JP2742472B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly, to a ball-and-ball game in which a random number is generated based on detection of a shot ball and game control is performed according to the value. About the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, there is provided a variable winning device formed so as to be convertible between a first state disadvantageous to a player and a second state advantageous to a player with respect to winning of a game ball fired on a game board surface. In a ball-and-ball game machine, a profit (prize ball) is given according to the number of game balls entering the variable winning device. In particular, in a pachinko game machine, as a measure against a specific player called a professional. In some cases, the nail near the winning device may be adjusted, or the winning device may be arranged at a position where the game ball is difficult to win. If such measures are taken, it is disadvantageous for general players with poor skills, and as a result there is a large difference in the number of prize balls acquired depending on the skills of the players, so that the game for the general public is equal There was a problem that lacked.

Accordingly, a ball-and-game machine has been developed in which a random number is generated based on the detection of a shooting ball and game control is performed in accordance with the value, thereby equalizing the chances of obtaining profits given to the player. A patent application has been filed by the present applicant (for example, JP-A-2-104379).

In such a ball-and-ball game machine, a detector such as a magnetic sensor is used to detect a shooting sphere. If the detector cannot detect the shooting sphere due to a trouble such as disconnection, a random number is generated. As a result, the game cannot be controlled according to the value of the random number. Therefore, when a trouble such as a disconnection occurs, it is necessary to quickly find it and repair it, but it cannot be judged from the appearance that the detection of the launch ball has become impossible,
Since the launch operation of the game ball is performed irrespective of occurrence of the detection trouble, there is a problem that the game is continued without performing the normal game control.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in such a ball game machine, a game can be continued even when the detection of a shooting ball is not normally performed. It is an object of the present invention to be able to promptly detect an abnormal state.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a random number is generated each time a predetermined number of game balls are fired from the game ball launching device toward the game board surface, and the game is controlled in accordance with the value. In a ball game machine, a fire ball detecting means for outputting a detection signal every time a predetermined number of game balls are fired, a game ball detecting means installed at a predetermined position on the game board surface, and a detection signal from the fire ball detecting means. And an abnormal state notifying means for notifying an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after a lapse of a predetermined time in a state where no is output.

The abnormal state notifying means includes an abnormal state detecting means for generating a signal indicating an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after a lapse of a predetermined time, and responding to a signal from the abnormal state detecting means. It can be configured with an abnormal state alarm that operates. In this case, a visual indicator or an audible alarm placed at any other location on the game board can be used as the abnormal condition alarm.

[0008] Alternatively, the abnormal state notifying means includes an abnormal state detecting means for generating a signal indicating an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after a predetermined time has elapsed, and a detection signal from the abnormal state detecting means. And a launch control unit that disables launching of game balls from the launch device in accordance with In that case, the launch control means is configured to stop the operation of the driving source of the launch device or the ball feeding device that supplies game balls to the launch device.

[0009]

In the ball game machine of the present invention, a random number is generated each time a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls is fired from the launching device toward the game board surface, and a game control in accordance with the value is performed. However, if the game ball detection means detects a game ball fired on the game board after a lapse of a predetermined time in a state where the launch of the game ball is not detected, trouble occurs in the detection of the fire ball. The abnormal state is notified by the abnormal state notifying means. Thus, the administrator of the ball-and-ball game machine and other concerned parties know that some trouble has occurred in the detection of the shooting ball, and can promptly deal with such a situation.

[0010] When a visual display or a sound alarm is used as the abnormal state notifying means, it can be installed in a control room of a pachinko parlor that manages a plurality of gaming machines.

The notification of the abnormal state is achieved by disabling the firing of the game ball in response to the abnormal state detection signal, in addition to the visual display and the warning by sound. At the same time, the occurrence of the trouble is directly recognized by the player, and the situation in which the game is continued without performing the normal game control is prevented.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this pachinko gaming machine 1, a game ball fired on the game board surface 2 is made to be able to play another game by winning in a starting port, and the game board surface 2 is provided with a game ball as a starting port. A plurality of variable prize apparatuses 3L, 3C, 3R that are converted into a first state that cannot be won and a second state that can be won.
Is arranged. These variable winning devices are known. Further, in the center of the game board surface 2, a variable display device 4 is arranged as another gaming device, and below it, a variable winning device 5 provided with a door that opens when a result of another game becomes a specific display mode is provided. Have been.

The variable display device 4 is a 7-segment LED that variably displays a plurality of (for example, three) numbers in a rectangular window.
(Light Emitting Diode) An indicator is arranged and each LED
The display, the display driving circuit 34 which is controlled by the output signal from the controller 30 shown in FIG. 4 described later is connected. The display may display characters, figures, and the like, in addition to numbers.

The variable winning device 5 is referred to as an attacker. A substantially same-shaped door is openably and closably mounted on the front side of an opening provided on an upper portion of a trapezoidal front plate, and has a winning opening in the opening. The door of the variable winning device 5 is opened and closed by a driving mechanism using a solenoid mounted on the back side of the front plate as a power source.

On the left and right sides of the variable display device 4, pass-through chuckers 6L and 6R are arranged as a kind of a winning opening into which a game ball fired on the game board surface 2 enters. Each chucker has a hole on the game board surface 2 through which a game ball can pass, and is formed by covering the front side of a passing ball detector for detecting a game ball passing through the hole with an appropriate cover. The passing ball detector is a game ball detector 21 (fourth game ball detector 21) for detecting when a game ball fired on the game board surface 2 passes through a specific area.
However, instead of the passing chucker, a prize hole that accepts a game ball may be provided, and the game ball (prize ball) entered therein may be detected by an appropriate detector.

Above the display section of the variable display device 4, 0 to 0 according to a detection signal from the game ball detector 21 as described later.
A variable display 7 for variably displaying the number 9 is arranged. The display 7 is, for example, a known 7-segment LE.
D.

A large number of nails are arranged on the game board surface 2 as guide means for guiding the shot game balls to the upper part of the variable winning device, while a hitting handle is provided on the lower right side of the front face. When the player operates this, a game ball is fired from a launching device attached to the back side of the game board, and the game board surface 2
It moves along the upper guide rail 8.

As the game ball launching apparatus, for example, the one shown in FIG. 2 is used. The launching device 9 includes a ball launching portion 11 including a solenoid that causes the plunger 10 to project out of the game ball P by electromagnetic force, and a hitting ball guide portion 12 provided on the plunger projecting side. Hitting ball guide 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a cylindrical member formed by cutting a tip portion for feeding the game ball P, and a pair of parallel protrusions for guiding the game ball P flipped by the tip of the plunger 10 forward on its inner bottom surface. Article 13 is provided. Game balls are fed into the launching device 9 from a ball feeding device (not shown) installed on the back side of the game board.

Further, a firing ball sensor 14 is disposed in front of the firing device 9 in order to detect each game ball P fired from the firing device 9. This launch sphere sensor 14
Consists of a magnetic sensor having a hole through which a fired game ball P can pass.
(Fig. 3).

The game ball P fired from the launching device 9 passes through the shooting ball passage 15 as shown in FIG. 3 and rises along the guide rail 8 toward the game board surface 2.
The return ball P ′ that has returned to the launching device 9 without reaching the top falls into the recovery path 16. A return ball sensor 17 for detecting this is disposed in the middle of the collection path 16, and the output of the return ball sensor 17 is sent to a return ball counter 19.
Thus, a game ball (return ball) that has returned to the launch device 9 without reaching the game board surface 2 is not counted as a launch ball.

The launch ball sensor 14 and the return ball sensor 1
7. The shooting ball counter 18 and the return ball counter 19 constitute a shooting ball detection device 20 connected to the circuit of FIG. Here, the launch sphere counter 18 is used for the launch sphere sensor 1.
When the return ball sensor 17 detects the return ball P ′, the count value increases by one when the return ball sensor 17 detects the return ball P ′.

The launching ball detection device 20 is not limited to the one that detects the launch of a game ball by the signal from the launching ball sensor 14 as described above, and may be configured as follows. That is, the launching ball sensor 14 is arranged at the launch position of the game ball, and when the launching ball sensor 14 detects a signal for activating the launching device 9 while detecting the game ball, the launching ball detection signal is output. According to this method, the launching device 9 is set in a state where the game ball is at the launch position.
Is detected for the first time, so that it is possible to reliably detect that the game ball has been correctly fired.

The circuit shown in FIG. 4 detects a game ball having passed through the passage chucker 6L or 6R as described later.
When 1 is detected, the variable display 7 is driven so as to variably display the numbers 0 to 9, while generating a random number and judging its value, and after a predetermined time, displaying the number corresponding to the value of the random number. To stop the variable display. As a result of the random number determination, when the last display corresponds to a specific number (for example, 7), the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, and 3R, which are starting ports, are converted and driven to the second state advantageous to the player, When the time has elapsed, the conversion driving is stopped and each of the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, 3R is returned to the first state.

The conversion driving of the variable winning device as described above is as follows.
It may be continuous or intermittent. In addition, as a method of driving a plurality of variable winning devices, there is a method in which all the winning devices are simultaneously converted and driven, and each winning device is sequentially converted once and driven into two states. According to this method, the variable winning device to be converted circulates, and while the display is interesting, the variable winning device that is being driven for conversion is stopped when a predetermined number of game balls have won, so that all of the plurality of variable winning devices are changed. Compared to the case of stopping all at once, the overall change is small and visually desirable.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned variable winning device is used as a starting port for starting another game, but other winning devices may be used. For example, when a stick-shaped winning control member is made to protrude and emerge above a winning opening provided on a game board surface, a first state in which a game ball cannot win or hardly win in the winning opening and a second state in which a game ball can win. Or a prize port provided on the game board surface at a position where the game ball cannot win or is difficult to win (first position).
State) and a position where the game ball can be won (second state).

A starting port sensor 33 (FIG. 4) is provided to detect a game ball entering the starting port as described above. A magnetic sensor with a possible hole can be used.

Next, the electric circuit section of the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 shows that a random number is generated each time a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls are fired from the firing device 9 and game control is performed in accordance with the value, while the detection of the game ball fire is detected. If the above-described game ball detector 21 detects a game ball (launched ball) after a predetermined time has elapsed without being performed, a signal notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the detection of the launched ball and notifying the player that the ball has been detected is issued. 2 shows a configuration of a control device 40 that generates the error.

The control device 40 includes a first random number generator 22 for generating a random number in accordance with a detection signal from the game ball detector 21.
A first determination unit 23 that determines the value of the generated random number;
The variable display 7 and the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, 3R described above.
And a first control unit 24 that drives and controls the solenoid 44 of the first control unit. Here, the first determination unit 23 is a counter 2 which will be described later.
When the count value of 9 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the probability of occurrence of the first random number value that converts the variable winning device to the second state is changed.

When the game ball detector 21 outputs a detection signal, the first controller 24 sends a signal for variably displaying numbers 0 to 9 on the variable display 7 via the display drive circuit 31.
After a predetermined time, the variable display is stopped at a number corresponding to the result of the random number determination. When the display hits a specific number "7", the variable winning device 3L, 3C, 3R is converted to the second state advantageous to the player by driving the solenoid 44 via the drive circuit 32. . Then, the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, and 3R are configured to return to the first state when a condition for ending the conversion driving is achieved, for example, when a game ball wins or when a predetermined time has elapsed.

Further, an abnormal state detecting section 41 is provided as a circuit section which operates in accordance with the detection signal from the above-mentioned shooting ball detection device 20 and the detection signal from the game ball detector 21. This is an operation for generating a signal indicating an abnormal state when a detection signal is received from the game ball detector 21 after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the shooting ball detection signal a from the detection device 20. Yes, and its signal is
2 and a launch control circuit 4 for controlling the operation of a solenoid of the launch device 9 or a ball feeder for supplying game balls to the launch device 9
Sent to 3. The abnormal state detecting unit 41 and the abnormal state alarm unit 42 or the emission control circuit 43 constitute an abnormal state alarm unit.

The abnormal condition notifier 42 is provided with an abnormal condition detector 4.
A visual indicator, such as a light bulb, which lights in response to a signal from 1;
Alternatively, it may be constituted by a sound generator such as a buzzer which generates an alarm sound. The installation location is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Place on top. Alternatively, a plurality of gaming machines (pachinko machines) in a pachinko parlor may be installed in a remote place such as a management room for centrally managing the gaming machines. In addition, instead of being dedicated to the notification of the abnormal state as described above, another display or a speaker arranged on a game board or the like may be used.

On the other hand, the firing control circuit 43 is configured to cut off the energizing line to the solenoid of the firing device 9 or stop driving the ball feed device in accordance with the detection signal from the abnormal state detecting section 41. Is done.

The abnormal state detection processing operation of the abnormal state detector 41 is as shown in FIG.

First, the detection of a shooting sphere is determined by a signal from the shooting sphere detecting device 20 (step 1), and an internal timer for counting a predetermined time is reset to "0" every time a shooting sphere is detected (step 1). Step 2). The predetermined time here is a time normally required (for example, about 6 seconds) until the game ball fired on the game board surface reaches the position of the game ball detector 21, and the timer operation is performed unless the timer is reset. Is going. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed without detection of a shooting ball, when a game ball is detected,
It is determined that there is an abnormal state where a problem has occurred in the detection of the launch sphere.
Therefore, if there is no fire ball detection signal, the timer is not reset, and the process proceeds to the next step, that is, determination of game ball detection based on a signal from the game ball detector 21 (step 3).
If no game ball is detected, the process returns to the initial fired ball detection determination.

When a game ball is detected, the timer is checked, that is, the elapse of a predetermined time is checked (step 4). If the elapse is not reached, the process returns (returns to the beginning).
On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the abnormal state detection signal is generated to activate the abnormal state alarm 42 (step 5), and at the same time, the operation of the firing device 9 is controlled via the firing control circuit 43. Stop (step 6).

When the launching ball game is started, even if the launching ball detection device has already failed and the launching ball detection signal is not output normally, the timer is not reset, so that the playing ball is detected after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, an abnormality can be detected.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the control device 40 includes second and third random number generators 25 and 26 for generating random numbers in accordance with output signals a and b from the shooting ball counter 18 and the return ball counter 19. A second and a third determination unit 27 and 28 for determining the value of the generated random number, a counter 29 for counting the number of times that the random number is determined to be the predetermined value by the second determination unit 27, and a third determination When the random number determined by the unit 28 is a predetermined value, the variable display device 4 is configured so that the display as a separate game started by winning the start opening ends in a predetermined result mode.
And a second control unit 30 for controlling the

In these circuit sections, the counter 29
The number of times that the random number is determined to be a predetermined value is counted. If the value is equal to or more than a certain number (for example, 2), the first determination unit 23 receives the count output and determines that the first display is the specific display. Change the value of the random number or its range.

The second control unit 30 sends a signal to the display drive circuit 34 in accordance with the detection signal of the starting port sensor 33 to drive the variable display device 4 described above. As described above, the starting port sensor 33 detects when a game ball enters one of the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, and 3R, and uses an optical sensor, a microswitch, and the like in addition to the magnetic sensor. be able to.

In the variable winning device (attacker) 5, an attacker winning ball sensor 35 and a winning ball counter 36 are provided as means for detecting a game ball winning a winning port inside. The winning ball sensor 35 is configured by the same sensor as the above-described starting port sensor 33, and is disposed in the winning ball discharging passage of the attacker. The detection signal of the winning ball sensor 35 is input to the winning ball counter 36, and the number of winning balls is counted. Further, a drive circuit 38 for driving a solenoid 37 for driving the attacker door is provided.

In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 4, when the game ball detector 21 outputs a detection signal, the first random number generating section 22 generates a random number, and the first determining section 23 determines the value.
Then, when the value of the random number reaches a predetermined number, as described above, the first control unit 24 stops the display of the variable display 7 in a specific manner, and the starting port is advantageous to the player. The second
Drive to convert to state. The probability is, for example, 1/20. That is, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the specific display "7" appears at a rate of once when the game ball has passed through the passing chucker 6L or 6R 20 times, and the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, 3R.
Is converted to the second state.

When a game ball wins in the variable winning device (starting port in the case of the embodiment) during the conversion drive and the starting port sensor 33 outputs, the second control section 30 causes the variable display device 4 to perform another game. To start variable display, and sends a signal to the counter 29 to decrement the count value by one.

On the other hand, the second and third random number generators 25 and 26
Performs a predetermined calculation each time the launching ball counter 18 counts 1 to generate a random number. However, provided that the value of the return ball counter 19 is 0, if the count value is 1 or more, no random number is generated. For example, when the count of the return ball counter 19 is 2, the count output of the launch ball counter 18 is passed twice (no random number is generated) from the time when the count is counted. Then, the return ball counter 1
A signal c that counts 9 down to zero is output.

The second determination unit 27 determines the value of the random number generated by the second random number generation unit 25, and if the value reaches a predetermined number, sends a signal to the counter 29 to count the number of times. Add. If the count value of the counter 29 is equal to or more than a certain number (for example, 2), the probability that the first determination unit 23 will set the specific display as described above is, for example, 1/20 to 1/10.
To As a result, the number of game balls entering the variable winning device increases.

If the result of the determination by the third determination section 28 is that the random number is equal to a predetermined number, the other game is terminated in a specific result mode (for example, a big hit). However, the probability of a specific result mode is set to, for example, 1/300. If the result mode of another game is a big hit,
The second control unit 30 outputs a signal that causes the variable display device 4 to stop at the display of a big hit (for example, “777”).
And a signal is sent to the drive circuit 38 of the variable winning device 5 to open the door for a certain period of time.

In the case of a hit or a miss other than a big hit (the probability is determined by the range of the correspondingly set random number value), the variable display device 4 is stopped at the corresponding display, and Pays out a predetermined number of prize balls.

In the control device 40 shown in FIG. 4, the random number generation units 22, 25, 26, the judgment units 23, 27, 28, the control units 24, 30 and the abnormal state detection unit 41 are each configured as a single circuit unit. Although it is possible, it is preferable that all operations of the control device 40 be performed by a microcomputer.

In this case, the microcomputer generates a random number in accordance with the detection signal from the launching ball detection device 20,
While performing the game control in accordance with the value, the game ball detector 21
Is detected, an abnormal state is determined, and the operation of the abnormal state notifying means for notifying the abnormality is performed.

The game control operation based on the random numbers is as follows. In other words, the microcomputer assigns a first random number every time the game ball detector 21 detects the value, and when the value hits the lottery, that is, when the value becomes a value for converting the variable winning device to the second state, Set flag 1. And
It is programmed to output a signal for intermittently or continuously converting and driving the variable winning devices 3L, 3C, 3R to the second state advantageous to the player, and to stop the conversion driving when the end condition is achieved. If the variable prize device does not win even if the flag 1 is set, the flag generated in the next lottery is set to 2, and the variable prize device is converted and driven until the number of game balls including the carryover is won. If two game balls have been won when the flag 1 is standing, the flag is set to -1 and the flag is offset with the flag 1 generated in the next lottery.

When the second random number generated in response to the detection of the shooting sphere hits a predetermined value, a flag corresponding thereto is set, and when the value reaches a predetermined value (for example, 2), the first random number is set. Change the probability of random numbers. Further, when the third random number generated in response to the detection of the shooting sphere hits a predetermined value, a flag corresponding thereto is set.

Incidentally, the variable winning devices 3L, 3 of the embodiment
C and 3R have a first state in which a game ball cannot be won by closing a pair of movable pieces. However, in the first state of the variable winning device used in the present invention, it is difficult for a game ball to win (prize is won). (It is difficult, if not impossible). In this case, even when the variable winning device is in the first state, that is, when the flag indicating that the first random number has reached the predetermined value is not set, the game ball wins the variable winning device. However, such a prize is also detected by the starting port sensor 33. At that time, the microcomputer sets the flag to -1 and sets the flag 1 generated in the subsequent lottery.
And offset.

As described above, by using the microcomputer and setting the flag, it is possible to execute the state conversion of the variable winning device and the result mode of another game with a predetermined probability. When the next flag is set when the variable winning device is changed to the second state, when another game is being played, or when the attacker is open according to the result mode of another game, etc. After the display of the result of another game, it is possible to execute an operation according to the state of the flag when necessary or otherwise.

In the illustrated embodiment, the variable winning device is used as a starting port in order to play another game. However, if there is no separate game, the third embodiment does not need to generate the third random number. Just as it is, controlling the conversion of the variable winning device to the second state based on the first and second random numbers is performed in a similar manner.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the pachinko game machines, but can be applied to smart ball machines, sparrow ball game machines, and other ball game machines.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a game ball is detected on the game board after a predetermined time has elapsed without detecting a shot ball, an abnormality in which detection of the shot ball has occurred has occurred. Since the state is determined and the abnormal state is notified, the manager of the ball-and-ball game machine and other related parties can immediately take measures when they know that a problem has occurred in the detection of the shooting ball.

The notification of the abnormal state is performed by a visual display or an alarm by a sound. As another method, the launching of the game ball from the launching device based on the detection signal from the abnormal state detecting means is disabled. It is also effective to do so. In this case, the player can directly recognize the occurrence of the trouble, and the situation in which the game is continued without performing the normal game control is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game ball launching device and a launching ball sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detection device for a launch sphere and a return sphere.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an abnormal state detection processing operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Pachinko machine, 2 ... Game board surface, 3L, 3C, 3R
... variable prize device, 4 ... variable display device, 5 ... variable prize device, 6L, 6R ... passing chucker, 7 ... variable display device, 8
... guide rail, 9 ... launching device, 14 ... launching ball sensor,
17: Return ball sensor, 18: Launch ball counter, 19: Return ball counter, 20: Launch ball detector, 21: Gaming ball detector, 22, 25, 26 ... Random number generator, 23, 27, 2
8 judgment part, 24, 30 control part, 27 counter, 3
1, 34: display drive circuit, 33: starting port sensor, 40:
Control device, 41: abnormal state detection unit, 42: abnormal state alarm device, 43: launch control circuit.

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball game machine that generates a random number each time a predetermined number of game balls are fired from a game ball launching device toward a game board surface and performs game control according to the value. Launch ball detection means for outputting a detection signal each time a game ball is fired, game ball detection means installed at a predetermined position on the game board surface, and in a state where no detection signal is output from the launch ball detection means An abnormal state notifying means for notifying an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after a predetermined time has elapsed. 2. The abnormal state notifying means includes: an abnormal state detecting means for generating a signal indicating an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after the predetermined time has elapsed; The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormal state alarm that operates in response to the signal. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein said abnormal condition alarm device is constituted by a visual display device or a sound alarm device installed at any other place on the game board surface. 4. The abnormal state notifying means includes: an abnormal state detecting means for generating a signal indicating an abnormal state when the game ball detecting means detects a game ball after the lapse of the predetermined time; 2. A ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: launch control means for making it impossible to launch game balls from said launch device in response to said detection signal. 5. A ball game machine according to claim 4, wherein said launch control means is configured to stop the operation of a driving source of said launch device or a ball feed device for supplying game balls to said launch device. .