JP2006230901A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which performs a game ball hitting operation on the basis of original point detection of a hitting motor by using a hitting control circuit composed of a logic circuit, and can stop the hitting of game balls when the original point can not be detected. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine comprises: a hammer for hitting the game ball to a prescribed game area; the hitting motor for operating the hammer by being rotated; an original point detection means for detecting the preset original point angle of the hitting motor; and a hitting control means constituted of the logic circuit and for controlling the operation of the hitting motor. The hitting control means is provided with a timer circuit which starts the operation on the basis of the detection of the original point angle of the hitting motor by the original point detection means, and is constituted so as to stop the operation of the hitting motor when the lapse of prescribed time is detected in the timer circuit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a so-called pachinko gaming machine or a ball ball gaming machine such as an arrangement ball gaming machine.

  The gaming machine is provided with a kite for reciprocating the game ball by a launch motor to hit the game ball, and the player adjusts the amount of rotation of the launch handle so that the game ball strike force (launch) by the kite Force) can be adjusted.

An origin sensor that detects whether or not the rotation axis of the launch motor is at a predetermined origin position (origin angle) is provided, and a precise launch is performed by performing a series of launch sequences based on the origin detection by the origin sensor. A gaming machine has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In the firing sequence based on the origin detection, the firing motor is operated when the operation of the firing handle is detected at the time of origin detection, and the firing motor is stopped when the operation of the firing handle is not detected at the time of origin detection. It is configured.
JP-A-2005-442

  By the way, the origin sensor may not be able to detect the origin due to a disconnection or a defective connector. In such a case, in the configuration in which the launch control circuit using the CPU controls the launch of the game ball, if the origin sensor cannot detect the origin, an error is caused by software processing, and the launch of the game ball can be stopped. However, when the launch control of the game ball is performed by a launch control circuit using a logic circuit, if the origin is not detected by the origin sensor, the launch end process cannot be performed, and the launch of the game ball does not end There is.

  In view of the above, the present invention uses a launch control circuit composed of a logic circuit, and can stop the launch of a game ball when the origin cannot be detected in a gaming machine that launches a game ball based on the origin detection of the launch motor. The purpose is to do so.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a spear capable of firing a game ball into a predetermined game area, a launch motor capable of operating the spear by rotating, An origin detection means capable of detecting the set origin angle of the launch motor, and a launch control means configured by a logic circuit and controlling the operation of the launch motor, the launch control means is a launch by the origin detection means. It has a timer circuit that starts operation based on detection of the origin angle of the motor, and is configured to stop the operation of the firing motor when a lapse of a predetermined time is detected by the timer circuit.

  As a result, in the configuration in which the launch operation of the game ball is performed based on the detection of the origin of the launch motor using the launch control means using the logic circuit, the launch of the game ball is surely stopped when the origin of the launch motor cannot be detected. can do.

  Further, as in the second aspect of the invention, by setting the predetermined time to be longer than the time required for one rotation of the firing motor, it is possible to reliably grasp that the origin cannot be detected by the origin detection means. Can do.

  The invention according to claim 3 further includes a ball feeding device that operates in conjunction with the movement of the kite and supplies the game ball to the game ball launch position where the kite will launch the game ball. Yes. When using a mechanical ball feeder that feeds a game ball to the launch position in conjunction with the movement of the kite, the ball feed will not stop if the origin cannot be detected, and the game will not stop unless the launch motor stops. Continue to fire the ball. For this reason, it is particularly effective to stop the operation of the firing motor when a predetermined time has been detected by the timer circuit that starts the operation based on the detection of the origin angle of the firing motor.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first example showing an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A gaming machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 includes a main body frame 2, a middle frame 3, a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a locking device 9, a game board 20, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 20 is omitted. Further, the middle frame 3 is not clearly shown in FIG. 1 because the front frame 4 and the like are arranged on the front side.

  The main body frame 2 is an assembly of wooden plate-like bodies in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and constitutes an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. The middle frame 3 is made of plastic, is fitted inside the main body frame 2, and is pivotally supported at the left end so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. The middle frame 3 is composed of a frame body portion that occupies about 2/3 of the upper side and a lower plate portion that occupies about 1/3 of the lower side. The game board 20 and the front frame 4 are provided so as to overlap each other on the front side of the frame body part, and the upper plate part 5 and the lower plate part 6 are provided on the front side of the lower plate part.

  The lower plate portion includes a launcher unit 10 (see FIG. 3) constituting a game ball launcher that launches a game ball onto the game board 20, and a ball feeder 12 (see FIG. 7) that supplies the game ball to the launcher unit 10. ) Is provided. Furthermore, although not shown in the lower plate portion, a ball feed count switch for detecting a game ball supplied to the launcher unit 10 and a shot ball count switch for detecting a game ball launched from the launcher unit 10 A foul ball detection switch for detecting a game ball that has not reached the surface of the game board 20 among the game balls launched from the launching device unit 10 is provided. Further, a speaker 266 (not shown) that generates sound effects according to the gaming state is provided on the lower plate portion. Note that the speaker 266 of the present embodiment is configured to include a middle / high tone speaker (tweeter) and a low tone speaker (woofer).

  The front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the middle frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 4 is made of plastic, and a circular opening 4a is formed in order to make the board surface of the game board 20 arranged on the back side visible. A substantially rectangular transparent plate frame (not shown) including a transparent plate such as a glass plate corresponding to the opening 4a is attached to the back surface of the front frame 4.

  The front frame 4 is provided with a left LED display unit 4b, a right LED display unit 4c, an upper left LED display unit 4d, an upper right LED display unit 4e, and an upper LED display unit 4f as lamps for game effects and the like. . The left LED display portion 4b and the right LED display portion 4c are provided in an arc shape on the right side and the left side around the opening 4a, respectively. The upper left LED display portion 4d is provided at the upper left of the left LED display portion 4a, and the upper right LED display portion 4e is provided at the upper right of the right LED display portion 4c. The upper LED display part 4f is formed in a circular shape, and two are provided between the upper end part of the left LED display part 4b and the upper end part of the right LED display part 4c. These LED display portions 4b to 4f are turned on / off or blinking according to the progress of the game in order to enhance the gaming effect.

  In addition, two prize ball LED display portions 4g are provided between the two upper LED display portions 4f. A sector-shaped error LED display unit 4h is provided above the prize ball display LED display unit 4g. The error LED display unit 4h of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of displaying errors in a plurality of stages as will be described later. The error LED display section 4h is lit or blinks in red when a serious error occurs and in orange when a minor error occurs. In the present embodiment, for example, a case where it is necessary to open the front frame 4 for restoration or to perform work or a part needs to be replaced is regarded as a serious error. Is a minor error.

  The front frame 4 is provided with a door switch (not shown). When it is detected by the door switch that the front frame 4 has been opened for a predetermined time (in this example, 1 second) or longer, the payout control unit 230, which will be described later, determines that a front frame open error has occurred, and an error has occurred. The LED display unit 4h is lit in orange, and the launching unit 10 stops firing. The front frame opening error is canceled when the door switch detects that the front frame 4 is closed for a predetermined time (in this example, 1 second) or more. An error signal related to opening the front frame 4 is not transmitted from the payout control unit 230 to the main control unit 200 described later.

  The upper plate part 5 is provided on the lower side of the front frame 4 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The upper dish portion 5 includes a dish outer edge portion 5a provided with a ball removal button, a game ball rental button, a return button, and the like, and a discharge port 5b for discharging the game ball from the inside of the gaming machine 1. ing. Furthermore, a first audio output unit 5c is formed in a substantially central part of the upper plate part 5 in which a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes are formed in the upper part. The first audio output unit 5c is connected to a middle / high tone speaker (tweeter) of the speakers 266 via a duct, and the sound from the middle / high tone speaker is output via the duct. A volume switch board 267 (see FIG. 19) is provided on the back surface of the upper plate part 5.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided below the upper plate part 5. A discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate part 6. In addition, a ball hole (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate portion 6. The ball removal hole is normally closed, and is opened when the game ball stored in the lower dish portion 6 is discharged.

  A discharge knob 6b that opens and closes the ball removal hole is provided on the substantially center front side of the lower dish portion 6. The discharge knob 6 b constitutes a part of the peripheral edge of the lower plate part 6. The discharge knob 6b is normally in an upright state, and is rotatable so that the upper end is a rotation axis and the lower end is tilted to the back side. The ball hole is linked to the discharge knob 6b. When the discharge knob 6b is in an upright state, the ball hole is closed, and the ball hole is opened by pushing the discharge knob 6b to the back side.

  On the right side and the left side of the discharge knob 6b in the lower plate part 6, second audio output units 6c are provided. The second audio output unit 6c is connected to a low-frequency speaker (woofer) among the speakers 266 via a duct, and the audio from the low-frequency speaker is output downward.

  At the right end of the lower plate part 6, a launching handle 8 is provided for the player to operate the launching device unit 10 (see FIG. 3). The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a as contact detection means for detecting that the player is touching. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

  The locking device 9 is provided at the center of the right end of the middle frame 3 and is used to lock the front frame 4 when it is closed. A prepaid card unit 13 (CR unit) is mounted on the left side of the gaming machine 1.

  Next, the launch of a game ball in the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the front frame 4 of the gaming machine 1 is removed and the upper platen portion 5 is opened, FIG. 3 is a front view of the launcher unit 10, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the launcher unit 10, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the launcher unit 10. In FIG. 2, the game board 20 is not attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an outer rail 22 is provided on the middle frame 3. The outer rail 22 guides the game ball fired from the launcher unit 10 to the game area (not shown) of the game board 20 together with the inner rail (not shown) of the game board 20. After being launched from the launcher unit 10, the game ball that does not reach the game area falls along the outer rail 22, enters the foul mouth 14 provided in the middle of the outer rail 22, and is collected as a foul ball. Is done. The game ball that has entered the foul mouth 14 is guided to the lower dish portion 6 through the foul ball passage 15. A foul ball detection switch 222 is provided in the foul ball passage 15. The foul mouth 14 and the foul ball passage 15 constitute one aspect of the foul ball guiding portion of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the launcher unit 10 includes a spear 10 a that reciprocates around the rotation axis and hits the game ball, stopper portions 10 b, 10 c that restrict the rotation of the spear 10 a, and a spear 10 a. A spring portion 10d for applying a striking force and a cam 10e are fixed to the rotating shaft, and a motor portion 10f having a built-in firing motor for continuously generating striking force is provided on the rod 10a. The launcher unit 10 corresponds to the game ball launching means of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the launcher unit 10 is provided with a pinion 10h and a rack 10i that convert the rotational motion of the handle 8 into a linear motion and transmit it to the spring portion 10d. The amount of operation of the launch handle 8 by the player is transmitted to the spring portion 10d by the rack 10i.

  The launching device unit 10 of the present embodiment is configured to obtain the launching force of the game ball by the elastic force of the elastic body. A spring spring as an elastic body is built in the spring portion 10d. One end of the spring spring is connected to the rotating shaft of the flange 10a, and the other end is connected to the rack 10i. The rack 10i constitutes a spring slider portion that adjusts the spring force (repulsive force) of the spring (spiral spring) by linear motion. The spring force of the spring spring acts in a direction to move the tip of the flange 10a toward the firing position. The cage 10a is pressed against the stopper portions 10b and 10c by the spring force of the mainspring at a normal time when the game ball is not being launched. At this time, the tip of the basket 10a is located at the launch position immediately before the game ball. The tip of the heel 10a is positioned in front of the firing ball count switch 221 as shown in FIG. In addition, the contact part with the collar 10a in the stopper parts 10b and 10c is comprised from the elastic member.

  In this embodiment, a stepping motor driven by a micro step is used as a firing motor of the motor unit 10f. By adopting such a micro step drive stepping motor, vibration can be reduced. The firing motor is driven by a drive pulse signal having a predetermined frequency.

  Moreover, the engaging part (not shown) which contacts the cam 10e is provided in the rotating shaft of the collar 10a. As the firing motor rotates, the cam 10e presses the engaging portion of the flange 10a, and the flange 10a is pulled away from the firing position while compressing the spring. When the cam 10e rotates to a predetermined firing angle, the cam 10e and the hook 10a are disengaged from each other, and the hook 10a is swung out by the spring force of the mainspring spring. The flange 10a rotates until it comes into contact with the stopper portions 10b and 10c. As a result, the tip of the basket 10a can hit (fire) the game ball at the launch position.

  Thus, every time the launch motor makes one revolution, one game ball is launched. The above operation is repeated by continuously rotating the launch motor, and game balls can be continuously fired.

  In the present embodiment, the spring in the spring portion 10d has a spring force when the firing handle 8 is not operated (the minimum value of the spring force) when the game ball hits the game ball with the heel 10a. Is set to a strength that can be reached and does not reach the game area of the game board. This is the minimum firing strength of the launcher unit 10. Therefore, when the launch motor is operated in a state where the launch handle 8 is not operated, the game ball is launched at the lowest launch intensity of the launcher unit 10 and enters the foul mouth 14.

  The motor unit 10f is provided with an origin sensor (not shown) for detecting that the firing motor rotation axis is at the origin position (origin angle). As the origin sensor, for example, a magnetic sensor can be used. In the present embodiment, the origin is defined as a position rotated by a predetermined angle (for example, 15 to 20 °) from a predetermined launch angle at which the kite 10a is swung out.

  Further, the player can adjust the striking force (launching force) of the game ball by the kite 10a by adjusting the rotation amount of the firing handle 8. That is, when the player rotates the firing handle 8, the rack 10i linearly moves through the handle shaft 10g and the pinion 10h connected to the handle shaft 10g. Since the rack 10i is connected to the mainspring of the spring portion 10d, the spring force of the mainspring can be changed according to the amount of movement of the rack 10i, and the launching force of the game ball by the basket 10a can be changed.

  6A and 6B are explanatory views showing the internal configuration of the firing handle 8, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state in which the firing handle 8 is not rotated, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the firing handle 8 is rotated.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a handle switch 8 c is provided inside the firing handle 8. The game ball is fired when the handle switch 8c is turned on.

  In the state where the firing handle 8 shown in FIG. 6A is not rotating, the firing stop switch 8b is pushed by the rib 8d provided in the firing handle 8, and the firing stop switch 8b pushes the handle switch 8c. Thereby, in a state where the launch handle 8 is not rotated, the handle switch 8c is turned off, and the game ball is not launched.

  In the state where the launch handle 8 shown in FIG. 6B is rotating, the launch stop switch 8b is released from the rib 8d, the handle switch 8c is turned on, and the game ball can be launched. Then, when the firing stop switch 8b is pressed while the firing handle 8 is rotating, the handle switch 8c is turned off and the launch of the game ball is stopped.

  Next, ball feeding to the launcher unit 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, the ball feeding device 12 for feeding the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 5 one by one to the firing position of the launching device unit 10 is operated in conjunction with the movement of the basket 10a of the launching device unit 10. A mechanical ball feeder is employed. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the ball feeding device 12.

  The upper plate part 5 is provided with a launch ball guide rail 51 for guiding the game ball of the upper plate unit 5 to the ball feeding device 12. On the front side of the ball feeding device 12 in the launch ball guide rail 51, a ball passage 52 for guiding the game ball of the upper plate portion 5 to the lower plate portion 6 (ball removal) is connected. A ball removal member (not shown) is provided at a connection point between the firing ball guide rail 51 and the ball removal passage 52. The ball removal member can be operated from the outside. By operating the ball removal member, the game ball of the upper plate portion 5 can be extracted to the lower plate portion 6.

The ball feeding device 12 includes a link member 12a and a ball feeding member 12b. The link member 12a is substantially L-shaped and can be rotated by a predetermined angle around the bent portion. The flange 10a is provided with a transmission piece that contacts one side of the link member 12a and transmits the movement of the flange 10a to the link member 12a. The ball feeding member 12b is linear and can be rotated by a predetermined angle around the center.
One end of the ball feed member 12b is in contact with the link member 12a, and the other end is provided with an arc-shaped portion extending upward.

  As the reed 10a reciprocates, the movement of the reed 10a is transmitted to the ball feed member 12b via the link member 12a, and the arcuate portion of the ball feed member 12b moves in the vertical direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tip of the basket 10a is at the launch position of the game ball, the arc-shaped portion of the ball feeding member 12b moves upward. At this time, the arc-shaped portion of the ball feeding member 12b obstructs the flow of the ball game ball supplied from the upper plate portion 5, and the game ball is held at the predetermined standby position 12c.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tip of the basket 10a moves to a position where the game ball moves away from the ball feeding position of the ball feeding device 12, the arc-shaped portion of the ball feeding member 12b is interlocked with this. The game ball moved downward and held at the standby position 12 c is fed to the launch position of the launcher unit 10.

  In addition, the ball feeder 12 is disposed on the front side of the drawing surface from the launching device unit 10 in FIG. 7, and the game balls fed by the ball feeding device 12 are those of the launching device unit 10 located on the back side of the drawing. Sent to the launch position.

  Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view of the back mechanism board 102 of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the back mechanism board 102 is provided on the opposite surface of the game board 20 in the middle frame 3, and is attached to the middle frame 3 by a pair of hinges 103 so as to be opened and closed. In the upper left part of the back mechanism board 102, a prize ball tank 105 having a tank ball cut detection switch 104 at the bottom is provided. The tank ball cut detection switch 104 is turned on when a game ball is present in the prize ball tank 105, and is turned off when there is no game ball in the prize ball tank 105. The prize ball tank 105 stores payout game balls supplied from an external supply device. Below the prize ball tank 105, a tank rail 106 connected to the prize ball tank 105 is provided. The tank rail 106 is formed to be inclined from the bottom of the prize ball tank 105 to above the game ball payout device 109.

  When the off state of the tank ball break detection switch 104 is detected for a predetermined time or more, the payout control unit 230 described later determines that a tank ball break error has occurred, and lights the error LED display unit 4h in orange. The winning ball stop and the lending stop by the game ball payout device 109 are performed. The tank ball run-out error is canceled when the tank ball run-out detection switch 104 is on for more than a predetermined time (1 second in this example). An error signal related to the tank ball breakage is transmitted from the payout control unit 230 to the main control unit 200 described later.

  A ball removal lever 107 is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106. A game ball payout device 109 is provided on the downstream side of the ball removal lever 107. Further, on the downstream side of the tank rail 106 and above the game ball payout device 109, a case rail for guiding the game ball payout device 109 by changing the traveling direction of the game ball flowing down the tank rail 106 ( A game ball guiding path) 108 is provided. In the case rail 108, two baskets (game ball passages) are formed in parallel corresponding to the baskets 106 a and 106 b of the tank rail 106.

  Below the tank rail 106, a symbol display device 31 is attached on the front side, and a back case 111 is provided on the back side, to which a lamp interface board 112, a symbol control board case 113, and a sound lamp control board case 114 are respectively attached. ing. A main control board case 115 is provided below the back case 111, and a power supply board case 116 is provided below the main control board case 115. Various control boards described later are stored in these board cases.

  In the upper right part of the back mechanism board 102, a frame external terminal board 122 having external connection terminals for gaming machine frames such as jackpots, launch device control, ball breakage, door opening, prize balls, and rental balls is provided. ing.

  Next, the electronic control device of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electronic control device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the electronic control device includes a main control unit (game control unit) 200 and sub-control units 230, 260, and 280 connected to the main control unit 200. The sub control unit includes a prize ball control unit (payout control unit) 230, a sound lamp control unit 260, and a symbol control unit 280. The main control unit 200 includes a main control board 200a, and the sub-control units 230, 260, and 280 include a payout control board 230a, a sound lamp control board 260a, and a symbol control board 280a as peripheral control boards, respectively. In addition, a discharge control unit 250 is connected to the payout control unit 230, and the discharge control unit 250 includes a discharge control board 250a.

  The main control unit 200 transmits command signals (command data) for instructing processing contents to the sub-control units 230, 260, and 280, and the sub-control units 230, 260, and 280 perform various controls based on the command signals. It is configured as follows.

  For example, a command such as a prize ball instruction signal for instructing a prize ball payout, a game start permission signal for instructing a game start permission, and various launch control commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the payout control unit 230. Various launch control commands include ball feed permission / prohibition, launch permission / prohibition, game start permission, and the like.

  Also, various lamp control commands and various audio control commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the sound lamp control unit 260. From the main control unit 200 to the symbol control unit 280, via the sound lamp control unit 260, a guide symbol display control command for instructing display of the present symbol, a winning symbol display command for instructing display of a winning symbol of 1 to 16, Various symbol control commands such as a winning symbol extinction command instructing extinction of all symbol displays are transmitted. The display control command for instructing the display of the pseudo symbol is transmitted from the sound lamp control unit 260 to the symbol control unit 280.

  Each control unit 200, 230, 260, and 280 is supplied with power from the power receiving board 128 connected to the main power source 129 via the power board 127 and the power relay board 121. Further, when the power is turned on, a system reset signal is transmitted to each of the control units 200, 230, 260 and 280 via the power supply board 127 and the power supply relay board 121. Note that the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment includes a backup power supply unit (not shown) that supplies an operating voltage to the main control unit 200 and the payout control unit 230 when the power is turned off. 200 and RAM data of the payout control unit 230 are held.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the CPU 400 provided on the main control board 200a of the main control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 400 includes a CPU core 401, a built-in RAM 402 (hereinafter also simply referred to as RAM), a built-in ROM 403 (hereinafter also simply referred to as ROM), a memory control circuit 404, a clock generator 405, an address decoder 406, A watchdog timer 407, a counter / timer 408, a parallel input / output port 409, a reset / interrupt controller 410, an external bus interface 411, and an output control circuit 412 are provided.

  The CPU 400 controls operation of the entire gaming machine 1 (basic progress control of the game) using the RAM 402 as a work area by a control program stored in the ROM 403. In addition, the main control unit 200 constitutes a go / no-go determination unit that performs the go / no-go determination by the go / no-go determination program stored in the ROM 403, with the CPU 400 as a main body. Note that the control cycle of the main control unit 200 of this embodiment is set to 4 ms.

  In addition, a random number counter for various random numbers used in the gaming machine 1 is set in the RAM 402. The random numbers used in the present embodiment include a random number for determination of success / failure, a random number for symbol display, and the like. The random number for success / failure determination is used to determine whether or not to operate the accessory guiding device when the game ball passes through the guidance symbol operation gate 29 (whether or not determination). A winning value for determining whether or not to win is set in advance, and it is determined that the winning or failing random number acquired at the timing when the game ball passes through the guiding symbol actuating gate 29 matches the winning value. The random number for symbol display is used to determine the guidance symbol that is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 31 when the game ball passes through the guidance symbol actuation gate 29.

  Further, the RAM 402 has a ball feed counter for counting game balls sent to the launcher unit 10, a launch counter for counting game balls launched by the launcher unit 10, and an entrance. A counter for counting the number of game balls that have been pitched, and a counter for confirming the number of game balls that have entered the first accessory operating port 32 and that have not been discharged from the induction device operating area 39a or the discharge port 40 In addition, a number-of-balls counter that counts game balls that have entered the first accessory operating port 32, a discharge ball counter that counts game balls discharged from the guidance increase device operating region 39a or the discharge port 40, and the like are set. .

  Returning to FIG. 9, the main control unit 200 is connected to the board external terminal board 201, the 16-series switch relay board 202, the guidance symbol operation gate switch 204, the board surface relay board 210, and the game frame relay board 220. The board external terminal board 201 is provided with a plurality of test signal terminals for connecting an external test apparatus (not shown).

  Next, the payout control unit 230 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, to the payout control unit 230, a frame external terminal board 122, a switch relay terminal board 231, a CR connection board 234, a firing control unit 250, and the like are connected. The switch relay terminal board 231 is connected to a tank ball cut switch 232 and a lower pan full switch 233. The tank ball cut switch 232 is also connected to the frame external terminal board 122.

  The tank ball cut switch 232 detects that the game ball in the prize ball tank 105 has run out. The ball-out signal of the tank ball-out switch 232 is transmitted to the external replenishing device via the frame external terminal board 122, and the game ball is replenished to the prize ball tank 105 from the replenishing device. The lower tray full tank switch 233 detects that the lower tray 6 has become full. The payout control board 230a of the payout control unit 230 includes a CPU having the same configuration as the CPU 400 of the main control board 200a shown in FIG. The control cycle of the payout control unit 230 of this embodiment is set to 1 ms shorter than that of the main control unit 200.

  The payout control unit 230 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing signal input / output with respect to the payout control unit 230. As shown in FIG. 11, the prepaid card unit 13 and the CR display board 235 are connected to the payout control unit 230 via the CR connection board 234. A ball rental button 236 and a return button 237 are connected to the CR display board 235. The CR display board 235 is a board for inputting / outputting signals such as a rental ball and the remaining number of cards to / from the CR unit 13.

  The payout control unit 230 is connected with a payout motor 109f and payout sensors 109j and 109k via a payout unit relay terminal plate 239, and a prize ball display LED board 241 and an error display via a status display LED relay terminal plate 240. An LED substrate 242 is connected. The payout sensors 109j and 109k count the number of game balls paid out by the game ball payout device 109. The game balls that are paid out by the game ball payout device 109 include prize balls that are paid out in response to winnings and balls that are lent to players. The payout sensors 109j and 109k correspond to the payout number counting means of the present invention, and the payout control unit 230 corresponds to the payout number storage means and the remaining payout number calculating means.

  The award ball display LED substrate 241 and the error display LED substrate 242 correspond to the award ball display LED display portion 4g and the error LED display portion 4h (see FIG. 1), respectively. The LED on the prize ball display LED board 241 is turned on or blinked when a prize ball is acquired, and the LED on the error LED board 242 is turned on or blinks when an error occurs. The error display LED substrate 242 includes a plurality of types of LEDs, and the error LED display unit 4h can perform a plurality of types of error notification. In this embodiment, the error LED display section 4h is configured to be lit and blinking in red and orange as error notification.

  Next, the firing control unit 250 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing various gaming devices connected to the launch control unit 250. As shown in FIG. 12, the launch control unit 250 is connected to the launch handle 8, the origin sensor 251, the launch motor 252, the ball feed relay terminal plate 253, and the like. From the launch handle 8 to the launch controller 250, a launch start signal from the launch start switch indicating whether or not the player has rotated the launch handle 8 by a predetermined amount or more and whether or not the player is touching the launch handle 8 are shown. A touch signal or the like from the touch switch 8a is input.

  The origin sensor 251 detects whether or not the rotation axis of the firing motor 252 is at a predetermined origin position (origin angle). The launch motor 252 operates the basket 10a for driving the game ball sent to the launch position into the game area 21, and operates when the player operates the launch handle 8. In this embodiment, the frequency of the drive pulse signal of the firing motor 252 is a fixed value, and the rotation period of the firing motor 252, that is, the time required for one rotation is a fixed value (600 ms in this example). The origin sensor 251 corresponds to the origin detection means of the present invention.

  The launch control means constituted by a logic circuit is configured to keep the ball feed permission signal in a permitted state (L output) for a predetermined period (60 ms in this example) when the origin is detected by the origin sensor 251. Has been.

  FIG. 13 shows a circuit configuration of the launch control unit 250. As shown in FIG. 13, the launch control unit 250 of this embodiment is composed of a logic circuit, and includes a watchdog timer 250b, an AND circuit 250c, a clock 250d, a frequency dividing circuit 250e, and a motor drive circuit 250f. Further, the launch control unit 250 receives a launch permission signal from the payout control unit 230, receives an origin signal from the origin sensor 251, and receives a touch signal from the launch handle 8. The launch control unit 250 corresponds to the launch control means of the present invention, and the watchdog timer 250b corresponds to the timer circuit of the present invention.

  The watchdog timer 250b receives the origin signal and the touch signal and outputs a signal to the AND circuit 250c. The watchdog timer 250b activates the timer when the origin is detected by the origin signal and when the player's handle operation is detected by the touch signal. Then, the timer is reset and the operation is started again when the origin is detected next time.

  The output signal of the watchdog timer 250b is a high output (on) at normal time (during timer operation), and becomes a low output (off) when the elapse of a predetermined time is detected by the timer. Here, the “predetermined time” is set as a time necessary for detecting that some trouble has occurred in the origin detection by the origin sensor 251. In order to reliably detect that a defect has occurred in the origin detection, it is desirable to set the “predetermined time” longer than the time required for one rotation of the firing motor 252 (600 ms in this example), for example, between 800 ms and 2 s. Can be set.

  The AND circuit 250 c receives the firing permission signal and the signal from the watchdog timer 250 b as inputs, and outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 250 f that drives the firing motor 252. The clock circuit 250d outputs a clock frequency having a predetermined frequency. When the emission permission signal is Low output (ON) indicating emission permission and the signal from the watchdog timer 250b is High output (ON), the output signal of the AND circuit 250c is High output (ON).

  The frequency dividing circuit 250e divides the predetermined clock frequency generated by the clock circuit 250d to generate a reference clock signal having a desired pulse width, and outputs the reference clock signal to the motor driving circuit 250f. The frequency dividing circuit 250e receives the origin signal and the touch signal, is reset by the origin signal, and divides the clock frequency when the player's handle operation is detected by the touch signal.

  When the signal from the AND circuit 250c is High output (ON) and the reference clock signal from the frequency dividing circuit 250e rises (when it becomes High output), the motor drive circuit 250f sends a predetermined signal to the firing motor 252. Outputs a frequency pulse signal.

  Here, the operation of the launch control unit 250 configured as described above will be described based on the timing chart of FIG.

  First, when the player operates the firing handle 8, the touch sensor signal becomes a Low output. As a result, the launch permission signal becomes a Low output indicating launch permission. Then, when the origin is detected by the origin sensor 251, the output signal of the watchdog timer circuit 250b becomes High output (on), the timer starts to operate, and the output signal of the AND circuit 250c becomes High output.

  Then, the motor driving circuit 250f outputs a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency to the firing motor 252 in accordance with the reference clock signal from the frequency dividing circuit 250e. Thereby, when the firing permission signal is Low output, the firing motor 252 operates at a cycle of 600 ms. If the touch sensor signal is High output when the origin signal of the origin sensor 251 falls, the firing permission signal becomes High output indicating that firing is prohibited, the output signal of the AND circuit 250c becomes Low output, and the firing motor 252 stops. To do.

  If the origin sensor 251 cannot detect the origin for some reason, the timer of the watchdog timer circuit 250b elapses a predetermined time, and the signal of the watchdog timer circuit 250b becomes Low output (OFF). As a result, the output of the AND circuit 250c becomes Low output (OFF), the motor drive circuit 250f stops, and the firing motor 252 stops operating. Thus, by providing the watchdog timer circuit 250b that starts operating when the origin of the launch motor 252 is detected, the timing to stop the launch motor 252 can be obtained even when the origin sensor 251 cannot detect the origin. Even if the player releases his hand from the firing handle 8, it is possible to prevent the game ball from continuing to fire automatically.

  Next, the sound lamp control unit 260 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing various gaming devices connected to the sound lamp control unit 260. The sound lamp control board 260a provided in the sound lamp control unit 260 is provided with arithmetic circuit components (not shown) having a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output ports and the like and a sound generator (not shown). The input / output port is connected to the main control unit 200.

  As shown in FIG. 15, various board surface LED boards 263, various game frame LED boards 264, and the like are connected to the sound lamp control section 260 via a lamp interface board 261. The lamp interface board 261 is provided with drive circuits for various lamps, and is configured as a separate board independent of the sound lamp control board 260a.

  A game effect LED board or the like is connected to the board surface LED board 263 and the game frame LED board 264. These lamps are turned on / off or blinking in accordance with the progress of the game to enhance the gaming effect.

  Further, an amplifier board 265 is connected to the sound lamp control unit 260. A speaker 266 and a volume switch board 267 are connected to the amplifier board 265. From the speaker 266, various sounds, sounds, and the like are output in accordance with the progress of the game. The volume switch board 267 is for setting the output volume of the speaker 266 in accordance with an operation of a volume switch (not shown). The sound lamp control board 260 is provided with a mode changeover switch 268. The mode changeover switch 268 is configured as a DIP switch and is operated by a game hall employee when the power is turned on. The mode changeover switch 268 can change the background and the appearing character in the symbol display device 31.

  Next, the symbol control unit 280 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing various gaming devices connected to the symbol control unit 280. Arithmetic circuit components (not shown) having a CPU, RAM, ROM, input / output port, VDP (video display processor), etc. are provided on the symbol control board 280a provided in the symbol controller 280. It is connected to the main control unit 200. The symbol control unit 280 shows one specific example of the symbol control means of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the symbol control unit 280 is connected to a symbol display device substrate 281 that operates the symbol display device 31. In the symbol control unit 280, the CPU performs display control of the symbol display device 31 using the RAM as a work area in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM. The symbol control unit 280 is provided with a plurality of test signal terminals (not shown) for connecting an external test apparatus (not shown). These test signal terminals are used for induction symbols, and signals such as a symbol variation signal can be sent to the test apparatus.

  As described above, in a configuration in which the launch operation of the game ball is performed based on the origin detection by the origin sensor 251 using the launch control unit 250 including a logic circuit, the watchdog timer 250b that starts operation by origin detection causes a predetermined time to elapse. By stopping the driving of the firing motor 252 when detected, the operation of the firing motor 252 can be stopped when the origin cannot be detected. Thereby, even in the configuration using the mechanical ball feeder 12 interlocked with the operation of the rod 10a (launching motor 252) as in the present embodiment, the origin cannot be detected due to disconnection or a defective connector. In addition, the launch of the game ball can be stopped.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ball feeding device is configured to be operated by a solenoid. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The ball feeder 12 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 17A to 17C are a front view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the ball feeder 12. The ball feeding device 12 supplies the game ball stored in the upper plate part 5 to the launch position of the launch rail 11. As shown in FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (c), the ball feeding device 12 includes a ball feeding solenoid 12a and a ball feeding cam 12b. The ball feed cam 12b operates in conjunction with the ball feed solenoid 12a and supplies the game balls of the upper plate portion 5 one by one to the launch position of the launch rail 11.

  FIG. 17A shows a case where the ball feed solenoid 12a is turned off and the ball feed cam 12b cannot receive the game ball of the upper plate portion 5. In this case, in conjunction with the demagnetization of the ball feed solenoid 12a, the ball feed cam 12b rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 17A) and cannot accept the game ball in the upper plate part 5. It is in a state.

  FIG. 17B shows a case where the ball feed solenoid 12 a is turned on and the ball feed cam 12 b is in a state where it can accept the game ball of the upper plate part 5. In this case, the ball feed cam 12b rotates upward (counterclockwise in FIG. 17B) in conjunction with the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 12a, and can accept the game ball in the upper plate part 5. It is in a state. The game ball temporarily stops at the concave portion of the ball feed cam 12b.

  FIG. 17C shows the case where the ball feed solenoid 12a is turned off again, and the ball feed cam 12b becomes unable to accept the game ball of the upper plate part 5, and the game ball is supplied to the firing rail 11. The case where it became possible is shown. In this case, in conjunction with the demagnetization of the ball feed solenoid 12a, the ball feed cam 12b rotates downward (clockwise in FIG. 17C) and cannot accept the game ball in the upper plate part 5. At the same time, the game ball received in the recess of the ball feed cam 12 b is supplied to the launch rail 11.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing various gaming devices connected to the launch control unit 250 of the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 12 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the ball feed solenoid 12 a is connected to the ball feed relay terminal plate 253.

  The firing control unit 250 is provided with a ball feed solenoid drive circuit (not shown) that drives the ball feed solenoid 12a. A ball feed permission signal and an origin signal from the origin sensor 251 are input to the ball feed solenoid drive circuit from the main control unit 200. The ball feed solenoid drive circuit drives the ball feed solenoid 12a when the ball feed permission signal is in the ball feed permission state and the origin is detected.

  Here, the operation of the launch control unit 250 of the second embodiment will be described based on the timing chart of FIG.

  First, when the player operates the firing handle 8, the touch sensor signal becomes a Low output. As a result, the launch permission signal becomes a Low output indicating launch permission. When the origin is detected by the origin sensor 251, the output signal of the watchdog timer circuit 250 b becomes High output (ON), the timer starts to operate, and the output signal of the AND circuit 250 c becomes High output.

  Then, the motor driving circuit 250f outputs a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency to the firing motor 252 in accordance with the reference clock signal from the frequency dividing circuit 250e. Thereby, when the firing permission signal is Low output, the firing motor 252 operates at a cycle of 600 ms.

  If the touch sensor signal is a low output when the origin signal of the origin sensor 251 rises, the ball feed permission signal becomes a low output indicating the ball feed permission. Thereby, ball feeding is performed by the ball feeding solenoid 12a. The ball feed permission signal returns to high output in 60 ms.

  If the touch sensor signal is High output when the origin signal of the origin sensor 251 falls, the firing permission signal becomes High output indicating that firing is prohibited, the output signal of the AND circuit 250c becomes Low output, and the firing motor 252 stops. To do.

  In the configuration using the solenoid ball feeding device 12 of this embodiment, when the origin sensor 251 cannot detect the origin, the ball feeding solenoid 12a does not operate, so that the game ball is not fed and the game ball is not fired. . However, when the firing control unit 250 is configured by a logic circuit, it is conceivable that the firing motor 252 continues to operate if the origin cannot be detected. In this case, the player cannot know why the game ball is not fired.

  On the other hand, as in this embodiment, when the elapse of a predetermined time is detected by the watchdog timer 250b, the driving of the firing motor 252 is stopped, so that the firing motor 252 is stopped when the origin cannot be detected. it can. Thereby, the player can know that the firing motor 252 has stopped, and can know that some trouble has occurred.

(Other embodiments)
In the present invention, not only pachinko machines, combination-type games machines, etc., but also the launch control unit 250 is configured by a logic circuit, and the launch control of the game ball is controlled based on the origin detection of the launch motor 252 by the origin sensor 251. Any game machine can be applied.

It is a front view which shows the game machine by said each Example. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the front frame of the game machine of the said Example, and opened the upper plate part. It is a front view of the launcher unit of the said Example. It is a rear view of the launcher unit of the said Example. It is a top view of the launcher unit of the above-mentioned embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the launching handle of the said Example, (a) is the state in which the launching handle is not rotating, (b) is the state in which the launching handle is rotating. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the action | operation of a ball feeder. It is a rear view which shows the combination type game machine of each said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic control apparatus of each said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of CPU of the main control part of each said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the various game devices connected to the payout control board of each said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the various game devices connected to the launch control board of the said 1st Example. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the discharge control part of the said 1st Example. It is a timing chart which shows the discharge operation | movement of the game ball of the said 1st Example. It is a block diagram which shows the various game devices connected to the sound lamp control board of each said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the various game devices connected to the symbol control board of each said Example. It is the front view and AA sectional drawing of the ball feeder of the said 2nd Example. It is a block diagram which shows the various game devices connected to the launch control board of the said 2nd Example. It is a timing chart which shows the discharge operation | movement of the game ball of the said 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 10 ... Launching device unit, 10a ... Samurai, 20 ... Game board, 200 ... Main control part, 230 ... Discharge control part, 250 ... Launch control part, 250b ... Watch dog timer, 252 ... Launch motor, 260 ... sound lamp control unit, 280 ... design control unit.

Claims (3)

A spear capable of launching a game ball into a predetermined game area;
A firing motor capable of operating the rod by rotating;
Origin detecting means capable of detecting a preset origin angle of the firing motor;
A firing control means configured from a logic circuit and controlling the operation of the firing motor;
The firing control means has a timer circuit that starts operating based on the origin angle detection of the firing motor by the origin detection means, and when the predetermined time has elapsed since the origin angle was detected by the timer circuit, the launch control means A gaming machine configured to stop the operation of a motor. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is set to be longer than a time required for the firing motor to make one rotation. 3. The ball feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a ball feeding device that operates in conjunction with the movement of the kite and supplies the game ball to a game ball launching position at which the kite launches a game ball. Gaming machine.

Images