U.S. patent application number 09/794735 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for table tennis apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Fujimoto, Hirofumi, Hirasawa, Katsunori, Kotani, Hideki, Minami, Kojiro, Oishi, Toshimitsu, Yamashita, Akihisa.
Application Number | 20010006915 09/794735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17509779 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010006915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minami, Kojiro ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Table tennis apparatus
Abstract
A table tennis apparatus includes a ball projecting section
disposed rearward of one playing surface of a table for projecting
balls towards the other playing surface, a moving mechanism for
allowing ball projecting section to be moved laterally, a detecting
unit for detecting which side the balls have dropped on one playing
surface in the lateral direction, and a driving and controlling
unit for driving the moving mechanism according to the drop
positions of the balls detected by the detecting unit, and for
moving the ball projecting section towards the drop positions of
the balls. The moving mechanism includes a guide rail disposed
along a lateral direction, and a base having the ball projecting
section mounted thereon, and slidably disposed on the guide
rail.
Inventors: |
Minami, Kojiro; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Oishi, Toshimitsu; (Akashi-shi, JP) ;
Yamashita, Akihisa; (Kobe-shi, JP) ; Kotani,
Hideki; (Kobe-shi, JP) ; Fujimoto, Hirofumi;
(Kobe-shi, JP) ; Hirasawa, Katsunori; (Kobe-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jordan and Hamburg
122 East 42nd Street
New York
NY
10168
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
17509779 |
Appl. No.: |
09/794735 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09794735 |
Feb 27, 2001 |
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09149668 |
Sep 9, 1998 |
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6200236 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/496 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/406 20130101;
A63B 2102/16 20151001; A63B 2069/402 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/496 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 1997 |
JP |
9-272149(PAT) |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A table tennis apparatus, comprising: a ball projecting section
disposed rearward of a table for projecting balls towards a playing
surface on the side of a player; a moving mechanism for allowing
said ball projecting section to be moved laterally; a detecting
unit for detecting which side the balls have been returned in the
lateral direction; and a driving and controlling unit for driving
said moving mechanism according to the direction detected by said
detecting unit in which the balls have been returned, and for
moving said ball projecting section to the side where the balls
have been returned.
2. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
table includes a playing surface on the side of a machine, and said
ball projecting section is disposed rearward of said playing
surface on the side of the machine.
3. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
moving mechanism includes a guide rail disposed along a lateral
direction, and a base having said ball projecting section mounted
thereon, and slidably disposed on said guide rail.
4. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
driving and controlling unit allows said ball projecting section to
be moved in the directions of at least three predetermined
positions at the center, left, and right in the lateral
direction.
5. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said
driving and controlling unit includes a sensor for detecting the
location of said ball projecting section on said center
position.
6. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ball
projecting section includes an oscillating mechanism.
7. A table tennis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a ball
hopper is disposed above said ball projecting section, and said
ball hopper and said ball projecting section are connected by a
flexible tube having a diameter that is capable of having balls
passed therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a table tennis apparatus
for projecting table tennis balls towards one playing surface on
the side of a player from a ball projecting section disposed
rearward of the other playing surface of a table.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Hitherto, a table tennis apparatus of this type, for
example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No.
3017687 has been proposed. Such a conventional table tennis
apparatus includes a table having a net stretched on the center
thereof, a ball projecting section that is disposed on the rearward
of one playing surface (a playing surface on the side of a machine)
and that projects table tennis balls sequentially towards the other
surface (a playing surface on the side of a player), wherein a
plurality of optical sensors each having a light emitting element
and a light receiving element are opposingly arranged on the left
and right of the playing surface on the machine side along a
longitudinal direction thereof, while a drop position of the ball
returned by the player on the machine-side playing surface is
detected by the optical sensors, and a score corresponding to the
position is given to the player, the result of a training thereby
being displayed by a specific numeral value.
[0005] The above conventional table tennis apparatus includes the
ball projecting section disposed at the center position in the
lateral direction relative to the playing surface, and an
oscillating mechanism, so that balls can be aimed at both corners
of the table, in addition to being straight in the longitudinal
direction, thus enabling high-level training.
[0006] The construction of the ball projecting section of the table
tennis apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent
Publication No. 58-22229 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
63-7264.
[0007] According to the above conventional table tennis apparatus,
since the ball projecting section is fixed to the center position
in the lateral direction relative to the playing surface on the
machine side, balls can simply be delivered by the oscillating
mechanism from the center position to the left and right of the
playing surface on the player side, and only a drop position of the
ball on the playing surface on the machine side in the longitudinal
direction is detected by the optical sensors to give a
predetermined score to the player. Therefore, various modes of
actual competitive play cannot be reproduced, resulting in limited
applicability to training which is in touch with actual competitive
play and to a table tennis game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a table tennis apparatus which can enhance the result of
training by making it possible to realize a mode which is closer to
actual competitive play, and which is suitable for a table tennis
game.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a table tennis apparatus including a ball projecting
section disposed rearward of a table for projecting balls towards a
playing surface on the side of a player; a moving mechanism for
allowing the ball projecting section to be moved laterally; a
detecting unit for detecting which side the balls have been
returned in the lateral direction; and a driving and controlling
unit for driving the moving mechanism according to the direction
detected by the detecting unit in which the balls have been
returned, and for moving the ball projecting section to the side
where the balls have been returned.
[0010] With the described arrangements, balls are projected from
the ball projecting section disposed rearward of the table towards
the playing surface on the player side, and the lateral direction
of the ball returned from the player side is detected by the
detecting unit. The moving mechanism is actuated according to the
direction detected by the detecting unit, and the ball projecting
section is moved laterally. Therefore, a mode which is closer to
actual competitive play can be realized. In addition, it is
possible to efficiently enhance the result of training when the
table tennis apparatus of the present invention is used for
training of table tennis. Furthermore, the table tennis apparatus
becomes very interesting when used for a table tennis game.
[0011] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, the
table may include a playing surface on the side of a machine, and
the ball projecting section may be disposed rearward of the
playing, surface on the side of the machine.
[0012] With the described arrangements, balls are projected from
the ball projecting section disposed rearward of the playing
surface on the machine side. Therefore, it is possible to realize a
mode which is further closer to actual competitive play.
[0013] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, the
moving mechanism may include a guide rail disposed along a lateral
direction, and a base having the ball projecting section mounted
thereon, and slidably disposed on the guide rail.
[0014] With the described arrangement, the ball projecting section
can be moved with a simple construction according to a drop
position of the ball.
[0015] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, the
driving and controlling unit allows the ball projecting section to
be moved in the direction of at least three predetermined positions
at the center, left, and right in the lateral direction.
[0016] With the described arrangement, the ball projecting section
may be moved by the driving and controlling unit in the direction
of at least three predetermined positions at the center, left, and
right in the lateral direction, so that a mode which is further
closer to actual competitive play can be realized.
[0017] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, the
driving and controlling unit may include a sensor for detecting the
location of the ball projecting section on the center position.
[0018] With the described arrangement, the ball projecting section
can be positively returned to the center position even if it is
moved leftward or rightward.
[0019] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, the
ball projecting section may include an oscillating mechanism.
[0020] With the described arrangement, it is possible to project
balls towards both corners of the table, in addition to being
straight in the longitudinal direction.
[0021] In the table tennis apparatus of the present invention, a
ball hopper may be disposed above said ball projecting section, and
the ball hopper and the ball projecting section may be connected by
a flexible tube having a diameter that is capable of having balls
passed therethrough.
[0022] With the described arrangements, it is possible to move only
the ball projecting section with the ball hopper held fixed,
thereby simplifying the construction of the moving mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view which schematically
illustrates a construction of a table tennis apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a construction of one playing surface of
a table in the table tennis apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a construction
of a ball projecting section in the table tennis apparatus shown in
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view showing a construction
of the ball projecting section in the table tennis apparatus shown
in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation showing a construction of a
moving mechanism for the ball projecting section in the table
tennis apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a construction of a ball
collecting section in the table tennis apparatus shown in FIG.
1;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.
6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of
FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG.
6;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a construction of a ball
scooping-up unit of the ball collecting section shown in FIG.
6;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG.
10;
[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a control block of the table tennis
apparatus according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a flow chart for the explanation of
initialization of the table tennis apparatus according to the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for the explanation of a game
operation of the table tennis apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a flow chart for the explanation of an operation
of the ball scooping-up unit of the ball collecting section;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for the explanation of a ball
stirring unit of a ball supply section in the table tennis
apparatus according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a flow chart for the explanation of a light-up
operation of a cold-cathode tube of a table in the table tennis
apparatus according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for the explanation of ball
projecting operation of the ball projecting section;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a flow chart for the explanation of the detection
of ball drop position and a score handling operation in the table
tennis apparatus according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a flow chart for the explanation of game-over
handling; and
[0043] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for the explanation of ball
scoring operation in the table tennis apparatus according to the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a table tennis apparatus includes a
table 10, a ball projecting section 20 for projecting balls towards
a player's playing surface, a ball collecting section 30 for
collecting balls dropped on a floor or the like, a display section
40 for displaying scores and a demonstration picture, a sound
section 50 for outputting presentation music and sound effects, a
box 60 for surrounding the table 10, a control box 70 for setting
various types of game (training) modes and the like, a control
section 80 (FIG. 12) for controlling the overall operations of the
apparatus, and a moving mechanism 90 for moving the ball projecting
section 20 laterally. In this embodiment, the direction between
both end lines of the table 10 is referred to as a longitudinal
direction, while the direction between both side lines of the table
10 is referred to as a lateral direction from the point of view of
the player. However, it is not necessary to actually provide the
end lines and sidelines on the table 10 of the table tennis
apparatus according to the present invention.
[0045] The table 10 includes a player's playing surface 12, a
playing surface 14 on the side of which the ball projecting section
20 is disposed, and a net 16 that is disposed between the playing
surfaces 12 and 14 and stretched to have a predetermined height. As
shown in detail in FIG. 2, the playing surface 14 includes a frame
structure 141 and a plate body 142 formed by, for example, white
semi-transparent resin for covering the top of the frame structure
141.
[0046] The frame structure 141 is separated into a plurality of
areas by lateral partition walls 148 and 149, and a longitudinal
partition wall 150. That is, the frame structure 141 divides the
playing surface 14 into almost three equal parts in the
longitudinal direction to form a front area (a first area 143), a
center area and a rear area. The center area is divided into two
equal parts in the lateral direction to form a right-side second
area 144 and a left-side third area 145, and the rear area is
divided into two equal parts to form a right-side fourth area 146
and a left-side fifth area 147.
[0047] A plurality of green-luminary cold-cathode tubes 181 are
disposed in the second area 141, and a plurality of blue-luminary
cold-cathode tubes 182 are disposed in the third area 145. In
addition, a plurality of red-luminary cold-cathode tubes 183 are
disposed in the fourth area 146, and a plurality of yellow-luminary
cold-cathode tubes are disposed in the fifth area 147. Color bulbs
lit up by the passage of electric current through filaments may be
used in place of the above cold-cathode tubes 181 to 184. In the
present invention, the cold-cathode tubes and bulbs are named
generically as lamps.
[0048] The semi-transparent plate body 142 serves as a surface
illuminant for each color light emitted from each cold-cathode
tube, and as a diaphragm that is vibrated by a ball drop impact.
The plate body 142 consists of a first plate 151, a second plate
152, a third plate 153, a fourth plate 154 and a fifth plate 155
that correspond to the areas 143, 144, 145, 146 and 147,
respectively. The first to fifth plates 151 to 155 form first to
fifth areas E1 to E5, respectively, of the playing surface 14. The
plate body 142 has lateral grooves 156 and 157, and a longitudinal
groove 158 formed in the lower surfaces of the boundaries of the
plates 151 to 155, while uses the plates 151 to 155 as surface
illuminants, thereby obtaining an illumination effect.
[0049] The first plate 151 has a pair of microphones 190 and 191
disposed on the lower surface thereof in the vicinity of diagonal
positions, the second plate 152 has a pair of microphones 192 and
193 disposed on the lower surface thereof in the vicinity of
diagonal positions, and the third plate 153 has a pair of
microphones 194 and 195 disposed on the lower surface thereof in
the vicinity of diagonal positions. In addition, the fourth plate
154 has a pair of microphones 196 and 197 disposed on the lower
surface thereof in the vicinity of diagonal positions, and the
fifth plate 155 has a pair of microphones 198 and 199 disposed on
the lower surface thereof in the vicinity of diagonal
positions.
[0050] Each of the microphones 190 to 199 serves as a vibration
sensor, and detects onto which of the first to fifth plates 151 to
155 a ball has dropped. For example, when the ball drops onto the
second plate 152, a vibration radially propagates from the drop
point to the periphery of the plate 152 while being damped, and the
vibration is detected by the microphones 192 and 193. While the
vibration is also detected by the microphones of other plates, the
plate onto which the ball has dropped can be defined from the
difference in detection levels, a time lag of the propagation of
the vibration, and so forth. In particular, since the grooves 156
to 158 are provided in the plate body 142, the vibration is
abruptly damped at the grooves, thereby preventing a wrong
detection of the vibration. A detection signal output from each of
the microphones 190 to 199 is input to a control section 30 and
used for score handling or the like.
[0051] The grooves 156 to 158 are not necessary to detect the drop
position of the ball, and the plate body 142 may have the plates
151 to 155 formed by individual members. When the plates 151 to 155
are formed by individual members, a member, such as a rubber, for
preventing the propagation of the vibration may preferably be
provided in a gap formed between each of the adjacent members, and
a member, such as a rubber, for preventing the propagation of the
vibration may preferably be disposed on a boundary of each of the
plates so that each of the plates are provided on the member with a
small gap formed therebetween. In addition, the plate body 142 and
the microphones 190 to 199 constitutes a detection unit for
detecting a drop position of the ball returned back from the
player. In this embodiment, one or a plurality of areas E2 to E5 of
the playing surface 14 is illuminated to recommend to the player
that the ball be returned the illuminating areas so that the player
can obtain a score higher than that obtained by the returning it to
the non-illuminating areas when the return of the ball on the
illuminating area is detected by the microphones. It should be
appreciated that a score may be given to the player when returning
the ball only to the illuminating areas.
[0052] The ball projecting section 20 is disposed on the rear of
the playing surface 14 with almost the entire thereof accommodated
in a casing 200.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball projecting section 20
includes a ball projecting cylinder 21 for projecting table tennis
balls from one end thereof, a ball feeding cylinder 22 for feeding
the balls to the ball projecting cylinder 21, a ball supply section
23 for supplying the balls to the ball feeding cylinder, a ball
dispensing unit 24 for dispensing balls one at a time from the ball
feeding cylinder 22, an urging force-imparting unit 25 for
imparting an urging force in the direction of projection to the
ball dispensed to the ball projecting cylinder 21, a rotary unit 26
for rotating the ball projecting cylinder 21 around the axis
thereof to change the type of projection of ball (such as curved
ball, straight ball, etc.) an oscillating mechanism 27 for swinging
the ball projecting cylinder 21 in the lateral direction of the
table 10 to change the projecting direction of the ball, and an
angle changing unit 28 for changing an angle of the ball in a
direction of elevation.
[0054] The ball projecting cylinder 21 is disposed so as to be
directed slightly diagonally upward with a projecting port 211
projected to the outside from an oblong window 201, and projects
the ball urged by the urging force-imparting unit 25 from the
projecting port 211 towards the playing surface 12. In addition,
cutouts 212 and 213 into which a pair of rollers 251 and 252, which
are described later, partially enter are formed at opposite
positions of an intermediate portion of the ball projecting
cylinder 21.
[0055] The ball feeding cylinder 22 is provided in the casing 200,
and has an L-shape consisting of a horizontal part 221 and a
vertical part 222, and the horizontal part 221 is fitted to the
rear end outer periphery of the ball projecting cylinder 21 through
a ball bearing 223. This allows the ball projecting cylinder 21 to
be rotated around the axis thereof. In addition, an opening 224 is
formed at the rear of the lower end of the vertical part 222 into
which a plate cam 241, which is described later, of the ball
dispensing unit 24 partially enters.
[0056] The ball supply section 23 is disposed above the ball
projecting section 20, which can be moved laterally by a moving
mechanism 90 to be described later, and is fixed on the upper part
in the casing 200. The ball supply section 23 includes a ball
hopper 231 for containing a plurality of balls, and a flexible tube
233 that is connected to a supply port 232 formed on the bottom of
the hopper 231 and the vertical part of the ball feeding cylinder
22. The hopper 231 includes a ball stirring unit 236 consisting of
an external-mounted hopper-inside stirring motor 234, and a
stirring bar 235 having, for example, elasticity disposed inside
thereof. The stirring bar 235 is rotationally driven by the motor
234, whereby a jam of the ball BL at the supply port 232 is
prevented.
[0057] The ball dispensing unit 24 consists of a plate cam 241, and
a plate cam motor 242 for rotationally driving the plate cam 241.
The plate cam 241 is integrally fixed to a perpendicular rotary
shaft 242a of the plate cam motor 242 at the rear position of the
ball feeding cylinder 22. The plate cam 241 consists of a small
diameter part M and a cam part N of which the diameter gradually
increases in the direction of rotation. The small diameter part M
has a diameter so as not to enter into the ball feeding cylinder
22, and one side of the cam part N adjacent to the small diameter
part M has a small diameter size and the other side has a large
diameter size of at least one table tennis ball. The direction of
the plate cam 241 is reversed in FIGS. 3 and 4 for reasons of
explanation.
[0058] The plate cam motor 242 is fixed upward to a motor mounting
plate 222b fitted on the bottom of the vertical part 222. The plate
cam motor 242 is rotated to rotate the plate cam 241 once in the
direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, whereby the balls fed to
the lower end of the vertical part 222 are dispensed one at a time
towards the horizontal part 221. That is, when the small diameter
part M of the plate cam 241 starts to rotate at the position
(initial position) opposite to the ball feeding cylinder 22, the
ball fed to the lower end of the vertical part 222 is abutted
against the cam part N and dispensed to the horizontal part
221.
[0059] A shielding plate 241b in an upright position is fixed on
the plate cam 241 at a position apart from the rotary shaft 242a.
On the other hand, a plate cam sensor 243 consisting of a
photo-interrupter is fixed to a sensor mounting plate 222c provided
above the plate cam 241. In the plate cam sensor 243, the positions
of a light emitting element and a light receiving element are set
so that the shielding plate 241b can pass through a gap formed
therebetween. This allows the initial position of the plate cam 241
to be detected when the shielding plate 241b interrupts between the
light emitting element and the light receiving element of the plate
cam sensor 243, so that the number of rotation of the plate cam 241
is counted each time the initial position is detected.
[0060] The urging force-imparting unit 25 includes a pair of
rollers 251 and 252 disposed so that they are opposite to each
other, and a pair of roller motors (DC motors) 253 and 254 for
individually rotationally driving the rollers 251 and 252. The
rollers 251 and 252 are constructed by arranging rubber members
251b and 252b on the outer periphery of metallic members 251a and
251a, and partially enter into the cutouts 212 and 213. The roller
motors 253 and 254 are fixed to motor mounting plates 214 and 215,
respectively. By the described arrangement, the rollers 251 and 252
are rotated in the directions shown by the arrows with sandwiching
of the ball BL from both sides when the ball projecting cylinder 21
rotates around the axis thereof together with the roller motors 253
and 254, thereby imparting an urging force in the projecting
direction (forward direction) to the ball BL. The rollers 251 and
252 can impart a projecting speed to the ball corresponding to the
peripheral speed thereof, and can apply a spin on the ball
projected from the ball projecting cylinder 21 because of the
impartment of a difference in the peripheral speed.
[0061] In other words, a top spin (drive) can be applied on the
ball when the peripheral speed of the roller 251 is increased to
relatively faster than the peripheral speed of the roller 252.
Conversely, a back spin can be applied on the ball when the
peripheral speed of the roller 252 is increased to relatively
faster than the peripheral speed of the roller 251. In addition,
when the peripheral speeds of the rollers 251 and 252 are
substantially equalized, almost no rotating force is applied to the
ball, and a so-called knuckle ball can be obtained. Furthermore, if
a difference in peripheral speed is imparted to the rollers 251 and
252 in a state where the ball projecting cylinder 21 is rotated
around the axis thereof, and the rollers 251 and 252 are tilted, it
is possible to obtain a ball on which a side spin is applied.
[0062] The rotary unit 26 includes a follower gear 261 attached to
the rear end outer periphery of the ball projecting cylinder 21, a
drive gear 262 meshed with the follower gear 261, and a projecting
cylinder motor 263 for rotationally driving the drive gear 262. The
motor 263 is fixed to a motor mounting plate 221a attached to the
horizontal part 221 of the ball feeding cylinder 22. The motor 263
rotates in both normal and reverse directions, whereby the ball
projecting cylinder 21 is rotated around the axis thereof.
[0063] A radially extending shielding plate 262a is fixed to the
side surface of the drive gear 262. On the other hand, a sensor
mounting plate 221b is attached to the motor mounting plate 221a,
and a rotation sensor 264 consisting of a photo-interrupter is
fixed to the sensor mounting plate 221b. In the rotation sensor
264, the positions of a light emitting element and a light
receiving element are set so that the shielding plate 262a can pass
through a gap formed therebetween. This allows the initial position
of the ball projecting cylinder 21 around the axis thereof to be
detected when the shielding plate 262a interrupts between the light
emitting element and the light receiving element of the rotation
sensor 264. A state where the rollers 251 and 252 are vertically
positioned is regarded as the initial position of the ball
projecting cylinder 21. In this embodiment, the ball projecting
cylinder 21 rotates both rightward and leftward based on the
initial position within a range of 45.degree..
[0064] The oscillating mechanism 27 includes a cylindrical strut
271 fixed to a base 91 (see FIG. 5), a rotary shaft 273 which is
fixed to the bottom of the horizontal part 221, and is mounted in
the strut 271 through a ball bearing 272, a follower gear 274 fixed
to the upper portion of the rotary shaft 273, a drive gear 275
meshed with the follower gear 274, and a projecting section
oscillating motor 276 for rotationally driving the drive gear 275.
The motor 276 is fixed to a motor mounting plate 221c attached to
the vertical part 222 of the ball feeding cylinder 22. The motor
276 rotates in both normal and reverse directions, whereby the ball
projecting section 20 is laterally rotated around the rotary shaft
273 to effect oscillating. By the described arrangement, a straight
ball can be projected when the ball projecting section 20 is
located laterally, and the ball can be projected aiming at both
corners of the table 10 when the ball projecting section 20 is
located in a slanting position. That is, the balls can be projected
in a crosswise direction in addition to a straight direction by the
oscillating mechanism 27.
[0065] A shielding plate 273a of which one end is directed upward
is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 273. A sensor
mounting plate 271a is attached to the front outer periphery of the
lower end of the strut 271, and a rotation sensor 277 consisting of
a photo-interrupter is fixed to the sensor mounting plate 271a. In
the rotation sensor 277, the positions of a light emitting element
and a light receiving element are set so that the shielding plate
273a can pass through a gap formed therebetween. This allows the
initial position of the ball projecting section 20 in the direction
of rotation around the rotary shaft 273 to be detected when the
shielding plate 273a interrupts between the light emitting element
and the light receiving element of the rotation sensor 277. A
direction straight along the longitudinal direction of the table 10
is regarded as the initial position of the ball projecting section
20.
[0066] A sensor mounting plate 271b is attached to the rear outer
periphery of the lower end of the strut 271, and an oscillating
angle sensor 278 consisting of a variable resistor is attached to
the sensor mounting plate 271b. A rotary shaft element 277a of the
oscillating angle sensor 278 is coaxially fixed to the rotary shaft
273 of the oscillating mechanism 27. By the above arrangement, the
oscillating angle of the ball projecting section 20 is detected by
a voltage value output from the sensor 278 according to the amount
of rotation of the rotary shaft 273, so that the oscillating angle
of the ball projecting section 20 is controlled based on the
initial position thereof.
[0067] The angle changing unit 28 includes a guide plate 281
rotatably and forward-projectingly attached to the periphery of the
projecting port 211, and a guide plate motor 282 for rotating the
guide plate 281 in a direction to interrupt the course of the ball
projected from the projecting port 211 (i.e., a direction to cross
the projecting direction). Both base ends of the guide plate 281
are journaled at opposite positions of the outer periphery of the
proximal end of the projecting port 211 when the ball projecting
cylinder 21 is in the initial position around the axis thereof.
That is, one base end is journaled by a projection 211a, and the
other base end is journaled by a rotary shaft 282a of the guide
plate motor 282 fixed to the motor mounting plate 211b which is
fitted to a suitable position of the outer periphery of the
projecting port 211.
[0068] By the described arrangement, when the ball projecting
cylinder 21 is in the initial position around the axis thereof, the
guide plate motor 282 is rotated by a predetermined amount to
rotate the guide plate 281, whereby the projecting direction of the
ball can be changed to be directed diagonally upward (i.e., the
projection angle of the ball can be changed). That is, the ball at
the projecting port 211 abuts against the guide plate 281 to be
directed upward, so that it is possible to project the ball in a
path describing a parabola. The shape of the parabola can be
controlled by the amount of rotation (elevation angle) of the guide
plate 281 and the ball-projecting speed. An angle control plate 283
is disposed on the opposite side of the guide plate 281 along the
axial direction of the ball projecting cylinder 21. By the
described arrangement, when the projecting angle of a fast ball is
greatly changed by the guide plate 281, the ball comes into contact
with the angle control plate so that the shape of the parabola can
be controlled and it becomes difficult for the ball to go over the
playing surface 12.
[0069] A shielding plate 281a is attached on the base end of the
guide plate 281 so as to extend rearward. On the other hand, a
sensor mounting plate 211c is attached in the vicinity of the
projecting port 211, and a guide plate sensor 284 consisting of a
photo-interrupter is fixed to the sensor mounting plate 211c. In
the guide plate sensor 284, the positions of a light emitting
element and a light receiving element are set so that the shielding
plate 281a can pass through a gap formed therebetween. This allows
the initial position of the guide plate 281 to be detected when the
shielding plate 281a interrupts between the light emitting element
and the light receiving element of the guide plate sensor 284. A
direction along the axial direction of the ball projecting cylinder
21 is regarded as the initial position of the guide plate 281.
[0070] A projecting angle sensor 285 consisting of a variable
resistor is attached to the sensor mounting plate 211c, and a
rotary shaft element 285a of the sensor 285 is fixed to a
projection 281b of the guide plate 281 that is coaxially fixed to a
projection 211a. By the above arrangement, the amount of rotation
of the guide plate 281 is detected by a voltage value output from
the sensor 285, so that the ball projecting angle is controlled
based on the initial position thereof.
[0071] A description will now be given of the moving mechanism 90.
As shown in FIG. 5, the moving mechanism 90 includes a pair of
guide members 92a and 92b fixed to the bottom of the base 91, a
guide rail 93 which is mounted on a table 202 fixed within the
casing 200 (see FIG. 1) and which is disposed along the lateral
direction in which the guide members 92a and 92b are slid, a pair
of pulleys 94a and 94b disposed outside both the left and right
ends of the guide rail 93, a timing belt 95 which is looped over
the pulleys 94a and 94b and to which the guide members 92a and 92b
are attached, and a drive unit 96 for driving the pulley 94a. The
drive unit 96 consists of a projecting section moving motor (AC
servo motor) 96a, a pulley 96c fitted to a rotary shaft 96b of the
motor 96a, and a timing belt 96d looped over the pulleys 96c and
94a.
[0072] A shielding plate 91a is attached in the rear center of the
base 91 so as to extend downward. On the other hand, a center base
sensor 97 consisting of a photo-interrupter is fixed to a sensor
mounting plate 93a, which projects rearward from the center of the
guide rail 93. In the center base sensor 97, the positions of a
light emitting element and a light receiving element are set so
that the shielding plate 93a can pass through a gap formed
therebetween. This allows the initial position of the base 91,
i.e., the initial position of the ball projecting section 20 in the
lateral direction, to be detected when the shielding plate 91a
interrupts between the light emitting element and the light
receiving element of the sensor 97. The center position of the
table 20 in the lateral direction is regarded as the initial
position of the ball projecting section 20, and the lateral
movement of the ball projecting section 20 is controlled based on
the initial position.
[0073] A left base sensor 98 and a right base sensor 99 are fixed
to sensor mounting plates 93b and 93c, respectively. The left base
sensor 98 projects rearward from a left-of-center portion of the
guide rail 93, and the right base sensor 99 projects rearward from
a right-of-center portion of the guide rail 93 (from the point of
view of the player). Each of the left and right base sensors 98 and
99 consists of a photo-interrupter in which the positions of a
light emitting element and a light receiving element are set so
that the shielding plate 91a can pass through a gap formed
therebetween. This allows a lateral movement range of the base 91,
i.e., a lateral movement limit position of the ball projecting
section 20, to be detected when the shielding plate 91a interrupts
between the light emitting element and the light receiving element
of the left base sensor 98 or the right base sensor 99, so that the
ball projecting section 20 does not overrun the limit position.
[0074] The ball collecting section 30 collects balls that have
failed to be hit by the player, thus dropping on the floor, balls
that have dropped on the floor from both side edges of the table 10
(so-called the sides of the side lines), and balls that have
dropped from the rearward edge (so-called the side of the end line)
towards the ball projecting section 20, and sorts faulty balls that
have been erroneously stamped on and deformed by the player's foot
into a faulty ball collecting box 334. The structure of the ball
collecting section 30 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 .
[0075] Referring to these drawings, the ball collecting section 30
includes a floor collecting part 31, left collecting part 32
disposed along the left side line of the table 10, a rear
collecting part 33 disposed along the end line of the table 10, a
right collecting part 34 disposed along the right side line of the
table 10, a longitudinal collecting part 35 longitudinally disposed
in the casing 200, a lateral collecting part 36 provided
continuously to the end of the longitudinal collecting part 35 in
the casing 200, a ball scooping-up unit 37 for scooping up and
transferring the balls collected by the floor collecting part 31 to
the left collecting part 32, and a ball scooping-up unit 38 for
scooping up and transferring the balls transferred to the lateral
collecting part 36 into a hopper 231.
[0076] The floor collecting part 31 is formed to include the area
where the player plays. The floor collecting part 31 includes a
first floor part 311 disposed to be inclined downwardly towards the
table 10 to an extent in which the part 311 does not affect play, a
second floor part 312 provided continuously on the side of the
table 10 of the first floor part 311, and a ball gathering part 313
formed in the center of the second floor part 312. The second floor
part 312 is divided into a left floor part 312a and a right floor
part 312b on either side of the ball gathering part 313, and both
floor parts 312a and 312b are disposed to be inclined downwardly
towards the ball gathering part 313. In addition, the ball
gathering part 313 is disposed to be inclined downwardly towards
the playing surface 14.
[0077] By the described arrangement, balls drop on the first floor
part 311 roll on the first and second floor parts 311 and 312, and
are collected in the ball gathering part 313. In addition, the
balls collected in the ball gathering part 313 are moved upward
within a cylinder to be described later by the ball scooping-up
unit 37, and are transferred to the left collecting part 32. In
addition to normal spherical balls, partially dented faulty balls
that have rolled into the ball gathering part 313 are transferred
by the ball scooping-up unit 37 to the left collecting part 32.
[0078] The left collecting part 32 includes a plurality of (five,
in the drawings) rails 321 which are disposed side by side in
substantially a horizontal direction with the height lower than
that of the table 10, and which are inclined downwardly towards the
rear collecting part 33, and a receiver plate 322 having
substantially a C-shape in vertical cross section that is disposed
below the rails 321 to be inclined downwardly towards the rear
collecting part 33. The rails 321 are disposed at intervals of
slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball. Therefore, normal
balls can be rolled between adjacent rails 321, while partially
dented faulty balls drop from the spacing between adjacent rails
321 onto the receiver plate 322 and are sorted.
[0079] By the described arrangement, normal balls roll on the
adjacent rails 321 and are transferred towards the rear collecting
part 33, and dented faulty balls collected by the floor collecting
part 31 drop from the spacing between the adjacent rails 321 onto
the receiver plate 322, roll on the receiver plate 322 (or the
balls that do not roll are struck by subsequent dropped balls), and
are transferred to a receiver plate 332 to be described below. The
rails 321 and the receiver plate 322 are arranged so that the ends
thereof cross the rails 331 of the rear collecting part 33 and the
receiver plate 332 in order to enable the balls to be
transferred.
[0080] The rear collecting part 33 includes a plurality of (five,
in the drawings) rails 331 which are disposed side by side in
substantially a horizontal direction with the height lower than
that of the table 10, and which are inclined downwardly towards the
right side of the playing surface 14, and a receiver plate 332
which is disposed below the rails 331 to be inclined downwardly
towards the right side thereof, a normal ball relay box 333
disposed below the right edges of the rails 331, and a faulty ball
collecting box 334 disposed below the right edge of the receiver
plate 332.
[0081] The rails 331, similarly to the rails 321, are disposed at
intervals of slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball.
Therefore, normal balls can be rolled between adjacent rails 331,
while partially dented faulty balls drop from the spacing between
adjacent rails 331 onto the receiver plate 332, and are sorted. The
normal relay box 333 opens to the casing 200, and is disposed to be
inclined downwardly towards the casing 200.
[0082] Since the dented faulty balls have been collected in the
floor collecting part 31, most of them drop from the spacing
between the adjacent rails 321 of the left collecting part 32 onto
the receiver plate 322. However, since the balls on the rails 321
roll on the rails 321 using the same portions thereof as rolling
axes, when the portions of the balls crossing the rolling shafts
are dented, the balls do not drop from the spacing between the
adjacent rails 321. Thus, with respect to the faulty balls which
have not dropped from the spacing between the adjacent rails 321,
the rear collecting part 33 is provided perpendicular to the left
collecting part 32, whereby the rolling axes are changed to be
perpendicular to the rails 321 and the dented portions are opposed
between the rails 321, so that the faulty balls are dropped from
the spacing between the rails 321.
[0083] This allows the normal balls to be delivered to the normal
ball relay box 333 via the rails 321 and 331, and allows dented
faulty balls to be dropped from the rails 321 or 331 onto the
receiver plate 322 or 332, and delivered to the faulty balls
collecting box 334.
[0084] The right collecting part 34 includes a plate 341 which has
a height lower than that of the table 10 and which is disposed to
be inclined downwardly towards the rear collecting part 33 and the
table 10. The rear edge part of the plate 341 projects on the
normal ball relay box 333. Since the normal balls returned by the
player may probably be collected by the right collecting part 34,
the balls roll on the plate 341 and are delivered to the normal
ball relay box 333 for a while.
[0085] The longitudinal collecting part 35 includes a plurality of
(four, in the drawing) rails 351 disposed in substantially a
horizontal direction to be inclined downwardly to the rear thereof,
and a receiver plate 352 disposed below the rails 351 to be
inclined downwardly to the front. The intervals of the rails 351
are set similarly to those of the rails 321 and 331. The normal
balls roll rearward on the rails 351, while the dented faulty balls
drop from the spacing between adjacent rails 35 onto the receiver
plate 352.
[0086] The front end of the receiver plate 352 is located above the
faulty ball collecting box 334. Since almost all of the dented
faulty balls have been collected via the floor collecting part 31,
they should be collected in the faulty ball collecting box 334 when
they pass through the rear collecting part 33. However, because of
influence of direction of the dented portions of the faulty balls
on the rails 331, the balls which have not dropped from the spacing
between the adjacent rails 331 of the rear collecting part 33 will
drop from the spacing between adjacent rails 351 by the change of
the direction of the dented portions.
[0087] This allows the normal balls to roll on the adjacent rails
351 and are transferred toward the lateral collecting part 36, and
allows the dented balls to be dropped from the spacing between
adjacent rails 351 and are collected in the faulty ball collecting
box 334. The rails 351 and the receiver plate 352 are arranged so
that the ends thereof cross the rails 361 and a receiver plate 362
of a lateral collecting part 36 in order to enable the balls to be
transferred.
[0088] The lateral collecting part 36 includes a plurality of
(four, in the drawing) rails 361 disposed in substantially a
horizontal direction to be inclined downwardly to the left thereof,
and a receiver plate 362 disposed below the rails 361 to be
inclined downwardly to the right thereof. The intervals of the
rails 361 are set similarly to those of the rails 351, and the
normal balls roll on the rails 361 to the left, while the dented
faulty balls drop from the spacing between adjacent rails 361 onto
the receiver plate 362. This is similarly applied to a case where
the balls are collected from the right collecting part 34 to be
guided to the longitudinal collecting part 35 and to the lateral
collecting part 36. Since the collected balls from the right
collecting part 34 have not passed through the left collecting part
32 and the rear collecting part 33, the faulty balls from the right
collecting part 34 are sorted in the longitudinal collecting part
35 and the lateral collecting part 36.
[0089] The rails 321, 331, 351 and 361 constitute ball sorting
sections, and the receiver plates 322, 332, 352 and 362 constitute
deformed ball carrying sections. In addition, the rails 321 and 351
constitute a first ball sorting section, and the rails 331 and 361
constitutes a second ball sorting section.
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the ball scooping-up unit 37
includes a flat first guide plate 372 fixed on a base plate 372 and
provided continuously with the rear edge of the ball gathering
section 313, a curved second guide plate 373 provided continuously
with the first guide plate 372, a vertical transporting cylinder
374 provided vertically above the rear edge of the second guide
plate 373, a horizontal transporting cylinder 376 which is
connected to the upper portion of the vertical transporting
cylinder 374 by means of a connecting cylinder 375 and which is
horizontally disposed, a ball stirring unit 377 for preventing a
ball jam on the rear end of the first guide plate 372, and a
feeding unit 378 for feeding the balls fed to the second guide
plate 373 to the vertical transporting cylinder 374.
[0091] The first guide plate 372 is disposed to be inclined
downwardly towards the second guide plate 373, and has an oblong
cutout 372a formed at the position opposite a shaft 377e to be
described later for facilitating the passage of the balls below the
shaft 377e. In addition, the first guide plate 372 has upright
parts 372c and 372d formed at both sides of rear end thereof to
form a narrow ball outlet 372b for passing therethrough balls one
at a time.
[0092] The second guide plate 373 guides the balls rolled from the
first guide plate 372 to the vertical transporting cylinder 374. A
cushion member 373a, such as a sponge, is attached to the top
surface of the second guide plate 373 by bonding or the like.
[0093] The ball stirring unit 377 includes a shaft 377e which is
rotatably supported by bearings 377a and 377b disposed at both
sides thereof, and to which a plurality of flexible stirring rods
377c and 377d are attached alternatively in opposite phase
positions at intervals of substantially one ball, and a drive unit
377f for rotationally driving the shaft 377e. The drive unit 377f
consists of a gear 377g attached to one end of the shaft 377e, a
gear 378e attached to one end of a shaft 378c to be described
below, and a chain 377h looped over the gears 377g and 378e, and is
driven by a driving force of a stirring/feeding motor 379 to be
described below. By the described arrangements, the shaft 377e is
rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 11,
and a plurality of balls that get trapped near the outlet 372b of
the first guide plate 372 are stirred by the stirring rods 377c and
377d so as not to cause a ball jam near the outlet 372b.
[0094] The feeding unit 378 includes a shaft 378c which is
rotatably supported by the bearings 378a and 378b disposed on both
sides thereof and which is disposed above the second guide plate
373 and in front of (left side in FIG. 11) the vertical
transporting cylinder 374, a feeding roller 378d mounted at the
position opposite the vertical transporting cylinder 374, and a
stirring/feeding motor 379 for rotationally driving the shaft 378c.
The motor 379 is fixed to a motor mounting plate 379a. The feeding
roller 378d is formed of an elastic member, such as a sponge or
rubber, and the diameter thereof is set to a size such that the
distance between the roller 378d and the cushion member 373a bonded
to the curved surface of the second guide plate 373 is slightly
shorter than the diameter of the ball.
[0095] By the described arrangements, when the shaft 378c is
rotationally driven in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 11
to rotate the roller 378d, a ball is fed to the vertical
transporting cylinder 374 in a state of being elastically
sandwiched between the feeding roller 378d and the cushion member
373a. The ball fed into the vertical transporting cylinder 374 is
pushed upward by the sequentially fed balls, and is delivered to
the horizontal transferring cylinder 376. The ball delivered to the
horizontal transporting cylinder 376 is transferred to the left
collecting part 32.
[0096] A sensor mounting plate 370a is attached to the motor
mounting plate 379a, and a first motor rotation sensor 370
consisting of a photo-interrupter having a light emitting element
and a light receiving element is fixed to the sensor mounting plate
370a. A shielding plate 379c fitted to a rotary shaft 379b of the
motor 379 passes through a gap formed between the light emitting
element and the light receiving element of the sensor 370, whereby
the number of rotations of the motor 379 is counted.
[0097] Since the ball scooping-up unit 38 is of identical structure
to the ball scooping-up unit 37, a description thereof will be
omitted.
[0098] The display section 40 is disposed on the front surface of
the casing 200, and includes a point display section 41 consisting
of a 7-segment indicator, and an image display section 42
consisting of a dot-matrix indicator. The point display section 41
displays the number of remaining balls with respect to a
predetermined number of balls, and displays each time a point
obtained by the player by returning the ball from the ball
projecting section 20 to the playing surface 14 is added. The image
display section 42 displays a demonstration picture before starting
the play, a presentation picture during the play, a demonstration
picture when the play is over, a high score and the like.
[0099] The sound section 50 consists of amplifiers, speakers and so
forth, and outputs a presentation music and sound effects during
display of the demonstration picture and during the play, a ball
projection sound each time the ball is projected from the ball
projecting section 20, and a sound effect when the ball returned by
the player drops within the playing surface 14.
[0100] The box 60 consists of a net or the like, and prevents the
ball projected from the ball projecting section 20 and the ball
returned by the player from flying far away. A door 61 for the
player is provided on the right of the box 60.
[0101] The control box 70 is mounted on the right of the playing
surface 12 of the table 10, and is placed across the inside and the
outside of the box 60. Inside the box 60, there are provided a coin
entrance CE in which a prescribed coin is slotted before starting
play, a start button SW1, a game mode select button SS (a first
course button SS1, a middle course button SS2, and an advanced
course button SS3) for use in selecting one of three types of game
(training) modes of different degree of difficulty, and a coach
mode select button CS for enabling the game to be played by two
players.
[0102] Outside the box 60, there are provided a start button SW2,
and an area select button PS for use in selecting a drop area (drop
position) of the ball in the playing surface 12 projected from the
ball projecting section 20. The area select button PS is used for
dividing the playing surface 12 into two areas in the longitudinal
direction, and for selecting one of the total six areas divided in
the lateral direction. The button PS consists of six buttons PS1,
PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5 and PS6 for individually selecting the areas.
When one of the buttons is pushed, a spin-applied ball, for
example, projected from the ball projecting section 20 drops on the
selected area.
[0103] In the described arrangements, when the player plays alone,
a coin is slotted in the coin entrance CE, a predetermined game
mode is selected by the game mode selection button SS and then, the
start button SW1 is pushed, whereby the game is started. When the
player plays the game with a competitor to imitate a coach, a coin
is slotted in the coil entrance CE, the coach mode select button is
pushed and then, the start button SW2 is pushed by the competitor
standing outside the box 60, whereby the game is started. The
competitor pushes a predetermined button to suitably select the
drop area of the ball in accordance with the player's skill, before
the ball is projected from the ball projecting section 20, and then
advances the play. Even if the coach mode select button CS is
pushed, the ball is projected under a preset condition unless the
area select button PS is pushed.
[0104] A type of projection of ball select button, a ball speed
select button, a ball projecting position select button, a ball
projecting angle select button, a ball projecting direction select
button and the like may be provided so that, by pushing these
select buttons when the coach mode is selected, the type of
projection of ball, speed, projecting position and the like can be
suitably selected each time the ball is projected.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 12, the control section 80 consists of a
CPU for performing predetermined calculation and control
processing, a ROM 82 in which a predetermined processing program is
stored, and a RAM 83 for temporarily storing data. The entire
operation of the table tennis apparatus is controlled in accordance
with the above predetermined processing program.
[0106] The CPU 81 includes the following functional units: a game
setting unit 811 for setting game contents in accordance with any
one of the game modes selected from the three game modes of the
first, medium, and advanced courses, a cold-cathode tube lighting
unit 811 for selectively lighting the cold-cathode tubes 181 to 184
in accordance with a lighting command, a first discriminating unit
812 for discriminating whether or not a ball dropped onto the
playing surface 14, a second discriminating unit 813 for
discriminating whether or not the ball dropped onto the
cold-cathode tube lighting area, a cold-cathode tube winking unit
815 for selectively winking the cold-cathode tubes in accordance
with a winking command, a score adding unit 816 for adding the
present score to the score that is obtained immediately before the
present score in accordance with the results of discrimination of
the first and second discriminating units 813 and 814, a point
display section winking unit 817 for winking the point display
section 41 when the score is added, a ball type setting unit for
setting the type of projection of ball from the ball projecting
section 20 in accordance with a setting command, a speed setting
unit 819 for setting the speed of the ball projected from the ball
projecting section 20, a projecting position setting unit 820 for
setting a projecting position of the ball from the ball projecting
section 20, a projecting angle setting unit 821 for setting a
projecting angle of the ball from the ball projecting section 20, a
projecting direction setting unit 822 for setting a projecting
direction of the ball from the ball projecting section 20, a
projecting condition setting unit 823 for setting a projecting
condition of a ball so that the ball is projected towards the
selected drop area in accordance with a pushing operation of the
area selection button when the coach mode is selected, and a
bounded ball addition disabling unit 824 for disabling a score
addition with respect to the second drop of the ball bounded on the
playing surface 14.
[0107] A description will now be given of an example of the table
tennis apparatus constructed as described above.
[0108] First, an initializing operation of each of the components
will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG.
13.
[0109] When a power switch is turned on, a base plate is checked to
determine whether or not the components such as the CPU and the
like are functioning normally (step S1), and then the components
are initialized (step S3). Then, the ball projecting section moving
motor 296a is rotationally driven to move laterally the ball
projecting section 20 (step S5), and after a lapse of a fixed
period of time, it is determined whether or not the ball projecting
section 20 is located in the center of the table 10 (step S7). If
"yes", the rotation of the motor 296a is stopped. If "no", it is
determined whether or not the ball projecting section 20 is located
on the left end or the right end of the table 10 (step S11). If
"yes" in step S11, the ball projecting section 20 is moved to the
center of the table 10 (step S13) and thereafter, the procedure
returns to step S7. If "no" in step S13, it is determined that the
ball projecting section 20 is moving to the center of the table 10
and the procedure returns to step S7 to execute subsequent
operations.
[0110] Then, the oscillating angle of the ball projecting section
20 in the lateral direction is set (step S15) and the ball
projecting section 20 is laterally rotated. It is determined
whether or not there is anything abnormal about the oscillating
angle and the oscillating sensor 277 (step S17), and a projecting
angle of the projecting port 211 is set (step S19) when "yes" in
step S17. Thereafter, the guide plate 281 of the projecting port
211 is rotated by the angle corresponding to the set projecting
angle, and it is determined whether or not there is anything
abnormal about the guide plate sensor 283 and the projection angle
sensor 285 (step S21). If "yes" in step S21, the point display
section 41, the image display section 42 and the illumination lamp
(not shown), and the like are initialized and the cold-cathode
tubes 181 to 184 are subsequently initialized (step S25). If "no"
in step S17 and step S21, error handling (for example, display of
the abnormal section on the image display section 42) is performed
(step S27 and step S29).
[0111] A game operation will now be described with reference to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 14. First, it is determined whether or not
there is anything abnormal in the initializing operation of the
components as described above (step S31). If "yes", a demonstration
picture before starting the play is displayed on the image display
section 42 (step S33). Then, it is determined whether or not a coin
has been slotted in the coin entrance CE (step S35). If "yes", game
variables (the number of remaining ball, the projecting angle, and
the like) are initialized (step S37).
[0112] Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined game
course among the first course, the middle course and the advanced
course is selected (step S39). If "yes", the game contents
corresponding to the game course is set (step S41). If "no" in step
S31, error handling (such as the display of the abnormal section on
the image display section 42) is performed (step S43) to make it
impossible to start the game. In addition, if "not" in step S39,
the determination is repeatedly executed until the game course is
selected.
[0113] When the game contents are set in step S41, the ball
scooping-up units 37 and 38 of the ball collecting section 30 are
actuated (step S45), the ball stirring unit 236 of the ball supply
section 236 is actuated (step S47), and a predetermined
color-luminary cold-cathode tube in the cold-cathode tubes 181 to
184 is lit up immediately before the projection of ball (step S49).
Then, a ball is projected from the ball projecting section 20
towards the playing surface 12 (step S51), and the drop position of
the ball returned by the player is detected to perform score
handling (step S53). Thereafter, it is determined by a count value
of the plate cam sensor 243 whether or not the prescribed number of
balls are projected from the ball projecting section 20 (step S55).
If "yes", the procedure returns to step S45, and subsequent
operations are repeatedly executed.
[0114] The operations in steps S45, S47, S49, S51, S53 and S57
shown in FIG. 14 will now be described in this order with reference
to the flow charts of FIGS. 15 to 20. While these operations are
repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle, for example,
{fraction (1/60)}seconds, the flow charts of FIGS. 15 to 20 focus
on the operations for reasons of explanation.
[0115] The operations of the ball scooping-up units 37 and 38 will
be first described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 15.
Since the operation of the ball scooping-up unit 37 is identical to
that of the ball scooping-up unit 38, a description will be given
of the operation of the ball scooping-up unit 37.
[0116] First, the stirring/feeding motor 379 is started to rotate
in a normal direction (step S71), and it is determined whether or
not the motor has rotated once (step S71). If "yes", the number of
rotations is counted up (step S75), and a rotation timer is
consecutively counted up (step S77).
[0117] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the count of the
rotation timer has reached a prescribed number (step S79). If
"yes", it is determined whether or not the number of rotations of
the motor 379 has reached a prescribed number (step S81). If "yes"
in step S81, the error count is cleared (step S83). That is, when a
ball jam does not occur in the vicinity of the ball stirring
section 377 and the motor 379 is normally operated, the operations
of steps S71 to S83 are repeatedly executed during proceeding of
the game. If "no" in step S73, the procedure advances to step S77.
If "no" in step S79, the procedure returns to step S73, and
subsequent operations are repeatedly executed until the count of
the rotation timer reaches the prescribed number.
[0118] On the other hand, if "no" in step S81, i.e., the ball jam
occurs in the vicinity of the ball stirring section 377 and the
motor 379 is not rotated normally, the rotation of the motor 379 is
stopped to clear the rotation timer (step S85), and a stop timer is
counted up (step S87). Then, it is determined whether or not the
count of the stop timer has reached a prescribed number (step S89).
If "yes", the motor 379 is started to rotate in a reverse direction
(step S91). That is, the motor 379 is rotated in the reverse
direction to eliminate the ball jam occurred in the vicinity of the
ball stirring section 377. If "no" in step S89, the procedure
returns to step S87, and the determination is repeatedly executed
until the count of the stop timer reaches the prescribed
number.
[0119] When the motor 379 is rotated in the reverse direction in
step S91, the stop timer is cleared, while the rotation timer is
counted up (step S93). Consecutively, it is determined whether or
not the count of the rotation timer has reached a prescribed number
(step S95). If "yes", the rotation of the motor 379 is stopped to
clear the rotation timer (step S97), and the stop timer is counted
up (step S99). Then, it is determined whether or not the count of
the stop timer has reached the prescribed number (step S101). If
"yes", an error is counted up (step S103). If "no" in step S101,
the procedure advances to step S99 and the determination is
repeatedly executed until the count of the stop timer reaches the
prescribed number.
[0120] Consecutively, it is determined whether or not the error
count reaches a prescribed number (for example, 3) (step S105). If
"no", the procedure returns to step S71 and subsequent operations
are repeatedly executed. That is, when the ball jam is eliminated
by rotating the motor 379 in the reverse direction, steps S71 to
S83 are repeatedly executed. When the ball jam is not eliminated by
repeating the operations in steps S85 to S103 of prescribed times
(for example, three times), the determination in step S105 is "yes"
and error handling (for example, display of the ball jam on the
image display section 42). In this case, the balls are not
projected from the ball projecting section 20 after a lapse of a
fixed period of time. Thus, the proceeding of the game is stopped
when the balls are not projected.
[0121] The operation of the ball stirring unit 236 of the ball
supply section 23 shown in step 47 of FIG. 4 will now be described
with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 16.
[0122] First, the hopper-inside stirring motor 234 is stated to
rotate (step S121). Then, the rotation timer is counted up (step
S123) and thereafter, it is determined whether or not the count of
the rotation timer has reached a prescribed number (step S125). If
"yes", the rotation of the motor 234 is stopped, and the rotation
timer is cleared (step S127), and the stop timer is counted up
(step S129). Then, it is determined whether or not the count of the
stop timer has reached a prescribed number (step S131). If "yes",
the procedure returns to step S121, and subsequent operations are
repeatedly operated. If "no" in step S125, the procedure returns to
step S123 to execute repeatedly the determination until the count
reaches the prescribed number. In addition, if "no" in step S131,
the procedure returns to step S129 to execute repeatedly the
determination until the count reaches the prescribed number.
[0123] The lighting operation of the cold-cathode tubes 181 to 184
in step S49 shown in FIG. 14 will now be described with reference
to the flow chart shown in FIG. 17.
[0124] First, degree of difficulty handling according to the game
course, score and the number of remaining balls is executed (step
S141). That is, when the game course of the low degree of
difficulty (for example, the first course and the middle course) is
selected, the degree of difficulty handling is performed so that
the cold-cathode tubes in a plurality of areas of E2 to E5 of the
playing surface 14 are lit up to make it easy to obtain scores. On
the other hand, when the game course of the high degree of
difficulty (for example, the advanced course) is selected, the
degree of difficulty handling is performed so that the cold-cathode
tube in one of the areas of E2 to E5 of the playing surface 14 are
lit up to make it difficult to obtain scores. Even if the game
course of the low degree of difficulty has been selected, when the
score exceeds a predetermined value or the number of remaining
balls decreases to less than a predetermined value, the degree of
difficulty handling is performed so that the cold-cathode tubes in
one of the areas of E2 to E5 of the playing surface 14 are lit up
to make it difficult to obtain scores.
[0125] Then, before the projection of balls from the ball
projecting section 20, it is determined whether or not the degree
of difficulty is low (step S143). If "yes", the cold-cathode tubes
182 and 184 (or 181 and 183) of the left-side (or right-side) two
areas E3 and E5 (or E2 and E4) are lit up simultaneously. If "no"
(i.e., when the degree of difficulty is high), the cold-cathode
tube 181, 182, 183 or 184 in one of the four areas of E2 to E5 is
lit up (step 147).
[0126] The ball projecting operation of the ball projecting section
20 in step S51 shown in FIG. 14 will now be described with
reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 18.
[0127] First, it is determined whether or not the projection of a
prescribed number of balls has not been finished (step S161). If
"yes", the type of projection and the speed of the next ball to be
projected are decided (step S163) according to the degree of
difficulty of the game (that is decided by the selected game
course, the present score and the present number of remaining
balls). That is, when the degree of difficulty is high, the type of
projection of ball, a manner of application of spin and the like
are frequently changed, and the projecting speed is increased. When
the degree of difficulty is low, the type of projection of ball, a
manner of application of spin and the like are not changed so
frequently, and the projecting speed is decreased. If "no" in step
S161, the operation shifts to that of step S53 shown in FIG.
14.
[0128] Then, the projecting position of the next ball to be
projected is decided according to the degree of difficulty of the
game (step S165). That is, when the degree of difficulty of the
game is high, the ball projecting section 20 is moved laterally on
the rear end of the playing surface 14 in accordance with the drop
position of the ball returned by the player in the playing surface
14.
[0129] That is, when the ball has dropped onto the right-side
second area E2 or the fourth area E4 of the playing surface 14, the
drop of the ball onto the second area E2 or the fourth area E4 is
discriminated by a detection signal output from a pair of the
microphones 192 and 193 or 196 and 197, and the ball projecting
section 20 is moved to the center position or the right-end
position on the right-half of the table 10. In addition, when the
ball has dropped onto the left-side third area E3 or the fifth area
E5 of the playing surface 14, the drop of the ball onto the third
area E3 or the fifth area E5 is discriminated by a detection signal
output from a pair of the microphones 194 and 195 or 198 and 199,
and the ball projecting section 20 is moved to the center position
or the left-end position on the left-half of the table 10. The
movement of the ball projecting section 20 is controlled by the
number of pulses supplied to the projecting section moving motor
96a.
[0130] When the degree of difficulty of the game is low, the ball
projecting section 20 is fixed to the center position, left-end
position or the right-end position of the table 10 regardless of
the drop position of the ball returned by the player on the playing
surface 14.
[0131] Then, the projecting angle of the next ball to be projected
is decided according to the degree of difficulty of the game (step
S167). That is, when the degree of difficulty of the game is high,
the projecting angle is frequently changed, or a ratio of the
projection of the ball in a path describing a parabola is
decreased, and a ratio of the projection of the low ball is
increased. In addition, when the degree of difficulty of the game
is low, the projecting angle is not frequently changed, or a ratio
of the projection of the ball in a path describing a parabola is
increased, and a ratio of the projection of the low ball is
decreased.
[0132] Then, the projecting direction (straight direction or
crosswise direction) of the next ball to be projected is decided
according to the degree of difficulty of the game (step S169). That
is, when the degree of difficulty of the game is high, the
projecting direction is frequently changed, while the projecting
direction is not changed so frequently when the degree of
difficulty of the game is low.
[0133] Then, the number of rotations of the roller motors 253 and
254 of the urging force-imparting unit 25 is quickly changed by a
PWM control (pulse width modulation control), and the projecting
cylinder rotating motor 263 of the rotary unit 26 is driven by the
supplied voltage of a predetermined number of pulses, whereby the
ball projecting section 20 is rotated in the normal direction or
the reverse direction by a predetermined angle, and the type of
projection of ball and the ball speed is set to be the type and the
speed decided in step S163 (step S171). In addition, the projecting
section moving motor 96a is driven by the supplied voltage of a
predetermined number of pulses, whereby the ball projecting section
20 is moved to a predetermined leftward or rightward position, and
the ball projecting position is set to the position decided in step
S163 (step S173). The type of projection of ball in steps S163 and
S171 refers to the type which is changed by the manner of
application of spin by the urging force-imparting unit 25 and the
rotary unit 26 on the ball. However, the ball speed changed by the
urging force-imparting unit 25, and the ball in a path describing a
parabola produced by the angle changing unit 28 may be included in
the type of projection of ball.
[0134] In addition, the guide plate motor 282 is driven until the
voltage value output from the sensor 285 reaches a predetermined
value, whereby the guide plate 281 is rotated by a predetermined
angle, and the ball projecting angle is set to the angle decided in
step S167 (step S175). Furthermore, the projecting section
oscillating motor 276 is driven until the voltage value output from
the oscillating angle sensor 278 reaches a predetermined value,
whereby the ball projecting section 20 is rotated leftward or
rightward by a predetermined angle, and the ball projecting
direction is set to the direction decided in step S169 (step
S177).
[0135] When the coach mode selection switch CS of the control box
70 is turned on, the operations of steps S163 to S169 are operated
according to a signal that is output by turning on any one of the
area select switches PS1 to PS6 provided in the control box 70. In
addition, even if the coach mode selection switch CS is turned on,
the ball is projected under programmed conditions when no area
selection switches are turned on.
[0136] Then, it is judged whether or not the ball projecting timing
(for example, one projection per two seconds) has been provided
(step S179). If "yes", the plate cam motor 242 is started to
rotate, and the plate cam 241 is rotated in response thereto (step
S181). If "no" in step S179, the determination is repeatedly
executed until the projection timing is provided.
[0137] Then, it is determined whether or not the plate cam 241 has
rotated once (step S183). If "yes", a projection sound (for
example, a sound effect generated when a ball is hit by a racket)
is generated (step S185). Thereafter, the rotation of the plate cam
motor 242 is stopped and the rotation of the plate cam 241 is
stopped in response thereto (step S187). If "no" in step S183, it
is determined whether or not a fixed period of time has elapsed
since the plate cam 241 is started to rotate (step S189). If "yes",
error handling (for example, display of the ball jam) is performed
(step S191). If "no" in step S189, the procedure returns to step
S183, and subsequent operations are repeatedly executed.
[0138] The detection of the drop position of the ball, and score
handling in step S53 shown in FIG. 14 will now be described with
reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 19.
[0139] First, it is determined whether or not the ball is projected
from the ball projecting section 20 (step S221). If "yes", it is
determined whether or not the last detection signals output from
the microphones 190 to 199 are cleared (step S223). If "yes", it is
determined whether or not the ball returned by the player has
dropped onto the playing surface 14 (step S225). If "no" in step
S223, the determination is repeatedly executed until the above
detection signals are cleared, and even if the next signals are
output from the microphones 190 to 199 during the determination,
the signals are ignored.
[0140] That is, when "yes" in step S221, a flag is set up, and
while the flat is being set up, the detection signals from the
microphones 190 to 199 that are output only when the ball drops on
the playing surface 14 are incorporated into the score adding unit
816. On the other hand, once the detection signals have been
incorporated into the score adding unit 816, the above flag falls,
and even if the ball drops again on the playing surface 14 by
bounding and the detection signals are output, the signals are
ignored and are not incorporated into the score adding unit
816.
[0141] However, when the previously projected ball is returned in a
path describing a parabola to drop on the playing surface 14
immediately before the projection of the next ball, and bounds to
drop on the playing surface 14 immediately after the projection of
the next ball, a score is added doubly by the bound of the
previously projected ball, and the score is not added by the next
ball. Therefore, a detection signal output by the first bound is
held for a fixed period of time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and
even if the next detection signal is output during the holding
time, the signal is ignored, thereby preventing the score from
being added doubly.
[0142] A specific example will be described. As shown in FIG. 21A,
it is assumed that the first ball {circle over (1)}is projected
from the ball projecting section 20 at the time t.sub.1 and a flag
F is set up, and the second ball {circle over (2)}is projected and
a flag F is set up at the time t.sub.2, for example, after two
seconds. In this case, even if the first ball {circle over (1)}that
has been returned on the playing surface 14 continuously bounds on
the playing surface 14 immediately before the projection of the
second ball {circle over (2)}, the flag F falls at the first bound
time t.sub.1a, so that no detection signals resulting from
subsequent bounds are incorporated into the score adding unit
816.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 21B, however, if the ball {circle over
(1)}bounds on the playing surface 14 at the time t.sub.1b
immediately before the projection of the ball {circle over (2)}and
bounds again at the time t.sub.1c immediately after the projection
of the ball {circle over (2)}, the flag F is set up by the
projection of the ball {circle over (1)}immediately before the
bound at the time t.sub.1b, and the flag F is set up by the
projection of the ball {circle over (2)}immediately before the
second bound at the time t.sub.1c. Thus, both detection signals are
incorporated into the score adding unit 816.
[0144] In this case, if the detection signal is held for, for
example, 0.5 seconds after the first bound time t.sub.1b and a gate
is provided so as not to receive new detection signal during this
period, as shown in FIG. 21B, the detection signal resulting from
the first bound of the ball {circle over (1)}is incorporated into
the score adding unit 816, but the detection signal resulting from
the second bound is not incorporated into the score adding unit 816
when the holding of the detection signal is cleared after the
second bound time t.sub.1c of the first ball {circle over (1)}.
[0145] The ball {circle over (2)}usually bounds at the time
t.sub.2a after the detection signal of the ball {circle over (1)}is
cleared, and the detection signal resulting from the bound is
incorporated into the score adding unit 816. The above 0.5 seconds
is an example of the period of time for holding the detection
signal. The time may be set to the time corresponding to the
maximum value of the bound time, or slightly longer.
[0146] Returning to FIG. 19, if "no" in step S225, it is determined
whether or not a fixed period of time has elapsed (step S227). If
"yes", the procedure advances to step S55 shown in FIG. 14. If
"no", the procedure returns to step S225 and the determination is
repeatedly executed until the fixed period of time elapses. If
"yes" in step S225, it is determined whether or not the ball
returned by the player has dropped onto the areas E2 to E5 where
the cold-cathode tubes 181 to 184 are being lit up (step S229). If
"yes", a high score (for example, 2 points) is added to the
previous score, and a sound effect, such as a music for honoring
the score, is output for a fixed period of time (step S231). In
this embodiment, the drop of the ball on the boundary between the
lighting area and the non-lighting area of the cold-cathode tubes
is regarded as the drop onto the lighting area.
[0147] Then, in order to obtain the illumination effect, the
cold-cathode tubes in the area onto which the ball has dropped are
winked for a fixed period of time, while all the cold-cathode tubes
in other areas are lit up only for a fixed period of time (step
S233). Consecutively, the added point is displayed on the point
display section 41 and the display section 41 is winked for a fixed
period of time, whereby scoring of the point is appealed (step
S235).
[0148] Game-over handling in step S57 shown in FIG. 14 will now be
described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 20.
[0149] First, the rotations of the motors in the ball projecting
section 20, i.e., the hopper-inside stirring motor 234, the roller
motors 253 and 254, the projecting cylinder rotating motor 263, the
projecting cylinder oscillating motor 273, the guide plate motor
282 and the projecting section moving motor 96a are stopped (step
S261), and a demonstration picture relating to game-over is
displayed on the image display section 42 (step S263). The
demonstration picture includes a renewal of high score, display of
final score, and the like.
[0150] Then, the motor 96a is rotationally driven and the ball
projecting section 20 is returned to the initial position, in the
center of the table 10 (step S265), the motor 282 is rotationally
driven and the guide plate 281 is returned to the initial position
(step S267), and further, the motor 276 is rotationally driven and
the ball projecting section 20 is returned to the initial position
in the oscillating direction (step S269).
[0151] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a fixed period
of time has elapsed (step S271). If "yes", the rotations of the
stirring/feeding motors 379 and 389 are stopped (step S273).
[0152] As described above, according to the table tennis apparatus
of the present invention, it is detected which side balls projected
from the ball projecting section 20 have been returned in the
lateral direction, and the ball projecting section 20 is moved
laterally according to the direction in which the balls have been
returned. Therefore, the next ball is projected at the position
near the playing surface on the player side in the direction in
which the ball have been returned, a mode which is closer to actual
competitive play can be realized, and the player can obtain a
feeling of actually continuing a rally with a competitor.
Therefore, it is possible to efficiently enhance the result of
training when the table tennis apparatus of the present invention
is used for training of table tennis, and game quality is increased
and the apparatus becomes very interesting when used for a table
tennis game.
[0153] While the present invention has been described with respect
to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiment. To the contrary, the invention is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included
within the sprit and scope of the appended claims.
[0154] For example, it is possible to divide the playing surface 14
of the table 10 into total six areas by dividing the area near the
net 16 into left-side and right-side areas. With this arrangement,
even if a ball is hit into the area near the net 16, the next ball
can be projected according to the area into which the ball is hit.
In addition, it is possible to divide laterally the playing surface
14 into three or more areas. If the three or more areas are formed
laterally on the playing surface 14 and a microphone is installed
on each of the areas, the ball projection section 20 can be moved
to a position closer to the ball return position, so that a
competitive play which is closer to the actual play can be
performed. Furthermore, cold-cathode tubes may be provided in all
areas, and cold-cathode tubes of the same color may be used in the
areas.
[0155] In addition, the ball projecting section 20 may be disposed
rearward of the playing surface 12 on the side of a player without
providing the playing surface 14. In this case, for example, it is
possible to dispose a monitor rearward of the ball projecting
section 20 for displaying a picture of a playing surface and a
returned ball, to arrange laterally a number of optical sensors on
the proximal side of the ball projecting section 20, and to detect
the ball return direction according to which optical sensor the
ball returned by the player passes through to thereby move
laterally the ball projecting section 20 according to the result of
the detection. It is also possible to dispose longitudinally a
board having a plurality of through holes formed therein in the
form of a matrix in place of the playing surface 14, to detect
which through hole the returned ball passes through by optical
sensors or mechanical switches so as to obtain the ball return
direction thereby to move laterally the ball projecting section 20
according to the return direction.
[0156] Furthermore, a lamp such as a cold-cathode tube may be
disposed in the first area E1. In addition, it is possible to use
lamps of the same luminary color. A variation of a luminary color
in each of the areas can be realized by using a white-luminary lamp
and a colored plate body 142. Furthermore, it is possible to
constitute a surface illuminant by burying a plurality of light
emitting diodes in the form of a matrix in the plate body 142 or
the like. While the surface illuminant constitutes identifying
means for identifying the areas of the playing surface, the
identifying means can be constituted by other means such as
lighting for illuminating the playing surface 14 from above.
[0157] Still furthermore, the ball sorting section may include only
the rails 321 of the left collecting part 32 and the rails 331 of
the rear collecting part 33, or may include only the rails 351 of
the longitudinal collecting part 35 and the rails 361 of the
lateral collecting part 36.
[0158] When the ball sorting section includes only the rails 321
and the rails 331, balls that have rolled to the downstream of the
rails 331 may be returned towards the ball projecting section 20 by
the ball scooping-up unit 38. When the ball sorting section
includes only the rails 351 and the rails 361, balls that have
dropped around the table 10 may be collected, for example, to the
rearward of the table 10 on the floor below the table 10, and the
collected balls may be transferred onto the rails 351.
[0159] Yet furthermore, the ball sorting section may only include
either of the rails 321 or the rails 331, or either of the rails
351 or the rails 361. In these cases, balls that have dropped
around the table 10 may be collected by suitable means, and may be
transferred onto the rails of the ball sorting section. In
addition, the rails may be disposed horizontally so that the balls
are rolled by wind pressure.
[0160] In addition, it is possible to construct the right
collecting part 34 similar to the left collecting part 32. It is
also possible for the left collecting part 32 to include the same
plate as that of the right collecting part 34. In this case, balls
that have rolled towards the downstream of the plate may be
delivered to the rails 331 of the rear collecting part 33.
[0161] Furthermore, the floor collecting part 31 may be extended to
the rearward of the table 10, and the balls that have been
collected in the floor collecting part 31 may be transferred to the
ball sorting section from the extended portion. In addition, the
floor collecting part 31 may allows the balls to be rolled by
window pressure or the like.
[0162] Still furthermore, in the described embodiment, the bounded
ball addition disabling unit 824 prevents a signal detected by
detection means from being incorporated into the score adding unit
816 when a ball bounds to drop again on the playing surface 14.
However, when addition resulting from the first drop of the ball is
executed, the addition may be prevented from being executed by, for
example, electrically shutting off a circuit of the detection means
for a fixed period of time to disable the detecting operation.
* * * * *