JPH04357984A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease to the utmost a linking phenomenon of hit balls in a hit ball discharge position. CONSTITUTION:The pinball game machine contains a solenoid 39 and a plunger 81 being hit ball supply means for supplying a hit ball by one piece each to a hit ball discharge position, and an ejected ball detector 84 being a hit ball ejection detecting means for detecting the ejection of the hit ball executed by a hit ball ejection means, and based on a detection output of the ejected ball detector 84, a solenoid 39 is operated so that the next hit ball is supplied to the hit ball ejection position.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to pinball gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and coin gaming machines.
This invention relates to a pinball game machine having a ball ejection means for ejecting a ball at a ball ejection position into a game area.

0002

[Prior Art] This type of pinball game machine has been generally known in the past, for example, by operating by the driving force of a predetermined drive source for supplying balls and storing them in a ball waiting trough or the like. A batted ball supplying means that supplies the hit balls one by one to the batted ball firing position and a driving force of a predetermined batted ball firing drive source to bounce the batted balls that have been supplied to the batted ball firing position into the game area. There is a pinball game machine that is equipped with a ball firing means for firing the ball.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this conventional pinball game machine, one hit ball is supplied to the ball firing position based on the player's ball hitting operation, and in this state, the player performs the ball hitting operation. If the player restarts the ball batting operation after a temporary interruption, the ball will be supplied to the batted ball launch position again based on the start of the player's batting operation, and as a result, two balls will be present at the batted ball launch position. In this state, the ball firing means is activated and the ball is ejected. As a result, the load on the batted ball launcher is increased by the amount of two balls being fired, and even though the ball is fired by the batted ball launcher, the batted ball reciprocates within a narrow range near the batted ball launch position. Sometimes you just have to move. In that case, as the ball is ejected from the ball ejecting means, the next ball will be supplied to the ball ejection position, and in the end, many balls will be supplied to the ball ejection position, resulting in a string of balls. There was a drawback that it became.

The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a pinball game machine that can reduce as much as possible the occurrence of hit balls being tied together at the ball launch position. be.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is a pinball game machine having a ball ejection means for ejecting a ball at a ball ejection position and hitting the ball into a game area. It includes a batted ball supplying means for supplying batted balls one by one to a batted ball firing position, and a batted ball firing detection means for detecting the firing of batted balls by the batted ball firing means, and the batted ball firing detecting means detects the firing of the batted balls based on the detection output of the batted ball firing detecting means. It is characterized in that the ball supply means is operated to supply the next hit ball to the hit ball firing position.

[0006]

[Operation] One hit ball is supplied to the hit ball firing position by the action of the hit ball supply means, and the supplied hit ball is bounced by the hit ball firing means and driven into the game area. Then, the firing of the batted ball by the batted ball firing means is detected by the batted ball firing detection means, and the batted ball supplying means is operated based on the detection output to supply the next batted ball to the batted ball firing position.

[0007] That is, unless the ball ejection by the ball ejecting means is detected, the next ball will not be supplied to the ball ejecting position.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of this embodiment will first be described. A game board 1, a batted ball firing means 2, and a batted ball storage and supply means 3 are provided, and between the game board 1, the batted ball firing means 2, and the batted ball storage and supply means 3, pachinko balls, which are an example of batted balls, can be circulated. , circulation paths 4a, 4b,
4c, 4d and 4e. Circulation path 4b
is a path for guiding a winning pachinko ball to a winning area arranged on the game board 1. Further, the circulation path 4c is for guiding pachinko balls that have fallen into the out area provided on the game board 1. The ball storing and supplying means 3 supplies pachinko balls to the ball firing means 2 in response to the signal from the score addition/subtraction means 6. For example, the supply of pachinko balls is 10
It may be supplied in units of a fixed number such as pieces, or it may be supplied sequentially in units of one piece. When the ball storage and supply means 3 supplies pachinko balls, the signal thereof is given to the score addition/subtraction means 6. The ball firing means 2 sequentially fires the pachinko balls supplied from the ball storing and supplying means 3 one by one into a game area formed on the front surface of the game board 1. The firing operation of the ball firing means 2 is configured to be prohibited by the game disabling activation means 13.

[0009] Winning ball detection means 5 is provided in connection with the circulation path 4b that guides the winning balls. The winning ball detecting means 5 detects winning balls passing through the circulation path 4b one by one and provides the number to the score addition/subtraction means 6. The value object insertion slot 7 is for inserting a value object such as a coin. More preferably, a plurality of value object input ports 7, for example two, are provided. Each input slot accepts different coins, for example, a 1 mark coin and a 5 mark coin. In this way, if the player only has 5 mark coins, for example, he does not have to exchange them for 1 mark coin for playing the game. In addition, players who want to play for a long time only need to insert high-value coins (5 mark coins) and low-value coins (1 mark coin).
There is no need to worry about inserting Mark coins over and over again. In addition to coins, the object of value may also be a recording medium such as a magnetic card, an IC card, a thermal card, or an optical card (using an optical disk memory) on which predetermined data is recorded.

[0010] The score addition/subtraction means 6 is constituted by, for example, a CPU. The score addition/subtraction means 6 is for calculating scores based on the input signal from the value object input port 7, the winning ball detection signal from the winning ball detection means 5, and the supply signal from the batted ball storage supply means 3. . The score is represented by, for example, the number of pachinko balls that can be shot and the number of 1 mark coins equivalent to 30 pachinko balls. For example, if there are 100 pachinko balls that can be fired now, the score is represented by the number of 1 mark coins (3) and the number of pachinko balls (10).

The storage means 8 stores the score calculated by the score addition/subtraction means 6, as well as the predetermined stop score and game end score. The display means 9 is for displaying the calculation result of the score addition/subtraction means 6, that is, the current score. As described above, the score displayed on the display means 9 is displayed by, for example, the number of 1 mark coins and the number of pachinko balls that can be shot. The sound generating means 10 is for generating various sound effects. In this embodiment, the coins are inserted into the value object slot 7, the ball storage and supply means 3 supplies pachinko balls, the winning ball detection means 5 detects a winning ball, and the payment means 11 is operated. Sound effects are generated in response to coins being paid out from the valuable object paying out means 12, etc. The sound generating means 10 is composed of, for example, a speaker, a piezoelectric element, and the like. The payment means 11 is for displaying the end of the game. The payment means 11 includes, for example, a payment button. The value object payout means 12 is for paying out value objects, for example, 1 mark coins one by one. The game disabling activation means 13 controls the operation of the batted ball firing means 2 when the score of the score addition/subtraction means 6 reaches a predetermined stop score, when the game end score reaches a predetermined value, or when settlement is completed. It is meant to be prohibited. Note that the sound generating means 10 is activated when inserting a coin, supplying a coin, winning a prize, etc.
The sound effects emitted from the two may be the same sound. In this embodiment, the game disabling activation means 13 prohibits the operation of the batted ball firing means 2. Good too.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the display means 9. As shown in FIG. The display means 9 includes a ball number display section 91 that displays the number of pachinko balls that can be fired, a coin number display section 92 that displays the number of coins obtained by converting the number of pachinko balls into the number of 1 mark coins, and a coin number display section 92 that displays the number of pachinko balls that can be fired. A game stop display section 93 is included to notify the user of the game stop. The ball number display section 91 is configured to display a two-digit number, and the coin number display section 92 is configured to display a three-digit number. The pitch number display section 91 and the coin number display section 92 are, for example, LEDs.
Digitally displayed by a display segment made up of. The pitch count display section 91, the coin count display section 92, and the game stop display section 93 are driven to display by a driver 94.

In this embodiment, the pitch number display section 91 and the coin number display section 92 are digitally displayed, but they may be displayed in an analog manner, for example, by a bar whose display amount changes.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the contents of data stored in the storage means 8. As shown in FIG. The storage means 8 is composed of, for example, a RAM. The storage means 8 includes at least a coin number register 81, a ball number register 82, a stop control number storage area 83, and a game end score storage area 84. The coin number register 81 stores the score represented by the number of 1 mark coins among the scores calculated by the score addition/subtraction means 6. The ball count register 82 stores the score represented by the number of pachinko balls among the scores calculated by the score addition/subtraction means 6. In the stop control number storage area 83, a preset stop count is the number of 1 mark coins, and is set and stored as, for example, "100". The game end score storage area 84 is an area for storing the score when the score calculated by the score addition/subtraction means 6 decreases and the game ends. This score is, for example, if the number of 1 mark coins is "0".
”, the number of pitches is predetermined and stored as “0”. Note that it goes without saying that the number of stoppage controls and the game end score may be appropriately changed and set as necessary.

In this embodiment, a predetermined number (for example, a positive number "1") is not set in the storage means 8 for the following reason. That is, in order for the value object payout means 12 to pay out a value object, 1) there must be a predetermined signal, for example, a signal indicating that the score addition/subtraction means 6 has reached a predetermined stop score; The condition is that the calculation result is greater than or equal to a predetermined set number ("1" in this embodiment). By the way, in this embodiment, since the score is expressed as a positive integer, it is possible to determine whether "score ≠ 0" by determining whether the score is "score = 0" or not, without setting a specific number. If so, it can be determined that the score (the calculation result of the score addition/subtraction means 6) is greater than or equal to a predetermined set number (in this case, "1"), and there is no problem.

Of course, a predetermined number may be set in the storage means 8 and compared with the score. In this case, the set number can be set to any number such as "1" or "10".

FIG. 4 is an external front view of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a coin box 42 is provided on the left side of the gaming machine main body 41. coin box 4
2 has a first coin slot 7 as a value object slot.
1 and a second coin slot 72 are provided. First, in relation to the first coin insertion slot 71, there are a first coin return button 73, a first coin return slot 74, and a first coin return button 73.
An indicator lamp 75 indicating that a first coin has been inserted is provided in connection with the coin insertion slot 71. The display lamp 75 is composed of, for example, an LED.

[0018] In relation to the second coin slot 72, a second
A coin return button 76, a second coin return opening 77, and an indicator lamp 78 indicating a second coin insertion are provided.

In this embodiment, the first coin slot 71
is configured to accept 1 mark coins and the second
The coin slot 72 is configured to accept a 5 mark coin. The player usually inserts a 1 mark coin from the first coin slot 71 and starts playing the game. If you insert a 5 mark coin from the second coin slot 72, you can play five times as much as you would if you inserted a 1 mark coin, so this is useful when you want to play for a long time.

In this embodiment, two coin return buttons, two coin return slots, and two coin insertion display lamps are provided, but one of these may be used in common.

[0021] Furthermore, the number of coin slots is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

The coin box 42 is further provided with a payment button 111, which is an example of payment means, and is further provided with a start button 43. The settlement button 111 is a button for the player to instruct to end the game. Further, the start button 43 is a button for instructing the start of a game. In this embodiment, after a coin is inserted into the first coin slot 71 or the second coin slot 72, by pressing the start button 43, a batted ball is supplied from the batted ball supply storage means 3, and the batted ball is The game is configured such that the game that is issued starts. Note that this start button 43 does not necessarily have to be provided; for example, if the start button 43 is omitted, a ball is supplied in response to a coin being inserted into the coin slot 71 or 72, and the game is started. You may also do so. Note that in the operation description (description of FIGS. 12 to 16) described later, pressing of the start button 43 is omitted. Note that the coin box 42 and the gaming machine main body 41 may be made separate so that they can be separated.

A front frame 44 is attached to the gaming machine main body 41 so as to be openable and closable. The game board 1 is detachably attached to the front frame 44. The game board 1 is provided with a predetermined number of nails (not shown in the drawing), and further includes winning areas 101a and 101b.
, 101c, 102a, 102b, 102c, 103a
, 103b, 104, and an out area 105 are provided. In this embodiment, the winning area is the safe hole 101
a, 101b, 101c, starting winning holes 102a, 102b, 102c, which are winning areas with conditions that allow the variable display device 106 including the slot drum 106a and the digital display section 106b to be variably displayed depending on winning balls, Yakumono (commonly known as tulip) Winning area 103 consisting of
a, 103b, variable winning ball device 1 as a winning area whose winning state changes depending on the display content of the variable display device 106;
04, various different winning areas are provided. In this way, by varying the winning areas and setting different points to be added when a pachinko ball wins for each winning area, the player can enjoy the content of the game even more. In this case, winning ball detection means may be provided for each winning area. In addition, as in this embodiment, when the variable display device 106, which is an example of the variable display member, enters a specific display state, it is determined in advance as a specific gaming state, and points are added when the state is reached. You may also do so. However, in the present invention, the winning area may be any type of winning area.

Furthermore, the out area 105 is arranged at the lowest part of the game board 1. Therefore, the pachinko balls that have fallen along the board surface of the game board 1 and have not entered the winning areas fall into the out area 105.

Furthermore, a rail 1 is provided as an example of a circulation path for guiding pachinko balls by covering the periphery of the gaming area of the gaming board 1.
07 is provided.

[0026] Front plate 4 attached to the lower part of the game board 1
A digital display device 95, which is an example of display means, is disposed on the left half of the display device 5. The digital display device 95 includes
In the figure, a game stop display section 93, a coin number display section 92, and a pitch number display section 91 are provided in order from the left. As explained in FIG. 2, the game stop display section 9
3 indicates that the game cannot be continued due to running out of coins for the game or the like. Coin number display section 92
Displays the number of coins (1 mark coin) that can be used for games. The ball number display section 91 displays the number of pachinko balls that can be hit and fired. In this embodiment, 30 pachinko balls can be hit for each 1 mark coin, and when the number of balls displayed on the number of balls display section 91 is "30" or more, the number of balls displayed on the number of balls display section 91 is displayed as "30". is converted and displayed as "1" on the coin number display section 92, and "0" is displayed on the pitch number display section. By doing this, when the number of pachinko balls that a player can hit increases, for example a large number of 1000 or 2000 balls, instead of being displayed as is, it is converted into a smaller number of coins. is displayed, so
It has the advantage that the display is easy to read.

On the lower right side of the front plate 45, a ball ejecting means 2 is provided.
An operating handle 21 is provided, which constitutes a part of the. By rotating this operating handle 21 to the right,
The ball firing device 2 operates and fires pachinko balls one by one into a game area formed on the front surface of the game board 1.

Further, on the left side of the operating handle 21, there is a coin payout opening 12 that constitutes a part of the valuable object payout means 12.
1 is provided. One mark coin is paid out from this coin payout opening 121 at the end of the game, etc. In addition, the coin receiving tray 12 surrounds the coin dispensing port 121 on the front side.
2 is provided. Therefore, the coins paid out from the coin payout port 121 are prevented from falling down.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of this embodiment for explaining the back structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. In the figure, 129 indicates 1 coin inserted from the first coin slot 71.
This is a coin chute for guiding mark coins. 12
is a coin dispensing device that is an example of a valuable object dispensing means for dispensing coins from a coin dispensing port 121. This device is provided with a coin tank 123 for storing 1 mark coins, and a full tank detection switch 124 and a shortage detection switch 125 for detecting the amount of 1 mark coins stored in this coin tank 123. . Also, 126
is a driving motor for the coin dispensing device 12. 127 is a 5 mark coin storage section. That is, the 1 mark coin inserted from the first coin slot 71 is led to the coin tank 123 via the coin chute 129 and reused as a payout coin, but the 1 mark coin inserted from the second coin slot 7
The 5 mark coins inserted from 2 are stored in the coin storage section 12.
7 will be stored. In this way, in this embodiment, all coins are paid out in 1 mark coins. 128 is a manual payout button for manually paying out 1 mark coins.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes an electric ball firing mechanism, which is an example of a ball firing means, and is connected to the operation handle 21 described above. The driving source of this ball firing means is not limited to a motor, but may be a solenoid (including a rotary solenoid).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the winning ball detection means 5 and the batted ball storage and supply means 3. Figure 6
6(a) shows the structure of the back side of the game board 1, and FIG. 6(b) shows the structure of the front side of the game board 1. The pachinko ball guided from the ball contact port 61 in FIG. 6(a) appears at the ball contact port 61 in FIG. 6(b). This relationship is clearly represented by FIG. In other words, in FIG. 7, the back side of the game board 1 (the left side in the figure) is
The configuration shown in (a) of FIG. 6 is provided, and the configuration shown in (b) of FIG. 6 is provided on the front side of the game board 1 (the right side in the figure).

The winning ball detection means 5 and the hit ball storage and supply means 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) and FIG. 7.

In FIG. 6(a), 100 represents one of the winning areas, and 105 represents an out area. A winning area 100 discharges winning pachinko balls from the front side of the game board. The pachinko balls discharged from the winning area 100 are guided to the winning ball detection device 51 along the gutter 62, which is an example of a circulation path. Note that all pachinko balls that have won from other winning areas (not shown) are also guided by the gutter 62,
The ball is guided to a winning ball detection device 51. In this way, all the pachinko balls that have entered the winning area are guided to the winning ball detection device 51, so the number of winning balls can be detected by the winning ball detection device 51.

The winning ball detection device 51 is held rotatably around a support shaft 52. The pachinko ball delivery recess 53 guides the pachinko balls one by one to the batted ball alignment gutter 63. The winning ball detection device 51 is further provided with a signal output mechanism including, for example, a photoreflector 54 and a reflection plate 55. Therefore, a pachinko ball detection output is derived from the photoreflector 54 each time the winning ball detection means 51 swings, that is, each time it sends pachinko balls one by one to the alignment gutter 63.

Note that the photoreflector 54 and the reflection plate 55
Alternatively, the signal output mechanism may be configured by, for example, a light projecting element and a light receiving element.

The pachinko balls that have fallen into the out area 105 are guided by the gutter 96 and join together with the pachinko balls that have won on the upstream side of the hit ball alignment gutter 63.

The batted ball alignment gutter 63 is arranged with a gentle slope so that pachinko balls are guided toward the batted ball communication port 61. A ball feed valve 31 is provided in association with the ball contact port 61. The ball feed valve 31 is provided so as to be movable up and down by a ball feed solenoid (first solenoid) 32. The ball feed valve 31 shields the ball contact port 61 when the ball feed solenoid 32 is OFF (see FIG. 7), and is moved upward when the ball feed solenoid 32 is turned ON. open.

A ball feed valve 31 is provided in relation to a predetermined position on the upstream side of the ball alignment gutter 63. Ball cut valve 33
is provided so as to be moved up and down by a ball cutting solenoid (second solenoid) 34. When the ball cutter solenoid 34 is OFF, the ball cutter valve 33 is located upward, and when the ball cutter solenoid 34 is turned ON, the ball cutter valve 33 is
moves downward to separate the pachinko balls rolling in the ball alignment gutter 63. The ball cutting valve 33 is arranged to separate the 10th and 11th pachinko balls that are aligned in the ball alignment gutter 63 from the downstream side (the ball contact port 61 side). As a result, the amount of pachinko balls supplied at one time is set to 10, as will be described later. The figure shows a configuration in which the 15th and 16th pachinko balls are separated from each other, that is, a configuration in which pachinko balls are supplied in units of 15 balls. The payout unit number of pachinko balls may be set to an arbitrary number at the game parlor. The batted ball alignment gutter 63, the ball cutting valve 33, the ball cutting solenoid (second solenoid) 34, the ball feeding solenoid 32, and the ball feeding valve 31 use the value of the value object to pay out the ball to a predetermined ball. A batted ball dispensing means is configured for dispensing a number of batted balls corresponding to the value to be used into a predetermined batted ball storage section based on the establishment of the dispensing condition.

FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hit ball storage and supply means 3 arranged on the front side of the game board 1. Pachinko balls guided from the batted ball communication port 61 are guided by a batted ball waiting gutter 64, which is an example of a batted ball storage section. The ball waiting gutter 64 is arranged with a gentle slope so as to guide pachinko balls from the ball contact port 61 to the ball sending member 65. In addition, the batted ball waiting gutter 64 has a gap 66 in the middle.
is provided, and one end 35a of the swinging member 35 projects from this gap 66. The swinging member 35 is a support shaft 36
It is held so that it can swing freely around the center. And the batted ball waiting gutter 6
When a predetermined number of pachinko balls are waiting on the ball 4, the swinging member 35 is kept in a state where the right side 35a is lowered as shown in the figure. A signal output mechanism composed of, for example, a photoreflector 37 and a reflection plate 38 is attached to the other end 35b (the left end in the figure) of the swinging member 35. If a predetermined number of pachinko balls are not waiting on the ball waiting gutter 64, the swinging member 35 swings counterclockwise around the support shaft 36, and a signal is output from the photoreflector 37. There is. Note that the signal output mechanism can also be configured by, for example, a light projecting element and a light receiving element. By outputting a signal from the signal output mechanism, a withdrawal condition based on the remaining amount of the batted ball on the batted ball waiting gutter 64, that is, the value to be withdrawn, is established. Based on this, the ball feeding solenoid 32 is operated to automatically supply and secure the ball onto the ball waiting gutter 64. This ball feed solenoid 32 and ball feed valve 31
and automatic withdrawal of valuables that automatically secures the withdrawn valuables within the range of the valuables that the valuable object has, based on the establishment of the withdrawal conditions based on the remaining degree of the withdrawn valuables. Securing means are configured. Note that the batted ball waiting gutter 64 may be a conventionally general upper plate provided on the front side of the gaming machine, and when the number of balls hit in the upper plate becomes low, the ball is automatically supplied and secured. You may also do so.

Note that in FIG. 6(b), the launch rail 6
For example, if the pachinko ball fired along the guide rail 7 is too weak to reach the game board 1, that is, if it fouls, it returns along the guide rail 68 and returns to the ball between the launch rail 67 and the guide rail 68. From the gap 69, the ball returns to the batted ball waiting gutter 64 again. This batted ball waiting gutter 64 may be constituted by a conventionally well-known batted ball supply tray (commonly known as an upper tray) provided on the lower front side of the pachinko game machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another specific configuration of the winning ball detection means 5 and the batted ball storage and supply means 3. Similarly to the above, FIG. 8(a) shows the configuration provided on the back side of the game board 1, and FIG. 8(b) shows the configuration provided on the front side of the game board 1.

In FIG. 8(a), the winning ball detected by the winning ball detection device 51 is immediately moved to the surface side of the game board 1 through the ball contact port 61. The same applies to the pachinko balls that have gone out from the out area 105. That is, in this configuration, pachinko balls are not supplied in units of a predetermined number (for example, 10), but are continuously supplied in units of one.

In FIG. 8(b), a ball feed plunger 81 that is driven left and right by the solenoid 39 is provided at the downstream end of the ball waiting gutter 64'. By operating the ball feeding plunger 81, that is, by turning on the solenoid 39 and moving the plunger 81 to the right, one pachinko ball is sent to the ball firing position of the firing rail 67, and the swinging member 82 is rocking,
Ball feed detection switch 83 outputs a signal. When a pachinko ball is fired, the shot is detected by a fired ball detector 84. When the firing ball detector detects the firing of a pachinko ball, the solenoid 39 is turned on and the next pachinko ball is sent to the firing rail 67. In this way, the solenoid 39 is energized and controlled based on the detection output of the shot ball detector 84, and the ball feed timing is well controlled, so that the ball is not ejected after the ball is stabilized at the ball launch position. It can be fired and the firing force can be stabilized. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a foul ball detector 85 is provided in conjunction with the gap between the launch rail 67 and the guide rail 68. The foul ball detector 85 detects fouled pachinko balls. In this case, if the score addition/subtraction means 6 described above subtracts the score for each output of the launched ball detector 84 and adds the score for each output of the foul ball detector 85, the accurate number of launched balls can be determined. The corresponding score can be subtracted. As a specific example of how to subtract points, one point is subtracted from the number of pitches R (described later) each time one ball is fired, and if the number of pitches R as a point becomes "0", the remaining amount is a coin. Subtract "1" from the number R and add "20" to the number R. With the solenoid 39 and plunger 81,
A batted ball supply means is configured to supply one batted ball to each of the batted balls and the batted ball launch position. Further, the shot ball detector 84 constitutes a ball launch detecting means for detecting the launch of a ball by the ball launcher.

Note that FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the launched ball detector 84. As shown in the figure, the emitted ball detector 84 is connected to the light projecting section 8
41 and a light receiving section 842, each time a pachinko ball blocks the light given from the light projecting section 841 to the light receiving section 842, it derives a detection output of a fired ball.

[0045] Note that the detection of a shot ball may be carried out, for example, by using the batting rod 8.
Alternatively, the detection may be performed based on the ball hitting motion in step 6.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a coin dispensing device 12 as an example of a valuable object dispensing means. This figure shows the coin dispensing device 12 as the valuable object dispensing means in FIG. 5, viewed from the motor 126 side. A coin dispensing disk 129 is provided at the outlet (lower side) of the coin tank 123, and this coin dispensing disk 129 is rotationally driven by a motor 126 (see FIG. 5). By rotating the coin payout disk 129, coins are paid out one by one. The dispensed coins cause the contact roller 130 to swing, and a dispense detector 131 provided in relation to the contact roller 130 detects the number of coins dispensed.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the payout detector 131. The payout detector 131 includes a light projecting section 131a and a light receiving section 13.
1b, a light projecting section 131a and a light receiving section 13
1b, the other end 130a of the contact roller 130 is located. By swinging the contact roller 130,
Light provided from the light projector 131a to the light receiver 131b is blocked. This allows the number of coins to be paid out to be detected.

FIGS. 12 to 16 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1. Next, FIGS. 1 to 7 and 10
11, the operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail according to this flowchart.

Coin slot 71 or 72 (see FIG. 4)
Waits for a coin to be inserted (step S1), and if a coin is inserted, determines whether the inserted coin is a 1 mark coin or a 5 mark coin (steps S2, S
10). When the score addition/subtraction means 6 determines that a 1 mark coin has been inserted, a signal is given from the score addition/subtraction means 6 to the sound generation means 10, and the sound generation means 10 outputs the sound of a 1 mark coin being inserted (step S3 ). The score addition/subtraction means 6 stores "in the coin number register 81 of the storage means 8.
1”. At this time, the pitch count register 8 of the storage means 8
2 is set to "0". The score addition/subtraction means 6 is
Further, "1" is displayed on the coin number display section 92 of the display means 9, and "0" is displayed on the pitch number display section 91 (steps S4, S5). Next, the sound generating means 10 outputs the pachinko ball replenishment sound, and as described above, the pachinko ball replenishment is performed automatically by pressing the start button 43 or without pressing the start button 43 (step S
7).

This supply is performed, for example, in the order shown in FIG. The operation of supplying pachinko balls will be described based on FIG. 17 with reference to FIG. 6(a). In response to the signal from the score addition/subtraction means 6, the ball feeding solenoid (first solenoid) 32 and the ball cutting solenoid (second solenoid) 34 shown in FIG. 6(a) are turned on. As a result, the ball feeding valve 31 moves upward and the ball cutting valve 33 moves downward. For example, ten pachinko balls aligned between the ball feed valve 31 and the ball cutting valve 33 of the ball alignment gutter 63 are supplied through the ball contact port 61. At this time, both the ball feeding solenoid 32 and the ball cutting solenoid 34 are turned on for 2 seconds. All the pachinko balls aligned in the batted ball alignment gutter 63 by turning on for 2 seconds are guided to the batted ball waiting gutter 64 through the batted ball communication port 61. After 2 seconds have elapsed, the ball feed solenoid 32 and the ball cut solenoid 3
4 is turned off, and the ball contact port 61 is blocked by the ball feed valve 31. The ball cutter valve 33 goes up and does not obstruct the pachinko balls rolling in the ball alignment gutter 63. In this way, the supply of pachinko balls is completed (step 31
1-314).

Returning to FIG. 12, the score addition/subtraction means 6 changes the coin number register 81 from "1" to "0" and sets the pitch number register 82 to "20" (step S8). and,
In the display means 9, the coin number display section 92 displays "0" and the pitch number display section 91 displays "20". In other words, the score at this time is that 10 of the 30 pachinko balls equivalent to one pachinko ball have been supplied, so the number of coins is "0", and the score is the number of balls that can be fired, "20" ( Steps S8, S9).

If it is determined in step S10 that a 5 mark coin has been inserted, a 5 mark coin insertion sound is output, and "5" is written in the coin number register 81. Then, "5" is displayed on the coin number display section 92 and "0" is displayed on the pitch number display section 91. Next, the pachinko ball feeding sound is output, and the pachinko balls are fed in the same manner as described above (steps S12 to S16). In this way, in steps S6 and S15, a predetermined sound is emitted when the ball is paid out using the value of the valuable object, and the sound generating means 10 controlled by these steps S6 and S15 generates the sound of the valuable object. A sound generating means is configured to generate a predetermined sound when the batted ball paying out means uses the valuable value to pay out a batted ball. When pachinko balls are supplied, the value of the coin number register 81 decreases by one and becomes "4".
Therefore, the value of the pitch count register 82 becomes "20". Then, it is displayed on the display means 9 (step S17,
S18).

Note that if the inserted coin is neither a 1 mark coin nor a 5 mark coin, an error process is performed and the system returns to the initial state (step S11).

Steps S19 to S28 in FIG.
is a flowchart showing processing operations for inserting the second and subsequent coins when a plurality of coins are inserted at the start of a game. Moreover, this step S19 to step S
28 shows a processing operation when additional coins are inserted during the game. As shown in the figure, when a second or subsequent coin is inserted at the start of the game, or when an additional coin is inserted during the game, a 1 mark coin insertion sound is output if the coin is 1 mark coin. Then, "1" is added to the value in the coin register 81, and "1" is added to the displayed score on the coin number display section 92 of the display means 9 (steps S20 to S23). Furthermore, when a 5 mark coin is inserted, a 5 mark coin insertion sound is output, the coin number register 81 is incremented by "5", and the display on the coin number display section 92 is also incremented by "5" (step S2
4-S28). In this way, the points (number of coins) corresponding to each coin inserted are added.

The game is started, and pachinko balls are sequentially ejected from the ball ejecting means 2 onto the game board 1. When the number of pachinko balls to be fired by the ball firing means 2 decreases, a supply signal is given from the ball storage and supply means 3 to the score addition/subtraction means 6. This is the signal from the photoreflector 37 as the output signal in FIG. 6(b). In other words, the batted ball waiting gutter 6
4, when the number of pachinko balls waiting becomes less than a certain number, a supply signal is output from the photoreflector 37. In response, a supply sound is output from the sound generating means 10, and pachinko balls are supplied (steps S29 to S31). Note that the supply of pachinko balls shown in step 31 is performed in the same manner as in step S7 described above. The voice generating means 10 controlled by this S30 constitutes a sound generating means that generates a predetermined sound when a batted ball is put out by the hit ball putting out means using the value of the valuable object. In steps S29 to S31, the predetermined ball payout condition is satisfied when the number of pachinko balls waiting in the ball waiting gutter 64 becomes equal to or less than a certain number. In this case, the ball may also be paid out by the player's operation instead of being paid out automatically.

[0056] When pachinko balls are supplied, the score is subtracted by the amount supplied. This subtraction is performed in the procedure shown in steps S32 to S37 in FIG. 14. That is, when the number of pitches stored in the pitch number register 82 is not 0, that is, in this embodiment, the number of pitches stored in the pitch number register 82 is "10".
Or in the case of “20”, 1 from the value of pitch count register 82
Subtract 0. Furthermore, the display on the pitch count display section 91 is also subtracted by 10 (steps S33, S34). If the value of the ball number register 82 is "0", the coin number register 82
Determine whether the value is 1 or “0” and register the number of coins in the coin number register 81.
When the value is not "0", "1" is subtracted from the value of the coin number register 81, the value of the pitch number register is set to "20", and this is displayed on the coin number display section and the pitch number display section (step S35 ~S37). If the value of the coin number register 81 is also "0", then the score has become "0", which is the end score stored in the game end score storage area 84, and the game disabling activation means 13 is activated. Then, the firing operation of the ball firing means 2 is prohibited, and the game is ended.

[0057] If the fired pachinko ball wins in any of the winning areas, points are added as shown in steps S39 to S45. That is, when a prize is won, a winning sound is output, and "10" is added to the ball number register 82, which is displayed. Then, the value of the pitch count register 82 is “
30", convert it to the number of coins, add "1" to the coin number register 81, and change it to the number of balls register 82.
Set the value to "0". And display it.

[0058] As is clear from the above score display for supply and winning, the number of pachinko balls that can be fired as a score is "
30" or more, it is converted into the number of coins and displayed.

In the case of payment, the processes shown in steps S46 to S54 are performed. In other words, the player presses the checkout button 1.
11 (see FIG. 4), the signal is given to the score addition/subtraction means 6, and settlement is determined. Next, it is determined whether the coin number register 81 of the storage means 8 is "0" or not, and if it is not "0", the value of the coin number register 81 is set to "1".
'', the display on the coin number display section 92 is subtracted, a coin dispensing sound is made, and one coin is disbursed (step S47).
~S51). If the player wants to cancel the payment midway through, he presses the payment button 111 again. As a result, the score addition/subtraction means 6 determines whether to cancel payment (step S52).
Cancel payment. If the settlement is started and not stopped, the operations from step S47 to step S52 are repeated until the value of the coin number register 81 becomes "0". When the value of the coin number register 81 becomes "0", a settlement completion sound is output and the game disabling activation means 13
is activated, the operation of the ball firing means 2 is prohibited, and the game ends (steps S53 to S54).

[0060] When the stop is detected, steps S55 to S
60 processes are performed. Whether or not the ball is batted out is determined based on whether the score has reached the number of batted ball controls (set and stored in the batted ball control number storage area 83). The score to be determined is the score obtained by subtracting the score added by inserting a coin from the current score. When the score reaches the number of stoppage control, a signal is given to the game disabling activation means 13,
The firing operation of the ball firing means 2 is prohibited. Then, a stop lamp (not shown) lights up, a stop sound is output, and the entire score display section 95 flashes. Then, payment processing is performed. This settlement process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, the value of the coin number register 81 is sequentially subtracted by 1 until the value of the coin number register 81 becomes "0", and a coin payout sound is output each time, and one coin is paid out. Then, when the value of the coin number register 81 becomes "0", the payment is completed. Then the game ends (step S
601-S604).

In the explanation of the above embodiment, the pachinko balls are supplied from the batted ball storage and supply means 3 to the batted ball firing means 2 in units of ten. The number of balls is now subtracted in units of 10. However, for example, (a) and (b) in FIG.
When using the hit ball storage and supply means 3 that supplies pachinko balls one by one as shown in FIG. 1, the score addition/subtraction means 6 subtracts the number of balls one by one. In this case, the display of the score (display on the ball count display section 91) changes one by one as the pachinko balls are launched, allowing the player to more accurately know his/her own score. has advantages.

Furthermore, although the game disabling activation means 13 has been described as detecting the operation of the batted ball firing means 2,
For example, it may be possible to prohibit the ball storage and supply means 3 from supplying the ball.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the coins to be inserted as objects of value are the 1 mark coin and the 5 mark coin.
We have explained the case where Mark coins are used, but for example 10
It goes without saying that a 0 yen coin and a 500 yen coin may be inserted.

[0064]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the next batted ball is not supplied to the batted ball firing position unless the firing of a batted ball by the batted ball firing means is detected. Even if the player temporarily interrupts the ball-striking operation and starts the ball-striking operation again, the next ball will not arrive at the ball-striking position until the ball is detected by the ball-emitting device as the player starts the ball-striking operation again. Because of this, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the next ball being fed even though the ball is not fired, and to reduce as much as possible the phenomenon of cascading balls at the ball launch position.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of display means.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining contents stored in storage means.

FIG. 4 is an external front view showing a pachinko game machine as an example of a pinball game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a part of the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of winning ball detection means and hit ball storage and supply means.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ball supply means.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another specific configuration of the winning ball detection means and the hit ball storage and supply means.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a shot ball detection means.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a valuable object dispensing means.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the value object dispensing means.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram showing a program of a sphere supply subroutine.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing a program of a settlement subroutine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a game board, 2 is a batted ball ejection means, 3 is a batted ball storage and supply means, 5 is a winning ball detection means, 6 is a score addition/subtraction means, 7 is a value object insertion slot, 8 is a storage means, 9 is a display means, and 11 is a 12 is a value object payout means, 13 is a game disabling activation means, 64 is a batted ball waiting gutter, and 34 is a ball cutting solenoid (second
33 is a ball cutter valve, 32 is a ball feed solenoid (first solenoid), 31 is a ball feed valve, 39 is a solenoid, 81 is a plunger, 84 is a ball detector, 1
0 is a sound generation means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pinball game machine comprising a ball firing means for ejecting balls at a ball firing position into a game area, the game machine supplying balls one by one to the ball firing position. and a hit ball discharge detection means that detects the discharge of a hit ball by the batted ball discharge means, and the batted ball supply means operates based on the detection output of the hit ball discharge detection means, A pinball game machine characterized in that a hit ball is supplied to the hit ball firing position.