JPH02200286A - Bound ball playing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a ball to be hitfrom being remained in a hitting ball emitting position when a first game is restarted after a play condition is initialized and to execute one game exactly with the fixed number of the balls to be hit by providing a hit ball removal processor to execute processing so that the hit ball remained in the hit ball emitting position can be removed based on the output of a play starting condition detecting means and a hit ball removal processor drive control means to control the drive of this processor. CONSTITUTION:Since a bound ball playing machine 1 drives a hit ball motor 92 only for a short time T4 when a power-on reset signal is outputted as the play starting condition detecting means, the removal processing is executed so that the hit ball is not remained in a hit ball emitting position 125 at all times when the hit ball in the hit ball emitting position 125 is emitted and a play startable condition is obtained. Thus, when the game is initialized, the game is not executed by the hit balls more than the fixed number in the first game after the initialization and one game can be always executed with the fixed number of the hit balls. As the hit ball removal processor to remove the hit ball so as not to be remained in the hit ball emitting position 125, a hit ball motor 92 is driven.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention counts the balls sent to a ball firing position and fires a certain number of balls onto a game board, and at least the certain number of balls are counted. This invention relates to a pinball game machine that gives a predetermined value based on the result of a game that is established.

[, Prior Art] Conventionally, a game is played by firing a certain number of balls (for example, 16) onto a game board, and winnings are won by passing through openings arranged horizontally in a row at the bottom of the playing area of the game board. There is a type of pinball game machine that pays out a predetermined prize ball when the combinations obtained are a predetermined combination. In such a pinball game machine, the number of balls sent into the ball firing position is counted, and the ball is considered to have been fired at the stage at which it is sent.

[To be solved by the invention; Problem J] By the way, in the above-mentioned type of pinball game machine, if the player interrupts the game before firing the ball supplied to the ball firing position, the supply The ball that was hit remains at the ball launch position, and in such a state the game state is initialized (it is automatically reset after a predetermined period of time has passed since the game was interrupted, or when the power is turned off) )
If the ball is left in the ball launch position,
When the game state of the pinball game machine is changed to a state where the game can be started again, the ball is used as the first hit ball in the next game, and this hit ball is not included in the fixed number for the next game. Therefore, in the next game, there was a problem in that the game would be played with more balls than the fixed number.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a pinball game machine that can always play a game with a fixed number of balls.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the pinball game machine according to the present invention counts the balls sent to the ball firing position and places a certain number of balls on the game board. A game in which a pinball game machine is fired and a predetermined value is given based on the result of the game achieved by at least a certain number of balls, and in which it is detected that the pinball game machine has entered a predetermined game start state. a start state detection means; a hit ball removal processing device that processes to remove the hit balls left at the ball launch position based on the output of the game start state detection device; and drive control of the hit ball removal processing device. The invention is characterized by comprising: a drive control means for a ball removal processing device.

[Function] After the pinball game machine has been initialized, the game can be started again, for example, when the power is turned on, or when a reset signal is derived after a predetermined period of time has passed after the game was interrupted, etc. Since the ball removal processing device is driven and controlled by the ball removal processing device drive control means, the ball remaining at the ball ejection position is removed from the ball ejection position. Therefore, when restarting the first game after the game state is initialized, no balls remain at the ball launch position, so one game can be played with exactly a certain number of balls.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

``Pinball'' The overall structure of the pinball game machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a front view of the pinball game machine. In the figure, a door holding frame 3 is provided around a frame-shaped front frame 2 of a pinball game machine 1, and the door holding frame 3 includes a glass 5714 having a glass plate and a front door 5.
It is pivoted on one side and is attached so that it can be opened and closed. Behind the glass door 4, the game board 13 is mounted on the Nada game board holding frame 42 (see FIG. 9) on the back side of the front frame 2 with game board mounts 43a to 43C (however, 43c is not shown). ) is provided in a removable manner. Further, on the surface of the front face #5, a batted ball supply tray 6 is fixed that stores the ejected prize balls and supplies them one by one to the firing position of the batted ball. A prize ball dispensing lower is provided on the upstream side of the batted ball supply tray 6, from which prize balls are discharged from a prize ball dispensing device 57, which will be described later. A speaker 8 is built in to generate relevant sound effects. Further, a start switch 9 for starting a game in the pinball game machine 1 is also provided on the front surface #5. Once the start switch 9 is pressed by the first player after the power is turned on, there is no need to press it again unless the power is turned off.During the game, the start switch 9 is used as a settlement switch for calculating the scores for each game. Furthermore, this pinball game machine 1 works as
In , when a game ends and the next game starts, the scores from the previous game are automatically settled. Therefore, the start switch 9 is used as a settlement switch only when the player wants to settle the previous game without proceeding to the next game. In addition,
The start switch 9 may not be provided and the game can be started immediately after the power is turned on. In this case, the power on switch serves as the game start detection means for starting the game.
Further, on the back side of the front door 5, a batted ball supply device 100 is fixed that supplies batted balls guided from the batted ball supply tray 6 to a batted ball firing position 125, which will be described later.

Note that the batted ball supply device 100 will be described in detail later.

At the lower part of the front frame 2, there is an operation handle 10 that constitutes a part of the batted ball firing device 82, and a surplus ball tray 11 for storing prize balls that cannot be stored in the batted ball supply tray 6.
is provided. Further, a surplus ball discharge port 12 is provided on the rear surface of the surplus ball receiving tray 11, and balls flowing out from a surplus ball passage 71 and a return ball path 131, which will be described later, are discharged to the surplus ball receiving tray 11. . Further, inside the operating handle 10, a handle switch (not shown) is provided for rotationally driving a ball hitting motor 92, which will be described later.

Structure of Game Board On the surface of the game board 13, which is removably attached to the game board holding frame 42 using game board mounts 43a to 43c, there is a guide rail for guiding balls guided from a firing rail 124, which will be described later. 14 are planted in an almost circular shape. The area surrounded by the guide rail 14 constitutes a gaming area 15. A variable display device 16 having a plurality of rotating drums 17a to 17c is provided approximately in the center of the gaming area 15, and a variable winning ball device 22 having a pair of movable members 34a and 34b is provided below the variable display device 16. It is being The movable members 34a and 34b of the variable winning ball device 22 are arranged so that the combination of the rotating drums 17a to 17c of the variable display device 16 is in a predetermined display state (for example, when the numbers "7" are aligned in the horizontal direction). It is set to enter a specific gaming state and remain open for a predetermined period of time. When a prize is won in a specific winning hole (not shown) provided in the movable members 34a and 34b, the above-described open state is repeated again at the start of the next game, up to 10 times each time a winning ball is generated in the specific winning hole. It can be repeated.

In addition, the variable display device 16 includes a starting prize opening 21 which will be described later.
a, 21b is provided with a winning number display LED 18 for storing the number of winning balls up to a maximum of 4 and displaying the stored number, and a continuation number display 19 for displaying the number of times the open state is repeated. ing. Further, in the upper center of the variable display device 16, there is provided a double prize opening 20 for doubling the points obtained when the game is completed. Also,
When the hit ball enters the double winning hole 20, the passing hole 2 will be described later.
The display lamp 24a corresponding to 3a is turned on.

In addition, on both left and right sides of the variable display device 16, a starting prize opening 21a that allows rotation of the rotating drums 17a to 17c,
21b is provided. This starting prize opening 21a, 21
When a hit ball wins in the starting winning hole 21a on the left side of the illustration in b, the display lamp 24b corresponding to the passing hole 23b lights up, and when a hitting ball wins in the starting winning hole 21b on the right side in the drawing, it corresponds to the passing hole 23o. The display lamp 240 is turned on.

At the bottom of the game area 15, there are a plurality of (16 in the example)
Passing holes 23a to 23p serving as ball receiving openings are provided in a row in the horizontal direction, and a decorative plate 25 covering the front surface of the passing holes 23a to 23p has display lamps 24a to 24a corresponding to each of the passing holes 23a to 23p. 24p is provided. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the passage ports 23a to 23p are marked with "1 to 1".
It is marked with the number 6. Therefore, when the ball passes through any one of the plurality of passage ports 23a to 23p, the corresponding display lamps 24a to 24p light up, and when four display lamps 24a to 24p light up in a row, the score is 1 point. becomes. However, the central passage ports 23g to 23j (
Display lamps 24g to 24j corresponding to 7 to 10)
When four lights are lit in a row, the score is 3 points.

Further, when five or more lights are lit in a row, one point is added for each one lit. In addition, the display lamps 24a to 24
p may be turned on or displayed blinking as a demonstration from when the power is turned on or from when a reset output, which will be described later, is derived until the start switch 9 is pressed.

Furthermore, the game area 15 is provided with game effect lamps 26a and 26b that light up or blink to inform the player when the specific game state is reached. Frame lamps 27a and 27b are also provided on the upper part of the front frame 2 to provide the same effect as the game effect lamps 26a and 26b. Furthermore, outside the gaming area 15,
A score display 28 for displaying the score is provided on the upper right side of the game board 13, and a prize ball payout indicator 28 is provided on the upper left side of the game board 13, which lights up when a discharged ball detection switch 65, which will be described later, is activated. A lamp 30 and an out-of-ball lamp 29 are provided, which are turned on when an activation switch 51a, which will be described later, is activated. Note that the maximum score displayed on the score display 28 is limited to 10 points, but since the score display 28 is composed of one digital display, when displaying the 10 points, "A" is now displayed. Of course, in this case, the score display 28 may be composed of two digital displays. Also,
The score display 28 flashes the score established in the previous game at the start of the game, subtracts the score display every time a prize ball is paid out, and when it reaches "0", the score is displayed in a blinking manner. If a score is scored in a game, the score is displayed by lighting up, and the score obtained in each game is distinguished by the display mode. In this case, one digital display that emits two colors may be used to distinguish between the two.

Further, a display device for displaying points generated during the progress of the game and a display device for displaying points to be paid out may be provided separately.

Here, the structure of the back side of the game board 13 will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. The movable member 3 of the variable winning ball device 22
4a and 34b are driven by a solenoid 33 to open and close freely. A ball received with the movable member 34a34b open is guided into the variable winning ball device 22, but the inside of the variable winning ball device 22 is divided into three parts (not shown), and a ball is placed in the center. A specific winning opening is formed, and normal winning openings are formed on the left and right sides thereof. A specific winning ball detection switch 31 is provided at the downstream end of the specific winning opening, and normal winning ball detection switches 32a, 32 are provided at the downstream end of the normal winning opening.
b is provided. Therefore, the movable members 34a, 34
When the hit ball that was stopped by b enters the specific winning hole and the specific winning ball detection switch 31 is turned on, the movable member 34 is activated again for a predetermined period at the start of the next game as described above.
a, 34b are opened, and the plurality of passage ports 23 are opened.
Among a to 23p, passage ports that are relatively difficult to pass through, for example, 2
Display lamps 24d, 24g, 24j, corresponding to 3d, 23g, 23j, 23n (corresponding to 47, 10, 13)
24n lights up. In addition, when the hit ball enters one of the normal winning holes, the normal winning ball detection switch 32a
When turned on, the passage ports that are relatively difficult to pass through among the plurality of passage ports 23a to 23p, for example, 23b, 23d,
Indicator lamps 24b, 24d, 24g corresponding to 23g, 23j (corresponding to 2, 4, 7, 10).

24j is now lit. Furthermore, the hit ball enters the other normal winning hole and the normal winning ball detection switch 32b is activated.
When turned on, the passage ports that are relatively difficult to pass through among the plurality of passage ports 23a to 23p, such as 23g, 23j,
Display lamps 24g, 24j, 24n, and 24o corresponding to 23n and 23o (corresponding to 7 and 10% and 13.15) are lit. In this way, when the ball is hit, the specific winning ball detection switch 31 and the normal winning ball detection switch 32a
When 32b is turned on, the display lamps 24a to 24p corresponding to passage ports 23a to 23p that are relatively difficult to pass through are lit at one or two intervals, so that the display lamps 24a to 24p corresponding to passage ports 23a to 23p that are not lit are lit. A high score can be easily achieved by the ball passing through the area, and in particular, by turning on the specific winning ball detection switch 31, high scores can be obtained for up to 10 games in a row, so a large amount of prizes can be won. You can get balls. In addition, in this example,
Although points are awarded based on the combination of passageways through which the hit ball passes, points may be awarded based on the passage of the batted ball through a specific passageway, or prize balls may be paid out immediately. .

Next, on the back side of the passage ports 23a to 23p, there is a passage port 2.
Passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p are arranged to detect winning balls in the balls 4b to 24p. The passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p detect that a ball has passed and light up the indicator lamps 24a to 24p.

By the way, on the back side of the game board 13, as shown in FIG. 9, a winning collection cover 36 is attached. This winning collection cover integrated 36 has a guiding path that leads the double winning opening 20 and the starting winning openings 21a and 21b to a ball collecting gutter 76, which will be described later, and a double detection switch 39 and a starting winning hole are formed in the middle of the guiding path. Winning ball detection switches 40a and 40b are provided, respectively. Also, the winning cover set 3
At the center of 6 is a rotating drum 17 of the variable display device 16.
An opening is provided so that a drum drive mechanism 37 that rotationally drives a to 17c protrudes. Note that a drive motor 38 for rotating the rotating drums 17a to 17c is attached to the side of the drum drive mechanism 37. Furthermore, a relay terminal board 41 is provided on the back side of the winning assembly cover unit 36 to temporarily connect the wiring of the various switches and indicator lamps, and from this relay terminal board 41 to a control circuit board 81 which will be described later. The control circuit 133 is connected to the control circuit 133.

Structure of Mechanism Plate Next, the structure of the mechanism plate 44 arranged on the back side of the pinball game machine 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The mechanism board 44 is provided with various mechanisms for discharging a predetermined number (for example, 16) of prize balls corresponding to the score established at the time the one game is completed. The mechanism plate 44 is composed of a roughly rectangular mechanism plate main body 45 made of synthetic resin and various mechanisms assembled thereto, and one side of the mechanism plate main body 45 is attached to the game board holding frame 42 by a shaft. It is supported so that it can be opened and closed freely. Further, on the back surface of the mechanism plate main body 45, mechanism plate mounts 46a to 46c are provided that lock the mechanism plate 44 in the closed state. Furthermore, a ball collection gutter 76, which will be described later, is formed at the lower front surface of the mechanism plate main body 45. The configuration of this ball collection gutter 76 will be described in detail later.

On the rear side of the mechanism plate main body 45, various mechanisms are provided for dispensing prize balls to the player, which are supplied from a supply mechanism (not shown) of the pinball game machine installation stand. These mechanisms will be explained below. On the upper part of the mechanism plate main body 45,
A prize ball tank 47 is fixed. This prize ball tank 4 is supplied with a large amount of prize balls from the above-mentioned supply mechanism.

A guide gutter 48 is provided below the prize ball tank 47 for arranging the prize balls. The guide gutter 48 is installed at an angle so that the prize balls are arranged in two rows and flow down naturally. Furthermore, a ball sensing plate 49 is pivotally supported on the upstream bottom surface of the guide gutter 48 so as to be swingable. When the prize balls are placed on the ball sensing plate 49 and the ball is full, the upper end of the ball sensing plate 49 is pushed down against the biasing force of a weight (not shown). On the other hand, ball sensing plate 4
When there are no prize balls placed on the ball 9 due to lack of prize balls, the upper end of the ball sensing plate 49 is raised by the biasing force of the weight.

When the ball sensing plate 49 flips up, an activation switch 51 disposed below it via the activation member 50
a, 51b are operated, the ball-out lamp 29 is lit to notify that fact, and the payout motor 6, which will be described later, is activated.
2 is stopped, a signal is sent to a management computer installed in the gaming hall, and the replenishment mechanism (not shown) is operated to replenish the prize ball tank 47 with a predetermined number (for example, 400 prize balls).

On the downstream side of the guide gutter 48, bent portions 52 are formed in two rows.
This bent portion 5 is attached so that the
2 is the direction in which the prize balls flowing down the guide gutter 48 is 1.
This is to make the ball turn 80 degrees and to weaken the earth pressure of the prize balls that are continuously flowing down. A ball extraction device 53 is provided at the bent portion of the bending portion 52, and when operated after closing, the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank 47 and the guide gutter 48 are discharged into the ball extraction passage 54, and the balls are removed. The player is guided outside the gaming machine 1.

Further, a deficiency detection plate 55 is swingably provided in a substantially downwardly inclined passageway portion downstream of the bent portion 52 . When there is a prize ball in the bending part 52, this deficiency detection plate 55 maintains a state in which the upper end is pressed by the prize ball and the lower end is flipped outward, and conversely, there are no prize balls in the bent gutter 52. Then, the upper end rotates upward due to its own weight, and the lower end hangs down almost vertically. When in such a hanging state, it engages with an operating member of a prize ball dispensing device 57, which will be described later, so that the prize balls are not finally dispensed.

Further, in the downstream part of the bent gutter 52, there is a vertical part 5 having a substantially vertical shape.
6 is formed, and a stepped portion is formed at the end thereof. This stepped portion acts to weaken the earth pressure so that the prize ball dispensing device 57, which will be described later, operates smoothly.

A prize ball dispensing device 57 is connected to the downstream side of the bent gutter 52. The prize ball dispensing device 57 receives a predetermined number of prize balls, and transfers the predetermined number of prize balls to the scoring ball processing device 5.
It is paid out in conjunction with the action of step 8. Here, to briefly explain the configuration of the scoring ball processing device 58, the scoring ball processing device 58 receives and processes the scoring balls stored in the ball collection gutter 76 one by one. The system operates the prize ball dispensing device 57 so as to dispense a predetermined number (16) of prize balls with respect to the scoring balls. A rotating cam 61 and a payout motor 62 to be operated, a scoring ball discharge passage 63 through which processed scoring balls are discharged, and a rocker that operates a discharged ball detection switch 65 that faces the scored ball discharge passage 63 and detects the discharge pressure. It is composed of a moving member 64. When points are scored in the game and a drive command is issued to the payout motor 62, the rotating cam 61 rotates to swing the pushing member 59.

Then, the scoring balls are pushed out by the push-out member 59 and the rotating member 60 is rotated, so the prize ball payout device 57 is operated and a predetermined number of prize balls are put out. Then, when the processed score balls fall down the score ball discharge path 63, the discharged ball detection switch 65 is turned on, and each time there is a detection signal, the paid points are subtracted from the score counter and the player earns them. Scored balls are processed according to the number of points scored. Note that the discharge pressure that has passed through the score ball discharge passage 63 is further detected by a data switch 66. This data switch 66 is connected to the management computer of the game hall and is used as a data signal for managing the excavation of the pinball game machine.

The prize balls paid out from the prize ball payout device 57 are discharged into a prize ball payout passage 67. In the prize ball dispensing passage 67, there is a bell 69 that makes a sound when the prize balls collide with each other.
Further, a guiding opening 68 is provided at the lower end of the prize ball dispensing passage 67 below the prize ball dispensing passage 67, and this guiding opening 68 communicates with the batted ball supply tray 6. Further, on one side of the guide opening 68, a connecting bridge 70 is provided to communicate with the surplus ball passage 71, and surplus prize balls are guided to the surplus ball passage 71. The lower end of the surplus ball passage 71 is connected to a connection gutter 75 attached to the back surface of the front frame 2, and the surplus prize balls are guided to the surplus ball receiving tray 11. Further, a fullness sensing member 73 is provided on one side wall of the surplus ball passage 71 so as to be swingable around the upper end thereof. Thus, when the surplus ball passage 71 is filled with prize balls, the fullness sensing member 73 is pressed by the prize balls and swings. Further, a fullness detection switch 74 is provided at a position facing the fullness sensing member 73.

Then, when the fullness sensing member 73 is swung, the fullness detection switch 74 is turned off, and the rotation of the payout motor 62 of the score ball processing device 58 is stopped. Therefore, when the fullness sensing member 73 operates, prize balls are no longer dispensed. Furthermore, surplus ball passage 7
A bell 72 that makes a sound when it collides with the prize ball is provided inside the ball 1.

By the way, in order to supply score balls to the score ball processing device 58, a ball collection gutter 76 is provided at an angle on the front side of the mechanism plate main body 45, but this structure will be explained as follows.
In this embodiment, the score balls supplied to the score ball processing device 58 are sent to the passing days 238 to 23p and the double winning slot 2o.
The starting winning balls 21m, 21b and the ones driven into the variable winning ball device 22 are used. This is very different from conventional pinball game machines in which the prize ball payout device is driven by an electric drive source (solenoid) in accordance with score information. With this configuration, the mechanism plate used in a conventional regular pachinko game machine can be used as is with only slight modification. To explain the structure for supplying scoring balls, an overflow lower 8 is formed on the upstream side of the ball collection gutter 76, and an overflow ball passage f 9 is connected from the overflow lower 8. The overflow ball discharge port 80, which is the downstream end of the overflow ball passage 79, faces the ball removal passage 54, and therefore, overflow balls overflowing from the overflow lower 8 are guided out of the pinball game machine 1. It has become so.

By the way, a ball storage part 77 is formed on the ball collection gutter 76 to store a predetermined number of scoring balls, but the number of scoring balls to be stored in this ball storage part 77 is (2X(1) The maximum score achieved in the game) + α) is set. For example, if the score obtained in the first A game is the highest (10 points), the next B game starts after a predetermined time T after the A game ends, and at the same time the A game score is The corresponding prize balls are paid out. At this time, if the prize balls corresponding to the first score are only paid out, but the scoring balls on the ball collecting gutter 76 become jammed, and the prize balls corresponding to the second and subsequent scores are not paid out,
If the highest score is achieved in the next B game and the game ends, the points not paid out in the A game (highest score - 1) and the score achieved in the B game (highest score) are
When the ball jam is cleared, the balls must be continuously dispensed, and the above setting is made to cope with this with a margin. Since only the number of balls is stored, if there is an interruption time, a waiting time is taken until the prize balls of the A game are paid out, so that the next game C does not proceed.

Furthermore, a control circuit board 81 is added to the back side of the mechanism board main body 45 to control the game content and the operation of the shot balls, which will be described later. A control circuit 133 (see FIG. 1) including a microcomputer is formed on this control circuit board 81.

1 labor! 1 Next, the ball hitting control mechanism, which is important in controlling the game of this pinball game machine 1, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The batted ball control mechanism includes a batted ball firing device 82, a batted ball supply device 100, and a firing rail mechanism 122.

Battered Ball Launching Device First, the configuration of the batted ball launching device 82 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9. The ball launcher 82 is
This is a drive device for ejecting the ball at the ball ejection position 125 of the ejection rail 124, and is operated by operating the operating handle 10. In FIGS. 1 and 9, the ball launcher 82 is collectively provided on a rectangular mounting board 83. As shown in FIGS. On the mounting board 83, a ball batting rod 84 having a hammer tip 85 at its tip is connected to one end of the support shaft 86 (the mounting board 83).
A hammer tip portion 85 is rotatably supported on the rear side of 3).
is designed to face the batted ball firing position 125, and to launch the batted ball waiting at the batted ball firing position 125.
A coiled spring (not shown) that applies elastic force to the ball hitting rod 84 is provided around the 6, and one end of the coiled spring is locked to an arm portion 88 that rotates integrally with the support shaft 86. The other end is locked to a winding member 96 that rotates by a ball hitting force adjusting member 95, which will be described later. Further, a light shielding plate 8 is provided at the lower end of the ball batting rod 84.
7 is formed and the batting rod 84 is tilted, the light shielding plate 87
turns a batting rod operation state detection switch 98, which will be described later, from ON to OFF, and when the batting rod 84 returns, turns it from OFF to ON.

An arm portion 88 is fixed to the other end of the support shaft 86 (on the front side of the mounting board 83), and a contact roller 8 is attached to the tip of the arm portion 88.
9 is rotatably attached. This contact roller 8
9 is a ball hitting motor 9 fixed to the rear side of the mounting board 83.
As the ball hitting motor 92 rotates, the rotating cam 90 and the contact roller 89 are repeatedly engaged and disengaged, and the supporting shaft 86 Then, the ball hitting rod 84 is rotated within a predetermined angle range against the biasing force of the coiled spring. Note that the rotary cam 90 is attached to the motor shaft 91 protruding from an opening 93 formed in the mounting board 83, and therefore is located on the front side of the mounting board 83. In addition, a ninth
As shown in the figure, a tentacle detection circuit 94 is arranged, and when the player turns on a handle switch (not shown) provided on the operating handle 10, the circuit of the ball hitting motor 92 is closed.

Further, the operation handle 1 is provided on the front side of the mounting board 83.
A ball hitting force adjusting member 95 is provided which rotates by a rotational movement of 0 to rotate the winding member 96 to adjust the elastic force of the ball hitting rod 84. This hitting force adjusting member 95
The rotating motion of the operating handle 10 is transmitted to adjust the ball hitting force of a coiled spring (not shown). In addition, the ball hitting force adjusting member 95 is in the initial state (operation handle 1
0 (non-rotating state), it is possible to finely adjust the batting force (repulsion force). On the other hand, the mounting board 83
Contact rubbers 97a and 97b for regulating the range of rotation of the ball hitting rod 84 are fixed to the rear side in a vertically intersecting manner.

Further, on the rear surface side of the mounting board 83, a light emitting/receiving type batting rod operation state detection switch 98 which is turned on and off by the light shielding plate 87 is fixed.

This batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is normally in the ON state, and turns OFF when the batting rod 84 tilts and the light shielding plate 87 intervenes.
When the number 4 returns, it changes from OFF to ON, and when the change occurs, an excitation signal is sent to a ball feed solenoid 113 of a batted ball supply device 100, which will be described later.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, the batted ball supply device 1
The structure of 00 will be explained. In FIG. 1, the ball supply device 100 is collectively provided on a box frame-shaped mounting plate 101 fixed to the back surface of the front surface 5i15. That is, at the end of the batted ball guide path 102 that guides batted balls in a continuous line to the batted ball supply tray 6, a side plate portion 103 is provided to face the side plate portion 103, and a feeding soil placement portion 104 is formed just in front of the side plate portion 103. There is. This feeding soil placement section 104 has an opening formed therein so that the ball can be stopped, and the ball feeding protrusion 110 of the ball feeding member 107 appears in and disappears from this opening.

A rectangular ball feeding opening 105 is provided in the mounting plate 101 above the soil feeding section 104, and the lower side of the ball feeding opening 105 constitutes a regulating portion 106. Regulation part 1
06 is to prevent the balls stopped on the feeding soil loading section 104 from falling to the firing rail 124 side. Therefore, in order to guide the ball stopped on the feeding soil placement section 104 to the firing rail 124 side, it is necessary to lift the ball and make it jump over the regulating section 106. is the ball feeding member 107. The ball feeding member 107 is pivotably supported around a support shaft 108, and an arm portion 109 on the tip side thereof has a
A ball-feeding protrusion 110 is formed that is bent upward, and this ball-feeding protrusion 110 appears and retracts from the soil-feeding portion 104. Moreover, the upper surface of the ball feeding protrusion 110 is
As shown in FIG. 2B, an inclined surface 111 is formed that slopes toward the firing rail 124 side, so that when the ball is lifted, it easily rolls down from the ball feeding opening 105 toward the firing rail 124 side. On the other hand, a pair of engagement protrusions 112 are formed in the vertical direction at the other end of the ball feed member 107, and an engagement plate 116 fixed to the lower end of the plunger 114 of the ball feed solenoid 113 is attached to the engagement protrusions 112. A return spring 115 is provided on the plunger 114 of the ball feed solenoid 113, which is to be engaged with the plunger 114, so that the plunger 114 is always engaged.
14 is biased upward. Therefore, when the ball feed solenoid 113 is not energized, the plunger 114 is held in the raised position by the biasing force of the return spring 115, and therefore the ball feed member 10
The ball feeding protrusion 110 of No. 7 is in a state of being retracted from the feeding soil placement section 104. On the other hand, ball feed solenoid 1
13 is in an excited state, the plunger 114 moves down against the biasing force of the return spring 115, and as a result, the ball feeding protrusion 110 of the ball feeding member 107 enters the soil feeding section 104 and stops. The hit ball is lifted and dropped from the ball feeding opening 105 to the firing rail 124 side.

By the way, the upper part of the soil loading section 104 has a support shaft 1 at its end.
A swinging member 117 is pivotally supported at 18 and is swingably provided.
is located. At the other end of the swinging member 117, a second B
As shown in the figure, an inclined surface portion 119 is formed. As a result, the swinging member 117 swings upward when the ball that has been stopped on the feeding soil placement section 104 is raised by the ball feeding member 107, and its sloped surface section 119 cooperates with the sloped surface 111. This causes the ball to fall onto the firing rail 124 side. Further, on the upper part of the swinging member 11, there is a ball sending detection switch 1.
20 is arranged, and this detects the swinging motion of the swinging member 117 via the actuator 121. That is,
The number of balls sent to the firing rail 124 will be detected.

Launch rail mechanism Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2B, launch rail mechanism 1
22, the launch rail mechanism 122 is integrated and provided on a mounting board 123. That is, the metal launch rail 124 is attached to the mounting board 123 at an angle. The base of the launch rail 124 is formed to have a "v"-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. 2B, and a stop opening 126 is formed at the ball launch position 125 at the downstream end so that the ball faces the ball. It has become. Further, the hammer tip portion 85 of the ball hitting rod 84 appears and disappears in the stop opening 126.

By the way, the batted ball waiting at the batted ball firing position 125 is supported at two lower points by the firing rail 124 having a "v"-shaped cross section, and at one upper point by the superstructure stop member 127 that slopes backward. This provides three-point support for the most stable hitting ball.

On the other hand, a curved portion 128 is formed at the upstream end of the firing rail 124 and constitutes a side wall of a foul ball guiding path 129 formed between the firing rail 124 and the distal end of the guiding rail 14 . A foul ball detection switch 130 is disposed at the downstream end of this foul ball guide path 129, and detects foul balls that are fired and return along the guide rail 14 without reaching the game area 15 of the game board 13. It is designed to detect balls. The foul balls that have passed through the foul ball detection switch 130 are discharged from the return ball path 131 to the surplus ball receiving tray 11. A spilled ball 1 reading member 132 is also connected to the return ball path 131, and when the front door 5 is opened, the prize balls that have fallen from the guidance opening 68 or the rear end of the prize ball payout lower are guided to the spilled balls. Member 132
The surplus balls are guided from the surplus balls discharge port 12 to the surplus balls receiving tray 11 via the return ball path 131. Note that the foul ball detection switch 130 may be provided with an actuation member that is actuated by a ball, similar to the above-described passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p, and a foul ball may be detected by a switch that detects the operation of the actuation member.

The batted ball firing device 82 and batted ball supply device 100 described above are the operations of the batted ball control mechanism.
, and the firing rail mechanism 122 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

First, when the player throws the batted balls purchased into the batted ball supply tray 6, the batted balls reach the batted ball guide path 102 from the batted ball supply tray 6, and the first batted ball is placed on the feeding soil placement section 104. When the player rotates the operation handle 10 in such a state (see FIG. 1), the handle switch (not shown) turns ON and the ball motor 9 of the ball launcher 82 is turned ON.
2 rotates. When the ball-striking motor 92 is rotated, the ball-striking rod 84 is tilted as shown in FIG. Change from ON to OFF state. At this time, when the ball feed solenoid 113 of the ball supply device 100 is rotated further by the ball motor 92, which is not yet energized, as shown in FIG.
9 is released, and the ball hitting rod 84 suddenly returns to its original position as shown in FIG. 3A. At this time, the batting ball operating state detection switch 98 changes from OFF to ON, and this change is detected, so that the batting ball supply device 10
0 ball feed solenoid 113 is energized. When the ball feeding solenoid 113 is energized, the ball feeding member 107 swings to lift the ball waiting in the feeding soil placement section 104 and send it from the ball feeding opening 105 to the ball firing position 125 of the firing rail 124. send out. At this time, the swinging member 117 also swings and the ball feed detection switch 120 is turned on (see Fig. 3B). When the ball feed detection switch 120 is turned on, a count up signal is derived and the ball feed counter 1, which will be described later, is activated.
Add "l" to the value of 39. Note that the batted ball is not fired by the first action of the batting ball rod 84. In other words, the batted ball launching action and the batted ball supplying action are performed when the hammer tip 85 of the batting ball rod 84 is at the batted ball firing position 125. After the ball is fired, the next ball is sent to the launch rail 1 by the ball supply device 100.
It is configured to fall at 24. Therefore, the first firing action in the game is a blank firing. The reason why the supplied batted ball is not configured to fire immediately is that if the configuration is configured such that the batted ball that has just been supplied is fired, the time that the batted ball is placed at the batted ball firing position 125 will be reduced. This is because the distance becomes shorter, which may result in instability, and in that case, firing defects such as spotting may occur. Note that if the ball is supplied after the ball is fired, the ball launching device 82 and the ball supplying device 100 can be operated by one driving source instead of having separate driving sources as in the embodiment. It is also possible to drive both the ball launcher 82 and the ball feeder 100.

As the player continuously operates the operating handle 10 as described above, the ball hitting motor 92 rotates continuously,
It fires the ball and supplies the ball. By the way, when the fired balls return along the guide rail 14 without reaching the game area 15 of the game board 13, most of them are guided to the foul ball guide path 129 and the foul ball detection switch 130 is activated. Turn it on. When this foul ball detection switch 130 is turned on, a countdown signal is derived and the value of a shot ball counter 139, which will be described later, is subtracted by "1".

When the value of the above-mentioned shot ball counter 139 reaches "16", one game ends. And shot ball counter 139
A predetermined period of time T starts from when the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 changes from OFF to ON after the value of becomes "16".
, (for example, 3 seconds), the operation of the ball feeding solenoid 113 of the ball supply device 100 is stopped. At this time, the ball hitting motor 92 of the ball firing device 82 continues to rotate as long as the player operates the operating handle 10, causing the ball hitting rod 84 to reciprocate. Further, if there is a signal from the foul ball detection switch 130 within this predetermined time T1,
The ball feeding solenoid 113 is operated again until the value of the fired ball counter 139 reaches "16", and after the value of the fired ball counter 139 reaches "16" again, the batting rod operating state detection switch 98 is turned off. The batted ball supply device 10 remains open for a predetermined time Tz (for example, 3 seconds) from when it changes to ON.
The operation of the ball feed solenoid 113 of 0 is stopped.

In the above case, within the predetermined time T, the ball-striking motor 92 of the ball-feeding device 82 may be stopped simultaneously with the ball-feeding solenoid 113, or the ball-feeding solenoid 113 and the ball-striking motor 92 may be driven. Even if the passage remains in place, the passage may be closed so as not to supply the ball to the soil feeding section 104 or the ball firing position 125.

The operation of the ball hitting control mechanism is generally as described above, but a specific example of the operation will be explained with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 4. First, in FIG. 4, when the power switch is turned on and a power-on reset signal is derived from the power-on reset circuit 141 (see FIG. 6), it becomes possible to start the game, and the power supply circuit 142 (described later) (See FIG. 6), the ball hitting motor 92 is rotated for a minute time T4. Therefore, since the rotating cam 90 and the contact roller 89 engage with each other to rotate the ball hitting rod 84,
If there is a hit ball at the hit ball firing position 125, the hit ball is fired. Then, as the ball-striking rod 84 rotates, the ball-striking rod operation state detection switch 98 derives a conversion signal from OFF to ON, but even if this conversion signal is derived, the excitation signal pt of the ball feeding solenoid 113 is , is never derived. That is, the ball feed solenoid 113 is disabled. Further, when a hit ball exists at the hit ball firing position 125, the fired ball returns to the foul ball guiding path 129 without reaching the game area 15 because the operating handle 10 is not operated. If there is a high probability that the ball returns, turn on the foul ball detection switch 130.
Then, a detection signal P2 is derived. Although this detection signal P2 would normally be given to the shot ball counter 139 as a countdown signal P, in this embodiment it is treated as invalid. By processing in this way, a certain number of balls are ensured in the first game played.

In the above state, the player presses the start switch 9.
The game can be started by turning on the button. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the period A from when the power-on reset signal is derived until the start switch 9 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 113 and the fired ball counter 139 are disabled as described above. At the same time, passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p provided on the game board 13 (other passing ball detection switches 31 and 32a
, 32b, 39.40a, 40b) are also disabled. Therefore, even if a ball fired when the power-on reset signal is derived reaches the gaming area 15 and turns on any of the passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p, the corresponding display lamps 24a to 35p are turned on. 24p never lights up.

After turning on the start switch 9, the player operates the operation handle 10 to turn on the handle switch (not shown).
Then, the ball-striking motor 92 rotates, and as a result, the ball-striking rod operating state detection switch 98 repeatedly turns OFF and ON, and at the same time, the ball-striking rod 84 is rotated back and forth. As the ball-striking rod operating state detection switch 98 repeats OFF and ON, the ball feed solenoid 113 also repeats energization and de-energization, and the ball feed detection switch 120 also repeats ON and OFF. A count-up signal is derived by repeating 120 steps.

When a foul ball occurs during the firing of 16 balls and the foul ball detection switch 130 is turned on to issue a signal P4, a countdown signal P is derived and the value of the fired ball counter 139 is changed to "1". ” is subtracted. Therefore, in order for the value of the shot ball counter 139 to become "16", "17" count-up signals are required. When the value of the fired ball counter 139 reaches "16", the operation of the ball feeding solenoid 113 is disabled, and immediately after that, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is turned from OFF to OFF.
A predetermined time TI is measured by the change to N. Then, when a foul ball is generated within the predetermined time T1 and the foul ball detection switch 130 is turned ON and a signal P6 is generated, a countdown signal P is derived and the value of the fired ball counter 139 is set to "15". Ball feed solenoid 11 again
3 is activated to send the batted ball to the batted ball firing position 125 and fire the ball. Immediately thereafter, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 changes from OFF to ON again for a predetermined period of time TI.
is measured.

In this embodiment, when the predetermined time T expires, the game moves on to the next game, but at the same time, the minute time T2
timer is activated. The minute time T is the predetermined time TI
A time shorter than the time required for the first hit ball of the next game to reach the foul ball detection switch 130 after the elapse of is selected. Then, the signal P6 emitted by the foul ball detection switch 130 within this minute time T is invalidated and the countdown signal P is not derived. foul ball, that is, 71 points within the predetermined time T1 due to some reason.
- A foul ball that did not pass the ball detection switch 130 is a ball hit in the previous game, so if it is detected and counted down, even if 16 balls were fired in the next game, the ball will be fired. The value of counter 139 is "15"
As a result, in the next game, the game can be played with "17" balls, and to prevent this, it is disabled. Note that even if the ball is invalidated, the ball is returned to the surplus ball receiving tray 1 via the return ball path 131.
Since the number is returned to 1, no major damage is caused to the player.

Further, when the predetermined time T has ended, the operation handle 10
is operated and the batting ball motor 92, batting rod operation state detection switch 98, and ball feed solenoid 113 are operated and the ball feeding detection switch 120 is turned on, the information for the next game must be stored. However, the information of the previous game, especially the score information, must be memorized and the prize balls must be paid out according to the score. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first sending ball detection switch in the next game is When a signal of 120 is detected, all information except the score information of the previous game, for example, the fired ball counter 1
The values of 39 and the lighting states of the display lamps 24a to 24p are initialized to prepare for the next game. Moreover, only the score information is initialized at the end of the payout of prize balls after being moved to another storage section.

Returning to Figure 4, after the predetermined time T1 ends, the next game is played continuously, but in the middle of the next game (the third ball is fired and the fourth ball is fired). If the player stops operating the operation handle 10 and the handle switch is turned OFF at the time when the handle switch is turned OFF, the OFF
When a predetermined time T3 (for example, about 5 minutes) has elapsed since then, a power-on reset signal is automatically derived from the power-on reset circuit 141. This is because if the operating handle 10 is not operated for a relatively long predetermined time T, it is considered that the game by the player is in an interrupted state. When the power-on reset signal is derived, the game becomes ready to start, and the power supply circuit 1
42, the ball hitting motor 92 is rotated for a minute time T4. Therefore, if there is a hit ball at the hit ball firing position 125, the hit ball is fired. As the batting rod 84 rotates, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is activated.
A conversion signal from OFF to ON is derived, but even if this conversion signal is derived, the excitation signal P1 of the ball feed solenoid 113 is
° is never derived, ie, the ball feed solenoid 113 is disabled. Further, when a hit ball exists at the hit ball firing position 125, the fired ball does not reach the foul ball guiding path 12 without reaching the game area 15 because the operation handle 10 is not operated.
There is a high possibility that the ball will return to 9, and if the ball returns, the foul ball detection switch 130 is turned on and a detection signal PII is derived. Although this detection signal PSI would normally be given to the fired ball counter 139 as a countdown signal P12, it is also treated as invalid in this case. By processing in this way, a certain number of balls are ensured in the game to be played after restarting.

Further, in the above state, the player can start the game by turning on the start switch 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the period B from when the power-on reset signal is derived until the start switch 9 is turned on, the ball feeding solenoid 113 and the fired ball counter 139 are disabled as described above. At the same time, passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p provided on the game board 13 (other passing ball detection switches 31
．． 32a, 32b, 39.40a, 40b) are also disabled.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the power-on reset signal, which is the game start enable signal, is derived, the ball hitting motor 92 is driven and controlled via the power supply circuit 142, so that the ball is hit at the ball firing position 125. If there are balls,
Since the hit balls are fired and eliminated so that there are no hit balls at the hit ball launch position 125, a certain number of hit balls remain in the first game after the remaining hit balls from the previous game become ready to play. A game is never played with more balls than the number of balls hit, and one game can always be played with a fixed number of balls hit. Note that the minute time T for driving the ball hitting motor 92
4, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is set to at least one
The time may be any time that includes a state changing from OFF to ON, and the time for one or more batting ball firing operations, or the number of times instead of time, may be selected. Further, in FIG. 4, a power-on reset signal is set as the game start ready state detection means, but a signal derived when the start switch 9 is operated may be set. In this case, After the start switch 9 is operated, the ball hitting motor 92 may be controlled to be driven for a short time T4.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the game was explained as being able to be started by operating the start switch 9, but it may be possible to start the game by deriving the power-on reset signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, immediately after the power-on reset signal is derived, the ball hitting motor 92 is driven, and the driving of the ball hitting motor 92 causes the ball hitting rod operation state detection switch 98 to change from OFF to 0 to N. A conversion signal is derived, and an excitation signal PI3 is sent to the ball feed solenoid 113 based on the conversion signal. In this point, it differs from the time chart shown in FIG. In the case of FIG. 5, in the previous game, the ball launch position 125 and the ball guidance path 10
This is based on the assumption that there is a ball left at the end of the number 2. Therefore, in such a case, the batted ball remaining at the batted ball firing position 125 is fired by the driving of the batting ball motor 92, and the batted ball remaining at the end of the batted ball guide path 102 is driven by the ball feeding solenoid. 113 so as to be supplied to a batted ball launch position 125. Thus, the ball sent by the ball sending solenoid 113 turns on the sending ball detection switch 120 to derive a detection signal P14, and sends a counter up signal pus to the fired ball counter 139. These count-up signals P and S are used as the first ball to be hit in the next game.

On the other hand, the hit ball fired from the hit ball launch position 125 does not reach the game area 15 and the foul ball guide path 129
When the foul ball detection switch 130 is turned on again, the countdown signal PI7 corresponding to the detection signal PIB is invalidated. By processing in this manner, a certain number of balls hit in the next game is ensured.

In addition, in FIG. 5, as in FIG. 4, the predetermined time T after the power-on reset signal is derived (more precisely,
During a predetermined period of time after the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is changed from OFF to ON, the countdown signal is disabled and the passing ball detection switches 35a to 35p are disabled. Further, the ball feed solenoid 113 may be disabled for a predetermined time T.

Operation of the pinball game machine The configuration and ball hitting control mechanism of the pinball game machine 1 according to the embodiment have been explained above, but with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the pinball game machine 1 according to the embodiment The overall operation will be explained.

FIG. 6 shows a control circuit 13 that controls the operation of the pinball game machine 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing 3. This control circuit 133 is configured within the control circuit board 81, and includes a microcomputer 135 as a control center. It includes a ROM 137 that stores operation program data, and a RAM 138 in which necessary data can be written and read.

In the RAM 138, the ball sending detection switch 120,
Alternatively, the count is increased by a signal from the batting rod operation state detection switch 98, and the foul ball detection switch 1 is counted up.
It includes a shot ball counter 139 that counts down in response to a signal from 30. Furthermore, microcomputer 1
35 includes an input/output interface 14.0 that receives an input signal and provides input data to the MPU 136, and receives output data from the MPU 136 and outputs it to the outside.

The human output interface 140 includes a ball batting rod operating state detection switch 98, a ball feed solenoid 113, a ball feed detection switch 120, a foul ball detection switch 130, which are included in the ball hitting control mechanism. Start switch 9, power-on reset circuit 14 as means for detecting game startable state
1. A power supply circuit 142 that receives a power-on reset signal from the power-on reset circuit 141 and supplies driving power to the ball hitting motor 92, and passing ball detection switches 31.32a, 32b35a to 3 included in the game board 13.
5p, 39.40a, 40b, the variable display device 16, the variable winning ball device 22, and the score display 28 are connected to the payout motor 62 and ejected ball detection switch 65 included in the prize ball payout mechanism, respectively. ing.

Note that the control circuit 133 described above is one control circuit 13
3 includes a circuit for controlling the game and a circuit for controlling the ball firing mechanism, but these may be constructed from separate control circuit boards. In this case, these control circuit boards may be housed in one board box or in separate board boxes.

Next, the specific operation of the pinball game machine 1 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the power is turned on, a power-on reset signal is derived (step S1). When this power-on reset signal is derived, the ball feed solenoid 113 is stopped (
At the same time, the ball hitting motor 92 is turned on (step S3), the timer T4 is set (step S4), and the detection output from the foul ball detection switch 130 is also disabled. (Step S5). Then, the process waits until the timer T4 times up (step S6), and when the time expires, the ball hitting motor 92 is turned off. In this way, by turning on the ball hitting motor 92 for the predetermined time T4, the ball firing position 125 can be adjusted.
The balls present in the game are fired to accurately ensure a certain number of balls in the first game.

When the above processing is completed, the start switch 9 is turned on.
The progress of the game is waited until the game is played (step S8),
When the start switch 9 is turned on, the process of stopping the ball feed solenoid 113 is canceled (step S9), and the process of invalidating the detection output of the foul ball detection switch 130 is also canceled (step 5IO), and then the payment process is canceled. The start switch 9, which also serves as the switch 9, is disabled so that it does not operate (step 5ll).

In the process of steps S1 to Stt described above, when the power-on reset signal as a game start ready state detection means is derived, the ball hitting motor 92 is driven for a minute time T4 in order to eliminate the ball remaining at the ball firing position 125. until the start switch 9, which is the signal to start the game, is operated.
Ball feed solenoid 113 and foul ball detection switch 13
It shows the operation of disabling 0 etc.

When the processes of steps S1 to Sll are completed, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is turned from OFF to ON.
(Step 512). This means whether or not the player operates the operating handle 10 to turn on the handle switch (not shown) to rotate the ball hitting motor 92, that is, whether or not the player is playing the game. If it is determined that a game is being played, the ball feed solenoid 113 is turned on (step 513), and then it is determined whether the ball feed detection switch 120 is turned on or not (step 514). ), ONL/, the timer T is stopped (step 515), and immediately after that, the timer T3 is started again (step 516), and then the fired ball counter 1 is
"1" is added to the value of 39 (step 517). In this way, if it is determined that the timer T3 is not turned on in step S12 and step S14, where the operation is updated every time there is a signal from the sent ball detection switch 120, the The process advances to step S18.

Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the fired ball counter 139 is "0" (step 31B). If the value is "o", the process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if it is not "o", the timer It is determined whether or not the timer T3 has timed up (step 519), and when the timer T3 has timed up, it is determined that the game has been interrupted and the process returns to the first step s1.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer T has not timed up, that is, when it is determined that the game has not been interrupted, the foul ball detection switch detects whether or not the fired ball has become a foul ball. The determination is made based on whether or not 130 is ONL (step 520). If the foul ball detection switch 130 is ON, it is determined whether or not the timer T2 is in operation (step 521), and when it is determined that the timer T2 is not in operation,
It is determined that the ball is a foul ball that occurred when the game has not ended or the predetermined time T1 has not elapsed even after the game has ended, and "1" is subtracted from the value of the fired ball counter 139 (step 522 ), proceed to the next step S23,
Further, if it is determined in step S20 that a foul ball has not occurred, or in step S21, the timer T,
is in operation, that is, the predetermined time T
If the foul ball is determined to be a foul ball that occurred after the lapse of time and is invalidated, it is determined whether or not the value of the fired ball counter 139 is "16" without performing the subtraction process in step S22 (step S22). 523), if it is determined that the value of the fired ball counter 139 is not "16", it is determined that a certain number of balls have not been fired, and the process returns to step S12, and steps S12 to S23 are performed.
repeat.

On the other hand, in step S23, the fired ball counter 1
If the value of 39 is determined to be "16", it is determined that a certain number of balls have been fired, and the ball feed solenoid 1 is activated.
13 to disable the batted ball supply device 100 (step 524). Thereafter, it is determined whether the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 has changed from OFF to ON (step 525), and if it is determined that it has not changed, it is determined whether or not the timer T3 has timed up again. It is determined (step 526), and if the time has not expired, it is determined whether the foul ball detection switch 130 has been turned on (step 527), and if it is not ONL, the process returns to step S25. In this case, the fired ball counter 1
This is to determine whether or not a foul ball has occurred in the short period from when the value of 39 becomes "16" until the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 changes from OFF to ON. If so, the process proceeds to step S31, which will be described later.If it is determined in step S26 that the timer T3 has timed up, it is determined that the interruption of the game has continued for a predetermined period of time, and the process returns to the first step S1.

On the other hand, in step S25, the batting rod operation state detection switch 9
If it is determined that 8 has changed from OFF to ON,
Timer TI is activated (step 52B), and
In steps 328 to S32, the predetermined time T
What to do when a foul ball occurs within 1. That is, it is determined whether or not the foul ball detection switch 130 is ONL (step 529), and when it is determined that it is not ONL, the process proceeds to step S33, which will be described later, and it is determined whether or not the timer T has timed out. If the time has not expired, the process returns to step S29. Also,
In step 329, the foul ball detection switch 130 is turned on.
If it is determined that the ball feed solenoid 113 has been stopped, the operation of the timer TI is stopped (step 530), "1" is subtracted from the value of the fired ball counter 139 (step 531), and the stop processing of the ball feeding solenoid 113 is canceled. Step 532) of activating the batted ball supply device 100, then step 5
12 and repeats the processing of steps S12 to S32. The processing of steps S29 to S32 is performed for a predetermined time T,
This process is performed when a foul ball returns to the surplus ball receiving tray 11 during the process.In this case, a new hit ball must be supplied to the hit ball firing position 125, so the hit ball supply device 100 is activated. There is.

In step S33, if it is determined that the timer T has timed up, it is determined that one game has ended, and as a result, the timer T is first activated (step 534), and the ball feed solenoid 113 is activated. The stop processing is canceled (step 535), and the payment switch 9
is activated (step 536). This makes it possible to start the next game, and the following step S37
~ In S54, a prize ball payout process is performed.

That is, first, the batting rod operation state detection switch 98 is set to O.
It is determined whether or not it has changed from FF to ON (step 5).
37), if it is determined that there has been no change, it is determined again whether or not the timer T3 has timed up (step 338), and if the timer T3 has not timed up, it is determined whether or not the settlement switch 9 has been turned on. It is determined (step 53
9).

If it is determined that the payment switch 9 is not ON/OFF, the process returns to step S37. Incidentally, when it is determined in step S38 that the timer T has timed up, the process returns to the first step S1.

In addition, in step S37, if it is determined that the ball-feeding lever operating state detection switch 98 is ONL, the ball feed solenoid 113 is turned ON (step 540), and thereafter, whether or not the ball-feeding detection switch 120 is ONL is determined. is determined (step 541). If it is determined that the ball is not ONL, the process returns to step S37 and steps 337 to S41 are repeated. On the other hand, if the ball sending detection switch 120 is ONL, it is determined that eight lines have passed for the next game. First, timer T is stopped (step 542), and then timer T3 is immediately started (step 5).
43), and then a command process for determining the score of the previous game is performed (step 544). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a score based on the score determination command (step 545).
If there is a score, a payout instruction is given to the prize ball payout mechanism according to the score, and the process of paying out the prize balls is performed (step 546). After the command to pay out the prize balls is given, or if there is no score, the value of the shot ball counter 139 is cleared (step 547), and the passing position display lamps 24a to 24p are reset (step 54).
8) After that, "1" is added to the shot ball counter 139 (step 549), and then the process returns to step 512 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S39 that the settlement switch 9 is turned on, the previous game's score determination command processing is performed (step 550), and the score is determined by the score determination command. It is determined whether or not (step 551), and if there is a score, a payout command is issued to the prize ball payout mechanism according to the score, and the process of paying out prize balls is performed (step 552). After the command to pay out the prize balls is given, or if there is no score, the value of the shot ball counter 139 is cleared (step 553), and the passing position display lamps 24a to 24P are reset (step 554). After that, return to step S12,
As is clear from the above explanation of the operation in which the subsequent processing is repeated, the pinball game machine 1 according to the embodiment is configured such that when the power-on reset signal as the game start ready state detection means is output, the ball hitting motor 92 is activated for a short time. Since only T4 is driven,
When the hit ball at the hit ball firing position 125 is fired and the game is ready to start, an elimination process is performed so that no hit balls remain at the hit ball firing position 125.For this reason, when the game is initialized Furthermore, in the first game after initialization, the game is never played with more than a certain number of balls hit, and one game can always be played with a certain number of balls hit.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the ball launch position 125
As a configuration of the batted ball removal processing device that eliminates batted balls so that no batted balls remain, the batted ball motor 92 is driven.
The batted ball launch position 12 without driving the batted ball motor 92.
It may be configured such that the hit balls in step 5 are collected. Further, as a configuration for disabling the batted ball supply device 100, a configuration is shown in which the operation of the ball feed solenoid 113 is stopped, but it may be configured such that a shutter pops out into the path to prevent the batted ball from moving. Or, batting rod 84
In the case of a batted ball supply device that mechanically interlocks with the ball, the interlocking member may be fixed in a certain state.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ball firing device is driven by the ball hitting motor 92, but it may be driven by a rotary solenoid driven by a pulse signal. In this case, the ball supply device may be operated based on the operation of the rotary solenoid, or the rotary solenoid may be driven based on the operation of the ball supply device that is driven by the operation of the operating handle. .

Furthermore, the structure of the pinball game machine may be applied to a coin-type or card-type pinball game machine, and the game content is not limited to the embodiments. Any game content may be used as long as a predetermined value is paid out depending on the game result of the hit balls.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, in the pinball game machine according to the present invention, when the output of the game start ready state detection means is derived, the hit ball removal processing device performs the hit ball removal processing. Since the drive is controlled by the device drive control means, the batted ball remaining at the batted ball firing position is removed from the batted ball firing position. Therefore, when restarting the first game after the game state is initialized, no balls remain at the ball launch position, so one game can be played with exactly a certain number of balls.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the structure of the batted ball launcher and the batted ball supply device, FIGS. 2A to 3B are front views and sectional views showing the operating states of the batted ball launcher and the batted ball supply device, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the batted ball firing device and the batted ball supply device, FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of another batted ball firing device and the batted ball supply device, and FIG. 6 is a pinball game according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit that controls the operation of the machine; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a front view of the pinball game machine according to the embodiment; The figure is a schematic diagram of the back of the pinball game machine. 1...Pinball game machine 13...Game board 57...Prize ball dispensing device 58...Scoring ball processing device 82...Battered ball firing device (hitting ball removal processing device) 100...
Batted ball supply device 120... Ball sending detection switch 125... Batted ball firing position 135... Microcomputer 139... Shooting ball counter 141... Power-on reset circuit (game start state detection means) 142... Power supply circuit (hitting ball Exclusion processing device drive control means) Patent applicant: Sankyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Counting the balls sent to a ball firing position, firing a certain number of balls onto a game board, and estimating a predetermined value based on at least the result of a game created by the certain number of balls. A pinball game machine that provides a game start state detecting means for detecting that the pinball game machine is in a predetermined game start state, and a game start state detection means for detecting that the game start state detection means provides It is characterized by comprising: a hit ball removal processing device that processes the hit balls left at the ball launch position so as to eliminate them; and a hit ball removal processing device drive control means that drives and controls the hit ball removal processing device. A pinball game machine.