JP2004187946A - Game ball counter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To count the number of game balls flowing down a ball passage and to surely detect abnormality caused by a fraudulent behavior, a fault, or the like, by providing a game ball counter at a ball putting out passage or a ball feeding path, other ball channels for a game machine such as a Pachinko game machine. <P>SOLUTION: This game ball counter consists of: a ball braking means provided at the ball passage 13 to make the game ball (b) flow down by the operation of an electric actuator; a flow down timing command means for detecting the flowing down command of the game balls and commanding the ball braking means to make the game balls flow down with a prescribed timing; a ball detection sensor provided at the ball passage or its downstream to count the flowing-down game balls; a comparing means for comparing the flowing down timing of the game balls commanded by the ball braking means with that measured by the ball detection sensor; and an abnormality discrimination means for discriminating propriety from a result obtained by the comparing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is provided in a ball pay-out flow path, a ball input path, and other ball flow paths in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and counts game balls flowing down the ball flow path, and performs an illegal action or a failure. The present invention relates to a game ball counter capable of detecting an abnormality caused by a game ball.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a ball payout device of a pachinko game machine, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, for example, a ball detection sensor such as that shown in Patent Document 2 below is provided in a ball payout channel to reduce the number of balls to be paid out. It is known to control and monitor the detection state to notify an abnormality such as a failure.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-113217 [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-318164 A [Patent Document 3]
No. 33015960 Registration Utility Model Gazette
By the way, the ball flow path is set by a ball payout device of the above-mentioned pachinko game machine, or a ball taking-in device of a slot game machine (hereinafter, referred to as a pachilot) operated by putting a predetermined number of pachinko balls into the game machine. Conventionally, in a ball counting device that counts pachinko balls flowing down, conventionally, for example, a pachinko ball is detected by inserting some obstacle that blocks light from an optical sensor, or a pulse signal is sent to the wiring of a ball detection sensor. There is a risk that an illegal device may be connected to connect the device and a fraudulent act of trying to obtain a pachinko ball illegally.
[0005]
Further, Patent Document 3 described above attempts to detect a pachinko ball without malfunction by providing an optical sensor at each of two upper and lower portions of a pachinko ball channel, but the above-mentioned technique has become more sophisticated. The situation was incapable of dealing with wrongdoing.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the present invention is to provide a game ball counter capable of more reliably detecting such irregularities or abnormalities such as breakdowns.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this purpose, the game ball counter of the present invention measures the ball braking means provided in the ball flow path for causing the game ball to flow at a predetermined timing by the operation of the electric actuator, and the timing of the game ball flowing down by the ball braking means. It is characterized by comprising a ball detection sensor and abnormality determining means for determining whether the flow timing of the game ball measured by the ball detection sensor is normal or abnormal.
Further, the game ball counter of the present invention is provided with a ball braking means provided in the ball flow path and causing the game ball to flow at a predetermined timing by the operation of the electric actuator, and a game ball provided in the ball flow path or downstream thereof and flowing down. A ball detection sensor to be measured, a comparison means for comparing the flow timing of the game ball to be performed by the ball braking means with the flow timing of the game ball measured by the ball detection sensor, And an abnormality determining means for determining.
Further, the game ball counter of the present invention is provided with a ball braking means provided in a ball flow path for causing a game ball to flow down by the operation of an electric actuator, and a game ball flowing command is detected at a predetermined timing by detecting a game ball flow down command. Downflow timing instructing means for instructing to flow down, a ball detection sensor provided at the ball flow path or downstream thereof for measuring a flowing down game ball, and a downflow timing and ball detection sensor of the game ball instructed by the ball braking means A comparison means for comparing the timing at which the game balls flow down measured by the comparison means, and an abnormality determination means for determining suitability based on the result of comparison by the comparison means.
[0008]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the flow-down timing detects a time at which the ball detection sensor starts detecting a game ball.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the flow-down timing is for detecting a time from when the ball detection sensor starts detecting the game ball to when the detection is completed.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the flow-down timing detects a time when the ball detection sensor finishes detecting the game ball.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned gaming ball counter, the flow-down timing is for detecting a time from when the ball detecting sensor has finished detecting the gaming ball to when it starts detecting the next gaming ball.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned gaming ball counter, the ball braking means is a screw.
Further, the invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the electric actuator is a stepping motor.
The present invention also provides the game ball counter, wherein the ball braking means is a screw, the electric actuator is a stepping motor for rotating the screw, and the ball detection sensor detects a game ball whose flow is restricted by the screw. It is characterized by being.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the ball detection sensor is an optical sensor.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned gaming ball counter, the timing at which the game balls flow down instructed to the ball braking means is different for each ball.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the timing of the flow of the game balls instructed to the ball braking means is different for each unit ball number.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned gaming ball counter, the comparison is made based on the total time during which the unit number of gaming balls flow.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned game ball counter, the abnormality determining means is provided with an abnormality confirming means.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. When there is a game ball down command, a predetermined down timing command is sent from a down timing command unit to a ball braking unit and a comparison unit. The game ball b is caused to flow at a predetermined flow timing in accordance with the following. The falling timing is detected by the ball detection sensor and notified to the comparing means. Therefore, the comparison means compares the flow-down timing notified from the flow-down timing instruction means with the flow-down timing of the game ball measured by the ball detection sensor. Then, the abnormality determining means determines from the comparison result that the difference between the two timings is normal if the difference is within a predetermined range, and determines that the timing is abnormal if the difference is outside the predetermined range.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachilot, 1a, 1b, and 1c are rotating drums on which a plurality of symbols are displayed on an outer peripheral surface, 2 is an upper plate for game ball input, 3 is a lower plate for game ball payout, 4a, 4b and 4c are push buttons for stopping the drum provided on the front surface of the upper plate, and 5 are push button switches (BET switches) for inserting game balls.
[0011]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the signal processing system of the gaming machine by extracting only parts related to the present invention. The control board 6 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, a drive circuit, and a sensor detector. Circuit, a switch detection circuit, etc., a stepping motor 10 as an electric actuator is connected to the drive circuit, an optical sensor 11 as a ball detection sensor is connected to the sensor detection circuit, and the push button switch 5 is connected to the switch detection circuit. Is connected. A screw (lead screw) 12 is provided on the rotating shaft of the stepping motor 10, and the outer periphery of the screw 12 is opposed to a spherical flow path 13 connected to the upper plate 2, thereby causing the game ball to flow down the spherical flow path 13 by its own weight. b is braked by the screw 12. The stepping motor 10 rotates the screw 12 at a fixed angle in accordance with a pulse signal transmitted from the drive circuit. The screw 12 is driven to rotate by the motor so that the game balls stored in the upper plate 2 play a game. A predetermined number is taken in as a condition for starting.
[0012]
The optical sensor 11 is provided on one side of the screw 12 in the ball flow path 13 so as to be able to detect a game ball b in which the flow is restricted by the screw 12. When the ball b passes, a pulse signal is transmitted from the optical sensor 11 to the sensor detection circuit and input to the control board 6.
[0013]
Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. When the push button switch 5 is operated by the player to start the game, the process proceeds from step a and b in FIG. 5 to step c in accordance with the transmission of the pulse signal shown in FIG. Is started, the rotation speed of the stepping motor 10 and the ball detection time by the optical sensor 11 are set at step d, and the stepping motor 10 starts rotating at step e to rotate the screw 12 to rotate the ball. One game ball is made to flow down on the road 13. In step f, the time when the optical sensor 11 starts detecting the one game ball is stored. In step h, the time when the optical sensor 11 finishes detecting the one game ball is stored. In i, a game ball detection time is calculated from the game ball detection start time and the game ball detection end time, and it is determined whether or not the game ball detection time is a value within a predetermined range. For example, the processing shifts to the normal insertion completion processing in step j, and further, in step k, it is determined whether five game balls corresponding to one game have been inserted, and the processing returns to step f, or the stepping motor 10 is stopped to end the charging. If the game ball detection time is out of the predetermined range in step i, the process proceeds to steps m, n, and o and error processing is performed. This error processing is to notify the gaming machine or the central control room or the like of an abnormality by voice, lamp, or the like.
[0014]
As described above, in the embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the time from when the ball detection sensor starts detecting the game ball to when the detection ends is suitable for the rotation speed commanded to the stepping motor 10 as the ball braking means. The normal / abnormal state is determined by comparing whether or not they are normal. The normal / abnormal state is determined by comparing whether the time when the ball detection sensor starts detecting the game ball is appropriate for the rotation speed instructed to the stepping motor 10 as the ball braking means. Is also good. Also, by comparing whether the time when the ball detection sensor has finished detecting the game ball is appropriate for the rotation speed instructed to the stepping motor 10 as the ball braking means, it is possible to determine whether the ball is normal or abnormal. Is also good. Furthermore, it is compared whether or not the time from the end of detection of the game ball by the ball detection sensor to the start of detection of the next game ball is appropriate for the rotation speed commanded to the stepping motor 10 as the ball braking means. Thus, the normal / abnormal state may be determined.
[0015]
It should be noted that, even if the actual timing of the flow of the game balls is normal, some errors may occur, so in order to avoid erroneous detection due to the errors, the above-described abnormality determination means determines the determination result with a certain allowable amount. Must be issued.
[0016]
In addition, the setting of the rotation speed of the stepping motor 10 and the flow-down timing of the game ball to be detected by the optical sensor 11 are not always constant as described above, but are changed randomly each time. By doing so, further defense against fraud is possible. That is, when five game balls are inserted, for example, the rotation cycle of the stepping motor 10 is set to 0.3 seconds, and one game ball is caused to flow down every 0.3 seconds. Is set to 0.3 seconds, and when the next five game balls are inserted, the rotation cycle of the stepping motor 10 is set to 0.5 seconds and the optical sensor The timing of the flow of the game ball to be detected by 11 is also set to 0.5 seconds, and the next time five game balls are inserted, these settings are set to 0.7 seconds. By changing the setting every number and always monitoring the difference between the command content and the actual measurement, for example, a transmitter that sends a specific pulse signal for illegal purposes is used, as if the game ball passed As if It can effectively fortified to be fraud that is known is performed.
[0017]
Also, in this flowchart, five game balls are determined for each one. However, normal or abnormal is determined based on a passing time of the five game balls collectively, that is, a total time in which a unit number of game balls flow down. You may make it.
[0018]
It is to be noted that such determination can be prevented from being erroneously detected by determining that the abnormality is abnormal only when the abnormality is continuously detected a plurality of times. Also, in normal times, normal or abnormal is determined for each unit number, and if an abnormality is recognized at that time, the system can be switched to a mode of determining each game ball. Switching the capacity to a small amount, or temporarily stopping the electric actuator in order to greatly change the setting of the flow-down timing, inspecting the response of the ball detection sensor at that time, or referring to the flowchart of FIG. By providing various abnormality confirmation means, such as switching to a finer abnormality determination system as shown, more accurate determination is possible.
[0019]
In the embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the above-mentioned time setting or time setting is made different for each game ball flowing down. That is, through steps d 'and o in the figure, the falling timing of the game ball instructed to the ball braking means is set so as to be different for each ball, and the game is detected by the falling ball detection sensor according to the command. The flow timing of the ball is also different for each ball according to the command, and the measured data is compared to determine whether the ball is normal or abnormal.
[0020]
In any case, it is difficult to know the setting of the flow-down timing from the outside, so that fraudulent activity using a specific transmitter is more reliably prevented.
[0021]
In addition, it is possible to easily detect an abnormality due to the inconsistency of the flow-down timings, even in the case of a fraudulent act of recognizing as if a game ball has been thrown in and out of the ball channel.
[0022]
In addition, in the present invention, since only one ball detection sensor needs to be provided in the ball flow path, compared to a conventional method in which optical sensors are provided at two locations above and below the ball flow path to detect the passage of a game ball, The structure is simplified and the cost is reduced.
[0023]
In the above embodiment, the game ball restricted by the screw is detected by the ball detection sensor. However, the game ball after the restriction from the screw is released may be detected by the ball detection sensor. .
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the screw operated by the stepping motor is used as the ball braking means. However, the screw (especially the one in which the game ball is sent in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the screw) is used for the game. It is desirable to use such a screw as the ball braking means of the game ball counter in that the relationship between the rotation angle of the ball and the timing at which the game ball is released from the restraint is relatively easily matched.
[0025]
In the present invention, a reciprocating body, a rotating body (so-called flicker, sprocket), or the like, which is operated by a solenoid or another electric actuator, may be used as the ball braking means, in addition to the screw.
[0026]
Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to a pachilot, the present invention can be effectively used as a means for preventing illegal action of a game ball dispensing device, a prize exchange device of a pachinko game machine, and a counting device of another game machine. . The counter of the present invention can also count game media such as coins in addition to pachinko balls.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
Thus, the present invention provides a ball braking means provided in a ball flow path for causing a game ball to flow at a predetermined timing by the operation of an electric actuator, a ball detection sensor for measuring the timing of the game ball flowing by the ball braking means, and Since it comprises abnormality determining means for determining the normality / abnormality of the timing at which the game ball flows down measured by the ball detection sensor, there is an effect that abnormality due to fraud or malfunction can be more reliably detected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game ball counter according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming machine provided with a gaming ball counter according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Push Button Switch 6 Control Board 10 Stepping Motor 11 Optical Sensor 12 Screw 13 Ball Channel b Game Ball

Claims (15)

A ball braking means provided in the ball flow path for causing a game ball to flow at a predetermined timing by operation of an electric actuator, a ball detection sensor for measuring the timing of a game ball flowing by the ball braking means, and measurement by the ball detection sensor A game ball counter characterized by abnormality determining means for determining whether the flow timing of the game ball is normal or abnormal. A ball braking means provided in the ball flow path for causing a game ball to flow down at a predetermined timing by operation of an electric actuator, a ball detection sensor provided for measuring the flowing game ball provided at or downstream of the ball flow path; Means for comparing the timing of the game ball to be flown by the means with the timing of the game ball to be measured by the ball detection sensor; and abnormality determination means for judging suitability based on the comparison result by the comparison means. Game ball counter featuring. Ball braking means provided in the ball flow path for causing a game ball to flow down by the operation of an electric actuator; flow-down timing command means for detecting a game ball flow-down command and instructing the ball braking means to flow the game ball at a predetermined timing; A ball detection sensor that measures a game ball flowing down provided in the ball flow path or downstream thereof, and a flow down timing of the game ball instructed by the ball braking means and a flow down timing of the game ball measured by the ball detection sensor. And a malfunction judging means for judging suitability based on the result of comparison by the comparing means. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow-down timing detects a time at which the ball detection sensor starts detecting a game ball. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow-down timing detects a time from when the ball detection sensor starts detecting the game ball to when the ball detection sensor ends the detection. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow-down timing detects a time when the ball detection sensor finishes detecting the game ball. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow-down timing detects a time from when the ball detection sensor finishes detecting the game ball to when the ball detection sensor starts detecting the next game ball. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ball braking means is a screw. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electric actuator is a stepping motor. The ball braking means is a screw, the electric actuator is a stepping motor for rotating the screw, and the ball detection sensor detects a game ball whose flow is restricted by the screw. A game ball counter as described. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ball detection sensor is an optical sensor. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the timing at which the game balls flow down instructed to the ball braking means is different for each ball. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the timing at which the game balls flow down to the ball braking means is different for each unit ball number. 14. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the comparison is made based on a total time during which a unit number of game balls flow down. The game ball counter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the abnormality determination unit includes an abnormality confirmation unit.

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