JP3017852B2 - Game ball payout device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball payout apparatus, and more particularly, to a game ball payout apparatus for paying out a predetermined number of game balls based on respective payout request signals having different numbers of balls to be paid out. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been provided pachinko machines and the like in which the number of prize balls to be paid out differs depending on which winning opening of a game board has a hit ball, and some game ball payout devices have been proposed in response thereto. ing. Conventionally, this type of gaming machine is shown in FIG. 4 as an example. A gaming controller 1 having a microcomputer for controlling a gaming operation according to a winning hole on a gaming board surface, A ball payout controller 2 provided with a microcomputer for controlling the number of prize balls to be paid out according to whether or not a hit ball has entered a winning opening. Generally, the game controller 1 is provided on a game board A, and the ball payout controller 2 is provided on a mechanism plate B. The hit ball thus entered into the winning opening is a winning ball identification sensor (in this example, it is assumed that two winning ball identification sensors 3 and 4 are provided for the time being, and one winning ball identification sensor 3 is, for example, seven prizes. The hit ball that enters the winning opening of the number of balls is detected, and the other winning ball identification sensor 4 detects the hit ball that enters the winning opening of 15 prize balls, for example). The signal is sent to the CPU of the gaming controller 1 to control the gaming operation by a program stored in the ROM of the controller, while the hit balls entering the winning opening are collected and counted by the winning ball counting sensor 5. It is detected, and the detection signal is sent to the CPU of the ball payout controller 2.

The ROM of the ball payout controller 2 stores the number of payouts to determine how many payouts are to be paid out when a hit ball enters, and the detection signal from the winning ball counting sensor 5 is stored in the ROM. When received, the CPU of the gaming controller 1 transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring which winning opening (how many payout openings). On the other hand, in the gaming controller 1, which winning opening has already been hit by the detection signal from the winning ball identification sensor 3 or 4 is stored in each winning counter of the RAM of the gaming controller 1. Therefore, by reading it out, a winning ball identification signal indicating which winning opening the hit ball has entered is transmitted to the CPU of the ball payout controller 2.

The CPU of the ball payout controller 2 receives the information and reads the corresponding memory from the payout number memory area of the ROM of the ball payout controller 2, and outputs a signal of a pulse number corresponding to the payout number to a prize ball. It outputs to the stepping motor which rotates the sprocket provided in the delivery channel. The stepping motor rotates by a phase angle corresponding to the number of pulses, thereby rotating the sprocket, and paying out a predetermined number of prize balls sequentially received by ball receivers on the peripheral surface thereof. For example, if a ball hits the winning opening for paying out 7 prize balls, the stepping motor is rotated for 7 pulses to pay out 7 prize balls, and a hit ball enters the winning opening for paying out 15 prize balls. In this case, the stepping motor is rotated by 15 pulses to pay out 15 prize balls. The prize ball payout mechanism itself has already been disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Nos. 64-37287, 64-37288 and 64-64.
Since it is publicly known from JP-A-37289, the illustration is omitted here.

[0005]

However, in this type of gaming machine, usually, the gaming board is sometimes removed from the gaming machine main body and replaced in consideration of the tiredness of the player and introduction of a new gaming board. In that case, the number of prize balls to be paid out may differ depending on the game content. Then, since the program for controlling the payout operation of the game balls in the game board which has been used up to now is stored in the read-only memory (ROM) in the ball payout controller 2 described above, a new game board is loaded. At the time of installation, the ball discharge controller 2
Of the ROM itself must be changed in accordance with the game contents (the number of prize balls to be paid out) of the new game board. Therefore, it is necessary to replace not only the game controller but also the ROM of the ball payout controller, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome and time-consuming. In addition, there is a concern that troubles during the game may occur due to forgetting to replace the ROM of the ball payout controller. Furthermore, since the game controller 1 has a limited CPU capacity of about 2 Kbytes,
The reason why the CPU of the game controller 1 exchanges data (two-way communication) with the ball payout controller 2 is that the CPU of the game controller 1 is overloaded, so that the game operation on the game board surface and prizes can be performed. There was also a problem that the payout operation of the balls tends to be delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when replacing a game board, it is not necessary to replace a ROM of an existing game ball dispensing controller usually attached to a mechanism plate. In addition to improving the efficiency of game board exchange work, the load on the game controller is reduced, and the speed of the game operation and ball payout operation allows the player to enjoy the game comfortably.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a game ball payout apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of prize ball counting sensors for respectively outputting payout request signals having different numbers of prize balls to be paid out; A payout number setting signal output unit that announces how many game balls are to be paid out by the payout request signal output from the ball counting sensor, and a payout request signal from each of the winning ball counting sensors and the payout number. And payout control means for controlling to pay out game balls based on the number signal from the setting signal output means.

[0008]

According to the game ball payout apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, when a payout request signal is output from any of the winning ball counting sensors, the signal is sent to the payout control means.
On the other hand, to the payout control means, a payout number signal is sent from the payout number setting signal output means for announcing how many game balls the payout ball sensor outputs from the payout number sensor. Therefore, when the payout control means receives the payout request signal from the winning ball counting sensor, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out based on the payout number signal from the payout number setting signal output means.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a control block diagram of the game ball payout apparatus of the present invention. As shown in this figure, in this apparatus, a plurality of (three types in this embodiment) winning ball counting sensors 12, 14, 16 are respectively provided with a game ball payout controller 1.
8 and the winning ball counting sensors 12 and 14 are also electrically connected to a microcomputer (CPU) 20 of the game controller 10 for controlling a game operation on the game board. The winning ball counting sensors 12, 14, 1
6 is schematically shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine of this embodiment has three types of winning holes (7, 13, and 15) in the gaming board.
) Are provided on the outflow path of the balls entering the respective winning ports. Here, the winning ball counting sensor 12 provided in the outflow path of the ball entering the winning opening with the number of winning balls of seven.
The first winning ball counting sensor, the winning ball counting sensor 14 provided in the outflow path of the ball entering the winning opening of 13 prize balls is inserted into the second winning ball counting sensor, the winning opening of 15 prize balls. The winning ball counting sensor 16 provided in the outflow path of the ball is referred to as a third winning ball counting sensor.

The CPU 20 of the game controller 10
The CPU 22 of the ball payout controller 18 is electrically connected to the game controller 28. In FIG.
0 in the RAM 24.
A first winning ball counting counter 26 and a second winning ball counting counter 28 for adding and subtracting the detection signals from the respective devices are provided. In the ROM 32 of the game controller 10, a game memory area 34 for storing a program for executing the game content on the game board based on the detection signals from the respective winning ball counting sensors 12 and 14, Sensor 1
It has a prize ball payout number memory area 36 in which the number of prize balls to be paid out is stored corresponding to the winning ports provided in 2, 14, and 16, respectively. The game memory area 34
The execution program stored in the storage device is, for example, a conventionally known one. If there is a detection signal from the first winning ball counting sensor 12, a rotating drum for adjusting numbers or symbols on the game board is rotated for a certain period of time, or As an example, a program that executes, for example, opening a prize door on the game board for a certain period of time when a detection signal is received from the second prize ball counting sensor 14 is given. The content stored in the prize ball payout number memory area 36 is the first in the above-described example.
It is stored that seven prize balls are paid out to the winning opening corresponding to the winning ball counting sensor 12, and 13 prize balls are paid out to the winning opening corresponding to the second winning ball counting sensor 14. ing. It is stored that 15 prize balls are paid out to the winning opening corresponding to the third winning ball counting sensor 16.

On the other hand, the RAM 38 of the ball discharging controller 18
In addition to the first winning ball counting counter 40, the second winning ball counting counter 42, and the third winning ball counting counter 44 for adding and subtracting the detection signals from the respective winning ball counting sensors 12, 14, and 16, the prize balls are also displayed. A ball payout counter 45 for performing payout is provided. The ROM 46 of the ball payout controller 18 has a ball payout execution program area 48 for storing a program for executing a prize ball payout described later. The details of the execution program area will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 2 of the ball dispensing controller 18
The prize ball dispenser 50 is connected to the output side of the prize. The configuration of the prize ball dispenser 50 is, for example, a sprocket-shaped ball dispenser in which a plurality of ball receivers having substantially the same size as the prize ball are provided in the discharge path of the prize ball as described in the related art, although not shown. A rotating body is provided, and a stepping motor is connected to the rotating body for paying out balls. The rotating body for paying out is rotated by an electric signal sent from the CPU 22 to the stepping motor. A configuration in which an arbitrary number of balls are discharged by sending a signal to the stepping motor may be used.

Next, the operation will be described. Suppose that a hit ball has entered one of the winning holes on the game board. Then, any of the first, second or third winning ball counting sensors 12, 14 or 16 provided on the outflow path of the hit ball detects the hit ball,
The detection signal is sent to the CPU 22 of the ball payout controller 18 and the detection signals from the winning ball counting sensors 12 and 14 are also sent to the CPU 20 of the game controller 10. The outline of the game content on the game board surface when the detection signal is sent to the game controller 10 has been described above, and is omitted here because it is not directly related to the gist of the present invention. on the other hand,
The ball payout amount information stored in the payout number memory area 36 of the ROM 32 of the game controller 10 is transmitted to the ball controller 18 of the game controller 10 regardless of the detection signal.
The information is read out by the PU 20, and the information is constantly and unilaterally sent to the CPU 22 of the ball-dispensing controller 18 irrespective of the ball-dispensing controller 18 by a fixed-time interruption. In other words, the number signal that announces the number of payouts, "What is the number of prize balls when a winning ball enters the winning opening?" Or "How many prize balls are detected by the winning ball counting sensor?" It is sent to the CPU 22 of the ball discharging controller 18 by one-way communication. Therefore, the CPU of the ball discharging controller 18
22 determines the number of prize balls to be paid out according to the input signal from the first, second or third prize ball counting sensor 12, 14, or 16, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. An electric signal is sent to the prize ball dispenser 50 so as to be executed. Therefore, the prize ball dispenser 50 electrically opens and closes the prize ball discharge path by known means as described above, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player.

Next, the payout operation of the game balls controlled by the above-described control circuit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 showing the processing procedure of the CPU of the ball payout controller 18. First, when the power is turned on, as a step 1, the value C1 of the first winning ball counter 40 and the value C2 of the second winning ball counter 42 of the RAM 38 of the ball payout controller 18 are determined.
, And the value C3 of the third winning ball counter 44 are set to the initial value [1]. At the same time, the respective values S1, S2 and S3 of the payout number setting table are also initialized. Next, it is determined whether or not a number signal has been input from the CPU 20 of the game controller 10 (step 2).
If it is determined that there is, the payout number setting table is rewritten (step 3). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an input signal from each of the first to third winning ball counting sensors 12, 14 or 16 (step 4). If it is determined that there is, the value Ci of the winning ball counting counter is incremented. (Step 5). Then, it is determined whether or not a prize ball is being paid out, that is, whether or not the flag is set (F = 1) (step 6). If it is determined that the prize is not being paid out (the flag is not set), then it is determined. It is determined whether the value Ci of the winning ball counter is greater than 1 (step 7). If it is determined that the value Ci of the winning ball counter is greater than 1, the value H of the ball payout counter 45 is set to Si (step 8), a flag is set (step 9), and then the ball payout control is performed. CPU2 of vessel 18
A signal of one pulse is sent from 2 to the stepping motor of the prize ball payout device 50, and one prize ball is paid out (step 10). Next, it is determined whether or not one prize ball has been paid out (step 11). If the payout has been made, the value H of the ball payout counter is subtracted (step 12). Then, it is determined whether or not the value H of the ball payout counter is 0 (step 13). If it is determined that the value is not 0, there is still a prize ball to be paid out, so the process returns to step 2 and the next number signal is input. It is determined whether or not there is, and the program up to step 13 described above is repeated. Then, at step 13, the value H of the ball payout counter
Is determined to be 0, since all the prize balls to be paid out have been paid out, the flag is reset (step 14), the value Ci of the winning ball counting counter is decremented (step 15), and the process returns to step 2. If it is determined in step 6 that a prize ball is being paid out, step 1
It goes without saying that the process proceeds to 0 and a prize ball is paid out.

If it is determined in step 2 that there is no input of the number signal, the process proceeds to step 4. Step 4
If it is determined that there is no input signal from the winning ball counting sensor, the routine proceeds to step 6. Step 7
If the value Ci of the winning ball counting counter is determined to be 1, the process returns to step 2 because there is no longer a winning ball for paying out a prize ball. Also, if NO is determined in step 11 as well, there is no payout of the prize ball, so that the process returns to step 2.

As described above, the payout of the winning prize balls is sequentially performed according to this flowchart. If the game board is to be replaced with a new one, the new game board is detected by the first winning ball counting sensor. The number of prize balls of the hit ball is 6 (instead of 7), and the number of prize balls of the hit ball detected by the second winning ball counting sensor is 12 (1
Instead of three). Then, the game controller 10 may be replaced while the ball payout controller 18 is left as it is. In this case, the normal game controller 10 is provided on the game board A, and the ball payout controller 18 is provided on the mechanism plate B. Therefore, when a new game board is mounted, the ball payout controller 18 provided on the mechanism board B is left as it is, and only the game controller 10 provided on the game board A is replaced. Then, the number of payouts corresponding to the game content of the new game board is stored in the ROM of the game controller 10 provided in the new game board, and the content is transmitted to the CPU of the existing ball payout controller 18. So that Then, the ball payout controller 18 can control the ROM of the ball payout controller 18 based on the payout request signal from each winning ball counting sensor of the new game board and the payout number setting signal from the game controller 10. By executing the program, the number of game balls matching the game content of the new game board is paid out from the game ball payout device 50. Thus, in the present invention, the number-of-payouts setting signal output means is provided by the game controller 10.
CPU 20 and number-of-payouts memory area 36 of ROM 32
And the payout control means corresponds to the ball payout controller 22.

The ball payout apparatus of this embodiment can also be applied to lending a ball. For example, although not shown, there is a gaming machine equipped with a ball lending device, but if a player operates a ball lending switch provided in the ball lending device, the signal is sent to the CPU of the ball payout controller 18. A configuration is added such that the number of pieces to be paid out is input to the CPU of the ball payout controller 18 by inputting the number of pieces to be paid out by the payout number setting command means. Then, when the unit price of the rented ball changes (for example, 4 yen per unit changes to 5 yen per unit)
In addition, there is no need to replace the ball dispensing controller 18 of the mechanism plate B.

[0018]

As apparent from the above description, in the game ball payout apparatus of the present invention, the number of the game ball payout control means when the payout request signal from the winning ball counting sensor is received by the game ball payout control means. The game balls are paid out based on the number-of-payouts signal from the number-of-payouts setting signal output means provided separately in the gaming controller without having the above memory. Therefore, the ball payout controller itself does not need to be replaced even if the game board is replaced with a new one, and the execution program of the ROM of the payout controller can be used without any change. Therefore, the ball payout controller provided on the mechanism plate can be continuously used as it is, and there is an advantage that even if the number of game balls to be paid out is changed by replacing the game board, no trouble occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a game ball payout apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement state of a detection sensor for a hit ball entering a winning opening of a game board.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an execution operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a conventional game ball payout apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 gaming controller 12 winning ball counting sensor 14 winning ball counting sensor 16 winning ball counting sensor 18 ball payout controller A game board B mechanism board

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 7/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Claims: 1. A plurality of winning ball counting sensors each outputting a payout request signal having a different number of prize balls to be paid out; and how many game balls are paid out by the payout request signal output from each of the winning ball counting sensors. Means to output a payout number setting signal for announcing the meaning of, and controls to pay out game balls based on the payout request signal from each of the winning ball counting sensors and the number signal from the payout number setting signal output means. A payout device for game balls, comprising payout control means.