JP2965211B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a prize ball that flows down in communication with a prize ball collecting gutter that collects prize balls that have entered a prize port provided in a game area of a game board. And a required number of balls can be discharged by the action of an electric drive source based on the winning ball discharge command signal and the winning ball processing device for electrically detecting one ball and deriving a prize ball discharge command signal. A ball discharge device including discharge detection means for detecting the number of discharged balls, a discharge control circuit for controlling the winning ball processing device and the ball discharge device,
To a gaming machine provided with.

[Prior Art] In a conventional gaming machine, a prize ball discharging device composed of a ball sheath or the like is operated by a link mechanism using the weight and size of a prize ball that has won a prize ball in a prize hole, and the prize ball is played. The prize ball was discharged.

Also, in recent years, when a special game mode occurs, a large number of winning balls are generated in a short period of time, and the popularity of gaming machines that enables a player to obtain a large number of winning balls in a short period of time is increasing. Some prize balls may be set differently depending on the game, and others may discharge lending balls from gaming machines.It is difficult to deal with the conventional prize ball discharge mechanism. There are an increasing number of gaming machines that discharge prize balls using a game ball discharging device capable of discharging a required number of game balls based on an electric signal.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Even if the discharging process of the game ball discharging device is accelerated, if the processing of the winning ball of the winning ball processing device cannot be performed at a high speed, the discharging of the prize ball corresponding to the winning ball is performed. When a large amount of winning balls are generated in a short period of time in the control for performing the above, the discharging process of the winning balls cannot be performed at a high speed, and therefore, it is also required to increase the speed of the processing of the winning ball processing device.

Further, since the winning ball is electrically detected and the winning ball is discharged based on the electric signal, when an abnormal state occurs in the winning ball discharge control, the winning ball is paid out from the winning ball processing device. In this case, it is necessary to prevent a trouble between the player and the game store due to misunderstanding of the number of prize balls actually ejected and the number of prize balls not ejected.

In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the processing of the winning ball processing device can be performed at high speed, and the discharging of the winning ball based on the electrical detection of the winning ball can be performed between the player and the game store with respect to the discharging of the winning ball. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that does not cause trouble.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the invention of claim 1 is provided with a winning opening (for example, a variable winning device 50, provided in a game area of a gaming board (300)).
Communicating with a prize ball collecting gutter (for example, a safe ball receiving gutter 810) that collects the prize balls that have won the general prize port 120, etc., electrically detects one prize ball flowing down, and issues a prize ball discharge command. A winning ball processing device (for example, a safe ball processing unit 800 or the like) for deriving a signal, and an electric drive source (for example, first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 741) based on the above-mentioned prize ball discharging command signal are operated. A ball discharge device (for example, a prize ball) capable of discharging a required number of balls and having discharge detection means (for example, first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730, 730) for detecting the discharged balls for counting. In a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 10) comprising: a discharge unit 700); and a discharge control circuit (for example, a prize ball discharge control device 600) for controlling the winning ball processing device and the ball discharging device. The winning ball processing device Pieces destined detectable winning ball detecting means (e.g., including safe sensor 830) and, one addressed can hold the spherical retaining portion to winning ball (e.g., such as recess 822 ₁₎ rotator is formed with a plurality (822) The winning ball held by the ball holding portion is provided with a ball payout port (for example, a lower outlet gutter).
820b), a rotary transfer means (for example, a rotating body 822, a housing 824, etc.) capable of paying out one piece, and an electric rotary drive source (for example, a safe motor 823, etc.) for rotating the rotating body. The discharge control circuit comprises: a rotation control means (for example, a microcomputer 620) capable of controlling an electric rotary drive source of the rotating body between a rotating state and a stopped state; Prize ball discharge control means (e.g., microcomputer 620, etc.) for operating an electric drive source of the ball discharge device based on the control signal to perform prize ball discharge control for discharging a predetermined number of prize balls; Despite operating the electric drive source of the ball discharge device based on the prize ball discharge command signal, an abnormal state where the normal prize ball discharge number is not counted based on the detection signal from the discharge detection means is determined. Possible difference Determining means (for example, the microcomputer 620, step S224, etc.), wherein the rotation control means controls the stop of the electric rotary drive source based on the determination of the abnormality by the abnormality determining means. Abnormal stop control means (for example, the microcomputer 620, step S226, etc.) which stops the electric rotary drive source to stop the transfer of the winning sphere by the rotary transfer means, The payout of the winning balls from the winning ball processing device is stopped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotation control means controls the electric rotation drive source to a rotating state based on satisfaction of a specific condition, and transmits the rotation to the rotation transfer means. Forced rotation control means (for example, a microcomputer 620, step S506, etc.) capable of forcibly paying out the prize balls held in relation to the ball payout port without discharging the prize balls by the ball discharge device. It is characterized by containing.

[Operation] According to the invention of claim 1, the prize ball processing device communicating with the prize ball collecting gutter for collecting the prize balls that have won the prize balls provided in the prize port provided in the game area of the game board assigns one prize ball to the prize ball. A prize ball detecting means, and a rotating body formed with a plurality of ball holding portions capable of holding one prize ball, and transferring the prize ball held by the ball holding portion to a ball payout port. By providing a rotary transfer means capable of paying out one piece, and an electric rotary drive source for driving the rotary transfer means to rotate, the winning balls which have won the winning holes provided in the game area of the game board are collected. The winning ball flowing down from the winning ball collecting gutter to be held can be held in any of a plurality of ball holding portions of the rotating body of the rotary transfer means, and the winning ball can be forcibly discharged at high speed by rotation of the rotating body. Becomes

Further, one prize ball flowing down from the prize ball collecting gutter is detected by the prize ball detecting means provided in the prize ball processing means, and a prize ball discharge command signal is derived. The ball discharge control means activates an electric drive source of the ball discharge device to discharge a predetermined number of balls.

If the number of normal prize ball discharges based on the detection signal from the discharge detection means is not counted despite the fact that the electric drive source of the ball discharge device is operated based on the prize ball discharge command signal, an abnormal determination is made. The means determines that the state is abnormal. When it is determined that the state is abnormal, the electric rotation drive source is controlled to be stopped by the abnormal stop control means of the rotation control means, the transfer of the winning sphere by the rotary transfer means is stopped, and The payout of the winning ball is stopped. Therefore, even if an abnormal condition occurs, a winning ball is not paid out in connection with the occurrence of the abnormal condition.

According to the invention of claim 2, when the specific condition is satisfied, the electric rotation drive source is controlled to the rotating state by the forced rotation control means of the rotation control means, and the winning prize held by the rotation transfer means is changed to the ball. Without discharging the prize ball with the discharge device,
It is forcibly paid out to the ball payout exit. Therefore, when there is an unnecessary winning ball, the winning ball can be paid out at any time.

Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine exemplified as a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a pachinko gaming machine exemplified as a gaming machine according to the present invention, and reference numeral 10 denotes a pachinko gaming machine main body. On the front surface of the gaming board 300 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a hitting ball fired by a hitting ball launching device 150 (see FIG. 2) driven when the lower operation dial 105 rotates is guided to an upper portion of the gaming board 300. Guide rails 313 are provided, and the guide rails 313 on the front of the game board 300 and the glass windows 10 are provided.
A game area is formed in a space surrounded by 1 (see FIG. 2).

In the center of this game area, a pair of left and right movable members 53, 53
A variable winning device 50 is provided as an example of a winning opening including a winning space 51 opened and closed by the pair of movable members 53, 53.

A doll member 52 is provided in the prize space 51, and below the doll member 52, general prize ports 55 and 55 and a special prize port 54 are provided as a prize section.

In addition, at the position immediately below the variable winning device 50 of the game board 300, a special winning device for a double opening of a tulip type as a winning opening.
108, a pocket-type one-time opening special winning opening 109, 109 is provided at a position diagonally below the left and right as a winning portion, and at the upper end of the center of the variable winning device 50 is a general winning called a winning winning portion as a winning portion. A mouth 56 is provided.

In addition, pocket-type general winning openings 120 and 120 are provided as winning portions at diagonally lower left and right positions of the variable winning device 50, and tulip-type general winning devices 121 and 121 are provided as diagonal openings at diagonally lower positions. .

At an appropriate position on the front of the game board 300, a number of obstacles 111 that randomly change the direction of the game ball falling from above the game area and a rolling guide called a windmill that changes the flow speed and direction of the hit ball A member 112 is provided.

In the lower part of the game board 300, there is provided an out ball collection port 310 for collecting a game ball which could not be won in each of the winning portions 56, 108, 109, 109, 120, 120, 121, 121, etc. on the back side of the game board 300 while falling from above. .

In the upper part of the game board 300, each of the above winning portions 56, 108, 109, 109,
A safe lamp 272 or a pachinko gaming machine 1 that is temporarily lit when a game ball wins a winning section such as 120, 120, 121, 121, etc.
When 0 is stopped, or the storage tank 2 on the back of the gaming machine
A completion lamp 271 that lights when the prize balls serving as spare balls stored in 01 (FIG. 2) runs short.

An information display device 400 (see FIG. 3) is provided above the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine that holds the gaming board 300 having the above configuration. The information display device 400 includes a pair of lamp units 425, 425 and an information unit (message board) 431 for displaying characters, symbols, and the like in dots. Of these, the lamp units 425, 425 are provided with pilot lamps which are turned on when the player turns the operation dial 105 to indicate that the pachinko gaming machine is actually in a gaming state (see FIG. 3). ). On the other hand, the message board 431 displays various messages related to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine, which will be described in detail later, based on a designation signal sent from the prize ball discharge control device 600 or the accessory control device 500 described below. To do it.

The operation dial 105 provided on the front frame includes
The touch switch 105a detects whether or not the player is gripping the operation dial 105 and sends a signal (switch ON) indicating that the player is gripping the operation dial 105 to a prize ball discharge control device 600 described later.
(See FIG. 4).

A supply plate 102 for storing hit balls supplied to a hit ball launching device 150 is attached to an opening / closing panel 110 attached to the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine, and a supply plate 1
A saucer 103 for storing the prize balls overflowing from 02 is provided. On one side of the supply tray 102, a ball collection button 106 for projecting a prize ball in the supply tray 102 to the receiving tray 103 side is provided so as to protrude therefrom.

An operation hole 261 is provided on the front surface of the front frame 100 of the gaming machine, into which a ball removing rod (not shown) is inserted during a ball removing operation. The operation hole 261 is provided with a ball extraction sensor 719 described later.
(See FIG. 6), and the ball-extraction rod inserted into the operation hole 261 is detected by the ball-extraction sensor 719.

The pachinko gaming machine 10 configured as described above is generally controlled by a control device such as a microcomputer (for example, the accessory control device 500 and the prize ball discharge control device 600) installed therein.

In an initial state in which electric power is supplied from a main power supply (not shown) to the pachinko gaming machine 10 by operating a power switch (not shown), the left and right movable members 53, 53 of the variable winning device 50 rise substantially vertically and receive a variable winning. The inflow port in the prize space 51 of the device 50 is closed, and the prize space 51 of the variable prize device 50 is maintained in a state in which game balls are not received (first state).

Then, when the shot ball is launched by the hit ball launching device 150 into the specific winning device 108 or the specific winning opening 109, 109, a start winning detector (not shown) installed therein outputs a signal indicating the winning. The movable members 53 and 53 of the variable winning device 50 are opened and closed (turned) twice or once based on the detection signal. Accordingly, the winning space 51 in the variable winning device 50 is converted twice or once into a state (second state) in which game balls can flow.

If the game ball does not win in the special winning opening 54 while the second state is maintained, the movable members 53, 53 are in the vertical state shown in FIG. 1 and the inflow port is closed. Then, the game returns to the first state in which the winning space 51 does not accept the game ball.

The above operation is repeated every time a game ball wins the specific winning device 108 or the specific winning opening 109, and while the winning space 51 is in the second state, the game ball is accidentally moved to a special position in the variable winning device 50. When the winning opening 54 is won, it is detected by a special winning detector (not shown) installed in the special winning opening 54, and a special game state called a big hit occurs based on the detection signal.

Here, the special gaming state is a gaming state in which the player has more chances of winning a prize ball than the normal gaming state.
For example, a predetermined number (for example, 18) of opening / closing operations of the movable members 53, 53 is performed in one cycle (however, before the predetermined number of opening / closing operations are completed, a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 ) When a prize is won, the cycle up to that point may be regarded as one cycle), and the operation is performed up to a predetermined cycle (for example, up to 8 cycles) on condition that the game ball wins in the special prize opening 54 during each cycle. Is what is done.

When the special game state ends, the game returns to the normal game state again.

During the game, the winning portions 54 and 5 in the winning space 51 of the variable winning device 50
5 When the game ball wins, other winning sections 56, 108,
A predetermined number (for example, thirteen) of prize balls are discharged for each one prize in the same manner as when prizes are won for 109, 120, 121 and the like.

 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG.

This pachinko gaming machine 10 opens and closes (rotates) on a mounting frame 350.
A front frame 100 attached to the front frame 100, a game board 300 installed to be replaceable on the front side of the front frame 100, and an opening / closing panel 110 attached to the front side of the front frame 100 so as to be opened and closed (rotated).
And a back mechanism board 200 attached to the back side of the front frame 100, and an opening / closing door 250 attached to the back side of the back mechanism board 200.

The front frame 100 constitutes a contour portion of the main body of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a support shaft 135 and a bearing 136 provided at an upper end and a lower end on a base side thereof are respectively provided on one upper end and a lower end of the mounting frame 350. By being supported by a bearing 355 and a support shaft 356 provided in the portion, the unit is installed so as to be able to open and close (rotate) with respect to the mounting frame 350.

At the upper front side of the front frame 100, a game board installation section (not visible in the drawing) is provided in a concave shape, and the game board 300 is detachably installed in the installation section.

An opening 140 for exposing the back side of the game board 300 is provided at the upper center of the front frame 100, and the tray 103 (FIG. 1) is attached to the lower front side.

Further, a locking device 130 for locking the front frame 100 in a closed state with respect to the mounting frame 350 is provided on the rear side of the front frame 100 on the free end side.

A ball launching device 150 provided with a motor 151 as a drive source operated by operating the operation dial 105 (FIG. 1) is installed on the lower back side of the free end side of the front frame 100.

A prize ball discharge control device 600, which is exemplified as a discharge control circuit for controlling a prize ball discharge system, is installed at a position on the lower rear side of the front frame 100 near the hit ball launching device 150.

The opening / closing panel 110 covers the front side of the front frame 100, and its base side is pivotally supported by the front side of the front side of the front frame 100, so that it can be opened and closed (rotated).

A locking piece (not shown in the figure) is provided on the back side of the free end of the opening and closing panel 110. Meanwhile, the front frame
At the position corresponding to that of the front side of 100, the opening and closing panel 1
An opening / closing mechanism (not shown) that engages with the locking piece and holds it closed when the 10 is closed is provided.

The back mechanism board 200 constitutes a prize ball discharging mechanism and the like, and has, for example, a U-shape and is attached to the back side of the front frame 100.

A storage tank 201 for storing spare balls (prize balls before dispensing) is provided at the upper end on the back side of the back mechanism board 200. The guide gutter 202 is provided so as to face the lower end opening of the storage tank 201.
Is connected. The guide gutter 202 guides the internal reserve spheres in a self-aligned manner, and reaches the one side (the base side in this embodiment) of the back mechanism board 200 while gently inclining downward. At the lower end of the guide gutter 202, a prize ball discharging unit 700 exemplified as a ball discharging device is provided in a vertically long manner so as to be continuous therewith.

In the center of the lower part of the back mechanism board 200, a safe ball exemplified as a winning ball processing device for processing and discharging the safe ball from a safe ball collecting gutter 301 provided to collect safe balls in the gaming board 300. A processing unit 800 is provided. In this safe ball processing unit 800, a safe ball derivation gutter interposed with a safe ball rotation processing unit is provided in the middle as described later in detail, and the winning safe ball passes through the safe ball derivation gutter. The water is discharged to the collection gutter (not shown) of the island facility.

The opening / closing door 250 covers the opening 140 so that the back side of the game board 300 is not exposed, and the base end side is pivotally supported by the inside of the base of the back mechanism board 200 so as to be openable and closable.
On the free end side of the door 250, a locking lever that engages with an engaging portion (not shown) provided at a position corresponding to that of the front frame 100 and locks the door 250 in a closed state. 251 is attached.

Also, in the center of the back side of the opening and closing door 250, the gaming board 300
The accessory control device 500 for controlling the above-mentioned variable prize device 50 and the like installed in the game device is installed.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the information display device 400 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side.

The information display device 400 includes a base frame 470 attached to the pachinko gaming machine 10 and a lid frame 460 attached to the front side of the base frame 470, as shown in FIG.

The base frame 470 is attached to the front side of the front frame 100 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (see FIG. 1), and an information unit (message board) 431 constituting an information display 430 is installed at the center of the front side. A pair of lamp units 425, 425 are provided on both left and right sides of the message board 431. The message board 431 and the pair of lamp units 425, 425 are connected to the accessory control device 500 and the prize ball discharge device 600 described later.

On the message board 431 at the front center, various messages related to pachinko games and the like are displayed in dots as characters and symbols according to instructions from the accessory control device 500, the prize ball discharge control device 600, and a central management device described later. It has a dot display 432 in a dot matrix arrangement and a number of lead wires 433 for sending a display command signal from the accessory control device 500 or the prize ball discharge control device 600 to the dot display 432. Then, the dot display 432 is attached to the center of the front side of the base frame 470, and the lead wire 433 is guided to the back side of the front frame 100 via an opening 470a provided at the center of the base frame 470, and It is connected to the control device 500 and the prize ball discharging device 600.

Further, a pair of lamp units 425, 425 installed on both left and right sides of the message board 431 are provided with lamp substrates 425a, 525a fixed to the base frame 470, respectively. The lamp units 425a, 425a further have a pair of terminals 425b, respectively.
425b and 425b, 425b are provided.
b, 425b and 425b, 425b have pilot lamps 425c, 42, respectively.
5c, 425c, 425c are attached. Also, the base end of the pilot lamp 425c, 425c, 425c, 425c and the lamp substrate 425a,
Insulation members for buffer 425d, 425d and 425d, 42
5d (only one side is shown) is provided. And
The lamp substrates 425a, 425a are provided with lead wires (not shown) for guiding electricity from the winning ball discharge control device 600 to the lamp substrates 425a, 425a.

Lamp substrates 425a, 425a respectively supporting the pair of pilot lamps of the lamp units 425, 425 include a base frame 470.
A pair of support pieces 470b, 470 provided on the front left side of the vehicle.
b, and between the pair of support pieces 470d, 470d provided on the right side of the front side in a state where they are gripped, respectively, and lead wires are respectively provided between the support pieces 470b, 470b and 470d, 470d. Through the opening 470c (one side is not shown).

Also, the pilot lamps 425c, which are respectively installed in the lamp units 425, 425 installed in the base frame 470 as described above,
On the front surface of the base frame 470 located behind 425c and 425c, 425c, there are provided reflecting members 427, 427 (only the reflecting member of the lamp on the left side in the figure is shown) for collecting the light of the lamps 425c, 425c and 425c, 425c in front. is set up.

The lid frame 460 is attached to the front surface of the base frame 470 on which the message board 431 and the lamp units 425, 425 are disposed in such a manner as to cover the front surface.
A message display window 461 is provided in the center of the lid frame 460, and a pair of mode display windows 462, 462 are provided on both left and right sides thereof.
Is provided.

A translucent anti-reflection plate 435 is attached to the central message display window 461, and transmissive lens members 426, 426 are attached to the left and right mode display windows 462, 462.

FIG. 4 shows the prize ball discharging section 700 shown in FIG.
A rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 10 showing the internal configuration of the safe ball processing section 800 in an easily understandable manner is shown.

The guide gutter 202 has two passages separated by a median strip 203 and is gently inclined. A pendulum-type ball leveling 204 is disposed on the way, and a ball stopper / ball leveling lever 205 is disposed downstream. At the upstream end of the guiding gutter 202, a replenishment request detecting device 210 provided with a replenishing sensor 211 is installed, while at the downstream end of the guiding gutter 202, a semispherical ball detecting device 220 having an odd sensor 221 is provided.
Is installed. Then, the replenishment request detecting device 210
As a result, the shortage state of the reserve sphere in the storage tank 201 is detected. Is to be detected.

The prize ball discharge unit 700 is provided at the lower end of the guide gutter 202 so as to be continuous therewith.

The prize ball discharge unit 700 includes a prize ball discharge unit 700A and a prize ball discharge gutter unit 700B. The prize ball discharge unit 700A is provided with two prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710 in a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 4 corresponding to the two passages of the guide gutter 202. And these prize ball derivation gutters 710,71
A lock device 720 for stopping the discharge of the prize ball in the event of fraud or the like is installed in the upstream part of the apparatus, and a first and second prize ball discharge sensor (discharge sensor 1) exemplified as discharge detection means in the downstream part. , 2) 730,730 and first and second prize ball discharging devices 740,740.

On the other hand, the prize ball discharge gutter unit 700B is provided with a ball lead-out gutter 750 for leading out the prize balls or drawn balls flowing down from the first and second prize-ball lead-out gutters 710, 710. The ball outlet gutter 750 includes a prize ball discharge gutter 751 for discharging the stored game balls as a prize ball to the supply tray 102 or the tray 103 on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a collection gutter of the island facility as a pull ball. (Not shown). A prize ball removal device 760 is installed at the branch of the ball outlet gutter 750. The prize ball ball removing device 760 includes a switching gate 762 that is rotatably installed around a pin 762a at a branch portion of the ball outlet gutter 750, a prize ball ball removing solenoid 761 that rotates the switching gate 762, and Switching gate 7
62 base and prize ball ballless solenoid 761 actuation rod 761
It is connected to a by connecting means 763. When the prize ball ball removing solenoid 761 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the operating rod 761a is returned to a lowered state by its own weight and a returning force of a returning spring (not shown), and the connecting means 763 is switched to the switching gate. 762 without a gutter
Block 752 (the state shown by the solid line in the figure). Conversely, when the prize ball ball removing solenoid 761 is excited (turned on), its operating rod 761a rises, and the connecting means 763 operates the switching gate 762 to turn the prize ball discharge trough 7 as shown by the chain line in FIG.
Block 51. At an intermediate position of the prize ball discharge gutter 751, an overflow switch 770 for detecting a state in which the prize balls in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 are accumulated at a certain level or more is provided.

On an upper side of the safe ball processing unit 800, a safe ball receiving gutter 810 that receives the safe balls collected by the safe ball collecting gutter 301 is provided.

Below the safe ball receiving gutter 810, a safe ball outlet gutter for discharging the safe ball (winning ball) received in the safe ball receiving gutter 810 to a collection gutter (not shown) of the island facility.
820 are provided.

A safe ball rotation processing unit 821 is provided in the middle of the safe ball guide gutter 820 (see FIG. 5). The safe ball rotation processing unit 821 is a device for separating and discharging the safe balls that have flowed down from the winning unit provided on the game board one by one. The prize balls corresponding to the safe spheres are held in the sphere until the discharge (for example, thirteen) is completed.

Further, a bypass passage 819 that bypasses the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 is connected to the safe ball outlet gutter 820. At an upper open end 819a of the bypass passage 819, a safe ball removing device 850, which will be described in detail later, is installed.
When 9a is opened, the safe sphere that has flowed down inside the safe sphere outlet gutter 820 is discharged as it is to the collection gutter of the island facility without passing through the inside of the rotation processing unit 821 (ball removal operation).

In the vicinity of the connection between the safe ball outlet gutter 820 and the bypass passage 819, a safe ball detector (safe sensor) 830 for detecting a safe ball flowing down in the safe ball outlet gutter 820 is provided. The output signal of the safe sensor 830 is sent to the prize ball discharge control device 600.

Further, on the left side of the bypass passage 819 of the safe ball discharge gutter 820 in the figure, a safe ball removal switch 860 for forcibly starting a safe ball removal process described later is provided. When is pressed by the attendant, an ON signal for starting the removal of the safe ball is sent to the prize ball discharge control device 600.

Inside the pachinko gaming machine 10 above the operation dial 105, there is provided a launch ball supply unit 900 for supplying a launch ball to a hit ball launch unit (not shown).

Further, at a position near the lower center of the pachinko gaming machine 10, an out ball collecting gutter 260 for guiding the out ball collected from the out ball collecting port 310 provided at the lower center of the game board 300 into the collecting gutter of the island facility. Is provided.

At the top of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a completion lamp 271 notifying a hit state and a prize indicating lamp 272 (safe lamp) notifying a player that a game ball has won a prize hole of a game board are provided to the player. It is installed so that the lighting light can be viewed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the safe ball outlet gutter 820 of the safe ball processor 800 shown in FIG. 2 and the safe ball rotation processor 821 installed in the middle of the outlet gutter 820.

As shown in the figure, the safe ball guide gutter 820 and the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 are provided on the back side of the backing board 100a attached to the back side of the front frame 100. Among them, the safe ball outlet gutter 820 has an upper outlet gutter 820a that is gently inclined downward on the upstream side of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821, and a lower outlet that is illustrated as a ball dispensing port that is inclined gradually downward on the downstream side. Gutter 820b
And a discharge section 820c connecting the lower outlet gutter 820b and a recovery gutter (not shown) of the island facility.

A bypass passage 819 that bypasses the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 is connected to the safe ball guide gutter 820. The bypass passage 819 is connected such that its upper open end 819a opens slightly upstream of the connection between the upper lead-out gutter 820a of the safe ball lead-out gutter 820 and the safe ball rotation processing unit 821. 819b is connected so as to open downstream of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 of the lower outlet gutter 820b of the safe ball outlet gutter. In addition, a sliding plate 851 of a safe ball removing device 850 constituting a passage bottom plate of the upper outlet gutter 820a is slidably installed at the upper open end 819a of the bypass passage 819 so as to open and close the open end 819a. .

The safe ball removing device 850 has a function of opening and closing the opening end 819a (a function as an opening / closing means). The device 850 is provided via a support plate 853 provided directly below an upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter. And is installed on the backing frame 100a. The safe ball removing device 850 includes the sliding plate 851 and a safe ball removing solenoid 852, and the safe ball removing solenoid 852 is electrically connected to a prize ball discharging device 600 described later in detail via a connector 854. ing. This safe ball extraction solenoid 852 is
The operating rod 852a is connected to the projection 851a of the sliding plate 851. The operating rod 852a of the solenoid 852 expands and contracts in the horizontal direction in the drawing based on a drive signal from the prize ball discharge control device 600. At this time, the sliding plate 851 is used to open the upper opening end 819a of the bypass passage. Is opened and closed.

A safe center (safe ball detecting means) exemplified as a winning ball detecting means for detecting presence / absence of a safe ball at a branch point of the safe ball deriving gutter 820 with the bypass passage 819.
An output side of the sensor 830 is electrically connected to the prize ball discharge control device 600 via a connector 831. The safe sensor 830 outputs an H level signal when there is a game ball inside, and outputs an L level signal when there is no game ball. The output signal from the sensor is based on the prize ball discharge control device 600. To be sent to

Further, a safe ball removal switch 860 is provided below the safe ball removal device 850 of the backing structure panel 100a, and a signal for starting the removal of the ball when the switch 860 is pressed by an attendant is a prize ball discharge control. It is sent to the device 600.

The safe ball rotation processing unit 821 disposed in the middle of the safe ball outlet gutter 820 holds the safe ball detected by the safe sensor 830 for a predetermined time (the discharge of a predetermined number of prize balls with respect to the detected safe ball is completed). ) And then discharges it to a recovery gutter (not shown) of the island facility to adjust the release timing of the safe sphere. And a safe motor 82 exemplified as an electric rotary drive source for rotating the rotary body 822 in response to a drive signal from the prize ball discharge control device.
3 and a housing 824 that accommodates the rotating body 822. The rotating body 822 and the housing 824 and the like constitute a rotating transfer means capable of paying out one winning ball.

Wherein the outer periphery of the rotary member 822, four recesses exemplified as spheres holding means for holding a safe ball (822 _{1 to 822 4)} is provided at equal angular intervals, the rotary member 822 as described below
Is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by the safe motor 823. When the downstream open end of the upper outlet gutter 820a of safe sphere derived trough 820 and the recessed portion of the rotating body (822 _{1 to 822 4)} is opposed, so that the capture-safe ball the recess.
Thus the recess (822 _{1 to 822 4)} has been incorporated into Safe sphere will be moved circumferentially along the housing 824 on its inner wall with the rotation of the rotating body, then, the recess (822 ₁ - 822 ₄ ) is discharged through the outlet gutter 820b when facing the open end of the lower outlet gutter 820b of the safe ball outlet gutter.

On the other hand, the safe motor 823 has a rotating shaft 823a which is formed through a through hole 825a of a mounting plate 825 and a bearing hole 100a of a back mechanism panel 100a.
b, and is fixed in a state of being inserted into the shaft core portion 822b of the rotating body 822, and rotates the rotating body 823 to a desired angle based on a driving signal from a prize ball discharging device 600 via a connector 826 described later. It works.

A position sensor 840 for detecting the rotation state of the rotating body 822 is provided on the mounting plate 825. The position sensor 840 is installed in a state where the detection unit 840a faces the inside of the back mechanism panel 100a through a through window 100c that closes a side surface of the housing 824.

On the other hand, on the back side of the rotating body 822, a plurality of (in this case, four) reflecting plates 822a corresponding to the number of the concave portions are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction thereof. These reflectors 822a are disposed so as to face the detecting portion 840a of the sensor 840 when the circumferential portion other than the concave portion of the rotating body 822 is located at the opening end of the upper lead-out gutter 820a and closes it. Have been.

The position sensor 840 is configured to output an H level signal when the light projected from the detection unit 840a to the reflection plate 822a is reflected, and the output side thereof is connected to a connector 840b.
Is connected to a prize ball discharge control device 600 described later. As a result, the output signal from the position sensor 840 is located recess 822 _{1-822 4} of the rotating body 822 not facing the open end of the safe ball derivation gutter 820 at the H level, in other words, closing the opening end It means that it is in the state.

The safe ball rotation processing unit 821 installed in the safe ball guide gutter 820 is configured as described above, and its operation is controlled as follows.

First, when a safe ball is not detected, the safe motor 823 rotates the rotating body 822 so that the output signal of the position sensor 840 becomes H level. Stop driving. Therefore, at this time, the open end of the upper outlet gutter of the safe ball outlet gutter 820 faces a portion other than the concave portion of the rotating body, and at this time, the open end is closed. When a safe ball is detected from this state, the safe motor 823 starts rotating the rotating body 822, the safe ball is taken into the concave portion of the rotating body, and a circumferential portion between the concave portion and the next concave portion is formed. The rotation is continued until the opening end is closed (until the output of the position sensor becomes H level), and thereafter, the rotation is stopped. When the next safe ball is detected, the rotator 822 once stopped is rotated again.

Such an operation is repeatedly performed, and thereafter, the rotating body
With the rotation of the 822, the recess containing the safe ball faces the upper opening end of the lower side 820b of the safe ball guide gutter 820, and the safe ball stored in the recess is released to the collection gutter side.

When such safe ball processing is being performed,
When the safe ball removal process is started by pressing the safe ball plate switch 860, generation of a hitting signal described later, or the like, the safe ball removal solenoid 852 is excited (ON), and the upper opening end 819a of the bypass passage 819 is turned on. Is opened. As a result, the safe balls accumulated in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter become the bypass passage 819, the lower outlet gutter 820b, and the discharge portion 820.
It is discharged to the collection gutter (not shown) of the island facility via c.

From this state, when a stop release signal is sent from the central management device (not shown), the safe ball release solenoid 852 that has been excited (ON) until then is demagnetized (OFF), and the force of the return spring is used. Sliding plate 851 is bypass passage 819
Can be slid so as to close the upper open end again.

As a result, the safe ball in the upper outlet gutter 820a is guided again into the safe ball rotation processing unit 821.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a prize ball discharge unit 700A constituting the prize ball discharge unit 700 installed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

The prize ball discharge unit 700A includes a prize ball discharge guide frame 701A attached to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

The prize ball discharge guide frame 701A guides the prize balls sent from the two passages of the guide gutter 202 connected to the storage tank 201 to the ball discharge gutter 750, and is provided on both sides of the partition plate 702, respectively. A prize ball outlet gutter 710 that connects the lower end exits of the two passages of the guide gutter 202 and the entrance of the ball outlet gutter 750 is provided.

These winning ball derivation gutters 710, 710, the upper part, the middle part,
The lower part is a decompression path 710a, 710a, a marginal path 710b, 71 respectively.
0b, and discharge paths 710c, 710c.

The pressure reducing passages 710a, 710a extend from the storage tank 201 to the guiding gutter 20.
The moving pressure of a spare ball as a prize ball sent through 2 is reduced, and as shown in FIG. The marginal road 710b, 710
b is for allowing the prize balls passing through the discharge paths 710c and 710c thereunder to be spaced apart so that the discharge of the prize balls by the prize ball discharge device 740 described later is easily stopped by a stopper, and the decompression path 710a And a direction changing passage portion 712 communicating with a discharge passage 710c described later. At the lower end of the vertical passage portion 711, a moving force attenuating inclined portion 71 for attenuating the moving force of the ball in the downflow direction.
3 is provided in a state of being gradually inclined downward toward the direction change passage portion 712. Also, the direction change passage portion 712
In front of is a guide inclined wall 714 that changes the flowing direction of the sphere flowing down along the attenuation inclined portion 713 vertically downward. On the other hand, on a rear wall portion of the vertical passage portion 711 behind the direction changing passage portion 712, a ball clogging prevention protrusion 715 is provided to protrude forward. This ball blocking prevention projection 71
5 ensures that the center position of the ball on the lowest damping slope 713 of the spheres that have stopped vertically along the vertical passage portion 711 is always located ahead of the center position of the sphere above it. As a result, the downward moving pressure of the upper ball always pushes the ball reaching the lowest damping slope 713 forward, so that the lowest ball is always pushed downstream of the damping slope 713 and the ball moves downward. Clogging is prevented.

Further, a lock device 720 for stopping the discharge of the prize ball when a certain reason such as fraud occurs occurs is provided on the upper front side of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A.

The lock device 720 is driven by a lock solenoid 721 as a drive means installed on the front side (front side) of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A and a driving force of the lock solenoid 721 to generate first and second prizes. It has first and second locking members 728, 729 for controlling the flow of the sphere in the decompression passages 710a, 710a of the sphere outlet gutters 710, 710.

The lock solenoid 721 is lowered (extended) and returned by its own weight and the force of a return spring (not shown) at the time of its demagnetization (off), and has an operating rod 722 that rises (shrinks) at the time of excitation (on). .

The first and second lock members 728 and 729 are provided with bearing holes 7 provided through the partition plate 702 above the decompression passage 710a.
By being fixed to both ends of a rotating shaft 727 rotatably inserted into 02a, they can rotate together.

The second lock member 7 of these lock members 728 and 729
A connecting pin 729a protrudes from one side of 29, and the connecting pin 729a
And the lower end of the operating rod 722 are connected by a connecting plate 726.

Then, when the lock solenoid 721 is in the demagnetized (OFF) state, the operating rod 722 is lowered and the first and second
Of the lock members 728, 729 enter the decompression paths 710a, 710a of the first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710 via the notches 703a, 703a, respectively.
The game ball in 0a is prevented from flowing down.

On the other hand, when the lock solenoid 721 is excited (ON),
The operating rod 722 rises and the first and second locking members 7
28,729 can be rotated in the direction in which their tip sides rise to escape from the decompression paths 710a, 710a of the first and second prize ball derivation gutters 710, 710, and allow the balls in the decompression paths 710a, 710a to flow down. It has become.

In addition, a front frame 10 is provided above the front side of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A.
A ball removal sensor 719 that detects that a ball removal rod (not shown) for ball removal operation has been inserted from the 0 operation hole 261 is provided.

Discharge paths 710c, 71 of the first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710
In 0c, first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730, 730 (discharge sensors 1, 2) for detecting balls flowing down these discharge paths 710c, 710c are provided.

In addition, the first and second sides of the lower and upper sides of the partition plate 702 of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A for controlling the flow of balls in the discharge paths 710c, 710c of the first and second prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710. Second prize ball discharging devices 740 and 740 are provided, respectively.

These first and second prize ball discharging devices 740, 740 are respectively a first and a second prize illustrated as electric driving sources installed on both front and back sides of a lower part of a partition plate 702 of a prize ball discharging guide frame 701A. The ball discharge solenoids 741 and 741 (discharge solenoids 1 and 2) and a second control device that is driven by the driving force of these solenoids 741 and 741 to control the discharge of the balls in the discharge paths 710c and 710c of the first and second prize ball discharge gutters 710 and 710. First and second downflow prevention members 745, 745 are provided.

The first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 741
Return downward by their own weight and the force of a return spring (not shown) when they are demagnetized (off),
It has an operating rod 742 that rises when energized (on).

On the other hand, the first and second downflow prevention members 745, 745
Are first and second support shafts 705 protruding from the front and back sides of the lower part of the partition plate 702 of the prize ball discharge guide frame 701A, respectively.
Is rotatably supported.

Connecting pins 746, 746 protrude from one side of the first and second flow-stopping members 745, 745, respectively, and the lower ends of the connecting pins 746, 746 and the operating rods 742, 742 of the first and second winning ball discharge solenoids 741, 741. Are connected by connecting plates 747, 747, respectively.

Then, the first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 74
When 1 is in the demagnetized (off) state, the operating rods 742, 7
42 descends and the leading ends of the first and second flow-stopping members 745, 745 enter the discharge paths 710c, 710c of the first and second prize-ball lead-out gutters 710, 710 through the notches 703b, 703b, respectively. Thus, the game balls in the discharge paths 710c and 710 are prevented from flowing down.

On the other hand, the first and second prize ball discharging solenoids 741, 741
Are excited (turned on), the operating rods 742, 742 are raised, and the first and second flow-down preventing members 745, 745 are rotated in a direction in which their distal ends are raised, and the first and second prize ball discharge gutters 710, 710 are formed. From the discharge paths 710c, 710c, and the balls in the discharge paths 710c, 710c can flow down.

As described above, the prize ball discharge guiding frame 701A in which the lock device 720, the first and second prize ball discharge devices 740, 740, the ball pullout sensor 719, the prize ball discharge sensors 730, 730, and the like are installed is the first prize ball. Pachinko machine 10 on the outflow gutter 710 side (back side)
, While the second prize ball outlet gutter 710 side (front side) is sealed by a lid frame 701B.

Then, the lock solenoid 721 and the ball removal sensor 71
9. The first and second prize ball discharge solenoids 741 and 741 and the first and second prize ball discharge sensors 730 and 730 are connected to the prize ball discharge control device 600 (FIG. 2) via connectors 723, 719a, 743, 743, and 731, 731, respectively. It is electrically connected.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the internal mechanism of the prize ball discharging unit 700A.

As described above, the prize ball discharge gutter 710 is provided inside the prize ball discharge unit 700A, and the discharge of the prize ball is stopped along the prize ball discharge gutter 710 when a certain reason such as fraud occurs. A lock device 720 for causing the prize ball to be discharged, a prize ball discharge device 740 for discharging the prize ball, and a prize ball discharge sensor 730 for detecting the discharge of the prize ball are provided.

The prize ball outlet gutter 710 is connected to the upstream decompression path 7 as described above.
10a, middle cut-off path 710b and downstream discharge path 710c
It is composed of And the marginal path 710b is composed of a vertical passage portion 711 and a direction change passage portion 712,
In particular, the sphere reaching the lower portion of the vertical passage portion 711 is pressed against the rear wall portion of the lower portion of the vertical passage portion 711 such that the center portion thereof is located forward (left side in the figure) from the center position of the sphere immediately above. A remaining ball clogging prevention protrusion 715 is provided.

The center position of the sphere B ₅ which Nokora pushed forward by the ball plug-preventing protrusions 715, by a distance of the width of the sphere clogging prevention convex portion d (> 0) on at least forward of the center position of the sphere B ₆ immediately thereabove It is designed to be located forward. As a result, the ball (B ₅ ) on the lowest damping slope portion 713 of the balls stopped vertically along the vertical passage portion 711 is attenuated by the downward moving pressure of the ball (B ₆ ) immediately above it. It is possible to prevent the ball from being clogged by being pushed behind the inclined portion 713.

The inlet side of the prize ball outlet gutter 710 is connected to the lower end of the guide gutter 202, and the outlet side is connected to the upper end inlet of the ball outlet gutter 750.

FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) show the internal mechanism of the launching ball supply unit 900 which supplies game balls from the supply tray 102 to the launching ball standby unit of the launching rail, that is, a hitting ball launching unit (not shown).

The launching ball supply unit 900 is a part for appropriately sending game balls supplied from the supply tray 102 (FIG. 1) one by one to a hitting ball launching unit (not shown), or blocking the supply thereof. A launch ball supply passage 950 for guiding game balls supplied from the supply port 102b to an internal hitting ball launching unit is provided inside the supply port 102b of the game ball to be communicated.

In the lower part of the launch ball supply passage 950, a pachinko machine 1
A collection passage 962 is provided to communicate with the tray 103 at the lower front side of 0. An opening / closing passage member 961 that constitutes a passage low plate of the shooting sphere supply passage 950 is provided at the upper end opening of the collection passage 962 so as to be reciprocally slidable in the direction of the arrow. The opening / closing passage member 961 is moved and returned in a direction (left side in the drawing) to close the collection passage 962 by a return force of a return spring (not shown).
2 and a ball collection button 106 (first
By pressing (Fig.), The entrance of the recovery passage 962 can be opened.

Further, a launching ball introduction space 970 leading to a hitting ball launching unit (not shown) is provided in front of the launching ball supply passage 950. A ball feeder 980 is installed in the introduction space 970.

This ball feeder 980 separates the game balls B waiting on the launching ball supply passage 950 one by one and supplies them to the hitting ball launching unit. It is installed movably.

A ball intake 981 is provided at the tip of the ball feeder 980. The ball capturing section 981 is provided in, for example, a U-shape, and a ball capturing space 981a that captures the game balls B waiting on the launching ball supply passage 950 one by one in the center thereof.
In the lower part, the captured ball B is hit by a ball launcher (not shown)
A ball transfer inclined portion 982b having an inclined surface for rolling and transferring in the direction is provided at the upper portion until the launch of the ball B sent to the hit ball launch portion (not shown) by the ball transfer inclined portion 982b is completed. A locking portion 982a for holding the ball B on the launching ball supply passage 950 is provided.

The ball feeder 980 configured as described above has a firing motor 151
A cam (not shown) rotated by (FIG. 2) rotates in synchronization with the launch of a game ball, and operates as follows.

That is, from the state shown in the figure, the ball feeder to supply the game ball illustrated in figure B ₁₁ to hitting the firing unit (not shown)
When the tip side of the 980 rises (the tip side is
A game ball is taken into the ball feeder 980. At this time, a ball hitting member (not shown) is provided on the hitting ball firing portion side to hit a game ball already supplied to the hitting ball firing portion. It is ready to launch. Then, by the action of the hitting ball firing device 150 (see FIG. 1), when the game ball in the hitting ball firing portion is hit by the hitting ball firing member, at the same time, the tip side of the ball feeder 980 descends and returns due to its own weight. the game balls B ₁₁ is to be supplied to the hitting firing portion from the sphere feeder 980 (more next game in this case in the upper part of the locking portion 982a is shot ball supply passage 950 of the ball feeder 980 The ball B ₁₂ is locked).

Then, the ball feeding apparatus 980 and the ball striking launch member to come up with a game ball B ₁₁ supplied to hitting the firing unit again enters the launch preparation state is rotated in a direction in which the tip is raised, until it The locked game ball B ₁₂ is moved to the ball feeder 9.
It will be taken into 80. When striking stop the game ball B ₁₁ by the ball striking the striking member from this state is made, therewith The sphere feed unit 980 at the same time the unillustrated the game balls B ₁₂ that the distal end side is lowered return from a sphere feeder 980 It is supplied to the hitting ball firing unit, and at this time, the ball feeder 980
The upper engaging portion 982a so that the locking game balls B _13.

In this way, each time the hitting member in the hitting portion is ready to launch, the ball feeder 980 moves the launching ball supply passage 9
The game balls on the 50 are taken into the inside one by one, and at the timing when the hitting ball launching member actually hits the game balls, the ball feeder 980 supplies the game balls taken into the inside to the hitting ball firing section. This makes it possible to continuously launch game balls.

In the upper part of the launching ball supply unit 900, when it is confirmed by the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 that the prize balls in the storage tank 201 (FIG. 2) have disappeared, the launching ball supply passage 95 is provided.
A shutter device 910A is provided to lock the standby ball B on the zero and prevent the standby ball B from being taken in by the ball feeding device 980.

The shutter device 910A includes a shutter solenoid 910 as a driving source installed above the launching ball supply unit 900.
And a supply blocking member 920 that is driven by the driving force of the shutter solenoid 910 to lock the standby ball B on the firing ball supply passage 950 so as not to be taken into the ball feeding device 980.

The shutter solenoid 910 has an operating rod 912 that is lowered by its own weight and the force of the return spring 911 when demagnetized (OFF), and rises (shrinks) when excited (ON).

On the other hand, the supply blocking member 920 has
Is installed so as to be rotatable in the direction in which the front end side and the rear end side move up and down with the axis as the axis. An opening 9 provided in the upper wall of the launching ball supply passage 950 is provided at the tip of the supply blocking member 920.
A locking claw 921 that enters the launching ball supply passage 950 through the 51 and locks the standby ball B in the supply passage 950 at a position where it can be collected in the collection passage 962 is curved in an arc shape. It is provided facing downward.

The rear end side of the supply blocking member 920 is connected to the connecting member 913.
Is connected to the operating rod 912 of the shutter solenoid 910, and the supply blocking member 920 is rotated as the operating rod 912 moves up and down, so that the locking claw 921 at the tip thereof enters and exits the firing ball supply passage 950. It has become.

The shutter device 910A is configured as described above,
Normally, the shutter solenoid 910 is in a demagnetized (off) state, the operating rod 912 is lowered, and the tip side of the supply blocking member 920 is raised and returned. You have escaped. At this time, the standby ball B in the shooting ball supply passage 950 can be moved to the hitting ball firing unit (not shown) by the ball feeding device 980.

When the shutter solenoid 910 is excited, for example, when the ball in the storage tank 201 (FIG. 2) is exhausted and the output of the replenishment sensor 211 becomes H level, the operating rod 9 is turned on.
12 rises and the distal end side of the supply blocking member 920 is lowered, and the locking claw 921 at the distal end enters the firing ball supply passage 950 as shown in FIG. B
Is locked at a position where it can be collected in the collecting passage 962, that is, the state where the leading standby ball B in the supply passage 950 rests on the upper end opening of the collecting passage 962 and on the opening / closing passage member 961.

As described above, when the standby ball B in the firing ball supply passage 950 is locked by the shutter device 910A, the projection ball is set to protrude toward one side of the supply plate 102 (FIG. 1) on the front side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. When the opening / closing passage member 961 is moved (slid) in the retreating direction by operating the ball collection button 106 to open the upper end opening of the collection passage 962, the waiting machine in the fired ball supply passage 950 is opened. All but one B 103 (1st
In addition, all the balls B newly entering the launching ball supply passage 950 via the supply port 102b can be collected in the receiving tray 103.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of the prize ball discharge control device 600.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 controls the prize ball discharge system of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and is installed on the lower left side on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10 (FIG. 2).

The prize ball discharge control device 600 is configured by arranging various electronic components such as a microcomputer related to the prize ball discharge control and electronic circuits on a control base 610 attached to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Each main part of the 600 is covered by a protective lid 690. In addition, the control board 610 is provided with a backup battery 612 for supplementarily supplying power to the prize ball discharge control device 600 and other control units of the pachinko game machine in the event of a power outage, and other various electronic components. A large number of connectors 615, 615,...

FIG. 10 shows the opening / closing door 2 attached to the back mechanism panel 200.
50 and the accessory control device 5 installed behind the door 250
FIG.

A pair of installation rails 251 and 251 for installing the accessory control device 500 are arranged parallel and upward at a position near the free end on the back side of the door 250. Each of the rails 251 has an L-shaped cross section, and the upper end thereof is open and the lower end thereof is closed. Also,
Opening door 2 closer to the free end than those rails 251, 251
The pair of rails 251-251 is located closer to the free end of 50.
A protective cover 252 that covers the accessory control device 500 installed therebetween is pivotally supported so as to be freely opened and closed (rotated). When the protective lid 252 is closed, the inner wall of the free end of the protective lid 252 engages with the locking projections 253, 253 provided at positions corresponding to the back side of the opening and closing door 250. It does not open. The protective cover 252 is provided with a plurality of heat radiation holes 255.

On the other hand, in the accessory control device 500, various electronic components and electronic circuits such as a microcomputer 520 for controlling the accessory of the pachinko gaming machine 10 are installed on the accessory control base 510, and a plurality of connection connectors 585 are installed. It is configured.

On the back side of the accessory control device 500, an installation plate 590 is attached so as to maintain a mutual cushioning effect with cushioning materials 595, 595 attached to the front side thereof.

In this way, the accessory control device 500 is slid in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure between the rails 251 and 251 on the back side of the opening / closing door 250 in a state of being held together with the installation plate 590 with a cushioning property. By doing so, the accessory control device 500 is installed between the rails 251 and 251. In the state of being installed in this way, the left and right ends of the accessory control device 500 and the installation plate 590 tied to each other with a cushioning property are naturally held by the left and right rails 251, 251 respectively. It is immovable.

FIG. 11 is a control showing an overall configuration of a ball removal processing control system including an automatic safe ball removal device for performing a removal process of the safe ball of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and a prize ball ejection control system performed when the safe ball is detected. It is a block diagram.

As shown in the figure, the control block of the safe ball removal processing control system includes a hit control unit 1610 and a safe ball determination unit 1620.
Is the main component.

Of these, the hit control means 1610 has its input side connected to the safe ball release switch 860, the hit signal transmitting unit 685a, the hit release signal transmitting unit 685b, the safe sensor 830, and further the position sensor 840. On the other hand, a message board 431 and a safe ball ejection solenoid 852 are connected to the output side.

Among these, the stop signal transmitting unit 685a and the stop release signal transmitting unit 685b are configured in a central management device (not shown), and the stop signal transmitting unit 685a is input to the central management device. A hit signal is generated based on various data (the number of prize balls ejected, the number of prize ball replenishments, etc.), while a hit release signal transmitting unit 685b is used by a staff member to perform a predetermined operation of the central simple device. A hit release signal is output when a button operation (such as a button operation for canceling the hit) is performed.

In addition, the safe sensor 830 and the position sensor 840 are connected to the input side of the safe ball determination unit 1620 among the various sensors input to the hitting control unit, while the safe motor 823 is connected to the output side. And an emission control means 1800 are connected.

In the ball removal control processing system configured as described above, the hit control means 1610 presses the safe ball removal switch 860 based on a signal from each sensor connected to the means, that is, by a game store staff. Signal that occurs when
Based on the hitting signal and the hitting release signal sent from the above-mentioned central management device 685, the safe ball removing solenoid 852 is driven to perform the automatic ball removing process of the safe ball, and the automatic ball removing process is executed. Is displayed on the message board 431 indicating that the automatic ball extraction process has been completed.

Further, the safe sphere detecting means 1620 is
The safe motor 823 and the discharge control unit 1800 are driven based on a signal from the 830 and a signal from the position detection sensor 860. More specifically, the safe ball detecting means 1620 normally drives the safe motor 823 so that the output signal from the position sensor 860 becomes H level (when the safe ball is not detected by the safe sensor 830). The rotating body 822 of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 is rotated.

Then, once the safe ball is detected by the safe sensor 830, the safe ball detecting means 1620 drives the safe motor 823 to drive the rotating body 822 regardless of the value of the output signal of the position sensor 860. Is rotated. The rotation of the rotating body 822 is continuously performed until the output signal of the position sensor 840 becomes H level next. Due to the rotation of the rotating body 822, the concave portion formed in the rotating body faces the opening of the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter, and stays at the connection position with the rotation processing unit in the outlet gutter 820a until then. The stored safe ball is stored in the concave portion, and the stored safe ball moves in the circumferential direction in the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 with the rotation of the rotating body. Thereafter, when the rotating body 822 further rotates, the recess accommodating the safe ball is opposed to the opening end on the lower outlet gutter 820b side with the rotation, and the stored safe ball is discharged to the lower outlet gutter 820b and further discharged. It flows down to the part 820c side.

Further, the safe ball detecting means 1620 excites the discharge solenoid 741 of the prize ball discharge device 740 constituting the prize ball discharge means based on the output signal from the safe sensor 830 (O
N), the discharge control of a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the safe balls won is performed.

The hit control means 1610 and the safe ball detection means 1620 are constituted by a prize ball discharge control device 600 described later (FIG. 12).

FIG. 12 shows a control block diagram of the automatic ball removal processing of the safe ball of the pachinko gaming machine 10 by the prize ball discharge control device 600.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 controls the safe ball removal control and the prize ball discharge system of the pachinko gaming machine 10,
A microcomputer (MPU) 62 that performs these controls
0, a low-pass filter 631 connected to the input side, a driver 632 connected to the output side of the microcomputer 620, a power supply circuit 680 for supplying electricity to the microcomputer 620, an oscillator for generating a reference time for the operation of the microcomputer 620. It has 634 mag.

The microcomputer 620 includes a ROM 621 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 622 that is a memory that can be read and written at any time, a timer counter 623, and an input port buffer 62.
4, and output port latch 625 etc.

Among them, the ROM 621 includes a display pattern of a message board 431 for displaying various messages related to the pachinko gaming machine, an operation pattern of the safe motor 823, an operation pattern of the safe ball removal solenoid 852, and first and second prize ball discharge solenoids. Fixed data such as an operation pattern of 741, 741, an operation pattern of the shutter solenoid 910, a lighting pattern of a completion lamp 271 notifying that the game has been completed by hitting, and a lighting pattern of a safe lamp 272 are stored.

The ROM 621 includes a rotation control means (rotation control pattern) for controlling the safe motor 823 for rotating the rotating body 822 between a rotationally driven state and a stopped state, and a prize ball discharging unit 700.
The fixed data of the prize ball discharge control means (prize ball discharge control pattern) for discharging a predetermined number of balls according to the abnormality determination means (abnormality determination pattern) for determining that an abnormality has occurred in the discharge control of the ball discharge unit 700 It is remembered.

On the other hand, various sensors 211, 221, 730, 730, 830, 840, 860, and 77 sent through the low-pass filter 631 are stored in the RAM 622.
0 ‥‥, a detection signal sent from a central processing unit (not shown), a signal indicating ON (ON), a stop signal,
A storage area for temporarily storing a hit release signal, an information signal of a set number of prize balls from a prize ball number setting device 530 provided in a game board or a control unit for controlling a bonus, and a microcomputer 620 Are provided.

An input port buffer 624 of the microcomputer 620 is provided with a first and second prize ball discharges 730, 730, a safe sensor 830, a replenishment sensor 211, via a low-pass filter 631.
Various switches such as the odd sensor 221, the overflow detector 770, the safe ball removal sensor 860, the position sensor 840, a hit signal transmitting unit 685 a provided in the central control device, a hit release signal transmitting unit 685 b, and a prize ball The number setting device 530 and the like are connected.

On the other hand, the driver 632 of the microcomputer 620 includes a message board 431, a discharge solenoid 741, 741, a shutter solenoid 910, a safe motor 823, and a safe lamp 27.
2. Connected with other operating units 980 such as a completion lamp 271, a safe ball removal solenoid 852, an external information relay circuit 687, a firing motor relay circuit 686, and a safe ball removal solenoid.

Among these various operating parts, the external information relay circuit 68
A central control device (not shown) is connected to 7, and the above-described firing motor 151 (not shown in FIG. 12) is connected to the firing motor relay circuit 686.

The prize ball discharge control device 600 is configured as described above, and various sensors (switches) 211,221,730,730,830,840,
860,770 and a stop signal generator 685a, a stop release signal 685
b, the signal from the prize ball number setting device 530 is a low-pass filter 631
Is sent to the microcomputer 620 via
The microcomputer 620 sends an output signal corresponding to the type of the sent signal to the driver 632, and activates a corresponding solenoid among various solenoids such as a safe ball ejection solenoid 852, a discharge solenoid 741,741, a shutter solenoid 910, and the like. Drive the safe motor 823, or the message board 431, the completion lamp 271,
The safe lamp 272 is turned on.

When the prize ball discharge control device 600 determines that replenishment should be performed based on a signal from the replenishment sensor 211, the central management device (not shown) of the game store via the driver 632 and the external information relay circuit 687 ), Or determines that the ejected prize ball has reached the detector mounting position in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 based on a signal from the overflow detector 770, the driver 632 and the reflection motor control. It sends a stop signal to the launch motor 151 via the relay circuit 686 to stop its operation.

Next, the procedure of the prize ball discharge control process and the safe ball automatic ball removal control process performed by the above-described prize ball discharge control device 600 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 36.

The so-called background control in which the discharge control by the prize ball discharge control device and the ball removal control of the safe ball are repeatedly performed as long as the power that has been started at the same time as the power supply of the above-mentioned prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on. Processing (Fig. 13)
And a predetermined time after the power is turned on (for example, 0.
Every 5 msec), the background control process is interrupted during the background control process, and the process is interrupted (FIG. 15). These two control processes are performed by the MPU 62
Executed by 0. In the background process performed between the start of one interrupt process and the start of the next interrupt process, one loop process (step S8)
Step S28) is performed a plurality of times.

First, the main routine of the background control processing by the prize ball discharge control device 600 will be described with reference to FIG.

This main routine is repeatedly performed after the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is dropped as described above.

When the power is dropped, first, in step S2, the MPU 6
Clear the contents of the RAM 622 in the RAM 20, reset various determination flags used in various subroutines described later (set to "0"), reset the output from the MPU 620 to various operating parts (various solenoids, various lamps, etc.) (output Is set to L level) in sequence, and after performing such initialization, the process proceeds to step S4.

In the following steps S4 to S12, whether the processing number is "5" (step S4), "4" (step S6), or "3" (step S4)
8) It is determined whether it is "2" (step S10) and whether it is "1" (step S12).

When the value of this process number (process NO) is “1”, a discharge start condition process (FIG. 27) described later is started, and when the value is “2”, a discharge start process (described in FIG. 28) (Fig. 31), and when the value is "3", a discharge process described later (Fig. 31)
Is started, and when the value is "4", the safe ball removal start process (FIG. 35) described below is started, and when the value is "5", the safe ball removal process (FIG. 36) described later is started. It is to let.

This processing NO is performed when the predetermined number (for example, 13) of the prize balls has been discharged in the above-described step S2 executed immediately after the power is turned off or in the discharging processing (FIG. 31) described below. The value is reset to "0". The value of the processing NO reset to “0” is set to “1” when the safe sensor 830 detects a safe sphere by performing step S18 described below (step S30 described later), and Further, when it is determined that the safe ball should be removed by executing step S14 or S16 described later, the value is set to "4".
Is set to

Immediately after the power is dropped, if the safe ball has not yet been detected by the safe sensor 30, the aforementioned step S4
-The results of the determination in step S12 are all "No"
Proceed to S14, S16 to determine whether the safe ball extraction flag is "1",
It is determined whether or not the stop flag is “1”.

The value of the safe ball removal flag is “1” when it is confirmed in the safe ball removal switch input process (FIG. 23) that the safe ball switch 860 has been pressed by the attendant. On the other hand, the hit flag is used to output the hit signal from the hit signal transmitting unit 685a of the central management unit (not shown) in the hit signal processing (FIG. 24), which will also be described in detail later. When the input is confirmed, the value is set to "1".

Immediately after the start of this routine, these two determination flags are both set to "0" in step S2, so that the determination results in steps S14 and S16 are both "No", and the determination in step S18 is executed. You. In this step S18, it is determined whether or not the safe sensor ON flag is "1". The safe sensor ON flag indicates that the safe ball has reached the safe sensor 830 in a safe sensor input process (to be described later).
The value is set to "1" when confirmed by (figure).

In this case, the result of the determination in step S18 is "No", and subsequently, in step S20, it is determined whether or not the value of the position sensor ON flag is "1". This position sensor ON flag indicates that the output signal from the position sensor 840 that detects the rotation angle of the rotating body 822 in the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 has risen to the H level (the four concave portions 822 _{1 to} 822 of the rotating body). _Four
Are maintained at the H level when none of them is opposed to the upper outgoing gutter 820a of the safe ball outgoing gutter) when the value is confirmed to be “1” when it is confirmed in the position sensor input processing (FIG. 26) described later. "
Is set to Is therefore four recesses 822 _{1-822 4} or the output signal of the opening end opposite to have a position sensor of the upper outlet gutter 820a of the rotating body 822 when the step S20 is executed and L level Is satisfied, the determination result in step S20 is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S22, where the concave portion of the rotating body does not face the opening end of the upper outlet gutter, in other words, the circumferential portion of the rotating body is The safe motor 823 rotates the rotating body 822 until the open end is closed and the safe ball is completely prevented from entering the safe ball rotation processing unit 821. And, the concave portions 822 ₁ to 8
22 both the determination result of said circumferential portion of said rotating body without open end facing the upper outlet gutter 820a is the output signal of the position sensor closes the opening end becomes the H level step S20 of ₄ Becomes “Yes”, and the safe motor 823 is turned off to stop the rotating body that has been rotating so far (step S2
Four). As a result, when the processing NO is “0”, the rotating body 8
The rotation angle of 22 is controlled so as to always close the open end of the upper outlet gutter 820a.

In step S26 after the rotation control of the safe motor 823 is performed, a replenishment process (FIG. 14) to be described later is performed, and in step S28, the message board 431 is displayed in a predetermined manner (see FIG. 14). The predetermined mode is determined by a discharge process (FIG. 31) or a safe ball removal process (FIG. 36) described later.

When such a series of processing by this routine is completed, the processing is executed again from step S4, and when there is no change in the operation state of the gaming machine, the control according to the above flow is repeatedly executed. Become.

Next, from this state, when the game ball (safe ball) wins one of the various winning ports (see FIG. 1) of the game board and flows down the safe ball lead-out gutter 820, and thereafter is detected by the safe sensor 830. (If confirmed by the safe ball determination process of the interrupt process), the safe ON flag becomes "1", the determination result in step S18 turns to "Yes", and the process NO is set to "1". (Step S30) and then the Step S
26 and S28 are executed, and the process proceeds to the next loop.

In the next loop processing, the processing NO is set to "1", so the determination result in step S12 is changed to "Yes", and the discharge start condition processing (FIG. 27) is performed in step S32.

This discharge start condition processing determines whether the gaming machine is in a state suitable for discharging the prize ball (whether the discharged prize ball is sufficiently stored in the back mechanism board or the like) as described later in detail, and This is a process for starting the rotation of the rotating body 822 in the processing in order to take the won safe ball into the safe ball rotation processing unit 821. At the end of this processing, the processing described above is performed.
NO is changed to “2”.

When the process in step S32 is completed, steps S26 and S28 are executed again, and the process proceeds to the next loop. still,
The rotating body once started rotating by the winning of the safe ball is a reflector with the detection unit 840a of the position sensor 840 installed on the rotating body 822.
When it faces the 822a (when the opening end of the upper outlet gutter is completely closed by the circumference of the rotating body), its rotation is stopped.

Since the process NO at this point is set to "2", in the next loop, the determination result in step S10 becomes "Yes", the process proceeds to step S34, and the discharge start process (FIG. 28) is performed.

As described in detail later, this discharge start processing is performed prior to the discharge processing (FIG. 31 described later), and the prize ball set number (for example, 1 to 15) stored in the prize ball setter 530 is used. Prize ball discharge pattern (1
(Discharge discharge, alternate discharge, combined discharge), a process of previously exciting (ON) the discharge solenoid, and the like. In the discharge start process, the value of the process NO is “3”. To ".

When the discharge start processing is completed, steps S26 and S28 described above are subsequently performed, and then the processing from step S4 is restarted again.

In the next loop, since the process NO at this point is set to "3", the determination result of step S8 changes to "Yes" and the discharge process (FIG. 31) is executed (step S36).

This discharge processing is for discharging a predetermined number (a set number of prize balls) of prize balls for one safe ball detected by the safe sensor 830, as described in detail later.
As will be described later, once the predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged, the processing NO is set to "0" once.

After such discharge processing is completed (the processing NO =
“0”) indicates that all the determination results in steps S4 to S12 are “No”
And the determination after step S14 is performed again.

Thereafter, steps S8 to S28 are repeatedly executed until a safe ball is newly detected by the safe sensor input process 4 of the interrupt process performed separately from the main routine. Then, when a new safe ball is detected, the determination result of step S18 changes to "Yes" again, and the prize ball is repeatedly discharged from the detected safe ball.

On the other hand, while the above processing is repeated, if the safe ball removal flag is set to “1” by turning on the safe ball removal switch, or a stop signal is input from the stop signal transmission unit 685a of the central management device. In this case, when the processing NO is subsequently “0” and the determinations in steps S14 and S16 are performed, the determination result in step S14 is “Yes” or the determination result in step S16 is “Yes”, Proceed to step S40, and the process NO is “4”
Is set to

As described above, once the processing NO is set to "4", in the loop immediately after that, the determination result of the step S6 is "Ye
s ", and in step S40 the safe ball removal start process (35th
FIG.) Is performed, and then steps S26 and S28 are performed.

This safe ball removal start process is performed prior to the safe ball removal process described later. The safe ball removal solenoid 852 for discharging the safe ball is energized (ON) in advance, and the process NO is set to “5”. Is set to

Once the process NO is set to "5" by the safe ball removal start process, the determination result in step S4 changes to "Yes" in a loop immediately after that, and the safe ball removal process (FIG. 36) is performed in step S41. Be executed. When the safe ball removing process in step S41 is completed, the process NO is set to "0" as described later, so that the process in step S4 will be performed again in the next and subsequent loops.
-All the determination results in S12 become "No", and thereafter, steps S4-
S28 will be repeatedly executed.

It should be noted that the determination as to whether or not the safe ball removal flag is "1" and the determination as to whether or not the hit flag is "1" are performed only when the processing NO is "0" (the determination in steps S4 to S12). Since all the results are "No"), the safe ball removal process is not started during the discharge process of the predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to one safe ball.

FIG. 14 shows the main routine of the prize ball discharge control described above (No.
13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a replenishment process performed in step S26 of FIG. 13).

When this routine is started, first in step S1600,
The replenishment sensor input process performed in the later-described interrupt process (19th
It is determined whether or not the replenishment sensor start-up flag, the value of which is determined in FIG. When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when there is no prize ball up to the position where the replenishment sensor 211 is attached, the completion lamp is turned “ON” to indicate that the prize ball is insufficient (step S1604), and the game ball is fired. The shutter solenoid to “ON” (step S
1606), the external information relay is turned “ON” (step S1608), and the replenishment sensor start-up flag is reset to “0” (step S1610), and this routine ends.

If the determination result in the step S1600 is "No", it is determined in a succeeding step S1602 whether or not the replenishment sensor fall flag whose value is also determined in a replenishment sensor input process described later is "1". Is done. When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when it is determined that replenishment has been performed and the prize ball has reached the position where the replenishment sensor 211 of the storage tank 201 is installed, the completion lamp is turned “OFF” (step S1612), "OFF" the shutter solenoid to enable the launch of game balls
(Step S1614), the external information relay is set to “OFF” (Step S1616), and the replenishment sensor fall flag is set to “0”.
(Step S1618), and terminates this routine.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 26, a detailed procedure of the interrupt processing performed every time a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 msec) elapses in preference to the main routine (background processing) described above (FIG. 13). Will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the interrupt processing is started, first, count values of various timers such as a safe ball removal timer and a safe ball removal end timer, which will be described later, are updated (step S42). Sensor 1 input processing (step S4
4), discharge sensor 2 input processing (step S46), safe sensor input processing (step S48), supply sensor input processing (step S50), odd sensor input processing (step S5)
2), overflow switch input processing (step S5
4), launch motor control processing (step S56), safe ball release switch input processing (step S58), hitting signal input processing (step S60), hitting release signal input processing (step S6)
2) and position sensor input processing (step S64) are sequentially performed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1 performed in step S44.

When a prize ball is present in the sensor, the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 (and a discharge sensor 2 described later) becomes H level, and the prize ball flows out and temporarily or continuously exists in the sensor. The output signal is set to the L level when no longer occurs. Therefore, in the present flow, when the output signal rises from the L level to the H level (when the discharge sensor 1 rise flag = "1" and the discharge sensor 2 rise flag = "1", which will be described later), the prize ball is generated. It is determined that it has reached the inside of the sensor.

When this routine is started, first, in step S4402, it is determined whether or not the emission 1 change flag is "1" in the subsequent step S4.
At 404, it is determined whether or not the discharge 1L level flag is "1".

As described above, all the determination flags are set to “0” in step S2 of the main routine (FIG. 13) immediately after the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600.

Therefore, when this routine is executed immediately after the interrupt processing is started for the first time, the determination results in steps S4402 and S4404 are both “No” regardless of the output signal level of the sensor 1, and first in step S4406 It is determined whether or not the output signal is at the L level (the output of the discharge sensor 1 = "0").

If the prize ball stays in the discharge sensor 1 and the discharge solenoid 1 is operated, the prize ball is supplied to the supply tray.
Consider the case of being discharged to the 102 side.

When the prize ball remains on the sensor 1, the sensor 1
Remains at the H level, the result of the determination in step S4406 is "No", and this routine is immediately terminated (steps S4402 to S4406 are executed after initialization.
This is repeated until the output signal of the sensor 1 changes to the L level for the first time).

From this state, the prize ball in the ejection sensor 1 moves (leaves out of the sensor 1), and when the output signal of the sensor 1 changes from the H level to the L level, the determination result in the step S4406 becomes "Yes". Proceeding to step S4408, the discharge 1L level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the sensor 1 has become L level in the current loop, and the present routine ends.

When proceeding to the next loop, step S4 of the immediately preceding loop is performed.
Since the discharge 1L level flag is set to "1" by the process of 408, the determination result of step S4404 changes to "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S4410, where the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 in this loop is at the H level (discharge). It is determined whether or not sensor 1 output = "1"). If the determination result is “No”, that is, if the output signal is at the L level in the current loop following the previous loop, the subsequent steps S4412 and S4414 are skipped, and this routine ends. Therefore, steps S4402, S4404, and S4410 are repeated as long as the output signal is at the L level.

On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 that has been at the L level until the previous loop rises from the L level to the H level before shifting to the current loop, the rising in the current loop is performed. The emission 1 change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the
At the same time, the discharge 1L level flag is reset to "0" to store that the output signal in the current loop is no longer at the L level, and this routine ends.

In the loop immediately after the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises, first, in step S4402, it is determined whether the discharge 1 change flag is “1”. In this case, the determination result is “Yes”, and in the next step S4416, it is determined whether the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 is still at the H level in the current loop.

When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor rises in the previous loop and the H level is maintained in the current loop, the prize ball reaches the inside of the discharge sensor 1. Is determined, and the discharge sensor 1 start flag used as a sensor output in the alternate discharge process (FIG. 33) described later and the combined discharge process (FIG. 34) described later is set to “1” (step S4418). At the same time, the discharge 1 change flag storing the rise of the output signal is reset (set to "0") (step S4420), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, steps S4402, S4404, and S4406 are repeated as long as the output signal still maintains the H level.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4416 is “No”,
That is, when the output signal falls again in the loop immediately after the output signal has risen, it is determined that the change in the output signal is not a change due to the passage of the prize ball (such as generation of a noise signal), and the output signal in this loop is determined. Is stored at the L level (step S4422), and the emission 1 change flag is reset (set to "0") in step S4420 (the rising that has occurred this time is determined to be caused by noise, and Is invalidated), and this routine ends.

By executing the above routine, the discharge sensor 1 start flag is only displayed when the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 rises and the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while interrupt processing is performed twice). Is set to "1", so that the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 1. Note that this discharge sensor 1 start-up flag is used for alternate discharge processing in the background processing (main routine) or combined discharge processing (FIG. 33, FIG.
It is reset immediately after it is used for discrimination in (Fig. 34).
By the way, the processing routine including the above-described discharge processing of the main routine is to be executed a plurality of times from the end of one interrupt processing to the start of the next interrupt processing. The next interrupt processing (input processing of the discharge sensor 1) is not performed while the flag is "1".

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an input processing routine of the discharge sensor 2 performed in step S46 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 15). This flow is performed in the same procedure as the above-described input processing routine of the discharge sensor 1.

When the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on and all the determination flags are set to “0” in step S2 of the main routine, and this routine is started by the split-in process,
First, in step S4602, it is determined whether the emission 2 change flag is "1", and in subsequent step S4604, it is determined whether the emission 2L level flag is "1". These steps S460
2, the determination result in S4604 is “No” regardless of the output signal level of the sensor 2 (all the flags are set to “0”). In step S4606, the output signal in this loop is set to L level (discharge sensor). It is determined whether or not one output = “0”).

If the prize ball stays in the discharge sensor 2 and the discharge solenoid 2 is operated, the prize ball is supplied to the supply tray.
Consider the case of being discharged to the 102 side.

When the prize ball remains on the sensor 2,
Remains at the H level, the determination result in step S4606 becomes "No", and the routine ends. In this state, the prize ball in the ejection sensor 2 moves (in the sensor 2). When the output signal changes from the H level to the L level, the result of the determination in step S4606 is “Ye
s ", and the flow advances to step S4608 to store that the output signal of the sensor 2 was at the L level in the current loop.
The discharge 2L level flag is set to "1", and this routine ends.

When proceeding to the next loop, step S4 of the immediately preceding loop is performed.
Since the discharge 2L level flag is "1" at 608, the result of the determination at step S4604 is turned to "Yes", and step S46 is performed.
At 10, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 in this loop is at the H level (the output of the discharge sensor 2 = “1”). If the determination result is “No”, that is, if the output signal is at the L level in the current loop following the previous loop, the subsequent steps S4612 and S4614 are skipped, and the present routine ends. Therefore, as long as the output signal is at L level, step S4
Steps 602, S4604, and S4610 are repeatedly performed.

On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 that was at L level until the previous loop rises from L level to H level before shifting to the current loop, the rise has occurred. In order to store this, the emission 2 change flag is set to “1” (step S4612), and the emission 2L level flag is reset (“0”) to store that the output signal in this loop is no longer at the L level. Is set), and the routine ends.

In the loop immediately after that, that is, in the next loop after the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 has risen, first, in step S4602, it is determined whether the discharge 2 change flag is "1". In this case, the determination result is "Yes", and subsequently, in step S4616, it is determined whether the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 is still maintaining the H level in the current loop.

When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the output signal of the discharge sensor rises in the previous loop and the H level is continuously maintained in the current loop, the prize ball reaches the inside of the discharge sensor 2. Is determined, and the discharge sensor 2 start flag used as a sensor output in the alternate discharge processing (FIG. 33) and the combined discharge processing (FIG. 34) described later is set to “1”.
(Step S4618), and resets (sets to "0") the discharge 2 change flag that stores the rise of the output signal (step S4620), and terminates this routine.

In the subsequent loop, steps S4602, S4604, and S4606 are repeated as long as the output signal still maintains the H level.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S4616 is “No”,
That is, when the output signal falls again in the loop immediately after the output signal has risen, it is determined that the change in these output signals is not a change due to the prize ball reaching the sensor mounting position (such as generation of a noise signal), After storing that the output signal in the current loop is at the L level (step S462)
2) In step S4620, the discharge 2 change flag is reset (set to "0") (the rising that has occurred this time is determined to be caused by noise and is invalidated), and this routine ends.

By executing the above routine, only when the output signal of the discharge sensor 2 rises and the state is maintained for a predetermined period or more (at least while interrupt processing is performed twice), the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is set. Is set to "1", so that the rising flag indicates that the prize ball has reached the inside of the discharge sensor 2. Note that, similarly to the above-described discharge sensor 1 rise flag, the discharge sensor 2 rise flag is alternate discharge processing in the background processing (main routine) or combined discharge processing (FIGS. 33 and 34 described later). Is reset immediately after being used for discrimination. Since the processing routine including the above-described ejection processing of the main routine is to be executed a plurality of times from the end of one interruption processing to the start of the next interruption processing, Flag is "1"
Next interrupt processing (input processing of discharge sensor 2) in the state of
Is not performed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a safe sensor input processing routine performed in step S48.

This flow is for detecting the timing at which the safe sphere reaches the inside of the safe sensor and the timing at which the safe sphere which has reached the inside of the sensor subsequently comes off from the inside of the sensor.

As described above, the output signal of the safe sensor becomes H level when a safe ball exists in the sensor,
When the safe sphere flows out and temporarily or continuously no longer exists in the sensor, its output signal is set to the L level. Accordingly, in the present flow, when the H level is maintained for a predetermined time after the output signal from the sensor rises from the L level to the H level, it is determined that the safe ball has reached the inside of the sensor (safe sensor). (ON flag = “1”) On the other hand, when the output signal from the sensor falls from the H level to the L level, it is determined that the safe ball has finished passing through the sensor (safe fall flag = “1”).

Suppose now that the sensor output is in a state where no game ball has won.

In this state, the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600,
When the routine is started, first, in step S4802, the output signal of the sensor 830 becomes H level (safe sensor output =
"1") is determined. In this case, the determination result is “No” and the process proceeds to step S4804 and subsequent steps.

In the next step S4804, the safe fall change flag is set to "1".
In step S4806, it is determined whether the safe sensor ON flag is "1". In step S4808, it is determined whether the safe ball presence monitoring flag is "1".
In S4810, it is determined whether or not the safe L level flag is “1”.

By the way, all flags are “0” immediately after the initialization of the MPU620.
Therefore, the determination results in steps S4804 to S4810 are all “No”, and in step S4812, the safe L level flag is stored in order to store that the output signal of the safe sensor was L level in the current loop. Set to “1” and end this routine.

Since the safe L level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loops, steps S4802, S4804, S4806, S4808, and S4808 are performed as long as the output signal of the safe sensor keeps the L level.
S4810 (the determination result of step S4810 is “Yes”) is repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, when the game ball wins and the game ball (safe ball) reaches the mounting position of the safe sensor 830 in the safe ball lead-out gutter 820, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 turns to the H level (the determination in step S4802). The result is “Yes”) Step S48
26 and later are executed.

When the processing after step S4826 is performed for the first time, the safe L level flag is “1” and the other flags are all “0”, so the determination in step S4826 (the safe sensor ON flag is “1”). ), The next step S4
The results of the determination at 828 (whether the safe ball presence monitoring flag is "1") are both "No" and steps S4830 to S4838 are executed.

In steps S4830 to S4834, the safe fall flag, the safe fall change flag described below, and the safe L level flag are sequentially reset to “0”. Then, in step S4836, the safe sensor 830 is switched from the previous loop to the current loop. The safe sphere presence monitoring flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal has changed (rising) from the L level to the H level, and in a subsequent step S4838, a step S4838 described later is performed.
The safe ball existence timer used for the determination of 4840 is set to a predetermined value (for example, 100 msec), and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is continuously at the H level in the next loop, since the safe ball presence monitoring flag is set to “1” in step S4836 of the previous loop, the determination result in step S4828 turns to “Yes”. Then, in a succeeding step S4840, it is determined whether or not the time of the safe ball existence timer has expired. If the result of this determination is “No”, that is, if the predetermined time (100 msec) has not yet elapsed after the output level of the safe sensor has risen to the H level, this routine is terminated as it is. Thereafter, steps S4802, S4826, S4828, S4
840 will be executed repeatedly.

When the safe ball existence timer expires after the predetermined time elapses (the determination result in step S4840 is “Yes”), the process proceeds to step S4842, in which the safe sensor is provided to indicate that the safe ball exists in the sensor. The ON flag is set to "1", and then, in step S4844, the safe ball presence monitoring flag is reset to "0", and this routine ends. In the subsequent loop, as long as the output signal of the safe sensor 830 holds the H level, both the steps S4802 and S4826
es ", and only these two steps are repeatedly executed (at this time, the safe sensor ON flag is held at" 1 "and the safe sensor startup flag is held at" 0 ").

On the other hand, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 changes from L level to H level.
It is assumed that the output signal falls to the L level again before the safe sphere timer expires after the rise to the L level. At this time, the determination result of step S4802 changes to “No”, and the determination result of step S4804 further changes to “No”.
It is determined that the determination result of step S4806 is “No”, the determination result of step S4808 is “Yes”, and step S4814
Resets the safe sphere presence monitoring flag, which was set to "1" until the previous loop, to "0". In step S4816, the safe fall is performed to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop. The change flag is set to “1” and the routine ends.

As described above, when the H level state is not detected for a predetermined time after the output signal of the safe sensor 830 rises, the process of setting the safe sensor ON flag to “1” is not performed, and It is possible to cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the sensor.

Next, let us consider a case where the safe ball reaches the inside of the sensor 830 and the safe sensor ON flag is once set to "1", and the safe ball flows down from this state and is positioned outside the sensor.

In this case, the determination results in step S4802 and step S4804 are both “No”, and the safe sensor is turned on in step S4806.
It is determined whether or not the flag is "1". This safe sensor ON flag is set in step S484 before the current loop.
Since it is set to "1" in step 2, the result of the determination in step S4806 is "Yes". In step S4818, the safe H level flag is reset to "0", and the flow advances to step S4816. Loop safe sensor 83
In order to store that the output signal of 0 has changed (falled) from the H level to the L level, the safe fall change flag is set to “1”.
Is set, and this routine ends.

When the output signal of the safe sensor 830 continues to be at the L level in the next loop, the safe fall change flag is set to "1" in step S4816, and the determination result in step S4804 changes to "Yes". And the following step S482
From 0 to S4824, the safe fall flag is set to “1” to store that the safe ball has come off from the safe sensor 830 (step S4820), and the safe fall change flag is reset to “0” (step S4820). Along with step S4822), the safe L level flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal of the safe sensor 830 in this loop is at L level (step S4824), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the safe sensor 830 is at the L level, the above steps S4802, S4804, S4806, S4808, S4810
Are repeatedly executed, and at this time, the safe fall flag is held at "1" and the safe sensor ON flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, the output signal of the safe sensor 830 changes from the H level to the L level.
When the output signal rises to the H level in the loop immediately after the fall to the level (the step S4816 was executed in the previous loop, and the safe fall change flag is set to “1”).
, And the current loop is at the H level), the determination result in step S4802 is “Yes”, the determination result in step S4826 is “No”, and the process proceeds to step S4828 and the subsequent steps. Become like

As described above, unless the L-level state is detected for a certain period of time after the output signal of the safe sensor 830 has fallen (at least while this interrupt processing is performed twice), the safe fall flag is set to “1”. Set (Safe Sphere is Safe Sensor 83
(Indicating that the output has deviated from 0) is not performed, and the safe fall flag is not set to "1" by mistake when noise occurs in the output signal of the safe sensor. I have.

19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing of the replenishment sensor 211 performed in step S50 of the interruption processing shown in FIGS.

In the replenishment sensor input process, the values of a replenishment sensor rising flag, a replenishment sensor fall flag, and a replenishment H level flag used in a discharge start condition process (FIG. 27) described later are used. Is what you do.

The replenishment sensor 211 detects a shortage of game balls (reserve balls) in the storage tank 201, and the reserved reserve balls
An L level signal is output when the signal is accumulated at the position where the replenishment sensor 211 in the 201 is attached, and an H level signal is output otherwise.

Suppose now that the spare sphere is not filled to the sensor mounting position in the tank 201 (insufficient state).

In this state, the power is turned on to the prize ball discharge control device 600,
When the routine is started, first, in step S5002, the output signal of the sensor 211 becomes H level (supply sensor output =
"1") is determined. In this case, the determination result is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S5004.

By the way, all flags are “0” immediately after the initialization of the MPU620.
Therefore, the determination results in steps S5004 to S5010 are all "No", and in step S5012, the replenishment H level flag is stored to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor was H level in the current loop. Set to “1” and end this routine. Since the supply H level flag is set to "1" in the subsequent loop, steps S5002, S5004, S5006, S5008, and S501 are performed as long as the output signal remains at the H level.
0 will be repeatedly executed.

After that, the replenishment of game balls (reserve balls)
When the spare ball is filled up to the mounting position of the replenishment sensor 211 in 201, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 turns to L level,
If the determination result in step S5002 is "No",
Proceed to S5030 and later.

When step S5030 is performed for the first time, the replenishment H level flag is “1” and all other flags are “0”, so that step S5030 and the next step S5032 are performed.
Are "No", and the subsequent step S5034 is "Yes", and steps S5036 and S5038 are executed.

In step S5036, the replenishment fall change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has changed (falled) from the H level to the L level from the previous loop to the current loop. In step S5038,
The supply H level flag set to “1” in the previous loop is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is L
At the level, the supply fall change flag is set to "1" in step S5036 of the previous loop.
The determination result of S5030 changes to “Yes”. Then, in subsequent steps S5040 to S5046, the replenishment sensor 211 in the storage tank 201
Set the replenishment sensor fall flag to “1” to memorize that the spare ball is filled to the mounting position (step S5040)
At the same time, when the value is "1", a supply sensor start-up flag indicating that there is no prize ball at the mounting position of the sensor 211 (the value is set to "0" when this step is executed for the first time after initialization). ) Is set to "0" (step S5042), the correction fall change flag is reset to "0" (step S5044), and the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 in this loop is at the L level. Is set to "1" (step S5046) to end the routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is at the L level, steps S5002, S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the replenishment sensor fall flag is set to “1” and the replenishment sensor is set to “1”. The rising flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has fallen from the H level to the L level, if the output signal has risen to the H level (Step S5036 was executed in the previous loop and the replenishment fall change occurs). Flag is "1"
And the sensor output is at the H level in the current loop), the determination result in step S5002 is “Yes”, the determination result in step S5004 is “No”, and the determination result in step S5006 is “Yes”. In step S5028, the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop, and set to "1" in the previous loop in step S5029. The supplied fall change flag is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As a result, the supply fall flag is set to "1" unless an H level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the supply sensor 211 falls for at least a predetermined time (at least during the time when the main interrupt process is performed twice). The processing is not performed (indicating that the spare sphere has been filled up to the sensor 211 set position in the storage tank 201) so that it can cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the replenishment sensor. Has become.

Next, let us consider a case where the power is supplied to the prize ball discharge control device 600 in a state where the spare ball is filled up to the sensor 211 mounting position in the storage tank 201, and this routine is started.

First, in step S5002, the output signal of the sensor 211 becomes H
It is determined whether or not the level is (replenishment sensor output = "1"). In this case, the determination result is "No" and step S50 is performed.
Continue to 30.

Immediately after the initialization of the MPU 620, all the flags are set to “0”, so the determination results in steps S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are all “No”, and in step S5054, the output of the replenishment sensor in the current loop The supply L level flag is set to "1" in order to store that the signal is at the L level, and this routine is terminated.

In the subsequent loop, since the supply L level flag is set to "1", steps S5002, S5030, S5032, S5034, and S5048 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal remains at the L level.

Thereafter, when the prize ball is discharged and the position of the spare replenishment sensor 211 in the tank 201 becomes insufficient.
The output signal of 11 becomes H level, the determination result of step S5002 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S5004 and subsequent steps.

When step S5004 is performed for the first time, the supply L level flag is “1” and all other flags are “0”, so that the determination results in step S5004 and the next step S5006 are both “No”, S5008 becomes "Yes", and step S5014 is executed.

In this step S5014, the replenishment rise change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has changed (rising) from the L level to the H level from the previous loop to the current loop. Then, in the following step S5016, the supply L level flag that was set to "1" in the above-described step S5054 until the previous loop is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the supply sensor 211 continues to be H
At the level, since the replenishment start-up change flag is set to "1" in step S5014 of the previous loop, the determination in step S5002 is performed, and then the determination in step S5004 changes to "Yes". And the following steps S5018 to S50
At 24, the replenishment sensor start flag is set to "1" to store that the prize ball has been lost at the replenishment sensor 211 mounting position in the storage tank 201 by the replenishment sensor 211 (step S501).
8) and a replenishment sensor fall flag indicating that there is a prize ball at the sensor mounting position in the storage tank 201 when the value is “1” (“0” when this step is executed for the first time of initialization). Is set to “0” (step S5).
020) Then, the supply start-up change flag is reset to "0" (step S5022), and the supply H level flag is set to "H" to store that the output signal of the supply sensor 211 in this loop is at the H level. 1 "(step S502
4) End this routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 is at the H level, the steps S5002, S5004, S5006, S5008, and S5010 are repeatedly executed. At this time, the replenishment start flag is set to "1" and the replenishment fall The flag is kept at "0".

On the other hand, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has risen from the L level to the H level, if the output signal has fallen to the L level (Step S5014 was executed in the previous loop, the If the flag is “1” and the current loop is at L level,
The determination result of S5002 is “No”, the determination result of step S5030 is “No”, and the determination result of step S5032 is “Yes”. In step S5050, the output signal falls from the previous loop to the current loop. In addition, the supply fall change flag is set to “1” in order to store the
In step 2, the replenishment start-up change flag that was set to "1" during the previous loop is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As described above, unless the H level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the replenishment sensor 211 has risen for at least a predetermined time (at least while this interrupt processing is performed twice), the replenishment start flag is set to “1”. Set (sensor 211 in storage tank 201)
This processing is not performed, which indicates that there is no prize ball at the attachment position, and can cope with a case where noise occurs in the output signal of the supply sensor.

The replenishment sensor rising flag and the replenishment sensor falling flag set to “0” or “1” in this way are the above-described replenishment processing (FIG. 14) executed in step S16 of the main routine (FIG. 13). Used in

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a routine of the input processing of the odd sensor 221 performed in step S52 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 15).

The odd sensor outputs a signal for setting an odd sensor ball presence flag used in a discharge start condition process (FIG. 27) described later, and when a prize ball is sufficiently stored in the guiding gutter 202. (When the reserve balls are stored more than the number of prize balls discharged for two times), the output signal becomes H level, and when the number of spare balls is less than the above number, the output signal becomes L level. .

When this routine is started, first, in step S5200, the output of the odd sensor is at the H level (the odd sensor output = "1").
Is determined.

Now, let us consider a case where the spare spheres are replenished and reach the mounting position from a state where the spare spheres are not stored up to the position where the guide sensor of the guiding gutter 202 is attached to the end sensor.

If the spare ball has not reached the mounting position, the determination result of step S5200 is “No”. At this time, the discrimination flags are all reset to “0” (step in FIG. 13).
In step S5202, the result of the determination in the following step S5202 (whether the odd sensor ball absence flag is “1”) and the determination in the step S5204 (whether the odd ball no-monitoring flag is “1”) are both “No”, The non-monitoring flag is set to “1” (step S5206),
The hemisphere presence monitoring flag is set to “0” (step S520
8) Then, the hemisphere no-timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S5210), and this routine ends.

Here, the hemisphere no-monitoring flag determines whether or not a state in which the spare sphere has not reached the mounting position is detected (step
S5204) is a flag used to determine whether or not the surplus sphere monitoring flag is detected twice consecutively to the mounting position (step S5204).
S5220).

In the next loop, if the spare ball does not accumulate to the mounting position, the determination results in steps S5200 and S5202 are both “No”, and the determination result in step S5204 is “Ye”.
s "and the step S5212 is executed.

In this step S5212, it is further determined whether or not the ballless timer has timed out, that is, a predetermined time after it is first determined that the spare ball has not been accumulated up to the mounting position (after execution of the above-described steps S5206 to S5210). It is determined whether or not (2 sec) has elapsed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5214 and S5216 are skipped, and this routine ends. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S5212 is “Yes”, in a step S5214, the odd sensor ball absence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the spare ball is not accumulated up to the sensor mounting position of the guide gutter 202. Together with the next step S521
At 6, the odd sensor ball presence flag (the initial value is set to "0" when this step is performed for the first time after initialization) is reset (set to "0"), and the routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare ball does not accumulate to the mounting position, the determination result of step S5200 is “No”, and step S520
The result of the determination of 2 is “Yes”, and these steps are repeatedly executed.

From this state, when the reserve balls are accumulated to the mounting position of the half-end sensor 221 of the guide gutter 202 by supplying the game balls to the storage tank 201, the determination result of step S5200 becomes “Yes”. In the following step S5218, the odd sensor ball presence flag for which it is determined whether or not the flag is "1" is still set to the initial value "0" at this point, so the determination result is "No", and the subsequent step S5220 ("Semi-spherical presence monitoring flag" 1 ")" also becomes "No" by executing the above-described step S5208, and the process proceeds to step S5222.

In step S5222, the odd-sphere existence monitoring flag is set to “1”, and in step S5224, the odd-sphere non-existence flag is set to “0”, and the odd-sphere existence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec).
Is set (step S5226), and this routine ends.

In the next loop, if the reserve sphere continues to accumulate at the position where the odd sensor is attached, the determination result of the step S5200 is “Yes”, the determination result of the step S5218 is “No”, and the determination result of the subsequent step S5220 is “ "Yes" (set to "1" in step S5222 of the previous loop), and step S5228 is executed.

In this step S5228, it is further determined whether or not the timer with a ball has timed out, that is, after it is determined for the first time that the spare ball has accumulated up to the mounting position (the aforementioned step S522).
It is determined whether or not a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed (after execution of steps 2 to S5226), and if the determination result is “No”, a succeeding step S52 is performed.
30, the routine skips S5232 and ends. on the other hand,
When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when the predetermined time has elapsed after the spare ball has accumulated at the sensor mounting position, in step S5230, it is indicated that the spare ball has accumulated to the attaching position of the odd sensor 221. The odd sensor ball presence flag is set to “1”, and in the next step S5232, the odd sensor ball absence flag is reset (set to “0”), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the spare sphere is stored up to the odd sensor mounting position in the guiding gutter 202, the determination result of step S5200 is “Yes”, and the determination result of step S5218 is “Yes”. Is repeatedly executed.

As described above, in this input processing, in the loop immediately after the output signal of the odd sensor 221 changes from the L level to the H level (or from the H level to the L level), the change from the L level to the H level (or from the H level). (Change of L level) is stored only (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the next loop is still at H level (or L level), and a predetermined time (2 sec) has elapsed since the change. Only after the elapse of the elapsed time, the odd sensor ball presence flag, which is the final output value of this routine, is changed to "1" (or the odd sensor ball absence flag is set to "1"). By adopting such a control procedure, even when the output signal level of the odd sensor changes instantaneously due to noise or the like, the change is not immediately determined to be a normal change, and the noise occurrence or the like is not determined. Malfunction can be prevented.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the overflow switch 770 performed in step S54 of the interrupt processing (FIG. 15).

The overflow switch (detector) 770 performs the firing motor control process (the second process) performed in step S56 of the interrupt process.
2), for outputting a signal for determining an overflow sphere no flag used in the discharge start condition processing (FIG. 27) described later, etc., and the prize ball in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 is at a certain level. The output signal is H
The level is set to L level when the level is below a certain level.

When this routine is started, first, in step S5400, the output of the detector is at H level (overflow output = "1").
Is determined.

Now, consider a case in which the prize ball is ejected from the state where the prize ball has not reached the mounting position of the overflow switch in the ball discharge gutter 750 and has reached the position of the detector 770 in the ball discharge gutter 750. .

If the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”. At the beginning of this routine, the determination flags are all reset to “0” (the
Since step S2 in FIG. 13 is performed, the determination in the following step S5402 (whether the overflow sphere absence flag is “1”) and the step
S5404 discrimination (Overflow ball non-monitoring flag is "1"
Are both "No", the overflow sphere non-monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S5406), and the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S540).
8) In addition, the overflow sphere no timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec)
Is set (step S5410), and this routine ends.

Here, the overflow ball no-monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not the state where the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector has been detected twice or more continuously (control in step S5404). The overflow ball presence monitoring flag is a flag used to determine whether or not the state where the prize ball has reached the position of the detector is detected two or more times continuously (determination in step S5420).

In the next loop, if the prize ball has not reached the above position, the results of the determinations in steps S5400 and S5402 are both “N”.
o ", the result of the determination made in the following step S5404 is" Yes ", and step S5412 is executed.

In this step S5412, it is determined whether the ballless timer has timed out, that is, after it is first determined that the prize ball has not reached the mounting position of the detector (step S540 described above).
6 to S5410) It is determined whether a predetermined time (2 seconds) has elapsed. If the determination result is "No", the subsequent step S54 is performed.
This routine is terminated by skipping 14, S5416. on the other hand,
When the determination result is “Yes”, in step S5414, the overflow sphere no flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has not reached the position of the detector, and in step S5416, the overflow sphere no flag is set. Yes flag (when this step is performed for the first time after initialization, the initial value is "0"
Is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, unless the prize ball has reached the position of the detector, the determination result of step S5400 is “No”, and step S5
The determination result of 402 becomes “Yes”, and these steps are repeatedly executed.

Next, the prize balls discharged from this state accumulate and the detector
Consider the case where the position reaches 770. At this time, step S
The determination result of 5400 is "Yes", and in a succeeding step S5418, it is determined whether or not the overflow ball presence flag is "1". Since the overflow sphere presence flag has been set to “0” by the previous loop (step S5416).
The result of this determination is “No”. In subsequent step S5420, the result of whether the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is “1” is performed. Since the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is also set to “0” by the previous loop (step S5408), the determination result is "No", the overflow sphere presence monitoring flag is set to "1" (step S5422), and
The overflow sphere no-monitoring flag is set to "0" (step S5424), and the overflow sphere existence timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) (step S5426), and this routine ends.

If the prize ball continues to reach the position of the detector 770 in the next loop, the result of the determination in step S5400 is “Ye
s ", the determination result in step S5418 is" No ", and the determination result in step S5420 is" Yes ", and step S5428 is executed.

In this step S5428, a predetermined time (2 sec) elapses after the ball existence timer has timed out, that is, after it is first determined that the prize ball has reached the above position (after execution of the above-described steps S5422 to S5426). It is determined whether or not the process has been performed. If the determination result is “No”, the subsequent steps S5430 and S5432 are skipped, and the present routine ends. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes”, the overflow ball presence flag is set to “1” to indicate that the prize ball has reached the position of the detector in step S5430, and the overflow ball presence flag is set in the next step S5432. The ball absence flag is reset (set to "0"), and this routine ends.

In the subsequent loop, as long as the prize ball reaches the position of the detector 770 in the prize ball discharge gutter 751, the determination result in step S5400 is “Yes”, and the determination result in step S5418 is “Yes”. Is repeatedly performed.

As described above, in this input processing, as in the case of the safe sensor, in the loop immediately after the output signal changes from the L level to the H level (or from the H level to the L level), the change from the L level to the H level (or Only the change from the H level to the L level is stored (the monitoring flag is set to “1”), and the H level (or the L level) is still maintained in the next loop.
Only after a lapse of a predetermined time (2 sec) from the above change point, the overflow ball presence flag, which is the final output value of this routine, is changed to "1" (or the overflow ball absence flag is set to "1"). I have to. By adopting such a control procedure, even if the output signal level of the overflow changes instantaneously due to nozzle generation or the like, the change is not immediately determined as a normal change, and the change due to the noise generation or the like is not performed. Malfunctions can be prevented.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the firing motor control process performed in step S56 of the interrupt process (FIG. 15).

When this routine is started, first, in step S5600, the touch switch 105a provided on the hit ball firing device 150
It is determined whether or not the flag is "N", that is, whether or not the player is gripping the operation dial 105. In the next step S5602, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned overflow ball absence flag is "1", that is, whether or not the ejection is performed. The detected prize ball is still in the prize ball discharge gutter 751 in the detector 7
It is determined whether it has not reached the 70 mounting position.

If the determination results of these two steps are both “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S5604, and when a stop signal is input from the stop signal transmitting unit 685a of the central management device, the value is set to “1”. It is determined whether or not a later-described hit flag is “1”. Further, when the safe ball release switch 860 is pressed, the value is set to “1”. Is determined.

When the determination results in steps S5600 and S5602 are “Yes” and the determination results in steps S5604 and S5606 are both “No”, it is determined that normal pachinko gaming is possible, and the firing motor 151 is operated. Set the motor control relay (not shown) of the ball launcher 150 to “ON” (step S
5608), this routine is ended, while the aforementioned step S560
When any one of the determination results in steps S5602 and S5602 is “No”, or when any of steps S5604 and S5606 is “Yes”, the motor control relay is turned “OFF” (step S561).
0), end this routine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the safe ball release switch input process performed in step S58 of the interrupt process (FIG. 15).

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S5802 whether or not the safe ball removal flag is “1”. The value of this safe ball removal flag is set to “1” in step S5816 described below when it is confirmed by the present routine that the game store clerk has pressed the safe ball removal switch 860,
The value is reset to "0" when the safe ball removal processing is completed in the safe ball removal processing described later.

When this routine is executed for the first time after the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 is turned on (at this time, the steps of the main routine are executed).
When all the flags are reset to "0" in S2), the determination result in step S5804 is "No", and
Proceeding to S5804, it is determined whether or not the output signal from the safe ball removal switch 860 is at the H level (safe ball removal switch = "1").

First, consider a case where the safe ball release switch 860 has not been pressed yet after the power supply was dropped. In this case, the result of this determination is “No”, and in the next step S5806, the safe ball removal monitoring flag is set to “0”, and this routine ends.

Switch 860 for safe ball removal in the next and subsequent loops
Steps S5802, S5804, and S5806 are repeatedly executed unless is pressed.

When the safe ball release switch is pressed in such a state, the result of the determination in step S5804 changes to "Yes", and the processing in step S5808 and thereafter is executed.

First, in step S5808, it is determined whether the safe ball removal monitoring flag is “1”. This flag is set to "0" in step S5806 performed when the safe ball release switch is not pressed, so that the determination result is "No".
In step S5810, the safe ball removal monitoring flag is set to "1", and the count value of the safe ball removal timer used for determination in step S5814 described below is set to a predetermined time (for example, 50 msec). (Step S5812) This routine ends.

In the next and subsequent loops, since the safe ball removal monitoring flag is set to “1” in step S5810, the determination result in step S5808 becomes “Yes” and step S5814
Proceed to. In step S5814, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal timer has timed out at this time. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the safe ball release switch is pressed (after the determination result of step S5804 becomes "Yes" for the first time), the determination result becomes "No", and the predetermined time elapses thereafter. Until steps S5802, S5804, S5808,
S5814 will be repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, when the predetermined time elapses (the determination result in step S5814 is “Yes”), in step S5816, the safe ball removal flag is set to “1” to memorize that the safe ball removal switch has been pressed. The safe ball removal monitoring flag, which has been set to "1" until now, is reset to "0", and this routine ends.

Once the safe ball removal flag is set to "1" in this manner, in the subsequent loop, the above steps are performed until the flag is reset to "0" in the safe ball removal process (FIG. 36) described later. The determination result of S5802 becomes "Yes", and this routine ends as it is.

Also in this routine, the safe ball removal flag is set to "1" unless the state of the H level is continuously detected for the predetermined time or more after the output signal from the safe ball removal switch becomes H level (safety removal). The processing is not performed (indicating that the ball release switch has been pressed). If noise is generated in the processing system of the output signal of the safe ball release switch, or if a game store clerk accidentally performs The safe ball removal flag is not set to “1” when the ball removal switch is momentarily pressed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a hitting signal input process performed in step S60 of the interrupting process (FIG. 15).

In the hit signal input processing, whether a command signal (hit signal) for putting the gaming machine into the hit state is actually generated from the hit signal transmitting unit 685a of the central management apparatus (not shown) of the game store ( This is a process for detecting whether or not the H level has been reached. When the generation of the stop signal is confirmed by this routine, the value of the stop flag is set to "1" in step S6016 described later. The value of the hit flag is reset to "0" when the occurrence of the hit release signal described later is confirmed in the hit release signal input processing (FIG. 25) described later. I have. The hitting signal is transmitted by a microcomputer (not shown) of the central management device, that is, the microcomputer controls various types of game status such as the number of prize balls supplied to the pachinko game machine and the number of prize balls discharged. It is designed to transmit based on data.

Hereinafter, such processing will be described with reference to a flowchart.

When this routine is started, first, it is determined in step S6002 whether or not the stop flag is “1”.

This hit flag is reset to “0” when this routine is executed for the first time after turning on the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 (in step S2 of the main routine), so that the determination result is “No”. Proceeding to step S6004, it is determined whether the stop signal is at the H level (stop signal = "1").

Suppose now that the stop signal transmitting unit has not yet transmitted the stop signal of the H level after the power supply was dropped. In this case, the determination result in step S6004 is "No", and in the next step S6006, the stop monitoring flag is set to "0", and this routine ends.

The steps S6802, S6004, and S6006 will be repeatedly executed in the next and subsequent loops unless an H-level stop signal is transmitted.

When a stop signal of H level is transmitted from the stop signal transmitting unit 685a in this state (stop signal = "1"), the result of the determination in step S6004 changes to "Yes", and step S6008 is performed.
The following processing is executed.

First, in step S6008, it is determined whether the stop monitoring flag is "1". Since this flag is set to “0” in step S6006 performed before the H-level stop signal is transmitted, the determination result in step S6008 is “No” and the process proceeds to step S6010. become. In step S6010, the stop monitoring flag is set to “1”,
Next, the process proceeds to step S6012, in which the count value of the hit monitoring timer used for determination in step S6014 described later is set to a predetermined time (for example, 50 msec), and this routine ends.

In the next and subsequent loops, when the stop signal transmitting unit 685a is continuously transmitting the stop signal at the H level, the determination result in step S6004 is “Yes”, and the determination result in step S6008 is “Yes” ( At this time, the execution of step S6010 determines that the hit monitoring flag is set to "1", and the process proceeds to step S6014. In step S6014, it is determined whether or not the stop monitoring timer set in step S6012 has expired by this time.
After the H level stop signal is detected for the first time (step S6
If the determination result of 004 is "Yes" for the first time), the determination result is "No" if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed.
And thereafter, until a predetermined time elapses, in step S6002,
S6004, S6008, and S6014 are repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, when the predetermined time has elapsed (the determination result of step S6014 is “Yes”), the process proceeds to step S6016 and thereafter, and H
The stop flag is set to “1” to store that the level stop signal has been transmitted (step S6016), and then the stop monitoring flag that has been set to “1” to this point is set to “0”. It is reset (step S6018), and furthermore, the hit release flag, the value of which is set in the hit release signal input processing (FIG. 25) described later, is reset to “0” (step S6020), and this routine ends. I do.

Once the stop flag is set to "1" in this manner, in the subsequent loop, the flag is reset to "0" in a stop release signal input process (FIG. 25) described later. Until the determination in step S6002 is "Yes", the routine ends.

Also in this routine, the process of setting the stop flag to "1" unless the state of the H level is continuously detected for the predetermined time or more after the output signal from the stop signal transmitting unit 685a becomes H level. Is not performed,
The stop flag is not set to "1" by mistake when noise occurs in the processing system such as the stop signal transmission unit.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a hit release signal input process performed in step S62 of the interrupt process (FIG. 15).

In the hit release signal input processing, a command signal (hit release signal) for releasing the gaming machine from the hit state from the hit release signal transmitting unit 685b of the central management device (not shown) of the game store is actually provided. This is a process for detecting whether or not an occurrence has occurred (it has become H level). When the occurrence of the cancellation release signal is confirmed by this routine, the value of the cancellation release flag is set to “1” in step S6216 described later. Is set to " The stop release flag is used in the stop signal input processing (FIG. 24) as described above.
When the occurrence of the stop signal is confirmed at step, the value is reset to “0”. The hit release signal is sent by a microcomputer (not shown) of the central control unit, that is, when the microcomputer satisfies predetermined conditions based on various data relating to pachinko gaming machines, or This signal is transmitted when a stop release command is operated by a central management device (not shown).

Hereinafter, such processing will be described with reference to a flowchart.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S6202 whether or not the hit release flag is “1”.

The hit release flag is reset to “0” when the present routine is executed for the first time after turning on the power of the prize ball discharge control device 600 (in step S2 of the main routine), so that the determination result is “No”. Then, the process proceeds to step S6204, and it is determined whether the stop release signal is at the H level (stop release signal = "1").

Suppose now that a pachinko gaming machine has been hit and a hit release signal for canceling the hit has not yet been transmitted (if the signal has not reached H level). In this case, the determination result of step S6204 is “No”
In the next step S6206, the hit release monitoring flag is set to "0", and this routine ends.

In the next and subsequent loops as well, unless the H level stop release signal is transmitted, the above steps S6802, S6204, S6206
Is repeatedly executed.

In this state, when a stop release signal of H level is transmitted from the stop release signal transmitter 685b (the stop release signal =
“1”), the result of the determination in step S6204 changes to “Yes”, and the processes in and after step S6208 are executed.

First, in step S6208, the stop release monitoring flag is set to “1”.
Is determined. This flag is set before the H-level stop release signal is transmitted.
Since “0” is set in 6, the determination result in step S6208 is “No”, and the flow advances to step S6210. In step S6210, the stop release monitoring flag is set to "1".
Then, the process proceeds to step S6212 to set the count value of the hit release monitoring timer used for determination in step S6214 described later to a predetermined time (for example, 50 msec), and ends this routine.

In the next and subsequent loops, the stop release signal transmitter 68
If 5b is transmitting the H-level stop release signal, the determination result of the step S6204 is "Yes", and the step S62
The determination result of step 08 is "Yes" (at this time, the execution of step S6210 sets the stop release monitoring flag to "1"), and the flow advances to step S6214. In step S6214, it is determined whether the stop release monitoring timer set in step S6212 has expired by this time. If the predetermined time has not yet elapsed after the H-level hit release signal is detected for the first time (after the determination result of step S6204 is "Yes" for the first time), the determination result is "No", Until the time elapses, steps S6202, S6204, S6208, and S6214 are repeatedly executed.

Thereafter, when the predetermined time has elapsed (the determination result of step S6214 is “Yes”), the process proceeds to step S6216 and the subsequent steps.
The stop release flag is set to "1" to store that the level stop release signal has been transmitted (step S6216), and then the stop release monitoring flag which has been set to "1" up to this point is set to "1". It is reset to "0" (step S6218), and further, the setting flag whose value is set to "1" in the setting signal input processing (FIG. 24) is reset to "0" (step S622).
0), end this routine.

Once the hit release flag is set to "1" in this manner, in a subsequent loop, the value of the flag is reset to "0" in the above-described hit signal input processing (FIG. 24). Until the determination in step S6202 is "Yes", the routine ends.

Also in this routine, after the output signal from the stop release signal transmission unit 685b becomes H level, the stop release flag is set to “1” unless the state of the H level is continuously detected for the predetermined time or more. Is not performed, so that the noise canceling flag is not set to "1" by mistake when noise occurs in the processing system such as the noise canceling signal transmission unit. ing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of the position sensor 840 performed in step S64 of the interrupt processing shown in FIG.

As described above, the position sensor 840 is connected to the safe ball outlet gutter 820.
Of is for detecting the rotational state of the rotary member 822 provided on the safe ball rotation processing unit 821, any one of the installed reflector 822 _{1-822 4} to the rotating body 822 and the detection unit 840a of the position sensor An H-level signal is output when they face each other (at this time, the downstream open end of the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter is closed by the circumferential portion of the rotating body), and otherwise the L-level signal is output. It is configured to output a signal.

Incidentally, the rotator 822 in the rotation processing unit 821 is rotated by the safe motor 823 when the output signal of the position sensor is at the L level, as performed in steps S20 to S24 of the main routine described above. Is controlled so that the rotation is stopped when the output signal of H. has become H level (this processing is also performed in the discharge processing described later). When a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when a safe ball is detected), the rotator 822 is forcibly rotated by the safe motor, and the output level of the sensor temporarily becomes L level. The rotation of the rotating body by the safe motor is continued until the output level of the sensor becomes the H level.

It is assumed that this routine is started in a state where the rotating body 822 is not rotating.

When the present routine is started, first, in step S6402, it is determined whether or not the output signal of the sensor 840 is at the H level (position sensor output = "1"). In this case, the determination result is “Yes” and the process proceeds to step S6404 and subsequent steps.

In step S6404, it is determined whether the position rise change flag is "1". In step S6406, it is determined whether the position rise change flag is "1". In step S6408, the position L level flag is "1". In step S6410, it is sequentially determined whether or not the position H level flag is “1”.

By the way, all flags are “0” immediately after the initialization of the MPU620.
, The determination results in steps S6404 to S6410 are all “No”, and in step S6412, the position H level flag is set to store that the output signal of the position sensor was H level in the current loop. Set to “1” and end this routine.

In the subsequent loop, since the position H level flag is set to "1", steps S6402, S6404, S6406, S6408, and S6410 are repeatedly executed as long as the output signal remains at the H level.

Thereafter, in the pachinko game, predetermined game conditions (such as a start condition of a prize ball discharge process corresponding to the safe ball) are satisfied, and the safe motor 823 is rotated, and the detecting unit 840a of the position sensor shown in FIG. Is no longer opposed to the reflector of the rotating body 822 (the output signal changes to the L level at this time), the determination result in step S6402 changes to "No", and step S6
Proceed to 430 or later.

In step S6430, it is determined whether the position fall change flag is "1". In step S6432, it is determined whether the position rise change flag is "1". In step S6434, the position H level flag is "1". In step S6448, it is determined whether or not the position L level flag is “1”.

By the way, when the step S6430 is first performed, the position H level flag is still set to "1" and the other flags are still set to "0". Therefore, both the determination results of the step S6430 and the step S6432 are " No ", and the subsequent step S6434 becomes" Yes ", and steps S6436 and S6438 are executed.

In step S6436, the position fall change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the position sensor 840 has changed (falled) from the H level to the L level from the previous loop to the current loop. In step S6438, the position H level flag set to “1” in the previous loop is set to “0”.
And the routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the position sensor 840 remains low.
At the level, the position fall change flag is set to “1” in step S6436 of the previous loop.
Step S6440 and subsequent steps in which the determination result of S6430 is “Yes”
S6446 is executed.

First, in step S6440, the rotating body of the safe ball rotation processing unit is brought to a position where the detecting unit of the sensor and the reflector of the rotating body are opposed to each other by rotation by the safe motor (hereinafter, simply referred to as “reference position”). The position sensor OFF flag is set to "1" to indicate that the rotating body is not present (step S6440), and when the value is "1", the position sensor ON flag indicating that the rotating body is at the reference position is set to "0". Set (Step
(S6442) Then, the position fall change flag is reset to "0" (step S6444), and the position L level flag is set to "L" to store that the output signal of the position sensor 840 in this loop is L level. 1 "(Step S6
446) End this routine.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the position sensor 840 is at the L level, the above steps S6402, S6430, S6432, and S6434 are “No”, and in the subsequent S6448, it is determined whether or not the position L level flag is “1” ( The result of the determination is "Yes"), and this routine ends. The determinations in steps S6402 to S6448 are repeatedly executed until the output signal of the position sensor becomes H level. At this time, the position sensor OFF flag is held at "1" and the position sensor ON flag is held at "0". .

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the position sensor 840 has fallen from the H level to the L level, if the output signal has risen to the H level (step S6436 was executed in the previous loop and the position fall) If the change flag is “1” and the sensor output is at the H level in the current loop), the determination result of step S6402 is “Yes”, and step S6404
Is “No”, and the determination in step S6406 is “Yes”.
In step S6426, the position rise change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal has risen from the previous loop to the current loop. The position fall change flag set to “1” is returned to “0”, and this routine ends.

As a result, after the output signal of the position sensor 840 falls, H
Unless the level status is detected for a predetermined time or longer (at least while this interrupt processing is performed twice), the position sensor is turned off.
The process of setting the flag to “1” is not performed, and if the output signal of the position sensor suddenly falls due to noise in the output signal, the position sensor is erroneously turned off.
The flag is not set to "1".

Next, consider a case where the rotation of the rotating body 822 by the safe motor is continued, and the detection unit 840a of the position sensor comes to face a reflector next to the reflector that was facing before. .

In this case, the result of the determination in step S6402 (determination whether or not the output signal of the position sensor 840 is at the H level) is “Yes”
And the process proceeds to step S6404 and thereafter.

At this time, as described above, the position rise change flag is "0" (the value of the flag is "1" only in the loop immediately after rising from the L level to the H level), and the position fall change flag is changed. Since the flag is “0” (the value of the flag is “1” only in the loop immediately after falling from the H level to the L level), and the position L level flag is “1”, the step S6404
The determination results in the next step S6406 are both “No”, and the subsequent step S6408 is “Yes”, and step S6414 is executed.

In this step S6414, the position rise change flag is set to "1" in order to store that the output signal of the position sensor 840 has changed (rising) from the L level to the H level from the previous loop to the current loop. Then, in the subsequent step S6416, the position L level flag set to "1" in step S6446 or step S6454 is reset to "0" by the previous loop, and this routine ends.

In the next loop, the output signal of the position sensor 840 remains H
At the level, since the position rise change flag is set to “1” in step S6414 of the previous loop, the determination in step S6402 is performed, and then the determination result in step S6404 changes to “Yes”, and the subsequent step S6418 To S6424 are executed.

First, in step S6418, the position sensor ON flag is set to “1” to indicate that the rotating body has reached the reference position by the rotation of the rotating body by the safe motor (step S641).
8) At the same time, the position sensor OFF flag previously set to “1” is set to “0” (step S6420), and subsequently, the position start-up change flag is reset to “0” (step S6422). At the same time, the position H level flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal of the position sensor 840 in this loop is at the H level (step S6424), and this routine ends.

Thereafter, as long as the output signal of the position sensor 840 is at the H level, the steps S6402, S6406, S6406, S6408, and S6410 are repeatedly executed.
The flag is held at "1" and the position sensor OFF flag is held at "0".

On the other hand, in a loop immediately after the output signal of the position sensor 840 rises from the L level to the H level, if the output signal falls to the L level (step S6414 was executed in the previous loop and the position rise change). If the flag is “1” and the output signal of the current loop is at L level), the determination result of step S6402 is “No”, and step S6430
Is "No", and the determination in step S6432 is "Yes".
In step S6450, the position fall change flag is set to “1” in order to store that the output signal has fallen from the previous loop to the current loop, and
In step S6452, the position start-up change flag set to "1" in the previous loop is returned to "0", and this routine ends.

As described above, the position sensor ON flag is set to “1” unless the H level state is detected for a predetermined time or more after the output signal of the position sensor 840 has risen (at least during the time when this interrupt processing is performed twice). The setting process is not performed, and if the output signal of the position sensor suddenly rises due to noise in the output signal,
The ON flag is not set to "1".

Position sensor set to “0” or “1” in this way
The ON flag and the position sensor OFF flag are used in the processing of steps S20 to S24 of the main routine (FIG. 13), the discharge processing (FIG. 31) described later, and the like.

Next, the procedure of the prize ball discharge control performed in steps S32, S34 and S36 of the main routine (FIG. 13) will be described.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge start condition process executed in step S32 of the above-described main routine (FIG. 13).

As described above, this routine is executed when a safe ball is detected by the safe sensor 830 (at this time, the processing NO is “1”).
Is set to start).

When this routine is started, first, in step S90, it is determined whether or not the replenishment H level flag set in the replenishment sensor input process (FIG. 19) is "1", that is, whether the guiding gutter 20 is set.
It is determined whether or not the spare ball has sufficiently accumulated up to the position where the supply sensor 2 is attached. Next, in step S92, it is determined whether or not the odd sensor sphere flag set in the above-mentioned odd sensor input processing (FIG. 20) is "1", that is, whether a spare ball is accumulated at the odd sensor mounting position of the guide gutter 202. Then, in step S94, it is determined whether or not the overflow ball absence flag set in the overflow switch input process (FIG. 21) is "1", that is, the discharged prize ball is discharged as a prize ball. It is determined whether the overflow switch 770 in the gutter 751 has not reached the mounting position.

When these three determination results are all "No", the safe motor 823 is turned ON to start the rotation of the rotating body 822 stopped at the reference position by executing steps S20 to S24 of the main routine described above ( Step S96) Next, a process for starting the later-described discharge start process (FIG. 28)
NO is set to "2" and this routine ends.

On the other hand, when any one of the determinations in steps S90 to S94 is "Yes", it is determined that the gaming machine is not in a state in which the prize ball should be discharged, and the steps S96 and S98 are skipped and this routine is executed. To end. As described above, the processing NO is not set to "2" until all of the conditions of steps S90 to S94 are satisfied (the processing NO is held at "1" at this time), and therefore, the discharge start processing described later is not executed during this time. It has become.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process executed in step S34 of the main routine (FIG. 13) of the prize ball discharge control device described above.

This subroutine is the discharge start condition processing (FIG. 27).
In discharging a predetermined number of prize balls performed once for one safe ball, the predetermined number (prize ball setting number) of two prize balls are provided. The first and second prize ball outlet gutters 710, 710 (FIG. 4, FIG. 6)
Of the prize ball according to the above-mentioned mode, the discharge mode is determined in advance such as how many are discharged from one side and how many are discharged from the other side, and the discharge solenoid 1 and / or the discharge solenoid 2 are excited (ON). This is to start discharging.

When this routine is started, it is determined in step S104 whether or not the safe fall flag is “1”. The value of the safe fall flag is set to “1” when it is determined in the safe sensor input process of FIG. 18 that the safe ball has fallen out of the safe sensor 830. This flow is started when the safe sensor ON flag indicating that the safe ball has entered the safe sensor is "1". Therefore, if the result of this determination is "No", it means that the safe ball is not in the sensor. Means that the sensor has not come out of the sensor yet. Therefore, in such a case, steps S106 to S151 are continued until the determination result turns to “Yes”.
Skip and end this routine.

On the other hand, when the determination result in step S104 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S106, in which the prize ball set number stored in advance in the prize ball setter 530 (FIG. 12) connected to the prize ball discharge control device 600 is used. It is set in the discharge register 0, and it is determined in step S108 whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 is "1", and in the following step S110, whether or not the value of the discharge register 0 is "8" or less. Is done.

When the result of the determination in step S108 is "Yes", that is, when the value of the discharge register 0 is "1", the one discharge flag is set to "1".
(Step S112), the alternate discharge flag is set to “0” (step S114), and the one-discharge processing described below (the thirty-second
1) is set to a predetermined value (step S116), and the inversion flag process of step S122 is performed.

Here, the one-discharge flag and the alternate discharge flag described above are set in the discharge process (the thirty-first process) performed subsequently to this routine.
The prize ball discharge mode of FIG. 3 is described below in one of three modes (one discharge process of discharging only one game ball by operating one of the discharge solenoids 1 and 2); the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are alternately operated. This is a discrimination flag used when selecting from alternate discharge processing for discharging the game balls by causing the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 to be simultaneously operated to discharge the game balls.
When the individual ejection flag is set to “1”, one-piece ejection processing (when the number of set prize balls is 1) is performed. Are 2 to 8), and when both flags are set to "0", the combined discharge processing (the number of award balls set is 9 to 15) is performed.

Returning to FIG. 28, the result of the determination in step S108 is “N
o ", when the determination result in step S110 is" Yes ", that is, when the value of the discharge / discharge register 0 is a value of" 2 "or more and" 8 "or less, the single discharge flag is set to" 0 "(step
(S118), and set the alternate discharge flag to “1” (step S1).
20), the inversion flag processing of step S122 is performed.

This reversal flag processing is performed when one prize ball is discharged by one discharge processing or alternate discharge processing, and the discharge solenoid 1 of the first prize ball discharge device 740 and the discharge solenoid 2 of the second prize ball discharge device 740 The value of the “reversal flag” provided to alternately operate the solenoid is alternately reversed every time the solenoid is operated. As shown in FIG. 29, the reversal flag is set to “ 1 "(corresponding to the discharge solenoid 2) (the determination result of step S8001 is" Yes ")
Is inverted to "0" (step S8002), while, when the inversion flag is "0" (corresponding to the discharge solenoid 1) (the determination result in step S8001 is "No"), it is inverted to "1". (Step S8003).

When this inversion flag processing (step S122) ends,
In step S124, it is determined whether or not the inversion flag is “0”. When the determination result is “Yes”, the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON) to discharge the prize ball by the first prize ball discharge device 740 (step S126), while the determination result in step S124 is “ If the result is "No", the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON) to discharge the prize ball by the second prize ball discharge device 740 (step S128), and the process proceeds to step S144 and later described later.

When both the determination results of the steps S108 and S110 are “No”, that is, when the number of awarded ball discharges is 9 or more, after performing a discharge number dividing process (FIG. 30) described later (step S13).
0) The single discharge flag is set to “0” (step S13)
2), and set the alternate discharge flag to “0” (step S13)
4) Further, the values of the discharge 1 end flag and the discharge 2 end flag used in the combined discharge processing described later are reset to “0” (steps S136 and S138), and both the discharge solenoid 1 and the discharge solenoid 2 are excited. (ON) (steps S140 and S142), and the process proceeds to step S144 and subsequent steps.

In step S144, the discharge weight flag set to "1" is reset to "0" when the predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged in a discharge process described later. Next step S146
Then, at the end of each of the three processes (one-discharge process, alternate discharge process, and combined discharge process) performed in the discharge process (FIG. 31), the discharge end flag set to “1” is reset to “0”. Then, in step S148, the safe lamp is turned on (ON) to indicate that the prize ball discharging process is currently being executed. In the next step S150, step S2 of the discharging process described later
The discharge timer used to determine 24 is a predetermined value (for example, 500m
sec), the process number (process NO) described above is set to “3” in step S151, and then this routine ends.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge number dividing process executed in step S130 of the discharge start process (FIG. 28).

This routine is a process to be performed only when the prize balls are discharged in a combined discharge process described later (when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is 9 or more and 15 or less). This is because in the combined discharge process, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are simultaneously operated in one control loop, so the value previously stored in the discharge register 0 is divided into two and the two discharge registers 1 and 2 are used.
2 are stored separately. And these two
The discharge solenoids 1, 2 are independently operated in accordance with the values of the two discharge registers 1, 2.

When this routine is started, whether the value of the discharge register is “9” (step S152), whether it is “10” (step S154) is sequentially determined in steps S152 to S162.
Whether it is “11” (step S156), whether it is “12” (step S158), whether it is “13” (step S156)
S160), it is determined whether or not “14” (step S162).

If the determination result of step S152 is "Yes", the value of the discharge register 1 is set to "5" in step S164, and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "4" in step S166. To end.

Thereafter, when the determination result of step S154 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "5" (steps S168 and S170), and when the determination result of step S156 is "Yes", the discharge is performed. The value of the register 1 is set to "6" (step S172), and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "5".
(Step S174). When the result of the determination in step S158 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "6" (steps S176 and S178), and the result of the determination in step S160 is If “Yes”, the value of the discharge register 1 is set to “7” (step S180), and the value of the discharge register 2 is set to “6” (step S182).
When the determination result of step S162 is "Yes", the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 are both set to "7" (step S184,
Step S186), respectively, ends this routine.

On the other hand, when all of the determination results in steps S152 to S162 are “No”, the value of the discharge register 1 is set to “8”.
(Step S188), the value of the discharge register 2 is set to "7" (step S190), and this routine is terminated.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharging process executed when the process NO is “3” in the main routine (FIG. 13) performed by the MPU 620 of the award ball discharging control device described above.

When this routine is started, first, in step S202, it is determined whether or not the discharge weight flag is “1”. This discharge weight flag is set to "1" in step S230 described later, and is reset to "0" in the above-described discharge start processing. When the value is "1", the discharge weight flag corresponds to one safe ball. This indicates that a predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged (the number of discharged prize balls).

When the determination result is “No”, it is determined whether or not the one-discharge flag whose value is set based on the winning ball set number in the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 28) is “1” (step S20
4) It is determined whether or not the alternate discharge flag whose value is set according to the set number of prize balls is "1" (step S206).

When the result of the determination in step S204 is "Yes", that is, when the set number of prize balls (discharge register 0) is "1", the flow proceeds to step S208, and a one-discharge process (described in detail below) is performed.
After the prize ball is discharged according to FIG.

If the decision result in the step S204 is "No",
When the determination result of 206 is “Yes”, that is, when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is “2” or more and “8” or less, the process proceeds to Step S210.
After discharging the prize ball according to FIG. 33), the process proceeds to step S222 and subsequent steps.

When both the determination results in the step S204 and the step S206 are “No”, that is, when the set number of prize balls (the value of the discharge register 0) is “9” or more, the process proceeds to the step S212, and the details will be described later. After the prize ball is discharged according to FIG. 34), the process proceeds to step S222 and subsequent steps.

In step S222, it is determined whether or not the discharge end flag is “1”. This discharge end flag is set in step S208
When the discharge of a predetermined number (the set number of prize balls) of prize balls corresponding to one safe ball is completed in any one of the single discharge processing, the alternate discharge processing, and the combined discharge processing performed in step S212. The value is set to "1" and reset to "0" in the discharge start process (28th). Therefore, when the determination result is “No”, the process proceeds to step S224, and a predetermined value (for example,
It is determined whether or not the discharge timer set at 500 msec has expired.

In the normal operation state of the pachinko gaming machine, the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls is completed before the timer expires, and thus the determination result of step S222 turns to "Yes". Until this determination is "No", this routine ends.

When the predetermined number of prize balls have been discharged and the determination result of step S222 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S227 and thereafter.
First, the safe motor 823 is used to hold the rotating motion of the rotating body 822.
To ON (step S227) and turn off the safe lamp (OF
F) (Step S228), the discharge wait timer is set to a predetermined time (for example, 400 msec) (Step S229), and the discharge wait flag is set to “1” (Step S230).
This routine ends.

On the other hand, if the discharge timer times out before the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls is completed (the determination result of step S224 is "Yes"), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the discharge control system of the prize balls and step S226 is performed. Proceed to the safe ball rotation processing unit 821
To stop the rotation of the rotating body 822
Turn off and end this routine. As described above, when the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls is not completed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the rotating body 822 of the safe ball rotation processing unit is stopped to collect the safe balls whose predetermined number of prize balls have not been discharged. The release operation to the gutter (not shown) is stopped, and therefore the safe sphere in which the prize ball is not properly discharged at the time of occurrence of the abnormality,
Further, a safe ball subsequent to the safe ball is stored in the safe ball outlet gutter 820 so that the player is not disadvantaged by stopping the game when the abnormality occurs.

If the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls is completed before the discharge timer expires and the discharge wait flag is once set to "1" in step S230, the determination result in step S202 changes to "Yes". Then, the processing after step S214 is executed.

First, in step S214, it is determined whether or not the time of the discharge wait timer has expired, and the result of this determination is "No", that is, the predetermined time set in the discharge wait timer after the discharge of the predetermined number of prize balls has been completed. If not, the position sensor ON flag is set to "1" in step S216.
Is determined. If the determination result is “No”, that is, if the rotating body 822 that has started rotating by the operation of the safe motor 823 turned on in the discharge start condition process (FIG. 27) has not yet rotated to the reference position, it remains unchanged. This routine ends. On the other hand, the rotating body 822 is
If the safe motor is turned to the reference position in step S23 (the determination result in step S216 is "Yes"), the safe motor is turned off in step S218, and the routine ends.

Thereafter, steps S202, S214, S216, S218 are repeatedly executed until the discharge weight timer times out,
When the discharge wait timer times out (step
The determination result of S214 is “Yes”), and it is determined that the ejection processing of all the prize balls corresponding to one safe ball has been completed and the step is performed.
In S220, the process NO is reset to "0", and this routine ends. Since the predetermined value of the discharge wait timer is set to a value sufficient for rotating the rotating body 822 to the reference position, the determination in step S214 is made before the determination result in step S216 turns to "Yes". The result does not turn to “Yes”.

FIG. 32 shows step S2 of the above-described discharge processing (FIG. 31).
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of one piece discharge processing performed in 08.

As described above, this routine is a process that is performed only when the number of prize balls to be ejected (award ball set number) is “1”.

When this routine is started, it is determined in step S232 whether or not the one-discharge timer set to a predetermined value in step S116 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 28) has expired.

The one-discharge timer activates the discharge solenoid 1 or 2 and then activates the first and second flow-down preventing portions 745 and 745 entering the first and second prize-ball deriving gutters 710 and 710 (see FIG. 7). However, it is set to a time (about 35 msec) until only one prize ball flows down from the outlet gutters 710, 710 actually. Therefore, when the one-discharge timer has not yet timed out (the determination result is “No”), the subsequent steps S234 to S240 are skipped, this routine ends, and when the time is up (the determination result is “Yes”). In step (2), it is determined that one piece has been discharged.
Proceed to 34.

In step S234, it is determined whether or not the inversion flag at this time is "1". If the determination result is "No", the discharge excited in step S126 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 28) is performed. Demagnetize (OFF) solenoid 1 (step S23)
6) If “Yes”, step S of the discharge start process
The discharge solenoid 2 excited at 128 is demagnetized (OFF) (step S238), and the process proceeds to step S240, where the discharge end flag is set to "1" to indicate that the discharge of the prize ball by this process has been completed. Then, this routine ends.

FIG. 33 shows step S210 of the above-described discharge processing (FIG. 31).
5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an alternate discharge process performed by the subroutine.

As described above, this routine is a process performed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (award ball setting number) is equal to or more than “2” and equal to or less than “8”. In this routine, the first and second routines described above are performed.
The prize balls are discharged by alternately using the prize ball discharging devices 740 and 740 of the prize ball.

When this routine is started, first, the discharge start processing (first
It is determined whether or not the inversion flag set in step S122 of FIG. 28) is “0” (step S252).

When the determination result is “Yes”, the first prize ball discharging device
The prize ball discharging process by the 740 (steps S254 to S264) is performed, while when the determination result is “No”, the prize ball discharging process by the second prize ball discharging device 740 (steps S266 to S264).
274, S264).

First, in step S254, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 1 startup flag is "1". The result of this determination is “No”
That is, if the discharge sensor 1 has not yet detected the discharge of the prize ball after the discharge solenoid 1 has been excited (ON) in step S126 of the above-described discharge start processing (FIG. 28), the subsequent steps S256 to S264 are skipped. Then, this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the determination result of step S254 is "Yes", the value of the discharge register 0 at this time is subtracted by 1 (step S256), and the discharge sensor 1 start flag is set to "0".
(Step S258), and the process proceeds to step S260.

In step S260, it is determined whether or not the subtracted value is "1". If the result is "No", that is, if the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON), the value is discharged from the first prize ball discharge device. If it is determined that the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 1 has not reached the “prize ball set number−1”, the subsequent steps S262 and S264 are skipped, and the present routine ends.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S260 is “Yes”, that is,
Excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 1 in the above-mentioned discharge start processing
When the discharge sensor 1 detects the number of prize balls of “the number of set prize balls−1”, the discharge sensor 1 determines that the discharge of the prize balls for the set number of prize balls has been completed. In step S262, the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OFF). In step S264, the discharge end flag is set to "1", and this routine ends.

By the way, as described above, when the number of prize balls of "the set number of prize balls-1" is detected by the discharge sensor 1, it is considered that all the prize balls of the "set number of prize balls" are discharged. For reasons. That is, immediately before the discharge solenoid 1 is energized (ON) in step S126 of the discharge start processing, as shown in FIG.
Th prize balls B ₂ is positioned (at this time the output level of the H level). Only then the sensor when the seventh figure third prize balls B ₃ has reached the discharge sensor 1 by the excitation of the discharge solenoid 1 detects that the prize balls is one discharged. Thus, for example, when the prize ball by the sensor is immediately deenergized exhaust solenoid 1 after being detected 1 (prize balls B ₃ passes through the sensor, the discharge is blocked by the flow-down preventing member 745), two prize The spheres B ₁ and B ₂ are sphere outgoing troughs
Will be discharged to the side. Therefore, in the alternate discharge process and the combined discharge process described later, the discharge process is performed by counting the rising of the discharge sensor by "the number of prize balls set -1" which is one less than the discharge number (the set number of prize balls). The prize balls for the set number of prize balls are discharged.

Returning to FIG. 33, the result of the determination in step S252 is “N
o ", that is, the process performed when the inversion flag is" 1 ",
First, in step S266, it is determined whether or not the discharge sensor 2 startup flag is "1". If the result of this determination is “No”, that is, the discharge of the prize ball has not yet been detected by the discharge sensor 2 even though the discharge of the prize ball has been started by the excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 2 in the above-described discharge start process. ,
Subsequent steps S268 to S274 and the aforementioned steps
Skip S264 and end this routine.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S266 is "Yes", that is, it is confirmed by the ejection sensor 2 that the prize ball has reached the inside of the sensor (the ejection sensor 2 startup flag is "1"), the current The value of the discharge register 0 is subtracted by 1 (step S268), the discharge sensor 2 start flag is reset to “0” (step S270), and the process proceeds to step S272.

In step S272, it is determined whether or not the subtracted value is "1". If the result is "No", that is, if the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON), the value is discharged from the second prize ball discharge device. If it is determined that the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 2 has not reached the “prize ball set number−1”, the step S274 and the step S264 are skipped, and this routine ends.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S272 is “Yes”, that is,
Excitation (ON) of the discharge solenoid 2 in the above-mentioned discharge start processing
When the discharge sensor 2 detects a prize ball of “prize ball set number−1”, the discharge of the prize ball is started.
It is considered that the discharge of the prize balls of the set number of prize balls has been completed, and the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OF) in step S274.
F) Then, the process proceeds to step S264 to set the discharge end flag to “1”, and then ends this routine.

By the way, also in the discharging process of the second prize ball discharging device 740 side, as described above, when the prize balls of the number of “prize ball set number−1” are detected by the discharge sensor 2, the “prize ball set number” The reason why all the prize balls are considered to have been discharged is the same as the reason described in the discharge processing of the first prize ball discharge device 740 side.

FIG. 34 shows step S2 of the above-described discharge processing (FIG. 31).
13 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a combined discharge process performed in step S12.

As described above, this routine is executed when the number of prize balls to be ejected (a set number of prize balls) is 9 or more (but not more than 15), and the first and second prize balls are processed in one loop. The discharging devices 740, 740 discharge the prize balls at the same time (when the number of setting the prize balls is an odd number, the last one is discharged by one device, for example, the first prize ball discharging device).

When this routine is started, it is determined in step S302 whether or not the discharge 1 end flag is “1”. This discharge 1
The end flag is set to “1” in step S314 described below when the discharge of the prize balls for the number of prize balls to be discharged by the first prize ball discharge device (hereinafter, referred to as “first divided prize ball number”) is completed. Is set to "

The determination result in the step S302 is "No", that is, the first prize ball discharging device still discharges the prize balls for the first divided prize balls set in the discharge division process (FIG. 30). If the processing has not been completed, the processing of the following steps S304 to S314 is performed.

First, in step S304, the discharge sensor 1 start flag is set to "1".
The result is "No", that is, after the discharge solenoid 1 is excited (ON) in step S140 of the above-described discharge start process (FIG. 28), the discharge of the prize ball is still discharged. If it has never been detected by the sensor 1,
Subsequent steps S306 to S314, and step S316 described later
And skip to step S318.

On the other hand, when the result of this determination is “Yes”, the value of the discharge sensor 1 start flag indicating that one prize ball has been discharged is reset from “1” to “0” (step S306), and Subtract the value of the discharge register 1 by 1 (step
(S308), and it is further determined whether or not the subtracted value has reached "1" (step S310).

The determination result in step S310 is "No", that is, the first prize ball discharging device discharges the prize balls, and the number of prize balls detected by the discharge sensor 1 does not reach "the first divided prize ball number-1". In some cases, the subsequent steps S312, S314, and S316 are skipped, and the process directly proceeds to step S318 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, the determination result of step S310 is “Yes”, that is, “the first divided prize ball number−” that is discharged by the first prize ball discharge device and the number of prize balls is detected by the discharge sensor 1.
1 ", it is considered that all the prize balls of the first divided prize ball number have been issued, and the discharge solenoid 1 is demagnetized (OF
F) (Step S312), and set the discharge 1 end flag to "1" to store that the discharge of the prize balls by the first prize ball discharging device is completed (Step S314), and
Proceed to S316 and later. Therefore, when the determination of the step S302 is performed after the discharge of the prize balls for the first divided prize balls is completed, the steps S304 to S314 are skipped, and the process proceeds directly to the step S316 and subsequent steps.

In step S316, it is determined whether or not the discharge 2 end flag is "1". When the second prize ball discharging device finishes discharging the prize balls of the number of prize balls to be discharged by the second prize ball discharge device (hereinafter, referred to as “second divided prize ball number”), the discharge 2 end flag is set in step S328 described later. Is set to “1”.

The result of this determination in step S316 is "No", that is, at this time, the second winning ball discharging apparatus performs the discharging number division processing (the
When the discharge of the prize balls for the number of the second divided prize balls set in (FIG. 30) has not been completed, the processing of steps S318 to S330 is performed.

First, in step S318, the discharge sensor 2 start flag is set to "1".
Is determined, the result is "No", that is, after the discharge solenoid 2 is excited (ON) in step S142 of the discharge start process described above, the discharge sensor 2 still detects any discharge of the prize ball. If not, the following step S320 ~
The process skips S332 and ends the routine.

On the other hand, when the determination result of step S318 is “Yes”, the ejection sensor 2 indicating that one prize ball has been ejected.
The value of the rising flag ("1" at this time) is reset to "0" (step S320), and the value of the discharge register 2 is subtracted by 1 (step S322), and the value obtained by the subtraction is "1".
Is determined (step S324).

The determination result in step S324 is "No", that is, the number of prize balls discharged by the second prize ball discharging device and detected by the discharge sensor 2 does not reach "the second divided prize ball number -1". Sometimes, the following steps S326, S328, S330
And, skip step S332 and end this routine.

On the other hand, the determination result in step S324 is "Yes", that is, the number of prize balls ejected by the second prize ball ejection device and detected by the ejection sensor 2 is calculated as "the second divided prize ball number-
When the number becomes "1", it is considered that all the prize balls for the second divided prize balls have been issued, and the discharge solenoid 2 is demagnetized (OF
F) (step S326), and at the same time, set the discharge 2 end flag to "1" to store that the discharge of the prize ball by the second prize ball discharging device is completed (step S328). It is determined whether the value of the discharge 1 end flag is "1" (step S330).

When the determination result of the step S330 is "No", the subsequent step S332 is skipped and the present routine is terminated.

When the determination result in step S330 is "Yes", or when the determination result in step S316 is "Yes" (the discharge 1
The end flag is always set to "1" to indicate that all the set number of prize balls have been discharged by the combined discharge processing.) In step S332, the discharge end flag is set to "1". Then, this routine ends.

As described above, when the prize ball set number is set to a large value (9 to 15), the set number is divided and the values are stored in the two discharge registers 1 and 2, and the discharge registers 1 and 2 are stored. By operating the first and second prize ball discharge devices independently based on the value of the prize balls, a large number of prize balls can be discharged more quickly.

As described above, in the combined discharge processing as well, when the discharge sensors 1 and 2 detect the prize balls of the “prize ball set number−1”, the prize balls for the “prize ball set number” are detected. It is considered that all the sheets are discharged for the same reason as described in the description of the alternate discharge processing.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of safe ball removal start processing executed in step S40 of the main routine (FIG. 13) described above.

As described above, this subroutine is executed when the safe ball release switch 860 is pressed by the safe ball release switch input processing, or when the H-level stop signal is output from the stop signal transmission unit 685a of the central control unit. This is performed when a message is sent (when one of the determination results of steps S14 and S16 of the main routine is “Yes”). In the safe ball removal start process, a safe ball removal process (to be described later) is performed. No. 36
Prior to the figure, the safe ball release solenoid 852 is pre-excited (O
N).

When this routine is started, first, in step S402, it is determined whether or not the safe sensor ON flag whose value is determined in the above-described safe sensor input process (FIG. 18) is "1".

As described above, the value of the safe sensor ON flag is set to “1” when a safe ball exists in the safe sensor 830, and the value is set to “0” when there is no safe ball.

Therefore, when the determination result of step S402 is “No”, at the time when the safe ball removal operation is started, the safe ball rotation gutter 820 upstream of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 (upper section)
820a), it is determined that there is no safe ball left, and the safe ball removal end flag, which will be described in detail later, is set to “1” (step 820a).
(S404) Then, the process NO is set to “5” to start the safe ball removal process (FIG. 36) (step S408), and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S402 is “Yes”, that is, if the safe ball remains upstream of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 at the time when the ball removing operation of the safe ball is started,
Energize (ON) the safe ball release solenoid 852 (step S40).
6) Then, the process proceeds to step S408, where the process NO is set to "5", and the routine is terminated (at this time, the safe ball removal end flag is set to "0"). As a result, the open end of the bypass passage 819 with the upper outlet gutter 820a is opened, and the safe ball in the safe ball outlet gutter 820 is collected via the bypass passage 819 into the collection gutter of the island facility (not shown). Will be released to the side.

FIGS. 36 (A) and (B) are flow charts showing a subroutine of the safe ball removal process which is executed in the aforementioned main routine following the above-described safe ball removal start process.

When the present routine is started, first, in step S410, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal end flag is “1”. The safe ball removal end flag is set in the safe ball rotation processing unit.
When it is determined that all safe balls in the safe ball guide gutter 820 (upper section 820a) on the upstream side of the 821 have been completely removed, the value is set to “1” (step S422 described later, (Step S404) of the safe ball removal start process.

If at least one safe ball remains in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter when the safe ball pulling operation is started (safe sensor ON flag =
Consider “1”).

At this time, the result of the determination in step S402 of the safe ball removal start process (FIG. 35) performed prior to this routine is "Yes" (at this point, the safe ball removal end flag is set to "0"). At the start of this routine, the result of the determination in step S410 is "No", and the process proceeds to step S412 to display on the message board 431 that the safe ball has been removed at this time. The command content of the display of "during safe ball removal" is stored, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S414 and thereafter. The instruction contents stored in this manner are used in the message display processing in step S28 of the main routine.

In the following step S414, it is determined whether or not the safe fall flag is “1”. The safe fall flag is set to “1” in the safe sensor input process when the safe ball comes out of the safe sensor 830 and when the safe ball enters the sensor (sensor output = “ When it becomes "1"), it is reset to "0".

When the safe ball has not yet come out of the safe sensor 830 despite the fact that the safe ball removal solenoid is excited (ON) in step S406 of the safe ball removal start process described above and the upper opening end 819a of the bypass passage is opened. (Step S414
If the determination result is “No”, steps S416 and S417 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S418 to determine whether or not the safe ball removal end timer has timed out. This safe ball removal end timer is set in step S416 to be described later. Therefore, at this time, the timer has not been set yet, and the determination result is "No". To end.

On the other hand, after the safe ball removal solenoid 852 is excited (ON) to open the upper opening end 819a of the bypass passage, the safe ball flows down in the passage 819 (remove from the safe sensor) and the safe fall flag is set. When it becomes "1", the determination result of step S414 changes to "Yes", the safe ball removal end timer is set to a predetermined value (2 sec) in step S416, and then the safe fall flag is set to " The value is reset to "0", and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S418.

Until the safe ball removal end timer set in step S416 times out, the determination result in step S418 is “No”, and at this time, steps S410, S412, S414,
Only S418 will be repeatedly executed.

In such a state, that is, before the safe ball removal end timer expires, the next safe ball reaches the inside of the safe sensor 830 and exits the sensor as it is (by the safe sensor input process of the interrupt process, the safe ball is input). Falling flag is "1" again
), The result of the determination in step S414 changes to "Yes" again, and steps S416 and S417 are executed. At this time, the safe ball removal end timer is again set to the predetermined value. As a result, as long as one safe ball leaves the safe sensor as long as the safe ball remains in the safe ball guide gutter 820, the safe ball removal end timer counts the predetermined value from the beginning.

Then, the last one of the safe spheres remaining in the upper outgoing gutter 820a of the safe sphere outgoing gutter escapes from inside the safe sensor 830 (at this time, the safe fall flag becomes “1”).
When the safe ball removal end timer times out (step
(The determination result in S418 is “Yes”.) In step S420, the safe ball release solenoid 852 is demagnetized (OFF) to close the upper open end 819a of the bypass passage 819, and then in step S422.
To set the safe ball removal end flag to "1", and then terminate this routine.

As described above, in this routine, it is determined whether or not all the safe balls in the safe ball deriving gutter 820 have been released based on the output of the safe sensor. Based on the determination result, the degaussing (OFF) timing of the safe ball removal solenoid 852 is determined. Is controlled automatically.

As described above, when it is detected that all the safe balls in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter have been released, and the safe ball removal end flag is set to "1", or the safe ball shown in FIG. It is determined that the safe ball is not already in the safe sensor at the time of execution of the ball removal start process, and the safe ball removal end flag is set to “1”.
Is set to "Yes" (the determination result in step S410 is "Yes"), it is determined that it is not necessary to discharge the safe ball anymore, and the process proceeds to step S424 and subsequent steps.

First, in step S424, the command content of "safe ball removal completed" display is stored in order to display on a message board that the safe ball removal operation has been completed (the command content is used for message display processing of the main routine). ),
Next, in step S426, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal flag is set to "1" at this time.

The determination in step S426 is based on whether the safe ball removal process performed this time is started by pressing the safe ball removal switch, or the stop signal transmission unit 68 of the central management device.
This is for determining whether or not the operation is started by the stop signal from 5a.

If the decision result in the step S426 is "No" (when the ball removing process is based on the hitting signal), a step S4 is executed.
Proceeding to 28, it is determined whether or not the stop release flag is "1". When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when a signal instructing release of the hit state of the gaming machine is transmitted from the hit release signal transmitting unit 685b of the central management device, the above-described safe ball removal end flag is set. Reset to “0” (Step S43
At the same time, the process NO is changed from "5" to "0" so that the safe ball elimination process is not executed again in the next loop (step S432), and this routine ends. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S428 is "No", steps S430 and S432 are skipped, and this routine ends.

If the determination result of step S426 is "Yes", it is determined that the safe ball removal process according to the present routine is due to the pressing of the safe ball removal switch 860, and the process proceeds to step S426.
Proceed to 434 or later.

In step S434, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal timer flag is “1”. This safe ball removal timer flag is for determining whether or not a safe ball removal timer described below is operating, and the value is "0" when this step is executed for the first time. Accordingly, at this time, the determination result is "No", the process proceeds to step S436, the safe ball removal timer flag is set to "1", and the safe ball removal timer is set to a predetermined value in step S438, and this routine ends. I do.

In the next loop, since the safe ball removal timer flag was set to “1” in the previous loop, the result of the determination in step S434 changes to “Yes”, and the steps from step S440 are executed.

In step S440, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal timer that has started counting in step S438 has timed out. This timer performs the safe ball removal completion display in step S424 for a predetermined time. If the result of the determination in step S440 is "No", that is, if the safe ball removal timer has not yet timed out, steps S442 to S448 are skipped, and this routine is terminated as it is.

On the other hand, after a predetermined time elapses after the safe ball removal timer is set in step S438 and the timer times out (the determination result in step S440 is "Yes"), first in step S442, the safe ball removal flag is set. Is reset to "0", the safe ball removal end flag is reset to "0" in step S444, and the safe ball removal timer flag is reset to "0" in step S446. The process NO is changed to "0" so that the process is not performed (step S448), and this routine ends.

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the open end of the bypass passage is opened based on the output signal from the safe ball release switch 860 or the output signal from the hitting signal transmission unit,
On the one hand, the closing is a safe sensor 83 that detects a safe ball.
This is performed based on the output signal of 0 (based on the presence or absence of a safe ball in the lead-out gutter 820a), and as a result, the safe ball is automatically removed.

Next, the present invention is applied to the removal of the safe ball of a pachinko gaming machine (not shown) in which a bypass passage as shown in the above embodiment is not provided in the safe ball outlet gutter 820 in which the safe ball rotation processing unit is interposed. The effective safe ball removal process (second embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38.

37 and 38 correspond to FIGS. 35 and
Since this corresponds to FIG. 36, a detailed description of the overlapping control procedure will be omitted. As for the control program other than the safe ball removal process, the program of the above-described embodiment (the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 to 34) is applied as it is.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of safe ball removal start processing executed in step S40 of the above-described main routine (FIG. 13) instead of the processing of FIG. 35.

When this routine is started, it is first determined in step S502 whether or not the safe sensor ON flag is “1”.

As described above, the value of the safe sensor ON flag is set to “1” when a safe ball exists in the safe sensor 830, and the value is set to “0” when there is no safe ball. Therefore, when the determination result of this step S502 is "No", it is determined that no safe ball is left in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter anymore, and the safe ball removal end flag is set to "1" ( (Step S504) Then, the process NO is set to "5" to start the safe ball removal process shown in FIG. 38 (step S508), and this routine ends.

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S502 is "Yes", that is, if the safe ball remains in the lead-out gutter on the upstream side of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821 at the time when the ball removing operation of the safe ball is started, the main routine is executed. The safe motor 823 is turned on to forcibly rotate the rotating body 822 stopped at the reference position from the position by the execution of the steps S20 to S24 (step S506). Is set to “5” and the routine ends. The rotating body 822 that started rotating by turning on the safe motor (see Fig. 5)
Once the safe ball removal operation is started, all the safe balls are discharged to the collection gutter (not shown) side of the island facility via the rotating body 822, and the rotation position is the reference position. This rotation continues until all the safe spheres are discharged to the collection gutter side of the island facility via the rotating body 822 by this operation.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the safe ball removal process executed following the safe ball removal start process shown in FIG. 37.

When this routine is started, first, in step S510, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal end flag is “1”.

If at least one safe ball remains in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter when the safe ball outlet operation is performed, the safe ball outlet start process performed prior to this routine Since the determination result in step S502 of FIG. 37 is “Yes”, the determination result in step S510 is “No” at the start of this routine, and the process proceeds to step S512.
The command content for displaying on the message board 431 that the safe ball has been removed at this time is stored, and then the process proceeds to step S513.

In the following step S513, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal stop flag set to “1” in step S518 described later is “1”. At this time, since the value of the flag is the initial value “0”, the determination result is “No”, and the step S
The processing after 514 is executed.

In step S514, it is determined whether or not the safe fall flag indicating whether or not the safe ball has fallen out of the safe sensor 830 is "1".

If the safe ball has not yet come out of the safe sensor 830 despite the safe motor being turned on in step S506 of the safe ball removal start process described above (the determination result in step S514 is “No”), Proceeding to step S517, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal end timer has timed out. At this point, the safe ball removal end timer has not been set yet (the determination result is “No”), and thus the routine skips step S518 and ends this routine.

On the other hand, when the safe ball previously in the sensor comes out of the sensor by the rotating body 822 of the safe ball rotation processing unit (the safe fall flag is “1”), the determination result in step S514 changes to “Yes”, In step S515, the safe ball removal end timer is set to a predetermined value (2 seconds).
In S516, the safe fall flag is reset to “0”,
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S517.

Until the safe ball removal end timer set in step S515 expires, the determination result in step S517 is “No”. At this time, steps S510, S512, S513,
Only S514 and S517 are repeatedly executed.

In such a state, that is, before the safe ball removal end timer times out, the next safe ball reaches the inside of the safe sensor 830 and exits the sensor as it is (by the safe sensor input device of the interrupt processing, the safe ball is input). Falling flag is "1" again
), The result of the determination in step S514 becomes "Yes" again, and steps S515 and S516 are executed. At this time, the safe ball removal end timer is set to the predetermined value again. As a result, as long as one safe ball leaves the safe sensor as long as the safe ball remains in the safe ball guide gutter 820, the safe ball removal end timer starts counting the predetermined value again from the beginning.

And the last one of the safe spheres remaining in the upper outgoing gutter 820a of the safe sphere outgoing gutter escapes inside the safe sensor 830,
Thereafter, when the safe ball elimination end timer times out (the safe ball elimination end timer is set to a predetermined value sufficient to discharge the last safe ball to the outside of the safe ball rotation processing unit 821), the determination in step S517 The result is “Yes”
In step S518, the safe ball removal stop flag is set to "1" to indicate that.

In the next loop, the result of the determination in step S513 turns to "Yes", and in step S519, it is determined whether or not the position sensor ON flag is "1". The result of this determination is “N
o ", that is, when the turning position of the rotating body 822 is not at the reference position at the time when all the safe balls have been removed, the subsequent steps S520 to S522 are skipped, and the present routine ends. Even if the ball removal process of all the safe balls is completed, the rotation of the safe motor 823 is not stopped immediately, and the ON state is continued until the rotation position of the rotating body reaches the reference position. It will be.

The continuation of the ON state of the safe motor causes the rotating body 82 to rotate.
When the second rotational position becomes the reference position, the result of the determination in step S519 changes to "Yes", and the processing in step S520 and thereafter is executed. That is, in step S520, the safe motor is turned off, then the safe ball removal stop flag is reset to "0" (step S521), and the safe ball removal end flag is set to "1" (step S522). This routine ends.

As described above, in this routine, it is determined whether or not all the safe balls in the safe ball guide gutter 820 have been released based on the output of the safe sensor, and the OFF timing of the safe motor 823 is automatically controlled based on the determination result. It is supposed to be.

When it is detected that all the safe balls in the upper outlet gutter 820a of the safe ball outlet gutter have been discharged as described above and the safe ball removal end flag is set to "1", or the safe ball shown in FIG. It is determined that the safe ball is not already in the safe sensor at the time of execution of the ball removal start process, and the safe ball removal end flag is set to “1”.
When it is set to, it is determined that it is no longer necessary to discharge the safe ball (the determination result in step S510 is "Yes"), and the process proceeds to step S524 and subsequent steps.

First, in step S524, a command content representing "safe ball removal completion display" is stored to indicate that the safe ball removal operation has been completed (the command content is used for message display processing of the main routine), and then step In S526, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal flag is set to "1" at this time.

The determination in step S526 is based on whether the safe ball removal process performed this time is started by pressing the safe ball removal switch, or the stop signal transmission unit 68 of the central management device.
This is for determining whether or not the operation is started by the stop signal from 5a.

If the decision result in the step S526 is "No" (when the ball removing process is based on the hitting signal), a step S5 is executed.
Proceeding to 28, it is determined whether or not the stop release flag is "1". When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when a signal instructing release of the hit state of the gaming machine is transmitted from the hit release signal transmitting unit 685b of the central management device, the above-described safe ball removal end flag is set. Reset to “0” (Step S53
At the same time, the process NO is changed from "5" to "0" so that the safe ball removal process is not executed again in the next loop (step S532), and this routine ends. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S528 is "No", steps S530 and S532 are skipped, and this routine ends.

When the determination result of step S526 is "Yes", it is determined that the safe ball removal process according to the present routine is due to the pressing of the safe ball removal switch 860, and the process proceeds to step S526.
Proceed to 534.

In step S534, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal timer flag is “1”. This safe ball removal timer flag is for determining whether or not a safe ball removal timer described below is operating, and the value is "0" when this step is executed for the first time. Therefore, the result of this determination is “No”, the process proceeds to step S536, the safe ball removal timer flag is set to “1”, the safe ball removal timer is set in step S538, and this routine ends.

In the next loop, since the safe ball removal timer flag was set to "1" in the previous loop, the determination result in step S534 changes to "Yes", and steps S540 and thereafter are executed.

In step S540, it is determined whether or not the safe ball removal timer that has started counting in step S538 has timed out. If the safe ball removal timer has not yet timed out and the result of this determination is “No”, steps S542 to S54
Step 8 is skipped and the routine ends.

On the other hand, after a predetermined time elapses after the safe ball removal timer is set in step S538 and the timer times out (the determination result in step S540 is “Yes”), first, in step S542, the safe ball removal flag is set. Is reset to "0", the safe ball elimination end flag is reset to "0" in step S544, and the safe ball elimination timer flag is reset to "0" in step S546. The process NO is changed to "0" so that the process is not performed (step S548), and this routine ends.

In this way, the rotating body in the safe ball rotation processing unit starts its rotation based on the output signal from the safe ball removal switch 860 or the output signal from the hitting signal transmission unit, and all the safe balls in the safe ball derivation gutter are started. By stopping the rotation when the release is detected based on the output signal of the safe sensor, the ball removal processing of the safe ball is automatically performed.

As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment, the safe ball rotation processing unit is interposed in the safe ball outlet gutter where the safe ball flows down, and the bypass passage branches from the safe ball processing means upstream of the safe ball outlet gutter. Further, a safe ball extraction device for opening and closing the safe ball extraction gutter is installed at an opening end of the bypass passage with the safe ball extraction gutter, and the installed safe ball extraction device is installed on the safe ball extraction gutter. Since it is configured to operate based on the signal from the safe sensor and the signal indicating the game state from the safe ball release switch and the hitting signal transmission unit, the opening end of the bypass passage is in the game state and in the outlet gutter. The safe ball removal control is automatically performed in accordance with the safe ball remaining state.

In the above-described embodiment, the known safe sensor used for the prize ball discharge control is used as the safe ball detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the safe ball in the safe ball deriving gutter. Any detection means may be used as long as it detects the presence or absence of a safe sphere in the sphere outlet gutter.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the return of the gaming machine from the ball removal processing state to the normal game state is performed by inputting a ball removal release signal from the central management device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The ball removal process may be canceled by pressing the switch twice.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bypass passage for performing the ball removing process is provided so that the detected safe ball is provided therein for a predetermined time (until the discharge of the prize ball corresponding to the safe ball is completed). The safe ball rotation processing unit to be stored is configured to be bypassed, but the point is that the safe ball stored in the safe ball outlet gutter can be smoothly discharged to the collection gutter side of the island facility. Any configuration may be used. For example, in a pachinko game machine of a type in which a safe ball is mechanically detected and a prize ball is mechanically discharged in accordance with the detected result, a bypass for bypassing all of these mechanical means is used. It is conceivable to provide a passage.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the safe ball removing device according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine having two (first and second prize ball outlet gutters) discharge outlets for prize balls. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to a pachinko gaming machine provided with one outlet or three or more outlets.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotating transfer unit having a rotating body having a plurality of winning ball detection units and a plurality of ball holding units capable of holding one winning ball, and rotation of the rotating transfer unit. By providing a winning ball processing device having an electric rotary drive source for driving, the speed of the processing of the winning ball in the winning ball processing device can be increased in response to the speeding up of the discharging process of the ball discharging device, It is possible to perform continuous high-speed prize ball discharge processing for a large amount of prize balls generated in a short time.

In addition, despite the fact that the ball discharge device operates the electric drive source to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls under the control of the prize ball discharge control means based on the prize ball discharge command signal from the prize ball processing device. When an abnormal state in which the normal prize ball discharge number is not counted based on the detection signal from the discharge detection means is determined by the abnormality determination means, the electric rotation drive source is stopped by the abnormal stop control means of the rotation control means. Then, the transfer of the winning ball by the rotary transfer means is stopped, and the payout of the winning ball from the winning ball processing device is stopped. Therefore, the high-speed discharging of the winning ball by such a winning ball processing device and the ball discharging device. Can be immediately detected (determined) when the abnormal state occurs, and the payout of the winning ball can be stopped efficiently, and the prize actually discharged between the player and the game store With the number of spheres In terms of the number of emissions of winning balls, it is possible to prevent that the trouble is caused by misunderstanding and the like.

According to the invention of claim 2, when the specific condition is satisfied, the electric rotation drive source is controlled to the rotating state by the forced rotation control means of the rotation control means, and the winning prize held by the rotation transfer means is changed to the ball. Without discharging the prize ball with the discharge device,
It is forcibly paid out to the ball payout exit. Therefore, when it is desired to pay out the prize balls once in the repair work or the like at the time of an abnormal state, the retained prize balls can be paid out at any time, or when the prize ball discharge function in the gaming machine is inspected, an extra ball is inserted. Since the prize balls can be paid out immediately, various work efficiencies can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the front of a pachinko gaming machine 10 to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and FIG. 3 is an information display device 400 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view seen from the front side. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 10 showing the internal configuration of the prize ball discharge unit 700 and the safe ball processing unit 800. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of a ball discharge gutter and a safe ball rotation processing unit interposed in the discharge gutter. FIG. 6 shows a prize ball discharge unit 700 forming a prize ball discharge unit 700 installed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 10. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the unit 700A, FIG. 7 is a front view showing an internal mechanism of the prize ball discharging unit 700A, and FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (B) show a game ball from the supply plate 102 to a launch ball standby portion of a launch rail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the prize ball discharge control device 600, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the opening / closing door 250 attached to the back mechanism board 200 and the accessory control device 500 installed on the back side of the opening / closing door 250, FIG. 11 is a view of the safe ball of the pachinko gaming machine 10. FIG. 12 is a control block diagram showing an overall configuration of a safe ball removal processing control system for performing a ball removal process, FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of a prize ball discharge control system by the prize ball discharge control device 600, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a program flowchart showing a main routine of the prize ball discharge control performed in 600. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a supply process performed in the main routine of the prize ball discharge control. FIG. 15 has priority over the main routine. FIG. 16 is a program flowchart showing an interruption process performed every time a predetermined time elapses. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the discharge sensor 1 input process performed in the interruption process. FIG. 17 is an interruption process. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an input process of the discharge sensor 2 performed in the interrupt processing, FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a safe sensor input process performed in the interrupt process, and FIG. 19 is a supply sensor performed in the interrupt process. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the input processing of FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a routine of the input processing of the odd sensor performed in the interrupt processing, and FIG. 21 is an overflow detector performed in the interrupt processing.
770 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of input processing, FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of firing motor control processing performed in interrupt processing, and FIG. 23 is a subroutine of safe ball release switch input processing performed in interrupt processing. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a hit signal input process performed in the interrupt process; FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a hit release signal input process performed in the interrupt process; 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a position switch input process performed in an interrupt process, FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start condition process executed in a main routine, and FIG. 28 is executed in a main routine. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge start process. FIG. 29 is a discharge start process. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge number division process executed in a discharge start process, FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge process executed in a main routine, FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a single discharging process performed in the discharging process. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an alternate discharging process performed in the discharging process. FIG. 34 is a combined use performed in the discharging process. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a discharge process, FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a safe ball removal start process executed in a main routine, FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a safe ball removal process performed in a main routine, FIG. 37 shows the second embodiment, FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a safe ball removal start process executed in place of the safe ball removal start process. FIG. 38 shows a safe ball removal process executed in place of the safe ball removal process of FIG. 36 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of a process. 10 ... Pachinko machine (Pachinko machine main unit, gaming machine), 50 ... Variable winning device (winning opening), 120 ... General winning opening (winning opening), 300 ... Game board, 600 ... Control device (discharge control circuit), 620 microcomputer (rotation control means, prize ball discharge control means, abnormality determination means, abnormal stop control means, forced rotation control means), 700 prize ball discharge section (ball discharge device) ), 730: Prize ball discharge sensor (discharge detection means), 741 ... Prize ball discharge solenoid (electric drive source), 800: Safe ball processing unit (winning ball processing device), 810
... Safe ball receiving gutter (winning ball collecting gutter), 820b... Lower outlet gutter (ball payout outlet), 822... Rotator (rotary transfer means), 824... Housing (rotary transfer means), 822 _{1 to} 822
₄ ... recess (ball holding section), 823 ... safe motor (electric rotary drive source), 830 ... safe sensor (winning ball detection means).

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A prize ball flowing down to a prize port provided in a game area of a game board and communicating with a prize ball collecting gutter for collecting prize balls, electrically detecting one prize ball flowing down and discharging the prize ball. A winning ball processing device that derives a command signal; and a discharge device that can discharge a required number of balls by the action of an electric drive source based on the prize ball discharge command signal and that detects the number of discharged balls for counting. In a gaming machine comprising: a ball discharging device having a detecting means; and a discharge control circuit for controlling the winning ball processing device and the ball discharging device, the winning ball processing device can detect one winning ball at a time. Prize ball detecting means, and a rotating body formed with a plurality of ball holding portions capable of holding one prize ball, and transferring the prize ball held by the ball holding portion to a ball payout port to thereby obtain one prize ball. Rotary transfer means capable of paying out the address, and electricity for rotating the rotating body A rotation control means capable of controlling the electrical rotation drive source of the rotating body to a rotating state and a stopped state; and Prize ball discharge control means for controlling an electric drive source of the ball discharge device to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls based on the prize ball discharge command signal. Abnormality determining means for determining an abnormal state in which a normal winning ball discharge number is not counted based on the detection signal from the discharge detecting means, despite operating the electric drive source of the apparatus; The control means includes abnormal stop control means for stopping and controlling the electric rotary drive source based on the determination by the abnormality determining means that the electric rotary drive source is in an abnormal state. To the stopped state The transfer of winning ball by transfer means is stopped, the gaming machine being characterized in that so as to stop the payout of the winning ball from the winning ball apparatus. 2. The rotation control means controls the electric rotation drive source to a rotating state based on the satisfaction of a specific condition, and causes the winning ball held by the rotation transfer means to be held by the ball discharge device. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a forced rotation control means capable of forcibly paying out to the ball payout port without discharging the prize ball.