JP2000167119A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unfair reforming to enable to hit a large number of balls by judging whether a discharging interval is shorter than a prescribed value or not every time a ball is discharged and judging an abnormality when shorter to make a normal game impossible to be continued. SOLUTION: When an operation knob 5 is rotated, a Pachinko (Japanese pinball game) ball is discharged along a discharging rail 20 by a ball discharging device. A discharged ball detecting sensor 200 is equipped and a detecting signal of the discharge detecting sensor 200 is inputted into a discharge control circuit. Whether or not a discharge interval is shorter than a prescribed value is judged by the discharge detecting sensor 200 ever time a ball is discharged. When it is judged to be shorter, an abnormality is judged to have occurred. When an abnormality is judged, the game is made into a game impossible condition in which a normal game cannot be continued and the abnormality judged is informed on a variable display device 8 or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine and a coin game machine, and more particularly, to a ball game in which a ball is hit into a game area to play a game. About the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ball game machine, a hitherto generally known device is provided with, for example, a launching device for hitting a ball into a game area. By operating the game device, hitting balls are fired one by one by the firing device and hit into the game area.

[0003] This conventional launching device is configured to be able to continuously shoot balls at equal intervals, and is configured to not hit more than 100 shots per minute. This means that if too many balls can be fired in a short period of time, there is a possibility that many hit balls will be consumed in a short period while many prize balls will be obtained in a short period of time This is because, because the shooting property becomes too high, the standards have been set so that more than 100 shots cannot be fired per minute in order to suppress the shooting property to some extent from the consideration of the administrative side.

[0004]

However, one minute per minute
If it is possible to fire many balls of 00 or more, it will be in the same state as the operation rate of the ball game machine has improved,
This is a desirable state for the amusement arcade. In addition, while a large number of hit balls are consumed in a short period of time, there is a possibility that a large number of prize balls can be acquired in a short period of time. Therefore,
In a game arcade, there has been an illegal act of modifying the game so that it can fire as many as 100 or more balls per minute.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to prevent unauthorized remodeling in a game arcade in which remodeling is performed so that a large number of shots can be shot in a short time. It is to provide a gaming machine.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein the ball is hit into the game area. A firing device capable of continuously firing balls at equal intervals, firing detecting means for detecting firing of the ball by the firing device, and the firing detecting means based on the detection of the firing detecting means. A determination means for determining whether or not the firing interval is shorter than a predetermined value each time a ball is detected and determining that the firing interval is abnormal when the firing interval is shorter, and a normal game when the determining means determines that the firing interval is abnormal. And a game disabling means for making a game impossible state in which the game cannot be continued.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, and an apparatus for hitting a ball into the game area, A firing device capable of continuously firing balls at equal intervals, firing detecting means for detecting the firing of the ball by the firing device, and counting the number of fired balls by the firing device based on the detection of the firing detecting means Counting means; determining means for determining that the number of shots counted by the counting means within a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined number; and determining that the determination means determines that the number of shots is abnormal. And a game disabling means for making a game impossible state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, and an apparatus for hitting a ball into the game area, A firing device capable of continuously firing balls at equal intervals, firing detecting means for detecting the firing of the ball by the firing device, and counting the number of fired balls by the firing device based on the detection of the firing detecting means Counting means, determining means for determining that the time until the counting means counts a predetermined number of ball shots is less than a predetermined time, and determining that the determination means is normal. And a game disabling means for changing the game into a game impossible state in which a proper game cannot be continued.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, a notifying means for performing a notifying operation when the judging means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Is further included.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, balls can be continuously fired at equal intervals by a firing device for hitting a ball into a game area. The firing of the ball by the firing device is detected by the firing detection means. By the function of the judgment means,
Each time the ball is detected by the firing detecting means based on the detection of the firing detecting means, it is determined whether or not the firing interval is shorter than a predetermined value.
When the judging means judges that the game is abnormal, the game is disabled by the function of the game disabling means so that a normal game cannot be continued.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to continuously shoot balls at equal intervals by a firing device for hitting a ball into a game area. The firing of the ball by the firing device is detected by the firing detection means. By the function of the counting means, the number of fired balls by the firing device is counted based on the detection output of the firing detection means. By the function of the determining means, when the number of shots counted by the counting means within the predetermined time exceeds the predetermined number, it is determined that there is an abnormality. When the judging means judges that the game is abnormal, the game is disabled by the function of the game disabling means so that a normal game cannot be continued.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to continuously shoot balls at equal intervals by a firing device for hitting a ball into a game area. The firing of the ball by the firing device is detected by the firing detection means. By the function of the counting means, the number of shots of the ball by the firing device is counted based on the detection by the firing detection means. By the operation of the determining means, if the time required for the counting means to count the predetermined number of ball shots is less than the predetermined time, it is determined that there is an abnormality. When the judging means judges that the game is abnormal, the game is disabled by the function of the game disabling means so that a normal game cannot be continued.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the functions of the first to third aspects,
The notifying means performs a notifying operation when the judging means determines that there is an abnormality.

[0014]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a pachinko game machine will be described as an example of a ball game machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a coin game machine or the like may be used. Any ball-and-ball game machine that can be played by hitting it into the game is eligible.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a card unit 50 installed corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine.

The card unit 50 is provided with a card available indicator lamp 161.
Is available to the player by lighting or flashing of the card availability indicator lamp 161. The card unit 50 is installed in a state where it is inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island, and a connection stand direction display indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected. Is displayed by the display 163.

When the player inserts a so-called nationwide common card having a card balance recorded therein into the card insertion slot 165, the card balance recorded on the nationwide common card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance of the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is supplied with the ball for the lending unit amount. Lent to plate 3.

The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 162. This fraction display switch 162
By pressing, information such as a card balance and an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 166 denotes a card unit lock. The front side of the card unit 50 can be opened by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 166 and performing an unlocking operation.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. Behind this glass door frame 2,
The game board 6 is detachably mounted. Further, on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball tray 4 for storing balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 and an operation knob 5 for a player to operate the hit ball are provided below the hit ball supply tray 3.
Are provided. When the operation knob 5 is operated by the player, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 3 can be fired one by one. That is, the operation knob 5
Is rotated and pachinko balls are repelled one by one by the hit ball firing device 940 (see FIG. 2) and fired along the firing rail 208, and the inner rail 210b and the outer rail 210a (see FIG. 2). And is driven into the game area 7. A fired ball detection sensor 200 is provided in the middle of the fire rail 208, and detects the fired ball. In the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device 8 for variably starting a special symbol, which is an example of identification information, on the condition of a winning prize of a ball hitting the starting port 14.

The variable display device 8 is provided with a variable display 10 for normally displaying a symbol variably as a hit ball passes through the pass gate 11a, a pass storage display 10a, and a start storage display 18. Have been. Further, below the variable display device 8, a movable piece 15 is provided with a starting port 14 provided on the left and right sides.
And a variable winning ball device 19 that is in an open state in which a hit ball can be won by tilting the opening / closing plate 20. Also,
As a general winning opening, a winning opening 2 is provided above the variable display device 8.
4a, a winning opening 24d on the left and right of the variable winning ball device 19,
24e, winning prize ports 24b, 2
4c are provided respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes an out port which is collected as an out ball when the hit ball does not win any of the winning ports or the variable winning ball device, and 25 is a decorative lamp.

A frame lamp (game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b, 28c) is provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7.
And a prize ball lamp 51 that is lit when the prize ball is paid out, and a lamp ball cut lamp 52 that is lit when the ball is broken. Are provided. It should be noted that a foul ball that has been shot and fired and has not reached the game area 7 is a foul ball passage 2
09 and is discharged to the surplus ball tray 4.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 6. With reference to this front view, the outline of various game machines and games will be described below.

An outer rail 210a and an inner rail 210b for guiding a shot ball are provided on the front surface of the game board 6, and an area surrounded by these rails 210a and 210b is a game area 7. A back ball preventing member 211 is provided at the end of the inner rail 210b, and the game area 7
The ball struck inside bounces off both rails 210a, 210
It is configured such that it can be prevented from returning inside b.

The variable display device 8 is composed of a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. On the variable display unit 9 at the center of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on condition that a winning start has occurred. Thereafter, as a result of the variable display being terminated after a lapse of a predetermined time, the big hit becomes a big hit if the slotted pattern of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed. In addition, when a big hit occurs in a predetermined positively changing symbol among the big hit symbols, a probability variation state occurs and the big hit probability changes to a high probability. When a big hit occurs, the opening and closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 is tilted to open the big winning opening. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous for the player who can make the ball hit the large winning opening, and the gaming state becomes a gaming state (specific gaming state) advantageous to the player.

The large winning opening of the variable winning ball device 19 is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22. On the other hand, a normal winning ball that has won a normal winning area is detected by the count switch 23. The V count switch 22 and the count switch 23 are both
The prize balls that have won each prize area are promptly detected by the switches 22 and 23, and 15 prize balls are paid out each time a prize ball is detected.

The first state of the variable winning ball device 19 is when the number of hit balls entering the special winning opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, nine) or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When the earlier one of the conditions is satisfied, the process ends once and the opening / closing plate 20 is closed. As a result, the variable winning ball device 19 is controlled to the second state which is disadvantageous for a player who cannot make a hit ball. And
On condition that the ball hit during the period when the variable prize ball device 19 is in the first state makes a specific prize in the specific prize area and is detected by the V count switch 22, the variable prize ball device 19 is again set. Is set to the first state. The upper limit number of executions of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. In the repetition continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the maximum number of times of execution of the repetition continuation control is 16, the variable winning prize ball device 19 is set to the first prize ball device 19 for 16 rounds from the first round to the 16th round.
State.

A warp entrance 11 is provided on each of the left and right portions of the variable display device 8.
The ball that has entered the warp entrance 11 has a variable display device 8
The water flows downward through the back side of the game and is discharged again to the game area 7 from the warp outlet 13. Therefore, the warp exit 13
The ball that has been ejected from the ball is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the starting port 14. Usually, a symbol starting gate 11a is provided on a passage route of a hit ball that has entered the warp entrance 11 provided on the left side portion of the variable display device 8.

The ball hitting the symbol starting gate 11 a is detected by the gate switch 12. On condition that the hit ball is detected by the gate switch, the variable display 10
Is variably started. If a further hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable display 10 is variably displaying, the passing ball is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the storage number, and the storage number is passed. It is displayed on the storage display 10a.

The variable display 10 is composed of a 7-segment display, and variably displays identification information usually called a symbol. If the display result of the variable display 10 becomes a predetermined special display mode (for example, 7), "winning" is obtained.
When the display result of "hit" is derived on the variable display 10,
A pair of left and right movable pieces 15 provided in the starting port 14 is opened. As a result, the starting port 14 is in an open state, and the hit ball can be more easily started and won. If one of the hit balls wins while the starting port 14 is in the open state, the movable piece 15 closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state where it is difficult to win. In addition, if a predetermined period elapses after the opening of the starting opening 14, the movable piece 15 is closed to the original position and the open state ends even if the starting prize does not occur. The starting winning ball that has won the starting opening 14 is promptly detected by the starting opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the starting winning ball is detected by the starting port switch 17, six winning balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detected output. The start winning detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the number of storages, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18.

In addition, the general winning opening 24 (24a, 24b,
24c, 24d, and 24e), the winning balls are provided on the gaming board 6 by the respective winning opening switches 240 (240a, 2e).
40b, 240c, 240d, 240e), and is quickly detected, and based on this, ten prize balls are paid out.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the card unit 50 shown in FIG. Pachinko machine 1
A mechanism plate 53 is provided on the back surface of the device so as to freely intervene in a U-shape. On the mechanism plate 53, a ball tank 54 for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the winning prize balls fired, a ball alignment rail 55 for sending the balls in the ball tank 54 to a ball payout device 59, a curve gutter 57, a passage body 58 , A ball payout device 59, an all prize ball detection switch 171 for detecting all prize balls at once
, A main ball box 87b containing a main board 87a, a lamp control board box 65 containing a lamp control board 35, and a unit relay board 71.
Board box 76 and terminal board 67 containing
Is provided in the terminal board box 68 in which is stored. A window opening 56 is formed in the center of the mechanism plate 53, and a winning ball aggregate cover body 66 attached to the back surface of the game board 3 penetrates through the window opening 56. The winning ball set cover body 66 is provided with a relay board 78 and a variable display device (CRT display) 8. Various electrical components on the game board 3 are connected to the relay board 78, and the main board 8
7a is connected. Further, below the pachinko gaming machine 1, a ball lending control board box 77 accommodating the ball lending control board 37 and a ball launching device 940 provided with a ball driving motor 94 are provided.

On the main board 87a, a game control microcomputer 31 for controlling a game operation of a game device such as the variable display device 8 and the variable winning ball device 10, and a ball payout device 59 are provided.
And a prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 for controlling the payout of the prize ball by driving the CPU (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, the driving motor 9 for hitting the ball is provided on the main board 87a.
4 is provided with a launch control circuit 91 (see FIG. 4).

The main board box 87b includes a main board 87a.
(See FIG. 4) and a main board 87a
And a lid for closing the lid in a state in which is accommodated.
The lid and the box body are assembled to each other by attachment pieces 80a to 80c provided on the upper plate constituting the surface of the lid, and are in an irreversible fixed state. 87b is configured not to be opened.

The ball rental control board 37 is a unit relay board 7
1 and is connected to the card unit 50, and drives the ball payout device 59 to control the payout of lending balls. The lamp control board 35 controls the operation of the electric decorative parts on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 based on commands or data from the main board 87a. The terminal board 67 supplies power to various electric devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and relays signal lines inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 or relays signal lines between the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the outside. Do. The hit ball drive motor 94 is operated by the player operating the operation knob 5 (see FIG. 1), and is used to shoot hit balls one by one into the game area.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 and components related thereto will be described. 4 and 5
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various control boards used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 and components related thereto.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show, as control boards, a main board 87a, a ball lending control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a voice control board 70, a balance control board 74, a buzzer board 75, a terminal board 67, and a display. A control board 216 is shown.

A game control microcomputer 31 and a winning ball payout control microcomputer 32 are mounted on the main board 87a, a firing control circuit 91 is provided, and the main board 87a shown in FIG. It is enclosed in space. Since the game control microcomputer 31 and the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 are mounted on the same substrate, the cost is reduced as compared with the case where both microcomputers are mounted on different substrates. Becomes possible. The main substrate 87
Although a is mounted with various circuits for driving a solenoid, a motor and a lamp, these circuits are omitted in the figure.

On the other hand, on the ball lending control board 37, a CPU 371 and the like for performing ball lending control are mounted. This CPU 37
1 is provided at a predetermined position outside the main board box 87b as shown in FIG. For this reason, the CPU 37 for ball lending control is mounted on the main board 87a and the main board box 87
As compared with the case where the card unit 50 is accommodated in the card b, a fraudulent signal is transmitted from outside using the communication line for communication between the card unit 50 and the CPU 37 for ball lending control. Input to the microcomputer 32 can be prevented.

The game control microcomputer 31 comprises:
ROM 31c for storing a game control program and the like,
It includes a RAM 31b used as a work memory, and a CPU 31a that performs a control operation according to a control program. The game control microcomputer 31 is reset when the power is turned on and periodically (for example, 2 ms).
Reset). Every time it is reset, the game control program is executed again from the beginning. The game control microcomputer 31 includes a gate switch 1
2. Starting port switch 17, V count switch 22, count switch 23, all winning ball detection switch 171, winning port switch 240 (240a, 240b, 240c,
240d, 240e), the fired ball detection sensor 200, a full tank switch (not shown) for detecting the fullness of the surplus ball tray 4, a ball out detection switch 167, prize ball count switches 301A and B, a prize ball motor position sensor 300A , And a detection signal from the cutout switch 187 is input.

R of the game control microcomputer 31
The OM 31a stores prize ball number information capable of specifying the number of prize balls to be paid out in accordance with the detection signals of the prize detection switches (240, 17, 22, 23) among the above switches. The game control microcomputer 31 specifies the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection signal of each switch, changes the INT signal for prize ball control from the invalid state to the valid state, and promptly changes the prize ball number signal (D0). -D3 4-bit signal) to the microcomputer 32 for controlling a prize ball payout.
Output to The INT signal has a high level (on state) in an invalid state, and has a low level (off state) in a valid state.

If the payout of the winning balls based on the previously output winning ball number signal is not completed, the input detection signal is stored in the RAM of the game control microcomputer 31.
It is stored cumulatively in 31b. Then, the prize ball number signal based on the storage in the RAM 31b is output at a predetermined timing on condition that the payout of the prize ball based on the previous prize ball number signal is completed. Until the input detection signal can be processed, the RAM 31b has a counter (counter A, counter A) that can store the number of winning balls to be paid out.
B, C) are stored. In the counter A, detection signals of the V count switch 22 and the count switch 23, that is, detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 15 are collectively stored. The counter B has a starting port switch 1
7, ie, the detection signals corresponding to the number of payouts = 6 are stored. The counter C stores a detection signal of each winning port switch 240, that is, a detection signal corresponding to the number of payouts = 10.

Microcomputer 32 for controlling prize ball payout
The game control microcomputer 31 receives an INT signal and a winning ball number signal. The prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 includes a ROM 32c that stores a prize ball payout control program and the like, a RAM 32b used as a work memory, and a CPU 32a that performs a control operation in accordance with the control program. The prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 outputs a drive signal to the ball payout device 59 based on the input of the prize ball number signal, provided that the INT signal is in the valid state, and is specified by the prize ball number signal. A payout control for paying out a certain number of prize balls is performed. In the ball payout device 59, the drive signal drives the prize ball motor 289A to pay out prize balls.

As described above, the game control microcomputer 31 immediately receives the prize balls based on the detection signals of the various prize detection switches (240, 17, 22, 23) provided on the game board 6. Since the number signal can be output to the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32,
After the hit ball enters the various winning holes, the prize balls are paid out immediately. For this reason, the payout control of the prize ball can be performed more quickly than the conventional gaming machine that pays out the prize ball after the detection of the all-prize-ball detecting switch 171 provided on the mechanism plate 53 on the back of the game board. . Furthermore, various winning detection switches (2
40, 17, 22, and 23) are individually provided on the game board 6 corresponding to the respective winning ports, so that it is possible to detect the winning of the hit ball earlier, thereby further controlling the payout of the prize ball. Can be done quickly.

The game control microcomputer 31 comprises:
Various winning detection switches (240, 17, 22, 23)
After the prize ball number signal is output to the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 promptly based on the input of the detection signal, the CPU waits for the prize ball to be detected by the all prize ball detection switch 171. If no prize ball is detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed, a lamp control signal is output to the lamp control board 35 together with a lamp control INT signal. The lamp control board 35 controls the game effect lamps 28 (28a, 28b, 28c) to blink in a predetermined manner based on the lamp control signal on condition that the lamp control INT signal is in an effective state.

Since the gaming effect lamp 28 blinks in a predetermined manner, the prize ball is quickly paid out based on the winning of the ball into the winning opening, but the prize ball is not actually generated. It is determined whether or not an act of generating a radio wave and outputting a detection signal from a winning detection switch (240, 17, 22, 23) provided corresponding to each winning opening to illegally obtain a prize ball is performed. You can check. In addition, the game effect lamp 28 is not only flickered,
A buzzer signal may be output to the buzzer board 75 so that a warning sound is generated from the buzzer 75a.

The game control microcomputer 31
Burnout detection switch 167 or burnout switch 187
The detection signal from indicates that the ball is broken, or
When the detection signal from the full tank switch (not shown) indicates the full state, the processing for paying out the winning ball to the winning ball payout control microcomputer 32 is stopped. Further, the game control microcomputer 31 performs an abnormality check described later based on the detection signal from the fired ball detection sensor 200.

The game control microcomputer 31 is
The solenoid 16 is controlled to operate the movable piece 15 of the starting port 14, and the solenoid 21 is controlled to open and close the open / close plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 15. Furthermore, the start memory display 18, the variable display 10, and the decorative lamp 25
Control. The game control microcomputer 3
1 is big hit information indicating occurrence of a big hit, starting information indicating the number of winning prize balls, probability change information indicating that a probability change has occurred, symbol determination frequency information indicating the number of times a variable display result has been derived and displayed, award ball Is output to a host computer such as a hall management computer via the terminal board 67 via the terminal board 67.

The microcomputer 31 for game control includes:
An image display control signal is output to the display control board 216 together with the INT signal. The image display control board 216 controls the image display of the variable display device 8 based on the image display control signal, provided that the INT signal is in a valid state. The game control microcomputer 31 outputs a voice control signal to the voice control board 70 together with the INT signal. The sound control board 70 generates a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 based on the sound control signal, provided that the INT signal is in a valid state.

The firing control circuit 9 provided on the main board 87a
Reference numeral 1 denotes a touch ring 168 for detecting whether or not a game is being played by utilizing the operation knob 5, the driving motor 94 for hitting the ball, and the fact that a change in static electricity occurs when the player touches the operation knob 5. , And a single fire switch 169. The firing control circuit 91 controls the driving motor 94 for hitting the ball so that the hitting ball is fired at an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. In addition, the single fire switch 169
When the detection signal is detected, the driving motor 94 is controlled so that the ball is fired at a predetermined interval. further,
The firing control circuit 91 responds to a hitting prohibition signal input from the game control microcomputer 31 or the winning ball payout control microcomputer 32 to drive the hitting ball drive motor 9.
4 is stopped, and control is performed so that the ball cannot be hit. Note that the detection signal of the single shot switch 169 and the shot control circuit 9
When there is no hitting prohibition signal input to 1, the hitting ball drive motor 94 is driven and controlled so that hitting balls are continuously fired at regular intervals. However, drive control is performed on condition that the touch sensor circuit 203 detects contact with a human body.

The ball payout device 59 is provided with a prize ball mechanism for paying out a prize ball and a ball lending mechanism for lending a lending ball as independent mechanism portions. Screw (not shown) for feeding the ball and a motor (prize ball motor 289) for driving the screw.
A, a ball lending motor 289C) is provided. A drive signal is input to the prize ball motor 289A from the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32. On the other hand, ball rental motor 2
A drive signal is input to 89C from the ball lending control board 37. The ball payout device 59 can simultaneously perform payout of award balls and lending of balls.

Further, the prize ball mechanism of the ball payout device 59 has a prize ball motor position sensor 300 for detecting the ball fed by the ball feeding screw on the upper side of the prize ball mechanism.
A, a prize ball count switch 30 for detecting, on the lower side of the prize ball mechanism portion, a ball that drops from the prize ball mechanism portion toward the hit ball supply tray 3 after being fed by the ball feeding screw.
1A and 301B are provided. Similarly, in the ball lending mechanism portion of the ball payout device 59, a ball lending motor position sensor 300C for detecting the ball fed by the ball feeding screw on the upper side of the ball lending mechanism portion, and a ball feeding screw. A ball lending count switch 301C for detecting a ball falling from the ball lending mechanism portion toward the hitting ball supply tray 3 after being fed out on the lower side of the ball lending mechanism portion is provided.

The detection signals from the ball lending count switch 301C and the ball lending motor position sensor 300C are input to the I / O port 372 of the ball lending control board 37. The detection signals from the winning ball count switches 301A and 301B are input to the game control microcomputer 31 of the main board 87a. The detection signal from the prize ball motor position sensor 300A is input to the game control microcomputer 31 and the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 of the main board 87a.

Microcomputer 32 for controlling prize ball payout
Outputs a buzzer signal to the buzzer board 75 when a predetermined error such as a ball biting error is detected, and stops the buzzer signal on condition that a reset operation is detected by the reset switch 400A.

The ball lending control board 37 includes an I / O port 372
, A ball lending number signal indicating the number of lending balls is output to the terminal board 67. When a predetermined error is detected, a buzzer signal is output to the buzzer board 75, and an error signal is output to the error display LED 374. Then, the buzzer signal and the error signal are stopped on condition that the reset operation is detected by the reset switch 400B.

The balance display board 74 is connected to a frequency display LED, a ball lending switch, and a return switch provided near the hit ball supply tray 3. A card unit control microcomputer (not shown) is mounted on the card unit 50, and a ball lending switch signal and a return switch signal are supplied to the card unit control microcomputer via the ball lending control board 37.

A card balance display signal indicating the balance of the prepaid card and a ball lending possible display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the balance display board 74 via the ball lending control board 37. Between the card unit 50 and the ball lending control board 37, a unit operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), and a ball lending completion signal (EXS)
Signal) and a pachinko machine operation signal (PRDY signal) are exchanged.

When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on,
The CPU 371 of the ball rental control board 37 includes the card unit 5
The PRDY signal is output to 0. When the card is accepted in the card unit 50 and the ball lending switch is operated and the ball lending switch signal is input, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit sends a BRD to the ball lending control board 37.
Outputs Y signal. When a predetermined delay time has elapsed from this point, the microcomputer for controlling the card unit outputs a BRQ signal to the ball lending control board 37. Then, the lending control CPU 371 of the ball lending control board 37 drives the ball lending motor 289C and pays out a predetermined number of lending balls to the player. When the payout is completed, the lending control CPU 371 outputs an EXS signal to the card unit 50.

As described above, all signals from the card unit 50 are input to the ball lending control board 37. Therefore, regarding the ball lending control, the card unit 5
No signal is input to the main board 87a from 0, and there is no room for a signal to be illegally input from the card unit 50 side to the game control microcomputer 31 of the main board 87a.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for controlling the hit ball firing device. The launch control circuit 91 includes a speed control circuit section 201, a touch sensor circuit 203,
Sequence control circuit section 204, torque control circuit section 206
And a motor drive circuit 205. The motor drive circuit 205 receives power supply from the power supply circuit 207. In this example, the hit ball firing device 940 fires a ball,
The launching operation includes a ball-hitting operation for firing a ball, and a recovery / ball replenishing operation for preparing to launch the next ball. The speed control circuit unit 201 performs balling operation and recovery
A voltage for controlling the rotation speed of the drive motor 94 in each period of the ball supply operation is generated. In the ball hitting operation period, a voltage gradually increasing in accordance with the rotation operation angle with respect to the operation knob 5 is generated, and in the recovery / ball replenishment operation period, a predetermined voltage is generated.

The touch sensor circuit 203 includes an electrode (touch ring) 168 for detecting a human body attached to the operation knob 5.
While the human body is in contact with, a firing permission signal is output to the sequence control circuit unit 204. Specifically, a predetermined clock signal is output to the sequence control circuit unit 204. Further, the sequence control circuit unit 204 controls switching of the sequence operation during the ball hitting operation period and the recovery / ball replenishment operation period, and generates a drive pattern signal and a drive voltage switching signal necessary for driving the drive motor 94.

The speed control circuit section 201 controls the sequence operation so that the number of times of the ball hitting operation and the recovery / ball replenishing operation for one minute is, for example, less than 100 times. When the speed control circuit unit 201 is operating normally, the number of shot balls per minute is controlled so as to be less than 100, but when the speed control circuit unit 201 is tampered with in a game hall. In this case, the control of the sequence operation more than 100 times per minute is given to the sequence control circuit unit 204, so that more than 100 balls are fired per minute. When such unauthorized modification is performed, an abnormality is determined as described below,
The game is controlled so that the normal game cannot be continued.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the game control microcomputer 31. As described above, this processing is started every time the game control microcomputer 31 is reset every 2 msec, for example. First, the game control microcomputer 31 performs a stack setting process for setting a designated address of a stack pointer in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1. Next, initialization processing is performed in S2. In the initialization process, the game control microcomputer 31 determines whether or not the data stored in the RAM 31b is predetermined data. If the data is inappropriate error data, the microcomputer 31 initializes the RAM 31b. Perform Then, the process of setting the command code sent to the display control board 216 in a predetermined area of the RAM 31b is performed in S3, and the process of outputting the command code as display control data is performed in S4. Next, in S5, processing for transmitting a predetermined command for sound generation and LED lighting control to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed, and the jackpot information, the start information, the probability and the like are transmitted to the hall management computer. Processing for transmitting data such as fluctuation information is performed. Next, S6
To determine whether or not the error flag is set. There are a plurality of types of error flags. A typical example of the error flag is an error flag A described later.
There is. The error flag A is set when an abnormal state occurs in which the ball firing interval of the ball firing device is too short. As the error flag, in addition to the error flag A, for example, an error flag that is set when various switches are short-circuited and clogged, a specific game state (big hit state) is set, and the variable winning ball device 19 is set to the first state. One winning ball is counted switch 2 during the period
3, an error flag that is set when the ball is not detected even though the ball payout device 59 is operated.
There are various types. If none of the error flags are set, a NO determination is made in S6, the process proceeds to S8, a firing number check process is performed, and the process proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if any one of the error flags has been set, a determination of YES is made in S6 and the process proceeds to S7, and error processing is repeatedly executed using an infinite loop. This repetition of the error processing is performed until the next reset signal is input.

In S9, a random number updating process for determination is performed. This process is a process of updating each counter indicating a random number for each determination used for game control, and specifically,
The count-up (1 or 3) of the jackpot determination random number or the like as the determination random number is performed.

Next, the process proceeds to S10, where a special symbol process is performed. In this special symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state.
Next, the process proceeds to S11, where normal symbol processing is performed. In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 in a predetermined order by the 7-segment LED. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during the processing in the gaming state. Furthermore, S
Proceed to 12, gate switch 12, starting port switch 1
7, V count switch 22, count switch 23,
The state of the fired ball detection sensor 200 and the like is input, and it is determined whether or not there is a prize for each winning port or the variable prize ball device and whether or not a ball has been fired. Next, the process proceeds to S13, and a process of updating the display random number for determining a stop symbol or the like is performed. Then, the program proceeds to S14, in which a winning ball signal processing with the microcomputer 32 for controlling a winning ball payout is performed. That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a prize ball number signal is output to the microcomputer 32 for controlling a prize ball payout. The prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 includes:
The ball payout device 59 is driven according to the winning ball number signal. Thereafter, the game control microcomputer 31 repeatedly executes the display random number updating process of S15 until the next reset pulse is given.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the firing number check process shown in S8. First S
At 20, it is determined whether or not a fired ball has been detected. When the shot ball is not detected by the shot ball detection sensor 200, the process proceeds to S21, a process of adding and updating the counter A by "1" is performed, and this subroutine ends.
Since the subroutine of this firing number check processing is executed once every 2 msec as described above, unless the detection signal from the firing ball detection sensor 200 is input to the game control microcomputer 31, "1" is set every 2 msec. "Will be added and updated. On the other hand, if the fired ball detection sensor 200 detects a fired ball and a detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 31,
A determination of YES is made in S20 and the process proceeds to S22, in which it is determined whether or not the counter A is equal to or greater than "300". In order for the counter A to become "300", 300 × 2 m
Since sec = 0.6 seconds, there is no detection signal from the fired ball detection sensor 200 for 0.6 seconds. Therefore, when the firing interval of the firing ball is 0.6 seconds or more, S
A determination of YES is made by 22 and the process proceeds to S23, where the process of clearing the counter A to 0 is performed, and then the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if the ball firing interval is less than 0.6 seconds, a negative determination is made in S22, the process proceeds to S24, a process for setting an error flag A is performed, and the subroutine ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the error processing A executed when the error flag A of the error processing shown in S7 is set. At S30, it is determined whether or not the error flag A has been set. If not, the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if the error flag A is set in S24, the determination of YES is made in S30, and the process proceeds to S31, where the error A is displayed on the variable display device 8.
Is performed to set a request signal for display. As a result, the game control microcomputer 3
The command data for displaying the error A is transmitted from 1 to the display control board 216, and a message indicating that the error A has occurred is displayed on the variable display device 8. The message is, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, "Error has occurred! The number of shots is abnormal. Please call the staff." Next, the routine proceeds to S32, where a hit ball prohibition process is performed. As a result, command data for prohibiting hit ball firing is transmitted from the game control microcomputer 31 to the firing control circuit 91, the driving motor 94 for hitting ball firing is stopped, and a hitting state where no ball is generated is set.

In the first embodiment, once the error flag A is set in S24, the error flag A is not cleared unless the power is turned on again. Error processing will be repeatedly executed. As a result, S8 to S15
Is not executed at all, and the game control is not performed. In addition, since the switch processing in S12 is not performed, the winning of the hit ball is invalidated from the moment the error flag is set, and the game control and the payout control of the premium ball accompanying the winning of the hit ball are not performed. Becomes

FIG. 11 shows the second embodiment, and is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a modified example of the error processing A. In the second embodiment, in the main routine shown in FIG. 7, the switch processing in S12 needs to be shifted and inserted into a predetermined location before S6. Referring to FIG. 11, it is determined in S40 whether or not error flag A is set, and if not, this subroutine ends. On the other hand, when the error flag A is set, the process proceeds to S41, and a process of setting an error A display request signal is performed. As a result, a message indicating that an error has occurred is displayed by the variable display device 8 as described above.

Next, the program proceeds to S42, in which hitting ball prohibition processing is performed, and the hitting ball cannot be shot in the same manner as described above. Next, the process proceeds to S43, where it is determined whether or not the reset switch has been turned ON. This reset switch
The switch is provided at a position where the player cannot operate it and can only be operated by the staff at the game hall. The operation signal of the reset switch is input to the game control microcomputer 31. If the reset switch is operated, a determination of YES is made in S43, the process proceeds to S44, and the error flag A is cleared. As a result, the determination of NO is made in S6, the control exits from the infinite loop for executing S7, and the control after S8 is executed.

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment.
It is a flowchart of the subroutine which shows another example of the firing number check process shown in S8. In the third embodiment, the number of fired balls within a predetermined time, such as one minute, is checked to determine whether or not there is an abnormality. First, in S50, it is determined whether or not there is a fired ball detection. If there is no fired ball detected, the process directly proceeds to S52. However, if a fired ball is detected by the fired ball detection sensor 200 and a detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 31,
Proceeding to S51, after updating the counter B by "1",
Go to 52. In S52, it is determined whether or not the count start flag is set. If the count start flag has not been set, the process proceeds to S53, where a process of setting the count start flag is performed, and the process proceeds to S54, where the timer is set, and the timer starts counting from this point.

In the next execution of this fired number check processing, since the counting start flag has already been set in S53, a YES determination is made in S52 and S
Proceeding to 55, a determination is made as to whether the timer has counted one minute. If not, the timer is decremented and updated by "1" in S56. This firing number check processing is repeatedly executed, the subtraction update of “1” in S56 is repeatedly executed, and the counting operation is performed. As a result, when the timer counts 1 minute, YES is determined in S55.
Is determined, and the process proceeds to S57. In S57, it is determined whether or not the counter B has exceeded "100". If not, the timer is set in S58 so that the timer can be started again, and the counter B is cleared to 0 in S59. Is performed. The determination of NO in S57 means that the number of balls fired during one minute is 100 or less, and the error flag A is set because the number of fired balls is proper. No, the processes of S58 and S59 are executed. On the other hand, if the number of fired balls exceeds 100 during one minute, the determination of YES is made in S57 and the process proceeds to S60, the error flag A is set, the timer is cleared in S61, and the counter B is set in S62. Is cleared to 0, and the count start flag is cleared in S63. As a result, YES is determined in S6, and the error processing in S7 is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a fired ball detection sensor 200 'is provided near the end of the inner rail 210b. In the figure, reference numeral 211 denotes a back ball prevention member. Then, the pachinko ball that is ejected by the hit ball firing device 940 and fired through the firing rail 208 is guided between the outer rail 210a and the inner rail 210b and passes through the ball firing sensor 200 '. The shot of the ball is detected by the hit ball firing sensor 200 '. On the other hand, the ball which did not reach the game area 7 because the firing force was too weak is the outer rail 210a and the inner rail 21.
0b, falls into the foul ball passage 209, and is detected by the foul ball sensor 212. The detection signal of the foul ball sensor 212 is input to the game control microcomputer 31.

In the fourth embodiment, since the hit ball firing sensor 200 'is provided near the end of the inner rail 210a and the outer rail 210b, the fired ball once detects this fired ball sensor 200'. After passing, it flows down without reaching the game area 7 and the shooting ball sensor 200 ′
May pass again from above to below in the reverse direction. In such a case, the same ball passes through the firing ball sensor 200 'twice in a short period of time.
As a result of the execution of the subroutine of the number-of-firings check process shown in (1), the determination of NO is made in S22, and the error flag A is set in S24. The error processing A shown in FIG. 14 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention for preventing the inconvenience that the error flag A is set and the error processing continues to be executed even though the ball is fired at a normal hitting ball firing interval. Is executed.

At S70, it is determined whether or not the error flag A has been set. If not, the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if it is set, the process proceeds to S71, where a process of setting an error A display request signal is performed, and an error message is displayed by the variable display device 8 as described above. Next, in S72, a hit ball prohibition process is performed in the same manner as described above, and the hit ball cannot be fired. Next, in S73, it is determined whether a foul ball has been detected. If a foul ball is detected by the foul ball sensor 212 and a detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 31,
A determination of YES is made in S73, the process proceeds to S74, the error flag A is cleared, and this subroutine ends. That is, the shot ball is once hit by the hit ball firing sensor 20.
If the foul ball passes through the hit ball firing sensor 200 'in the opposite direction again after passing through 0', the foul ball should surely be detected later by the foul ball sensor 212. And the foul ball sensor 212
When the foul ball is detected, the error flag A is cleared in S74, the control exits from the infinite loop for executing the error processing in S7, and the control in and after S8 is executed. By employing the subroutine of the error processing A shown in FIG. 14, even if the error flag A is set even though the error flag A is not abnormal due to the occurrence of the foul ball, the error flag A is automatically cleared. Therefore, a normal game can be executed.

FIG. 15 shows a fifth embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the firing number check process. In the fifth embodiment, an abnormality is determined when the time required for detecting a predetermined number (for example, 100) of firing balls is too short. First S
A determination is made by 80 as to whether or not a fired ball has been detected,
If not, the process proceeds to S86. On the other hand, if the fired ball is detected by the fired ball detection sensor 200 and the detection signal is input to the game control microcomputer 31, YES is determined in S80, the process proceeds to S81, and is the counting start flag set? A determination is made as to whether or not it is. At this stage, since it has not been set yet, proceed to S82,
A process of setting a count start flag is performed, and then S83
To set the timer counter to "0", the process of setting the counter B to "0" by S84, and the subroutine ends.

In the next execution of the firing number check process, since the counting start flag has already been set in S82, if the firing ball is detected and the control proceeds to S81, the counting start flag is set. It is determined that S
The process proceeds to 85, where a process of adding and updating the counter B by “1” is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S86, where a process of adding and updating the timer counter by "1" is performed. The addition update of the timer counter is added and updated both when the fired ball is not detected and when the fired ball is detected. That is, every time the firing number check subroutine is executed, “1” is added and updated. As a result, 2mse
It is added and updated every c. On the other hand, the counter B is updated by adding “1” only when a shot ball is detected.

Next, the routine proceeds to S87, where the counter B indicates "10".
It is determined whether or not "0" has been reached. If not, this subroutine ends. At the stage when 100 fired balls are detected by the fired ball detection sensor 200, S8
Then, the process proceeds to S88, the count start flag is cleared, and the process proceeds to S89, where it is determined whether or not the timer is one minute or less, that is, the value of the timer counter is 3000 or less. This is because the timer counter is added and updated by “1” every 2 msec as described above, so that 2 msec × 3000 = 1 minute, and when the timer counter is 3000, it becomes exactly 1 minute. If a negative determination is made in S89, the subroutine ends as it is.
When 00 fired balls are detected, YE is determined in S89.
After the determination at S is made, the process proceeds to S90, and the error flag A is set. As a result, the error processing of S7 in FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed in an infinite loop.

Next, modifications, feature points, and the like of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below. (1) The information on the number of fired balls detected by the above-described fired ball detection sensors 200 and 200 'may be transmitted to a hall management computer which is a host computer of the game arcade. The transmission method is as follows.
Each time 0,200 'detects a shot ball, it transmits one pulse to the hall management computer.

In the above-described embodiment, the error flag A
Are set and the error state of S7 is repeatedly executed by an infinite loop, and the state of S8 to
A state in which the respective processes in S15 are not performed and the process process is not performed, so that not only the game control is not performed, but also the switch process in S12 is not performed, the winning of the hit ball is invalidated, and the hit ball cannot be fired. It becomes a game impossible state. Instead of this, as the game impossible state, only the hit ball firing prohibition process may be performed, or the process process may not be performed. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the processing in which the switch processing S12 is executed before the step of S6 is described. Instead, only the switch processing of the reset switch determined in S43 of the switch processing of S12 is performed. It may be executed at a stage before the step of S6. By doing so, the various ball detection switches other than the reset switch are not executed while the error processing in S7 is being executed in an infinite loop, and the winning of the hit ball is invalidated as described above.

When the error flag A is set, a message to that effect is displayed on the variable display device 8 (see FIG. 10). The sound may be output to a computer, a sound may be generated from a speaker, a lamp or LED may be turned on, or the lamp or LED may be blinked in a predetermined pattern.

(2) Launched Ball Detection Sensors 200 and 20
0 'may be formed by a proximity switch or a photo switch.

Further, a launch control board separate from the main board 87a may be provided, and the launch control circuit 91 may be provided on the launch control board. Further, hitting prohibition command data for prohibiting hitting ball firing may be transmitted in the order of the game control microcomputer 31 → the winning ball payout control microcomputer 32 → the firing control circuit 91 to perform firing stop control. In this case, the prize ball payout control microcomputer 32 may perform only prize ball payout associated with winning, ie, prize ball control, or may perform not only prize ball control but also ball lending control. There may be. Also,
An award ball payout control board may be provided separately from the main board 87a, and the award ball payout control microcomputer 32 may be provided on the award ball payout control board.

(3) In the above-described fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, even if the determination of NO is made in S22 (see FIG. 8), the error flag A is immediately set.
Error flag A is set only when a foul ball is not detected even after waiting for a predetermined period (sufficient time until the foul ball is detected by the foul ball detection sensor 212) without setting the flag.
May be set. Further, the firing ball detection sensor 200 'is provided in two parts, and in which direction the firing ball has passed is detected based on the output order of the detection signals of the two firing ball detection sensors to determine whether the ball has become a foul ball. May be determined so that the error flag A caused by the foul ball is not set.

(4) By detecting that the ball has not been fired or that the ball has not been supplied to the hit ball firing position,
The process of checking the number of shots may be performed only when the ball is shot continuously.

In the above-described embodiment, the hit ball launching device 9
Although the ball fired by 40 is detected, a ball supplied to the hitting ball firing position may be detected instead.Moreover, by detecting the hitting ball firing operation itself of the hitting ball firing device,
The hitting ball firing interval may be checked.

(5) Various switches 240, 17, 2
A backup power supply may be provided on the main board 87a in case a power failure occurs during the prize ball payout control being sequentially performed based on the input of the detection signals 2 and 23.

S7 constitutes an abnormal time control means for performing a predetermined abnormal time control when it is determined that the interval of the hit ball firing by the hit ball firing device is too short. The abnormal time control means performs abnormal time control by repeatedly executing the abnormal time control program in an infinite loop.

A game control means for controlling the game state of the game machine (ball game machine) is constituted by the game control microcomputer 31. The game control means includes a program storage means (R) storing a game control program.
OM 31c), a control center means (CPU 31a) for executing a control operation according to a program stored in the program storage means, and a work area means (RAM 31b) functioning as a work area of the control center means. The payout control microcomputer 32 adds and updates the score instead of paying out the prize ball according to the winning of the hit ball, records the score on a recording medium such as a card or a receipt at the end of the game, and discharges the score to the player. Such a thing may be used. With the microcomputer 32 for payout control,
Value giving control means for controlling to give value by paying out game media or giving points is provided.
The launch control circuit 91 constitutes a launch control means for controlling the launch of a hit ball. This ball firing control means,
Speed control means (speed control circuit unit 201) for controlling the firing interval of the firing ball, firing force control means (torque control circuit unit 206) for controlling the firing force of the firing ball, and the player performing a hitting operation (Touch sensor circuit 203).

The hitting ball firing device 940 uses a motor as a driving source for ball firing, but may use a solenoid (including a rotary solenoid) or the like as a driving source instead, and may use a ball other than a solenoid to fire a ball. Anything is fine.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the standard set by the government should not fire more than 100 balls per minute, but if the specified value is changed, The control of the ball firing interval of 100 shots per minute is also changed accordingly, and the present invention is not limited to the control of the ball firing interval of 100 shots per minute. In the third embodiment, the error flag A is set when the number of shots is 100 or more per minute.
The error flag A may be set if 0 or more shots are fired. If the performance is such that only 90 shots can be fired per minute, S57 may be a counter B> 90. Further, in the fifth embodiment, similarly, the error flag A may be set when the time required to fire 50 shots is 30 seconds or less. It is not limited to the form.

The techniques described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. The scope of the present invention is defined based on the appended claims, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the appended claims.

[0092]

Specific Example of Means for Solving the Problems A hit ball launching device 9
By 40, a device for hitting a ball into a game area, which is a firing device capable of continuously firing balls at equal intervals, is configured. A launch detecting means for detecting launch of a ball by the launch device is constituted by the launch ball detection sensors 200, 200 'and the like. By the subroutine of the firing number check process shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the firing interval is shorter than a predetermined value each time the firing of the ball is detected by the firing detecting means based on the detection of the firing detecting means. Determining means for determining an abnormality when the distance is short.

S51 constitutes counting means for counting the number of shots of the ball by the firing device based on the detection of the firing detection means. The subroutine of the firing number check process shown in FIG. 12 constitutes a judging means for judging an abnormality when the firing number counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined number within a predetermined time.

S85 constitutes counting means for counting the number of shots of the ball by the shooting device based on the detection by the shooting detection means. The subroutine of the firing number check process shown in FIG. 15 constitutes a judging means for judging an abnormality when the time until the counting means counts a predetermined number of ball shots is less than a predetermined time. .

S7 constitutes a game disabling means for setting a game impossible state in which a normal game cannot be continued when the determination means determines that the game is abnormal. The variable display device 8 or the like constitutes a notifying unit that performs a notifying operation when the determining unit determines that an abnormality has occurred. As described above, the notification means may output information to the hall management computer, and may further generate a sound from a speaker, turn on an LED or a lamp, or blink a predetermined pattern. You may.

The game control means (game control microcomputer 31) includes the respective determination means and the game disabling means. As a result, when it is determined by the determination means that an abnormality has occurred, for example, it is possible to easily perform control so that a game control program is not executed. It becomes executable. Further, when an abnormality is determined outside the game control means and the result of the determination is input to the game control means, communication between the game control means and another device is performed by the game control means to another device. It is not possible to constitute only the one-way communication, and there is a possibility that an illegal signal for causing an abnormal game operation to be input from the input port for inputting the abnormality determination result to the game control means. However, when an abnormality is determined by the determination means included in the game control means, it is not necessary to input the determination result to the game control means, and one-way communication between the game control means and another device is performed as before. Thus, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of inputting an illegal signal for performing an illegal game operation as much as possible. Further, when the judging means is provided on a control board other than the game control means, if an illegal act of replacing the control board provided with the judging means with an illegally modified one is performed, There is a disadvantage that the determination operation is not performed. However, since the determination means is provided at the heart of the ball game machine, which is a game control means,
Even if it is attempted to replace the game control means itself, which is the heart of the game control means, with unauthorized modification, the unauthorized modification itself is difficult and the cost is high.

[0097] The firing detecting means comprises a firing ball detecting means for detecting the ball itself fired by the firing device. As a result, in order to detect the shot ball itself, it is possible to make a reliable abnormality determination based on the reliable detection.

[0098]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, in order to be in a game impossible state when an abnormality is determined that the ball firing interval is shorter than a predetermined value, it becomes a game impossible state in the case of illegally shortening the ball firing interval in the game hall, It can be expected that the game can be prevented from continuing in a state in which it has been tampered with and that such illegal acts in the game hall can be suppressed. Moreover, since the firing interval is checked each time a firing ball is detected, it is possible to determine whether the firing intervals are uneven.

According to the second aspect, when it is determined that the number of balls fired within a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined number, the game cannot be played, so that the game hall shortens the ball firing interval. It is possible to prevent inconvenience that the game is continued in a state where the illegal modification is performed when the illegal modification is performed, and it is expected that such illegal modification in the game hall is suppressed. Moreover, within a predetermined time (for example, one minute)
Since the abnormality determination method conforms to the government's standard that the number of balls fired on the vehicle must not exceed a predetermined number (for example, 100), it is possible to easily recognize that an abnormality has occurred.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if it is determined that the time required for the predetermined number of balls to be fired is less than the predetermined time, the game is disabled, so that the hitting ball firing interval is Can be prevented as much as possible, and it is expected that such illegal alteration in the game hall will be suppressed.

Regarding claim 4, claims 1 to 3
In addition to the effects of any of the above, the notification operation is performed by the notification unit when the determination is made by the determination unit, so that the occurrence of the abnormality can be easily recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a pachinko gaming machine showing a state in which card units are adjacent to each other.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a launch control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a firing number check process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of error processing A;

FIG. 10 is a screen diagram showing a display screen of the variable display device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of error processing A according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a firing number check process according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a game board surface according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of error processing A according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a firing number check process in another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a ball game machine, 8 is a variable display device as an example of an informing means, 19 is a variable prize ball device, 5 is a hitting operation handle (operation knob), 209 is a foul ball passage, and 940 is a hitting ball. Launching device, 200, 200 'are shooting ball detection sensors as examples of firing detecting means, 6 is a game board, 7 is a game area, 211 is a back ball prevention member, 31 is a microcomputer for game control, 32 is prize ball payout control Microcomputer, 37 is a ball lending control board, 201 is a speed control circuit, 204 is a sequence control circuit, 203 is a touch sensor circuit, and 206 is a torque control circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein the ball is hit into the game area. A launching device capable of launching, launch detecting means for detecting the launch of a ball by the launch device, and a firing interval of a predetermined value each time launch of the ball is detected by the launch detecting means based on the detection of the launch detecting means. Determination means for determining whether or not the game time is shorter than the predetermined time, and determining that the game is abnormal when the time is short; and a game disabling means for disabling the game when a normal game cannot be continued when the determination means determines that the game is abnormal. A ball and ball game machine. 2. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein the ball is hit into the game area. A launching device capable of launching, launch detecting means for detecting the launch of a ball by the launch device, counting means for counting the number of launches of the ball by the launch device based on the detection of the launch detecting means, within a predetermined time Determining means for determining an abnormality when the number of shots counted by the counting means exceeds a predetermined number; and disabling a game in which a normal game cannot be continued when the determining means determines that the game is abnormal. A ball-and-ball game machine comprising: 3. A ball game machine in which a game is played by hitting a ball into a game area, wherein the ball is hit into the game area. A launching device capable of launching, launch detecting means for detecting launch of a ball by the launch device, counting means for counting the number of launches of the ball by the launch device based on detection of the launch detecting means, Determining means for determining that an abnormality has occurred if the time required to count the predetermined number of ball shots is less than the predetermined time; and a game-disabled state in which a normal game cannot be continued if the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred. And a game disabling means. 4. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying means for performing a notifying operation when the judging means judges an abnormality.