JP2007082737A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the action of fraudulently acquiring game balls by using a magnet or the like is performed since a passing ball sensor is easily affected by an external magnetic field in the conventional game machine. <P>SOLUTION: When a pachinko ball P passes through a passing hole 100a, a magnetic flux generated by a magnetic field generated by permanent magnets 101 and 102 passes through not only the inside of an annular magnetic path formed of yokes 103 and 104 but also the inside of the pachinko ball P. At the time, a Hall voltage generated in a Hall element 105 arranged in the gap 103a of the yoke 103 becomes lower than that of the time when the pachinko ball P does not pass through accompanying the decrease of the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the yokes 103 and 104. By the decrease of the Hall voltage, detection signals indicating that the pachinko ball P has passed through the passing hole 100a are output from a circuit board to a main CPU 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed through a predetermined area of a gaming member.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, there is a pachinko machine. The game board of the pachinko machine is provided with game members such as a start winning opening, a general winning opening, and a large winning opening where a game ball can win, and a passing ball for detecting the passing of the game ball is provided in these winning holes. A sensor is provided. When the game balls are awarded to these winning holes and detected by the passing ball sensor, the game balls are paid out to the upper plate from the ball tank through the ball passage, and the player can obtain a predetermined profit.

Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a passing ball sensor that detects the passing of such a game ball. The passing ball sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that a circuit board on which a magnetoresistive element is mounted, a magnet that applies a magnetic field to the magnetoresistive element, and the like are accommodated inside a nonmagnetic protective case. The nonmagnetic protective case has a detection hole through which a game ball can pass, and the detection surface of the circuit board and the magnetoresistive element mounted on the circuit board is arranged in parallel to the axial direction of the detection hole. Yes. When the game ball passes through the detection hole, a change in the magnetic field due to the magnet is detected on the detection surface of the magnetoresistive element, and the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element increases. Due to this change in resistance value, the collector current of the amplifying transistor connected to the magnetoresistive element increases, and the waveform change of the collector current at that time is output as a pulse signal from the circuit board, and the game ball passes through the detection hole. It is detected.
JP 2001-91659 A (paragraphs [0016] to [0029])

  However, since the conventional passing ball sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 1 merely detects a change in the magnetic field generated by the passing game ball, it is easily affected by an external magnetic field. For this reason, even if the game ball does not actually pass through the detection hole, if the magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistive element changes, it is considered that the game ball has passed through the detection hole. End up. As a result, for example, a game is achieved by bringing a magnet closer to the winning device provided with a passing ball sensor from the front of the game board and changing the magnetic field applied to the magnetoresistive element by the magnetic field generated from the magnet. By causing the passing ball sensor to erroneously detect that the ball has passed, an act of illegally acquiring the game ball (got action) is performed.

The present invention was made to solve such a problem, and in a gaming machine equipped with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed through a predetermined area of a gaming member provided on a gaming board,
The game ball detection device includes a game ball detection passage through which a game ball passes, a pair of magnetic field generation means for generating a magnetic field in the game ball detection passage arranged at opposed positions around the game ball detection passage, and a game ball A yoke that is arranged around the detection path and forms an annular magnetic path between the pair of magnetic field generation means; and a magnetic flux detection means that detects a change in magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path. Features.

  According to this configuration, when the game ball is not passing through the game ball detection passage, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of magnetic field generation means passes through the inside of the yoke forming the annular magnetic path. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the game ball detection passage, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of magnetic field generating means also passes through the inside of the game ball, and the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the yoke is dispersed and reduced. For this reason, the magnetic flux detection means detects whether or not the game ball has passed through the game ball detection passage based on the change of the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the yoke, that is, the change of the magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path. At this time, since the magnetic flux detection means detects a change in magnetic flux generated in the closed annular magnetic path, it is possible to accurately detect the passage of the game ball without being influenced by the external magnetic field. Therefore, a fraudulent act of illegally acquiring a game ball by causing a magnet to approach the front of the game board and causing the magnetic flux detection means to detect that the game ball has passed by applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic flux detection means, Will be prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, the yoke includes a first yoke formed with a gap on the annular magnetic path, and a second yoke disposed so as to face the first yoke. Is arranged in the gap.

  According to this configuration, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of magnetic field generating means is concentrated and distributed in the gap formed in the first yoke. For this reason, a change in the magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path depending on whether or not the game ball passes is effectively and accurately detected by the magnetic flux detecting means arranged in the gap.

  Further, according to the present invention, the magnetic field generating means is opposed in a direction parallel to the board surface of the game board, the yoke is disposed along this direction, and the detection surface for detecting the change of the magnetic flux is the game board. It is arrange | positioned so that it may orthogonally cross with the board surface of this.

  According to this configuration, the magnetic flux detection means detects the change in magnetic flux generated in the direction parallel to the game board on the detection surface, and does not detect the change in magnetic flux generated in the direction perpendicular to the game board on the detection surface. For this reason, for example, even if a magnet is brought closer to the front of the game board, the magnetic field that reaches the magnetic flux detection means by the magnet is mainly in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux detection direction, and does not significantly affect the magnetic field detected by the magnetic flux detection means. Therefore, fraudulent acts using erroneous detection by the magnetic flux detection means can be prevented more reliably.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the magnetic flux detection means is composed of a Hall element.

  According to this configuration, a change in magnetic flux generated when the game ball passes through the game ball detection path is detected by detecting a change in Hall voltage that occurs as a current magnetic effect inside the Hall element. The change in the Hall voltage appears as a carrier drift change in the Hall element and is detected in a very short time, so that the passing of the game ball is detected at high speed and with high accuracy. In addition, even if a weak magnetic field change due to electromagnetic waves occurs in the static magnetic field around the Hall element, it hardly affects the Hall effect caused by the Hall element, so the passing of the game ball is erroneously detected due to the electromagnetic wave. There is nothing.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, as described above, the magnetic flux detection means detects the change of the magnetic flux generated in the closed annular magnetic path, so that it is possible to accurately pass the game ball without being affected by the external magnetic field. Can be detected. Therefore, a fraudulent act of illegally acquiring a game ball by causing a magnet to approach the front of the game board and causing the magnetic flux detection means to detect that the game ball has passed by applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic flux detection means, Will be prevented.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko machine 10 includes a transparent game board 12 in which a pachinko game is performed in 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 a passage gate (not shown) is 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 transparent game board 12. When a pachinko ball, which is a game ball launched on the board surface by the operation of the launch handle 1, wins the start winning opening 12b, the special symbol is variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 12a of the liquid crystal display device 13c, and the special symbol game is started. The When the special symbols displayed on the special symbol display unit 12a are arranged in a predetermined jackpot combination, a jackpot winning is generated and a jackpot game is performed. Also, 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 is won. 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 big winning opening (attacker) 12d for opening and closing the door in the big winning game that is performed when the big winning win 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.

  Each winning opening 12b to 12d and the passing gate constitute a gaming member provided in the transparent game board 12, and each winning opening 12b to 12d and the opening area of the passing gate constitute a predetermined area of the gaming member.

  The jackpot game is played 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 are won in the big winning opening 12d, or a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds. Until the lapse of time, a maximum of 15 rounds of games in which the special winning opening 12d remains open is performed, for example. During each round, if the pachinko ball that won the grand prize opening 12d wins a specific area called the V zone provided inside the big prize opening 12d, it can continue to the next round. If the player does not win the V zone during the round, the game is a so-called puncture, and even before the 15th round is reached, the jackpot game is terminated at that round and ends. During the jackpot game, an effect is provided by the illumination of the illumination device 11a 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 an intermediate frame 13 to the front surface of a rectangular frame-shaped wooden frame 14. The middle frame 13 constitutes a back mechanism board located behind the transparent game board 12 together with a liquid crystal display device 13c attached to the back surface. I have. 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 11, and the board surface of the transparent gaming board 12 is observed from the transparent glass portion of the glass door 11. On the upper part of the glass door 11, the above-described illumination device 11 a is provided. Illumination device 11a includes a decorative illumination LED (light emitting diode) 11a _2, consists lens cover 11a ₁ for covering the electric decoration LEDs 11a _2, carries out an effect of the pachinko game. 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 rectangular opening at 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 provided so as to cover the liquid crystal display device 13c from behind. Is attached. 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, and the ball paying unit 15a and the substrate case unit 15b are opened in a door-like manner 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 houses a main control board 30, a sub control board 40, a payout / launch control board 60 (see FIG. 7), 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. In the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  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.

  FIG. 4 is a back view showing the configuration of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. 4 that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 1 and FIG.

  A warp passage 12 i is provided at the center of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. A warp entrance (not shown) for guiding the pachinko ball to the warp passage 12i is opened in front of the surface of the transparent game board 12. The pachinko ball that has entered the warp entrance disappears from the surface of the transparent game board 12 and passes through the warp passage 12i, and then emerges from a warp exit (not shown) and appears on the board surface of the transparent game board 12. Since the warp exit is provided above the start winning opening 12b, a pachinko ball that enters the warp entrance and exits from the warp exit to the surface of the transparent gaming board 12 and flows down is easy to win the start winning opening 12b. Become.

  In the lower part of the back surface of the transparent game board 12, a winning ball collecting basket assembly 70 is provided for collecting the pachinko balls that have entered the winning holes 12b to 12d described above via the ball passages 70a to 70e. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70 shown in FIG. 5 is formed in the ball passages 70a to 70e of the winning ball assembly basket assembly 70, and a passing ball sensor 100 (see FIG. 6) described later for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the hollow portions 75 and 76 shown in FIG. 5 are provided with a start winning port solenoid 24 and a big winning port solenoid 25 (see FIG. 7) described later.

A main relay board 80 and a sub relay board 90 are provided on the lower right side of the back surface of the transparent game board 12. The main relay board 80 relays the electrical connection between the main control board 30 housed in the board case unit 15b and each passing ball sensor 100 provided in the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70. The sub relay board 90 relays the electrical connection between the sub control board 40 housed in the board case unit 15b, the illumination LED 11a ₂ and the like.

The sub-relay board 90 is provided with a connector 91 to which the illumination LED 11a ₂ controlled by the sub-control circuit configured on the sub-control board 40 is connected, and a connector 92 to which the sub-control board 40 is connected. The electrical LED 11a ₂ attached to the upper side of the transparent game board 12 and the connector 91 are electrically connected by a harness (not shown). The sub-control board 40 and the connector 92 are also electrically connected by a harness (not shown). In addition to the connectors 91 and 92, the sub relay board 90 is provided with a connector group to which various actuators attached to the transparent game board 12 controlled by the sub control circuit are connected.

  The main relay board 80 is held on the back surface of the transparent game board 12 by the board holder 81. The main relay board 80 includes an actuator such as a starting prize opening solenoid 24, a big prize opening solenoid 25, and a V zone guidance device 34 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, controlled by a main control circuit configured on the main control board 30; A connector to which the plurality of passing ball sensors 100 provided in the above-described ball passages 70a to 70e are connected, and a connector 88 to which the main control board 30 is connected are provided. The main control board 30 and the connector 88 are also electrically connected by a harness (not shown) in the same manner as the sub control board 40 and the connector 92 described above.

  FIG. 6 shows the structure of the above-described passing ball sensor 100. FIG. 6A is a side view thereof, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof. In FIG. 5B, the storage case of the passing ball sensor 100 is shown with the upper cover removed.

  The passing ball sensor 100 constitutes a gaming ball detection device that detects pachinko balls P that have passed through the opening areas of the winning gates 12b to 12d and the passing gate provided in the transparent gaming board 12, and has a passing hole 100a. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage case includes a pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102, a pair of yokes (iron cores) 103 and 104, a Hall element 105, and a circuit board (not shown).

  The passage hole 100a constitutes a game ball detection passage through which the pachinko ball P passes. The permanent magnets 101 and 102 are disposed at opposed positions around the passage hole 100a, and constitute a pair of magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field in the passage hole 100a. The permanent magnets 101 and 102 are opposed to N and S poles, which are different magnetic poles, and the transparent ball game 100 is inserted in the insertion ports 71 to 74 of the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose in the direction parallel to the board surface of the board 12. FIG. The yokes 103 and 104 are arranged around the passage hole 100a and form an annular magnetic path between the pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102. The yoke 103 is formed with a gap 103a on the annular magnetic path. The first yoke 104 is configured as a second yoke disposed to face the yoke 103 through the passage hole 100a. Each of the yokes 103 and 104 is arranged along a direction parallel to the board surface of the transparent game board 12 in a state where the passing ball sensor 100 is inserted into the insertion ports 71 to 74 of the winning ball assembly kit assembly 70. The Hall element 105 constitutes magnetic flux detection means for detecting a change in magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path formed by the permanent magnets 101 and 102 and the yokes 103 and 104 based on the Hall effect, and the passing ball sensor 100 receives a prize. In the state where it is inserted into the insertion ports 71 to 74 of the ball assembly basket assembly 70, it is arranged in the gap 103a formed in the yoke 103 so that the detection surface 105a for detecting a change in magnetic flux is orthogonal to the surface of the transparent game board 12. Is done. In the gap 103a, magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102 is concentrated and distributed. The circuit board described above is configured with a circuit for measuring the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 105. The circuit board and the main control board 30 (see FIG. 7) are connected to the connector 88 provided on the main relay board 80. It is electrically connected via.

FIG. 7 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. This electronic circuit includes a main control circuit provided on the main control board 30, a sub control circuit provided on the sub control board 40, a payout / launch control circuit provided on the payout / fire control board 60, and the like. . The main control circuit performs electrical control related to the progress of the pachinko game on the transparent game board 12 and electrical control of a gaming device to be described later on the transparent game board 12, and the sub control circuit follows the instructions from the main control circuit. performs electrical control of the effect device, such as a decorative illumination LEDs 11a _2. The payout / launch control circuit controls the payout of prize balls and the like and the launch of pachinko balls P.

  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 game state stored in the main RAM when the main control circuit is activated, and generates a reset signal for starting the game 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.

  Further, the main control board 30 is provided inside the above-described passing gate, and detects the pachinko ball P that has won the start winning opening 12b and the gate switch 20s that detects the pachinko ball P passing through the passing gate. A start winning ball sensor 21s is connected. In addition, a count switch 22s for detecting a pachinko ball P that has won a prize winning opening 12d, a V count switch 22v for detecting a pachinko ball P that has passed through the V zone inside the big 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 P is connected. Each of these switches 20s, 22s, 22v and each of the sensors 21s, 23s is composed of the above-described passing ball sensor 100. 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 P has won the V zone, a V zone guiding device 34 for guiding the pachinko ball P to other than the V zone is connected.

  Each of the switches 20s, 22s, 22v, the sensors 21s, 23s, and the actuators 24, 25, 34 constitutes a gaming device for executing a pachinko game, and the main control board is connected via the main relay board 80. 30. When the passing ball sensor 100 constituting each of the switches 20s, 22s, 22v and the sensors 21s, 23s detects the pachinko ball P, the detection signal is input to the main CPU 31 of the main control board 30 via the main relay board 80. The main CPU 31 drives and controls the actuators 24, 25, and 34 according to the input detection signal.

The sub control board 40 is connected to the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 13c, the speakers 13b and 13b, and the illumination LED 11a ₂ via the sub relay board 90, and performs image display control for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device 13c. Sound control for emitting sound effects from the speakers 13b and 13b and electric decoration control for controlling the light emission of the electric decoration LED 11a ₂ according to the gaming state are performed. A sub CPU 41, a program ROM 42, and a work RAM 43 are mounted on the sub control board 40. The sub CPU 41 interprets control commands received from the main control board 30 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 ₂ are stored stored. The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage unit when the sub CPU 41 performs processing control according to the control program.

  The sub control board 40 is mounted with an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44, and an initial reset circuit 46. The image data ROM 45 stores and 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 sub control circuit in the sub control board 40.

  The main CPU 31 performs a jackpot determination when the pachinko ball P wins the start winning opening 12b and a start win occurs. The sub-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. When the left and right symbols are aligned and stopped in the same design, the liquid crystal display device 13c enters the reach state. 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 ₂ according to the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 according to the drive signal from the sub CPU 41.

  Connected to the payout / firing control board 60 are a payout device 61 for paying out a prize ball and the like, and a firing solenoid 13d that is driven in accordance with the operation of the firing handle 1. The payout / launch control circuit configured on the payout / launch control board 60 drives and controls the payout device 61 in accordance with the payout command signal output from the main control board 30 in accordance with various winnings, thereby paying out the prize balls. At the same time, the launch solenoid 13d is driven and controlled in accordance with the operation of the launch handle 1 by the player, and the pachinko ball P is launched to the game area 12A.

  In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the pachinko sphere P does not pass through the passage hole 100a, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 101 and 102 is larger than the space of the passage hole 100a. Thus, it passes through the inside of the annular magnetic path formed by the metal yokes 103 and 104 having extremely small magnetic resistance. At this time, the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 105 has a large value, and a detection signal indicating that the pachinko ball P does not pass through the passage hole 100a is output from the circuit board of the passage ball sensor 100. .

  Further, when the pachinko ball P launched into the game area 12A by operating the launch handle 1 enters the open areas of the winning openings 12b to 12d or passes through the open areas of the passing gates, While passing through the ball passages 70a to 70e and being collected, it passes through the passage hole 100a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in each of the insertion ports 71 to 74. At that time, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 101 and 102 is not only within the annular magnetic path formed by the yokes 103 and 104, but also as shown by the dotted line B in FIG. It passes through the inside of a metal pachinko sphere P that is as small as 103 and 104. At this time, the magnetic flux passing through the inside of the yokes 103 and 104 decreases, and the pachinko ball P does not pass through the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 105 arranged in the gap 103a of the yoke 103 with the decrease in the magnetic flux. Smaller than when. Due to the decrease in the Hall voltage, a detection signal indicating that the pachinko ball P has passed through the passage hole 100a is output from the circuit board to the main CPU 31. When the detection signal is input, the main CPU 31 determines that the pachinko ball P has passed through the passage hole 100a, and performs a payout process of the pachinko ball P according to the winning prize opening or the passing gate passed.

  According to the pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, when the pachinko ball P is not passing through the passage hole 100a of the passing ball sensor 100, the magnetic field generated by the pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102 is generated. Most of the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux passes through the yokes 103 and 104 forming an annular magnetic path. On the other hand, when the pachinko sphere P passes through the passage hole 100a, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102 also passes through the pachinko sphere P as described above, and passes through the yokes 103 and 104. The passing magnetic flux is dispersed and reduced. Therefore, the Hall element 105 detects whether or not the pachinko sphere P has passed through the passage hole 100a based on a change in the magnetic flux passing through the yokes 103 and 104, that is, a change in the magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path. The At this time, the Hall element 105 detects a change in the magnetic flux generated in the closed annular magnetic path, so that the passage of the pachinko sphere P can be accurately detected without being affected by the external magnetic field. Accordingly, the pachinko ball P is illegally acquired by causing the hall element 105 to falsely detect that the pachinko ball P has passed by bringing the magnet close to the front surface of the transparent game board 12 and applying an external magnetic field to the hall element 105. Fraud is prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generated by the pair of permanent magnets 101 and 102 is concentrated and distributed in the gap 103 a formed in the yoke 103. For this reason, the change of the magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path depending on whether or not the pachinko sphere P passes is effectively and accurately detected by the Hall element 105 disposed in the gap 103a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnets 101 and 102 are opposed to each other in a direction parallel to the surface of the transparent game board 12, the yokes 103 and 104 are arranged along this direction, and the Hall element 105 changes the magnetic flux. Since the detection surface 105a for detecting the position of the transparent game board 12 is orthogonal to the detection surface 105a, the Hall element 105 detects a change in magnetic flux generated in a direction parallel to the transparent game board 12 with the detection surface 105a. A change in magnetic flux generated in a direction perpendicular to the transparent game board 12 is not detected by the detection surface 105a. For this reason, for example, even if a magnet is brought close to the front surface of the transparent game board 12, the magnetic field that is directed to the detection surface 105a of the Hall element 105 by the magnet mainly has a component in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux detection direction. This does not significantly affect the magnetic field detected by, so that fraud using the false detection by the Hall element 105 can be more reliably prevented.

  In the present embodiment, since the magnetic flux detection means is constituted by the Hall element 105, a change in magnetic flux generated when the pachinko ball P passes through the passage hole 100a is a hole that occurs as a current magnetic effect inside the Hall element 105. It is detected by detecting a change in voltage. The change in the Hall voltage appears as a carrier drift change in the Hall element 105 and is detected in a very short time, so that the passage of the pachinko sphere P is detected at high speed and with high accuracy. In addition, even if a weak magnetic field change due to electromagnetic waves occurs in the static magnetic field around the Hall element 105, the Hall effect caused by the Hall element 105 is hardly affected. It will never be done.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the Hall element 105 is used as the magnetic flux detecting means has been described. However, for example, a magnetoresistive element can be used instead of the Hall element 105.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the permanent magnets 101 and 102 are used as the magnetic field generation unit has been described. However, the magnetic field generation unit can be appropriately changed as long as it generates a static magnetic field.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described. However, the present invention is applied to other gaming machines equipped with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed a predetermined area of a gaming member. It is also possible to apply. Even when the present invention is applied to such a gaming 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. It is a back view which shows the structure of the back surface of the transparent game board shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a winning ball assembly kit assembly provided on the back surface of the transparent game board shown in FIG. 4. The structure of the passing ball sensor used for the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 is shown, (a) is the side view, (b) is the top view. 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. (A) is a plan view of the passing ball sensor when the pachinko ball is not passing through the passage hole of the passing ball sensor, (b) is a diagram showing a plan view of the passing ball sensor when the pachinko ball is passing. is there.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine 12 ... Transparent game board 12b ... Start prize opening 12c ... General prize opening 12d ... Large prize opening 20s, 22s, 22v ... Switch 21s, 23s ... Sensor 30 ... Main control board 40 ... Sub control board 70 ... Prize ball Aggregate rod assembly 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e ... Ball passage 71, 72, 73, 74 ... Insert port 100 ... Passing ball sensor 100a ... Passing hole 101, 102 ... Permanent magnet 103, 104 ... Yoke 103a ... Gap 105 ... Hall element 105a ... Detection surface P ... Pachinko ball

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine provided with a gaming ball detection device that detects a gaming ball that has passed a predetermined area of a gaming member provided on a gaming board,
The game ball detection device includes a game ball detection passage through which a game ball passes, and a pair of magnetic field generation means that are arranged at opposing positions around the game ball detection passage and generate a magnetic field in the game ball detection passage. A yoke that is arranged around the game ball detection passage and forms an annular magnetic path between the pair of magnetic field generation means, and a magnetic flux detection means that detects a change in magnetic flux generated in the annular magnetic path. A gaming machine characterized by being made. The yoke comprises a first yoke formed with a gap on the annular magnetic path, and a second yoke disposed to face the first yoke,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic flux detection means is disposed in the gap.   The magnetic field generating means faces the board surface of the game board in a direction parallel to the board, the yoke is disposed along this direction, and the magnetic flux detection means has a detection surface for detecting a change in magnetic flux of the game board. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the board surface. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the magnetic flux detection means is configured by a Hall element.

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