JP4566670B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine or an arrangement ball machine.

  For example, in an arrangement ball machine, when a predetermined number, for example, 16 game balls are fired into the game area for each unit game, and a winning combination is established by entering the entrance of the specified number of game balls, A score is awarded according to the winning combination, and a prize ball or the like is paid out to the player according to the score.

  In such an arrangement ball machine, in order to limit the number of shots per unit game to the prescribed number, the number of game balls fired by the launching means for each unit game is counted, and the number of fired balls reaches the prescribed number. In that case, it is necessary to control to stop the firing operation by the launching means at that time.

  By the way, in the conventional arrangement ball machine, a launch ball detection switch including a proximity switch capable of detecting a game ball at the launch ball standby position is provided in the vicinity of the launch ball standby position on the most upstream side of the launch rail. In general, the number of firings is counted by the firing number counting means based on a detection signal from a detection switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

That is, when the launching means is activated, for example, when the tip of the striking rod at the launching ball standby position is pulled to the rear side in the firing direction, it is supplied from the ball supply tray side onto the firing rail by the ball feeding means. When the game ball moves to the launch ball standby position and the launch ball detection switch is turned on, and then the game ball is hit by the striking ball and fired from the launch ball standby position, and the launch ball detection switch is turned off, 1 is added to the count value of the number of shots by the shot number counting means.
JP 2004-97271 A

  The launch ball detection switch used in the conventional arrangement ball machine is configured to detect the presence or absence of a game ball at the launch ball standby position on the launch rail. This is a position where the game ball supplied from the direct flow down position is a position where the game ball is hit by a striking gutter, so that there is a problem that erroneous detection due to subtle vibration of the game ball is likely to occur. It was. If there is a false detection by the shot ball detection switch, the count value of the number of shots will also be incorrect, for example, even if the number of shots has not reached the specified number, the shooting operation will be stopped and the unit game will not be terminated normally May cause problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of always correctly counting the number of shots by preventing erroneous detection of the firing operation.

In the present invention, a launching means 9 for launching a game ball supplied on the launch rail 12 toward the game area 22, and a game ball on the supply tray 11 side in synchronism with the launching operation of the launch means 9 are used as the launch rail. The ball feeding means 13 for supplying the game balls one by one to the game board 12, the firing detection means 84 for detecting the launch of the game balls by the launch means 9 , and the predetermined number of game balls per unit game are fired to the game area 22. In a ball game machine comprising a firing control processing means 141 for controlling the firing operation by the launching means 9, the ball feeding means 13 detects a game ball supplied on the firing rail 12 by the ball feeding means 13. a ball feed detection means 95 is provided, the firing control processing unit 141 is configured to count the sphere feed count per unit game based on a detection signal from said ball feed detecting means 95, sending the ball After the count becomes the predetermined number, the there is a fire detection by firing detection means 84, to stop the firing operation by the ball feed count said prescribed number +1 and the firing means 9 based on made, In the unit game immediately after the power is turned on, if the game ball is detected by the firing detection means 84 before the game ball is detected by the ball feed detection means 95, 1 is added to the ball feed count. It is composed of.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the firing operation and to perform accurate and stable launch control while always correctly counting the number of shots by the ball feed detection switch (ball feed detection means) 95. Although the number of shots has not reached the specified number, the shooting operation is stopped, and there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent problems such as the unit game not being completed normally.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 23 illustrate an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied as an arrange ball machine. 1 to 8, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer frame, and a front frame 2 is pivotally attached to the front side of the outer frame via a pair of upper and lower hinges 3 provided on the left and right ends. Reference numeral 4 denotes a glass door, and 5 denotes a front plate, which are arranged vertically corresponding to the window holes 6 of the front frame 2 and are pivotally supported by the front frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. A lower tray 7 is attached to the lower portion of the front frame 2 at the center in the left-right direction, and an ashtray 8 and a launching handle 10 of the launching means 9 are respectively attached to the left and right of the lower tray 7.

  The front plate 5 is made of a sheet metal such as a stainless steel plate, and is attached to the lower side of the glass door 4 by a hinge 5a so as to be freely opened and closed as shown in FIGS. The front plate 5 is provided with an upper plate (supply tray) 11 for storing a game ball for launch on the front side, and a ball feed for supplying game balls in the upper plate 11 to the launch means 9 side on the back side. Means 13, a guide blade 14 for preventing a game ball from colliding with the glass door 4, and a synthetic resin support case 15 for supporting them are mounted.

  The upper plate 11 is arranged so as to guide a game ball paid out through a payout port 5b provided on one end side of the front plate 5 in the left-right direction, for example, on the left side, to the other end side, for example, the launching means 9 side on the right side. The bottom wall is formed in a gently inclined shape, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, etc., the game balls are supplied to the ball feeding means 13 while being aligned in a line at the downstream side alignment portion 11a. It has become.

  The front plate 5 has a through-hole 5c through which a game ball can pass in the front-rear direction corresponding to the downstream side of the alignment portion 11a and the front side of the ball feeding means 13 (see FIG. 6). The game balls that have flowed along are guided to the rear ball feeding means 13 through the through holes 5c.

  Further, on the downstream end side of the alignment portion 11a, an openable / closable ball outlet 11b communicating with the lower plate 7 is formed in the bottom wall, and the ball outlet 11b is operated by operating the ball outlet operating lever 11c. By opening, the game balls in the upper plate 11 are sequentially guided to the lower plate 7 side.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a game board, which is detachably attached to the game board mounting frame 17 on the back side of the front frame 2 so as to correspond to the window hole 6 of the front frame 2, and the front frame 2 on the lower side of the window hole 6. It is supported from below by a lower set plate 18 mounted on the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a guide rail 21 is annularly arranged on the front surface of the game board 16, and a ball entrance means 23 is arranged in a lower portion of the game area 22 inside the guide rail 21. Further, above the entrance port means 23, various symbols such as a symbol display means 24, a variable entrance means 25, an increase entrance means 26, a start gate 27, an operation entrance means 28, 29, a normal entrance means 30, 31 and the like. Game parts are arranged.

  The entrance means 23 is provided with a plurality of, for example, 16 lower entrance openings 32 in a horizontal row, and the game balls that have fallen along the game board 16 to the lower part of the game area 22 are After entering into any of the plurality of lower entrances 32 and detected by the lower entrance detection switch 32a (FIG. 10) provided corresponding to each lower entrance 32, to the back side of the game board 16 It has come to be guided.

  Further, for example, on the front side of the entrance means 23, an entrance display means 33, a score display means 34, and an error display means 35 are provided. The entry display means 33 includes a plurality (for example, 16 pieces) of display portions 33a arranged on the lower side or the like corresponding to each of the entry entrances 32, and a game ball enters the entry entrance 32. Then, the display unit 33a corresponding to the lower entrance 32 changes to a specific display such as light emission and displays the entrance.

  During a unit game, for example, when the winning combination is established with a predetermined combination of the display units 33a that are in a specific display, such as when four consecutive display units 33a are in a light-emitting state, A predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls according to the difficulty level or the like.

  The score display means 34 displays, for each game, a score that is given according to the difficulty of the combination when the winning combination is established when the display unit 33a that has become the specific display becomes a predetermined combination. The error display means 35 is for notifying the occurrence of various errors by a number or the like corresponding to the type of the error, and is constituted by a 7-segment type or other display element. It is arranged on the lower side of 33 adjacent to the left and right.

  A large number of game nails 36 are arranged in the game area 22 in the vicinity of the upper side of the entrance means 23 so that a lower entrance 32 makes it easy for a game ball to enter and a place where it is difficult to enter. Yes.

  The symbol display means 24 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal type display means, and one or a plurality of, for example, three game symbols 24 a to 24 c in the left-right direction, provided that the game ball passes through the start gate 27. Stops for a predetermined time. For the game symbols 24a to 24c, numerical symbols, alphabet symbols, character symbols, and other symbols can be used.

  The variable pitching means 25 has a specific pattern in which the three game symbols 24a to 24c after the change of the symbol display means 24 are in a specific form (for example, all symbols are of the same kind such as “7, 7, 7”, etc.). When the number of unit games (for example, three games) has elapsed or a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls has entered, an open / close plate 37 is provided, and a plurality of insides, for example, three One of them, for example, the central passage, is set in the specific area 38. When the game ball passes through the specific area 38, the activated ball entry means 28 and 29 become effective.

  The variable entry means 25 includes a variable entry detection switch 25a (FIG. 10) for detecting entry of a game ball and a specific detection switch 39 for detecting that the entered game ball has passed the specific area 38. Is provided. Note that the variable pitching means 25 may open the opening / closing plate 37 for a predetermined time when the changed gaming symbols 24a to 24c are in a specific mode.

  The increase entry means 26 is for increasing the score obtained in the game when the game ball enters, and is provided on the condition that the game ball enters the active entry means 28 and 29 in the valid state. Is provided with an opening / closing claw 40 that is opened until a predetermined number of unit games (for example, one game) have elapsed or a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls have entered. The score obtained in the game is increased (for example, doubled). The increase entry means 26 is provided with an increase entry detection switch 26a for detecting the entry of a game ball. In addition, the increase entry means 26 may open the opening / closing claw 40 for a predetermined time on condition that the game balls enter the active entry means 28 and 29 in the valid state.

  Entry of game balls is also detected in the entrance means other than the lower entrance 32, the variable entrance means 25, and the increase entrance means 26, that is, the action entrance means 28, 29 and the normal entrance means 30, 31. Operational entrance detection switches 28a and 29a and normal entrance detection switches 30a and 31a are provided (FIG. 10).

  In addition, when the entrance means other than the lower entrance 32, that is, the operation entrance means 28, 29, the normal entrance means 30, 31, the variable entrance means 25, and the increase entrance means 26 detect a game ball. The predetermined display unit 33a or the predetermined display unit 33a is changed to a specific display, respectively, so that it can be handled in the same way as the entrance to the lower entrance 32 corresponding to the one or more display units 33a. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a back cover 41 is mounted on the back side of the game board 16 to cover game parts such as the symbol display means 24 from the back side. On the back side of the back cover 41, a main board case 43 for housing the main control board 42, a lamp display board case 45 for housing the lamp display control board 44, an audio board case 47 for housing the audio control board 46, and the like are detachable. It is installed. In addition, a ball collecting cover (not shown) is integrally provided at the lower part of the back cover 41, and the game balls guided to the back side of the game board 16 by winning each ball entry means are the ball collecting covers. After being collected in one place, it is collected on the island side through a predetermined discharge passage.

  The game board mounting frame 17 has a gate shape, is fixed to the back side of the front frame 2 along the window hole 6 of the front frame 2, and corresponds to the back side of the front plate 5 between the lower ends of the game board mounting frame 17. Thus, the lower set plate 18 is fixed to the back side of the front frame 2. A back mechanism plate 51 is pivotally attached to the game board mounting frame 17 by a pair of upper and lower hinges 52 so as to press and fix the game board 16 from the back side. It is concluded.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the back mechanism plate 51 is formed with an opening 54 into which the back cover 41 is fitted, and a game ball tank 55 and a tank rail 56 are arranged on the upper side of the opening 54. A payout means 57 is provided on one side, and a passage unit 58 and an installation part 59 are provided on the lower side, respectively, and the game balls in the game ball tank 55 are transferred to the tank rail based on a payout request from a payout control board 60 described later. The game ball is paid out by the payout means 57 through 56, and the game ball is guided to the upper plate 11 and the like through the passage unit 58.

  A payout board case 61 that houses the payout control board 60 and a power supply board case 63 that houses the power supply board 62 are detachably attached to the installation portion 59 from the back side.

  The lower set plate 18 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a game board support portion 64 (FIG. 6) for supporting the game board 16 from the lower side, and a foul ball guide passage 65 (FIG. 1) for guiding the foul ball to the lower plate 7 side. Etc., and the firing rail 12 of the launching means 9 is mounted on the front side thereof. The foul ball guide passage 65 is provided with a foul ball detection switch (foul ball detection means) 66 for detecting a foul ball passing through the foul ball guide passage 65.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, and the like, the launching unit 9 feeds the game rail on the upper plate 11 side by one on the launch rail 12 in synchronism with the launch rail 12. Means 13, swingable striking rod 73 supported in a swingable manner, ball feed interlocking member 74 for interlocking the ball feeding operation of ball feeding means 13 with the operation of striking rod 73, and striking rod 73 in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise) ) And a firing drive motor 76 that drives the striking rod 73, and the firing drive motor 76 is struck based on the operation of the firing handle 10 by the player. By swinging and driving the cage 73 against the spring force of the launch spring means, the game balls supplied one by one on the launch rail 12 are hit by the ball feed means 13 in synchronization with the swing operation. A specified number (for example, 16) of games per unit game Spheres along the launching rail 12 and is adapted to fire the game region 22 side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the firing control board 77 that controls the operation of the launching unit 9 is mounted in an appropriate place such as the back side of the firing drive motor 76 while being stored in the firing control board case 78. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the firing rail 12 is made of a sheet metal that is bent into a substantially M-shaped cross section, and is formed in the firing direction on the front side of the firing rail mounting plate 81 mounted on the front side of the lower set plate 18. In a state where the downstream end side is inclined so as to be higher than the upstream end side, it is detachably fixed by, for example, screwing or the like.

  Further, on the front side of the launch rail mounting plate 81, a launch ball stopper 82 is mounted in the vicinity of the upper side corresponding to the upstream end side of the launch rail 12. The firing ball stopper 82 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is formed in a triangular shape in front view with a thickness in the front-rear direction substantially equal to that of the firing rail 12.

  The firing ball stopper 82 is disposed so as to form a gap slightly smaller than the diameter of the game ball between the bottom surface 82a and the launch rail 12, and the game ball supplied on the launch rail 12 is the launch rail. 12 is held in a state in which the upper end side thereof is in contact with the downstream end edge of the bottom surface 82a of the firing ball stopper 82 at the firing standby position Pa on the upstream end side.

  Further, the launch ball stopper 82 is integrally formed with a switch mounting portion 83 on the inclined surface on the downstream side, and a launch detection switch (launch detection means) 84 is detachably mounted on the switch mounting portion 83. Yes. The launch detection switch 84 is configured by, for example, a magnetically sensitive proximity switch, and the detection unit 84a is disposed so as to be close to the upper side of the game ball on the launch standby position Pa.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and the like, the ball feeding means 13 includes a substantially vertically oriented ball guiding passage 91 formed inside, and a ball guiding opening on the upper plate 11 side on the upper side of the ball guiding passage 91. A ball feed case 94 having a mouth 92 and a ball supply port 93 that opens to the launch rail 12 side on the lower side of the ball guide passage 91 is provided. A ball feed detection switch (ball feed detection means) 95 for detecting a game ball passing through the ball is provided, and a game ball falling in the ball guide passage 91 is received in the ball feed case 94 and the game ball is moved during the lowering operation. A ball receiving member 96 supplied onto the launch rail 12 from the ball supply port 93, and the ball receiving member 96 is moved up and down in conjunction with the ball receiving member 96. Ball feeding member 9 to be sent individually to the ball receiving member 96 side Doo is provided, the ball receiving member 96, the interlocking member 98 for swinging the conjunction to the firing operation outside the sphere feed case 94 ball receiving member 96 upward and downward.

  The ball feeding case 94 has a flat base 101 having a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction, and a cover 102 that is detachably coupled to the back side of the base 101, and a ball guide port 92 is formed on the upper side of the base 101. A ball supply port 93 is provided on the lower side of the cover 102, and the base 101 is detachably fixed to the back side of the front plate 5 with the ball guide port 92 aligned with the through hole 5 c of the front plate 5. Has been.

  The cover 102 includes a cover main body 103 and a mounting member 104 that are formed separately. The mounting member 104 can be mounted from the rear side on the upper side of the cover body 103 at the approximate center in the left-right direction, and is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the cover body 103 and the base 101 in the front-rear direction. .

  The cover 102 is integrally provided with, for example, a protrusion 105 that protrudes toward the front side, that is, the inside of the sphere guide passage 91, at the upper portion of the rear wall 102a. The protrusion 105 is provided corresponding to the upstream end side of the sphere guide passage 91, that is, the rear side of the sphere guide port 92.

  The ball feed detection switch 95 is, for example, a pass-through photosensor, and is formed in a substantially gate shape with a pair of left and right vertical members 95a and 95a and a horizontal member 95b connecting the upper sides of the vertical members 95a and 95a. The vertical members 95a and 95a are fixed to a pair of sensor mounting portions 106 and 106 provided in an opening shape on the upper side of the ball feeding case 94 corresponding to the left and right sides of the ball guide passage 91 with the vertical members 95a and 95a inserted from above. Yes. The sensor mounting portions 106 and 106 are formed between the base 101 and the mounting member 104 on the rear side.

In the ball feed detection switch 95, a light projecting portion 107a and a light receiving portion 107b are provided opposite to each other on the lower side of the vertical members 95a and 95a. The light projecting unit 107a and the light receiving unit 107b are:
The optical path is arranged so as to pass substantially horizontally in the left-right direction on the most upstream side in the sphere guide passage 91, that is, on the rear side of the sphere guide opening 92.

  The ball receiving member 96 is disposed in the front-rear direction on the lower end portion side of the ball guide passage 91, and is swingable in the vertical direction by the front end side left-right pivot 109 that is fitted to the bearing portion 108 on the ball feed case 94 side. The ball supply port 93 is closed when it is in the raised state, and is held in the ball feed member 97 on the upper side when the ball supply port 93 is swung around the pivot 109 from the raised state to the lowered state. One game ball is guided onto the launch rail 12 through the ball supply port 93.

  The ball receiving member 96 protrudes toward the rear of the ball feeding case 94 from the base 101 side to approximately the same level as the back side of the cover 102, and an interlocking member 98 is fixed to the protruding side. When the ball receiving member 96 is in the lowered state, the lower part on the front end side comes into contact with the back side of the base 101, and the game ball on the ball receiving member 96 is inclined slightly rearward and downward so that it can easily roll to the firing rail 12 side. It has become. In the following description, a state where the ball receiving member 96 is lowered (FIG. 6A) is a “ball feeding execution state”, and a state where the ball receiving member 96 is raised (FIG. 6B) is a “ball feeding ready state”. That's it.

  The interlocking member 98 is composed of a metal pin so as to also serve as a weight that urges the ball receiving member 96 downward around the pivot 109, and protrudes from the ball receiving member 96 to one side in the left-right direction. A substantially conical roller 110 is rotatably fitted on the tip side. Due to the weight of the interlocking member 98, the ball feeding means 13 is held in the “ball feeding execution state” in the normal state.

  The ball feeding member 97 includes a pair of left and right elevating and lowering plates 111 arranged at intervals enough to allow a game ball to pass, a ball stopper 112 arranged on the upper side between the elevating and lowering plates 111, and both elevating and lowering plates 111. , A ball guide portion 114 formed between the ball stopper portion 112 and the ball receiving portion 113, and a pair protruding from the upper end of each elevating side plate 111 to the left and right outer sides. The projection 115 is provided. The ball feed member 97 is supported and guided by the slide receiving portion 116 on the side of the ball feed case 94 so that the ball feed member 97 can move up and down in conjunction with the vertical swing of the ball receiving member 96. A lower end portion of the side plate 111 is pivotally connected to the ball receiving member 96 by a connecting shaft 117 on both the left and right sides of the front and rear central portion. Note that the slide receiving portion 116 is formed between the cover main body portion 103 and the mounting member 104 in the vertical direction.

  The ball stopper 112 protrudes forward from an upper connecting portion 118 that connects the left and right elevating side plates 111 on the upper side, the tip side thereof is located in or near the ball guide port 92, and the ball feeding member 97. In the “ball feeding execution state” (see FIG. 6A) in which the ball is in the descending state, the game ball on the upper plate 11 side that is positioned substantially at the center of the ball guiding port 92 is restricted upstream of the ball guiding port 92. Prevents the game ball from flowing into the ball guide port 92 from the upper plate 11 side, and in the “ball feed ready state” (see FIG. 6B) in which the ball feed member 97 is in the raised state, The game ball is allowed to flow into the ball guide port 92 from the upper plate 11 side by being retracted to the periphery, for example, the upper side.

  Note that the ball stopper 112 and the upper connecting portion 118 have their movement paths above and behind the optical path of the ball feed detection switch 95 so as not to block the light path of the ball feed detection switch 95 during movement. It is provided to become. That is, the ball stopper 112 is disposed at a position off the optical path of the ball feed detection switch 95 in the ball guide passage 91 with the tip side protruding to the ball guide port 92 side.

  In the “ball feed preparation state” (FIG. 6B) in which the ball feed member 97 is in the raised state, the ball receiving portion 113 is substantially at the same height as the lower edge of the ball guide port 92, and the ball feed member 97 is In the “ball feed execution state” (FIG. 6A) in the lowered state, the ball guide port 92 is provided so as to be largely retracted below the lower edge portion.

  When the ball receiving portion 113 is positioned at substantially the same height as the lower edge portion of the ball guiding opening 92 in the “ball feeding ready state”, the ball guiding passage 91 is narrowed by the ball receiving portion 113 so that the game ball cannot pass. The game ball that has become possible and has flowed into the ball guide passage 91 via the ball guide port 92 is placed in the ball guide port 114 with the ball receiving portion 113 on the lower side and the ball feed case 94 side on the rear side. While being held in a state where they are respectively supported by the protrusions 105, the optical path of the ball feed detection switch 95 is blocked (the holding position of the game ball in this state is referred to as a ball feed detection position Pb). The ball feed detection position Pb is disposed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the ball guide port 92. In the “ball feed preparation state”, only one game ball held at the ball feed detection position Pb is a ball. The guide port 92 is accommodated inside.

  Further, when the ball receiving portion 113 is retracted below the lower edge portion of the ball guide port 92 in the “ball feeding execution state”, the ball guide passage 91 narrowed by the ball receiving portion 113 is expanded and the game ball is The game ball that has been allowed to pass and was in the ball feed detection position Pb falls to the ball receiving member 96 side and is supplied onto the firing rail 12 via the ball supply port 93. At this time, the next game ball after the game ball at the ball feed detection position Pb is regulated in front of the ball guide port 92 by the ball stopper 112 that has descended to the approximate center of the ball guide port 92.

  In addition, the upper side of the ball receiving portion 113 is formed in, for example, a backward inclined shape so as to guide the game ball from the ball guide port 92 side to the downstream side.

  The striking rod 73 is supported so as to be swingable around a swing shaft 121 in the front-rear direction, for example, at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction, and is counterclockwise by a predetermined angle against the spring force of the firing spring means by the firing drive motor 76. After being rotated (hereinafter, this counterclockwise swinging operation is referred to as a launch preparation operation), the drive force is released, so that the motor rotates at high speed clockwise (hereinafter, this clockwise swinging). The operation is referred to as a launch operation), and the hook 122 on the tip side hits the game ball at the launch standby position Pa along the launch rail 12. Further, the striking rod 73 is provided with a ball feed driving portion 123 for pushing and swinging the ball feed interlocking member 74 at the time of the swinging, for example, at an intermediate portion between the swing shaft 121 and the flange portion 122.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the ball feed interlocking member 74 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front with the driving arm 124 and the driven arm 125, and at the bent portion, for example, on the lower side of the firing rail mounting plate 81. It is pivotally supported by a fixed shaft 126 in the front-rear direction. When the striking rod 73 is driven to swing in the clockwise direction, the ball feed interlocking member 74 swings in the counterclockwise direction by the driven arm 125 being pushed by the ball feed driving unit 123, thereby interlocking the drive arm 124. The roller 110 of the member 98 is pushed upward.

  Next, the firing operation of the launching unit 9 and the detection operations of the ball feed detection switch 95 and the launch detection switch 84 associated therewith will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

(A) Standby state (FIG. 9 (a))
In a standby state in which the firing operation by the launching means 9 is not performed, such as when the player is not operating the launch handle 10, as shown in FIG. Stops in the state of Pa. At this time, even when a game ball is on the launch rail 12, the launch detection switch 84 detects the game ball because the game ball is pushed by the buttocks 122 and is downstream of the launch standby position Pa. It is not in the OFF state.

  Further, since the ball feed driving portion 123 of the hitting rod 73 does not push the ball feed interlocking member 74, the ball feed means 13 enters the “ball feed execution state” in which the ball receiving member 96 and the ball feed member 97 are in the lowered state. Since the ball stopper 112 is positioned substantially at the center of the ball guide port 92 and prevents the game ball from flowing into the ball guide port 92 from the upper plate 11 side, the ball feed detection switch 95 is projected. The optical path from the unit 107a to the light receiving unit 107b is in an ON state (game ball non-detection state) where the game ball is not blocked.

(B) The moment when the hook 122 starts to be pulled (FIG. 9B)
When the firing means 9 is activated and the striking rod 73 starts the “firing preparation operation”, the hook 122 is retracted from the firing standby position Pa, so that when a game ball is on the firing rail 12, that game The ball moves to the launch standby position Pa, and the launch detection switch 84 detects the game ball and is turned on. When a game ball is not riding on the launch rail 12, the launch detection switch 84 remains OFF (game ball non-detection state) even if the batting rod 73 starts the “launch preparation operation”.

(C) Moment when the collar 122 is fully pulled (FIG. 9C)
When the “fire preparation operation” proceeds and the flange 122 is gradually pulled to the rear side, the driven arm 125 of the ball feed interlocking member 74 is pushed by the ball feed driving portion 123 and swings in the process. The drive arm 124 pushes up the roller 110 of the interlocking member 98 upward. Then, when the “firing preparation operation” of the striking rod 73 is completed and the hook portion 122 is pulled out, the ball feeding means 13 is in a state where the ball receiving member 96 and the ball feeding member 97 are in the raised state. Ready state.

  When the ball feeding means 13 is in the “ball feeding preparation state”, the ball stopper 112 is retracted to the upper side of the ball guiding port 92, so that the game ball on the upper plate 11 side flows into the ball guiding port 92. Further, in the “ball feeding preparation state”, since the ball receiving portion 113 is at substantially the same height as the lower edge portion of the ball guiding opening 92, the ball guiding passage 91 is narrowed by the ball receiving portion 113, and the game ball is The game ball that cannot pass through and enters the ball guide passage 91 through the ball guide port 92 is held at the ball feed detection position Pb. When the game ball reaches the ball feed detection position Pb, the ball feed detection switch 95 is turned off (game ball detection state) in order to block the optical path from the light projecting unit 107a to the light receiving unit 107b of the ball feed detection switch 95. .

  In this way, the ball feeding means 13 is first in a “ball feeding ready state” in synchronization with the launching operation of the launching means 9, allowing the inflow of game balls from the upper plate 11 side and flowing into the inside 1 Since the game balls are held at the ball feed detection position Pb that can be detected by the ball feed detection switch 95, the game balls can be detected stably and reliably by the ball feed detection switch 95.

(D) Immediately before the buttock 122 hits a game ball (FIG. 9 (d))
When the striking rod 73 starts the “firing operation” following the “firing preparation operation”, the ball feed interlocking member 74 pressed by the ball feed driving unit 123 returns to the original position, and the interlocking member 98 is lowered. ,
Immediately before the heel portion 122 hits the game ball, the ball feeding means 13 enters the “ball feeding execution state” in which the ball receiving member 96 and the ball feeding member 97 are in the lowered state.

  When the ball feeding means 13 is in the “ball feeding execution state”, the ball receiving portion 113 is retracted below the lower edge portion of the ball guiding opening 92, and the game ball at the ball feeding detection position Pb is received by the ball receiving member 96. It falls to the side and is guided to the launch rail 12 side through the ball supply port 93, but when the buttock 122 hits the game ball, it is in a state of floating in the air just before getting on the launch rail 12. At the same time, since the next game ball descends to the approximate center of the ball guide port 92 at the ball stop portion 112, the following game balls are regulated by the ball stop portion 112 before the ball guide port 92. Thereby, there is no game ball at the ball feed detection position Pb, and the ball feed detection switch 95 is in the ON state (game ball non-detection state) where the light path from the light projecting unit 107a to the light receiving unit 107b is not blocked by the game ball. Return to.

  As described above, the ball feeding means 13 shifts to the “ball feeding execution state” after the “ball feeding preparation state”, and prevents the inflow of subsequent game balls from the upper plate 11 side and also detects the ball feeding detection position Pb. Since the game balls held in step 1 are guided to the firing rail 12 side, the game balls can be reliably detected one by one and guided to the firing rail 12 side.

(E) Immediately after the buttock 122 hits a game ball (FIG. 9 (e))
When the brim 122 hits the game ball at the launch standby position Pa at the final stage of the “launching operation” of the hitting basket 73, the launch detection switch 84 is turned off (the game ball is not detected). Further, immediately after the game ball is fired, the next game ball falls on the launch rail 12 from the ball feeding means 13 side, and the same state as in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control system of the arrange ball machine according to the present embodiment. This control system includes a main control board 42, a payout control board 60, a launch control board 77, a symbol control board 130, a voice control board 46, a lamp display control board 44, and the like for each control function. The symbol control board 130 is mounted on the back side of the symbol display means 24, for example.

  The main control board 42 mainly controls the game operation on the game board 16 side, and includes a random number generating means 131, a determining means 132, a special game state generating means 133, and an input device composed of electronic parts such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. A ball display requesting means 134, a score giving means 135, a game management processing means 136, an error management processing means 137, a control command transmission means 138, a number-of-balls counting means 139 and the like are provided.

  The random number generating means 131 is configured to repeatedly generate a predetermined number of random values according to the probability that the changed game symbols 24a to 24c are in a specific mode. The determining means 132 is for selecting and determining either a specific gaming state advantageous to the player or an unfavorable non-specific gaming state based on the random number value extracted from the random number generating means 131. Then, one random number generated by the random number generation means 131 is extracted on the condition that the game ball passes through the start gate 27, and the specific gaming state is set when the extracted random number is a specific game determination random value. It comes to judge.

  When the determination means 132 determines that the game state is the specific game state, after the game symbols 24a to 24c after the change of the symbol display means 24 are stopped in a specific mode such as “7, 7, 7”, etc. 37 is opened until a predetermined number of unit games (for example, three games) have elapsed or a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls has entered.

  The special game state generating unit 133 generates a special game state advantageous to the player on condition that the game ball that has entered the variable ball entry unit 25 passes through the specific area 38, and then the maximum number of games (for example, The special game state is continuously generated until a result of a plurality of games such as 14 games is obtained. When the game ball that has entered the variable ball entry means 25 passes through the specific area 38 again, the operation of the special game state generation means 133 ends at that time.

  In the special game state, the activated ball entry means 28 and 29 become effective. When a game ball enters the activated ball entry means 28 and 29, the opening / closing claw 40 of the increased ball entry means 26 has a predetermined unit number of games (for example, one game). ) The game is released until a predetermined number (for example, one) of game balls have entered or the game ball enters the increased ball entry means 26 during the release, and the score obtained in the game increases ( (For example, twice).

  When the game ball enters the lower entrance 32 of the entrance 23 and other entrances, the entrance display request unit 134 issues an entrance display request regarding the display unit 33a corresponding to the entrance unit. Based on the detection signal from the lower entrance detection switch 32a or the like, an entry display request for one or a plurality of display units 33a corresponding to the entry means is output. When the entrance display request is output from the entrance display request means 134, the display unit 33a of the entrance display means 33 changes to a specific display such as light emission in response to the entrance display request.

  The score giving means 135 is for giving a score for each unit game according to the winning combination. For example, the score giving means 135 determines the success or failure of the winning combination based on the winning display request output from the winning display request means 134. A function to perform, a function to give a score according to the difficulty level when a winning combination is established, and a unit game when a game ball enters the increased ball entry means 26 during the occurrence of a special game state. A function of increasing the score (for example, doubled) is provided. The maximum score per unit game is 10 points.

  The game management processing unit 136 performs predetermined control related to the game, and includes a firing control processing unit 141, an interval control processing unit 142, a game end check processing unit 143, and the like.

  The firing control processing means 141 controls the launching operation by the launching means 9 so that a prescribed number of game balls per unit game are fired to the game area 22. For example, at the time of a periodic interruption that occurs every 4 milliseconds, for example, The launch control process shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

  The firing control processing (FIG. 11) by the firing control processing means 141 is performed in the following procedure, for example. That is, first, a shot ball check process (S1) is executed. As shown in FIG. 12, this shot ball check process is roughly divided into “power-on process” in S11 to S15, “ball feed detection process” in S16 to S29, and “foul ball process” in S30 to S33. It consists of.

  In the power-on process of S11 to S15, it is first determined whether or not the value of the power-on flag is 5AH (S11). Here, the power-on flag is set to 5AH as an initial value when the power is turned on.

  If it is determined in S11 that the value of the power-on flag is 5 AH, the subsequent processes in S12 to S15 are executed. That is, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the ball feed count is 00H (S12). Here, the ball feed count is the count of the game balls supplied on the launch rail 12 by the ball feed means 13, and is incremented by 01H in S27 described later based on the detection of the game ball by the ball feed detection switch 95. It has become so.

  If it is determined in S12 that the value of the ball feed count is 00H, that is, if the number of game balls supplied to the launch rail 12 by the ball feed means 13 after the power is turned on is still zero, It is determined whether or not the detection switch 84 is ON (game ball detection state) (S13), and if the firing detection switch 84 is ON (game ball detection state), 01H is added to the ball feed count number ( If the power-on flag is set to 00H together with S14) (S15) and the firing detection switch 84 is OFF (the game ball is not detected), the processes of S14 and S15 are skipped and the ball feed detection process after S16 is performed. Transition.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the value of the ball feed count is not 00H, that is, if one or more game balls have already been supplied onto the firing rail 12 by the ball feed means 13 after the power is turned on, After 00H is set in the power-on flag (S15), the process proceeds to the ball feed detection process after S16.

  The power-on process in S11 to S15 described above is performed when the game ball is detected by the launch detection switch 84 before the game ball is detected by the first ball feed detection switch 95 after the power is turned on (launch detection switch). 84 is detected), it is assumed that a game ball already exists on the launch rail 12 when the power is turned on. Before the game ball is detected by the first ball feed detection switch 95, the ball feed count number is set in advance. 1 is added to.

  When the power-on process at S11 to S15 is completed, the ball feed detection process at S16 to S29 is subsequently performed. This ball feed detection process will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the value of the ball feed count check timer is 00H (S16). Here, the ball feed count check timer measures the first elapsed time or the second elapsed time from the predetermined timing related to the detection of the ball feed detection switch 95, and the first elapsed time at a predetermined timing as will be described later. A value corresponding to (corresponding to the first time and the second time) or a value corresponding to the second elapsed time (corresponding to a predetermined time) is set as an initial value and is counted down as time passes, and the initial value is set. Becomes 00H when the first elapsed time or the second elapsed time has elapsed.

  The first elapsed time is set to a value shorter than a standard time (for example, about 70 milliseconds) from the fall (detection start) to the rise (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95, and the second elapsed time. The time is set to a value shorter than the value obtained by subtracting the first elapsed time from the shortest time (for example, 430 msec) from the rise (detection end) by the ball feed detection switch 95 to the next fall (detection start).

  If it is determined in S16 that the value of the ball feed count check timer is 00H and it is determined in S18 that the ball feed detection switch 95 is OFF (game ball detection state), the value of the ball feed detection flag ( On the condition that S19) is not 5AH, 5AH is set in the ball feed detection flag (S20), and a value corresponding to the first elapsed time, for example, 04H, for example, is set as an initial value in the ball feed count check timer (S21). ).

  Here, the ball feed detection flag is set with a value related to the operation state of the ball feed detection switch 95. During the game ball detection by the ball feed detection switch 95, 5AH is detected by the ball feed detection switch 95. A5H is set during the counting of the first elapsed time by the ball feed count check timer after the end, and 00H is set in other cases.

  That is, when the falling (detection start) of the ball feed detection switch 95 is detected, the time measurement of the first elapsed time by the ball feed count check timer is started and the ball feed detection flag is set to 5AH (game ball detection). Middle) is set (FIG. 16 (a1)).

  If it is determined in S16 that the value of the ball feed count check timer is not 00H, 01H is subtracted from the value of the ball feed count check timer (S17), and the process proceeds to foul ball processing after S30. Therefore, for example, when 04H corresponding to the first elapsed time is set in S21, the value of the ball feed count check timer is decremented by 01H every 4 msec when the shot ball check process is subsequently executed, and 16 msec elapses. After that, that is, after the elapse of the first elapsed time, it becomes 00H.

  In this way, the value of the ball feed count check timer is used in this ball feed detection process until the first elapsed time (16 milliseconds) elapses after the fall (detection start) of the ball feed detection switch 95 is detected. Since only 01H is subtracted from (S17), the detection state of the ball feed detection switch 95 is not checked, and therefore malfunction due to chattering when the ball feed detection switch 95 falls can be prevented.

  For example, when the first elapsed time (16 ms) has elapsed since the falling (detection start) of the ball feed detection switch 95 and it is determined in S16 that the value of the ball feed count check timer is 00H (FIG. 16 ( a2)) and then until it is determined in S18 that the ball feed detection switch 95 is ON (game ball non-detection state), that is, until the rising of the ball feed detection switch 95 (detection end) is detected. The state where 5AH (during game ball detection) is set in the feed detection flag is continued.

  If it is determined in S18 that the ball feed detection switch 95 is ON (game ball non-detection state), that is, when the rising (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95 is detected, the value of the ball feed count number is detected. Is determined (S22), and if the value of the ball feed count number is less than 11H, that is, the specified number (16 in this case) or less, the value of the ball feed detection flag is A5H (first progress after the game ball detection is finished) It is determined whether the time is being measured (S23).

  Since the value of the ball feed detection flag is 5 AH when the rising edge (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95 is detected, it is determined in S23 that the value of the ball feed detection flag is not A5H, and further S24. In step S25, the value of the ball feed detection flag is determined to be 5AH, and A5H (time counting of the first elapsed time after the game ball detection is finished) is set in the ball feed detection flag (S25) and the ball feed count check timer is set. A value corresponding to the first elapsed time, for example, 04H is set as an initial value (S26).

  That is, when the rise (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95 is detected, the time elapsed by the ball feed count check timer is started, and the ball feed detection flag is set to A5H (game ball detection end). After the first elapsed time is being measured) is set (FIG. 16 (a3)). Thereafter, until it is determined in S16 that the value of the ball feed count check timer is 00H, that is, until the first elapsed time (16 milliseconds) elapses from the rising (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95. In the ball feed detection process, 01H is subtracted from the value of the ball feed count check timer only (S17), and the detection state of the ball feed detection switch 95 is not checked. Operation can be prevented.

  When the first elapsed time (16 milliseconds) elapses from the rise (detection end) of the ball feed detection switch 95, it is determined in S23 that the value of the ball feed detection flag is A5H, so 01H is added to the ball feed count number. Then, 00H is set in the ball feed detection flag (S28), and a value corresponding to the second elapsed time, for example, 42H, for example, is set as a new initial value in the ball feed count check timer (S29). That is, in this embodiment, the ball feed count is counted when the first elapsed time has elapsed after the ball feed detection switch 95 falls (detection end) (FIG. 16 (a4)).

  Thereafter, until it is determined in S16 that the value of the ball feed count check timer is 00H, that is, until the second elapsed time (264 milliseconds) elapses from the count of the ball feed count, Since only 01H is subtracted from the value of the ball feed count check timer (S17), the detection state or the like of the ball feed detection switch 95 is not checked, so that malfunction due to noise or the like can be prevented.

  When the second elapsed time (264 msec) has elapsed from the count of the ball feed count number (FIG. 16 (a5)), the next ball feed detection switch 95 enters a waiting state for falling, and thereafter the above-described processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in S22 that the ball feed count number is 11H or more, that is, exceeds the specified number (16 in this case), the processing of S24 to S29 is skipped thereafter, and the foul ball processing after S30 is performed. Migrate to

  When the ball feed detection process of S16 to S29 is completed, the foul ball process of S30 to S33 is subsequently performed. In this foul ball processing, first, it is determined whether or not the value of the ball feed count is 00H (S30). If the value of the ball feed count number is 00H, a foul ball cannot be generated, and the subsequent processing after S31 is skipped, and the shot ball check processing ends here.

  If the ball feed count value is not 00H in S30, the detection state of the foul ball detection switch 66 is checked (S31). If a foul ball is detected, 01H is subtracted from the ball feed count number (S32). As a result, the count number for the foul ball that could not reach the game area 22 is removed from the ball feed count number, and the flag during the interval time is set to 00H (S33), and the shot ball check process ends.

  Here, during the interval time, the flag related to the interval time is set. For example, 00H is set before the interval time, 5AH is set during the interval time, and A5H is set after the interval time. It has become. The interval time is the minimum time that must elapse from when the number of shots by the launching means 9 in the unit game reaches the specified number until the end of the unit game. In this embodiment, the interval time is 2 seconds. It is assumed that it is set to.

  When a foul ball is detected, it is necessary to fire more than the number of foul balls, so even if the interval time has already been entered or the interval time has passed, the interval time has passed. In step S33, 00H is set to the flag during the interval time so as not to have existed.

  In the firing control process (FIG. 11), when the above-described firing ball check process (S1, FIG. 12) is completed, it is subsequently determined whether or not the value of the previous interval flag is 00H (S2). Here, in the previous interval flag, the value of the flag during the interval time at the time of the previous launch control processing is set (see S9 described later).

  If it is determined that the previous interval flag value is 00H (before the interval time), then the interval time flag value is determined (S3, S4), and the interval time flag value is 5AH (interval time). If the value is 00H (before the interval time), not A5H (after the interval time) or the like, the value of the flag during the interval time is set in the previous interval flag (S9), and the firing control process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 and S4 that the value of the flag during the interval time is 5AH (during the interval time) or A5H (after the interval time, etc.), a predetermined initial value such as 1D4CH Is set (S5), a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 via the control command transmission means 138 (S6), and the value of the flag during the interval time is set in the previous interval flag (S9). The firing control process ends.

  In other words, when the interval time is started, the pitch unconfirmed error timer starts timing, and a launch stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 to stop the launch operation. Even if the interval time has not started, if the value of the flag during the interval time changes from 00H to A5H (described in the interval function processing described later), the unacknowledged error timer will count the time. At the same time, a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 to stop the firing operation.

  The value of the unacknowledged error timer is subtracted by 0001H by a predetermined timer subtraction process at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 4 milliseconds, and 30 seconds after the initial value of 1D4CH is set. It becomes 0000H.

  If it is determined in S2 that the value of the previous interval flag is not 00H, then the value of the flag during the interval time is determined (S7), and if the value of the flag during the interval time is 00H (before the interval time), A firing resumption command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 via the control command transmission means 138 (S8), the value of the flag during the interval time is set in the previous interval flag (S9), and the firing control process ends.

  That is, the fact that the flag during the current interval time is 00H (before the interval time) despite the fact that the flag during the previous interval time was not 00H (before the interval time) means that a foul ball has been detected. Yes (see S31 to S33), in this case, a firing restart command is transmitted to the payout control board 60, and the stopped firing operation is resumed.

  The interval control processing unit 142 performs control related to the interval time, and is configured to execute, for example, the interval control process shown in FIG. 13 at a predetermined time interval, for example, a periodic interrupt that occurs every 4 milliseconds.

  The interval control processing (FIG. 13) by the interval control processing means 142 is performed by the following procedure, for example. That is, it is first determined whether or not the value of the ball feed count number is 10H or more corresponding to the specified number (16) (S41). When it is determined that the value of the ball feed count is less than 10H, the interval control process ends here.

  If it is determined that the value of the ball feed count number is 10H or more corresponding to the specified number (16), whether or not the value of the ball feed count number is 10H corresponding to the specified number (16) Is determined (S42). If the value of the ball feed count is 10H, the value of the flag during the interval time is subsequently determined (S43, S44).

  Here, if it is determined that the value of the flag during the interval time is neither 5AH (during the interval time) nor A5H (after the interval time), that is, 00H (before the interval time), the firing detection switch 84 is turned on. It is determined whether or not (game ball detection state) (S45), and 5AH (during interval time) is set in the interval time flag on condition that the firing detection switch 84 is ON (game ball detection state). At the same time (S46), a predetermined initial value, for example, 01F4H, is set in the interval time timer (S47), and the interval control process ends. If the firing detection switch 84 is not ON (game ball detection state), S46 and S47 are skipped.

  That is, the interval time is started on the condition that the ball feed count reaches the specified number (16) and that the firing detection switch 84 is turned on (game ball detection state).

  The value of the interval time timer is decremented by 0001H by a predetermined timer subtraction process at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 4 milliseconds, and is set to 0000H after 2 seconds since the initial value of 01F4H is set. Become.

  If it is determined in S43 that the value of the flag during the interval time is 5 AH (during the interval time), the value of the interval time timer is 0000H, that is, 2 seconds have elapsed since the start of the interval time. (S48) A5H (after the interval time, etc.) is set in the flag during the interval time (S49), and the interval control process ends.

  When it is determined in S43 and S44 that the value of the flag during the interval time is A5H (after the interval time, etc.), the interval control process is ended as it is.

  If it is determined in S42 that the ball feed count value is not 10H corresponding to the specified number (16), that is, larger (17) than that, the interval time timer value is 0000H. On the condition (S48), A5H (after the interval time, etc.) is set in the flag during the interval time (S49), and the interval control process is ended.

  Usually, since the interval time starts after the value of the ball feed count reaches 10H (16) and before it reaches 11H (17) (S43 to S47), the value of the ball feed count reaches 11H. When the value reaches (17), the value of the interval time timer is not 0000H. Therefore, in S49, A5H is set in the interval time flag after the ball feed count value becomes 11H (17). After a predetermined time has elapsed. However, for example, when the 16th shot by the launch detection switch 84 is not correctly detected, the ball feed count value is 11H (17 pieces) in a state where the interval time has not started. In such a case, when the ball feed count value becomes 11H (17), it is determined in S48 that the value of the interval time timer is 0000H, and in S49, A5H is set in the interval time flag. Therefore, in the next firing control process, the processes of S5 and S6 are executed, and the firing operation is stopped.

  The game end check processing means 143 performs processing related to the end of the unit game, and is configured to execute, for example, the game end check process shown in FIG. 14 at a predetermined interruption at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 4 milliseconds. Yes.

  The game end check processing (FIG. 14) by the game end check processing means 143 is performed in the following procedure, for example. That is, first, the value of the total number of balls entered is determined (S51), and if the total number of balls entered is less than 10H corresponding to the specified number (16), the game end check process ends here. The “total number of entered balls” is the number of game balls that have entered all the entering units 25, 26, 28 to 32, and is counted for each unit game by the entering number counting unit 139. It has become.

  If the total number of balls entered is 10H or more corresponding to the specified number (16), then the value of the game end confirmation flag is determined (S52), and the value of this game end confirmation flag is 5AH (game end confirmed) ), 5AH is set in the game end confirmation flag (S53), and a predetermined initial value, for example, 7DH, is set in the winning symbol confirmation time timer (S54).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning symbol confirmation time timer is 00H (S55). If the value of the winning symbol confirmation time timer is not 00H, 01H is subtracted from the value of the winning symbol confirmation time timer ( S56), the game end check process ends.

  In S55, if the value of the winning symbol confirmation time timer is 00H, that is, if a predetermined winning confirmation time, for example, 500 milliseconds has elapsed after the total number of balls reached 10H, the value of the flag during the interval time is A5H. On the condition that (after the interval time), that is, the interval time has already passed, a predetermined initialization process (S58) is performed, and 10H is subtracted from the ball feed count number (S59). .

  Here, in the initialization process (S58), various initialization processes necessary for the end of the unit game are performed, such as 00H is set in various flags such as a game end confirmation flag, the total number of balls entered, and an interval time flag. Is called.

  Further, when the ball feed count is 11H corresponding to 17 which is one more than the prescribed number (16) at the end of the unit game, one game ball is supplied on the launch rail 12 The unit game ends at this point, but one game ball is supplied on the firing rail 12 by subtracting 10H corresponding to the prescribed number (16) from the ball feed count number in S59. When the unit game is started, it is possible to prevent the ball count from shifting.

  The error management processing unit 137 performs predetermined control related to an error, and includes a ball unconfirmed error detection processing unit 145 and the like.

  The unacknowledged error detection processing means 145 controls the detection of unacknowledged error, and executes, for example, an unacknowledged error detection process shown in FIG. 15 at a predetermined interruption at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 4 milliseconds. Is configured to do.

  The ball unconfirmed error detection process (FIG. 15) by the ball unconfirmed error detection processing means 145 is performed in the following procedure, for example. That is, first, the logical product value of the interval time flag and the previous interval flag is determined (S61). If the logical product is 00H, that is, if at least one of the interval time flag and the previous interval flag is 00H. At this point, the incoming ball unconfirmed error detection process ends.

  If the logical product is not 00H, that is, if both the interval time flag and the previous interval flag are not 00H, the total number of balls entered is determined (S62), and the total number of balls entered is a specified number (16) If it is 10H or more corresponding to), the ball unconfirmed error is turned off (S63), and the ball unconfirmed error detection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the value of the total number of balls entered is less than 10H corresponding to the prescribed number (16) in S62, the ball unconfirmed error is OFF and the value of the ball unconfirmed error timer is 0000H, that is, the interval. On the condition that a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds has elapsed since the time was started, the ball unconfirmed error is turned ON (S64 to S66), and the ball unconfirmed error detection process is ended.

  The control command transmission means 138 is for transmitting a control command command from the main control board 42 to the sub-control boards 44, 46, 54, 60, etc. by one-way communication, and based on the determination result of the determination means 132 The voice control board 46 and the lamp display control board 44 side are each provided with a voice effect and a lamp based on the game state such as the function of transmitting a symbol control command command to the control board 130 side and the occurrence of a special gaming state by the special gaming state generating means 133. A function of transmitting an effect control command for an effect, a function of transmitting an entry display control command to the symbol control board 130 based on an entry display request from the entry display requesting means 134, and a score giving process of the score giving means 135 Based on the function of transmitting the score display control command to the lamp display control board 44 side based on the score giving process of the score giving means 135 A function for transmitting a prize ball payout control command to the payout control board 60 side, and a firing control command (launch start command, fire stop command, fire resume command) to the payout control board 60 based on game management processing by the game management processing means 136 And a lamp display control board 44 based on a game management process by the game management processing means 136 and a function for sending a clearing display clear command to the symbol control board 130 based on a game management process by the game management processing means 136. A function for transmitting a score display clear command to the side, and various error commands such as a ball unconfirmed error command and a ball unconfirmed error end command to the lamp display control board 44 based on the error management processing of the error management processing means 137 Has functions etc.

  The payout control board 60 starts the supply of power to the launch control board 77 and starts the output of the launch control signal when there is a launch start command or a launch restart command from the main control board 42 side, and the main control When there is a discharge stop command from the main control board 42 side, a function to stop the supply of power to the launch control board 77 and stop the output of the fire control signal when there is a launch stop command from the board 42 side The payout means 57 is operated to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls.

  The launch control board 77 performs launch control of the launching unit 9 based on the power supply and launch control signal supplied from the payout control board 60, and the output of the launch control signal from the payout control board 60 is started. The operation of the launching means 9 is started on the condition that it detects that the game ball has been fired based on a signal from the contact detecting means of the launching handle 10, and the payout control board 60 outputs the launch control signal. The operation of the launching means 9 is terminated on the condition that is stopped.

  The symbol control board 130 is for performing display control of the symbol display means 24 and the entrance display means 33, and includes a symbol display control means 151, an entrance display control means 152, and the like.

  The symbol display control means 151 performs display control of the symbol display means 24, and starts variation of the game symbols 24 a to 24 c based on the symbol control command from the main control board 42 side, and the determination result of the determination means 132 Is stopped in a specific mode such as “7, 7, 7” when the specific game is determined, and in a non-specific mode when the non-specific game is determined.

  The entrance display control means 152 controls the display of the entrance display means 33, and when there is an entrance display control command from the main control board 42 side, the display unit designated by the entrance display control command. 33a is changed to a specific display, and when there is an incoming ball display clear command from the main control board 42 side, the specific display on the display unit 33a of the incoming ball display means 33 is cleared and returned to the initial state.

  The sound control board 46 is for performing sound output control of the sound output means 153 such as a speaker. Based on the sound control command from the main control board 42 side, the sound control means 46 outputs predetermined sound effects, music, and the like. It is made to output.

  The lamp display control board 44 is for performing display control of the display lamp 154, the score display means 34, the error display means 35 and the like provided on the game board 16 and the like. The lamp display control means 156 and the score display control means 157 are provided. Error display control means 158 and the like.

  The lamp display control means 156 performs display control of the display lamp 154, and causes the display lamp 154 to emit light in a predetermined pattern based on a lamp display control command from the main control board 42 side.

  The score display control means 157 controls the display of the score display means 34. When there is a score display control command from the main control board 42 side, the score display means 34 displays a score corresponding to the command, When there is a score display clear command from the control board 42 side, the score display of the score display means 34 is cleared and returned to the initial state.

  The error display control means 158 controls the display of the error display means 35, and when there is an error command such as a ball unconfirmed error command or a shot ball error command from the main control board 42 side, the error display control means 158 The error number corresponding to the error command is displayed, and the error number display of the error display means 35 is cleared when there is an error end command such as an unacknowledged error end command or a shot ball error end command from the main control board 42 side. To return to the initial state.

  Next, a specific example of the launching operation by the arrangement ball machine having the above configuration will be described based on a timing chart.

(1) When a game ball is not on the launch rail 12 when the power is turned on (FIG. 17)
When the power is turned on with no game ball on the firing rail 12 and the first unit game is started, even if the firing means 9 is activated and the batting rod 73 starts the “firing preparation operation” ( 9 (see FIG. 9B), the firing detection switch 84 remains OFF (the game ball non-detection state).

  Then, in synchronization with the operation of the striking rod 73 for one cycle, the ball feeding means 13 changes to “ball feeding execution state”, “ball feeding preparation state”, and “ball feeding execution state” (FIG. 9B). ) To (e)), one game ball on the upper plate 11 side is supplied on the firing rail 12, and the ball feed detection switch 95 is changed from ON to OFF to ON during that time, and from OFF to ON. When the first elapsed time (16 msec) has elapsed since the rising edge was detected, 01H is added to the value of the ball feed count number to change from 00H (0) to 01H (1).

  Of course, since the game ball is not on the firing rail 12 when the power is turned on, the game ball is not fired in the first launch operation by the launch means 9.

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated by continuously performing the firing operation by the launching means 9, and when the value of the ball feed count number reaches 10H (16) corresponding to the specified number, the next launch detection switch 84 Interval time (2 seconds) is started by the interval time timer when the rising edge is detected and the flag during the interval time is switched from 00H to 5AH (S42 to S47). On the other hand, a firing stop command is transmitted (S2 to S6).

  When a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60, the supply of power to the launch control board 77 is stopped and the output of the fire control signal is stopped under the control of the payout control board 60, and thereby the current control signal is stopped. When the firing operation (here, the prescribed number (16th)) is finished, the operation of the firing means 9 is stopped. Accordingly, since the ball feeding means 13 performs the ball feeding operation associated with the final launching operation, when a game ball remains on the upper plate 11, the value of the ball feeding count number is obtained in the last ball feeding operation. Is 11H (17 pieces), which is one more than the prescribed number, and one gaming ball is on the firing rail 12 after the firing operation is stopped.

  After that, all the unit game end conditions such that a predetermined time elapses after all the prescribed number (16) fired enter any one of the entrance means and the total number of entrances reaches 16 are satisfied. The unit game ends on the condition that the next unit game is started.

(2) When a game ball is on the launch rail 12 when the power is turned on (FIG. 18)
When power is turned on while a game ball is on the firing rail 12 and the first unit game is started, the firing means 9 is activated and the batting rod 73 starts the “firing preparation operation” (FIG. 9). (See (b)), the firing detection switch 84 is turned on (game ball detection state). At this stage, since the ball feeding operation by the ball feeding means 13 has not been performed yet, 01H is added to the value of the ball feeding count when the rising edge by the launch detection switch 84 is detected (S11 to S15). .

  As a result, the value of the ball feed count number matches the number of game balls supplied on the firing rail 12 in the unit game, and thereafter, exactly the same processing as in FIG. 17 is performed.

(3) When a game ball is not on the firing rail 12 at the start of a normal unit game other than immediately after power-on (FIG. 19)
For example, when a certain unit game is started in a state where only a specified number (16) of game balls necessary for the unit game are stored in the upper plate 11, the unit game is started by the sixteenth launch operation of the unit game. In the ball feeding operation, since the game ball is not supplied from the upper plate 11 into the ball feeding means 13, the launching operation is stopped while the value of the ball feeding count number is 16.

  Thereafter, the total number of balls entered is 10H (16), and when the winning symbol confirmation time (500 msec) has elapsed, 10H (16) is subtracted from the value of the ball feed count (S59), 00H The unit game ends with (0).

  In this case, the next unit game is started with no game balls on the firing rail 12, but the value of the ball feed count is the value at the end of the previous unit game, that is, 00H (0). Taken over. Therefore, the unit game is started in a state where the value of the ball feed count number matches the number of game balls supplied on the firing rail 12 in the unit game.

(4) When a game ball is on the firing rail 12 at the start of a normal unit game other than immediately after power-on (FIG. 20)
When the 16th shot of the unit game is performed in a state where a sufficient number of game balls are stored in the upper plate 11, the value of the ball feed count number is a prescribed number by the ball feed operation by the last launch operation. 11H (17), which is one more than (16), and the launch operation is stopped in this state.

  Thereafter, the value of the total number of balls entered is 10H (16), and when the winning symbol confirmation time (500 ms) has elapsed, 10H (16) is subtracted from the value of the ball feed count (S59), 01H The unit game ends with (1).

  In this case, the next unit game starts with a game ball riding on the firing rail 12, but the value of the ball feed count is the value at the end of the previous unit game, that is, 01H (one). Taken over. Accordingly, also in this case, the unit game is started in a state where the value of the ball feed count number matches the number of game balls supplied on the firing rail 12 in the unit game.

(5) When the 16th launch is not detected and there is a 17th game ball in the upper plate (FIG. 21)
Normally, when the value of the ball feed count number becomes 10H (16) corresponding to the specified number, when the rising of the next launch detection switch 84 is detected, that is, by the launch detection switch 84, the 16th game ball When is detected, the interval time (2 seconds) is started and the firing operation is stopped.

  However, if the 16th game ball has not been fired by the fire detection switch 84 due to some trouble despite the 16th fire operation being performed, the interval time (2 seconds as usual) is detected. ) Cannot be started and fired.

  In such a case, if there is at least the 17th game ball in the upper plate 11, the value of the ball feed count is 11H (17) in the ball feed operation by the 16th launch operation, and the interval time timer Is not operating and its value is 0000H, so A5H is set to the flag during the interval time (S48, S49). Then, when the flag during the interval time is switched from the previous 00H to A5H, a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60, and the firing operation is stopped at that time (S2 to S6).

  In this case, since the prescribed number (16) of the launches are correctly performed, the total number of balls will eventually become 10H (16), and since the launch permission is stopped, the unit game Ends normally.

(6) When the 16th launch is not detected and there is no 17th game ball in the upper plate (FIG. 22)
If the 16th game ball is not fired by the fire detection switch 84 due to some trouble even though the 16th fire operation is performed, the 17th game ball is placed in the upper plate 11. Otherwise, in the ball feeding operation by the sixteenth launching operation, the game ball is not supplied from the upper plate 11 into the ball feeding means 13, so the value of the ball feeding count number remains 16 and does not change.

  As long as the player continues to operate the launch handle 10, the launch operation is continued, but no game ball is supplied on the launch rail 12, so that all the players are idle. In this case as well, since the prescribed number (16) of the launches has been performed correctly, the value of the total number of balls will eventually be 10H (16). The unit game cannot be ended.

  Thereafter, when a game ball is added to the upper plate 11 and the value of the ball feed count is 17, the firing operation is stopped as in the case of FIG. 21, and the unit game ends normally.

(7) When a foul ball is detected after the 16th launch (FIG. 23)
If the ball is fouled after the 16th shot in the unit game, 01H is subtracted from the ball feed count value when the foul ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 66, The feed count is 10H (16) (S32). In this case, the interval time has already started (or ended) and the flag during the interval time is 5AH (or A5H), but 00H is set to the flag during the interval time (S33).

  Thereby, since the flag during the interval time is switched from 5AH (or A5H) to 00H, a firing restart command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 (S2, S7, S8), whereby the firing operation by the launching means 9 is performed. Is resumed.

  Since the ball feed count value at this time is 10H (16), when the firing operation is restarted and the rise of the firing detection switch 84 is detected, the interval time (2 seconds) is counted by the interval time timer. At the same time, the flag is switched from 00H to 5AH during the interval time (S42 to S47), and a firing stop command is transmitted to the payout control board 60 (S2 to S6), and the firing operation is stopped again. The

  As described above, the arrangement ball machine according to the present embodiment is provided with the ball feed detection switch 95 for detecting the game ball supplied on the launch rail 12 by the ball feed unit 13 in the ball feed unit 13 to control the launch. The processing means 141 counts the ball feed count number for each unit game based on the detection signal from the ball feed detection means 95, and fires by the launch means 9 based on the ball feed count number becoming the specified number + 1. Since it is configured to stop the operation, it is possible to perform accurate and stable launch control while preventing the erroneous detection of the launch operation and always correctly counting the number of shots by the ball feed detection switch 95. Although the number of shots has not reached the specified number, the shooting operation is stopped, and there is an advantage that it is possible to prevent problems such as the unit game not being completed normally.

  A launch detection switch 84 for detecting the launch of a game ball by the launching means 9 is provided, and the launch control processing means 141 is on condition that the launch detection by the launch detection switch 84 is detected after the ball feed count number reaches a specified number. Since the launching operation by the launching unit 9 is configured to be stopped, the launch control switch 84 can be used as an auxiliary to perform launch control more accurately.

  In the unit game immediately after the power is turned on, it is configured to add 1 to the ball feed count number based on the detection of the first rising edge of the firing detection switch 84 before the ball feed count number is first added. Therefore, regardless of whether or not a game ball is on the firing rail 12 when the power is turned on, the value of the ball feed count matches the number of game balls supplied on the firing rail 12 in the unit game. Control errors can be prevented.

  When the previous unit game ends and the subsequent unit game starts, the value obtained by subtracting the prescribed number from the ball feed count in the previous unit game is used as the ball feed count at the start of the subsequent unit game. Therefore, regardless of whether or not a game ball is supplied on the firing rail 12 at the end of the previous unit game, the ball feed count value in the next unit game is fired in that unit game. It is possible to match the number of game balls supplied on the rail 12, and control errors can be prevented.

  A foul ball detection switch 66 for detecting a foul ball that has been fired by the launching means 9 but has not reached the game area 22 is provided. The firing control processing means 141 detects a foul ball by the foul ball detection switch 66. Therefore, a predetermined number of game balls can be reliably fired even in a unit game in which a foul ball is generated.

  The launch control processing means 141 is configured to add the ball feed count number based on the ball feed detection switch 95 switching from the game ball detection state to the game ball non-detection state. After switching from the gaming ball detection state to the gaming ball non-detection state, the configuration is such that the ball feed count is added when the first elapsed time has elapsed, so that erroneous detection due to chattering or the like can be prevented as much as possible.

  The firing control processing unit 141 switches to the gaming ball non-detection state until the first elapsed time elapses after the ball feed detection switch 95 switches from the gaming ball non-detection state to the gaming ball detection state. Since it is configured to be invalid, erroneous detection due to chattering or the like can be prevented more reliably.

  The firing control processing unit 141 invalidates the switching to the gaming ball detection state until the second elapsed time has elapsed after the ball feed detection switch 95 switches from the gaming ball detection state to the gaming ball non-detection state. Thus, erroneous detection due to noise or the like can be prevented more reliably.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail, it is not limited to this embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, the ball feed count number may be added based on the detection signal of the ball feed detection means 95. That is, it is not always necessary to add the ball feed count number based on the fact that the ball feed detection means 95 switches from the game ball detection state to the game ball non-detection state, for example, from the game ball non-detection state to the game ball detection state. Based on the change, the ball feed count may be added when the first time has elapsed.

  In the embodiment, the first time and the second time are set to the same 16 milliseconds (first elapsed time), but they may be set to different times.

  The ball feed detection switch 95 may be arranged so that the optical path from the light projecting unit 107a to the light receiving unit 107b passes through the ball feed detection position Pb, and the passing direction of the optical path is arbitrary. The ball stopper 112 may be arranged so as not to block the optical path of the ball feed detection switch 95 according to the arrangement state of the ball feed detection switch 95.

  The ball feed detection switch 95 is not limited to a photo sensor, and for example, a proximity switch or the like may be used.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the arrange ball machine has been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to various ball game machines including combination game machines other than the arrange ball machine. .

It is a front view of the arrangement ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the arrangement ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the front board of the arrange ball machine which shows one embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the front board of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional view of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ball feeding means of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention, and its vicinity. It is a perspective view of the launching means of the arrange ball machine which shows one embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the ball | bowl feeding means of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge operation | movement of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the control system of the arrange ball machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the discharge control process which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the shot ball check process which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the interval function process which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the game end check process which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a ball unconfirmed error detection process showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart regarding ball feed detection which shows one embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when there is no ball on a launching rail when power is turned on) regarding launch control showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when a sphere exists in a launch rail at the time of power activation) concerning launch control which shows one embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when a normal unit game starts, when there is no ball on a launch rail) showing launch control showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when a normal unit game is started and there is a ball on the launch rail) relating to launch control showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when the 16th launch is not detected and there is a 17th ball on the top plate) regarding the launch control showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when the 16th launch is not detected and there is no 17th sphere on the upper plate) regarding launch control showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart (when a foul ball is detected after the 16th launch) concerning launch control which shows one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

9 Launching means 11 Upper plate (supply tray)
12 Launch rail 13 Ball feeding means 22 Game area 66 Foul ball detection switch (Foul ball detection means)
84 Fire detection switch (fire detection means)
95 Ball feed detection switch (ball feed detection means)
141 Firing control processing means

Claims (7)

The launching means (9) for launching the game ball supplied on the launching rail (12) toward the game area (22), and the supply tray (11) side in synchronism with the launching operation of the launching means (9) A ball feeding means (13) for supplying game balls one by one on the firing rail (12), a firing detection means (84) for detecting the launch of a game ball by the launching means (9), and a unit game. In the bullet ball game machine, comprising a firing control processing means (141) for controlling a firing operation by the launching means (9) to launch a number of game balls into the game area (22), the ball feeding means (13 ) Is provided with a ball feed detecting means (95) for detecting a game ball supplied onto the launch rail (12) by the ball feed means (13), and the launch control processing means (141) Based on the detection signal from the detection means (95) With counting the balls feed count per unit game you are, the ball after the feed count becomes the prescribed number, whether there is a fire detection by the fire detection means (84), wherein the ball feed count is the prescribed The launching operation by the launching means (9) is stopped based on the number +1, and in the unit game immediately after the power is turned on, the launching is performed before the game ball is detected by the ball feed detecting means (95). A bullet ball game machine configured to add 1 to the ball feed count number when a game ball is detected by the detection means (84) . When the previous unit game ends and the subsequent unit game starts, the value obtained by subtracting the specified number from the ball feed count in the previous unit game is the ball feed count at the start of the subsequent unit game. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 , wherein: A foul ball detecting means (66) for detecting a foul ball that has been fired by the firing means (9) but has not reached the game area (22), and the firing control processing means (141) includes: 3. The bullet ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball is configured to subtract 1 from the ball feed count number based on detection of a foul ball by the foul ball detection means (66). Gaming machine. The launch control processing means (141) is configured to add the ball feed count number based on the ball feed detection means (95) switching from the game ball detection state to the game ball non-detection state. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The launch control processing means (141) adds the ball feed count when the first time has elapsed after the ball feed detection means (95) has switched from the game ball detection state to the game ball non-detection state. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 4 , wherein the ball game machine is configured as described above. The firing control processing means (141) detects the non-detection of the game ball until a second time elapses after the ball feed detection means (95) switches from the non-detection state of the game ball to the detection state of the game ball. The ball game machine according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein switching to a state is invalidated. The firing control processing means (141) is in the gaming ball detection state until a predetermined time elapses after the ball feed detection means (95) switches from the gaming ball detection state to the gaming ball non-detection state. The ball game machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , which is configured so as to invalidate the switching.

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