JP2925513B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a prize ball dispensing device which operates while counting the number of prize balls to be dispensed, and a game board whose game board is replaceable with a ball game machine main body. It relates to a gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a prize ball is generated, the prize ball is detected and stored by a prize ball detector, and the prize ball operates while counting the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the stored value. Ball game machines equipped with payout devices have been offered to the market. In such a ball game machine, a prize ball payout control circuit board for controlling the prize ball payout device is provided in the ball game machine, and a prize ball detection for detecting a prize ball in the prize ball payout control circuit board. Signal from the vessel was introduced.

[0003]

For this reason, a setting unit for setting the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the winning prize balls has been configured in the prize ball payout control circuit board. However, in recent years, most ball game machines are configured such that a game board that regulates game contents is replaceable with respect to the ball game machine main body, and when the game board is replaced, the game board becomes The number of payout prize balls may differ depending on the content of the game to be played.
In such a case, the prize ball payout control circuit board must also be replaced each time the game board and its associated parts are replaced, and the replacement work in the game hall is troublesome,
There is a problem that it is uneconomical in terms of time and cost.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to replace the game machine with a conventional game machine even if the number of payout prize balls differs when the game board is replaced. It is another object of the present invention to provide a ball game machine that requires only replacement of a game board and its accompanying components.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a prize ball dispensing device which operates while counting the number of prize balls to be dispensed, and wherein a game board is provided with a ball game machine. In the ball game machine configured to be exchangeable with respect to the main body, the ball game machine mainly includes a game control circuit board for driving and controlling an electric game device provided on the game board, and the premium ball payout mainly. A prize ball payout control circuit board for driving and controlling the device, and a prize ball detector for detecting a prize ball related to the payout of the prize ball is connected to the game control circuit board, and the prize ball detection is performed. A prize ball number setting circuit for deriving prize ball number information corresponding to the prize ball payout control circuit board each time a detection signal of the game device is derived , and further comprising the game control circuit.
The prize ball dispensing control circuit when an abnormality is determined on the road board
A signal to deactivate the game related to the payout of prize balls toward the board
The feature is that the number is derived .
By being configured as described above, the number of payout prize balls corresponding to the game content is configured in the game control circuit board which is exchanged accompanying the exchange of the game board, so after exchanging them, A game based on a desired number of payout prize balls can be performed simply by electrically connecting the game control circuit board and the prize ball payout control circuit board. In other words, when exchanging the game board, it is only necessary to exchange the game board and the game control circuit board attached thereto as in the conventional case, so that it is economical in terms of time and cost, and that Replacement work is not troublesome. Also, since the prize ball number information is derived each time the detection signal of the winning ball detector is derived, even if noise or the like occurs at the time of the derivation and erroneous information is transmitted, the prize ball information is erroneously obtained only by the detection signal. Since the transmission of the information is terminated, there is an advantage that no serious trouble is caused to the player or the game hall. In addition, game control times
Prize ball dispensing control circuit board when abnormality is determined on the road board
Signal to deactivate the game related to the payout of prize balls
Because it was derived, an abnormality occurred in game control
Will no longer pay out prize balls,
Can immediately understand what was done.

Further, the game control circuit board and the prize ball payout control circuit board are connected by one-way communication from the game control circuit board to the prize ball payout control circuit board, so that the game control circuit board is provided. There is an advantage that control is simpler than in the case where the board and the prize ball payout control circuit board are connected by bidirectional communication.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an overall configuration of a ball game machine to which a game control circuit board and a prize ball payout control circuit board according to the embodiment are applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a ball game machine, and FIG. 10 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.

In the figure, a game board 2 of a pachinko gaming machine 1 is shown.
A guide rail 3 for guiding a hit ball is planted, and a range surrounded by the guide rail 3 constitutes a game area 4. A variable display device 5 having a rotating drum rotated by a motor 6 (not shown; however, shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3) is provided substantially at the center of the game area 4, and is driven by a solenoid 9 below the variable display device 5. A variable winning ball device 7 having an opening / closing door 8 is provided. The variable prize ball device 7 is provided with a prize ball detector 10 for detecting the number of prize balls received by the opening and closing door 8 during a big hit state described later. In addition, below the variable winning ball device 7, a starting winning opening 1 having a built-in starting winning ball detectors 12a to 12c is provided.
1a to 11c are provided. Further, the variable display device 5
In the upper part and the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 7 and the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 7, the normal winning holes 13, 14a,
14b, 15a and 15b are arranged.

[0009] Thus, the hit ball is a starting winning opening 11a-11
When the player wins c, the rotation drum of the variable display device 5 starts to rotate, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, or by operating a stop switch by the player, the rotation is stopped, and the display mode at the time of the stop is predetermined. When it is a combination, the big hit state is determined and the opening and closing door 8 of the variable winning ball device 7
Keeps the open state until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) is won, and when the player wins the V winning opening provided in the opening and closing door 8, the above open state is repeated again. ing.

[0010] The number of prize balls to be paid out by each of the above-described winning ports and the winning balls that have won the winning ball device may be the same (for example, 13) or may be a specific winning port. May be set differently.
In the case of the present embodiment, the above-mentioned starting winning openings 11a to 11c
The number of prize balls paid out by the winning prize winning in the center starting winning opening 11a is set to 7 and the number of prize balls paid out by the winning prize winning in the other starting winning opening 11b, 11c and the opening / closing door 8 is set to 7 It is set to 13, and the number of prize balls to be paid out by prize balls to the other prize ports 13, 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b other than the above is set to 10. That is, it is classified into three types of prize balls.

Further, below the game area 4 of the game board 2, there is formed any one of the above-mentioned winning ports or an out port 16 for taking in a hit ball which has not won a winning ball device. Game effect lamps 17a and 17b are provided for notifying the player when a big hit state has occurred. The game effect lamps 18a to 18c are also provided on the upper front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as having the same effect as the game effect lamps 17a and 17b. Also,
Outside the game area 4 and on the upper part of the game board 2, a payout operation indicator 19 for notifying that a prize ball has been paid out by a prize ball payout device 40 to be described later, and a later-described display. A broken-out indicator 20 is provided to notify the lack of the prize ball to be paid out based on the detection signal of the broken-out detector 35, and a memorized prize ball for displaying the number of prizes or the number of unpaid prize balls on the other side. A number indicator 21 is provided. The above-mentioned gaming board 2 is detachable from the main body of the ball game machine by a well-known mechanism, and can be easily replaced.

Further, on the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a hit ball supply tray 22 for storing a prize ball paid out from a prize ball paying-out device 40 described later and guiding the hit ball to a firing position,
It has a well-known configuration such as a surplus ball receiving tray 23 for storing surplus prize balls that cannot be stored in the hitting ball supply tray 22 and an operation handle 25 for adjusting the resilience of the hitting ball. In addition, at the upper part of the surplus ball tray 23, a full tank that lights up when a full tank detector 64, which will be described later, is turned on and notifies that the surplus ball tray 23 is also full. An indicator 24 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the back structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is such that a mechanical plate is provided so as to cover the entire back surface of the gaming board 2 housed in the gaming board housing frame 2a and fixed by a plurality of mounting members 2b. 26 are provided. This mechanism plate 2
As is well known, various mechanisms are provided for processing the winning balls one by one and paying out a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the winning balls. In the illustrated mechanism plate 26, a prize ball collecting gutter 27 is formed on the front side thereof for receiving prize balls falling from the prize port of the game board 2 or the prize ball device and collecting them on one side.
The prize ball collecting gutter 27 is configured to cause the prize balls to flow in a line in a row.
A winning ball detector 28 for detecting a passing winning ball is provided. After the signal from the prize ball detector 28 is sent to a game control circuit board 69 described later, the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 controls the operation of a prize ball payout device 40 described later. In addition, in the vicinity of the winning ball detector 28, a stop solenoid 66 and a stopper member 67, as described later in detail.
And a winning ball stopping mechanism comprising:

On the other hand, on the rear side of the mechanism plate 26, a prize ball tank 29 for storing prize balls supplied from a replenishment mechanism (not shown) is provided on the upper portion thereof, and the prize balls are arranged below the prize ball tank 29. A prize ball guiding gutter 30 that is caused to flow down is provided. On the upstream side of the prize ball guiding gutter 30, there is provided a prize ball shortage detection plate 31 that swings when the number of stored prize balls is reduced. Prize ball shortage detector 32
Is turned on and a supply command signal is sent to a management computer (not shown) so that the prize ball is supplied to the prize ball tank 29.

Downstream of the prize ball guiding gutter 30 is connected a curve gutter 33 for changing the flow direction of the prize ball by 180 degrees and weakening the ball pressure. Below the bent portion of the curve gutter 33, a ball breaking detection plate 34 is arranged. The ball-break detecting plate 34 operates when the prize ball continues to be paid out in a state where the prize ball is not replenished in spite of the activation of the prize ball shortage detecting plate 31, and the ball disposed therebelow. By turning off the cutout detector 35, the operation of a stepping motor 54, which is a drive motor of the prize ball payout device 40 described later, is stopped, and the game is interrupted.

Further, beside the bent portion of the curve gutter 33,
Ball removal operation hole 3 drilled on the front side of pachinko gaming machine 1
A ball-pulling operation lever 37 (see FIG. 1) that is pressed and swings by an operation pin (not shown) inserted from 7 a is pivotally supported, and an operating member 38 is pivotally supported so as to engage with the ball-pulling operation lever 37. ing. The actuating member 38 is pivotally supported at a central portion formed in a “H” shape, one end of the actuating member 38 is engaged with the ball removal operation lever 37, and the other end is a ball removal operation detector 3.
9 is supported. When the ball-pulling operation lever 37 is pivotally operated, the operating member 38 rotates counterclockwise to turn on the ball-pulling operation detector 39, and based on the signal, a prize ball payout device 40 described later. Stepping motor 5
4 is controlled to rotate in the reverse direction. This control operation will be described later in detail. In the normal state, the operating member 38 turns on the ball removal operation detector 39 by its own weight.
Although the pachinko gaming machine 1 is urged in a direction in which the pachinko gaming machine 1 receives some strong external impact and vibrates,
It may rotate in the direction to turn on the ball removal operation detector 39.

On the downstream side of the curve gutter 33, a vertical supply gutter 36 is formed. In this supply gutter 36, a slightly larger number of prize balls than the number of prize balls dispensed by one dispensing operation is provided. It is being stored. A prize ball dispensing device 40 which operates while counting the number of prize balls to be dispensed is connected to the lower end of the supply gutter 36. Note that the supply gutter 36 constitutes a part of the supply passage of the prize ball dispensing device 40.

The prize ball dispensing device 40 is mainly composed of a supply passage 42, a discharge passage 46, a ball ejection passage 47, a stepping motor 54, and a sprocket 56. Premium balls are paid out. The configuration will be described later in detail.

Below the prize ball dispensing device 40, the device 4
A prize ball discharge gutter 58 for guiding a prize ball paid out from zero
And the ball drain gutter 59 are provided adjacent to each other. A guide opening 60 is provided at the lower end of the prize ball discharge gutter 58 so as to communicate with the hit ball supply tray 22. on the other hand,
The lower end of the ball drain gutter 59 is guided to the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the ball falling down the ball drain gutter 59 is used for pachinko gaming machine 1.
It is designed to lead outside.

Further, a connecting gutter 61 is formed so that a prize ball overflows from one side of the guide opening 60, and a surplus ball for guiding the overflowing surplus prize ball to the surplus ball tray 23 through the connecting gutter 61. The discharge gutter 62 is guided. A full tank detection plate 63 is provided on one side of the surplus ball discharge gutter 62 so as to be swingable. When this plate is pressed by the surplus balls stored in the surplus ball discharge gutter 62, a ball feed supply (not shown) is provided. The ball feeding operation of the device is stopped, and the game is interrupted.
N and the stepping motor 5 of the prize ball dispensing device 40
The operation of No. 4 is stopped, and the further payout of the prize ball is stopped.

In addition to the above-described structure, the mechanism board 26 has a terminal box 68 having a connection terminal for exchanging power supply or information with the outside, a variable display device 5 mainly provided on the game board 2, A game control circuit board 69 for controlling a game operation of the variable winning ball device 7 and the like.
Also, a prize ball payout control circuit board 70 for mainly controlling the operation of the prize ball payout device 40 and the like are provided. The connection terminal provided in the terminal box 68 includes, for example, a signal line for transmitting a signal such as a ball-pulling command signal from the management computer (not shown) to the pachinko gaming machine 1 or a hitting ball firing device stop signal, and a pachinko gaming machine. A signal line for transmitting a signal such as a signal from the burnout detector 35 to the management computer 1 and a signal to illegally open a glass door covering the front of the game board 2 is connected to the management computer. The game control circuit board 69 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70
Constitutes a main part of this embodiment, and a detailed configuration thereof will be described later.

Further, on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a ball hitting device 65 for hitting a ball is provided so as to correspond to the operation handle 25.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a prize ball payout device 40 which operates while counting the number of prize balls to be paid out.
Will be described in detail. Premium ball payout device 40
As shown in FIG. 2, a frame is formed by a mounting plate 41 to be mounted on the mechanism plate 26 and a motor mounting plate 48 to which a stepping motor 54 as a driving source is mounted.
The mounting plate 41 has a supply passage 4 continuous with the supply gutter 36.
2, a flow path changing portion 43 is formed downstream of the supply passage 42 to change the direction of the prize ball toward a ball mounting portion 50 described later. A payout prize ball detector 44 for counting the number of prize balls to be paid out is disposed in the supply passage 42 on the upstream side of the flow path changing unit 43. A ball support portion 52b for supporting one lower portion of the most advanced pachinko ball P1 is formed, and a sprocket storage portion 45 for storing a sprocket 56 is formed below the ball support portion 52b. In addition, a prize ball discharge passage 46 is formed on one side of the sprocket storage portion 45, and a ball ejection passage 47 is formed on the other side. The discharge passage 46 is connected to the prize ball discharge gutter 58, and the ball ejection passage 47 is connected to the ball ejection gutter 59.

On the other hand, a guide portion 49 for projecting the pachinko balls flowing down the supply passage 42 downward is projected from an upper portion of the motor mounting plate 48.
A ball placing portion 50 on which one pachinko ball is placed is formed below the bottom. The ball placing portion 50 is provided with a ball receiving wall 51 formed on a lower side surface of the guide portion 49 and a pachinko ball positioned below the ball receiving wall 51 and corresponding to the ball supporting portion 52b. Ball support 52 for supporting the other lower point of the
a and the ball support portion 52b for supporting one lower point of one of the pachinko balls. That is, the ball placement unit 5
Numeral 0 has a function of receiving the ball pressure of the prize ball waiting in the supply passage 42 and a function of supporting the lower part of the state-of-the-art pachinko ball at two points. The motor mounting plate 48
The ball support portions 52a, 52
b, arc-shaped guide ribs 53a and 53b are protruded toward the discharge passage 46 and the ball ejection passage 47, and until the pachinko balls placed on the ball mounting portion 50 are discharged to the discharge passage 46. Until the ball is discharged to the ball ejection passage 47, the flow is guided.

A stepping motor 54, which rotates by a predetermined angle every time a pulse signal is provided, is mounted on the rear surface of the motor mounting plate 48, and its motor shaft 55 is located through the front surface of the motor mounting plate 48. A sprocket 56 having a plurality of claws 57 on the outer periphery is fixed to the tip. The claw portion 57 of the sprocket 56 is formed in a concave shape so as to engage with the outer peripheral surface of the pachinko ball, and the claw portion 57 is positioned so as to be inserted between the ball support portions 52a and 52b. . The stepping motor 5
4 shows that the sprocket 56 is always in the stopped state as shown in FIG.
The state shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, since the concave lower portion of the claw portion 57 is located at a position lower than the ball support portions 52a and 52b, the pachinko balls placed on the ball placing portion 50 Ball support 52
a, 52b, and the sprocket 56
, So that no ball pressure is applied.

When the stepping motor 54 rotates forward, the sprocket 56 rotates in the direction of the solid line arrow (counterclockwise rotation) shown in FIG. By reverse rotation, the sprocket 56 rotates in the direction of the two-dot chain line arrow (clockwise direction) shown in FIG.
Discharge to 7. When the stepping motor 54 is stopped after the payout of the prize ball is completed, the ball (shown by a dotted line) on the downstream side of the ball placing portion 50 falls over the claw portion 57.

As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the prize ball payout device 40 described above are provided with the game control circuit board 6
The game control circuit board 69 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 are wired and connected as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. . That is, the game control circuit board 69
Are detachably attached by locking members 72a and 72b which are housed in the substrate box 71 and provided on the back surface of the mechanism plate 26. On the other hand, the prize ball payout control circuit board 7
Numeral 0 is stored and fixed in a storage recess formed in the mechanism plate 26, and is provided in a state where its surface is covered with a cover lid 73 that can be freely opened and closed.

On the game control circuit board 69, a part of the wiring from the electric game devices (motor 6, solenoid 9, starting winning ball detectors 12a to 12c, etc.) provided on the game board 2 is collected. The wiring connected to the relay terminal board to be connected or the wiring directly connected to the electric game machine is derived, and the wiring 74a connected to the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 is also derived. The wiring 74a is
A terminal 75a is provided at the tip, and can be connected to the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 by the terminal 75a. Therefore, when the game control circuit board 69 is also exchanged with the exchange of the game board 2, it is only necessary to connect the terminal 75 a of the wiring 74 a extending from the new game control circuit board 69 to the prize ball payout control circuit board 70. Good.

A prize ball payout control circuit board 70 leads out a wire 74b provided at a terminal 75b, and the tip of the wire 74b is provided at a position near the front face of the mechanism plate 26 and close to the prize ball payout device 40. Relay terminal board 76
It is connected to the. The relay terminal plate 76 has a wire break detector 35, a ball removal operation detector 39, a payout prize ball detector 44, and a wiring 74 extending from the stepping motor 54.
c are connected respectively.

By the way, the wiring 74b connecting the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 and the relay terminal plate 76 is housed in a wiring housing groove 77 formed on the peripheral edge of the front surface of the mechanism plate 26 as shown in FIG. This is provided in order to arrange and lay out the wiring connecting the terminal box 68 provided on the mechanism plate 26 and each of the electrical components located at a distance from each other so as not to interfere with other components. Wiring other than the wiring 74b, for example, the terminal box 68 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70, the game control circuit board 69,
The wiring connecting the prize ball shortage detector 32, the full tank detector 64, and the hit ball launching device 65 is also laid so as to be stored in the wiring storage groove 77. Note that in FIG.
Is a connection terminal for a hitting ball launching device connected to supply power to the hitting ball launching device 65.

A specific circuit configuration of the game control circuit board 69 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 wired and connected as described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, the game control circuit board 69 includes a game control circuit 79 and a payout prize item number setting circuit 80. The game control circuit 79 and the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 are connected to the start prize ball detector via the detection circuit 81. 12b, 12c (hereinafter referred to as a starting winning ball detector A), a starting winning ball detector 12a (hereinafter referred to as a starting winning ball detector B), and a winning ball detector 10 provided in the variable winning ball device 7 are connected. ing. In addition, the game control circuit 7
9, a motor 6 for driving the rotary drum of the variable display device 5 is connected via a drive circuit 82, a solenoid 9 for driving the open / close door 8 via a drive circuit 83 is connected, and a control circuit 84 Game effect lamps 17a, 17b, 18
a to 18c are respectively connected. Thus, a game in which the above-mentioned big hit state can appear can be performed according to the program incorporated in the game control circuit 79. The payout prize item number setting circuit 80 includes a detection circuit 8.
The winning ball detector 28 provided on the winning ball collecting gutter 27 is connected through the fifth ball 5. As described above, the game control circuit board 69 mainly controls the electric game device provided on the game board 2, but also includes the game effect lamps 18a to 18c provided on the pachinko game machine main body side. Drive control is performed.

The payout prize item number setting circuit 80
As described above, it is connected to all prize ball detectors that detect a prize ball that has won a prize port or a prize ball device provided in the game board 2, but different signals depending on the type of the prize ball detector are described later. This is sent to the arithmetic circuit 86 which performs the processing. That is, the signals detected by the starting winning ball detectors 12b and 12c and the winning ball detector 10 are used as the detection signal A, and the signal detected by the starting winning ball detector 12a is used as the detection signal B. The detected signal is supplied to the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 as the detection signal C. In the payout prize item number setting circuit 80, a predetermined numerical value is set corresponding to each detection signal. For example, in the present embodiment, “+3” is set for the detection signal A, “−3” is set for the detection signal B,
“+10” is set for the detection signal C. In this embodiment, the starting winning ball detectors 12a to 12a
The winning ball detected by the winning ball detector 12c is also detected by the winning ball detector 28 with a time lag, so that the detection signal A from the starting winning ball detectors 12b and 12c indicates that the winning ball detector 28 detects the winning ball. The detection signal C is derived together with the detection signal C from the payout prize ball setting circuit 80 to the arithmetic circuit 86. Similarly, the detection signal B from the starting prize ball detector 12a is also detected when the prize ball detector 28 detects a prize ball. It is derived from the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 to the arithmetic circuit 86 together with C. In addition, the detection signal C is a starting winning ball detector 12a ~
It is derived from the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 to the arithmetic circuit 86 only when 12c is not ON.

On the other hand, the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 includes:
An operation circuit 86; a plurality of storage circuits 87 to 89 for storing the operation results calculated by the operation circuit 86;
A selection circuit 90 for selecting one of the stored values of
A payout control circuit 91 for controlling everything related to the prize ball payout operation based on the stored value selected by the selection circuit 90, and any of the storage circuits 87 to 89 based on the control result of the payout control circuit 91. And a branch circuit 92 for subtracting the stored value of. The storage circuits 87 to 89 include a backup power supply 10 connected to the power supply circuit 100.
The backup current is supplied from 1 so that the stored value does not disappear at the time of power failure.

The arithmetic circuit 86 is connected to the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 and receives the detection signals A to C. Then, based on the received detection signal, calculations of “C + A” and “CB” are performed.
That is, when there is the detection signal A, the detection signal C is also generated as described above, so that the calculation of “C + A” is executed, and the calculation result (+13) is stored in the storage circuit 87 (hereinafter, referred to as “+13”).
When the detection signal B is present, the detection signal C is also generated.
B ”is performed, and the calculation result (+7) is stored in a storage circuit 89 (hereinafter referred to as a storage circuit C). When only the detection signal C is present, the calculation of“ C + 0 ”is performed.
The operation result (+10) is stored in the storage circuit 88 (hereinafter, referred to as storage circuit B). Thus, the operation circuit 86
Is configured to calculate the detection signal sent from the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 by one-way communication based on a predetermined mathematical formula. Then, the numerical value substituted into the formula is set by the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 included in the game control circuit board 69. For this reason, when exchanging the game boards 2 having different payout prize balls and different game contents, the game control circuit board 69 is also naturally replaced accordingly, so that the payout prize ball number corresponding to the game contents is also automatically changed. Is changed to a prize ball dispensing control circuit board 7
0 can be used as it is even after the game board 2 is replaced, which is extremely economical in terms of time and cost. In addition, since the game control circuit board 69 is connected by one-way communication from the game control circuit board 69 to the prize ball payout control circuit board 70, the game control circuit board 69 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 are connected by two-way communication. There is an advantage that control is simpler than in the case where In the above-described embodiment, the number of payout prize balls is fixed. However, the number of payout prize balls may be arbitrarily changed.

The stored value signal a stored in each of the storage circuits A to C is converted into a numerical signal A by the control circuit 9.
4 is displayed on the storage premium number display 21.

The selection circuit 90 includes storage circuits A to
C, which selects the stored value of the prize ball based on the stored value. In the case of the present embodiment, priority is given to the storage circuit A, the storage circuit B, and the storage circuit C in which the number of the prize ball is large. Selected. Of course, the selection may be made randomly without determining the priority.

The payout control circuit 91 controls the prize ball payout operation based on the stored value of any of the storage circuits selected by the selection circuit 90.
The indicator 19 during the dispensing operation via the control circuit 93, the stepping motor 54 via the drive circuit 95, the out-of-ball detector 35 and the full tank detector 64 via the detection circuit 97,
The ball removal operation detector 39 is connected via a detection circuit 98, and the solenoid 66 is connected via a drive circuit 99, respectively. Information on which storage circuit is selected by the selection circuit 90 is also sent to the branch circuit 92, and the branch circuit 92 outputs the information to the payout prize ball detector 4 via the detection circuit 96.
4 are connected.

The payout control circuit 91 mainly controls the prize ball payout operation described above.
In addition, a full tank / out-of-ball control and a ball removal control, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and a winning ball detector abnormality determination control, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6, are performed.

First, the control of the prize ball payout operation will be described.
When the storage circuit selected in the step is the storage circuit A, a drive signal is given to the stepping motor 54 via the drive circuit 95 based on the storage value of the storage circuit A. When the stepping motor 54 starts to rotate, the sprocket 56 also rotates, so that the prize balls waiting in the ball mounting portion 50 are discharged one by one into the discharge passage 46. Each time a prize ball is discharged one by one, the payout prize ball detector 44 is connected to the supply passage 42.
Is detected, the detection signal is given to the branch circuit 92 via the detection circuit 96. The branch circuit 92 sends the input detection signal to the storage circuit A selected by the selection circuit 90 as a subtraction signal of “−1”. After the above-described control operation is repeated for the number of prize balls corresponding to one winning ball, if there is a next winning ball after a certain time (for example, about 0.5 seconds), the next winning ball is displayed. The payout control of the number of corresponding prize balls is performed. Each time one prize ball is paid out, the storage value of the storage circuit decreases, and the numerical value is displayed on the storage prize ball number display 21 every moment. Further, during the period in which the stepping motor 54 is being driven, the payout-in-operation indicator 19 is lit. As described above, the prize ball payout apparatus 40 operates while counting the number of prize balls to be paid out one by one. Note that the payout prize item number detector 44 may be provided in the discharge passage 46.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4, the control of the filling-up and running out of balls by the payout control circuit 91 will be described. First, in a normal state, the payout operation is activated (step S 1). ), Full tank detector 64 is OFF
(Step S2) and the burnout detector 35 is turned off
In the case of (Step S9), the state in which the payout operation is activated is maintained as it is (Step S12), and the above-described prize ball payout operation is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the full tank detector 64 has been turned on (step S2), the prize ball payout device 40
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the payout operation is being performed (step S3). When it is determined that the payout operation is being performed, it is determined whether the payout operation is completed (step S4). If so, the burnout detector 35 is OFF
That is, it is determined whether or not, that is, whether or not the ball-break detecting plate 34 has rocked and is in a ball-break state (step S5).
If it is determined that the ball is not out of the ball, it is determined whether or not the full tank detector 64 is turned off (step S).
6) If not OFF, return to the step S4 and repeat the steps S4 to S6.

By the way, when it is determined in step S3 that the prize ball payout operation is not being performed, when it is determined in step S4 that the prize ball payout operation is completed, and when the prize ball payout operation is performed in step S5. If it is determined that the burnout detector 35 has been turned OFF in spite of being in the middle, the payout operation is immediately prohibited (step S7). And then, the full tank detector 64
Is determined to be OFF (Step S)
8).

On the other hand, steps S6 and S8
In the case where it is determined that the full tank detector 64 has been turned OFF, that is, when the full tank state in the surplus ball tray 23 has been eliminated, it is next determined whether or not the out-of-ball detector 35 is OFF. It is determined (step S9), and when it is determined to be OFF, the payout operation is immediately prohibited (step S10), and thereafter, the payout operation is activated after the ball-out detector 35 is turned ON. (Step S11,
Step S12). In step S9, the burnout detector 3
When it is determined that 5 is not OFF, the payout operation of the prize ball is immediately activated (step S1).
2).

The control of the full tank and out-of-ball has been described above. According to this, when the full-battery detector 64 and the out-of-ball detector 35 operate, the prize ball payout operation is finally stopped. However, when the full tank detector 64
If N is in the middle of the payout operation, the payout operation is stopped after the payout operation is completed.
When the burnout detector 35 is turned off, the payout operation is immediately stopped. This is for surely preventing a situation in which the number of prize balls supplied to the prize ball payout device 40 when the out-of-ball detector 35 operates is insufficient and a predetermined number of prize balls are not paid out. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the maximum payout prize ball number (1) is set in the supply gutter 36 and the supply passage 42 on the downstream side of the cutout sensing plate 34.
Since the number of prize balls slightly larger than (3) is accommodated, the above situation can be prevented. However, when the maximum number of payout prize balls is changed (for example, 20), the above-described control is required.

Next, the ball removal control of the payout control circuit 91 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not any of the storage circuits A, B, or C has a stored value (step S13). If there is a stored value, subsequent processing is not performed. In other words, no ball removal processing is performed. If it is determined that there is no stored value in any of the storage circuits A, B, or C, the ball ejection operation detector 39 is set to O
It is determined whether or not N has been performed, that is, whether or not a ball removal operation has been performed (step S14).
As a matter of course, no ball drop processing is performed. On the other hand, when the ball removal operation detector 39 is turned ON, the stepping motor 54 starts to rotate in the reverse direction (step S15). When the stepping motor 54 rotates in the reverse direction, the prize ball flowing down the supply passage 42 is discharged to the ball dropout passage 47, flows down the ball drop gutter 59, and is discharged out of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

After the stepping motor 54 starts to rotate in the reverse direction, it is determined whether or not the burnout detector 35 has been turned off (step S16). This is a prize ball tank 29, a prize ball guiding gutter 3
0, for detecting whether or not all the prize balls remaining on the curve gutter 33 have been removed. The last remaining ball passes over the missing ball sensing plate 34 and the missing ball detector 35 It is determined that the ball removal has been completed by being turned off.

If it is determined that the burnout detector 35 has been turned off, the timer T1 is set (step S17). When the reverse rotation of the stepping motor is stopped immediately after the cut-out detector 35 is turned off, the prize ball remains in the passage from the cut-out detecting plate 34 to the ball mounting portion 50. The state is set to eliminate the inconvenience that the prize ball is not removed from all balls, for example, 2 to 5
Seconds are set. Then, it is determined whether or not the out-of-ball detector 35 has been turned ON after the timer T1 is set (step S18). This is because if the flow of the prize ball is interrupted once for some reason in the state where the prize ball from which the ball is to be dropped is flowing down, the broken-out detector 35 is temporarily turned off.
It may be turned on again after the FF has been set, and even in such a case, the process is provided to sufficiently perform the ball removal process.

When the timer T1 expires without turning on the ball-break detector 35 (step S19), the reverse rotation of the stepping motor is stopped (step S20), and the ball-pulling-out process is terminated. If the burnout detector 35 is turned on while the timer T1 is operating, the timer T
1 (step S21), and then waits until the burnout detector 35 is turned off (step S2).
2) Returning to step S17, the above-described processing is performed.

The ball removal control has been described above.
According to this, when the ball removal operation detector 39 is turned on, the stepping motor 54 of the prize ball payout device 40 rotates in the reverse direction to pay out all prize balls. For this reason, the ball removal operation is performed without leaving any prize ball in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In addition, when there is a stored value in the storage circuits A to C, in other words, when the prize ball payout operation is being performed, for example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is vibrated for some reason from outside to perform a ball removal operation. Even if the detector 39 is turned on, or the ball removal operation detector 39 is turned on by mistake due to an erroneous operation,
Since the ball drop signal is processed as invalid, no ball drop processing is performed. For this reason, a predetermined prize ball corresponding to the winning prize ball can be reliably paid out, and no trouble occurs with the player.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the ball removal valve and the link mechanism for driving the ball removal valve are not used in the configuration for performing the ball removal processing, the configuration is simpler than that of the conventional ball removal device. In addition, there is an advantage that the number of failures is small.
In the above-described ball removal control, in the ball removal mode, the ball-out detector 35 is used not as a detection unit for stopping the prize ball payout operation, but as a detection unit for completely performing the ball removal process. Thus, the configuration of the whole ball removing device is simplified.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, of the winning ball detector abnormality determination control of the payout control circuit 91. FIG. 6 to 8 show a case where an abnormal state occurs in the winning ball detector 28, and FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram of a detection circuit 85 connected to the winning ball detector 28. To explain this, in the figure, 28 is a winning ball detector, 10
5 is a low voltage diode (Zener diode), 106
Is a capacitor, 102 and 103 are PNP transistors,
104 is a NAND gate.

In a normal state where the winning ball does not pass through the winning ball detector 28, a high-level signal of about 18 V is input to the input side of the low-voltage diode 105. In this state, A high-level signal is output from the low-voltage diode 105 to one terminal of the NAND gate 104. On the other hand, in the normal state, a voltage of 18 V is applied to the gate of the PNP transistor 102. Also, the emitter of the PNP transistor 102
Since a voltage of 24 V higher than the gate voltage (18 V) is applied, the PNP transistor 102 is turned on, a current flows to the collector side, and a current flows to the ground. Then, the voltage on the emitter side of the PNP transistor 102 decreases, and the gate voltage of the PNP transistor 103 decreases. When the gate voltage of the PNP transistor 103 decreases, the PNP transistor 103 is turned on, a current flows from the emitter to the collector, a high-level signal is derived from the collector of the PNP transistor 103, and a high-level signal is output to the other input terminal of the NAND gate 104. A signal is input. Then, a low level signal is output from the NAND gate 104 and the payout prize ball number setting circuit 80
(See FIG. 3).

Next, when the winning ball passes the winning ball detector 28, a low level signal is output from the winning ball detector 28 at that moment. When the low level signal is output from the winning ball detector 28, the low level signal is input to one input terminal of the NAND gate 104. On the other hand, a low-level signal is also input to the gate of the PNP transistor 102 so that the PNP
The transistor 102 is turned on, and current flows from the emitter to the collector. Then, as described above, PN
The P transistor 103 is also turned on, and a high-level signal is input to the other input terminal of the NAND gate 104.
A high level signal is instantaneously output from the NAND gate 104 and is led out to the payout prize ball number setting circuit 80. The payout prize ball setting circuit 80 detects the instantaneously output high-level signal to detect that the winning ball has passed the winning ball detector 28.

Next, when the winning ball detector 28 is disconnected, a low level signal is output from the winning ball detector 28, so that a low level signal is applied to one input terminal of the NAND gate 104 as described above. A signal is input, and a high-level signal is input to the other input terminal. As a result, a high-level signal is continuously output from the NAND gate 104 and is output to the payout prize ball number setting circuit 80.
The payout prize ball count setting circuit 80 detects the continuously output high-level signal and determines an abnormality of the prize ball detector 28.

Further, when the winning ball detector 28 is short-circuited, a 24 V high level signal is output from the winning ball detector 28, and a high level signal is input to one input terminal of the NAND gate 104. On the other hand, a voltage of 24 V is applied to the gate of the PNP transistor 102, and the voltage applied to the emitter of the PNP transistor 102 is equal to the gate voltage, so that the PNP transistor 102 is turned off. No current flows. As a result, the gate voltage of the PNP transistor 103 becomes 24 V, the PNP transistor 103 is also turned off, no current flows, and a low-level signal is input to the other input terminal of the NAND gate 104. As a result, NA
A high level signal is continuously output from the ND gate 104, and is output to the payout prize ball number setting circuit 80. The payout prize ball count setting circuit 80 detects the continuously output high-level signal and determines an abnormality of the prize ball detector 28. Then, the payout control circuit 91, which has received a signal from the payout prize ball number setting circuit 80 via the signal line 107, detects an abnormality of the winning ball detector 28 and puts the game into the inactive state.
Further, when the continuous high-level signal from the NAND gate 104 switches to the low-level signal, the game inactivation state is released.

In this case, for example, specific operations as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be performed as the game inactive state. That is, when an abnormal state occurs in the prize ball detector 28, the prize ball passing through the prize ball detector 28 is not detected, so that at least the generated prize ball is not discharged out of the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is necessary to stop the winning ball. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a stopper member 67 that appears and disappears immediately before the winning ball detector 28 is provided, and a stop solenoid 66 that drives the stopper member 67 is provided. When the winning ball detector 28 is in a normal state, the stop solenoid 66 is left as it is to guide the winning ball to the winning ball detector 28 as shown in FIG. 7, and an abnormal signal from the winning ball detector 28 is generated. At this time, an excitation signal is derived from the payout control circuit 91 to the stop solenoid 66, and as shown in FIG. 8, the stopper member 67 is caused to enter the downflow passage of the winning ball, and the generated winning ball is collected into the winning ball collecting gutter 2.
7 to be stored. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the winning ball detector 28, a winning ball serving as evidence is stored without being discharged out of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and a trouble occurs with the player. There is no. However, since it is not possible to continue the game with the abnormal state of the winning prize ball as it is, it is necessary to stop the prize ball payout operation when the abnormal state occurs.

In the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 6, the winning ball detector 28 is exemplified as the winning ball detector. However, even if an abnormality occurs in the other winning ball detectors 12a to 12c, 10, etc., the winning is similarly performed. The flow of the ball may be stopped. Further, the signal line 107 for transmitting the abnormal state may be connected so as to be derived from the game control circuit 79 instead of the payout prize item number setting circuit 80. In this case, the connection must be made so that the detection signal from the winning ball detector 28 is also introduced into the game control circuit 79.

In the above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment has been described. According to this embodiment, the payout prize item number setting circuit 80 for setting the payout prize item number corresponding to the game content is provided by the game board 2. Since the game control circuit board 69 is replaced in the game control circuit board 69 which is exchanged at the time of the exchange, it is only necessary to electrically connect the game control circuit board 69 and the prize ball payout control circuit board 70 after the exchange. A game based on a desired number of payout prize balls can be performed. That is, game board 2
When replacing the game board, the game board 2 and the game control circuit board 69 attached to the game board 2 are simply replaced in the same manner as in the prior art, so that it is economical in terms of time and cost, and the replacement work is performed. Is not bothersome.

In the above embodiment, the prize ball payout device 40 pays out prize balls while rotating the sprocket 56 by the stepping motor 54. In this case, the payout prize ball detection means is used as a counting means. The number of payout prize balls may be counted by omitting the device 44 and counting the pulse signal to the stepping motor 54. Conversely, when the payout prize ball detector 44 is provided, the sprocket 56 may be driven by a normal motor, or the sprocket may be connected to a prize ball without connecting a driving source. And the stopper for stopping the rotation based on the count value of the detection signal of the payout prize ball number detector is driven by an electric drive source to regulate the payout prize ball number. It may be something.

In the above-described embodiment, the ball-pulling operation detector 39 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is shown as one for deriving the ball-pulling command signal. However, the operation of the management computer provided in the control room of the game arcade is described. May be configured to derive the ball removal command signal in accordance with the following.

Furthermore, although a pachinko game machine has been described as a ball game machine, the point is that any type of ball game machine can be used as long as a prize ball is paid out as a prize for a prize. (For example, an arrangement type game machine).

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, in the ball game machine according to the present invention, the prize ball number setting circuit for setting the number of payout prize balls corresponding to the game content is used when replacing the game board. Since the game control circuit board is exchanged with the game control circuit board, the desired number of payout prize balls can be obtained simply by electrically connecting the game control circuit board and the prize ball payout control circuit board after replacing them. Can be played based on the game. In other words, when exchanging the game board, the game board and the accompanying game control circuit board are simply exchanged as in the past, so that it is economical in terms of time and cost,
And the replacement work is not troublesome. Also, since the prize ball number information is derived each time the detection signal of the winning ball detector is derived, even if noise or the like occurs at the time of the derivation and erroneous information is transmitted, the prize ball information is erroneously obtained only by the detection signal. Since the transmission of the information is terminated, there is an advantage that no serious trouble is caused to the player or the game hall. In addition, the game control circuit board was judged abnormal
Prize ball payout control
I derive a signal to deactivate such a game.
Pay out prize balls when an abnormality occurs in game control
Immediately understand that something went wrong
can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a relationship between a prize ball payout device and a ball ejection device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the premium ball payout device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric circuit showing a relationship between a game control circuit board for controlling a game operation and a prize ball payout control circuit board for controlling a prize ball payout operation;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a full tank / ball out control in the prize ball payout control.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of ball removal control in the prize ball payout control.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a detection circuit connected to the winning ball detector.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a winning ball detector is normal.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state where the winning ball detector is abnormal.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a pachinko game machine as an example of a ball game machine to which the ball removing device according to the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a rear surface portion of the mechanism plate showing a wiring structure of a game control circuit board and a prize ball payout control circuit board arranged on a mechanism board provided in the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a front surface of the mechanism plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko gaming machine (ball game machine) 2 Game board 5 Variable display device (electric game device) 7 Variable winning prize ball device (electric game device) 11a to 11c Starting winning opening (electric game device) 17a, 17b, 18a to 18c Game effect lamp (electric game machine) 40 Premium ball payout device 69 Game control circuit board 70 Premium ball payout control circuit board 80 Payout premium ball number setting circuit

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball game machine comprising a prize ball payout device which operates while counting the number of prize balls to be paid out, and wherein a game board is configured to be replaceable with a ball game machine main body. The ball game machine is mainly provided with a game control circuit board for driving and controlling an electric gaming device provided on the game board, and a prize ball payout control circuit board for mainly driving and controlling the prize ball payout device, The game control circuit board is connected to a prize ball detector for detecting a prize ball related to the payout of a prize ball, and is directed to the prize ball payout control circuit board each time a detection signal of the prize ball detector is derived. look including the prize balls number setting circuit for deriving derives the prize balls number information corresponding to the detection signal Te, further, before when determining an abnormality in the gaming control circuit board
Concerning the payout of prize balls toward the prize ball payout control circuit board
A ball game machine characterized in that a signal for inactivating a game is derived . 2. The game control circuit board and the prize ball payout control circuit board are connected by one-way communication from the game control circuit board to the prize ball payout control circuit board. 2. The ball and ball game machine according to 1.