JP5071431B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine, and more particularly to a ball game machine having a function of detecting a game ball inappropriate for a game.

  Conventionally, in a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, a so-called goto action such as using a magnet to win a game ball in a winning opening, or using a small-diameter ball to easily enter a winning ball There is a person who commits cheating. In order to prevent such a fraud, for example, a countermeasure such as a non-magnetic ball that does not react with a magnet is considered for a game ball used in a game store against a fraud using a magnet.

  However, as a measure to prevent fraud, even if measures were taken such as changing the game ball used at the amusement store to a non-magnetic ball, a fraudulent person brought the magnetic ball from the outside and got it into the gaming machine. Above, there are cases where fraud with magnets is performed. Therefore, as a further anti-fraud measure, the game machine is provided with a sensor for detecting whether there is a game ball that is inappropriate for games such as magnetic balls or small-diameter balls in the game ball. When a ball is detected, a game machine that stops an operation of the gaming machine and holds an inappropriate game ball has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-284217 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, since the operation of the gaming machine is stopped every time an inappropriate gaming ball is detected, the gaming machine is inappropriate for some reason. If an incorrect game ball is mixed, an employee of the game store must collect the inappropriate game ball held in the gaming machine every time an inappropriate game ball is detected. There was a problem that an extra burden was applied.

  In addition, if the operation of the gaming machine is stopped due to an inappropriate game ball held in the gaming machine, the player who has played with the gaming machine will be informed by the employee of the gaming store. It is necessary to wait in a state where the game is interrupted until it is recovered. In this way, if a player who has played with the game machine before himself / herself has been cheating, even if the player has no fault, the game will be temporarily stopped. It could be profitable and uncomfortable, which was also a problem.

  Furthermore, a dedicated passage for collecting inappropriate game balls is provided in advance in the gaming machine, and when an inappropriate gaming ball is detected, the game ball is sent to the dedicated passage so that the operation of the gaming machine is not stopped. It was also possible to collect inappropriate game balls, but if a dedicated passage is provided, the structure inside the gaming machine will be complicated, and the structure inside the gaming machine will be complicated only for collecting inappropriate game balls. That was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when an inappropriate game ball is detected in the game balls, the inappropriate game ball is collected without stopping the operation of the gaming machine. As a result, it is not necessary for a game store employee to collect an inappropriate game ball each time, and it is not necessary to place an extra burden on the employee, and the player also needs to interrupt the game. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball game machine that can be used as a simple improper ball detection and collection system without suffering disadvantages or feeling deeply uncomfortable.

In order to solve such a problem, an invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a launch control device that controls a launch device to launch a game ball with a strength according to the operation of the launch handle by a player. A launching passage including the launching control device and performing various controls of the gaming machine, a launching passage through which a game ball launched from the launching device passes from below to above, and an upper end of the launching passage The game area where the game balls released from the rolling fall and the foul ball collection provided in the middle of the launch passage to collect the game balls launched from the launcher but not released to the game area There is a game ball passage blocking means provided between the mouth and the foul ball collection port in the launch passage and the upper end portion, and is capable of changing between a state in which a game ball launched from the launch device can pass and a state in which the game ball cannot pass through. And then Before playing ball reaches the game ball passage preventing means has an incorrect ball detection means for detecting whether appropriate game ball or inappropriate game ball to the game ball is released into the game area, When the inappropriate ball detection means detects an inappropriate game ball, the control device sets the inappropriate game ball passage prevention means to the inappropriate ball before the inappropriate game ball reaches the game ball passage prevention means. The game ball is controlled so that it cannot pass through, and the inappropriate game ball that has become impossible to pass by the game ball passage blocking means is collected at the foul ball collection port. It is characterized by having a bullet ball machine.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if a game ball inappropriate for a game is detected in the game balls, the inappropriate game balls can be collected without stopping the operation of the gaming machine. For this reason, it is not necessary for an employee of the game store to collect an inappropriate game ball each time, and it is possible to prevent an extra burden on the employee.

  In addition, since the game is not interrupted by the detection of an inappropriate game ball, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that does not suffer any disadvantage or feel uncomfortable for the player.

  Furthermore, when collecting inappropriate game balls, the foul ball collection port originally provided in the gaming machine is used, so it is necessary to install a configuration for collecting inappropriate game balls. It is only necessary to install a minimum one, and a simple inappropriate ball detection and collection system can be obtained.

It is the perspective view which looked at the pachinko game machine in the embodiment of the present invention from the surface side. It is a front view of the state which removed the front frame of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a back view for demonstrating the game ball collection | recovery mechanism of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the launch control process in the launch control circuit of the pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in the main control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit determination process in the main control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the symbol game process in the main control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process in the main control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in the presentation control circuit of the same pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in the ball replenishment control circuit of the same pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the shot ball supply process in the ball supply control circuit of the pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the ball removal process in the ball replenishment control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the magnetic body ball | bowl detection process in the launch control circuit of the same pachinko machine.

  Hereinafter, a ball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, a pachinko game machine is described as an example of a ball game machine, and in particular, an encapsulated pachinko game machine having a structure in which a game ball is circulated is described. Further, the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment is a pachinko gaming machine in which all game balls to be used are non-magnetic balls, and a magnetic ball is described as an inappropriate game ball in the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side, FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine with a front frame removed, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 4 is a back view for explaining a game ball collecting mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the launch control process in the launch control circuit of the pachinko machine, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process in the main control circuit of the pachinko machine, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a jackpot determination process in the main control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a symbol game process in the main control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 9 is a main flowchart of the pachinko gaming machine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a jackpot game process in the control circuit, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process in the effect control circuit of the pachinko machine, and FIG. 11 is a timer interrupt in the ball replenishment control circuit of the pachinko machine. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a shot ball supply process in the ball supply control circuit of the pachinko gaming machine, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a shot ball removal process in the ball supply control circuit of the pachinko machine, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the magnetic body ball | bowl detection process in.

  In the enclosed pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, first, an outer frame 1 is installed on a Taijima island of a game store. The outer frame 1 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with an opening on each of the front and rear surfaces, and an inner frame 2 positioned in front of the outer frame 1 rotates about a shaft 3 oriented in the vertical direction. It is installed as possible. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner frame 2 forms a vertically long rectangular ring, and has a left plate portion, a right plate portion, an upper plate portion, and a lower plate portion. The inner frame 2 is rotated about the shaft 3 between a closed state in which the front end surface of the outer frame 1 is in contact with the front and an open state in which the front end surface of the outer frame 1 is spaced forward. It is locked in a closed state via an inner frame locking mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 positioned in front of the inner frame 2 is attached. The front frame 4 is rotated about a common shaft 3 with the inner frame 2 between a closed state in which the front surface of the inner frame 2 is closed and an open state in which the front surface of the inner frame 2 is opened. Yes, a circular through hole is formed in the front frame 4, and a transparent glass window 5 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. A lock mechanism 6 is attached to the front frame 4. The lock mechanism 6 is a cylinder lock and has a rotor. The rotor is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position around an axis oriented in the front-rear direction, and a dedicated key can be attached to and detached from the front with the front frame 4 closed. Inserted into. This rotor is allowed to be rotated with a key inserted, and is prohibited to be rotated with no key inserted. A lock plate is fixed to the rotor. Has been. The lock plate engages with the inner frame 2 at the rotor locking position and disengages from the inner frame 2 at the rotor unlocking position. The front frame 4 is located between the lock plate and the inner frame 2 at the rotor locking position. The front frame 4 is unlocked so as to be operable between the closed state and the open state at the unlocked position of the rotor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a card insertion slot 7, a game start switch 8, a game stop switch 9, and a ball storage display 10 are fixed to the front frame 4 as shown in FIG. 1. The card insertion slot 7 is for a player to insert a prepaid card from the front, and the stored number information P is recorded on the prepaid card as magnetic information so that it can be read and written. The game start switch 8 can be operated from the front by the player, and outputs a game start signal when operated. The game stop switch 9 can be operated from the front by the player, and outputs a game stop signal when operated. The storage display 10 is an LED display and can be visually recognized by the player from the front.

  A front plate 11 is fixed to the inner frame 2 as shown in FIG. The front plate 11 is disposed below the front frame 4 and has a horizontally long rectangular shape. A handle base 12 is fixed to the front plate 11, and a firing handle 13 is attached to the handle base 12. The launch handle 13 can be operated by the player with fingers from the front, and is rotatable about an axis oriented in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a horizontally long base plate 14 is fixed to the inner frame 2, and a firing solenoid 15 made of a rotary solenoid is fixed to the base plate 14. A ball striking rod 16 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the output shaft of the firing solenoid 15, and the firing solenoid 15 reciprocates the ball striking rod 16 between the standby position and the ball striking position when a driving power source is applied. Move operation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a solenoid circuit 17 is connected to the firing solenoid 15. This solenoid circuit 17 supplies drive power to the firing solenoid 15, and a launch control circuit 18 as a launch control device mainly composed of a microcomputer is connected to the solenoid circuit 17. Note that a launching device for a game ball is constituted by the launching solenoid 15, the hitting ball 16, the solenoid circuit 17, a firing rail 19 described later, a ball stopper plate 20 described later, and the like.

  The firing control circuit 18 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and a handle sensor 13 a is connected to the firing control circuit 18. The handle sensor 13a outputs an operation signal in a state where the firing handle 13 is rotated clockwise from a predetermined firing stop position. The firing control circuit 18 receives an operation signal from the handle sensor 13a. The firing solenoid 15 is driven by controlling the solenoid circuit 17 on the condition that it is output. Further, the firing control circuit 18 normally receives the firing strength according to the operation of the launch handle 13 by the player from the handle sensor 13a, and the launch strength according to the operation of the launch handle 13 by the player is given by the launcher. The information is transmitted to the firing solenoid 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a firing rail 19 is fixed to the base plate 14 of the inner frame 2. The launch rail 19 is supplied with game balls, and has an inclined shape that rises from right to left. A ball stopper plate 20 is formed at the right end of the launch rail 19, and the ball stopper plate 20 is formed with a through hole having a size that prevents a game ball from passing therethrough. The ball stop plate 20 prevents the game ball on the launch rail 19 from falling from the right end of the launch rail 19, and the ball hitting bar 16 moves from the standby position to the hit ball position so that the ball stop plate 20 is moved. A game ball that is supported so as not to fall is hit from the right to the left through the through hole of the ball stopper plate 20 and rolled from the right to the left along the launch rail 19.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a vertical plate-like game board 21 positioned above the base plate 14 is fixed to the inner frame 2. The game board 21 is located behind the front frame 4 in the closed state of the front frame 4, and the front surface of the game board 21 is closed so that fingers cannot be touched from the front in the closed state of the front frame 4. Then, the front frame 4 is opened so that it can be touched with fingers from the front. An inner rail 22, an outer rail 23 and a ball stopper rubber 24 are fixed to the front surface of the game board 21. The inner rail 22 is composed of an arc-shaped metal plate whose upper surface is open, and the outer rail 23 is composed of an arc-shaped metal plate disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the inner rail 22. The rubber 24 is made of rubber that closes the gap between the right end of the inner rail 22 and the right end of the outer rail 23.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 21 is fixed with a ball supply mechanism 25 located behind the game board 21. The ball supply mechanism 25 is connected to the island facility of the game store via the ball supply tube 26, and game balls are supplied to the ball supply mechanism 25 from the island facility of the game store through the ball supply tube 26. . The ball supply mechanism 25 uses a ball supply motor 27 (see FIG. 3) as a drive source, and a sprocket is connected to the rotation shaft of the ball supply motor 27. The sprocket is formed with a plurality of concave ball receiving portions for receiving game balls supplied from the ball supply tube 26, and each of the plurality of ball receiving portions is a unit in which the rotation axis of the ball supply motor 27 is predetermined. A game ball is released every time it rotates by an amount, and the ball supply tube 26 supplies a game ball to an empty ball receiving portion each time the rotation shaft of the ball supply motor 27 rotates by a predetermined unit amount.

  The ball supply motor 27 is connected to the motor circuit 28 as shown in FIG. The motor circuit 28 supplies drive power to the ball supply motor 27 and is connected to the ball supply control circuit 29. The ball replenishment control circuit 29 controls the motor circuit 28 to rotate the ball replenishment motor 27 and is connected to the launch control circuit 18. This ball replenishment control circuit 29 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ball supply mechanism 25 is connected to an upper end portion of a ball supply passage 30 that is directed in the vertical direction. The ball supply passage 30 is fixed so as to be positioned behind the game board 21, and the lower end portion of the ball supply passage 30 is connected to the left end portion of the launch ball passage 31. The shot ball passage 31 has an inclined shape that descends from left to right, and the game ball released from the ball supply mechanism 25 is supplied into the shot ball passage 31 through the ball supply passage 30.

  The firing ball passage 31 is fixed to the base plate 14 of the inner frame 2 so as to be positioned behind the base plate 14, and the game balls supplied from the ball supply passage 30 into the launch ball passage 31 are fired. Rolls in the ball passage 31 from left to right. A ball feeding mechanism 32 is connected to the right end portion of the firing ball passage 31. This ball feeding mechanism 32 moves one game ball from the inside of the shot ball passage 31 onto the shot rail 19 in conjunction with the movement of the hit ball 16 from the shot position to the standby position. The ball feeding mechanism 32 hits the game ball transferred from the inside of the launch ball passage 31 onto the launch rail 19 to launch from the left end portion of the launch rail 19.

  In the present embodiment, a magnetic ball detecting sensor 101 as an inappropriate ball detecting means is arranged in the ball feeding mechanism 32, and the next game ball to be transferred to the launch rail 19, that is, the next launch device is launched. Whether or not the game ball is a magnetic ball is detected by a magnetic ball detection sensor 101.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ball feed mechanism 32 is connected to an inlet of a ball removal passage 33. The ball removal passage 33 is used to draw out the game ball in the launch ball passage 31 to the outside through the ball feed mechanism 32, and is fixed to the base plate 14 of the inner frame 2 at the rear of the base plate 14. A shutter is attached to the entrance of the ball passage 33. The shutter is movable between an open state in which the entrance of the ball removal passage 33 is opened so that the game ball can enter and a closed state in which the game ball is closed so that the game ball cannot enter, and a ball removal solenoid 34 ( (See FIG. 3).

  The ball removal solenoid 34 corresponds to a shutter drive source. When the ball removal solenoid 34 is in an electrically off state, the shutter is stopped in a closed state, whereby the inlet of the ball removal passage 33 is closed, and the ball removal solenoid 34 is closed. In the electrically on state of 34, the shutter moves to the open state, so that the entrance of the ball removal passage 33 is opened. The ball removal solenoid 34 is connected to the firing control circuit 18 via a solenoid circuit 35 as shown in FIG. The solenoid circuit 35 supplies a drive source to the ball removal solenoid 34, and the firing control circuit 18 controls the solenoid circuit 35 to open and close the entrance of the ball removal passage 33.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 21 has a firing passage 36 located between the inner rail 22 and the outer rail 23. The launch passage 36 has an arc shape with an opening at each of the lower end and the upper end. A game ball launched from the left end of the launch rail 19 passes through the lower end of the launch passage 36 and enters the launch passage 36. enter in. The game ball rises from below to above while drawing an arc-shaped trajectory along the launch passage 36 and is discharged from the upper end of the launch passage 36. A game area 37 is formed on the game board 21 adjacent to the right side of the launch passage 36.

  This game area 37 refers to the remaining circular area excluding the firing path 36 in the area surrounded by the inner rail 22, the outer rail 23 and the ball stopper rubber 24, and is released from the upper end of the firing path 36. This corresponds to the maximum range in which a game ball can roll. The game area 37 is such that the window 5 of the front frame 4 faces from the front when the front frame 4 is closed, and is visually recognizable through the window 5 from the front when the front frame 4 is closed. A plurality of obstacle nails are fixed to the game board 21 in the game area 37, and the game balls discharged from the upper end of the launch passage 36 into the game area 37 hit the obstacle nails while rolling. It falls in the area 37.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a foul ball collection port 80 is formed in the middle of the launch passage 36. The foul ball collection port 80 is a game ball that has been launched by the hitting ball 16 of the launcher, but has returned to the launch path 36 without being discharged from the upper end of the launch path 36 to the game area 37. The ball T is provided so as not to be returned to the launching device, and is formed as a hole opened downward near the lower end of the launching passage 36 in the present embodiment. Although illustration is omitted, the game balls T (foul balls) collected at the foul ball collection port 80 are collected and circulated in the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the same manner as other game balls.

  A game ball passage blocking member 102 as a game ball passage blocking means is disposed between the foul ball collection port 80 and the upper end portion in the launch passage 36. The game ball passage blocking member 102 can pass through the launch passage 36 at a position where the game ball passage prevention member 102 is placed with respect to the game ball launched by the hitting ball 16 of the launching device. It is variable depending on the state.

  The game ball passage blocking member 102 according to the present embodiment is composed of a solenoid and a plate-like or rod-like member attached to the solenoid, and a solenoid circuit 103 is connected as shown in FIG. This solenoid circuit 103 supplies drive power to the solenoid of the game ball passage blocking member 102, and the solenoid circuit 103 is connected to a launch control circuit 18 as a launch control device mainly composed of a microcomputer. .

  Further, the game ball passage blocking member 102 of the present embodiment is disposed outside the outer rail 23 in the launch passage 36, and is formed so as not to protrude into the launch passage 36 when the power is off (in FIG. 2). (Shown as a dotted line). When the power is turned on, it is formed so as to protrude into the launch passage 36 from an insertion hole (not shown) opened in a part of the outer rail 23 (shown by a solid line in FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 21 has a start port 38 fixed in the game area 37. The starting port 38 has a pocket shape that allows a game ball rolling in the game area 37 to win, and the game ball won in the starting port 38 is discharged to the rear of the game board 21 through the starting port 38. Is done. A start port sensor 39 (see FIG. 3) comprising a proximity switch is fixed in the start port 38, and when the game ball wins the start port 38, a start signal is output from the start port sensor 39. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, a special winning opening 40 is fixed to the game board 21 in the game area 37. The special winning opening 40 has a horizontally long box shape with an open front, and the special winning opening 40 is mounted with a door 41 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 42 directed in the left-right direction. The door 41 is connected to a plunger of a special winning opening solenoid 43 (see FIG. 3). When the special winning opening solenoid 43 is in an electrically off state, the door 41 is stationary in a vertical closed state so that the special winning opening 40 is closed. The game ball closes in front of the game.

  The door 41 rotates around the shaft 42 in an open state in which the special prize opening solenoid 43 is electrically turned on and horizontally falls forward, and rolls in the game area 37 when the door 41 is open. It is allowed that the game ball to be placed on the door 41 wins the special winning opening 40, and the game ball that has won the special winning opening 40 is discharged to the rear of the game board 21 through the special winning opening 40. A count sensor 44 (see FIG. 3) composed of a proximity switch is fixed in the special winning opening 40. When a game ball wins the special winning opening 40, a count signal is output from the count sensor 44. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, a display frame 45 is fixed to the game board 21 in a game area 37, and a special symbol display 46 is fixed to the display frame 45. The special symbol display 46 is an LED display, and when the game ball wins the start opening 38, a special symbol game video is displayed on the special symbol display 46. This special symbol game video displays the special symbols in order in a variable state and a variable stop state. This special symbol variation display is to change the special symbol cyclically in a predetermined order “1” → “7” → “1”..., And the special symbol stop display is a special symbol variation display. Is stopped at any one of “1” and “7”, the special symbol “1” is referred to as the off symbol, and the special symbol “7” is referred to as the jackpot symbol.

  If the special symbol display 46 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 46 in the special symbol game, the big hit round is started. This jackpot round allows the game ball to win the special winning opening 40 by opening the special winning opening 40, and the special winning symbol "7" is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 46 in the special symbol game. In the event of a failure, 15 big hit rounds will be held. This jackpot round ends when either the upper limit number (for example, 10) of game balls has won the special prize opening 40 or when the opening time of the special prize opening 40 has reached the upper limit time (for example, 30 sec). Yes, 15 hits of the big hit round are called jackpot games.

  The main control circuit 47 in FIG. 3 controls the game content of the special symbol game and the game content of the big hit game, and is fixed to the game board 21 at the rear of the game board 21. The main control circuit 47 includes a CPU 48, a ROM 49 and a RAM 50, and each of the start port sensor 39 and the count sensor 44 is connected to the main control circuit 47. A control program and control data are recorded in advance in the ROM 49 of the main control circuit 47, and the CPU 48 sets a control command based on the control program in the ROM 49 and the control data in the ROM 49 using the RAM 50 as a work area.

  A special prize opening solenoid 43 is connected to the main control circuit 47 via a solenoid circuit 51. This solenoid circuit 51 supplies drive power to the special prize opening solenoid 43, and the CPU 48 of the main control circuit 47 opens and closes the special prize opening 40 by driving the solenoid circuit 51. A special symbol display 46 is connected to the main control circuit 47 via an LED circuit 52. The LED circuit 52 supplies driving power to each of the plurality of LEDs of the special symbol display 46. The CPU 48 of the main control circuit 47 controls the LED circuit 52 to control the special symbol display 46. Display video of the game.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a decorative symbol display 53 is fixed to the display frame 45. The decorative symbol display 53 is composed of a color liquid crystal display, and an image of the decorative symbol game is displayed on the decorative symbol display 53. In this decorative symbol game, the left variation region L, the middle variation region C, and the right variation region R are set in a horizontal row within the display region of the decoration symbol display 53, and each of the left variation region L to the right variation region R is set in a horizontal line. The symbol elements are sequentially displayed in the variation state and the variation stop state. Eight types of “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7”, and “8” are commonly set for each of the symbol elements in the left column to the right column.

  The variation display of the symbol elements in the left column to the right column is as follows. The symbol elements are displayed in the predetermined order “1” → “2” → “3” → “4” → “5” → “6” → “ 7 ”→“ 8 ”→“ 1 ”... Is cyclically changed, and each of the symbol elements in the left column to the symbol in the right column takes time to start changing the special symbol in the special symbol game. Start to fluctuate synchronously. These three elements, the left row of design elements, the middle row of design elements, and the right row of design elements, constitute a decorative design, and the combination of decorative designs is a special design game and the special design will be suspended in time. Confirm on the video in sync with. Two types of combinations of jackpots and combinations of losing are set for this combination of decorative symbols. The jackpot combination refers to a combination in which the symbol element in the left column, the symbol element in the middle column, and the symbol element in the right column are the same, and for the jackpot combination, “111” “222” “333” “444” Eight types of “555”, “666”, “777”, and “888” are set. The combination of detachment refers to a combination in which the symbol element in the left column, the symbol element in the middle column, and the symbol element in the right column are not identical to each other, and the decorative symbol is a special symbol game and the symbol “1” is stopped and displayed. In such a case, the combination is a losing combination, and when the jackpot symbol “7” is stopped and displayed in the special symbol game, the combination is a jackpot.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control circuit 47 is connected to an effect control circuit 54 mainly composed of a microcomputer, and the main control circuit 47 transmits the setting result of the control command to the effect control circuit 54. . The effect control circuit 54 is fixed to the game board 21 at the rear of the game board 21 and has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control program and the control data are recorded in advance in the ROM of the effect control circuit 54, and when the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 receives the result of setting the control command, the ROM control program with the RAM as a work area. A display control command is set based on each of the ROM control data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the effect control circuit 54 is connected to a display control circuit 55 mainly composed of a microcomputer, and the effect control circuit 54 transmits the setting result of the display control command to the display control circuit 55. To do. The display control circuit 55 is fixed so as to be located behind the game board 21 and includes a VDP, a VROM, and a VRAM. Image data for displaying the symbol elements “1” to “8” is recorded in advance in the VROM of the display control circuit 55, and the CPU of the display control circuit 55 receives the setting result of the display control command. Reproduces the VROM image data, and displays the decorative design game video in color on the decorative design display 53 according to the reception result of the display control command.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an out port 56 is formed in the game board 21. The out port 56 is arranged at the lowest part of the inner rail 22, and a game ball that has not won any of the start port 38 and the special winning port 40 enters the out port 56 along the inner rail 22. The game board 21 is discharged to the rear through the out port 56. As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 21 is fixed with a collective cage 57 located behind the game board 21. This collective basket 57 is a game ball discharged to the rear of the game board 21 through the start port 38, a game ball discharged to the rear of the game board 21 through the special prize opening 40, and the rear of the game board 21 through the out port 56. And the game balls discharged to the rear of the game board 21 through the foul ball collection port 80 are collected. The game balls collected in the collective basket 57 are collected on the bottom surface of the collective bowl 57. Roll along.

  An upper end portion of a ball connection passage 58 oriented in the vertical direction is connected to the lowest portion of the collecting rod 57. The lower end portion of the ball connection passage 58 is connected to the launch ball passage 31, a game ball that has won a prize in the start opening 38, a game ball that has won a prize in the special prize opening 40, a game ball that has entered the out opening 56, Each of the game balls that have entered the foul ball collection port 80 is returned to the launch ball passage 31 from the assembly cage 57 through the ball connection passage 58 and transferred from the launch passage 31 to the launch rail 19 through the ball feed mechanism 32. Is fired again on the game board 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a ball launch sensor 59 composed of a proximity switch is fixed to the upper end portion of the inner rail 22, and when a game ball is released into the game area 37 from the upper end portion of the launch passage 36. A launch signal is output from the ball launch sensor 59. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the ball launch sensor 59, the start port sensor 39, and the count sensor 44 is connected to the launch control circuit 18, and the launch control circuit 18 starts the launch signal from the ball launch sensor 59 and the start. The number of stored balls is measured based on each of the start signal from the mouth sensor 39 and the count signal from the count sensor 44.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reader / writer device 60 is fixed to the base plate 14 of the inner frame 2 in front of the base plate 14. When the front frame 4 is closed, the front frame 4 is the reader / writer device. 60 is covered from the front, and the front frame 4 opens the reader / writer device 60 forward when the front frame 4 is open. The reader / writer device 60 has a card insertion slot 61. The reader / writer device 60 has a front frame 4 in a closed state, and the card insertion port 7 of the front frame 4 and the card insertion port 61 of the reader / writer device 60 from the front. A prepaid card is inserted through each in turn.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer device 60 is connected to the launch control circuit 18. When the prepaid card is inserted, the reader / writer device 60 detects the stored number information P from the prepaid card. Is sent to the launch control circuit 18. The reader / writer device 60 has a card discharge mechanism. This card discharge mechanism discharges the prepaid card inserted into the reader / writer device 60 forward from the card insertion port 61 of the reader / writer device 60 through the card insertion port 7 of the front frame 4, and the card discharge motor 62 (FIG. 3). Operate as a driving source.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launch control circuit 18 is connected to the storage display device 10 via the LED circuit 63. This LED circuit 63 supplies driving power to each of the plurality of LEDs of the ball storage display 10, and the firing control circuit 18 controls the LED circuit 63 to control the number of balls stored in the ball storage display 10. indicate. A game start switch 8 and a game stop switch 9 are connected to the launch control circuit 18, and the launch control circuit 18 determines that a game start signal has been output from the game start switch 8. Is allowed to drive, and the firing solenoid 15 is prohibited from being driven based on determining that a game stop signal has been output from the game stop switch 9.

  FIG. 5 shows a launch control process by a launch control program recorded in advance in the ROM of the launch control circuit 18, and the CPU of the launch control circuit 18 first outputs a game start signal from the game start switch 8 in step S1. Judge whether or not. If it is determined that a game start signal is output from the game start switch 8, the process proceeds to step S 2, and a data request command is transmitted to the reader / writer device 60. When the reader / writer device 60 receives the data request command, the reader / writer device 60 detects the stored number information P from the prepaid card, and transmits the detection result of the stored number information P to the launch control circuit 18. That is, the player can play a game by inserting a prepaid card into the card insertion slot 61 of the reader / writer device 60 through the card insertion slot 7 of the front frame 4 and operating the game start switch 8.

  When the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 transmits a data request command to the reader / writer device 60 in step S2, it determines whether or not the stored ball number information P is transmitted from the reader / writer device 60 in step S3. If it is determined that the stored ball number information P is transmitted from the reader / writer device 60, the reception result of the stored ball number information P is set in the RAM counter N in step S4, and the set result of the counter N is set in step S5. Compare with the limit value (0) recorded in the ROM in advance.

  If the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 determines that “N> 0” in step S5, the firing permission flag of the RAM is turned on in step S6. The firing permission flag is initially set to the off state when the power is turned on, and the firing solenoid when the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 detects an operation signal from the handle sensor 13a with the firing permission flag on. 15 and the firing solenoid 15 is not driven even if an operation signal is detected from the handle sensor 13a when the firing permission flag is OFF. In other words, the game ball in the launch ball passage 31 can be launched when “N> 0”, and cannot be launched when “N ≦ 0”.

  When the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 turns on the firing permission flag of the RAM in step S6, it transmits a ball replenishment command to the ball replenishment control circuit 29 in step S7. Before the game start switch 8 is operated, the game ball is not filled in the shot ball passage 31, and the ball supply control circuit 29 receives the ball supply command and thereby receives the ball supply mechanism 25 from the ball supply mechanism 25. Supply game balls inside.

  When the CPU of the launch control circuit 18 transmits a ball supply command to the ball supply control circuit 29 in step S7, a magnetic ball detection process is performed as an inappropriate ball detection process of the present invention in step S8. As shown in FIG. 14, in the magnetic sphere detection process, the CPU of the launch control circuit 18 determines whether or not the magnetic sphere detection sensor 101 provided in the sphere feed mechanism 32 has detected a magnetic sphere in step S91. Judging.

  If it is determined in step S91 that the magnetic sphere detection sensor 101 has detected a magnetic sphere, the timing at which the detected magnetic sphere is just blocked by the game ball passage blocking member 102 in step S92. Then, the solenoid of the game ball passage blocking member 102 in the launch passage 36 is driven to cause the game ball passage prevention member 102 to protrude and change to a state in which the game ball cannot pass. In the present embodiment, since the magnetic ball detection sensor 101 detects whether or not the next game ball to be launched in the ball feed mechanism 32 is a magnetic ball, the game ball passage blocking member 102 is varied immediately after detection. It is like that. If it is determined in step S91 that the magnetic sphere detection sensor 101 has not detected the magnetic sphere, the magnetic sphere detection process is terminated without doing anything.

  Thereafter, the CPU of the launch control circuit 18 determines whether or not a launch signal is output from the ball launch sensor 59 in step S9. If it is determined in step S9 that the firing signal is output from the ball launch sensor 59, the unit value ΔN1 (1) recorded in advance in the ROM is subtracted from the counter N in step S10, and the start port is started in step S11. It is determined whether or not a start signal is output from the sensor 39.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the start signal is output from the start port sensor 39, the unit value ΔN2 (5) recorded in advance in the ROM is added to the counter N in step S12, and the count sensor is detected in step S13. Whether the count signal is output from 44 is determined. If it is determined in step S13 that the count signal is output from the count sensor 44, the unit value ΔN3 (15) recorded in advance in the ROM is added to the counter N in step S14, and the process proceeds to step S15.

  When the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 proceeds to step S15, the updated result of the counter N is displayed as a number of stored balls on the storage display 10 as a numerical value. In step S16, it is determined whether or not a game stop signal is output from the game stop switch 9, and if it is determined that a game stop signal is output from the game stop switch 9, the RAM is released in step S18. The driving of the firing solenoid 15 is prohibited by turning off the permission flag.

  If the CPU of the firing control circuit 18 determines that the game stop signal is not output from the game stop switch 9 in step S16, it compares the update result of the counter N with the limit value (0) recorded in advance in the ROM in step S17. . If it is determined that “N ≦ 0”, the process proceeds to step S18, and the launching flag of the RAM is turned off to prohibit the launching of the game ball.

  When the CPU of the launch control circuit 18 prohibits the launching of the game ball in step S18, the update result of the counter N is transmitted to the reader / writer device 60 in step S19, and a ball removal command is transmitted to the ball supply control circuit 29 in step S20. . When the reader / writer device 60 receives the update result of the counter N, the reader / writer device 60 rewrites the stored number information P of the prepaid card with the update result of the counter N, and drives the card discharge motor 62 to remove the prepaid card from the reader / writer device 60. The paper is discharged from the card insertion slot 61 through the card insertion slot 7 of the front frame 4. When the ball supply control circuit 29 receives the ball removal command, it drives the ball removal solenoid 34 to open the entrance of the ball removal passage 33, and the game ball in the launch ball passage 31 is sent to the ball feed mechanism 32 and the ball removal mechanism. Each of the passages 33 is sequentially pulled out.

  The CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 activates an external interrupt process when receiving a ball replenishment command from the firing control circuit 18 and when receiving a ball removal command, respectively, and when a ball replenishment command is received. Records the ball supply command in the RAM, and when receiving the ball removal command, records the ball removal command in the RAM.

  In the projecting ball passage 31, as shown in FIG. 4, a projecting ball replenishment sensor 64 is fixed at the left end. The firing ball replenishment sensor 64 is composed of a proximity switch, and when the game ball is filled from the ball feeding mechanism 32 at the right end portion of the launching ball passage 31 to the left end portion of the firing ball passage 31, the firing ball is used. When the game ball enters the detection area of the replenishment sensor 64, the fire ball replenishment signal is not output from the launch ball replenishment sensor 64, and the game ball is filled from the ball feed mechanism 32 to the left end of the launch ball passage 31. If not, the game ball is withdrawn from the detection area of the shot ball replenishment sensor 64, so that a shot ball replenishment signal is output from the launch ball replenishment sensor 64.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ball supply sensor 64 is connected to the ball supply control circuit 29, and the ball supply control circuit 29 supplies a game ball supply sensor when supplying a game ball into the ball path 31. The ball supply motor 27 of the ball supply mechanism 25 is continuously operated until the shot ball supply signal from 64 stops, so that the game ball is filled from the ball feed mechanism 32 to the left end of the shot ball passage 31.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining timer interruption processing recorded in advance in the ROM 49 of the main control circuit 47. The timer interrupt process is started every time a predetermined time (4 msec) elapses. The CPU 48 of the main control circuit 47 sets the counter MN1 of the RAM 50 in the unit value ΔN recorded in the ROM 49 in step S31. Only (1) is updated, and in step S32, the RAM counter MN2 is updated by the unit value ΔN (1). Each of these counters MN1 and MN2 is initialized to the lower limit (0) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 when the power is turned on, and the counter MN1 is previously recorded in the ROM 49 from the lower limit (0). After being added to the upper limit value (100), it is cyclically added back to the lower limit value (0), and the counter MN2 is added from the lower limit value (0) to the upper limit value (30) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 and then the lower limit value. It returns to the value (0) and is added cyclically.

  After updating the counter MN2 in step S32, the CPU 48 determines whether or not the symbol game flag in the RAM 50 is turned on in step S33. The symbol game flag is initially set to an off state when the power is turned on. If the CPU 48 determines in step S33 that the symbol game flag in the RAM 50 is on, the symbol game process in step S34. If it is determined in step S33 that the symbol game flag in the RAM 50 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the CPU 48 determines whether or not the big hit game flag in the RAM 50 is turned on. The jackpot game flag is initially set to an off state when the power is turned on. When the CPU 48 determines in step S35 that the jackpot game flag in the RAM 50 is turned on, the jackpot game process in step S36. When it is determined in step S35 that the big hit game flag in the RAM 50 is turned off, the big shift determination process in step S37 is executed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the big hit determination process recorded in the ROM 49 of the main control circuit 47 in advance. This jackpot determination process is executed when both the symbol game flag and the jackpot game flag in the RAM 50 are turned off, and the CPU 48 determines whether or not there is a start signal in step S41.

  For example, when a game ball wins the start opening 38, a start signal is output from the start opening sensor 39, and the CPU 48 determines that there is a start signal in step S41. In step S42, the update result of the counter MN1 is detected from the RAM 50, and in step S43, the detection result of the counter MN1 is compared with the jackpot value (7) recorded in advance in the ROM 49. If it is determined that “MN1 = hit value”, the big hit flag of the RAM 50 is turned on in step S44, and the special symbol is set to the big hit symbol (7) in step S45.

  When the CPU 48 determines in step S43 that the detection result of the counter MN1 is different from the jackpot value, the CPU 48 turns off the jackpot flag of the RAM 50 in step S46, and sets the special symbol as the symbol (1) in step S47.

  When the CPU 48 sets a special symbol in step S45 or step S47, the special symbol setting result is transmitted to the effect control circuit 54 in step S48. In step S49, the update result of the counter MN2 is detected from the RAM 50, and in step S50, one corresponding to the detection result of the counter MN2 is selected from a plurality of game times recorded in advance in the ROM 49. In step S51, the game time selection result is transmitted to the effect control circuit 54. In step S52, the game time selection result is set in the timer MT of the RAM 50.

  When the CPU 48 initially sets the timer MT in step S52, the special symbol game is started in step S53. In this special symbol game, special symbols are cyclically displayed on the special symbol display 46 in the order of setting “1”, “7”, “1”,..., And the CPU 48 starts the special symbol game in step S53. In step S54, a game start command is transmitted to the effect control circuit 54, and the symbol game flag in the RAM 50 is turned on in step S55.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol game process recorded in the ROM 49 of the main control circuit 47 in advance. This symbol game process is executed when the symbol game flag is turned on, and the CPU 48 subtracts the unit value ΔT recorded in advance in the ROM 49 from the timer MT of the RAM 50 in step S61, and in step S62 the timer MT Is compared with a limit value (0) recorded in advance in the ROM 49.

  If it is determined that “MT = limit value”, the process proceeds to step S63, and the special symbol variation display is stopped. This special symbol stop display is based on the setting result of the special symbol. When it is determined that it is a big hit, the special symbol is variably stopped at the big hit symbol (7), and it is determined that it is out of place. The special symbol comes off and the change stops at symbol (1).

  When the CPU 48 stops changing the special symbol display in step S63, the CPU 48 transmits a game stop command to the effect control circuit 54 in step S64. In step S65, the symbol game flag in the RAM 50 is turned off. In step S66, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag in the RAM 50 is turned on. If it is determined that the big hit flag in the RAM 50 is turned off, the big hit game flag in the RAM 50 is turned off in step S71.

  If the CPU 48 determines that the big hit flag of the RAM 50 is turned on in step S66, the CPU 48 sets the number of continuations (15) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 to the counter R of the RAM 50 in step S67. In step S68, the big hit flag in the RAM 50 is turned off. In step S69, the special winning opening 40 is opened. In step S70, the big hit game flag in the RAM 50 is turned on.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the big hit game process recorded in the ROM 49 of the main control circuit 47 in advance. This jackpot game process is executed when the jackpot game flag is turned on, and the CPU 48 determines whether or not the current jackpot round ends in step S81. In this big hit round, the limit time (30 sec) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 has elapsed based on the opening of the special winning opening 40 or the limit number (10) of gaming balls recorded in the ROM 49 in the special winning opening 40 in advance. Is determined to have ended, and the CPU 48 determines that the current big hit round will end in step S81, and closes the special winning opening 40 in step S82 to close the current big win. At the end of the round, the unit value (1) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 is subtracted from the counter R of the RAM 50 in step S83.

  When the CPU 48 subtracts the counter R of the RAM 50 in step S83, the CPU 48 compares the subtraction result of the counter R with a limit value (0) recorded in advance in the ROM 49 in step S84. If it is determined that “R> limit value”, the special jackpot 40 is restarted in step S85 to start the next jackpot round, and if “R = limit value” is determined. In step S86, the big hit game flag in the RAM 50 is turned off. That is, when it is determined that the game is a big hit, 15 big hit rounds are performed after the special big symbol (7) is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display 46.

  When the game start command, special symbol, game time, and game end command are transmitted from the main control circuit 47, the external interrupt process is activated, and when the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 activates the external interrupt process. Records a game start command, special symbol, game time, or game end command in the RAM.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing recorded in advance in the ROM of the effect control circuit 54. This timer interruption process is started every time a predetermined time (10 msec) elapses. In step S101, the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 sets the RAM counter SN1 to the unit value ΔN ( 1), the RAM counter SN2 is updated by the unit value ΔN (1) in step S102, and the RAM counter SN3 is updated by the unit value ΔN (1) in step S103.

  Each of these counters SN1 to SN3 is initialized to the lower limit (0) recorded in advance in the ROM when the power is turned on, and the counter SN1 is previously recorded in the ROM from the lower limit (0). After being added to the upper limit value (7), it is cyclically added back to the lower limit value (0), and the counter SN2 is added from the lower limit value (0) to the upper limit value (16) recorded in advance in the ROM and then the lower limit value. The counter SN3 is cyclically added back to the value (0), and the counter SN3 is added from the lower limit value (0) to the upper limit value (32) recorded in advance in the ROM and then returned to the lower limit value (0) and cyclically added. Is done.

  When the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 updates the RAM counter SN3 in step S103, it determines whether or not a game start command is recorded in the RAM in step S104. If it is determined that a game start command is recorded in the RAM, the game start command is cleared from the RAM in step S105, the special symbol recording result is detected from the RAM in step S106, and the special symbol is detected in step S107. The detection result is compared with the jackpot symbol (7).

  If the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 determines in step S107 that the detection result of the special symbol is the same as that of the jackpot symbol (7), the CPU proceeds to the jackpot symbol setting process in step S108. Here, from among the eight types of symbol elements “1” to “8”, one corresponding to the update result of the RAM counter SN1 is selected, and the symbol element in the left column, the symbol element in the middle column, and the symbol element in the right column are selected. The decorative symbols are set to the jackpot combination by setting each to the selection result of the same symbol elements.

If the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 determines that the detection result of the special symbol is different from the jackpot symbol (7) in step S107, the following processes [1] to [3] are performed in the off symbol setting process in step S109. By performing the above, the decorative symbols are set to a combination in which the left column, the middle column, and the right column are not identical to each other.
[1] Of the eight types of symbol elements “1” to “8”, one corresponding to the update result of the RAM counter SN1 is selected, and the symbol element in the left column is set as the symbol element selection result.
[2] Of the eight types of symbol elements “1” to “8”, one corresponding to the update result of the RAM counter SN2 is selected, and the symbol element in the middle row is set as the symbol element selection result.
[3] Of the eight types of symbol elements “1” to “8”, one corresponding to the update result of the RAM counter SN3 is selected, and the symbol element in the right column is set as the symbol element selection result.

  In step S108 or step S109, the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 sets each of the left row of symbol elements, the middle row of symbol elements, and the right row of symbol elements. In step S110, the display control circuit 55 stores the left row of symbol elements. Each setting result of the symbol element in the middle column and the symbol element in the right column is transmitted. In step S111, a change start command is transmitted to the display control circuit 55. In step S112, the special symbol recording result is cleared from the RAM.

  When the display control circuit 55 receives the change start command, the display control circuit 55 starts displaying the left row of symbol elements, the middle row of symbol elements, and the right row of symbol elements in a changing state, and the left row of symbol elements to the right column. When it is determined that the predetermined fluctuation stop time of the left column has elapsed based on the start of display of each of the symbol elements in the fluctuation state, the fluctuation display of the symbol elements in the left column is stopped at the set result, and the left When it is determined that the predetermined variable stop time (> left column variable stop time) has elapsed based on the start of display of each of the symbol elements in the column to the right column in a variable state Stops the change display of the symbol elements in the right column at the set result.

  Thereafter, the CPU of the effect control circuit 54 determines whether or not a game stop command is recorded in the RAM in step S113. If it is determined that the game stop command is recorded in the RAM, the variable stop command is transmitted to the display control circuit 55 in step S114, and the game stop command is cleared from the RAM in step S115.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing recorded in advance in the ROM of the ball supply control circuit 29. This timer interruption process is started every time a predetermined time elapses, and the CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 performs a fired ball replenishment process in step S201 and performs a fired ball removal process in step S202. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the shot ball supply process recorded in the ROM of the ball supply control circuit 29 in advance. Whether the CPU in the ball supply control circuit 29 has the shot ball supply flag in the RAM turned off in step S211. Judge whether or not. This firing ball replenishment flag is initially set to the off state when the power is turned on. If the CPU determines that the firing ball replenishment flag in the RAM is turned off in step S211, the process proceeds to step S212. To do.

  When the CPU of the ball supply control circuit 29 proceeds to step S212, it determines whether or not a ball supply command is recorded in the RAM. This ball supply command is transmitted from the launch control circuit 18 at the start of a game in which the player inserts a prepaid card into the reader / writer device 60 and operates the game start switch 8, and the CPU stores the ball in the RAM in step S212. If it is determined that the replenishment command is recorded, the ball replenishment motor 27 is started to operate in step S213.

  In step S214, the ball supply command is cleared from the RAM. In step S215, the fired ball supply flag in the RAM is turned on. When the ball supply motor 27 is operated, game balls are supplied from the ball supply mechanism 25 into the launch ball passage 31.

  The CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 determines in step S211 that the fired ball replenishment flag is turned on in step S211 while the game ball is replenished in the launching ball passage 31, and in step S216, the CPU determines whether the ball is replenished. It is determined whether or not the firing ball replenishment signal is stopped. For example, when the game ball exceeding the limit position is supplied into the shot ball passage 31, the CPU determines that the shot ball supply signal from the shot ball supply sensor 64 is stopped in step S216. In step S217, the operation of the ball supply motor 27 is stopped. In step S218, the fired ball supply flag in the RAM is turned off, and the supply of game balls to the shot ball passage 31 is stopped.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the shot ball removal process recorded in the ROM of the ball supply control circuit 29 in advance. The CPU of the ball supply control circuit 29 determines whether or not the ball removal flag in the RAM is turned off in step S221. Determine whether. The ball removal flag is initially set to an off state when the power is turned on. If the CPU determines in step S221 that the ball removal flag in the RAM is off, the process proceeds to step S222.

  When the CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 proceeds to step S222, it determines whether or not a ball removal command is recorded in the RAM. This ball removal command is generated when the player operates the game stop switch 9 after operating the game start switch 8 and when the measurement result of the number N of balls stored in the discharge control circuit 18 is “0”. When the CPU determines that a ball removal command is recorded in the RAM in step S222, the CPU opens the ball removal passage 33 by turning on the ball removal solenoid 34 in step S223. To do. In the open state of the ball passage 33, the game ball in the launch ball passage 31 is extracted through the ball passage 33.

  When the CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 opens the ball removal passage 33 in step S223, the ball removal command is cleared from the RAM in step S224. In step S225, the RAM ball removal flag is turned on, and in step S226, the ball removal time is set in the RAM timer ST. This ball removal time is recorded in advance in the ROM, and when the game ball at the limit position is filled in the launch ball passage 31, it is a value that allows all the game balls to be removed from the launch passage 31. Is set.

  The CPU of the ball replenishment control circuit 29 determines that the ball removal flag of the RAM is turned on in step S221 when the ball removal passage 33 is open, and in step S227, the unit time ΔST recorded in advance in the ROM from the RAM timer ST. In step S228, the subtraction result of the RAM timer ST is compared with the limit value (0) recorded in advance in the ROM. If it is determined that “ST = limit value”, the process proceeds to step S229, where the ball removal solenoid 34 is turned off to close the inlet of the ball removal passage 33.

  In the present invention, various controls of the gaming machine are performed by various control circuits such as the launch control circuit 18, the ball replenishment control circuit 29, the main control circuit 47, the effect control circuit 54, and the display control circuit 55 as the launch control device. The control apparatus which performs is comprised.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, even when a gaming ball (in this case, a magnetic ball) inappropriate for gaming is detected in the gaming ball, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed. An unsuitable game ball can be collected in the foul ball collection port 80 while the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated without being stopped. For this reason, it is not necessary for an employee of the game store to collect an inappropriate game ball each time, and it is possible to prevent an extra burden on the employee.

  In addition, since the game is not interrupted by the detection of an inappropriate game ball, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that does not suffer any disadvantage or feel uncomfortable for the player.

  Further, when collecting an inappropriate game ball, the foul ball collection port 80 originally provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is used, so that a configuration for collecting an inappropriate game ball is installed. Therefore, it is only necessary to install the minimum necessary amount, and a simple inappropriate ball detection and collection system can be obtained.

  The embodiment described above is described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not described in order to limit the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described using an encapsulated pachinko game machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to an encapsulated pachinko game machine or other ball game machines. Applicable.

  In the above-described embodiment, a magnetic ball is cited as an inappropriate game ball, and a magnetic ball detection sensor that detects a magnetic ball as an inappropriate ball detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any game ball as long as it detects a game ball inappropriate for the game in terms of shape, size, material, and the like. For example, a small sphere detection sensor may be arranged so as to detect a small sphere as an inappropriate game sphere, or a plurality of detection means may be arranged so that various inappropriate spheres can be detected. good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the game ball passage blocking member as the game ball passage blocking means is configured by a solenoid and a plate-like or rod-like member attached to the solenoid, but is not limited thereto. What is necessary is just to become the structure which can prevent passage of the game ball with respect to a launch path with an appropriate mechanism.

  In addition, the position where the inappropriate ball detecting means is arranged may be an appropriate place. For example, inadequate ball detection means may be arranged at a location not immediately before the ball is transferred to the launch rail by the ball feed mechanism in the launch ball passage, in which case the ball is fired from the launch device after how many balls are detected. It is necessary to measure whether the game ball is an inappropriate game ball and to change the game ball passage blocking means accordingly. Further, an inappropriate ball detection means may be arranged at a location after the game ball is fired by the launching device, and in this case, before the inappropriate game ball passes the game ball passage blocking means after detection. It is necessary to configure the game ball passage blocking means to be variable.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the game ball passage blocking member as the game ball passage blocking member is controlled by the launch control circuit as the launch control device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is only necessary to control with an appropriate circuit (device).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine (bullet ball game machine), 13 ... Launching handle, 15 ... Launching solenoid (launching device), 16 ... Hitting ball (launching device), 17 ... Solenoid circuit (launching device), 18 ... Launch control circuit ( Launch control device, control device), 19 ... Launch rail (launch device), 20 ... Ball stopper plate (launch device), 36 ... Launch passage, 37 ... Game area, 80 ... Foul ball recovery port, 101 ... Magnetic ball detection Sensor (inappropriate ball detection means), 102 ... game ball passage prevention member (game ball passage prevention means)

Claims (1)

A firing handle operated by the player,
A launcher for launching a game ball;
A launch control device that controls the launch device to launch a game ball at a strength according to the operation of the launch handle by a player;
A control device that includes the launch control device and performs various controls of the gaming machine;
A launch passage through which a game ball launched from the launch device passes from below to above;
A game area where the game ball released from the upper end of the launch passage falls while rolling,
In order to collect game balls that have been launched from the launch device but not released to the game area, a foul ball collection port provided in the middle of the launch passage;
A game ball passage blocking means provided between the foul ball collection port and the upper end portion in the launch passage, wherein the game ball fired from the launching device is variable between a passable state and a non-passable state.
Improper ball detection means for detecting whether the game ball is appropriate or inappropriate for release to the game area before the game ball reaches the game ball passage blocking means;
Have
When the inappropriate ball detection means detects an inappropriate game ball, the control device sets the game ball passage prevention means before the inappropriate game ball reaches the game ball passage prevention means. It is controlled so that the inappropriate game ball can be changed to a state where it cannot pass,
A ball game machine characterized in that the inappropriate game ball that has become impossible to pass by the game ball passage blocking means is collected at the foul ball collection port.

Images