JPH06114152A - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing a ball-punching process quickly, efficiently and reliably. [Structure] A pair of sprockets 712 corresponding to two guide passages 702, a pulse motor 750 for rotating the sprockets, and a gear 713 fixed to the shaft on which the sprockets 712 are mounted. A game ball discharge device 804 is configured by a stopper solenoid 720 that drives the stopper 721 and a discharge sensor 771. At the time of punching, the punching control means 902 controls the gear 713.
When control is performed so as to release the fitting between the stopper 721 and the stopper 721, the game ball stored in the game machine due to the ball pressure naturally falls through the sprocket 712. Emission sensor 77
When 1 does not detect the falling game ball for 3 seconds, the pulse motor 750 is rotated to discharge the remaining game ball, and when the discharge sensor 771 does not detect the drop of the game ball for 3 seconds, the ball removal is ended.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine equipped with a game ball discharging device.

[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.

The discharging mechanism of this pachinko ball discharging device includes
There is one that rotates a sprocket with a motor or the like to discharge a predetermined number (for example, the prize ball discharging device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-49786).

[0004]

By the way, at the game store, when the store is closed, the game balls stored in the pachinko gaming machine are collected (punched) and washed. In this ball-punching process, in a ball-punching device that uses a motor, such as the prize ball discharging device, the ball-punching time depends on the rotation time of the motor. In order to shorten the ball removal time, increasing the motor rotation speed according to the natural falling speed of the game ball lowers the torque, and the timing of biting the game ball becomes difficult, resulting in a high incidence of beading. There is a problem that it will end up. Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming machine capable of shortening the ball-punching time, reducing the occurrence rate of beading, and capable of performing ball-punching processing quickly, efficiently and reliably. The purpose is to

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a casing in which a notch disk having semicircular notches for mounting game balls at equal intervals formed on its outer periphery and a gear are axially attached to a casing. The attached discharge mechanism, a notch disc stop member that fits on the gear and can prohibit the rotation of the notch disc, a stop member drive means for driving the notch disc stop member, and a rotation for rotating the notch disc. By means of a game ball discharge device comprising means, a guide passage for guiding a game ball to the cutout disk, and a ball detection means arranged on the lower side of the cutout disk for detecting the game ball sent by the cutout disk. A game machine that discharges a predetermined number of game balls stored in the game machine, and when the ball punching switch is operated, the notch disk stop member is disengaged from the gear, and the game ball is placed in the game machine by its own weight. Yu stored When the ball detecting means does not detect a game ball for a predetermined time, the ball detecting means does not detect the game ball for a predetermined time by rotating the cutout disk by the rotating means. In this case, it is provided with a ball-punching control means for ending the ball-punching.

[0006]

[Operation] When the cutout disk stop member is fitted to the gear of the ejecting mechanism and the ball punching switch is operated, the fitting between the cutout disk stop member and the gear is released, and the cutout disk is free. become. Therefore, the game balls stored in the game machine naturally fall through the notched disk. When the number of game balls remaining in the gaming machine decreases and the natural pressure drop due to the ball pressure disappears, the ball detection means stops detecting the game ball for a predetermined time. Therefore, the rotating means rotates the notched disk to remove the remaining game balls, and for a predetermined time,
When the ball detecting means no longer detects a game ball, the operation of the rotating means is stopped to end the ball removal.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 14 show an 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 as seen from the front, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine. 3 is an overall perspective view of the game ball discharging device (hereinafter, also referred to as a pachinko ball discharging device), FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the game ball discharging device, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball discharging device. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control system, and FIGS.
Is a flowchart showing a control process.

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.

This ball lending machine 2 is connected to a ball discharge control device which will be described later, and the ball lending control device discharges a ball based on 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 control device 902, and the pachinko ball discharging device 804 lends a pachinko ball. Since the ball lending machine 2 is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

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 one-sided manner. A frame 7 is attached to the back side of the front frame 5 along the frame, a game board 8 is attached to the inside of the frame 7, and a back mechanism 800 is attached to the outside of the frame 7. The back mechanism 800 is composed of a winning ball processing device 801 that performs a prize ball processing of a pachinko ball, a pachinko ball discharging 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. A ball supply tray 9B is integrally formed on the opening / closing panel 9 by resin molding, and a tray 10 for storing the 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 communicated with each other by a pachinko ball discharging device 804 and a downflow gutter 808 (see FIG. 2) described later.

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 ejecting 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 discharging device 804 through 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 ejecting 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.

As described above, the pachinko ball discharging device 804 communicates with the storage tank 806 through the two guide paths 807, and also receives the flow gutter 808 to the supply tray 9B and the overflow gutter 809 which is continuous with the flow 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.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 includes four members 7 made of transparent synthetic resin.
01a, 701b, 701c, and 701d are separably joined to form a casing 701. Casing 70
In FIG. 1, the accommodation chamber is defined inside, and the joining portion of the members 701b and 701c and the member 701c and the member 7 are formed.
The guide passages 702a and 702 are provided at the joints with 01d.
2b is formed. Reference numeral 703 denotes a ventilation vent for cooling a solenoid, a pulse motor, and the like formed on the members 701b and 701d of the casing 701.

A discharge mechanism 7 is provided in the housing chamber of the casing 701.
10, stopper mechanism 720, two discharge sensors 771
a, 771b and pulse motor 75 as rotating means
0 is accommodated. In addition, the guide passages 702a and 702b
(Hereinafter, numbers without suffixes will be used as needed)
Correspond to the above-mentioned two guideways 807 and communicate with the corresponding guideways 807, and the pachinko balls flow down from the storage tank 806. Pachinko balls before being discharged are aligned in the guide passages 702 and stand by. In addition, as described above, the lower end of the guide passage 702 communicates with the downflow gutter 808.

The discharging 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. This sprocket 712 corresponds to a notch disk.

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 that engages with 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). The stopper 721 described above
Indicates a notch disc stop member, and the stopper solenoid 722 corresponds to a stop member drive means.

In the stopper mechanism 720, when the stopper solenoid 722 is energized by the discharge control device 902 and the tip of the stopper 721 is meshed with the gear 713 when it is not energized, rotation of the gear 713 is blocked (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4). ), 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 discharging mechanism 710 sends the pachinko balls fitted in the notches 715 downward as the sprocket 712 is rotationally driven by the step motor 750.

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 ejection 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. The discharge sensor 771 corresponds to a ball detecting means.

In the embodiment described above, the discharging 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 ejection 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 rotating means is transmitted. You may do it.

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 ejection control device 902 corresponds to the ball punching control means according to the present invention. Although detailed description is omitted, this emission control device 902
Is connected to a central management unit of a game shop to input a stop signal and the like, and a reset switch 799 is provided on the outer surface.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the ball ejection control device 902 executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 14. 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 process confirms whether or not the conditions for starting the discharge for a prize ball or ball lending are satisfied in the pachinko ball discharge device 804. For example, "a winning ball (safe ball) Confirmation is performed based on data such as "yes" or "there is a ball lending request signal".

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 ejecting device 804 starts operating, and prize balls or lending balls are paid out.

Step D: A pachinko ball ejection process is performed. This process is performed in order to prevent ball clogging by slowing down the operation of the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 immediately before the number of pachinko balls ejected reaches a prescribed number. Step E: Perform discharge end processing. By this ending process, the operation of the pachinko ball discharging 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.

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, it can be divided into a process of energizing the ball-punching solenoid 58 to switch the pachinko ball discharging path to a ball-punching gutter and a process of controlling the operation of the pachinko ball discharging device 804 at the time of ball-punching. The latter process will be described in detail later.

After any one of the above steps A to G, the process proceeds to step S20, in which various solenoid control processes are performed. This is to set the drive information of the corresponding solenoid according to a predetermined step state. In particular, in this step S20,
When the above-described branching step is a process related to discharging or removing a pachinko ball, the solenoid 722 of the stopper mechanism 720 is energized to move the stopper 721 to the gear 713.
It is possible to eject or remove a pachinko ball by removing it from the. Next, in step S21, control processing of the pulse motor 750 is performed. This controls the drive phase of the pulse motor and controls its rotation. This step S2
The control process of 1 and step S20 will be described in detail later.

Next, a subroutine for executing the processes of step D, step E, step G, step S20 and step 21 in the above-mentioned main routine will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the subroutine of step D first determines whether or not the number of pachinko balls ejected by the ejection mechanism 710 in step S30 is in a state in which “−1” is subtracted from the prescribed number. For example, if 15 prize balls are to be ejected, the “regular number = 15”, and in step S30 it is determined whether or not the number of ejected 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 ejecting device 804 to the normal state until it reaches the 14th ball, and when it reaches the 14th immediately before stopping, slows down the operating speed and delays the ejection 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.

The subroutine of step E is shown in FIG.
First, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the number of pachinko balls ejected by the ejection mechanism 710 is the prescribed number of ejections. If the number of ejected pachinko balls is not the prescribed number of ejections (N), the routine returns to the main routine, and the ejection regulation is determined. If the number is (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".
The safe solenoid 791 is energized. That is, when the discharge of the specified number of prize balls is completed, the safe solenoid 791 of the winning ball processing device 801 is turned on once, and only one safe ball this time is discharged.

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.

In the subroutine of step G, as shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S50, the punching switch 161 is inserted.
It is determined whether or not was input again. This takes into consideration that the ball cutting may be stopped after the ball cutting operation, and when it is determined that there is no re-input, the process proceeds to step S51. In the step S51, whether or not the ejection sensor 771a or 771b detects the presence of a ball, that is, the stopper 721 is disengaged from the gear 713 in the step S20, so that the ball naturally falls in the pachinko ball ejection device 804. Or not. When it is determined that there is a ball, the process proceeds to step S52, the timer is cleared, and the process returns to the main routine. This timer is for judging that the ball removal has ended when the ballless state continues for a predetermined time (3 seconds in this embodiment), and the timer is cleared every time the discharge sensor 771 detects a game ball. It is like this. The above steps S50 to S52 are processes executed when the ball pulling switch 161 is operated and the game ball is passing through the pachinko ball discharging device 804. In this case, the solenoid 722 drives the stopper 721 and disengages it from the gear 713 based on the setting of the ON information of the stopper solenoid 722 (step S72), as will be described later in detail, so that it is stored in the gaming machine. The game ball naturally drops through the sprocket 712. Therefore, the ball can be punched without using the motor 750, so that the ball-punching time can be shortened and the occurrence rate of beading can be reduced.

When the discharge sensor 771 does not detect a game ball and it is determined in step S51 that there is no ball, the process proceeds to step S55, the timer is updated, and the process proceeds to step 56 to determine whether 3 seconds have elapsed. If 3 seconds has not elapsed, the process returns to the main routine as it is, but if 3 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S57, and it is determined whether or not the coin removal end flag is set. In this embodiment, after completely dropping the game ball, the motor 750 is used to complete the punching process. Therefore, in order to rotate the pulse motor 750, the punching completion flag is set. However, since this flag has not been set yet, it is determined as No in step S57, the process proceeds to step S58, where the punching end flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S59. In this step S59, the timer is cleared, and the process returns to the main routine. This is when removing the ball by the pulse motor 750.
This is to set a timer for determining again whether or not the game ball has moved for 3 seconds. As described above, in step S51,
In steps S55 to S59, preparation for shifting to the ball-punching process using the motor 750 is prepared, and the motor 750 is rotated based on the pulse motor control process described later.

When the ball removing process by the pulse motor 750 is being performed, the game ball is the discharge sensor 771.
When it is detected in step S51, the processes in steps S51 to S52 are executed and the process returns to the main routine. However, when the game ball is not detected by the discharge sensor 771, the timer is updated in step S55, the process proceeds to step S56, and it is determined whether or not 3 seconds have elapsed. If 3 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S57. . In this step S57, it is determined whether or not there is the ball removal end flag as described above. However, since this flag is set in the step S58, it is determined to be Yes here, the process proceeds to step S53, and this step S53- In step S54, the removal flag is cleared, the step is set to "A", and the process returns to the main routine. Step S53
Since the ball removal completion flag is cleared at, the motor OFF data is set in the pulse motor control process described later (step S94), and the rotation of the motor is stopped. Further, since the step is set to "A" in step S54, the OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set in the solenoid control process described later (step S77), the stopper 721 is fitted into the gear 713, and the ball punching process is completed. It is like this. In this way, the game ball can be punched by the motor so that it does not fall naturally, and the ball can be surely punched.

If there is a re-input of the punching switch 161, it is determined as Yes in the step S50, the process proceeds to step S53 to clear a punching end flag (described later), and the process proceeds to step S54. It is set to "A" and returns to the main routine. Since the stopper 721 is fitted into the gear 713 when interrupting the beading, the interrupt control is extremely simple.

In the solenoid control processing in step S20, the 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. Therefore, if step G is set, the stopper 721
Is kept separated from the gear 713, and the punching process can be performed. If step A is set in step S54, the stopper 72
1 is fitted in the gear 713, and the ball punching process is completed.

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 branch step is step F, that is, whether or not safe ball payout and weight processing are to be 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
As will be described later, it is monitored whether or not a pachinko ball has clogged in the guide passage 702 or the like, and whether or not the pachinko ball is bitten by the sprocket 712, and the ball is clogged or bites into the sprocket 712. When occurs, the processing for eliminating it is performed.

Next, in step S91, it is determined whether or not there is a reset wait flag. 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. As will be described later, this reset wait flag is set when the ball gami is not released in the ball gami process in step S90.

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 below is performed, and if the ball gami flag is not set. (N
o) The process of step S93 is performed. As will be described later, this ball gami flag is determined when it is determined that a ball clogging of the game ball in the guide passage 702 or the like or the biting of the game ball into the sprocket 712 has occurred in the ball gamming process of step S90, that is, the ball gami. It is set when it is determined to be the occurrence state.

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 punching process (No), the OFF data is set in step S94 to stop the energization of the pulse motor 750. If the discharging process or the punching process is performed, the process proceeds to step 95 and the punching is performed. It is determined whether or not there is an end flag. If the removal flag is not set, the step 9
4 proceeds to step 9 if the flag is set.
Go to 6. Therefore, in the punching process, the rotation of the motor 750 is controlled to stop until the punching end flag is set in step S58. If step A is set in step S54, the rotation of the motor 750 is controlled to stop.

In step S96, it is determined whether or not the pulse control timer is 0, and the pulse control timer is 0.
If not, the process of step S104 is performed after the timer is updated in step S97, and if it is determined that the pulse control timer is 0, that is, the update time of the pointer (described below) is up, 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” are illustrated), and when the pulse motor 750 is rotated in the normal direction, the pointer is moved in the forward direction (“1” → “4”). When the pointer is incremented and reversed, the pointer moves in the opposite direction ("4" →
Decremented to "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 addition, the ball crush processing in step S90 is shown in FIG.
3 and the routine shown in FIG. 14 is executed.
First, as shown in FIG. 13, it is determined in step S120 whether or not there is a reset wait flag. If the reset wait flag is set (Yes), step S121
Through step S123, the process returns to the pulse motor control process subroutine, and if the reset wait flag is not set (No), the process after step S124 is executed. The reset wait flag will be described later.

In step S121, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 799 has been turned on, and if it is determined that the reset switch 799 has been reset (Yes).
s), the reset wait flag is cleared in step S122, and when it is determined that the reset switch 799 has not been reset (No), each motor and each solenoid is turned off in step S123. Then, after the end of step S123, the process returns to the subroutine (pulse motor control process). As described above, the reset switch 799 is turned on by a person in charge when resetting the operation of the ball ejection control device 902.

In step S124, it is determined whether or not the pachinko balls are being ejected. If they are being ejected (Yes), the process proceeds to step S125, and if they are not being ejected (No), the process proceeds to step S128. In step S125, it is determined whether or not the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is input. And
If it is determined that the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is not input (No), that is, if the detection signal is not input from the discharge sensor 771 even during discharging, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and monitoring is performed in step S126. Set the flag. When the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is input (Yes), the number of tries and the number of repetitions are cleared in step S127, and the monitoring flag is cleared in step S128. As will be described later, the number of repetitions is defined as the number of times the pulse motor 750 is repeatedly rotated forward and backward, and one try is defined with this number of repetitions as a specified number.

Next, in step S129, it is determined whether or not the monitoring flag is set. And
In this step S129, if it is determined that the monitoring flag is set (Yes), the processing from step S130 to step S133 is performed, and then step S
If it is determined that the monitoring flag is not set (No), the process proceeds to step S134, and then the process proceeds to step S135. Step S134
Then, the monitoring timer is cleared assuming that the above-mentioned abnormal state has been resolved.

In step S130, the monitoring timer is updated, and in the following step S131, it is determined whether or not the count time of the monitoring timer has reached the specified time. In this step S131, if the count time of the monitoring timer reaches the specified time, that is, if the abnormal state in which the detection signal is not input from the discharge sensor 771 continues during the specified time even during discharging (Yes), the ball damage Is determined to have occurred, and the ball damage flag is set in step S132, and then the upper limit of the monitoring timer is set in step S133. Also,
If the monitoring timer has not reached the specified time (No),
It proceeds to step S135.

In step S135, as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not the ball damage flag is set. If the ball damage flag is not set (No), the process returns to the pulse motor control processing subroutine, If the ball flag is set (Yes), step S1
At 36, it is determined whether or not the rotation direction of the pulse motor 750 is the forward rotation timing.

In step S136, if it is determined to be the forward rotation timing (Yes), the motor control pointer is incremented by "+1" in step S137, and then the ON information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set in step S138 to set the solenoid. 722 is energized, and if it is determined to be the reverse rotation timing (No), the motor control pointer is decremented by "-1" in step S139, and the stopper solenoid OFF information is set in step S140 to stop energizing the solenoid 722. To do. Then, in step S141, the pulse motor 750
The number of repetitions of forward and reverse rotation of is updated.

Steps S137 to S described above
By repeatedly executing the processing up to 140, the sprocket 712 repeats forward and reverse rotations, and the stopper mechanism 720 contacts the gear 713 every time the stopper 721 rotates in the reverse direction and retains in the guide passage 702 or the like. Is shaken. That is, the pachinko balls staying in the guide passage 702 and the like are swung by the sprockets 712 and the like in a state in which the ball gami flag is set and it is determined that the ball gami has occurred. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the ball damage.
In particular, as will be described later, the forward and reverse rotations of the sprocket 721 described above are repeated a prescribed number of tries with a predetermined number of iterations as one try, so that the ball damage can be reliably eliminated.

Next, in step S142, it is determined whether or not the number of iterations has reached the prescribed number, and if the number of iterations has not reached the prescribed number (No), the routine returns to the subroutine, and the number of iterations reaches the prescribed number. If it has reached (Ye
s) Clear the number of iterations counted in step S143. If the number of iterations has not reached the specified number, the process returns to the subroutine and the step S1 is performed again.
Since the process from 20 is repeated, the discharge sensor 77
When the detection signal of 1 is input and it is determined that the ball defect has been resolved (see step S125), the above-described iterative process is interrupted. Therefore, prompt discharge is achieved without repeating unnecessary repetition.

Then, the monitoring timer is cleared in step S144, the number of tries is updated in step S145, and it is determined in step S146 whether the number of tries reaches the specified number. In this step S146, if it is determined that the number of tries has not reached the specified number (No), the process returns to the subroutine, and if it is determined that the number of tries has reached the specified number (Yes), the number of tries in step S147 is reached. After clearing, the reset wait flag is set in step S148. Then, as described above, when the reset wait flag is set, the reset switch 799
The energization of all motors, solenoids, etc. is stopped until is turned on (steps S121 to S12).
3). The above-mentioned number of tries is defined with the specified number of iterations as one try.

As described above, in the pachinko ball ejection device of this embodiment, the pulse motor 750 is used as the drive source for pachinko ball ejection, and when the pachinko ball ejection start process and the ejection end process are performed, that is, in the pulse mode. Motor 7
The pulse motor 750 is driven by 2-2 phase excitation at the initial stage and the final stage of the rotation of 50, and 1-2 is generated during the discharging of the pachinko balls, that is, during the rotation of the pulse motor 750.
The pulse motor 750 is driven by phase excitation.

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-mentioned embodiment, the staff operates the punching switch 161 by inserting the punching rod into the operation hole of each gaming machine. However, if the punching switch is provided in the management device of the game store, it is concentrated. It is possible to perform a ball-punching process. In the above embodiment, the ball detection means controls the turning means when it does not detect a game ball for a predetermined time,
The number of balls that can be punched by natural fall may be predicted and set in advance, and the rotating means may be controlled to rotate when the number of game balls is counted by the ball detecting means. Also, ball detecting means may be attached above the notched disk, and the rotating means may be controlled to rotate when the ball detecting means detects a game ball that has not fallen spontaneously.

FIG. 15 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 modified example, the gear 1002 has the respective functions of the rotation-preventing gear 713 and the driven gear 714 according to the above-described embodiment, and this gear 1002 is a continuous gear to the driven gear 1003 of the electromagnetic clutch 1001. I am fit. Note that 1004 indicates a guide passage,
In the drawing, the discharging mechanism 100 is provided on the back side of the guide passage 1004.
5 are provided. In the game ball discharging device 1000, the driven gear 100 is operated when the electromagnetic clutch 1001 is not energized.
3 is locked, and the driven gear 1003 becomes free at the time of energization 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.

[0083]

As described above, when the cutout disc stop member is fitted to the gear of the ejecting mechanism, the cutout disc stop member and the gear are disengaged from each other when the punching switch is operated, and the cutout disc is free. It becomes a state. The game balls stored in the game machine naturally fall through the notched disk. Therefore, the ball-punching process can be performed more quickly than when the ball-punching is performed by using the rotating means, and since the notched disk is rotated by the natural drop of the ball, the occurrence rate of the beading is reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent heat generation due to continuous energization of the rotating means. When the number of game balls remaining in the gaming machine decreases and the natural pressure drop due to the ball pressure disappears, the ball detection means stops detecting the game ball for a predetermined time. Therefore, the rotating means rotates the notched disk to remove the remaining game balls, and when the ball detecting means stops detecting the game balls for a predetermined time, the rotation means is operated. Stop it so that we can finish the weeding. Therefore, it is possible to surely execute the punching process.

[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 flowchart showing the rest of the subroutine of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of a game ball discharging device according to a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Gaming machine 701 Casing 702, 702a, 702b Guide passage 710 Discharging mechanism 712, 712a, 712b Sprocket (notch disk) 713 Gear 720 Stopper mechanism 721 Stopper (notch disk stop member) 720 Stopper solenoid (stop member driving means) 771, 771a , 771b Discharge sensor (ball detection means) 750 Pulse motor (rotating means) 804 Game ball discharge device 902 Ball discharge control device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cutout disk having semicircular cutouts for mounting game balls at equal intervals on the outer circumference, a discharge mechanism in which a gear is attached to a casing, and a cutout disk fitted to the gear. Notch disc stop member capable of prohibiting rotation of the notch disc, stop member driving means for driving the notch disc stop member, turning means for turning the notch disc, and guide passage for guiding the game ball to the notch disc And, a predetermined number of game balls stored in the game machine are discharged by a game ball discharging device provided on the lower side of the cutout disk and having a ball detection means for detecting the game ball sent out by the cutout disk. In the gaming machine, when the beading switch is operated, the notch disk stop member is disengaged from the gear, and the gaming balls stored in the gaming machine are punched out by the weight of the gaming ball. The ball detection means When the game ball is not detected for a predetermined time, the notch disk is rotated by the rotating means, and the ball detecting means is provided with a ball removing control means for ending the ball removal when the game ball is not detected for a predetermined time. A gaming machine characterized by that.