JP7127865B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines (generally called "pachinko machines") and reel-type gaming machines (generally called "pachislot machines").

2. Description of the Related Art In recent gaming machines, complicated game control is required in order to enhance the interest of the game. Along with this, there has been proposed a gaming machine in which a plurality of control boards provide respective corresponding functions to share the role of game control (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-159953 A

In the game machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, signals are transmitted and received between each control board, and control corresponding to the signal received by each control board is performed. increased, and there was a risk that the treatment would be delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing an increase in the load on a control board.

A gaming machine comprising first control means for controlling progress of a game and second control means capable of executing control based on game information notified from the first control means,
The first control means is
a game information storage means capable of temporarily storing the game information;
a game information notification means capable of notifying the second control means of the game information stored in the game information storage means;
with
The second control means is
a game information receiving means for receiving the game information notified from the first control means;
game information response means for transmitting a response signal indicating that the game information has been received to the first control means;
with
The game information notification means periodically transmits the game information stored in the game information storage means to the second control means,
When the game machine is powered on, the first control means executes an initial setting process for making settings necessary for starting a game in the game machine,
The game information notification means transmits, as the game information, main control recognition information that can be stopped such that at least a part of the game functions cannot be temporarily executed during execution of the initial setting process to the second control means,
When the game information receiving means receives the main control recognition information , the game information response means outputs the game stop release enable information for canceling the stop of the temporarily stopped game function as the response signal to the first control recognition information. send to the control means,
The first control means is
After the initial setting process is executed, a timer interrupt process that is periodically executed, a main loop process that is executed after the end of the timer interrupt process, and regardless of whether or not the game stop cancellation possible information is received A power outage process that is executed when the voltage of the gaming machine drops below a predetermined level,
Although the timer interrupt process can be executed between the transmission of the main control recognition information and the reception of the game stop cancellation possible information , the first process included in the timer interrupt process cannot be executed. year,
A second process included in the main loop process can be executed even during a period from the transmission of the main control recognition information to the reception of the game stop cancellation possible information ,
The first process and the second process are processes that provide at least part of the game functions,
The first process is a process that can be executed by receiving the game stop cancellation possible information , and by executing the first process, the stop of the game function is canceled and the game can be played. and
The main control recognition information includes a specific identification number that can determine whether the first control means is legitimate.
A gaming machine characterized by:

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to solve the above problems and provide a game machine capable of suppressing an increase in control load.

1 is a front view showing a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a payment machine provided with the gaming machine; FIG. It is a front view of the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed. It is a front perspective view showing a body frame that constitutes the gaming machine. It is a rear perspective view showing a body frame that constitutes the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a ball launching device, a deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit, and a ball collecting portion; Fig. 10 is a right side view showing the ball launching device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device; It is a perspective view looking up at the upper part of the game board from the lower front of the game board showing the ball launching device and the shooting area. It is a front view showing a ball launching device (shooting hammer hitting position). It is a perspective view which looks at a ball launcher from the front left and shows it. It is a perspective view which looks at a ball launcher from the back left. It is a perspective view showing the ball launcher viewed from the rear left with the ball feeding unit cover removed. It is a diagram showing an open state of the ball shooting device in the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed. It is a right side view showing a longitudinal section of the gaming machine with the door frame removed. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a cross-sectional perspective view along line AA of FIG. 2; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the joint portion of the ball shooting device with the base plate and the protruding portion of the panel holder of the game board are in contact with each other; It is a perspective view which looks at a ball launcher from the front right side, and shows it. It is a front view showing a ball launcher (launching hammer standby position). It is a right side view showing the ball launching device (the ball feed solenoid is de-energized, the ball feed member is in the holding position and the return ball blocking position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ball launching device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (the ball feed solenoid is de-energized, the ball feed member is in the holding position and the return ball blocking position). It is a perspective view showing a ball feeding member, a ball feeding shaft, and a ball feeding sheet metal in the ball feeding device from diagonally behind. It is a right side view showing the ball launching device (the ball feed solenoid is energized, the ball feed member is in the supply position and the allowable position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ball shooting device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (the ball feed solenoid is energized, the ball feed member is in the supply position and the allowable position); FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the body frame cut in the vertical direction to show the ball launching device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device; It is a time chart which shows the drive timing of a ball feed solenoid and a discharge solenoid. It is a front perspective view of a ball outlet opening/closing unit. It is a back perspective view of a ball outlet opening-and-closing unit. It is a perspective view showing the relationship between the upper firing unit and the ball outlet opening and closing unit in the body frame. Fig. 10 is an external perspective view for explaining a deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. 29. It is a figure which isolate|separates and turns over a magnetic ball discharge part cover in FIG. 28, and demonstrates it. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. It is a rear view of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the base plate of a deformed ball and magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit separated into a deformed ball discharge unit and a magnetic ball discharge unit; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining paths along which deformed balls and magnetic balls are discharged in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the condition where a magnetic ball is isolate|separated from a circulation route and is discharged|emitted. It is a figure explaining the state which the magnetic ball reached|attained the magnetic ball discharge|emission inclined surface. It is a front left perspective view of a ball gathering part and a ball lifting device. FIG. 3 is a front view of a ball gathering part and a ball lifting device; It is a front view which shows the state which removed the ball polishing cartridge in the ball collection part. It is a back perspective view showing a state where the case of the ball collecting portion and the cover of the ball lifting device are removed. FIG. 41 is a rear perspective view showing an enlarged sphere converging portion in FIG. 40; FIG. 42 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 41; FIG. 4 is a plan view with the case of the sphere gathering portion removed; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which an upper gearbox and a lower gearbox are removed; It is a right view which shows the state which removed the cover of the ball lifting device. FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of (A) in FIG. 45; It is a figure showing the state which disassembled the screw. It is a perspective view which shows the upper part of a ball lifting device. It is a figure which shows the fitting / non-fitting state of a screw and a fitting member. It is a left view which shows the state with which the ball polishing cartridge was mounted. It is a perspective view explaining the mechanism which fixes a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of mounting|wearing with a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. It is a left side view showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 55 is a left side view showing a state in which the left side cover of the ball polishing cartridge is removed in FIG. 54; FIG. 55 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state with which the ball polishing cartridge was mounted. FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which only the right outer side cover is removed in FIG. 57 for explanation; FIG. 59 is a top perspective view showing a state in which the right side cover is opened in FIG. 58; 1 is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge; FIG. It is a front view of a ball polishing cartridge. Fig. 2 is a side view of the ball polishing cartridge; FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state in which the left side cover is removed in FIG. 62; It is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between a ball polishing cartridge and a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. FIG. 40 is an enlarged view enlarging the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge of FIG. 39; It is a side view which shows the 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a top view which shows the state which removed the upper gearbox in a lifting device. It is a rear view which shows the state which removed the lifting part cover in the lifting apparatus. It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the number of inserted game balls is less than a predetermined number when the game balls are enclosed in the enclosed ball type gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a predetermined number of game balls are inserted when game balls are enclosed in the enclosed-ball type gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of the game ball when the number of inserted game balls exceeds a predetermined number when the game balls are enclosed in the enclosed ball type gaming machine. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the game ball introduction member in the game panel is projected. It is a perspective view showing a state in which the game ball introduction member is housed in the game panel. It is a block diagram showing the main part in the embodiment of the main control board deployed in the enclosed ball type gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing the main part of the ball information control board deployed in the enclosed ball type gaming machine. It is a block diagram showing each element connected to the payment machine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main control side power-on processing executed by the main control MPU of the main control board; FIG. FIG. 80 is a flow chart showing a continuation of the main control side power-on processing of FIG. 79; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main control side timer interrupt processing executed by the main control MPU; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a ball information control side power-on process executed by a ball information control MPU of a ball information control board; FIG. FIG. 83 is a flow chart showing a continuation of the ball information control side power-on process of FIG. 82; FIG. FIG. 84 is a flow chart showing the continuation of the power-on processing on the ball information ball yield control side following FIG. 83 ; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing ball information control power-off processing executed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board; FIG. It is a flow chart which shows an example of ball information control side timer interruption processing. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball rental process which ball information control MPU performs. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a hit ball possible/impossible determination process performed by the ball information control MPU; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of count processing of the number of possession balls performed by the ball information control MPU; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of ball feeding/shooting drive processing performed by the ball information control MPU; This is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of shot ball detection processing performed by the ball information control MPU; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the number of possession balls subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a lifting drive process performed by a ball information control MPU; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball clogging alerting|reporting process which a ball information control MPU performs. It is the figure which showed the cushion and follower member which were provided in the back surface side of a door frame, and the cushion receiving plate which was provided in the ball launching device. It is an example of a block diagram showing a game board and a body frame connected by a drawer connector. It is an example of a block diagram showing a game board and a body frame connected by a drawer connector. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional example of signal output from a sphere information control board to an external terminal board; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the embodiment of signal output from the sphere information control board to the external terminal board; 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a gaming machine ecosystem; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a gaming machine management system; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a body frame of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; (A) to (C) are perspective views showing a fitting procedure of the game board of the game machine of Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional front view showing a game board of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view showing a state in which the ball shooting device is accommodated in the notch portion of the game board of Embodiment 2; FIG. 105B is an enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 105B; FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 106 is a cross-sectional view taken along line SS of FIG. 106 showing a state in which the game board is installed insufficiently. FIG. 106 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line SS of FIG. 106 showing the normal installation of the game board; FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of a main part showing a modification of the game board and the ball launching device of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged front view showing the upper side of the ball launching device and the game board of the gaming machine of Embodiment 2; 10 is a flowchart showing main control side power-on processing executed by the main control MPU of the main control board in the present modification. FIG. 114B is a flow chart showing a continuation of the main-control-side power-on processing of FIG. 114A; FIG. It is a modified example of the flowchart showing the main control side timer interrupt processing executed by the main control MPU in this modified example. It is a figure explaining an example of prize-winning information transmitted from the main control board to the ball information control board in the present modification. It is a figure explaining an example of the table which defines the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning opening in this modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the number of winning balls is included in the winning information in this modified example, (A) is a case where the number of winnings is totaled for each general winning opening, and (B) is a winning by aggregating the general winning openings. This is the case when counting numbers. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of storing winning information in the order of winning in this modification. It is a diagram showing an example of game information transmitted from the main control board to the ball information control board in this modification, (A) is an example of winning information, (B) is an example of main control recognition information. It is a diagram showing another example of the game information to be transmitted from the main control board to the ball information control board in this modification. It is a diagram for explaining communication between the main control board and the ball information control board when the game machine of the present modification is started. In the communication between the main control board and the ball information control board of the game machine of this modified example, it is a diagram showing a case where there is no response from the ball information control board to the notification from the main control board. In the communication between the main control board and the ball information control board of the game machine of this modified example, it is a diagram showing another example when there is no response from the ball information control board to the notification from the main control board.

[Embodiment 1]
[Overview of gaming machines]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The game machine 1 (enclosed ball type game machine) according to the first embodiment can be installed in the current island equipment in the hall (game hall), and the game content is the same as that of the well-known game machine. However, the game machine does not use the ball supply mechanism or the ball discharge mechanism of the island facility. That is, in the enclosed ball type game machine 1 according to the first embodiment, a predetermined number of game balls made of a non-magnetic material (for example, stainless steel) are accommodated in the game machine, and the game balls are sent to the game area by the ball launching device. A game is played by circulating the game balls enclosed in advance in the game machine in such a manner that the game balls which have been played are collected and guided to the ball shooting device. Then, game balls can be shot in accordance with the number of game balls (data on the number of balls held) based on the data on the number of rental balls input from a storage medium such as a card via a payment system or the like, and the game balls are shot. Then, the data of the number of held balls is subtracted corresponding to the number of shot game balls.

In addition, when a game ball that is launched enters a winning hole in the game area and a prize ball (game ball) is generated, the actual game ball is not paid out, and the number of prize balls is recorded in the data of the number of possession balls is added. Also, when the data of the number of held balls becomes "0", the game ball cannot be shot. In this state, when a numerical value (number of rental balls) is added to the data of the number of held balls based on the data of the amount stored in the storage medium such as the card and the data of the stored balls, it is possible to shoot the game ball again. becomes.

First, the body frame 2 (FIG. 3) and the door frame 3 (FIG. 1) that constitute the gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. Incidentally, the gaming machine 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with a payment machine 4 as an external device.

The game machine 1 comprises an outer frame 1a (FIG. 12) configured in a rectangular frame shape and installed on an island facility on the hall side, and a game board 5 (FIG. 2) pivotally supported by the outer frame 1a so as to be openable and closable. It is composed of a mountable body frame 2 and a door frame 3 pivotally supported on the body frame 2 so as to be openable and closable.
A decorative cover 6 is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 1a at a position below the body frame 2 and the door frame 3, and the front surface of the outer frame 1a is completely closed by the door frame 3 and the decorative cover 6. It has become. The outer frame 1a, the body frame 2, and the door frame 3 are arranged such that their upper ends are substantially aligned, and the body frame 2 is rotatable by means of a hinge 7 (Fig. 3) provided on the left side of the outer frame 1a. The body frame 2 is pivotally supported, and the body frame 2 is opened by moving the right side of the body frame 2 forward with respect to the outer frame 1a. The door frame 3 is rotatably attached to the body frame 2 with a pin, and is opened by moving the right side of the door frame 3 forward.

[Door frame 3]
The door frame 3 includes a game window 9 through which a player can visually recognize a game area 8 into which game balls are hit on the game board 5, and a game window 9 which is arranged below the game window 9 and which opens into the game area 8 based on the player's operation. It has a ball hitting handle 10 for hitting a game ball. A transparent plate 11 is attached to the game window 9 to cover the front surface (game area 8) of the game board 5 mounted on the side of the main body frame 2 in a state where the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2 so as to be visible. It is The ball hitting handle 10 drives a shooting solenoid 13 (see FIG. 5) of a ball shooting device 12 attached to the upper left of the main body frame 2 based on the rotation operation of the player, thereby moving the ball to the game area 8. It is designed to hit the ball. The ball-striking handle 10 includes a microswitch (not shown) that is turned on when rotated, and a firing stop switch that is turned off by pressing the microswitch while the microswitch is on, and the ball-striking handle 10. A touch switch is provided to detect the player's contact with the hitting handle 10 via conductive plating applied to the outer peripheral surface of the handle. Ball launcher 12 will be described later.

The door frame 3 and the main body frame 2 are connected by a key device arranged at the lower right corner of the door frame 3. By inserting a key into the key device and turning it to one side, the door frame 3 can be opened. It can be opened with respect to the body frame 2. - 特許庁

[Touch panel unit 14]
The door frame 3 is provided with a horizontally long touch panel portion 14 below the game window 9 (a portion corresponding to the upper plate of a known non-enclosed ball type game machine). The touch panel portion 14 displays the number of remaining points, the number of balls in the game machine, and the number of edge balls.

Here, the number of remaining points is a value corresponding to the amount of money stored in the card used in the payment machine 4, and the number of balls owned by the player is the number of balls lent to the player by lending the balls. It is the sum of the number of balls and the number of prize balls won by the player as a result of playing the game.

The touch panel portion 14 displays a ball lending button as a ball lending command input means operable by the player and a settlement button as settlement command input means operable by the player. The ball lending button is for instructing the lending of a ball for playing a game. Also, the settlement button is to end the game and instruct the settlement.

Further, on the touch panel section 14, a number-of-balls display button is displayed as a number-of-balls display command input means that can be operated by the player. Here, the number of short balls is the number of surplus balls when the number of balls held by the player is divided by the number of balls corresponding to one special prize at the time of prize exchange. The touch panel section 14 can also display a message such as, for example, "Do you want to hit only the edge ball?" A message in the form of an interactive question is displayed together with a number display button, and a YES button and a NO button are respectively displayed for the player to select and input a yes or no response.

[Body frame 2]
The body frame 2 is box-shaped and has a frame-shaped fitting frame 15 and a peripheral wall portion 16 so as to be fitted in the rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 1a (FIGS. 3 and 4). The fitting frame 15 has a rectangular housing opening 17 for fitting and housing the game board 5 on its front side. A protruding wall 18 protruding inward is integrally formed at the back of the housing opening 17 (FIGS. 3 and 12). The back is closed with a back cover. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the body frame 2, the front surface (game area 8) of the game board 5 accommodated in the body frame 2 can be seen through the game window 9 of the door frame 3. - 特許庁

A deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit housing portion 19 is formed below the housing opening portion 17, and a deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 is arranged in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit housing portion 19. . Then, as will be described later, the discharged ball receiving box 234 that houses deformed balls and magnetic balls having a smaller diameter than the regular game balls discharged from the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 is used for the gaming machine. It can be attached and detached from the front direction.

Also, FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the body frame cut in the vertical direction to show the ball launching device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 23, the body frame 2 is provided with a ball launching device 12, a ball collecting section 21, a ball lifting device 22 and a ball supply path member 24. As shown in FIG. The ball collection part 21 receives game balls that have passed through the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 and guides them to the base of the ball lifting device 22 (FIG. 5), and includes a ball polishing device and the like.

A ball shooting device 12 for shooting game balls toward the game area 8 is arranged on one side (upper left corner) of the front and upper part of the body frame 2 (FIGS. 3 and 23). In addition, a ball feeding device 28 for feeding game balls arranged and stored in a guide passage (a ball feeding guidance gutter 69 described later, see FIG. 11) to the firing position of the ball launching device 12 one by one is provided for the ball launching device 12. , so as to overlap in the front-rear direction (FIGS. 6 and 23).

The ball-lifting device 22 uses a screw 25 driven by a ball-lifting motor 150 (see FIG. 24) in the first embodiment, and the game balls that have reached the base part are separated from each other by the rotation of the screw 25. is opened and lifted to the upper part of the body frame 2 from below. The ball lifting device 22 is attached to the rear surface of the main body frame 2 behind the ball launching device 12, and the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is arranged above the ball feeding device 28 (FIGS. 3 and 4). 4, Fig. 23).

Between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper portion of the ball launching device 12, there is provided a ball feeder extending in the longitudinal direction for sending game balls lifted by the ball lifting device 22 to the ball feeding device 28 from above. A path member 24 is provided (FIGS. 3, 4, 23). In addition, in this embodiment, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and is gently downwardly inclined toward the front so that the lifted game balls can be pushed forward from above. It is composed of a ball sending gutter 23 to be sent out and a lifting communication gutter 65 formed at the rear upper part of the ball shooting device 12, connected to the ball sending gutter 23, and gently downwardly inclined forward. The game ball lifted by the ball lifting device 22 is sent to the ball sending gutter 23. The ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball supply path member 24 is provided with a launch standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of game balls flowing down the ball delivery gutter 23 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the ball launching device, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the front left. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the rear left, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the rear left with the ball feeding unit cover removed.

12 is a view showing the open state of the ball shooting device in the gaming machine with the door frame removed, and FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a longitudinal section of the gaming machine with the door frame removed. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA of FIG. 2; FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state where the joint portion of the ball shooting device with the base plate and the projecting portion of the panel holder of the game board are in contact with each other.

16 is a perspective view showing the ball launching device viewed from the front right side, FIG. 17 is a front view showing the ball launching device (shooting hammer standby position), and FIG. 18 is a right side showing the ball launching device. It is a plan view.

The ball shooting device 12 receives a game ball arriving from a metal plate-like base plate 39 to be rotatably attached to the main body frame 2 and a ball supply path member 24, and is positioned at a ball shooting position of a shooting hammer 30 (FIG. 8). It has a ball feed solenoid 31 (FIG. 11) and a ball feeding device 28 for reliably feeding game balls one by one with a ball feeding member 32 (see FIGS. 8 to 11).

The ball feeding device 28 receives a game ball arriving from the ball supply path member 24 (FIG. 6), and feeds one game ball to the firing position of the firing hammer 30 (FIG. 8) of the ball launching device 12 by the ball feeding member 32. It is a device for reliably sending out one by one.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ball launcher 12 includes a launch hammer 30, a launch solenoid 13, a rail member 33, a launch stopper 34, a return stopper 35, a launch ball confirmation switch 36, a ball launcher hinge 37, and a launch port. 38. These members are attached to a base plate 39 (a metal plate in this embodiment) as a substrate. The firing port 38 is formed facing the tip of the firing hammer 30, and the rail member 33 is attached to this portion. The rail member 33 is a member that holds, by means of a rail portion 332, one game ball sent to the shooting position (ball hitting position) by the ball sending member 32. As shown in FIG. A game ball hit by the shooting hammer 30 is shot from the shooting port 38 to the game area 8. - 特許庁

The shot ball confirmation switch 36 is arranged with respect to the rail portion 332 of the rail member 33, and detects the presence or absence of the game ball struck by the shot hammer 30, and the game ball detection by the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is not detected. By switching, it is detected that one game ball has been shot by the shooting hammer 30. - 特許庁

As shown in FIG. 5, the game ball circulation mechanism (circulation path) includes the ball launching device 12, the game area 8, the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20, the ball gathering section 21, the ball lifting device 22, and the ball supply path. The game ball is roughly composed of the member 24, and is shot from the ball shooting device 12 to the shooting area 40 (FIG. 7) of the game area 8. From 42, it returns to the ball launching device 12 via the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20, the ball gathering portion 21, the ball lifting device 22, and the ball supply path member 24.

[Game board]
A game board 5 is attached to the fitting frame 15 of the body frame 2 . In this embodiment, the game board 5 has a transparent panel plate 44 attached to a panel holder 43 and a front structural member 45 attached to the front surface thereof. , FIG. 12).
In addition, the front structural member 45 covers the game area 8 from the launch port 38 of the ball launching device 12 to the rubber ball collision part 29 provided on the side opposite to the ball launching device 12 in a subarc range. It has an upper game area partitioning part 451 partitioned by and a lower game area partitioning part 452 partitioning the lower side.
Further, the upper game area division part 451 is a ball launch side upper division part 454 formed with a rising curved surface 453 that guides the game ball in an arc from the launch port 38 of the ball launching device 12 to the top of the game area 8. and a ball-collision-side upper section 456 formed with a descending curved surface 455 that guides the game ball in an arc from the top of the game area 8 to the ball-collision section 29. 4, the length of the arc of the ascending curved surface 453 and the length of the arc of the descending curved surface 455 are approximately the same.

The mechanical and electrical connection between the game board 5 and the body frame 2 is made by a drawer connector as shown in FIG. The game board 5 is provided with a game board side main drawer connector and a game board side sub drawer connector, and the main body frame 2 is provided with a main body frame side main drawer connector and a main body frame side sub drawer connector. there is By fitting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2, the game board side main drawer connector and the main body frame side main drawer connector, the game board side sub-drawer connector and the main body frame side sub-drawer connector are connected, and the game board 5 is connected. and the body frame 2 are mechanically connected and electrically connected at the same time. This enables electrical communication between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 .

A notch 47 (FIG. 12) is formed in the upper left corner of the game board 5 so as to match the outline of the ball shooting device 12 . The notch 47 extends from the front structural member 45 to part of the transparent panel plate 44 in the game area 8 . The ejection opening 38 of the ball shooting device 12 faces the portion where the transparent panel plate 44 is cut out, and as shown in FIG. is the emission area 40 .
Therefore, the game ball hit hard by the shooting hammer 30 of the ball shooting device 12 rises along the rising curved surface 453 of the front structural member 45 in the shooting area 40, passes over the top of the game area 8, and curves downward. It hits the ball collision part 29 along the surface 455 or falls in front of it, and flows down in the direction of the out port 42 mainly from the center or upper right side of the game area 8 . On the other hand, the weakly launched game ball descends immediately after exiting the launch port 38 and flows down mainly from the left upper portion of the game area 8 toward the out port 42 .

In the game area 8 of Embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a large number of obstacle nails 503, a liquid crystal display device 1400, and various winning openings such as a general winning opening 93x and a large winning opening 98x are provided. A predetermined number of prize balls are given according to the winning in various prize openings. Since the gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 1 is of the enclosed ball type, "1" is subtracted from the data of the number of held balls in accordance with the hitting of one game ball, and prizes corresponding to winnings in various prize winning openings are provided. The number of balls is added to the data of the number of held balls, and the corresponding number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel section 14 .

In addition, since it is an enclosed ball system, prize balls are not paid out, and the number of balls put out, the number of balls entered, the number of difference balls, the number of balls held, etc. are not the actual number of game balls, but the data values . That is, the game balls actually used are limited to a predetermined number (for example, 50 or 75) that are circulated. The number of balls fired and counted, the number of recovered balls counted by detecting the game balls fired and recovered in the game area 8, the number of prize balls in the case of winning, the number of rental balls borrowed from the hall side, etc. The number of incoming balls, the number of outgoing balls, the number of difference balls, and the number of held balls can be obtained.

That is, the number of shot balls equals the number of collected balls as long as there is no trouble such as the game balls coming out when the door frame 3 is opened. Number of incoming balls = number of collected balls = number of fired balls, number of discharged balls = number of awarded balls (accumulated value) = number of entered balls - number of rented balls (number of replayed balls) + number of owned balls, and number of owned balls = rented balls Number of balls (or number of balls replayed) + number of balls thrown - number of balls entered, number of balls thrown - number of balls entered = number of balls held, number of balls held = number of balls rented (or number of balls played again) + number of balls held becomes. In this way, the game by the gaming machine 1 is completely performed based on the numerical values of the data. It becomes possible to reliably manage in integer units. In addition, in the structure of the ball launching device 12, which will be described later, basically no foul ball is generated due to a mistake in hitting.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the front component member 45, the panel holder 43, and the transparent panel plate 44 are configured as separate members. Alternatively, the front structural member 45 can be screwed to a wooden plywood board. When the front structural member 45 and the panel holder 43 are formed integrally with the transparent panel plate 44 in this manner, the front structural member 45 and the panel holder 43 have been provided with the cutout portion 47 in the game board 5. Structural weakening of these members due to cutting of the frame structure (four sides are connected) can be suppressed.

[Ball launcher 12]
The ball launching device 12 can hit the game ball supplied from the ball feeding device 28 into the game area 8 of the game board 5 with a force corresponding to the rotation operation of the ball hitting handle 10 . The ball shooting device 12 includes a shooting solenoid 13 attached to the upper rear surface of a base plate 39 so that a rotary drive shaft 60 protrudes forward, and a shooting hammer 30 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 60 of the shooting solenoid 13 so as to be integrally rotatable. , a hammer tip 61 fixed to the tip of the firing hammer 30, a rail member 33 attached to the front surface of the base plate 39 with a predetermined position on the movement locus of the hammer tip 61 as the firing position, and the rail member 33 at the firing position. A launching stopper 34 for restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the hammer tip 61 from the ball-hitting position where the stationary game ball can be hit, and a standby position (initial position) in the rotation operation of the launching hammer 30. A return time stopper 35 that restricts the ball to the top, a shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball stopping at the shooting position, a ball shooting device hinge 37, and a shooting opening facing the game area 8 and a mouth 38 (see FIGS. 8, 9, 16 and 18).

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the shooting solenoid 13 in the ball shooting device 12 is such that the rotary drive shaft 60 reciprocates at a strength (speed) corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the ball shooting handle 10 . The shooting hammer 30 of the ball shooting device 12 has a fixed portion 301 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 60 of the shooting solenoid 13, and extends in a gentle arc shape from the fixed portion 301, and the tip thereof is aligned with the axis of the rotary drive shaft 60. A rod portion 302 facing the normal direction and having the tip 61 fixed to the tip thereof, and a stopper extending to the opposite side of the rod portion 302 across the fixing portion 301 and capable of abutting against the stopper 34 at the time of firing. A contact portion 303 is provided. When the stopper contact portion 303 of the firing hammer 30 comes into contact with the firing stopper 34, the counterclockwise rotation in a front view is restricted (see FIG. 8).

A ball supply port 63 formed in a ball feeding unit base (described later) of the ball feeding device 28 is arranged directly above the rail member 33 of the ball launching device 12 . The rail member 33 stops one game ball sent out from the ball supply port 63 by the ball sending operation of the ball sending member 32 of the ball sending device 28, which will be described later, at the shooting position.

The rail member 33 is formed by bending a metal plate, and includes a mounting plate portion 331 attached and fixed to the base plate 39 and a rail portion 332 formed by bending the mounting plate portion 331 forward. and (see FIG. 8). The rail portion 332 for setting the firing position has a substantially L shape inclined 45 degrees to the left when viewed from the front. (see FIG. 8). The left rail plate 333 is formed with a through hole 335 through which the tip 61 passes when the firing hammer 30 hits a ball (see FIGS. 9 and 21).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when viewed from the front, a portion of the right side of the ball shooting device 12 extending from the center to the lower end in the vertical direction is exposed to face the game area 8 . As shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, a launch port decoration member 64 is provided on the right front side of the base plate 39, and the launch port decoration member 64 is attached to the base plate 39 and a ball feed unit base 67, which will be described later. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 16, the launch port decoration member 64 is arranged so that the right side and the lower side face are exposed to face the play area 8, so that the right side of the launch port decoration member 64 is exposed. A ball entrance prevention wall 51 is formed on the surface portion and the lower side surface portion to prevent the game ball launched into the game area 8 from entering the inside of the ball launching device 12 . The launch port 38 is formed in a ball entry prevention wall 51 on the right side of the launch port decoration member 64 . It has an arch shape that rises forward.

As will be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 16, the launch port 38 is positioned obliquely to the right and above the rail portion 332 in a front view. As understood from FIGS. 8 and 17, the distance between the rail portion 332 (shooting position) and the launching port 38 is short (approximately twice the diameter of the game ball P). It is possible to reliably hit the shot game ball into the game area 8 without generating a foul ball.

The shooting ball confirmation switch 36 detects the presence or absence of a game ball stopped at the shooting position, and the game ball is not detected when the game ball at the shooting position is hit by the shooting hammer 30 and shot. By switching to , it is detected that one game ball has been shot by the shooting hammer 30 .

The shot ball confirmation switch 36 consists of a transmissive photosensor, and a light projecting part and a light receiving part are arranged so as to straddle the rail part 332 that sets the shooting position. The shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is arranged with respect to the shooting position by being supported by the photo bracket 361 , and the photo bracket 361 is attached and fixed to the lower front surface of the base plate 39 .

The ball shooting device 12 includes a stopper cover 62 that covers the front surface of a shooting stopper 34 capable of regulating the rotation end of the shooting hammer 30 toward the ball-hitting position, and a stopper cover 62 that covers the front surface of the shooting-time stopper 34 that can regulate the rotation end of the shooting hammer 30 toward the ball-hitting position. A return stopper 35 is provided for restricting the end of rotation (the end of rotation in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front). The surfaces of the stoppers 34 and 35 are covered with rubber so that they can absorb the impact when the firing hammer 30 comes into contact with them, and also suppress the noise caused by the contact. .

In the ball launching device 12, the shooting solenoid 13 is driven by a ball information control section (to be described later) with driving strength corresponding to the rotation operation of the ball hitting handle 10. The solenoid 31 is driven to perform a ball-hitting operation according to the drive timing described later (see FIG. 24). Specifically, in the ball feeding device 28 that supplies game balls to the ball shooting device 12, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is driven (ON), the game ball received by the ball feeding member 32 is fed to the ball shooting device 12, and the state When the driving of the ball feed solenoid 31 is released (OFF), the ball feed member 32 receives the game ball.

In the ball shooting device 12, when the ball-hitting handle 10 is operated to shoot, the firing solenoid 13 is repeatedly energized and de-energized at a voltage corresponding to the amount of operation. 8 and 17, the firing hammer 30 rotates in the firing direction (counterclockwise) from the initial position (FIG. 17) to the firing position. After hitting the stationary game ball with the mallet tip 61 (FIG. 8), it rotates clockwise and repeats the shooting operation to return to the initial position.

[Ball feeding device 28]
Next, the ball feeding device 28 will be explained. 10 and 11, the ball feeding device 28 is mainly constructed as a unit, and has a ball inlet 66 connected to the front end of the ball delivery trough 23 of the ball supply path member 24 shown in FIG. It has a gutter 65 and a ball supply port 63 connected to the pumping communication gutter 65 and for supplying game balls entered from the pumping communication gutter 65 to the ball launching device 12, and the rear side is open. A unit base 67, a ball feed unit cover 68 that closes the rear end of the ball feed unit base 67 and has an open front, a ball feed solenoid 31 disposed below the ball feed unit base 67, and a ball feed solenoid 31. and a ball feeding member 32 which simultaneously realizes a ball feeding operation and a return ball blocking operation described later by driving the ball.

The pumping communication gutter 65 is gently slanted downward from the rear end where the ball inlet 66 is formed to the front end. The ball feeding unit base 67 is attached to the rear left side of the base plate 39, the front end of the lifting communication gutter 65 is connected to the upper right side, and the front end of the lifting communication gutter 65 is connected to the rear view. From the right side of the upper part to the center in the vertical direction, a gentle downward slope is applied to the left in the horizontal direction, and the ball feed guide gutter 69 is bent downward in the middle, and the lower end of the ball feed guide gutter 69. It has a ball supply port 63 penetrating in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 11).

In addition, on the rear surface of the ball feed unit cover 68 facing the portion above the ball supply port 63 below the bent portion of the ball feed guide gutter 69, there is a game ball waiting in the ball feed guide gutter 69. A launch standby ball detection switch 70 for detecting the presence or absence of a ball is provided (see FIG. 10). The waiting-to-be-fired ball detection switch 70 is composed of a flat-type proximity switch that detects a game ball as a metal object by means of a change in the impedance of a detection coil of a high-frequency oscillation circuit.

The ball feed solenoid 31 of the present embodiment is composed of an electromagnet, and is disposed below the ball feed unit base 67 with the attracting portion that exerts the attracting function by excitation directed downward. Also, the ball feed member 32 is arranged under the ball feed unit base 67 adjacent to the left side of the ball feed solenoid 31 . The ball-feeding member 32 in this embodiment is moved to a permissible position where the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is energized/de-energized to allow the ball to pass through without interfering with the ball fired from the ball-striking position by the ball-striking operation of the ball launching device 12. and a return ball blocking position for blocking entry of the return ball returning from the game area 8 to the launch port 38.

[Ball feeding member 32]
The ball feeding member 32 will be described below. 18 is a right side view of the ball launching device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is de-energized, the ball feed member 32 is in the holding position and the return ball blocking position), and FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the ball launching device 12 cut along line B (the ball feed solenoid 31 is de-energized, the ball feed member 32 is in the holding position and the return ball blocking position); FIG. is a perspective view showing the ball feeding member 32, the ball feeding shaft, and the ball feeding sheet metal in FIG.

21 is a right side view showing the ball launching device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is energized, and the ball feed member assumes the supply position and the allowable position), and FIG. 22 is the arrow view BB in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ball launching device broken in line (ball feed solenoid 31 energized, ball feed member 32 in feed position and allow position);

As shown in FIG. 20, a shaft hole 75 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the middle of the ball feeding member 32 in the up-down direction. A ball feed shaft 76 is inserted through the shaft hole 75 with both ends protruding, and both left and right ends of the ball feed shaft 76 are supported by the ball feed unit base 67 . As a result, the ball feeding member 32 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction with the ball feeding shaft 76 as the center of rotation.

An arm portion 77 is formed to extend rearward in the middle of the ball feed member 32, and at the lower end of the arm portion 77, as shown in FIG. A lever portion 72 is formed, and a sheet metal accommodating portion 73 is formed in the operating lever portion 72, and a ball feeding sheet metal 71 made of a metal material attracted by a magnet is accommodated in the sheet metal accommodating portion 73.

Immediately below the sheet metal accommodating portion 73, there is formed a sheet metal locking claw 78 that protrudes rearward to prevent the ball feeding sheet metal 71 from coming off. This prevents the ball feeding sheet metal 71 from dropping out of the sheet metal accommodating portion 73. - 特許庁

As shown in FIG. 20, a hooking projection 79 is formed at the end of the operating rod portion 72, and one end of the tension spring 52 shown in FIG. 19, the other end of the tension spring 52 is engaged with a spring engaging portion 53 formed on the bottom surface of the ball feeding unit base 67. As shown in FIG.

20, above the shaft hole 75 of the ball feeding member 32, a roof-shaped ball feeding portion 74 is formed integrally with the ball feeding member 32 toward the lower edge of the ball feeding port 63. there is The ball feeding portion 74 is formed in a mountain shape with the center of the upper surface rising upward, and the ball feeding port 63 formed at the lower end of the ball feeding guide gutter 69 in FIG. A ball feed guide surface 80 inclined downward toward the lower edge, and an arc convex rearward from the center, that is, toward the ball feed unit cover 68 closing the rear end of the ball feed guide gutter 69 in FIG. and a sphere retaining surface 81 which is sloped downward. A hanging piece 82 hanging downward is formed at the rear end of the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeding portion 74 .

18, 20, and 21, the upper portion of the ball feeding member 32 in the vertical direction passes through the ball feeding unit base 67, and as shown in FIGS. A rectangular frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 is formed extending toward the hitting path from the center of the return ball blocking portion 83, and a rectangular shaped ball passage opening 85 is formed in the center of the return ball blocking portion 83.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 integrally formed with the ball feeding member 32 is arranged adjacent to the ejection opening 38 in the direction of the ejection position. In addition, on the firing position side of the portion located on the front side of the frame of the return ball blocking portion 83, a ball stopping portion 84 is formed whose base portion is horizontal and projects toward the rail portion 332 in a triangular shape. The ball stopper 84 is arranged in front of the ball feeder 74 and above the firing position so as to face the ball feeder 74 .

Further, on the ball feeding unit cover 68, a ball guide protrusion 54 having a vertical cross-section of a "<" shape facing forward is formed at a position facing the ball feeding port 63 behind the ball feeding port 63. A forward guiding surface 55 facing the ball supply port 63 and having an arcuate concave shape is formed on the upper portion of the ball guide protrusion 54 facing forward. The lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 is formed to be curved backward, and the space below the lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 is provided with the ball feed member 32 in the front-rear direction around the ball feed shaft 76 as the center of rotation. In the rotating operation, the ball feeding portion 74 can be retracted. A stopper piece 56 is formed at the lower end of the ball guide protrusion 54 so as to protrude forward.

[Ball Feeding Operation and Return Ball Blocking Operation of Ball Feeding Member 32]
The ball feeding operation and return ball blocking operation by the ball feeding member 32 of the ball feeding device 28 constructed as above will be described. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state, it is engaged with the locking projection 79 at the end of the operating rod portion 72 of the ball feeding member 32 and the spring locking portion 53 formed on the lower bottom surface of the ball feeding unit base 67. Due to the tensile force of the stopped tension spring 52 , the lower end of the ball feeding member 32 is drawn toward the ball feeding unit base 67 .

As shown in FIG. 18, in a normal state (when the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state), the ball-feeding member 32 is in a rotational posture with the ball-feeding shaft 76 as the center of rotation. The blocking part 83 takes a rearwardly inclined posture, and when viewed from the side of the game area 8, that is, in the ball hitting path from the shooting position of the ball launching device 12 to the launching port 38, the launching port 38 is immediately launched. At the position on the position direction side, the portion of the return ball blocking portion 83 positioned in front of the frame is in a posture that intersects the launch port 38, and the hitting ball passing port 85 is positioned relative to the launch port 38 on the hitting path. is shifted rearward, making it impossible for the ball to pass through the hitting ball passage opening 85 on the hitting path. That is, the return ball blocking portion 83 takes a return ball blocking position to block entry of a return ball returning from the game area 8 to the launch port 38 in this posture.

After the hit ball is shot, the return ball blocking part 83 assumes the return ball blocking position to block the game ball shot to the game area 8 from entering the launch port 38 as the return ball, thereby blocking the return ball. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from losing interest in the game due to the return ball.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19, in the normal state (when the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is in the non-excited state), the ball-feeding member 32 is such that the ball-holding surface 81 of the ball-feeding portion 74 protrudes from the ball-feeding unit cover 68 into the ball guide projection. In the space below the portion 54, the hanging piece 82 formed at the lower end of the ball feeding portion 74 abuts the stopper piece 56, and the ball feeding member 32 is in a rotating posture with the ball feeding shaft 76 as the center of rotation. , is restricted to the holding position in the ball feeding operation.

At the holding position, the ball feed guide surface 80 of the ball feed portion 74 is positioned in front of the lower end of the front guide surface 55 of the ball guide protrusion 54 and is positioned on the extension of the front guide surface 55 in the tangential direction. Also, the ball stop portion 84 approaches the ball supply port 63, the game ball P1 is caught in the gap between the lower end of the ball supply port 63 and the ball stop portion 84, and the game ball P1 stays there. becomes.

[Excitation of ball feed solenoid 31]
When the ball feed solenoid 31 is energized and energized, the ball feed sheet metal 71 is attracted upward by the electromagnet function, and the operating rod portion 72 of the ball feed member 32 moves upward against the tensile force of the tension spring 52. The ball feeding member 32 rotates about the ball feeding shaft 76 in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 19, and as shown in FIGS. to an allowable position.

As a result, the ball stopping portion 84 moves forward from the position where it approaches the ball supply port 63, and at the same time, the ball feeding portion 74 moves forward to feed the game ball P1, which has remained at the holding position, to the shooting position (FIG. 22). reference).

As shown in FIG. 21, when the ball feed solenoid 31 is in an energized state, the rectangular frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 assumes an upright position in a rotational posture about the ball feed shaft 76, and the game area is 8, that is, at a position immediately on the firing position direction side of the firing port 38 in the ball hitting path from the firing position of the ball launching device 12 to the firing port 38, with respect to the firing port 38 in the ball hitting path. The hitting ball passage opening 85 is at a position that allows the ball to pass through the hitting ball passage opening 85 on the hitting path. That is, in this posture, the return ball blocking portion 83 assumes a permissive position that allows the passage of the hit ball without interfering with the hit ball that has been shot from the shooting position.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the ball feed solenoid 31 is in an energized state, the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feed portion 74 is positioned in front of the ball guide protrusion 54 of the ball feed unit cover 68 at the supply position in the ball feed operation. Then, the subsequent game ball P2 is stuck in the gap between the upper end of the ball supply port 63 and the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeder 74, and the subsequent game ball P2 stays. By the ball feeding operation described above, the ball feeding member 32 feeds the game balls aligned and stored in the ball feeding guide gutter 69 to the shooting position of the ball launching device 12 one by one.

24 is a time chart showing drive timings of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. As shown in FIG. The shooting solenoid 13 is turned on when a period A has passed since the ball feed solenoid 31 was turned on, and the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off when a period B has passed since the ball feeding solenoid 13 was turned on, and the ball is fed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has passed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

In the first embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball feed member 32 feeds the shot ball to the shooting position (rail portion 332). That is, the shot ball is detected by the shot ball confirmation switch 36 . In this embodiment, it is determined that there is a ball to be launched when a game ball stopped at the launch position is detected by the ball launch confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time period (30 ms as the period D). do.

In this way, when a game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that there is a shooting ball. False counts of balls can be eliminated, increasing certainty in detecting launched balls.

Operation control is performed by the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control unit 118, which will be described later, according to the driving timing of the ball feed solenoid 31 and the shooting solenoid 13 shown in FIG. That is, when the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feeding member 32 is in the allowable position, the ball launching device 12 is operated to cause the shooting hammer 30 to perform a ball-striking operation, and the predetermined amount is determined from the operation of the ball launching device 12. After the specified time has elapsed (after 30 ms has elapsed), the ball feed solenoid 31 is de-energized and the return ball blocking section 83 is moved to the return ball blocking position, so that the return ball is blocked by the return ball blocking section 83. to control.

According to this, when the return ball blocking part 83 takes the allowable position, the ball is allowed to pass through without interfering with the ball fired from the shooting position. It is possible to prevent the player from feeling distrustful of hitting the ball at the target position, and to suppress the decline in interest in the game.

After the hitting ball is shot, the return ball blocking part 83 takes the return ball blocking position so that the game ball shot to the game area 8 is blocked from entering the launch port 38 as a return ball. Since the returning ball can be blocked, it is possible to prevent the player from losing interest in the game due to the returning ball.

In the first embodiment, the return ball blocking portion 83 is formed integrally with the ball feed member 32, so that the ball is moved to the shooting position by energizing/de-energizing one electric drive source (ball feed solenoid 31). Feeding and return ball prevention can be realized at the same time. That is, when the ball feeding member 32 is at the supply position, the ball passage opening 85 is positioned on the ball-hitting path through which the game ball shot from the shooting position passes, and when it is at the holding position, it is out of the ball-hitting path. A frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 is formed so that a hitting ball passage opening 85 is positioned at the retracted position.

When the ball feeding member 32 takes the supply position, the return ball blocking part 83 takes the allowable position and does not interfere with the hit ball shot from the shooting position, thus preventing the game ball from being hit at the target position. It is possible to prevent the player from having a sense of distrust, and to prevent the player from losing interest in the game.

Further, when the ball feeding member 32 moves to the holding position, the return ball blocking part 83 moves to the return ball blocking position at the same time, so that the game ball shot to the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the launch port 38. can be blocked and the return ball can be prevented, so that the return ball can prevent the decrease in interest in the game.

In the ball shooting device 12 of this example, when the shooting hammer 30 performs a ball hitting operation, the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feeding member 32 is in the permissible position (the hitting ball passage opening 85 and the shooting opening 38) at which the passage of the shot ball is allowed. are aligned on the ball hitting path), and there is no interference with the ball to be fired. can be adequately addressed by adopting For this reason, the electric drive source can be made smaller and thinner, and the power consumption required for its drive can be kept low.

Also, as shown in FIG. 24, the firing solenoid 13 is energized for a period C from the time when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, and the tip 61 protrudes through the through hole 335 of the rail portion 332 (FIG. 9). As a result, the game ball can be prevented from being stopped on the rail portion 332, and the return ball can be prevented and the erroneous count of the shot ball can be more reliably counted.

Although the return ball blocking portion 83 of Embodiment 1 has a rectangular frame shape and includes a hit ball passage opening 85 in the center, the shape of the return ball blocking portion 83 is not limited to this. For example, it may be strip-shaped or rod-shaped, and may not have the ball passage opening 85 . That is, on the ball-hitting path from the firing position to the launching port 38, the permissible position is provided adjacent to the launching position direction of the launching port 38 and allows the passage of the hit ball without interfering with the hitting ball fired from the launching position. , and a return ball blocking position that blocks entry of a return ball returning from the game area 8 to the launch port 38.例文帳に追加

In the enclosed ball type gaming machine of the present embodiment described above, the ball lifting device 22 is positioned behind the ball launching device 12 arranged on one side of the front and upper portion of the main body frame 2 . Attached to the rear surface, the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is disposed above the ball feeding device 28, and between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper portion of the ball launching device 12, the ball lifting device 22 A ball supply path member 24 extending in the front-rear direction is provided for feeding the game balls lifted by the above to the ball feeding device 28 from above.

Since it has the above-described structure, the ball supply path member 24 is attached to the rear part of the game board 5. Various members (movable body, power transmission mechanism (for example, gear train) for driving the movable body, left and right Slide rail for guiding direction, drive motor as drive source, position detection sensor for detecting position of movable body, LED board, relay board, etc.) The game ball lifted to the upper part of the body frame 2 by the lifting device 22 can be smoothly sent to the ball shooting device 12.例文帳に追加

In addition, since the ball supply path member 24 does not interfere with various members attached to the rear part of the game board 5, the space formed behind the ball launching device 12 can be allocated to the rear part of the game board 5. It can be applied to the arrangement space of each member that is being kicked.

Also, the ball launching device 12 shown in FIG. 23 employs an electric drive source that is smaller and thinner than the conventional device for the reason described above. As shown in FIG. 23, the electric drive source (shooting solenoid 13) of the ball launcher can be made smaller and thinner, so that the electric drive source does not protrude behind the ball launcher 12. , a wider arrangement space 57 for each member attached to the rear part of the game board 5 can be secured accordingly.

Further, the ball launching device 12 of Embodiment 1 can be rotated by the ball launching device hinge 37 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2 (FIG. 12). can be rotated to a position out of the movement path when the left end of the connector is inserted. Therefore, the operation of attaching the game board 5 to the body frame 2 is easy.

In this case, when the ball launching device 12 is released from the main body frame 2, the ball delivery gutter 23 is provided so that the game balls do not spill even if the game balls remain in the ball delivery gutter 23. It is preferable to provide a spilled ball prevention means for blocking the ball outlet 58 of the.

An embodiment of the spilled ball prevention means (ball outlet opening/closing unit) will be described below. 25 is a front perspective view of the ball outlet opening/closing unit, and FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the ball outlet opening/closing unit. Also, FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the upper firing unit and the ball outlet opening/closing unit.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 23, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22, and includes a ball sending gutter 23 for sending the lifted game balls forward from above, and an upper firing unit. 12 and connected to the ball delivery gutter 23. When the upper firing unit 12 is closed with respect to the body frame 2, the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 is By opening the ball outlet 58, the ball outlet 58 and the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the lifting communication gutter 65 are communicated with each other, and the game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66.例文帳に追加

The ball feeding device of the ball launching device 12 has an opening/closing operation piece 426 for operating the opening/closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 on the right side of the ball feeding unit cover (Fig. 27). When the ball launching device 12 is closed with respect to the body frame 2, the opening/closing operation piece 426 rotates the opening/closing crank 413 by coming into contact with the spherical contact portion 424 of the opening/closing crank 413 in the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410. The opening/closing shutter 412 can be opened by pressing the button.

[Ball outlet opening/closing unit]
The ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 in the main body frame 2 of the present embodiment is attached to the mounting member 407 attached to the lower surface of the ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball lifting device 22. When the device 12 is opened, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 is closed to prevent the flow of game balls from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball feeding device 28 of the ball launching device 12. It can be blocked.

The sphere outlet opening/closing unit 410 includes a shutter base 411 attached to the vertical hanging wall 408 of the mounting member 407, a plate-like opening/closing shutter 412 held by the shutter base 411 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and an opening/closing unit. An opening/closing crank 413 for vertically sliding the shutter 412 and an opening/closing spring 414 for biasing the opening/closing shutter 412 upward via the opening/closing crank 413 are provided.

The shutter base 411 of the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 includes a pair of vertically extending slide grooves 415 for holding the opening/closing shutter 412 so as to be vertically slidable so as to protrude upward from the upper end of the shutter base 411; A rectangular opening 416 penetrating in the front-rear direction between the pair of slide grooves 415, and a crank disposed on the front surface of the left end in a front view and supporting the opening/closing crank 413 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. A support portion 417 and a spring locking portion 418 that locks one end (upper end) of the opening/closing spring 414 are provided. The crank support portion 417 of the shutter base 411 is arranged on the left side of the opening 416 in a front view, and the spring locking portion 418 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper left side of the left-right center in a front view.

The opening/closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 includes a flat shutter body 419 and a pair of sliding protrusions (not shown) that protrude from the front surface of the shutter body 419 and slide in the slide grooves 415 of the shutter base 411. ), and a laterally long rectangular drive hole 420 that is arranged between the pair of sliding protrusions and faces the opening 416 of the shutter base 411 and penetrates in the front-rear direction.

The opening/closing crank 413 of the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 includes a shaft portion 421 supported by a crank support portion 417 of the shutter base 411 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction, and a shaft portion 421 extending from the right side outer circumference of the shaft portion 421 in the front view to the right side. A driving rod 422 that extends outward and whose tip extends to the vicinity of the center of the opening 416 in the left-right direction, and a driving rod 422 that protrudes rearward from the tip of the driving rod 422 and is slidably inserted into the drive hole 412b of the opening/closing shutter 412. a driving pin 423 extending downward from the lower outer circumference of the shaft portion 421 in a front view, and a contact portion 424 having a spherical tip; and a spring locking portion 425 that locks the (lower end).

In the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410, the opening/closing crank 413 rotates about an axis extending in the front-rear direction, thereby rotating the driving pin 423 of the opening/closing crank 413 in an arc shape in the vertical direction, and simultaneously inserting the driving pin 423. The open/close shutter 412 slides vertically through the drive hole 420 .

In the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410, when the ball shooting device 12 is closed with respect to the body frame 2, the contact portion 424 of the opening/closing crank 413 contacts the opening/closing operation piece 426 of the ball shooting device 12, and the contact portion 424 rotates clockwise when viewed from the front against the biasing force of the opening/closing spring 414, and the contact portion 424 and the drive pin 423 rotate clockwise when viewed from the front. , the open/close shutter 412 is lowered to open the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 . In other words, the ball outlet 58 and the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the pumping communication gutter 65 are communicated with each other, so that game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66 .

When the ball shooting device 12 is opened with respect to the body frame 2 from this state, the abutment between the abutting portion 424 of the opening/closing crank 413 and the opening/closing operation piece 426 of the ball shooting device 12 is released, and the opening/closing crank 413 acts as an opening/closing spring. At the same time as the opening/closing shutter 412 is rotated counterclockwise in front view by the urging force of 414, the opening/closing shutter 412 is raised to close the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 (Fig. 27). ).

In this manner, the ball outlet opening/closing unit 410 can automatically open and close the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 in accordance with the opening and closing of the ball launching device 12 with respect to the main body frame 2. Even if the ball launching device 12 is opened while the game balls remain in the ball delivery gutter 23, the game balls can be prevented from spilling out from the ball outlet 58.例文帳に追加

[Irregular shaped ball / magnetic ball discharge unit]
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the magnetic ball discharge part cover separated and turned over in FIG. 28 . FIG. 30 is a plan view of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 31 is a rear view of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the base plate of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit separated into a deformed ball discharge unit and a magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining the path along which the irregular-shaped balls and the magnetic balls are discharged in the irregular-shaped ball/magnetic ball discharging unit. FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining how the magnetic spheres are separated from the circulation path and discharged. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the magnetic sphere reaches the magnetic sphere ejection slope.

As shown in FIG. 28, the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharging unit 20 has a deformed ball discharging function and a magnetic ball discharging function. A deformed ball is a spherical object such as a bearing having a diameter smaller than that of a regular game ball. The deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 is a transparent resin molded product, and is arranged in the lower part of the gaming machine main body (deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit housing portion 19). It has a configuration in which the side is covered with a rear plate (ball receiving gutter base 201). At the top are various winning holes (special variable winning device, general winning port, normal variable winning device) as out balls that flowed down without winning and safe balls that entered various winning ports and flowed down the safe ball discharge route. A recovery port 202 is provided for recovering the game balls. Out balls flow into the recovery port 202 through the out port 42 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). The safe balls flow into the recovery port 202 through the winning port 41 (see FIG. 5).

The circulation path in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 communicating with the recovery port 202 is formed by meandering left and right in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 and folding up and down. It has a detection switch 203 , a deformed ball discharging section 204 , a magnetic ball discharging section 205 , a full ball path detection switch 206 , and an appropriate ball amount detection switch 207 . The game balls flowed into the collection port 202 form a line and move along a circulation path in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 to reach the ball gathering portion 21 connected to the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 . However, the deformed balls and magnetic balls are separated from the normal game ball circulation path in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 and discharged outside the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 so as not to move to the ball gathering portion 21. be.

Next, the movement of the game balls collected in the collection port 202 within the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 will be described in order. The number of game balls collected in the collection port 202 is counted one by one by the collected ball detection switch 203 . A game ball that has passed through the collected ball detection switch 203 reaches a deformed ball discharge section 204 . When the difference between the number of game balls detected by the recovered ball detection switch 203 and the shot ball detection means increases, it can be detected that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

The deformed ball discharger 204 consists of a deformed ball discharger base 208 fixed to a deformed ball discharger base mounting portion 212 provided on the ball receiving gutter base 201 and two balls fixed to the deformed ball discharger base 208. Consists of deformed sphere separating shafts 209 and 210 .

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 , the deformed ball discharger base mounting portion 212 is a rectangular opening provided in the ball receiving gutter base 201 . As shown in FIG. 28, the irregular-shaped ball discharging part base mounting part 212 is provided at an angle to the ball receiving gutter base 201 so that the side on the recovery port 202 side is higher. As a result, the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 are arranged at an angle, so that the game ball can move from the upstream side 213 (see FIG. 30) toward the downstream side 214 .

FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit separated into a deformed ball discharge unit and a magnetic ball discharge unit. FIG. 33(a) shows the deformed ball discharging portion 204. As shown in FIG. FIG. 33(b) shows the magnetic ball discharging portion 205. As shown in FIG.

The deformed ball discharging part 204 uses the difference in diameter between the legal game ball and the illegal ball to eliminate the illegal ball having a smaller diameter than the legal game ball from the circulation path in the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20. - 特許庁. As shown in FIG. 30, the deformed ball discharge section 204 includes two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 having a circular cross section and arranged side by side from the upstream side 213 to the downstream side 214 of the circulation path. In order to exclude irregularly shaped balls, that is, irregular balls with a smaller diameter than regular gaming balls, from the circulation path in which regular gaming balls circulate, the gap distance between the two irregularly shaped ball separation shafts 209 and 210 is set to The deformed ball separation shaft is narrower than the diameter of the regular game ball and wider than the diameter of the regular game ball on the downstream side 214, that is, the distance between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 gradually increases. 209 and 210 are fixed to the deformed ball discharger base 208 .

The game balls that flow down one by one to the irregular ball discharge part 204 via the recovery port 202 and the recovered ball detection switch 203 flow down while rolling across the two irregular ball separation shafts 209 and 210. do. Since the gap distance between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 is narrower than the diameter of the normal game ball on the upstream side, the normal game ball does not drop from between the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 .

On the other hand, an irregular ball, which is a deformed ball with a diameter smaller than that of the regular game ball, falls from between the two deformed ball separating shafts 209 and 210 . The dropped deformed balls are discharged from the deformed ball discharge port 216 to the outside of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 through the deformed ball discharge path 215 as shown in FIG. 33(a). The deformed ball discharge path 215 is formed by a deformed ball discharge path forming member 217 attached to the front side of the ball receiving gutter base 201 and to the lower side of the deformed ball discharge portion base 208 . The deformed ball discharge path forming member 217 is also integrally provided with a communication path 218 that guides a ball having the same diameter as a regular game ball to the magnetic ball discharge portion 205 .

A regular-sized game ball that rolls down the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 falls from between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 on the downstream side 214 and passes through the connecting path 218. It reaches the circulation path 219 formed in the magnetic ball discharge part 205 via.

The magnetic ball ejector 205 is fixed to the ball receiving gutter base 201 as shown in FIG. FIG. 33 shows a state in which the magnetic ball discharging portion 205 is removed from the ball receiving gutter base 201. As shown in FIG. The magnetic ball discharge portion 205 is formed with an inclined surface 220 connected to the communication path 218. A steeply descending falling surface 221 is connected to the downstream side of the inclined surface 220, and the extension of the inclined surface 220 is , a magnetic ball discharging ramp 222 is formed. A gap of discontinuous portion 223 is provided so that inclined surface 220 and magnetic ball discharging inclined surface 222 are not continuous. At least one of the side wall 224 and the ceiling wall 225 of the magnetic ball discharging part 205 has a magnet attached to at least one of its front surface, its back surface, or the inside thereof.

FIG. 35 shows an example in which a magnet 229 is mounted in the magnet accommodation space 230 on the back surface of the ceiling wall 225. As shown in FIG. The magnet housing space 230 is formed as a space with a rectangular cross section arranged along the back side of the ceiling wall 225 . The magnet 229 is a flat plate-shaped magnet, and is a permanent magnet having an N pole or an S pole on one side and an S pole or an N pole on the other side. The magnetic force of the magnet is not so strong that the game ball (magnetic ball 232) made of a magnetic material is attracted and its rolling is impeded. It is sufficient that the magnetic ball ejection inclined surface 222 can be reached. The attached magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

A regular game ball 233 flowing from the connecting path 218 rolls down the inclined surface 220 and flows down from the inclined surface 220 while rolling on the falling surface 221 . A regular non-magnetic game ball 233 falls through a discontinuous portion 223 and passes through a circulation path 219 to reach the ball gathering portion 21 connected to the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 .

On the other hand, the irregular sphere (magnetic sphere 232 ) made of a magnetic material adheres to the inner wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 due to the attractive force of the magnet 229 housed in the magnet housing space 230 , and moves along the circulation path 219 upstream of the inclined surface 220 . It rolls down from the side to the downstream side due to the action of gravity. Then, as shown in FIG. 35, the magnetic spheres 232 do not fall from the discontinuous portion 223 and reach the area of the magnetic sphere discharging slope 222 (see FIG. 28) as shown in FIG. Irregular balls made of a magnetic material that have reached the area of the magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222 are discharged outside the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 through a magnetic ball discharge port 227 via a magnetic ball discharge path 226 (see FIG. 34). ).

A portion of the ceiling wall 225 above the magnetic ball discharging inclined surface 222 is configured as a magnetic force adjustment portion 231 . The magnetic force adjustment portion 231 is formed such that the distance between the magnet housing space 230 and the magnetic ball discharge path 226 increases toward the downstream side of the magnetic ball discharge path 226 . In FIG. 35 , the magnetic ball discharge path 226 has a curved portion, and this curved portion functions as the magnetic force adjustment section 231 . As a result, the distance between the magnetic ball 232 and the magnet 229 increases toward the downstream side of the magnetic ball discharge path 226 . Then, the magnetic force (attractive force) of the magnet 229 acting on the magnetic sphere 232 gradually decreases. As a result, the magnetic balls 232 sticking to the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and moving in the downstream direction are separated from the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and fall onto the magnetic ball discharging inclined surface 222 . Then, it is discharged from the magnetic ball discharge port 227 via the magnetic ball discharge path 226 .

The deformed balls and the irregular magnetic balls are discharged to the outside of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 through the deformed ball outlet 216 and the magnetic ball outlet 227, respectively (FIG. 34). The deformed balls or magnetic balls discharged from the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 are collected in the discharged ball receiving box 234 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). In this manner, the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 can be used to remove irregular balls made of a deformed ball and a magnetic material from the regular game ball circulation path 219 . In this embodiment, the configuration can be simplified by utilizing gravity to discharge the deformed spheres and magnetic spheres to the outside of the deformed sphere/magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 . The deformed ball discharge path 215 is arranged along the side surface of the magnetic ball discharge part 205, so that the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 can be configured compactly.

The deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20 can remove the deformed ball or the illegal ball made of a magnetic material from the normal game ball circulation path 219 without stopping the game, thereby reducing the interest of the player. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the chances of employees of the game hall being called to each game machine to deal with the problem of the game machine in order to deal with illegal balls. It should be noted that the deformed ball discharging portion 204 and the magnetic ball discharging portion 205 may be configured independently. In other words, when the deformed balls are discharged by another component in the gaming machine, the magnetic ball discharging section 205 may be configured independently.

In one embodiment of the enclosed ball type game machine of the present invention, a game board having a defined game area, a body frame in which the game board is fitted and accommodated, and a body frame disposed above the body frame, A ball shooting device for shooting game balls toward the game area, and the game balls shot by the ball shooting device are collected on the back side of the game board as enclosed balls, illegal balls are eliminated, and the ball shooting device is regenerated. and the enclosed balls arrayed and stored in an array passage formed in a part of the circulation path based on the drive of an electric drive source. A ball feeding device that feeds the balls one by one to the firing position of the ball launching device, a main control board that performs game control processing related to the game, and a two-way data communication with the main control board are connected so that in the game control processing Increase/decrease control of the number of held balls based on the winning ball command transmitted from the main control board and information on the number of balls fired by the ball launching device, and control of shooting game balls by the ball launching device and a ball information control board for controlling feeding of the game balls to the shooting position by the ball feeding device, and a predetermined number of game balls are closedly circulated without paying out the game balls. A game is played, and the ball shooting device performs a ball hitting operation based on a shooting rail for stopping the game ball at the shooting position and an electric drive source, and moves the game ball to the shooting position. A shooting member for shooting a stationary game ball, and a shot ball confirmation means for detecting the game ball stationary at the shooting position, the ball information control board is configured to operate for a predetermined time. and a ball detection determination means for determining that there is a ball to be shot when the game ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the ball confirmation means, and the ball detection and determination means for determining that there is a ball to be shot. On the condition that the game ball is not detected by the shot ball confirming means, it is determined that the game ball stopped at the shooting position has been shot, and the number of held balls is subtracted by one. and

According to the above-described Embodiment 1, when the game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation means for a predetermined specified time, the shooting ball detection determining means determines that there is a shooting ball. Then, on the condition that the shot ball detection determination means determines that there is a shot ball, if the game ball is not detected by the shot ball confirmation means, it is determined that the game ball stopped at the shooting position has been shot, and the ball is held. Since the number is reduced by one, even if noise enters the ball confirmation means, erroneous ball counting due to noise can be eliminated, and the certainty of ball detection can be improved. Balls and magnetic balls can be excluded from the circulation path in which regular game balls circulate.

[Sphere gathering part 21]
FIG. 37 is a front left perspective view of the ball collecting portion and the ball lifting device, FIG. 38 is a front view of the ball collecting portion and the ball lifting device, and FIG. 39 is a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is removed from the ball collecting portion. It is a front view showing. 40 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the case of the ball gathering portion and the cover of the ball lifting device are removed, FIG. 41 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the ball gathering portion in FIG. 40, and FIG. is a further enlarged view of FIG. 41, and FIG. 43 is a plan view with the case of the sphere gathering portion removed.

The ball gathering portion 21 (FIG. 41) has a ball feeding passage 275, a ball polishing cartridge 251, a ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 (FIG. 39), and a feed inlet switch 156. The ball feed passage 275 has a groove structure having walls on both sides disposed at the bottom of the entire ball collecting portion 21, and includes a ball receiving opening 275a connected to a ball outlet (not shown) of the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20, It has a ball feed port 275b that opens to a ball feed rotor 350 (described later) (FIGS. 41, 42, and 43).

The ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 is an opening provided in the ball collecting portion 21 for attaching and detaching the ball polishing cartridge 251 (FIG. 39). The ball polishing cartridge 251 is detachable from the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 from the front side of the game machine, and a ball polishing cloth 263 is provided in the portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing the ball lifting device 22 described later. placed (Fig. 41). The lift entrance switch 156 is provided on the outside of one wall forming the ball feeding passage 275, and detects the presence or absence of a game ball passing through the ball feeding passage 275 (Fig. 41).

[Ball lifting device 22]
FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view with the upper gearbox and lower gearbox removed. FIG. 45 is a right side view showing a state in which the cover of the ball lifting device is removed, and FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of part (A) in FIG. 47 is an exploded view of the screw, FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the upper part of the ball lifting device, and FIG. 49 shows the fitted and unfitted states of the screw and the fitting member. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing;

The ball lifting device 22 includes a screw 25 (FIG. 40), a ball lifting motor 150 (FIGS. 38 and 48), a lifting guide rail 282 (FIGS. 40 and 44), and an upper gearbox 356 (FIG. 37). , FIG. 40), a lower gearbox 357 (FIGS. 37 and 40), a ball feeding rotor 350 (FIG. 40), a ball feeding inclined portion 351 (FIGS. 40 and 41), and a lifting portion cover 353 ( 37), a spiral base cover 352 (FIG. 37), a lift ramp member 354 (FIG. 46), and a ball delivery trough 23 (FIGS. 44, 46, 48).

The spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are a cover member 368 arranged to surround the screw 25 and are made of transparent resin (acrylic resin). The spiral base cover 352 is provided with an oblique opening 281 in the portion facing the ball polishing cartridge 251 in the ball gathering portion 21 (FIG. 39).
Also, the upper surface of the cover member 368 is formed with a projection for installing the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 (FIG. 69).

The screw 25 is arranged vertically from the base to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 inside the rectangular tubular cover member 368 . The cover member 368 is arranged so as to surround the screw 25 by assembling the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 . The screw 25 is composed of a screw shaft 25a, two small-pitch ridge members 25b located above and below, and four large-pitch ridge members 25c located in the center (Fig. 45). . These are fitted on the screw shaft 25a.

The small-pitch ridge member 25b is composed of a cylindrical portion 25e and a spiral ridge 25d (FIG. 45). As shown in FIG. 47, the small-pitch ridge member 25b is formed by assembling a half-split body 25bR and a half-split body 25bL, which are divided by a vertical plane including the screw shaft 25a, with the screw shaft 25a interposed therebetween. considered to be one. A pair of concave portions 25g and convex portions 25h for assembling the halves 25bR and 25bL on both sides are formed vertically on the halved cut surface of the cylindrical portion 25e. can.

The upper edges 25i of the halves 25bR and 25bL are formed with upper edge recesses 25j that open upward, and the lower edges 25k are formed with lower edge protrusions 25m that protrude downward. The upper edge concave portion 25j and the lower edge convex portion 25m connect the small pitch ridge member 25b and the large pitch ridge member 25c in the vertical direction and transmit rotation to each other.

The same applies to the large-pitch ridge member 25c, and although the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted, the pitch of the spiral ridge 25d is larger than that of the small-pitch ridge member 25b. The portions where the spiral ridges 25d of the small-pitch ridge member 25b and the helical ridges 25d of the large-pitch ridge member 25c continue are smoothly continued although the pitch changes. The large-pitch ridge member 25c is composed of a half-split body 25cR and a half-split body 25cL.

Note that the pitch is the interval between the spiral ridges 25d along the straight line. The pitch of the spiral ridges 25d of the small-pitch ridge member 25b is smaller than the pitch of the helical ridges 25d of the large-pitch ridge member 25c. For example, the pitch of the small-pitch ridge members 25b is 25 mm, and the pitch of the large-pitch ridge members 25c is 43.2 mm.

A screw shaft 25a shown in FIG. 47 is a rotating shaft of the screw 25, and as shown in FIG. spur gear) is fixed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 49, the small pitch projection member 25b at the bottom of the screw 25 has a lower edge projection 25m and a fitting recess 366a of a fitting member 366 integrally formed with the lower lifting gear 362. The screw shaft 25a and the lower lifting gear 362 are driven to rotate integrally with each other.

The ball lifting motor 150 is a motor that drives the screw 25, and is attached to the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 in the ball lifting device 22 (Figs. 38 and 48).

The upper gearbox 356 is arranged at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22, and accommodates and pivotally supports a ball lifting motor gear 358, an idle gear 359, and an upper lifting gear 360 (Figs. 40 and 44). . A ball-lifting motor gear 358 is fixed to the drive shaft of the ball-lifting motor 150 and meshes with an idle gear 359 . The idle gear 359 is a two-stage gear that integrates an upper gear with a large number of teeth and a lower gear with a small number of teeth on the lower surface thereof. It meshes with the upper lifting gear 360 . These gears are spur gears that reduce the vertical dimension of the upper gearbox. The upper lifting gear 360 is fixed to the upper end of the screw shaft 25a. With these gear arrangements, the screw 25 is driven to rotate by the ball lift motor 150 .

The lower gear box 357 is arranged from the lower end of the ball lifting device 22 to the lower end of the ball collecting portion 21, and accommodates and pivotally supports a lower lifting gear 362 and a ball feeding rotating body gear 363 (Fig. 44). The lower lifting gear 362 is fixed to the lower end of the screw shaft 25a and meshes with the ball feeding rotating body gear 363. As shown in FIG. The gear ratio between the ball feeding rotor gear 363 and the lower lifting gear 362 is 2:1.

A ball-feeding rotor 350 is fixed to a gear shaft 363 a of a ball-feeding rotor gear 363 , and the ball-feeding rotor 363 drives and rotates the ball-feeding rotor 350 . The ball feeding rotor 350 is arranged corresponding to the ball feeding port 275b of the ball feeding passage 275 in the ball gathering portion 21, and is a low columnar member. A ball engaging recess 350a is provided for receiving a ball. The ball engaging recess 350a has a depth that accommodates approximately half a playing ball (Fig. 43).

The ball feeding inclined portion 351 (FIG. 42) is a member having a slope formed around the ball feeding rotating body 350 and used to lift the game ball. The range in which the ball feeding slanted portion 351 exists is from the position of the ball feeding port 275b, which is the exit of the ball feeding passage 275 on the side of the ball feeding rotator, with respect to the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotator 350. 25 to the transfer position.

As described above, the ball feeding inclined portion 351 is arcuate along the outer periphery of the ball feeding rotating body 350 from the ball feeding port 275b to the transfer position, and is 7 mm (about 5 to 8 mm) upward from the position of the ball feeding port 275b. ) It has an inclined surface 351a rising to a high delivery position and a top inclined portion 351b projecting from the top toward the screw 25 and inclined downward. The width of the inclined surface 351a is 4 mm (approximately 3 to 5 mm), and the top inclined surface 351b is formed in a range larger than the diameter of the game ball before and after the delivery position with respect to the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotor 350.

The positional relationship in plan view between the ball feeding rotating body 350 and the screw 25 is such that the game ball dropped from the top inclined surface 351b can be received between the pitches of the spiral ridges 25d. A cover member 368 (not shown) is arranged along the outer periphery of the ball feeding inclined portion 351 up to the vicinity of the transfer position to prevent the game ball from falling from the inclined surface 351a.

A guide block 365 (FIGS. 42 and 43) is arranged on the upper surface of the lower gearbox 357 in close proximity to the lower front side of the screw 25. As shown in FIG. The guide block 365 has an arcuate spherical guide surface 365a adjacent to the spiral ridge 25d of the screw 25 and a stopper surface 365b following this. The spherical guide surface 365a is formed from the vicinity of the top inclined surface 351b to the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352, and the tip thereof serves as a stopper surface 365b (FIG. 43).

Two lifting guide rails 282 are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel with the screw 25, and each have a diameter of about 5 mm and serve as a guide for linearly guiding the game ball lifted by the screw 25 upward. is a round bar-shaped guide member. The lift guide rail 282 is located on the opposite side of the ball feed rotor 350 with respect to the direction of rotation of the screw 25, and is positioned from a position corresponding to the upper end of an opening 281 (FIG. 39) obliquely provided in the spiral base cover 352. It is arranged vertically upward and its upper end is fixed to the lower surface of the upper gearbox 356 . The interval between two adjacent lifting guide rails 282 is a width (5 to 8 mm as the inner interval of the lifting guide rails 282) that a game ball (11 mm in diameter) cannot pass through.
In addition, since the game ball is lifted while being in contact with the guide rail 282 when lifted, the lift guide rail 282 has a low coefficient of friction and is guided from the game ball generated by the rotation of the screw 25. It should be rigid enough not to be deformed by the pressing force to the rail 282 . It is preferable to use stainless steel as the material.

The support member 367 is a cushion member that prevents deformation of the lifting guide rail 282 and absorbs vibration transmitted between the game ball and the lifting guide rail 282 and to the ball launching device 12. 282 in its original position, and is thick enough to fit between a cover member 368 consisting of the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. It is a plate-like block member having a flat surface on the side that contacts the cover member 368 and a concave portion on the side that supports the lifting guide rail 282 .
The lifting guide rail 282 has such rigidity that it is not deformed by the pressing force from the game ball to the guide rail 282 generated by the rotation of the screw 25, but the pressing force from the game ball is applied over a long period of time. Then, the lifting guide rail 282 is gradually deformed in the pressing direction, and the game ball may be deviated from the guidance by the lifting guide rail 282, so the deformation is restricted.

In addition, since the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, etc., are designed to have a clearance in the part through which the game ball passes, for example, the vibration generated by driving the ball lifting motor 150 can be generated by the screw. 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, there is a possibility that abnormal noise may occur between the lifting guide rail 282 and the game ball. is enclosed, if an abnormal noise occurs in the lifting device 22, it will resonate and become louder. However, by arranging the support member 367, it is possible to absorb the vibration generated in the game machine and suppress the generation of abnormal noise.
The support members 367 are arranged between the cover member 368 and the lift guide rail 282 in such a number that they can restrict the deformation of the guide rail 282 and do not generate abnormal noise due to vibration.

The lifting slope member 354 shown in FIG. 46 is a block member having a slope formed on the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 facing the upper end of the screw 25, and the slope intersects with the path through which the game balls are raised. A game ball vertically lifted by a screw 25 is turned to a horizontal direction and guided to a ball delivery gutter 23. - 特許庁

The ball sending gutter 23 is provided at the upper end of the spiral base cover 352 and is an inclined passage for sending game balls guided from the lifting slope member 354 to the ball shooting device 12 . Also, on the side surface of the ball delivery gutter 23, a ball removal member 355 for discharging game balls inside the game machine to the outside of the game machine is provided (FIGS. 44 and 48). The ball removal member 355 is a removable cover member, and can be removed from the side wall of the ball delivery gutter 23 by operating a knob at the bottom to open the opening provided in the side wall. The ball delivery gutter 23 has an oblique portion, and a ball removing member 355 is arranged on the wall on the tip side of the oblique portion (FIG. 44).

Further, a shot ball standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball is arranged on the outer surface of the ball delivery gutter 23 (FIG. 45). When the shooting standby ball detection switch 26 does not detect any game balls, the screw 25 is driven and new game balls are supplied from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball shooting device 12 one by one.

[Operation of Ball Gathering Part 21 and Ball Lifting Device 22]
The game balls sent from the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20, which constitutes a part of the circulation path, pass through the ball sending passage 275 of the ball gathering portion 21 and are sent to the ball sending rotating body 350 in the ball lifting device 22. be done. On the other hand, the screw 25 is rotated via the gear trains 358, 359 and 360 by driving the ball lifting motor 150, and the ball feeding rotor 350 is rotated via the screw shaft 25a and the lower gear trains 362 and 363. Since the gear ratio between the lower lifting gear 362 and the ball feeding rotor gear 363 is 2:1, two revolutions of the screw 25 cause one revolution of the ball feeding rotor 350 . The ball feeding rotor 350 receives game balls one by one from the ball feeding passage 275 to the ball engaging recess 350a and rotates counterclockwise (FIG. 43).

After that, due to the rotation of the ball feeding rotor 350, the game ball is engaged with the ball engaging recess 350a and moves, and the remaining outer half moves along the inclined surface 351a of the ball feeding inclined portion 351, and the top inclined surface 351b is reached. Since the top inclined surface 351b is inclined downward, the game ball is sent from that position to the spiral ridge 25d of the small-pitch ridge member 25b. At this time, the game balls sent from the slightly elevated top inclined surface 351b are spaced apart from the following game balls, and are reliably separated one by one.
In addition, in order to carry out stable feeding of the game ball, it is conceivable to make the end portion of the top inclined surface 351b and the delivery position of the game ball of the small pitch ridge member 25b approximately the same height.
In addition, when the game ball is sent from the top inclined surface 351b to the small-pitch ridge member 25d, it is not limited to using the downward slope. For example, a rail may be used to guide the game ball to the small-pitch ridge member 25d. .
Also, when the step between the terminal end of the inclined surface 351a and the small pitch ridge member 25d at the bottom of the screw 25 that receives the game ball is small, the game ball can be dropped directly from the inclined surface 351a to the small pitch ridge member 25d. It is possible.

Next, the game ball moves along the ball guide surface 365a of the guide block 365 and collides with the stopper surface 365b as the small pitch ridge member 25b rotates. During this time, the game ball rises as the screw 25 rotates and reaches the lower end of the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352 . In this case, the ball feed rotor 350 has the ball engaging recesses 350a at every 180 degrees as described above, and rotates at half the speed of the screw 25. A game ball is supplied to the screw 25 . Since one-half rotation of the ball-feeding rotor corresponds to one pitch of the small-pitch ridge member 25b, the game ball sent from the ball-feeding rotator 350 is always one ball between the pitches of the small-pitch ridge member 25b. delivered one by one and continuously. (Fig. 41).
That is, the game balls are prevented from being strung together in the ball lifting device 22.例文帳に追加

The ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is brought into contact with the ball polishing cartridge 251 through the opening 281 . That is, as the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22, the game ball is rubbed against the ball polishing cloth 263 through the opening 281, and the game ball is cleaned and polished (FIG. 39). By being guided obliquely upward, the area of the ball polishing cloth 263 can be effectively utilized.

After passing through the opening 281, the game ball is lifted up to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 as the screw 25 rotates. Guided and moved in a straight line. The guide rail 282 allows the game ball lifted by the screw 25 to move in the vertical direction and restricts the movement in the horizontal direction. During this time, the movement of the game ball is relatively slowed down due to the small pitch at the lower small-pitch ridge member 25a so as not to interfere with receiving the ball from the ball-feeding rotor 350. there is In addition, since the pitch of the upper small-pitch ridge member 25b is also small, the movement of the game ball is made relatively slow, so that the ball can be delivered to the ball launching device 12 without hindrance.
On the other hand, in the intermediate portion of the screw 25, there is no particular problem even if the game ball is lifted at a high speed, so a large pitch ridge member having a large pitch is used. The number of game balls circulated in the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced. Furthermore, this can reduce the burden of the weight of the game ball on the screw 25 (FIG. 45).
Further, the term "lifting" in this embodiment is used to mean continuously carrying game balls from the bottom to the top of the gaming machine.

The game ball that has reached the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 abuts the slope of the lifting slope member 354 from below, so that the moving direction of the game ball lifted by the screw 25 changes from the vertical direction to the substantially horizontal direction. A game ball is smoothly sent from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball sending gutter 23. - 特許庁Then, the game ball fed into the ball delivery gutter 23 rolls on the gentle slope of the ball delivery gutter 23 and is delivered to the ball launching device 12 (FIG. 46).
In this case, when the lifted game ball comes into contact with the slope portion of the lifting slope member 354, it is deviated from the guide of the lifting guide rail 282 and naturally flows down to the floor surface of the ball delivery gutter 23. , the ball pressure is not applied to the lifting guide rail 282 and the screw 25, and the ball can be fed smoothly.

When it is necessary to remove the circulating game balls from the game machine for maintenance or the like, they can be easily discharged out of the game machine by operating the ball removing member 355 provided on the outer surface of the ball delivery gutter 23 ( 37, 48).

In this embodiment, the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are made of transparent resin (acrylic resin). can be easily visually confirmed without disassembly, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 may be made of opaque resin, metal, or the like.

Further, the small-pitch ridge member 25b and the large-pitch ridge member 25c are configured to be halves joined together, but they may be formed integrally in a cylindrical shape from the beginning. Furthermore, by making full use of synthetic resin molding technology, the entire screw 25, excluding the screw shaft 25a, can be integrally molded.

Further, the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 are made of a material that has a good sliding property and is rigid enough not to be deformed by the pushing force from the game ball to the lifting guide rail 282 caused by the rotation of the screw 25. Preferably, it may be a metal such as aluminum or a synthetic resin. In addition, it is conceivable that the spiral ridge 25d uses a hard silicon material or the like at least in the portion that receives the game ball from the ball feeding rotating body 350. As shown in FIG. Thereby, it is possible to absorb the impact caused when the game ball falls on the spiral ridge 25d.

And, although the lifting guide rail 282 in this embodiment guides the game ball in the vertical direction with two rails, the number of rails is not limited to two. The guide on the other side may be configured such that the inner wall of the cover member 368 extends parallel to and adjacent to the lift guide rail 282 to guide the game ball.

Also, the support member 367 is arranged between the cover member 368 consisting of the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. Not limited to the member 368, for example, as shown in FIG. As a result, vibrations generated by the operation of movable accessories (not shown) arranged on the game board and electric drive sources such as motors, and the operation of the touch panel unit 14 arranged on the door frame 3 by the player. Since various vibrations that occur in the game machine, such as the vibration caused by the impact that occurs when shooting, are absorbed, situations may occur in which the game ball may come off the guide rail and be unable to be lifted, or the game ball may not be launched due to the vibration. Instability can be suppressed.

In addition, in this embodiment, game balls are continuously sent out and lifted one by one for each pitch of the spiral ridge 25d over the entire length of the screw 25, but the game balls are lifted at all pitches of the screw 25 It is not limited to this as long as it is a configuration in which the game balls are continuously lifted without being sent.

In addition, the lifting slope member 354 may have a structure in which the game ball lifted vertically by the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 can be smoothly sent to the ball sending gutter 23, and is integrally formed with the upper gear box 356. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, the upper surface of the ball delivery path 23 may be extended onto the game ball lifting path, and a slope may be formed on the lower surface of the extended portion.

Further, the ball lifting device 22 of the first embodiment is configured to lift the game ball using the vertical screw 25, but the game ball is lifted so as to be guided vertically and transported. If there is, it is possible to select various methods such as a belt conveyor that can continuously carry the game balls, not limited to the screw.

[Ball polishing device]
Next, a description will be given of a ball polishing device for cleaning and polishing game balls enclosed in a game machine. 38 described above is a front view of the ball polishing device with the ball polishing cartridge attached, and FIG. 39 described above is the ball polishing device with the ball polishing cartridge removed. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which

FIG. 50 is a left side view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 51 is a perspective view explaining a mechanism for fixing the ball polishing cartridge. FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of mounting the ball polishing cartridge.

53 and 54 are diagrams showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other, and FIG. 53 is a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other, and FIG. 55 is a left side cover of the ball polishing cartridge removed in FIG. Fig. 10 is a left side view showing a state in which it is folded; 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG.

Next, FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is attached, and FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which the right outer side cover is removed in order to explain the inside of the right side cover in FIG. FIG. 59 is a top perspective view showing a state in which the right side cover is opened in FIG. 58. FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view of the same, and FIG. 63 is a side view of FIG. 62 with the left side cover removed.

As shown in FIGS. 38 and 50, the ball gathering portion 21 is provided in the lower portion of the ball lifting device 22, and a ball polishing cartridge 251 is attached to a ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 which is a part of the ball gathering portion 21. As shown in FIGS. can be worn. Here, the outer side of the ball lifting device 22 is formed of a transparent plastic member, so that even if game balls are clogged in the ball lifting device 22, the clogging location can be easily visually recognized. It's like As shown in FIG. 51, the ball polishing cartridge 251 mounted on the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has one end supported on a shaft provided in the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270, and the other end is rotated. By hooking the other end of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 to the ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 272 which is also provided in the ball collecting portion 21, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is pressed inward and leftward. It has a structure. In addition, in FIG. 51, both the open state and the closed state of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 are shown in order to facilitate the movement of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 39 is a front view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge 251 is removed. As shown in FIG. 39, the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has a ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 formed of a cavity into which the ball polishing cartridge 251 can be mounted. In FIG. 39, for the sake of clarity, a ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 and a mounting sensor 291 provided inside the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 and visible from the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273, and a driving shaft 290 are shown. Description is omitted.

FIG. 66 is an enlarged view in which the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 in FIG. 39 is enlarged. Behind the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 inside the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270, below the right side surface, is coaxial with the second driving gear 257 shown in FIG. There is a drive shaft 290 that fits into one gear shaft 261, and a mounting sensor 291 with a depressible button 292 is provided above the right side face. The mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is detected by pushing the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 through a series of mounting operations of the ball polishing cartridge 251 . A specific aspect of the mounting operation will be described later.

In addition, in the innermost portion of the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 facing the ball lifting device 22, the long side of the ball polishing cartridge 251, which will be described later, advances in the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 described later. An opening 281 is provided with an angle different from the direction. As a result, the direction in which the game ball is lifted and the direction in which the ball polishing cloth 263 advances are deviated from each other. It is possible to effectively use the width of 263 to clean and polish game balls.

Furthermore, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 allows at least a part of the peripheral edge of the game ball lifted by the ball lifting device 22 to protrude outside the ball lifting device 22 at the opening position. In this embodiment, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 is set to 8.4 mm for a game ball diameter of 11 mm. A game ball protrudes about 1.5 mm from the opening 281 toward the ball polishing cloth 263 .

As a result, during the game period, a part of the peripheral portion of the game ball lifted in the ball lifting device 22 protrudes outside the ball lifting device 22 at the position of the opening 281, and the ball is polished. It becomes possible for the ball polishing cloth 263 of the cartridge 251 and the game ball to come into contact with each other. In particular, when an elastic member is provided in the ball polishing cartridge 251 so as to press the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, the ball polishing cloth 263 can be brought into contact with the game ball more reliably. Reliable ball polishing is possible.

Further, even if the ball polishing cartridge 251 is removed while the game ball remains in the ball lifting device 22 in a time zone outside the game period, the width of the opening 281 is made smaller than the diameter of the game ball. With this configuration, the game balls remaining in the ball lifting device 22 do not spill down to the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 side of the ball polishing cartridge 251. - 特許庁

52 is a perspective view showing a state in the middle of attaching the ball polishing cartridge 251 from the state of FIG. 39. FIG. As can be seen from FIGS. 39 and 52, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted and attached from the front of the body frame 2. As shown in FIG.

60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge 251, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view of the same, and FIG. 63 is a side view of FIG. 62 with the left side cover removed. Here, 259 is a winding roller, 260 is a driven roller, 261 is a first gear shaft, and 262 is a second gear shaft. The second gear shaft 262 is configured to be coaxial with the driven roller 260 . Further, 268 is a game ball contact trace, and as shown in FIG. Since the angles are different with respect to the vertical direction, the game ball contact mark 268 is formed with an inclination with respect to the long side direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 .

53 and 54 are diagrams showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other, and FIG. 53 is a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other.

As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 provided in the ball lifting device 22, and the ball lifting device 22 and the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 are separated. At the opposite location, the game ball contacts the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 through the opening 281 of the ball lifting device 22, and the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22. By rubbing with the ball polishing cloth 263, cleaning and ball polishing of the game ball are performed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the screw 25 in the ball lifting device 22 has different shapes in the upper portion, the lower portion, and the intermediate portion. In the upper and lower portions, the inclination angle of the spiral of the screw 25 (spiral ridge 25d in FIG. 47) is decreased to narrow the pitch. is also wide. Since it is not necessary to take time to lift the ball in the intermediate portion, the game ball can be lifted in a short period of time by increasing the inclination angle of the spiral to increase the lifting speed. It is possible to reduce the number of game balls contained in the game machine, and to reduce the number of game balls to be enclosed inside the game machine.

In addition, by narrowing the pitch interval in the lower part, the game ball is lowered in the portion facing the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251, and the game ball and the ball polishing cloth 263 are lowered. It is possible to surely clean and polish the game ball by lengthening the contact time with the ball. Furthermore, by narrowing the pitch interval at the top, the lifting speed of the game ball at the lifting end of the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced, and the ball is sent from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball delivery gutter 23. A game ball can be sent smoothly to a ball delivery gutter 23 without causing a trouble such as ball biting at the time of delivery.

Further, as shown in FIG. 54, the ball lifting device 22 is provided with two guide rails 282 for guiding the lifting of the game ball. The distance between the two guide rails is set to the same extent as the diameter of the game ball, but adjustments are also made to make it somewhat narrower and more stable in places where the movement of the game ball being lifted may become violent. be able to. In this way, the game ball is lifted inside the ball lifting device 22 so that both sides are supported by both guide rails.

55 is a left side view showing a state in which the left side cover of the ball polishing cartridge is removed in FIG. 54. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. Here, 259 is a take-up roller, 260 is a driven roller, and a driving force from a ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, which will be described later, is transmitted. The winding roller 259 is rotated by the rotation of the second drive gear 257 which is configured to be coaxial with the winding roller 259, and the frictional force between the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260 causes the ball polishing cloth to rotate. 263 is wound up.

A ball polishing cloth 263 is arranged in the portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing the ball lifting device 22, and a tensioner 267 having a function of pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 is provided behind the ball polishing cloth 263. Behind the tensioner 267, two coiled ball polishing cloth holding springs 264 are provided which have a function of pressing the tensioner 267 and the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball. Further, behind the ball polishing cloth pressing spring 264, a spring retainer 266 for supporting the ball polishing cloth pressing spring 264 is provided. A plate spring 265 is provided on the upper portion of the ball polishing cartridge, and the plate spring 265 lightly presses the ball polishing cloth 263 to align the ball polishing cloth 263 to the portion facing the ball lifting device 22. It plays a role in aligning them before sending them in.

The ball polishing cloth 263 wound by the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260 is stored in the ball polishing cartridge 251. In FIGS. The description of the ball polishing cloth 263 inside the ball polishing cartridge after being wound up is omitted.

FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted. Reference numeral 253 denotes a right side cover, which is composed of a right outer side cover 253a and a right inner side cover 253b integrated together. A second drive gear case 258 covers a second drive gear 257 which will be described later. FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which only the right outer side cover 253a is removed from the right side cover 253 in FIG. It is a feed motor and serves as a drive source for winding the ball polishing cloth 263 in the ball polishing cartridge 251 . In addition, a hinge 255 that engages with the hinge receiving portion 254 is provided at the far end of the right side cover 253, and the right side cover 253 is rotatable about the hinge 255 as a fulcrum. In this embodiment, ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 comprises a stepping motor. A specific driving mode of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 will be described later.

59 is a top perspective view showing a state in which the right side cover 253 is opened in FIG. 58. The right side cover 253 is rotatable about a hinge 255 engaged with the hinge receiving portion 254 as a fulcrum. . Between the right outer side cover 253 a and the right inner side cover 253 b of the right side cover 253 , a first (not shown) is coaxial with the rotary shaft of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 and rotated by the drive of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 . A drive gear is provided, and in this embodiment a 16-tooth gear is used. Similarly, between the right outer side cover 253a and the right inner side cover 253b, there is also provided a second drive gear that is coaxial with the drive shaft 290 and meshes with the first drive gear, and has 32 teeth in this embodiment. gear is used.

Next, the mounting operation and mounting detection of the ball polishing cartridge 251 will be described. 64 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270, and FIG. 65 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the ball polishing cartridge 251 and the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270. FIG. The ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 is configured such that the right side cover 253 is rotated about the hinge 255 so that the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 spreads about the hinge portion (direction A in FIG. 64). there is

In this state, as shown in FIG. 65, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted into the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 from the front direction. During insertion, the right side cover 253 rotates to widen the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273, so that the drive shaft 290 and the mounting sensor 291 do not interfere with the insertion. After inserting the ball polishing cartridge 251, rotate the ball polishing cartridge 251 in the direction opposite to A in FIG. 271 is engaged with the ball polishing cartridge fixing stop 272, the drive shaft 290 is engaged with the first gear shaft 261 of the ball polishing cartridge 251, the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pushed in, and the ball polishing cartridge 251 is locked. Attachment is detected.

When the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pushed in while the game machine is powered on, it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is normally mounted and no notification is given, but the power is turned on. In spite of this, when the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is not pushed in, it is reported that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not normally mounted. As a form of notification, a display device (not shown), which is usually provided in the gaming machine and which displays effects according to the game mode, can be used to display that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not installed. . In addition, as another mode of notification, a decorative lamp for presentation or a dedicated lamp indicating the mounting state of the ball polishing cartridge 251 can be lit or blinked in a predetermined manner to notify.

In addition, in the closed-ball type gaming machine as in the present embodiment, since the game is played by circulating the game balls enclosed in the gaming machine, the game can be continued for a very long time without cleaning the game balls. Then, dirt accumulates on the game balls, and there is a possibility that the game balls roll poorly. Therefore, it is preferable to clean the game balls with a ball polishing device at some point in the course of the circulation path of the game balls. However, since the game can not be played without the ball polishing device, even if it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge is not installed, the game can be continued with only a notification by the display device or lamp. can.

Also, the playing time of the player is accumulated and measured by a measuring means (not shown) based on the detection by the touch switch 87 provided on the handle. In this embodiment, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 is advanced by one step each time the accumulated measurement time by the measuring means reaches one minute. In this embodiment, the take-up roller 259 has a diameter of 25 mm. is 1/2, the feed amount of the ball polishing cloth 263 per step is 0.11 mm (=78.5/360/2).

In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is pressed down and fixed by hooking the lever to the stopper. method can also be used.
Further, in this embodiment, the coiled ball polishing cloth pressing spring 264 is used as means for pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, but the pressing means is not limited to this, and other means may be used. Shaped springs or other elastic members can also be used.

In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is arranged at the bottom of the game machine, but the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not limited to this position. can also be placed. In that case, the opening provided in the portion facing the ball polishing cartridge 251 in the ball lifting device 22 may also be changed to a location corresponding to the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251 .

Further, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is different from the direction of lifting the game ball by the ball lifting device 22 and the winding direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251. is conveyed in the vertical direction, and the direction of lifting the game ball of the ball lifting device 22 in the portion facing the ball polishing cloth 263 is conveyed in a direction inclined from the vertical direction. Not limited to this, the direction in which the game balls are conveyed by the ball lifting device 22 may be set in the vertical direction, and the direction in which the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is conveyed may be inclined from the vertical direction, or both may be inclined. Various methods such as direction can be selected.

In this embodiment, a pushable button 292 is provided as the mounting sensor 291 of the ball polishing cartridge 251, and the mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is detected by pushing the button 292 by the mounting operation of the ball polishing cartridge 251. However, the mounted sensor 291 is not limited to these sensors, and other types of sensors such as optical sensors and magnetic sensors can also be used.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the mounting sensor 291 detects that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly mounted, the game can be continued only by giving a notification. When it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly installed, it is possible to prevent the game from being played.

[Enclosing operation of game ball]
Next, a description will be given of the operation of enclosing a predetermined number of game balls in the enclosed-ball type gaming machine, such as when a new enclosed-ball type gaming machine is installed, or when a dirty game ball is removed and cleaned. do. The inclusion operation is performed in a state in which the enclosed ball type game machine is not powered on. Therefore, the ball lifting device 22 in the enclosed ball type game machine and various sensors are not operating.

In the enclosed ball type game machine, a game ball is shot into a game area by a shooting device, and after rolling in the game area, either wins a winning device or is recovered from an outlet 42, and the recovered game ball is The balls are transported to the launching device again, and the launching device launches them into the game area again to play the game. That is, a circulation path for game balls is formed as a whole.
The introduction of the game ball in the enclosing operation can be performed by putting the game ball into this circulation path, and in this embodiment, the game ball is introduced from the out port 42 . As a result, there is no need to separately provide an inclusion port for enclosing game balls in the enclosed-ball type gaming machine, and the configuration of the enclosed-ball type gaming machine can be simplified. Further, instead of the out port 42, the game ball may be introduced from the prize winning port 41 of the prize winning device. Since the game balls entering the winning port 41 of the winning device are also combined with the game balls entering the out port 42 and then transported to the launching device, the game balls are released from the winning port 41 of the winning device. is introduced, the game ball can be put into the circulation path in the same way as when the game ball is introduced into the out port 42.例文帳に追加In either case, when introducing the game ball, care must be taken not to hit the nail with the game ball, hands, etc. When a game ball is introduced into the out port 42, a game ball introduction member 427, which will be described later, can be provided to prevent the game ball from hitting a nail at the time of insertion. Note that the out port 42 and the prize winning port 41 correspond to game ball collection ports.

FIG. 71 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the number of game balls is less than the predetermined number when game balls are enclosed in the enclosed ball type gaming machine. As described above, when the game ball is enclosed, the ball lifting device 22 is not driven because the enclosed ball type gaming machine is not yet powered on. Therefore, the game balls thrown in from the out port 42 or the prize winning port 41 enter from the collection port 202, pass through the deformed ball/magnetic ball discharge unit 20, and then are aligned with the front side of the ball lifting device 22 as the head.

FIG. 72 shows a state in which more game balls are thrown in from the state of FIG. 71 and a predetermined number of game balls is reached. As shown in FIG. 72, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the game ball 233 that was last inserted is the discontinuous part 223 where the magnetic ball discharge path 226 and the normal game ball path diverge. and is configured to block the discontinuity 223 .

FIG. 73 shows a state in which more game balls are thrown in from the state of FIG. 72 and game balls exceeding a predetermined number have been thrown. As described above, when a predetermined number of game balls are inserted, the last inserted game ball 233 blocks the discontinuous portion 223. It becomes a game ball 235 that exceeds the limit and cannot enter the path of the regular game ball 233 from the discontinuous portion 223, and is guided from the magnetic ball discharge path 226 to the magnetic ball discharge chestnut 227 and collected.

In this embodiment, the discontinuous portion 223 through which the regular game balls 233 are guided when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in the magnetic ball discharge section is blocked, and the game balls of a predetermined number or more are ejected as magnetic balls. Although it is configured to be collected in the discharge section, similarly in the irregular ball discharge path, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the path through which the regular game balls 233 are guided is blocked and collected in the irregular ball discharge section. You can also make

In addition, in order to improve the efficiency of throwing game balls into the out port 42, a game ball introduction member 427 is provided on the rail portion of the front structural member 45 located at the lower edge of the out port 42 (Fig. 74, Fig. 75). Because of the structure in which the game ball is poured toward the out port 42 when the game ball is placed on the upper surface of the game ball introduction member 427, the game ball can be efficiently enclosed. Also, the game ball can be thrown in without hitting a nearby nail.

FIG. 74 is a perspective view showing a state in which the game ball introduction member 427 is projected. The game ball introduction member 427 can be protruded by opening the door frame 3 and sliding it forward.

FIG. 75 is a perspective view showing a state in which the game ball introduction member 427 is stored. From the state of FIG. 74, the game ball introduction member 427 can be retracted by pushing it in, so that the game is not hindered.

In this embodiment, the game ball introduction member 427 is manually slidable to advance and retreat. Various methods can be selected, such as automatically moving back and forth by opening and closing 3.

[Outline of control of gaming machines and external devices]
Next, the outline of the control of the gaming machine 1 and the fare adjustment machine 4 as an external device arranged adjacent to one side thereof will be described. FIG. 76 is a block diagram showing the essential parts of an embodiment of a main control board equipped with an RTC, which is installed in an enclosed-ball game machine. The control of the game machine 1 is roughly divided into a main board group and a peripheral board group. lamp, body frame lamp, door frame lamp, sound). The main board group consists of a main control board 100 and a sphere information control board 110 , and the peripheral board group consists of a peripheral control board 130 .

[Main control board 100]
The main control board 100 controls games. The main control board 100 and a sphere information control board 110, which will be described later, are connected so as to be capable of two-way data communication. As shown in FIG. 76, the main control board 100, which controls the progress of the game, has a main control MPU 101, which is a microprocessor containing a ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and the like. , a main control I/O port 102 as an input/output device (I/O device), a main control input circuit 103 to which detection signals from various detection switches are input, and a main control solenoid for driving various solenoids. It has a drive circuit 104 and a RAM clear switch 105 for completely erasing information stored in a RAM built in the main control MPU 101 (hereinafter referred to as "main control built-in RAM").

The main control MPU 101 has a built-in ROM (hereinafter referred to as "main control built-in ROM") and a main control built-in RAM, as well as a watchdog timer for monitoring its operation (system) and a functions are also built in. In addition, the main control MPU 101 has a built-in non-volatile memory, and this non-volatile RAM contains a unique code for identifying an individual by the manufacturer that manufactured the main control MPU 101 (a code that only exists in the world). ) is stored in advance. Since the ID code assigned once is stored in a non-volatile RAM, it cannot be rewritten using an external device. The main control MPU 101 can retrieve the ID code from the nonvolatile RAM and refer to it.

[RTC control unit]
Further, the main control MPU 101 of the embodiment has an external real time clock (hereinafter referred to as "RTC") 107 capable of acquiring time information as time information acquisition means. Although not shown, the RTC 107 includes register circuits, clock input circuits, clock output circuits, interrupt output circuits, data input/output circuits, and control circuits.

The RTC 107 has a clock/calendar function. The clock/calendar function is a function for keeping time by counting years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Moreover, you may use what counts to a day of the week as needed. The RTC control unit 106 is provided with an RTC 107 and a battery 108 for driving the RTC 107 . By providing the battery 108, the RTC 107 does not interrupt the clocking and calendar functions even when the power supply board (not shown) is turned off.

The battery 108 may be a primary battery (for example, a button battery) or a rechargeable secondary battery, thereby avoiding the need to arrange a backup power source and complicating the configuration of the main control board 100. can be done. Note that the battery 108 is also used as a backup power source for the RAM 109 .

The main control MPU 101 has the function of specifying the year/month/day/hour/minute/second (calendar information and time information) by providing the RTC 107 . The main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 acquires time information (hour/minute/second) from the RTC 107 when the game machine is powered on.

An upper start hole detection switch 90 for detecting a game ball that has entered an upper start hole (not shown) arranged in the game area 8 of the game board 5, and a lower start hole (not shown) for detecting a game ball that has entered a prize. The detection signals from the lower starting hole detection switch 91 and the general winning hole detection switch 93 that detects a game ball that has won a general winning hole (not shown) are first input to the main control input circuit 103, and the main control I / It is input to the main control MPU 101 via the O port 102 .

In addition, a gate switch 92 that detects game balls that have passed through a gate (not shown), a general winning hole detection switch 94 that detects game balls that have won a general winning hole (not shown), a large winning hole (not shown) First, a detection signal from the count switch 98 for detecting a winning game ball is input to the main control input circuit 103 through the panel relay terminal board 140 attached to the game board 5, and is sent to the main control I/O port. 102 to the main control MPU 101 .

Based on these detection signals, the main control MPU 101 outputs a control signal from the main control I/O port 102 to the main control solenoid drive circuit 104, thereby causing the starting solenoid 96 and the main control solenoid 96 via the panel relay terminal board 140 to A drive signal is output to the winning opening solenoid 97, and from the main control I/O port 102, the panel relay terminal board 140, and the function display board 141, the upper special pattern display 142, the lower special pattern display 143, the upper special A drive signal is output to the symbol memory display 144, the lower special symbol memory display 145, the normal symbol display 146, the normal symbol memory display 147, the game state display 148, and the round display 149.

In addition, the main control MPU 101 serially transmits various information (game information) related to the game and various commands related to prize balls according to the prize winning to the ball information control board 110, and controls the game machine from the ball information control board 110. Various commands related to the state of 1 are received in a serial manner. In addition, the main control MPU 101 transmits various commands regarding the control of game effects and various commands regarding the state of the gaming machine 1 to the peripheral control board 130 . When the peripheral control board 130 receives the control command transmitted from the main control board 100, the peripheral control board 130 displays various effects according to the received control command (for example, a decorative pattern for notifying the result of the judgment on the display panel of the liquid crystal display device 1400). It performs control related to the variable display of the row, the production display accompanying this, the operation of the lamp, the sound, the movable decorative accessory for production, etc.).

[Sphere information control board 110]
FIG. 77 is a block diagram showing the main part of the ball information control board 110 mainly installed in the enclosed ball type game machine. The ball information control board 110 includes a shooting solenoid 13 and a ball feed solenoid 31, which are the first driving sources for managing the held ball and driving the ball launching device 12, and a ball polishing ribbon feed, which is the second driving source for driving the ball polishing device. A motor 155 and a ball information control unit 118 for performing various controls related to the ball lifting motor 150 as a third drive source for driving the ball lifting device 22 are provided. Further, the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 are connected so as to enable two-way data communication.

[Ball information control unit 118]
As shown in FIG. 77, the ball information control unit 118 includes a ball information control MPU 111, which is a microprocessor containing a ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands, a RAM for temporarily storing data, etc.; a ball information control I/O port 112 as an O-device; an external watchdog timer 116 (hereinafter referred to as "external WDT 116") for monitoring whether the ball information control MPU 111 is operating normally; , a ball-lifting motor drive circuit 114 for outputting drive signals to the ball-lifting motor 150 of the ball-lifting device 22 for lifting the ball, and a ball-information control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches are input. 113, a CR unit input/output circuit 115 for exchanging various signals with the payment machine 4, and a ball polishing ribbon feed motor drive circuit 119 for outputting a drive signal to the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155. there is The ball information control MPU 111 has built-in ROM (hereinafter referred to as "ball information control built-in ROM") and RAM (hereinafter referred to as "ball information control built-in RAM"). It also has built-in functions to prevent it.

The ball information control MPU 111 receives various information (game information) about games and various commands about prize balls from the main control board 100 in a serial manner via the ball information control I/O port 112, and receives them from the main control board 100. The operation signal (detection signal) of the RAM clear switch 105 is input via the ball information control I/O port 112 .

Detection signals from the door frame open switch 131 for detecting opening of the door frame 3 with respect to the main body frame 2 and the main body frame open switch 132 for detecting opening of the main body frame 2 with respect to the outer frame are first input to the ball information control input circuit 113. and input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I/O port 112 . Further, a touch detection signal (ON signal) from the touch switch 87 for detecting whether or not the palm or fingers are in contact with the ball hitting handle 10 is input to the ball information control board 110 via the handle relay terminal plate 123. The detection signal is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I/O port 112 .

In addition, the ball information control MPU 111 is connected to the firing solenoid 13 through the firing solenoid drive circuit 120, is connected to the ball feeding solenoid 31 through the ball feeding solenoid drive circuit 122, and is connected to the firing solenoid 13 according to the control output from the ball information control MPU 111. And the ball feed solenoid 31 is driven. In addition, launch standby ball detection switches 26, 70, launch ball confirmation switch 36, recovered ball detection switch 203, ball path full tank detection switch 206, ball appropriate amount detection switch 207, presence or absence of game balls supplied to ball lifting device 22 , a lifting motor sensor (photosensor) 157 for detecting the number of revolutions of the ball lifting motor 150, and a ball polishing cartridge containing a ball polishing cloth ribbon are installed. A detection signal from the cassette detection switch 158 for detecting is input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the sensor relay board 124, and is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I/O port 112. there is The ball information control MPU 111 sends drive signals for driving the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, the launch solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 to each drive element via the ball information control I/O port 112. output to

Also, the touch panel unit 14 is connected to the ball information control MPU 111 so as to be able to display by control output from the ball information control I/O port 112 . In addition to relaying electrical connections between the main control board 100 and the external terminal board 133, the sphere information control board 110 also connects the door frame open switch 131, the body frame open switch 132, and the external terminal board 133. It relays electrical connections between The external terminal board 133 is electrically connected to a hall computer installed in the game hall (hall).

A detection signal from a touch switch 87 for detecting whether or not the palm or finger is in contact with the ball hitting handle 10, and a shooting stop switch 86 for detecting whether or not the shooting of the game ball is forcibly stopped by the player's will. is input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the handle relay terminal board 123 . Further, when the fare adjustment machine 4 and the ball information control board 110 are electrically connected, the signal is input to the CR unit input/output circuit 115 as a CR connection signal.

DC power supplies of +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V are supplied to the sphere information control board 110 from a power supply board (not shown). DC power supplies of +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V are supplied to the main control board 100 via the sphere information control board 110 .

The power failure monitoring circuit 117 compares and monitors the voltage V1 based on +24V and the reference voltage, and the voltage V2 based on +12V and the reference voltage, respectively. When it becomes lower than the voltage, a power failure warning signal is output as a power failure warning. The power failure warning signal output from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is supplied to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 and also to the main control MPU 101 . Although not shown, the power failure warning signal is also input to the peripheral control board 130 .

[Electrical connection between game board 5 and main body frame 2]
The electrical connection of the game board 5 to the body frame 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 97 is a block diagram showing a game board and a body frame connected using a drawer connector. The mechanical and electrical connections between the game board 5 and the body frame 2 are made by a drawer connector. The game board 5 is provided with a game board side main drawer connector and a game board side sub drawer connector, and the main body frame 2 is provided with a main body frame side main drawer connector and a main body frame side sub drawer connector. there is By fitting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2, the game board side main drawer connector and the main body frame side main drawer connector, the game board side sub-drawer connector and the main body frame side sub-drawer connector are connected, and the game board 5 is connected. and the body frame 2 are mechanically connected and electrically connected at the same time. This enables electrical communication between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 .

[Authentication of main control board 100 and sphere information control board 110]
When electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 as described above, mutual authentication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is performed when power is turned on. The authentication function of the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 will be explained using FIG.

Although it has been described that the ID code is stored in advance in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100, the ID code is also stored in the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 in advance. Hereinafter, the ID code pre-stored in the main control MPU 101 will be referred to as the first MPU identification number, and the ID code pre-stored in the ball information control MPU 111 will be referred to as the second MPU identification number.

The main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 in this embodiment are capable of two-way data communication. It is configured to be able to determine whether or not there is. Details will be described below.

The main control board 100 includes at least a main control MPU 101. In the main control MPU 101, a first MPU identification number storage section 101a storing a pre-stored first MPU identification number and a second MPU identification number are appropriate. and a main encryption communication unit 160 that encrypts information sent to the ball information control MPU 111 and decrypts information sent from the ball information control MPU 111, Further, the first authentication unit 162 has a second MPU identification number storage unit 161 that stores the second MPU identification number.

The ball information control board 110 includes at least a ball information control MPU 111. In the ball information control MPU 111, a second MPU identification number storage unit 111a storing a second MPU identification number stored in advance and a first MPU identification number are stored. A second authentication unit 167 that performs authentication processing to see if it is proper, and a sphere information encryption communication unit 165 that encrypts information sent to the main control MPU 101 and decrypts information sent from the main control MPU 101. Further, the second authentication unit 167 has a first MPU identification number storage unit 166 that stores the first MPU identification number.

When the gaming machine is powered on, the first MPU identification number stored in the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160 through two-way communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110. The second MPU identification number from the ball information control MPU 111 is encrypted by the ball information encryption communication unit 165 and then sent to the main encryption communication unit 160 .

Next, the main control MPU 101 uses the main encryption communication unit 160 to decrypt the second MPU identification number transmitted from the ball information control MPU 111 from the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and The sphere information control MPU 111 decrypts the first MPU identification number transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 and then stores it in the second MPU identification number storage unit 161 . Stored in the 1MPU identification number storage unit 166 .

Next, the main control MPU 101 performs authentication processing in the first authentication section 162 based on the second MPU identification number stored in the second MPU identification number storage section 161, and determines whether the second MPU identification number is proper. do.

On the other hand, the ball information control MPU 111 performs authentication processing in the second authentication unit 167 based on the first MPU identification number stored in the first MPU identification number storage unit 166, and the first MPU identification number is correct. to judge whether

If it is determined that the main control MPU 101 and ball control MPU 111 are proper based on the results of authentication by the first authentication unit 162 and the second authentication unit 167, respectively, when the main control side power is turned on in FIG. Processing and ball information control side power-on processing in FIG. 82 are permitted to start, and the game can be started. The start of the control-side power-on processing is not permitted, and the game cannot be played.

With these configurations, mutual authentication processing is performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, and if the authentication processing is not properly performed, the game is not played. It is possible to effectively deter fraudulent acts such as replacing the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 with counterfeit chips.

As described above, when it is determined that the mutual authentication result is proper in the authentication process performed mutually between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, the main control side power-on process and the diagram of FIG. 82 ball information control side power-on processing is permitted to start. In other words, the game board 5 is normally attached to the main body frame 2 on the condition that the result of mutual authentication in the authentication process performed mutually between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is determined to be appropriate. The existence of the game board 5 is guaranteed.

[Combination authentication of main frame and game board]
98 to 100, the maker authentication process executing means relating to the combination of the main body frame 2 and the game board 5 will be described.
When a game machine such as pachinko or pachislot is delivered to a game hall (game hall) or replaced, it is necessary to apply and obtain permission each time. It is obligatory to apply as a set of a frame body including the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3 as a set of game machines. Therefore, even if the main body frame is common to each manufacturer, the combination of the main body frame and the game board must be the combination that has been applied for.

Further, even if the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3 are applied as a set of a game machine, the main body frame in this embodiment has a structure common to each manufacturer, so that different combinations of main bodies can be applied. Even if the game board is fitted into the frame, it is not possible to judge whether it is a wrong combination just by looking at it. is difficult to grasp and manage. This embodiment presents a specific solution for solving the above problems.

First, a specific implementation method for authenticating whether or not the combination of the game board 5 and the frame body including the body frame 2 and the door frame 3 is the requested combination will be described.

In addition to the aforementioned first MPU identification number and second MPU identification number used to authenticate whether the MPU is genuine or not, the main control MPU 101 on the main control board 100 also contains the manufacturer information and model number of the game board. Game board maker identification information necessary for recognition is stored in advance, and frame maker identification information is stored in the ball information control MPU 111 in the ball information control board 110 in advance.

In addition, the game board 5 stores different game board maker identification information for each individual game board 5, and can be recognized separately by the difference in the character string of the identification information. In addition, different frame maker identification information is stored for each individual body frame 2, and it is possible to recognize them separately by the difference in the character string of the identification information.

Next, the interrelationship between the terms of the present invention and the present embodiment will be presented. The main control board 100 corresponds to the first control board, the sphere information control board 110 corresponds to the second control board, the main control MPU 101 corresponds to the first MPU, and the sphere information control MPU 111 corresponds to the second MPU.

Two-way data communication is possible between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 in this embodiment. By performing combination authentication processing in , it is possible to determine whether or not the game board and the main body frame are a legitimate combination. Details will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 98, the main control board 100 comprises at least the main control MPU 101, and in the main control MPU 101, a game board maker identification information storage section 4101 storing pre-stored game board maker identification information; A first authentication unit 162 that authenticates whether the identification information is correct, and a main encryption communication unit that encrypts information sent to the ball information control MPU 111 and decrypts information sent from the ball information control MPU 111. 160, and the first authentication unit 162 further includes a frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 for storing frame maker identification information.

The ball information control board 110 includes at least a ball information control MPU 111. In the ball information control MPU 111, a frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 storing pre-stored frame maker identification information and a game board maker identification information is stored properly. A second authentication unit 167 that performs authentication processing as to whether the Further, the second authentication unit 167 has a game board manufacturer identification information storage unit 4101 for storing game board manufacturer identification information.

When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 and the game machine is powered on, two-way communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 allows the game board maker identification from the game board maker identification information storage section 4101. After the information is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160, it is transmitted to the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and the frame manufacturer identification information from the frame manufacturer identification information storage unit 4112 is encrypted by the ball information encryption communication unit 165. It is transmitted to the main encryption communication unit 160 .

Next, the main control MPU 101 uses the main encryption communication unit 160 to decrypt the frame maker identification information transmitted from the ball information encryption communication unit 165 from the ball information control MPU 111, and Stored in the manufacturer identification information storage unit 4112, the ball information control MPU 111 decrypts the game board manufacturer identification information transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and then stores it in the second authentication unit 167 Stored in the game board manufacturer identification information storage unit 4101 .

After that, the main control MPU 101 performs authentication processing in the first authentication unit 162 based on the frame maker identification information stored in the frame maker identification information storage unit 4112, and determines whether the frame maker identification information is proper. do.

Then, the ball information control MPU 111 carries out authentication processing in the second authentication section 167 based on the game board manufacturer identification information stored in the game board manufacturer identification information storage section 4101, and confirms that the game board manufacturer identification information is proper. determine if there is

When it is determined that the game board 5 and the main body frame 2 are a proper combination at the time of application based on the results of authentication by the first authentication unit 162 and the second authentication unit 167, the game is started. is possible, and if it is determined that it is not proper, it becomes impossible to start the game.

With these configurations, the authentication process is performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, and if the authentication process is not properly performed, the game is not played. It is possible to effectively prevent the game from being started with a combination different from the set of gaming machines that was applied for by mistakenly fitting the game board into a frame different from the one at the time of application. Become.

Furthermore, the result of the authentication process performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is transmitted to the hall computer installed in the game hall via the external terminal board 133. , by outputting an error signal from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer when it is determined that the combination of the game board maker identification information and the frame maker identification information is abnormal, the game board 5, the main body frame 2, the door frame 3 combination abnormality can be accurately grasped.

[Information output from conventional external terminal board]
Next, how information is conventionally output and managed from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer will be described with reference to FIG. As the game progresses, various signals are transmitted from the ball information control board 110 to the external terminal board 133, and by transmitting the signals to the hall computer installed in the game hall, all installed in the game hall. It is a system that manages the gaming machines of Specifically, in addition to a door frame opening signal and a main body frame opening signal, a prize ball number information output signal indicating the number of prize balls for the player, and a 15-round jackpot from the main control board 100 via the ball information control board 110. In addition to the information output signal and the jackpot information output signal such as the 2-round jackpot information output signal, the probability fluctuation information output signal, the special pattern display information output signal, the normal pattern display information output signal, the time saving medium information output signal, and the start It is configured to output a game information signal such as a winning prize information output signal to the external terminal board 133 .

As described above, as information output from the ball information control board 110, a signal such as 15-round jackpot information is transmitted to the external terminal board 133, and then output from the external terminal board 133 to the hall computer. However, the signal is transmitted after the game process is started.

In the authentication process of this embodiment, the timing for outputting the result of the above-described authentication process from the external terminal plate 133 to the hall computer is when the power is turned on after the game board is fitted into the body frame (see step S20 in FIG. 79). ). Therefore, it is possible to use the output line for outputting to the external terminal board 133 during the game as the output line for outputting the result of the authentication process.

Conventionally, the ball information control board 110 and the external terminal board 133 are directly connected. , a code for identifying the manufacturer of the game machine, a code for identifying the model name of the game machine, and various information such as MPU specific information are output to the external terminal board, and then output from the external terminal board to the hall computer. In this configuration, the various information transmitted from the sphere information control board 110 is directly output to the external terminal board.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, in addition to the code for identifying the manufacturer of the gaming machine, the code for identifying the model name of the gaming machine, and the MPU-specific information, the above-described authentication information related to authentication is output as an authentication information output signal, which will be described later. It is configured to output to the hall computer through the external terminal board 133 .

[Information output from the external terminal board of this embodiment]
In this embodiment, a changeover circuit switch is provided between the ball information control board 110 and the external terminal board 133 to select either a 15-round jackpot information output signal or an authentication information output signal for transmitting MPU-specific information, authentication results, etc. is provided (FIG. 100). This pulse width changing circuit C1 has a switching circuit switch of two circuits of a normally open contact and a normally closed contact inside. A normally open contact and a normally closed contact are switch-controlled at a time to select either the 15-round jackpot information output signal or the authentication information output signal.

A 15-round jackpot information output signal transmitted from the ball information control board 110 is output through LINE1. During the game, the ball information control board 110 is switched to output to the external terminal plate 133 through LINE3 after being connected to a connection point, which is a contact point with LINE2, which will be described later, through the normally closed contact of the pulse width changing circuit C1. It is controlled by the control signal S1.

Also, the authentication information output signal from the sphere information control board 110 is output through LINE2. When the game machine is powered on and enters the authentication process in the above-described main control side power-on process and ball information control side power-on process, each contact is switched by a switching control signal S1 from the ball information control board 110. , the normally closed contact is open and the normally open contact is closed. Then, the pulse width of the authentication information output signal including the MPU-specific information and the authentication result is changed by the memory PMC provided in the pulse width changing circuit C1 through LINE2 (described later). After that, it is output to the external terminal board 133 from LINE3 connected to the connection point which is the contact point of LINE1 and LINE2, and then to the hall computer.

Before being output to the external terminal board 133, the MPU-specific information and the authentication signal are converted, for example, into 1-bit 125 ms (millisecond) width pulses (equivalent to 8 bps) by the memory PMC provided in the pulse width changing circuit C1. ), the pulse is widened to a pulse width that can be reliably received by the hall computer. When these pieces of information are sent by serial transmission, for example, in a form in which one frame consists of a total of 10 bits consisting of 1 start bit, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit, MPU-specific information, game board Assuming that the manufacturer identification information and the frame manufacturer identification information are 4 bytes, and the authentication result is 1 byte, a total of 5 bytes of data and 1 bit each of the start bit and the stop bit are added to each byte data, resulting in a 50-bit signal. is sent. Assuming that the pulse width of one bit is 125 ms, it takes 125 ms×50 bits=6.25 s to send out all the bits.

With the configuration described above, the signal for outputting the authentication information output signal and the signal for outputting the jackpot information can be output by switching between the normally open contact and the normally closed contact. Therefore, output can be performed without adding a terminal dedicated to H.133.

In this embodiment, the terminal for transmitting the 15-round jackpot information output signal during the game is used as the terminal for outputting the authentication information output signal only when the power is turned on, but this is just one embodiment. is. During power-on processing, output terminals other than the 15-round jackpot information output signal do not output signals, so that various terminals can be selected and used.

[Payment machine 4]
FIG. 78 is a block diagram mainly showing each element connected to the payment machine 4. As shown in FIG. The fare adjustment machine 4 and the sphere information control board 110 are connected so as to be capable of bi-directional data communication. The control unit of the payment machine 4 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input/output interface, a communication interface and the like (not shown).

Operation input signals of the ball lending button and the settlement button provided on the touch panel section 14 of the enclosed ball type gaming machine 1 are connected to the settlement machine 4 so as to be input through an interface, for example. Also, the remaining number display section and the operable notification lamp provided on the touch panel section 14 of the enclosed ball type game machine 1 are connected so as to be able to display by the control output from the payment machine 4 . Further, the payment machine 4 is provided with a card processing machine 402 behind the card insertion slot in FIG.

[Card 403]
The card 403 used in the embodiment is composed of, for example, a magnetic card or an IC card, and is issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) and provided to the player upon payment of a predetermined amount by the player. FIG. 78 shows the data structure stored in the card 403. As shown in FIG.

The card 403 has an ID storage unit 404 that stores an ID number (hereinafter simply referred to as an ID) as identification information individually given to the card 403, and an amount equivalent to the amount paid when purchasing the card 403. A remaining number storage unit 305 that stores the number of remaining points as valuable value information, and a number of held balls storage unit 406 that stores the number of held balls acquired by the player as a result of playing a game (the number of held balls in a game machine). is set. When the card 403 is issued, the ID is stored in the ID storage unit 404, and the remaining points corresponding to the amount paid when purchasing the card 403 is stored in the remaining points storage unit 405 (for example, the amount paid is 5000 yen). If so, "5000" is stored as the remaining score, but "0" is stored in the ball possession storage unit 406 as the initial value of the number of possession balls.

The card processor 402 is conventionally known, and includes a card sensor for detecting the card 403, a card reader/writer for reading data stored in the card 403 and writing data to the card 403, and a card reader/writer for reading data from the card 403. A card conveying means for feeding the card 403 to the writing position and ejecting the card 403 to the card insertion slot is provided. When the card 403 is inserted into the card slot, the card processing machine 402 sends the card 403 to a predetermined data reading/writing position, and the card reader/writer reads the stored data, that is, the ID, the number of remaining credits, and the number of cards held. The number of balls is read and output to the adjustment machine 4.例文帳に追加Also, in response to a write command from the payment machine 4, the ID, the number of remaining points, and the number of balls held are written (stored) in each of the aforementioned storage units.

The settlement machine 4 stores the ID, the number of remaining points, and the number of balls in the RAM read from the card 403 through the card processing machine 402 .

[Ball rental with card 403]
After reading the data on the card 403, the fare adjustment machine 4 displays the remaining points stored in the RAM on the remaining points display section. When the card 403 can be used, the adjustment machine 4 lends the ball according to the operation of the lending ball button. In this ball lending operation, for example, 125 balls (the unit price of a ball is 4 yen) are lent per operation of the ball lending button. In addition, when the number of balls held is less than 125, the total number of balls held is regarded as the number of balls lent. The payment machine 4 transmits the number of rental balls to the ball information control board 110 . In addition, the payment machine 4 multiplies the set unit price of balls by the number of rental balls to obtain the price for the ball rental, and subtracts the obtained price (the price corresponding to the ball rental is the remaining frequency) from the current residual frequency. In addition, when there is a number of balls in possession and the number of balls in possession is used to lend the balls, the number of rental balls is subtracted from the current number of balls in possession. The fare adjustment machine 4 displays this result on the remaining points display section. Also, the remaining points are written in the remaining points storage section 405 of the card 403 .

[Play start]
When the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 receives the number of rental balls transmitted from the payment machine 4 , it adds the number to the number of balls held in the game machine, and displays the addition result on the touch panel section 14 . The ball shooting device 12 is made ready for shooting, and a game ready state is entered.

[During play]
When the player operates the ball hitting handle 10, the ball shooting device 12 is activated, and when the game ball at the ball shooting position is hit by the shooting hammer 30 into the game area 8, the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 detects the ball. Based on this, the hitting of each game ball into the game area 8 is detected. Then, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 sequentially "1" from the game machine possession ball number data stored in the game machine possession ball number storage area according to the hitting detection of each game ball. is subtracted, and the number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel section 14 .

On the other hand, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 includes a gate switch 92 arranged in a gate portion (not shown) that allows game balls to pass through on the 5th surface of the game board, and a normal winning opening (not shown). ), a count switch 98 arranged for a large winning opening (not shown), and a starting opening (not shown) serving as an upper starting opening. Based on the detection signals from the upper and lower starting port detection switches 90 and 91, processing related to the game is performed, and commands and signals as processing results are sent to the ball information control board 110, the peripheral control board 130, the upper and lower special Output to symbol indicators 142, 143, upper and lower special symbol storage indicators 144, 145, normal symbol display 146, normal symbol storage display 147, starting solenoid 96, big win solenoid 97 and the like.

When a game ball launched by the ball launching device 12 enters various winning holes (starting winning hole, big winning hole, etc.) in the game area 8, the game ball is detected by various winning detection switches provided for each winning hole. It is detected by (upper start opening detection switch 90, lower start opening detection switch 91, general winning opening detection switch 93, general winning opening detection switch 94, count switch 98).

The main control MPU 101 responds to detection signals from detection switches (general winning opening detection switches 93, 94, count switch 98, upper and lower starting opening detection switches 90, 91) provided for each winning opening. , outputs a prize ball command for designating the number of prize balls set according to the prize winning opening in which the game ball has won to the ball information control board 110 as necessary.

Furthermore, the main control MPU 101 periodically outputs a game state signal (status) indicating the type of the current game state to the peripheral control board 130 . The game state is, for example, a lottery for winning or losing due to the winning of the starting opening and the starting opening, and performing a variable display of special symbols based on the lottery result to stop the symbols, and the lottery result is a hit. In the case of a type 1 pachinko machine that shifts to a special game state (jackpot game state) in the case of normal game state (the probability of winning by lottery is normal probability, and the time of variable display of normal symbols is normal), time saving Game state (normal pattern variable display time is shorter than usual, information output signal during time saving), jackpot game state (jackpot information output signal for 15 rounds or jackpot information output signal for 2 rounds), high probability game State (state where the probability of winning by lottery is higher than usual, information output signal during probability fluctuation), during special design fluctuation (special design display information output signal), state with hold based on start winning prize (start winning prize information output signal) and the like.

Note that the peripheral control board 130 controls the liquid crystal display device 1400, the accessory decoration board (not shown), the board decoration board (not shown), and the frame decoration board (not shown) based on commands output from the main control board 100. (not shown) to control the lighting display of various decorative LEDs, control the sound (voice, sound, sound effect, etc.) output from a speaker (not shown), and control the liquid crystal display The pattern displayed by the device 1400 is controlled.

The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 displays the shooting solenoid 13, the ball feeding solenoid 31, the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feeding motor 155, and the number of balls held on the touch panel 14 based on various input signals. and output a signal to the payment machine 4 .

The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 receives the game state signal and prize ball command output from the main control board 100 .

In response to receiving such a prize ball command, the ball information control MPU 111 stores the value of the number of prize balls preset for each winning hole in the game machine ball number data stored in the game machine ball number storage area. is added and displayed on the touch panel section 14 .

[End of game, payment]
After that, when the player operates the settlement button to end the game, the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 .

When the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 in response to the operation of the settlement button, the ball information control MPU 111 receives the game end command sent from the settlement machine 4, and the ball information control is performed. The MPU 111 transmits “end possible” to the payment machine 4 . Next, the ball information control MPU 111 stops the shooting solenoid 13 and the ball feeding solenoid 31 to stop the game. The current number of balls in the game machine stored in the storage area for the number of balls in the game machine is transmitted to the settlement machine 4.例文帳に追加

When the processing of the settlement machine 4 corresponding to the number of balls in the gaming machine transmitted from the ball information control MPU 111 is completed, the settlement machine 4 transmits the processing end, so the ball information control MPU 111 receives the processing end. Then, the area for storing the number of balls in the game machine in the RAM is cleared to 0, and the process ends.

On the other hand, after the settlement machine 4 receives a response of "finished" as a reply about the end state to the game end command, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits the number of balls in the game machine to the settlement machine 4, so that the settlement machine 4 starts playing the game. When the number of balls held in the machine is received, the received number of balls held in the game machine is added to the number of balls held in the payment machine stored in the RAM when the card is inserted, and the addition result is stored as the number of balls held in the payment machine. As a result, all the number of balls held as a result of the game played by the player is stored as the number of balls held in the payout machine. Then, the processing end is transmitted to the ball information control MPU 111, the number of balls held in the payment machine is written in the number of balls held in the card 403, the card 403 is ejected from the card slot, and the processing ends. As a result, the card 403 rewritten by adding the number of balls possessed by the gaming machine as a game result is returned to the player.

[Various control processing of the main control board]
First, various control processes performed by the main control board 100 shown in FIG. 76 according to the progress of the game of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 79 to 81. FIG. 79 is a flow chart showing the main control side power-on processing executed by the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100, FIG. 80 is a flow chart showing the continuation of the main control side power-on processing of FIG. 79, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main control side timer interrupt processing executed by the main control MPU 101. FIG.

[Main control side power-on processing]
When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as main control MPU) performs main control side power-on processing as shown in FIGS. When this main-control-side power-on process is started, the main control MPU sets a stack pointer (step S10). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack to temporarily store the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or a temporary return address of this routine when returning to this routine after terminating a subroutine. It indicates the address stacked on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. In step S10, an initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, contents of registers, a return address, etc. are stacked on the stack.
Then, the stack pointer returns to the initial address by sequentially reading from the last stacked stack to the first stacked stack.

After step S10, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S12), and it is determined whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input (step S14). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until it reaches the predetermined voltage. On the other hand, when there is a power failure or momentary power failure (a phenomenon in which the power supply is suddenly suspended), the voltage drops, and when it becomes lower than the power failure warning voltage, the power failure warning is sent from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. A signal is output and input to the main control MPU. Similarly, when the voltage becomes smaller than the blackout warning voltage during the period from when the power is turned on until it rises to a predetermined voltage, a blackout warning signal is input from the blackout monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110 .

Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S12 is a process for waiting until the voltage becomes larger than the blackout warning voltage after the power is turned on and is stabilized. ms) is set. The decision in step S14 is made based on the power failure warning signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. FIG. After the power is turned on, when the voltage becomes higher than the power failure warning voltage and stabilizes, the power failure warning signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is no longer output, and the main control MPU proceeds to step S16.

After proceeding to step S16, the main control MPU determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 (FIG. 76) is operated (step S16). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 is operated and the operation signal (detection signal) is input to the main control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 is operated, and when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 is not operated.

When it is determined in step S16 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to 1 (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S30. When it is determined that the operation has not been performed, the value 0 is set to the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S20.

This RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is stored in the RAM built in the main control MPU 101 (hereinafter referred to as "main control built-in RAM"), the game related to the game such as probability fluctuation, unpaid prize balls, etc. This is a flag indicating whether or not to erase information, and is set to a value of 1 when game information is erased and a value of 0 when game information is not erased. The value of the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG set in steps S18 and S19 is stored in the general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) of the main control MPU.

Proceeding to step S20, combination authentication processing is executed to determine whether or not the combination of the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is proper. The frame maker identification information output from the ball information control board is stored in the frame maker identification information storage unit 4112 of the main control MPU 101, and it is authenticated whether proper frame maker identification information is output. If the authentication is properly performed, the process proceeds to step S30, while if it is determined that the authentication is not proper, an abnormality is reported using a speaker, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

After shifting to step S30, the main control MPU performs wait timer processing 2 (step S30). In this wait timer process 2, the process waits until the system that controls the drawing of the liquid crystal display device 1400 by the liquid crystal control section of the peripheral control board 130 is activated (booted). In this embodiment, 2 seconds (s) is set as the time until booting (boot timer).

After step S30, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is 0 (step S32). As described above, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to a value of 1 when the game information is erased, and is set to a value of 0 when the game information is not erased. If it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is 0, that is, if the game information is not to be erased, a checksum is calculated (step S34). This checksum is calculated by regarding the game information stored in the main control built-in RAM as numerical values and calculating the total.

Following step S34, whether or not the calculated checksum value (sum value) matches the checksum value (sum value) stored in the main control side power-off processing (at power-off) described later. It is determined whether or not (step S36). If they match, it is determined whether or not the backup flag BK-FLG is 1 (step S38). This backup flag BK-FLG stores backup information such as game information, checksum value (sum value) and backup flag BK-FLG value in the main control built-in RAM in the main control side power failure processing described later. It is set to a value of 1 when the main-control-side power-off process has been completed normally, and set to a value of 0 when the main-control-side power-off process has not been completed normally.

When the backup flag BK-FLG is 1 in step S38, that is, when the main control side power failure processing is normally completed, the work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as when the power is restored (step S40). In this setting, in addition to setting the value 0 to the backup flag BK-FLG, the power recovery information is read from the ROM built in the main control MPU (hereinafter referred to as "main control built-in ROM"), and this power recovery The hour information is set in the work area of the main control built-in RAM. In addition, "recovery of power" refers to the state in which the power is turned on after the power has been cut off, the state in which the power is restored after a power failure or momentary power failure, and the state in which the high frequency radiation is detected and reset. It also includes the state after which it has returned.

After step S40, power-on command creation processing is performed (step S42). In this power-on command generation process, game information is read from the backup information, and various commands corresponding to this game information are stored in a predetermined storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is not 0 (is 1), that is, when game information is erased, or if the checksum value (sum value) matches in step S36 If not, or if it is determined in step S38 that the backup flag BK-FLG is not 1 (is 0), that is, if the main control side power failure processing has not been completed normally, the main control built-in RAM All areas are cleared (step S44). Specifically, the value 0 is written into the main control built-in RAM (a predetermined value may be read from the main control built-in ROM and set as the initial value). Also, the initial value determination random number for determining the initial value of the random number for determining the big hit is determined when the game information is erased by operating the RAM clear switch 105, when the sum values do not match, or when the RAM clear switch 105 is operated. When the main control side power failure processing is not normally completed, the unique ID code preliminarily stored in the nonvolatile RAM of the main control MPU is taken out, and the random number for judging the jackpot is updated based on the taken out ID code. An initial value derivation process is executed to always derive the same fixed value from the fixed numerical range of the counter, and this fixed value is set as the initial value.

Following step S44, the work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as initial setting (step S46). For this setting, the initial information is read from the main control built-in ROM and this initial information is set in the work area of the main control built-in RAM.

Following step S46, RAM clear notification and test command creation processing are performed (step S48). In this RAM clear notification and test command creation processing, a power-on command classified as power-on is created for notifying that the main control built-in RAM has been cleared and initial settings have been performed. Test commands classified into test-related items for performing inspection are created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

After step S42 or step S48, interrupt initialization is performed (step S50). This setting is to set the interrupt period when the main control side timer interrupt processing, which will be described later, is performed. In this embodiment, it is set to 4 ms.

After step S50, interrupt permission setting is performed. (Step S52). With this setting, the main control side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt period set at step S50, that is, every 4 ms. The processing of steps S10 to S52 is referred to as "main control side power-on processing".

Following step S52, a value A is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S54). The watchdog timer is cleared by setting value A, value B and value C in this watchdog timer clear register WCL in this order.

After step S54, it is determined whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input (step S56). As described above, when the power supply of the gaming machine 1 is shut off, or when a power failure or momentary power failure occurs, if the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is output as a power failure warning to the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. is input from The determination in step S56 is made based on this power failure warning signal.

If there is no input of the power failure warning signal in step S56, a non-hit-lose random number update process is performed (step S58). In this non-win/lose random number update process, for example, the reach determination random number, the variable display pattern random number, the big hit symbol initial value determination random number, and the small winning symbol initial value determination random number are updated. In this way, in the non-hit-lose random number update process, the random numbers that are not related to the hit-lose determination (big hit determination) are updated. In addition, the random number for normal symbol hit determination, the random number for normal symbol hit determination initial value determination, the normal symbol variation display pattern random number, etc. are also updated by this non-hit-lose random number update process.

Following step S58, the process returns to step S54 to set the value A in the watchdog timer clear register WCL. In step S56, it is determined whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input. For example, non-hit-lose random number update processing is performed in step S58, and steps S54 to S58 are repeatedly performed. The processing of steps S54 to S58 is called "main control side main loop processing".

On the other hand, when the power failure warning signal is input in step S56, interrupt prohibition is set (step S60). With this setting, the main control side timer interrupt processing, which will be described later, is not performed, preventing writing to the main control built-in RAM and protecting the game information from being rewritten.

Following step S60, the starting opening solenoid 96, the big winning opening solenoid 97, the upper special symbol display 142, the lower special symbol display 143, the upper special symbol storage display 144, and the lower special symbol storage display shown in FIG. 145, the normal symbol display 146, the normal symbol memory display 147, the game state display 148, the round display 149, etc. are stopped (step S62).

Following step S62, a checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S64). This checksum is calculated by considering the game information in the work area of the main control built-in RAM, excluding the storage area for the checksum value (sum value) and the value of the backup flag BK-FLG, as numerical values.

Following step S64, the backup flag BK-FLG is set to 1 (step S66). This completes the storage of the backup information.

Following step S66, clear setting of the watchdog timer is performed (step S68). This clear setting is performed by sequentially setting the value A, the value B, and the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, as described above.

Following step S68, a loop process is entered in which a state in which nothing is executed is repeated. The processing of steps S60 to S68 and the loop processing are referred to as "main control side power failure processing". In this loop processing, since the value A, the value B, and the value C are not sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, the watchdog timer is not cleared. Therefore, the watchdog timer times out and outputs a time-out signal, and the time-out signal resets the main control MPU, after which the main control MPU performs the main control side power-on processing from the beginning again.

The game machine 1 (main control MPU 101) is reset when a power failure or momentary power failure occurs, and the main control side power-on processing is performed when power is restored thereafter.

In step S36, it is checked whether or not the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM is normal, and in step S38, it is checked whether or not the main control side power failure processing has been completed normally. inspecting. In this way, by double-checking the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM, it is inspected whether or not the backup information has been stored illegally.

[Main control side timer interrupt processing]
Next, main control side timer interrupt processing will be described. This main-control-side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed for each interrupt period (4 ms in this embodiment) set in the main-control-side power-on processing shown in FIGS. 79 and 80 .

When the main control side timer interrupt processing is started, the main control MPU of the main control board 100 sets a value B in the watchdog timer clear register WCL as shown in FIG. 81 (step S70). At this time, in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, the value B is set following the value A set in step S54 of the main control side main loop processing.

After step S70, the interrupt flag is cleared (step S72). The interrupt period is initialized by clearing the interrupt flag, and the next interrupt period is counted from the initial value.

After step S72, switch input processing is performed (step S74). In this switch input process, various signals input to the input terminal of the main control I/O port 102 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

Subsequent to step S74, timer subtraction processing is performed (step S76). In this timer subtraction process, for example, the time during which the upper special symbol indicator 142 and the lower special symbol indicator 143 are lit according to the variable display pattern determined by the special symbol and special electric auditors control process to be described later, the normal symbol to be described later and In addition to the time when the normal symbol display 146 is lit according to the normal symbol variation display pattern determined by the normal electric accessory control process, the ball information control board 110 transmits various commands sent by the main control board 100 (main control MPU). Time management such as ACK signal input judgment time set as a judgment condition when judging whether or not the ball information main ACK signal indicating that the reception has been normally received is input is performed. Specifically, when the variation time of the variation display pattern or the normal symbol variation display pattern is 5 seconds, the timer interrupt cycle is set to 4 ms, so each time this timer subtraction process is performed, the variation time is subtracted by 4 ms. When the subtraction result becomes 0, the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display pattern or the normal symbol fluctuation display pattern is accurately measured.

In this embodiment, the ACK signal input determination time is set to 100 ms. Each time this timer subtraction process is performed, the ACK signal input determination time is subtracted by 4 ms, and the subtraction result becomes 0, thereby accurately measuring the ACK signal input determination time. These various times and the ACK signal input determination time are stored as time management information in the time management information storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

Following step S76, win-lose random number update processing is performed (step S78). In this win/lose random number update process, the above-described random number for judging a big win, random number for a big win design, and random number for a small win design are updated. In addition to these random numbers, the random number for determining the initial value for the jackpot symbol, which is updated in the non-win/lose random number update process of step S58 in the main control side power-on process (main control side main process) shown in FIG. And the random number for determining the initial value for the small winning symbol is also updated. These big hit symbol initial value determination random numbers and small winning symbol initial value determination random numbers are updated in the main control side main processing and this main control side timer interrupt processing, respectively, thereby enhancing the randomness. . On the other hand, since the random number for judging the big hit, the random number for the big hit pattern, and the random number for the small hit pattern are random numbers related to the judgment of winning (big hit judgment), each counter is updated only each time this random number update process is performed. counts up. For example, the counter that updates the random number for judging a big hit is, as described above, an initial value update type counter that has a predetermined fixed numerical range ranging from the minimum value to the maximum value (in this embodiment, the minimum value is It is updated within the value 32767) as 0 to the maximum value, and the range from the minimum value to the maximum value is counted up by adding 1 each time this main control side timer interrupt processing is performed. The random number for determining the initial value for judging a big win is counted up to the maximum value (value 32767), and then the random number for determining the initial value for judging a big hit is counted up from the minimum value (value 0). When a counter for updating the random number for judging a big win finishes counting up the range from the minimum value to the maximum value of the random number for judging a big win, the random number for determining the initial value for judging a big win is updated by the random number updating process. At this time, the updated value is always the same from the fixed value range of the counter that the main control MPU retrieves the ID code from its built-in non-volatile RAM and updates the jackpot determination random number based on the retrieved ID code. An initial value derivation process for deriving a fixed value of is executed, and this derived fixed value is set as an initial value. That is, the initial value determination random number for judging a big hit is always overwritten with the same fixed value derived based on the ID code by executing the initial value deriving process as the initial value. Incidentally, the above-described normal symbol hit determination random number and normal symbol hit determination initial value determination random number are also updated by this win/lose random number update process. The normal symbol hit determination random number and the like are the same as the above-described method for updating the big hit determination random number, and the description thereof is omitted.

Following step S78, prize ball control processing is performed (step S80). In this prize ball control process, input information is read from the above-described input information storage area, and based on this input information, a prize ball command for transmission to the ball information control board 110 is created, and the main control board 100 and the ball information are generated. A self-check command for checking the connection state between the boards with the control board 110 is created. Then, the created prize ball command and self-check command are transmitted to the ball information control board 110 as main ball information serial data. For example, when one game ball enters the big winning hole, a prize ball command representing 15 balls as the number of prize balls is created and transmitted to the ball information control board 110, or this prize ball command is transmitted to the ball information control board. When the ball information main ACK signal, which informs that the ball information control board 110 has completed reception normally, is not input within a predetermined time, a self-check command for checking the connection state between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is generated. It is transmitted to the sphere information control board 110 .

After step S80, frame command reception processing is performed (step S82). The sphere information control board 110 transmits various 1-byte (8-bit) commands divided into status indications. In the frame command reception process of step S82, when these various commands are normally received as the ball information main serial data, the information to notify the ball information control board 110 to that effect is stored as output information in the output information storage area of the main control built-in RAM. Remember. Also, the command normally received as ball information main serial data is shaped into a 2-byte (16-bit) command and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area described above.

Following step S82, fraud detection processing is performed (step S84). In this fraudulent act detection process, an abnormal state regarding prize balls is checked. For example, when the input information is read out from the above-described input information storage area, and the detection signal from the count switch 98 is input in the non-jackpot game state (when the game ball enters the big winning hole), etc. A prize-winning abnormal display command classified as a notification display as an abnormal state is created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area described above.

Following step S84, a special symbol and special electric accessory control process is performed (step S86). In this special symbol and special electric role product control process, the value of the counter for updating the above-mentioned big hit determination random number is taken out and it is determined whether or not it matches the big hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM (big hit It is determined whether or not to generate a game state (referred to as "special lottery")), and the value of the counter for updating the random number for the big hit pattern is taken out and used as the probability variable hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM. It determines whether or not they match (determines whether or not to generate probability variation). Here, "probability change" means that the probability of winning a big hit changes to a high probability (probability variable time) set higher than the normal time (low probability). In this embodiment, as the range of the above-described jackpot determination value (jackpot determination range), a value of 32668 to a value of 32767 is set for a low probability. ~ value 32767 is set and read from the probability variation time determination table. Thus, in the special symbol and special electric accessory control process of step S86, whether or not the value of the counter for updating the big hit determination random number and the big hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM match. When judging whether or not, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter for updating the big-hit judging random number is included in the big-hit judging range.

When these determination results are from the upper starting port detection switch 90, various commands related to the special figure 1 tuning effect are created, and when the lottery results are from the lower starting port detection switch 91, special Various commands related to FIG. 2 tuning performance are created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area, and the upper special symbol indicator 142 or the lower special symbol indicator 143 is lit according to the determined special symbol fluctuation display pattern. The output of the lighting signal to the upper special symbol display device 142 or the lower special symbol display device 143 is set, and stored as the output information in the output information storage area described above.

In addition, depending on the game state to be generated, for example, when it becomes a big win game state, various commands classified as related to the big win are created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area, or the opening and closing member is opened and closed. Setting the output of the drive signal to the winning opening solenoid 97 and storing it as output information in the output information storage area, or when the number of times (round) that the big winning opening changes from the closed state to the open state is two times, the round is displayed. The output of the lighting signal to the 2nd round display lamp of the device 149 is set so as to light the 2nd round display lamp of the device 149, and is stored as output information in the output information storage area. The output of a lighting signal to the 15th round display lamp is set so as to light the 15th round display lamp, and the output information is stored in the output information storage area, or the presence or absence of probability variation is lit in a predetermined color. The output of the lighting signal to the indicator 148 is set and stored as output information in the output information storage area.

Following step S86, a normal symbol and normal electric accessory control process is performed (step S88). In this normal symbol and normal electric accessary product control process, the input information is read from the above-described input information storage area, and the gate winning process is performed based on this input information. In this gate winning process, it is determined from the input information whether or not the detection signal from the gate switch 92 has been input to the input terminal. Based on the result of this determination, when the detection signal is input to the input terminal, the value of the counter for updating the random number for determining per normal symbol is extracted as gate information, and the gate information storage area of the main control built-in RAM is extracted. memorize to

Following step S88, port output processing is performed (step S90). In this port output process, output information is read from the output information storage area from the output terminal of the main control I/O port 102, and various signals are output based on this output information. For example, when various commands from the ball information control board 110 are successfully received from the output terminal of the main control I/O port 102 based on the output information, the main ball information ACK signal is output to the ball information control board 110. , When in the jackpot game state, it outputs a drive signal to the big winning opening solenoid 97 for opening and closing the opening and closing member of the big winning opening, and outputs a driving signal to the starting opening solenoid 96 for opening and closing the movable piece. In addition, 15 rounds jackpot information output signal, 2 rounds jackpot information output signal, probability fluctuation information output signal, special pattern display information output signal, normal pattern display information output signal, time saving medium information output information, start winning prize information output signal Various information (game information) signals related to the game such as are outputted to the ball information control board 110 .

Following step S90, peripheral control board command transmission processing is performed (step S92). In this peripheral control board command transmission process, the transmission information is read from the transmission information storage area described above, and this transmission information is transmitted to the peripheral control board 130 as main peripheral serial data. This transmission information includes various commands that are classified into special figure 1 tuning effect related, various commands that are classified into special figure 2 tuning effect related, and are classified into jackpot related Various commands that are classified as power on, various commands that are classified as being related to general map synchronization effects, various commands that are classified as being related to normal electric role effects, various commands that are classified as notification display, status display Various commands classified, various commands classified into test-related commands, and various commands classified into others are stored. One packet of the main circumferential serial data is composed of 3 bytes.

Specifically, the main peripheral serial data includes a status indicating a command type having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), a mode indicating a variation of an effect having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), and a status and a sum value calculated by considering the mode as a numerical value, and this sum value is created at the time of transmission. Incidentally, the processing of steps S74 to S92 will be referred to as "game control processing".

Following step S92, a value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S94). By setting the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL in step S94, the value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL following the value B set in step S70. As a result, the value A, the value B, and the value C are sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, and the watchdog timer is cleared.

After step S94, the register is switched (restored) (step S96), and this routine ends. Here, when the main control side timer interrupt processing, which is this routine, is started, the main control MPU stacks the contents of the general-purpose register on the stack and saves it. This prevents destruction of the contents of the general-purpose registers used in the main processing on the main control side. In step S96, the contents saved in the stack are read and written to the original register. It should be noted that the main control MPU sets interrupt permission after returning in step S96.

[Various control processing of ball information control board]
Next, various control processes performed by the ball information control board 110 shown in FIG. 77 will be described with reference to FIGS. 81 to 86. FIG. FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing the ball information control side power-on process executed by the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110. FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control side power-on process of FIG. FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control side power-on processing following FIG. 83, and FIG. FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing an example of ball information control side timer interrupt processing.

[Processing when ball information control side power is turned on]
When the game machine 1 is powered on, the ball information control MPU 111 (hereinafter simply referred to as the ball information control MPU) of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110 controls the ball as shown in FIGS. Perform power-on processing on the information control side. When the ball information control side power-on process is started, the ball information control MPU sets the interrupt mode (step S500). This interrupt mode sets the priority of interrupts of the ball information control MPU. In the present embodiment, the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing, which will be described later, is set to have the highest priority.

Following step S500, input/output setting (input/output setting of I/O) is performed (step S502). In this I/O input/output setting, the input/output setting of the I/O port of the ball information control MPU is performed.

Following step S502, output of a power failure clear signal to the power failure monitoring circuit 117 shown in FIG. 77 is started (step S504). The power failure monitoring circuit 117 is composed of a voltage comparison circuit and a D-type flip-flop IC. The voltage comparison circuit compares +24V with the reference voltage or compares +12V with the reference voltage, and outputs the comparison results. The result of this comparison is input to the PR terminal, which is the preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop, with logic HI when no power failure or momentary power failure has occurred. The logic becomes LOW and is input to the PR terminal, which is the preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop. In step S504, output of a power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D-type flip-flop, is started. This power failure clear signal is input to the clear terminal via the ball information control I/O port 112 of the ball information control unit 118 with its logic set to LOW. As a result, the sphere information control MPU can release the latched state of the D-type flip-flop, and inverts the logic input to the PR terminal, which is the preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop, until the latched state is set. Then, it is possible to output from the 1Q terminal which is an output terminal, and the signal from the 1Q terminal can be monitored.

After step S504, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S506), and it is determined whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input (step S508). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until it reaches the predetermined voltage. On the other hand, when a power failure or momentary power failure occurs (a phenomenon in which the supply of power suddenly stops temporarily), the voltage drops, and when it becomes smaller than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning. Similarly, when the voltage becomes smaller than the power failure warning voltage after the power is turned on until it rises to a predetermined voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 . Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S506 is a process for waiting until the voltage becomes larger than the blackout warning voltage after the power is turned on and stabilized. ms) is set. It is determined in step S508 whether or not the power failure warning signal has been input. This determination is made based on the signal output from the 1Q terminal, which is the output terminal of the D-type flip-flop, as the power failure warning signal.

Following step S508, output of the power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D-type flip-flop, is stopped (step S510). By stopping the output of the power failure clear signal, the logic becomes HI through the ball information control I/O port 112 and is input to the CLR terminal which is a clear terminal. This allows the sphere information control MPU to set the D-type flip-flop to the latch state. When the D-type flip-flop latches the state in which the logic LOW is input to the PR terminal, which is a preset terminal, it outputs a power failure warning signal from the 1Q terminal, which is an output terminal.

Following step S510, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated (step S512). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 is operated and the operation signal (detection signal) is input to the ball information control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 is operated, and when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 is not operated.

If it is determined in step S512 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the ball information RAM clear flag is set to 1 (step S514), and the process proceeds to step S518. If it is determined that the ball information RAM is not cleared, the value 0 is set in the ball information RAM clear (step S516), and the process proceeds to step S518.

This ball information RAM clear flag is stored in a RAM built into the ball information control MPU (hereinafter referred to as "ball information control built-in RAM"), for example, various flags and various information storage areas. It is a flag indicating whether or not to erase various ball information stored therein, and is set to a value of 1 when the ball information is to be erased, and to a value of 0 when the ball information is not to be erased. The ball information RAM clear flags set in steps S514 and S516 are stored in the general storage element (general purpose register) of the ball information control MPU.

Following step S514 or step S516, a setting is made to permit access to the ball information control built-in RAM (step S518). This setting enables access to the ball information control built-in RAM, and enables, for example, writing (storing) or reading of ball information.

Following step S518, a stack pointer is set (step S520). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack to temporarily store the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or a temporary return address of this routine when returning to this routine after terminating a subroutine. It indicates the address stacked on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. At step S520, the initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, the register contents, the return address, etc. are stacked on the stack. Then, the stack pointer returns to the initial address by sequentially reading from the last stacked stack to the first stacked stack.

After step S520, when the process proceeds to step S521, combination authentication processing is executed to determine whether or not the combination of the ball information control MPU 111 and the main control MPU 101 is proper. The game board maker identification information output from the main control board 100 is stored in the game board maker identification information storage unit 4101 of the ball information control MPU 111, and it is authenticated whether proper game board maker identification information is output. If the authentication is properly performed, the process proceeds to step S527, while if it is determined that the authentication is not proper, an abnormality is reported using a speaker, a liquid crystal display device, or the like.

After step S521, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S527. In step S527, it is determined whether or not the ball information RAM clear flag is 0 (step S527). As described above, the ball information RAM clear flag is set to the value 1 when the ball information is erased, and to the value 0 when the ball information is not erased.

When the ball information RAM clear flag is 0 in step S527, that is, when the ball information is not erased, a checksum is calculated (step S528). This checksum is calculated by regarding the ball information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM as numerical values and calculating the total.

Following step S528, it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value stored in the ball information control unit power-off process (at power-off), which will be described later (step S530). ). If they match, it is determined whether or not the ball information backup flag is 1 (step S532). This ball information backup flag is a flag indicating whether or not ball information backup information such as ball information and a checksum value has been stored in the internal RAM for ball information control in the ball information control unit power-off processing described later. A value of 1 is set when the ball information control unit power failure processing is normally completed, and a value of 0 is set when the ball information control unit power failure processing is not normally completed.

When the ball information backup flag is 1 in step S532, that is, when the ball information control unit power-off processing is normally completed, the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM is set as when the power is restored (step S534). In addition to setting the ball information backup flag to a value of 0, this setting also reads power recovery information from the ROM built into the ball information control MPU (hereinafter referred to as "ball information control built-in ROM"). The power recovery information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM. As a result, information used for various processes is set based on various flags, various information stored in various information storage areas, etc., which are the aforementioned ball information backup information stored in the internal ball information control RAM. . Note that "recovery of power" includes not only the state in which the power is turned on after the power has been cut off, but also the state in which the power has been restored after a power failure or momentary power failure.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S527 that the ball information RAM clear flag is not 0 (is 1), or if the checksum values do not match in step S530, or if the ball information backup flag is set to a value of 1 in step S532. When it is determined that the value is not 1 (the value is 0), that is, when the power-off process of the ball information control section has not ended normally, the entire area of the ball information control built-in RAM is cleared (step S536). As a result, the ball information backup information stored in the internal ball information control RAM is cleared.

Following step S536, the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM is set as initial setting (step S538). For this setting, the initial information is read from the ball information control built-in ROM and this initial information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM.

After step S534 or step S538, interrupt initialization is performed (step S540). This setting is for setting an interrupt period when the ball information control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, is performed. In this embodiment, it is set to 2 ms.

After step S540, interrupt permission setting is performed (step S542). With this setting, the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt period set at step S540, that is, every 2 ms.

After step S542, it is determined whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input (step S544). As described above, when power to the game machine 1 is cut off, or a power failure or momentary power failure occurs, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning when the voltage drops below the power failure warning voltage. The determination in step S540 is made based on this power failure warning signal.

If there is no power failure warning signal input in step S544, it is determined whether or not the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is 1 (step S546). This 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is a flag that counts 2 ms in the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing that is processed every 2 ms, which will be described later. set respectively.

If it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is 0, that is, if 2 ms has not elapsed, the process returns to step S544 to determine whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has a value of 1, that is, if 2 ms has elapsed, the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is set to a value of 0 (step S547), and the process proceeds to step S550. , outputs an external WDT clear signal to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 (turns ON, step S550). The external WDT 116 monitors the operation (system) of the ball information control MPU. When the external WDT clear signal is not stopped during the clear signal release time, a reset signal is sent to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I/O port 112. is output to reset (regularly diagnose whether the ball information control MPU system is running out of control).

Following step S550, port output processing is performed (step S552). In this port output process, various kinds of information are read out from the output information storage area of the ball information control built-in RAM, and various signals are output from the output terminal of the ball information control I/O port 112 based on the various kinds of information.

In the output information storage area, for example, ball information main ACK information that tells that various commands related to prize balls from the main control board 100 (prize ball command and self-check command) have been normally received, and ball information to the ball lifting device 22 Various information such as drive information for performing drive control is stored, and when a prize ball command from the main control board 100 is normally received from the output terminal of the ball information control I/O port 112 based on this output information It outputs a ball information main ACK signal to the main control board 100 and outputs a drive signal to the firing solenoid 13 .

Following step S552, port input processing is performed (step S554). In this port input process, various signals input to the input terminal of the ball information control I/O port 112 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the internal ball information control RAM. For example, door frame open switch 131, body frame open switch 132, launch standby ball detection switches 26, 70, launch ball confirmation switch 36, recovered ball detection switch 203, ball path full tank detection switch 206, ball proper amount detection switch 207, Lifting entrance switch 156, lifting motor sensor (photosensor) 157, cassette detection switch 158, firing stop switch 86, touch switch 87, BRQ signal, BRDY signal and CR connection signal from payment machine 4, command transmission processing described later Main ball information ACK signal and the like from the main control board 100 that informs that the main control board 100 has received the various commands sent in , respectively, are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area.

After step S554, timer update processing is performed (step S556). Various determination times are stored as time management information in the time management information storage area of the ball information control built-in RAM. In the timer update process, it is determined whether or not the timer values of various timers have been set, and if the timer values have been set, the timer values are decremented by one. For example, if "1000" is set in the timer as a value corresponding to 2 seconds (2000ms), the timer interrupt cycle is set to 2ms. When the subtraction result becomes 0, the time is up and the time is accurately measured.

Subsequent to step S556, fare adjustment machine communication processing is performed (step S558). In the fare adjustment machine communication process, input information is read from the above-described input information storage area, and based on this input information, whether or not various signals (BRQ signal, BRDY signal, and CR connection signal) from the fare adjustment machine 4 are input. judge. Based on various signals from the payment machine 4, the ball information control MPU exchanges various signals with the payment machine 4. For example, when the ball information control MPU receives the number of rental balls transmitted from the payment machine 4, it adds the number of rental balls to the data of the number of owned balls in the game machine.

Following step S558, command reception processing is performed (step S560). In this command reception process, various commands related to prize balls (prize ball command and self-check command) from the main control board 100 are received. When these various commands are normally received, the ball information main ACK information to that effect is stored in the output information storage area described above. On the other hand, when various commands cannot be received normally, a connection is made to notify that there is an abnormality in the connection between the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 (abnormality has occurred in various command signals). Abnormality information is stored in the state information storage area described above.

Following step S560, command analysis processing is performed (step S562). In this command analysis process, the command received in step S562 is analyzed, and the analyzed command is stored as received command information in the received command information storage area of the internal ball information control RAM.

Following step S562, main operation setting processing is performed (step S564). In this main operation setting process, the ball information control MPU sets the operations of the launch solenoid 13, the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball lifting device 22 (ball lifting motor 150), the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the like. In addition, the ball information control MPU sequentially "1" from the game machine possession ball number data stored in the game machine possession ball number storage area in response to the hitting detection of game balls one by one based on the ball detection of the launch ball confirmation switch 36. " is subtracted. Further, when a prize ball command is stored in the received command information storage area, the number of prize balls corresponding to this prize ball command is added to the game machine possession ball number data stored in the game machine possession ball number storage area.

Following step S564, LED display data creation processing is performed (step S566). In this LED display data creation process, for example, the game machine possessed ball number data stored in the game machine possessed ball number storage area described above is read out, display data for displaying the number of possessed balls on the touch panel unit 14 is created, and the LED is displayed. It is stored in the output information storage area described above as display information.

Following step S566, command transmission processing is performed (step S568). In this command transmission process, various kinds of information are read out from the above-described state information storage area, and based on the various kinds of information, various commands classified into state displays are created and transmitted to the main control board 100 .

Following step S568, the output of the external WDT clear signal to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 is stopped (turned OFF, step S570). This clears the external WDT 116 and prevents the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I/O port 112 from being reset. Further, when the output of the external WDT clear signal is stopped, the external WDT 116 starts counting the clear signal release time.

After step S570, the process returns to step S544 to determine whether or not a power failure warning signal has been input. When the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is 1, that is, when 2 ms has elapsed, the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is set to 0 in step S547, and the external WDT 4120c is sent to the external WDT 4120c in step S550. A WDT clear signal is output (ON), port output processing is performed in step S552, port input processing is performed in step S554, timer update processing is performed in step S556, fare adjustment machine communication processing is performed in step S558, and fare adjustment machine communication processing is performed in step S560. Command reception processing is performed, command analysis processing is performed in step S562, main operation setting processing is performed in step S564, LED display data creation processing is performed in step S566, command transmission processing is performed in step S568, and external WDT 116 is performed in step S570. Then, the output of the external WDT clear signal is stopped (OFF), and steps S544 to S570 are repeated. The processing of steps S544 to S570 is called "ball information control main processing".

On the other hand, when a power failure warning signal is input in step S544, interrupt prohibition is set (step S572). With this setting, the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing, which will be described later, is not performed, and writing to the ball information control built-in RAM is prevented, thereby protecting the rewriting of the ball information described above.

Following step S572, a power failure clear signal is output to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D-type flip-flop of the power failure monitoring circuit 117, via the ball information control I/O port 112 (step S574). As a result, the D-type flip-flop can release the latched state by outputting the power failure clear signal.

Following step S574, the output of the drive signal to the firing solenoid 13 is stopped (step S576). As a result, the launch of the game ball is stopped. After step S576, the drive signal output to the ball feed solenoid 31 is stopped (step S578). As a result, the feeding of game balls to the ball launching device 12 side is stopped.

Following step S578, the external WDT clear signal is output to the external WDT 116 to stop the output (ON/OFF, step S580). This clears the external WDT 116 . Following step S580, a checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S582). This checksum is calculated by considering the ball information in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM, excluding the storage area for the checksum value calculated in step S528 and the value of the ball information backup flag HBK-FLG, as numerical values. do. Following step S582, the ball information backup flag is set to 1 (step S584). This completes the storage of the ball information backup information. Following step S584, prohibition of access to the ball information control built-in RAM is set (step S586). By this setting, access to the internal ball information control RAM is prohibited and writing and reading are disabled, and the ball information backup information stored in the internal ball information control RAM is protected.

Following step S586, a loop process is entered in which nothing is repeated. In this loop processing, the clear signal to the external WDT 116 is not turned ON/OFF. Therefore, the external WDT 116 outputs a reset signal to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I/O port 112 to reset them. After that, the ball information control MPU performs the ball information control side power-on processing from the beginning again. The processing of steps S572 to S586 and the loop processing are referred to as "ball information control power failure processing".

The game machine 1 (ball information control MPU) is reset when there is a power failure or momentary power failure, and after the power is restored, the ball information control side power-on processing is performed.

In step S530, it is checked whether or not the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM is normal. Subsequently, in step S532, the ball information control unit power-off process is normally terminated. It is inspecting whether or not In this way, by double checking the ball information backup information stored in the internal ball information control RAM, it is checked whether or not the ball information backup information has been stored by fraud.

[Timer interrupt processing on ball information control side]
Next, the ball information control side timer interrupt processing will be described. This ball information control side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed for each interrupt period (2 ms in this embodiment) set in step S540 of the ball information control side power-on processing shown in FIG.

When the ball information control side timer interrupt processing is started, the ball information control MPU of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110 disables the timer interrupt as shown in FIG. saving) is performed (step S590). Here, the general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) used in the above-described ball information control unit main processing is switched to the auxiliary register. By using this auxiliary register in the ball information control side timer interrupt processing, the value of the general-purpose register is not overwritten. This prevents destruction of the contents of general-purpose registers used in the main processing on the ball information control side.

Following step S590, the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is set to 1 (step S592). This 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG is a flag that counts 2 ms each time this ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is performed, that is, every 2 ms. are set respectively. After step S592, the register is switched (restored) (step S594). For this return, the auxiliary register used in the ball information control side timer interrupt processing is switched to a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register). By using this general-purpose register in the ball information control side main processing, the value of the auxiliary register is not overwritten. This prevents destruction of the contents of the auxiliary register used in the ball information control section timer interrupt processing. Following step S594, interrupt permission is set (step S596), and this routine ends.

[Each process executed in the ball information control main process]
Next, each process executed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110 every 2 ms in the ball information control main process of FIG. 84 will be described. First, the ball lending process will be described, followed by the ball hitting determination process, the number of possessed balls counting process, the ball feeding/shooting drive process, the launched ball detection process, and the number of possessed balls subtraction process. It should be noted that the hit ball possible/impossible determination process, the number-of-balls-counting process, the ball feeding/shooting drive process, the ball-fired detection process, the number-of-balls subtraction process, and the lifting drive process are one of the main operation setting processes in step S564. , and executed in the order of hit ball possible/impossible determination processing, possessed ball number count processing, ball feeding/shooting drive processing, shot ball detection processing, possessed ball count subtraction processing, and lifting drive processing.

When the player inserts the card 403 into the card slot, the payment machine 4 detects the insertion of the card 403 and the data stored in the card 403 is read through the card processing machine 402 . That is, the ID stored in the ID storage unit 404 of the card 403 in FIG. are stored in predetermined storage areas (ID storage area, remaining score storage area, pitch count storage area).

Next, the payment machine 4 determines whether the inserted card 403 is usable or not. In this embodiment, when the read remaining count is 0 and the read number of balls is 0, it is determined that the card 403 is unusable, and the card 403 is ejected from the card slot. Therefore, when it is determined that the card 403 cannot be used, each of the following processing of the number of held balls counting process, the ball feeding/shooting drive process, and the number of held balls subtraction process is not executed.

On the other hand, if the read remaining score is not 0, or if the read remaining score is 0 but the read number of balls in possession is not 0, the payment machine 4 determines that the card is usable, and the ball information The card usable information is transmitted to the control board 110 .

When the player presses the ball lending button to play a game, an operation signal of the ball lending button is input to the payment machine 4 . In response to the operation signal of the ball rental button, the fare adjustment machine 4 performs ball rental processing, for example, transmits a prescribed number of rental balls to the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110, and then from the ball information control MPU It waits until it receives the ball lending end sent.

[Ball rental processing]
Here, the ball lending process executed by the ball information control MPU will be described. FIG. 87 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of ball rental processing performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the ball rental process is executed as one of the fare adjustment machine communication processes of step S558 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When starting the ball rental process, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the card usable information transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received (step S600). In step S600, when the card usable information transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S601, and the number of held balls counter (gaming machine holding counter) which is a part of the storage area set in the built-in RAM is displayed. number of balls storage area) is cleared to 0 (step S601), and the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, in step S600, if the card usable information transmitted from the payment machine 4 is not received, the process proceeds directly to step S602. The initial value of the number-of-balls-counter is set to "0" by the power-recovery setting in the RAM work area in step S534.

When proceeding to step S602, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the number of rental balls transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received (step S602). In step S602, when the number of rental balls transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S603, the received number of rental balls is added to the value of the counter for the number of owned balls (step S603), The end of rental is transmitted to the adjustment machine 4 (step S604), and the ball rental processing subroutine is exited.

On the other hand, if the number of rental balls transmitted from the payment machine 4 is not received in step S602, the process does not proceed to steps S603 and S604, and the subroutine of the direct ball rental processing is exited.

In this way, the card availability information is transmitted to the sphere information control board 110 only when a new usable card 303 is inserted into the payment machine 4 . Further, the number of rented balls is transmitted to the ball information control MPU only when an operation signal of the ball rent button is input to the payment machine 4 after the card usable information is received. Then, when the number of rental balls is received, the number of rental balls is added and stored to the value of the number-of-balls counter for the first time.

[Possible/impossible judgment processing]
Next, a description will be given of the hit ball possible/impossible determination process executed by the ball information control MPU. FIG. 88 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of a hit ball possible/impossible determination process performed by the ball information control MPU. It should be noted that the hit ball possible/impossible determination process is executed as one process of the main operation setting process of step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When the ball information control MPU starts the hitting ball possibility determination process, it determines whether or not the number of possession balls is 0, that is, whether or not the value of the number counter of the number of possession balls is 0 (step S710). In step S710, if it is determined that the value of the counter for the number of balls held is not 0, that is, if it is determined as NO in step S710, the process proceeds to step S711. ) is on, that is, whether or not there is a waiting ball in the ball feeding device 28 (step S711).

In step S711, if it is determined that the ball detection switch 70 (see FIG. 10) is on, the fireable flag is set to 1 (fireable) (step S712). exits the subroutine of On the other hand, if it is determined in step S710 that the value of the counter for the number of balls held is 0, and if it is determined in step S711 that the firing standby ball detection switch 70 is not ON (OFF), The possible flag is set to 0 (no shooting) (step S713), and the subroutine of the hitting ball possible/impossible determination process is exited.

In this way, when the value of the number-of-balls counter is not 0 and there is a waiting ball in the ball feeding device 28, the firing solenoid 13 and the ball feeding solenoid 31 can be driven, and substantially the game area 8 of the game balls It is in a playable state in which it is possible to drive into. Further, when the value of the counter of the number of held balls is 0, or when there is no standby ball in the ball feeding device 28, the firing solenoid 13 cannot be driven, and the game ball is substantially hit into the game area 8. is in a state where it is impossible to play. At the same time, the ball feed solenoid 31 cannot be driven.

[Number of possession balls count processing]
Next, assuming that the game is substantially enabled, the process of counting the number of possessed balls, which corresponds to the information processing of the balls during the game, will be described. FIG. 89 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of count processing for the number of possession balls performed by the ball information control MPU. It should be noted that the number-of-balls-counting process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564, which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When the ball information control MPU starts the number-of-balls counting process, it determines whether or not there is a prize ball command analyzed in the command analysis process of step S562 (step S720). That is, it is determined whether or not there is a prize ball command stored in the received command information storage area. If there is a prize ball command stored, step S720 is determined to be present, and the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command stored in the received command information storage area is added and stored to the value of the ball number counter (step S722). ), exiting the subroutine for counting the number of balls in possession. On the other hand, if no winning ball command is stored, it is determined that step S720 is not executed, and the subroutine of the number-of-balls-counting process is exited.

For example, when a prize is won in a winning slot set to the number of prize balls set to "4", the number of prize balls "4" is added and stored to the value of the number counter of the number of prize balls, for example, the number of prize balls is "15". When a prize is won in the winning hole (large winning hole) set to , the number of winning balls "15" is added and stored to the value of the number-of-balls-counter.

[Ball sending/shooting drive processing]
Next, the ball feeding/shooting driving process will be described. 90 and 91 are flow charts showing an example of a subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball feeding/shooting driving process is executed as one process of the main operation setting process of step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

24 is a time chart showing drive timings of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. As shown in FIG. The shooting solenoid 13 is turned on when a period A has passed since the ball feed solenoid 31 was turned on, and the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off when a period B has passed since the ball feeding solenoid 13 was turned on, and the ball is fed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has passed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

In this embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball feed member 32 feeds the shot ball to the shooting position (rail portion 332). That is, the shot ball is detected by the shot ball confirmation switch 36 . In this embodiment, it is determined that there is a ball to be launched when a game ball stopped at the launch position is detected by the ball launch confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time period (30 ms as the period D). do.

In this way, when a game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that there is a shooting ball. False counts of balls can be eliminated, increasing certainty in detecting launched balls.

When the shooting solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the shooting position is shot into the game area 8 by the shooting hammer 30, and the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. This reduces the number of balls held by -1.

When the ball feeding/shooting drive process is started, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the shootable flag is 1 (shootable) (step S730). When it is determined that the ball can be shot in the above-described process for determining whether the ball can be hit, the flag that can be shot is set to 1 (can be shot). If it is determined in step S730 that the shootable flag is not 1 (fireable), that is, if the shootable flag is 0 (fireable), the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process is exited. In this case, no substantial ball feeding/shooting drive processing is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S730 that the firing flag is 1 (fireable), the process moves to step S731, and it is determined whether or not the processing flag is 0 (step S731).

Here, the processing flag is a flag for identifying whether the ball information control MPU branches to any of the processes in the ball feeding/shooting drive process described later. This is a flag for identifying the state, "0" means initial setting, and "1" defines the period from when the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on until when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on. It defines the period from when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on at "2" until the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off, and at "3" after the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off, the firing solenoid 13 is turned off. It stipulates the period until

The value of the processing flag is set to 0 at the time when the ball feeding/shooting drive processing is started. Therefore, YES is determined in step S731, and the process advances to step S732 to set a timer value corresponding to period A (see FIG. 24, 300 ms) in the timer (step S732), and turn on the ball feed solenoid 31 (step S733). , the process flag is set to 1 (step S734), and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting drive process is exited. Note that the timer value set in the timer is decremented by 1 every 2 ms in the timer updating process of step S556 in FIG.

The next processing cycle of the ball feeding/shooting drive processing is 2 ms later. As a result of setting the processing flag to 1, in the ball feed/shooting drive processing of the next period, it is determined YES in step S730, NO in step S731, and the process proceeds to step S735. In step S735, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 1 (step S735). In this case, since the processing flag is set to 1, YES is determined in step S735, and the process proceeds to step S736 to determine whether or not the timer has expired (step S736). If the timer has not timed out, NO is determined in step S736, and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process is exited.

Thereafter, until the timer that sets the period A expires, based on the value 1 of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be YES, and step The processing routine for determining NO in S736 is repeated.

Then, when the timer times out, YES is determined in step S736, and assuming that period A has elapsed, the process advances to step S737 to set a timer value corresponding to period B (see FIG. 26, 30 ms) in the timer. (Step S737), the firing solenoid 13 is turned on (step S738), the processing flag is set to 2 (step S739), and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting drive processing is exited.

As a result of setting the processing flag to 2, in the ball feed/shooting drive processing of the next period, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to step S740. . In step S740, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 2 (step S740). In this case, since 2 is set in the processing flag, YES is determined in step S740, and the process proceeds to step S741 to determine whether or not the timer has expired (step S741). If the timer has not timed out, NO is determined in step S741, and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process is exited.

Thereafter, until the timer that sets the period B expires, based on the value 2 of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be NO, and step YES is determined in S740, and the processing routine of determining NO in step S741 is repeated.

When the timer times out, YES is determined in step S741, and assuming that period B has elapsed, the process advances to step S742 to set a timer value corresponding to period C (see FIG. 24, 50 ms) to the timer. (Step S742), the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off (step S743), the process flag is set to 3 (step S744), and the ball feed/fire driving process subroutine is exited.

As a result of setting the processing flag to 3, in the ball feed/shooting drive process of the next period, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and step S740 is determined as NO. Then, the process proceeds to step S745. At step S745, it is determined whether or not the timer has expired (step S745). If the timer has not timed out, NO is determined in step S745, and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process is exited.

Thereafter, until the timer that sets the period C expires, based on the value 3 of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be NO, and step The processing routine for determining NO in S740 and determining NO in step S745 is repeated.

Then, when the timer times out, step S745 is determined to be YES, and assuming that the period C has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S746, turns off the firing solenoid 13 (step S746), and sets 0 to the processing flag. The initial value is restored (step S747), and the subroutine of the ball feeding/shooting driving process is exited.

[Projection ball detection process]
Next, the shot ball detection processing will be described.
FIG. 92 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of shot ball detection processing performed by the ball information control MPU. The shot ball detection process is executed as one process of the main operation setting process of step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When starting the shot ball detection process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is on (step S750). As described above, when the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball-feeding member 32 feeds the ball to the firing position (rail portion 332). That is, the shot ball is detected by the shot ball confirmation switch 36 .

If it is determined that the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, the value of the timer counter, which is a counter for measuring the ON state time, is incremented by 1 (step S751), and the process proceeds to step S753.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ball launch confirmation switch 36 is not on, that is, if the ball launch confirmation switch 36 is off, the clock counter is set to 0 (step S752), and the process proceeds to step S753.

After proceeding to step S753, it is determined whether or not the value of the clock counter has reached a predetermined specified time D (30 ms in this example) (step S753). If the value of the timer counter has not reached the predetermined specified time D, NO is determined in step S753, and the subroutine of the shot ball detection processing is exited.

Since the shot ball detection process is executed every 2 ms, when the game ball stopped at the shot position by the shot ball confirmation switch 36 continues to be detected for a predetermined time D, the timing counter is reset every 2 ms. The value is incremented by one, and the value of the time counter reaches a predetermined specified time D (in this example, 30 ms, count value 15). In this case, YES is determined in step S753, it is assumed that the ball has been detected, the ball-ball detection flag is set to 1 (detected) (step S754), and the ball-ball detection processing subroutine is exited.

On the other hand, when noise enters the shot ball confirmation switch 36, the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is momentarily turned on, but then the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. Therefore, since the value of the time counter is set to 0 in response to the turning off of the ball confirmation switch 36, the value of the time counter is set for a predetermined time D (in this example, 30 ms, count value 15). never reach.

In this way, when a game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined period of time, it is determined that there is a shooting ball. False counts of balls can be eliminated, increasing certainty in detecting launched balls.

[Possession number subtraction processing]
Next, the number-of-balls subtraction process will be described. FIG. 93 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the number-of-held-balls subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU. It should be noted that the possession ball number subtraction process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When the ball information control MPU starts the number-of-balls subtraction process, first, it determines whether or not the ball-fired detection flag is 1 (detected) (step S760). If it is determined that the shot ball detection flag is not 1 (detected), that is, if NO is determined in step S760, the subroutine for the number of possession balls subtraction process is exited. In this case, the number of possession balls is not subtracted.

If it is determined in step S760 that the ball-fired detection flag is 1 (detected), that is, if it is determined YES in step S760, the process proceeds to step S761 to determine whether the ball-fired confirmation switch 36 is off. It is determined whether or not (step S761). If it is determined in step S761 that the shot ball confirmation switch 36 is not off, that is, if it is determined NO in step S761, the subroutine for the number of possession balls subtraction process is exited.

As described above, when the shooting solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the shooting position is shot into the game area 8 by the shooting hammer 30, and the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. This reduces the number of balls held by -1. In step S761, if it is determined that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off, that is, if it is determined as YES in step S761, the value of the number of held balls counter is decremented by 1 (step S762), and the fired ball detection flag is set. 0 (no detection) is set (step S763), and the subroutine for the number of possession balls subtraction processing is exited.

In this way, when a game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a shooting ball. On the condition that the game ball is not detected by the shot ball confirmation switch 36, it is determined that the game ball stopped at the shooting position has been shot, and the number of held balls is reduced by one. 36, erroneous ball counts due to noise can be eliminated, and the certainty of ball detection can be increased.

[Ball lifting drive process]
Next, the lift drive process will be described. FIG. 94 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of the lifting drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. The lifting drive process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

When starting the lifting drive process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the launch standby ball detection switch 26 is on (step S770). If it is determined in step S770 that the ball detection switch 26 waiting to be fired is off, that is, if it is determined NO in step S770, the flow advances to step S771 to determine whether or not the entrance switch 156 is on. (Step S771). In step S771, if it is determined that the entrance switch 156 is ON, that is, if it is determined as YES in step S771, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S772), and the subroutine of the lifting driving process is executed. go through.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S770 that the ball detection switch 26 on standby for firing is ON, that is, if it is determined YES in step S770, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting driving process is started. Exit subroutine.
Further, when it is determined in step S771 that the entrance switch 156 is off, that is, when it is determined as NO in step S771, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting driving process is started. Exit subroutine.

In this way, when no game ball is detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26, it is determined that the necessary number of game balls in the ball supply path member 24 is not satisfied, and the ball feed entrance switch 156 is operated to When a game ball waiting in line is detected in the 275, on condition that it is determined that there is a game ball, the ball lifting motor is driven, and the ball supply path member 24 is detected by the ball detection switch 26 waiting for launch. On the condition that the game balls waiting in line are detected, the ball lifting device 22 is stopped to stop the lifting of the game balls. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ball clogging. Thereby, since it is the structure which lifts a game ball, a game ball can be sent to the ball supply path member 24 just enough.

In addition, compared to the game ball shooting cycle of the ball launching device 12 and the ball feeding cycle of the ball feeding device 28 in the upper firing unit 12, the game balls to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 is set short. In this embodiment, the game ball shooting cycle of the ball launching device 12 and the game ball feeding cycle of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots are fired per minute), and the ball feeding path member by the ball lifting device 22 24 is 384 ms.
Thus, during a game, the operation of the upper shooting unit 12 causes the game ball to be launched into the game area by the ball launching device 12 and the game ball to be sent to the shooting position by the ball feeding device 28, but the game ball is launched. In addition, since the cycle of sending game balls to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 is shorter than the cycle of sending the game balls to the shooting position, the game balls are on standby before being lifted by the transfer entrance switch 156. When the state in which the number of game balls in the ball supply path member 24 is sufficient is maintained, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are no longer detected by the ball detection switch 26 waiting for shooting while the game balls are being driven. Then, the ball lifting device 22 is driven to start lifting the game ball, and the game ball is sent to the ball supply path member 24 at a faster pace than the driving pace of the game ball. When the detection switch 26 detects the game balls waiting in line in the ball supply path member 24, the ball lifting device 22 stops driving and the game balls are stopped from being lifted. In other words, the ball lifting operation of the ball lifting device 22 is performed intermittently during the game, so that the occurrence of ball clogging can be suppressed, and the game ball can be lifted efficiently and stably. To efficiently supply a stable number of game balls to an upper launching unit.

In this embodiment, the game ball shooting cycle of the ball launching device 12 and the game ball feeding cycle of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots are fired per minute), and the ball feeding device 22 Although the delivery cycle of the game balls to the path member 24 is set to 384 ms, the method is not limited to this, and the launch cycle of the game balls, the ball delivery cycle, and the delivery cycle of the game balls to the ball supply route member 24. are 600 ms from each other.

[Ball clogging notification process]
Next, ball clogging notification processing will be described. FIG. 95 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of ball clogging notification processing performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball clogging notification process is executed as one process of the main operation setting process of step S564 which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process. Also, the ball clogging notification process is performed after the hit ball possible/impossible determination process shown in FIG. 88 . It should be noted that the ball waiting to be fired detection switch 26 corresponds to first ball waiting to be fired detecting means, and the ball waiting to be fired detection switch 70 is equivalent to ball waiting to be fired detecting means.

When the ball jam notification process is started, the ball information control MPU 111 first determines whether or not the ball detection switch 26 waiting to be fired is turned on (step S780). If it is determined in step S780 that the ball detecting switch 26 waiting to be fired is ON, that is, if it is determined YES in step S780, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S782), and the process proceeds to step S786 to wait for firing. It is determined whether or not the ball detection switch 70 is on (step S786). If it is determined in step S786 that the ball detection switch 70 waiting to be fired is off, i.e., if it is determined NO in step S786, the abnormality detection flag is set to 1 (step S788), and the notification means is turned on. (Step S789) The subroutine of the ball clogging notification process is exited.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S786 that the ball detection switch 70 is on, that is, if YES is determined in step S786, the process proceeds to step S787, in which it is determined whether or not the abnormality detection flag is 1 ( step S787). If the abnormality detection flag is determined to be 1 in step S787, that is, if the determination in step S787 is YES, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0 (step S790), the abnormality notification means is turned off (step S792), and the recovery notification means is turned on (step S794), and the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process is exited.

Further, if it is determined in step S780 that the ball detection switch 26 waiting to be fired is off, that is, if it is determined NO in step S780, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S784), and the abnormality detection flag is set to It is determined whether or not it is 1 (step S787). If it is determined that the abnormality detection flag is 0 in step S787, that is, if it is determined as NO in step S787, the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process is exited.

In this way, the ball supply path member 24 and the ball feeding device 28 are provided with sensors for detecting game balls, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are detected, and the game balls in the ball feeding device 28 are detected. It is determined that an abnormal state is caused by clogged balls on the condition that clogging does not occur, and an abnormality notification means (not shown in particular, but for example, notifying the clogging of balls on the touch panel part 14) notifies. As a result, for example, it is possible to reliably notify the staff of the game hall that the ball jam has occurred.

Further, the ball launching device 12 of Embodiment 1 can be rotated by the ball launching device hinge 37 and can be opened and closed with respect to the body frame 2 (Fig. 12). After the door frame 3 is opened, the state of the ball launching device 12 can be grasped immediately, and ball clogging can be easily eliminated. When the ball clogging is eliminated, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0, and the abnormality notification means is stopped. After that, by the recovery notification means (for example, the touch panel unit 14 displays to the extent that the staff of the game hall can recognize that the ball clogged state has been recovered (for example, 5 seconds to 10 seconds)). It can be recognized that ball clogging has been eliminated.

Also, the position of the launch standby ball detection switch 70 is set so as to detect a game ball near the launch position on the path of the ball feeder 28, but it detects a game ball passing through the path of the ball feeder 28. Various placement positions can be selected as long as the placement allows for

[Pachinko and Pachinko Machine Ecosystem]
By the way, there is a growing interest in ecology (environmental problems, resource problems, etc.) in the industrial world. In the gaming machine industry as well, it is necessary to consider from an ecological point of view how to dispose of the game machines that are being removed one after another. For example, if a removed game machine containing many reusable parts is disposed of by simply destroying it, reusable resources are wasted.

In the recycling of game machines, it is effective to track the sold game machines, but it is conceivable to use an identification ID or the like for identifying the game machines in order to track them. For example, liquid crystal display panels, proximity switches, etc., can be reused as they are, even in a game machine that has been removed. Motors, solenoids, etc. can be dissolved and separated into iron, copper, and steel and reused as raw materials. . The transparent resin panel and the ABS resin constituting the back box can be recycled by crushing into flakes, sorting them by type and color, and then reusing them as materials for new game machine members. Therefore, it is preferable for gaming machine manufacturers to reliably collect and recycle gaming machines that have been removed from halls.

Therefore, the embodiment described below enables the game machine maker to reliably trade-in the game machine from the hall (installed store) for recycling, and what is the current recycling rate. It relates to a game machine ecosystem that provides an environment where you can know, etc. at any time.

[Overview of Pachinko and Pachinko Ecosystem]
It is assumed that the new machine shipped from the manufacturer will eventually be traded in by the manufacturer after going through the market. A gaming machine to be shipped is provided with a game board identification ID as a unique ID that enables individual identification of the game board 5 .

As an example, the game board identification ID is the first MPU identification number stored in advance in the first MPU identification number storage section 101a of the main control MPU 101 mounted on the main control board 100 arranged on the game board 5 described in FIG. , or the unique ID code described with reference to FIG. The first MPU identification number corresponds to the first MPUID registration number. In the following description, the first MPUID registration number is used as the game board identification ID. Further, centering the center management device, the maker management device and the hall management device are connected by a communication network.

Each management device has a computer such as a PC, and is equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, database, manual input device, and the like. Then, the following processing is performed at the time of shipment of the new game machine and at the time of trade-in of the game machine.

[At the time of shipment of the new machine]
Shipment information of gaming machines is input and recorded in the manufacturer management device. The maker management device transmits to the center management device the recorded contents of the gaming machine in the shipping information input when shipping the new gaming machine. The shipping information includes at least a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of a shipping destination hall, a shipping date, and a maker ID.

On the other hand, when this new machine is installed in the hall, the hall management device that has recognized the installation transmits installation information regarding this new machine to the center management device. The installation information includes at least a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, an installation date, a maker ID, and the like. The center management device compares the shipping information transmitted from the manufacturer management device and the installation information transmitted from the hall management device based on the game board identification ID, and records the comparison result (new machine shipping process).

The collation result is a "pair" of shipping information and installation information with matching game board identification IDs, and this pair is recorded in the database. This data can be accessed from the outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

[at the time of trade-in]
When the manufacturer trades in the old gaming machine by replacing it with a new machine, etc., the trade-in information of the trade-in gaming machine is input and recorded in the manufacturer's management device. The manufacturer management device transmits the input trade-in information to the center management device. The trade-in information includes a game board identification ID, a hole identification ID, a trade-in date, a maker ID, and the like.

On the other hand, on the hall side, information on removal of the gaming machine is sent to the center management device through the hall management device in accordance with the removal of the old gaming machine resulting from the replacement with the new machine. The removal information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID, a removal date, a maker ID, and the like.

The center management device compares the trade-in information sent from the manufacturer with the removal information sent from the hall management device, and records the check results (trade-in management processing). The result of collation is a "pair" of the trade-in information and the withdrawal information with the same ID for specifying the game board, and this pair is recorded in the database. This data can be accessed from the outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

As described above, the game machine ecosystem accumulates the collation results in the database. By searching the database using the game board identification ID as a key, it is possible to know the current status of the game machine having the game board identification ID. can be done. For example, if the collation result stops at shipping information and installation information, the game machine should exist in the hall having the hall identification ID. For example, the game machine has already been traded in from the hall having the hall identification ID.

In addition, since the shipping information and the installation information, and the removal information and the trade-in information should be "paired" in the center management device, it is abnormal for the center management device to have only one of them for a long period of time. From the point of view, it is also possible to proceed to the scene where the cause is pursued.

Furthermore, if there is shipping information, installation information, removal information, or trade-in information for which the result of collation is not recorded by the center management device for a certain period of time due to a discrepancy in the game board identification ID, the manufacturer is determined based on the game board identification ID. , the manufacturer is notified that one or more of these pieces of information cannot be collated by the center management device. As a result, it is possible to confirm at what point in time the location of the gaming machine became unknown. As a result, basically all game machines can be collected and traded in, and useful resources such as liquid crystal display screens, proximity switches, transparent panels, motors, solenoids and ABS resin can be recycled.

[Overall structure of pachinko and pachislot ecosystem]
FIG. 101 shows the overall configuration of the gaming machine ecosystem 1010. In this embodiment, in addition to the center management device 1020, the manufacturer management device 1040, and the hall management device 1050, an eco unit 1060 and a second-hand sales company management device 1070 are provided. and a decoding management device 1080, which are connected by a communication network. The communication network uses the Internet 1100 (the communication network may be a dedicated line). The eco unit 1060 is connected only to the hall management device 1050 via an I/O (not shown). Furthermore, the decryption management device 1080 is dedicated to the center management device 1020 from the viewpoint of security, and is connected by a dedicated line.

Since the gaming machine ecosystem 1010 of this embodiment is based on the center management device 1020, the manufacturer management device 1040, and the hall management device 1050, the basic configuration will be explained first.

The center management device 1020 comprises, for example, a device centering on a personal computer, and although not shown, includes a CPU, a database, a ROM, a RAM, a manual input device, an I/O, a display, a memory such as a hard disk, etc. These are usually are organically connected by wiring in the computer. It is also connected to the Internet 1100 and decryption management device 1080 through I/O.

The maker management device 1040 comprises, for example, a device centered on a personal computer, and includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, manual input device, I/O, display, hard disk and other memories (not shown), which are normal They are organically connected by wiring inside the computer. It is also connected to the Internet 1100 through I/O.

The hall management device 1050 comprises, for example, a device such as a personal computer, and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I/O, an eco unit 1060, and a memory such as a hard disk (not shown). They are organically connected by normal internal computer wiring. It is also connected to the Internet 12 through I/O.

When the maker ships the new game machine to the hall, shipping information is manually input to the maker management device 1040, and the shipping information is sent to the center management device using the shipping information line L1 configured on the Internet 1100 (communication network). 1020. Installation information is manually input to the hall management device 1050 of the hall where the Shindai gaming machine is installed, and the input installation information is sent to the center management device 2 using the installation information line L3 configured in the Internet 12 (communication network). sent to.

All the information sent from the hall management device 1050 to the line L3 is encrypted for security reasons, including installation information, removal information, and non-operating information, which will be described later. The center management device 2 collates the shipping information and installation information transmitted from the manufacturer management device 1040 and the hall management device 1050 based on the game board identification ID, and "pairs" the information with the matching game board identification ID. , and this pair is the matching result. The collation result is transmitted to the database 1030 using the collation result line L5 and recorded. This database 1030 is accessible from the outside.

When an old game machine is traded in by a manufacturer for replacement of a new machine, etc., removal information is manually input to the hall management device 1050, and the removal information is sent through a removal information line L3 formed on the Internet 1100 (communication network). It is transmitted to the center management device 1020 .

Trade-in information is manually input to the manufacturer management device 1040, which is the side that traded in the old gaming machine, and the trade-in information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through a trade-in information line L4 configured on the Internet 1100 (communication network). . The center management device 1020 collates the trade-in information transmitted from the manufacturer management device 1040 and the removal information transmitted from the hall management device 1050 based on the game board identification ID, and when the game board identification IDs match, A "pair" of these pieces of information is transmitted as a collation result to the database 1030 through the collation result line L5 and recorded.

Next, in this embodiment, an eco-unit 1060, a second-hand dealer management device 1070 and a decryption management device 1080 are added to the basic configuration described above. The eco unit 1060 is positioned between the gaming machine 1 and the hall management device 1050, and in FIG. 101, the gaming machine 1 and the eco unit 1060 are connected via the ECO gaming machine interface. Since the eco unit 1060 serves as a relay device for connecting the gaming machine 1 to the hall management device 1050, it can be used in the currently known CR unit or the payment machine 4 shown in FIG. Also, the decoding management device 1080 is dedicated to the center management device 1020 and is connected to it by a dedicated line.

When the game machine 1 is installed in the hall and the power is turned on, the eco unit 1060 receives the game board identification ID from the installed game machine 1 and transmits it to the hall management device 1050 . The hall management device 1050 stores the game board identification ID for business management.

Even though the hall management device 1050 has already acquired the ID for specifying the game board, when the operation information does not reach the hall management device 1050 through the eco unit 1060, the hall management device 1050 stops working after a set predetermined period. Information is automatically transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the non-operation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100. FIG. The non-operating information includes at least a game board specifying ID, a hole specifying ID, non-operating days, and a maker ID.

The second-hand dealer management device 1070 comprises, for example, a device such as a personal computer. and they are organically linked by a normal intra-computer communication network.

The decryption management device 1080 is composed mainly of a computer and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a manual input device, an I/O, a display, and the like (not shown). Combined.

As described above, the installation information, removal information, and non-operating information are encrypted when they are transmitted from the hall management device 1050 so as not to leak to the outside. Therefore, the information received by the center management device 1020 is decoded so as to be readable by the decoding management device 1080, and transmitted directly to the center management device 1020 through the line L3 constructed on the dedicated line.

The operation of the embodiment can be summarized as follows. The scene of operation is when a new machine is shipped, when a used machine is moved, and when it is traded in. Further, in this embodiment, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the gaming machine 1 has a security function. The main control MPU 101 has security functions such as a function to determine whether the built-in ROM is a genuinely authenticated ROM, and an internal It is possible to read out the ID for specifying the game board stored in the ROM built in the main control MPU 101, the data stored in the ROM, etc. from the terminal provided outside the main control MPU 101. It has functions that can

[When new units are shipped]
When the manufacturer ships a new game machine, as described above, a game board identification ID that can identify the main control MPU 101 of each game machine is given. Then, in FIG. 101, at the time of shipment, the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID of the hall that is the shipping destination, the shipping date (for example, date), etc. are input to the manufacturer management device 1040 from the manual input device.

The manufacturer management device 1040 records in memory (not shown) as shipping information based on the operating software stored in the ROM. Next, when a command for transmitting shipping information to the center management device 1020 is input from a manual input device (not shown), the manufacturer management device 1040 adds manufacturer identification information (manufacturer ID) to the shipping information stored in the memory. It is sent to the center management device 1020 via the shipping information line L1 configured on the Internet 1100 as shipping information.

When the shipping information is transmitted from the manufacturer management device 1040 , the center management device 1020 stores and registers this shipping information in the shipping information file set in the database 1030 . In this manner, each time shipping information is transmitted from the manufacturer management device 1040, the shipping information is accumulated and stored in the shipping information file. The shipping information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of the hall, a shipping date (for example, date), and a maker ID.

On the other hand, in the shipping destination hall, when the installed new machine 1 is powered on, a game board specific to the game machine built in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the new machine 1 is specified. The user ID is read out and sent to the eco unit 1060 (see FIG. 101).

The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the new game machine 1 together with the game board identification ID, and transmits this to the hall management device 1050 . When the hall management device 1050 receives the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, it records it in the memory based on the operation software stored in the ROM (not shown).

Next, the hall management device 1050 transmits the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID for identifying its own hall, the installation date (for example, date), the maker ID, etc. as installation information on the Internet 1100. It is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the configured installation information line L3.

The installation information and non-operating information (described later) transmitted from the hall management device 1050 are encrypted and transmitted to the Internet, decrypted by the decryption management device 1080 and transmitted to the center management device 1020 .

The decryption management device 1080 receives encrypted installation information from the hall and stores the encrypted installation information in a RAM (not shown) using decryption software stored in a ROM (not shown). (not shown), the installation information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the installation information line L3 configured on the dedicated line.

When the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 receives the installation information and checks it using verification software stored in the ROM (not shown). The shipment information file is searched using the game board identification ID included in the received installation information as a search key. When shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is registered in the shipping information file, the hall identification ID included in the received installation information and , it is determined whether or not the hall identification ID of the hall, which is the shipping destination, contained in the matching shipping information matches, and if they match, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

Then, as a collation result, the "pair" of these pieces of information is transmitted to the database 1030 using the collation result line L5 and recorded. It should be noted that if the collation is established, the collated information may be added to the shipping information stored in the shipping information file and stored and registered again. This data is set so that it can be accessed (inquired) from the outside using the game board identification ID as a key.

As a result, the information from the shipping side (manufacturer) and installation side (hall) associated with the shipment of the new game machine is combined with the game board identification ID as a key and recorded as being consistent (correctly processed). be.

Further, for example, if the installation information is not transmitted from the hall management device 1050, or if the game board identification IDs of the installation information and the shipping information do not match, the matching result is not recorded. data is missing. It should be noted that, in the case of the configuration described above, the collated information is not added to the shipping information stored in the shipping information file.

Then, if the shipping information stored in the shipping information file cannot be verified for a certain period of time (for example, three days after the shipping date), the center management device 1020 uses the game board identification ID key, and the center management device 1020 notifies the manufacturer management device 1040 of the manufacturer via the notification line L6 configured on the Internet 1100 that the game board identification ID could not be collated. to notify.

The notification information includes the ID for specifying the game board, the ID for specifying the hole of the hall, the date of shipment (for example, date), and the fact that verification is impossible. By doing so, it is possible to find out the cause and prevent the appearance of gaming machines that cannot be traded in again.

[Verification of game board]
By the way, currently, each manufacturer independently develops and produces the body frame into which the game board is fitted. It is conceivable to develop a body frame that allows

However, if the main body frame is a common frame that does not depend on the manufacturer, the structure of the main body frames is the same, so even if a different combination of game boards is fitted into the main body frame, it will be wrong just by looking at it. Therefore, there is a possibility that it is difficult to determine whether or not a regular game board is fitted in the main body frame.

In the embodiment described below, it is verified whether or not the game board 5 fitted in the main body frame 2 is genuine. FIG. 102 is a block diagram showing an outline of the gaming machine management system according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 97 and 102, the gaming machine 1 includes a first MPU (main control MPU 101) which is provided on the gaming board 5 and performs game control. A first control board (main control board 100) that outputs a winning ball signal based on the winning ball signal, and a second MPU (ball information control MPU 111) that is provided in the main body frame 2 and performs winning ball control based on the winning ball signal. 2 control board (sphere information control board 110).

As described above, when power is turned on to the gaming machine (which will be described as a new machine, but the same applies to second-hand machines to be described later) 1 installed in the shipping destination hall, the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 are turned on. , the game board identification ID is read out from the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a, encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160, transmitted to the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and transferred to the ball information control MPU 111. , the second MPU identification number is encrypted by the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 and then transmitted to the main encryption communication unit 160 (see FIG. 97).

The ball information control MPU 111 decrypts the game board identification ID transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the ball information encryption communication unit 165, and then stores it in the first MPU identification number storage unit 166 in the second authentication unit 167. (See Figure 97). Next, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits the game board identification ID stored in the first MPU identification number storage section 166 to the eco unit 1060 via the communication section 1110 (see FIG. 102).

The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the new game machine 1 together with the game board identification ID, and transmits this to the hall management device 1050 . When the hall management device 1050 receives the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, it records it in the memory based on the operation software stored in the ROM (not shown).

Next, the hall management device 1050 transmits the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID for identifying its own hall, the installation date (for example, date), the maker ID, etc. as installation information on the Internet 1100. It is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the configured installation information line.

The installation information and non-operating information (described later) transmitted from the hall management device 1050 are encrypted and transmitted to the Internet, decrypted by the decryption management device 1080 and transmitted to the center management device 1020 .

The decryption management device 1080 receives encrypted installation information from the hall and stores the encrypted installation information in a RAM (not shown) using decryption software stored in a ROM (not shown). (not shown), the installation information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through an installation information line configured on a dedicated line.

When the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 receives the installation information and checks it using verification software stored in the ROM (not shown). The shipment information file is searched using the game board identification ID included in the received installation information as a search key. Then, when shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, "match" is determined as a result of hall management through the Internet 1100. Reply to device 1050 . Note that the determination result may include a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of the hall, and a shipment date (for example, date).

On the other hand, if the shipment information including the game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is not stored and registered in the shipment information file, in other words, the game board of the installation information and the shipment information If the IDs for identification do not match, a determination result of "does not match" is returned to hall management device 1050 via Internet 1100. FIG.

When the hall management device 1050 receives the determination result, it transmits the received determination result to the eco unit 1060, and the eco unit 1060 transmits the received determination result to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 through the eco gaming machine interface. Send. When the ball information control MPU 111 receives the determination result transmitted via the communication unit 1110, the ball information control MPU 111 executes prize ball control when the determination result is "match", and when the determination result is "does not match", the prize is awarded. Do not perform sphere control.

Therefore, it is possible to authenticate whether the game board fitted in the body frame is genuine or not without connecting a verification machine from the outside of the board box and inspecting each MPU individually. It becomes possible to judge whether or not the combination with is legitimate. In addition, if the determination result of the authentication process is "does not match", it is possible to prevent the game from being played on an unauthorized game board by preventing the prize ball control from being performed. It becomes possible to effectively deter fraudulent acts such as being replaced with.

[When moving a used car]
When a used game machine is moved to a hall by a used game machine, a manual input device (not shown) is sent to the used game machine management device 1070 along with the game board identification ID of the used game machine to be moved (which does not change from when the new machine was shipped). , an ID for identifying a destination hall, a moving date (for example, date), and moving information (installation information) including maker identification information (maker ID) are input. These data are temporarily stored in a memory, and when a transmission command is input from a manual input device (not shown), the movement information is transmitted from the second-hand dealer management device 1070 to the second-hand movement line L2 configured on the Internet 1100 and managed by the center. It is sent to device 2 . The second-hand dealer acquires the gaming machine 1 by, for example, purchasing the gaming machine 1 that has been removed from the hall.

When the movement information is transmitted from the second-hand dealer management device 1070, the center management device 1020 stores the movement information in the memory. Note that the center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the movement information as a search key, and collates the movement information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which carries out.

In this case, if shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received movement information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

In this way, the center management device 1020 can recognize how many years have passed since the shipping date of the second-hand gaming machine related to the moving by comparing the shipping date and the moving date. Then, for example, if a sellable period is set from the time of shipment, the present system will be able to grasp that the sellable period has passed. It becomes possible, and it becomes possible to prompt the hall as proper guidance information.

In the destination hall of the second-hand gaming machine, the same processing as the installation of the new gaming machine described above is performed. When the game machine that has been moved and installed is turned on, the eco unit 1060 recognizes the game board identification ID of the game machine 1 and transmits the game board identification ID to the hall management device 1050 .

After temporarily recording the game board identification ID in the memory, the hall management device 1050 determines that the game machine 1 having the game board identification ID has been installed based on the software stored in the ROM (not shown). The encrypted installation information is encrypted as information and transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the installation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100 via the decryption management device 1080 . The decryption management device 1080 decrypts the encrypted installation information and transmits it to the center management device 1020 through the installation information line L3 configured on the dedicated line.

Then, the center management device 1020 collates the installation information with the movement information from the second-hand dealer management device 1070, and when the IDs for identifying the game boards on both sides match, a "pair" of these pieces of information is obtained as a result of the collation. It is transmitted to the database 1030 through the collation result line L5 and recorded. The recorded collation result can be referred to from the outside using the game board identification ID as a key. As a result, it is possible to grasp that the gaming machine has been moved from the second-hand dealer to the hall.

In addition, if the ID for specifying the game board of the information to be paired does not match and the information of the partner to be paired does not arrive even after the set period, the center management device 1020 will notify the manufacturer as the set period elapses. The non-matching information is automatically transmitted to the management device 1040 through the notification line L6.

The non-matching information includes the ID for identifying the game board of the movement information (not changed from the time of shipment of the new machine), the ID for identifying the hall of the destination, the date of movement (for example, date), the maker ID, and the fact that it is not possible to collate. include. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the location of the gaming machine becomes unknown.

Note that, as described above, the hall management device 1050 determines non-operating gaming machines based on the gaming machine operation information received from the eco unit 1060, and uses the non-operating information about the gaming machines as the game board identification information. It is automatically sent to the center management device 1020 via the decryption management device 1080 together with the user ID through the Internet 1100 using the non-operation information line L3. This transmission is encrypted in hall management device 1050, decrypted in decryption management device 1080, transmitted to center management device 1020 through a dedicated line, and stored in the RAM (not shown) of center management device 1020. FIG. This non-working information is timer-controlled in the center management device 1020 and is associated with the next trade-in information.

[at the time of trade-in]
When a game machine is traded in from a hall such as by replacing it with a new game machine, the power of the game machine 1 is first turned off, so the eco unit 1060 does not recognize the operation of the game machine 1.例文帳に追加The eco unit 1060 informs the hall management device 1050 that this operation cannot be recognized, and the hall management device 1050, as described above, uses this as non-operating information and sets the game board identification ID of the non-operating gaming machine, the hall The identifying ID, the non-operating day, the manufacturer ID, and the non-operating status are transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the non-operating information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100. - 特許庁Since the transmission of this information is encrypted, it is decrypted by the decryption management device 1080, and the non-working information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 through the non-working information line L3 configured on the dedicated line.

When the non-working information is transmitted from the hall managing device 1050, the center management device 1020 stores the non-working information in the memory. Note that the center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the non-operating information as a search key, and compares the non-operating information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. may be collated.

In this case, if shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received non-operating information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

When the withdrawal information about the game machine removed for trade-in is input from the manual input device (not shown), the hall management device 1050 sends it to the center management device 1020 on the Internet 1100 together with the game board identification ID. It is transmitted through the configured removal information line L3. The removal information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of the hole, a removal date (eg, date), and a maker ID.

When the removal information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 stores the removal information in the memory. Note that the center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the removal information as a search key, and collates the removal information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which carries out.

In this case, if shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received removal information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

On the other hand, when the maker trades in the gaming machine 1, the maker management device 1040 sends the trade-in information about the traded-in gaming machine 1 to the center management device 1020 together with the game board identification ID. It is transmitted through the information line L4. The trade-in information includes a game board identification ID, a hall identification ID of the hall, a trade-in date (eg date), and a maker ID.

When the trade-in information is transmitted from the manufacturer management device 1040, the center management device 1020 stores the trade-in information in the memory. Note that the center management device 1020 searches the shipping information file using the game board identification ID included in the trade-in information as a search key, and collates the trade-in information with the shipping information registered in the shipping information file set in the database 1030. It is good also as a structure which carries out.

In this case, if shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received trade-in information is stored and registered in the shipping information file, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

The center management device 1020 collates the non-operating information with the removal information and the trade-in information, and if the game board identification IDs match, the information is "paired" into the database 1030 using the collation result line L5. Record as That is, the non-operating information and the withdrawal information are recorded as those caused by the trade-in of the game machine.

However, since non-working information may occur for reasons other than these, if the period is set as described above and other information to be paired does not reach the center management device 1020 within that period, It is designed to call attention to the manufacturer who is the trade-in side as some kind of abnormality. According to this, it can be grasped that the gaming machine has been correctly traded in by matching the withdrawal information and the trade-in information.

Further, if the state in which the removal information is not transmitted continues for a long time after storing the non-operating information, the center management device 1020 determines that there is an abnormality and notifies the manufacturer management device 1040 of the abnormality information. The abnormality information includes a game board identification ID, a hole identification ID, a non-operating day (for example, date), a maker ID, and non-operating abnormality. As a result, countermeasures can be taken before trade-in becomes impossible due to an abnormal situation.

Further, when the withdrawal information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050 to the center management device 1020, the center management device 1020 sends trade-in possible information (game board identification ID, hall identification ID, removal date, trade-in information) to the manufacturer management device 1040. possible) may be notified through the notification line L6. By implementing this, the manufacturer can reliably trade in the gaming machine that has been removed from the hall.

[Notification line]
By the way, game machines are tested to see if they meet the prescribed conditions by the Security Communication Association, a designated testing body of the National Public Safety Commission. It can be installed in the hall only after receiving it.

The valid period of the test is three years, and gaming machines that have passed the valid period cannot be installed in the hall. If you want to continue to operate the game machine in the future, please contact the police station with jurisdiction over the game hall (hereinafter referred to as (referred to as an accreditation body), and it is possible to extend the operation for 3 years from the date of accreditation.

In other words, if the valid test period of three years has passed without being certified, it will not be possible to receive certification thereafter. It will have to be removed.

In order to solve this problem, when the deadline is approaching (for example, 6 months before), the center management device 1020 sends a due date alarm to the hall management device 1050 through the notification line L6 to determine how long the grace period for the test will be valid. report whether it is As a result, it is possible to prevent the installation of a game machine whose certification has expired, and to prevent a situation in which certification by the certification body cannot be obtained. Details will be described below.

In order to notify the hall management device 1050 of the notification alarm related to the examination date from the center management device 1020 through the notification line L6, first, the examination date information (including the game board identification ID) of the game machine 1 that has been examined by the examination organization. ) is input using a manual input device (not shown) and stored in the center management device 1020 .

After that, when the game machine that has passed the test is installed in the game hall and the power is turned on, the game board specific ID unique to the game machine built in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 of the game machine is read. and sent to eco unit 1060 (see FIG. 101).

The eco unit 1060 automatically recognizes the installation of the game machine 1 together with the game board identification ID and transmits this to the hall management device 1050 . When receiving the game board identification ID from the eco unit 1060, the hall management device 1050 records it in the memory. Next, the hall management device 1050 encrypts the game board identification ID, the hall identification ID for identifying its own hall, the installation date (for example, date), the maker ID, etc. as installation information. , it is transmitted to the decryption management device 1080 through the installation information line L3 configured on the Internet 1100 .

The decryption management device 1080 receives the encrypted installation information from the game hall, decrypts it using decryption software, temporarily stores it in a RAM (not shown), and then transmits it through the installation information line L3 configured on the dedicated line. The decrypted installation information is transmitted to the center management device 1020 .

When the installation information is transmitted from the hall management device 1050, the center management device 1020 receives the installation information and checks it using verification software stored in the ROM (not shown). Using the game board specifying ID included in the received installation information as a search key, the shipping information file stored when the new machine was shipped is searched.

When shipping information including a game board identification ID that matches the game board identification ID included in the received installation information is registered in the shipping information file, the hall identification ID included in the received installation information and , it is determined whether or not the hall identification ID of the hall, which is the shipping destination, contained in the matching shipping information matches, and if they match, it is assumed that the collation has been established.

Next, if the installed gaming machine 1 is in an installed state without being removed due to second-hand sales or trade-in, the center management device 1020 determines that the valid certification period of three years is reached (for example, , 6 months ago), the verification date information stored at the time of shipment of the new machine is collated with the current date and installation information, and the date stored in the verification date information is compared with the current date information. However, when the difference between the test date and the current date information reaches a preset number of days (for example, 6 months), a due date alarm is sent to the hall management device 5 through the notification line L6.

As a result, it is possible to notify that effect before the three years in which it is possible to operate the gaming machine in the gaming hall. A game machine can be known immediately, and a situation in which the game machine cannot be certified due to expiration of the certification can be prevented.

The first embodiment has been described above. According to this, the manufacturer can grasp the location and condition (new or used) of the game machine from shipping to trade-in. If the recycling rate is low, search various databases. The center management device 1020 notifies the maker management device 1040 through the notification line L6 to find out the cause, thereby increasing the recycling rate of the gaming machine 1 and making it possible to promote ecological activities.

Further, since the center management device 1020 can also manage the location information of the game machine 1, the maker can grasp the current and past location of each game machine based on the game board identification ID. As a result, specific tracking is possible when the recycling rate is sluggish, which leads to the suppression of illegal dumping, for example.

In the above embodiment, the Internet 1100 is used for communication between the center management device 1020, the manufacturer management device 1040, and the second-hand dealer management device 1070, but these may be communication lines such as dedicated telephone lines. In this case, there is no need to encrypt information transmitted from hole management device 1050 through line L3. Further, along with this, the decryption management device 1080 becomes unnecessary.

In addition, it is assumed that all information transmitted from the hall management device 1050 to the center management device 1020 is encrypted. Conceivable.

[Embodiment 2]
103 to 113 show the gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 2, FIG. 103 is a perspective view showing the body frame of the gaming machine, and FIGS. 105A is a cross-sectional front view showing the game board of the game machine, FIG. 105B is a cross-sectional front view showing a state in which the ball shooting device is accommodated in the notch of the game board, and FIG. 106 is a two-dot chain line in FIG. 107 to 109 are enlarged front views of main parts showing modifications of the game board and the ball launching device, and FIG. 110A is S- of FIG. FIG. 110B is a cross-sectional view along the line S--S in FIG. 106 showing the normal installation of the game board; FIGS. FIG. 113 is a partially enlarged front view showing the top of the ball launching device and the game board. The gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 2 is based on the gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 1, and therefore elements identical or having the same functions as those of the gaming machine 1 of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The configuration, action, etc. of the first embodiment, which are not mentioned in the following description, also apply in principle to the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment. Also, the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment is described as the base of the second embodiment, and the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment corresponds to a form for carrying out the present invention.

[Ball launcher]
As described above, the ball launching device 12 drives the game balls supplied from the ball feeder 28 to the rail member 33 into the game area 8 of the game board 5 .
In the ball launching device 12 of Embodiment 2, instead of the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball launching device 12 of Embodiment 1, a non-return valve is provided in the middle of the firing path leading from the rail portion 332 of the rail member 33 to the launch port 38. 121 is provided.

[Check valve]
The anti-reflux valve 121 comprises a pair of gate pieces 121a which are oscillatably pivoted so as to block the firing path at the mechanical end position and are biased in the direction of blocking the firing path. In other words, the pair of gate pieces 121a are closed and biased by a spring or the like so that the distance between the tips of the gate pieces 121a is smaller than the diameter of the game ball (11 mm) so as to block the launch path. It can be changed to an open state in which the distance between the tips of each other is equal to the diameter of the game ball (11 mm) or larger than the diameter of the game ball (11 mm). More specifically, as shown in the imaginary line in FIG. 106, the pair of gate pieces 121a are pushed around by the game ball shot from the rail portion 332 and changed from the closed state to the open state, and the game ball is pushed into the game area. After entering the inside, the shooting path is returned to the closed state by the biasing of the spring or the like to prevent the backflow of the game ball from the game area 8 side. In addition, when the game board 5 is normally installed on the main body frame 2, the surface of the exit portion of the launching port 38 of the ball shooting device 12 and the surface of the entrance portion of the game area 8 on the game board 5 side (boundary portion) are substantially flush with each other, and when the pair of gate pieces 121a are in an open state, the tip portion of the lower gate piece 121a enters the game area 8 side. .

In addition, the ball launching device 12 of Embodiment 2 is provided with a transparent front cover portion 121b in front of the shooting position from the rail portion 33 to the launch port 38, and the game window 9 is opened by this front cover portion 121b. It prevents balls from spilling forward at times and enables stable supply of balls into the game area 8.例文帳に追加Further, in the ball shooting device 12 of the second embodiment, the side frame member 121c corresponding to the ball entry prevention wall 51 (see FIG. 16) of the first embodiment is made of translucent resin including transparent resin. The internal mechanism of the device 12 can be grasped from the outside to improve maintenance performance.

The ball shooting device 12 of Embodiment 2 is fixedly attached to the upper left side of the body frame 2 .
Therefore, when the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 for installation of a new machine, the ball shooting device 12 must be avoided. However, since the ball shooting device 12 is arranged on the same surface where the game board 5 is fitted, it is difficult to handle when fitting the game board 5, and when fitting the game board 5, the ball shooting device 12 is mistakenly placed. , causing the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 to be damaged. Therefore, in order to deal with such a problem, a positioning guide member 450 that plays a role of positioning when fitting the game board 5 into the body frame 2 is arranged in the body frame 2 .

[Positioning guide member]
The positioning guide member 450 is provided on the inner wall of the left side plate of the body frame 2, as shown in FIG. The positioning guide member 450 is rotatably supported by a hinge member, and can rotate about 90 degrees. Further, since it is biased by a biasing member such as a spring, when the game board 5 is not fitted in the main body frame 2, the part that contacts the left side of the game board 5 faces the front side. In addition, a floor surface is formed to fit the bottom surface of the left corner of the game board 5 . Further, in order to stabilize the fitting, the positioning guide member 450 without a floor surface may be arranged above the positioning guide member 450 with a floor surface.

As shown in FIG. 104(A), the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2 by aligning the left side surface and the bottom surface of the left corner of the game board 5 with the positioning guide members 450, and then, as shown in FIG. 104(B). As shown in FIG. 104(C), the game board 5 is rotated toward the body frame 2 using the positioning guide member as a fulcrum, and is fitted into the body frame 2 as shown in FIG. 104(C). By doing so, the positional relationship between the game board 5 and the body frame 2 is fixed without backlash.

Further, by fitting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2, the positioning guide member 450 rotates according to the fitting operation of the game board 5, so that it serves as a guide for pulling the game board 5 into the fitting position of the main body frame 2, thereby playing the game. The board 5 can be fitted into the body frame 2 without erroneously colliding with the ball shooting device 12. - 特許庁Therefore, the risk of damaging the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 by collision can be reduced.

[game board]
As described above, the game board 5 is detachably attached to the fitting frame 15 of the main body frame 2, and corresponds to the upper left corner of the transparent panel plate 44 on the right side and the lower side of the ball shooting device 12. It has a notch 47 formed in a shape (see FIG. 105A). The ball launching device 12 is arranged in the empty area outside the cutout 47, and the cutout 47 and the ball launching device 12 are in a state where the game board 5 is normally installed on the main body frame 2. The surface of the exit portion of the ejection port 38 of the shooting device 12 and the surface of the entrance portion of the game area 8 on the side of the game board 5 are provided so as to be substantially flush with each other.

[Game board - firing area partition]
In the game board 5 of Embodiment 2, a game area 8 side to the ball shooting device 12 is provided below the notch 47, i.e., below the shooting port 38 of the side frame member 121c of the ball shooting device 12. A fence-like launching area dividing part 500 is provided so as to prevent game balls from entering. The emission area partitioning section 500 is in the form of an upright wall provided to rise from the surface portion of the transparent panel plate 44, and is attached to the front side of the transparent panel plate 44 via an attachment portion (screw fastening portion) not shown. there is Of course, as a means for preventing game balls from entering from the game area 8 side, the ball shooting device 12 itself may be provided with a side frame member 121c as in the case of the ball shooting device 12 of the first embodiment. However, in the gaming machine 1 of Embodiments 1 and 2, the ball launching device 12 is provided in the main body frame 2 and is separate from the game board 5, so that the game balls rub or collide with each other due to long-term use. Dirt and scratches can occur. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, the ball launching device 12 is protected from dirt and damage due to long-term use by intentionally providing the launching region dividing section 500 on the game board 5 side to prevent the game ball from coming into contact with the ball launching device 12. can be suppressed.

[Game Board - Visual Confirmation Structure]
Since the launching area partitioning part 500 is provided so as to cover the lower part of the ball launching device 12 , the launching region partitioning part 500 itself may interfere with visual confirmation of the relative positional relationship with the ball launching device 12 .
If the ball shooting device 12 is provided at the upper corner of the game board 5 as in the gaming machines 1 of the first and second embodiments, the shooting position and the game area 8 are too close to correct the disturbance of the ball flight. Since there is almost no gliding area to gain, turbulence at the time of launching the game ball can also affect the game. Therefore, if there is a deviation in the relative positional relationship between the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5, for example, a gap or a step is generated between the ball shooting device 12 and the game area 8 of the game board 5, the game ball will not be released. There is a risk that the player will feel stress because the shot is not stable.

In view of the above problem, the shooting area partitioning unit 500 of the second embodiment is configured to determine the state of the ball shooting device 12 and the relationship between the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5 in a state where the game board 5 is installed on the main body frame 2 . A visual confirmation structure is provided so that the positional relationship can be checked. This visual confirmation structure has two major structural features. The height at which the game board 5 is normally installed on the main body frame 2 is set to be equal to the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball shooting device 12.例文帳に追加110A arrow E1 and arrow E3 in FIG. (the game board 5 is in a floating state with respect to the main body frame 2), and although not shown, the height of the firing area partitioning part 500 is higher than the side frame member 121c of the ball shooting device 12. The height is lower than the normal installation state (the ball launching device 12 is floating and the game board 5 is relatively recessed with respect to the main body frame 2). , the relationship between the height of the launching area partitioning part 500 and the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball launching device 12 can be recognized from the outside, thereby facilitating maintenance of the ball launching device 12 and the game board 5 and ensuring normal operation. It is possible for the player to surely perform a game with a smooth ball jumping.

It should be noted that the height of the firing area partitioning portion 500 and the height of the side frame member 121c of the ball shooting device 12 are not necessarily set to be the same. If it can be identified that the relative positional relationship in the installed state is different from when it is normal, for example, the height of the emission area partitioning part 500 is slightly higher than the height of the side frame member 121c, or the emission area The height of the partition part 500 may be slightly lower than the height of the side frame member 121c.
In addition, the side frame member 121c of the ball launching device 12 may be made of either a transparent material or an impermeable material. .

The second structural feature of the visual confirmation structure is that the emission area partitioning portion 500 is formed of a transparent material (a material having transparency) that allows the back side to be seen through. That is, since the firing area partitioning part 500 is provided so as to cover the lower part of the ball launching device 12 , if the firing area partitioning part 500 is made of an impermeable material, the ball launching device 12 itself will not be exposed. It can be a presence that interferes with visual confirmation of the positional relationship.

In this respect, the shooting area dividing part 500 of the second embodiment is arranged such that when the shooting area dividing part 500 is viewed from the game area 8 side with the game board 5 installed on the main body frame 2, the arrow E2 in FIG. The state of the ball shooting device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5 (the height of the shooting region partitioning portion 500 described above and the side of the ball shooting device 12 height relationship of the frame member 121c) can be inspected. In particular, when the game board 5 is installed in a floating manner with respect to the main body frame 2 (improper installation state), if the firing area dividing section 500 is made of an impermeable material, the game area 8 side There is a possibility that the discovery will be delayed. In this regard, by making the rear side of the firing area partitioning part 500 transparent as in the second embodiment, the height of the firing area partitioning part 500 can be adjusted to the side frame member 121c of the ball shooting device 12 as shown in FIG. 110A. (The game board 5 is in a floating state with respect to the main body frame 2) compared to the normal installation state with respect to the height of the game area 8 side. Easy to spot through the 500. As a result, the state of the ball shooting device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5 can be visually confirmed while the game board 5 is installed on the main body frame 2. The maintenance of the game board 5 is facilitated, and it is possible for the player to surely perform the game with normal ball jumping.

In addition, in order to make the above-described visual confirmation structure more effective, the firing area dividing portion 500 made of a transparent material can be visually recognized through the game window 9 when the door frame 3 is closed. By doing so, even when the door frame 3 is closed, the state of the ball shooting device 12 and the relative positional relationship between the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5 can be confirmed from the front side. As a result, maintenance efficiency can be further improved.

As for the structure for visual confirmation of the firing area partitioning section 500, in addition to using a transparent material, one or more through-holes may be provided in the standing wall portion so that a part of the ball firing device 12 can be visually recognized. Alternatively, for example, the height of the fence is about half the height of the game ball so as not to obstruct the view of the ball launching device 12 and prevent the game ball from entering the ball launching device 12 side. be done.
As described above, the side frame member 121c of the ball launching device 12 may be made of either a transparent material or an impermeable material. material is advantageous in that visual confirmation is easier.

In addition, the above-described visual confirmation structure does not necessarily have the second structural feature, and only the first structural feature of the visual confirmation structure may be adopted according to the game board 5. . Furthermore, if only the first structural feature of the visual confirmation structure is employed, the firing area partition 500 may be constructed of an opaque material.
In addition, in adopting the second structural feature of the visual confirmation structure, the firing area dividing section 500 is not limited to being made of a colorless and transparent material, but is made of a colored and transparent material to enhance the decorative performance. You can leave it as is.

In addition to the firing area dividing section 500 , the front structural member 45 is also made of a material having the same height and permeability as the firing range dividing section 500 , and the height of the front structural member 45 is on the right side of the ball shooting device 12 . It is lower than the normal installation state with respect to the height of the upper member (the game board 5 is in a recessed state with respect to the main body frame 2), and the front component member 45 The height is higher than the height of the upper member on the right side of the ball launching device 12 compared to the normal installation state (the game board 5 is in a floating state with respect to the main body frame 2) ) may be externally recognized from the relationship between the height of the front structural member 45 and the height of the upper member on the right side of the ball launching device 12 . As a result, the maintenance of the ball shooting device 12 and the game board 5 can be carried out from various aspects, and it is possible for the player to surely perform the game with normal ball jumping.

Further, when a visual confirmation structure is adopted in which the launching area partitioning portion 500 is formed of a transparent material, the following configuration may be used to facilitate confirmation on the ball launching device 12 side. That is, in the example shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 110B, the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44 are made of transparent members, and the light emitting unit irradiates forward light to the effect device 501 provided on the rear side thereof. (Lighting for production use possible) is provided, and the light from the light emitting portion is guided forward through the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44 . Then, the light passing through the panel holder 43 and the transparent panel plate 44 passes through the firing area partitioning portion 500 made of transparent material provided on the front side of the transparent panel plate 44, and passes through the exit of the ball shooting device 12. The vicinity (near the launch port 38) is illuminated. By doing so, the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (near the launching port 38) can be easily visually confirmed, and the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (near the launching port 38) can be easily confirmed from the front side of the game machine 1 during the game. nearby) to easily check the status of the launch.

In the example shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 110B, since the transparent front cover portion 121b is provided in front of the firing position from the rail portion 33 to the firing port 38, the panel holder 43, the transparent panel plate 44, and the The light that has passed through the emission area partitioning portion 500 is also guided to the front cover portion 121b side, and the front side of the ball launching device 12 becomes bright through the front cover portion 121b. As a result, in addition to the vicinity of the exit of the ball launching device 12 (near the launching port 38), the internal structure of the ball launching device 12 (near the back side of the front cover portion 121b) can be easily visually confirmed. In addition, the vicinity of the exit of the ball shooting device 12 (near the shooting port 38) can be checked from the front side of the game machine 1 to easily check the status of shooting.

Regarding the internal structure of the ball launching device 12 (near the back side of the front cover portion 121b), considering the fact that players do not want to know the details from the viewpoint of fraud prevention, etc., when the door frame 3 is closed, , the outer edge of the game window 9 is located closer to the center of the game area than the front cover 121b so that it is impossible or difficult to see the internal structure of the ball shooting device 12 (near the back side of the front cover 121b) through the game window 9. (inside the game area), or the corresponding upper corners of the transparent plate 11 of the game window 9 may be decorated and blindfolded. As a result, only when the door frame 3 is opened, the front side of the ball launching device 12 becomes bright through the front cover portion 121b, so that it is possible to improve the maintenance efficiency of the operator who performs the inspection while preventing tampering. .

[Game board - Guidance part]
106 to 108, in the launching area division part 500 of the game board 5, when the game ball collides (contacts), the direction of flow of the game ball can be directed toward the center of the game area 8. A part 502 is provided, and a game ball that is not normally shot due to some problem or a game ball that has hitherto been shot with a significantly weak shooting force to the extent that it becomes a foul ball enters the game area 8, and the game is played. Even if the game ball flows down the area directly below the ball launching device 12 which is not interesting at all regardless of the player's intention, the guiding part 502 reduces the probability of the game ball rebounding toward the center side of the game area 8. By actively changing the behavior of the game ball due to the obstruction nail 503 or the like and entering the ball into the prize-winning opening due to the provision of profit, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the interest in the game. 106 to 108 will be described in order.

First, the guiding portion 502 of FIG. 106 has a hitting surface 504 formed by bulging the upper end surface of the shooting area partitioning portion 500 on the side of the game area 8 in the shape of an arrowhead. It is made to bounce toward the center side of 8. In this case, the angle of the contact surface 504 with respect to the vertical line is made different from the angle of the outer surface (the outer surface on the side of the play area 8) of the gate piece 121a (check valve 121) on the lower side of the ball shooting device 12 with respect to the vertical line. It is arranged so that the game ball is directed toward the center side of the game area 8 even when it hits either of the contact surface 504 and the outer surface of the gate piece 121a (check valve 121) and bounces back.

In addition, the guiding portion 502 of FIG. 106 bounces the game ball toward the center side of the game area 8 regardless of whether it is a game ball that bounces off the guiding portion 502 or a game ball that bounces off the check valve 121. The rebounding direction is varied to not only rescue the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended manner, but also to diversify the flowing variations. In addition, it is possible to provide advantageous and disadvantageous game characteristics depending on which member the ball hits and bounces off. Incidentally, in the second embodiment, when the gate piece 121a is in the above-described closed state, the outer surface of the lower gate piece 121a (the check valve 121) and the contact surface 504 of the guide portion 502 have different bounce modes. When the gate piece 121a is in the above-described closed state, it is closest to the vertical line and has a steep slope. As a result, in addition to countermeasures against the loss of interest caused by a game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended manner, when a relatively rare game ball flows down (a game ball hits the gate piece 121a in the closed state) case), it is possible to give the privilege of rebounding the game ball to the upstream side of the game area 8 as much as possible so that the player can fully enjoy the flowing down of the game ball.

106 has a jaw-shaped depression formed so as to be depressed from the lowermost end of the contact surface 504 toward the ball launching device 12 side. The staying time for the missing game balls to stay in the game area 8 is extended as much as possible. As a result, even if the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended falling manner bounces upward from below the guide part 502 without colliding with the contact surface 504, the game ball is immediately bounced downward. The staying time for the game ball to stay in the game area 8 can be ensured only by the recessed area of the recessed part, and the deterioration of the game interest can be suppressed.

Next, the guiding portion 502 of FIG. 107 will be described. The guiding portion 502 of FIG. 107 is formed by bending the hitting surface 504 in a doglegged shape so that the direction of rebound is changed depending on the surface with which the game ball collides. 107, the lower contact surface 504 has an angle closer to the vertical line than the upper contact surface 504. Depending on whether the game ball collides with the part, the direction of rebound of the game ball is changed, and not only the game ball that has entered the game area 8 in an unintended falling mode is rescued, but also its flow variation. can be diversified.

Next, the guiding portion 502 in FIG. 108 will be described. The guide portion 502 in FIG. 108 is configured as a passage portion through which a game ball is released toward the central side of the game area 8 by forming a shooter-like through hole 505 . This passage part has a passage length in which two game balls can stay inside in the vertical direction, and even if the game balls enter the game area 8 in an unintended falling manner and continue, By relieving them, game balls can be released toward the central side of the game area 8. - 特許庁At the right end of the passage portion shown in FIG. 108, there is formed a right standing wall having an oblique shape that descends to the right. It is designed to be able to bounce back. The passage portion is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 108, and may have a passage length that allows three or more game balls to stay inside in the vertical direction, or may have a passage length that allows one game ball to stay in the vertical direction. It may have a passage length that allows only one to stay inside. In addition, the path may change in the middle of the passage, or the path may branch into a plurality of paths in the middle of the passage, and the game balls are released from different points toward the center of the game area 8. It may be something to do.

106 to 108 described above may be provided integrally with the tip portion of the firing area dividing section 500 as described above, or may be provided together with the firing area dividing section 500 as shown in FIG. may be a separate, independent island. By doing so, maintenance can be facilitated when the guiding portion 502 is deteriorated or damaged due to the collision of the game ball. In addition, the guide section 502 can be used even when the variation of the firing area dividing section 500 is changed for each model, so that versatility can be enhanced.

Further, the above-described visual confirmation structure may be adopted for the firing area dividing portion 500 integrally provided with the guiding portion 502 as shown in FIGS. 106 to 108 described above. Specifically, it is possible to exemplify that the emission area dividing unit 500 is configured with a member having transparency together with the guiding unit 502. In that case, in addition to suppressing the above-described decrease in interest, maintenance performance is improved by the visual confirmation structure. It becomes possible to exhibit both effects.

[Game board - backflow guard part]
The game board 5 has a backflow guard portion 506 outside the movable range of the backflow prevention valve 121 for preventing game balls flowing backward from the game area 8 toward the ball shooting device 12 from colliding with the backflow prevention valve 121. may be provided. 111 and 112 will be described in order below as examples of modes of the backflow guard section 506. FIG.

First, the backflow guard part 506 in FIG. 111 is provided below the launch port 38 and uses the same nail as the obstacle nail 503. In order not to hinder the operation of the lower gate piece 121a, which is relatively likely to be affected by the bounce of the game ball inside, it is planted outside the range of motion of the lower gate piece 121a. is set. Due to this backflow guard section 506, the game ball flowing back from the game area 8 toward the ball shooting device 12 side is prevented from colliding with the obstructing nail, which is the backflow guard section 506, before colliding with the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the backflow prevention valve 121. Since it collides and is returned to the game area 8, it does not collide with the lower gate piece 121a of the check valve 121. - 特許庁Therefore, even if the timing at which the previously shot game ball rebounds from the game area 8 and heads for the check valve 121 coincides with the timing at which the next game ball is shot, the backflowing game ball will be the backflow guard. Since it hits the part 506 and is returned to the side of the game area 8, the game ball of the ball shooting device 12 passes through the check valve 121 and is normally shot from the shooting port 38. - 特許庁

In addition, the backflow guard portion 506 of FIG. 111 is composed of a plurality of obstacle nails arranged vertically at intervals smaller than the diameter of the game ball. is formed as As a result, the backflow guard portion 506 not only prevents the backflow guard portion 506 from colliding with the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the backflow prevention valve 121, but also, like the guide portion 502 described above, directs the game ball toward the center side of the game area 8. It also has the ability to bounce back.

111, the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the check valve 121 is in the open state described above, and the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the check valve 121 is in the closed state described above. In any case, the distance from the tip of the gate piece 121a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the game ball (11 mm or less in this embodiment). 121a to prevent the game ball from stagnation, but conversely, the gap is made larger than the diameter of the game ball (12 mm or more in this embodiment), so that the backflow card part A game ball may not stay between 506 and the tip of the gate piece 121a. In addition, in spite of adopting such a configuration, if a game ball stays between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip portion of the gate piece 121a, the ball shooting device 12 Since it is possible to recognize that there is a possibility that some kind of abnormality (misalignment) has occurred in the installation state of the game board 5, it is possible to exhibit an effect in improving the maintenance performance.

Next, the backflow guard section 506 of FIG. 112 will be described. The backflow guard portion 506 shown in FIG. 112 is provided with the backflow guard portion 506 extending from the upper end of the firing area partitioning portion 500 integrally provided with the guide portion 502 described above. This backflow guard part 506 has an outer surface that is closer to vertical than the lower guide part 502, and the game ball that bounces off the outer surface and the game ball that bounces off the guide part 502 moves toward the center of the game area 8 at different angles. I'm ready to go. As a result, the backflow guard part 506 not only prevents the game ball from colliding with the gate piece 121a on the lower side of the backflow prevention valve 121, but also acts as a second guide part to direct the game ball toward the center side of the game area 8. It has the characteristic of rebounding the ball, and can contribute to suppressing the decrease in interest in the game.

Similarly to the backflow guard portion 506 of FIG. 111, the backflow guard portion 506 of FIG. When the gate piece 121a is in the closed state described above, the distance from the tip of the gate piece 121a is set to be smaller than the diameter of the game ball (less than 11 mm in this embodiment). Furthermore, the height relationship of the tips is such that the tip of the lower gate piece 121a is higher than the tip of the backflow guard portion 506, and the respective tips form a spherical flow path downward to the right. I'm trying Thereby, the game ball can flow down without remaining between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip portion of the gate piece 121a. In addition, in spite of adopting such a configuration, if a game ball stays between the backflow guard portion 506 and the tip portion of the gate piece 121a, the ball shooting device 12 Since it is possible to recognize that there is a possibility that some kind of abnormality (misalignment) has occurred in the installation state of the game board 5, it is possible to exhibit an effect in improving the maintenance performance.

[Game board - upper game area division part]
As described above, the front structural member 45 is attached to the front surface of the transparent panel plate 44 of the game board 5 .
This front component member 45 covers the playing area 8 from the launch port 38 of the ball launching device 12 to the rubber ball collision part 29 provided on the side opposite to the ball launching device 12 within the range of minor arc. It is provided with an upper game area partitioning part 451 that partitions and a lower game area partitioning part 452 that partitions the lower side, and forms a substantially circular game area 8 as a whole.

Further, the upper game area division part 451 is a ball shooting side upper division part 454 formed with a rising curved surface 453 that guides the game ball in an arc from the launch port 38 of the ball shooting device 12 to the top of the game area 8. and a ball-collision-side upper section 456 formed with a descending curved surface 455 that guides the game ball in an arc from the top of the game area 8 to the ball-collision section 29. 2, the arc length .alpha.2 of the descending curved surface 455 is longer than the arc length .alpha.1 of the ascending curved surface 453. As shown in FIG.
By doing so, when the player desires to play a game far from the launch port 38, for example, on the right side of the game area 8 (so-called right-hand hitting), the game ball is shot from the ball shooting device 12 in the upper left part of the game board 5. However, since it reaches the ball collision part 29 from the rising curved surface 453 of the upper game area partitioning part 451 along the downward curved surface 455 longer than the conventional one, the falling time is long, so it is easy to grasp the feeling of the ball flying, and the hitting handle. 10 makes it easier to finely set the hitting strength. As a result, even if the ball launching device 12 is provided in the upper left portion of the game board 5, it is possible to prevent the interest in the game on the right side of the game area 8 from decreasing.

In addition, if the arc length α2 of the descending curved surface 455 shown in FIG. there is a possibility. In this respect, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 113, while the ball collision part 29 is provided at the same level as or upstream of the various members (the gate part 92 and the windmill) provided on the right side of the game area 8, the "rising curve The arc length α1 of the surface 453<the arc length α2 of the descending curve surface 455” is maintained. By doing so, it is possible to fully perform the game on the right side of the game area 8 by taking into consideration the rebound distance of the game ball when it collides with the ball collision part 29, and the game area 8 can be played as described above. It is possible to efficiently suppress the reduction in interest in the game on the right side.

In addition, the front component member 45 is preferably formed by combining the upper game area partitioning portion 451 and the lower game area partitioning portion 452 separately. By doing so, it is possible to change the position of the ball collision part 29 according to the game contents only by changing the upper game area dividing part 451 .
Further, for the same reason, the upper game area division part 451 may be divided into an upper division part 454 on the ball shooting side and an upper division part 456 on the ball collision side and combined.

[Circulation stop control means]
The ball-enclosed game machine 1 includes, as a circulation mechanism, a ball launching device 12 that shoots game balls into the play area 8 by being driven by a launch solenoid 13 and a ball feed solenoid 31 as a first drive source, and a ball launcher 12 that shoots game balls into the play area 8. A ball polishing device that polishes the surface of the polished game ball by being driven by a ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 as a second drive source, and a game ball polished by the ball polishing device is driven by a ball lifting motor 150 as a third drive source. and a ball lifting device 22 for lifting to the ball launching device 12 by means of.
In the second embodiment, there is provided circulation stop control means for stopping the circulation mechanism based on a predetermined circulation stop condition.
The circulation stop control means stops at least part of the drive by the first drive source, the drive by the second drive source, and the drive by the third drive source when a specific circulation stop condition is satisfied. It is characterized by being able to execute a process of continuing the drive by another drive source when the drive source is stopped.
Specifically, even when the ball clogging is detected in the ball lifting device 22 and the circulation stop condition is satisfied, the ball lifting motor 155 (third drive source) of the ball lifting device 22 is stopped. For example, when the game state is advantageous to the player (jackpot state), the shooting solenoid 13 of the ball shooting device 12 and the ball sending solenoid 31 (first drive source) are driven to shoot the ball and the ball polishing ribbon sending motor. After the drive of 155 (second drive source) is continued as long as possible, the second drive source and the first drive source are stopped in order. This minimizes the damage that the player may suffer due to the stopping of the circulation mechanism.
Alternatively, even if the circulation stop condition is established by detecting ball clogging in the ball polishing device and the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 (second drive source) is stopped, the game state is advantageous to the player, for example. In such a case (jackpot state), the shooting solenoid 13 of the ball shooting device 12 and the ball feeding solenoid 31 (first driving source) are driven to shoot the ball, and the ball lifting motor 155 (third driving source) is driven. is continued as long as possible, and then the first drive source and the third drive source are stopped in order. This minimizes the damage that the player may suffer due to the stopping of the circulation mechanism.
Alternatively, for example, even after the ball ejection is stopped by stopping the ejection solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 (first drive source) of the ball ejection device 12 due to fraud detection, the ejection standby ball detection switches 26 and 70 (see FIG. 6) Until the game ball is detected, the drive of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 (second drive source) and the ball lift motor 155 (third drive source) is continued as long as possible, and then the third drive source and the second driving source are stopped in order. This makes it possible to prepare an environment for the smooth execution of the next launch.

As described above, the circulation stop control means switches between the second drive source (ball polishing) and the first drive source (ball launch) when the circulation stop condition for the third drive source (ball lifting) is satisfied. A stop pattern that stops in order and a stop that stops the first drive source (ball shooting) and the third drive source (ball lifting) in order when the circulation stop condition of the second drive source (ball polishing) is satisfied. pattern, and a stop pattern to stop the third drive source (ball lifting) and the second drive source (ball polishing) in order when the circulation stop condition of the first drive source (ball shooting) is satisfied. ing.
In addition, in the circulation mechanism, in order to prevent clogging of the game balls that circulate until it stops following, it is preferable to expand the ball storage area provided in each device.

[Technical ideas included in the second embodiment]
The gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment has been described above, and the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment includes technical ideas 1 to 5 corresponding to the following problems to be solved 1 to 5, for example. The technical ideas 1 to 5 listed here are applicable even if the ball launching device 12 is movable with respect to the main body frame 2 as in the first embodiment, or fixed as in the second embodiment. can be either. Also, the arrangement of the ball shooting device 12 does not need to be limited to the upper left corner of the game board 5, and may of course be arranged in the upper right corner.

[Solution 1]
If the ball shooting device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the shooting position and the game area are very close, so disturbances when shooting game balls can affect the game. This is because there is almost no gliding area in which ball flight disturbances can be corrected.
Therefore, if there is an error in the relative positional relationship between the ball launching device and the game board, and a gap or step occurs between the ball launching device and the game area of the game board, the shooting of game balls will not be stable. may cause stress to the player.
The invention of technical idea 1 has been made in view of the above, and its object is to provide a stable ball even in a game machine provided with a ball launching device separate from the game board at the upper corner of the game board. It is to make it possible to obtain flight.
[Technical thought 1]
a ball shooting device for shooting game balls;
a game board formed with a game area in which game balls shot from the ball shooting device flow down,
The ball shooting device is separate from the game board and disposed at a position corresponding to at least one upper corner of the game board,
The game board is a gaming machine in which a notch portion is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device to receive the ball launching device,
The game board is provided with a shooting area partitioning section below the notch section that partitions the game area and prevents game balls from entering the ball shooting device from the game area side,
Further, the game machine is characterized in that the launching area partitioning section is constructed so that the relative positional relationship with the ball launching device can be visually confirmed.
[Technical thought 1-2]
The launching area partitioning section is formed of a transparent material, or provided with a through hole through which a part of the ball launching device can be seen, or is set to a height that does not hinder the viewing of the ball launching device. A game machine of technical idea 1 characterized by
[Technical Thought 1-3]
The shooting area partitioning section has a structure for visual confirmation formed of a transparent material, and the shooting area partitioning section is irradiated with light from the game area or the effect device on the rear surface of the game board, and the light is used by the ball shooting device. A gaming machine according to technical idea 1, characterized in that at least a part of is illuminated.
[Technical Thought 1-4]
A transparent plate-shaped front cover portion is formed on the front surface of the ball shooting device on the side opposite to the game board, and the front cover portion receives the light emitted from the effect device and emitted to the shooting area partitioning portion. A game machine according to Technical Idea 1-3, characterized in that the light is irradiated through a part, and at least a part of the ball launching device is illuminated by the light.
According to the above-described gaming machine, since the game board is provided with the launch area partitioning section capable of preventing the entry of the game ball from the game area side, even if the shooting area partition section is soiled or damaged by the contact of the game ball, New and old are replaced with the game board. Therefore, it can be used in a clean state for a long time without replacing the ball launching device.
In addition, since the launch area partition is provided so as to cover the lower part of the ball launching device, it may itself interfere with visual confirmation of the relative positional relationship with the ball launching device. Since the firing area partitioning section has a visual confirmation structure, for example, formed of a transparent material, it is possible to visually confirm the relative positional relationship with the ball launching device so that a normal ball flight can be obtained. .

[Solution 2]
Conventionally, in game machines, for example, when the shooting strength of the ball shooting device is too weak against the player's will, the game ball flows down in the direction directly below the ball shooting device, and the game ball flows down in the game area. Although there is a problem that the player cannot be fully entertained, if the ball launching device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the shooting position and the game area are very close, so the ball can be shot immediately. When the game ball flows directly downward, the player is likely to feel a stronger sense of loss, which may lead to a loss of interest in the game.
The invention of technical idea 2 has been made in view of the above, and its object is to suppress the deterioration of the game interest in a game machine provided with a ball shooting device at the upper corner of the game board.
[Technical thought 2]
a ball shooting device for shooting game balls;
a game board formed with a game area in which game balls shot from the ball shooting device flow down,
The ball shooting device is separate from the game board and disposed at a position corresponding to at least one upper corner of the game board,
The game board is a gaming machine in which a notch portion is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device to receive the ball launching device,
The game board is provided with a shooting area partitioning section below the notch section that partitions the game area and prevents game balls from entering the ball shooting device from the game area side,
A gaming machine further comprising a guiding section, which can guide the flowing direction of a game ball coming into contact with the shooting area section itself or in the vicinity thereof, toward the central side of the game area.
According to the game machine of technical idea 2, even if the game ball immediately after being shot flows down in the direct downward direction, the game can be played by hitting the obstacle nail and contacting the launch area partition itself or the guide part provided in the vicinity thereof. Since the probability of flowing down toward the central side of the area increases, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the interest in the game.

[Solution 3]
If the ball shooting device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the shooting position and the game area are very close, so the game ball that is shot may hit an obstacle nail or the like and bounce back to the shooting part of the ball shooting device.
In order to prevent the game ball from rebounding, the launching part of the ball launching device is biased in the direction of blocking the launch path of the game ball, while being pushed by the launched game ball in the direction of opening the launch path. However, in rare cases, the timing at which the previously shot game ball bounces back from the game area and collides with the check valve, and the timing at which the next game ball is shot There is a case where the timing overlaps, and in that case, a game ball may remain in the shooting part of the ball shooting device.
The invention of technical idea 3 has been made in view of the above, and its object is to prevent a game ball from being hit incorrectly in a game machine provided with a ball shooting device at the upper corner of the game board. It is in.
[Technical thought 3]
a ball shooting device for shooting game balls;
a game board formed with a game area in which game balls shot from the ball shooting device flow down,
The ball shooting device is separate from the game board and disposed at a position corresponding to at least one upper corner of the game board,
The game board is a gaming machine in which a notch portion is formed at a position corresponding to the ball launching device to receive the ball launching device,
The ball shooting device is provided with a non-return valve which is always biased in the direction of blocking the shooting path of the game ball and can be pushed by the shot game ball to rotate in the direction of opening the shooting path,
The game board is provided with a backflow guard portion outside the movable range of the backflow prevention valve for preventing game balls flowing back from the game area toward the ball shooting device from colliding with the backflow prevention valve. A gaming machine characterized by:
[Technical Thought 3-1]
The game board is provided with a shooting area partitioning section below the notch section that partitions the game area and prevents game balls from entering the ball shooting device from the game area side,
Further, the shooting area division part is provided with the backflow guard part and a guide surface that can bounce the game ball toward the center side of the game area when the game ball collides. A game machine of Technical Concept 3.
According to the game machine of technical idea 3, the game ball flowing backward from the game area toward the ball shooting device side collides with the backflow guard part and is returned to the game area side, so that it does not collide with the check valve. Therefore, even if the timing at which the previously shot game ball rebounds from the game area and heads for the check valve coincides with the timing at which the next game ball is shot, the backflowing game ball hits the backflow guard section. Since it is returned to the game area side, the game ball of the ball shooting device is normally shot.

[Solution 4]
If the ball shooting device is provided at the upper corner of the game board, the shooting position and the game area are very close. A game ball shot from the ball shooting device draws a minute arc and immediately reaches the right side of the game area. As a result, it is difficult to get a sense of how the ball flies, and it is difficult to finely set the intensity of hitting to the right.
The invention of technical idea 4 has been conceived in view of the above, and its object is to suppress the deterioration of game interest in a game machine provided with a ball shooting device at the upper corner of the game board.
[Technical Thought 4]
a ball shooting device for shooting game balls;
a game board formed with a game area in which game balls shot from the ejection port of the ball shooting device flow down,
The ball shooting device is disposed at a position corresponding to at least one upper corner of the game board,
A gaming machine in which the game board is provided with an upper game area partitioning section that partitions an upper portion of the game area in an arc shape and has a ball collision section on the side opposite to the ball launching device, ,
The upper game area partition includes a ball launch side upper partition formed with a rising curved surface that guides a game ball in an arc from the launch port of the ball launcher to the top of the game area, and the game a ball-collision-side upper section formed with a descending curved surface that guides a game ball in an arc from the top of the area to the ball-collision section;
A gaming machine characterized in that the arc length of the descending curve surface is longer than the arc length of the ascending curve surface.
In this case, it is preferable that the lower limit of the ball collision portion is approximately the three o'clock position of the approximately circular game area.
[Technical Thought 4-1]
The gaming machine according to Technical Idea 4, wherein the upper game area partitioning section is formed separately from other game area partitioning sections that partition the game area.
[Technical Thought 4-2]
A gaming machine according to technical idea 4-1, wherein the upper game area partitioning section includes the ball launching side upper partitioning portion and the ball impacting side upper partitioning portion which are separate bodies.
According to the gaming machine of technical idea 4, when a player wishes to play a game far from the launch port, for example, on the right side of the game area (so-called right-handed hitting), the game ball fired from the ball launching device is placed in the upper game. Since the ball hits the ball from the ascending curved surface of the area partition along the descending curved surface that is longer than before, the longer the falling time, the easier it is to get a feel for the ball flying, and the delicate setting of the hitting strength. .

[Solution 5]
In the enclosed game machine, when any device of the circulation mechanism is to be stopped, if all the devices constituting the circulation mechanism are stopped all at once, there is a risk that trouble will occur when the operation is resumed. For example, when a ball polishing device is stopped due to a problem, etc., if other devices are also stopped at the same time, there is a risk that the player will be disadvantaged if it is a big hit state.
The invention of technical idea 5 has been made in view of the above, and its object is to safely stop the circulation mechanism for circulating the enclosed game balls in the game machine.
[Technical Thought 5]
In a game machine equipped with a circulation mechanism that circulates enclosed game balls inside the machine,
a ball shooting device for shooting game balls into a game area by being driven by a first drive source;
a ball polishing device that polishes the surface of the game ball flowing down the game area by being driven by a second drive source;
a ball lifting device for lifting the game ball polished by the ball polishing device to the ball launching device by being driven by a third drive source;
a circulation stop control means for stopping the circulation mechanism based on a predetermined circulation stop condition;
The circulation stop control means is
When a specific circulation stop condition is satisfied and at least a part of the drive by the first drive source, the drive by the second drive source, and the drive by the third drive source is stopped, A game machine capable of executing a process of continuing driving by another driving source. [Technical Thought 5-1]
A gaming machine according to technical idea 5, wherein the circulation stop control means causes another drive source to follow and stop after the stopped drive source.
According to the gaming machine of technical idea 5, at least the device that satisfies the circulation stop condition is stopped, and the processing of continuing the driving of the other devices is executed, so that trouble does not occur when the circulation is restarted. can. Therefore, the circulation mechanism can be stopped safely.

[Modification]
The configuration, control, and management system of the closed-ball game machine according to the present embodiment have been described above. Next, a modified example of game control and ball information control in the enclosed ball type gaming machine will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the game is controlled based on predefined setting information, but in this modified example, the setting information can be changed, thereby giving various changes to the game. , can improve interest.

Confirmation ("setting confirmation") and change ("setting change") of setting information can be executed when a specific operation unit is operated. For example, setting information is displayed on the display device when a predetermined operation is performed on a specific operation unit, and setting information can be changed when the specific operation unit is operated while operating the RAM clear switch 105. do. For example, setting information may be displayed on the touch panel unit 14, and the setting information may be changed when the setting is changed. In addition, setting confirmation and setting change are possible when the power of the game machine 1 is turned on and during a game, but the door frame must be opened so that the player cannot confirm (change) the setting information. It is necessary to arrange the operation part on the inside or to make it possible to operate it only by using a specific device (for example, a key). In the following, the configuration for executing setting confirmation and setting change will be described with a focus on main control side power-on processing and main control side timer interrupt processing.

In addition, in this modification, main control recognition information, which is information for recognizing the main control board 100, is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 when the game machine is powered on and when the setting information is changed. The main control identification information includes, for example, the chip ID number of the main control MPU 101 . As a result, the ball information control board 110 determines whether the main control MPU 101 (main control board 100) installed in the game machine is legitimate. The control board 110 can stop the operation related to the prize ball, and it is possible to prevent fraud such as falsification of the main control MPU 101 (main control board 100). It can be reflected in the control board 110 at an appropriate timing.

[Processing when main control side power is turned on (modified example)]
First, the main-control-side power-on processing in this modified example will be described. 114A and 114B are flowcharts showing the main control side power-on processing of this modification. The main-control-side power-on processing of this modification includes processing related to setting information in addition to the main-control-side power-on processing described with reference to FIGS. 79 and 80 . Since the basic processing flow is the same as the main control side power-on processing described with reference to FIGS. 79 and 80, the description of common processing is omitted and common reference numerals are given.

When the game machine 1 is powered on, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 starts executing each process, and from stack pointer setting (step S10) to wait timer process 2 (step S30), common Execute the process. When the wait timer process 2 (step S30) is completed, in this modification, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not there is an operation to change the setting information (step S3031). The operation for changing the setting information is not an operation for confirming the setting information, but an operation for changing the setting information.

If there is an operation to change the setting information (the result of step S3031 is "YES"), the main control MPU 101 will proceed with the game after the power is turned on based on the new setting information. In order to clear the game information, the processes after step S44 are executed.

On the other hand, when there is no operation to change the setting information (the result of step S3031 is "NO"), the main control MPU 101 branches the process based on the value of the RAM clear notification flag RCL_FLG (step S32). After that, the procedure up to the backup flag determination process in step S38 is the same as the procedure described with reference to FIG.

Here, when the RAM clear switch is operated (RAM clear operation, the result of step S32 is "NO") as a case of clearing the game information in the storage area in the processing of step S44, the information is normally stored in the RAM. If not (RAM abnormality, result of step S36 is "NO", result of step S38 is "NO"), or when setting is changed (result of step S31 is "YES"), depending on each situation You may change the area to be cleared by For example, when the RAM is cleared, the area other than the work area related to the setting values and settings (including some RAM areas related to game processing) is cleared, when the RAM is abnormal, all areas in the RAM are cleared, and when the settings are changed, Only a part of the RAM area related to game processing may be cleared. In other words, all areas are cleared when the RAM is abnormal, but in other cases, the area corresponding to the operation is cleared. For example, the work area related to setting values and setting processing is cleared as long as it is not determined that the RAM is abnormal. try not to

In addition to setting "00h" to each area for clearing the area, an initial value that does not disadvantage the player or the game hall (hall) may be set. For example, if the set value is "00h", the setting (high setting) is most advantageous to the player, and when the RAM is cleared, 00h is set and the game starts from the high setting, which is advantageous for the player. However, since this is disadvantageous to the hall, the lowest setting (for example, "05h") is set when clearing the work area of the setting value.

When the backup flag determination process (step S38) ends, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not there is an operation to confirm the setting information (step S3038). If there is an operation to confirm the setting information (result of step S3038 is "YES"), setting confirmation information indicating that the setting information is being confirmed is set (step S3039). In order to prevent the game from continuing when the setting information is being confirmed, by setting the setting confirmation information, it is possible to control not to execute the processing related to the game and the prize balls. If there is no operation to confirm the setting information (result of step S3039 is "NO"), or after the setting confirmation information is set (step S3039), the processes of steps S40 and S42 are executed. These processes are the same as the procedure described with reference to FIG.

When the processing of step S42 ends, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not there is setting processing, that is, whether or not there is setting confirmation or setting change (step S3048). If there is no setting process (result of step S3048 is "NO"), setting is made to notify the ball information control board 110 of the main control recognition information (step S3049). If there is a setting process (result of step S3048 is "YES"), the process from step S50 onwards is executed without setting to notify the ball information control board 110 of the main control recognition information. In this case, in the main-control-side timer interrupt process, settings are made to notify the ball information control board 110 of the main control recognition information after the setting confirmation or setting change is completed.

Further, the main control MPU 101 clears the storage area for storing the information to be transmitted to the ball information control board 110 when setting notification of the main control recognition information. For example, if the area for storing unsent information is in the form of a ring buffer, the read counter and write counter indicating the read position and write position in the buffer are initialized (both set to 0). Also clear the buffer. If information remains in these buffers, the remaining information will be sent first when the power is restored. is configured like this. When the ball information control board 110 receives the main control recognition information from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 executes the corresponding process in the ball information control main process shown in FIG. The main control board 100 is in a standby state for receiving the main control recognition information response signal from when the notification of the main control recognition information is set until the response signal is received. When the response signal of the main control recognition information is received, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is canceled.

Subsequently, the main control MPU 101 permits execution of main control side timer interrupt processing by executing interrupt-related processing (steps S50 and S52). In addition, in this modification, when the setting is made to notify the ball information control board 110 of the main control recognition information, the process for performing the normal game is not executed until a response signal is received from the ball information control board 110. Configured. For example, it is determined whether or not a response signal has been received in main control side timer interrupt processing, which will be described later, and if not received, the processing is skipped. With this configuration, it is possible to start a game after the ball information control board 110 is reliably activated.

When execution of the main control side timer interrupt process is permitted, the main control MPU 101 executes the main control side main loop process. The main control side main loop processing from steps S54 to S58 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG. 80, and is continuously executed until the power failure warning signal is detected. Further, when the power failure warning signal is detected, the main control side power failure processing from steps S60 to S68 is executed. The main control side power failure processing is the same as the processing from steps S60 to S68 in FIG. 80, and backs up the game information when the gaming machine is powered off.

[Main control side timer interrupt processing (modified example)]
Next, the main control side timer interrupt processing in this modified example will be described. FIG. 115 is a flow chart of main control side timer interrupt processing in this modification. The difference from the main control side timer interrupt processing described with reference to FIG. 81 is that processing for confirming and changing setting information is added. The main-control-side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly executed at set interrupt intervals (4 ms in this embodiment) in the same manner as the main-control-side timer interrupt processing described with reference to FIG. As for the main control side timer interrupt processing, similarly to the main control side power-on processing, the description of the processing common to the main control side timer interrupt processing explained with reference to FIG. .

When the main control side timer interrupt processing of this modification is started, the main control MPU 101 first determines whether or not it is in a main control recognition information response signal reception standby state (step S3070). As described above, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is a state of waiting until a response signal output from the ball information control board 110 is received after notification of the main control recognition information is set. If the main control MPU 101 is waiting for reception of the main control recognition information response signal (result of step S3070 is "YES"), the main control MPU 101 skips subsequent processing and ends the main control side timer interrupt processing. In addition, in the process of step S3070, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state but also to perform a process of communicating with the ball information control board 110. FIG. For example, in the process of step S3070, various signals transmitted from the ball information control board 110 are received, and if the main control recognition information response signal is included, the main control recognition information response signal reception standby state is canceled, In the case of other signals, processing corresponding to the received signal may be performed. When the waiting state for receiving the main control recognition information response signal is canceled, the ball information control board 110 receives a firing permission signal, enabling the game ball to be fired from the batted ball launcher and the game to be started. .

If the main control MPU 101 is not in the main control recognition information response signal reception waiting state (the result of step S3070 is "NO"), the process from step S70 onwards is executed. The processing from the setting of the watchdog timer clear register WCL in step S70 to the winning/losing random number update processing in step S78 is the same as the procedure shown in FIG.

When the win/lose random number update process of step S78 ends, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not the process (setting process) related to the setting information is being executed (step S3080). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the setting information is being changed or confirmed. For example, it may be determined whether or not the setting confirmation information is set in the main control side power-on process. If the process related to the setting information is not being executed (the result of step S3080 is "NO"), the process after step S80 is executed.

On the other hand, when the process related to the setting information is being executed (result of step S3080 is "YES"), the main control MPU 101 stops the progress of the game by skipping the prize ball control process (S80) and other processes. Let Then, setting change/confirmation processing for changing or confirming the setting information is executed (step S3082). In the setting change/confirmation process, the setting information is displayed on the touch panel unit 14 or the liquid crystal display device 1400, or the change of the setting information is received from an input device such as the touch panel unit 14.

Subsequently, the main control MPU 101 determines whether or not the setting process (setting change/confirmation process) is completed (step S3083). If the setting process has not been completed (the result of step S3083 is "NO"), the subsequent processes are executed. On the other hand, when the setting change/confirmation process is completed (the result of step S3083 is "YES"), the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 (step S3084), and the processes after step S92 are executed. At this time, the storage area (work area) temporarily used for executing the setting process is initialized, and settings are made so that the setting process will not be executed after that, such as canceling the setting confirmation information. After that, the main control board 100 is in a main control recognition information response signal reception waiting state until it receives the main control recognition information response signal from the ball information control board 110 .

As described above, when the setting information is to be changed or confirmed, the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 after the setting process is completed. to transmit the main control recognition information to the ball information control board 110 (step S3039). As described above, in this modification, the main control recognition information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 only once when the power is turned on. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ball information control board 110 from executing processing related to the setting information a plurality of times unnecessarily, and to reduce the load at the time of starting the gaming machine, so that the starting can be completed quickly.

Here, in the main control side timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. The winning/losing random number update process (step S78) may be skipped. Alternatively, the port output process (step S90) may be skipped. Since the processing for playing the normal game is not executed while the setting processing is being executed, there is no hindrance to the subsequent game even if these processing are not executed. Therefore, the load on the game machine during the setting process may be reduced by skipping the random number-related process. , the random number may be updated to make the random number more random. Also, regarding switch input processing and port output processing, the load on the gaming machine may be reduced by skipping the processing during the setting change, or the setting processing may be skipped by continuing the processing even during the setting change. The result of the switch input accepted during the setting change may be immediately reflected after recovery, or the process at the output destination may be kept from being delayed by continuously performing the port output.

[Data transmission to ball information control board]
In the embodiment described above, the transmission of data (main ball information serial data) from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 was executed by the port output process of the main control side timer interrupt process. As described above, the main ball information serial data includes information on prize balls (prize ball command) and information for checking the connection state (self-check command), and also includes main control recognition information in this modification. be

Since the main control side timer interrupt processing is executed every 4 ms, the main ball information serial data was frequently transmitted to the ball information control board 110, but the total number of prize balls was correct and the player It is not always necessary to pay out the prize balls in accordance with the winning order of the winning openings as long as the player does not feel uncomfortable. When multiple types of winning holes are won in a short period of time, for example, after winning a winning hole set to the number of prize balls "4", a winning hole set to the number of prize balls "15" (Big Winning Port) Even if a prize is won, there is no problem if the number of prize balls is processed in the order of "15" and "4". Therefore, when a situation such as a jackpot game state occurs in which prize ball commands are generated frequently, there is a possibility that the load increases temporarily.

Here, in this modification, the interval for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the sphere information control board 110 is set to be longer than the execution interval (4 ms) of timer interrupt processing (for example, 100 ms), and the number of times of communication is is reduced, the load of transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the sphere information control board 110 is reduced. In addition, instead of generating a prize ball command for each winning, the amount of data to be communicated is reduced by aggregating the prize ball information for each communication cycle to the ball information control board 110, thereby further reducing the load. plan. A configuration example of prize ball data to be transmitted to the ball information control board 110 will be described below.

FIG. 116 is a diagram for explaining an example of winning information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in this modified example. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 116, the number of winnings for each winning opening including gates is counted and stored as winning information. Then, the stored winning information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110 each time the communication cycle arrives. At this time, if the winning number is 0, it may not be transmitted.

When the ball information control board 110 receives the winning information from the main control board 100, it compares the winning ball number table shown in FIG. 117 to calculate the number of winning balls. In the example shown in FIGS. 116 and 117, the number of prizes won at the gate is 1, the number of prizes won at the upper start gate is 2, the number of prizes won at the general prize gate 1 is 1, and the number of prizes won at the general prize gate 2 is 1. 1 x 0 = 1 for gate prize balls, 2 x 3 = 6 for upper start prize balls, 1 x 1 = 1 for general prize balls 1, 1 x 1 = 1 × 1 = for general prize balls 1, and the total number of prize balls is 0+6+1+1=8.

Alternatively, the ball information control board 110 may transmit the prize information including the number of prize balls without holding the number of prize balls table. Furthermore, as in the case of a general winning hole, if the number of winning balls is the same even if they are arranged in a plurality of game areas, they may be aggregated. FIG. 118 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the number of winning balls is included in the winning information in this modified example. This is the case where the number of winning prizes is aggregated. As a result, the ball information control board 110 does not need to hold the winning ball number table, and the main control board 100 can centrally manage it.

In the example explained in FIGS. 116 to 118, the winning order was generated while ignoring the winning order within the communication cycle. rice field. Here, FIG. 119 shows an example in which winning information is collectively transmitted for each communication cycle and information about the winning order is added. FIG. 119 is a diagram showing an example in which winning information is stored in order of winning in this modification.

In the example shown in FIG. 119, the order counter is incremented by 1 each time a game ball wins in a winning hole, and a record composed of order, winning type (winning hole), number of winning balls, and number of winnings is generated. The number of prize balls may be omitted if the ball information control board 110 holds it. Also, since the number of winning prizes is usually one, it may be omitted, but when winning occurs continuously in the same winning opening, the number of winning prizes may be added by the number of consecutive wins.

In the example shown in FIGS. 116 to 118, the winning number is incremented by 1 for each winning, and the winning information for transmission is created at the timing of transmitting the winning information to the sphere information control board 110. However, FIG. In the example, each record of winning information is generated for each winning, and the generated winning information is transmitted for each communication cycle. In either case, the transmitted winning information is discarded, and the number of winnings is cleared to 0 in the examples shown in FIGS. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 119, the transmitted record may be deleted.

As in the examples shown in FIGS. 116 to 118, by counting only the number of prizes while ignoring the order of prizes, it is possible to reduce the processing load at the time of winning. On the other hand, as in the example shown in FIG. 119, by creating the winning information at the time of winning, it is possible to maintain the winning order, and at the time of transmitting the winning information, the winning information is generated without the need to create it again. Since the winning information can be transmitted as it is, the load at the time of transmitting the winning information can be reduced. In addition, by adding the number of winnings when winning the same winning slot consecutively, the number of records of winning information can be reduced. Normally, in a jackpot game state, a game ball is aimed at a big winning hole, and when a winning hole that can win only in a specific game state (for example, a variable probability state) is arranged, a specific game state is set. When , the game ball is shot aiming at this winning hole, so it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of winning information, especially in a state where the number of winnings increases.

The configuration for transmitting winning information from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 has been described above. The information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 includes not only winning information (ball information, prize ball command), but also game state signals and board-to-board information between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110. A self-check command for confirming the connection state of is transmitted, and furthermore, in this modified example, main control recognition information is transmitted when power is turned on or during setting processing (setting change/confirmation).

Here, it is necessary to transmit the game state signal to the ball information control board 110 at least every time the game state changes. Therefore, the winning information is transmitted in the same communication cycle, and the winning information, the game state signal, and other information to be transmitted to the ball information control board 110 are aggregated as game information in a common format, thereby standardizing the transmission process. , the control can be simplified.

FIG. 120 is a diagram showing an example of game information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in this modified example, where (A) is an example of winning information and (B) is an example of main control recognition information. is. In the example shown in FIG. 120, "data type" as a large classification and "type 1" and "type 2" as small classifications are defined in order to distinguish the types of data to be transmitted. Items for distinguishing data types may be changed as necessary. For example, by defining data types in detail, other types may be excluded, or more detailed classifications can be set. You may add items to In FIG. 120, the items for distinguishing the data types are described with the names as they are for easy understanding, but in reality, coded information is set in advance. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 120, two types of data can be stored, and the size of each data is 1 byte.

FIG. 120A shows data corresponding to prize winning information, and "winning" (which may be "prize ball") indicating prize winning information (prize ball data) is set in the data type. Further, the type 1 is set with the type of the winning opening, and the type 2 is set with information specifying the winning opening. At this time, one item may be left blank if only the information for specifying the winning slot is required to be set. In the example shown in FIG. 120, two types of data can be set, and in the example shown in (A), the number of prize balls and the number of winning prizes can be set. In addition, since the number of prize balls and the number of prizes does not exceed 100 in reality, the number of prize balls and the number of prizes are set in the upper 4 bits and the number of prizes in the lower 4 bits, and the number of prize balls and the number of prizes are set in one item. may be set. Further, if there is no winning, data indicating that there is no winning and that the number of winning balls is 0 may be transmitted.

FIG. 120(A) shows a case where five types of prize ball information (prize ball commands) are transmitted in one data (command) transmission cycle, but more (for example, 10 types) may be transmitted collectively. On the other hand, if the number of data (commands) to be transmitted becomes too large, such as when a large number of prize balls are generated, the unit time for the data (command) transmitting side (main control board 100) and the receiving side (ball information control board 110) will increase. Since the load per hit becomes high, an upper limit may be set for transmission in one cycle. In this case, the data (commands) that could not be transmitted in one cycle (the amount exceeding the upper limit) is transmitted in the next cycle. When a large number of prize balls are generated, such as during a big hit, a time lag may occur between the actual winning and the addition of the prize balls, which may give the player a sense of discomfort. is 600 ms, and the data (command) transmission cycle is about 100 ms. Therefore, even if the upper limit is temporarily exceeded, the number is immediately reduced to less than the upper limit, which reduces the possibility that the player will feel uncomfortable. ing. Also, although the firing cycle (600 ms) is fixed, the command transmission cycle can be set arbitrarily. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of a time lag when the number exceeds the upper limit.

FIG. 120B is an example of transmitting a chip ID for identifying the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 included in the main control recognition information. Here, it is assumed that the data length of the chip ID is 4 bytes, and data for 2 records are stored. The chip ID is recorded in the main control MPU 101, defined in a specific register, for example, and can be read from the program. In this modification, it is possible to transmit data (commands) of multiple data types in one cycle. , a priority may be set for each data type, and data (commands) having a high priority may be preferentially transmitted. For example, as described above, prize ball information is likely to be transmitted in a larger amount than other data, but the player is less likely to feel uncomfortable even if some time lag occurs as described above. Therefore, data (commands) of other data types may be preferentially transmitted. It should be noted that data (commands) may be transmitted up to the upper limit number in the order in which they are generated, regardless of the data type.

In the example shown in FIG. 120, since the data size is fixed, there is a problem that the number of records increases when transmitting large-capacity data. For example, if the chip ID included in the main control recognition information shown in FIG. There is a need. Therefore, by setting the data length for each record and making the data variable length, it is possible to deal with data of many types. FIG. 121 is a diagram showing another example of game information transmitted from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 in this modified example.

In the example shown in FIG. 121, an item indicating data length is added, and data of any size within the allowable range can be stored in the item indicating data. In the example shown in FIG. 121, since there is no need to divide data, the number of items indicating detailed classification is reduced from two to one. In addition, since the data to be transmitted has a variable length and may increase in capacity, an item for checking such as a checksum may be added.

Next, communication between the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 will be described. FIG. 122 is a diagram illustrating communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 when the game machine of this modification is started. In the game machine 1 in this modification, when the power is turned on and the main control board 100 is activated, the main control recognition information is sent to the ball information control board 110 by the main control side power-on processing or the main control side timer interrupt processing. Notify (main control recognition information notification). As described above, the main control recognition information is information for identifying the main control board 100, and the ball information control board 110 determines whether or not the received main control recognition information is normal. If the notification of the main control recognition information is not normal, for example, if the main control board 100 is not a regular one and an illegal MPU is installed, the main control board 100 is notified that it is abnormal.

Also, if the time from power-on to transmission of the main control recognition information notification exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 200 seconds), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the occurrence of the abnormality is notified. At this time, the activation of the main control board 100 may be continued as it is, and when the activation process is completed during the abnormality occurrence notification, the alarm output may be stopped at that point, or the notification may be continued as it is. good. In the case of continuing the notification as it is, an employee of the gaming facility or the like may check the situation and determine whether or not to continue using the gaming machine.

Upon receiving the main control recognition information notification from the main control board 100 , the sphere information control board 110 transmits a response signal (main control recognition information response notification) to the main control board 100 . When the main control board 100 receives the main control recognition information response notification from the ball information control board 110, the normal game can be started.

Thereafter, the main control board 100 periodically transmits game information to the ball information control board 110 (game information notification). The game information transmission interval is 100 milliseconds as described above. A specific example of the game information is prize ball information (prize ball command). When receiving game information from the main control board 100 , the ball information control board 110 transmits a response signal (game information response notification) to the main control board 100 . In this way, by transmitting a response signal from the ball information control board 110 in response to the notification of game information from the main control board 100, it is possible to ensure that communication is being performed normally. When notifying the main control board 100 from the sphere information control board 110 , the main control board 100 also transmits a response signal to the sphere information control board 110 .

Next, a case where an abnormality occurs in communication between the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 will be described. FIG. 123 is a diagram showing a case where there is no response from the ball information control board 110 to the notification from the main control board 100 in the communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 of the game machine of this modification. is.

In the example shown in FIG. 123, game information is notified from the main control board 100 to the ball information control board 110 at a predetermined communication cycle, and if there is no response from the ball information control board 110 continuously for a predetermined number of times, an abnormality occurs. interrupts the communication assuming that a Here, the predetermined number of times is set to 8 times, and the game information of the same content is notified up to 8 times. Even after the communication from the main control board 100 has been cut off, if a response signal is received from the sphere information control board 110, the cutoff of communication is canceled assuming that the normal state has been restored, and the process is resumed. resume. In the example shown in the figure, if the response signal cannot be received within one communication cycle, the notification is sent again. If the response signal cannot be received later, it may be determined that one communication has failed. By configuring in this way, it is possible to avoid missing response signals.

Further, when there is no response from the ball information control board 110, in addition to the case where the game information has not reached the ball information control board 110 from the main control board 100, the ball information control board 110 from the main control board 100 There is a case where the response signal has not reached the main control board 100 from the ball information control board 110 even though the game information has arrived. Here, when the game information is prize ball information (prize ball command), in the latter case, there is a risk that prize balls will be paid out continuously based on the same prize ball information. There is a risk that the number of awarded balls may be inconsistent. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem, an example will be described in which the next game information is transmitted without retransmitting the game information even when the response signal cannot be received normally.

FIG. 124 shows another example of communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 of the gaming machine of this modification, in which there is no response from the ball information control board 110 in response to the notification from the main control board 100. It is a figure which shows. Here, as in the example shown in FIG. 123, the game information is transmitted for each communication cycle, and the next game information is transmitted even if the response signal cannot be received. If the maximum number of transmissions (e.g., 8) of response signals are not received in succession, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the communication is cut off, and the occurrence of the abnormality is notified. By configuring in this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility of discrepancies occurring in the number of prize balls when the game information is prize ball information.

In addition, retransmission of the same game information may cause new game information generated in the process of progressing the game to stay in the buffer and become unable to be held, but this can be prevented. Only in the case of winning ball information that may generate a large amount of data, the next information is transmitted without retransmission, while other information with a relatively small amount of generated data is shown in FIG. The processing may differ according to the data type, such as by retransmitting as shown. In this case, the number of times the response signal cannot be received continuously (the number of transmission failures) is counted, and when a predetermined number of times is reached, the communication is cut off and the occurrence of an abnormality is notified.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. and design changes are possible.

That is, in the embodiment, the game machine is applied to the pachinko machine 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a pachislot machine or a game machine formed by combining a pachinko machine and a pachislot machine. Also in this case, the same effects can be obtained.

1 game machine 5 game board 500 firing area division part 501 effect device 502 guidance part 503 obstacle nail 504 contact surface 505 through hole 506 backflow guard part 100 main control board 101 main control MPU
101a First MPU identification number storage unit 102 Main control I/O port 103 Main control input circuit 104 Main control solenoid drive circuit 105 RAM clear switch 109 RAM
110 ball information control board 111 ball information control MPU
111a Second MPU identification number storage unit 112 Ball information control I/O port 113 Ball information control input circuit 117 Power failure monitoring circuit 118 Ball information control unit 12 Ball launcher 121 Check valve 121a Gate piece 121b Front cover portion 121c Side frame member 8 Play area 13 Launch solenoid (circulation mechanism)
22 ball lifting device (circulation mechanism)
28 ball feeding device (circulation mechanism)
29 ball collision part 31 ball feed solenoid (circulation mechanism)
45 Front component member 451 Upper game area division part 452 Lower game area division part 453 Ascending curve surface 454 Ball launch side upper division part 455 Falling curve surface 456 Ball collision side upper division part α1 Arc length of rising curve surface α2 Falling curve Arc length of surface 47 Notch 150 Ball lifting motor (circulation mechanism)
155 ball polishing ribbon feed motor (circulation mechanism)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine comprising first control means for controlling progress of a game and second control means capable of executing control based on game information notified from the first control means,
The first control means is
a game information storage means capable of temporarily storing the game information;
a game information notification means capable of notifying the second control means of the game information stored in the game information storage means;
with
The second control means is
a game information receiving means for receiving the game information notified from the first control means;
game information response means for transmitting a response signal indicating that the game information has been received to the first control means;
with
The game information notification means periodically transmits the game information stored in the game information storage means to the second control means,
When the game machine is powered on, the first control means executes an initial setting process for making settings necessary for starting a game in the game machine,
The game information notification means transmits, as the game information, main control recognition information that can be stopped so that at least a part of the game functions cannot be temporarily executed when the initial setting process is executed, to the second control means,
When the game information receiving means receives the main control recognition information , the game information response means outputs the game stop release enable information for canceling the stop of the temporarily stopped game function as the response signal to the first control recognition information. send to the control means,
The first control means is
After the initial setting process is executed, a timer interrupt process that is periodically executed, a main loop process that is executed after the end of the timer interrupt process, and regardless of whether or not the game stop cancellation possible information is received A power outage process that is executed when the voltage of the gaming machine drops below a predetermined level,
Although the timer interrupt process can be executed between the transmission of the main control recognition information and the reception of the game stop cancellation possible information , the first process included in the timer interrupt process cannot be executed. year,
A second process included in the main loop process can be executed even during a period from the transmission of the main control recognition information to the reception of the game stop cancellation possible information ,
The first process and the second process are processes that provide at least part of the game functions,
The first process is a process that can be executed by receiving the game stop cancellation enable information , and by executing the first process, the stop of the game function is canceled and the game can be played. and
The main control recognition information includes a specific identification number that can determine whether the first control means is legitimate.
A gaming machine characterized by:

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