JP2001104626A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko machine capable of positively distinguishing prize balls from rent balls and counting the number of discharged balls. SOLUTION: This pachinko machine is provided with a ball discharging unit provided with a sprocket driven by a pulse motor, and a passage selecting unit on the lower reaches. In the passage selecting unit, a guide trough is branched into a prize ball passage and a rent ball passage, and a branch part is provided with a passage selector valve for guiding balls to either one of the prize ball passage side and rent ball passage side. The prize ball passage is provided with a prize ball detector, and the rent ball passage is provided with a rent ball detector. Detection signal from the prize ball detector, and detection signals from the rent ball detector are respectively transmitted as confirmation signals to a discharge control device, and the discharge control device judges an abnormal state and notifies it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko game machine having a ball discharging device for discharging a ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique will be described by taking a pachinko gaming machine (pachinko machine) as a typical gaming machine as an example. In a conventional pachinko game machine, a prepaid card (game card) is inserted into a card insertion slot of a card unit juxtaposed with the pachinko machine body, and a ball lending operation unit is operated to discharge a ball in the pachinko machine body. A so-called CR machine type, in which a device is operated to borrow a game ball in a supply tray in exchange for valuable information stored in a game card and play a game, has become widespread.

[0003]

However, in the case of the CR machine type, since the ball discharging device serves both as the prize ball discharging device and the ball-lending device, the discharged ball is a prize ball or a ball-lending device. I couldn't tell what was. Further, it was not possible to confirm whether or not the number of balls actually discharged by the ball discharging device was a predetermined number. Also, the flow path through which the ball discharged from the ball discharge device flows may be branched into a prize ball flow path and a ball lending flow path, and a ball detector may be provided for each of them, and a flow path switching valve may be provided at the branch. It is conceivable that a situation may occur in which the discharged sphere is detected by being guided to an abnormal flow path due to a failure of the flow path switching valve or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to discriminate whether the number of balls actually ejected is a prize ball or a lending ball, and furthermore, the actual number of balls ejected is It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can reliably detect and count the ejected balls, and can detect an abnormality when the ejected balls flow down other than a predetermined flow path.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above-mentioned object. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sphere capable of discharging a sphere to a supply plate (6) provided on a front surface is provided. A gaming machine (e.g., a discharge machine including a ball discharge unit 44) and a discharge control circuit (e.g., the discharge control device 37) that controls the ball discharge device to discharge a required number of balls. In a pachinko machine 1), a first gutter (for example, a prize ball) in which a ball discharged as a prize ball flows down to a required portion of a guide gutter for guiding the ball discharged from the ball discharge device to the supply tray side. Flow path 63) and a second gutter (for example, a ball rental flow path 64) through which the ball discharged as a rental ball flows down. The first gutter is normally provided at the branch portion. The entrance is opened and the second gutter entrance is switched to a switching member (for example, a flow path switching valve 66). Maintaining the state of closing, and,
When the electric drive source (for example, the flow path switching solenoid 69) is driven, the switching member performs a conversion operation so that the first gutter entrance is closed and the second gutter entrance is opened. , A flow path switching unit 45), the first gutter is provided with first detecting means (for example, a prize ball detector 72) for detecting a prize ball flowing down, and the second gutter is provided with a ball rental ball flowing down. Detecting means (for example, ball rental detector 73) for detecting
The ball discharge device includes a ball discharge control member (for example, a sprocket 52) for controlling discharge of a ball flowing down the inside of the gutter to one piece, and an electric drive for operating the ball discharge control member. (For example, a pulse motor 56)
The discharge control circuit drives an electric drive source of the ball discharge device based on a prize ball discharge command, and discharges a predetermined number of prize balls to the first gutter side by operating the ball discharge control member. And, based on the ball lending discharge command, the electric drive source is driven to operate the switching member of the switching device, closing the first gutter entrance and opening the second gutter entrance, By driving the ball discharge device and operating the ball discharge control member, a predetermined number of lending balls are discharged to the second gutter side, and the detection signal from the first detection means and the detection signal The detection signal from the second detection means is transmitted to the discharge control circuit as a confirmation signal for each of the number of balls as prize balls and the number of balls as lending balls discharged from the ball discharge device. The circuit creates the ball discharge device based on the prize ball discharge command. In this case, when the detection signal from the second detection means is input without inputting the detection signal from the first detection means, it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred and the abnormality is notified. A gaming machine characterized by the following.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the discharge control circuit stops the operation relating to the discharge of the ball of the ball discharge device when the abnormal state occurs. A gaming machine according to item 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the electric drive source comprises a pulse motor or an electromagnetic solenoid,
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge control circuit drives the pulse motor or the electromagnetic solenoid by a drive pulse.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the abnormal condition occurs, the discharge control circuit stops the operation of the ball discharge device relating to the discharge of the ball and opens the first gutter entrance. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an abnormal state release control means for performing an operation for confirming the switching device.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 and a card unit 2 which are typical gaming machines, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1 and a card unit 2, and FIG.
It is a front view of the game board 3 of FIG.

The pachinko machine 1 is a so-called CR-type pachinko game machine, in which a game card (prepaid card) is inserted into a card insertion slot 4 of a card unit 2 and a ball lending operation section 5 described later is operated. The game is played by borrowing a ball from the supply plate (upper plate) 6 of the machine 1 and firing the ball.

In the pachinko machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a frame-shaped front frame 9 having a large opening is attached to the machine frame 7 so as to be openable and closable so that the opening of the front frame 9 is closed from the front. Opening / closing panel 1 with glass decorative frame 10 and supply tray 6
1 are attached so as to be openable and closable, and a lower tray 12, an ashtray 13, and a firing operation unit 14 are provided below the open / close panel 11. The game board 3 is mounted in a game board storage frame 15 attached to the back surface of the front frame 9 so that a game area 16 formed on the surface of the game board 3 can be seen through the transparent glass of the glass decorative frame 10. is there. The supply tray 6 is provided with a ball lending operation unit 5.

The game board 3 has, as shown in FIG.
A substantially circular game area 16 is formed by partitioning members 17 such as inner and outer bands, and a special symbol display device 20 is provided substantially in the center of the game area 16, and a special symbol starting port is provided below the special symbol display device 20 (in this embodiment, it is easy to win a prize). 21) and a normal symbol display device, a pass-through normal symbol starting port 22 below and to the left and right, an attacker 23 functioning as a large winning port below it, and a general winning port in other parts. On the left side of the outside of the game area 16, a hitting guide channel for guiding a hit ball fired from the hit ball firing device 19 to the game area 16 is formed. Also, the attacker 23
Is provided with an attacker continuation switch 25 and an attacker count switch 26 for detecting a ball winning the continuous winning opening, and a special symbol starting switch 27 is provided in the special symbol starting port 21.
The normal symbol start port 22 has a normal symbol start switch 29
Are provided, and the winning port switch 30 is also provided in the other general winning ports 24. That is, each winning opening is provided with a winning ball detecting means, respectively, so as to detect a hit ball winning each winning opening.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a back mechanism board 31 having an opening is attached to the back of the game board storage frame 15 so as to be openable and closable. Various control devices are mounted, and a power supply device 32 as a power supply circuit is mounted, and power is supplied from the power supply device 32 to each control device. In the present embodiment, the control device is divided into functions, and the control circuits are housed in separate cases (substrate boxes) to form a unit.
Game control device (government control device) provided with a gadget control circuit 3
3. Display control device 34 with display control circuit, decoration control device 35 with decoration control circuit, sound control device 36 with sound control circuit, discharge control device 3 with discharge control circuit
7, and a firing control device 38 provided with a firing control circuit. The card unit 2 and the discharge control device 37 are electrically connected via a relay board 39. In addition, these control devices are attached in an independent state.

A ball storage tank 40 is provided on an upper part of the back mechanism panel 31, and a ball lead-out gutter 4 for guiding balls from the ball storage tank 40 while aligning the balls in two rows (two rows) is provided.
1 is provided, and on one side of the back mechanism board 31 where the inclined lower end of the ball outlet gutter 41 is located, a bent channel member 42 for changing the downward flow direction of the ball from the ball outlet gutter 41 is provided. A semicircular ball sensor (semicircular ball detection switch) 43 is provided on the member 42, a ball removing valve mechanism (not shown) is provided, and a sphere discharging unit 44 functioning as a sphere discharging device is attached below the bent channel member 42. Below the ball discharge unit 44, a flow path switching unit 4 functioning as a flow path switching device
A ball discharge gutter (guide gutter) 46 for guiding a ball to the supply tray 6 is formed below the flow path switching unit 45. The odd ball sensor 43 is a sensor for detecting whether or not there is a maximum number of balls required for one ball discharge.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the ball discharge unit 44 is a unit for discharging (flowing down) a predetermined number of balls from the ball outlet gutter 41, and a control signal (ball discharge) from the discharge control device 37. Command). Inside the transparent plastic case 50 of the ball discharge unit 44, two ball discharge channels 51 functioning as gutters are formed. The provision of the two ball discharge passages 51 is for the purpose of efficiently discharging the ball, and does not directly relate to the distinction between the prize ball and the lending ball.

The ball discharge unit 44 includes a pair of sprockets 52, a first gear 53, and a stop gear 54 as main parts of a ball discharge mechanism, and these are the same rotating shaft 55 rotatably provided in a case 50. It is fixed to. The first gear 53 meshes with a second gear 57 attached to an output shaft of a pulse motor 56 which is a ball discharge motor. Thus, the sprocket 52, the first gear 53, and the stop gear 54 are integrally driven to rotate by the pulse motor 56. The rotation drive of the pulse motor 56 is controlled by a discharge pulse by the discharge control device 37.

The stop gear 54 is provided with a flapper-like stopper member 59 which is pivotally mounted at one end and which can swing. This stopper member 59 is normally urged by the return spring 60, and as shown by a solid line in FIG.
The stop gear 54 is disposed at a position where it engages with the pawl of the stop gear 54 to prohibit the rotation of the stop gear 54.
When the power is supplied to the solenoid, it is attracted to the stopper solenoid 61 side against the bias of the return spring 60 and retracts to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. Thereby, the engagement (lock) between the stopper member 59 and the stop gear 54 is released, and the stop gear 54 becomes rotatable.

As described above, the provision of the stopper mechanism for the rotation of the rotating shaft 55 as a part of the ball discharging device prevents the rotating shaft 55 from rotating excessively due to the inertia of rotation and the weight of the ball. The rotation of the sprocket 52 can be accurately controlled by the discharge control device 37. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sprocket 52 functions as a ball discharge control member that controls the discharge of the ball flowing down inside the ball discharge flow path (gutter) 51 to one ball, and the pulse motor 56 controls the ball discharge control member. It functions as an electric drive source that operates.

The two sprockets 52 have a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) ball fitting recesses 62 on the outer periphery of which a ball can be fitted. 51 are arranged. This allows
The sphere passing through the sphere discharge channel 51 has one sphere fitting recess 62.
And is discharged together with the rotation of the sprocket 52. That is, each time the sprocket 52 rotates one ball fitting concave portion 62 (in the present embodiment, there are eight in the entire circumference, and each time the sprocket rotates 45 degrees), one ball is discharged. In other words, the number of balls proportional to the rotation amount of the sprocket 52 is discharged.

Further, the two sprockets 52 are rotated with their rotation shafts 55 shifted in phase from each other by a half of the ball fitting recess 62.
Therefore, when the ball rotates in the ball discharge channel 51, it rotates back and forth by half a ball. Therefore, the two sprockets 52 rotate integrally, but the discharge of the spheres is performed alternately. As a result, even in the case of the two ball discharge passages 51, one ball is discharged by controlling the amount of rotation. be able to.

Next, the flow switching unit 45 will be described. The flow path switching unit 45 also has two rows (two rows) of flow paths formed in parallel in the case 65 in the case 65 similarly to the above-described ball discharge unit 44. These flow paths are bent in a horizontal U-shape and arranged side by side in the right and left direction with the meandering directions aligned. In addition,
The upper end opening (inlet) of the flow path communicates with the lower end opening (exit) of the ball discharge flow path 51 of the ball discharge unit 44 in a state where the flow path switching unit 45 and the ball discharge unit 44 are attached to the back mechanism board 31. I do.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flow path switching unit 45
The flow path (guide gutter) is branched from the middle into a prize ball flow path 63 as a first gutter and a ball lending flow path 64 as a second gutter. The path 63 and the ball-for-sale channel 64 are formed so as to meander in the front-rear direction.

More specifically, the prize ball channel 63 is
After gently descending from below the branching portion to the rear side (the rear side of the gaming machine in a mounted state and corresponding to the left side in FIG. 8), it is folded back at the rear end portion of the case 65 to the front side (in FIG. 8). (Corresponding to the right side) is formed in a horizontal U-shape gently inclined downward. The flow path 64 for ball lending is formed in a horizontal U-shape that is inclined downward more steeply than the flow path 63 for the prize ball from the branch portion toward the front side, and is then turned back. That is, the prize ball channel 63 and the ball lending channel 64 are
Although the opening (head) of the character is formed to face each other, the length of the flow path is longer than that of the prize ball 63 than that of the prize ball 63.
Is shorter. The prize ball flow path 63 and the ball lending flow path 64 join at the junction at the lower end portion of the flow path switching unit 45. After the merging, the ball discharge gutter 46 of the back mechanism board 31 is connected. It is discharged to the supply tray 6 via the

At the branch between the above-mentioned prize ball flow path 63 and the ball lending flow path 64, a plate-like flow path switching valve 66 as a switching member is provided.
Is arranged. The flow path switching valve 66 is attached so as to be rotatable around a rotation support shaft 67 fitted to a base end portion. The flow path switching valve 66 rotates in accordance with the excitation and demagnetization of the flow path switching solenoid 69 functioning as an electric drive source for switching the flow path, and switches the ball flow path for guiding the ball. That is, in the demagnetized state of the flow path switching solenoid 69, the flow path switching valve 66 guides the ball flowing down from the ball discharge unit 44 to the prize ball flow path 63 by the urging force of the spring of the flow path switching solenoid 69. In the excited state of the flow path switching solenoid 69, the flow path is switched to a state in which the ball flowing down from the ball discharge unit 44 is guided to the ball lending flow path 64.

The flow path switching solenoid 69 is electrically connected to the discharge control device 37. Excitation and demagnetization are controlled by a drive signal from the discharge control device 37. For example, the flow path switching solenoid 69 is excited for a predetermined period interlocked with the discharge of the ball rental, and the ball discharge unit 4
The flow path is switched so that the ball discharged from 4 is guided to the ball rental flow path 64 side.

In the present embodiment, the flow path switching solenoid 69
A power transmission member that transmits the power of the flow path to the flow path switching valve 66 includes a first connection gear member 70 a having a base end connected to a plunger portion of the flow path switching solenoid 69, and a base end side of the flow path switching valve 66. Second connecting gear member 70b having a base end connected to the portion
It consists of: The second connecting gear member 70b
Are flow path switching valves 66 and 6 provided in each of the two rows of flow paths.
6, two of the rotation support shaft 67 and the connection shaft 71.
The shafts are connected to these flow path switching valves 66, 66. Further, the first connection gear member 70a and the second connection gear member 70b are arranged in a state where the teeth provided at the distal end portion are engaged with each other.

In the demagnetized state (normal state) of the flow path switching solenoid 69, the plunger portion of the flow path switching solenoid 69 is moved downward by the elastic force of the spring. In this demagnetized state, the flow path switching valve 66 is in a state where the free end thereof is directed almost directly above, and the first gutter inlet is opened to allow the ball to flow down to the prize ball flow path 63 side. A state is formed in which the gutter entrance of No. 2 is closed and the flow of the ball to the ball rental flow path 64 is prevented by the flow path switching valve 66.

On the other hand, when the flow path switching solenoid 69 is excited (driven), the plunger moves upward against the elastic force of the spring. Accordingly, the first connection gear member 70a rotates clockwise about the rotation support shaft 67. That is, the base portion rotates upward, and the tip portion (gear surface) rotates downward. The second connection gear member 70b rotates counterclockwise in conjunction with the rotation of the first connection gear member 70a. The second connecting gear member 70 b is
, The tip (gear surface) pivots downward.
Then, the rotation of the second connection gear member 70b is
1 is transmitted to the flow path switching valve 66 and the flow path switching valve 6
Reference numeral 6 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation support shaft 67 backward until the distal end abuts on the flow path partition wall. In this state, the flow of the game ball to the flow path 64 for ball lending is allowed, and the flow of the game ball to the flow path 63 for the prize ball is prevented by the flow path switching valve 66.

Then, the flow path switching solenoid 6 in the excited state
When 9 is returned to the demagnetized state, the plunger portion of the flow path switching solenoid 69 moves downward by the elastic force of the spring. As a result, the first connection gear member 70a rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis, and rotates.
Ob and the flow path switching valve 66 return and rotate clockwise around the rotation support shaft 67. Accordingly, the ball is allowed to flow down to the prize ball flow path 63, and the ball returns to the normal state in which the flow of the ball to the ball lending flow path 64 is prevented.

A prize ball detector 72 is provided in the middle of the above-mentioned prize ball flow path 63, more specifically, in a portion downstream of the folded portion (bent portion) as first detecting means. A ball rental detector 73 is provided in the middle of the ball rental channel 64 as second detection means. The prize ball detector 72 and the ball lending detector 73 are a kind of ball detection means, and are constituted by sensors capable of detecting balls one by one. In this embodiment,
Each detector is constituted by a proximity sensor. Since the prize ball detector 72 and the ball lending detector 73 are provided on the downstream side of the folded portion (bent portion), respectively.
It is possible to detect a sphere having a low flowing speed, and it is possible to reliably detect the sphere.

The detection signal from the prize ball detector 72 is
A relay board 74 is interposed in the middle of the wiring from the prize ball detector 72. The relay board 74 is branched by a connector on the relay board 74 and transmitted to both the game control device 33 and the discharge control device 37. The discharge control device 37 recognizes or counts the actually discharged prize balls based on the detection signal from the prize ball detector 72. Further, a detection signal from the ball rental detector 73 is transmitted to the discharge control device 37. And
The discharge control device 37 recognizes and counts the actually discharged ball rental based on the detection signal from the ball rental detector 73. That is, the detection signals from the prize ball detector 72 and the ball lending detector 73 are transmitted as confirmation signals. Further, the detection signal from the prize ball detector 72 transmitted to the game control device 33 via the relay board 74 is output to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 from an output terminal unit described later.

Next, the mounting of the ball discharge unit 44 and the flow path switching unit 45 to the back mechanism panel 31 will be described. In each of the cases 50 and 65 of each unit, as a mounting means, a hook-shaped mounting hook 75 whose tip is bent downward and a mounting claw portion 76 are protruded from a front portion facing the back mechanism panel 31. Cases 50 vertically adjacent to each other,
65 and a concave portion and a convex portion to be fitted are formed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a mounting hook 7 is provided on the upper part of the front surface of the case 50 of the ball discharging unit 44.
The mounting claws 76a protrude from the lower portion 5a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a case 65 is attached to the flow path switching unit 45 attached below the ball discharging unit 44.
A mounting hook 75b is protruded at an upper portion of a front surface portion of the device, and a mounting claw portion 76b is protruded at a lower portion thereof.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the back mechanism board 31 has a groove-shaped mounting portion 77 into which the cases 50 and 65 of the ball discharge unit 44 and the flow path switching unit 45 just fit. Are formed in series in the longitudinal direction, and the bottom of the mounting portion 77 is formed into a shape corresponding to the shape of each case 50, 65, and the mounting hooks 75a, b of each case 50, 65 are formed on this bottom.
A fitting hole 80 is formed in which a vertically long mounting hole 79 is engaged with the mounting claw portion 76. An inlet of the ball discharge gutter 46 communicating with the supply tray 6 is provided at a position below the mounting portion 77 at a position communicating with the lower end opening (merging outlet) of the ball discharge flow passage of the flow path switching unit 45.

Ball discharge unit 44, flow path switching unit 4
In order to attach 5 to the back mechanism board 31, first, the flow path switching unit 45 is attached, and then the ball discharge unit 44 is attached.

In order to mount the flow path switching unit 45 to the back mechanism board 31, the case 65 is held slightly higher than a predetermined height and pushed into the mounting portion 77, and the upper mounting hook 75 b is attached to the back mechanism board 31. The lower mounting claw 76b is inserted into the hole 79 and the lower mounting claw 76b is
And the downwardly protruding merging outlet portion is fitted into the inlet of the ball discharge gutter 46 of the back mechanism panel 31, and the mounting hook 7
5b with the hook 5b fully inserted to lower the mounting hook 7
5b is engaged with the opening edge of the mounting hole 79. When the channel switching unit 45 is attached to the back mechanism panel 31 in this manner,
The spherical channel after the merging of the channel switching unit 45 is the back mechanism panel 31
In this state, and in this state, the mounting hook 75
b engaging the opening edge of the mounting hole 79 and the mounting claw portion 76b
Of the flow path switching unit 4 by fitting the
5 does not come off from the mounting portion 77 of the back mechanism panel 31,
It does not move in the left-right direction while being sandwiched between the left and right side walls of the mounting portion 77.

After the passage switching unit 45 is attached, the ball discharge unit 44 is attached next. In order to attach the ball discharge unit 44 to the back mechanism panel 31, the case 50
Is held slightly higher than a predetermined height, and is pushed into the mounting portion 77 to insert the upper mounting hook 75a into the mounting hole 79 of the back mechanism panel 31 and to mount the lower mounting claw portion 76a.
Is inserted into the fitting hole 80 of the back mechanism panel 31, and the mounting hook 7 is
With the case 5a fully inserted, the case is lowered to engage the mounting hook 75a with the opening edge of the mounting hole 79. When the ball discharge unit 44 is attached to the back mechanism board 31 in this manner, the ball discharge channel 51 of the ball discharge unit 44 communicates with the ball channel of the channel switching unit 45. Then, by rotating the connecting member 81 of the flow path switching unit 45 attached earlier, the projection 82 of the connecting member 81 is
3, the ball discharge unit 44 and the flow path switching unit 45 are connected.

As described above, when the case members 50 and 65 of the vertically stacked units are connected by the connection member 81, the connection portion of the ball discharge channel 51 does not shift, and the ball flows down smoothly. In this state, the ball discharge unit 44 is moved forward from the mounting portion 77 of the back mechanism board 31 by engaging the mounting hook 75a with the opening edge of the mounting hole 79 and fitting the mounting claw portion 76 into the fitting hole 80. And does not move in the left-right direction while being sandwiched between the left and right side walls of the mounting portion 77.

The ball discharge unit 44, the flow path switching unit 45, and the like attached as described above are controlled by the game control device 33 and the discharge control device 37.

As shown in FIG. 9, the game control device 33 includes a hemisphere detecting switch 43 and a metal frame opening detecting switch 9.
0, special symbol start switch 27, normal symbol start switch 29, attacker count switch 26, attacker continuation switch (attacker V switch) 25, general winning opening switch 30, overflow switch 91, prize ball detector of flow path switching unit 45 Detection signals from various detection devices such as 72 are input. The detection signal from the overflow switch 91 and the detection signal from the prize ball detector 72 of the flow path switching unit 45 are branched via the relay board 74 and are also input to the discharge control device 37.

The CPU of the game control device 33 performs overall control of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signal according to a game program stored in the ROM, and stores the game data in a rewritable RAM.

More specifically, the game control device 33
Outputs a decoration control command and a prize ball discharge command to the decoration control device 35 and the discharge control device 37, respectively. Based on this control command, the decoration control device 35 sets the special symbol storage display 9
2. Control the light emission of the ordinary symbol memory display 93, the prize ball discharge LED 94, the decoration LED 95, etc., and the discharge control device 37
The discharge of the sphere from the sphere discharge unit 44 and the flow path switching of the flow path switching unit 45 are controlled.

The discharge control device 37 is connected to the flow path switching unit 45.
When a new ball-ball discharge command is not issued after a lapse of a predetermined time related to the required ball-ball discharge control, the flow path switching solenoid 69 is driven to set the flow path switching valve 66 to the prize ball flow path. The return operation is controlled so as to open the entrance of 63 and close the entrance of the ball lending flow path 64. The predetermined time may be, for example, a predetermined time that is set in advance from when the ball rental detector 73 detects the last ball rental of the ball rental discharge. A predetermined time starting from the end of the transmission of the driving pulse signal to be transmitted to the pulse motor 56, a predetermined time starting from the point in time when the ball rental detector 73 detects the first lending ball to be discharged, and the pulse motor The predetermined time may be a predetermined time starting from the point in time at which the transmission of the drive pulse signal to 56 is started, or a predetermined time starting from the point in time when the excitation of the flow path switching solenoid 69 is started.

As described above, after a predetermined time has elapsed, if there is no new ball lending discharge command, the flow path switching solenoid 69 is driven (in this embodiment, demagnetized) to set the flow path switching valve 66 to the normal state, that is, to discharge the ball. If the configuration is such that the ball from the unit 44 is returned to a state of being guided to the prize ball flow path 63, the flow path switching valve 66 is returned too early at the time of discharging the ball, and the ball corresponding to the discharged ball is released. Can be reliably prevented from being detected.

If there is a new ball discharge command before the predetermined time elapses, the flow path switching solenoid 69 is maintained as it is (excitation in this embodiment), and thereby the flow path switching valve The state in which the ball 66 is switched to the ball lending flow path 64 side is continued, and the ball that has been discharged next is also continuously flowed down to the ball lending flow path 64.

The game control device 33 transmits control signals to the attacker solenoid 96, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 97, and the like, and controls the energization of these solenoids, so that the attacker 23, which is a winning port, and the ordinary electric actor Control the opening and closing of things. In addition, a normal design display (Public LED)
Control the display of.

Further, the game control device 33 monitors whether or not the prize ball is correctly discharged. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the target number of prize ball discharges transmitted as the prize ball discharge command to the discharge control device 37 matches the actual discharge number counted based on the signal from the prize ball detector 72. The monitoring process and the monitoring process for determining whether or not the prize ball has been ejected even though the prize ball ejection command has not been transmitted are performed. When an abnormality is recognized by these monitoring processes, a warning signal is transmitted to the decoration control device 35 to display the decoration LED.
A warning is issued by flashing all the lights 95 at the same time, or the game is forcibly interrupted by stopping the game control or stopping the hit ball firing.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the game control device 33 is provided with an external output terminal 99a for a game board and an output portion 99b for testing as an output terminal portion 99, and a signal is transmitted from the prize ball detector 72. Data based on the detected signal is output from the output terminal unit 99 to the outside of the pachinko machine 1. Therefore, the output terminal section 99
Is connected to the special symbol display device 20
In addition to game data such as jackpot data for special games, start data, etc., data relating to prize balls can also be output to the outside from the test output unit 99b when conducting a test. Management data can be output to the outside from the external output terminal 99a, and data can be collected from the output terminal unit 99 to perform predetermined inspection and management. Then, when outputting data to the outside of the pachinko machine 1, a signal can be sent from the output terminal unit 99 of the game control device 33, so that the wiring can be easily collected, thereby processing the wiring on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 in an orderly manner. be able to.

Note that the detection signal received from the prize ball detector 72 may be output as it is to the outside.
3 and then output. For example, a process such as outputting one pulse with ten prize balls may be performed and then output to the outside.

Although not shown in the drawings, the emission control device 3
In addition to the control signal of the prize ball discharge command from the game control device 33, the control signal of the ball lending discharge command from the card unit 2 is input to 7. The discharge control device 37 controls the ball discharge unit 44 based on the control signal of the prize ball discharge command and the control signal of the lending ball discharge command, and discharges the prize ball and the lending ball.

More specifically, when a control signal of a prize ball discharge command (including the number of prize balls) is received from the game control device 33, the discharge control device 37 first sets the pulse motor 5
6 is excited for a predetermined time to cause the pulse motor 56 to carry the weight of the ball, whereby the tip of the stopper member 59 engaged with the pawl of the stop gear 54 is brought into contact with the engaged pawl. A free state is established between the nail and the subsequent nail (later nail). The free state means that the stopper member 59 is located between the claws.
Is disengaged from the pawl by positioning the tip of the finger. In this free state, no load is applied to the stopper member 59, so that when the power to the stopper solenoid 61 is controlled to release the lock of the stop gear 54, the stopper gear 59 can be released smoothly. Then, after the release, in order to control the rotation of the pulse motor 56, a drive pulse signal enough to discharge the target number of balls determined based on the commanded prize ball number is transmitted to output the target number of balls to the ball discharging unit 44. To be discharged from

The target number is the number of commanded prize balls (for example, 7, 13) included in the control signal of each prize ball discharge command.
Or the like, or may be the sum of the number of commanded prize balls included in a plurality of prize ball discharge commands.

When the game control device 33 receives a winning signal from the winning ball detecting means, and sends out a prize ball number signal from the game control device 33 to the discharge control device 37, it is performed by one-side transmission control. In this way, the one-sided transmission control, unlike the two-way transmission, can surely prevent fraud.

The ball discharged from the ball discharge unit 44 is introduced into the channel switching unit 45. In this case, since the channel switching solenoid 69 is not excited, the ball is guided to the prize ball channel 63, The prize ball detector 72 detects the number of prize ball discharges in the middle.

On the other hand, when receiving a control signal (including the number of ball rentals) of a ball lending discharge command from the card unit 2, the discharge controller 37 first controls energization to the flow path switching solenoid 69. The flow path switching valve 66 is rotated to open the ball rental path 64 and close the prize ball path 63.
Next, similarly to the control based on the prize ball discharge command described above, each phase of the pulse motor 56 is excited to set the tip of the stopper member 59 to a free state, the lock of the stop gear 54 is released, and the commanded ball lending number ( A drive pulse signal enough to discharge the target number of balls is sent to the pulse motor 56 to discharge the balls. As a result, the balls discharged from the ball discharging unit 44 are guided to the ball rental channel 64 and are detected by the ball rental detector 73 on the way, whereby the number of discharged balls is counted.

In such prize balls or ball rental discharges,
For example, the number of balls finally discharged is controlled by the following method. First, the sprocket 5 of the ball discharging unit 44
After the drive pulse is transmitted by a rotation amount corresponding to 2 smaller than the target number (for example, a number obtained by subtracting one from the target number) and the operation pulse is operated at the first speed, the first operation is performed. In order to discharge the remaining number (for example, one piece) at the second speed which is slower, the driving pulse of the rotation amount corresponding to the remaining number is transmitted, and the discharge of the target number is completed. During this discharge period, it is monitored whether or not the actual number of balls counted based on the signal from the prize ball detector 72 or the ball lending detector 73 has reached the target number.

That is, the driving pulse for the rotation amount by which the sprocket 52 can discharge the target number of balls is supplied to the pulse motor 56.
To control the number of balls ejected by the emission control, and monitor the number of balls actually ejected by the prize ball detector 72 or the ball lending detector 73. If the target number is not satisfied by this monitoring, compensation is performed in the next emission control.

As described above, in the ball discharging unit 44, the number of balls to be discharged is controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the sprocket 52 (controlling the transmission of the driving pulse), so that the number of discharged balls can be managed to some extent accurately by itself. . Moreover, in the present embodiment, the prize ball detector 7 provided in the flow path switching unit 45 is used.
The actual ball can be counted and monitored by 2 and the ball lending detector 73, and correction is performed based on the result, so that more accurate discharge can be secured. Moreover, the ball discharge unit 4
There is no need to provide a detector at 4.

In this embodiment, since the sprocket 52 is driven to rotate by the pulse motor 56, the sprocket is controlled by controlling the driving pulses for driving the pulse motor 56, specifically, by controlling the number of pulses and the pulse width. The rotation speed of 52 can be arbitrarily controlled.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ball discharged from the ball discharging unit 44 is determined according to whether it is a prize ball or a lending ball.
It is guided to the prize ball flow path 63 or the ball lending flow path 64 of the flow path switching unit 45, and receives the prize ball detector 72 or the ball lending detector 7
In step 3, each is detected one by one and counted based on this detection signal. Therefore, the game control device 33 and the discharge control device 37 can accurately grasp the actual number of discharged balls by clearly distinguishing between the prize ball and the lending ball.

In the present embodiment, a prize ball detecting means such as a prize port switch 30 is provided at every prize port such as the general prize port 24 to detect a prize ball for each prize port. The number of prize balls is determined according to the received winning signal, and a prize ball discharge command including the number of prize balls is transmitted to the discharge control device 37.
Is a predetermined number of prize balls based on a detection signal from the prize ball detector 72 (that is, the number of prize balls included in the prize ball discharge command of the prize ball discharge, and the target After confirming that the number has been reached, the next prize ball discharge command is transmitted to the discharge control device 37.

With such a configuration, even if the hit balls successively win, the prize ball discharge is separated, so that the player can easily recognize the prize ball discharge for one prize.

Until the next prize ball discharge command is transmitted, the prize ball data including the number of prize ball discharges is stored in the storage means (RA) in the game microcomputer of the game control device 33.
M), it is stored in a backup storage unit, specifically, in the RAM 100 to which backup power is supplied from the power supply device 32. Therefore, if a power failure occurs due to a lightning strike or the like before the prize ball discharge ends, a backup mechanism such as a power failure detection circuit operates to retain the stored contents. Prize balls can be ejected based on the ball data, and there is no disadvantage to the player. In addition, since the data related to various games is rewritably stored in the backup RAM 100 in addition to the prize ball data, it is possible to protect not only the number of award ball discharges but also the profit of the player.

Next, a case will be described in which the prize ball discharged from the ball discharging unit 44 is guided to the ball lending flow path 64 because the flow path switching of the flow path switching unit 45 is defective. When the ball discharge unit 44 discharges the prize ball, if it is in a normal state, the flow path switching solenoid 69 of the flow path switching unit 45 maintains the demagnetized state as described above. The switching valve 66 is used for the ball rental path 64.
Is closed and the entrance of the prize ball flow path 63 is opened. However, even if for some reason, for example, the immediately preceding discharge of the lending ball is completed, the flow path switching solenoid 69 continues to be excited without being demagnetized, and the flow path switching valve 66 does not return to the normal state, and the lending is not performed. It is conceivable that the entrance of the ball passage 64 is opened and the entrance of the prize ball passage 63 is closed.
In such a case, since the prize ball discharge abnormality detection processing is performed by the discharge control device 37, the abnormality is detected by this. Then, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, error notification (abnormality notification) is performed and the ball discharging unit 44 is notified.
Is forcibly stopped.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 10, in the prize ball discharge abnormality detection process, when the prize ball discharge start process is performed in response to the prize ball discharge command (ST1), the ball lending sensor (ball lending detector 73) ) Detects whether a ball has been detected (S
T2) If the ball is in a normal state, the ball that is discharging the prize ball is guided by the prize ball flow path 63 and flows down, so that the ball lending detector 73 does not detect the ball. If the ball has not returned, the ball discharged from the ball discharge unit 44 enters the flow path 64 for ball lending and flows down. The ball lending detector 73 detects this ball and sends a ball detection signal to the discharge control device 37. Send Upon receiving the ball detection signal, the ball ejection control device 37
Determines that an abnormal state has occurred, and performs abnormality notification (error notification) (ST3).

The notification of the abnormality is sent to the pachinko machine 1 without the intervention of the game control device 33 by, for example, the output of the discharge control device 37 in the same manner as the control of the pulse motor 56 and the flow path switching solenoid 69. An abnormality occurrence indicator 110 formed of a lamp, an LED, or the like is turned on or blinks, and an abnormality occurrence sound is emitted from a speaker or the like to notify the user. Further, an abnormality occurrence signal is output from the external output terminal 111 to the outside, for example, to notify and warn in the control room, and to display an abnormality occurrence indicator (not shown) on the gaming machine installation island where the pachinko machine 1 is installed. It may be configured to light or blink.

If an abnormal state occurs, the discharge control device 37 forcibly stops the pulse motor 56 of the ball discharge unit 44 to stop the operation of discharging the ball, and performs a discharge operation stopping process (ST4). Subsequently, in ST5, the first gutter entrance (the entrance of the prize ball flow channel 63) is opened, for example, by demagnetizing (switching SOL off) the flow channel switching solenoid 69 of the flow channel switching unit 45 again. Is performed (cancel the abnormal state).

Then, the clerk who recognizes that the abnormality has occurred can take appropriate measures such as replacing the flow path switching unit 45 of the pachinko machine 1. Although not shown in the drawings, the abnormality notification is continuously performed until the operator turns on the reset switch.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an abnormal state occurs in which the prize ball flows down the ball-gathering path 64, the discharge control device 37 is set to the abnormal state based on the signal from the ball-gear detector 73. When the occurrence is judged and a notification or warning is issued and the discharge of the ball is stopped, even if the flow switching solenoid 69 or the like breaks down and the prize ball flows down the ball rental flow channel 64, an abnormality is immediately found. I can deal with it. Therefore, it is possible to reliably manage and monitor the ball discharged from the ball discharging unit 44, and thus, there is no disadvantage to the player.

In this embodiment, as described above,
When an abnormal state occurs, the operation related to the ball discharge of the ball discharge unit (ball discharge device) 44 is stopped, and the operation for confirming the switching device so that the first gutter entrance is opened is performed. The abnormal state release control means is included in the discharge control device 37.

In the above embodiment, the ball discharge device is a sprocket type using the sprocket 52 as a control member, but the control member in the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cam that comes and goes in the ball discharge flow path 51 to control the flow of the ball may be used, or a groove in which the ball fits in the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body may be formed in a spiral shape and rotated to make one ball. A worm-type rotating member that sequentially sends out the addresses may be used.

The electric drive source for operating the control member is not limited to the pulse motor 56 but may be an electromagnetic solenoid. In short, any drive pulse type drive source that can be controlled by the drive pulse may be used. When the control member of the ball discharging device is driven by the driving pulse, the driving time can be accurately controlled, so that the accuracy of the discharge number can be increased with a simple configuration.

In the above-described embodiment, a plunger type solenoid is used as the electric drive source for performing the flow path switching drive. However, instead of this, the state is changed, that is, the state where the ball is guided to the prize ball flow path 63 side. When a latching solenoid is used, which applies a voltage to convert the state into a state in which the ball is guided to the flow path for ball lending 64 and holds the state after the conversion by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, the first gutter is used. The channel switching unit 4 so that the gutter entrance of the (prize ball channel 63) is opened.
Operation to confirm 5 (switching device) (abnormal state release)
In this case, a confirmation voltage is applied to forcibly return to the normal state, so that the confirmation can be performed more reliably.

The present invention is not limited to the pachinko machine 1,
A sparrow ball type game machine, an arrangement ball type game machine, and the like may be used.
Furthermore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The present invention is shown not only by the above description but also by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the invention of claim 1, the first gutter through which the ball discharged as a prize ball flows down to a required portion of the guide gutter for guiding the ball discharged from the ball discharge device to the supply tray side,
And a second gutter through which a ball discharged as a rental ball flows is provided in a branched manner, and at the branch portion, the first gutter inlet is normally opened and a switching member closes the second gutter inlet. And a switching device is provided in which the first gutter entrance is closed and the second gutter entrance is opened while the switching member performs a conversion operation when the electric drive source is driven, The first gutter is provided with first detecting means for detecting a falling prize ball, and the second gutter is provided with second detecting means for detecting a falling lending ball. The electric drive source of the ball discharge device is driven based on the prize ball discharge command, and a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged to the first gutter side by the operation of the ball discharge control member. Based on the above, the electric drive source is driven to operate the switching member of the switching device to close the first gutter entrance. Along with opening the second gutter inlet, driving the ball discharge device, and operating the ball discharge control member to discharge a predetermined number of lending balls to the second gutter side, The detection signal from the first detection means and the detection signal from the second detection means are transmitted to the discharge control circuit by the number of balls as prize balls and the number of balls as lending balls discharged from the ball discharge device, respectively. Since the confirmation signal is transmitted, the ball discharge device can monitor whether the ball actually discharged is a prize ball or a lending ball, and furthermore, the number of prize balls actually discharged and the lending ball. Can be counted.

Further, when the ball discharge device is operated based on the prize ball discharge command, the discharge control circuit detects the detection signal from the second detection unit without receiving the detection signal from the first detection unit. Is input, an abnormality is determined to have occurred and the abnormality is notified, so that even if the prize ball flows down the second gutter, the abnormality can be immediately detected and dealt with. Therefore, management and monitoring of the ball discharged from the ball discharging device can be performed reliably. Then, when an abnormal state occurs, a staff member can recognize the abnormality in the abnormality notification, so that the staff member can immediately take measures.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the discharge control circuit is in an abnormal state, the operation of the ball discharge device relating to the discharge of the ball is stopped, so that the management and monitoring of the balls discharged from the ball discharge device can be performed more reliably. Can do it.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electric drive source of the ball discharging device is constituted by a pulse motor or an electromagnetic solenoid, and the pulse motor or the electromagnetic solenoid is driven by a driving pulse. The driving time can be controlled accurately. Therefore, the accuracy of the number of discharges can be increased with a simple configuration.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the abnormal state occurs, the discharge control circuit stops the operation of the ball discharge device relating to the discharge of the ball and opens the first gutter entrance. Since it includes an abnormal state release control means for performing an operation for checking the switching device, the abnormal state can be returned to a normal state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine and a card unit.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine and the card unit.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a ball discharge unit and a flow path switching unit are attached to a back mechanism panel.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration and a mounting portion of the ball discharging unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a ball discharging unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a stopper member and a stop gear.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a flow path switching unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between control devices.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a prize ball discharge abnormality detection process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Card unit 3 Game board 4 Card insertion slot 5 Ball lending operation part 6 Supply tray 7 Machine frame 9 Front frame 10 Glass decoration frame 11 Opening and closing panel 12 Lower plate 13 Ashtray 14 Launching operation part 15 Game board storage frame 16 Game Area 17 Sectional member 19 Hitting and launching device 20 Special symbol display device 21 Special symbol opening 22 Normal symbol opening 23 Attacker 24 General winning opening 25 Attacker continuation switch 26 Attacker count switch 27 Special symbol starting switch 29 Normal symbol starting switch 30 General winning Mouth switch 31 Back mechanism panel 32 Power supply device (power supply circuit) 33 Game control device (accessory control circuit) 34 Display control device 35 Decoration control device 36 Sound control device 37 Discharge control device (discharge control circuit) 38 Launch control device 39 Relay board 40 Ball storage tank 41 Outgoing gutter 42 Bent flow path member 43 Semi-spherical ball sensor (Semi-spherical ball detection switch) 44 Ball discharging unit 45 Flow switching unit 46 Ball discharging gutter 50 Ball discharging unit case 51 Ball discharging channel 52 Sprocket 53 First gear 54 Stop gear 55 Rotating shaft 56 Pulse motor 57 Second gear 59 Stopper member 60 Return spring 61 Stopper solenoid 62 Ball fitting recess 63 Prize ball flow path 64 Ball lending flow path 65 Flow path switching unit case 66 Flow path switching valve 67 times Moving support shaft 69 Flow path switching solenoid 70 Connection gear member 71 Connection shaft 72 Prize ball detector 73 Ball lending detector 74 Relay board 75 Mounting hook 76 Mounting claw portion 77 Mounting portion 79 Mounting hole 80 Fitting hole 81 Connection member 82 Projection Part 83 concave part 90 metal frame opening detection switch 91 overflow switch 92 Separate symbol memory display 93 Normal symbol memory display 94 Prize ball discharge LED 95 Decoration LED 96 Attacker solenoid 97 Ordinary electric accessory solenoid 99 Output terminal unit 99a External output terminal for game board 99b Test output unit 100 RAM for backup 110 Error indicator 111 External output terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine comprising: a ball discharge device capable of discharging balls to a supply tray provided on a front surface; and a discharge control circuit for controlling the ball discharge device to discharge a required number of balls. In the required portion of the guide gutter for guiding the ball discharged from the ball discharge device to the supply tray side, a first gutter through which the ball discharged as a prize ball flows down, and a ball discharged as a rental ball A second gutter flowing down is provided in a branched manner, and at the branch portion, the first gutter entrance is normally opened and the second gutter entrance is maintained in a state where the switching member is closed, and an electric power is supplied to the branch. When the dynamic drive source is driven, a switching device is provided to convert the switching member to close the first gutter entrance and to open the second gutter entrance, and the first gutter flows down. A first detecting means for detecting a prize ball, and a second detecting means for detecting a lending ball flowing down to the second gutter. Each of the detecting means is provided, and the ball discharge device includes a ball discharge control member that controls discharge of a ball flowing down the gutter to each one, and an electric drive source that operates the ball discharge control member. The discharge control circuit drives an electric drive source of the ball discharge device based on the prize ball discharge command, and discharges a predetermined number of prize balls to the first gutter side by operating the ball discharge control member. In accordance with the ball discharge command, the electric drive source is driven to operate the switching member of the switching device, and the first gutter entrance is closed and the second gutter entrance is opened. By driving the ball discharge device and operating the ball discharge control member, a predetermined number of lending balls are discharged to the second gutter side, and a detection signal from the first detection means is provided. And the detection signal from the second detection means is supplied to the discharge control circuit by the discharge control circuit. The number of balls as prize balls discharged from the ball discharge device and the number of balls as lending balls are transmitted as confirmation signals, and the discharge control circuit operates the ball discharge device based on the prize ball discharge command. In addition, when the detection signal from the second detection means is input without the detection signal from the first detection means being input, it is determined that an abnormal state has occurred and the abnormality is notified. A gaming machine characterized by: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge control circuit stops operation of the ball discharge device relating to ball discharge when the abnormal state occurs. 3. The discharge control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive source comprises a pulse motor or an electromagnetic solenoid, and the discharge control circuit drives the pulse motor or the electromagnetic solenoid by a drive pulse. Or 2
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The discharge control circuit stops the operation of the ball discharge device related to ball discharge when the abnormal state occurs, and checks the switching device so that the first gutter entrance is opened. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an abnormal state canceling control means for performing an operation for the purpose.