JPH05237246A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a pinball game machine preventing the number of balls delivered to a drive ball wait section from lacking and not delaying the delivering speed of balls. CONSTITUTION:A ball dispenser is operated by the quantity corresponding to the preset number of balls based on the ball lease request signal or the winning of driven balls, and the number of balls actually delivered to a drive ball feed dish by the delivering action of a ball dispenser is detected by a ball detecting sensor. When the number of delivered balls detected by the ball detecting sensor is less than the preset number, deficient number delivery control means (S105-S108, S115-S119) operating the ball dispenser by the quantity corresponding to the deficient number are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, or a slot machine in which a game is carried out using a pachinko ball. The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a ball payout device that pays out a predetermined number of balls to a predetermined ball storage section when the game is established.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of gaming machine, as an example that has been generally known in the past, for example, a ball hit in a gaming area of a pachinko gaming machine wins a predetermined winning area. In some cases, a predetermined number of balls are dispensed from the ball dispensing device to the ball storage unit when a predetermined ball dispensing condition is satisfied.

[0003]

However, in the conventional gaming machine of this type, even if the ball payout device is operated by an amount corresponding to the number of balls to be paid out to the ball storage section,
For example, there is a drawback that the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage unit may be less than the predetermined number to be paid out due to a ball clogging or the like.

Therefore, the ball storage means is provided with a ball detecting means for detecting the balls actually paid out, and the ball paying-out device is operated only for paying out one ball, and whether the ball detecting means detects the ball accordingly. After confirming whether or not the payout balls have been detected, the ball payout device is operated again to pay out one ball, and the ball detection means checks the payout balls one by one to determine the payout device. It is conceivable to repeatedly operate and control so that a predetermined number of balls are reliably delivered to the ball storage section. However, when the method of confirming the payout balls one by one is adopted in this way, the payout speed of the time-consuming balls becomes slow in the confirmation operation, and it takes time to pay out a predetermined number of hit balls. A new drawback arises.

The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent a shortage of the number of balls to be paid out to a ball storage portion, but to prevent the payout speed from slowing down. It is to provide a game machine.

[0006]

The present invention is a gaming machine including a ball payout device for paying out a predetermined number of hit balls to a predetermined ball storage part when a predetermined ball payout condition is satisfied, Based on the satisfaction of the payout condition, the payout control means for paying out the ball payout device by an amount corresponding to the predetermined number, and the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage part by the payout operation of the ball payout device. The payout number counting means for counting and the payout number counted by the payout number counting means is equal to the predetermined number at the stage when the payout operation by the amount corresponding to the predetermined number of the ball payout device is completed. When there is no shortage, a shortage number payout control means for causing the ball payout device to perform a payout operation in an amount corresponding to the shortfall number is included.

[0007]

According to the present invention, based on the establishment of the ball payout condition, the ball payout device performs the payout operation by an amount corresponding to the predetermined number to be paid for the time being. Moreover, the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage unit by the payout operation of the ball payout device is counted by the payout ball number counting means. Then, when the number of payout balls counted by the payout ball number counting means is less than the predetermined number at the stage when the payout operation of the amount corresponding to the predetermined number of the ball payout device is completed, it corresponds to the shortage number. The ball payout device is operated to pay out by the amount to be performed.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of the gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this.
It may be a slot machine or the like that uses a coin game machine or a pachinko ball to play a game.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a pachinko gaming machine 6 which is an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention.
It is a front view which shows 0 and the card processing machine 62.

A card processing machine 62 is provided on one side (left side in the drawing) of the pachinko gaming machine 60 in the left-right direction.
It is provided so as to be separable from 0. 130 in the figure
Is a processor usable display, and is for illuminating and indicating that the card processor 62 is operating and can be used. In addition, the processor usable display 130 displays various error states described later. Card processor 62
Is provided with a card reader / writer control unit 134 provided with a card reader / writer. When a card is inserted from the card insertion / ejection port 133, the recorded information recorded on the card is read by this card reader / writer. . The balance of the card at the time of insertion, which is included in the read card information, is displayed on the balance display (card balance display) 50. This card processor 62 has a CPU, R
Card processor control unit 135 with built-in OM, RAM, etc.
The card processing machine control unit 135 controls the entire card processing machine 62.

When the player inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection slot 133, the inserted card is proper, and the card lending operation is possible when the card balance remains, the card processor control unit 135 A control signal for turning on the ball lending LED is output from the pachinko gaming machine 60 side, and the ball lending LED (ball lending indicator) 48d provided on the ball storage tray 59, which is an example of the ball storage unit, is turned on. It The ball lendable LED (ball lendable indicator) 48d is a lighted display indicating that the ball lending operation can be performed. The player confirms that this ball lending LED (ball lending indicator) 48d is lit, and the ball lending button 4
4c is pressed. Then, a ball payout command signal is output from the card processing machine 62 side to the payout control microcomputer 350 on the pachinko gaming machine 60 side, and the ball rental amount setting switch 13 including, for example, a rotary switch described later is output.
The number of game balls (pachinko balls) corresponding to the ball rental amount (hereinafter, simply referred to as the ball rental amount) paid out by one ball lending operation preset by 7 (see FIG. 2) is paid out into the hitting ball supply plate 59. To be done. The ball lending possible LED (ball lending possible indicator) 48d is turned off until the payout of the amount of this ball lending is completed. Then, when the payout of the pachinko balls for the ball rental amount is completed, the card remaining amount of the card inserted in the card processor 62 is updated by the ball rental amount. The card processing machine 62 inputs the record information of the recording medium in which the information possessing the valuable value of the player is recorded, and the rental value is used by using the valuable value specified by the inputted record information. Ball payout command means for deriving a ball payout command signal for paying out is configured.

In the figure, 42c is a return button, and ball lending is possible.
The operation is effective while the ED (ball lending indicator) 48d is lit. When the player presses the return button 42c, the card inserted in the card processor 62 is returned to the player from the card insertion / eject port 133. This card insert / eject port 13
3, a protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the groove portion into which the card is inserted and ejected, and the protrusion 133b on the left side is configured to have a larger protrusion amount than the protrusion 133a on the right side in the drawing. There is a problem that a player who tries to play a game with a pachinko gaming machine (not shown) installed on the left side of the card processing machine 62 inadvertently inserts a card into the card insertion / ejection port 133 of the card processing machine 62. I try to prevent it as much as possible. Reference numeral 132 in the figure denotes a card insertion lamp, which is lit while the card is inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 133 and held at a predetermined position.

[0013] The balance of the card when the card is inserted and the balance of the card after the ball lending and the reduction and update are performed by the balance display device (card balance display) 50 provided in the hit ball supply tray 59. Is displayed. When the pachinko balls are paid out into the hitting ball supply plate 59, the player operates the hitting ball operation handle 12
When 1 is operated, the pachinko balls are driven one by one into the game area 120 formed on the front surface of the game board 967. In the game area 120, the start winning holes 125a, 125b, 12
5c is provided, and the starting winning opening 125a-12
Variable display device 1 by winning a pachinko ball in 5c
23 is variably started. When the display result at the time of stop is a combination of specific identification information (777), the predetermined winning state is a big hit state, the variable winning ball device 124 is opened, and the pachinko ball is in the first state in which it is easy to win. In addition, when the display result of the variable display device 123 at the time of stop is the specific identification information, the game value may be directly provided by directly paying out a prize ball or giving a score. When a pachinko ball is won in the start winning hole 125a, n prize balls (for example, 7 prize balls) are paid out to the hitting ball supply plate 59 for each prize. If there are pachinko balls in the start winning holes 125b and 125c, m (for example 10
Individual) prize balls are dispensed into the hit ball supply tray 59. Furthermore, if a pachinko ball is won in a normal winning opening or a variable winning ball device 124 provided in the game area 120, K (for example, 15) prize balls per winning are placed in the hitting ball supply tray 59. Be paid out. The payout lamp 126 lights up or blinks during the payout of these prize balls.

The prize balls to be paid out into the hitting ball supply tray 59 are stored in a ball tank 151 (see FIG. 2) described later, and if there are no balls stored in the ball tank 151, the tank ball sensor 150 is provided. No longer detects any balls, and at that time the out-of-balls indicator 127 lights up or blinks to indicate that there are no more accumulated balls. The surplus balls which are filled with the prize balls and cannot be stored any more are dispensed into the surplus ball storage tray 122. A credit score indicator for storing and displaying the number of prize balls or the amount of money equivalent to the prize balls when the surplus ball storage tray 122 is full May be provided in the hit ball supply tray 59. In other words, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, after the prize ball payout control based on one prize ball is completed, the prize ball payout control for performing the prize ball payout control based on the next prize ball is performed. Therefore, after the surplus ball storage tray 122 is full, when there are prize balls to be paid out based on the prize balls, the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the prize balls or the prize balls are equivalent. The amount of money etc. to be added is memorized, and after the addition memorization is finished, the addition memorization based on the next winning ball is carried out,
The stored value that has been added and stored may be displayed by the credit score indicator. In that case, after the number of pachinko balls in the ball storage tray 59 or the surplus ball storage tray 122 is reduced, the prize balls for the points displayed on the credit score indicator are paid out. Balance display (card balance display)
Although 50 is composed of a 7-segment display, a plurality of light-emitting diodes may be provided instead in correspondence with the amount of rental balls or the unit of 100 yen. Further, the remaining amount display (card balance display) 50 may display the amount of rental balls, and another display device may be provided to display the amount of rental balls or to attach a sticker on which the amount of rental balls is printed. You may. 1 in the figure
Reference numeral 5 denotes a speaker, which outputs a sound effect when a big hit occurs.

A fraction display switch 136 is provided on the front side of the card processor 62. The fraction display switch 136 is a display digit when the remaining amount of the insertion card displayed by the remaining amount display (card balance display) 50 has a fraction less than a predetermined unit number (for example, 100 yen). Is displayed to display a fraction less than the predetermined unit number (for example, 100 yen). That is, a predetermined number of units (for example, 100 yen) due to a change in the monetary equivalent value of a pachinko ball to be rented with the ball rental rate changed.
If the balance display switch 136 is switched when a card balance of less than 1 is generated, first, if there is a balance of 10,000 yen, the fraction is cut off and the balance display (card balance display) is displayed.
The display is blinked by 50, and when the remaining amount of 10,000 yen is exhausted, the display is automatically switched and the display is turned on up to a fraction less than 100 yen. The balance display (card balance display) 50 may be provided on the curtain plate or the like.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

Card processor controller 1 of card processor 62
The wiring connected to 35 is connected to the relay terminal board 138 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 60 by the connector 139, and the card processing machine control unit 135 and the relay terminal board 1
38 and 38 can transmit and receive information to and from each other by wiring. Further, on the relay terminal board 138, a payout centralized control board 730 housed in the payout control board box 145, a game control board 148 'housed in the game control board box 148, a game machine terminal box 149, The ball payout substrate 70 is connected via the connectors 141, 144, 143, 142, respectively.
Further, the above-mentioned various indicators and switches of various operation buttons provided on the hitting ball supply tray 59 are connected to the relay terminal board 138 via the connector 140. It should be noted that various display devices and switches for various operation buttons provided on the card processor control unit 135 and the hitting ball supply tray 59, and the payout central control board 730 in the payout control board box 145.
And the payout centralized control board 730 and the ball payout board 70 may be connected via the relay terminal board 138 without connecting via the relay terminal board 138. Alternatively, the card processor control unit 135 and the payout concentration control board 730 may be directly connected by a connector.

On the back side of the card processor 62, there is provided a ball rental amount setting switch 137 for inputting and setting the ball rental amount paid out by one ball lending operation in advance. 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen,
You can enter and set five types of money of 500 yen. For example, if a game staff member sets the ball rental amount to 300 yen as shown in the figure, the 300 yen is used as the ball rental amount, and the microcomputer 30 of the card processor control unit 135
0 (see FIG. 6). Then, the player inserts the card into the card insertion / ejection slot 133, and the ball lending button 44
This ball rental amount (30
Pachinko balls for 0 yen) will be paid out into the hitting ball supply plate 59 and will be deducted from the remaining card amount. In the figure, reference numeral 134 is a card reader / writer control unit including a card reader / writer and its control circuit, and 131 is a remaining amount indicator at the time of insertion.

The payout control board box 145 is provided with an error cause indicator 146, which indicates the cause of the abnormality when the pachinko ball payout is abnormal by the ball payout device 63 which is an example of the ball payout device. It is configured for viewing. Then, when the attendant at the game arcade repairs the generated abnormality, the reset button 147 is operated to reset the ball payout control program. This error cause indicator 1
Instead of providing 46 in the payout control board box 145,
The cause of the error is displayed by the remaining amount indicator (card balance indicator) 50 provided on the ball storage tray 59, an error cause indicator is separately provided on the front side of the gaming machine, and the payout lamp 126 blinks depending on the cause of the error. May be dealt with by changing, or may be displayed on the hall management computer. The ball lender 63 is detachably attached to the mechanism plate 751 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 with screws or the like, and the pachinko balls stored in the ball tank 151 are supplied through the tank rail 67. Is configured. In the middle of the pachinko ball supply path from the tank rail, the ball confirmation sensor A (68
a) and B (68b) are provided so that it can be confirmed whether or not there are pachinko balls to be supplied to the ball dispenser 63. The payout motor 22 is provided in the ball payout device 63.
3 is provided, and the pachinko balls are paid out into the hitting ball supply tray 59 by utilizing the driving force of the payout motor 223.
Ball counting sensors A (68c) and B (68d) for counting the number of paid-out balls are arranged in the middle of the payout path. In addition, by rotating the payout motor 223 in the reverse direction, the pachinko balls in the ball tank 151 can be discharged to the outside of the machine and taken out. Incidentally, reference numeral 771 in the drawing denotes a motor drive indicator, which is used for lighting or blinking display that the payout motor 223 is being driven. Further, reference numeral 180 in the drawing denotes a ball drop switch for detecting the ball drop operation of an attendant in the game arcade and reversing the payout motor 223. The method of mounting the ball dispenser 63 on the mechanism plate 751 is not limited to screwing, but may be detachably mounted by another method such as locking by a locking metal fitting or elastic holding using an elastic holding member. Further, it may be fixedly attached so as not to be removable.

If the pachinko balls that have been driven into the game area 120 win the start winning holes 125a, 125b, 125c (see FIG. 1), the winning balls are detected by the starting winning ball detection switches 128a, 128b, 128c. Based on the detection signal, the game control board 148 'in the game control board box 104 displays the variable display device 123 (FIG. 1).
(See). The detection signal of the starting prize winning ball detection switch 128a is input to the game control microcomputer 370 (see FIG. 8) of the game control board 148 'and used for the control described later. On the back surface side of the game board 81 forming the game area 120, a prize ball collecting gutter including a first prize winning ball collecting gutter and a second prize winning ball collecting gutter is formed in two layers. . And the starting winning opening 125
The winning balls that have won a, 125b and 125c are guided to the second winning ball collecting gutter and detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a). On the other hand, a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the normal winning port or the variable winning ball device 124 is guided to the first winning ball collecting gutter and detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b). In the figure, 171a and 171b are payout solenoids,
This is for dropping the prize balls, which have been subjected to the prize ball payout processing, one by one downward. If a pachinko ball is won in the center start winning opening 125a shown in FIG. 1, n (eg, 7) prize balls are paid out for each winning ball, and the starting winning openings 120b, 120c provided on the left and right sides are paid out. If a pachinko ball is won in any of them, m prize balls (for example, 10 prize balls) will be paid out for each prize ball. On the other hand, if a pachinko ball is won in the normal winning holes other than the starting winning holes 125a, 125b, 125c or in the variable winning ball device 124, k (for example, 15) prize balls are supplied per hit ball. It is dispensed into the dish 59. The number (n, m, k) of prize balls to be paid out per winning ball is set and stored as fixed information in the game control board 148 '.

The ball hitting tray 59 is full by the pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispenser 63, and the surplus balls that cannot be stored any more are discharged into the surplus ball tray 122, but the surplus ball tray 122 is also full. When it becomes, it is detected by the full tank detection switch 162 that the tank is full,
Ball payout is stopped and controlled.

The stored balls in the ball tank 151 are transferred to the ball dispenser 63.
Tank ball sensor 150 in the middle of the tank rail 67 leading to
Is provided. The tank ball sensor 150 detects that the stored balls in the ball tank 151 have run out,
The detection signals are game control board 149, relay terminal board 1
The payout central control board 730 in the payout control board box 145 is input via 38. This tank ball sensor 150
When the ball no longer detects a ball, the ball breakage indicator 127 is lit and displayed, and as described later, only the pachinko ball payout operation by the ball lending is disabled (S7 in FIG. 15).
4). In the ball tank 151, a replenishment device 1 including a replenishment ball detector for pachinko balls from a replenishment gutter 152 provided on the island
Supplied via 53. The supply balls supplied to the ball tank 151 are detected by the supply ball detector of the supply device 153, and it is detected that a predetermined number a (for example, 10) of pachinko balls have been supplied to detect one pulse. A signal is output from this replenishment ball detector. The output signal is transmitted to the connector 154. Instead of paying out the pachinko balls in the ball tank 151 to the hitting ball supply plate 59 in response to the ball lending request signal from the card processing machine 62, the ball rental balls purchased by the player from the ball lending machine are in the hitting ball supply plate 59. In the case of a conventional general pachinko gaming machine that inserts a game into a slot, the connector 154 and the connector 155 connected to the hall management computer are connected, and the detection signal from the replenishing ball detector is used for the hall. The number of disadvantageous balls, which is disadvantageous to the game arcade, is detected based on the detected signal transmitted to the management computer for the hall. However, in the pachinko gaming machine of the type which dispenses a part of the stored balls in the ball tank 151 into the hitting ball supply tray 59 based on the ball lending request signal from the card processing machine 62 as in the present embodiment, The number of disadvantaged balls is supplied from the replenishment gutter 152 to the ball tank 151, and the supplied balls are detected by the replenishment ball detector. Since the information is input to the hall management computer, the hall management computer cannot accurately count the number of disadvantageous balls. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, the connector 155 connected to the hall management computer is removed from the connector 154 connected to the replenishing ball detector of the replenishing device 153, and the gaming machine terminal box 1
It connects to the connector 156 connected to 49. Then, each time the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the winning of a pachinko ball reaches a predetermined number a (for example, 10), a predetermined pulse signal is output from the payout central control board 730, and the predetermined pulse signal is for a gaming machine. It is configured to be transmitted to the hall management computer via the terminal box 149, the connector 156, and the connector 155. With this configuration, the pulse signal as the information about the number of unfavorable spheres is not input to the hall management computer for renting pachinko balls, and the pulse signal for halls is used only for payout of prize balls associated with winning. The information is sent to the management computer, and the hole management computer can accurately collect information about the number of disadvantageous balls.

The winning balls that have been driven into the game area 120 and have won the winning port and the out balls that have been collected in the out port merge and drop into the driving ball tank 159, and the driving ball detector After being detected by the (striking ball counter) 160, it falls on the collecting gutter 161 provided on the island. In the present embodiment, the output of the hit ball detector 160 is directly input to the hall management computer as in the conventional case. However, the output of the hit ball detector 160 is temporarily output to the payout central control board. 730, and the payout central control board 73 is provided on condition that the punching process based on the payout abnormality is not performed.
You may comprise so that it may be input into the management computer for halls from 0. By doing so, it is possible to collect accurate profit sphere number information. In addition to this, it may be configured such that the punched pachinko balls do not drop into the driven-in ball tank. In the figure, 158 and 157 are connectors for connecting the gaming machine terminal box 149 and the hall management computer, and a unit price sales signal (see S125 in FIG. 17) described later controls the halls via the connectors 158 and 157. Sent to the computer. In the figure, reference numeral 966 is a game board pressing member for pressing and mounting the game board 967 on the front frame side, which is configured to be rotatable, and the game board 967 can be removed by rotating it manually. ing.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the structure and operation of the winning ball processing mechanism 445. Winning ball sensor A
Oscillators 29a and 29b that are swung by the payout solenoids A (171a) and B (171b) are provided beside each of (170a) and B (170b). The oscillating bodies 29a and 29b are rotatably attached by supporting shafts 31a and 31b, and the weights 33a and 3b are attached to the swinging bodies 29a and 29b, respectively.
3b is provided. And the payout solenoid B (17
In the state where 1b) is deenergized as shown,
The oscillating body 29b is rotated clockwise in the drawing by the weight of the weight 33b. In this state, the actuator 25b of the payout solenoid B (171b) enters the first winning ball collecting gutter 45, and the entered actuator 25b causes the winning ball to detect the winning ball sensor B (17).
0b) is stopped. When the payout solenoid B (171b) is excited, the actuator 25a is operated like the payout solenoid A (171a) on the left side of the drawing.
Are attracted to the second prize winning ball collecting gutter 47, and the oscillating body 29a moves toward the actuator 25.
It is pushed up by a and rotated clockwise in the drawing to enter the first winning ball collecting gutter 47 from its upper end. Then, the winning balls supported by the actuator 25a fall downward, and the winning balls positioned above the winning balls are supported and held by the upper end of the rocking body 29a. As described above, every time the payout solenoid is excited once, one winning ball is discharged into the ball drop-out path 1 and discharged outside the machine.

Then, when the prize balls led to the first prize ball collecting gutter 47 are detected by the prize ball sensor A (170a), a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, and when the payout is completed, the payout solenoid is released. A (171a) is excited once to be released. The next prize ball is the first prize ball set gutter 47.
If it exists, the prize ball sensor A (170a) detects it again, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out as described above. The prize balls guided to the second prize ball collecting gutter 45 are detected by the prize ball sensor B (170b), and a predetermined number k (for example, 15) of prize balls are paid out, and the payout solenoid B (170b). Is excited, and if there is a next prize ball, a predetermined number k of prize balls are again paid out. As described above, even if the winning balls are continuously generated, the swinging body 2
By 9a and 29b, only the prize balls for which the prize balls have been paid out are flowed down, and the prize balls for which the prize balls have not yet been paid out are prevented from flowing down, and the first and second prize ball gathering gutters 47, 45. Since it is stored as evidence balls in the inside, there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent troubles concerning the number of paid out prize balls. Instead of storing the evidence balls, a winning number or the like may be stored by a microcomputer or the like, and payout control may be performed based on the stored value. In that case, it is desirable to use a backup power supply so that the stored value is not erased due to a power failure or the like.

The payout solenoids A (171a), B
If (171b) fails and becomes unexcitable, the actuator 25a or 25b causes the first prize winning ball collecting gutter 47.
And the second prize ball collecting gutter 45 remains in the state, so that the pachinko ball is the prize ball sensor A (170a) or the prize ball sensor B (even though the discharge solenoid excitation command signal is derived. 170b) is stopped and the winning ball detection signal is continuously derived.
The continuous ON state of the prize ball sensor is detected to determine that the payout solenoid A (171a) or B (171b) is out of order to notify the abnormal state. In addition, winning ball sensors A (170a), B
(170b) is composed of a so-called proximity switch whose output signal changes from a predetermined voltage as the pachinko ball passes, and this winning ball detection sensor A (17)
When 0a) and B (170b) are disconnected, the output signal voltage becomes 0V, so it is detected that 0V is detected and the prize winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (170b) are disconnected. It is also possible to make a determination and notify. Further, if the winning ball sensors A (170a) and B (170b) are short-circuited, the output voltage becomes an abnormal voltage exceeding the normal voltage. It is also possible to make a determination and notify that effect.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the ball dispenser 63. FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the ball dispenser 63. The ball dispenser 63 is
A pair of housings 804a and 804b are configured to be combined, and a payout motor 223 is provided in the pair of housings 804a and 804b. The member 800 is fixedly provided. A convex portion 801 is spirally formed on the outer periphery of the ball feeding member 800, and the payout motor 22 is provided.
When the ball feeding member 800 is rotated by the rotational force of 3, the convex portion 801 can move the pachinko ball in the direction along the rotation axis of the ball feeding member 800. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 801 is a trapezoidal shape in which both side portions 811 are formed in a tapered shape, as shown in the diagram of FIG. Has become.

The two pachinko balls flowing down from the two-ball guide rail 67 (see FIG. 2) are ball passages 64a, 64b.
(64b is not visible in the drawing) and is supplied into the ball dispenser 63. The ball passages 64a and 64b are provided with ball confirmation sensors A (68A) and B (68b) (68b cannot be seen in the drawing) for confirming that there are pachinko balls to be supplied to the ball dispenser 63. ing. Ball passage 64a, 6
The two pachinko balls supplied through 4b are guided to the ball feeding passages 805a and 805b, respectively, and when the payout motor 223 rotates normally, the pachinko balls are rotated by the rotation of the ball feeding member 800, and the pachinko balls are paid out. It is sent to the 419b side. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the pachinko ball P1 is extruded to the payout opening 419b by the convex portion 801 of the ball feeding member 800. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the payout motor 223 rotates normally from this state and the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation. In this state, the pachinko ball P2 is pushed out to the payout opening 419a by the protrusion 801. It

A groove 81 penetrating in the radial direction of the ball feeding member 800 is formed at the right end of the ball feeding member 800 in the drawing.
3 is formed, and a light projector (LED) 802a is provided on the central axis of the ball feeding member 800 and in the groove 813. Further, a half-rotation detecting sensor 802b for receiving the light projected from the light projector 802a is provided, and the ball feeding member 800 is approximately 45 from the state shown in FIG.
At the stage where the light is rotated, the light emitted from the light projector 802a is cut out 8
When it is received by the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b through 13 and further rotated, the light projection is blocked and the position is half-turned from the position shown in FIG. Every time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation, one pachinko ball is alternately paid out from the respective payout openings 419a and 419b. The paid pachinko balls are provided corresponding to the payout openings 419a and 419b, respectively. Ball detection sensors A (68c), B (68
It is detected by d).

On the other hand, when the payout motor 223 reverses and the ball feeding member 800 reverses, the ball feeding passage 805a,
Each time the pachinko balls on 805b are sent to the left in the figure and rotate half a turn, one pachinko ball is ejected from each of the ball drop holes 803a and 803b. These wedging holes 803a, 803b
The pachinko balls that have fallen into are discharged from the machine through the discharge path 1 (see FIG. 2). In the figure, 806 is the ball passages 64a and 64b.
Is a ball pressure receiving member that receives the ball pressure due to the own weight of the pachinko balls supplied from the ball bearings 806.
Is added to the ball feeding passages 805a, 805
There is an advantage that the ball pressure of the pachinko balls supplied on b is reduced. Reference numerals 771a and 771b in the figure denote motor drive indicators, and the drive outputs to the payout motor 223 cause the motor drive indicators 771a and 771b to light up. As a result, it is useful for finding out when the payout motor 223 fails. The motor drive indicators 771a and 771b are respectively provided with one that lights up when the payout motor 223 rotates forward and one that lights up when it rotates in reverse. 8 in the figure
Reference numeral 08 denotes a wiring hole, and the wiring 810 connected to the projector 802a, the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b and the motor drive indicators 771a and 771b is connected to the payout central control board 730 through the wiring hole 880. Reference numeral 809 denotes a motor base for mounting the payout motor 223. Further, the ball dispenser 63 is attached to the mechanism plate 7 by the mounting substrate 812.
It is attached to 51.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the card processor controller.

A card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is incorporated in the card processing machine control section 135 (see FIG. 2). The card processing machine control microcomputer 300 has a function of controlling operations of various devices as described below. Therefore, the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is composed of, for example, an LSI of several chips, and stores therein a CPU 301 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure and operation program data of the CPU. A ROM 302 and a RAM 303 capable of writing and reading necessary data are included.

Further, the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 receives an input signal and gives the input data to the CPU 301, and also receives an output data from the CPU 301 and outputs it to the outside, and an input / output circuit 304 to the CPU 301 when the power is turned on. A power-on reset circuit 305 that gives a reset pulse, a clock generation circuit 306 that gives a clock signal to the CPU 301, a clock signal from the clock generation circuit 306 is frequency-divided, and a reset pulse is given to the CPU 301 periodically (for example, every 2 msec). Pulse frequency divider circuit (periodic reset circuit) 307 and C
An address decoding circuit 308 for decoding address data from the PU 301 is included.

The address decoding circuit 308 is the CPU 30.
The address data from 1 is decoded, and the ROM 302,
A chip select signal is applied to the RAM 303 and the input / output circuit 304, respectively.

In this embodiment, the ROM 302 is a programmable ROM so that the contents of the ROM 302 can be rewritten, that is, the program data for the CPU 301 stored therein can be changed if necessary. Is used. Then, the CPU 301 gives control signals to various devices in accordance with the program data stored in the ROM 302 and in response to the output of each control signal described below.

The following signals are given to the card processing machine controlling microcomputer 300 as input signals.

A person in charge of the game arcade sets the ball rental amount setting switch 137.
By operating (see Figure 2) and setting the ball rental amount,
The setting signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the detection circuit 309. When the fraction display switch 136 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the switch operation signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the detection circuit 309. When the player presses the ball lending button 44c (see FIG. 1), the pressing operation is detected by the ball lending operation detector 44d, and the detection signal is sent via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 309 to control the card processor. It is input to the control microcomputer 300. The player returns button 42c
When the pressing operation (see FIG. 1) is performed, the pressing operation is detected by the return operation detector 42d, and the detection signal is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 309. .. A card acceptance signal, a card abnormality signal, and a card processing completion signal, which will be described later, are input from the card reader / writer control unit 134 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

From the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 312,
A payout enable signal, a ball lending preparation signal, a ball lending completion signal, which will be described later,
The ball lending signal is input. This information input circuit 312 has a built-in photocoupler, and the above-mentioned various signals from the payout control microcomputer 350 are sent via the photocoupler to the card processing machine control microcomputer 3.
00 is input. Since the signal is input through the photocoupler in this way, the adverse effect of the failure that has occurred in the payout control microcomputer 350 does not reach the card processor control microcomputer 300. Microcomputer 300 for controlling card processor due to failure
It is possible to prevent the inconvenience of failure.

Next, the card processor micro-computer 300 outputs a control signal to the following circuits and devices.

LED drive circuit 310, relay terminal board 13
8, ball lendability indicator 48d, card balance indicator 5
0 (see FIG. 1) outputs the display control signal.
Through the lamp drive circuit 311, the card insertion indicator 13
2. A display control signal is supplied to the processor usable display 130. Card reader / writer control unit 134 (see FIG. 1,
(See FIG. 2), the current balance data, card write / discharge command signal, zero balance data, and card recovery command signal, which will be described later, are output. A ball lending request signal to be described later is output to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the information output circuit 313 and the relay terminal board 138. Unit box 83
0, output a unit price sales signal to be described later to the ball lending card central management computer via the card processor terminal box 320. This ball lending card centralized management computer is a centralized management computer installed in a company that issues ball lending cards, etc., and is a terminal box for a card processing machine with respect to a card processing machine 62 installed in each amusement hall in Japan. The communication line is connected via 320. A unit amount sales signal is transmitted to the hall management computer via the unit box 830, and a predetermined power source is supplied to the card processor 62.

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving a signal between the pachinko gaming machine side and the card processing machine side.

Power supply 7 provided on the pachinko gaming machine side
AC voltage 24V of 00 is the power supply circuit 70 on the card processor side.
Input to 1. The power supply circuit 701 is a general power supply circuit including a rectifier, and is for converting an alternating current into a direct current VC (+ 12V) and applying it to various circuits and electronic devices. Each LED indicator 50a, 5 which constitutes the above-mentioned card balance indicator 50 provided on the pachinko gaming machine side
A common electrode drive circuit 310a for applying a voltage to each of the common electrodes 0b and 50c is provided on the card processor side. The common electrode drive circuit 310a is for applying a voltage to the common electrode of each of the LED displays 50a to 50c based on a control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer. The common electrode drive circuit 31
0a is a switch circuit 702a, 7a including a photo coupler.
02b and 702c, the control signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor is once converted into light and then converted into an electric signal again.

A segment-corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b for applying a voltage to the electrodes corresponding to the seven display segments of each of the LED displays 50a-50c is provided on the card processor side. The segment-corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b is for selecting a desired segment-corresponding electrode based on a display control signal from the card processor microcomputer and applying a voltage thereto.
Then, on condition that the voltage is applied to the common electrode, the segment corresponding to the applied segment corresponding electrode is switched to the display state. This segment corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b also has switch circuits 703a to 703g composed of photocouplers, and the display control signal from the card processor control microcomputer is once converted into light and then converted into an electric signal again. The segment is applied to the corresponding electrode. Even if the switch circuits 702a to 702c and 703a to 703g cause an abnormal state such as an abnormally high voltage of the display control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer, the LED indicators 50a to 50c have an effect. It is possible to prevent it from being damaged due to receiving.

The above-described ball lending operation detector 44d and return operation detector 42d provided on the pachinko gaming machine side are input to the card processing machine control microcomputer through the above-mentioned detection circuit 309. This detection circuit 309
Includes a switch circuit composed of a photocoupler corresponding to each of the detectors 44d and 42d.
The detection signal from 42d is once converted into light and then converted into an electric signal again and input to the card processing machine controlling microcomputer 300. As a result, each detector 42
Even if the detection signals from d and 44d become abnormal signals having an abnormally high voltage, it is possible to prevent the failure of the circuit or the electronic device on the card processor side due to the influence thereof.

Ball lending available on the card processor side L
The ED drive circuit 310c includes a switch circuit 705 composed of a photocoupler, and a display control signal from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is once converted into light and then converted into an electric signal again. Display control of the display 46d is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the failure of the ball lending indicator 46d under the influence of the abnormality in the display control signal from the card processor controlling microcomputer 300.

A ball lending request signal to be described later from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is provided with a switch circuit 706 including a photo coupler provided on the card processing machine side and a switch circuit 707 including a photo coupler provided on the pachinko gaming machine side. It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the. Also, the card is a card processing machine 6
The control signal is input from the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 to the switch circuit 708 composed of a photo coupler based on the insertion into the card processor 2. After the control signal is once converted into light, it is converted into an electric signal again and the pachinko machine is operated. It is input to the switch circuit 709 including a photo coupler provided on the gaming machine side, is once converted into light, is then converted into an electric signal again, and is input into the payout control microcomputer 350. These switch circuits 707 and 7
06 is a power supply circuit 70 provided on the card processor side.
1 is connected in series to the switch circuit 709,
708 is also connected to the power supply circuit 701 in series.
Then, the switch circuits 706 and 708 on the card processor side
Depending on the pachinko game machine side switch circuit 707,70
9 is switched on and off, and when it is switched on, the photo coupler is operated by the DC voltage VC from the power supply circuit 701 on the card processor side. Switch circuit 70 on the pachinko machine side
7, 709 is configured to be operated by the DC voltage VC of the power supply circuit 701 on the card processor side, because the voltage applied to the switch circuits 707, 709 on the pachinko gaming machine side is the switch circuit on the card processor side. 706, 7
08 is also applied to the switch circuits 707 and 70.
When 9 is configured to operate by the DC voltage from the power supply circuit on the pachinko gaming machine side, the voltage from the power supply circuit on the pachinko gaming machine side partially enters the card processing machine side. As a result, an abnormally high voltage may partially enter the card processing machine side due to a failure of the power circuit on the pachinko gaming machine side, and card processing is affected by the failure of the power circuit on the pachinko gaming machine side. The inconvenience that the circuit on the machine side and the electronic device are broken occurs, and this is to eliminate such inconvenience. In addition, the switch circuits 706, 707, 70 composed of photo couplers
8,709, it is possible to prevent the abnormal voltage of one device from adversely affecting the other device on the pachinko gaming machine side and the card processing machine side, as described above. In this embodiment, a card insertion signal is always output from the card processor side to the pachinko gaming machine side while the card is being inserted, but for example a ball lending request signal is sent to the pachinko gaming machine side. The card insertion signal may be output only when it is output.

A ball lending preparation signal and a ball lending completion signal, which will be described later, are input from the payout control microcomputer 350 to a switch circuit 710 composed of a photocoupler, and once converted into light, they are converted into electric signals again, and a card processing machine. It is input to the switch circuit 711 composed of a photo coupler on the side, is once converted into light, is then converted into an electric signal again, and is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300.
In addition, the payout enable signal is input from the payout control microcomputer 350 to the switch circuit 712 including a photocoupler, and is once converted into light and then converted into an electric signal again, and the switch circuit 713 including a photocoupler on the card processor side. Is input to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 and then converted again into an electric signal. Since the switch circuits 710, 711, 712, and 713 composed of photocouplers are provided, it is possible to prevent the abnormal voltage of one device from adversely affecting the other device as much as possible, as described above. The common electrode drive circuit 310a, the segment corresponding electrode drive circuit 310b, the detection circuit 309, and the ball lendable LED drive circuit 31.
0c, switch circuits 706, 708, 711, 713
Is applied with the DC electrode VC of the power supply circuit 701. Note that FIG. 7 shows, for example, the relay board 1 shown in FIG.
38 is omitted in the drawing. 730a-730g in the figure
Is a display unit 50a, 50b, 50c of the balance display 50.
It is a resistor incorporated in order to make the magnitude of the voltage applied to the desired value. That is, each of the indicators 50a, 50
The voltage applied to b and 50c is the voltage generated in the power supply circuit 701 on the card processor 62 side, and the balance display 50 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 connected to the card processor 62.
There is a case that the voltage is not necessarily suitable for. In that case, the resistors 730a to 730 having a predetermined resistance value.
g is incorporated so that a desired voltage is applied to the balance display 50. For the same reason, resistors 731, 73
2 are provided, and the voltage applied to the switch circuits 707 and 709 can be set to a desired voltage value by these resistors 731 and 732. In this embodiment, the card processing machine side always outputs the card insertion signal to the pachinko gaming machine side while the card is being inserted, for example, a ball lending request signal is output to the pachinko gaming machine side. The card insertion signal may be output only when the card is inserted.

FIG. 8 shows the payout control board box 145.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a payout control circuit of a payout control board 730 housed in (see FIG. 2).

The payout control circuit is provided with a payout control microcomputer 350. This payout control microcomputer 350 is similar to the card processor control microcomputer 300 in FIG.
ROM 352, RAM 353, power-on reset circuit 355, clock generation circuit 356, pulse frequency divider circuit 35
7, an address decode circuit 358, and an input / output circuit 354 are included, and the description thereof will not be repeated here. In addition,
The payout control microcomputer 350 is composed of a wackip microcomputer in which the above-mentioned various circuits are put into a wackchip.

The following signals are given as input signals to the payout control microcomputer 350.

A reset button 147 is pressed by an attendant of the game arcade pressing a reset button 147 (see FIG. 2).
Is turned on, and a reset operation detection signal is input from the detection circuit 359 to the payout control microcomputer 350. When the surplus ball tray 122 (see FIG. 1) is full and the full tank switch 162 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, the ON signal is given to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. .. When a pachinko ball is present in the ball passage port 64a (see FIG. 4), it is confirmed by the ball confirmation sensor A (68a) that the ball is present, and the confirmation signal is transmitted to the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the. When there is a pachinko ball in the ball passage 64a, it is confirmed by the ball confirmation sensor B (68b) that there is a ball, and the confirmation signal is the relay terminal board 1
38, and the payout control microcomputer 350 is input via the detection circuit 360. If the pachinko balls are paid out from the ball payout device 63 to the payout exit 419a (see FIG. 4), the paid-out pachinko balls are detected by the ball counting sensor A (68c) (see FIG. 4), and the detection signal is relayed. It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 364. When a pachinko ball is paid out from the ball payout device 63 to the ball payout outlet 419b, the paid-out pachinko ball is detected by the ball counting sensor B (68d), and the detection signal is the relay terminal board 138, the detection circuit 3
It is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 via 60. When an attendant of the game hall performs a ball-punching operation, the ball-punching switch 180 (see FIG. 2) detects the ball-punching operation, and the detection signal is sent via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360 to the payout control microcomputer 35.
Input to 0.

The detection signal of the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b provided in the ball dispenser 63 is sent through the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360 to the payout control microcomputer 3
50 is input. When the winning ball sensor A (170a) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445 detects a winning ball, the detection signal is the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 36.
It is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via 0. If a winning ball is detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445,
The detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the relay terminal board 138 and the detection circuit 360. This game control microcomputer 370
Includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM and the like. The presence or absence of a ball in the ball tank 151 is detected by the tank ball sensor 150 (see FIG. 2), and the detection signal is sent through the gaming machine terminal box 149, the relay terminal board 138, and the detection circuit 360 to the payout control microcomputer 350. Entered in. A winning signal for a pachinko ball, which will be described later, is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 from the game control microcomputer 370 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 365. A ball lending request signal is input from the card processor micro-computer 300 via the relay terminal board 138 and the information input circuit 365. The information input circuit 365 is provided with a photo coupler, and the above-mentioned signals input from the game control microcomputer 370 and the card processor control microcomputer 300 are sent to the payout control microcomputer 350 via the photo coupler. Is entered. as a result,
It is possible to prevent an adverse effect such as a failure that has occurred in the game control microcomputer 360 and the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 from reaching the payout control microcomputer 350, and thus the game control microcomputer 370 or the card processing machine control microcomputer 370. It is possible to prevent as much as possible the inconvenience that the payout control microcomputer 350 also fails due to the failure that occurs in the 300.

Next, the payout control microcomputer 3
Reference numeral 50 outputs the following control signals to the following circuits and devices.

LED drive circuit 361, relay terminal board 13
A light projector 80 provided in the ball dispenser 63 via
The light emission control signal is output to 2a, and the motor drive display control signals are output to the motor drive indicators 771a and 772b provided in the ball payout unit 63, respectively. Furthermore, LE
Error cause display 446 via D drive circuit 361
A control signal for displaying the cause when the error occurs is output (see FIG. 2). A payout motor drive control signal is output to the payout motor 223 provided in the ball payout device 63 via the motor drive circuit 400 and the relay terminal board 138. Solenoid drive circuit 362, relay terminal board 13
8 to output discharge solenoid excitation control signals to the discharge solenoids A (170a) and B (171b) provided in the winning ball processing mechanism 445. A payout lamp lighting control signal is output to the payout lamp 126 via the lamp drive circuit 363, the relay terminal board 138, and the gaming machine terminal box 149. Information output circuit 364, relay terminal board 138, gaming machine terminal box 149
A unit price sales signal and a prize ball payout signal, which will be described later, are output to the hall management computer via. Information output circuit 3
A ball lending preparation signal, a ball lending completion signal, a payable signal, and a ball lending enable signal are output to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 via the relay terminal board 138. A relay switch is provided in the information output circuit 364, and the above-mentioned various processing signals output to the gaming machine control terminal box 149 are output via the relay switch. As a result, the adverse effect of the failure that has occurred in the payout control system is prevented from reaching the hall management computer, and the inconvenience that the hall management computer fails due to the failure that has occurred in the payout control system can be prevented as much as possible. .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving the payout amount data of prize balls between the payout concentration control board 730 and the game control board 148 '.

When the pachinko gaming machine 60 and the card processing machine 62 are connected to each other via the connector 139 (see FIG. 2), the photo coupler 852 is provided with a voltage of VL (+18 V) and is provided on the game control board 148 '. A signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 through the provided photo coupler input circuit 854. The pachinko gaming machine 60 becomes operable only when a signal is input to the control microcomputer 370 via the photo coupler input circuit 854. In the game control microcomputer 370 of the game control board 148 ', the number of prize balls to be paid out according to the winning mode of the pachinko balls, that is, n.
(7), m (10), and k (15) are stored. The output circuit 850 of the game control board 148 'is D
It has 5 output ports of 0, D1, D2, D3, D4, and can output a 4-bit prize ball number signal (prize ball payout number signal) by four output ports of D0-D3. Is configured. Since the output circuit 850 has the output port of the prize ball number signal consisting of 4 bits, it is possible to output 15 kinds of prize ball number signals of 1 to 15. The output port D4 of the output circuit 850 is for outputting a sensor type signal, which will be described later, and is a prize ball payout based on the detection signal of the prize ball sensor A (170a) or the detection signal of the prize ball sensor B (170b). The output port D4 outputs a signal for identifying whether the prize ball is paid out based on

The payout central control board 730 is provided with five photocouplers 855 to 859, and each of the photocouplers 855 to 859 has a port D0 of the output circuit 850 of the above-mentioned game control board 148 '.
The signals from D4 to D4 are input.

Further, each of these photo couplers 855 to 85
The coupler power supply Vp supplied from the game control board 148 ′ side is given to 9 and the signals from the output ports D0 to D4 are input to the corresponding photo couplers 855 to 859, so that the input photo is input. The signal from the coupler is input to the input circuit 851 of the payout concentration control board 730.

When a pachinko ball enters the starting winning opening 126a, it is detected by the starting winning ball detection switch 128a, the detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 of the game control board 148 ', and the starting winning is made. The winning ball that has won the mouth 125a is further detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a), and the detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the detection switch input circuit 853. In the game control microcomputer, the detection signal from the start winning prize detecting switch 128a and the winning prize sensor A (170
Based on the detection signal from a), a signal for paying out n (7) prize balls is output to the output circuit 850, and n (7) are output from the output ports D0 to D3 of the output circuit 850. A signal (for example, 0111) for paying out a prize ball is output to the payout central control board 735. When a pachinko ball wins either of the starting winning holes 125a and 125b, the winning ball is detected by the winning ball sensor A (170a), and the detection signal is detected by the game control microcomputer 370 via the detection switch input circuit 853. Entered in. Then, in the game control microcomputer 370,
A control signal for paying out m (10) prize balls is output to the output circuit 850. The output circuit 850 outputs a signal (for example, 1010) for paying out m (10 pieces) prize balls from the output ports D0 to D3 to the payout central control board 73.
Output to 0 side. If a pachinko ball is won in a normal winning hole other than the starting winning hole or in the variable winning ball device, it is detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b), and the detection signal is detected through the detection switch input circuit 853. It is input to the computer 370. The game control microcomputer 370 outputs a control signal for paying out k (15) prize balls to the output circuit 850. In the output circuit 850, the output ports D0 to D3 to k
A signal (for example, 1111) indicating that (15) prize balls have been paid out is output to the payout central control board 730 side.

In the payout central control board 730, each photo coupler 855 to 858 receives the prize ball number signal output from the game control board 148 ', and the prize ball number signal is input from each photo coupler 855 to 858. The prize ball number signal is input to the payout control microcomputer 350 from the input circuit 851. Then, the payout control microcomputer 350 controls the payout of as many prize balls as the number of inputted prize balls. On the other hand, when the detection signal from the winning ball sensor A (170a) is input to the game control microcomputer 370, a high level signal is output from the output port D4 and the high level signal is input to the input circuit 851. It will be. Based on the output of the high level signal from the output port D4, a signal indicating that the prize ball is in the payout state based on the prize ball sensor A is output to the payout central control board 730.
Entered in. On the other hand, when the detection signal of the winning ball sensor B (170b) is input to the game control microcomputer 370, the output port D4 becomes low level, and the low level signal is input to the input circuit 851. A signal indicating that the prize ball is in the payout state based on the detection signal of the prize ball sensor B (170b) is input to the payout concentration control board 730. It should be noted that the prize winning ball sensors A and B are, for example, only the prize winning ball sensor A, and the starting winning opening 125a,
The prize balls that have won in 125b and 125c may be collectively detected by the prize sensor A. In that case, not only the starting winning opening 125a but also the starting winning opening 125b is provided with the starting winning prize detecting switch 128b, and the starting winning prize detecting switch 128a and the winning prize sensor A.
N (7) prize ball number signals are output on the basis of the detection signal from, and m (10) prize balls are detected based on the detection signal of the start winning prize detection switch 128b and the detection signal of the prize sensor A. The number signal is output, and based on the fact that only the detection signal of the winning ball sensor A is input, the k (15) number of prize balls signal is output.

10 to 13 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

By step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1,
The setting of the ball rental amount is read. The "reading the ball rental amount setting" is a process of reading the ball rental amount set by the ball rental amount setting switch 137 shown in FIG. 2 into the card processing machine controlling microcomputer 300.

Next, the processing proceeds to S2 and the processor usable indicator 130 is displayed.
(See FIG. 1) is lit to indicate that it is available. Next, in S3, it is determined whether or not there is a card acceptance signal from the card reader / writer control unit, and if not, it is determined in S4 whether or not there is a card abnormal signal from the card reader / writer control unit. If not, the process returns to S3 again. If the card reader / writer accepts an appropriate card during the loop, the card reader / writer control unit determines that there is a card acceptance signal, and proceeds to S7. On the other hand, if there is a card abnormal signal output from the card reader / writer control unit, Y is determined in S4.
When the ES is determined, the process proceeds to S5, and control is performed to display the card abnormality cause on the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1) by a code. Specifically, the card balance display 50 displays a code indicating the type of abnormal cause such as unreadableness of the inserted card and security error. And
In step S6, the processor availability indicator 130 (see FIG. 1) blinks. The control at the time of this abnormality will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of the self-diagnosis processing described later. If the recorded data on the card is abnormal, a command signal for collecting the abnormal card is output to the card reader / writer control unit 134. On the other hand, in S7, the card insertion indicator 132 and the ball lending indicator 48d are turned on and the card balance indicator 50 displays the current card balance.

Next, in S8, it is judged whether or not there is a ball lending operation. If there is no ball lending operation, then the processing advances to S9, where it is judged whether or not there is a return operation, and if there is no return operation, the processing returns to S8. Then, when the player presses the return button 42c (see FIG. 1), the process proceeds to S10, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off, and the process proceeds to S26 to perform control for returning the inserted card. On the other hand, if the player presses the ball lending button 44c (see FIG. 1), the process proceeds to S11, where the current balance of the inserted card, that is, the card balance indicator 50 (see FIG. 1).
It is determined whether or not the balance displayed in is equal to or more than the set amount set by the ball rental amount setting switch 137 (see FIG. 2). Then, when the current balance is equal to or more than the set amount, a process of setting the set amount to the ball rental amount is performed in S12, and the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the current balance is less than the set amount, the current balance is set to the ball rental amount in S13, and then the process proceeds to S14. In other words, if the current balance of the insertion card is less than the set amount, it is not possible to set the set amount to the ball rental amount and pay out the pachinko balls for the set amount, so it is possible to pay with the insertion card. The maximum amount of money, that is, the current balance of the inserted card is set to the ball rental amount.

Next, in S14, processing for turning off the ball lending indicator 48d (see FIG. 1) is performed. Since the next ball lending operation is not accepted until the ball lending operation is once performed and the ball lending operation based on the ball lending operation is completed, S3 described later is performed.
Until the ball lending indicator is turned on by 3, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off to display that the ball lending operation cannot be performed. Next, proceeding to S15, control is performed to start outputting the ball lending request signal to the payout control microcomputer.
Next, proceeding to S16, the timer T1 is set, and proceeding to S17, it is judged whether or not the ball lending preparation signal is inputted from the payout control microcomputer. In the payout control microcomputer, the ball lending request signal in S15 is received, and if the ball lending is possible, the ball lending preparation signal is sent to the card processing machine controlling microcomputer in S77. Is output. Microcomputer for controlling card processing machine is S1
If this ball lending preparation signal is received before the timer T1 set by 6 ends, a determination of YES is made in S17, and a ball lending command signal is output to the payout control microcomputer in S20 and then used for payout control. A process for waiting for the transmission of a signal indicating that the ball lending by the microcomputer has ended is performed. On the other hand, when the ball lending preparation signal is not input from the payout control microcomputer until T1 ends, the process proceeds to S19, the output of the ball lending request signal is stopped, and the processing for clearing the ball lending amount is performed and S8 is performed. Proceed to.

When the pachinko gaming machine 60 has already paid out balls for rental, or when paying out prize balls associated with a prize, S100, S101, S76, S to be described later.
Since the processing of 77 is not performed, the payout control microcomputer does not output the ball lending preparation signal until the end of T1, and in that case, the processing of S19 is not performed. The T1 is, for example, 10 msec or more and 10 sec or less.

On the other hand, after the ball lending command signal is output in S20, the unit amount is subtracted from the current balance and the unit amount is subtracted from the ball rental amount in S21. When the ball lending command signal by S20 is given to the payout control microcomputer, the pachinko ball equivalent to a unit amount (for example, 100 yen) is ball-rented on the pachinko gaming machine side, as described later. The unit amount, which is the amount corresponding to the pachinko balls to be lent out, is subtracted from the current balance of the insertion card, and the unit amount is subtracted from the ball rental amount set in S12 and S13. Next, in S22, a unit price sales signal is output to the card processing terminal box via the unit box. The unit amount sales signal transmitted to the card processing terminal box is output to the ball lending card central management computer, and the ball lending card central management computer totals the usage data of the ball lending card. The sales signal output from the card processor terminal box to the ball lending card central management computer may be performed in real time, or may be collectively performed at regular time intervals or once a day. In addition, in S23, processing for outputting a unit price sales signal to the hall management computer is performed. As a result, the hall management computer can get sales information from both the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.
In addition, comparing the sales information by collecting information from both sides,
By determining an abnormality when they do not match, a failure or the like can be found promptly.

Next, in S27, the timer T3 is set. This timer T3 is set to, for example, about 10 sec in consideration of the time required for paying out balls on the pachinko gaming machine side. If the ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before the timer T3 expires, the process proceeds to S31.
If the ball lending completion signal is not input even after the process ends, the process proceeds to S30, the processor usable display 130 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and the process proceeds to S24. Then, the return control of the inserted card after S24 is performed. That is, although the ball lending preparation signal is input from the payout control microcomputer and the ball lending control is supposed to be performed by the payout control microcomputer, the ball lending completion signal is paid out even after T3 ends. The fact that it is not transmitted from the control microcomputer means that some abnormality has occurred in the ball payout device or the like on the pachinko gaming machine side, and in that case, the insertion card is returned to the player.

On the other hand, if the ball lending completion signal is input from the payout control microcomputer before T3 ends, S
Proceeding to 31, it is judged whether or not the ball rental amount = 0. If there are unpaid unpaid coins among the pachinko balls corresponding to the ball rental amount set in S12 and S13, the ball rental amount is not "0", and therefore NO is determined in S31. Then, the process proceeds to S15, and the ball lending request signal is output again to the payout control microcomputer. On the other hand, when all the pachinko balls for the ball rental amount have been paid out, the ball rental amount is 0, so S
Proceeding to 32, it is judged whether or not the current balance = 0. If the current balance of the insertion card still remains, the process proceeds to S33, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned on,
In S8, the operation of accepting the ball lending operation and the returning operation is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S32 that the current balance = 0, the process proceeds to S34, and a process of outputting a balance of 0 and a card writing discharge command signal to the card reader / writer control unit is performed. Thereby, the card reader / writer control unit returns the inserted card to the player side after updating the card balance of the inserted card to “0”.

Next, the card insertion indicator is blinked in S35, and the timer T4 is set in S36. The timer T4 is set in consideration of a time sufficient for the card reader / writer to return the inserted card after updating the balance of the inserted card to "0", and the timer T4 ends. If the card processing completion signal has not been received from the card reader / writer control unit before, S39
Then, the processing for displaying the card processor abnormality by the code on the card balance indicator 50 is performed and the processor availability indicator 130 is controlled to blink. Specifically, for example, an error or the like in the case where the writing of the balance “0” into the insertion card is impossible or the reading confirmation of the written data is confirmed is displayed by a code.

On the other hand, if a card processing completion signal is input from the card reader / writer control unit before the timer T4 expires, the process proceeds to S40, and a card insertion display for displaying that a card has been inserted. Bowl 132
(See FIG. 1) is extinguished, and it is determined in S41 whether or not there is a ball lending abnormality. If there is a ball lending abnormality, the process proceeds to S42, and the payout control signal reception control is performed from the payout control microcomputer.

As described above, every time a pachinko gaming machine side lends a pachinko ball (for example, 25 coins) corresponding to a unit amount (for example, 100 yen), the payout control microcomputer changes to a card processing machine control microcomputer. Since the ball lending completion signal is output, the microcomputer for card processing machine control determines whether or not all the pachinko balls for the ball lending amount (see S12 and S13) have been lent out each time the output signal is input. If there is an unloaned portion that has not yet been lent out, the pachinko balls of the above-mentioned unit amount (for example, 100 yen) are repeatedly lent out until all the unlented portion is lent out.

12 and 13 show, for example, 4 mse.
It is a flowchart which shows the interruption program executed once for every c, FIG. 12 shows the flowchart for a self-diagnosis process, and FIG. 13 shows the flowchart for a fraction display process.

At S43, self-diagnosis is performed to determine whether the result is proper or not. If it is determined to be appropriate, it is determined in S44 whether or not the payout enable signal is input from the payout control microcomputer 350 of the pachinko gaming machine 60 to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300, and if there is an input. Returns to S43. If there is any abnormality as a result of the self-diagnosis, NO is determined in S43. The types of abnormalities are roughly classified into two types: errors that can be recovered by an error on the card processor side and errors that cannot be recovered by an error on the card processor side. An error that cannot be recovered due to an error on the card processor side is called a special error, and an error that can be recovered due to an error on the card processor side is called a normal error.

As a concrete example of this normal error, for example, when the insertion card is clogged in the card reader / writer, an illegal card such as a counterfeit card is inserted, or predetermined data such as new balance data is inserted in the insertion card. Writing If the read data is not proper data when the read data is read and confirmed, it is an error or the like due to communication failure with the terminal box for the card processing machine. The unit price sales signal is transmitted from the card processing machine 62 to the card processing machine terminal box 320. However, if communication failure with the card processing machine terminal box 320 occurs, the unit sales to be transmitted. The forehead data is stored in the card processor 62, and a normal error occurs only when the stored data reaches the storage capacity limit.

Of the special errors, specific examples of errors that cannot be recovered due to errors on the card processor side are errors that cannot be recovered without restarting the power supply, or a card processor that has failed and is It is an error that the processor 62 must be replaced. As a specific example of the error on the pachinko gaming machine side among the special errors, the ball lending preparation signal and the ball lending completion signal that change the signal only after the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are satisfied have changed from the beginning when the power was turned on. In this case, when the above-mentioned payout possible signal is not transmitted when the power is turned on, or when the ball lending completion signal is not transmitted within T3 (see S29), the above-mentioned payout possible signal is O during operation.
When it becomes FF, that is, there is a power cutoff or a signal wire breakage on the pachinko gaming machine side.

When it is determined as a result of the self-diagnosis that there is any abnormality, or when it is determined that the payout enable signal is not input, the card processing control is interrupted in S45, and a special error is determined in S46. Judgment is made. If the abnormality that occurred is a special error, S4
8, the processor availability indicator 130 (see FIG. 1) is turned off. On the other hand, if it is not a special error, that is, if it is a normal error, control is performed in S47 to display a code indicating an abnormal portion on the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1). In addition, in the case of a normal error, in addition to the display in S47, the processor usable display 130
Is controlled to blink.

Next, the fraction display processing will be described with reference to FIG. Fraction display switch 131 by S49
It is determined whether or not (see FIG. 1) is operated, and if it is operated, it is determined in S50 whether or not the ball lending process is being performed. If the ball lending process is not in progress, the process directly proceeds to S51, but if the ball lending process is in progress, the display operation is invalid. If the ball lending process is in progress, the process may proceed to S51 after the ball lending process is completed. In S51, it is determined whether an error is occurring. This error includes a normal error and a special error as described above. If it is determined in S51 that the error is not in progress, the process proceeds to S52, and based on S52 to S56, the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1) is used to display the fraction and the ball rental amount setting switch 137 (see FIG. 2). Display of set ball rental amount, display of balance when a card is inserted, display of unit number for specifying one set of card processor 62 and unit box 830, fluctuation with game The current balance of the inserted card balance is displayed. The various displays are sequentially switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1 second) in the order described above. Finally, the current balance display is performed in S56, and the current balance display is continuously displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch 136 is performed.

Next, if the error determined in S51 to be an error is a special error, the process proceeds to S58, and the card balance indicator 50 is operated in accordance with S58 to S63.
(Refer to Fig. 1) The error code that displays the abnormal place and the contents of the error, etc. by code, the fraction display, the ball rental setting display, the insertion balance display, the unit number display, and the current balance display for a predetermined time ( The display is switched at intervals of 1 second, for example. Finally, the current balance is displayed, and the current balance is displayed until the next display switching based on the operation of the fraction display switch. In this way, the error code is displayed only after the fraction display operation is performed.

Next, if the error determined to be in error in S51 is a normal error, the process proceeds to S64, and in accordance with S64 to S69, the current balance is displayed by the card balance display 50 (see FIG. 1). The display is switched at a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) in the order of display, fraction display, ball rental set amount display, insertion balance display, unit number display, and error code display. Finally, the error code is displayed, and this error code is continuously displayed until the next display switching is performed based on the operation of the fraction display switch.

14 to 19 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

While the program shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 15 to 19 is being executed, the interrupt program shown in FIG. 14 is executed once every 2 nsec, for example. First, this interrupt program will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 shows an interrupt program for outputting a payout enable signal from the payout control microcomputer 350 to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300. In S158, a ball is paid out to the pachinko gaming machine side. It is determined whether or not there is an abnormality. A specific example of this payout abnormality will be explained as the cause of the payout abnormality code display in FIGS. 15 to 19 described later. If there is a payout abnormality, S
The output of the payable signal is stopped by 160, and when there is no payout abnormality, the payable signal is output by S159.

Next, the ball payout control operation will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in S70, it is determined whether or not both the ball confirmation sensors A and B detect the presence of a ball. Then, when there is no pachinko ball at both the detection positions of the ball confirmation sensor A (68a) and the ball confirmation sensor B (68b), the process proceeds to S91, and the ball counting sensors A (68c) and B (68d). (See FIG. 4), it is determined whether or not any of the pachinko balls has flowed down. If not, the ball confirmation sensor A (68a),
It is determined whether or not any of the Bs (68b) (see FIG. 4) has detected the drop of the ball, and if not detected, S9.
4, it is determined whether the payout motor 223 (see FIG. 4) is rotating, and if it is not rotating, S7 is executed.
Return to 0. If the payout motor 223 (see FIG. 4) is rotating during the loop of the loop consisting of S70 and S91 to S94, the process proceeds to S95, and the payout abnormality is indicated by the error cause indicator 1
46 (see FIG. 2) is displayed as a code and S
After performing the ball drop processing by 96, the process proceeds to S141. Whether or not the payout motor in S94 is rotating is determined by
Specifically, the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b (see FIG. 4) detects the light projected from the light projector 802a to detect the ball feeding member 800.
Is detected based on the detection of the rotation of the. This S9
That the determination of YES is made in step 4 means that the payout motor 223 is rotated even though the pachinko ball payout control is not performed. Such an abnormality is caused by the motor drive circuit 400 (see FIG. 8). ) Is considered to be a failure, and in such a case, the failure of the motor drive circuit is notified, and the ball tank 151 and the pachinko balls in the tank rail 67 (see FIG. 2) are machined by performing a ball punching process. This prevents a large amount of pachinko balls from being pulled out and accidentally discharged to the hitting ball supply tray 59 (see FIG. 1). Next, if any of the ball counting sensors A, B or the ball confirmation sensors A, B detects the flow of the ball, S
Proceeding to 93, an abnormality notification indicating that the pachinko balls have been paid out is made even though the pachinko ball payout control is not being performed, and at the same time, S97 is performed.

Next, when there is a pachinko ball at the detection positions of the ball confirmation sensor A (68a) and the ball confirmation sensor B (68b), the process proceeds to S71, and it is determined whether or not full tank detection is performed. Is performed. Premium ball storage tray 122 (Fig. 1
If the full tank detection switch 162 detects that, the process proceeds to S91, but if the surplus ball storage tray 122 is not yet full, the process proceeds to S83 and the unpaid amount =
A determination is made as to whether it is 0 or not. This "unpaid amount"
Means the number of pachinko balls that have not yet been paid out of the pachinko balls to be paid out, and S76 and S101.
Are set to the respective values in step S119, the count value of the payout counter is subtracted in step S119, and the count value is cleared in step S81.

If the unpaid amount is "0", S
In step 73, it is judged whether or not there is a ball lending request signal from the microcomputer for controlling the card processor.
The determination in S73 is repeated until the timer T7 times out, and if there is no ball lending request signal from the card processor micro-computer until T7 ends, the process proceeds to S100. The timer T7 is provided to give priority to the reception of the ball lending request over the reception of the winning ball for a certain period, and will be described later in S126.
Set by. On the other hand, if the ball lending request signal is sent from the card processing machine control microcomputer to the payout control microcomputer before the timer T7 expires, the process proceeds to S74 and the tank ball sensor detects a ball. Whether or not to make a decision. If there is no pachinko ball in the ball storage tank 151, the payout control of the ball cannot be performed based on the ball lending request signal.
If the ball tank sensor 150 (see FIG. 2) detects that there are pachinko balls in the ball storage tank 151, the process proceeds to S76, where p is set to the unpaid number I, and the payout state is set. The control for the ball lending operation is performed by setting "ball lending". Until T7 ends, the control for the ball lending operation is prioritized, and S1 is not set until T7 ends.
Since the payout control of the prize balls based on the winning coins after 00 is performed, the set amount (see S12 and S13) is 2
In the case of ¥ 00 or more, the control for the ball lending operation is prioritized over the prize ball payout control. Note that S7
The p of 6 is the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the unit amount (see S21), and is set to 25, for example. Next, proceeding to S77, processing for outputting a ball lending preparation signal to the card processing machine control microcomputer 300 is carried out, and then proceeding to S78. After timer T9 is set in S78, S
At 79, it is determined whether or not there is a ball lending command signal from the card processor side. If not, the control at S80 is repeated so that the determination at S79 is repeated until the timer T9 times out. Meanwhile, by S20,
If the ball lending command signal is sent, the ball payout condition is met and S
82, the control for starting blinking of the ball lending indicator is performed, and the process proceeds to S105, but if it is not transmitted, S
After the unpaid amount is cleared by 81, the process returns to S72.

In S100, it is determined whether or not the prize ball payout amount data is input from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350. Microcomputer 37 for game control
The prize ball payout number data sent from 0 includes three types of m payout command signal at S155, n payout command signal at S165, and k payout command signal at S164, which will be described later.
If none of them is input, the process returns to S72, but if any of them is input, the ball payout condition is satisfied and the process proceeds to S101, in which the number of unpaid I, the number of paid prize balls paid out ( The process of setting m or n or k) is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S102, and after the payout display lamp is started to be turned on, the process proceeds to the ball payout control after S105.

In S105, the rotation control of the payout motor 223 is performed, and the process proceeds to S106, in which the half rotation detection sensor 80
It is determined whether 2b (see FIG. 4) is turned on, and if it is not turned on yet, the process returns to S70.
Then, the determinations in S72, S71, and S83 are performed. At this stage, since the unpaid amount is p, n, m, or k, a determination of NO is made in S83, and S is again performed.
Proceed to 105. When the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation and the half rotation detection sensor 802b is turned on, the process proceeds to S107, and the rotation counter is incremented by "1". In this way, the rotation counter is incremented by "1" every time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation, and is cleared by S117 described later. Next, in S108, it is determined whether or not the payout ball counting sensors 68c and 68d are turned on. If they are not turned on, the process proceeds to S115. On the other hand, as described above, the pachinko balls are paid out to the payout openings 419a and 419b every time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation, and if the paid pachinko balls are detected by the payout ball counting sensor, S109. The payout counter is incremented by "1". Next, in S110, it is determined whether or not the payout state is "lens lending". If it is "lens lending", the process proceeds to S115. If it is in the payout state of the gift balls, the process proceeds to S111, and a process of incrementing the payout amount of the gift balls by "1" is performed. In other words, 1 prize ball based on the prize
Every time the individual is paid out, the process of adding the prize ball payout number by "1" is performed in S111. next,
By S112, it is determined whether or not the number of paid-out prize balls has become "a". If not, the process proceeds to S115, but if so, the process proceeds to S113 and the gaming machine terminal box 149, The prize ball payout signal is output to the hall management computer via the connectors 156 and 155. The hall management computer detects the number of disadvantageous balls, which is disadvantageous to the game hall, based on the prize ball payout signal. In this way, every time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, the prize ball payout signal is output to the hall management computer for one pulse, and the prize required for outputting the one pulse of the prize ball payout signal. The number of balls to be paid out is “a”, which is set to 10, for example.
This “a” is the same value as the output unit number of the replenishing ball detector of the replenishing device 153. When the free gift ball payout signal is output, the free gift ball payout number is cleared in S114 and S1
Proceed to 15.

In S115, it is judged whether or not the rotation counter (see S17) has reached the unpaid number I, and if it has not yet reached, the process returns to S70. As described above, this rotation counter is incremented by "1" each time the ball feeding member 800 makes a half rotation and one pachinko ball is paid out to the payout exit side. The value of and the number of paid out pachinko balls should match as long as normal payout is made. When the rotation counter matches the unpaid number I, the process proceeds to S116, the payout motor is stopped, the rotation counter is cleared in S117, and the process proceeds to S118. In S118, the magnitude relationship between the value of the payout counter and the unpaid amount I is determined.
When the ball dispenser 63 is operating normally, the value of the payout counter should be equal to the unpaid number I when the rotation counter reaches the unpaid number I. In that case, S121
After clearing the unpaid number I and the payout counter, the process proceeds to S122. On the other hand, when the value of the payout counter is smaller than the unpaid number I due to a malfunction of the ball payout device 63, a jam of pachinko balls to be paid out, or the like, the process proceeds to S119, and "the unpaid number I-payout A process of updating the calculation result of "the value of the counter" to the new unpaid amount I is performed, the payout counter is cleared in S120, and the process returns to S105. That is, when the number of pachinko balls actually paid out is less than the number of pachinko balls that have to be paid out, the number of the pachinko balls for the shortage is calculated in S119, and the shortage is newly calculated. The number of payouts is set and the payout control of the insufficient amount of pachinko balls is performed by the processing from S105. On the other hand, when the value of the payout counter exceeds the unpaid number I due to a malfunction of the ball payout device 63 or the like, the process proceeds to S127, and the error cause indicator 146 indicates that a payout abnormality has occurred.
Performs a process of displaying with a code. Next, the process proceeds to S128, and after the punching process is performed, S149.
Proceed to. S105-S107, S115, S116
Thus, the payout control means is configured to perform the payout operation of the ball payout device by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number based on the establishment of the ball payout condition. In addition, S108, S109
The ball counting sensors 68c and 68d constitute payout ball number counting means for counting the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage unit by the payout operation of the ball payout device. Furthermore, S117 to S120, S105 to S109, S
If the number of payout balls detected by the payout ball number detecting means is less than the predetermined number at the stage when the payout operation of the amount corresponding to the predetermined number of the ball payout device is completed in 115 and S116, A deficiency number payout control means for activating the ball payout device by an amount corresponding to the deficiency number is configured.

In S122, it is determined whether or not the payout state is "lens lending". If it is not "lens lending", S1
30, the process proceeds to S123 in the case of "ball lending", a process of outputting a ball lending completion signal to the microcomputer for card processing machine control is performed, the process proceeds to S124, the lending indicator is turned off, and the process proceeds to S125. Then, the processing for outputting the unit price sales signal to the hall management computer through the gaming terminal box 149 and the connectors 158 and 157 is performed. This "unit price sales signal" is a sales signal of a unit amount of pachinko balls that has been rented using a card (see S12 and S13), and this signal is received. The management computer for the hall collects the sales amount by the card. Then S1
The timer T7 is set by 26 and the process returns to S70.

When the payout state is the payout of the prize ball based on the winning of the hit ball, and when the payout of the prize ball is completed, a NO determination is made in S122 and S1
From 30 onward, control is performed for discharging one winning ball, for which the prize ball payout control has been completed, to the outside of the machine. First, S
The timer T8 is set by 130. The timer T8 is for counting the time required for checking the prize winning ball discharging process. Next, in S131, the payout display lamp 126 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and in S132, it is determined whether or not there is data on the number of paid prize balls. As described above, the prize ball payout number data is transmitted from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350 (S130), and the prize ball sensors A (170a) and B (17).
0b) (see FIG. 3) is input to the game control microcomputer 372, this prize ball payout amount data is continuously transmitted from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 350. Then, during the payout control of the prize ball based on the prize ball, some abnormality occurs and the prize ball sensor 17
When the detection signals from 0a and 170b are not input to the game control microcomputer 370, the prize ball payout number data is also output from the game control microcomputer 370 to the payout control microcomputer 35.
Since it is not input to 0, the process proceeds to S133 in that case, and the error cause indicator 14
In step S134, the code is displayed, and in S134, the punching process is performed and the process proceeds to step S141. On the other hand, when the prize ball payout number data is input, the process proceeds to S135, and it is determined whether or not the sensor identification data is "sensor A". This determination is made based on whether the output port D4 of the output circuit 850 shown in FIG. 9 is at the high level or the low level. When the prize ball payout control described above is performed based on the detection output from the winning ball sensor A (170a), a high level signal is output from the output port D4, and as a result, YES is obtained in S135. Is determined, S143
Will proceed to. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned payout control of prize balls is performed based on the detection output of the prize ball sensor B (170b), a low level signal is output from the output port D4. In that case. S1
A NO determination is made by 35, and the process proceeds to S136.

In S143, the discharge solenoid A (171
When a) is turned on, the actuator 25a which prevents the pachinko balls located at the detection portion of the prize ball sensor A (170a) from falling is retracted so that the prize balls can drop downward. Next, in S144, it is determined whether or not there is data on the number of paid out prize balls. When the actuator 25a is retracted rearward, the prize ball sensor A (170a)
The pachinko balls located at the detection section of the ball start to drop downward.
Until the pachinko balls fall outside the detection unit of (170a), the detection output from the winning ball detection sensor A (170a) is continuously input to the game control microcomputer 370, and as a result, the game control microcomputer 374. Microcomputer 350 for payout control
The prize ball payout number data is continuously output to.
During that time, the determination of YES is made in S144, and S
In step 145, it is determined whether or not the timer T8 has expired, and the processes of S143 and S144 are repeatedly executed until it expires. If the pachinko ball falls outside the detection portion of the winning ball detection sensor A (170a) by the time the timer T8 ends, a NO determination is made in S144 and the discharge solenoid A (170).
a) is controlled to OFF, and the process returns to S70. However, even if the discharge solenoid A (171a) is controlled to be turned on due to a ball jam, a failure of the discharge solenoid A (170a), or the like, the prize ball payout number data until the timer T8 ends. If the input of No. has not been stopped, the process proceeds to S139, and the cause of such an error is displayed by the code on the error cause display 146. Next, the process proceeds to S140, a ball drop processing is performed, and in S141, it is determined whether or not there is a reset operation, and the process waits until there is a reset operation. This reset button 1
If 47 (see FIG. 2) is operated, the process returns to S72.

If the sensor identification data is not "sensor A", one winning ball located at the detecting portion of the winning ball sensor B (170b) is dropped downward in accordance with steps S136 to S138 and S142. Is performed, and this control is performed in S143 to S146 described above.
Since it is the same as the control of step 1, the description will not be repeated here.

Next, S84, S97, S96, S13
4, the specific contents of the punching process shown in S140 are shown in FIG.
It will be explained based on. First, in S170, the timer T
11 is set. This timer T11 is used for the ball tank 1
This is for measuring a sufficient time required to discharge all the pachinko balls in 51 and the tank rail 67 to the outside of the machine. Next, in S171 and S172, the payout motor 223 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is executed until the timer T11 ends.
(Refer to) and turn the pachinko ball into the bleeding holes 803a, 8
Remove from 03b and discharge to the outside of the machine. Next, in S173, the payout motor is stopped and the ball drop processing is ended. In addition, as a condition for stopping the payout motor, the payout motor may be stopped when a predetermined time elapses after the ball confirmation sensor does not detect the ball.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the control operation by the game control microcomputer 370.

First, in S150, it is determined whether or not a card processor connection signal is input. If not, the process proceeds to S151, in which an error flag is set. This card processor connection signal is the photo coupler 85 described in FIG.
2 is a signal input to the game control microcomputer 370 via the photo coupler input circuit 854, and card processing is performed by electrically connecting the card processing machine 62 and the pachinko gaming machine 60. The machine connection signal will be input. On the other hand, when the error flag is set in S151, the error flag is cleared by turning on the power of the pachinko gaming machine 60 again, and the pachinko gaming machine 60 becomes operable. If YES is determined in S150, S is determined.
It is determined by 152 whether or not the winning ball sensor A (170a) detects the presence of a ball. When the presence of a ball is detected, the process proceeds to S153, the sensor A detection flag is set, and the sensor identification data is "sensor A". ”Is set.
Next, the processing proceeds to S154, and it is determined whether or not the winning memory is "0". This winning memory is the starting winning opening 125
"1" by S157 for winning a pachinko ball in a
Is added, and when the prize ball payout control based on the winning balls to the start winning hole 125a is completed, "1" is subtracted from S161. If the winning memory is not “0”, that is, the pachinko ball is started the winning opening 12
At the stage where the payout control of the prize ball based on the winning prize has not been completed after winning the prize 5a, the process proceeds to S165, the process of transmitting the n payout command signal to the payout control microcomputer 350 is performed, and the process proceeds to S156. As a result, when the pachinko ball wins the starting winning opening 125a, n
The payout control of (7) prize balls will be performed.
On the other hand, when the winning memory is "0", that is, when a pachinko ball is won in any of the starting winning holes 125b and 125c, the m payout command signal is transmitted to the payout control microcomputer in S155. As a result, when the pachinko ball wins in either of the starting winning openings 125b or 125c, the payout control of m (10) prize balls is performed. Next, in S156, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the starting winning ball detection switch 128a. If not, the process returns to S150, but if there is, the process proceeds to S157 and the winning memory is set to "1". After the process of stepping is performed, the process returns to S150.

The payout control microcomputer 130 based on the m payout command signal or the n payout command signal described above.
The prize ball payout control is performed by the payout ball sensor A (170) as described above when the payout control is completed.
The control for dropping one winning ball located in the detection section of a) is performed downward, and when the winning ball drops downward, the winning ball sensor A no longer detects the presence of a ball, and As a result of S152, NO is determined and S
Proceed to 158. In S158, it is determined whether or not the sensor A detection flag is set, and if it is set, the process proceeds to S159, the sensor A detection flag is cleared, and in S160, the winning memory is "1" or more. Whether or not there is a judgment is made, and if it is above, S16
After subtracting "1" from the winning memory from 1, proceed to S162,
When the winning memory is “0”, the process directly proceeds to S162.

At S162, the winning ball sensor B (170
It is judged whether or not b) detects the presence of a ball,
If not detected, the process proceeds to S156, but if detected, the process proceeds to S163, sets the sensor identification data = “sensor B”, and after the k payout command signal is transmitted to the payout control microcomputer in S164, the process proceeds to S156. Proceed to. As a result, pachinko balls start winning prize holes 125a, 12
When the winning balls other than 5b and 125c are won and the winning balls are detected by the winning ball sensor B (170b), the payout command signal of the k (15) prize balls is paid out. Will be transmitted to the microcomputer.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a timing chart for explaining the operation timings of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

First, the power is turned on (power on), and at time A, the ball lending preparation signal line is turned on and the payout enable signal on the pachinko gaming machine side is output. Next, at the time B when the card is accepted, the card insertion indicator 132 and the ball lending indicator 4
8d and ON. Next, the ball lending operation detector 44d is O
When N, the player's ball lending operation is detected, and at C, it is detected that there is a ball lending operation. At this point, the ball lending indicator 48d is turned off and turned off, the ball lending enable signal line is turned on, and the card processor 62 is in the ball lending enabled state. At a time point D when a predetermined delay time a (for example, 20 msec) has elapsed from the time point C, the ball lending request signal line is turned on and the ball lending request signal is output from the card processing machine 62 to the pachinko gaming machine 60 side. . The reason for providing the predetermined delay time a is to prevent a malfunction due to noise by providing a sufficient time for the pachinko gaming machine side to determine that the ball lending enable signal line is turned on.

From this time point D, the ball lending preparation signal confirmation time b (b≤T≤Measured by the timer T1 shown in S18).
At the time of E when 1) has passed, the payout state signal line is turned on and the ball lending preparation signal is output from the pachinko gaming machine 60 side to the card processing machine 62 side. From this time point, the ball lending command signal confirmation time c (c ≦ T is measured by the timer T9 shown in S80.
At the time of F when 9) has elapsed, the ball lending request signal line is turned off, and accordingly, the ball lending command signal is output from the card processing machine 62 side to the pachinko gaming machine 60 side. From this time point, at the time point G when the ball lending completion signal confirmation time d (d ≦ T3) measured by the timer T3 shown in S29 has elapsed, the payout state signal line is turned off, which causes the ball lending completion signal. From the pachinko gaming machine 60 side to the card processing machine 6
It is supposed to have been output to the 2 side. From this point on, S
When the next ball lending request signal confirmation time e (e ≦ T7) measured by the timer T7 by 75, the ball lending request signal line is turned on at time D, and the next ball lending request signal is sent to the card processor 62.
Is output to the pachinko gaming machine 60 side, and the output of the ball lending preparation signal, the output of the ball lending command signal, and the output of the ball lending completion signal are repeated as described above. In FIG. 21, the output of the ball lending request signal, the output of the ball lending preparation signal, the output of the ball lending command signal, and the output of the ball lending completion signal are repeated three times in total, and the last ball lending completion signal is output. When the ball lending request signal is not output during the next ball lending request signal confirmation time e, the ball lending possible signal line is switched off. Next, return operation detector 4
When 2d is turned on and is H, the player's return operation is detected. At that time, the card insertion indicator 132 blinks and the ball lending indicator 48d turns off and goes out. Then, at time I, the card is returned to the player.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 22 shows a ball dispenser 63 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a peripheral device and its peripheral devices.
The ball dispenser 63 has a mechanism plate 751 through a mounting hole 904.
The pachinko balls, which are provided with screws on the side and are aligned from the ball guide rail 67 in two lines, are sent to the ball passage 6.
It is supplied into the ball dispenser 63 from 4a and 64b. The ball payout device 63 includes a payout motor 223, a ball feed member 800 rotated by the payout motor 223, a projector 802a provided in a notch 813 formed at the left end of the ball feed member 800 in the figure, and a ball feed member. A half-rotation detecting sensor 802b is provided which receives the light emitted from the light projector 802a every time the 800 makes a half rotation. Further, the projector 102a, the half rotation detection sensor 802b, the payout motor 22
The respective wirings 810 connected to No. 3 are connected to the payout centralized control board 730 through the wiring holes 808. The structure of the ball dispenser 63 provided with such various parts is similar to that of the first embodiment described above.

A ball-punching member 881 is swingably provided at the bent portion of the ball guiding rail 67. This ball-punching member 881 is normally in a posture of closing the bent portion of the ball guiding rail 67 as shown by the solid line in the figure. Then, a staff member of the game hall operates an operation rod (not shown) from the front of the front frame.
When the operation of opening the ball-punching member 881 is performed by the operation of, the ball-punching member 881 swings in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing to the posture shown by the broken line in the drawing. Then, ball guide rail 67
The bent portion is opened and the pachinko balls in the ball tank 151 (see FIG. 2) are discharged to the outside of the machine through the ball guide rail 67 and the discharge path 1. Further, when an attendant of the game arcade operates the operation rod again, the punching member 881 rotates clockwise to be in the closed posture shown in the illustrated embodiment, and is locked in the closed posture.

Ball sensing members 920a and 920b are rotatably provided in the ball passages 64a and 64b, respectively. In the state where the pachinko balls are not supplied from the ball guiding rail 67, the ball sensing members 920a and 920b rotate clockwise in the drawing to the posture shown by the broken line, and the rotation of the ball sensing members 920a and 920b is detected. The ball confirmation sensors A (68a) and B (68b) are turned off. On the other hand, if a pachinko ball is supplied from the ball guiding rail 67, the ball sensing member 920 is generated by the weight of the supplied pachinko ball.
The a and 920b rotate counterclockwise and take the posture shown in the illustrated embodiment. Then ball confirmation sensors A (68a), B
(68b) is turned on.

A ball guiding member 882 is provided below the ball dispenser 63.
Is provided. The ball guiding member 882 is provided with convex shapes 883a and 883b for guiding the flow of the ball, and the pachinko balls paid out from the payout openings 419a and 419b are guided to the convex shapes 883a and 883b and smoothly. It is configured to drop downward. The ball dispenser 63 is provided with a ball feeding member 800 as in the first embodiment.
Is not configured to be discharged to the outside of the machine by reversing, and therefore, the pay-out openings 419a and 419b are formed only in the sending-out direction of the pachinko balls that are sent out by normal rotation of the ball-feeding member 800. ing. 805 in the figure
a and 805b are ball feeding passages, 880a and 880b are ball passage members, and 806 is a ball pressure receiving member.

FIG. 23 is a vertical sectional view seen from a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the ball feeding member 800. Ball dispenser 63
The ball passage members 880a, 880b for supplying the pachinko balls to the ball entrances 884a, 884b are the ball entrances 884a, 88.
It has a shape adapted to the height position of 4b. Ball dispenser 6
A ball pressure relaxing member 885 is provided at a portion slightly below the ball inlets 884a and 884b of No. 3, and the ball passages 64a and 6 are provided.
The ball pressure of the pachinko ball supplied through 4b is applied to the shape portion of the ball pressure relaxing member 885, and the ball feeding passage 8
The ball pressure of the pachinko balls added to 05a and 805b is relaxed. A space 886 is formed in the ball pressure relaxing member 885, and the projector 802a and the half-rotation detecting sensor 8 are formed.
The wiring 02b is configured to be drawn out through the space 886. A pair of protrusions 887 and a notch are provided at the end of the ball feeding member 800, and a notch 813 is formed between the pair of protrusions 887. The projector 802a is provided so as to be located between the pair of convex portions 887, and in the state shown in FIG.
The light projected from 02a is blocked by the convex portion 887 and is not detected by the half rotation detection sensor 802b. Then, when the ball feeding member 800 rotates 45 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 23, the light projected from the light projector 802a reaches a half-rotation detecting sensor 802b through a pair of convex portions 887, After all, the ball feeding member 80
Every time 0 rotates half a turn, the half rotation detection sensor 802b enters a state of receiving the light emitted from the light projector 802a. A cover 888 made of black synthetic resin is disposed below the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b so that light emitted from other than the light projector 802a does not reach the half-rotation detecting sensor 802b. In addition, this cover 888
The width of the ball is substantially the same as that of the ball pressure relaxing member 885 as shown in the drawing, and the pachinko balls falling from both sides do not collide with the cover 888. Incidentally, reference numeral 915 in the drawing is a cover.

[0108]

According to the present invention, if the ball payout condition is satisfied, the ball payout device is operated for the time being by the amount corresponding to the predetermined number to be paid out. The payout speed of the balls is faster than when the device is operated for payout. Then, when the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage unit is less than the predetermined number at the stage of paying out the ball payout device by an amount corresponding to the predetermined number, it corresponds to the shortage number. The ball dispensing device is dispensed by the amount, and the insufficient number of balls are dispensed to the ball storage unit. As a result, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the number of balls paid out to the ball storage section is insufficient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko gaming machine and a card processing machine as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view showing a partial internal structure of a card processing machine and a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part for explaining the structure and operation of the winning ball processing device.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of a ball dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the ball dispenser.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the card processor.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit for transmitting and receiving signals between a pachinko gaming machine and a card processor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a payout concentration control board.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a circuit for transmitting / receiving the prize ball payout amount data between the payout concentration control board and the game control board.

10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

11 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

12 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

15 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

19 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a control operation by the game control microcomputer.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart for explaining operation timings of the card processing machine and the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a ball dispenser and its peripheral equipment in a second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a ball dispenser and its peripheral equipment in a second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the ball dispenser in the second embodiment.

25 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the ball payout device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

63 is a ball dispenser, 730 is a centralized payout control board, 148 '
Is a game control board, 250 is a payout control microcomputer, 62 is a card processing machine, 60 is a pachinko gaming machine,
445 is a winning ball processing mechanism, 370 is a game control microcomputer, 223 is a payout motor, 800 is a ball feeding member, 802a is a light projector, 59 is a ball storage ball 802b is a half rotation detection sensor.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 15, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 23

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 23

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine including a ball payout device for paying out a predetermined number of balls to a predetermined ball storage portion when a predetermined ball payout condition is satisfied, wherein the game machine is based on the satisfaction of the ball payout condition. A payout control means for performing a payout operation of the ball payout device by an amount corresponding to a predetermined number, and a payout ball number counting means for counting the number of balls actually paid out to the ball storage part by the payout operation of the ball payout device, When the number of payout balls counted by the payout ball number counting means is less than the predetermined number at the stage when the payout operation of the amount corresponding to the predetermined number of the ball payout device is completed, it corresponds to the shortage number. A gaming machine characterized by including a shortage amount payout control means for performing a payout operation of the ball payout device by an amount.