JPH0755249B2 - A device for capturing the number of unit balls of a game machine using a pachinko ball - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Use) The present invention is a pachinko machine that plays a game with a predetermined number of pachinko balls as a unit, and pays a predetermined number of pachinko balls according to the weight of the game result. The present invention relates to a device for capturing the number of unit balls of a game machine using balls.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, an idea of constructing a game machine such as a slot machine using a pachinko ball has already been proposed.

Making a slot machine playable with a pachinko ball means that a hard ball common to the previously popular pachinko machines can be used in a single playground. Therefore, a pachinko ball replenishing device in a pachinko ball store can be used. And can be shared without discarding the counting device and central control device,
Therefore, there is an advantage that a pachinko machine and a slot machine can be mixed in the same island facility.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in order to put the game machine into practical use, some problems different from those of a game machine using coins must be solved.

One of them, when dividing into a predetermined number of pachinko balls as one unit and continuously taking in the game machine, certainly,
How to check if a certain number of pachinko balls have been taken up.

(Means for Solving Problems) The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, in which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are played as a unit in a game, and the number of pachinko balls is predetermined according to the weight of the game result. In a device for capturing the number of unit balls of a game machine using a pachinko ball, a downflow gutter 32 that guides the ball from the upper plate 16 provided on the front surface of the game machine to the uptake gutter 33, and the downflow gutter 32 Capture device 30 that can capture a ball on the way
A control device 8 for controlling the intake device 30 to take in spheres corresponding to the number of unit spheres; and sensors 53, 54 and 55 for detecting the presence of the minimum number of spheres within the downflow gutter 32, It is configured to have a count sensor 56 for counting the number of balls actually taken into the intake gutter 32.

(Operation) The pachinko ball that has flowed down from the upper plate provided on the front of the game machine into the downflow gutter is prevented from flowing down by the intake device provided in the middle of the downflow gutter.

The take-in device is controlled by the control device, and the balls for the unit number of balls flow down into the take-in gutter.

At this time, whether the minimum number of unit spheres to be taken in is 1 or 2 or more, first, before the taking in, the sensor in the flue gutter is set in the gutter by the taking-in device in advance. The minimum number of unit spheres existing in a state in which the flow-down is blocked is confirmed, and then, when the capturing device is activated and the captured spheres are captured into the intake gutter, it is confirmed again by the count sensor.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an example of the slot machine shown in the drawings.

1 and 2, the hinge 1 is attached to the hollow box-shaped machine frame 1.
A front frame 3 is attached so that it can be opened and closed by 4A and 4B.

The front frame 3 is a receiving bracket 5A and a hook piece 5B that constitute the locking device 5.
It is locked by engaging with, and unlocked by sliding the hook piece 5B in the vertical direction by the lock 5C.

The front frame 3 includes a case 10 of the game device 10 from the rear side thereof.
A is installed.

In the case 10A, three rotary drums 6 are juxtaposed so as to be rotatable around a rotary shaft 7, and one side thereof partially enters the opening 3A of the front frame 3.

Reference numeral 8 in the figure denotes a control device, which controls a capturing device 30 described later to capture balls for a unit number of balls, and a function of controlling various devices according to the game development of the game machine. Have.

The front surface of the front frame 3 is covered with the display cover 11 and the front cover 12, and the above-mentioned 3 through the visible window 12B of the front cover 12.
One side of each rotating drum 6 is visible.

On the operation panel 12C portion of the front cover 12, a start lever 13 that can start the game apparatus 10 at a fixed betting point (an integral multiple of the number of unit balls), a stop button 14 assigned to each rotating drum 6, and a A stop indicator 15 and a speaker 9 are provided.

Reference numeral 16 is an upper plate for supplying pachinko balls to the ball capturing device 30, and 17A, 17B and 17C are grade selection switches for selecting a bet point grade, that is, a constant (integer) by which the number of unit balls is multiplied. , 18A, 18B, 18C are grade indicators that indicate that they are selectable.

In this embodiment, the minimum number of unit balls that can be played in the game is 5, and the bet grade is 1 unit (5 balls), 2 units (10 balls), or 3 units (15 balls).

First, press the start lever 13 and the motor (not shown)
Starts, and the three rotary drums 6 rotate at the same time.

By pressing an arbitrary stop button 14, one of the play stopping devices (not shown) provided for each rotary drum 6 is actuated, and the corresponding one rotary drum 6 is stopped.

This play stopping device is configured, for example, so that a ratchet provided for each rotary drum 6 causes a stop claw released from a stop solenoid to fall.

Various symbols (predetermined figures, symbols, numbers, etc.) are continuously attached to the outer peripheral surface of each rotary drum 6 in the circumferential direction. Each time, the upper, middle, and lower three, a total of nine, are displayed simultaneously from the front visible window 12B.

Reference numeral 19 is a direction line provided in the visible window 12B for specifying the combination direction of the nine display codes in total, which is composed of upper, middle, lower three horizontal lines and two oblique lines.

Next to the visible window 12B, a bet line display lamp (bet rate indicator) 20 is provided which indicates whether or not a combination on each direction line is a bet target.

Reference numeral 21 is a digital score indicator, and when one of the predetermined specific combinations (award mode) of the rotary drum 6 is lined up on the line bet by the player, the player is promised according to the weight of the combination. The obtained score is displayed on the score indicator 21, and the prize ball discharging device 40 discharges the number of prize balls corresponding to the upper plate 16 from the upper plate outlet 16A.

When the upper plate 16 is full, the prize balls from the prize ball discharging device 40 are discharged to the lower plate 22 from the lower plate outlet 22C by the function of the overflow device 42.

Reference numeral 24 is a return switch, and the upper plate 16 or the ball capturing device
When a semi-hemisphere less than the minimum number of unit balls is generated in 30 and returned to the player, or when the player wants to stop playing, the balls in the upper plate 16 are returned to the lower plate 22 ( (At the time of payment)
And so on.

The prize mode is 2, 7, 10, 14, under "general game".
It is roughly divided into two cases: payment of 15 units of prize balls and payment of 15 units of prize balls under "Large Bonus Game" and "Bonus Game."

In this embodiment, the combination of shifting from the general game state to the “large bonus game” is when three diamond symbols “☆” are prepared, and the combination of shifting to the “bonus game” is the number “7”. It is when three are gathered.

The display cover 11 has a large bonus display 25 for displaying the acquisition of the right for this "big bonus game" and a "bonus game".
And a bonus indicator 26 for displaying the acquisition of the right.

The display device 27 is a profit / loss display device for displaying the difference between the number of balls (or the number of units) thrown by the player and the number of prize balls (or the number of units) paid out, or the gaming machine on the day. It is used as a number-of-rights indicator that displays the number of rights transferred to the big bonus game.

Reference numeral 28 is a stop indicator (completion lamp) which is turned on when the number of paid prize balls reaches a predetermined number.

2 and 3, the mounting board 31 on the back surface of the front frame 3 is shown.
In the gutter 33, the ball from the upper plate 16 provided on the front of the game machine is taken in.
A gutter 32 that leads to the gutter, a grabber 30 that can be used to grab a ball in the middle of the gutter, and a grab ball grabber 30 that is used to grab a unit number of pachinko balls into the cabin. A gutter 33 etc. is provided.

Reference numeral 34 is a gutter which is a gutter for returning the pachinko ball of the ball capturing device 30 to the lower tray 22 when a hemisphere occurs or at the time of settlement.

In addition, the mounting board 31 has an upper tank equipped with a ball break detector 38.
37 and a prize ball discharge device 40 are provided, and the upper tank 37 is supplied with balls from a common supply gutter 35 provided as an island facility by a supply device 36. It is led to the discharge device 40.

Further, the mounting board 31 is provided with an upper tank ball removing device 44, and when the store is closed or the like, all balls from the upper tank 37 to the prize ball discharging device 40 are removed and passed through the ball removing gutter 45. Be guided downwards.

The balls extracted from the ball removing gutter 45 and the intake gutter 33 of the ball intake device 30 are discharged into a confluent gutter 46 provided below the inside of the machine frame 1 and collected in a collecting gutter 48.

Sphere uptake device FIG. 4 shows an uptake device 30 of a type (unit variable type) that can take any N (N ≧ 1) pachinko balls (here, 5) as the unit number of balls. A specific example will be shown.

(B) Downflow gutter This ball intake device 30 is a fan-shaped cam that can be converted downstream of the downflow gutter 32 into a “blocking position” that blocks the downflow of the downflow gutter 32 and a “release position” that allows the downflow of the ball. Having 50. The cam 50 is rotatably supported by a shaft 50A that is orthogonal to the downward direction of the sphere, and via both levers 51 whose ends are pivotally supported by pivot shafts 51A, a plunger 52A of an intake solenoid 52 located above is provided.
Is connected to the bottom edge of. Therefore, when the ball capture device 30 is in the normal non-actuated state, the cam 50 is connected to the plunger 52A.
It is pushed down by its own weight to the blocking position shown in FIG. Then, the intake solenoid 52 is energized and the ball intake device is activated.
When the 30 is activated, the cam 50 is pulled up to the release position allowing the ball to flow.

In the normal blocking position (FIG. 4), the aligned balls in the downflow gutter 32 are blocked from flowing down by the cam 50 blocking the leading ball. Whether or not there are a predetermined number of pachinko balls is determined by three reflection type optical sensors (unit ball number detectors) 53, 54 provided along the flow-down gutter 32 at each position corresponding to the number of unit balls. , 55 confirmed. The first sensor 53 is the fifth sensor (the end of the first unit), the second sensor 54 is the tenth sensor (the end of the second unit), and the third sensor 55 is the fifteenth sensor (the third unit). End).

In the downflow gutter 32, a pressure reducing portion 32C is provided by a step on the boundary between the fifth ball and the sixth ball counted from the leading ball blocked by the cam 50, that is, the boundary between the first unit and the second unit, The height center of the sphere row of the first unit is set lower than the height center of the sphere row of the second unit. According to this structure, the ball pressure of the balls on the upstream side of the sixth ball is reduced by the pressure reducing unit 32C, and the reduced ball pressure acts to push down the first row of balls. Therefore, the pressure applied to the shaft 50A of the cam 50 is also reduced, so that the cam 50 is smoothly rotated to the release position indicated by the dotted line, and the series of balls from the first ball to the fifth ball is continuously and smoothly. It flows down, but the sixth and subsequent balls are the decompression unit 32C.
It takes time to pass by the amount of change in the flow direction due to collision with. That is, the ball rows after the sixth ball row are delayed with respect to the ball row of the first unit, and a slight interval is generated between them. Therefore, when the number of balls is an integral multiple of the number of unit balls, if the cam 50 is moved up and down once for each unit, one unit of balls (5)
A break is made in the flow of the ball each time the ball passes, and the cam 50 can surely return to the blocking position in time.

For example, first, when the cam 50 is in the release position, the pachinko ball row is divided by the decompression unit 32C as a unit ball number and flows down,
The first unit is taken from the downflow gutter 32 into the intake gutter 33. cam
The deenergization of the intake solenoid 52 causes the 50 to return to the blocking state with good timing when the first unit and the second unit arrive. When importing 2 units or 3 units,
This operation may be repeated twice or three times.
A slanting guide portion 33B is formed at the turning angle from the flow-down gutter 32 to the intake gutter 33 to improve the flow of the ball.

The number of balls actually taken in is confirmed by a ball passage detector (count sensor) 56 provided in the downflow gutter 32. Count sensor
56 can be provided in the intake gutter 33, but when the count sensor 56 is provided in the downflow gutter 32 as in this example, its detection position is an arbitrary position in the area where the first unit ball row exists. Can be set. In this case, in consideration of the problem of fraud, it is preferable that the count sensor 56 be detected from the first ball counted from the cam 50 when the ball is taken in, but mounting becomes difficult in terms of space. Therefore, in this embodiment, the count sensor 56 is set to the cam 50 in the normal state shown in FIG.
The second sphere is sensed from the above, and when the sphere is taken in, it is provided so as to be detected from the rising of the third sphere. Even with such a setting, after the cam 50 returns to the blocking position, the sixth and seventh balls from the beginning flow down to the position of the count sensor 56, and when viewed from the count sensor 56, Since it is counted as the fourth and fifth balls,
It does not affect the calculation result of whether or not the number of unit spheres can be captured. The count sensor 56 and each sensor 53, 5
The photoelectric detection positions of 4 and 55 are located off the center of the sphere, and even if the sphere rows pass integrally, the individual spheres can be detected.

(B) Intake gutter The intake gutter 33 has a return gutter 58 branched from the middle of the gutter 33,
At the branch point of the return gutter, the flow path is taken in from the gutter 33 side to the return gutter 58.
A flow path conversion mechanism 59 including a switching valve 57 for switching to the side and a return solenoid 60 that is an electric drive source thereof, and a ball storage chamber 65 are provided on the upstream side of the intake gutter 33.

FIG. 5 shows a conversion mechanism 59 of the switching valve 57. A rotary rod 61 is fixed to the rotary shaft 57A of the switching valve 57 on the outer surface of the intake gutter 33, and a pin 61A at the tip of the rotary rod 61 swings around a support shaft 62A. It is loosely fitted in the slit 62B of the possible operating rod 62.
The operating rod 62 is normally pulled by a spring 63, holds the switching valve 57 at the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 5, and opens the intake gutter 33 side. When the return solenoid 60 is biased and the operating rod 62 is rotated against the spring 63, the switching valve 57 is switched to the position where the return gutter 58 side is opened.

The ball storage chamber 65 is formed by providing a storage gate 66 which is opened and closed by a second intake solenoid 67, on the way from the ball receiving port 33A of the intake gutter 33 to the branch point of the return gutter 58. In this example, the storage gate 66 is composed of a plate that can be displaced between a position that closes the flow path of the intake gutter 33 and an open position that allows spherical flow. The storage gate 66 is normally closed and is opened by energizing the intake solenoid 67.

In any case of the betting rate 1 to the betting rate 3, all the balls flowing down from the receiving port 33A are temporarily stored in the ball storage chamber 65. Then, after a lapse of time until the last one in the row of balls corresponding to the maximum bet rate 3 should be checked by the count sensor 56, the number of balls taken in corresponding to the bet rate 1 to bet rate 3 Check if there is, and if it is correct, the second intake solenoid 67
Is operated to open the storage gate 66 of the ball storage chamber 65.

The advantages of this configuration are that illicit acts can be prevented and the flow path to the switching valve 57 of the intake gutter 33 can be short. Misconduct is, for example, an act of blocking the flow of a ball that should be taken in by a piano wire or the like due to dust in the section where the first row of balls is present. The number of passing balls actually taken into the entrance 33A of the gutter 33 is the number of unit balls according to the bet rate (5 for 1 unit, 10 for 2 units).
This is an inconvenient situation that it should be less than that (eg 3, 6, 12), though it should be 15 in 3 units.

Such inconvenience is caused by changing the switching valve 57 provided in the middle of the intake gutter 33,
By switching the intake side to open the flow path on the return gutter 58 side, a temporary solution can be made. However, in this method, it is determined that the count sensor 56 has been taken in during normal operation 1
The switching operation of the switching valve 57 cannot be determined until the last ball of unit, 2 units, or 3 units is checked. The time at which the count sensor 56 checks the last ball must come earlier in time than the time at which the captured first ball reaches the switching valve 57. Therefore, in the above method, the flow path to the switching valve 57 must be set relatively long, and is effective only when there is a space that can be set so long.

However, when the storage chamber 65 is provided, the time difference between the first ball and the last ball is shortened, so that the flow path to the switching valve 57 of the intake gutter 33 can be shortened to the necessary minimum length. In addition, until the last ball uptake is confirmed, the final uptake of balls before that is held, so if the number of balls that flowed into the storage chamber 65 is incorrect, it is judged that there was misconduct. The operation of the gaming machine can be prohibited and the stored ball can be quickly returned to the player.

There are two types of methods for this return processing. The first processing method is to stop the operation of the ball capturing device 30, operate the flow path converting mechanism 59 and the storage gate 66, and return the storage ball itself to the player, and the capturing operation at that time. Is treated as invalid. In the second processing method, the stored balls themselves are not returned to the player, but instead, the same number of prize balls as the hemisphere is returned from the prize ball discharging device 40 to the player.

Immediately after the completion of the proper ball capturing operation, when it is detected that there are no more than half the number of unit balls in the ball capturing device 30, the return gutter 58 is automatically operated. The flow path conversion mechanism 59 is operated to switch the switching valve 57 (FIG. 5) so that the return gutter 58 side is opened, and the storage gate 66 and the intake solenoids 52 and 67 of the cam 50 are urged to Automatic removal of fractional pachinko balls is performed. In this way, it is possible to automatically return the fractional balls to the lower plate 22.
There is an advantage that the player does not need to operate the return switch 24 for returning the fractional balls.

When the number of balls in the ball capturing device 30 does not reach the minimum unit number of balls, or when pachinko balls are removed from the ball at the time of settlement, the return switch 24 is operated. Thereby, the return solenoid 60 of the switching valve 57, the intake solenoid 52 of the cam 50, and the storage gate.
The second intake solenoid 67 of 66 is energized, and the balls in the ball intake device 30 and the balls of the upper tray 16 are returned to the lower tray 22 through the return gutter 58 from the leading ball.

It should be noted that the flow path converting mechanism 59 of the embodiment is not always necessary in the configuration in which the prize ball discharging device 40 is returned to the player.
That is, when it is desired to omit the switching valve 57 etc., regardless of the number of balls, it will be taken into the collection trough 48 in all cases, and the number of prize balls corresponding to the actually detected number of balls will be awarded. Ball ejector
This is because, by adopting a configuration in which 40 is returned to the player, it is possible to substantially remove the ball from the upper plate 16.

Other specific examples of ball capturing device (a) Ball capturing device of FIG. 6 This capturing device 30 is a unit ball for capturing any N (N ≧ 1) pachinko balls (here, 5). Another specific example of a format (unit variable expression) that can be a number will be shown.

68 is a take-in rotary member arranged at the downstream end opening of the downflow gutter 32,
It is configured as a sprocket having a plurality of (five in this example corresponding to the number of unit spheres) semicircular sphere receiving recesses 68A in the periphery. The take-in rotating body 68 is attached to an output shaft 69A of a pulse motor 69 that runs laterally at right angles to the flow-down direction of the flow-down gutter 32, and a lower portion thereof faces the flow-down gutter 32 from above. The sphere of the downflow gutter 32 is configured so that it cannot flow down to the intake gutter 33 unless the upper part enters into the semicircular sphere receiving recess 68A.

In this example, the convex portion 68B remaining between the adjacent ball receiving concave portions 68A, 68A
Is stationary at a position that blocks downward flow of the ball and is rotated from one blocking position to the next. During this time, the ball receiving recess
68A and convex portion 68B alternately pass through the inside of the downflow gutter 32, and the ball receiving concave portion 68A
A receives the leading ball and sends it out in the axial direction of the downflow gutter 32. The rotation angle position of the take-in rotary body 68 is determined by the number of pulses input to the pulse motor 69, and therefore the pulse motor 69
A desired number of balls can be made to flow down from the flow-down gutter 32 to the intake gutter 33 by rotating the. In this example, when the output shaft 69A is rotated once, five units for one unit are taken in.

(B) Ball take-in device of FIG. 7 This take-in device 30 is also a concrete example of the unit variable type, but the central axis of rotation of the take-in rotor 68, that is, the output shaft 69A of the pulse motor 69.
6 is different from FIG. 6 in that it is directed toward the downflow direction of the downflow gutter 32.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a downflow blocking plate that also functions as a mounting frame for the pulse motor 69, and is located downstream from the downstream end opening of the downflow trough 32 with a space of about half a ball. The take-in rotating body 68 is arranged so as to slide in contact with the downstream end opening of the downflow gutter 32. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the take-in rotary body 68 normally stands still at the "blocking position" in which the convex portion 68B remaining between the adjacent ball receiving concave portions 68A and 68A coincides with the axis of the downward flow of the spherical balls. And is rotated from one blocking position to the next. During this time, the ball receiving concave portion 68A and the convex portion 68B alternately pass through the inside of the downflow gutter 32, and when the ball receiving concave portion 68A coincides with the axis of the ball flowing downward as shown in FIG. The leading ball is received and dropped in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the downflow gutter. Therefore, as in this example, in the case of the take-in rotating body 68 in which one unit or more, that is, six ball receiving concave portions 68A are arranged in the surroundings, the pulse motor 6 is used.
9 is 6/360 = 1/60, so five balls for one unit are taken from the downflow gutter 32 into the intake gutter 33 while rotating 60 ° × 5 = 300 °. Reference numeral 71 is a case for preventing spillage for dropping a ball laterally blown from the rotating intake rotating body 68 into the receiving opening 33A of the lower intake gutter 33.

(C) Ball take-in device of FIG. 9 This ball take-in device 30 is also a unit variable type, and is similar to that of FIG. 4 in that a cam 50 is used. However, unlike the case of FIG. 4, the storage chamber 65 and the second intake solenoid are different.
67 does not exist. Therefore, it is suitable to return the hemisphere by paying the same number of prize balls from the prize discharge device 40 side.

The flow-down gutter 32 has the same structure as the prize ball discharge device 40 described later in FIG. 10, and has an inclined guide gutter 320A facing the cam 72, and a flow control gutter 320B following the guide gutter 320A. The flow control trough section 320B is provided with a rectifying trough section 320C which is bent at approximately 90 degrees, and a pressure reducing section 320D is provided by a step in the middle of the rectifying trough section 320C. 320E indicates a turning portion that changes the flowing ball by about 90 degrees. The cam 72 is in the form of a quarter disk and is supported by the shaft 72A at the upstream end of the intake gutter 33. The cam 72 is usually
A return spring 72B provided on the shaft 72A causes the shaft 72A to stand still at the ball downflow blocking position shown in FIG. When the intake solenoid 52 is urged, the cam 72 is raised to the release position that allows the ball to flow down. The count sensor 56 is provided at the tip end of the downflow gutter 32 so that it can be detected from the first ball.

In the variable position uptake device shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, the value of pachinko balls fluctuates as prices rise,
Even if the number of unit balls to be taken in should be changed, this can be dealt with promptly without changing the configuration.

Prize Ball Ejecting Device FIG. 10 shows a specific example of the prize ball ejecting device 40 for ejecting prize balls with an arbitrary number of pachinko steel balls (here, five) as the unit number of balls.

The prize ball discharge device 40 includes a bent downflow gutter 73 that connects the lead-out chute 39 and the prize ball discharge gutter 41 (see FIG. 3), a blocking position for blocking the ball downflow of the downflow gutter 73, and a ball downflow. It has a fan-shaped cam 74 that can be converted into an allowed release position, and a discharge solenoid 75 that rotates the cam 74 around a shaft 74B provided at a required position of the fan to switch from the blocking position to the release position.

The flow-down gutter 73 includes an inclined guide gutter part 73A facing the cam 74, a flow control gutter part 73B continuing to the upstream side of the guide gutter part 73A, and a rectifying gutter bent at about 90 degrees from the flow control gutter part 73B. The pressure reducing portion 73D is provided by a step in the middle of the rectifying gutter portion 73C. Further, in the curved passage portion of approximately 90 degrees which is the boundary between the flow regulating trough portion 73B and the flow regulating portion 73C, a turning portion 73E for changing the flowing down prize ball by approximately 90 degrees is provided at the outer corner. is there.

The length of the guide trough portion 73A and the flow regulating portion 73C is the turning portion at the unit prize ball number (fifth) B5 counting from the prize ball B1 blocked by the cam 74.
It is set to contact the 73E. Further, the relationship with the alignment portion 73C is such that the position where the fifth prize ball B5 contacts the sixth prize ball B6 occurs above the center of the fifth prize ball B1. . With this structure, the ball pressure of the prize ball on the upstream side of the sixth prize ball B5 is the fifth prize ball B5 in contact with the turning portion 73E.
Acts to push down vertically. Therefore, when the cam 74 reaches the release position shown by the dotted line, the first to fifth series of prize balls continuously and smoothly flow down,
The sixth prize ball collides with the deflecting portion 73E and the downflow direction is changed by about 90 degrees, so that it takes time to pass. That is, the sixth prize ball B1 is delayed with respect to the fifth prize ball B1, and the interval between them is increased. Therefore, when paying an integral multiple of the number of unit prize balls, each time the unit number of prize balls (5) passes, a break can be made in the flow of the prize balls, and the cam 74 can surely operate in time. It is possible to return to the blocking position.

Reference numeral 76 is a photoelectric type count sensor provided at the position of the second prize ball B2, and 76A indicates its detection position. When the first to seventh prize balls are blocked by the cam 74 as shown in FIG. 11, the count sensor 76 detects the second prize ball B2 and its output is in a rising state. It is in. First
The sensor 77 is a sensor for confirming whether or not there are spheres having the number of unit prize spheres, and detects the fifth prize sphere B5 in the figure.

The prize ball from the guide gutter portion 73A of the prize ball discharge device 40 is released to the prize ball discharge gutter 41 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 11, a switching valve 78, which is a component of the upper tank ball removing device 44, is provided in the middle of the prize ball discharge trough 41. The switching valve 78 normally opens the prize ball discharge gutter 41 side as shown in FIG. 12 (A), and switches to the ball discharge gutter 45 side as shown in FIG. 12 (B) when removing the ball. To be A rotary rod 79 is fixed to the rotary shaft 78A of the switching valve 78 on the outer surface of the prize ball discharge trough 41.
The pin 79A at the tip of the is an operating rod that can swing around the support shaft 80A.
It is loosely fitted in the slit 80B of 80. The operating rod 80 is usually pulled by a spring 81, and holds the switching valve 78 at a position where the prize ball discharge trough 41 side shown in FIG. 12 (A) is opened. When the actuating rod 80 is rotated against the spring 81 by urging the ball removal solenoid 79 fixed to the side surface of the prize ball discharge trough 41, the switching valve 78 causes the ball removal shown in FIG. 12 (B). Switched to gutter 45 side.

Control Device FIG. 13 is a configuration example of the control device 8 using a microcomputer, which has a CPU 90, a ROM 91 and a RAM 82 composed of a non-volatile memory. According to the program written in the ROM 91, the CPU 90 takes in external data required from the input port 83, or exchanges data with the RAM 92, performs arithmetic processing, and processes as necessary. The data is output to the output port 94 or the voice IC (voice circuit) 95.

The main routine is shown in FIG. 14, and "input detection processing""grade selection processing""ball loading processing""game start processing""drum rotation processing""drum stop processing""judgmentprocessing""prizeball" Ejection process "Stopping process""Processing mode update"
Each process is defined. Although not shown, each of the "general game" and "special game" processes in the subroutine of the determination process, and "prize ball number calculation" in each of the general game and special game processes Processing is defined.
Each of the "grade selection process", "ball loading process", "game start process", "drum rotation process", "drum stop process", "judgment process", and "prize ball discharge process" is performed in process mode 1 to process mode 7. It is done sequentially. When the "update flag" becomes "1" in any of the subroutines from "input detection processing" to "stop processing", the processing mode is updated to the next processing mode (processing mode update) The update flag is set to "0" to return to the first "input detection process".

An example of the fetching operation will be described below according to the flow shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. As the applicable capture device 30,
It is the one shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

Confirmation of existence of minimum unit sphere number When the program starts, the microcomputer enters "input detection processing" (step). First, a port designation signal is given to the input port 93 to check whether the first sensor 53 of the ball capturing device 30 has a pachinko ball statically for a predetermined time.

In step 1.04 of FIG. 15, first, the "rise timer" is set when the first sensor 53 detects a sphere and rises (1.08). When the player first throws the ball into the upper plate 16, the rising timer is set only if the thrown flowing ball is temporarily detected, or it is set to a stationary state. This is because it is not possible to distinguish whether the existing sphere was detected. Next, it is checked whether or not the ball is stationary on the first sensor 53 for a predetermined timer time of the rising timer. That is, returning to step 1.03, it is checked whether the first sensor 53 is ON while the rising timer is in use (1.0
9) If it is still ON, wait for the rising timer to expire (1.11). If the rising timer times out, it means that the sphere is statically present, so
Set the "sphere flag" to "1" (1.11, 1.12). If the first sensor 53 returns to OFF while using the rising timer (1.03, 1.09), the ball was in a flowing state, so the rising timer is released (1.10), and step 1.08
Reset the rising timer of.

On the other hand, when the first sensor 53 does not detect a sphere, it is determined whether it is a temporary one based on the operation of the sphere capturing device 30 or a continuous one caused by the absence of the sphere. To determine, the CPU sets the "fall timer" when the ball is no longer detected (1.06, 1.13). Then, when the first sensor 53 detects a sphere and switches to ON within this timer time (1.05, 1.14), the fall timer is temporarily canceled (1.15). However, when the ball is not detected even after the falling timer time has elapsed and the first sensor 53 is still OFF (1.05, 1.14, 1.16), the ball is not in the upper plate 16 and the ball capturing device 30. Since it is in a state, "no ball flag" is set to "1", and "sphere flag" is returned to "0" (1.17, 1.1
8).

Ball removal by return switch In steps 1.19 to 1.27 in Fig. 15, the player presses the return switch 24 (Fig. 1) during the period other than the ball capturing process (process mode 2) described later. If the intake solenoid 52
And the return solenoid 60 and the second intake solenoid 67 are operated to remove the ball from the intake device 30. That is, the return switch 24 is pressed and the processing mode 2
If it is confirmed to be other than (1.02, 1.19), set "ball removal flag" to "1" and energize all solenoids 52, 60, 67 (hereinafter referred to as "ball removal device") (1.20, 1.21). ). As a result, the balls in the downflow gutter 32 flow down from the ball removal gutter 34, the return gutter 58, and the lower tray 22. When the pulse motor 69 is used like the ball take-in device 30 of FIG. 6, the pulse motor 69 is one component of the ball removing device.

When the ball removal flag becomes "1", the CPU proceeds from step 1.01 to step 1.23, and waits for the no-ball flag = "1" to be set (1.23). If the no-ball flag = "1" is set, the last ball in the row of balls has just passed directly below the first sensor S1, so the "ball removal timer" is set to completely remove the ball up to this last ball. Yes (1.24). Then, wait for the ball removal timer time to elapse and wait for the last ball removal to finish (1.01, 1.22, 1.25),
Return the ball non-ball flag and the ball removal flag to "0" and use the ball removal device.
Turn OFF to stop the operation of the ball removing device (1.26, 1.2
7). Further, the grade indicators 18A, 18B, 18C are turned off. Thus, the return switch 24 becomes effective and the ball can be removed except during the taking-in operation.

Grade Selection Processing Subsequently, the grade selection processing of processing mode = 1 is entered (14th
Steps in the figure).

In steps 3.02 and 3.03 of FIG. 16, the CPU checks whether the "sphere flag" and the "no flag" are "1". If the sphere flag = “1”, it means that the first sensor 53 is in the ON state for a certain period of time, and at least the number of spheres (5 spheres) are present in a state where the spheres are not flowing. .

(B) When there is a ball When the flag with a ball = "1" is confirmed, the grade display of the betting rate starts (3.02). First, the third sensor 55 and the second sensor 54 are operated for a certain period of time in order to display a betable unit by the combination of the lighting states of the grade indicators 18C, 18B and 18A.
Check if it is ON, that is, if there are 3 units (15) or 2 units (10) spheres (3.06, 3.
11).

Now there are 3 units of spheres (15 spheres), so the 1st to 3rd
If all the sensors 53, 54, 55 are ON (3.02, 3.0
(6, 3.11), first check whether the "wager rate is less than 1" (3.07). "Betting rate less than 1" means that the betting rate as a result of the player operating the grade selection switches 17A, 17B, 17C has not reached one unit, specifically, the grade selection switch 17A, This means that neither 17B nor 17C is pressed. If "betting rate is less than 1", 3 units are still bet, so bet grade indicators 18C, 18B of 3 units, 2 units, 1 unit,
18A is turned on and the player is informed that the operation is possible (3.08, 3.09, 3.10).

If "wager rate is less than 1" (3.07), already 3 credits, 2
Since either the unit or the unit has been bet, the process proceeds to step 3.11 and after confirming that the second sensor 54 is ON for a certain time (3.11), the bet is less than 2 units. It is checked whether or not it is "betting rate less than 2" (3.12). If YES, you can still bet 2 additional credits, so 2 credits and 1 credit grade indicator 18
B and 18A are turned on to inform the player that the operation is possible (3.09, 3.10).

If neither "bet rate less than 1" or "bet rate less than 2" (3.07, 3.09), 2 or more units have already been bet, so proceed to step 3.13 to see if the bet is smaller than 3 units. That is, it is checked whether or not the "bet rate is less than 3" (3.13). If YES, you can still bet 1 unit, so turn on the grade indicator 18A for 1 unit,
Inform the player that the operation is possible (3.10).

Now, if the grade selection switch 17C is pressed first (3.14), the CPU determines whether or not the grade selection switch 17C is selectable by looking at whether or not the grade indicator 18C is lit (3.20). . If YES, the bet is 3 units, so the CPU sets the bet rate memory to “3” (3.2
1), all of the bet line display lamps 20 belonging to a total of 5 lines including the upper, middle, lower 3 horizontal lines 19 and two oblique lines 19
Is lit, and all of them are displayed as betting targets. Also, increase the bet rate by 3 (3.22), write "15" as the "number of captures" (3.23), and determine the release time of the cam 50 required to capture the number of balls for 3 units. Set the built-in timer A (3.24) and set the effect A data (3.
twenty five). Then, the import flag is set to "1" and the update flag is set to "1".
Then proceed to step 3.17 (3.26, 3.27). Since the "wager rate is 3", the judgment in step 3.17 is YES, and all three grade indicators 18A, 18B, 18C are turned off (3.28, 2.2
(9, 3.30), indicating that the additional bet rate can no longer be increased and returns to step 3.01.

On the other hand, when the grade selection switch 17B is first pressed and two units are bet, the bet rate memory is set to "2" (3.32),
Two bet line indicators that belong to the upper and lower horizontal lines 19
20 is lit to indicate that the three upper, lower, middle and horizontal lines 19 are to be bet. Also, increase the bet rate by 2 (3.
33), write "10" as the "number of imports" (3.3
4) Set the capture timer B for setting the release time of the cam 50 required to capture the number of balls for 2 units (3.35), and set the data of the sound effect B (3.36). Then, the fetch flag is set to "1" and the update flag is set to "1", and the process proceeds to steps 3.17 and 3.18 (3.26, 3.27). "Betting rate 2" is reached, so step
The judgment of 3.18 is YES, and the grade indicators 18B and 18C are 2
One is turned off (3.29, 3.30) and only the grade indicator 18A is left on, indicating that only one additional unit can increase the bet rate. Thereafter, if the player additionally presses the grade selection switch 17A to bet another unit, the CPU increments the bet rate (2) by 1 to "3" (3.39). All of the grade indicators 18A, 18B, and 18C are turned off for the above reason.

When the grade selection switch 17A is pressed first and only one unit is bet (3.16, 3.37), the bet rate memory is set to "1" (3.38), and the center one of the bet line display lamps 20 is turned on. Then, the player is informed that the horizontal line 19 at the center is the betting line targeted for betting. In addition, the bet rate is incremented by 1 (3.39), "5" is written as "the number of captures" (3.40), and an action for determining the release time of the cam 50 necessary to capture one unit of the number of balls is performed. Set the import timer C, set the import flag and the update flag to "1", and perform steps 3.17, 3.18,
Proceed to 3.19 (3.26, 3.27). Since the "wager rate is 1", the judgment in step 3.19 becomes YES, the grade indicator 18C is turned off (3.30), only the grade indicators 18A and 18B are left on, and only two units are bet. Indicates that the rate cannot be increased. Thereafter, if the player additionally bets 1 unit or 2 units, the betting rate is +1 or +.
It is increased to “2” or “3” (3.39, 3.33). Eventually, when the betting rate reaches 3 units, grade indicators 18A, 18
Both B and 18C are turned off.

If the betting rate determined in this way is present, wait for the start switch (start lever 19) to be turned on, and then jump to the game start processing (processing mode = 3),
At that time, the bet rate is returned to “0” (3.43 to 3.45).

(B) In the case of no ball When the "no ball flag" is "1", the "no ball timer" is set, the "update flag" is set to "1", and the ball import process of FIG. 3.03 to 3.05).

Ball Capture Processing When the bet rate is confirmed and the capture flag “1” is set (3.26), the ball capture processing is subsequently started (step in FIG. 14).

(B) Normal loading operation If it is determined in step 5.02 in Fig. 17 that the loading flag is "1", the CPU turns on the loading solenoid 52 (5.0
5), move the cam 50 to the release position and operate the intake device. The pachinko ball is released from the cam 50 and flows down into the intake gutter 33. The ball flowing down the downflow gutter 32 is a count sensor
When it is detected by 56 and the count sensor 56 rises once,
Subtract -1 from the "number of captures" set in steps 3.23, 3.32, and 3.40 (5.07). Steps 5.02 and 5.04 to 5.08 are repeated, and each time, the number of acquisitions is decreased by -1. The number of pachinko balls is sequentially stored in the storage chamber 65. When “the number of taken in” becomes 0 (5.08), it means that the predetermined number of balls has safely entered the storage chamber 65. Returning the intake solenoid 52 to OFF and generating sound effect (5.09, 5.10), grade indicator 18A, 18B, 18C
Is temporarily turned off (5.11), and the storage solenoid, that is, the second intake solenoid 67 is turned on (5.12). As a result, a predetermined number of take-in operations corresponding to any of the take-in numbers (bet rates) “15”, “10”, and “5” set in the grade selection process are completed once. Return the import flag to "0" (5.1
3).

The program step comes back to step 5.02 again. Since the take-in flag has been returned to "0", the determination here is NO, the processing mode is returned to "1" in step 5.03, and the grade selection processing is started again. Therefore, the additional bet rate can be increased, and in the same manner as described above, the operation of capturing the number of balls according to the bet rate is performed. However, since the stored bet rate remains the same, the range of units that can be bet by subsequent grade selection is narrowed until the added cumulative value becomes 3 units. As described above. If you don't increase your bet rate
When the start lever 13 is pushed, the betting rate stored at the same time as the game start processing of the processing mode = 3 is returned to "0" (3.45).

(B) In the case of no sphere Next, when the first sensor 53 cannot confirm the existence of one unit of the sphere at the time when the sphere of the predetermined unit has been taken in, the grade shown in Fig. 16 is used. Selection process steps 3.03, 3.
In 04, "no ball timer" is set. The CPU continues to return the solenoid (flow path switching solenoid) 60 and the second intake solenoid (reservoir) until the ball-free timer is typed up, that is, until a time sufficient to allow five balls to flow down has elapsed. Turn on the solenoid 67) and the intake solenoid 52 (5.01, 5.15 to 5.17). When the ball removal time has elapsed, the intake solenoid 52, the second intake solenoid 67, and the return solenoid 60 are turned off (5.18-5.20), and the grade indicators 18A-18C are returned to "0" (5.21). Then, the no-sphere flag is returned to "0" (5.22) and the processing mode is returned to "1" (5.0
3).

(C) Insufficient number of balls to be captured When the count sensor 56 cannot confirm the passage of a predetermined number of balls due to some abnormality such as dust or fraud during the capturing operation, that is, the determination in step 5.08. If not YES, step 3.2 of the grade selection process in Figure 16
"Acquisition timer" set in 4, 3.55, 3.41 will be upgraded (5.04). The CPU immediately turns on the intake solenoid 52.
FF (5.23) and grade indicators 18A-18C to "0"
Return to (5.24), that is, treat that capture as invalid.
Further, the return solenoid 60 is turned on and the switching valve 57 is switched, and the flow path is set to the return gutter 58 side (5.25), and the storage chamber is operated by the intake operation.
Prepare to return the hemisphere flowing into 65 to the player. Since the number of balls in the take-in action is treated as invalid, the "bet rate" is reduced by "the bet rate memory for this take-in action" (5.26). Then, the second intake solenoid 67 is turned on for a certain period of time.
Then, the pachinko ball in the storage chamber 65 is returned to the player (5.27).
After that, the return solenoid 60 is turned off, the switching valve 57 is returned to the original state (5.28), the intake flag is set to "0", and the processing mode is set to "1".
Return to (5.13, 5.03).

Other capture operation example The grade of FIG. 18 is the selection process and the flow of the ball capture process of FIG. 19 is such that when the number of captured balls is insufficient, the semi-end ball is not returned to the player, This is completely taken in and collected, and instead, the prize ball discharging device 40 discharges as many pachinko balls as prize balls as the number of balls already taken in, and the number of balls taken in is equivalently played. It is an example of control returned to a person. Applicable capture devices 30 are those shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.

The grade selection process of FIG. 18 differs from that of FIG. 16 in steps 3.23, 3.34, and 3.40. That is, the selection of the grade selection switch 17C, 17B, 17A is effective, and when it is pressed (3.14, 3.15, 3.16), the "confirmation acquisition number I" and the "target acquisition number II" are selected. It means that "15", "10", and "5" are respectively written as the two data.

Also, the first point in which the ball loading process in FIG. 19 differs from that in FIG. 17 is that
Steps related to second intake solenoid 67 of storage chamber 65 (first
17 that there is no 5.12, 5.16, 5.19). Therefore, even if a hemisphere occurs, the hemisphere is not directly returned to the player, but is collected by the collecting trough 48 via the confluent trough 46.

The second difference from FIG. 17 is step 5.20 in FIG.
5 to 5.30 are points in place of the processing flow for returning the number of prize balls from the prize ball discharging device 40 to the player as many as the number of hemispheres.
More specifically, when the count sensor 56 cannot detect the predetermined number of balls during the taking-in operation due to some abnormality such as dust or cheating, that is, the judgment in step 5.08 of FIG. 19 does not become YES. At this time, the "acquisition timer" is typed up as described above (5.04).

The CPU immediately turns off the intake solenoid 52 and sounds an alarm for 1 second (5.20, 5.21). And the number of balls actually captured,
That is, the value obtained by subtracting the "remaining confirmation capture number I subtracted by the actual capture number sphere in step 5.07" from the "target capture number II" is written as the "prize ball discharge number" (5.22 ). For example,
If the target number of captures II is 5, and the number of actual captures is 3, then the number of confirmation captures I at that time is I.
Is “2”, so 5-2 = 3 is “number of prize balls discharged”
Write as. Next, the discharge solenoid 75 of the prize ball discharging device 40 is turned on (5.23), and every time the discharge count sensor 76 is turned on, the "number of discharged prize balls" is decremented by -1 (5.24, 5.2).
Five). When the number of prize balls discharged is the same as the number of balls actually captured and the number of prize balls discharged is "0" (5.26), the discharge solenoid 75
To OFF and the grade indicators 18A to 18C to OFF (5.
27, 5.28). Then, the take-in flag is set to "0", the bet rate is returned to "0" (5.29), the discharge count sensor 76 is turned on once, and then the process mode is returned to "1" (5.30, 5.03).

This means that the same number of prize balls that were actually captured can be returned to the player. The reason why the discharge count sensor is turned ON once is to accurately perform the number of prize balls for the next discharge operation in relation to the sense position of the discharge count sensor 76.

(Effect of the invention) The pachinko ball that flows down from the upper plate provided on the front of the game machine into the downflow gutter is once blocked by the uptake device provided in the middle of the downflow gutter, and is prevented from flowing down. Whether the sensor in the downflow gutter has the minimum number of unit spheres to be taken into the gutter when it is stopped in the downflow gutter, that is, before the intake device operates in response to a command from the control device. First, check the control device to determine whether to activate the capture device, prevent the capture of hemispheres that do not reach the minimum number of unit balls, and prevent the capture device from capturing. It is possible to double check whether or not the minimum number of balls have flowed down into the intake gutter that is collected into the aircraft.

Therefore, if there is an accident in which the ball remains in the capturing device for some reason such as fraudulent activity or ball clogging, the fact can be immediately known.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a gaming machine to which the unit ball number capturing device of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view with a front frame opened, and FIG. 4 is a storage chamber. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a flow path conversion mechanism part of the sphere uptake device having a sphere, FIG. 6 is a view showing a concrete example of another uptake device, FIG. 7 and FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a specific example of the intake device without a storage chamber, FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the intake device in FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a prize ball. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a discharge device, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a flow path conversion mechanism part belonging to a ball discharge gutter, FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the switching operation, and FIG. 13 is a computer as a control device. Block diagram of the system, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the main program, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of control of the ball capturing device, FIG. 18 and 19 Figure is a flow diagram illustrating another control example of the sphere capture device. 1 ... Machine frame, 3 ... Front frame 13 ... Start switch, 14 ... Stop switch 15 ... Stop indicator, 16 ... Upper plate 17 ... Grade selection switch 18 ... Grade indicator, 19 ... Direction line 20 …… Bet line indicator lamp, 22 …… Lower plate 28 …… Stop indicator, 30 …… Ball pick-up device 31 …… Mounting board, 32 …… Downflow gutter 32A …… Ball outlet, 32B… … Aperture 33 …… Intake gutter, 33A …… Ball inlet 34 …… Ball removal gutter, 37 …… Upper tank 40 …… Award ball discharge device, 41 …… Ball discharge gutter 44 …… Upper ball removal device , 45 …… Ball removal gutter 46 …… Merge gutter, 50 …… Cam 51 …… Lever, 52 …… Intake solenoid 53 …… First sensor, 54 …… Second sensor 55 …… Third sensor 56 …… Passing ball detector (count sensor) 57 …… Switching valve, 58 …… Return gutter 59 …… Flow conversion mechanism, 65 …… Sphere storage chamber 66 …… Storage gate, 67 …… Second intake solenoid 68 …… Capture rotation Body, 68A ...... Ball receiving recess 69 ...... Pulse motor, 70 …… Flow stop plate 73 …… Flow gutter, 74 …… Cam 75 …… Discharge solenoid, 76 …… Discharge count sensor 90 …… CPU, 91 …… ROM 92 …… RAM

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A unit ball number capturing device for a game machine using a pachinko ball, wherein a predetermined number of pachinko balls are used as a unit to play a game and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid according to the weight of the game result. , A downflow gutter that guides a ball from an upper plate provided on the front of the game machine to the downflow gutter, an uptake device provided to allow the uptake of the ball in the middle of the downflow gutter, and the uptake device is controlled. A controller for taking in the number of spheres corresponding to the number of unit spheres, a sensor for detecting the presence of the number of spheres corresponding to the minimum unit in the downflow gutter, and counting the number of spheres actually taken into the intake gutter. For counting the number of unit balls of a game machine using pachinko balls, which has a count sensor for