JP2020011142A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To detect whether a shooting device is set at a correct position with respect to a game board, in an enclosed ball type game machine with the shooting device movably disposed at the upper part of a body frame, and to determine whether the number of all the enclosed balls is proper or not, in other words, in an excess or in a deficiency.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: a position detection sensor 180 for detecting that a position of a ball shooting device 29 movably provided with respect to the upper part of a body frame 2 is at a regular position with respect to a game board 5; and a ball information control board 110 for controlling the operation of the ball shooting device 29. Under a condition that the ball shooting device 29 is detected via the position detection sensor 180 to be at the regular position with respect to the game board 5, a ball information control MPU 111 determines whether the number of all the enclosed game balls is proper or not, in other words, in an excess or in a deficiency. Under a condition that the number of all the enclosed game balls is determined as proper, the ball information control MPU 111 permits the operation of the ball shooting device 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 116

Description

  The present invention relates to an enclosed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated without paying out the game balls to play a game.

  A predetermined number of game balls enclosed in the main body of the gaming machine are fired into the game area of the game board by the launching device to play the game, and the game balls passing through the game region are collected by the circulation path and guided to the launch device, and the game is played. There has been proposed a so-called enclosed ball-type gaming machine that uses balls in circulation (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  BACKGROUND ART In a sealed ball type gaming machine having a circulation path through which game balls used for a game are circulated, a game is played in a state where a fixed number of game balls are sealed inside the gaming machine. Then, the game balls can be fired in accordance with the number of game balls (data on the number of held balls) based on the data on the number of ball rentals input from a storage medium such as a card via a settlement system or the like, and the game balls are fired. Then, the data of the number of held balls is subtracted corresponding to the number of launched game balls.

  Also, when a launched game ball wins a winning opening in the game area and a prize ball (game ball) is generated, the actual game ball is not paid out, and the data of the number of held balls does not include the number of prize balls. Is added. Further, when the data of the number of held balls becomes “0”, the game balls cannot be fired. In this way, the game by the enclosed ball-type gaming machine is completely performed as numerical values on data. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately detect and manage the number of gaming balls sealed in the gaming machine main body.

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, the enclosed ball exchange unit can be detached and replaced from the front lower part of the main body frame from the front, the door frame is opened with respect to the main body frame, and the enclosed ball exchange unit is a new one. It is possible to easily and easily exchange all enclosed balls used in circulation because it is only necessary to replace them, and to manage the number of game balls (all enclosed balls) enclosed in the gaming machine body. Can be performed relatively easily.

  Further, for the purpose of expanding the game board surface, preventing a foul ball, and the like, a pachinko game machine in which a game ball launching device is arranged above a game machine has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2). The bullet launching device of a pachinko machine described in Patent Document 2 has a launching device arranged at an upper portion of a gaming machine, and enables a game ball to be launched one by one reliably.

  In an enclosed ball-type game machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated in the game machine to perform a game, as in a game machine described in Patent Literature 2, a foul ball or a return ball (played game) Considering that it is possible to prevent the game ball from returning to the launch position of the launching device) and to make it possible to reliably launch the game balls one by one, the launching device for the game ball is played. It is advantageous to dispose it at the upper part of the main body frame of the machine, because it is not necessary to consider a foul ball or a return ball in managing the game balls as numerical values in data.

JP 2013-081695 A JP-A-2002-346067

  However, if the launching device is arranged above the main body frame of the gaming machine, the launching device will be arranged at the place where the game board is fitted in the main body frame. When the game board is fitted into the main body frame by, for example, exchanging the board alone, it is necessary to avoid the launching device and fit the game board. However, since the launching device is arranged on the same surface where the game board is fitted, it is difficult to fit the game board, or the game board collides with the launching device by mistake when fitting the game board, and the launching device and the game There is a possibility that a problem that the board is damaged may occur.

  Therefore, if the launching device is configured to be movable (for example, manually movable) with respect to the main body frame, when the game board is fitted into the main body frame, the moving path when inserting the left side portion of the game board is changed. By moving the launching device to the off position, the launching device does not become an obstacle when the game board is fitted into the main body frame, the work of fitting the game board into the main body frame can be easily performed, and the game board and the launching device It is conceivable that the possibility of causing damage due to collision with the like can be reduced as much as possible. Then, after the game board is fitted into the main body frame, the operation of fitting the game board into the main body frame is completed by moving the launching device to the original position.

  However, when the launching device is returned to the original position, if the positional relationship between the launching device and the game board is not at a correct position (referred to as a normal position), for example, a shift occurs at the boundary between the launching device and the game board. If this is the case, there is a risk that the running of the hit ball hit from the firing opening of the firing device will cause an obstacle, and the player will not be able to hit the ball at a location intended by the player in the game area defined by the game board. In this case, the interest of the player in the game is spoiled.

  Apart from the above-mentioned problem, in the case of an enclosed ball type gaming machine that does not have an enclosed ball exchange unit for storing all the enclosed balls used in circulation, the number of all the gaming balls enclosed in the gaming machine body is It is not easy to detect and manage accurately. The game balls enclosed in the gaming machine are arranged on standby in the ball feed path on the upstream side of the launching device arranged at the top of the main body frame, or through the out opening and the winning opening provided in the game area. The circulation path of the game ball, such as being in a standby state until it is collected on the back side of the game board and sent to the lifting device, or present inside the lifting device for lifting the game ball upward. Exist in several places.

  When the number of all the game balls enclosed in the main body of the gaming machine is not an appropriate amount (for example, 30 balls), for example, when the number of all the enclosed game balls is more than the appropriate amount (called excessive game balls), the circulation path Ball clogging is likely to occur in some places. Further, for example, when the number of all enclosed game balls is smaller than an appropriate amount (referred to as a lack of game balls), there is a concern that the number of launch balls becomes insufficient during the game. In particular, if a shortage of launch balls occurs during a big hit game, a ball may not be able to be hit into the game area, which may cause a serious situation in which the player is greatly injured.

  In addition, if the number of all the game balls sealed in the main body of the gaming machine is not an appropriate amount, an imbalance occurs in the number of game balls that can be used when compared with the same model, which is given to the player. There is a problem that the principle of fairness is broken.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to provide a game in which a launching device is movably arranged in an upper portion of a main body frame and a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated. In such an enclosed ball-type gaming machine, while detecting whether the launching device is set at the correct position with respect to the gaming board, whether the number of all enclosed gaming balls is an appropriate amount The purpose is to determine excess or deficiency.

  In the enclosed gaming machine according to [Solution 1], a prize port in which a game area is partitioned and formed, and a game ball rolling down the game area is allowed to enter, and a prize hole rolling down the game area, A game board provided with an out port from which game balls not entering the winning port are collected, a main body frame in which the game board is fitted and accommodated, and a main body frame disposed above the main body frame, A ball launching device that launches a game ball into a game area, a ball collection device that has a collection port that collects a game ball that has entered the winning port and a game ball that has been collected in the out port, and the ball collection. A ball transporting device for transporting the game balls collected by the device toward the hitting ball firing device, without paying out the game balls, the hitting ball firing device, the game area of the game board, the ball collection Of the game ball by the ball transport device and the ball transport device On the road, in a sealed ball-type gaming machine that performs a game by circulating a predetermined number of game balls in a closed manner, the hitting ball firing device is provided movably with respect to the main body frame, and the hitting ball firing device Position detecting means for detecting that the position is at a regular position with respect to the game board, and firing control means for controlling the operation of the hit ball firing device, the firing control means, via the position detecting means On condition that the hitting ball launching device is detected to be at the normal position with respect to the gaming board, the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount, the number of the enclosed balls for judging excess or deficiency. Determination control means, and operation permission means for permitting at least the operation of the hitting ball firing device, provided that the number of all the game balls enclosed by the enclosed ball number determination control means is determined to be an appropriate amount; Equipped And it is characterized in that.

The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 2] is the same as the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 1],
The game device further includes a launch ball confirmation unit that detects a game ball placed at a launch position of the hit ball launch device, and the enclosed ball number determination control unit includes:
By operating at least the hitting ball launching device, all enclosed game balls are launched into the game area,
The number of fired game balls is counted based on a detection signal of the fired ball confirmation means.

The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 3] is a sealed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 1],
The gaming board,
A main control board that performs game control and outputs a prize ball command based on reception of a game ball to the winning port,
The body frame,
Number of balls based on the prize ball command transmitted from the main control board and the ball number information of the game ball launched by the hitting ball launching device, which is connected to the main control board so that bidirectional data communication is possible. Includes a ball information control board that performs data increase / decrease control, launch control of game balls by the hit ball launching device, transport control of game balls by the ball transport device, and ball feed control by the ball transport device,
The hitting ball launching device includes a launching ball confirmation unit that detects a game ball placed at the launching position,
The ball collection device,
A ball stopping unit that can stop the game balls collected through the collection port in the flow path of the game balls,
A ball stopping stopper member, which is openably and closably provided to allow the flow of the game ball in the ball stopping portion in the open state while blocking the flow of the game ball in the closed state to stop the game ball in the ball stopping portion. ,
Ball stopping stopper driving means for opening and closing the ball stopping stopper member,
The ball information control board,
Including the launch control means,
By operating the ball stopping stopper driving means to bring the ball stopping stopper member into the closed state, game balls collected in the collecting port of the ball collecting device via the winning port or the out port can be used. Ball stop control means for stopping the ball holding unit of the ball collection device,
After operating the ball stopping control means, by operating the hitting ball launching device and the ball transport device, a game ball launching control means for launching all enclosed game balls to the game area,
When a game ball is being fired by the game ball launch control means, based on a detection signal of the fire ball confirmation means, a game ball number counting means for counting the number of shot game balls,
It is determined whether or not a predetermined termination condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied, the counting of the number of game balls by the game ball number counting means is terminated, and the game ball number counting means The number of game balls counted is assumed to be the number of all game balls enclosed, and the number of all game balls is compared with a predetermined appropriate number to determine whether or not the number of all game balls is an appropriate amount. A game ball number appropriate amount determining means for determining,
With
It is characterized by the following.

[effect]
According to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 3], after the downflow of the game ball is stopped by the ball stopping stopper member in the ball stopping portion of the ball collecting device, the hitting ball firing device is operated to play the game ball. Fired in the area, when the game ball is being fired, based on the detection signal of the fired ball confirmation means, so as to count the number of fired game balls, the game ball fired in the game area, It is collected at the collection port of the ball collection device via the winning opening or the out port, and is stopped at the ball stop of the ball collection device that has been blocked from flowing down by the ball stop stopper member, so it is downstream from the ball stop in the circulation path Do not run down to Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game balls once counted (counted) from being worn again and counted. As a result, the number of all the enclosed game balls can be accurately counted. Thereby, while visually confirming the launched game balls, it is possible to accurately determine whether the number of all enclosed game balls counted is appropriate or not, whether the number is appropriate or not, and trust the determination result. Can be enhanced.

The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 4] is the same as the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 3],
The ball information control board,
When power is turned on or when the door frame is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame,
Executing the control for determining the number of enclosed spheres by the control for determining the number of enclosed spheres,
It is characterized by the following.

[effect]
By turning on the power to the gaming machine, it is possible to count the number of all the enclosed game balls and determine whether the number is appropriate or not. In addition, when the door frame is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame, the number of all the enclosed game balls is counted, and whether the amount is appropriate or not can be determined.

The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 5] is a sealed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 4],
At least a notification means for notifying the appropriateness of the number of game balls,
The number-of-enclosed-balls determination control means includes output means for outputting the excess or shortage to the notification means when the appropriate-number-of-game-balls determination means determines the excess or deficiency. Things.

[effect]
According to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 5], when it is determined that the number of all enclosed game balls is too small or too small, the excess or shortage is output to the notifying means, so that the sealed balls are filled. It is possible to identify that the number of the game balls has been excessive or deficient.

The enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 6] is a sealed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 1],
A plurality of game ball detection sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball in the circulation path,
The plurality of game ball detection sensors are a first game ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball located at the head among all the sealed game balls, and an appropriate number of the game ball detection sensors among all the sealed game balls. A second game ball detection sensor that detects a game ball to be played, and a third game ball detection sensor that detects a game ball located next to the appropriate number of game balls,
The number-of-enclosed-balls determination control means determines whether or not the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount based on detection signals of the first, second, and third game ball detection sensors. Is determined.

  According to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to [Solution 6], it is possible to determine whether the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount or not, whether the number is excessive or insufficient.

  Since the hitting and launching device is provided with position detecting means for detecting that the position of the hitting ball launching device is at a regular position with respect to the gaming board, the hitting launching device movably arranged at the upper portion of the main body frame has a game board fitted into the main body frame. Can be detected as to whether or not it is set at the correct position.

  The launch control means for controlling the operation of the hit ball launching device is provided on the condition that the hit ball launching device is located at the regular position with respect to the game board via the position detecting means, and the number of all enclosed game balls is determined. However, whether or not it is an appropriate amount, it is determined whether excess or deficiency, and at least the operation of the hitting ball launching device is permitted on condition that the number of all enclosed game balls is determined to be an appropriate amount, When the positional relationship between the launching device and the game board is at a correct position (referred to as a normal position), it is possible to determine whether the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount or not, whether the number is sufficient or not.

  On the other hand, when the positional relationship between the hitting ball launching device and the game board is not at a correct position (referred to as a normal position), for example, when a shift occurs at a boundary portion between the hitting ball launching device and the game board, or with respect to the game board. Even if the hitting ball launcher is in the correct position, if the number of all enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount and if there is an excess or deficiency, the operation of the hitting ball launching device is not permitted and the hit ball will not be fired , The game itself is not performed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from spoiling the interest of the game due to the fact that the player does not properly hit the ball at the area intended by the player in the game area partitioned by the game board.

  In addition, when the positional relationship between the hitting ball launching device and the game board is not at a correct position (referred to as a regular position), for example, when a shift occurs at a boundary portion between the hitting ball launching device and the game board, or with respect to the game board. Even if the hitting ball launcher is in the correct position, if the number of all enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount and if there is an excess or deficiency, the operation of the hitting ball launching device is not permitted and the hit ball will not be fired , The game itself is not performed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from spoiling the interest of the game due to the fact that the player does not properly hit the ball at the area intended by the player in the game area partitioned by the game board. In addition, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a ball is clogged due to an excessive number of game balls, or a trouble occurs for a player due to a shortage of game balls, and a situation in which the number of all the game balls sealed in the main body of the game machine is not an appropriate amount. If determined, the operation of the hit ball launching device is not permitted, and the hit ball is not fired. Therefore, in the comparison between the same models, the imbalance occurs in the number of available game balls, which is given to the player. It is possible to avoid the problem that the principle of ensuring fairness is broken.

It is a front view showing a pachinko machine which is one embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, and a checkout machine attached to the pachinko machine. It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown with the door frame removed. It is a front perspective view showing a main part frame which constitutes a pachinko machine. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing a main frame constituting the pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows an upper firing device, a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit, and a sphere assembly part. It is a right view which shows an upper firing device, a ball supply path member, and a ball lifting device. It is the perspective view by the line of sight which looked up at the upper part of the game board from the lower front of the game board showing the upper launch device and the launch area. It is a front view which shows an upper firing device (a hammer hitting position for firing). It is a perspective view which shows an upper firing apparatus seen from the front left side. It is a perspective view which shows an upper firing device seen from the rear left side. It is a perspective view which removes a ball feed unit cover, and shows an upper firing device seen from back left. It is a figure which shows the open state of the upper firing device in the pachinko machine which removes and shows a door frame. It is a right view which shows the vertical cross section of the pachinko machine which removes and shows a door frame. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a cross-sectional perspective view along AA in FIG. 2. It is the perspective view which showed the state which the joint part with the base plate in an upper firing device, and the protrusion part of the panel holder in a game board abut. It is a perspective view which shows and shows the upper firing apparatus from the front right side. It is a front view which shows an upper firing device (a hammer standby position for firing). It is a right view which shows an upper firing device (ball feed solenoid non-excitation, a ball feed member is a holding position and a return ball prevention position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper firing device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (the ball feed solenoid is not excited, the ball feed member is in the holding position and the return ball blocking position). It is a perspective view which shows the ball feed member, the ball feed shaft, and the ball feed sheet metal in a ball feed device from diagonally rear. It is a right view which shows an upper firing device (ball feed solenoid excitation, a ball feed member is a supply position and a permissible position). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the upper firing device cut along the line BB in FIG. 10 (ball feed solenoid excitation, the ball feed member is at a supply position and an allowable position). It is sectional drawing which fractured | ruptured the main body frame in the longitudinal direction so that the upper firing device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device may be shown. It is a time chart which shows the drive timing of a ball feed solenoid and a firing solenoid. It is a front perspective view of a ball outlet opening / closing unit. It is a rear perspective view of a ball outlet opening / closing unit. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between an upper firing unit and a ball exit opening / closing unit in a main body frame. It is an external appearance perspective view explaining a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a state where the magnetic ball discharge unit cover is separated and turned over in FIG. 28. It is a top view of a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a rear view of a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the base plate of a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure which separates and describes a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit into a deformed sphere discharge unit and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the course by which a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere are discharged in a deformed sphere and a magnetic sphere discharge unit. It is a figure explaining the situation where a magnetic sphere is separated from a circulating route, and is discharged. It is a figure explaining the state where the magnetic sphere reached the magnetic sphere discharge slope. It is a front left perspective view of a ball collection part and a ball lifting device. It is a front view of a ball collection part and a ball lifting device. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the ball polishing cartridge in a ball collection part. It is a rear perspective view which shows the state of the case of the ball collection part, and the cover of the ball lifting device removed. FIG. 41 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the sphere assembly in FIG. 40. FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of FIG. 41. It is the top view which removed the case of the ball collection part. It is a rear perspective view showing the state where an upper gear box and a lower gear box were removed. It is a right view which shows the state which removed the cover of the ball lifting device. It is an enlarged view of (A) in FIG. It is a figure showing the state which disassembled the screw. It is a perspective view which shows the upper part of a ball lifting device. It is a figure which shows the fitting / non-fitting state of a screw and a fitting member. It is a left view which shows the state in which the ball polishing cartridge was mounted. It is a perspective view explaining the mechanism which fixes a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of mounting a ball polishing cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the ball and the ball polishing cloth of a ball polishing cartridge are pressed against a game ball. It is a left view which shows the state in which the ball | ball polishing cloth of a game ball and a ball polishing cartridge is pressed. FIG. 55 is a left side view showing the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 54 with the left side cover removed. FIG. 55 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 55. It is a perspective view showing the state where the ball polishing cartridge was attached. FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which only the right outer side cover is removed in FIG. 57 for explanation. FIG. 58 is an upper perspective view showing a state where the right side cover is opened in FIG. 58; It is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge. It is a front view of a ball polishing cartridge. It is a side view of a ball polishing cartridge. FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG. 62. It is a perspective view of a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between a ball polishing cartridge and a ball polishing cartridge mounting part. FIG. 40 is an enlarged view in which the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge of FIG. 39 is enlarged. It is a side view which shows 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd Example in a lifting slope member. It is a top view showing the state where an upper gear box was removed in a hoisting device. It is a rear view which shows the state which removed the lifting part cover in the lifting device. It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which less than a predetermined number of game balls have been inserted when the game balls are sealed in a sealed ball-type game machine (pachinko machine). It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a predetermined number of game balls are inserted when the game balls are sealed in a sealed ball-type gaming machine (pachinko machine). It is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of a game ball when the number of the inserted game balls exceeds a predetermined number when the game balls are sealed in a sealed ball type game machine (pachinko machine). It is a perspective view showing the state where the game ball introduction member in the game panel protruded. It is a perspective view showing the state where the game ball introduction member in the game panel was stored. It is a block diagram showing an important section in an embodiment of a main control board arranged in an enclosed ball type game machine (pachinko machine). It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the ball information control board | substrate arrange | positioned at the enclosed ball type game machine (pachinko machine). It is a block diagram showing each element connected to the checkout machine. 9 is a flowchart showing main control-side power-on processing executed by a main control MPU of the main control board. FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the main control-side power-on processing in FIG. 79. It is a flowchart which shows the main control side timer interruption process which a main control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of power-on of the ball information control side performed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board. FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control-side power-on processing in FIG. 82. 84 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information payout control-side power-on process following FIG. 83. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the sphere information control power supply cutoff which the sphere information control MPU of a sphere information control board performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a ball information control side timer interrupt process. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball lending process which a ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the hitting possible / impossible determination process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball count control processing which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball feed / fire drive process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the shooting ball detection process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the lifting drive process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process which a ball information control MPU performs. It is the figure which showed the cushion and the following member provided in the back side of the door frame, and the cushion receiving plate provided in the upper firing device. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a main body frame from the front side (Example 2). The perspective view from the front side which disassembled the main body frame, the game board, and the upper launching apparatus, and was shown roughly. (A) is a perspective view of the upper guide member viewed from below, (B) is a perspective view of the lower guide member viewed from above, and (C) is a perspective view of the slider. (A) is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 97, and (B) is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an operation. FIG. 2A is a plan view schematically showing a mechanism, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged plan view of a main part thereof. Sectional drawing which showed typically the connection part of the game ball supply path comprised of two parts, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view. (A), (b), and (c) are cross-sectional views (side views) showing a communication state between a ball delivery gutter and a lifting communication gutter. The perspective view which showed the game ball supply passage part of the ball lifting device and the upper firing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a dust control mechanism. It is the block diagram which showed the game board and the main body frame which were connected using the drawer connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device in an open state with respect to the game board in the embodiment employing the position detection sensor. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device in a closed state with respect to the game board in the embodiment employing the position detection sensor. (A) shows a subroutine of a first hitting ball possible / impossible judging process performed by a ball information control MPU in an embodiment employing a position detection sensor for detecting whether an upper firing device is set at a regular position with respect to a game board. It is a flowchart. (B) is a display example notified on the touch panel unit when the upper firing device is not set at a regular position with respect to the game board. (C) is a display example notified on the touch panel unit when the upper firing device is set at a regular position with respect to the game board. It is a front view of the ball collection device in this embodiment in which the number-of-enclosed-balls determination control means is provided on the ball information control board. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of the subroutine of the enclosed ball number determination control process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the subroutine of the ball feed / firing drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. This is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 105 (A) is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a shot sphere detection process performed by the ball information control MPU, and FIG. 105 (B) is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a held ball number subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the ball number appropriate amount determination process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a figure showing the example of a display of the number-of-balls appropriate amount judgment result notified by the touch panel part. 82 is a part of the flowchart of the power-on processing showing an example of the case where the ball information control MPU 111 executes the enclosed ball number determination control processing at the time of power-on, following the flowchart of FIG. 82. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the door frame opening / closing determination process which the ball information control MPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the hitting | ball hitting possible / impossible judgment processing which the ball information control MPU in embodiment which employ | adopted the number of enclosed balls determination control means (performs the enclosed ball number determination control processing). It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the subroutine of the enclosed ball number determination control processing which the ball information control MPU performs.

[Outline of gaming machines]
Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to an enclosed ball type pachinko machine. Note that the present invention can be implemented in pachinko machines other than the enclosed ball type pachinko machine.
[Example 1]
The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be installed on the existing island facilities in a hall (pachinko game hall), and the contents of the game are the same as those of a well-known pachinko machine. However, the game machine does not use the ball supply mechanism and the ball discharge mechanism of the island facility. That is, in the enclosed ball-type pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a predetermined number of game balls formed of a non-magnetic material (for example, stainless steel) are accommodated in the game machine, and the predetermined number of game balls are transmitted to the game area by the shooting device. To play the game, collect the game ball that has finished the game, play the game using the game ball pre-enclosed in the game machine so as to guide the launching device to use the game ball in circulation. It has become. Then, the game balls can be fired in accordance with the number of game balls (data on the number of held balls) based on the data on the number of ball rentals input from a storage medium such as a card via a settlement system or the like, and the game balls are fired. Then, the data of the number of held balls is subtracted corresponding to the number of launched game balls.

  Also, when a launched game ball wins a winning opening in the game area and a prize ball (game ball) is generated, the actual game ball is not paid out, and the data of the number of held balls does not include the number of prize balls. Is added. Further, when the data of the number of held balls becomes “0”, the game balls cannot be fired. In this state, when a numerical value (the number of rented balls) is added to the data of the number of held balls based on the data of the amount of money or the data of the stored balls stored in a storage medium such as a card, the game balls can be fired again. Becomes The shot game balls are collected in the game machine, sent to the shooting position again, and circulated in the game machine. That is, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is an enclosed ball-type game machine that collects game balls fired in the game area and supplies the game balls to the game again.

  First, a main body frame 2 (FIG. 3) and a door frame 3 (FIG. 1) of the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The pachinko machine 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with a settlement machine 4 as an external device.

The pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 1a (FIG. 12) configured in a rectangular frame shape and installed on the island facility on the hall side, and a game board 5 (FIG. 2) supported by the outer frame 1a to be freely opened and closed. The apparatus is provided with a main body frame 2 that can be mounted, and a door frame 3 that is pivotally supported by the main body frame 2 to be freely opened and closed.
At a position below the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3, a decorative cover 6 is attached to the front surface of the outer frame 1a, and the front surface of the outer frame 1a is completely closed by the door frame 3 and the decorative cover 6. It has become. The outer frame 1a, the body frame 2 and the door frame 3 are arranged such that their upper ends are substantially aligned, and the body frame 2 is rotatable by a hinge 7 (FIG. 3) provided on the left side of the outer frame 1a. The main frame 2 is pivotally supported, and the main frame 2 is opened by moving the right side of the main frame 2 forward with respect to the outer frame 1a. The door frame 3 is rotatably attached to the main body frame 2 with pins, and is opened by moving the right side of the door frame 3 to the front side.

[Door frame 3]
The door frame 3 has a game window 9 in which a player can visually recognize a game area 8 of the game board 5 into which a game ball is driven, and a game window 8 disposed below the game window 9 and based on an operation of the player. It has a hit ball handle 10 for hitting a game ball. A transparent plate 11 is attached to the game window 9 so as to cover the front face (game area 8) of the game board 5 mounted on the main body frame 2 side with the door frame 3 closed with respect to the main body frame 2. Have been. The hit ball handle 10 drives a firing solenoid 13 (see FIG. 5) of a hit ball firing device (referred to as an upper firing device 12) attached to the upper left of the main body frame 2 based on a turning operation of the player. A game ball is driven into the game area 8. The hitting handle 10 has a micro switch (not shown) that is turned on when the ball is turned, a firing stop switch that is turned off when the micro switch is pressed while the micro switch is turned on, and a hitting handle 10. And a touch switch for detecting a player's contact with the hitting handle 10 via conductive plating applied to the outer peripheral surface of the player. The upper firing device 12 will be described later.

  The door frame 3 and the main body frame 2 are opened by opening the door frame 3 with respect to the main body frame 2 by inserting a key into a key device arranged at the lower right corner of the door frame 3 and rotating the key frame to one side. Is available.

[Touch panel unit 14]
The door frame 3 is provided with a touch panel portion 14 formed horizontally below a portion below the game window 9 (a portion corresponding to the upper plate of a well-known pachinko machine of a non-enclosed ball type). On the touch panel section 14, the remaining number, the number of balls held in the gaming machine, and the number of end balls are displayed.

  Here, the remaining number is a value corresponding to the amount of money stored in the card used in the checkout machine 4, and the number of balls held by the player is lent to the player by lending the ball. This is the sum of the number of balls and the number of prize balls obtained by the player as a result of playing the game.

  On the touch panel section 14, a ball lending button as a ball lending command input device operable by the player and a settlement button as a settlement command input device operable by the player are displayed. The ball lending button is used to instruct lending of a ball held for playing a game. The settlement button is used to end the pachinko game and instruct settlement.

  Further, the touch panel section 14 further displays an end ball number display button as an end ball number display command input means that can be operated by the player. Here, the end ball number is the surplus ball number when the player's ball number is divided by the ball number corresponding to one special prize at the time of prize exchange. When the display of the number of end balls is instructed by the end ball number display button, the touch panel unit 14 can also display a message such as “Do you hit only end balls?”. A message in the form of an interactive question is displayed together with the end ball number display button, and a YES button and a NO button are displayed for the player to make a selection input for responding to either yes or no.

[Body frame 2]
The main body frame 2 is a box-like shape having a frame-shaped fitting frame 15 and a peripheral wall portion 16 so as to just fit in the rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 1a (FIGS. 3 and 4). The fitting frame 15 has a rectangular accommodation opening 17 for fitting the game board 5 into the front side thereof. A projecting wall 18 projecting inward is integrally formed behind the housing opening 17 (FIGS. 3 and 12). The back is closed with a back cover. When the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the front surface (game area 8) of the game board 5 accommodated in the main body frame 2 can be seen through the game window 9 of the door frame 3.

  A deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit housing portion 19 is formed below the housing opening 17, and a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is disposed in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit housing portion 19. . And, as will be described later, the discharge ball receiving box 234 for accommodating the deformed ball or the magnetic ball smaller in diameter than the regular game ball discharged from the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 is provided for the gaming machine. It can be attached and detached from the front.

  FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view in which the main body frame is cut in the vertical direction to show the upper firing device, the ball supply path member, and the ball lifting device. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 23, the main body frame 2 is provided with an upper firing device 12, a ball collecting unit 21, a ball lifting device 22, and a ball supply path member 24. The ball collecting unit 21 is a part that receives game balls that have passed through the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20 and guides them to the base of the ball lifting device 22 (FIG. 5), and includes a ball polishing device and the like.

  A hit ball firing device 29 for firing a game ball toward the game area 8 is disposed at a front portion of the main body frame 2 and at one side (left side) of an upper portion (FIGS. 3 and 23). In addition, the ball feeding device 28 for sending game balls arranged and stored in a guiding path (a ball feeding guiding gutter 69 described later, see FIG. 11) to the firing position of the hit ball firing device 29 one by one includes a hit ball firing device 29. Are arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction (FIGS. 6, 23). In the present embodiment, the upper firing device 12 as an upper firing unit is formed by the hit ball firing device 29 and the ball feed device 28.

  In this embodiment, the ball lifting device 22 uses a screw 25 driven by a ball lifting motor 150 (see FIG. 24), and the game balls that have reached the base are rotated by the screw 25 to reduce the distance between the game balls. It is opened and lifted from below to the upper part of the main body frame 2. The ball lifting device 22 is attached to the rear surface of the main body frame 2 behind the upper firing device 12, and the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is disposed above the ball feeding device 28 (FIGS. 3 and 3). 4, FIG. 23).

  Between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper part of the upper firing device 12, a ball supply in the front-rear direction for feeding the game balls pumped by the ball lifting device 22 from above to the ball feeding device 28 is provided. A path member 24 is provided (FIGS. 3, 4, and 23). In the present embodiment, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end portion of the ball lifting device 22 and has a gentle downward slope toward the front, so that the lifted game balls are moved forward from above. It comprises a ball sending gutter 23 to be sent out, and a lifting communication gutter 65 formed at the rear upper portion of the upper firing device 12 and connected to the ball sending gutter 23 and having a gentle downward slope. The game balls lifted by the ball lifting device 22 are sent to the ball sending gutter 23. The ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball supply path member 24 is provided with a launch standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball flowing down the ball delivery gutter 23 (see FIG. 6).

[Upper firing device]
FIG. 8 is a front view showing the upper firing device, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device as viewed from the front left side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device as viewed from the rear left. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device as viewed from the rear left with the ball feed unit cover removed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an open state of the upper firing device in the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed, and FIG. 13 is a right side view showing a longitudinal section of the gaming machine shown with the door frame removed. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a cross-sectional perspective view along AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint portion of the upper firing device with the base plate is in contact with a projection portion of the panel holder of the game board.

  The upper firing device 12 receives a base plate 39 having a metal plate shape for attaching and fixing the upper firing device 12 to the main body frame 2, and a game ball reaching from the ball supply path member 24, and is used for firing of the hit ball firing device 29. A ball feeding device 28 that reliably sends game balls one by one to a hammer 30 (FIG. 8) and a ball feeding solenoid 32 (FIG. 11) and a ball feeding member 32 to a hitting ball firing position, and fires game balls toward the game area 8. (See FIGS. 8 to 11).

  The ball feeder 28 receives a game ball that arrives from the ball supply path member 24 (FIG. 6), and uses the ball feeder 32 to move one ball to the firing position of the hammer 30 (FIG. 8) of the hitting ball firing device 29. This is a device for sending out each one surely.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the hitting ball launching device 29 includes a launching hammer 30, a launching solenoid 13, a rail member 33, a launching stopper 34, a returning stopper 35, a launching ball confirmation switch 36, an upper launching device hinge 37, and a launching opening. 38. These members are mounted on a base plate 39 (a metal plate in this embodiment) as a substrate. The discharge port 38 is formed so as to face the tip of the firing hammer 30, and the rail member 33 is attached to this portion. The rail member 33 is a member that holds one game ball sent to the firing position (ball hitting position) by the ball feeding member 32 by the rail portion 332. The game ball launched by the launch hammer 30 is launched from the launch port 38 to the game area 8.

  The launch ball confirmation switch 36 is disposed with respect to the rail portion 332 of the rail member 33, detects the presence or absence of a game ball driven by the launch hammer 30, and detects the detection of the game ball by the launch ball confirmation switch 36. By switching, it is detected that one game ball has been fired by the hammer 30 for firing.

  The base plate 39 is attached to the main body frame 2 so as to be openable and closable with a vertical upper hinge 37 for the upper firing device disposed on the left side of the front surface of the base plate 39 so as to make the upper firing device 12 movable. The base plate 39 can be opened with the upper firing device hinge 37 as an axis (FIGS. 9 and 12).

  The position of the upper firing device hinge 37 is determined when the game board 5 is attached to or detached from the body frame 2 with respect to the hinge 7 that rotatably connects the body frame 2 and the door frame 3. The upper firing device 12 is in a position where the game board 5 can be opened to an angle that does not hinder the insertion and mounting (for example, 120 degrees).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the circulation path of the game ball includes the above-mentioned irregular ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20, the ball collecting section 21, the ball lifting device 22, the ball supply path member 24, the upper firing device 12, and the game area 8. It is through. The game balls fired from the upper firing device 12 to the firing area 40 (FIG. 7) of the game area 8 flow down the game area from above to below, and pass through the winning port 41 or the out port 42 to discharge the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20. Return to

[Game board]
The game board 5 is mounted on the fitting frame 15 of the main body frame 2. In this embodiment, the game board 5 has a structure in which a transparent panel plate 44 is attached to a panel holder 43, and a front component 45 is attached to the front surface thereof to fix the transparent panel plate 44 (FIG. 12). The game board 5 does not have a conventional inner rail, and the upper part of the inner peripheral surface of the front component 45 is a game ball running surface 46 (FIG. 7).

  The game board 5 is electrically connected to the main frame 2 by a drawer connector. A drawer connector is provided on each of the game board 5 and the main body frame 2, and by inserting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2, the drawer connector on the game board side is inserted into the drawer connector on the main body frame side. Can be connected. As a result, electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2.

  A notch 47 (FIG. 12) is formed in the upper left corner of the game board 5 in accordance with the form of the upper firing device 12. The notch 47 extends from the front component 45 to a part of the transparent panel plate 44 in the game area 8. The opening 38 of the upper firing device 12 faces the place where the transparent panel plate 44 is cut out, and the vicinity of the opening 38 along the game ball running surface 46 above the opening 38 as shown in FIG. Is the launch area 40. Therefore, the game ball hit by the firing hammer 30 of the upper firing device 12 is guided to the game ball running surface 46 of the front component 45 in the firing area 40.

  In the notch 47, the notch of the panel holder 43 is smaller than the notch of the front component, and a part of the panel holder 43 becomes the protruding portion 48 that protrudes inside the notch 47 when viewed from the front. (FIGS. 12 and 15). A fixing tool 49 is attached to the base plate 39 of the upper firing device 12 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction. The tip of the fixing tool 49 is connected to the overhang wall 18 of the main body frame 2 when the upper firing device 12 is closed. It is detachably attached to the screw receiving member 50 (FIGS. 13, 14, and 15). The fixing tool 49 has a screw at the tip and a relatively large head, so that the fixing tool 49 can be attached and detached without using a tool (using a simple member such as a coin). Is also good). The screw receiving member 50 has, for example, a structure in which a nut is welded to a metal plate, and is fixed to the overhanging wall 18 with screws or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, when the fixture 49 is attached to the screw receiving member 50 through the upper firing device 12, the game board is fixed to the main body frame 2 by the base plate 39. At this time, the abutting portion 39a (FIG. 13) of the base plate 39 abuts on the protruding portion 48 protruding from the notch 47 of the game board 5, and presses the protruding portion 48 toward the main body frame 2 to be fixed. I do.

  As a result, the positional relationship between the firing port 38 of the upper firing device 12 and the game area 8 is fixed without play, and a step or the like that becomes an obstacle when the game ball travels between the firing port 38 and the game area 8 is reduced. Does not occur. Further, if the fixing tool 49 is removed from the screw receiving member 50, the base plate 39 can be opened toward the front centering on the upper firing device hinge 37, and when the game board 5 is fitted into the fitting frame 15 of the main body frame 2. Do not get in the way. Further, maintenance work such as ball contamination in the ball feeding device 28 and the hit ball firing device 29 can be easily performed.

  As a method of fixing the upper firing device, a cushion may be arranged on the back surface side of the door frame, and the game board and the upper firing device may be pressed and fixed when the door frame is closed. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

  A cushion 501 is provided on the rear surface side of the door frame 3 at a position where it comes into contact with the upper firing device 12, and by closing the door frame 3, the cushion 501 presses the cushion receiving plate 502 arranged on the upper firing device 12 with the cushion 501. Fix to two sides. At this time, the plate 39 abuts on the protruding portion 48 (see FIG. 12) protruding from the notch 47 of the game board 5 and presses the protruding portion 48 toward the main body frame 2 to fix it. Thereby, the positional relationship between the firing port 38 of the upper firing device 12 and the game area 8 is fixed without any play. Further, even if vibration occurs due to the launching operation of the hammer 30 for firing, the positional relationship between the firing port 38 and the game area 8 is fixed without any backlash by pressing with the cushion 501.

  As described above, by adopting a fixing method using a cushion instead of the screw type, the game board 5 can be easily mounted on the main body frame 2. The details will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 96, the back surface of the door frame 3 and the upper firing device 12 are connected by a follower member 500 (a spring in this embodiment). When the door frame 3 is opened when exchanging the game board by setting up a new stand or the like, when the door frame 3 is opened, the upper firing device 12 connected to the following member 500 is pulled by the following member 500 and rotated to follow the door frame 3. I do. As a result, since the upper firing device 12 moves from the same plane of the game board 5, a large space can be provided when the game board 5 is fitted to the main body frame 2, and the game board is easily fitted. be able to. Further, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the possibility that the game board 5 and the launching device may be damaged by collision or the like.

  Further, when the door frame 3 is opened by the following member 500, even if the upper firing device 12 moves following the door frame 3, the cushion 501 is arranged on the back surface of the door frame 3, so that the door frame 3 is moved by the following movement. Since there is no collision, breakage of the door frame 3 and the follow-up member 500 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the follower member 500 is a spring, but is not limited to this, and may be any member that allows the upper firing device 12 to follow the door frame 3. For example, various methods such as rubber having elasticity (such as rubber bands), a string-shaped member, and an engagement pulling member can be selected.

  In the game area 8 of the present embodiment, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) and various prize holes such as prize holes are provided, and a predetermined number of prize balls are awarded in accordance with prizes in the various prize holes. It has become. Since this embodiment is an enclosed ball-type game machine, "1" is subtracted from the data of the number of held balls in accordance with the hitting of one game ball, while the number of prize balls corresponding to winning in various winning ports is determined. Is added to the data of the number of held balls, and the corresponding number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

  In addition, since the ball is a pachinko machine with an enclosed ball, prize balls are not paid out, and the number of outgoing balls, the number of incoming balls, the number of difference balls, the number of held balls and the like are not actual numbers of game balls but numerical values in data. That is, the number of actually used game balls is limited to a predetermined number (for example, 50 or 75) that is used cyclically, and the number of held balls is, for example, the number of game balls to be fired in the game area 8 detected. The number of shot balls counted and counted, the number of collected balls detected and counted by detecting game balls fired and collected in the game area 8, the number of prize balls when winning, the number of ball rentals borrowed from the hall side, etc. The number of incoming balls, the number of outgoing balls, the number of difference balls, and the number of held balls can be obtained.

  That is, the number of fired balls = the number of collected balls unless there is a trouble such as opening the door frame 3 and causing the game balls to go outside. Then, the number of incoming balls = the number of recovered balls = the number of launched balls, the number of outgoing balls = the number of awarded balls (integrated value) = the number of incoming balls−the number of balls for lending (the number of replay balls) + the number of holding balls, and the number of holding balls = lending Number of balls (or number of replayed balls) + Number of outgoing balls-Number of incoming balls, Number of outgoing balls-Number of incoming balls = Number of difference balls, Number of held balls = Number of ball rentals (or Number of replayed balls) + Number of difference balls Becomes In this way, the game by the pachinko machine 1 is performed completely as a numerical value on the data, and there is no error caused by spilling the game ball or leaving the game ball on the lower plate or the upper plate, It can be managed reliably in integer units. In the structure of the upper firing device 12 described later, basically no foul ball is generated.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the front component 45 and the panel holder and the transparent panel plate 44 are formed as separate members. However, these are integrated as one member, for example, by bonding, or are integrally formed to form one member. You can also. As described above, when the front component 45 and the panel holder 43 are integrally formed on the transparent panel board 44, the notch 47 is provided on the game board 5, so that the front component 45 and the panel holder 43 have the same. It is possible to suppress the structural weakening of these members due to the cutting of the frame structure (the four sides are connected).

  16 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device as viewed from the front right side, FIG. 17 is a front view showing the upper firing device (a launching hammer standby position), and FIG. 18 is a right side view showing the upper firing device. It is.

[Ball launcher 29]
The hitting ball firing device 29 is capable of hitting the game ball supplied from the ball feeder 28 into the game area 8 of the game board 5 with a strength corresponding to the rotating operation of the hitting ball handle 10. The hitting ball launching device 29 includes a launching solenoid 13 mounted on the upper rear surface of the base plate 39 such that the rotary drive shaft 60 projects forward, and a launching hammer 30 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 60 of the launching solenoid 13 so as to be integrally rotatable. A hammer tip 61 fixed to the tip of the launching hammer 30; a rail member 33 attached to the front surface of the base plate 39 with a predetermined position on the movement locus of the hammer tip 61 as a launch position; The launching stopper 34 for restricting the rotation of the hammer tip 61 in the counterclockwise direction from the hitting position at which the stopped game ball can be hit, and the firing hammer 30 at the standby position (initial position) in the turning operation. A return-time stopper 35 for restricting the game ball, a launch-ball confirmation switch 36 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball parked at the launch position, A morphism device hinge 37 is provided with a firing port 38 which is opened to face the game area 8, the (8, 9, 16, see FIG. 18).

  Although not shown in detail, the firing solenoid 13 in the hit ball firing device 29 is configured such that the rotary drive shaft 60 reciprocates with a strength (speed) corresponding to the rotation operation angle of the hit ball handle 10. The launching hammer 30 of the hitting ball launching device 29 has a fixed portion 301 fixed to the rotary drive shaft 60 of the firing solenoid 13, and a gentle arc extending from the fixed portion 301, and the tip is at the axis of the rotary drive shaft 60. A rod portion 302 facing the normal direction and having a tip 61 fixed to the tip thereof, and a stopper extending to the opposite side with respect to the rod portion 302 with the fixing portion 301 interposed therebetween, and capable of contacting the stopper 34 at the time of firing. A contact portion 303. When the stopper abutment portion 303 of the firing hammer 30 abuts the stopper 34 at the time of firing, rotation in a counterclockwise direction in front view is restricted (see FIG. 8).

  A ball supply port 63 formed in a ball feed unit base (described later) of the ball feed device 28 is disposed directly above the rail member 33 of the hit ball firing device 29. The rail member 33 stops one game ball sent from the ball supply port 63 by the ball feeding operation of the ball feeding member 32 of the ball feeding device 28 described below at the firing position.

  The rail member 33 is formed by bending a metal plate, and includes a mounting plate portion 331 fixed to the base plate 39 and a rail portion 332 bent forward from the mounting plate portion 331. (See FIG. 8). The rail portion 332 for setting the firing position has a substantially L-shape inclined 45 degrees to the left in a front view, and a left rail plate 333 forming the left side of the rail portion 332 and a right side of the rail portion 332. (See FIG. 8). The left rail plate 333 has a through hole 335 through which the hammer 61 passes when the firing hammer 30 hits the ball (see FIGS. 9 and 21).

  As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when viewed from the front, a portion extending from the center to the lower end in the vertical direction of the right side portion of the hitting ball firing device 29 of the upper firing device 12 is exposed and arranged facing the game area 8. ing. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 16, a discharge port decoration member 64 is disposed on the front right side of the base plate 39, and the discharge port decoration member 64 is attached to the base plate 39 and a ball feed unit base 67 described later. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 16, the opening decoration member 64 has the right side surface and the lower side surface exposed so as to face the game area 8. The face portion and the lower side surface portion are formed on a ball entry prevention wall 51 for preventing a game ball launched into the game area 8 from entering the inside of the hit ball firing device 29. The launch port 38 is formed on the ball entry prevention wall 51 on the right side of the launch port decoration member 64, and the ball entry prevention wall 51 surrounds the launch port 38 and is substantially flush with the rear end face of the game area 8. It has an arch shape that rises forward.

  As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 16, the opening 38 is positioned obliquely rightward and upward with respect to the rail portion 332 in a front view. As can be understood from FIGS. 8 and 17, the distance between the rail portion 332 (firing position) and the firing port 38 is short (about twice the diameter of the game ball P). It is possible to reliably hit the shot game ball into the game area 8 without generating a foul ball.

  The launch ball confirmation switch 36 detects the presence / absence of a game ball parked at the launch position, and the detection of the game ball is not detected by the launch of the game ball at the launch position by the hammer 30 for launch. , It is detected that one game ball has been fired by the hammer 30 for firing.

  The launching ball confirmation switch 36 is composed of a transmission type photo sensor, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so as to straddle the rail section 332 that sets the launching position back and forth. The firing sphere confirmation switch 36 is supported by the photo bracket 361 and is arranged at the firing position, and the photo bracket 361 is attached and fixed to the lower front surface of the base plate 39.

  The hitting ball firing device 29 includes a stopper cover 62 that covers the front surface of the firing-time stopper 34 that can regulate the rotation end of the firing hammer 30 toward the hitting ball position, and a position that is separated from the hitting position of the firing hammer 30. A return stopper 35 is provided for restricting the rotation end (the rotation end in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front). The surfaces of the stoppers 34 and 35 are covered with rubber, so that it is possible to absorb the impact when the firing hammer 30 abuts and to suppress the generation of noise due to the abutment. .

  Further, the hitting ball firing device 29 is configured such that the firing solenoid 13 is driven by a ball information control unit described later with a driving strength according to the rotation operation of the hitting ball handle 10 and the ball feeding device 28 The solenoid 31 is driven so as to perform a ball hitting operation at a drive timing described later with respect to the drive timing of the solenoid 31 (see FIG. 24). Specifically, in the ball feeding device 28 that supplies game balls to the hit ball launching device 29, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is driven (ON), the game ball received by the ball feeding member 32 is sent to the hit ball firing device 29, and the state is changed. When the driving of the ball feeding solenoid 31 is released (OFF), the ball feeding member 32 receives the game ball.

  In the hit ball firing device 29, when the hitting handle 10 is fired, energization / disconnection of the firing solenoid 13 is repeated with a voltage corresponding to the operation amount. 8 and 17, the firing hammer 30 rotates from the initial position (FIG. 17) in the firing direction (counterclockwise) to the firing position, as shown in FIGS. After hitting the stopped game ball with the mallet 61 (FIG. 8), the firing operation that rotates clockwise and returns to the initial position is repeated.

[Ball feeder 28]
Next, the ball feeding device 28 will be described. The ball feeding device 28 is mainly configured as a unit as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and has a ball inlet 66 connected to the front end of the ball delivery gutter 23 of the ball supply path member 24 shown in FIG. A ball feeder which is connected to the gutter 65 and the lifting communication gutter 65 and has a ball supply port 63 for supplying a game ball entered from the lifting communication gutter 65 to the hitting ball firing device 29, and having an open rear portion. A unit base 67, a ball feed unit cover 68 that closes the rear end of the ball feed unit base 67 and is open at the front, a ball feed solenoid 31 disposed below the ball feed unit base 67, and a ball feed solenoid 31 And a ball feeding member 32 that simultaneously realizes a ball feeding operation and a return ball blocking operation to be described later.

  The lifting communication gutter 65 is gently inclined downward from the rear end where the ball inlet 66 is formed to the front end. The ball feed unit base 67 is attached to the left side of the rear surface of the base plate 39, the front end of the discharge communication gutter 65 is connected to the upper right portion, and is connected to the front end of the discharge communication gutter 65 in rear view. From the right side of the upper part to the center in the vertical direction, a gentle downward slope is applied leftward in the left-right direction, and a ball-feeding guide gutter 69 bent downward and formed halfway, and a lower end of the ball-feeding guide gutter 69 And a ball supply port 63 penetrating in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 11).

  Further, on the rear surface of the ball feed unit cover 68 that is below the bent portion of the ball feed guide gutter 69 and above the ball supply port 63, the game balls waiting in the ball feed guide gutter 69 are provided. A launch standby ball detection switch 70 for detecting the presence / absence is provided (see FIG. 10). The launch-standby-ball detection switches 70 are each composed of a flat proximity switch that detects a game ball as a metal body by changing the impedance of the detection coil of the high-frequency oscillation circuit.

  The ball feed solenoid 31 of the present embodiment is formed of an electromagnet, and is disposed below the ball feed unit base 67 in a posture in which a suction part that exerts a suction function by excitation is directed downward. The ball feed member 32 is disposed below the ball feed unit base 67 adjacent to the left of the ball feed solenoid 31. The ball-feeding member 32 in the present embodiment is provided at an allowable position where the ball-feeding solenoid 31 is excited / non-excited and does not interfere with a hit-ball fired from a firing position by the hitting operation of the hit-ball launching device 29, and allows a ball to pass through. And a return ball blocking portion that is movable between a return ball blocking position for blocking the entry of a return ball returning from the game area 8 to the launch port 38.

[Ball feed member 32]
Hereinafter, the ball feeding member 32 will be described. FIG. 18 is a right side view showing the upper firing device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is not excited, and the ball feed member 32 takes the holding position and the return ball blocking position), and FIG. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the upper firing device 12 cut along the line B (the ball feeding solenoid 31 is not excited, and the ball feeding member 32 takes the holding position and the return ball blocking position). FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a ball feed member 32, a ball feed shaft, and a ball feed sheet metal in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a right side view showing the upper firing device 12 (the ball feed solenoid 31 is excited, and the ball feed member takes a supply position and an allowable position). FIG. 22 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper firing device shown broken along a line (the ball feed solenoid 31 is excited, and the ball feed member 32 is in a supply position and an allowable position).

  As shown in FIG. 20, a shaft hole 75 is formed in the middle of the ball feed member 32 in the up-down direction toward the left-right direction. A ball feed shaft 76 is inserted into the shaft hole 75 with both ends protruding. Both ends of the ball feed shaft 76 in the left-right direction are supported by a ball feed unit base 67. Thus, the ball feed member 32 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction about the ball feed shaft 76 as a rotation center.

  In the middle of the ball feeding member 32, an arm portion 77 is formed to extend rearward, and at the lower end of the arm portion 77, as shown in FIG. A rod portion 72 is formed, a sheet metal receiving portion 73 is formed in the operating rod portion 72, and a ball feed sheet metal 71 made of a metal material attracted by a magnet is stored in the sheet metal receiving portion 73.

  Immediately below the sheet metal housing 73, a sheet metal engaging claw 78 is formed to protrude rearward to prevent the ball feeding sheet metal 71 from dropping off. The ball feeding sheet metal 71 is prevented from dropping from the sheet metal housing 73.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a locking projection 79 is formed at an end of the operating rod 72, and one end of the tension spring 52 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the other end of the tension spring 52 is hooked on a spring locking portion 53 formed on the lower bottom surface of the ball feed unit base 67.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a roof-shaped ball feed portion 74 is formed above the shaft hole 75 of the ball feed member 32 and integrally with the ball feed member 32 toward the lower edge of the ball supply port 63. I have. The ball feed portion 74 is formed in a chevron shape in which the center of the upper surface is raised upward, and is directed forward from the center, that is, the ball feed port 63 formed at the lower end of the ball feed guide gutter 69 in FIG. An arc convex toward the lower edge, and toward the ball feeding unit cover 68 that blocks the rear end of the ball feeding guiding gutter 69 in FIG. And a ball holding surface 81 inclined downwardly. At the rear end of the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeding section 74, a hanging piece 82 hanging downward is formed.

  The upper part of the ball feeding member 32 in the up-down direction penetrates the ball feeding unit base 67 toward the front, and as shown in FIGS. 18, 20, and 21, the rail portion 332 (the firing position) in a side view. A return ball blocking portion 83 in the form of a rectangular frame is formed extending toward the hitting ball path from the ball, and a hit ball passage opening 85 opened in a rectangular shape is formed in the center of the return ball blocking portion 83.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 formed integrally with the ball feed member 32 is arranged adjacent to the firing port 38 in the firing position direction. Further, a ball stopper 84 whose base is horizontal and protrudes in a triangular shape toward the rail part 332 is formed on the side of the part of the return ball blocking part 83 located on the front side of the frame in the firing position direction. The ball stopper 84 is disposed in front of the ball feeder 74 and at a distance above the firing position so as to face the ball feeder 74.

  The ball feed unit cover 68 is provided with a ball guide projection 54 having a vertical cross section in the shape of a letter "K" at the position facing the ball supply port 63 at the rear of the ball supply port 63. On the upper part of the ball guide projection 54 facing forward, a front guide surface 55 having a circular arc concave shape facing the ball supply port 63 is formed. The lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 is formed to be curved convexly rearward, and is provided in a space below the lower part of the ball guide protrusion 54 in the front-rear direction of the ball feed member 32 about the ball feed shaft 76 as the rotation center. In the turning operation, the ball feeder 74 can be retracted. At the lower end of the ball guide projection 54, a stopper piece 56 is formed to project forward.

[Ball feed operation of ball feed member 32 and return ball prevention operation]
The ball feeding operation and the return ball blocking operation by the ball feeding member 32 of the ball feeding device 28 configured as described above will be described. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is in the non-excited state, the ball feed solenoid 31 is hooked on the locking projection 79 on the end of the operating rod 72 of the ball feed member 32 and the spring locking portion 53 formed on the lower bottom surface of the ball feed unit base 67. Due to the pulling force of the stopped tension spring 52, the lower end portion of the ball feeding member 32 is brought into a posture of being drawn toward the ball feeding unit base 67.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in a normal state (when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state), the ball feeding member 32 is a rectangular frame-shaped return ball in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76. The blocking portion 83 assumes a posture inclined backward, and the launching of the firing opening 38 is performed in a side view as viewed from the game area 8, that is, in the hitting path from the firing position of the hitting ball firing device 29 to the firing opening 38. At the position on the position direction side, the portion of the return ball blocking portion 83 located in front of the frame has a posture intersecting with the firing opening 38, and the hitting ball passage opening 85 with respect to the firing opening 38 in the hitting path. Is shifted rearward, and it is impossible for the ball to pass to the hit ball passing port 85 in the hit ball path. That is, in this position, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes a return ball blocking position for preventing the return ball returning from the game area 8 to the firing port 38 from entering.

  After the hit ball is fired, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes the return ball blocking position, so that the game ball launched into the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the firing opening 38, and is blocked by the return ball blocking unit 83. Since the return ball can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the return ball from reducing the interest in the game.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in a normal state (when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in a non-excited state), the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeding unit 74 is in contact with the ball guide projection of the ball feeding unit cover 68. The ball retreats into the space below the portion 54, the hanging piece 82 formed at the lower end of the ball feeding portion 74 abuts against the stopper piece 56, and in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76 of the ball feeding member 32 as a rotation center. And the holding position in the ball feeding operation.

  In the holding position, the ball feeding guide surface 80 of the ball feeding portion 74 is located in front of the lower end of the front guide surface 55 of the ball guide projection 54, and is located on an extension in the tangential direction of the front guide surface 55. Further, the ball stopping portion 84 approaches toward the ball supply port 63, and the game ball P1 fits in a gap between the lower end portion of the ball supply port 63 and the ball stopping portion 84, and the game ball P1 stays. Becomes

[Excitation of ball feed solenoid 31]
When energized by energizing the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball feed sheet metal 71 is attracted upward by the electromagnet function, and the operating rod 72 of the ball feed member 32 moves upward against the tensile force of the tension spring 52, The ball feed member 32 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 19 about the ball feed shaft 76 as a rotation center, and as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the ball feed member 32 moves the supply position and the passing of the hit ball in the ball feed operation. Move to the permissible position.

  Thereby, the ball stopper 84 moves forward from the position approaching the ball supply port 63, and at the same time, the ball feeder 74 moves forward and sends out the game ball P1 remaining at the holding position to the firing position (FIG. 22). reference).

  As shown in FIG. 21, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is in the excited state, the rectangular frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 takes an upright posture in a rotating posture about the ball feeding shaft 76, and the game area 8, that is, at a position immediately in the direction of the firing position of the firing port 38 in the hitting path from the firing position of the hitting ball firing device 29 to the firing port 38, with respect to the firing port 38 in the hitting path. The hitting hole passages 85 are located at the same positions, and are positions where the passing of the ball to the hitting ball passage openings 85 is allowed in the hitting path. That is, in this position, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes an allowable position that allows the passing of the hit ball without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the ball feed solenoid 31 is in the excited state, the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feed unit 74 is positioned in front of the ball guide projection 54 of the ball feed unit cover 68 at the supply position in the ball feed operation. Then, the subsequent game ball P2 fits into the gap between the upper end portion of the ball supply port 63 and the ball holding surface 81 of the ball feeder 74, and the subsequent game ball P2 stays. By the ball feeding operation described above, the ball feeding member 32 sends the game balls aligned and stored in the ball feeding gutter 69 one by one to the firing position of the hitting ball firing device 29.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. When the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the firing solenoid 13 is turned on when the period A has elapsed, and when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off when the period B has elapsed, and the ball feeding is performed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has elapsed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

  In this embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feed member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a shooting ball when a shooting ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time (a period D is set to 30 ms). I do.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

  Operation control is performed by a ball information control MPU 111 of a ball information control unit 118 described below in accordance with the drive timing of the ball feed solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13 shown in FIG. That is, when the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feed member 32 is at the allowable position, the hitting ball firing device 29 is operated to perform the hitting operation by the firing hammer 30, and the hitting motion is predetermined from the time of the operation of the hitting ball firing device 29. After the elapse of the specified time (after the elapse of 30 ms), the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 31 is released and the return ball blocking portion 83 is moved to the return ball blocking position so that the return ball is blocked by the return ball blocking portion 83. Control.

  According to this, when the return ball blocking unit 83 takes the allowable position, the passing of the hit ball is allowed without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position, so that the hit ball does not interfere with the shooting ball. It is possible to prevent the player from being distrusted by hitting the ball at the target position, and to prevent the interest in the game from decreasing.

  After the hit ball is fired, the return ball blocking unit 83 takes the return ball blocking position, so that the game ball launched into the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the firing opening 38, and is blocked by the return ball blocking unit 83. Since the return ball can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the return ball from reducing the interest in the game.

  In the present embodiment, since the return ball blocking portion 83 is formed integrally with the ball feed member 32, the ball feed to the firing position is performed by excitation / non-excitation of one electric drive source (ball feed solenoid 31). And return ball prevention can be realized at the same time. That is, the ball feed member 32 is located on the hitting path through which a game ball fired from the firing position passes when the supply position is taken, while the ball feeding member 32 deviates from the hitting path when taking the holding position. And a frame-shaped return ball blocking portion 83 formed so that the hit ball passage opening 85 is located at the retracted position.

  When the ball feeding member 32 takes the supply position, the return ball blocking portion 83 takes the allowable position and does not interfere with the hit ball fired from the firing position. It is possible to prevent a feeling of distrust and prevent a decrease in interest in the game.

  Further, when the ball feed member 32 moves to the holding position, the return ball blocking portion 83 moves to the return ball blocking position at the same time, so that the game ball launched into the game area 8 becomes a return ball and enters the firing port 38. Can be blocked and the return ball can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the return ball from deteriorating the interest in the game.

  Further, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above has a structure in which a return ball preventing valve closing a firing port is forcibly opened with a launching ball and punched or pushed into a game area. For this reason, an electric drive source for performing the ball hitting operation is required to have a size and power corresponding to the electric drive source, and it is necessary to supply a large current to obtain the hitting force, and the power consumption is large. is there.

  On the other hand, in the upper firing device 12 of this example, when the firing hammer 30 performs a hitting operation, the return ball blocking portion 83 of the ball feeding member 32 allows the hitting ball to pass through the hitting ball (the hitting hole 85 and the hitting ball passing port 85). The launching port 38 and the launching port 38 coincide with each other on the hitting ball path) and do not interfere with the shooting ball, so that it is only necessary to provide a hitting force enough to hit the hitting ball in the game area 8. The use of an electric drive source is sufficient. Therefore, the electric drive source can be reduced in size and thickness, and the power consumption required for the drive can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the state where the firing solenoid 13 is excited for the period C from the time when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on and the hammer tip 61 penetrates through the through hole 335 of the rail portion 332 (FIG. 9). As a result, the game ball can be prevented from being stopped on the rail portion 332, and the return ball can be prevented, and the error count of the fired ball can be further ensured.

  Although the return ball blocking portion 83 of the present embodiment has a rectangular frame shape and is provided with a hit ball passage opening 85 in the center, the shape of the return ball blocking portion 83 is not limited to this. It may be flaky or rod-shaped, and need not be provided with a hit ball passage opening 85. That is, on a hitting path from the firing position to the firing port 38, an allowable position that is provided adjacent to the firing position direction of the firing port 38 and allows the passing of the hit ball without interfering with the hit ball fired from the firing position. It is only necessary to be able to move between the return ball blocking position for preventing the return ball returning from the game area 8 to the firing port 38 from entering.

  In the enclosed ball-type gaming machine according to the present embodiment described above, the ball lifting device 22 is provided at the front of the main frame 2 and behind the upper firing device 12 disposed on one side of the upper portion of the main frame 2. Mounted on the rear surface, the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 is disposed above the ball feeding device 28, and the ball lifting device 22 is located between the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and the upper portion of the upper firing device 12. A ball supply path member 24 extending in the front-rear direction for feeding the game balls pumped in the above into the ball feeder 28 from above is provided.

  With the above-described configuration, the ball supply path member 24 includes various members (movable body, power transmission mechanism for driving the movable body (for example, gear train)) attached to the rear of the game board 5, Slide rail for guiding in the direction, a drive motor as a drive source, a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the movable body, an LED board, a relay board, etc.), and the ball is provided at the rear of the gaming machine. The game balls pumped to the upper portion of the main body frame 2 by the pumping device 22 can be smoothly fed into the upper firing device 12.

  Further, since the ball supply path member does not hinder various members attached to the rear of the game board, the space formed behind the upper firing device 12 can be taken at the rear of the game board 5. Can be allocated to the arrangement space of each member.

  Further, the upper firing device 12 shown in FIG. 23 employs an electric drive source that is smaller and thinner than the conventional one for the reason described above. As shown in FIG. 23, since the electric drive source (launch solenoid 13) of the hit ball launching device can be reduced in size and thickness, the electrical drive source does not protrude behind the upper launch device 12. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a large space 57 for disposing each member attached to the rear portion of the game board 5.

  Further, the upper firing device 12 of the present embodiment is supported by the main frame 2 by the upper firing device hinge 37, and can be removed from the main frame 2 when the fixing tool 49 is removed and rotated (FIG. 12). It is easy to attach / detach to / from the body frame.

  In this case, when the upper firing device 12 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2, even if the game balls remain in the ball sending gutter 23, the ball sending gutters 23 are prevented from spilling. And a spill-ball preventing means for blocking the above-mentioned game ball supply passage by the lifting communication passage gutter 65.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the spilled ball preventing means (ball exit opening / closing unit) will be described. FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the ball outlet opening / closing unit, and FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of the ball outlet opening / closing unit. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the upper firing unit and the ball outlet opening / closing unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 23, the ball supply path member 24 is formed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22, and sends the lifted game balls forward from above to a ball delivery gutter 23, and an upper firing unit. 12 and a lifting communication gutter 65 connected to the ball discharge gutter 23, and the inside is a game ball supply passage as described above. When the upper firing unit 12 is fixed to the main body frame 2, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 is opened, so that the ball outlet 58 and the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the lifting communication gutter 65 are connected. The game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66 through communication.

  The ball feeding device of the upper firing device 12 includes an opening / closing operation piece 426 for operating the opening / closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 on the right side of the ball feeding unit cover (FIG. 27). When the upper firing device 12 is mounted from the front for fixing to the main body frame 2, the opening / closing operation piece 426 comes into contact with the spherical contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 in the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410, The opening / closing shutter 412 is opened by rotating the opening / closing crank 413 to open the game ball supply passage.

[Ball exit opening and closing unit]
The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 in the main body frame 2 of the present embodiment is mounted on a mounting member 407 mounted on the lower surface of the ball discharge gutter 23 of the ball lifting device 22, and the upper firing is performed on the main body frame 2. When the device 12 is opened, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 is closed to block the game ball supply passage, and the ball from the ball lifting device 22 to the upper firing device 12 is closed. The flow of the game ball to the feed device 28 can be cut off.

  The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a shutter base 411 mounted on a vertically hanging wall 408 of the mounting member 407, a plate-shaped opening / closing shutter 412 held by the shutter base 411 in a vertically slidable manner, An opening / closing crank 413 for sliding the shutter 412 in the vertical direction, and an opening / closing spring 414 for urging the opening / closing shutter 412 upward through the opening / closing crank 413 are provided.

  The shutter base 411 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a pair of vertically extending slide grooves 415 for holding the opening / closing shutter 412 slidably in the up / down direction so as to protrude above the upper end of the shutter base 411, A rectangular opening 416 penetrating in the front-rear direction between the pair of slide grooves 415, and a crank disposed on the front surface of the left end portion in front view so as to rotatably support the open / close crank 413 about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. A support portion 417 and a spring locking portion 418 for locking one end (upper end) of the opening / closing spring 414 are provided. The crank support portion 417 of the shutter base 411 is disposed on the left side of the opening 416 when viewed from the front, and the spring locking portion 418 is disposed near the upper left of the center in the left-right direction in the front view.

  Further, the opening / closing shutter 412 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 has a flat shutter body 419 and a pair of sliding protrusions (not shown) that project from the front surface of the shutter body 419 and slide in the slide grooves 415 of the shutter base 411. ), And a horizontally long rectangular drive hole 420 that is disposed between the pair of sliding protrusions and faces the opening 416 of the shutter base 411 and penetrates in the front-rear direction.

  The opening / closing crank 413 of the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 includes a shaft portion 421 supported rotatably around an axis extending in the front-rear direction by a crank supporting portion 417 of the shutter base 411, and a right side outer periphery of the shaft portion 421 in a front view to the right. A driving rod 422 extending outward and having a distal end extending to near the center in the left-right direction of the opening 416, and protruding rearward from the distal end of the driving rod 422 and slidably inserted into a driving hole 412 b of the opening / closing shutter 412. A drive pin 423, a contact portion 424 extending downward from the lower outer periphery of the shaft portion 421 in a front view and having a spherical tip, and a drive pin 422 formed on the upper surface in the middle of the drive rod 422, and the other end of the open / close spring 414. (A lower end).

  The ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 is inserted into the driving pin 423 at the same time as the driving pin 423 of the opening / closing crank 413 is rotated in the vertical direction in an arc by rotating the opening / closing crank 413 about an axis extending in the front-back direction. The opening / closing shutter 412 slides up and down via the driving hole 420.

  When the upper firing device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 contacts the opening / closing operation piece 426 of the upper firing device 12, and the contact portion 424 The rotation of the drive pin 424 in the clockwise direction in the front view against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 414 causes the drive pin 423 to rotate in the clockwise direction in the front view together with the contact portion 424. The opening / closing shutter 412 is lowered to open the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball sending gutter 23. That is, the ball outlet 58 is communicated with the ball inlet 66 at the rear end of the lifting communication passage 65 so that game balls can be supplied from the ball outlet 58 to the ball inlet 66.

  When the upper firing device 12 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2 from this state, the contact between the contact portion 424 of the opening / closing crank 413 and the opening / closing operation piece 426 of the upper firing device 12 is released, and the opening / closing crank 413 is opened and closed. At the same time as rotating counterclockwise in front view by the urging force of 414, the opening / closing shutter 412 is raised to close the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 (FIG. 27). ).

  In this manner, the ball outlet 58 at the front end of the ball discharge gutter 23 in the ball lifting device 22 can be automatically opened and closed by the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 according to the attachment / detachment of the upper firing device 12 to / from the main body frame 2. Even if the upper firing device 12 is opened with the game balls remaining in the ball discharge gutter 23, it is possible to prevent the game balls from spilling from the ball outlet 58.

  Here, at a point where the ball outlet 58 of the ball discharge gutter 23 and the ball inlet 66 of the lifting communication gutter 65 are connected, as schematically shown in FIG. 103, the width (d1) of the ball outlet 58 As shown in the drawing, the ball outlet 58 is cylindrical, the ball inlet 66 is funnel-shaped, and the ball is delivered so that the width (d2) of the ball inlet 66 is sufficiently large and the ball inlet 66 swallows the ball outlet 58. It is preferable to arrange so that the side of the gutter 23 is high and the side of the discharge communication gutter 65 is low. The game ball sent up by the ball lifting device 22 passes through the ball discharge gutter 23 and moves smoothly to the lifting communication gutter 65 side.

Since the step at the boundary between the ball exit 58 and the ball entrance 66 is lower on the side where the inclination of the game ball supply path is lower, the step does not hinder the movement of the game ball. Although the configuration is simple, when the upper firing device 12 is attached to the main body frame 2 again after inspection or the like, the connection between the ball discharge gutter 23 and the lifting communication gutter 65 can be ensured.
The point where the ball outlet 58 of the ball discharge gutter 23 is connected to the ball inlet 66 of the lifting communication gutter 65 is taken as an example, but this structure is used to connect the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 to the sphere collecting part 21. The present invention can be applied to connection points where game balls pass widely, such as connection parts and a connection point between the ball collecting unit 21 and the ball lifting device 22, thereby simplifying the work at the time of assembling parts.

  At this time, the floor surface 65b of the discharge communication gutter 65 and the floor surface 23g of the ball discharge gutter 23 are both inclined toward the launching device 28 (FIG. 6), and as shown in FIG. The surface 65b is lower than the floor surface 23g, and at the end that becomes the ball outlet 58, the floor surface 23g of the ball discharge gutter 23 is formed to be inclined or arcuate in cross section toward the floor surface 65b. For this reason, when the slide shutter 23c is opened and the ball outlet 58 and the ball inlet 66 communicate with each other, the game balls of the ball delivery gutter 23 communicate with the lifting balls as shown in FIGS. 104 (a), (b) and (c). It moves to the gutter 65 smoothly.

  Further, the ball inlet 66 of the lifting communication passage gutter 65 is formed to be larger than the ball outlet 58 of the ball sending gutter 23, and when the game board 5 is mounted on the main body frame 2, the ball inlet 66 is formed with respect to the ball outlet 58. Even if the ball entrance 66 is slightly displaced in the left-right direction or the up-down direction, the game balls can be reliably transferred. The extent to which the ball inlet 66 is formed larger than the ball outlet 58 is preferably such that the gap created when the ball inlet 66 and the ball outlet 58 communicate with each other is smaller than the diameter of the game ball.

[Deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit]
FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the magnetic ball discharge unit cover separated and turned upside down in FIG. FIG. 30 is a plan view of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 31 is a rear view of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a base plate of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 33 is a view for explaining the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit separated into a deformed sphere discharging unit and a magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a path through which the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere are discharged in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a situation where the magnetic sphere is separated from the circulation path and discharged. FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the magnetic sphere reaches the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 has a deformed sphere discharging function and a magnetic sphere discharging function. The deformed sphere is a spherical object such as a bearing having a smaller diameter than a regular game sphere. The deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is a transparent resin molded product, is disposed in the lower part of the game machine main body (deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit accommodation portion 19), and has a front plate (not shown) on the front side and a rear side. The side is covered with a rear plate (ball trough base 201). In the upper part, there are out balls that have flowed down without winning any of the various winning ports (special variable winning device, general winning port, ordinary variable winning device) and safe balls that have flowed into the various winning ports and have flowed down the safe ball discharge path. Is provided with a collection port 202 for collecting game balls. The out ball flows into the recovery port 202 via the out port 42 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). The safe ball flows into the collection port 202 via the winning port 41 (see FIG. 5).

  A circulation path in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 communicating with the collection port 202 is formed by meandering left and right in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 and folding up and down. The apparatus includes a detection switch 203, a deformed sphere discharge unit 204, a magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, a full ball path detection switch 206, and a proper ball quantity detection switch 207. The game balls that have flowed into the recovery port 202 move in a line along the circulation path in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 to reach the ball collecting part 21 connected to the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20. However, the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere are separated from the circulation path of the regular game balls in the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 and discharged out of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 so as not to move to the ball collecting unit 21. You.

  Next, the movement of the game balls collected in the collection port 202 in the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 will be described step by step. The number of game balls collected in the collecting port 202 is counted one by one by the collected ball detection switch 203. The game ball that has passed through the collected ball detection switch 203 reaches a deformed ball discharging unit 204. When the difference between the number of game balls detected by the recovered ball detection switch 203 and the shooting ball detection unit increases, it is possible to detect that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

  The deformed sphere discharge unit 204 includes a deformed sphere discharge unit base 208 fixed to a deformed sphere discharge unit base mounting unit 212 provided on the ball trough base 201, and two fixed sphere discharge unit bases 208 fixed to the deformed sphere discharge unit base 208. It is composed of deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the deformed sphere discharge base mounting portion 212 is a rectangular opening provided in the ball trough base 201. As shown in FIG. 28, the deformed sphere discharging portion base mounting portion 212 is provided to be inclined to the ball receiving gutter base 201 such that the side on the collection port 202 side is higher. As a result, the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 are arranged at an angle, so that the game balls can move from the upstream side 213 (see FIG. 30) to the downstream side 214.

  FIG. 33 is a view for explaining the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit separated into a deformed sphere discharging unit and a magnetic sphere discharging unit. FIG. 33A shows the deformed sphere discharging section 204. FIG. 33B shows the magnetic sphere discharging unit 205.

  The deformed sphere discharging unit 204 uses the difference in diameter between the legitimate game ball and the illegal ball to exclude a fraudulent ball having a diameter smaller than the legitimate game ball from the circulation path in the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20. . As shown in FIG. 30, the deformed sphere discharge unit 204 includes two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 having a circular cross section arranged in parallel from the upstream side 213 to the downstream side 214 of the circulation path. In order to exclude a deformed sphere, that is, an inactive sphere having a smaller diameter than a regular game sphere, from the circulation path in which the regular game sphere circulates, the gap distance between the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 increases in the upstream side 213. The deformed sphere separation shaft is formed so as to be smaller than the diameter of the regular game sphere and wider on the downstream side 214 than the diameter of the regular game sphere, that is, so that the distance between the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210 gradually increases. 209 and 210 are fixed to the deformed sphere discharging portion base 208.

  The game balls flowing down one by one to the deformed sphere discharge unit 204 via the collecting port 202 and the collected ball detection switch 203 flow down while rolling over the two deformed sphere separation shafts 209 and 210. I do. On the upstream side, the gap distance between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 is smaller than the diameter of the regular game balls, so that the regular game balls do not fall from between the deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210.

  On the other hand, an irregular ball, which is a deformed ball having a smaller diameter than a regular game ball, falls from between the two deformed ball separating shafts 209 and 210. The dropped deformed sphere is discharged from the deformed sphere discharge port 216 to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 via the deformed sphere discharge path 215 as shown in FIG. The modified sphere discharge path 215 is formed by a modified sphere discharge path forming member 217 attached to the front side of the ball receiving gutter base 201 and below the modified sphere discharge section base 208. Note that the deformed ball discharge path forming member 217 is also provided integrally with a communication path 218 for guiding a ball having the same diameter as a regular game ball to the magnetic ball discharge unit 205.

  A regular-sized game ball that rolls down and flows down the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 falls from the space between the two deformed ball separation shafts 209 and 210 on the downstream side 214 and passes through the communication path 218. After that, it reaches a circulation path 219 formed in the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205.

  The magnetic ball discharge unit 205 is fixed to the ball trough base 201 as shown in FIG. FIG. 33 shows a state in which the magnetic ball discharge unit 205 is removed from the ball trough base 201. An inclined surface 220 connected to the communication path 218 is formed in the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, and a falling surface 221 that descends sharply is connected downstream of the inclined surface 220, and a portion where the inclined surface 220 is extended is provided at a location where the inclined surface 220 is extended. , A magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222 is formed. A gap between the discontinuous portions 223 is provided so that the inclined surface 220 and the magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222 are not continuous. In the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, at least one of the side wall 224 and the ceiling wall 225 has a magnet attached to at least one of the front surface, the rear surface, and the inside thereof.

  FIG. 35 shows an example in which a magnet 229 is mounted in the magnet housing space 230 on the back surface of the ceiling wall 225. The magnet accommodating space 230 is formed as a rectangular space arranged along the back surface of the ceiling wall 225. The magnet 229 is a plate-like magnet, and is a permanent magnet having one side having an N pole or S pole and the other side having an S pole or N pole. The magnetic force of the magnet is not so strong that the game ball (magnetic ball 232) made of a magnetic material is attracted and the rolling is hindered. Instead, it is only necessary that it can reach the magnetic ball discharge inclined surface 222. The attached magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

  The regular game ball 233 flowing from the connecting path 218 rolls down the inclined surface 220 and flows down while rolling down the falling surface 221 from the inclined surface 220. The non-magnetic regular game ball 233 falls down the discontinuous portion 223 and passes through the circulation path 219 to reach the ball collecting section 21 connected to the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20.

  On the other hand, the illegal sphere (magnetic sphere 232) made of a magnetic material sticks to the inner wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 by the attraction of the magnet 229 accommodated in the magnet accommodation space 230, and moves the circulation path 219 upstream of the inclined surface 220. It flows down while rolling by the action of gravity from the side to the downstream side. Then, as shown in FIG. 35, the magnetic sphere 232 does not fall from the discontinuous portion 223 and reaches the region of the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 (see FIG. 28) as shown in FIG. The illegal sphere made of a magnetic material that has reached the region of the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 is discharged from the magnetic sphere discharge port 227 to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 via the magnetic sphere discharge path 226 (see FIG. 34). ).

  The portion of the ceiling wall 225 above the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222 is configured as a magnetic force adjusting unit 231. The magnetic force adjusting section 231 is formed such that the distance between the magnet housing space 230 and the magnetic sphere discharge path 226 increases as it goes downstream of the magnetic sphere discharge path 226. In FIG. 35, the magnetic ball discharge path 226 has a curved portion, and this curved portion functions as the magnetic force adjusting unit 231. As a result, the distance between the magnetic sphere 232 and the magnet 229 becomes longer toward the downstream of the magnetic sphere discharge path 226. Then, the magnetic force (attraction) of the magnet 229 acting on the magnetic sphere 232 gradually decreases. For this reason, the magnetic sphere 232 sticking to the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and moving in the downstream direction separates from the wall surface of the ceiling wall 225 and falls on the magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 222. Then, it is discharged from the magnetic ball discharge port 227 via the magnetic ball discharge path 226.

  The deformed sphere and the irregular magnetic sphere are discharged to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 from the deformed sphere discharge port 216 and the magnetic sphere discharge port 227, respectively (FIG. 34). The deformed sphere or magnetic sphere discharged from the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 is collected in the discharged sphere receiving box 234 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). In this way, using the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20, the irregular sphere composed of the deformed sphere and the magnetic material can be eliminated from the circulation path 219 of the regular game sphere. In the present embodiment, the configuration can be simplified by using gravity to discharge the deformed sphere and the magnetic sphere to the outside of the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20. The deformed sphere discharge path 215 is arranged along the side surface of the magnetic sphere discharge unit 205, and the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 can be configured compactly.

  The deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging unit 20 can eliminate irregular balls made of deformed spheres or magnetic materials from the circulation path 219 of regular game balls without stopping the game, thereby reducing the interest of the player. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the chance that employees of the gaming hall are called to each gaming machine for processing illegal balls and deal with malfunctions of the gaming machine. Note that the deformed sphere discharging unit 204 and the magnetic sphere discharging unit 205 may be configured independently. In other words, when discharging the deformed ball by another component in the gaming machine, the magnetic ball discharging unit 205 may be configured alone.

  And one embodiment of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine of the present invention, a game board in which a game area is sectioned and formed, a main body frame in which the game board is fitted and accommodated, and an upper part of the main body frame, A hitting ball firing device that shoots a game ball toward the game area, and a game ball fired by the hitting ball firing device is collected as an enclosed ball on the back side of the game board, an illegal ball is eliminated, and the hitting ball firing device is again used. In order to supply the encapsulating spheres, the circulating path including the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharging means and the enclosing spheres arranged and stored in an arranging passage formed in a part of the circulating path based on the driving of the electric drive source A ball feeder that feeds the ball to the firing position of the hitting ball firing device, a main control board that performs a game control process related to a pachinko game, and a bidirectional data communication with the main control board, the game control process being performed. In the said mastery Prize ball command transmitted from the board, the increase and decrease control of the number of holding balls based on the ball number information of the shooting ball fired by the hitting ball firing device, launch control of the game ball by the hitting ball firing device, the ball A ball information control board for performing feeding control of the game balls to the firing position by the feeding device, and performing a game by circulating a predetermined number of game balls in a closed manner without paying out the game balls. Wherein the hitting ball launching device performs a hitting ball operation based on driving of a firing rail for stopping a game ball at the firing position and an electric drive source, and is stopped at the firing position. A launching member for launching a game ball, and a launching ball confirming means for detecting a playing ball parked at the launching position, wherein the ball information control board is provided for a predetermined time period. Launch ball confirmation hand When a game ball parked at the launch position is detected, a launching ball detection determining unit that determines that there is a launching ball, and on the condition that the launching ball detection determining unit determines that there is a launching ball, When the game ball is not detected by the launch ball confirmation means, it is determined that the game ball parked at the launch position has been fired, and the held ball number subtraction means for reducing the held ball number by one is provided. You.

  According to the above-described embodiment, for a predetermined time period, when a game ball stopped at the launch position is detected by the launch ball confirmation unit, a launch ball detection determination unit that determines that there is a launch ball, On the condition that the launching ball detection determining means determines that there is a launching ball, if no launching ball is detected by the launching ball confirmation means, it is determined that the playing ball parked at the launching position has been launched, and the number of held balls is determined. Is reduced by one, so that if noise enters the launching ball confirmation means, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous launching ball count due to the noise, to increase the certainty in the detection of the launching ball, and to improve the odd-shaped ball. And magnetic balls can be excluded from the circulation path through which regular game balls circulate.

[Spherical assembly 21]
37 is a front left perspective view of the ball collecting unit and the ball lifting device, FIG. 38 is a front view of the ball collecting unit and the ball lifting device, and FIG. 39 is a state where the ball polishing cartridge in the ball collecting unit is removed. FIG. Also, FIG. 40 is a rear perspective view showing a state of a ball collecting part and a cover of the ball lifting device removed, and FIG. 41 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the ball collecting part in FIG. FIG. 43 is a further enlarged view of FIG. 41, and FIG. 43 is a plan view of the sphere collecting part with the case removed.

  The ball collecting section 21 (FIG. 41) has a ball feed passage 275, a ball polishing cartridge 251, a ball polishing cartridge mounting section 273 (FIG. 39), and a lifting inlet switch 156. The ball feed passage 275 has a groove structure having walls on both sides arranged at a lower portion of the whole ball collecting portion 21, and a ball receiving port 275 a connected to a ball outlet (not shown) of the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20. It has a ball feed port 275b that opens to a ball feed rotating body 350 (described later) (FIGS. 41, 42, and 43).

  The ball polishing cartridge mounting section 273 is an opening provided in the ball collecting section 21 for attaching and detaching a ball polishing cartridge 251 described later (FIG. 39). The ball polishing cartridge 251 can be attached to and detached from the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 from the front side of the gaming machine. A ball polishing cloth 263 is provided on a portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing a ball lifting device 22 described later. (FIG. 41). The lifting entrance switch 156 is provided outside one wall constituting the ball feeding passage 275, and detects the presence or absence of a game ball passing through the ball feeding passage 275 (FIG. 41).

[Ball lifting device 22]
FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view showing a state where the upper gear box and the lower gear box are removed. FIG. 45 is a right side view showing a state where the cover of the ball lifting device is removed, and FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of a portion (A) in FIG. FIG. 47 is a view showing a state in which the screw is disassembled, FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing an upper portion of the ball lifting device, and FIG. 49 is a view showing a fitted state and a non-fitted state of the screw and the fitting member. FIG.

  The ball lifting device 22 includes a screw 25 (FIG. 40), a ball lifting motor 150 (FIGS. 38 and 48), a lifting guide rail 282 (FIGS. 40 and 44), and an upper gear box 356 (FIG. 37). 40, a lower gear box 357 (FIGS. 37 and 40), a ball feed rotating body 350 (FIG. 40), a ball feed inclined portion 351 (FIGS. 40 and 41), and a lifting portion cover 353 (FIG. 40). 37), a spiral base cover 352 (FIG. 37), a lifting slope member 354 (FIG. 46), and a ball discharge gutter 23 (FIGS. 44, 46, and 48).

The spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are cover members 368 arranged so as to surround the screw 25, and are formed of a transparent resin (acrylic resin). In the spiral base cover 352, an opening 281 is provided obliquely in a portion of the ball collecting portion 21 opposed to the ball polishing cartridge 251 (FIG. 39).
In addition, a projection is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 368 to install the lower surface of an upper gear box 356 described later (FIG. 69).

  The screw 25 is disposed vertically from the base to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 inside the rectangular tubular cover member 368. The cover member 368 is disposed so as to surround the screw 25 by assembling the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353. The screw 25 is composed of a screw shaft 25a, two small pitch ridge members 25b positioned vertically, and four large pitch ridge members 25c positioned at the center (FIG. 45). . These are fitted on the screw shaft 25a.

  The small pitch ridge member 25b includes a cylindrical portion 25e and a spiral ridge 25d (FIG. 45). As shown in FIG. 47, the small pitch ridge member 25b is obtained by assembling a half body 25bR and a half body 25bL that are entirely divided into two by a vertical plane including the screw shaft 25a with the screw shaft 25a interposed therebetween. It is one. A pair of a concave portion 25g and a convex portion 25h for assembling the half portions 25bR and 25bL on both sides are formed vertically on the cut surface of the cylindrical portion 25e which is divided in half. it can.

  The upper edge 25i of the half body 25bR, 25bL is formed with an upper edge recess 25j that is open upward, and the lower edge 25k is formed with a lower edge protrusion 25m that projects downward. The upper edge concave portion 25j and the lower edge convex portion 25m are for connecting the small pitch ridge member 25b and the large pitch ridge member 25c in the vertical direction and transmitting rotation to each other.

  The same applies to the large pitch ridge member 25c, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description is omitted, but the pitch of the spiral ridge 25d is larger than that of the small pitch ridge member 25b. The pitch of the continuous portion of the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b and the spiral ridge 25d of the large pitch ridge member 25c changes, but is smoothly continued. The large pitch ridge member 25c includes a half-split body 25cR and a half-split body 25cL.

  The pitch is the interval between the spiral ridges 25d along a straight line. The pitch of the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b is smaller than the spiral ridge 25d of the large pitch ridge member 25c. For example, the pitch of the small pitch ridge member 25b is 25 mm, and the pitch of the large pitch ridge member 25c is 43.2 mm.

  The screw shaft 25a shown in FIG. 47 is a rotating shaft of the screw 25. As shown in FIG. 44, the upper lifting gear 360 (spur gear) is fixed to the upper end and the lower lifting gear 362 ( Spur gear) is fixed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 49, the small pitch ridge member 25b at the lower portion of the screw 25 has a lower edge convex portion 25m and a fitting concave portion 366a of a fitting member 366 formed integrally with the lower lifting gear 362. It is fitted using the concave and convex fitting, and is driven and rotated integrally with the screw shaft 25a and the lower lifting gear 362.

  The ball lifting motor 150 is a motor that drives the screw 25, and is attached to the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 of the ball lifting device 22 (FIGS. 38 and 48).

  The upper gear box 356 is disposed at the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 and houses and supports the ball lifting motor gear 358, the idle gear 359, and the upper lifting gear 360 (FIGS. 40 and 44). . The ball lifting motor gear 358 is fixed to the drive shaft of the ball lifting motor 150 and meshes with the idle gear 359. The idle gear 359 is a two-stage gear formed by integrating an upper gear having a large number of teeth and a lower gear having a small number of teeth on the lower surface thereof. The idle gear 359 meshes with the ball lifting motor gear 358 by the upper gear. It is in mesh with the upper lifting gear 360. These gears are spur gears and the upper gearbox has a reduced vertical dimension. The upper lifting gear 360 is fixed to the upper end of the screw shaft 25a. With these gear configurations, the screw 25 is driven and rotated by the ball lifting motor 150.

  The lower gear box 357 is disposed from the lower end of the ball lifting device 22 to the lower end of the ball collecting unit 21, and houses and supports the lower lifting gear 362 and the ball feed rotating gear 363 (FIG. 44). The lower lifting gear 362 is fixed to the lower end of the screw shaft 25a, and meshes with the ball-feed rotating body gear 363. The gear ratio between the ball feed rotating body gear 363 and the lower lifting gear 362 is 2: 1.

  The ball feed rotator 350 is fixed to the gear shaft 363 a of the ball feed rotator gear 363, and the ball feed rotator 350 is driven and rotated by the ball feed rotator gear 363. The ball feed rotator 350 is disposed corresponding to the ball feed port 275b of the ball feed passage 275 in the ball collecting part 21 and is a low columnar member. A ball engaging recess 350a for accommodating a ball is provided. The ball engaging recess 350a has a depth that accommodates about half of a game ball (FIG. 43).

  The ball feeding inclined portion 351 (FIG. 42) is a member formed around the ball feeding rotating body 350 and having a slope for lifting a game ball. The range in which the ball feed inclined portion 351 exists is such that the ball feed rotator 350 screwes the game ball from the position of the ball feed port 275b which is the ball feed rotator side exit of the ball feed passage 275 with respect to the rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 350. 25 to the delivery position.

  The ball feeding inclined portion 351 has an arc shape along the outer circumference of the ball feeding rotating body 350 from the ball feeding port 275b to the delivery position as described above, and also moves upward 7 mm (about 5 to 8 mm) from the position of the ball feeding port 275b. ) An inclined surface 351a that rises to a high transfer position, and a top inclined portion 351b that projects from the top toward the screw 25 and that slopes downward. The width of the inclined surface 351a is 4 mm (about 3 to 5 mm), and the top inclined surface 351b is formed in a range larger than the diameter of the game ball before and after the transfer position in the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotary body 350.

  The positional relationship between the ball feed rotator 350 and the screw 25 in a plan view is a positional relationship in which a game ball dropped from the top inclined surface 351b can be received between the pitches of the spiral ridge 25d. Note that a cover member 368 (not shown) is arranged along the outer periphery of the ball-feeding inclined portion 351 up to the vicinity of the delivery position, and prevents a game ball from dropping from the inclined surface 351a.

  A guide block 365 (FIGS. 42 and 43) is disposed on the upper surface of the lower gear box 357 near the lower front side of the screw 25. The guide block 365 has an arc-shaped spherical guide surface near the spiral ridge 25d of the screw 25, 365a, and a stopper surface 365b following the spherical guide surface. The spherical guide surface 365a is formed from the vicinity of the top inclined surface 351b to the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352, and the tip is a stopper surface 365b (FIG. 43).

Two lifting guide rails 282 are arranged in parallel with and adjacent to the screw 25, and have a role of a guide for guiding a game ball lifted by the screw 25 linearly upward, and have a diameter of about 5 mm. Is a round bar-shaped guide member. The lifting guide rail 282 is located on a side substantially opposite to the ball feeding rotating body 350 with respect to the rotation direction of the screw 25, and is located at a position corresponding to the upper end of an opening 281 (FIG. 39) provided obliquely in the spiral base cover 352. The upper gear box 356 is arranged vertically upward, and the upper end is fixed to the lower surface of the upper gear box 356. The interval between two adjacent lifting guide rails 282 is a width (5 to 8 mm inside the lifting guide rail 282) through which a game ball (diameter 11 mm) cannot pass.
Further, when the game balls are lifted, they are lifted while being in contact with the guide rails 282. Therefore, the lift guide rails 282 have a low coefficient of friction and guide the game balls from the game balls generated by the rotation of the screw 25. It is assumed that it has such a rigidity that it is not deformed by the pressing force on the rail 282. It is preferable to use stainless steel as a material.

The support member 367 is a cushion member that prevents deformation of the lifting guide rail 282 and absorbs vibration transmitted between the game ball and the lifting guide rail 282 and to the upper firing device 12. 282 in a proper position, and has a thickness enough to enter between the cover member 368 composed of the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. The plate-like block member has a flat surface on the side in contact with the cover member 368, and has a concave portion on the side supporting the lifting guide rail 282.
The lifting guide rail 282 has such a rigidity that it is not deformed by the pressing force from the game ball to the guide rail 282 generated by the rotation of the screw 25, but the pressing force from the game ball is applied over a long period of time. Then, the lifting guide rail 282 is gradually deformed in the pressing direction, and there is a possibility that the game ball may deviate from the guidance by the lifting guide rail 282, so that the deformation is restricted.

Furthermore, since a design is made with a clearance in a portion where game balls pass, such as the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, vibration generated by driving the ball lifting motor 150 is generated by the screw. 25 and the lifting guide rail 282, which may cause abnormal noise between the lifting guide rail 282 and the game ball. Further, the lifting device 22 includes a cover member 368 with the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282. Is enclosed, when an abnormal noise is generated in the lifting device 22, the sound resonates and becomes loud. However, by arranging the support member 367, vibration generated in the gaming machine can be absorbed, and generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed.
The number of the support members 367 is arranged between the cover member 368 and the lifting guide rail 282 such that the deformation of the guide rail 282 can be restricted and an abnormal noise due to vibration does not occur.

  The lifting slope member 354 shown in FIG. 46 is a block member having a slope formed on the lower surface of the upper gear box 356 facing the upper end of the screw 25, and the slope intersects the path along which the game ball is fed up. The game ball, which is vertically arranged by the screw 25, is turned in the horizontal direction, and is guided to the ball discharge gutter 23.

  The ball discharge gutter 23 is provided at the upper end of the spiral base cover 352 and is a passage having an inclination for sending game balls guided from the lifting slope member 354 to the upper firing device 12. Further, a ball removing member 355 for discharging a game ball inside the gaming machine to the outside of the gaming machine is provided on a side surface of the ball sending gutter 23 (FIGS. 44 and 48). The ball removing member 355 is a detachable lid member, and can be removed from the side wall of the ball delivery gutter 23 by operating a lower knob to open an opening provided in the side wall. The ball discharge gutter 23 has a sloping portion, and a ball removing member 355 is disposed on a wall on the tip side of the sloping portion (FIG. 44).

  Further, a launch ball standby ball detection switch 26 for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball is arranged on the outer surface of the ball sending gutter 23 (FIG. 45). When the standby ball detection switch 26 does not detect a game ball, the screw 25 is driven and new game balls are supplied from the ball lifting device 22 to the upper firing device 12 one by one.

[Operation of ball collecting unit 21 and ball lifting device 22]
The game sphere sent from the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 which forms a part of the circulation path passes through the sphere feed passage 275 of the sphere collecting part 21 and is sent to the sphere feed rotator 350 in the ball lifting device 22. Can be On the other hand, the driving of the ball lifting motor 150 causes the screw 25 to rotate via the gear trains 358, 359, 360, and the ball feed rotary body 350 to rotate via the screw shaft 25a and the lower gear trains 362, 363. Since the gear ratio between the lower lifting gear 362 and the ball feed rotator gear 363 is 2: 1, two rotations of the screw 25 rotate the ball feed rotator 350 once. The ball feed rotator 350 receives game balls one by one from the ball feed passage 275 into the ball engaging recess 350a and rotates counterclockwise (FIG. 43).

Thereafter, the game ball is engaged with the ball engaging concave portion 350a by the rotation of the ball feed rotating body 350 and moves, and the other outer half moves along the inclined surface 351a of the ball feed inclined portion 351. 351b. Since the top slope 351b is inclined downward, the game ball is fed from that position into the spiral ridge 25d of the small pitch ridge member 25b. At this time, the game balls fed from the slightly inclined top inclined surface 351b have a large interval with the subsequent game balls and are surely separated one by one.
In addition, in order to carry out the feeding of the game balls in a stable manner, it is conceivable that the end of the top inclined surface 351b and the delivery position of the game balls of the small pitch ridge member 25b are made substantially the same height.
Further, when sending game balls from the top inclined surface 351b to the small pitch ridge member 25d, the configuration is not limited to using the downward inclination, and for example, a configuration in which the game balls are guided to the small pitch ridge member 25d using rails may be used. .
Also, when the step between the end of the inclined surface 351a and the small pitch ridge member 25d below the screw 25 that receives the game ball is small, the game ball may be directly dropped from the inclined surface 351a to the small pitch ridge member 25d. It is possible.

Next, the game ball moves along the ball guide surface 365a of the guide block 365 with the rotation of the small pitch ridge member 25b and collides with the stopper surface 365b. During this time, the game ball rises with the rotation of the screw 25 and reaches the lower end of the opening 281 provided in the spiral base cover 352. In this case, as described above, the ball feed rotating body 350 has the ball engaging recesses 350a every 180 degrees, and rotates at a half speed with respect to the screw 25, so that one ball every half rotation Game balls are supplied to the screw 25. Since one-half turn of the ball feed rotator is equivalent to one pitch of the small pitch ridge member 25b, the game ball fed from the ball feed rotator 350 always moves one ball between the pitches of the small pitch ridge member 25b. It is sent one by one and continuously. (FIG. 41).
That is, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being linked together in the ball lifting device 22.

  The opening 281 is in contact with the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251. That is, as the game balls are lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22, the game balls are rubbed against the ball polishing cloth 263 through the openings 281 to perform cleaning and ball polishing of the game balls (FIG. 39). And the area of the ball polishing cloth 263 can be effectively utilized by being guided obliquely upward.

After passing through the opening 281, the game ball is lifted to the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 with the rotation of the screw 25, and at this time, the game ball is moved to the lifting guide rail 282 arranged in parallel. It is guided and moves in a straight line. The guide rail 282 permits the vertical movement of the game ball lifted by the screw 25 and restricts the movement in the left and right direction. During this time, the lifting of the game ball is performed so that the movement of the game ball is relatively slow due to the small pitch at the small pitch ridge member 25a at the lower portion so that the ball receiving from the ball feed rotating body 350 is not hindered. I have. Also, the small pitch at the upper small pitch ridge member 25b makes the movement of the game ball relatively slow due to the small pitch, so that there is no problem in sending the ball to the upper firing device 12.
On the other hand, in the middle portion of the screw 25, there is no particular problem even if the lifting speed of the game ball is increased. The number of game balls circulated in the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced. Further, this can reduce the load due to the weight of the game ball applied to the screw 25 (FIG. 45).
In addition, the term “lifting” in the present embodiment is used to mean that game balls are continuously carried from the lower part to the upper part of the gaming machine.

The game ball reaching the upper end of the ball lifting device 22 contacts the slope of the lifting slope member 354 from below, so that the moving direction of the game ball lifted by the screw 25 changes from the vertical direction to the substantially horizontal direction. The ball is turned, and the game ball is smoothly fed from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball sending gutter 23. The game balls sent into the ball sending gutter 23 roll on the gentle slope of the ball sending gutter 23 and are sent to the upper firing device 12 (FIG. 46).
In this case, when the lifted game balls come into contact with the slope portion of the lifting slope member 354, the game balls are released from the guide of the lifting guide rail 282 and naturally flow down to the floor surface of the ball discharge gutter 23. Thus, it is possible to smoothly feed the guide rail 282 and the screw 25 without applying a spherical pressure.

  When it is necessary to take out the circulating game balls from the game machine at the time of maintenance or the like, the ball can be easily discharged to the outside of the game machine by operating the ball removing member 355 provided on the outer surface of the ball delivery gutter 23 ( 37 and 48).

  In the present embodiment, the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 are made of a transparent resin (acrylic resin). By using such a transparent resin, the state inside the ball lifting device 22 can be improved. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 may be made of an opaque resin, metal, or the like.

  Further, the small pitch ridge member 25b and the large pitch ridge member 25c are configured to be joined in a half-split manner, but may be a cylindrical member integrally formed from the beginning. Further, if the molding technique of the synthetic resin is fully utilized, the entire screw 25 except for the screw shaft 25a can be integrally molded.

  In addition, the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 are made of a material having good slip and having such a rigidity that the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 are not deformed by the pressing force from the game ball to the lifting guide rail 282 generated by the rotation of the screw 25. Preferably, a metal such as aluminum or a synthetic resin may be used. In addition, it is conceivable that the spiral ridge 25d uses a hardened silicon material or the like at least in a portion for receiving the game ball from the ball feed rotating body 350. Thereby, it is possible to absorb an impact generated when the game ball falls on the spiral ridge 25d.

  The lifting guide rail 282 in the present embodiment guides the game ball vertically by two rails, but is not limited to the two rails. For example, one lifting guide rail 282 is used and another is used. One of the guides may be configured to extend the inner wall of the cover member 368 so as to be adjacent to the lifting guide rail 282 and to guide the game ball.

  Further, the support member 367 is disposed between the cover member 368 composed of the spiral base cover 352 and the lifting section cover 353 and the lifting guide rail 282. The support member 367 may be disposed so as to cover not only the member 368 but also both ends of the lifting guide rail 282 as shown in FIG. 70, for example. Thereby, the player operates the vibration generated by the operation of an electric drive source such as a movable accessory (not shown) or a motor arranged on the game board, and the touch panel unit 14 arranged on the door frame 3. Various vibrations that occur in the gaming machine, such as vibrations due to the shocks that occur when the game is played, are absorbed, so that the game balls may not be able to be lifted off the guide rail guide, or the launch of the game balls may be Instability can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the game balls are sent out one by one at a pitch of the spiral ridge 25d continuously over the entire length of the screw 25, and the game balls are pumped. The configuration is not limited to this as long as the game balls are continuously lifted without being sent.

  In addition, the lifting slope member 354 may have any structure as long as it can smoothly feed game balls vertically lifted by the screw 25 and the lifting guide rail 282 to the ball discharge gutter 23, and are formed integrally with the upper gear box 356. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, the upper surface of the ball delivery path 23 may be extended to the lifting path of the game ball, and a slope may be formed on the lower surface of the extended portion.

  Further, the ball lifting device 22 of the present invention is configured to lift the game ball using the screw 25, but if the device is to lift the game ball so as to be guided and carried vertically, the screw is used. Not limited thereto, various methods can be selected, such as a belt conveyor that can continuously carry game balls.

[Ball polishing device]
Next, a description will be given of a ball polishing apparatus for cleaning and polishing a game ball enclosed in a gaming machine. FIG. 38 described above is a front view showing a state in which a ball polishing cartridge is attached to the ball polishing apparatus, and FIG. 39 described above is a view in which the ball polishing cartridge is removed for the ball polishing apparatus. It is a front view showing the state where it did.

  FIG. 50 is a left side view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 51 is a perspective view for explaining a mechanism for fixing the ball polishing cartridge. FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of mounting the ball polishing cartridge.

  53 and FIG. 54 are views showing a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 53 shows a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cartridge of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 55 is a view in which the left side cover of the ball polishing cartridge is removed in FIG. It is a left view which shows the state which performed. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted, and FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state in which the right outer side cover is removed for explaining the inside of the right side cover in FIG. FIG. 59 is a top perspective view showing a state where the right side cover is opened in FIG. 60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 38 and 50, a ball collecting unit 21 is provided below the ball lifting device 22, and a ball polishing cartridge 251 is attached to a ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 of a part of the ball collecting unit 21. Can be attached. Here, the outside of the ball lifting device 22 is formed of a transparent plastic member, so that even if a game ball is clogged in the ball lifting device 22, the clogging location can be easily visually recognized. It has become. As shown in FIG. 51, the ball polishing cartridge 251 mounted on the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has one end supported on the shaft and the other end pivotally provided on the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270. The other end of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 which has been enabled is hung on the ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 272 also provided in the ball collecting portion 21 so as to press the ball polishing cartridge 251 in the depth direction and left direction. It has a structure. In FIG. 51, both the open state and the closed state of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 are illustrated in order to make the movement mode of the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 easy to understand.

  FIG. 39 is a front view showing a state where the ball polishing cartridge 251 has been removed. As shown in FIG. 39, the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 has a ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 having a hollow portion into which the ball polishing cartridge 251 can be mounted. In FIG. 39, the mounting sensor 291 and the drive shaft 290 are provided inside the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 271 and the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 for easy viewing, and are visible from the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 66 is an enlarged view in which the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 of FIG. 39 is enlarged. Behind the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 inside the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270, below the right side, and coaxial with the second drive gear 257 shown in FIG. A drive shaft 290 that fits into one gear shaft 261 is provided, and a mounting sensor 291 having a pushable button 292 is provided above the right side surface. When the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pressed by a series of mounting operations of the ball polishing cartridge 251, the mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is detected. The specific mode of the mounting operation will be described later.

  In addition, in a portion of the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 which is the deepest portion and faces the ball lifting device 22, the ball lifting device 22 has a long side whose ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 described later advances. An opening 281 having an angle different from the direction is provided. As a result, a deviation occurs between the lifting direction of the game ball and the traveling direction of the ball polishing cloth 263, so that only a part of the ball polishing cloth 263 having a predetermined width in the width direction is used, and the ball polishing cloth is not used. It is possible to effectively use the width of 263 to clean and polish the game balls.

  Further, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 is such that at least a part of the periphery of the game ball pumped by the ball lifting device 22 can protrude outside the ball lifting device 22 at the opening position. In this embodiment, the width between the long sides of the opening 281 is set to 8.4 mm with respect to the diameter of the game ball of 11 mm. The game balls are configured to protrude from the opening 281 toward the ball polishing cloth 263 by about 1.5 mm.

  As a result, during the game period, the game balls to be pumped in the ball lifting device 22 have a part of the peripheral edge projecting to the outside of the ball lifting device 22 at the position of the opening 281 to polish the ball. The ball polishing cloth 263 of the cartridge 251 can be in contact with the game ball. In particular, when the ball polishing cartridge 251 has an elastic member and is configured to press the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, the ball polishing cloth 263 can be more reliably brought into contact with the game ball. Reliable ball polishing becomes possible.

  In addition, even if the ball polishing cartridge 251 is removed in a state where the game balls remain in the ball lifting device 22 during a time period outside the game period, the width of the opening 281 is smaller than the diameter of the game balls. In this configuration, the game balls remaining in the ball lifting device 22 do not spill to the ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 273 of the ball polishing cartridge 251.

  FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of mounting the ball polishing cartridge 251 from the state of FIG. As can be seen from FIGS. 39 and 52, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is configured to be inserted and mounted from the front of the main body frame 2.

  60 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge 251, FIG. 61 is a front view thereof, FIG. 62 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 63 is a side view showing a state where a left side cover is removed in FIG. Here, 259 is a take-up roller, 260 is a driven roller, 261 is a first gear shaft, and 262 is a second gear shaft. The first gear shaft 261 is a take-up roller 259, and the second gear shaft is a second gear shaft. It is configured to be coaxial with the drive gear 257, and the second gear shaft 262 is configured to be coaxial with the driven roller 260. Further, reference numeral 268 denotes a game ball contact mark. As shown in FIG. 39, the lifting direction of the game ball by the ball lifting device 22 and the winding direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 are: Since the angle is different from the vertical direction, the game ball contact mark 268 is formed to be inclined with respect to the long side direction of the ball polishing cloth 263.

  53 and FIG. 54 are views showing a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 53 shows a state where the ball for polishing the game ball and the ball polishing cloth of the ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other. FIG. 54 is a left side view showing a state in which a game ball and a ball polishing cloth of a ball polishing cartridge are pressed against each other.

  As shown in FIG. 53 and FIG. 54, the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 provided in the ball lifting device 22, and the ball lifting device 22 and the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 are moved. At the opposing position, the game ball comes into contact with the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 through the opening 281 of the ball lifting device 22, and the game ball is lifted by the screw 25 of the ball lifting device 22. As a result, the ball is rubbed with the ball polishing cloth 263, and the cleaning and ball polishing of the game ball are performed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the shape of the screw 25 in the ball lifting device 22 is different between the upper part, the lower part, and the middle part. In the upper part and the lower part, the inclination angle of the spiral of the screw 25 (spiral ridge 25d in FIG. 47) is made smaller to make the pitch narrower, whereas in the middle part, the inclination angle of the screw spiral is made larger to make the pitch smaller. Also wide. In the middle part, since it is not necessary to spend time for lifting, by increasing the inclination angle of the spiral and raising the lifting speed, it is possible to lift the game ball in a short time, and , It is possible to reduce the number of game balls included in the game machine, and it is possible to reduce the number of game balls sealed inside the gaming machine.

  Further, by reducing the pitch interval in the lower portion, the lifting speed of the game ball in a portion where the game ball faces the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is reduced, so that the game ball and the ball polishing cloth 263 are reduced. The contact time with the ball can be lengthened to reliably perform the cleaning and polishing of the game ball. Furthermore, by narrowing the pitch interval at the upper part, the lifting speed of the game ball at the lifting end portion of the ball lifting device 22 can be reduced, and the ball is transferred from the ball lifting device 22 to the ball sending gutter 23. It is possible to eliminate the occurrence of trouble such as biting of the ball at the time of delivery, and to smoothly send the game ball to the ball sending gutter 23.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 54, the ball lifting device 22 is provided with two guide rails 282 for guiding the lifting of the game balls. The distance between the two guide rails is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the game ball, but adjustment is also made to make the portion of the game ball to be transported that may be severely narrower and more stable. be able to. In this way, the game balls are lifted in the ball lifting device 22 so that both guide rails can support both sides.

  FIG. 55 is a left side view showing the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. 54 with the left side cover removed. FIG. 56 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the ball polishing cartridge in FIG. Here, 259 is a take-up roller, and 260 is a driven roller, to which a driving force from a ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 described later is transmitted. The rotation of the second drive gear 257 that is configured to be coaxial with the take-up roller 259 causes the take-up roller 259 to rotate, and the frictional force between the take-up roller 259 and the driven roller 260 causes the ball polishing cloth to rotate. 263 is wound up.

  Further, a ball polishing cloth 263 is arranged in a portion of the ball polishing cartridge 251 facing the ball lifting device 22, and a tensioner 267 having a function of pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 is provided behind the ball polishing cloth 263. Behind the tensioner 267, there are provided two coil-shaped ball polishing cloth pressing springs 264 having a function of pressing the tensioner 267 and the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball. Further, a spring retainer 266 that supports the ball polishing cloth presser spring 264 is provided behind the ball polishing cloth presser spring 264. Further, a leaf spring 265 is provided at the upper part of the ball polishing cartridge. The leaf spring 265 presses the ball polishing cloth 263 lightly to align the ball polishing cloth 263, and places the ball polishing cloth 263 on a portion facing the ball lifting device 22. It plays a role of aligning before sending.

  The ball polishing cloth 263 wound by the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260 is stored in the ball polishing cartridge 251. In FIGS. 55 and 56, the ball polishing cloth 263 is moved by the winding roller 259 and the driven roller 260. The illustration of the ball polishing cloth 263 inside the ball polishing cartridge after being wound is omitted.

  FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a state in which the ball polishing cartridge is mounted. Reference numeral 253 denotes a right side cover, which is composed of a right outer side cover 253a and a right inner side cover 253b, and is integrated. Reference numeral 258 denotes a second drive gear case that covers a second drive gear 257 described later. FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a state where only the right outer side cover 253a is removed from the right side cover 253 in FIG. 57 for the purpose of explanation, 253b is a right inner side cover, and 155 is a ball polishing ribbon. The feed motor is a driving source for winding the ball polishing cloth 263 in the ball polishing cartridge 251. Further, a hinge 255 that engages with the hinge receiving portion 254 is provided at a rear end of the right side cover 253, and the right side cover 253 is rotatable around the hinge 255 as a fulcrum. In this embodiment, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 is a stepping motor. The specific driving mode of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 will be described later.

  FIG. 59 is an upper perspective view showing a state where the right side cover 253 is opened in FIG. 58, and the right side cover 253 is rotatable around a hinge 255 engaged with the hinge receiving portion 254 as a fulcrum. . Between the right outer side cover 253a and the right inner side cover 253b of the right side cover 253, a first shaft (not shown) rotated by driving the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 coaxially with the rotation axis of the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155. A drive gear is provided, and in this embodiment, a gear having 16 teeth is used. Similarly, a second drive gear coaxial with the drive shaft 290 and meshing with the first drive gear is provided between the right outer side cover 253a and the right inner side cover 253b. Use the gear.

  Next, the mounting operation and the mounting detection of the ball polishing cartridge 251 will be described. FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the ball polishing cartridge mounting section 270, and FIG. 65 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the ball polishing cartridge 251 and the ball polishing cartridge mounting section 270. The ball polishing cartridge mounting portion 270 is configured such that the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 is expanded with the hinge portion as a fulcrum when the right side cover 253 is rotated about the hinge 255 (direction A in FIG. 64). I have.

  In this state, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted into the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 from the front as shown in FIG. At the time of insertion, since the ball polishing cartridge mounting opening 273 is widened by the rotation of the right side cover 253, the drive shaft 290 and the mounting sensor 291 do not hinder the insertion. After the ball polishing cartridge 251 is inserted, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of A in FIG. 64 so that the ball polishing cartridge mounting port 273 returns to the original width, and then the ball polishing cartridge fixing lever By engaging the ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 272 with the ball polishing cartridge 271, the drive shaft 290 engages with the first gear shaft 261 of the ball polishing cartridge 251, and the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is pushed, so that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is moved. The attachment is detected.

  If the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is depressed while the power of the gaming machine is turned on, it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is normally mounted and no notification is made, but the power is turned on. Nevertheless, when the button 292 of the mounting sensor 291 is not depressed, it is notified that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not properly mounted. As a mode of the notification, the display can be performed by displaying that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not mounted on a display device (not shown) that is normally provided in the gaming machine and performs an effect display according to the mode of the game. . In addition, as another notification mode, the notification can be performed by lighting or blinking a decorative lamp for production or a dedicated lamp indicating the mounted state of the ball polishing cartridge 251 in a predetermined mode.

  Also, in the enclosed ball type gaming machine as in the present embodiment, the game is performed by circulating the gaming ball enclosed in the gaming machine, so that the game is continued for an extremely long time without cleaning the gaming ball. Then, since the dirt on the game balls may accumulate and the rolling of the game balls may be deteriorated, it is preferable to perform the cleaning of the game balls by the ball polishing device in any part of the circulation path of the game balls. However, this does not mean that the game can not be played without the ball polishing device, so even if it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge is not installed, the game can be continued only by informing by the display device or lamp. it can.

  The game time of the player is cumulatively measured by measuring means (not shown) based on detection by the touch switch 87 provided on the steering wheel. In the present embodiment, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155 is fed one step each time the accumulated measurement time by the measuring means becomes one minute. In this embodiment, since the diameter of the winding roller 259 is 25 mm, the circumferential length is about 78.5 mm (= 25 × 3.14), and the first driving gear 256 and the second driving gear 257 Considering that the gear ratio is 1/2, the feed amount of the ball polishing cloth 263 per step is 0.11 mm (= 78.5 / 360/2).

In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is fixed by pressing the ball polishing cartridge 251 by hanging the lever on the stopper. However, the fixing method is not limited to this method. A method can also be used.
In the present embodiment, a coil-shaped ball polishing cloth pressing spring 264 is used as a means for pressing the ball polishing cloth 263 against the game ball, but the pressing means is not limited to this. Shaped springs and other elastic members can also be used.

  In this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 is arranged at the lowermost part of the game machine. However, the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not limited to this position. They can also be placed. In that case, the opening provided in the portion of the ball lifting device 22 facing the ball polishing cartridge 251 may be changed to a position corresponding to the arrangement position of the ball polishing cartridge 251.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as a method of making the lifting direction of the game ball by the ball lifting device 22 and the winding direction of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 different, the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is used. Is transported in the vertical direction, and the lifting direction of the game balls of the ball lifting device 22 in the portion facing the ball polishing cloth 263 is transported in a direction inclined from the vertical direction. The direction of conveyance of the game ball of the ball lifting device 22 is not limited to the vertical direction, and the direction of conveyance of the ball polishing cloth 263 of the ball polishing cartridge 251 may be a direction inclined from the vertical direction, or both may be inclined. Various methods such as a direction can be selected.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the ball polishing cartridge 251 has a pushable button 292 as a mounting sensor 291, and when the button 292 is pressed by the mounting operation of the ball polishing cartridge 251, the mounting of the ball polishing cartridge 251 is performed. Although detected, the mode of the mounting sensor 291 is not limited to these sensors, and other types of sensors such as an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor can be used.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if it is detected by the mounting sensor 291 that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly mounted, the game can be continuously performed only by making a notification, When it is detected that the ball polishing cartridge 251 is not correctly mounted, the game can be prevented from being performed.

[Gaming ball enclosing operation]
Next, a description will be given of an enclosing operation for enclosing a predetermined number of game balls in an enclosed ball-type game machine when a newly installed ball-type game machine is installed, or when a dirty ball is once removed and cleaned. I do. The enclosing operation is performed in a state where the power is not turned on to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine. Therefore, the ball lifting device 22 and the various sensors in the enclosed ball game machine are not operating.

In the enclosed ball-type gaming machine, the game ball is fired into the game area by the firing device, and after rolling in the game area, wins the prize device or is collected from the out port 42, and the collected game ball is It is conveyed again to the launching device, and is fired again in the game area in the launching device to play a game. That is, a circulation path of the game ball is formed as a whole.
The introduction of the game ball in the enclosing operation may be performed by putting the game ball in this circulation path. In this embodiment, the game ball is introduced from the out port 42. Thus, there is no need to separately provide a sealing port for sealing the game balls into the sealed ball game machine, and the configuration of the sealed ball game machine can be simplified. Further, instead of the out port 42, a game ball may be introduced from the prize port 41 of the prize device. The game balls that have entered the prize port 41 of the prize device also merge with the game balls that have entered the out port 42 and are then conveyed to the launching device. Even if the game ball is introduced, the game ball can be put into the circulation path in the same manner as when the game ball is introduced into the out port 42. In any case, when introducing the game ball, care must be taken so that the game ball, hand, and the like do not hit the nail. When a game ball is introduced into the out port 42, by providing a game ball introduction member 427 described later, it is possible to prevent the game ball from hitting the nail at the time of insertion. Note that the out port 42 and the winning port 41 correspond to a game ball collecting port.

  FIG. 71 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the number of game balls is less than a predetermined number when the game balls are sealed in the sealed ball game machine. As described above, at the time of the enclosing operation of the game balls, the power is not turned on to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine, so that the ball lifting device 22 is not driven. Therefore, the game balls inserted from the out port 42 or the winning port 41 enter through the collection port 202 and pass through the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharge unit 20 and are aligned with the front of the ball lifting device 22 as the head.

  FIG. 72 shows a state in which game balls are further inserted from the state of FIG. 71 to reach a predetermined number of game balls. As shown in FIG. 72, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the lastly inserted game ball 233 is a discontinuous portion 223 where the magnetic ball discharge path 226 and the path of the regular game ball are branched. , And is configured to block the discontinuous portion 223.

  FIG. 73 shows a state in which game balls are further inserted from the state of FIG. 72 and game balls exceeding a predetermined number are inserted. As described above, when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed, the lastly inserted game ball 233 is configured to block the discontinuous portion 223. 235, and cannot enter the path of the regular game ball 233 from the discontinuous portion 223, but is guided to the magnetic ball discharge chest 227 from the magnetic ball discharge path 226 and collected.

  In the present embodiment, in the magnetic ball discharge section, the discontinuous portion 223 where the regular game balls 233 are guided when a predetermined number of game balls are sealed is closed, and a predetermined number or more of the game balls are removed. Although it is configured to be collected at the discharge section, similarly, in the deformed ball discharge path, the path where the regular game balls 233 are guided when a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed is closed and collected at the deformed ball discharge section. You can also do so.

  In addition, in order to increase the efficiency of inserting game balls into the out port 42, a game ball introduction member 427 is provided on the rail portion of the front component 45 located at the lower edge of the out port 42 (FIG. 74, FIG. 74). 75). When a game ball is placed on the upper surface of the game ball introduction member 427, the game ball is poured toward the out port 42, so that the game ball can be efficiently enclosed. Also, a game ball can be inserted without hitting a nearby nail.

  FIG. 74 is a perspective view showing a state where the game ball introduction member 427 is projected. The game ball introduction member 427 can be protruded by opening the door frame 3 and sliding it toward the user.

  FIG. 75 is a perspective view showing a state where the game ball introduction member 427 is stored. From the state of FIG. 74, the game ball introduction member 427 can be stored by pushing it inward, so that the game is not hindered.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball introduction member 427 has a structure in which it can advance and retreat by manually sliding, but the invention is not limited to the above-described method, and a door frame may be formed by using an urging member such as a spring. Various methods can be selected, such as automatically opening and closing by opening and closing the shutter 3.

  FIG. 105 shows another example of the above-described ball outlet opening / closing unit 410. In this example, the upper firing device 12 moves in the left-right direction with respect to the ball lifting device 22 and is separated and connected. is there.

  A ball lifting device 22 is disposed on the rear side of the main body frame 2 on the left side (FIGS. 97 and 5) so that game balls can be sent from the lower ball collecting section 21 to the upper ball supply path member 24. Has become. The ball supply path member 24 (FIG. 6) is composed of the lifting communication gutter 65 on the upper firing device 12 side and the ball sending gutter 23 on the ball lifting device 22 side as described above, and the game board 5 is mounted on the main body frame 2. In this state, the ball outlet 58 (FIG. 27) of the ball discharge gutter 23 and the ball inlet 66 (FIG. 27) of the lifting communication gutter 65 are joined, and pass through the inside of these gutters to the ball lifting device 22 side. , The game balls can be moved to the upper firing device 12 side.

  At this time, the ball outlet 58 of the ball delivery gutter 23 is provided with a receiving portion 23b on the outside in the left-right direction, and the slide shutter 23c is arranged slidably in the left-right direction. The slide shutter 23c has a guide piece 23d on the lower surface side, is fitted in a guide slit provided in the receiving portion 23b, and is guided in the left-right direction. A spring (not shown) is attached to the guide piece 23d so as to bias the guide piece 23d rightward with the receiving portion 23. When the guide piece 23d moves the guide slit to the left end with the movement of the upper firing device 12, the slide shutter 23c retracts to the left from the position of the ball outlet 58 of the ball delivery gutter 23 to open the ball outlet 58. I do.

When the lifting communication passage gutter 65 moves rightward from the ball discharge gutter 23 due to the movement of the upper firing device 12, the slide shutter 23c slides to the right end on the receiving portion 23b by a spring to block the ball outlet 58. The slide shutter 23c corresponds to the opening / closing shutter 412 in the ball outlet opening / closing unit 410 (FIG. 27) of the first embodiment.
The lower side (bottom surface) of the ball inlet 66 of the lifting communication passage 65 on the upper firing device 12 side is substantially at the same height as the upper surface of the receiving portion 23b on the ball lifting device 22 side.

[Countermeasures for dust from pachinko machines]
As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has an outer frame 1a (FIG. 12) configured in a rectangular frame shape and installed on the island facility on the hall side, and a game board that is pivotally supported by the outer frame 1a to be freely opened and closed. 5 (FIG. 2), and a door frame 3 pivotally supported by the body frame 2 so as to be openable and closable. Conventionally, the back side of the main body frame 2 is covered with a rear cover body that can be opened and closed, but it is not a hermetically sealed structure, but to protect the back side of the main control board 100 and the peripheral control board 130 mounted on the back face of the game board 5. The main purpose is. For this reason, outside air flows from the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the inside of the main body frame 2, and dust in the hall enters.

  The dust wraps around the front side of the game panel through the opening for displaying the effect liquid crystal screen provided on the game panel (transparent panel plate 44) of the game board 5 attached to the main body frame 2 and the winning opening 41 and the out opening 42. Even if the door frame 3 is closed, it adheres to the front of the game ball or the game panel. For this reason, a trajectory may appear slightly in the path of the game ball. In an enclosed pachinko game machine, the cleaning of the game balls is not the same as in the case of the island facilities, and since the sealed game balls are not replaced for a certain period of time, the contamination by dust tends to be conspicuous. In addition, dust accumulates in a storage box containing a decorative member on the front of the panel and a control board on the rear. In the above-mentioned storage box, since air is taken in and discharged into the box for heat dissipation, dust is easily accumulated.

FIG. 106 shows an example of the enclosed pachinko machine 1 which has taken measures against dust.
This pachinko machine 1 includes an outer frame 1a, a main body frame 2, a door frame 3, and a game board 5, similarly to the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above. These forms and structures are the same as those described above, except that the main body frame 2 is a container type having no through hole including the back side, and the main body frame base 2a (FIGS. 2 and 3) on the front side is provided. Just open. A synthetic rubber tight member 2b (FIG. 101) for airtightness is attached to the front side of the main body frame base 2a, that is, the front side of the edge frame portion that is on the same plane and defines an opening as a rectangle. Therefore, when the door frame 3 is closed, the inside of the main body frame 2 is maintained substantially airtight.

On the other hand, the outer frame 1a is divided into a lower space 800 in which a lower portion is partitioned by a reinforcing metal member 812 in a horizontal direction and an upper portion in which the main body frame 2 is fitted and a lower decorative cover 6 (FIG. 2). The lower space 800 is provided for replacing the game board 5 with respect to the main body frame and for opening and closing the door frame 3. In this embodiment, an intake device 801 and an exhaust device 802 are arranged in the lower space 800. I have.
The air intake device 801 is for taking in outside air into the pachinko game machine, and includes a fan 804 driven by a motor 803, and a filter 805 and a simple accumulator 806 (pressure accumulating unit) downstream of the fan 804. The exhaust device 802 includes an outlet passage 807 and an outward opening valve 808, and communicates the inside of the sealed main body frame 2 with the outside of the gaming machine.

Then, the intake device 801 enters the inside of the main body frame 2 from the accumulator 806 through a thin main tube 809 made of resin, and branches in various ways in the closed space of the main body frame 2 as shown in the figure. Are the members constituting the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20, the members constituting the ball collecting section 21, the members constituting the ball lifting device 22, and the upper firing device 12 Is connected to the hollow portion of the member constituting Each hollow portion is provided with an opening 811 that is open to the closed space of the main body frame 2. Although a large number of openings 811 are provided, the arrangement thereof is similar to that of the ball supply path member 24 from the ball lifting device 22 to the upper firing device 12, in the vicinity of the ball outlet 58 of the ball discharge gutter 23 and in the lifting communication gutter 65. The distal end of the branch tube 810 is connected near a joint between members, near a place where a step is formed, or near a place having a bent portion as an internal space, such as near the ball inlet 66. Place. That is, the air is supplied from the accumulator to a key portion of a member having a space inside, such as a ball supply passage, to create an air flow around a key portion inside to prevent dust from adhering.
The air blown out from the large number of openings 811 into the closed space of the main body frame 2 increases the air pressure in the main body frame 2, circulates through the inside of the main body frame 2, and is discharged to the outside through the outlet passage 807 of the exhaust device 802. You. The outside opening valve 808 of the outlet passage 807 prevents the outside air from flowing backward and entering the pachinko gaming machine.

With such a mechanism, the clean air taken in from the air suction device 801 and obtained the filter 805 is directly sent through the main tube 809 and the branch tube 810 to a place where dust tends to adhere, and then into the internal space of the main body frame 2. Released. As a result, the internal pressure of the main body frame 2 is always higher than the external pressure, and the external dust does not enter the pachinko gaming machine 1.
Note that the accumulated pressure inside the accumulator 806 only needs to be higher than the outside air pressure at the tip of the branch tube 810, and need not be so high. It can also be achieved by the wind pressure by the fan 104.

  Next, an outline of control of the pachinko machine 1 and the payment machine 4 as an external device arranged adjacent to one side thereof will be described. FIG. 76 is a block diagram showing a main part of an embodiment of the main control board provided with the RTC, which is provided in the sealed ball type pachinko machine. The control of the pachinko machine 1 is roughly divided into a main board group and a peripheral board group, of which the main board group controls a game operation, and the peripheral board group performs a staging operation (a liquid crystal display panel, a lamp). , Body frame lamp, door frame lamp, sound). The main board group includes a main control board 100 and a ball information control board 110, and the peripheral board group includes a peripheral control board 130.

[Main control board 100]
The main control board 100 controls a pachinko game. The main control board 100 and a later-described ball information control board 110 are connected so that bidirectional data communication is possible. As shown in FIG. 76, the main control board 100 for controlling the progress of the game is a main control MPU 101 which is a microprocessor including a ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands and a RAM for temporarily storing data. A main control I / O port 102 as an input / output device (I / O device), a main control input circuit 103 to which detection signals from various detection switches are input, and a main control solenoid for driving various solenoids A drive circuit 104 and a RAM clear switch 105 for completely erasing information stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in RAM”) built in the main control MPU 101 are provided.

  The main control MPU 101 has a built-in ROM (hereinafter, referred to as a “main control built-in ROM”) and a main control built-in RAM, a watchdog timer for monitoring the operation (system), and a countermeasure for preventing impropriety. And other functions are also built-in. Further, the main control MPU 101 has a built-in nonvolatile RAM. The nonvolatile RAM has a unique code (a code that exists only once in the world) for identifying an individual by a maker that manufactures the main control MPU 101. ) Are stored in advance. Since the ID code once assigned is stored in the nonvolatile RAM, it is not rewritten even by using an external device. The main control MPU 101 can take out the ID code from the nonvolatile RAM and refer to it.

[RTC control unit]
Further, the main control MPU 101 of the embodiment includes an external real-time clock (hereinafter, referred to as “RTC”) 107 capable of acquiring time information as time information acquiring means. Although not shown, the RTC 107 includes a register circuit, a clock input circuit, a clock output circuit, an interrupt output circuit, a data input / output circuit, and a control circuit.

  The RTC 107 has a clock / calendar function. The clock / calendar function is a function for counting time by counting the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second. If necessary, a counter that counts up to the day of the week may be used. The RTC control unit 106 includes an RTC 107 and a battery 108 for driving the RTC 107. The provision of the battery 108 prevents the RTC 107 from interrupting the timekeeping and calendar functions even when the power supply of a power supply board (not shown) is shut off.

  The battery 108 may be a primary battery (for example, a button battery) or a rechargeable secondary battery, thereby avoiding the necessity of disposing a backup power supply and avoiding complicating the configuration of the main control board 100. Can be. The battery 108 is also used as a backup power supply for the RAM 109.

  The main control MPU 101 has a function of specifying year / month / day / hour / minute / second (calendar information and time information) by including the RTC 107. The main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 acquires time information (hour / minute / second) from the RTC 107 when the power of the gaming machine is turned on.

  An upper starting port detection switch 90 for detecting a gaming ball winning an upper starting port (not shown) arranged in the game area 8 of the game board 5, and detecting a gaming ball winning a lower starting port (not shown). A detection signal from the lower starting port detection switch 91 and a general winning port detection switch 93 for detecting a game ball that has won a general winning port (not shown) is first input to the main control input circuit 103, and the main control I / O The data is input to the main control MPU 101 via the O port 102.

  Further, a gate switch 92 for detecting a game ball passing through a gate portion (not shown), a general winning opening detection switch 94 for detecting a game ball winning a general winning opening (not shown), a large winning opening (not shown). First, a detection signal from the count switch 98 for detecting a game ball which has won a prize is input to the main control input circuit 103 via a panel relay terminal plate 140 attached to the game board 5, and is input to the main control I / O port. The data is input to the main control MPU 101 via the control unit 102.

  The main control MPU 101 outputs a control signal from the main control I / O port 102 to the main control solenoid drive circuit 104 based on these detection signals, so that the starting port solenoid 96 and the large A drive signal is output to the winning opening solenoid 97, an upper special symbol display 142, a lower special symbol indicator 143, an upper special symbol from the main control I / O port 102 through the panel relay terminal board 140 and the function display board 141. A drive signal is output to the symbol memory display 144, the lower special symbol memory display 145, the ordinary symbol indicator 146, the ordinary symbol memory display 147, the game state indicator 148, and the round indicator 149.

  Further, the main control MPU 101 transmits various information related to the game (game information), various commands related to the winning prize according to the winning, and the like to the ball information control board 110 in a serial manner, and the pachinko game from the ball information control board 110. For example, various commands relating to the state of the device 1 are received in a serial manner. Further, the main control MPU 101 transmits various commands relating to the control of the game effect and various commands relating to the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the peripheral control board 130. When receiving the control command transmitted from the main control board 100, the peripheral control board 130 performs various effects (for example, a decorative design for notifying the result of the determination on the display panel of the liquid crystal display device 1400) according to the received control command. The control related to the fluctuation display of the column, the effect display, the lamp, the sound, and the operation of the movable decorative accessory for the effect, etc.) is performed.

[Sphere information control board 110]
FIG. 77 is a block diagram mainly showing a main part of the ball information control board 110 provided in the enclosed ball type pachinko machine. The sphere information control board 110 includes a sphere information control unit 118 for managing a held ball and performing various controls related to the ball lifting device 22, the launch solenoid 13, the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the like. Further, the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 are connected so that bidirectional data communication is possible.

[Sphere information control unit 118]
As shown in FIG. 77, the sphere information control unit 118 includes a sphere information control MPU 111 which is a microprocessor including a ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and the like. A sphere information control I / O port 112 as an O device, and an external watchdog timer 116 (hereinafter referred to as "external WDT 116") for monitoring whether or not the sphere information control MPU 111 is operating normally. A ball lifting motor drive circuit 114 for outputting a drive signal to a ball lifting motor 150 of the ball lifting device 22 for performing ball lifting, and a ball information control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches are inputted. 113, a CR unit input / output circuit 115 for exchanging various signals with the settlement machine 4, and a drive signal to the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155. A spherical polish ribbon feeding motor driving circuit 119 for, and a ball retention stopper solenoid driving circuit 245 for outputting a driving signal to a sphere stationary stopper solenoid 244 described later. The ball information control MPU 111 has a built-in ROM (hereinafter, referred to as a “ball information control built-in ROM”) and a RAM (hereinafter, a “ball information control built-in RAM”).

  The ball information control MPU 111 receives various information related to the game (game information) from the main control board 100 and various commands related to the prize balls in a serial manner via the ball information control I / O port 112, and receives from the main control board 100. The operation signal (detection signal) of the RAM clear switch 105 is input via the ball information control I / O port 112.

  The detection signals from the door frame opening switch 131 for detecting the opening of the door frame 3 with respect to the body frame 2 and the body frame opening switch 132 for detecting the opening of the body frame 2 with respect to the outer frame are first input to the ball information control input circuit 113. The data is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112. Further, a touch detection signal (ON signal) by the touch switch 87 for detecting whether a palm or a finger is touching the hitting ball handle 10 is input to the ball information control board 110 via the handle relay terminal plate 123, and the touch is further performed. The detection signal is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112.

  Further, the ball information control MPU 111 is connected to the firing solenoid 13 through the firing solenoid drive circuit 120, is connected to the ball feed solenoid 31 through the ball feed solenoid drive circuit 122, and responds to the control output from the ball information control MPU 111. And the ball feed solenoid 31 is driven. In addition, the presence / absence of game balls to be supplied to the launch standby ball detection switches 26 and 70, the launch ball confirmation switch 36, the recovery ball detection switch 203, the ball path full tank detection switch 206, the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207, and the ball lifting device 22. 156, a lifting motor sensor (photosensor) 157 for detecting the rotation speed of the ball lifting motor 150, and a ball polishing cartridge containing a ball polishing cloth ribbon. The detection signal from the cassette detection switch 158 for detecting the input is input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the sensor relay board 124, and is input to the ball information control MPU 111 via the ball information control I / O port 112. I have. The ball information control MPU 111 transmits drive signals for driving the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, the ball stop stopper solenoid 244, the firing solenoid 13, and the ball feed solenoid 31, which will be described later, to a ball information control I / O. Output to each drive element via port 112.

  The touch panel unit 14 is connected to the ball information control MPU 111 so as to be displayed by a control output from the ball information control I / O port 112. The sphere information control board 110 relays the electrical connection between the main control board 100 and the external terminal board 133, and furthermore, the door frame open switch 131, the body frame open switch 132, and the external terminal board 133. Relays the electrical connection between them. The external terminal plate 133 is electrically connected to a hall computer installed in a game hall (hall).

  Detection signals from a touch switch 87 for detecting whether a palm or a finger is in contact with the hitting handle 10 and a firing stop switch 86 for detecting whether to forcibly stop launching a game ball by a player's will. Is first input to the ball information control input circuit 113 via the handle relay terminal plate 123. When the payment machine 4 and the ball information control board 110 are electrically connected, they are input to the CR unit input / output circuit 115 as a CR connection signal.

  Note that a DC power supply of +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V is supplied from a power supply board (not shown) to the sphere information control board 110. In addition, DC power supplies +24 V, +12 V, and +5.2 V are supplied to the main control board 100 via the ball information control board 110.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 117 compares and monitors the voltage V1 based on +24 V and the reference voltage, and monitors the voltage V2 based on +12 V and the reference voltage, respectively. When the voltage becomes lower than the voltage, a power failure notice signal is output as a power failure notice. The power failure notice signal output from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is supplied to the ball control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 and also to the main control MPU 101. Although not shown, the power failure notice signal is also input to the peripheral control board 130.

[Checkout machine 4]
FIG. 78 is a block diagram mainly showing each element connected to the checkout machine 4. The settlement machine 4 and the ball information control board 110 are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional data communication. Although not shown, the controller of the checkout machine 4 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, a communication interface, and the like.

  The payment machine 4 is connected to be able to input operation input signals of a ball lending button and a payment button arranged on the touch panel unit 14 of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine 1 through, for example, an interface. In addition, a remaining frequency display unit and an operable notification lamp provided on the touch panel unit 14 of the enclosed ball type pachinko machine 1 are connected so as to be displayed by a control output from the settlement machine 4. The payment machine 4 is provided with a card processing machine 402 at the back of the card insertion slot in FIG.

[Card 403]
The card 403 used in the embodiment is composed of, for example, a magnetic card or an IC card, and is issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) and provided to the player when the player pays a predetermined amount. FIG. 78 shows a data configuration stored in the card 403.

  The card 403 has an ID storage unit 404 in which an ID number (hereinafter simply referred to as ID) as identification information individually given to the card 403 is stored, and corresponds to the amount paid when the card 403 is purchased. Remaining number storage unit 305 in which the remaining number as value information to be stored is stored, and the number of held balls storage unit 406 in which the number of held balls (number of held game machines) obtained by the player as a result of playing the game is stored. Is set. When the card 403 is issued, the ID is stored in the ID storage unit 404, and the remaining number corresponding to the amount paid when purchasing the card 403 is stored in the remaining number storage unit 405 (for example, the paid amount is 5,000 yen). In this case, “5000” is stored as the remaining frequency, but “0” is stored in the held ball count storage unit 406 as an initial value of the held ball count.

  The card processor 402 is a conventionally known one, and includes a card sensor for detecting the card 403, a card reader / writer for reading data stored in the card 403 and writing data to the card 403, and reading data for the card 403. A card transport unit is provided for sending the card 403 to the writing position and discharging the card 403 to the card insertion slot. When the card 403 is inserted into the card insertion slot, the card processor 402 sends the card 403 to a predetermined data read / write position, and the stored data, that is, the ID, the remaining number, The number of balls is read and output to the checkout machine 4. In addition, in response to a write command from the settlement machine 4, the ID, the remaining number, and the number of held balls are written (stored) in each of the above-described storage units.

  The checkout machine 4 stores the ID, the remaining number, and the number of held balls read from the card 403 through the card processor 402 in the RAM.

[Rental ball by card 403]
When the payment machine 4 reads the data from the card 403, the balance number stored in the RAM is displayed on the balance number display unit. When the card 403 can be used, the checkout machine 4 lends a ball in response to the operation of the ball lending button. In this ball lending, it is assumed that, for example, a ball lending number 125 (ball unit price is 4 yen) is lent by one operation of the ball lending button. In the case of ball lending, if there is a number of held balls, and if the number of held balls is less than 125, the ball is loaned with the total number of held balls as the number of balls to be loaned. The settlement machine 4 transmits the number of ball rentals to the ball information control board 110. In addition, the settlement machine 4 obtains a price for the ball lending by multiplying the set ball unit price by the number of the ball lending, and subtracts the obtained price (the price corresponding to the ball lending is the remaining number) from the current remaining number. In addition, when there is a number of held balls and the ball lending is performed based on the number of held balls, the number of ball rentals is subtracted from the current number of held balls. The settlement machine 4 displays this result on the remaining frequency display unit. Further, the residual count is written in the residual count storage unit 405 of the card 403.

[Game start]
The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110, upon receiving the number of ball rentals transmitted from the settlement machine 4, adds the number to the number of balls held in the gaming machine, and displays the addition result on the touch panel unit 14. The upper firing device 12 can be fired, and the game can be played.

[Playing]
When the player operates the hitting ball handle 10 to operate the hitting ball firing device 29, and the game ball at the ball firing position is launched into the game area 8 by the hammer 30 for firing, this is detected by the firing ball confirmation switch 36. Based on this, it is detected that each game ball is driven into the game area 8. Then, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 sequentially detects “1” from the game machine possessed ball count data stored in the game machine possessed ball count storage area in response to the detection of the hitting of each game ball. Is subtracted, and the number of held balls is displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

  On the other hand, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 has a gate switch 92 disposed on a gate (not shown) of the game board 5 on which a game ball can enter, and a normal winning opening (not shown). , A winning switch (not shown), and a count switch 98 disposed for a winning port (not shown), and a starting port (not shown) serving as an upper starting port. Based on the detection signals from the upper and lower starting port detection switches 90 and 91, processing relating to the game is performed, and commands and signals as processing results are transmitted to the ball information control board 110, the peripheral control board 130, the upper and lower special symbols. Output to the display units 142 and 143, upper and lower special symbol storage and display units 144 and 145, ordinary symbol display unit 146, ordinary symbol storage and display unit 147, starting port solenoid 96, and special winning opening solenoid 97.

  When a game ball launched by the upper firing device 12 wins various winning openings (starting winning opening, large winning opening, etc.) in the game area 8, the gaming ball is provided with various winning detection switches provided for each winning opening. (Upper opening detecting switch 90, lower starting opening detecting switch 91, general winning opening detecting switch 93, general winning opening detecting switch 94, and count switch 98).

  The main control MPU 101 responds to a detection signal of a detection switch (corresponding to a general winning opening detection switches 93 and 94, a count switch 98, and upper and lower starting opening detection switches 90 and 91) provided for each winning opening. Then, a prize ball command indicating the number of prize balls set according to the winning opening in which the game ball has won is output to the ball information control board 110 as necessary.

  Further, the main control MPU 101 periodically outputs a game state signal (status) indicating the type of the current game state to the peripheral control board 130. The gaming state is, for example, a start-up opening and a winning lottery due to a winning in the starting-up opening, a special symbol is variably displayed based on the lottery result, the symbol is stopped, and the lottery result is hit. In the case of the first type of pachinko gaming machine which shifts to the special gaming state (big hit gaming state) in the case of, the normal gaming state (the probability of hitting by lottery is the normal probability, and the time of variable display of the ordinary symbols is usually), Game state (normal symbol variable display time is shorter than usual, information output signal during reduced hours), jackpot game state (15 round jackpot information output signal or 2 round jackpot information output signal), high probability game State (state where the probability of winning by lottery is higher than usual, information output signal during probability fluctuation), special symbol fluctuation (special symbol display information output signal), hold based on starting opening winning There are certain conditions (starting opening winning information output signal) and the like.

  It should be noted that the peripheral control board 130 includes a liquid crystal display panel (not shown), an accessory decoration board (not shown), a board decoration board (not shown), and a frame decoration based on a command output from the main control board 100. By outputting a control signal to a substrate (not shown), the lighting display of various decorative LEDs is controlled, and sound (sound, sound, sound effect, etc.) output from a speaker (not shown) is controlled. And a symbol to be displayed on a liquid crystal display panel (not shown).

  The ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 displays the number of balls held by the launch solenoid 13, the ball feed solenoid 31, the ball lifting motor 150, the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the touch panel unit 14 based on various input signals. And outputs a signal to the settlement machine 4.

  The game state signal and the prize ball command output from the main control board 100 are input to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110.

  The ball information control MPU 111, in response to receiving such a prize ball command, sets the value of the number of prize balls set in advance for each winning port in the game machine possessed ball number data stored in the game machine ball number storage area. Are added and displayed on the touch panel unit 14.

[End of game, settlement]
Thereafter, when the settlement button is operated by the player to end the game, the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110.

  When the settlement machine 4 transmits a game end command to the ball information control MPU 111 in response to the operation of the settlement button, the ball information control MPU 111 receives the game end command sent from the settlement machine 4 and controls the ball information control. The MPU 111 transmits “end possible” to the checkout machine 4. Next, the ball information control MPU 111 stops the launch solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 to stop the game. The current game machine ball count stored in the game machine ball count storage area is transmitted to the checkout machine 4.

  Then, when the processing of the settlement machine 4 corresponding to the number of game machine possessed balls transmitted from the ball information control MPU 111 ends, the settlement machine 4 transmits a processing end, and the ball information control MPU 111 receives the processing end. Thus, the game machine possessed ball count storage area of the RAM is cleared to 0, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, after the settlement machine 4 receives "end possible" as a response to the termination state with respect to the game termination command, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits the number of balls held by the gaming machine to the settlement machine 4, so that the settlement machine 4 When the number of possessed balls is received, the number of game machine balls received is added to the number of cleared game machine balls stored in the RAM when the card is inserted, and the addition result is stored as the number of cleared game ball. As a result, all of the number of balls held as a result of the game played by the player are stored as the number of balls held by the checkout machine. Then, the end of processing is transmitted to the ball information control MPU 111, the number of balls held in the adjusting machine is written in the held ball number storage unit 406 of the card 403, the card 403 is ejected from the card insertion slot, and the processing is ended. As a result, the card 403 rewritten by adding the number of balls held by the gaming machine as a game result is returned to the player.

[Various control processing of main control board]
First, various control processes performed by the main control board 100 shown in FIG. 76 according to the progress of the game of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing main control-side power-on processing executed by main control MPU 101 of main control board 100. FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing a continuation of main control-side power-on processing of FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main-control-side timer interrupt processing executed by the main control MPU 101.

[Main control side power-on processing]
When the pachinko machine 1 is powered on, the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as the main control MPU) performs a main control side power-on process as shown in FIGS. When the main control-side power-on process is started, the main control MPU sets a stack pointer (step S10). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack for temporarily storing the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or temporarily indicates a return address of the present routine when the subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the present routine. It indicates the address on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. In step S10, an initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, the contents of the register, the return address, and the like are stacked on the stack. Then, the stack pointer is returned to the initial address by reading sequentially from the last stack to the first stack.

  Subsequent to step S10, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S12), and it is determined whether a power failure notice signal is input (step S14). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. On the other hand, in the event of a power failure or momentary power failure (a phenomenon in which the supply of power is suddenly stopped temporarily), the voltage drops. A signal is output and input to the main control MPU. Similarly, when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure notice voltage from when the power is turned on to a predetermined voltage, a power failure notice signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the sphere information control board 110.

  Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S12 is a process for waiting after the power is turned on until the voltage becomes higher than the power failure notice voltage and stabilizes. In the present embodiment, the waiting time (wait timer) is 200 milliseconds (wait timer). ms) is set. The determination in step S14 is performed based on a power failure notice signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 of the ball information control board 110. After the power is turned on, when the voltage becomes higher than the power failure notification voltage and stabilizes, the power failure monitoring signal from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 is not output, and the main control MPU proceeds to step S16.

  When proceeding to step S16, the main control MPU determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 (FIG. 76) has been operated (step S16). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 has been operated and the operation signal (detection signal) has been input to the main control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated. On the other hand, when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has not been operated.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to a value of 1 (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S30. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed, a value 0 is set to the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S30.

  The RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is a game related to a game such as a probability variation, an unpaid award ball, and the like stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in RAM”) built in the main control MPU 101. This flag indicates whether or not information is to be deleted. The flag is set to 1 when the game information is deleted, and to 0 when the game information is not deleted. The value of the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG set in steps S18 and S19 is stored in a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) of the main control MPU.

  When shifting to step S30, the main control MPU performs wait timer processing 2 (step S30). In the wait timer process 2, the system waits until the system that performs the drawing control of the liquid crystal display device (not shown) by the liquid crystal control unit of the peripheral control board 130 starts (boots). In the present embodiment, 2 seconds (s) is set as the time until booting (boot timer).

  Subsequent to step S30, it is determined whether the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG has a value of 0 (step S32). As described above, the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is set to the value 1 when the game information is erased, and the value 0 when the game information is not erased. If it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is equal to 0, that is, if the game information is not to be deleted, a checksum is calculated (step S34). This checksum is to calculate the sum of the game information stored in the main control built-in RAM as a numerical value.

  Subsequent to step S34, it is determined whether the calculated checksum value (sum value) matches the checksum value (sum value) stored in the main control-side power-off process (power-off) described later. Is determined (step S36). If they match, it is determined whether the backup flag BK-FLG has the value 1 (step S38). In the backup flag BK-FLG, backup information such as game information, a checksum value (sum value), and a value of the backup flag BK-FLG is stored and held in the main control built-in RAM in a later-described main control side power-off process. This flag is set to 1 when the main control-side power-off process has been completed normally, and to 0 when the main control-side power-off process has not been completed normally.

  When the backup flag BK-FLG has a value of 1 in step S38, that is, when the main control-side power-off process has been normally completed, the work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as power recovery (step S40). This setting includes setting a value 0 to the backup flag BK-FLG, reading power recovery time information from a ROM (hereinafter, referred to as “main control built-in ROM”) built in the main control MPU, and reading the power recovery time. The time information is set in a work area of the main control built-in RAM. In addition, `` power recovery '' means, in addition to the state where the power is turned on from the state where the power is turned off, the state where the power is restored after a power failure or momentary power failure, the fact that high frequency has been irradiated, and reset, It also includes the status after returning.

  Subsequent to step S40, power-on command creation processing is performed (step S42). In the power-on command creation process, game information is read from the backup information, and various commands corresponding to the game information are stored in a predetermined storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S32 that the RAM clear notification flag RCL-FLG is not the value 0 (the value is 1), that is, when the game information is deleted, or in step S36, the checksum values (sum values) match. If not, or if it is determined in step S38 that the backup flag BK-FLG is not the value 1 (it is the value 0), that is, if the main-control-side power-off process has not been completed normally, The entire area is cleared (step S44). Specifically, this is performed by writing the value 0 into the main control built-in RAM (a predetermined value may be read from the main control built-in ROM and set as an initial value). In addition, the random number for initial value determination for big hit determination to be used for determining the initial value of the random number for big hit determination is when the RAM clear switch 105 is operated to erase the game information, when the sum values do not match, or When the main-control-side power-off process has not been completed normally, the unique ID code stored in advance in the nonvolatile RAM of the main control MPU is extracted, and the big hit determination random number is updated based on the extracted ID code. An initial value deriving process for always deriving the same fixed value from the fixed numerical value range of the counter to be executed is executed, and this fixed value is set as the initial value.

  Subsequent to step S44, a work area of the main control built-in RAM is set as an initial setting (step S46). For this setting, initial information is read from the main control built-in ROM, and the initial information is set in a work area of the main control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S46, RAM clear notification and test command creation processing are performed (step S48). In this RAM clear notification and test command creation processing, a power-on command classified to power-on for notifying that the main control built-in RAM has been cleared and the initial setting has been performed is created. A test command classified for a test for performing an inspection is created and stored in the transmission information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as transmission information.

  Subsequent to step S42 or step S48, interrupt initial setting is performed (step S50). This setting is for setting an interrupt cycle when a main control timer interrupt process to be described later is performed. In this embodiment, it is set to 4 ms.

  Subsequent to step S50, interrupt permission setting is performed. (Step S52). With this setting, the main control timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt cycle set in step S50, that is, every 4 ms. The processing in steps S10 to S52 is referred to as "main control-side power-on processing".

  Subsequent to step S52, the value A is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S54). By setting the value A, the value B, and the value C in this watchdog timer clear register WCL in order, the watchdog timer is cleared.

  Subsequent to step S54, it is determined whether a power failure notice signal has been input (step S56). As described above, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is cut off, or a power failure or an instantaneous power failure occurs, if the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power failure warning voltage, the power failure monitoring signal of the ball information control board 110 is output as the power failure warning signal as the power failure warning. 117. The determination in step S56 is made based on this power failure notice signal.

  If there is no input of the power failure notice signal in step S56, a non-hit random number updating process is performed (step S58). In the non-hit random number updating process, for example, the reach determination random number, the variation display pattern random number, the big hit symbol initial value determining random number, and the small hit symbol initial value determining random number are updated. As described above, in the non-hit random number updating process, random numbers that are not involved in the hit determination (big hit determination) are updated. Note that the normal symbol hit determination random number, the normal symbol hit determination initial value determination random number, the normal symbol variation display pattern random number, and the like are also updated by this non-hit random number update process.

  Subsequent to step S58, the process returns to step S54, where the value A is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL. In step S56, it is determined whether or not a power failure notice signal has been input. For example, the non-hit random number updating process is performed in step S58, and steps S54 to S58 are repeatedly performed. Note that the processing of steps S54 to S58 is referred to as "main control side main loop processing".

  On the other hand, when a power failure notice signal is input in step S56, interrupt disable setting is performed (step S60). With this setting, the main control timer interrupt process described later is not performed, writing to the main control built-in RAM is prevented, and rewriting of game information is protected.

  Subsequent to step S60, the starting opening solenoid 96, the special winning opening solenoid 97, the upper special design display 142, the lower special design display 143, the upper special design storage display 144, and the lower special design storage display shown in FIG. The driving signals output to the device 145, the ordinary symbol display 146, the ordinary symbol storage display 147, the game status indicator 148, the round indicator 149, and the like are stopped (step S62).

  After step S62, a checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S64). This checksum is calculated by assuming that the game information in the work area of the main control built-in RAM, excluding the storage area of the above-mentioned checksum value (sum value) and the value of the backup flag BK-FLG, is regarded as a numerical value.

  Subsequent to step S64, the value 1 is set to the backup flag BK-FLG (step S66). This completes the storage of the backup information.

  Subsequent to step S66, clear setting of the watchdog timer is performed (step S68). This clear setting is performed by sequentially setting the value A, the value B, and the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, as described above.

  Subsequent to step S68, the process enters a loop process of repeating a state in which nothing is executed. Note that the processing of step S60 to step S68 and the loop processing are referred to as “main control-side power-off processing”. In this loop processing, since the value A, the value B, and the value C are not sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, the watchdog timer is not set to be cleared. For this reason, the watchdog timer times out and outputs a time-out signal, and the main control MPU is reset by the time-out signal. Thereafter, the main control MPU performs the main control-side power-on process again from the beginning.

  The pachinko machine 1 (main control MPU 101) is reset when a power outage or a momentary power outage occurs, and performs power-on processing on the main control side by restoring power thereafter.

  In step S36, it is checked whether or not the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM is normal. Then, in step S38, it is determined whether or not the main control-side power-off process has been completed normally. Inspection. As described above, the backup information stored in the main control built-in RAM is double-checked to check whether or not the backup information has been stored due to fraud.

[Main control timer interrupt processing]
Next, the main control timer interrupt processing will be described. This main-control-side timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at an interrupt cycle (4 ms in the present embodiment) set in the main-control-side power-on processing shown in FIGS. 79 and 80.

  When the main control timer interrupt process is started, the main control MPU of the main control board 100 sets the value B in the watchdog timer clear register WCL as shown in FIG. 81 (step S70). At this time, a value B is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL following the value A set in step S54 of the main control side main loop processing.

  Subsequent to step S70, the interrupt flag is cleared (step S72). When the interrupt flag is cleared, the interrupt cycle is initialized, and the next interrupt cycle is counted from the initial value.

  Subsequent to step S72, switch input processing is performed (step S74). In this switch input process, various signals input to the input terminal of the main control I / O port 102 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the main control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S74, a timer subtraction process is performed (step S76). In the timer subtraction process, for example, the time during which the upper special symbol display 142 and the lower special symbol indicator 143 are turned on in accordance with the variable display pattern determined in the later-described special symbol and special electric accessory control process, the normal symbol and the later-described symbols The ball information control board 110 transmits various commands transmitted by the main control board 100 (main control MPU) in addition to the time during which the normal symbol display 146 is turned on according to the normal symbol variation display pattern determined in the normal electric accessory control process. When judging whether or not the ball information main ACK signal indicating normal reception has been input, time management such as an ACK signal input judgment time set as the judgment condition is performed. Specifically, when the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display pattern or the ordinary symbol fluctuation display pattern is 5 seconds, the timer interruption cycle is set to 4 ms. Therefore, every time this timer subtraction processing is performed, the fluctuation time is reduced by 4 ms. When the result of the subtraction becomes 0, the fluctuation time of the fluctuation display pattern or the normal symbol fluctuation display pattern is accurately measured.

  In the present embodiment, the ACK signal input determination time is set to 100 ms. Each time this timer subtraction process is performed, the ACK signal input determination time is subtracted by 4 ms, and the result of the subtraction becomes 0, thereby accurately measuring the ACK signal input determination time. The various times and the ACK signal input determination time are stored in the time management information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as time management information.

  Following step S76, a hit random number update process is performed (step S78). In the hit random number updating process, the above-described large hit determination random number, large hit symbol random number, and small hit symbol random number are updated. In addition to these random numbers, the random number for initial value determination for a jackpot symbol, which is updated in the non-hit random number updating process in step S58 in the main control side power-on process (main control side main process) shown in FIG. And the random number for initial value determination for small hit symbols is also updated. The random number for determining the initial value for the big hit symbol and the random number for determining the initial value for the small hit symbol are updated in the main control-side main process and the main control-side timer interrupt process, respectively, to further enhance the randomness. . On the other hand, the random number for the big hit determination, the random number for the big hit symbol, and the random number for the small hit symbol are random numbers related to the hit determination (big hit determination). Counts up. For example, as described above, the counter for updating the jackpot determination random number is an initial value update type counter, and a predetermined fixed numerical value range from the minimum value to the maximum value (in this embodiment, the value It is updated within the value 32767) as 0 to the maximum value, and the range from the minimum value to the maximum value is counted up by adding 1 to the value every time the main control timer interrupt processing is performed. It counts up from the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination toward the maximum value (value 32767), and then counts up from the minimum value (value 0) to the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination. When the counter for updating the big hit determination random number finishes counting up the range from the minimum value to the maximum value of the big hit determination random number, the big hit determination initial value determining random number is updated by this hit random number update processing. At this time, the value to be updated is always the same from the fixed numerical value range of the counter that retrieves the ID code from the built-in nonvolatile RAM by the main control MPU and updates the random number for jackpot determination based on the retrieved ID code. An initial value deriving process for deriving a fixed value of is performed, and the derived fixed value is set as an initial value. In other words, the same fixed value derived based on the ID code as a result of the execution of the initial value deriving process is always overwritten and updated as the initial value in the random number for initial value determination for jackpot determination. The above-described random number for normal symbol determination and the random number for initial value determination for normal symbol hit determination described above are also updated by the hit random number updating process. The normal symbol hit determination random numbers and the like are the same as the above-described method of updating the big hit determination random numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  Subsequent to step S78, a prize ball control process is performed (step S80). In this prize ball control processing, input information is read from the above-mentioned input information storage area, and based on the input information, a prize ball command for transmitting to the sphere information control board 110 is created. For example, a self-check command for confirming a connection state between the control board 110 and the board is created. Then, the created award ball command and the self-check command are transmitted to the ball information control board 110 as main ball information serial data. For example, when one game ball enters the special winning opening and enters, a prize ball command representing 15 balls as the number of prize balls is created and transmitted to the ball information control board 110, or the prize ball command is transmitted to the ball information control board. When the ball information main ACK signal notifying that the reception of the ball 110 has been normally completed is not input within a predetermined time, a self-check command for confirming the connection state between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is created. The information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110.

  Subsequent to step S80, a frame command receiving process is performed (step S82). The ball information control board 110 transmits various 1-byte (8-bit) commands classified into status displays. In the frame command receiving process of step S82, when the various commands are normally received as ball information main serial data, information for notifying the command to the ball information control board 110 is output to the output information storage area of the main control built-in RAM as output information. Remember. Further, the command normally received as the ball information main serial data is shaped into a command of 2 bytes (16 bits) and stored as transmission information in the above-mentioned transmission information storage area.

  Subsequent to step S82, a fraud detection process is performed (step S84). In this cheating detection processing, an abnormal state relating to the prize ball is confirmed. For example, when the input information is read from the above-described input information storage area and the detection signal is input from the count switch 98 when the jackpot is not in the gaming state (when a game ball enters the special winning opening) or the like, A prize abnormality display command classified as a notification display as an abnormal state is created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area described above.

  After step S84, a special symbol and special electric accessory control process is performed (step S86). In the special symbol and special electric accessory control process, the value of the counter for updating the random number for determining the big hit described above is taken out, and it is determined whether or not the value matches the big hit determination value stored in advance in the main control built-in ROM (big hit). It is determined whether or not a game state is to be generated (referred to as "special lottery"), or the value of a counter for updating the random number for the big hit symbol is taken out. It is determined whether or not they match (determination of whether or not to generate a probability change). Here, “probability fluctuation” means that the probability of a big hit changes to a high probability (at the time of a probable change) that is set higher than that at a normal time (a low probability). In the present embodiment, the value 32668 to the value 32767 are set in the low probability as a range of the big hit determination value (big hit determination range), and are read from the normal time determination table, whereas the value 32438 is read in the high probability. ３32767 are set, and are read from the probability change determination table. As described above, in the special symbol and special electric accessory control process in step S86, it is determined whether the value of the counter for updating the random number for big hit determination matches the big hit determination value stored in the main control built-in ROM in advance. The determination is made based on whether or not the value of the counter for updating the big hit determination random number is included in the big hit determination range.

  When these determination results are based on the upper starting port detection switch 90, various commands related to the special effect 1 tuning performance are created, while when the lottery result is based on the lower starting port detection switch 91, special commands are generated. FIG. 2 Creates various commands related to the tuning effect, stores them in the transmission information storage area as transmission information, and turns on the upper special symbol display 142 or the lower special symbol display 143 according to the determined special symbol variation display pattern. The output of the lighting signal to the upper special symbol display 142 or the lower special symbol display 143 is set, and is stored as output information in the output information storage area described above.

  In addition, when a big hit game state is set, for example, according to the game state to be generated, various commands classified into big hit relations are created and stored as transmission information in the transmission information storage area, and the opening / closing member is opened and closed. The output of the drive signal to the winning opening solenoid 97 is set and stored in the output information storage area as output information. When the number of times (round) in which the special winning opening changes from the closed state to the open state is two times, round display is performed. The output of the lighting signal to the two round display lamp is set so that the two round display lamp of the device 149 is turned on, and is stored in the output information storage area as output information. The output of the lighting signal to the 15 round display lamp is set so as to light the 15 round display lamp, and the output information is output as the output information. And stores in the storage area, presence or absence of occurrence probability variations sets the output of the lighting signal to the game state indicator 148 to be lit in a predetermined color, or stored in the output information storage area as the output information.

  Subsequent to step S86, a normal symbol and normal electric accessory control process is performed (step S88). In the normal symbol and normal electric accessory control process, the input information is read from the input information storage area described above, and a gate winning process is performed based on the input information. In the gate winning process, it is determined from the input information whether a detection signal from the gate switch 92 has been input to the input terminal. When the detection signal is input to the input terminal based on the result of the determination, the value of the counter for updating the random number for determining a normal symbol hit described above is extracted, and the gate information storage area of the main control built-in RAM is extracted as gate information. To memorize.

  Subsequent to step S88, port output processing is performed (step S90). In the port output processing, output information is read from the output information storage area described above from the output terminal of the main control I / O port 102, and various signals are output based on the output information. For example, when various commands from the ball information control board 110 are normally received from the output terminal of the main control I / O port 102 based on the output information, the main ball information ACK signal is output to the ball information control board 110 or the like. In the big hit game state, the driving signal is output to the special winning opening solenoid 97 for opening and closing the opening and closing member of the special winning opening, and the driving signal is output to the starting opening solenoid 96 for performing the opening and closing operation of the movable piece. In addition, 15 rounds jackpot information output signal, 2 rounds jackpot information output signal, probability fluctuation information output signal, special symbol display information output signal, normal symbol display information output signal, hourly information output information, starting opening winning information output signal For example, various information (game information) signals relating to the game, such as the game information, are output to the ball information control board 110.

  Subsequent to step S90, a peripheral control board command transmission process is performed (step S92). In the peripheral control board command transmission processing, the transmission information is read from the transmission information storage area described above, and the transmission information is transmitted to the peripheral control board 130 as main circumference serial data. This transmission information includes various commands that are created in the main control timer interrupt process of this routine and are classified into special figure 1 tuning effect-related, various commands classified in special figure 2 tuning effect-related, and big hit-related. Command, various commands classified for power-on, various commands classified for general drawing synchronizing effects, various commands for normal electric production effects, various commands for information display, status display Various commands to be classified, various commands to be related to the test, and various commands to be classified are stored. In the main circumference serial data, one packet is composed of three bytes.

  Specifically, the main serial data has a status indicating a type of command having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), a mode indicating a variation of an effect having a storage capacity of 1 byte (8 bits), and a status. And a sum value calculated by assuming the mode as a numerical value, and this sum value is created at the time of transmission. Note that the processing from step S74 to step S92 is referred to as "game control processing".

  Subsequent to step S92, the value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL (step S94). By setting the value C in the watchdog timer clear register WCL in step S94, the value C is set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL following the value B set in step S70. As a result, the value A, the value B, and the value C are sequentially set in the watchdog timer clear register WCL, and the watchdog timer is set to clear.

  Subsequent to step S94, the register is switched (returned) (step S96), and this routine ends. Here, when the main control timer interrupt process of the present routine is started, the main control MPU saves the contents of the general-purpose registers on the stack by hardware. This prevents the contents of the general-purpose registers used in the main processing on the main control side from being destroyed. In step S96, the contents saved on the stack are read and written to the original register. Note that the main control MPU sets interruption permission after the return in step S96.

[Various control processing of ball information control board]
Next, various control processes performed by the ball information control board 110 shown in FIG. 77 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing the sphere information control side power-on processing executed by the sphere information control MPU 111 of the sphere information control board 110, and FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the sphere information control side power-on processing of FIG. 82. FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the ball information control-side power-on process following FIG. 83. FIG. 85 shows the ball information control power-off process executed by the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110. FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing an example of the ball information control side timer interrupt processing.

[Processing when turning on the ball information control side]
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the ball information control MPU 111 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the ball information control MPU) of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110, as shown in FIGS. The process at the time of turning on the ball information control side is performed. When the sphere information control-side power-on process is started, the sphere information control MPU sets an interrupt mode (step S500). This interrupt mode sets the priority of the interrupt of the ball information control MPU. In the present embodiment, the ball information control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, is set as the highest priority, and when an interrupt of this ball information control unit timer interrupt process occurs, that process is performed with priority.

  Subsequent to step S500, input / output settings (I / O input / output settings) are performed (step S502). In this I / O input / output setting, the input / output setting of the I / O port of the ball information control MPU is performed.

  Subsequent to step S502, output of a power failure clear signal to the power failure monitoring circuit 117 shown in FIG. 77 is started (step S504). The power failure monitoring circuit 117 includes a voltage comparison circuit and a D-type flip-flop IC. The voltage comparison circuit compares the voltage between +24 V and the reference voltage, or compares the voltage between +12 V and the reference voltage, and outputs the comparison result. The result of this comparison is that when no power failure or instantaneous power failure occurs, the logic becomes HI and is input to the PR terminal, which is a preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop. The logic becomes LOW and is input to the PR terminal which is a preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop. In step S504, the output of the power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal which is the clear terminal of the D-type flip-flop is started. The logic of this power failure clear signal becomes LOW via the ball information control I / O port 112 of the ball information control unit 118 and is input to the clear terminal. This allows the ball information control MPU to release the latch state of the D-type flip-flop, and inverts the logic input to the PR terminal, which is the preset terminal of the D-type flip-flop, until the latch state is set. Then, a state can be obtained in which the signal is output from the 1Q terminal which is the output terminal, and the signal from the 1Q terminal can be monitored.

  Subsequent to step S504, wait timer processing 1 is performed (step S506), and it is determined whether a power failure notice signal is input (step S508). The voltage does not rise immediately after the power is turned on until the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage. On the other hand, in the event of a power failure or momentary power failure (a phenomenon in which the supply of power is suddenly stopped temporarily), the voltage drops, and when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning. Similarly, during the period from when the power is turned on until the voltage rises to the predetermined voltage, when the voltage becomes lower than the power failure notice voltage, a power failure notice signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117. Therefore, the wait timer process 1 in step S506 is a process for waiting after the power is turned on until the voltage becomes larger than the power failure notice voltage and stabilizes. In the present embodiment, the wait time (wait timer) is 200 milliseconds (wait timer). ms) is set. In step S508, it is determined whether or not the power failure notice signal has been input. This determination is made based on the signal output from the 1Q terminal, which is the output terminal of the above-described D-type flip-flop, as the power failure notice signal.

  Subsequent to step S508, the output of the power failure clear signal to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D type flip-flop, is stopped (step S510). By stopping the output of the power failure clear signal, the logic becomes HI via the ball information control I / O port 112 and is input to the CLR terminal which is a clear terminal. Thereby, the ball information control MPU can set the D-type flip-flop to the latch state. The D-type flip-flop outputs a power failure notice signal from its output terminal 1Q when it latches the state where the logic is input to the preset terminal PR as LOW.

  Subsequent to step S510, it is determined whether the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated (step S512). This determination is made based on whether or not the RAM clear switch 105 of the main control board 100 has been operated and the operation signal (detection signal) has been input to the ball information control MPU. When the detection signal is input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, and when the detection signal is not input, it is determined that the RAM clear switch 105 has not been operated.

  If it is determined in step S512 that the RAM clear switch 105 has been operated, the value 1 is set in the ball information RAM clear flag (step S514), and the process proceeds to step S518, while the RAM clear switch 105 is operated in step S512. If it is determined that it has not been performed, the value 0 is set to the ball information RAM clear (step S516), and the process proceeds to step S518.

  The ball information RAM clear flag is stored in, for example, various flags and various information storage areas stored in a RAM (hereinafter, referred to as “ball information control built-in RAM”) built in the ball information control MPU. This flag indicates whether or not various types of ball information are deleted. The value is set to 1 when the ball information is deleted, and set to 0 when the ball information is not deleted. The sphere information RAM clear flag set in steps S514 and S516 is stored in a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) of the sphere information control MPU.

  Subsequent to step S514 or step S516, a setting for permitting access to the ball information control built-in RAM is performed (step S518). This setting allows access to the sphere information control built-in RAM, for example, to write (store) or read sphere information.

  Subsequent to step S518, a stack pointer is set (step S520). The stack pointer indicates, for example, an address stacked on the stack to temporarily store the contents of a storage element (register) in use, or temporarily indicates a return address of the present routine when the subroutine is terminated and the process returns to the present routine. It indicates an address on the stack for storage, and the stack pointer advances each time the stack is stacked. In step S520, an initial address is set in the stack pointer, and from this initial address, the contents of the register, the return address, and the like are stacked on the stack. Then, the stack pointer is returned to the initial address by reading sequentially from the last stack to the first stack.

  Subsequent to step S520, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S527. In step S527, it is determined whether or not the ball information RAM clear flag has a value of 0 (step S527). As described above, the ball information RAM clear flag is set to a value of 1 when the ball information is deleted, and to a value of 0 when the ball information is not deleted.

  If the sphere information RAM clear flag has the value 0 in step S527, that is, if the sphere information is not to be erased, a checksum is calculated (step S528). The checksum is obtained by regarding the ball information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM as a numerical value and calculating the sum thereof.

  Subsequent to step S528, it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum value matches the checksum value stored in the later-described ball information control unit power-off process (when the power is turned off) (step S530). ). If they match, it is determined whether or not the ball information backup flag has a value of 1 (step S532). The ball information backup flag is a flag indicating whether or not ball information backup information such as ball information and a checksum value has been stored and held in the ball information control built-in RAM in a later-described ball information control unit power-off process. The value is set to 1 when the processing for powering off the ball information control unit is normally completed, and to 0 when the processing for powering off the ball information control unit is not completed normally.

  If the sphere information backup flag has the value 1 in step S532, that is, if the sphere information control unit power-off processing has been normally completed, the work area of the sphere information control built-in RAM is set as power recovery (step S534). In this setting, in addition to setting the value 0 to the ball information backup flag, power recovery time information is read from a ROM (hereinafter, referred to as “ball information control built-in ROM”) built in the ball information control MPU. The power recovery time information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM. As a result, information used for various processes is set based on various flags, various information stored in various information storage areas, etc., which are the above-mentioned ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM. . Note that “power recovery” includes not only a state where the power is turned on after the power is turned off, but also a state where the power is restored after the power failure or the momentary power failure.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S527 that the ball information RAM clear flag is not the value 0 (it is the value 1), or if the checksum values do not match in step S530, or if the ball information backup flag is set to the value in step S532, If it is determined that the value is not 1 (the value is 0), that is, if the processing at the time of powering off the ball information control unit is not completed normally, the entire area of the ball information control built-in RAM is cleared (step S536). Thereby, the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM is cleared.

  Subsequent to step S536, a work area of the sphere information control built-in RAM is set as an initial setting (step S538). For this setting, the initial information is read from the ball information control built-in ROM, and the initial information is set in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S534 or step S538, interrupt initialization is performed (step S540). This setting is for setting an interrupt cycle when a later-described ball information control unit timer interrupt process is performed. In the present embodiment, it is set to 2 ms.

  Subsequent to step S540, interrupt permission setting is performed (step S542). With this setting, the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is repeatedly performed at the interrupt cycle set at step S540, that is, every 2 ms.

  Subsequent to step S542, it is determined whether a power failure notice signal has been input (step S544). As described above, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is cut off, or a power failure or a momentary power failure occurs, if the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the power failure warning voltage, a power failure warning signal is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 117 as a power failure warning. The determination in step S540 is made based on the power failure notice signal.

  If there is no input of the power failure notice signal in step S544, it is determined whether the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has a value of 1 (step S546). The 2 ms elapse flag HT-FLG is a flag for measuring 2 ms in a sphere information control unit timer interrupt process which is performed every 2 ms, which will be described later. The value is set to 1 when 2 ms has elapsed and to 0 when 2 ms has not elapsed. Each is set.

  If it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 0, that is, if 2 ms has not elapsed, the process returns to step S544 to determine whether a power failure notice signal has been input.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S546 that the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1, that is, when 2 ms has elapsed, the value 0 is set in the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG (step S547), and the process proceeds to step S550. The external WDT clear signal is output to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 (turned on, step S550). The external WDT 116 monitors the operation (system) of the ball information control MPU. When the external WDT clear signal is not stopped during the clear signal release time, a reset signal is sent to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112. Is output to reset (the system of the ball information control MPU is periodically diagnosed whether or not it runs away).

  Subsequent to step S550, port output processing is performed (step S552). In this port output process, various information is read from the output information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM, and various signals are output from the output terminal of the sphere information control I / O port 112 based on the various information.

  In the output information storage area, for example, ball information main ACK information for notifying that various commands (prize ball command or self-check command) regarding the prize ball from the main control board 100 have been normally received, Various information such as drive information for performing drive control is stored, and when a prize ball command from the main control board 100 is normally received from the output terminal of the ball information control I / O port 112 based on this output information. The ball information main ACK signal is output to the main control board 100, and the drive signal is output to the firing solenoid 13.

  Subsequent to step S552, port input processing is performed (step S554). In this port input processing, various signals input to the input terminal of the ball information control I / O port 112 are read and stored as input information in the input information storage area of the ball information control built-in RAM. For example, a door frame opening switch 131, a main body frame opening switch 132, a standby ball detection switch 26, 70, a firing ball confirmation switch 36, a collection ball detection switch 203, a full ball path detection switch 206, a proper ball quantity detection switch 207, Lifting entrance switch 156, lifting motor sensor (photo sensor) 157, cassette detection switch 158, firing stop switch 86, touch switch 87, BRQ signal, BRDY signal and CR connection signal from payment machine 4, and command transmission processing described later. The main control board 100 reads the various commands transmitted by the main control board 100 in a normal state. The main sphere information ACK signal and the like from the main control board 100 are read and stored in the input information storage area as input information.

  Subsequent to step S554, a timer update process is performed (step S556). The various determination times are stored as time management information in the time management information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM. In the timer updating process, it is determined whether or not the timer values of various timers are set, and if the timer values are set, the timer values are decremented by one. For example, if “1000” is set as a value corresponding to 2 seconds (2000 ms) in the timer, the timer interrupt cycle is set to 2 ms. Therefore, the timer value is incremented by 1 every time the timer subtraction processing is performed in the 2 ms cycle. The time is up when the subtraction results in the value 0, and the time is accurately measured.

  Subsequent to step S556, a settlement machine communication process is performed (step S558). In the checkout machine communication process, input information is read from the above-described input information storage area, and based on the input information, it is determined whether various signals (BRQ signal, BRDY signal, and CR connection signal) from the checkout machine 4 have been input. Is determined. The ball information control MPU exchanges various signals with the settlement machine 4 based on various signals from the settlement machine 4. The ball information control MPU, for example, upon receiving the number of balls to be transmitted transmitted from the settlement machine 4, adds the number of balls to the game machine to the data on the number of balls to be retained.

  Subsequent to step S558, command reception processing is performed (step S560). In this command receiving process, various commands (prize ball commands and self-check commands) regarding the prize balls from the main control board 100 are received. When the various commands are normally received, the sphere information main ACK information notifying the fact is stored in the output information storage area described above. On the other hand, when the various commands cannot be received normally, a connection that informs that the connection between the main control board 100 and the sphere information control board 110 is abnormal (the various command signals are abnormal). The abnormality information is stored in the state information storage area described above.

  Subsequent to step S560, a command analysis process is performed (step S562). In the command analysis process, the command received in step S562 is analyzed, and the analyzed command is stored as received command information in the received command information storage area of the sphere information control built-in RAM.

  Subsequent to step S562, main operation setting processing is performed (step S564). In the main operation setting process, the ball information control MPU sets the operation of the firing solenoid 13, the ball feeding solenoid 31, the ball lifting device 22 (ball lifting motor 150), the ball polishing ribbon feed motor 155, and the like. Further, the ball information control MPU sequentially detects “1” from the game machine possessed ball number data stored in the game machine possessed ball count storage area in response to the hit detection of each game ball based on the ball detection of the launch ball confirmation switch 36. Is subtracted. Further, when a prize ball command is stored in the received command information storage area, the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball command is added to the game machine possession ball number data stored in the game machine possession ball number storage area.

  Subsequent to step S564, an LED display data creation process is performed (step S566). In the LED display data creation processing, for example, the game machine held ball count data stored in the above-described gaming machine held ball count storage area is read, and display data for displaying the held ball count on the touch panel unit 14 is created. The display information is stored in the output information storage area described above.

  Subsequent to step S566, command transmission processing is performed (step S568). In this command transmission processing, various types of information are read from the above-described status information storage area, various types of commands classified into status display are created based on the various types of information, and transmitted to the main control board 100.

  Subsequent to step S568, the output of the external WDT clear signal to the external watchdog timer (external WDT) 116 is stopped (turned off, step S570). This clears the external WDT 116 so that the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112 are not reset. When the output of the external WDT clear signal is stopped, the external WDT 116 starts measuring the clear signal release time.

  Subsequent to step S570, the process returns to step S544 again to determine whether or not the power failure notice signal has been input. If the power failure notice signal has not been input, the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1 in step S546. If the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG has the value 1, that is, if 2 ms has elapsed, the value 0 is set to the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG in step S547, and the external WDT 4120c is set in the external WDT 4120c in step S550. A WDT clear signal is output (ON), a port output process is performed in step S552, a port input process is performed in step S554, a timer update process is performed in step S556, a settlement machine communication process is performed in step S558, and a step S560 is performed. Command reception processing is performed, and command analysis processing is performed in step S562. In step S564, main operation setting processing is performed, in step S566, LED display data creation processing is performed, in step S568, command transmission processing is performed, and in step S570, output of the external WDT clear signal to the external WDT 116 is stopped (OFF). Steps S544 to S570 are repeatedly performed. Note that the processing of steps S544 to S570 is referred to as “ball information control main processing”.

  On the other hand, when a power failure notice signal is input in step S544, interrupt prohibition setting is performed (step S572). With this setting, the sphere information control unit timer interrupt processing described later is not performed, writing to the sphere information control built-in RAM is prevented, and the above-described sphere information rewriting is protected.

  Subsequent to step S572, a power failure clear signal is output to the CLR terminal, which is the clear terminal of the D type flip-flop of the power failure monitoring circuit 117, via the ball information control I / O port 112 (step S574). Thus, the D-type flip-flop can release the latched state by outputting the power failure clear signal.

  Subsequent to step S574, the output of the drive signal to the firing solenoid 13 is stopped (step S576). Thus, the launch of the game ball is stopped. Subsequent to step S576, the output of the drive signal to the ball feeding solenoid 31 is stopped (step S578). Thereby, the feeding of the game ball to the hit ball launching device 29 is stopped.

  Subsequent to step S578, an external WDT clear signal is output to the external WDT 116, and the output is stopped (ON / OFF, step S580). As a result, the external WDT 116 is cleared. After step S580, the checksum is calculated and the calculated value is stored (step S582). This checksum is calculated assuming that the ball information in the work area of the ball information control built-in RAM is a numerical value except for the storage area of the value of the checksum calculated in step S528 and the value of the ball information backup flag HBK-FLG, and calculates the sum thereof. I do. Subsequent to step S582, the value 1 is set to the ball information backup flag (step S584). Thereby, the storage of the ball information backup information is completed. Subsequent to step S584, prohibition of access to the ball information control built-in RAM is set (step S586). With this setting, access to the ball information control built-in RAM is prohibited, writing and reading are disabled, and the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM is protected.

  Subsequent to step S586, the process enters a loop process of repeating a state in which nothing is performed. In this loop processing, the clear signal is not turned on / off to the external WDT 116. For this reason, the external WDT 116 outputs a reset signal to the ball information control MPU and the ball information control I / O port 112 to perform reset. Thereafter, the ball information control MPU performs the ball information control-side power-on process again from the beginning. Note that the processing of step S572 to step S586 and the loop processing are referred to as “ball information control power-off processing”.

  The pachinko machine 1 (ball information control MPU) is reset when a power failure or momentary power failure occurs, and performs a ball information control-side power-on process by restoring power thereafter.

  In step S530, it is checked whether the sphere information backup information stored in the sphere information control built-in RAM is normal or not. Then, in step S532, the sphere information control unit power-off processing is normally terminated. Is being tested. As described above, by double checking the ball information backup information stored in the ball information control built-in RAM, it is checked whether or not the ball information backup information has been stored due to fraud.

[Sphere information control timer interrupt processing]
Next, the ball information control side timer interrupt processing will be described. This ball information control side timer interrupt process is repeatedly performed at every interrupt cycle (2 ms in the present embodiment) set in step S540 of the ball information control side power-on process shown in FIG.

  When the ball information control side timer interrupt process is started, the ball information control MPU of the ball information control unit 118 in the ball information control board 110 sets the timer interrupt to prohibition and switches the register (see FIG. 86). Evacuation) (step S590). Here, the general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register) used in the above-described ball information control unit main processing is switched to the auxiliary register. By using this auxiliary register in the ball information control side timer interrupt processing, the value of the general-purpose register is not overwritten. This prevents the contents of the general-purpose register used in the ball information control-side main processing from being destroyed.

  Subsequent to step S590, the value 1 is set to the 2 ms elapsed flag HT-FLG (step S592). The 2 ms elapse flag HT-FLG is a flag that counts 2 ms every time the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is performed, that is, a value of 1 when 2 ms has elapsed, and a value of 0 when 2 ms has not elapsed. Are set respectively. Subsequent to step S592, switching (return) of the register is performed (step S594). This return switches from the auxiliary register used in the sphere information control timer interrupt processing to a general-purpose storage element (general-purpose register). By using this general-purpose register in the ball information control side main processing, the value of the auxiliary register is not overwritten. This prevents the contents of the auxiliary register used in the ball information control unit timer interrupt processing from being destroyed. Subsequent to step S594, interrupt permission is set (step S596), and this routine ends.

[Each Process Executed in Ball Information Control Main Process]
Next, each process executed by the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110 every 2 ms in the ball information control main process of FIG. 84 will be described. First, the ball lending process will be described, and subsequently, the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process, the held ball count process, the ball feeding / launch drive process, the launched ball detection process, and the held ball number subtraction process will be described. It should be noted that the hitting possible / impossible determination processing, the held ball count processing, the ball feeding / launch driving processing, the launched ball detection processing, the held ball number subtraction processing, and the lifting driving processing are one of the main operation setting processing in step S564. The processing is executed in the order of hitting possible / impossible determination processing, held ball count processing, ball feed / launch drive processing, launched ball detection processing, held ball number subtraction processing, and lifting drive processing.

  When the player inserts the card 403 into the card insertion slot, the payment machine 4 detects the insertion of the card 403, and the data stored in the card 403 is read through the card processor 402. That is, the ID stored in the ID storage unit 404 of the card 403 of FIG. 78, the remaining number stored in the remaining number storage unit 405, and the number of held balls stored in the held ball number storage unit 406 are read into the RAM. Is stored in a predetermined storage area (ID storage area, remaining number storage area, held ball number storage area).

  Next, the checkout machine 4 determines whether the inserted card 403 is usable or unusable. In this embodiment, when the read residual count is 0 and the read ball count is 0, the card 403 is determined to be unusable, and the card 403 is ejected from the card insertion slot. For this reason, when it is determined that the card 403 is unusable, the following processes of the held ball count processing, the ball feeding / launch drive processing, and the held ball number subtraction processing described below are not executed.

  On the other hand, if the read remaining number is not 0, or if the read remaining number is 0 but the read ball count is not 0, the settlement machine 4 determines that the card is usable, and returns the ball information. The card use information is transmitted to the control board 110.

  When the player presses the ball lending button to perform a game, an operation signal of the ball lending button is input to the settlement machine 4. In response to the operation signal of the ball lending button, the settlement machine 4 performs a ball lending process, for example, transmits a prescribed number of ball lending to the ball information control MPU of the ball information control board 110, and thereafter, from the ball information control MPU. Wait until the sent ball rental end is received.

[Rental processing]
Here, the ball lending process executed by the ball information control MPU will be described. FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a ball lending process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball lending process is executed as one of the settlement machine communication processes in step S558 that is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the ball lending process, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the card usable information transmitted from the payment machine 4 is received (step S600). In step S600, if the card use information transmitted from the checkout machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S601, and the number of held balls counter (a game machine possession) which is a part of the storage area set in the built-in RAM. The ball number storage area) is cleared to 0 (step S601), and the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if the card usable information transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is not received in step S600, the process directly proceeds to step S602. Note that the initial value of the held ball counter is set to “0” due to the power recovery setting of the RAM work area in step S534.

  When proceeding to step S602, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not the number of ball rentals transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is received (step S602). In step S602, when the number of balls for rental transmitted from the settlement machine 4 is received, the process proceeds to step S603, and the received number of balls for rental is added to the value of the held ball counter (step S603), and the ball The lending end is transmitted to the settlement machine 4 (step S604), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball lending process.

  On the other hand, in step S602, if the number of balls to be transmitted transmitted from the settlement machine 4 has not been received, the process does not proceed to steps S603 and S604, but directly exits the subroutine of the ball lending process.

  As described above, only when the newly usable card 303 is inserted into the checkout machine 4, the card usable information is transmitted to the ball information control board 110. Further, only when the operation signal of the ball lending button is input to the settlement machine 4 after the card usable information is received, the ball lending number is transmitted to the ball information control MPU. Then, when the number of available balls is received, the number of available balls is first added to the value of the held ball counter and stored.

[Hitting ball impossibility judgment processing]
Next, the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process executed by the ball information control MPU will be described. FIG. 88 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process performed by the ball information control MPU. The hitting / non-hitting determination process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the hitting possible / impossible determination process, it determines whether or not the number of held balls is 0, that is, whether or not the value of a held ball counter is 0 (step S710). If it is determined in step S710 that the value of the held ball counter is not 0, that is, if step S710 is determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S711, and the standby ball detection switch 70 (see FIG. 10) ) Is turned on, that is, whether or not there is a waiting ball in the ball feeding device 28 (step S711).

  If it is determined in step S711 that the standby ball detection switch 70 (see FIG. 10) is on, the firing enable flag is set to 1 (fire possible) (step S712), and the hitting availability determination processing is performed. Exit the subroutine. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S710 that the value of the held ball counter is 0, and when it is determined in step S711 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is not on (off), the firing is performed. The possible flag is set to 0 (impossible to fire) (step S713), and the process exits the subroutine of hitting possible / impossible determination processing.

  As described above, when the value of the held ball counter is not 0 and there is a standby ball in the ball feeder 28, the firing solenoid 13 and the ball feed solenoid 31 can be driven, and the game area 8 of the game ball is substantially The game is in a playable state in which the player can be driven. When the value of the held ball number counter is 0 or when there is no standby ball in the ball feeder 28, the firing solenoid 13 cannot be driven, and the game ball is substantially driven into the game area 8. The game cannot be played. At the same time, the ball feed solenoid 31 cannot be driven.

[Counting the number of held balls]
Next, a description will be given of a held ball number counting process corresponding to ball information processing during a game assuming that the game is substantially enabled. FIG. 89 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the held ball count processing performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the held ball number counting process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  Upon starting the held ball count processing, the ball information control MPU determines whether or not there is a winning ball command analyzed in the command analysis processing of step S562 (step S720). That is, it is determined whether or not a prize ball command is stored in the received command information storage area. If the winning ball command is stored, it is determined that step S720 is present, and the number of winning balls corresponding to the winning ball command stored in the received command information storage area is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored (step S722). ), Exit the subroutine of the held ball count processing. On the other hand, if there is no memorized prize ball command, it is determined that step S720 is absent, and the process exits the subroutine of the held ball count process.

  For example, when a prize occurs in the winning opening set to the number of prize balls “4”, the number of prize balls “4” is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored. When a prize is generated in the winning opening (large winning opening) set in, the winning ball number “15” is added to the value of the held ball counter and stored.

[Ball feed / launch drive processing]
Next, the ball feeding / firing drive processing will be described. FIG. 90 to FIG. 91 are flowcharts showing an example of a subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball feeding / firing drive process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. When the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the firing solenoid 13 is turned on when the period A has elapsed, and when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off when the period B has elapsed, and the ball feeding is performed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has elapsed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

  In this embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feed member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a shooting ball when a shooting ball stopped at the firing position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time (a period D is set to 30 ms). I do.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

  When the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8, and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. As a result, the number of held balls is decremented by one.

  When starting the ball feeding / firing drive process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the firing enable flag is 1 (fire is possible) (step S730). When it is determined in the hitting possible / impossible determination processing that the shooting is possible, the firing possible flag is set to 1 (fireable). If it is determined in step S730 that the fireable flag is not 1 (fireable), that is, if the fireable flag is 0 (no fireable), the process exits the subroutine of the ball feed / fire drive process. In this case, the substantial ball feeding / firing drive processing is not executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S730 that the firing enable flag is 1 (fire is enabled), the flow shifts to step S731 to determine whether the processing flag is 0 (step S731).

  Here, the processing flag is a flag for identifying whether the ball information control MPU branches to any one of the processes in the ball feeding / firing driving process described later, in other words, the control in the ball feeding / firing driving process. A flag for identifying the state. "0" means an initial setting, and "1" specifies a period from when the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on to when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on. Yes, it defines the period from turning on the firing solenoid 13 at "2" to turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31, and turning off the firing solenoid 13 after turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31 at "3". This defines the period up to.

  At the time when the ball feeding / firing drive process is started, the value of the process flag is set to 0. Therefore, it is determined YES in step S731, and the process proceeds to step S732 to set a timer value corresponding to the period A (see FIG. 24, 300 ms) in the timer (step S732), and turn on the ball feeding solenoid 31 (step S733). , The processing flag is set to 1 (step S734), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive process. Note that the timer value set in the timer is decremented by one at a cycle of 2 ms in the timer updating process of step S556 in FIG.

  The next processing cycle of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is after 2 ms. As a result of the processing flag being set to 1, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, it is determined that the step S730 is YES, the step S731 is NO, and the process proceeds to the step S735. In step S735, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 1 (step S735). In this case, since the processing flag is set to 1, the determination in step S735 is YES, and the flow advances to step S736 to determine whether the timer has expired (step S736). If the timer has not expired, step S736 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding and firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereinafter, until the timer that sets the period A expires, based on the value of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be YES, and step S735 is determined to be YES. The processing routine for determining NO in S736 is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S736, and it is determined that the period A has elapsed, and the process advances to step S737 to set a timer value corresponding to the period B (see FIG. 26, 30 ms) in the timer. (Step S737), the firing solenoid 13 is turned on (Step S738), the processing flag is set to 2 (Step S739), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 2, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and the process proceeds to step S740. . In Step S740, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing flag is 2 (Step S740). In this case, since the processing flag is set to 2, the determination in step S740 is YES, and the flow advances to step S741 to determine whether the timer has expired (step S741). If the timer has not expired, step S741 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereafter, until the timer that sets the period B expires, based on the value of the processing flag, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, step S735 is determined to be NO, and step S735 is determined to be NO. The processing routine in which S740 is determined as YES and step S741 is determined as NO is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S741, and it is determined that the period B has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S742, and the timer value corresponding to the period C (see FIG. 24, 50 ms) is set in the timer. (Step S742), the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off (Step S743), the processing flag is set to 3 (Step S744), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 3, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing of the next cycle, step S730 is determined as YES, step S731 is determined as NO, step S735 is determined as NO, and step S740 is determined as NO. Judge, and proceed to step S745. In step S745, it is determined whether the timer has expired (step S745). If the timer has not expired, step S745 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereinafter, until the timer set for the period C expires, based on the value of the processing flag 3, step S730 is determined to be YES, step S731 is determined to be NO, and step S735 is determined to be NO. The processing routine of determining NO in S740 and determining NO in step S745 is repeated.

  Then, when the timer times out, it is determined as YES in step S745, and it is determined that the period C has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S746, the firing solenoid 13 is turned off (step S746), and the processing flag is set to 0. It returns to the initial value (step S747), and exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing.

[Launch sphere detection processing]
Next, the shooting ball detection processing will be described. FIG. 92 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a shot ball detection process performed by the ball information control MPU. The shooting sphere detection process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564, which is executed every 2 ms in the sphere information control main process.

  Upon starting the fired ball detection process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is on (step S750). As described above, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the shooting ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feeding member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36.

  If it is determined that the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, the value of the time counter, which is a counter for counting the time during which the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, is incremented by 1 (step S751), and the process proceeds to step S753.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not on, that is, when the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off, 0 is set in the time counter (step S752), and the process proceeds to step S753.

  When the process proceeds to step S753, it is determined whether the value of the time counter has reached a predetermined time D (30 ms in this example) (step S753). If the value of the time counter has not reached the predetermined time D, the determination in step S753 is NO, and the process exits the subroutine of the shooting ball detection process.

  Since the launching ball detection process is performed every 2 ms, if the game ball stopped at the launching position by the launching ball confirmation switch 36 is continuously detected for a predetermined specified time D, the time counter of the time counter is set every 2 ms. The value increases by one, and the value of the time counter reaches a predetermined time D (30 ms, count value 15 in this example). In this case, step S753 is determined to be YES, it is considered that a shot ball has been detected, and a shot ball detection flag is set to 1 (detected) (step S754), and the subroutine of the shot ball detection process is exited.

  On the other hand, when noise enters the shooting ball confirmation switch 36, the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is momentarily turned on, but thereafter, the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. Accordingly, the value of the time counter is set to 0 in response to the firing ball confirmation switch 36 being turned off, and the value of the time counter is set to the predetermined specified time D (30 ms, count value 15 in this example). Never reach.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

[Subtraction number subtraction process]
Next, the held ball number subtraction process will be described. FIG. 93 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU. Note that the held ball number subtraction process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the held ball number subtraction process, it first determines whether or not the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected) (step S760). If it is determined that the fired ball detection flag is not 1 (detected), that is, if NO is determined in step S760, the process exits the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process. In this case, the number of held balls is not subtracted.

  If it is determined in step S760 that the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected), that is, if it is determined as YES in step S760, the process proceeds to step S761 to determine whether the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off. It is determined whether or not it is (step S761). If it is determined in step S761 that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not off, that is, if it is determined in step S761 that the determination is NO, the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process is exited.

  As described above, when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8 and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. As a result, the number of held balls is decremented by one. If it is determined in step S761 that the launch ball confirmation switch 36 is off, that is, if the determination in step S761 is YES, the value of the held ball counter is decremented by one (step S762), and the launched ball detection flag is set. 0 (no detection) is set (step S763), and the process exits the subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process.

  As described above, when a game ball parked at the firing position is detected by the firing ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time period, it is determined that there is a firing ball, and it is determined that there is a shooting ball. If no game ball is detected by the launch ball confirmation switch 36, it is determined that the game ball parked at the launch position has been launched, and the number of balls held is reduced by one. When noise enters 36, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous ball count of the shooting sphere due to the noise, and it is possible to increase the certainty in detecting the shooting sphere.

[Ball lifting drive processing]
Next, the lifting drive processing will be described. FIG. 94 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the lifting drive process performed by the ball information control MPU. The lifting driving process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564, which is executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  Upon starting the lifting drive process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the launch standby ball detection switch 26 is on (step S770). If it is determined in step S770 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is off, that is, if step S770 is NO, the process advances to step S771 to determine whether the unloading entrance switch 156 is on. (Step S771). If it is determined in step S771 that the lifting entrance switch 156 is ON, that is, if step S771 is determined to be YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S772), and a subroutine of the lifting driving process is performed. Through.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S770 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is ON, that is, if the determination in step S770 is YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting drive process is performed. Exit the subroutine.
Also, when it is determined in step S771 that the discharge entrance switch 156 is off, that is, when step S771 is determined to be NO, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S773), and the lifting driving process is performed. Exit the subroutine.

  As described above, when a game ball is not detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26, it is determined that the required number of game balls is not satisfied in the ball supply path member 24, and the ball feeding path is determined by the lifting inlet switch 156. When a game ball waiting for alignment is detected in the ball 275, the ball lifting motor is driven on the condition that it is determined that there is a game ball, and the ball waiting path detection switch 26 sets the ball in the ball supply path member 24. On condition that the game balls waiting to be aligned are detected, the driving of the ball lifting device 22 is stopped, and the lifting of the game balls is stopped. As a result, occurrence of clogging of the ball can be suppressed. Thus, since the configuration is such that the game balls are lifted, the game balls can be fed into the ball supply path member 24 without excess or shortage.

Also, compared to the firing cycle of the game balls of the hitting ball firing device 29 in the upper firing unit 12 and the ball feeding cycle of the game balls of the ball feeding device 28, the game to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 is performed. The ball sending cycle is set short. In this embodiment, the launch cycle of the game ball of the hit ball launching device 29 and the ball sending period of the game ball of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots per minute), and the ball supply path member by the ball lifting device 22. The sending cycle of the game balls to 24 is 384 ms.
Thereby, during the game, the operation of the upper firing unit 12 causes the hitting ball firing device 29 to launch the game ball into the game area and the ball feeding device 28 to feed the game ball to the firing position. In addition, since the sending period of the game balls to the ball supply path member 24 by the ball lifting device 22 is shorter than the sending period of the game balls to the firing position, the game device stands by before being pumped by the pumping inlet switch 156. In a case where the state in which the game balls are filled is maintained, while the game balls are being driven, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are no longer detected by the launch standby ball detection switch 26. Then, the ball lifting device 22 is driven to start the lifting of the game ball, and the game ball to the ball supply path member 24 at a faster pace than the driving pace of the game ball. When the ball is sent out, and the waiting ball detection switch 26 detects a game ball that is aligned and waiting in the ball supply path member 24, the ball lifting device 22 stops driving and the lifting of the game ball is performed. Stopped. That is, during the game, the ball lifting operation of the ball lifting device 22 is performed intermittently, so that the occurrence of ball clogging can be suppressed and the game ball can be efficiently and stably lifted. It is possible to efficiently supply balls to the upper firing unit with a stable number of balls.

  In this embodiment, the launch cycle of the game ball of the hitting ball launching device 29 and the ball sending cycle of the game ball of the ball feeding device 28 are 600 ms (100 shots per minute), and the ball supply by the ball lifting device 22 is performed. Although the sending cycle of the game ball to the path member 24 is set to 384 ms, the method is not limited to this, and the firing cycle and the ball sending cycle of the game ball, and the sending cycle of the game ball to the ball supply path member 24. Are set to 600 ms with each other, and various methods can be selected.

[Clogging notification processing]
Next, the ball clogging notification processing will be described. FIG. 95 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a ball clogging notification process performed by the ball information control MPU. The ball clogging notification process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes in step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process. In addition, the ball clogging notification processing is performed next to the hitting ball possible / impossible determination processing shown in FIG. 88. In addition, the standby ball detection switch 26 corresponds to a first standby ball detection unit, and the standby ball detection switch 70 corresponds to a second standby ball detection unit.

  When starting the ball clogging notification process, the ball information control MPU 111 first determines whether or not the launch standby ball detection switch 26 is on (step S780). If it is determined in step S780 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is ON, that is, if the determination in step S780 is YES, the ball lifting motor 150 is stopped (step S782), and the flow advances to step S786 to wait for firing. It is determined whether or not the ball detection switch is on (step S786). If it is determined in step S786 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is off, that is, if step S786 is determined to be NO, the abnormality detection flag is set to 1 (step S788), and the notification unit is turned on. (Step S789) Exits the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S786 that the standby ball detection switch 70 is ON, that is, if step S786 is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S787, and it is determined whether the abnormality detection flag is 1 (step S787). Step S787). When the abnormality detection flag is determined to be 1 in step S787, that is, when it is determined to be YES in step S787, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0 (step S790), the abnormality notification unit is turned off (step S792), and the recovery notification unit is set. Is turned on (step S794), and the process exits the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process.

  If it is determined in step S780 that the standby ball detection switch 26 is off, that is, if step S780 is NO, the ball lifting motor 150 is driven (step S784), and the abnormality detection flag is set. It is determined whether it is 1 (step S787). If the abnormality detection flag is determined to be 0 in step S787, that is, if step S787 is determined to be NO, the subroutine of the ball clogging notification process is exited.

  As described above, the ball supply path member 24 and the ball feeder 28 are provided with the sensors for detecting game balls, the game balls in the ball supply path member 24 are detected, and the game balls in the ball feeder 28 are detected. On the condition that the ball is not clogged, it is determined that the ball is clogged and an abnormal state is detected, and a notification is made by abnormality notification means (not shown, but, for example, notifying the touch panel unit 14 that the ball is clogged). Thus, for example, it is possible to reliably notify the staff of the game hall that the ball is clogged.

  The upper firing device 12 of the present embodiment can be rotated by the upper firing device hinge 37 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2 (FIG. 12). After the door frame 3 is opened, the state of the upper firing device 12 can be immediately grasped, and the clogging of the ball can be easily eliminated. When the clogging of the ball is eliminated, the abnormality detection flag is cleared to 0, and the abnormality notification means stops. Thereafter, the recovery notifying means (for example, on the touch panel unit 14 displays an indication to the effect that the staff of the game hall can recognize that the ball has been clogged from the clogged state (for example, 5 seconds to 10 seconds)). It is possible to recognize that the ball clog has been resolved.

  The position of the standby ball detection switch 70 is set so as to detect a game ball near the firing position in the path of the ball feeder 28, but to detect a game ball passing through the path of the ball feeder 28. Various arrangement positions can be selected as long as the arrangement can be performed.

[Example 2]
In the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the upper firing device 12 is opened and closed following the opening and closing of the door frame 3 in order to avoid a collision between the game board 5 and the upper firing device 12 when the gaming board 5 is attached to and detached from the main body frame 2. However, unlike the second embodiment, the structure relating to the attaching / detaching operation of the game board 5 is improved while the upper firing device 12 is fixed to the main body frame 2 to improve the structure of the game board 5 and the upper firing device. A structure that avoids collision with 12 is adopted. The upper firing device 12 is one of the game ball firing devices arranged on either side of the front surface of the main body frame in the left-right direction, and fires a game ball on a game area of the game board 5.

In the second embodiment, the upper firing device 12 is fixed to the upper left of the main body frame 2 when viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1 (FIG. 97). For this reason, the game board 5 has a rectangular notch 47 in the upper left corner when viewed from the front in this embodiment (FIG. 98). That is, when the game board 5 is accommodated in the main body frame 2, the upper firing device 12 fits into the square notch 47. When removing the game board 5 from the main body frame 2, the removal operation is started from this state.
In such a situation, the following configuration is adopted so that the game board 5 does not collide with the upper firing device 12 when the game board 5 is attached to and detached from the main body frame 2.
Note that other configurations are not particularly different from those of the first embodiment, and thus the description of the first embodiment is cited.

[Body frame 2]
The main body frame 2 is a box-like shape having a frame-shaped fitting frame 15 and a peripheral wall portion 16 so as to just fit in the rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 1a (FIG. 97). Although the main body frame 2 has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 97 and 98 will be used again for easy understanding of the main points of the second embodiment. The fitting frame 15 has a rectangular accommodation opening 17 for fitting the game board 5 into the front side thereof. A portion having a constant width in the front-rear direction on the lower side of the front side of the housing opening 17 is the lower front edge 600b of the main body frame 2, and a portion having a constant width in the front-rear direction on the upper side opposite thereto is the main frame. Twelve upper front edges 600a.

  The upper firing device 12 is disposed on one side (the upper left side in this embodiment) of the front surface of the main body frame 2 in the left-right direction. The upper firing device 12 is a game ball firing device that shoots a game ball to a game area of the game board 5.

  A lower guide member 601b is attached to the lower front edge 600b, and sliders A and B are mounted on the lower guide member 601b so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The slider A is disposed on the left side of the slider B. An upper guide member 601a is attached to the upper front edge 600a, and a slider C is mounted on the upper guide member 601a so as to be movable in the left-right direction (shown by a broken line in FIG. 97).

  In this embodiment, the upper and lower guide members 601a and 601b are durable members (FIG. 99A) in which the cross section formed by forming a steel plate is basically a C-shaped channel. It is composed of the rear rising portions 603a and 603b and the front and rear ribs 604a and 604b that are folded back in the direction facing the upper ends of the rising portions 603a and 603b (FIG. 99B, FIG. 100).

  The lower guide member 601b has substantially the same length as the lower front edge 600b of the housing opening 17 of the main body frame 2, and the upper guide member 601a is located on the left side of the left peripheral wall of the main body frame 2 more than the upper front edge 600a. It is smaller by a distance d1 slightly larger than the right end of the upper firing device 12 from the inner surface (FIG. 97). In addition, stoppers 605a and 605b are attached to the upper and lower guide members 601a and 601b at positions slightly shifted rightward from the distance d1. The stoppers 605a and 605b are fixed to the front ribs 604a of the upper and lower guide members 601a and 601b. In this position, the game board 5 is gradually moved as shown by a-1, a-2,. The front end of the game board 5 cannot be passed toward the left peripheral wall unless the front end is rotated in the direction parallel to the front surface of the main body frame 2 (right rotation in the figure).

  The sliders A, B, and C are all piece members as shown in FIG. 99, and are fitted between the front rising walls 603a and 603b in front of the guide members 601a and 601b. The sliders A, B, and C are provided with the width d2 and are prevented from falling off from the guide members 601a and 601b by the ribs 604a and 604b before and after (FIG. 100B), and can slide the guide members 601a and 601b right and left. Attached to. The width d2 is a dimension that can prevent a situation in which the slider A comes out of the guide member 601b, for example, even when a large force acts in a direction in which the slider A comes out, due to the weight of the game board 5. As shown in FIGS. 100A and 100B, each of the sliders A, B, and C has a sliding leg 606 for reducing the sliding, and the sliders A, B, and C are connected to the bottom 602 of the guide members 601a and 601b. There is a space 607 between them. In order to reduce the sliding, the sliders A, B, and C may be made of synthetic resin having good sliding properties with respect to the surface of the steel material. Roller bearings are provided.

  A receiving hole 609 (FIG. 99B) for receiving a pivot shaft 608 (FIG. 98) provided at the front portion of the lower surface of the game board 5 is provided at the center of the slider A. The depth of the receiving hole 609 from the surface of the slider A is d3 (FIG. 100A). Engagement protrusions 610b and 610a are formed on the upper surface of the slider B and the lower surface of the slider C in the upper guide member 601a, respectively. As shown in FIG. 100 (b), the engagement projections 610b and 610a are made of bolts having a head portion 610c that protrudes rearward, and are made firmly. On the upper and lower surfaces of the game board 5, these heads 610c are accommodated, and escape recesses are formed so as not to hinder the rotation of the game board 5.

  The pivot shaft 608 is fixed to the front of the bottom surface of the game board 5 (FIGS. 98 and 102A), and one end of a lower lever 611b is horizontally rotated about a shaft 612b at a position separated by a dimension d4 (about 100 mm) therefrom. It is attached so as to be possible (FIG. 102B). The length of the pivot shaft 608 is shorter than the depth d3 (FIG. 100) of the receiving hole 609. A washer 608a having a thickness slightly larger than the thickness d5 of the upper and lower levers 611a and 611b is fixed to the base of the pivot shaft 608. This is to create a gap of dimension d5 between the upper surface of the lower guide member 601b and the lower surface of the game board. The lower lever 611b has a hook recess 613b which is open laterally at the other end, and the dimension between the shaft 612b and the center of the hook recess 613b is substantially equal to the dimension d4.

  A shaft 612a is attached to the upper surface of the game board 5 at a position corresponding to the shaft 612b on the lower surface, and one end of the upper lever 611a is attached by the shaft 612a so as to be horizontally rotatable. The upper lever 611a has a hook recess 613a which is opened laterally at the other end, and the dimension between the shaft 612a and the center of the hook recess 613a is substantially equal to the dimension d4.

[Accommodation of game board]
The door frame 3 is opened to expose the front surface of the main body frame 2.
A rectangular housing opening 17 is visible on the front surface of the main body frame 2, and a lower guide member 601b is attached to a lower front edge 600b, and an upper guide member 601a is attached to an upper front edge 600a. The game board 5 is lifted, the board surface is maintained vertically, and the game board 5 is rotated clockwise vertically so that the left end of the game board 5 is rearward, and the posture is a-1 in FIG. First, the left pivot shaft 608 is inserted into the receiving hole 609 of the slider A, and the load on the left portion of the game board is supported by the main body frame 2 through the slider A. The length of the pivot shaft 608 is shorter than the dimension d3 from the upper surface of the front and rear ribs 604a and 604b to the upper surface of the bottom 602 of the lower guide member 601b, and the lower end does not reach the bottom 602 of the guide member. The slider A is brought to the right of the lower guide member 601b in advance.

  The game board 5 is rotated slightly to the left around the pivot shaft 608, and the right end of the game board 5 is brought closer to the main body frame 2 to assume the a-2 posture in FIG. Then, the lower lever 611b of the lower surface of the game board 5 is rotated to engage the hook concave portion 613b at the tip with the engagement protrusion 610b of the slider B. Similarly, the upper lever 611a on the upper surface of the game board 5 is rotated to engage the hook concave portion 613a at the tip with the engaging projection 610a of the slider C on the upper guide member 601a.

  As a result, most of the load of the game board 5 is supported by the main body frame 2, so that the operator supports the right end portion of the game board 5 and pivots the pivot shaft 608 so that the left end of the game board 5 approaches the upper firing device 12. To move the slider A to the upper firing device 12 side.

  At this time, since the heads 610c and 610c (FIG. 100B) of the engagement protrusions 610b and 610a protrude rearward as described above, the front end sides of the lower lever 611b and the upper lever 611a engaging with these are provided on the game board. Even if the lower lever 611b, the hook recess 613b of the upper lever 611a, and the hook recess 613a may be flipped upward by the weight of 5, the hook recess 613b and the hook recess 613a may be pushed upward. The heads 610c, 610c are unlikely to come off, and the game board 5 can be moved stably.

  Returning to the above, the slider A is moved to the upper firing device 12 side by the pivot shaft 608 so that the left end of the game board 5 approaches the upper firing device 12, and at the same time, the right end of the gaming board 5 is pushed into the main body frame 2 side. I do. When the game board 5 rotates to the left around the pivot shaft 608, the control board box or the like protruding from the rear side of the game board 5 is mounted on the edge of the accommodation opening 17 of the main body frame 2 when the game board 5 is rotated left around the pivot shaft 608. In order to avoid collision, the leftward movement and the rotation along the lower guide member 601b of the pivot shaft 608 are performed in combination. The sliders A, B and C move the guide members 601a and 601b in the same direction when moving along the upper and lower guide members 601a and 601b of the game board 5, and the sliders when the game board 5 is rotated leftward. The interval between A and B increases. That is, with the axis 612b of the lower lever 611b as the point D, the triangle ABD changes so as to be flat.

  In order to move the game board 5 to the left, the game board 5 can be moved with the right end in the forward position (for example, a-1) until the game board 5 contacts the stoppers 605a and 605b. . However, after the game board 5 comes into contact with the stoppers 605a and 605b, the game board 5 cannot be moved in its posture, and the game board 5 is moved to the left while contacting the stoppers 605a and 605b. It is necessary to move by combining movement and rotation to the left.

  Finally, as shown at a-3 in FIG. 101, the front surface of the game board 5 is set in a posture parallel to the front surface of the main body frame 2, and is pushed leftward. The lower lever 611b fits in the gap between the game board 5 and the lower guide member 601b, and the upper lever 611a fits in the gap between the game board 5 and the upper guide member 601a.

  The game board 5 pushed leftward is connected to a connector on the main body frame 2 side by a drawer-type connector provided on the left side surface. The housed gaming board 5 is maintained in the housed state by the fixture 614 attached to the main body frame 2 side.

  As described above, when the game board 5 is accommodated in the main body frame 2, the lower portion of the game board 5 on the upper firing device 12 side is supported by the lower front edge of the main body frame 2 so as to be able to move in the left-right direction and rotate horizontally. The operator can easily move the game board 5 with respect to the main body frame 2 by using the slider and the pivot, since most of the weight of the game board 5 is supported by the main body frame 2. Can be done carefully under the control with.

  Further, since the stoppers 605a and 605b are provided, even if the game board 5 moves without being parallel to the front surface of the main body frame 2, the game board 5 comes into contact with the stoppers 605a and 605b and is prevented from moving. There is no collision. Further, since the game board 5 cannot pass through the positions of the stoppers 605a and 605b unless it is rotated in a direction parallel to the front surface of the main body frame 2, the game board 5 is necessarily accommodated in a correct arrangement. You.

[Removal of game board]
The door frame 3 is opened to expose the front surface of the main body frame 2. By operating the fixture 614, the game board 5 is released from being fixed to the main body frame 2. At first, the game board 5 is pulled out to the right to separate the drawer connector from the main body frame 2 side. Then, the right side of the game board 5 is pulled out toward the user, and the game board 5 is rotated rightward around the pivot shaft 608 to thereby rotate the game board 5 to the right. From the body frame 2. In this state, the hook recesses 613a and 613b at the tips of the upper and lower levers 611a and 611b are detached from the engagement protrusions 610a and 610b. Then, the lower end of the game board 5 is moved rightward along the guide member 601b, and then the game board 5 is lifted and the pivot shaft 608 is pulled out of the slider A. Thereby, the game board 5 can be separated and taken out from the main body frame 2.

  Also in this case, the game board 5 in the housed state is once slid to the right and pulled out to separate the game board 5 from the upper firing device 12 and then rotate the game board 5 right and left around the pivot shaft 608. Since the drawer connector can be pulled out without damaging the drawer connector between the main frame 2, the collision between the upper firing device 12 and the game board 5 can be avoided.

  In the above, the second embodiment has been described by taking a gaming machine provided with the upper firing device 12 as an example. However, in the present invention, the position of the firing device is not limited to the upper portion, and is located at any one of the left and right directions on the front surface of the main body frame. Any arrangement is applicable.

[Electrical connection between game board 5 and body frame 2]
The electrical connection of the game board 5 to the main body frame 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 107 is a block diagram showing a game board and a body frame connected using a drawer connector. The mechanical and electrical connection between the game board 5 and the main frame 2 is made by a drawer connector. The game board 5 is provided with a game board side main drawer connector and a game board side sub drawer connector, and the main body frame 2 is provided with a main body frame side main drawer connector and a main body frame side sub drawer connector. I have. When the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2, the game board side main drawer connector and the main body frame side main drawer connector are connected, and the game board side sub drawer connector and the main body frame side sub drawer connector are connected. And the body frame 2 are electrically connected at the same time as they are mechanically connected. As a result, electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2.

[Authentication of main control board 100 and ball information control board 110]
As described above, when electrical communication can be performed between the game board 5 and the main body frame 2, mutual authentication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 is performed when the power is turned on. The authentication function of the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  It has been described that the ID code is stored in the main control MPU 101 of the main control board 100 described above in advance, but the ID code described above is also stored in the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 in advance. Hereinafter, the ID code stored in the main control MPU 101 in advance is referred to as a first MPU identification number, and the ID code stored in the ball information control MPU 111 in advance is referred to as a second MPU identification number.

  An example of the wording in the present embodiment will be presented. The main control board 100 corresponds to a first control board, the ball information control board 110 corresponds to a second control board, the main control MPU 101 corresponds to a first MPU, and the ball information control MPU 111 corresponds to a second MPU.

  The main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110 in the present embodiment can perform bidirectional data communication, and perform authentication processing between the boards when the power is turned on, so that each MPU is a regular one. It is configured to be able to determine whether or not there is. The details will be described below.

  The main control board 100 includes at least a main control MPU 101. The main control MPU 101 has a first MPU identification number storage unit 101a storing a first MPU identification number stored in advance, and whether the second MPU identification number is appropriate. And a main encryption communication unit 160 that encrypts information transmitted to the sphere information control MPU 111 and decrypts information transmitted from the sphere information control MPU 111. Further, the first authentication unit 162 includes a second MPU identification number storage unit 161 that stores the second MPU identification number.

  The ball information control board 110 includes at least a ball information control MPU 111. The ball information control MPU 111 includes a second MPU identification number storage unit 111a storing a second MPU identification number stored in advance, and a first MPU identification number. A second authentication unit 167 that performs an authentication process as to whether the information is appropriate and a sphere information encryption communication unit 165 that encrypts information transmitted to the main control MPU 101 and decrypts information transmitted from the main control MPU 101 The second authentication unit 167 further includes a first MPU identification number storage unit 166 that stores the first MPU identification number.

  When the gaming machine is powered on, the first MPU identification number is encrypted by the main encryption communication unit 160 from the first MPU identification number storage unit 101a by bidirectional communication between the main control board 100 and the ball information control board 110. The ball information control MPU 111 transmits the second MPU identification number to the main information communication unit 160 after being encrypted by the ball information encryption communication unit 165.

  Next, the main control MPU 101 decodes the second MPU identification number transmitted from the sphere information encryption communication unit 165 from the sphere information control MPU 111 using the main encryption communication unit 160, and then decrypts the second MPU identification number in the first authentication unit 162. The sphere information control MPU 111 stores the first MPU identification number transmitted from the main control MPU 101 using the sphere information encryption communication unit 165, and stores the first MPU identification number in the second authentication unit 167 in the second authentication unit 167. It is stored in the 1 MPU identification number storage section 166.

  Next, the main control MPU 101 performs an authentication process in the first authentication unit 162 based on the second MPU identification number stored in the second MPU identification number storage unit 161 and determines whether the second MPU identification number is appropriate. I do.

  On the other hand, the ball information control MPU 111 performs an authentication process in the second authentication section 167 based on the first MPU identification number stored in the first MPU identification number storage section 166, and the first MPU identification number is appropriate. Judge.

  When it is determined that the main control MPU 101 and the ball control MPU 111 are appropriate based on the results of the authentication performed by the first authentication unit 162 and the second authentication unit 167, respectively, when the main control side power is turned on in FIG. The process and the start of the ball information control side power-on process of FIG. 82 are permitted, and the game can be started. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not proper, the main control side power-on process and the ball information The start of the control-side power-on process is not permitted, and the game cannot be played.

  With these configurations, the main control MPU 101 and the sphere information control MPU 111 mutually perform authentication processing, and when such authentication processing is not properly performed, a game is not performed. It is possible to effectively suppress illegal acts such as the main control MPU 101 or the ball information control MPU 111 being replaced with a counterfeit chip.

  As described above, when it is determined that the mutual authentication result is appropriate in the authentication processing performed between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111, the main control-side power-on processing shown in FIG. The start of the ball information control-side power-on process 82 is permitted. That is, the game board 5 is properly mounted on the main body frame 2 on condition that the mutual authentication result between the main control MPU 101 and the ball information control MPU 111 is determined to be appropriate. It is guaranteed that the game board 5 exists in the main body frame 2.

[Position of upper firing device 12 with respect to game board 5]
As described above, the upper firing device 12 of the present embodiment is configured such that the base plate 39 is movable on the front left side of the base plate 39 with respect to the main body frame 2 in order to make the upper firing device 12 movable. It is attached so as to be able to open and close with a hinge 37 for use. The base plate 39 is configured such that the base plate 39 can be opened toward the front with the upper firing device hinge 37 as an axis (FIGS. 9, 12, and 96). Then, after the game board 5 is fitted into the main body frame 2, by moving the upper firing device 12 to the original position, the work of fitting the game board 5 into the main body frame 2 is completed.

  However, if the positional relationship between the upper firing device 12 and the game board 5 is not at the correct position (referred to as a normal position) when the upper firing device 12 is returned to the original position, for example, the upper firing device 12 and the gaming board If there is a deviation at the boundary with the player 5, the running of the hit ball launched from the firing port 38 of the upper firing device 12 will cause an obstacle, and the player intends to play the game area 8 defined by the game board 5. There is a possibility that the ball may not be hit properly at the place where the ball is hit. In this case, the interest of the player in the game is spoiled.

[Position detection sensor]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a gaming machine in which the launching device (upper launching device 12) is movably disposed above the main body frame 2, the upper launching device 12 is at a correct position (referred to as a regular position) with respect to the gaming board 5. A position detection sensor 180 for detecting whether or not it is set is provided. FIG. 108 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device 12 in an open state with respect to the game board 5, and FIG. 109 is a perspective view showing the upper firing device 12 in a closed state with respect to the game board 5.

  In the present embodiment, the position detection sensor 180 includes a light projecting element 181 and a light receiving element 182. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 108, a light projecting element 181 is arranged on the side surface of the projecting portion 48 of the panel holder 43 of the game board 5. Further, when the upper firing device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, a position corresponding to the light emitting element 181 arranged on the game board 5, that is, the position of the upper firing device 12 corresponding to the light emitting element 181. The light receiving element 182 is arranged on the open side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 107, when the game board 5 and the body frame 2 are mechanically connected and electrically connected at the same time, when power is supplied from the body frame side to the game board side, A predetermined voltage generated by a power supply circuit (not shown) provided in the game board 5 is supplied to the light projecting element 181, and the light projecting element 181 emits light (for example, irrespective of control by the main control board 100). Infrared).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 107, the light receiving element 182 is electrically connected to the sphere information control board 110. The detection signal from the light receiving element 182 is input to the ball information control MPU 111 through the ball information control I / O port 112 (see FIG. 77).

  When the upper firing device 12 is in the open state with respect to the main frame 2 (FIG. 108), or even when the upper firing device 12 is in the closed state with respect to the main frame 2, the upper firing device 12 is in the normal position with respect to the game board 5. When there is no light, the light projected from the light emitting element 181 disposed on the game board 5 side is not received by the light receiving element 182 disposed on the upper emitting device 12 side, and the light receiving element 182 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when the upper firing device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2 and is at a regular position with respect to the game board 5, the light projected from the light emitting element 181 arranged on the game board 5 side. Is received by the light receiving element 182 disposed on the upper emitting device 12 side, and the light receiving element 182 is turned on.

  In the present embodiment, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 detects that the upper firing device 12 is at the normal position with respect to the game board via the position detection sensor 180. Then, on condition that the detection state of the light receiving element 182 of the position detection sensor 180 is ON, it is configured to determine whether or not the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount and to determine whether the number is sufficient or not. ing. The determination as to whether or not the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount will be described later.

[Launching device set position determination process]
FIG. 110 is a subroutine of a launch device set position determination process performed by the ball information control MPU in the embodiment employing the position detection sensor 180 for detecting whether the upper launch device 12 is set at a regular position with respect to the game board 5. It is a flowchart which shows.

  In this embodiment, the launcher set position determination process is performed when the power is turned on and when there is a possibility that the upper launcher 12 has been moved from the normal position with respect to the game board 5, in other words, the main body frame 2 Is executed when the door frame 3 is opened and closed.

  When the door frame 3 is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the reason why the launcher set position determination processing is executed is, for example, a ball clogging in the upper launcher 12. This is because, when a failure occurs in the firing device 12, the clerk first opens and closes the door frame 3 in order to investigate and resolve the cause of the failure (the door frame 3 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2). Otherwise, the upper firing device 12 cannot be touched.)

  When starting the launching device set position determination process, the ball information control MPU determines whether the position detection sensor is on (step S700). That is, it is determined whether or not the upper firing device 12 is in a closed state with respect to the main body frame 2 and is at a regular position with respect to the game board 5.

  If it is determined in step S700 that the position detection sensor is on, the upper firing device 12 is in a closed state with respect to the main body frame 2 and is at a normal position with respect to the game board 5. , And YES is determined in the step S700, and the process proceeds to the step S701. In other words, on condition that the upper firing device 12 is detected at the regular position with respect to the game board 5 via the position detection sensor 180, whether or not the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount Is allowed. In this case, there is no step between the firing port 38 of the upper firing device 12 and the game area 8 of the game board 5 as an obstacle when the game ball travels.

  In step S701, the ball information control MPU displays on the touch panel unit 14 (an example of a notifying unit) that the upper firing device 12 is set at the normal position (step S701), for example, for about 2 to 3 seconds. Is displayed, and the process exits the subroutine of the launcher set position determination processing.

  FIG. 110 (C) is a display example notified by the touch panel unit 14 when the upper firing device 12 is set at a regular position with respect to the game board. FIG. 110 (C) shows that the touch panel unit 14 is informed, for example, by the characters “the launch device has been set to the correct position”. Thereby, the clerk can confirm that the upper firing device 12 is set at the proper position.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S700 that the position detection sensor is not on (when the position detection sensor is off), even if the upper firing device 12 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, The position is shifted from the normal position with respect to the game board 5, so that the determination in step S700 is NO and the process proceeds to step S702.

  When proceeding to step S702, the ball information control MPU displays on the touch panel unit 14 (an example of a notifying unit) that the upper firing device 12 is not set at the normal position (step S702), and returns to step S700. Therefore, the ball information control MPU determines NO in step S700 and repeats the processing loop of step S702 until the position detection sensor is turned on, in other words, until the upper firing device 12 is set to the normal position.

  Thus, when the position detection sensor is off, that is, when the upper firing device 12 is not set to the normal position, the ball information control MPU does not exit the subroutine of the firing device set position determination processing.

  In other words, when it is not detected that the upper firing device 12 is at the normal position with respect to the game board 5 via the position detection sensor 180, the processing device enters a standby state by the above processing loop in the firing device set position determination process, and The process is not shifted to, and the process is stopped without shifting to the process for judging whether the number of all enclosed game balls is appropriate or not.

  FIG. 110 (B) is a display example notified by the touch panel unit 14 when the upper firing device is not set at a regular position with respect to the game board. FIG. 110 (B) shows that the touch panel unit 14 is informed by, for example, the characters “the launch device is not set at the correct position”. Thereby, the clerk can understand that the upper firing device 12 is not set at the normal position, and performs the operation for setting the upper firing device 12 at the normal position again.

  When the upper firing device 12 is set to the normal position by this operation, the position detection sensor is turned on, so that the ball information control MPU determines YES in step S700, and in step S701, the ball information control MPU determines Is displayed at the regular position (step S701), for example, is displayed for about 2 to 3 seconds, and the process exits the subroutine of the launcher set position determination processing.

  As described above, according to the enclosed ball-type gaming machine of the above-described embodiment, since the position detection sensor 180 that detects that the position of the upper firing device 12 is at the normal position with respect to the game board 5 is provided, It is possible to detect whether the upper firing device 12 movably arranged at the upper part of the frame 2 is set at a correct position with respect to the game board 5 fitted into the main body frame 2.

  In addition, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 that controls the operation of the upper firing device 12 has the upper firing device 12 at the regular position with respect to the game board 5 via the position detection sensor 180 (light receiving element 182). On the condition that this is detected, it is configured to judge whether the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount or not, and whether the number is appropriate or not.

  For this reason, when the positional relationship between the upper firing device 12 and the game board 5 is not at the correct position (regular position), for example, when the boundary portion between the upper firing device 12 and the game board 5 is misaligned, In the firing device set position determination process, the process loop enters the standby state, so that the process does not proceed to each process required for firing a game ball. As a result, a hit ball is not fired. Is not done. This prevents the player from spoiling the interest of the game due to the player not properly hitting the area intended by the player in the game area 8 partitioned by the game board 5. it can.

[About all enclosed game balls]
By the way, the enclosed ball-type gaming machine described in the above embodiment is of a type that does not include a storage unit that collectively stores all the enclosed balls to be used in circulation. In such an enclosed ball-type gaming machine, it is not easy to accurately detect and manage the number of all the gaming balls sealed in the gaming machine body.

  For example, a game ball enclosed in a gaming machine is provided with a ball feed path [for example, a ball feed guiding gutter 69 or a lifting communication gutter 65 (FIG. 11)] on an upstream side of the hitting ball launching device 29 arranged on the upper part of the main body frame 2. The odd-shaped balls which are collected in the waiting line inside the game board 5 or collected on the back side of the game board 5 via the out port 42 and the winning port 41 provided in the game area 8 and sent to the ball lifting device 22. A circulation path of the game ball, such as a standby state inside the magnetic ball ejection unit 20 or the ball collection unit 21 or inside the ball lifting device 22 for lifting the game ball upward. Exist in several places.

  When the number of all the game balls enclosed in the main body of the gaming machine is not an appropriate amount (for example, 30 balls), for example, when the number of all the enclosed game balls is more than the appropriate amount (called excessive game balls), the circulation path Ball clogging is likely to occur in some places. Further, for example, when the number of all enclosed game balls is smaller than an appropriate amount (referred to as a lack of game balls), there is a concern that the number of launch balls becomes insufficient during the game. In particular, if a shortage of launch balls occurs during a big hit game, a ball may not be able to be hit into the game area, which may cause a serious situation in which the player is greatly injured.

  In addition, if the number of all the game balls sealed in the main body of the gaming machine is not an appropriate amount, an imbalance occurs in the number of game balls that can be used when compared with the same model, which is given to the player. There is a problem that the principle of fairness is broken.

  In addition, a game ball hit into the game area 8 during a game is caught between a number of obstacle nails forming a gauge in the game area 8, thereby preventing the following ball from flowing down the game area 8. A phenomenon in which a large number of game balls hit into the game area 8 are successively overlapped to form a lump, a so-called grape, may occur.

  When such grapes have been generated, a clerk in the hall is called by a call lamp or the like, and when the clerk is informed that the grapes have been cleared, the clerk solves the problem. That is, when the clerk inserts the key into the cylinder lock and turns to one side, the hook cover of the door frame 3 is disengaged from the hook portion of the sliding rod for the door frame of the main body frame 2 and the door frame 3 is disengaged. The door frame 3 can be opened to the main body frame 2 by pulling the door frame to the front side.

  After the clerk removes all game balls in the area where grapes are generated in the game area and puts them into the out port 42, the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2 to complete the solving operation. However, while trying to remove a game ball where a grape is occurring, the game ball may be accidentally spilled out of the machine and lost. As described above, even when the lost gaming balls cannot be returned to the gaming machine when the door frame 3 is opened and closed, the number of all the gaming balls sealed in the gaming machine body is not an appropriate amount, and a ball shortage occurs. State.

[Determining the appropriate amount of all enclosed game balls]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a sealed ball type gaming machine in which a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated to play a game, whether or not the number of all sealed game balls is an appropriate amount Alternatively, the ball information control board 110 is provided with a control unit for judging excess or deficiency (hereinafter also referred to as judging the appropriate number of balls).

[Ball collection device]
As described above, the collecting port 202 opened at the top of the deformed ball / magnetic ball discharging unit 20 shown in FIG. 28 combines the game ball that has entered the winning port 41 with the game ball that has been collected at the out port 42. In this embodiment, the deformed sphere / magnetic sphere discharge unit 20 functions as a sphere collection device.

  FIG. 111 is a front view of the ball collection device 240 in the present embodiment. A collection port 202 opened upward is formed in an upper portion of the ball collection device 240. The out ball flows into the recovery port 202 via the out port 42 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). The safe ball flows into the collection port 202 via the winning port 41 (see FIG. 5).

  A substantially hopper-shaped ball retaining portion 241 extending to one side below is formed in communication with an edge of the ball receiving gutter base 201 forming the collection port 202. A ball discharge gutter 242 that allows game balls to flow down in the ball stop portion 241 toward the deformed ball discharge portion 204 is formed below the ball stop portion 241, and a collected ball detection switch is provided above the ball discharge gutter 242. 203 is provided.

  Above the recovered ball detection switch 203, a ball stopping stopper member 243 that opens or closes a lower portion of the ball stopping portion 241 is provided to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction. The ball stopping stopper member 243 allows the game balls to flow down in the ball stopping portion 241 in an open state in which it retreats backward from the lower portion of the ball stopping portion 241, while in a closed state in which the ball enters the lower portion of the ball stopping portion 241 forward. The flow of the game ball is shut off, and the game ball can be stopped at the ball stopping unit 241.

  In addition, a ball stop stopper solenoid 244 as a ball stop stopper driving means for opening and closing a ball stop stopper member 243 shown by a broken line is disposed on the back surface of the ball receiving gutter base 201. A plunger urged rearward by a spring or the like (not shown) is inserted through the ball retaining stopper solenoid 244 so as to be able to enter and exit freely, and an operating rod (not shown) is engaged with the tip of the plunger. A ball stopping stopper member 243 is engaged with the operating rod.

  Accordingly, when the ball stopping stopper solenoid 244 is in a non-excited state, the plunger is extended by the bias of the spring, and the operating rod moves rearward and is engaged with the operating rod. The position where the ball stopping stopper member 243 has moved backward is taken. That is, the ball stop stopper member 243 is in an open state in which it retreats backward from the lower portion of the ball stop 241, and the flow of the game ball in the ball stop 241 is allowed.

  On the other hand, when the ball stop stopper solenoid 244 is in the excited state, the plunger is attracted against the urging of the spring, the operating rod moves forward, and the ball engaged with the operating rod is engaged. The stop stopper member 243 takes a position where it has moved forward. That is, the ball stop stopper member 243 is in a closed state in which it enters the lower part of the ball stop 241, and the flow of the game ball in the ball stop 241 is blocked. Therefore, the game ball that has flowed into the collection port 202 is stopped at the ball stopping unit 241.

[Control means for judging the number of enclosed balls for judging the appropriate number of balls]
Next, a description will be given of the number-of-enclosed-spheres determination control process (the number-of-enclosed-spheres determination control means) executed by the sphere information control MPU 111 of the sphere information control board 110. In the present embodiment, the enclosed ball count determination control process is generally performed by actuating the ball stop stopper driving means (ball stop stopper solenoid 244) to close the ball stop stopper member 243, thereby forming the winning port 41 or the outgoing port. A ball stopping control process for stopping the game balls collected in the collecting port 202 of the ball collecting device 240 via the port 42 in the ball stopping portion 241 of the ball collecting device 240, a hitting ball firing device 29 (the firing solenoid 13), and a ball By operating the conveying device (the ball lifting motor 150 for driving the ball feeding rotating body 350 and the ball lifting device 22) and the ball feeding device 28 (the ball feeding solenoid 31), all enclosed game balls can be played in the game area. 8 when the game ball is being fired by executing the game ball launch control process and the game ball launch control process. Based on the detection signal, the game ball number counting process of counting the number of game balls fired, it is determined whether a predetermined end condition is satisfied, and if it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, the game ball The counting of the number of game balls by the number counting process is completed, and the number of game balls counted by the game ball number counting process is regarded as the number of all enclosed game balls, and the number of all the game balls and a predetermined appropriate number are determined. And determining whether the number of all the game balls is appropriate or not, and judging excess or deficiency of the number of game balls.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 executes the sealed ball number determination control process when the power is turned on or when the door frame 3 is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2. ing.

  The enclosed ball-type gaming machine of the embodiment is provided with a notifying unit for notifying at least the appropriateness of the number of gaming balls. In the present example, for example, the touch panel unit 14 is used as a notification unit. If it is determined in the game ball number appropriate amount determination process that the number is excessive or insufficient, the fact that the number is excessive or insufficient is output to the touch panel unit 14.

  In this embodiment, the ball information control MPU 111 of the ball information control board 110 has a door frame opening switch 131 (see FIG. 77) for detecting the opening of the door frame 3 with respect to the main body frame 2. Based on the signal, the door frame 3 is opened and closed, which means that the door frame 3 has shifted from the state where the door frame 3 is opened to the main body frame 2 to the state where the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2. A door frame opening / closing determination process is performed to determine whether or not the door frame 3 has been opened. If it is determined in the door frame opening / closing determination process that the door frame 3 has been opened / closed, a sealed ball number determination control process is performed.

[Inclusion ball number judgment control processing]
FIG. 112 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a subroutine of the number-of-enclosed-balls determination control process performed by the ball information control MPU 111 (hereinafter, simply referred to as ball information control MPU). When the ball information control MPU starts the number-of-enclosed-balls determination control process, first, the ball value control MPU sets an initial value 0 to a ball number counter for counting (counting) all game balls enclosed in the gaming machine (step S900). . Next, in order to stop the game balls collected in the collection port 202 of the ball collection device 240 via the winning opening 41 or the out opening 42 in the ball holding portion 241 of the ball collection device 240, the ball stopping stopper solenoid 244 is used. It is turned on (step S902).

  By step S902, the ball stop stopper member 243 takes a position where it has moved forward, the ball stop stopper member 243 takes a closed state in which it enters the lower part of the ball stop part 241, and the flow of the game ball in the ball stop part 241 is blocked. Is done. Accordingly, with respect to the circulation path of the enclosed game balls, the game balls existing downstream from the ball stopping stopper member 243 are generated by the ball feed rotating body 350 and the ball lifting device 22 shown in FIG. The ball is conveyed toward the ball feeding device 28 disposed above by the ball conveying operation.

  Next, the ball information control MPU drives the ball lifting motor 150 (FIG. 44) to convey the game balls existing downstream of the ball stopping stopper member 243 toward the ball feeder 28 (step S904). The processing in step S905 will be described later.

  Then, an initial value 0 is set in a processing flag relating to the ball feeding / firing drive processing in step S908 (step S906), and the flow proceeds to the ball feeding / firing driving processing (step S908). The processing flag will be described later.

  The ball feeding / firing driving process in step S908 is basically the same as the ball feeding / firing driving process shown in FIGS. 90-91, but the ball feeding / firing driving process shown in FIGS. 90-91. Since the process is a process executed in the ball information control main process (see FIG. 84) executed every 2 ms, time management in the process is performed in the timer updating process in step S556.

  On the other hand, the ball feeding / firing drive process in step S908 is executed as a process before the interrupt permission setting (step S542) in the process at power-on is performed in the enclosing ball number determination control process, or the door frame is used. When the door 2 is opened / closed (of course, when the door frame 2 is opened / closed during the game), the processing is executed as a processing after prohibiting the interrupt, so that the time management in the processing can be performed by the timer update processing. You can't. Therefore, the point that the time management in the processing is performed based on the timer value by reading the timer value of the external WDT 116 in FIG. 77 is different.

  The ball feeding / firing drive process of step S908 is a process of turning on / off the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13 at the driving timing shown in the time chart of FIG. The ball feeding / firing drive processing in step S908 will be described later.

  The sphere information control MPU sequentially performs a sphere detection process (step S910) and a sphere number counting process (step S912) following the sphere feeding and firing drive process of step S908. The shot ball detection process is a process of detecting a game ball on the rail section 332 (shot position), and the ball count process is a process of counting the number of game balls hit from the shooting position by the shooting hammer 30 of the hit ball shooting device 29. Is the process of counting The fired ball detection processing in step S910 and the ball count processing in step S912 will be described later.

  When the ball information control MPU exits the ball number counting process of step S912, it determines whether or not the counting end condition is satisfied (step S914). The determination as to whether or not the termination condition is satisfied is made, for example, when the number of times the firing solenoid 13 is turned on exceeds a prescribed number [the number may be larger than the appropriate number (eg, not limited to 30 balls)]. In this case, or when, for example, the execution time from the start of the ball feeding / firing drive processing reaches a predetermined end condition, it is determined that the counting end condition has been satisfied.

  The following can be considered as an example of the specified number of times. The number of balls that can be fired in one minute by the hit ball firing device 29 is 100 hits. That is, in terms of time, the time required for hitting one ball by the hitting motion of the launch hammer 30 is 0.6 seconds. For this reason, the number of times the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, which is sufficient for hitting all the enclosed balls, is set to 100, that is, the specified number of times.

  In addition, as an end condition for the execution time from the start of the ball feeding / firing drive processing, for example, one minute may be set.

  Also, when all the enclosed balls are hit into the game area 8, it becomes impossible to provide the game balls to the firing position. In this case, the missed swing detecting means for detecting a state in which the hitting action of the firing hammer 30 by the turning on of the firing solenoid 13 is missed, and the number of missed states detected by the missed swing detecting means has reached a predetermined end count. In this case, a determination means for determining that the counting end condition is satisfied may be provided.

  According to the time chart of FIG. 24, the missed ball state is that the firing ball detection flag is 0 (no firing ball) in the period A in which the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on and the ball is being fed, and the ball enters the period B. By turning on the firing solenoid 13 while the firing ball detection flag is 0 (no firing ball), the hitting operation of the firing hammer 30 is missed. The number of such missed swings is counted. In step S914, when the counted number of missed swings reaches a predetermined number of times, it is determined that the counting end condition is satisfied. The process for detecting the missed swing state will be described later.

  If the ball information control MPU determines that the count end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S914), the ball information control MPU returns to the ball feeding and firing driving process in step S908. Hereinafter, the process of looping from step S908 to step S914 is repeated until it is determined that the counting end condition is satisfied.

  When all the enclosed balls have been hit into the game area 8, all the game balls pass through the winning opening 41 or the out opening 42. On the other hand, the ball stopping stopper member 243 enters a closed state in which it enters the lower part of the ball stopping portion 241, and the flow of the game ball in the ball stopping portion 241 is interrupted. When the game ball is stopped at the portion 241 and the ball stop portion 241 is full of game balls, the ball is collected from the collection port 202 of the ball collection device 240 to a downflow gutter (not shown) formed on the back surface of the game board 5. Accumulate.

  If it is determined in step S914 that the counting end condition is satisfied (YES in step S914), the ball stopping stopper solenoid 244 is turned off (step S916). By turning off the ball stop stopper solenoid 244, the ball stop stopper member 243 takes a position where it has moved rearward, and the ball stop stopper member 243 takes an open state in which it retreats backward from the lower part of the ball stop portion 241. The flow of the game ball in the part 241 is allowed.

  The ball information control MPU executes the appropriate number of balls determination process (step S918) following step S916, and ends the enclosed number of balls determination control process when the appropriate number of balls determination process ends.

[Ball feed / launch drive processing]
Next, the ball feeding / firing drive processing will be described. FIG. 113 to FIG. 114 are flowcharts showing an example of a subroutine of a ball feeding / firing drive process performed by the ball information control MPU.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the ball feeding solenoid 31 and the firing solenoid 13. When the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the firing solenoid 13 is turned on when the period A has elapsed, and when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned off when the period B has elapsed, and the ball feeding is performed. The firing solenoid 13 is turned off when the period C has elapsed since the solenoid 31 was turned off.

  In this embodiment, the period A is 300 ms, the period B is 30 ms, and the period C is 50 ms. When the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on, the ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feed member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a game ball stopped at the shooting position is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined period of time (the period D is set to 30 ms), there is a shooting ball. Is determined.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

  When the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8, and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off.

  When starting the ball feeding / firing drive processing, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the processing flag is 0 in step S930 (step S930). Here, the processing flag is a flag for identifying whether the ball information control MPU branches to any one of the processes in the ball feeding / firing driving process described later, in other words, the control in the ball feeding / firing driving process. A flag for identifying the state. "0" means an initial setting, and "1" specifies a period from when the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on to when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on. Yes, it defines the period from turning on the firing solenoid 13 at "2" to turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31, and turning off the firing solenoid 13 after turning off the ball feeding solenoid 31 at "3". This defines the period up to.

  At the point in time when the ball feeding / firing drive processing is started, the value of the processing flag is set to 0 (according to step S906). Accordingly, it is determined that the step S930 is YES, the process proceeds to the step S931, the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X1 set in the RAM (step S931), and the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned on (step S932). , The processing flag is set to 1 (step S933), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  In the next processing cycle of the ball feeding / firing drive processing, the processing flag is set to 1 and as a result, step S930 is determined as NO, and the flow shifts to step S934. In step S934, it is determined whether the value of the processing flag is 1 (step S934). In this case, as a result of the processing flag being set to 1, as a result of the determination in step S934 is YES, the process proceeds to step S935, and the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X2 set in the RAM (step S935). The elapsed time is calculated by subtracting the timer value stored in the storage area X1 from the timer value stored in the storage area X2 (step S936), and the process proceeds to step S937, where the calculated elapsed time is a period A (see FIG. 24, 300 ms). Is determined (step S937). If the calculated elapsed time has not reached the period A, step S937 is determined to be NO, and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

  Hereinafter, until the elapsed time calculated in step S936 reaches the period A, step S930 is determined as NO, step S934 is determined as YES based on the processing flag value 1, and steps S935 to S936 are performed. The processing routine for determining NO in step S937 is repeated.

  Then, when the elapsed time calculated in step S936 reaches the period A, step S937 is determined as YES, and when the period of time A has elapsed, the missed state of the firing hammer 30 is detected. The processing of S953 and step S954 is performed. If the swinging state of the firing hammer 30 is not detected, the process proceeds to step S938.

  In step S938, the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X1 set in the RAM (step S938), the firing solenoid 13 is turned on (step S939), and the processing flag is set to 2 (step S939). S940), and exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing.

  By step S939, the hit ball firing device 29 is operated, and the game ball placed at the firing position is fired toward the game area 8. The game ball is automatically fired at a predetermined firing intensity (by applying a predetermined voltage to the firing solenoid 13). At the end of the enclosed ball number determination control process, the shooting intensity is switched to the normal game state so that the firing intensity becomes a voltage corresponding to the operation amount of the hitting ball handle 10.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 2, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, step S930 is determined to be NO, step S934 is determined to be NO, and the flow proceeds to step S941. In step S941, it is determined whether the value of the processing flag is 2 (step S941). In this case, as a result of the processing flag being set to 2, as a result of the determination in step S941 as YES, the process proceeds to step S942, where the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X2 set in the RAM (step S942). Then, the elapsed time is calculated by subtracting the timer value stored in the storage area X1 from the timer value stored in the storage area X2 (step S943), and the process proceeds to step S934, where the calculated elapsed time is a period B (see FIG. 24, 30 ms). It is determined whether or not has been reached (step S944). If the calculated elapsed time has not reached the period B, the determination in step S944 is NO, and the process exits the subroutine of the ball feeding and firing driving process.

  Hereinafter, until the elapsed time calculated in step S943 reaches the period B, step S930 is determined to be NO, step S934 is determined to be NO, and step S941 is determined to be YES based on the processing flag value 2. Then, the processing routine for determining NO in steps S942 to S943 and step S944 is repeated.

  When the elapsed time calculated in step S943 reaches period B, YES is determined in step S944, and the process proceeds to step S945 assuming that period B has elapsed. In step S945, the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X1 set in the RAM (step S945), the ball feed solenoid 31 is turned off (step S946), and the processing flag is set to 3 (step S946). Step S947), exits the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing.

  As a result of the processing flag being set to 3, in the ball feeding / firing drive processing in the next cycle, step S930 is determined to be NO, step S934 is determined to be NO, step S941 is determined to be NO, and the process proceeds to step S948. . In step S948, the timer value of the external WDT 116 is read and stored in the storage area X2 set in the RAM (step S948), and the timer value stored in the storage area X1 is subtracted from the timer value stored in the storage area X2 to calculate the elapsed time. Is calculated (step S949), the process proceeds to step S950, and it is determined whether or not the calculated elapsed time has reached the period C (see FIG. 24, 50 ms) (step S950). If the calculated elapsed time has not reached the period C, the determination in step S950 is NO, and the process exits the subroutine of the ball feeding and firing driving process.

  Hereinafter, until the elapsed time calculated in step S949 reaches the period C, step S930 is determined to be NO, step S934 is determined to be NO, and step S941 is determined to be NO based on the processing flag value 3. Then, the processing routine for determining NO in steps S948 to S949 and step S950 is repeated.

  Then, when the elapsed time calculated in step S949 reaches period C, step S950 is determined as YES, and it is determined that period C has elapsed, and the process proceeds to step S951. When the flow proceeds to step S951, the firing solenoid 13 is turned off (step S951), the processing flag is set to 0 to return to the initial value (step S952), and the subroutine of the ball feeding / firing drive processing is exited.

[Launch sphere detection processing]
Next, the shooting ball detection processing will be described. FIG. 115 (A) is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a shot sphere detection process performed by the sphere information control MPU. Upon starting the fired ball detection process, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is on (step S955). As described above, when the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on, the shooting ball is sent to the firing position (rail section 332) by the ball feeding member 32. That is, the shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball confirmation switch 36.

  If it is determined that the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, the value of the time counter, which is a counter for counting the time during which the shooting ball is ON, is incremented by 1 (step S956), and the process proceeds to step S958.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not on, that is, when the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off, 0 is set to the time counter (step S957), and the process proceeds to step S958.

  When the process proceeds to step S958, it is determined whether the value of the time counter has reached a predetermined time D (30 ms in this example) (step S958). If the value of the time counter has not reached the predetermined time D, it is determined as NO in step S958, and the firing ball detection flag is set to 0 (no detection) (step S959). Through.

  When the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is continuously detected for a predetermined time D, the value of the time counter is increased by one, and the value of the time counter is determined in advance. The specified time D (30 ms in this example) is reached. In this case, step S958 is determined to be YES, the shot ball is considered to be detected, the shot ball detection flag is set to 1 (detected) (step S960), and the process exits the shot ball detection subroutine.

  On the other hand, for example, when noise enters the fired ball confirmation switch 36, the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned on momentarily, but thereafter, the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. Accordingly, the value of the time counter is set to 0 in response to the firing ball confirmation switch 36 being turned off, and the value of the time counter is set to the predetermined specified time D (30 ms, count value 15 in this example). Never reach.

  As described above, when the game ball stopped at the firing position by the fire ball confirmation switch 36 is detected for a predetermined time, it is determined that there is a fire ball. The erroneous ball count of the ball can be eliminated, and the certainty in detecting the fired ball can be increased.

[Sphere counting process]
Next, the ball number counting process will be described. FIG. 115 (B) is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the held ball number subtraction process performed by the ball information control MPU. When starting the ball count processing, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected) (step S962). If it is determined that the fired ball detection flag is not 1 (detected), that is, if it is determined as NO in step S962, the process exits the subroutine of the ball number counting process.

  If it is determined in step S962 that the fired ball detection flag is 1 (detected), that is, if it is determined as YES in step S962, the process advances to step S963 to determine whether the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off. It is determined whether or not it is (step S963). If it is determined in step S963 that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is not turned off, that is, if it is determined in step S963 that the determination is NO, the subroutine of the ball number counting process is exited.

  As described above, when the firing solenoid 13 is turned on, the game ball stopped at the firing position by the firing hammer 30 is launched into the game area 8 and the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is turned off. If the ball information control MPU determines in step S963 that the fired ball confirmation switch 36 is off, that is, if step S963 is determined to be YES, the value of the ball number counter is incremented by one, and the number of fired balls is calculated. It counts (step S964), and sets the fired ball detection flag to 0 (no detection) in response to firing the game ball (step S965), and exits the subroutine of the ball number counting process.

  As described above, when a game ball parked at the firing position is detected by the firing ball confirmation switch 36 for a predetermined time period, it is determined that there is a firing ball, and it is determined that there is a shooting ball. If no game ball is detected by the launch ball confirmation switch 36, it is determined that the game ball parked at the launch position has been launched, and the number of balls is incremented by one. When noise enters 36, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous ball count of the shooting sphere due to the noise, and it is possible to increase the certainty in detecting the shooting sphere.

[Determining the appropriate amount of balls]
Next, the ball number appropriate amount determination processing will be described. FIG. 116 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the appropriate ball number determination process performed by the ball information control MPU. When the ball information control MPU starts the ball number appropriate amount determination process, first, it determines whether or not the value of the ball number counter is the appropriate number E (for example, 30 balls) (step S970).

  If it is determined that the value of the ball counter is equal to the appropriate number E, that is, if it is determined that step S970 is YES, the process proceeds to step S971 to display an appropriate amount on the touch panel unit 14 (an example of a notification unit) ( (Step S971), the firing permission flag is set to "1 (operation permission)" (step S972), and the process exits the subroutine of the appropriate number of balls determination process.

  If it is determined in step S970 that the value of the ball number counter is not equal to the appropriate number E, that is, if it is determined that step S970 is NO, the process proceeds to step S973, and the value of the ball number counter becomes equal to the appropriate number E (for example, It is determined whether it is less than 30 balls (step S973).

  When it is determined that the value of the ball number counter is less than the appropriate number E, that is, when it is determined as YES in step S973, the process proceeds to step S974, and the value of the ball number counter is subtracted from the appropriate number E to determine the shortage number. The calculation is performed (step S974), the fact that the ball is insufficient and the number of the balls are displayed on the touch panel unit 14 (step S975), the firing permission flag is set to “0 (operation not permitted)” (step S976), and the appropriate number of balls is determined. Exit the processing subroutine.

  If it is determined in step S973 that the value of the ball counter satisfies the appropriate number E, that is, if step S973 is determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S977. In this case, the value of the ball number counter is not equal to the appropriate number E, and the value of the ball number counter satisfies the appropriate number E. Thus, the number of balls is larger than the appropriate number E, resulting in an excess of balls.

  The sphere information control MPU calculates the excess by subtracting the appropriate number E from the value of the sphere counter (step S977), displays the fact that the ball is too large on the touch panel unit 14 (step S978), and permits the firing. The flag is set to "0 (operation not permitted)" (step S979), and the process exits the subroutine of the appropriate ball number determination process.

  FIG. 117 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a determination result of an appropriate number of balls notified by the touch panel unit 14. FIG. 117 (a) shows that the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount (for example, 30 balls) as a determination result in the appropriate ball number determination process. FIG. 117 (b) shows that the number of all enclosed game balls is insufficient and the number of missing balls is three as the determination result in the appropriate ball number determination process. In FIG. 117 (c), as the determination result in the appropriate ball number determination process, it is indicated that the number of all enclosed game balls is excessive, and the number of balls exceeding the appropriate number is two. ing.

[Timing for executing the control process for determining the number of enclosed balls]
In the present embodiment, the ball information control MPU 111 executes the enclosed ball number determination control process when the power is turned on or when the door frame 3 is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2.

<At power-on>
FIG. 118 is a part of a flowchart of a power-on process showing an example of a case where the ball information control MPU 111 executes the enclosed ball number determination control process at the time of power-on. After setting the stack pointer in step S520 of FIG. 82, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S521, and executes the launching device set position determination process shown in FIG. 110A (step S521). As described above, in the launching device set position determination process, if it is determined that the position detection sensor 180 is not on, the process loops and if it is determined that the position detection sensor 180 is on, the launching device After exiting from the set position determination processing, the process proceeds to step S522, and the enclosed ball number determination control processing (step S522) is executed. When the control processing for determining the number of enclosed balls in step S522 is completed, the process proceeds to step S527.

<When the door frame 3 is opened and closed>
Here, the opening and closing of the door frame 3 means that the state where the door frame 3 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2 shifts to the state where the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2. In the present embodiment, the ball information control MPU determines whether the door frame 3 has been opened or closed based on the detection signal of the door frame opening switch 131. When the door frame 3 is opened from the main frame 2, the door frame opening switch 131 is turned on. On the other hand, when the door frame 3 is closed by the body frame 2, the door frame opening switch 131 is turned off.

[Door frame open / close determination processing]
Next, the door frame opening / closing determination processing will be described. FIG. 119 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a door frame opening / closing determination process performed by the ball information control MPU. Considering that the door frame 3 is opened and closed in a situation where so-called grapes and the like occur in the game area 8 as described above, it is assumed that the door frame 3 is opened and closed at least during the game. For this reason, the door frame opening / closing determination process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes of step S564 performed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process (see FIG. 84).

  When starting the door frame opening / closing determination processing, the ball information control MPU first determines whether or not the door frame opening switch 131 is on (step S990). If it is determined in step S990 that the door frame opening switch 131 is not on (if step S990 is determined to be NO), that is, if the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the body frame 2, the door The processing returns from the subroutine of the frame opening / closing determination processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S990 that the door frame opening switch 131 is ON (when step S990 is determined as YES), that is, it is detected that the door frame 3 is opened with respect to the main body frame 2. If so, the flow shifts to step S991, where a wait timer process is performed (step S991), and it is determined whether or not the door frame opening switch 131 is off (step S992).

  The wait timer process in step S991 is a process for waiting until a transition from the state where the door frame 3 is opened to the main body frame 2 to the state where the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2 is performed. In the present embodiment, for example, 2 seconds is set as the waiting time (wait timer). It is determined whether or not the door frame opening switch 131 has been turned off in the determination of step S992.

  If it is determined in step S992 that the door frame opening switch 131 is not off (if step S992 is determined as NO), that is, if the door frame 3 is still open to the main body frame 2, Steps S991 and S992 are repeated until the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2.

  Then, when the door frame 3 is closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the ball information control MPU determines YES in step S992, and proceeds to step S993. In step S993, interrupt prohibition setting is performed (step S993). With this setting, the above-described ball information control unit timer interrupt processing is not performed, writing to the ball information control built-in RAM is prevented, and the above-described ball information rewriting is protected.

  Following step S993, the launcher set position determination process shown in FIG. 110A is executed (step S994). As described above, in the launching device set position determination process, if it is determined that the position detection sensor 180 is not on, the process loops and if it is determined that the position detection sensor 180 is on, the launching device After exiting from the set position determination processing, the process proceeds to step S522, in which a sealed ball number determination control processing is executed (step S995). When the ball information control MPU finishes the enclosed ball number determination control processing in step S995, it sets interruption permission (step S996), and exits the subroutine of door frame open / close determination processing and returns. With this setting, the game returns to the normal game state, and the ball information control unit timer interrupt process is repeatedly performed at the interrupt cycle set in step S540, that is, every 2 ms.

[Detection of Missing State of Launching Hammer 30 of Hitting Ball Launching Device 29]
Hereinafter, a process of detecting a missed state of the launching hammer 30 of the hit ball launching device 29 will be described. When detecting the missed state of the firing hammer 30, first, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 112, the missed number counter is cleared to 0 (step S905).

  Then, when the period A has elapsed in the ball feeding / firing drive processing, that is, when the firing hammer 30 is operated by turning on the firing solenoid 13, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 113, It is determined whether or not the shooting ball detection flag is “0 (no detection)” (step S953).

  If it is determined in step S953 that the launching ball detection flag is "0 (no detection)", the value of the missed swing counter is incremented by one (step S954), and the missed swing operation of the firing hammer 30 is counted. Proceed to S938. On the other hand, in step S953, when it is determined that the shooting sphere detection flag is not “0 (no detection)”, that is, when the shooting sphere detection flag is “1 (detection)”, it is not an empty swing operation. , Directly proceeding to step S938.

  As described above, the number of times the hammer 30 for launching swings is counted. When the number of all enclosed balls is hit into the game area 8, the game balls cannot be provided to the firing position, and the hitting operation of the firing hammer 30 by turning on the firing solenoid 13 continuously misses. .

  In the determination process of step S914 in FIG. 112, it is determined whether or not the value of the missed swing counter has reached a predetermined end count (for example, five), and the value of the missed swing counter has reached the end count. If it is determined that the counting is completed, it is considered that the counting end condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S916 to shift to the appropriate number of balls determination process in step S918.

[Hitting ball impossibility judgment processing]
FIG. 120 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process performed by the ball information control MPU in the embodiment employing the number of enclosed balls determination control means (performing the enclosed ball number determination control process). It should be noted that the hitting ball possible / impossible determination process is executed as one of the main operation setting processes (FIG. 84) in step S564 executed every 2 ms in the ball information control main process.

  When the ball information control MPU starts the hitting possible / impossible determination processing, first, it determines whether or not the above-mentioned firing permission flag is “1 (operation permission)” (step S700). That is, it is determined whether or not the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount.

  When it is determined in step S700 that the firing permission flag is “1 (operation permission)”, the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount, and step S700 is determined as YES and step S700 is determined. Proceed to S710. That is, the operation of the upper firing device 12 is permitted on condition that it is confirmed that the number of all the enclosed game balls is appropriate.

  The processing after step S710 is the same as the hitting possible / impossible determination processing (FIG. 88) described above. When the value of the held ball counter is not 0 and the launch standby ball detection switch 70 is on, The firing possible flag is set to 1 (firing possible) (step S712), and the process exits the subroutine of hitting possible / impossible determination processing.

  As described above, when the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount, the value of the held ball number counter is not 0, and there is a standby ball in the ball feeding device 28, the firing solenoid 13 and the ball feeding solenoid 31 Can be driven, and the game ball can be driven into the game area 8 substantially.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S700 that the firing permission flag is not "1 (operation permission)" (if the firing permission flag is 0), the number of all enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount. As a result, an imbalance occurs in the number of game balls that can be used, and the principle that the fairness given to the player is secured is broken, so that step S700 is determined to be NO. Then, the process proceeds to step S713. In step S713, the firing possible flag is set to 0 (not firing) (step S713), and the subroutine of the hitting possible / impossible determination processing is exited.

  That is, when the number of all the enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount, the operation of the upper firing device 12 is not permitted and is not permitted.

  Note that, similarly to the hitting possible / impossible determination process (FIG. 88) described above, in step S710, it is determined that the value of the held ball number counter is 0, and in step S711, the standby ball detection switch is set. If it is determined that 70 is not on (off), the firing enable flag is set to 0 (not fireable) (step S713), and the process exits the subroutine of the hitting possible / impossible determination process. That is, when the value of the held ball number counter is 0 or when there is no standby ball in the ball feeder 28, the firing solenoid 13 cannot be driven, and the game ball is substantially driven into the game area 8. The game cannot be played. At the same time, the ball feed solenoid 31 cannot be driven.

[Second Embodiment of Enclosed Ball Number Determination Control Process]
The enclosed ball count determination control process of FIG. 112 described above moves all enclosed game balls along the circulation path and counts the number of game balls in the process of moving. Whether or not the number is an appropriate amount, it is to determine the excess or deficiency, but the enclosed ball number determination control processing, without counting the number of enclosed game balls, of all enclosed game balls Whether the number is appropriate or not may be determined.

  For example, in a circulation path in which all enclosed game balls circulate, a plurality of game ball detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of game balls are arranged, and the plurality of game ball detection sensors are included in all enclosed game balls. A first game ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball located at the head, a second game ball detection sensor for detecting an appropriate number of game balls among all enclosed game balls, and an appropriate number of game balls And a third game ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball located next to the game ball, and the enclosed ball number determination control means, based on detection signals of the first, second, and third game ball detection sensors, It is determined whether the number of all enclosed game balls is appropriate or not, whether or not the number is appropriate.

  In the second embodiment, first, the game ball positioned at the head is the game ball placed at the firing position of the hit ball firing device 29. Then, the plurality of game ball detection sensors are arranged such that the first game ball detection sensor for detecting the first game ball among all the enclosed game balls is a shooting ball confirmation switch 36 disposed at the shooting position. (FIG. 8 or FIG. 17), and detects the appropriate number of game balls among all the enclosed game balls (in this example, 30 balls as the appropriate amount and 30th as the appropriate number). The second game ball detection sensor is a ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 (FIG. 28), and the third game ball detection sensor for detecting a game ball located next to the appropriate number (the 31st in this example) is used. It is assumed that the ball path full tank detection switch 206 (FIG. 28).

  Then, based on detection signals of the launch ball confirmation switch 36, the appropriate ball amount detection switch 207, and the full ball path detection switch 206, whether or not the number of all enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount is determined. judge.

  Hereinafter, the control processing for judging the number of enclosed balls according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 121 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the subroutine of the control processing for judging the number of enclosed spheres performed by the sphere information control MPU. When the ball information control MPU starts the number-of-enclosed-balls determination control process, first, the operation counter is cleared to 0 (step S1000). Here, the operation counter is a counter for counting the number of operations of the ball feeding solenoid. After performing step S1000, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S1002, it is determined whether or not the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is on (step S1002). That is, it is determined whether or not a game ball exists at the firing position on the rail portion 332 of the hit ball firing device 29. If it is determined that the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is ON, the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1004, it is determined whether or not the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 is on (step S1004). That is, with the game ball present at the launch position as the head, the appropriate number of the game balls in the ball collection device 240 that are back in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the game ball in the circulation path, ie, the 30th position It is determined whether a game ball to be played is detected. If it is determined that the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 is ON, the process proceeds to step S1006.

  In step S1006, it is determined whether or not the ball path full detection switch 206 is on (step S1006). That is, it is determined whether or not the next to the appropriate number of the game balls waiting to be aligned in the ball collection device 240, that is, the 31st game ball is detected.

  Next, in step S1002, when it is determined that the launch ball confirmation switch 36 is ON (when YES is determined in step S1002), that is, when a game ball is present at the launch position, the ball information is displayed. Each process executed by the control MPU will be described.

[When the number of all enclosed game balls is appropriate]
When the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount, the game balls exist at the appropriate number-th position set in the ball collection device 240, and the appropriate number set in the ball collection device 240 There is no game ball at the next next position.

  In this case, it is determined in step S1004 that the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 is on (step S1004 is determined as YES), and in step S1006, it is determined that the ball path full tank detection switch 206 is not on (step S1006). Is determined to be NO), the process proceeds to step S1008, the touch panel unit 14 (an example of a notifying unit) displays an indication of an appropriate amount (for example, a character display) (step S1008), and the firing permission flag is set to “1 (operation permission). Is set (step S1010), and the process exits the subroutine of the control processing for determining the number of enclosed balls.

[When the number of all enclosed game balls is not appropriate and is too large]
When the number of all the enclosed game balls is excessive, the game balls exist at the appropriate number-th position set in the ball collection device 240, and the appropriate amount set in the ball collection device 240 There is also a game ball at the next position after the number.

  In this case, it is determined in step S1004 that the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 is on (step S1004 is determined as YES), and in step S1006, the ball path full tank detection switch 206 is determined to be on. (Step S1006 is determined to be YES), the process proceeds to step S1008, and the fact that the ball is excessive is displayed on the touch panel unit 14 (for example, displayed by characters) (step S1012), and the firing permission flag is set to “0 (operation is not permitted)”. Is set (step S1014), and the process exits the subroutine of the number-of-enclosed-balls determination control process.

[When the number of all enclosed game balls is not appropriate and the number of balls is insufficient]
When the number of all enclosed game balls is insufficient, there are no game balls at the appropriate number-th position set in the ball collection device 240.

  In this case, in step S1004, it is determined that the ball appropriate amount detection switch 207 is not turned on (step S1004 is determined as NO), the process proceeds to step S1016, and a message indicating that the ball is insufficient is displayed on the touch panel unit 14 (for example, (Character display) (step S1016), the firing permission flag is set to "0 (operation not permitted)" (step S1014), and the subroutine of the enclosed ball number determination control processing is exited.

[Other processing]
Next, in step S1002, when it is determined that the shooting ball confirmation switch 36 is not turned on, that is, when no game ball exists at the shooting position on the rail portion 332 of the hit ball shooting device 29 (NO in step S1002). Each process executed by the sphere information control MPU when it is determined that the sphere information control MPU will be described.

  If NO in step S1002, the ball information control MPU proceeds to step S1018, turns on the ball feed solenoid 31 (step S1018), performs a wait timer process (step S1020), and turns off the ball feed solenoid 31. (Step S1022).

  The wait timer process in step S1020 is a process for waiting until the on-time (period A + period B) of the ball feed solenoid 31 shown in the time chart of FIG. 24 has elapsed. In the present embodiment, the wait time (wait timer) ), For example, 300 ms + 30 ms = 330 ms.

  After performing step S1022, the ball information control MPU increments the value of the operation counter by one (step S1024), proceeds to step S1026, and the value of the operation counter reaches a predetermined end number (for example, five times). It is determined whether or not the process has been performed (step S1026). If it is determined in step S1026 that the value of the operation counter has not reached the predetermined number of terminations (if step S1026 is determined as NO), the process returns to step S1002, and the shooting ball confirmation switch is again activated. It is determined whether 36 is on (step S1002).

  By executing the processing of steps S1018 to S1022, the ball feeding solenoid 31 is turned on and the ball feeding member 32 performs a ball feeding operation (see FIG. 22), so that one ball is played and the hitting ball firing device 29 fires. Sent to the position.

  If the firing ball confirmation switch 36 is kept off for some reason such as clogging of the ball, the processing routine of determining NO in step S1002 and NO in steps S1018 to S1024 and step S1026 is an operation. The process is repeated until the value of the counter matches the end count.

  When the value of the operation counter matches the end count, the ball information control MPU ends the enclosed ball number determination control process. In this case, it may be configured to execute a subroutine of the ball clogging notification process shown in FIG. Further, the ball information control MPU 111 transmits an error command to the main control MPU 101, the main control MPU 101 transmits an error command to, for example, the peripheral control board 130, and the peripheral control board 130 transmits, for example, a liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display device 1400 or the like. May be configured to notify by displaying an error.

[Effects of the enclosed ball-type gaming machine of the embodiment]
According to the encapsulated ball-type gaming machine of the embodiment relating to the enclosed ball number determination control processing executed by the ball information control MPU 111 described above, it is detected that the position of the hitting ball launching device 28 is at a normal position with respect to the game board. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the hitting ball firing device movably arranged in the upper part of the main body frame is set at a correct position with respect to the game board fitted in the main body frame.

  The launch control means for controlling the operation of the hit ball launching device is provided on the condition that the hit ball launching device is located at the regular position with respect to the game board via the position detecting means, and the number of all enclosed game balls is determined. However, whether or not it is an appropriate amount, it is determined whether excess or deficiency, and at least the operation of the hitting ball launching device is permitted on condition that the number of all enclosed game balls is determined to be an appropriate amount, When the positional relationship between the launching device and the game board is at a correct position (referred to as a normal position), it is possible to determine whether the number of all the enclosed game balls is an appropriate amount or not, whether the number is sufficient or not.

  On the other hand, when the positional relationship between the hitting ball launching device and the game board is not at a correct position (referred to as a normal position), for example, when a shift occurs at a boundary portion between the hitting ball launching device and the game board, or with respect to the game board. Even if the hitting ball launcher is in the correct position, if the number of all enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount and if there is an excess or deficiency, the operation of the hitting ball launching device is not permitted and the hit ball will not be fired , The game itself is not performed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from spoiling the interest of the game due to the fact that the player does not properly hit the ball at the area intended by the player in the game area partitioned by the game board.

  As a condition that it is detected that the hitting ball launching device is at the normal position with respect to the game board, the operation of the hitting ball launching device is permitted, the hitting ball launching device is activated, and the game ball is fired and all of the enclosed Since the number of game balls is counted and whether the number is appropriate or not is determined, it is possible to determine whether the number of all enclosed game balls is appropriate or not and whether the number is appropriate or not.

  Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the ball is clogged due to an excessive number of game balls, or a situation in which the player is inconvenienced due to a shortage of the game balls, and the number of all the game balls sealed in the main body of the game machine is an appropriate amount. If it is determined that there is, in the comparison between the same models, the fairness given to the player is secured without causing an imbalance in the number of available game balls.

  As described above, the game ball to be fired can be hit at an appropriate position intended with respect to the game area, and the fairness given to the player with respect to the number of all the enclosed game balls is ensured. In addition, it is possible to prevent the player from spoiling the interest in the game due to a defect caused by the hitting ball firing device and the number of usable game balls.

  In addition, after stopping the flow of the game ball by the ball stopping stopper member 243 in the ball stopping portion 241 of the ball collecting device 240, the ball launching device 29, the ball feeding rotating body 350, the ball lifting device 22, and the ball feeding device 28 When the game balls are fired, the number of the game balls fired is counted based on the detection signal of the fire ball confirmation switch 36 when the game balls are fired. Therefore, the game ball fired in the game area 8 is collected in the collection port 202 of the ball collection device 240 via the winning opening 41 or the out port 42, and the ball whose flow down is blocked by the ball stopping stopper member 243. Since the ball stays at the ball stopping portion 241 of the recovery device 240, it does not flow downstream from the ball stopping portion 241 in the circulation path.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game balls once counted (counted) from being worn again and counted. As a result, the number of all the enclosed game balls can be accurately counted. Thereby, while visually confirming the launched game balls, it is possible to accurately determine whether the number of all enclosed game balls counted is appropriate or not, whether the number is appropriate or not, and trust the determination result. Can be enhanced.

  Also, by turning on the power to the gaming machine, the number of all the enclosed game balls can be counted, and whether the amount is appropriate or not can be determined. On the other hand, when the door frame 3 is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the number of all the enclosed game balls is counted, and whether the amount is appropriate or not can be determined.

  When it is determined that the number of all enclosed game balls is too small or too small, the excess or shortage is output to the notification means (touch panel unit 14), so that the number of sealed game balls becomes too small or too small. Can be identified.

  Furthermore, even when the door frame 3 is opened and closed with respect to the main body frame 2, the number of all the enclosed game balls is counted, and whether the amount is appropriate or not can be determined. In addition, in the case of the grape elimination work by the clerk, the game balls may be accidentally spilled outside the machine and lost, and it may not be possible to return the lost game balls to the game machine, but in such cases, It can be determined that the number of all game balls enclosed in the gaming machine body is not an appropriate amount, and the fact that the number is too small or too small is output to the notification means, so the number of filled game balls is too small or too small Can be identified.

  In addition, the operation of the upper firing device 12 is permitted on condition that it is confirmed that the number of all the enclosed game balls is appropriate. On the other hand, if the number of all the enclosed game balls is not an appropriate amount and is too small or too small, the operation of the upper firing device 12 is not permitted, and no hit ball is fired, so that the game itself is not performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid a problem that an imbalance occurs in the number of available game balls, thereby breaking the principle of impartiality given to the player.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 1a Outer frame 2 Body frame 2a Body frame base 2b Tight material 3 Door frame 4 Checkout machine 5 Game board 6 Decorative cover 7 Hinge 8 Game area 9 Game window 10 Hitting handle 11 Transparent plate 12 Upper firing device (upper firing unit) )
13 Launching Solenoid 14 Touch Panel 15 Fitting Frame 16 Peripheral Wall 17 Housing Opening 18 Overhanging Wall 19 Deformed Ball / Magnetic Ball Ejection Unit Housing 20 Deformed Ball / Magnetic Sphere Ejection Unit 21 Ball Collecting Unit 22 Ball Lifting Device 23 Ball Outgoing gutter 23b Receiving part 23c Slide shutter 23d Guide piece 24 Ball supply path member 25 Screw 25a Screw shaft 25b Small pitch ridge member 25bL Half halves 25bR Half halves 25c Large pitch ridge members 25cL Half halves 25cR Half halves 25d Spiral ridge 25e Cylindrical part 25g Concave part 25h Convex part 25i Upper edge 25j Upper edge concave part 25k Lower edge 25m Lower edge convex part 26 Launch standby ball detection switch 28 Ball feeder 29 Hitting ball launcher 30 Launching hammer (member for launching)
301 Fixed part 302 Rod part 303 Stopper contact part 31 Ball feed solenoid 32 Ball feed member 33 Rail member 331 Mounting plate part 332 Rail part 333 Left rail plate 334 Right rail plate 335 Through hole 34 Stopper at launch 35 Stopper at return 36 Launch Ball confirmation switch 361 Photo bracket 37 Upper firing device hinge 38 Launch port 39 Base plate 39a Abutment section 40 Launch area 41 Winning port 42 Out port 43 Panel holder 44 Transparent panel plate 45 Front component 46 Playing ball running surface 47 Notch 48 Protruding part 49 Fixing device 50 Screw receiving member 51 Ball entry prevention wall 52 Tension spring 53 Spring locking part 54 Ball guide projection 55 Front guiding surface 56 Stopper piece 57 Arrangement space 58 Ball outlet 60 Rotary drive shaft 61 Hammer tip 62 Stopper Cover 63 ball supply 64 Orifice port decoration member 65 Lifting and communicating trough 66 Ball inlet 67 Ball feed unit base 68 Ball feed unit cover 69 Ball feed guide gutter 70 Launch standby ball detection switch 71 Ball feed sheet metal 72 Operating rod 73 Sheet metal container 74 Ball feed section 75 Shaft hole 76 Ball feed shaft 77 Arm part 78 Sheet metal locking claw 79 Hanging protrusion 80 Ball feed guiding surface 81 Ball holding surface 82 Hanging piece 83 Return ball blocking part 84 Ball stop part 85 Ball passing port 86 Launch stop switch 87 Touch Switch 90 Upper starting opening detecting switch 91 Lower starting opening detecting switch 92 Gate switch 93 General winning opening detecting switch 94 General winning opening detecting switch 96 Starting opening solenoid 97 Large winning opening solenoid 98 Count switch 100 Main control board 101 Main control MPU
102 main control I / O port 103 main control input circuit 104 main control solenoid drive circuit 105 RAM clear switch 106 RTC control unit 107 RTC
108 Battery 109 RAM
110 Ball information control board 111 Ball information control MPU
112 Ball information control I / O port 113 Ball information control input circuit 114 Ball lifting motor drive circuit 115 CR unit input / output circuit 116 External WDT
117 Power failure monitoring circuit 118 Ball information control unit 119 Ball polishing ribbon feed motor drive circuit 120 Launch solenoid drive circuit 122 Ball feed solenoid drive circuit 123 Handle relay terminal board 124 Sensor relay board 130 Peripheral control board 131 Door frame open switch 132 Body frame open Switch 133 External terminal board 140 Panel relay terminal board 141 Function display board 142 Upper special design display 143 Lower special design display 144 Upper special design storage display 145 Lower special design storage display 146 Normal design display 147 Normal design storage display 148 Game status indicator 149 Round indicator 150 Ball lifting motor 155 Ball polishing ribbon feed motor 156 Lifting inlet switch 157 Lifting motor sensor 158 Cassette detection switch 160 Main encryption communication unit 161 Second MPU recognition Number storage section 162 First authentication section 165 Ball information encryption communication section 166 First MPU identification number storage section 167 Second authentication section 180 Position detection sensor 181 Light emitting element 182 Light receiving element 201 Ball trough base 202 Collection port 203 Collection ball detection switch 204 Deformed sphere discharge part 205 Magnetic sphere discharge part 206 Sphere path full detection switch 207 Sphere proper amount detection switch 208 Deformed sphere discharge part base 209 Deformed sphere separation shaft 210 Deformed sphere separation shaft 212 Deformed sphere discharge base mounting part 213 Upstream side 214 Downstream side 215 Deformed sphere discharge path 216 Deformed sphere discharge port 217 Deformed sphere discharge path forming member 218 Connection path 219 Circulation path 220 Inclined surface 221 Falling surface 222 Magnetic sphere discharge inclined surface 223 Discontinuous portion 224 Side wall 225 Ceiling wall 226 Magnetic sphere Discharge path 227 Magnetic ball Outlet 228 Magnetic ball discharge unit cover 229 Magnet 230 Magnet accommodation space 231 Magnetic force adjustment unit 232 Magnetic ball 233 Regular game ball 234 Discharge ball receiving box 240 Ball collection device 241 Ball stop unit 242 Ball discharge gutter 243 Ball stop stopper member 244 Ball stop Stopper solenoid 245 Ball stop stopper solenoid drive circuit 251 Ball polishing cartridge 252 Left side cover 253 Right side cover 253a Right outer side cover 253b Right inner side cover 254 Hinge receiving part 255 Hinge 258 Second drive gear case 259 Winding roller 260 Follower roller 261 first gear shaft 262 second gear shaft 263 ball polishing cloth 264 ball polishing cloth holding spring 265 leaf spring 266 spring holding 267 tensioner 268 game ball contact mark 270 ball polishing cartridge mounting 271 Ball polishing cartridge fixing lever 272 Ball polishing cartridge fixing stopper 273 Ball polishing cartridge mounting port 275 Ball feeding passage 275a Ball receiving port 275b Ball feeding port 281 Opening 282 Lifting guide rail 290 Drive shaft 291 Mounting sensor 292 Button 350 Ball feeding Rotating body 350a Ball engaging concave portion 351 Ball feeding inclined portion 351a Inclined surface 351b Top inclined surface 352 Spiral base cover 353 Lifting portion cover 354 Lifting ramp member 355 Ball punching member 356 Upper gear box 357 Lower gear box 358 Ball lifting motor gear 359 Idle gear 360 Upper lifting gear 362 Lower lifting gear 363 Ball feed rotating body gear 363a Gear shaft 365 Guide block 365a Ball guide surface 365b Stopper surface 366 Fitting member 366a Fitting concave 367 Support member 368 Cover member 402 Card processor 403 Card 404 ID storage section 405 Remaining number storage section 406 Number of held balls storage section 407 Mounting member 408 Hanging wall 410 Ball exit opening / closing unit 411 Shutter base 412 Opening / closing shutter 413 Opening / closing crank 414 Opening / closing Spring 415 Slide groove 416 Opening part 417 Crank support part 418 Spring retaining part 419 Shutter body 420 Drive hole 421 Shaft part 422 Drive cam 423 Drive pin 424 Contact part 425 Spring retaining part 426 Opening / closing operation piece 427 Game ball introduction member 500 Following member 600a Upper front edge 600b Lower front edge 601a Upper guide member 601b Lower guide member 602 Bottom section 603a Front rising section 603b Rear rising section 604a Front rib 604b Rear rib 605a Stopper (top
605b Stopper (bottom)
606 Sliding leg 607 Space 608 Pivot shaft 609 Receiving hole 610a Engagement projection (upper)
610b Engagement projection (lower)
610c Head 611a Upper lever 611b Lower lever 612a Shaft (upper)
612b axis (bottom)
613a Hook recess (top)
613b Hook recess (bottom)
614 Fixing device 800 Lower space 801 Intake device 802 Exhaust device 803 Motor 804 Fan 805 Filter 806 Accumulator 807 Outlet passage 808 Outer opening valve 809 Main tube 810 Branch tube 811 Opening 812 Reinforcement bracket A Slider B Slider C Slider

Claims (1)

A prize port in which a game area is sectioned and a game ball rolling down the game area is allowed to enter,
A game board having an out port in which the game area rolls down and the game ball not entering the winning port is collected;
A body frame in which the game board is fitted and accommodated;
A hitting ball firing device that is arranged on the upper part of the main body frame and fires a game ball in the game area,
A ball collection device having a collection port for collecting the game balls that have entered the winning opening and the game balls collected in the out opening,
A ball transport device that transports the game balls collected by the ball collection device toward the hit ball launching device,
Without paying out game balls, a predetermined number of game balls are closed and circulated in a circulation path of the game balls by the hitting ball launching device, the game area of the game board, the ball collection device and the ball transport device. In a sealed ball-type gaming machine that performs games
The hit ball launching device is provided movably with respect to the main body frame,
Position detecting means for detecting that the position of the hit ball launching device is at a regular position with respect to the game board;
Launch control means for controlling the operation of the hit ball launching device,
The launch control means, the condition that the hitting ball launching device is located at a regular position with respect to the game board via the position detection means, the number of all enclosed game balls, with an appropriate amount Whether or not there is an enclosed sphere number determination control means for determining excess or deficiency,
Operation permission means for permitting at least the operation of the hit ball launching device, provided that the number of all the game balls enclosed by the enclosed ball number determination control means is determined to be an appropriate amount. An enclosed ball-type gaming machine characterized by the following.