JP2006254941A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that it takes a lot of time and labor for the readjusting operation of a hitting lever in the case of changing hitting strength in a conventional pachinko game machine. <P>SOLUTION: When a hand of a player touches one of the hitting levers 4 and 5 and it is operated, the light receiving part 63 of one of lever operation detection parts 101 and 102 and a D-A conversion ladder circuit 67 are connected, and the operation of the hitting lever to which the hand of the player has touched becomes valid. Also, when a hand of a player touches both hitting levers 4 and 5 and they are operated, the light receiving part 63 of the lever operation detection part 102 and the D-A conversion ladder circuit 67 are preferentially connected and the operation of the hitting lever 5 becomes valid. Thereafter, when the turning operation of the hitting lever 5 is ended and the hitting lever 5 is not touched any more, the light receiving part 63 of the lever operation detection part 101 instead of the light receiving part 63 of the lever operation detection part 102 and the D-A conversion ladder circuit 67 are connected and the operation of the hitting lever 4 becomes valid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine that drives and controls a launching device with a firing intensity corresponding to an operation amount of an operation unit.

  Conventionally, as this type of ball game machine, for example, there is a pachinko machine. Pachinko machines are called so-called “seven machines” equipped with first-class electric actors, and so-called “feathers” equipped with second-class electric actors, mainly due to differences in game forms. It is classified into a so-called “right” model equipped with a third-class electric accessory. Both types of pachinko machines are equipped with a launching device that launches pachinko balls into the game area. This launching device has a launching handle with a launching lever that is used to adjust the launching intensity. Is provided.

  Pachinko machines called “seven machines” and “feathers” above generally have a start prize opening, a big prize opening that is opened during a big hit game that is triggered by a prize at the start prize opening, etc. The game area is arranged at the center. When a player plays a game with these pachinko machines, the player operates the launch lever with the aim of the center of the game area so that the pachinko ball can easily enter the start winning opening or the big winning opening. In addition, in the pachinko machine called “right thing” described above, a special winning opening for shifting the game state to a state called right generation state is generally arranged at the center of the game area, and is effective only in the right generation state. A winning prize opening that is opened, and a large winning opening that is opened in response to a winning at the starting prize opening, are arranged on the right side of the game area. When a player plays a game with a pachinko machine called `` right thing '', he first operates the launch lever with the aim of a specific winning opening in the center of the gaming area, and wins a specific winning opening to generate a right. At this point, the launch lever is operated aiming at the right side of the game area so that the pachinko ball can easily enter the starting prize opening and the big prize opening.

  In these conventional pachinko machines, the player usually operates the launch lever to adjust the launch strength so that the pachinko ball is launched to a desired position in the game area, and then the adjusted launch strength is Play the game while holding the launch lever by hand so that it does not change. However, holding the launch lever for a long time is a heavy burden on the player. In addition, when the operation position of the launch lever is shifted and the launch intensity is changed, it is difficult to readjust the same launch intensity by operating the launch lever again.

Therefore, Patent Document 1 below discloses a pachinko machine including a launching handle that can easily fix the launching lever at an arbitrary operation position without holding the launching lever by hand. A locking tooth portion made of a flexible resin is provided around the rear surface of the launch lever of this pachinko machine, and the above-mentioned engagement is provided around the front surface of the mounting member disposed opposite to the rear surface of the launch lever. A locked tooth portion having a shape that meshes with the tooth portion is formed. An insertion slot for inserting a coin is formed between the firing lever and the locking tooth portion. When a coin is inserted into the insertion slot while the firing lever is operated to an arbitrary operation position, the locking tooth portion and the locked tooth portion bulged by the inserted coin are brought into contact with each other to engage and fire. The lever is fixed at the operation position at that time.
JP 11-226187 A (paragraphs [0009] to [0015])

  However, since the launch handle of the pachinko machine shown in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the launch lever is simply fixed by inserting a coin, if the launch strength of the launch lever is changed by removing the inserted coin, the launch handle It is difficult to readjust the intensity back to the original firing intensity before the change. Therefore, like the pachinko machine called “Right Things” mentioned above, it is necessary to first aim at the center of the gaming area and when the right is generated, it is necessary to aim to the right of the gaming area, and temporarily change the firing strength In this case, the adjustment operation of the launch lever for returning to the original launch intensity after the change is very troublesome. Also for pachinko machines called “Seven machines” and “Hanemono”, aim at the center of the game area and enter the starting prize opening, etc., and then move to the left or right of the game area according to changes in the game state. There is a case where a certain winning opening is aimed, and also in this case, since the firing strength is temporarily changed, similarly, it takes much time to adjust the launching lever to return to the original firing strength after the change.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, a launching device for launching a game ball into a game area, an operation unit for adjusting the firing strength of the launching device by a player, and the operation unit. In a bullet ball game machine configured to include a firing control unit that drives and controls the launching device with a firing intensity according to the operation amount, a first operation unit and a second operation unit that constitute the operation unit, and a player's When an operation detection unit that detects an operation on each of these operation units and an operation of the first operation unit and the second operation unit are simultaneously detected by the operation detection unit, the operation detection of the second operation unit is detected by the first operation unit. An operation selection unit that prioritizes operation detection, and the firing control unit is either the first operation unit or the second operation unit detected by the operation detection unit, or the second operation unit prioritized by the operation selection unit Launch according to the amount of operation Time in, characterized in that the drive control of the firing device.

  According to this configuration, when either one of the first operation unit or the second operation unit is operated by the player, the firing intensity corresponding to the operation amount of either one of the operation units detected by the operation detection unit is obtained. The launcher is driven and controlled. Further, when the first operation unit and the second operation unit are operated simultaneously by the player, the operation of the second operation unit is given priority, and the launching device is driven and controlled with the firing intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the second operation unit. The Therefore, the amount of operation of the first operation unit is maintained when the first operation unit is first adjusted to an appropriate launch intensity and the launch intensity is temporarily changed according to a change in the gaming state. By operating the second operation unit as it is, the emission intensity is changed to the emission intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the second operation unit. Then, by terminating the operation of the second operation unit, the emission intensity immediately returns to the initial emission intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the first operation unit. For this reason, it does not take time and effort to readjust the operation unit to return to the original firing strength after changing the firing strength, and the burden on the player is reduced.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising a fixing means for fixing the operation position of the first operation unit at an arbitrary position.

  According to this configuration, the first operation unit is fixed at an arbitrary operation position by the fixing means. For this reason, the player does not need to hold the first operation unit with his / her hand in order to maintain the operation amount of the first operation unit. It will be possible to return to the firing intensity.

  According to the ball game machine according to the present invention, as described above, the readjustment operation of the operation unit for returning to the original firing strength after changing the firing strength is not time-consuming and the burden on the player is reduced. .

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko machine 10 is provided with a transparent game board 12 at the center of the front surface, and a liquid crystal display device 13c provided behind the transparent game board 12 is observed through the board surface. Below the transparent gaming board 12, tray unit 11b is provided consisting of an upper pan 11b ₁ and the lower pan 11b _2. The right side of the lower receiving plate 11b ₂ launching handle 1 is provided.

A special symbol display unit 12a for visually recognizing the special symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c is provided at the center of the transparent game board 12, and through holes (not shown) are provided on the left and right sides of the special symbol display unit 12a. Is provided. In addition, a start winning opening 12b is provided at the bottom of the special symbol display section 12a. When the pachinko ball, which is a game ball launched on the board by operating the launch handle 1, wins the start winning opening 12b, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the special symbol display portion 12a of the liquid crystal display device 13c, and the special symbol game starts. Is done. When the special symbol game is being performed, up to four pachinko balls that have entered the start winning opening 12b are reserved, and the special symbol game is performed corresponding to the number of pachinko balls that are reserved. In this special symbol game, when the special symbols displayed on the special symbol display unit 12a are arranged in a predetermined jackpot combination, a so-called jackpot is generated. Further, on the left and right sides of the start winning opening 12b, there are provided general winning openings 12c through which a predetermined number, for example, 10 winning balls are paid out when a pachinko ball wins. Although prize balls are paid out to the upper pan 11b ₁ dish unit 11b, an upper pan 11b ₁ is when full are paid out to the lower receiving tray 11b _2. Also, below the start winning opening 12b, there is provided a large winning opening 12d that opens and closes the door in the big winning game that is performed when the big winning prize is generated. Below the big winning opening 12d, an out opening 12e for receiving a pachinko ball that has not won any of the winning openings 12b to 12d is provided.

The jackpot game is performed after the special symbol jackpot combination is stopped and displayed at the end of the special symbol game, and a predetermined number of, for example, ten pachinko balls win the winning prize opening 12d, or for a predetermined time, for example, 30 Until the second elapses, a game in which the special winning opening 12d is kept open is played, for example, for 15 rounds at maximum. During each round, if a pachinko ball that has won the grand prize opening 12d wins a specific area called a V zone provided inside the big prize opening 12d, it can continue to the next round. However, if the player does not win the V zone during each round, the game will be a so-called puncture, and even before the 15th round is reached, the jackpot game will be terminated and ended. During the big hit game, an effect is performed by light emission of the illumination LED 11a ₁ provided above the surface of the transparent game board 12.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko machine 10. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

The pachinko machine 10 is configured by attaching a middle frame 13 to the front surface of a wooden frame 14 having a rectangular frame shape. The middle frame 13 is pivotally supported on the left side of the wooden frame 14 so that it can be opened and closed on the front surface of the wooden frame 14. A transparent game board 12 is attached to the center of the front surface of the middle frame 13, and a pair of speakers 13b and 13b from which a game effect sound and the like are emitted are attached to the upper part. Further, the above-described firing handle 1 is attached to the lower right portion of the front surface of the middle frame 13. The transparent gaming board 12 and the speakers 13b and 13b are covered with a glass door 11a, and the board surface of the transparent gaming board 12 is observed from the transparent glass portion of the glass door 11a. The upper portion of the glass door 11a illuminations LEDs 11a ₁ are provided as described above. Further, the above-described dish unit 11 b is attached to the lower part of the middle frame 13.

A liquid crystal display device 13c is attached to the center of the back surface of the middle frame 13 so as to face the transparent game board 12, and a ball payout unit 15a and a substrate case unit 15b are attached so as to cover the liquid crystal display device 13c from behind. The ball paying unit 15a is pivotally supported by the middle frame 13 on the left side, and the right side of the substrate case unit 15b is pivotally supported by the middle frame 13. The ball paying unit 15a and the substrate case unit 15b are opened like a sound door to expose the back surface of the liquid crystal display device 13c. The liquid crystal display device 13c performs an effect display according to the game state or the like on the front surface, and displays the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 12a as described above. Ball disbursement unit 15a supplies the number of pachinko balls corresponding to a winning result to the upper pan 11b ₁ and the lower pan 11b _2. The board case unit 15b accommodates a main control board 30, an effect control board 40, a payout / launch control board 60 (see FIG. 12), etc., which will be described later, for controlling game operations, effect display, ball launching, and the like. .

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing an outline of the configuration of the transparent game board 12.

  The transparent game board 12 includes a substantially circular game area 12A, and a substantially arc-shaped ball launch area 12B provided along the game area 12A from the lower left part of the game area 12A to the center part and slightly upward. The game area 12A is provided with the above-described winning ports 12b to 12d (not shown in the figure). The ball launch area 12B is an area for guiding a pachinko ball launched by operating the launch handle 1 to the game area 12A. The ball launch area 12B and the game area 12A are partitioned by a return prevention member 12f. This return prevention member 12f is for preventing the pachinko ball in the game area 12A from returning to the ball launch area 12B, and is made of an elastic plate.

  4 shows the structure of the firing handle 1 provided at the lower right portion of the middle frame 13 shown in FIG. 2, and the firing solenoid 13d and the ball feeding device 13e that are driven in accordance with the operation of the firing handle 1. FIG. 2A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2B is a front view thereof. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the firing handle 1 shown in FIG.

The firing solenoid 13d launches a pachinko ball into the game area 12A when the firing handle 1 is operated. Moreover, a sphere feeder 13e, when launching handle 1 is operated, sends a pachinko balls supplied from the upper pan 11b ₁ to the firing position of the firing solenoid 13d forward. The firing solenoid 13d and the ball feeding device 13e constitute a launching device that launches a pachinko ball to the game area 12A.

  The firing handle 1 is attached to a handle base 2 provided on the right front side of the firing solenoid 13d, and a rear gripping member 3 fixed to the handle base 2 and a rear gripping member 3 are rotatably provided. To the rear gripping member 3 via the firing levers 4, 5, the intermediate gripping member 6 fixed between the firing levers 4, 5 and the rear gripping member 3. The front holding member 7 is fixed. On the side of the front gripping member 7 facing the rear gripping member 3, cylindrical leg portions 7a inserted into the firing levers 4 and 5 and the intermediate gripping member 6 (not shown in the figure, see FIG. 8) Is formed. The front gripping member 7 is structured to be fixed to the rear gripping member 3 by the leg portion 7 a being fitted and fixed to the rear gripping member 3.

  Each of the launch levers 4 and 5 constitutes an operation unit in which the launch intensity of the launch solenoid 13d is adjusted by the player. In the present embodiment, the launch lever 4 on the near side as viewed from the player is configured as a first operation unit, and the launch lever 5 on the back side is configured as a second operation unit. Finger catching portions 4a, 4b, 4c and finger catching portions 5a, 5b, 5c are formed around the respective launch levers 4, 5 to assist the player in turning operation. The launch levers 4 and 5 are provided with touch switches 71 and 72 (see FIG. 12) for detecting that the player's hand has touched. These touch switches 71 and 72 are made up of touch sensors formed by applying conductive plating to the outer periphery of the firing levers 4 and 5.

  In addition, two LEDs (infrared light emitting diodes) 62a and 62b (see FIG. 7B), which will be described later, are provided inside the front gripping member 7. In the intermediate gripping member 6, two PDs, which will be described later, are disposed at positions facing the respective LEDs 62 a and 62 b via a shielding transmission member 80 (see FIG. 7A) provided on the firing lever 4. (Infrared photodiodes) 63a and 63b (see FIG. 7B) are provided. Similarly, two LEDs 62a and 62b and two PDs 63a and 63b are also provided inside the intermediate gripping member 6 and the rear gripping member 3, respectively. ))), Respectively.

  Next, the internal structure of the firing lever 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. The launch levers 4 and 5 have the same structure except that a launch lever fixing switch 92 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, is provided on the launch lever 4. Only the above will be described, and the description of the firing lever 5 will be omitted.

  6 is a front view showing the internal structure of the firing lever 4 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6A shows a state where the firing lever 4 is not rotating, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the firing lever 4 is at a predetermined angle. The rotated state is shown. 6 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged view showing an outline of the structure of the shielding transmission member 80 formed on the inner peripheral edge portion of the firing lever 4 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the relative positional relationship of LED62a, 62b which is a light emission part, PD63a, 63b which is a light-receiving part, and the shielding transmission member 80. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the shielding / transmitting member 80 has N shielding portions 81a that shield the light emitted from the LEDs 62a and N light transmission portions 81b that transmit the light emitted from the LEDs 62a alternately. A formed row 81, a plurality of shielding portions 82 a that shield the emitted light from the LEDs 62 b, and a row 82 in which a plurality of transmission portions 82 b that transmit the emitted light from the LEDs 62 b are alternately formed are provided. Yes. The row 81 of the shielding transmission member 80 is provided between the LED 62a and the PD 63a, and is shielded on the optical path of the emitted light emitted from the LED 62a to the PD 63a in conjunction with the turning operation of the player's launch lever 4. The portions 81a and the transmissive portions 81b are alternately positioned. Further, the row 82 of the shielding / transmitting members 80 is provided between the LED 62b and the PD 63b, and is linked to the turning operation of the launch lever 4 by the player on the optical path of the emitted light emitted from the LED 62b to the PD 63b. Thus, the shielding portions 82a and the transmitting portions 82b are alternately positioned.

  In a state where the launch lever 4 is not rotated as shown in FIG. 6A, the shielding / transmitting member 80 is not positioned between the LEDs 62a and 62b and the PDs 63a and 63b, and light emitted from the LEDs 62a and 62b is not The light is directly received by the PDs 63 a and 63 b of the light receiving unit without being blocked by the shielding / transmitting member 80. When the launch lever 4 is rotated by the player, the shielding / transmission member 80 is positioned between the LEDs 62a and 62b and the PDs 63a and 63b, and the row of the shielding / transmission members 80 with respect to the LEDs 62a and 62b and the PDs 63a and 63b. The relative positions of 81 and 82 change, and the emitted light is not received by either of the PDs 63a and 63b. For example, when the launch lever 4 is turned to the position shown in FIG. 6B by the player, the emitted light from the LED 62a is blocked by the first one in the row 81 as shown in FIG. 7B. Although it is blocked by the portion 81a and is not received by the PD 63a, the second light in the row 81 is transmitted through the transmission portion 81b and received by the PD 63a. The light emitted from the LED 62b is transmitted through the transmission part 82b in the first row 82 and received by the PD 63b, and then blocked by the shielding portion 82a in the second row 82 and is not received by the PD 63b. Thus, each shielding part 81a, 82a and each transmission part 81b, 82b are alternately positioned in order on the optical path of the emitted light from each LED 62a, 62b in conjunction with the turning operation of the emission lever 4. .

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 8 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 6 are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  A firing lever fixing switch 92 that is urged by a spring 91 in a direction away from the outer edge of the firing lever 4 is provided between the finger hook portions 4 a and 4 b of the firing lever 4. The firing lever fixing switch 92 has a leg 92 a that protrudes toward the inside of the firing lever 4. In addition, as shown in the figure, a plurality of insertion ports 7b are formed around the outer periphery of the leg portion 7a of the front gripping member 7 described above, and are fitted to the leg portion 92a of the firing lever fixing switch 92. . When the player presses the firing lever fixing switch 92 against the force of the spring 91, the leg portion 92a of the firing lever fixing switch 92 is fitted into the insertion slot 7b. By this fitting, the firing lever 4 does not rotate and is fixed. The firing lever fixing switch 92, the spring 91, and the leg portion 7a of the front gripping member 7 constitute fixing means for fixing the operation position of the firing lever 4 at an arbitrary position. When the firing lever fixing switch 92 is pushed again, the launching lever fixing switch 92 is unfitted with the insertion slot 7b and returned to its original position by the action of the spring 91.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the middle frame 13 is attached to the wooden frame 14. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the firing solenoid 13d and the ball feeding device 13e provided on the middle frame 13 shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a diagram in which the ball feeding device 13e is removed from FIG. FIG. In FIG. 9, parts that are the same as or correspond to those in FIGS. 2 and 4 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As described above, the firing solenoid 13d and the ball feeding device 13e are provided below the middle frame 13. The firing solenoid 13d includes a hammer that strikes the pachinko ball sent out from the ball feeder 13e and an exciting coil that drives the hammer. The pachinko ball fired by the firing solenoid 13d passes from the ball launch area 12B of the transparent game board 12 through the return preventing member 12f and enters the game area 12A.

On the left side of the firing solenoid 13d, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a ball holding portion 16 that holds the pachinko ball T at the firing position is provided. As shown in FIG. 11, the ball holding portion 16 is composed of an upper plate-like body 16a and a lower plate-like body 16b, and a protruding piece 16a ₁ protruding downward at the right end of the upper plate-like body 16a. There are formed, on the lower plate-shaped body 16b is formed with the groove portions 16b _1. Further, on the left end side of the ball holding portion 16, a launch passage 17 is provided for guiding the pachinko ball T launched by the launch solenoid 13d to the game area 12A via the ball launch area 12B.

The front side of the firing path 17 and ball holder 16, and a sphere feeder 13e is mounted as shown in FIG. 10, pachinko balls T stored in the upper pan 11b ₁ is firing lever by the player in conjunction with the 4,5 turning operation of, through the opening 13e ₁ of the right central portion of the sphere feeder 13e, fed to the ball holding portion 16 is a firing position. The pachinko ball T fed to the ball holding portion 16 is held at both ends by the groove portion 16b ₁ and held at the end portion of the ball holding portion 16 by being locked at the upper portion by the projecting piece 16a ₁ .

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an electronic circuit that controls the gaming operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The electronic circuit includes a main control circuit provided on the main control board 30 for controlling the game process, an effect control circuit provided on the effect control board 40 for producing a pachinko game in accordance with an instruction from the main control circuit, A payout / launch control circuit provided on the payout / launch control board 60 for controlling the payout of a ball or the like and the launch of the pachinko ball T is configured.

  Electronic components such as a main CPU 31, an initial reset circuit 32, and a serial communication IC 33 are mounted on the main control board 30. The main control board 30 also stores a main ROM (read only memory) (not shown) in which a program for the main CPU 31 to process and control gaming operations of the pachinko machine 10 is stored, and data is temporarily stored during process control. A main RAM (random access memory) (not shown) is also mounted. The initial reset circuit 32 erases the contents of the gaming state stored in the main RAM when the main control board 30 is activated, and generates a reset signal for starting the gaming process according to the program stored in the main ROM. . Further, the serial communication IC 33 serially transmits a control signal sent from the main CPU 31 to the control boards 40 and 60.

  The main control board 30 is provided on the inner side of the above-described passage hole, and detects a pachinko ball T that has won the start winning opening 12b and a gate switch 20s that detects the pachinko ball T passing through the passage hole. A ball sensor 21s is connected. Further, a count switch 22s for detecting a pachinko ball T that has won a prize winning opening 12d, a V count switch 22v for detecting a pachinko ball T that has passed through the V zone inside the big prize winning opening 12d, and a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the general winning opening 12c. A general winning ball sensor 23s for detecting T is connected. Further, the main control board 30 includes, as actuators, a start winning port solenoid 24 for expanding the ball receiving port of the starting winning port 12b, a large winning port solenoid 25 for opening and closing the door of the large winning port 12d, and the inside of the large winning port 12d. After the pachinko ball T wins the V zone, a V zone guiding device 34 for guiding the pachinko ball T to other than the V zone is connected.

  When the switches 20s, 22s, 22v and the sensors 21s, 23s detect the pachinko sphere T, the detection signal is input to the main CPU 31 of the main control board 30, and the main CPU 31 detects the pachinko ball T according to the input detection signal. The actuators 24, 25, 34 and the like are driven and controlled.

The effect control board 40 controls image display control for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 13c, sound control for emitting sound effects from the speakers 13b and 13b, and light emission of the illumination LED 11a ₁ according to the gaming state. To control the lighting. A sub CPU 41, a program ROM 42, and a work RAM 43 are mounted on the effect control board 40. The sub CPU 41 interprets control commands received from the main control circuit and sets parameters of a VDP (video display processor) 44. The program ROM 42, sub CPU41 is, a liquid crystal display device 13c, the speakers 13b, 13b, a control program for processing controlling each operation of the electric decoration LEDs 11a ₁ are stored stored. The work RAM 43 temporarily stores processing data when the sub CPU 41 performs processing control according to the control program.

  In addition, an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44, and an initial reset circuit 46 are mounted on the effect control board 40. The image data ROM 45 stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c. The VDP 44 reads dot data in the image data ROM 45 according to the parameters set by the sub CPU 41, and generates image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13c. The initial reset circuit 46 generates a reset signal for resetting the effect control circuit.

  The main CPU 31 performs a jackpot determination when the pachinko ball T wins the start winning opening 12b and a start win occurs. The effect control circuit causes the liquid crystal display device 13c to sequentially stop and display the special symbols in a manner corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination, and when the left and right symbols are stopped and displayed together with the same symbol, the liquid crystal is displayed. A reach effect is performed on the display device 13c using the special symbol and the effect image.

The speaker driving circuit includes a sound source IC 48 for generating an original sound effect signal, a sound source data ROM 49 connected to the sound source data ROM 49, an amplifier 50 for amplifying the original signal output from the sound source IC 48, and three stages. And a volume changeover switch 51 for designating a one-stage volume output level. The speakers 13b and 13b are controlled by a drive signal from the sub CPU 41. The drive circuit 52 controls the light emission of the illumination LED 11a ₁ according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 according to the drive signal from the sub CPU 41.

  The payout / launch control board 60 is connected to a payout device 61 for paying out award balls, the above-described launch solenoid 13d, ball feed device 13e, and lever operation detectors 101 and 102. Each lever operation detection part 101,102 comprises the operation detection part which detects operation with respect to each launch lever 4,5 of a player, respectively. The lever operation detection unit 101 includes a light emitting unit 62 including the above-described LEDs 62a and 62b provided inside the front holding member 7, a light receiving unit 63 including the above-described PDs 63a and 63b provided inside the intermediate holding member 6, and The touch switch 71 is configured. The lever operation detection unit 102 includes a light emitting unit 62 including the above-described LEDs 62 a and 62 b provided inside the intermediate gripping member 6, and a light receiving unit 63 including the above-described PDs 63 a and 63 b provided inside the rear gripping member 3. , And a touch switch 72.

  The payout / launch control circuit configured on the payout / launch control board 60 drives and controls the payout device 61 according to payout command signals output from the main control circuit according to various winnings, and pays out award balls and the like. . Further, when the player turns the launch levers 4 and 5 by the player, the payout / launch control circuit controls the launch solenoid 13d and the ball feeder 13e based on the pivoting operation amount of the launch levers 4 and 5 at this time. The drive control is performed so that the pachinko ball T is fired to the game area 12A.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the payout / launch control circuit provided on the payout / launch control board 60. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.

  The payout / firing control circuit includes a firing ball number setting unit for setting the firing period of the firing solenoid 13d, that is, the number of firing balls per minute of the pachinko ball T, and a firing strength setting unit for setting the firing strength of the pachinko ball T. It is prepared for.

  The shot ball number setting unit includes a frequency generation circuit 64, a count circuit 65, and a frequency divider circuit 66. The frequency generation circuit 64 includes an oscillation circuit that generates a clock signal having a predetermined frequency, and outputs the generated clock signal to the count circuit 65. The count circuit 65 includes a frequency dividing circuit that divides the clock signal, counts the input clock signal every predetermined number, and outputs the counted clock signal to the frequency dividing circuit 66. The frequency dividing circuit 66 further divides the clock signal divided by the count circuit 65 until the firing period of the firing solenoid 13d is reached, and the divided clock signal is a pulse voltage that regulates the firing period of the firing solenoid 13d. To the comparison circuit 69.

  The launch intensity setting unit includes a selection switching circuit 73, a DA conversion ladder circuit 67, and a voltage amplification circuit 68. On the input side of the selection switching circuit 73, a light receiving unit 63 and a touch switch 71 constituting the lever operation detecting unit 101, and a light receiving unit 63 and a touch switch 72 constituting the lever operation detecting unit 102 are connected, respectively. A DA conversion ladder circuit 67 is connected to the output side of the selection switching circuit 73.

  The selection switching circuit 73 constantly monitors the detection signals output from the touch switches 71 and 72. When the detection signal from the touch switch 71 is input, the selection switching circuit 73 and the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detection unit 101 are connected to the DA. When the conversion ladder circuit 67 is connected and the detection signal from the touch switch 72 is input, the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detection unit 102 and the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 are connected. Further, when the operation of the firing lever 4 and the firing lever 5 is simultaneously detected by the touch switches 71 and 72, the selection switching circuit 73 detects the operation of the rear firing lever 5 and detects the operation of the firing lever 4 on the front side. The operation selection unit to be prioritized is configured. Therefore, even when the firing lever 4 is operated, when the firing lever 5 is rotated and a detection signal is input from the touch switch 72, the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detecting unit 101 and the DA The connection with the conversion ladder circuit 67 is disconnected, and the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detection unit 102 and the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 are connected.

  As described above, when either one of the launch levers 4 and 5 or both of the launch levers 4 and 5 are operated to rotate, the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 includes the lever operation detection unit 101 or the lever operation. One of the light receiving units 63 of the detection unit 102 is selected and connected. Each time light emitted from the light emitting unit 62 of one of the lever operation detecting units 101 or 102 connected to the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 is intermittently received by the light receiving unit 63, the light receiving unit 63. A pulse signal is output to the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 through the selection switching circuit 73. The DA conversion ladder circuit 67 detects the number of received light beams at the light receiving unit 63 from the number of input pulse signals, performs DA conversion on the received light number, and has a height corresponding to the detected number of received light beams. Generate voltage. The voltage generated in this way by the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 is amplified by the voltage amplification circuit 68 and output to the comparison circuit 69.

  The comparison circuit 69 is a voltage synthesis circuit that synthesizes the voltage amplified by the voltage amplification circuit 68 and the voltage from the frequency dividing circuit 66 that regulates the firing period of the firing solenoid 13d. Output to the device 13e. The firing solenoid 13d and the ball feeder 13e are driven and controlled based on the synthesized voltage. The firing strength setting unit has a firing strength corresponding to the operation amount of the firing lever 5 that is prioritized by either the firing lever 4 or the firing lever 5 detected by the lever operation detection unit 101 or 102 or the selection switching circuit 73. A firing control unit is configured to drive and control the firing solenoid 13d.

  In the above configuration, when the player's hand touches either the launch lever 4 or the launch lever 5 and either one of the launch levers 4 or 5 is operated, a detection signal is output from the touch sensor 71 or 72. Thus, either the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detecting unit 101 or the lever operation detecting unit 102 is connected to the DA conversion ladder circuit 67, and the operation of the launch lever 4 or 5 touched by the player's hand is effective. become.

  For example, when the player's hand touches the launch lever 4 on the near side and the launch lever 4 is operated, the shielding transmission member 80 also rotates in conjunction with the turning operation of the launch lever 4, and the launch lever 4 The emitted light from the LEDs 62a and 62b is interrupted by the respective rows 81 and 82 of the shielding / transmitting member 80 according to the amount of rotation operation, and the intermittent emitted light is received by the PDs 63a and 63b. FIG. 14 is a timing chart of pulse signals output from the PDs 63a and 63b to the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 at this time. FIG. 14 (a) is an output pulse signal from the PD 63b, and FIG. An output pulse signal from the PD 63a is shown.

  The emission lever 4 rotates, the light emitted from the LED 62b passes through the first transmission part 82b of the row 82 and is received by the PD 63b, and the output level of the pulse signal is high as shown in FIG. At (H), the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 detects the rising change of the pulse signal, and the number of received light is detected as “1”. When the emission lever 4 further rotates, the emitted light from the LED 62b is shielded by the second shielding portion 82a of the row 82, and the emitted light from the LED 62a passes through the transmission portion 81b of the row 81. For this reason, the transmitted light is received by the PD 63a and the output level of the pulse signal becomes high as shown in FIG. 5B, and the rising change of the pulse signal is detected in the DA conversion ladder circuit 67. The number of received light is detected as “2”. Similarly, each time the emission lever 4 further rotates together with the shielding / transmitting member 80 and the emitted light interrupted by the rows 81 and 82 is alternately received by the PDs 63a and 63b, the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 is obtained. The number of received light is detected as “3”, “4”, “5”,.

  When the player's hand touches both the launch levers 4 and 5 and both launch levers are operated simultaneously, as described above, the light receiving portion 63 of the lever operation detecting portion 102 and the DA conversion ladder circuit 67. Are preferentially connected, and operation of the firing lever 5 on the back side becomes effective. After that, when the turning operation of the launch lever 5 is finished and the player's hand is released from the launch lever 5 and touches only the launch lever 4, the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detection unit 102 and DA conversion are performed. The connection with the ladder circuit 67 is disconnected, the light receiving unit 63 of the lever operation detection unit 101 and the DA conversion ladder circuit 67 are connected, and the operation of the firing lever 4 becomes effective.

  In this way, based on the number of received lights detected by the light receiving unit 63 by the turning operation of the launch lever 4 or the launch lever 5, the voltage corresponding to the turning operation amount of the launch lever 4 or the launch lever 5 is DA. The firing solenoid 13d is driven and controlled at a firing interval according to the firing intensity according to this voltage generated by the conversion ladder circuit 67 and generated by the firing strength setting unit, and the voltage set by the number of shot balls setting unit, A pachinko ball T is launched into the game area 12A.

  When the firing lever 4 is rotated and the firing lever fixing switch 92 is pushed at an arbitrary operation position, the leg 92a of the firing lever fixing switch 92 is inserted into the insertion port 7b corresponding to the operation position at that time. The firing lever 4 is fixed at the operation position at that time. Thereafter, when the firing lever fixing switch 92 is pushed again, the firing lever fixing switch 92 returns to the original position, the leg portion 92a comes out of the insertion port 7b, and the fixing of the firing lever 4 is released.

  According to such a pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, when either the firing lever 4 or the firing lever 5 is operated by the player, the lever operation detecting unit 101 or the lever operation detecting unit 102 is operated. The launch solenoid 13d is driven and controlled with a launch intensity corresponding to the operation amount of one of the launch levers 4 or 5 detected by the above, and the pachinko ball T is launched into the game area 12A. When the player operates the launch lever 4 and the launch lever 5 at the same time, the operation of the launch lever 5 is prioritized, and the launch solenoid 13d is driven and controlled with the launch intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the launch lever 5, so that the pachinko A ball is launched into the game area 12A.

  Therefore, for example, in order to aim at the start winning opening 12b, first, the launch lever 4 is operated to adjust the launch strength to an appropriate launch strength, and the launch strength is temporarily changed according to a change in the gaming state or the like. When aiming at the left or right general winning opening 12c in the region 12A, by operating the launch lever 5 while touching the launch levers 4 and 5 while maintaining the operation amount of the launch lever 4, The firing intensity is changed to a firing intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the firing lever 5. Then, when the operation of the firing lever 5 is finished and the firing lever 5 is not touched, the firing strength immediately returns to the initial firing strength corresponding to the operation amount of the firing lever 4 being maintained. For this reason, it takes no effort to readjust the firing lever to return to the original firing strength after changing the firing strength, thereby reducing the burden on the player.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the launch lever fixing switch 92 that fixes the operation position of the launch lever 4 at an arbitrary position is provided, the player can use his / her hand to maintain the operation amount of the launch lever 4. There is no need to hold the firing lever 4, and the firing strength can be easily returned to the original firing strength after the firing lever 5 has changed the firing strength.

  In addition, a player who wants to play a pachinko game while always finely adjusting the firing strength at his / her will without fixing the launch lever 4 can be rotated by using only the launch lever 5 as usual. You can play pachinko games by operation.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the firing lever 4 as the first operation unit is provided on the near side and the firing lever 5 as the second operation unit is provided on the back side has been described. The location of the levers 4 and 5 can be changed as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the firing lever 4 is fixed by pushing the firing lever fixing switch 92 has been described. However, the structure for fixing the firing lever 4 can be changed as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the ball game machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described, but the present invention is applied to another ball game machine that drives and controls the launch device with a launch intensity according to the operation amount of the operation unit. The invention can also be applied. Even when the present invention is applied to such a ball game machine, the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the outline of a structure of the transparent game board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. The ball launcher of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 is shown, (a) is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a firing handle shown in FIG. 4. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the launch lever shown in FIG. 5, (a) has shown the state which the launch lever is not rotating, (b) has shown the state which the launch lever rotated by the predetermined angle. (A) is a partially enlarged view showing an outline of the structure of the shielding / transmitting member formed on the inner peripheral edge of the firing lever shown in FIG. 6, and (b) is a shielding / transmitting member, a light emitting unit, and a light receiving unit; The positional relationship is shown. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the inner frame to the wooden frame of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a firing solenoid and a ball feeding device provided in the middle frame shown in FIG. 9. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the ball feeder from the state shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the electronic circuit which carries out process control of the game operation | movement of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the payout / launch control circuit provided in the payout / launch control board shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a timing chart of pulse signals output from the PD to the DA conversion ladder circuit in the payout / launch control circuit shown in FIG. 13.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Launch handle 2 ... Handle base 3, 6, 7 ... Holding member 4, 5 ... Launch lever 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b, 5c ... Finger hook part 7a, 92a ... Leg part 7b ... Insertion slot 10 ... Pachinko Machine 12 ... Transparent gaming board 12A ... Game area 12b ... Start winning opening 12c ... General winning opening 13d ... Launching solenoid 13e ... Ball feeder 60 ... Dispensing / launching control board 62 ... Light emitting part 62a, 62b ... LED
63: Light receiving part 63a, 63b ... PD
67 ... DA conversion ladder circuit 68 ... Voltage amplification circuit 69 ... Comparison circuit 71, 72 ... Touch switch 73 ... Selection switching circuit 80 ... Shielding transmission member 81a, 82a ... Shielding part 81b, 82b ... Transmission part 91 ... Spring 92 ... Launch lever fixing switch 101, 102 ... Lever operation detection part T ... Pachinko ball

Claims (2)

A launching device that launches a game ball into the game area, an operation unit that adjusts the launching intensity of the launching device by a player, and a launch that drives and controls the launching device with a launching intensity that corresponds to the amount of operation of the operating unit In a ball game machine configured with a control unit,
A first operation unit and a second operation unit constituting the operation unit;
An operation detection unit that detects an operation of each operation unit of the player;
An operation selection unit that prioritizes operation detection of the second operation unit over operation detection of the first operation unit when the operation detection unit simultaneously detects operations of the first operation unit and the second operation unit; Prepared,
The firing control unit is responsive to an operation amount of the second operation unit prioritized by the operation selection unit or the first operation unit or the second operation unit detected by the operation detection unit. A bullet ball game machine, wherein the launching device is driven and controlled with a firing strength. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing unit that fixes an operation position of the first operation unit at an arbitrary position.

Images