JP2002035335A - Ball shortage detector for pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the shortage of pachinko balls supplied to a ball payout device even without providing a supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path of a pachinko machine. SOLUTION: A payout control circuit 19 controls the operation of the ball payout device 16 corresponding to a prize ball command received from a main control circuit 18 and pays out the pachinko balls (prize balls) for a number corresponding to the prize ball command. At the time, the payout control circuit 19 fetches the output signals of a payout ball detection sensor 17, counts the payout number of the prize balls, and when the prize balls for the number corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 are not detected, decides that the pachinko balls (supply balls) supplied to the ball payout device 16 are insufficient. Further, during the period of deciding the shortage of the supply balls, the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 is repeated in a prescribed cycle, and when the pachinko balls for the number corresponding to the payout operation are detected in the payout ball detection sensor 17, it is decided that the shortage of the supply balls is dissolved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an out-of-ball detecting device of a pachinko machine for detecting a shortage (so-called out-of-ball) of a pachinko ball (hereinafter referred to as "supply ball") supplied to a ball dispensing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a general pachinko machine, a supply ball shortage detection switch for detecting a shortage of supply balls is provided in a ball supply path on an upstream side of a ball payout device. The supply ball shortage detection switch is provided, for example, so as to protrude the ball detection lever into the ball supply path, and when the number of pachinko balls in the ball supply path becomes low, the ball detection lever releases the pressure of the pachinko ball. In many cases, it is detected that the supply sphere is insufficient by rotating and operating a micro switch or the like.

[0003]

However, the contact-type supply ball shortage detection switch as described above has a problem in that the contact is deteriorated and
Since a malfunction of the ball detection lever or the like may occur due to a bite of a foreign substance or the like, there is a disadvantage that erroneous detection of a shortage of supply balls is relatively easy to occur. In addition, since the pachinko ball comes into contact with the supply ball shortage detection switch (ball detection lever), static electricity charged in the pachinko ball is easily discharged to the supply ball shortage detection switch, and the discharge noise may erroneously detect the supply ball shortage. There is. Furthermore, since the supply ball shortage detection switch is connected to the main control circuit of the pachinko machine, the static electricity discharge noise of the pachinko ball enters the main control circuit through the harness of the supply ball shortage detection switch, and the main control circuit Control may malfunction.

In order to solve these drawbacks, a non-contact type supply ball shortage detection switch is provided in place of the conventional contact type supply ball shortage detection switch to detect the shortage of supply balls in a non-contact manner. As with the contact type, it is necessary to provide a supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path and connect the supply ball shortage detection switch and the main control circuit with a harness. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the number of parts increases and the cost increases. In addition, the electrostatic discharge noise charged in the pachinko ball may be superimposed on the output signal of the non-contact type supply ball shortage detection switch that detects the pachinko ball, and erroneous detection of the supply ball shortage due to the electrostatic discharge noise. And the problem of control malfunction cannot be completely eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to accurately detect a shortage of supply balls without providing a switch for detecting a shortage of supply balls in a ball supply path. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball-out detecting device for a pachinko machine, which can solve various problems caused by providing a supply ball shortage detection switch.

[0006]

In recent pachinko machines, a payout ball detection sensor is provided downstream of a ball payout device so that pachinko balls actually paid out from the ball payout device are detected and confirmed. . When the number of pachinko balls (supply balls) supplied to the ball dispensing device is insufficient, even if the ball dispensing device performs a dispensing operation, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the dispensing operation is not dispensed, and as a result, the dispensed ball is detected. Pachinko balls are no longer detected by the sensor.

Focusing on this point, the ball-out detecting device for a pachinko machine according to claim 1 of the present invention determines whether or not the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device is detected by the payout ball detection sensor. When the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device is not detected by the payout ball detection sensor, it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient.

In this configuration, the shortage of the supply balls can be detected based on the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor on the downstream side of the ball payout device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path. Accordingly, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, and erroneous detection of shortage of supply balls due to static electricity discharge noise of pachinko balls can be prevented. Generally, the dispensing ball detection sensor uses a non-contact type sensor such as a proximity switch in order to detect pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device with a good response. An operation failure does not occur, and erroneous detection of a shortage of supply balls due to a sensor abnormality can be significantly reduced as compared with the related art. Further, if the supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path is eliminated, the path of intrusion of electrostatic discharge noise into the main control circuit is reduced, so that malfunction of control of the main control circuit can be significantly reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to monitor the output signal of the supply ball shortage detection switch of the ball supply path by the main control circuit unlike the conventional case, the number of input signals of the main control circuit is reduced, and the input signal of the main control circuit is accordingly reduced. It becomes easier to control the timing of reading signals, or
It is also possible to connect a new sensor to the main control circuit.

Conventionally, when a shortage of supply balls is detected by a supply ball shortage detection switch, the dispensing operation of the ball dispensing device is stopped, and thereafter, the shortage of supply balls is eliminated by the supply ball shortage detection switch. When detected, the control returns to the normal payout control.However, in the present invention, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device is determined based on whether or not the payout ball detection sensor has detected the number of pachinko balls. Since it is determined whether or not the ball is short, when the supply ball shortage is completely stopped when the supply ball shortage is detected,
After that, even if the pachinko balls are newly replenished and the shortage of supply balls is resolved, it cannot be detected, and the normal payout control cannot be automatically returned.

As a countermeasure, as described in claim 2, the payout operation of the ball payout device is repeated at a predetermined cycle during a period in which it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation is increased. It is preferable to determine that the shortage of supply balls has been resolved when the supply ball detection sensor detects the supply ball. In other words, if the payout operation of the ball payout device is repeated at a predetermined cycle during the period in which it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient, the pachinko balls are newly replenished and the supply balls become insufficient while minimizing unnecessary payout operations. Is eliminated, it can be detected promptly and the normal payout control can be automatically returned.

Generally, in the payout control of the prize ball, a prize ball command is transmitted from the main control circuit to the payout control circuit. Pachinko balls are paid out. According to the present invention, the main control circuit may be provided with a function as a supply ball shortage judging means so that the main control circuit detects the shortage of supply balls, but in this case, the main control circuit detects the supply ball shortage. When the output signal of the sensor is received and a shortage of supply balls is detected, it is necessary to transmit a command of shortage of supply balls from the main control circuit to the payout control circuit. In this configuration, the number of types of commands transmitted from the main control circuit to the payout control circuit increases, so that the command determination logic is complicated, and accordingly, erroneous determination of the command due to noise or the like is likely to occur, and the reliability of the command is reduced. descend. Such a problem similarly occurs in a conventional configuration provided with a supply ball shortage detection switch.

Therefore, the payout control circuit is provided with a function as a supply ball shortage judging means so that the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor is received by the payout control circuit, and the supply ball is supplied by the payout control circuit. It is preferable to execute a program that functions as a shortage determination unit. This eliminates the need for the main control circuit to transmit a command for a shortage of supply balls to the payout control circuit, thereby reducing the types of commands received by the payout control circuit, simplifying the command determination logic, and reducing noise. This makes it difficult for erroneous determination of the command to occur, thereby increasing the reliability of the command.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine will be schematically described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the pachinko machine 11, a mechanism plate 12 for assembling back parts is attached. A ball tank 13 for storing pachinko balls is provided on the upper rear surface of the mechanism plate 12.
3 is connected to a tank rail 14 for causing the pachinko balls flowing out therefrom to flow down in an aligned state. A ball supply path 15 is provided at the lower end of the tank rail 14, and a ball payout device 16 is connected to the lower end of the ball supply path 15. Further, on the downstream side of the ball payout device 16, a payout ball detection sensor 17 (see FIG. 1) for detecting a pachinko ball paid out from the ball payout device 16 is provided. The payout ball detection sensor 17 is a non-contact type sensor such as a proximity switch and an optical sensor in order to detect the pachinko ball paid out from the ball payout device 16 with good response.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a main control circuit 18 for managing the control of the entire pachinko machine and a payout control circuit 19 for controlling the ball payout device 16. The main control circuit 18 and the payout control circuit 19 are each mainly composed of a microcomputer, and the main control circuit 18 executes a control program (not shown) to execute a prize ball command according to a prize signal from the prize ball sensor 20. Is transmitted to the payout control circuit 19.

On the other hand, the payout control circuit 19 controls the operation of the ball payout device 16 in accordance with the received prize ball command by executing the payout control and supply ball shortage determination program shown in FIG. Pachinko balls (prize balls) according to the number
Pay out. At this time, the output signal of the payout ball detecting sensor 17 is taken in, the number of payouts of the prize balls is counted, and the ball payout device 1
The number of prize balls corresponding to the payout operation of No. 6 is the payout ball detection sensor 1
When the ball is not counted in step 7, it is determined that the pachinko balls (supply balls) supplied to the ball dispensing device 16 are in short supply, and the balls are provided at a predetermined cycle during the period in which the supply balls are determined to be in short supply. The payout operation of the payout device 16 is repeated, and when the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation is counted by the payout ball detection sensor 17, it is determined that the shortage of supply balls has been resolved.

The processing of the payout control and supply ball shortage determination program of FIG. 2 executed by the payout control circuit 19 will be described below. This program is executed at predetermined time intervals, and functions as a supply ball shortage determination unit referred to in the claims. When the program is started, first, in step 101,
It is determined whether there is an unpaid ball in response to the award ball command from the main control circuit 18. If there is no unpaid ball in response to the award ball command, the program is terminated without performing the subsequent processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an unpaid ball in response to the prize ball command, the routine proceeds to step 102, where a payout process is performed, and the ball payout device is provided for the required number of prize balls according to the prize ball command. The payout ball 16 is paid out to pay out the prize balls, and the payout ball detection sensor 17 counts the number of prize balls actually paid out from the ball payout device 16.

Thereafter, the routine proceeds to step 103, in which the number of output signal pulses (actual number of payouts) of the payout ball detecting sensor 17 for the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 is determined to be insufficient. It is determined whether or not the pachinko balls (supply balls) supplied to the device 16 are insufficient. In this case, the supply ball may be determined to be insufficient when the count of output signal pulses of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is smaller than the number of output signal pulses by one with respect to the payout operation of the ball payout device 16. Since the ball dispensing device 16 may run idle due to a factor, the number of counts of the dispensing ball detection sensor 17 for a dispensing operation of the ball dispensing device 16 is plural (for example, 3).
The number of the supply balls may be determined to be insufficient when the number is smaller than the number of the supply balls.

If it is determined in step 103 that the ball dispensing device 16
If the number of output signal pulse counts of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is insufficient for the payout operation, the supply balls are insufficient (the number of pachinko balls in the ball supply path 15 is small or no, or the balls are not provided). It is determined that the pachinko ball is flowing down intermittently in the supply path 15), and Step 1 is performed.
In step 04, an error occurrence process is performed, for example, by turning on an error lamp to notify that the supply balls are insufficient.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 105, where after waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the process returns to step 102, where the payout process is performed again, and only the number of remaining prize balls to be paid out or the remaining prizes The ball payout device 16 is added by the amount obtained by adding the required prize ball number corresponding to the newly received prize ball command to the ball payout number.
After the payout operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the supply balls are insufficient based on whether or not the output signal pulse count of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is insufficient for the payout operation (steps 102 to 103). ).

Accordingly, during the period in which it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient (during the period in which "Yes" is determined in step 103), the payout of the ball payout device 16 is performed at predetermined time intervals while the error lamp is lit. The processing for performing the operation is repeatedly executed (steps 102 to 105).

Thereafter, in step 103, the ball payout device 1
The number of output signal pulses counted by the payout ball detection sensor 17 is not insufficient for the payout operation of No. 6, ie, the number of prize balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 is counted by the payout ball detection sensor 17. When it is determined that the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved by replenishing the pachinko balls, it is determined that the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved by proceeding to step 106, and the normal operation processing is performed. This program is notified and the program is terminated.

Accordingly, during the period in which the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved (during the period in which “No” is determined in step 103), each time a prize ball command is received with the error lamp turned off, the prize ball is received. The normal payout control for paying out the prize balls by executing the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 in accordance with the command is executed (steps 101 to 103, 106).

According to the embodiment described above, when the number of output signal pulses of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is insufficient for the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 at the time of payout of the prize ball, the supply ball is supplied. Since it is determined that there is a shortage, it is necessary to provide a supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path 15 and connect the supply ball shortage detection switch and the main control circuit 18 with a harness as in the related art. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assemblability can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the supply ball shortage detection switch is eliminated, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the supply ball shortage caused by discharging the static electricity of the pachinko ball to the supply ball shortage detection switch. In addition, since the payout ball detection sensor 17 used for determining the shortage of the supply ball is constituted by a non-contact type sensor such as a proximity switch, the operation failure of the movable portion due to the deterioration of the contact point or the entry of foreign matter occurs. Therefore, erroneous detection of a supply ball shortage due to a sensor abnormality can be extremely reduced, and a supply ball shortage can be accurately detected.

Further, by eliminating the supply ball shortage detection switch, the harness between the conventional supply ball shortage detection switch and the main control circuit 18 can also be eliminated, so that the electrostatic discharge noise to the main control circuit 18 can be reduced. Intrusion routes can be reduced, and malfunctions in control of the main control circuit 18 can be significantly reduced. Moreover,
Since it is not necessary to monitor the output signal of the supply ball shortage detection switch of the ball supply path 15 by the main control circuit 18 as in the related art, the number of input signals of the main control circuit 18 decreases, and the main control circuit 18 This makes it easy to control the timing of reading the input signal, or it is possible to connect a new sensor to the main control circuit 18 and the controllability of the pachinko machine 11 can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the supply balls are insufficient according to whether or not the number of output signal pulses of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is insufficient for the payout operation of the ball payout device 16. It is to determine whether or not. Therefore, if the supply operation of the ball dispensing device 16 is completely stopped when the shortage of the supply ball is detected as in the related art, even if the pachinko ball is newly replenished thereafter and the shortage of the supply ball is solved, Cannot be detected, and it is not possible to automatically return to the normal payout control.

In consideration of such circumstances, in the present embodiment, the payout operation of the ball payout device 16 is repeated at predetermined time intervals during the period in which it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient, and the payout operation is performed. When the number of pachinko balls is counted by the payout ball detection sensor 17, it is determined that the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved, so that the use of pachinko balls is newly replenished and supplied while minimizing wasteful payout operations. When the shortage of the ball is resolved, it can be detected promptly, and the normal payout control can be automatically returned.

Conventionally, when the output signal of the supply ball shortage detection switch is received by the main control circuit 18 and a shortage of supply balls is detected, a command of shortage of supply balls is issued from the main control circuit 18 to the payout control circuit 19. , The types of commands transmitted from the main control circuit 18 to the payout control circuit 19 are increased, the logic for determining the commands is complicated, and erroneous command determination due to noise or the like is likely to occur. However, there is a disadvantage that the reliability of the command is reduced.

In this regard, in this embodiment, the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor 17 is input to the payout control circuit 19, and the payout control circuit 19 executes the payout control and supply ball shortage determination program shown in FIG. Since the shortage of the supply balls is determined based on the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor 17, there is no need to transmit a supply ball shortage command from the main control circuit 18 to the payout control circuit 19, and the payout control circuit 1
9, the types of commands received can be reduced, and the command determination logic can be simplified.
Misjudgment of commands due to noise etc. is less likely to occur,
The reliability of the command can be improved.

However, according to the present invention, the main control circuit 18 is provided with a function as a supply ball shortage judging means, and the main control circuit 18 judges the shortage of supply balls based on the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor 17. When a shortage of supply balls is detected, a command of shortage of supply balls may be transmitted from the main control circuit 18 to the payout control circuit 19, and even in this case, the intended object of the present invention is sufficiently achieved. can do.

Further, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine without a ball lending function, and the shortage of supply balls is determined based on the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor 17 at the time of paying out prize balls. However, the present invention may be applied to a CR machine having a ball lending function. In this case, in a configuration in which the winning ball and the lending ball are paid out in different passages, when the winning ball is paid out, the ball is supplied based on the output signal of the winning ball sensor which detects the winning ball paid out to the winning ball payout passage. It is sufficient to determine the shortage of the balls and, at the time of paying out the ball, to determine the shortage of the supplied balls based on the output signal of the ball-sending sensor that detects the ball-offs paid out to the ball-sending out passage. In a configuration in which a prize ball and a rental ball are paid out through a common payout path, a ball sensor that detects a pachinko ball paid out through a common payout path regardless of whether a prize ball or a rental ball is paid out. The supply ball shortage may be determined based on the output signal.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ball-out detecting device of the pachinko machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device is the payout ball detection sensor. In the case where the supply ball is not detected, it is determined that the supply ball is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to detect the shortage of the supply ball without providing a supply ball shortage detection switch in the ball supply path. It is possible to improve the detection performance and the control performance of the pachinko machine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the payout operation of the ball payout device is repeated at a predetermined cycle during the period in which it is determined that the supply balls are insufficient, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation is detected by the payout ball detection sensor. It is determined that the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved when the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved. Can be returned automatically.

Further, in the present invention, the payout control circuit receives the output signal of the payout ball detection sensor and executes a program functioning as a supply ball shortage judging means. The number of types of commands to be transmitted to the pachinko machine can be reduced, and the reliability of the commands and, consequently, the operation reliability of the pachinko machine can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a payout control and supply ball shortage determination program.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the pachinko machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

11: Pachinko machine, 15: Ball supply path, 16: Ball dispensing device, 17: Discharge ball detection sensor, 18: Main control circuit,
19 ... payout control circuit (supply ball shortage determination means).

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hayato Iwase 13-13 Higashi-Osone-cho, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City F-term (reference) 2C088 BA13 BA21

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pachinko machine provided with a ball payout device and a payout ball detection sensor for detecting a pachinko ball paid out from the ball payout device, wherein the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation of the ball payout device is provided. When there is no pachinko ball supplied to the ball payout device (hereinafter referred to as “supply ball”) when the ball is not detected by the payout ball detection sensor. Characteristic device for detecting broken balls in pachinko machines. 2. The supply ball shortage determination means repeats a payout operation of the ball payout device at a predetermined cycle during a period in which the supply ball shortage is determined to be insufficient, and the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the payout operation is provided. 2. The ball-out detecting device for a pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein when the pay-out ball detecting sensor detects that the shortage of the supply balls has been resolved. 3. 3. A payout control circuit for controlling the ball payout device, and a main control circuit for transmitting a command for requesting payout of prize balls to the payout control circuit, wherein the payout control circuit detects the payout ball. 3. The ball-out detecting apparatus for a pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus outputs a sensor output signal and executes a program that functions as the supply-ball shortage determination unit. 4.