JP2002360891A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with which the presence/absence of abnormality in the diagnostic part of a prize winning means or the like can be diagnosed and monitored and abnormality can be easily and surely displayed when that abnormality occurs in the diagnostic part. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a diagnosing and monitoring means 35 for diagnosing and monitoring the presence/absence of abnormality in each of diagnostic parts 47 by impressing a diagnostic signal to each of diagnostic parts 47, a diagnosed result storage means 37 for storing the result diagnosed by this diagnosing and monitoring means 35 and a diagnosed result reporting means 38 for displaying the result diagnosed by the diagnosing and monitoring means 35, the diagnosing and monitoring means 35 and the diagnosed result storage means 37 are provided on a control panel 21 for controlling play operation, and a liquid crystal display part 33 is provided for displaying measures for dealing with abnormality when there is abnormality in any diagnostic part 47.

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 ball-and-ball game machine, which is capable of diagnosing the presence or absence of an abnormality in a diagnostic portion such as a winning means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are two types of gaming machines: ball-and-ball gaming machines such as pachinko machines and arrange ball machines, and rotary gaming machines such as throttle machines. In these gaming machines, for example, ball and ball gaming machines such as pachinko machines, switches, lamps, winning means including electric parts such as a liquid crystal display unit, starting means, changing symbol display means and the like are mounted on the game board, and A relay board is provided on the back side of the gaming board, and winning means, starting means, variable symbol display means, and the like are connected to the relay board via connectors and lead wires.

When a game ball is won in the winning means, a specified number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate by the ball payout means as a prize ball, and when the starting means detects the game ball, a random number process is performed. A plurality of display symbols of the variable symbol display means are varied for a predetermined time by electronic control, and when the stopped symbol after the variation is a predetermined combination of winning symbols, a profit state advantageous to the player is generated. .

[0004]

In a conventional ball-and-ball game machine, although the game state is controlled by complicated and sophisticated electronic control, each game such as winning means, starting means, and changing symbol display means is performed. There is no self-diagnosis function for diagnosing whether or not the part is normal, and when an abnormality occurs in the winning means, the starting means, the variable symbol display means, etc., the following problem occurs.

That is, in this type of ball game machine, the game state is controlled by complicated and sophisticated electronic control.
When an abnormality such as a switch failure or disconnection occurs in each of the game components such as a winning means, a starting means, a variable symbol display means, etc., it is very difficult to detect the abnormality, and moreover, to cope with the abnormality. Because it requires advanced knowledge and skills,
It takes a very long time to replace the game part at the abnormal point and restore the normal state.

[0006] Therefore, during the game, winning means, starting means,
When an abnormality occurs in the fluctuating symbol display means or the like, even if the gaming state at that time is in an advantageous state,
The game must be interrupted or the game must be terminated prematurely, resulting in significant disadvantages and losses for the player.

[0007] Further, even at the amusement store, since the ball game machine is inoperable until the normal state is restored, a large loss may be incurred due to a decrease in the operation rate during that time.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems,
It can diagnose and monitor the presence or absence of abnormalities in the diagnostic part such as prize winning means,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of easily and surely displaying when an abnormality occurs in a diagnosis site.

[0009]

According to the present invention, each diagnostic site 47
Diagnostic monitoring means 35 for applying a diagnostic signal to each of the diagnostic parts 47 to diagnose and monitor the presence / absence of an abnormality, a diagnostic result storing means 37 for storing a diagnostic result by the diagnostic monitoring means 35, and a diagnostic by the diagnostic monitoring means 35 A diagnostic result notifying means 38 for displaying the result; a diagnostic monitoring means 35 and a diagnostic result storing means 37 provided on the control board 21 for controlling the game operation; Is provided with a liquid crystal display section 33 for displaying the same.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a ball-and-ball game machine 1 and a card-type ball rental machine 2
2 is a perspective view of the rear side of the ball game machine 1 and the card type ball lending machine 2. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball game machine 1 has an outer frame 3 and a front frame pivotally connected to the outer frame 3 so as to be openable and closable.
And 4. On the front frame 4, a glass door 6 corresponding to the game board 5 and an opening / closing plate 8 supporting the upper plate 7 are arranged vertically, and these glass door 6 and the opening / closing plate 8 are rotatable on the front frame 4. Being pivoted. A lower plate 9 is provided below the upper plate 7 at the lower portion of the front frame 4, and a firing handle 11 of a firing means 10 is provided on one side of the lower plate 9.

The game board 5 is detachably mounted on the front frame 4 from the back side, and a back mechanism plate 12 for holding the game board 5 is mounted on the front frame 4 from the back side as shown in FIG. It is attached detachably. An opening 13 is formed in the back mechanism plate 12, a prize ball tank 14 and a prize ball tank rail 15 are provided on the upper side, a ball payout means 16 is provided on one side, and a passage unit 17 and the like are provided on the lower side. Have been.

In the opening 13, a back cover 18 and a winning ball tank 19, which are mounted on the back side of the game board 5 vertically close to each other, are fitted. A control box 20 is detachably attached to the back cover 18 from the back side.
(See FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 3, a guide rail 31 is annularly mounted on the game board 5, and the guide rail 31 is
Winning means 22 to 26 in which a game ball wins, starting means 27 through which a game ball passes, and fluctuating symbol display means for changing a symbol for a certain time when the starting means 27 detects a game ball inside 31.
28, a specific prize means 29 which effectively operates after the stop symbol of the fluctuating symbol display means 28 becomes a big hit symbol, and a special prize means which intermittently operates a predetermined number of times each time a game ball wins in the specific prize means 29. Each game component such as the special winning means 30 and the corner lamp 32 is mounted.

The winning means 22 to 26 and the starting means 27 incorporate electric components such as a switch for detecting a winning of a game ball and a light emitting lamp such as an LED. The variable symbol display means 28 includes a liquid crystal display unit 33. The liquid crystal display unit 33 displays a demonstration image before the game, three symbols on the left and right during the game, and the location and location of the abnormality when an abnormality occurs. Each content is displayed.

The specific winning means 29 incorporates electric components such as a switch for detecting a winning of a game ball and a motor for driving the rotary body, in addition to a rotating body for distributing the winning game balls. The big winning means 30 has an openable and closable plate on the front side
8 and a switch to detect the winning ball,
An electric component such as a solenoid for driving the motor is incorporated. The corner lamp 32 incorporates a light-emitting lamp.

FIG. 4 illustrates a control system. In FIG.
34 is a game state control means for controlling all the game states on the game board 5 side when a game ball wins the winning means 22 to 26 of the game board 5, or when the starting means 27 detects a game ball. belongs to. The game state control means 34 includes a prize means 22 to 26 on the game board 5 side, a start means 27, and a variable symbol display means 28, such as a control program for changing the symbol of the variable symbol display means 28. A control program for controlling a game operation by each game component such as the special winning means 30, a flashing display data for flashing a display lamp and the like, and a ROM in which each fixed data such as voice data for outputting a sound from a speaker is stored. The RAM is configured to temporarily store winning data and the like when a game ball wins the winning means 22 to 26, the starting means 27, the large winning means 30, and the like, and a CPU for controlling the RAM.

Numeral 35 is a diagnostic monitoring means, a function of applying a diagnostic signal to each diagnostic part 47 such as a switch of the winning means 22 to 26,
A function of detecting a signal from each diagnostic site 47 when the diagnostic signal is applied, a function of comparing the detection signal with a reference signal to determine whether or not each diagnostic site 47 has an abnormality, and It has a function of sending a game stop signal to the game state control means 34 to disable the game, and diagnoses and monitors the presence or absence of an abnormality in each diagnostic portion 47.

Numeral 36 denotes a diagnostic control means for controlling the diagnostic monitoring means 35 so as to diagnose each diagnostic part 47 before the game starts after the start before the game starts. Numeral 37 denotes a diagnosis result storage means, which stores a diagnosis result by the diagnosis monitoring means 35. The diagnosis monitoring means 35 and the diagnosis result storage means 37 are constituted by a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and the like, and are provided together with the game state control means 34 with the control box 20.
It is mounted on the control board 21 inside.

Numeral 38 denotes a diagnosis result notifying means. The diagnosis result notifying means 38 uses the liquid crystal display section 33 of the variable symbol display means 28, and displays the diagnosis result by the diagnosis monitoring means 35 on the liquid crystal display section 33. It is supposed to.

The diagnostic monitoring means 35, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a diagnostic signal storage means 39 for storing diagnostic signals of each diagnostic part 47.
And a D / A converter for D / A converting the diagnostic signal from the diagnostic signal storage means 39 and flowing the diagnostic signal to each diagnostic part 47 as an analog signal.
A / D conversion means 40 and an A / D converter for A / D converting the voltage at both ends of each diagnostic portion 47 when an analog signal is applied to each diagnostic portion 47
D conversion means 41, D / A conversion means 40 and A / D conversion means
Switching means 42 for sequentially switching and connecting 41 to each diagnostic part 47, reference signal storage means 43 for storing a reference signal for each diagnostic part 47, and each of the parts when a diagnostic signal is applied to each diagnostic part 47 A signal detecting means 44 for detecting a signal from the diagnostic part 47; and an abnormality for comparing the detection signal of the signal detecting means 44 with a reference signal of the reference signal storage means 43 to determine whether or not each diagnostic part 47 is abnormal. Determination means 45;

The D / A conversion means 40 and the switching means 42
Is connected to a current limiting resistor 46.

The diagnostic signal storage means 39 includes, for example, a diagnostic site 47
Is a semiconductor switch or the like, a diagnostic signal of a predetermined level corresponding to the semiconductor switch or the like is stored, and
When 47 is a normally open movable contact detection switch, etc.,
Each diagnostic part 47 is stored so as to store a diagnostic signal of approximately three voltage levels corresponding to the interval between the contacts of the detection switch.
Are set and stored, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the switching means 42 has four electronic switches S1, S2, S3, S4... For each diagnostic part 47, such as switches of the winning means 22 to 26, and the like. switch
S1, S2, S3, S4... Are sequentially turned on and off in accordance with the diagnostic order of the diagnostic site 47, and the D / A conversion means 40 converts the diagnostic signal after D / A conversion to each diagnostic site 47 while switching the polarity of the diagnostic signal. The signals flow from both directions, and the signals from the respective diagnostic parts 47 at that time are sent to the A / D conversion means 41.

The reference signal storage means 43 sets and stores a reference signal corresponding to each diagnosis part 47. That is, when the diagnostic part 47 is a semiconductor switch or the like, as shown in FIG. 7, for each diagnostic part 47 of the game board 5, the maximum value Vmax, the minimum value Vmin, In the case where the intermediate effective range VH to VL is set as reference data and the diagnosis part 47 is a normally-open type movable contact type detection switch or the like, it is possible to determine whether it is on or off for each voltage level. On or off is set according to each voltage level.

The abnormality determining means 45 is for determining the quality of each diagnostic part 47. When the diagnosis part 47 is a semiconductor switch or the like, this abnormality determination means 45
Is compared with the reference signal,
When the detected voltage Vs is the maximum value Vmax, the diagnostic part 47 is opened, and when the detected voltage Vs is the minimum value Vmin, the diagnostic part 47 is short-circuited.
ＶV L, which is determined to be normal, and the quality of the diagnostic result of each diagnostic site 47 is determined.

When the diagnostic part 47 is a normally open movable contact type detection switch or the like, the abnormality determining means 45 is turned on by a diagnostic signal of a low voltage V1 below a predetermined level, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the interval between the contacts is narrowed, and when turned on by a diagnostic signal of a predetermined level of the normal voltage V2, the interval between the contacts is determined to be appropriate, and a high voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined level within a range where the contacts are not blown or welded. When it is not turned on in the case of the diagnostic signal of V3, it is determined that the interval between the contacts is too large.

Next, the self-diagnosis operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In a game arcade, when the power of each ball game machine 1 is turned on and started before the start of business (step S1), first, the RAM and the like are initialized (step S2). Then, after the initialization is completed, it is determined whether or not the diagnosis control means 36 is in a state in which diagnosis is possible (step S).
3) If it is possible to make a diagnosis, the diagnostic monitoring means 35
To start the diagnostic operation of the switches, lamps, and other diagnostic parts 47 incorporated in the respective winning means 22 to 26 of the game board 5 (step S4).

When diagnosing the presence or absence of an abnormality in each electric component of the game board 5, the diagnostic signal stored in the diagnostic signal storage means 39 corresponding to each diagnostic site 47 is read out, and the diagnostic signal is stored in the D signal.
The analog signal that has been D / A converted by the / A conversion means 40 is sequentially passed to each diagnostic site 47, and the voltage at that time is detected as a detection signal from the diagnostic site 47.

That is, when the diagnostic part 47 is a semiconductor switch, a lamp, or the like, as shown in FIG. 10, when a diagnostic current i flows through the electric component of the diagnostic part 47 via the current limiting resistor 46,
Since each electric component of the diagnostic site 47 has an electric resistance, a voltage is generated at both ends a and b of the diagnostic site 47. Therefore, a method of detecting the voltage between both ends a and b of the diagnostic site 47 as a detection signal is adopted.

Therefore, for example, when diagnosing the diagnostic part 47a in FIG. 6, the voltage Vi is set such that one terminal on the power supply side becomes + and the other terminal becomes-while the electronic switches S1 and S3 are turned on. Is applied, the detection voltage Vs is applied between the terminals on the detection side.
Occurs. Next, after turning off the electronic switches S1 and S3,
When the electronic switches S2 and S4 are turned on and the voltage Vi is applied so that one terminal on the power supply side is negative and the other terminal is positive, a detection voltage Vs is generated between the terminals on the detection side.

As described above, if the voltage Vi is applied to the diagnostic portion 47a with its polarity changed, even if the diagnostic portion 47a includes a semiconductor element or the like and the detection voltage Vs changes depending on its polarity, the quality of the detection is determined. Diagnosis can be made reliably. That is, reliable diagnosis is possible without erroneously determining the presence or absence of the abnormality depending on the configuration, type, and the like of the diagnostic site 47a.

When only the electronic switches S4 and S6 are turned on, it can be diagnosed whether there is a short circuit between the terminals of the pair of adjacent diagnostic parts 47a and 47b. Therefore, in addition to the abnormality of each electric component itself, the abnormality of the connector and the like can be simultaneously diagnosed.

The comparison and comparison between the reference signal and the detection signal are shown in FIG.
This is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the reference signal storage means 43
For each diagnostic site 47, the maximum value V according to each diagnostic site 47
max and minimum value Vmin and the effective range between them VH to VL
Is set as a reference signal, the reference signal is read out, and a detection voltage Vs, which is a detection signal detected from each diagnostic region 47 by the signal detection unit 44, and a reference signal stored in the reference signal storage unit 43 are stored. The abnormality determination means 45 performs comparison and collation.

In this case, the abnormality determining means 45 opens the diagnostic part 47 when the detected voltage Vs is the maximum value Vmax, short-circuits the diagnostic part 47 when the detected voltage Vs is the minimum value Vmin, and sets the detected voltage Vs to It is determined as normal when it is in the effective range VH to VL.

When the diagnostic part 47 is a normally-open type movable contact type detection switch, the detection switch is in a normally open state and cannot be diagnosed simply by flowing a current. Apply V3 as a diagnostic signal,
The presence or absence of an abnormality in the detection switch is diagnosed based on whether or not the contacts are in a conductive state.

In this case, for example, if the contacts are turned on when a low voltage V1 of a predetermined level or less is applied, the interval between the contacts is too small. Also, when a high voltage V3 of a predetermined level or more is applied within a range where the contacts do not melt or fuse, if the contacts do not conduct at all despite the fact that the contacts normally conduct and turn on. The spacing between them will be too wide. Therefore, by passing diagnostic signals of different voltage levels to the detection switch, it is also possible to diagnose abnormality of the normally-open movable contact type detection switch.

In this way, the diagnosis monitoring means 35 diagnoses each diagnosis part 47, and the detection signal is compared with the reference signal to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality by the abnormality determination means 45 (step S).
4), diagnostic result storage means for determining the presence or absence of abnormality in the diagnostic site 47
It is stored by 37 (step S5). Then, when the diagnosis of the diagnostic site 47 is completed, the diagnosis control means 36 determines whether or not the diagnosis has been completed for all the diagnostic sites 47. The process proceeds to the diagnosis (step S6).

When the diagnosis of all the diagnostic parts 47 is completed, it is determined whether or not there is any abnormality (step S7).
If there is an abnormality, the diagnosis monitoring unit 35 issues a game stop signal to the game state control unit 34 and the like to disable the game (step S8), and then notifies the abnormality location and the details of the abnormality to the diagnosis result notification unit 38, The information is displayed and notified on the liquid crystal display unit 33 of the symbol display means 28 in characters and the like, and a method of taking measures against the abnormality is displayed (step S9). If there are no abnormalities in all the diagnosis parts 47, the diagnosis monitoring means 35 sends a game enable signal to the game state control means 34 and the like to bring the ball game machine 1 into a game enable state (step S).
10).

As described above, the diagnostic monitoring means 35 for diagnosing and monitoring the presence or absence of an abnormality in the prize means 22 to 26 of the game board 5 is provided, and the diagnostic result is stored in the diagnostic result storage means 37. By notifying by the diagnosis result notifying means 38, when an abnormality occurs in the winning means 22 to 26 or the like, the fact can be immediately and easily and reliably grasped.
For this reason, even if an abnormality occurs, the winning means 22-
It is possible to quickly take appropriate measures according to the nature of the abnormality, such as replacing 26.

In particular, since the diagnosis monitoring means 35 diagnoses the presence or absence of an abnormality after the start-up at the time of power-on,
Even if an abnormality occurs, in most cases, there is no direct damage to the player, and the amusement store can quickly take appropriate measures even before the business. In addition, there is an advantage that damage due to a decrease in the operation rate can be minimized.

Further, if there is an abnormality in the diagnosis part 47, the ball game machine 1 becomes impossible to play a game, and even if the player mistakenly starts playing a game, the ball game machine 1 does not operate. For this reason, a problem due to a player error cannot occur.

FIG. 11 exemplifies a second embodiment of the present invention. The diagnosis control means 36 controls the diagnosis monitoring means 35 so that the diagnosis monitoring means 35 makes a diagnosis when a predetermined time has elapsed from the initialization or the end of the game. It is intended to be controlled.

That is, after the initialization, the diagnosis control means 36 determines whether or not the game is in progress (step S12). If the game is not in progress, it is determined whether or not the diagnosis can be made after a certain period of time from the initialization or the end of the game. Is determined (step S13), and when it is determined that the diagnosis is possible, the flow shifts to diagnosis by the diagnosis monitoring means 35.

In this case, it is possible to diagnose whether there is an abnormality in the game board 5 by using the idle time before the start of the game or between games.

The diagnostic monitoring means 35 stores a diagnostic signal for storing diagnostic signals for each diagnostic part 47, and the diagnostic signals from the diagnostic signal storage means 39 are sequentially switched to each diagnostic part 47 and flow. Switching means 42 for each diagnosis part 47
Reference signal storage means 43 for storing a reference signal of each of the above, signal detection means 44 for detecting a signal of each diagnostic part 47 when a diagnostic signal is applied to each diagnostic part 47, and a detection signal of this signal detection means 44 By providing the abnormality determination means 45 for comparing the reference signal of the signal storage means 43 with each other to determine the quality of each diagnostic part 47, a large number of diagnostic parts 47 can be automatically and easily diagnosed efficiently. .

As a diagnostic signal, a plurality of levels of voltages V1
To V3, and when the voltages V1 to V3 are applied to the diagnostic site 47, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined by turning on / off a detection signal from the diagnostic site 47, so that the diagnostic site 47 is normally open. Even in the case of a movable contact type detection switch, the abnormality can be diagnosed.

Further, a maximum value Vmax, a minimum value Vmin, and an intermediate effective range VH to VL are set as reference signals. When the detected voltage Va is the maximum value Vmax, the diagnostic part 47 is opened, and the detected voltage Va is When the minimum value Vmin is reached, the diagnosis part 47 is short-circuited, and the detection voltage Va falls within the effective range VH.
If the diagnosis part 47 is a semiconductor switch or the like, the abnormality can be diagnosed, and it is possible to determine the details of the abnormality by arranging the judgment as normal in the case of .about.VL.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine
Although the first game board 5 is targeted for diagnosis, the diagnosis target is not limited to the game board 5, and the electric system of the entire ball game machine 1 may be targeted for diagnosis.

In addition to the ball-and-ball game machine 1 such as a pachinko machine, the present invention can be applied to a game machine such as a rotary game machine in the same manner as in each embodiment. Further, a speaker may be used as the diagnosis result notifying means 38. In addition, a direct current is passed through the diagnostic portion 47 to perform diagnosis. However, when the diagnostic portion 47 is a coil, a capacitor, or the like, a low-frequency alternating current may be passed.

[0052]

According to the present invention, a diagnostic monitoring means 35 for applying a diagnostic signal to each diagnostic part 47 to diagnose and monitor the presence or absence of an abnormality in each diagnostic part 47, and a diagnostic result by the diagnostic monitoring means 35 A diagnostic result storage means 37 for storing, and a diagnostic result notifying means 38 for displaying a diagnostic result by the diagnostic monitoring means 35,
When there is an abnormality in the diagnostic site 47, the liquid crystal display unit 33 for displaying a measure for the abnormality is provided.
Can be diagnosed and monitored for abnormality, and when an abnormality occurs in the diagnosis site 47, it can be easily and reliably reported.

Moreover, the diagnosis monitoring means 35 and the diagnosis result storage means
37 are provided on the control board 21 for controlling the game operation, so that the diagnosis monitoring means 35 and the diagnosis result storage means 37 can be configured by using the game operation control ROM, RAM, and the like of the control board 21. It is possible, and wiring and the like can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front side of a ball and ball game machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the ball game machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the game board according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a diagnostic monitoring unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a switching unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a diagnostic signal and a reference signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a diagnostic signal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart at the time of diagnosis showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagnostic principle diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart at the time of diagnosis showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Game board 21 Control board 28 Changing symbol display means 33 LCD display 35 Diagnosis monitoring means 36 Diagnosis control means 37 Diagnosis result storage means 38 Diagnosis result notification means

Claims (1)

[Claims] A diagnostic monitoring means (35) for applying a diagnostic signal to each diagnostic part (47) to diagnose and monitor the presence or absence of an abnormality in each diagnostic part (47), and a diagnosis by the diagnostic monitoring means (35) A diagnosis result storage means (37) for storing the result, and a diagnosis result notifying means (38) for displaying a diagnosis result by the diagnosis monitoring means (35), wherein the diagnosis monitoring means (35) and the diagnosis result storage means (37) Are provided on a control board (21) for controlling the game operation, and when there is an abnormality in the diagnosis part (47), a liquid crystal display unit for displaying a measure for the abnormality.
A gaming machine characterized by having (33).