JP2709404B2 - Game ball detection method for a ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game ball detection technique in a ball game machine represented by a pachinko machine, and in particular, a launch direction and a return direction of a game ball fired from a hit ball firing device. The most effective technology to use for identification.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, an enclosed ball circulation type pachinko machine has been proposed in which predetermined game balls are circulated in the machine without being discharged to the outside and reused. Since this type of pachinko machine does not discharge prize balls, the number of possessed balls must be counted and displayed unless a launch ball or an out ball is detected as well as a prize ball in the prize area provided in the game section. Therefore, detection of the launch ball, the winning ball, and the out ball is indispensable.

On the other hand, in pachinko machines, the launching device at the bottom of the game machine launches game balls along guide rails arranged around the game section, and if the speed at the time of firing does not exceed a certain level, the game balls will They cannot enter the game area and return to the opposite direction, that is, the original firing position. Therefore, in the pachinko machine of the enclosed ball circulation system, it is necessary to distinguish between the launch ball and the return ball and to detect it.When the launch ball is detected, the number of balls is subtracted, and when the return ball is detected, the number of balls is detected. Must be added.

By the way, it is reasonable to provide a sensor along the firing rail in order to detect a shooting ball or a returning ball. Therefore, conventionally, two sensors are mounted along the firing rail, and the passing and direction of the game ball are known from the order of the detection signals coming from the two sensors, and the firing ball and the return ball are distinguished and detected. .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, in a pachinko machine in which a game ball is detected by a sensor and electrically processed, a control device erroneously issues a command based on noise in an output signal of the sensor. And the counting of the number of possessed balls becomes inaccurate.

In addition, since the enclosed ball circulation type pachinko machine uses two sensors to detect the shooting ball and the return ball, setting the sensor mounting position and space is troublesome, and the shooting ball and the return ball are located between the two sensors. When the ball collides and moves in the same direction due to the relationship between the two forces, in this case,
There is a problem that it is difficult to accurately detect the launch ball and the return ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it easy to mount a sensor for detecting a shooting ball in a ball-and-ball game machine, and to accurately identify and detect a shooting ball and a returning ball.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Prior to the present invention, the inventors conducted an experiment using an actual pachinko machine and measured the speeds of a launch ball and a return ball moving on a launch rail and a guide rail. As a result, the launch sphere has a faster speed than the return sphere, and the output signal pulse width of the sensor when the launch sphere passes is between 0.8 to 2.4 mS, whereas the output of the sensor when the return sphere passes is The signal pulse width was found to be several tens mS or more.

The present invention has been made based on the above-described knowledge. In a ball game machine, one sensor for detecting a game ball is arranged along a firing rail, and a pulse width of an output signal from the sensor is set to a predetermined value. (For example, in the range of 0.4 to 3.0 mS), it is recognized as a launch sphere, and when the pulse width is equal to or more than a predetermined value (for example, 3.0 mS or more), it is recognized as a return sphere.

[Operation] According to the first means, since only one sensor is required for detecting the launch sphere and the return sphere, the mounting of the sensor becomes easy, and the launch sphere and the return sphere are provided between the two sensors. This eliminates the possibility of erroneous detection due to collision, and also reduces the noise of the sensor, thus enabling accurate counting of the number of possessed balls.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 3 to 13 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine of an enclosed ball circulation type constituting a card-type pachinko game system, and FIG. 1 shows a card utilizing the pachinko machine. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a pachinko game system, and FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a card.

The card-type pachinko gaming system shown in FIG. 1 includes a pachinko machine 100 as a ball-and-ball game machine and a storage medium issuing device for issuing a card CD as a storage medium having a local value in order to start a game in each pachinko machine. The issuing machine 200 as a game machine, the prize ball obtained as a result of the game, and a payment machine 300 as a storage medium payment device for paying out the remaining purchase money not used for the game, and the above various terminals It comprises a management device 400 for managing and controlling, and a data transmission line 500 for organically connecting the management device 400 and each terminal, and these constitute an organic combination. This organic combination can be interposed only by the card CD, and the card can be operated and its valuable data can be converted only by the organic combination. for that reason,
Pachinko machine 100, issuing machine 2 as each component of organic binder
The settlement machine 300 and the management device 400 are each provided with a card reader (in this specification, a card reader that writes data on a magnetic surface of a card is also referred to as a card reader). The machine information is stored in the storage device of the management device 400 in the form of a file.

Next, the configuration of a card used in the card type system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2 (A), for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), the card CD used in the system of the present embodiment includes information necessary for the player such as a purchase amount AM, an issue date (= valid date) DATE, and the like. A print display section PRT is provided along the card insertion direction (longitudinal direction of the card) on which issuance serial numbers n and the like necessary for the recovery of the damaged card are printed at the time of issuance. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a plurality of types of cards on which different amounts of money are printed in advance.

Immediately above the print display unit PRT, a punch as a punch forming unit for recording the status of the card, that is, issued, resurrected, playing, returning to zero (zero), and settlement or status transition of the card in the form of a punch. A hole forming area PH is also provided along the card insertion direction.

By detecting the above-mentioned perforations formed in the card with the photoelectric detector, the number of balls held is read from the file of the management device using the code recorded on the magnetic surface, and the state of the card can be easily checked without checking. Thus, it is possible to reduce the burden on the controller and the management device of the card reader required to determine the processing corresponding to the state of the card.

On the other hand, at a position slightly below the center of the card, a magnetic recording section MG coated with a band-shaped magnetic material from the front end to the vicinity of the center.
(See FIG. 2 (B)). However, the magnetic recording section MG may be formed not only in a part of the card in the longitudinal direction but also in a continuous band form from one end of the card as in the print display part PRT, or a magnetic material may be applied to the entire back surface of the card. May be used as a magnetic recording unit.

Further, in the card of this embodiment, a belt-like roller running area RRA slightly wider than the transport roller in the card reader is provided between the print display section PRT and the magnetic recording section MG, that is, in the center of the card, in the longitudinal direction of the card. The magnetic recording unit MG, the print display unit PRT, and the authenticity discrimination area TF, which have important information used for determining the card, are damaged due to contact with the transport rollers. To prevent the information from becoming unreadable.

In the card of this embodiment, a true / false discrimination area TF including a security mark concealed in characters such as a hole name printed on the surface of the card is provided below the magnetic recording unit MG.

Next, an example of a configuration of a pachinko machine of the sealed ball circulation type constituting the above system will be described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG.

The gaming machine of this embodiment is provided on a pachinko machine 100, an island facility or the like above the main body of the gaming machine in a one-to-one correspondence with the pachinko machine, and mainly controls a display and a card reader and transfers movable data during the game. The control unit 160 controls collection.

The pachinko machine 100 is mounted to be openable and closable by a hinge 102 in a machine frame 101 fixed to the island equipment of the pachinko parlor. A reinforcing plate 107 having an operation dial reinforcing member 107a that withstands the weight of the pachinko machine 100 and absorbs the vibration of the hit ball firing device 103 is fixed to a lower portion of the machine frame 101. In the lower part of the pachinko machine 100, a hit ball launching device 103 for firing the enclosed balls one by one into the game area and its operation dial 104 are provided, and above the operation dial 104, a game using the card is provided. An operation panel 110 is provided with an amount indicator 111, a ball number indicator 112, a purchase switch 113, an interrupt switch 114, an end switch 115, a game state indicator 116, and the like for enabling a start procedure. The configuration of the game area on the front of the pachinko game board is the same as the conventional one. The purchase switch 113 is an instruction switch for converting this into a game ball in units of 200 yen or the like within a range of the amount of the card assuming the purchase of the card into the card reader 800 built in the control unit 160. , The converted game balls are the number of possessed balls. The remaining amount of the card is displayed on the amount display 111 in the unit of 100 yen as one unit, and the converted number of balls is displayed on the number-of-balls display 112, and the hitting ball launcher 103
Each time one game ball is fired, the number of possessed balls is decremented by one, and when a winning ball is generated, it is added and displayed by the number of prize balls. The end switch 115 is turned on at any time when the player wants to end the game (including when the player wants to change the game console), so that the control unit 160 can eject the card in use. At that time, the unit control device 180 registers the remaining amount of the player and the number of balls possessed (sum of purchased balls and acquired balls) in the file of the management device 400 at that time, and then inserts the card into the slot of the card reader 800. 802a
Discharge more. In addition, the interrupt switch 114 is a switch used to temporarily stop the game for a break, although the player does not intend to stop the game at the game machine currently playing, and when this switch is operated. , Unit control device
180 temporarily waits until the card is ejected and the same card is inserted again, during which no other cards are accepted. The purchase switch 113 among the above switches is of a built-in lamp type, and the lamp in the purchase switch 113 blinks when the number of balls held becomes “0”.

As shown in FIG. 4 of the operation panel 110, the pachinko machine 100
Is mounted on an openable front panel 105 at the lower part of the panel and has a hollow shape with a triangular cross section. The upper surface is inclined forward and downward so that the display is easy to read. Inside the operation panel 110, wiring boards 120A and 120B are arranged in parallel with the display surface 110a. On the board 120A, a money amount indicator 111 composed of 7-segment type LEDs and a ball number indicator 112 are arranged.
However, the switches 113 to 115 and the built-in lamp are mounted on the substrate 120B, and are covered with the display plate 117. A portion of the display plate 117 corresponding to the indicators 111 and 112 is a transparent window 117a, and a portion corresponding to the switches 113 to 115 is an opening 117b (see FIG. 5).
The switches 113 to 115 are provided in the opening 117b.
The operation button 118 is mounted so as to cover the upper part of the camera. 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes a built-in lamp corresponding to the purchase switch 113.

Further, at the front end of the operation panel 110, a game state display section 116 in which a display lamp 123 is covered with a translucent Fresnel lens 119 or the like is provided, and the display lamp 123 operates the operation dial 104 of the hitting ball firing device 103. It is lit when turned.

Further, an operation button 125 having a built-in stop switch 124 is mounted on a side portion (the left side in the embodiment) of the operation panel 110, and when the switch 124 is turned on, an accessory provided in the game section is activated. Commands relating to the game, such as stopping the operation, can be given. The stop switch 124 is mounted on a wiring board 120C provided in the operation panel 110, and a wiring group 126C extending from the wiring board 120C and a wiring group 126A extending from each of the boards 120A and 120B. 126B is pulled out to the outside, and can be connected to a pachinko machine control device 195 arranged at the lower part of the back of the pachinko machine via connectors 127A to 127C connected to its ends.

On the other hand, the pachinko machine 100 constituting the gaming machine of the present embodiment
Is configured as a closed-type game machine that circulates and uses game balls sealed in the machine, and has a sealed ball circulation device 130 for circulating the sealed balls on the back surface.

 FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the back surface of the pachinko machine 100.

A game board in which a plurality of winning ball collecting troughs 131 covering a plurality of winning ball derivation holes formed so as to penetrate the game board corresponding to a winning area provided in a game area on the front of the game board are held by a frame 106. It is attached to the back of. Winning ball assembly gutter 13
The bottom wall 1 is inclined downward toward the center to form a guide shelf 131a, below which an out ball gutter 132a, a first safe ball gutter 132b, and a second safe ball gutter 132c are integrally formed as shown in FIG. The formed guiding gutter 132 is provided. This gutter 132
In the middle of each gutter, a photoelectric out sensor SNS1, a first safe sensor SNS2, and a second safe sensor SNS3 each comprising a pair of light emitting and receiving devices are mounted. In addition, guide gutter 13
2 is a merging gutter section 132d that collects the balls flowing into each gutter at one place
The end of the merging gutter section 132d is connected to the upstream side of the guide gutter 133 which is gently inclined to align the pachinko balls in a line as shown in FIG. 7, thereby forming the ball circulation device 130. ing. Further, on the upstream side of the guide gutter 133, a foul ball receiving port 134 provided at an upper end of the firing rail to collect a so-called foul ball in which a hit ball hit along the firing rail returns toward the rail base.
Foul ball gutter 13 arranged to face (see Fig. 9)
The ball 3a is formed integrally, and the foul ball merges with the ball flowing down on the guide gutter 133 via the guide gutter 132. A foul sensor SNS4 is provided in the middle of the foul ball gutter 133a.

And, at the lower end of the guide gutter 133, there is a storage portion 135a for one ball, facing the lower end of the guide gutter 133, and a ball feed 135 for separating the balls on the guide gutter 133 one by one and allowing the balls to flow downward can swing. Mounted on A stopper 136 is fixed behind the ball feeder 135 to prevent the ball feeder 135 from rotating more than necessary.
When the ball 35 rotates downward by the weight of the ball that has flowed in, the upper end surface can prevent the ball from flowing down on the guide gutter 133. Further, a rotatable ball leveler 137 is attached in the middle of the guide gutter 133, and a slide type ball removing mechanism 138 is provided downstream.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the enclosing ball circulation device 130 is mounted on the back surface of the frame board 109, the ball removing mechanism 138 slides laterally by a blocking piece 148 protruding from the back surface of the frame board. He was blocked and could not remove the ball. The enclosed ball circulating device 130 is mounted so as to be able to rotate as a whole by a hinge portion 139 provided on one side (the right side in FIG. 8), and is rotated backward around the hinge portion 139. When moved, the ball removal mechanism 138
Slide to remove the ball. Moreover, the guide gutter 133
An elastic locking piece 133a is fixed to the end of the frame board 109. By engaging this with the engaging step portion 149 of the frame board 109, the sealed ball circulation device 130 can be fixed so as not to rotate. .

The pachinko machine separated by the ball feeder 135 is fixed obliquely to the front surface of the frame board through a ball passage hole 139 (see FIG. 9) formed in the frame board 109 provided behind the front panel 105. One of them flows down to the base of the fired rail 140. Then, the firing rod 103a is disposed so as to face the base of the firing rail 140 (see FIG. 10). At the same time, below the base of the firing rail 140, there is provided an interlocking member 141 having a push-up piece 141a which is rotated in conjunction with the firing rod 103a and pushes up the ball feed 135 upward.

In addition, a concave groove for guiding a sphere is formed on the upper surface of the firing rail 140, and the frame board 109
A firing sensor SNS5 composed of a reflective photoelectric switch for detecting a ball passing on the rail is mounted on the front surface of the rail at a distance of at least one ball from the upper surface of the rail by a bracket 142, and a mounting bracket 142 for the firing sensor SNS5 is mounted. A return ball blocking wall 143 that prevents the return ball from jumping over the sensor is provided at the upper end of the sensor. Further, a foul ball receiving port 134 is formed in the frame board 109 corresponding to the upper end of the firing rail 140 to guide the return ball into the guiding gutter 132 behind the frame board, and the ball extends along the lower side of the foul ball receiving port 134. A receiving piece 144 protrudes.

In addition, on the upper end of the frame board 109, the mounting portion 1 of the game board
09a is provided, and game board positioning projections 145 are provided upright at both ends. Also, frame board 1
Along the top edge of 09, a frame 10 for holding the game board
A frame engaging portion 146 having a groove engageable with the frame 6 is formed, and as shown in FIG. 11, the frame 106 is lowered along the positioning protrusion 145 from above the frame board 109, and the lower end is formed on the frame board 109. By engaging with the groove of the engaging portion 146, both can be connected. On the side wall of the frame 106, four locking members 106a for detachably engaging the game board are provided, and the game board held by the frame 106 is mounted on the mounting portion 109a of the frame board 109. In this state, the fastener 147 is tightened and fixed. In addition,
On one side of the front of the frame board 109 (left side in FIG. 9), a speaker 150 for generating a sound effect related to the game is attached.

On the other hand, a front panel 105 covering the front of the frame board 109
As shown in FIG. 10, is mounted at the lower part of the opening framed by the holding frame 108c inside the front frame 108 so as to be openable and closable with one end (left end) as a fulcrum.
A firing rail frame 151 positioned above is fixed, and a cutout 151a is provided in the middle of the firing rail frame 151 so that the firing sensor SNS5 can face the inside of the frame. Further, a lock lever 152 is provided on the back surface of the end of the front panel 105 opposite to the hinge. Above the front panel 105 in the front frame 108, a glass frame 154 is similarly openably opened. on the other hand,
On one side of the rear surface of the front frame 108 opposite to the hinge portion 102, a
As shown in FIG. 12, a locking device 156 for locking the front surface to the machine frame 101 and a locking device 157 thereof are mounted. Reference numeral 155 denotes an opening lever of the glass frame 154.

On the back of this front frame 108, a frame 1 holding a game board
06 (see FIG. 11) and the frame board 109 are joined to the fitting receiving portion 108b on the back of the front frame so that the fitting projection 106b on the back of the frame and the fitting projection 109b on the back of the frame board are aligned, and screwed. By doing so, the front frame 108, the frame 106 holding the game board, and the frame board 109 are integrated.

FIG. 13 shows the frame 1 on the back of the front frame 108 in this way.
06 and a state where the frame board 109 is attached, a winning ball collecting gutter 131 is further mounted on the back of the game board held by the frame 106, and a pachinko machine control device 195 is provided below the frame board 109. It is arranged. Further, a game control device 158 and a relay board 159 are mounted on the back surfaces of the frame 106 and the winning ball collecting gutter 131.

FIGS. 14 to 16 show an embodiment of the control unit 160 which is configured separately from the pachinko machine 100. FIG.

The control unit 160 of this embodiment includes a status indicator 162 on the front of the storage frame 161 indicating the status of the pachinko machine, an analog indicator 163 in which a plurality of lamps are arranged in a line, and a safe It has a ball lamp 164, a call button 165 for calling a clerk, and the like. The above analog display 163
Is used to display the number of balls in play in an analog manner, and to display a hit state and a free state by simultaneous blinking and moving blinking.

In addition, a speaker 166 and a card reader 80
0 is built in, and a card insertion / ejection opening 802a of the card reader 800 is exposed on the front surface of the storage frame. A card holding display lamp 167 above the insertion / ejection opening 802a indicates whether or not there is a card in the card reader. Below the card insertion / ejection opening 802a, a card insertion indicator lamp 168 for indicating whether or not a card can be inserted into the control unit 160 is arranged.

Furthermore, the front panel 16 of the storage frame 161 of the control unit 160
Inside 1a, a test switch 179 for enabling a game operation using a test card described later is arranged in a peculiar state in which the pachinko machine 100 is separated from the management device 400, and the test switch 179 is provided on the front of the storage frame. Pin insertion hole 169 for enabling the switch to be turned on externally using a pin
And a nameplate indicating the machine number given to the pachinko machine
170 are provided respectively.

Then, inside the front panel 161a of the control unit 160, a setting switch 171 for the machine number displayed on the machine name plate 170 as shown in FIG. Built-in lamp groups L11 to L of the status indicator 162, analog indicator 163, and safe lamp 164
A lamp substrate 172 having 15, L21 to L28, L31, L32 (see FIG. 16), the speaker 166 and the card insertion lamp 168
The holding substrate 173 is mounted. Also, call button 1
A call switch 165a is provided behind 65.

Further, in the storage frame 161, a card reader 800, a unit controller and a transmission means for controlling the entire control unit 160, a unit controller 180 having monitor displays 174, 175, and 176, a card reader controller 188, and a power supply
177 is built-in. Further, below the card reader 800, a storage box 178 for perforated pieces generated when a perforation is performed by a perforation device (described later) in the card reader is detachably arranged. A card ejection switch (not shown) for instructing the card reader to forcibly eject a card is provided on a substrate constituting the card reader control device 188.

The control unit 160 has a locking tool 179a and a release lever 179b provided on a free end side of the front panel 161a,
The release lever 179b faces the opening 161b formed at the lower end of the front panel 161a. Then, the control unit 160 controls the machine frame 101 of the pachinko machine 100 as shown in FIG.
In addition, the front panel 161a is arranged so as to be flush with the front frame 108 of the pachinko machine at this time. Therefore, the opening 161b of the front panel 161 facing the release lever 179b is normally closed on the upper surface of the front frame 108, and the front frame 1
By opening 08, the opening 161b is exposed, and the release lever 179b can be operated. This eliminates the need for the control unit 160 to be provided with a locking device.

The unit control device 180 in the control unit 160 includes:
A transmission path such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable is connected to the control device 195 of the pachinko machine 100 and to the management device 400 via a transmission controller and a local network (transmission cable) described later.

In the control unit 160 of the embodiment, an optical fiber connector and a coaxial cable connector are provided on the back surface of the storage frame 161 so that data transmission can be performed using any transmission path.

FIG. 18 shows a configuration example of a control system of the entire gaming machine including the pachinko machine 100 and the control unit 160.

In the figure, reference numeral 188 denotes a card reader control device for controlling a transport motor, a magnetic head, a punching device, and the like, which are components of the card reader 800. The card reader control device 188, the pachinko machine control device 195, and the control unit 160 are provided. The switches 171 and 179, the displays 162, 163, 164 and 168, and the speaker 166 are controlled by the unit control device 180.

Further, although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the control device 195 of the pachinko machine 100 is connected to the unit control device 180 via the optical cable 191 and detection signals from various sensors are input, and the display device and the like are connected. A drive control signal is output. To enable communication using an optical fiber cable, an optical multiplexed data link (interface) including a parallel-to-serial converter for converting parallel data and serial data, an optical-to-electric converter for converting electric signals to optical signals, and the like. ) Are provided between the unit controller 180 and the optical fiber cable 191 and at the connection between the optical fiber cable 191 and the pachinko machine controller 195 (described later).

By using the optical fiber cable 191 for data communication between the unit control device 180 and the pachinko machine control device 195, a large number of wirings conventionally arranged in a complicated manner on the back side of the pachinko machine are reduced, maintenance, In addition to facilitating management, malfunction due to noise can be prevented.

Under the control of the pachinko machine control device 195, the amount indicator 1
11, a ball number display 112, a purchase lamp 121, a game state display lamp 123, a control device 194 of the hit ball launching device 103, and an accessory control device 158 are placed, and a purchase switch 113, an interruption switch 114, and an end switch 115. Signals from ball detection sensors SNS1 to SNS5 such as pachinko machine
The waveform is shaped by 195 and supplied to the unit controller 180. In this embodiment, the power supply system is set to two systems of 24 V AC and 100 V AC, and the pachinko machine 100 side
24 V AC is supplied, and 100 V AC is supplied to the control unit 160 side. Separating the power supply in this way prevents the pachinko machine control unit from being inadvertently destroyed by the influence of the power supply in a pachinko parlor having many problems in the power supply system.

FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of the pachinko machine control device 195.

The pachinko machine control device 195 includes a pachinko machine controller CPU1 composed of a microcomputer, a reset circuit RST1 that monitors a regular watchdog pulse output from the controller CPU1 and generates a reset signal when the pulse is interrupted, A multiplex transmission controller CNT1 including parallel-to-parallel conversion means for converting parallel transmission data to serial data and serial-to-parallel conversion means for converting serial reception data to parallel data in order to enable optical data transmission with the unit controller 180. And a photoelectric conversion circuit OET connected to the optical cable 191 via the optical connector 193,
A filter circuit FLT that cuts noise of detection signals from various sensors, decoders DEC1 and DEC2 that decode display data to the money amount display 111 and the ball number display 112, and a display drive signal are formed based on the output thereof. Driver DRV1, DRV2
And a driver DRV3 for generating a drive signal for the hitting ball launching device 103.

Regarding the processing of the detection signal from the sensor in the pachinko machine control device 195, the noise is simply removed from the detection signal, shaped into a fixed pulse width, and then sent to the unit control device 180 as detection data of a launch sphere, a safe sphere, or the like. . In other words, the pachinko machine control device 195 does not calculate the number of safe balls or the like, and such calculation is performed on the unit control device 180 side.

In pachinko machines, noise is likely to occur due to static electricity, but a reset circuit that monitors watchdog pulses
Pachinko machine controller due to noise etc. due to RST1
Even if CPU1 goes out of control, a reset signal is generated and the CPU
Is initialized, so that runaway can be prevented.

The watchdog pulse can be easily generated by an interrupt or the like from a timer counter inside the CPU.

Next, a specific control procedure of the pachinko machine of the sealed ball circulation type by the unit controller 180 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

The processing in the unit controller 180 includes an initialization task after power-on or reset, ten types of main tasks following the timer, timer interrupt processing based on an interrupt signal received from the timer every 1 millisecond, and a card reader controller. There is a serial interrupt process that occurs when transmitting / receiving a function to / from the 188.

Of these, ten types of main tasks are repeatedly executed in real-time processing. Here, the ten types of main tasks are a packet reception task and a card reader control task, a packet transmission task, an error control task, a ball count calculation task, a switch detection task, a sound output task, a timer control task, a lamp drive task, and a port. There are 10 types of output control tasks.

FIG. 20 shows the procedure of timer interrupt processing, and FIG. 21 shows the procedure of serial interrupt processing.

In the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 20, first, the hot code (A55A) in the unit memory is checked (procedure P1), and if there is an error, the reset is performed. If the error is normal, the timer for the timer interrupt is reset. Yes (procedure P
2). Next, after updating the timer provided in the internal RAM of the unit controller in the unit control device 180, the data transmission controller transmits "FFH"
Is set and the watchdog counter in the unit memory is decremented by 1 every 20 ms (procedures P3, P
Four). Here, if the watchdog counter is "0", it is determined that the data transmission controller has gone down, the common signal for driving the segment type display is fixed, and reset by the reset circuit in the unit control device 180 is applied. To

If the watchdog counter is normal, the next sensor and switch detection processing (see FIG. 22 (A)) is executed, and then the switch detection signal invalidation processing (see FIG. 22 (B)) is executed (procedure). P5, P6).

Thereafter, the amount and the number of balls are read out from the unit memory and converted into a code.
Then, the segment data and common data of the ball number display 112 are formed and output, and the amount and the number of balls are dynamically displayed (procedures P7 and P8).

On the other hand, in the serial interrupt processing shown in FIG. 21, when an interrupt is received from a transmission buffer or a reception buffer inside the unit control device 180, it is first determined whether or not the reception is interrupted. The internal RA
Transfer to M (procedures P11, P12). Further, when the serial interrupt is an interrupt from the transmission buffer, a one-byte transmission process of converting the one-byte transmission data into serial data by shifting the transmission buffer and outputting the serial data is executed (procedures P13 and P14). ). Note that the above serial interrupt
When transmission / reception data enters the reception buffer or the transmission buffer, an interrupt signal is automatically input to the CPU.

The sensor and switch detection process during the timer interrupt process (FIG. 20) is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 22 (A).

That is, first, the purchase switch 113, the interruption switch 114,
The on / off states of the end switch 115, the test switch 179, and the call switch 165a are read and compared with the previous states (procedures P51, P52). In the comparison of the states, for example, whether a state has changed can be easily known by performing a logical operation such as an exclusive OR. Here, if there is a switch that is newly turned on, the on state of the switch is saved in the internal RAM (procedure P53).

Next, whether sensor detection is in progress (procedure P54),
That is, it is determined whether or not “playing”, and if the sensor is being detected, the states of the firing sensor SNS5, the safe sensors SNS2, SNS3, the foul sensor SNS4, and the out sensor SNS1 are read and compared with the previous state (procedures P55 and P56). ). If there is a sensor that is newly turned on, the on state of the sensor is saved in the internal RAM (procedure P57).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not drive control of the hit ball launching device 103 is being performed.If the drive control is being performed, the process jumps to the procedure P60,
If it is not controlled, the on-state of the firing sensor saved in the RAM in procedure P57 is invalidated (procedures P58 and P5
9). Then, if the firing sensor is turned on after looking at the data saved in the RAM, the counter provided in the RAM for counting the number of floating balls is added (procedures P60 and P61). If the firing sensor is off, the process proceeds to the next procedure P62 without incrementing the number of floating balls, and determines whether the number of floating balls is “0”. Here, if the number of floating balls is "0"
The ON state of the first safe sensor SNS2 saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedure P76), and if it is not “0”, it is checked whether the first safe sensor is in the ON state. If it is ON, the number of floating balls is reduced (procedures P63, P64). ), If the first safe sensor is off, the process directly proceeds to the procedure P65, and it is determined again whether or not the number of floating balls is “0”.

And if the number of floating balls is “0”, the second saved in RAM
Disable the ON state of the safe sensor SNS3 (procedure P7
7) If it is not “0”, check whether the second safe sensor is on or not. If it is on, subtract the number of floating balls (procedures P66 and P6).
7) After that, if the second safe sensor is off, the process directly proceeds to the procedure P68, and it is determined again whether or not the number of floating balls is “0”. Here, if the number of floating balls is “0”, the on state of the foul sensor SNS4 saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedure P7
8) If it is not "0", check whether the foul sensor is on or not, and if it is on, subtract the number of floating balls (procedure P69, P70)
After that, if the foul sensor is off again, the process directly proceeds to the procedure P71, and it is determined again whether or not the number of floating balls is “0”.
Here, if the number of floating balls is "0", the ON state of the out sensor SNS1 saved in the RAM is invalidated (procedure P79),
If it is not "0", it is checked whether the out sensor is on or not. If it is on, the number of floating balls is subtracted (procedures P72 and P73). If either of the above is valid, an instruction is made to reserve the hit sound and turn on the safe sphere display lamp, and then add (+1) the on-time counter for the valid on-state sensor saved in the RAM (procedure) P75).

Thereafter, the switch invalidation processing of FIG. 22 (B) is executed. In this process, first check whether the operating state is "playing",
If "Playing", invalidate the ON state of the test switch saved in RAM (procedures P81 and P82). If not "Playing", disable the ON state of the suspend switch 114 and purchase switch 113 (procedure P83), and then play the card. It is determined whether the state is “return to zero”. If the state is “return to zero”, the ON states of the saved purchase switch, interruption switch, and end switch 115 are invalidated (procedures P84, P85).

As described above, in the control of the pachinko machine by the unit controller 180 of the present embodiment, the concept of a floating ball is adopted, and a ball obtained by subtracting the number of winning balls, out balls, and foul balls from the number of firing balls floats. It is considered that the ball exists in the game board, and when a winning ball or the like is detected such that the number of floating balls becomes “0” or less, the detection is invalidated. Thus, an erroneous detection signal due to noise or the like can be eliminated, and the calculation accuracy of the number of balls can be improved.

FIG. 23 shows the procedure of the ball number calculation task by the unit controller 180.

In this task, first, it is determined whether or not a sensor is being detected, that is, a game is being performed by looking at a flag or a signal (procedure P181). If no sensor is being detected, a counter for counting the number of times each sensor is turned on is cleared (procedure P182). During sensor detection, the firing sensor SNS5, the first safe sensor SNS, the second safe sensor SNS3, the foul sensor SNS4, and the out sensor SN obtained in the processing of FIG. 22A according to the procedures P183 to P199.
Read the number of times each sensor of S1 is turned on,
The number of out-balls and the difference are calculated, and finally the total number of prize balls is added to the hit calculation register (procedure P200).

FIG. 24 shows the procedure of the switch detection task by the unit controller 180.

In this task, first, a flag or a signal is checked to determine whether or not sensor detection is being performed (procedure P201). If detection is not being performed, an interrupt switch 114, a purchase switch 113, and an end switch 11 are determined.
5. Check whether the call switch 165a or the test switch 179 is turned on (procedures P202 to P206). When any one of the switches is turned on, a corresponding process is executed. When the call switch among the above switches is turned on, the status display lamp 162 of the pachinko machine is changed to blinking, and the output of the switch operation sound is reserved (procedure P219).

On the other hand, if the sensor is being detected in procedure P201, procedure P2
The process proceeds to 07 to determine whether or not a search timer (procedure P215) described later is operating. If not, it is determined in procedures P213 and P214 whether the number of balls and the amount of the playing card are “0”. If the number of balls is "0" and the amount is not "0", purchase request processing (procedure P217) is performed. Specifically, an output reservation for a sound prompting the ON of the purchase switch 113 and a display update reservation for blinking of a lamp built in the purchase switch are made.

However, if both the number of balls and the amount of money are “0”, the search timer (10 seconds) is operated to start the zero-return judgment, and a sound output notifying that the search timer is operating is reserved, and then the procedure returns to the procedure P201. (Procedures P215, P216).

Then, it is determined again in the procedure P207 whether the search timer is operating, and if it is operating, the process proceeds to the procedure P208, and it is determined whether there is any floating ball remaining in the game board. Here, if there is no floating ball, the flow shifts to procedure P212, where the occurrence of a return-to-zero packet is determined, and transmission of a “return-to-zero” packet is reserved.

On the other hand, during the operation of the search timer, while the floating balls remain, the process proceeds from the procedure P208 to P209 to determine whether or not the search timer (10 seconds) has been exceeded. To return to zero. This is because it is usually impossible for floating balls to exist even after 10 seconds have passed since the number of balls reached “0”.

If the search timer has not expired, the procedure shifts from the procedure P209 to P210, and it is determined again whether or not the number of balls is "0". If not, the search timer is stopped and the return zero determination is made. Cancel (procedure P211). This considers the case where the floating ball wins the winning opening during the operation of the search timer and the number of balls held is added, whereby the game control is continued again. If the number of balls is not “0” during the non-operation of the search timer, the procedure shifts to procedure P218 to determine whether or not the value of the hit calculation register has become larger than a predetermined number of hits. At that time, the hitting process is executed. For this number of hits, prepare multiple hitting modes in advance,
The mode may be selected by a program or the like, and the number of hits according to the mode may be compared with the value of the hit calculation register.

FIG. 25 shows the timing of input / output signals when the pachinko machine is controlled by the unit controller 180.

The number representing the number of balls is, for example, a value calculated by setting the purchased ball rate to 50 balls / 200 yen, the number of main prize balls to 13, and the number of sub prize balls to 7.

At timing t _1, after receiving a response packet ACK for "card in" packets, an ON signal of the purchase switch 113 at timing t ₂ comes in, firing drive control signal is changed to the high level, hitting launcher 103 Can be driven. At the same time, the frequency of the balance of the card is subtracted by “2”, the number of balls for 200 yen is added, and the display of the amount of money and the number of balls are updated.

Thereafter, when a detection pulse is received from each sensor, the number of floating balls and the number of balls are calculated in a unit controller in the unit control device 180 in real time, and the number of balls and the display thereof are changed one after another. Incidentally, when the number of floating balls in the controller is set to "0", even if the detection pulses safe sensor (see P ₁₎ which is invalid,
The number of award balls is not added.

During the ball game control, when an ON signal of the interruption switch 114 comes in (timing t ₃ ), the firing drive control signal is turned off. However, the display is maintained in the state at the time of interruption. Thereafter, when the ACK packet of “interrupted card-in” is received (timing t ₄ ), the game control is started again,
To end the game at the time when the ON signal of the end switch 115 has entered (timing t _5), clear display and the number of balls at the time of receiving the ACK of "Exit switch" (timing t _6), the amount data to "0" Is done.

On the other hand, if a return-to-zero state occurs in which both the amount of money and the number of balls are “0” during the game (timing
t ₇ ), the search timer is started, and if there is no detection pulse of the safe sensor 1 or 2 within 10 seconds, a “return-to-zero” packet is transmitted. When the ACK is received (t ₈ ), the number of floating balls is reduced. Cleared to "0". If the number of floating balls becomes “0” during the operation of the search timer, a “return-to-zero” packet is transmitted at that time.

26 (A) to 26 (E) show the pachinko machine controller CP.
FIG. 27 shows an example of a main control flow of U1, and FIG. 27 shows an example of an interrupt control flow by a timer interrupt.

The task of the pachinko machine controller of this embodiment is to monitor the output signals of the five sphere detecting sensors of the launch sensor SNS5, the first and second safe sensors SNS2, SNS3, the foul sensor SNS4, and the out sensor SNS1, and to monitor the launch sphere. The return sphere is identified, and only the signal of a fixed pulse width is recognized as a detection signal, and the number of detections of each sphere is counted, and the waveform-shaped detection signals of a fixed pulse width (launch signal, safe 1 signal, safe 2 signal) The main contents are to output as a signal, a foul signal and an out signal) to the unit controller in the unit control device 180 at predetermined intervals.

Specifically, the output signal of each sensor is sampled in a 200 μs timer interrupt process to determine the presence / absence of a detection signal, and then the counter is updated. We guarantee time intervals (pauses).

 First, the main control flow in FIG. 26 will be described.

When the pachinko machine controller CPU1 is reset, it first clears the internal memory and then writes check data to the memory (routines R801 and R802). Then, after setting a stack pointer to be a save area at the time of an interrupt, the timer is activated to a 200 μs timer counter, and the 27th
Start the timer interrupt shown in the figure (Routine R803, R80
Four).

Then, check the flag and check the unit controller 18
It is determined whether or not the firing signal to be output for 0 is being output (routine R805). If not, the process proceeds to routine R806, and it is determined whether the output is paused by looking at the "pause" flag. In the routine R807, by looking at the counter, it is determined whether or not there is a portion of the detected firing spheres that has not output a firing signal. If there is any remaining firing signal output, the routine proceeds to routine R810, in which the number of remaining firing signal outputs is reduced by one, and then the firing signal output is raised from a low level to a high level. Is set (routine R811). Then, after setting the firing signal output timer (5 ms), the process proceeds to the next sensor output process (FIG. 26 (B)).

Then, when the routine returns to the routine R805, it is determined that the firing signal is being output, and the process proceeds to the routine R813 to determine whether or not the output timer set in the routine R812 has timed out. If the time is not over, the process directly proceeds to the next sensor output process. If the time is over, the output of the firing signal is lowered from the high level to the low level in the routine R814. As a result, a detection signal having a pulse width of 5 ms is formed. In the routine R814, the flag indicating that the firing signal is being output is reset, and thereafter, the “pause” flag is set to “1”.
Is set, the pause timer (10 ms) is set, and the process proceeds to the next sensor output processing (routines R815 and R816).

And when I came to routine R805 again,
The routine proceeds to R806, where it is determined that a pause is being made, and the routine R8 is executed.
Move to 08. Here, it is determined whether the time of the pause timer is over. If the time is not over, the process directly proceeds to the next sensor output process. If the time is over, the “pause” flag is reset and the process proceeds to the routine R807 (routine R807). R809). As a result, even when the output of the sensor is continuous, a pause period of 10 ms is always provided, and the detection signal is accurately transmitted to the unit controller.

FIG. 26 (B) shows the procedure of the output processing of the safe 1 signal corresponding to the detection signal of the safe sensor SNS2. This procedure is almost the same as the output processing of the firing sensor SNS5 in FIG. 7A, and outputs the safe 1 signal having a pulse width of 5 ms at an interval of at least 10 ms when the remaining number of safe 1 signals is present (routine R817-R828).

Following the same procedure, the safe 2 signal output processing (FIG. 26 (C) routines R829 to R830), foul signal output processing (FIG. 26 (D) routines R831 to R842), and out signal output processing (FIG. 26) (E) Routines R843 to R854) are executed.

Next, the procedure of the timer interrupt process of the pachinko machine controller CPU1 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the timer counter is started in the routine R804 in the main control flow of FIG. 26 (A), a timer interrupt is started every 200 μS. First, the check data written in the internal memory in the routine R802 is checked, and an abnormality is found in the memory. Check if there is any (routine R901). Here, if there is an abnormality in the check data, the power of the CPU itself is reduced (routine R940). Then, since the watchdog pulse is not output, the external reset circuit RST1 (19th
(See the figure).

On the other hand, if there is no abnormality in the check data, the routine R9
Proceeding to 02, the output signals of all five game ball sensors in the pachinko machine are read and then converted into positive logic (routine R903). In other words, there are sensors that indicate "valid" when the output signal is low level and those that indicate "valid" when the output signal is high level. Therefore, the detection signals of all sensors are converted to indicate valid at a high level. I do. Thereafter, the on-edge of the sensor, that is, the change from off to on is detected by comparing the previous read data with the present read data (routine R904). Then, it is determined whether or not all sensors of the firing sensor, the first safe sensor, the second safe sensor, the foul sensor, and the out sensor have an on-edge (routines R905 to R909). Clears the on-timer prepared in (Routines R901 to R91
Four). Then, update the on-timer of each sensor (+1)
After that (routine R915), it is determined whether or not each sensor has an off edge, that is, whether there is a change from on to off (routine R9).
16-R920).

When the off-edge of the firing sensor is detected in the above-mentioned routine R916, the process proceeds to the routine R921, and the sensor on-time is 0.4 ms.
It is determined whether it is less than 3.0 mS, and if it is within this range, it is regarded as a normal detection signal, and the counter for counting the remaining number of fired signal outputs (the number of fired balls) is updated (+1) (routine
R922). On the other hand, if the ON time of the firing sensor is equal to or longer than 3.0 ms, it is considered that a foul ball has been detected, and the counter for counting the remaining output of the foul signal is updated (+1) (routines R923 and R924). This is because, due to the configuration of the pachinko machine, the ball launched from the firing rail into the game board passes through the firing sensor in the opposite direction without returning to the foul ball ball receiving port 134 and returns to the base of the rail. Because there is. Such a difference in the direction of the sphere can be detected by arranging two or more sensors along the rail, but the present inventors focused on the difference between the speed of the returning sphere and the speed of the firing sphere, and It was found that the firing sphere and the returning sphere could be distinguished by one sensor because it was always faster. Looking at this with the output time of the sensor, the sensor on time at the time of detecting a shooting ball with a fast ball speed is
On-time for detecting a returning ball with a slow ball speed of 0.8 to 2.4 mS is several tens
It turned out to be more than mS. Therefore, when the on-time of the firing sensor is 3.0 mS, it is regarded as a foul sphere and the number of remaining foul signal outputs is updated.

On the other hand, when the on-time of the firing sensor is less than 0.4 mS, it is regarded as noise, and the process proceeds to the routine R917 without updating any counter of the firing signal and the foul signal (routine R923).

In the routines R917, R918, R919, and R920, a first safe sensor, a second safe sensor, a foul sensor,
When the off edge of the out sensor is detected, it is determined whether or not the on time of each sensor is 4.0 ms or more, and when it is 0.4 or more, the remaining output number of each detection signal is updated (+1) (routine R925). ~ R932).

Thereafter, the output timer and the pause timer of each of the above sensors are updated in the routine R933, respectively, and then a watchdog pulse is output to terminate the interrupt processing (routine R933).
R934).

In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine of a sealed ball circulation system constituting a card type gaming system for managing data using card numbers, but the present invention is applied to a sealed ball circulation system. The present invention is not limited to this, and it can be used not only for ordinary pachinko machines but also for other types of ball game machines other than pachinko machines such as arrange ball machines.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, the present invention relates to a ball game machine,
A sensor as a game ball detecting means is provided along a firing rail provided corresponding to the guide rail, and a pulse width of an output signal from the game ball detecting means is within a predetermined value range (for example,
When it is within the range of 0.4 to 3.0 mS), it is recognized as a launching sphere, and when the pulse width is a predetermined value or more (for example, 3.0 mS or more), it is recognized as a returning sphere. The sensor can be easily installed because only one sensor is required. In addition, there is no erroneous detection caused by the collision between the launch ball and the return ball between the two sensors, and the noise of the sensor is also cut. This allows accurate counting of the number of possessed balls.

In the embodiment, a launch sensor that detects a launch ball and a return ball, a safe sensor that detects a game ball that has won a winning area, and an out sensor that detects a game ball that has flowed into an out hole are separately provided. Calculates the number of floating balls present in the game section in real time based on the detection signals from the firing sensor and the out sensor, and validates only the detection signal from the safe sensor generated when the number of floating balls is 1 or more. Therefore, if a safe sensor detection signal is generated even though the launched game ball does not exist, this is not recognized as a winning ball, thereby preventing malfunction due to noise, providing more accurate control and the number of balls held. There is an effect that the counting of the numbers can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a card-type system using a sealed ball circulation type pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 (A) and (B) show a system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view and an internal configuration diagram showing an example of a card to be used. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a pachinko machine constituting a gaming system. FIGS. 4 (A) and (B) are front views of the pachinko machine. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel unit, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the operation panel unit, and FIG. 7 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an enclosed ball circulating device, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state where the enclosed ball circulating device is attached to a pachinko machine, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing details of a base of a hitting ball firing rail, FIG. The figure shows the pachinko machine with the front panel open FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a frame holding a game board and a frame board provided with a firing rail coupled thereto, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a rear configuration of a front frame of a pachinko machine. Fig. 13, Fig. 13 is a rear perspective view showing a configuration example of the back side of the pachinko machine, Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the pachinko machine control unit, and Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the control unit thereof. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a front panel of the control unit, FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between the pachinko machine and the control unit, FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a control system of the entire pachinko machine, FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the pachinko machine control device. FIGS. 20 to 24 show a processing flow of the unit control device. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a timer interrupt process. Figure 21 shows Syria 22 (A) and (B) are flowcharts showing specific procedures of sensor, switch detection processing and switch invalidation processing in the interrupt processing flow of FIG. 20, and FIG. 23 is a sphere. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a switch detection task, FIG. 25 is an input / output timing chart in a unit control device, and FIGS. 26 (A) to (E) are diagrams in a pachinko machine controller. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a control procedure, and FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a timer interrupt process in the pachinko machine controller. 100 ... Pachinko machine, 110 ... Operation panel, 113 ... Purchase switch, 114 ... Pause switch, 115 ... End switch, 130 ... Ball circulation device, 160 ... Control unit, 180 ...
… Unit controller, 188 …… Card reader controller, 1
95 ... Pachinko machine controller, 200 ... Card issuing machine, 300
…… Checkout machine, 400 …… Management device, 800 …… Card reader,
802: Card slot, 821: Magnetic head.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A ball game machine having a game section surrounded by guide rails on the front surface of a game board, wherein one hitting ball is hit into the game section by a hit ball launching device. Game ball detection means is provided along the provided launch rail, and when the pulse width of the output signal from the game ball detection means is within a predetermined value range, it is recognized as a shooting ball, and the pulse width is equal to or more than a predetermined value. A method of detecting a game ball in a ball game machine, wherein the game ball is recognized as a return ball. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined value range in which a pulse width of an output signal from said game ball detection means is recognized as a shooting ball is 0.4 to 3.0 mS. Game ball detection method. 3. The game in the ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value at which the pulse width of the output signal from the game ball detection means is recognized as a return ball is 3.0 mS or more. Ball detection method.