JP2008307326A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine which can surely maintain the desired discharging strength even if the operative position of a shooting handle shifts off the adjusted position and at the same time can surely diminish the game ball discharging operative load of game players when a game is played with game balls being consecutively discharged into the game domain with the desired discharging strength. <P>SOLUTION: After a game player turns and adjusts the operating handle 22 to the predetermined angle, and when the turning operation position of the predetermined angle is held for the prescribed time span (for example, 5,000 ms), the game ball discharging strength continues to be maintained. That is to say, even when the handle operative position, which is set within the turning angle indicating the game ball discharging strength to be between "0 to max" after the holding time elapses, shifts between more than A and less than B, the game ball P continues to be discharged with its discharging strength maintained at the predetermined level regardless of the handle operative position. Thereafter, if the handle operative position shifts outside of the range, the game ball P is discharged with the discharging strength corresponding to the actual handle operative position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine mainly for a pachinko machine equipped with a launch handle, and in particular, a launch drive mechanism for maintaining the launch strength of a game ball at a predetermined level regardless of the operation position of the launch handle. The present invention relates to a ball game machine to be controlled.

  Conventionally, in a pachinko machine, a game area in which a number of obstacle nails, a plurality of winning holes, etc. are arranged, a launch drive mechanism that launches a game ball into the game area, and a player to operate the launch drive mechanism Is equipped with a firing handle to operate. The firing drive mechanism has a striking ball for striking a game ball and an electric actuator for operating the striking ball. By rotating the operation handle in the firing handle, the driving force of the electric actuator, that is, the striking The hitting force of the spear on the game ball is adjusted, and the game ball can be launched toward a desired position in the game area.

  As a conventional launching handle, the handle base is fixed to the main body member of the pachinko machine so as to protrude forward, and the operation handle has an annular operation portion disposed on the front end side of the outer peripheral portion of the handle base. A handle cover is supported on the front end side of the operation handle so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and is fixed to the handle base in a state where the operation handle is rotatably held. It is well known to regulate the above.

  With this type of launching handle, the player places his palm on the front side of the handle cover, hangs his finger (thumb, forefinger, middle finger, etc.) on the outer peripheral side of the annular operating part of the operating handle, and rotates the operating handle. The operation handle and the handle cover are gripped integrally with the hand, the operation handle is fixed, and thus the rotation operation position of the operation handle can be adjusted and held.

On the other hand, the gaming machine of Patent Document 1 includes a hitting ball launching device, a firing strong button and a firing weak button for adjusting the flight distance of the game ball, and a flight distance return button for returning to the flying distance before the adjustment. Is provided. The firing force of the hitting ball launching device is controlled based on these button operations, and the game ball is shot into the game area at a predetermined flight distance.
JP-A-6-339563

  In conventional ball game machines, in order to continuously fire a game ball to a game area with a desired firing strength, the rotation operation position of the operation handle is adjusted and held, and such a game is usually performed. In order to maintain the rotation operation position after adjusting the operation handle for a long time, it is necessary to hold the operation handle and the handle cover firmly and integrally by hand. Since there is a high possibility that the dynamic operation position will deviate from the adjustment position, when a game ball is continuously fired to the game area with a desired launch strength, the launch operation load becomes very large.

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to operate the firing strong button, the firing weak button, and the flight distance return button for adjusting the flight distance of the game ball, the button operation is complicated and troublesome. For this, button operation becomes troublesome.
The object of the present invention is to ensure that the desired launch strength is ensured even when the operation position of the launch handle is deviated from the adjustment position when the game ball is continuously fired to the game area with the desired launch strength. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball game machine that can be held and can surely reduce a player's firing operation load.

  The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 is a bullet ball game machine comprising a launch drive mechanism that launches a game ball into a game area, and a launch handle operated by a player to operate the launch drive mechanism. Handle position detection means for detecting the operation position of the handle, handle position storage means for storing the handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means, and the firing handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means for a predetermined time A detection unit that detects that the emission level is at a predetermined level, and a firing that controls the firing drive mechanism to maintain the firing intensity indicated by the operation position of the firing handle detected by the detection unit, regardless of the operation position of the firing handle. And a firing intensity control means for performing intensity holding control.

  When the player operates the launch handle, the launch drive mechanism launches a game ball into the game area, and when the detection means detects that the handle operating position is at a predetermined level for a predetermined time, the operation of the launch handle is performed. Since the launch intensity of the game ball is maintained regardless of the position, the player's launch operation load is reduced.

The bullet ball game machine of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the handle operation position at a predetermined level is a handle operation position within a predetermined range between zero and a maximum value.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, when the handle operation position detected by the handle position detecting means is out of the predetermined range, the handle operation position data at a predetermined level is obtained. It is characterized by resetting the firing intensity holding control by erasing and controlling the firing drive mechanism so that the firing intensity is instructed at the handle operating position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, when the firing stop switch mounted on the launching handle is turned on, the firing strength maintaining control is performed by the firing strength control means. It is characterized by resetting.
A bullet ball game machine according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the payout control means for controlling the payout means for paying out the game ball as a prize ball.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the position detection means, the handle position storage means, the detection means for detecting that the handle operation position is at a predetermined level for a predetermined time, and the detection regardless of the operation position of the firing handle. The launch handle control position is adjusted so that the launch drive mechanism is controlled so as to hold the launch intensity indicated by the launch handle operation position detected by the means. Even when the position is deviated from the position, the launch strength of the game ball can be reliably maintained, the player's launch operation load can be reliably reduced, and a game can be performed for a long time. Further, the firing strength can be maintained by the same method of operating the firing handle as in the prior art, without requiring a complicated and troublesome operation.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the handle operation position at a predetermined level is a handle operation position within a predetermined range between zero and the maximum value, the firing strength can be maintained according to the handle operation position of the player.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the handle operation position detected by the handle position detecting means is out of the predetermined range, the data of the handle operation position at a certain level is deleted and the firing intensity holding control is reset. Since the firing drive mechanism is controlled so as to achieve the firing strength indicated at the handle operating position, the firing strength holding state can be easily released without requiring a complicated and troublesome operation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the firing stop switch provided on the launching handle is turned on, the firing strength control is reset by the firing strength control means, so that a complicated and troublesome operation is not required. The firing strength can be easily reset.
According to the invention of claim 5, since the firing intensity control means is provided in the payout control means for controlling the payout means for paying out the game ball as a prize ball, it is possible to perform various controls relating to the launch of the game ball. it can.

  Regardless of the position of the position detection means, the handle position storage means, the detection means for detecting that the handle operation position is at a predetermined level for a predetermined time, and the operation position of the launch handle, The launch intensity control means for controlling the launch drive mechanism to control the launch drive mechanism so as to hold the launch intensity indicated by the operation position of the launch handle detected by the sensing means is provided. When playing a game by continuously firing game balls into the game area by operating the handle, especially when the game ball is continuously fired into the game area with the desired launch strength while holding the adjusted operation position of the launch handle. Thus, when a game is performed, the launch strength of the game ball can be reliably maintained even when the adjustment position of the handle operation position is deviated.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pachinko machine 1 that is a ball game machine is provided with a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 2, a liquid crystal display 3, a plurality of winning holes 4 to 7, and the like. A game area 8, a launch drive mechanism 9 that launches the game ball P in the game area 8, and a launch handle 10 that a player operates to operate the launch drive mechanism 9 are provided.

  The pachinko machine 1 includes a frame member 11, a game board 12 is attached to the frame member 11 from the back side, a game area 8 is formed on the front side of the game board 12, and a glass door that can be opened and closed on the front side of the game area 8 13 is covered. A launch drive mechanism 9 is disposed on the lower right side of the game area 8, and a guide rail 14 for guiding the game ball P from the launch drive mechanism 9 to the game area 8 is attached to the front surface of the game board 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the firing drive mechanism 9 includes a strike rod 15 that strikes the game ball P, and a launch solenoid actuator (electric actuator) 16 that activates the strike rod 15.

  The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a synthetic resin-made dish-shaped body 17 on the lower front portion of the frame member 11. A ball that stores the game ball P and guides the game ball P to the firing drive mechanism 9 in the dish-shaped body 17. A storage tray 18 is formed. On the back surface of the dish-shaped body 17, a ball feed mechanism 33 that sends the game ball P of the ball storage tray 18 to the launch position of the launch drive mechanism 9 is provided. In the ball storage tray 18, the game ball P launched into the game area 8 by the launch drive mechanism 9 is launched by the launch drive mechanism 9 and the game ball P acquired by winning the winning openings 5 to 7. A game ball P that returns without reaching the game area 8 is derived. The dish forming body 17 is integrally provided with a firing handle mounting portion 19, and the firing handle mounting portion 19 is formed with a circular mounting hole 20 that is open to the front.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the firing handle 10 includes a handle base 21, an operation handle 22, and a handle cover 23, and is attached to the firing handle mounting portion 19 of the dish forming body 17 so as to protrude forward. The handle base 21, the operation handle 22, and the handle cover 23 are each made of a synthetic resin material. An annular operation portion 24 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the operation handle 22, and this annular operation portion 24 is an auxiliary member when the player rotates the operation handle 22.

  In the firing handle 10, the player places the palm on the front side of the handle cover 23, and hangs a finger (thumb, forefinger, middle finger, etc.) on the outer peripheral portion of the annular operation unit 24 of the operation handle 22. , And the operation handle 22 and the handle cover 23 as well as the handle base 21 are gripped integrally with the hand to fix the operation handle 22, and thus adjust and hold the rotation operation position of the operation handle 22. can do.

  On the left side of the front end of the outer periphery of the handle base 21, a launch stop button 25 for stopping the launch of the game ball P is provided. On the surface of the handle cover 23, a touch portion 26 of a touch sensor that is subjected to conductive hard plating and touched by a player is provided.

  Since the touch sensor needs to be able to launch the game ball P when the operation of the launch handle 10 is an operation by the player's hand for fairness of the game, whether the player is in contact with the handle cover 23 or not. It is for detecting. The touch sensor is provided in the operation handle 22 by detecting a change in capacitance of the touch unit 26 by being electrically connected to the touch unit 26 of the handle cover 23 and the touch unit 26 by a lead wire. A detection circuit unit (not shown), and the detection circuit unit detects that the player has touched the firing handle 10 when the change in capacitance of the object in contact with the touch unit 26 shows a specific value. It is configured.

  In the firing handle 10, when the player turns the operation handle 22 clockwise, the firing solenoid 16 of the firing drive mechanism 9 is driven, and an instruction is given at the turning operation position (turning angle) of the operation handle 22. Is the launching strength of the game ball P to be played, that is, the driving force of the launch solenoid 16 of the launch drive mechanism 9, and the impact force of the striker 15 of the launch drive mechanism 9 on the game ball P is adjusted. The game area 8 can be fired toward a desired position.

  When the player rotates the operation handle 22 by a predetermined angle and holds the rotation operation position, the game ball P is repeatedly emitted with a predetermined level of launch intensity, and the game ball P is discharged to the upper part of the game area 8. Falls on the obstacle nails and windmill 2 while changing direction and falls into the normal winning port 5, the starting winning port 6, the big winning port 7, or falls to the lowest end and drops to the ball outlet 27 is discharged.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a back mechanism plate 28 is detachably mounted on the back side of the frame member 11, and a prize ball tank 29 to which a game ball P is supplied from the outside, and a prize ball on the top side thereof. A tank rail 30 extending from the tank 29 is provided. A passage unit 31 is connected to the tank rail 30, and a payout mechanism 32 (payout means) for paying out a prize ball corresponding to the winning of the game ball P to the ball storage tray 18 is provided on the upstream side portion of the passage unit 31.

Next, the control system of the pachinko machine 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, on the back side of the frame member 11 of the pachinko machine 1, various control means (main control means, payout control means, effect control means, liquid crystal display control means, power supply, etc. for controlling the pachinko machine 1 are provided. The main control board 34, the payout control board 35, the effect control board 36, the liquid crystal display control board 37, and the power supply board 38 are arranged at predetermined positions. These control boards 34 to 38 are configured separately and are electrically connected. The main control board 34, the payout control board 35, the effect control board 36, and the liquid crystal display control board 37 are respectively composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. A microcomputer and an input / output interface are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, on the payout control board 35, a ball lending card unit 39, a payout count SW40, a tray full SW41, a replenishment SW42, a RAM clear SW43, a firing stop SW44, a touch SW45, and a handle operation position VR46 are converted. The circuit 47 is connected.

  The payout control means 35a of the payout control board 35 has a payout mechanism based on a ball lending signal output from the card unit 39 when a player operates a ball lending button (not shown) provided on the dish forming body 17. The 32 payout motors 48 are directly driven and controlled. Further, the payout control means 35a of the payout control board 35 directly sends the ball feed SOL49 of the ball feed mechanism 33 and the shot SOL16 of the shot drive mechanism 9 based on the detection signals from the firing stop SW44, the touch SW45 and the handle operation position VR46. To drive or stop. In addition, SW means a switch and SOL is a solenoid actuator.

  The handle operation position VR46 is a variable resistor (potentiometer) that detects the rotation angle of the operation handle 22 rotated by the player as the magnitude of resistance. The resistance value detected by the handle operating position VR46 is transmitted to the payout control board 35 via the A / D conversion circuit 47, and the payout control means 35a of the payout control board 35 outputs the firing intensity corresponding to the resistance value, that is, The launch SOL 16 is driven and controlled so that the game ball P is launched toward the game area 8 with the launch intensity set according to the rotation angle of the operation handle 22.

Next, the firing intensity control means 35a provided in the payout control means 35a will be described. Of the various functions (means) achieved by the control program stored in advance in the firing intensity control means 35a, the main ones are as shown in FIG.
The firing intensity control unit 35a controls the firing drive mechanism 9 so that the firing driving mechanism 9 is held so that the firing intensity indicated by the handle operating position is held after the handle operating position is held at a predetermined level for a predetermined time. I do.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the firing intensity control means 35 a has means 50 to 56. The handle position detection means 50 detects the current handle operation position operated by the player according to the SW signal from the touch SW 45 and the resistance value from the handle operation position VR46. The handle position storage means 51 stores the handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means 50. The storage means 51 stores, for example, the handle operation position while the time measurement means 53 is measuring 5000 ms for a predetermined time. The detection means 52 is for a predetermined time within a predetermined range at a handle operation position of a rotation angle at which the handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means 50 is between the firing intensities “0 to max”. It is detected that the handle operating position is at a predetermined level (for example, for 5000 ms).

  The firing strength holding means 55 sets a firing strength holding flag so that the firing strength of the game ball P indicated by the rotation angle of the handle operating position detected by the detecting means 52 is held. The launch intensity setting means 54 determines the launch intensity based on the launch intensity data set by the launch intensity holding means 55 and the launch intensity data of the game ball P indicated at the handle operation position stored in the handle position storage means 51. The firing drive signal is transmitted to the drive circuit 57.

  The firing strength holding release means 56 erases the handle operation position data at a predetermined level when the current handle operation position VR detected by the handle position detection means 50 in the firing strength holding state is out of the predetermined range. The firing strength holding means 55 is instructed to reset the firing strength holding flag. Further, the firing strength holding release unit 56 instructs the firing strength holding unit 55 to reset the firing strength holding flag in accordance with the stop SW signal from the firing stop SW 44 in the firing strength holding state.

Next, the ball feeding timing and launch timing of the game ball P will be described.
As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 7, the ball feed SOL 49 of the ball feed mechanism 33 is output while the detection signal from the touch SW 45 is output while the player is in contact with the touch sensor and the firing handle 10 is being rotated. Energization / de-energization (excitation / demagnetization) is repeatedly performed at intervals of 350 ms, and energization / de-energization (excitation / demagnetization) of the firing SOL 16 of the firing drive mechanism 9 is repeated at intervals of 600 ms. That is, when the player rotates the operation handle 22, the game balls P are sent out one by one from the ball feed mechanism 33 to the launch position of the launch drive mechanism 9 at a rate of 100 balls per minute, and then the launch drive mechanism. The game ball P is hit by the nine hitting balls 15, and the game balls P are sequentially launched toward the game area 8 at regular intervals.

  Next, the relationship between the operation position of the launch handle 10 and the actual launch intensity of the game ball P by the launch intensity holding control of the launch intensity control means 35a will be described. In FIG. 8, the solid line indicates the launch intensity of the game ball P, and the dotted line indicates the handle operating position of the launch handle 10 operated by the player.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the player operates the operation handle 22 and does not hold the firing strength, the firing strength holding condition of the game ball P is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3. When the player turns the operation handle 22 to a predetermined angle so as to launch the game ball P at a desired launch intensity and enters the launch intensity holding state, the launch intensity holding release condition is displayed. When the rotation operation position at the predetermined angle is held for a predetermined time (for example, for 5000 ms), the firing intensity indicated at the operation position is continuously held. In other words, after the holding period has elapsed, when the handle operation position of the rotation angle indicating between the firing intensities “0 to max” deviates within A and within B, the game ball P is fired regardless of the operation position. Continue firing with strength held at a predetermined level. Thereafter, when the handle operating position deviates from the above range, the game ball P is fired at a firing intensity corresponding to the actual handle operating position.

Next, launch timing control, launch intensity control, launch output control, and launch state notification control executed by the launch intensity control means 35a will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. However, the symbol Si (i = 1, 2, 3,...) In the figure is each step. A control program for these processes is stored in advance in the ROM of the firing intensity control means 35a.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the emission timing control is started, the determination processes of S1 to S3 are sequentially executed. It is determined whether or not the firing stop switch 44 of the firing handle 10 is turned on in S1 (S1), and whether or not the touch switch 45 detects that the player touches the touch sensor of the firing handle 10 in S2. (S2), and in S3, it is determined whether or not the operation position of the firing handle 10 is a handle operation position of a rotation angle indicating the firing strength “0” (S3).

  In each of the determination results of S1 to S3, when the firing stop switch 44 is turned on (S1; Yes), the firing stop switch 44 is not turned on (S1; OFF), but the player is touching the touch sensor. If not (S2; OFF), the player touches the touch sensor (S2; ON), but if the handle operation position is at a rotation angle with a firing strength of “0” (S3; Yes), S4 In step S4, it is determined whether or not the ball feed flag is set. When the ball feed flag is not set, that is, when the game ball P is not sent to the launch drive mechanism 9 (S4; OFF), the ball feed is performed to perform the ball feed and launch of the game ball P at predetermined time intervals. A timer (350 ms) and a firing timer (600 ms) are set to initial values (S5).

  On the other hand, the firing stop switch 44 is not turned on (S1; OFF), it is detected that the player has touched the touch sensor (S2; ON), and the handle operation position is turned to indicate the firing strength “0”. If it is not the angular operation position (S3; No), subtraction of the ball feed timer and the firing timer is started (S6). In S7, it is determined whether or not the ball feed timer has passed 350 ms (S7). If 350 ms has passed (S7; Yes), the ball feed flag is set (S8) and the ball feed SOL 49 is operated. Next, in S8, it is determined whether or not the firing timer has passed 600 ms (S9). If 600 ms has passed (S9; Yes), the firing flag is set (S10) and the firing SOL 16 is activated.

Next, firing intensity control will be described.
As shown in FIG. 10, when the launch intensity control is started, the current handle operation position VR is read (S11), and the launch intensity data corresponding to the handle operation position VR is stored (S12). In S13, when the current handle operation position VR is the handle operation position VR having a rotation angle indicating the firing intensity “0” (S13; VR = 0), it is determined whether or not the ball feed flag is set (S13: VR = 0). S14). If the ball feed flag is set as a result of the determination (S14; ON), this control is terminated and the process returns. Therefore, even when the player releases the hand from the firing handle 10 or operates the firing stop button 25 from when the game ball P is sent to the firing position of the firing drive mechanism 9 until it is fired, The sphere P never remains.

  On the other hand, if the ball feed flag is not set in S14 (S14; OFF), the firing holding timer for a predetermined time (T = 60000 ms) is set (S15), the subtraction of the firing holding timer is started, and the timer is operating. The firing strength holding state is continued. For example, when the gaming state is reaching while the timer is operating, the firing strength holding state is continued even if the player releases his hand from the operation handle 22. In addition, it is preferable that the predetermined time of the launch holding timer is set longer than the maximum reach fluctuation time of the pachinko machine 1. Next, in S16, when the timer is “T = 0”, that is, when 60000 ms has elapsed (S16; Yes), the firing holding flag is reset (S17).

  On the other hand, in S13, when the handle operation position VR is the handle operation position VR of the rotation angle indicating between the firing intensities “0 to max” (S13; 0 <VR <max), the firing intensity holding flag is set. It is determined whether or not (S18). As a result of the determination, if the firing intensity holding flag is not set (S18; OFF), the latest moving average is based on a predetermined number (eg, 100) of the handle operation positions VR that sequentially change after the start of the handle operation. VRm is calculated (S19).

  Next, in S20, when the value obtained by subtracting the latest moving average VRm from the current steering wheel operation position VR is within a preset threshold value (minute constant: α) (S20; Yes), The steering wheel operation position VR is stored (S21), and the subtraction of the firing hold timer with a predetermined time of 5000 ms is started (S22). When the timer is “T = 0”, that is, when 5000 ms elapses (S22; Yes), 5000 ms The latest moving average (average operating position VRM) of the steering wheel operating position is calculated (S23), the firing intensity data corresponding to the latest average operating position VRM is set (S24), and the firing intensity holding flag is set. (S25). On the other hand, when the value obtained by subtracting the latest moving average VR from the current steering wheel operation position VR is out of the threshold range in S20 (S20; No), the setting of the firing holding timer is reset (S27).

  In S18, when the firing strength holding flag is set (S18; ON), when the player operates the firing stop button 25 and the firing stop switch 44 is turned on (S28; ON), the firing strength holding flag is set. Is reset (S30). On the other hand, when the firing stop switch 44 is not turned on, that is, in a state where the firing handle 10 is turned (S28; OFF), the handle operating position VR is at a turning angle not less than A and not more than B in FIG. In the case of the handle operating position (S29; Yes), the firing strength holding state is continued. On the other hand, when the handle operating position VR is out of the range (S29; No), the firing strength holding flag is reset (S30).

  On the other hand, in S13, when the handle operation position VR is the handle operation position of the rotation angle indicating the firing intensity “max” (S13; VR = max), the firing holding strength flag is reset (S31).

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the emission output control is started, first, in S32, it is determined whether or not the ball feed flag is set (S32). As a result of the determination, if the ball feed flag is set (S32; ON), the ball feed solenoid 49 of the ball feed mechanism 33 is driven to send the game ball P to the firing drive mechanism 9 (S33). If the ball feed flag is not set in S32 (S32; OFF), it is determined whether or not the firing flag is set (S34).

  When the firing flag is set (S34; ON), based on the firing intensity data stored in S12 (launch intensity data corresponding to the latest steering wheel operation position and firing intensity data corresponding to the average operation position VRM). The firing solenoid 16 is driven (S35), and the settings of the ball feed flag and the firing flag are reset (S35). On the other hand, if the launch flag is not set in S33 (S34; OFF), the control is terminated and the process returns.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the firing state notification control is started, it is determined whether or not the firing holding flag is set (S41). As a result of the determination, if the firing hold flag is set (S41; ON), a notification command signal is transmitted to the firing handle 10 so as to notify that the current launch strength setting is the firing strength retained state ( S42). During the firing strength holding state, the LED element provided inside the handle 10 is turned on, and it is notified through the handle cover 23 that the firing strength is being held.

The operational effects of the pachinko machine 1 described above will be described.
In the firing handle 10, the player places the palm on the front side of the handle cover, hooks the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger on the annular operation portion 22 of the operation handle 22, respectively, and rotates the operation handle 22 to launch. The drive mechanism 9 is operated to launch the game ball P into the game area 8.

  The player rotates the operation handle 22 to a predetermined angle so that the game ball P is fired at a desired launch intensity, and the game ball P is fired while holding the rotation operation position at the predetermined angle for 5000 ms. After that, when the held rotation operation position is shifted, if the handle operation position of the rotation angle indicating between the firing intensities “0 to max” is within the predetermined range, the game ball regardless of the operation position The firing strength of P continues to fire at a predetermined level. Thereafter, when the handle operating position deviates from the predetermined range, the game ball P is launched into the game area 8 with the firing intensity instructed at the actual handle operating position.

  Therefore, when the game ball P is continuously fired to the game area 8 with the desired launch strength, the desired launch strength is reliably maintained even when the operation position of the launch handle 10 deviates from the adjustment position. In addition to being able to reliably reduce the player's firing operation load, the game can be played for a long time. Further, the firing strength can be maintained by the same operation method of the firing handle 10 as in the prior art without requiring complicated and troublesome operations.

  When finely adjusting the firing strength held at a predetermined level, if the firing stop button 25 provided on the launching handle 10 is operated, the firing strength holding control is reset, so that a complicated and troublesome operation is not required. The readiness of the firing intensity can be easily adjusted.

Next, a modified example in which the above embodiment is partially modified will be described.
1] In the embodiment, the discharge intensity holding control means is provided in the payout control means 35a. However, the firing intensity holding control means may be provided in the main control means, the effect control means and the like.
2] In the embodiment, the predetermined time of the firing holding timer is set to 5000 ms, but is not limited to this, and can be set shorter or longer.

3] In addition, those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various forms with various modifications, and the present invention includes such various modified forms.

It is a front view of the lower part containing the launching handle of a pachinko machine. It is a top view of FIG. It is a side view of a pachinko machine. It is a back view of a pachinko machine. It is a control system block diagram of a payout control board. It is a functional block diagram of a payout control means. It is a time chart which shows the ball feed timing and launch timing of a game ball. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the operation position of the launching handle in execution of the launch intensity holding control by the launch intensity control means 35a, and the actual launch intensity of the game ball P. It is a flowchart of firing timing control. It is a flowchart of firing intensity control. It is a flowchart of discharge output control. It is a flowchart of firing state notification control.

Explanation of symbols

P game ball 1 pachinko machine 8 game area 9 launch drive mechanism
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Launch handle 32 Discharge mechanism 35a Launch intensity control means 44 Launch stop switch 50 Handle position detection means 51 Handle position storage means 52 Detection means

Claims (5)

In a ball game machine comprising a launch drive mechanism for launching a game ball into a game area, and a launch handle operated by a player to operate the launch drive mechanism,
A handle position detecting means for detecting an operation position of the firing handle;
Handle position storage means for storing the handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means;
Detecting means for detecting that the firing handle operating position detected by the handle position detecting means is at a predetermined level for a predetermined time;
Firing intensity control means for performing firing intensity holding control for controlling the firing drive mechanism so as to hold the firing intensity indicated by the operation position of the firing handle detected by the detecting means regardless of the operation position of the firing handle; ,
A ball game machine characterized by comprising:   2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the handle operation position at the predetermined level is a handle operation position within a predetermined range between zero and a maximum value.   When the handle operation position detected by the handle position detection means is out of the predetermined range, the data on the handle operation position at the predetermined level is deleted to reset the firing intensity holding control, and the handle operation position is detected at the handle operation position. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the firing drive mechanism is controlled so as to have a designated firing strength.   4. The bullet ball according to claim 1, wherein when a firing stop switch mounted on the firing handle is turned on, the firing strength holding control by the firing strength control means is reset. 5. Gaming machine.   4. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the firing strength control means is provided in a payout control means for controlling payout means for paying out a game ball as a prize ball.