JP2007007036A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a conventional pachinko machine wherein it takes labor to design a program for adjusting the time deviation of signals detected by sensors constituting a compound sensor. <P>SOLUTION: A photosensor 101 and a magnetic sensor 102 are disposed in the direction of movement of pachinko balls P. The photosensor 101 is located between a permanent magnet 107 and a hall element 106 constituting the magnetic sensor 102. When a pachinko ball P passes a second detection range, a static magnetic field generated from the permanent magnet 107 varies in response to the passage of the pachinko ball P, and a ball passage detection signal is output from the magnetic sensor 102. When the pachinko ball P passes a first detection range, a ball passage detection signal is output also from the photosensor 101. In this way, passage of the pachinko ball P through a prescribed area of a game member is recognized by a main CPU 31 based on the ball passage detection signals from these sensors 101 and 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed through a predetermined area of a gaming member.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, there is a pachinko machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The game board surface of this pachinko machine is provided with a general winning opening, a starting winning opening, a large winning opening, and the like. The player can obtain a predetermined profit by passing the pachinko ball through these winning holes. These winning holes are provided with passing ball sensors for detecting the passing of game balls. For the purpose of improving detection accuracy, the passing ball sensor is a composite sensor having a first sensor at the upper part of the gate through which the game ball passes and a second sensor at the lower part. The control unit determines that the game ball has passed through the gate only when the detection signal from the second sensor is input after the detection signal from the first sensor is input. With this configuration, when a game ball that does not completely pass through the gate hits the gate and is bounced back, the second sensor does not detect the game ball even if the first sensor detects the game ball. It is not determined that it has passed. Further, when the game ball is about to pass from under the gate, the second sensor detects the game ball first, so that it is not determined that the game ball has passed the gate. For this reason, erroneous detection of a game ball can be prevented.

In such a pachinko machine, the pachinko machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, which determines that the game ball has passed only when the detection timing shift by each sensor constituting the composite sensor is within a predetermined time, is used. There is also a machine. In the ball passage of this pachinko machine, a composite sensor composed of two sensors having different operating principles, that is, a photo sensor and a proximity sensor, is provided, and detection signals output from each sensor when detecting a game ball are provided. There is a time lag determined by the arrangement interval of each sensor in the output timing. When this time lag is within a predetermined time, it is treated that the game ball has passed by the composite sensor. The determination as to whether or not the detection timing shift is due to the passage of a game ball is performed in software by a program process in the main control board.
JP 2002-360795 A (paragraphs [0040] to [0051]) JP 2003-175161 A (paragraphs [0015] to [0017], [0032] to [0038])

  In the pachinko machine shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, as described above, the deviation time of signals detected by the sensors constituting the composite sensor is measured to determine the passage of the game ball. However, in order to prevent this deviation time from occurring, a program design that matches the passing timing of the game ball detected by each sensor that constitutes the composite sensor by software by program processing is a time axis for measuring the detection timing. Therefore, it becomes a very time-consuming work, which makes it difficult to design a gaming machine.

The present invention was made to solve such a problem, and in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed through a predetermined area of a gaming member provided on a gaming board,
The gaming ball detection device includes: a first detection unit that detects that a gaming ball that passes through a predetermined area is in the first detection range; and a second that the gaming ball that passes through the predetermined area is different from the first detection range. And a second detection means for detecting that the detection range is within the detection range, and one of the first detection range and the second detection range is included in the other detection range. And

  According to this configuration, when the game ball passes through the predetermined area of the game member, in both detection ranges of the first detection means and the second detection means, the passage of the game ball is performed by both detection means. Will be detected. For this reason, when the game ball is in one detection range, it is also in the other detection range, and the game ball passes through a predetermined area of the game member only when the game ball is detected by both detection means. By determining that the game has been performed, it is possible to determine the passage of the game ball in hardware. Therefore, it is possible to detect a game ball using a composite sensor without performing a conventional program design that takes time and effort to adjust the difference in detection time, and the design of the gaming machine is facilitated.

  In the present invention, the physical quantity measured when the first detection means detects the game ball and the physical quantity measured when the second detection means detects the game ball are different from each other. It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, when the game ball passes through the predetermined area of the game member, the first detection means measures the predetermined physical quantity and detects the passage of the game ball, and the second detection means Another physical quantity different from the physical quantity is measured to detect the passage of the game ball. For this reason, even when noise or an unauthorized operation occurs that affects the physical quantity measured by one of the detection means, the other detection means performs a measurement without being affected by the noise or the unauthorized operation. The passing of the game ball is accurately detected. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the disadvantages of using each detection means alone, prevent erroneous detection and fraud, and improve the detection accuracy of the game ball.

  In the present invention, the first detection means includes a photosensor that detects a game ball passing through a predetermined region by measuring a change in a received light amount of light emitted from the light emitting element and received by the light receiving element. The second detection means comprises a magnetic sensor for detecting a game ball passing through a predetermined area by measuring a change in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation means.

  According to this configuration, when the game ball passes a predetermined area of the game member, the game ball is detected by both the photo sensor and the magnetic sensor. For this reason, fraudulent acts using electromagnetic waves (so-called radio goto) are prevented by photosensors, and fraudulent acts using so-called flash devices (so-called flash goto) are prevented by magnetic sensors. become.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the photo sensor and the magnetic sensor are arranged along the moving direction of the game ball, and the photo sensor is located between the magnetic field generating means and the magnetic sensor.

  According to this configuration, the detection range of the photo sensor is included in the detection range of the magnetic sensor, and when the game ball moves through a predetermined area of the game member, the photo sensor is detected while the game ball is detected by the magnetic sensor. A game ball is also detected by the sensor.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to detect a game ball using a composite sensor without performing a conventional program design that requires time and effort for adjusting the difference in detection time. This makes it easier to design a gaming machine.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko machine 10 includes a transparent game board 12 in which a pachinko game is performed in the center of the front surface, and a liquid crystal display device 13c provided behind the transparent game board 12 is observed through the board surface. Below the transparent gaming board 12, tray unit 11b is provided consisting of an upper pan 11b ₁ and the lower pan 11b _2. The right side of the lower receiving plate 11b ₂ launching handle 1 is provided.

A special symbol display unit 12a for visually recognizing the special symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c is provided at the center of the transparent game board 12, and a passage gate (not shown) is provided on the left and right sides of the special symbol display unit 12a. Is provided. In addition, a start winning opening 12b is provided at the bottom of the transparent game board 12. When a pachinko ball, which is a game ball launched on the board surface by the operation of the launch handle 1, wins the start winning opening 12b, the special symbol is variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 12a of the liquid crystal display device 13c, and the special symbol game is started. The When the special symbols displayed on the special symbol display unit 12a are arranged in a predetermined jackpot combination, a jackpot winning is generated and a jackpot game is performed. Also, on the left and right sides of the start winning opening 12b, there are provided general winning openings 12c through which a predetermined number, for example, 10 winning balls are paid out when a pachinko ball is won. Although prize balls are paid out to the upper pan 11b ₁ dish unit 11b, an upper pan 11b ₁ is when full are paid out to the lower receiving tray 11b _2. Also, below the start winning opening 12b, there is provided a big winning opening (attacker) 12d for opening and closing the door in the big winning game that is performed when the big winning win is generated. Below the big winning opening 12d, an out opening 12e for receiving a pachinko ball that has not won any of the winning openings 12b to 12d is provided.

  The jackpot game is played after the special symbol jackpot combination is stopped and displayed at the end of the special symbol game, and a predetermined number of, for example, ten pachinko balls are won in the big winning opening 12d, or a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds. Until the lapse of time, a maximum of 15 rounds of games in which the special winning opening 12d remains open is performed, for example. During each round, if the pachinko ball that won the grand prize opening 12d wins a specific area called the V zone provided inside the big prize opening 12d, it can continue to the next round. If the player does not win the V zone during the round, the game is a so-called puncture, and even before the 15th round is reached, the jackpot game is terminated at that round and ends. During the jackpot game, an effect is provided by the illumination of the illumination device 11a provided above the surface of the transparent game board 12.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine 10. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

The pachinko machine 10 is configured by attaching an intermediate frame 13 to the front surface of a rectangular frame-shaped wooden frame 14. The middle frame 13 constitutes a back mechanism board located behind the transparent game board 12 together with a liquid crystal display device 13c attached to the back surface. I have. The middle frame 13 is pivotally supported on the left side of the wooden frame 14 so that it can be opened and closed on the front surface of the wooden frame 14. A transparent game board 12 is attached to the center of the front surface of the middle frame 13, and a pair of speakers 13b and 13b from which a game effect sound and the like are emitted are attached to the upper part. Further, the above-described firing handle 1 is attached to the lower right portion of the front surface of the middle frame 13. The transparent gaming board 12 and the speakers 13b and 13b are covered with a glass door 11, and the board surface of the transparent gaming board 12 is observed from the transparent glass portion of the glass door 11. On the upper part of the glass door 11, the above-described illumination device 11 a is provided. Illumination device 11a includes a decorative illumination LED (light emitting diode) 11a _2, made from the electric decoration LEDs 11a ₂ covering lens cover 11a ₁ Metropolitan constitute a performance apparatus for performing an effect of the pachinko game. Further, the above-described dish unit 11 b is attached to the lower part of the middle frame 13.

A liquid crystal display device 13c is attached to the rectangular opening at the center of the back surface of the middle frame 13 so as to face the transparent game board 12, and a ball payout unit 15a and a substrate case unit 15b are provided so as to cover the liquid crystal display device 13c from behind. Is attached. The ball paying unit 15a is pivotally supported by the middle frame 13 on the left side, and the right side of the substrate case unit 15b is pivotally supported by the middle frame 13, and the ball paying unit 15a and the substrate case unit 15b are opened in a door-like manner to expose the back surface of the liquid crystal display device 13c. The liquid crystal display device 13c performs an effect display according to the game state or the like on the front surface, and displays the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 12a as described above. Ball disbursement unit 15a supplies the number of pachinko balls corresponding to a winning result to the upper pan 11b ₁ and the lower pan 11b _2. The board case unit 15b houses a main control board 30, a sub control board 40, a payout / launch control board 60 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, for controlling game operations, effect display, ball launching, and the like. .

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing an outline of the configuration of the transparent game board 12. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The transparent game board 12 includes a substantially circular game area 12A, and a substantially arc-shaped ball launch area 12B provided along the game area 12A from the lower left part of the game area 12A to the center part and slightly upward. The game area 12A is provided with the above-described winning ports 12b to 12d (not shown in the figure). The ball launch area 12B is an area for guiding a pachinko ball launched by operating the launch handle 1 to the game area 12A. The ball launch area 12B and the game area 12A are partitioned by a return prevention member 12f. This return prevention member 12f is for preventing the pachinko ball in the game area 12A from returning to the ball launch area 12B, and is made of an elastic plate.

  FIG. 4 is a back view showing the configuration of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. 4 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 1 and FIG.

  A warp passage 12 i is provided at the center of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. A warp entrance (not shown) for guiding the pachinko ball to the warp passage 12i is opened in front of the surface of the transparent game board 12. The pachinko ball that has entered the warp entrance disappears from the surface of the transparent game board 12 and passes through the warp passage 12i, and then emerges from a warp exit (not shown) and appears on the board surface of the transparent game board 12. Since the warp exit is provided above the start winning opening 12b, a pachinko ball that enters the warp entrance and exits from the warp exit to the surface of the transparent gaming board 12 and flows down is easy to win the start winning opening 12b. Become.

  In the lower part of the back surface of the transparent game board 12, a winning ball collecting basket assembly 70 is provided for collecting the pachinko balls that have entered the winning holes 12b to 12d described above via the ball passages 70a to 70e. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70 shown in FIG. 5 is formed in the ball passages 70a to 70e of the winning ball assembly basket assembly 70, and a passing ball sensor 100 (see FIG. 6) described later for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the hollow portions 75 and 76 shown in FIG. 5 are provided with a start winning port solenoid 24 and a big winning port solenoid 25 (see FIG. 7) described later.

A main relay board 80 and a sub relay board 90 are provided on the lower right side of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. The main relay board 80 relays the electrical connection between the main control board 30 housed in the board case unit 15b and each passing ball sensor 100 provided in the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70. The sub relay board 90 relays the electrical connection between the sub control board 40 housed in the board case unit 15b, the illumination LED 11a ₂ and the like.

The sub-relay board 90 is provided with a connector 91 to which the illumination LED 11a ₂ controlled by the sub-control circuit configured on the sub-control board 40 is connected, and a connector 92 to which the sub-control board 40 is connected. The electrical LED 11a ₂ attached to the upper side of the transparent game board 12 and the connector 91 are electrically connected by a harness (not shown). The sub-control board 40 and the connector 92 are also electrically connected by a harness (not shown). In addition to the connectors 91 and 92, the sub relay board 90 is provided with a connector group to which various actuators attached to the transparent game board 12 controlled by the sub control circuit are connected.

  The main relay board 80 is held on the back surface of the transparent game board 12 by the board holder 81. The main relay board 80 includes an actuator such as a starting prize opening solenoid 24, a big prize opening solenoid 25, and a V zone guidance device 34 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, controlled by a main control circuit configured on the main control board 30; A connector to which the plurality of passing ball sensors 100 provided in the above-described ball passages 70a to 70e are connected, and a connector 88 to which the main control board 30 is connected are provided. The main control board 30 and the connector 88 are also electrically connected by a harness (not shown) in the same manner as the sub control board 40 and the connector 92 described above.

  6A and 6B show the structure of the above-described passing ball sensor 100, which is a composite sensor composed of the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102. FIG. 6A is a side view thereof, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof. FIG. 2C is a perspective view thereof.

  The photosensor 101 has an LED (light emitting diode) 103 as a light emitting element, a PD (light receiving diode) 104 as a light receiving element, and light emitted from the LED 103 directed toward the PD 104 inside a storage case in which a passage hole 101a is formed. A reflection plate 105 to be reflected, and a circuit board (not shown) on which circuits for driving and controlling the LEDs 103 and PD 104 are configured. The LED 103, the PD 104, and the reflecting plate 105 are provided so that the LED 103 and the PD 104 face the reflecting plate 105 along the inner wall surface of the passage hole 101a as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. Further, the circuit board is provided with input / output terminals, and the circuit board and the main control board 30 (see FIG. 7) are electrically connected to each other through a connector provided on the main relay board 80 via the input / output terminals. Connected.

  When the pachinko sphere P does not pass through the passage hole 101 a, the light emitted from the LED 103 is received by the PD 104 through the reflection plate 105. At this time, a high-level detection signal is output from the photosensor 101 as described later (see FIG. 8B). On the other hand, when the pachinko sphere P reaches the passage hole 101a as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6A and passes through the optical axis A of the light emitted from the LED 103, the passage of the pachinko sphere P is detected by the photosensor 101. The light emitted from the LED 103 is blocked by the pachinko sphere P passing through the passage hole 101a while the pachinko sphere P passes through the first detection range that is a passage region of the light emitted from the LED 103. The PD 104 does not receive light. During this time, a low-level detection signal (ON signal) is output from the photosensor 101 as described later (see FIG. 8B, times t1 to t4). Each winning opening 12b to 12d and the passing gate constitute a gaming member provided in the transparent game board 12, and each winning opening 12b to 12d and the opening area of the passing gate constitute a predetermined area of the gaming member. The photosensor 101 constitutes first detection means for detecting that the pachinko ball P passing through a predetermined area of the gaming member is in the first detection range. In the present embodiment, as described above, the LED 103 The pachinko ball P passing through a predetermined area of the game member is detected by measuring a change in the amount of light emitted from the light and received by the PD 104.

  The magnetic sensor 102 is provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the photosensor 101, and in each of the two rectangular parallelepiped storage cases, a Hall element 106 that causes a Hall effect, which is one of the current magnetic effects, and a magnetic field that generates a static magnetic field. A permanent magnet 107 serving as a generating means and a circuit board (not shown) on which a circuit for measuring the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 106 is configured. The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided on each side of the upper storage case and the lower storage case of the magnetic sensor 102 facing the passage hole 101a of the photosensor 101, as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). It is provided and is arranged along the moving direction of the pachinko sphere P. The photosensor 101 is located between the hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107. As with the photosensor 101, the Hall element 106 is provided with input / output terminals on the circuit board, and the circuit board and the main control board 30 (see FIG. 7) are connected to the main relay board 80 via the input / output terminals. It is electrically connected through a connector provided in the.

  When the pachinko ball P does not pass through the passage hole 101a, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 does not change, and the Hall voltage generated by the Hall element 106 remains constant and does not change. At this time, a high-level detection signal is output from the magnetic sensor 102 as described later (see FIG. 8A). On the other hand, when the pachinko sphere P approaches the passage hole 101a as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6A and passes through the optical axis A of the light emitted from the LED 103, the magnetic sensor 102 causes the pachinko sphere P to pass. While the pachinko sphere P starts to be detected and passes through the second detection range, which is a region that is strongly affected by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107, a change in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 causes the Hall element 106 to change. Detected by. During this time, a low level detection signal (ON signal) is output from the magnetic sensor 102 as described later (see FIG. 8A, times t1 to t5). The magnetic sensor 102 constitutes second detection means for detecting that the pachinko ball P passing through a predetermined area of the gaming member is in a second detection range different from the first detection range by the photosensor 101 described above. In the present embodiment, as described above, the Hall element 106 measures the change in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107, thereby detecting the pachinko sphere P passing through a predetermined region of the game member.

  The photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 constitute a game ball detection device that detects a pachinko ball P that has passed through a predetermined area of a game member provided on the transparent game board 12. The first detection range by the photosensor 101 is included in the second detection range by the magnetic sensor 102. In this embodiment, the rise of the ON signal when the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 detect the pachinko sphere P. The sensors 101 and 102 are provided at positions where the timings coincide. When the pachinko balls P are detected simultaneously by the sensors 101 and 102, detection signals are simultaneously output from both the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 to the main CPU 31 (see FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, only when the detection signals are simultaneously output from the sensors 101 and 102, the detection signal is treated as valid, and when this is recognized by the main CPU 31, the pachinko ball P is a predetermined game member. The main CPU 31 determines that the area has been passed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an electronic circuit that controls the gaming operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. This electronic circuit includes a main control circuit provided on the main control board 30, a sub control circuit provided on the sub control board 40, a payout / launch control circuit provided on the payout / fire control board 60, and the like. . The main control circuit performs electrical control related to the progress of the pachinko game on the transparent game board 12 and electrical control of a gaming device to be described later on the transparent game board 12, and the sub control circuit follows the instructions from the main control circuit. performs electrical control of the effect device, such as a decorative illumination LEDs 11a _2. The payout / launch control circuit controls the payout of prize balls and the like and the launch of pachinko balls.

  Electronic components such as a main CPU 31, an initial reset circuit 32, and a serial communication IC 33 are mounted on the main control board 30. The main control board 30 also stores a main ROM (read only memory) (not shown) in which a program for the main CPU 31 to process and control gaming operations of the pachinko machine 10 is stored, and data is temporarily stored during process control. A main RAM (random access memory) (not shown) is also mounted. The initial reset circuit 32 erases the contents of the game state stored in the main RAM when the main control circuit is activated, and generates a reset signal for starting the game process according to the program stored in the main ROM. Further, the serial communication IC 33 serially transmits a control signal sent from the main CPU 31 to the control boards 40 and 60.

  Further, the main control board 30 is provided inside the above-described passing gate, and detects the pachinko ball P that has won the start winning opening 12b and the gate switch 20s that detects the pachinko ball P passing through the passing gate. A start winning ball sensor 21s is connected. In addition, a count switch 22s for detecting a pachinko ball P that has won a prize winning opening 12d, a V count switch 22v for detecting a pachinko ball P that has passed through the V zone inside the big winning opening 12d, and a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the general winning opening 12c. A general winning ball sensor 23s for detecting P is connected. Each of these switches 20s, 22s, 22v and each of the sensors 21s, 23s is composed of the above-described passing ball sensor 100. Further, the main control board 30 includes, as actuators, a start winning port solenoid 24 for expanding the ball receiving port of the starting winning port 12b, a large winning port solenoid 25 for opening and closing the door of the large winning port 12d, and the inside of the large winning port 12d. After the pachinko ball P has won the V zone, a V zone guiding device 34 for guiding the pachinko ball P to other than the V zone is connected.

  Each of the switches 20s, 22s, 22v, the sensors 21s, 23s, and the actuators 24, 25, 34 constitutes a gaming device for executing a pachinko game, and the main control board is connected via the main relay board 80. 30. When the passing ball sensor 100 constituting each of the switches 20s, 22s, 22v and the sensors 21s, 23s detects the pachinko ball P, the detection signal is input to the main CPU 31 of the main control board 30 via the main relay board 80. The main CPU 31 drives and controls the actuators 24, 25, and 34 according to the input detection signal.

The sub control board 40 is connected to the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 13c, the speakers 13b and 13b, and the illumination LED 11a ₂ via the sub relay board 90, and performs image display control for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device 13c. Sound control for emitting sound effects from the speakers 13b and 13b and electric decoration control for controlling the light emission of the electric decoration LED 11a ₂ according to the gaming state are performed. A sub CPU 41, a program ROM 42, and a work RAM 43 are mounted on the sub control board 40. The sub CPU 41 interprets control commands received from the main control board 30 and sets parameters of a VDP (video display processor) 44. The program ROM 42, sub CPU41 is, a liquid crystal display device 13c, the speakers 13b, 13b, a control program for processing controlling each operation of the electric decoration LEDs 11a ₂ are stored stored. The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage unit when the sub CPU 41 performs processing control according to the control program.

  The sub control board 40 is mounted with an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44, and an initial reset circuit 46. The image data ROM 45 stores and stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c. The VDP 44 reads dot data in the image data ROM 45 according to the parameters set by the sub CPU 41, and generates image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c. The initial reset circuit 46 generates a reset signal for resetting the sub control circuit in the sub control board 40.

  The main CPU 31 performs a jackpot determination when the pachinko ball P wins the start winning opening 12b and a start win occurs. The sub-control circuit causes the liquid crystal display device 13c to sequentially stop and display the special symbols in a manner corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination. When the left and right symbols are aligned and stopped in the same design, the liquid crystal display device 13c enters the reach state. A reach effect is performed on the display device 13c using the special symbol and the effect image.

The speaker driving circuit includes a sound source IC 48 for generating an original sound effect signal, a sound source data ROM 49 connected to the sound source data ROM 49, an amplifier 50 for amplifying the original signal output from the sound source IC 48, and three stages. And a volume changeover switch 51 for designating a one-stage volume output level. The speakers 13b and 13b are controlled by a drive signal from the sub CPU 41. The drive circuit 52 controls the light emission of the illumination LED 11a ₂ according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 according to the drive signal from the sub CPU 41.

  Connected to the payout / firing control board 60 are a payout device 61 for paying out a prize ball and the like, and a firing solenoid 13d that is driven in accordance with the operation of the firing handle 1. The payout / launch control circuit configured on the payout / launch control board 60 drives and controls the payout device 61 in accordance with the payout command signal output from the main control board 30 in accordance with various winnings, thereby paying out the prize balls. At the same time, the launch solenoid 13d is driven and controlled in accordance with the operation of the launch handle 1 by the player, and the pachinko ball P is launched to the game area 12A.

  In the above configuration, when the pachinko ball P launched into the game area 12A by operating the launch handle 1 enters the open areas of the winning holes 12b to 12d and wins, the pachinko balls P pass through the ball passages 70a to 70e. Collected through the passage hole 101a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in each of the insertion ports 71 to 74. Further, when the pachinko ball P launched to the game area 12A passes through the passage gate, the pachinko ball P passes through the passage hole 101a of the passage ball sensor 100 provided in the opening area of the passage gate. At this time, a low level detection signal is output from the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are timing charts showing the output timing of this detection signal. FIG. 8A is a detection signal output from the magnetic sensor 102, and FIG. The output detection signal is shown.

  When the pachinko sphere P approaches the passage hole 101a and reaches the optical axis A, it starts to be detected by the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102. At this time, low-level detection signals are simultaneously output from the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B, time t1). Further, when the pachinko sphere P finishes passing through the passage hole 101a and does not belong to the first detection range and light is received again by the PD 104, a high-level detection signal is output from the photosensor 101 again ( FIG. 8B, time t4). At this time, the pachinko sphere P remains in the second detection range, and the low-level detection signal is continuously output from the magnetic sensor 102 (FIG. 8A, time t4). Further, when the pachinko sphere P finishes passing through the passage hole 101a and does not belong to the second detection range, a high level detection signal is output again from the magnetic sensor 102 (FIG. 8A, time t5). ).

  Also, when the pachinko sphere P passes through the passage hole 101a after another pachinko sphere P passes through the passage hole 101a, detection signals are output from the sensors 101 and 102 as in the above case (FIG. 8 (a), (b), times t6 to t10).

  When the main CPU 31 inputs both low-level detection signals from the sensors 101 and 102, the main CPU 31 determines that the pachinko ball P has passed through the passage hole 101a, and the pachinko ball according to the winning winning opening or the passing gate passed. The payout process is performed.

  According to the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, when the pachinko ball P passes through predetermined areas of the game members such as the winning holes 12b to 12d and the passing gates, the photosensor 101 causes the pachinko ball P to pass. In the first detection range where the passage of the pachinko ball P is detected, the passage of the pachinko sphere P is also detected by the magnetic sensor 102. For this reason, when the pachinko ball P is in one detection range, the pachinko ball P is always in the other detection range, and only when the pachinko ball P is detected by both sensors 101 and 102, the predetermined area of the game member is set. By determining that the pachinko ball P has passed, the passage of the pachinko ball P can be determined in hardware.

  On the other hand, in the conventional passing ball sensor disclosed in Patent Document 2 in which the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged in this order along the moving direction of the pachinko ball P, the first sensor and the second sensor No detection range is included in the other detection range. FIGS. 8C and 8D are timing charts showing output timings of detection signals of the respective sensors in such a conventional passing ball sensor, and FIG. 8C shows detection output from the first sensor. Signal (d) in FIG. 3 shows a detection signal output from the second sensor. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, between the times t2 and t3, the pachinko sphere P is simultaneously detected by both sensors, and a low level detection signal is output from both sensors. However, between the time Δt1 from time t1 to t2 and the time Δt2 from time t3 to t4, the pachinko sphere P is detected by only one sensor, and are these times Δt1 and Δt2 due to the passage of the pachinko sphere P? Whether or not it must be calculated and determined by software processing of the CPU. For this reason, in the conventional passing ball sensor, in order to avoid the determination process by the CPU, as described above, a very time-consuming program design is required to match the deviation of the detection time of the pachinko ball P detected by each sensor. Necessary. However, according to the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, since the detection times t1 to t4 of the photosensor 101 are included in the detection times t1 to t5 of the magnetic sensor 102, the pachinko balls P are detected by the sensors 101 and 102. By determining that the pachinko sphere P has passed only when the pachinko sphere P has passed, the passage of the pachinko sphere P can be determined in hardware. Therefore, the pachinko sphere P can be accurately detected using the composite sensor without performing a program design that requires a time-consuming adjustment of the detection time, and the design of the pachinko machine 10 is facilitated. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the rising timings of the detection signals coincide with each other at time t1, the pachinko machine 10 can be designed more easily.

  In the present embodiment, when the pachinko ball P passes through a predetermined area of the game member, the photosensor 101 measures the amount of light received and detects the passage of the pachinko ball P, and the magnetic sensor 102 The change of the magnetic field different from the amount of received light is measured, and the passage of the pachinko sphere P is detected. For this reason, even if noise or unauthorized operation occurs on the amount of received light or magnetic field measured by one sensor, the other sensor performs measurement without being affected by this noise or unauthorized operation, The passage of the pachinko sphere P is accurately detected. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the disadvantages of using the photosensor 101 or the magnetic sensor 102 alone, prevent erroneous detection and fraud, and improve the detection accuracy of the pachinko sphere P.

  In this embodiment, when the pachinko ball P passes through a predetermined area of the game member, the pachinko ball P is detected by both the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102. For this reason, fraudulent acts using electromagnetic waves (so-called radio waves) have no effect on the photo sensor 101 and are prevented by the photo sensor 101. In addition, fraudulent acts using a flash device that emits light (so-called flash goto) have no effect on the magnetic sensor 102 and are prevented by the magnetic sensor 102.

  In the present embodiment, the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 are arranged along the moving direction of the pachinko sphere P, and the photo sensor 101 is located between the permanent magnet 107 and the hall element 106, so that the magnetic The detection range (first detection range) of the photosensor 101 is included in the detection range (second detection range) of the sensor 102. As a result, when the pachinko ball P moves past the predetermined area of the gaming member, the pachinko ball P is detected by the photosensor 101 while the pachinko ball P is detected by the magnetic sensor 102 as described above. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the Hall element is used as the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect has been described. However, a magnetoresistive element may be used instead of the Hall element.

  According to this configuration, when the pachinko ball P passes through a predetermined region of the game member, a magnetic field change occurs in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107, and this magnetic field change causes a galvanomagnetic effect inside the magnetoresistive element. Changes appear in the magnetoresistive effect. By detecting the change in the magnetoresistive effect, the main CPU 31 recognizes that the pachinko ball P has passed the predetermined area of the game member.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the detection signal from the photosensor 101 is treated as valid only when the detection signal is output from the magnetic sensor 102, and the low level detection from the photosensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 is performed. Although the case where it is determined that both signals are input to the main CPU 31 and the pachinko ball P has passed through the passage hole 101a has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 are connected to the main CPU 31 via an AND circuit, and a low-level detection signal is output to the main CPU 31 from both the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102, the AND circuit The detection signal may be output from the main CPU 31 to determine that the pachinko ball P has passed through a predetermined area of the gaming member.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the permanent magnet 107 is used as the magnetic field generation unit has been described. However, the magnetic field generation unit can be appropriately changed as long as it generates a static magnetic field.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the reflection type photosensor in which the reflection plate 105 is disposed at the position facing the LED 103 and the PD 104 is used as the photosensor 101 is described. It is also possible to use a photosensor in which the PDs 104 are arranged at positions facing each other.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described. However, the present invention is applied to other gaming machines equipped with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed a predetermined area of a gaming member. It is also possible to apply. Even when the present invention is applied to such a gaming machine, the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the outline of a structure of the transparent game board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a back view which shows the structure of the back surface of the transparent game board shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a winning ball assembly kit assembly provided on the back surface of the transparent game board shown in FIG. 4. The structure of the passing ball sensor used for the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 is shown, (a) is the side view, (b) is the top view, (c) is the perspective view. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electronic circuit which carries out process control of the game operation | movement of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a timing chart which shows the output timing of the detection signal from a photo sensor and a magnetic sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine 12 ... Transparent game board 12b ... Start winning opening 12c ... General winning opening 12d ... Large winning opening 30 ... Main control board 40 ... Sub control board 70 ... Winning ball assembly kit assembly 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e ... Sphere passage 71,72,73,74 ... Insertion port 100 ... Passing ball sensor 101 ... Photo sensor 101a ... Passing hole 102 ... Magnetic sensor 103 ... Light emitting diode (LED)
104 ... Photodiode (PD)
105 ... Reflector 106 ... Hall element 107 ... Permanent magnet P ... Pachinko ball

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine provided with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed a predetermined area of a gaming member provided on a gaming board,
The game ball detection device includes: a first detection unit that detects that a game ball that passes through the predetermined area is within a first detection range; and a game ball that passes through the predetermined area includes the first detection range. Comprises a second detection means for detecting that they are in different second detection ranges, and one of the first detection range and the second detection range is the other detection range. A gaming machine that is included in the game.   The physical quantity measured when the first detection means detects a game ball and the physical quantity measured when the second detection means detects a game ball are different in type. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The first detection means includes a photosensor that detects a game ball passing through the predetermined region by measuring a change in a received light amount of light emitted from the light emitting element and received by the light receiving element. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the detecting means comprises a magnetic sensor that detects a game ball passing through the predetermined area by measuring a change in the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means. The game according to claim 3, wherein the photosensor and the magnetic sensor are arranged along a moving direction of a game ball, and the photosensor is located between the magnetic field generating means and the magnetic sensor. Machine.

Images