JP2806319B2 - Prize ball payout device for pachinko machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize ball dispensing device for a pachinko machine that pays out a prize ball when a game ball wins a winning port of the pachinko machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a game ball enters (wins) a winning opening of a pachinko machine, which winning opening has been detected by a sensor (winning ball switch), and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the game ball (winning ball) is guided to a safe mechanism P2 provided in a safe ball passage P1 on the lower rear side of the pachinko machine. In the safe mechanism P2, the path P1 is closed by the stopper lever P3 rotating in the direction of the arrow B to stop the game ball at a predetermined stop position,
The game ball is detected by a sensor (safe ball switch) P4.

When a game ball is detected by the safe ball switch P3, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a prize ball payout mechanism P5 provided at the upper rear side of the pachinko machine discharges a discharge solenoid P6 and a motor. Cam stopper P
7. A prize ball is paid out by driving a discharge motor (not shown) and a motor cam P8. In particular,
For one game ball detected by the safe mechanism P2, for example, 5 game balls depending on the type of the winning opening detected by the prize ball switch.
One, ten or fifteen prize balls are paid out.

[0004] Actually, five balls and one ball per winning ball are provided.
Only the zero data (prize ball data) is stored, and the fifteen prize ball data is not stored. If there is no prize ball data corresponding to the winning sphere, the maximum fifteen are paid out. This is to reduce the data processing and to prevent a disadvantage to the player when a trouble such as a power failure occurs.

[0005] The above-described control is performed by the joint processing of the main control circuit and the sub-control circuit. The data processing in this control is performed in the following procedure. The main control circuit detects a winning ball by a winning ball switch provided for each winning opening, and stores the winning ball data of the number of prize balls set for each winning opening.

The sub control circuit detects the game ball passing through the prize ball switch by the safe ball switch P4 and turns on the prize ball data request signal to be transmitted to the main control circuit (O).
N). When the main control circuit confirms that the prize ball data request signal is ON, the main control circuit retrieves the prize ball data stored above and outputs the prize ball data to the sub-control circuit accordingly.

The sub-control circuit reads the prize ball data at that time about 50 ms after turning on the prize ball data request signal, and turns off the prize ball data request signal. When confirming that the award ball data request signal is OFF, the main control circuit clears the award ball data.

Thereafter, the sub-control circuit controls the prize ball payout mechanism P5 and the safe mechanism P2 to perform a process of discharging the prize ball and the winning ball. At this time, in accordance with the time series of the prize ball data (that is, according to the winning order), the discharging process is performed in order from the earliest prize ball data.

[0009]

However, the above-described control processing has the following problems and is not always sufficient. a) From the ON of the award ball data request signal to the reading of the award ball data, in order to reliably read the award ball data output from the main control circuit, as shown in FIG. About 50 ms). Therefore, there is a problem in that data processing takes a long time, and a prize ball discharging operation time is long. As a result, the operation time of the pachinko machine is reduced, and a solution has been desired.

B) There is also a problem that there is no means for distinguishing whether the prize ball data output from the main control circuit is normal or abnormal. That is, due to the occurrence of noise, runaway of the CPU of the main control circuit, and the like, even if the award ball data is abnormal data, the sub control circuit directly reads the abnormal data.

C) Further, conventionally, when there are a plurality of prize ball data, the prize balls are paid out sequentially according to the prize ball data which is earlier in time. Must be paid out for each of the remaining winning balls. In other words, even if the number of prize balls corresponding to the remaining prize balls is actually five or ten, a maximum of fifteen must be paid out, which is a big problem for the manager.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can reduce the time required for data processing to shorten the operation time for discharging prize balls, can improve the reliability of prize ball data to be read, and can be used when trouble occurs. It is another object of the present invention to provide a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine that can pay out a prize ball more accurately.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 according to the present invention, as exemplified in FIG. 1, increases the number of prize balls according to the winning opening in which a game ball of a pachinko machine has won. A main control circuit for setting prize ball data to be indicated, a sub-control circuit for detecting a game ball that has won the prize port, and outputting a prize ball data request signal for requesting the prize ball data to the main control circuit, The main control circuit outputs the prize ball data to the sub-control circuit in response to the prize ball data request signal, and confirms the output of the prize ball data. the winning balls data determination signal for output to the sub-control circuit, the sub-system
The control circuit confirms the award ball data from the main control circuit.
When a fixed signal is received, the award ball data is read.
The gist is a prize ball dispensing device for pachinko machines characterized by the following.
You.

The invention of claim 2 is also illustrated in FIG.
Like , according to the winning opening where the gaming ball of the pachinko machine wins,
Main control circuit for setting prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls
And the game ball that has won the winning opening is detected, and the winning ball is detected.
The main control of a prize ball data request signal for requesting data.
And a sub-control circuit that outputs to the circuit.
In the prize ball dispensing device, the main control circuit may include:
In response to the prize ball data request signal, the prize ball data is
Output to the control circuit and output of the prize ball data.
Outputs a prize ball data confirmation signal to the sub-control circuit
And the sub-control circuit is connected to the main control circuit.
If the award ball data confirmation signal is turned on,
Pachinko machine characterized by turning off ball data request signal
The prize ball payout device of the machine is the gist.

The invention of claim 3 is also illustrated in FIG.
Like , according to the winning opening where the gaming ball of the pachinko machine wins,
Main control circuit for setting prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls
And the game ball that has won the winning opening is detected, and the winning ball is detected.
The main control of a prize ball data request signal for requesting data.
And a sub-control circuit that outputs to the circuit.
In the prize ball dispensing device, the main control circuit may include:
In response to the prize ball data request signal, the prize ball data is
Output to the control circuit and output of the prize ball data.
Outputs a prize ball data confirmation signal to the sub-control circuit
And requesting the prize ball data from the sub-control circuit.
When the signal turns off, clear the award ball data
Prize ball dispensing device for pachinko machines
To the effect.

The invention of claim 4 is also illustrated in FIG.
Like , according to the winning opening where the gaming ball of the pachinko machine wins,
Main control circuit for setting prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls
And the game ball that has won the winning opening is detected, and the winning ball is detected.
The main control of a prize ball data request signal for requesting data.
And a sub-control circuit that outputs to the circuit.
In the prize ball dispensing device, the main control circuit may include:
In response to the prize ball data request signal, the prize ball data is
Output to the control circuit and output of the prize ball data.
Outputs a prize ball data confirmation signal to the sub-control circuit
And requesting the prize ball data from the sub-control circuit.
When the signal is turned off, the award ball data confirmation signal
Prize ball payout for pachinko machines characterized by turning off
Is the gist.

[0017]

[0018]

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls is set in accordance with a prize port in which a game ball of a pachinko machine has won, and a game ball having a prize in the prize port is detected. In a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine that requests the prize ball data required for paying out the prize ball, based on the prize ball data obtained by the request, for each game ball that has won the winning opening, The gist of the present invention is a prize ball payout device for a pachinko machine, wherein the prize ball is paid out in order from the one with the smallest prize ball.

[0020]

In the prize ball payout apparatus for a pachinko machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, a prize ball indicating the number of prize balls in a main control circuit in accordance with a winning opening in which a game ball of the pachinko machine has won. You have set the data. And in the sub control circuit,
The game ball that has won the winning opening is detected, and a prize ball data request signal for requesting prize ball data is output to the main control circuit.
Then, the main control circuit outputs the prize ball data to the sub control circuit according to the prize ball data request signal,
An award ball data determination signal for confirming the output of the award ball data is output to the sub-control circuit.

That is, in the present invention , the main control circuit does not simply output the prize ball data to the sub-control circuit in response to the prize ball data request signal, but further outputs the prize ball data. Is output. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not necessary to read the prize ball data after waiting for a predetermined time in the sub control circuit, and the prize ball data can be read quickly, so that the data processing time can be shortened. In addition, the prize ball discharging operation time can be shortened. In addition, since it is only necessary to read the prize ball data after inputting the prize ball data determination signal, it is possible to reduce the influence of noise and abnormality of the main control circuit, thereby improving the reliability of the prize ball data. In particular,
In the description, the sub-control circuit is awarded from the main control circuit.
Prize ball data at that time when the data confirmation signal is received.
To read prize ball data quickly
And the reliability of the prize ball data is improved.

In the invention of claim 2, the same as the invention of claim 1 is provided.
Data processing time can be reduced,
It is possible to shorten the operation time for discharging the product ball. Also, Neu
And the effect of abnormalities in the main control circuit can be reduced.
There is an advantage that data reliability is improved. In particular, the book
In the invention, the sub control circuit is configured to control the prize ball from the main control circuit.
When the data confirmation signal is turned on, prize ball data
The request signal is turned off, so that the next operation can be
Real data processing can be realized. In the invention of claim 3, 請
As in the invention of claim 1, the data processing time can be reduced,
As a result, the prize ball discharging operation time can be shortened.
Wear. In addition, the effects of noise and abnormalities in the main control circuit
Advantage of reducing prize balls and improving the reliability of prize ball data
There is. In particular, in the present invention, the main control circuit
When the prize ball data request signal from the control circuit is turned off
Clears the prize ball data, so that
Accordingly, reliable data processing can be realized.

In the invention of claim 4, the same as the invention of claim 1 is provided.
Data processing time can be reduced,
It is possible to shorten the operation time for discharging the product ball. Also, Neu
And the effect of abnormalities in the main control circuit can be reduced.
There is an advantage that data reliability is improved. In particular, the book
In the invention, the main control circuit is configured to control the prize ball from the sub control circuit.
When the data request signal is turned off,
Since the constant signal is turned off,
Real signal processing can be realized.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, based on the prize ball data, individual prize game balls (prize balls) are paid out in order from the one with the smallest prize ball. Even if the generated and stored prize ball data is lost and the maximum number must be paid out, a small number of prize balls (for example, 5) have already been paid out. There is a high possibility that the number of prize balls corresponding to the remaining winning balls is large (for example, 10). Therefore, even if the maximum number (15) of the remaining winning balls is paid out, the damage is smaller than in the past. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to pay out a number of prize balls closer (ie, more accurate) to the number of prize balls to be paid out.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a prize ball payout apparatus for a pachinko machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The pachinko machine to which this embodiment is applied is a so-called CR machine that can pay out game balls with a card. FIG.
Fig. 3 shows the CR machine from the front side, and Fig. 3 shows the portion excluding the game board and the like from the back side.

A) As shown in FIG. 2, the CR machine is a gaming table 2 on which a card unit 1 is arranged on the side.
The game board 3 is provided with a plurality of winning openings 5. A prize ball switch 7 (see FIG. 6), which is a proximity sensor, is disposed at each winning opening 5 to detect a game ball (winning ball) that has entered (wins) the winning opening 5. Since the number of prize balls differs depending on which winning opening 5 is entered, the number of prize balls is set according to the signal from the prize ball switch 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, a tank 11 for storing game balls is provided above the rear side of the CR machine, and a tank rail 13 for guiding the game balls from the tank 11 to the downstream side is provided below the tank. Have been. A prize ball payout mechanism 15 is provided downstream of the tank rail, and a discharge motor 16 for paying out prize balls is arranged below the prize ball payout mechanism 15. Further, a safe ball passage 17 is provided at a lower position of the game board 3 for guiding a game ball entered through the winning opening 5 to the downstream side.
7, a safe mechanism 19 for checking a winning ball is provided.

B) The prize ball payout mechanism 15 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), the mechanism is driven when a game ball enters the winning opening 5, and pays out a number of prize balls according to the type of the winning opening 5. This prize ball payout mechanism 15
A prize ball passage 21 for introducing game balls (prize balls) from the tank rail 13, a motor cam 23 for rotating and passing the prize balls one by one (the prize ball passage 21), and a discharge motor for rotating the motor cam 23. 16 (see FIG. 3), a motor cam stopper 25 for stopping the rotation of the motor cam 23, a discharge solenoid 27 for driving the plunger 25a (downward in the figure) to release the motor cam stopper 25, and a motor. A spring member 29 for urging the plunger 25a (upward in the figure) to apply the cam stopper 25, and a discharge switch 31 for detecting a prize ball to be paid out are provided.

On the other hand, the safe mechanism 19 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (d), the game ball (winning ball) entered into the winning opening 5
Ball passage 17 that guides the ball, a stopper lever 33 that opens and closes the safe ball passage 17, and a safe ball switch 35 that detects a game ball stopped by the stopper lever 33
And own plunger 3 to open safe ball passage 17
A safe ball solenoid 37 for rotating the stopper lever 33 by driving the bottom 7a (downward in the figure) and a safe ball passage 17
And a spring member 39 for urging the plunger 37a (upward in the figure) to rotate the stopper lever 33.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stopper lever 33 has a substantially rectangular stop portion 33b having a contact surface 33a for contacting and stopping the game ball, and a diagonally forward curve from the base of the stop portion 33b. Arm 33c extending between the stop portion 33b and the arm 33c, a ball receiving portion 33d which is concave between the stop portion 33b and the arm 33c and receives a game ball, a shaft portion 33e which is a rotation center of the stopper lever 33, and a shaft portion 33e. It comprises a lever portion 33f extending rearward, and a locking shaft portion 33g provided on the lever portion 33f and locking the plunger 37a of the safe ball solenoid 37.

On the right side of the bottom portion 33d1 of the ball receiving portion 33d in the drawing, a raised portion raised so as to form a flat surface in a tangential direction of a circle centered on the shaft portion 33e (ie, a vertical direction in the drawing). 33d2 is provided. That is,
Conventionally, the dotted line in the figure is the bottom, but a raised bottom 33d2 is formed to fill this bottom.

In this embodiment, the height of the raised portion 33d2 is set to, for example, 1.5 mm. This number is
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), when the game ball is released from the ball receiving portion 33 d of the stopper lever 33 to below the safe ball passage 17, the convex portion 1 of the safe ball passage 17 that bends in a substantially rectangular shape.
7a is set so as not to be caught on the floor 7a.
The height of d2 can be set.

Further, of the contact surface 33a, a portion 33a1 above the contact portion SP where the game ball contacts (when the game ball is stopped) is formed to have a circular curvature centered on the shaft portion 33e. I have. When the center line is set as shown in FIG. 5, an angle of 49 ° from the vertical position is the contact part SP. The lower portion 33a2 of the contact portion SP is arranged such that the contact surface 33a is on the inner side of the curvature circle of the upper portion 33a1, that is, the lower the contact portion 33a2, the lower the contact surface 33a and the shaft portion 33e.
The notch is smoothly cut so that the distance from the notch becomes short (the notch width increases).

For example, assuming that the intersection of the extension line of the arc forming the upper portion 33a1 of the contact surface 33a and the extension line of the upper side surface of the ball receiving portion 33d is KP (not shown), in this embodiment, The stop portion 33b is cut out by a straight line that is inclined downward by 0.5 ° (that is, counterclockwise) about the contact portion SP as an axis with respect to the straight line connecting the portion SP and the intersection KP. In addition, the ball receiving portion 33d
Are subjected to R processing.

In this embodiment, FIGS. 4C and 4D
As shown in FIG. 7, a stopper pin 33h is attached to stop the stopper lever 33 at a predetermined position (when the stopper lever 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A).
3h is made of a metal (for example, an aluminum alloy) so as not to be deformed by aging.

C) Next, the control device of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in order to control the prize ball payout device of the pachinko machine of this embodiment, specifically, to control the prize ball payout mechanism 15 and the safe mechanism 19, etc.
A main control circuit (main board) 41 and a sub control circuit (sub board) 43 are provided.

The main control circuit 41 includes a well-known CPU 41
a, ROM 41b, RA (including output port buffer)
It is configured as a microcomputer including an M41c, an input / output unit 41d, and a bus line 41e connecting them. The prize ball switch 7 and the ejection switch 31 are connected to the input / output unit 41d, and signals thereof are input. The input / output unit 41d receives a prize ball data request signal from the sub control circuit 43, and outputs a prize ball data and a prize ball data determination signal to the sub control circuit 43.

The prize ball data request signal is a 1-bit signal for requesting prize ball data to the main control circuit 41, and is changed from OFF (OFF) to ON (O).
N) indicates that a request for prize ball data has been made. The prize ball data is a 4-bit signal indicating the number of 5 or 10 prize balls. The award ball data determination signal is a 1-bit signal indicating that the award ball data has been output, and indicates that the output of the award ball data has been completed when switched from OFF to ON.

The ROM 41b stores award ball data indicating which award ball switch 7 is turned on and the number of award balls (for example, 5 or 10). When the switch 7 is turned on, the award ball data corresponding to the award ball switch 7 is retrieved, and is temporarily stored in the RAM 41c as the current award ball data.

On the other hand, the sub-control circuit 43 is also a well-known CPU.
43a, ROM 43b, (including output port buffer)
It is configured as a microcomputer including a RAM 43c, an input / output unit 43d, and a bus line 43e connecting them. The safe ball switch 35 is connected to the input / output unit 43d to input a signal thereof, and the discharge solenoid 27, the discharge motor 16, and the safe ball solenoid 37 are connected thereto, and control signals are sent to them. Further, the sub control circuit 43 sends the main control circuit 41
At the same time, the award ball data request signal is output, and the award ball data and the award ball data determination signal are input from the main control circuit 41.

D) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. Before the game ball wins the winning opening 5, the prize ball payout mechanism 15 and the safe mechanism 19 are set in a holding state as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (c). That is, in the prize ball payout mechanism 15, the discharge solenoid 27 is in the OFF state, and the motor cam stopper 25 is driven by the upward biasing force of the spring member 29, and the motor cam 2
The rotation of 3 is stopped. Thereby, the prize ball passage 2
Since 1 is closed, many game balls are staying in the prize ball passage 21.

On the other hand, in the safe mechanism 19, the safe ball solenoid 37 is in the OFF state, and the spring member 39
The stopping portion 33b of the stopper lever 33 is stopped in a state of turning downward (in the direction of arrow B) by the upward biasing force of. Thereby, the safe ball passage 17 is closed.

Next, when a game ball wins in the winning opening 5,
The winning of the game ball is detected by the prize ball switch 7,
The signal from the prize ball switch 7 is sent to the main control circuit 41
Is input to The ROM 41b of the main control circuit 41 stores prize ball data indicating how many prize balls are to be put out corresponding to each prize ball switch 7, so that the prize ball data is read from the ROM 41b in accordance with the input signal. The prize ball data is temporarily stored in the RAM 41c.

Next, when the game ball which has won the winning opening 5 is guided to the safe ball passage 17 through the passage on the back side of the game board 3, the game ball is stopped by the stopper lever 33 of the safe mechanism 19. Can be That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, the game ball comes into contact with the contact portion SP, which is the most distal end side of the contact surface 33a of the stop portion 33b of the stopper lever 33, and stops.

The game ball stopped at this position is
The signal is detected by the safe ball switch 35, and the signal is input to the sub control circuit 43. This safe ball switch 3
When the signal from No. 5 is input, the prize ball data request signal is output from the sub control circuit 43 to the main control circuit 41 (turns on the prize ball data request signal).

When the main control circuit 41 confirms that the prize ball data request signal has been turned on, it outputs the prize ball data stored in the RAM 41c to the sub control circuit 43. That is, in response to detection of one game ball by the safe ball switch 35, one prize ball data (for example, data of five prize balls) is output. Then, after outputting the prize ball data, a prize ball data determination signal is output to the sub control circuit 43 to indicate to the sub-control circuit 43 that all the current prize ball data has been output (prize ball data determination). Signal is turned on).

When the sub-control circuit 43 confirms that the award ball data determination signal has been turned ON, the award ball data at that time is read. Thereafter, the award ball data request signal is turned off. The main control circuit 41 sends the award ball data request signal OF
When F is confirmed, the award ball data stored in the RAM 41c is cleared, and the award ball data determination signal is turned off.
I do.

Next, the sub-control circuit 43 performs a discharging process. In other words, the prize ball payout mechanism 15 and the safe mechanism 19 are controlled to the release state as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4D. Specifically, in the prize ball payout mechanism 15,
The discharge solenoid 27 is turned on, the motor cam stopper 25 is released, and the discharge motor 16 is driven to rotate the motor cam 23 so that the game balls of the number of the prize ball data are passed, and the prize ball is formed. To be discharged. After the discharge, the state is returned to the holding state.

On the other hand, in the safe mechanism 19, the safe ball solenoid 37 is turned on, and the stop portion 33b of the stopper lever 33 is rotated upward (in the direction of the arrow A).
The game ball is received in 3d. After that, safe ball solenoid 3
Since 7 is turned off, the stopper lever 33 rotates in the direction of arrow B by the urging force of the spring member 39, and returns to the above-mentioned holding state. The game ball received by the ball receiving portion 33d is discharged downward by the operation of returning to the holding state.

That is, the stopper levers 33 are indicated by arrows A, B
One reciprocation in the direction causes one game ball to pass through the safe ball passage 17. Here, the operation of the stopper lever 33 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the suspended state, the game ball comes into contact with the contact portion SP of the contact surface 33 a of the stopper lever 33 and stops.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), when the stopper lever 33 is turned in the direction of arrow A in order to make the ejection state, the contact surface 33a is also turned according to the movement.
The game ball starts moving toward the ball receiving portion 33d along the lower portion 33a2 of the contact surface 33a. At this time, the contact surface 33a
The lower portion 33a2 of the contact portion SP is smoothly cut out so that the notch width becomes larger toward the lower end, so that even if there is some play in the stopper lever 33, the game ball is not hit in the return direction. .

Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the stopper lever 33 is further moved by the arrow A (as compared to the state shown in FIG. 7 (b)).
By rotating in the direction, the game ball is completely received by the ball receiving portion 33d. At this time, the game ball does not enter so deeply because it abuts on the raised portion 33d2 of the ball receiving portion 33d. That is, the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d is located slightly to the left of the figure by the bottom raising portion 33d2, so that the next game ball in contact with this game ball also slightly moves back in the conventional direction. Will be located.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), when the stopper lever 33 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the contact surface 33a of the stop portion 33b moves between the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d and the next game ball. To prevent the next game ball from advancing. At the same time, the game balls in the ball receiving portion 33d are discharged to the downstream side.

That is, the next game ball is raised to the bottom 33d2.
The ball is pushed in the return direction of the safe ball passage 17 and moved in the return direction by the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d lifted up by the arrow B of the stop portion 33b even if the stopper lever 33 has a play. It is located outside the trajectory of the rotation in the direction. Therefore, the next game ball is not hit in the return direction.

Therefore, by the above-described operation, the game balls are sequentially sent below the safe ball passage 17 without the next game ball being flipped. e) Next, among the operations of the present embodiment described above, the processing in the main control circuit 41 and the sub-control circuit 43 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the time chart of FIG.

First, the overall control processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11A. In step 100 of FIG. 8, the winning of the game ball is detected by the prize ball switch 7. Then, depending on the type of the detected prize ball switch 7, the main control circuit discriminates between 5 data indicating that 5 prize balls to be paid out and 10 data indicating that 10 prize balls are to be paid out. 41 in the RAM 41c. Although the signals indicating the fifteen data are not particularly set, this is because the safe ball switch 35
When there is no signal of the prize switch 7 corresponding to the above, the maximum 15 are set to be discharged.

In the following step 110, the safe mechanism 19
Is detected by the safe ball switch 35. In the following step 120, the safe ball switch 3
5 in response to the winning ball detected by the sub-control circuit 4
3 to the main control circuit 41 at time t1 (FIG. 11 (a)
The same applies to the following, and the prize ball data request signal is output (O
N) to request prize ball data. The prize ball data request signal is turned off at time t5 after about 10 ms has elapsed from time t1 (time t4).

In the following step 130, the prize ball data is output from the main control circuit 41 to the sub control circuit 43 at time t2, and a prize ball data determination signal is output (ON) at time t3. In this example, the award ball data is turned off at a time t6 after the award ball data request signal is turned off, and the award ball data determination signal is received at a time t7 after the off operation of the award ball data in response to the off operation of the award ball data. Is turned off.

In the following step 140, the sub control circuit 4
The prize ball payout mechanism 15 is driven by the control signal from 3 to discharge the prize ball. That is, the discharge solenoid 27 is turned on at a time t8 after the prize ball data determination signal is turned off, and the discharge solenoid 27 is turned off at a time t9 after a predetermined period of paying out a required prize ball.

In the following step 150, the sub control circuit 4
The safe mechanism 19 is driven by the control signal from
Eject the winning ball. That is, the OF of the discharge solenoid 27
The safe ball solenoid 37 is turned on at time t10 after F, and the safe ball solenoid 37 is turned off at time t11 after a predetermined period necessary for discharging the winning ball, and this process is once ended.

Next, a control process in the main control circuit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. In particular, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of prize ball data, a process of paying out the prize balls in ascending order is performed. Step 200
Then, it is determined whether or not a prize ball data request signal from the sub control circuit 43 has been input (ON). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210, while if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 260.

In step 210, the main control circuit 41
Is searched to determine whether or not there is five data, that is, whether or not there are five pieces of prize balls. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 215, while if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 220.

In step 215, signals indicating five pieces of winning ball data are stored in the output port buffer. At the same time, the five data stored in the RAM 41c are deleted. On the other hand, in step 220, similarly to step 210, the prize ball data stored in the main control circuit 41 is searched to determine whether or not there are 10 data, that is, there is 10 prize ball data. Confirm whether or not. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 225, while if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 230.

In step 225, signals indicating ten pieces of prize ball data are stored in the output port buffer. In addition, along with this, the 1st stored in the RAM 41c is
Zero data is erased. On the other hand, in step 230,
Even though a prize ball is detected by the safe ball switch 35, neither the five data nor the ten data is stored, so that it is assumed that the number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball is fifteen. A signal indicating the prize ball data is stored in the output port buffer.

In the following step 240, the prize ball data as the contents of the output port buffer is output to the sub control circuit 43. In the following step 250, the award ball data determination signal is turned ON and output to the sub control circuit 43.

In the following step 260, the contents of the output port buffer are cleared. In the following step 270, the award ball data determination signal is turned off, and the present process is ended once. Hereinafter, the same processing is repeatedly executed each time a winning ball is detected by the safe ball switch 35, so that the next five prize balls are sequentially processed, that is, until the processing of all five data is completed. Can be paid out from the sequentially smaller prize balls without proceeding to the processing of the ten data.

Next, a control process in the sub-control circuit 43 will be described with reference to FIG. Step 30
At 0, based on the signal from the safe ball switch 35,
It is determined whether or not there is a winning ball. Here, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 310, while if the determination is negative, the process ends once.

In step 310, the award ball data request signal is turned on and output to the main control circuit 41. In the following step 320, it is determined whether or not there is an award ball data determination signal from the main control circuit 41, and the process waits until an affirmative determination is made.

In the following step 330, the prize ball data output from the main control circuit 41 is read. In the following step 340, the award ball data request signal is turned off. In the following step 350, a number of prize balls according to the prize ball data are discharged.

In the following step 360, the winning ball is ejected, and this processing is once ended. Thus, in this embodiment,
When the award ball data request signal is output (ON) from the sub control circuit 43 to the main control circuit 41, the award ball data is output from the main control circuit 41 to the sub control circuit 43, and after the award ball data is output. The award ball data determination signal is output (ON). Then, the sub-control circuit 43
When the award ball data confirmation signal is confirmed, the award ball data at that time is read. That is, the award ball data is read immediately after the sub-control circuit 43 confirms the award ball data determination signal.

As a result, since there is no need to wait for a predetermined time as in the prior art from when the award ball data request signal is turned ON to when the award ball data is read, the data processing time is shortened, and the operation time for discharging the award ball is reduced. It has a remarkable effect of being shortened. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the ON period of the prize ball data request signal is about 10 ms, which is 40 ms shorter than the conventional about 50 ms. The time required to complete the discharge is also shortened. In addition, since about 40 ms can be shortened for one winning ball, for example, about 10 × 16 = about 160 in one big hit.
× 40 = 6400 ms (= 6.4 seconds), and
If a big hit is made 10 times a day, one car can be reduced by 64 seconds. Therefore, in a store equipped with 500 pachinko machines, there is an advantage that the operation time of the pachinko machines can be increased by 64 × 500 = 32000 seconds (= about 533 minutes = about 8.8 hours).

Further, noise and C of the main control circuit 41
Even if a runaway or the like of the PU 41a occurs, the prize ball data is read after confirming the prize ball data determination signal, so that there is an advantage that the risk of reading the abnormal prize ball data as it is is reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of prize ball data, the prize ball data having a small number of prize balls is searched, and the prize ball data is sequentially paid out from the prize ball with a small number. Therefore, even if a trouble such as a power failure occurs during the payout of the prize balls, the prize ball data stored in the RAM 41c is lost, so that a maximum of 15 prize balls must be paid out. Thus, the damage on the store side can be considerably reduced. In other words, at the time of trouble, the prize balls of the prize ball data that have not been paid out are considered to have relatively many prize balls. Therefore, even if 15 prize balls are paid out according to each remaining prize ball, There is an effect that the number of prize balls to be paid out exceeding the number of prize balls (to be paid out) can be reduced as much as possible.

In this embodiment, since the bottom raising portion 33d2 is provided at the bottom portion 33d1 of the ball receiving portion 33d of the stopper lever 33, when a plurality of game balls are stopped in the safe ball passage 17, When the stopper lever 33 rotates in the direction of arrow B, even if the stopper lever 33 has some backlash, the next game ball in contact with the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d is moved to the lower end side of the stop portion 33b. The ball is not hit in the return direction by the tip portion or the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d. Therefore, by the safe ball switch 35,
The same game ball is not detected again.

Further, since the stopper pin 33h is formed of metal, the stopper pin 33h is not normally deformed. However, if the stopper pin 33h is defective due to an unexpected cause, the stopper lever 33h may be deformed. In this embodiment, even if the stop position of the stopper lever is shifted from the proper position in the direction of arrow A, in the present embodiment, the bottom lever 33d1 of the ball receiving portion 33d of the stopper lever 33 is provided with the bottom raising portion 33d2. When rotating in the direction of arrow B, the next game ball is not flipped in the return direction by the game ball in the ball receiving portion 33d. Therefore, the same game ball is not detected again by the safe ball switch 35.

Since the output of the safe ball switch 35 and the output of the prize ball switch 7 coincide with each other, a remarkable effect that an appropriate number of prize balls are always paid out is obtained. Furthermore,
Since the bottom raising portion 33d2 is formed in a tangential direction of a circle centered on the shaft portion 33e, the game ball received by the ball receiving portion 33d can be appropriately lifted and held appropriately,
The release of game balls is also excellent.

Further, in this embodiment, the stopper lever 3
The lower portion 33a2 of the third contact surface 33a below the contact portion SP is:
When the stopper lever 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow A, the stopper lever 33 has a slight play or a contact surface 33a. Even if there are burrs or irregularities, the game ball will not be hit in the return direction (by the lower portion 33a2). Therefore, also in this case, the same game ball is not detected again by the safe ball switch 35.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

[0079]

As described above in detail, in the prize ball payout apparatus of the pachinko machine of the present invention, the main control circuit outputs prize ball data to the sub control circuit in response to the prize ball data request signal, and Since the prize ball data confirmation signal for confirming the output of the ball data is output to the sub-control circuit, the time required for data processing is shortened and the operation time for discharging the prize ball is shortened. Also, even if noise or runaway of the CPU of the main control circuit occurs, the prize ball data is read after confirming the prize ball data determination signal, so that the risk of reading abnormal prize ball data as it is is reduced, There is an advantage that data reliability is improved.

Further, when the prize ball data with a small number of prize balls is paid out earlier, even if the prize ball data is lost, the prize balls closer to the correct number can be paid out. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the invention of claims 1 to 4 ;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front side of the CR machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of the back side of the CR machine according to the embodiment in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a prize ball payout mechanism and a safe mechanism according to the embodiment, and FIG.
(B) shows the released state, (c) shows the suspended state of the safe mechanism, and (d) shows the released state.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the stopper lever of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the stopper lever of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an entire control process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing on the main control circuit side of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the sub-control circuit side according to the embodiment.

11A is a time chart of the embodiment, and FIG.
Is a time chart of a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 winning prize opening 7 prize ball switch 15 prize ball payout mechanism 17 safe ball passage 19 safe mechanism 21 prize ball passage 27 discharge solenoid 33 stopper lever 35 safe ball switch 37 safe ball solenoid 41 main Control circuit 43 ... Sub-control circuit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-212281 (JP, A) JP-A-5-23425 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A63F 7/02

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main control circuit for setting prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls in accordance with a winning opening in which a gaming ball of a pachinko machine has won, and detecting a gaming ball winning in the winning opening, A sub-control circuit for outputting a prize ball data request signal requesting prize ball data to the main control circuit, wherein the main control circuit responds to the prize ball data request signal. Te, and outputs the prize ball data to the sub-control circuit outputs the winning balls data determination signal confirming the output of that prize ball data to the sub-control circuit, the sub-control circuit, from the main control circuit Receiving the award ball data confirmation signal
Read the prize ball data when receiving
A prize ball payout device for pachinko machines. 2. A winning slot where a game ball of a pachinko machine wins.
Set the prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls according to the main
A control circuit; The game ball that has won the winning opening is detected and the award ball day is detected.
A prize ball data request signal for requesting
A sub-control circuit for outputting to In a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine equipped with The main control circuit includes: In response to the award ball data request signal, the award ball data is
Output to the sub control circuit and output of the award ball data.
The prize ball data confirmation signal for confirming the force is sent to the sub-control circuit.
Output, The sub control circuit is configured to receive the prize from the main control circuit.
When the ball data confirmation signal is turned on,
Data request is turned off.
Prize ball payout device. 3. A winning port where a game ball of a pachinko machine wins.
Set the prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls according to the main
A control circuit; The game ball that has won the winning opening is detected and the award ball day is detected.
A prize ball data request signal for requesting
A sub-control circuit for outputting to In a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine equipped with The main control circuit includes: In response to the award ball data request signal, the award ball data is
Output to the sub control circuit and output of the award ball data.
The prize ball data confirmation signal for confirming the force is sent to the sub-control circuit.
Output, Further, the award ball data request signal from the sub-control circuit
Clears the award ball data when is turned off
A prize ball dispensing device for a pachinko machine. 4. A winning port where a game ball of a pachinko machine wins.
Set the prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls according to the main
A control circuit; The game ball that has won the winning opening is detected and the award ball day is detected.
A prize ball data request signal for requesting
A sub-control circuit for outputting to In a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine equipped with The main control circuit includes: In response to the award ball data request signal, the award ball data is
Output to the sub control circuit and output of the award ball data.
The prize ball data confirmation signal for confirming the force is sent to the sub-control circuit.
Output, Further, the award ball data request signal from the sub-control circuit
Is turned off, the award ball data confirmation signal is turned off.
A prize ball dispensing device for a pachinko machine. 5. A prize ball data indicating the number of prize balls is set in accordance with a prize port in which a game ball of a pachinko machine has won, and a game ball having a prize in the prize port is detected, and In a prize ball payout device of a pachinko machine for requesting the prize ball data required for payout, based on the prize ball data obtained by the request, the prize ball for each game ball winning in the winning opening, A prize ball dispensing device for pachinko machines, which pays out in order from the smallest one.