JP2000202145A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize the occurrence of abnormality in a prize ball device or a ball dispensing device on the side of a game control board while preventing illegal behavior concerning the game control board as much as possible. SOLUTION: In the case when a ball dispensing abnormality flag showing the occurrence of abnormality in the ball dispensing device is turned on in the middle of paying out prize balls from the prize ball device based on a prize ball command, a prize ball control substrate interrupts paying out of the prize balls until T13 passes. Thus, when T1 (T13>T1) passed, the side of the game control board detects dispensing shortage of the prize balls is detected. After then, after the lapse of T13, the dispensation of the prize balls is started again. Thus, the side of the game control substrate is enabled to recognize that it is possible that abnormality is generated in the ball dispensing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine and a coin game machine.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine having a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine and capable of paying out a predetermined gaming result value to a player based on the occurrence of a prize.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game machine of this type, which has been generally known in the past, has, for example, a plurality of control means for controlling electric components provided in the game machine. There has been a gaming machine in which a predetermined gaming result value can be paid out to a player based on the gaming result.

A pachinko gaming machine, which is an example of this type of gaming machine, includes a game control means for controlling a gaming state, a lending device for lending a lending ball, which is an example of a gaming medium, to a player, and a game result value. An example of a payout device for paying out prize balls, and a lending and payout control means for controlling the lending device and the payout device are provided, and the lending and payout control means outputs payout command information (prize) output from the game control means. The payout device is driven on the basis of the ball number signal) to control the payout of the number of prize balls corresponding to the payout command information, and based on the lending command information from the card unit provided on the side of the pachinko gaming machine. Thus, the lending device is driven to lend a number of lending balls corresponding to the lending command information.

For example, the operating states of the dispensing device and the lending device are monitored by the lending and dispensing control means. And a recovery action such as driving the drive motor of the payout device or the rental device in reverse rotation under the control of the loan / payout control means.

[0005] Further, the lending lending from the lending device is detected by, for example, a detector provided in the lending luggage passage, and the detection signal is input to the lending and payout control means. The lending / paying control means monitors the lending status of the lending ball based on the detection signal.

On the other hand, a prize ball paid out from the payout device is detected by a detector provided in a prize ball passage, and a detection signal is input to the game control means. The game control means counts the number of prize balls paid out based on the detection signal.

[0007]

By the way, in a game arcade in which this kind of gaming machine is installed, a fraudulent act has been conventionally performed by inputting a fraudulent signal to game control means for controlling a game state. The existence of those who do is a problem. Therefore, in order to prevent this kind of misconduct from being performed as much as possible, the communication route to the game control means is restricted, and information is not input to the game control means from other control means including the lending and payout control means. It is possible.

However, when the game control means is configured to output information in one-way communication to the loan / payout control means, the game control means checks for clogging of the lending device and other abnormalities of the lending device. A problem arises that it cannot be recognized. This is because there is no communication route for outputting information indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the lending device to the game control means even if the lending and payout control means detects the abnormality.

[0009] Further, in the case where the dispensing device is clogged, the lending and dispensing control means immediately takes the above-mentioned recovery measures. If the payout is immediately restarted, there is also a problem that the game control means cannot recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the payout device.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to prevent a game control means from being fraudulently acted to the utmost, while controlling the occurrence of an abnormality in a payout device or a lending device. The means is to make it recognizable.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine having a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in the game machine, and a predetermined game based on the occurrence of a prize. A gaming machine whose result value can be paid out to a player, wherein the gaming machine is one of the plurality of types of control means and controls a gaming state of the gaming machine and a predetermined one-way communication with other control means. Game control means for outputting command information, a payout device for paying out the game result value, a lending device for lending game media to a player, and one of the plurality of types of control means, wherein the payout device To perform payout control for paying out a game result value of a size corresponding to the payout command information output by the game control means to the player, and drive the lending device to provide a value owned by the player. Issue loan instruction information in exchange for use of Lending control means for performing lending control for lending a game medium having a size corresponding to the lending command information from the lending control device to the player, and detecting a game result value paid out by the control of the lending control means. Game result value detection means, wherein the game control means, when the detection output indicating that the game result value of the size corresponding to the output payout command information has been paid is not input from the game result value detection means An abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred, wherein the lending and payout control unit is configured to perform at least until the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred when the lending device has an abnormality. ,
A payout control stopped state in which the payout control of the game result value based on the payout command information is not executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the lending / payout control means receives an input from the game control means when the payout control is stopped. And a storage unit for holding at least the size of the unpaid game result value among the game result value sizes corresponding to the payout command information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the lending and payout control means stores the data in the holding storage means when the payout control is recovered from the halt state. The payout control of the game result value is restarted based on the game result.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a notifying means capable of notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Is further included.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in a gaming machine, and a predetermined game result value is given to a player based on the occurrence of a prize. A payout-enabled gaming machine, which is one of the plurality of types of control means, controls a gaming state of the gaming machine, and outputs predetermined command information to other control means by one-way communication. A game control unit, a payout device that pays out the game result value, and one of the plurality of types of control units, which drives the payout device and corresponds to payout command information output by the game control unit. A payout control means for performing payout control for paying out a game result value of a size to a player; and a game result value detecting means for detecting a game result value paid out under the control of the payout control means, wherein the game control means Is the output payment When a detection output indicating that a game result value of a size corresponding to the command information has been paid out is not input from the game result value detecting means, the abnormality controlling means determines that an abnormality has occurred; Recovers the payout device after the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred when the payout device is in an abnormal state where it is not possible to pay out the game result value corresponding to the payout command information Recovery control means for performing recovery control for the purpose.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the dispensing control means may be configured such that the abnormality of the dispensing device is not recovered by the recovery control by the recovery control means. Is characterized in that the dispensing device is stopped.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth aspect, after the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, a detection output of the game result value detecting means is provided. The determination that an abnormality has occurred is canceled on the condition that is input.

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to the fifth aspect, the occurrence of an abnormality can be reported on condition that the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred. It is characterized by further including a notifying means.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation of the game control means controls the game state of the gaming machine and outputs predetermined command information to the other control means by one-way communication. Is done. By the operation of the lending / paying control means, the payout apparatus is driven to pay out a game result value of a size corresponding to the payout command information output by the game control means to the player, and the lending apparatus is driven to play the game. A game medium of a size corresponding to the lending command information from the lending control device that outputs the lending command information in exchange for the use of the valuable value owned by the player is lent to the player. By the function of the game result value detecting means, the game result value paid out under the control of the loan / payout control means is detected. By the function of the abnormality determination means, when a detection output indicating that the game result value of the size corresponding to the output payout command information has been paid is not input from the game result value detection means, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. You. Furthermore, the lending and payout control means, when an abnormality occurs in the lending device, at least until the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the game result value based on the payout instruction information The payout control is stopped without executing the payout control. When the lending and payout control means is in the payout control stopped state, it is determined by the abnormality determination means that an abnormality has occurred, and the game control means
It becomes possible to recognize that there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the lending device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, when the lending / payout control means enters the halt state of the payout control by the operation of the memory holding means. In the game result value corresponding to the payout command information input from the game control means, at least the size of the unpaid game result value is held so as to be specified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, when the lending / payout control means recovers from the payout control stopped state, the holding / storage means The payout control of the game result value is restarted based on the storage of the game result, and the game result value is paid out from the payout device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, when the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred by the function of the notifying means, the abnormality is determined. Is reported.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming state of the gaming machine is controlled by the operation of the game control means, and predetermined command information is output to the other control means by one-way communication. Is done. By the operation of the payout control means, the payout device is driven, and a game result value of a size corresponding to the payout command information output by the game control means is paid out to the player. The game result value paid out under the control of the payout control means is detected by the operation of the game result value detecting means.
By the function of the abnormality determination means, when a detection output indicating that the game result value of the size corresponding to the output payout command information has been paid is not input from the game result value detection means, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. You. If the payout device is in an abnormal state in which it is not possible to pay out the game result value corresponding to the payout command information, by the operation of the recovery control unit, after the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, Recovery control for recovering the dispensing device is performed. Thereby, it is determined that the abnormality has occurred by the abnormality determining unit, and the game control unit can recognize that the abnormality has occurred in the payout device.

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, if the abnormality of the dispensing device is not recovered by the recovery control by the recovery control means, The dispensing device is stopped by the operation of the dispensing control means.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 5, the detection output of the game result value detection means is input by the function of the abnormality determination means. Under the condition, the determination that the abnormality has occurred is canceled.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the fifth aspect of the present invention, a condition that the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred by the function of the notifying means. Is notified that an abnormality has occurred.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or the like. The present invention can be applied to any gaming machine that has a plurality of types of control means for controlling and can provide a predetermined game result value to a player based on the occurrence of a prize.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a card unit 50 installed corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine.

The card unit 50 is provided with a card available indicator lamp 151.
Is notified to the player by the lighting or blinking of the card availability indicator lamp 151. The card unit 50 is installed in a state where it is inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on a gaming machine installation island, and a connection stand direction display indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected. Is displayed by the display 153.

When a player inserts a so-called nationwide common card having a card balance recorded therein into the card insertion slot 155, the card balance recorded on the nationwide common card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance of the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is supplied with the ball for the lending unit amount. Lent to plate 3.

The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152. This fraction display switch 152
By pressing, information such as a card balance and an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 156 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured so that the front side of the card unit 50 can be opened by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 156 and performing an unlocking operation.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. Behind this glass door frame 2,
The game board 6 is detachably mounted. Further, on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball receiving tray 4 for storing balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 and a hit ball operation handle (operation knob) 5 for a player to operate a hit ball are provided below the hit ball supply tray 3. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 5, the hit ball supply tray 3 is operated.
The pachinko balls stored inside can be fired one by one. The fired pachinko balls are guided to the game area 7 between the section rails 2 formed on the game board 6.
In the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device 8 for variably displaying a special symbol, which is an example of identification information, on condition that a starting ball is hit into the starting port 14. The variable display device 8 is provided with a variable display 10 in which a symbol is variably displayed as a hit ball passes through the pass gate 11a, a pass storage display 10a, and a start storage display 18. . Further, a movable piece 15 is provided below the variable display device 8.
The variable winning prize ball device 1 which is in an open state where a hit ball can be won by tilting of the opening 14 provided on the left and right and the opening / closing plate 20.
9 are provided. In addition, as a general winning opening, a winning opening 24a is provided above the variable display device 8, a winning opening 24d, 24e is provided on the left and right of the variable winning ball device 19, and a winning opening 24b, 24c is provided below the left and right of the game area 7. , Respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes an out port which is collected as an out ball when the hit ball does not win any of the winning ports or the variable winning ball devices, and 25 is a decorative lamp.

A game effect LED 28 is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.
a, game effect lamps 28b and 28c, a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on during the payout of a prize ball, a prize ball device (a prize ball device 57a described later) that operates to pay out a prize ball (award ball), and A ball cutout lamp 52 is provided, which is turned on when a ball to be supplied to a ball lending device (a ball lending device 57b to be described later) for paying out ball lending occurs.
Speakers 27 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the speaker.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 6. With reference to this front view, the outline of various game machines and games will be described below.

The variable display device 8 comprises a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. On the variable display unit 9 at the center of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on condition that a start winning has occurred. Thereafter, as a result of the variable display being terminated after a lapse of a predetermined period of time, the big hit becomes a big hit if the slotted pattern of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, when a big hit occurs in a predetermined positively changing symbol among the big hit symbols, the state changes to a probability fluctuation state, and the big hit probability changes to a high probability. When a big hit occurs, the open / close plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 is tilted to open a big winning opening. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous to the player who can make the ball hit the large winning opening, and the gaming state becomes a gaming state (specific gaming state) advantageous to the player.

The large winning opening of the variable winning ball device 19 is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22. On the other hand, a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning area is detected by the count switch 23. The V count switch 22 and the count switch 23 are both
The prize balls that have won each prize area are quickly detected by the switches 22 and 23, and 15 prize balls are paid out each time a prize ball is detected.

The first state of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is when the number of hit balls entering the special winning opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, nine) or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When one of the earlier conditions is satisfied, the process is temporarily terminated and the opening / closing plate 20 is closed. As a result, the variable winning ball device 19 is controlled to the second state which is disadvantageous for a player who cannot make a hit ball. And
On condition that the ball hit during the period when the variable prize ball device 19 is in the first state makes a specific prize in the specific prize area and is detected by the V count switch 22, the variable prize ball device 19 is again set. Is set to the first state. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. In the repetition continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the upper limit number of times of the execution of the repetition continuation control is 16, the variable prize ball device 19 is used for the first round to the 16th round for 16 rounds.
State.

The left and right portions of the variable display device 8 are provided with warp entrances 11 respectively.
The hit ball that has entered the warp entrance 11 is
The water flows downward through the back side of the game and is discharged again to the game area 7 from the warp outlet 13. Therefore, the warp exit 13
The ball that has been ejected from the ball is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the starting port 14. Usually, a symbol starting gate 11a is provided on the passage of the ball hitting the warp entrance 11 provided on the left side portion of the variable display device 8.

A hit ball that has entered the normal symbol starting gate 11 a is detected by the gate switch 12. The variable display 10 is variably started on condition that the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12. If a further hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable display 10 is variably displaying, the passing ball is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the storage number, and the storage number is passed. It is displayed on the storage display 10a.

The variable display 10 is composed of a seven-segment display, and variably displays identification information usually called a symbol. If the display result of the variable display 10 becomes a predetermined special display mode (for example, 7), "hit" is obtained.
When the display result of "hit" is derived on the variable display 10,
A pair of left and right movable pieces 15 provided in the starting port 14 is opened. As a result, the starting port 14 is in an open state, and the hit ball can be more easily started and won. If one of the hit balls wins while the starting port 14 is in the open state, the movable piece 15 closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state in which it is difficult to win. Further, if a predetermined period has elapsed since the opening of the starting port 14, the movable piece 15 is closed to the original position and the open state ends even if a start winning does not occur. The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 14 is promptly detected by the starting opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the starting winning ball is detected by the starting port switch 17, five winning balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detected output. The start winning detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the number of storages, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18.

The general winning opening 24 (24a, 24b,
24c, 24d, and 24e), the winning balls switch 240 (240a, 2) provided on the gaming board 6
40b, 240c, 240d, 240e), and is quickly detected, and based on this, ten prize balls are paid out.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 and components related thereto. 3 and 4, as game control boards, a game control board (also called a main board) 31, a prize ball lending control board (also called a prize ball lending board) 37, a lamp control board 35, a voice control board 70, A launch control board 91 and a display control board 80 are shown.

The game control board 31 includes a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in accordance with a program, and various switches (gate switch 12, starting port switch 17, V
Count switch 22, count switch 23, winning opening switch 240 (240a, 240b, 240c, 24
0d, 240e) and a signal from the full tank switch 402) for detecting the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 are sent to the basic circuit 53.
Circuit 58 to be provided to the movable member 15 of the starting port 14
16 and variable winning prize ball device 15 for operating
The solenoid 21 that opens and closes the open / close plate 20 of the
A solenoid circuit 59 driven in accordance with a command from the controller and the lighting and extinguishing of the start storage display 18 and 7
Variable display 10 and decorative lamp 2 by segment LED
5 for driving the LED 5.

According to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating the occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning balls used for variable display on the variable display section 9, and probability fluctuation occurring. Is output to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 is a game control microcomputer, a ROM 54 for storing a game control program and the like, and a RAM used as a work memory.
55, which performs a control operation according to a control program
It includes a PU 56 and an I / O port unit 57. Note that RO
The M54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases. Further, the game control board 31 includes a basic circuit 53
An address decode circuit 67 is provided for decoding an address signal provided from the I / O port and outputting a signal for selecting one of the I / O ports in the I / O port unit 57.

The basic circuit 53 is reset when the power is turned on. Further, the basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, 2 ms)
Each time the interrupt process is executed, the game control program is executed again from a predetermined position each time the interrupt process is executed.

A hit ball launching device that hits and launches a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on a launch control board 91. The driving force of the driving motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob (ball hitting operation handle) 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. A launch control signal for controlling the launch state of the hit ball is given from the winning ball lending control board 37 to the launch control board 91. In the firing control board 91, when the firing control signal is at the LOW level, the firing of the hit ball is prohibited, and the firing of the hit ball is controlled to be impossible. On the other hand, when the firing control signal is at the HIGH level, the firing of the hit ball is permitted, and the firing of the hit ball is controlled to be possible.

From the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending control board 3
7 includes command data (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a command) as command information related to award ball payout control, and
A prize ball command including command data as command information relating to payout control of a lending ball is transmitted. Game control board 31
When the prize ball command is output from, an INT signal indicating the valid period of the prize ball command is output accordingly. The INT signal is at a low level (off state) in an invalid state, and is at a high level (on state) in a valid state. The prize ball command is composed of 7-bit data. The lower 4 bits are used to specify the number of prize balls, and the upper 3 bits are used to specify the control content.

In accordance with the prize ball command, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 provided on the prize ball lending control board 37 includes a prize ball device 97a and a ball lending device 97b.
Are controlled individually. The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 performs control operations according to a ROM 375 that stores a program for prize ball control (including control relating to ball lending), a RAM 376 used as a work memory, and a prize ball control program. CPU 371 and I / O
Includes port 372. ROM 375, RAM 37
6 may be built in the CPU 371 in some cases.

The detection signal from the full tank switch 402 is
It is input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the relay board 71. Also, the detection signals from the ball-out detection switch 167 and the ball-out switch 187 are transmitted to the game control board 31 via the relay board 72 and the relay board 71.
It is input to the / O port 57. If the detection signal from the out-of-ball detection switch 167 or the out-of-ball switch 187 indicates the out-of-ball state, or if the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 indicates the full state, the CPU 56 responds to the situation. The prize ball prohibition command and the ball lending prohibition command are sent to the prize ball control microcomputer 370 of the prize ball lending control board 37 to stop the prize ball payout by the prize ball device 97a and to pay out the ball lending by the ball lending device 97b. Make it stop.

Various winning opening switches 240, gate switches 12, starting opening switches 17, V count switches 2
2. The detection signal of the count switch 23 is
Is input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the. The ROM 54 of the game control board 31 stores a winning detection switch (240, 17, 22,
The prize ball number information which can specify the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signal of 23) is stored. R of basic circuit 53
The OM 54 includes a prize detection switch (240, 17, 2).
The information on the number of prize balls that can specify the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signals (2, 23) is stored. The game control board 31 specifies the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection signal of each switch, changes the INT signal for prize ball control from the invalid state to the valid state, and specifies the payout control content and the number of prize balls. The awarded ball command is output to the award ball lending control board 37 via the I / O port 57. For this reason, the payout control of the prize ball is quicker than the conventional gaming machine which pays out the prize ball after the detection of the all prize ball detection switch for detecting all the prize balls provided on the mechanism plate on the back of the game board. Can be performed. Furthermore, various winning detection switches (240, 17,
22 and 23) are individually provided on the game board 6 corresponding to the respective winning ports, so that the winning of a hit ball can be detected earlier, whereby the payout control of the prize ball can be performed more quickly. Can be.

The portion of the I / O port 57 for outputting a prize ball command can output information from the inside of the game control board 31 to the outside, but can input information from the outside of the game control board 31 to the inside. It is constituted by an output buffer as irreversible output means that is impossible. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the award ball lending control board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. Even if an unauthorized alteration is added to the transmission path of the award ball command, a signal output by the illegal alteration is not transmitted to the game control board 31 side. Therefore, one-way communication of signals between the game control board 31 and the prize ball lending control board 37 is ensured, and illegal signals (data) are transmitted to the game control board 31 via the transmission path of the prize ball command. It is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act of inputting an illegal control operation.

The game control board 31 immediately outputs the prize ball command even if the payout of the prize ball based on the previously output prize ball command is not completed. The prize ball command and the INT signal transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball lending control board 37 are sent to the I / O via the buffer circuit 373.
Input to the O port 372. The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 controls a drive signal to be given to the prize ball device 97a or the ball lending device 97b based on the prize ball command, and controls the payout of the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball command. Perform payout control. On the prize ball lending control board 37 side, the prize ball commands are sent one after another irrespective of whether or not the payout of the prize ball based on the previous prize ball command is completed, so the payout of the ball is not completed. The winning ball number data of the winning ball command is stored in the RAM 376, and the payout of balls is sequentially performed based on the stored data. This eliminates the need for the game control board 31 to perform processing for storing the next prize ball command even when the payout of the prize ball based on the previously output prize ball command is not completed, and This eliminates the need to perform a process of outputting a prize ball command while checking the operation status of the prize ball lending control board 37 side, so that the control load of the basic circuit 53 is reduced.

The RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53 stores counters (counters A, B,
C) is stored. In the counter A, detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15 are collectively stored. The counter B stores a detection signal of the starting port switch 17, that is, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. In the counter C, each winning port switch 240
, Ie, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 10 are stored.

Each of the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b is provided with a ball supply passage individually.
Pachinko balls supplied to the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b from these supply passages are paid out as prize balls and lending balls from these devices. Prize ball device 9
Each supply passage of 7a and the ball rental device 97b is
Although they are provided individually, their supply passages branch off from one passage on the downstream side of the ball. That is, the path for guiding the pachinko balls supplied from the ball tank provided on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is branched into two, and the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97
This constitutes the respective supply passages b.

In the supply path of the pachinko balls to the prize ball device 97a, a ball-break detection switch 167 capable of detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the supply path is provided. The broken state of the device 97a is detected. In the supply passage of the pachinko balls to the ball lending device 97b, a ball-break switch 187 capable of detecting the presence or absence of a ball in the supply passage is provided. A condition is detected.

Two prize ball paths A and B for paying out prize balls are formed inside the prize ball apparatus 97a. , B, and a prize ball feeding screw for alternately feeding prize balls, and a prize ball motor 289A for driving the prize ball feeding screw. In the prize ball device 97a, the prize ball lending control board 37
From the drive signal supplied from the
The prize ball motor 289A is driven to pay out a prize ball.

On the other hand, the ball lending device 97b is provided with one ball lending passage for paying out ball lending, a ball lending payout screw for paying out ball lending from the ball lending passage, and the ball lending payout. And a ball leasing motor 289C for driving the screw. In the ball lending device 97b, the prize ball lending control board 3
The ball rental motor 289C is driven by a drive signal provided from the relay board 72 via the relay board 72 to pay out (lending) the ball lending.

Further, the prize ball device 97a has a prize ball motor position sensor 300A for detecting that the prize ball feed screw has rotated by a predetermined angle, and a prize ball mechanism after being fed by the prize ball feed screw. A prize ball count switch 301A and a prize ball count switch 301B for detecting a ball falling from the portion toward the hit ball supply tray 3 on the lower side of the prize ball mechanism portion are provided. Prize ball count switch 3
01A is provided corresponding to the prize ball path A, and detects a prize ball paid out from the prize ball path A. On the other hand, the prize ball count switch 301B is provided corresponding to the prize ball passage B, and detects a prize ball paid out from the prize ball passage B. In the prize ball device 97a, one prize ball is paid out from the prize ball device 97a each time the prize ball feeding screw rotates by a predetermined angle and the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned ON / OFF once.

Similarly, the ball-lending mechanism portion of the ball-lending device 97b is fed by a ball-lending motor position sensor 300C for detecting that the ball-lending screw is rotated by a predetermined angle and a ball-lending screw. After that, a ball lending count switch 301C for detecting a ball falling from the ball lending mechanism toward the hitting ball supply tray 3 on the lower side of the ball lending mechanism is provided. In the ball lending device 97b, the ball lending payout screw rotates by a predetermined angle and the ball lending motor position sensor 3
Ball lending device 97b every time 00C is turned ON / OFF once
1 ball is paid out.

Prize ball count switches 301A, 301B
Is input to the I / O port 57 of the game control board 31 via the relay board 72. Game control board 3
The CPU 56 provided for the prize ball count switch 3
The number of prize balls paid out is counted based on the detection signals from 01A and 301B, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out. In spite of the shortage of the prize ball payouts, the prize ball count switch 301A,
If the detection signal is not input even after a predetermined period has elapsed from 301B, it is determined that an error has occurred,
A command for error notification is output to the voice control board 70 and the display control board 80. As a result, a predetermined notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 controlled by the voice control board 70, and a predetermined error display is made on the variable display device 8 controlled by the display control board 80. As a result, the pachinko gaming machine 1 enters an error notification state.

The detection signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is input to the I / O port 372 of the prize ball lending control board 37 via the prize ball sensor board 73. The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 detects the presence or absence of a ball jam based on the detection signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A. Further, the prize ball ball lending control microcomputer 370 counts the number of paid prize balls based on a detection signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A, and when the number of paid prize balls reaches a predetermined number. Ends the payout of the prize balls. Since the detection signals of the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B are not input to the prize ball lending control board 37, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 includes:
The number of winning balls is counted using the detection signal from the winning ball motor position sensor 300A. The final determination as to whether or not the winning balls have been paid out as scheduled is made on the game control board 31 side to which the detection signals of the winning ball count switches 301A and 301B are input. For this reason, even if the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 determines that the payout of the predetermined number of prize balls has been completed, the game control board 31
When it is determined by the CPU 56 on the side that the prize balls are insufficient, the pachinko gaming machine 1 enters an error notification state.

The detection signal from the ball lending count switch 301C is input to the I / O port 372 of the winning ball lending control board 37 via the relay board 72. Further, the detection signal from the ball lending motor position sensor 300C is
I / O port 372 of prize ball lending control board 37 through 3
Is input to Microcomputer 3 for prize ball lending control
70 counts the number of balls to be paid out from the ball lending device 97b based on the detection signals from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A and the ball lending count switch 301C, and determines whether or not ball jams occur in the ball lending device 97b. Is detected.

Microcomputer 37 for controlling prize ball lending
0 monitors whether or not an abnormality such as a ball jam has occurred in the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97b. Recovery control such as forward rotation is performed later to eliminate the clogging.

The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 outputs a lending number signal indicating the lending number to the terminal board 160 via the I / O port 372.
The buzzer drive signal is output to the buzzer board 75. A buzzer is mounted on the buzzer board 75. Further, an error signal is output to the error display LED 374 via the I / O port 372.

The buffer circuit 373 is connected to the game control board 31
This is an irreversible input interface that permits signal transmission only in the direction from the prize ball lending control board 37 to the prize ball lending control board 37 but does not transmit the signal from the prize ball lending control board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. . Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the award ball lending control board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. Even if a circuit in the prize ball lending control board 37 is tampered with, a signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the game control board 31 side. For this reason, one-way communication of the signal between the game control board 31 and the prize ball lending control board 37 is ensured, and an illegal signal is input from the prize ball lending control board 37 to the game control board 31 so that an illegal signal is input. It is possible to surely prevent a fraudulent act of performing control.

However, when the game control board 31 is configured to output information to the prize ball lending control board 37 by one-way communication, the ball lending device 97b informs the game that a ball is jammed. There is a problem that the control board 31 cannot be recognized. For example, even if it is detected on the prize ball lending control board 37 side that ball jam has occurred in the ball lending device 97b, information indicating the fact is output from the prize ball lending control board 37 side to the game control board 31 side. This is because there is no communication route to perform.

Immediately after the clogging of the award ball device 97a is detected on the award ball lending control board 37 side, the recovery control is executed by the award ball ball lending control microcomputer 370, and the award ball device 97a is executed. Is recovered, the game control board 31
If the payout of payout balls is promptly restarted at an earlier stage than the error is detected by the game control side, there is also a problem that the game control board 31 cannot recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the award ball device 97a. Occurs.

For example, if the pachinko gaming machine 1 detects that the ball is jammed in the ball lending device 97b on the prize ball lending control board 37 side, then the prize ball lending control board The payout time of the prize balls performed by the control on the 37 side is intentionally delayed so that an error determination is made on the game control board 31 side, and the error notification is performed by the determination. I have.

Thus, on the game control board 31 side, it is possible to grasp that there is a possibility that a ball jam has occurred in the ball rental device 97b. In addition, when the error notification is performed by the pachinko gaming machine 1, the staff at the amusement arcade can use the ball lending device 97.
b, it is possible to grasp that the clogging may have occurred,
Necessary measures such as inspection can be promptly performed.

If the game control board 31 detects an insufficiency of payout of prize balls, the state is determined by the clogging of the ball lending apparatus 97b by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370. Although it is difficult to specify whether or not the game is intentionally formed, if the game is intentionally formed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370, after a predetermined standby time elapses Since the shortage of the prize balls is resumed and the detection signal is input from the prize ball count switch, the game control board 31 determines whether or not the prize ball is resumed after a predetermined standby time has elapsed. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a high possibility that a ball jam has occurred in the ball rental device 97b. In this case, when it is detected that the payout of the insufficient prize balls has been resumed after the elapse of the predetermined standby time, the notification sound and the error display content are changed to change the ball lending device 97b.
It may be configured to notify the staff of the game arcade that the possibility of the occurrence of the jam is high.

Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example, when the ball is jammed in the prize ball device 97 a, the prize ball lending control board 3
7 is detected, the timing of executing the recovery control is deliberately delayed with respect to the prize ball device 97a, so that the timing of eliminating the clogging is shifted, whereby the error determination is made on the game control board 31 side. It is configured to be made.

With this configuration, when a jam in the prize ball device 97a is detected on the prize ball lending control board 37 side, an error is notified. Accordingly, on the game control board 31 side, even if the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 takes measures to eliminate the ball clogging, it is possible that the ball is generated in the prize ball device 97a before that. You can understand that there is sex. In addition, when this kind of error notification is performed by the pachinko gaming machine 1, the staff at the game arcade can use the prize ball device 97a.
It is possible to grasp that there is a possibility that a ball jam has occurred, and to promptly perform necessary measures such as checking whether or not the ball jam in the prize ball device 97a is eliminated by the recovery control executed thereafter. Will be able to do it.

A circuit similar to the buffer circuit 373 shown in FIG. The control board is provided in a similar manner. Therefore, one-way communication of signals between the game control board 31 and each of the control boards 35, 70, 80 is ensured, and the game control board 31 is transmitted from each of the control boards 35, 70, 80.
It is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act of causing an illegal signal to be input to perform an illegal control.

The card unit 50 has a card unit control microcomputer (not shown) mounted thereon. In addition, the card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152, a connection stand direction indicator 153, a card insertion indicator 154, and a card insertion slot 155 (see FIG. 1). The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED (not shown), a ball lending switch, and a return switch, which are provided near the hit ball supply tray 3.

From the balance display board 74 to the card unit 50
In response to the player's operation, a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are given via the prize ball lending control board 37.

The card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and the ball lending possible display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card are displayed on the balance display board 74 from the card unit 50.
7 is provided. Between the card unit 50 and the prize ball lending control board 37, a unit ball lending operation signal (BR
DY signal), ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), ball lending completion signal (EXS signal), and pachinko machine operation signal (PR
DY signal) is exchanged. In addition, although not shown, the prize ball lending control board 3
7, a card unit connection confirmation signal used for confirming on the prize ball lending control board 37 that the card unit 50 is connected to the prize ball lending control board 37 is given.

When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on,
The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 of the prize ball lending control board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. When the card is accepted in the card unit 50 and the ball lending switch is operated to input the ball lending switch signal, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit outputs a BRDY signal to the prize ball lending control board 37. When a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit outputs a BRQ signal to the prize ball lending control board 37. Then, the microcomputer 37 for controlling the award ball lending control of the award ball lending control board 37.
0 drives the ball lending motor 289C and pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. If ball lending is in progress,
The EXS signal is turned on. As a result, the prize ball lending control board 37 notifies the card unit 50 that a ball is being lent. That is, the EXS signal is also used to notify the card unit 50 that a ball is being lent. When the payout is completed, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 sets the card unit 50
Is turned off. Thus, the award ball lending control board 37 notifies the card unit 50 that the ball lending has been completed. That is, the EXS signal is
It is used for transmitting two kinds of information of ball lending and ball lending completion.

As described above, all the signals from the card unit 50 are inputted to the prize ball lending control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, no signal is input from the card unit 50 to the game control board 31, and there is no room for a signal to be illegally input from the card unit 50 side to the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31. .

A circuit for driving a solenoid, a motor, a lamp and the like is mounted on the game control board 31, and a circuit for driving the motor and the like is mounted on the prize ball lending control board 37. However, those circuits are omitted in the figure.

Next, the award ball command will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content of the data of the prize ball command output from the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31. The basic circuit 53 outputs command data in the format shown to the lamp control board 35, the prize ball lending control board 37, the voice control board 70, and the display control board 80. Here, a prize ball command will be described as a representative example.

The command data is composed of, for example, 7 bits of 8-bit transmittable data as shown in the figure. Of these, bit 7 is used for the INT signal. As described above, the format of the command data includes the lamp control board 35, the award ball lending control board 37,
Since the voice control board 70 and the display control board 80 are common, operations for creating command data for specifying control operations of various control boards are facilitated.

In the command data for award ball control, the number of award balls is specified by a binary number using bits 0 to 3, and the control content is specified by a binary number using bits 4 to 6. The bit 7 is not used for specifying the number of winning balls, but is used for an INT signal. For example, when bits 4 to 6 are “001”, normal payout is designated. The prize ball command in which the normal payout is specified in this way is called a prize ball number command. Bit 4
If bit 6 is "010", ball lending prohibition is designated. When bits 4 to 6 are “011”, release of ball lending prohibition is designated. Bits 4 to 6 are "10
In the case of "0", prohibition of firing (prohibition of firing of hit balls) is specified. When bits 4 to 6 are "101", release of firing prohibition is designated. Bit 4 to Bit 6 are "110"
In the case of, prize ball prohibition is specified. Bit 4 to bit 6
Is "111", prize ball prohibition cancellation is designated.

When the normal payout is performed in accordance with the winning, the normal payout is designated by bits 4 to 6 and
Bits 0 to 3 specify the number of payouts according to the winning. In the case other than the normal payout, the control content is specified by bits 4 to 6, but “0001” is fixedly specified by bits 0 to 3. That is,
“0001” in bits 0 to 3 specifies non-payout. Therefore, in cases other than the normal payout, the number of balls to be paid out is not specified, and no payout is made.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which the prize ball lending control board 37 receives a prize ball command. As described above, the signal state of the INT signal is H
A state at the IGH level is a valid state, and a state at the LOW level is an invalid state. The game control board 31
When transmitting new command data, set the INT signal to 4m.
During s, the LOW level is switched to the HIGH level, and the command data of the required prize ball command is continuously output to the prize ball lending control board 37 for 4 ms. When it is necessary to continuously output award ball commands, a command non-output period of at least 4 ms is provided between commands as an interval period. Therefore, when it is necessary to continuously output the prize ball command, the INT signal is set to HIG for 4 ms.
After the signal goes to the H level and the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms, the INT signal goes to the LOW level for at least 4 ms and the output of the prize ball command is stopped. Then, the INT signal is HIGH for another 4 ms. The command transmission mode is such that the prize ball command is continuously output for 4 ms as the level is reached.

The prize ball lending control board 37 outputs the INT signal H
Various controls are executed based on the data of the award ball command input when the signal is at the IGH level. Once the control based on the command data is started, the prize ball lending control board 37 continues the control until new command data is input.

As indicated by "1" in the figure, the prize ball lending control board 37 extracts the prize ball command data when the INT signal changes from the invalid state to the valid state, and stores it in a predetermined storage area. To store. Thereafter, when 500 μs elapses, the prize ball command data is extracted again as indicated by “2” in the figure. Then, it is confirmed that the newly extracted award ball command data matches the award ball command data extracted at the timing. After that, another 500 μs
At the point in time when elapses, as shown by "3" in the figure, the command data is extracted again, and on the condition that the command data has not changed, the control corresponding to the award ball command data is executed. In other words, the award ball command data is extracted three times in succession while the INT signal is in the valid state, and when all the extraction results match, the award ball command data is regarded as regular data.

If the three extractions of command data do not result in the same result, the extraction is repeated three times during the period in which the INT signal is in the valid state. When all the extraction results match by re-extraction, the award ball command data is regarded as regular data. As described above, the prize ball command data input from the game control board 31 is monitored for a predetermined period (during the period in which the INT signal is in the valid state), and when the content of the prize ball command data does not change (extracted three times). In the case where the obtained data continuously match), the prize ball command data is regarded as normal data, and control is performed in accordance with the prize ball command data. Can be prevented from being erroneously controlled based on the data even when the data is changed to data different from the original data. As a result, highly accurate payout control can be performed.

The command data need only have a valid period of one time in a series (4 mS in the embodiment), and only the INT signal may fall and the command data may be continuously output. That is, the output in a mode that can be received by the award ball lending control board 37 side may be one time.

The reception of such command data is similarly performed in each of the control boards 35, 70, and 80 other than the award ball lending control board 37. Therefore, the same effect can be obtained in each of the control boards 35, 70, and 80 other than the award ball lending control board 37.

The prize ball command includes a game control board 3
When outputting from 1, the output priority is determined in advance. The ball lending prohibition command has the highest priority. Hereinafter, the prize ball prohibition command, the firing prohibition command, the ball lending prohibition release command, the prize ball prohibition release command, the firing prohibition release command, the prize ball number command (in FIG. 6, The priority is lower in the order of “payout”). Further, in the case of the prize ball number command, even with the same payout, the payout having the larger number of prize balls has higher priority.

When it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, the award ball commands are output in order from the one with the highest priority in accordance with the priority determined as described above. By outputting the prize ball commands in order according to the priority order, the processing load of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. The reason is as follows. In other words, if it is necessary to output a plurality of award ball commands at the same time, and if a plurality of award ball commands are to be output at the same time, it is necessary to greatly increase the number of bits of the transmission command. In order to simultaneously prepare a number of data, it is necessary to process a large amount of data at the same time, so that the processing load on the basic circuit 53 that handles such data increases. On the other hand, when the prize ball commands are output in order according to the priority order, it is not necessary to output a plurality of types of command information at the same time, so that the amount of data to be simultaneously processed for output can be suppressed. Thus, the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. Similarly, the microcomputer 370 for controlling the prize ball lending does not need to simultaneously output a plurality of types of command information, so that the amount of data to be simultaneously processed for output can be suppressed. Therefore, the processing load of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 can be reduced.

Since the priority of the output of the prize ball command is determined, it is possible to output a command important for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 as soon as possible.

Next, a process for operating the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart. First, the processing executed by the basic circuit 53 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit 53. In FIG. 7, (a) shows the main processing,
(B) shows the interrupt processing.

Referring to FIG. 7A, in the main processing, first, a stack setting processing for setting a designated address of a stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, an initialization process is performed (S2). In the initialization process,
The basic circuit 53 determines whether an error is included in the RAM 55, and if an error is included, performs processing such as initializing the RAM 55 and initial setting of various flags. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) for defining the timing at which an interrupt process to be described later is executed is set in the CPU 56. As a result, clocking for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after resetting due to power-on or the like is started.

Next, a display random number update process for determining a stop symbol or the like is performed (S3). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a special symbol stop symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on a random number (counter value of a random counter). In this S3, the display random number for determining such a stop symbol is updated. The display random number update process is continuously executed repeatedly by an infinite loop. However, when an interrupt process described later is started, the display random number update process is temporarily stopped at an executing position in a program constituting the display random number update process. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution is resumed from the position of the suspended program.

Next, referring to FIG. 7B, the interrupt processing is performed by setting the clock value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 to the set value (timer interrupt time set in S2 or S15). Execution is started every time.

In the interrupt processing, first, display control data setting processing for setting a command code sent to the display control board 80 in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 is performed (S4), and the command code is output as display control data. A display control data output process is performed (S5). Next, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for sound generation and LED lighting control to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed, and data such as big hit information, start information, and probability variation information are sent to the hall management computer. Is performed (S6). In addition, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing is performed according to the results, if necessary, to issue an alarm if necessary (S7). Next, a process of updating each counter indicating various random numbers for determination used in the game control is performed (S
8). In S8, specifically, the judgment random number such as the jackpot determination random number is updated. That is, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, it is determined whether or not to generate a big hit based on the extracted value of the big hit determination random number. Next, the basic circuit 53 performs a special symbol process (S9). In the special symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Also, a normal symbol process is performed (S10). In normal symbol processing, variable display 1 with 7 segment LED
A corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling 0 in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, the basic circuit 53 inputs a state of the gate switch 12, the starting port switch 17a, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the like, and performs a switch process of determining whether or not there is a prize for each prize port or the variable prize ball device. Perform (S11). next,
A display random number update process for updating a display random number for determining a stop symbol or the like is performed (S12). Next, prize ball signal processing is performed with the microcomputer 370 for controlling prize ball lending (S13). That is, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the basic circuit 53 outputs a prize ball command and an INT signal to the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 along with the INT signal. Based on this, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 controls the driving of the prize ball device 57a. Next, the basic circuit 53 performs award ball command output processing (S14). The award ball command output process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, basic circuit 53 performs a timer interrupt time setting process (S15). In S15, the timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002
Is performed in the same manner as in the case of S2.
After S15, this interrupt processing ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt processing, the timer interrupt time is set in S15, and the time measurement for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt processing is started.
Therefore, the time for the timer interrupt is measured each time the interrupt processing ends, and thereafter, the interrupt processing is executed every time the timer interrupt time elapses. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution of the above-described program of the main processing is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the starting winning opening check process executed by the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53.

This start winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG. First, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the type 1 starter switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value (SS1). The first-type starting port switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal of the starting port switch 17 continues. If the first-type starting port switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, that is, if the duration of the input signal has not yet reached the specified value, the input signal may have noise or the like, and processing is performed. Ends. On the other hand, when the type 1 starter switch counter matches the switch-on determination value, it is determined that the first opening switch 17 has detected the start winning, and the counter B is updated (+1) (SS).
2). As described above, the counter B is a counter that stores the detection signal of the starting port switch 17, that is, the detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 5. Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol winning storage counter for counting the number of starting memories is equal to or more than the maximum value (= 4) of the special symbol winning memory counter (SS3). If the maximum value is reached, the process ends without storing the start. If the maximum value has not been reached, the special symbol winning memory counter is updated (+
1) Perform (SS4). Next, a special symbol determination bank address corresponding to the count value of the newly stored special symbol winning storage counter is calculated (SS5). Next, change reduction setting time to shorten the variable display time of special symbols,
It is set once in the fluctuation shortening timer bank (SS6). Note that the fluctuation shortening set time set here is the same as the SS
The display time can be changed to the normal variable display time depending on the number of start storages evaluated at 11. That is, when the number of stored memories is large, the setting is maintained as it is, and when the number of stored memories is small, the display time is changed to a normal variable display time.

Next, a random number for special symbol determination for determining whether or not the variable display result is a big hit is extracted (SS
7). Next, a reach determination random number is extracted for determining whether or not the reach is established during the variable display (SS
8). Next, the special symbol determination random number extracted in SS7 is set in the special symbol determination bank, and the reach determination random number extracted in SS8 is set in the reach determination bank (SS
9). Next, the special symbol determination random number extracted in SS7 is set in the specific symbol determination bank (SS10). The special symbol determination bank is a bank that determines whether to generate a big hit based on the special symbol determination random number, or whether to generate a probability variable big hit that causes a probability variation,
The specific symbol determination bank is a bank used to determine the type of the stopped symbol according to the determination result by the special symbol determination bank.

Next, after executing the special symbol determination process (S
S11), the process ends. In the special symbol determination process, the variable display result of the variable display device 8 is determined based on the values stored in the specific symbol determination bank and the special symbol determination bank.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the special winning opening check process executed by the CPU 56. This special winning opening check process is a process included in the switch process executed in S11 of the interrupt process shown in FIG.

In this special winning opening check process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the count switch counter does not coincide with the switch-on judgment value (ST1). The count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the output of the detection signal from the count switch 23 continues. If the count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the count switch counter matches, the count switch 23 determines that the winning has been detected and sets a count passage flag indicating that (see FIG. 5). S
T2). Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value indicating the gaming state is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST3). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST5 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST4). Here, the counter A is added and updated based on the previously set count passage flag. As described above, the counter A is a counter that stores the detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15. Next, it is checked whether the V count switch counter (specific area count switch counter) does not match the switch-on determination value (ST5). The V count switch counter is a counter that is added and updated as the detection signal output from the V count switch 22 continues. If the V count switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process proceeds to ST10 described later. If they match, it is determined that the V count switch 22 has detected a winning. Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol process flag value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened (ST6). If the value is other than the value indicating that the special winning opening is being opened, the process proceeds to ST8 described later. If the value indicates that the special winning opening is being opened, a special winning opening winning counter updating process is executed (ST7). Here, the V count switch 22
And updates the counter A based on the detection signal of Next, it is determined whether or not the continuation number counter for counting the number of executions of the repetition continuation control of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is equal to or more than the final value (= 16) of the continuation number counter (ST).
8). If the final value has been reached, the process proceeds to ST10 described later. If the final value has not been reached, a specific area passage flag indicating that the hit ball has passed through the specific area is set (ST9).

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the winning opening switch counter does not match the switch-on judgment value (ST10).
The winning opening switch counter is provided for each winning opening switch 240.
(240a, 240b, 240c, 240d, 240
The counter is added and updated as the output of the detection signal of e) continues. If the winning opening switch counter does not match the switch-on determination value, the process ends. If they match, it is determined that the winning opening switch 240 has detected a winning, and the counter C is added and updated (ST1).
1). Then, the process ends. Note that the counter C is
As described above, the counter stores the detection signal of each winning opening switch 240, that is, the detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 10.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the winning ball signal processing executed by the CPU 56. The winning ball signal processing is executed once every 2 ms.

In the winning ball signal processing, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 first executes a ball lending possible determination process (SA1). This ball lending possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not ball lending is possible, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, a firing possibility determination process is executed (SA2). This firing possibility determination process is a process for determining whether or not it is possible to fire a hit ball, and the content of the process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the timer T6 has timed out (SA3). Here, the timer T6 is a timer that is repeatedly restarted each time a predetermined time is measured and time out occurs. When the timer T6 times out,
If the cumulative error count counted by the prize ball error counter exceeds a predetermined count, it is an error that cannot be recovered in SA9 as described later.

If the timer T6 has timed out, the value of the winning ball error counter is checked (SA6).
If the cumulative error count counted by the prize ball error counter exceeds a predetermined count, an unrecoverable error state is entered (SA9). In the error state, the game control microcomputer 3510 is in a halt state (HALT state). On the other hand, if the value of the winning ball error counter does not exceed the predetermined number when the timer T6 times out, the winning ball error counter is initialized (SA7), and the timer T
6 is started (SA8). Thereafter, the flow advances to SA4.

As will be described later, the value of the winning ball error counter is counted up when an excessive number of winning balls is detected. Therefore, if a prize ball excess error exceeding a predetermined number occurs within a predetermined time (within the count-up time of the timer T6), the state is not canceled. As described above, when the prize ball excess error occurs, the halt state (HALT state) is immediately set.
State), the gaming machine is set to be in a halt state (HALT state) when a prize ball excess error frequently occurs, and the gaming machine does not become inoperable due to an error that occurs temporarily and recovers naturally. In addition, when the prize ball excess error frequently occurs, an inspection or the like is often required. In such a case, the gaming machine can be made inoperable.

Here, the timer T6 is started irrespective of the occurrence of an error, and every time the timer T6 times out, the number of errors generated at the time T6 is checked. However, when an error occurs, the timer is started. Other monitoring methods may be used. In short, if it is possible to detect that an error has occurred more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time,
Any monitoring method may be used.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the award ball paying flag is on (SA4). If turned on, SB
Move to 1. If the prize ball payout flag is not turned on, it is confirmed whether or not a winning is detected (SA
5). Specifically, it is determined with reference to the counters (counters A, B, C) of the RAM 55 described above whether or not a winning has been detected. If no winning has been detected, the process ends. On the other hand, when a winning is detected, a winning ball possible determination process is executed (SA10). This prize ball possibility determination processing is processing for determining whether or not payout of prize balls is possible, and the content of the processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, after the prize ball possible determination processing is completed, a prize ball number command corresponding to winning is output in accordance with the following priority order. First, it is determined whether or not a winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 (SA11). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter A has a stored value.

In this embodiment, fifteen prize balls are paid out for a prize that has passed through the special winning opening. Therefore, when winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 (counter A> 0), the expected prize ball count is set to 1
Five are set (SA13), and then the total prize ball counter is updated by adding "15" (SA14). Then counter A
Is updated by subtracting "1" (SA14a). Here, the total prize ball counter is a counter for counting the total number of prize balls to be paid out.

When no winning is detected by the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23, the general winning opening switch corresponding to the general winning opening 24, that is, each winning opening switch 240 (240a, 240b, 240).
It is determined whether a winning has been detected in (c, 240d, 240e) (SA12). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the counter C has a stored value. In this embodiment, ten prize balls are paid out for a winning through the general winning opening 24. Therefore, when a winning is detected by each winning opening switch 240 (counter C> 0), 10 is set to the expected number of winning balls (SA15), and then the total winning ball counter is updated by adding "10" (SA16). . Then counter C
Is updated by subtracting "1" (SA16a).

When no winning is detected by any of the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and each winning opening switch 240, it can be determined that the winning opening is detected by the starting opening switch 17. Specifically, it can be determined that there is a stored value in the counter B for storing the detection signal of the starting port switch 17. In this embodiment, in order to pay out five prize balls for a winning through the starting opening 14,
When it is determined that the answer is NO in SA12, five prize balls are set to the expected number of prize balls (SA19), and then the total prize ball counter is set to "5".
The addition is updated (SA20). Next, the counter B is set to “1”.
Subtraction is updated (SA20a).

As described above, the game control board 31 performs the payout control corresponding to each detection signal in accordance with a predetermined priority order even when the detection signals are simultaneously input from a plurality of winning detection switches. .

Thereafter, the CPU 56 sets a prize ball command output flag to output a prize ball command according to the expected number of prize balls (SA17).

As described above, a prize ball command corresponding to each detection signal is output in a predetermined priority order so that control when detection signals are simultaneously input from a plurality of winning detection switches is facilitated. . The prize ball lending control microcomputer 37 on the prize ball lending control board 37
The CPU 371 of 0 performs the prize ball payout control of the number specified by the prize ball command.

Next, the CPU 56 turns on the prize ball paying flag (SA18), and the prize ball signal processing ends. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, the prize ball paying-out flag is turned on in SA4.
Move to

At SB1, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the error display flag is on. Here, the error display flag indicates an error display process (SB14, FIG. 19) to be described later when the shortage of payout of the prize ball is detected.
This is a flag that is set when (see) is executed. Therefore, when the error display flag is on, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in an error notification state by the error display process. If the error display flag is on, the flow shifts to error display processing (SB14).

If the error display flag is not on, it is determined whether or not the winning ball count switch ON flag is on (SB2). Here, the award ball count switch ON flag is a flag that is set in SB4 described later when the award ball count switch is turned on.

If the award ball count switch ON flag is ON, the flow shifts to SB6 described later. If the winning ball count switch ON flag is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the winning ball count switch is turned on (SB)
3). Here, the output of the prize ball count switch used in this prize ball signal processing is actually equivalent to the output (OR) of the outputs of the prize ball count switches 301A and 301B. When the ON of the winning ball count switch is detected, the ON flag of the winning ball count switch is set (SB4). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the prize ball count switch has been turned off (SB6). If the prize ball count switch has not been turned off, the prize ball signal processing is temporarily terminated, and the prize ball signal processing is performed again. When executed, S
At B6, it is determined whether or not the award ball count switch has been turned off. Then, when turned off, the counter value of the total prize ball counter is decremented and updated (−1) (SB8), and the timer T1 is started (SB9). Here, the timer T1 is a timer that is set each time the winning ball count switch is turned off. When the timer T1 times out, the number of payouts is checked.

If the award ball count switch is not turned on in SB3, it is checked whether or not the timer T1 is operating (SB5). If the timer T1 is not operating, the process ends. On the other hand, if the timer T1 is operating, the CPU
56 checks whether the timer T1 has timed out (SB10). If the timeout has not occurred, the process ends. Next, when the prize ball signal processing is executed, the prize ball paying-out flag is on, so that the process also proceeds from SA4 to SB1.

The value of the timer T1 (the time from the start to the time-out) is a payout cycle (from when the prize ball count switch 301A or 301B is turned off to when it is turned on next time) when payout is normally performed. Period) is set longer. Therefore, when the payout is normally performed, except for the last payout of the winning ball based on the counter value of the total winning ball counter, the next winning ball count switch is turned on (before the timer T1 times out). SB3) occurs. That is, when the payout is normally performed, the timer T1 times out only after the last payout is performed.

When the timer T1 times out in SB10, the CPU 56 determines whether or not the count value of the total prize ball counter is "0" (SB11). If the timer T1 times out, SB10
Is determined, the timer value of the timer T1 is cleared. next,
It is determined whether the counter value of the total prize ball counter is “0” (SB11). When the payout is completed normally, the counter value of the total prize ball counter becomes “0”. Therefore, when the counter value of the total prize ball counter is "0", the prize ball paying flag is turned off to stop the output of the prize ball command (SB12), and the process proceeds to SA5.

On the other hand, if the counter value of the total prize ball counter has not become "0" when the timer T1 times out, the CPU 56 determines whether the counter value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0". Check whether or not (SB1
3). When the counter value of the total winning ball counter is not smaller than "0", that is, when it is determined that the payout is insufficient, an error display process is executed (SB14), and thereafter, the winning ball signal process ends. The content of the error display processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, if the count value of the total prize ball counter is smaller than "0", that is, if it is determined that the payout is excessive, the total prize ball counter is reset (SB15), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SB12. In other words, in the case of overpayment,
Allow that state. In addition, even in the case of overpayment, the error display processing may be executed, or the number of times of overpayment may be counted, and the error display processing may be executed when the predetermined number is reached. .

FIG. 12 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
5 is a flowchart showing a ball lending possibility determination process executed by the first embodiment. In the ball lending possibility determination process, the CPU 5
No. 6 first determines whether or not the full tank flag 1 is set (SC1). The full tank flag 1 is a flag that is set when the surplus ball tray 4 is full when there are balls to be paid out by the ball rental device 57b,
A full tank flag for lending a ball.

If it is determined that the full tank flag 1 is set, the flow advances to SC17 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full tank flag 1 is not set, it is determined whether or not the ball-out switch 187 detects that there is a lending ball (detects that there is a lending ball that can be paid out) (SC2). . When it is determined that there is no ball lending, the process proceeds to SC3 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a ball lending, it is determined whether the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC).
8). Here, the ball lending prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that ball lending is prohibited. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SC9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to SC13, and based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected. to decide.

When it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the ball lending possibility determination processing is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, the timer value of the timer T8 is updated by adding “1” (SC14). Here, the timer T8 is a timer for measuring the continuation time of the full state detection state.
Is used to determine whether or not to set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T8 has reached a predetermined value based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 so that the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full. (SC15). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time considered to be impossible when noise is mixed and a ball flowing down state so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. Timer T
When it is determined that the timer value of No. 8 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T8 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 has become full, and
The full tank flag 1 is set (SC16). Timer T8
If it is determined that the timer value has reached the predetermined value, SC1
At 6, the timer value of the timer T8 is cleared. SC1
After step 6, the process proceeds to SC6 to be described later, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on (set state), the ball lending prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) in SC7, and the ball lending possibility determination process ends. I do.

Here, the ball lending prohibition flag is a flag that is set when indicating that ball lending is prohibited. The ball lending prohibition command output flag is a flag set when a ball lending prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

If it is determined in SC8 that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state and the process proceeds to SC9, the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer is updated by adding "1" (SC9). . Here, the ball lending possibility determination timer is set to the ball lending prohibition state based on the ball luffing detection by the ball luffing switch 187, and thereafter, when the ball luffing switch 187 becomes the non-ball lending non-detection state, the ball lending prohibition. This is a timer used to determine the timing for automatically canceling the state. In other words, when the cutout switch 187 changes from the cutout detection state to the cutout non-detection state,
If it is determined that the broken-ball state has been recovered on the condition that the non-detection state has continued for a certain period of time, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of recovery due to noise or the like and to reliably determine the recovery of the broken-ball state.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the ball lending possible determination timer has reached a predetermined value (for example, 2000 mS) at which it can be determined that the ball-out condition has been successfully restored (SC10). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is
The value is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. This prevents erroneous determination of recovery due to noise etc.,
It is possible to reliably determine the recovery of the broken ball state.

If it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached the predetermined value, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off (SC11). As a result, it is not possible to indicate that the ball lending is prohibited. The timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer is cleared when it is determined in SC10 that the timer value of the ball lending possibility determination timer has reached a predetermined value. After the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state) (SC
12), the ball lending possibility determination process ends. here,
The ball lending prohibition release command output flag is a flag that is set when the ball lending prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command. By setting the ball lending prohibition release command output flag in this way, a ball lending prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball lending control board 37.

If it is determined in SC2 that no lending has been detected by SC2 and the process proceeds to SC3, the timer value of timer T7 is updated by adding "1". Here, the timer T7 is detected by the ball-break switch 187 so that the off-state of the ball-break switch 187 caused by the pachinko ball flowing through the supply passage to the ball lending device 97b is not erroneously regarded as a ball-break. It is a timer used to define the validity period.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T7 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection valid period of the burnout switch 187 (SC4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the off period of the on / off state of the ball breaking switch 187 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the ball lending device 97b.
That is, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply passage to the ball lending device 97b, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball-break switch 187 repeatedly turns on and off as the pachinko balls pass. However, if the case where the ball-break switch 187 is turned on at an extremely short timing is regarded as a ball-break detection state, a short-time off-state during the on-off state accompanying the passage of a pachinko ball is erroneously regarded as a ball-break state. May be detected. In order to prevent such an erroneous detection, it is determined that the ball is in the cut-off state only when the cut-out switch 187 is turned on after waiting for a period longer than the on-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball. Judge.

If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T7 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T7 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SC5). When it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the ball lending prohibition state is already in the ball lending prohibition state, and the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not on, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned on (SC6). This indicates that the ball lending is prohibited. Then, the ball lending prohibition command output flag is set to the ON state (set state) (SC7), and the ball lending possibility determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SC1 that the full tank flag 1 has been set and the process proceeds to SC17, the surplus ball tray 4 is detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402.
It is determined whether or not the full state is detected. If it is determined that the full state has been detected, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is not detected, the timer value of the timer T15 is added and updated by "1" (SC18). Here, the timer T15 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not to reset the full state flag 1.

Next, the timer value of the timer T15 is set based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state (SC19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 seconds) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state by noise.
s). If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T15 has not reached the predetermined value, the ball lending possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T15 has reached the predetermined value,
Is not in the full state, and the full state flag 1 is reset (SC20). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T15 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T15 is cleared in SC20.

After the process of resetting the full tank flag 1 is performed, the process of turning off the ball lending prohibition flag is performed (SC11), and then the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state). Processing (SC1
2) is performed. Thereafter, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. In this way, when the tank is no longer full, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off,
It indicates that the ball lending is possible and the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is set, whereby the ball lending prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball lending control board 37.

As described above, the ball lending device 97b
In each of the cases where the broken ball state is detected and the surplus ball tray 4 becomes full, ball lending is prohibited. Then, when such a broken-out ball state and a full tank state are respectively restored, the ball lending prohibition is released accordingly. Since the release of the ball lending prohibition state is automatically performed without operation of the attendant, it is possible to save the labor of the attendant about the release of the ball lending prohibition state.

Further, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a payable ball lending by the ball out switch 187, the ball lending device 97b
Can be determined to be in a state in which it is not possible to pay out balls, and if it is determined that it is in a state in which it cannot pay out balls, paying out balls is prohibited (stopped). Lending prohibition command capable of specifying the ball lending to the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 to output the ball lending device 97b
Can stop paying out the ball lending by the ball lending device 9 in the basic circuit 53 from the cut-out side of the ball.
7b can be managed.

In addition, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 402, it is possible to determine that the ball lending device 97b cannot pay out the ball lending, and in the state where the ball lending cannot be paid out. A ball lending prohibition command that can specify that the payout of ball lending is prohibited (stopped) when it is determined that there is a prize ball lending control microcomputer 3
Since the output of the ball lending device 97b can be stopped and the ball lending device 97b can stop paying out the ball lending by the ball lending device 97b, the state of the ball lending device 97b can be managed in the basic circuit 53 from the state of the surplus ball tray 4 being full. become.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the firing possibility determination process. This firing possibility determination process is a process executed by SA2 of the winning ball signal process shown in FIG.

First, based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected (SQ1). If it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the process proceeds to SQ7 described below. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, it is determined whether or not the firing prohibition flag is in the on state (set state) (SQ2). Here, the firing prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that the firing of the hit ball is prohibited, and is turned on by SQ5 described later, and is turned off (reset state) by SQ10 described later. You.

If it is determined in SQ2 that the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state, the firing feasibility determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SQ2 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the timer value of the timer T3 is updated by adding "1" (SQ3). Here, the timer T
Reference numeral 3 denotes a timer for measuring the duration of the full-state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not the firing inhibition flag is to be turned on.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T3 has reached a predetermined value based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 so that it can be determined that the surplus ball tray 4 is fully filled. (SQ4). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered not to be generated when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous detection of the full state due to noise. I have. When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T3 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T3 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is full, and the firing inhibition flag is turned on (SQ5). Then, the firing prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (SQ6), and the firing feasibility determination process ends. When the firing prohibition command output flag is turned on in this way, a firing prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

When it is determined that the full state is not detected in SQ1 and the process proceeds to SQ7,
It is determined whether or not the firing prohibition flag is in the ON state (set state) (SQ7). If it is determined in SQ7 that the firing prohibition flag is not in the ON state, the firing possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in SQ7 that the firing prohibition flag is on, the timer T2
Is updated by adding "1" to the timer value (SQ8). Here, the timer T2 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not to turn off the firing prohibition flag.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T2 has reached a predetermined value at which the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state based on the detection signal from the full state switch 402. A judgment is made (SQ9). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state due to noise. ing. When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T2 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the firing possibility determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T2 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state, and the firing inhibition flag is turned off (reset state) (SQ10). Then, the firing inhibition release command output flag is turned on (set state).
(SQ11), and this firing possibility determination processing ends.
When the firing prohibition release command output flag is turned on in this way, a firing prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command.

As described above, when the surplus ball tray 4 becomes full, the firing of hit balls is prohibited.
Then, when such a full state is restored, the firing prohibition is released. Since the release of the firing prohibition state is automatically performed without depending on the operation of the attendant, it is possible to save the time and effort of the attendant for releasing the release prohibition state.

FIG. 14 shows the SA of the winning ball signal processing described above.
10 is a flowchart showing a prize ball possible determination process executed by the CPU 10; In the prize ball possible determination process, the CPU 56
First, it is determined whether or not the full tank flag 2 is set (SD1). The full tank flag 2 is a prize ball device 57
This flag is set when the surplus ball tray 4 is full when there is a prize ball that can be paid out by a, and is a full flag for prize balls.

When it is determined that the full tank flag 2 is set, the flow proceeds to SD17 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the full tank flag 2 has not been set, it is determined whether or not the prize ball has been detected (detection of the existence of a prize ball to be dispensed) by the out-of-ball detection switch 167 (SD2). ). When it is determined that there is no prize ball, the process proceeds to SD3 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a winning ball, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is on (set state) (SD
8). Here, the prize ball prohibition flag is a flag for indicating that the payout of the prize ball is in a prohibition state. If it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, the process proceeds to SD9 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning ball prohibition flag is not turned on, the process proceeds to SD13, and based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, it is determined whether or not the full state of the surplus ball tray 4 is detected. to decide.

When it is determined that the full state has not been detected, the prize ball possible determination processing ends.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is detected, the timer value of the timer T5 is added and updated by "1" (SD1
4). Here, the timer T5 is a timer for measuring the duration of the full state detection state, and is used to determine whether or not the full state flag 1 is set.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T5 has reached a predetermined value based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402 so that the surplus ball tray 4 can be reliably determined to be full. (SD15). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is instantaneously detected based on a detection continuation time considered to be impossible when noise is mixed and a ball flowing down state so as to prevent erroneous detection of a full state due to noise. It is set to a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 s) for excluding a case where a state occurs. Timer T
When it is determined that the timer value of No. 5 has not reached the predetermined value yet, the ball lending possibility determination processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the timer value of the timer T5 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 has become full, and
The full tank flag 2 is set (SD16). Timer T5
If it is determined that the timer value has reached the predetermined value, SD1
At 6, the timer value of the timer T5 is cleared. Thereafter, the process proceeds to SD6 to be described later, and sets the winning ball prohibition flag to the on state (set state). Then, in SD12, sets the winning ball prohibition command output flag to the on state (set state), and this winning ball possible determination processing ends.

Here, the prize ball prohibition flag is a flag that is set when indicating that the payout of prize balls is prohibited. The prize ball prohibition command output flag is a flag set when a prize ball prohibition command is output as a prize ball command.

If it is determined in SD8 that the prize ball prohibition flag is in the ON state and the process proceeds to SD9, the timer value of the prize ball possible determination timer is updated by adding "1" (SD9). . Here, the prize-ball possible determination timer is a prize-ball prohibition state based on the ball-break detection by the ball-break detection switch 167.
Reference numeral 7 denotes a timer used to determine the timing for automatically canceling the winning ball prohibition state when the out-of-ball state is not detected. That is, the burnout detection switch 167
When it is determined that the broken-ball state has been recovered from the broken-ball detected state to the broken-ball non-detection state on condition that the non-broken state has continued for a certain period of time, the recovery error due to noise etc. The determination can be prevented, and the recovery of the broken-ball state can be reliably determined.

Next, the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer is
It is determined whether or not a predetermined value (for example, 2200 mS) that can determine that the broken-out state has been successfully recovered has been reached (S
D10). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is set to a value corresponding to a time during which noise can be eliminated. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of restoration due to noise or the like, and to reliably determine restoration of a broken-ball state.

If it is determined that the timer value of the prize ball possible determination timer has not reached the predetermined value, the prize ball possible determination process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer has reached the predetermined value, the winning ball prohibition flag is turned off (SD11). As a result, the fact that the award ball payout is prohibited is not indicated. The timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer is cleared when it is determined in SD10 that the timer value of the winning ball possible determination timer has reached a predetermined value. Then, after the award ball prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state) (SD1
2), the prize ball possible determination processing ends. Here, the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is a flag set when the prize ball prohibition release command is output as a prize ball command. By setting the prize ball prohibition release command output flag in this way, a prize ball prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball lending control board 37.

If it is determined that there is no prize ball in SD2 and the process proceeds to SD3, a process of adding and updating the timer value of the timer T4 by "1" is performed. Here, the timer T4 is a ball-break detection switch 167 in order to prevent an off-state of the ball-break detection switch 167 caused by a pachinko ball flowing through the supply passage to the prize ball device 97a from being erroneously regarded as a ball-break. This is a timer used to define the detection validity period of.

Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer T4 has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the detection validity period of the burnout detection switch 167 (SD4). In this case, the predetermined value is set to a value longer than a value corresponding to the ON period of the on / off state of the ball-break detection switch 167 caused by the movement of the pachinko ball supplied to the prize ball device 97a. That is, when the pachinko balls are flowing through the supply path to the prize ball device 97a, unlike the case where the pachinko balls are stagnating, the ball-out detection switch 167 repeatedly turns on and off as the pachinko balls pass. However, if the case where the ball-break detection switch 167 is turned on at an extremely short timing is regarded as a ball-break detection state, the short-time off-state during the on / off state due to the passage of the pachinko ball will be broken. There is a possibility that the state is erroneously detected. In order to prevent such erroneous detection, the ball-out detection switch 1 waits for a period longer than the off-state period in the on-off state caused by the passage of the pachinko ball.
Only when the switch 67 is on, it is determined that the ball is out of ball.

If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T4 has not reached the predetermined value, the winning ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T4 has reached the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the winning ball prohibition flag is in an on state (set state) (SD5). If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, the prize ball prohibition state is already in the prize ball prohibition state, and this prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition flag is not on, the prize ball prohibition flag is set on (SD
6). This indicates that the winning ball is prohibited. Then, the award ball prohibition command output flag is turned on (set state) (SD7), and the award ball availability determination processing ends.

If it is determined in SD1 that the full tank flag 2 is set and the process proceeds to SD17, the surplus ball tray 4 is detected based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402.
It is determined whether or not the full state is detected. If it is determined that the full state has been detected, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full state is not detected, the timer value of the timer T16 is updated by adding "1" (SD18). here,
The timer T16 is a timer for measuring the duration of the non-full state detection state, and is used for determining whether or not to reset the full state flag 2.

Next, the timer value of the timer T16 is set based on the detection signal from the full tank switch 402, and
It is determined whether or not has reached a predetermined value that can be reliably determined to be in the non-full state (SD19). The predetermined value used for the determination in this case is a detection continuation time (for example, 0.2 seconds) which is considered to be impossible to occur when noise is mixed so as to prevent erroneous determination of the non-full state by noise.
s). When it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has not reached the predetermined value, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has reached the predetermined value, it is considered that the surplus ball tray 4 is no longer in the full state, and the full state flag 2 is reset (SD20). If it is determined that the timer value of the timer T16 has reached the predetermined value, the timer value of the timer T16 is cleared in SD20.

After resetting the full tank flag 2, the winning ball prohibition flag is turned off (SD11), and thereafter, the winning ball prohibition release command output flag is turned on (set state).
(SD12). Thereafter, the prize ball possible determination processing ends. In this way, when the state is no longer full, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off, indicating that the prize ball can be paid out, and the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is set. By being set, a prize ball prohibition release command is sent to the prize ball lending control board 37.

As described above, when the broken ball state is detected in the prize ball device 97a and when the surplus ball tray 4
In each case where is full, award balls are prohibited. Then, when such a broken-out state and a full state are respectively restored, the prize ball prohibition is released accordingly. Since the release of the prize-ball prohibition state is automatically performed without depending on the operation of the attendant, the labor of the clerk for releasing the prize-ball prohibition state can be saved.

Further, based on the detection of the presence or absence of a payable prize ball by the ball-out detection switch 167, the prize ball device 97 is detected.
It is possible to determine from the state a that the lending ball cannot be paid out, and when the determination is made that the prize ball cannot be paid out, the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped). Since it is possible to output a prize ball prohibition command capable of specifying the effect to the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 and stop the prize ball payout by the prize ball device 97a,
In the basic circuit 53, it is possible to manage the situation of the prize ball device 97a from the broken surface.

Further, based on the detection of the full tank by the full tank switch 402, it is possible to determine that the prize ball device 97a cannot pay out the lending ball. When it is determined that there is a prize ball, a prize ball prohibition command that can specify that the payout of the prize ball is prohibited (stopped) is controlled by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370.
To stop the payout of the prize ball by the prize ball device 97a, the basic circuit 53 can manage the state of the prize ball device 97a from the state of the surplus ball tray 4 being full. Become.

FIGS. 15 to 18 are flowcharts showing the prize ball command output processing executed by the CPU 56. This prize ball command output process is a process executed in S14 of the interrupt process shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the prize ball command output processing, first, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition command output flag is turned on (SE1). If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition command output flag is not turned on, the process proceeds to the check of the prize ball prohibition command output flag in SE10 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending prohibition command output flag is on, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SE2). Here, the command interval timer is a timer used for defining the shortest period of the interval of the award ball command.

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to check the prize ball prohibition command output flag in E10. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has exceeded mS, it is determined whether or not the time of the command timer has expired (SE3). Here, the command timer is a timer used to define the output period of the prize ball command. This command timer expires when it reaches a timer value corresponding to a predetermined value (4 mS).

When it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, the output data of the ball lending prohibition command is set (SE7). Thereby, the ball lending prohibition command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, the command interval timer is reset (SE8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the command timer by “1” (SE9), S
Go to E10. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the command timer has expired, the ball lending prohibition command output flag is turned off (SE4). As a result, the output of the ball lending prohibition command that has already been output is not requested. Then, the command timer is reset (SE
5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after executing the processing (SE6) for starting the timing of the command interval timer, SE1 is executed.
Go to 0. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SE10, it is determined whether or not the award ball prohibition command output flag is on. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition command output flag by SF1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the prize ball prohibition command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the above-mentioned command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SE11).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition command output flag by F1. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 m
If it is determined that the time has reached S or more, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has expired (SE1).
2).

If it is determined that the command timer has not expired, the output data of the winning ball prohibition command is set (SE16). Thereby, the prize ball prohibition command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SE17). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (SE18), the process proceeds to SF1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, the winning ball prohibition command output flag is turned off (SE13). Thus, the output of the awarded ball prohibition command that has already been output is not required. Then, the command timer is reset (SE1).
4). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after processing (SE15) for starting time measurement of the command interval timer is performed, SF
Proceed to 1. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 16, in SF1, it is determined whether or not the firing prohibition command output flag is on. If it is determined that the firing prohibition command output flag is not in the on state, the process proceeds to the check of the ball lending prohibition command output flag by SF10 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the firing prohibition command output flag is on, it is determined whether the timer value of the above-mentioned command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SF2).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to check the ball lending prohibition command output flag in F10. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned command timer has timed out (SF
3).

When it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, the output data of the firing inhibition command is set (SF7). Thus, the firing prohibition command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command.
Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SF8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (S
F9), proceed to SF10. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, the firing inhibition command output flag is turned off (SF4). As a result, the output of the firing prohibition command that has already been output is not requested.
Then, the command timer is reset (SF5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the timing of the command interval timer is started (SF6), the process proceeds to SF10. This allows
After the expiration of the command timer, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SF10, it is determined whether or not the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the firing prohibition command output flag by SG1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SF11).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to G1 for checking the prize ball prohibition release command output flag. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has timed out (SF1).
2).

If it is determined that the command timer has not expired, the output data of the ball lending prohibition release command is set (SF16). Thereby, the ball lending prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SF17). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (SF18), the process proceeds to SG1. As a result, after the command interval timer times out,
The command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the command timer has expired, the ball lending prohibition release command output flag is turned off (SF13). Thus, the output of the ball lending prohibition release command that has already been output is not required. Then, the command timer is reset (SF14). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the timing of the command interval timer is started (SF15), the process proceeds to SG1. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, in SG1, it is determined whether or not the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is not in the on-state,
The process proceeds to G10 to check the firing prohibition release command output flag.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the above-mentioned command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG1).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to G10 to check the ball lending prohibition command output flag. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned command timer has timed out (SG).
3).

When it is determined that the time of the command timer has not expired, the output data of the winning ball prohibition release command is set (SG7). Thereby, the prize ball prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SG8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (SG9), the process proceeds to SG10. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, the prize ball prohibition release command output flag is turned off (SG4). As a result, the output of the prize-ball prohibition release command that has already been output is not requested. Then, the command timer is reset (SG
5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the process of starting the timing of the command interval timer (SG6) is performed, SG1 is executed.
Go to 0. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, in SG10, it is determined whether or not the firing inhibition release command output flag is on. If it is determined that the firing prohibition release command output flag is not in the ON state, the process proceeds to the check of the winning ball number command output flag by SH1, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the firing prohibition release command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SG11).

If the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time has not reached mS or more,
The process proceeds to the check of the award ball number command output flag by H1. On the other hand, when the timer value of the command interval timer is 4 m
If it is determined that the time has reached S or more, it is determined whether the above-described command timer has expired (SG1).
2).

If it is determined that the command timer has not timed out, the output data of the firing prohibition release command is set (SG16). Thereby, the firing prohibition release command is output from the game control board 31 as a prize ball command. Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SG17). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. next,
After adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (SG18), the process proceeds to SH1. Thus, after the command interval timer expires, the command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the command timer has timed out, the firing inhibition release command output flag is turned off (SG13). As a result, the output of the firing prohibition release command that has been output is not requested. Then, the command timer is reset (S
G14). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the timing of the command interval timer is started (SG15), the flow proceeds to SH1.
As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

Next, referring to FIG. 18, in SH1, it is determined whether or not the prize ball number command output flag is on. If it is determined that the prize ball number command output flag is not in the ON state, the prize ball command output processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the prize ball number command output flag is in the ON state, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the above-mentioned command interval timer is 4 ms or more (SH2).

When the timer value of the command interval timer is 4
If it is determined that the time is not longer than mS, the award ball command output processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer value of the command interval timer has become 4 ms or more, it is determined whether or not the above-described command timer has timed out (SH3).

If it is determined that the command timer has not timed out, the output data of the winning ball number command is set (SH7). Thereby, the award ball number command is output from the game control board 31 as an award ball command.
Next, the aforementioned command interval timer is reset (SH8). Thereby, the command interval timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after adding and updating the timer value of the above-mentioned command timer by "1" (S
H9) This prize ball command output processing is completed. With this, after the command interval timer times out,
The command timer measures the prize ball command output period.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the time of the command timer has expired, the award ball number command output flag is turned off (SH4). Thus, the output of the already output prize ball number command is not required.
Then, the command timer is reset (SH5). Thereby, the command timer whose time has expired is initialized. Next, after the timing of the command interval timer is started (SH6), the award ball command output processing ends. As a result, after the command timer expires, the interval time is measured by the command interval timer.

According to the prize ball command output processing described above, the output period and the non-output period of the prize ball command are time-managed by the timer. The prize ball commands include a ball lending prohibition command, a prize ball prohibition command, a firing prohibition command, a ball lending prohibition release command, a prize ball prohibition release, a firing prohibition command, and a prize ball number command in the order of priority. Since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is performed in a predetermined order in descending order of priority, the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced as described above. Further, since the processing for outputting each prize ball command is executed in order from the highest priority, the processing load on the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 can be reduced as described above. Furthermore, since the priority order is determined for the output processing of the award ball command, it is possible to output a command important for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 such as a payout stop as soon as possible.

Further, when the prize ball payout condition is satisfied, even if the prize ball payout is stopped in accordance with the prize ball prohibition command, the prize ball number command capable of specifying the payout ball payout number can be specified. Is output. As will be described later, the prize ball number specified by the prize ball number command is stored in the prize ball ball lending control microcomputer 370 side, and the stored information is used for control of paying out prize balls by the prize ball device 97a. Therefore, the prize ball number command can be output immediately according to the establishment of the prize ball payout condition without monitoring the state of the prize ball payout control. As described above, it is not necessary to monitor the prize ball payout control state, and the basic circuit 53 does not need to store the command for waiting for the output of the prize ball number command. Can be reduced.

When one command output period ends, the command output flag is reset (turned off), so that the prize ball command is output only during one command output period. In other words, the command information need only be output once for a predetermined output duration period every time the output condition of the award ball command (command) occurs. As will be described later, the microcomputer 37 for controlling the award ball lending.
On the 0 side, if a prize ball command is received once, the contents of the prize ball command are stored. Therefore, if the prize ball command is received once, there is no trouble in control. As described above, the prize ball command need only be output during one command output period, so that it is not necessary for the basic circuit 53 to repeatedly execute the prize ball command having the same content. This makes it possible to reduce the number of times of processing relating to the output of the prize ball command, so that the processing load on the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the error display processing. This error display process is a process executed by the SB 14 of the winning ball signal process.

In the error display processing, the CPU 56
First, it is determined whether or not the timer T9 is operating (S4).
1). Here, the timer T9 is a timer that measures the maximum time during which the error display processing is continued.

If the timer T9 is not operating, the error display flag is turned on (S42), and an error display request is set (S43). By setting the error display request, for example, in the display control data setting process (S4) and the display control data output process (S5) shown in FIG. 7, control is performed so that an error display is made on the variable display device 8. Or an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27 in the data output process (S6). As a result, the occurrence of the error is notified to the player or the staff at the game hall.

Next, the timer T9 is started (S44), and the value of the winning ball error counter is incremented by one (S45), and then the error display processing ends. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the winning ball signal processing is temporarily terminated. The value of the prize ball error counter is checked in S12, and if the value exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time, a complete error state where automatic recovery is not performed is set. That is, the prize ball error counter is a counter used to determine whether or not the number of times the insufficiency of the prize ball is detected has reached a predetermined number within a predetermined time.

Thereafter, the winning ball signal processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed again, and the processing of SA1 to SA4 is executed.
At A4, it is determined that the prize ball paying flag is set to ON (error display processing is executed when the prize ball paying flag is set to ON), and at SB1, the error display flag is set to ON. It is determined that the process has been performed, and the process proceeds to SB14 to execute the error display process again.

When the error display processing is executed again, if it is determined in S41 that the timer T9 is operating, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the timer T9 has timed out (S47). If the timeout has not occurred, it is determined whether or not the award ball count switch has been turned on (S51). The case where the winning ball count switch is turned on in this way before the timer T9 times out means, for example, that the ball is clogged in order to notify the game control board 31 of the occurrence of the ball in the winning ball device 97a. When the prize ball ball lending control microcomputer 370 intentionally delays the execution time of the recovery control for eliminating the error, when the clogging is eliminated and the prize ball is detected after shifting to the error display processing, Alternatively, in order to notify the game control board 31 of the occurrence of a ball jam in the ball lending device 97b, the prize ball ball lending control microcomputer 370 controls the prize ball payout control while recognizing that the prize ball is insufficiently paid out. This is a case where the payout control, which has been interrupted after a predetermined time has elapsed, has been restarted after shifting to the error display process due to intentional interruption.

As described above, when the prize ball count switch is turned on before the timer T9 times out, an error display request is issued to terminate the error notification performed by the variable display device 8 and the speaker 27 up to that time. Is reset (S52), and the error display flag is turned off (S53). Then, in order to restart the payout of the number of insufficient prize balls remaining in the total prize ball counter at this time (the total prize ball counter at this time has the counter value determined in SB13 as it is). , The process proceeds to SB6 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the prize ball count switch is not turned on until the timer T9 times out, the judgment of S51 is NO each time the error display processing is repeatedly executed until the timer T9 times out. I do.
Then, when the timer T9 times out (YES in S46), the CPU 56 resets the error display request to end the error notification performed by the variable display device 8 and the speaker 27 (S47), and terminates the error. The display flag is turned off (S4
8). The award ball paying flag is turned off (S49), and the total award ball counter is reset (S50). Thereafter, the error display processing ends.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 20 to 28, the processing executed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 provided on the prize ball lending control board 37 will be described.

FIG. 20 shows a prize ball control process executed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 and 50
It is a flowchart which shows a 0 microsecond timer interruption process. In FIG. 7, (a) shows the prize ball control processing,
(B) shows a 500 μS timer interrupt process.

Referring to FIG. 20 (a), in the award ball control processing, the award ball ball lending control microcomputer 37 is used.
0 first executes an initial process for initializing data such as initialization of the RAM 376 (SI1). Next, the prize ball motor 289A of the prize ball device 97a and the ball lending device 97
A prize ball motor control process for controlling the drive of the ball lending motor 289C of b is executed (SI2). Details of the prize ball motor control processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. The prize ball motor control process continues to be repeatedly executed in an infinite loop. However, when a 500 μS timer interrupt process described later is started, the process is temporarily stopped at an executing position in a program constituting the prize ball motor control process. You. Then, the microcomputer 37 for controlling the prize ball lending
0 executes the 500 μS timer interrupt processing (SI
3). When the 500 μS timer interrupt processing is completed, the award ball lending control microcomputer 370 resumes the processing from the position of the temporarily stopped program.

Next, referring to FIG.
The μS timer interrupt processing will be described. In the 500 μS timer interrupt processing, when the INT signal and the prize ball command are sent from the game control board 31, the count value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 371 becomes 500.
Execution is started each time μS is reached.

In the 500 μS timer interrupt process, first, an initial process for initializing predetermined data is executed (SI4). Next, a prize ball data reading process for reading a prize ball command sent from the game control board 31 is executed (SI5). Then, this 5
The 00 μS timer interrupt processing ends, and the loop of the winning ball motor control processing is executed again.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the award ball data reading process executed by the award ball lending control microcomputer 370. This prize ball data reading process
This is a process executed by SI5 of the above-described 500 μS timer interrupt process. This award ball data reading process is 5
It is executed every time 00 μS elapses.

In the prize ball data reading process, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 first reads the prize ball command sent from the game control board 31 into the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 ( SI6). Next, whether or not the INT signal is ON, that is, IN
It is determined whether the T signal is in a valid state (SI
7). If the INT signal is in a valid state, I
It is determined whether the NT signal has risen and is the first command, or whether the award ball command read in the current process is the same as the award ball command read in the previous process (SI8).

The prize ball command read in this processing is IN
When the T signal rises and is determined to be the first command or the same command as the award ball command read in the previous process, the counter value of the award ball communication counter is set to a predetermined maximum value ( MAX) is determined (SI9). Here, the prize ball communication counter is a counter for counting the number of times that the prize ball command extracted during the period in which the INT signal is in the valid state continues to match the prize ball command extracted last time. , Its maximum value is set to “3”.

If it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter has not reached the maximum value, the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is incremented by "1" and updated (SI10).
Proceed to 2. On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is the maximum value, the process directly proceeds to SI12 without adding or updating the counter value of the prize ball communication counter.

If it is determined in SI7 that the INT signal is not in the valid state, or if the award ball command read in the current process in SI8 is the same as the award ball command read in the previous process, If it is determined that there is no such event, the counter value of the winning ball communication counter is cleared (SI11), and then the process proceeds to SI12. In this way, the prize ball communication counter determines whether the INT signal has become invalid,
This is cleared when the award ball command read in the current process is not the same as the award ball command read in the previous process. Therefore, if the award ball commands do not continuously match, the counter value of the award ball communication counter becomes “0”.

At SI12, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the winning ball communication counter is "3". If it is determined that the counter value of the award ball communication counter is not "3", the award ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 376 (SI16), and the award ball data reading process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the counter value of the prize ball communication counter is "3", the prize ball command that has matched three times in succession is set (stored) in the received command storage area (SI14). The received command storage area is an area in which command data regarded as regular command data is set. Control based on the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is executed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370.

Next, it is determined whether or not payout of the prize ball is designated by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area (SI15). If it is determined that payout of the prize ball has not been designated, the prize ball command received this time is set (stored) in the work area of the RAM 376 (SI16), and the prize ball data reading processing ends. If it is determined that the payout of prize balls is designated, the count value of the prize ball counter of the number corresponding to the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is set to “1”. Is added and updated (SI17). Thereafter, the award ball data reading process ends.

Here, the prize ball counter includes five, ten,
A counter that counts and stores the number of prize ball commands that specify the number of prize balls to be paid out, such as 15 or 15, and can specify how many prize balls of one payout unit are to be paid out. The winning ball counter is counted and stored in the RAM 376. The prize ball counters are separately provided corresponding to each of a total of 15 types of prize ball units from 1 to 15. Therefore, in SI17, the prize ball counters of the number corresponding to the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball command among the prize ball counters corresponding to a total of 15 types from 1 to 15 are added and updated.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing a prize ball motor control process executed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370. This prize ball motor control process is a process executed by SI2 of the above-described prize ball control process of FIG.

In the prize ball motor control process, the prize ball ball lending control microcomputer 370 first executes a ball lending motor control process for controlling the drive of the ball leasing motor 289C of the ball lending device 97b (SJ1). ). The details of the ball lending motor control process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned counter value of the winning ball counter is other than "0" and whether or not the winning ball in-flight flag is set (SJ2). Here, the prize ball in progress flag is a flag for indicating that prize balls are currently being paid out, and is set in SJ4 described later. In SJ2, the counter value of the prize ball counter is other than "0" (that is, there is an unpaid prize ball), the prize ball in-flight flag is set (that is, the prize ball is being prized). Is determined, it is determined whether the driving of the prize ball motor 289A is necessary. If at least one of the two determination conditions of SJ2 is satisfied, the prize ball motor 289A
Is satisfied.

When it is determined that the driving condition of the prize ball motor 289A is not satisfied (NO in SJ2), the process returns to the ball lending motor control. On the other hand, when it is determined that the driving condition of the prize ball motor 289A is satisfied (YES in SJ2), a branching process for branching the process according to the prize ball command stored in the received command storage area is executed. (SJ
3). The details of the branch processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the above-mentioned award ball flag is set (SJ4). This indicates that the payout ball is being paid out. Next, scheduled payout number setting processing for setting the scheduled payout number of prize balls is executed (SJ5). Thereby, the expected payout number of prize balls is set. The details of the scheduled payout number setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the ball lending abnormality flag is on (SJ6). The ball lending abnormality flag is turned on when the ball lending device 97b detects a ball jam while the ball lending device 97b is paying out balls by executing the ball lending motor control (see FIGS. 27 and 28). (Refer to SP26).

If the ball lending abnormality flag is not on, the prize ball motor 289A is driven (on) (SJ11). As a result, a prize ball payout operation is performed. Next, the timer T11 is started (SJ12). Here, the timer T11 is set when the driving of the prize ball motor 289A is started or when one prize ball payout is completed.
A is considered an error. That is, it is an on-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on (SJ13). If the prize ball motor position sensor 300A does not turn on, the timer T11
It is determined whether or not has timed out (SJ15). If the timer T11 has not timed out, the award ball motor control is temporarily terminated. Thereafter, when the prize ball motor control processing is executed again and the processing shifts to the branch processing of SJ3, as described later with reference to FIG.
A determination of YES is made in L6, the process proceeds to SJ13, and it is determined again whether or not the timer T11 has timed out. Then, if the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on before the timer T11 times out, a determination of YES is made in SJ13 and the timer T11 is stopped (SJ14). Next, the process proceeds to SK1 described later. On the other hand, if the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is not turned on before the timer T11 times out, it is regarded that a ball jam has occurred, and the processing of SJ16 and subsequent steps for eliminating the ball jam is executed. .

First, it is determined whether or not the timer T14 is operating (SJ16). If the timer T14 is not operating, the timer T14 is started (SJ17), and the prize ball motor 2
89A is turned off to stop driving the prize ball motor 289A (SJ18), and the prize ball motor control processing is once ended. The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 controls the prize ball device 9 when the timer T11 times out.
When the clogging in 7a is detected, the prize ball device 97
By intentionally delaying the above-described recovery control with respect to a, the elimination timing of the clogging is shifted, thereby controlling the game control board 31 to make an error determination. The timer T14 is a timer used to deliberately delay the timing of executing the recovery control. The timer T14 sets a predetermined time sufficient for the game control board 31 to determine that the prize ball is insufficiently paid out. When a timeout occurs due to the end of the time measurement, the above-described recovery control is executed. Therefore, the timer time from the start of the timer T14 to the time-out is set longer than the timer time from the start of the timer T1 shown at SB9 to the time-out. For this reason, while the payout of payout balls is interrupted, the timer T1 times out in SB10 in a state where the payout of payout balls is insufficient, and the error display processing of SB14 is executed. Thus, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, and
An error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27, and the occurrence of the error is notified to the player or the staff at the game hall.

At SJ17, the timer T14 is started, and at SJ1
After stopping the driving of the prize ball motor 289A in step 8,
When the prize ball motor control process is executed and the process shifts to the branch process of SJ3, as described later with reference to FIG. 24, a determination of YES is made in SL4 in the branch process, and the process proceeds to SJ3.
The process proceeds to 19, and it is determined whether the timer T14 has timed out. If the timer T14 has not timed out, the prize ball motor control processing ends. If the prize ball motor control processing is executed again, it is determined whether or not the timer T14 has timed out through the same processing steps. Is determined. When the timer T14 times out (YES in SJ19), the recovery control is executed (SJ19).
20). As a result, the award ball motor 289A is once driven in the reverse direction and then driven forward.

Next, it is determined whether or not the jammed state has been recovered, that is, whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A has been turned on (SJ21). Prize ball motor position sensor 30
When 0A is turned on, the prize ball motor is brought into a normal forward drive state (on state) (SJ24), and SK1 described later is used.
Proceed to.

On the other hand, if the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is not turned on even by the recovery control, it is determined that an abnormal state which cannot be recovered by the control of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 has occurred. Then, the award ball device 97a is stopped (SJ22), and the award ball device stop flag is set to an on state (SJ23). Thereafter, the prize ball motor control ends.

Thereafter, when the prize ball motor control process is executed again and the process shifts to the branch process of SJ3, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 24, as long as the prize ball device stop flag is ON, The determination of YES is made in SL2 in the branching process, and the prize ball motor control process ends immediately. For this reason,
Once the prize ball device stop flag is turned on, the prize ball device 97
The stop state of "a" does not automatically return, but only when the gaming machine staff notices the error notification by the error display process (see FIG. 19), an error recovery measure is taken, and the gaming machine is reset. I do.

As described above, when the error of the prize ball device 97a is not recovered by the recovery control, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 recovers under the control of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370. In order to stop the prize ball device 97a by judging that an abnormal condition that cannot be performed has occurred, the prize ball device 97a is damaged by repeatedly executing the recovery control despite the difficulty of automatic return. There is no such thing.

On the other hand, in SJ13, until the timer T11 times out, the prize ball motor position sensor 30
When 0A is turned on, the timer T11 is stopped (S
J14). Next, referring to FIG. 23, the counter value of the winning ball number counter is updated by adding “1” (SK1). Here, the winning ball number counter is a counter for counting the number of winning balls paid out from the winning ball device 97a,
When the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 increments and updates this counter on the assumption that a prize ball has been paid out.

Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the prize ball number counter matches the expected payout number set as described above (SK2). When the counter value of the winning ball number counter matches the expected payout number, the process proceeds to SK3 described later.
On the other hand, if the counter value of the winning ball number counter does not match the expected payout number, the timer T12 is started (SK6).
Here, the timer T12 is a prize ball motor position sensor 300
This is a timer that is set when A is turned on.
If the prize ball motor position sensor 300A does not turn off before the timer T12 times out, it is determined that the prize ball motor position sensor 300A has an error. That is,
When the prize ball is paid out by the prize ball motor 289A, it is also checked that the ball fed by the prize ball feeding screw is paid out and is no longer detected by the prize ball motor position sensor 300A. That is, the timer T12 is used as an off-check timer of the prize ball motor position sensor 300A.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A has been turned off (SK7). If the winning ball motor position sensor 300A is not turned off, it is determined whether or not the timer T12 has timed out (SK9).
If time-out has not occurred, the award ball motor control is temporarily terminated. Thereafter, when the prize ball motor control processing is executed again and the processing shifts to the branch processing of SJ3,
As described later with reference to FIG. 24, SL7 in the branching process
Is determined, the process proceeds to SK7, and it is determined again whether the timer T12 has timed out. If the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned off before the timer T12 times out,
The timer T12 is stopped (SK8), and the prize ball motor control is terminated. However, if the prize ball motor position sensor 300A has not been turned off, it is considered that a ball jam has occurred,
Each processing of SK10 or lower for eliminating the clogging is executed.

First, it is determined whether or not the timer T17 is operating (SK10). If the timer T17 is not operating, the timer T17 is started (SK11), and the prize ball motor 2 is started.
89A is turned off to stop driving the prize ball motor 289A (SK12), and the prize ball motor control processing is temporarily terminated. The prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 controls the prize ball device 9 when the timer T11 times out.
When the clogging in 7a is detected, the prize ball device 97
By intentionally delaying the above-described recovery control with respect to a, the elimination timing of the clogging is shifted, thereby controlling the game control board 31 to make an error determination. Like the timer T14, the timer T17 is a timer used to intentionally delay the timing of executing the recovery control. When the timer T17 determines that the payout of the prize ball is insufficient on the game control board 31 side. The recovery control described above is executed when the timeout occurs due to the completion of the measurement of the sufficient predetermined time. Therefore, the timer time from the start of the timer T17 to the time-out is set longer than the timer time from the start of the timer T1 shown in SB9 to the time-out. For this reason, while the payout of the prize balls is interrupted, the timer T1 times out in SB10 in a state where the payout of the prize balls is insufficient, and the error display processing of SB14 is executed. As a result, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, and an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27, and the occurrence of the error is notified to the player or the staff at the game hall.

The timer T17 is started in SK11, and SK1
After stopping the driving of the prize ball motor 289A in Step 2,
When the prize ball motor control process is executed and the process proceeds to the branching process of SK3, as described later with reference to FIG. 24, a determination of YES is made in SL5 in the branching process, and the process proceeds to SK.
Then, it is determined whether or not the timer T17 has timed out. If the timer T17 has not timed out, the prize ball motor control processing ends. If the prize ball motor control processing is executed again, it is determined whether or not the timer T17 has timed out through the same processing steps. Is determined. When the timer T17 times out (YES in SK13), the recovery control is executed in the same manner as in SJ21 (SK14).

Next, it is determined whether or not the jammed state has been recovered, that is, whether or not the prize ball motor position sensor 300A has been turned off (SK15). Prize ball motor position sensor 30
When 0A is turned off, the award ball motor control processing ends.

On the other hand, if the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is not turned off even by the recovery control, it is determined that an abnormal state that cannot be recovered by the control of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 has occurred. Then, the award ball device 97a is stopped (SK16), and the award ball device stop flag is set to an ON state (SK17). Thereafter, the prize ball motor control ends.

Thereafter, as in the case where the prize ball device stop flag is set to the on state in SJ23, once the prize ball device stop flag is turned on, the stop state of the prize ball device 97a does not automatically return. Only when the gaming machine staff notices the error notification by the error display processing (see FIG. 19), an error recovery measure is taken, and the gaming machine is reset.

If it is determined in SK2 that the counter value of the prize ball number counter matches the expected payout number and the process proceeds to SK3, the number of prizes instructed by the prize ball number signal from the game control board 31 is determined. Since the ball payout control has been completed, the drive of the prize ball motor 289A is stopped (SK3). Then, the winning ball number counter is reset (SK4), and the winning ball flag is also reset (SK5).
In other words, when the payout of the number of prize balls set in the prize ball number counter is completed, the prize ball number counter and the prize ball in-flight flag are reset. Thereafter, the award ball motor processing ends.

If it is determined in SJ6 that the ball lending abnormality flag is ON, it can be determined that a ball jam has occurred in the ball lending apparatus 97b. Therefore, when the ball lending abnormality flag is on, as described above, the ball lending device 97
The following SJ for intentionally delaying the payout of the prize ball in order to notify the game control board 31 of the occurrence of the jam in b.
7 to SJ10 are executed.

That is, the award ball motor 289A is turned off.
Then (SJ7), the timer T13 for counting the time to delay the payout of the prize ball is started (SJ8), and then the ball lending abnormality flag is turned off (SJ9). After that, the timer T13
It is determined whether or not the timer has timed out the predetermined winning ball payout standby time and has timed out (SJ10). If the time has not elapsed, the winning ball motor control process ends once. Thereafter, the prize ball motor control processing is executed again, and S
When the process shifts to the branch process of J3, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 24, a determination of YES is made in SL3 in the branch process, the process shifts to SJ10, and the timer T13 is again executed.
It is determined whether or not has timed out. Then, the payout of the prize balls is suspended until the timer T13 times out.

Here, the timer time from the start of the timer T13 to the time-out is set longer than the timer time from the start of the timer T1 shown at SB9 to the time-out. For this reason, while the payout of the prize balls is interrupted, S
At T10, the timer T1 times out and SB14
Is executed. As a result, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8 and the speaker 27 is displayed.
, An error notification sound is generated, and the occurrence of the error is notified to the player or the staff at the game hall.

Thereafter, when the timer T13 times out, the microcomputer 370 for controlling the prize ball lending is performed.
Makes a YES determination in SJ10, and wins the prize ball motor 289A.
Is turned on (ON state) (SJ11), and the interrupted payout of the prize ball is resumed. In this case,
This is the expected payout number when the payout of the prize balls is interrupted, and the payout of the prize balls corresponding to the difference between the expected payout number and the counter value of the prize ball number counter at the time of the interruption is performed in the subsequent processing. That is, when the payout of the prize ball is interrupted after SJ6, the counter value of the prize ball number counter at the time of the interruption and the expected payout number data set in the expected payout number setting process (SJ5) are equal to the prize ball. The ball is held while the payout is suspended. Therefore, there is no disadvantage to the player due to interruption of the prize ball payout.

When the paid-out prize ball is detected by the prize ball count switch, it is detected that the prize ball count switch is turned on in S51 of the error display processing shown in FIG. 19, and the error notification state is released. (S5
2, see S53).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the branching process. This branching process is performed in S
This is a process executed by J3.

In the branching process, first, it is determined whether or not bits 0 to 3 of the award ball command are “1” in decimal, ie, “0001” in binary (SL1). That is, here, it is determined whether or not the payout is normal. When it is determined that the payout is the normal payout, payout control designation processing for designating the control content of the prize ball command is executed (SL10), and thereafter, the process proceeds to SL8 described later. Details of the payout control designation processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the payout is not the normal payout, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned prize ball device stop flag is turned on (SL2). Then, when the award ball device stop flag is on, the award ball motor control process ends. On the other hand, when the winning ball device stop flag is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the above-described timer T13 is operating (SL3). If the timer T13 is operating, the process proceeds to SJ10 described above. On the other hand, if the timer T13 is not in operation, it is determined whether the timer T14 is in operation (SL4). If the timer T14 is operating, the process proceeds to SJ19 described above. on the other hand,
If the timer T14 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the timer T17 is operating (SL5).
If the timer T17 is operating, the SK1
Proceed to 3. On the other hand, when the timer T17 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the timer T11 is operating (SL6). When the timer T11 is operating, the process proceeds to SJ13 described above. On the other hand, when the timer T11 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the timer T12 is operating (SL7). If the timer T12 is operating, the process proceeds to SK7 described above. On the other hand, when the timer T12 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the award winning flag is in an on state (set state) (SL8). If it is determined that the prize ball flag is in the on state, it means that the prize ball is being paid out. Proceed to SJ6 described above.

After executing the payout control processing of SL10, or when determining NO in SL8, the winning ball prohibition flag (set or reset in the payout control designation processing described later) is turned on (set state). Is determined (SL9). When the prize ball prohibition flag is in the ON state, it is not necessary to perform the prize ball motor control because the payout of the prize ball is prohibited, so that the prize ball motor control processing ends. On the other hand, if the prize ball prohibition flag is not on, this branching process ends,
The process proceeds to SJ4 of the prize ball motor control process described above.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the expected payout number setting process. This scheduled payout amount setting process is a process executed by SJ5 of the award ball motor control process described above.

In the scheduled payout number setting process, first, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 sets the prize balls having the larger number of prize ball units among the 15 prize ball counters corresponding to the respective prize ball unit numbers. The counter value is checked in order from the counter (SL11). That is, 15 pieces, 1
The counter values of the winning ball counters corresponding to 4,..., 3, 2, 1 are checked. And the counter value is 1
Among the above prize ball counters, the payout unit number of the prize ball counter having the largest corresponding payout unit number is set as the above-mentioned expected payout number (SL12). For example, when the winning ball counter of 15 winning ball unit numbers is 1 or more, “15” is set as the expected payout number. This payout number is
RAM3 of microcomputer 370 for controlling prize ball lending
It is stored and set in a predetermined area of 76. Then, in accordance with the setting of the expected number of payouts, the counter value of the prize ball counter used for setting the expected number of payouts is decremented and updated by "1" (SL1).
3). As a result, the value of the winning ball counter used for setting the expected payout number is decremented and updated by “1” at a time.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the payout control designation processing. This payout control designation process is a process executed by the SL10 of the branch process described above.

In the payout control designation processing, first, it is determined whether or not the received winning ball command is a ball lending prohibition command (SN1). If it is determined that the command is a ball lending prohibition command, a ball lending prohibition flag is set (SN3). This indicates that ball lending prohibition has been instructed. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a ball lending prohibition command, it is determined whether the received prize ball command is a prize ball prohibition command (SN).
2).

If it is determined that the command is a prize ball prohibition command, a prize ball prohibition flag is set (SN5). This indicates that the prize ball prohibition has been commanded. afterwards,
This payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a winning ball prohibition command, it is determined whether the received winning ball command is a firing prohibition command (SN).
4).

When it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition command, a firing prohibition flag is set (SN7), and the firing control signal is set to a LOW level (SN8). As a result, it is indicated that the prohibition of firing is instructed, and the state is controlled such that the firing of the ball cannot be performed. Thereafter, the payout control designation process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not the firing prohibition command, it is determined whether or not the received winning ball command is a ball lending prohibition release command (SN6).

If it is determined that the command is a ball lending prohibition release command, the ball lending prohibition flag is reset (SN10). As a result, it is not indicated that the ball lending prohibition is instructed. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the command is not a ball lending prohibition release command, it is determined whether or not the received award ball command is a award ball prohibition release command (SN9).

If it is determined that the command is a winning ball prohibition canceling command, the winning ball prohibition flag is reset (SN12). As a result, it is not indicated that the prize ball prohibition has been commanded. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the command is not a winning ball prohibition canceling command, it is determined whether or not the received winning ball command is a firing prohibition canceling command (SN11).

If it is determined that the command is a firing prohibition release command, the firing prohibition flag is reset (SN13), and the firing control signal is set to the HIGH level (SN14). As a result, the fact that the prohibition of firing is instructed is not indicated, and the state is controlled so that the shot can be fired. Thereafter, the payout control designation processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command is not the firing prohibition release command, the payout control designation processing ends.

As described above, according to the payout control designation processing,
The award ball command other than the normal payout is decoded, and various flags are controlled and control signals are controlled in accordance with the control content specified by the award ball command.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts showing the ball lending motor control process. The ball lending motor control process is a process executed by SJ1 of the prize ball motor control process described above.

In the ball lending motor control processing, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 first determines whether or not the card unit 50 is connected to the prize ball lending control board 37 (SP1). Specifically, when the above-described card unit connection confirmation signal is input, it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected.
When it is determined that the card unit 50 is not connected, the firing control signal is set to the LOW level (SP22).
This makes it impossible to fire a hit ball. On the other hand, when it is determined that the card unit 50 is connected, it is determined whether or not the above-described firing prohibition flag (a firing prohibition flag set or reset in the payout control designation process) is in an on state (set state). (SP2).

If the firing prohibition flag is on,
The emission control signal is set to the LOW level (SP24), and the process proceeds to SP4a described later. This makes it impossible to fire a hit ball. On the other hand, when the firing prohibition flag is not on, the firing control signal is set to the high level (SP
3) Go to SP4a. As a result, a shot can be fired.

In SP4a, it is determined whether or not the ball lending device stop flag is turned on. The ball rental device stop flag is a flag that is set to ON in SP30 described later when a ball clogging that cannot be automatically reset occurs in the ball rental device 97b. If the ball lending device stop flag is not on, it is determined whether the ball lending flag is set or not (SP4). The ball lending flag is a flag indicating that the ball is being lent, and can be set by SP14 described later. If it is determined that the ball lending flag is set, the process proceeds to SP15 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball lending flag is not set, it is determined whether the ball lending standby flag is set (SP5). Here, the ball lending standby flag is a flag indicating that the ball lending is in a standby state, and can be set by SP9 described later.

If it is determined that the ball lending standby flag is set, the flow advances to SP10 to be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending standby flag is not set, the ball lending prohibition flag (the ball lending prohibition flag set or reset in the payout control designation process) is in an on state (set state). Is determined (SP6). If it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is in the ON state, the ball lending is prohibited and the card unit 50
The PRDY signal (pachinko machine operation signal)
The level is set (SP23). When the PRDY signal becomes LOW level, the card unit 50 is set in a state where it is impossible to accept a ball lending operation. Thereafter, the ball lending motor control process ends.

As described above, in the ball lending apparatus 97b, when the lending of the lending is impossible due to the expiration of the lending or the filling of the surplus ball tray 4, the lending prohibition flag is set. The PRDY signal notifies the card unit 50 that ball lending is not possible. By such notification, it is possible to know outside the pachinko gaming machine 1 that ball lending is not possible. Further, the card unit 50 on which the ball lending operation is performed can know from the PRDY signal that ball lending is not possible. The treatment corresponding to the state can be performed in the card unit 50.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball lending prohibition flag is not turned on, it means that ball lending is not prohibited.
The signal is set to the HIGH level (SP7). When the PRDY signal goes high, the card unit 50
In, ball lending is possible.

Next, a BRDY signal (unit ball lending operation signal) for requesting ball lending according to operation of the ball lending switch
It is determined whether or not is turned on (SP8).
If it is determined that the BRDY signal is not in the ON state, it is not necessary to perform the ball lending operation, and the ball lending motor control process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the BRDY signal is in the ON state, a ball lending standby flag is set in order to wait for a ball lending operation (SP
9). Thereafter, the ball lending motor control process ends.
When the ball lending standby flag is set in this manner, the ball lending operation is not performed in the execution of the ball lending motor control process in the current round, but the BRQ signal is output in the subsequent ball lending motor control process. The ball lending operation is performed on condition that the ball lending request signal is received. Thus, the ball lending operation is performed with a delay of a predetermined time from the operation of the ball lending switch.

If the ball lending standby flag is set in SP5 described above, BRQ is executed to execute ball lending.
It is determined whether the signal is in the ON state (SP
10). If it is determined that the BRQ signal has not been turned on, the ball lending motor control processing ends. As a result, reception of the BRQ signal is waited. On the other hand, when it is determined that the BRQ signal is in the ON state, the ball lending motor 289C is set to the driving state (SP11). Thereby, the ball lending is paid out from the ball lending device 57b.

Next, the timer T18 is started (SP1).
2). Here, the timer T18 is activated at the same time as the start of payout of a lending ball, and every time one lending ball is paid out, the timer T18 will be described later.
The timer is stopped at P20.

[0284] The timer T18 is used for confirming whether or not the ball lending apparatus 97b is jammed. Therefore, if the payout of the ball is not detected before the timer T18 finishes measuring the predetermined timer time and the time-out occurs, it is determined that a ball jam has occurred in the ball lending apparatus 97b. SP to be described later
At 26, the ball lending abnormality flag is set to the ON state.

After activating the timer T18 in SP12,
Turn on the XS signal (ball lending completion signal) (SP1
3). This notifies the card unit 50 that ball lending is being performed. Next, the ball lending flag is set and the ball lending standby flag is reset (SP
14). This indicates that the ball lending standby state has ended and that ball lending is being executed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the payout of the lending ball is detected (SP15). More specifically, after the ball rental motor position sensor 300C is turned on / off, it is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the ball rental count switch 301C. If it is determined that the payout of the lending ball has been detected,
Adds and updates the ball lending counter by "1" (SP1
6). Here, the ball lending counter is a counter for counting the number of ball lending paid out from the ball lending device 57b.

Next, the counter value of the ball lending counter becomes "2".
5 "is determined (SP16). here,
The counter value “25” is the number of balls to be paid for one payout unit (100 yen). That is, since the PRDY signal is output for each payout unit, payout of a lending ball is performed for each payout unit. The counter value is equal to one payout unit (10
If it is determined that the value is not "25", which is equivalent to the number of balls to be lent (0 yen), the ball lending motor control process ends once, and the ball lending motor control process is executed again when the ball lending motor control process is executed again.
A determination of YES is made in 4 (the ball lending flag is ON), and a determination is made in SP15 as to whether or not a ball lending is detected. If no lending is detected, it is determined whether or not the timer T18 has timed out with reference to FIG. 28 (SP2).
5). If the timer T18 has not timed out, the ball lending motor control process ends once, and when the ball lending motor control process is executed again, a determination of YES is made in SP4 (the ball lending flag is on). Then, it is determined again whether or not the ball lending is detected in SP15. Then, if a ball lending is detected, it is determined in SP17 whether or not the counter value of the ball lending counter has reached “25”. If the counter value has reached “25”, payout of one payout unit is performed. Therefore, the ball lending flag is reset (SP18). This indicates that the ball is not being lent. Next, the ball lending motor 289C is stopped (SP19). Thus, the payout of the lending ball is stopped according to the payout of one payout unit. Next, the timer T18 is stopped (SP
20). Next, the EXS signal (ball lending completion signal) is turned off (SP21). This notifies the card unit 50 that the ball lending has been completed. Thereafter, the ball lending motor processing control ends.

On the other hand, no ball lending is detected and SP2
5 when the timer T18 times out (SP
In the case of (YES at 25), it is determined that a ball jam has occurred in the ball rental device 97b, and the ball rental abnormality flag is set to the ON state (SP26). Thereby, when the prize ball motor control shown in FIG. 22 and FIG.
In 6 it is determined that the ball lending abnormal flag is ON, and the payout of the prize balls is suspended until the timer T13 times out. For this reason, in the winning ball signal processing (see FIG. 11) executed by the CPU 56 of the game control board 31, the timer T1 times out in a state where the payout number of the winning balls is insufficient (SB10), and the error display processing (SB14, FIG. 19) Is performed, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, and an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27.

If the ball lending abnormality flag is set to the ON state in SP26, then recovery control is executed (SP2).
7). As a result, the ball rental motor 289C is once driven in the reverse direction and then driven forward. Next, it is determined whether or not the clogged state has recovered, that is, whether or not the payout of the lending ball has been detected (SP28). When the payout of the lending is detected, it is determined that the jammed state is recovered (SP28).
YES), and proceeds to SP16 described above.

On the other hand, if the payout of the lending ball is not detected by the recovery control, it is determined that an abnormal state which cannot be recovered by the control of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 has occurred. Ball rental equipment 9
7b is stopped (SP29), and the ball lending device stop flag is set to the ON state (SP30). Thereafter, the prize ball motor control ends.

Thereafter, when the prize ball motor control processing is executed again and the processing is shifted to the ball lending motor control processing of SJ1, as long as the ball lending apparatus stop flag is ON, the SP4 is executed.
The determination of YES is made in a, and the ball lending motor control process ends immediately. Therefore, once the ball lending device stop flag is turned on, the stopped state of the ball lending device 97b does not automatically return to the normal state, and the game room staff notices the error notification by the error display process (see FIG. 19). Only after the recovery action has been taken and the gaming machine has been reset,
Return.

As described above, when the error in the ball lending device 97b is not recovered by the recovery control, the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 recovers under the control of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370. In order to stop the ball lending device 97b by judging that an abnormal condition that cannot be performed has occurred, the ball lending device 97b is damaged by repeatedly executing the recovery control despite the difficulty in automatic return. There is no such thing.

Next, a typical control operation for prize balls / ball lending will be described. FIGS. 29 to 34 are timing charts showing typical control operations for winning balls / ball lending.

FIG. 29 shows a basic control operation at the time of a prize ball. In FIG. 29, the input from the winning ball detection switch (general term of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240) to the game control board 31, the game control board 31
, An award ball command output from the game control board 31, an input from the award ball count switch 301A and the award ball count switch 301B to the game control board 31, and an award ball motor from the award ball lending control board 37. The output of the drive signal to the 289A and the state of the error operation on the game control board 31 side are shown.

Referring to FIG. 29, a prize for paying out five balls, a prize for paying out 15 balls, and
When winnings for five payouts are detected successively, an INT signal and a prize ball command specifying the number of payouts are immediately output from the game control board 31 in accordance with each of the winnings.
The payout number by such a prize ball command is stored in the RAM 376 of the microcomputer 370 for controlling the prize ball lending. Then, based on the stored information on the number of payouts, drive signals for the five payout rotations, the fifteenth payout rotation, and the five payout rotations are output from the prize ball lending control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A, respectively. Is done. As a result, five award balls, ten award balls, and five award balls are sequentially paid out, and the number of award balls is detected by the award ball count switch.
In this case, no error operation has occurred on the game control board 31 side.

FIG. 30 shows a ball lending abnormality (ball lending device 97b).
The operation of controlling the payout of the prize balls in the case where the ball is clogged is detected.

Referring to FIG. 30, a prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 of prize ball lending control board 37 is provided in accordance with the output of a prize ball command designating the payout of five pieces from game control board 31 side. Outputs a drive signal to the prize ball motor 289A to start paying out prize balls. As a result, the prize balls are sequentially paid out, and the paid out prize balls are detected by the prize ball count switch 301A or 301B. The CPU 56 of the game control board 31 counts the number of winning balls based on the detection signal of the winning ball count switch as long as the detection signal is input from the winning ball count switch until T1 elapses.

As shown in the figure, when two prize balls are paid out, the ball lending abnormal flag is set to ON, and the ball lending device 97 is set.
Abnormality in b is microcomputer 37 for controlling prize ball lending
If it is detected as 0, until T13 elapses,
The driving of the prize ball motor 289A is stopped. Here, T1
Since there is a relationship of 3> T1, T1 elapses in a state where the payout of the third winning ball is not detected, and an error operation is performed on the game control board 31 side. Specifically, an error display request is set (see S43). As a result, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, and an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27.

Thereafter, when T13 has elapsed, the award ball motor 289A is driven again, and the interrupted award ball payout is resumed. Then, when the payout of the third winning ball is detected by the winning ball count switch, the error operation on the game control board 31 side ends.

Next, FIG. 31 exemplifies a payout ball payout control operation when an abnormality (ball jam) is detected in the prize ball device 97a.

Referring to FIG. 31, a prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 of prize ball lending control board 37 is provided in accordance with the output of a prize ball command designating five payouts from game control board 31 side. Outputs a drive signal to the prize ball motor 289A to start paying out prize balls. Then, after the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on / off, one prize ball is detected by the prize ball count switch. However, even if T11 elapses after the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on / off once, the prize ball motor lending control microcomputer 370 has a ball jam because the prize ball motor position sensor 300A does not turn on again. Judge. And
The error operation starts, and the output of the drive signal to the prize ball motor 289A is stopped. However, after that, instead of immediately outputting the prize ball motor recovery control signal for the recovery control, T1
Wait until 4 has elapsed.

Here, T14 is longer than the time T1 during which the CPU 56 of the game control board 31 waits for the input of the detection signal of the winning ball count switch (T14> T1).
T1 elapses before elapse, and an error operation is performed on the game control board 31 side. As a result, an error is displayed on the variable display device 8, and an error notification sound is generated from the speaker 27.

Thereafter, when T14 has elapsed, the recovery control is executed by the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370, and a prize ball motor recovery control signal is output. Thus, the prize ball motor 289A is driven to rotate forward after being driven in the reverse direction, the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned on, and jamming is eliminated.

Thereafter, the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is turned off until T12 elapses, and then the prize ball is detected by the prize ball count switch. Then, when the detection signal of the winning ball count switch is input to the game control board 31, the error operation on the game control board 31 ends.

Next, FIG. 32 shows a control operation when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. In FIG. 32,
An input to the game control board 31 from a winning ball detection switch (a generic name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240), an input from the ball cutout switch 187 to the game control board 31, An input from the ball-out detection switch 167 to the game control board 31, an input from the ball-out switch to the game control board 31, output of an INT signal from the game control board 31, output of a prize ball command from the game control board 31, The input from the ball count switch 301A and the prize ball count switch 301B to the game control board 31 and the output of the drive signal from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A are shown.

Referring to FIG. 32, when the power of pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, in the above-described initialization processing (S2) in the main processing, the firing prohibition flag, ball lending prohibition flag, and prize ball prohibition flag are set. Are turned on. Then, first, on condition that the full tank switch 402 does not detect the full state, the firing prohibition flag is turned off, and a firing prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. Then, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off after a lapse of 2000 ms after it is confirmed that the ball luff switch 187 is in the off state (ball luff non-detection state), and a ball lending prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. You. Then, after it is confirmed that the broken-out detection switch 167 is in the OFF state (the broken-out non-detection state), 2
After elapse of 200 ms, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off,
A prize ball prohibition release command is output in conjunction with the INT signal.

[0307] In this case, after the prize ball prohibition release command is output, the prize for five payouts is detected by the prize ball detection switch. The prize ball command for paying out the five prize balls is output after the prize ball prohibition release command is output. The payout number by the prize ball command is stored in the RAM of the prize ball control microcomputer 370.
376 is stored. A drive signal corresponding to five payout rotations is output from the prize ball control board 37 to the prize ball motor 289A in accordance with such a prize ball command specifying the number of prize balls. As a result, five winning balls are paid out, and the number of winning balls is detected by the winning ball count switch.

Next, FIG. 33 shows a control operation at the time of a broken ball. FIG. 33 shows inputs and outputs of switches and the like as in FIG. 29. Referring to FIG. 33, during the payout of the prize balls, the cutout switch 187 and the cutout detection switch 167 are simultaneously turned on (cutout detection state). That is, the ball is in a broken state. In this case, depending on the detection of broken balls,
The ball lending prohibition command output flag and the prize ball prohibition command output flag are turned on at the same time, but the ball lending prohibition command is output first along with the INT signal according to the priority order described above, and then the INT signal is output. A prize ball prohibition command is output accordingly. In this case, in the out-of-ball detection state, the winning of five payouts is detected by the winning ball detection switch. The prize ball command for paying out the five prize balls is output in accordance with the priority order described above and after the output of the prize ball prohibition release command, together with the INT signal. The payout number by the award ball command is determined by the RAM 376 of the award ball lending control microcomputer 370.
Is stored. Then, after the prize ball prohibition state is released, prize balls are paid out based on the stored information of the number of payouts.

Then, the burnout switch 187 and the blowout detection switch 167 are simultaneously turned off.
That is, the broken-ball state is restored. Ball switch 1
After a lapse of 2000 mS from the turning-off of 87, the ball lending prohibition flag is turned off, and a ball lending prohibition release command is output with the INT signal. 2200 ms after the burnout detection switch 167 is turned off.
After the elapse, the prize ball prohibition flag is turned off, and a prize ball prohibition release command is output with the INT signal.

Next, FIG. 34 shows a control operation when the tank is full. In FIG. 34, the input from the winning ball detection switch (general name of the starting port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning port switch 240) to the game control board 31, the full tank switch 4
02, input to the game control board 31, the game control board 31
, An award ball command output from the game control board 31, an input from the award ball count switch 301A and the award ball count switch 301B to the game control board 31, and an award ball motor from the award ball lending control board 37. The output of the drive signal to 289A is shown.

Referring to FIG. 34, while the prize balls are being paid out, full tank switch 402 is on. That is, the surplus ball tray 4 is full. In this case, the ball lending prohibition command output flag, the prize ball prohibition command output flag, and the firing prohibition command output flag are turned on almost at the same time in response to the detection of the full tank.
A ball lending prohibition command is output first along with the signal, and thereafter, a winning ball prohibition command is output along with the INT signal,
After that, a firing prohibition command is output with the INT signal. In this case, in the full tank detection state, the winning of five payouts is detected by the winning ball detection switch.
The prize ball commands for paying out the five prize balls are output in accordance with the above-described priority order, and are output together with the INT signal after the output of the firing prohibition command. The payout amount by the award ball command is stored in the RAM 376 of the award ball lending control microcomputer 370. Then, after the prize ball prohibition state is released, prize balls are paid out based on the stored information of the number of payouts.

After that, the full tank switch 402 is turned off. That is, the full state has been restored. According to the restoration of such a full state, according to the priority,
A ball lending prohibition release command, a prize ball prohibition release command, and a firing prohibition release command are sequentially output.

Next, modifications and features of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) In the error display process (see FIG. 19), when an error display request is set, the lamp control board 3
5 is also output to the gaming effect lamps 28b and 28.
8c or the like may be blinked in a predetermined manner to notify the occurrence of an error. Further, an alarm may be generated from a buzzer connected to the buzzer board 75.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a variable winning prize ball device that can be changed between a first state advantageous to the player and a second state unfavorable to the player, and a predetermined gaming condition is satisfied. When a specific condition is satisfied in a special game that can be performed based on the above, a gaming machine that can control the variable winning ball device to a specific game state advantageous to the player in the first state is provided. It is configured.

The general winning ports 24a to 24e, the large winning port of the variable winning ball device 19, and the starting port 14 form a plurality of types of winning areas formed on the game board. V count switch 22, count switch 23, starting port switch 17, each winning port switch 240 (240a, 240b,
240c, 240d, 240e), when a prize is generated in any of the plurality of types of prize areas,
A plurality of prize detecting means for outputting a detection signal in such a manner that the type of the prize area in which the prize has occurred can be specified.

[0316] The sound control board 70 constitutes sound control means for controlling sound to be generated from the sound generating device based on the command information output from the game control means. The speaker 27 constitutes the sound generating device.
The command information is composed of command data output from the game control board 31 to the voice control board 70.

The game effect lamps 28a, 28b, etc.
A light-emitting unit that is provided on the game board and has a lighting mode that changes according to a game situation is configured. The lamp control board 35 constitutes a light emitting unit control unit that controls the lighting mode of the light emitting unit based on the command information output by the game control unit. The command information is constituted by command data output from the game control board 31 to the ramp control board 35.

(2) In the above embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 29 and the like, command information (prize ball command)
The command information output means (basic circuit 53) that outputs the command generates an output condition of a command relating to the payout of a prize ball (prize ball) (establishment of output conditions such as a prize ball prohibition command, a prize ball prohibition cancel command, a prize ball number command) ), The command information is transferred to the ball payout control means (the prize ball lending control microcomputer 37).
0) indicates that the signal is output only once over a predetermined output duration (for example, 4 mS) so as to be receivable. In such a case, the output of the command information is INT
In addition to the case where the prize ball command is output only once with the signal, the following case is also included. In other words, the prize ball command is output not only once but the same command continuously, and the INT signal is turned on only at the timing when the ball payout control means needs to receive the prize ball command. The command information can be received by the ball payout control means whenever the output condition of the command relating to
This includes the case where the signal is output only once for a predetermined output duration.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, when the content of the received prize ball command matches three times in succession, the prize ball command is regarded as a regular command. It suffices if there are three times. Also, the example in which the match determination period of the prize ball command extends over the entire valid period of the prize ball command has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be limited to a length period.

(4) The information can be output from the inside of the game control means to the outside by the I / O port section 57 shown in FIG. 4 and the like, but the information from the outside to the inside of the game control means can be output. Irreversible output means which does not allow the input of the data.

(5) As shown in FIG. 29 and the like, the command information output means (game control board 31) generates a command output condition regarding payout of a prize ball (game result value) (prize ball prohibition command, prize). The command information is output only once for a predetermined output continuation period (for example, 4 mS) so that the ball payout control means (payout control means) can receive the command information each time the output conditions such as the ball prohibition release command and the winning ball number command are satisfied. I do.

(6) As shown in FIG. 21, when the ball payout control means receives the command information from the game control means, the ball payout control means outputs the command information within a predetermined output continuation period. The command information is monitored over a predetermined period, and control is performed according to the command information on condition that the content of the command information does not change for the predetermined period.

(7) Error detected (NO in SB13)
The game control means (game control board 31) sends error detection information indicating that the game has been completed to the payout control means (prize ball lending control board 37). The recovery control may be executed after the recovery control is received.

(8) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0325]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine, and provides a predetermined game result based on the occurrence of a prize. A gaming machine is configured so that a value can be paid out to a player. The electric components are configured by the gaming effect lamps 28b and 28c, the prize ball device 97a, the ball rental device 97b, the variable display device 8, the variable prize ball device 19, and the like. The game control board 31, the prize ball lending control board 37, the lamp control board 35, the display control board 80, the voice control board 70, and the like constitute the plurality of types of control means. The game result value is constituted by the pachinko balls.
The game result value is not limited to a pachinko ball, but may be a value object such as a coin.

The game control board 31 controls one of the plurality of types of control means and controls the game state of the game machine and outputs predetermined command information to the other control means by one-way communication. Control means is configured. The command information is constituted by command data (prize ball command or the like). The payout device 97a forms a payout device that pays out the game result value. Ball rental device 97
By b, a lending device for lending game media to a player is configured. The game medium is constituted by pachinko balls.

A game having a size corresponding to the payout command information output from the game control means, which is one of the plurality of kinds of control means and drives the payout apparatus, by the prize ball lending control board 37. Along with performing the payout control for paying out the resulting value to the player, the rental device drives the lending device and responds to the lending command information from the lending control device that outputs the lending command information in exchange for the use of the value owned by the player. A lending and payout control means for performing a lending control to lend a game medium of a size to a player is configured. The payout command information is constituted by the prize ball command. The card unit 50 constitutes a lending control device that outputs lending command information in exchange for the use of a value owned by the player. The card value recorded on the prepaid card constitutes the value of the player. The lending command information is constituted by a BRDY signal (unit ball lending operation signal).

The winning ball count switch 301A and the winning ball count switch 301B constitute a game result value detecting means for detecting a game result value paid out under the control of the loan / payout control means.

In SB10 to SB14, abnormality determination means for determining that an abnormality has occurred when a detection output corresponding to the game result value having the size corresponding to the output payout command information is not input from the game result value detection means. Is configured. According to SJ6 to SJ11, the lending / dispensing control means, when an abnormality has occurred in the lending device, at least until the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, based on the payout command information. It is disclosed that a payout control stopped state in which the payout control of the game result value is not executed.

As described in the description of S51 in FIG. 19, when the prize ball count switch is turned on and the prize ball payout is resumed before the timer T9 times out, the payout of the prize ball is interrupted. The counter value of the total prize ball counter at the time of the execution is held as it is. Also, in the microcomputer 370 for controlling award ball lending,
The data of the scheduled payout number set in the scheduled payout number setting process (see FIG. 25) before the suspension of the prize ball payout and the counter value of the prize ball number counter (SK1) at the time of the suspension of the award ball payout. Is kept as it is. According to the contents, the lending and payout control means, when the payout control is stopped, at least the unpaid game result among the magnitude of the game result value corresponding to the payout command information input from the game control means. It is disclosed to include a holding storage means for holding the magnitude of the value in an identifiable manner. The RAM 376 of the prize ball lending control microcomputer 370 stores the data of the expected payout number and the counter value of the prize ball number counter at the time when the payout of the prize balls is interrupted.
The holding storage means is configured.

In the case where the timer T13 times out in SJ10 of FIG. 22 and the payout of the prize balls is resumed, the data of the expected payout number when the payout of the prize balls is interrupted and the suspension of the payout of the prize balls are performed. The payout of prize balls is performed after SJ11 based on the counter value of the prize ball number counter at the time. According to this content, the loan / payout control means:
It is disclosed that, when the payout control is recovered from the stop state, the payout control of the game result value is restarted based on the storage of the holding storage unit.

[0332] In S43 of the error display process in Fig. 19, the variable display device 8 and the speaker 27 constitute a notifying means capable of notifying the occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred. .

SJ15 to SJ24 in FIG. 22 and SJ in FIG.
If the payout device is in an abnormal state where the payout device cannot pay out the game result value corresponding to the payout command information according to K9 to SK17, the payout device is determined after the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. Recovery control means for performing recovery control for recovering the data.

According to SJ22 of FIG. 22 and SK16 of FIG. 23, it is disclosed that the payout control means stops the payout device when the abnormality of the payout device is not recovered by the recovery control by the recovery control means. ing.

In S51 to S53 in FIG. 19, after the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred on condition that the detection output of the game result value detection means is input. It is disclosed to cancel the judgment.

A notification means capable of notifying the occurrence of an abnormality is provided on condition that the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred by S43 of the error display process of FIG. 19, the variable display device 8, and the speaker 27. Have been.

[0337]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
Regarding the above, if no information is input to the game control means from other control means, but if an abnormality occurs in the lending control of the game medium, the lending / paying control means is in the payout control stopped state, and the game control means Is determined by the abnormality determination means included in the game control means, while it is possible to prevent improper acts relating to the game control means as much as possible, but to the game control means that there is a possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the lending device. It becomes possible to make them recognize.

According to claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, when the lending / payout control means is in the halt state of the payout control, at least the game result value corresponding to the payout command information has not yet been determined. Since the magnitude of the game result value of the payout is held so as to be identifiable, the player caused by losing information on the magnitude of the game result value to be paid out when the lending / payout control means is in the payout control stopped state. No penalty for you.

According to claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 2, when the lending / paying control means recovers from the halt state of the payout control, the payout control of the game result value is restarted based on the storage of the holding storage means. Therefore, there is no disadvantage for the player.

According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, if the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, a notification to that effect is given. Can be grasped, and the staff at the game hall can promptly respond to the occurrence of the abnormality.

According to claim 5, an abnormal state in which the payout device cannot pay out the game result value corresponding to the payout command information while information is not input to the game control means from other control means. In the case where the payout device is recovered by the recovery control, the recovery control for recovering the payout device is performed after the abnormality determination unit included in the game control unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. Even in the case of recovery, it becomes possible for the game control means to recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the payout device, and it is possible to prevent improper acts relating to the game control means as much as possible.

According to claim 6, in addition to the effect of claim 5, if the abnormality of the dispensing device is not recovered by the recovery control, the dispensing device is stopped. It is possible to prevent the payout device from being damaged due to the control of repeatedly driving the payout device despite the occurrence.

According to the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, since the determination that an abnormality has occurred is canceled on condition that the detection output of the game result value detecting means is input, the payout is performed. It is possible to prevent the determination from being carried over until after the abnormality of the apparatus is recovered.

According to claim 8, in addition to the effect of claim 5, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified on condition that the abnormality has been determined by the abnormality determining means. The staff of the game hall can grasp that the abnormality has occurred, and the staff of the game hall can promptly respond when the abnormality of the payout device is not recovered by the recovery control.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine and a card unit installed corresponding thereto.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and components related thereto.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing the contents of data of a prize ball command output from a basic circuit.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a mode in which a winning ball ball lending control board receives a winning ball command.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main process and an interrupt process executed by the basic circuit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a start winning opening check process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a special winning opening check process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing winning ball signal processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a ball lending possibility determination process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a firing possibility determination process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a winning ball possible determination process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a prize ball command output process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an error display process.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a prize ball control process and a 500 μS timer interrupt process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing award ball data reading processing.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a prize ball motor control process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a prize ball motor control process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a branching process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a scheduled payout number setting process.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating payout control designation processing.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a ball lending motor control process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a ball lending motor control process.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing a basic control operation at the time of a winning ball.

FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing a payout ball payout control operation when a ball lending abnormality is detected.

FIG. 31 is a timing chart showing a prize ball payout control operation when an abnormality is detected in the prize ball device.

FIG. 32 is a timing chart showing a control operation when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on.

FIG. 33 is a timing chart showing a control operation at the time of a broken ball.

FIG. 34 is a timing chart showing a control operation when the tank is full.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine, 8 is a variable display device, 27 is a speaker, 31 is a game control board, 35 is a lamp control board, 37
Is a prize ball lending control board, 57 is an I / O port section, 70 is a voice control board, 80 is a display control board, 97a is a prize ball device,
97b is a ball lending device, 167 is an out-of-ball detection switch, 5
Reference numeral 3 denotes a basic circuit, 370 denotes a microcomputer for controlling prize ball lending, and 376 denotes a RAM.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine having a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine, wherein a predetermined game result value can be paid out to a player based on the occurrence of a prize. A game control means for controlling a game state of the gaming machine and outputting predetermined command information to one of the other control means by one-way communication; and A payout device that pays out a value; a lending device that rents a game medium to a player; and a payout command output from the game control means, which is one of the plurality of types of control means and drives the payout device. A lending control device for performing a payout control for paying out a game result value of a size corresponding to the information to a player, and driving the lending device to output lending command information in exchange for the use of a value owned by the player. Lending order information from Lending and payout control means for performing lending control for lending a game medium of a corresponding size to a player, and game result value detecting means for detecting a game result value paid out by the control of the lending and payment control means, The game control means, when the detection output indicating that the game result value of the size corresponding to the output payout command information has been paid is not input from the game result value detection means,
An abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred, the lending and payout control unit, when an abnormality has occurred in the lending device, at least until the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, A gaming machine, wherein a payout control is stopped in which payout control of the game result value based on the payout command information is not executed. 2. The lending and payout control means, when the payout control is in a halt state, at least the unpaid game of the magnitude of the game result value corresponding to the payout command information input from the game control means. Characterized by including a holding storage means for holding the magnitude of the result value in an identifiable manner,
The gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. The payout control means for restarting the payout of the game result value based on the storage of the holding storage means when the payout control means recovers from the stoppage state of the payout control. 3. The gaming machine according to 2. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit capable of notifying the occurrence of the abnormality when the abnormality determining unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. 5. A gaming machine having a plurality of types of control means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine, wherein a predetermined game result value can be paid out to a player based on the occurrence of a prize. A game control means for controlling a game state of the gaming machine and outputting predetermined command information to one of the other control means by one-way communication; and A payout device that pays out a value, and one of the plurality of types of control means, which drives the payout device to play a game result value having a size corresponding to the payout command information output by the game control means. Payout control means for performing a payout control to pay out to a player, and a game result value detecting means for detecting a game result value paid out under the control of the payout control means, wherein the game control means Corresponding size When the detection output indicating that the game result value is paid out is not input from the game result value detecting means,
The payout control means includes an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred, wherein the payout control unit is configured to perform the abnormality determination when an abnormal state occurs in which the payout device cannot pay out a game result value corresponding to the payout command information. A gaming machine comprising: recovery control means for performing recovery control for recovering the payout device after the means determines that an abnormality has occurred. 6. The game according to claim 5, wherein the payout control means stops the payout device when the abnormality of the payout device is not recovered by the recovery control by the recovery control means. Machine. 7. The abnormality determination means, after determining that an abnormality has occurred, cancels the determination that an abnormality has occurred on condition that a detection output of the game result value detection means is input. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein 8. The system according to claim 5, further comprising a notifying unit capable of notifying the occurrence of the abnormality on condition that the abnormality determining unit determines that the abnormality has occurred.
A gaming machine according to claim 1.