JP6682136B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a game.

  A gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game medium is known.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a changeover switch is provided as to whether the path of the flowing down game medium is a discharge path that is a path for discharging the game medium to the outside or a circulation path that is a path for circulating the inside of the gaming machine. A game machine that can be selected by operating is disclosed. The game medium can be discharged from the discharge path by operating the hitting ball launching device with the path of the game medium selected as the discharge path.

JP, 2005-156951, A

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when the changeover switch is operated, the changeover switch sometimes hits the game medium staying in the path and is difficult to move. As a result, the operation of switching the route tends to be difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can easily switch the path of a game medium.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present application is a launching means (eg, a launching device) that launches a game medium (eg, a game ball) at a launch position toward a game area (eg, a game area). 14) and a circulation path for guiding the game medium to the launch position from an inflow section (for example, an outlet 8, a winning opening such as a first start winning slot) into which the game medium shot in the game area flows ( For example, a game ball detection device 27, a polishing device 23, a doffing device 25, and a game ball transfer path formed in the launching device 14) and a branch from the middle of the circulation path to discharge the game medium to the outside. The discharge path (for example, the discharge path 76) for guiding so as to be provided, and the circulation path (for example, the connection point 89) are provided to switch between guiding the game medium to the circulation path or the discharge path. Switching means (for example, A switch 90) and a first transfer means (for example, a polishing motor 71, a transfer screw 72 driven by the polishing motor 71) for transferring a game medium from the inflow portion to the switching means toward the switching means. ) And the second transfer means (for example, the lifting motor 93, the lifting screw 93 driven by the lifting motor 93) for transferring the game medium from the switching means to the shooting position toward the launching position. 94, a ball feed solenoid 47, and a link 48 that is driven by the ball feed solenoid 47), and an operation for ejecting the game medium is performed (for example, the power switch 21a while pressing the ball punching switch 19). when the turn on), the discharge level to perform the transfer of the second transfer means only by game media of the said second transport means and the first transfer means Operation (e.g., step ball ejecting initial processing shown in S46) Ri executable der and after the execution of the discharge preparation operation even if the operation for discharging the game medium is made, and the first transfer means By carrying out the transfer of the game medium with the second transfer means, it is possible to execute a discharging operation for discharging the game medium through the discharge path (for example, the step of the punching process shown in S55). Amusement machine.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can easily switch the path of the gaming medium.

(2) In the gaming machine of (1) above, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, a series of operations in which the power is turned on while the predetermined operation means is operated (for example, shown in (1)). It is the case) is made.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game medium from being unintentionally discharged.

(3) In the gaming machine of (1) or (2) above, when a condition different from the predetermined condition (for example, conditions of S1, S3, S4 shown in FIG. 13) is not satisfied, or when the predetermined condition is satisfied Even in this case, the second operation is not executed.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the game medium from being unintentionally discharged.

(4) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above, a game medium confirmation unit capable of confirming the presence or absence of a game medium at a position where the switching unit of the circulation path is provided (for example, The polishing apparatus 23 has a transparent window portion and a third filling detection sensor 77).

  With such a configuration, it can be easily determined whether the switching operation of the route by the switching unit can be smoothly performed.

(5) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4), the second operation is that the second transfer means transfers a predetermined number of game media (for example, as shown in S42, 2 game balls are used). It is characterized in that it is completed by transferring (for each piece).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to smoothly eject the game medium.

It is a front view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing an arrangement layout of main members. It is an exploded perspective view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exploded perspective view which looked at the main part frame of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the back. It is a perspective view of the game ball detection device of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a figure seen from the front, (b) is a figure seen from the back. It is a perspective view of a polishing machine of a game machine concerning an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a figure seen from the front, (b) is a figure seen from the back. The exploded perspective view which looked at the polish device of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the front. The exploded perspective view which looked at the polisher of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the back. The exploded perspective view which looked at the polisher of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the back. The disassembled perspective view which looked at the doffing apparatus of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the back. The perspective view showing the state where the game medium was filled in the ball passage of the launching device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which looked at the launcher of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the back. The block diagram which shows the card unit of the game machine and the control circuit which are used for the pachinko game machine which relates to the execution form of this invention. The flowchart which shows the ball movement control mode process of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the ball movement control processing of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 14A is a flow chart showing the details of the ball supply process shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 14B is a flow chart showing the details of the normal time ball circulation process shown in FIG. 14, and FIG. 14C is the detail of the ball feeding process shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows. The flowchart which shows the ball removal initial process of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the ball removal process of the game machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is provided with a main body frame 100, an upper front frame 3A pivotally attached to the left side of the main body frame 100 in a vertically rotatable and detachable manner, and located below the upper front frame 3A. Further, a lower front frame 3B rotatably up and down and detachably supported on one side of the main body frame 100, and a display unit 50 arranged on the front surface of the lower front frame 3B. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the upper front frame 3A, the lower front frame 3B, and the display unit 50 form the front surface of the gaming machine 1.

  The upper front frame 3A and the lower front frame 3B are separated from each other, and the upper front frame 3A has bearing portions 31a and 31b mounted on one side vertically and pivotally supported by a hinge portion (not shown) of the main body frame 100. Thus, it is rotatably attached to the main body frame 100. A game board (gauge board) 2 forming a game board surface is detachably attached to the upper front frame 3A. On the game board 2, a game area surrounded by guide rails and having a substantially circular outer edge is formed. A game ball as a game medium is shot and driven into this game area.

  At a predetermined position of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, on the lower right edge of the game area), a first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided. The first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are each composed of, for example, 7-segment or dot-matrix LED (light emitting diode), etc., and are identified in a special symbol game which is an example of a variable display game. Special symbols (also called "special symbols") that are possible plural kinds of identification information (special identification information) are variably displayed (variably displayed). For example, each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B variably displays a plurality of types of special symbols composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9" and symbols indicating "-". To do. In addition, the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are limited to those composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9", symbols indicating "-", and the like. However, for example, a plurality of types of lighting patterns with different combinations of what is turned on and what is turned off in the 7-segment LED may be set in advance as a plurality of types of special symbols.

  A plurality of types of special symbols are provided with symbol numbers corresponding to each. As an example, each of the numbers indicating “0” to “9” is assigned a symbol number of “0” to “9”, and the symbol indicating “−” is assigned a symbol number of “10”. Just do it. Below, the special symbols that are variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A are also referred to as "first special symbols", and the special symbols that are variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 4B are also referred to as "second special symbols". .

  Both the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. The type of the first special figure and the type of the second special figure may be the same (for example, the numbers indicating “0” to “9” and the symbol indicating “−”), or the types may be different. It may be different. Further, the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B may be respectively configured to variably display numbers (or two-digit symbols) indicating "00" to "99", for example. .

  An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the game area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. In the display area of the image display device 5, corresponding to the variable display of the first special symbol by the first special symbol display device 4A and the variable display of the second special symbol by the second special symbol display device 4B in the special symbol game, respectively. In the decorative pattern display area, which is a plurality of variable display portions such as three, for example, decorative patterns which are a plurality of types of identification information (decorative identification information) capable of identifying each are variably displayed. The variable display of the decorative pattern is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, in the display area of the image display device 5, “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged. Then, in the special figure game, in response to the start of one of the variation of the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 4A and the variation of the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 4B, The variation (for example, vertical scroll display) of the decorative pattern is started in each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R. After that, when the fixed special symbol is stopped and displayed as the variable display result in the special symbol game, in each of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R in the image display device 5. The fixed decorative design (final stop design) that is the variable display result of the decorative design is stopped and displayed.

  Thus, in the display area of the image display device 5, a special figure game using the first special figure in the first special symbol display device 4A, or a special special figure using the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B. In synchronization with the drawing game, a plurality of types of distinguishable decorative patterns that can be identified are variably displayed, and the fixed decorative pattern that is the variable display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as “derivation”). Note that, for example, deriving and displaying various display symbols such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol is to end the variable display by performing a stop display (also called a complete stop display or a final stop display) of identification information such as a decorative symbol. . On the other hand, during the variable display from the start of variable display of the decorative pattern to the derivation display of the fixed decorative pattern which is the variable display result, the variable speed of the decorative pattern becomes “0”, The design may be displayed in a stopped state, and may be in a display state that causes, for example, a slight shake or expansion / contraction. Such a display state is also called a temporary stop display, and although the display result in the variable display is not definitely displayed, the player can recognize that the variation of the decorative pattern due to the scroll display or the update display is not progressing. Becomes Note that the temporary stop display may include displaying the decorative pattern completely in a stopped state for a time shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) without causing a slight shake or expansion / contraction.

  The decorative patterns that are variably displayed in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R include, for example, eight types of patterns (alphanumeric characters “1” to “8” or Chinese characters). It may be a number, an alphabetic character, eight character images related to a predetermined motif, a combination of numbers, characters or symbols and a character image. The character image may be, for example, a person, an animal, an object other than these, or , A symbol such as a character, or a decorative image showing any other figure). A corresponding design number is attached to each of the decorative designs. For example, the symbol numbers “1” to “8” are attached to the alphanumeric characters indicating “1” to “8”, respectively. Note that the decorative patterns are not limited to eight types, and may be of any type (e.g., seven types or nine types) as long as an appropriate number of combinations such as a big hit combination and a combination that causes a loss can be configured.

  After the variable display of the decorative pattern is started, the decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left", "middle", and "right" are displayed until the fixed decorative pattern which is the variable display result is derived and displayed. In, for example, scroll display is performed such that the symbol numbers flow from upper to lower ones in order from the smallest to the largest, and when the decorative symbol having the largest symbol number (for example, “8”) is displayed, The decorative design with the smallest design number (for example, "1") is displayed. Alternatively, in at least one of the decorative design display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R (for example, the "left" decorative design display area 5L, etc.), scroll display is performed from a large design number to a small design number, When the decorative design with the smallest number is displayed, the decorative design with the largest design number may be displayed subsequently.

  In the display area of the image display device 5, a start prize winning memory display area 5H is arranged. In the starting prize winning memory display area 5H, a hold memory display is displayed that allows the number of variable displays to be held corresponding to the special figure game (special figure hold memory number) to be specified. Here, in the suspension of the variable display corresponding to the special drawing game, the game ball passes through the first start winning opening formed by the normal winning ball device 6A and the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning ball device 6B. It is generated based on the winning prize for starting by entering. That is, the starting condition (also referred to as “execution condition”) for executing the variable display game such as the special drawing game and the variable display of the decorative pattern is satisfied, but the variable display game based on the previously satisfied start condition is being executed. If the start condition that allows the start of the variable display game is not satisfied due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the jackpot gaming state, the variable display corresponding to the established starting condition is held. Done.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, along with the start winning prize memory display area 5H, the first special hold for displaying the special figure hold storage number in a lower part of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B so that it can be specified. A display device 25A and a second hold display device 25B are provided. The first reserved indicator 25A displays the number of the first special figure reserved memories so that it can be specified. The second reserved display device 25B displays the number of second special figure reserved memories so that it can be specified. The first special figure pending storage number is the number of storages in which execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is pending. The second special figure pending storage number is the number of storages in which execution of the special figure game using the second special figure is pending. The variable display pending storage number obtained by adding the first special figure pending storage number and the second special figure pending storage number is also referred to as a total pending storage number in particular. When simply saying "the number of special figure reservation storages", it usually means a concept including all of the number of first special figure reservation memories, the number of second special figure reservation memories, and the total number of reserved memories. The first special figure reserved storage number and the second special figure reserved storage number are included, but the total reserved storage number is excluded).

  Below the game area on the game board 2, a normal winning ball device 6A and a normal variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) which is always kept open by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The ordinary variable winning ball device 6B is an electric tulip-type accessory (ordinary electric accessory) having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed by a solenoid (not shown) between a normal open state that is a vertical position and an enlarged open state that is a tilted position. And a second starting winning opening is formed in the starting area (second starting area).

  As an example, in the normal variable winning ball device 6B, when the solenoid for the normal electric accessory is in the off state, the movable wing piece is in the vertical position, so that the game ball passes through (enters) the second starting winning hole. It is difficult to open normally. On the other hand, in the normal variable winning ball device 6B, when the solenoid for the normal electric accessory is in the ON state, the movable wing piece is tilted so that the game ball passes through the second starting winning hole (entry). ) It will be in an expanded open state that is easy to do. In addition, the normal variable winning ball device 6B allows the game ball to enter the second starting winning port even when it is in the normally open state, but it is more likely that the game ball will enter than when it is in the enlarged opening state. It may be configured to be low. Alternatively, the normal variable winning prize ball device 6B may be configured so that the game ball does not enter the second starting winning opening by closing the second starting winning opening in the normally open state. As described above, the second starting winning opening as the second starting area is in an enlarged open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters) and in a normally opened state in which the game ball is difficult to pass (enter) or cannot pass (enter). Changes to.

  The game ball that has passed (entered) the first starting winning opening formed in the normal winning ball device 6A and the second starting winning opening formed in the normal variable winning ball device 6B is, for example, a first starting opening switch or a not-shown starting opening switch. 2 Detected by the starter switch. Based on the detection of the game ball by the first start opening switch, a predetermined number (for example, 3) of game balls are paid out as a prize ball, and the first special figure reservation storage number is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). )) If the following is satisfied, the first starting condition is satisfied. Based on the fact that the game ball is detected by the second start opening switch, a predetermined number (for example, 3) of game balls are paid out as a prize ball, and the second special figure reservation storage number is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). )) If the following is satisfied, the second starting condition is satisfied. The number of prize balls paid out when the game ball is detected by the first start opening switch and the number of prize balls paid out when the game ball is detected by the second start opening switch are The numbers may be the same or different from each other.

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning ball device 7 is provided with a special winning opening door that is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown) for the special winning opening door, and the special winning as a specific area that changes between an open state and a closed state by the special winning opening door. Forming a mouth.

  As an example, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid for the special winning opening door is in the off state, the special winning opening door closes the special winning opening, and the game ball can pass through (enter) the special winning opening. To lose. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid for the special winning opening door is in the ON state, the special winning opening door opens the special winning opening, and the game ball passes through (enters) the special winning opening. Make it easier. In this way, the special winning opening as the specific area changes between an open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters) and is advantageous to the player, and a closed state where the game ball cannot pass (entry) and is disadvantageous to the player. To do. Instead of the closed state in which the game ball cannot pass (enter) the special winning opening, or in addition to the closed state, a partially open state in which the game ball does not easily pass (enter) the special winning opening may be provided.

  The game ball that has passed (entered) the special winning opening is detected by, for example, a count switch (not shown). Based on the fact that the game balls have been detected by the count switch, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are counted. In this way, when the game ball passes (enters) the special winning opening which has been opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the game ball is opened to another winning opening such as the first starting winning opening or the second starting winning opening. More prize balls are counted than when passing (entering). Therefore, when the special winning opening is opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the game ball can enter the special winning opening, which is the first state advantageous for the player. On the other hand, if the special winning opening is closed in the special variable winning ball device 7, it will be impossible or difficult for the player to get the winning ball by passing (entering) the game ball into the special winning opening, and for the player. It becomes a disadvantageous second state.

  At a predetermined position of the game board 2 (on the left side of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1), a normal symbol display device 20 is provided. As an example, the normal symbol display device 20 is composed of 7-segment or dot-matrix LEDs and the like like the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and is a plurality of types of identification information different from the special symbol. The ordinary pattern (also referred to as "general drawing" or "normal drawing") is variably displayed (variable display). Such variable display of normal symbols is called a normal figure game (also called “normal figure game”).

  Above the normal symbol display device 20, a universal symbol holding display device 25C is provided. The ordinary figure hold indicator 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the number of stored ordinary figure reserves as the number of valid passing balls that have passed through the passing gate 26.

  In addition to the above configuration, the surface of the game board 2 is provided with a windmill that changes the flow direction and speed of the game balls and a large number of obstacle nails. Further, as a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening and the big winning opening, for example, a single or a plurality of general winning openings that are always kept open by a predetermined ball receiving member are provided. You may be asked. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be counted as prize balls based on the fact that the game balls that have entered any of the general winning openings have been detected by a predetermined general prize ball switch. . At the lowermost part of the game area, there is provided an outlet 8 for taking in a game ball that has not entered any of the winning openings.

  Speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting a sound effect and the like are provided at the left and right upper positions of the upper front frame 3A. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal winning ball device 6A, the normal variable winning ball device 6B, the special variable winning ball device 7, etc.) in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 is an enclosed pachinko gaming machine in which game balls (pachinko balls), which are an example of a game medium, are enclosed. An enclosed pachinko gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine that uses a game ball enclosed inside in exchange for the deduction of the player's points. In the enclosed pachinko game machine, a non-magnetic game ball is enclosed in order to prevent fraud using a magnet. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the firing solenoid 41 (FIGS. 16 to 18) included in the launching device 14 (FIG. 2) is driven to bring the game balls into the game area of the game board 2 one by one. It is configured so that it can be driven and played. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hit ball operation handle 37, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player is operating the hit ball operation handle 37. When the touch sensor detects the contact, the firing solenoid 41 (FIGS. 16 to 18) is driven. In this state, the momentum for firing the ball is adjusted in accordance with the amount of turning operation of the ball operating handle 37 by the player, and the game ball is launched into the game area.

  The game ball hit in the game area is won in any of the winning openings or is collected in the out opening 8 without winning. The game ball that has won the winning opening and the game ball that has been collected in the out opening 8 are returned to the launch position 14 through the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 1 again. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the game ball at the hit ball firing position is driven into the game area again.

  A card unit 10 (hereinafter, also abbreviated as CU) is installed in a one-to-one correspondence to the side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as P unit). This card unit 10 is issued to a visitor card having a prepaid function, which is a recording medium for games issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, or to a member player who has registered as a member at the game hall. Accepts membership cards, which are recording media for games, and uses corresponding game values (for example, card balance, number of balls held, or number of accumulated coins) owned by the player specified by the recorded information of those cards to support corresponding pachinko games. It has a function for elastically firing an enclosed ball, which is an example of a game medium in the machine 1, so that a game can be played. The visitor card and membership card are IC cards.

  The card unit 10 that has received these cards has a function of converting the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of balls, or the number of balls accumulated) owned by the player, which is specified by the recorded information of the card, into "game ball data". Have. In the pachinko game machine 1, it is possible to perform a ball game equivalent to the number of balls specified by the data of the game balls.

  On the front side of the card unit 10, there are provided a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting a bill, a card insertion / ejection slot 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like. The member card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / ejection slot 309 is accepted by a card reader / writer (not shown), and the information recorded on the card is read.

  Here, the "payment" is a game medium deposited in a game hall and is generally managed by a hall management computer or another management computer installed in the game hall.

  The “number of balls owned” is the number of game balls that the player owns as a result of the player playing a game with the gaming machine, and is the number of balls that have not been deposited in the game hall. That is. In general, the number of balls that a player has acquired on the day of play at the game hall is called "Jiden", and the number of balls that the player has acquired before the previous day and that has been deposited at the game hall is called "savings". Say

  The "gaming ball" is data on the number of balls that can be fired by the gaming machine. This data is generated in exchange for withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card, balls held, or accumulated balls.

  The number of balls held may be managed by a management device for managing the number of balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between "balls" and "balls" is the number of balls deposited in the amusement hall after the operation for depositing the balls to the amusement hall is performed, or the deposit is still in the amusement hall. The point is whether or not the number of balls is not yet reached.

  In the present embodiment, the savings ball data is not directly recorded on the membership card, but is stored in association with the membership card number in a hall server installed in a game hall such as a hall management computer, and the corresponding savings ball is stored based on the membership card number. It is configured to be searchable. On the other hand, the dice are recorded directly on the card. However, the invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. In the case of visitor cards, the dice are also recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the balls may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When the hole server is stored in association with the card number, the data stored in the hall server that can specify the time may be written on a card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged. In addition, the prepaid balance is directly written on the card (membership card, visitor card) and discharged.

  The timing of storing the balls in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server is, for example, stored in real time every time the counting button is operated and the counting process is performed, or stored at regular intervals. Or, when you return the card, you can store it in a batch.

  The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a currency discriminator (not shown) and its authenticity and bill type are identified.

  A plurality of operation switch groups 38 are formed on the lower front frame 3B. The operation switch group 38 includes, for example, a ball lending button (also referred to as a lending button) and a return button. The ball lending button is a button for performing an operation (conversion operation to a game ball) to be used for a game by the pachinko gaming machine 1 by withdrawing the balance recorded in the inserted card. The return button is operated when the player finishes the game, and the number of confirmed game balls at the end of the game in the inserted card (number of balls held at the time of card insertion-number converted to game balls + counting operation This is an operation button for storing and discharging the counted number of balls. The ball lending button and the return button may be provided in the card unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the up, down, left, and right directions when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front (the front to be described later) are used as they are in the following description, and the side on which the player is located with respect to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is the front. The following description will be made assuming that the opposite side is backward. As shown in the figure, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is configured such that each component is overlapped in the front-rear direction.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a vertically-oriented rectangular outer frame 60 in the vertical direction. The outer frame 60 is composed of an upper plate 61 and a lower plate 62 made of wooden plate materials, and left and right side plates 63, 64 made of steel plate materials. The upper plate 61 is connected to the left and right side plates 63 and 64, and the lower plate 62 is connected to the left and right side plates 63 and 64 by a mounting bracket 65. As a result, the outer frame 60 is formed in a rectangular shape. The left and right side plates 63, 64 are not limited to steel materials, and can be made of metal materials such as aluminum materials and stainless materials. A shaft hole 65a is formed in the mounting bracket 65 provided in the upper left portion of the outer frame 60. Further, a mounting pin (not shown) provided on the lower left portion of the outer frame 60 has a shaft pin (not shown) protruding upward.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a main body frame 100 rotatably supported by the outer frame 60. The body frame 100 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and has a rectangular shape like the outer frame 60. The main body frame 100 holds the game board 2. Further, various drive means such as the launching device 14 are attached to the body frame 100, as will be described later. On the upper left portion of the main body frame 100, a connecting piece 101 having a shaft pin 101a facing downward is attached so as to project forward. A connecting piece 102 having a shaft pin 102a protruding upward and a shaft hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface is attached to the lower left portion of the main body frame 100 so as to project forward.

  Then, the shaft pin 101a formed in the connecting piece 101 of the main body frame 100 is inserted into the shaft hole 65a formed in the mounting bracket 65 of the outer frame 60, and not shown provided on the lower left portion of the outer frame 60. The main body frame 100 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 60 by inserting the shaft pin into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the connecting piece 102.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes an upper front frame 3A that is rotatably supported by the main frame 100. The upper front frame 3A is formed with a see-through window 3C which is an opening corresponding to the game area formed on the game board 2. The transparent cover 11 that covers the transparent window 3C from the rear is attached to the upper front frame 3A by a known fixing means (for example, screwing). The transparent cover 11 is made of, for example, a glass body. Thereby, the player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 2 through the transparent cover 11 attached to the see-through window 3C. The transparent cover 11 attached in this manner forms a gap larger than the diameter of the game ball with the game board 2. As a result, the game ball launched by the launching device 14 flows down in the game area. The transparent cover 11 provided on the see-through window 3C is not limited to a glass body, and other transparent synthetic resin such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin may be used.

  A shaft hole (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the connecting piece 103 of the main body frame 100. A shaft pin 104a protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the connecting piece 104 of the main body frame 100. The upper front frame 3A is pivotally supported by these shaft holes (not shown) and the shaft pin 104a, and is rotatably supported by the main body frame 100.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a lower front frame 3B below the upper front frame 3A. A point display unit 35 and an operating unit 36 are provided on the upper front side of the lower front frame 3B, and a hit ball operation handle 37 for launching a game ball is provided on the right side of the lower front frame 3B. ing. The score display unit 35 includes 7 segments, a dot matrix LED, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) and the like, and displays the score of the player. Further, the operation unit 36 is provided with, for example, one or a plurality of various switches (a settlement switch, an interruption switch, a ball lending switch, an automatic ball lending switch, a replay switch, a card data switch, a calling switch) collectively. ing. The hitting ball operation handle 37 is connected to a hitting ball launching device (not shown), and a player operates a handle ring of the hitting ball operation handle 37 to launch a game ball into the game area.

  In the lower front frame 3B, a display unit 50 is arranged on a disposition surface 39 which is a space avoiding the point display unit 35 and the ball hitting operation handle 37. An arrangement surface 39 for disposing the display unit 50 in the lower front frame 3B is formed so as to be retracted (offset) rearward of the rotation axis R of the lower front frame 3B. Further, the arrangement surface 39 is provided with a locking portion (locking member) 39a for locking the display unit 50 to the lower front frame 3B. Note that the locking portions 39a are not limited to being provided in two sets on the left and right, and for example, only one may be provided.

  In the lower front frame 3B, the shaft pin 105 facing upward is inserted into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface of the connecting piece 104 of the main body frame 100, and the shaft pin 102a of the connecting piece 102 of the main body frame 100 is inserted. By being inserted into a shaft hole (not shown), the main frame 100 is rotatably supported.

  The display unit 50 is attached to the card unit 10 via the arm 51 and arranged on the arrangement surface 39 of the lower front frame 3B. The arm 51 has a plurality of rotating shafts (joints) and can freely move the display unit 50. Therefore, the display unit 50 can be easily placed on the placement surface 39. The display unit 50 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various display screens to the player.

  Next, in the game machine according to the present embodiment, various devices for circulating the game balls will be described. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear.

  The main body frame 100 holds the game board 2 and has a launcher 14 in the upper left portion. The game ball is launched from the launching port (not shown) of the launching device 14 toward the game board 2, and the game ball that has not entered any of the winning ports flows down from the out port 8 toward the rear of the game board 2. To do.

  A main control board 16 and a payout control board 17 are provided behind the body frame 100. The main control board 16 is provided behind the game board 2 and controls the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The payout control board 17 is provided on a back cover 18 that covers the rear surface of the game board 2. Further, on the payout control board 17, there is provided a ball punching switch 19 for discharging the game ball to the outside at the time of maintenance or the like. Details of the ball-punching process using the ball-punching switch 19 will be described later. The back cover 18 has four legs 18 a, and each of the four legs 18 a is bolted to the body frame 100. Thereby, the back cover 18 provided with the payout control board 17 is attached to the main body frame 100 in a state of covering a part of the rear surface of the main body frame 100.

  On the rear surface of the body frame 100, a power supply device 21, a game ball detection device 27, a polishing device 23, and a lifting device 25 are further arranged. On the right side of the power supply device 21, a power switch 21a of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided. The four legs 18a of the back cover 18 have a sufficient height so that the power switch 21a can be operated even when the back cover 18 is attached to the rear of the body frame 100.

  The game ball detection device 27 is a device that guides the game ball that has entered the outlet 8 or the winning port to the polishing device 23, and constitutes a part of the circulation path. The polishing device 23 has a conveying screw 72 (FIGS. 7 and 8) that constitutes a part of the circulation path, as described later. The polishing device 23 conveys the game balls toward the doffing device 25 by the conveying screw 72 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and also polishes the game balls. The ball-lifting device 25 is a device that conveys (lifts) game balls to above the pachinko gaming machine 1, and constitutes a part of a circulation path. Further, the launching device 14, which is disposed on the upper portion of the main body frame 100 and launches the game ball toward the game area of the game board 2, also constitutes a part of the circulation path. As described above, the circulation path of the game ball in the present embodiment basically includes the game ball detection device 27, the polishing device 23, the doffing device 25, and the launching device 14, and makes one round in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Then, the route is configured to return to the original position (for example, the launch position of the launch device 14). In addition to the above-mentioned members, the game area of the game board 2 may be included and considered as a circulation path.

  Next, the route through which the game ball circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described while describing the details of each device that constitutes the circulation path. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the game ball shot toward the game area of the game board 2 enters the winning opening or the out opening 8 (FIG. 3) and flows down to the game ball detecting device 27. To do. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the game ball detection device. FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a rear view.

  The game ball detection device 27 has a detection device body 29, a protective cover 68 attached to the rear surface of the detection device body 29, and a holding plate 69 attached to the front surface. On the upper part of the detection device main body 29, an out-ball receiving portion 66 for receiving the game ball that has entered the outlet 8 (FIG. 3) and a prize-ball receiving portion 67 for receiving the game ball that has entered the winning opening are formed. .

  The game ball that has entered the out ball receiving portion 66 flows down the inclined downflow path formed in the game ball detecting device 27, and is detected by the out ball detection sensor 88 in the middle of the downflow. The out-ball detection sensor 88 is composed of a photo sensor and a micro switch. When the out ball detection sensor 88 detects a game ball, the detection signal is input to the payout controller 171. The game ball further flows down the flow path and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 119.

  The game ball that has entered the winning ball receiving portion 67 flows down an inclined downflow path formed in the game ball detecting device 27 and is detected by a winning ball detection sensor (not shown). The winning ball detection sensor (not shown) includes a photo sensor and a micro switch. When the winning ball detection sensor (not shown) detects a game ball, the detection signal is input to the payout controller 171. After that, the game ball merges with the game ball that has entered the out ball receiving portion 66, and is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 119.

  The game ball discharged from the game ball detection device 27 enters the polishing device 23 located below the game ball detection device 27. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a polishing machine for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a front view and FIG. 5B is a rear view. Further, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the polishing device for a gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. The polishing device 23 mainly has a polishing motor 71, a conveying screw 72, a polishing cassette 73, and a cassette motor 74. The polishing motor 71 is a motor for driving the polishing device (transport screw 72) 23 to transport the game balls in the polishing device 23, and is arranged behind the transport screw 72 and the like. As described above, the transfer screw 72 transfers the game balls to be polished while circulating.

  The polishing cassette 73 is a cassette that stores polishing members. 5A, the polishing member is arranged behind the polishing cassette 73 and is not shown, but it polishes the surface of the game ball. The polishing member has, for example, a buff body portion and a surface mesh portion that covers the surface of the buff body portion. The buff body is a band-shaped member formed of, for example, a sponge or other porous member, but is not limited to a sponge. For example, by polishing the surface of a ball, dirt and the like removed from the surface of the ball can be taken into the buff body. Any material that can be used can be used. The surface mesh portion is, for example, a mesh-shaped net arranged so as to cover the outer surface of the buff body portion. That is, since the surface mesh portion has a large number of holes, dirt and the like removed from the surface of the ball by polishing the surface of the ball can be taken into the inside of the buff body portion through the surface mesh portion.

  The buff body portion does not necessarily have to be covered with the surface mesh portion, and may have a structure having only the buff body portion, for example. In this case as well, as an example, a buff body portion formed of a member such as paper may be used.

  The cassette motor 74 is a motor that moves a polishing member connected to the cassette motor 74 so as to circulate in the polishing cassette 73, for example, by rotation of a motor gear (not shown) provided therein. More specifically, when the cassette motor 74 is driven by the above-mentioned payout control board 17, the motor gear rotates and the polishing member moves.

  Here, the transport screw 72 of FIG. 6 is installed in a tilted manner so that the downstream side of the game ball transported thereby is provided above the upstream side. While the polishing member is installed substantially horizontally, the conveying screw 72 is installed obliquely, so that the polishing balls (surface mesh portion) are contaminated by the game balls that are polished while flowing along the conveying screw 72. Covers almost the entire width in the vertical direction of FIG. Therefore, polishing using a wider area of the surface mesh portion can be performed with high efficiency. If the transport screw 72 flows along the horizontal direction like the polishing member (surface mesh portion), the game balls are also polished while flowing horizontally, so that the polishing member (surface mesh portion) moves in the vertical direction of FIG. Only a part of the area is soiled, and a part of the area is replaced without being soiled, so that the utilization efficiency of the surface mesh portion is reduced. However, the transport screw 72 may be installed horizontally with respect to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The movement of the polishing member (surface mesh portion), especially the place to be polished, and the switching of the surface to be polished may be carried out little by little at all times. However, the above-mentioned movement or switching may be performed, for example, at a time after a certain time has elapsed or after a certain number of polishing.

  7 and 8 are exploded perspective views of the polishing device for a gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear. 7 and 8, the transport screw 72 is shown separately from the case 23a of the polishing device 23 so that the path of the game ball can be recognized.

  The game ball discharged from the game ball detection device 27 enters the polishing device 23 from the game ball entrance 702 and enters the polishing start end portion 78 of the transport screw 72. Here, when the game ball enters the polishing start end portion 78 of the transport screw 72 with the polishing cassette 73 set to face the front surface of the transport screw 72, the game ball is polished to the polishing start end portion 78 and the polishing cassette. It is installed so as to be sandwiched by the polishing member in 73. The game ball that has entered the polishing device 23 in this way is detected by the polishing entrance sensor 701, and the polishing motor 71 starts to drive on condition that the first filling detection sensor 75, which will be described later, does not detect the filled state of the ball. . The polishing entrance sensor 701 is a switch that detects both a magnetic substance and a non-magnetic substance. For example, the polishing entrance sensor 701 is composed of a photo sensor and a micro switch. The drive of the polishing motor 71 is controlled by the payout control board 17 described above. When the polishing motor 71 is driven, the motor gear provided in the polishing motor 71 rotates, and the transport screw 72 fixed to the gear connected to the motor gear starts to rotate. In particular, when using a polishing member that moves constantly, the polishing member may also start driving as described above.

  By the rotational drive of the transport screw 72, the game sphere that comes into contact with it is transported toward the polishing end end portion 79 (the other end with respect to the polishing start end portion 78) of the transport screw 72 while polishing its surface. The member is polished to remove surface stains.

  A first filling detection sensor 75 is arranged near the polishing device 23 (here, the polishing end portion 79). The first filling detection sensor 75 is a sensor at the entrance of the doffing device as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The first fullness detection sensor 75 is a sensor that detects that the game ball is full, and the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball has started to be loaded into the doffing device 25 at the start of the game. It also functions as a sensor. That is, the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball has begun to enter the area of the first filling detection sensor 75, and the second filling detection sensor 40 described later does not detect the filling state of the gaming ball. On the condition that the driving of the doffing device 25 is started, the driving of the polishing motor 71 is stopped by detecting that the game balls are full, and no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the polishing device 23. It also has the function of making the status.

  That is, from the start of the driving of the polishing motor 71 until the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball is full (while not detecting), the polishing motor 71 and the polishing screw 72 are driven. The game ball moves from the polishing start end 78 toward the polishing end end 79. Stop means for stopping the drive of the polishing motor 71 when the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game balls are filled is provided. Further, when the first filling detection sensor 75 detects the insertion of the game ball, the hoisting motor 93 of the ball hoisting device 25 forming the circulation path starts to drive, and the circulation path directs the game ball to the ball hoisting device 25. Is ready for transfer.

  It should be noted that the combined use of the above functions of the first filling detection sensor 75 is merely an example, and different sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  The discharge path 76 is a discharge port for discharging the game balls arranged inside the circulation path to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1 at the time of maintenance, for example. The pachinko gaming machine 1 is set to the ball-punching enabled state, and then the operation of discharging the game ball from the discharge path 76 is performed.

  The ball drop operation switch 90 is for switching the flow of the game ball between the circulation path 91 for guiding the game ball to the ball hoisting device 25 or the discharge path 76 for discharging the game ball to the outside. It is a switch. The ball drop operation switch 90 has a ball drop lever 90a and a switching piece 90b attached to the ball drop lever 90a. By hooking the ball pulling lever 90a with a finger and rotating it about the rotation axis R, the switching piece 90b can also be rotated about the rotation axis R.

  In the ball-punching operation switch 90 shown in FIG. 7, the switching piece 90b contacts the stopper 124b to open the circulation path 91 and close the discharge path 76. Therefore, the game ball that has been transported to the polishing end portion 79 by the transport screw 72 is guided to the ball lifting device 25 through the circulation path 91.

  From the state of the ball-punching operation switch 90 shown in FIG. 7, the ball-punching lever 90a is hooked with a finger to rotate clockwise. Then, the switching piece 90b rotates together with the ball pulling lever 90a, and comes into contact with the stopper 124a, as shown in FIG. This state can be said to be a state in which the switching piece 90b closes the circulation path 91 and opens the discharge path 76. As a result, the game balls that have been transported to the polishing end portion 79 by the transport screw 72 are discharged to the outside of the polishing device 23 through the discharge path 76.

  A discharge ball detection switch 97 is arranged near the discharge path 76 of the polishing device 23. When the game ball passes through the discharge path 76, an instantaneous pulse signal is output from the discharge ball detection switch 97 when the discharge ball detection switch 97 is detected. The payout control unit 171 that has received the instantaneous pulse signal increments and updates the discharged ball number counter by "1". Thereby, it is possible to manage the number of game balls discharged through the discharge path 76.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the flow path of the game ball flowing down is the circulation path 91 that leads to the circulation path of the game ball, or the discharge path 76 for discharging to the outside of the pachinko game machine 1. It is possible to select whether to switch or not by operating the punching operation switch 90.

  The game ball that has passed through the circulation path 91 of the polishing device 23 enters the doffing device 25 on the right side of the polishing device 23. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the doffing device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear. The ball lifting device 25 mainly has a lifting ball inlet 92, a lifting motor 93, a lifting screw 94, a lifting device cover 95, and a lifting ball outlet 96. The game balls that have entered the ball-lifting device 25 through the ball-lifting inlet 92 are installed so as to be sandwiched between the pumping screw 94 and the pumping cover 95. When the sensor detects, the hoisting motor 93 and the hoisting screw 94 start to drive in the same manner as the polishing motor 71, the conveying screw 72, and the cassette motor 74 described above. Then, the game balls contacting the lifting screw 94 are transferred upward along the lifting screw 94, and exit from the lifting ball outlet 96 to the outside of the ball lifting device 25.

  10 and 11 show the configuration of only the launching device in more detail, and the configuration of the launching device will be described with reference to these drawings. The launch device 14 includes a foul ball detection switch 33, a launch solenoid 41, a hitting hammer 42, a launch position 43, a ball passage 44, a launch ball inlet 46, a ball feed solenoid 47, a link 48, and a fulcrum 49. It mainly has and. Further, a second filling detection sensor 40 is provided near the launching device 14 (on the back side). The second filling detection sensor 40 is a sensor that detects that the game balls arranged in a part of the circulation path (downstream of the doffing device 25 in which the second filling detection sensor 40 is arranged) are filled. The second filling detection sensor 40 also has a function as a sensor for detecting that a game ball has started to be loaded into the launching device 14 when the game is started. That is, the second filling detection sensor 40 has a function of detecting that a game ball has begun to enter the area of the second filling detection sensor 40 and starting driving the launching device 14 (ball feed solenoid 47), and the game ball being filled. It also has the function of stopping the driving of the lifting motor 93 to make it so that no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the ball lifting device 25.

  Conversely speaking, from the start of the pumping motor 93 until the second filling detection sensor 40 detects that the gaming balls are filled in the ball pumping device 25 (while it is not detected), By driving the lifting motor 93, the game ball moves the ball lifting device 25 upward.

  The dual function of the second charge detection sensor 40 is also merely an example, and different sensors may be provided according to the respective functions.

  Further, the drive control of the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 93 is performed by each of the ball movements regardless of whether or not the sensors (polishing entrance sensor 701, first filling sensor 75) on the upstream side of the ball movement detect the balls. The downstream side sensors (the first filling sensor 75 and the second filling sensor 40) may be controlled to start driving when the filled state of the balls is no longer detected.

  If the second filling detection sensor 40 detects that the game balls are full, the driving of the lifting motor 93 is stopped, and no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the movement of the ball lifting device 25. Becomes That is, the second filling detection sensor 40 is provided with a stopping means for stopping the driving of the lifting motor 93 when it detects that the game balls are filled. Further, when the second filling detection sensor 40 detects the insertion of the game ball, the circulation path becomes ready to transfer the game ball toward the launching device 14.

  The launch position 43 corresponds to an exit from the launching device 14 for launching a game ball to the launch ball entrance 46. The ball passage 44 is a game ball passage that passes through the inside of the launch device 14 from the launch ball entrance 46 to the launch position 43.

  The ball feeding solenoid 47 is a solenoid for carrying the game ball in the ball passage 44 toward the firing position 43. The link 48 and the fulcrum 49 are members having the same function as the transfer screw 72 in the polishing device 23, which controls the transfer of the game balls in the ball passage 44. Specifically, when the ball feed solenoid 47 starts to be driven by the payout control board 17, the link 48 is attracted to the ball feed solenoid 47 by the excitation of the ball feed solenoid (solenoid coil) 47. As a result, the link 48 rotates about the fulcrum 49. When the link 48 is not attracted to the solenoid 47, as shown in FIG. 10, the fluidization of the following game ball is stopped, but when attracted to the ball feed solenoid 47, the link 48 moves upward. The game ball is swung and allowed to flow down, and only one game ball is conveyed toward the downstream side of the ball passage 44. The link 48 has a mode in which one upstream game ball enters the part when the part in contact with the game ball is sucked. By repeating excitation and de-excitation of the solenoid 47, one by one is played. It works like sending a sphere.

  A launch ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream of the link 48. By sending one game ball by swinging the link 48, this shot ball detection switch 99 is momentarily in the non-detected state, and the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171, and it is determined that one ball has been shot. To do.

  The firing solenoid 41 is a solenoid that drives the game ball from the firing position 43 toward the game area of the game board 2. The hit ball hammer 42 is a hammer that hits the game ball to shoot the game ball. The hitting ball hammer 42 is an arm-shaped member having a turning shaft 51 and a coil suction portion (not shown), and gives a hitting force to the game ball by the movement of the arm around the turning shaft 51. , This is fired toward the game area. Specifically, when the firing solenoid 41 (solenoid coil) is excited, the hitting hammer 42 causes the coil suction portion (not shown) formed on the arm around the rotation shaft 51 to excite the solenoid coil. A reciprocating motion such as being sucked into a region or being returned to its original position by a restoring force of a spring (not shown) due to deenergization of a solenoid coil occurs, and a game ball is shot by utilizing this reciprocating motion. The strength of the game ball is adjusted by a variable resistor whose resistance value changes depending on the amount of turning operation of the hit ball operation handle 37.

  The foul ball detection switch 33 is a switch that is provided in the middle of the path of the ball passage 44 and detects a state in which game balls are accumulated in the ball passage 44 and are stagnant. If the foul ball detection switch 33 detects that the game ball in the middle of the path of the ball passage 44 is stagnant without being fired, the feeding operation in which the game ball is conveyed toward the downstream side of the movement of the ball passage 44 is performed. The game is stopped, and the operation of shooting the game ball from the shooting position 43 to the game area is performed. Specifically, for example, while the game ball firing operation is repeated three times (three game balls are fired from the firing position 43), the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped and the ball passage 44 of the game ball. The flow down to is blocked by the link 48, and only the ejection (launch) of the balls from the ball passage 44 is performed. In this way, the game ball existing in the ball passage 44 is prevented from becoming an excess state.

  Here, the ball hitting operation of the ball hitting hammer 42 and the game ball transferring operation to the shooting position 43 of the ball feeding solenoid 47 are independently controlled by time control. That is, the operation in which the hitting ball hammer 42 shoots the game ball and the operation in which the ball feeding solenoid 47 conveys the game ball toward the shooting position 43 are controlled so as to have the same speed (one in 0.6 seconds). ing.

  If the foul ball detection switch 33 is on the trajectory (launch trajectory) in the game area of the game ball fired by the firing position 43 (including the vicinity of the firing position 43), the foul ball detection switch 33 is fired. There is a possibility of being damaged by the impact of the game ball or the hitting hammer 42. However, as in the present embodiment, the foul ball detection switch 33 is provided at a position (ball passage 44) different from the trajectory of the game ball fired at the firing position 43. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage caused by hitting the game ball.

  In the circulation movement control of the balls in the circulation path in the present embodiment (specifically, the normal ball circulation processing in S17 described later), the movement speed of the game balls is higher toward the upstream side of the game balls in the circulation path. Specifically, for example, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above, the speed at which the game balls are carried by the carrying screw 72 in the polishing device 23 is the highest, and the game balls are carried by the hoisting screw 94 in the doffing device 25. The speed is next, and the speed conveyed in the ball passage 44 is the slowest.

  In this way, the game ball on the downstream side of the circulation path, in particular, the launch standby ball whose downflow is regulated by the link 48 is caught up with the subsequent game ball on the upstream side. For example, when two gaming balls pass through the link 48 and are supplied to the launch position at the same time during the game, the number of standby balls for launching is reduced by one, but the second charge is immediately full. Since the detection sensor 40 does not detect the fullness of the balls, the pumping motor 93 operates, the balls are pumped at a speed faster than the normal ball feeding speed, and the balls are supplied to the link 48. The lack of balls is eliminated, and you can maintain an appropriate number of balls waiting to be launched. Further, when the first filling detection sensor 40 no longer detects the filled state of the balls due to the balls being unloaded at a speed faster than the normal ball feeding speed, the polishing motor 71 operates to cause the ball to be fed at a speed higher than the normal ball feeding speed. Since the balls are ground and sent out at a very high speed, the lack of balls at the entrance of the ball lifting device 25 is eliminated.

  However, in order to suppress excessive filling of the game balls on the downstream side of the circulation path, when the first fill detection sensor 75 and the second fill detection sensor 40 detect the filled state of the game balls, the stop means ( By S22 and S25), the adjacent device on the upstream side is stopped. By doing so, it is possible to prevent excessive filling of the game balls.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the card unit 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1. With reference to FIG. 12, an outline of a control circuit for the card unit 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

  The card unit 10 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (functioning as a work area of the CPU). Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal integrity with peripheral devices, etc.

  The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server (not shown) for managing security, and payout of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A security board 325 is provided for communicating with the control board 17 while ensuring security. The card unit 10 is provided with a connecting portion (not shown) to the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a connecting portion (not shown) to the card unit 10 side. These connecting portions are composed of, for example, connectors.

  The security board 325 on the CU side and the payout control board 17 on the P stand side are communicably connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, the SC 325b includes a fraud detecting unit 1325, and the fraud detecting unit 1325 performs fraud detection by monitoring the game ball addition request information notified from the CU control unit 323 to the P unit 1, and performs key management at the time of fraud detection. Notify the server (not shown). Also, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server as board control information.

  The currency discriminator discriminates the authenticity and type of the bill, and the discrimination result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the IR photosensitive unit receives the infrared light emitted from the remote control carried by the staff member at the game arcade, the light reception signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The card reader / writer reads the record information of the inserted card, the read information is input to the CU control unit 323, and the CU control unit 323 sends to the card reader / writer the data to be written to the inserted card. When transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data in the inserted card.

  The CU control unit 323 manages and stores the player's balls when the player is playing the game. Data such as the balance or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is output to the display 312, and the output display data is displayed on the display 312. When the player operates a touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 38a, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The ball lending button 38a is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 10, but may be provided in the P stand 1 to input an operation signal to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 38c, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 38b, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a main control board 16 that controls the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a payout control board 17 that manages and stores game balls, and a firing solenoid 41 based on a command from the payout control board 17. A firing control board 31 for drive control and a variable display device 278 are provided.

  As described above, the main control board 16 is provided on the game board 2. On the main control board 16, a game control microcomputer, which is the main control unit 161, is mounted. The gaming machine control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (functioning as a work area of the CPU). Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal integrity with peripheral devices, etc. The main controller 161 is connected to the winning sensor 162 and the radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 2. The game board 2 is further provided with a display control board (production control board) for controlling the variable display device 278 and the like.

  The payout control board 17 is provided on the main body frame 100. On the payout control board 17, a payout control microcomputer that is a payout control unit 171 is mounted.

  The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and control data for operating the CPU, and a RAM (functioning as a work area of the CPU). Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal integrity with peripheral devices, etc.

  In addition, the payout control board 17 is provided with a ball punching switch 19. The ball drop switch 19 is a switch for ejecting the enclosed pachinko gaming ball due to maintenance of the pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like. Although details will be described later, pressing the ball drop switch 19 is one condition for executing the ball drop processing. Specifically, by turning on the power switch 21a while pressing the ball drop switch, the ball drop initial processing is executed, and then the launch operation is detected, so that the game ball that cannot be discharged by the automatic flow down A drive source (specifically, a polishing motor 71, a hoisting motor 93, a ball feeding solenoid 47, a firing solenoid 41) for discharging (in the pachinko gaming machine 1) is automatically operated.

  Further, for the payout control board 17, a launch ball detection switch (not shown), a winning ball detection sensor 110, an out ball detection sensor 88, a polishing entrance sensor 701, a foul ball detection switch 33, a lifting motor 93, a polishing motor 71, The ball feeding solenoid 47, the first filling detection sensor 75, the second filling detection sensor 40, the third filling detection sensor 77, the counting button 28, and the radio wave sensor 173 are provided in an electrically connected state. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting an illegal act of illegally transmitting a radio wave.

  The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 through an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17.

  However, if an illegal radio wave is generated, no matter how many balls are shot, the number of game balls is not subtracted. The radio wave sensor 173 detects such illegality caused by radio waves. Here, there is a possibility that the launch ball detection switch may be a target of fraud by radio waves. In other words, when the balls that have actually been launched are collected and detected by the launch ball detection switch, there is a discrepancy in the number of the launched balls and the collected balls (out balls), and an abnormality is detected and "fire / OUT" is detected. The fraud detection information “the number of unmatched balls” is transmitted from the P machine 1 to the CU 10. However, by sending an illegal radio wave to this launching ball detection switch to make it undetectable, there is a problem that the fraudulent detection information of the “firing / OUT inconsistent ball number” is not transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10. . In the present embodiment, since the radio wave sensor 173 also detects an illegal radio wave transmitted to such a launch ball detection switch, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be prevented.

  In addition, a shooting ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream of the ball feeding solenoid 47 (see FIG. 10), and a payout control unit is provided each time one shooting ball is detected by the shooting ball detection switch 99. 171 subtracts "1" from the number of game balls. Specifically, the subtraction ball number counter is incremented by "1" and updated, and the game ball number is decremented by "1".

  As another modification of subtracting and updating the number of game balls by "1", there is a method of using the foul ball detection switch 33. Originally, the foul ball detection switch 33 detects the full foul ball when the foul ball is full in the ball passage 44, as described later. In this case, the foul ball detection switch 33 outputs a continuous detection signal instead of an instantaneous pulse signal, and the payout control unit 171 that has received the continuous detection signal detects that the foul ball is in the ball passage 44. When it is determined that it is full, YES is determined in S31 of FIG. 15C described later. On the other hand, when the ball feeding solenoid 47 is excited once, one gaming ball flows down the ball passage 44, and when the passing ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 33, an instantaneous pulse signal is detected as a fal ball. It is output from the switch 33. The payout control unit 171 that has received the instantaneous pulse signal may perform control so that the subtraction ball number counter is incremented by “1” and the gaming ball number is incremented by “1”.

  In this way, the foul ball detection switch 33 is configured to detect a game ball passing through the ball passage 44 in order to subtract the number of game balls and to detect a foul ball filling the ball passage 44 and detect both. It may be configured as a dual-purpose switch.

  From the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, main control chip ID, winning hole information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning prize detection signal, starting winning hole winning information, error information, number of times symbols are confirmed, big hit information, manufacturer specific The jackpot information is sent.

  The main control chip ID (also called main chip ID) is a chip ID recorded on the main control board 16 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. This is the information to be provided. The winning hole information is information including the type of winning hole (starting winning hole, ordinary winning hole, and big winning hole) and the number of winning balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning hole). It is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds when a big hit occurs, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  The connection confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that the main control board 16 and the payout control board 17 are connected, and a signal of a predetermined voltage is constantly supplied from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17. Therefore, the payout control board 17 is configured to control the operation under the condition that the payout control board 17 receives the predetermined voltage signal. The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receipt of this detection signal, the payout control board 17 performs control to add the number of balls to be given to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of added balls. This will be described later in detail.

  The starting winning opening winning information is information indicating that a game ball has won in either the starting winning opening 1 or the starting winning opening 2. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 of an error when an error occurs while the main control board 16 is performing the game control.

  The number of times of symbol determination is the information of the symbol determined as the display result of the variable display device for the winning of each starting winning opening.

  The big hit information is information indicating that a big hit has occurred, and its details include common big hit information indicating a big hit common to each maker and maker-specific big hit information indicating a maker-specific big hit. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each game machine maker, such as a 15-round jackpot, etc., and if a probability variation occurs with the jackpot, it includes probability variation information and is associated with the jackpot. When a time saving state (a control state that shortens the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time saving information is included. The maker-specific jackpot is a jackpot state adopted only by a certain game machine maker, such as a sudden change (sudden change).

  The health check command and the prize ball number acceptance command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number acceptance command is a command indicating that the number of added balls has been accepted.

  The out-ball collected from the out port 8 is detected by the out-ball detection switch 88 (see FIG. 4), and the out-ball detection signal is input to the payout controller 171. The winning ball collected from the winning opening is detected by a winning ball detection sensor (not shown), and a winning ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. Further, the polishing entrance sensor 701 detects a passing game ball, and a game ball detection signal is input to the payout controller 171.

  The security board 325 of the card unit 10 and the payout control board 17 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are electrically connected to each other, and from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17, as will be described later, a recovery request, a recovery detail request, a communication. Various commands such as a start request, a communication end request, status information, a card insertion notification, a card return notification, and a communication test request are transmitted.

  The recovery request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify the recovery information, as described later. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery request and notifies the card unit 10 of the recovery information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The recovery detail request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify the detailed recovery information. The payout control board 17 receives the recovery detail request and notifies the card unit 10 of the recovery detail information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The communication start request is a command that requests the pachinko gaming machine 1 to start communication. The payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 to start communication in response to the request to start communication. The communication end request is a command that requests the pachinko gaming machine 1 to end communication. The payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 with the communication end in response to the communication end request.

  The status information request is a command that requests the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify the status information. The payout control board 17 receives the status information request and notifies the card unit 10 of the status information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The card insertion notification is a command for notifying the pachinko gaming machine 1 that a card has been inserted. Upon receipt of the card insertion notification, the payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 that the card has been inserted. The card return notification is a command that notifies the pachinko gaming machine 1 that the card has been returned. Upon receipt of the card return notice, the payout control board 17 makes a response to the card unit 10 that the card has been returned. The communication test request is a command for notifying the pachinko gaming machine 1 of test data. The payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 with test data in response to the communication test request.

  Various responses such as a recovery response, a recovery detailed response, a communication start response, a communication end response, a status information response, a card insertion response, a card return response, and a communication test response are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the security board 325.

  The body frame 100 is provided with a firing control board 31 and a firing solenoid 41. The launch control board 31 emits a launch solenoid excitation output to drive the launch solenoid 41 when an input signal of a touch ring that detects that the player is touching the hit ball operation handle 37 is input.

  A discharge control signal and a discharge permission signal are output from the payout control board 17 to the discharge control board 31. The firing control board 31 that has received it outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 41. As a result, the game ball is in a state of being shot and ejected to the game area.

  A display unit 50 is provided on the body frame 100. The display unit 50 receives the display data from the display controller 350 of the card unit 10 and displays the display screen. As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 50 on the P side is configured to be controlled on the CU side, but instead of this, the display unit 50 is displayed on the P side. A display control substrate for controlling may be provided. In this case, the display control board controls the display of the display unit 50 based on the command from the payout control unit 171. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the detection signal of the out-ball detection switch 88 and the detection signal of the shot-ball detection switch 99 are input to the payout controller 171.

  Next, the transfer of the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing ball movement control mode processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, on the condition that all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied when the power is turned on, the game ball shifts to the “ball-drainable mode” for discharging the game ball to the outside. These plural conditions are the conditions shown in S1 to S4 of FIG. 13 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, and if even one of these conditions is not satisfied, the mode shifts to the “ball punchable mode”. There is nothing to do.

  First, when the power switch 21a (FIG. 3) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated and the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls is 0 (S1). Here, the "number of balls played" is the number of balls that can be fired by the pachinko gaming machine 1, the number of balls generated by withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card or the accumulated balls (balls held), and the result of playing a game. The number of balls owned by the player. That is, it is the number of balls that can be fired by the player by operating the hit ball operation handle 37 (FIG. 1). Further, the "number of game balls" may be expressed as "score", and in exchange for the deduction of "score", the game ball is shot from the launching device 14 to the game area. Although it is determined in S1 whether or not the number of game balls (score) is 0, other conditions may be determined. For example, it may be determined in S1 whether or not a visitor card having a prepaid function or a membership card as a game recording medium is inserted in the card unit 10 (FIG. 1). If these cards have not been inserted into the card unit 10 (FIG. 1), the control proceeds to S2. Further, it may be determined in S1 whether or not the visitor card or the membership card has a game value owned by the player (for example, the card balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls accumulated). When it is determined that there is no game value owned by the player, the control proceeds to S2. Further, in S1, a plurality of determinations are made as to whether or not the number of balls held is 0, whether a visitor card or the like is inserted, and whether or not there is a game value in the visitor card or the like. May be.

  If the number of game balls (points) is 0 (S1: Yes), then it is determined whether or not there is an operation of the ball drop switch 19 (FIG. 3) (S2). The ball drop switch 19 is provided on the payout control board 17, as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to operate the ball drop switch 19, it is necessary to rotate the main body frame 100 so that the rear surface of the main body frame 100 can be touched, as in the case of operating the power switch 21a. That is, it is possible to operate the punching switch 19 only after the main body frame 100 is opened to the outer frame 60.

  When the ball drop switch 19 is operated (S2: Yes), it is then determined whether or not the transparent cover 11 (FIG. 2) is in a state where the game board 2 (FIG. 2) is closed (S3). The determination in S3 is performed by a sensor shown in FIG. 2, which detects the open / closed state of the upper front frame 3A to which the transparent cover 11 is attached and the main body frame 100. Here, the state in which the upper front frame 3A is closed with respect to the main body frame 100 means that the upper front frame 3A and the main body frame 100 are in close contact with each other. In such a state, the transparent cover 11 is in a state where the game board 2 is closed, and the game ball flowing down on the game board 2 does not jump out. On the other hand, the state in which the upper front frame 3A is opened with respect to the main body frame 100 means a state in which the upper front frame 3A rotates from the closed state and is separated from the main body frame 100. The sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the upper front frame 3A and the main body frame 100 is a sensor that detects a detection piece provided on one of the main body frame 100 and the upper front frame 3A with a proximity sensor provided on the other. May be.

  If the transparent cover 11 is in the closed state (S3: Yes), then it is determined whether the body frame 100 (FIG. 2) is in the opened state (S4). The S4 determination is performed by a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 shown in FIG. Here, the state where the body frame 100 is closed with respect to the outer frame 60 means that the body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 are in close contact with each other. On the other hand, the state in which the main body frame 100 is open with respect to the outer frame 60 means a state in which the main body frame 100 rotates from the closed state and is separated from the outer frame 60. As a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60, a sensor that detects a detection piece provided on one of the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 with a proximity sensor provided on the other Good.

  When the body frame 100 is in the open state (S4: Yes), the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2" (S5). On the other hand, if at least one of S1 to S4 is determined to be No, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "1" (S6).

  In this way, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2" only when all of S1 to S4 are determined to be Yes. When the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2" in this way, as will be described later, the mode shifts to the "ball drop enable mode" and the ball drop initial processing and ball drop processing are executed.

  In S1, when the number of game balls (points) = 0, the reason for setting the condition for executing the ball drop processing is that the ball removal is allowed in the state of holding the number of game balls. This is because there is a risk that the player will not be able to play the game. In this way, by allowing the ball removal on the condition that the number of game balls = 0, it is possible to prevent the ball removal during the game.

  Further, in S2, the reason why the condition for executing the ball-punching process is the case where the ball-punching operation button 19 is operated is to confirm a clear intention to execute the ball-punching process. As a result, it is possible to prevent the beading process during the game, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the game ball is discharged when performing maintenance that does not require the discharge of the game ball.

  Further, in S3, when the transparent cover 11 is closed, the reason for setting the condition for executing the ball punching process is that the game ball launched from the launching device 14 is a gap between the transparent cover and the game board 2. This is to prevent jumping out of the room. As a result, all the game balls can be discharged from the discharge path 76.

  Further, in S4, when the main body frame 100 is opened, the reason for setting the condition for executing the ball drop processing is that when the main body frame 100 is open, no game is being played, so the player This is because there is no unexpected disadvantage. Further, since the main body frame 100 is locked, the player cannot open the main body frame 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from punching the ball.

  Next, a flow of a series of ball movement control processing at the time of driving the pachinko gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing ball movement control processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, first, it is determined whether the ball movement control mode flag is "1" (S7). As described above, when the ball movement control mode flag is "1", it is a case where the ball drop processing is not executed.

  When the ball movement control mode flag is "1" (S7: Yes), the process of moving (circulating) the game ball inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 (circulation path) is a ball supply process (S8), a normal time ball. The circulation process (S9) and the ball feeding process (S10) are performed periodically. Here, the required time for performing the above steps S7 to S11 once is, for example, 2 msec.

  15 (a) is a flowchart showing the details of the ball supply process shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 (b) is a flowchart showing the details of the normal time ball circulation process shown in FIG. 14, and FIG. 15 (c) is the ball shown in FIG. It is a flow chart which shows details of sending processing.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the presence / absence of accumulated balls in the circulation path is determined in S15. The fact that the stored balls are not in the circulation path (YES in S15) is determined by, for example, detecting that there is no game ball in either the first filling detection sensor 75 or the second filling detection sensor 40. You can

  If a game ball is thrown into the circulation path from the out port 8 and the game ball is detected by the out ball detection sensor 88, NO is determined in S15, and the control proceeds to S16. That is, it is recognized that the supply of the game ball in the circulation path has started by detecting the supplied game ball with the polishing entrance sensor 701 from the state where the accumulated balls have not entered the circulation path at all (YES in S15). Then, the control advances to S17, and a normal ball circulation process is performed. The determination of YES in S16 is made when the clerk of the game arcade inserts the game ball through the outlet 8 to replenish the balls. On the other hand, if the out-ball detecting sensor 88 does not detect the game ball (NO in S16), the subroutine program is immediately terminated without performing the ball circulation processing in the normal time.

  By the normal time ball circulation processing in S17, for example, the game balls thrown in through the outlet 8 are circulated and conveyed in the circulation path and supplied to the position before the link 48.

  The above description of FIG. 15A is a program applied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the specification in which the circulation of the game ball in the circulation path is started when the out ball detection sensor 88 detects the game ball. Even if neither the first filling detection sensor 75 nor the second filling detection sensor 40 detects a game ball, as long as the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on, the polishing motor 71 and the hoisting motor. When the drive of 93 is started, the steps of S15 and S16 are unnecessary.

  In addition, when performing ball replenishment, instead of throwing in the balls through the above-mentioned outlet 8, the balls may be thrown in through a winning opening provided in the game area, for example. In this case, the game ball thrown in by the winning ball detection sensor 110 may be detected.

  Referring to FIG. 15B, in S20, it is determined whether or not the first filling detection sensor 75 is ON. As described above, in the first filling detection sensor 75 shown in FIG. 15, the game balls sent from the polishing device 23 to the doffing device 25 are in the area bridging the polishing device 23 and the doffing device 25. It turns on when the vicinity is full (YES in S20). The filling here occurs when the supply of the game balls in the circulation device is advanced by the ball supply processing shown in FIG. 15A (S8 of FIG. 14). Specifically, instead of an instantaneous pulse signal output from the first filling detection sensor 75 at the time of detecting the passage of the gaming ball, the gaming ball stays at the detection position of the first filling detection sensor 75 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). ) When the ball detection signal is continuously output, YES is determined in S15. The same applies to the YES determination in S23 and the YES determination in S31 described later. As a result of the determination in S20 being YES, the control proceeds to S22 and the polishing motor 71 is stopped. As a result, the conveyance of the game balls to the downstream side of the polishing device 23 is stopped, and the game balls on the further downstream side are exclusively moved. Therefore, control is performed in a direction in which the filling of the game balls on the downstream side of the polishing device 23 is canceled. move on. However, when the first filling detection sensor 75 still does not detect the filling of the game balls (NO in S20), the control proceeds to S21 and the polishing motor 71 is driven (the driving is continued).

  Next, in S23, it is determined whether or not the second filling sensor 40 is ON. As described above, the second filling detection sensor 40 is filled when the gaming balls sent from the doffing device 25 toward the launching device 14 are filled in the vicinity of the region bridging the doffing device 25 and the launching device 14. Is turned on (YES in S23). The filling here occurs when the replenishment of game balls in the circulation device is advanced by the ball replenishing process shown in FIG. 15A (S8 of FIG. 14A). As a result, the control advances to S25, and the lifting motor 93 stops. As a result, the transportation of the game balls to the downstream side of the doffing device 25 is stopped, and the gaming balls at the downstream side move exclusively, so that the filling of the gaming balls at the downstream side of the doffing device 25 is canceled. Control proceeds in the direction. However, when the second filling detection sensor 40 still does not detect the filling of the game balls (NO in S23), the control proceeds to S24 and the lifting motor 93 is driven (the driving is continued).

  With the above subroutine program of FIG. 15 (b), when the game balls are filled in the circulation path, the transportation from the upstream side is temporarily stopped (by the stopping means) and the game balls on the downstream side are transferred to the further downstream side. Focusing on the matter, if the filling of the game balls on the downstream side is canceled, the cycle of sending the game balls from the upstream side again is repeated.

  In addition, after the normal ball circulation process of S17 is performed in the above-described ball supply process, the ball feed solenoid 47 may be excited once to supply only one ball to the firing position. Then, from the moment the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the game ball is launched into the game area.

  Further, as described above, since the moving speed of the game balls on the upstream side of the circulation path is faster than that on the downstream side, even if the number of game balls on the downstream side is temporarily insufficient, the game area is constantly switched from the upstream side to the game area. Since it is possible to secure a state in which it can be fired toward, it is possible to eliminate the situation where the game balls are insufficient on the downstream side.

  The above-described normal ball circulation processing is the ball circulation processing in the normal game in which the player is hitting the ball in S9 of FIG. 14, and the balls are distributed in the circulation path during the ball supply in S17 of FIG. 15 (a). It is also used for the processing for making it.

  FIG. 15C is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the ball feeding process shown in S10 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 15C, in the ball feeding process, it is first determined in S30 whether or not a firing operation is detected. Specifically, this is a step of determining whether or not a game ball has been ejected from the launch position 43 to the game area.

  As described above, when a metal plate-shaped sensor called a touch sensor provided around the hitting ball operation handle 37 shown in FIG. 1 touches the player's hand, the pachinko gaming machine 1 detects a launch operation (S30). YES), the control proceeds to S31, and it is determined whether or not the foul ball detection switch 33 (see FIG. 10) detects a ball. Normally, the foul balls do not stagnate in the ball passage 44 (see FIG. 10), a NO determination is made in S31, and the ball feed solenoid 47 is drive-controlled in S32, and the balls are launched through the ball passage 44. Supplied in position. The supplied game ball is fired in the game area by driving (exciting) the firing solenoid 41 in S33.

  On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not detect the firing operation without touching the player's hand in S30 (NO in S30), the subroutine program is terminated without the firing solenoid 41 being driven. In this case, the game balls are not transferred in the ball passage 44.

  When the ball firing force is extremely weak, the ball may not be fired for some reason and may remain at the ball firing position. If a predetermined number of remaining foul balls have accumulated, the foul balls are in the ball passage 44. At S31, the foul ball detection switch 33 detects a stagnant foul ball, and YES is determined at S31. Then, the drive of the ball feeding solenoid 47 is stopped, and while the predetermined number (for example, 3) of the game balls are shot from the launch position 43, the operation of launching the game balls from the launch position 43 to the game area is exclusively performed. (S34). However, it may be the time when the number of game balls other than three is shot from the launch position 43. In this way, the control proceeds in the direction in which the filling of the game balls in the ball passage 44 is canceled. After the above-described operation of firing the game ball from the firing position 43 to the game area is exclusively performed, the firing solenoid 41 is controlled again to be in a drivable state (S33).

  However, in S32 and S33, the ball feed solenoid 47 and the firing solenoid 41 are controlled so as to be in a drivable state every 2 msec which is the cycle of the program of FIG. 14, but are actually driven, for example, by driving the hitting hammer 42. The game ball is launched from the launch position 43 to the game area, for example, about every 600 msec, but it may be a longer time period or a shorter time period. That is, when the firing solenoid 41 is driven as usual, the game balls are shot from the launching device 14 to the game area 100 times per minute. By the joint work of S32 and S33 as described above, the launching device 14 conveys the game ball toward the launch position 43 and launches the game ball from the launch position 43. The drive of the firing solenoid 41 in S33 while the excitation of the ball feeding solenoid 47 is stopped in S34 is also performed, for example, about every 600 msec, but a longer time period may be used, or a shorter time period. May be

  The timing of driving (exciting) the firing solenoid 41 in S33 may be provided with a predetermined time difference from the timing of actually driving (exciting) the ball feeding solenoid 47 in S32. Specifically, after the ball feed solenoid 47 has driven to send the game ball, it delays the time required for the game ball to reach the firing position 43 and drives (excites) the firing solenoid 41.

  By the above subroutine program of FIG. 15 (c), if the game ball is filled in the ball passage 44, the conveyance from the upstream side is temporarily stopped and the downstream game ball is devoted to the shooting, and the downstream side is focused. If the filling of the game balls is canceled, the cycle of sending the game balls from the upstream side again is repeated.

  As described above, the determination in S31 is YES when the ball detection signal is continuously output from the foul ball detection switch 33 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second). In addition, you may control so that the game ball sent by the excitation of the ball feeding solenoid 47 may detect a ball at the timing avoiding the timing of the moment when the game ball passes the ball detection position of the foul ball inspection switch 33.

  As a specific control method, for example, the time (arrival time) when the game ball sent out in accordance with the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 flows down the ball passage 44 and reaches the ball detection position of the foul ball detection switch 33. ) Is stored in the payout control unit 171 at the manufacturing stage of the P unit 1, and the time measurement of the timer is started upon the excitation of the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the time measurement value of the timer is a value near the above arrival time (for example, arrival time). When the time is not ± 0.1 seconds), the foul ball inspection switch 33 is controlled to detect the ball. Then, when the measured value of the timer does not reach a value near the above arrival time (for example, arrival time ± 0.1 seconds), the ball detection operation by the foul ball inspection switch 33 is performed, and the detection signal with a ball is paid out. When input to the unit 171, the payout control unit 171 determines that there is a foul ball.

  If YES is determined in all of S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 13, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2". As a result, the mode shifts to the “ball drop enable mode”, and the ball drop initial processing S12 and the ball drop processing S13 are executed as shown in FIG. In this way, by setting the ball movement control mode flag to “2”, communication between the payout control unit 171 and the card unit 10 provided in the main body frame 100, and the payout control unit 171 and the main control unit 161. Communication is invalidated, and the payout control unit 171 ignores errors relating to the polishing device 23, the doffing device 25, and the launching device 14 and all other error detections.

  More specifically, since communication between the payout controller 171 and the card unit 10 is not performed, card insertion, bill insertion, operation of the ball lending button 38a (FIG. 12), operation of the return button 38b (FIG. 12). The operation of the replay button 38c (FIG. 12) is treated as invalid.

  Further, the payout control unit 171 and the main control unit 161 do not communicate with each other. Therefore, the detection of the game ball that has entered the winning opening of the winning sensor 162 connected to the main controller 161, the detection of the radio wave sensor 163, and other error notifications are all treated as invalid.

  The ball drop initial processing S12 is a pre-process when the ball drop processing S13 is executed. As described above, when the operator operates the ball pulling operation switch 90, the flow of the game ball is changed to the circulation path 91 that guides the game ball to the doffing device 25, or the game ball is discharged to the outside. It is possible to switch whether to use the discharge path 76 for As shown in FIG. 7, when the ball pulling operation switch 90 is in a state of guiding the game ball to the circulation path 91, the game ball may stay at the connection point 89 (branch point) between the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91. is there. The game ball staying at the connection point 89 in this way is located on the flow line of the rotating ball-slotting operation switch 90. Therefore, when changing the flow path of the game ball from the circulation path 91 to the discharge path 76, the ball-punching operation switch 90 may interfere with the staying game ball and it may be difficult to switch the flow path. Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, as a pre-process of the punching process S13 (FIG. 14), the punching initial process S12 (FIG. 14) is executed, and the connection point 89 between the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91. The game ball in is flowed down, and the process of removing the game ball from the connection point 89 is executed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a ball-punching initial process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In the ball drop initial processing, first, it is determined whether the initial processing completion flag is on (S40). The initial process completion flag is set to "ON" when the pre-process of the punching process S13 is completed. When the initial processing completion flag is "ON" (S40: Yes), the punching initial processing program ends. On the other hand, when the initial processing completion flag is "OFF" (S40: No (when the pre-processing of the punching process S13 is not completed)), the lifting motor 93 (Fig. 9) and the ball feeding solenoid 47 (Fig. 10). , And whether or not the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) is already being driven (S41). When these driving means are not driving (S41: No), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) are driven (S46) to remove the ball. The program related to the initial processing is terminated. Note that the launch control board 31 (FIG. 12) emits a launch solenoid excitation output to drive the launch solenoid 41 even if the player does not touch the hitting ball operation handle 37 (FIG. 1) in S46.

  As described above, in the ball circulation control in the circulation path during normal operation (normal ball circulation processing in S17), the upstream side of the game ball in the circulation path has a higher transfer speed of the game ball. However, in S46, the transfer speed of the game ball by driving the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball transfer solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) is the same speed. As a result, the game balls can be transferred quickly.

  In S46, the hoisting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 located in the circulation path downstream of the connection point 89 to which the ball-punching operation switch 90 is attached are used as boundaries. While (Fig. 10) is driven, the polishing motor 71 located in the circulation path upstream of the connection point 89 is not driven. As a result, the game balls staying at the connection point 89 flow down to the downstream. On the other hand, since the polishing motor 71 is not driven, the game ball does not flow into the connection point 89 from the upstream. As a result, the retention of the game balls at the connection point 89 is eliminated, and an empty space can be secured.

  When the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) are already driving (S41: Yes), each of these driving means has two game balls. It is determined whether the minute transfer has been performed (S42).

  The two game balls were transferred by driving the hoisting motor 93 (FIG. 9), and the fact that the hoisting screw 94 (FIG. 9) was rotated moved upward by a distance twice the diameter of the game ball. Means The distance over which the game balls are transferred can be controlled based on the number of steps driven by the lifting motor 93, which is a stepping motor. That is, the relationship between the number of steps of the lifting motor 93 and the distance at which the game balls are transferred upward by the lifting screw 94 is grasped in advance, and it is determined whether or not two game balls have been transferred. It is determined whether or not the motor 93 has driven a predetermined number of steps.

  Two game balls have been transferred by driving the ball feeding solenoid 47 (Fig. 10), and the link 48 (Fig. 10) is attracted twice by repeating the excitation and non-excitation of the ball feeding solenoid 47 (Fig. 10). It means that two gaming balls flowed down toward the ball passage 44. By driving the ball feeding solenoid 47, whether or not two game balls have been transferred is determined by the number of times the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10) repeats excitation and non-excitation.

  Two game balls have been transferred by driving the firing solenoid 41 (Fig. 10), and the hitting hammer 42 (Fig. 10) that reciprocates by repeating excitation and de-excitation of the firing solenoid 41 (Fig. 10), This means that two game balls have been fired. By driving the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10), whether or not two game balls have been transferred is determined by the number of times the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) has been excited and de-energized.

  As described above, the timing for driving (exciting) the firing solenoid 41 is provided with a predetermined time difference from the timing for driving (exciting) the ball feeding solenoid 47. Therefore, the timing of completing the transfer of two game balls differs between the timing of the firing solenoid 41 and the timing of the ball feeding solenoid 47. Therefore, in S42, it is determined whether all of the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) have transferred two game balls. .

  In S42, when it is determined that at least one transfer means has not transferred two game balls (S42: No), the program relating to the ball-punching initial process is terminated.

  In S42, when it is determined that two game balls have been transferred (S42: Yes), the driving of the lifting motor 93 (Fig. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (Fig. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (Fig. 10) is stopped. To do.

  As a result, the transfer of the game balls, which is a pre-process of the ball-punching process, is completed, and the completion of the ball-punching initial process is notified (S44). The notification of the completion of the ball-punching initial process (S44) is performed by, for example, displaying on the image display device 5 (FIG. 1) that the ball-punching initial process is completed.

  Then, in order to indicate that the pre-processing of the punching process is completed, the initial process completion flag is set to ON (S45), and the program of the punching initial process is terminated.

  In this way, when the ball-punching initial process is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the game balls (P1 to P3) staying in the vicinity of the connection point 89 of the polishing device 23 have a diameter of 2 of the game ball. It flows down by a distance equivalent to the number of pieces. During this time, the transfer screw 72 located upstream of the connection point 89 does not operate, so the game ball between the propellers of the transfer screw 72 does not move. Therefore, the game ball does not flow into the connection point 89 from the upstream. As a result, the game balls P1 to P3 shown in FIG. 7 move to the game balls P1 ′ to P3 ′ shown in FIG. 8, and the game balls retained near the connection point 89 of the polishing device 23 are eliminated. It Therefore, an empty space in which the ball-punching operation switch 90 can be rotated is formed, and the worker can smoothly rotate the ball-punching operation switch 90, and the flow of the game balls from the circulation path 91. It can be switched to the discharge path 76.

  Next, the ball-punching process S13 (FIG. 14) executed after the ball-punching initial process S12 (FIG. 14) will be described. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a ball punching process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. In the ball drop process, first, it is determined whether or not the initial process completion flag is "ON" (S47). When the initial process completion flag is "OFF" (S47: No), it is determined that the pre-process for executing the punching process is not completed, and the program relating to the punching process is ended.

  When the initial process completion flag is "ON" (S47: Yes), it is determined whether or not the firing operation is detected (S48). After completion of the ball drop initial processing, the operator operates the ball drop operation switch 90 (FIG. 7) to change the flow path of the game ball from the circulation path 91 (FIG. 7) to the discharge path 76 (FIG. 7). Without it, we can't punch. Therefore, it can be considered that the operation of the ball drop operation switch 90 (FIG. 7) is completed when the operator performs the firing operation. A touch sensor is formed around the hitting operation handle 37 (FIG. 1), and when the player touches the touch sensor, a firing operation is detected.

  If the firing operation is not detected (S48: No), it is determined that the punching process cannot be performed, and the punching process program is terminated.

  When the operator touches the touch sensor and the firing operation is detected (S48: YES), the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid. It is determined whether 41 (FIG. 10) is already driving (S49). When these driving means are not driving (S49: No), the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) are set. It drives (S55), and ends the program for punching processing.

  As described above, in the beading process, in addition to driving the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the bead feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10), the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5) is also used. To drive. As a result, the game ball transferred upward by the doffing device 25 (FIG. 9) is emitted from the launch device 14 (FIG. 10) toward the game area. Then, the game ball flowing down the game area flows in from an inflow portion such as an outlet or a winning opening, passes through the game ball detection device 27 (FIG. 4), and enters the polishing device 23 (FIG. 5). The game balls that have entered the polishing device 23 (FIG. 5) are transferred by the transport screw 72 (FIG. 7) that rotates by being driven by the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 7). Then, the game ball flows into the connection point 89 (FIG. 7) and is discharged from the discharge path 76 (FIG. 7) to the outside.

  The polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) are driven at the same game ball transfer speed. As a result, the game balls can be discharged smoothly.

  When the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) are driving (S49: Yes), the game in the gaming machine It is determined whether all the balls have been discharged (S50).

  Whether all the game balls in the gaming machine have been discharged is determined based on the number of game balls detected by the discharge ball detection switch 97 (FIG. 8) provided near the discharge path 76 (FIG. 8). When the game ball passes through the discharge path 76, an instantaneous pulse signal is output from the discharge ball detection switch 97. The payout control unit 171 having received the instantaneous pulse signal increments and updates the discharged ball number counter by “1”. A predetermined number of game machines (for example, 50) are enclosed in the pachinko game machine 1. Therefore, when the discharge ball detection switch 97 detects a predetermined number of game balls, it is determined that all the enclosed game balls have been discharged. When it is determined that all of the enclosed game balls have not been discharged yet (S50: No), the program of the punching process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the enclosed game balls have been discharged (S50: Yes), the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing. The solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) is stopped (S51).

  Then, it is notified that the ball removal of the game ball is completed (S52). The notification of the completion of the ball cutting (S52) can be performed by, for example, displaying on the image display device 5 (FIG. 1) that the ball cutting is completed. Thereby, the operator can understand that all the game balls enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 have been discharged.

  Then, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "1". As a result, the "ball drop enable mode" ends. Then, the initial processing completion flag is set to “OFF”, and the program for the ball drop processing is ended.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as a pre-process of the ball-punching process, the connection point 89 to which the ball-punching operation switch 90 is attached is taken as a boundary, and a circulation path is provided downstream thereof. While driving the hoisting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10), the polishing motor 71 located in the circulation path upstream of the connection point 89 Do not drive. Therefore, an empty space in which the ball-punching operation switch 90 can be rotated is formed near the connection point 89, and the worker can smoothly rotate the ball-punching operation switch 90. Thereby, the flow of the game balls can be smoothly switched from the circulation path 91 to the discharge path 76.

  Further, the pre-processing of the ball removing process is completed by transferring two game balls. Therefore, the ball-punching process can be smoothly executed without spending a lot of time on the pre-process.

  Further, when the number of game balls (points) = 0 is set as a condition for executing the ball drop processing, the number of game balls (points) is not allowed to be dropped and the game is played. It is possible to prevent punching inside.

  Also, since the condition for executing the ball-punching process is the case where the ball-punching operation button 19 is operated, the ball-punching process during the game can be prevented and the game ball need not be discharged. When performing maintenance, it is possible to prevent the problem that the game ball is discharged.

  In addition, since the condition for executing the ball punching process is the case where the transparent cover 11 is closed, it is possible that the game ball launched from the launching device 14 jumps out from the gap between the transparent cover and the game board 2. Can be prevented.

  Further, since the condition for executing the punching process is the case where the main body frame 100 is opened, the punching process is not executed in the game being played. Therefore, no unexpected disadvantage is given to the player. Further, since the main body frame 100 is locked, the player cannot open the main body frame 100. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from punching the ball.

  Further, as shown in S1 to S4 of FIG. 13, a plurality of conditions are set to execute the punching process. As a result, it is possible to prevent unintentional execution of the ball-punching process and to prevent erroneous operations.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the "ball punchable mode" communicates between the payout controller 171 and the card unit 10 provided in the main body frame 100, and communicates between the payout controller 171 and the main controller 161. In addition to invalidating, the payout control unit 171 ignores errors relating to the polishing device 23, the doffing device 25, and the launching device 14 and all other error detections. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an erroneous error is detected during punching, and it is possible to smoothly perform the punching process.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. In the above embodiment, it was explained that the operation of the ball drop switch 19 (FIG. 2) when the power was turned on was one condition for shifting to the “ball drop enable mode”, but other operations were performed. It may be a transition condition of the “ball drop enable mode”. For example, when the power is turned on, the operation of the operation unit 36 (FIG. 1) formed on the lower front frame 3B (FIG. 1) may be one condition, or a signal can be transmitted to the payout control unit 171 when the power is turned on. The operation of the other operation means may be one condition. Alternatively, such an operation that is performed by directly touching the pachinko gaming machine 1 may not be performed, and the configuration may be such that it shifts to the “ball punchable mode” according to an instruction from another device. For example, the infrared light emitted by the operator performing a predetermined operation of the remote controller may be received by the IR photosensitive unit as one of the transition conditions of the “ball punchable mode”. Alternatively, receiving a signal related to punching from the card unit 10 by a predetermined operation performed on the card unit 10 at the time of maintenance may be one condition for shifting to the “ball punchable mode”.

  In addition, even after the power is turned on, the configuration may be such that a predetermined operation is performed to shift to the “ball drop enable mode”. For example, while pressing the ball drop switch 19 (FIG. 2), the operation unit 36 and the like are operated according to the display of the image display device 5, and all of S1, S3, and S4 shown in FIG. 13 are determined to be Yes. In this case, the mode may be changed to the “ball drop enable mode”. Even in the case of shifting to the “ball drop enable mode” in this way, communication between the payout control unit 171 and the card unit 10 provided in the main body frame 100, and communication between the payout control unit 171 and the main control unit 161. Is invalidated, and all the error detections related to the polishing device 23, the doffing device 25, and the launching device 14 are ignored, thereby avoiding a situation in which an erroneous error detection occurs during the punching process. You can

  Further, it is explained that the pre-processing of the ball removing process is executed and the game balls are transferred, so that the game balls staying at the connection point 89 of the polishing device 23 are eliminated, but the pachinko game machine 1 performs the ball removing process. It may have a configuration in which the state of the connection point 89 after the pretreatment is visible. For example, a part of the polishing device 23 may be made of a transparent material to form a window, and the state of the connection point 89 may be visually recognized through the window. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the third filling detection sensor 77 for detecting the game balls staying at the connection point 89 is provided, and the game ball is present at the connection point 89 or is not present. You may make it notify by the image which the image display apparatus 5 displays. Thereby, the operator can easily recognize the presence or absence of the game ball at the connection point 89. If there is a game ball, it is possible to smoothly execute the punching process, for example, by taking a measure such as immediately executing preprocessing. In addition, the ball removal initial process may be executed until the game ball is not detected by the third filling detection sensor 77. As a result, the ball-punching initial process can be completed more reliably.

  If it is determined by the third filling detection sensor 77 that there is no game ball staying at the connection point 89 before the pre-processing of the ball-punching process is performed, the ball-punching initial process (S12) is omitted. be able to. Thereby, the enclosed game ball can be discharged more smoothly.

  Moreover, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the punching operation switch 90 provided in the polishing device 23 is manually switched. However, a driving means for rotating the beading operation switch 90 may be separately provided. Then, in S42 of the ball removal initial processing shown in FIG. 16, the transfer of two balls is completed, so that the ball removal operation switch 90 is automatically rotated to change the path of the game ball. .

  In addition, a sensor for detecting that the ball-pulling operation switch 90 is in a state of guiding the game ball to the discharge path 76 as shown in FIG. 8 may be separately provided. As a result, after the ball-punching initial process is completed, it is detected that the ball-spinning operation switch 90 is rotated and the game ball is guided to the discharge path 76, so that the polishing motor 71 ( 5), the lifting motor 93 (FIG. 9), the ball feeding solenoid 47 (FIG. 10), and the firing solenoid 41 (FIG. 10) can be driven. In this case, S48 that determines whether or not a firing operation has been detected is unnecessary. That is, the game ball enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be discharged to the outside without the operator performing a shooting operation. When adopting such a configuration, it is preferable to disable the detection of the firing operation so that the firing is not performed even if the operator touches the touch sensor.

  Further, instead of the step of detecting the firing operation of S48 shown in FIG. 17, for example, on the condition that a predetermined operation is detected, the game ball transferring means such as the polishing motor 71 (FIG. 7) is driven. May be. As the predetermined operation, for example, the operation unit 36 (FIG. 1) formed on the lower front frame 3B (FIG. 1) is operated to drive the game ball transfer means such as the polishing motor 71. Good. Also in this case, the game ball enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be discharged to the outside without the operator performing a shooting operation.

  Further, in S50 shown in FIG. 17, the discharge ball detection switch 97 (FIG. 8) detects the predetermined number (the enclosed number) of game balls that have passed through the discharge path 76 (FIG. 8), and thus the ball removal is completed. Although the judgment is made, for example, the discharge ball detection switch 97 may not judge the game ball for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), so that it may be judged that the ball removal is completed. As a result, even if the number of enclosed balls is not clear, all enclosed game balls can be discharged.

  Further, in the step (S46) of the ball drop initial processing, when the game ball is transferred, it is explained that the lifting motor 93, the ball feed solenoid 47, and the launch solenoid 41 are driven, but only a part of them is driven. You may For example, only the hoisting motor 93 may be driven, and two game balls may be transferred by the hoisting screw 94 to eliminate the game balls staying at the connection point 89. In addition, by separately forming the accommodation space for the two game balls in the launching device 14 connected to the ball lifting device 25, the downstream of the game balls transferred by the lifting screw 94 is filled with the game balls. When it is, the game ball can be stored in the storage space. As a result, it is possible to suppress a phenomenon in which the transferred game ball collides with the downstream game ball and is blocked. Further, when the game ball is transferred, the lifting motor 93 and the ball feeding solenoid 47 may be driven, and the firing solenoid 41 may not be driven.

  Further, although it has been described that the game balls are transferred in the ball drop initial process for two game balls, the number of the game balls to be transferred can be appropriately set by the configuration of the connection point 89. For example, if one game sphere can be transferred to eliminate the game spheres staying at the connection points 89, one transfer may be performed, and if three or more transfer is required, It suffices to transfer three or more pieces.

  Further, it has been explained that the transfer of the game balls performed in the ball drop initial processing can be determined based on the number of steps of the lifting motor 93 or the number of times the ball feed solenoid 47 and the firing solenoid 41 have been repeatedly excited and de-energized. However, other forms may be used. For example, the number of transferred game balls may be determined based on the pulse signal detected by the first filling detection sensor 75 provided at the connection between the polishing device 23 and the doffing device 25. Alternatively, it may be based on the pulse signal detected by the second filling detection sensor 40 provided at the connection between the doffing device 25 and the launching device 14.

  Further, the beading operation switch 90 makes the flow of the game ball by rotating around the rotation axis R a circulation path 91 for guiding the game ball to the bead lifting device 25, or the game ball to the outside. Although the discharge path 76 for discharging is switched, it may have another structure. For example, when the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91 are parallel to each other, by closing one of the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91 with a plate material that slides in the arrangement direction, the flow of the game balls may be switched. Good. Even in this case, the game balls may stay at the connection points, which may make it difficult to slide the plate material. Therefore, by executing the ball-punching initial process, the plate material can be easily slid, and the flow paths of the game balls can be easily switched. The plate material may be slid manually or by using a known driving means.

  Further, the switching of the flow path of the game sphere may be performed by a valve provided in each of the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91 and capable of opening and closing the flow path of the game sphere. Also in this case, the opening / closing operation using the valve can be smoothly realized by executing the ball-punching initial process. The opening / closing operation of the valve may be performed manually, or may be performed by using a known driving means.

  In addition, in order to prevent betting out during the game, whether the number of game balls (points) = 0 (S1) or whether the main body frame 100 is open (S4) is " It was set as a transition condition for the "ball drop mode". However, other conditions may be imposed in order to prevent punching during the game. For example, the number of game balls shot from the launching device 14 is compared with the total number of game balls detected by the out ball detection sensor 88 and the number of game balls detected by the winning ball detection sensor 110, and the numbers are the same. It may be a condition. When such a condition is satisfied, it can be determined that there is no game ball flowing down the game area 2 (FIG. 1) and no game is being played.

  Further, one condition may be that the player is not touching the hit ball operation handle 37, and that the special figure game and the general figure game are not played.

1 Pachinko game machine 2 Game board 3A Upper front frame 3B Lower front frame 8 Out port 10 Card unit 14 Launcher 16 Main control board 17 Discharge control board 19 Ball punching switch 21a Power switch 23 Polishing device 25 Lifting device 27 Game ball detection Device 41 Firing Solenoid 47 Ball Feeding Solenoid 50 Display Unit 71 Grinding Motor 72 Conveying Screw 76 Discharging Path 89 Connection Point 90 Ball Cutting Operation Switch 91 Circulating Path 93 Lifting Motor 94 Lifting Screw 97 Discharging Ball Detection Switch 100 Body Frame

Claims (1)

Launching means for launching the game medium at the launch position toward the game area,
A circulation path for guiding the game medium from the inflow portion into which the game medium shot into the game area flows, to the launch position,
A discharge path for branching from the middle of the circulation path for guiding the game medium to the outside,
Switching means provided in the circulation path for switching whether to guide the game medium to the circulation path or to the discharge path,
First transfer means for transferring the game medium from the inflow portion to the switching means toward the switching means,
A second transfer means for transferring the game medium from the switching means to the launch position toward the launch position,
When an operation for ejecting the game medium is performed, it is possible to execute a discharge preparation operation for transporting the game medium by only the second transfer means of the first transfer means and the second transfer means. Ri,
When the operation for ejecting the game medium is performed, and after the ejection preparation operation is performed, the game medium is transferred by the first transfer means and the second transfer means, so that the game is executed through the discharge path. It is possible to execute the ejecting operation for ejecting the medium,
A gaming machine characterized by that.

Images