JP2009119185A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine with improved operability of a shooting handle without the limitation of a turning operation angle. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine comprises the shooting handle HD unlimitedly rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise, an encoder 15 for outputting pulse signals corresponding to the rotation of the shooting handle HD, a strength setting part 11 for outputting the shooting strength signals VLM of a level corresponding to the rotation amount of the shooting handle HD on the basis of the pulse signals, a shooting part for shooting a game ball by strength corresponding to the level of the shooting strength signals VLM, and a control part for controlling the operations of the respective parts. The control part 5 repeats the first process of recognizing the rotating direction of the shooting handle HD and the second process of changing the level of the shooting strength signals by supplying the appropriate number of change pulses to the strength setting part 11 corresponding to the rotating direction recognized in the first process at every prescribed interval of time on the basis of two-phase signals received from the encoder 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, and a sparrow ball game machine, and more particularly, to a ball game machine with improved operability of a launching handle with no limitation on a rotation operation angle.

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for displaying a series of symbol variation patterns by a plurality of display symbols, and a big winning opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passage of the game ball, the winning state is entered, and after the game ball is paid out as a prize ball, the display symbol is changed for a predetermined time in the symbol display section. Thereafter, when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined manner such as 7-7-7, a big hit state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  The launch intensity of the game ball changes according to the rotation operation angle of the launch handle. If you want to win a game ball at the symbol start opening, or want to quickly pour a large amount of game balls into the big prize opening In some cases, the rotation is performed at an optimum rotation angle according to the player's purpose. In the normal case, since the launch handle is biased counterclockwise, the launch handle is rotated clockwise while firing the game ball aiming at the target position against the biasing force. Become.

However, since it is tired to maintain the firing handle in the same position for a long time while resisting the biasing force, there is also proposed a launching handle that is not biased counterclockwise and has no limitation on the rotation operation angle. (For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3249921 JP 2004-073238 A

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, two position detection sensors are provided on a launching handle with no restriction on the rotation operation angle, and the turning direction of the launching handle is specified by which one is turned on first. Yes. Further, every time the rotation position of the firing handle changes, one slit is detected, and the operation rotation amount of the firing handle is grasped based on the number of detections. Patent Document 2 describes an invention that initializes the firing speed of the firing handle when the firing stop time exceeds the reference time after the pachinko ball firing is stopped.

  However, each patent document does not have a special technical disclosure other than those described above, and a hardware configuration that can easily detect the rotation direction and the amount of rotation operation with the minimum necessary circuit configuration is desired. In addition, a circuit configuration that can accurately set the launch intensity of a game ball corresponding to the amount of rotation operation has not been known at all.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned idea, and uses a launch handle with no limitation on the rotation operation angle, and has a simple hardware configuration, while accurately determining the launch strength of the launch ball. It is an object to provide a ball game machine that can be set to the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a rotating body of a launching handle that can rotate in an unlimited amount clockwise and counterclockwise, and a two-phase pulse signal that meshes with the rotating body and is out of phase with each other. An output encoder, a digital potentiometer that outputs a firing intensity signal at a level corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotating body, which is grasped based on the two-phase pulse signal, and the firing intensity signal. A ball game machine comprising a hitting unit for hitting a game ball with strength and a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit, wherein the control unit realizes computer control by a CPU. A control unit and a second control unit that performs analog control of the hitting unit based on the firing intensity signal output from the first control unit are configured.

  Preferably, a switch circuit for interrupting transmission of the emission intensity signal is provided in the signal transmission path of the second control unit, and this switch circuit should be driven and controlled by a digital control circuit that does not use a CPU. The second control unit includes a first amplification circuit that amplifies the emission intensity signal received from the first control unit, a second amplification circuit that amplifies the output of the first amplification circuit, and an output of the second amplification circuit. It is preferable to have a rotary solenoid driven by a current and a detection resistor that outputs a detection voltage proportional to the output current. In this case, the first amplifier circuit has its non-inverting input. While the launch intensity signal is supplied to the terminal and the detection voltage is supplied to the inverting input terminal, the negative feedback amplification operation of the launch intensity signal is realized as a whole.

  The first amplifier circuit includes an OP amplifier, an input resistor connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier, and a feedback resistor connected between the non-inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the OP amplifier. In this case, the feedback signal fed back to the inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier is configured to substantially match the firing intensity signal supplied to the input resistor. .

  The digital control circuit is preferably configured to include a clock pulse oscillation circuit and a frequency division counter that receives the clock pulse and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to a launch period of the game ball, and the switch circuit The ON / OFF control is performed based on the output of the frequency dividing counter.

  In this case, it is preferable that the switch circuit is controlled to transition from the ON state to the OFF state when the game ball firing cycle is reached, and to return to the ON state after the game ball is launched. Further, the frequency dividing counter is preferably provided with a stop terminal for stopping the counting operation of the clock pulse, and in this case, a sensor signal indicating that the player has released his hand from the firing handle, An instruction signal for instructing the player to stop firing the game ball and a logical OR signal of the prohibition signal output from the first control unit are supplied to the stop terminal.

  The output of the frequency dividing counter that controls the operation of the switch circuit is preferably to intermittently operate a ball feeding unit that supplies game balls to the hitting unit. In this case, the ball feeding unit is intermittently operated. It is further preferable that the output pulse of the frequency dividing counter to be operated in an ON state is turned on prior to the output pulse of the frequency dividing counter for controlling the switch circuit to be turned off.

  According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to accurately set the firing intensity of the launch ball, while having a simple hardware configuration, with respect to the launch handle with no limitation on the rotation operation angle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall circuit configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Broken lines in the figure mainly indicate DC voltage lines.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine has a power supply board 7 that receives 24 VDC and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, a RAM clear signal CLR, and the like, and a main control board 1 that is centrally responsible for game control operations. An effect control board 2 that executes a lamp effect and an audio effect based on a control command CMD ′ received from the main control board 1, an effect interface board 3 that transmits a signal received from the effect control board 2 to each part, and an effect The liquid crystal control board 4 that drives the liquid crystal display DISP based on the control command CMD "received from the interface board 3 and the payout motor M based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 1 are used to pay the game ball. A payout control board 5 to be put out and a launch control board 6 to fire a game ball in response to the operation of the launch handle HD by the player. It is configured.

  Here, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Therefore, in this specification, the main control board 1, the production control board 2, the liquid crystal control board 4, and the circuits mounted on the payout control board 5 and the operations realized by the circuits are generically named. It may be called the control part 1, the production control part 2, the liquid crystal control part 4, and the payout control part 5.

  While the main control unit 1 transmits a control command CMD to the payout control unit 5 in one direction, the payout control unit 5 is associated with a prize ball count signal indicating a payout operation of game balls and an abnormality in the payout operation. The status signal CON is received. The status signal CON includes, for example, a replenishment signal, a payout shortage error signal, and a lower plate full signal.

  As shown in the figure, a backup power supply BU of DC 5V is supplied from the power supply board 7 to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. Therefore, even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to the end of business or a power failure, the RAM data in the one-chip microcomputer is retained.

  Further, the power supply board 7 is configured to output a voltage drop signal ABN to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 when the AC power supply 24V is shut off. The main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 grasp the level drop of the voltage drop signal ABN by the flag sense method, and then save necessary data in the RAM. Therefore, coupled with the operation of the backup power supply BU described above, the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5 can resume the operation before the power shutoff at the start of business or at the time of recovery from a power failure.

  Furthermore, the power supply board 7 outputs a RAM clear signal CLR indicating an operator's switch operation to the main control unit 1 and the payout control unit 5. This switch operation is mainly performed when the power is turned on, but is an operation for erasing the stored contents of the RAM held by the backup power supply BU. Therefore, the control boards 1 and 5 can grasp the presence or absence of the switch operation by the staff by determining the level of the RAM clear signal CLR.

  FIG. 2A schematically shows the connection relationship between the dispensing control board 5 and the launch control board 6. As shown in the figure, the launch control board 6 receives AC24V from the power supply board 7 via the payout controller 5, and generates DC32V by full-wave rectification. The generated DC32V is supplied to a rotary solenoid L1 that launches a game ball with a launch intensity corresponding to the rotational operation position of the launch handle HD, and a ball feed solenoid L2 that replenishes the game ball according to the launch speed of the game ball. Is done.

  The rotary solenoid L1 is a member that launches a game ball with a torque corresponding to a current value supplied to the rotary solenoid L1. A hitting hammer (not shown) that hits the game ball fed by the ball feed solenoid L2 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the rotary solenoid L1. This hitting hammer hits the game ball with a torque corresponding to the drive current supplied to the rotary solenoid L1. In addition, the rotation range of the hammer is restricted by the shock absorbing rubber material provided at two locations in the rotation direction (initial position and stop position), and when the driving current I stops, it returns to the initial position due to its own weight. Yes.

  DC32V is supplied to the stabilized power supply circuit RG to generate the power supply voltage DC5V of the control circuit DIG. The control circuit DIG controls the ball feed solenoid L2 and the rotary solenoid L1, and launches a game ball at a legal firing speed (≈100 / min) according to the firing strength defined by the rotational operation position of the launch handle HD. It is a circuit to make.

  The launch control board 6 receives from the payout control board 5 a permission signal CTL that defines whether or not the launch operation by the launch handle HD is permitted. When the firing operation is permitted, an H-level permission signal CTL is supplied to the photocoupler PH. As a result, the phototransistor is turned on, so that the output of the photocoupler PH becomes L level.

  The launch control board 6 receives a launch stop switch STP built in the launch handle HD and a signal from the touch sensor TCH. The touch sensor TCH outputs an H level detection signal as long as the player touches the firing handle HD, but outputs an L level detection signal when the player releases the hand. On the other hand, the firing stop switch STP is normally in an OFF state. However, only when the player presses the switch, it becomes an ON state and outputs an L level detection signal.

  Each signal from the firing stop switch STP and the touch sensor TCH is supplied to the digital control circuit DIG of the firing control board 6 together with the permission signal CTL received from the payout control board 5 to control the energization of the rotary solenoid L1 and the ball feed solenoid L2. Used in applications. Further, since the signal from the touch sensor TCH is also transmitted to the payout control unit 5, whether or not the player is touching the launch handle HD is also grasped by the payout control unit 5.

  The firing handle HD is mechanically connected to the photoelectric encoder 15, and the photoelectric encoder 15 outputs an A phase signal and a B signal that are 90 ° out of phase (see FIG. 2B). . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two-phase signal is supplied to the input port 12 of the payout control unit 5 via the launch control board 6. The A phase signal is supplied to the least significant bit (bit0) of the input port 12, and the B phase signal is supplied to bit1 of the input port 12.

  The payout control unit 5 analyzes the A phase signal and the B phase signal, grasps the rotational operation amount of the launch handle HD, and supplies the corresponding launch intensity signal VLM to the control circuit DIG of the launch control board 6. ing. In the control circuit DIG, the rotary solenoid L1 is energized at a level corresponding to the firing strength signal VLM to control the firing strength of the game ball.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the firing handle HD. The main body BDY of the firing handle HD has an optical encoder 15, a rotating gear GR fitted to the tip of the rotating shaft of the encoder 15, and a firing stop switch STP that turns on a limit switch in response to a pressing operation. An annular ring RG that is screwed to the main body BDY, a rotating body RO that is rotatably held on the outer periphery of the annular ring RG, a presser plate PT that holds the rotary gear GR and the firing stop switch STP, The decorative cap CAP and the touch sensor unit TCH screwed into the main body BDY are configured.

  The rotating body RO is not provided with a stopper for limiting the amount of rotation, and is configured to be rotatable in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. However, a tooth row TH that meshes with the gear GR is formed on the inner periphery of the rotating body RO, and the rotating shaft of the encoder 15 rotates corresponding to the rotation of the rotating body RO (that is, the firing handle HD). It is like that.

  When the firing handle HD is rotated, the encoder 15 outputs the A phase signal and the B signal in pulses. When the firing handle HD is rotated in the clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2B, the phase B signal is delayed by 90 ° from the phase A signal, while when the firing handle HD is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The B phase signal is advanced by 90 ° from the A phase signal (see FIG. 8D).

  FIG. 4 shows the circuit configurations of the payout control board 5 and the launch control board 6 in more detail. The payout control unit 5 includes an output port 10 and an input port 12 connected to a CPU (not shown), and a digital potentiometer 11 that receives the change pulse INC and the direction signal UD from the output port 10.

  FIG. 5A illustrates the internal configuration of the potentiometer 11, and here, DP7113 (Nidec Copal Electronics Co., Ltd.) is used. The illustrated potentiometer 11 outputs an ON signal from one terminal corresponding to the output value of the 7-bit up / down counter 11a, the 7-bit non-volatile memory 11b, the control circuit 11c, and the up / down counter 11a. A decoder 11d, a transistor gate array 11e composed of 100 CMOS transistors whose gate terminals are connected to 100 output terminals of the decoder 11d, and a resistor array group 11f composed of 99 resistors connected in series. It consists of and.

  Of the 99 resistors connected in series, the uppermost resistor is connected to the RH terminal, and the lowermost resistor is connected to the RL terminal. In this circuit example, DC5V is supplied to the RH terminal, and the RL terminal is connected to the ground. The drain terminals of the 99 transistors constituting the transistor gate row 11e are connected to the high voltage side of the 99 resistors constituting the resistor array group 11f. On the other hand, the drain terminal of the last one transistor constituting the transistor gate row 11e is connected to the ground. The source terminals of the 100 transistors are all directly connected and connected to the RW terminal. In this circuit example, the RW terminal is a terminal that outputs the firing intensity signal VLM, and is connected to the ground through a series circuit of resistors R1 and R2.

  The up / down counter 11a enters an active state upon receiving an L level chip select signal CS. Then, the direction signal UD and the change pulse INC are received from the outside, and the decoder 11d is controlled by up-counting or down-counting the number of change pulses INC according to the level of the direction signal UD. For example, when the direction signal UD is at the H level (up count state), the ON-state transistors move upward one by one at the falling edge of the change pulse INC. Accordingly, the firing intensity signal VLM at the RW terminal increases in level one step at a time, and finally saturates at 5 V (see FIG. 5B).

  On the other hand, when the direction signal UD is at the L level (down count state), the ON-state transistors move downward one by one at the falling edge of the change pulse INC, so the firing intensity signal VLM at the RW terminal is The level drops step by step, and finally becomes 5 × (R1 + R2) / (99 × R + R1 + R2), which is almost 0V. In the previous equation, R represents the resistance value of each resistor constituting the resistor array group 11f.

  As described above, in the digital potentiometer 11, by repeatedly supplying the change pulse INC, the firing intensity signal VLM can be increased or decreased step by step in accordance with the number of the change pulses INC. Since the value of the up / down counter is stored in the nonvolatile memory 11b, the level of the previous firing intensity signal VLM is maintained even after the power is turned off.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued. FIG. 4 shows a control circuit DIG (see FIG. 2) in the launch control board 6. The control circuit DIG includes an oscillator 13 that oscillates a clock pulse Φ, a frequency dividing counter 14 that divides the clock pulse Φ output from the oscillator 13, and an amplifying unit that amplifies the firing intensity signal VLM and generates a drive signal SG. 15, a first drive circuit 16 that receives the drive signal SG and supplies an energization current to the rotary solenoid L 1, a switch circuit 17 that performs an ON operation based on the output of the frequency division counter 14 and short-circuits the drive signal SG, A second drive circuit 18 that receives the output of the circumference counter 14 and supplies an energization current to the ball feed solenoid L2 is mainly configured.

  In this embodiment, the frequency dividing counter 14 is composed of a decimal counter HCF4017 (DECADE COUNTER WITH 10 DECODED OUTPUTS) having output terminals Q0 to Q9 (see FIG. 6A). As shown in the time chart of FIG. 6B, when the frequency dividing counter receives an H level signal at the clear terminal CLR, only the Q0 output terminal is at the H level, and the other output terminals Q1 to Q9 are at the L level. Become.

  On the other hand, when an L level signal is received at the clear terminal CLR, a pulse signal is output from any one of the Q0 terminal to Q9 terminal according to the number of clock pulses Φ received at the clock terminal CK. This pulse signal rises in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock pulse Φ. Conversely, when the clock terminal CK is fixed to the H level and the clock pulse Φ is supplied to the enable terminal CE, a pulse signal is output from any one of the Q0 terminal to Q9 terminal according to the number of clock pulses Φ. . This pulse signal rises in synchronization with the falling edge of the clock pulse Φ.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this circuit example, the clock pulse Φ is supplied to the enable terminal CE while the clock terminal CK is fixed at the H level. Further, the output of the Q8 terminal is fed back to the clear terminal CLR via the two gates G0 and G2. Therefore, the decimal counter 14 functions as an octal counter, and a pulse signal obtained by dividing the clock pulse Φ by 8 is output from the Q1 terminal (see FIG. 6C).

  The pulse signal obtained by dividing the clock pulse Φ by 8 needs to set the pulse period to about 600 mS corresponding to the legal firing speed (≈100 / min) of the game ball. Therefore, the pulse period of the clock pulse Φ is set to about 75 mS and the pulse frequency is set to about 13.3 Hz.

  Incidentally, in addition to the inverted output of the Q8 terminal, the inverted output of the photocoupler PH, the output of the firing stop switch STP, and the output of the touch sensor TCH are supplied to the NAND gate G2. As described above, when the firing permission signal CTL is not permitted, the inverted output of the photocoupler PH becomes L level, and when the hand is released from the firing handle HD, the output of the touch sensor TCH becomes L level. Further, when the firing stop switch STP is turned on, the switch output becomes L level.

  Therefore, in the situation where either (a) the firing permission signal CTL is not permitted, (b) the hand is released from the firing handle HD, or (c) the firing stop switch STP is turned on, the NAND gate G2 Becomes an H level, and no pulse signal is output from the Q1 terminal. Therefore, the game ball launching operation is maintained in a stopped state until the above conditions (a) to (c) are resolved.

  Continuing with FIG. 4, the switch circuit 17 includes a NAND gate G3, voltage dividing resistors R10 and R11, and a switching transistor TR3. A clock pulse Φ and a pulse signal (Q1 pulse) obtained by dividing the clock pulse Φ by 8 are supplied to the input terminal of the NAND gate G3. Therefore, as shown in the output of the gate G3 in FIG. 6C, the switching transistor TR3 is turned off only for a time in which the phases of the two pulses Φ and Q1 coincide (half the pulse period 75 mS).

  As described above, since the pulse obtained by dividing the clock pulse Φ by 8 is output from the Q1 terminal of the frequency dividing counter 14, the switching transistor TR3 eventually has a frequency that is 1/8 times the clock pulse Φ, that is, The OFF operation is performed with a time period of about 600 mS. Note that the duty ratio of the output pulse of the gate G3 is 15/16, and in the time period of 15/16, the switching transistor TR3 is in the ON state, and the drive signal SG is at the zero level.

  The second drive circuit 18 includes a pair of transistors TR4 and TR5 connected in Darlington, bias resistors R12 to R14, and a ball feed solenoid L2. The transistors TR4 and TR5 are turned on / off based on the Q1 output of the frequency dividing counter 14 to energize the ball feed solenoid L2. As shown in the time chart of FIG. 6 (c), the Q1 output of the frequency dividing counter 14 has a pulse width of about 75 mS and a pulse period of about 600 mS, and therefore at a time interval of about 100 times per minute (= 60/600 mS). A game ball will be sent.

  Since the pulse for energizing the ball feed solenoid L2 is turned on prior to the pulse for energizing the rotary solenoid L1 (FIG. 6C), the hitting hammer is in a state where the game ball is securely set at a predetermined position. Will hit the game ball with a predetermined torque.

  The amplifying unit 15 includes a buffer circuit configured by an OP amplifier and voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2, and a negative feedback amplifier circuit configured by an OP amplifier A2 and resistors R3, R4, and R9. The buffer circuit is supplied with the partial pressure value Ei = VLM × R2 / (R1 + R2) of the firing intensity signal VLM, and the signal Ei is supplied as it is to the non-inverting input terminal (+) of the OP amplifier A2. On the other hand, a voltage Eo = I × R9 proportional to the energization current I of the rotary solenoid L1 is supplied to the inverting input terminal (−) of the OP amplifier A2.

  Here, if the voltage Eo = I × R9 is α times (Eo = α × E) the output voltage E of the OP amplifier A2, − (Ei−α × E) × R4 / R3 + α × E = E. When this is rearranged, E = β × Ei / {α × (1 + β) −1}. Note that β = R4 / R3, and here, β >> 1 and α × β >> 1 are set.

  Therefore, E≈Ei / α, and the drive current I (= Eo / R9) of the rotary solenoid L1 is I = Ei / R9, which is proportional to the output voltage Ei of the OP amplifier A1. As described above, since Ei = VLM × R2 / (R1 + R2), the drive current I of the rotary solenoid L1 eventually changes in proportion to the firing intensity signal VLM.

  The first drive circuit 16 includes voltage dividing resistors R5 and R6, a switching transistor TR1, a load resistor R7, a bias resistor R8, a current driving transistor TR2, a rotary solenoid L1, a current detection resistor R9, and a vibration It comprises a diode D for current absorption. As illustrated, a transistor TR2, a rotary solenoid L1, and a current detection resistor R9 are connected in series. The transistor TR2 is a MOS transistor for large current, DC32V is supplied to the source terminal S, and the drain terminal D is connected to the rotary solenoid L1 and the diode D.

  The transistor TR2 performs a linear operation in which the drain current in the negative direction changes in proportion to the voltage change between the gate terminal G and the source terminal S. This drain current is nothing but the drive current I of the rotary solenoid L1, and has a current value proportional to the firing intensity signal VLM.

  Based on the above, the game ball launching operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive signal SG is obtained by dividing the output voltage E of the OP amplifier A2. If the switching transistor TR3 is in the OFF state, the voltage dividing ratio is approximately R6 / (R5 + R6). If the switching transistor TR3 is in the ON state, the voltage dividing ratio is zero.

  As described above, since the output of the gate G3 has an L level pulse width of about 75 mS / 2 and a duty ratio of 15/16, the time period of 15/16 when the switching transistor TR3 is turned on. The drive signal SG becomes zero level. On the other hand, during the 1/16 time period when the switching transistor TR3 is turned off, the drive signal SG is substantially E × R6 / (R5 + R6), and the rotary solenoid L1 has a drive current I at a level proportional to the firing intensity signal VLM. Flows (I = Ei / R9).

  Here, since the rotary solenoid L1 is configured to launch a game ball with a torque proportional to the drive current I, the drive current I flows intermittently to the rotary solenoid L1 about 100 times per second. A game ball having an initial velocity proportional to the firing intensity signal VLM is fired. The reason why the duty ratio of the drive pulse SG is 1/16 is that the rotary solenoid L1 to be used is operated optimally.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1, the game ball is intermittently and continuously fired at the initial velocity defined by the firing intensity signal VLM supplied from the payout control board 5. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a program executed by the payout control unit 5.

  In summary, the operation of the payout control unit 5 is a main routine (FIG. 7A) that starts after power-on and ends with an infinite loop process, and a reception interrupt processing routine that is activated by a strobe signal STB from the main control unit 1. (Not shown) and a timer interrupt routine (FIG. 7 (b)) started every predetermined time (4 mS).

  First, the operation contents of the main routine (FIG. 7A) will be described. When the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 7 and the system reset signal SYS is supplied, the CPU sets itself to the interrupt disabled state (DI) (ST1), and then initializes each part of the one-chip microcomputer. (ST2).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied from the power supply board 7 (ST3). In this embodiment, when the game hall is in operation, especially when the clerk turns on the RAM clear switch of the power supply board 7, the RAM clear signal CLR is supplied. Normally, the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied.

  If the RAM clear signal CLR is not supplied, the value of the backup flag BAKFLG stored in step ST12 of the power supply monitoring process (FIG. 7B) is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, then a checksum operation is performed to calculate a sum value (ST5), and it is confirmed whether or not this matches the sum value stored in the RAM area (ST6). ). If the sum value calculated in the main routine matches the sum value stored in the power supply monitoring process (ST12), it is considered that the process before power-off can be resumed, so the backup flag BAKFLG is cleared. Later (ST7), the CPU is set to the interrupt enabled state (ST9), and the infinite loop process is repeated.

  On the other hand, (1) as a result of the determination in step ST3, the RAM clear signal CLR is in an ON state, (2) as a result of the determination in step ST4, the backup flag is a value other than 5AH, or (3) step If an abnormality is recognized by the sum check in ST6, the entire RAM area is cleared (ST8). Then, the CPU is set to the interrupt permitting state (ST9), and the infinite loop process is repeated.

  Next, the timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. 7B will be described. This timer interrupt routine is executed at regular time intervals (4 mS) by interrupting the infinite loop processing of the main routine.

  In the timer interrupt routine, first, the CPU in the interrupt disabled state (DI) is returned to the interrupt enabled state (EI) (ST11). As a result of this process, a reception interrupt is also generated during the timer interrupt process, and the control command CMD from the main control unit 1 is acquired without being read out.

  When the process of step ST11 is completed, a power supply monitoring process is executed (ST12). Here, the level of the voltage drop signal ABN output from the power supply board 7 is determined. If the power supply voltage is dropping, the backup flag BAKFLG is set to 5AH and the same checksum calculation as in step ST5 is executed. Then, the sum value as the calculation result is stored in a predetermined RAM area.

  Subsequently, the data input process ST13 is executed. This data input process (ST13) includes an edge detection process for detecting a signal change of the encoder 15 in addition to a process for confirming whether or not the game ball is actually paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M. In addition, the edge detection process may include a process for detecting the rotational operation speed of the firing handle HD.

  FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing edge detection processing. First, the data of the input port 12 (FIG. 4) is acquired by the CPU accumulator Acc and stored in the LVL address (ST30). Next, the old data stored in the OLD address is acquired in Acc, and all bits of Acc are bit-inverted (ST31). Next, an AND operation is performed on the bit-inverted data and the data stored at the LVL address in the process of step ST30, and the operation result is further ANDed with 01H. Only Bit0 remains by this processing, but this data is stored in the EDG address (ST32).

  As a result of the above processing, bit0 of the old data acquired one interrupt before (4 ms before) is at the L level, but 1 = 00000001B is stored at the EDG address only when bit0 of the acquired data at this time is at the H level. Will be. As described above, since the A-phase signal of the encoder 15 is supplied to the least significant bit (bit0) of the input port 12, the rising edge of the A-phase signal is eventually detected by the processing of steps ST30 to ST32. Therefore, only when the rising edge is detected, 1 is stored in the EDG address.

  When the above process is completed, the data of the LVL address stored in the process of step ST30 is transferred to the OLD address, and the edge detection process is completed (ST33). It should be noted that the level data of the A phase signal and the B phase signal are stored at the OLD address, and these data are used in the process of step ST31 at the next timer interruption.

  Next, the speed detection process (FIG. 8B) executed following the edge detection process will be described. Here, the rotational operation speed of the firing handle HD is detected in two stages depending on how much the counter variable CNT has increased from the rising edge of the A-phase signal to the next rising edge.

  In the process of FIG. 8B, after the EDG address is set to “1” at the timer interrupt when the rising edge of the A-phase signal is detected and “0” is set to “0” in the immediately following timer interrupt, the next rising edge is detected. The property that the “0” state is maintained until detection is used. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the data at the EDG address is 1 (ST34). If 0 is stored at the EDG address, the counter variable CNT is incremented and the process is terminated (ST35).

  On the other hand, if the data at the EDG address is 1, it means that the rising edge of the A phase signal has been detected in the edge detection process of the current timer interrupt process, so the value of the counter variable CNT is checked (ST36). . Then, depending on whether the value of CNT is greater than the reference value, “0” meaning low speed or “1” meaning high speed is stored in the SPEED address (ST37, ST38). Further, the counter variable CNT is reset to zero (ST39).

  In the foregoing, a part of the data input process (ST13) of the timer interrupt routine has been described. When the data input process (ST13) is completed, a subtraction process (-1) of an 8-bit or 16-bit timer is performed (ST14 in FIG. 7). This subtraction process includes subtraction of a timer variable TIME that measures the duration of time that the player has released his hand from the firing handle HD. In addition, since the infinite loop process 4 is executed every 4 ms, one unit time of the subtraction timer means 4 ms.

  If the timer subtraction process (ST14) is completed, then the firing intensity setting process (ST15) is executed. This process is a process for launching a game ball with an intensity corresponding to the rotational operation position of the launch handle HD. FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the operation contents of the first to fourth embodiments. ing.

  9A showing the firing intensity setting process (ST15) of the first embodiment, first, a detection signal from the touch sensor TCH is determined (ST40). As described with reference to FIG. 4, since the detection signal from the touch sensor TCH is acquired at the input port 12, when the level is H level and the player touches the firing handle HD, the timer variable TIME is initialized to 250 (ST41).

  The timer variable TIME is a variable for measuring the duration when the player releases his hand from the launch handle HD, and is subtracted every 4 mS in the timer subtraction process (ST14). Therefore, the initial setting value 250 means 1 second when converted into time.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the A-phase signal has risen among the two-phase signals from the photoelectric encoder 15 (ST42). Specifically, it is determined whether 1 is stored in the EDG address. If 1 is not stored in the EDG address, the process is finished, and if 1 is stored, the level of the B phase signal is determined based on the contents of the LVL address (FIG. 8). (ST43).

  As shown in FIG. 8D, when the firing handle HD is rotated clockwise, the B phase signal becomes L level at the rising edge of the A phase signal. On the contrary, when the firing handle HD is rotated counterclockwise, the B-phase signal becomes H level at the rising edge of the A-phase signal.

  Therefore, when an L-level B-phase signal is detected in the determination of step ST43, the value of the intensity counter variable VLM indicating the firing intensity (for convenience, the same symbol as the firing intensity signal is used) is determined (ST44). ). In the initial state after the power is turned on, the intensity counter variable VLM is 0, but when the intensity counter variable VLM is lower than the upper limit MAX, the value of the intensity counter variable VLM is incremented (ST45), indicating the number of increase / decrease steps. The variable NUM is set to 1 (ST46). Further, the variable DR indicating the increase / decrease direction is set to the increase direction (ST47). The upper limit value MAX is set appropriately, but here, MAX = 99 corresponding to the increase / decrease range of the digital potentiometer 11.

  The set values for the variable NUM and the variable DR are argument values used in the potentiometer setting process (ST48). In the potentiometer setting process (ST48), the change pulse INC and the direction signal UD are output from the output port 10 (FIG. 4) to the digital potentiometer 11. The number of times the change pulse INC is output is defined by the set value of the variable NUM, and the level of the direction signal UD is defined by the set value of the variable DR.

  In steps ST46 to ST47, since the variable DR is set in the increasing direction and the variable NUM is set to 1, in the subsequent potentiometer setting process (ST48), the change pulse INC is sent once together with the increasing direction signal UD. Will be output only. Therefore, the digital potentiometer 11 that has received these signals outputs a higher level voltage from the RW terminal by one step than before. Since the output value of the RW terminal is nothing but the firing intensity signal VLM, thereafter, the driving current value of the rotary solenoid L1 increases by one step, and the game ball is launched at the initial speed increased by one step.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST43 that the B-phase signal is at the H level and the firing handle HD is rotated counterclockwise, then the value of the intensity counter variable VLM is determined. (ST49). If the intensity counter variable VLM matches the lower limit value MIN, the process is finished as it is. If not, the intensity counter variable VLM is decremented (ST50). The lower limit value MIN is set as appropriate, but here MIN = 0.

  Next, a variable NUM indicating the number of increase / decrease steps is set to 1 (ST51), a variable DR indicating the increase / decrease direction is set to a decrease direction (ST52), and a potentiometer setting process (ST48) is executed. In the potentiometer setting process (ST48) in this case, the change pulse INC is output only once together with the direction signal UD in the decreasing direction.

  Therefore, the digital potentiometer 11 that has received these signals outputs a firing intensity signal VLM that is one level lower than before from the RW terminal. Therefore, after that, the driving current value of the rotary solenoid L1 decreases by one step, and the game ball is launched at the initial speed reduced by one step.

  By the way, when the player releases the hand from the launch handle HD (touch sensor TCH), it is determined after the determination in step ST40 whether the value of the timer variable TIME is 0 (ST53). Since the timer variable TIME is constantly initialized to 250 (ST41), the timer variable TIME does not become zero unless the hand is continuously released from the firing handle HD.

  Therefore, if TIME ≠ 0, the process is finished as it is. However, if the hand is released from the firing handle HD continuously for one second, TIME = 0, and in that case, the firing strength signal VLM is then returned to the initial setting value 0 (ST55). Further, the variable NUM is set to 100, the variable DR indicating the increase / decrease direction is set to the decrease direction (ST57), and the potentiometer setting process (ST48) is executed. In the potentiometer setting process (ST48) in this case, since the change pulse INC is output 100 times together with the direction signal UD in the decreasing direction, the firing intensity signal VLM output from the digital potentiometer 11 thereafter becomes the lowest level, and the game The launch strength of the sphere is also initially set to the lowest value.

  According to the processing program of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9A described above, if the player rotates the firing handle HD in the clockwise direction, the firing strength increases corresponding to the operation angle. If the counterclockwise rotation is performed, the firing intensity decreases in accordance with the operation angle. Since the firing intensity signal VLM and its variable VLM are saturated at the maximum value, when the rotation operation is performed exceeding the saturation level, the subsequent reverse rotation shows a hysteresis characteristic. For example, if it is rotated clockwise from 0 ° to θ ° exceeding the saturation level during the rotation operation, the counterclockwise rotation less than -θ ° is sufficient to return it to the initial firing intensity. Is easy (see FIG. 9B).

  Next, the flowchart of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The processing of steps ST40 to 44, ST49, ST53 to 57, and ST48 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but here, the reaction speed of the digital potentiometer 11 is made different according to the operation speed of the firing handle.

  That is, when the firing handle HD is rotated clockwise, the rotational speed of the firing handle HD is determined (ST60) after the strength counter variable VLM is determined (ST44). The rotation speed of the firing handle HD is determined by the speed detection process of FIG. 8B, and the determination result is stored in the SPEED address.

  Therefore, when it is determined that the rotation speed of the firing handle HD is at a normal level, the strength counter variable VLM is incremented by 1 (ST61), and the variable NUM is set to 1 (ST62), but the rotation speed is high. , The intensity counter variable VLM is incremented by +2 (ST63), and 2 is set in the variable NUM (ST64). Thereafter, the direction variable DR is set in the increasing direction, and potentiometer setting processing is executed (ST48).

  The same applies when the firing handle HD is rotated counterclockwise. That is, when the rotation speed of the firing handle HD is a normal level, the intensity counter variable VLM is decremented by -1 (ST67), and the variable NUM is set to 1 (ST68). When the rotation speed is high, The intensity counter variable VLM is decremented by 2 (ST69), and 2 is set in the variable NUM (ST70). Thereafter, the direction variable DR is set in the decreasing direction, and potentiometer setting processing is executed (ST48).

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, when the rotational operation speed of the firing handle is fast, the reaction speed of the digital potentiometer 11 is also fast, and the firing strength is quickly changed. Here, although the rotational speed of the firing handle is determined in two stages, it is also preferable to determine in multiple stages and change the reaction speed of the digital potentiometer 11 in proportion to the rotational speed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing program of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the reaction speed of the digital potentiometer 11 is made different depending on whether the intensity counter variable VLM is 50 or more. That is, when the firing handle HD is rotated clockwise until the intensity counter variable VLM reaches the upper limit MAX (ST44), if the intensity counter variable VLM is 50 or more, the intensity counter variable VLM is incremented by +2 and the variable NUM is set to 2. Set (ST63, ST64). On the contrary, if the intensity counter variable VLM is less than 50, the intensity counter variable VLM is incremented by 1 and the variable NUM is set to 1 (ST61, ST62).

  The same applies to the counterclockwise rotation of the launch handle HD. Until the intensity counter variable VLM reaches the lower limit value MIN (ST49), if the intensity counter variable VLM is 50 or more, the intensity counter variable is decremented by 2 and the variable NUM is set. 2 is set (ST69, ST70). If the intensity counter variable VLM is less than 50, the intensity counter variable is decremented by 1 and the variable NUM is set to 1 (ST67, ST68).

  In the above description, an example has been described in which the launch intensity of the game ball changes nonlinearly with an increase in the intensity counter variable VLM. Therefore, as shown in the lower center of FIG. 11, the firing intensity may be increased in a curve with respect to the increase in the intensity counter variable VLM. In this case, as the intensity counter variable VLM increases, the firing intensity may be increased rapidly. As shown in the lower right part of FIG. 11, the firing intensity increases smoothly as the intensity counter variable VLM increases. May be. In the former case, it is possible to quickly increase the firing strength. For example, when the big prize opening is released, it is possible to quickly shift to the operation of driving a game ball on the right side of the game board. On the other hand, in the latter case, fine adjustment of the firing strength is facilitated with the firing strength increased.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing program of the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that the hysteresis characteristic with respect to the rotational operation angle is eliminated.

  For example, in the case where the saturation level is exceeded during the rotation operation and the clockwise rotation is performed from 0 ° to θ °, the same counterclockwise rotation of −θ ° is required to return this to the initial firing intensity. (See FIG. 12B). In order to realize this operation, the upper limit value MAX is set to 200, for example, as a sufficiently large value exceeding the operation upper limit value 99 of the digital potentiometer 11.

  Specifically, when the firing handle HD is rotated in the clockwise direction, if the intensity counter variable VLM does not reach the upper limit value MAX, the intensity counter regardless of whether or not the operation range is exceeded. The variable VLM is incremented (ST80). Next, only when the intensity counter variable VLM after the increment processing does not exceed the operation upper limit value 99 of the digital potentiometer 11, the variable NUM is set to 1 and the direction variable DR is set to increase (ST82, ST83). .

  The same applies to the counterclockwise rotation of the firing handle HD. If the intensity counter variable VLM does not reach the upper limit value MIN = 0, the intensity counter variable VLM is decremented (ST84), and the intensity counter variable after the decrement processing is performed. Only when the VLM does not exceed the operation upper limit value 99 of the digital potentiometer 11, the variable NUM is set to 1 and the direction variable DR is set in a decreasing direction (ST86, ST87).

  In the fourth embodiment, since the above processing contents are adopted, for example, when the rotation is rotated 45 ° clockwise beyond the saturation level, the firing intensity is not increased until the counterclockwise rotation angle exceeds 45 °. It won't be weak. However, as a player's sensation, it seems that there is no sense of incongruity because the firing intensity obtained by the clockwise rotation of + θ ° returns to the initial firing strength by the rotation of −θ ° counterclockwise.

  As described above, the four embodiments of the launch intensity setting process (ST15) in FIG. 6 have been described. When such a launch intensity setting process (ST15) is completed, an analysis process for the control command acquired by the reception interrupt process is performed (ST16 in FIG. 7). In the command analysis process, it is determined whether or not the received control command CMD is a prize ball number designation command. When a prize ball number designation command is received, the prize ball number specified by the command is added to the total prize ball counter provided in the work area of the RAM.

  Next, a communication process (ST17) with the prepaid card unit 22 and a ball lending process (ST18) cleared with the prepaid card are executed. Thereafter, prize ball processing (ST19), payout error processing (ST20), motor processing (ST21), and data output processing (ST22) are executed, and the timer interrupt processing ends.

  The motor process (ST21) is a preparation process for rotating the payout motor M. Specifically, drive data for the payout motor M is generated and stored in the work area. On the other hand, the data output process (ST22) is a process for outputting various data including the drive data described above from an output port (not shown in FIG. 4).

  The prize ball process (ST19) is a process for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out. The prize ball number is determined based on the value of the total prize ball counter updated by the command analysis process (ST16), and the payout motor The rotation of M, the end timing, etc. are determined.

  The timer interrupt routine shown in FIG. 6B has been described in detail above. Finally, a bullet ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described in a confirming manner.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. A plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 22.

  The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing game balls for launch. A lower plate 29 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are disposed below the front frame 24. (HD) is provided. The firing handle 30 launches a game ball in response to energization of the rotary solenoid L1, and the initial firing speed of the game ball is determined according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 30.

  On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for lending the ball to the card-type ball lending machine 22 is provided, and on this operation panel 32, a card remaining amount display unit 32a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number. A ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount, and a return switch 32c for instructing to return the card at the end of the game. On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. In addition, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 are provided to indicate a replenishment state or a full state of the lower plate.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and the display device 8 (specifically, at the approximate center of the game area 25a on the inner side thereof. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.

  The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. Inside the big winning opening 36, there is a winning area 36b for detecting a winning ball.

  After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times at maximum, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 16, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 that presses the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 13) via the passage unit 44.

  The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45 (see FIG. 16).

  Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. Inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the firing handle 30, a firing control board 6 is provided.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described concretely, the description content does not specifically limit this invention. In particular, the circuit configuration of FIG. 4 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 12 are appropriately changed.

  For example, in the above description, when the player releases his hand from the firing handle HD for a predetermined duration (1 second), the firing strength VLM is returned to the initial state. It is preferable to change the duration of.

  For example, when a game ball continuously wins at the symbol start opening 35, the subsequent symbol variation operation becomes a standby state (variable hold state), and when the number of winnings in the variable hold state reaches the upper limit (4). After that, winnings do not contribute to symbol fluctuation. Therefore, when the player releases his hand from the launch handle HD in such a variable hold state, the initial setting value (ST41) of the timer variable TIME is greatly increased or the timer variable TIME is decremented. It is preferable to take control so that the firing intensity is not returned to the initial state, for example, by skipping (ST14). Such control is not limited to the above-described variable suspension state, and it is preferable to employ it in a specific effect state such as a reach effect or a specific game state such as a big hit state.

  When adopting such a control operation, an appropriate “state command” is sent from the main control unit 1 that grasps the variable suspension state, the specific performance state, and the game state to the payout control unit 5. It is effective to transmit and notify the occurrence of a variable pending state or the like.

  Further, in the above description, the digital potentiometer 11 is provided on the payout control board 5 and the control operation shown in FIG. 7 is executed in the payout control unit 5, but instead of this configuration, other control units such as the main control unit 1. It may be executed with. When executed by the main control unit 1, it is not necessary to transmit the “status command”. In the case of the embodiment, the firing control board 6 is not equipped with a CPU. However, if the dispensing control unit 5 has a computer control function, the control operation (FIG. 7) of the digital potentiometer 11 is performed. 6 can be executed.

  In addition, it is preferable to configure so that it is possible to visually check how much the launch intensity of the launch handle HD during the game operation corresponds to what launch intensity. For example, it is possible to exemplify a configuration in which a number of LEDs are arranged on the circumference of the launch handle HD and the launch intensity is notified based on the number of lighting LEDs. It goes without saying that the number of other lamps to be lit or a display operation on a liquid crystal display may be used.

  In addition, in addition to what was illustrated previously as launch intensity with respect to a rotation operation angle, you may take the structure of Fig.17 (a)-(c).

  The configuration of FIG. 17A is a case where the set value X (> 0) of the digital potentiometer 11 in the initial state is the lowest level that is not zero. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect that the launch strength does not reach the game board because the launch intensity is too weak at the start of the game. Such control may be performed, for example, by setting an initial value of the firing intensity variable VLM to X and an initial process for setting the firing intensity of the digital potentiometer 11 to a value X corresponding thereto.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 17B, the firing level X is initially set to a normal level, and the setting value X of the digital potentiometer 11 in the initial state changes to the extent that the firing handle HD is slightly rotated from this state. do not do. However, when the firing intensity once increased is decreased, it can be decreased to zero according to the counterclockwise rotation.

  Such control is realized by the configuration of FIG. 18, and here, an angle variable ANG that increases or decreases in response to a rotation operation is provided (ST441, ST500). Then, the firing intensity variable VLM is not increased until the angle variable ANG exceeds the predetermined value θ (ST442).

  On the other hand, in the configuration of FIG. 17C, instead of the setting value of the digital potentiometer 11 in the initial state being zero, when the operation angle exceeds a predetermined value θ, the firing intensity X increases to a normal level at a stretch. Also in this case, when the firing intensity once increased is lowered, it can be lowered to zero according to the counterclockwise rotation.

  In order to realize such control, an initial value of the firing intensity variable VLM is set to zero, and an angle variable ANG that increases or decreases in response to a rotation operation is provided. When the angle variable ANG matches the predetermined value θ, the firing intensity variable VLM is set to X (ST450).

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The main parts of the payout control board and the launch control board are illustrated. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a firing handle. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of a launch control board. It is drawing which shows the internal structure and circuit operation | movement of a potentiometer. It is drawing which shows the internal structure and circuit operation | movement of a frequency division counter. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine (a) of a payout control board, and a timer interruption routine (b). It is a flowchart explaining an edge detection process and a speed detection process. It is a flowchart explaining the 1st Example of a launch intensity setting process. It is a flowchart explaining the 2nd Example of a launch intensity setting process. It is a flowchart explaining the 3rd Example of a launch intensity setting process. It is a flowchart explaining the 4th Example of a launch intensity setting process. It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a side view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. Another embodiment of the method for controlling the firing intensity is illustrated. It is a flowchart which shows the control method which implement | achieves the operation | movement of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

HD launch handle VLM launch intensity signal 15 encoder 11 intensity setting unit 5 control unit

Claims (9)

A rotating body of a launching handle that can rotate in an unlimited amount clockwise and counterclockwise, an encoder that outputs two-phase pulse signals that are in phase with each other and meshed with the rotating body, and the two-phase pulse signals A digital potentiometer that outputs a firing intensity signal at a level corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotating body ascertained based thereon, a striking unit that receives the firing intensity signal and strikes a game ball at an intensity according to the level, and A ball game machine comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit,
The control unit includes a first control unit that realizes computer control by the CPU, and a second control unit that performs analog control of the striking unit based on the firing intensity signal output from the first control unit. A ball game machine characterized by comprising.   The bullet circuit according to claim 1, wherein a switch circuit for interrupting transmission of the firing intensity signal is provided in a signal transmission path of the second control unit, and the switch circuit is driven and controlled by a digital control circuit that does not use a CPU. Ball game machine. The second control unit includes a first amplification circuit that amplifies the emission intensity signal received from the first control unit, a second amplification circuit that amplifies the output of the first amplification circuit, and an output current of the second amplification circuit. A rotary solenoid that is driven, and a detection resistor that outputs a detection voltage proportional to the output current,
The first amplifier circuit realizes a negative feedback amplification operation of the emission intensity signal as a whole by supplying the emission intensity signal to the non-inverting input terminal and supplying the detection voltage to the inverting input terminal. The ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2. The first amplifier circuit includes an OP amplifier, an input resistor connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier, and a feedback resistor connected between the non-inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the OP amplifier. Configured
The ball game machine according to claim 3, wherein a feedback signal fed back to an inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier is configured to substantially coincide with a firing intensity signal supplied to the input resistor. The digital control circuit includes a clock pulse oscillating circuit, and a frequency dividing counter that receives the clock pulse and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the launch period of the game ball,
The ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein the switch circuit is ON / OFF controlled based on an output of the frequency dividing counter.   6. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 5, wherein the switch circuit is controlled to transition from an ON state to an OFF state when the game ball firing cycle is reached, and to return to the ON state after the game ball is launched. The frequency dividing counter is provided with a stop terminal for stopping the counting operation of the clock pulse,
A sensor signal indicating that the player has released his hand from the launching handle, an instruction signal for instructing the player to stop firing the game ball, and a logical OR signal of a prohibition signal output by the first control unit are the stop terminal. The ball game machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the ball game machine is configured to be supplied to the game. The output of the frequency dividing counter that controls the operation of the switch circuit is:
The ball game machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a ball feeding unit that supplies game balls to the hitting unit is operated intermittently.   The output pulse of the frequency dividing counter for intermittently operating the ball feeding unit is configured to be in an ON state prior to the output pulse of the frequency dividing counter for controlling the switch circuit to be OFF. The bullet ball game machine described.

Images