JP4983030B2 - Game ball detector, ball game machine, game ball counter and game ball counting system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball detector, a ball game machine, a game ball counter, and a game ball counting system, and more particularly to a game ball detector that counts game balls made of metal.

  Conventionally, in game machines and game ball counters that handle game balls of a ball game machine, a game ball detector (proximity switch) having a through hole is generally used as a means for detecting the passage of the game ball. Yes.

  By the way, in a game hall (pachinko hall), there is a constant situation in which illegal acts of illegally exploiting or counting game balls in a ball game machine, a game ball counter, etc. are not constantly performed. It is strongly desired to do so.

  As countermeasures, various measures have been taken as manufacturers of each ball game machine and game ball counter, or as a manufacturer of parts used for them. On the other hand, a new genre of game machine called “Parrot”, which uses the same metal ball as the game ball of the bullet ball game machine to play the revolving game, has been recognized. Has an application called a capture device counting sensor for capturing game balls. This application is configured so that a player can throw in a game ball with his / her hand in order to count and capture the number of game balls necessary for playing the game. Measures that are not taken are necessary.

  In addition, in the game ball counter (game ball counting system) installed in the pachinko hall, since it is an important performance how many game balls can be counted in a short time, usually 10 lanes or more (for example, (16 lanes or 18 lanes) game ball passages are provided, and each lane is equipped with a game ball detector.

  In such a game ball counter, since the player directly operates to count the number of acquired game balls, there is a high possibility that the game ball will be illegally exploited and more illegal than the game machine. Action measures are required.

  Furthermore, as a recent trend, the counting system for each vehicle in which the gaming ball counting system is installed for each gaming machine has become widespread, and the gaming ball counting machine in which many acquired gaming balls are installed on each island as before. No need to carry it up.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an example of a conventional game ball detector, and FIG. 2 is a time chart of an output signal waveform when a game ball is detected in the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming ball detector 1 conventionally includes a detection coil 11 wound around a game ball passage (through hole 300) and a high-frequency oscillation circuit (oscillation circuit) including the detection coil 11. ) 12, a detection / smoothing circuit 13 for detecting and smoothing the output signal (WF1) of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12, a comparison circuit 14 for comparing the output signal of the detection / smoothing circuit 13 with a predetermined reference potential, and an output circuit 15 ing.

  Here, the game ball passes through the through hole 300 of the detection coil 11 around which the detection coil 11 is wound, and the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is changed by the passage of the game ball, so that the game ball is It is determined that the signal has passed, and the output signal (S0: game ball passing signal) is output via the control unit 2. Reference numeral 20 indicates a load provided between the output S0 of the game ball detector and the high potential power source.

  Proximity switches with through-holes as described above are most often used as game ball detectors because they do not permanently deteriorate and are not susceptible to malfunctions due to the effects of dirt, ambient light, etc. Because it is the most reliable.

  When the game ball passes through the through hole 300 of the detection coil 11, the output signal WF1 of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 changes in inductance of the detection coil 11 and stops oscillating. The output signal WF1 of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is converted into a signal WF2 smoothed by a DC level by the detection smoothing circuit 13, and the signal WF2 of the DC level is compared with the high level inversion voltage Vth1 and the low level inversion voltage Vth2 by the comparison circuit 14. The comparison result is output from the output circuit 15 as the output signal WF3 (S0).

  As shown in FIG. 2, at the time of standby when no game ball passes, the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is in an oscillating state, the signal WF2 after the detection smoothing process is at a high potential level, and the game ball is not detected based on the voltage level. A state signal WF3 is output.

  That is, as the game ball approaches, the oscillation amplitude of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 begins to decrease, and the moment when the DC level signal WF2 after the detection smoothing process falls below the level of the low inversion voltage Vth2 set in the circuit in advance. In addition, when the output WF3 is reversed to the gaming ball detection state (S0: low level “L”), and the gaming ball reaches the center of the through hole 300 of the detection coil 11, the stop state is entered.

  Furthermore, when the game ball advances through the passage and passes through the through hole 300 of the detection coil 11, the oscillation gradually starts to grow from the oscillation stop state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit, and as the game ball moves away from the detection coil. The standby oscillation state is restored. At this time, the output WF3 is inverted to the gaming ball non-detection state (S0: high level “H”) at a timing exceeding the level of the high level inversion voltage Vth1 set in the circuit in advance.

  Here, the output signal WF2 of the detection / smoothing circuit 13 is compared and discriminated by two threshold voltages (a high-level inversion voltage Vth1 and a low-level inversion voltage Vth2) in the comparison circuit 14, which is, for example, rebound or vibration of a game ball. This is because the effects of chattering and noise caused by the above are eliminated, and the detection of the game ball is performed stably and reliably.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a conventional game ball detector, and FIG. 4 is a time chart of an output signal waveform when a game ball is detected in the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, conventionally, the first game ball detection unit including the detection coil L1 on the inlet side 301 of the through hole 300 and the second game ball detection unit including the detection coil L2 on the outlet side 302 are two. A game ball detector with a built-in game machine detection function has been proposed.

  The game ball detector shown in FIG. 3 outputs the first game ball detection unit (the first game ball passing) that is output when the game balls (P: P1, P2, P3) pass through the through hole 300. Signal) S1 and the output of the second game ball detection unit (second game ball passage signal) S2 are checked to determine whether or not one game ball has passed in the normal direction. To do. That is, this gaming machine detector reliably recognizes the game ball even when the game balls P1 to P3 pass continuously, and recognizes the normal direction (ball passing count) and the reverse direction (ball return). Count addition and subtraction can be performed.

  Here, for example, by disposing the two detection coils L1 and L2 by a distance of about 1/4 of the diameter of the game ball P (for example, 11 mm), the first game ball detection unit in FIG. Timings at which the output S1 and the output S2 of the second game ball detection unit change are set to equal times t1, t2, t3, and t4 (t1 = t2 = t3 = t4).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the game ball P (P1) passes through the through hole 300 in the normal direction, the output S1 of the first game ball detection unit is a signal output (non-detection state of the game ball ( It changes from the low level “L” to the signal output in the detection state (high level “H”) (TP1), and after a predetermined time (t1) has elapsed, the output S2 of the second gaming ball detection unit is not the gaming ball. The signal output “L” in the detection state is changed to the signal output “H” in the detection state (TP2).

  Further, after a predetermined time (t2) has elapsed, the output S1 changes from the signal output “H” in the detection state of the gaming ball to the signal output “L” in the non-detection state (TP3), and the predetermined time (t3) has elapsed. After that, the output S2 changes from the signal output “H” in the detection state of the game ball to the signal output “L” in the non-detection state (TP4). When the game ball P (P2) passes through the through hole 300 in the normal direction continuously, the output S1 is detected from the signal output “L” in the non-detection state of the game ball after a predetermined time (t4) has passed. It changes to the signal output “H” of the state (TP1), and the same signal change is repeated.

  When the game ball P passes through the through-hole 300 in the opposite direction, the output S1 of the first game ball detection unit and the output S2 of the second game ball detection unit change in the opposite directions. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether each game ball is in the normal direction or the reverse direction, and it is possible to correctly add and subtract the counts of game balls.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the game ball detector of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the game ball detector shown in FIG. 3 includes two game ball detection units, a first game ball detection unit and a second game ball detection unit. Each game ball detection unit has the same configuration as the game ball detector shown in FIG. 1 described above. The first game ball detection unit includes a detection coil 11a (L1), a high-frequency oscillation circuit 12a, a detection smoothing circuit 13a, The comparison circuit 14a and the output circuit 15a are provided, and the second game ball detection unit includes a detection coil 11b (L2), a high-frequency oscillation circuit 12b, a detection smoothing circuit 13b, a comparison circuit 14b, and an output circuit 15b. Reference numerals 21 and 22 indicate loads provided between the outputs S1 and S2 of the first and second game ball detection units and the high potential power supply VS, respectively, and 23 indicates each ball game machine. And a CPU provided locally in the game ball counter.

  As described above, conventionally, two game ball detection units are provided in the through hole 300 of the game ball detector, and the signal outputs S1 and S2 of each game ball detection unit obtained by passing the game ball P are constant. The detection coils L1 and L2 are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to overlap with each other, and the passing of the game ball and the detection of the passing direction are performed based on the timing change pattern of the two signal outputs S1 and S2 due to the passing of the game ball. A technique for accurately counting game balls is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, conventionally, two optical game ball detection units are provided for a game ball passage, and when the game ball passes, the detection signal of the first game ball detection unit is output. The second game ball detection unit outputs a detection signal, and it has been proposed to prevent erroneous counting when the game ball is turned back (passed in the opposite direction) due to the timing deviation of the output time of both detection signals. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  Further, conventionally, in order to accurately and easily detect the movement state of the game ball, the inductance component of the detection coil is used in the through-hole through which the game ball passes with respect to the passage from the game ball launching device to the game board surface. Two detection units consisting of a high-frequency oscillation circuit that oscillates and a switching circuit are provided, and the moving direction of the game ball is detected by the order of change of the output of each detection unit, and the total number of game balls supplied to the game board is detected Some have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Conventionally, there has also been proposed a slot machine using a game ball detector that shortens the time required for taking a game ball even when using a game ball (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  Furthermore, recently, a game ball detector that detects game balls of a plurality of passages in an integrated manner has also been proposed. For example, game balls of two passages (two sets of game ball detectors) are integrated. There has also been proposed a game ball detector that detects and converts (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

  Conventionally, as a counter that does not become a serious problem even if a ball clogging occurs in the counting passage of game balls (balls), it is usually set and receives the game balls discharged from the lower plate as a counter. There has been proposed a game ball that is returned to the sand side to cause a clogged ball and that rotates the hopper unit and receives a game ball in a ball box installed below the lower plate (see, for example, Patent Document 6).

  Further, conventionally, in order to detect fraud to the ball counting machine installed for each stand without providing a detection sensor, the accumulated number of balls obtained by integrating the number of correction balls preset in the supply signal and the ball lending signal; There has also been proposed a method in which the count signal is compared with the count signal, and when the count signal is larger, it is determined to be illegal, and in other cases it is determined to be normal (see, for example, Patent Document 7).

  Conventionally, an object is detected by a high-frequency oscillation circuit and a signal processing circuit, the output is given to a detection output holding circuit, and if there is a self-diagnosis input signal, this output is once held and oscillated after a delay time in the delay circuit Has been proposed in which an abnormality in the proximity switch (game ball detector) can be diagnosed depending on whether or not the output of the signal processing circuit is simultaneously inverted (see, for example, Patent Document 8). .

  Conventionally, when a metal body (game ball) approaches the detection unit, a first circuit for controlling an output delay time during detection until the detection signal is output after the detection unit enters a detection state, and the metal body When the sensor is separated from the detector, a second circuit that controls the non-detection output delay time from when the detector is in the non-detection state until the detection signal is output is individually formed to ensure output stability. A high-frequency oscillation proximity switch (game ball detector) that realizes responsiveness and output time securing has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 9).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-094638 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-089644 Japanese Patent No. 3322465 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-093592 Design Registration No. 1074357 JP-A-10-165636 JP 11-192370 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-037475 JP 2004-364226 A

  Conventionally, the game ball detector is assumed to be broken or broken for various reasons. However, at present, there is no means for easily confirming the broken or broken game ball detector from the control side.

  That is, in the game ball detector, since the game ball continuously passes through the through-hole, mechanical stress is continuously applied to the through-hole of the game ball detector, so that the detection coil wound around the through-hole is Disconnected and disabled as a game ball detector. Also, liquid or water enters the game ball detector, and an electrical short circuit occurs in a part of the built-in detection coil part or circuit part, so that the game machine detector becomes inoperable. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the circuit of the game ball detection function is broken due to normal noise, electrostatic noise, or the like from the outside of the game ball detector, and the game ball detector becomes inoperable.

  By the way, in the ball game machine, for example, about 10 game ball detectors are mounted per unit, and the number of game ball detectors is enormous, because there are as many game machines installed in pachinko halls. It will be something.

  However, if the game ball detector is damaged or malfunctioned, for example, if the player himself feels an abnormality while playing the game and does not contact pachinko hall employees, the abnormality will be detected. Absent.

  The game ball counter (game ball counting device) is provided with a game ball passage having 10 or more lanes. For example, a double game ball detection unit is provided, and the game ball counter is provided for each island. Therefore, even if a part of the game ball detector (game ball detection unit) breaks down, for example, the game ball counting process only results in a small result, If the hall employee does not feel any abnormality by confirming the counting result, it is difficult to confirm even that the game ball counter is abnormal.

  Further, in the game ball counting system, even if it can be confirmed that the game ball counter is abnormal, it can be determined which game ball detector (game ball detection unit) is out of order by disassembling the device itself. Thus, there is no means other than checking the operation of the game ball detector one by one.

  Furthermore, as described above, since the game ball counting system in which a game ball counter is provided for each table, a game ball counter is provided for all of the ball game machines in pachinko halls. As with ball game machines, it is impossible to constantly monitor abnormalities of all game ball counters only by human monitoring by hall employees.

  In the case of a game ball counting system in which a game ball counter is provided for each table, since a game ball counter is provided for each player, an unauthorized player can illegally play a game against each game ball counter. There is a possibility that the player performs an illegal act for exploiting the ball, or the player emotionally performs a destructive action (striking, kicking, pouring juice, etc.) in connection with winning or losing in the game. In such a case, it is difficult to take measures only by human monitoring by hall employees.

  In view of the problems of the above-described conventional game ball detector, the present invention makes it possible to check whether or not the game ball detection function of the game ball detector is operating normally. The purpose is to minimize the damage caused by the failure of the player and the illegal act of the player.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a detection coil wound around a passage of a game ball made of metal, a high-frequency oscillation circuit including the detection coil, and switching for short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil comprising means, a gaming ball detector for outputting a game ball passes signals to determine the passage of the game ball through the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillator, wherein the detection coil is of predetermined to passage of the game ball A first detection coil and a second detection coil provided at a distance from each other, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit includes a first high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first detection coil and the second detection coil A second high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first high-frequency oscillation circuit, and determining the passage of the game ball according to the oscillation states of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits, and outputting first and second game ball passage signals, 1 and 2 of the game ball passing signal has the overlap for a certain time, the switching means, and at the same time forcibly short-circuit state both ends of the first and second detection coils by a single detection coil short circuit control signal, A game ball detector is provided that performs an operation check based on the game ball passing signal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection coil wound around the passage of the game ball made of metal, the high-frequency oscillation circuit including the detection coil, and the switching for short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil comprising means, a gaming ball detector for outputting a game ball passes signals to determine the passage of the game ball through the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillator, wherein the detection coil is of predetermined to passage of the game ball A first detection coil and a second detection coil provided at a distance from each other, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit includes a first high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first detection coil and the second detection coil A second high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first high-frequency oscillation circuit, and determining the passage of the game ball according to the oscillation states of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits, and outputting first and second game ball passage signals, 1 and 2 of the game ball passing signal has the overlap for a certain time, the switching means, and at the same time forcibly short-circuit state both ends of the first and second detection coils by a single detection coil short circuit control signal, A ball game machine to which a game ball detector adapted to perform an operation check based on the game ball passing signal is applied, and a result of the operation check performed based on the game ball pass signal with both ends of the detection coil short-circuited. When an abnormality is confirmed in the game ball detector, an operational abnormality is notified to the bullet ball game machine, and an operation abnormal signal is output to the central processing unit. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the detection coil wound around the passage of the game ball made of metal, the high-frequency oscillation circuit including the detection coil, and the switching for short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil comprising means, a gaming ball detector for outputting a game ball passes signals to determine the passage of the game ball through the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillator, wherein the detection coil is of predetermined to passage of the game ball A first detection coil and a second detection coil provided at a distance from each other, and the high-frequency oscillation circuit includes a first high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first detection coil and the second detection coil A second high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first high-frequency oscillation circuit, and determining the passage of the game ball according to the oscillation states of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits, and outputting first and second game ball passage signals, 1 and 2 of the game ball passing signal has the overlap for a certain time, the switching means, and at the same time forcibly short-circuit state both ends of the first and second detection coils by a single detection coil short circuit control signal, A game ball counter to which a game ball detector adapted to perform an operation check based on the game ball passing signal is applied, and a result of the operation check performed based on the game ball pass signal with both ends of the detection coil being short-circuited. When a game ball detector detects an abnormality, a game ball counter is provided that notifies the ball game machine of the operation abnormality and outputs an operation abnormality signal to the central processing unit. The

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game ball counting system for controlling a plurality of ball game machines and a plurality of game ball counters by a central processing unit, wherein each of the ball game machines is made of metal. A detection coil wound around a passing path of a game ball, a high-frequency oscillation circuit including the detection coil , and switching means for short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil , and the game according to the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit A game ball detector for determining the passage of a ball and outputting a game ball passing signal, wherein the detection coil includes a first detection coil and a first detection coil provided at a predetermined distance from a path through which the game ball passes. And the high-frequency oscillation circuit includes a first high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first detection coil and a second high-frequency oscillation circuit including the second detection coil. And second Determining the passage of the game ball according to the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit and outputting the first and second game ball passage signals, the first and second game ball passage signals have a certain time overlap, The switching means forcibly and simultaneously makes both ends of the first and second detection coils short-circuited by a single detection coil short-circuit control signal, and performs an operation check by the game ball passing signal. A ball game machine to which a ball detector is applied, and as a result of the operation check performed by the game ball passing signal with both ends of the detection coil short-circuited, when an abnormality is confirmed in the game ball detector, A game ball game machine that notifies the ball game machine of the operation abnormality and outputs an operation abnormality signal to the central processing unit, and each game ball counter is a game ball to which the game ball detector is applied. Counting machine Then, when an abnormality is confirmed in the game ball detector as a result of the operation check performed by the game ball passing signal with both ends of the detection coil short-circuited, the operation abnormality is notified to the ball game machine. In addition, there is provided a game ball counting system which is a game ball counter that outputs an operation abnormality signal to a central processing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to spotly check whether or not the game ball detection function of the game ball detector is operating normally, and it is possible to prevent damage caused by a malfunction of the game ball counter or an illegal act of the player. Can be minimized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a game ball detector, a ball game machine, a game ball counter, and a game ball counting system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment of the game ball detector according to the present invention.

  As is apparent from the comparison between FIG. 6 and FIG. 1 described above, the game ball detector of the first embodiment has a detection coil short circuit controlled by a detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 with respect to the circuit shown in FIG. A control circuit 16 is added.

  The detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 short-circuits both ends of the detection coil 11 according to the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 from the CPU 23 of the local control unit provided in each ball game machine or game ball counter. This stops the oscillation. The CPU 23 is connected to the central processing unit (Hall computer) 4 via the external output unit 24, and sends a detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 to the detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 in accordance with a control signal from the Hall computer 4, as will be described later. If an abnormality is detected, the abnormality is displayed on the local abnormality display device (indicator lamp) 25 and an abnormality signal is output to the hall computer 4.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 includes an NPN bipolar transistor 161 and resistors 162 and 163, and a detection coil short-circuit control signal (high level “H”) divided by the resistors 162 and 163. ) By applying CS0 to the base of the transistor 161, the collector-emitter of the transistor 161, that is, both ends of the detection coil 11 are short-circuited to stop the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12.

  Here, the transistor 161 is not limited to the NPN bipolar transistor, and a transistor such as a PNP bipolar transistor or another FET can be used according to the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0. In addition, the circuit shown in FIG. 7 uses a transistor as the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16, which is, for example, in the normal operation state of the game ball detector (state in which no functional diagnosis is performed), for example, detection The voltage of the low potential power supply (GND) is input as the coil short circuit control signal CS0, the transistor 161 of the detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 is turned off, the collector is opened, and the high frequency oscillation circuit 12 is not affected. This is because the normal game ball passage detection function is activated.

  When the circuit operation of the game ball detector is diagnosed by the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0, the detection ball short-circuit control is performed by setting the through-hole 300 of the detection coil 11 in the game ball detector so that no game ball passes. As a signal CS0, a level for setting the transistor 161 of the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 to an operating state is input, and the signal output S0 is determined as a circuit operation for virtually detecting the game ball by short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil 11. In the first embodiment, since the transistor 161 is directly driven by the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0, the signal output S0 corresponding to the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 includes the response delay time of the game ball detector. Signal output.

  In the above, the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 7, and any circuit that can short-circuit both ends of the detection coil 11 with the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is used. As long as the oscillation of the circuit 12 is not affected, various configurations can be employed as will be described later.

  The circuit configurations of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12, the detection smoothing circuit 13, the comparison circuit 14, and the output circuit 15 are the same as those in the conventional game ball detector shown in FIG. It goes without saying that things can be applied.

  FIG. 8 is a time chart of the output signal waveform when the game ball is detected by the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the game ball detector according to the present invention is configured so that the game ball is not passed through the through-hole 300 of the game ball detector. An external signal (detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0) for a predetermined time is input from the CPU 23 of the main board 2 of the ball game machine to the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 via the external diagnosis input terminal of the game ball detector. As a result, both ends of the detection coil 11 are short-circuited, the oscillation operation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is forcibly stopped, the circuit operation of the game ball detector becomes the same as the detection state of the game ball, and the output signal S0 is also changed to that. It becomes the level according. The CPU 23 of the control unit 2 confirms the output signal S0 and confirms that the circuit operation of the game ball detector is normal by confirming that the output signal S0 corresponds to the input detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0. be able to.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the power is turned on, the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is in an oscillating state because the game ball normally does not pass. At this time, the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 is at the signal level “L” in the standby state, the detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 is not operating, and both ends of the detection coil 11 are not short circuited. At this time (for example, when the power is turned on), when the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is stopped, the game ball is clogged in the through hole 300 of the detection coil 11 or the detection coil 11 is disconnected. It can be seen that there is an abnormality such as

  Next, after confirming the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12, for example, the detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 is operated by setting the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 to the high level “H” to short-circuit both ends of the detection coil 11. Thereby, the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 is immediately stopped.

  Here, the comparison circuit 14 compares and discriminates the output signal WF2 of the detection / smoothing circuit 13 based on two threshold voltages (a high-level inversion voltage Vth1 and a low-level inversion voltage Vth2) set in advance in the circuit with reference to FIG. This is the same as the conventional game ball detector described above. If the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 is operated and both ends of the detection coil 11 are short-circuited, if the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 continues to oscillate, some abnormality is considered.

  The oscillation state and the oscillation stop state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12 are, for example, transmitted from the local control unit 2 to the hall computer 4 so that the hall computer 4 can manage the game ball detectors collectively. The detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 can be given from the hall computer 4 to each ball game machine, for example. Further, each ball game machine is provided with an abnormality display device 25 such as a lamp. When an abnormality of the game ball detector is detected, the abnormality display device 25 is turned on, and the game ball detector is turned on. It is designed to make it easier to identify a ball game machine in which an abnormality exists.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation check process in the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the operation check process of the game ball detector, first, in step ST11, when the local control unit 2 receives the operation check signal from the hall computer 4, the process proceeds to step ST12 to detect the game ball. Check the signal output S0 of the instrument. That is, when it is determined in step ST12 that the signal output S0 is in the non-detection state (high level “H”: normal), the process proceeds to step ST13, and the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is input to the game ball detector. Then, the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 is operated to short-circuit both ends of the detection coil 11, and the process proceeds to step ST14.

  If it is determined in step ST12 that the signal output S0 of the game ball detector is in the detection state (low level “L”: abnormal), the process proceeds to step ST16, where an abnormality process is performed, and further, in step ST17. Go ahead and enter system standby state. Here, as the abnormality processing, for example, a signal of an operation confirmation result abnormality is transmitted from the local control unit 2 to the hall computer 4, or a local bullet ball game machine itself is provided with a lamp, an alarm, or the like for notification. .

  In step ST14, the signal output S0 of the game ball detector is confirmed, and if it is determined that the signal output S0 is in the detection state (low level “L”: normal), the process proceeds to step ST15 to operate the hall computer 4. A signal indicating that the result of confirmation is normal is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step ST17 to set the system standby state.

  In step ST14, if it is determined that the signal output S0 of the game ball detector is in the non-detection state (high level “H”: abnormal), the process proceeds to step ST16 described above to perform abnormality processing. Proceeding to step ST17, a system standby state is set.

  Thus, in the gaming ball detector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the circuit operation of the gaming ball detector is set to the same state as the gaming ball detection state by the external signal (detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0). Thus, it is possible to easily confirm the circuit operation as the game ball detector, and to effectively detect the failure of the game ball detector and improve the security. In particular, all the circuits constituting the game ball detector are generated by forcibly short-circuiting only the detection coil serving as the sensing device of the proximity switch (game ball detector) by an external signal (CS0) to generate a detection state signal. Therefore, it is possible to construct a system having a highly reliable external diagnostic function. Furthermore, confirmation of whether or not the game ball detection function is operating normally can be performed from, for example, a hall computer. The operation check processing of the game ball detection function can be performed, for example, when the power is turned on before the hall starts business (before opening of the hall), and the operation of the game ball detector can be checked.

  That is, when the power is turned on, it exists every morning and it is determined that there is no passing of the game ball. Therefore, it is very effective to check the operation of the game ball detector at this timing. Furthermore, even if consideration is given to responding when an abnormality is confirmed, it is natural that it is effective before opening the hall.

  In addition, for example, a confirmation act of confirming the operation at regular intervals is also effective, and by increasing the frequency of confirming the operation, it is possible to reduce damage caused by failure and fraud.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment of the game ball detector according to the present invention.

  As apparent from the comparison between FIG. 10 and FIG. 6, the game ball detector of the second embodiment is, for example, a detection coil according to a control signal from the hall computer 4 as in the first embodiment described above. Instead of outputting the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 to the short-circuit control circuit 16, for example, an employee of the pachinko hall carries the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 and, if necessary, the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 (this In this case, an optical signal) is input to the receiving circuit 17 to operate the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 so that both ends of the detection coil 11 are short-circuited.

  In the second embodiment, the detection coil short circuit control signal generator 5 includes a detection coil short circuit control signal transmission circuit 51 and a light emitting diode (LED) 52, and the reception circuit 17 includes a phototransistor 171 and a load 172. . The light irradiation from the LED 52 is received by the phototransistor 171 and converted into an electrical signal, and then the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 is operated. In the second embodiment, for example, the position of the phototransistor 171 of the receiving circuit 17 can be easily specified from the outside. Therefore, for example, the phototransistor 171 is preferably provided inside the ball game machine with a key. Note that a photodiode can be used as the light receiving element in the receiving circuit 17 instead of the phototransistor 171.

  That is, the game ball detector of the second embodiment is virtually detected inside the game ball detector by inputting the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 using light (LED 52) from the outside of the game ball detector. The circuit operation of the state is performed, and the output signal of the game ball detector is confirmed by the control unit 2 to determine whether or not the circuit operation of the game ball detector is normal.

  In the second embodiment, first, the detection ball short-circuit control signal CS0 is output from the LED 52 by the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 with no game ball passing through the through-hole 300 of the game ball detector, The phototransistor 171 that has received the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is turned on. Thereby, for example, a low level “L” signal is supplied to the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16, and both ends of the detection coil 11 are short-circuited to forcibly stop the oscillation operation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 12. Since the entire circuit of the ball detector is in a state where a game ball is detected, confirmation is made by the display device (25) of the control unit 2. As in the first embodiment described above, the abnormality display device 25 may be lit when an abnormality of the game ball detector is detected.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a third embodiment of the game ball detector according to the present invention.

  As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 11 and FIG. 10 described above, in the game ball detector of the third embodiment, the detection coil short circuit control signal generator 5 is not an optical means but a magnetic means. It is configured as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the detection coil short circuit control signal generator 5 includes a detection coil short circuit control signal transmission circuit 53 and a coil 54, and the detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 includes a reed switch 160. Then, the coil 54 of the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 generates a detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0, which is a magnetic signal, and the reed switch 160 is turned on to short-circuit both ends of the detection coil 11. ing.

  Incidentally, the reed switch 160 used in the third embodiment can be embedded in various places, and has an advantage that its position is difficult to specify from the outside. Further, the reed switch 160 is turned on so that the circuit operation of the detection state is virtually performed inside the game ball detector, and the output signal of the game ball detector is confirmed by the control unit 2, and the circuit operation of the game ball detector is performed. Whether or not is normal is the same as in the second embodiment described above.

  According to the game ball detector of the third embodiment, the configuration of the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 (17) can be made very simple, and both ends of the detection coil 11 are completely insulated in a steady state. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to consider the influence of the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16.

  The game ball detectors of the second and third embodiments described above can perform spot check of the operation of the game ball detector by optical and magnetic external operations. Specifically, for example, by allowing employees of pachinko halls to carry a simple operation confirmation device (detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5) incorporating an LED or an electromagnet (coil), a ball game can be played as necessary. It is possible to easily check the operation of the game ball detector in a machine or game ball counter, and even when a trouble occurs suddenly, it is possible to quickly check the operation of the game ball detector on site.

  As described above, the game ball detectors of the second and third embodiments are, for example, a human external diagnosis such as an employee of a pachinko hall, but a malfunction of the game ball detector occurs when an abnormal trouble occurs in the hall. This is a very good system for quick confirmation. In addition, for example, since the control unit can be used as it is as a conventional sequence, in a game ball counter having a strong facility meaning, the security of the game ball counter can be secured only by replacing the game ball detector. As well as improving the maintenance.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a fourth embodiment of the game ball detector according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment includes two DC two-wire game ball detection units (switches) of a first game ball detection unit and a second game ball detection unit. It has.

  The first game ball detection unit includes a detection coil 111 (L1), a high frequency oscillation circuit 121, a detection smoothing circuit 131, a comparison circuit 141, and an output circuit 151, and the second game ball detection unit includes a detection coil 112. (L2), a high frequency oscillation circuit 122, a detection smoothing circuit 132, a comparison circuit 142, and an output circuit 152 are provided. Reference numerals 21 and 22 indicate loads provided between the outputs S1 and S2 of the first and second game ball detection units and the high potential power supply VS, respectively, and 23 indicates each ball game machine. And a CPU provided locally in the game ball counter.

  Here, the detection coils 111 (L1) and 112 (L2) are separated from one through hole 300 by a distance of about 1/4 of the diameter of the game ball P as shown in FIG. The signal output S1 of the first game ball detection unit and the signal output S2 of the second game ball detection unit overlap for a certain time (t1 = t2 = t3 = t4) as shown in FIG. 4, for example. It is made to have.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment is provided with a detection coil short circuit control circuit 16 controlled by a detection coil short circuit control signal CS0.

  The detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 short-circuits both ends of the two detection coils 111 and 112 in accordance with a detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 from the CPU 23 of the local control unit provided in each ball game machine or game ball counter. Thus, the oscillations of the high-frequency oscillation circuits 121 and 122 are stopped simultaneously.

  The CPU 23 is connected to the central processing unit (Hall computer) 4 via the external output unit 24, and outputs a detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 to the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 in response to a control signal from the Hall computer 4, If an abnormality is detected, the abnormality is displayed on the local abnormality display device (indicator lamp) 25, an alarm sound is generated from the sound generation device (speaker) 26 when an abnormality is detected, and an abnormality signal is sent to the hall computer 4. Is output.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a specific circuit configuration of a main part of the game ball detector of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 in the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment includes NPN-type bipolar transistors 1611, 1612, resistors 1621, 1622, 1631, 1632, 164, and a capacitor (capacitor). 165, a zener diode 166 and diodes 1671 and 1672, and a detection coil short circuit control signal (high level “H”) CS0 divided by resistors 1621, 1631 and 1622 and 1632 via a resistor 164 is supplied to each transistor 1611 and By being applied to the base of 1612, the collectors and emitters of the transistors 1611 and 1612, that is, both ends of the detection coils 111 and 112 are short-circuited to simultaneously stop the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuits 121 and 122. ing In the fourth embodiment, diodes 1671 and 1672 are inserted between the collectors of the transistors 1611 and 1612 and one ends of the detection coils 111 and 112 so as to stabilize the detection operation of the game ball. It has become.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a signal output timing pattern in the game ball detector of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 (a) shows a case where the game ball passes through the through-hole 300 in the forward direction (regular direction). b) shows the timing pattern of each output S1 and S2 when the game ball passes through the through hole 300 in the reverse direction, and FIG. 14C shows the game ball detector externally diagnosed (operation check). It is.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the game ball passes through the through hole 300 in the forward direction, for example, the game ball is first inserted into the through hole 300 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. In order to pass through the detection coil 111 (L1) on the entrance side (301) of the first game ball, the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 121 of the first game ball detection unit stops and the signal output S1 rises. In order to pass through the detection coil 112 (L2) on the outlet side (302) of 300, the oscillation of the high frequency oscillation circuit 122 of the second game ball detection unit is stopped, and the signal output S2 of the second game ball detection unit is Get up.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, when the game ball passes through the through hole 300 in the reverse direction, the game ball is first inserted into the through hole 300, for example, contrary to FIG. In order to pass through the detection coil 112 on the exit side, the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 122 of the second game ball detection unit stops, the signal output S2 of the second game ball detection unit rises, and then the game ball penetrates In order to pass through the detection coil 111 on the entrance side of the hole 300, the oscillation of the high-frequency oscillation circuit 121 of the first game ball detection unit stops and the signal output S1 rises.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), when an external diagnosis (operation check) of the game ball detector is performed from the outside by the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0, for example, by the rise of the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0, Both detection coils 111 and 112 are short-circuited at the same time, the oscillations of both high-frequency oscillation circuits 121 and 122 are simultaneously stopped, and the signal outputs S1 and S2 of both the first and second game ball detection units rise simultaneously. .

The operation mode as a specific system is as follows.
First, the game coils are not passed through the detection coils of all game ball detectors (game ball detection units) (for example, when the power is turned on before the hall starts business), and the local control unit (for example, A game corresponding to the external diagnosis output by inputting an external signal (detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0) for a certain period of time from a ball game machine or game ball counter) to the external diagnosis input terminal of the game ball detector. The output of the ball detection function is output as a signal output of each game ball detection unit.

  The output state at this time is confirmed by the control unit, it is determined whether or not the signal output corresponds to the input external signal, and whether or not the circuit operation of the game ball detector (game ball detection unit) is normal. Configure the system to be diagnosed. Then, according to the diagnosis result, a normal / abnormal signal is output to the central processing unit (hall computer), and the system is put into a standby state.

  Here, as in the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment, sufficient security is ensured by confirming the timings of the two signal outputs S1 and S2 by the two game ball detection functions (game ball detection units). Can be secured.

  That is, in the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment, each switching function is simultaneously activated for the external signal (CS0), and both ends of each detection coil 111 and 112 are simultaneously short-circuited to discriminate the signal outputs S1 and S2. is doing.

  This is because the detection coils 111 and 112 are arranged at a certain distance (for example, a distance of about 1/4 of the diameter of the game ball), so that when the game ball passes through the through hole, the forward direction The outputs S1 and S2 have a timing difference of a certain time or more regardless of whether or not the signal passes through or in the reverse direction. Since this timing difference also depends on the passing speed of the game ball, it is possible to calculate in advance the timing difference for a certain time from the distance between the detection coils and the speed at which the game ball can pass. On the other hand, by operating the above switching function with a sufficiently short time difference, even if an external signal is input during normal operation, it is configured not to be recognized as passing of the game ball.

  15 and 16 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the counting process of the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the game ball counting process, first, in step ST201, the rise of the detection signal of the output S1 of the first game ball detection unit or the output S2 of the second game ball detection unit is confirmed. Proceeding to step ST202, it is determined whether the rising signal is output S1 or output S2. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. 4 described above.

  When it is determined in step ST202 that the rising signal is the output S1 (TP1), the process proceeds to step ST203, and the signal change of the outputs S1 and S2 is performed at a predetermined time (t: t <t1) from the rising of the output S1. Determine if there is any. If it is determined in step ST203 that there is a signal change in the outputs S1 and S2 at a predetermined time from the rise of the output S1, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform an abnormality process, and the output S1 and If it is determined that there is no signal change in S2, the process proceeds to step ST204, and it is determined whether or not the detection signal of output S2 rises within a predetermined time (t1 ≦ t <t2) after the rise of output S1. Determine.

  In step ST204, if it is not confirmed that the detection signal of the output S2 rises within a predetermined time (t1 ≦ t <t2) after the rise of the output S1, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform abnormality processing. If it is confirmed that there is a rising edge of the detection signal of the output S2 (TP2) within a certain time after the rising edge of the output S1 (t = t1) (TP2), the process proceeds to step ST205, where a predetermined time ( It is determined whether there is a signal change of the outputs S1 and S2 at t: t <t2). If it is determined in step ST205 that there is a signal change in the outputs S1 and S2 at a predetermined time from the rise of the output S2, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform an abnormality process, and the output S1 and the output S1 at a predetermined time from the rise of the output S2 If it is determined that there is no signal change in S2, the process proceeds to step ST206, and whether or not the detection signal of the output S1 falls within a certain time (t2 ≦ t <t3) after a predetermined time from the rise of the output S2. Is determined.

  In step ST206, if it is not confirmed that the detection signal of the output S1 falls within a predetermined time (t2 ≦ t <t3) after the rise of the output S2, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform abnormality processing. When it is confirmed that there is a fall of the detection signal of the output S1 (TP3) within a certain time (t = t2) after the rising of the output S2, the process proceeds to step ST207, and from the fall of the output S1. It is determined whether or not there is a signal change of the outputs S1 and S2 at a predetermined time (t: t <t3). If it is determined in step ST207 that there is a signal change in the outputs S1 and S2 at a predetermined time from the fall of the output S1, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform abnormality processing, and is output at a predetermined time from the fall of the output S1. If it is determined that there is no signal change in S1 and S2, the process proceeds to step ST208, and the fall of the detection signal of output S2 falls within a certain time (t3 ≦ t <t4) after a predetermined time from the fall of output S1. Determine if it exists.

  If it is not confirmed in step ST208 that the detection signal of the output S2 falls within a predetermined time (t3 ≦ t <t4) after the fall of the output S1, the process proceeds to step ST210 to perform abnormality processing. If it is confirmed that the detection signal of the output S2 falls (TP4) within a predetermined time after the fall of the output S1 (t = t3), the process proceeds to step ST209 and the game ball penetrates. Assuming that the hole 300 has passed in the forward direction, 1 is added to the count value, and the process proceeds to step ST211 to enter system standby.

  Next, when it is determined in step ST202 that the rising signal is the output S2, the processing of steps ST212 to ST217 shown in FIG. 16 is performed. The processing of steps ST212 to ST217 is performed by the game ball. This is a case where the hole 300 is passed in the reverse direction, and corresponds to the case where the relationship between the output S1 and the output S2 is exchanged in the processing of steps ST203 to ST208 described above. In step 217, when it is confirmed that the detection signal of the output S1 falls within a predetermined time after the fall of the output S2, the game ball passes through the through hole 300 in the reverse direction. Since this is the case, the process proceeds to step ST218, 1 is subtracted from the count value, and the process proceeds to step ST211 to enter system standby.

  Note that the steps ST210 and ST219 for performing the abnormality processing are, for example, a signal of an operation confirmation result abnormality is transmitted from the local control unit 2 to the hall computer 4, or provided in a local ball game machine or game ball counter. Notification is performed by a lamp, an alarm, or the like.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation check process in the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the operation check process of the game ball detector, first, in step ST31, when the local control unit 2 receives the operation check signal from the hall computer 4, the process proceeds to step ST32 to detect the game ball. A state where no game ball is present in the passage (through hole) of the device is set, and the process proceeds to step ST33.

  In step ST33, the signal outputs S1 and S2 of the two game ball detection units are confirmed. If at least one of the two systems is a detected signal output, the process proceeds to step ST37 of the abnormality process, and the two systems are not detected. If it is the signal output, the process proceeds to step ST34. That is, in a state where no game ball is present in the through hole of the game ball detector, if the output S1 and / or S2 is a signal indicating a detection state, an abnormality such as a game ball being clogged in the through hole.

  In step ST34, the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is input to the game ball detector to short-circuit both detection coils 111 and 112, and the process proceeds to step ST35 where the signal outputs S1 and S2 of the two game ball detection units are output. Check.

  In step ST35, if at least one of the two systems is a signal output in a non-detection state, the process proceeds to step ST37 of abnormality processing, and if both systems are a signal output in a detection state, the process proceeds to step ST36. That is, since both the detection coils 111 and 112 are short-circuited by the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 to forcibly enter the detection state, if the outputs S1 and / or S2 are non-detection state signals, Abnormalities such as disconnection.

  In step ST36, a normal signal of the operation confirmation result is transmitted to the hall computer, and the process proceeds to step ST38 to enter system standby. In step ST37 of the abnormality process, a signal indicating an abnormality in the operation confirmation result is transmitted from the local control unit 2 to the hall computer 4, or a lamp or an alarm provided in a local ball game machine or game ball counter is used. Notification is performed, and the process proceeds to step ST38 to enter system standby.

  18 is a perspective view showing an example of a game ball detector in which two sets of the game ball detectors shown in FIG. 12 are integrated, and FIG. 19 is a diagram of a game ball counter using the game ball detector of FIG. FIG.

  The game ball detector 3000 shown in FIG. 18 is provided with two sets (two lanes) of game ball detectors (game ball detectors) each having two game ball detection units shown in FIG. 12, each having two detection coils. The provided through holes 3001 and 3002 are arranged by being shifted by a predetermined distance.

  Here, two detection coils are provided in the through hole 3001, and two detection coils are also provided in the through hole 3002. The four high-frequency oscillation circuits including these four detection coils are different from each other. It is configured to oscillate at a frequency so as to reduce mutual interference.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the game ball detector 3000 shown in FIG. 18 is applied to count the game balls in the two lanes 1001 in the game ball counter 1000, for example. Actually, for example, since the game ball detectors installed on each island are 16 or 18 lanes, 8 or 9 game ball detectors 3000 shown in FIG. 18 are provided. Further, in the case where a game ball counter is provided in each ball game machine, for example, two game ball detectors 3000 shown in FIG. 18 are provided, and the game balls for each unit are counted by four lanes.

  As described above, according to the game ball detector of the fourth embodiment, in the first to third embodiments described above, for example, the detection coil short-circuit detection function for the purpose of external diagnosis is used as a reverse hand to detect the game ball. Signal output S1 of two game ball detection units that can grasp the relationship between the timings of the output signals in advance, even for malicious acts such as maliciously exploiting a large number of game balls by deliberately creating an output signal of , S2 makes it possible to realize a game ball counter that performs the operation detection of the game ball detector and detects the passage of the game ball with high security.

  In addition, the timing difference between the outputs S1 and S2 due to the arrangement relationship of the detection coils occurs when the game ball passes, whereas the outputs S1 and S2 due to the external diagnosis should be set to a time difference shorter than the assumed time difference. Therefore, using this fact, the gaming ball counter can be configured not to accept the passing of the gaming ball unless there is a certain time difference.

  Furthermore, even if a plurality of game ball detection units are provided as game ball detectors, it is only necessary to increase one input terminal for inputting an external signal (CS0). There will be no significant design burden.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the game management system.
As shown in FIG. 20, the hall computer 4 is connected to each ball game machine 550, a unit 551, a machine 552, a game ball counter 500, a game ball counter 600 and the like via the network 8. It is connected to.

  Each ball game machine 550 (base unit 551) is provided with an abnormality display device (indicator light) 25 and an abnormality detection sound generation device (speaker) 26. For example, game ball detection in the game ball counter 500 for each device is provided. When the above-mentioned operation check is performed by short-circuiting the detection coil of the detector 510 (3000) and an abnormality is detected by the counting control unit 520 (2), an abnormality is displayed on the indicator lamp 25 and the speaker 26 An alarm sound is generated and an abnormal signal is output to the hall computer 4. Note that the game ball counter 500 for each table includes, for example, one (two lanes) or two (four lanes) game ball detectors 3000 capable of detecting two lanes as shown in FIG. The game balls can be counted at the location of the gaming machine 550.

  The game ball counter 600 is capable of, for example, high-speed counting of game balls provided on each island where a plurality of ball game machines 550 are grouped, or on a place such as a counter. The game ball counter 600 is also connected to the hall computer 4 via the network 8. The game ball detector 610 in the game ball counter 600 includes a plurality of game ball detectors 3000 (for example, eight (16 lanes) or nine (18 lanes)) capable of detecting the two lane game balls shown in FIG. A large number of game balls can be counted in a short time.

  For the gaming ball counter 600 capable of such high-speed counting, the operation check described above is performed by short-circuiting each detection coil in the gaming ball detector 610, and an abnormality is detected by the counting control unit 620 (2). When a normal operation is performed, for example, an abnormality occurs using a display 630 (for example, a multi-digit 7-segment display for displaying numbers) 630 that displays the number of game balls counted. The game ball detector is specified and the abnormal signal is transmitted to the hall computer 4. The abnormality display means and the like can be appropriately designed by applying various known techniques.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a fifth embodiment of the game ball detector according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the game ball detector according to the fifth embodiment has two DC two-wire systems, ie, the first game ball detection unit and the second game ball detection unit described with reference to FIG. In the gaming ball detector according to the fourth embodiment having the gaming ball detection unit of FIG. 10, the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is used as the optical detection coil in the gaming ball detector according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. This is equivalent to the one configured to output from the short-circuit control signal generator 5.

  That is, the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 is configured to be portable, and the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 is operated by, for example, a pachinko hall employee as required, so that the detection coil short-circuit control signal CS0 is operated. (A light output signal of the LED 52) is input to the receiving circuit 17, and the detection coil short-circuit control circuit 16 is operated to short-circuit both ends of the two detection coils 111 and 112 simultaneously. The detection coil short-circuit control signal generator 5 can also be configured by applying magnetic means as in the game ball detector of the third embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  Here, for example, the local control unit 2 provided in the game ball counter is provided with two abnormality display devices (indicator lights) 251 and 252 for confirming the operations of the two game ball detection units, respectively. ing. When an abnormality is detected in each game ball detection unit, the abnormality is displayed on the corresponding local abnormality display devices 251 and 252 and an abnormality signal is output to the hall computer 4.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation check process in the game ball detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the operation confirmation process of the game ball detector, first, in step ST41, for example, an employee of a pachinko hall confirms the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252, and first If at least one of the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252 is a detection state display of a game ball, the process proceeds to step ST44 and an employee or a person in charge of a device manufacturer (for example, a manufacturer that manufactures a game ball counter) Service personnel) handle the abnormality manually.

  On the other hand, if both the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252 are in the non-detection state display in step ST41, the process proceeds to step ST42, and the employee inputs the detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 to the game ball detector. Then, the process proceeds to step ST43. The detection coil short circuit control signal CS0 is input by, for example, the detection coil short circuit control signal generator 5 carried by the employee.

  In step ST43, if the employee confirms the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252, and if at least one of the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252 is a non-detection state display of the game ball, In step ST44, the employee or the person in charge of the device manufacturer performs an abnormality process manually.

  On the other hand, if both the first and second detection output display units 251 and 252 display the detection state in step ST43, the process proceeds to step ST45 to set the system standby state.

  According to the game ball detector of the fifth embodiment, the effects of the game ball detectors of the fourth and second embodiments described above can be obtained.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the game hall to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 24 is a diagram showing one island in the game hall of FIG. 23, and FIG. 25 is the island of FIG. It is a figure showing roughly an example of one bullet ball game machine in.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a plurality of ball game machines 550 are arranged for each island 72 in the game hall (pachinko hall). For example, one high-speed count is possible for each island 72. A game ball counter (island-by-island counter) 600 is provided, and as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, a game ball counter 500 is provided for each of the ball game machines 550, and each hall has a hall. It is connected to the computer 4 via a network (8). Note that the gaming ball counter 600 capable of high-speed counting may be installed in another place such as the counter 71, for example.

  The present invention is applied to a game ball detector that detects a game ball made of metal, for example, a ball game machine using a game ball detector, a game ball counter provided on each island, and a ball game machine. The present invention can be widely applied to a game ball counting machine, a game hall counting system in a game hall, etc.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of an example of the conventional game ball detector. It is a time chart of the output signal waveform at the time of game ball detection in the game ball detector of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the conventional game ball detector. It is a time chart of the output signal waveform at the time of game ball detection in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the game ball detector of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of 1st Example of the game ball detector which concerns on this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the specific circuit structure of the game ball detector of FIG. It is a time chart of the output signal waveform at the time of game ball detection in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the operation confirmation process in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of 2nd Example of the game ball detector which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of 3rd Example of the game ball detector which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of 4th Example of the game ball detector which concerns on this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the specific circuit structure of the principal part of the game ball detector of FIG. It is a figure which shows the timing pattern of the signal output in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a flowchart (the 1) for demonstrating an example of the counting process of the game ball detector of FIG. It is a flowchart (the 2) for demonstrating an example of the counting process of the game ball detector of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the operation confirmation process in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the game ball detector which integrated two sets of the game ball detector shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of game ball counter using the game ball detector of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the whole structure of a game management system. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of 5th Example of the game ball detector which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the game ball detection process in the game ball detector of FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly the whole structure of the game hall to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows one island in the game hall of FIG. It is a figure which shows roughly an example of one bullet ball game machine in the island of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: 3000 gaming ball detector 2 control unit (counting control unit: local)
4 Central processing unit (hall computer)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Detection coil short circuit control signal generator 8 Network 11; 11a, 11b: 111,112; L1, L2 Detection coil 12; 12a, 12b; 121,122 High frequency oscillation circuit (oscillation circuit)
13; 13a, 13b; 131, 132 Detection smoothing circuit 14; 14a, 14b; 141, 142 Comparison circuit 15; 15a, 15b; 151, 152 Output circuit 16 Detection coil short-circuit control circuit 17 Reception circuit 20; 21, 22; 162 163; 172 Load (resistance)
23 CPU
24 External output unit 25; 251, 252 Abnormal display device (indicator light)
26 Sound generator for anomaly detection (speaker)
51; 53 Detection coil short circuit control signal transmission circuit 52 Light emitting diode (LED)
54 Coil 71 Counter 72 Island 160 Reed switch 161 Transistor 171 Phototransistor 300; 3001, 3002 Through hole 500 Each game ball counter 550 Ball game machine 551 unit 552 Inter-unit machine 600 Game ball counter (game ball per island) Counting machine)
CS0; CS1, CS2 detection coil short circuit control signal P; P1 to P3 game balls S0; S1, S2; S11, S12; S21, S22 signal output

Claims (15)

A detection coil wound around a passage of a game ball made of metal, a high-frequency oscillation circuit including the detection coil , and switching means for short-circuiting both ends of the detection coil, the oscillation state of the high-frequency oscillation circuit A game ball detector that determines the passage of the game ball and outputs a game ball passing signal by:
The detection coil includes a first detection coil and a second detection coil provided at a predetermined distance in a passage of the game ball, and
The high-frequency oscillation circuit includes a first high-frequency oscillation circuit including the first detection coil and a second high-frequency oscillation circuit including the second detection coil, and oscillations of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits The passage of the game ball is determined according to the state and the first and second game ball passage signals are output, and the first and second game ball passage signals have a certain time overlap,
The switching means forcibly put both ends of the first and second detection coils into a short-circuit state simultaneously with a single detection coil short-circuit control signal, and perform an operation check with the game ball passing signal. Game ball detector to play. The game ball detector according to claim 1,
The game ball detector, wherein the detection coil short circuit control signal is output in response to a control signal from a central processing unit. The game ball detector according to claim 2,
The control signal from the central processing unit is output when power is turned on before the game hall where the game ball does not pass is started, and the operation of the game ball detector is confirmed. . The game ball detector according to claim 1,
The game ball detector, wherein the detection coil short circuit control signal is output from a detection coil short circuit control signal generator. The game ball detector according to claim 4,
The game ball detector, wherein the detection coil short-circuit control signal generator is configured as a portable device. The game ball detector according to claim 5,
The portable detection coil short circuit control signal generator generates an optical detection coil short circuit control signal. The game ball detector according to claim 6,
The gaming ball detector, wherein the switching means includes a photodiode or a phototransistor that receives the optical detection coil short circuit control signal. The game ball detector according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The gaming ball detector, wherein the switching means includes a transistor and performs short-circuit control at both ends of the detection coil by a switching operation of the transistor. The game ball detector according to claim 5,
The portable detection coil short circuit control signal generator generates a magnetic detection coil short circuit control signal, and
The gaming ball detector according to claim 1, wherein the switching means includes a reed switch that performs short-circuit control at both ends of the detection coil by the magnetic detection coil short-circuit control signal. The game ball detector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
Game ball detection for the first lane for determining the passage of the game ball in the first lane according to the oscillation state of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits and outputting the first and second game ball passage signals And
Game ball detection for the second lane for determining the passage of the game ball in the second lane according to the oscillation state of the first and second high-frequency oscillation circuits and outputting the first and second game ball passage signals And comprising
First and second detection coils constituting the first lane gaming ball detection unit are provided in the first through hole, and the first lane gaming ball detection unit constituting the first lane detection ball detecting unit A game ball detector, wherein a second detection coil is provided in a second through hole, and the first and second through holes are integrated with a predetermined distance in the passing direction of the game ball. A ball game machine to which the game ball detector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is applied,
As a result of the operation check performed by the game ball passing signal with both ends of the detection coil short-circuited, when an abnormality is confirmed in the game ball detector, the ball ball game machine is notified of the operation abnormality, and the center A bullet ball game machine that outputs an operation abnormality signal to a processing unit. A game ball counter to which the game ball detector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is applied,
As a result of the operation check performed by the game ball passing signal with both ends of the detection coil short-circuited, when an abnormality is confirmed in the game ball detector, the ball ball game machine is notified of the operation abnormality, A game ball counter characterized by outputting an abnormal operation signal to a central processing unit. 13. The game ball counter according to claim 12 , wherein the game ball counter is provided for each bullet ball game machine. 13. The game ball counter according to claim 12 , wherein the game ball counter is provided for each island where a plurality of ball game machines are grouped or in another predetermined place. Machine. A game ball counting system for controlling a plurality of ball game machines and a plurality of game ball counters by a central processing unit,
Each of the ball game machines is the ball game machine according to claim 11 , and
Each game ball counter is a game ball counter according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the game ball counter is a game ball counter.

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