JPH11192348A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an illegal action by permitting a variable prize winning ball device to be a second state when a second detecting means outputs a prize winning detecting signal unless the first detecting means detects prize-winning and also disenabling shooting a game ball. SOLUTION: A V-prize winning judging processing is executed by MPU of a basic circuit. The V-prize winning judging processing judges whether the game ball passes prize winning number detecting equipments 6a and 6b or not. In the meantime, it is also judged whether a period is the V reception valid one or not so as to judge invalidity in case except the reception valid period. That is, invalidity is judged when prize winning exists in a specified prize winning part in the case except the reception valid period. Therefore, an abnormality is judged unless the ball passes the prize winning number detecting equipments 6a and 6b before in spite of prize winning in the specified prize winning port, an alarm flag is set, the variable prize winning ball device 3 is made to be the second state and game ball shooting is disenabled. Thus, the illegal action is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-and-ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, and more particularly, to a first state which is advantageous to a player and a second state which is disadvantageous to the player. When a game ball wins in a specific winning area in the variable winning ball device, the variable winning ball device is set to a first state advantageous to the player to generate a so-called big hit state. The present invention relates to a ball game machine capable of giving a relatively advantageous game value to a player.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among such ball game machines, there has been a hitherto generally known ball game machine provided with a variable winning ball device and a starting winning port in a game area. The variable winning ball device is provided with a winning area, and the winning area is further divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area. The variable winning prize ball device is provided with a movable piece, and the movable piece opens and closes in response to the winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening, so that the game ball can easily win the winning area. When the game ball wins the normal prize area, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. When a game ball wins in the specific winning area, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out and a so-called big hit state occurs.

In the big hit state, the variable winning prize ball device operates as follows. The movable piece provided above the winning area repeatedly opens and closes at a predetermined cycle within a predetermined time. During this time, the prize area of the variable prize ball device is in a state where game balls are easy to win. When a game ball is won in the normal winning opening, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as described above. When a game ball is won in the specific prize area, a predetermined number of game balls are further paid out, the jackpot operation currently being executed is interrupted, a new jackpot operation is started, and so-called repetition continuation control is performed. It is.

[0004] Each jackpot operation is performed when a new game ball has been won in the specific winning area as described above, when a predetermined number of game balls have been won in the winning area, or when the opening and closing operation for the predetermined time ( For example, within 30 seconds 18
When the opening / closing operation is completed, the process ends. The number of prize game balls in the prize area is determined by a prize number detector as a first detection means at the entrance of the prize area, a so-called 10-count switch. Are detected by the specific winning ball detector. In addition, the repetition continuation control is performed with a predetermined number of times as an upper limit, and is limited to a maximum of 16 times including, for example, an initial opening / closing operation based on a winning start.

In such a conventional ball game machine, if the game ball detected by the specific winning ball detector is not detected by the winning number detector before that, the winning number detector malfunctions or is improperly won. Since there is a possibility that the ball cannot be detected, an alarm operation is performed during the game. By performing this alarm operation, a failure is detected early and fraud is prevented.
As a method of canceling the alarm state at this time, there has been a method in which a pachinko ball is passed through a winning number detector and turned on to turn it on.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional ball game machine, a starting prize is generated in a state where a ball is stopped in the accessory, and the game ball that has stopped is a specific prize. When detected by the ball detector, an alarm may be triggered. Once an alarm occurs, the alarm can be easily released, but the operation only returns to the normal state. However, in this case, the game ball has won the specific prize area, and the jackpot operation and the jackpot continuation operation should be performed originally, which is unsatisfactory for the player. When trying to perform the jackpot operation and the jackpot continuation operation in order to eliminate this dissatisfaction, the conventional device has a problem that the operation is complicated and cannot be easily performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball-and-ball game machine capable of eliminating complaints from a player when an abnormal state is released.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A ball game machine according to the present invention has a game area into which a game ball is shot, and a first state advantageous to the player and a second state advantageous to the player. A variable winning prize ball device that can be changed to a state is a ball game machine provided in the gaming area, wherein first detecting means for detecting a prize ball won in the variable prize ball device;
The second detecting means provided at a position where the winning ball detected by the detecting means can be detected, and the variable winning ball device is controlled to a first state, and the first detecting means is predetermined. When the variable winning ball device is detected, the variable winning ball device is driven and controlled to the second state, and the variable winning ball device is set to the second condition on condition that the second detecting means detects the winning ball. A drive control unit that controls the drive to a state of 1 and a detection output of the first detection unit despite the detection output of the second detection unit;
An abnormal time control means for controlling the normal game to be incapable of continuing; and a condition that a predetermined return operation is performed when the abnormal game cannot be continued by the abnormal time control means. And a game state return means for canceling the abnormal control by the abnormal control means and controlling the driving of the variable winning ball device to the first state.

[0008]

In the ball game machine according to the present invention, if there is no detection output from the first detection means in spite of detection output from the second detection means, it is controlled by the abnormality control means. The ball game machine cannot enter the normal game mode. When a predetermined return operation is performed in this state, the state of the ball game machine is returned to the normal game state by the game state return means, and the variable winning ball device is set to a first state advantageous to the player.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine is described as an example of a ball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to all game machines that play games by playing balls.

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a game board of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a game area on which a game ball is driven is formed on game board surface 1. An operation handle (not shown) is provided at the lower right of the game board 1, and the operation of the operation handle activates a hit ball launching device (not shown), whereby pachinko balls are sequentially driven into the game area.

In the game area 2, a pair of ball receiving members 4a,
The variable winning ball device 3 having the ball 4b is provided. Below the variable winning ball device 3, starting winning ports 10a, 10b,
12 are provided. Each starting winning opening 10a, 10b,
In 12, there are provided start winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, 13 which are examples of a start winning detecting means. The starting winning openings 10a, 10b, 12 are covered by a cover having a chucker lamp 22. An out hole 32 for collecting out balls is formed further below the cover and at the lowermost part of the game area.

At the left and right sides of the upper portion of the variable prize ball device 3 and at both lower portions of the variable prize ball device 3, the prize holes 29, 3 are provided.
0, 30, 31, and 31 are provided. The shoulder lamp 24 is attached to the winning opening 30, and the sleeve lamp 25 is attached to the winning opening 31. Windmill lamps 23 are provided on both left and right portions of the winning opening 29, and side lamps 26 are provided on both left and right ends of the game area.

The variable winning ball device 3 has winning spaces 7a (see FIG. 2) and 7b formed below the variable winning ball device 3. The prize space is provided with a storage mechanism 8 for temporarily storing a game ball that has won the prize space, or immediately flowing the game ball to both sides thereof. In addition, decoration LE is behind the winning space
D20 and D21 are provided. Decorative LEDs 18 and 19 are provided on both left and right sides of the winning space, respectively, and decorative LEDs 17 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the winning space. Winner 29
An accessory lamp 16 is provided immediately below, and a continuous number indicator 14 for displaying the number of jackpot continuation control described later is provided on the lower left side of the accessory lamp 16, and a bonus number winning prize space at the lower right is provided on the lower right side. A winning number display 15 for displaying the winning number is provided. The winning number detectors (count switches A, B) 6a, 6b as an example of the first detecting means are provided in portions of the variable winning ball device 3 that communicate with the ball receiving members 4a, 4b to the winning space. In the lowermost part of the winning space, a specific winning ball detector 9 as an example of a second detecting means is provided at a portion coinciding with the axis of the storage mechanism 8. Then, the big hit control is repeatedly performed by the game balls that are stored or flowed down by the storage mechanism 8 or the like winning the specific winning ball detector 9.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the variable winning ball device 3 of the present embodiment has the following structure. As shown in the figure, the variable winning ball device 3 has a mounting board 10 mounted on the surface of the game board 1. Mounting board 10
The above-mentioned normal winning opening 29 is provided on the front surface of the upper part of. A rectangular winning opening is provided at the center of the mounting substrate 10, and the storage mechanism 8 described above is formed therein. An upper ball rolling plate 36 is provided above the winning opening, and the winning opening is divided by the upper ball rolling plate 36 into an upper winning area 7a and a lower winning area 7b. On both sides of the upper ball rolling plate 36, a pair of ball receiving members a4a and 4b mounted on the mounting substrate 10 so as to be openable and closable are provided. The upper ball rolling plate 36 is inclined downward toward the rear, and on both sides of the rear end thereof, a prize number detector 6a for detecting the passage of a game ball prize in the prize area,
6b is provided.

The lower portions of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are mounted on pivot shafts 33a and 33b, respectively, and are rotatable about the pivot shafts 33a and 33b. Rotating shaft 3
The mechanism for rotating the 3a, 33b includes solenoids 5a, 5b provided on the back of the variable winning ball device 3 and a solenoid 5
a and 5b, and a link member 34a rotatably held at both ends of the operating member 35 for converting the vertical movement of the operating member 35 into the rotational movement of the rotating shafts 33a and 33b. , 34b.

At the lowermost part of the lower winning area 7b, a lower ball rolling plate 37 inclined toward the center is provided. In a central portion of the lower ball rolling plate 37, a specific winning area 39 described later and normal winning areas 38a and 38b are formed. In the specific winning area 39, a specific winning ball detector 9 for detecting the passage of a ball is built.

When the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed, game balls cannot be won in the winning area. However, when the ball receiving members 4a, 4b are opened, hit balls falling in the game area are received by the ball receiving members 4a, 4b, and the winning spaces 7a, 4b are received.
7b. Even when the ball receiving members 4a, 4b are repeatedly opened and closed, the possibility that the ball hits the winning areas 7a, 7b is increased. That is, such a state is a first state that is advantageous to the player. Ball receiving members 4a, 4
When b is standing, the game ball does not win the winning area as described above, and is in the second state disadvantageous to the player. Note that, in the second state, the ball does not win at all, but the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are formed with a certain interval between the other portions to simply make it difficult for the ball to win. Good.

The storage mechanism 8 includes a fixed storage member 40 fixed in the lower winning space 7b and an upper and lower sliding member 4 provided above the fixed storage member 40 and constantly rotating and moving up and down.
3 is included.

The fixed storage member 40 is formed in a donut shape as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and has a disk (mother ship) design when viewed from the front. Fixed storage member 4
In the center of the donut-shaped inner concave portion 41, a drop port 4 is provided.
2 are provided. The falling port 42 and the specific winning area 39 are located on the same vertical line. Therefore, if there is no obstacle during this time, the winning ball dropped from the falling port 42 is highly likely to be guided to the specific winning area 39. On the other hand, the winning balls not stored on the fixed storage member 40 overflow from both sides of the fixed storage member 40 and reach the side of the lower ball rolling plate 37. Therefore, in this case, there is a high possibility that the game ball is guided to the normal prize areas 38a and 38b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower sliding members 43 are provided with a design having a disk (UFO) shape when viewed from the front. Radiation pieces 44 are formed at predetermined intervals (intervals for one or two winning balls) on the outer periphery of the lower part of the vertical sliding member 43. Radiating piece 44
Is, as the upper and lower sliding members 43 rotate in the storage mode,
This is for moving the winning balls stored by the storage mechanism 8 along the outer peripheral upper surface of the fixed storage member 40. When the vertical sliding member 43 rises, the vertical sliding member 43
An interval through which a winning ball can pass is formed between the fixed storage member 40 and the fixed storage member 40. Therefore, including winning prize balls stored,
The winning ball located on the outer peripheral upper surface of the fixed storage member 40 is guided by the concave portion 41 and falls downward from the falling port 42. This is called a release mode. On the other hand, the vertical sliding member 43
When the is lowered, the vertical sliding member 43 closes the concave portion 41 of the fixed storage member 40. Therefore, in this state, the winning balls are stored on the outer peripheral upper surface of the fixed storing member 40. This is called a storage mode.

Among the mechanisms for vertically moving and rotating the vertical sliding member 43, the mechanism for performing the rotating movement is as follows. A rotating shaft 45 extending upward is attached to the vertical sliding member 43. Rotating shaft 45
A worm gear 46 is attached to the upper part of the worm gear.
A worm gear 47 meshes with the worm gear 46.
9 attached. The upper and lower sliding members 43 and the rotary motor 48 are both mounted on a sliding operation plate 50. When the rotation motor 48 is turned on, the rotation shaft 45 is rotated via the worm gears 47 and 46, and the upper and lower sliding members 43 rotate at a constant speed. In this embodiment, the time required for the vertical sliding member 43 to make one round is about 6 seconds. The vertical sliding member 43 is constantly rotating regardless of the game state.

The mechanism for imparting vertical movement to the vertical sliding member 43 is as follows. The sliding operation plate 50 to which the upper and lower sliding members 43 and the rotary motor 48 are attached,
It is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the rear wall of the winning spaces 7a and 7b. Further, the sliding operation plate 50 is engaged with an operation pin 53 provided at a lower portion thereof so as to protrude forward of an operation cam 52 attached to the sliding motor 51. The operation pin 53 is provided at a position eccentric from the center of the operation cam 52. Therefore, the vertical sliding plate 50 moves up and down with the rotation of the sliding motor 51. The operation cam 52 is formed integrally with a semicircular semi-disc 54, and a stop position detector 55 is disposed above the semi-disc 54. The stop position detector 55 detects a position where the vertical sliding member 43 is raised or lowered.

A distribution member 56 is disposed substantially at the center between the storage mechanism 8 and the lower ball rolling plate 37. Distributing member 56
Is a circular passage opening 57 through which a winning ball can pass in the center thereof.
Is formed, and a small disk (U
FO). The rear end of the distribution member 56 is supported by a support shaft 58 that is vertically supported. An operating pin 61 is engaged with a groove provided at a rear end of the distribution member 56 behind the support shaft 58. The operation pin 61 is provided so as to protrude from the front surface of the operation cam 60. The operation cam 60 is rotated by the swing motor 59. Since the operation pin 61 is eccentrically provided on the operation cam 60, the distribution member 56 performs a swing operation in the left and right direction with the rotation of the swing motor 59. This allows
When viewed from the front, a small disk (UFO) appears to fly in the air. The operating cam 60 has a notch 63
Are formed integrally with each other. A stop position detector 64 is arranged below the disk 62. The stop position detector 64 is for detecting the center position of the distribution member 56.

By such a mechanism, the distribution member 56 is driven so as to reciprocate right and left in the winning space 7b.
When the distribution member 56 reaches the center position, the falling port 42, the passing port 57, and the specific winning area 39 are on the same vertical line.
At this time, the winning ball dropped from the drop port 42 is
It is highly likely that the player will be guided to the specific winning area 39 through the. On the other hand, when the distribution member 56 swings right and left from the center, the falling port 42 and the passing port 57 are shifted. At this time, the winning ball dropped from the falling port 42 collides with the outer peripheral portion of the sorting member 56, and the right and left normal winning ports 38a, 38
b is more likely to be induced. That is, the distribution member 5
Numeral 6 distributes the winning balls released from the storage mechanism 8 and changes the route thereof. It should be noted that the shape of the passage opening 57 need not be a circular through hole as shown in FIG.

The feature of the operation of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention is that when a special winning ball detector 9 detects a winning ball,
Before that, when no winning ball is detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b and the apparatus is in an alarm state, the operation is performed when the alarm state is released. Before describing the operation, this gaming machine generally operates as follows with reference to FIGS.

When the power is turned on, the vertical sliding member 43 starts rotating in a fixed direction (counterclockwise). The upper and lower sliding members 43 once descend, rise again, return to the normal position, and continue rotating.

When the player operates an operation handle (not shown), a hit ball launching device (not shown) is operated, and a pachinko ball is driven into the game area 2.

When a pachinko ball wins one of the winning ports 29, 30, and 31, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out. Pachinko balls start starting winning openings 10a, 10
b, 12 and the starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b,
The following operation is performed when the signal is detected by the counter 13. When the pachinko balls win the start winning ports 10a and 10b, the movable members 4a and 4b are opened for 0.4 seconds after a predetermined time after the detection of the win, in this embodiment 1.5 seconds and then closed. When a pachinko ball wins in the starting winning opening 12, the movable members 4a and 4b each have a predetermined time (for example, 0.45 seconds) after a predetermined time of the winning detection, and in this embodiment 1.5 seconds after the winning detection. After the opening, the opening is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.9 seconds), the opening is performed again for a predetermined time (for example, 0.45 seconds), and then the opening is performed. The distribution member 56 starts moving leftward at the same time as the first opening of the movable members 4a and 4b, reciprocates left and right twice over a predetermined time (for example, 4 seconds), and returns to the center position.

When the movable members 4a and 4b are opened, the pachinko balls falling from above are prevented from moving.
4b, the possibility of winning in the prize areas 7a, 7b increases. At this time, the pachinko balls that win the winning areas 7a and 7b roll on the upper ball rolling plate 36, flow backward, and pass through the winning number detectors 6a and 6b. The winning numbers detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b are used for game control. The pachinko balls that have passed the winning number detectors 6a and 6b fall onto the fixed storage member 40, and the fixed storage member 4
It rolls on top and falls downward from the side or center drop 42. At this time, since the upper and lower sliding members 43 are lifted upward, the pachinko balls can enter the central concave portion of the fixed storage member 40, and thus may pass through the falling port 42. If the pachinko ball passes through this part when the distribution member 8 is just below the drop port 42,
This pachinko ball is likely to win the specific winning area 39. The pachinko ball that has won the specific winning area 39 is detected by the specific winning ball detector 9. Other pachinko balls will normally be awarded in the winning opening 38.

When the specific winning ball detector 9 detects a pachinko ball until a predetermined time (3.5 seconds in this embodiment) elapses after the movable members 4a and 4b are closed, a big hit game state is reached. Becomes

This device operates as follows during the jackpot game state. The open / close solenoids 5a and 5b repeat on / off operations at short time intervals. For this reason, the ball receiving members 4a and 4b also continuously open and close. The number of repetitions is set to a maximum of 18 in this embodiment, and the process ends after the repetition of 18 times. Also, part 1
When ten winning balls are generated during the eight repetitive operations, the on / off operations of the solenoids 5a and 5b are terminated at that time. Hereinafter, such an opening and closing operation is referred to as an opening and closing cycle. A predetermined time after the detection of the pachinko ball by the specific winning ball detector 9 (1.5 seconds in this embodiment)
, The vertical sliding member 43 descends while rotating, and closes the concave portion 41 of the fixed storage member 40. The vertical sliding member 43 is operated until 10 winning balls are generated or 18
After rotating at this position until the end of the second opening, it rises. On the other hand, the distribution member 56 starts reciprocating right and left after a predetermined time (2 seconds in the present embodiment) after the detection of the pachinko ball by the specific winning ball detector 9, and the number of the winning balls is seven. It is located again at the center at the point of occurrence or the point of time when the fifteenth opening of the ball receiving members 4a, 4b is completed, and stops there. Therefore, after the upper and lower sliding members 43 are raised, the game balls that have entered the concave portion 41 and fall from the drop port 42 among the game balls stored on the outer peripheral upper surface of the fixed storage member 40 win the specific winning port 39 again. Is more likely to do so. Until a predetermined time (3.5 seconds in this embodiment) elapses from the time when 10 winning pachinko balls are generated or the time when the opening of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b is completed 18 times.
The operation of the specific winning ball detector 9 of the specific winning opening 39 is valid. If the special winning ball detector 9 detects a pachinko ball during this time, a jackpot continuation operation described later will be performed.

When the special winning ball detector 9 detects a pachinko ball during the big hit operation, the big hit continuation operation is performed. The jackpot continuation operation is performed a predetermined number of times including the first opening based on the start winning prize (16 times in this embodiment).
If the winning of the pachinko ball to the specific winning ball detector 9 is not detected during the continuous jackpot operation, the process ends at that point.

In this case, as described above, the specific winning ball detector 9
Detects the pachinko ball, the jackpot operation or the jackpot continuation operation currently being executed is immediately stopped. Then, after the upper and lower sliding members 43 rise once, descend again,
The recess 41 of the fixed storage member 40 is closed. Distributing member 56
Also, the reciprocating motion is stopped once, and after a predetermined time after the detection of the pachinko ball by the specific winning ball detector 9, the reciprocating motion is started again. Similarly, the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed for a predetermined time (3 seconds in the present embodiment) after the detection of the pachinko ball by the specific winning ball detector 9, and thereafter are opened and closed again up to 18 times. Start operation.

In this way, the maximum jackpot continuation operation of up to 16 times is completed, or if the specific prize ball detector 9 does not detect a pachinko ball during the jackpot operation or during the jackpot continuation operation, the jackpot operation and the jackpot continuation are continued. The operation ends and returns to the initial state.

By the way, during such a jackpot operation, the pachinko balls may be stopped at the fixed storage member 40, for example. The jackpot operation is finished as it is, and then there is a start winning, and then the specific winning ball detector 9 again.
In some cases, the detection of a pachinko ball by the camera becomes effective. At this time, the pachinko ball stopped at the ball may win the specific winning opening 39 and the specific winning ball detector 9 may be turned on. In such a case, the winning number detectors 6a, 6
Since only the gaming ball detected in b can win the specific winning opening 39, some abnormality occurs or the winning number detectors 6a and 6b cannot detect the pachinko ball winning in the variable winning ball device 3. May have been committed. Therefore, even if the specific winning ball detector 9 detects a pachinko ball, if the pachinko ball is not detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b before that, the pachinko gaming machine enters an alarm state. The operator can promptly deal with such abnormalities and frauds by promptly responding to the gaming machine in the alarm state. The alarm is released by passing the pachinko ball through the winning number detector 6a or 6b and turning on the winning number detector 6a or 6b. In response to such an operation being performed during the alarm operation, the alarm state of the gaming machine is released. At the same time, as a feature of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, the device starts a jackpot operation or a jackpot continuation operation in response to such an operation being performed. By doing so, it is possible to eliminate the dissatisfaction of the player who thinks that the ball that has stopped at the time of occurrence of the start winning prize is detected by the specific winning prize detector 9 and becomes a big hit state. Also, not only in such a case but also when you want to generate a big hit at the time of test hitting,
Even if a pachinko ball is accidentally inserted in the specific winning opening first, the jackpot game state can be generated or continued only by performing the alarm canceling operation, and the operation at the time of the test is not troublesome.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit and peripheral circuits used in the pachinko gaming machine. Referring to FIG. 4, the control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine includes a basic circuit 69 including a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) that operates according to a program described below for controlling various devices, and a power-on circuit. An initial reset circuit 70 for applying a reset pulse to the basic circuit 69; and a pulse division for periodically dividing the clock signal supplied from the basic circuit 69 and applying the reset pulse to the basic circuit 69 (for example, every 2 msec). Periodic reset circuit 71 composed of circuits, winning number detectors 6a and 6b, specific winning ball detector 9, starting winning ball detectors 11a and 11b,
13, a switch circuit 73 connected to the stop position detectors 55 and 64 to supply a signal from a switch selected by an applied address signal to the basic circuit 69, and a switch circuit 73 connected to the basic circuit 69 and the switch circuit 73. Address decode circuit 7 for decoding an address signal provided from basic circuit 69 and providing it to switch circuit 73
2, an LED circuit 77, a solenoid circuit 74, a lamp circuit 75, a motor circuit 76, which is driven and controlled by the basic circuit 69, and a sound signal from the basic circuit 69 to drive the speaker 66 to generate a sound effect. Sound circuit 78
And output jackpot information given from the basic circuit 69.
7 and a jackpot information output circuit 79 for outputting to the gaming facility. Pachinko machines also have AC24
5V, 12V, 21 DC
And a power supply circuit 80 for generating a voltage of 30V.

The solenoid circuits 74 are connected to solenoids 5a and 5b for operating the ball receiving members 4a and 4b, as shown in FIGS. The accessory circuit 16, the chucker lamp 22, the windmill lamp 23, the shoulder lamp 24, the sleeve lamp 25, the side lamp 26, the rail decoration lamp 27, and the game effect lamp 28 are connected to the lamp circuit 75. Have been. In the LED circuit 77, a continuation number display 14, a winning number display 15, a decoration LE
DA to E17 to 21 are connected. Motor circuit 76
The motors 48, 5 shown in FIGS.
1, 59 are connected.

The continuation number display 14 is a 7-segment LED for displaying the continuation number of the jackpot continuation operation. The winning number display 15 is a 7-segment LED for displaying the number of winnings in the winning space, that is, the number of pachinko balls detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b, in the current jackpot operation.

The basic circuit 69 includes, for example, LS of several chips.
I (Large Scale Integrated)
circuit). The microcomputer can execute a predetermined operation in a predetermined procedure by using an MPU (Micro Processing Uni).
t), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) for storing operation program data of the MPU, and an RA for writing and reading necessary data as needed.
M (Random Access Memory). Further, the basic circuit 69 includes an I / O port, a sound generator, and a clock generation circuit. The operation program of the MPU will be described later.

Referring to FIG. 4, control circuit 68 of the pachinko game machine operates as follows. The initial reset circuit 70 gives a reset pulse to the basic circuit 69 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on. The basic circuit 69 starts operating in response to the reset pulse. Periodic reset circuit 7
1 divides the clock signal generated by the basic circuit 69 by a predetermined frequency division value, and applies a periodic reset pulse to the basic circuit 69, for example, every 2 msec as described above. The basic circuit 69 repeatedly executes a predetermined program from the beginning each time a reset pulse is given from the periodic reset circuit 71.

The address decode circuit 72 includes the basic circuit 6
9 is decoded, and the ROM, RAM,
A chip select signal is given to each of the I / O port and the sound generator. MPU included in basic circuit 69
Provides control signals for various devices in response to the output of each control signal described below. When the pachinko ball wins one of the fixed winning ports 10a, 10b, 12 shown in FIG. 1, the starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b,
13 turns on. In response, the switch circuit 73 supplies a start winning ball detection signal to the basic circuit 69. When the pachinko ball wins the specific winning opening 39, the specific winning ball detector 9 is turned on, and the specific winning ball detection signal is given to the basic circuit 69. When the pachinko balls received by the ball receiving members 4a, 4b pass through the winning number detectors 6a, 6b, the winning number detectors 6a, 6b are turned on, and the winning number detection signal is transmitted from the switch circuit 73 to the basic circuit 6.
9 given.

The stop position detectors 55 and 64 supply signals corresponding to the positions of the semi-disc 54 and the disc 62 to the switch circuit 73, respectively.
The second stop position detection signal is given to the basic circuit 69.

The basic circuit 69 provides control signals to the following circuits and devices. First, the basic circuit 69 supplies a solenoid drive control signal to the solenoids 5a and 5b via the solenoid circuit 74. As a result, the ball receiving members 4a and 4b (see FIG. 1) of the variable prize ball device operate, and, for example, when a pachinko ball wins the starting winning opening, the ball is opened and closed once or twice as described above. If a specific winning port is awarded with a pachinko ball, the pachinko ball is opened and closed with a maximum of 18 times as described above, and the pachinko ball changes to the first state in which it is easy to win a pachinko ball.

The basic circuit 69 displays the number of continuous jackpots and the number of winning balls accepted during the current opening / closing cycle on the continuation number display 14 and the winning number display 15 via the LED circuit 77, respectively. The basic circuit 69 further provides an LED drive control signal to the decorative LEDs 17 to 21. A jackpot information output circuit 79 is provided with a jackpot signal in accordance with occurrence of a jackpot, a sound circuit 78 is provided with a sound signal for generating a sound effect according to the state of the game, and a speaker 66 provides a sound effect. Is generated. Similarly, a lamp circuit 7 is provided for the accessory lamp 16, the chucker lamp 22, the windmill lamp 23, the shoulder lamp 24, the sleeve lamp 25, the side lamp 26, the rail decoration lamp 27, and the game effect lamp 28.
A lamp drive signal corresponding to the game state is provided via the terminal 5. Further, the basic circuit 69 operates via a motor circuit 76 to operate the vertical sliding member 43 and the distribution member 56 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 based on various control signals given from the switch circuit 73. To the motors 48, 51 and 59 respectively. Note that a predetermined DC voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 80 to various devices and control circuits.

FIGS. 5 to 25 are flowcharts of a program for controlling the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, which is executed in the MPU of the basic circuit 69 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the main routine of this program. This main routine is executed once from the beginning each time a periodic reset pulse is given to the MPU, and after the end of the execution of the main routine, a process of waiting for a reset is performed until the next reset pulse is generated. In this embodiment, the periodic reset pulse is generated once every 2 msec, and the main routine is executed once every 2 msec.

In step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, an address to be used as a stack pointer in the memory is specified. Subsequently, in S2, R
A determination is made as to whether there is an AM error.
This determination is made, for example, by calling data at a predetermined address of the RAM and determining whether the called data is equal to a predetermined value. If there is no RAM error, control proceeds to S4. However, when the program goes out of control or when the power is turned on, the contents stored in the RAM are undefined, so a RAM error occurs, and the control proceeds to S3.

In S3, system initial processing such as setting initial data in the RAM is performed. By this initial processing, predetermined data is written to a predetermined address of the RAM, and the answer to the determination in S2 becomes normal from the next time. The control proceeds to S4.

In S4, the port data input / output processing is executed, in S5, the first subroutine A is executed, in S6, the port data input / output processing is executed again, and in S7, the second subroutine B is executed. Becomes Since the subroutine B is a part of the processing of the subroutine A, its details are omitted.

Hereinafter, the subroutine A will be described with reference to FIG. In S8, the continuation number display 14, the winning number display 15, the decoration LEDs 17 to 21 shown in FIG.
DG (digit) output data control for controlling the output of. Subsequently, in S9, the specific winning opening 3
V prize determination processing is performed to determine whether or not a prize has been won. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

At S10 and S11, count A and count B winning determination processes are performed to determine the winning of the winning number detectors 6a and 6b, respectively. These details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

In S12, a one-time start winning determination process is performed to determine whether or not there is a win in the start winning ports 10a and 10b shown in FIG. Starting winning opening 10
If there is a winning ball in a, 10b, the ball receiving member 4a,
4b opens for 0.4 seconds as described above. S12 is a step for determining a condition for that. This processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

In S13, a process is performed to determine whether or not a winning has been made in the starting winning port 12 shown in FIG. When there is a prize in the start winning port 12, the ball receiving members 4a and 4b perform the opening / closing operation twice at 0.45 second intervals at 0.9 second intervals as described above. S13 is a process for determining a condition for that.

At S14, a first-half end determination process is performed. When the jackpot operation is performed, when seven prizes are won as described above, or when the ball receiving members 4a, 4
The operation of the pachinko gaming machine differs from the time when b is opened for the fifteenth time. S14 is a process for determining whether or not there are seven winnings among the conditions for changing the operation mode.

At S15, a valid V determination process is performed to determine whether or not there is a valid winning ball in the specific winning opening. If it is determined in this process that there is an effective winning in the specific winning opening, the big hit control is repeatedly performed as described above. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, the sound / lamp / LED data control processing is performed in S16, and the motor process control and the processing for controlling the motors B and C (corresponding to the motors 51 and 59 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are performed in S17. Are performed respectively. Since the details of these processes are not directly related to the present invention, they are omitted here.

Subsequently, in S18, it is determined whether or not an alarm flag for determining whether or not the apparatus should be in the alarm state is in the set state. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S19; otherwise, the control proceeds to S20.

In S19, since an alarm condition has occurred, an alarm-time data set process is performed. The details will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, in S20, a process control process for controlling according to the game state, and data for setting necessary data such as LED data, sound data, and lamp data in a predetermined storage area according to the game state. Set processing, solenoid data control for controlling the solenoids 5a, 5b to operate the ball receiving members 4a, 4b in accordance with the game state, motor BC data (motors 51, 59) data control, and specific winning opening V reception time control processing is performed to determine whether or not the winning of the prize is accepted. The process process will be described later with reference to FIG. 15, the data set process will be described with reference to FIG. 16, and the V reception time control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

After S19 and S20, this subroutine A ends. S9 to S13 in subroutine A
Is performed as a subroutine B in S7. FIG.
, The V winning determination processing of FIG. 6 is performed as follows. In S21, a determination is made as to whether or not the current time is a timing at which the winning timing should be determined. If the answer to the determination is NO, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S22. S22
In, a determination is made as to whether the alarm flag is set. If the answer to the determination is YES, it means that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the gaming machine, and this subroutine ends immediately without determining the winning in the specific winning opening. Otherwise, control is S23.
Proceed to.

In S23, it is determined whether or not the V reception timer is operating. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S28; otherwise, the control proceeds to S24.

In S24, it is determined whether or not the process flag indicating the gaming state of the gaming machine is 0. If the answer to the determination is YES, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S25. In S25, a determination is made as to whether or not the process flag is 1. If the answer to the determination is YES, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S26. In S26, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is 4. If the answer to the determination is YES, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S27. In S27, it is determined whether or not the process flag is 7. If the answer to the judgment is YES, the control proceeds to S2
8; otherwise, the subroutine ends. That is, when the V reception period is not in effect, the V winning is invalidated. In this embodiment, the reception validity period of V is
Only when the process flag is any one of 2, 5, 8, 9, and 10 or when the V reception timer is operating. However, if the process flag is 10, the V winning is invalidated in S30 described later. Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the first state is not achieved only by winning the V prize. If necessary, all V winnings may be accepted.

In S28, the winning number detector 6a,
A determination is made as to whether or not a flag for determining whether or not a game ball has passed 6b is set. If it is set, it means that the game ball has passed these winning number detectors 6a and 6b during the current opening / closing cycle or during the opening / closing due to the current starting winning. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S30; otherwise, the control proceeds to S29. If the process flag is determined to be 7 in S27, it means that there is a valid winning in the specific winning opening as described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when the control proceeds to S29, it means that there is no game ball that has passed the winning number detectors 6a and 6b before the specific winning opening, even though there is a winning. Since such a situation cannot normally occur, it is determined in S29 that the operation of the gaming machine is abnormal, and the alarm flag A is set. After S29, the control proceeds to S
Go to 30. Even if the alarm flag A is set in S29, the valid V flag is set in S31 described later. Therefore, when the alarm flag A is cleared in step S42 of the count winning process described later with reference to FIG. 15, the process flag becomes 7 in S73 of FIG.
And the control shifts to the jackpot control.

In S30, a determination is made as to whether or not the value of the continuation number counter indicating the number of continuation of the big hit is 15. As described above, in the device of the present embodiment, the number of repetitions of the jackpot is limited to a maximum of 16 times including the first opening based on the start winning. The continuation number counter counts the number of times of opening from the opening / closing cycle following the first opening, and a value of 15 indicates that the opening is the last. Therefore, if the answer to the determination in S30 is YES, the V flag is not set, and this subroutine ends immediately. However, the answer to the judgment in S30 is NO
If so, it means that the jackpot control may be further continued, so the control proceeds to S31, and the valid V flag is set. After S31, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the count A winning determination process performed in S10 of FIG. FIG.
In S32, it is determined whether or not it is the timing for determining the winning of the winning number detector 6a. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control is S34
Otherwise, the control proceeds to S33. S3
At 3, a count winning process is performed. The details will be described later with reference to FIG. In S34, it is determined whether or not the switch check counter has reached the maximum value. The switch check counter determines whether a signal provided from the winning number detectors 6a and 6b to the switch port of the MPU is at a high level (on) or a low level (off) at predetermined time intervals (in the case of the present embodiment). This is a counter that is checked every 2 msec, and if it is on, it is incremented by one. If an abnormality such as a short circuit occurs in the switch and it keeps on, the normal game cannot be played.
The determination as to whether or not the value of the switch check counter has reached the maximum value is made for a predetermined period of time, in the case of this embodiment, every 2.9 seconds. Is determined. That is,
If the answer to the determination in S34 is YES, control is passed to S36.
The alarm flag B is set. Otherwise, control proceeds to S35, where the alarm flag B is cleared. After S35 and S36, this subroutine ends. The winning timing in S32 is determined based on whether or not the switch check counter has a predetermined value (for example, “2”).

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the counter B winning determination process performed in S11 of FIG. The processing performed in FIG.
8 is the same as the count A winning determination processing shown in FIG. It is. Therefore, the details will not be repeated here.

FIG. 10 shows S33 of FIG. 8 and S3 of FIG.
It is a flowchart of the count winning process performed in FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, alarm flag A is cleared in S42, and a count passage flag is set. Subsequently, in S43, the process flag is set to 8
A determination is made as to whether this is the case. If the answer to the determination is YES, the control proceeds to S44, otherwise the subroutine ends. In S44, it is determined whether or not the winning number counter has reached the maximum value ("10" in this embodiment). If the answer to the determination is YES, this subroutine ends immediately, otherwise the control proceeds to S45. In S45,
A process of adding 1 to the winning number counter is performed. Subsequently, in S46, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning number counter is equal to 7. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S47; otherwise, the control proceeds to S49.
Proceed to. The determination in S46 is based on S14 shown in FIG.
In the first half end determination processing, if the winning number becomes 7 while the ball receiving member is being opened, the operation of the gaming machine changes, and thus the determination is made.

At S47, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is 8. The answer is NO
If so, the control proceeds to S49, otherwise the control is S
Go to 48. In S48, 9 is set in the process flag. After S48, the control proceeds to S49. In other words, if the process flag is 8, it indicates that the process is in the first half of the ball receiving member opening / closing operation processing at the time of the jackpot operation, and if the process flag is 9, it indicates that it is in the latter half.

In S49, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning counter is the maximum as a result of the addition in S45. If the answer to the determination is YES, the control proceeds to S50, otherwise the subroutine ends.
In S50, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is 11. The fact that the process flag is 11 means that the ball receiving member 4
This indicates that the opening and closing operations of a and 4b have been completed.
Therefore, if the answer to the determination in S50 is YES, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, the control proceeds to S51, where processing for closing the ball receiving members 4a, 4b is performed. That is, in S51, in order to close the ball receiving members 4a and 4b, a solenoid data end flag indicating that the solenoid data for operating the solenoids 5a and 5b has reached the end is set. After S51, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the one-time start winning determination process performed in S12 of FIG. S5
In 2, a determination is made as to whether or not it is a winning timing. The determination method in S21, S52, and S60 is the same as the method described in S32. If the answer to the determination is NO, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S53. In S53, a determination is made as to whether the alarm flag has been set. If the answer to the determination is YES, the gaming machine is performing an alarm operation, so that it is not necessary to make a start winning determination, and thus this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S54.

In S54, it is determined whether or not the process flag is 0. The answer is Y
If it is ES, the control proceeds directly to S59; otherwise, the control proceeds to S55. In S55, a determination is made as to whether or not this process flag is 3. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds directly to S59; otherwise, the control proceeds to S56. In S56, a determination is further made as to whether or not the process flag is 6. If the answer to the determination is YES, the control directly proceeds to S59; otherwise, the control proceeds to S5.
Go to 7. In S57, it is determined whether or not the process flag is "11". The answer is NO
If so, this subroutine ends; otherwise, control proceeds to S58. In S58, a determination is made as to whether or not the winning number counter is zero. If the answer to the determination is YES, this subroutine ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to S59. In S59, the process flag is set to "1". That is,
When the process flag is any one of 0, 3, and 6, the process flag is set to 1 unconditionally. When the process flag is 11, the process flag is set to 1 when the winning counter is other than 0. When the process flag is 0, normal operation is performed, when the process flag is 3, after the ball receiving member has been opened / closed once, when the process flag is 6, the ball receiving member has been opened / closed twice, and when the process flag is 6, 1
In the case of 1, the ball receiving member 18 at the time of the big hit as described above.
This shows the state after the opening / closing operation. When these conditions are satisfied, the process flag is set to 1 in S67. When the process flag is 1, it indicates that the opening / closing operation before the opening / closing operation is performed when the winning prize opening of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b has a winning. After S59, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the two-time winning determination process performed in S13 of FIG.
Are the same as those in FIG. 11 except that the process flag is set to 4, so that the details are not repeated here.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the first-half end determination processing in S14 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, it is determined in S68 whether or not the number of times of opening and closing is fifteenth. If the answer to the determination is NO, this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, the control proceeds to S69. In S69, it is determined whether or not the process flag is “8”, that is, whether the process flag is “18” of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b.
A determination is made as to whether or not the first half of the opening / closing operation is being performed. If the answer to the judgment is YES, the control proceeds to S
Proceed to 70; otherwise, the subroutine ends immediately. In S70, the process flag is set to 9
Is set. That is, the opening / closing frequency of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b is reduced to 15 by the first half end determination process shown in FIG.
At that point, the process proceeds to the second half of the opening and closing operation,
Otherwise, the process does not change.

FIG. 14 shows the effective V shown in S15 of FIG.
It is a flowchart of a determination process. Referring to FIG.
In S71, a determination is made as to whether the valid V flag is set. If the answer to the determination is NO, it is determined that there is no effective winning in the specific winning opening, and this subroutine ends immediately. Otherwise, control proceeds to S72. In S72, a determination is made as to whether the alarm flag has been set. If the answer to the determination is YES, it means that the gaming machine is in an abnormal state, so this subroutine ends immediately. Only in other cases, the control proceeds to S73. S73
In 7, the process flag is set to 7. Further, 1 is added to the continuation number counter. The fact that the process flag is 7 means that a predetermined time period from the determination of an effective winning to the specific winning opening to the start of the opening and closing operations of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b (3.0 in the present embodiment). Seconds). After S73, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the process control process shown in S20 of FIG. In S74,
A determination is made as to what value the process flag is.
In the case of 1 or 4, S76; in the case of 2 or 5, S77; in the case of 3 or 6, S78; in the case of 7, S79; in the case of 8, 9, or 10, S80;
In this case, the control advances to S81. The processing performed in each of these steps will be described later, but if briefly described in advance, in S75, a normal control operation is performed. In S76, pre-processing for opening and closing the ball receiving members 4a and 4b once or twice when a winning is made in the starting winning opening is performed. In S77, the ball receiving member 4
Processing during the opening and closing operations of a and 4b is performed once or twice. In S78, the operation after opening or closing the ball receiving members 4a, 4b once or twice is performed. In S79,
The processing before the opening and closing operation of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b in the big hit operation is performed 18 times. In S80, processing during the 18 times opening and closing operation of the ball receiving members 4a and 4b is performed. In S81, a process is performed after the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are opened and closed 18 times until the operation returns to the normal operation. When the process flag is 1, 2, or 3, the ball receiving member is opened and closed once, and when the process flag is 4, 5, and 6, the opening and closing operation is performed twice. When the process flag is 8, the first half operation during opening and closing of the ball receiving member 18 times is performed, and when the process flag is 9, the second half operation is performed. When the process flag is 10, the processing in the final opening operation of the ball receiving member is performed. In the final round, not only the operation of the gaming machine before and after that, but also the operation of the sound effect, the lamp, the LED, and the like is different from the normal jackpot, so that the interest of the player is maximized.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the data setting process performed in S20 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, in step S82, the solenoid / lamp / sound / LE of the corresponding address is determined according to the value of the process flag.
D / motor control data and the like are set in a predetermined storage location. Thereby, the operation of the gaming machine differs depending on the value of the process flag, that is, the gaming state. S82
After this, the subroutine ends.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the V reception time control performed in S20 of FIG. In S83, a determination is made as to whether the V reception timer has expired. If the answer to the determination is YES, it means that the V reception time has already ended, and this subroutine ends immediately. The answer to the judgment in S83 is NO
If so, the control proceeds to S84, in which the value of the V reception timer is decremented by one. After S84, this subroutine ends. Each time the process at time S20 is executed once, the V reception timer is decremented by one. The V reception timer is a timer set in S91 of FIG. 21 and S102 of FIG. 24 as described later. The variable prize ball device is operated after the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are opened and closed once or twice for winning the starting winning opening, or after being opened and closed up to 18 times at the time of the big hit operation. There is a possibility that the ball staying in the ball may enter the special winning opening with a delay. Therefore, in order to reliably detect these delayed balls, the reception of a predetermined time V after closing the ball receiving member is effective. It is provided in. S20 is 1
The V reception timer is decremented by 1 each time the execution is performed, and the program is executed a predetermined number of times, so that the V reception is terminated a predetermined time after the ball receiving member is closed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the alarm data setting process shown in S19 of FIG. FIG.
, With reference to S85, the lamp data at the time of alarm,
Alarm sound data and solenoid OFF data are set. After S85, this subroutine ends. According to the data set in S85, the state displayed by the lamp of the gaming machine indicates the alarm state, and the sound generated from the speaker 66 (see FIG. 4) is the sound indicating the alarm. Also, the solenoids 5a, 5b
Is turned off.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the normal control operation performed in S75 of FIG. The normal control operation refers to a gaming machine operation that is performed before the detection of a winning ball into the starting winning opening and after the previous jackpot control ends and after the V reception timer ends. Referring to FIG. 19, in S86, the winning number counter, the continuation number counter, the solenoid data end flag, and the count passage flag are cleared. The description of each counter will be repeated to make sure that the winning number counter counts the number of winning balls detected by the winning number detectors 6a and 6b. The continuation number counter is for counting the number of continuation operations of the big hit by the variable prize ball device 3 at the time of the big hit continuation operation.
The solenoid data end flag is a flag indicating whether or not the end of the solenoid data for driving the ball receiving members 4a and 4b when the end condition of the jackpot operation occurs or the like. The count passage flag is a flag indicating that the game ball has passed one of the winning number detectors 6a and 6b during the jackpot operation. The count passage flag is set to S2 in FIG.
8 is used to determine whether to set the alarm flag, as described above with reference to FIG. S8
After 6 the subroutine ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the process before and after one or two opening / closing operations performed in S76 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 20, in S87, it is determined whether or not the solenoid data end flag is set. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control proceeds directly to S89; otherwise, the control proceeds to S89 via S88. In S88, 1 is added to the process flag. That is, the waiting time before opening and closing (1.
5 seconds) has elapsed and the process
The operation is advanced and the operation is performed once or twice during opening and closing. In S89, the solenoid data end flag is cleared. After S89, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the once or twice opening / closing process shown in S77 of FIG. S90
In the above, it is determined whether or not the solenoid data end flag indicating whether or not the solenoid data of the process during opening and closing once or twice has been read to the end is set. If the answer is no, the control goes directly to S92; otherwise, the control goes through S91 to S92.
Go to 92 respectively. In S91, a predetermined value (a value corresponding to 3.5 seconds in this embodiment) is set in the V reception timer. Thereby, winning in the specific winning opening is treated as valid for a predetermined time after the opening and closing operation of the ball receiving members 4a, 4b. In S91, the process flag is further incremented by 1, and the gaming state proceeds to the next process. S9
At 2, the continuation number counter is cleared and the solenoid data end flag is cleared. After S92, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the one-time or two-time post-open / close processing shown in S78 of FIG. S93
In the above, a determination is made as to whether or not a solenoid data end flag indicating whether or not the solenoid data for the process after the opening and closing has been reached once or twice has been set. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control directly proceeds to S95, otherwise, the control proceeds to S95 via S94.
Proceed to. In S94, the process flag is returned to 0, and the operation is set to the normal state. In S95, the solenoid data end flag is cleared. After S95, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation performed at step S79 in FIG.
It is a flowchart of the process before opening and closing. Referring to FIG. 23, in S96, it is determined whether or not the solenoid data end flag indicating whether or not the solenoid data for the process before opening and closing 18 times has been read to the end is set. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control proceeds directly to S100, otherwise, to S97.
The process proceeds to S100 via -99. In S97, since the operation before opening and closing 18 times ends, and the operation shifts to the operation during opening and closing 18 times, 8 is set in the process flag. In S98, the continuation number counter is set to 1
A determination is made as to whether it is five. this is,
This is because if the number of continuations is 15, this is the final opening operation, and thus the operation of the gaming machine must be different from the normal opening operation. The answer of the judgment in S98 is N
If it is O, the control proceeds directly to S100; otherwise, the control proceeds to S100 via S99. In S99, the process flag is set to 10 because it is the final release operation. In S100, the V reception timer, the solenoid data end flag, the winning number counter, the valid V flag, and the count passage flag are cleared, respectively. After S100, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operation of step S80 in FIG.
It is a flowchart of a process of the operation during opening and closing. S101
In, a determination is made as to whether or not a solenoid data end flag indicating whether or not the solenoid data for the process during opening and closing 18 times has been reached is set. If the answer to the determination is NO, the control directly proceeds to S103.
Otherwise, control proceeds to S103 via S102. At S102, the process flag is set to 11 because the operation during the 18th opening and closing is completed and the process needs to be shifted to the operation after the next 18th opening and closing.
In addition, a predetermined value is set in the V reception timer in order to make the pachinko balls that win the specific winning opening even after the 18th opening / closing operation end effective balls. As a result, the pachinko ball winning in the specific winning opening is valid for a predetermined time (3.5 seconds in this embodiment) even after the ball receiving members 4a and 4b are closed. S
At 103, the solenoid data end flag is cleared.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation performed at step S81 in FIG.
It is a flowchart of the process of operation | movement after opening and closing. FIG.
With reference to 5, in S104, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning number counter during the current opening / closing cycle is 0. If the answer is YES, the control proceeds to S105, otherwise the control proceeds to S106. In S105, since the number of pachinko balls that have won the variable prize ball device during the opening / closing cycle is 0, it is expected that some abnormality such as disconnection or short-circuit has occurred in the winning number detectors 6a and 6b. Is done. Therefore, in S105, the alarm flag A
Is set. After S105, control proceeds to S108. On the other hand, in S106, it is determined whether or not the solenoid data end flag indicating whether or not the solenoid data for the opening / closing after 18 times processing has reached the end is set. 1 if the answer is NO
Since the process is being executed after opening and closing eight times, control is directly performed at step S10.
Proceed to 8. In other cases, since the process has ended after opening and closing 18 times, the control proceeds to S107, the process flag is returned to 0, and the operation of the gaming machine returns to the normal operation. After S107, control proceeds to S108. In S108, the solenoid data end flag is cleared. After S108, this subroutine ends.

The gaming machine according to the present invention operates according to the program as described above. As shown in S28 and S29 of FIG. 7, in this program, if a win is made to the specific winning opening even though the count passage flag is not set, the alarm flag A is set. Therefore, the answer of the judgment in S18 of FIG. 6 is YES, and the alarm data is set in S19 and the gaming machine enters an alarm state. To release the alarm state, the game ball is passed through one of the winning number detectors 6a and 6b. Thereby, S10 or S10 in FIG.
Eleven processes are performed. This process is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in which the count winning process of S33 and S38 is performed. The count winning process is shown in FIG. 10, and the alarm flag A is cleared in S42. However, the valid V flag remains set. Therefore, the valid V determination process in S15 of FIG. 6 is as follows. Referring to FIG. 14, the answer to the determination in S71 is YES. Subsequently, the answer to the determination in S72 is NO.
Becomes Therefore, the control proceeds to S73, in which the process flag is set to 7, and the process shifts to the processing before the 18th opening / closing operation.

That is, in the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, when a pachinko ball is detected by a specific winning ball detector even though a winning ball is not detected by a winning number detector, the gaming machine is in an alarm state. Becomes This alarm state is released by passing a pachinko ball through the winning number detector. Further, at the time of canceling, the winning of the pachinko ball into the specific winning opening that caused the alarm is treated as being effective, and the gaming machine performs a jackpot operation. Therefore, when such an abnormality occurs, the player's dissatisfaction can be resolved. further,
Even if a pachinko ball is inserted directly into a specific winning opening without passing through the winning number detector to generate a big hit state at the time of testing etc., just passing the pachinko ball through the winning number detector will generate an alarm It can be released and a big hit state can be generated, so that the operation becomes very simple.

In the pachinko gaming machine of the above-described embodiment, two winning number detectors are used as the first detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the winning area of the variable winning ball device is not limited to this. The number-of-wins detector may be one or three or more as long as it is configured to be able to detect all the winning balls. In the above-mentioned pachinko gaming machine, the alarm state is released by passing the pachinko balls through the winning number detector. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, as conditions for return,
If necessary, in addition to passing the ball through the winning number detector, another operation (for example, a reset operation) may be used as a condition. In the pachinko gaming machine of the above-described embodiment, the first state that is advantageous to the player is that either the ball receiving members 4a and 4b have completed the opening and closing operations 18 times or that 10 winning balls have been generated. It ends when the condition is satisfied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first state may be terminated only by the number of pachinko balls that have won the prize area.
It may be in the state of FIG. Further, as the abnormal time control, instead of or in addition to always setting the variable winning prize ball device to the second state, the hit ball launching device may be deactivated so that the game cannot be played. .

[0088]

As described above, in the ball game machine according to the present invention, when there is no detection output of the first detection means, but there is detection output of the second detection means, abnormal control is performed. Is performed, on the condition that a predetermined return operation is performed, the abnormal-time control is released, and at the same time, the variable winning prize ball device is brought into a first state advantageous to the player.
Therefore, the complaint of the player who has interrupted the game by the abnormal time control can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board surface of a pachinko game machine which is an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of the variable winning ball device of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a game board surface to which a variable winning ball device is attached.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the MP of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.
7 is a flowchart of a main routine of a program executed by U.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine A performed in S5 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a V winning determination process performed in S9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a count A winning determination process performed in S10 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of count B winning determination processing performed in S11 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing S33 in FIG. 8 and S38 in FIG. 9;
It is a flowchart of the count winning process executed in.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a one-time start winning determination process performed in S12 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a double start winning determination process performed in S13 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a first-half end determination process performed in S14 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a valid V determination process performed in S15 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process control process performed in S20 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a data setting process performed in S20 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a V reception time control process performed in S20 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an alarm data setting process performed in S19 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a normal process performed in S75 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a one-time or two-time opening / closing pre-process performed in S76 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a once or twice opening / closing process performed in S77 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a once or twice post-opening / closing process executed in S78 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an 18-time opening / closing pre-process performed in S79 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process during opening and closing 18 times performed in S80 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a post-open / close 18-time process executed in S81 of FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Variable winning ball device, 4 Ball receiving member, 6a, 6b Winning number detector, 8 Storage mechanism, 9 Specific winning ball detector, 1
1a, 11b, 13: Start winning ball detector, 69: Basic circuit, 70: Initial reset circuit, 71: Periodic reset circuit, 72: Address decode circuit, 73: Switch circuit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 27, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In such a conventional ball game machine, when a game ball detected by a specific winning ball detector is not detected by a winning number detector before that, the winning number detector is broken or illegally won. Since the ball may not be detected, for example,
An alarm operation is performed by blinking in a manner . By performing this alarm operation, a failure can be detected early .
It becomes possible.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prize
Unauthorized use that makes the number detector undetectable is caused by the
May be performed. In other words, the winning number detector described above
Is a variable prize ball device that is in a big hit state and is opening and closing
To detect the predetermined number by detecting the winning ball
Role for ending the opening / closing operation of the variable winning ball device
Inspections that are disadvantageous for the player.
It is a dispatcher. Therefore, this winning number detection in the game hall
The winning ball cannot be detected by pulling out or shifting the container
To a variable winning prize ball device that opens and closes as a big hit
Even if the above-mentioned predetermined number of balls wins, it varies depending on it
Unauthorized modification so that the opening and closing operation of the winning prize ball device does not end,
In some cases, customers are approached. In this way,
If the result is correct, turn on the lamp
Just performing an alarm action prevents any fraud.
You cannot do that. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances.
It was conceived and its purpose was
The winning ball detecting means for detecting the winning ball winning within
Ensure that fraudulent activities can be prevented
That is.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

The present invention according to claim 1 is provided.
Has a game area into which a game ball is shot, and a variable winning prize ball device that is changeable between a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player is provided in the game area. A plurality of first detecting means for detecting a winning ball won in the variable winning ball device,
A second detecting unit provided at a position where a winning ball detected by any one of the plurality of first detecting units can be detected, and the variable winning ball device is controlled to a first state; When the first detecting means detects a predetermined number of winning balls, the variable winning ball device is set to the second state .
And controlling the variable winning ball apparatus to the first state on condition that the second detecting means detects a winning ball.
Means and, despite the detection output of said second detection means, if there is no detection output of said first detecting means before there is detection output, the variable winning ball device second
And maintain the second state while playing the game ball.
In the state where it is impossible to hit the game area
Abnormal time control means for performing abnormal time control . The present invention described in claim 2 provides the present invention according to claim 1.
In addition to the configuration of the present invention, the abnormal state control means may include the
Detection output from any of the first detection means.
And releasing the abnormal-time control on condition that
I do. The present invention described in claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
In addition to the configuration described above, the abnormality-time control means
A detection output from any of the first detection means and a predetermined output
Abnormal condition on condition that reset operation of
The time control is released. Claim 4
The present invention provides, in addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1,
The abnormal-time control means is configured to execute a predetermined release condition.
Release the abnormal time control, and the control means
When the time control is released, the variable winning ball device is moved to the first position.
The state is controlled.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a variable winning ball is provided.
A plurality of first detecting means for detecting a winning ball won in the apparatus;
A step is provided and any of the plurality of first detecting means is provided.
At the position where the winning ball detected by this can be detected, the second
Is provided. By the action of the control means,
The variable winning ball device is controlled to the first state and the first
If the detecting means detects a predetermined number of winning balls,
In this case, the variable winning ball device is in the second state,
Variable prize ball device provided that the stage detects a prize ball
Are controlled to the first state. If there is no detection output from the first detection means before the detection output despite the detection output from the second detection means , the variable winning prize ball device is moved by the operation of the abnormal time control means . In state 2
Maintain the second state and place the game ball in the game area
If the ball cannot be hit and the ball cannot be hit,
Done. According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, claim
In addition to the function of the invention described in 1, the plurality of first detecting means
Provided that there is a detection output from any of the above.
Abnormal control is released. According to the invention of claim 3
Then, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, the plurality
The detection output from any of the first detection means
The above-mentioned abnormal condition is performed on the condition that the fixed reset operation is performed.
The control is always released. According to the invention of claim 4
For example, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, control at the time of abnormality
The abnormal condition control by means meets the predetermined release condition
Can be released when the abnormal-time control is released.
The variable winning ball device is controlled to the first state.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0088

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The winning number detectors 6a and 6b described above
To detect the winning ball that has been won in the variable winning ball device.
Of the first detecting means. Specific winning ball detector
9 by any of the plurality of first detecting means.
The second provided at a position where the winning ball detected by
Is configured. Basic circuit 69, Solenoi
Circuit 74 sets the variable winning prize ball device to the first state.
Control and the first detecting means is determined in advance.
The variable prize ball device when detecting the number of prize balls
In a second state, and the second detecting means detects a winning ball.
The variable winning ball device in the first state
The control means is configured to perform the above control. S2 described above
1, S28, S29, S18, S85, and
To deactivate the hit ball launching device and disable the game
According to the description, the variable winning ball device is in the second state
While maintaining the second state, the game ball is moved to the game area.
In case of abnormal control by making it impossible to hit the ball
Abnormality control means for performing the above is configured. At the time of this abnormality
The control means may be configured to output from any one of the plurality of first detection means.
On condition that there is a detection output (S32 or S3
(Provided that a determination of YES is made by 7)
Abnormal control is released (S42). I also mentioned earlier
The conditions for releasing the alarm state and returning to
And pass the ball through the winning number detector if necessary.
And other operations (for example, reset operation)
It may be. That is, the abnormality-time control means
Whether there is a detection output from any of the plurality of first detection means
On the condition that one reset operation has been performed.
Cancel the abnormal control. Further, the abnormal time control means
Is a predetermined release condition (the ball is passed through the winning number detector
That a reset operation is performed)
By the above, the control at the time of abnormality is released, and the control means
When the abnormal control is released, the variable winning ball device is
Control is performed to the first state (S32, S37, S42).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first
Fraud that makes the detection means undetectable
In addition, the variable winning ball device is maintained in the second state,
Inability to hit a game ball into the game area
The player cannot continue the game.
You. As a result, the amusement arcade may
Can be prevented as much as possible. Moreover, the first detecting means
Since there are multiple steps,
The winning balls that have been won are gathered in one place and one first detecting means
There is no need to detect at the stage, and the variable prize ball device
The degree of freedom of the internal structure is improved. The invention according to claim 2
According to the present invention, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, detection
After recovering the disabled first detection means to normal
Throwing a game ball into the first detecting means for detection
Is released because of abnormal condition control.
As a result, the first detection means is in a state where it can be detected.
It is possible to confirm whether or not the user is in compliance. Claim 3
According to the present invention, the operation of the invention according to claim 1 is achieved.
In addition, the first detection means that has become undetectable
After aged, throw a game ball into the first detecting means and detect it
And perform a predetermined reset operation.
Because the control is always released, the control is released
And the first detecting means is in a state where it can be truly detected.
Can be checked and reset
By adjusting the timing of the operation,
Release time can be adjusted. The book according to claim 4
According to the invention, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1,
When the predetermined release condition is satisfied and abnormal control is released
In the first state, the variable winning ball device is advantageous to the player.
Game interrupted due to abnormal control
The dissatisfaction of the player can be eliminated.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A variable winning prize ball device having a game area into which a game ball is driven and capable of changing between a first state advantageous to a player and a second state unfavorable to the player. A ball game machine provided in the variable prize ball device, wherein the first prize ball detecting a prize ball won in the variable prize ball device
Detecting means, a second detecting means provided at a position where a winning ball detected by the first detecting means can be detected, and controlling the variable winning ball apparatus to a first state,
When the first detecting means detects a predetermined number of winning balls, the variable winning ball device is driven and controlled to the second state, and the second detecting means detects the winning balls. A drive control unit for driving and controlling the variable winning ball device to a first state as a necessary condition; and a detection output of the second detection unit.
When there is no detection output of the first detection means, when the abnormal game control means controls the normal game to be unable to continue, and when the abnormal game control means is unable to continue the normal game, On the condition that a predetermined return operation is performed, the abnormal-time control by the abnormal-time control means is released, and the variable winning ball device is moved to the first position.
And a game state return means for driving and controlling the state of the ball game machine.