JPH03212280A - Pachinko (japanese pinball game) machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a replenishing device from being erroneously operated and being uncontrollable and to increase the operating speed of a device for paying out the specified number of balls by providing a pay-out speed control means for changing the award ball pay-out speed of the ball switching device when a variation in the condition of award ball supply from an award ball tank to the device is detected. CONSTITUTION:In such a case that award balls B are sufficiently pooled in an award ball tank 3 and a ball supply passage 5, and the supply of award balls from the award ball tank to a device for paying out the specified number of balls 9 can follow the award ball pay-out operation of the ball switching device 9, the device 9 is operated at a high speed. When the supply of award balls B from the award ball tank 3 to the device 9 cannot follow the award ball pay-out operation of the device 9 since the sward balls in the award ball tank 3 and the ball guide passage 5 becomes less or run out, the device 9 is operated at a low speed. After award balls B are paid out, the low speed operation is automatically returned to the high speed operation. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent troubles such as erroneous operation, malfunction or the like of the replenishing and controlling device while aiming at enhancing the operating speed of the device 9, without modifying a ball replenishing device.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a pachinko machine, and more specifically, a pachinko machine that delivers a predetermined number of prize balls to a prize ball tray at high speed according to the state of safe balls entering the prize opening. The present invention relates to a pachinko machine that includes a ball cutting device that puts out a ball and a supply device that supplies prize balls to the ball cutting device.

[Prior Art] As a feature of recent pachinko machines, the so-called fever type, which allows players to win a large amount of prize balls in a short period of time, has become popular. In accordance with this, a ball cutting device that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls to a prize ball tray according to the state of safe balls entering the winning hole, and a prize ball tank that supplies prize balls to the ball cutting device are provided. In pachinko machines, the operating speed of the ball cutting device is required to be faster, and improvements are being made year by year.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, as the operating speed of the ball cutting device increases, disadvantages arise. In other words, in a pachinko machine equipped with a conventional mechanical ball cutting device, the ball cutting device may only pay out a number of prize balls less than the predetermined number of prize balls, or in some cases may stop paying out. There is a problem with relaxing. This is due to the circumstances of the replenishment equipment at the pachinko game parlor, which supplies prize balls to the prize ball tank of each pachinko machine. More specifically, despite the fact that the computer on the supply equipment side determines whether or not there are prize balls in the prize ball tank, and the prize balls are supplied to the prize ball tank based on the judgment result. This is because the ball cutting device always operates at a high speed, so the prize balls stored in the prize ball tank are exhausted before the prize balls are replenished into the prize ball tank.

In addition, even in pachinko machines where the payout speed of the ball cutting device is increased by electrical control means, the replenishment conditions of the replenishment equipment in the pachinko game parlor are such that it is not possible to replenish many pachinko machines at the same time. Due to the function of the replenishment equipment, such as the inability to replenish prize balls to pachinko machines, troubles such as malfunctions and loss of control of the replenishment control device of the replenishment equipment occur.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent malfunctions and loss of control of replenishment equipment in pachinko game parlors, and to prevent the replenishment equipment from being changed without changing it.
To provide a pachinko machine capable of increasing the operating speed of a ball cutting device and also capable of reliably delivering a predetermined number of prize balls to a prize ball tray.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ball cutting device that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls to a prize ball tray according to the state of entry of safe balls into the prize opening. and a prize ball tank that temporarily stores prize balls supplied from a supply facility of a pachinko game parlor and supplies the prize balls to the ball cutting device, from the prize ball tank to the ball cutting device. supply state detection means for detecting the supply state of the prize balls, and when a change in the supply state of the prize balls from the prize ball tank to the ball cutting device is detected by the supply state detection means; The gist is a pachinko machine equipped with a payout speed control means for changing the payout speed of prize balls.

[Operation] When the prize balls are supplied to the prize ball tank from the supply equipment of the pachinko game parlor, the prize balls are temporarily stored in the prize ball tank, and a part of them is supplied to the ball cutting device.

When the winning Rohesafe ball enters the ball, a predetermined number of winning balls are delivered to the prize ball tray from the ball cutting device according to the ball entering state. At this time, the prize balls supplied from the prize ball tank to the ball cutting device are detected by the supply state detection means, and when the detection means detects a change in the supply state of the prize balls (for example, a delay in the supply of the prize balls), The prize ball payout speed of the ball cutting device is changed (for example, slowed down) by the payout speed control means.
be done.

[Example 1] An example in which the present invention is embodied in a pachinko machine in which the payout speed of a ball cutting device is increased by an electric control means will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the back side of the front frame 1 of the pachinko machine of this embodiment, and a set plate 2 is attached to the back side of the front frame 1.
A prize ball tank 3 for supplying prize balls B to a ball cutting device 9, which will be described later, is provided on the top thereof. The upper part of the prize ball tank 3 is connected to the supply equipment (not shown) of the pachinko game parlor, and the computer on the supply equipment side determines whether or not there is a prize ball B in the prize ball tank 3, and the result of the determination is A predetermined number of prize balls B are delivered to the prize ball tank 3 from the supply facility based on
It is designed to be supplied internally. A horizontally long gutter 4 is arranged at the bottom of the prize ball tank 3, and the left end of the gutter 4 is connected to the prize ball tank 3, and the right end is connected to a ball supply path 5 extending vertically on the right side of the back surface of the set plate 2. There is. The ball supply path 5 branches into a payout path 6 and a ball removal path 7 on the downstream side, the payout path 6 communicates with a prize ball tray (not shown) via a supply hole 8, and the ball removal path 7 communicates with a ball collecting path 7. (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the ball supply path 5, and a ball cutting device 9 for delivering a predetermined number of prize balls B to the prize ball tray is arranged near the left side of the ball supply path 5. It is set up. The sprocket IO of the ball cutting device 9 is rotatably supported by the set plate 2, and the outer periphery of the sprocket 10 is formed with a number of engagement recesses 10a, some of which have through holes 5a. It protrudes into the ball supply path 5 through the ball supply path 5. A ball cutting solenoid 1 is located near the left side of the sprocket 10.
1 is disposed, and a movable iron piece 12 is mounted on the bracket lla.
The upper end is rotatably supported.

When the ball-cutting solenoid 11 is not energized, the tension coil spring 13, as shown in FIG.
The lower end of the movable iron piece 12 is hooked into the engagement recess 10a of the sprocket 10, making the sprocket 10 unrotatable. As a result, the prize ball B in the ball supply path 5 is prevented from falling by the sprocket 10. Further, when the ball-cutting solenoid 11 is energized, the movable iron piece 12 is attracted to the core llb of the ball-cutting solenoid 11, and the engagement recess 10
The sprocket 10 becomes free to rotate as the latching on the sprocket a is released. As a result, the prize balls B in the ball supply path 5 fall as the sprocket 10 rotates. Note that the ball cutting solenoid 11 normally maintains a non-energized state to prevent the prize ball B from falling.

In the vicinity of the sprocket IO in the ball supply path 5, an upper prize ball sensor 14 and a lower prize ball sensor 15, which serve as supply state detection means, are installed vertically apart. If there is no prize ball B at each mounting point, the upper and lower prize ball sensors 14 and 15 output an ON signal (no ball signal) because the light from the light emitting part is received by the light receiving part, and the prize ball is detected. If there is B, the light from the light emitting section is blocked by the prize ball B and does not reach the light receiving section, so an off signal (ball presence signal) is output. The upper prize ball sensor 14 detects the prize ball B at the lowest position that is prevented from falling by the sprocket IO, and the lower prize ball sensor 15 detects the prize ball B falling as the sprocket 10 rotates. It is designed to detect.

A switching lever 16 is rotatably supported at a location where the ball supply path 5 branches into a payout path 6 and a ball removal path 7. This switching lever 16 normally closes the ball removing passage 7 side, and therefore the ball cutting device 9 is closed.
The prize balls B paid out from the ball are supplied to the prize ball tray via the payout passage 6.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a specific winning hole 19a and a large number of winning holes 19b are provided on the gaming surface 1a, which is the front surface of the front frame 1, and the safe balls that enter each winning hole 19a, 19b are It flows into a safe ball passage 20 provided at the lower rear surface of the front frame 1.

A cover (not shown) is removably attached to the back surface of the front frame 1, and is adapted to close the rear surfaces of the ball supply path 5, payout path 6, ball extraction path 7, and safe ball path 20. Further, a control box 21 is disposed on the lower side of the back surface of the front frame l, and this control box 21 includes a low-speed dispensing switch 22 for switching between excitation and demagnetization of the ball cutting solenoid 11 at a low speed.
is provided.

Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine of this embodiment will be explained based on FIG. 3.

Inside the control box 21, a microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as microcomputer) 25 is housed as a payout speed control means. On the input side of the microcomputer 25, there are an upper prize ball sensor 14 and a lower prize ball sensor 15.
and a low-speed payout switch 22 are connected respectively. On the other hand, the ball cutting solenoid 11 is connected to the output side of the microcomputer 25 via a drive circuit (not shown).

The microcomputer 25 has a random access memory (RAM).
) 27 and a read-on memory (ROM) 28. Various programs are stored in this ROM 28, and the microcomputer 25 executes various processes according to the programs.

Further, the RAM 27 is configured to temporarily store data for processing performed by the microcomputer 25.

The microcomputer 25 determines whether the ball presence signal (off signal) is input from the upper prize ball sensor 14 (0) (Whether or not the prize balls B to be paid out to the player are secured)
is determined, and if a ball presence signal is input, the ball cutting solenoid 11 is energized to make the sprocket 10 freely rotatable. When a no-ball signal (ON signal) is input from the upper prize ball sensor 14 after the ball cutting solenoid 11 is energized, the microcomputer 25 detects that the prize ball B located in the upper prize ball sensor 14 is It falls as it rotates, and the upper prize ball sensor 14 is turned on due to the gap between the prize ball B and the prize ball B above it, that is, it is determined that the prize ball B has fallen normally. When the no-bulb signal is input as described above, the microcomputer 25 activates the ball-cutting solenoid 1.
1 is demagnetized. Therefore, with the above operation, only one prize ball B is paid out to the prize ball tray. This payout of the prize ball B is detected by the lower prize ball sensor 15.

Next, the process of switching the prize ball payout speed in the pachinko machine of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 4.

When the safe ball 1 enters the specific winning hole 19a or the winning hole 19b and the ball entering movement is detected by the winning sensor (not shown), the microcomputer 25 sets the low speed flag F1 and the payout speed switching flag F2 to Fl respectively in step 1.
-0, F2-0 and set the count value t of the prize ball counter built in the RAM 27 to 1=0, then proceed to step 2 and check whether the upper prize ball sensor 14 is turned on or not. judge.

When the upper prize ball sensor 14 is turned on, the microcomputer 25
determines that the prize ball B from the prize ball tank 3 is locked by the sprocket 10, moves to step 3, and determines whether the low speed flag is 1 (Fl = 1). Since this low speed flag F1 was set to Fl-0 in step 1, the microcomputer 25 inverts the low speed flag F1 (FI=1) in step 4, and in step 5, the count value t of the prize ball counter reaches a predetermined value. It is determined whether the value is larger than the value (32 in this embodiment). Since this count value t was set to 1=0 in step 1, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 6, sets the count value n of the counter built in the RAM 272 to 0, and at the same time sets the prize ball counter in step 7. The count value t of is cleared (1=0).

Subsequently, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 8 and determines whether the payout speed switching flag F2 is 1 (F2=1). Since this payout speed switching flag F2 is set to F2-0 in step 1, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 9 and checks whether the count value n of the counter is a predetermined value (3 in this embodiment). Determine whether Since this count value n is set to n=o in step 6, the microcomputer 25 moves to step IO and determines whether or not the low-speed payout switch 22 has been turned on, and if it has not been turned on. If it is determined, the high-speed dispensing mode is automatically set in step 11, and the ball cutting solenoid 1 is activated.
The excitation/demagnetization operation of sprocket 10 is performed at high speed.
One prize ball B held by is dropped.

Further, if the microcomputer 25 determines in step 10 that the low-speed dispensing switch 22 is manually turned on, it sets the low-speed dispensing mode in step 21, and causes the ball cutter solenoid 11 to be energized and demagnetized at low speed. One prize ball B held by the sprocket IO is dropped.

When the microcomputer 25 sets either the high-speed payout mode or the low-speed payout mode, it returns to step 2 and repeats the same process as described above. As long as the prize balls B are stored, even if one prize ball B is paid out as described above, the next prize ball B will automatically fall and be stopped by the sprocket 10, and the upper prize ball sensor 14 will be activated. In order to output the ON signal, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 3. Then, the microcomputer 25 determines whether or not the low speed flag F1=1 in step 3, but since this low speed flag F1 was set to F+=1 in step 4, steps 4 to 7 are not performed. Then, the process moves to step 8, and the processes from step 8 onward are repeated in the same manner as described above.

By the way, in step 2, if the prize ball B is not detected by the upper prize ball 4 sensor 14, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 12 and inverts the low speed flag F1 (
Fl=O). After that, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 13, adds "1" to the count value t of the prize ball counter, and performs the processing from step 8 onward in the same manner as described above.
After that, return to step 2 again. In this way, the count value t of the prize ball counter is incremented by "1" each time step 13 is passed.

In the step 2, when the upper prize ball sensor 14 detects the prize ball B again and outputs an ON signal, the microcomputer 25 will perform the processing from step 3 onwards, but the low speed flag F10 is set in the step 12. Therefore, after passing through step 3, the microcomputer 25 inverts the low speed flag F1 (F+=1) in step 4. Next, microcontroller 2
5, the process moves to step 5, and the count value t of the prize ball counter is
is larger than "32".

Here, if it is determined that the count value t of the prize ball counter is larger than "32", the microcomputer 25 determines that the number of prize balls 5, prize balls B in the tank 3 is low (or there is a possibility that they are gone). It is determined that there is a possibility that the supply of prize balls B to the ball cutting device 9 is not being performed in accordance with the payout operation, and the process moves to step 14, where "1" is added to the count value n of the counter, and the same as above is performed. Then step 7.
After performing the process of step 8, the process moves to step 9. In this way, the count value n of the counter is changed every time it passes through step 14.
1" will be added. In step 9, as mentioned above, the microcomputer 25 determines that the count value n of the counter is "3".
”, and steps 10.11 or 10. until this count value n becomes “3”.
After step 21, the process returns to step 2 again.

Therefore, when the low-speed payout switch 22 is not turned on, even if the count value t of the prize ball counter becomes larger than "32" in step 5, the low-speed payout mode is not immediately set, but the same The high-speed payout mode continues to be set until such a state (count value t>32) in step 5 is determined three times in a row. This is because the cant value t by the prize ball counter is t>32
There is a possibility that the cause of this is not a delay in the supply of the prize ball B from the prize ball tank 3 to the ball cutting device 9, but other causes, such as foreign matter blocking the fall of the prize ball B. This is because it is conceivable.

When the microcomputer 25 determines that the count value n of the counter has become "3" in step 9, it determines that the prize balls B in the prize ball tank 3 are decreasing or have disappeared, and the process proceeds to step 15. and inverts the payout speed switching flag F2 (F2=1),
Count value m of the payout counter built in RAM27
Set to O. After that, the microcomputer 25 performs step 16.
The low-speed dispensing mode is set with , and the excitation and demagnetization operations of the ball cutting solenoid 11 are performed at low speed.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 17, and the count value m of the payout counter is set to a predetermined value (r2 in this embodiment).
0J). Since the count value m has been cleared in step 15, the microcomputer 25 moves to step 18 and determines whether or not the prize ball B has been paid out once based on the ON signal from the lower prize ball sensor 15. Make a judgment. When the lower prize ball sensor 15 detects that the prize ball B has been paid out, the microcomputer 25 adds "l" to this count value m in step 19, and returns to step 2. In this way, the count value m of the payout counter is incremented by 1 every time the prize ball B is paid out from the ball cutting device 9 in the low speed mode. In addition,
If the payout of the prize ball B is not detected in step 18, the microcomputer 25 returns to step 2 without adding rlJ to the count value m of the payout counter.

Then, the microcomputer 25 repeats the processing from step 2 onwards, but as described above, since the payout speed switching flag F2 is inverted (F2=1) in step 15, the payout speed switching flag F2 is set to "1" in step 8.
”, and the process from step 168 is executed without performing the processes in steps 9 and 15. This process is repeated until the count value m of the payout counter reaches "20" in step 17. Therefore, when the low speed payout mode is set as described above, the low speed payout mode is maintained until 20 prize balls B are paid out.

When the microcomputer 25 determines in step 17 that the count value m of the payout counter has become "20", the prize balls B are supplied from the supply equipment to the prize ball tank 3, and the prize balls B in the prize ball tank 3 are It is determined that the sufficient number is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step 20, where the payout speed switching flag F2 is inverted (
F2 = o) and the count value n of the counter
After clearing (n=o), the process returns to step 2 and automatically returns to the high-speed payout mode.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine of this embodiment, a sufficient amount of prize balls B are stored in the prize ball tank 3 and the ball supply path 5, and the ball cutting device 9 is able to handle the payout operation of the prize balls B. , when the supply of prize balls B from the prize ball tank 3 to this ball cutting device 9 is following, 9 this ball cutting device 9 is operated at high speed. In addition, when the number of prize balls B in the prize ball tank 3 and the ball supply path 5 decreases or disappears, the ball cutting device 9 performs this ball cutting operation from the prize ball tank 3. Prize ball B to device 9
If the supply cannot keep up with this, the law cutting device 9 can be operated at a low speed. This low-speed operation is automatically returned to high-speed operation after 20 prize balls B have been paid out.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operating speed of the ball cutting device 9 can be increased without making any changes to the supply equipment in the pachinko game parlor, while solving the problems that the conventional technology had. Replenishment control based on the problem of the device only paying out a number of prize balls less than the predetermined number of prize balls, or in some cases stopping the payout, and the function of the replenishment equipment at the pachinko game parlor. Troubles such as equipment malfunction and loss of control can be prevented.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the present invention may be embodied in a pachinko machine equipped with a mechanical ball cutting device, or may be implemented based on signals from a computer on the supply equipment side. , the prize ball payout speed of the ball cutting device 9 may be changed, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent malfunctions and loss of control of the replenishment equipment in pachinko game parlors, and increase the operating speed of the ball cutting device without changing the replenishment equipment. It is possible to change the operating speed of the ball, such as when the ball is moved, and to reliably pay out a predetermined number of prize balls to the prize ball tray.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment embodying the present invention, and FIG.
Figure 2 is an enlarged rear view of the vicinity of the ball cutting device, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ball cutting device in a pachinko machine, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ball cutting device in a pachinko machine. It is a flowchart showing the switching processing operation of the prize ball payout speed. 3... Prize ball tank, 9... Ball cutting device, 14...
Upper prize ball sensor as supply state detection means, 25...
Microcomputer as payout speed control means, B
...Prize ball.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A ball cutting device (9) that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls (B) into a prize ball tray according to the state of entry of safe balls into a prize opening, and supply equipment for a pachinko game hall. A pachinko machine comprising a prize ball tank (3) that temporarily stores prize balls (B) supplied from a prize ball tank (3) and supplies the prize balls (B) to the ball cutting device (9). 3) to the ball cutting device (9).
A supply state detection means (14) for detecting the supply state of B), and a prize ball tank (3) by the supply state detection means (14).
) a payout speed control means (25) for changing the payout speed of the prize ball of the ball cutting device (9) when a change in the supply status of the prize ball (B) from the ball cutting device (9) to the ball cutting device (9) is detected; A pachinko machine equipped with