number-of-balls display portion 104d displays information (as an example, Arabic numerals) that can specify the number of balls stored in the management card. The remaining amount display portion 104e displays information (as an example, Arabic numerals) that can specify the remaining amount stored in the management card.

The card unit 100 includes a card unit control board 105 (hereinafter referred to as CU control board). The CU control board 105 includes a CPU 105a, a ROM 105b, and a RAM 105c. The CPU 105a performs predetermined processing by executing the card unit control program. The ROM 105b stores a card unit control program. The RAM 105c stores various information rewritten while the card unit 100 is operating. For example, the information stored in the RAM 105c includes flags, counters, and timers. The card unit 100 includes a communication terminal 105d that is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 10 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally.

The CU control board 105 is connected to the card insertion section 101 . The CPU 105a is configured to be able to rewrite the contents stored in the management card inserted in the card insertion portion 101. FIG. The CU control board 105 is connected to the banknote insertion section 102 . The CPU 105a is configured to be able to input a banknote signal output when a banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion portion 102 . The banknote signal is a signal capable of specifying the amount of banknotes inserted into the banknote insertion portion 102 (hereinafter referred to as the amount of cash inserted).

The CU control board 105 is connected to the operation panel 104 . The CPU 105a is configured to be able to input a ball lending signal output when the ball lending button 104a is operated. The CU control board 105 is configured to be able to input a payout signal output when the payout button 104b is operated. The CPU 105a is configured to be able to input a return signal output when the return button 104c is operated. The CPU 105a is configured to be able to control the display content of the number-of-balls display section 104d. The CPU 105a is configured to be able to control the display content of the balance display section 104e.

The CU control board 105 is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 10 via the communication terminal 105d. The CPU 105a is configured to be capable of inputting various control signals (control information) output by the pachinko gaming machine 10. FIG. The CPU 105 a is configured to be capable of outputting various control signals (control information) to the pachinko gaming machine 10 . The card unit 100 outputs a connection signal to the pachinko gaming machine 10 from the communication terminal 105d. The connection signal may be a command or message generated by the CU control board 105 (CPU 105a), or may be a signal generated by an output circuit (for example, a power supply circuit) different from the CPU 105a.

The card unit 100 has an external communication terminal (not shown) for connecting with an external device. As an example, the external device is a hall computer installed in a game arcade. The external device is a management computer that can communicate with the server equipment installed in the data center outside the game hall via the network. In this case, the management computer and card unit 100 are preferably connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

Processing performed by the card unit 100 will be described.
When the management card is inserted into the card insertion portion 101, the CPU 105a reads the balance and the number of balls stored in the management card and stores them in the RAM 105c. Then, when the management card is inserted, the CPU 105a performs the processing described below.

When the bill signal is input from the bill insertion unit 102, the CPU 105a adds the amount of cash inserted that can be specified from the bill signal to the balance. When the balance is not 0 and the ball lending signal is input from the ball lending button 104a, the CPU 105a subtracts a specified amount from the balance and generates grant information that can specify the number of game balls to be given corresponding to the specified amount. Output to the pachinko game machine 10 . When the balance is 0, the CPU 105a does not transmit the additional information even if the ball lending signal is input.

When a payout signal is input from the payout button 104b when the number of balls in the possession is 0 or more, the CPU 105a subtracts the number of balls in the possession by a prescribed number, and outputs the provision information that can specify the provision of the game balls of the prescribed number to the pachinko game. output to the machine 10. It should be noted that the CPU 105a does not transmit the given information even if the payout signal is input when the number of balls in possession is 0. In this way, the given information can specify the number of given balls. When the CPU 105a receives the count information from the pachinko gaming machine 10, the CPU 105a has the number of game balls that can be specified from the count information and adds it to the number of balls. Although the details will be described later, the count information is control information that is output when the player ends the game on the pachinko gaming machine 10, and can specify the number of game balls whose management is transferred to the card unit 100. .

The CPU 105a controls the number-of-balls display unit 104d, and updates the display content so as to display information capable of specifying the number of balls held at that time. In other words, the CPU 105a displays the number of balls in possession in real time on the number of balls in possession display section 104d. The CPU 105a controls the balance display unit 104e and updates the display content so as to display information that can specify the balance at any given time. That is, the CPU 105a causes the balance display section 104e to display the balance in real time.

When a return signal is input from the return button 104c, the CPU 105a stores the balance and the number of balls stored in the RAM 105c in the management card, and initializes the balance and the number of balls stored in the RAM 105c. The CPU 105 a controls the card insertion section 101 so that the management card is ejected from the card insertion section 101 .

The pachinko game machine 10 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko gaming machine 10, which is an example of a gaming machine, has a specified number of game balls sealed inside the machine as game media, and is an enclosed type that circulates the specified number of game balls inside the machine. is configured as a gaming machine (so-called management gaming machine). The game balls used in the pachinko game machine 10 are non-magnetic materials such as stainless steel, but are not limited to this, and may be magnetic materials. The pachinko game machine 10 does not have a portion (upper tray and lower tray) for storing game balls. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has a structure in which the player cannot touch the game balls.

The pachinko machine 10 includes the number of game balls lent to the player (hereinafter referred to as the number of lent balls), the number of game balls acquired by the player (hereinafter referred to as the number of acquired balls), and the number of game balls fired by the player. The number of game balls held by the player (hereinafter referred to as the number of game balls) is electromagnetically managed based on the number of game balls (hereinafter referred to as the number of shot balls). The above-mentioned number of balls in possession is the number of game balls managed by the card unit 100 and is data different from the number of game balls managed by the pachinko gaming machine 10 . Thus, the pachinko gaming machine 10 as a management gaming machine can store the number of game balls as data, and is configured to be able to play based on the data.

A pachinko game machine 10 includes a frame 11. - 特許庁The frame body 11 includes an outer frame 11a for fixing the machine body to the island facility, a mounting frame 11b for mounting various game parts, and a protection frame 11c. The mounting frame 11b is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 11a. The protective frame 11c is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the mounting frame 11b. The protective frame 11c has a protective glass (not shown) that protects the game parts mounted on the mounting frame 11b. The protective frame 11c is a so-called front frame or glass frame. The pachinko game machine 10 includes a locking device (not shown) that locks the frames 11b and 11c. The pachinko game machine 10 is configured so that the frames 11b and 11c cannot be opened with respect to the outer frame 11a unless a key suitable for the locking device is used to unlock the machine.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a sound effect device 12, for example a speaker. The effect sound device 12 is arranged on the front side of the mounting frame 11b. The audio effect device 12 can execute an effect of outputting a predetermined sound (hereinafter referred to as audio effect) and a notification of outputting a predetermined sound (hereinafter referred to as voice notification). For example, the predetermined sound is music, sound effects, and the like. The pachinko game machine 10 includes a notification audio device 13, for example, a speaker. The notification audio device 13 can execute audio notification. In one example of this embodiment, the audio devices 12 and 13 are arranged on the mounting frame 11b.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a performance light emitting device 14. - 特許庁The effect light-emitting device 14 can perform effects (hereinafter referred to as light-emitting effects) by lighting, blinking, and extinguishing a light-emitting body (not shown) such as an LED. The effect light emitting device 14 can perform notification (hereinafter referred to as notification light emission) by turning on, blinking, and extinguishing a light emitter (not shown). In one example of this embodiment, the effect light emitting device 14 is arranged on the mounting frame 11b. Not limited to this, the effect light emitting device 14 may be arranged on a game board 20 to be described later.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a shooting handle 15, which is an example of shooting operation means capable of shooting game balls. The firing handle 15 is arranged on the front side of the mounting frame 11b. Although details will be described later, the pachinko game machine 10 is configured to drive the shooting device 50 so as to launch game balls with a shooting intensity corresponding to the operation of the shooting handle 15 . The shooting device 50 constitutes an example of a shooting mechanism for shooting game balls. The firing handle 15 includes a handle lever 15a supported so as to be rotatable, a touch sensor D01, a firing stop switch D02, and a handle volume D03.

The touch sensor D01 is connected to a conductive ring 15b that surrounds the side of the firing handle 15. As shown in FIG. The touch sensor D01 outputs a touch signal when the player grips the shooting handle 15 and the finger of the player touches the conducting ring 15b. The touch signal is turned on when the player's finger touches the conductive ring 15b, and turned off when the finger does not touch the conductive ring 15b. The touch sensor D01 is an example of means for detecting that the player is touching the shooting handle 15. FIG.

The firing stop switch D02 outputs a stop signal when the firing stop button 15c protruding to the side of the firing handle 15 is pushed. The stop signal turns on when the firing stop button 15c is operated, and turns off when it is not operated. The shooting stop button 15c is an example of stop operation means capable of being operated to stop shooting the game ball. When the handle lever 15a is rotated, the handle volume D03 outputs a volume signal having a voltage corresponding to the amount of rotation. The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with an effect operation device 16 as an example of means that a player can operate for effect. The effect operating device 16 may be of a button type that can be pressed, a touch sensor type that also serves as a display device, or a lever type.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a game ball number display device 17 for displaying information capable of specifying the number of game balls managed inside. In one example of this embodiment, the number-of-game-balls display device 17 has a configuration in which a plurality (eg, 6) of 7 segments are arranged, and can display a plurality (eg, 6 digits) of numbers. The number-of-game-balls display device 17 can execute notification of predetermined information (hereinafter referred to as notification display) by displaying predetermined characters. The game ball number display device 17 is an example of number reporting means, number display means, and reporting means for reporting the number of game balls stored as data.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has a counting switch 18. As shown in FIG. The counting switch 18 is operated when the player ends the game on the pachinko gaming machine 10 . Although the details will be described later, the counting operation using the counting switch 18 is permitted when the counting switch 18 is in a predetermined counting permitting state. The count switch 18 outputs a count signal when it is pushed. The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a counting lamp 18a, which is an example of means for notifying whether or not the counting is allowed. In one example of the present embodiment, the effect operating device 16, the game ball number display device 17, the counting switch 18, and the counting lamp 18a are collectively arranged at a position where the player can operate on the front side of the mounting frame 11b. there is

As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a game board 20. As shown in FIG. The game board 20 is attached to the mounting frame 11b. A substantially circular game area 20a is defined on the front surface of the game board 20 when viewed from the front. A display window 20b is formed substantially in the center of the game area 20a. A hitting passage 20c is formed to the left of the game area 20a for guiding the game ball shot by the shooting device 50 to the game area 20a. The game area 20a and the hitting path 20c are covered with a protective glass (not shown) of the protective frame 11c.

The game board 20 includes a main display device group 21 constituting an example of means for displaying various information. The main display device group 21 is a display device controlled by the main control board 60, which will be described later in detail. The main display device group 21 includes a first special symbol display device 21a, a second special symbol display device 21b, a first reservation display device 21c, a second reservation display device 21d, a normal symbol display device 21e, and a normal reservation display device 21f. includes at least In one example of the present embodiment, the plurality of display devices that constitute the main display device group 21 are collectively disposed in a portion visible to the player. may be placed in

The first special symbol display device 21a can execute a first special symbol variation game (hereinafter referred to as a first special game) in which a predetermined symbol is variably displayed and finally the special symbol is stopped and displayed. The second special symbol display device 21b can execute a second special symbol variation game (hereinafter referred to as a second special game) in which a predetermined symbol is variably displayed and finally the special symbol is stopped and displayed. The special symbol is a symbol for notifying the result of the internal lottery (hit lottery of the special symbol). Hereinafter, the first special game and the second special game will be collectively referred to as "special games". The special symbols include at least a big win symbol as a big win display result and a losing symbol as a losing display result. In the pachinko game machine 10, when a big win is won in a special pattern win lottery, the big win patterns are stopped and displayed in a special game, and after the special game of the big win is finished, a big win game is awarded. The jackpot game will be described later.

The first suspension display device 21c indicates the number of times the execution of the first special game is suspended (hereinafter referred to as the first suspension number) because the suspension condition has been met but the start condition has not yet been met. Display identifiable information. The second suspension display device 21d indicates the number of times the execution of the second special game is suspended (hereinafter referred to as the second suspension number) because the suspension condition has been met but the start condition has not yet been met. Display identifiable information.

The normal symbol display device 21e can execute a normal game in which predetermined symbols are variably displayed and the normal symbols are finally stopped and displayed. The normal symbol is a symbol for notifying the result of the internal lottery (normal symbol winning lottery). The normal pattern includes at least a normal winning pattern and a normal losing pattern. In the present embodiment, when the winning lottery for the normal symbols is won, the normal winning symbols are stop-displayed in the normal game, and the normal winning game is provided after the normal game ends. The normal suspension display device 21f displays information capable of specifying the number of normal games whose execution is suspended because the suspension condition is satisfied but the start condition is not yet satisfied. The main display device group 21 may include a right-handed display device that displays information instructing right-handed players, which will be described later, and a round display device that notifies the upper limit number of round games, which will be described later.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes an effect display device 19 having an image display area capable of displaying images. The effect display device 19 is attached to the game board 20 so that the image display area 19a can be viewed through the display window 20b. For example, the effect display device 19 is a liquid crystal device. The effect display device 19 can execute the effect of displaying a predetermined image (hereinafter referred to as display effect). For example, the predetermined images are images such as production designs, characters, landscapes, characters (strings of characters), numbers, and symbols. In the following description, when these characters and the like are simply referred to as "display", it means that these characters and the like are displayed as images. The effect display device 19 can execute notification display in a manner of displaying a predetermined image.

The effect sound device 12, the effect light emitting device 14, and the effect display device 19 are all effect devices capable of executing a predetermined effect, and constitute the effect device group ES consisting of a plurality of effect devices. As described above, since the effect sound device 12, the effect light emitting device 14, and the effect display device 19 are all capable of executing a predetermined notification, the effect device group ES can also be grasped as a notification device group. be. The production device (notification device) included in the production device group ES is not limited to the production sound device 12, the production light emitting device 14, and the production display device 19, and may be configured by omitting a part of these production devices. may The effect device group ES may include, in addition to or in place of one or more of these effect devices, an effect movable device that executes a movable effect, and an effect vibration device that executes a vibration effect. You may prepare.

For example, the display effect on the effect display device 19 includes a effect symbol variation game (hereinafter referred to as a effect game) using a plurality of lines of effect symbols (decorative symbols). In the effect game, a plurality of rows of effect symbols are variably displayed, and finally a combination of effect symbols (hereinafter referred to as a symbol combination) is stopped and displayed. The effect pattern (decorative pattern) is a pattern decorated with a character, a pattern, or the like, and is a pattern for diversifying the display effect. For example, the effect game of the present embodiment is performed by variably displaying (scrolling) the effect symbols of the left symbol row, the middle symbol row, and the right symbol row respectively in a predetermined direction. The production game may include a reach production performed by forming a reach.

The effect game starts with the special game and ends with the special game. In the performance game, symbol combinations corresponding to the special symbols that are stopped and displayed in the special game are stopped and displayed. When the big win symbols are stop-displayed in the special game, the big win pattern combination is stop-displayed in the performance game. When the winning symbols are stop-displayed in the special game, the winning symbol combination is stop-displayed in the performance game. In the following description, the special game and the effect game executed together with the special game are collectively referred to as "variation game".

The game area 20a is formed with a plurality of prize winning openings (entering ball openings) into which game balls can enter. The winning openings include at least a first starting opening 23, a second starting opening 24, a large winning opening 25, and a normal winning opening 27. - 特許庁The first starting hole 23 is a prize winning hole into which a game ball is entered when the conditions for awarding prize balls and the conditions for holding the first special game are established. The first starting port 23 is located below the effect display device 19 and is always open so that a game ball can be entered. The game board 20 includes a first starting sensor D11 for detecting a game ball entering the first starting hole 23 (see FIG. 10).

The second starting port 24 is a prize winning port into which a game ball is entered when the condition for awarding the prize ball and the condition for holding the second special game are established. The second starting port 24 is to the right of the first starting port 23 . The second starting port 24 is provided with a normal opening/closing piece 24a having a door shape as an example, and when a normal winning game is not imparted, the game ball cannot be entered or is difficult to enter. Closed as it is. The second starting port 24 is open so that a game ball can be entered or can be easily entered when a normal winning game is given. The game board 20 is provided with a normal solenoid SL1 as means for opening the second starting port 24 (see FIG. 10). The game board 20 also includes a second starting sensor D12 for detecting a game ball entering the second starting hole 24 (see FIG. 10). The normal opening/closing piece 24a is a so-called "normal electric accessory".

The big winning hole 25 is a winning hole into which a game ball is entered when the conditions for awarding a prize ball are established. The big winning opening 25 is located at the lower right side of the performance display device 19. - 特許庁The big winning opening 25 is provided with a special opening/closing piece 25a, for example, in the shape of a door, so that the game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter when the big win game is not provided. Closed. The big winning opening 25 is opened so that a game ball can be entered or can be easily entered when a big winning game is awarded. The game board 20 is provided with a special solenoid SL2 as means for opening the big winning opening 25 (see FIG. 10). The game board 20 also includes a count sensor D13 that detects a game ball that has entered the big winning hole 25 (see FIG. 10).

The normal winning hole 27 is a winning hole into which a game ball is entered when the conditions for awarding a prize ball are established. The normal winning openings 27 are located at the lower left side of the effect display device 19 and the lower right side of the effect display device 19, respectively. The normal winning opening 27 is always open so that game balls can be entered. The game board 20 is provided with a normal sensor D14 for detecting a game ball entering the normal winning hole 27 (see FIG. 10).

A gate 28 is provided in the game area 20a. The gate 28 is located on the right side of the game area 20a and above the second starting opening 24 and the big winning opening 25. As shown in FIG. The gate 28 has a gate opening 28a which is always open so that game balls can be entered. The gate opening 28a is provided with a gate sensor D15 for detecting game balls that enter and pass through (see FIG. 10). The gate 28 is a ball entrance through which a game ball is entered when establishing the conditions for starting the normal game. Even if a game ball enters the gate 28, the conditions for awarding prize balls are not established. In the lowest part of the game area 20a, a game ball that has not entered any of the first start opening 23, the second start opening 24, the big winning opening 25, and the normal winning opening 27 is discharged from the game area 20a. out port 29 is formed. The pachinko game machine 10 includes an out sensor (not shown) that detects a game ball entering the out port 29 . The out port 29 can also be grasped as a discharge port or a return port from the game area 20a.

The mounting frame 11b also includes a radio wave sensor D16 that detects radio waves exceeding a predetermined intensity as abnormal radio waves (see FIG. 9). The radio wave sensor D16 outputs a radio wave detection signal when detecting an abnormal radio wave. The game board 20 may include a radio wave sensor in addition to the radio wave sensor D16 on the mounting frame 11b so that the game board 20 can detect abnormal radio waves. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 10 does not use magnetic game balls, but uses non-magnetic game balls. Therefore, the mounting frame 11b does not have a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism exceeding a predetermined intensity as abnormal magnetism. Not limited to this, the pachinko game machine 10 may have a magnetic sensor in one or both of the mounting frame 11b and the game board 20, and may be configured to detect the approach of a magnet.

The mounting frame 11b includes a first door opening switch D17 for detecting that the protective frame 11c is opened with respect to the mounting frame 11b (see FIG. 9). The first door opening switch D17 outputs a first door opening signal when detecting opening of the protection frame 11c. The mounting frame 11b has a second door opening switch D18 for detecting that the mounting frame 11b is opened with respect to the outer frame 11a (see FIG. 9). The second door open switch D18 outputs a second door open signal upon detecting the opening of the mounting frame 11b.

The player adjusts the shooting intensity of the game ball by operating the shooting handle 15, and separates the game ball into a left area located to the left of the display window 20b and a right area located to the right of the display window 20b. . For example, when a game ball is shot with a stronger launch intensity (hereinafter referred to as a right-hand shot), the game ball is likely to flow down and guided to the right area, where the second starting port 24, the big winning port 25, and the normal There is a possibility that the ball will enter the winning opening 27 or the gate 28 . Right hitting is performed by adjusting the shooting intensity to the maximum intensity or a slightly weaker intensity than the maximum intensity, because it is necessary to shoot the game ball vigorously in order to reach the right area. On the other hand, when the game ball is shot by adjusting the shooting intensity to be weaker (hereinafter referred to as left-handed hitting), the game ball is likely to flow down and guided to the left area, and the first start opening 23 or the normal winning opening 27 It is possible to enter the ball. Since it is not necessary to shoot the game ball as vigorously as in the case of right-handed hitting, left-handed hitting is performed by adjusting the intensity to such an extent that the fired game ball does not reach the right area. In this embodiment, the passage of the game ball is formed by a game part such as a game nail so that the game ball cannot enter the first starting port 23 when hitting to the right. The game part may be arranged so as to restrict the entry of the ball into the first starting hole 23 when hitting to the right, or it is more difficult to enter the ball into the first starting hole 23 compared to when hitting to the left. may be arranged as follows.

The left area in the present embodiment is an area located on the left side of the center line CL that bisects the game area 20a into left and right when the game board 20 is viewed from the front. The right area in the present embodiment is an area located on the right side of the center line CL when the game board 20 is viewed from the front. A game ball shot by operating the shooting handle 15 is guided to a hitting path 20c on the left side of the game area 20a and reaches the game area 20a. Therefore, the left area is also an area near the driving passage 20c, and the right area is also an area away from the driving passage 20c. A game ball flowing down and guided in the left area passes through the left side of the effect display device 19 positioned in the center of the game area 20a in a front view, and goes to the out port 29 positioned at the bottom of the game area 20a. On the other hand, the game ball flowed down and guided in the right area passes through the right side of the effect display device 19 positioned in the center of the game area 20a in the front view, and goes to the out port 29.例文帳に追加

As shown in FIG. 5, the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a recovery path 30 for recovering game balls, a maintenance device 35 for performing predetermined maintenance on the game balls, and a game ball that has undergone maintenance. It has a supply device 40 for supplying in a cut-out manner and a shooting device 50 for shooting game balls supplied from the supply device. The supply device 40 constitutes an example of a supply mechanism that supplies game balls to a shooting device 50, which is an example of a shooting mechanism. The pachinko game machine 10 has the above-described hitting path 20c and a foul path 20f for collecting foul balls. A foul ball is a game ball that has been shot by the shooting device 50 but has not reached the game area 20a. In one example of this embodiment, the supply device 40 and the launch device 50 are arranged below the game area 20a. Not limited to this, the supply device 40 and the launch device 50 may be arranged in the upper left portion of the game area 20a.

The collection passage 30 includes an individual prize winning passage 31a connected to the first starting port 23, the second starting port 24, the big winning prize port 25, and the normal winning prize port 27, respectively, a prize ball confluence portion 31b where the plurality of individual prize winning passages 31a join, And it has a prize winning passage 31 connected to the prize ball joining portion 31b.

The recovery passage 30 has a non-winning passage 32 connected to the out port 29. - 特許庁The recovery passage 30 has a confluence portion 33 where the winning passage 31, the non-winning passage 32, and the foul passage 20f join. The collection passage 30 has a supply passage 34 that connects the confluence portion 33 and the maintenance device 35 . The game ball that has reached the game area 20a flows down the game area 20a. When the game ball enters any one of the first starting hole 23, the second starting hole 24, the big winning hole 25, the normal winning hole 27, and the out hole 29, it circulates through the winning path 31 or the non-winning path 32. They merge at the junction 33 and reach the maintenance device 35 through the supply passage 34 . The outlet area of the supply passage 34 is large enough for one game ball to pass through. Therefore, the game balls are arranged in a line by passing through the supply passage 34. - 特許庁

The maintenance device 35 is a device that performs polishing as an example of predetermined maintenance. The maintenance device 35 has a polishing belt (not shown) arranged to come into contact with the game balls. When the game balls pass through the maintenance device 35, they are ground in contact with the grinding belt. In one example of this embodiment, the maintenance device 35 is configured as a unit in which a polishing belt and a mechanism for driving the polishing belt are integrated. The maintenance device 35 is assembled to the mounting frame 11b so as to be replaceable as a unit when the time for replacement comes due to completion of use of the polishing belt. As an example, the maintenance device 35 is arranged at a position accessible from the rear side of the mounting frame 11b when the mounting frame 11b is opened. The game balls subjected to maintenance by the maintenance device 35 are supplied to the supply device 40 while being arranged in a row.

The maintenance device 35 has a magnet (not shown) at a position close to the ball passage inside the maintenance device 35 . A release lever (not shown) is connected to the magnet. By displacing the release lever to the close position, the magnet approaches the ball passage. Separate. When the release lever is in the close position and the magnet is close to the ball passage, if a game ball made of a magnetic material (such as an iron ball) exists in the ball passage, the game ball can be caught by the magnetic force. In this case, the game ball following the captured game ball is blocked from advancing by the captured game ball, and the supply of the game ball to the supply device 40 is blocked. Then, when the release lever is displaced to the release position, the magnet is separated from the ball passage, and the game ball is released from being caught.

The maintenance device 35 includes a ball passage ball clogging monitoring sensor D27 for detecting a game ball passing through the ball passage inside the maintenance device 35 upstream of the magnet in the direction in which the game ball travels (see FIG. 9). The ball passage ball clogging monitoring sensor D27 is provided adjacent to the ball passage inside the maintenance device 35, and outputs a ball clogging detection signal when a game ball passing through the ball passage is detected. The ball clogging detection signal is turned on when a game ball passing through the ball passage is detected, and is turned off when it is not detected. When the jammed ball detection signal continues to be on, there is a high possibility that a game ball made of a magnetic material (such as an iron ball) is caught by the magnet.

The feeding device 40 and the launching device 50 are adjacent to each other so as to line up in a predetermined direction (for example, the front-rear direction). Details of the supply device 40 and the launch device 50 will be described later. Game balls supplied one by one from the supply device 40 flow into the shooting device 50 . The hitting passage 20c connects the launching device 50 and the game area 20a. The hitting path 20c is formed on the front side of the game board 20 so as to extend in the vertical direction along the left edge of the game area 20a. A game ball shot by the shooting device 50 passes through the hitting passage 20c and is guided to the game area 20a.

The foul passage 20f is a passage that connects a middle portion of the hitting passage 20c and any portion of the recovery passage 30. As shown in FIG. The game balls that have flowed into the foul path 20f from the hitting path 20c are returned to the recovery path 30 and supplied to the supply device 40 again from the supply path 34.例文帳に追加launcher 5
The game ball launched by 0 flows into the hitting passage 20c and is guided to reach the game area 20a. Here, due to insufficient firing strength of the firing device 50, the ball may stall and flow backward (fall) through the hitting passage 20c without reaching the game area 20a.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a foul sensor D21 for detecting a game ball (foul ball) passing through the foul passage 20f. The foul sensor D21 is provided adjacent to the foul path 20f, and outputs a foul signal when detecting a game ball passing through the foul path 20f. The foul signal is turned on when a game ball passing through the foul passage 20f is detected, and is turned off when not detected.

The pachinko game machine 10 is provided with a winning path count sensor D25 for detecting game balls passing through the winning path 31. - 特許庁The winning path count sensor D25 is provided adjacent to the winning path 31, and outputs a winning path signal when a game ball passing through the winning path 31 is detected. The winning path signal is turned on when a game ball passing through the winning path 31 is detected, and turned off when not detected.

The pachinko game machine 10 includes a non-winning passage count sensor D26 for detecting game balls passing through the non-winning passage 32. - 特許庁The non-winning passage count sensor D26 is provided adjacent to the non-winning passage 32, and outputs a non-winning passage signal when a game ball passing through the non-winning passage 32 is detected. The non-winning path signal is turned on when a game ball passing through the non-winning path 32 is detected, and turned off when not detected.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 includes a discharge port (not shown) for discharging the game balls from the supply passage 34 to the outside of the machine, an opening/closing piece (not shown) for opening and closing the discharge port, and opening/closing operation of the opening/closing piece. and an opening/closing lever (not shown) that is operated. In this embodiment, by operating the opening/closing lever and displacing the opening/closing piece, the ejection opening can be opened, and the game ball can be ejected out of the machine through the opening. Note that the discharge port is closed by the opening/closing piece when the opening/closing lever is not operated.

The supply device 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the supply device 40 includes a receiving portion 41 that receives game balls from the maintenance device 35, and a movable piece 42 that cuts out the game balls received by the receiving portion 41 one by one. , a supply solenoid 43 for driving the movable piece 42 , and a supply section 44 for guiding the cut game ball to the shooting device 50 . The supply device 40 includes a supply inlet sensor D22 and a supply outlet sensor D23.

The receiving portion 41 is formed with a receiving passage 41a through which the game balls discharged from the maintenance device 35 can advance in a row. The supply portion 44 is formed with a supply passage 44 a through which the game balls cut out from the row of the game balls K by the movable piece 42 are advanced to the shooting device 50 . The movable piece 42 is arranged at the boundary between the receiving passage 41a and the supply passage 44a.

The movable piece 42 has a holding portion 42a capable of holding (accommodating) one game ball K, and a rotating shaft 42b. The movable piece 42 is an example of a locking portion capable of locking a game ball. The movable piece 42 is supported so as to be displaceable about a rotation shaft 42b between a stop position 42P1 and a supply position 42P2 rotated downward from the stop position 42P1. The stop position 42P1 is a position that allows the inflow of the game balls K from the receiving passage 41a to the holding portion 42a and restricts the outflow of the game balls K from the holding portion 42a to the supply passage 44a. The supply position 42P2 is a position that restricts the inflow of game balls K from the receiving passage 41a to the holding portion 42a and permits the outflow of the game balls K from the holding portion 42a to the supply passage 44a.

When the movable piece 42 is displaced from the stop position 42P1 to the supply position 42P2, the game ball K in the receiving passage 41a is blocked by the movable piece 42, while the game ball K held by the holding portion 42a is discharged to the supply passage 44a. . When the movable piece 42 is displaced from the supply position 42P2 to the stop position 42P1, the game ball K in the receiving passage 41a flows into the holding portion 42a, but the game ball K does not flow out from the holding portion 42a to the supply passage 44a. The supply solenoid 43 is turned on by energization, and the movable piece 42 is displaced to the stop position 42P1. The movable piece 42 is held at the stop position 42P1 because the supply solenoid 43 is on. On the other hand, the supply solenoid 43 is turned off by de-energization, and the movable piece 42 is displaced to the supply position 42P2 by gravity. The movable piece 42 is held at the supply position 42P2 by the supply solenoid 43 being off. The supply solenoid 43 is an example of a supply actuator that releases the engagement by the movable piece 42 and drives the game ball to be supplied to the shooting device 50 .

The supply entrance sensor D22 is provided adjacent to the receiving passage 41a, and outputs a supply entrance signal when the game ball K passing through the receiving passage 41a is detected. The supply entrance signal is turned on when the game ball K passing through the receiving passage 41a is detected, and is turned off when not detected. The supply outlet sensor D23 is provided adjacent to the supply passage 44a, and outputs a supply outlet signal when the game ball K passing through the supply passage 44a is detected. The supply exit signal is turned on when the game ball K passing through the supply passage 44a is detected, and turned off when not detected.

The launching device 50 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, the shooting device 50 is arranged below the game board 20 in a front view. The shooting device 50 has a shooting part 51 for receiving the game ball K supplied from the supply device 40, a shooting hammer 52 for shooting the game ball K in the shooting part 51, and the shooting hammer 52 is driven to hit the game ball. It has a firing solenoid 53 . The shooting device 50 has a receiving portion 55 for receiving foul balls (game balls K) flowing backward (falling) from the hitting passage 20c, and a foul passage portion 56 forming the foul passage 20f.

A shooting position 51a for holding the game ball K is formed in the shooting portion 51. As shown in FIG. The game ball K flows down the supply passage 44a and is held at the shooting position 51a. Firing hammer 52 has a pivot 52a at its proximal end and a ball-striking portion 52b at its distal end. The shooting hammer 52 is displaceable about the rotation shaft 52a between a ball-hitting position 52P1 where the game ball K is hit by the ball-hitting portion 52b and a retracted position 52P2 rotated downward from the ball-hitting position 52P1. Supported. The shooting hammer 52 is an example of a hitting part that hits a game ball.

The firing solenoid 53 is turned on by energization, and the firing hammer 52 is displaced to the ball hitting position 52P1. As indicated by the arrow Y1, when the shooting hammer 52 is displaced to the ball hitting position 52P1, the ball hitting portion 52b hits the game ball K at the shooting position, and the game ball K is launched toward the hitting path 20c. The game ball K shot with sufficient strength passes through the hitting passage 20c and reaches the game area 20a. When the firing solenoid 53 is deenergized, the firing hammer 52 is displaced to the retracted position 52P2 by gravity. The firing hammer 52 is held at the retracted position 52P2 by the firing solenoid 53 being off. Firing solenoid 53 is an example of a firing actuator that drives firing hammer 52 to strike a game ball. The firing actuator may be a motor.

The receiving portion 55 forms a receiving space 55a that opens below the embossing passage 20c. A lower end portion of the receiving portion 55 is connected to a passage member forming the foul passage 20f. That is, the lower end of the receiving space 55a is connected to the foul passage 20f. As indicated by arrows Y2 and Y3, the foul ball flows from the hitting passage 20c into the receiving space 55a, passes through the foul passage 20f, and is returned to the supply device 40. Further, as described above, the foul sensor D21 is provided adjacent to the foul path 20f.

Next, the jackpot game will be described.
In the jackpot game, first, a predetermined effect is performed for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as opening time). For example, the predetermined effect is an opening effect that allows recognition of the start of the jackpot game. In the jackpot game, after the opening time has elapsed, a round game for opening the big winning opening 25 is performed up to a predetermined upper limit number of times. One round game ends when a number condition that a predetermined upper limit number of game balls enter or a time condition that a predetermined upper limit time elapses is satisfied. In the round game, the big winning opening 25 is opened in a predetermined opening mode (opening pattern). In each round game, a round production is performed. In the jackpot game, when the final round game ends, a predetermined effect is performed for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as ending time). For example, the predetermined effect is an ending effect that allows recognition of the end of the jackpot game. The jackpot game is terminated when the ending time elapses.

The pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with a probability variation function (hereinafter referred to as probability variation function).
The probability variation function is a function for varying the probability of winning a big win in a big win lottery (hereinafter referred to as "big win probability"). That is, the pachinko gaming machine 10 has a low probability state in which the variable probability function does not operate and a high probability state in which the variable probability function operates, as states in which the probability of big wins may differ. The high-probability state has a higher jackpot probability than the low-probability state. In the high-probability state, the jackpot probability is higher than in the low-probability state, which is extremely advantageous for the player. The high-probability state is a so-called "variable probability state (variable probability state)".

The pachinko game machine 10 is equipped with a ball entry assisting function.
The ball entry assistance function is a function for varying the rate of ball entry into the second start hole 24 by assisting the winning of the second start hole 24 . That is, the pachinko machine 10 has two states in which the ball entry rate to the second starting port 24 may differ: a low ball entry rate state in which the ball entry assist function does not operate, and a high ball entry rate state in which the ball entry assist function operates. And prepare. In the high ball-entering rate state, the probability of the game ball entering the second starting port 24 is higher than in the low ball-entering rate state. In the high ball entry rate state, the probability that the game ball enters the second start port 24 increases, and the game ball enters the second start port 24 easily. ball easy state). The high ball-entering rate state is a so-called "electrical sapo state", and the low ball-entering rate state is a so-called "non-electrical sapo state".

For example, the high ball-entering rate state can be realized by performing one arbitrarily selected control among the three controls described below, or by performing a plurality of controls in combination. The first control is a normal symbol variation time shortening control that shortens the variation time of the normal game as compared to the low ball entry rate state. The second control is normal pattern probability variation control for varying the probability of winning the normal winning lottery (normal winning probability) to a higher probability than in the low ball entry rate state. The third control is open time extension control that makes the total open time of the second starting port 24 in one normal winning game longer than in the low ball entry rate state. The opening time extension control is a control to increase the number of openings of the second starting port 24 in one normal winning game more than in the low ball entry rate state, and one opening of the second starting port 24 in the normal winning game. It is preferable that at least one of the controls for making the time longer than in the low ball entry rate state is employed. The high ball entry rate state may be realized by combining the fourth control described below. The fourth control is a special symbol variation time reduction control that shortens the variation time of the special game (for example, the average variation time) as compared to when the ball entry rate is low. When performing variable time shortening control of special symbols, the high ball rate state is the variable time shortened state of special symbols (time saving state), and the low ball rate state is the non-variable time shortened state of special symbols (non-time saving state ).

In the pachinko game machine 10, a game state is created by a combination of whether or not the variable probability function is activated and whether or not the ball entry assist function is activated. In the following description, the low probability state and low ball entry rate state will be referred to as the "low probability low ball entry rate state", and the high probability state and low ball entry rate state will be referred to as the "high probability state." Low ball entry rate state”. In addition, a game state of low probability and high ball-entering rate is indicated as "low-probability and high-ball-entering rate state", and a gaming state of high probability and high ball-entering rate is indicated as "high-probability and high ball-entering rate". rate status.

An electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the pachinko game machine 10 has a main control board 60 and an effect control board 70 on the back side of the machine. The main control board 60 is an example of a main control section. The main control board 60 and the effect control board 70 are connected so that control information (control commands, etc.) can be output in one direction from the main control board 60 to the effect control board 70 . The main control board 60 executes predetermined processing and outputs control information to the effect control board 70 . The effect control board 70 executes a predetermined process based on control information input from the main control board 60 .

The pachinko game machine 10 has a frame control board 80 and a launch control board 90 on the back side of the machine. The frame control board 80 and the firing control board 90 constitute an example of control means for performing predetermined control. The frame control board 80 is an example of a supply control section and a frame control section that control at least the supply device 40 , and the firing control board 90 is an example of a firing control section that controls the firing device 50 . The main control board 60 and the frame control board 80 are connected so as to be capable of bi-directionally outputting control information (telegrams, etc.). The frame control board 80 and the launch control board 90 are connected so as to be able to output control information in both directions. The frame control board 80 of the pachinko game machine 10 and the CU control board 105 of the card unit 100 can bidirectionally output control information (telegrams, etc.) via the connection terminal board 98 provided in the pachinko game machine 10. are connected so that

The pachinko game machine 10 has a power supply unit 99 on the back side of the machine. The power supply unit 99 receives power supply from the outside, converts the input voltage into a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to the effect control board 70 and the frame control board 80 . The power supplied to the frame control board 80 is further supplied to the main control board 60 and the firing control board 90 . A power supply unit 99 provides power to the supply solenoid 43, the firing solenoid 53, various sensors and switches. The power supply unit 99 has a main switch 99a. The pachinko game machine 10 can be turned on by starting power supply to the power supply unit 99 with the main switch 99a turned on, or by turning on the main switch 99a with the power supplied. is configured to

The main control board 60 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 10, the main control board 60 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and a random number generation circuit 64. The CPU 61 executes processing related to the progress of the game by executing the main control program. The ROM 62 stores a main control program, determination values used for various determinations and lotteries, tables, and the like. The ROM 62 stores multiple types of variation patterns. The variation pattern is information that can specify the variation time from the start of the special game to the end. The variation pattern is information that can specify the content of variation (content of presentation) of the presentation game performed during execution of the special game. Variation patterns include a big hit variation pattern and a loss variation pattern. In the production game based on the big win variation pattern, after the ready-to-win production, finally, the combination of symbols for the big win is stop-displayed. The performance game based on the losing variation pattern has variable contents in which the winning symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed through the ready-to-win effect or without the ready-to-win effect.

RAM63 memorize|stores various information rewritten according to the process result of CPU61. For example, the information stored by the RAM 63 includes flags, counters, and timers. The RAM 63 is an example of storage means capable of storing information. A random number generation circuit 64 generates a hardware random number. The main control board 60 may be configured to generate software random numbers through random number generation processing by the CPU 61 .

The main control board 60 is connected to the first start sensor D11, the second start sensor D12, the count sensor D13, the normal sensor D14, and the gate sensor D15. The CPU 61 can input detection signals output by the sensors D11 to D15 detecting game balls. The main control board 60 is connected to each of the display devices 21a-21f. The CPU 61 can control the display contents of each of the display devices 21a to 21f. The main control board 60 is connected to each solenoid SL1, SL2. The CPU 61 can control the opening mode of the second starting port 24 and the big winning port 25 by controlling the operation of each solenoid SL1, SL2.

The effect control board 70 will be explained.
The effect control board 70 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, and a RAM 73. The CPU 71 performs processing related to effects by executing a sub-control program. The ROM 72 stores a sub-control program, a determination value used for a predetermined lottery, and the like. The ROM 72 stores display effect data used for display effects, light emission effect data used for light emission effects, and sound effect data used for sound effects. The RAM 73 stores various information rewritten during operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 . For example, the information stored by the RAM 73 is flags, counters, timers, and the like. The effect control board 70 is configured to be able to generate software random numbers through random number generation processing by the CPU 71 . The effect control board 70 may include a random number generation circuit and be capable of generating hardware random numbers.

The effect control board 70 is connected to the effect display device 19 . The CPU 71 can control display contents in the image display area 19 a of the effect display device 19 . The effect control board 70 is connected to the effect sound device 12 . The CPU 71 can control the output contents of the effect sound device 12 . The effect control board 70 is connected to the effect light emitting device 14 . The CPU 71 can control the light emission mode of the effect light emitting device 14 .

The frame control board 80 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 9, the frame control board 80 includes a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, a performance display monitor 84, a ball removal switch 85, an error release switch 86, a game ball clear switch 87, a RAM clear switch 88, a backup power supply 89, a backup It comprises a circuit 89a and a fire enable circuit 89b. The CPU 81 executes a frame control program to perform processing related to the operation of components mounted on the mounting frame 11b. The ROM 82 stores a frame control program and the like. The RAM 83 stores various information rewritten during operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 . For example, the information stored by the RAM 83 includes flags, counters, and timers.

A performance display monitor 84 displays the base value. The base value is a value indicating the ratio (proportion) of the total number of prize balls during a normal game to the total number of valid balls during a normal game. The normal game is a game when the low-probability low ball-entering rate state and no jackpot game is performed. The effective ball is a game ball that has reached the game area 20a among the game balls shot from the shooting device 50. As shown in FIG. The base value is calculated on the premise that the jackpot game is not in progress, and is obtained by a formula of "total number of winning balls during normal game/total number of effective balls during normal game×100". The performance display monitor 84 is an example of base display means capable of displaying information about the base of the game ball.

The ball removal switch 85 is a switch that is operated when a ball removal state is generated in which the game balls enclosed inside the pachinko gaming machine 10 can be discharged to the outside of the machine. The ball removal switch 85 outputs a ball removal signal when the pushing operation is performed. The ball removal signal is sent to the ball removal switch 85.
When is pressed, it is turned on, and when it is not pressed, it is turned off. A ball extraction signal is output to CPU81.

The error release switch 86 is a switch that is operated when a predetermined error occurs and the error state is released after the cause of the error is resolved. The error cancellation switch 86 outputs an error cancellation signal when it is pushed. The error cancellation signal is turned on when the error cancellation switch 86 is pushed, and turned off when the error cancellation switch 86 is not pushed. An error cancellation signal is output to the CPU 81 .

The game ball clear switch 87 is a switch that is operated when the number of game balls stored as data in the RAM 83 (hereinafter referred to as game ball number information) is initialized to zero. The game ball clear switch 87 outputs a game ball clear signal when a push operation is performed. The game ball clear signal is turned on when the game ball clear switch 87 is pushed, and turned off when the game ball clear switch 87 is not pushed. The game ball clear signal is output to the CPU81.

The RAM clear switch 88 is a switch that is operated when the main information stored in the RAM 63 and the information stored in the RAM 83 are initialized (hereinafter referred to as RAM clear). The RAM clear switch 88 outputs a RAM clear signal when pushed. The RAM clear signal is turned on when the RAM clear switch 88 is pressed, and turned off when the switch is not pressed. The RAM clear signal is output to the CPU 81 and also to the main control board 60 (CPU 61).

The backup power supply 89 supplies backup power to the main control board 60 (RAM 63) in addition to the RAM 83 even when the power supply from the outside is interrupted. The RAMs 63 and 83 receive backup power from the backup power supply 89, so that the stored contents of the RAMs 63 and 83 can be retained even after the power is turned off. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 10 of this embodiment has a backup function. Not limited to this, one or both of the RAMs 63 and 83 are non-volatile memories that can retain the stored contents even when the power supply is stopped, so that they can be stored even after the power is turned off. It may be possible to hold information about

As an example, the backup power supply 89 may be a power storage device that stores power while power is being supplied from the outside. The backup power supply 89 maintains a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as , supply time TA), the backup power is supplied to them. Note that the supply time TA relates to the amount of power stored to supply the firing control board 90 and the firing solenoid 53, and may be the time required to discharge the power, or the time defined by a predetermined circuit. There may be.

The firing control board 90 (the firing control circuit 91) and the firing solenoid 53 are supplied with backup power from the backup power supply 89, so that they can perform predetermined operations even after the power supply from the outside is cut off. Although the details will be described later, the launching device 50 is configured such that during at least one of a period during which a normal firing operation (firing sequence) is performed and a period during which a special firing operation (blank firing sequence) is performed, external Even if the power supply from the outside is cut off, it is configured to enable at least one firing operation after the power supply from the outside is cut off.

Information that can be stored in the RAM 63 and that is to be backed up includes main information. The main information is information regarding the progress of the game. As an example, the main information includes information on the jackpot state (including the number of round games), information on the game state, information on the number of reservations, information on normal symbols and special symbols, and information on the error state.

Information that can be stored in the RAM 83 and that is to be backed up includes game ball number information, game information, and performance information. The game ball number information is information that can specify the game ball number. The game information is information notified from the main control board 60 according to the progress of the game. As an example, the game information includes the occurrence of a starting gate win, the occurrence of a normal win, the occurrence of a big win gate win in a jackpot game, passage through a gate, the establishment of a special pattern (end of a variable game), the occurrence of a jackpot, and the current There is information that can specify the game state and the like. The performance information is a base value and information related to calculation of the base value. The information related to the calculation of the base value includes the total number of won prize balls during the normal game and the total number of effective balls during the normal game.

The backup circuit 89 a outputs a power-off detection signal to the CPU 81 and to the CPU 61 of the main control board 60 when the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 99 drops below a specified voltage. The launch permitting circuit 89b is a circuit for outputting to the launch control board 90 a signal (hereinafter referred to as a launch permitting signal) that can specify that the game ball is in a launch permitting state that permits the launching of game balls. The conditions for outputting the launch permission signal will be described later.

The frame control board 80 is connected with the counting switch 18 . The CPU 81 is configured to receive the counting signal output by the counting switch 18 . The frame control board 80 includes a radio wave sensor D16, a first door opening switch D17, a second door opening switch D18, a foul sensor D21, a supply entrance sensor D22, a supply exit sensor D23, a winning path count sensor D25, and a non-winning path count sensor D26. , and a ball passage ball clogging monitoring sensor D27. The CPU 81 receives radio signals output from these sensors and switches, first door open signal, second door open signal, foul signal, supply entrance signal, supply exit signal, winning passage signal, non-winning passage signal, and clogging detection. A signal can be input. Of these signals, the frame control board 80 outputs the first door open signal and the second door open signal to the main control board 60 .

The frame control board 80 is connected to the notification audio device 13 . The CPU 81 can control the output contents of the notification audio device 13 . The frame control board 80 is connected to the game ball number display device 17 . The CPU 81 is configured to be able to control the display contents of the game ball number display device 17 .

The frame control board 80 is connected to the maintenance device 35 . The CPU 81 is configured to be able to control maintenance operations of the maintenance device 35 . The frame control board 80 is connected with the supply solenoid 43 . The CPU 81 can displace the movable piece 42 by controlling the energization of the supply solenoid 43 . That is, the CPU 81 is configured so as to be able to control the supply operation of the game balls by the supply device 40 .

As described above, the frame control board 80 is connected with the card unit 100 . The CPU 81 is configured to be able to receive various messages sent by the CU control board 105 . The connection signal output by the card unit 100 is input from the connection terminal plate 98 to the emission permission circuit 89b without passing through the CPU 81. FIG. Although details will be described later, a firing stop signal output by the main control board 60 and an error signal output by the CPU 81 are also input to the firing permission circuit 89b.

The launch control board 90 includes a launch control circuit 91 for controlling the operation of the launch device 50 . The firing control circuit 91 outputs a drive signal to the firing solenoid 53 based on the control signal input from the frame control board 80 and the signal input from the sensor or switch.

The firing control board 90 is connected with the touch sensor D01, the firing stop switch D02, and the handle volume D03. The launch control circuit 91 is configured to be able to input touch signals, stop signals, and volume signals output by these switches and sensors. The firing control board 90 is connected with the firing solenoid 53 . When the firing control circuit 91 outputs a drive signal to the firing solenoid 53, the firing solenoid 53 is driven and the firing hammer 52 is displaced to the ball hitting position 52P1. That is, the shooting control board 90 is configured to be able to control the shooting operation of the game ball by the shooting device 50 .

The firing control circuit 91 has an operation determination section, a pulse clock generation section, a timing pulse generation section, a holding circuit, and a solenoid drive section. The operation determination unit operates when the firing permission signal from the frame control board 80 is ON, the stop signal from the firing stop switch D02 is OFF, and the touch signal from the touch sensor D01 is ON. When the enabling condition is satisfied, an operation signal is output to the timing pulse generator. The operation determination unit determines that the firing permission signal from the frame control board 80 is on, the stop signal from the firing stop switch D02 is off, and the touch signal from the touch sensor D01 is on. is not satisfied in part or in whole, so that the operating signal is not output to the timing pulse generator.

When an operation signal is input, the timing pulse generator synthesizes the operation signal and the pulse signal input from the pulse clock generator, and outputs a firing timing pulse to the solenoid drive unit. The solenoid drive unit supplies (outputs) a drive current having a voltage corresponding to the volume signal (voltage) input from the handle volume D03 to the firing solenoid 53 each time the firing timing pulse is input. As a result, the shooting solenoid 53 is driven with an intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation operation of the handle lever 15a, and the game ball is shot. Although details will be described later, the launch control circuit 91 outputs a subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at a predetermined timing. The holding circuit holds the voltage (voltage value) of the volume signal at that point in time when the drive current is output while the operable condition is satisfied. The firing control circuit 91 (solenoid drive unit) supplies the firing solenoid 53 with a driving current of a voltage corresponding to the voltage value held (stored) in the holding circuit instead of the voltage value of the volume signal in the blank firing sequence described later. do.

Also, the holding circuit holds the voltage (voltage value) of the volume signal. The holding circuit constitutes an example of information holding means for holding information. The voltage value that can be held by the holding circuit is an example of operation amount information generated according to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 (handle lever 15a).

Processing executed by the frame control board 80 (CPU 81) will be described.
The frame-side power-off processing will be described.
When the CPU 81 receives a power-off detection signal output by the backup circuit 89a when the power supply voltage drops below a specified voltage, the CPU 81 executes power-off processing. In the power-off process, the CPU 81 calculates the checksum value of the RAM 83 and stores the calculated checksum value in the RAM 83 . In addition, the CPU 81 causes the RAM 83 to store information (hereinafter referred to as a backup flag) that can specify that the power-off process has been executed normally. After that, the CPU 81 waits until the power is completely turned off. Various information stored in the RAM 83 when the power is turned off is retained even after the power is turned off by the backup function described above.

The frame-side power-on process will be described.
The CPU 81 determines whether or not the backed-up information is normal when the voltage supplied to the frame control board 80 reaches the voltage required for the operation of the CPU 81 as the power is turned on. Specifically, the CPU 81 determines whether or not a backup flag is stored in the RAM 83 . Further, the CPU 81 calculates the checksum value of the RAM 83 and determines whether or not the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value calculated in the power-off process. When the backup flag is stored and the checksum values match, the CPU 81 determines that the operation is normal, and otherwise determines that the operation is abnormal. When determining that the backed-up information is abnormal, the CPU 81 initializes the game ball number information and the game information stored in the RAM 83 . At this time, the CPU 81 does not initialize the performance information. Thereafter, the CPU 81 shifts to communication check processing, which will be described later.

When determining that the backed-up information is normal, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game ball clear switch 87 is operated based on whether or not the game ball clear signal is on. The CPU 81 initializes the game ball number information stored in the RAM 83 when the game ball clear switch 87 is operated. At this time, the CPU 81 does not initialize the game information and the performance information. The CPU 81 does not initialize the game ball number information when the game ball clear switch 87 is not operated.

The CPU 81 determines whether the RAM clear switch 88 is operated based on whether the RAM clear signal is on. The CPU 81 initializes the game information stored in the RAM 83 when the RAM clear switch 88 is operated. At this time, the CPU 81 does not initialize the game ball number information and the performance information. The CPU 81 does not initialize the game information when the RAM clear switch 88 is not operated. In this embodiment, the performance information is either a situation in which game ball number information is initialized according to the operation of the game ball clear switch 87, or a situation in which the game information is initialized according to the operation of the RAM clear switch 88. but not initialized. After that, the CPU 81 shifts to communication check processing.

In the communication check process, the CPU 81 determines whether or not start-up information has been received from the main control board 60 . In one example of the present embodiment, the start-up information is gaming machine installation information. As an example, the gaming machine installation information is information that can specify the type of gaming machine, the ID number of the CPU 61, the manufacturer of the CPU 61, and the like. When the CPU 81 normally receives the start-up information, the CPU 81 transmits response information to the main control board 60 . After that, the CPU 81 ends the communication check process, returns based on the game ball number information, the game information, and the performance information initialized or backed up, and executes the frame side normal process described later.

If the CPU 81 does not receive the start-up information within a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 minutes) after power-on, the CPU 81 stores in the RAM 83 a flag that can identify the occurrence of a communication line disconnection error. That is, the CPU 81 sets a communication line disconnection error. After that, the CPU 81 waits until it receives the start-up information. When the CPU 81 normally receives the start-up information from the main control board 60 while setting the communication line disconnection error, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the communication line disconnection error. After that, the CPU 81 ends the communication check process, returns based on the game ball number information, the game information, and the performance information initialized or backed up, and executes the frame side normal process described later. Not limited to this, the CPU 81 may set a communication line disconnection error when the reception of the startup information and the transmission of the response information are not successful for a plurality of times (for example, three times). In this case, the start-up information received a plurality of times may be gaming machine installation information for the first time, and may be information different from the gaming machine installation information (eg, gaming machine information) for the second and subsequent times.

The frame-side normal processing of the frame control board 80 will be described.
Of the frame-side normal processing, the game information storage processing will be described.
The game information generation process is a process of storing game information input from the main control board 60 in the RAM 83 . The CPU 81 stores the game information in the RAM 83 when receiving the game information that can specify the game state. By referring to the game information stored in the RAM 83, the CPU 81 can identify whether the jackpot game is in progress, the high probability state, and the high ball entry rate state. . In addition, when various types of game information are input, the CPU 81 generates information that can specify the input game information, and stores the information in the RAM 83 . Further, when receiving the game information, the CPU 81 transmits part or all of the received game information to an external device (hall computer, etc.).

Performance information generation processing of the frame side normal processing will be described.
Performance information generation processing is processing for calculating a base value as performance information. The CPU 81 refers to the game state flag, and determines whether the current game state is a low-probability low ball-entering rate state (that is, whether it is during a normal game) or not during a jackpot game. In the case of a normal game, the CPU 81 outputs game information that can specify the occurrence of a start-up win (hereinafter referred to as start-up win-win information) or game information that can specify the occurrence of a normal win-win (hereinafter referred to as normal win-win information). ) is received, the total number of prize balls acquired during the normal game is added. The total number of won prize balls is stored in the RAM 83 as one piece of performance information. When the CPU 81 inputs the winning path signal or the non-winning path signal, it adds the total number of valid balls in the normal game. The total number of effective balls is stored in the RAM 83 as one piece of performance information. The CPU 81 calculates the base value according to a formula of "total number of winning balls during normal game/total number of effective balls during normal game×100". The CPU 81 may count the total number of won prize balls and the total number of valid balls for each minute, and calculate the base value every minute. The CPU 81 may count the total number of winning prize balls by dividing each time the total number of effective balls reaches the specified number, and may calculate the base value each time the total number of effective balls reaches the specified number. As an example, the prescribed number may be 60,000 balls, or the maximum number of balls that can be fired by the launching device 50 per minute (eg, 100 balls). The CPU 81 controls the performance display monitor 84 to display information that can identify the calculated base value.

The CPU 81 may be configured so as to be able to calculate the character product ratio and the continuous character product ratio as the performance information and display them on the performance display monitor 84 . The role ratio is the ratio of the total number of prize balls acquired by operating the electric role product to the total number of prize balls acquired through all game states. The total number of prize balls acquired by the operation of the electric accessory is the total number of prize balls acquired by winning the second start port 24 by the normal winning game (ordinary electric accessory operation), and the large number of winning balls by the big hit game (special electric accessory operation) It is the sum of the total number of winning balls that enter the winning hole 25 . The continuous role ratio is the ratio of the total number of prize balls obtained by the continuous role operation to the total number of prize balls obtained through all game states. The total number of prize balls obtained by the continuous accessory operation is the total number of prize balls obtained by winning the big prize opening 25 by the big hit game.

The number-of-game-balls information generating process of the frame-side normal process will be described.
The game ball number information generating process is a process for generating (managing) the game ball number. When the CPU 81 receives information on the number of winning balls from the main control board 60, it adds the number of winning balls that can be specified from the information on the number of winning balls to the number of game balls. Acquired prize ball number information is control information output by the main control board 60 when a condition for awarding prize balls is established as a prize is won in a predetermined prize hole, and specifies the number of prize balls set for the prize hole. configured as possible. When the CPU 81 receives the award information from the card unit 100, the CPU 81 adds the number of imparted balls indicated in the award information to the number of game balls. When the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has been supplied to the launching device 50 based on the supply entrance signal output by the supply entrance sensor D22, the CPU 81 subtracts the number of game balls. As an example, the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has been supplied when the supply entrance signal transitions from the OFF state to the ON state to the OFF state. As a result, it can be said that the number of game balls managed electromagnetically is converted into actual game balls.

Not limited to this, the CPU 81 may subtract the number of game balls by driving the shooting solenoid 53, provide a sensor in the hitting passage 20c, and when the sensor detects a game ball shot from the shooting device 50, the game ball is played. The configuration may be such that the number of balls is subtracted. In this embodiment, the number of game balls is subtracted as an example of the number of game balls stored as data in relation to at least one of the shooting operation by the shooting device 50 and the supply operation by the supply device 40. It can be said that When the number of game balls stored as data becomes "0", which is an example of a number less than a predetermined number, the CPU 81 outputs a zero game ball signal to the launch permission circuit 89b.

When the CPU 81 is in the countable state and receives a count signal from the count switch 18 , the CPU 81 transmits to the card unit 100 count information that can specify the number of balls to be counted. The CPU 81 subtracts the number of count balls that can be specified from the count information from the number of game balls. The CPU 81 may output the count information after subtracting the number of game balls, or may output the count information and then subtract the number of game balls. As an example, the countable state is a state in which necessary power is supplied and the number of game balls is not zero. The CPU 81 controls the luminous body built in the counting lamp 18a so that the counting lamp 18a lights up when the counting is possible. In one example of the present embodiment, management of the number of game balls is transferred to the card unit 100 by transmitting count information to the card unit 100 .

Then, the CPU 81 controls the game ball number display device 17 so as to display information capable of specifying the updated number of game balls added or subtracted. In one example of this embodiment, the CPU 81 includes means for adding the number of game balls stored as data, means for subtracting the number of game balls stored as data, and displaying the number of game balls stored as data. It can be understood as a means to Although details will be described later, the number-of-game-balls display device 17 is also used as a device capable of displaying information capable of specifying an error state set (detected) by the frame control board 80 .

The error setting process of the frame-side normal process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 11, the error setting process is a process for detecting the occurrence of an error state and setting the error state. In one example of this embodiment, the error states detectable by the frame control board 80 (CPU 81) include, in addition to the above-described communication line disconnection error, a first door open error, a second door open error, a radio wave error, and an iron ball. There are at least detection errors, feed inlet sensor errors, too many balls circulating errors, and too few circulating balls errors.

When the first door opening signal is input from the first door opening switch D17, the CPU 81 causes the RAM 83 to store a flag capable of identifying the occurrence of the first door opening error state. That is, the CPU 81 sets the first door open error that the protection frame 11c is in the open state. When the first door open signal is no longer input, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the first door open error. When the CPU 81 inputs the second door opening signal from the second door opening switch D18, the CPU 81 stores in the RAM 83 a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of the second door opening error state. That is, the CPU 81 sets the second door open error that the mounting frame 11b is in the open state. When the second door open signal is no longer input, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the second door open error.

When the radio wave detection signal is input from the radio wave sensor D16, the CPU 81 causes the RAM 83 to store a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of the radio wave error state. That is, the CPU 81 sets radio wave error. The radio wave error state is a state in which there is a high possibility that fraudulent acts (fraudulent acts) are being carried out using radio waves. When the radio wave error is set, the CPU 81 does not cancel the radio wave error until the power is turned off. If the radio wave error state is resolved after the power is turned on, the radio wave error is not set, and if the radio wave error state is detected again, the radio wave error is set even after the power is turned on.

When the CPU 81 detects that the ball passage is clogged based on the ball clogging detection signal output by the ball passage clogging monitoring sensor D27, the CPU 81 outputs a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of the iron ball detection error state. Store it in the RAM 83 . That is, the CPU 81 sets an iron ball detection error. As an example, the CPU 81 sets an iron ball detection error when a specified time elapses without turning off the ball clogging detection signal after turning it on. As described above, when the jammed ball detection signal continues to be on, there is a high possibility that a magnetic game ball such as an iron ball is caught by the magnet provided in the ball passage. When the clogged ball detection signal is turned off, the CPU 81 cancels the iron ball detection error setting. As described above, if a game ball having magnetism is captured, the ball jam in the ball passage can be released by operating the release lever (not shown) to the release position.

The CPU 81 subtracts the number of circulating balls stored in the RAM 83 when it detects that one game ball has been supplied to the shooting device 50 based on the supply entrance signal output by the supply entrance sensor D22. As for the number of circulating balls, the specified number enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 10 is used as the initial number of balls. As an example, the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has been supplied when the supply entrance signal transitions in the ON state→OFF state→ON state.

Not limited to this, the CPU 81 may subtract the number of game balls by driving the shooting solenoid 53, provide a sensor in the hitting passage 20c, and when the sensor detects a game ball shot from the shooting device 50, the game ball is played. The configuration may be such that the number of balls is subtracted. In this embodiment, the number of circulating balls is subtracted as an example of the number of game balls stored as data in relation to at least one of the shooting operation by the shooting device 50 and the supply operation by the supply device 40. It can be said that

When the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has returned to the supply device 40 based on the winning path signal output by the winning path count sensor D25 and the non-winning path signal output by the non-winning path count sensor D26, the RAM 83 Add the number of circulating balls stored in As an example, the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has returned when the winning path signal or the non-winning path signal transitions in the ON state→OFF state→ON state. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured such that when a game ball used in a game is detected, the number of game balls stored as data is added.

When the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has returned to the supply device 40 based on the foul signal output by the foul sensor D, the CPU 81 adds the number of circulating balls stored in the RAM 83 . As an example, the CPU 81 detects that one game ball has returned when the foul signal transitions in the ON state→OFF state→ON state. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 10 adds the number of game balls stored as data when a game ball (foul ball) that has not reached the game area 20a even though the launching device 50 performs a shooting operation is detected. It is a configuration that is

When the CPU 81 detects that the inlet (receiving passage 41a) of the supply device 40 is clogged with balls based on the supply inlet signal output by the supply inlet sensor D22, the CPU 81 can identify the occurrence of the supply inlet sensor error state. flag is stored in the RAM 83. That is, the CPU 81 sets a supply inlet sensor error. As an example, the CPU 81 sets a supply inlet sensor error when a specified time ta elapses without the supply inlet signal turning on after the supply solenoid 43 is driven and the supply inlet signal does not turn off. Details of the drive of the supply solenoid 43 and the detection of game balls by the supply entrance sensor will be described later. When the error cancellation switch 86 is operated, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the supply entrance sensor error. Even if the setting of the supply inlet sensor error is canceled, the supply inlet sensor error is set again after a predetermined period of time if the ball clogging in the receiving passage 41a is not resolved.

When the number of circulating balls becomes equal to or greater than the first number of circulating balls, which is larger than the initial number of balls, the CPU 81 causes the RAM 83 to store a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of an excessive number of circulating balls error. That is, the CPU 81 sets an excessive number of circulating balls error. When the number of circulating balls becomes less than the first number of circulating balls, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the excessive number of circulating balls error. When the number of circulating balls becomes less than the second number of circulating balls, which is smaller than the initial number of balls, the CPU 81 stores in the RAM 83 a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of an error of an insufficient number of circulating balls. In other words, the CPU 81 sets the circulating ball count error. When the number of circulating balls becomes equal to or greater than the second number of circulating balls, the CPU 81 cancels the setting of the circulating ball number insufficient error.

The error notification process of the frame-side normal process will be described.
The CPU 81 controls the display contents of the number-of-game-balls display device 17 so as to display an error code, which is an example of information that can identify the error being set, while the error is being set. An error code is information unique to each error. For example, as shown in the column of "error code" in the figure, [E02] for communication line disconnection error, [E03] for supply entrance sensor error, [E21] for first door open error, and second door An error code such as [E22] is set for each open error. The CPU 81 alternately switches display of the error code and display of the number of game balls at predetermined time intervals. Further, when a plurality of types of errors are set, the CPU 81 sequentially displays the plurality of types of errors and the number of game balls for each predetermined time. The configuration is not limited to this, and the CPU 81 may display an error code and not display the number of game balls. When the error being set is canceled, the CPU 81 controls the number-of-game-balls display device 17 so as to end the display of the error code corresponding to the canceled error. In one example of this embodiment, all errors that can be detected by the frame control board 80 are displayed as error codes on the game ball number display device 17 . The number-of-game-balls display device 17 is also used as means for notifying an error.

The CPU 81 controls the display contents of the performance display monitor 84 so as to display an error code that can identify the error being set. In other words, the error code is displayed on both the number-of-game-balls display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 . The CPU 81 alternately switches display of the error code and display of the base value (performance information) every predetermined time. Further, when a plurality of types of errors are set, the CPU 81 sequentially displays a plurality of types of error codes and base values for each predetermined time. The configuration is not limited to this, and the CPU 81 may display an error code and not display the base value. Furthermore, the CPU 81 may be configured to display the number of game balls in addition to the base value and the error code on the performance display monitor 84 . In this case, the CPU 81 may display these three types of information in order while switching them every predetermined time. The CPU 81 controls the performance display monitor 84 so as to end the display of the error code when the setting error is cleared. In one example of this embodiment, all errors that can be detected by the frame control board 80 are subject to error code display on the performance display monitor 84 . The performance display monitor 84 of this embodiment is also used as means for notifying an error. The CPU 81 starts the display of the error code on the performance display monitor 84 and the display of the error code on the number-of-game-balls display device 17 at the same or substantially the same timing.

The CPU 81 controls the notification sound device 13 so as to output the notification sound in a sound pattern that enables identification of the error being set. In other words, the CPU 81 performs voice notification (hereinafter referred to as error voice notification) for announcing the error being set. In one example of the present embodiment, the CPU 81 targets radio wave error, iron ball detection error, supply inlet sensor error, error of excessive number of circulating balls, and error of insufficient number of circulating balls, and when these errors are being set, Make an error voice notification. The CPU 81 does not notify the communication line disconnection error, the first door opening error, and the second door opening error, and does not perform the error voice notification for notifying these errors. The sound pattern of the error sound notification has different contents for each type of error, and can specify the outline of the error being set. For example, in the case of a radio wave error, it is a voice that reads out a string of characters "Error code E31 has occurred. Please call a member of staff."

The CPU 81 performs control to restrict the shooting of game balls while setting a predetermined error (supply entrance sensor error as an example) among a plurality of types of errors. The CPU 81 outputs a predetermined signal (error signal) to the firing permission circuit 89b when a supply inlet sensor error occurs. Here, the firing permission circuit 89b receives the connection signal from the card unit 100, does not input the firing stop signal from the main control board 60, and inputs the number of game balls zero signal and the error signal from the CPU 81. Generates a launch enable signal when not in use, launch control board 90
output to That is, the launch permission signal is turned on. Thus, the conditions for outputting the firing permission signal from the firing permission circuit 89b are that the connection signal is input from the card unit 100, the firing stop signal is not input from the main control board 60, and the error signal is output from the CPU 81. And it is established by not inputting the game ball number zero signal. Inputting the connection signal from the card unit 100 indicates that the card unit 100 and the pachinko game machine 10 are normally connected. The fact that no error signal is input from the CPU 81 indicates that the frame control board 80 has not caused an error requiring prohibition of the shooting of the game ball. The fact that the game ball number zero signal is not input from the CPU 81 indicates that the game ball number is not zero.

Next, various processes performed by the main control board 60 (CPU 61) will be described.
Main power shutdown processing will be described.
When the CPU 61 receives a power-off detection signal from the frame control board 80 (backup circuit 89a), it executes power-off processing. In the power-off process, the CPU 61 outputs a firing stop signal to the frame control board 80 . The CPU 61 calculates the checksum value of the RAM 63 and stores the calculated checksum value in the RAM 63 . In addition, the CPU 61 causes the RAM 63 to store information (hereinafter referred to as a backup flag) that can specify that the power-off process has been executed normally. After that, the CPU 61 waits until the power is completely turned off. Various information stored in the RAM 63 when the power is turned off is retained even after the power is turned off by the backup function described above.

Main power-on processing will be described.
The CPU 61 prohibits timer interrupt processing when the voltage supplied to the main control board 60 reaches the voltage required for the operation of the CPU 61 as the power is turned on. Subsequently, the CPU 61 transmits start-up information to the frame control board 80 . The CPU 61 transmits the start-up information to the frame control board 80 when a predetermined time (eg, 108 ms) elapses without receiving response information after transmitting the start-up information. After that, when the CPU 61 does not receive the response information from the frame control board 80, the CPU 61 transmits start-up information to the frame control board 80 every time a predetermined period of time elapses. It should be noted that the start-up information that is transmitted a plurality of times may be the same information, or may be different information so that the number of times of transmission can be specified. The CPU 61 detects a disconnection of the communication line when the number of transmissions of the start-up information reaches a specified number (ten times, for example), and stores in the RAM 63 information that can identify the occurrence of a communication line disconnection error. That is, the CPU 61 sets a communication line disconnection error. After setting the communication line disconnection error, the CPU 61 outputs control information (hereinafter referred to as a communication line disconnection error command) that can specify the occurrence of the communication line disconnection error to the effect control board 70 . After that, the CPU 61 waits until the power is turned off. In this embodiment, the time required for the frame control board 80 to detect a communication line disconnection error (eg, 3 minutes) is the same as the time required for the main control board 60 to detect a communication line disconnection error (eg, 1080 ms). long compared to

The CPU 61 determines that the communication line is normal when receiving the response information to the start-up information. If the communication line is normal, the CPU 61 determines whether the backed up information is normal. Specifically, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the RAM 63 stores a backup flag. The CPU 61 also calculates the checksum value of the RAM 63 and determines whether or not the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value calculated in the power-off process. When the backup flag is stored and the checksum values match, the CPU 61 judges that it is normal, and otherwise judges that it is abnormal.

When determining that the backed up information is abnormal, the CPU 61 initializes the main information stored in the RAM 63 . The CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 a control command (hereinafter referred to as an initialization command) that can specify that various types of information have been initialized. After that, the CPU 61 terminates the main power-on process.

When determining that the backed-up information is normal, the CPU 61 determines whether or not a RAM clear signal is input from the frame control board 80 (RAM clear switch 87). When the RAM clear signal is input, the CPU 61 initializes the main information stored in the RAM 63 . The CPU 61 outputs an initialization command to the effect control board 70 . On the other hand, when the RAM clear signal is not input, the CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 a control command (hereinafter referred to as a power recovery command) that can be specified to return based on the backed up main information.

After completing the main power-on process, the CPU 61 permits the timer interrupt process. In other words, the CPU 61 can execute processing for advancing the game (hereinafter referred to as main normal processing). If the main information has been initialized, the main normal processing is executed based on the initialized main information. That is, the CPU 61 is based on a state in which both the first special reservation number and the second special reservation number are zero, neither the first special game nor the second special game is being executed, and no jackpot game is given. to execute various processes included in the main normal process. The main normal processing is executed based on the backed up main information unless the main information is initialized. That is, the CPU 61 executes the special game if the first special reserved number and the second special reserved number are the reserved numbers at the time of power failure, and either the first special game or the second special game is being executed. It returns to processing, and returns to the processing of giving a big win game if the big win game is being given.

The CPU 61 executes a special symbol input process, a special symbol start process, and the like as timer interrupt processes performed at predetermined control intervals (for example, 4 ms). Both the special symbol input process and the special symbol start process are main normal processes.

The special symbol input processing will be explained.
The CPU 61 determines whether or not the game ball has entered the first starting port 23 based on whether or not a detection signal has been input from the first starting sensor D11. When the game ball enters the first starting port 23, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the first reservation number stored in the RAM 63 is less than the upper limit number (4 in this embodiment). When the first reservation number is less than the upper limit number, the CPU 61 adds 1 to the first reservation number and updates it. Subsequently, the CPU 61 controls the first pending display device 21c to display information that can specify the updated first pending number. In this embodiment, the reservation condition of the first special game is established when the game ball is detected by the first starting sensor D11 when the first reservation number is less than the upper limit number.

Next, the CPU 61 acquires a random number generated by the random number generation circuit 64 and causes the RAM 63 to store random number information based on the acquired random number. For example, the random number is a winning random number used for a special symbol winning lottery, a winning symbol random number used for determining a winning symbol, and a variation pattern random number used for determining a variation pattern. The CPU 61 stores the random number information so that the random number information is for the first special game and the storage order of the random number information can be specified. The random number information may be the acquired random number itself, or may be information obtained by processing the random number by a predetermined method. By storing the random number information used for the first special game in the RAM 63, the pachinko gaming machine 10 can suspend the execution of the first special game until the condition for starting the first special game is satisfied.

When the random number information for the first special game is stored in the RAM 63, when the game ball has not entered the first start port 23, and when the first reserved number is not less than the upper limit number, the second It is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second start port 24 based on whether or not a detection signal has been input from the start sensor D12. When the game ball has entered the second starting port 24, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the second reservation number stored in the RAM 63 is less than the upper limit number (4 in this embodiment). When the second reservation number is less than the upper limit number, the CPU 61 adds 1 to the second reservation number and updates it. The CPU 61 controls the second pending display device 21d so as to display information capable of specifying the second pending number after the addition. In this embodiment, the second special game holding condition is established when the second holding number is less than the upper limit number and the game ball is detected by the second starting sensor D12.

Next, the CPU 61 acquires random numbers generated in the main control board 60 and stores random number information based on the acquired random numbers in the RAM 63 . The CPU 61 stores the random number information so that the random number information is used for the second special game and the storage order of the random number information can be specified. By storing the random number information used for the second special game in the RAM 63, the pachinko gaming machine 10 can suspend the execution of the second special game until the conditions for starting the second special game are satisfied. When the random number information for the second special game is stored in the RAM 63, when the game ball has not entered the second start port 24, and when the second reservation number is not less than the upper limit number, the CPU 61 is a special symbol End input processing.

The special symbol start processing will be explained.
First, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the conditions for starting the special game are satisfied. The CPU 61 makes an affirmative determination when the big winning game is not being played and the special game is not being executed, and makes a negative determination when the big winning game is being played or the special game is being executed. If the special game start condition is not satisfied, the CPU 61 ends the special symbol start process. When the condition for starting the special game is satisfied, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the second pending number is greater than zero. When the second reservation number is zero, the CPU 61 determines whether the first reservation number is greater than zero. When the first reserved number is zero, the CPU 61 terminates the special symbol start process.

When the first reservation number is greater than zero, the CPU 61 performs processing for executing the first special game. Specifically, the CPU 61 updates the first reservation number by subtracting 1 from it. The CPU 61 controls the first pending display device 21c so as to display information capable of specifying the first pending number after the subtraction. Next, the CPU 61 acquires from the RAM 63 the random number information stored first among the random number information for the first special game. Subsequently, the CPU 61 uses a winning random number specified from the obtained random number information to perform a big winning lottery (big winning determination) as a special symbol winning lottery to determine whether or not to win a big winning. The CPU 61 performs a jackpot lottery with a jackpot probability corresponding to the current probability state (whether or not the variable probability function is operated).

When winning the jackpot, the CPU 61 performs jackpot variation processing. In the big-hit variation process, the CPU 61 performs a big-hit symbol lottery using a winning symbol random number that can be specified from the random number information, and determines a big-hit symbol to be stop-displayed in the first special game. The CPU 61 performs a variation pattern determination lottery using a variation pattern random number that can be specified from the random number information, and determines a variation pattern from among a plurality of big hit variation patterns. After that, the CPU 61 terminates the special symbol start process.

When the jackpot is not won, the CPU 61 performs loss variation processing. In the losing variation process, the CPU 61 determines the winning symbols to be stopped and displayed in the first special game. The CPU 61 performs a variation pattern determination lottery using a variation pattern random number that can be specified from the random number information, and determines a variation pattern from among a plurality of losing variation patterns. After that, the CPU 61 terminates the special symbol start process.

When the second reservation number is greater than zero, the CPU 61 performs processing for executing the second special game. In the process for executing the second special game, the "first special game" is changed to the "second special game", and the "first reservation number" is changed to the "second reservation". Since the processes are read as "number" respectively, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. That is, the CPU 61 performs any variation processing based on the subtraction of the second reserved number, the big win lottery, and the result of the big win lottery, and then ends the special symbol start processing.

The CPU 61 outputs a variation start command and a special symbol command to the effect control board 70 in the big hit variation processing and the losing variation processing. The variation start command is a control command that can specify the variation pattern determined in each variation process and the start of the variation game. The special symbol command is a control command that can specify the special symbol (big hit symbol or losing symbol) determined in each variation process. Note that the variation start command and the special symbol command are different control commands when the variation processing of the first special game is performed and when the variation processing of the second special game is performed.

After finishing the special symbol start process, the CPU 61 executes the first special game or the second special game by a process different from the special symbol start process. Specifically, when executing the first special game, the CPU 61 controls the first special symbol display device 21a so as to start the variable display of predetermined symbols. The CPU 61 measures the variation time defined in the variation pattern. The CPU 61 controls the first special symbol display device 21a so as to stop and display the special symbol determined in the special symbol start process when the variation time determined in the variation pattern has elapsed. In addition, the CPU 61 outputs a control command (hereinafter referred to as a variation end command) capable of specifying the end of the variation game to the effect control board 70 after the variation time defined in the variation pattern has passed.

On the other hand, when executing the second special game, the CPU 61 controls the second special symbol display device 21b so as to start the variable display of predetermined symbols. The CPU 61 measures the variation time defined in the variation pattern. The CPU 61 controls the second special symbol display device 21b to stop and display the special symbol determined in the special symbol start process when the variation time set in the variation pattern has elapsed. Further, the CPU 61 outputs a variation end command to the effect control board 70 after the variation time set in the variation pattern has passed. As described above, the CPU 61 executes the special symbol input process and the special symbol start process, so that the pachinko gaming machine 10 performs a winning lottery triggered by the entry of the game ball into the starting hole, and the result of the winning lottery. It is configured to be able to execute a symbol variation game based on.

The jackpot game processing will be described.
The big-hit game process is a process for giving a big-hit game. When the CPU 61 stops displaying the big win symbols in the special game, the CPU 61 executes the big win game process after the big win special game ends. The CPU 61 specifies the type of jackpot game based on the jackpot pattern (that is, the jackpot type) determined in the special symbol start process. The CPU 61 provides the specified type of jackpot game.

First, the CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 a control command that can specify the start of the opening time (hereinafter referred to as an opening command). After the opening time has elapsed, the CPU 61 performs processing for executing a round game. That is, the CPU 61 controls the special solenoid SL2 using the specified opening control data for the big win game to open the big winning hole 25 . When the number of game balls detected by the count sensor D13 reaches the upper limit number or the upper limit time elapses, the CPU 61 controls the special solenoid SL2 so as to close the big winning opening 25. End the round game. The CPU 61 repeats the processing for executing such a round game until the upper limit number of round games set for the big hit game is completed. CPU61 outputs the control command (henceforth a round command) which can specify the start of a round game to the production|presentation control board 70, whenever a round game is started. CPU61 outputs the control command (henceforth an ending start command) which can specify the start of ending time to the production|presentation control board 70, when the last round game is complete|finished. When the ending time elapses, the CPU 61 terminates the jackpot game. The CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 a control command (hereinafter referred to as an ending end command) capable of specifying the passage of the ending time.

State transition processing will be described.
The CPU 61 sets a high probability flag in the RAM 63 when finishing the jackpot game based on the first jackpot pattern among the jackpot patterns. That is, the CPU 61 controls to the high probability state. It should be noted that the CPU 61 does not erase the probability variation flag until the next big win game is provided after the big win game based on the first big win symbol is completed. On the other hand, the CPU 61 does not set the high probability flag in the RAM 63 when finishing the jackpot game based on the second jackpot symbol different from the first jackpot symbol. That is, the CPU 61 controls to the low probability state. When the big hit game is started and the high accuracy flag is set, the CPU 61 erases the high accuracy flag. That is, the CPU 61 controls the low probability state during the jackpot game.

The CPU 61 sets an operation flag in the RAM 63 when the jackpot game based on the first jackpot pattern or the second jackpot pattern ends. That is, the CPU 61 controls the high ball-entering rate state. The CPU 61 updates the value of the execution counter stored in the RAM 63 each time the special game is started after the big win game based on the second big win symbols is ended, thereby increasing the number of executions of the special game after the big win game is over. to count. The CPU 61 erases the operation flag stored in the RAM 63 when the special game in which the number of executions of the special game after the end of the jackpot game reaches the number of operations is completed. That is, after the big win game based on the second big win symbol ends, the CPU 61 controls to the low ball entry rate state when the special game for the number of times of operation ends. It should be noted that the CPU 61 does not erase the operation flag until the next big win game is provided after the big win game based on the first big win symbol is completed. When the big hit game is started and the operation flag is set, the CPU 61 erases the operation flag. That is, the CPU 61 controls the low ball entry rate state during the jackpot game.

The error setting process of the main normal process will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 11, the error setting process is a process for detecting the occurrence of an error state and setting the error state. In one example of this embodiment, the error states that can be detected by the main control board 60 (CPU 61) include at least a first door open error and a second door open error in addition to the communication line disconnection error described above. The error states detectable by the main control board 60 (CPU 61) may include radio wave errors and magnetic errors.

When the CPU 61 inputs the first door open signal from the frame control board 80 (the first door open switch D17), the CPU 61 stores in the RAM 83 a flag capable of specifying the occurrence of the first door open error state. That is, the CPU 61 sets the first door open error that the protection frame 11c is in the open state. After setting the first door open error, the CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 control information that can specify the occurrence of the first door open error (hereinafter referred to as the first door open error occurrence command). When the first door open signal is no longer input, the CPU 61 cancels the setting of the first door open error. When the setting of the first door open error is canceled, the CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 control information (hereinafter referred to as a first door open error cancel command) that can specify the cancellation of the first door open error.

When the CPU 61 inputs the second door open signal from the frame control board 80 (the second door open switch D18), the CPU 61 stores in the RAM 83 a flag capable of identifying the occurrence of the second door open error state. That is, the CPU 61 sets the second door open error that the mounting frame 11b is in the open state. After setting the second door open error, the CPU 61 outputs control information (hereinafter referred to as a second door open error occurrence command) that can specify the occurrence of the second door open error to the effect control board 70 . C.
When the second door open signal is no longer input, the PU 61 cancels the setting of the second door open error. When the setting of the second door open error is canceled, the CPU 61 outputs to the effect control board 70 control information (hereinafter referred to as a second door open error cancel command) that can specify the cancellation of the second door open error.

The CPU 61 performs control to restrict shooting of game balls while a predetermined error (as an example, a first door open error) is set among a plurality of types of errors. The CPU 61 outputs a firing stop signal to the frame control board 80 (fire permitting circuit 89b) when the first door opening error occurs. That is, the firing stop signal is turned on. As described above, when the firing stop signal is input to the firing permission circuit 89b, the firing permission signal to the firing control board 90 is turned off, and the output is stopped. As described above, the condition for outputting the launch permission signal is satisfied by the launch permission state in which the launch of the game ball is permitted. In other words, the condition for outputting the firing permission signal is not met when the firing is prohibited.

In the firing allowable state, the card unit 100 and the pachinko gaming machine 10 are normally connected, no specific error (eg, first door open error) has occurred in the main control board 60, and the frame This is a state in which a specific error (supply inlet sensor error as an example) has not occurred in the control board 80 . The firing prohibited state is that the card unit 100 and the pachinko gaming machine 10 are not properly connected, that a specific error has occurred in the main control board 60, and that a specific error has occurred in the frame control board 80. occurring, one or more of which are occurring. In one example of this embodiment, the second door open error does not correspond to the above-described specific error even if the same door open error occurs, and the occurrence of the second door open error does not cause the firing prohibited state.

The firing prohibited state in which the first condition is not satisfied includes a state in which power supply from the outside is cut off. That is, when the power supply from the outside is cut off, the main control board 60 (CPU 61) enters a state of outputting a signal instructing to stop firing (for example, a firing stop signal is turned on), and the frame control board 80 (CPU 81) It will be in a signal output state (fire permission signal is turned off) that instructs firing non-permission. The "state in which external power supply is cut off" as the firing prohibited state is a state in which the frame control board 80 is in a state of outputting a signal indicating that firing is not permitted.

The shooting prohibited state in which the first condition is not satisfied includes a state in which the number of game balls specified from the data is less than a predetermined number (as an example, the number of game balls=0). When the number of game balls specified from the data becomes less than a predetermined number, the frame control board 80 enters a signal output state (turns off the launch permission signal) instructing non-permission of firing. The state in which the number of game balls specified by the data as the shooting prohibited state is less than a predetermined number is a state in which the frame control board 80 is in a state of outputting a signal indicating that shooting is prohibited. As described above, in the present embodiment, it can be said that there are multiple types of firing prohibited states in which the first condition is not satisfied.

Various processes executed by the effect control board 70 (CPU 71) will be described.
The effect power recovery process will be described.
When the initialization command is input, the CPU 71 controls some or all of the effect devices that make up the effect device group ES to execute RAM clear notification (initialization notification). As an example, the RAM clearing notification is executed by outputting a voice that can specify the execution of RAM clearing, such as a voice reading out a character string of "RAM clearing", from the sound effect device 12. FIG. As an example, the RAM clearing notification is executed in a manner in which the effect light emitting device 14 emits light in a light emitting pattern dedicated to RAM clearing. As an example, the RAM clear notification is executed by displaying an image, such as a character string "RAM clear", that can specify execution of RAM clear on the effect display device 19. FIG. The CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES to end the RAM clearing notification when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the RAM clearing notification. Further, when the initialization command is input, the CPU 71 controls the effect display device 19 so as to display a combination of a predetermined background image and a predetermined effect pattern.

When the power recovery command is input, the CPU 71 controls some or all of the effect devices constituting the effect device group ES to execute the power recovery notification. As an example, the power restoration notification is executed by outputting a voice that can specify the execution of RAM clearing, such as a voice reading out a character string “power is being restored”, from the effect voice device 12 . As an example, the power recovery notification is executed by causing the effect light emitting device 14 to emit light in a light emission pattern dedicated to power recovery. As an example, the power recovery notification is performed by displaying an image that can identify the execution of RAM clearing on the effect display device 19, such as a character string "power recovery is in progress". The CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES so as to end the power restoration notification when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the power restoration notification. The configuration is not limited to this, and the CPU 71 may be configured not to execute the power restoration notification. Further, when the power recovery command is input, the CPU 71 controls the effect display device 19 to display a combination of effect symbols different from the combination of the predetermined background image and the predetermined effect symbols.

The error notification process will be explained.
When the CPU 71 inputs the first door opening error generation command or the second door opening error generation command, the CPU 71 controls some or all of the effect devices constituting the effect device group ES to execute door open error notification. As an example, the door open error notification is performed by outputting a voice that can specify opening of at least one of the mounting frame 11b and the protection frame 11c from the effect sound device 12, such as a voice reading out a character string "The door is open." is executed in As an example, the door open error notification is executed by causing the effect light emitting device 14 to emit light in a light emission pattern dedicated to the door open error. As an example, the door open error notification is executed by displaying on the effect display device 19 an image that can identify the opening of at least one of the mounting frame 11b and the protective frame 11c, such as a character string "The door is open." be done. By inputting one or both of the first door opening error resolution command and the second door opening error resolution command, the CPU 71 confirms that all the door opening errors have been resolved (both the mounting frame 11b and the protection frame 11c are When the door opening error information is specified, the effect device group ES is controlled to end the door open error notification.

When the communication line disconnection error command is input, the CPU 71 controls a part or all of the effect devices constituting the effect device group ES to execute communication line disconnection error notification. As an example, the communication line disconnection error notification is performed by outputting a voice that can identify the occurrence of a communication line disconnection error, such as a voice reading out a character string "A communication line disconnection error has occurred", from the production audio device 12. executed. As an example, the notification of the communication line disconnection error is executed by causing the effect light emitting device 14 to emit light in a light emission pattern dedicated to the communication line disconnection error. As an example, the notification of the communication line disconnection error is executed by displaying an image that can identify the occurrence of the communication line disconnection error, such as a character string "Communication line disconnection error!" The communication line disconnection error setting in the main control board 60 is not canceled until the power is turned off. That is, when the CPU 71 starts notification of the communication line disconnection error, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES so as to continue the communication line disconnection error notification until the power is turned off.

In one example of this embodiment, the time required for the frame control board 80 to detect a communication line disconnection error is longer than the time required for the main control board 60 to detect a communication line disconnection error. That is, in the present embodiment, the timing of starting the display of the error code on the number-of-game-balls display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 is different from the timing of starting the notification by the effect device group ES. More preferably, the notification of the error by the game ball number display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 is executed prior to the notification of the error by the effect device group ES.

A description will be given of the jackpot effect processing.
The big-hit effect processing is a process for executing an effect (hereinafter referred to as a big-hit effect) during the big-hit game. When receiving the opening command, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES to execute the opening effect. When receiving the round command, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES to execute the round effect. When receiving the ending start command, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES to execute the ending effect. When receiving the ending command, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES to end the ending effect.

The effect game processing will be described.
The effect game process is a process for executing the effect game as one of the display effects related to the special game during execution of the special game. When the CPU 71 receives the variation start command and the special symbol command, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES including the effect display device 19 so as to execute the effect game. Specifically, when receiving a variation start command, the CPU 71 selects an effect pattern (effect content) of the effect game based on a change pattern that can be specified from the command. Further, when receiving a special symbol command, the CPU 71 determines a symbol combination to be stopped and displayed in the effect game based on the special symbol that can be specified from the command. The CPU 71 determines a combination of symbols for a big hit when the big-hit symbol can be specified from the special symbol command. When the CPU 71 can identify the missing symbol from the special symbol command, the CPU 71 determines the missing symbol combination. It should be noted that the CPU 71, when executing the ready-to-win effect, determines a combination of symbols that are not included in the ready-to-win game.

Then, the CPU 71 controls the effect display device 19 so as to start the variable display of the effect symbols in each symbol row with the input of the variation start command as a trigger. That is, the CPU 71 starts the effect game. Further, when executing a predetermined effect in relation to the effect game, the CPU 71 controls the effect device group ES including the effect display device 19 so as to execute the effect. When a predetermined timing comes after starting the effect game, the CPU 71 temporarily stops and displays the symbol combination, and also stops and confirms the symbol combination in response to the input of the variation end command. It should be noted that the CPU 71 may determine and stop display the symbol combination when the variation time set in the variation pattern elapses, regardless of the variation end command. In this case, the fluctuation end command may be omitted.

The operation when shooting a game ball will be described.
In one example of the present embodiment, game balls are shot and supplied by a combination of control of the supply device 40 by the frame control board 80 (CPU 81) and control of the shooting device 50 by the shooting control board 90 (shooting control circuit 91). Realized. A series of operations (hereinafter referred to as a shooting sequence) executed by the shooting control circuit 91 to shoot a game ball and processing of the frame control board 80 will be described in detail below. The firing sequence can be executed when the firing conditions are satisfied, and is an example of normal control (normal firing operation) for performing the firing operation by the launching device 50 and the supply operation by the supply device 40 .

The operation of the firing control board 90 (the firing control circuit 91) will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12, in a situation where the stop signal is off, the firing enable signal of the frame control board 80 is turned on at time Ta1, and the touch signal is turned on at time Ta2, so that the firing solenoid 53 operable conditions are established. Subsequently, at time Ta3, the input of the volume signal starts in response to the operation of the handle lever 15a, and at time Ta4, when the voltage of the volume signal (shown as dial voltage in the figure) exceeds the threshold value, the game ball is turned on. Launch conditions are met. In the figure, "idle shot" indicates a situation in which the shooting device 50 performs a shooting operation but no game ball is shot. indicate the situation.

The shooting conditions for the game ball are established when all of the first condition, second condition, third condition and fourth condition are satisfied. The first condition is satisfied by being in a shooting allowable state in which shooting of game balls is allowed. The second condition is satisfied by being in a contact detection state in which the touch signal is turned on and contact with the firing handle 15 is detected. The third condition is satisfied by being in an operation detection state in which it is detected that the amount of operation of the firing handle 15 (handle lever 15a) exceeds a predetermined amount by the voltage of the volume signal exceeding the threshold. be The fourth condition is satisfied by a non-stop state in which an operation to stop the shooting of game balls is not detected because the stop signal is in an off state. In one example of the present embodiment, among these four conditions, the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition are examples of specific conditions.

At time Ta5 when the prescribed time t1 has passed since the firing condition was established, the firing control circuit 91 supplies the driving current to the firing solenoid 53 according to the firing timing pulse. This drives the firing solenoid 53 . The voltage of the drive current at this time corresponds to the voltage of the volume signal at time Ta5. That is, the emission control circuit 91 sets the emission intensity by referring to the voltage of the volume signal. The holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 newly holds (updates) the voltage value of the volume signal at this time. As an example, the specified time t1 is 37.5 ms, and the drive signal output time t2 is 16 ms. The firing control circuit 91 outputs the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 for a specified time t3 (eg, 37.5 ms) from time Ta5 when the drive current is output.

The firing control circuit 91 outputs the driving current to the firing solenoid 53, and the firing condition is satisfied at the time Ta6 after the specified time t4 (eg, 562.5 ms) has passed. At a time Ta7 after the elapse of , the drive current is supplied to the firing solenoid 53 . The firing control board 90 (the firing control circuit 91) outputs the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 for a specified time t3 from the time Ta7 when the drive current is supplied.

Assume that the stop signal is turned on by pressing the firing stop button 15c at time Ta8 before the specified time t4 elapses. That is, the fourth condition is not satisfied. After that, at time Ta9 when the specified time t4 has passed since the drive current was supplied to the firing solenoid 53, the firing condition is not established. In this case, the firing control circuit 91 supplies the drive current to the firing solenoid 53 at time Ta10 after the specified time t1 has elapsed from time Ta9. The voltage of the drive current at this time corresponds to the voltage of the volume signal at time Ta10. In other words, the strength of the firing operation by the firing device 50 is set with reference to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 . Also, the holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 newly holds the voltage value of the volume signal at this time. On the other hand, the firing control circuit 91 does not output the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at time Ta10 (indicated by the dashed line in the figure).

After that, if the stop signal remains on, the firing conditions will not be met at times Ta11 and Ta13 when the specified time t4 has passed since the previous supply of the drive current. For this reason, the firing control circuit 91 supplies the driving current at times Ta12 and Ta14 when the specified time t1 has elapsed from the times Ta11 and Ta13, respectively, but does not output the subtraction reference signal (indicated by broken lines in the figure). The voltage of the drive current at this time is a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the volume signal at the times Ta12 and Ta14. The holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 newly holds the voltage values of the volume signal at the respective times Ta12 and Ta14. That is, the holding circuit stores the most recent voltage of the volume signal for each firing operation in the firing sequence. With such a configuration, the firing solenoid 53 is driven at each firing cycle t5. Then, it is determined whether or not the firing conditions are satisfied at a timing a specified time t1 before the firing period t5. The timing before the specified time t1 based on the driving timing (firing period t5) of the firing solenoid 53 is the determination timing for determining whether or not the firing condition is satisfied. The firing period t5 is equal to the sum of the prescribed time t1 and the prescribed time t4. As an example, the firing period t5 is 600ms.

Control of the frame control board 80 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, at time Tb1, the CPU 81 of the frame control board 80 changes the subtraction reference signal to the ON state in response to the driving of the firing solenoid 53, and at time Tb2 after the specified time t2a elapses, the supply outlet signal is on. The timing at which the specified time t2a elapses based on the drive timing (firing cycle t5) of the firing solenoid 53 is the determination timing for determining whether or not the supply condition is satisfied. Here, since the supply outlet signal is in the OFF state, the CPU 81 determines that the supply condition is satisfied, supplies the drive current to the supply solenoid 43 for a specified time t6 (75 ms as an example), and turns off the supply solenoid 43. It is driven to displace the movable piece 42 to the stop position 42P1. That is, the movable piece 42 is held at the stop position 42P1 for the specified time t6. As a result, the game ball in the receiving passage 41 a flows into the holding portion 42 a of the movable piece 42 . In the present embodiment, the specified time t2a is a time (16 ms as an example) that is equal in length to the output time t2, which is the driving time of the firing solenoid 53 . Therefore, the supply solenoid 43 is driven at the timing when the driving of the firing solenoid 53 (the firing hammer 52) ends.

At time Tb3, the supply inlet signal from the supply inlet sensor D22 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state, and then from the ON state to the OFF state. The CPU 81 of the frame control board 80 detects the supply of game balls and subtracts the number of game balls stored in the RAM 83 when the supply entrance signal changes from the OFF state to the ON state. In the game ball number display device 17, the number of game balls being displayed is decreased by one at time Tb3.

When the specified time t6 has elapsed, the CPU 81 stops supplying the drive current to the supply solenoid 43, finishes driving the supply solenoid 43, and displaces the movable piece 42 to the supply position 42P2. As a result, the game ball held by the holding portion 42a of the movable piece 42 is discharged to the supply passage 44a. The game ball released to the supply passage 44a flows down the supply passage 44a, is detected by the supply outlet sensor D23 at time Tb4, and the supply outlet signal transitions from off state to on state to off state.

The CPU 81 determines that when the subtraction reference signal transitions to the ON state due to the driving of the firing solenoid 53 at the time Tb5 when the firing period t5 elapses from the time Tb1 when the subtraction reference signal transitions to the ON state, the specified time t2a elapses. At time Tb6, the supply solenoid 43 (movable piece 42) is driven. Then, at time Tb7, the CPU 81 subtracts the number of game balls based on the transition of the supply entrance signal from the supply entrance sensor D22, and causes the game ball number display device 17 to display the number of game balls after the subtraction. After that, at time Tb8, the game ball is detected by the supply outlet sensor D23.

As described above, when the firing condition is satisfied, the firing control board 90 (the firing control circuit 91) outputs the subtraction reference signal as an example of the supply signal in response to the firing solenoid 53 being driven. The frame control board 80 causes the supply device 40 (supply solenoid 43) to perform a supply operation based on the subtraction reference signal. The output time of the subtraction reference signal (37.5 ms as an example) and the driving time of the firing solenoid 53 (16 ms as an example) are different in length. Also, the output time of the subtraction reference signal (37.5 ms as an example) and the driving time of the supply solenoid 43 (75 ms as an example) are different in length.

The operation when ball clogging is detected by the supply outlet sensor D23 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the subtraction reference signal transitions to the ON state as the firing solenoid 53 is driven at time Tc1. The CPU 81 determines whether or not the supply condition is satisfied at time Tc2 when a specified time t2a has elapsed from time Tc1 when the subtraction reference signal transitioned to the ON state. Here, since the supply restriction flag is not stored in the RAM 83 and the supply outlet signal is in the off state, the supply condition is satisfied, so the CPU 81 drives the supply solenoid 43 . The supply restriction flag is information capable of specifying that the supply passage 44a is clogged with balls (hereinafter referred to as supply passage ball clogging). At time Tc3, the CPU 81 subtracts the number of game balls based on the transition of the supply entrance signal from the supply entrance sensor D22, and causes the game ball number display device 17 to display the number of game balls after the subtraction.

At time Tc4, game balls are detected by the supply exit sensor D23, and the supply exit signal is turned on. Then, for some reason, game balls are clogged in the supply passage 44a, and the transition from the ON state to the OFF state does not occur. In one example of the present embodiment, the supply passage 44a is a passage that connects the portion (holding portion 42a) where the movable piece 42 is located and the firing position 51a, and has a linear or substantially linear shape that does not have a bent portion. is the passage of In other words, the supply passage 44a is configured such that clogging of balls is unlikely to occur, and even if clogging of balls occurs, it can be relatively easily eliminated by vibrations caused by driving the discharge solenoid 53 or the like.

After that, at time Tc5, the subtraction reference signal transitions to the ON state as the firing solenoid 53 is driven, and it is assumed that the determination timing has arrived after the specified time t2a has elapsed. Although the supply restriction flag is not set, the CPU 81 determines that the supply condition is not established because the supply outlet signal from the supply outlet sensor D23 is in the ON state, and starts special control. In such a situation, when the supply solenoid 43 is to be driven, there is a high possibility that the supply passage ball clogging occurs. The CPU 81 causes the RAM 83 to store the supply regulation flag. While the supply restriction flag is being set, the CPU 81 does not supply drive current to the supply solenoid 43 and does not drive the supply solenoid 43 even if the subtraction reference signal is input. The CPU 81 does not subtract the number of game balls, and the number of game balls displayed on the number-of-game-balls display device 17 does not change. Similar operations are performed at times Tc7 and Tc8 when the firing period t5 has elapsed from time Tc5.

At time Tc9, it is assumed that the ball clogging in the supply passage 44a is eliminated and the supply outlet signal transitions to the OFF state. The CPU 81 receives the subtraction reference signal at time Tc10, and determines whether or not the supply condition is satisfied when the determination timing arrives at time Tc11 after the specified time t2a has elapsed. Here, since the supply regulation flag is set and the supply outlet signal is in the OFF state, the CPU 81 adds 1 to the number of times the supply condition is satisfied stored in the RAM 83, and drives the supply solenoid 43. No current is supplied and the supply solenoid 43 is not driven.

The CPU 81 receives the subtraction reference signal at time Tc12, and when the determination timing arrives at time Tc13 after the specified time t2a has elapsed, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the supply condition is satisfied. Here, since the supply regulation flag is set and the supply outlet signal is in the OFF state, the CPU 81 adds 1 to the number of times the supply condition is satisfied stored in the RAM 83, and drives the supply solenoid 43. No current is supplied and the supply solenoid 43 is not driven. The CPU 81 erases the supply restriction flag stored in the RAM 83 when the number of times the supply condition is satisfied reaches a predetermined number (two times, for example). That is, the CPU 81 terminates the special control. When the supply outlet signal is on at the determination timing while the supply regulation flag is being set, the CPU 81 does not add to the number of establishments of the supply condition stored in the RAM 83 if the number of establishments is 0, and does not add 1 or more. If so, reset the number of establishments to 0.

The CPU 81 receives the subtraction reference signal at time Tc14, and determines whether or not the supply condition is satisfied when the determination timing arrives at time Tc15 after the specified time t2a has elapsed. Here, the supply restriction flag is not set and the supply outlet signal is off, so the CPU 81 drives the supply solenoid 43 . Then, at time Tc16, the CPU 81 subtracts the number of game balls based on the transition of the supply entrance signal from the supply entrance sensor D22, and causes the game ball number display device 17 to display the number of game balls after the subtraction. At time Tc17, the game ball flowing down the supply passage 44a is detected by the supply outlet sensor D23, and the supply outlet signal is normally turned on. The voltage of the drive current supplied to the firing solenoid 53 at times Tc1, Tc5, Tc7, Tc10, Tc12, Tc14 is a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the volume signal at that time. In other words, the strength of the firing operation by the firing device 50 is set with reference to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 . The holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 newly holds the voltage value of the volume signal being input at each time point.

As described above, in one example of the present embodiment, when a predetermined special error occurs during the execution of the firing sequence, a special error that causes the firing device 50 to perform the firing operation while the feeding operation of the feeding device 40 is restricted is performed. Control (special sequence) is performed. During execution of special control by the CPU 81 , the firing control board 90 refers to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 to control the strength of the firing operation by the firing device 50 . In this embodiment, this special error is a ball clogging error in the supply device 40 (supply passage 44a).

In the special control (special sequence), even if the supply outlet signal is turned off and the ball clogging in the supply passage is eliminated, the supply outlet signal is continuously turned off a predetermined number of times (for example, twice). ), it will not be canceled unless it is determined. The CPU 81 does not display an error code on the performance display monitor 84 and the number-of-game-balls display device 17 even if clogging of balls in the supply passage occurs. may The CPU 81 may be configured to display an error code when determining that the supply outlet signal is OFF for a specific number of times, which is two or more, while the supply restriction flag is being set.

During execution of the above-described firing sequence, the firing control board 90 drives the firing solenoid 53 when the firing conditions are no longer satisfied because the specific conditions (first condition, second condition, and third condition) are no longer satisfied. It is configured not to output the subtraction reference signal while allowing the In other words, the firing control circuit 91 executes a series of operations for blank firing (hereinafter referred to as a blank firing sequence). An example of the blank firing sequence will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 15, the firing control circuit 91 supplies a drive current to the firing solenoid 53 based on the establishment of the firing condition at time Te1, drives the firing solenoid 53, and outputs the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80. do. After receiving the subtraction reference signal, the frame control board 80 drives the supply solenoid 43 at time Te2 to move the game ball to the shooting position 51a.

It is assumed that the touch signal is turned off (the second condition is not established) at time Te3, and the shooting condition for the game ball is no longer established. In this case, the firing control circuit 91 terminates the firing sequence and starts the blank firing sequence because the firing condition is no longer satisfied at time Te4a, which is the determination timing. The holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 holds the voltage value of the volume signal at the previous time Te1. Then, at time Te4 when the firing period t5 has passed from time Te1, the firing control circuit 91 supplies the driving current to the firing solenoid 53, but does not output the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80. The voltage of the drive current at this time is the voltage value held in the holding circuit, that is, the voltage corresponding to the voltage of the volume signal at time Te1 when the previous firing operation was performed. At time Te4, the supply solenoid 43 is not driven because the subtraction reference signal is not output.

After that, the blank firing sequence is continued because the firing conditions are not satisfied at times Te5a and Te6a when the judgment timing arrives. In the blank firing sequence, the firing solenoid 53 is driven at the times Te5 and Te6 when the firing period t5 has passed since the last drive of the firing solenoid 53, but the subtraction reference signal is not output to the frame control board 80 at each time. The voltage of the driving current at this time is a voltage corresponding to the voltage value held in the holding circuit. The blank firing sequence ends when the firing solenoid 53 is driven three times. That is, the firing solenoid 53 is not driven at the time Te7 when the firing period t5 elapses from the time Te6 when the firing solenoid 53 is driven for the third time as the blank firing sequence.

In this embodiment, the voltage of the drive current supplied to the firing solenoid 53 in the three blank shots at time points Te4 to Te6 is the voltage of the volume signal that is input when the last firing operation in the firing sequence is performed. and is a voltage value held in the holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 . In the blank firing sequence, the intensity of the firing operation is controlled based on the voltage value held by the holding circuit, not the voltage of the volume signal being input at that time. Note that in the blank firing sequence, the voltage value stored in the holding circuit is not updated even when the firing device 50 is caused to perform a firing operation.

In this way, in the blank firing sequence, multiple firing motions are performed, and the strength of the first firing motion among the multiple firing motions in the blank firing sequence is the strength of the last firing motion in the firing sequence immediately before the blank firing sequence. It is of the same or approximately the same intensity as the firing motion. Furthermore, the strength of the second and subsequent firing motions among the multiple firing motions in the blank firing sequence is the same or substantially the same as the last firing motion in the firing sequence immediately before the blank firing sequence.

In the no-hit sequence, since the subtraction reference signal is not output to the frame control board 80, the supply operation of the game balls by the supply device 40 is restricted. In the blank firing sequence of the present embodiment, the firing solenoid 53 is driven three times at maximum, that is, the firing operation of the firing device 50 is performed three times at maximum. As described above, in the present embodiment, when at least one of the first condition, the second condition, the third condition, and the fourth condition is no longer satisfied and the firing condition is no longer satisfied, the supply A blank firing sequence is performed as an example of special control (special firing operation) for causing the launching device 50 to perform a firing operation in a state in which the supply operation by the device 40 is restricted.

In addition, in the pachinko game machine 10, when at least one of the first door opening error and the supply entrance sensor error, which are examples of a predetermined error, occurs during execution of the firing sequence, the firing is prohibited and the firing permission signal is turned off. transition to In other words, since the first condition is not satisfied and the firing condition is not satisfied either, the firing sequence ends and shifts to the blank firing sequence. On the other hand, even if another error such as a second door opening error occurs during the execution of the firing sequence, the firing permission signal remains on because the firing permission state remains. That is, the firing sequence continues rather than being terminated based on the occurrence of these errors. Other errors other than the first door open error and the feed inlet sensor error are examples of the first error.

In FIG. 16, during execution of the blank-hitting sequence under the same conditions as in FIG. indicate the situation. In this case, the firing control circuit 91 determines that the firing condition is satisfied at time Te11 (determination timing) when the specified time t4 has elapsed since the previous firing solenoid 53 was driven at time Te4, and switches to the firing sequence. The firing control circuit 91 supplies the driving current to the firing solenoid 53 and outputs the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at time Te5 when the specified time t1 has passed from time Te11. The voltage of the drive current supplied to the firing solenoid 53 at time Te5 is a voltage corresponding to the voltage of the volume signal at that time. The frame control board 80 drives the supply solenoid 43 based on the subtraction reference signal.

The firing control circuit 91 supplies a drive current to the firing solenoid 53 and outputs a subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at a time Te6 when the firing cycle t5 has elapsed since the previous driving of the firing solenoid 53 at a time Te5. . The frame control board 80 drives the supply solenoid 43 based on the subtraction reference signal. Thereafter, the firing control circuit 91 repeatedly executes the firing sequence. In this way, the firing control circuit 91 of the present embodiment, even during execution of the idle-hitting sequence, when it determines that the game ball firing conditions are satisfied at the determination timing, the next firing solenoid 53 It is designed to switch the drive to the firing sequence.

As described above, while the first condition and the fourth condition are satisfied, at least one of the second condition and the third condition is not satisfied. , and the third condition are satisfied, the blank firing sequence ends in the middle and the firing sequence is performed. Further, in the present embodiment, in the firing sequence, the intensity of the firing operation by the firing device 50 is controlled with reference to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 during the firing sequence. On the other hand, in the blank firing sequence, the strength of the firing operation by the firing device 50 is controlled without referring to the operation amount of the firing handle 15 during the blank firing sequence.

Here, suppose that at least one of the first door opening error and the supply inlet sensor error occurs while the blank firing sequence is being executed based on the failure of the second condition or the third condition, and the first condition is not satisfied. shall be assumed. In this case, the firing control circuit 91 does not perform a new operation because the firing permission signal is newly turned off, but there is no difference in the situation where the operable condition is not satisfied. Therefore, in the firing control circuit 91, even if the first condition is not satisfied anew, the blank firing sequence being executed is not terminated and is continued. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine 10 is configured to continue without being terminated based on the occurrence of a specific error when the blank beating sequence is being performed. A primary door open error and a feed inlet sensor error are examples of specific and secondary errors. Also, specific errors include wrecking ball detection errors. As described above, the iron ball detection error is the detection of a game ball having magnetism.

In the shooting control circuit 91, even if the number of game balls specified from the data becomes less than a predetermined number (for example, the number of game balls=0) while the blank-hitting sequence is being performed, the blank-hitting sequence is continued. be. Specifically, the shooting control circuit 91 determines that even if the count information is output by the operation of the counting switch 18 and the number of game balls becomes 0 during execution of the idle-hitting sequence, the operable condition is not established. In certain situations, no new action is taken. In other words, the shooting control circuit 91 continues the idle-hitting sequence even if the number of game balls becomes 0 during execution of the idle-hitting sequence. In one example of this embodiment, even if the number of game balls specified from the data becomes less than a predetermined number while the blank-hitting sequence is being performed, the blank-hitting sequence is continued.

In the firing control circuit 91, if the firing conditions are satisfied while the blank firing sequence is being performed, the firing sequence is started immediately after the next determination timing. In other words, when the blank firing sequence is performed due to the occurrence of an error different from the special error, the blank firing sequence ends and the firing sequence is restarted when the error is resolved. As described above, in the special control (special sequence), even if the ball clogging in the supply passage is resolved, the supply solenoid 43 is not driven and the game ball is not shot until at least two shooting operations are completed. That is, it does not transition to the firing sequence substantially.

FIG. 17 shows a state in which the power supply from the outside is interrupted at time Te21 after time Te4 during execution of the blank firing sequence in the situation shown in FIG. .

In this case, at time Te21, the frame-side power-off process and the main-side power-off process are executed, and the contents stored in the RAMs 63 and 83 are retained. At time Te21, the firing stop signal is turned on, and accordingly the firing permission signal is turned off. As described above, the backup power supply 89 supplies backup power to the firing control board 90 and the firing device 50 (the firing solenoid 53) for the supply time TA after the power supply from the outside is cut off. Here, the supply time TA is set to have the same length as the firing cycle t5 or a slightly longer time.
Therefore, the firing control circuit 91 performs the blank firing sequence until at least one firing operation by the launching device 50 is completed during the time Te22 when the supply time TA elapses after the power is cut off at the time Te21. can continue. In other words, the firing control circuit 91 supplies drive power to the firing solenoid 53 and does not output the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at time Te5 after time Te21 at which the power is turned off. After that, at time Te6, since the supply of the backup power has already stopped, the drive current is not supplied to the firing solenoid 53 (indicated by the dashed line in the figure).

At time Te23, it is assumed that the power supply from the outside is restarted (shown as power on in the drawing). In this case, the firing control circuit 91 does not restart the blank firing sequence, which was terminated due to the cutoff of the power supply, at time Te24 when the firing period t5 starts after the power is turned on (indicated by the dashed line in the figure). This is because the firing control circuit 91 is not configured to back up information indicating the progress of the sequence being executed. When a game ball shooting condition is newly established, the shooting control circuit 91 executes a game ball shooting sequence based on the meeting of the shooting condition. Also, the main control board 60 and the frame control board 80 are restored based on the backed up various information, and execute their respective normal processes. That is, the frame control board 80 updates (adds and subtracts) the number of backed-up game balls (the number of game balls and the number of circulating balls) based on various signals, and causes the game ball number display device 17 or the like to display it. process can be resumed. As described above, in this embodiment, if the blank firing sequence is terminated in the middle due to interruption of power supply from the outside while the blank firing sequence is being performed, the blank firing sequence terminated in the middle is , is not restarted after the external power supply is started. On the other hand, the pachinko gaming machine 10 (frame control board 80) is configured to be able to restart the control related to the game from the number of game balls for which updating has been terminated halfway due to cutoff of power supply from the outside.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the power supply from the outside is cut off at time Te31 after time Te1 during execution of the firing sequence in the situation shown in FIG. In this case, at time Te31, frame-side power-off processing and main-side power-off processing are executed, and the contents stored in the RAMs 63 and 83 are retained. At time Te31, the firing stop signal output from the main control board 60 to the frame control board 80 is turned on, and accordingly the firing permission signal output from the frame control board 80 is turned off.

The backup power supply 89 supplies backup power to the firing control board 90 and the firing solenoid 53 for a supply time TA after the power supply from the outside is cut off. Here, the supply time TA is set to have the same length as the firing cycle t5 or a slightly longer time. Therefore, the firing control circuit 91 shifts to the blank firing sequence and performs at least one firing operation by the launching device 50 during the time Te32 when the supply time TA elapses after the power is cut off at the time Te31. can be completed. In other words, the firing control circuit 91 supplies drive power to the firing solenoid 53 and does not output the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at time Te4 after time Te31 at which the power is turned off. After that, at times Te5 and Te6, since the supply of backup power has already stopped, the drive current is not supplied to the firing solenoid 53 (indicated by the dashed line in the figure).

After that, at time Te33, it is assumed that the power supply from the outside is restarted (indicated as "power on" in the figure). In this case, similarly to the situation described with reference to FIG. 17, the firing control circuit 91 does not restart the blank firing sequence that was terminated halfway due to the interruption of the power supply. When a game ball shooting condition is newly established, the shooting control circuit 91 executes a game ball shooting sequence based on the meeting of the shooting condition. As described above, in this embodiment, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted during at least one of the period during which the firing sequence is performed and the period during which the blank firing sequence is performed, The launching device 50 is capable of at least one firing operation after the external power supply is cut off.

With reference to FIG. 12, the relationship between the timing at which the firing condition is not satisfied and the timing at which the blank firing sequence is started will be described. Here, the description will focus on the period from time Ta7 to time Ta10 in the execution period of the repeated firing sequence. In the following description, a period during which specific conditions (the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition) are not met and the firing condition is not met is referred to as a "non-satisfaction period TN".

If the non-establishment period TN that started after the elapse of time Ta6 ends before the next determination timing (time Ta9) is reached, the drive period (output time t2) of the firing solenoid 53 is stopped during the non-establishment period TN. When part or all of it is included, the blank firing sequence does not start from time Ta10 when the firing period t5 comes next to time Ta9. That is, the firing sequence continues. Also, if the non-establishment period TN that started after the elapse of the judgment timing (time point Ta9) ends before the next time point Ta10 when the firing solenoid 53 is driven, the idle firing sequence starts from time point Ta10. does not start. That is, the firing sequence continues.

On the other hand, when the determination timing (time Ta9) is included in the non-establishment period TN started after the elapse of time Ta6, when the driving period (output time t2) of the firing solenoid 53 is included in the non-establishment period TN, In either case, the blank firing sequence is started from time Ta10 when the firing period t5 comes next to time Ta9. That is, the firing sequence is not continued.

Effects of the present embodiment will be described.
(1-1) According to the present embodiment, when at least one of the first condition, the second condition, the third condition, and the fourth condition is no longer satisfied, the game ball supply operation And when the "fire condition" for the firing action is no longer satisfied, the firing action (so-called blank firing) is performed with the supply action restricted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which game balls are not shot even though the number of game balls has been subtracted from the data. Therefore, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be improved.

(1-2) According to the present embodiment, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted, at least one of the firing operations as the blank firing sequence is possible with the backup power. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the occurrence of a situation in which game balls are not shot even though the number of game balls has been subtracted from the data.

(1-3) According to the present embodiment, since power can be supplied by the backup power supply 89, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted, "idle firing" can be performed.
(1-4) According to the present embodiment, when there is an unfired game ball at the firing position 51a, the game ball is fired at least by the first firing motion in the idle-hit sequence, and the last firing motion in the firing sequence. is fired at the same or approximately the same intensity as Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being shot at a strength unintended by the player.

(1-5) According to the present embodiment, when there is an unfired game ball at the firing position 51a, the game ball is the last firing motion in the firing sequence by the second and subsequent firing motions in the blank hitting sequence. is fired at the same or approximately the same intensity as Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game ball from being shot at a strength unintended by the player.

(1-6) According to the present embodiment, when the firing condition is established by satisfying the second condition and the third condition during execution of the idle-hitting sequence, the shooting of the game ball can be resumed promptly. Therefore, it is possible to make the player less likely to feel the stress of not being able to shoot the game ball.

(1-7) According to the present embodiment, the performance display monitor 84 gives error notification. Therefore, there is no need to provide means for notifying errors separately from the performance display monitor 84, and the structure of the pachinko game machine 10 can be simplified.

(1-8) According to the present embodiment, the start timing of the error notification on the performance display monitor 84 on the back side of the machine and the error notification on the game ball count display device 17 on the front side of the machine are the same or substantially the same. . Therefore, regardless of whether the mounting frame 11b is in the open state or the closed state, the error notification can be grasped at the same timing.

(1-9) According to this embodiment, even if an error other than the first door open error and the supply entrance sensor error occurs, the firing sequence is not interrupted, so a blank firing sequence (idle firing) is not required. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of such a situation.

(1-10) According to the present embodiment, even if a first door opening error and a supply entrance sensor error newly occur during execution of the blank beating sequence, the blank beating sequence is not interrupted. Even if it exists, the game ball can be reliably shot. Therefore, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved.

(1-11) According to the present embodiment, based on the detection of a game ball that has been used in a game or a game ball that could not be used in a game (so-called foul ball), the number of game balls stored as data is determined. The number (the number of circulating balls) is added. Therefore, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved.

(1-12) According to the present embodiment, in the blank firing sequence, the voltage value held in the holding circuit of the firing control circuit 91 is used instead of the voltage of the volume signal generated according to the amount of operation of the firing handle 15. Based on this, the intensity of the firing action is controlled. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the game ball from being shot with an intensity unintended by the player.

(1-13) According to the present embodiment, when controlling the intensity of the firing action, the operation amount of the firing handle 15 (voltage of the volume signal) is not referred to in the blank firing sequence. Therefore, in the idle-hit sequence, it is possible to shoot the game ball with an intensity different from the operation amount of the shooting handle 15 . That is, regardless of the amount of operation of the firing handle 15, blank firing can be performed with an intensity suitable for the situation at that time.

(1-14) According to the present embodiment, when a special error (for example, a ball jam error in the supply device 40) occurs, the operation amount of the firing handle 15 (the voltage of the volume signal) is referred to. A blank shot is performed by a special sequence at . Therefore, when the special error is eliminated, the game ball can be quickly shot with the intensity corresponding to the amount of operation of the shooting handle 15.例文帳に追加

(1-15) According to the present embodiment, the special sequence enables blank firing in response to ball clogging in the supply device 40, and the operation amount of the firing handle 15 immediately after the ball clogging is eliminated. You can shoot the game ball with the intensity according to.

(1-16) According to the present embodiment, if a predetermined error (for example, a supply entrance sensor error and a first door open error) occurs, the firing conditions will no longer be satisfied. Despite this, it is possible to prevent game balls from being continuously shot. And even in such a situation, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved because the so-called "blank shot" is performed.

(1-17) According to this embodiment, when the power supply from the outside is cut off, the shooting conditions are no longer satisfied. And even in such a situation, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved because the so-called "blank shot" is performed.

(1-18) According to the present embodiment, when the power supply from the outside is cut off, the main control board 60 enters a state of outputting a signal instructing to stop firing (the firing stop signal is on), and the frame control board 80 is in a state of outputting a signal instructing firing non-permission (the firing permission signal is in an off state), and the firing condition is not met. Therefore, since it is possible to stop the shooting of the game ball in conjunction with the operations of the main control board 60 and the frame control board 80, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discrepancies in the interlocking of the control boards.

(1-19) According to the present embodiment, even if a specific error occurs during the idle-hitting sequence, the so-called "idle-hitting" can be performed without interrupting the idle-hitting sequence. can further improve the reliability of the data on the number of

(1-20) According to the present embodiment, the specific error is detection of a game ball having magnetism. A game ball having magnetism is capable of using a magnet to influence its behavior, but it cannot be said that the shooting operation and the supply operation are impossible. In this embodiment, the detection of a game ball having magnetism is regarded as an error, but the game ball can be shot and the so-called "empty hit" can be performed, and the error detection and the player's profit can be balanced. .

(1-21) According to the present embodiment, the game ball number display device 17 can notify the number of game balls (the number of game balls), and the game ball number display device 17 is means for notifying an error. It is also used as Therefore, the number of game balls and errors can be easily grasped by one means.

(1-22) According to the present embodiment, when the number of game balls specified by the data is less than the predetermined number, the shooting condition is not satisfied. can be stopped quickly. And even in such a situation, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved because the so-called "blank shot" is performed.

(1-23) According to the present embodiment, when the number of game balls specified by the data is less than the predetermined number, the frame control board 80 outputs a signal indicating that the launch is not permitted (the launch permission signal is off). As a result, the firing conditions are not satisfied. Therefore, since the shooting of game balls can be stopped in conjunction with the operation of the frame control board 80, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discrepancies in the interlocking of the control boards.

(1-24) According to this embodiment, since the number of game balls that can be specified from the data is displayed on the game ball number display device 17, the number of game balls specified from the data is less than the predetermined number. When the shooting action of the game ball is stopped by pressing, the coping method can be easily grasped.

(1-25) According to the present embodiment, even if the number of game balls specified from the data becomes less than the predetermined number while the idle-hitting sequence is being performed, the idle-hitting sequence is continued. Therefore, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved.

(1-26) According to the present embodiment, since there are multiple types of firing prohibited states in which the first condition is not satisfied, the firing sequence can be terminated according to various situations. In any situation, the so-called "empty shot" is performed, so that the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be preferably improved.

(1-27) According to the present embodiment, when the blank firing sequence is being performed, even if the blank firing sequence is terminated in the middle due to interruption of the power supply from the outside, the power supply from the outside is started. not restarted after Therefore, even if the power supply from the outside is started, the so-called "idle firing" is not restarted, so that it is possible to prevent the control from being hindered after the start of the power supply from the outside.

(1-28) According to the present embodiment, when the firing sequence or blank firing sequence is being performed, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted, the launching device 50 performs at least one firing. It is possible to operate. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the game ball from remaining without being shot.

(1-29) According to this embodiment, the backup power supply 89 can supply backup power until the firing period t5 in the firing sequence has passed. Therefore, even when the power supply from the outside is interrupted, at least one firing operation can be performed.

(1-30) According to this embodiment, when the third condition is no longer satisfied, the blank firing sequence is executed. In the blank firing sequence when the third condition is not established, the firing solenoid 53 is driven with a voltage corresponding (substantially corresponding) to the threshold value of the volume signal. In other words, the game ball can be shot with the weakest shooting intensity that the shooting solenoid 53 can drive. Therefore, although almost all game balls become foul balls, game balls do not remain at the launch position 51a, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discrepancies in the number of game balls and the number of circulating balls.

(1-31) According to the present embodiment, the timing at which the game ball number display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 start displaying the error code is different from the timing at which the effect device group ES starts reporting the error. is. Therefore, as an error reporting means, it is possible to start error reporting at an appropriate timing according to each arrangement position and reporting strength. It can be said that the notification by the effect device group ES is highly appealing to perception and has a lower notification strength than simple error code display.

(1-32) According to the present embodiment, error notification by the number-of-game-balls display device 17 and performance display monitor 84 is executed prior to error notification by the effect device group ES. Therefore, it is possible to first notify the error mainly to the manager, and then start to notify the error which is easy for the players to understand.

(1-33) According to the present embodiment, even if the ball clogging in the supply passage is cleared during the execution of the special control, if the "idle firing" is not performed a predetermined number of times (for example, two times), the special control ( special sequence) does not end. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the supply of new game balls even though the game balls remain in the supply passage 44a or the shooting position 51a.

(Second embodiment)
In the pachinko game machine 10 of the first embodiment, when the firing condition of the game ball is satisfied during the execution of the blank-hitting sequence, the blank-hitting sequence is terminated halfway from the time when it is determined that the shooting condition is satisfied at the determination timing. to start the firing sequence. On the other hand, the pachinko game machine 10 of the second embodiment differs in that the firing sequence is started after the blank beating sequence is completed. In the blank firing sequence of the present embodiment, the firing solenoid 53 is driven twice, that is, the firing operation of the firing device 50 is performed twice.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the shooting conditions for the game ball are not established again during the execution of the idle-hit sequence, the shooting device 50 is driven twice. Detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, under the same conditions as in FIG. 19, the blank-hit sequence is being executed from time Te4, and at time Te10, the touch signal transitions to the ON state, and the game ball launch condition is established again. indicates

In this case, the firing control circuit 91 determines that the firing condition is satisfied at time Te11 (determination timing) when the specified time t4 has elapsed since the previous firing solenoid 53 was driven at time Te4, but continues the blank firing sequence. do. That is, the firing control circuit 91 supplies the driving current to the firing solenoid 53 at the time Te5 when the specified time t1 has passed from the time Te11, but does not output the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80. Therefore, the frame control board 80 does not input the subtraction reference signal and does not drive the supply solenoid 43 .

The firing control circuit 91 terminates the blank firing sequence, shifts to the firing sequence, and supplies the driving current to the firing solenoid 53 at time Te6 when the firing period t5 has elapsed since the previous drive of the firing solenoid 53 at time Te5. At the same time, it outputs a subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 . The frame control board 80 drives the supply solenoid 43 based on the subtraction reference signal. Thereafter, the firing control circuit 91 repeatedly executes the firing sequence. In this way, the shooting control circuit 91 of the present embodiment, during execution of the blank-hitting sequence, even if it is determined at the determination timing that the shooting condition of the game ball is satisfied, the game ball is shot until the blank-hitting sequence is completed. Do not switch to sequence.

Effects of the present embodiment will be described.
(2-1) According to the present embodiment, even if the shooting conditions for the game ball are met during execution of the idle-hitting sequence, the shooting sequence is started after the idle-hitting sequence is completed. In other words, it is possible to reliably carry out blank shots for a predetermined number of times. Therefore, the reliability of the data regarding the number of game balls can be further improved.

The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other within a technically consistent range.
・In the present embodiment, the special error is clogged balls in the supply passage. It may be configured to execute special control (special sequence).

In the present embodiment, the firing control circuit 91 outputs the subtraction reference signal to the frame control board 80 at the same timing as the supply of the drive current to the firing solenoid 53, but this is not the only option. The subtraction reference signal may be output to the frame control board 80 at the timing when the current supply ends. According to this modification, the frame control board 80 does not require a program for counting the specified time t2a.

・In the present embodiment, the blank firing sequence is executed when the firing condition becomes unsatisfied by failing to satisfy the first condition, second condition, or third condition as a specific condition. do not have. The blank firing sequence may be executed when the stop signal is turned on and the fourth condition is no longer satisfied. Further, the blank firing sequence may be configured not to be executed when the first condition is not satisfied, may be configured not to be executed when the second condition is not satisfied, or may be configured not to be executed when the third condition is not satisfied. It may be a configuration that does not execute at times. That is, the specific condition can be defined as one or a plurality of conditions that can be arbitrarily selected from among the first condition, second condition, third condition, and fourth condition.

・In the present embodiment, the notification of the error on the performance display monitor 84 and the notification of the error on the number-of-game-balls display device 17 are started at the same timing. good. For example, the number-of-game-balls display device 17 may be configured to start error notification earlier than the performance display monitor 84 . According to this configuration, it is possible for the player or the like to quickly grasp the error on the front side of the machine. For example, the performance display monitor 84 may be configured to start error notification earlier than the number-of-game-balls display device 17 . According to this configuration, it is possible for the administrator to grasp the error before the player or the like visually recognizing the machine surface side, such as when the administrator is performing maintenance by releasing the loading frame 11b.

・In this embodiment, the timing at which the display of the error code is started on the game ball number display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 is different from the timing at which the effect device group ES starts to report the error. , and may be the same or substantially the same timing. Also, the timing of starting the display of the error code on the number-of-game-balls display device 17 and the performance display monitor 84 may be earlier than the timing of starting the notification of the error in the effect device group ES.

In the present embodiment, one unit of the firing sequence is configured to drive the firing solenoid 53 and output the subtraction reference signal at the same time, and to drive the supply solenoid 43, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one unit of the firing sequence may first output the subtraction reference signal, drive the supply solenoid 43, and end with the driving of the firing solenoid 53 (that is, firing). According to this modified example, the shooting sequence finishes the game ball shooting operation last. Therefore, for example, even if a power failure occurs during execution of the firing sequence, if the firing sequence can be completed with backup power, at least one firing operation can be ensured without newly executing the blank firing sequence. In other words, even if the power supply from the outside is interrupted, at least one of the firing operation as the firing sequence and the firing operation as the blank firing sequence should be possible.

In the present embodiment, the blank firing sequence does not refer to the voltage of the volume signal. Alternatively, all of them may be configured to supply a drive current corresponding to the voltage of the volume signal at that time. For example, the voltage of the volume signal may be referred to for the second and subsequent firing operations in the blank firing sequence.

- In this embodiment, during both the period during which the firing sequence is performed and the period during which the blank firing sequence is performed, the launching device 50 performs at least one firing operation after the power supply from the outside is cut off. but not limited to this. For example, the backup power supply 89 supplies backup power to the firing control board 90 and the firing solenoid 53 only during an arbitrarily selectable one of the period during which the firing sequence is performed and the period during which the blank firing sequence is performed. It may be configured to supply to.

- In the present embodiment, the firing control board 90 is provided with the firing control circuit 91 to implement the firing sequence and the blank firing sequence. Alternatively, the firing control board 90 may include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and may be configured to execute the firing sequence and the blank firing sequence by arithmetic processing by the CPU. Furthermore, in this modified example, the CPU of the firing control board 90 causes the RAM to store information that can specify the progress of the blank firing sequence when the power supply from the outside is cut off, and the power supply from the outside is stopped. The configuration may be such that the blank firing sequence is resumed when the ball is re-inserted.

・In the present embodiment, the firing condition is met before the completion of a predetermined number of times (three times, for example) of the specified number of times (five times, for example) of the blank firing action that constitutes the blank firing sequence. In the case of re-establishment, the configuration may be such that the firing sequence is started after the blank firing operation of the specific number of times is completed. In this modified example, if the blank firing operation of the specific number of times has been completed, the blank firing sequence may be terminated and the firing sequence may be executed from the next firing operation for which the firing conditions are met.

・In the present embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 10 equipped with a variable probability function has a specification that provides a high probability state until the next big hit game, a specification that provides a high probability state until the falling lottery is won (so-called falling machine), Alternatively, a specification (so-called ST machine) that provides a high-probability state until a specified number of variable games is completed can be adopted. In addition, as the pachinko game machine 10 equipped with the variable probability function, it is possible to adopt a specification (so-called V probability variable machine) that provides a high probability state on the condition that the game ball passes through a specific area. The pachinko game machine 10 may have a specification in which the specification of the falling machine and the specification of the V-variable machine are mixed.

- In the present embodiment, as the winning lottery for special symbols, in addition to the big winning lottery, a small winning lottery may be performed. When a small win is won in a winning lottery, a small winning game (winning game) is provided after the special game is finished. In this embodiment, the number of times (frequency) to win a small hit per unit time (frequency), or a small win game per unit time is given compared to the normal game state (for example, low probability low ball entry rate state) It may be configured to be controllable to a state (so-called small hit RUSH) in which the number of times (frequency) is improved.

- In this embodiment, as the pachinko gaming machine 10, specifications classified into the second type, which are also called "feathers" or "airplane type", may be adopted. In this type of pachinko machine, when a game ball enters the starting hole, the opening/closing blade (opening/closing member) of the ball entry device (large winning hole) opens, and the game ball that enters the ball entry device wins a special prize. A jackpot game is generated by entering the ball into the mouth.

- In this embodiment, the CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, and the random number generation circuit 64 may be configured in one chip.
- In this embodiment, the specific configuration of the game board 20 may be changed arbitrarily.

In the present embodiment, the effect control board 70 is used as a sub-integrated control board, and apart from the effect control board 70, a display control board that exclusively controls the effect display device 19, a light emission control board that exclusively controls the effect light emitting device 14, A sound control board for exclusively controlling the effect sound device 12 may be provided. A sub-board may include such a sub-integrated control board and other boards for controlling effects. Moreover, in the embodiment, the CPU 61 and the CPU 71 may be mounted on a single board. Also, the display control board, the light emission control board, and the sound control board may be arbitrarily combined to form a single board or a plurality of boards.

・In the present embodiment, the game machine is configured to circulate all of a predetermined amount of game media (game balls as an example). It may be configured to be replaceable with the medium.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment and modifications will be described.
(1) The control means has a firing control section that controls the firing mechanism and a supply control section that controls the supply mechanism, and the firing mechanism includes a hitting section for hitting a game ball and the hitting and a shooting actuator for driving the game ball to hit the game ball, and when the shooting condition is satisfied, the shooting control unit outputs a supply signal in response to the driving of the shooting actuator. Preferably, the supply control unit causes the supply mechanism to perform a supply operation based on the supply signal, and the output time of the supply signal and the drive time of the ejection actuator are different in length.

(2) The supply mechanism includes a locking portion that locks the game ball, and a supply actuator that releases the lock by the locking portion and drives the game ball to be supplied to the shooting mechanism. and the output time of the supply signal and the drive time of the supply actuator are preferably different in length.

(3) When the special control is performed because the first condition and the fourth condition are satisfied, but the second condition and the third condition are not satisfied, the second When the firing condition is established by satisfying the condition and the third condition, the special control may be terminated halfway and the normal control may be performed.

(4) A base display means capable of displaying information about the base of the game ball may be provided, and the base display means may be also used as means for notifying an error.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Pachinko game machine 15... Launch handle 15c... Launch stop button 17... Game ball number display device 20... Game board 20a... Game area 40... Supply device 42... Movable piece 43... Supply solenoid 50... Launch device 52... Launch hammer 53 ... Emission solenoid 60 ... Main control board 63 ... RAM
80... Frame control board 83... RAM
84... Performance display monitor 89... Backup power supply 90... Launch control board 91... Launch control circuit D22... Supply inlet sensor D23... Supply outlet sensor

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that can store the number of game balls as data and that can be played based on the data,
a shooting operation means capable of operating to shoot a game ball;
a stop operation means capable of being operated to stop the shooting of game balls;
a shooting mechanism for shooting game balls;
a supply mechanism for supplying game balls to the shooting mechanism;
and a control means for performing predetermined control,
The number of game balls stored as the data is subtracted in relation to at least one of the shooting operation by the shooting mechanism and the supply operation by the supply mechanism,
A first condition that is a shooting permission state in which shooting of a game ball is allowed, a second condition that is a contact detection state in which contact with the shooting operation means is detected, and an operation amount of the shooting operation means exceeds a predetermined amount The third condition is an operation detection state in which it is detected that the game ball is being shot, and the fourth condition is a non-stop state in which an operation to stop the shooting of the game ball is not detected. If it is established, normal control is performed to perform a supply operation by the supply mechanism and a shooting operation by the shooting mechanism,
When at least one of the first condition, the second condition, the third condition, and the fourth condition is no longer satisfied and the firing condition is no longer satisfied, the supply mechanism supplies In a state where the operation is stopped , special control is performed to cause the firing mechanism to perform a firing operation,
The firing prohibited state in which the first condition is not satisfied includes a state in which a predetermined error occurs,
During the period in which the special control is being performed, if the special control is terminated in the middle due to the interruption of the power supply from the outside, the special control that has been terminated in the middle will be executed after the power supply from the outside is started. is not restarted, but the game control can be restarted from the number of game balls whose update is terminated midway due to cutoff of power supply from the outside .

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