JP2000312771A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with a function of maintaining winning ball data while realizing high speed winning ball discharge and preventing unfair acts using the function. SOLUTION: A power generation circuit 91 for generating plural types of DC power with different voltages from the AC power fed from outside and a backup condenser 92 to be charged with the power generated by the power generation circuit 91 are mounted in a power feed unit 71 of this game machine. And a winning ball data memory 61 for accumulating/storing data on the number of winning balls transmitted from a game control device 43 is formed in a RAM 60 of a discharge control device 44. Backup power is fed from the condenser 92 to the winning ball data memory 61.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a pachinko gaming machine or an arrangement ball gaming machine, for supplying a game value generated in a game to a player.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique will be described by taking a pachinko game machine as a typical game machine as an example. A conventional pachinko gaming machine includes a game control device that controls the progress of a game on a game board surface, and a discharge control device that drives and controls a ball discharge device to discharge game balls. Then, the discharge control device supplies a prize ball as a game value to the player based on the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device. In other words, the game control device is configured to provide seven emission data or thirteen emission data in order to supply a game value to a player on condition that the firing ball has won various winning holes provided in the game area. Is transmitted to the discharge control device. Then, the discharge control device supplies a predetermined number of game balls to the player based on the received prize ball number information.

[0003] In this type of pachinko gaming machine, the number of prize balls is made different depending on a winning opening provided in a game area on a game board surface in order to enhance the gaming ability. For example, the number of prize balls is set to 7 for winning in the starting winning opening, and the number of prize balls is set to 13 for winning in other winning openings. in this way,
Since the number of award balls is set to a plurality of types, the game control device stores the number of award of game balls to the winning opening. For example, when the number of prize balls is two, the number of prizes to the winning opening corresponding to one of the prize balls is stored as prize ball memory. Then, the winning game balls (winning balls) are collected in a safe unit for detecting one winning ball. A stopping mechanism is provided in the safe unit, and the winning ball is temporarily stopped by the stopping mechanism, and one winning ball in the stopped state is detected by the safe sensor.

Then, the game control device refers to the winning ball memory based on the winning ball signal (safe signal) from the safe sensor, and if there is a winning ball memory, the corresponding winning ball number information (for example, seven winning awards). Ball data) to the emission control device. When there is no winning ball memory when referring to the winning ball memory, that is, when the winning ball memory is “0”, the set winning ball number information (for example, 13 winning balls memory). Data). Next, the discharge control device operates the ball discharge device based on the transmitted prize ball number information to supply the prize balls to the player. In addition, the stopping mechanism of the safe unit is driven to discharge the winning balls related to the discharging of the winning balls to the outside of the gaming machine. In response to this series of prize ball discharge processing,
The game control device subtracts the winning ball memory. The timing at which the winning ball memory is subtracted is, for example, when transmission of the prize ball number information to the discharge control device ends, when the prize ball discharging process starts, or when the prize ball discharging process ends.

Further, there is a proposal of a pachinko gaming machine adopting a new configuration in order to speed up the prize ball discharge. In this pachinko gaming machine, for example, a winning sensor that detects a winning ball is provided in correspondence with each winning opening, and a detection signal from each winning sensor is input to the game control device. Then, the game control device causes the discharge control device to sequentially transmit the prize ball number information based on the detection signal from each of the winning sensors. On the other hand, the discharge control device sequentially stores the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device, and drives the discharge unit based on the sequentially stored prize ball number information to discharge the prize balls. In this configuration, the prize ball number information is transmitted based on the detection signal from the winning sensor, so that there is no need to provide a safe unit. Further, since the prize balls are discharged based on the prize ball number information stored in the discharge control device, it is not necessary to confirm whether or not the prize balls are stopped in the safe unit every time the prize ball discharge processing is completed. The prize ball discharging process can be performed in a short time.

[0006]

However, in the above-described pachinko gaming machine, an external power supply (for example, an AC 24 V AC power supply supplied from an island facility) supplied to the pachinko gaming machine from the outside of the gaming machine is cut off due to a power failure or the like. In such a case, the winning ball memory stored in the game control device and the prize ball number information stored in the ejection control device are erased.

In this case, in the pachinko gaming machine having the safe unit, the winning ball is stopped upstream of the stop unit of the safe unit. Therefore, prize balls can be discharged based on the stopped prize balls. However, turning off the external power supply erases the winning ball memory for determining the number of winning balls, so all stopped winning balls are treated as a specific number of winning balls, causing damage to the player or the game store. There was a problem of giving. For example, if the prize ball memory indicating seven prize balls is erased, all the stopped prize balls are treated as 13 prize ball prize balls, and the game store suffers damage. .

On the other hand, in a pachinko game machine of a type without a safe unit, a winning ball is discharged out of the game machine without being stopped. Therefore, when the external power supply is cut off, the prize ball number information sequentially stored by the discharge control device is erased, and it becomes impossible to discharge the prize balls. Therefore, the player is damaged, and a trouble occurs between the player and the game store.

[0009] However, a demand for a high speed prize ball discharge has recently been desired. Therefore,
In order to solve the above-described problem, for example, it is conceivable to provide a function of retaining the stored prize ball number information even after the external power supply is cut off. However, simply by providing the function of retaining the memory, a malicious third party removes the discharge control device from the gaming machine, writes the prize ball count in the prize ball count memory, and the prize ball count information is written. There is a possibility that the emission control device will be attached to the gaming machine again to obtain an incorrect gaming value. In particular, such fraud must be reliably eliminated from the viewpoint of ensuring the fairness of the game.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a function capable of holding game value information while realizing a high-speed game value supply process, and also prevents a game from being illegally performed by this holding function. The purpose is to provide a machine.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and the present invention controls the progress of a game on a game board and generates the game. A game control device for transmitting game value information for supplying the game value to the player, a discharge control device for supplying a game value to the player based on the game value information transmitted from the game control device, and various controls. In a gaming machine having a power supply device configured separately from the device, the power supply device,
A power supply-side power supply means for generating a plurality of types of power supply from an external power supply supplied from outside the gaming machine; and a power supply holding means charged by the power supply generated by the power supply-side power supply means. The power generated by the generating means is supplied to each control device as a normal power supply, and the power from the power holding means is supplied to the discharge control device. The discharge control device stores the game value information storage area in advance. An information storage processing means for storing game value information in a game value information storage area; a game value supply processing means for supplying a game value to a player based on the game value information; Operating power generating means for generating power, supplying operating power generated by the operating power generating means to the game value supply processing means and the information storage processing means, and A game machine and supplying the power to be supplied to the storage device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the storage device has a first storage device in which a game value storage area is secured, and a second storage device used as a work area for game value supply processing means and information storage processing means. And a storage device, wherein the power supplied from the power holding means is supplied to the first storage device, and the operation power generated based on the normal power supply is supplied to the second storage device. 1. The gaming machine according to 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, further comprising connection means for collectively connecting various power supplies from the power supply device to the discharge control device.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as an example applied to a pachinko game machine. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine. In FIG. 1, a card-type ball rental machine 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a ball rental machine 2) is juxtaposed next to a pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a game machine 1). The ball lending machine 2 has a built-in card reader for reading and writing information on a prepaid card, and a card insertion slot 3 for inserting a prepaid card is formed on a front panel of the ball lending machine 2. In addition, a key device for locking a front panel that can be opened and closed is also provided.

The gaming machine 1 has a frame-shaped front frame 11, a resin glass frame 13 supporting a transparent glass 12, a game board 15 having a game area 14, and a lower side of the glass frame 13. Front display panel 16 and front display panel 16
And a front operation panel 17 disposed below the front panel. The front frame 11 is supported on a wooden machine frame 20 (see FIG. 2) by an upper hinge 21a and a lower hinge 21b so as to be openable and closable, and the glass frame 13 is supported on the front frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. . The glass frame 13 is locked by a key device 22 so as to be opened and closed.

An upper plate 23 for receiving a prize ball is formed on the front display panel 16. The upper plate 23 has a ball lending button 24 operated when purchasing a game ball, that is, when borrowing a game ball in exchange for the remaining number stored in the prepaid card, and a card frequency display for displaying the balance of the prepaid card. (Card balance display) 25, a card discharge button (return button) 26 operated when discharging a prepaid card, and a passage connecting the game balls of the upper plate 23 to the lower plate 27 in order to transfer them. An opening / closing lever 28 for opening and closing the shutter member is provided.

An ashtray 29 and a lower tray 27 are formed on the front operation panel 17. The lower plate 27 is provided with a ball release lever 30 for pulling out the game balls stored in the lower plate 27 to the lower outside of the gaming machine 1. A firing operation handle 32 for operating the firing unit 31 is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 17.

The upper plate 23 is formed with a concave upper ball storage portion capable of storing game balls. This plate 23
Is formed in a bulging shape that protrudes forward from the front side of the front display panel 16 and whose lower part is located near the lower edge of the front display panel 16. Further, the lower plate 27 is formed with a concave lower ball storage portion capable of storing game balls.
The lower plate 27 is formed in a bulging shape protruding forward from the front side of the gaming machine 1 at a position relatively close to the upper plate 23. Side plates are attached to both left and right sides of the lower plate 27. The upper plate 23 formed in the above-mentioned bulging shape has a curved wall portion in which the left and right central portions of the bottom from the lower edge portion to the front end portion are concavely symmetrical. With this curved wall portion, a large space above the lower plate 27 can be ensured. For this reason, the player can put his hand into the upper space without actually seeing, and can easily scrape out the game balls of the lower plate 27 while keeping his / her eyes on the game board 15. Furthermore, it is also possible to appeal the throwing balls (game balls) stored in the lower plate 27 to other players who are watching the game behind the player.

Next, the game board 15 will be described. The game area 14 formed on the game board 15 can have any configuration. In the present embodiment, a type belonging to the so-called "first type" is illustrated. Gaming board 1 illustrated
5 includes an out ball inlet 35, a rail member 36, a special symbol display device 37, a starting winning port 38, a variable winning device (a large winning port also called an attacker) 39, a plurality of general winning ports 40, and a special figure starting memory display. Vessel 41 and side lamp 4
2 are provided.

Here, all winning ports provided on the game board 15, ie, the starting winning port 38, the variable winning device 39,
Further, for the general winning opening 40, a winning sensor (winning ball detecting means) is provided for each winning opening. Then, when a game ball wins in these winning ports, the winning game ball (winning ball) is detected by the winning sensor. The game control device 43 (see FIG. 2) transmits prize ball number information to the discharge control device 44 in conjunction with the detection of a prize ball by the prize sensor. The prize ball number information is a type of game value information for supplying a game value generated in a pachinko game to a player. Further, as the winning sensor, for example, as shown in FIG.
, A count sensor 51 provided corresponding to the variable winning device 39, and a general winning sensor 52 provided corresponding to the general winning opening 40. . And these special figure starting sensors 50,
The count sensor 51 and the general winning sensor 52 are configured by sensors capable of detecting one winning ball. In the present embodiment, a proximity sensor (proximity switch) is used.

On the other hand, a big hit indicator 54 that emits light (lights / blinks) at the time of a big hit is provided above the resin glass frame 13. On the left and right sides of the big hit indicator 54,
Replenishment lamp 55, award ball lamp 56, and award ball memory LE
D57. The replenishment lamp 55 lights when a ball is replenished from the island facility, and blinks when an error occurs. The prize ball lamp 56 is turned on when a prize ball is discharged or a ball is lent. The prize ball memory LED 57 emits light when there is prize ball data in the prize ball data memory 61 (see FIG. 4) formed in the RAM 60 of the discharge control device 44, and the prize ball that has not been paid to a player or a store staff member. Notify that there is.

Next, the back mechanism of the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is a view showing a back mechanism of the gaming machine 1.
The back mechanism of the illustrated gaming machine 1 includes a storage tank (upper tank) 64, a guide path 65, a terminal board (external terminal board) 66, an odd sensor unit 67, and a ball discharging unit 6.
8, discharge control device 44, game control device 43, accessory relay base 69, launch unit 31, card unit connection board 7
0, power supply unit 71, base frame (back mechanical base) 7
2. A sound control device 73, a launch control device 74, a display control device 75, and a decoration control device 76 are provided.

Here, in this embodiment, as described above, all of the plurality of winning ports arranged on the game board 15, ie, the starting winning port 38, the variable winning device 39 (large winning port),
A winning sensor is provided corresponding to each winning port of the general winning port 40. Then, the winning ball detected by the winning sensor flows down without being temporarily stopped by a conventional stopping mechanism (so-called safe unit), and the gaming machine 1
Is discharged to the outside. The winning balls having the same winning number in the winning opening may be collected by a gutter or the like, and may be collectively detected by the winning sensor after the collecting.

The above-mentioned game control device 43, the character relay base 6
9 and the sound control device 73 are attached to the back side of the game board 15. The display control device 75 is provided at the rear of the special symbol display device 37. The mounting position of each control unit is not limited to the mode shown in FIG. For example, the game control device 43 may be attached to the base frame 72.

The base frame 72 is made of, for example, an integrally molded product made of a synthetic resin, and is attached to a metal frame 77 fixed to the back of the front frame 11. Various components such as a storage tank 64, a guide path 65, a terminal board 66, an odd sensor unit 67, a ball discharge unit 68, a discharge control device 44,
Launch unit 31, card unit connection board 70, power supply unit 71, launch control device 74, sound control device 7
3. A decoration control device 76 and the like are attached. These components are fixed to the base frame 72 in a detachable manner with a single touch by a holding member. Note that these various components and the base frame 72 are collectively referred to as a back mechanism board.

The metal frame 77 has a rectangular shape, and is formed with a game board storage section for removably storing and fixing the game board 15. A plurality of game board fixing devices (not shown) are arranged in the game board storage portion, and the game board 15 is stored and fixed in the game board storage portion by the plurality of game board fixing devices. .

The storage tank 64 stores game balls before they are discharged. The amount of game balls stored in the storage tank 64 is detected by a supply sensor (not shown). That is, the replenishment sensor outputs a shortage signal when the number of game balls stored in the storage tank 64 becomes less than a predetermined amount. Then, when the game balls become insufficient, the game balls from the island facilities are supplied to the storage tank 64. This storage tank 6
The ball in 4 is guided to the ball discharge unit 68 by the guide path 65.

The ball discharge unit (ball discharge device) 68 is controlled by the discharge control device 44. The ball discharging unit 68 includes a ball discharging mechanism that discharges a required number of game balls to the player based on a ball discharging command signal output from the discharge control device 44. Also, the ball discharge unit 68
Has two ball discharge passages (not shown), one ball discharge passage for discharging prize balls, and the other ball discharge passage for discharging lending balls. In other words, the configuration is such that the two ball discharge passages are properly used depending on the application. Here, the discharge of the prize ball means that the game value generated in the game is supplied to the player. It is detected by the odd sensor unit 67 whether or not there is a sufficient amount of game balls for discharging the prize ball or discharging the ball on the taxiway 65.

The terminal board 66 relays the input of AC power and the transmission and reception of signals to and from a hall computer (management device: not shown) in a game arcade. The terminal board 66 is divided into a relay section and a connector section for connecting to a hall computer, and the relay section and the connector section are connected by a cable.

The accessory relay base 69 is provided with a special figure start storage display 41, a side lamp 42,
The relay connection of a cable for electrically connecting the variable winning device 39 and the like to the game control device 43 is performed. The firing unit 31 is a mechanism for firing a game ball in response to an operation of the firing operation handle 32, and includes an electric drive source such as a rotary solenoid, a firing punch operated by the electric drive source, and the like. The card unit connection board 70 is for connecting a cable 78 extending from the ball rental machine 2 to the gaming machine 1 and includes a mounting member to which a connector at an end of the cable 78 is mounted. This mounting member, for example,
It is composed of a female connector to which a male connector is attached.

On the back side of the game board 15, a space in which a winning ball can flow down is formed, and a winning ball collecting member 81 for collecting the winning balls is attached. This winning ball assembly member 81
Is a prize sphere (safe sphere) made of, for example, a transparent resin such as a PC resin, which wins a prize at each winning port, and is detected by the special figure starting sensor 50, the count sensor 51, or the general prize sensor 52. We will guide you down.

The prize balls guided by the prize ball collecting member 81 are collected on the prize ball flow gutter 83 side by the prize ball collecting shelf 82 arranged below the prize ball collective member 81. The winning balls collected in the winning ball downspout 83 flow down the winning ball downspout 83 and are discharged out of the gaming machine 1 from the ball outlet. The winning ball collection shelf 82 is made of a synthetic resin member, and is formed integrally with the base frame 72. The winning ball downspout 83 is also made of a synthetic resin member and is formed integrally with the base frame 72. Incidentally, conventionally, a configuration in which a so-called safe unit is arranged in the winning ball downflow gutter 83 has been adopted. However, in the present embodiment, no safe unit is provided, and the winning ball does not stop inside the winning ball downflow gutter 83. Pass through.

Although not shown, an out-ball flow down gutter is also provided on the back side of the game board 15. The out ball downspout flows down the out ball that has flowed into the out ball inflow port 35 at the lower end of the game area 14 and discharges the ball out of the gaming machine 1 from the ball outlet. That is, the out ball is guided to flow down to the back side of the gaming machine 1. The ball discharge port also discharges the winning ball that has passed through the winning ball downflow gutter 83 to the outside of the gaming machine 1 as described above.

The power supply unit 71 is a kind of the power supply device of the present invention, and includes the discharge control device 44 and the game control device 4.
3. Supply power to each control device such as the sound control device 73.
The power supply unit 71 is configured separately from each control device. The power supply unit 7
1 will be described later in detail.

Next, each control device will be described. In this embodiment, each control device includes a control board for realizing a control function, and a case for housing the control board.

The game control device 43 is a control device for performing overall control of the game. Among the control devices relating to the prize ball control of the game ball, the game control device 43 controls the game ball by a prize sensor provided for each prize port of the game board 15. When a winning is detected, prize ball number information (game value information) indicating a preset number of prize balls is transmitted to the discharge control device 44.

The discharge control device 44 includes a ball discharge unit 68
Discharge solenoid 85 (see FIG. 4) which is an electric drive source for
It controls various electric components necessary for discharging game balls. That is, the prize ball number information (prize ball data, game value information) transmitted from the game control device 43 or the discharge sensor 8
Based on the detection signal from 6, the controller controls the supply of electricity to the discharge solenoid 85, and controls to discharge a predetermined number of game balls.

The discharge control device 44 performs control associated with ball lending while exchanging signals with the ball lending machine 2 (so-called CR sand unit). Here, a procedure of ball lending control performed between the ball lending machine 2 and the discharge control device 44 will be described. For convenience, transmission and reception of signals will be described in positive logic. The ball rental machine 2 has a discharge control device 44 (that is, the gaming machine 1).
If the PRDY signal output from is high, the discharge control device 44 determines that the discharge control of the game ball can be performed. The ball lending machine 2 accepts the operation of the ball lending button 24 when the discharge control device 44 can perform the discharge control of the game ball. Then, if there is an input from the ball lending button 24, the ball lending machine 2 sets the BRDY signal to Hi to notify the emission control device 44 that a ball lending request (BRQ signal) is about to be made. When the BRDY signal becomes Hi, the discharge control device 44 prepares to perform discharge control of the ball for lending the ball, and monitors the BRQ signal that is the ball lending request signal.

Subsequently, the ball rental machine 2 outputs the BRDY signal to Hi.
After a lapse of a predetermined time, the BRQ signal is set to Hi. When receiving the Hi of the BRQ signal, the discharge control device 44 notifies the ball rental machine 2 that the ball rental machine 2 has received the BRQ signal.
In addition, the EXS signal is set to Hi and the game balls are discharged in predetermined units (for example, 25 BRQ signals per pulse). When the discharge of the predetermined unit is completed, the discharge control device 44 sets the output EXS signal to Lo and notifies the ball rental machine 2 that the discharge of the ball based on the BRQ signal is completed.
Contact Here, the BRDY signal from the ball rental machine 2 is H
If i is continued, the emission control device 44 returns to the BRQ again.
The signal is monitored, and when the BRDY signal becomes Lo, the ball lending discharge control process ends.

On the other hand, the ball lending machine 2 sets the BRQ signal to Hi, and then sets the EXS signal H
When i is confirmed, the BRQ signal is set to Lo and the EXS signal is monitored. Here, the ball rental machine 2 transmits the EXS signal Lo.
When the ball lending request is subsequently made, the BRQ signal is set to Hi as described above, and when the ball lending request is not made, the BRDY signal is set to Lo.

The display control device 75 controls the special symbol display device 37 in accordance with a command output from the game control device 43 or the like, and displays a predetermined image on the front display section of the special symbol display device 37. The display control device 75
Supplies power to the special symbol display device 37.

The decoration control device 76 controls the operation (lighting or extinguishing) of decoration lamps (light-emitting decoration members) arranged on the front face of the gaming machine 1 based on the decoration data transmitted from the game control device 43. To control. The decoration control device 76 also supplies power to decoration lamps.

The sound control device 73 controls the sound effects, such as generating a sound effect based on the sound data transmitted from the game control device 43, and outputs various sound effects according to the game state to the front of the gaming machine 1. And the like. The control board of the sound control device 73 is electrically connected to the control board of the game control device 43 via a cable, and a signal indicating a game state is exchanged between the two control boards.

The firing control device 74 includes the firing operation handle 3
The launch unit (firing device) 31 is controlled in accordance with the amount of rotation of 2, and control for firing the game ball with an intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation is performed. Note that the emission control device 74 includes the discharge control device 44.
The firing enable signal is input from the device. When the firing enable signal stops the firing operation of the firing unit 31 when the discharge control device 44 has any abnormality, or when the abnormality is resolved. Is a signal that enables a firing operation.

Next, power supply in the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a power supply system in the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 is supplied with 24 V AC as an external power supply from outside the gaming machine 1. AC 24 V, which is an external power supply, is indirectly distributed to the power supply unit 71 via the terminal board 66.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply unit 71 includes a power generation circuit 91 and a backup capacitor (super capacitor) 92.

The power supply generation circuit 91 is a kind of power supply generation means (operation power supply generation means) of the present invention, and converts AC 24 V supplied as an external power supply into direct current (DC) to generate a voltage value. A plurality of different types of DC power supplies (operation power supplies) are generated. Then, this DC power is supplied to each control device. Specifically, the power supply generation circuit 91 generates, as drive power supplies, DC 30 V for driving solenoids, DC 24 V for driving lamps, and DC 12 V for driving sensors and backlight. The power generation circuit 91 generates 12 V DC for generating a normal power supply (power supply for the control device) for operating each control device and 5 V DC for charging the backup capacitor 92. The backup capacitor 92 is a kind of power holding means of the present invention, and is charged by DC5V for charging generated by the power supply unit 71.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the power supply unit 71 sends the power generation circuit 9
1 supplies the generated DC 30 V and DC 12 V. Further, a power generation circuit 91 is provided for the emission control device 44.
Supplies the generated DC 24 V, DC 12 V, and DC 5 V (backup power supply) from the backup capacitor 92. The power supply circuit 91 supplies the DC 32 V, DC 24 V and DC 12 V to the game control device 43. Similarly, the sound control device 73 has D
C12V to the decoration control device 76, DC30V, DC
24 V and DC 12 V, and the display controller 75
C12V is supplied respectively.

The backup power from the backup capacitor 92 is supplied to the RAM (storage device) 60 of the discharge control device 44 and is used as an information holding power for holding information in the RAM 60.

As described above, the game control device 43 and the discharge control device 44 are supplied with power for use in the device from the separately provided power supply unit 71 (a type of power supply device of the present invention). It has a configuration. The power supply unit 71 is connected to an external power supply (AC2
4V) and 24 VDC as a normal power supply
And 12 V DC and 5 V DC from the backup capacitor 92 as a backup power supply are supplied to the discharge control device 44.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connection of various power supplies supplied from the power supply unit 71 to the discharge control device 44 is made by a discharge power supply wiring (a kind of connection means of the present invention) 93.
Done by The discharge power supply wiring 93 is a member that collectively connects various power supplies supplied from the power supply unit 71 to the discharge control device 44. Specifically, both ends of a cable provided for each type of power supply and supplying the corresponding power are connected to a single connector (for example, a female connector).
Are collectively joined to form the power supply wiring 93 for discharge.
Then, one connector of the discharge power supply wiring 93 is connected to the discharge power supply connector (for example, male connector) on the power supply unit 71 side, and the power supply connector (for example, male connector) on the discharge control device 44 side. Is connected to the other connector of the power supply wiring 93 for discharge. Accordingly, a plurality of types of power supplied from the power supply unit 71 to the discharge control device 44 can be supplied collectively by the discharge power supply wiring 93. In other words, with one wiring,
Various power supplies required by the discharge control device 44 can be supplied collectively.

Next, control of the gaming machine 1 having the above configuration will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control system in the gaming machine 1.

First, the game control device 43 will be described. The game control device 43 obtains a predetermined clock by dividing the oscillation frequency of the crystal by a game arithmetic processing device (game microcomputer) 96 composed of a one-chip microcomputer for controlling the accessory required for the pachinko game and the like. A clock generation circuit (CLK) 97, an input interface 98 for receiving various sensor signals, and an output interface 99
It is comprised including. The game processing unit 96 is a CP
It incorporates U96a, ROM 96b, and RAM 96c, and is manufactured as an IC for a so-called amuse chip.

The input interface 98 has a so-called continuous winning (V)
Continuation sensor (switch) 1 for detecting the winning ball
00, a signal from a special figure start sensor 50 for detecting a prize in the special figure start winning opening 38, and a variable prize device 3
A signal from the count sensor 51 that detects all the balls that have entered the ball 9 and a signal from the general winning sensor 52 that detects a ball that has won the general winning port 40 of the game board 15 are input. In the present embodiment, the same number of general winning sensors 52 as the general winning ports 40 are provided. That is, the game board 1
When there are n general winning ports 40 of five, n general winning sensors 52 are arranged.

On the other hand, from the output interface 99,
Signals are output to the display control device 75, the decoration control device 76, the sound control device 73, the emission control device 74, and the special winning opening solenoid 101 that drives the opening and closing of the special winning opening, which is the variable winning device 39.

Next, the discharge control device 44 will be described. The discharge control device 44 includes a CPU 103 and a ROM
104, a RAM 60, a clock generation circuit (CLK) 105 for obtaining a predetermined clock, an input interface 106, an output interface 107, a logic power supply circuit 108, a power failure detection circuit 109, and the like. The elements are connected by an address bus, a data bus, a power supply line, and the like.

The CPU 103 performs processing necessary for discharging game balls (including prize ball discharge and ball lending discharge). ROM1
04 stores programs and the like necessary for emission control.

The RAM 60 is used as a work area of the CPU 103, and has a function as a storage device capable of storing information. This RAM is the CPU 10
3 is configured as a separate element. RAM6
0 is a prize ball data memory (game value information storage area) 61 for storing prize ball number information (corresponding to game value information of the present invention), and various data memories 1 for storing various data.
10 and other work memories 111 and the like. In the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60, prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43 is accumulated and stored.

The CPU 103 performs processing for accumulating and storing the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43 in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60. Further, at the time of prize ball discharge, a process of subtracting and digesting the prize ball number information accumulated and stored by a predetermined unit number is performed so that discharge in a predetermined unit (for example, in units of five) can be repeatedly performed. The CPU 103 performs a prize ball discharge process based on the prize ball discharge number data read from the accumulation storage memory and subtracted and digested. Therefore, for example, when the prize ball number information is subtracted and digested in units of five, prize ball discharge in units of five is repeatedly performed, and prize ball discharge is performed even if the number is less than five at the end.

More specifically, the number of prize balls set in the game control device 43 (game board 15) connected to the discharge control device 44 is 5 (for example, a game value of a start winning) and 7 (for example, In the case where the general winning opening 40 has a game value and the number of the 13 (for example, the variable winning device (big winning opening) 39 has a game value), the area of the prize ball data memory 61 secured in the RAM 60 in advance is determined. The prize ball number information used and transmitted from the game control device 43 is cumulatively added to the prize ball data memory 61.

More specifically, the starting winning opening 38
Each time there is a start winning prize, the game control device 43 transmits prize ball number information of five prize ball data to the discharge control device 44. The discharge control device 44 sequentially stores the received prize ball number information in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60.
And store it. For example, when the prize ball number information accumulated and stored in the prize ball data memory 61 is “26” and the prize ball number information of five prize ball data is sent from the game control device 43,
The discharge control device 44 stores “31” obtained by adding “5” to “26” as new prize ball number information.

Next, when the prize ball number information of the seven prize ball data is sent from the game control device 43, the discharge control device 44
This prize ball number information is stored. When the prize ball number information accumulated and stored in the prize ball data memory 61 is “31”, when the prize ball number information of seven prize ball data is sent from the game control device 43,
The discharge control device 44 stores “38” obtained by adding “7” to “31” as new prize ball number information. Similarly, each time the award ball number information of five award ball data, seven award ball data, or thirteen award ball data is transmitted from the game control device 43, the discharge control device 44 receives the information. The award ball number information is sequentially and cumulatively stored in the award ball data memory 61.

On the other hand, prize ball discharge is performed in parallel with the cumulative storage of the prize ball number information. At this time, the discharge control device 44 (CPU 1
03), the cumulative storage is subtracted from the award ball data memory 61 by five. Then, the actual discharge of the prize ball is performed by controlling the drive of a first discharge solenoid 85a (described later) for discharging the prize ball. That is, the discharge control device 44 supplies a drive signal to the first discharge solenoid 85a to put the first discharge solenoid 85a in an excited state (on state), and switches the state of the ball discharge unit 68 to a state in which game balls are discharged. The required number of discharge control devices 44 (five in this case)
The excitation state of the first discharge solenoid 85a is continued until the prize ball is discharged, and when this timing comes, the supply of the drive signal to the first discharge solenoid 85a is stopped to switch to the demagnetized state (off state). This allows
The state of the ball discharge unit 68 is switched to the non-discharge state of the game ball, and the prize ball discharge is stopped. Thereafter, in the same manner, prize balls are discharged from the ball discharge unit 68 in units of five.

In the above processing, the prize ball number information (game value information) is stored in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60.
The process of accumulating and storing is performed by the CPU 103. Therefore, the execution of the program
The PU 103 functions as an information storage processing unit. Further, based on the cumulative addition storage in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60, the cumulative addition storage of the game balls (game values) for each set unit value (5 pieces) is consumed, and the game balls (games) as the prize balls are given to the player. The processing for supplying the value
Done by Therefore, by executing the corresponding program, the CPU 103 functions as a game value supply processing unit. Also, the set unit value related to the discharge processing (5 pieces)
Is executed, for example, when the prize ball discharge ends or when the prize ball discharge starts.

Next, the logic power supply circuit 108 will be described. This logic power supply circuit 108 is a kind of the operation power supply generating means of the present invention. The logic power supply circuit 108 is supplied with 12 V DC (normal power supply) from the power supply unit 71, and the logic power supply circuit 108
12V is converted to DC5V, and the CPU 103, ROM
A power supply necessary for the operation of each element such as 104 is supplied. That is, the logic power supply circuit 108 generates 5 V DC as an operation power supply from the normal power supply supplied from the power supply unit 71 functioning as a power supply device. Then, the generated DC5V is used as a game value supply processing means,
A CPU 103 functioning as information storage processing means;
M104. The RAM 60 operates using DC 5 V supplied as backup power from the capacitor 92 of the power supply unit 71 described above as an operation power.

That is, in this configuration, the backup power is supplied to the RAM 60 even when the external power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off due to a power failure or the like. That is, the capacitor 92 of the power supply unit 71
Constitutes a power holding unit capable of supplying backup power to the RAM 60 (storage device) so as to hold the storage contents of the RAM 60 (storage device). The capacitor 92 is provided outside the discharge control device 44, in this embodiment, in a power supply unit 71 separate from the discharge control device 44.

In this configuration, the prize ball number information is sequentially stored in the RAM 60 of the discharge control device 44. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform the process of confirming the winning ball every time as in the related art, and the high-speed winning ball discharging process can be realized.

Further, the backup power supply from the capacitor 92 (power holding means) allows the discharge control device 44
Since the stored content is held (backed up) in M60 (prize ball data memory 61), the game machine 1 is transferred to the gaming machine 1 due to a power outage or the like while the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60 stores the number of prize balls. Even if the supply of external power is cut off, the award ball number information can be retained without being erased at all.
For example, a large amount of information on the number of award balls during a jackpot is stored in a RAM.
In the state where the 60 prize ball data memories 61 are stored,
Even when the supply of external power to the gaming machine 1 is cut off, all prize balls can be reliably paid out. Therefore, the player is not damaged and complaints and complaints can be prevented beforehand, so that troubles between the game store and the player can be prevented.

Also, since the capacitor 92 (power holding means) is provided, an inexpensive general-purpose RAM can be used as a storage device.
Even when used for the AM 60, the contents stored in the RAM 60 can be backed up. Therefore, there is no need to use special electronic components such as an EEPROM. Therefore, the cost can be reduced, and there is an effect that it is not necessary to worry about the write limit number unlike the EEPROM.

Further, a capacitor 92 (power holding means)
Is provided in the power supply unit 71 configured separately from the discharge control device 44, so that the discharge control device 44 alone cannot hold the stored prize ball number information.
Therefore, by removing the discharge control device 44 from the gaming machine 1,
It is possible to effectively prevent fraudulent acts caused by writing prize ball number information in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60.

That is, the RAM 60 of the discharge control device 44
When the data is illegally written in the game machine, the discharge control device 44 must be removed from the gaming machine 1. In this case, the discharge power supply wiring 93 that electrically connects the power supply unit 71 and the discharge control device 44 is connected. Must be removed. Then, when the power supply wiring 93 for discharge is removed, the supply of backup power to the RAM 60 of the discharge control device 44 is cut off, and even if the data is illegally written to the storage device, the written value is not retained. For this reason, fraud can be prevented. As described above, the RAM 60 of the discharge control device 44 has a backup function in a state where the RAM 60 is attached to the gaming machine 1, in other words, functions as the discharge control device 44 with a backup function. Function as the discharge control device 44 from which is deleted. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the discharge control device 44 from committing an illegal act on the RAM 60.

The power holding means is not limited to the capacitor 92 but may be a rechargeable battery such as a rechargeable battery.

The power failure detection circuit 109 detects that the power supply from the power supply unit 71 to the logic power supply circuit 108 has been cut off (for example, a power failure state in which a state in which DC 12 V has dropped to a predetermined voltage is detected as a power failure state). When power failure occurs, the CPU 1
03 is forcibly interrupted and the operation of the CPU 103 is stopped.

The input interface 106 of the discharge control device 44 includes a ball removal sensor 112 for detecting a switching state of a ball removal passage for extracting game balls stored in the gaming machine 1 to the outside, and a prize ball discharge. First discharge sensor 8
6a, a second discharge sensor 86b for lending a ball, a front frame opening / closing sensor 117, an odd sensor 113 provided in a path for a prize ball in the odd sensor unit 67, and a lower plate 27.
An overflow sensor 114 for detecting the full state of the game ball (excessive storage of game balls) and a signal from a reset switch 115 for clearing the contents of the RAM 60 are input.

From the output interface 107, a prize ball memory LED 57, a ball-pulling solenoid 116 for switching a ball-pulling path, a first discharge solenoid 85a for discharging a prize ball, and a second discharge solenoid 85 for lending a ball.
b, a control signal (drive signal) is output.

The prize ball memory LED 57 is disposed above the gaming machine 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and lights up when the prize ball number information is stored in the prize ball data memory 61 of the RAM 60. It informs the player or the store staff that there is an unpaid prize ball.

Incidentally, the prize ball data memory 61 (storage device) set in the RAM 60 includes a power supply unit 71.
The storage power of the entire RAM 60 can be retained even when the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off by the backup power supply supplied from the capacitor 92.
The following modifications may be made.

For example, the discharge control device 44 has a RAM 60
, A first RAM as a first storage device and a second RAM as a first storage device are provided (neither is shown). In the first RAM, a prize ball data memory 61 is formed as a game value storage area, and the game control device 43
The first RAM is supplied with a backup power supplied from the capacitor 92 of the power supply unit 71 as an operating power, using the accumulated storage area of the prize ball number information transmitted from the power supply unit. On the other hand, the second RAM contains the CPU 10
3. Similar to the ROM 104, the logic power supply circuit 108
Is supplied as the operating power supply,
The second RAM is used as a working memory of the CPU 103 or the like. With this configuration, the storage capacity of the first RAM can be reduced. For this reason, power consumption from the power holding means having a small power capacity can be reduced. In addition, information can be stored separately in the first storage device and the second storage device according to the importance of the information to be stored. For example, the jackpot random value for determining the jackpot of the auxiliary game in the pachinko game is
It can be stored in RAM. Then, with this configuration, the jackpot random number value at the end of business on the previous day is held until the start of business on that day, so that the jackpot random number on the day can be made uniform.

Next, a discharge control procedure performed in the discharge control device 44 will be described. FIG. 5 shows the emission control device 4.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a program of an emission control process performed by the control unit 4. The discharge control device 44 first determines whether or not the power is turned on in step S1, and when the power is turned on, proceeds to step S2 and proceeds to step S2 where the data of the prize ball data memory 61 (game value information storage area) (the prize ball number information It is determined whether or not there is a cumulative addition storage. If there is no cumulative addition storage, initialization processing is performed in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S6. In the initialization processing, the RAM 60 is cleared, various initial settings, and the like are performed.

On the other hand, in step S2, the prize ball data memory 6
If there is data in 1, for example, when the number of unpaid prize balls information is accumulated and stored when the power is turned on (for example, after a power failure is restored), the process proceeds to step S4 to perform a storage and display process.
In the storage display processing, the prize ball memory LED 57 provided on the front of the gaming machine 1 is turned on to notify that there is a remaining prize ball (the unpaid prize ball number information remains). By turning on the prize ball memory LED 57, it is possible to notify the player and the game clerk that there is a remaining prize ball.

Next, in step S5, a remaining ball count discharging process is performed. In this remaining prize ball discharge processing, first, it is determined whether or not a discharge start condition is satisfied. This process is for determining whether or not the game ball is ready to be discharged, and the odd sensor 113 detects the game ball,
The lower plate 27 is not overflow (the overflow sensor 114 is off), and the first discharge sensor 86a for discharging the prize ball
When the game ball is detected, the discharge start condition is satisfied.
Here, when the discharge start condition is satisfied, the unit of five (set unit value) is subtracted (digested) from the data of the award ball data memory 61 (cumulative addition and storage of the number of award ball information). This is for discharging the remaining prize balls in units of five. In addition,
If the discharge start condition is not satisfied, the process stands by in this process.

Next, the process proceeds to the prize ball discharge processing, and the sphere discharge unit 68 (a unit including the first discharge solenoid 85a, the first discharge sensor 86a, the actuator, etc.) is driven and controlled in accordance with the data of five prize balls discharge. Do. For example, by exciting the first discharge solenoid 85a, the game ball in the ball discharge unit 68 can flow down, and in this state, the detection signal from the first discharge sensor 86a is monitored. Then, based on the detection signal from the first discharge sensor 86a, the number of game balls discharged by the ball discharge unit 68 is recognized, and the first discharge solenoid 85a is demagnetized at the timing when a required number of game balls are discharged. As a result, the ball discharging unit 68 is driven, and, for example, five prize balls are discharged. When the five prize balls have been discharged, step S
5 returns to step S2 and repeats the loop.

The loop of steps S2 to S5 is repeated to subtract (digest) five units from the cumulative addition storage of the award ball data memory 61, and the ball discharge unit 68 is driven in accordance with the subtraction. The prize balls are discharged. By repeating the loop from step S2 to step S5 in this manner, prize ball discharge in units of five is repeatedly performed in accordance with the cumulative addition and storage of prize balls. Then, when the accumulated memory becomes less than five, the remaining prize balls are discharged in the unit of less than five. In addition, when there are no remaining prize balls,
The process branches from step S2 to step S3.

If the power is not turned on in step S1, the discharging process in the normal state is performed. First, the process proceeds to step S6, where a discharge start condition confirmation process is performed. This discharge start condition confirmation processing monitors whether or not the game ball can be discharged, and sets a discharge condition satisfaction flag when the game ball can be discharged. Next, in step S7, a ball lending discharge process is performed. In the ball lending discharge process, the discharge control device 44 discharges a lending ball based on ball lending command information from the ball lending machine 2 and the like. In other words, in order to lend a ball based on the prepaid card to the player, the controller 100 performs a lending ball discharge control based on ball lending control information exchanged with the ball lending machine 2. Note that the lending ball discharge control is performed prior to the prize ball discharge control. Next, in step S8, a prize ball discharging process (excluding details of a subroutine) in a normal time (other than when the power is turned on) is performed. After step S8, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the loop.

Next, the subroutine of the normal prize ball discharging process (step S8) will be described with reference to FIG. In this subroutine, data storage processing is first performed in step S10. This data storage process is a process of storing the number of prize balls received from the game control device 43 in a prize ball reception memory (formed in the area of the various data memories 110 of the RAM 60), and will be described later in detail in a subroutine. I do.
The prize ball receiving memory is a memory for temporarily writing the prize ball number information received from the game control device 43.

Next, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the award ball data memory 61 has a cumulative addition memory of the award ball number information. Here, if there is cumulative storage, step S
At 12, the prize ball number information of a predetermined unit (5 units) to be discharged is subtracted from the prize ball data memory 61, and the subtracted prize ball number information of the predetermined unit is discharged as the current prize ball discharge (RAM 60). (Formed in the area of the various data memory 110). The ejection memory is a memory for temporarily writing information on the number of prize balls to be ejected. If there is no accumulative addition storage in the award ball data memory 61 in step S11, the process branches to NO, ends this routine, and returns to the main routine.

After step S12, step S13
Then, it is determined whether or not the front frame 11 is open based on the input from the front frame opening / closing sensor 117 (front frame open detecting means, see FIG. 4). Here, if the front frame 11 is open, YE is set to suspend new prize ball discharge processing.
The process branches to S to end the current routine and return to the main routine. That is, when the front frame 11 is open, the CPU 103 (discharge control means) suspends a new prize ball discharge process. That is, when the front frame 11 is open, the game machine 1 is normally inspected by a clerk, and the power supply line to the game machine 1 is likely to be disconnected during the operation. If the prize ball discharge is continued in such a state, the accuracy of the number of prize balls to be discharged cannot be ensured.

On the other hand, if the front frame 11 is closed in step S13, it is extremely unlikely that the power supply line will be disconnected. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S14 as a normal state, and the discharge start condition satisfaction flag is set. It is determined whether or not there is a setting / reset in step S6). If the discharge start condition satisfaction flag is not set, the game ball is not ready to be discharged, and the process returns to the main routine as it is. On the other hand, if the discharge start condition satisfaction flag is set, the process proceeds to step S15 to perform normal discharge processing. In the discharge process, a process is performed of discharging the prize ball number data (the number of prize balls of a predetermined unit (five) to be discharged) set (written) in the discharge memory of the RAM 60. As a result, the ball discharging unit 68 is driven and controlled in accordance with the data of five balls to discharge five prize balls. When the five prize balls have been discharged in this routine, the process returns from step S15 to the main routine. By repeating the main routine including this subroutine, prize balls are discharged in units of five in a state where the discharge start condition is satisfied. When the number of pieces of data in the ejection memory is less than five, prize balls are ejected in units of less than five.

In the processing in steps S13 to S15 described above, when the front frame 11 is opened, the process does not shift to new prize ball discharge. However, when the front frame 11 is released during the prize ball discharge process, the process proceeds to step S13. The prize ball discharging process for this amount is continued. However, as compared with the time until the front frame 11 is opened and the work can be performed, one prize ball discharge processing time is extremely short, so that accurate prize ball discharge processing is ensured. Also in step S5, the input of the front frame opening / closing sensor 117 may be monitored so that the award ball discharging process is interrupted when the opening of the front frame 11 is detected.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a data storing process in the prize ball discharging process. When this subroutine is started, it is determined in step S21 whether or not data exists in the award ball receiving memory. Here, the data is information that is added and stored in the prize ball reception memory in the prize ball information reception processing (FIG. 8, described later) performed in the interrupt processing, and the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43. It is. If there is no data in the award ball receiving memory, it is determined that there is no transmitted data, and the process returns to the award ball discharging process. If there is data, the process proceeds to step S22 to perform award ball number information storing process. In the prize ball number information storage processing, the information is added to the prize ball data memory 61 (cumulative addition). Subsequent step S
At 23, the data in the award ball receiving memory is cleared, and the process returns to the award ball discharging process.

Here, the data storage processing of FIG. 7 is executed in the main routine of the discharge control device 44 without being executed by interruption processing together with the prize ball number information reception processing described later, for the following reason. . That is, in the present embodiment, based on the winning ball detection by the special figure start sensor 50, the general winning sensor 52, and the like, the prize ball number information is sequentially transmitted from the game control device 43 (that is, before the discharge is completed) to the discharge control device 44.
If, for example, the data storage processing and the awarded ball count information reception processing are combined into an interruption processing, the interruption time becomes longer (the next interruption is prohibited during the interruption). This is because even if an interrupt (reception of the prize ball number information) occurs, the interrupt is not accepted, and there is a risk that the prize ball number information may be missed. Therefore, the data storage processing is executed in the main routine for that purpose.

On the other hand, the process of receiving the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43 and adding the information to the prize ball reception memory of the RAM 60 is performed by a prize ball number information reception process performed by interruption. In this case, the interrupt processing for receiving the prize ball number information is completed in a short time so that the sequentially transmitted prize ball number information is not missed.

The award ball number information receiving process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Game control device 43
When the prize ball number information is transmitted from the CPU 103, an interrupt (maskable interrupt: interruption can be enabled / disabled by a program) occurs in the CPU 103, and the prize ball number information receiving process is executed. In this award ball number information receiving process, step S31
The prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43 in the RAM
A process for adding the data to the prize ball receiving memory formed in 60 is performed, and the routine returns. This allows, for example,
If the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device 43 is data indicating five prize balls, the five prize balls are added to the prize ball reception memory, and the next transmitted prize ball number information becomes In the case of data indicating seven prize balls, the data is added each time prize ball number information is transmitted, such as adding seven prize balls to the prize ball reception memory. Then, the data added to the award ball receiving memory is stored in step S2 shown in FIG.
By executing the award ball number information storage processing of 2, the award ball data memory 61 is cumulatively added.

Here, the configuration of adding the award ball number information to the award ball reception memory in the process of step S31 is related to the award ball number information storage process of step S22 after the execution of the award ball number information storage process. If the prize ball number information is sent multiple times before the execution of the prize ball number information storage processing of the next loop starts, problems such as deletion of the previously received prize ball number information may occur. This is because the award ball number information cannot be correctly received. Then, as in the present embodiment, the prize ball reception information is sequentially added to the prize ball reception memory in the process of step S31 in the processing of the game control device 43, and the prize ball reception memory is used like a buffer. Even if the prize ball number information is sent a plurality of times between the end of the execution of the ball number information storage processing (S22) and the start of the execution of this processing (S22) in the next loop, it is possible to reliably receive the prize ball number information. it can.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a program of a power failure process performed by the discharge control device 44. The power failure process is processed as a non-maskable (non-maskable software) interrupt process. When the voltage of the power supplied from the power supply unit 71 drops, for example, the voltage of DC12V drops to a predetermined potential. Is detected by the power failure detection circuit 109, the CPU 1
03 is forcibly interrupted (NMI: non-maskable interrupt) and executed. In the power failure process, a CPU stop process is performed in step S41. In this CPU stop processing, the CPU 103 (power failure processing means)
Means that the operation of the CPU 103 becomes unstable (down) due to a voltage drop at which a normal operation can be performed.
Before that, the operation is forcibly stopped, and the contents stored in the RAM 60 are secured. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the operation of the CPU 103 becomes unstable due to a decrease in the power supply voltage and an indefinite value is written to the RAM.

In the above embodiment, the voltage of the backup power supply from the power supply holding means (capacitor 92) is set to R
Although the operating voltage of the AM 60 is set to 5 V and this backup power is supplied directly to the RAM 60, the power supply voltage from the power holding means is not limited to 5 V. For example, instead of the capacitor 92, the power holding means is constituted by a DC12V or DC9V secondary battery or the like whose voltage level is higher than the operating voltage of the RAM 60 (voltage of the information holding power supply), and is supplied from the power holding means. Is supplied to a power conversion circuit (power conversion means) provided on the emission control device 44 side, and after the power is converted to 5 V by this power conversion circuit, RA
You may make it supply to M60. In this configuration, since the voltage level of the backup power supply supplied from the power supply holding means is high, there is an effect that it is hard to be affected by noise acting from the outside. In the above description, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is a typical gaming machine has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to any gaming machine that plays a game using gaming balls. For example, the present invention can be applied to a sparrow ball game machine and an arrangement ball game machine.

[0097]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. According to the invention described in claim 1, the game value information transmitted from the game control device is stored in the storage device,
The game value supply processing means supplies the game value based on the game value information stored in the storage device. Further, a storage device in which game value information is stored is provided in the discharge control device, and power is supplied to the storage device from a power supply holding unit of a power supply device provided separately from the discharge control device.
For this reason, it is not necessary to perform the process of checking each winning ball stopped as a real ball as in the related art, and a high-speed winning ball discharging process can be realized. Further, since the power supply device is provided with the power holding device, the power from the power holding device can be easily supplied to the control device other than the discharge control device. Therefore, an increase in the number of components in each control device can be suppressed, and the board can be configured with the same size as before. That is, there is expandability. In addition, since the power supply holding means is provided on the side of the power supply device where a relatively large space can be secured, even a power holding means having a large shape can be arranged, and power can be supplied for a long time during a power failure.

Further, the discharge control device alone cannot hold the stored game value information, so that it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act by removing the discharge control device and writing the game value information. That is, when illegally writing data to the storage device of the discharge control device, the discharge control device is removed from the gaming machine. In this case, the power supply device and the discharge control device must be electrically disconnected. When the power supply device and the discharge control device are electrically disconnected from each other, the power supply to the storage device of the discharge control device is cut off, and the game value information improperly written in the storage device is not retained in the storage device. And fraudulent acts can be reliably prevented.

Also, since the power from the power holding means is supplied to the storage device, even if the power of the gaming machine is cut off while the storage device stores the game value information, the game can be performed. Value information can be retained. Therefore, it is not necessary to cause damage to the player, and complaints resulting from the damage can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles between the game store and the player. Further, even if a RAM is used as the storage device, the storage contents of the storage device can be continuously backed up. By using the RAM, it is not necessary to use a special electronic component such as an EEPROM or the like, and it is not necessary to worry about the write limit. Also, RAM is inexpensive, and EEPROM
It is possible to reduce the cost as compared with the configuration using the above.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first storage device in which the game value storage area is secured, and the second storage device used as a work area for the game value supply processing means and the information storage processing means. And the power from the power holding means is supplied to the first storage device, and the operating power generated based on the normal power supply is supplied to the second storage device, so that the capacity of the first storage device is reduced. Can be. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption from the power holding unit having a limited power capacity. In addition, information can be stored separately in the first storage device and the second storage device according to the importance of the information to be stored.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the connection means for collectively connecting various power supplies from the power supply device to the discharge control device is provided, when data is illegally written to the storage device of the discharge control device, Unless the connection means is removed, the power supply unit cannot be removed from the gaming machine.
For this reason, the power supply to the storage device is reliably cut off with the removal of the discharge control device. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent an unauthorized act of illegally writing data to the storage device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a power supply system in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a program of a discharge control process performed by the discharge control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of award ball discharge processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of data storage processing in award ball discharge processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a prize ball number information receiving process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a power failure process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko gaming machine 2 Ball rental machine 3 Card slot 11 Front frame 12 Glass 13 Glass frame 14 Gaming area 15 Gaming machine 16 Front display panel 17 Front operation panel 20 Machine frame 21a Upper hinge 21b Lower hinge 22 Key device 23 Upper plate 24 Ball lending button 25 Card frequency display 26 Card outlet 27 Lower tray 28 Opening / closing lever 29 Ashtray 30 Ball release lever 31 Launch unit 32 Launch operation handle 35 Out ball inlet 36 Rail member 37 Special symbol display device 38 Starting winning opening 39 Fluctuation Winning device 40 General winning opening 41 Special figure starting memory display 42 Side lamp 43 Game control device 44 Emission control device 50 Special figure starting sensor 51 Count sensor 52 General winning sensor 54 Big hit indicator 55 Supply lamp 56 Prize ball lamp 57 Prize ball Memory LED 60 emission control device RAM 61 Prize sphere data memory provided in the RAM of the discharge control device 64 Storage tank 65 Taxiway 66 Terminal board 67 Incomplete sensor unit 68 Ball discharge unit 69 Accessory relay board 70 Card unit connection board 71 Power supply unit 72 Base frame 73 Sound Control Device 74 Launch Control Device 75 Display Control Device 76 Decoration Control Device 77 Metal Frame 78 Cable 81 Winning Ball Collecting Member 82 Winning Ball Collecting Shelf 83 Winning Ball Flow Down Gutter 85 Discharge Solenoid 86 Discharge Sensor 91 Power Supply Circuit 92 Power Supply Circuit 92 Capacitor 93 Power supply wiring for discharge 96 Game processor 97 Game controller clock generation circuit 98 Input interface of game controller 99 Output interface of game controller 100 Continuous sensor 101 Winner opening solenoid 103 CPU of the output control device 104 ROM of the discharge control device 105 Clock generation circuit of the discharge control device 106 Input interface of the discharge control device 107 Output interface of the discharge control device 108 Logic power supply circuit 109 Power failure detection circuit 110 Various data memories 111 Work memory 112 sphere Removal sensor 113 Incomplete sensor 114 Overflow sensor 115 Reset switch 116 Ball removal solenoid 117 Front frame open / close sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game board for controlling the progress of a game,
A game control device for transmitting game value information for supplying a game value generated in the game to the player, and a discharge control device for supplying a game value to the player based on the game value information transmitted from the game control device And a power supply device configured separately from each control device, wherein the power supply device generates a plurality of types of power from an external power supply supplied from outside the game machine. And a power holding unit that is charged by the power generated by the power supply-side power generation unit, and supplies the power generated by the power supply-side power generation unit to each control device as a normal power supply. To the discharge control device. The discharge control device includes a storage device in which a game value information storage area is reserved in advance, and an information storage process for storing the game value information in the game value information storage area. Means, a game value supply processing means for supplying a game value to the player based on the game value information, and an operation power generation means for generating an operation power by receiving a supply of normal power, A gaming machine wherein the generated operation power is supplied to a game value supply processing means and an information storage processing means, and power supplied from a power holding means is supplied to a storage device. 2. The storage device comprises: a first storage device in which a game value storage area is secured; and a second storage device used as a work area for game value supply processing means and information storage processing means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein power supplied from the power holding unit is supplied to the first storage device, and operation power generated based on normal power is supplied to the second storage device. . 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising connection means for collectively connecting various power supplies from the power supply device to the discharge control device.