JPH04343876A - Card type pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the complicatedness of card residue fraction handling by providing a control means for discharging game balls of the number that is a smaller number of the loan ball number or the ball number corresponding to the remainder of a card, writing the remainder data obtained by subtracting the change in the card and discharging the card from a card reader. CONSTITUTION:The preset ball loan number and the remainder data read from a card are compared, an outgo completion signal V is counted, and when the ball loan discharge frequency reaches a smaller number of the preset ball loan number or the remainder data, a ball loan request signal T is negated. A card control means 511 extracts the remainder of a card from the input data sent from a card reader control device 25o by a card remainder input means 541. The content of a remainder storage means 542 is updated every time the outgoing of loan ball is completed, and the content of the remainder storage means 542 is displayed on a remainder display device of a pachinko game machine.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a control technology for gaming machines and a technology that is effective when applied to a control system for converting card balances into rented balls in card-type pachinko gaming machines. This invention relates to effective technology for controlling ball rental in a system that uses a device to eject rental balls.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, card-type pachinko game systems have been proposed in which games are played using magnetic cards. The card system has the advantage that the player only needs to carry the card, which is a storage medium, and can reduce the effort of carrying a large number of pachinko balls that are prone to falling. Card-based pachinko gaming systems that have been proposed in the past can be roughly divided into the following two systems. In the first method, when a card is issued, data on the number of balls held corresponding to the purchase amount is stored on the card, pachinko is played within the range of this data on the number of balls held, and data on the number of balls held that increases or decreases during the playing process is stored on the card. (See Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-42227).

[0003] In the second card system, when purchasing a card, a card with only a code number recorded is issued, the number of balls held is stored in a central management device, and the card is inserted into a card reading device of a pachinko machine. By doing so, the stored number of balls can be recalled to play the game (see Utility Model Publication No. 61-32709 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-17106). However, regardless of the type of conventional card-based gaming system, games with cards can only be played within the gaming arcade where the card was issued, and games cannot be played with cards issued at other gaming arcades. It turned out that there was no such thing. Additionally, issued cards were only valid on the day of issue. Therefore, gaming systems based on common prepaid cards have been put into practical use in some areas, allowing cards issued by other gaming parlors to be used without restrictions on expiration dates.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, if such a common prepaid card system is adopted, the player must first purchase a card, put the card into a ball rental machine, and convert it into a rental ball before playing the game. Since the card cannot be started, there is a problem in that it requires extra effort as the number of card purchases has increased compared to the past. Therefore, a card reader is installed in the ball lending machine placed between the pachinko gaming machines, and a part of the remaining balance on the card is transferred to the ball lending machine based on a command from a switch button provided on the operation panel of the pachinko gaming machine. A ball lending method that reduces the troublesome ball lending operation by converting the game into a game machine and ejecting the rented balls directly into the supply tray of the pachinko machine using a prize ball ejecting device installed in the machine. is proposed.

However, in this ball rental system, a plurality of conversion switches are provided so that the player can select the number of balls ejected by one conversion operation into rental balls, so the size does not change. The number of switches on the restricted operation panel increases, and each switch button must be made smaller, resulting in lower operability and increased erroneous operations. Therefore, we devised a method to reduce the number of ball rental conversion switches on the operation panel to one. However, if the number of ball rental conversion switches is set to one, the number of discharges from one conversion operation is fixed, and the balance must be set so that there are no fractions in the remaining balance of the card, so if the number of discharges is too large. It turns out that there is an inconvenience that it is not possible to set the .

[0006] On the other hand, there are multiple types of game machines installed in the game arcade, and depending on the machine, there are machines where the number of balls acquired is small in the normal gaming state, and there are machines where it is relatively easy to obtain balls regardless of changes in the gaming state. be. However, if the number of balls ejected by one ball rental conversion operation is fixed as described above, the conversion operation will have to be performed frequently in a machine where the number of balls acquired in the normal game state is small, and changes in the game state will require frequent conversion operations. In models where it is relatively easy to obtain balls regardless of the situation, there is a problem in that there is a risk that more rental balls than necessary may be ejected by one conversion operation.

The present invention was made against the above-mentioned background, and its purpose is to optimize the number of balls ejected when additionally converting balls into rented balls during a game in a card-type gaming machine. To provide a ball lending system that allows players to concentrate on playing games without having to bother with additional conversion operations, and that eliminates the need to worry about dealing with fractional balances on cards. .

[0008]

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve the above object, when a card is inserted into a card reader, a preset number of rental balls (or a ball rental conversion request operation means provided in a pachinko machine) is set. The number of game balls (specified number of balls) or the number of balls corresponding to the balance of the card, whichever is smaller, is ejected from the ball ejecting device, and the balance data minus the conversion amount is written on the card, and then the card is loaded. The control device has a function to discharge the fluid from inside the reader.

[0009]

[Operation] According to the above-mentioned means, the conversion to rental balls is performed simply by inserting the card into the card reader, so it is necessary to operate the ball rental request operation means after inserting the card into the card reader as in the conventional case. This eliminates the need for this, and it is possible to simplify the procedure for converting to rental balls at the start of a game and during a game. In addition, the number of balls to be discharged by one ball rental conversion operation can be arbitrarily set for each gaming machine, so by setting the number of balls to be discharged according to the model of the gaming machine installed at the game parlor, you can To prevent a player from being troubled by a conversion operation and unable to concentrate on a game, and to prevent unnecessary rental balls from being discharged. Furthermore, if the number of balls equivalent to the card balance is less than the set number of balls borrowed at one time, the remaining amount will be converted and discharged, so the number of discharged balls that is not divisible by the initial number of cards. Even if the number is set, there will be no fraction, so it is possible to set the number of rental balls that match the business policy of the game parlor.

0010

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a card-type pachinko game machine according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the pachinko gaming machines 100 are configured to double as ball lending machines, and each pachinko gaming machine 100 has a built-in card reader, and a tray provided at the bottom of the front panel 101 of the pachinko gaming machine 100. On the front left side of the card reader 140, a card insertion/ejection opening 211 corresponding to the card reader and a valid indicator lamp 230 are provided to indicate that the card reader is in an operating state, that is, a card can be inserted. On the other hand, an operation panel 121 is formed on the upper surface of the supply tray 120 provided on the front panel 101 of the pachinko game machine 100.
a balance display 122 that displays the balance of the card inserted into the card slot 211 on the operation panel 121;
A ball lending possibility display lamp 126 is provided to indicate that ball lending is possible.

Furthermore, 112 is a prize ball discharge display lamp that is lit when a prize ball is discharged, and 113 is a rented ball discharge display lamp 113 that is lit when a rented ball is discharged, and 108 is a display lamp that is lit when a pachinko game machine is stopped. A completion lamp 141 is lit to store prize balls that overflow when the supply tray 120 is full, and 142 is a tray that fires the balls falling from the supply tray 120 one by one into the game area. This is the operation dial for the batted ball launcher. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko game board is similar to that of the conventional one, and can have any configuration.

In this embodiment, when a card is inserted into the card reader, a command to eject a predetermined number of rental balls within the amount of money held by the card is sent to the ball provided on the back of the pachinko gaming machine 100. The ejector is configured to be delivered to a control device of the ejector. The remaining amount on the card after conversion is displayed on the balance display 12 in units of 100 yen.
It is now displayed on 2. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the back mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Figure 2
, 170 is a ball discharging device that discharges a predetermined number of rental balls based on a discharge request signal from the ball rental machine 200 or a prize ball according to a request signal from the pachinko game machine;
151 is a storage tank that stores the balls before being discharged;
Reference numeral 152 denotes a guideway for lining up the balls in the storage tank 151 and guiding them to the above-mentioned ball ejecting device 170. Although this guideway 152 is not particularly limited, it is formed into two strips so that a large amount of balls can be supplied in a short time. A ball leveling device 153 and a standby ball detector 1 are provided on the way to prevent balls from overlapping.
60 are provided.

Further, below the ball ejecting device 170, the ejected balls are sent to the outlet 12 of the supply tray 120 on the front of the gaming machine.
A discharge gutter 155 that guides the balls overflowing from the supply tray 120 to the receiving tray 141 is continuously provided, and a ball removal gutter 157 is branched from the middle of the discharge gutter 155. is disposed in parallel with the overflow gutter 156, and a flow path switching valve 158 is provided at the branching point between the beading gutter 157 and the discharge gutter 155. 159 is a collecting gutter that collects winning balls that have flowed into the winning opening provided on the front side of the gaming machine, 180 is a winning ball separation detection device provided at the lower end of the collecting gutter 159, and 240 is the card insertion/ejection opening. 211 and is a card reader disposed behind it.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the ball ejecting device 170. This ball discharge device 170 includes a guide gutter 710 configured to be continuous with the guide gutter 152 that guides the spare balls stored in the storage tank 151. This guide gutter 710 is formed into two channels corresponding to the guide gutter 152, and a discharge means 740 consisting of a stopper 745 as a flow prevention means and a discharge solenoid 741 for driving the same is also provided corresponding to each channel. There are two sets. The guide trough 710 consists of three parts depending on its function, from the top to the bottom: a pressure reducing part 711, an edge cutting part 712, and a discharge part 7.
It is said to be 13.

The depressurizing part 711 is for reducing the pressure of the spare balls sent from the storage tank 151 through the guide gutter 152, and as shown in the figure, it has a U-turned structure with a gentle slope. ing. The edge cutting part 712 is for creating a space between the balls passing through the discharge part 713 below and making it easier to stop the balls from flowing out by the discharge means 740 below. part 7
21 and a direction changing passage section 7 leading to a discharge section 713 to be described later.
It is composed of 22. And the vertical passage section 72
A ball jam prevention protrusion 723 is provided at the lower end of the ball 1 to protrude forward. This ball jam prevention protrusion 723 allows the center position of the lowest ball among the balls vertically lined up and stopped in the vertical passage portion 721 to be always located in front of the center position of the balls above it. As a result, the downward movement pressure of the upper balls always acts to press the lowermost ball forward, thereby preventing the balls from clogging.

A non-contact discharge ball detection sensor 7 is installed in the middle of the discharge section 713 of each guide trough 710 to detect balls flowing down.
30 (emission sensors 1 and 2) are installed respectively. In addition, a notch 703 is provided in the middle of each discharge portion 713, immediately after the discharge sensor 730, through which a stopper 745 constituting the discharge means 740 can be inserted. Each of the stoppers 745 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 705, and on one side of the stopper 745,
Connecting pins 746 are provided respectively, and these connecting pins 7
46 and the lower end of the operating rod 742 of the discharge solenoid 741 are connected by a connecting plate 747, respectively.

When the discharge solenoid 741 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the actuating rod 742 is lowered and the tip of the stopper 745 is inserted into the guide trough 7 from the notch 703.
10 discharge parts 713 respectively, and the discharge part 7
It is designed to prevent the 13 game balls from flowing down. On the other hand, when the discharge solenoid 741 is energized (turned on), the operating rod 742 is raised, the stopper 745 is rotated in the upward direction, and the stopper 745 is moved out of the notch 703 of the discharge part 713 and the ball in the discharge part 713 is rotated. The flow-preventing state of the guide gutter 710 is released, and the spare balls in the guide gutter 710 are discharged to the discharge gutter 155 below.

As described above, the ball ejecting device 170 of the above embodiment
Since the ejection sensor 730 detects the falling balls one by one and operates the stopper 745 to stop the ejection when a predetermined number is reached, prize balls and rental balls with different numbers of ejected balls can be separated as described above. It becomes possible to discharge both by the same ball discharge device. In addition, in FIG. 3, 750 is a ball removal sensor 750 that detects that a ball removal rod is inserted from an operation hole (not shown) provided in the front frame 101 of the pachinko gaming machine 100. When the bulb removal sensor 750 is turned on, the discharge solenoid 741
is continuously energized to eject the spare balls in the guide gutter 710, and at the same time actuates the driving means (solenoid) of the switching valve 158 in the ejection gutter 155, allowing the ejected balls to pass through the ball removal gutter 157 and exit the machine. It is designed to be discharged.

The above-mentioned bulb removal sensor 750, discharge solenoid 741, and discharge sensor 730 are connected to the discharge control device 600 (
(see Figure 4). FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the control system of the pachinko gaming machine 100. Broadly speaking, this control system can be divided into a game board control device 40 that mainly controls the game board of the pachinko game machine 100;
0, and a ball lending control device 50 that controls the card reader, etc.
0, and a discharge control device 600 that controls the ball discharge device 170.

Of the above control devices, the game board control device 400
receives detection signals from various winning ball detectors installed on the game board 102 of the pachinko game machine and forms drive signals for the winning balls, and also generates winning ball separators installed on the back mechanism board of the pachinko game machine. In response to a signal from a detector (safe sensor) 181 in the detection device 180, a safe solenoid 182 for separating winning balls is operated, and a drive signal for a speaker 190 is generated. In addition, the game board control device 400
It has a function of monitoring the gaming state and transmitting information to the management device 700 of the pachinko parlor about the status of the pachinko machine, such as whether it is in operation, the occurrence of a jackpot, or the occurrence of a stoppage.

The discharge control device 600 controls the two guide troughs 7 in the ball discharge device 170 based on the discharge command signal from the ball rental control device 500 or the game board control device 400.
By energizing discharge solenoids 741a and 741b that actuate a pair of stoppers 745 provided in the middle of each guide gutter 710, a predetermined number of spare balls are discharged from each guide gutter 710 based on detection signals from discharge sensors 730a and 730b. Based on the ON signal from the bulb removal switch 750, the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b are excited, and the drive source of the flow path switching valve 158 is activated to discharge all the spare bulbs in the storage tank 151 and the guide gutter 152. do.

[0022] The discharge control device 600 also controls the opening/closing switch 10 provided on the base frame 109 of the pachinko game machine 100.
3 (see FIG. 1), an overflow detector 104 (see FIG. 2) provided in the middle of the overflow gutter 156, and a waiting ball detector 160 provided in the middle of the guide gutter 152. Solenoid 741a, 74
1b is suspended and the ejection by the ball ejection device 170 is stopped, and at the time of ejection, the prize ball ejection display lamp 112 or the rental ball ejection display lamp 113 is turned on, for example, according to the contents of the ejection command signal, or the game board control is performed. device 40
A signal requesting the ejection sound of a prize ball or a rental ball is sent to 0.

Further, the discharge control device 600, based on signals from the replenishment sensor 106 and the out sensor 107,
A completion lamp 108 is lit, a replenishment request signal K and a discharge prize ball count signal I are sent to the management device 700 of the pachinko parlor.
It is configured to transmit an ejected ball rental number signal J (one pulse indicates, for example, 25 ejected balls), an out ball number signal L, etc. as data.

The ball lending control device 500 receives read data from the card reader in the pachinko gaming machine 100 and sends a display drive signal X to the balance display 122 and a valid indicator lamp 2 that indicates that the card reader is in an operating state.
30 and the pachinko game machine, and form a driving signal for the ball lending available display lamp 126 provided in the pachinko game machine, and a balance data rewriting signal q for the card reader control device 250.
A punch hole processing signal m and a card ejection signal n are generated. In addition, when the ball lending control device 500 recognizes that a card has been inserted into the card reader, it sends a ball lending request signal T to the discharge control device 600, and sends a ball lending request signal T to the card management device 800.
1 pulse card payment signal every time (100 yen) is converted from the card balance to the rental ball.
It also has the ability to send.

FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the configuration of the game board control device 400. That is, the game board control device 400 of this embodiment includes a prize ball number determining means 410 that determines the number of prize balls to be ejected based on the detection signal from the safe sensor 181, and the determined prize ball data B and its strobe. Driving signals for the prize ball data transmitting means 420 that outputs the signal C to the discharge control device 600, the game control means 430 that controls the game based on the signal from the game board 102, and the safe solenoid 182 for separating winning balls. The output section 440 generates a status signal to the management device 700 of the pachinko parlor and the audio output means section 450 that drives the speaker 190.

The prize ball number determining means 410 includes, for example, a signal detecting means 411 that detects the rising edge of the detection signal from the safe sensor 181 to form a winning ball detection signal, and a signal detecting means 411 that forms a winning ball detection signal by detecting the rising edge of the detection signal from the safe sensor 181, and a prize ball number determining means for one winning ball detection signal. a prize ball number storage means 412 for storing the number of prize balls, and a special ball storage means 412 for storing the number of game balls that have won a prize in a specific winning area, which is provided on an accessory of the game board and gives a prize ball number different from the number of prize balls for general winning balls. It consists of a winning number storage means 413, and is configured to output prize ball data set in advance corresponding to each winning ball when a winning ball is detected. The safe sensor 181 is provided in the winning ball separation detection device 180, and a drive signal for the safe solenoid 182 is formed in response to a response signal (reading confirmation signal) H from the discharge control device 600, and the winning balls are separated and detected one by one. Therefore, the ejection command signal is accurately formed for the number of ordinary winning balls according to the number of winning balls.

However, since the detection signals of specific winning balls are continuously input to the game board control device 400, this embodiment is provided with a specific winning number storage means 413 for storing the detected number of specific winning balls. Then, this specific winning number storage means 413 finishes discharging one winning ball by feeding back the read signal through an AND gate 421 which uses the response signal H from the discharging control device 600 as a control signal. The memory is decremented by one each time. The game control means 430 includes a specific winning ball detecting means 431 similar to the above winning ball detecting means 411, and a signal forming means 432 that outputs a jackpot signal P and a control signal for driving a solenoid, a motor, etc. provided on the game board. etc.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the audio output means 450. The audio output means 450 receives a game sound request signal x from the game control means 430 requesting generation of a game sound such as a sound effect accompanying the drive of a solenoid, and a prize ball ejection sound request signal D from the ejection control device 600. A ball rental sound request signal E, a card insertion sound request signal F and a card ejection sound request signal G from the ball rental control device 900 are input.

In the audio output means 450, R is stored which generates audio codes corresponding to each of the above five types of request signals.
Sound generation means 4 consisting of OM (read only memory) etc.
51, 452, 453, 454, 455, and the speaker 190 based on the signals output from these sound generating means.
a sound generator 457 that generates a signal to drive the
and a priority control means 458 for determining which of the request signals should be given priority to generate the corresponding sound,
When a plurality of request signals are received at the same time, the voice generating means with the highest priority is selected to output the voice code.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the emission control device 600. The discharge control device 600 of this embodiment is in a state where the ball discharge device 170 can discharge the ball based on signals from the control unit 610 including a microcomputer, the frame sensor 103, the overflow detector 104, and the standby ball detector 160. ejection enable condition confirmation means 620 that forms an ejection enable signal indicating whether or not the ejection enable condition exists and supplies the ejection enable signal to the control unit 610;
Status output means 6 for outputting a status signal indicating the discharge status such as prize ball discharge, ball lending, replenishment, etc. to the management device 700
30, and the signal from the out sensor 107 is counted to 10.
It is composed of a counter 640 that supplies an out signal to the management device 700 for each ball, and a display driving means 650 that drives the segment-type rental ball discharge display lamp 113 and prize ball discharge display lamp 112.

The discharge control device 600 also includes an input buffer BFFi and a control section 610 that receive control signals from various sensors, the game board control device 400, and the ball lending control device 500.
The output buffer BFFo outputs control signals from the controller to an external control device, and a driver DRV generates drive signals for various solenoids. The ejection enable condition confirmation means 620 includes an AND gate G2 that takes the logical product of the detection signals from the respective detectors 103, 104, and 160, and generates an ejection enable signal indicating that ejection is possible only when all the detectors are in the on state. A is given to the control unit 610. As a result, when the front frame 101 of the pachinko game machine is open, the overflow gutter 156 is full of prize balls, or there are no spare balls in the guide gutter 152,
Ejection operation is suspended in situations where it is undesirable to perform ejection.

The control section 610 also includes a prize ball discharge control section 616 and a rental ball discharge control section 617 as shown in FIG.
, a ball removal control section 618 and a power outage control section 619. Of these, the prize ball ejection control section 616 receives the prize ball data B from the game board control device 400 and the data strobe signal C indicating the timing of taking in the prize ball data, stores the number of prize balls, and uses the detection signal from the ejection sensor 730 to store the number of prize balls. Prize ball discharge number storage calculation unit 661 that calculates the actual discharge number based on
and a discharge control signal forming section 662 that determines the remaining number of discharges based on the calculated number of discharges and forms a drive signal for the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b.

In addition to the drive signals for the ejection solenoids 741a and 741b, the ejection control signal forming section 662 also generates a prize ball ejection end signal M, a prize ball ejection number signal N indicating that the number of ejected balls has reached 10, and a prize ball ejection number signal N indicating that the number of ejected balls has reached 10. Status signal R indicating that it is being discharged
form and output. The rental ball discharge control unit 617 is connected to a data storage unit 671 that stores the conversion rate to rental balls and the upper limit of the amount that can be continuously converted to rental balls at one time, and a ball rental request signal T from the ball rental control device 500. a rental ball discharge number storage/calculation unit 672 that starts discharging the rental balls based on the calculated number of discharged balls and calculates the actual number of discharged balls based on the detection signals from the discharge sensors 730a and 730b, and a remaining number of discharged balls based on the calculated number of discharged balls. a discharge control signal forming unit 673 that determines the number of discharges and forms a drive signal for the discharge solenoid 741; and a signal indicating the number of discharges from the discharge control signal forming unit 673 and a data storage unit 67.
The ball rental upper limit determining unit 674 determines whether the rental balls have reached the upper limit based on the upper limit value from 1 and prohibits further discharge when the upper limit is reached. The conversion rate stored in the data storage unit 671 is changed to the rental ball discharge number storage calculation unit 6 when the ball rental request signal T is set to a high level.
72, thereby starting the formation of a rental ball ejection signal.

The discharge control signal forming unit 673 generates a ball rental ready signal U indicating that rental balls can be discharged, a signal Q indicating that rental balls are being discharged, and a signal Q indicating that the rental balls are being discharged, provided that the prize ball discharge control unit 616 is not in the process of controlling the prize ball discharge. A signal O indicating the end of ball ejection is generated and output. The ball ejection control section 618 is the prize ball ejection control section 6
16 and rental ball discharge control section 617 are activated by an on signal from ball removal sensor 75 on the condition that discharge control is not in progress, and discharge solenoid 741 and flow path switching valve 15
It has a function of outputting a signal to drive the solenoid No. 8 and a signal p indicating that the ball is being discharged.

As shown in FIG. 9, the power outage control unit 619
a power outage detection means 691 that counts the number of waves in the power waveform of the AC power source and detects the occurrence of a power outage when the number falls below a predetermined number;
Progress is being made based on the power failure recovery detection means 695 that detects the recovery of the power supply voltage based on signals from the voltage level detection means etc., and the status signals R and Q from the prize ball discharge control section 616 and the rental ball discharge control section 617. ejecting mode storage means 692 for storing the ejection mode of the ejecting method, and ejected ball number storage means 6 for holding the number of ejected balls during each ejecting operation based on ejection number signals a and b.
93, and a discharge continuation control means 694 that continues discharge interrupted due to a power outage from the middle when the power is restored.

The discharge mode storage means 692 and the discharged ball number storage means 693 are constituted by, for example, a RAM (random access memory) backed up by a battery 696, and when the power failure determination means 691 detects the occurrence of a power failure, the current The discharge mode and the number of discharges are stored in the discharge mode storage means 692.
and stored in the ejected ball number storage means 693, and when the power outage is restored, the ejection continuation control means 694 is activated to determine which of the prize ball ejection control section 616 or the rental ball ejection control section 617 has interrupted ejection. In accordance with the result, the number of balls held in the number of ejected balls storage means 693 is stored in the prize ball ejection control section 616 or the rental ball ejection control section 617.
The system is designed to continue discharging the balls that was interrupted when a power outage occurs and eject the remaining number of balls.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the ball lending control device 500. The ball lending control device 500 of this embodiment includes a control section 510 composed of a single-chip microcomputer or the like, a transceiver 502 that performs an interface for data transmission and reception between the control section 510 and a card reader control device 250, and a segment type display. a display drive means 503 for forming a drive signal for a balance display, and a ball loan available display lamp 1;
26 and the drive circuits DRV1, DRV2 that drive the ball rental valid display lamp 230, and a ball rental number setting switch 52 that can set how many yen worth of rental balls should be discharged in a series of processes.
A filter 5 that removes noise from input signals 1a, 521b, 521c, and 521d and inputs them to the control section 501.
04, a relay 505 that supplies a card payment signal j to the card management device 800, and the like.

The control section 510 also includes a card control means 511 that reads data from the card reader control device 250 and forms write data and control signals for the card reader control device 250 and display data for the balance display 122. , a ball lending request control means 512 that generates a ball lending request signal T to the discharge control device 600, and ball lending number setting switches 521a, 521b, 521c, 52.
1d is turned on, and a ball lending number control means 513 that supplies a signal t indicating the set number of ball lending and discharging times to the ball lending request control means 512.

The ball lending request control means 512 asserts a ball lending request signal T to the discharge control device 600 based on the signal t and the ball lending enable signal U from the discharge control device 600 indicating that ball lending is possible. Upon receiving the payout completion signal V from the discharge control device 600, the ball lending request signal T is negated. Specifically, the set ball rental number is compared with the balance data (frequency) read from the card, and the payout completion signal V is counted to determine whether the ball rental number is equal to the set ball rental number or balance data (frequency). When the smaller number is reached, the ball lending request signal T is negated. The drive circuit DRV1 that drives the ball lending available indicator lamp 126 receives the ball lending request signal T and operates the ball lending available indicator lamp 1 only while this is negated.
26 is turned on and turned off while the ball lending request signal T is asserted.

FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the structure of the card control means 511 of the ball lending control device 500. That is, this card control means 511 includes a card balance reading means 541 that extracts the balance of the card from the read data sent from the card reader control device 250, a balance storage means 542 that stores the read balance data, and a balance storage means 542 that stores the read balance data. an amount subtraction means 544 that subtracts the stored contents of the balance storage means 542 based on the loaned ball payout completion signal V from the control device 600; and a punch device in the card reader each time the amount of money stored in the balance storage means 542 reaches a predetermined number. a punch hole processing control means 545 for giving a punching command to the card; a card balance determination means 546 for determining whether the amount in the balance storage means 542 has become zero; Based on this, the card insertion/ejection control means 547 forms a card ejection command signal n to the insertion/ejection motor of the card reader and a control signal for the ball rental available display 126, and the prepaid card is inserted once (( 10
A payment information forming means 548 is provided for forming a payment signal j that notifies the card management device 800, which manages the amounts of all cards, that the amount (e.g., 0 yen) has been used. This payment signal j can be transmitted to the card management company's computer via a transmission line.

The card balance reading means 541, the balance storage means 542 for storing the read balance data,
The balance data control means 549 is controlled by the amount subtraction means 544 which subtracts the stored contents of the balance storage means 542 based on the ball payout completion signal V from the discharge control device 600.
is configured. The contents of the balance storage means 542 are updated every time the payout of the rented balls is completed, and the contents of the balance storage means 542 are displayed on the balance display 122 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100.

Next, the procedure for controlling the discharge of rental balls and prize balls performed by the above-described discharge control device 600 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 50. The ejection control of the prize balls includes a so-called background control process (FIG. 12) in which the ejection control device 600 is started at the same time as the power is turned on and the process is repeated as long as the power is turned on (FIG. 12). There are also two control processes: an interrupt process (Figure 13) in which the background control process is interrupted and executed every predetermined time (for example, 0.5 msec) by a timer interrupt. These two control processes are classified into C
This is executed by a control unit 610 consisting of a PU.

First, the main routine of the background control process for controlling the ejection of prize balls will be explained with reference to FIG. This main routine is repeated after the emission control device 600 is powered on, as described above. When the power is turned on, first, in step S1, the "power outage flag" is set to "
1" is determined. This "power outage flag" is set to "1" when a power outage is detected in the process described later (Figure 26).
It is something that is done.

When the determination result in step S1 is "No", the process advances to step 2, and when it is "Yes", the process advances to step 13, where the "" prepared in the reference area in the RAM is
After setting the "processing number" to "5", the process advances to step S3. This is to allow power failure recovery processing (step S15) to be performed later. In step S2, initial settings such as clearing the RAM, setting flags, and resetting the output buffer are performed. In the subsequent step S3, a discharge device fraud monitoring process (FIG. 27), which will be described later, is performed to confirm that no unauthorized discharge has occurred, and then the process proceeds to step S4, where the discharge fraud flag set during the above process is set to "1", and if the flag is "1", the unauthorized release process of step S13 is performed, and if the flag is "0", the process proceeds to step S5. In steps S5 to S9, the above processing number (processing NO) is referred to and the number is "5" or "," respectively.
4", "3", "2", or "1" is determined.

[0045] When this processing number is "5", it starts the power failure recovery processing (Fig. 50), which will be described later, and when its value is "4", it starts the ball removal processing (Figs. 40 to 42), which will be described later. When the value is "3", the ball lending process (FIG. 39) to be described later is started, and when the value is "2", the prize ball discharging process (FIG. 32) to be described later is started. When the value is "1", a prize ball start process (FIG. 29), which will be described later, is started. When each corresponding process is executed, this process number is changed to another number or reset to "0" in the process flow.

On the other hand, when the processing number is "0", the process advances to step S10, and it is determined whether the ball removal flag is "1", and when the flag is "1", the processing number is set to "1" in step S20. Set to 4”. This is to cause the process to proceed to the ball removal process in step S16 when the main routine is executed again. Also, in step S10, the ball removal flag is set to “
0'', the process advances to step S11. In step S11, it is checked whether or not there is a ball lending request signal V from the ball lending control device 500. If the signal is present, the ball lending start process (FIG. 38) is executed, and if there is no ball lending request signal, step S12 Proceed to. In step S12, it is checked whether a prize ball discharge request (strobe signal C of prize ball data) has been received from the game board control device 400, and if so, the processing number is set to "1" in step S22. This is to cause the process to proceed to the prize ball start process of step S19 when the main routine is executed again. Also, step S1
If there is no discharge request in step S2, the replenishment process (FIG. 43) and the information output process (FIG. 44) are executed, and then the process returns to step S3.

FIG. 13 shows the procedure of timer interrupt processing, which is carried out by the emission control device 600 every predetermined period of time (for example, 0.5 msec) in priority to the main routine (background processing) of FIG. 12. There is. This interrupt processing is performed to read various input signals. When this interrupt processing is started, first, the count values of various timers are updated (step S40), then ball lending request detection processing (step S41), prize ball data detection processing (step S42), frame sensor input processing (
Step S43), Input processing for the discharge sensor 1 (Step S44), Input processing for the discharge sensor 2 (Step S46)
, discharge sensor 1 level input process (step S48), discharge sensor 2 level input process (step S50), bulb removal sensor input process (step S52), replenishment sensor input process (step S54), overflow detector input process ( Step S56), waiting ball detector input processing (Step S58) and out sensor input processing (Step S
60) are performed sequentially.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the ball lending request detection processing routine carried out in step S41. In this processing routine, it is first determined whether the value of the continuous ball lending counter prepared in the RAM and updated in the ball lending discharge processing routine of FIG. 39 is "5" (step S4102), and if "No" is determined. If so, step S41
The process advances to S4118 to check whether or not the prize balls are being ejected, and if the prize balls are being ejected, the ball lending request flag is reset and the process ends (step S4118). Moreover, if the prize ball is not being discharged, it is determined in the next step S4106 whether or not the ball rental is being discharged, and if the ball rental is being discharged, the process is ended without doing anything. In this embodiment, even if one conversion to rental balls is set to units such as 200 yen or 300 yen, the ejection solenoid is converted to 100 yen.
This is in consideration of the fact that emission orders are issued in units of 0 yen.

If it is determined in the above step S4106 that the ball lending is not being discharged, the process advances to step S4108, where it is determined whether the ball lending request signal T is set to low level, and "Ye" is determined.
If the signal is "low level" for 5 msec consecutively (step S4120), it is determined that the ball lending request signal has been asserted by confirming that the signal has been low level for 5 msec consecutively. This is to prevent malfunctions.If the determination in step S4120 is "No", nothing is done, and if the determination is "Yes", the ball lending request flag is set and the process ends (step S4120).
4122). As a result, "Yes" is determined in step S11 in the main routine of FIG. 12, and ball lending start processing S21 is started. Furthermore, step S410
If it is determined in step S4110 that the ball lending request signal T is at a high level, the process advances to step S4110.
It is determined whether the ball lending request signal T is at a high level (H level) for 5 m seconds continuously. If it remains at a high level for 5 m seconds continuously, it is determined that there is no longer a ball lending request, clears the continuous ball lending counter, resets the ball lending request flag, and sets the P stand ready flag indicating that ball lending is possible. "
0” and terminates the process (step S4124
, S4126, S4128).

On the other hand, the determination in step S4102 is “Yes.
s", the process advances to step S4112, and it is determined whether the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 is at a high level.Here, if the ball lending request signal T is at a low level (L level), If this routine is ended without any change and the ball lending request signal T is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S4114, and the ball lending request signal T is continuously output for 5 m.
Determine whether the level is high for a second. If the ball lending request signal T is at a high level for 5 m seconds continuously, it is determined that the ball lending request signal T has been negated, the continuous ball lending counter is cleared, and the process ends (step S4116).
. This is to avoid converting more than 500 yen at a time.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the prize ball data detection processing routine carried out in step S42. In this process, it is first checked whether or not balls are being ejected (step S4202), and if they are not being ejected, the process advances to step S4204 to determine whether or not the prize ball ejecting process has already begun. Finish the process without doing anything,
If the prize balls are not being ejected, the process advances to step S4206 to check whether the data strobe signal C from the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level. If it is determined that the data strobe signal C is at a low level, the process moves to step S4212, where it is determined whether the signal has been at a low level for 10 msec or more continuously, and if "Yes", the number of prize balls from the game board control device 400 is determined. After reading the data B, the prize ball request flag is set and the process ends (steps S4214, S4216). By this, Figure 1
In step S12 of the main routine No. 2, the determination is "Yes", and the processing number is set to "1", and then, in step S9, the determination is "Yes", and the prize ball start process S19 is started.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4202 that the ball is being rented out, the process moves to step S4208, resets the prize ball number data and the prize ball request flag set in steps S4214 and S4216, and ends the process. (Step S4210). This is to give priority to ball lending processing over prize ball discharging processing. However, the ball lending process is prioritized only when the prize ball count data and the prize ball request flag are set, and once the prize ball ejecting operation has started, the prize ball ejecting process cannot be reset. To prevent this from happening, measures are taken in the ball lending request detection process in FIG. 14 (see steps S4104 and S4118).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the frame sensor input processing routine performed in step S43. This frame sensor input processing takes in the signal of the frame sensor 103 provided in the pachinko game machine and performs the information output processing S.
In order to set the frame open flag and the frame blockage flag used in the process of forming the frame open signal in the game machine information output processing flow (FIG. 48) that forms the signal output to the hall management device 700 in step 24. This is the process. When this routine is started, first step S4300
It is determined whether the output signal of the frame sensor 103 is at a high level (frame sensor output=“1”).

Assume now that the front frame 101 of the pachinko game machine is closed. Then, the determination result in step S4300 becomes "Yes", and the process advances to step S4302, where it is determined whether or not the frame blockage flag is "1". Here, in the initial setting, all judgment flags are set to "0" (
12), the results of the determination in step S4302 and the next step S4304 (whether or not the frame blockage monitoring flag is "1") are both "No", and the frame blockage monitoring flag is set to "1". setting (step S4306
) and set the frame open monitoring flag to "0" (step S4
308), and further sets the frame closure timer to a predetermined value (100 msec) (step S4310), and ends this routine.

[0055] If the frame sensor is still on when the next loop is started, step S430 is performed.
The determination result of step S4302 is “No,” and the determination result of step S4304 is “Yes.”
” and step S4312 is executed. In this step S4312, it is determined whether or not the frame closure timer started in step S4310 has timed up.
When the determination result is "No", the following step S431
4. Skip S4316 and end this routine. On the other hand, the determination result in step S4312 is “Yes”.
In this case, the frame sensor blockage flag is set to "1" in step S4314, and the frame sensor blockage flag is set to "1" in step S4316.
, reset the frame sensor open flag (set to “0”)
to end this routine.

On the other hand, “No” in step S4300 above.
That is, when it is determined that the frame sensor 103 is off,
Proceeding to step S4318, a routine consisting of steps S4318 to S4332, which are complementary steps to steps S4302 to S4316, is executed to set the frame open flag to "1" and the frame blockage flag to "0". to end this routine. That is, first, the determination results of step S4302 (whether or not the frame opening flag is "1") and the next step S4304 (whether or not the frame opening monitoring flag is "1") are both "No", and step S43
The frame open monitoring flag is set to "1" in step S4322, and the frame blockage monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S4324).
, further starts the frame blockage timer (step S4326).
, this routine ends.

[0057] When the next loop is started, if the frame sensor is still off, step S430 is executed.
The determination result of 0 is “No”, the determination result of the subsequent step S4302 is “No”, and the determination result of S4304 is “Yes”.
Then step S4328 is executed. In this step S4328, it is determined whether the frame closing timer started in the step S4326 has timed up, and if the determination result is "No", the subsequent step S4330
, skips S4332 and ends this routine.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S4328 is "Yes", the frame sensor open flag is set to "1" in step S4330, and the frame sensor closed flag is reset ("
0") and ends this routine. However, the setting time of the frame opening timer started in step S4326 is selected to be 1000 msec, which is much longer than the frame closing timer (step S4310). .Figure 17
is a flowchart of the input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1 performed in step S44.

This routine is for detecting the state of the ejection sensor 730a, and when there is a prize ball inside the sensor, its output signal becomes high level.
The output signal is configured to be at a low level when the prize ball has flowed out and is no longer present in the sensor, either temporarily or continuously. Therefore, in this routine, the sensor 730
When the output signal of a rises from a low level to a high level, a discharge sensor 1 rising flag, which will be described later, is set to "1" to store that the prize ball has reached the sensor. On the other hand, when the output signal of the sensor 730a (hereinafter referred to as ejection sensor 1) falls from a high level to a low level, the ejection sensor falling flag, which will be described later, is set to "1" and the prize ball is released from within the sensor. I remember what I did.

When this routine is started, first, in step S4402, it is determined whether the output signal of the sensor 1 is at a high level (emission sensor 1 output = "1"). Let us now consider a situation in which one prize ball remains within the sensor 1 without being ejected. At this time, step S
The determination result of 4402 is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S4.
404 and subsequent steps are executed. In step S4404, whether or not the discharge 1 rise change flag is "1" is determined in step S4404.
In step S4406, it is determined whether the discharge 1 fall change flag is "1", in step S4408 it is determined whether the discharge 1 low level flag is "1", and then in step S4410, the discharge 1 high level flag is determined to be "1". It is determined whether or not each of them is true. By the way, immediately after the CPU 610 is initialized, all flags are set to "0", so step S
All the determination results from 4404 to S4410 are "No", and in step S4412, the discharge 1 high level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 was high level in this loop. to end this routine.

In the subsequent loop, since the discharge 1 high level flag is set to "1", as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 maintains the high level state, step S44 is executed.
02, S4404, S4406, S4408, S441
0 will be executed repeatedly. After that, the ejection of the prize ball starts, and when the prize ball that had been staying inside the sensor 1 moves outside from inside the ejection sensor 1 and escapes from inside the sensor 1, the output signal of the ejection sensor 1 falls to a low level. , the determination result in step S4402 becomes "No" and steps S4432 and subsequent steps are executed.

When the processing after step S4432 is performed for the first time, the discharge 1 high level flag is set to "1".
”, and all other flags are “0”, so the judgment in step S4432 (if the discharge 1 fall change flag is “1”)
”), the next step S4434 determines (discharge 1
Whether the rising change flag is “1”), both results are “No”.
", the result of the determination in step S4436 (whether the discharge 1 high level flag is "1") is "Yes", and steps S4438 and S4440 are executed. In step S4438, the discharge from the previous loop to the current loop is In order to memorize that the output signal of the sensor 1 changes from high level to low level (falls), the discharge 1 falling change flag is set to "1", followed by step S4.
At 440, the discharge 1 high level flag, which had been set to "1" up to this point, is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

Furthermore, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still at the low level in the next loop, the discharge 1 fall change flag was set to "1" in step S4438 of the previous loop, so the determination result in step S4432 is “
"Yes".Then, the next step S4442~
In S4448, the ejection sensor 1 fall flag is set to "1" to remember that the prize ball has escaped from the ejection sensor 1 (
Step S4442), and when the value is "1", the discharge sensor 1 start-up flag indicates that there is a prize ball in sensor 1 (when this step is executed for the first time after initialization, it is set to "0"). ) is reset to "0" (step S4444), and then the discharge 1 fall change flag is reset to "0" (step S4446), and the output signal of discharge sensor 1 in this loop is at low level. Set the emission 1 high level flag to “1” to remember something.
” (step S4448) and ends this routine.

In the next and subsequent loops, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a low level, the discharge 1 fall change flag,
Since the discharge 1 rise change flag and the discharge 1 high level flag are all "0" and the discharge 1 low level flag is "1", steps S4402, S4432, and S443 are performed.
4, S4436 and step S4450 (determining whether the discharge 1 low level flag is "1") are repeatedly executed (at this time, the determination result of step S4450 is "Y").
es”), at this time, the discharge sensor 1 fall flag is “
1”, and the discharge sensor 1 startup flag is held at “0”.

On the other hand, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 falls from high level to low level,
If the output signal rises to a high level again (step S4438 was executed in the previous loop and the discharge 1 fall change flag became "1", and the sensor output rose to a high level in the current loop) ), the determination result of step S4402 changes to "Yes", and furthermore, the determination result of step S4404 changes to "No", and step S44
06 is determined as "Yes", and in step S4428, the discharge 1 rise change flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal rose from the previous loop to the current loop. , step S443
0, the discharge 1 falling change flag, which was set to "1" in the previous loop, is reset to "0" and this routine ends.

As a result, the discharge 1 fall flag is set to "1" unless a low level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice) after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 falls. (Prize ball is sensor 1
Processing (indicating that the discharge has occurred from the inside) is not performed, and if noise occurs in the output signal of discharge sensor 1 and the signal falls momentarily, the discharge 1 falling flag may be set by mistake. It is designed not to be set to “1”.

Next, consider the case where after the previous prize ball escapes from inside the sensor 1, the next prize ball reaches inside the sensor 1. At this time, the determination in step S4402 (determination as to whether the output signal of sensor 1 is at a low level) is "Yes", and the determination in step S4404 (the discharge 1 rise change flag is "1") is performed. In this case, the judgment result is “No.
”, and it is determined in step S4406 whether or not the discharge 1 fall change flag is “1”. At this time, the determination result in step S4406 is also “No” (it is set to “0” in step S4446). is set), the process advances to step S4408, and the discharge 1 low level flag is set to "1".
A determination is made as to whether or not this is the case.

At this point, the discharge 1 low level flag has been set to "1" in step S4448, so the determination result in step S4408 is "Yes", and the process advances to step S4414, where the discharge sensor is set from the previous loop to the current loop. In order to memorize that the output signal of No. 1 has changed from a low level to a high level (has risen), the ejection 1 rise change flag is set to "1", followed by step S4.
At 416, Emission 1, which had been set to “1” up until this point,
The low level flag is reset (set to "0") and this routine ends.

Furthermore, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still at a high level in the next loop, since the discharge 1 rise change flag was set to "1" in step S4414 of the previous loop, the determination result in step S4404 is but"
"Yes".Then, the next step S4418~
In S4424, the discharge sensor 1 startup flag is set to "1" to remember that there is a prize ball in the discharge sensor 1 (step S4418), and when the value is "1", the prize ball is released from the sensor. The discharge sensor 1 fall flag indicating that the discharge sensor 1 has changed is reset to "0" (step S4420), and the discharge sensor 1 rise change flag is then reset to "0" (step S4422). The discharge 1 high level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of No. 1 is at a high level (step S4424), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level, steps S4402 and S4404 are performed.
, S4406, S4408, and S4410 are executed repeatedly, and at this time, the discharge 1 start-up flag is set to "1".
, the discharge 1 fall flag is held at "0". On the other hand, if in the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises from the low level to the high level, the output signal falls to the low level (step S4 in the previous loop).
414 is executed and the discharge 1 rise change flag becomes "1", and the output signal of the current loop is low level), the determination result of step S4402 is "No", and the determination result of step S4432 is "No". , step S443
4 is determined as "Yes", and in step S4452, the discharge 1 fall change flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal fell from the previous loop to the current loop. , step S4454
At this point, the discharge 1 rise change flag, which was set to "1" during the previous loop, is reset to "0" and this routine ends.

As described above, after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises, unless a high level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice), the discharge 1 rise flag is set. Set to “1” (emission sensor 1
Processing (indicating that there is a prize ball inside) is not performed, so that the ejection 1 start-up flag will not be set to "1" by mistake when noise occurs in the output signal of ejection sensor 1. It has become.

By executing the above routine,
After the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises, the discharge sensor 1 rise flag becomes "1" only when that state is maintained for a predetermined period or longer (while interrupt processing is performed at least twice).
”, and therefore, the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the ejection sensor 1. Conversely, after the output signal of the ejection sensor 1 falls, the rise flag is set to The ejection sensor 1 falling flag is set to "1" only when this state is maintained (during the period of two rounds), and therefore the falling flag indicates that the prize ball has escaped from within the ejection sensor 1. The discharge sensor 1 rise flag and discharge sensor 1 fall flag are referenced in the alternate discharge process or combined discharge process (see FIGS. 38 and 39 described later) in the background process (main routine). Ru.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the input processing routine for the discharge sensor 2 carried out in step S46 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 20). This routine
This is to detect the state of the discharge sensor 30b, and is performed in the same procedure as the input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1 described above. In this routine, similarly to the input processing of the exhaust sensor 1 described above, when the output signal of the sensor 730b (hereinafter referred to as the exhaust sensor 2) rises from the low level to the high level, the exhaust sensor 2 rise flag is set to "1". ” to memorize that the prize ball has reached the sensor, and on the other hand, set the ejection sensor 2 falling flag to “1” when the prize ball reaches the sensor when it falls from the high level to the low level. I try to remember things that I escaped more easily.

Specifically, when this routine is started,
First, in step S4602, it is determined whether the output signal of the sensor 2 is at a high level (emission sensor 2 output = "1"). Let us now consider a situation in which one prize ball remains within the sensor 2 without being ejected. At this time, the determination result in step S4602 is "Yes", and steps S4604 and subsequent steps are executed. Step S46
In step S4606, it is determined whether the discharge 2 rising change flag is "1" or not, and in step S4606, it is determined whether the discharge 2 rising change flag is "1".
In step S4608, it is determined whether the discharge 2 low level flag is "1", and in step S4610, it is determined whether the discharge 2 high level flag is "1".

By the way, immediately after the CPU 610 is initialized, all flags are set to "0", so step S
All the determination results from 4604 to S4610 are "No", and in step S4612, the discharge 2 high level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 was high level in this loop. to end this routine. In the subsequent loop, the discharge 2 high level flag is set to "1", so as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 remains high level, step S4602
, S4604, S4606, S4608, and S4610 are repeatedly executed.

[0076] After that, the ejection of the prize ball is started, and when the prize ball that had remained in the sensor 2 until then moves to the outside of the ejection sensor 2 and escapes from the sensor 2, the output signal of the ejection sensor 2 becomes low level. falls at step S4.
The determination result in step S463 is “No”.
2 and subsequent steps are executed. When the processing after step S4632 is performed for the first time, the discharge 2 high level flag is "1" and all other flags are "0", so the determination in step S4632 (the discharge 2 falling change flag is "1"), and all other flags are "0". 1"), the results of the next step S4634 (whether the discharge 2 rise change flag is "1") are both "No", and the following step S4636 (the discharge 2 high level flag is "1") If the result of the judgment is “Yes”
Then, steps S4638 and S4640 are executed.

In step S4638, the discharge 2 falling change flag is set to "1" in order to remember that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 changed from high level to low level (falling) from the previous loop to the current loop. However, in the following step S4640, the discharge 2 high level flag, which had been set to "1" up to this point, is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends. Furthermore, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still at a low level in the next loop, since the discharge 2 fall change flag was set to "1" in step S4638 of the previous loop, the output signal in step S4 is
The determination result at 632 changes to "Yes". Then, in the following steps S4642 to S4648, the ejection sensor 2 fall flag is set to "1" (step S4642) to remember that the prize ball has escaped from the ejection sensor 2, and the value is set to "1". When the discharge sensor 2 start-up flag (which is set to "0" when this step is executed for the first time after initialization) indicates that there is a prize ball in sensor 2, "
0" (step S4644), and then resets the discharge 2 falling change flag to "0" (step S4646), and also remembers that the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 in this loop is low level. The discharge 2 high level flag is set to "1" (step S464).
8) End this routine.

In the next and subsequent loops, if the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at low level, the discharge 2 fall change flag,
Since the discharge 2 rise change flag and the discharge 2 high level flag are all "0" and the discharge 2 low level flag is "1", steps S4602, S4632, and S463 are performed.
4, S4636 and step S4650 (determining whether the discharge 2 low level flag is "1") are repeatedly executed (at this time, the determination result of step S4650 is "Y").
es”), at this time, the discharge sensor 2 fall flag is “
1", and the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 falls from high level to low level,
If the output signal rises to a high level again (step S4638 was executed in the previous loop and the discharge 2 fall change flag became "1", and the sensor output rose to a high level in the current loop) ), the determination result in step S4602 changes to "Yes", and furthermore, the determination result in step S4604 changes to "No", and step S46
06 is determined as "Yes", and in step S4628, the discharge 2 rise change flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal rose from the previous loop to the current loop. , step S463
0, the discharge 2 fall change flag, which was set to "1" in the previous loop, is reset to "0" and this routine ends.

As a result, the discharge 2 fall flag is set to "1" unless a low level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice) after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 falls. (Prize ball is sensor 2
The process (indicating that the discharge has come out from the inside) is not performed, and if noise occurs in the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 and the signal falls momentarily, the discharge 2 fall flag may be set to "1" by mistake. ” is no longer set.

Next, consider the case where after the previous prize ball escapes from inside the sensor 2, the next prize ball reaches inside the sensor 2. At this time, the determination in step S4602 (determination as to whether the output signal of the sensor 2 is at a low level) is "Yes", and the determination in step S4604 (as to whether the discharge 2 rise change flag is "1") is performed. , in this case the judgment result is “N
o", and it is determined in step S4606 whether or not the discharge 2 fall change flag is "1". At this time, the determination result in step S4606 is also "No"("0" in step S4646). ), the process advances to step S4608, and the discharge 2 low level flag is set to "1".
” is determined.

At this point, the discharge 2 low level flag has been set to "1" in step S4648, so the determination result in step S4608 is "Yes", and the process advances to step S4614, where the discharge sensor is set from the previous loop to the current loop. In order to memorize that the output signal of No. 2 has changed from a low level to a high level (has risen), the ejection 2 rise change flag is set to "1", followed by step S4.
At 616, Emission 2, which had been set to "1" up to this point,
The low level flag is reset (set to "0") and this routine ends.

Furthermore, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still at a high level in the next loop, since the discharge 2 rise change flag was set to "1" in step S4614 of the previous loop, the determination result of step S4604 is but"
"Yes".Then, the next step S4618~
In S4624, the ejection sensor 2 startup flag is set to "1" to remember that there is a prize ball in the ejection sensor 2 (step S4618), and when the value is "1", the prize ball is ejected from the sensor. The discharge sensor 2 fall flag indicating that the discharge sensor 2 has changed is reset to "0" (step S4620), and the discharge sensor 2 rise change flag is then reset to "0" (step S4622). The discharge 2 high level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of No. 2 is at a high level (step S4624), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level, steps S4602 and S4604 are performed.
, S4606, S4608, and S4610 are executed repeatedly, and at this time, the discharge 2 startup flag is set to "1".
, the discharge 2 falling flag is held at "0". On the other hand, if in the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises from the low level to the high level, the output signal falls to the low level (step S4 in the previous loop).
614 is executed and the discharge 2 rise change flag becomes "1" and the output signal of the current loop is low level), the determination result of step S4602 is "No", and the determination result of step S4632 is "No". , step S463
4 is determined as "Yes", and in step S4652, the discharge 2 fall change flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal fell from the previous loop to the current loop. , step S4654
At this point, the discharge 2 rise change flag, which was set to "1" during the previous loop, is reset to "0" and this routine ends.

As described above, after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises, unless a high level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice), the discharge 2 rise flag is The process of setting the prize ball to "1" (indicating that there is a prize ball in the ejection sensor 2) is not performed, and if noise occurs in the output signal of the ejection sensor 2, the ejection 2 The start-up flag is not set to "1".

By executing the above routine,
After the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises, the discharge sensor 2 rise flag becomes "1" only when that state is maintained for a predetermined period or longer (while the interrupt process is performed at least twice).
”, and therefore, the rise flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the ejection sensor 2. Conversely, after the output signal of the ejection sensor 2 falls, the rise flag is set to The ejection sensor 2 falling flag is set to "1" only when this state is maintained (during the period in which the prize ball has escaped from the ejection sensor 2). The discharge sensor 2 rising flag and the discharge sensor 2 falling flag are used in the alternate discharge process or combined discharge process (see FIGS. 38 and 39 described later) in the background process (main routine). .

FIG. 22 shows step S of interrupt processing (FIG. 16).
48 is a flowchart showing a routine for level input processing of the discharge sensor 1 performed in step 48. In this level input process, the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level (sensor 1
This is a routine for determining whether a period in which the player is detecting a prize ball continues for a predetermined period or longer, and after the state changes from the state where there is no prize ball to the state where there is a prize ball, the first predetermined period (50 msec), set the discharge sensor 1 bulb presence flag to "1" and memorize this,
This is stored by setting the discharge 1 error release flag to "1" when a second predetermined period (2 seconds) has elapsed after the above change. These two flags are used in the discharge device fraud monitoring process (Figure 31), which will be described in detail later.
, prize ball start processing (Figure 32), ball lending start process (Figure 41)
, used in the discharge error recovery process (FIG. 40).

[0088] When this routine is started, step S7
At step 200, it is determined whether the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level (the output of the discharge sensor 1 = "1"). When the determination result is "No", that is, the output signal is at a low level, the discharge one ball presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S7202), and the above-mentioned discharge sensor one ball presence flag is set to "0".
” (step S7204), the discharge 1 error monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S7206), and the aforementioned discharge 1 error cancellation flag is set to "0" (step S7208), and this routine ends.

Here, both the ejection 1 ball presence monitoring flag and the ejection 1 error monitoring flag are set when the output signal of the ejection sensor 1 is determined to be at a high level, immediately after the loop rises from a low level to a high level. This is used to determine whether it is a loop (steps S7212 and S7224, which will be described later). Thereafter, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 changes from low level to high level, in the loop immediately after that, the determination result in step S7200 becomes "Yes", and in the subsequent step S7210, the discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag is set to "1". Further, in the following step S7212, whether or not there is a discharge 1
It is determined whether the ball presence monitoring flag is "1". In this case, the determination results are both "No", and in the subsequent step S7214, the discharge 1 ball presence monitoring flag is set to "1",
In step S7216, the timer with one discharged ball is set to the first predetermined period (50 msec), and the process advances to step S7222.

In step S7222, it is determined whether the discharge 1 error release flag is "1". in this case(
Immediately after the output signal of sensor 1 changes from low level to high level), the determination result is "No" and the following step S
At 7224, it is determined whether the discharge 1 error monitoring flag is "1". In this loop, this discrimination result is also “N”
o", the discharge 1 error monitoring flag is set to "1" in step S7226, and the discharge 1 error timer is set to a second predetermined period (2 sec) in the subsequent step S7228, and this routine ends.

[0091] If the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still maintained at a high level in the next loop, step S720 is performed.
The determination result of 0 is "Yes", the determination result of step S7210 is "No", and the determination result of step S7212 is "Y".
es", and the process proceeds to step S7218. In step S7218, it is determined whether or not the ball presence timer set in step S7216 has timed up. If the result of this determination is "No" (the output signal is at a high level) (When the first predetermined period has not yet passed since the change to
If so, skip the following step S7220 and proceed to step S7222.

In this loop, this step S7222
The determination result in step S7224 is "No", and the determination result in step S7224 is "Yes", and the process advances to step S7230. In step S7230, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 error timer set in step S7228 has timed up. If the determination result is "No" (since the output signal has changed to high level, the second (when the predetermined period has not elapsed), the following step S7232 is skipped and this routine is ended. Furthermore, in subsequent loops, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level, steps S7200, S7210, and S72 are executed.
12, S7218 and steps S7222 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed, and when the determination result in step S7218 changes from "No" to "Yes" (immediately after the first predetermined period has elapsed), in step S7220, the above-mentioned one discharge sensor bulb is The existence flag is set to "1", and thereafter step S7200
, S7210 and steps S7222 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

Regarding the processing after step S7222, as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is at a high level, steps S7222, S7224, and S7230 are repeatedly executed, and the determination result in step S7230 changes from "No" to "Yes". When the change occurs (immediately after the second predetermined period has elapsed), the discharge 1 error cancellation flag described above is set to "1" in step S7232, and thereafter in step S7200.
, S7210, and S7222 (when the discharge 1 error release flag is "1", naturally the discharge sensor 1 ball presence flag is "1") are repeatedly executed. When the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 changes to low level even once, each flag is reset to "0" in steps S7202 to S7208. Processing will start from the beginning.

FIG. 20 shows step S of interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
50 is a flowchart showing a routine of level input processing for the exhaust sensor 2 performed in step 50, and this routine is performed in the same procedure as the level input processing for the exhaust sensor 1 described above. This level input processing is a routine for determining whether the period in which the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level (the state in which the sensor 2 is detecting the prize ball) continues for a predetermined period or more, After the state changes from the state where there is no prize ball to the state where there is a prize ball, when the first predetermined period (50 msec) has elapsed, the discharge sensor 2 ball presence flag is set to "1" and this is stored, and the above change is performed. This is stored by setting the discharge 2 error release flag to "1" when the second predetermined period (2 seconds) has elapsed. These two flags are also used in prize ball start processing (FIG. 29), ejection error circuit processing (FIG. 37), etc., which will be described in detail later.

[0095] When this routine is started, first, in step S7400, it is determined whether the output signal of the exhaust sensor 2 is at a high level (exhaust sensor 2 output = "1"). When the determination result is "No", that is, the output signal is at a low level, the ejected 2-ball presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S7402), the above-mentioned ejection sensor 2-ball presence flag is set to "0" (step S7404), and the ejected 2-ball presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S7404). 2 error monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S7406), and the above-mentioned discharge 2 error cancellation flag is set to "0" (step S7408), and this routine ends. Here, both the ejection 2 ball presence monitoring flag and the ejection 2 error monitoring flag are the loops in which the output signal of the ejection sensor 2 is determined to be at high level, and that loop is the loop immediately after rising from low level to high level. This is used to determine whether or not (steps S7412 and S7424, which will be described later).

After that, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 changes from low level to high level, the determination result of step S7400 becomes "Yes" in the loop immediately after that.
Then, in the subsequent step S7410, it is determined whether the discharge sensor 2 bulb presence flag is "1" or not, and then in the subsequent step S7410.
In step 412, it is determined whether or not the two ejected balls monitoring flag is "1". In this case, the determination results are both "No", and in the following step S7414, the ejected 2-bulb presence monitoring flag is set to "
1'', and in step S7416, the ejected two-ball timer is set to the first predetermined period (50 msec), and the process advances to step S7422.

In step S7422, it is determined whether the discharge 2 error release flag is "1". in this case(
Immediately after the output signal of sensor 2 changes from low level to high level) the determination result is "No" and the following step S
At 7424, it is determined whether the discharge 2 error monitoring flag is "1". In this loop, this discrimination result is also “N”
o'', the discharge 2 error monitoring flag is set to "1" in step S7426, and the discharge 2 error timer is set to a second predetermined period (2 sec) in the subsequent step S7428, and this routine ends.

[0098] If the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still maintained at a high level in the next loop, step S740 is performed.
The determination result of 0 is “Yes”, the determination result of step S7410 is “No”, and the determination result of step S7412 is “Y”.
es", and the process proceeds to step S7418. In step S7418, it is determined whether or not the ball presence timer set in step S7416 has timed up. If the result of this determination is "No" (the output signal is at a high level) (When the first predetermined period has not yet passed since the change to
If so, skip the subsequent step S7420 and proceed to step S7422.

In this loop, this step S7422
The determination result in step S7424 is "No", and the determination result in step S7424 is "Yes", and the process advances to step S7430. In step S7430, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 error timer set in step S7428 has timed up. If the determination result is "No" (since the output signal has changed to high level, the second (when the predetermined period has not elapsed), the following step S7432 is skipped and this routine is ended. Furthermore, in subsequent loops, steps S7400, S7410, and S74 are performed as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level.
12, S7418 and steps S7422 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed, and when the determination result in step S7418 changes from "No" to "Yes" (immediately after the first predetermined period has elapsed), in step S7420, the two discharge sensors described above are activated. The presence flag is set to "1", and thereafter step S7400
, S7410 and steps S7422 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

Regarding the processing after step S7422, steps S7422, S7424, and S7430 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is at a high level, and the determination result in step S7430 changes from "No" to "Yes". When the change occurs (immediately after the second predetermined period has elapsed), the discharge 2 error cancellation flag described above is set to "1" in step S7432, and thereafter in step S7400.
, S7410, and S7422 (when the discharge 2 error release flag is "1", the discharge sensor 2 bulb presence flag is naturally "1") are repeatedly executed. When the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 changes to low level even once, each flag is reset to "0" in steps S7402 to S7408. Processing will start from the beginning.

FIG. 21 shows step S of the interrupt processing in FIG.
52 is a flowchart of the input processing routine of the ball removal sensor 750 performed in step 52. As mentioned above, the ball removal sensor 750 is operated by an operator at the game parlor to start the ball removal process, that is, insert a ball removal rod (not shown) into the operation hole provided on the front surface of the pachinko game machine 10. The output signal of the sensor 750 is configured to be at a high level when the insertion of the ball extraction rod is detected, and to be held at a low level when the insertion of the ball extraction rod is not detected. has been done. By the way, in this flow, when the output signal from the sensor 750 changes from a low level to a high level, a ball removal flag, which will be described later, is set to "1" and it is determined that a ball removal process has been performed by the staff at the game parlor. It looks like this. Then, the prize ball discharge control device starts a ball withdrawal process (FIGS. 40 to 42), which will be described later, with the ball withdrawal flag set to "1" (step S16 of the main routine).

[0102] When this routine is started, first, in step S5300, it is determined whether the above-mentioned processing number is "0". In the main routine (Figure 12), when the process number is not set to "0", such as when the prize ball (ball rental) discharge start process and the prize ball (ball rental) discharge process are being performed (at this time, the above Step S5300
(The determination result is "No") Without proceeding to step S5303 or later, the ball removal sensor change flag is set to "0" (step S5301), and the ball removal sensor L level flag is set to "0".
” (step S5302), and ends this routine.Here, the ball removal sensor change flag indicates that the output signal of the sensor 750 changed from low level (L) to high level (H) in this loop. (set to “1” when
The ball removal sensor L level flag is a flag for storing that the output signal of the sensor was low level (L) in this loop.

[0103] By making the determination in step S5300 described above, even if the staff at the game parlor performs the ball extraction operation, when executing the prize ball ejection process, etc., the ball extraction process (see FIGS. 42) will be prohibited. Suppose now that the prize balls have not been ejected (processing NO = “0”), and the ball ejecting rod is not inserted into the operating hole of the gaming machine 10, a staff member at the gaming parlor Consider the case where the state changes to the state where the ball extraction rod is inserted. If the prize ball has not been ejected, the determination result in step S5300 is "Yes", and in step S5303 it is determined whether the ball removal sensor change flag is "1", and in step S5304 it is determined whether or not the ball removal sensor change flag is "1". It is determined whether or not the removal sensor L level flag is "1".

By the way, as mentioned above, all the discrimination flags are set to "0" in the main routine (step S2 in FIG. 12) immediately after the power in the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on.
Even after initialization is performed, processing N
When O is other than "0", the steps S5301 and S5
Since it is set to "0" in step S302, the step S5
The determination results in steps 303 and S5304 are both "No", and in step S5306, the output signal of the ball removal sensor is set to L level (
It is determined whether or not the ball removal sensor output is "0". When the ball extraction rod is not inserted into the operating hole 261, the output signal of the sensor 750 remains at L level,
Therefore, the determination result in step S5306 is "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S5308, where the ball removal sensor L level flag is set to "1" and this routine is ended.

When the output signal of the ball removal sensor is still at the L level in the subsequent loop, the ball removal sensor L level flag is set to "1", so the determination result of step S5304 is " In the subsequent step S5310, it is determined whether the output signal of the ball removal sensor in the current loop is at a high level (ball removal sensor output = "1"). At this time (the output signal of the ball removal sensor remains at a low level), the determination result becomes "No" and the present routine is immediately terminated. Therefore, as long as the output signal of the ball removal sensor maintains the L level, step S5300
, S5303, S5304, and S5310 are repeatedly executed.

From this state, when the ball removal rod is inserted into the operation hole and the output signal of the ball removal sensor changes from L level to H level, the determination result in step S5310 becomes "Yes".
”, and in the subsequent step S5312, the ball removal sensor change flag is set to “, in order to remember that the output signal of the ball removal sensor 750 went from low level to high level in this loop.
1", then in step S5314 the ball removal sensor L level flag is reset to "0", and this routine ends. When the output signal is at H level in this loop as well as in the previous loop, if the output signal is at H level, By executing step S5312 of the loop, the ball removal sensor change flag is set to “1”.
is set, the determination result in step S5303 is “Y”.
es", the process advances to step S5316, and it is determined whether the output signal of the ball removal sensor in this loop is at a high level (ball removal sensor output = "1"). This determination result is "Yes". That is, when the output signal is at a high level in the current loop as well as in the previous loop, the subsequent step S5
In step S5320, the ball removal flag is set to "1", and in step S5320, the ball removal sensor change flag is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, when the output signal of the ball removal sensor is still at a high level, the determination result in step S5303 changes to "No" (the ball removal sensor change flag has been reset to "0"), and then in step S5304. , the determination results in step S5306 are both "No",
Thereafter, steps S5303, S5304, and S5306 will be repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the output signal of the ball removal sensor changes to low level again in the loop immediately after the output signal of the ball removal sensor changes from the low level to the high level (immediately after the steps S5312 and S5314 are executed), the output signal of the ball removal sensor changes to the low level again. The determination result in S5316 is "No", and step S5322 is executed without executing step S5318 (ball removal flag = "1").
After setting the ball removal sensor L level flag to "1" in step S5320, the routine ends.

[0108] When the output signal of the ball removal sensor changes from low level to high level, the output signal remains high for at least two processing loops.
Since the ball out flag is set to "1" only when the level is maintained, the ball out flag will not be erroneously set to "1" when noise or the like occurs. Figure 2
2 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the replenishment sensor 106 performed in step S54 of the interrupt processing shown in FIG. As mentioned above, the replenishment sensor 1
06 detects the shortage of game balls (spare balls) in the storage tank 201, and when the stored spare balls have accumulated up to the installation position of the replenishment sensor 106 in the tank 201, the low level is detected. It is configured to output a high level signal when it is not in use.

Let us now consider a situation in which the tank 201 is not filled with spare balls up to the sensor installation position (insufficient state). In this state, when the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600 and the routine is started, first, step S5
At step 002, it is determined whether the output signal of the sensor 106 is at a high level (replenishment sensor output=“1”). In this case, the determination result is "Yes" and step S50
Proceed to 04. By the way, immediately after the CPU 610 is initialized, all flags are set to "0", so step S
The determination results in steps 5004 to S5010 are all "No", and in step S5012, the replenishment H level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of the replenishment sensor was high level in this loop, and the main process is started. End the routine. Since the replenishment H level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loop, steps S5002, S5004, and S5006 are performed as long as the output signal remains at a high level.
, S5008, and S5010 are repeatedly executed.

[0110] Thereafter, when the game balls (spare balls) are replenished to the point where the replenishment sensor 106 is installed in the storage tank 201, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 changes to low level, and the step S5002 is completed. The determination result becomes "No" and the process advances to step S5030 and subsequent steps. When step S5030 is performed for the first time, the replenishment H level flag is "1" and all other flags are "0", so the determination results of step S5030 and the next step S5032 are both "No" and continue. Step S5034 becomes “Yes” and step S5036
, S5038 are executed. In step S5036,
In order to remember that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 changed from high level to low level (falling) from the previous loop to the current loop, the replenishment fall change flag is set to "1".
", and in the subsequent step S5038, the replenishment H level flag that was set to "1" in the previous loop is reset (
(set to “0”) and end this routine.

When the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is still at a low level in the next loop, the determination result in step S5030 is "Yes" because the replenishment fall change flag was set to "1" in step S5036 of the previous loop.
”.Then, the subsequent steps S5040 to S50
In step S5040, the replenishment sensor falling flag is set to "1" to remember that the reserve bulb is filled up to the installation position of the replenishment sensor 106 in the storage tank 201 (step S5040).
At the same time, when the value is "1", a replenishment sensor start-up flag (
When this step is executed for the first time after initialization, it is set to "0") to "0" (step S504).
2) Then, the replenishment fall change flag is reset to "0" (step S5044), and the replenishment L level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 in this loop is low level. ” (step S5046) and ends this routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is at a low level, steps S5002 and S50 are performed.
30, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed, and at this time, the replenishment sensor fall flag is held at "1" and the replenishment sensor rise flag is held at "0". On the other hand, if in the loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 falls from high level to low level, the output signal rises to high level (step S5036 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment fall change flag is “1” and the sensor output is at a high level in this loop), the determination result in step S5002 is “Yes” and the determination result in step S5004 is “N”.
o", the determination result in step S5006 is "Yes", and in step S5028, the replenishment rise change flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal rose from the previous loop to the current loop. At the same time, in step S5029, the replenishment fall change flag, which was set to "1" in the previous loop, is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, the replenishment fall flag is set to "1" unless a high level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice) after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 falls. (storage tank 20
The process (indicating that the spare bulbs are filled up to the sensor 106 set position in 1) is not performed.
It is possible to deal with cases where noise occurs in the output signal of the replenishment sensor. Next, let us consider a case where the prize ball discharge control device 600 is powered on and this routine is started in a state where the reserve balls are filled up to the sensor 106 installation position in the storage tank 201.

First, in step S5002, the sensor 1
06 output signal is high level (replenishment sensor output = “1”
), but in this case, the determination result is "No" and the process advances to step S5030. CPU61
Immediately after initialization of 0, all flags are set to "0", so steps S5030, S5032, and S503
4. All the determination results in S5048 are "No", and in step S5054, the replenishment L level flag is set to "1" to remember that the output signal of the replenishment sensor was low level in this loop, and the main End the routine. In the subsequent loop, since the replenishment L level flag is set to "1", steps S5002, S5030, S5032, and S5 are performed as long as the output signal remains at low level.
034 and S5048 will be repeatedly executed.

[0115] Thereafter, by discharging the prize ball, the tank 20
1, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 becomes high level,
The determination result in step S5002 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to step S5004 and subsequent steps. Step S5004
When is performed for the first time, the replenishment L level flag is "1" and all other flags are "0", so the determination results in step S5004 and the next step S5006 are both "No" and the subsequent step S5008 is “Ye
s" and step S5014 is executed. In this step S5014, the replenishment sensor 106 output signal changes from low level to high level (rise) from the previous loop to the current loop. The rising change flag is set to "1", and the subsequent step S50
16, the above-mentioned step S5054 is performed before the previous loop.
The replenishment L level flag, which had been set to "1", is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 continues to be at a high level in the next loop, the replenishment rise change flag was set to "1" in step S5014 of the previous loop, so after the determination in step S5002 is performed, the The determination result in step S5004 changes to "Yes". Then, in the following steps S5018 to S5024,
The replenishment sensor startup flag is set to "1" to record that the replenishment sensor 106 has lost the prize ball at the installation position of the replenishment sensor 106 in the storage tank 201 (step S
5018), and when the value is "1", a replenishment sensor fall flag indicating that there is a prize ball at the sensor installation position in the storage tank 201 (when this step is executed for the first time during initialization, it is set to "0"). ) is set to "0" (step S5020), and then the replenishment start-up change flag is reset to "0" (step S5022), and the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 in this loop is set to high. The replenishment H level flag is set to "1" to memorize this level (step S5024), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is at a high level, steps S5002 and S50 are performed.
04, S5006, S5008, and S5010 will be executed repeatedly, and at this time, the replenishment start-up flag will be “1”.
", the replenishment fall flag is held at "0". On the other hand, if the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 falls to a low level in the loop immediately after it rises from a low level to a high level ( If step S5414 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment rise change flag became "1" and the current loop is at low level), the determination result in step S5002 is "No" and step S50
The determination result in step S5030 is "No" and the determination result in step S5032 is "Yes".
At 050, the replenishment fall change flag is set to " to remember that the output signal fell from the previous loop to this loop.
At the same time, in step S5052, the replenishment start-up change flag, which was set to "1" during the previous loop, is set to "0".
to end this routine.

As described above, after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 106 rises, unless a high level state is detected for a predetermined period of time or longer (while this interrupt processing is performed at least twice), the replenishment rise flag is set to "1" (indicating that there is no prize ball at the sensor 106 installation position in the storage tank 201) is not performed, and this is done in case noise occurs in the output signal of the replenishment sensor. It is now possible to do so. In this way, “0” or “1”
The replenishment sensor rise flag and replenishment sensor fall flag that are set to ” are set in step S of the main processing routine (Fig.
It is used in the replenishment process (FIG. 43) executed in 23.

FIG. 23 shows step S of interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
56 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the overflow detector 104 performed in step 56. The overflow detector 104 performs the main processing routine (FIG.
This is to output a signal for determining the value of the no overflow ball flag used in the processes performed in steps S19 and S21 (FIGS. 29 and 38) of 2), and the prize in the overflow gutter 156. The output signal is configured to be high level when the balls are accumulated above a certain level, and to be low level when the balls are accumulated below the certain level. When this routine is started, first, in step S5400, it is determined whether the output of the detector is at a high level (overflow output = "1").

[0120] Assuming that the prize ball has not yet reached the installation position of the overflow detector in the ball guide gutter 750,
Let us consider the case where the prize ball has been ejected and has reached the position of the detector 104 in the ball ejection gutter 750. In a state where the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, the determination result in step S5400 is "No". At the beginning of this routine, all determination flags are reset to “0” (Figure 12
(step S2), the results of the subsequent determination in step S5402 (whether the overflow bulb no-monitoring flag is "1") and step S5404 (whether the overflow bulb no-monitoring flag is "1") are both "No", indicating that there is no overflow. The no-ball monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S540).
6), the overflow ball presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S5408), and the overflow ball no timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S54).
10) End this routine.

[0121] Here, the overflow ball non-monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not a state in which the prize ball has not reached the detector position has been detected two or more times in a row (control in step S5404). On the other hand, the overflow ball presence monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not a state in which a prize ball has reached the position of the detector has been detected two or more times in a row (determination in step S5420). In the next loop, if the prize ball has not reached the above position, the determination results in steps S5400 and S5402 are both "No", and the determination result in step S5404 is "Yes", and step S5412 is executed. Ru.

[0122] In this step S5412, after it is determined for the first time whether or not the ball-free timer has timed out, that is, the prize ball has not reached the mounting position of the detector (after executing steps S5406 to S5410 described above). Predetermined time (
2 sec) has elapsed, and the determination result is “N
o”, the following steps S5414 and S5416
Skip and end this routine. On the other hand, when the determination result is "Yes", in step S5414, the no overflow ball flag is set to "1" to indicate that the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, and in the next step S5416, Overflow ball flag (
When this step is performed for the first time after initialization, the initial value (which is set to "0") is reset (set to "0") and this routine ends.

[0123] In the subsequent loop, unless the prize ball has reached the position of the detector, the determination result in step S5400 is "
"No", the determination result in step S5402 becomes "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. Next, from this state, the ejected prize balls are accumulated and sent to the detector 10.
Let's consider the case where it reaches position 4. At this time, step S
The determination result in step S5400 is "Yes", and in the following step S5418, it is determined whether or not the overflow ball presence flag is "1". Since this overflow ball presence flag was set to "0" by the previous loop (step S5416), the result of this determination is "No". In the following step S5420, it is determined whether the overflow ball presence monitoring flag is "1", but this overflow ball presence monitoring flag was also set to "0" by the previous loop (
Since the above step S5408) has been carried out, the result of this determination is "No" and the overflow ball presence monitoring flag is set to "
1" (step S5422), the overflow ball non-monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S5424), and the overflow ball presence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S5426). This routine end.

[0124] Continuing in the next loop, the prize ball is placed on detector 1.
When the position reaches position 04, step S5400 is executed.
The determination result in step S5418 is "No", the determination result in step S5420 is "Yes", and step S5428 is executed. This step S5428 further determines whether or not the ball presence timer has timed up, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the prize ball has reached the above position (in step S5422 described above).
- After execution of S5426) It is determined whether a predetermined time (2 sec) has elapsed, and if the determination result is "No", the following steps S5430 and S5432 are skipped and this routine is ended. On the other hand, when the determination result is "Yes", in step S5430, the overflow ball presence flag is set to indicate that the prize ball has reached the detector position.
1” and in the next step S5432,
Reset the no overflow ball flag (set to “0”)
to end this routine.

[0125] In the subsequent loop, the overflow gutter 156
As long as the prize ball reaches the position of the detector 104 in
The determination result in step S5400 is "Yes", the determination result in step S5418 is "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. As described above, in this input processing, the output signal changes from low level to high level (or from high level to low level), as in the case of the safe sensor.
In the loop immediately after the change from low level to high level (or change from high level to low level), the change from low level to high level (or change from high level to low level) is only stored (the monitoring flag is set to "1"), and the next loop will still have high level (or change from high level to low level). low level) and further for a predetermined period of time (2 seconds) from the time of the above change.
The overflow ball presence flag, which is the final output value of this routine, is changed to "1" (or the overflow ball no flag to "1") only after the period of time has elapsed. By adopting such a control procedure, even if the overflow output signal level changes instantaneously due to noise generation, the change will not be immediately judged as a normal change, and the change will not be immediately judged as a normal change. It is possible to prevent malfunctions.

FIG. 24 shows step S of interrupt processing (FIG. 13).
58 is a flowchart showing the input processing routine of the standby ball detector 160 (hereinafter referred to as a half-shot sensor) performed in step 58. The half-end sensor 160 performs a prize ball start process (described later).
This outputs a signal for setting the half-ball presence flag used in Figure 29), and when there are enough prize balls stored in the guide gutter 152 (the number of spare balls exceeds the number of prize balls discharged twice). The output signal is configured to be high level (when stored) and to be low level when the number is less than the above number and is in an irregular state. When this routine is started, first, in step S5800, it is determined whether the output of the waiting ball detector is at a high level (standby ball detector output = "1").

[0127] Let us now consider a case where spare balls have not been stored up to the standby ball detector installation position in the guide gutter 152, and then the spare balls have been replenished and have reached the installation position. If the spare ball has not reached the above installation position, step S58
The determination result of 00 is "No". At this time, all the determination flags have been reset to "0" (step S2 in FIG. 12), so the determination in the subsequent step S5802 (whether the no hemispherical flag is "1") and the determination in step S5804 (no hemispherical monitoring) is necessary. Whether the flag is “1”), both results are “No”.
”, the hemispherical non-monitoring flag is set to “1” (step S5806), the hemispherical presence monitoring flag is set to “0” (step S5808), and the hemispherical non-monitoring timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec). Then (step S5810) this routine ends.

[0128] Here, the half-end ball non-monitoring flag is a flag used to judge whether or not a state in which the spare ball has not reached the installation position is detected (step S5804), while the half-end ball presence monitoring flag , is a flag used to determine whether or not a state in which spare balls have accumulated up to the above-mentioned installation position has been detected twice in a row (step S5820). Continuing in the next loop, if the spare balls have not accumulated to the above installation position, steps S5800 and S5
If the determination results of step 802 are both "No", then step S
The determination result of 5804 is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S5.
812 is executed.

In this step S5812, it is further determined whether or not the no-ball timer has timed up, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare balls are not accumulated at the above-mentioned installation position (
After executing steps S5806 to S5810 described above), it is determined whether a predetermined period of time (2 seconds) has elapsed, and if the determination result is "No", subsequent steps S5814 and S58 are performed.
Skip step 16 and end this routine. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S5812 is "Yes", in step S5814, a half-end ball missing flag is set to "1" to indicate that the spare balls have not accumulated up to the sensor installation position of the guide gutter 152, and , next step S58
At step 16, the half-sphere presence flag (which is set to an initial value of "0" when this step is performed for the first time after initialization) is reset (set to "0") and this routine ends.

[0130] In the subsequent loop, unless the spare balls are accumulated up to the above installation position, the determination result in step S5800 is "N".
o", the determination result in step S5802 becomes "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. From this state, by supplying game balls to the storage tank 151, the spare balls are installed at the half-end sensor 160 of the guide gutter 152. When it reaches this position, the determination result in step S5800 becomes "Yes". At this point, the half-sphere presence flag, which is determined to be "1" in step S5818, still has the initial value "0".
Since it is set to , this determination result is “No”,
The result of the determination in the subsequent step S5820 (whether the half-sphere presence monitoring flag is "1") also becomes "No" by executing the above-described step S5808, and the process proceeds to step S5822.

In step S5822, the hemispherical presence monitoring flag is set to "1", and in step S5824, the hemispherical non-monitoring flag is set to "0", and the hemispherical presence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec). (Step S
5826) End this routine. In the next loop, if the spare balls are accumulated up to the half-end sensor installation position,
The determination result in step S5800 is "Yes", the determination result in step S5818 is "No", and the determination result in subsequent step S5820 is "Yes" (set to "1" in step S5822 of the previous loop). Step S5828 is executed.

[0132] In this step S5828, a predetermined determination is made as to whether or not the ball presence timer has timed up, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare balls have accumulated to the above installation position (after executing steps S5822 to S5826 described above). time(
2 sec) has elapsed, and the determination result is “N
o”, the following steps S5830 and S5832
Skip and end this routine. On the other hand, when the determination result is "Yes", that is, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the spare balls have accumulated up to the sensor mounting position, step S
In step S5830, the half-end ball present flag is set to "1" to indicate that the spare balls have accumulated up to the installation position of the half-end sensor 221, and in the next step S5832, the half-end ball absent flag is reset ("0"). ”) and end this routine.

[0133] In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare balls are stored up to the half-end sensor installation position in the guide gutter 152, the determination result in step S5800 is "Yes" and step S58
The determination result of step 18 becomes "Yes", and these steps are repeatedly executed. As described above, in this input processing, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the half-end sensor 221 changes from a low level to a high level (or from a high level to a low level), the output signal changes from the low level to a high level (or from a high level to a low level). ) (set the monitoring flag to "1"), and it is only stored at the high level (or low level) in the next loop and only after a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed from the time of the above change. The final output value of the routine, the half-sphere presence flag, is changed to "1" (or the half-sphere no flag is changed to "1"). By adopting such a control procedure, even if the output signal level of an odd sensor changes instantaneously due to noise occurrence, the change will not be immediately judged as a normal change, and the noise occurrence etc. It is possible to prevent malfunction due to

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a processing routine for inputting the output signal of the out sensor 107 performed in step S60 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 13), and the number of out balls is counted by this processing. When this routine is started, first in step S6002 it is determined whether the out-sensor change flag is "1". All flags used during this flow are “0” at first initialization.
The out-sensor change flag is “0” until the first out-ball detection signal is received.
First, in step S6002, the determination is "No". Then, in step S6004, it is determined whether the outlaw level flag is "1". here,"
If "No", the output of the out sensor 107 is checked in step S6006 to determine whether it is low level or not, and if it is low, the out low level flag is set to "1" (step S6008
), if high, exit the routine without doing anything.

[0135] Once the outlaw level flag is set to "1" in this way, in the next routine, a determination of "Yes" is made in step S6004, and the process proceeds to step S601.
0, and it is determined whether the signal from the out sensor 107 is at a high level (“1”). Here, out sensor 1
If the signal from S07 is at a high level, the out sensor change flag is set to "1", the out low level flag is cleared to "0", and the process ends (steps S6012 and S6012).
6014).

Next, when the routine is started, step S
If the determination in step S6002 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S6016.
Then, it is determined whether the outlaw level flag is "0" or not. Normally, when the out sensor change flag is "1", the out low level flag is "0" (step S6
012 and S6014), the determination is "Yes" and the process advances to step S6018. In step S6018, the signal from the out sensor 107 is at a high level (“1”)
Determine whether or not. Here, if the signal from the out sensor 107 is high level, the out sensor change flag is set to “
0" and increment the out counter (+
1) and end (steps S6020, S6022)
. After that, steps S6002 to S6004, S60
06 and the above steps are repeated to count the number of out balls.

[0137] Since the above routine is repeated every 0.5 msec by a timer interrupt, if noise of 0.5 msec or less is picked up in step S6010 and the out-sensor change flag is set to "1", Step S6
Since the determination in 018 is “No”, step S602
4, the outlaw level flag is set to "1", and the process ends. That is, in the above routine, the number of out balls is not counted only by the rising edge of the out sensor, but the number of out balls is incremented only after the rising edge is detected and the high level is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent noise from being incorrectly counted as a sensor output. Moreover, the outlaw level flag is set to “1” in step S6024 above.
”, step S6 is executed in the next routine.
Since the determination in step S6026 is "No" and the out-sensor change flag is cleared to "0" (step S6026), the setting of the out-sensor change flag due to noise is also canceled.

FIG. 26 shows, in addition to the above-mentioned interrupt processing, an interrupt signal from a power outage detection means 691 that counts the number of power waveforms of the AC power source and detects the occurrence of a power outage when the number falls below a predetermined number. An example of a specific procedure for processing a power outage interrupt is shown. In this interrupt routine, it is first checked whether or not the discharge process is in progress, and if the discharge process is not in progress, the routine ends without doing anything (step S3002). In addition, if the discharge process is in progress, each discharge solenoid 7 of the two discharge routes
After turning off 41a and 741b, discharge registers 1 and 2
(See FIG. 31) is stored in the backed up RAM (steps S3004-S3010). Then, it is determined whether the prize ball is being ejected or the ball rental ball is being ejected (step S
3012), if the prize ball is being discharged, the undischarged prize ball number data is R
AM (step S3014), and if balls are being discharged, data on the number of undischarged rental balls and information that the interrupted discharge is a ball rental discharge are stored in the RAM (step S301).
4, S3018). Then, the power outage flag assigned to the last backed up address in the RAM is set to “1”.
” and ends the routine (step S3020
). Since the above-mentioned interrupt processing can be performed in an extremely short time, it can be completed between the time when the interrupt signal from the power failure detection means 691 is received and the time when the power is actually lost.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a specific procedure of the discharge device fraud monitoring process S3 executed in the main process flow of FIG. 12, which is performed in parallel with the timer interrupt and power outage interrupt processes. In this monitoring process S3, first, one discharge solenoid 741a of the two discharge systems is
is turned on (step S1101), and “N
o", it is determined whether a rising flag indicating that the detection signal of the discharge sensor 730a has risen is "1" (step S1102), and if "Yes", the discharge fraud monitoring counter 1 is incremented (step S1104). This is to detect the presence of an ejection bulb as illegal ejection even though the ejection solenoid is not turned on.

[0140] If "Yes" is determined in step S1101, that is, the discharge solenoid is turned off, the process proceeds to step S1103, where the discharge fraud monitoring counter 1 is cleared. If there is an ejection bulb even though the ejection solenoid is not turned on, and after incrementing the emission irregularity monitoring counter 1 in step S1104, the rising flag of the emission sensor 1 is once cleared to "0", and then the above-mentioned emission irregularity monitoring is performed. It is determined whether the value of counter 1 has become "3" or more (steps S1105, S1106). Since the discharge stopper 745 and the discharge sensor 730 are provided at a separate position, even if the discharge solenoid is turned off, the signal from the sensor does not immediately disappear, but at least the signal from the sensor is present between the discharge sensor and the discharge solenoid. The number of possible spare balls is determined by taking into account the incoming detection signal. Therefore, this threshold value "3" is a value that should be changed as appropriate depending on the distance from the discharge sensor to the discharge solenoid.

[0141] If it is determined in step S1106 that the value of the discharge fraud monitoring counter 1 has become ``3'' or more, the process moves to step S1113 and the solenoid for driving the flow path switching valve 158 (hereinafter referred to as the ball removal solenoid) is activated. ) is turned on. As a result, when the discharge solenoid is erroneously operated, the discharged balls are guided to the collection gutter of the pachinko game parlor through the ball extraction path instead of through the supply tray 121, and it is possible to prevent unfair profits from being given. . After turning on the ball ejection solenoid, set "1" to the illegal ejection flag indicating that there has been an illegal ejection, and then turn on the ball lending ejection display lamp 113.
and causes the prize ball rental display lamp 112 to blink to externally indicate the occurrence of an illegal state (step S1114).
, S1115, S1116).

[0142] When the determination in step S11101 is "No", the process advances to step S11104, and the above process S1 regarding the first exhaust system 1 is performed for the other exhaust system 2.
Processing S11107-S similar to 1101-S11106
11112, and the value of emission fraud monitoring counter 2 is “
3" or more, step S1111
Move to step 3 and turn on the ball removal solenoid. FIG. 29 shows an example of a specific procedure of the ejection device unauthorized release process S14. Step S111 of the main flow in FIG.
If the discharge fraud flag is set to "1" in Step 4 and "Yes" is determined in step S4 of the flow of FIG. 12, the discharge device fraud cancellation process S14 of FIG. 32 is started. In this discharge device unauthorized release process S14, first, steps S1121 and S
In step S1122, it is determined whether the error release flags for discharge routes 1 and 2 set in the routines of FIGS. 19 and 20 are "1". If both flags are "1", step S1123
After clearing the discharge irregularity flag to "0", the ball removal solenoid 158 is turned off (step S1124). Then, the rental ball ejection display lamp 113 and the prize ball ejection display lamp 112, which are in a blinking state indicating an illegal ejection, are turned off, and the ejection device illegal release process ends (step S1125,
S1126)

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the prize ball start process executed in step S19 of the main routine (FIG. 12) of the prize ball discharge control device described above. This subroutine is started when a prize ball request is detected in step S12 of the main routine (FIG. 12), the processing number is set to "1", and a determination of "Yes" is made in step S9. When this subroutine is started, first the discharge sensor 1 flag and the discharge sensor 2 flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, and the irregular sensor input processing routine shown in FIG. Furthermore, the overflow detection flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine shown in FIG.
”, the ejection possible flag is cleared to “0” and the process ends (step S85). On the other hand, when all the flags are “1”, the ejection possible flag is cleared to “0” and the process ends (step S85).
1" (step S86), and sets the prize ball data read in the prize ball data detection processing routine of FIG. Set the ball sound request flag to “
After setting the number to ``1'' and executing the discharge start processing routine shown in FIG. 30, the process number is set to ``2'' and the process ends (steps S88-S91).

[0144] The prize ball sound request flag set in step S89 above sets the prize ball ejection sound generation request signal D output to the game board control device 400 to a low level in the sound request output process (FIG. 49) to be described later. This is for asserting. In the discharge start processing routine shown in FIG. 30, when discharging a predetermined number of prize balls that is performed once for one winning ball (safe ball), the predetermined number of prize balls (set number of prize balls) is , the mode of ejection is determined in advance, such as how many balls are ejected from one side of the prize ball outlet gutter 710 (see FIG. 3) provided in the second row, and how many are ejected from the other, and the ejection solenoid 1 and/or the ejection solenoid 2 is The magnet is excited (ON) to start discharging the prize balls according to the above embodiment.

[0145] When this routine is started, first, in step S102, it is determined whether the value of the discharge register 0 is set to "1". The value of discharge register 0 is “1”
”, it is determined in step S104 whether the value of the discharge register 0 is “8” or less. As a result of the determination in steps S102 and S104, if the value of the discharge register 0 is "1", the process moves to step S106, where the one discharge flag is set to "1", and the alternate discharge flag is set to "1".
0" (steps S108, S110), sets the one discharge timer, and moves to step S116 to determine the inversion flag. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S104, the value of the discharge register 0 is "8" or more, the process moves to step S112, where the single discharge flag is cleared to "0" and the alternate discharge flag is cleared to "1".
(step S114), and then step S118
The process moves on to determination of the inversion flag. Furthermore, as a result of the determination in step S104, the value of the discharge register 0 is "8".
If it is determined that the value is below, the processing from step S124 onwards is executed.

[0146] Here, the alternate discharge flag specifies the mode of prize ball discharge in the discharge process (FIG. 33) that is performed following this routine. This is a judgment flag used when selecting from an alternate discharge process in which prize balls are discharged or a combined discharge process in which discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are activated simultaneously to discharge prize balls, and the alternate discharge flag is set to "1". Sometimes, the alternate ejection process (when the number of prize balls set is 1 to 8) is
When it is set to "0", the combined discharge process (the set number of prize balls is 9 to 15) is performed. After the value of the alternate discharge flag is set to "1" in this way, step S
At 116, the inversion flag is determined.

[0147] This reversal flag is used when the prize balls are discharged in an alternate discharge process, when the first discharge solenoid 1 (741a) and the second discharge solenoid 2 (
741b) is provided to improve durability by equally using the two discharge paths above, and the value of the "reversal flag" is set when the solenoid is
It is inverted to "1" or "0" each time it is operated, that is, each time one discharge is completed. When the determination result of this reversal flag is "Yes", the discharge solenoid 1 is energized in step S120 to start discharging from the first prize ball derivation gutter, and then the reversal flag is reversed to "0" ( Step S121). Further, when the determination result in step S118 is "No", the discharge solenoid 2 is excited in step S122 to start discharging the prize ball from the second prize ball derivation gutter, and then the reversal flag is set to "1". It is reversed (step S123).

On the other hand, when the number of prize balls discharged is 9 or more (when the determination result in step S104 is "No"), the process advances to step S124 to perform a combined discharge process. In this combined discharge process, first, in step S124, a discharge number division process (FIG. 31), which will be described later, is performed, and then the one-piece discharge flag and the alternate discharge flag are set to "0" (steps S126, S128), which will be described later. Set the values of the discharge 1 end flag and discharge 2 end flag used in the combined discharge process to “0”.
(Step S130, Step S132
), both discharge solenoid 1 and discharge solenoid 2 are excited to start combined discharge (steps S134, S136). Thereafter, in step S138, the discharge weight flag, which is set to "1" when starting the discharge weight timer in the prize ball discharge process (FIG. 32) to be described later, is reset to "0".

In the next step S140, the discharge completion flag, which is set to "1" to indicate that the single discharge process, alternate discharge process, or combined discharge process has ended, is set to "0".
”, and in the subsequent step S142, a discharge monitoring timer (for example, 3 seconds) is set and the process ends. This is provided to monitor whether or not all the prize balls to be ejected through the alternate ejection process or the combined ejection process have been completely ejected.Figure 3
1 is step S124 of the discharge start process (FIG. 30).
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of discharge number division processing executed in FIG.

[0150] This routine is executed when the ball is ejected in the combined ejection process described later (when the value of ejection register 0 is 9 or more and 2
5 or less). This is because in the combined discharge process, discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are operated simultaneously in one control loop, so the value stored in the discharge register 0 is divided into two and set in discharge registers 1 and 2, respectively. It is something to keep. The discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are operated independently according to the values of these two discharge registers 1 and 2, respectively. When this routine starts, steps S151 to S175 sequentially check whether the value of the discharge register is "9" (step S151).
, “10” (step S152), “11”
” (step S153), “12” (step S154), and the following in the same way.
25'' is determined (step S175). The reason why the determination is made up to "25" is that 25 balls are ejected in response to one ejection request during ball lending and ejection.

[0151] The determination result in step S151 is "Yes".
s'', the value of the discharge register 1 is set to ``5'' in step S181, and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to ``4'' in step S182, and this routine ends. Thereafter, the determination result in step S152 is "Yes".
”, the values of discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to “5” (step S183, step S184), and when the determination result of step S153 is “Yes”, the value of discharge register 1 is set to “6”. (Step S185
), the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "5" (step S186), and the determination result of step S154 is "5".
When “Yes”, the values of discharge registers 1 and 2 are set to “6”.
” (step S187, step S188). Similarly, if the value of discharge register 0 is an odd number, set the value in discharge register 1 to one value larger than discharge register 2, and if the value of discharge register 0 is an even number, set the same value to discharge register 1 and discharge register 2. Set the value.

FIG. 32 shows the main routine (FIG. 1) executed by the CPU 610 of the prize ball discharge control device described above.
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the prize ball discharge process performed in step S18 of 2). This routine is started when the processing number is determined to be "2" in step S8 of the main routine (FIG. 12),
First, in step S202, the discharge weight flag is set to “1”.
”.This ejection weight flag is set when a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to one safe ball (number of prize balls ejected) has been ejected and the weight timer described below is activated. (Step S210) The value is set to "1", and step S138 of the above-mentioned discharge start process (FIG. 30)
It is reset to "0" at . Therefore, the determination result in step S202 becomes "Yes" only after a predetermined number (number of prize balls discharged) corresponding to one safe ball has been discharged. As long as the determination result in step S202 is "No", the process proceeds to step S204, where the prize ball is ejected by the ejection process (FIG. 33), and then the process proceeds to step S206. In this step S206, it is determined whether the discharge end flag is "1". This discharge completion flag indicates single discharge (Figure 34), alternate discharge processing (
The value is set to "1" when a predetermined number (set number of prize balls) corresponding to one prize ball, etc. has been discharged by the combined discharge process (Figure 35) or the combined discharge process (Figure 36). be. Therefore, when the result of this determination is "No", the following steps S208 to S216 are skipped, and this routine is ended.

[0153] When the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls is completed and the determination result in step S206 changes to "Yes", the ejection weight flag is set to "1" (step S206).
208), the discharge wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 40
0 msec) (step S210), and after turning off the prize ball ejection display lamp 112 (off step S212), the reading confirmation flag is set to "1" and the prize ball number data is stored in the prize ball ejection counter. , and then ends this routine (steps S214, S216). The reading confirmation flag and the prize ball discharge counter are used when informing the pachinko game machine data to the hall management device 700 in the prize ball information output process (FIG. 47), which will be described later.

[0154] The determination result in step S206 is "Yes".
In the loop after changing to "S", the discharge weight flag is set to "1" in step S208, so that the determination result in step S202 changes to "Yes", and step S218 is executed.This step S218 Then, it is determined whether or not the ejection weight timer has timed up, and if the determination result is "No", that is, the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls has been completed, this routine is directly terminated. Then, only steps S202 and S218 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time period has elapsed. When the predetermined time period has elapsed and the determination result in step S218 becomes "Yes", the process proceeds to step S220 and the processing number is set to " Set it to 0” and
This routine ends.

FIG. 33 shows the above-mentioned prize ball ejection process (FIG. 32).
) is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge process performed in step S204. When this routine is started, first, in step S222, it is determined whether or not the discharge error flag is "1". This discharge error flag is set when the discharge start process is executed (step S14 in FIG. 33).
2) When the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls is not completed by the time the ejection monitoring timer set in 2) counts up, the value is set to "1" to indicate an abnormality in the ejection control system (
(set to "1" in step S230, which will be described later). Therefore, when the determination result in step S222 is "Yes", a discharge error recovery process (FIG. 37) to be described later is performed in step S252, and this routine is ended.

On the other hand, the determination result in step S222 is “N
o", the process advances to step S224, and it is determined whether the discharge end flag is "1". As described above, this discharge end flag is used for single discharge (FIG. 34), alternate discharge processing (FIG. 35) or the combined discharge process (Fig. 36), the value is set to "1" when the discharge of a predetermined number (set number of prize balls) corresponding to one winning ball, etc. is completed. .The determination result of this step S222 is “No”.
If so, the process advances to step S226, and it is determined whether the discharge monitoring timer set at the time of execution of the discharge start process (step S142 in FIG. 30) has timed out. If "No", the process advances to steps S228 and S230, where the one piece discharge flag and the alternate discharge flag set in the above-mentioned discharge start process (FIG. 30) are checked, and if the one piece discharge flag is "1", the one piece discharge flag and the alternate discharge flag are checked. The single discharge process of step S232 (see FIG. 34) is performed, and when the alternate discharge flag is "1", step S234 (see FIG. 35) is executed, and when the alternate discharge flag is "0", the combined discharge process of step S236 is performed. (Figure 36) is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S226 that the discharge monitoring timer has timed up, that is, if it is determined that the discharge has not been completed even after a certain period of time has passed after the start of discharge, it is determined that a discharge abnormality has occurred, and discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are turned off. (steps S238, S240) and set the discharge error flag to “1”.
” (step S242), the prize ball discharge display lamp 112 is made to blink if the prize ball discharge process is in progress, and the ball loan discharge display is blinked if the ball loan is being discharged, to display an error. The process ends (steps S244, S246, S248, S250). FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the one-piece discharge process performed in step S232 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33).

[0158] When this process is started, it is first determined whether or not the one-piece discharge timer set in step S110 of FIG. 30 has timed up (step S262), and "No.
”, nothing is done, and “Yes”, that is, when the time set in the one-piece ejection timer has elapsed, the process moves to step S264 and checks whether the reversal flag is “1” or “0”. Then, if the reversal flag is “0” ”, turn off the discharge solenoid 1 (step S266), and if the reversal flag is “1”, turn off the discharge solenoid 2 (step S268) to finish discharging one piece, and then set the discharge end flag to “1”. Then, the routine ends (step S270).

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the alternate discharge process performed in step S234 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33). As mentioned above, this routine is a process that is performed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (prize ball setting number) is "8" or less, and in this routine, the ejection solenoids 1 and 2 of the above-mentioned prize ball ejecting device 170 are activated. The prize balls are ejected by taking turns using the balls. When this routine starts, first, in step S272, the inversion flag is set to “
0" or "1". Then, when the reversal flag is "0", the process advances to step S274, and it is determined whether the discharge sensor 1 rise flag is "1".This discharge 1 rise flag is set to "1" when the spare ball escapes from inside the ejection sensor 1. Therefore, if the judgment result is "No", nothing will be done, and if it is "Yes", the ejection will be performed. After decrementing the value of register 0 (number of balls ejected) by one, the ejection sensor 1 rising flag is cleared (steps S276, S278).Next, it is determined whether the value of ejection register 0 has become "1" or not. In other words, it is determined whether a preset number of balls have been ejected (step S28).
0), when the value of the discharge register 0 becomes "1", the discharge solenoid 1 is turned off, the discharge end flag is set to "1", and the routine ends (steps S282 and S282).
284).

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S272 is "No", that is, the inversion flag is "1", the process advances to step S286. In step S286, the discharge sensor 2
It is determined whether the rising flag is "1". The value of this ejection 2 rising flag is set to "1" when the spare ball escapes from the ejection sensor 2. Therefore,
If this judgment result is “No”, do nothing, and “Yes”
When this happens, the value of the discharge register 0 (number of balls discharged) is set to 1.
After subtracting by one, the discharge sensor 2 rise flag is cleared (steps S288, S290). Next, it is determined whether the value of the ejection register 0 has become "1", that is, whether or not a preset number of balls have been ejected (step S292), and the value of the ejection register 0 has become "1". Then, after turning off the discharge solenoid 1, the discharge end flag is set to "1" and the routine is terminated (step S2).
94, S284).

[0161] In this routine, the discharge by the discharge solenoid 1 or 2 is terminated when the value of the discharge register 0 becomes "1" in order to adjust the off timing of the discharge solenoid. In other words, in this embodiment, since the stopper is placed downstream of the ejection sensor, if ejection ends when the value of ejection register 0 reaches "0", one extra ball will actually be ejected. This is because it will be done. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the combined discharge process performed in step S236 of the above-described discharge process (FIG. 33). As mentioned above, this routine is a process that is performed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (prize ball setting number) is "9" or more, and in this routine, the ejection solenoids 1 and 2 of the above-mentioned prize ball ejecting device 170 are activated. The prize balls are ejected by simultaneously operating the balls.

When this routine is started, first, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag reset in step S130 of the discharge start process in FIG. 30 has become "1" (step S302). Immediately after the discharge starts, the discharge 1 end flag is “0”.
”, the determination is “No” and the process proceeds to step S304.
It is determined whether the discharge sensor 1 rising flag is "1" or not. If this judgment result is “No”, nothing will be done, and if “Yes”, the value of ejection register 1 (number of balls ejected)
After subtracting only one, the discharge sensor 1 rising flag is cleared (steps S306, S308). next,
It is determined whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1", that is, whether or not a preset number of balls have been discharged (step S310), and if the value of the discharge register 0 has become "1", the balls are discharged. Turn off solenoid 1 and set discharge 1 end flag to "1" (steps S312, S314
).

Next, the process advances to step S316, and it is determined whether the discharge 2 end flag reset in step S132 of the discharge start process in FIG. 30 has become "1". Immediately after the start of discharge, the discharge 2 end flag is “0”, so “No.
”, the process proceeds to step S318, and it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 2 rise flag is "1". If the determination result is "No", nothing is done, and if the determination result is "Yes", the discharge sensor 2 is After clearing the rising flag, the value of the discharge register 2 (the number of balls to be discharged) is subtracted by one (steps S320, S322).Next, it is determined whether the value of the discharge register 2 has become "1" or not. It is determined whether or not the set number of balls have been ejected (step S324), and if the value of the ejection register 2 becomes "1", the ejection solenoid 2 is activated.
is turned off, and the discharge 2 end flag is set to "1" (steps S326, S328). Then, it is determined whether the discharge 1 end flag is “1” (step S330),
If "Yes", the discharge end flag is set to "1" in the next step S332, and the routine ends. If the discharge system 1 side finishes discharging first, step S330-S
332 and ends. On the other hand, if the discharge system 2 side finishes discharging first, the determination is "No" in step S330, and then when this routine is executed again, the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1" in step S314. Then, the process advances to step S316, where the determination is "Yes" and the process jumps to step S332, where the discharge end flag is set to "1" and the routine ends. As described above, when the set number of prize balls is set to a large value (9 to 15), the set number is divided and the values are stored in the two ejection registers 1 and 2. By operating the first and second ejection solenoids independently based on the value of , ejection of a large number of prize balls can be performed more quickly.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the ejection error recovery process performed in step S252 of the above-mentioned ejection process (FIG. 33). When this routine is started, it is first determined whether the discharge 1 error release flag set in step S4832 of the discharge sensor 1 level input process in FIG. 19 is "1", and whether or not the discharge sensor 2 level input process in FIG. It is determined whether the discharge 2 error release flag set in step S5032 is "1" (steps S342, S344). If both determinations result in "Yes", step S34
6 or below. In steps S346-S352, steps S81-S in the prize ball start process of FIG.
86, the discharge sensor 1 flag and the discharge sensor 2 flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine of FIGS. 19 and 20, and the discharge sensor 2 flag present in FIG.
Checking the odd sensor error flag set in the odd sensor input processing routine in Figure 23 and the overflow error flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine in Figure 23, any one of the flags is "0". If so, clear the ejectable flag to “0” and exit (
Step S354).

On the other hand, if all the flags are set to "1", the ejectable flag is set to "1" (step S356), and in the next step S358, the ejectable flag becomes "1". If it is "1", it is determined in steps S360 and S362 whether the values of discharge register 1 and discharge register 2 each exceed "1",
When the value of ejection register 1 is "1" or less, the value of ejection register 2 is used, and when the value of ejection register 2 is "1" or less, the value of ejection register 1 is used, and the value of ejection register 1 and ejection register 2 is If both values exceed "1", both values are set in the discharge register 0 (step S364,
S366, S368). Then, the same process as the discharge start process in FIG. 30 is performed (step S378).

[0166] As a result, even if one of the two ejection systems becomes clogged with balls and causes an ejection error, the number of unejected balls remaining in the ejection register is set to 0 again in the ejection register. Since the discharge is started again using the other normal discharge system, it is possible to avoid interrupting the game of the pachinko game machine due to a malfunction. In this routine, prior to the ejection start process (step S378), the processing number is checked, and if the number is "2", the prize ball ejection display lamp 112 is turned on, and if the number is "3", the rental ball is turned on. The discharge indicator lamps 113 are turned on (steps S370, S372, S374, S3).
76). Furthermore, the above-mentioned discharge start processing (step S378
) After finishing, the discharge error flag is cleared to "0" and this routine is ended (step S380).

[0167] When the value of the discharge register 1 is less than "1" in step S360, the value of the discharge register 2 is set to the discharge register 0 in step S364 because the value of the discharge register is "1". indicates the end of ejection, and the reason why the error recovery process of this routine is entered despite this is because it can be estimated that the number of balls that have not been ejected remains in the ejection register 2. Similarly, step S36
When the value of the ejection register 2 is "1" or less in step S366, the value of the ejection register 1 is set to ejection register 0 in step S366 because it is assumed that the number of unejected balls remains in the ejection register 2. Because it can be done.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the subroutine of the ball lending start process executed in step S21 of the main routine (FIG. 12) of the discharge control device described above. In this subroutine, the ball lending request flag is set in step S4122 of the ball lending request detection processing routine in FIG.
When this subroutine is started, first the discharge sensor 1 flag and the discharge sensor 2 flag set in the discharge sensor level input processing routine of FIGS. 19 and 20 are set. The flag, the odd sensor error flag set in the odd sensor input processing routine of FIG. 24, and the overflow error flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 23 are checked (steps S402-S408), and either If even one flag is “0”, the discharge possible flag is cleared to “0” and the process ends (step S410).
).

On the other hand, if all the flags are set to "1", the discharge possible flag is set to "1" (step S412), and the conversion rate (ball rental number data) set in advance in the ROM is set. Set to discharge register 0 (
Step S414). In addition, the ball rental indicator lamp 113
is turned on (step S416), and the ball lending sound request flag and the P unit ready flag are set to "1" (step S416).
418, S420), executes the discharge start processing routine (see FIG. 30) common to the prize ball discharge process to start discharge by the ball discharge device 170, and then sets the process number to "
3'' and ends (steps S422, S424). In ball rental discharge, the ball rental number data is set to a value such as 25 (>8), so when the discharge start processing routine of step S422 is executed, discharge using two discharge systems simultaneously is not possible. will be started.

[0170] The ball lending sound request flag set in steps S418 and S420 above is set by the game board control device 40.
The ball rental sound generation request signal E to be output for 0 is set to low level in the sound request output process (FIG. 46) described later, and the P machine ready flag is set to the ball rental ready signal U output to the ball rental control device 500. The ball rental information output process (Figure 45) described below
This is to assert each signal at a low level. FIG. 39 shows the CPU 61 on the emission control device side described above.
13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of ball lending and discharging processing executed in step S17 of the main routine (FIG. 12) executed by 0.

[0171] This routine consists of the above subroutine (Fig. 38
), the process number is set to "3" in step S424, and the process number is determined to be "3" in step S7 of the main routine (FIG. 12),
First, in step S432, the discharge weight flag is set to "1".
”. This ejection wait flag is set when a predetermined number of rental balls corresponding to one ball rental request signal have been discharged and a wait timer described later is activated (step S440). The value is set to "1" and "0" in step S138 of the above-mentioned discharge start process (FIG. 30).
”. Therefore, the determination result in step S432 becomes “Yes” only after the ejection of a predetermined number of rented balls corresponding to one ball rental request signal is completed.The determination result in step S432 becomes “Yes”. If the answer is "No", the process proceeds to step S434, where the rented balls are ejected by the ejection process (FIG. 33) common to the prize ball ejection process, and then the process proceeds to step S436.In this step S436, the ejection end flag is It is determined whether or not the discharge end flag is "1".
) shown in Figure 36.
As a general rule, individual discharge and alternate discharge processing are not performed in this rental ball discharge), the value is set to "1" when the discharge of a predetermined number of balls corresponding to one ball rental request signal is completed. It is something that Therefore, when the result of this determination is "No", the following steps S438 to S446 are skipped, and this routine is ended.

[0172] When the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls is completed and the determination result in step S436 changes to "Yes", the ejection weight flag is set to "1" (step S436).
438), the ejection wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 40
After setting the payout end flag to "1" (step S212), the ball rental display lamp 113 is turned off (OFF), the continuous ball rental counter is incremented, and the payout end flag is set to "1" (step S212). The routine ends (steps S444, S446). The payout completion flag is referred to in order to set the payout completion signal V to low level in the ball lending information output process (FIG. 45) described later, and the continuous ball lending counter is used in the step of the ball lending request detection process (FIG. 14) described above. This is referred to in S4102, and six or more consecutive conversions, that is, ball rentals of 600 yen or more are avoided.

[0173] The determination result in step S436 is "Yes".
In the loop after changing to "s", the discharge weight flag is set to "1" in step S438, so that the determination result in step S432 changes to "Yes", and step S448 is executed.This step S448 Then, it is determined whether or not the ejection weight timer has timed up, and if the determination result is "No", that is, the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls has been completed, this routine is directly terminated. Then, only steps S432 and S448 are repeatedly executed until the predetermined time period has elapsed. When the predetermined time period has elapsed and the determination result in step S448 becomes "Yes", the process proceeds to step S450 and the process number is set to " Set it to 0” and
This routine ends.

FIGS. 40 to 42 are flowcharts showing a subroutine of the ball removal process executed in step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 12) executed by the CPU 610 on the side of the emission control device described above. This ball removal processing routine is based on the aforementioned ball removal sensor input process (Fig. 21
), the ball removal flag is set to "1", a determination of "Yes" is made in step S10 of the main routine, the processing number is changed to "4" in step S20, and further, in step S6 of the main routine, This is started when the processing number is determined to be "4".

[0175] When this routine is started, first, in step S602, it is determined whether the forced termination flag is "1". This forced termination flag is activated when the ball removal switch is pressed twice (when the ball removal switch is pressed again during the execution of this routine and the determination result in step S616 or step S626 described later becomes "Yes"). ) The value is set to "1" in step S696 immediately before the forced termination process of steps S700 to S736 is executed. Therefore, once the flag is set to "1" by executing step S696, the determination result of step S602 is set to "1" in the subsequent loop.
"Yes", and only the forced termination process from step S700, which will be described later, will be executed.

[0176] The determination result in step S602 is “No.
”, the ball removal execution flag is set to “ in step S604.
In the following step S606, it is determined whether the ball removal start flag is "1" or not.The ball removal start flag is determined if the following steps S608 to S612 are performed even once. The value is set to "1" in step S614 in order to memorize this fact when the ball is removed.In addition, the ball removal execution flag is set in steps S620 and S6, which will be described later.
When the excitation of the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 is started by 22 and the bulb removal process is executed, this is set to "1" in step S624 in order to memorize that fact.

[0177] Here, let us consider the case where the main ball removal processing routine is performed for the first time. In this case, the step S604
, S606 are both "No", and the process advances to step S608, where the ball removal flag set to "1" by the first press of the ball removal switch (press to start the ball removal process) is set to " Reset to 0”. In the next steps S609 and S610, the discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2 end flag, which are used to remember that the ball extraction process by the first and second prize ball discharge devices has ended, are reset to "0". . These discharge 1 end flag and discharge 2 end flag used in the above-mentioned combined discharge process can be used as they are, and these two flags can be used in step S628, which will be described later.
It is used for determinations such as S646. Further next step S6
At step 11, a ball removal start timer is set/started. This ball removal start timer is used to provide a predetermined idle time sufficient to switch the switching gate 762 of the ball removal device in advance before actually energizing (ON) the discharge solenoids 1 and 2. .

In the next step S612, the bulb removal solenoid 761 is energized (ON) to switch the switching gate 762.
), and then the ball removal start flag is set to "1" (step S614). In the subsequent step S616, it is determined whether the ball removal flag was set to "1" again during the execution of steps S602 to S614, that is, whether the ball removal switch was pressed again (whether it was pressed twice). be done. If this determination result is "Yes", step S69
After executing Steps 2 to S698, the process proceeds to forced termination processing starting from step S700 in order to forcibly terminate the ball extraction process.

More specifically, first, step S692 and step S694, and then steps S628 to S64, which will be described later.
Discharge 1 ball no flag used in the process of step 4 and discharge 2 used in the process of steps S646 to S662 described later.
The no-ball flags are each reset to "0", and step S6
In step 96, the forced termination flag is set to "1" to indicate that the process has proceeded to forced termination processing, and the forced termination flag is set to "1" to indicate that the forced termination process has proceeded. A timer is set, and forced termination processing from step S700, which will be described later, is performed.

On the other hand, when the result of this determination is "No", it is determined whether the ball removal start timer started in step S611 has timed out. If the ball removal start timer has not expired yet (the judgment result is “
No"), this routine ends without performing any further processing. In the next and subsequent loops, steps S602 to S606 and S61 are executed until the timer times up.
6, only S618 will be repeatedly executed. When the timer times out and the determination result in step S618 changes to "Yes", steps S620 and S622
At this point, the ejection solenoids 1 and 2 are energized (ON) and the prize ball begins to flow out, and the above-mentioned ball extraction execution flag is set to "
1'' (step S624).

[0181] Once the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are excited (ON) and the bulb extraction execution flag is set to "1", in the next and subsequent loops, step S604 is performed.
The determination result is "Yes", and steps S606-6
24 processes will be skipped. In the next step S626, it is again determined whether the ball removal flag is "1", that is, whether the ball removal switch has been pressed twice to forcibly end the ball removal process. When this determination result is "Yes", steps S684 to S684
After performing step S690, the steps S692 to S698,
Furthermore, the process proceeds to forced termination processing starting from step S700, which will be described later.

[0182] In the processing of steps S684 to S690,
First, it is determined whether or not the ejection 1 end flag is "1" (step S684), and the result of this judgment is "Yes", that is, at this point, the prize ball flows out from the first ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejecting device 170. When all of the prize balls have been completely discharged from the first discharge solenoid side, the value of this flag is set to "1" in step S642, which will be described later.
In step S686, the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OFF), and then in step S688. On the other hand, if the determination result is "No", step S68
6 and proceeds to step S688.

[0183] In step S688, it is further determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1", and this determination result is "Y".
es'', that is, at this point, when all the prize balls have been discharged from the second discharge solenoid side of the prize ball discharge device (
The value of this flag is set to "1" in step S660, which will be described later, when all the prize balls on the second discharge solenoid side have been completely discharged.
”), the process proceeds to step S690, where the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OFF), and then the process proceeds to step S692. On the other hand, when the determination result is “No”, the process proceeds to step S690.
90 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S692 and subsequent steps.

[0184] At this point, the ball removal switch is not pressed for the second time, and the determination result in step S626 is "No".
When this happens, it is determined in step S628 whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is "1". This discharge 1 end flag is reset to "0" in step S609 described above when the main ball extraction process is executed for the first time, and conversely, when all the prize balls are discharged by the ball extraction process. is set to "1" in step S642, which will be described later. Therefore, if the ejection of the prize ball from the first ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejecting device 170 has not yet been completed due to the main ball extraction process, the determination result in step S628 is "No.
”, and the processing from step S630 onwards is executed.

First, in step S630, it is determined whether or not the ejected one ball no flag is "1". This flag with no ejected 1 ball is reset to "0" at step S4 of the main routine or when the ball removal process on the first ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejection device is completed (step S644), and the prize is awarded by the main ball removal process. The ball flows out and enters the first prize ball lead-out gutter (
There is no prize ball in the ejection sensor 1) and the sensor output is “
0", the value is set to "1". Therefore, from the start of ball removal until there are no prize balls in the ejection sensor 1, the determination result will be "No". In step S632, the output of the discharge sensor 1 is set to low level (
“0”) is determined. If the ball removal process is not completed and the prize ball still remains in the discharge sensor 1, the determination result becomes "No" and the process continues at step S64.
Proceed to step 6 onwards.

[0186] From this state, when the prize ball disappears in the first prize ball deriving gutter (inside sensor 1) by the ball removal process, the determination result in step S632 changes to "Yes", and the above-mentioned discharge 1
The no-ball flag is set to “1” (step S634),
Next, an ejected one-ball no-ball timer is set to measure the passage of time from the time when no prize balls are left in the sensor 1 (step S636), and the process proceeds to steps S646 and thereafter. In the subsequent loop, the determination result in step S630 is “Ye”.
Then, in step S638, it is determined again whether the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is a low level ("0").

[0187] If this determination result is "Yes", that is, it is determined that the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is maintained at a low level in the current loop following the previous loop, the process advances to step S640 and the discharge level set in step S636 is It is determined whether or not the one-ball no-ball timer has timed out. If this determination result is "No", that is, if the predetermined time has not yet passed since it was determined that there is no prize ball in the first prize ball derivation gutter (inside the discharge sensor 1), steps S642 and S644 are performed. Skip to step S
Proceed to 646 onwards. Thereafter, until the predetermined time period elapses, the determination results of steps S630 and S638 are both “
The determination result in step S640 is "No", and so on.

[0188] When the predetermined time elapses while the output level of the discharge sensor 1 is maintained at the low level, step S6
40 is changed to "Yes", the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1" (step S642), and further discharge 1 is set to "1" (step S642).
The no-ball flag is reset to "0" (step S64).
4), proceed to step S646 and subsequent steps. In this way, once the discharge 1 end flag is set to "1", the determination result of step S628 will be "Y" in the next and subsequent loops.
es'', the steps S630 to S644 are skipped and the process directly proceeds to steps S646 and subsequent steps.

By the way, after this routine is started and once the output of the ejection sensor 1 becomes low level (at this time, the ejected 1 ball no flag is "1"), the ejection 1 ball no timer is reset again before the timer expires. When the output level of the discharge sensor 1 changes to a high level (“1”), the step S63
8 turns to "No", and the discharge 1 ball no flag is reset to "0" in step S644 without setting the discharge 1 end flag to "1" (skipping step S642). Then, the process proceeds to step S646 and subsequent steps. As a result, the fall of the output signal that occurs after one prize ball passes through the ejection sensor 1 until the next prize ball reaches the sensor 1, or noise occurs in the output signal of the sensor 1, etc. Therefore, when the waveform of the output signal temporarily falls, it is not erroneously determined that the outflow of the prize balls in the prize ball guiding gutter has been completed.

[0190] In the next step S646, it is further determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1". This discharge 2
The end flag is reset to "0" in the above-mentioned step S610 when the main ball extraction process is executed for the first time, and conversely, when all the prize balls have been drained by the ball extraction process, it is reset to "0" as described below. It is set to "1" in step S660. Therefore, if the ejection of the prize ball from the second ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejecting device 170 has not yet been completed due to the main ball extraction process, the determination result of step S646 is "No".
Then, the processing from step S648 onwards is executed.

First, in step S648, it is determined whether or not the no ejected 2 balls flag is "1". This flag with no ejected 2 balls is reset to "0" at step S4 of the main routine or when the ball removal process on the second ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejection device is completed (step S662), and the prize is awarded by the main ball removal process. The ball flows out and enters the second prize ball guiding gutter (
There is no prize ball in the ejection sensor 2) and the sensor output is “
When the value becomes "0", the value is set to "1".

[0192] Therefore, from the start of ball extraction until there are no more prize balls in the ejection sensor 2, the determination result is "No" and the output of the ejection sensor 2 is at a low level ("0") in step S650. It is determined whether or not. If the ball removal process is not completed and the prize ball still remains in the discharge sensor 2, the determination result is "No" and the process directly proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. In this state, when there are no prize balls in the second prize ball deriving gutter (inside sensor 2) by the ball extraction process, the determination result in step S650 changes to "Yes" and the two-ball no-ejected flag becomes "1". is set (step S6
52) Next, a timer with no ejected 2 balls is set to measure the elapsed time from the time when there are no more prize balls in the sensor 2 (step S654), and the process proceeds to steps S664 and thereafter.

[0193] In the subsequent loop, step S64 is performed.
The determination result in step S656 changes to "Yes", and the output level of the discharge sensor 2 becomes low level ("0") again in step S656.
). This judgment result is “Yes”
``In other words, when it is determined that the output level of the ejection sensor 2 is maintained at a low level in the current loop following the previous loop, the process advances to step S658 to determine whether the ejected 2-ball no timer set in step S654 has timed out. If the result of this determination is "No", that is, the predetermined time has not yet passed since it was determined that there is no prize ball in the second prize ball derivation gutter (inside the discharge sensor 2). Sometimes, steps S660 and S662 are skipped and the process proceeds to steps S664 and subsequent steps.

[0194] Thereafter, until the predetermined time elapses, the determination results of steps S648 and S656 are both "Yes".
”, the determination result in step S658 is “No”. When the predetermined time elapses while the output level of the discharge sensor 2 is maintained at the low level, the determination result in step S658 is determined as “No”.
The determination result of step 658 changes to "Yes" and the discharge 2 completion flag is set to "1" (step S660), and the discharge 2 ball no flag is reset to "0" (step S6
62), the process proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. In this way, once the discharge 2 end flag is set to "1", in the subsequent loops, the determination result of step S646 will be "1".
Yes”, the process skips steps S648 to S662 and proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps.

By the way, after this routine is started and the output of the ejection sensor 2 becomes a low level (at this time, the 2-ball no-ejected ball flag is "1"), the output of the ejected 2-ball no. When the output level of the discharge sensor 2 changes to a high level (“1”), the step S65
If the determination result in step 6 turns to "No", the discharge 2 ball no flag is reset to "0" in step S662 without setting the discharge 2 end flag to "1" (skipping step S660). Then, the process proceeds to step S664 and subsequent steps. As a result, the fall of the output signal that occurs after one prize ball passes through the ejection sensor 2 until the next prize ball reaches the sensor 2, or noise occurs in the output signal of the sensor 2, etc. Therefore, when the waveform of the output signal temporarily falls, it is not erroneously determined that the outflow of the prize balls in the prize ball guiding gutter has been completed.

[0196] As a result of executing steps S646 to S662, after it is determined that the outflow of the prize ball from the second discharge solenoid side of the prize ball discharge device is completed, step S646 is executed.
The determination result changes to "Yes" and in step S664, it is determined whether or not the ball removal of the prize ball on the first ejection solenoid side has been completed (
The determination as to whether the discharge 1 end flag is "1" is made again. If the result of this determination is "No", the process in the current loop is immediately terminated, and the process proceeds to the next loop (steps S628 to S644 will be executed again in the next loop).

On the other hand, if the determination result is "Yes", that is, it is determined that the ball extraction process by the first and second discharge solenoids of the prize ball discharge device are both completed at this point, the ball extraction execution flag and Both the ball removal start flags are reset to "0" (steps S666, S668), and the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are demagnetized (OFF) to end the ball removal process.
(Steps S674, S676), and further demagnetizes (OFF) the bulb removal solenoid (Step S678), and then resets the process NO to "0" (Step S6).
80), this routine ends.

Next, the steps S602, S616, S
The forced termination process (processing after step S700) that is performed when any of the determination results in step S726 is "Yes" will be described. This process is executed when the ball removal switch is pressed and the ball removal process is once started, and then the switch is pressed again (two times). First, in step S700, it is determined whether the forced termination timer has timed out. This forced termination timer is activated when the switch is pressed for the second time (steps S616 and S62).
Counting is started at step S698), which is executed immediately after the 6 determination result becomes "No". If the determination result is "No", that is, the predetermined time has not yet passed since the second switch press, step S702
It is determined whether the discharge 1 end flag is "1" or not.

[0199] The determination result in step S702 is “No.
”, that is, the forced termination process was started before the ball extraction process was completed (when the value of the flag is “1”, it indicates that the ball extraction on the first ejection solenoid side of the prize ball ejection device was completed). In some cases, it is further determined in step S704 whether or not the discharge sensor 1 start-up flag is "1".If the determination result is "Yes", that is, after the forced termination process has been performed, a new When the prize ball reaches inside the sensor 1, the ejection solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OFF) at this point (step S706), and then the ejection 1 end flag is forcibly set to "1" (step S708). Step S7
On the other hand, if the answer is "No", steps S706 and S708 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S710.
Proceed to.

[0200] In step S710, it is determined whether the discharge 2 end flag is "1". This step S71
If the judgment result of 0 is “No”, that is, before the ball extraction process is completed (
When the value of the flag is “1”, the second flag of the prize ball ejecting device
When the forced termination process is started (indicating that the bulb removal on the discharge solenoid side has been completed), step S71 is further performed.
At step 2, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is "1". When this judgment result is “Yes”, that is,
After the forced termination process is once performed, when a new prize ball reaches the sensor 2, the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OFF) at this point (step S714), and then the discharge 2 end flag is forcibly set to " 1” (step S7).
16) End this routine.

On the other hand, if the determination result is "No", steps S714 and S716 are skipped and this routine is ended. In this way, the forced termination process (step S
The rise of the output signal of the ejection sensor 2 (that a new prize ball has reached the sensor) is detected before a predetermined time elapses after the process (processing after 700) is started, and the ejection 2 end flag is set to "1". ”, in the next and subsequent loops, the determination result in step S710 becomes “Yes”, and it is further determined whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is “1” (step S718). If this determination result is "No", that is, at this point, the first ejection sensor 1 of the prize ball ejecting device has not detected a new prize ball after the start of the forced termination process,
This routine ends immediately. In this case, the processes of steps S702 to S708 will continue to be executed in subsequent loops.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S718 is "Yes", that is, after the forced termination process is executed, both the first and second ejection sensors 1 and 2 of the prize ball ejecting device detect the new prize balls. When it is detected that the light has reached the inside of the sensors 1 and 2, the processes from step S724 to be described later are performed. Also, while the above steps S702 to S718 are being executed, a predetermined period of time passes and the forced termination timer times out, and the determination result in step S700 is "Yes".
(At this time, the discharge 1 end flag and discharge 2
Either one of the end flags is “0”), step S
In steps 720 and S722, the discharge solenoid 1 and discharge solenoid 2 are forcibly demagnetized (OFF), respectively, and the process proceeds to step S724.
Proceed to the following.

[0203] In step S724, the foregoing forced termination flag is reset to "0", and further steps S726 and S
At 728, both the ball removal execution flag and the ball removal start flag are reset to "0", and the ball removal solenoid is demagnetized (O
FF) (step S734), the process NO is reset to "0" (step S736), and this routine ends. FIG. 43 shows an example of a specific procedure of the replenishment process performed in step S23 in the main process flow of FIG. 12.

When this replenishment process is started, first, the replenishment sensor rising flag set during the replenishment sensor input process (FIG. 22) for detecting the detection signal of the replenishment sensor 106 is checked (step S752), and "Yes" is determined. If so, the process advances to step S754, turns on the completion lamp 108, sets the replenishment request flag to "1", clears the replenishment sensor rise flag to "0", and ends this routine (steps S756 and S758). ). This replenishment flag is referenced in order to assert a replenishment signal K to the management device 700 in the game machine information output process (FIG. 48), which will be described later.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S752 is "No", the process moves to step S760, where it is determined whether the falling flag indicating that the replenishment sensor has fallen is "1", and the determination is "No". If so, do nothing and if the answer is "Yes", the completion lamp 108 turned on in step S754 above.
After turning off the light (step S762), the replenishment request flag and the replenishment sensor fall flag are cleared to "0", and this routine ends (step S764).
, S766). FIG. 44 shows specific details of the information output process performed in step S24 in the main process flow of FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 44, this information output processing includes a ball rental information output processing S800 that forms an output signal to the ball rental control device 500, and a sound output processing S800 that forms an output signal to the game board control device 400. Request output processing S8
50, prize ball information output processing S900 for forming an output signal to the hall management device 700, game machine information output processing S950, and error information output processing S990. FIG. 45 shows an example of a specific procedure of the ball rental information output process S800 in the above information output process flow. When this routine is started, first in step S802 it is checked whether the ball lending request flag is set. This ball lending request flag detects that the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 has been at a low level for 5 msec or more continuously during the ball lending request detection processing routine shown in FIG. This is a flag that is set at the time (step S4122).

[0207] As a result of the determination in step S802, “Yes.
s", that is, the ball lending request flag is set, leave it as is; if "No", that is, the ball lending request flag is reset, clear the P machine ready flag to "0" in step S804, and then Proceed to step S806.The above-mentioned P unit ready flag is a flag used to determine whether the ball lending ready signal U is changed to a high level or a low level in step S810, which will be described later. When the process shown in FIG. 38) is executed and ball rental discharge is started, step S42
Set to 0.

[0208] In this step S806, it is determined whether the payout completion signal V output to the ball lending control device 500 is at a low level (valid) or a high level (invalid). As a result, if the level is high, the process advances to step S808, and it is determined whether the payout end flag, which is set when the ball lending discharge process routine (FIG. 38) ends, is "1". If "No", the process moves to step S810, where it is determined whether or not the P ready flag is "1", and "N
o”, the ball lending ready signal U is negated to high level, and if “Yes”, the ball lending ready signal U is asserted to low level, and this routine ends (step S812,
S814).

[0209] Therefore, the ball lending request detection process (Fig.
4), when the ball lending request signal T from the ball lending control device 500 is detected and the ball lending request flag is set, "Yes" is determined in step S11 of the main routine, and the ball lending start processing routine (FIG. 38 ) is executed and ball rental discharge is started and the P machine ready flag is set to "1", so the main ball rental information output processing routine jumps from step S802 to step S806, and in steps S806 and S808, respectively. The determination is "No", and in step S810, the determination is "Yes" and the ball lending ready signal U is asserted to a low level.

[0210] After that, the ball lending and discharging is completed and the payout end flag is set to "1" in the ball lending and discharging processing routine (FIG. 39).
”, it is determined “Yes” in step S808 of this routine and the process moves to step S816, where the payout completion signal V to the ball rental control device 500 and the number of discharged rental balls are output to the hall management device 700. Signal J (
1 pulse represents the number of balls in the minimum conversion unit) are asserted to low level, the payout completion timer is set (activated), and the payout completion flag is cleared to "0" (
Steps S816, S818, S820, S822),
Proceeding to steps S810 to S814, the ball lending ready signal U is subsequently asserted to a low level.

Next, when this routine is executed again, it is determined "Yes" in step S806, that is, the payout completion signal V is low level, and the process moves to step S824, and the timer set in step S820 has timed out. It is determined whether or not. Here, if the timer has not yet timed out, the process directly proceeds to step S810, and if the timer has timed up, the payout completion signal V and the number of balls to be discharged signal J are each negated to a high level (step S826). , S828) and steps S810 to S814, and the ball lending ready signal U is continuously asserted to a low level.

[0212] When the payout completion signal V is negated to a high level by the above process, the ball lending control device 500 detects this and negates the ball lending request signal to a high level, so that the ball lending request detection process (FIG. 14), it is detected that the ball lending request signal T is changed to a high level, and the ball lending request flag is reset. Then, when this routine is executed again, “
Since the determination is "No", the process moves to step S804 and the P machine ready flag is cleared to "0". Also, since the payout completion signal V has been negated to a high level, the determination is "No" in step S806. It is determined, step S8
08 and S810, and in step S810 it is determined "No", that is, the P unit ready flag is determined to be "0". As a result, the ball lending ready signal U is negated to a high level and the process ends.

FIG. 46 shows an example of a specific procedure of the sound request output process S850 in the above information output process flow. When this routine is started, first step S85
In step S854, it is checked whether the ball rental sound generation request signal E to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level, and if it is high, the process advances to step S854 and it is determined whether the ball rental sound request flag is set to "1". do. The above-mentioned ball lending request flag is set in the ball lending start processing routine (Fig. 3) described above.
This flag is set in step S418 when step 8) is executed and rental ball discharge is started.

[0214] If it is determined as "Yes" in step S854, the process moves to step S856, where the ball rental sound generation request signal E is asserted to low level, the ball rental sound timer is set, and the ball rental sound request flag is set. It is cleared to "0" and this routine ends (steps S858, S860). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S854 that "No", that is, the ball rental sound request flag is "0", the process advances to step S872, and it is checked whether the prize ball discharge sound generation request signal D to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level; If the level is high, the process advances to step S874 and it is determined whether the prize ball sound request flag is set to "1". The above-mentioned prize ball sound request flag is set in step S89 when the aforementioned prize ball start processing routine (FIG. 32) is executed and prize ball discharge is started.
This is a flag set by .

[0215] If it is determined "Yes" in step S874, the process moves to step S876, where the prize ball ejection sound generation request signal D is asserted to low level, the prize ball sound timer is set, and the prize ball sound request flag is set. It is cleared to "0" and this routine ends (steps S878, S880). Then, when this routine is started again, when it comes to step S852, it is determined to be "Yes", that is, the rented ball ejection sound generation request signal E is at a low level, and the process moves to step S862, and the value set in step S858 is determined to be low. Determine whether or not the timer has expired. Then, if the time is not up, the routine is terminated, and if the time is up, the rental ball discharge sound generation request signal E is negated to a high level and the routine is terminated (
Step S864).

On the other hand, after the prize ball ejection sound generation request signal D is asserted to a low level in step S876, this routine is started again, and when step S872 is reached, "Ye" is output.
s'', that is, the prize ball ejection sound generation request signal D, is determined to be at a low level, the process moves to step S882, and it is determined whether or not the prize ball sound timer set in step S878 has timed up. If not, the routine ends as is, and if the time is up, the prize ball ejection sound generation request signal D is negated to a high level and the routine ends (step S884). An example of the specific procedure of the prize ball information output process S900 to the hole management device 700 in FIG.

When this routine is started, first, in step S902, it is checked whether the reading confirmation signal H output to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level, and if it is high, the process advances to step S904, and the reading is confirmed. Determine whether the flag is set to "1". The reading confirmation flag is a flag that is set in step S214 when the aforementioned prize ball ejection processing routine (FIG. 32) is executed and prize ball ejection is started. If “Yes” is determined in step S904, step S906
After asserting the read confirmation signal H to low level, the read confirmation timer is set, the read confirmation flag is cleared to "0", and this routine ends (steps S908 and S910).

After the read confirmation signal H is asserted to low level, this routine is started again, and when it reaches step S902, it is determined as "Yes", that is, the read confirmation signal H is at low level, and step S9
12, it is determined whether the read confirmation timer set in step S908 has timed up. If the time has not expired, the routine is terminated, and if the time has expired, the read confirmation signal H is negated to a high level and the routine is terminated (step S
914).

On the other hand, if it is determined "No" in step S904, that is, the read confirmation flag is "0", step
The process proceeds to step S920, and it is checked whether the prize ball number signal I (one pulse represents 10 ejected balls) to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level, and if the level is high, the process proceeds to step S922, where the prize ball transmission prohibition flag is set. is set to "1". The prize ball transmission prohibition flag is a flag that is set to prohibit transmission of the signal for a predetermined period of time when the prize ball number signal I is negated in step S932, which will be described later.

[0220] If it is determined "No" in step S922, the process moves to step S924, and the prize ball ejection counter (Fig. 3
In step S216 during the prize ball discharge process in step 2, when the discharge is completed, the value of 1 is updated by the number of discharged balls (number of prize balls) at once.
If it is ``No'', that is, 9 or less, the routine ends, and if it is 10 or more, the prize ball number signal I
is asserted to a low level, and then the prize pitch count timer 1 is set to end this routine (steps S926 and S926).
928). This is to output one pulse of the prize ball number signal I having a predetermined pulse width for 10 ejected balls.

[0221] Then, when this routine is started again, if it is determined in step S920 that it is "Yes", that is, that the prize ball number signal I is at a low level, the process proceeds to step S93.
0, and it is determined whether or not the prize ball count timer 1 set in step S928 has timed out. and,
If the time has not elapsed, the routine ends; if the time has elapsed, the prize ball count signal I is negated to a high level in step S932, and the value of the prize ball ejection counter is subtracted by "10" (the timer is activated). (The value of the counter is updated even during the operation of step 1, so it cannot be cleared to 0.) Also, set the prize ball transmission prohibition flag to "1", start prize ball timer 2, and execute this routine. The process ends (steps S934, S936, S938).

[0222] In this way, the prize ball transmission prohibition flag is set to “
When this routine is started again after being set to 1, the determination in step S922 is "Yes", that is, the prize ball transmission prohibition flag is determined to be "1", so the process moves to step S940 and the prize ball number timer 2 is set. It is determined whether or not the time has elapsed. If the time has not elapsed, the routine is immediately terminated; if the time has elapsed, the prize ball transmission prohibition flag is cleared to "0" and the routine is terminated (step S942). By doing this, it is possible to output the prize ball number signal I with a predetermined pulse width (timer 1 setting time) every 10 prize balls, and after outputting 1 pulse of the prize ball number signal I, it is possible to output the prize ball number signal I with a predetermined pulse width (timer 1 setting time). The transmission of signals is prohibited.As a result,
A management device 700 that receives prize ball number signals from a large number of pachinko gaming machines can reliably take in the prize ball number signal I from each pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 48 shows the above information output processing (FIG. 44).
An example of a specific procedure of the game machine information output process S950 in the flow is shown. This game machine information is also output to the hall management device 700. When this routine is started, the replenishment request flag is set to "1" in step S952.
”.The replenishment request flag is set when the input of the replenishment sensor 106 is detected by the replenishment sensor input processing routine (FIG. 22) described above, and the replenishment processing (FIG. 43) in the main routine is executed. This is the flag that is set in step S756 by the
At 953, the replenishment request signal K is negated to high level, and “
If the determination is ``Yes'', the process moves to step S954, where the replenishment request signal K is asserted to low level, a read confirmation timer is set, and then the process moves to step S956.

In step S956, the frame release flag that is set by detecting a change in the signal from the frame sensor 103 in the frame sensor input processing routine (FIG. 16) is set, and in the following step S958, the frame release flag is set in the frame sensor input processing routine (FIG. 16). 1
Check each of the frame blockage flags set in step 6), and if the frame release flag is "1", assert the frame release signal to low level, and if the frame release flag is "1", negate the frame blockage signal to high level ( Steps S957, S959) move to step S960. In step S960, it is checked whether the out number signal L (one pulse represents 10 out balls) output to the game board control device 400 is asserted to a low level. If it is high level, the process advances to step S962, and an out number signal L is output to the game board control device 400. It is determined whether the transmission prohibition flag is set to "1". The out transmission prohibition flag is a flag that is set to prohibit transmission of the signal for a predetermined period of time when the out number signal L is negated in step S972, which will be described later.

[0225] If the determination in step S962 is "No", the process moves to step S964, and the out counter (FIG. 25
Step S602 in the out-sensor input processing routine of
2 (updated every pitch) is 10 or more, and if it is 9 or less, the routine ends as is, and if it is 10 or more, the out number signal I is asserted to low level, and then the out timer is set. Set 1 and end this routine (
Steps S966, S968). This is to output one pulse of the out number signal L having a predetermined pulse width for 10 out balls. Then, when this routine is started again, when it reaches step S960, it is determined "Yes", that is, the out number signal L is at a low level, and the process moves to step S970, where the out timer 1 set in step S968 Determine whether it has been uploaded. Then, if the time is not up, the routine ends, and if the time is up, step S972 is executed.
After negating the out number signal L to high level, subtract "10" from the out counter value (the counter value is updated even while timer 1 is operating, so it cannot be cleared to "0". ), and also set the out send prohibition flag “
1”, starts out timer 2, and ends this routine (steps S974, S976, S978).
.

[0226] When this routine is restarted after the out transmission prohibition flag is set to "1" in this way, it is determined in step S962 that the out transmission prohibition flag is "1". , step S98
0, and it is determined whether or not out timer 2 has timed up. If the time has not expired, the routine is immediately terminated; if the time has expired, the out transmission prohibition flag is cleared to "0" and the routine is terminated (step S982). FIG. 49 shows the error information output process S during the flow of the information output process (FIG. 44).
An example of the specific procedure of 990 is shown below. This error information is also output to the hall management device 700.

[0227] When this routine is started, first in step S992 it is determined whether the discharge error flag is set to "1". If it is determined “No” in this step S992, the discharge irregularity flag is set to “1” in the next step S994.
”.The above discharge error flag is set in the discharge processing routine (FIG. 33) described above.
If the ejection of a predetermined number of prize balls is not completed by the time the ejection monitoring timer set in step S142 of the ejection start processing routine (FIG. 30) counts up, the ejection control system is set in step S230 to indicate an abnormality in the ejection control system. The value is “1”
”.This discharge error flag is set to “
1", the above-mentioned ejection error recovery process (Fig. 37) is executed and error information of this routine is output. On the other hand, the above-mentioned ejection fraud flag is set to the above-mentioned ejection device fraud monitoring processing routine (Fig. 27), this flag is set in step S114 when the input of the discharge sensor is detected even though the discharge solenoid is in the OFF state.

[0228] If the determination in either step S992 or S994 is "No", the next routine 9 is executed.
The error signal is negated to a high level in step S96, and if it is determined as "Yes" in either step S992 or S994, the process moves to step S998, where the error signal is asserted to a low level and the process ends. FIG. 50 shows an example of a specific procedure of the power failure recovery process performed in step S15 in the main process flow of FIG. 12. In this power outage recovery process, the data being ejected (the number of prize balls ejected or the number of rented balls ejected) is saved by the above-mentioned power outage interrupt process (FIG. 26), and the power outage flag is set to "
1" and exits, when the power is restored, power is supplied to the CPU, and the main routine is started.
The power outage flag is determined to be "1" in step S1, the process moves to step S13, the processing number is set to "5", and the process starts when the power outage flag is determined to be "Yes" when the process moves to step S5. .

[0229] When the power outage flag is determined to be "1" in step S1 and the process moves to step S13, the main power outage recovery process is not immediately executed, but the process number is set to "1".
5" and the determination is "Yes" in step S5, the process is started by first executing the discharge device fraud monitoring process in step S3 to confirm that there is no discharge fraud. This is to restart the discharge that was interrupted due to a power outage.When the power outage recovery process shown in FIG. Then, check the discharge sensor 2 ball presence flag, the half sensor ball presence flag set in the half sensor input processing routine of FIG. 27, and the overflow sensor ball presence flag set in the overflow detector input processing routine of FIG. 26 (step S1
002-S1008), any one flag is “0
”, the discharge enable flag is cleared to “0” and the process ends (step S1010).

On the other hand, if all the flags are set to "1", the discharge enable flag is set to "1" (step S1012), and then the value of the discharge register saved in the backup RAM and the interrupted Save data such as a flag indicating that the discharge is a ball rental discharge is restored to the original register and flag (step S1014). In the next step S1016, it is checked whether the discharge possible flag is set to "1", and if it is "1", step S1018
And in S1020, it is determined whether the values of the discharge register 1 and the discharge register 2 exceed "1", and if the value of the discharge register 1 is "1" or less, the value of the discharge register 2 is changed to
In addition, when the value of discharge register 2 is less than "1", the value of discharge register 1 is added to discharge register 1 and discharge register 2.
If both values exceed "1", both values are set in the discharge register 0 (steps S1022, S102
4, S1026).

[0231] Then, it is determined whether or not the interrupted discharge was a ball rental discharge (step S1028). Then, if "Yes", continuous ball lending discharge is performed after step S1030, and if "No", that is, the interrupted discharge is ball lending discharge, continuous prize ball discharge is performed after step S1042. As a result, even if the number of balls that have not been ejected remains in either of the two ejection systems when a power outage occurs, the number of balls that have not been ejected will be set to ejection register 0 again and ejection will start again. Therefore, the balls that have not been ejected can be ejected immediately after the power is restored. Note that when the value of the discharge register 1 is "1" or less in step S1018, the value of the discharge register 2 is set to the discharge register 0 in step S1022. This does not mean that the value of the discharge register is "1". This is because it means that the ejection has ended, and it can be estimated that the number of balls that have not been ejected remains in the ejection register 2. Similarly, if the value of the discharge register 2 is "1" or less in step S1020, step S1024
The reason why the value of the ejection register 1 is set to ejection register 0 is because it can be estimated that the number of unejected balls remains in the ejection register 1.

[0232] In the above-mentioned continuous ball rental discharge, first, the ball rental sound request flag and the P machine ready flag are set to "1" (steps S1030, S1032), and the ball rental display lamp 113 is turned on (step S1034). Then, the same routine as the discharge start process shown in FIG. 30 is executed to start discharge by the ball discharge device 170 (
Step S1036). Then, erase the memory that the ball was being discharged and set the processing number to "3" (
After steps S1038 and S1040), step S
The process moves to 1050, the power outage flag is cleared to "0", and this routine ends. The reason why the process number is set to "3" is to end the rental ball discharge process started in step S1036 in the ball rental discharge process S17 of the main routine.

On the other hand, in the continuous prize ball ejection after step S1042, after lighting the prize ball ejection display lamp 112, the same routine as the ejection start process shown in FIG. Start draining (
Step S1044). Then, after erasing the memory that the prize ball was being ejected and setting the processing number to "2" (steps S1046, S1048), step S1
The process moves to 050, the power failure flag is cleared to "0", and this routine ends. The reason why the processing number is set to "2" is to end the prize ball discharge started in step S1044 in the prize ball discharge process S18 of the main routine. Next, a ball lending request signal, etc. to the discharge control device 600 is formed using a control signal for the card reader 250, a drive signal for the balance display 122, and a signal from the ball lending conversion button 123 provided on the pachinko gaming machine. The control procedure of the ball rental control device 500 that outputs will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 51 to 62.

FIG. 51 shows an outline of the main routine of the ball lending control device. This main routine is repeatedly executed when the ball lending control device 500 is powered on. When the power is turned on, first, initial settings such as clearing the RAM, setting flags, and resetting the output buffer are performed (step S8002). Next step S800
In step 4, the ball rental available display 126 is temporarily turned off,
The balance display 122 shows a zero balance (in the case of a 3-digit display, “
000'') is formed and output (step S8006).Then, the process proceeds to the next step and includes ball lending processing (step S8008), function transmission/reception processing (step S8012), and payment signal output processing (step S8006). The three processes of step S8014) are performed simultaneously in parallel with each other.

FIGS. 52 and 53 show an example of a specific procedure for the ball lending process executed in step S8008 of the main routine (FIG. 51). When this process is started, first, the ball lending enable signal U sent from the discharge control device 600 is checked to determine whether the signal has fallen (step S8102). And “No
”In other words, when the ball lending enable signal U has not fallen, the process advances to step S8104, and the ball lending enable signal U is checked to determine whether the signal has risen.The ball lending enable signal U is discharged from the ball lending control device 500. In response to sending the ball lending request signal T (low level) to the control device 600, the discharge control device 600
This is a signal that changes to low level when it detects that there is a shortage of balls in the storage tank 151 or that the game board is no longer in a stopped state, and the system power is turned on and control of the discharge control device 600 is started. When the ball lending enable signal U is set to a high level state. Therefore, if the ball lending control device 500 detects the falling edge of this signal in step S8104 and determines "Yes", step S8
After proceeding to step S8106 and making a reservation for transmission of a function code to notify the card reader control device 250 that the card can be accepted, the process returns to step S8102.

[0236] Next, steps S8102-S810 are performed again.
4, and if it is determined "No" in step S8104, the process advances to step S8108, and it is checked whether the ball rental possible display 126 is lit. This ball lending possible display 126 is a lamp that is lit when a card amount is received from the card reader control device 250 in a function transmission/reception process (FIGS. 55 and 56) to be described later. Therefore, before the card is inserted into the card reader, step S810
The determination in step S8102 is "No" and the process returns to step S8102 to repeat the above steps. Then, when the card is inserted into the card reader, the card amount is transmitted from the card reader control device 250, and the ball rental available display 126 is lit, the determination in step S8108 becomes "Yes" and the process advances to step S8110. . In step S8110, it is confirmed whether the ball lending enable signal U is at a high level, and if "Yes", the process moves to the next step S8112, and if "No", the process returns to step S8102. As described above, the ball lending enable signal U is a signal that is changed to a low level in response to the ball lending request signal T being sent from the ball lending control device 500 to the discharge control device 600, and the ball lending enable signal U The reason why is at a low level is that it is considered that the ball lending process has already started.

On the other hand, when the fall of the ball lending enable signal U is detected in step S8102, the process proceeds to step S8103.
, and check whether the ball rental available indicator 126 is lit. If the light is on, the process advances to step S8105, where the ball rental available indicator 126 is turned off and a magnetic write function transmission reservation is made (step S8107), and if the determination in step S8103 is "No", the process proceeds to step S8105. Proceeding to S8109, a transmission reservation is made for a function that indicates that a card cannot be accepted, and the process proceeds to step S81.
Return to 02. This is because the ball lending enable signal U falls to the low level even when the discharge control device 600 detects that there is a shortage of balls in the storage tank 151 or that the game board is no longer in a stopped state. “Y” in step S8110 above.
If it is confirmed that "es", that is, the ball lending enable signal U is at a high level, the process advances to step S8112, and the card balance in the balance storage means 542 is checked to determine whether the balance is zero. Step S without doing anything
Returning to step 8102, if "No", that is, the balance is not zero, it is checked in steps S8116 to S8122 which of the ball lending number setting switches 521a to 521d is turned on. If none of the switches is turned on, the process returns to step S8102 and repeats the above steps. Normally, the power is turned on with one of the switches always on.

[0238] When it is determined in step S8116 that the switch for setting the number of balls to borrow for 500 yen is turned on, the process moves to step S8124, and the set amount is compared with the balance on the card to determine the amount on the card. Determine whether there are more people. Then, only when the amount on the card is larger, the process moves to step S8130 and the payout count register is set to "5".
, and if the amount on the card is smaller, the process advances to step S8125, where it is determined whether the balance on the card is 400 yen or more, and if "Yes", the value of the payout count register is set to "4" (step S8131). ). In addition, if "No" is determined in step S8125, that is, the card balance is 40.
3 in step S8118 if it is determined that the amount is less than 0 yen.
If it is determined that the ball lending number setting switch for 00 yen is turned on, the process moves to step S8126, and it is determined whether the remaining balance on the card is 300 yen or more, and if "Yes", step S8
The process moves to step 132 and the payout count register is set to "3". Furthermore, if it is determined in step S8126 that the balance on the card is less than 300 yen, or if it is determined in step S8120 that the ball lending number setting switch for 200 yen is turned on, the process moves to step S8128. to determine whether the remaining balance on the card is 200 yen or more, and if "Yes", proceed to step S8134 and set the payout number register to "
2”. Similarly, if it is determined in step S8127 that the card balance is less than 200 yen, or if it is determined in step S8122 that the ball lending number setting switch for 100 yen is turned on, the process advances to step S8136. and set the payout count register to "1".

[0239] As a result, when the number of ball lending and discharging times of the ball lending control device 500 is set to "2" (200 yen worth) or more and the balance of the card inserted into the card reader is less than the set amount, Also, it is possible to convert all the balance of the card into rental balls, and it is possible to prevent the card from being unusable due to a fraction remaining on the card. After setting the number of payouts in steps S8130 to S8136, the process moves to step S8142 in FIG. 53. Figure 53
If the process moves to step S8142, the ball lending request signal T to the discharge control device 600 is asserted to a low level, and then the PRQ waiting for a response to the ball lending enable signal U is
Set a timer (3 msec) (step S8144)
. Then, it is determined whether the ball lending enable signal U from the discharge control device 600 has fallen, and if "No", it is determined whether the above-mentioned timer has timed up (step S81
46, S8148). Here, if the ball lending enable signal U falls before the PRQ timer times up, the process jumps to step S8192 to suspend the ball lending process, and the transmission reservation of the magnetic write function and the unacceptable function is made (step SS8194). After that, the ball rental flag set in step S8140 is cleared to "0" (step S8188), and the process returns to the first step S810.
Return to 2. In the discharge control device 600, the ball lending enable signal U is asserted to a low level 5 m seconds after the ball lending request signal T is input, so it is impossible for the ball lending enable signal U to fall to a low level within 3 m seconds. This is considered to be the case when the discharge control device 600 detects that there is a shortage of balls in the storage tank 151 or that the game board is no longer in a stopped state. Figure 54 due to the above transmission reservation.
Function transmission/reception processing is executed. However, in this case, the card balance data sent to the card reader together with the magnetic write function code is the same as the data when read.

[0240] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8148 that the PRQ timer has timed up before the ball lending enable signal U falls, the process advances to step S8150, and the ball lending available display is displayed to notify that the ball lending discharging process has started. 126 is turned off. Then set the PRQ timer to 3, for example.
It is set to seconds (step S8152). It is determined whether the timer has timed up, and if "No", it is determined whether or not the ball lending enable signal U is at a low level (steps S8154, S8156). Here, if the PRQ timer times out before the ball lending enable signal U becomes low level, the process jumps to step S8196 to reserve the transmission of the magnetic write function and card ejection function (step S8198), and then proceeds to step S8140. The set ball rental flag is cleared to "0" (step S8188), and the first step S810
Return to 2. The discharge control device 600 is configured to assert the ball lending enable signal U to a low level 5 milliseconds after the ball lending request signal T is input, so if 3 seconds or more have elapsed since the ball lending request signal T falls. The reason why the ball lending enable signal U does not go to low level is because it is thought that there is an abnormality on the ejecting device side.

[0241] If it is determined in step S8154 that the ball lending enable signal U becomes low level before the PRQ timer times up, the process proceeds to step S8158 and a discharge timer (3 seconds) is set. Then, it is determined whether the timer has timed up (step S8160), and "
If “No”, the process moves to step S8166, and it is determined whether or not the payout completion signal V has risen (step S8166
). If the ejection timer times out before the payout completion signal V rises, the process jumps to step S8196, and a transmission reservation is made for the magnetic write function and the non-acceptable function (step S8198), and then the ball lending time set in step S8140 is made. The flag is cleared to "0" (step S8188), and the first step S8102
Return to Normally, discharging is completed in 3 seconds, so if the dispensing completion signal V does not rise even after 3 seconds, it is thought that there is an abnormality on the discharging device side.

[0242] If the payout completion signal V rises before the ejection timer times out, the process advances to step S8168, reduces the card balance (frequency) and the number of payouts by "1", and sends the payment signal j (pulse) to the card management device 800. ) is incremented by "1" (steps S8170, S8172). Then, step S81
Proceed to step 74 and determine whether the number of payouts has become "0",
If "No", the process returns to step S8158 and repeats the above procedure, and if "Yes", that is, the number of payouts is "0", the process moves to step S8176. Step S817
In step S8178, the ball lending request signal T is negated to a high level, and in the next step, the PRQ timer is set to 3 seconds (step S8178).

[0243] Then, it is determined whether the timer has timed up, and if "No", it is determined whether or not the ball lending enable signal U is at a high level (step S81).
80, S8182). Here, if the PRQ timer times out before the ball lending enable signal U becomes low level, the process jumps to step S8196, the transmission reservation of the magnetic write function and the card ejection function is made (step S8198), and the first step S8102 Return to The reason why the ball lending enable signal U does not go to a high level even after three seconds or more have passed since the ball lending request signal T was started is because it is thought that there is an abnormality on the ejecting device side. Even if it is determined in step S8182 that the ball rental enable signal U has become high level before the PRQ timer times up, the process advances to step S8196 to reserve the transmission of the magnetic write function and card ejection function (
Step S8198) and then the first step S8
Return to 102. Note that when reserving the transmission of the magnetic write function, the card balance data is stored as text together with the write function code in the transmission buffer. As a result, when the ball lending process is completed, the card balance from which the converted amount has been deducted is written on the card, and then the card is ejected from the card reader.

FIGS. 54 and 55 show an example of a specific procedure for the function transmission/reception process with the card reader control device 250 executed in step S8012 of the main routine (FIG. 51). Note that the functions to be transmitted and received are transmitted in a data format in which an STX code is added to the beginning of the function code and an ETX code is added to the end. In addition to function codes, there are ENQ codes (transmission inquiries) and ACK codes (affirmative responses) as signals that are sent and received, but these are sent as codes alone without adding an STX code at the beginning or an ETX code at the end. be done. When this function transmission/reception process is started, first, in step S8300, it is determined whether or not a function transmission reservation has been set by the ball lending process (FIGS. 52 and 53). If there is no transmission reservation, the process moves to step S8350, and checks the ENQ reception flag set in reception interrupt processing (FIG. 59), which will be described later, to see if an ENQ (inquiry code) has been received from the card reader control device 250. judge.

[0245] In step S8300, “transmission reservation exists”
If it is determined, the process moves to step S8302, sets the number of retransmissions to 3, and then writes the ENQ code to the transmission buffer (step S8304). This writing to the transmission buffer generates a transmission interrupt and starts transmission interrupt processing, which will be described later. Then, step S830
After setting the response timer to 10 seconds in step S9,
In step 308, it is determined whether this response timer has timed up,
If "No", the ACK reception flag set in the reception interrupt process (FIG. 59) is checked to determine whether an ACK (response code) has been received (step S8310). And A
If the response timer times up before receiving the CK, the process moves to step S8312 and returns to step S8302.
After subtracting "1" from the number of retransmissions set in step S8, it is determined whether the number of retransmissions has become "0" or not.
314), if not “0”, the above step S8304
and retransmits the ENQ code.

[0246] On the other hand, if an ACK is received before the response timer times up, the process advances to step S8316, where the ACK reception flag is cleared to "0" and the STX code indicating the beginning of the transmission data is written into the transmission buffer. . Then, after setting the response timer to 10 seconds in step S8318, it is determined in step S8320 whether the response timer has timed out, and if "No", the ENQ reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (FIG. 59) is set. to determine whether ENQ has been received (step S8322).
. Since this ENQ is an inquiry from the card reader control device 250 to the ball rental control device 500 as to whether it is okay to send the reception result, the ball rental control device 500 receives the ENQ before the response timer times up. If so, the process advances to step S8324, where the ENQ reception flag is cleared to "0" and the ACK code is written into the transmission buffer. E
If the response timer times out before receiving NQ, it means that there was no response with the reception result to the text transmission, so it is determined that there is a communication error and the process proceeds to step S.
In step S8340, an error code indicating a communication abnormality is written into the display data buffer, and in step S8344, the code is displayed on the balance display 122 and the control operation is stopped.

[0247] After transmitting ACK in step S8324, the response timer is set to 10 seconds again (step S83
26) After that, it is determined in step S9328 whether this response timer has timed out, and if "No", the function that indicates the contents of the reception result is received by checking the FNC reception flag set in the reception interrupt processing (Fig. 59). It is determined whether or not (step S8330). If the response timer times out before receiving the function, it means that there was no response to the ACK transmission.
If it is determined that there is a communication abnormality, the process moves to step S8340 to write an error code indicating the communication abnormality to the display data buffer, and in step S8344 the code is displayed on the balance display 122 and the control operation is stopped. If the function is received before the response timer times up, the process advances to step S8332 and after clearing the FNC reception flag to "0", it is determined whether the content of the received function is "retransmission request" or "abnormal termination". ,"normal termination"
(Steps S8334, S8336, S8
338). Among these, abnormal termination is sent when there is no abnormality in the communication itself, but there is an abnormality such as a write failure in the card reader.

[0248] Therefore, if the received function is a retransmission request, the process returns to step S8302 and retransmission is performed, and if the function ends abnormally, the process returns to step S8.
The process moves to step S834 to write an error code indicating an abnormality in the card reader to the display data buffer.
4, the code is displayed on the balance display 122 and the control operation is stopped. If the end is normal, the series of transmission processing is considered to have ended and the process returns to step S8300 to process the next transmission reservation. If the end is not normal, the process returns to step S8318 to re-receive the function code of the reception result. Let's do it.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8300 that there is no transmission reservation, the process moves to step S8350 in FIG.
The reception flag is checked to determine whether the ENQ from the card reader control device 250 has been received. If ENQ has been received, the process moves to step S8352, clears the ENQ reception flag, writes the ACK code to the transmission buffer, and then sets the response timer to 10 seconds (step S8354). This writing to the transmission buffer generates a transmission interrupt and starts the transmission interrupt processing described later.
ACK is transmitted to card reader control device 250. Therefore, in step S9356, it is determined whether this response timer has timed up, and if "No", the reception interrupt processing (
Check the FNC reception flag set in Figure 59) to determine whether a function indicating the contents of the reception result has been received (
Step S8358). If the response timer times up before receiving the function, the ACK
Since there was no response to the transmission, it is determined that there was a communication error, the process moves to step S8340 in FIG. 55, an error code indicating the communication error is written to the display data buffer, and the code is displayed in the balance in step S8344. display on the device 122 and stop the control operation.

[0250] When the function is received before the response timer times up, the process advances to step S8360 and after clearing the FNC reception flag to "0", it is checked whether the balance of the received card along with the received function is "0" or not. is determined (step S8362). If the determination result is "Yes", that is, the card balance is "0", the process returns to step S8300 and repeats the above routine without doing anything. On the other hand, the determination result in step S8362 is “No”
If so, proceed to step S8364, turn on the ball lending available indicator 126, and display the contents of the reception buffer (balance data).
is written into the card balance storage section and the reception process is completed. FIG. 56 shows an example of a specific procedure for the payment information output process executed in step S8014 of the main routine (FIG. 51).

[0251] When this process is started, first, the payment signal number counter that counts up in step S8172 during the ball lending process in FIG. 53 is checked to determine whether or not the number of payment signals is "0" (step S8402). If it is determined that "No" here, that is, the number of payment signals is 1 or more, step S
Step S8404 sets the on-time timer to 200 msec, asserts the payment signal j to high level, and waits for the timer to time up (step S8408
, S8410). Then, the process moves to step S8412, where the off time timer is set to 200 msec, and the payment signal j
is negated to low level, and then waits for the timer to time up (steps S8412, S8414).
). Thereafter, in step S8416, the payment signal number counter is decremented by "1" and the process returns to step S8402.
The payment signal pulses are outputted until the payment signal number counter reaches "0". As a result, a payment signal j with a pulse width of 200 msec is output. Further, even when outputting "2" or more pulses, the interval between pulses is set to 200 msec, and the card management device 800 that receives the pulses can reliably count the payment signal pulses.

FIG. 57 shows the main routine (FIG. 51).
) Separately, an example of a specific procedure of a timer interrupt process that the ball rental control device 500 executes, for example, every 1 millisecond by a timer interrupt, is shown. In this timer interrupt process, the balance data is read from the card balance storage section, a display signal for the balance display 122 is formed and outputted, and the card balance is displayed (step S8502). The timer is set to "-1" and the process ends (step S8504). 58 and 59, the ball rental control device 5 is shown separately from the main routine (FIG. 51).
An example of a specific procedure for transmission interrupt processing and reception interrupt processing executed by 00 is shown.

[0253] Of these, the transmission interrupt is caused by the ENQ in the transmission buffer during the ball lending process (see Figure 53) or the function transmission/reception process (see Figure 55) of the main routine.
It is generated by writing a code, STX code, or ACK code. When this transmission interrupt is started, steps S8602, S8604,
In S8606, it is determined which code is written in the transmission buffer. Here, if the code written in the transmission buffer is ENQ, ACK, or ETX (code indicating the end of text data), the process moves to step S8612, the code in the transmission buffer is transmitted, and the interrupt ends. . On the other hand, in the above judgment, all “N”
o”, the code in the sending buffer is STX
Code, function code, or text data, and these have continuation codes. In that case, the process advances to step S8608, transmits that code, increments the address of the transmission buffer, transmits the code in the next buffer, and ends the process (steps S8610, S8612).

The reception interrupt shown in FIG. 59 occurs when a transmission from the card reader control device 250 comes in. When this reception interrupt is started, step S865
2. Determine whether the received code is an ENQ code or an ACK code in S8654. If the received code is an ENQ code, the process moves to step S8656 and the ENQ reception flag is set to "1", and if it is an ACK code, the ACK reception flag is set to "1" in step S8658.
” and ends the interrupt processing. The ENQ reception flag and the ACK reception flag are referenced in the function transmission/reception processing flow.

[0255] On the other hand, if the received code is neither an ENQ code nor an ACK code, step S
The process advances to step S8660 to determine whether the received code is an ETX code, and if "No", the process advances to step S8662 to save the received code from the receive buffer to memory, update the receive buffer address, and end (step S8662). S8664). If a subsequent receive code remains in the receive buffer, a receive interrupt is generated again, so the receive code is saved in memory by repeating the above routine. If it is determined in step S8660 that an ETX code has been received, the process advances to step S8666 to check whether the length of the received function code is normal. Here, if "Yes", the process advances to step S8668, sets the function reception flag to "1", and ends the interrupt processing; if "No", the process advances to step S8670, reserves the retransmission request function transmission, and ends the interrupt process. finish.

[0256] Next, the card is inserted into the ball lending machine 200,
The figure shows the specific timing of the signals transmitted and received between the ball lending control device 500 and the discharge control device 600 when the conversion button 123 provided on the pachinko game machine 100 is pressed and a ball lending request is made. This will be explained using 60. The figure shows the signal timing when the button for converting to 200 yen worth of rental balls is pressed. When the conversion button 123 is pressed, the ball lending control device 500 detects this and sends a conversion request signal Y (pulse) to the ball lending control device 50.
0 (timing t1). Then, the ball lending control device 500 detects this and asserts the ball lending request signal T (BRQ) to the discharge control device 600 to a low level (timing t2). The discharge control device 600 that has received the ball rental request signal T (BRQ) activates the discharge solenoids 741a and 74 if the ball discharge device 170 is in a state where the ball discharge device 170 can be discharged.
1b and the drive signal for the rental ball discharge display lamp 113, and also transmits a rental ball discharge sound request signal E (pulse) to the game board control device 400, and to the ball rental control device 500. The supplied ball lending enable signal U (PRQ) is asserted to low level (timing t3).

Then, the discharge control device 600 monitors the detection signals from the discharge sensors 730a and 730b, and when the number of discharges reaches 25 (worth 100 yen), the discharge solenoid 7 is activated.
41a, 741b and the drive signal of the rental ball discharge indicator lamp 113 are turned off, and a payout completion signal V (pulse) is sent to the ball rental control device 500, and a payment signal J is sent to the hall management device 700. (timing t4). When the ball lending control device 500 receives the payout completion signal V, it subtracts the card balance, and if it determines that the balance is not zero and the predetermined number of balls have not been discharged, it asserts the ball lending request signal T to a low level as it is. (timing t5). Then, the discharge control device 600 again activates the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b.
and a drive signal for the rental ball ejection display lamp 113, and also transmits a rental ball ejection sound request signal E (pulse) to the game board control device 400 (timing t6).

[0258] Then, when the number of balls to be discharged reaches 25 (worth 100 yen), the drive signals for the discharge solenoids 741a and 741b and the drive signal for the ball rental display lamp 113 are turned off, and at the same time, the drive signal for the ball rental control device 500 is turned off. The payout completion signal V (pulse) is sent to the hall management device 700.
A payment signal J is transmitted to (timing t7). When determining that the predetermined number of balls have been discharged, the ball lending control device 500 negates the ball lending request signal T to a high level (timing t8). Then, the discharge control device 600 negates the ball rental enable signal U supplied to the rental control device 500 to a high level, and ends the ball rental discharge process. FIG. 61 shows the configuration of a pachinko game machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only the differences from the pachinko gaming machine of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0259] First, the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment is structurally different from the pachinko gaming machine of the first embodiment described above.
Ball rental number setting switch 521a- of the ball rental control device 500
Operation panel 1 on the top of the supply tray 120 instead of 521d
21 is provided with ball rental conversion buttons 123a to 123d. The difference in the control system is that instead of the ball lending number setting switches 521a to 521d, signals from the switches in the ball lending conversion buttons 123a to 123d are input to the ball lending control device 500 via the filter 504, and the card balance is manipulated. If the card balance is less than the amount corresponding to the conversion button operated, the amount of rented balls equivalent to the remaining balance will be discharged, and if the card balance is greater than the amount corresponding to the conversion button operated, the amount of rented balls equivalent to the amount of the conversion button will be discharged. The point is that

[0260] Also, the ball rental number setting switch 521a-52
Since ball lending conversion buttons 123a to 123d are provided instead of 1d, FIG. 52 of the ball lending control flow is slightly different from that of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 62, it is checked in steps S8116 to S8122 whether any one of the conversion button group 123 is turned on. Then, when it is determined in step S8122 that the 100 yen worth of ball lending conversion button has been turned on, step S8122
The process moves to 8136 and the value of the payout count register is set to "1". Also, steps S8116 to S8120
If it is determined that the conversion button for 500 yen, 300 yen, or 200 yen is turned on, step S is executed respectively.
8124, S8126, S8128 and compare the conversion request amount of the button turned on with the balance of the card.
Determine whether the amount on the card is greater. Then, only when the amount on the card is larger, step S8130,
Proceed to S8132 and S8134 and set the number of payouts to ``5''.
”, “3” or “2”, and if the amount on the card is smaller, the process returns to step S8102. Therefore,
Even if the player makes a mistake in the remaining amount of the card and presses a conversion button larger than the remaining amount, ball lending is not discharged, and ball lending processing is executed by pressing another conversion button again.

[0261] The reason why the number of payouts is set in accordance with the turned-on conversion button is that 100 yen worth of rented balls are ejected by one ejecting operation of the ball ejecting device 170. Steps S8130 to S8136 above
After setting the number of payouts in step S8142 of FIG. 53, which is the same flowchart as the first embodiment. In the above embodiment, the balance display 122 is provided on the operation panel 121 on the top surface of the supply tray 120, and the card reader is provided on one side of the tray 140, but these can be placed at any position on the front of the pachinko machine. It can be provided in Furthermore, it may be provided separately rather than integrally with the gaming machine.

0262]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention allows a preset number of rental balls (or a number specified by a ball rental conversion request operation means provided in a pachinko game machine) to be set when a card is inserted into a card reader. Eject the smaller number of game balls from the ball ejecting device (the number of balls equivalent to the number of balls) or the number of balls equivalent to the balance of the card, write the balance data minus the conversion amount to the card, and then insert the ball into the card reader. Since the control device is equipped with a function to eject more balls, simply inserting the card into the card reader will convert it to a rental ball, so instead of requesting the rental of balls after inserting the card into the card reader as in the past. There is no need to operate the operating means, and the procedure for converting to rental balls at the start of the game and during the game can be simplified. As a result, even if a game state such as a jackpot occurs when the number of balls you have is low during a game, you can quickly perform additional conversion to increase the number of balls you have, and prevent the loss of rights due to running out of balls when a jackpot occurs. The effect is that it can be done.

[0263] Furthermore, since the number of balls to be discharged by one ball rental conversion operation can be arbitrarily set for each gaming machine, it is possible to set the number of balls to be discharged according to the model of the gaming machine installed at the gaming parlor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from being troubled by the conversion operation and lose concentration on the game, and also to prevent unnecessary rental balls from being discharged. Furthermore, if the number of balls equivalent to the card balance is less than the set number of balls borrowed at one time, the remaining amount will be converted and discharged, so the number of discharged balls that is not divisible by the initial number of cards. Even if the number is set, there will be no fraction, so it is possible to set the number of rental balls that match the business policy of the game parlor. Also,
If the card is held in the card reader during play, the speed of additional conversion can be made somewhat faster, but since the card remains in the card reader during a power outage, it may delay recovery from the power outage and cause problems for players. On the other hand, if the card is ejected from the card reader when one conversion is completed as in the present invention, the above-mentioned troubles may occur. There is no possibility of this occurring.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a card-type pachinko game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing an example of the configuration of the back mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 100.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view showing one embodiment of a ball ejecting device 170.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control system of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and the ball rental machine 200.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a game board control device 400.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of audio output means 450.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an emission control device 600.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control section 610 of the emission control device 600.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a power outage control section 619 of the emission control device 600.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a ball lending control device 500.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of a control unit 510 of the ball lending control device 500.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine of background control processing by the emission control device 600.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a timer interrupt processing procedure performed by the emission control device 600 every predetermined period of time (for example, 0.5 msec).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a ball lending request detection processing routine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a prize ball data detection processing routine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a frame sensor input processing routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an input processing routine for the discharge sensor 1.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an input processing routine for the discharge sensor 2.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a routine for level input processing of the discharge sensor 1.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a routine for level input processing of the discharge sensor 2;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the ball removal sensor 750.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the replenishment sensor 106.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the overflow detector 104.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an input processing routine of the standby ball detector 160 (half-shot sensor).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an input processing routine for the output signal of the out sensor 107.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure for power outage interrupt processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the discharge device fraud monitoring process S3 performed in the main process flow of FIG. 15;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the ejection device unauthorized release process S14.

[Figure 29] Main routine of prize ball discharge control device (Figure 15)
) is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the prize ball start process executed in step S19.

[Figure 30] Step S9 of the prize ball start process (Figure 32)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process executed in step 0.

FIG. 31: Step S1 of the discharge start process (FIG. 33)
24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge number division process executed in step 24.

FIG. 32 Step S18 of the main routine (FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 610 on the prize ball discharge control device side
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the prize ball discharge process performed in .

[Figure 33] Step S2 of the prize ball ejection process (Figure 35)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of discharge processing performed in step 04.

FIG. 34: Step S232 of the discharge process (FIG. 36)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of one-piece discharge processing performed in FIG.

FIG. 35: Step S234 of the discharge process (FIG. 36)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of alternate discharge processing performed in FIG.

FIG. 36: Step S236 of the discharge process (FIG. 36)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a combined discharge process performed in FIG.

FIG. 37: Step S252 of the discharge process (FIG. 36)
3 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of ejection error recovery processing performed in FIG.

[Figure 38] Main routine of prize ball discharge control device (Figure 15)
) is a flowchart showing a subroutine of ball lending start processing executed in step S21.

FIG. 39 Step S17 of the main routine (FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 610 on the prize ball discharge control device side
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball loan discharge process performed in .

FIG. 40 Step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 610 on the prize ball discharge control device side
It is a flowchart which shows a part (first half) of the subroutine of the ball removal process performed in .

FIG. 41 Step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 610 on the prize ball discharge control device side
It is a flowchart which shows a part of subroutine of the ball removal process performed in .

FIG. 42 Step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 15) executed by the CPU 610 on the prize ball discharge control device side
It is a flowchart which shows a part (second half) of the subroutine of the ball removal process performed in .

FIG. 43: Step S2 in the main processing flow of FIG. 15
3 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of replenishment processing performed in step 3;

FIG. 44: Step S2 in the main processing flow of FIG. 15.
4 is a flowchart showing specific details of the information output processing performed in step 4. FIG.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of ball rental information output processing S800 in the above information output processing flow.

FIG. 46 shows an example of a specific procedure of sound request output processing S850 in the above information output processing flow.

FIG. 47: The prize ball information output process S900 to the hole management device 700 during the information output process flow.
2 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the game machine information output process S950 in the flow of the information output process (FIG. 47).

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the error information output process S990 in the flow of the information output process (FIG. 47).

FIG. 50: Step S1 in the main processing flow of FIG. 12
5 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of the power failure recovery process performed in step 5.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing an outline of the main routine of the ball lending control device.

[Figure 52] Step S of the above main routine (Figure 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (first half) of the specific procedure of the ball lending process performed in 8008.

[Figure 53] Step S of the above main routine (Figure 51)
It is a flowchart which shows a part (second half) of the specific procedure of the ball lending process performed in 8008.

[Figure 54] Step S of the above main routine (Figure 51)
80 is a flowchart showing a part (first half) of a specific procedure of function transmission/reception processing executed in 8012. FIG.

[Figure 55] Step S of the above main routine (Figure 51)
80 is a flowchart showing a part (second half) of a specific procedure of function transmission/reception processing executed in step 8012. FIG.

[Figure 56] Step S of the above main routine (Figure 51)
80 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific procedure of payment signal output processing executed in step 8014.

57 is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing performed by the ball lending control device 500 every predetermined time (for example, 1 msec) in priority to the main routine (background processing) of FIG. 51. FIG.

58 is a flowchart showing the procedure of transmission interrupt processing performed by the ball lending control device 500 in priority to the main routine (background processing) of FIG. 51. FIG.

59 is a flowchart showing the procedure of reception interrupt processing performed by the ball lending control device 500 in priority to the main routine (background processing) of FIG. 51. FIG.

[Fig. 60] The ball rental control device 500 and the discharge control device 6
FIG.

FIG. 61 A second card-type pachinko game machine according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view showing an example of this.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a part of the specific procedure of the ball lending process by the ball lending control device 500 in the pachinko game machine of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Pachinko machine 121 Supply tray 122 Balance display 123 Ball lending conversion button 125 Ball number indicator 131 Ball shortage detector 132 Ball possession detector 200 Ball lending machine 211 Card insertion/ejection port 220 Insert balance display 230 Valid indicator lamp 400 Game board control device 500 Ball rental control device 600 Emission control device 700 Hall management device 800 Card management device

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A ball ejecting device capable of ejecting an arbitrary number of game balls and a card reader for reading valuable data from a card storing the valuable data; In a card-type pachinko game machine configured to be able to convert data into ball number data and directly eject a number of game balls corresponding to the ball number data from the ball ejecting device to a supply tray on the front, a card is inserted into a card reader. is inserted, the smaller number of game balls, either the preset number of rental balls or the number of balls equivalent to the balance of the card, is ejected from the ball ejecting device, and the amount of conversion is subtracted from the card. 1. A card-type pachinko game machine, characterized in that the card-type pachinko game machine is provided with a control means having a function of writing balance data and then ejecting it from the card reader. [Claim 2] A ball ejecting device capable of ejecting any number of game balls and a card reader for reading valuable data from a card storing the valuable data; In a card-type pachinko game machine configured to convert data into ball number data and directly discharge a number of game balls according to the ball number data from the ball ejecting device to a supply tray on the front side, A ball lending request operation means is provided on the front side, and when the card is inserted into the card reader, the number of balls to be rented specified by the ball lending request operation means or the number of balls corresponding to the balance of the card, whichever is smaller, is provided. The card type is characterized by being provided with a control means having a function of ejecting a number of game balls from the ball ejecting device, writing balance data after subtracting the conversion amount on the card, and ejecting the balls from within the card reader. Pachinko machine.