JP5511087B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine configured to play a game by circulating a predetermined number of game balls in a sealed state in the game machine.

  Conventionally, the ball game machine having such a configuration is well known as a pachinko machine, an arrange ball game machine, a sparrow ball game machine or the like. In a typical example of a pachinko machine, a player receives a game ball and throws it into a ball tray, and then operates a launch handle to play a game. Specifically, when a game ball is thrown into the ball tray, the game balls are launched one by one from the alignment passage connected to the ball tray into the game area on the game board. The game balls launched into the game area in this way are guided by a large number of game nails and the like, and roll down on the board surface while changing the dropping route, and a prize provided in the game area in the middle of the flow down. When the player falls into the mouth, that is, when a game ball wins, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the ball tray as prize balls in accordance with the win. In this way, the player plays the game, accumulates the paid-out prize balls, and exchanges them for goods.

  By the way, in a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine with the above-mentioned configuration, prior to the start of the game, the ball of the game ball is borrowed and thrown into the ball tray, and the number of prize balls accumulated by the game is counted, and the number of balls Because it is a system that acquires products, it will always be a game using game balls, but it requires a large number of game balls, and the game balls are made of steel balls and are heavy, so the handling is troublesome or complicated There's a problem. In addition, since game balls are dirty during the game, it is necessary to wash all of the many game balls, and the player tends to drop the game balls during the game and scatter them on the floor of the game facility. There's a problem.

  For this reason, the pachinko of the enclosed circulation system that does not need to handle the game ball on the player side, although it follows the game format in which the game ball is awarded to the winning opening according to the falling movement of the game ball in the game area. A machine has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this enclosed circulation type pachinko machine, a predetermined number of game balls as game media are enclosed in the game machine, and this is configured so that it is always circulated, and the number of player's balls is managed by the number of credits as numerical data When a game ball wins, instead of actually receiving a payout of the game ball, a prize ball credit number corresponding to the number of the prize ball is given, and the game ball is launched from the launch mechanism according to the credit number. It has come to be able to do.

JP-A-6-170055

  By the way, in such a pachinko machine, a predetermined number of game balls are circulated and used in an enclosed state. Even if illegal gaming balls are mixed, there is a problem that the winning probability of gaming balls is illegally increased by circulating in the pachinko machine unless the gaming balls are exchanged etc. after a predetermined inspection time.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is determined whether or not an illegal game ball is mixed from the outside in a predetermined number of game balls that are circulated and used in a sealed state in a gaming machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine having a configuration capable of detection.

In order to achieve such an object, a ball game machine according to the present invention includes a gaming device (for example, the gaming board 20 in the embodiment) having a gaming region provided with at least one winning opening, and the gaming region. A launching device for launching a game ball (for example, launching mechanism 31 in the embodiment) is provided, and a game is performed in which a game ball launched from the launching device is moved while dropping in the game area to win a winning opening. The game ball that has fallen and moved in the game area and has flowed in the game ball that has not won the game, and the game ball that has won the game and the game ball that has flowed into the game ball is collected. A circulation device (for example, the game ball circulation device 100 in the embodiment) that supplies the game balls to the launching device, and the game balls that are launched into the game area by the launching device and used for the game are used as the circulation device. In a bullet ball game machine configured to circulate and use a predetermined number of game balls in a sealed state as a configuration to collect and supply to the launch device and fire again into the game area, it is used in circulation in the launch device and the circulation device An identification ball to which predetermined identification information is added is inserted in advance into a predetermined number of game balls, and game ball detection means for detecting the identification ball from the predetermined number of game balls (for example, the identification in the embodiment). The ball detecting means B5 and the circulating ball managing section B21) and the game ball detecting means detect the identification sphere, and measure the circulation time until the identification ball circulates in the gaming machine and is detected again by the game ball detecting means. and, structure and an abnormality judgment means for judging to be abnormal when the circulation time measured exceeds a preset specified circulation time (e.g., circulating in the embodiment sphere management unit B21) It is.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, since it is possible to detect that an illegal game ball is mixed from the outside into a predetermined number of game balls that are circulated and used in an enclosed state in the game machine, It can contribute to prevention and early detection.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine shown as an example of the ball game machine concerning the present invention. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine. It is a front view of the front area of the front frame in the pachinko machine in the state where the glass door is opened. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus provided in the said pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the whole control content by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the card information management process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the ball lending process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the discharge | release detection process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the winning ball detection process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the foul ball detection process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the credit presentation update process by the said control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process by the said control apparatus. It is a perspective view of the game ball circulation device provided in the pachinko machine. It is a front sectional view in the above-mentioned game ball circulation device. It is a sectional side view of the ball feeding mechanism in the game ball circulation device. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the process performed in the circulating ball monitoring apparatus of 1st Embodiment provided in the said pachinko machine. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the process performed in the circulating ball monitoring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment provided in the said pachinko machine.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A front view and a rear view of a sealed circulation type pachinko machine PM to which a ball game machine according to the present invention is applied are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the front surface of the front frame in the pachinko machine PM with the glass door opened. A front view of the area is shown in FIG. 3, and the overall configuration of the pachinko machine PM will be outlined first with reference to these drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine PM has a rectangular frame size adapted to the front of the opening of the outer frame 1 that forms a vertically fixed holding frame that is configured to have an outer rectangular frame size. The front frame 2 that forms the upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3 disposed on the front left edge of each other is attached so as to be openable and closable and detachable, and is called a double lock provided on the front right edge. 4 is always kept in a closed state engaged and connected to the outer frame 1.

  On the front side of the front frame 2, a rectangular glass door 5 adapted to the front area of the front frame 2 is assembled using the upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3 so that it can be opened and closed laterally and detachable. Is always kept closed so as to cover the front surface of the front frame 2. On the front side of the front frame 2 located behind the glass door 5, an accommodation frame for detachably containing the game board 20 is provided, and the game board 20 is detachably set and held in the upper area of the accommodation frame. The game area PA in front of the game board 20 is exposed through the glass door 5 that is always closed and held.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 20 has a decorative board 21 in which cells are attached to the surface of a laminated plywood having a predetermined thickness as a substrate, and inner and outer guide rails 22 are fixed in an arc shape on the front side. A substantially circular gaming area PA is defined and formed. In the game area PA, there are a large number of game nails (not shown) and game components such as a windmill 23, various prize-winning devices 24, 25, 26, and a symbol display device 28 for displaying symbols according to the game development status. Is attached. Further, at the lower end portion of the game area PA, an out-port 27 is provided for discharging the game balls rolling down the game area PA to the back side of the decorative board 21 without winning each winning tool. In the mouth 27, an out sphere detector 27s composed of a passing type sensor for detecting an out sphere is interposed.

  The general winning tool (also referred to as “general winning opening”) 24 is a fixed winning tool having a winning opening into which a game ball can be dropped, and the gaming ball dropped into the winning hole is discharged to the back side of the decorative board 21. Then, a winning is detected by passing through a general winning ball detector 24s composed of a passing type sensor provided on the back side.

  The start winning tool (also referred to as “start winning prize port”) 25 is a winning tool that determines the conditions for starting the variation of the symbols. The game ball that has dropped into the winning opening is discharged to the back side of the decorative board 21, and the back side. A winning is detected by passing through a start winning ball detector 25s provided on the side.

  The big prize tool (also referred to as “big prize opening”) 26 is a so-called attacker type movable prize tool, and an open / close door that covers the horizontal rectangular shaped big prize opening is attached to be openable and closable. The open / close door is normally closed, and when a special game state is established under predetermined winning conditions during the game, the upper part of the open / close door is tilted forward approximately 90 degrees to open the large winning opening. The game ball dropped into the big winning opening is discharged to the back side of the decorative board 21, and a winning is detected by passing through the big winning ball detector 26s provided on the back side.

  On the back side of the decorative board 21, a main control board unit 41U that houses a main control board 41 that centrally controls the operation of the pachinko machine PM and an effect control board 42 that controls the operation of the symbol display device 28 are housed. The production control board unit 42U is attached, and the safe balls that are dropped into the prize-winning devices 24, 25, and 26 and led to the back side of the decorative board 21 and the out port 27 are passed to the back side of the decorative board 21. A ball approach cover that guides the led out balls (collectively referred to as “played balls”) to the gaming ball circulation device 100 provided at the lower back side of the front frame 2 along the back surface of the decorative plate 21. (Not shown) is attached.

  An auxiliary mechanism part called a game auxiliary board 30 that can be aligned vertically with the game board 20 is provided at the lower part of the front surface of the front frame 2, and each part of the game auxiliary board 30 is provided on the game board 20. A launch mechanism 31 that launches a game ball toward the game area PA via the guide rail 22, a launch rail portion 32 that guides the game ball launched from the launch mechanism 31 to the guide rail 22, and the game area PA cannot be reached. A ball is seated on the launch rail section 32 from the ball return port 33 for collecting the game ball returning from the guide rail 22 (that is, the foul ball) and the game ball circulation device 100 disposed on the back of the front frame 2. A ball feed opening 35 for supplying one ball at a time to the unit is provided. Here, a game ball launching device 50 is composed of the launching handle 7, the launching mechanism 31, the launching rail portion 32, and the like. On the other hand, on the back side of the front frame 2 located behind the game assisting board 30, the foul ball detector 36 s for detecting the foul ball falling on the foul ball return port 33 and the launch mechanism 31 are launched into the game area PA. The game-completed balls discharged to the back side of the game board 20 and the foul balls that have fallen into the foul ball return port 33 without reaching the game area PA are collected and stored in the ball storage unit (not shown). A game ball circulation device 100 that supplies the game balls stored in the ball storage unit to the launch mechanism 31 again, and a shot ball detection that detects a game ball sent from the game ball circulation device 100 to the ball seating portion of the launch rail unit 32. A device 37s or the like is attached. The detailed configuration of the game ball circulation device 100 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the glass door 5 has a glass assembly attached to the rear side of the window frame 6 attached to the front surface of the front frame 2 so as to be swingable and openable so as to close the window of the window frame 6. The glass door 5 is provided with a launching handle 7 for projecting a game ball at the lower part on the front side of the front side of the glass door 5 and is provided with an operation unit 10 on the left side of the front side. Yes. The operation unit 10 requires a card insertion slot 11 into which a card (for example, a magnetic card such as a prepaid card) in which information on the number of balls possessed by the player (game ball balance information) is recorded and a player is required. A numeric keypad 12 capable of inputting various set values such as the requested ball lending number, and various operation buttons such as a ball lending button 13, a start button 14 and a checkout button 15 that can be pressed by the player from the front side of the pachinko machine; A card balance presenting unit 16a for presenting the balance of the inserted card, a credit presenting unit 16b for presenting the number of balls held by the player (hereinafter also referred to as “credit number”), and a spare for presenting other credit-related information A credit presentation device 16 including a credit presentation unit 16c and a card reader having a function of reading / writing a inserted card. Such as Da writer 17 is attached. In addition, the front side of the glass door 5 is appropriately provided with an illumination device such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a lamp, a speaker for generating a sound effect according to the development situation of the game, etc. in FIG. The illustration is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a back set board 40 formed in a rectangular frame shape somewhat smaller than the inner size of the outer frame 1 is detachably attached to the back side of the window frame 2. The back set board 40 has a large window opening 40 a that opens in the front-rear communication in the upper region located behind the game board 20. On the back side of the back set board 40, the power supply board 43 (power supply board unit 43U) for supplying power to each part of the pachinko machine PM, the launching / ball feeding control (circulation operation control) by the game ball launching device 50 and the game ball circulation device 100 ) And a credit control board 44 (credit control board unit 44U) for controlling the credit information of the game ball and the like. Further, as described above, the main control board 41 (main control board unit 41U) that plays a central role in the control of the pachinko machine PM is located on the back side of the game board 20 and is located in the window opening 40a of the back set board 40. An effect control board 42 (effect control board unit 42U) for effect control of effects such as image display, effect lighting, and sound effects according to game development is attached, and these control boards and electric / electronic components of each part of the pachinko machine PM Are connected by a connector cable so that the pachinko machine PM can be operated.

The pachinko machine PM configured as described above is used for games in a state where the outer frame 1 is fixedly installed on the game island (installation frame base) of the game facility, and the front frame 2 and the glass door 5 are closed and locked. The When a card owned by the player is inserted into the card slot 11 of the operation unit 10, the recorded information is read by the internal card reader / writer 17, and the card balance is displayed in the card balance presentation unit 16a of the credit display device 16. The number of balls requested by the player is set according to the number of pressing operations of the ball lending button 13 with the balance (number of balls held) as a limit (may be set with the numeric keypad 12). When the ball lending button 13 is pressed, the requested ball lending number (number of credits) is displayed as a numerical value on the credit presentation unit 16b, and the number of game balls corresponding to this is lending to the player, and the center start When the button 14 is pressed, the game ball can be launched, that is, the game can be started. When the launch handle 7 is turned, the game balls stored in the game ball circulation device 100 (a predetermined number of game balls enclosed in the machine) are sent one by one to the launch rail portion 32 of the game assisting board 30, After being launched into the game area PA by the launch mechanism 31, a pachinko game is developed thereafter.

  In this pachinko game, the game balls launched by the launch mechanism 31 are detected as winning balls, out balls, or foul balls, and then collected and stored in the game ball circulation device 100. It is supplied again to the ball seating portion of the firing rail portion 32 and fired, and then used for circulation. In the credit presentation unit 16b, the number of credits presented to the credit presentation unit 16b is variably displayed while being added or subtracted in a timely manner according to the game development status (game ball launch, winning etc.), and the player can always view from the front side of the pachinko machine PM. The current number of credits can be visually confirmed. As described above, the number of credits is changed by adding or subtracting depending on the development status of the game. However, until the number of credits reaches “0” or the player has pressed down the settlement button 15 on the operation panel 10. Until then, the player can continue the game.

  Next, the basic configuration of the control device in the pachinko machine PM will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The control device includes a control unit CU including a main control board 41, an effect control board 42, a power supply board 43, a credit control board 44, and the like, and performs various operation controls. In the following, the system configuration of a control device that performs payout control related to winning of a game ball when the game ball is launched into the game area PA will be described. Production display control, illumination control by an illumination device provided in the game area PA or on the front side of the glass door 5, generation control of sound effects according to game development status by speakers, and pachinko by the power supply substrate 43 Since the power supply control to each part of the machine PM is not related to the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  The control device shown in FIG. 4 is configured by connecting various devices to the control unit CU. Specifically, firing ball detection means B1 (launching ball detector 37s), foul ball detection means B2 (foul ball detector 36s), winning detection means B3 (general winning ball detector 24s, start winning ball detector 25s, The game ball detecting means such as the big winning ball detector 26s), the out ball detecting means B4 (out ball detector 27s), and the identifying ball detecting means B5 (optical detector 160, IC tag reader 260) are connected to the control unit CU. Then, those detection signals are sent out.

  The control unit CU further includes a card reader / writer means B11 (card reader / writer 17), a card balance presenting means B12 (card balance presenting section 16a), and an operating means B13 (tenkey 12, ball lending button 13, start button 14). , Payment button 15), credit presentation means B14 (credit presentation section 16b), game ball launching means B15 (game ball launching apparatus 50), game ball circulation means B16 (game ball circulation apparatus 100), alarm activation means B17 (design display) Device 28, lighting device, speaker, etc.) are connected.

The control unit CU includes a circulation ball management unit B21, a card information management unit B22, a winning management unit B23, a credit information management unit B24, a credit presentation update unit B25, and a circulation control unit B.
26.

  The circulating ball management unit B21 monitors the presence or absence of a ball clogging based on the detection of the movement of the game ball detected by the firing ball detection unit B1, the foul ball detection unit B2, the winning detection unit B3, and the out ball detection unit B4. Then, it is monitored whether or not the game ball is circulating smoothly inside the gaming machine. In addition, a circulation ball sorting unit B21a (b21aa) that constitutes a part of the circulation ball monitoring device and determines occurrence of abnormality (incorrect mixing of game balls) based on the detection interval of the identification ball by the identification ball detection means B5. , A circulation time measurement unit B21b (B21bb), a determination unit B21c (B21cc), and an alarm signal output unit B21d (B21dd).

  The card information management unit B22 performs card presence / absence, management of game data (credit information and the like) written on the card, calculation processing and presentation thereof, card processing at the end of the game, and the like. For example, the card reader / writer means B11 monitors whether or not a card has been inserted into the card slot 11, and when the card is inserted, the card reader / writer 17 reads the credit information stored in the card. And if necessary, credit information and the like are written on the card, and the card is discharged. In addition, according to the operation contents of the operation means B13, etc., setting of the number of balls lent, lending, credit settlement processing, etc., and presenting the balance information of the current card that has undergone these processes to the card balance presentation means B12 Let

  The winning management unit B23 receives winning information of game balls from the winning detection means B3 (general winning ball detector 24s, starting winning ball detector 25s, large winning ball detector 26s, etc.) to each winning tool 24, 25, 26, etc. In response, a process of assigning a prize ball credit corresponding to each winning tool 24, 25, 26, etc. is performed.

  When a game ball is detected by the firing ball detection unit B1, the foul ball detection unit B2, and the winning detection unit B3, the credit information management unit B24 causes the calculation unit B24a to calculate the number of balls held (credit number) for each detection. Then, the calculation result by the calculation unit B24a is stored in the memory B24b.

  The credit presentation update unit B25 presents the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) stored in the memory B24b at the time of launch detection until a predetermined time elapses after the launch ball detection means B1 detects the launch of the game ball. When the predetermined time has elapsed, it is changed to the credit number (the number of possessed balls) stored in the memory B24b at that time, and presented to the credit presenting means B14.

  The circulation control unit B26 causes the game balls to be launched into the game area PA by the game ball launching means B15, and collects the game balls that have been launched into the game area PA by the game ball circulation means B16 and used for the game. It is supplied to the game ball launching means B15 and circulated so that it can be launched again into the game area PA.

  Specific control contents by the control device having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a main flowchart of the pachinko machine PM. While the pachinko gaming machine PM is in operation, the control device performs card information management processing S10, ball lending processing S20, firing ball detection processing S30, winning ball detection processing S40, foul ball detection processing S50, credit presentation update processing S60, and settlement processing S70. Etc. are repeatedly executed.

First, the card information management process S10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko game, first, when a card is inserted into the card slot 11, the card reader / writer 17 reads the identification number and the like recorded on the card (step S11), and the controller determines whether the card is valid. The determination process is performed (step S12). In this process, for example, whether or not the card is a counterfeit product or whether or not it is expired is determined as to whether or not it is a card that can receive a ball lending. If it is determined that the card cannot be lent out, this card is discharged from the card slot 11 (step S13).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the card can receive a ball rental, the credit information (card balance) stored in the card is presented to the card balance presenting unit 16a, and the player uses the ball rental button 13 and the checkout button. Any one of 15 can be selected and pressed.

  Here, when the player presses the ball lending button 13 without pressing the checkout button 15 (step S14) (step S15), the number of ball lending is set according to the number of times the ball lending button 13 is operated. At the same time (step S16), the card balance presenting section 16a is presented with a card balance obtained by subtracting the frequency corresponding to the set number of balls lending (step S17). Note that the method for setting the number of ball lending is not limited to the above method, and for example, a desired number of ball lending may be set by directly inputting with the numeric keypad 12.

  On the other hand, when the player depresses the settlement button 15 (step S14), the card reader / writer 17 uses the card reader / writer 17 to store the game data such as the number of balls at that time (in accordance with the processing result of the settlement processing S70 described later). (Step S18), the card is discharged from the card slot 11 (step S19).

  Next, the ball lending process S20 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is executed in synchronization with the setting of the number of balls lent in step S16. In the present embodiment, a fully credited pachinko machine is assumed, and instead of actually receiving a game ball payout (ball lending), this is converted into the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) and the pachinko machine PM Credits are now available. For example, if the number of balls lent out to the player is 25, this is converted into the credit number “25”.

  After the ball lending number is set in this way (step S21), when the player presses the start button 14 (step S22), the value of the number-of-ball counter (not shown, programmed in the control device) is The credit number “25” is added (step S23), and the value of the held ball number counter at this time is stored in the memory B 24b (step S24). In addition, a credit presentation process is performed in synchronization with or following this, and the information stored in the memory B 24 b, that is, the total credit number reflecting the newly credited credit number “25” is presented to the credit presentation unit 16 b. (Step S25). In addition, when receiving a ball lending while the game is continuing, a ball lending according to the number of operations of the ball lending button 13 can be received only by pressing the ball lending button 13 without operating the start button 14 ( The number of credits may be added).

  For example, when a ball is lent before the game starts, if the number of balls held by the player at that time is “0”, the credit number “25” newly credited to the pachinko machine PM at this time is credited as it is. It is presented as “25” to the presentation unit 16b. On the other hand, when receiving a ball lending while the game continues, if the number of balls held by the player at that time is “75”, the credit number “25” newly credited to the pachinko machine PM is added at this time. The total number of credits “100” is presented to the credit presentation unit 16b.

When the player presses the start button 14 in step S22, the game ball is supplied to the hitting position in the launch mechanism 31 by the game ball circulation device 100, and a pachinko game can be started. Thereafter, the player operates the launching handle 7 provided in the pachinko machine PM to launch the game ball into the game area PA, so that the number of credits (the number of possessed balls) credited as described above can be obtained. You can play games within the range.

  On the other hand, when the player does not press the ball lending button 13 (step S21), or when the player presses the ball lending button 13 but does not press the start button 14 (step SS22). This process S20 is terminated.

  The firing ball detection process S30 will be described with reference to FIG. In this shot ball detection processing S30, when the game balls launched into the game area PA by the launch mechanism 31 are detected one by one by the shot ball detector 37s (step S31), the number of balls held for each detection “1” is subtracted from the value of the counter (ie, the number of possessed balls (number of credits) stored in the memory B 24 b) corresponding to the number of shot balls (step S 32), and after “1” is subtracted. The value of the possession ball number counter is updated and stored in the memory B24b (step S33).

  The winning ball detection process S40 will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, when the game balls launched in the game area PA are awarded to any of the winning devices 24, 25, 26, they are detected by the winning ball detectors 24s, 25s, 26s (step S41). . Then, the value (number of winning balls) corresponding to the type of the winning tool 24, 25, 26 detected is the value of the holding ball counter (that is, the number of holding balls (number of credits) stored in the memory B 24b). The number of winning balls is added corresponding to the number of winning balls (step S42), and the value of the held ball number counter after the number of winning balls is added is updated and stored in the memory B24b (step S43).

  The number of winning balls is set according to the type of each winning tool 24, 25, 26. For example, when the general winning tool 24 is won, the number of prize balls is “15”, and the number of prize balls is added to the credit. Further, the number of winning balls when winning the start winning tool 25 is “3”, and this number of winning balls is added to the credit. Further, the number of prize balls when winning the big prize tool 26 is “12”, and the number of prize balls is added to the credit.

  In this way, each time a launch ball is launched by the launch mechanism 31 and detected by the launch ball detector 37s one by one, “1” is subtracted from the credit number credited to the pachinko machine PM. Further, when the launch ball wins, a value (number of winning balls) corresponding to the type of the winning tool (for example, the general winning tool 24, the starting winning tool 25, the big winning tool 26, etc.) is added to the credit number. The game can be played until a predetermined settlement condition is satisfied, for example, until the settlement button 15 is pressed by the player or the number of credits becomes “0 (zero)”.

  The game balls won in each of the winning devices 24, 25, and 26 and the game balls that have been dropped from the game area PA and discharged from the out port 27 without winning any of the winning tools 24, 25, and 26. Is introduced into the game ball circulation device 100 after being guided to the back side of the game board 20 and sent to the hitting position of the launch mechanism 31 again so that it can be circulated again to the game area PA.

  The foul ball detection process S50 will be described with reference to FIG. In this foul ball detection process S50, when the game balls (foul balls) that have been launched by the launch mechanism 31 but returned without reaching the game area PA are detected one by one by the foul ball detector 36s ( In step S51), for each detection, “1” is added to the value of the possession ball counter (ie, the number of possession balls (number of credits) stored in the memory B 24b) corresponding to the number of foul balls (step S51). S52), the value of the possession ball number counter after being incremented by “1” is updated and stored in the memory B24b (step S53).

  The credit presentation update process S60 will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, when the shot ball detector 37s detects the release of a game ball (step S61), a determination process is performed to determine whether or not a predetermined presentation delay time has elapsed since the detection (step S61). S62). Here, when it is determined that the presentation delay time has not elapsed, the number of held balls (credit) stored in the memory B 24b at the time of launch detection is presented to the credit presentation unit 16b until the presentation delay time has elapsed. (Step S63). On the other hand, when it is determined that the presentation delay time has passed (step S62), the updated number of balls (credit) stored in the memory B 24b is presented when the presentation delay time has passed (step S64).

  As the above-mentioned presentation delay time, when a game ball is launched into the game area PA by the launch mechanism 31, the game ball is detected by the launch ball detector 37s, and then this shot ball is moved to the game area PA. It is preferable to set the estimated required time until the foul ball is detected by the foul ball detector 36s, for example, in the range of about 0.6 seconds to 1 second when the foul ball is returned without returning. As a result, if the fired ball becomes a foul ball, the decrease in the number of credits due to the detection of the fire ball will be offset by the increase in the number of credits due to the detection of the foul ball during the presentation delay time. Presented as not. If the presentation delay time is not set, the number of credits will be reduced by 1 when the ball is detected, and then the credit will be increased by 1 when the foul ball is detected. Although the increase / decrease display is difficult to see, such an increase / decrease display is eliminated, so that the player can easily understand the situation of the number of balls and can enjoy the game more.

  The settlement process S70 will be described with reference to FIG. In this process, when the player presses the settlement button 15 (step S71), the settlement condition is satisfied, and the firing mechanism 31 does not operate even if the firing handle 7 is operated by the control device. The firing of the sphere is stopped (step S73). In order to continue the game, the ball lending button 13 may be operated again.

  Here, there is a possibility that a foul ball or a winning is detected after a predetermined settlement condition is established. Therefore, after a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) has passed since the settlement condition is established, the memory B24b is in that time. Information on the number of possessed balls (number of credits) is transmitted to the card reader / writer 17 (step S74). And when the process which transmits this credit information is complete | finished, the said credit number is reset.

  For example, at this stage, when the number of balls possessed by the player (number of credits) is “44” by the calculation of the number of lent balls “25” + the number of winning balls “30” −the number of fired balls “11”, The number of possessed balls (number of credits) is transmitted to the card reader / writer 17. In addition, when a foul ball or a winning is detected by the standby processing as described above, a value corresponding to the detected value is added to the ball counter, so the number of balls (credits) with the added amount added. Information is transmitted to the card reader / writer 17.

  In addition, even when the number of held balls (number of credits) becomes “0” (step S72) by the game (instead of the player pressing down the checkout button 15 (step S71)), the checkout condition is satisfied, Subsequent processing is processing S73 and S74 similar to the above. In this case, the ball lending button 13 may be operated again to continue the game.

In the sealed circulation type pachinko machine PM configured as described above, instead of actually receiving and lending a game ball, this is converted into the number of credits as the number of balls held by the player and credited to the pachinko machine PM. Only a predetermined number of game balls are enclosed in the pachinko machine PM, and the game balls are fired one by one by the game ball launching device 50 and are collected by the game ball circulation device 100. The game ball launching apparatus 100 is supplied again, that is, a predetermined number of game balls are circulated and used in an enclosed state. Now, a specific configuration of the circulation unit for circulating the game ball sealed in the pachinko machine PM will be described below with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the game ball is appropriately indicated with a symbol “B”.

  The circulation unit is mainly composed of a game ball launching device 50 and a game ball circulation device 100. The game ball launching device 50 can be broadly divided into configurations, the launch handle 7 for launching the game ball, the launch mechanism 31 for launching the game ball, and the guide of the game ball launched by the launch mechanism 31 on the game board 20. A launch rail portion 32 that guides the rail 22, a circulation control portion B26 (a launch control circuit of the credit control board 44) of the control unit CU that controls the operation of the launch mechanism 31 based on an operation signal from the launch handle 7, and the like. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the launch handle 7 includes a handle base 51 that protrudes forward from the body of the pachinko machine PM, a turning lever 52 that is rotatably provided in front of the handle base 51, and a handle base 51. An angle detector 53 such as a potentiometer that detects the amount of rotation of the rotation lever 52 provided inside, a touch detector 54 that detects whether or not the player is in contact with the firing handle 7, and the like. . The detection signals of the angle detector 53 and the touch detector 54 are input to the circulation control unit B26 of the control unit CU, and the circulation control unit B26 detects that the player has sent the launch handle 7 from the detection signal from the touch detector 54. It is determined whether or not it is touched, the amount of rotation operation of the rotation lever 52 is detected from the detection signal from the angle detector 53, and the operation of the firing mechanism 31 is controlled based on these detection signals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launch mechanism 31 includes a flat base plate 55 that is provided on the game auxiliary board 30 and serves as a mounting base for the launch mechanism 31, and a plane that is attached to the base plate 55 and substantially parallel to the board surface of the game board 20. A hammer 56 provided so as to be able to swing inside, and a rotary solenoid 57 as a drive source for swinging the hammer 56 up and down. A hammer 56 is screwed to the output shaft of the rotary solenoid 57, and the hammer 56 is driven based on a command from the circulation control unit B26 of the control unit CU, so that the hammer 56 is in a standby position (lower limit position). And can be swung between the ball hitting position (upper limit position).

  The firing rail portion 32 includes a flat rail base 58 provided to face the base plate 55 of the firing mechanism 31 and a firing rail 59 that is held by the rail base 58 and extends obliquely upward. Here, the launch rail 59 extends from the lower right to the upper left as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine PM, and the guide rail 22 on the game board 20 is disposed on the extended line. Between the upper end of the launch rail 59 and the lower end of the guide rail 22, the above-described foul ball return port 33 that opens upward is provided. A foul ball return passage 34 for allowing the foul ball to flow down to the game ball circulation device 100 extends rearward and is opened on the back side of the front frame 2.

On the other hand, the game ball circulation device 100 includes a game ball collection passage 110 for flowing game balls (winning balls and out balls) guided from the ball cover on the back of the game board 20 and a foul ball return of the game auxiliary board 30. A foul ball collection passage 120 that causes a foul ball guided from the passage 34 to flow down, and a circulating ball standby that joins and aligns the played ball collection passage 110 and the foul ball collection passage 120 that have flowed down from the foul ball collection passage 120. A ball feed mechanism 150 that supplies the game balls aligned with the passage 130, the circulation ball standby passage 130 one by one to the ball seating portion at the lower end of the launch rail 59 (that is, the hitting position in the launch mechanism 31), and the ball feed mechanism And a circulation control unit B26 (ball feed control circuit of the credit control board) of the control unit CU for controlling the operation of 150. These game-completed ball collection passages 110 and foul ball collection passages 1
20, the circulation ball standby passage 130 and the ball feeding mechanism 150 are integrally provided in a housing 100H which is a base of the game ball circulation device 100 to constitute a circulation device assembly, and the circulation device assembly is formed on the front frame 2. Mounted on the back side. The housing 100H includes a housing body 101 that is elongated in the left-right direction (width direction), and a long plate-shaped housing lid 102 that is attached to the housing body 101 in a state of being opposed to the front and rear. The two lid-side engaging portions 102a of the housing lid 102 are engaged with the two main body-side engaging portions 101a of the main body 100, respectively, to form a hinge portion. The hinge portion is used as a center with respect to the housing main body 101. The housing lid 102 can be rotated to close and open the interior of the housing 100H. In the circulation device assembly, a fixing screw (not shown) is received from the inside by a screw boss 101b projecting from the housing body 101 and screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed on the back surface of the front frame 2. Thus, it is a cassette type that can be detachably attached to the front frame 2.

  The game-completed ball collection passage 110 has a game-completed collection port 111 that is open upward. The game-completed ball collection passage 111 is gently inclined downward to the left from the game-completed ball collection port 111 in a front view. The dropped game balls are arranged in a line and can flow down the slope.

  The foul ball collection passage 120 has a first foul ball passage 121a bent in an L shape in plan view and connected to the end of the foul ball return passage 34 formed in the game auxiliary board 30, and a rear end of the first foul ball passage 121a. A foul ball detector 36s for detecting the passage of the foul ball is interposed in the middle of the second foul ball passage 121b.

  The circulating ball standby passage 130 is gently inclined downward to the right from the meeting point between the game-completed ball collection passage 110 and the foul ball collection passage 120 in a front view, and the game-completed ball that has flowed down the game-completed ball collection passage 110. And foul balls that have flowed down the foul ball collection passage 120 are merged (aggregated), aligned in a line along the passage, and guided to the introduction port of the downstream ball feed mechanism 150. In addition, the ball storage part which stores a game ball is comprised by these circulation ball waiting passages 130 and game-completed ball collection | recovery passages 110, and the passage length combining circulation ball waiting passage 130 and game-completed ball collection passages 110 is, for example, It is set to a length that is necessary and sufficient to store the total number of game balls circulating in the pachinko machine PM.

  The ball feed mechanism 150 is swingably provided with a ball feed valve 151 that receives and feeds the game balls aligned in the circulating ball standby passage 130 one by one in accordance with the alignment order, and swings the ball feed valve 152. A solenoid 152 is provided as a driving source to be moved. The ball feed valve 152 is supported by a swing pin 153 so as to be swingable around the paper surface of FIG. 15, and when current is supplied to the solenoid 152 and magnetized, the attracting force causes the link mechanism 154 to pass through the link mechanism 154. Thus, it swings counterclockwise in FIG. 15 around the swing pin 153. When the ball feed valve 151 swings, a ball feed opening 35 through which the game ball waiting (damped) by the ball feed valve 151 passes through the front side 2 on the downstream side of the ball feed valve 151, that is, the front frame 2. To the ball seating portion of the firing rail 59. The ball feed operation of the ball feed mechanism 150, that is, the ON / OFF control of the solenoid 152 that swings the ball feed valve 151 is synchronously controlled with the operation of the rotary solenoid 57 that drives the hammer 56 of the launch mechanism 31. Each time a game ball is fired from the launch mechanism 31 based on the turning operation of the handle 7, the game ball is received one by one and sent out to the hitting position in the launch mechanism 31.

The ball feed mechanism 150 includes a launch ball detector (proximity switch) 37s that detects each game ball when the game balls waiting in the circulating ball standby passage 130 are sent to the ball seating portion of the launch rail 59 one by one. When a game ball enters the detection area of the proximity switch, it can be detected immediately before the game ball is launched. The launch ball detector 37s does not detect a game ball actually launched from the launch mechanism 31, but the game ball detected by the launch ball detector 37s is seated on the launch rail 59 immediately after detection. Since it is supplied to the part and fired by the launch mechanism 31, it can be regarded as substantially detecting the launch of a game ball.

  In the circulation unit configured as described above, first, when the player is not operating the firing handle 7, the output signal of the touch detector 54 is in a non-contact state in which the player's contact is not detected. Yes, the circulation control unit B26 (credit control board 44) determines that the player is in a standby state not playing a game, and turns off the operation of the firing mechanism 31. That is, since the rotary solenoid 57 of the firing mechanism 31 is not excited by a command from the circulation control unit B26 (credit control board 44), the hammer 56 is stopped at the standby position.

  On the other hand, when the player grasps and rotates the launch handle 7, the output signal of the touch detector 54 is in a contact state in which the player's contact is detected, and the game ball stored in the ball storage unit 140 is transferred to the ball feeding mechanism. A ball 150 is placed at the lower end portion of the firing rail 59 (a hitting position on the hammer 56) one by one, and a rotary solenoid 57 that is synchronously controlled with the ball feeding mechanism 150 is excited to swing upward, and the firing handle. A game ball is launched toward the game area PA with a firing intensity corresponding to the amount of rotation operation 7 (detection value of the angle detector 53).

  The game balls thus launched into the game area PA roll down in the game area PA, and a part of them falls into the prize opening of the general prize tool 24, the start prize tool 25, the big prize tool 26, etc. The player is guided to the back side of the game board 20 and a winning ball is detected by the winning ball detectors 24s, 25s, and 26s. In addition, a game ball that has dropped into the out port 27 without winning the winning devices 24, 25, 26 is detected as an out ball when passing through an out ball detector 27s provided in the out port 27. After that, it is guided to the back side of the game board 20. These safe balls and out-balls, that is, already played balls, flow down along the back surface of the game board 20 and are collected on the lower side of the game board 20 by the ball approaching cover. The game-completed ball that has dropped to the lower side of the game board 20 flows into the game-completed ball collection passage 110 from the game-completed ball collection port 111 of the game ball circulation device 100.

  On the other hand, when the launch strength of the game ball launched according to the amount of rotation of the launch handle 7 is weak, a foul ball that returns to the guide rail 22 without being able to reach the game area PA is generated. The incoming foul ball falls into the foul ball collection port 33 of the game auxiliary board 30 and flows down the foul ball return passage 34 connected thereto to the rear side of the front frame 2. The foul ball flows into a foul ball collection passage 120 of the game ball circulation device 100 connected to the end of the foul ball return passage 34 and extending in the vertical direction, and passes through a foul ball detector 36s provided in the middle of the passage. Sometimes detected as a foul sphere.

  The game balls and foul balls flowing down the collection passages 110 and 120 join in the circulation ball standby passage 130 and are aligned in a line along the circulation ball standby passage 130. That is, the total number of game balls launched from the launch mechanism 31 are collected in the circulating ball standby passage 130 while following different paths, and guided to the ball feed mechanism 150 located downstream of the tilt.

As described above, the ball feed operation of the ball feed mechanism 150, that is, the ON / OFF control of the solenoid 152 that swings the ball feed valve 151 is synchronized with the operation of the rotary solenoid 57 that drives the hammer 56 of the firing mechanism 31. Each time a game ball is fired from the launch mechanism 31 based on the turning operation of the launch handle 7, the game ball is received from the circulating ball standby passage 130 one by one and is hit by the launch mechanism 31. It is designed to send out to the position. Therefore, the game balls launched by the launch mechanism 31 are detected as winning balls, out balls, or foul balls, and then collected in the circulating ball standby passage 130 in an aligned state. One ball at a time is supplied to the hitting position in the launching mechanism 31 and is launched again from the launching mechanism 31 and used in circulation.

  In such a circulation unit, the game ball circulation device 100 is configured as a cassette-type circulation device assembly that is detachable with respect to a predetermined position on the back surface of the front frame 2, so that the game ball can be easily replaced and replenished. At the same time, it is possible to replace the cassette with another cassette (circulator assembly) filled with a new game ball.

  By the way, in a sealed circulation type pachinko machine PM, a predetermined number of game balls are circulated and used in a sealed state. However, a game ball (for example, a game with a different shape or light weight from a normal game ball) is externally used. Even if balls are mixed, unless the game ball is exchanged after a predetermined check time, the game ball may be recycled in the pachinko machine PM and the winning probability of the game ball may be raised illegally. Therefore, the pachinko machine PM of the present embodiment is provided with a circulating ball monitoring device that determines whether or not gaming balls are illegally mixed from the outside in a predetermined number of gaming balls that are legitimately used in circulation. ing. Now, a specific configuration of the circulation sphere monitoring device will be described by exemplifying two embodiments. First, the circulating sphere monitoring device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below mainly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 14.

  The circulating ball monitoring device includes an optical detector 160 serving as an identification ball detecting means that is disposed in the middle of the circulating ball standby passage 130 in the gaming ball circulating device 100 and detects a gaming ball passing through the circulating ball standby passage 130. Based on the detection signal from the optical detector 160, the circulating ball management unit B21 of the control unit CU that determines whether the game ball is illegally mixed, and an alarm that performs a predetermined alarm operation according to the determination result by the circulating ball management unit B21 Among the predetermined number of game balls that are configured to include the actuating means B17 and are housed in the game machine, the game balls have different reflectivities from other game balls (for example, different from normal game balls) When a game ball having an appearance color (hereinafter referred to as “identification ball”) is inserted in advance and the game ball is circulated in the machine by the circulation unit at the start of the game, the optical detector 1 Based on the detection interval different from the identification sphere reflectance detected it is configured to determine the presence or absence of contamination of unauthorized game ball by 0. In addition, as the identification sphere, the whole or part of the outer surface of the game sphere is painted with a specific color and the appearance color is different, or the whole or part of the outer surface of the game sphere is made of a material having a different reflectance. However, there is no particular limitation as long as the reflectance is different from that of other game balls (ordinary game balls). Does not matter.

  The optical detector 160 includes, for example, a photo reflector in which a light emitting unit having a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode and a light receiving unit having a light receiving element such as a photodiode are arranged in parallel in the same direction or at a predetermined angle and are accommodated in a sensor housing. The reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit (reflected light reflected by the outer surface of the game ball) is detected by the light receiving unit, and this detection information is output to the circulating sphere management unit B21 of the control unit CU. To do.

  The circulation sphere management unit B21 circulates in the pachinko machine PM (mainly the identification sphere) and the circulation sphere selection unit B21a for selecting whether or not the game sphere detected by the optical detector 160 is the identification sphere. An alarm signal is output to the circulation time measuring unit B21b that measures the elapsed time, the determination unit B21c that determines the presence or absence of an external game ball based on the elapsed time that the identification ball circulates, and the alarm activation unit B17. And an alarm signal output unit B21d.

When the game ball flows down the circulation ball standby passage 130 and passes through the detection area of the optical detector 160, the circulation ball sorting unit B21a detects the detection information (game ball detection information) output from the optical detector 160. Based on the information on the reflectance of the outer surface), the signal intensity value of the detection signal is compared with a predetermined intensity threshold value set in advance to determine whether or not the detected game ball is an identification ball. . For example, when the outer surface of the identification sphere has a higher reflectance than the outer surface of a normal game sphere, it is detected by setting a predetermined intensity threshold to a value corresponding to the intermediate value of these reflectances. When the signal intensity value of the game sphere exceeds a predetermined intensity threshold, it can be determined that it is an identification sphere. Here, when the circulating sphere sorting unit B21a detects the identifying sphere, it outputs an identifying sphere detection signal to the circulating time measuring unit B21b, and at the same time a predetermined flag (" (Referred to as “timekeeping start request flag”).

  The circulation time measuring unit B21b receives the identification sphere detection signal from the circulation sphere sorting unit B21a and starts time counting when the timing start request flag is turned on. The identification sphere circulates in the gaming machine and waits for the circulation sphere. The elapsed time until the optical detector 160 and the circulating sphere sorting unit B21a again detect the identification sphere in the passage 130 (until the identification sphere detection signal is received again from the circulating sphere sorting unit B21a), that is, the circulation of the identification sphere. Time T is measured. Therefore, while it is difficult to measure the circulation time T with a normal game ball, the circulation time T is measured based on the detection interval of the identification ball having identification information detectable from the outside. This can be managed as a general circulation time of a game ball used in circulation in the gaming machine.

  The determination unit B21c determines whether or not the circulation time T of the identification sphere timed by the circulation time measurement unit B21b exceeds a preset specified circulation time K, and exceeds the specified circulation time K ( When the circulation time T> the specified circulation time K), it is determined that the circulation time T is abnormal (that is, the game balls are illegally mixed into the game machine from the outside, and the number of game balls to be circulated increases. It is determined that the circulation time T has exceeded), and a determination signal indicating abnormality is output to the alarm signal output unit B21d. In general, the circulation time T of the game ball varies depending on the circulation route (whether it is processed as a winning ball, an out ball, or a foul ball) after the game ball is launched. A plurality of circulation times may be sampled, and a time obtained by adding a predetermined margin to the average time (for example, 1.3 times the average time) may be set as the specified circulation time K as a threshold value.

  The alarm signal output unit B21d outputs an alarm signal to the alarm actuating means B17 when a determination signal indicating abnormality is input from the determination unit B21c, and this alarm signal until a predetermined reset operation is performed. Self-holding.

  There are various types of configurations of the alarm activation means B17 using the alarm signal. As a typical example, the pachinko machine PM itself notifies the predetermined alarm in the pachinko machine PM itself, and notifies the alarm outside the pachinko machine PM. Examples include an external alarm means, an operation restricting means for restricting a predetermined operation of the pachinko machine PM, and these means can be operated alone or in combination. The own machine alarm means, for example, displays a predetermined alarm image on the symbol display device 28 of the pachinko machine PM, or blinks all lighting devices such as LEDs and lamps provided on the glass door 5 and the game board 20, An alarm sound can be generated from the speaker. Also, the external alarm means outputs an alarm signal to the game facility side via a terminal board provided on the back side of the pachinko machine PM, for example, flashes an alarm display light on the game island, or to the hall computer of the game facility. An alarm display can be blinked. The operation restricting means can be configured to restrict the circulation operation by the game ball circulation device 100 and the launch operation by the game ball launching device 50, or stop the execution of the special game.

  Next, the operation of the circulating-sphere monitoring device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected by the optical detector 160. When the game ball in the circulation ball standby passage 130 enters the detection area of the optical detector 160 and is detected by the optical detector 160, an affirmative determination is made in this step S101, and the process proceeds to the next step S102 to circulate. In the ball sorting unit B21a, it is determined whether or not the detected game ball is an identification ball. As described above, as described above, the signal intensity value of the detection signal output from the optical detector 160 is compared with a predetermined intensity threshold value, and for example, the outer surface of the identification sphere is a normal game. When the reflectance is higher than the outer surface of the sphere, if the signal intensity value exceeds the intensity threshold, it is determined that the detected game sphere is the identification sphere. When an affirmative determination is thus made in step S102, the process proceeds to the next step S103.

  In step S103, it is determined in the circulation time measuring unit B21b whether or not the timing start request flag is turned on. Here, since the flag is in an off state before the start of the measurement of the circulation time T, a negative determination is made in this step S103, and the process proceeds to the next step S104.

  In step S104, the clock start request flag is turned on in the circulation ball sorting unit B21b. When the timing start request flag is set in this way, the circulation time measuring unit B21b sets an initial value of zero for the circulation time T (step S105), and then starts counting the circulation time T (step S106). ). Then, the process returns to the start while maintaining the time counting state of the circulation time T, and the process from step S101 is executed every time a game ball is detected by the optical detector 160.

  When only the normal game ball is detected in such a state of measuring the circulation time T, the processing from the start to step S102 is repeatedly executed, and the measurement of the circulation time T in the circulation time measuring unit B21b is continued. . On the other hand, when the identification sphere detected in the previous stage circulates in the pachinko machine PM and returns to the circulation sphere standby passage 130, the identification sphere is detected again by the optical detector 160 in step S101, and this is detected in step S102. If it is determined that the ball is an identification ball, an affirmative determination is made this time in the next step S103 (that is, because the timing start request flag has already been turned on), and the process proceeds to step S107. In step S102, when the identification sphere is detected by the circulation sphere sorting unit B21a and the identification sphere detection signal is output, the circulation time measurement unit B21b ends the measurement of the circulation time T.

  In step S107, the determination unit B21c determines whether or not the circulation time T (detection interval between the identification balls) measured by the circulation time measurement unit B21b exceeds a predetermined circulation time K set in advance. If it is determined in this step S107 that the circulation time T exceeds the specified circulation time K, the circulation time T of the game ball is abnormal (exceeds), that is, is used in circulation in the pachinko machine PM. It is determined that an illegal game ball is mixed from the outside into the predetermined number of game balls, and a determination signal for executing abnormality notification is output to the alarm signal output unit B21d.

  In step S108, a warning signal is output by the warning signal output unit B21d based on the determination result by the determination unit B21c, and a predetermined warning operation such as notifying the abnormality in the warning operation unit B17 is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S107 that the circulation time T has not reached the specified circulation time K, it is determined that the circulation time of the game ball is normal, a negative determination is made in this step S107, and the process proceeds to step S109. proceed. In step S109, the game ball sorting unit B21a turns off the timing start request flag. In step S110, the circulation time measurement unit B21b clears the value of the circulation time T, and the process returns to a predetermined initial state (start). Thereafter, each time a game ball is detected by the optical detector 160 in the circulating ball standby passage 130, the processing from step S101 is executed.

As described above, in the circulation ball monitoring device according to the first embodiment, a predetermined number of game balls (identification balls) having different outer surface reflectivities from normal game balls are circulated and used in the pachinko machine PM in an enclosed state. In the process of storing them together with the game balls and circulating them in the pachinko machine PM, the detection interval of the identification balls (the interval at which the optical detector 160 detects the identification balls) is set as the circulation time of the game balls. It is measured as T, and when the circulation time T exceeds the specified circulation time K, it is determined that there is an abnormality, that is, it is determined that an illegal game ball is mixed. For this reason, it is possible to detect fraudulent acts that mix illegal game balls from the outside at an early stage, and effectively prevent the occurrence of damage.

  Next, the circulating sphere monitoring device according to the second embodiment will be described in detail below mainly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 14. The circulating sphere monitoring device of the second embodiment is different in the configuration of the identification sphere detection means B5 and the circulating sphere management unit B21 in the circulating sphere monitoring device of the first embodiment described above, and the configuration of the alarm activation means B17 is the same. For this reason, the same numbers are assigned to the same parts, and repeated description is omitted. The configurations of the identification sphere detection means B5 and the circulating sphere management unit B21 will be mainly described.

  The circulating ball monitoring device is provided in the middle of the circulating ball standby passage 130 in the gaming ball circulating device 100, and an IC tag reader 260 as identification ball detecting means B5 that reads IC tag information of a gaming ball passing through the circulating ball standby passage 130. Then, based on the read information from the IC tag reader 260, the circulating ball management unit B21 of the control unit CU that discriminates illegal mixing of the game balls, and a predetermined alarm operation is performed according to the determination result by the circulating ball management unit B21. One game ball (hereinafter referred to as an “identification ball”) having an IC tag embedded in a predetermined number of game balls contained in an enclosed state in the gaming machine is configured with an alarm activation means B17. When the game ball is circulated in the machine by the circulation unit at the start of the game, the detection interval of the identification ball by the IC tag reader 260 (IC tag Based on the reading interval) of broadcast is configured to determine the presence or absence of contamination of illegal gaming ball.

  The IC tag includes an IC chip formed as an integrated circuit and an antenna having a coil. For example, an ID number (electronic information) unique to a game ball is stored as identification information of the game ball in the IC tag built in the identification ball, and is driven by radio waves received from the outside. Send in the form.

  The IC tag reader 260 wirelessly communicates with an IC tag built in the game ball, and can read the identification information stored in the IC tag without contact. The IC tag reader 260 reads the identification information of the IC tag built in the identification sphere passing through the circulation sphere standby passage 130, and outputs this identification information to the circulation sphere management unit B21 of the control unit CU.

  The circulating ball management unit B21 measures the elapsed time that the game ball (mainly the identification ball) circulates in the pachinko machine PM, and the circulating ball sorting unit B21aa that recognizes the identification ball based on the identification information from the IC tag reader 260. A time measurement unit B21bb, a determination unit B21cc that determines whether or not a game ball is mixed from the outside based on the elapsed time that the identification ball circulates, and an alarm signal output unit B21dd that outputs an alarm signal to the alarm operating means B17 And have.

The circulating ball sorting unit B21aa identifies the IC tag read and output by the IC tag reader 260 when the game ball flows down the circulating ball standby passage and passes through the detection area (reading area) of the IC tag reader 260. Based on the information, the game ball from which the identification information can be read is recognized as the identification ball. On the other hand, since information cannot be read by the IC tag reader 260 in a normal game ball having no IC tag, even when such a normal game ball passes through the detection area of the IC tag reader 260, the IC tag reader 260 No information is transmitted from to the circulating ball sorting unit B21aa. Therefore, the circulating ball sorting unit B21aa can determine that the game ball is an identification ball when the identification information of the IC tag is transmitted from the IC tag reader 260. Here, when the circulating sphere sorting unit B21aa detects the identification sphere, it outputs an identification sphere detection signal to the circulation time measuring unit B21bb, and at the same time, a predetermined flag (“ (Referred to as “timekeeping start request flag”).

  The circulation time measuring unit B21bb receives the identification sphere detection signal from the circulation sphere sorting unit B21aa and starts time counting when the timing start request flag is turned on. The identification sphere circulates in the gaming machine and waits for the circulation sphere. The elapsed time until the IC ball reader 160 and the circulating ball sorting unit B21bb detect again as the identification ball in the passage 130 (until the identification ball detection signal is received again from the circulating ball sorting unit B21aa), that is, the circulation time of the identification ball. Time T. Therefore, while it is difficult to measure the circulation time T in the gaming machine with a normal game ball, the detection interval of the identification ball having identification information (IC tag storage information) detectable from the outside By measuring the circulation time T based on this, this can be managed as the circulation time T of a game ball in general used in a game machine.

  The determination unit B21cc determines whether or not the circulation time T of the identification sphere timed by the circulation time measurement unit B21bb exceeds a preset specified circulation time K, and exceeds the specified circulation time K ( When the circulation time T> the specified circulation time K), it is determined that the circulation time T is abnormal (that is, the game balls are illegally mixed into the game machine from the outside, and the number of game balls to be circulated increases. It is determined that the circulation time T has exceeded), and a determination signal indicating an abnormality is output to the alarm signal output unit B21dd. In general, the circulation time T of the game ball varies depending on the circulation route (whether it is processed as a winning ball, an out ball, or a foul ball) after the game ball is launched. A plurality of circulation times may be sampled, and a time obtained by adding a predetermined margin to the average time (for example, 1.3 times the average time) may be set as the specified circulation time K as a threshold value.

  The alarm signal output unit B21dd outputs an alarm signal to the alarm actuating means B17 when a determination signal indicating abnormality is input from the determination unit B21cc, and this alarm signal is output until a predetermined reset operation is performed. Self-holding. Since the alarm actuating means B17 has been described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, the operation of the circulation sphere monitoring device configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the IC tag reader 260 has read the identification information of the IC tag from the game ball. When the identification sphere flowing down in the circulating ball standby passage 130 enters the detection area of the IC tag reader 260 and the identification information of the IC tag is read by the IC tag reader 260, an affirmative determination is made in this step S201, and the next The process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the circulation ball sorting unit B21aa recognizes the game ball from which the identification information can be read (that is, the game ball having the IC tag) as the identification ball, and proceeds to the next step S203.

  In step S203, it is determined in the circulation time measuring unit B21bb whether or not the timing start request flag is turned on. Here, since the flag is in an off state before the start of the measurement of the circulation time T, a negative determination is made in step S203, and the process proceeds to the next step S204.

In step S204, the counting start request flag is turned on in the circulating ball sorting unit B21aa. When the timekeeping start request flag is set in this way, the circulation time measuring unit B21bb sets an initial value zero for the circulation time T (step S205), and then starts counting the time of the circulation time T (step S206). ). Then, the process returns to the start while maintaining the time counting state of the circulation time T, and the processing from step S101 is executed again.

  In this timed state of the circulation time T, when a normal game ball without an IC tag passes through the circulation ball standby passage 130, any information (identification information) can be read from the game ball by the IC tag reader 260. Since it cannot be performed, the processing from the start to step S101 is repeatedly executed, and the measurement of the circulation time T by the circulation time measuring unit B21bb is continued. On the other hand, when the identification sphere detected in the previous stage circulates in the pachinko machine PM and returns to the circulation sphere standby passage 130 again, the identification information of the IC tag held by this identification sphere is obtained by the IC tag reader 260 in step S201. When it is read and it is recognized in step S202 that it is an identification sphere, an affirmative determination is made in this time in next step S203 (that is, the timing start request flag has already been turned on), and the routine proceeds to step S207. To do. In step S202, when the identification sphere is recognized by the circulation sphere sorting unit B21aa and the identification sphere detection signal is output, the circulation time measurement unit B21bb ends the measurement of the circulation time T.

  In step S207, the determination unit B21cc determines whether or not the circulation time T (detection interval between the identification balls) measured by the circulation time measurement unit B21bb exceeds a preset specified circulation time K. In this step S107, if it is determined that the circulation time T exceeds the specified circulation time K, the circulation time of the game ball is abnormal (exceeds), that is, is used in circulation in the pachinko machine PM. It is determined that an illegal game ball is mixed from the outside into the predetermined number of game balls, and a determination signal for executing abnormality notification is output to the alarm signal output unit B21dd.

  In step S208, a warning signal is output by the warning signal output unit B21dd based on the determination result by the determination unit B21cc, and a predetermined warning operation such as notifying the abnormality in the warning operation unit B17 is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the circulation time T has not reached the specified circulation time K, it is determined that the circulation time of the game ball is normal, a negative determination is made in step S207, and the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the time counting start request flag is turned off by the game ball sorting unit B21aa, and in step S210, the value of the circulation time T is cleared by the circulation time measurement unit B21bb, and the process returns to a predetermined initial state (start). Thereafter, each time the identification information of the IC tag is read by the IC tag reader 260 in the circulation ball standby passage 130, the processing from step S201 is executed.

  As described above, in the circulating ball monitoring apparatus according to the second embodiment, the game ball (identification ball) incorporating the IC tag is previously stored together with a predetermined number of game balls that are used in a sealed state in the pachinko machine PM. In addition, in the process in which these are circulated and used in the pachinko machine PM, the detection interval of the identification sphere (interval at which the identification information of the IC tag is read) is measured as the circulation time T of the game ball, and this circulation time T is defined. When the circulation time K is exceeded, it is determined to be abnormal, that is, it is determined that an illegal game ball is mixed. For this reason, it is possible to detect fraudulent acts that mix illegal game balls from the outside at an early stage, and effectively prevent the occurrence of damage.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, If it is a range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can improve suitably.

In the above-described embodiment, only one identification ball having identification information is put into a predetermined number of game balls (ordinary game balls) to be circulated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The identification ball may be inserted. In this case, different identification information (ID information unique to each identification sphere) is stored in the IC tag embedded in each identification sphere, so that only the circulation time of each identification sphere can be used as the detection interval of the identification sphere. In addition, it is possible to measure the passage intervals between different identification balls, and it is possible to increase the detection accuracy for illegal game ball mixing. Further, the total number of game balls used in circulation may be constituted by identification balls having identification information.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the information of the reflectance of the outer surface of a game ball and the storage information of the IC tag provided in the game ball are illustrated as predetermined identification information added to the game ball, It is not limited, and the outer shape of the game sphere is adopted as the identification information, and a game sphere having an outer shape different from that of other game balls enclosed in the gaming machine (for example, having a different diameter) is used as an identification sphere. You may comprise so that an identification ball | bowl may be detected from other game balls by measuring the external shape (two-dimensional shape, three-dimensional shape) of a game ball with a detector.

  In the above embodiment, the optical detector 160 and the IC tag reader 260 are provided in the middle of the circulation ball standby passage 130 of the game ball circulation device 100 as the identification ball detection means B5. It is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be provided midway from the ball feed mechanism 150 to the ball feed opening 35.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the presentation of the credit is performed in the credit presentation apparatus 16 provided in the operation unit 10, it is not limited to this structure, For example, the pattern according to the development condition of a game You may comprise so that it may be performed in the symbol display apparatus 28 which displays.

  In the above embodiment, the card unit including the card slot 11, the numeric keypad 12, the ball lending button 13, the card reader / writer 17 and the like is provided integrally with the pachinko machine PM, but is limited to this configuration. It is not a thing. For example, the card unit is provided adjacent to the pachinko machine PM as a device different from the pachinko machine PM, and the above-described credit control is performed by the exchange between the card unit and the pachinko machine PM. It may be configured.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the encapsulated circulation pachinko machine has been described as an example. However, as long as it is a bullet ball game machine, it can be applied to a game machine other than the enclosed circulation pachinko machine. . For example, the present invention can also be applied to a payout pachinko machine, a sparrow ball game machine, an arrange ball machine, and the like.

PM Pachinko machine (game machine)
PA game area B5 identification ball detection means (game ball detection means)
B15 Game ball launching means B16 Game ball circulation means B17 Alarm activation means B21 Circulation ball management section (game ball detection means, abnormality determination means)
2 Front frame 20 Game board 23 General winning equipment (winning entrance)
24 start prizes (winning entrance)
25 prize-winning equipment (winning entrance)
27 Out mouth (out ball mouth)
31 Launching mechanism (launching device)
50 game ball launcher (launcher)
100 game ball circulation device (circulation device)
160 Optical detector (game ball detection means)
260 IC tag reader (game ball detection means, reader)

Claims (3)

A gaming device having a gaming area provided with at least one winning opening, and a launching device that launches a gaming ball in the gaming area, while dropping the gaming ball launched from the launching device in the gaming area It is configured to perform a game that moves and wins the winning opening, and an out ball opening that drops and moves in the gaming area and flows in game balls that did not win the winning opening, and won the winning opening. A circulation device that collects the game ball and the game ball that has flowed into the out-ball mouth, and supplies the collected game ball to the launching device, and is launched into the game area by the launching device and used for gaming The ball game machine configured to circulate and use a predetermined number of game balls in a sealed state as a configuration in which the played game balls are collected by the circulation device, supplied to the launch device, and fired again into the game area. Stomach,
It said being launcher and put the circulation device identification sphere predetermined identification information is added in the game ball of a predetermined number to be recycled in advance, the identification balls from the game balls of the predetermined number Game ball detecting means for detecting;
The game ball detection means detects the identification ball, measures the circulation time until the identification ball circulates in the gaming machine and is detected again by the game ball detection means, and the measured circulation time is preset. pinball game machine characterized in that it is configured with an abnormality judging means for judging to be abnormal when exceeding the prescribed circulation time. The predetermined identification information is information on the reflectance of the outer surface of the game ball,
The game ball detection means is an optical detector capable of detecting a reflected light intensity from the game ball by irradiating the game ball with predetermined light and receiving a reflected light from the game ball, and the optical detector 2. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein a game ball whose reflected light intensity detected in step 1 exceeds a predetermined threshold is detected as the identification ball . The predetermined identification information is storage information of an IC tag provided on the game ball,
The game ball detecting means includes a reader capable of reading stored information of the IC tag, and detects a game ball capable of reading the stored information as the identification ball in the reader. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1.

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