JP4637121B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine configured with a computer circuit, and more particularly, to a bullet ball gaming machine that can appropriately cope with a trouble of a movable body that is a gaming part.

  2. Description of the Related Art Some ball game machines such as pachinko machines are configured such that a rotating body that rotates regularly or intermittently is arranged on a game board. In this type of ball game machine, a concave arc groove is formed on the outer periphery of the rotating body, and the game is advanced by receiving the game ball. Therefore, the ball biting between the rotating body and the game ball should not occur, and for example, a ball biting prevention measure as described in Patent Document 1 is taken.

In the invention described in Patent Document 1, when a game ball enters the entrance, after the rotating body is slightly pre-rotated in the forward direction and then slightly rotated in the reverse direction, the original rotation in the forward direction is performed. Has started.
JP-A-2005-95424

  However, in the operation of the present invention, there is a problem that the operation of the preliminary rotation or the reverse rotation has no meaning when the rotating body is rotating constantly. In addition, even if the rotating body properly receives the game ball, there may be a problem that hinders smooth rotation in the course of the rotation operation, and countermeasures in such cases are also necessary. It is. For example, in the case of a gaming machine installed in a gaming hall for a long period of time because it is popular with players, dust in the store may adhere to gaps in the gaming members together with cigarette dust, etc. There was a possibility that the rotating body would not rotate smoothly. In addition, in the case of a popular gaming machine, the possibility of poor connection in the motor circuit due to long-term use cannot be denied.

  Here, in the unlikely event that the rotating body does not rotate smoothly as planned, it may give an unfair disadvantage to the player, so a configuration that can quickly detect the abnormal state of the rotating body is desired. Even when an abnormal state is detected, troubles between the player and the game hall can be prevented if the game state at that time can be maintained as it is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is not limited to simple ball biting, and a gaming machine that can immediately detect an abnormal operation of a movable body and can maintain a gaming state when the abnormality is detected. The purpose is to provide.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a movable body that executes a predetermined game operation and is based on a lottery decision related to a winning operation of a game ball that is launched based on a firing drive operation. A ball game machine that determines whether or not to generate a profitable state that is advantageous to the player, and in the moving operation of moving the stopped movable body to the reference position, the fact that the movable body has reached the reference position Detectable position detecting means, time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time since the movable body driving process is started to move the stopped movable body to the reference position, and the movable body driving process are executed. despite, without the movable body reaches the reference position, when the elapsed time exceeds the limit value and the abnormality determination means determines that the abnormality occurs, the abnormality occurs when Ru is determined, the driving process of the movable body Stop and play And stop means for waiting a switch operation while prohibiting the firing drive operation of the switch operation is resumed driving operation of the movable body, to allow the firing drive operation of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position And recovery means .

In addition, the invention according to claim 2 has a movable body that executes a predetermined game operation, and is advantageous to a player based on a winning lottery related to a winning operation of a game ball that is launched based on a firing drive operation. Position detection that can detect that the movable body has reached the reference position in a moving operation in which the movable body steadily rotates through the reference position by determining whether or not to generate a profit state Means, time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time after passing through the reference position , and the movable body reaching the reference position even though the driving process of the movable body is being executed. If the elapsed time exceeds the limit value, the abnormality determination means that determines that an abnormality has occurred, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the driving process of the movable body is stopped and the game ball firing drive operation is prohibited. switch in the state And stop means for waiting for work, when the switch operation is resumed driving operation of the movable body, and a recovering means for permitting the firing drive operation of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position.

  In these inventions, the abnormal operation of the movable body can be detected without providing an additional sensor other than the sensors constituting the position detecting means. And it is possible to immediately detect an abnormal operation during the operation of the movable body as well as the simple ball biting.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 4 has a movable body that executes a predetermined game operation, and is advantageous to a player based on a winning / raft lottery related to a winning operation of a game ball that is launched based on a firing drive operation. In a moving operation of a movable body that determines whether or not to generate a profit state and captures a game ball that has passed through an upstream reference position and moves it to a downstream target position, the reference position Position detecting means capable of detecting that the game ball passed through the movable body has reached the target position, timing means for measuring the elapsed time since the game ball passed the reference position , and movable body In spite of the fact that the driving process is being executed, if the elapsed time exceeds the limit value without the game ball reaching the target position, an abnormality determining means for determining that an abnormality has occurred, and determining that an abnormality has occurred When stopping the driving process of the movable body Rutotomoni, a stop means to wait for switch operation while prohibiting the firing drive operation of the game ball, the switch operation is resumed driving operation of the movable body, the firing of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position And recovery means for permitting the driving operation .

  In the present invention, not only the abnormality of the movable body but also the abnormality of the upstream and downstream sensors can be detected immediately.

  In each of the above inventions, the movable body is preferably a rotating body, and more preferably a rotating body configured to be able to capture a game ball. Note that the rotation operation may be not only intermittent rotation that starts rotation based on a command from a CPU or the like, but also steady rotation including irregular rotation.

  In any of the above-described inventions, not only simple ball chewing but also abnormal operation of the movable body can be detected immediately, and the gaming state at the time of abnormality detection can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on a ball game machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably attached to an island structure, and a front frame 3 that is pivotally mounted via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It is configured. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the back side, and a glass door (open / close door) 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be openable and closable.

  An upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle 10 are mounted at the bottom of the front frame 4. And are provided. The launch handle 10 is linked to the launch motor MO2, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  A chance button 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. The button chance state is a game state provided as necessary.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation with respect to the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a ball of game balls for a predetermined amount A ball lending switch for instructing lending and a return switch for instructing to return the card at the end of the game are provided.

  A key hole HO for opening the gaming machine is provided on the right side of the upper plate 8. Then, the glass door 6 is configured to be opened from the front frame 3 when the unlocking key is inserted into the keyhole HO and slightly rotated clockwise. Further, when the unlocking key inserted into the keyhole HO is rotated counterclockwise, the front frame 3 is released from the outer frame 1. In the opened state of the front frame 3, the game board 5 and the control boards 20 to 26 are integrally opened with the front frame 3.

  If the game machine is opened, obstacles such as ball clogging can be artificially resolved by an operation by a staff member. Then, after the trouble is solved, when the clerk presses a clear switch (not shown), the rotating body returns to the reference position without shutting off the power source of the gaming machine.

  FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic configuration of the game board 5. Here, for the sake of convenience, the illustrated pachinko machine will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated pachinko machine as long as it is a bullet ball game machine having a similar rotating body.

  The illustrated game board 5 has an operation entrance 13 for operating a liquid crystal display (design display device) LCD, an electric tulip 14a that operates when a specific design is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, A winning opening 14, a passing gate 15, a first rotating body 16, a second rotating body 17, and a big winning opening 18 are arranged as game components. In addition, at the lower part of the game board 5, a success / failure determination display unit 19 for notifying the big hit lottery result is provided.

  The two rotators 16 and 17 are driven to rotate by game effect motors M1 and M2 each formed of a stepping motor (FIG. 2B). Each of the rotating bodies 16 and 17 is provided with a recess 20 capable of receiving a game ball and a protruding piece 21 adjacent to the recess 20. The protruding piece 21 is arranged so as to block the optical axis of the photo interrupter 22 that is the detection sensor SN. The photo interrupter 22 outputs a sensor detection signal each time the rotators 16 and 17 rotate once and reach a reference position (home position: HP).

  The first rotating body 16 is normally in a stopped state, and starts intermittent rotation in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction according to the display result of the success / failure determination display unit 19. In the middle of the passage of the rotator 16, outlets 16a and 16b are provided, and the game ball captured in the recess 20 is grasped by a detection switch disposed in the outlets 16a and 16b. .

  On the other hand, the second rotator 17 rotates in a clockwise direction, and can receive a game ball at a timing when the second rotator 17 is positioned at the home position. And the game ball caught by the recessed part 20 is comprised so that it may be grasped | ascertained by the detection switch arrange | positioned at the outlet 17a.

  A detection switch for detecting the passage of the game ball is also provided in the operation entrance 13, the normal winning entrance 14, and the passing gate 15. When the game ball enters the operation entrance 13, the design of the liquid crystal display DISP changes, and when a specific design is displayed, the electric tulip 14a of the normal winning entrance 14 is opened to facilitate the winning of the game ball. To do. Then, when the game ball that has won the normal winning opening 14 passes through the passing gate 15, the winning / losing lottery is executed based on the random number value at that timing. In addition, before and after the lottery operation, the variation operation of the success / failure determination display unit 19 is started, and the result of the success / failure lottery is displayed after a predetermined time. Note that the game ball remains held in the concave portion of the first rotating body 16 during the variation operation of the success / failure determination display unit 19.

  Thereafter, when the display content of the success / failure determination display unit 19 is confirmed, the first rotating body 16 that has captured the game ball starts to rotate in accordance with the result of the success / failure. For example, if the display result of the success / failure determination display unit 19 is in a lost state, the first rotating body 16 rotates counterclockwise to guide the game ball to the outlet 16a. The counterclockwise rotation is stopped at a position beyond the outlet 16a, and thereafter, the first rotating body 16 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and stopped at the home position.

  On the other hand, if the display result of the success / failure determination display unit 19 is in the winning state, the first rotating body 16 rotates clockwise and guides the game ball to the outlet 16b. The first rotating body 16 continues to rotate in the clockwise direction after that, and is stopped in a state where it reaches the home position.

  By the way, after the detection of the game ball by the detection sensor arranged at the outlet 16b, when the game ball captured by the second rotating body 17 passes through the outlet 17a, the big hit state is determined. In the big hit state, the big winning opening 18 is opened for a predetermined time, so that it is easy to win game balls and a large number of winning balls are guaranteed. The special winning opening 18 is opened for a predetermined time each time the game ball captured by the second rotating body 17 passes through the outlet 17a. In this big hit state, a plurality of opening operations of the special winning opening 18 are performed. When it is repeated a number of times (for example, 16 times), the process ends.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine 1 that realizes the above-described operations. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine 1 is provided with a power supply board 30 that receives 24V AC and outputs various DC voltages, a main control board 31 that controls game operations in an integrated manner, and a control command CMD received from the main control board 31. Based on the effect control board 32 for executing the lamp effect and the sound effect, the effect interface board 33 for transmitting the signal received from the effect control board 32 to each part, and the control command CMD ′ received from the effect interface board 33. A liquid crystal control board 34 for driving the liquid crystal display DISP, a payout control board 35 for controlling the payout motor MO1 based on the control command CMD "received from the main control board 31, and paying out a game ball, and responding to the player's operation And a launch control board 36 for launching game balls.

  Here, the main control board 31, the effect control board 32, the liquid crystal control board 34, and the payout control board 35 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, the circuits mounted on the main control board 31, the production control board 32, the liquid crystal control board 34, and the payout control board 35 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named in the following description. Unit 31, production control unit 32, liquid crystal control unit 34, and payout control unit 35. All or part of the effect control unit 32, the liquid crystal control unit 34, and the payout control unit 35 are sub-control units.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 31 is connected to the command relay board and is connected to each game component of the game board 5 via the game board relay board 37. And while receiving the switch signal of the detection switch built in the winning opening 14 or the operation entrance 13 etc. on a game board, solenoids, such as the electric tulip 14a, are driven.

  However, the main control unit 31 receives the switch signal from the winning opening 14 and the motor clear signal CLR directly without going through the game board relay board 37. The motor clear signal CLR is a signal indicating that the abnormal state of the game effect motors M1 and M2 has been eliminated, and is generated due to the clear switch being turned on by an attendant.

  Further, the main control unit 31 receives home position detection pulses (sensor detection signals) HP 1 and HP 2 from the photo interrupter 22 via the game board relay board 37. The main control unit 31 grasps that each of the rotating bodies 16 and 17 has reached the reference position (home position) based on the sensor detection signals HP1 and HP2, while driving data Φ1 through the game board relay board 37. By outputting Φi, the game effect motors M1 and M2 are rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.

  The payout control unit 35 pays out a prize ball designated based on the control command CMD "received from the main control unit 31. Specifically, a required prize ball operation is performed by rotating the payout motor MO1 a predetermined number of times. In addition, a prize ball counting signal indicating a game ball payout operation and a status signal CON relating to an abnormality in the payout operation are transmitted to the main control unit 31.

  Further, the payout control unit 35 outputs an AC voltage AC34V and a launch control signal CTL to the launch control board 36. The launch control signal CTL is a condition for operating the launch motor MO2. When the launch control signal CTL is at L level, the launch operation of the game ball is prohibited. The launch control signal CTL is output based on an instruction from the main control unit 31 when an abnormality occurs.

  By the way, the operation of the main control unit 31 includes a main processing program that repeats an infinite loop process after executing an initial process after power-on, and a timer interrupt process that is executed every predetermined time (for example, 2 mS) by interrupting the infinite loop process. This is realized by a program and a power interruption interrupt processing program executed when the power supply voltage drops. And virtually all game control of the pachinko machine is executed by the timer interrupt program.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of this timer interrupt program. As shown in the figure, when a timer interrupt occurs, it is first determined whether or not an error has occurred (ST1), and when there is no error, switch input processing is executed (ST10). The switch signals acquired by the switch input process include sensor detection signals HP1 and HP2 from the rotators 16 and 17 in addition to signals from detection switches such as the winning opening 14 on the game board.

  Next, various counter values including random numbers used in the big hit lottery process are updated (ST11), and drive data Φ1 to Φi are generated by the motor process (ST12). The generated drive data Φ1 to Φi are output to the game effect motors M1 and M2 in the data output process (ST13).

  FIG. 5A illustrates the relationship among the sensor detection signal HP1, the drive data Φ1 to Φi, and the timer interrupt timing when the game effect motor M1 rotates normally. The sensor detection signal HP1 is nothing but the home position detection signal output from the photo interrupter 22 of the first rotator 16, and the timer interrupt timing means the execution timing of the switch input process (ST10).

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the main control unit 31 updates the drive data Φ1 to Φi and rotates the game effect motor M1 at a rate of once every a plurality of N timer interruptions. The sensor detection signal HP1 rises to the H level every time the game effect motor M1 rotates once.

  FIG. 5B is a time chart showing a game operation in which the game effect motor M1 rotates intermittently. As illustrated, the game effect motor M1 is stopped at the home position and is on standby. When the game ball passes through the passing gate 15 in this standby state, a lottery process is executed, and a variation operation is started in the success / failure determination display unit 19. Thereafter, when the fluctuation operation of the success / failure determination display unit 19 ends, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are updated, and the rotation of the game effect motor M1 is started.

  As described above, the game effect motor M1 starts to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise according to the result of the success / failure displayed on the success / failure determination display unit 19. When the game effect motor M1 rotates clockwise, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are repeatedly updated in the forward direction until the rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP1 is detected, and after the sensor detection signal HP1 rises, the drive Since the data Φ1 to Φi are not updated, the rotation of the game effect motor M1 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the game effect motor M1 rotates counterclockwise, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are repeatedly updated in the reverse direction by the number of times corresponding to 180 degrees, and thereafter, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are forwarded. Updated repeatedly. Therefore, the game effect motor M1 rotates backward by 180 degrees in the counterclockwise direction and then runs backward in the clockwise direction. Then, when the rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP1 is detected, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are not updated thereafter, and the rotation of the game effect motor M1 is stopped.

  FIG. 5C is a time chart showing an abnormal state in which the game effect motor M1 does not rotate normally. Abnormal conditions include not only the ball biting at the start of rotation, but also ball clogging during rotation, motor drive circuit failure (including disconnection and poor contact), and the like. For example, if an abnormality occurs during the rotation of the game effect motor M1, the sensor detection signal HP1 is not detected no matter what time. On the other hand, if an abnormality occurs while the game effect motor M1 is stopped, the sensor detection signal HP1 does not fall down no matter what time. Therefore, in this embodiment, the abnormality is determined based on the sensor detection signal HP1.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation content of the motor processing (ST12) in consideration of the above abnormal time.

  In the motor processing (ST12) of the game effect motor M1 of the first rotator 16, it is first determined whether the motor is currently being driven (ST20). In this embodiment, the timer variable Tm is zero in the initial state and the motor stopped state (see ST28), and Tm = 1 is set at the start of driving (when the fluctuation determination display unit 19 stops changing). Based on the value of Tm, the determination in step ST20 is executed.

  If the driving operation in which the timer variable Tm ≠ 0 is being performed, the switch analysis process (ST21) is executed, and the value of the determination flag FG is determined based on the input result of the sensor detection signal HP1 in the switch input process (ST10). It is determined. In the switch analysis process (ST21), the value of the determination flag FG is determined based on the transition of the sensor detection signal HP1, the first rotating body 16 moves from the home position, and the sensor detection signal HP1 rises to the L level. When it falls, the determination flag FG changes from 0 to 1. Thereafter, the flag value is maintained at FG = 1, but when the first rotating body 16 returns to the home position again and the sensor detection signal HP1 rises to the H level, the determination flag FG changes from 1 to 2.

  Since the value of the determination flag FG is set by such a determination algorithm, in step ST22, it is determined whether or not the value of the determination flag FG is zero. If FG = 0, after the timer variable Tm is incremented by 1 (ST23), it is determined whether the updated Tm value exceeds the limit value TH1 (ST24).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the timer interruption period is much shorter than the rotation speed of the game effect motor M1, so that the sensor detection signal HP1 does not fall for a while after the motor starts to be driven. Therefore, as long as Tm <TH1, the updating process of the drive data Φ1 to Φi is repeated (ST25), and the process waits for the sensor detection signal HP1 to fall to the L level. The drive data Φ1 to Φi are updated by one step angle in the forward direction that is clockwise or the reverse direction that is counterclockwise every N multiple interruptions.

  If the processes of steps ST23 to ST25 are repeated in this way, the value of the determination flag FG should eventually change from 0 to 1 due to the rotation of the game effect motor M1. However, if the game effect motor M1 is not rotating due to some trouble, the sensor detection signal HP1 does not fall at all (see (b) of FIG. 5C), so that the value of the timer variable Tm is finally reached. The limit value TH1 is exceeded.

  Therefore, if Tm ≧ TH1 is determined in step ST24, the error flag ERR1 is set to 1, and the drive data Φ1 to Φi are all set to 0, so that the stepping motor M1 is in a free rotation state that is a non-drive state. Set (ST26). Further, an error is notified and the operation of the firing motor MO2 is prohibited (ST26). The error notification is performed by blinking an error lamp via the effect control unit 32 or displaying an error on the liquid crystal display DISP. Further, the prohibition of the operation of the firing motor MO2 is based on the control for lowering the firing control signal CTL via the payout control unit 35 to the L level.

  As a result of such a ball-hitting prohibition operation, an adverse effect that the player wastes the game ball is prevented. For example, according to the confirmation display of the success / failure determination display unit 19, since the game ball does not pass through the outlet 16b even though it is in the big hit state, the winning of the game ball via the second rotating body 17 is a big winning port 18 Serious troubles that do not lead to the opening of the company will be prevented. Since the game control operation is interrupted after the error flag ERR1 is set to 1 (see ST1 in FIG. 4), the big hit state is saved, and troubles between the player and the game hall can be avoided. In the case where the game control operation is not interrupted, there is a possibility that the evidence of the big hit state may disappear when the success / failure determination display unit 19 starts the variation operation due to the subsequent winning of the game ball. In the present embodiment, since the stepping motor M1 is set to the non-driven state after the error is detected, it can be expected that the failure state naturally recovers.

  As described above, the abnormal time when the timer variable Tm exceeds the limit value TH1 has been described. Normally, when the processing of steps ST23 to ST25 is repeated, the value of the determination flag FG changes from 0 to 1 due to the rotation of the game effect motor M1. To do. Therefore, after the determination in step ST22, it is determined whether the value of the determination flag FG is 1 or 2 (ST27). As described above, the value of the determination flag FG is 1 until the sensor detection signal HP1 that has fallen to the L level again completes one rotation to rise to the H level.

  Therefore, when FG = 1, it is determined whether the timer variable Tm exceeds the limit value TH2 while updating the timer variable Tm (ST29) (ST30). Usually, since Tm <TH2, the driving data Φ1 to Φi is updated by one step angle in the forward direction or the reverse direction every N multiple interruptions (ST31). In the case of counterclockwise rotation updated in the reverse direction, the rotation direction is reversed halfway because it is updated in the forward direction after rotating 180 degrees.

  If the drive data Φ1 to Φi are continuously updated in this way, the game effect motor M1 will eventually return to the home position, the sensor detection signal HP1 will rise to the H level, and the value of the determination flag FG will be 2. . Therefore, after the determination in step ST27, the process proceeds to step ST28, and the values of the timer variable Tm and the determination flag FG are returned to zero.

  On the other hand, if the game effect motor M1 is not rotating due to some trouble, the sensor detection signal HP1 does not rise (see (a) of FIG. 5C), so that the value of the timer variable Tm is finally the limit value. Over TH2. Therefore, if Tm ≧ TH2 is determined in step ST30, the error flag ERR1 is set to 1, all the drive data Φ1 to Φi are set to zero, an error is notified, and the operation of the firing motor MO2 is prohibited ( ST32). These processes are the same as those in step ST26, and the same effects as described for step ST26 are exhibited.

  As described above, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, (a) the game effect motor M1 leaves the home position (ST23 to ST26), and (b) the game effect motor M1 makes one revolution and returns to the home position ( ST27 to ST32) are determined separately. However, it goes without saying that the determination (ST22 to ST26) of whether or not the game effect motor M1 has left the home position within a predetermined time may be omitted. In this case, the determination in step ST27 is executed following step ST21.

  Next, error recovery processing after error notification will be described with reference back to FIG. After the error flag ERR1 is set to 1, the gaming operation does not proceed due to the timer interrupt, and the gaming operation is saved.

  In this storage state, first, the sensor detection signal HP1 is acquired (ST2). Then, it is determined whether or not the sensor detection signal HP1 has risen by level comparison with the previous timer interruption, that is, whether or not the game effect motor M1 has returned to the home position (ST3). Normally, the rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP1 is not detected except when the failure state is naturally recovered. Therefore, next, the level of the clear signal CLR is checked (ST6). The clear signal CLR becomes H level when the clerk turns on the clear switch, and then returns to L level.

  In the error notification state, the hall attendant must rush to the gaming machine in which the trouble has occurred, and perform recovery processing from the abnormal state such as eliminating the ball clogging. Then, at the stage of executing the recovery process, the attendant is to turn on the clear switch. Therefore, if it is determined in step ST6 that the clear signal CLR is at the H level, it is determined that the restoration process has been completed, the switch flag SW is set to 1, and the process proceeds to step ST9. In step ST9, the drive data is updated and output, so that the game effect motor M1 starts rotating.

  By the way, if it is determined in step ST6 that the clear signal CLR is at L level, if the switch flag SW is 0 (ST7), the interrupt process is terminated without doing anything. This end process is nothing but a process of waiting for a recovery process by an attendant, and the game state up to that point is saved without causing any game operation to proceed.

  On the other hand, if the switch flag SW is 1 at the time of determination in step 7, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are updated in step ST9 and output to the game effect motor M1. As a result, the game effect motor M1 rotates. Note that the determination process of step 7 is provided because even if the clear signal CLR once becomes H level as a result of the clear switch being turned ON, the clear signal CLR returns to L level thereafter.

  In any case, the game effect motor M1 continues to rotate through the process of step ST9, so that the game effect motor M1 returns to the home position and the sensor detection signal HP1 rises to the H level. When the sensor detection signal HP1 rises to the H level, it can be determined that the game effect motor M1 has completely recovered from the abnormal state. Therefore, the process proceeds to step ST4 after step ST3, and the error flag ERR1 and the switch flag SW are set. Clear to zero (ST4). Further, the prohibition of the operation of the firing motor MO2 is canceled, and the error notification is also canceled (ST5). Since the error flag ERR1 is cleared to zero, the error recovery process in steps ST2 to ST9 is not executed in the next timer interrupt process, and the normal game control operation is resumed.

  The game effect motor M1 that rotates the first rotator 16 has been described above. Next, the operation content of the game effect motor M2 that rotates the second rotator 17 will be described.

  Although the game effect motor M2 rotates normally, in this embodiment, an irregular rotation operation is performed in which the game ball is stopped for a predetermined time at the home position shown in FIG. 2 so that the game ball can be captured smoothly. FIG. 7B is a time chart showing this irregular rotation operation, and shows an example of an operation that temporarily stops at the home position by, for example, 3T / 10 with respect to the rotation period T of the second rotating body 17.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation content of the game effect motor M2 that realizes the irregular rotation of FIG. First, it is determined from the value of the delay timer DLY whether the primary stop state is set (SP20). The delay timer DLY is zero in the initial state or after the start of rotation, but is incremented by one for each timer interrupt during the primary stop operation (SP24).

  Therefore, initially, the delay timer DLY = 0, and the sensor detection signal HP2 is analyzed (SP21). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the sensor detection signal HP2 has risen to the H level. If a rising edge is detected, the delay timer DLY is updated as long as the delay timer DLY does not exceed the reference value TH0. It is executed (SP24). The process of step SP24 is a time consumption process for securing a temporary stop time 3T / 10 at the home position.

  After that, after repeating the time consumption process of steps SP20 → SP23 → SP24, when the value of the delay timer DLY exceeds the reference value TH0, the delay timer DLY is cleared to zero and the timer variable Tm is initialized to zero. (SP25). Further, the drive data is advanced by one step and the process is finished (SP26).

  Since the delay timer DLY is cleared to zero by the process of step SP25, the timer proceeds until the process proceeds in the order of step SP20 → SP21 → SP22 and the rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP2 is detected at the subsequent timer interruption. The variable Tm is updated (SP27). Then, unless the value of the timer variable Tm exceeds the limit value TH2, the drive data Φ1 to Φi are updated (SP29). The drive data Φ1 to Φi are updated at a rate of once every a plurality of N interrupts. Further, the limit value TH2 is set to an appropriate value exceeding the rotation period T of the game effect motor M2.

  Thus, if the process of step SP20-> SP21-> SP22-> SP27-> SP28-> SP29 is repeated, the game effect motor M2 will eventually go around and reach the home position. Therefore, the irregular rotation shown in FIG. 7B is realized by executing the time consumption process of steps SP20 → SP23 → SP24 again.

  However, when a failure as shown in FIG. 7C occurs, the rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP2 is not detected no matter how long it waits, and the value of the timer variable Tm exceeds the limit value TH2. Therefore, at the time of this abnormality, the error flag ERR2 is set to 1, and the drive data Φ1 to Φi are all set to 0, and the stepping motor M2 is set to a free rotation state that is a non-drive state (SP30). Further, an error is notified and the operation of the firing motor MO2 is prohibited (SP30). These processes are the same as the processes of steps ST26 and ST32 in the game effect motor M1, and have the same effects.

  The recovery process after the error notification is almost the same as that in the game effect motor M1, and the error flag ERR1 in steps ST2 to ST91 may be read as ERR2. That is, even in the error recovery process of the game effect motor M2, after waiting for the clear switch to be turned ON and receiving the clear signal CLR, the game effect motor M2 is moved to the home position and the error recovery process is completed.

  As described above, the control method for irregularly rotating the game effect motor M2 has been described. However, the process shown in FIG. That is, every time a rising edge of the sensor detection signal HP2 is detected, the timer variable Tm is cleared to zero and it is monitored that the timer variable Tm does not exceed the limit value TH2.

  In the above description, the operations of the game effect motors M1 and M2 are exclusively monitored. However, it is also possible to detect the abnormality of the rotating body by monitoring the passage of the game ball on the upstream side and the downstream side of the rotating body.

  FIG. 10A is a flowchart for explaining the simplest error detection algorithm. In such an error detection algorithm, (a) all the game balls that have passed the upstream side are captured by the rotating body and pass the downstream side, and (b) another game ball passes until it has passed the downstream side. It is suitably used for a gaming machine having a configuration that does not pass through the upstream side.

  In this embodiment, the illustrated upstream process and downstream process are executed for each timer interrupt, and when a game ball is detected on the upstream side, the detection flag GT is set. On the other hand, on the downstream side, on the condition that the detection flag GT has been set, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been detected, and the timer variable Tm is updated by +1 until a game ball is detected. When the value of the timer variable Tm exceeds the limit value TH, it is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred.

  FIG. 10B is a flowchart for explaining another error detection algorithm. This algorithm is preferably used for a gaming machine having a configuration in which all game balls passing through the upstream side are captured by the rotating body and pass through the downstream side in the order of capture. However, the game balls may pass through the upstream side continuously, and a branch path may be provided in the distribution path of the game balls.

  In this embodiment, a timer area having a ring buffer structure is used, and upstream processing, downstream processing, and timer variable update and determination processing are executed for each timer interrupt. In the upstream processing, every time a game ball is detected, the timer variable Tmi of the writing area PT (i) is set from 0 to 1, and the pointer i of the ring buffer is updated.

  On the other hand, in the downstream processing, every time a game ball is detected, the timer variable Tmj of the determination area RD (j) is cleared to 0, and the pointer j of the ring buffer is updated. In the timer variable update and determination process, in the timer area of the ring buffer structure, all non-zero timer variables Tm are incremented by 1, and then an error determination is made. The error determination is a determination as to whether or not the timer variable Tmj in the determination area RD (j) exceeds the limit value TH. If Tmj ≧ TH, the above-described error processing such as setting an error flag ERR is executed. To do.

  When the algorithm illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B is employed, it is possible to determine not only the trouble of the game effect motor but also the abnormality of the downstream sensor (game ball detection switch). In addition, in the algorithm of FIG. 10B, it is possible to determine an abnormality of the upstream sensor (game ball detection switch) only by adding processing for comparing the pointer variables i and j. For example, when the pointer variable j passes the pointer variable i, it is considered that the upstream sensor has failed.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, the concrete description content does not limit this invention at all, and various changes are possible without deviating from the meaning of this invention. In particular, the program exemplified is allowed to be changed to substantially the same or similar configuration.

  In the embodiment, the operation of the movable body (rotating body) is controlled by the main control unit. However, instead of (or in addition to) the sub control unit, the movable body is controlled using the same kind of algorithm. It is also suitable.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine of an example. It is the front view which shows the game board of a pachinko machine, and the schematic of the rotary body arrange | positioned at a game board. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process of a main control part. It is a time chart explaining operation | movement of a 1st rotary body. It is a flowchart which shows a part of FIG. 4 in detail. It is a time chart explaining operation | movement of a 2nd rotary body. It is a flowchart which shows another one part of FIG. 4 in detail. It is a flowchart explaining the deformation | transformation operation | movement of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining another Example.

Explanation of symbols

16, 17 Rotating bodies 21, 22 Position detecting means Tm Elapsed time TH Limit value

Claims (4)

Deciding whether to generate a profitable state that is advantageous to the player based on a winning lottery related to a winning action of a game ball that is fired based on a firing drive action while having a movable body that executes a predetermined game action A ball game machine that
A position detecting means capable of detecting that the movable body has reached the reference position in the movement operation of moving the stopped movable body to the reference position ;
A time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the start of the driving process of the movable body to move the stopped movable body to the reference position ;
An abnormality determining means for determining that an abnormality has occurred when the elapsed time exceeds a limit value without the movable body reaching the reference position despite the drive process of the movable body being performed ;
When abnormality occurs and Ru is determined, the stopping means to wait for switch operation in a state where stops the driving process of the movable body, banned firing drive operation of the game balls,
A recovery means for resuming the driving operation of the movable body when the switch operation is performed, and allowing the driving driving operation of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position ;
A ball game machine characterized by comprising: Deciding whether to generate a profitable state that is advantageous to the player based on a winning lottery related to a winning action of a game ball that is fired based on a firing drive action while having a movable body that executes a predetermined game action A ball game machine that
Position detecting means capable of detecting that the movable body has reached the reference position in the moving operation of rotating the movable body through the reference position in a steady manner ;
Time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time since passing through the reference position for the movable body in steady rotation,
An abnormality determining means for determining that an abnormality has occurred when the elapsed time exceeds a limit value without the movable body reaching the reference position despite the drive process of the movable body being performed ;
If it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, a stop means to wait for switch operation in a state where stops the driving process of the movable body, banned firing drive operation of the game balls,
A recovery means for resuming the driving operation of the movable body when the switch operation is performed, and allowing the driving driving operation of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position ;
A ball game machine characterized by comprising: During the function of the stopping means, the movable body is maintained in the free rotation state, and when it is detected that the movable body has reached the reference position based on the free rotation of the movable body, regardless of whether or not the switch is operated, The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is configured to permit a launch driving operation of the game ball . Deciding whether to generate a profitable state that is advantageous to the player based on a winning lottery related to a winning action of a game ball that is fired based on a firing drive action while having a movable body that executes a predetermined game action A ball game machine that
In the moving operation of the movable body that captures the game ball that has passed the upstream reference position and moves it to the downstream target position, the game ball that has passed the reference position and is captured by the movable body has reached the target position position detecting portion capable of detecting,
A time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time after the game ball passes the reference position;
An abnormality determination means for determining that an abnormality has occurred when the elapsed time exceeds a limit value without the game ball reaching the target position despite the drive processing of the movable body being performed ;
If it is determined that the abnormality has occurred, a stop means to wait for switch operation in a state where stops the driving process of the movable body, banned firing drive operation of the game balls,
A recovery means for resuming the driving operation of the movable body when the switch operation is performed, and allowing the driving driving operation of the game ball when the movable body reaches the reference position ;
A ball game machine characterized by comprising:

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