JP4123622B2 - Pachinko ball counting assembly - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a pachinko ball suitable for a pachinko ball counting machine or the like installed on the floor of a pachinko playground.Used for countingPachinko ball countingAssemblyIn particular, strengthen anti-fraud measures by players.TapaDick ball countingAssemblyAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  This type of pachinko ball counter is installed on the floor of a pachinko game hall, generally corresponding to each end of the island. The structure has a housing that has a hopper on its upper surface that serves as a receiving tray for the customer to release balls, and a plurality of counting lanes that receive balls falling from the hopper in the housing and lead them to the ball discharge port. It consists of a ball alignment mechanism for aligning and flowing, and a pachinko ball passage sensor that is provided near the end of each lane and detects the passage of balls.
[0003]
  The electrical configuration will be described. A ball counter control board is built in the housing, and this control board performs ball counting processing, ball returning processing, ball number display processing, communication processing with an external device, etc. A controlling microcomputer (CPU) is mounted.
[0004]
  As a recent trend, a pachinko ball passage sensor with a direction discrimination function in which two detection elements are arranged at a slight distance in the ball flow direction is often employed. This is to cope with an illegal operation of the count value using a so-called bead. Each pachinko ball passing sensor and the ball counter control board are connected by a harness having signal lines corresponding to at least the number of ball counting lanes.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in such a conventional pachinko ball counter, (1) individual pachinko ballsPassingThe ball passing detection pulse flows in the signal line connecting the sensor and the ball counter control board, so that it is easy to mix pseudo pulses by generating strong electromagnetic waves, etc. (2) Lane (ball passage) The processing load of the ball counter increases as the number increases. (3) If the direction of the ball is detected using two detection elements, the processing load on the control unit side is more than doubled even per lane. (4) In addition to the ball counting process, the control unit of the ball counter performs multiple processes such as ball return, ball number display, and communication with external devices. When the detection is performed, there is a possibility that the control processing of the counter itself may not be in time, and (5) the number of sensor cable wiring increases as the number of lanes increases, and the number of connectors and the required area of the control unit of the ball counter There are problems such as increase .
[0006]
  The present invention has been made by paying attention to such conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to improve resistance to noise (radio waves, static electricity, etc.) and It is possible to reduce the processing load in the control unit, and further reduce the number of wires connecting the control board of the ball counter and individual pachinko ball passage sensors.NapaDick ball countingAssemblyIs to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention according to claim 1 of the present application has a ball receiving hopper (22) for receiving pachinko balls released from a ball box for storing pachinko balls acquired by a customer on the upper surface, and a pachinko ball count is provided inside. It is in a pachinko ball counter housing (2) in which a ball counter control board (100) for overall control of the machine is accommodated, and is installed immediately below the ball receiving hopper for use in counting pachinko balls. An assembly for pachinko ball counting (3, 4),
  A ball alignment box (3) for receiving balls falling from the hopper and flowing them in alignment to a plurality of counting lanes leading to a ball discharge port, and at the downstream end of the ball alignment box, The pachinko ball counting unit (4), which is mounted horizontally across the top, is assembled in one piece.
  The pachinko ball counting unit is
  A sealed case (40) that is laid across the lanes;
  A pachinko ball held at the bottom of the case and provided for each of the plurality of lanes, and flowing through the corresponding lanes.Passage ofThePassingA plurality of pachinko ball passing sensors (6, 6) to detect together with the direction;
  And a circuit board (43) on which a signal processing circuit (43a) for processing signals from a plurality of pachinko ball passing sensors and outputting the processing results is mounted.
  In the signal processing circuit mounted on the circuit board,
  If the pachinko ball passes the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball insertion port (21a) in the direction of the ball discharge port (22a), it is added, and if it passes from the ball discharge port in the direction of the ball insertion port, it is subtracted.Each pachinko ball obtainedPassingA communication cable (11) for converting the total pachinko ball passing amount obtained by adding the accumulated number of pachinko ball passing for each sensor for all lanes into communication data in a predetermined format and connecting to the ball counter control board Has a built-in function to send to
  As a result, the ball counter control board is installed directly under the ball receiving hopper and connected to the ball counter control board for controlling the entire pachinko ball counter by a cable. The pachinko ball counting assembly is configured to acquire data corresponding to the total amount of ball passing.
[0008]
  And according to such a structure, based on the signal from the several pachinko ball passage sensor (with a direction discrimination function) which detects the pachinko ball which flows through a lane with the direction.Passed from the ball inlet to the ball outletThe ball counting process that counts only the passing balls and generates the passing ball data is performed on the signal processing circuit side, so that the processing load can be reduced by that amount in the main control unit of the pachinko ball counter. It is possible to concentrate on processing such as ball return, ball number display, and communication with external devices. In addition, since signal exchange between the signal processing circuit and the main control unit of the pachinko counter that is the host controller is performed through data communication, resistance to noise (radio waves, static electricity, etc.) is improved. Along with the increase in the number of lanes, a fixed number of wires is sufficient, and wiring can be saved.
[0009]
  Furthermore, according to such a configuration, by providing a product in which a ball alignment box, a pachinko ball passage sensor, and a signal processing circuit thereof are integrated, the electrical and mechanical configuration of this type of pachinko ball counter is achieved. In addition to simplifying and reducing costs, the wiring from each pachinko ball passing sensor to the signal processing circuit does not protrude to the outside at all, so there is less risk of being subject to mischief due to radio waves, static electricity, etc. Can be further improved.
[0010]
  The invention described in claim 2 of this application isClaim 1In the pachinko ball counting assembly according to claim 1, the signal processing circuit mounted on the circuit board includes:Pachinko ball passing directionAccording toSenSashinForm of issueDifferentIn light of the normal detection algorithmHappy ballAbnormal flow1st to 4th to detectAbnormality judgment processingBall flow that is equipped with functions and selectively combines all or oneAbnormality judgment processing, Along with the pachinko ball passing total amount, converted into communication data of a predetermined format,SaidA pachinko ball counting assembly characterized in that a function of sending out to a communication cable connected to a ball counter control board is incorporated.
[0011]
And according to such a structure, in addition to the effect of Claim 1, by determining the signal form of the pachinko ball passage sensor with the direction discrimination function in accordance with a predetermined abnormality detection algorithm, the flow abnormality of the pachinko ball is determined and abnormal. Since the ball flow abnormality determination process for generating the determination data is also performed on the signal processing circuit side, it becomes easy to incorporate the abnormality determination process according to the type of the pachinko ball passage sensor used, and further improve the security. be able to.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A pachinko ball counter to which the present invention is applied will be described first from the mechanical features with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the pachinko ball counter, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the pachinko ball counter, and FIG.Configure the present inventionThe disassembled perspective view which shows the relationship between a ball alignment box and a counting unit. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the ball counting unit, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the ball passing sensor in a mounted state showing the configuration of the ball passing sensor.
[0013]
  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pachinko ball counter 1 is mounted with a counter housing 2 and the counter housing 2.It is an assembly for pachinko ball counting according to the present invention.It is mounted on the ball alignment box 3 and the exit side of this ball alignment box 3TheCounting unit 4 and,Consists of The counter housing 2 includes a lower base portion 21 on which a display portion, an operation portion, a ball counter control board, and the like are mounted, and a hopper portion 22 that functions as a tray for discharged balls. The ball alignment box 3 receives the pachinko balls falling from the ball insertion opening 22a of the hopper 22 and divides them into a plurality (16 in the figure) of counting lanes. As shown in FIG. 3, each counting lane is configured by dividing the bottom plate of the ball alignment box 3 in parallel by the sorting ribs 31. In the vicinity of the exit of each counting lane, 16 sensor head mounting positions are provided by alternately changing the position back and forth. In the figure, the sensor head mounting position located in front of the ball flow direction is denoted by reference numeral 3a, and the sensor head mounting position positioned rearward is denoted by reference numeral 3b. Reference numeral 5 represents an alignment guide plate for preventing the pachinko balls from jumping up.
[0014]
  As shown in FIG. 3, the counting unit 4 includes a sealed case 40 having an elongated rectangular shape with a shallow bottom and an aligned state on the bottom surface of the case 40.soIt is composed of eight dual pachinko ball passing sensors (hereinafter simply referred to as dual sensors) 6 that are held. As shown in FIG. 4, the case 40 includes a case main body 41 whose upper surface can be opened and a lid body 42 that closes the upper surface opening of the case main body 41. The case main body 41 and the lid body 42 are coupled to each other by the engagement between the locking protrusion 42a on the lid body 42 side and the locking hole 41a on the case main body 41 side.
[0015]
  In the case body 41, signal processingcircuitEquipped withcircuitA substrate 43 is accommodated.circuitThe board 43 and the case main body 41 are joined by screws 8.circuitOn the substrate 43, signal processingcircuitIn addition to the IC package 43a such as a CPU constituting the above, eight sensor connectors 43b and one transmission connector 43c are provided.
[0016]
  Eight sensor connection holes 41 b are formed in the bottom plate of the case body 41. The case main body 41 and each dual sensor 6 are coupled by two screws 9 respectively. A connector 6 c as a signal outlet is disposed at a position facing the bottom plate of the case body 41 of the dual sensor 6. When the dual sensor 6 is attached to the bottom plate of the case main body 41, the connector 6c of the dual sensor 6 is exposed in the sensor connection hole 41b provided in the bottom plate of the case main body 41. In this state, the connector 6 c of the dual sensor 6 and the sensor connector 43 b on the substrate 43 are electrically connected via the flat cable 10. On the other hand, the transmission connector 43c on the substrate 43 constitutes a harness.communication cable11 is connected to this endcommunication cable11 is led out of the case from a harness passage hole 42b provided in the case lid 42.
[0017]
  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dual sensor 6 detects the passage of a pachinko ball by the principle of a proximity sensor, and has a structure in which sensor heads 6a and 6b for two adjacent lanes are integrated. Yes. The two heads 6a and 6b are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other with a slight distance. As shown in FIG. 3, when the counting unit 4 is mounted on the ball alignment box 3, among the pair of sensor heads 6 a and 6 b, the sensor head 6 a positioned forward is mounted on the ball alignment box 3. The sensor head 6b housed in 3a and located rearward is housed in the rear mounting position 3b. Each sensor head 6a, 6b is formed with a tunnel-like hole 61 for allowing a pachinko ball to pass therethrough. Two detection coils A and B are coaxially built in the sensor heads 6a and 6b so as to surround the hole 61 with a slight shift in the pachinko ball flow direction. These coils A and B each function as a detection element of the proximity sensor. The case of the dual sensor 6 incorporates a signal processing circuit that processes signals from the pair of coils A and B and generates a binary signal corresponding to the ball passing state of each of the detection coils A and B. Yes. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, the dual sensor 6 outputs two ball passing detection signals corresponding to the two detection coils A and B for each of the pair of lanes.
[0018]
  As described above, the counting unit 4 described above is capable of signal processing.circuitA sealed case 40 that accommodates a circuit board 43 on which a circuit component 43a for realizing (details will be described later) is mounted, and eight directions that are held in an aligned state on the bottom surface of the sealed case 40 The connector 6c, which has a pachinko ball passage sensor (dual sensor 6) with a discrimination function and is a signal outlet of the pachinko ball passage sensor, is connected to the case 40 via a sensor connection hole 41b opened on the case side facing it. The harness 11 that has been introduced into the circuit board 43 and led out from the connector 43c, which is a data transmission terminal on the circuit board 43, is led out of the case through a harness passage hole 42b provided in the case lid 42. It is a thing. For this reason, not only circuit components constituting the signal processing circuit but also signal lines extending from the dual sensor 6 to the circuit board 43 are accommodated in the case 40, so that static electricity and electromagnetic waves are generated in the output signal of the dual sensor 6. It has a structure that can eliminate fraudulent acts that try to mix pseudo pulses.
[0019]
  Next, an electrical circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit mounted on the ball counter control board built in the base portion 21 of the pachinko ball counter and the signal processing circuit mounted on the signal processing board 43 built in the counting unit 4. FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing normal passing ball counting processing executed by a CPU mounted on the signal processing board, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor ball clogging abnormality determination algorithm executed by the CPU, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an internal sensor abnormality determination algorithm executed by the CPU, and FIG. 11 is a sensor excess count executed by the CPU. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor backflow abnormality determination algorithm executed by the CPU, and FIG. It is a flowchart illustrating a sensor backflow abnormality determination process line.
[0020]
  As shown in FIG.Counting machine housingIn the ball counter control board 100 built in the base portion 21 of the CPU 2, a CPU 101 for overall control of the ball counter, a ROM 102 storing a system program, a RAM 103 used as a working area, etc. Number of balls attached to the outer surface of the base portion 21MachineNumber of balls to controlMachineController 104, I / F unit 105 for communicating with external devices, and ball returnMachineBall return to control the movement ofMachineControl unit 106 and signal processing to be described latercircuitAnd a serial communication driver 107 for performing data communication with each other. In the ball counter control device, signal processing (to be described later) via the serial communication driver 107 while performing processing such as ball return, ball number display, and communication with an external device using the above-described components 101 to 106.circuitIs configured to receive passing ball count data, abnormality determination data, and the like at an appropriate timing.
[0021]
  The general operation of this type of ball counter control device is already known in various literatures, and the details thereof are left to the publicly known literature.
[0022]
  On the other hand, the signal processing board 200 incorporated in the counting unit 4 includes a CPU 201 constituted by a one-chip microcomputer incorporating a ROM / RAM and a dual sensor 6 corresponding to a pair of detection elements A and B in each lane. Amplifiers 202a and 202b and comparators 203a and 203b provided corresponding to each of the two systems of detection signals coming from, and a serial communication driver 204 for performing data communication with the ball counter controller described above. It is installed.
[0023]
  Note that when the pair of detection elements A and B attached to each lane operate on the principle of a so-called proximity sensor, their detection signals are already binarized and waveform shaped, so the comparators 203a and 203b It may not be necessary. In short, in this figure, a transmissive ball passing sensor and a reflective ball passing sensor are also assumed as the pair of elements A and B.
[0024]
  Next, normal passing ball counting processing executed by the CPU 201 constituting the signal processing circuit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0025]
  This process is executed by a periodic interrupt with a constant period that is sufficiently shorter than a ball passing under the elements A and B. When the process is started in the figure, a process of detecting the presence or absence of a signal rise or fall is executed for the detection signal related to the element B which is one of the pair of detection elements A and B (step 701). As is well known, this process is performed by mutual comparison of signal levels detected in succession.
[0026]
  When the rise or fall of the signal from the element B is detected, a process for determining the signal level of the signal from the other detection element A is subsequently executed (step 703 or 705). Here, when the detection signal corresponding to the element B rises, the level of the detection signal from the element A is in the ON state.The pachinko ball has passed through the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball slot (21a) to the ball outlet (22a).Means. On the other hand, when the detection signal corresponding to the element B falls, the level of the detection signal corresponding to the element A is ON.The pachinko ball has passed the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball outlet (22a) to the ball inlet (21a).Means.
[0027]
  for that reason,The pachinko ball passed through the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball inlet (21a) to the ball outlet (22a).(Step 703 ON), the content of the passing ball register that stores the number of normal passing balls in the lane is incremented by 1 (step 704).The pachinko ball passed through the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball discharge port (22a) toward the ball insertion port (21a).Is determined (step 705 ON), the content of the passing ball number register is incremented by +1 (step 706). If neither rising nor falling is detected in the detection signal corresponding to the element B (no change in step 702), the contents of the passing ball number register are not changed.
[0028]
  When the above processing is completed for the first lane, the same processing is repeated by changing lanes one after another (NO in step 707). If the passing ball register update process is completed for all lanes (step 707 YES), the contents of the passing ball number registers for each lane are cumulatively added (step 708), and then all the processes are completed.
[0029]
  Obtained in this wayThe total amount of pachinko balls passedThe accumulated value of the passing ball number register is converted into communication data in a predetermined format at an appropriate cycle (for example, 4 msec), and then sent to the ball counter controller via the serial communication driver 204. On the ball counter controller side, signal processingcircuitBased on the normal passing ball number data received from the side, the ball number display processing and the like are executed.
[0030]
  Thus, according to this embodiment, the signal processing device mounted on the signal processing board 200 includes one or more signal processing terminals (amplifiers 202a, 202) connected to the pachinko passing ball sensor with a direction discrimination function. 202b corresponds to the input side), a data transmission terminal (corresponding to the output side of the serial communication driver 204) to be connected to the ball counter control board 100 which is the host controller via the data communication line, and signal input A ball counting means (corresponding to the normal passing ball counting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7) for counting only normal passing balls based on signals input from the terminals and generating passing ball count data; Data transmission means (serial) that converts the passing ball number data generated by the ball count counting means into communication data of a predetermined format and sends it to the data transmission terminal. Equivalent) and is provided in Le communication driver 204.
[0031]
  Therefore, according to such a configuration, an appropriate error determination process is incorporated into the serial communication between the serial communication driver 204 and the serial communication driver 107 to enhance security, thereby preventing unauthorized operation using electromagnetic waves or static electricity. Reliability can be improved. In addition, the number of signal lines between the signal processing board 200 and the ball counter control board 100 is sufficient for serial communication regardless of the number of counting lanes to be detected. Does not increase the wiring space.
[0032]
  Next, some examples of the ball flow abnormality determination process executed by the CPU 201 of the signal processing board 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
  First, the first ball flow abnormality determination process will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The first ball flow abnormality determination process determines that a clogging abnormality has occurred in the lane or that an electrical connection failure has occurred in the sensor of the lane. Such a ball flow abnormality is shown in FIG.Circled number 1~Circled number 3Can be determined based on the fact that the signal pattern indicated by (2) continues for a certain time or longer (for example, 3 seconds or longer). In FIG. 8A, “H” means that the element is in an ON state (passing state), and “L” means that the element is in an off state (non-passing state). Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the arrangement of the pair of elements A and B is such that the element B is positioned forward and the element A positioned rearward with respect to the ball flow direction.
[0034]
  Details of the sensor clogging abnormality and sensor non-connection abnormality determination processing executed by the CPU 201 of the signal processing device are shown in FIG. This process is also executed by a periodic interrupt with a fixed period, as in the process shown in FIG. When the process is started in the figure, it is determined whether or not the monitoring timer is activated (step 901). If the monitoring timer is not activated (step 901 OFF), a pair of elements A and B are determined. The presence or absence of any of the rising edges is detected (step 902). Here, if no signal rise is detected in either of the pair of elements A and B (NO in step 903), the process ends without doing anything, whereas if a rise is detected (step 903 rise detection) ) The clogging monitoring timer is started (step 904), and the process ends. In the processing at the next interruption, since it is determined that the monitoring timer is being started (step 901 is being started), it is subsequently determined whether the signal relating to the element where the rising edge is detected is still in the ON state ( Step 905). Here, if it is in the off state (step 905 OFF), it is assumed that there is no sensor clogging or no sensor connection and that it is normal, the clogging monitoring timer and the clogging error signal are cleared (step 907), and the process ends. Even if the signal corresponding to the element is still ON (step 905 ON), if the timer time set for the monitoring timer (for example, 3 seconds) has not elapsed (NO in step 906), what is the same? The process ends without doing so. On the other hand, when the signal from the element is in the ON state (step 905 ON) and the timer time set in the monitoring timer has expired (step 906 time up), sensor clogging abnormality or sensor not yet detected It is determined that a connection abnormality exists, the clog error signal is activated (step 908), and the process ends. The state of the ball jam error signal obtained in this way is converted into communication data in a predetermined format at an appropriate timing, and then transmitted to the ball counter control board 100 side via the serial communication driver 204. On the ball counter control board 100 side, an alarm display and an alarm sound are generated based on the received clog error signal.
[0035]
  Next, the second ball flow abnormality determination process will be described with reference to FIG. In the second ball flow abnormality determination process, as shown in FIG. 10C, the pachinko balls continuously flow due to the presence of internal abnormality in the sensor circuits corresponding to the pair of elements A and B, respectively. Despite this, one sideSensor circuitIt is determined whether or not a level change does not occur in the signal. As shown in the table of FIG. 10A, such a ball flow abnormality is shown in the signal from the other element while the signal from one element is fixed at “L” or “H”. This can be done by determining that a certain number or more of “H” pulses or “L” pulses as shown in FIG. Such determination processing can be carried out by those skilled in the art without needing to express it in the flowchart, and therefore illustration by the flowchart is omitted.
[0036]
  Next, the third ball flow abnormality determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this third ball flow abnormality determination process, a pseudo pulse is forcibly mixed in the output of the pachinko ball passage sensor due to strong radio wave radiation or static electricity, etc., and the detection pulses within a certain time increase abnormally. It is to determine such a state. In such a ball flow abnormality, whether or not the number of pulses generated within a certain time (for example, 1 second) in the signal from each of the pair of elements A and B has reached a set value corresponding to the abnormality is determined. It can be done by judging.
[0037]
  When processing is started in the figure, after confirming that the 1-second timer is not activated (NO in step 1101), activation of the 1-second timer (step 1102) and clearing of the counter buffer are performed (step 1103), and thereafter Until the 1 second timer expires (NO in step 1104), the ball counting process (step 1109) relating to the lane and the process of adding the count value to the counter buffer are repeated (step 1110). If the 1-second timer expires while repeating the above (YES at step 1104), the contents of the counter buffer are compared with the contents of the abnormality detection setting (step 1105), and the contents of the counter buffer must be less than the abnormality detection setting value. (Step 1105 NO) After restarting the 1-second timer (Step 1007) and clearing the counter buffer (Step 1108), the ball counting process (Step 1109) of the next cycle and the counter buffer of the count value are performed. The addition process (1110) is repeated.
[0038]
  On the other hand, when the time of the 1 second timer is up (step 1104 YES), as a result of comparing the contents of the counter buffer with the abnormality detection set value (step 1105), the contents of the counter buffer are larger than the abnormality detection set value. If it is determined (YES in step 1105), error processing is executed and the content of a predetermined error signal is activated (step 1106). The content of the error detection signal is converted into communication data of a predetermined format at a predetermined cycle, and then transmitted to the ball counter control board 100 side via the serial communication driver 204. Thereafter, in the same manner as in the previous processing, an alarm display or an alarm sound is generated.
[0039]
  Next, the fourth ball flow abnormality determination process will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. 12, the fourth ball flow abnormality determination process is as follows.Pachinko ball passingContinuing the sensor headFrom the ball outlet (22a) to the ball inlet (21a)It is determined that the pachinko ball has passed. Such a determination is made over the number of illegal counts detected (setting) in the signals corresponding to the pair of elements A and B.From the ball outlet (22a) to the ball inlet (21a)This can be done by determining that a direction pulse has occurred.
[0040]
  When the process is started in FIG. 13, the ball passing direction is determined based on the two detection signals corresponding to the pair of elements A and B (step 1301). hereFrom the ball outlet (22a) to the ball inlet (21a)If the direction is determined (step 1301 YES),From the ball outlet (22a) to the ball inlet (21a)After adding +1 to the contents of the minus value register for counting the number of balls passing in the direction (step 1302), the contents of the minus value register are compared with the set value (step 1304). If the set value is not exceeded (NO in step 1304), the process returns to the beginning again to determine the ball passing direction (step 1301). In contrast, the ball passing direction isBall outlet (21a) to ball outlet (22a)If the direction is determined (NO in step 1301), all the contents of the negative value register so far are cleared (step 1303). If the content of the negative value register exceeds the set value while repeating the above (step 1304 YES), the content of the predetermined error signal is made active (step 1305). The content of this error signal is converted into communication data of a predetermined format at an appropriate cycle, and then transmitted to the ball counter control control board 100 via the serial communication driver 204, and error processing in the ball counter controller is performed. To be served.
[0041]
  As described above, in the signal processing device for the pachinko ball passage sensor described above, one or more signal input terminals to be connected to the pachinko ball passage sensor with a direction discrimination function (corresponding to the dual sensor 6). (Corresponding to the input side of the amplifiers 202a and 202b in FIG. 6) and a data communication terminal (serial in FIG. 6) to be connected to the host controller or the like (corresponding to the ball counter control board 100) via the data communication line. 7 corresponding to the communication driver 204) and passing ball number counting means for counting only normal passing balls based on signals input from the signal input terminals and generating passing ball number data (in the flowchart of FIG. 7). And a pachinko ball by illuminating the form of the signal input from each of the signal input terminals with a predetermined abnormality detection algorithm. Ball flow abnormality determination means (corresponding to the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9, 11, and 13) for determining abnormality of the flow and generating abnormality determination data, the generated passing ball number data and abnormality determination Data transmission means (corresponding to the serial communication driver 204 in FIG. 6) for converting data into communication data of a predetermined format and sending it to the data transmission terminalPreparationIs.
[0042]
  Therefore, the processing load of the CPU 101 mounted on the ball counter control board 100 is greatly reduced, and the CPU 101 can concentrate on service processing such as ball return processing, ball number display processing, and communication processing with an external device. From the processing substrate 200, highly reliable passing ball number data and abnormality determination data are obtained, so that appropriate display processing, alarm processing, and the like can be realized based on these data.
[0043]
  In addition, if the version is appropriately upgraded by standardizing the counting unit 4, the function of the entire ball counter can be upgraded without significantly changing the configuration of the ball counter control board.
[0044]
  In addition, what is necessary is just to combine all or the 1st-4th process mentioned above as an abnormality determination process which should be combined with the counting process of the normal passing ball | bowl shown by FIG. Further, the pachinko ball passing sensor with a direction discrimination function is not limited to the proximity sensor method, and a conventional transmission type or reflection type photoelectric sensor method can also be adopted.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve resistance to noise (radio waves, static electricity, etc.) and to reduce the processing load in the main control unit of the ball counter. Pachinko balls that can reduce the number of wires connecting the control board of ball counters and individual pachinko ball passage sensorsUsed for countingPachinko ball countingAssemblyThere is an effect of providing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a pachinko ball counter to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the pachinko ball counter.
[Fig. 3]Configure the present inventionIt is a disassembled perspective view which shows the relationship between a ball alignment box and a counting unit.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the counting unit.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a pachinko ball passage sensor with a direction determining function in an attached state.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit for mounting a ball counter control board and a signal processing board.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of counting normal passing balls.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor clogging abnormality determination algorithm.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing sensor clogging abnormality and sensor unconnected abnormality determination processing.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an internal sensor abnormality determination algorithm.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing sensor overcounting abnormality determination processing;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor backflow abnormality determination algorithm.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing sensor backflow abnormality determination processing;
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Pachinko ball counting machine
  2Counting machine housing
  3ballAlignment box
  4 Counting unit
  5 Alignment guide plate
  6 Dual-type pachinko ball passing sensor
  7 Pachinko balls
  8,9 screw
  10 Flat cable
  11communication cable(Harness)
  3a Front sensor head mounting position
  3b Rear sensor head mounting position
  6a Front sensor head
  6b Rear sensor head
  6c Connector (Signal outlet of pachinko ball passing sensor)
  21BeSection
  22HoUpper part
  21a Ball outlet
  22a Ball slot
  31 Sorting ribs
  40 Counting unit case
  41Case body
  42 Lid
  41a engagement hole
  41b Sensor connection hole
  42a Locking projection
  42b Harness passage hole
  61 Pachinko ball passage hole
  A One of the detection elements built in the sensor head
  B The other of the detection elements built in the sensor head
  100 ball counter control board
  101 CPU
  102 ROM
  103 RAM
  104 Number of ballsMachinecontroller
  105 External I / F section
  106 ball returnMachineControl unit
  107 Serial communication driver
  200 Signal processing board
  201 CPU
  202a, 202b amplifier
  203a, 203b Comparator
  204 Serial communication driver

Claims (2)

A ball counter hopper (22) for receiving pachinko balls released from a ball box for storing pachinko balls acquired by a customer is provided on the upper surface, and a ball counter control board for controlling the entire pachinko ball counter (in the inside) ( 100) in a pachinko ball counter housing (2) in which the pachinko ball counter housing (2) is installed. The pachinko ball counter assembly (3, 4) is installed directly under the ball receiving hopper and used for counting pachinko balls. There,
A ball alignment box (3) for receiving balls falling from the hopper and flowing them in alignment with a plurality of counting lanes leading to a ball discharge port, and at the downstream end of the ball alignment box, The pachinko ball counting unit (4), which is mounted horizontally across the top, is assembled in one piece.
The pachinko ball counting unit is
A sealed case (40) laid across the lanes;
A plurality of pachinko ball passage sensors (6, 6) that are held at the bottom of the case and provided for each of the plurality of lanes, and that detect the passage of pachinko balls flowing through the corresponding lanes together with their passing directions. When,
A circuit board (43) on which a signal processing circuit (43a) that is housed in the case and processes signals from a plurality of pachinko ball passage sensors and outputs the processing results is mounted;
In the signal processing circuit mounted on the circuit board,
Each pachinko ball is obtained when the pachinko ball passes through the pachinko ball passage sensor from the ball insertion port (21a) in the direction of the ball discharge port (22a) and is subtracted if it passes from the ball discharge port in the direction of the ball insertion port. A communication cable that converts the total pachinko ball passage amount obtained by adding the pachinko ball passage cumulative number for each ball passage sensor for all lanes into communication data in a predetermined format and connects to the ball counter control board ( 11) The function to send to is incorporated,
As a result, the ball counter control board is installed directly under the ball receiving hopper and connected to the ball counter control board for controlling the entire pachinko ball counter by a cable. An assembly for pachinko ball counting, characterized in that it is configured to acquire data corresponding to the total amount of ball passing. The signal processing circuit mounted on the circuit board is provided with an abnormality determination processing function for detecting an abnormality in the ball flow by comparing the form of the sensor signal according to the pachinko ball passing direction with an abnormality detection algorithm ,
The abnormality determination processing function
A first abnormality determination processing function for determining that a clogging abnormality has occurred in the lane or that an electrical connection failure has occurred in a sensor of the lane;
Due to the presence of internal abnormalities in the sensor circuits corresponding to the pair of detection elements in the pachinko ball passage sensor, the level of the signal of one sensor circuit does not change even though the pachinko ball has flowed continuously. A second abnormality determination processing function for determining the abnormality
A third abnormality determination processing function for determining a state in which a pseudo pulse is forcibly mixed in the output of the pachinko ball passing sensor and the detection pulse is abnormally increased within a predetermined time;
Ball flow that selectively combines all or one of the fourth abnormality determination processing functions for determining that pachinko balls have passed through the head portion of the pachinko ball passage sensor continuously from the ball discharge port toward the ball insertion port. A function for converting the result of the abnormality determination process into communication data in a predetermined format together with the total pachinko ball passing amount and sending it to a communication cable connected to the ball counter control board is incorporated. The assembly for pachinko ball counting according to claim 1.

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