JP7541755B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an amusement machine equipped with multiple detection switches.

Conventionally, this type of gaming machine is known to use multiple detection switches to detect the passage of gaming balls (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2021-108977 A (Claim 1)

However, with this type of gaming machine, if multiple detection switches are broken, the game cannot be played normally, so a solution is needed.

One aspect of the invention made to solve the above problem is a gaming machine comprising a plurality of detection switches which detect the passage of a gaming ball, and an inspection means which inspects whether each of the detection switches is in a normal state in which it is possible to detect the passage of a gaming ball, and a first notification means which issues a first notification when all of the plurality of detection switches are in a normal state.

According to the above invention, the inspection means can inspect and know whether the detection switches are normally capable of detecting the passage of a game ball, thereby preventing a game from being played without knowing that a detection switch is malfunctioning. Furthermore, if all of the multiple detection switches are in a normal state, the first notification means issues a first notification. This makes it possible to check whether any of the multiple detection switches are abnormal based on whether the first notification has been issued, without the need to go through the trouble of checking whether each of the multiple detection switches is in a normal state, making it easier to check for abnormalities.

Front view of the gaming machine of the present disclosure A perspective view of the gaming machine body An enlarged perspective view of the right side area of the play area. Perspective view of rear part A perspective view of the light-emitting board and the block body from the rear Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine Mode determination program flowchart Flowchart of the first half of the inspection program Flowchart of the second half of the inspection program

Below, a pachinko gaming machine 10 (corresponding to the "gaming machine" in the claims; hereinafter simply referred to as the "gaming machine 10") according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "right" and "left" refer to "right" and "left" when the gaming machine 10 is viewed from the front.

The gaming machine 10 is configured by removably attaching the gaming machine main body 30A shown in FIG. 2 to the gaming frame 90 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine main body 30A is provided with a rear assembly 50 attached to the rear surface of the gaming board 40. When the gaming machine main body 30A is attached to the gaming frame 90, as shown in FIG. 1, the entire gaming board 40 is covered from the front by the front frame 91 included in the gaming frame 90, and the gaming area R1 provided on the front of the gaming board 40 can be seen through the glass window 91W of the front frame 91.

The portion of the front frame 91 that has the glass window 91W is the front door 91T, which is normally locked in the closed position. When the front door 91T is unlocked and opened by the manager of the arcade that owns the gaming machine 10, the gaming area R1 of the gaming board 40 is exposed.

The game slot 90 is fixed to the game island of the amusement hall. Then, the game slot 90 is reused and only the game machine main body 30A is replaced with a new game machine main body 30A, or both the game slot 90 and the game machine main body 30A are replaced with new ones, so-called "new machine replacement" is performed.

An operation knob 94 is provided at the bottom right of the front of the front frame 91. Game balls (see symbol K in FIG. 1) are shot into the game area R1 in response to rotation of the operation knob 94. The game balls shot into the game area R1 are contained in an upper tray 93 located below the glass window 91W of the front frame 91.

2, the game board 40 is formed by assembling a number of parts to the front and rear of the base plate 41, and the game area R1 is surrounded by a number of parts protruding from the front of the base plate 41. A display window 11W is formed in the base plate 41 in a portion located within the game area R1. Through the display window 11W, the display screen 52G of the display device 52 included in the rear assembly 50 and movable parts (not shown) arranged between the display device 52 and the base plate 41 can be seen. The outer edge of the opening edge of the display window 11W is provided with an entry restriction wall 12 that restricts game balls from entering the display window 11W from above and both sides. The player can then choose between operating the control knob 94 so that the game ball flows down the area to the left of the display window 11W, a so-called "left hit," and operating the control knob 94 so that the game ball flows down the area to the right of the display window 11W, a so-called "right hit."

The inner surface of the lower part of the display window 11W is a rolling stage 19 that can roll the game ball sideways and eject it forward, and the left side of the entry restriction wall 12 is provided with an intake port 12A that takes the game ball onto the rolling stage 19.

Game balls shot into the game area R1 are taken into the rear of the game board 40 through one of the multiple winning holes or multiple outlets provided in the game area R1, and are collected in a collection duct (not shown) below the game board 40. The multiple outlets and multiple winning holes are arranged and structured as follows:

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, an outlet 16 is provided in the horizontal center of the bottom of the game area R1, and a start winning hole 14 is provided directly above it. In addition, in the left part of the bottom of the game area R1, multiple normal winning holes 13 and multiple outlets 16 are arranged side by side in a mixed state. In addition, of the above-mentioned outlets 16 and winning holes 13, the bottommost outlet 16 opens to the front surface of the base plate 41, and the rest open upward on the upper surface of the protrusion protruding from the front surface of the base plate 41. Note that both left-handed and right-handed game balls enter the bottommost outlet 16, and the other outlets 16, multiple normal winning holes 13, and start winning hole 14 are played by game balls hit from the left.

As shown in FIG. 3, the area of the game area R1 to the right of the display window 11W is equipped with, in order from the top, the start gate 70, start winning device 71, first attacker 72, normal winning port 74, second attacker 75, and normal winning port 76, as well as three outlets 79A, 79B, and 79C. Most of the right area of the game area R1, including the winning ports, outlets, and start gate 70 other than the normal winning port 76 and outlet 79C, is covered from the front by a transparent front cover 18, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the area behind the front cover 18, the flow path for the game ball splits horizontally into three routes above the start gate 70, and when the game ball flows down the central route, it passes through the start gate 70. The right route also curves and merges with the central route after passing through the start gate 70, and the slide plate 71B of the start winning device 71 is located directly below the junction. The slide plate 71B slides back and forth, and when positioned at the front end position, it guides the game ball to the start winning port 71A at the bottom right.

In addition, game balls that pass through the start winning opening 71A are taken into the downflow gutter 73 as winning balls. In addition, an outlet 79A opens directly above the slide plate 71B, and game balls that enter there are taken into the downflow gutter 73 as out balls. Game balls in the downflow gutter 73 are taken into the rear side of the base plate 41 at the bottom right end position of the game area R1.

The left route that passes the left side of the starting gate 70 extends straight up and down, passes through the starting winning device 71, then bends diagonally to the right, extends gently downward below the starting winning device 71, then turns back at the upper left position of the flow down gutter 73, bends to the left, and extends gently downward. The left downward flow path is formed by the slide plate 72B of the first attacker 72. The slide plate 72B slides back and forth, and when the slide plate 72B retreats, the game ball enters the big winning hole 72A. In addition, the downstream side that passes the big winning hole 72A is divided into a flow path toward the V winning hole 72C and a flow path toward the normal winning hole 72D, and a distribution member (not shown) operates to distribute the ball to either the V winning hole 72C or the normal winning hole 72D.

The flow path passes over the sliding plate 72B of the first attacker 72, then bends downward and splits into three routes horizontally. The right route ends at the outlet 79B, and the central route ends at the regular prize opening 74. The left route extends at an angle downward and to the left, and is formed by the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75. The sliding plate 75B also slides back and forth, and when the sliding plate 75B retreats, the game ball enters the large prize opening 75A.

After passing through the slide plate 72B, the flow path bends downwards, and beyond that is the normal winning port 76, and to the right of that is the outlet port 79C.

When a game ball enters (called a "win") one of the multiple winning holes (normal winning holes 13, 74, 76, start winning hole 14, 71, V winning hole 72C, normal winning hole 72D, large winning hole 75A), the payout device 605 shown in FIG. 6 is activated, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to the upper tray 93 (see FIG. 1). In addition, when the game ball enters the start winning hole 14, 71A, a win/loss judgment called a special drawing judgment is made, and when the game ball passes through the start gate 70, a win/loss judgment called a normal drawing judgment is made. Then, the game state changes and the presentation content changes depending on the win/loss judgment results of the special drawing judgment and the normal drawing judgment. In addition, the winning of each of the multiple winning holes and the passing of the game ball through the start gate 70 are detected by the detection switch 180 provided in each of them. Note that FIG. 6 shows only the main parts of the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10 that are related to this disclosure.

Figure 4 shows the rear part 31, which is attached to the rear of the lower left part of the base plate 41 and has multiple passages 13A, 16A that respectively communicate with the multiple normal winning holes 13 and the multiple outlets 16 at the lower left part. The figure also shows the detection switch 180 of the passage 13A that communicates with the normal winning hole 13 removed. As shown in the figure, the detection switch 180 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the planar shape seen from the flattened direction is a rectangle whose long side is about twice the short side, with one corner of the rectangle chamfered in a straight line, and is provided with a detection hole 180R that penetrates in the thickness direction. The detection hole 180R has a circular shape with an inner diameter that is just large enough for a game ball to pass through, and is located near the chamfered end (called the "tip") of the detection switch 180 in the longitudinal direction. For the multiple winning holes, the detection switch 180 is placed in the middle or at the beginning of the path through which the game ball that entered each winning hole passes, and part of the path is formed by the inner surface of the detection hole 180R. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, for the start gate 70, the detection switch 180 is incorporated into the start gate 70, and the inside of the start gate 70 is the inside of the detection hole 180R of the detection switch 180. Note that in FIG. 3, the detection switch 180 is shown with gray hatching.

The detection switch 180 also includes a coil (not shown) surrounding the detection hole 180R. The passage of the game ball, which is a magnetic material, is detected based on the change in inductance of the coil when the game ball passes through the detection hole 180R. As shown in FIG. 4, the base end surface of the detection switch 180 has a connector insertion port 180M into which the harness connector of the gaming machine main body 30A is inserted and which is electrically connected to the control board 600 shown in FIG. 6. The control board 600 is disposed on the rear surface of the rear assembly 50.

A microcomputer 601 is mounted on the control board 600, which receives the results of detection of game balls by each detection switch 180 and outputs commands to the payout device 605 accordingly, causing the prize balls to be discharged into the upper tray 93 as described above, and controlling the game so that the game content described below is achieved.

The number of microcomputers 601 may be one or more. In addition, the detection switch 180 in this embodiment is non-contact type, but it may be contact type. Furthermore, the detection switch 180 is provided to detect the passage of a game ball, but it may also be used to detect the passage of a movable part of a movable role object, for example.

The gaming machine 10A of this embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine, and the game content is as follows. That is, in the above-mentioned normal pattern judgment caused by the passage of the gaming ball through the start gate 70, a judgment is made as to whether or not to advance the slide plate 71B so that the gaming ball can enter the start winning hole 71A. In addition, in the above-mentioned special pattern judgment caused by the winning of the start winning hole 14, 71A, a judgment is made as to whether or not it is a "big hit", a "small hit", or a "miss". The probability of a big hit is the same for the special pattern judgment caused by the winning of the start winning hole 14 and the special pattern judgment caused by the winning of the start winning hole 71A, but the probability of a small hit is higher for the special pattern judgment caused by the winning of the start winning hole 71A. The result of the normal pattern judgment is notified by the normal pattern displayed on the display screen 52G, and the result of the special pattern judgment is notified by the special pattern displayed on the display screen 52G.

When a jackpot is determined based on the special chart, the sliding plate 75B of the second attacker 75, which is normally closed, opens for a predetermined period of time multiple times in a "jackpot game." If the action of the sliding plate 75B from opening to closing is called a "round," one jackpot game continues until a predetermined number of rounds have been played. One round ends when a predetermined number of game balls enter the large prize opening 75A, or when a predetermined time has passed since the sliding plate 75B was opened. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 75A, for example, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper tray 93 as prize balls for each win.

When the special chart judgement results in a small win, the slide plate 72B of the first attacker 72, which is normally closed, opens for a predetermined period of time multiple times to play a "small win game." The game ball that enters the large prize opening 72A is distributed to either the V prize opening 72C or the normal prize opening 72D by the distribution member at the back of the large prize opening 72A. When the game ball enters the V prize opening 72C, a big win (type 2 big win) occurs, the slide plate 75B of the second attacker 75 opens, and the big win game is played. In this way, the gaming machine 10A of this embodiment has two conditions for playing the big win game: a hit in the special chart judgement (type 1 big win), and a small win in the special chart judgement and the game ball enters the V prize opening 72C (type 2 big win).

For example, small win games may be provided with an easy-to-enter small win in which the distribution member is arranged so that it is easier for the game ball to enter the V winning opening 72C, and a difficult-to-enter small win in which the distribution member is arranged so that it is more difficult for the game ball to enter the V winning opening 72C than in the easy-to-enter small win. For example, an easy-to-enter small win may be more likely to occur when a small win is determined by the second special pattern judgment than when a small win is determined by the first special pattern judgment.

However, if an abnormality occurs in which the detection switch 180 cannot detect a game ball (hereinafter referred to as a "non-detection abnormality"), a malfunction occurs in which the prize ball is not paid out or the winning/losing judgment is not performed. In addition, the non-detection abnormality may be caused by a malfunction of the detection switch 180 itself or a connection malfunction in which the harness connector is not properly connected to the correct location. In addition, the probability of occurrence of a malfunction of the detection switch 180 itself increases as the manufacturer reuses the detection switch 180 more times. On the other hand, a connection malfunction is considered to occur during the manufacture of the gaming machine 10 and when a new machine is replaced. In particular, the replacement of a new machine is performed in a short time at the site of the game hall, so the probability of occurrence of a non-detection abnormality increases. In addition, even if the product is normal during the inspection at the time of shipment by the manufacturer, the harness may be pulled during transportation to the game hall or during installation on the game hall's game island, causing a non-detection abnormality. To address these issues, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is equipped with an "inspection means" for checking for the presence or absence of undetectable abnormalities, and a "first notification means" for notifying the results of the inspection.

Specifically, as part of the "first notification means", as shown in FIG. 4, a light emitting board 80 is provided at the left end of the rear part 31 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting board 80 is mounted with a plurality of light emitting elements 81 as "plural light emitting means" corresponding to the plurality of detection switches 180, and is housed in the board case 82 of the rear part 31 with its mounting surface facing forward. In addition, a block body 82B is provided in a portion of the board case 82 that covers the light emitting board 80 from the front, and the block body 82B protrudes forward beyond the base plate 41 through a through hole in the base plate 41. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 82A facing the plurality of light emitting elements 81 are formed in the block body 82B, and a display board 84 is superimposed on the front surface of the block body 82B.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display panel 84 is provided with a number of transparent light-emitting elements 84A, for example of a cloudy color, through which light can easily pass, at the portions facing the multiple through-holes 82A, and is provided with a map 84B for distinguishing between the light-emitting elements 84A. The rest of the display panel 84 is made up of a light-shielding portion 84C, for example of a black color, through which light cannot easily pass.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control board 600 is equipped with a ROM 602 (Read Only Memory) that stores multiple programs, a WRM 603 (Read Write Memory 603) that allows data to be written and erased and does not erase data even when the power is turned off, and a clear switch 604 for erasing data in the WRM 603 and clearing the memory. The clear switch 604 can also be operated at will by the manager of the amusement hall.

Figure 7 shows the mode discrimination program PG1, which is one of the multiple programs stored in the ROM 602. This mode discrimination program PG1 is executed only once, for example, immediately after the gaming machine 10 is powered on, when the microcomputer 601 receives it as an interrupt signal.

When the mode discrimination program PG1 is executed, it is determined whether the power is turned on after a power outage or power cut (S10), and if the power is not turned on after a power outage or power cut (NO in S10), it is determined whether the WRM603 is in a memory clear state (S11). If the WRM603 is not in a memory clear state (NO in S11), the mode discrimination flag F1 for determining the mode of the gaming machine 10 is set to "1" (S12), and this mode discrimination program PG1 is terminated. If the power is turned on after a power outage or power cut (YES in S10), the mode discrimination flag F1 is set to "1" (S12), and this mode discrimination program PG1 is terminated. On the other hand, if the power is turned on normally, not after a power outage or power cut (NO in S10), and the WRM603 is in a memory clear state (YES in S11), the mode discrimination flag F1 is set to "0" (S13), and this mode discrimination program PG1 is terminated. When the mode discrimination flag F1 is "1", the gaming machine 10 is in normal mode, and when the mode discrimination flag F1 is "0", the gaming machine 10 is in inspection mode.

When the gaming machine 10 is turned off, even if the memory is not cleared, if the clear switch 604 is operated while the power is turned on, the mode discrimination flag F1 is set to "0" (S13) and the mode discrimination program PG1 is terminated, just as when the power is turned on while the WRM 603 is in the memory clear state.

When the microcomputer 601 is in the inspection mode, it corresponds to the "inspection means" and performs processing so that, for example, even if the detection switch 180 detects a game ball entering the winning hole, no prize balls are paid out and no judgment of whether or not the game has been won is performed, and it lights up the light-emitting unit 84A shown in FIG. 4 (more specifically, the light-emitting element 81 shown in FIG. 5 facing the light-emitting unit 84A) corresponding to the detection switch 180 that detected the passage of the game ball on the light-emitting board 80. In addition, during the inspection mode, the microcomputer 601 controls the members that selectively change the flow path of the game ball, such as the slide plates 71B, 72B, 75B and the distribution member (not shown) in the first attacker 72, to move alternately between one end and the other end of the movable range at a predetermined interval (for example, about 0.5 seconds). This allows the game balls to reach both flow paths.

After the mode discrimination program PG1 ends, multiple programs are repeatedly executed at a predetermined interval (e.g., 400 [msec]). These multiple programs include a game control program (not shown) and the inspection program PG2 shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Although not shown, when the game control program is executed, it is first determined whether the mode discrimination flag F1 is "1" or not. If the mode discrimination flag F1 is not "1", the game control program is immediately terminated, and if the mode discrimination flag F1 is "1", various processes of the game control program are executed. In other words, the game control program is not actually executed in the inspection mode, but is executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle in the normal mode, and each part of the gaming machine 10 is controlled to perform the game content described above. At that time, the gaming state of the gaming machine 10 before the power was turned off is restored based on the data stored in the WRM 603.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the inspection program PG2 is executed, it is first determined whether the mode discrimination flag F1 is "0" or not (S20). If the mode discrimination flag F1 is not "0" (NO in S20), the inspection program PG2 is immediately terminated, and if the mode discrimination flag F1 is "0", various processes of the inspection program PG2 are executed. In other words, the inspection program PG2 is not actually executed in the normal mode, but is executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle in the inspection mode.

As shown in Figure 8, when the inspection program PG2 is executed in the inspection mode, it is determined whether the first timer is stopped or not depending on whether the first timer flag F2 is "0" or not (S21). Then, if the first timer flag F2 is "0" which means that the first timer is stopped (YES in S21), the first timer is started (S22), and then the first timer flag F2 is set to "1" (S23), and a second notification is initiated, for example, by displaying an inspection notification message on the display screen 52G (see Figure 2) of the display device 52 (S24). The inspection notification message includes, for example, the following contents (1) to (4).

(1) The device is in inspection mode and will automatically return to normal mode after a specified time has elapsed or when the clear switch 604 is turned on.

(2) If you wish to inspect the detection switch 180, please perform right-handed and left-handed shots for the specified time each in order to allow game balls to enter all winning slots and the starting gate 70.

(3) If all detection switches 180 are normal, the display panel 84 at the bottom left will start flashing and then the inspection mode will end.

(4) If the inspection mode ends without the display panel 84 flashing, this indicates that an abnormality detection switch 180 is present. Please contact the manufacturer and tell them the location of the unlit light-emitting element 84A on the map 84B of the display panel 84.

If the manager of the game hall responds to this inspection notification message by shooting a game ball into the game area R1, an inspection will be performed. If the manager does not shoot a game ball into the game area R1, an inspection will not be performed. Note that instead of shooting from the left, the front door 91T can be opened to allow the game ball to enter the normal winning hole 13 and the start winning hole 14, etc., but the area to the right of the game area R1 is covered by the front cover 18, so shooting from the right will allow the game ball to enter the winning hole, etc. more efficiently.

After the second notification is started (S24), it is determined whether all the detection switches 180 have detected a game ball (S25). In addition, in the determination of the first timer flag F2 described above, if the first timer flag F2 is not "0", it is immediately determined whether all the detection switches 180 have detected a game ball (S25). Then, if all the detection switches 180 have detected a game ball (YES in S25), the first notification is started (S26) to cause all the light-emitting parts 84A of the display panel 84 to flash, and then it is determined whether the count result of the first timer has passed the first reference time T1 (S28) and whether the clear switch 604 has been turned on (S29). If all the detection switches 180 have not detected a game ball (NO in S25), both determinations (S28, S29) are made without starting the first notification.

If the count result of the first timer indicates that the first reference time T1 has elapsed (YES in S28) or the clear switch 604 has been turned on (YES in S29), the second timer is then used to wait for the second reference time T2 to elapse (S30-S33), and the first and second timer flags F2 and F3 are reset to "0" (S34), the first and second timers are stopped and reset (S35), the first and second notifications are terminated (S37), the mode discrimination flag F1 is set to "1" and the mode is changed to normal mode (S34), and the inspection program PG2 is terminated.

This concludes the explanation of the configuration of the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 601 in the above-mentioned inspection mode corresponds to the inspection means, the microcomputer 601 and the light-emitting unit 84A when executing step S26 of the inspection program PG2 correspond to the first notification means, and the microcomputer 601 and the display device 52 when executing step S24 of the inspection program PG2 correspond to the second notification means.

Next, the effects of the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment will be described. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to check and know whether the detection switches 180 are normally capable of detecting the passage of a gaming ball, so that playing is prevented from being performed without knowing that a detection switch 180 is malfunctioning. In addition, since the flashing of the light-emitting units 84A indicates that all of the detection switches 180 are in a normal state, it is possible to check whether any of the detection switches 180 are abnormal based on whether the light-emitting units 84A are flashing or not, without having to go through the trouble of checking whether each of the detection switches 180 is in a normal state, making it easier to check for abnormalities.

In addition, when the passage of a game ball is detected by each of the multiple detection switches 180, the light-emitting elements 84A corresponding to each of those detection switches 180 light up, making it possible to check whether or not there is an abnormality in each detection switch 180 as necessary. The light-emitting elements 84A flash when all of the multiple detection switches 180 are in a normal state, which allows for effective use of the light-emitting elements 84A. Furthermore, while the detection switches 180 are being inspected, this is displayed on the display screen 52G of the display device 52, preventing the occurrence of malfunctions such as mistaking the inspection for an abnormality in the gaming machine 10.

During the inspection, the slide plates 71B, 72B, 75B and the members that alternatively change the flow path of the game balls, such as the distribution members (not shown) in the first attacker 72, are controlled to move alternately between one end and the other end of the movable range at a predetermined interval (for example, at intervals of approximately 0.5 seconds), and the variable passage alternates between the first state and the second state, so that the game balls can easily pass both the detection switch 180 that they pass through when in the first state and the detection switch 180 that they pass through when in the second state. This allows the game balls to reach the detection switches 180 of both flow paths.

In addition, since the inspection starts automatically when the predetermined inspection start condition is met after the gaming machine 10 is powered on, it is possible to prevent the inspection from being forgotten in a situation where an inspection is necessary, such as after a new machine is installed. Furthermore, since the normal mode can be switched to the inspection mode by operating the clear switch 604 when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 10 can be switched from the normal mode to the inspection mode whenever necessary. Then, since the state in which the inspection can be performed ends automatically when the predetermined inspection end condition is met after the inspection starts, it is possible to prevent a malfunction such as an amusement hall opening without completing the inspection. The inspection end condition includes the passage of a predetermined time since the inspection became possible, so it is possible to predict the timing for the end of the inspection.

In addition, when a termination condition is met, such as the passage of a predetermined time after the start of inspection (S28, S29 in FIG. 9), the inspection mode is not immediately terminated, but rather a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) is awaited (S30-S33 in FIG. 9) before transitioning to normal mode, thereby preventing a game ball shot into the game area R1 during the inspection mode from winning in one of the winning slots after switching to normal mode.

In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 84A is provided as the first notification means, but a mark or the like corresponding to each detection switch may be displayed on the display screen 52G, and the display mode of the mark may be changed.

As in this embodiment, the second notification means may be a test notification message displayed on the display screen 52G, or may be a notification by voice, alarm, etc.

When the test mode is activated, the device may be configured to automatically switch between right and left shots without the need to operate the control knob 94.

In addition, in this embodiment, the members that alternatively change the flow path of the game balls, such as the slide plates 71B, 72B, and 75B, switch between an easy-to-pass and a difficult-to-pass state at predetermined intervals, but may be controlled to switch to a difficult-to-pass state after, for example, detecting the detection switch that passes through in the easy-to-pass state. Also, in the case of a movable member that simply changes whether or not it is difficult for game balls to enter the winning opening, it may be kept in the easy-to-pass state during the inspection mode.

The inspection end conditions may include a predetermined number of game balls being shot out. In addition, in this embodiment, the conditions are either the passage of a predetermined time or the operation of the clear switch 604, but the conditions may be both.

<Additional Notes>
The following describes the features of the inventions extracted from the above-described embodiments, while indicating, as necessary, their effects, etc. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiments are appropriately indicated in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

[Feature 1]
This gaming machine is equipped with a plurality of detection switches which detect the passage of a gaming ball, and an inspection means for inspecting whether each of the detection switches is in a normal state in which it can detect the passage of a gaming ball, and is also equipped with a first notification means which issues a first notification when all of the plurality of detection switches are in a normal state.

According to feature 1, the inspection means can inspect and know whether the detection switches are normally capable of detecting the passage of a game ball, thereby preventing a game from being played without knowing that a detection switch is malfunctioning. Furthermore, if all of the multiple detection switches are in a normal state, the first notification means issues a first notification. This makes it possible to check whether any of the multiple detection switches are abnormal based on whether the first notification has been issued, without the need to go through the trouble of checking whether each of the multiple detection switches is in a normal state, making it easier to check for abnormalities.

[Feature 2]
In the gaming machine according to Feature 1, the first notification means has a light emitting means, and the first notification is made by blinking the light emitting means.

According to feature 2, when all of the multiple detection switches are in a normal state, the light emitting means flashes, so that it is easy to recognize that all of the multiple detection switches are in a normal state.

[Feature 3]
The gaming machine according to feature 1 or 2 is provided with a plurality of light-emitting means corresponding to each of the plurality of detection switches, and the light-emitting means corresponding to the detection switch that detects the passage of the gaming ball lights up or goes out.

In feature 3, when the passage of a game ball is detected by each of the multiple detection switches, the multiple light-emitting means corresponding to each of the detection switches turn on or off, so that it is possible to check for the presence or absence of abnormalities in each detection switch as necessary.

[Feature 4]
In the gaming machine according to feature 3, the first notification means performs the first notification by blinking the plurality of light-emitting means corresponding to the plurality of detection switches.

In feature 4, the flashing of multiple light-emitting means, which individually indicate whether or not each of the multiple detection switches is abnormal, indicates that all of the multiple detection switches are in a normal state, thereby making effective use of the light-emitting means.

[Feature 5]
A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 4, further comprising a second notification means for notifying the user that inspection is in progress during inspection by the inspection means.

Feature 5 notifies the user that the detection switch is being inspected, preventing the occurrence of problems such as the inspection being mistaken for an abnormality in the gaming machine.

[Feature 6]
The plurality of paths through which the game ball reaches the plurality of detection switches include a plurality of variable paths which are switched between a first state through which the game ball can easily pass and a second state through which the game ball cannot easily pass by a variable member driven by an electric drive source;
This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 5, wherein the multiple variable passages include a first variable passage that alternates between the first state and the second state during inspection by the inspection means.

According to feature 6, the variable passage alternates between the first state and the second state during inspection, so that the game ball can easily pass through both the detection switch that is passed when the passage is in the first state and the detection switch that is passed when the passage is in the second state.

[Feature 7]
The plurality of paths through which the game ball reaches the plurality of detection switches include a plurality of variable paths which are switched between a first state through which the game ball can easily pass and a second state through which the game ball cannot easily pass by a variable member driven by an electric drive source;
A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of variable passages includes a second variable passage that is maintained in the first state during inspection by the inspection means.

According to feature 7, the variable passage is held in the first state during inspection, allowing easy passage of the ball, so that the ball can easily pass through the detection switch when it passes through the variable passage.

[Feature 8]
This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 7, which is equipped with a mode switching means for switching from a normal mode in which game play is controlled based on the detection results of the multiple detection switches to an inspection mode in which inspection by the inspection means can be performed without controlling the game.

According to feature 8, the gaming machine can be switched from normal mode to inspection mode at any time as needed.

[Feature 9]
This is a gaming machine described in any one of features 1 to 8, which is equipped with an automatic termination means that automatically terminates the state in which testing by the testing means is possible upon the satisfaction of a predetermined test termination condition after testing by the testing means has started, and returns to a normal state in which game control is performed based on the detection results of the multiple detection switches.

Feature 9 prevents problems such as an amusement parlor opening without completing an inspection.

[Feature 10]
A gaming machine according to feature 9, wherein the inspection end condition includes the passage of a predetermined time since the inspection-enabled state was reached.

Feature 10 makes it possible to predict when the test will end.

[Feature 11]
A gaming machine according to any one of features 1 to 10, comprising an automatic start means for automatically making the testing means capable of testing when a predetermined test start condition is met after the gaming machine is turned on.

According to feature 11, after the gaming machine is turned on, an inspection is automatically started when a predetermined inspection start condition is met, which prevents the inspection from being forgotten in a situation where an inspection is necessary, such as after a new machine is installed.

[Feature 12]
The gaming machine according to feature 11, wherein the inspection start conditions include a memory clear state in which data of games played before the power was turned off is erased.

The above-mentioned inspection start condition may be simply that the power is turned on, or may be that the power is turned on under a specified condition. The specified condition may be that the memory is cleared or that a specified operation unit is operated at the same time as the power is turned on, as in feature 12.

[Feature 13]
The gaming machine includes a plurality of detection switches and an inspection means for inspecting whether the plurality of detection switches are in a normal state or not.

According to feature 13, the inspection means can inspect and determine whether the detection switch is normally capable of detecting the passage of a game ball, thereby preventing a game from being played without knowing that the detection switch is broken.

[Correspondence between the components of the above feature group and each part in the embodiment]
Detection switch: detection switch 180, inspection means: microcomputer 601 when inspection mode is entered, first notification: flashing of display board 84, first notification means: microcomputer 601 when executing step S26 of inspection program PG2, light emitting unit 84A, light emitting means: light emitting board 80, second notification means: microcomputer 601 when executing step S24 of inspection program PG2, display device 52, variable member: slide plates 71B, 72B, 75B, distribution member not shown in the figure in first attacker 72, variable passage: slide plates 71B, 72B, 75B, distribution member not shown in the figure in first attacker 72, first variable passage: slide plates 71B, 72B, 75B, mode switching means: mode discrimination flag F1 of mode discrimination program PG1, automatic termination means: S29, S33 of inspection program PG2, automatic start means: S10, S11 of mode discrimination program PG1

Note that although specific examples of the technology included in the scope of the claims are disclosed in this specification and drawings, the technology described in the claims is not limited to these specific examples, but includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples, as well as parts of the specific examples taken separately.

10A Gaming machine 13, 74, 76 Regular winning port 14, 71A Starting winning port 16, 79A, 79B, 79C Out port 31 Rear part 52G Display screen 71A Starting winning port 71B, 72B, 75B Slide plate 72A, 75A Large winning port 72C Winning port 72D Regular winning port 74, 76 Regular winning port 80 Light-emitting board 81 Light-emitting element 84 Display board 180 Each detection switch 601 Microcomputer 604 Clear switch PG1 Mode discrimination program PG2 Inspection program R1 Play area T1 First reference time T2 Second reference time

Claims (2)

A plurality of detection switches for detecting the passage of game balls ;
An inspection means for inspecting whether each of the detection switches is in a normal state capable of detecting the passage of a game ball ;
A gaming machine including a plurality of individual notification means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the plurality of detection switches, the individual notification means changing a visible state from a first visible state to a second visible state when each of the detection switches detects the passage of a gaming ball,
A gaming machine comprising a cover member facing the plurality of individual notification means from the front and having a plurality of through holes in one-to-one correspondence therewith. A plurality of detection switches for detecting the passage of game balls;
An inspection means for inspecting whether each of the detection switches is in a normal state capable of detecting the passage of a game ball;
A gaming machine including a plurality of individual notification means provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the plurality of detection switches, the individual notification means changing a visible state from a first visible state to a second visible state due to each of the detection switches detecting the passage of a gaming ball,
A gaming machine comprising a group suggestion means for suggesting that a plurality of the individual notification means are a group.

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