JP5334322B2 - Withdrawal control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a payout control method and a gaming machine, and more particularly to a payout control method capable of detecting fraud against a passing ball detection sensor that detects a game ball paid out by a prize ball payout device.

  In a pachinko machine, a ball that has been bulleted flows down a game area (an area formed on or near the game board surface for realizing a game or production by the flow of the game ball). In the process of flowing down, the game ball rolls while colliding with a game nail or impeller in the game area, and the flow direction changes. As a result, if a game ball wins at various winning holes arranged on the game area, a predetermined winning ball is paid out. On the other hand, if a game ball flows into the out port without winning any of the winning holes, the winning ball Will not be paid out. The player enjoys the game by demonstrating his / her skill in the ball or using the chance of the game ball flowing down and expecting the game ball to be won and paid out.

  A gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is provided with a control board for controlling the operation of the gaming machine. The control board includes a CPU as an arithmetic processing means, a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage element, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. It controls the operation of the gaming machine such as control, image control of the display device, special game win / fail lottery.

Game ball payout control is performed when a player requests to rent a game ball or when a specific prize is generated.
It is made by a prize ball payout device. In addition, the prize ball payout device is provided with a detection sensor for detecting the paid game balls. The control board determines whether or not the payout of the prize ball has been normally completed based on the detection signal of the game ball by the detection sensor. The control board ends the payout process by the prize ball payout device when it is determined that the payout has been normally completed.

  However, in recent years, fraudulent acts have been performed in which radio waves are applied to the detection sensor and the detection signal from the detection sensor is invalidated. If the detection signal of the detection sensor becomes invalid due to fraud, it will not be determined that the payout has been completed normally, so the payout of the prize ball by the prize ball payout device will not end, and the fraudster will illegally acquire the game ball There was a case. In view of such a problem, a gaming machine configured to detect an abnormality of a detection sensor is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-325928 A

  The gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a detection switch for detecting a game ball paid out by a prize ball payout device, an abnormality monitoring unit for monitoring an abnormality of the detection switch, and a detection switch by an abnormality monitoring unit. And a payout stop means for stopping the payout operation of the game ball when it is diagnosed that an abnormality has occurred in the game. In such a case, an abnormality is detected and the game ball payout operation is stopped or a report to that effect is made.

  By providing a monitoring means for monitoring the abnormality of the detection switch as in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to find fraud by radio waves, but expensive parts such as an abnormality monitoring means are necessary, There is a risk of increasing the number of parts and the accompanying increase in arrangement area and cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has discovered a fraudulent act that invalidates a detection signal of a passing ball detection sensor that detects a game ball paid out from a prize ball paying device with a simple configuration. It is an exemplary problem to provide a payout control method and a gaming machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a payout control method as an exemplary aspect of the present invention is configured to be able to hold game balls, and a ball feed member that pays out game balls one by one, and toward the ball feed member A prize ball payout device having a ball supply passage through which a game ball passes, a passing ball detection means for detecting a game ball paid out from the ball feeding member, and a control means for controlling driving of the prize ball payout device; The control means includes a step of paying out the game ball by the ball feed member, a step of obtaining a detection signal of the game ball paid out by the ball feed member from the passing ball detection means, and a ball feed based on the detection signal. The step of determining whether or not the payout of the game ball by the member is normally completed, and the game ball is held by the ball feed member when it is determined that the payout of the game ball by the ball feed member is not completed normally Step A step of paying out at least one game ball by the ball feed member, a step of obtaining a detection signal of the game ball paid out by the ball feed member from the passing ball detection means, and a game by the ball feed member based on the detection signal The step of determining whether or not the dispensing of the ball has been normally completed is sequentially executed.

  In this payout control method, after the game ball is paid out by the ball feeding member, when it is determined that the payout is not normally completed, the step of holding the game ball by the ball feeding member is executed. If it is determined that the payout of the game ball by the ball feeding member is not completed normally, the passing ball detection means is not functioning due to fraud (when the detection signal of the passing ball detection means is invalid) ), Or the supply of the game ball to the prize ball payout device is temporarily delayed, and the game ball is not paid out by the ball feeding member.

  For example, when the passing ball detection unit is not functioning due to an illegal act, the control unit obtains a detection signal from the passing ball detection unit even when the payout by the ball feeding member is normally completed. Cannot be determined as normal. In addition, if the passing ball detection means is not functioning due to fraud, if the payout process is executed again after determining that the payout has not been completed normally, the fraudster will obtain game balls more fraudulently. This is not preferable.

  On the other hand, when the supply of the game ball to the prize ball payout device is temporarily delayed, and the game ball is not paid out by the ball feed member, the game ball reaches the ball feed member, A payout can be performed.

  Therefore, when it is determined that the payout has not been completed normally, the control means executes a step of holding the game ball by the ball feed member, and first causes the ball feed member to hold the game ball. Then, after the step of holding the game ball, the game ball is paid out again to determine whether or not the payout is normally completed.

  For example, in the case of a temporary ball breakage, even if the ball feeding is not normally executed in the first ball feeding operation, the game ball is held by the ball feeding member by the holding operation, and is normal in the second ball feeding operation. The ball feed is executed. Therefore, in the second determination process, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally. In addition, by executing the holding step, the game ball can be quickly paid out in the subsequent payout operation, and the time delayed in the holding step can be shortened.

  On the other hand, if the passing ball detection means does not function due to fraud, even if the game ball is held by the ball feeding member by the holding operation and the ball feeding is normally executed in the second ball feeding operation, Since the passing ball detection unit does not function, the control unit determines that the payout has not been completed normally even in the second determination process. Therefore, following the first determination process, if it is determined in the second determination process that the payout of the game ball is not completed normally, it is determined that the passing ball detection means is not functioning due to an illegal act or the like. can do.

  As described above, when it is determined that the game ball has not been normally paid out, the step of holding the game ball is executed, and after this holding step, the game ball is paid out again, and the payout is normally completed. By determining whether or not the passing ball detecting means is not functioning, it can be determined. By determining whether or not the passing ball detecting means functions normally by such steps, it is possible to detect an illegal act at an early stage with a simple configuration without providing an abnormality monitoring means or the like.

  The ball feeding member may be configured to pay out the game ball by being rotationally driven in the forward direction and to hold the game ball by being rotationally driven in the reverse direction. According to the ball feeding member configured as described above, the step of paying out the game ball can be executed by rotating in the forward direction, and the step of holding the game ball can be executed by rotating in the reverse direction. it can. That is, an operation of paying out the game ball and an operation of holding the game ball by rotation in different directions can be realized, and different ball processing can be realized by a simple rotation operation.

  Further, in the step of holding the game ball, the ball feeding member may be configured to hold the game ball by being moved from the ball supply passage to a position where the game ball can be received. Even when the ball feeding member is moved from the ball supply passage to a position where the game ball can be received, the game ball can be held by the ball feeding member, and the second determination step thereafter can be executed.

  In the step of holding the game ball, the ball feeding member may be configured to stop for a certain period of time after being moved to a position where the game ball can be received, or at a low speed without stopping. You may be comprised so that it may pass through this position, and it should just be comprised so that the state which can receive a game ball from a ball supply channel | path will be implement | achieved.

  The winning ball payout device includes a ball presence detection unit that detects a ball presence state in which a game ball is present in the ball supply passage, and the control unit detects the ball presence state, and the ball feeding member An error process may be executed when it is determined that the game ball payout by is not normally completed.

  By providing a ball presence detecting means for detecting a ball presence state, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball supply passage, and when it is determined that the payout of the game ball has not been completed normally, It is possible to determine whether it is a state or an abnormality of the passing ball detection sensor, and it is possible to discover an illegal act more quickly and reliably.

  A game machine according to another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a game board unit that realizes a game, a game machine frame that holds the game board unit, and the above-described prize ball payout device and control means. The payout control method described above is configured to be executable. According to this gaming machine, since it is possible to detect an illegal act against the passing ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball paid out from the prize ball paying device at an early stage, the illegal act is effectively prevented and A fair game can be realized.

  Note that the game board unit is an aggregate including a game board provided with a game area for realizing a game by the flow of game balls, and a ball entry member mounted on the game board. The gaming machine frame is a frame member or a group of frame members that encloses the gaming apparatus body, and surrounds the side and front of the game board unit. A housing frame, a machine frame, a front frame, a combination thereof, or the like that encloses the gaming board unit corresponds to the gaming machine frame.

  Further objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the preferred embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, the step of holding the game ball is executed when it is determined that the payout of the game ball is not normally completed, and the game ball is paid out again after the step of holding to complete the payout normally. By determining whether or not the passing ball detecting means is functioning, it is possible to determine whether or not the passing ball detecting means is not functioning. By determining whether or not the passing ball detecting means functions normally by such steps, it is possible to detect an illegal act at an early stage with a simple configuration without providing an abnormality monitoring means or the like.

  Further, the ball feeding member is configured to pay out the game ball by being driven to rotate in the forward direction and to hold the game ball by being driven to rotate in the reverse direction, thereby rotating the ball feeding member in the forward direction. Thus, a step of paying out the game ball can be executed, and a step of holding the game ball by rotating the ball feeding member in the reverse direction can be executed. That is, an operation of paying out a game ball and an operation of holding the game ball by rotation in different directions can be realized, and a different ball processing operation can be realized by a simple rotation operation.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed typically the internal mechanism of the prize ball payout apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the ball | bowl feeding apparatus typically. (A) has shown the ball | bowl feeding aspect, (b) has shown the holding | maintenance aspect. It is an electrical schematic block diagram of a pachinko machine. It is a functional block diagram of a pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the payout control process performed by the payout control board side. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the payout control process performed by the payout control board side based on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 2 as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 2 shown in FIG. The pachinko machine 2 includes a gaming machine frame unit 3, a gaming board unit 5, a glass 10, a launch unit (not shown), a ball tray 14, and the like. The launch units are configured to be able to launch game balls 23 one by one toward the game area 16 configured in the game board unit 5.

  In the pachinko machine 2, when a player operates a launcher handle 15 to be described later, a ball is launched by the launch unit toward the game area 16, and a game by the flow of the ball is realized. In addition to the pachinko machine 2, the gaming machine can be an arcade machine such as a pachinko slot machine or a coin game machine, and various game machines. In short, a gaming area that realizes a game by the flow of gaming media. Any gaming machine you have is included.

  In addition, in the pachinko machine, any pachinko machine such as a combination pachinko machine such as an arrangement ball machine or a sparrow ball machine, a so-called digipachi type (one type) or a honey mono type (two types) pachinko machine can be conceptualized. In this embodiment, a so-called one-type pachinko machine that realizes a digipachi game (also referred to as a one-type game or a symbol variation game) will be described as an example. The symbol variation game will be described later.

  The gaming machine frame unit 3 of the pachinko machine 2 is for holding a gaming board unit 5 described later, and is configured to surround the peripheral side surface and the front of the pachinko machine 2. In addition to the game board unit 5, various mechanism parts such as various control boards, a path for game balls, and a launching device for game balls are arranged on the inner side of the game machine frame unit 3. Therefore, unauthorized access to the inside of the pachinko machine 2 from the peripheral side surface and the front is prevented.

  The outer frame 4 that surrounds the pachinko machine 2, the front frame 9 that is supported by swinging via a hinge 22 so as to be able to be opened and closed forward inside, and the front frame 9 that holds the game board unit 5. The gaming machine frame unit 3 is configured to have a glass frame 12 that holds the decorative member 32 that is supported and decorates the glass 10 and its surroundings.

  The glass 10 is a transparent member for allowing the player to visually recognize the game board 6 held inside the gaming machine frame unit 3 from the front. The glass 10 is a transparent plate that is spaced apart from the game board 6 by a certain distance or more. The glass 10 is formed of two transparent flat glasses and is held on the back side of the glass frame 12, and has a function of forming a flowing-down space for the game ball 23 to flow between the game board 6 and the player through the glass 10. The function of ensuring visibility so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized and the function of preventing unauthorized access so that the player cannot illegally access (contact) the game board 6 are exhibited.

  The ball tray 14 is a tray member disposed on the front surface of the front frame 9 for storing the player's ball, and in the present embodiment, has an upper ball tray 14a and a lower ball tray 14b. Yes. The upper ball tray 14a has a ball punching member 14c and is disposed below the game board 6, that is, a lower portion of the glass frame 12, and the lower ball tray 14b is disposed further below the upper ball tray 14a. . A game ball 23 paid out from a prize ball payout device 60 attached to the front frame 9 is guided to the ball tray 14.

  The launch unit (not shown) directs the game ball 23 paid out to the launch position from the upper ball tray 14a as a part of the ball tray 14 by the ball feeder (not shown) toward the upper part of the game area 16. It is for firing (bullet ball). The launch unit is attached to the lower part of the front frame 9, and generates a ball force by energizing the launch rod for driving the launch ball, the launch motor for driving the launch rod, and the launch rod. It has a firing spring.

  The game board unit 5 has a game board 6 in which a center accessory 7 as a game accessory is arranged in the approximate center of the game board surface (surface of the game board) 6a, and the game board surface 6a includes a number of game boards 6a. A game nail 27 is also arranged. An effect display device 7a as an image display means is disposed at the center of the center accessory 7, and a display opening 7d for exposing the display portion 7b of the effect display device 7a is formed.

  The game board 6 is a board-like member for constituting a game area 16 for realizing a game by the flow of the game ball 23 on the surface side thereof, so that the game board 6 can be visually recognized from the front by the player. It is held by a front frame 9 as a part of the gaming machine frame unit 3.

  A rail decoration 26 is attached to the surface of the game board 6 so as to surround the periphery in a substantially circular shape, and an outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 is arranged so as to stand on the game board. The game area 16 is a substantially circular area defined by the outer rail 26a of the rail decoration 26 and facing the outer rail 26a. A speaker 8 is attached to the outside of the rail decoration 26, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state or the like is output.

  The game nails 27 are flow-down changing members that collide with the game balls 23 flowing down the game area 16 and change the flow-down direction thereof, and many of them are arranged in the game area 16. Further, in the game area 16, a ball winning member such as a normal winning port 28, a start winning port 29 and a big winning port 31 and an out port 30 are arranged. Each winning member is provided with a winning mouth sensor 25 for detecting a game ball that has entered. Furthermore, a gate 33, a windmill 34, and the like are arranged in the game area 16, and the game balls 23 that flow down flow into each ball entry member, pass through the gate 33, and rotate the windmill 34. Thus, it is possible to enjoy the down-flow game by the game ball 23.

  The effect display device 7a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display, an LED, and the like, and is arranged so that the player can see from the game board surface 6a side, and displays an image on the display unit 7b. It is. A display symbol 7c interlocked with the first symbol is displayed on the display unit 7b of the effect display device 7a. The display symbol 7c is a symbol for visually producing the lottery result of the first lottery means. Further, for example, an effect image as a story tailoring image by a character or the like is also displayed on the display unit 7b. An effect control board 220 is electrically connected to the effect display device 7a via a relay board, and image display is controlled by the effect control board 220.

  On the back side of the game board 6, there is a main control board case 35 containing a main control board 200 as a control means for controlling the entire pachinko machine 2, and an effect control for controlling the image display of the effect display device 7a. An effect control board case 36 containing a board 220, a payout control board case 37 containing a payout control board 230 for controlling the payout of prize balls by the prize ball payout device 60, and a power supply containing a power supply board (not shown). A substrate case 38 is disposed. A game is realized by each control board accommodated in each control board case. Furthermore, an external output terminal plate 39 for outputting game information such as the gaming state of the pachinko machine 2 to the outside is provided on the back side of the game board 6.

  In addition, on the back surface of the pachinko machine 2, a game ball 23 supplied from a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided on a game machine island in which a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are arranged adjacent to each other is temporarily stored. There are provided a game ball storage tank 40 and a prize ball payout device 60 through which the game balls 23 from the game ball storage tank 40 flow in and pass through the game balls 23 one by one.

  The game ball 23 paid out from the prize ball payout device 60 is guided to the ball tray 14 through a ball passage (not shown). The ball passage is provided with a full detection sensor 24 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that detects a full state in which a plurality of game balls stay in the ball tray. When the full detection sensor 24 detects a full state, a process for limiting the payout control of the game ball 23 by the prize ball payout device 60 is executed.

  The prize ball payout device 60 is configured to be driven and controlled by the payout control board 230, and responds to a request for entering the game ball 23 into various winning holes and a request for lending the game ball 23 via the card unit C. Thus, the game balls 23 are paid out toward the ball tray 14 mounted on the glass frame 12.

  Specifically, when a game ball 23 enters each ball entry member, passage of the game ball 23 is detected by a winning opening sensor 25 attached to the ball entry member. This detection signal is transmitted to the main control board 200, and in response to this, a predetermined payout command is transmitted from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 230 side. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls 23 are paid out by the prize ball payout device 60. In addition, when a game ball rental request is made by the player via the card unit C, this request signal is transmitted to the payout control board 230. As a result, a predetermined number of game balls 23 are paid out by the prize ball payout device 60.

  Next, the configuration of the prize ball payout device 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the prize ball payout device 60. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a ball processing mode by the rotating body of the prize ball payout device 60, (a) to (c) showing a ball feeding mode, and (d) to (f) The holding mode is shown.

  The prize ball payout device 60 is attached to the front frame 9 that holds the game board 6, and a game ball that has passed through the ball supply passage 61 and a ball supply passage 61 into which the game ball 23 from the game ball storage tank 40 flows. 23, a rotating body (ball feeding member) 62 that sends out the game balls 23 one by one, and a passing ball detection sensor (passing ball detection means) 66 that detects the passage of the gaming balls paid out by the rotating body 62; And a ball presence detection sensor (ball presence detection means) 64 for detecting the presence of a game ball in the ball supply passage 61.

  The ball supply passages 61 are arranged in two rows and guide the game balls 23 supplied from the game ball storage tank 40 toward the rotating body 62. The ball presence detection sensor 64 detects the presence of the game ball 23 in the ball supply passage 61. The detection sensor 64 with a sphere includes a detection piece 64a that moves in the rotation direction about the rotation axis, and a detection unit 64b that detects the position of the detection piece 64a. The detection piece 64 a is configured to interfere with the game ball 23 in the ball supply passage 61, and is pressed by the game ball 23 when the game ball 23 is present in the ball supply passage 61.

  The detection unit 64 b detects the detection piece 64 a pressed by the game ball 23. The ball presence detection sensor 64 is configured to transmit a detection signal to the payout control board 230, and the payout control board 230 performs payout control processing described later based on the detection signal of the ball presence detection sensor 64.

  The game ball 23 that has passed through the ball supply passage 61 is guided to the rotating body 62. The rotating body 62 has two rotating discs 62a and is rotated around a rotating shaft 62b by a motor (not shown). Each rotating disk 62a is formed with three holding portions 62c, and is configured to hold the game ball 23 of each ball supply passage 61 every time it rotates 120 degrees. Further, the holding portions 62c of the two rotary disks 62a are formed so as to be shifted by approximately 30 degrees, and are configured to hold the game balls 23 alternately each time the rotating body 62 rotates 30 degrees.

  An outlet 65 for discharging the game ball 23 to the outside of the prize ball payout device 60 is provided downstream of the rotating body 62. In addition, a passing ball detection sensor 66 that detects the passing of the game ball 23 is provided upstream of the outflow port 65. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, when the turntable 62a is rotated in the forward direction (X direction shown in the figure), the game ball 23 held by the holding portion 62c is directed toward the outlet 65. Flow down. The passing ball detection sensor 66 detects the game ball 23 passing toward the outlet 65 and counts the number of game balls to be paid out by the prize ball payout device 60.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4D to 4F, the game ball 23 in the holding portion 62c is rotated by the rotating body 62 by rotating the turntable 62a in the reverse direction (the −X direction shown in the figure). It will be in the state pinched by the wall part 62d and the holding | maintenance part 62c which were provided in the side. Therefore, the plurality of game balls 23 are held by the holding unit 62c. When the turntable 62a rotates in the forward direction from this state, the held game balls 23 flow down toward the outlet 65 in order.

  When the passing ball detecting sensor 66 detects the passing of the game ball 23, a detection signal is transmitted to the payout control board 230. The payout control board 230 performs payout control processing described later based on the detection signal of the passing ball detection sensor 66.

  Next, the system configuration of the pachinko machine 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the pachinko machine 2. In the pachinko machine 2, the control means having the main control board 200, the effect control board 220, and the payout control board 230 performs operation control of the pachinko machine 2, effect control of the display device, game progress control, and prize ball payout control. Do. The control means includes a normal winning port 28 as a winning port, a starting winning port 29, a winning port sensor 25 for a winning member such as a grand winning port 31, a first symbol display device 17, an effect display device 7a, and a ball presence detecting sensor. 64, the full detection sensor 24, the passing ball detection sensor 66, and the like are electrically connected.

  The main control board 200 includes a lottery means 201, a symbol determination means 203, a holding storage means 204, a symbol display control means 205, a prize ball determination means 206, a pattern storage means 207, a ball entry determination means 208, Special game control means 209 and error processing means 212 are provided. The effect control board 220 includes an effect determination means 221, an effect control means 222, and an effect pattern storage means 223.

  The payout control board 230 includes payout control means 231. Each function included in the main control board 200 may be configured to be mounted on the effect control board 220 or the payout control board 230. The function included in the effect control board 220 or the payout control board 230 is The main control board 200 may be mounted.

  The lottery means 201 acquires a random value for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by the game ball 23 entering the start winning opening 29. . The lottery means 201 holds a plurality of success / failure determination tables that are referred to in the determination of whether or not to shift to a special game based on a random number value. In the plurality of success / failure determination tables, a lottery result of winning or losing and a random value are associated with each other, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the range setting of the random value associated with the winning. The lottery means acquires a lottery result based on the random value. The acquired lottery result is temporarily stored in the hold storage unit 204.

  The lottery means 201 refers to the normality probability determination table at the normal time, and refers to the normality probability determination table at a higher probability than the normal probability when the probability variation is higher than the normal probability. The lottery means 201 appropriately selects and refers to any one of the plurality of success / failure determination tables, and determines whether or not the random number value is a win.

  The random value can be configured to be acquired from a value in a range from “0” to “65535”, for example. The random number may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like.

  The holding storage unit 204 stores the lottery result of the lottery unit 201. The number of holds in the holding means has an upper limit, and the lottery result is stored until the number of holds in the holding means reaches a predetermined upper limit. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the upper limit of the number of holds of the holding means is 4. The number of holds held by the holding means is displayed with a lamp or the like so that the player can check the number of holds.

  The lottery result of the lottery means 201 is displayed as the first symbol on the first symbol display device 17. In conjunction with the first symbol, the effect display device 7a performs an effect display including the display symbol 7c. The symbol determination means 203 determines the stop symbol of the first symbol and the display symbol 7c displayed on the first symbol display device 17 and the effect display device 7a and the variation display pattern of the symbol according to the lottery result of the lottery means 201.

  The pattern storage means 207 includes a symbol pattern table 207a to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol pattern of the first symbol, and a symbol variation display pattern table 207d to be referred to in order to determine the symbol variation display pattern. The symbol pattern table 207a stores the first symbol and the lottery result in association with each other, and the symbol variation display pattern table 207d stores the symbol variation display pattern and the lottery result in association with each other.

  The symbol variation display pattern is a variation display pattern in which the variation mode from the variation start to the stop when the symbol is variably displayed is defined. The variation mode includes a design variation mode and a variation time. The variation time is the time from when the symbol starts to vary until the symbol stops, and is defined as a symbol variation end condition. When the fluctuation time elapses, the symbol fluctuation is stopped. The variation time is set to be different for each symbol variation display pattern.

  The symbol determination unit 203 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 201, refers to the symbol pattern table 207a, and determines the stop symbol of the first symbol. In addition, the symbol determining unit 203 in the present embodiment also has a function of a variation display pattern selecting unit, and selects any symbol variation display pattern with reference to the symbol variation display pattern table 207d. The symbol determination unit 203 sends information indicating the determined stop symbol and symbol variation display pattern to the symbol display control unit 205 and the effect control unit 222.

  The ball entering determination unit 208 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the winning detection information from the winning opening sensor 25 of the starting winning opening 29, the winning determination means 208 determines that the starting winning opening 29 has been won. The winning entry determining means 208 determines that the winning prize opening 31 has been won when receiving the winning detection information from the winning prize sensor 25 provided in the winning prize opening 31. The winning ball determination means 208 sends the determined winning information to the winning ball determination means 206 and the lottery means 201.

  The winning ball determination means 206 determines the number of winning balls to be paid out to the player by the winning ball payout device 60 based on the winning information determined by the winning ball determination means 208. The winning ball determining unit 206 includes a winning ball number storage unit 206a for determining the number of winning balls. The winning ball number storage means 206a stores each winning opening information and the number of winning balls in association with each other. Specifically, the number of prize balls 3 is associated with the normal prize opening 28, the number of prize balls 15 is associated with the large prize opening 31, and stored in the prize ball number storage means 206a. .

  When receiving the winning information of the normal winning opening 28 from the winning determination means 208, the winning ball determination means 206 determines the number of winning balls 3 based on the winning ball number storage means 206a. The prize ball determining means 206 sends a prize ball command including the determined number of prize balls to the payout control board 230. The payout control means 231 of the payout control board 230 performs payout control of the game ball by the prize ball payout device 60 based on the prize ball command. Specifically, the rotating body 62 of the prize ball payout device 60 is driven and controlled, and a predetermined number of game balls 23 are paid out toward the ball tray 14.

  Also, the payout control means 231 determines whether or not the payout processing by the prize ball payout device 60 is normally completed, and determines the presence or absence of an error based on this determination. If it is determined that there is an error, an error signal is transmitted to the main control board 200. Based on the error signal from the payout control board, the error processing means 212 of the main control board 200 performs error processing including game stop and error notification.

  The symbol display control means 205 causes the first symbol display device 17 to variably display the first symbol based on the variation display pattern determined by the symbol determination means 203. The symbol display control unit 205 transmits a variation start command and a variation stop command to the effect control unit 222 at the timing of starting and stopping the variation display of the first symbol. By sending this command, the variable display by the symbol display control means 205 and the effect control means 222 can be synchronized and kept in sync.

  When the lottery result by the lottery means 201 is a win, the special game control means 209 executes the special game by opening the special winning opening 31. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 31 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by one or a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing unit. The unit game is repeated, for example, up to 15 times, and the special winning opening 31 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 209 terminates the special game when the unit game is consumed a predetermined number of times.

  The effect determination means 221 determines the stop symbol and the display symbol variation display pattern of the display symbol 7c based on the first symbol and the symbol variation display pattern of the first symbol. The effect pattern storage means 223 includes a decorative symbol variation display pattern table 223a to be referred to in order to determine a decorative symbol variation display pattern. The decorative symbol variation display pattern table 223a has a display symbol variation display pattern for determining the stop symbol of the display symbol 7c. The decorative symbol variation display pattern is a symbol variation display of the first symbol and the first symbol. Associated with a pattern.

  The decorative symbol variation display pattern is a variation display pattern in which a variation mode from the variation start to the stop when the ornamental symbol is variably displayed is defined. The variation mode includes a design variation mode, a variation time, and an effect display mode in each region of effect display. The effect determining unit 221 selects a decorative symbol variation display pattern in which a variation time equal to the symbol variation display pattern is set according to the symbol variation display pattern determined by the symbol determination unit. For example, when a symbol variation display pattern is selected from a fixed time pattern, a decoration variation display pattern having the same variation time is selected. The effect determining means sends information on the determined decorative symbol variation display pattern to the effect control means 222. The effect control means 222 displays the lottery result by the lottery means 201 on the effect display device 7a in a variable manner based on the selected decorative symbol change display pattern.

  Next, payout control processing in the pachinko machine configured as described above will be described in detail based on the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an example of a payout control process executed on the payout control board 230 side.

  When the payout control means 231 acquires a prize ball command from the main control board 200, it records the number of payout balls and executes a ball feeding operation (S301). Specifically, the rotating body 62 is driven to rotate in the forward direction. Next, the payout control means 231 determines whether or not the game ball 23 has passed the passing ball detection sensor 66 (S302). If YES in step 302, the process proceeds to step 303. If NO in step 302, the process proceeds to step 304.

  If YES in step 302, that is, if the passing of the game ball is detected by the passing ball detection sensor 66, 1 is subtracted from the number of payout balls stored in advance (S303). On the other hand, in the case of NO in step 302, that is, when the passage of the game ball 23 is not detected by the passing ball detection sensor 66, and after step 303, has the payout control means 231 completed the ball feeding operation for the number of payouts? It is determined whether or not (S304). If YES in step 304, the process proceeds to step 305. If NO in step 304, the process proceeds to step 301, and the ball feeding operation is executed again.

  If YES in step 304, that is, if it is determined that the ball feeding operation for the number of payouts has been completed, a waiting time for passing the ball is set (S305). This is because the game ball 23 is paid out by the rotary body 62 after the rotary body 62 is driven to rotate, and a time lag occurs until the passing ball detection sensor 66 detects the game ball 23. Next, the payout control means 231 determines whether or not the passing ball detection sensor 66 has detected the passing of the game ball 23 (S306). If YES in step 306, the process proceeds to step 307. If NO in step 306, the process proceeds to step 308.

  If YES in step 306, that is, if the passing ball detection sensor 66 detects the passing of the game ball 23, 1 is subtracted from the number of payout balls stored in advance (S307). On the other hand, in the case of NO in step 306, that is, when the passing ball detection sensor 66 does not detect the passing of the game ball 23, and after step 307, the payout control means 231 determines whether or not the payout number is 0 ( S308). If YES in step 308, the current payout control is terminated. On the other hand, if NO in step 308, it is determined whether the waiting time for passing the ball set in S305 has elapsed (S309). If NO in step 309, the process proceeds to S <b> 306, and it is determined again whether or not the passing ball detection sensor 66 has detected the passing of the game ball 23.

  On the other hand, in the case of YES at step 309, the payout control means 231 executes the holding operation of the game ball 23 (S310). Specifically, the rotating body 62 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and the rotating body 62 holds the plurality of game balls 23. Next, the payout control means 231 executes a ball feeding operation for one ball (S311). If there is a game ball in the ball supply passage 61, it is determined whether or not the game ball 23 is held on the rotating body 62 by the holding operation and the passing ball detection sensor 66 is functioning by paying out one ball. can do.

  The payout control means 231 determines whether or not the passing ball detection sensor 66 has detected the passing of the game ball 23 (S312). In the case of YES at step 312, the passing ball detection sensor 66 is functioning and is considered to be in a temporarily out of ball state, so a normal payout process is executed. Specifically, 1 is subtracted from the number of payouts (S313), and it is determined whether or not the number of payouts is 0 (S314). If YES in S314, the current payout control is terminated. On the other hand, if NO in step 314, the process proceeds to step 309.

  On the other hand, if NO in step 312, that is, if the passing ball detection sensor 66 does not detect the passing of the game ball 23, the game ball 23 is out of the ball or the game ball 23 is present but the passing ball detection sensor. Since it is considered that 66 is not functioning, error processing is executed assuming that an abnormality has occurred (S315), and the payout processing is terminated. The payout control means 231 transmits an error signal to the main control board 200 as error processing. When receiving an error signal from the payout control board 230, the error processing means 212 of the main control board 200 executes an error notification process or a game stop process.

  The game stop process is, for example, a game stop process of the game ball 23, and a process for temporarily stopping the game is executed in order to suppress the occurrence of further problems. Further, as the error notification process, a message for prompting the player to call a hall attendant or the like is sent, and error information is transmitted to the hall computer via the external output terminal board 39. As a message display for the player, for example, displaying a message “Please call a clerk” on the display screen of the effect display device 7a can be exemplified.

  Thus, according to the control method of the prize ball payout device 60 according to the present embodiment, an abnormality of the passing ball detection sensor 66 is found without providing a monitoring means or the like for monitoring the abnormality of the passing ball detection sensor 66. And fraudulent acts can be prevented.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, in the present embodiment, after the holding operation of the game ball 23 is executed, if the passing ball detection sensor 66 does not detect the passing of the game ball 23, the ball is out of state or the passing ball detection sensor 66 is Although it is configured to execute error processing on the assumption that it is not functioning, it is in a state where it is out of ball based on the detection signal of the ball detection sensor 64 or the passing ball detection sensor 66 is functioning. You may comprise so that it may determine whether it is in a state.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a payout control process executed on the payout control board 230 side according to a modification. In the payout control process according to the modified example, steps 401 to 414 are the same processes as steps 301 to 314 of the payout control process according to the embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The payout control means 231 determines whether or not the passing ball detection sensor 66 detects the passing of the game ball 23 after the ball feeding operation (S411) (S412). It is determined whether or not the game ball 23 is present in the passage 61 (S415). Specifically, based on a detection signal from the ball presence detection sensor 64, it is determined whether or not the game ball 23 is present in the ball supply passage 61.

  If YES in step 415, that is, if there is a game ball 23 in the ball supply passage 61, it is considered that the passing ball detection sensor 66 is not functioning, so the first error process is executed (S416). When the passing ball detection sensor 66 is not functioning, there is a high possibility of fraud. Therefore, as the first error processing, notification to the player is not performed, but notification is made only to the hall computer. By performing the first error processing in this manner, it is possible to notify the fraudulent act without being noticed by the cheating person.

  On the other hand, if NO in step 415, that is, if there is no game ball 23 in the ball supply passage 61, the passing ball detection sensor 66 is functioning but is considered to be out of ball, so the second error processing is performed. Execute (S417). As the second error process, an error is notified to the player and the hall computer. Specifically, a message prompting the player to call a hall attendant is sent, and error information is transmitted to the hall computer via the external output terminal board 39. By performing the second error processing in this way, it is possible to promptly notify the hall clerk of the ball out-of-ball condition and to resume the game at an early stage.

  Thus, even with the payout control process according to the modified example, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the passing ball detection sensor 66 without providing a monitoring means for monitoring the abnormality of the passing ball detection sensor 66, thereby preventing an illegal act. It becomes possible to do. Furthermore, since it is possible to determine whether the ball is out of state or the passing ball detection sensor 66 is not functioning, processing according to the state can be quickly performed, and further damage is further expanded. Can be prevented.

C: Card unit 2: Pachinko machine (game machine)
3: Gaming machine frame unit 4: Outer frame 5: Game board unit 6: Game board 6a: Game board surface (surface of the game board)
7: Center character 7a: Effect display device 7b: Display unit 7c: Display pattern 7d: Display opening 8: Speaker 9: Front frame 10: Glass 12: Glass frame 14: Ball tray 14a: Upper ball tray 14b: Lower ball Dish 14c: Ball removal member 15: Launcher handle 16: Game area 17: 1st symbol display device 22: Hinge 23: Game ball 24: Full detection sensor 25: Winning mouth sensor 26: Rail decoration 26a: Outer rail 27: Game Nail 28: Ordinary winning opening 29: Start winning opening 30: Out opening 31: Large winning opening 32: Decoration member 33: Gate 34: Windmill 35: Main control board case 36: Production control board case 37: Delivery control board case 38: Power supply board case 39: External output terminal board 40: Game ball storage tank 60: Prize ball payout device 61: Ball supply passage 62: Rotating body (ball feed member)
62a: turntable 62b: rotating shaft 62c: holding part 62d: wall part 64: detection sensor with a sphere (detection means with a sphere)
64a: Detection piece 64b: Detection unit 65: Outflow port 66: Passing ball detection sensor (passing ball detection means)
200: Main control board (control means)
201: Lottery means 203: Symbol determination means 204: Holding storage means 205: Symbol display control means 206: Prize ball determination means 206a: Prize ball number storage means 207: Pattern storage means 207a: Symbol pattern table 207d: Symbol variation display pattern table 208: Entry determination means 209: Special game control means 212: Error processing means 220: Effect control board 221: Effect determination means 222: Effect control means 223: Effect pattern storage means 223a: Decoration symbol variation display pattern table 230: Payout control Substrate (control means)
231: Dispensing control means

Claims (1)

A ball feeding member configured to hold the game balls, and paying out the game balls one by one;
A ball supply passage for allowing a game ball to pass toward the ball feeding member;
A passing ball detecting means for detecting a game ball paid out from the ball feeding member;
A control means for controlling the driving of the prize ball payout device, and a payout control method in a gaming machine comprising:
The control means
Paying out a game ball by the ball feeding member;
Obtaining a detection signal of a game ball paid out by the ball feeding member from the passing ball detection means;
Determining whether or not paying out of the game ball by the ball feeding member is normally completed based on the detection signal;
Holding the game ball by the ball feeding member when it is determined that the payout of the game ball by the ball feeding member is not normally completed;
Paying out at least one game ball by the ball feeding member;
Obtaining a detection signal of a game ball paid out by the ball feeding member from the passing ball detection means;
Sequentially determining whether or not paying out of a game ball by the ball feeding member is normally completed based on the detection signal ,
The ball feeding member is
The game ball is paid out by being rotated in the forward direction, and the game ball is held by being driven in the reverse direction.
A payout control method configured to hold at least two of the game balls during the rotation in the reverse direction .

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