JPH06126034A - Game ball discharger - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve an discharging of a specified number of game balls accurately even in case a drive source of a delivery mechanism breaks down by driving a stopper mechanism when the number of balls discharged actually does not coincide with a prescribed number of those to be discharged to deliver the game balls guided to a delivery mechanism through a guide path controlling the action of the delivery mechanism adapted to operate by the pressure of the game balls. CONSTITUTION:A pair of sprockets 712a and 712b is rotated with a pulse motor 750 corresponding to two guide paths 702a and 702b to deliver game balls. When a specified number of the balls to be discharged are counted based on outputs of discharge sensors 71a and 771b, a stopper 721 is made to mesh with a gear 713 with a stopper solenoid 720 to discharge the game balls by a specified number with the regulation of the rotation of the sprockets 712a and 712b. When the number of balls discharged actually does not coincide with a prescribed number of those to be discharged, the stopper solenoid 720 is driven based on an output of a discharge number monitoring means to discharge a specified number of the game balls by making the stopper 721 engage or separate from the gear 713.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game ball discharging device for awarding a game ball or renting a game ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko gaming machine, a storage tank for storing pachinko balls is attached to the upper rear surface of the gaming board,
This storage tank is connected to a pachinko ball (game ball) discharging device via a guideway or the like. Then, the pachinko balls in the storage tank are sent out to a saucer or the like on the front of the game board as a prize ball or a rental ball by a pachinko ball discharging device.

There is an example in which a motor is used as a drive source for the delivery mechanism of this pachinko ball ejection device. For example, Heisei 3
-49786 published patent publication, the sprocket is rotated by a motor to discharge a predetermined number like the prize ball ejection device, and also the prize ball dispenser disclosed in Heisei 4-58972 publication. For example, a screw is rotated by a motor to discharge a predetermined number of screws. On the other hand, there is an example in which a solenoid is used as a drive source.
For example, as in the ball cutting device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-62182, a solenoid is turned on / off to control the rotation of a sprocket utilizing the natural fall of a game ball while discharging a predetermined number. Etc.

[0004]

The structure common to such conventional game ball discharging devices is that one motor or solenoid is provided as a drive source of the sending mechanism and the sending mechanism is operated to pay out the game balls. That is the point. However, since there is only one drive source in the conventional game ball discharging device, if the drive source becomes out of order or breaks down, it is necessary to suspend business at the game machine. As a result, the game store may be damaged, and the player may feel uncomfortable because the game is interrupted. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game ball discharging device capable of accurately discharging a predetermined number of game balls even if the drive source of the delivery mechanism fails.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a delivery mechanism for delivering a game ball guided through a guide passage, a drive means for operating the delivery mechanism, and a delivery mechanism for the delivery mechanism. A game ball discharging device having a stopper mechanism for stopping the operation of the sending mechanism when the discharge number of game balls is counted based on the output of the ball detecting means for detecting the game ball Equipped with an emission number monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the emission regulation number and the actual emission number match, based on the signal output when the emission regulation number and the actual emission number do not match, The delivery mechanism that operates by natural fall is controlled by the stopper mechanism to deliver the game balls, and when the prescribed number of game balls is counted, the stopper mechanism stops the operation of the delivery mechanism to regulate the discharge. It was constructed as paid out of the game ball. Further, based on the signal from the emission number monitoring means output when the actual emission number is equal to or more than the specified emission number,
When the game ball is sent out by controlling the delivery mechanism operated by the natural fall of the game ball by the stopper mechanism, and when the prescribed number of game balls is counted, the operation of the delivery mechanism is stopped by the stopper mechanism. The game ball discharging device according to the present invention is configured to pay out the specified number of game balls.

[0006]

If there is no failure in the drive means, the delivery mechanism is operated by the drive means to deliver the game ball guided by the delivery mechanism through the guide passage, and the prescribed number of game balls are discharged based on the output of the ball detection means. When counted, the operation of the delivery mechanism is regulated by the stopper mechanism to dispense the prescribed number of game balls. When it is judged that the actual discharge number and the discharge regulation number do not match due to the output of the discharge number monitoring means and the driving means is out of order, the stopper mechanism is driven and the delivery mechanism operated by the ball pressure of the game ball. While controlling the operation, the game balls guided by the delivery mechanism are sent out through the guide passage, and the prescribed number of game balls are discharged. Then, even if the driving means fails, the next discharge of the game ball is accurately performed.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 13 show one embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine as a gaming machine according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire pachinko gaming machine seen from the front, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine. 3 is an overall perspective view of a game ball discharging device (hereinafter, also referred to as a pachinko ball paying device or a game ball paying device),
4 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part of the game ball discharging device, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball discharging device, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system, and FIGS. 7 to 13 are flowcharts showing control processing. .

1 and 2, 1 is a pachinko gaming machine, 2 is a ball lending machine for lending pachinko balls, and these gaming machine 1 and ball lending machine 2 are integrally assembled. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the ball lending machine 2 has a ball lending control device, a card reader and the like built therein, and a card insertion / ejection port 211 and various display lamps 220 are provided on the front surface.

The ball lending machine 2 is connected to a ball discharge control device 902, which will be described later, and the ball lending control device uses a ball lending control device based on the data magnetically recorded on a prepaid card such as a packy card inserted in a card insertion / ejection slot. A ball lending request signal, a ball lending unit signal, a ball lending completion signal, a ball lending acceptance possible signal (see FIG. 6), etc. are exchanged with the emission control device 902, and the pachinko ball payout device 804 lends a pachinko ball. .

In the gaming machine 1, a front frame 5 is attached to a machine frame 4 via a hinge 6 so as to be openable and closable in a single-opening type. A frame 7 is attached to the back side of the front frame 5 along the frame, and a game board 8 is provided inside the frame 7.
However, the back mechanisms 800 are attached to the outside of the frame 7, respectively. The back mechanism 800 is composed of a winning ball processing device 801 for performing a prize ball processing of a pachinko ball, a pachinko ball payout device 804 according to the present invention, and the like.

The game board 8 is attached to the frame 7 so that it can be replaced by itself. Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, a game area is set in the game board 8, and a variable display device and a winning opening for playing a variable display game of the right occurrence of a big hit game (special game) in the game area of the game board 8. A variable winning device, etc. with an opening is installed. These variable display devices and the like are connected to and controlled by the game board control device 901 (see FIG. 2), and the winning opening is communicated to the winning ball processing device 801 via the winning ball guide gutter or the like.

The game board control device 901 controls the game and is connected to a discharge control device 902 which will be described later. The prize ball data transmission, reception signal and synchronization clock signal (see FIG. 6).
Refer to) and exchange. The game board control device 901 is provided with a probability setting / display switch 901a and a probability setting value display 901b (see FIG. 2).

Reference numeral 5G denotes a key device provided on the right side of the gaming machine 1, and 20 denotes a lamp device 20 provided on the front upper portion of the gaming machine 1. The key device 5G locks the machine frame 4 of the front frame 5 and the glass storage frame 5D. The lamp device 20 has a prize ball discharge display lamp, a rental ball discharge display lamp, and a completion lamp, and these lamps are connected to the ball discharge control device 902 or the game board control device 901.
The prize ball discharge display lamp is lit when the prize ball is discharged, the loan ball discharge display lamp is lit when the loan ball is discharged, and the completion lamp is lit when the stop condition occurs.

An opening / closing panel 9 is attached to the front frame 5 below the glass housing frame 5D so as to be openable / closable by a hinge (not shown), and a saucer mounting plate 10A is attached below the opening / closing panel 9. The opening / closing panel 9 has a ball supply tray 9
B is integrally formed by resin molding, and a tray 10 for storing pachinko balls overflowed by the ball supply tray 9B is formed on the front surface of the tray mounting plate 10A. The ball supply tray 9B and the tray 10 are pachinko ball payout devices 8 to be described later.
04 and the downflow gutter 808 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the saucer mounting plate 10A is provided with an operation handle 10B on the front surface at the right side of the saucer 10, and a ball feeding unit and a firing unit (not shown) on the back surface. Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, the operation handle 10B, the ball feeding unit, and the launching unit are connected to a launch drive control circuit 907 (see FIG. 2) to form a pachinko ball launching device, which is on the ball feeding tray 9B. The pachinko ball is fired toward the game area of the game board 8 described above. This firing drive control circuit 907 is a ball ejection control device 90.
2 and is connected to the ball discharge control device 902 to input a firing stop signal (see FIG. 6), the firing of the pachinko ball is stopped.

An operation panel 30 for operating the ball lending machine 2 is formed on the ball supply tray 9B. The operation panel 30 has a conversion button 31 for converting a ball into a rental ball, and a return for discharging a card. A button 32 is provided, and the balance display 3
3 and a ball lendable indicator lamp 34 are provided.
These balance indicator 33, conversion button 31, return button 3
2 and the ball lending indicator lamp 34 are connected to the ball lending control device and controlled, the balance indicator 33 displays the balance of the inserted card, and the ball lending indicator lamp 34 indicates whether the conversion button 31 is valid or invalid. Display and convert button 31
The return button 32 outputs an operation signal to the ball lending control device of the ball lending machine 2 described above.

Further, on the back side of the front frame 5, as shown in FIG.
And a back mechanism 800 including a winning ball processing device 801 and a pachinko ball payout device 804.
The game board control device 901 and the ball discharge control device 902 described above.
And a firing control device 907 is provided. Although detailed description is omitted, the winning ball processing device 801 has a safe solenoid 791, a safe sensor 792, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6, these safe sensor 792 and safe solenoid 791 form a ball discharge control device 902. Connecting.

The storage tank 806 stores the pachinko balls that have not yet been discharged, and communicates with the pachinko ball dispensing device 804 through the two guide paths 807. The storage tank 806 is provided with a replenishment sensor 808 (see FIG. 6) that detects the remaining amount of pachinko balls, and the replenishment sensor 808 is connected to the ball ejection control device 902. The guide path 807 aligns the pachinko balls in a line and guides them to the pachinko ball payout device 804.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 844 denotes a speaker, which produces a sound effect or the like necessary for the game in accordance with the game state such as prize ball discharge.

The pachinko ball payout device 804 communicates with the storage tank 806 by the two guide paths 807 as described above, and also receives by the downflow gutter 808 to the supply tray 9B and the overflow gutter 809 continuous to the downflow trough 808 to receive the tray. Call 10. Although not clearly shown in the figure, a ball draining gutter branches into the flow down gutter 808 from the middle thereof, and an electromagnetic flow path switching valve 58 (FIG. 2) having a ball draining solenoid at the branch part of the ball gutter.
(See) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the flow path switching valve 58, a ball removal solenoid (denoted by numeral 58 in FIG. 6) is connected to the ball ejection control device 902, and the ball removal solenoid is connected from the ball ejection control device 902. It is energized and operates. The flow path switching valve 58 shuts off the downflow gutter 808 and the ball drop gutter when not energized, and connects the downflow gutter 808 to the ball drop gutter when energized. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the ball drop trough communicates with the recovery passage of the island facility of the game shop.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the overflow gutter 809 has an overflow sensor 59 at the upstream portion.
(See FIG. 6) However, the guide trough 807 is provided with a half-end sensor 160 (see FIG. 6) at a predetermined position.
A ball punching switch 161 (see FIG. 6) is provided around 7. These overflow sensor 59, half-end sensor 16
0 and the ball removal switch 161 are the ball ejection control device 902.
Connected to.

As is apparent from the patent application and the like previously filed by the applicant, the overflow sensor 59 is composed of a proximity switch or a mechanical micro switch that operates by magnetic change, and the overflow gutter 809 exceeds a predetermined number. When the pachinko balls have accumulated, an overflow signal is output to the ball ejection control device 902. The half-end sensor 160 detects whether or not a predetermined number or more of pachinko balls are present in the guide path 807, and outputs the detection signal to the ball ejection control device 902. The ball removal switch 161 detects a ball removal rod inserted from the front frame of the gaming machine 1 and outputs a detection signal to the ball ejection control device 902.

Next, a configuration example of the pachinko ball payout device 804 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, four members 701a, 701b made of transparent synthetic resin,
Casing 7 by connecting 701c and 701d in a separable manner
01 is configured. The casing 701 has an accommodation chamber defined therein, and guide passages 702a and 702b are formed at the joint between the members 701b and 701c and the joint between the members 701c and 701d, respectively.
In addition, 703 is a member 701 b, 70 of the casing 701.
It is a vent for cooling a solenoid, a pulse motor, etc. formed in 1d and the like.

A delivery mechanism 7 is provided in the accommodation chamber of the casing 701.
10, a stopper mechanism 720, two ejection sensors 771a and 771b as a ball detecting means, and a pulse motor 750 as a driving means are housed. In addition, the guide passage 70
2a and 702b (hereinafter, represented by numbers without subscripts as necessary) communicate with the corresponding guideways 807 corresponding to the above-described two-way guideways 807, and the pachinko balls from the storage tank 806. Flows down. These guide passages 7
In 02, pachinko balls before ejection are lined up and stand by. As described above, the lower end of the guide passage 702 is the downflow gutter 8.
Call 08.

The delivery mechanism 710 includes two sprockets 7.
12a and 712b, a rotation-preventing gear 713 and a driven gear 714, and these sprockets 712a and 71
2b and gears 713 and 714 are fixed to a shaft 711 that rotatably penetrates the member 701b of the casing 701. Each of the sprockets 712a and 712b (hereinafter, represented by a number without a subscript if necessary) has a plurality of semicircular notches 715 (8 in this embodiment) on its outer periphery so that pachinko balls can be inserted at equal intervals. Formed and sprockets 71
2a corresponds to the guide passage 702a between the members 701b and 701c, and the sprocket 712b corresponds to the members 701c and 70c.
It is arranged corresponding to the guide passage 702b between 1d.

These sprockets 712 are arranged so that the cutouts 715 have a phase difference of an angle (22.5 ° in this embodiment) corresponding to 1/2 of the cutouts 715 in the rotating direction. These sprockets 712 will be described below.
Is driven by a pulse motor 750 to rotate integrally and alternately feeds the pachinko balls fitted in the notches 715 downward.

The driven gear 714 includes members 701a, 701.
It is arranged between b and meshes with the transmission gear 716. The transmission gear 716 is rotatably supported by a shaft 716 a protruding from the member 701 b, meshes with a drive gear 717 fixed to the output shaft of the pulse motor 750, and transmits the output of the pulse motor 750.

The pulse motor 750 is composed of, for example, a VR type step motor having a multi-phase stator winding, and the stator winding is connected to the discharge control device 902 (see FIG. 6). This step motor 750 is energized with a pulsed current (hereinafter referred to as a pulse) to each stator winding, and its energization method is 1-2 phase excitation or 2-2 phase excitation, as will be described later. The rotation direction is selectively controlled to be forward rotation or reverse rotation. 755 is a cooling fan provided in the pulse motor 750, and this cooling fan 755 rotates integrally with the output shaft of the motor 750.

The rotation preventing gear 713 is fixed to the shaft 711 between the sprockets 712, and its rotation is restricted and released by the stopper mechanism 720. The stopper mechanism 720 is
A stopper 721 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the gear 713, a spring 724 that urges the stopper 721 in a direction to engage the gear 713, and a stopper 721 that is the spring 72.
4 and a stopper solenoid 722 that is driven against the elastic force of the discharge control device 90.
2 (see FIG. 6).

In the stopper mechanism 720, the stopper solenoid 722 is energized by the discharge control device 902, and the tip of the stopper 721 is engaged with the gear 713 to prevent the gear 713 from rotating when it is not energized (solid line in FIG. 4). State), and the stopper 721 is set to the gear 71 when energized.
3 to allow rotation of the gear 713 (see FIG. 4).
Medium, broken line). Then, in a state in which the stopper mechanism 720 allows the rotation of the gear 713, the delivery mechanism 710 rotates the sprocket 712 by the step motor 750 and sends out the pachinko ball fitted in the notch 715 downward.

The discharge sensors 771a and 771b (hereinafter, represented by numbers without subscripts as necessary) are composed of well-known photosensors having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
The pachinko balls sent from the sending mechanism 710 are detected. These discharge sensors 771 are, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the ball ejection control device 902 and outputs its detection signal.

In the embodiment described above, the delivery mechanism 71
Although 0 has two sprockets 712, it is needless to say that it can be applied to all that employ the pulse motor 750 regardless of the number of sprockets of the delivery mechanism. In the above embodiment, the driven gear 71
4 and the gear 713 are provided. By replacing the function of these gears with one gear, a notch disk stopping member is fitted to this gear, and the turning force from the driving means is transmitted. You may

As shown in FIG. 6, the ball ejection control device 902 has an input filter 78 to which the above-mentioned sensors and the like are connected.
1. Driver 78 to which each solenoid described above is connected
2. It has a CPU 783 for calculating signals, a crystal oscillator 784 for generating a clock signal, and a power supply unit 785 for power supply. The input filter 781 shapes the output signal of the sensor, and the driver 782 controls the CPU 783.
The output signal of the
Reference numeral 83 processes a signal according to a predetermined program to perform pachinko ball ejection control or ball removal control. The ball discharge control device 902 constitutes payout amount monitoring means according to the present invention. Although detailed description is omitted, the discharge control device 902 is connected to a central management device of a game shop and a stop signal or the like is input, and the pulse motor 750 fails for the central management device of the game shop. In this case, the drive source abnormality signal is output. A reset switch 799 is provided on the outer surface of the discharge control device 902.

Next, the game ball discharging device 804 according to the present invention.
The processing for discharging the game balls performed by will be described. In this embodiment, the ball ejection control device 902 is shown in FIGS.
The process shown in the flowchart of No. 3 is executed. In this ball discharge control device 902, the process (main routine) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed every 1 ms by turning on the power of the main body of the gaming machine 1.

In the main routine, as shown in FIG.
First, an input process is performed in step S1. In this input processing, for example, logic conversion from various detection switches and chattering prevention processing are performed. As the chattering prevention process, for example, there is a process of reading the signals from various detection switches twice by software to prevent chattering in consideration of the time constant of noise.

Then, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, that is, if the routine is executed for the first time, the process proceeds to step S3, and the stored data in the RAM is erased (RAM clear). And initial setting is performed in step S4. As a result, the working area of the RAM is cleared, the flags are set, the output ports are reset, and the subroutine is initialized. And after this, it will be waiting for an interrupt,
The main routine is repeatedly executed from step S1 by a soft interrupt every 1 ms.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that it is not the first routine execution, that is, if it is the second or later execution, the output process is performed in step S5. In this output processing, processing such as data output to the output port and switching signal output to the solenoid is performed. Then, step S
At 6, the switch input monitoring process is performed. This input monitoring process monitors the input information of each sensor and switch, and specifically, the discharge sensor 771 and the half-end sensor 160.
And the output signals of the overflow sensor 59 and the like are monitored.

Next, in step S7, a ball payout start confirmation condition monitoring process is performed. This ball payout start confirmation condition monitoring processing is to check whether or not the conditions for starting discharge for prize balls or ball lending are satisfied in the pachinko ball payout device 804, for example, "ball of discharge sensor 1 or 2 is present. "," Half-end sensor ball present ", and the like.

In the following step S8, corresponding steps A to S are performed based on the result of the input monitoring process of each switch.
Processing for branching to step G is performed. Then, the following processing is performed in each branch destination step. Step A: Confirm safe balls and confirm purchase. This is because it is necessary to confirm that a safe ball has been generated due to winning, and that the player operates the conversion button 31 to purchase a pachinko ball and a ball lending request signal or a ball lending unit signal is generated. This is because it is necessary to confirm that they have been received.

Step B: Award ball data transmission / reception processing is performed. This is to receive award ball data and, when receiving award ball data, output it. Step C: Perform discharge start processing of prize balls and loan balls. By executing this process, the pachinko ball payout device 804 starts its operation to pay out the prize balls or the lending balls.

Step D: A pachinko ball ejection process is performed. This process is performed in order to prevent the ball clogging by slowing down the operation of the pachinko ball payout device 804 immediately before the number of discharged pachinko balls reaches the specified number. Step E: Perform discharge end processing. By this end processing, the operation of the pachinko ball payout device 804 is stopped and the payout of the prize ball or the rental ball is ended. The processing of steps D and E described above will be described in detail later.

Step F: Safe ball payout and wait processing are performed. In this processing, the safe solenoid 79 of the winning ball processing apparatus 801 is completed at the time when the discharge of the winning balls is completed.
When 1 is turned on once to eject only one safe ball this time, and when the next prize ball is continuously paid out, a certain wait time is provided between the ball ejecting operations for smooth operation. The discharge operation is executed.
Further, in this embodiment, the delivery mechanism 710 is rotated by the pulse motor 750 to eject the game ball. When the actual discharge number exceeds the discharge specified number, the stopper solenoid 72 is used without using the pulse motor 750.
2 operates the stopper 721, and the delivery mechanism 710
The game ball is discharged while controlling the rotation of. Therefore, during the wait time that is set when the discharge process of the specified number of discharges is completed, it is monitored whether the actual number of discharges is equal to or more than the specified number of discharges, and if it is more than the specified number of discharges, the discharge switching for switching the discharge method I am trying to set a flag. The process of step F will be described in detail later.

Step G: A ball-punching process of discharging the game balls stored in the game machine to the recovery passage of the island facility is performed.
This ball punching process is started when the ball punching switch 161 detects that a staff has inserted a ball punching rod into an operation hole (not shown) on the front surface of the gaming machine 1. Then, the ball-punching solenoid 58 is energized to switch the discharge path of the pachinko balls to the ball-punching gutter.

After any one of the steps A to G, the process proceeds to step S20 and it is determined whether or not the discharge switching flag is present. If the discharge switching flag is not set, the pulse motor 7
Since the discharge process by 50 is possible, the process proceeds to the solenoid control process of step S21, and various solenoid control processes are performed. Next, in step S22, the pulse motor 750
Control processing of. This controls the drive phase of the pulse motor and controls its rotation. On the other hand, if the discharge switching flag is set, the discharge process by the pulse motor 750 is not performed, and the stopper solenoid 722 activates the stopper 721 to discharge the game ball, and the process shifts to the special discharge process of step S23. The solenoid control process and the special discharge process both set the drive information of the corresponding solenoid according to a predetermined step state, but in the special discharge process of step S23, the stopper solenoid 722 is repeatedly turned on / off to turn on the stopper 721. It operates and discharges the specified number of game balls. These solenoid control processing, pulse motor control processing and special discharge processing will be described in detail later.

First, the subroutine for executing the processing of step D will be described. The subroutine of step D is
As shown in FIG. 8, the number of pachinko balls ejected by the delivery mechanism 710 in step S30 is “−1” from the specified number.
It is determined whether or not the state has been pulled. For example, 15
When discharging individual prize balls, "regular number = 15",
In step S30, it is determined whether or not the number of discharged pachinko balls is the 14th.

Then, the determination result of step S30 is No.
If (for example, less than 14th), the process returns to the main routine. This sets the operating speed of the pachinko ball payout device 804 to the normal state until it reaches the 14th ball, and slows down the operating speed at the 14th ball just before the stop to slow down the discharge of the 15th pachinko ball. This is for preventing the ball damage and accurately stopping the pulse motor 750.

Further, the determination result of step S30 is Yes.
If (for example, the 14th time), step S3
The process proceeds to 1 and the branch step in the main routine is set to "E", and the process returns to the main routine. This allows
After returning to the main routine, the process of step E (discharge end process) is performed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the subroutine of step E first determines whether or not the number of pachinko balls ejected by the delivery mechanism 710 in step S40 has reached the prescribed ejection number, and has reached the prescribed ejection number. If not (N), the process returns to the main routine, and if the discharge regulation number is reached (Y), the process proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the branch step in the main routine is set to "F". Then, as will be described later, the process of step F (safe ball payout and wait process) is performed when the process returns to the main routine by setting the branch step to "F".

Then, in step S42, a wait timer is set. This is to set a timer for counting the wait time, although a fixed wait time is provided when prize balls are paid out continuously. For example, 200 ms is set as the wait time. With the setting of the wait time, when the prize balls are continuously paid out, the start of the pachinko ball discharging operation is delayed by an amount corresponding to a certain wait time.

As shown in FIG. 10, the subroutine of step F first updates the wait timer in step S50, and proceeds to step S51. The update of the wait timer is performed by counting down the timer.
In step S51, it is determined whether or not the wait timer has timed out. If it is determined that the time has not expired, the process proceeds to step S52, in which it is determined whether or not the actual number of discharges is equal to or more than the specified discharge number. Here, if the discharge number is specified, the process proceeds to step S53, and it is determined whether or not the safe ball payout is completed. If the payout has been completed, the process proceeds to step S54 to set the safe ball payout end flag and return to the main routine. However, if the payout has not been completed, the process directly returns to the main routine. If the time is up at the time of entering step F again, it is determined to be "Yes" in step S51, the process proceeds to step S55, and it is determined whether or not there is a safe ball payout end flag. Here, if the flag is set in step S54, it is determined to be "Yes", the process proceeds to step S56 and the step is set to "A" to return to the main routine. Therefore, the process branches to the step A of the main routine, and the next game ball discharging process is continuously performed by the pulse motor 750.

On the other hand, if the actual number of discharges is equal to or larger than the specified number of discharges, it is determined "Yes" in step S52, and it is determined in step S57 whether there is a discharge switching flag. Since it has not been set, it is judged to be absent, and the routine proceeds to step S58 to set the drive source abnormality signal, proceeds to step S59, sets the discharge switching flag, and proceeds to step S53. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the safe ball payout is completed as described above, and if it is completed, the process proceeds to step S54 to set the safe ball payout end flag and return to the main routine. If the wait timer has timed out at the stage of shifting to step "F" again, the process proceeds from step S51 to step S55, and "Yes" is determined at step S55 (safe ball payout end at step S54). If the flag is set), the process proceeds to step S56 and the step is set to "A" to return to the main routine. In this case, since the discharge switching flag has been set in step S59, "Yes" in step S20 of the main routine.
Therefore, the special discharge process is started.
As a result, the next discharge process is performed by the stopper solenoid 722.
By operating the stopper 721 to engage with the gear 713 or disengage from the gear 713, the operation of the delivery mechanism 710 rotated by the game ball that falls naturally is controlled. Therefore, even if the pulse motor 750 fails, the game balls can be discharged, and the game store can continue to operate. Further, since the abnormality of the pulse motor 750 can be detected by the drive source abnormality signal input to the management device at the game store, take necessary measures while operating the game ball discharging device by the stopper mechanism. You can

When the ball discharge processing is performed by the stopper solenoid 722 and the stopper 721, if the discharge number is the discharge specified number and the safe ball payout is completed, the safe ball payout end flag is set in step S54. Then, after the time is up, in step S56, step S
"A" is set and the process returns to the main routine. However, if the actual number of discharges is equal to or more than the specified number of discharges, since the discharge switching flag has already been set in step S59, it is determined in step S57 that the flag exists, and the process proceeds to step S60 to see if the reset SW is turned on. To determine. If the reset SW is turned on, the process proceeds to step S56 and the step is set to "A". If not, the process proceeds to step S61 to set the timer value to "1" and returns to the main routine. It has become.

Since the timer value is set to "1" in step S61, if the process shifts to step "F" again, the wait timer is updated in step S50. The process moves to S55. In step SS55, it is determined whether or not the safe ball payout end flag is present as described above. However, if there is an abnormality after the discharge switching flag is set, the safe ball payout end flag is not set, so this In step S55, it is determined as "No", and the process proceeds to step S60. Reset S in step S60
If it is determined that W is not turned on, then step S6 is performed.
At 1, the timer value is set to "1" and the process returns to the main routine. As described above, the timer value is set to "1" in step S61 again by this step "F".
When it comes in, the wait timer is updated in step S50 so that it is determined that the time is up in step S51. Until the reset SW is turned on, step S50, step S51, step S55, step S60. , To execute the routine for returning to the main routine from step S61. That is, the step is not set to "A" but remains "F" by such processing, and the subsequent discharge is not performed.

In the above embodiment, if the specified discharge number is counted in step "E", the process proceeds to step "F", and in step "F", it is monitored whether the actual discharge number is the discharge specified number or more. However, the discharge switching flag may be set when the number of discharges does not match the specified number of discharges. In this way, even if the actual number of discharges is equal to or less than the specified discharge number, the discharge means can be switched and a correct number of game balls can be discharged.

In the solenoid control process of step S20, a subroutine shown in FIG. 11 is executed. First, in step S71, it is determined whether or not the process of the branch step in the main routine this time is step C, D, E or step G, that is, whether or not the process is related to the discharge of pachinko balls or the ball-punching process. . Then, if it is determined that the process is related to the discharge or the ball-punching process (Yes), the process from step S72 is executed. On the other hand, if the process is not related to the ball-punching process or the discharge (No), step S77 and the following The process of is executed. In step S72, the ON information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to drive the stopper solenoid 722, and in step S77, the OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to stop the energization of the stopper solenoid 722.

In a succeeding step S73, it is determined whether or not the process of the branching step is the step G, that is, the punching process, and if it is the punching process (Yes), the process of step 74 is executed and then the step S76 is executed. The process is performed, and if the process is not the punching process (No), the process of step S75 is performed, and then the process of step S78 is performed. In step S74, ON information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set to energize the ball-punching solenoid 58, and in step S75, OFF information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set to stop energization of the ball-punching solenoid 58.

In step S76, it is determined whether or not the stopper solenoid 722 is off timing, and if it is off timing (Yes), the process of step S77 is performed and the process proceeds to step S78. If it is not off timing (No) step The process of S78 is performed. In this way, the stopper solenoid 722 is dynamically driven to prevent the stopper solenoid 722 from generating heat. Step S77
Then, as described above, the OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set.

In step S78, it is determined whether or not the branching step is step F, that is, whether or not safe ball payout and wait processing is performed. If the branch step is step F (Yes), the ON information of the safe solenoid 791 is set in step S79 to energize the safe solenoid 791, and if the branch step is not step F (No), step S80. And safe solenoid 7
The OFF information of 91 is set and the driving of the safe solenoid 791 is stopped.

In the pulse motor control process of step S21, the subroutine shown in FIG. 12 is executed. First, in step S90, a ball crush process is performed. This jade treatment is
It is monitored whether or not the pachinko ball has clogged in the guide passage 702 or the like, and whether or not the pachinko ball has been bitten by the sprocket 712. A process for eliminating the problem is performed.

Next, in step S91, it is determined whether or not there is a reset wait flag, and if the reset wait flag is set (Yes), the process returns to the main routine, and if there is no reset wait flag (N).
o) The process of step S92 is performed. The reset wait flag is set when the ball gambling is not released in the ball gamming process of step S90, and is cleared when the reset SW is turned on.

In step S92, it is determined whether or not the ball gami flag is set. If the ball gami flag is set (Yes), the process of step S105 described later is performed, and if the ball gami flag is not set. (N
o) The process of step S93 is performed. This ball gami flag is used in the guide passage 70 in the ball gami process in step S90.
Ball clogging or sprocket 712 in 2nd etc.
It is set when it is determined that a game ball has been bitten into, that is, when it is determined that a ball gambling has occurred.

In step S93, the processing of the branch step in the main routine this time is performed in step C,
It is determined whether or not it was D, E or step G, that is, whether or not it was a process related to the discharge of a pachinko ball or a ball removing process. If it is not the discharging process or the ball-punching process (No), the OFF data is set in step S94 to stop the energization of the pulse motor 750. It is determined whether or not the control timer is 0.
When the pulse control timer is not 0, the timer is updated in step S96 and then the process of step S104 is performed, and when the pulse control timer is 0, that is, the pointer (see below).
If it is determined that the update time has expired, the process of step S98 is performed.

Here, the pulse control timer is for counting the update time of the pointer of the motor control data for controlling the drive phase of the pulse motor 750, and the motor control data is the time for the phase control of the pulse motor 750. It is dynamic data. This motor control data is designated by a plurality of pointers (four pointers “1” to “4”),
When the pulse motor 750 is normally rotated, the pointer is incremented in the forward direction (“1” → “4”), and when it is reversed, the pointer is decremented in the reverse direction (“4” → “1”).

In step S98, it is determined whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step E, that is, whether or not the discharge end process is being performed. Then, if it is not the discharge end process (No), the timer 1 is set in step S99 and the process of step S102 is performed, and if it is the discharge end process (Yes), the timer 2 is set in step S100 and then in step S101. The motor control pointer is incremented by "+1". Since the timer 1 counts up the pointer update time at a timing faster than that of the timer 2, the rotation speed of the pulse motor 750 becomes slow in the case of the discharge end processing, and the pachinko balls can be prevented from being caught in the sprocket 712. .

In step S102, it is determined whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step C, that is, whether or not it is the discharge start process. This step S102
When it is determined that the discharge start process is performed (Yes),
In step S103, the motor control pointer is decremented by "-1", and when it is determined that the discharge start processing is not performed (No), the motor control pointer is incremented by "+1" in step S101 described above.

In the following step S104, it is determined whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step D, that is, whether or not it is the discharge process. If it is not the discharge process (No), that is, the branch step is C,
If it is any of the E and G discharge start processing, discharge end processing, or ball drop processing, the 2-2 phase table is set in step S105. If it is a discharge process (Ye
s), the 1-2 phase table is set in step S106. These tables set the pulse application method to the pulse motor 750, that is, the energization method of the multi-phase winding. When the 1-2 phase table is set, the 1-2 phase excitation and the 2-2 phase table are set. When set, 2-2 phase excitation is performed.

Steps S104, S105, S1 described above
By performing 06, the pulse motor 750 is 1-
It is driven by two-phase excitation, and if it is not a discharge process,
That is, the pulse motor 750 is driven by 2-2 phase excitation at the beginning or end of rotation of the pulse motor 750. Therefore, at the beginning or end of rotation of the pulse motor 750, a large torque can be obtained in the output of the pulse motor 750 to ensure smooth rotation, and heat generation of the pulse motor 750 can occur during rotation of the pulse motor 750. The amount can be reduced.

Next, in step S107, control data such as the drive phase of the pulse motor 750 is calculated by the motor control pointer, and the control data calculated in the following step S108 is set in the output buffer and output. Then, at the end of step S108, the process returns to the main routine.

In the special discharge process of step S23, the subroutine shown in FIG. 13 is executed. First, step S
At 120, it is determined whether or not the process of the branch step in the main routine this time is step C, D, E or step G, that is, whether or not the process is related to the discharge of the pachinko balls or the ball removing process. Then, if it is determined that the process is related to the discharge or the punching process (Yes), the processes from step S121 are executed, and if the process is not related to the punching process or the discharging (N).
o), the processing from step S122 is executed. In step S121, ON information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to drive the stopper solenoid 722, and in step S122, OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to stop energization of the stopper solenoid 722.

In a succeeding step S123, it is determined whether or not it is the off timing of the stopper solenoid 722,
If it is the off timing, the process proceeds to step S124 to set the off information of the stopper solenoid 722, but if it is not the off timing, the process directly proceeds to step S125. When the stopper solenoid 722 is turned off, the stopper 721 is engaged with the gear 713 and the discharge of the game ball is regulated. Also, when the stopper solenoid 722 is turned on, the stopper 721 is turned on.
Is disengaged from the gear 713, and each game ball naturally falls. Therefore, in this step S123, the OFF timing of the stopper solenoid 722 is the timing at which each game ball can be discharged (for example, 20 m).
s on, 40 ms off).

In the following step S125, it is determined whether or not the process of the branching step is the ball-punching process, and if it is the ball-punching process (Yes), the process of step 126 is executed and then the process of step S127 is executed. If it is not the beading process (No), the process of step S128 is performed and then the process of step S129 is performed. In step S126, ON information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set and the ball-punching solenoid 58 is energized, and in step S128, OFF information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set and the ball-punching solenoid 5 is set.
Stop energizing 8.

In step S127, in order to prevent heat generation of the topper solenoid 722 by dynamic driving, it is determined whether or not the stopper solenoid 722 is off timing, and if it is off timing (Yes), the process of step S122 is performed and step S129 is performed. If it is not the off timing (No), the process of step S129 is performed.

In step S129, it is determined whether or not the branch step is step F, that is, whether or not safe ball payout and wait processing is performed. If the branching step is step F (Yes), the ON information of the safe solenoid 791 is set in step S130 to energize the safe solenoid 791, and if the branching step is not step F (No), step S131. Then, the OFF information of the safe solenoid 791 is set and the driving of the safe solenoid 791 is stopped.

In the pachinko ball payout device of this embodiment, a pulse motor 750 is used as a drive source for pachinko ball ejection, and when pachinko ball ejection start processing and ejection end processing are performed, that is, when the pulse motor 750 starts rotation and The pulse motor 750 is driven by 2-2 phase excitation at the end of rotation, and the pulse motor 750 is driven by 1-2 phase excitation during pachinko ball ejection, that is, during rotation of the pulse motor 750.

Therefore, the pulse motor 750 can output a large torque at the start and end of the discharge to surely start and end the discharge, and the heat generation amount of the pulse motor 750 is reduced during the discharge. Therefore, the heat effect on the surrounding electronic devices can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the driving means is the main discharging means, and when the driving means fails, the notch disk stopping member and the stopping member driving means are used as the auxiliary discharging means. The notch disc stop member and the stop member driving means may be the main discharging means, and the driving means may be the auxiliary discharging means. Further, in the above embodiment, the off timing of the stop member driving means is set at such a timing that the game balls can be discharged one by one, but a ball for detecting the presence or absence of the game ball placed in the cutout of the cutout disk. The presence / absence detection means may be provided so that the stop member driving means is turned on and off in accordance with the output of the ball presence / absence detection means. Further, the number of discharged game balls may be counted from the rotation angle of the notched disc, and at that stage, the notched disc stop member may be engaged with the gear to pay out the prescribed number of game balls.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part of a game ball discharging device according to a modified example in which the configuration of the above embodiment is changed. A big difference between the game ball discharging device 1000 according to this modification and the game ball discharging device 804 according to the embodiment is that the stopper 721 and the stopper solenoid 7 are used as a stopper mechanism.
The point is that an electromagnetic clutch 1001 is used instead of 22. In addition, in this modification, the gear 1002 is provided with the functions of the gear 713 for preventing rotation and the gear 714 driven according to the above-described embodiment, and the gear 1002 is driven by the driven gear 1003 of the electromagnetic clutch 1001 and the motor 1.
It is always meshed with the driving gear 1007a of No. 007. Reference numeral 1004 is a guide passage, and a delivery mechanism 1005 is provided on the back side of the guide passage 1004 in the drawing. In the game ball discharging device 1000, the electromagnetic clutch 1
When 001 is not energized, the driven gear 1003 is locked, and when energized, the driven gear 1003 becomes free so that the game ball can be discharged or the ball can be removed. According to this modification, the structure of the game ball discharging device becomes extremely simple, and the size can be reduced. Also, the assembling work can be simplified.

Game ball discharging device 1000 according to the above modification
15, a guide passage 1004a, 1004b is provided in a casing in which three members 2000a, 2000b, 2000c are separably joined, as shown in FIG.
Forming a delivery mechanism 1005, an electromagnetic clutch 1001,
It houses two discharge sensors 1006a and 1006b and a motor 1007 as a driving means.

[0079]

If there is no failure in the drive means, the delivery mechanism is operated by the drive means to deliver the game ball guided by the delivery mechanism through the guide passage, and the discharge prescribed number of games is output based on the output of the ball detection means. When the number of balls is counted, the stopper mechanism regulates the operation of the delivery mechanism to dispense the prescribed number of game balls. When it is judged that the actual discharge number and the discharge regulation number do not match due to the output of the discharge number monitoring means and the driving means is out of order, the stopper mechanism is driven and the delivery mechanism operated by the ball pressure of the game ball. While controlling the operation, the game balls guided by the delivery mechanism are sent out through the guide passage, and the prescribed number of game balls are discharged. Then, even if the driving means fails, the next discharge of the game balls is accurately performed, so that the game store can continue to operate with the game machine and is not involved in troubles regarding the amount of payout balls. Further, the game player can continue the game regardless of the failure of the driving means, and can concentrate on the game.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine to which a game ball discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, as seen from diagonally front.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing still another subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing still another subroutine of the game ball discharging device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part of a game ball discharging device according to a modification.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a game ball discharging device according to a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 gaming machine 702, 702a, 702b guide passage 710 delivery mechanism 720 stopper mechanism 771, 771a, 771b discharge sensor (ball detection means) 750 pulse motor (driving means) 804 game ball discharge device 902 ball discharge control device (discharge number monitoring means) )

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A delivery mechanism for delivering a game ball guided through a guide passage, a driving means for operating the delivery mechanism, and an output of a ball detection means for detecting the game ball delivered to the delivery mechanism. A game ball discharging device provided with a stopper mechanism for stopping the operation of the delivery mechanism when the discharge specified number of game balls is counted, and whether or not the discharge specified number and the actual discharge number match. Ejection number monitoring means for monitoring whether or not is provided, and based on a signal output when the prescribed emission number does not match the actual emission number, the stopper mechanism controls the delivery mechanism that operates by the natural fall of the game ball. Then, the game balls are sent out, and when the discharge number of game balls is counted, the operation of the sending mechanism is stopped by the stopper mechanism and the discharge number of game balls is paid out. Discharge Location. 2. Based on a signal from the discharge number monitoring means that is output when the actual discharge number is equal to or greater than a specified discharge number, the stopper mechanism causes the delivery mechanism that operates by the natural fall of the game ball. Controlling, sending out the game ball, when the specified number of discharge game balls is counted, the operation of the delivery mechanism is stopped by the stopper mechanism, and the specified number of discharge game balls are paid out. Item 1. A game ball discharging device according to item 1.