JPH07163711A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the discrimination of abnormality of a detection means and to reduce a burden on the detection means for counting prize balls without increasing the number of prize ball detection means within a variable prize ball apparatus. CONSTITUTION:A specified prize port 72 and normal prize ports 74a and 74b are formed within a variable prize ball apparatus 16. A specified prize ball detector 102 to detect specified prize balls winning the specified prize pot 72 exclusively and a normal prize ball detector 104 to detect normal prize balls winning the normal prize balls exclusively are installed. A variable prize ball device 16 is opened with the generation of a specified game state. Then, when the total number of the prize balls detected of both the prize ball detector 102 and 104 reaches ten, the variable prize ball device is closed. When a detection output from the normal prize ball detector 104 is not led out even one though a specified period passes after the variable prize ball device 16 is closed, a judgement is given to the effect that abnormality occurs.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine, and the like.
The present invention relates to a ball-and-ball game machine in which a ball is hit on the surface of a game board to play a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ball game machine, one generally known in the art is shown in FIGS.
There was one provided with a variable winning ball device shown in 8. A partition member 470 is formed in the variable winning ball device 416, and the partition member 470 forms a specific winning opening 472 as an example of the specific winning area and normal winning openings 474a and 474b as an example of the normal winning area. Was there. The specific winning ball that has won the specific winning opening 472 can be detected by a specific winning ball detecting device 476, which is an example of a specific winning ball detecting means.
All the winning balls 4a, 474b and the specific winning opening 472 are guided to one place by the all winning ball collecting passage 478 to be gathered and detected by the all winning ball detector 480.
In addition, the specific winning ball detecting device 476 is a reflection plate 494.
This is a conventionally known optical detection device in which the reflected light from is detected by the photo sensor 496. And the opening and closing plate 4
If a ball hitting the inside of the variable winning ball device in which 54 is opened and changed to the first state enters the specific winning port 472 and is detected by the specific winning ball detecting device 476, the detected output is obtained. Based on the detection output of the all winning ball detector 480, the variable winning ball device 416 is continuously or continuously controlled so that the variable winning ball device 416 is put into the second state immediately after or after a predetermined period of time elapses, and then becomes the first state again. Variable winning ball device 41
When it is determined that the number of hit balls in 6 has reached a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls), the variable winning ball device 416 is controlled to be switched to the second state.

[0003]

However, in the conventional ball game machine of this type, all the winning ball detectors 480 are obtained by gathering the specific winning balls and the normal winning balls won from the normal winning holes all in one place. Since there is a problem that not only the load of all the winning ball detectors 480 is increased, but also there is a risk that a ball jam may occur due to the aggregation of many winning balls in one place.

Further, in the conventional ball game machine, when it is determined that the total winning ball detector 480 has reached a predetermined number of winning balls in the variable winning ball device based on the detection output. Since the variable winning ball device is switched to the second state, which works in a disadvantageous direction for the player, a fraudulent act occurs in which all the winning ball detectors 480 are put into an undetectable state in which no winning balls can be detected. There was a fear. In addition, when this fraudulent act occurs or when the all-winning-prize-ball detector 480 is in an undetectable state due to a failure or the like, the variable winning-ball apparatus of the ball game machine does not operate as originally designed. It causes the inconvenience.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is a detector for counting winning balls without increasing the number of detectors for detecting winning balls won in a variable winning ball apparatus. The object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of reducing the load on the player and determining the abnormality of the detector.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a ball-and-ball game machine in which a ball is hit on a game board surface to perform a game, and a first state which is advantageous to the player and a disadvantage to the player. A variable winning ball device that can be changed to a second state,
A specific game state detecting means for detecting that a specific game state defined so that the variable winning ball device can be brought into the first state, and a variable winning ball device, which is provided in the variable winning ball device, can be hit. Specific winning area and normal winning area, specific winning ball detection means for detecting only winning balls to the specific winning area, normal winning ball detecting means for detecting only winning balls to the normal winning area, the specific game The variable winning ball device is controlled to the first state when there is a detection output of the state detecting means, and the variable is counted based on the detection signals of the specific winning ball detecting means and the normal winning ball detecting means. When the number of winning balls to the winning ball device reaches a predetermined number, the variable winning ball device is set to the second state, and when there is a detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means, the variable winning ball device is again set to the second state. Repeated continuous control to 1 state It is abnormal when the detection output from the normal winning ball detection means is not derived even though a predetermined period has elapsed since the control means and the variable winning ball apparatus have entered the first state. And an abnormality determining means for determining the effect.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the variable winning ball device is provided with the specific winning area and the normal winning area in which the hit balls can be won, and only the winning balls in the specific winning area are detected by the specific winning ball detecting means. It is detected, and only the winning balls in the normal winning area are detected by the normal winning ball detecting means. Then, by the operation of the control means, the variable winning ball device is the first when the occurrence of the specific game state is detected by the specific game state detecting means.
When the number of winning balls to the variable winning ball device, which is controlled based on the detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means and the normal winning ball detecting means, reaches a predetermined number, the variable winning When the ball device is in the second state and the variable winning ball device is in the first state and there is a detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means, the variable winning ball is in the second state. The device is repeatedly and continuously controlled to the first state.
Then, due to the function of the abnormality determining means, the detection output from the normal winning a prize ball detecting means has not been derived even though a predetermined period has passed since the variable winning ball apparatus was in the first state. Is determined to be abnormal.

[0008]

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a pachinko game machine, which is an example of a ball game machine, will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and includes all coin game machines and the like that play a ball.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine 10 which is an example of a ball game machine. Game board 14 of pachinko game machine 10
Is provided with a variable display device 20 at a substantially central position thereof, and a variable winning ball device 16 is provided below the variable display device 20. In addition, the game board 14 is provided with a plurality of winning devices 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b and starting winning holes 18a, 18b, 18c. And these start winning openings 18a, 18b, 18c
When a pachinko ball is won in any of the above, the variable display parts 22a, 22b, 22c of the variable display device 20 start variable display, and the player operates the stop switch 36 during or after a predetermined period. Is controlled to stop. The variable display portions 22a, 2
2b and 22c are always variably displayed, and may be configured to be stopped and controlled by winning a pachinko ball to any of the starting winning openings 18a, 18b and 18c. When the display mode of the variable display portions 22a, 22b, 22c after the stop is a predetermined combination (for example, 777), the big hit control for opening the opening / closing plate 54 of the variable winning ball device 16 is performed. . As will be described later, the opening / closing of the opening / closing plate 54 is terminated when a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) is won, whichever comes first. The opening / closing plate 54 is controlled to be closed. The number of winning pachinko balls in the variable winning ball device 16 is displayed by the digital display 86. The variable display device 20 may include only one variable display unit, two variable display units, or four or more variable display units.

In the figure, reference numeral 32 is a lamp provided on the front frame 12 for notifying an abnormal situation such as a big hit state or the occurrence of fraud as will be described later.

Reference numeral 34 in the figure denotes a speaker for generating a sound effect and a warning sound associated with the occurrence of fraudulent activity. Further, 30a and 30b are lamps that are turned on or blinked according to various game states. Reference numeral 24 denotes a digital display, which displays the number of continuations in the repetitive continuation control of the variable winning ball device 16 described later. Also, the variable winning ball device 16, the winning devices 28a, 28
b, 26a, 26b and starting winning openings 18a, 18b, 18
The winning area is formed by c.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Reference numeral 46 in the figure denotes a ball striking motor, which is for striking the pachinko balls one by one onto the game board (see FIG. 1). Further, when the hit pachinko balls enter the starting winning openings 18a, 18b, 18c (see FIG. 1), the starting winning ball detectors 42a, 42b, 42c detect them. In the figure, reference numeral 38 denotes a winning ball collecting cover, which guides the winning balls won from the winning area to a predetermined place and collects them. Further, reference numeral 40 in the figure is a variable winning ball device body. Reference numeral 44 is a solenoid as an example of an electric drive source, which is for opening and driving the opening / closing plate 54 of the variable winning ball device 16. The electric drive source is not limited to the solenoid 44 and may be a motor.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the variable winning ball device 16, which is for explaining the drive mechanism of the opening / closing plate 54. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a partial internal structure of the variable winning ball device 16. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are explanatory views showing the movement loci of the pachinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device 16. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are vertical cross-sectional views showing the movement loci of the pachinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device 16.

Next, the structure and operation of the variable winning ball device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 and 8.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, a variable winning ball device 1
6 is attached to the game board 14 by its attachment substrate 48. The variable winning ball device 16 is formed with an opening 50. An opening / closing plate 54 capable of closing the opening 50 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 56. Then, the operating plate 68 fixed to the plunger 66 of the solenoid 44
Has its tip inserted into the engagement hole 64 of the opening / closing plate 54, the plunger 66 expands and contracts by the operation of the solenoid 44, and the operating plate 68 moves up and down to rotate the opening / closing plate 54. It is configured to rotate about the shaft 56 to switch between a closed state in which the opening 50 is closed and an open state in which the opening 50 is opened. This opening and closing board 5
In the open state of No. 4, the first state in which the pachinko balls are easy to win in the variable winning ball device and is advantageous to the player is configured, and when the opening / closing plate 54 is closed, the pachinko balls are variable winning ball device 16 A second state is formed that is disadvantageous to the player who cannot win the prize. The second state is not limited to the case where the pachinko balls cannot be won in the variable winning ball device 16 at all, and may be configured to be difficult to win, that is, the winning probability is extremely low. Incidentally, reference numeral 62 in the drawing denotes an opening position restricting projection piece, which abuts the opening position restricting projection piece 60 of the opening / closing plate 54 at the time of opening / closing to restrict the opening / closing angle of the opening / closing plate 54. In the figure, reference numeral 58 is a guide ridge,
Variable winning ball device 1 for pachinko balls that have won a prize from the opening / closing plate 54
The purpose of this is to smoothly guide the inside of the opening / closing member 6 and to improve the strength of the opening / closing plate 54. Further, when the opening / closing plate 54 is closed, the pachinko balls that have fallen from above collide with the surrounding frame 84 once and then fall onto a guide rail or the like, and collide with this surrounding frame 84. With this, the falling speed of the pachinko balls is moderated, and damage caused by the pachinko balls falling onto the guide rails or the like can be prevented as much as possible. A front decorative plate 82 is attached to the front side of the surrounding frame 84. Further, the variable winning ball device 16
A start winning port 18a is integrally provided in the upper part of the. In addition, reference numeral 83 in the figure is a direction changing member for changing the moving direction of the normal winning balls of the pachinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device to smoothly guide the winning balls to the winning ball collecting cover 38 side. .

As shown in FIG. 4, a winning space 52 is formed in the variable winning ball device, and in this winning space 52, a specific winning hole (V pocket) 72 and a normal winning hole 74 are formed.
a and 74b are formed. The specific winning opening 72 and the left and right normal winning openings 74a and 74b are partitioned by a partition member 70. The pachinko balls that have won in the winning space 52 win the specific winning opening 72 (V winning) or the normal winning openings 74a and 74b on the left and right. The pachinko balls that have won the specific winning opening 72 are detected by the specific winning ball detector 102 that is an example of the specific winning ball detecting means, and the pachinko balls that have won the normal winning openings 74a and 74b are the normal winning ball collecting passages 103. Are collected in one place and are detected by a normal winning ball detector 104 which is an example of a normal winning ball detecting means. These specific winning ball detectors 102 are usually composed of so-called proximity switches that detect changes in the timing associated with the passage of pachinko balls, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a limit switch and a light projector and a light receiving device are also provided. Any switch may be used as long as it can detect passage of a pachinko ball, including an optical switch such as a container. In the figure, 86 is a digital display,
The surrounding frame 84 protects the pachinko balls from collision.

It should be noted that instead of integrally providing the specific winning ball detecting means and the normal winning ball detecting means with respect to the variable winning ball device, for example, both of them are provided in a winning ball collecting cover.
It may be provided separately from the variable winning ball device, or only one of the detection means may be provided separately.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pachinko balls that have won the specific winning opening (V pocket) 72 are the normal winning ball collecting passage 1
It is guided without falling on 03. That is, FIG.
As shown in, the pachinko ball that wins the specific winning opening 72 is guided to the back side of the game board by the guide gutter 98, enters the specific winning ball exclusive passage 100, and falls downward to drop the specific winning ball detector. After being detected by 102, it falls into the winning ball collecting cover 38.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the pachinko balls that have won the winning openings 74a and 74b are gathered in one place by the normal winning ball collecting passage 103 and detected by the normal winning ball detector 104. It

In the present embodiment, the variable winning ball device in which the opening / closing plate 54 is opened forward is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a pair of left and right opening / closing wing pieces respectively opens and closes to the left and right outside. Alternatively, a pair of left and right sliding members may slide in and out on the left and right sides respectively.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the control circuit of the present invention. The microcomputer 106 has a function of controlling the operation of the entire pachinko gaming machine as described below. For this purpose, the microcomputer 1
06 is composed of, for example, an LSI of several chips,
It includes an MPU 108 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure, a ROM 110 storing operation program data of the MPU 108, and a RAM 112 capable of writing and reading necessary data.

The microcomputer 106 further includes an input circuit 114 for receiving an input signal to provide input data to the MPU 108, an output circuit 116 for receiving output data from the MPU 108 and outputting the data to the outside, and a sound generator 118 for receiving sound data from the MPU 108. A power-on reset circuit 120 that gives a reset pulse to the MPU 108 when the power is turned on, a clock generation circuit 122 that gives a clock signal to the MPU 108, and a clock generation circuit 12.
It includes a pulse frequency dividing circuit (interrupting pulse generating circuit) 124 which divides the clock signal from 2 to give an interrupting pulse to MPU 108 periodically, and an address decoding circuit 126 which decodes the address data from MPU 108.

The MPU 108 can execute the operation of the interrupt control routine according to the interrupt pulse periodically given from the pulse frequency dividing circuit 124. Further, the address decoding circuit 126 decodes the address data from the MPU 108, and ROM 110, RAM 112, input circuit 114, output circuit 116, sound generator 1
A chip select signal is applied to each of the eighteen.

In this embodiment, the ROM 110 is
Rewriting the contents, that is, when the need arises,
Programmable R so that the program data for the MPU 108 stored therein can be changed.
OM is used. And MPU108 is this R
According to the program data stored in the OM110,
In addition, in response to the input of each control signal described below, the control signal is given to the variable winning ball device 16 and the like.

The following signals are given to the microcomputer 106 as input signals.

First, in response to the start prize winning ball detectors 42a, 42b, 42c being turned on in accordance with the start winning of a pachinko ball, the start prize winning ball detection circuit 128 gives a start prize winning ball detection signal to the microcomputer 106. . Based on the operation of the stop switch 36, a stop signal is given from the stop circuit 130 to the microcomputer 106. In response to the pachinko ball winning the specific winning opening 72 and turning on the specific winning ball detector 102, the specific winning ball detecting circuit 132 provides a specific winning ball detection signal to the microcomputer 106. Regular prize ball detector 1
In response to the detection output of 04, the normal winning ball detection circuit 133
The normal winning ball detection signal from the microcomputer 106
Given to. In response to the detection output of the light receivers 150a to 150d provided in the variable display device 20, a light receiving signal is given from the light receiver circuit 134 to the microcomputer 106.

The microcomputer 106 also supplies control signals to the following circuits and devices. First, a motor drive signal is applied to the motor 158 for driving the movable display device via the motor circuit 136, and the drum solenoids A (160), B (162),
A solenoid drive signal is applied to each of C (164) to lock and unlock the variable display portion of the variable display device. Thereby, the rotation control of the variable display portions 22a, 22b, 22c (see FIG. 1) in the variable display device 20 is performed. Next, the projectors 166 a to 166 a through the projector circuit 140.
A control signal for lighting 166d is output. The projectors 166a to 166d and the photoreceivers 150a to 15
Based on 0d, it is determined whether or not the display mode of the stopped variable display device is a predetermined combination (for example, 777). Furthermore, a solenoid drive signal is given to the solenoid 44 via the solenoid circuit 141, and the variable winning ball device 1
Opening / closing control of the opening / closing plate 54 (see FIG. 3) 6 is performed. The solenoid circuit 141 and the microcomputer 106 constitute drive control means for driving and controlling the variable winning ball device. Next, through the lamp circuit 142, the lamps 30a, 30b, 32, 174, 176, 178 (1
74, 176, and 178 are not shown), and control signals for lighting the lamps are given to them. These lamps are L
It may be ED. Further, the LE for displaying the winning a prize memory provided on the variable display device 20 via the LED circuit 144.
A control signal for lighting D180, 182, 184, 186 (not shown) is output, and a control signal for digitally displaying the digital displays 24, 86 is output via the digital display drive circuit 146. Further, a control signal for generating sound is output from the speaker 34 via the amplifier 148. A predetermined DC current is supplied from the power supply circuit 188 to each circuit having the above configuration.

10 and 11 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the specific operation of this pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 and 11.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, after the power is turned on to initialize the program, various judgment and processing programs are executed. In the meantime, 1 is executed every predetermined short time (for example, 4 msec). The interrupt program shown in FIG. 11 is executed once. In this interrupt program, first, in step S30, the starting winning prize detector is turned off.
It is judged whether or not it has become N, and when it is judged as NO, the interrupt ends. When it is determined that the start winning a prize ball detection switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S31, it is determined whether the value of the starting prize winning memory counter is "4", and it is determined that the value is "4". If so, the interrupt ends at that point. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value is not "4", that is, the value of the start winning award memory counter has not reached "4" yet, the process proceeds to step S32, the start winning award memory counter is incremented by 1, and then the interruption ends. The determination in step S31 is to prevent further storage because the upper limit of the storage area of the start winning storage counter is set to "4". While the interrupt program is sequentially executed, the program shown in FIG. 10 is executed. In FIG. 10, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the value of the start winning prize memory counter is "0", and if it is determined to be "0", the value of the starting prize winning memory counter is "0". Wait until it runs out. And
When it is not "0", that is, when it is "1" or more, NO is determined, the process proceeds to step S2, the start prize memory counter is decremented by 1, and the variable display by the variable display device is started. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the stop switch has been operated to ON,
If it is determined that the operation has not been performed yet, step S
In step 4, it is determined whether 5 seconds have elapsed since the start of variable display. If it is determined that 5 seconds have not yet elapsed, a DO loop for returning to step S3 is formed. If the stop switch is operated by the player during the traveling of the DO loop, from step S3,
If YES is determined, the process proceeds to step S5 and the variable display is stopped. If 5 seconds have elapsed after the start of variable display without the player operating the stop switch, YES is determined in step S4, and the variable display is similarly stopped in step S5. Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the combination of the symbols of the big hit, and when it is determined that the combination of the symbols of the big hit is not, the process returns to step S1 again. If it is determined that the winning combination is a big hit, the process proceeds to step S7, the opening / closing plate of the variable winning ball device is opened, and the opening number counter is incremented by one. Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the specific winning ball detector is turned on. If it is determined that it is turned on, step S9 is performed.
Go to, increment the 10 count counter by 1,
Processing for incrementing the V winning number counter by 1 is performed. Further, the process proceeds to step S10, and it is judged whether or not the value of the opening number counter is "10".
If it is determined that it is not "0", the process proceeds to step S11,
It is determined whether or not there is a V-winning memory. If it is determined that there is no V-winning memory, the process proceeds to step S12. After the V-winning memory process is performed, the process proceeds to step S13. The V winning award storing process in this step S12 is the V of the pachinko ball.
Based on the winning, the variable winning ball device is switched to the second state once after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winnings, and then the variable winning ball device is again set to the first state. This is for performing so-called repetitive continuation control for switching control to the above state. If it is determined in step S10 that the value of the opening counter is "10", the process directly proceeds to step S13 without performing the process of step S12. This is because the number of times the repeat continuation control is performed is limited to 10 in advance, and therefore the repeat continuation control is not performed 10 times or more. Further, if it is determined in step S11 that there is a V winning memory, step S1
The process directly proceeds to step S13 without performing the process of 2. This is because the upper limit of the V winning memory is set to be once, so that the V winning memory is prevented from being performed any more. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is performed twice or more. You may memorize V winnings.

Next, in step S13, it is judged whether or not the normal winning ball detector is turned on. If it is judged that it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S14 and the value of the 10-count counter is incremented by one. Then, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether the value of the 10-count counter is "10", and "1" is set.
If it is determined that it is not "0", the process proceeds to step S16.
By this step S15, a fixed number judgment means for judging that the sum of the sum of the specific winning balls and the normal winning balls has reached a predetermined constant value (10 in this case) is configured.
Next, in step S16, it is determined whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed after the opening and closing of the opening / closing plate. If it is determined that 30 seconds have not yet elapsed, a DO loop for returning to step S8 is formed. Then, in step S15, Y
If ES is determined or YES is determined in step S16, the process proceeds to step S17,
After the process of closing the open / close plate is performed, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the value of the 10 count counter is equal to the value of the V winning number counter. If it is determined that they are not equal, the process proceeds to step S19 to determine whether or not there is a V winning memory. If it is determined that the V winning memory is stored, the process proceeds to step S20, and the V
After the winning memory is cleared, the 10-count counter is cleared, and the V-winning number counter is cleared, the process proceeds to step S7 again, the opening / closing plate is opened, and the variable winning ball device is again brought into the first state. Control is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that there is no V prize memory, the process proceeds to step S21, and after each processing of 10 count counter clear, V prize number counter clear and opening count counter clear is performed, the process returns to step S1 again. .

Further, when it is determined in step S18 that the value of the 10 count counter is equal to the value of the V winning number counter (including the case where both are "0"), that is, it is detected by the normal winning ball detector. If there is no pachinko ball that has been played, the process proceeds to step S22, in which the opening and closing of the opening and closing plate is prohibited and the acceptance of the start prize is prohibited. That is, it is unlikely that all the pachinko balls that have won in the variable winning ball device will be V-winned, and the normal winning ball detector is broken, or an illegal act such as pulling out the normal winning ball detector is performed. Since an abnormal situation such as being present is considered, the game is disabled by this step S22. This step S22 constitutes the game immobilization means. The game immobilization means is not limited to the process of step S22, and may be the supply of a hit ball, the stop of a hit motor, or the like, as long as a normal game cannot be continued. After the process of step S22 is performed, the process proceeds to step S23, an alarm sound is generated and a lamp is turned on to notify an employee or the like that an abnormal situation is occurring. Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not the normal winning ball detector is turned on, and the process waits until it is turned on. Then, the clerk at the game hall notices that an abnormal situation has occurred and, after performing appropriate processing, unlocks the glass frame to open it, and causes the pachinko ball to fall into the normal winning hole in the variable winning ball device. As a result, a YES determination is made in step S24, the process proceeds to step S25, the alarm sound is extinguished, and the lamp is extinguished. Then, the process proceeds to step S26, the opening / closing plate is prohibited from being opened, and the start winning is not accepted. Is canceled and the state returns to the state where a normal game can be performed, and the process proceeds to step S19.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to detect an abnormal situation such as fraudulent activity, a V winning number counter is provided and a predetermined period (30 seconds or 10 count counter value becomes "10" after the opening / closing plate is opened. The value of the V winning number counter is equal to the value of the 10 count counter after the elapse of whichever comes first, whichever comes first. Although it is configured to determine that an abnormal situation has occurred, the present invention is not limited to this, and a normal winning number counter is provided so that the opening / closing plate is opened for a predetermined period (30 seconds or 10 count counter). It is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred when the value of the normal winning number counter is “0” after the period until the value of “10” becomes “whichever comes first” expires. It may be configured to.

In order to determine the occurrence of the abnormal situation,
Conventionally, for example, the method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-98273 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-100275 is adopted, and a pachinko ball detected by a specific winning ball detector is provided below the pachinko ball. It is configured to be detected by passing through the prize winning ball detector, and within a certain time after the specific prize winning ball detector detects the pachinko ball (the pachinko ball goes from the specific prize winning ball detector to the prize winning ball detector). It is configured to determine that an abnormal situation has occurred on the basis that the prize-winning detector does not detect the prize-winning ball within the necessary time period. However, if this conventional method is adopted, it is immediately determined to be an abnormal situation even if the prize winning detector cannot be detected within a certain time due to a ball jam after being detected by the specific prize winning detector. Since the game is immobilized, the player cannot continue the game, which reduces the player's willingness to play, and causes frequent troubles between the player and the employee. There is a problem such as causing a problem or giving an impression that the machine is a malfunctioning machine to a player or an employee.

However, according to the present invention, as the means for determining the occurrence of an abnormal situation, the normal winning ball detecting means of the normal winning ball detecting means is set within a predetermined time longer than the fixed time after the variable winning ball device is changed to the first state. In order to immobilize the game by determining that an abnormal situation has occurred for the first time based on the absence of detection output, the game is interrupted if the ball jam can be solved by the subsequent winning balls. There is an advantage that the above-mentioned conventional method does not cause inconvenience.

Further, as an output for detecting the occurrence of an abnormal situation,
A special winning ball detection switch is installed at the entrance of the specific winning opening in the variable winning ball device, and a normal winning ball detection switch is installed at each of the entrances of the plurality of normal winning holes, and within a fixed time after the variable winning ball device is opened. In addition, a method of determining that an abnormal situation has occurred when a detection output is not derived from any of the plurality of normal winning ball detection switches is also conceivable. However, this method usually requires a large number of winning ball detection switches, which not only complicates the structure but also increases the cost. Furthermore, if any one or more than one of the plurality of normal winning ball detection switches is pulled out or broken,
As long as there is a normal winning ball detection switch that is operating normally, it is not determined that an abnormal situation has occurred because a pachinko ball is detected by the normal normal winning ball detection switch. Therefore, even if a large number of pachinko balls are won from the pulled-out normal prize-winning ball detection switch or the malfunctioning normal prize-winning ball detection switch, they are not detected, and the permissible value of the number of winnings in the variable winning ball device (for example, An inconvenient situation occurs in which more than 10 pachinko balls are allowed to win. Therefore, in any one of the plurality of regular winning ball detectors, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds or a value of a 10 count counter is "1").
It is conceivable that if there is no detection output within the period until the time "0" is reached, whichever comes first, it is immediately determined to be an abnormal situation and the game is disabled. , In this case, even if the normal winning ball detection switch is not pulled out and the normal winning ball detection switch is not at all defective, it happens that the normal winning balls are biased only from the normal winning ball detector. ,
It is determined that an abnormal situation has occurred even if it is not detected at all by other normal prize winning ball detector, and the player is mobilized even though he is playing a normal game. There is the inconvenience of having great dissatisfaction.

Since the abnormal situation determination means according to the present invention normally has only one winning ball detector, there is an advantage that these disadvantages can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, the variable winning ball device is the first.
The condition of the state, the case where the combination of symbols at the time of stop of the variable display device which has been variably started with the start winning matches the predetermined combination of jackpot symbols is taken up, but the present invention is not limited thereto. If the variable winning ball apparatus is configured so that the first state of the variable winning ball apparatus is repeatedly continued by the detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means, the condition that the variable winning ball apparatus first becomes the first state is the present embodiment. It is not limited to.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 12 is an overall front view showing a pachinko game machine 10 which is an example of a ball game machine. Pachinko machine 1
The game board 14 of 0 has a variable winning ball device 1 at the center thereof.
6 is provided, and the start winning holes 202a, 202b, 204 are provided below it. The internal structure of the variable winning ball device 16 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. Furthermore, on the game board 14, the winning devices 26a, 26b and the tulip type winning device 21.
0a and 210b are provided. The starting winning opening 20
Starting prize winning ball detectors 1 (206a), (20) provided corresponding to the respective winning balls won in 2a and 202b.
6b), and also
The winning balls that have won the starting winning opening 204 are configured to be detected by the starting winning ball detector 2 (208). Then, the starting winning prize detector 1 (206a), (206
As will be described later, the opening / closing plate 54 of the variable winning ball device 16 is opened and closed once based on the detection output of b), and the opening / closing plate 54 is opened based on the detection output of the starting winning ball detector 2 (208). It is controlled to open and close. This open / close plate 54
May be configured by a pair of open / close wing pieces that are opened and closed on the left and right sides instead of the one that is opened and closed by the front, and may be configured by a sliding member that slides left and right and moves back and forth.

Reference numeral 32 in the figure denotes a lamp provided on the front frame 12 for notifying that a big hit condition has occurred or that the lamp has been turned on when an abnormal situation described later occurs. . In the figure, 34 is a speaker,
This is for generating a sound effect and an alarm sound accompanying an abnormal situation. Further, in the figure, 30a and 30b are lamps that are turned on in various game states. Variable winning ball device 16 and winning device 2 provided on the game board 14.
6a, 26b, tulip type winning device 210a, 21
0b, starting winning openings 202a, 202b, 204 constitute a winning area.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the overall construction of the control circuit of the second embodiment of the present invention. Most of the control circuit in the second embodiment is the same as the control circuit in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 described above, and the common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Since this common part has already been described with reference to FIG. 9, description thereof will be omitted here.

When the pachinko ball wins the start prize, either the start prize winning ball detector 1 (206a), (206b) or the start prize winning ball detector 2 (208) is turned on, and the start prize winning ball detection circuit 210 starts. The winning ball detection signal is input to the microcomputer 106.

When a pachinko ball that has entered the variable winning ball device that has been switched to the first state wins the specific winning port 72, the specific winning ball detector 102 is turned on, and the specific winning ball detecting circuit 132 The specific winning ball detection signal is input to the microcomputer 106. Further, when a pachinko ball that has entered the variable winning ball apparatus that has been switched to the first state wins the normal winning holes 74a and 74b, the normal winning ball detector 104 is turned on, and the normal winning ball detection circuit 133. Then, a normal winning ball detection signal is input to the microcomputer 106.

Next, the microcomputer outputs signals to the following devices and instruments. First, the solenoid circuit 14
A solenoid driving signal is output to the solenoid 44 via 1 to control the opening and closing of the variable winning ball device. The solenoid circuit 141 and the microcomputer 106 constitute drive control means for driving and controlling the variable winning ball device. In addition, the lamp 30a, the lamp 30a,
A lamp lighting signal is output to 30b, 32, 224 and 226 (224 and 226 are not shown). The lamps 30a, 30b, 32, 224 and 226 are LEDs.
But it is okay. The microcomputer 106 outputs a signal for LED display to the LEDs 228, 229 (not shown) for displaying the number of times of continuation and the number of winning prizes through the LED circuit 220. In addition, it outputs a signal for sound generation to the speaker 34 via the amplifier 148.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. Next, with reference to FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, a specific operation of the pachinko gaming machine in the second embodiment will be described.

First, in FIG. 14, when the power is turned on, the microcomputer 106 is initialized, the process proceeds to step S1, and it is judged whether or not the starting winning prize detector 2 is turned on. If it is determined that it is not turned on by this, the process proceeds to step S2, it is determined whether or not the start winning a prize ball detector 1 is turned on, and if it is determined that it is not turned on yet, it is again performed. The procedure returns to step S1. If it is determined in step S1 that the starting winning ball detector 2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S3, in which the variable winning ball device is opened / closed twice, the continuous number count is cleared, the 10 count counter is cleared, and the V winning is made. After each processing of clearing the number counter is performed, the process proceeds to step S5. In addition, the step S
If it is determined to be ON in step 2, the process proceeds to step S4, and the process of once opening / closing the variable winning ball device, the continuous number counter clear, the 10 count counter clear, and the V winning number counter clear are performed, and then the process proceeds to step S5. move on. In this step S5, it is judged whether or not the specific winning ball detector is turned on, and if it is judged that it is not turned on yet, the process returns to step S1 again,
If it is determined to be ON, the process proceeds to step S6.
When it is determined that the specific winning ball detector in step S5 is turned on, it is determined that the winning of the pachinko ball into the specific winning opening, that is, the V winning is performed. Next, in step S6, the variable winning ball device is opened / closed 18 times, and a continuation number counter for counting the number of times of continuous control of the 18 times opening / closing process is incremented by 1. Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the specific winning ball detector is turned on. If it is determined that it is turned on, then step S8 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step 10 to increment the 10 count counter by 1 and the V winning number counter by 1. Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuation number counter is "8". If it is determined that the value is not "8", the process proceeds to step S10 to clear the 18 times opening / closing process and the 10 count counter. After the clearing process and the V winning number counter clearing process are performed, the process proceeds to step S6 again, and the repeat continuation control for repeating the 18 times opening / closing process again is performed. The determination in step S9 is to prevent further repeated continuation control since the upper limit number of times that the repeated continuation control can be performed is set to eight. By this step S9, the value of the continuation number counter is "8".
If it is determined that the normal winning ball detector has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S11.
If it is determined that the result is N, the process proceeds to step S12,
After incrementing the 10-count counter by 1, the process proceeds to step S13. If it is determined in step S11 that the normal winning ball detector is not turned on, the process directly proceeds to step S13. In this step S13,
It is determined whether or not the value of the 10 count counter is "10", and it is determined in step S13 that the sum of the sum of the specific winning balls and the normal winning balls has reached a predetermined constant. A fixed number determination means is configured. When it is determined in step S13 that it is not "10", the process proceeds to step S14, and it is determined whether or not the variable winning ball device has been opened and closed 18 times. If it is determined that the variable winning ball device has not been opened and closed 18 times, the process is performed again. Return to step S7 D
An O loop is formed. If it is determined in step S13 that the value of the 10-count counter is "10" or if it is determined in step S14 that the variable winning ball device has been opened and closed 18 times, the process proceeds to step S15. After the 18 times opening / closing process ends, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined whether the value of the 10-count counter is equal to the value of the V winning number counter. If it is determined that they are not equal, the process returns to step S1. When it is determined that they are the same (including the case where both are "0"), the process proceeds to step S17, and a process of prohibiting the acceptance of the start winning is performed. That is, by step S17,
A game immobilization means is configured. The game immobilization means is not limited to the processing in step S17, and various types of hit ball supply stop or hit ball motor stop can be considered, and any device that cannot continue a normal game may be used.

The determination in step S16 has the same purpose as in step S18 of FIG. 10 described above, and a predetermined time, that is, 10 pachinko balls, is started after the opening / closing process of the variable winning ball device is started 18 times. It is judged that there is no detection output of the normal winnings ball detector within the time which is the earlier of the time required to win the prize or the time required to open and close the opening and closing plate 18 times, whichever comes first It detects and immobilizes the game. However, in the present invention, instead of judging that there is no detection output of the normal winning a prize detector by the value of the V winning number counter and the value of the 10 count counter being equal, as in this embodiment, A normal winning number counter may be provided, and when the value of the normal winning number counter is “0” within the predetermined time, an abnormal situation may be detected and the game may be disabled. Next, in step S18, an alarm sound is generated and the lamp is turned on to notify the staff that an abnormal situation has occurred. Next, in step S19, it is judged whether or not the normal winning ball detector is turned on, and it is turned on.
Wait until. An attendant at the amusement hall notices that an abnormal situation has occurred due to the generation of an alarm sound or the lighting of a lamp, and after performing appropriate processing, unlocks the glass frame of the game board and opens it, and a pachinko ball is a variable prize. The player is allowed to enter the regular winning hole in the ball device. As a result, a YES determination is made in step S19, the process proceeds to step S20, the alarm sound is extinguished and the lamp is extinguished, and the process proceeds to step S21 to cancel the acceptance prohibition of the start winning and return to a state where normal games can be played. Then, the process returns to step S1.

In the second embodiment, as a condition for starting the opening / closing process of the variable winning ball device 18 times, the pachinko ball that has entered into the variable winning ball device opened / closed in accordance with the start winning is a specific winning. The case of winning in the mouth is mentioned,
The present invention is not limited to this, and if the variable winning ball apparatus is configured so that the first state of the variable winning ball apparatus is repeatedly continued by the detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means, the condition for the first state is first. It is not limited to this embodiment.

By S6 of FIG. 10 or S5 of FIG. 14,
A specific game state detecting means for detecting that a specific game state determined so that the variable winning ball device can be brought into the first state is configured. The variable winning ball device is set to the first position when there is a detection output of the specific game state detecting means by S7 to S21 of FIG. 10 or S6 to S15 of FIG.
When the number of winning balls to the variable winning ball device counted based on the detection signal of the specific winning ball detecting means and the normal winning ball detecting means reaches a predetermined number, the variable winning A control means is configured to bring the ball device into the second state, and repeatedly and continuously control the variable winning ball device to the first state again when there is a detection output from the specific winning ball detection means. By S18 of FIG. 10 or S16 of FIG. 14, the detection output from the normal winning ball detection means is not derived even though the variable winning ball device has been in the first state for a predetermined period of time. An abnormality determination unit is configured to determine that the abnormality has occurred.

Further, the means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormal situation in this embodiment is determined by the fact that there is no detection output from the normal winning ball detector within a predetermined time, as in the case shown in FIG. 10 is the same as that shown in FIG.
It has the same advantages as those described above.

In the above embodiment, a pachinko ball is lent out at the time of playing a game, and a game that is played with the pachinko ball is taken up. However, for example, a magnetic card or an optical card (using an optical disk memory or the like) It is possible to use a data recording medium in which data is recorded, apply the recording medium to a pachinko gaming machine, allow a pachinko ball built into the pachinko gaming machine to play, and prevent the player from carrying the pachinko ball. . Further, in this case, instead of paying out the prize balls due to winning of a pachinko ball, etc., the prize ball score in which the points are sequentially added is displayed, and the score, that is, the prize ball data is recorded in the recording medium. Alternatively, the ball may be configured instead of the ball.

[0054]

According to the present invention, it suffices that the specific winning ball detecting means detects only winning balls in the specific winning area, and the normal winning ball detecting means detects only winning balls in the normal winning area. It is no longer necessary for one winning ball detecting means to detect the total winning balls won in the variable winning ball device, and the load on the detecting means for counting winning balls can be reduced without increasing the number of detecting means. .

On the other hand, for example, when the total value of the winning prizes detected by both the specific winning prize detecting means and the normal winning prize detecting means is 0 despite the lapse of a predetermined period, the abnormality judgment is made. When it is configured to determine the abnormality by means, as long as the specific winning prize detecting means detects the specific winning prize within the predetermined period, no matter how much the normal winning prize detecting means becomes undetectable, There is an inconvenience that it is not possible to determine the abnormality of the normal winning ball detection means. However, in the case of the present invention, since the abnormality determination is made when the detection output from the normal winning ball detecting means is not derived even once even though the predetermined period has passed, the normal winning ball detecting means When an abnormality occurs in which the specific winning a prize becomes undetectable, no matter how much the specific winning a prize detecting means detects the specific winning a prize within the predetermined period, there is an effect that the abnormality can be favorably judged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an entire front view showing a pachinko gaming machine which is an example of a ball gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a first embodiment and a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a driving state of the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a partial internal structure of the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a movement path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a movement path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling a pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining a specific operation of the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a specific operation of the pachinko gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a general front view showing a pachinko gaming machine 10, which is an example of a ball game machine, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling a pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment and explaining a specific operation of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in a variable winning ball device, showing a conventional example.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the variable winning ball device, showing a conventional example.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in a variable winning ball device, showing a conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a moving path of a pachinko ball that has won a prize in a variable winning ball device, showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 is a game board, 10 is a ball game machine, 16 is a variable winning ball device, 44 is a solenoid which is an example of an electric drive source, 10
6 is a microcomputer, 52 is a winning space, 72 is a specific winning opening, 74a and 74b are normal winning openings, 102 is a specific winning ball detector which is an example of a specific winning ball detecting means, 103
Is a normal winning ball collecting passage, 104 is a normal winning ball detector which is an example of a normal winning ball detecting means, and 100 is a passage for exclusive use of specific winning balls.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ball-and-ball game machine in which a ball is struck on a game board surface to perform a game, and a first state that is advantageous to the player and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player are changed. Possible variable winning ball device, specific game state detecting means for detecting occurrence of a specific game state defined so that the variable winning ball device can be in the first state, and provided in the variable winning ball device A specific winning area and a normal winning area in which a hit ball can be won, a specific winning ball detecting means for detecting only a winning ball in the specific winning area, and a normal winning detecting only a winning ball in the normal winning area Ball detection means, when there is a detection output of the specific game state detection means, the variable winning ball device is controlled to the first state, the detection signal of the specific winning ball detection means and the normal winning ball detection means The above is counted based on When the number of winning balls to the variable winning ball device reaches a predetermined number, the variable winning ball device is set to the second state, and when there is a detection output of the specific winning ball detecting means, the variable winning ball device is reactivated. Control means for continuously repeating the control to the first state, and detection output from the normal winning ball detection means even once a predetermined period has elapsed since the variable winning ball apparatus was in the first state. A ball game machine, comprising: an abnormality determination means for determining that there is an abnormality if not derived.