JPH09173602A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PACHINKO machine capable of discriminating the generation of a short circuit in a hit ball detection means capable of detecting a hit ball hit in a game area by an effective method and performing abnormal time control. SOLUTION: When the short circuit is generated in a winning ball detection switch, signals deviated from the change level range of the output signals at normal time of the winning ball detection switch are outputted, the deviated signals are inputted and thus, pulse signals are inputted to a microcomputer 130. Corresponding to the input of the pulse signals, the microcomputer 130 discriminates abnormality in terms of a software and closes and controls a variable winning ball device.

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, for example, a pachinko game machine, a medal game machine, or the like, and more specifically, a ball game in which a ball is hit in a game area to perform a game. Regarding the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of ball game machine, one generally known in the past has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-
There was one described in Japanese Patent No. 21779. In this conventional ball game machine, a variable winning ball device that can be changed between a first state that is advantageous to the player and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player is provided in the game area and is predetermined. The variable winning ball device becomes the first state when the specific game state is reached, and a relatively large number of hit balls can be won in the variable winning ball device. And, in this conventional ball game machine, the game value is concentrated only on the skilled player who is capable of winning a large number of hit balls in the variable winning ball device in the first state and has an excellent hit ball operation technique. In order to prevent this, the winning upper limit number of hit balls that can be won is set in the variable winning ball device in the first state, and the winning ball that detects the winning ball in the variable winning ball device is set. The detecting means is provided, and when the winning ball detecting means detects the upper limit number of winning balls, the variable winning ball device is set to the second state, which is disadvantageous to the player.

The hitting ball detecting means in this conventional ball-and-ball game machine has a predetermined voltage (0 V) connected to the ground.
And a second wiring connection portion that outputs a signal, so that the voltage of the output signal from the second wiring connection portion changes with the detection of a hit ball. The change in the voltage determines that a winning ball has been detected.

[0004]

When the winning ball detecting means provided for such a purpose causes a so-called short circuit in which the first wiring connecting portion side and the second wiring connecting portion side are short-circuited. Cannot detect the prize balls properly, and therefore cannot determine whether or not the prize balls have reached the upper limit number, and a large number of prize balls exceeding the prize upper limit number are stored in the variable prize ball device. The inconvenient situation of entering will occur.

On the other hand, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-199484 as a device which brings the variable winning ball device into the second state when an abnormality occurs in the above-mentioned winning ball detecting means. In this conventional ball game machine, when the wiring connected to the winning ball detecting means is broken, the first state of the variable winning ball device is ended and the variable winning ball device is maintained in the second state. Was there.

However, even in this conventional ball game machine, a short circuit cannot be detected although the disconnection of the winning ball detecting means can be detected.

[0007] That is, in a conventional ball-and-ball game machine,
When a short circuit occurs in the winning ball detecting means, there is no function of determining the short circuit by determining the short circuit. In addition, since the control at the time of abnormality at the time of occurrence of disconnection is performed by the hardware circuit, there is a drawback that unauthorized modification that disables the control function at abnormality is likely to be performed.

Further, in the abnormal time control, when the abnormality determination of the short circuit is performed by the determination means provided outside the control system which controls the normal variable winning ball apparatus,
In order to put the variable winning ball device into the second state according to the abnormality determination by the determining means, a control system dedicated to the abnormality from the determining means to the variable winning ball device must be provided, and only in an abnormal state that does not normally occur. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that a special control system for an abnormality must be separately provided.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to determine a short circuit in the winning ball detecting means and to determine the short circuit by the second type of variable winning ball device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball game machine which can be controlled in an abnormal state in which the state of (1) can be controlled, and which is unlikely to be tampered with and does not require a separate abnormal time control system.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a ball game machine in which a ball is hit in a game area to play a game, the program storage means storing a control program, and the program storage. A processor which operates according to a control program stored in the means and controls the game state of the ball game machine, and a first state which is controlled by the processor and which is advantageous to the player and disadvantageous to the player A variable winning ball device that can be changed to a second state,
Detecting means provided to bring the variable winning ball device into the second state when the variable winning ball device is detected to count the winning balls and a predetermined number of winning balls is detected. , Having a first wiring connection portion that is held at a predetermined voltage and a second wiring connection portion that outputs a signal, and a voltage of an output signal from the second wiring connection portion when a winning ball is detected. And the signal transmitting means for transmitting the output signal derived when the winning ball detecting means detects the winning ball, the winning ball detecting means for changing the An output signal from the wiring connection part of the input signal, and a signal output means for outputting a first signal or a second signal according to the voltage level of the input signal. Change of output voltage between non-detection state and winning ball detection state The width is configured so as to be in a predetermined level range different from the voltage of the first wiring connection portion, and the signal output means is such that the input signal is a voltage level in a non-detection state of the winning ball. In this case, the first signal is output, and the input signal is out of the predetermined level range by short-circuiting the first wiring connection portion side and the second wiring connection portion side of the winning ball detecting means. In this case, the processor outputs a second signal, and the processor operates according to an abnormality determination program included in the control program to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in accordance with the state of the output signal of the signal output means. However, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the variable winning ball device in the first state is set to the second state.
The control is performed to set the state.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in order to count the number of winning balls that have won in the variable winning ball device, and to put the variable winning ball device in the second state when a predetermined number of winning balls are detected. The award-winning ball detection means provided is provided, and the award-winning ball detection means has a first wiring connection portion that is held at a predetermined voltage and a second wiring connection portion that outputs a signal. The voltage of the output signal from the second wiring connection changes with the detection of the ball. A signal output means is provided separately from a signal transmission means for transmitting an output signal derived when the winning ball detection means detects a winning ball, and the signal output means is provided with the first of the winning ball detection means. The output signal from the second wiring connection portion is input, and the first signal or the second signal is output according to the voltage level of the input signal. The winning ball detecting means is configured such that the width of the change in the output voltage between the non-detected state and the detected state of the winning ball is within a predetermined level range different from the voltage of the first wiring connecting portion. The signal output means outputs a first signal when the input signal from the second wiring connection portion is at a voltage level in the non-detection state of the winning ball, and the first wiring connection portion When the input signal is out of the predetermined level range due to a short circuit with the second wiring connection portion, the second
Signal is output. Then, the processor operates according to the abnormality determination program included in the control program according to the state of the output signal of the signal output means to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred, and determines that an abnormality has occurred. When the determination is made, the variable winning ball apparatus in the first state is controlled to the second state.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, a pachinko game machine is taken as an example of a typical ball game machine, but the present invention is not limited to a pachinko game machine and can be applied to other ball game machines such as a coin game machine.

(Explanation of the external configuration of the pachinko game machine) a. Description of Front Configuration of Pachinko Gaming Machine FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. The pachinko game machine 10 includes a game board 14 that is detachably attached to the front frame 12. On the board surface of the game board 14, guide rails 16 are arranged in a substantially circular shape to define a game area. A variable display device 18 is arranged in the center of the game area (center of the game board 14), and a variable winning ball device 20 is arranged below it. Further, between the variable display device 18 and the variable winning ball device 20, and in the variable winning ball device 20, a start winning port 22 that can start a change in the display mode of the variable display device 18 when a pachinko ball is won. , 23a, 23b are provided. Further, on the left and right sides of the center of the game area and on the upper side of the front frame 12, display lamps 24 are respectively provided.
a, 24b and 26a, 26b.

In FIG. 1, 28 is a metal frame, 30 is a glass door that is openably and closably attached to the front frame 12, 32 is a front plate that is openably and closably attached to the front frame 12, and 34 is a front plate 32. The ball hitting supply plate provided, 36 is the ball hitting supply plate 3
4 a speaker for outputting a sound effect built in the inside, and 38, which is pressed while the display of the variable display device 18 is changing,
A stop switch for stopping the display change, 40 is an operation handle for firing a pachinko ball, and 42 is a hitting ball supply plate 34.
It is a surplus ball tray for receiving pachinko balls that cannot fit in, and each of these members is already known in the pachinko gaming machine.

B. Description of Backside Structure of Pachinko Gaming Machine FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the backside structure of the pachinko gaming machine 10. Referring to FIG. 2, on the back of the game board 14,
A slot drum mechanism 44 is provided corresponding to the variable display device 18. The slot drum mechanism 44 includes a rotating drum, and can change the display content displayed on the variable display device 18 (see FIG. 1) depending on the stop position of the rotating drum. The drive mechanism of the variable winning ball device 20 appears on the back surface side corresponding to the variable winning ball device 20 (see FIG. 1). The drive mechanism includes a solenoid 46 for driving the opening / closing plate to open, as will be described later in detail. The balls won in the starting winning openings 22, 23a, 23b (see FIG. 1) are guided by the ball guiding trough 48 and detected by the starting winning prize detecting switches 50, 51a, 51b.

In FIG. 2, 52 is a prize ball tank for storing prize balls to be added to the pachinko gaming machine 10, 54 is a prize ball guide trough for guiding balls from the prize ball tank, and 56 is one time. The prize ball payout device for operating each prize of 5 to supply only the number of pachinko balls to be paid out, 58 is a prize ball process for operating the prize ball payout device 56, which operates based on the prized balls. Vessel, 60 is an operating handle 40
(See FIG. 1) A hitting ball launching device for hitting a pachinko ball in response to an operation (see FIG. 1), which are already known in pachinko gaming machines.

(Description of Variable Winning Ball Apparatus) FIGS. 3 to 9
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the variable winning ball device 20. In particular, FIG. 3 is a perspective view, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 5 is a partially transparent front view, FIG. 6 is a partially transparent rear view, and FIG. 7 is an opening / closing plate in a closed state. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the open / close plate in an open state, and FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the winning ball detecting mechanism.

Next, referring mainly to FIGS. 3 and 4,
The structure of the variable winning ball device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 as necessary.

The variable winning ball device 20 includes a horizontally long mounting substrate 6.
2 inclusive. A horizontally long substantially rectangular opening 64 is formed in the upper center of the mounting substrate 62. Starting winning openings 23a and 23b are provided on both the left and right sides of the opening 64. On the back surface side of the mounting substrate 62, there is a winning ball guide trough 66a for guiding the balls won in the starting winning openings 23a, 23b to the back surface side.
66b are formed integrally with the mounting board 62. Further, start winning prize detecting switches 51a and 51b are provided in association with the winning prize guiding gutters 66a and 66b, respectively. Display lamp insertion holes 68 are provided on both outer sides of the mounting substrate 62 on which the winning ball guide gutters 66a and 66b are formed.
a, 68b are open. These insertion holes 68a, 68
The display lamps 70a and 70b are inserted into the respective b from the back side of the mounting substrate 62.

On the front side of the mounting board 62, the winning ball guiding gutter 6
A cover member 72a is attached so as to correspond to 6a and the indicator lamp insertion hole 68a. Similarly, winning ball guiding gutter 6
A cover member 72b is attached corresponding to 6b and the indicator lamp insertion hole 68b. Cover members 72a, 72
b, respectively, form the above-mentioned starting winning holes 23a, 23b in combination with the mounting substrate 62, and at least the portions corresponding to the display lamp insertion holes 68a, 68b are made of, for example, a light-transmissive synthetic resin colored in red. In addition, the blinking state of the display lamps 70a and 70b can be visually recognized from the front. In addition, as a matter of course, the thickness of the cover members 72a and 72b is set to be 23
It is selected to be slightly larger than the diameter dimension of the pachinko ball so that the a and 23b can win the pachinko ball.

Front decorative plates 74a and 74b are attached to the front sides of the cover members 72a and 72b.
The front decorative plates 74a and 74b are plates on the surface of which decorative patterns and the like (not shown) that are attractive to the player are drawn.
Window holes are formed in the front decorative plates 74a and 74b, respectively. The display lamp 7 is provided through these window holes.
The blinking state of 0a and 70b can be seen, and the decorative effect is enhanced.

Below the central portion of the mounting substrate 62, that is, below the opening 64, is a bar member 76 and a front decorative plate 78.
In addition, a digital display 80 is attached. More specifically, the digital display 80 is attached to a cover member 76 that covers the upper surface and the left and right side surfaces, and the cover member 76 is attached to the front surface of the attachment substrate 62. Further, a front decorative plate 78 is attached to the front side of the cover member 76. At the center of the front decoration plate 78, a rectangular digital window 82 is opened so that the display of the digital display 80 can be seen. Cover member 76
Is for distributing the pachinko balls falling from above to the left and right, and for protecting the digital display 80.

Protrusions 86a and 86b for attaching the opening / closing plate 84 are provided on both sides of the lower side of the opening 64 on the back side of the mounting substrate 62. The opening / closing plate 84 is provided with the support shafts 88a and 88b. It is rotatably attached to 86b. Therefore, the opening / closing plate 84 is attached to the opening 64 so as to be freely opened and closed.

The opening / closing plate 84 has a large number of small triangular projections arranged in parallel at the lower portion on the back surface side thereof. These small projections serve to guide the pachinko balls in a predetermined direction and reinforce the opening / closing plate 84. Opening / closing plate 8
Stopper pieces 90a and 90b for preventing the opening / closing plate 84 from opening too much are provided at both left and right sides on the front surface side of the No. 4 plate. Further, an engagement pin 92 is provided at the right end of the opening / closing plate 84. The engagement pin 92 is provided on the side U of the operation member 94.
It is engaged with a letter-shaped engagement receiving portion 96. The actuating member 94 is attached to the plunger 98 of the solenoid 46. Therefore, when the solenoid 46 is electrically biased, the plunger 98 is pulled upward to open the opening / closing plate 84 (see FIG. 8). In the electrically deenergized state, the plunger 98 is lowered by the return spring 100, so that the opening / closing plate 84 is closed (see FIG. 7).

On the back side of the mounting board 62, a winning ball receiving frame 1 is provided.
02 is attached. The winning ball receiving frame 102 has an opening 6
4 are attached so as to surround the upper edge and the left and right side edges. Then, the V winning distribution gutters 104a and 104b and the winning ball gathering gutter 1 for guiding the winning balls from the opening 64.
06a and 106b are provided in a two-stage configuration vertically.
Below the winning ball collecting troughs 106a and 106b, there is a winning ball detecting switch 10 which is an example of winning ball detecting means (hit ball detecting means).
8 are attached. The winning ball detection switch 108
Each time a pachinko ball passes through the passage hole 110, the passage hole 1
It is a switch that detects a change in the magnetic flux inside 10 to detect a pachinko ball. A hole 112 is formed between the V winning distribution gutters 104a and 104b, and a ball sensing plate 114 is inserted into the hole 112 from the back side of the winning ball receiving frame 102. The ball sensing plate 114 is swingably held by a holding frame 116. The detector mounting plate 1 is placed on the holding frame 116.
A detection substrate 120 is provided through the intermediary of the detection substrate. Further, a display lamp 122 is provided behind the winning ball receiving frame 102.
A relay board 124 including a and 122b is attached.

Next, referring mainly to FIG.
Pachinko ball wins the prize, and the V prize distribution gutter 104a, 104
The operation of the ball detection plate 114 and other operations when the ball sorted by b wins the V prize will be described. V prize distribution gutter 1
When the pachinko ball P falls between 04a and 104b, the ball sensing plate 114 is swung backward as shown in FIG. Then, the reflection film 122 provided on the ball sensing plate 114 is shown in FIG.
The light from the light emitting diode (not shown) provided on the detection substrate 120 is reflected by the reflection film 122 and is received by the photo sensor (not shown) provided on the detection substrate 120. Then, the V winning is detected by the output of the photo sensor.

The pachinko ball P that has won the opening 64 is V after the ball sensing plate 114 is rocked as described above, or
It is distributed to the left and right sides by the winning distribution gutters 104a and 104b, falls without swinging the ball sensing plate 114, is collected by the winning ball collecting troughs 106a and 106b, and is a through hole of the winning ball detection switch 108. It passes through 110 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). During this passage, as described above, the winning ball detection switch 108 detects a pachinko ball, and the output thereof is used for the control described later.

Further, the pachinko balls that have passed through the passage holes 110 have current-changing protrusions 124 having a substantially triangular side surface provided on the back surface of the lower end portion of the mounting substrate 62 (see FIG. 8).
Collides with and changes are made in its flowing direction. The current-changing projection 124 is a member for changing the flow of the falling pachinko balls, and is integrally formed with the mounting substrate 62 as shown in FIG. The current-changing projections 124 hit the opening end surface 126 of the game board 14 directly with a pachinko ball, and the opening end surface 126.
The game board 14 is prevented from cracking.

(Explanation of the prize-winning ball detection switch 108) Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the prize-winning ball detection switch 108 and the detection operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

The winning ball detection switch 108 is connected to the passing hole 11
When the pachinko ball passes 0, the magnetic flux of the coil circulated around it changes, and this is a switch for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing the basic principle of the winning ball detection switch 108. In the figure, the coils L1 and L2 are the through holes 110 of the winning ball detection switch 108.
It is a coil wrapped around. When a pachinko ball passes through the passage hole 110, the magnetic flux of the coils L1 and L2 changes, and a counter electromotive force is generated in the coils L1 and L2.

Therefore, the current I ₁ based on the counter electromotive force of the coil L1 flows into the collector of the transistor Q1, and the current I ₂ based on the counter electromotive force of the coil L2 flows into the base of the transistor Q1. Therefore, the transistor Q1 is turned on. In this way, the pachinko ball can be detected by turning on / off the transistor by using the counter electromotive force generated when the pachinko ball crosses the coils L1 and L2.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a specific circuit that constitutes the winning ball detection switch 108 using the principle of the basic circuit shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, the transistors Q1 and Q2 of the pachinko ball (P ball) detection circuit constitute an oscillation circuit. Normally, in the oscillation state, the transistor Q1
Is on. Therefore, the transistor Q3 of the buffer (BUFF) circuit is turned on, and the transistor Q4 of the switching circuit is also turned on.

Therefore, the current flowing from the input terminal IN flows to the output terminal OUT via the resistor R6 and the transistor Q4. However, when the pachinko ball passes through the passage hole 110 of the winning ball detection switch 108, a counter electromotive force is generated in the coils L2 and L1, and the counter electromotive force causes currents I ₂ and I ₁ to flow. These currents flow in the direction in which the oscillation of the transistor Q1 is disturbed, that is, in the direction in which the transistor Q1 is turned off, and the transistor Q1 is momentarily turned off. Therefore, the base potential of the transistor Q3 rises, the transistor Q3 turns off, and the transistor Q4 also turns off. Therefore, the current flowing from the input terminal IN is temporarily cut off by the transistor Q4, and the voltage of the output OUT drops. After the pachinko balls pass near the coils L2 and L1, the counter electromotive force generated in the coils L2 and L1 immediately disappears, so that the transistor Q1 turns on again and the transistor Q4 also turns on, and the current from the input terminal IN Flows to the output terminal OUT via the transistor Q4.

Therefore, according to this circuit, a pulse-like low level potential appears in the output potential as shown in FIG. 12 (A) at each moment of passage of the pachinko ball. Therefore, the number of winning pachinko balls can be counted based on the number of pulses.

By the way, FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing the potential state of the output terminal OUT of the winning ball detection switch 108. Next, the potential of the output terminal OUT when the winning ball detection switch 108 operates will be described with reference to FIG.

In the normal operation, as described above, the potential of the output terminal OUT changes as shown in FIG. At this time, the high level potential is equal to the power supply potential 24.
It is not V but is lower than that, for example, about 17V. Also, the low level potential is completely equal to the ground potential 0V.
, For example, about 2V. This is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, since the winning ball detection switch 108 includes a large number of resistors, transistors, capacitors, etc., the high-level potential becomes considerably lower than the power source potential due to the impedance and the like of these, and The low level potential is slightly higher than the ground potential.

On the other hand, when the winning ball detection switch 108 is broken, the potential of its output terminal OUT becomes completely ground potential 0V. On the contrary, when the winning ball detection switch 108 is short-circuited, the input terminal IN and the output terminal OUT are directly connected, so that the power supply potential 24V appears directly at the output terminal OUT, as shown in FIG. 12 (C). Become. Therefore, by detecting the potential state of the output terminal OUT of the winning ball detection switch 108, it is possible to detect that the winning ball detection switch 108 has been tampered with, and is broken or short-circuited. Based on this principle, in one embodiment of the present invention, the detection circuit is provided as follows.

(Explanation of Power State Determining Means) FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a power state determining circuit used in an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 13, a power supply potential of 24 V is applied to one end (first wiring connection portion) of the winning ball detection switch 108, and the other end (second wiring connection portion) serves as a drive circuit via the inverter 128. Connected to the microcomputer 130. Here, the winning ball detection switch 108 is not directly connected to the microcomputer 130 via the inverter 128,
This is for matching the input terminal of the microcomputer 130 with the signal level, and in some cases, the other terminal of the winning ball detection switch 108 may be directly connected to the microcomputer 130. With this configuration, when the winning ball detection switch 108 normally detects a winning ball, the detection output is momentarily at the low level, the low level output is inverted through the inverter 128 and becomes the high level, and the high level pulse is generated by the microcomputer. It is input to 130 and it is determined that a winning ball has been detected as described later. The winning ball detection signal (low level signal) is transmitted through the signal transmission means provided with the inverter 128 and input to the microcomputer 130.

The power state determination circuit 132 is also connected to the other terminal (second wiring connection portion) of the winning ball detection switch 108.
Are connected, and the output is provided to the microcomputer 130.

The power state determination circuit 132 is configured as shown in the figure, and operates as described below.

(A) First, the winning ball detection switch 108
The operation when is normal will be described. When the winning ball detection switch 108 is normal, the signal level at the other end of the detection switch 108 is normally a high level of about 17V, as described with reference to FIG. That is, a high level of about 17V appears at the terminal. At this time, since the power supply potential of 24V is applied to the emitter of the transistor 134 via the resistor, there is a potential difference of about 7V between the emitter and base of the transistor 134, and the transistor 134 is turned on. Therefore, transistor 136
Also turns on, and a high-level potential appears at the terminal. On the other hand, since the terminal has a high level potential of about 17 V, the transistor 138 is turned on and the transistor 140 is also turned on. Therefore, the potential of the terminal becomes low level, and the potential of the terminal is inverted by the inverter and becomes high level.

Therefore, a low level appears at the output terminal of the NAND gate 142 whose two inputs are at a high level, which is provided as one input portion of the AND gate 144. A pulse generation circuit 146 is provided to the other input of the AND gate 144.
The output of is given. However, in this case, one input of the AND gate 144 is always at the low level, the output terminal of the AND gate 144 is always at the low level, and the output pulse of the pulse generation circuit 146 is not given to the microcomputer 130. Therefore, the microcomputer 130 does not operate depending on the output of the power state determination circuit 132.

When the winning ball detection switch 108 is in a normal state and a pachinko ball passes through the winning ball detection switch 108, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), the signal level is a low level of about 2V at the moment of passing. Go down to. However, in this case, the high level of the base potential of the transistor 138 is maintained by the capacitor 148, so that the high level signal appearing at the terminal does not change. Therefore, the microcomputer 130 is provided with the pulse generation circuit 1
No signal is given at 46 and there is no problem.

(B) When the winning ball detection switch 108 is broken or removed. In this case, the output level of the terminal becomes the ground level 0V as shown in FIG. In this case, the signal level at the terminal remains high, but the transistor 138 is turned off. Therefore, the transistor 140 is also turned off, the signal level of the terminal goes high, and the level of the terminal goes low. Therefore, the level of the output terminal of the NAND gate 142 becomes high level. Therefore, the pulse of the pulse generation circuit 146 appears in the output of the AND gate 144 as it is and is given to the microcomputer 130. As will be described later, the microcomputer 130 detects an abnormality in the power state of the winning ball detection switch 108 by a signal from the pulse generation circuit 146, and detects that the winning ball detection switch 108 has been tampered with.

(C) When the winning ball detection switch 108 is short-circuited. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12C, the power supply potential 24V appears directly at the terminal. Therefore,
The transistor 134 changes from on to off, and the transistor 136 also turns off. Therefore, the signal level of the terminal becomes low level, and a high level signal appears at the output terminal of the NAND gate 142. Therefore, the pulse generation circuit 1
The generated pulse of 46 appears on the terminal through the AND gate 144 and is given to the microcomputer 130.
Therefore, the microcomputer 130 can detect the abnormality of the winning ball detection switch 108.

As described above, the power state determination circuit 132 determines the power state of the winning ball detection switch 108 and detects an abnormality.

In the above description, the power state determination circuit 132
Has a configuration including the pulse generation circuit 146. However, the configuration is not such that the output of the pulse generation circuit 146 is given to the microcomputer 130, and the microcomputer 130 receives either a low level signal or a high level signal. The winning ball detection switch 10 is provided by the microcomputer 130 from the difference in the signal level.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which abnormality 8 is detected.
As described above, in the hitting ball detecting means including the winning ball detection switch 108, the width of the change in the output voltage between the non-hit ball detecting state and the hitting ball detecting state is the voltage of the first wiring connecting portion (for example, +24 V). And a predetermined level range (for example, + 17V to + 2V) different from the above. The hitting ball detecting means is provided separately from the signal transmitting means (for example, the inverter 128) for transmitting the output signal derived when the hitting ball detecting means detects the hitting ball from the circuit portion including the transistors 134 and 136. The signal output means is configured to output the first signal or the second signal according to the voltage level of the input signal. As described above, the signal output means outputs the first signal when the input signal from the second wiring connecting portion is the voltage level of the non-detecting means for hitting the ball, and the first signal of the hitting detecting means. It has a function of outputting a second signal when the input signal to the signal output means is out of the predetermined level range due to a short circuit between the first wiring connection portion side and the second wiring connection portion side. doing.

(Explanation of the control device) Description of Configuration Block Diagram FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the control circuit includes a microcomputer 130 as a control center. The microcomputer 130 operates as a drive circuit of the hitting ball detection circuit described in FIG. 13, and also has a function of controlling the operation of the entire pachinko gaming machine 10 as described below. The microcomputer 130 is composed of, for example, an LSI of several chips, and includes therein a CPU 150 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure, and a CP.
ROM 152 for storing the operation program of U150,
A RAM 154 capable of writing and reading necessary data is included. Further, an input / output interface 156 is provided for ensuring signal matching between the CPU 150 and an external circuit. In this embodiment, the ROM 152 uses the programmable ROM 152 so that the contents can be rewritten, that is, the program stored for the CPU 150 for the CPU 150 can be changed if necessary.

Then, the CPU 150 follows the program stored in the ROM 152 and in response to the input of each control signal described below, and the variable display device 1 described above.
8. A control signal is given to the variable winning ball device 20 and the like. The following signals are given to the microcomputer 130 as input signals.

First, the starting winning ports 22, 23a, 23b
A winning signal is given from the starting winning circuit 158 in response to any one of the starting prize winning ball detection switches 50, 51a, 51b (see FIG. 2) provided on the back side corresponding to (see FIG. 1) being turned on. When the stop switch 38 (see FIG. 1) is pressed, a stop signal is given from the stop circuit 160 to the microcomputer 130. Ball sensing plate 114
The signal of the V winning detection switch composed of the detection board 120 (see FIG. 9) and the like is given to the V winning detection circuit 162, and the V winning detection signal is output to the microcomputer 130. The signal detected by the winning ball detection switch 108 is directly given to the microcomputer 130 as a winning ball number counting signal. The winning ball detection switch 10
The potential level of 8 is determined by the power state determination circuit 132 and given to the microcomputer 130. The output of the sensor 164 included in the variable display device 18 (see FIG. 1) is given to the microcomputer 130 via a pattern determination circuit 166 that determines the pattern displayed on the variable display device 18. From the interrupt clock circuit 168, an interrupt clock signal is given to the microcomputer 130.
The microcomputer 130 executes the operation of the interrupt control routine, as will be described later, in response to this interrupt clock signal. Further, predetermined signals are applied to the microcomputer 130 from the runaway prevention circuit 170, the runaway reset circuit 172, the power-on reset circuit 174, the address decode circuit 176, and the like. In addition,
Runaway prevention circuit 170, runaway reset circuit 172, power-on reset circuit 174 and address decode circuit 1
Since 76 is not particularly involved in the control operation which is a feature of the present invention, further description will be omitted.

The microcomputer 130 gives control signals to the following circuits and devices. First, a prize memory display signal is given to the prize memory display circuit 178. The winning memory display circuit 178 can store up to four such signals. Then, when one signal is stored, the LEDs 180 are sequentially turned on one by one correspondingly. The LED 180 is connected to, for example, the variable display device 18 (FIG. 1).
(Refer to FIG. 4), or may be provided in the front frame 12 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a corner of the game board 14, or the like.

The microcomputer 130 outputs a sound signal and causes the speaker 36 (see FIG. 1) to ring.

The first digital display signal output from the microcomputer 130 is the digital display circuit 132.
And the display of the digital display 184 included in the variable display device 18 is controlled. This digital display 184
May be used, for example, as a variable display for generating a specific game state, or may be controlled so that the number of times the opening / closing plate 84 of the variable winning ball device 20 is opened is displayed.

A signal is given from the microcomputer 130 to the digital display circuit 185, and the digital display 80
(See FIG. 3) is controlled. The digital display 80 is for displaying the number of pachinko balls that have won in the opening 84 while the opening / closing plate 84 of the variable winning ball device 20 is being opened.

The microcomputer 130 supplies a drum rotation control signal to the variable display device 18, and the variable display device 1
8 is controlled.

The microcomputer 130 provides an opening control signal to the opening control circuit 186, and the output of this circuit 186 drives the solenoid 46 of the variable winning ball device 20. The opening and closing of the opening and closing plate 84 is controlled accordingly.

Further, the microcomputer 130
The ramp signal is supplied to the ramp circuit 188,
The various lamps 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b of the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in FIG.

Each circuit having the above configuration includes a power supply circuit 1
A predetermined DC voltage is supplied from 90.

B. Description of Flowchart FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the control circuit of FIG. 15 and 16
The operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 14 will be described according to the flow of FIG.

When the power supply of the control circuit is turned on, the microcomputer 130 initializes the stored contents of each storage circuit (step S1) and waits for the next signal.

The game is started on the pachinko gaming machine 10,
When the pachinko ball wins in any of the starting winning openings 22, 23a, 23b, the starting winning ball detection switches 50, 51
Either a or 52b detects the winning ball, and the starting winning circuit 158 gives a winning signal to the microcomputer 130. Based on this signal, the microcomputer 130 outputs the winning memory display signal to the winning memory display circuit 1
Give 78. And, along with that, the lamp circuit 18
A lamp signal is given to 8 to make the drum rotation display lamp of the variable display device 18 blink (step S3). Further, the speaker 36 is activated to generate a sound effect when the drum rotates (step S4). Further, a drum rotation control signal is given to the variable display device 18 to start rotation of the rotary drum (step S5).

Then, in step S6, it is determined whether or not 5.055 seconds have elapsed since the rotation of the rotary drum started. If 5.055 seconds have elapsed, or the stop switch 38 (see FIG. 1) is turned on. If it is determined (step S7), the drum stop process of the variable display device 18 is performed (step S18).

Then, in this state, the picture determining circuit 166
On the basis of the output of (1), it is determined whether or not the display mode of the rotary drum has become a predetermined display mode, that is, whether or not it has become a so-called "fever (registered trademark owned by the applicant)" state (step S9).

If it is not in the "fever" state, the sensor 164 for design determination is turned off (step S1).
0), the output sound of the speaker 36 is switched to a small hit sound (step S11), and a small hit opening process is performed (step S1).
2). For example, the opening / closing plate 84 (see FIG. 3) is opened for about 0.2 seconds. Then, each display lamp 24a, 24
b, 26a, 26b are turned off (step S23), the number of winnings stored in the winning storage display circuit 178 is decremented, one LED 180 is turned off, and step S2 is performed.
Return to If the microcomputer 130 determines “fever” in step S9, the sensor 16
4 is turned on (step S15), and the fever sound is output from the speaker 36. In addition, each display lamp 24a, 2
4b, 26a, and 26b are controlled by a predetermined blinking so as to represent the "fever" state (step S16).

Next, in step S17, the opening / closing plate 84 of the variable winning ball device 20 is opened. This is because the microcomputer 130 gives a signal to the opening control circuit 186,
This is performed by energizing the solenoid 46. Then, a signal is given to the digital display circuit 132, and the number of “fever” is displayed for 1.5 seconds by the digital display 184 (see FIG. 1). "Fever"
This shows how many times the open / close plate 84 of the variable winning ball device 20 is in the open state. If it is the first time,
"1" is displayed for 1.5 seconds (step S18).

Then, steps S19, S20, S2
The control of 1, S22 and S27 is repeated for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of prize balls, for example, 10 prizes are won. That is, it is determined whether or not 30 seconds have passed since the opening / closing plate 84 was opened (step S19), and if 30 seconds have not passed, it is determined whether or not 10 detection signals from the winning ball detection switch 108 have been counted. Is determined (step S20). When the number of winning balls is less than 10, each time a winning ball is detected, it is cumulatively counted and the number is displayed on the digital display 80 (step S2).
1). In the next step S22, the power state determination circuit 13
It is determined whether there is an output of No. 2. That is, the fraudulent discrimination of the winning ball detection switch 108, which is a feature of this embodiment, is performed. The circuit operation and the like of the power state determination circuit 132 have already been described in detail.

In the normal state, there is no output from the power state determination circuit 132, so that the processing of each step is repeated as described above.

If there is an output from the power state determination circuit 132, the prize-winning ball detection switch 108 has been tampered with or the prize-winning ball detection switch 108 is in a broken state, so the solenoid 46 is deenergized (step S23). , The timer is stopped (step S24), and the predetermined alarm lamp 24
a, 24b, 26a, 26b are turned on and the speaker 36 is turned on.
(Steps S25, S26). Then, the process ends.

In step S27, "fever"
If is not the tenth time, it is determined whether or not there is a V prize (step S28). From the V winning detection circuit 162 to V
When the detection signal is given and the V winning is determined, a predetermined V winning lamp is turned on (S29). This lamp is
The display lamps 70a and 70b are provided on both sides of the opening / closing plate 84 of the variable winning ball device 20 and are turned on via front decorative plates 74a and 74b.

In step S19 or step S20, if the opening time of the opening / closing plate 84 reaches 30 seconds, or if 10 winning balls are counted during that time, the control operation proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, the opening / closing plate 84 is closed, the "fever" state is completed, and the "fever" becomes 10
It is determined whether or not it is the first time (S31). If it is not the tenth time, the V winning detection circuit 1 from the detection substrate 120 (see FIG. 9)
For example, it waits for 1.8 seconds whether the V winning detection signal is given via 62. That is, whether or not the V winning detection signal is given even after the opening / closing plate 84 is closed,
It waits for 1.8 seconds (step S32). This is in consideration of the case where a pachinko ball that has won a prize in the opening 64 of the variable winning ball device 20 is caught for some reason, temporarily stopped, and it may take time to swing the ball sensing plate 114. It was done. For example, when the last pachinko ball wins the central portion of the variable winning ball apparatus 20 and the player feels that there is a V winning, and the pachinko ball happens to be caught, the "fever" state is not continued. When it comes to players, this pachinko machine 1
Although a trouble may occur with the staff of the pachinko hall where 0 is placed, such trouble is prevented in advance.

Then, in step S33, it is determined whether or not the V winning detection signal is given from the V winning detection circuit 162. When it is determined that the V winning is detected, the speaker 36 is operated.
The ringing sound of is switched, the sound during rest is output, and rest time processing is performed (step S35). The pause time process is to close the opening / closing plate 84 for a predetermined time, for example, 2 seconds. In the meantime, the V winning display lamp 70
a, 70b are turned off.

Then, the operation from step S16 is continued. In step S31, when the microcomputer 130 determines that the “fever” state has been repeated 10 times, the speaker 36 stops ringing, the display lamp is turned off, and the “fever” state is ended (step S37). ), If there is a numerical value stored in the winning storage display circuit 178, the value is decremented by 1, and the processing from step S2 is continued.

The microcomputer 130 performs the series of processes described above, and at the same time, the interrupt clock circuit 168.
Is performed every 4 msec, the processes of steps S41 to S44 are performed.

That is, it is determined based on a signal from the start winning circuit 158 whether or not the pachinko ball in the game is won in any of the starting winning openings 22, 23a, 23b.
When a pachinko ball is won in any of the starting winning openings 22, 23a, 23b, it is determined whether or not "4" is stored in the winning storage display circuit 178 (step S4).
2) If "4" is not stored, the value is decremented by 1 (step S43).

Then, in response thereto, the LEDs 180 are turned on by the number of stored numerical values (step S44).

[0080]

[Specific Example of Means for Solving the Problem] The ROM 15
2 constitutes a program storage means for storing a control program. The CPU 150 constitutes a processor that operates according to the control program stored in the program storage means and controls the gaming state of the ball game machine. The variable winning ball device 20 is controlled by the processor, and constitutes a variable winning ball device that is changeable between a first state that is advantageous to the player and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player. The prize-winning ball detection switch 108 detects the number of prize-winning balls that have won in the variable winning-ball apparatus, and when the predetermined number of winning balls is detected, the variable-winning-ball apparatus is placed in the second state. The detection means is provided, and has a first wiring connection portion that is held at a predetermined voltage and a second wiring connection portion that outputs a signal, and the second wiring is detected when a winning ball is detected. The winning prize detecting means for changing the voltage of the output signal from the connecting portion is constituted. The circuit portion including the transistors 134 and 136 transmits the output signal derived when the winning ball detecting means detects a winning ball (for example, the inverter 1).
28), which is provided separately from the above-mentioned second part of the winning ball means.
An output signal from the wiring connection unit is input, and a signal output unit configured to output the first signal or the second signal according to the voltage level of the input signal is configured.

Then, the winning ball means has a width of change of the output voltage in a non-detected state of the winning ball and a detected state of the winning ball in a predetermined level range different from the voltage of the first wiring connecting portion. The signal output means outputs a first signal when the input signal is at a voltage level in the non-detection state of the winning ball, and the first wiring of the winning ball detecting means. The second signal is output when the input signal is out of the predetermined level range due to a short circuit between the connection portion side and the second wiring connection portion side. And
As described above, the processor operates according to the abnormality determination program (step S22) included in the control program in accordance with the output signal of the signal output means to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred, and to determine whether an abnormality has occurred. When it is determined that the variable winning ball apparatus is in the first state, it has a function of controlling the variable winning ball apparatus in the second state.

[0082]

According to the present invention, the winning ball detecting means has a predetermined level in which the variation width of the output voltage in the detected state and the non-detected state of the winning ball is different from the voltage of the first wiring connecting portion. It is configured to be a range. Then, when a so-called short circuit occurs in which the first wiring connecting portion and the second wiring connecting portion of the winning ball detecting means are short-circuited, a signal output means for inputting an output signal from the second wiring connecting portion First
A voltage that is approximately the same as the voltage at the wiring connection portion of is input. As a result, when a short circuit occurs, the input signal input to the signal output unit becomes a signal having a voltage outside the predetermined level range, and therefore the signal output unit outputs the second signal. It As a result, the processor can determine that an abnormality has occurred based on the second signal, and based on the abnormality determination, executes the control operation at the time of the abnormality that brings the variable winning ball apparatus into the second state. It becomes possible.

Further, for example, when the abnormal circuit control based on the determination of the short circuit is performed by the hard circuit, the abnormal circuit control function is disabled by a relatively simple method of illegally modifying the hard circuit. However, in the case of the present invention, the processor performs abnormality control based on software abnormality determination in which abnormality determination is performed by the processor according to the abnormality determination program to perform abnormality determination control. Therefore, it is relatively difficult to carry out illegal modification that makes the control impossible in an abnormal state. Further, since the abnormality determination for short circuit is not performed outside the existing control system from the processor to the variable winning ball device, the existing control system from the processor to the variable winning ball device is effectively used to control in an abnormal condition. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a special control system for abnormal time control.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variable winning ball device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a variable winning ball device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the variable winning ball device, and is a diagram in which part of the variable winning a ball is drawn.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the variable winning ball device, partially drawn through.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining an opening / closing mechanism of a variable winning ball device and a V winning ball detecting mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining an opening / closing mechanism and a V winning ball detection mechanism of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining an opening / closing mechanism of the variable winning ball apparatus and a V winning ball detecting mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a basic circuit diagram of a detection circuit that detects a winning ball that has won a variable winning ball device.

FIG. 11 is a specific circuit diagram of a winning ball detection switch used in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram showing an output level of a winning ball detection switch.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a power state determination circuit which is a feature of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control circuit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control circuit in FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

10 is a pachinko gaming machine, 14 is a gaming board, 20 is a variable winning ball device, 22, 23a and 23b are start winning holes, 36 is a speaker, 46 is a solenoid, 50 is a starting winning ball detection switch, 64 is an opening, 70a, 70b is an indicator lamp, 80
Is a digital display, 84 is an open / close plate, 108 is a winning ball detection switch, 114 is a ball detection plate, 120 is a detection board, 13
0 is a microcomputer, 132 is a power state determination circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ball-and-ball game machine in which a ball is hit in a game area to play a game, the program storing means storing a control program, and the control stored in the program storing means. A processor that operates according to a program and controls the game state of the ball game machine, and can be changed to a first state that is controlled by the processor and that is advantageous to the player and a second state that is disadvantageous to the player A variable winning ball device, and a variable winning ball device provided to bring the variable winning ball device into a second state when a predetermined number of winning balls are detected for counting the winning balls that have been won in the variable winning ball device. And a second wiring connection portion that outputs a signal, the second wiring connection being accompanied by detection of a winning ball. Output from department The winning ball detecting means for changing the voltage of the number and the signal transmitting means for transmitting the output signal derived when the winning ball detecting means detects the winning ball are provided separately, and the winning ball detecting means An output signal from the second wiring connection unit is input, and a signal output unit that outputs a first signal or a second signal according to the voltage level of the input signal is included, and the winning ball detection unit is The width of the change in the output voltage between the non-detected state of the winning ball and the detected state of the winning ball is configured so as to be within a predetermined level range different from the voltage of the first wiring connecting portion, and the signal output The means outputs a first signal when the input signal is a voltage level of the non-detection state of the winning ball,
Outputting a second signal when the input signal is out of the predetermined level range due to a short circuit between the first wiring connection portion side and the second wiring connection portion side of the winning ball detection means; The processor operates according to an abnormality determination program included in the control program according to an output signal state of the signal output unit to determine whether an abnormality has occurred, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred. If done, the first
Wherein the variable winning prize device in the state of (i) is controlled to be in the second state.