JP2000262667A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of out-of-ball in the middle of bonus ball discharge or the clearance of credit balls by equipping a sensor for detecting whether stand-by balls being a max. ball number or more exist as the bonus balls or not in a game machine by which a variable display game is executed by means of gambling the balls and operating switches. SOLUTION: A ball discharge device 60 arranged on the rear surface of the game machine 100 such as a slot machine is provided with a ball flow passage 61 communicating with a storage tank 81, a discharge ball detecting sensor for detecting the ball discharged from the terminal end of the passage 61 at every ball and a discharge solenoid or the like for restricting the flow- down of the balls in the passage 61 and discharging the desired number of stand-by balls from the terminal end of the passage 61. In this case, the max. bonus ball number detecting sensor 64 for detecting whether the stand-by ball being the max. ball number (75 balls, for example) or more exist as the one-time bonus balls or not is set inside the zigzag passage 61. When it is detected that the stand-by balls are less than the max. ball number as the one-time bonus balls, the variable display game is disabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is based on the assumption that a variable display game is performed by betting a ball and a switch operation is performed, and that a stop result mode of the variable display game is a predetermined result mode. The present invention also relates to a gaming device in which a required number of prize balls are provided by a ball discharging device according to the content of the result mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a variable display game has been performed by betting a ball (for example, a pachinko ball) and performing a switch operation, and the variable display game has been stopped in a predetermined result mode. Based on this, there has been proposed a slot machine in which a required number of prize balls are provided by a ball discharging device according to the content of the result mode. In gaming machines such as slot machines using such ball game media,
Generally, a game is played in units of balls (for example, 5 balls) corresponding to one coin as a game medium.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, since the game is played in units of a predetermined number of balls, one prize ball given from the ball discharging device is used for the pachinko gaming machine. This has a problem in that the number of balls becomes extremely large as compared with the like, and the ball is liable to be broken during the discharging of the prize ball. As a result, there was a fear that the player might have distrust and seem to be not playing a fair game. Further, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming device, for example, when a credit means for storing a ball held by a player as a credit ball within a predetermined number range is provided, the credit ball becomes very similar to the prize ball. Increase, pay out credit spheres as real spheres (pay credit spheres)
In this case, there is a problem that the ball is easily broken.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to reduce such a problem that a ball runs out during the discharge of award balls or the settlement of credit balls. It is an object to provide a gaming device.

[0005]

According to an aspect of the present invention, a variable display game is performed by performing a switch operation by betting a ball, and the variable display game is stopped. Is a predetermined result mode, and a required number of prize balls are provided by the ball discharging device (60) according to the content of the result mode in a gaming device (for example, a slot machine 100). A maximum prize ball number detection sensor for detecting whether or not a standby ball to be provided by the ball discharge device is present as a single prize ball provided by the ball discharge device at a maximum ball number or more. 64).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the standby ball to be provided by the ball discharging device is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball provided by the ball discharging device. Since the sensor for detecting the maximum number of balls to be detected is provided, it is possible to control the gaming device based on whether or not the standby ball is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball. become. For example, if the waiting ball is the 1
If the control for disabling the variable display game is performed when the maximum number of balls is less than the maximum number of prize balls, it is possible to reduce the problem that the ball runs out during the discharge of the prize balls. .

Here, the variable display game is a game in which a plurality of types of identification information (for example, symbols) are variably displayed (variably displayed) in a predetermined display area. The standby sphere to be given by the ball discharge device is a sphere that can be discharged from the ball discharge device and is retained in a sphere discharge device or a sphere channel upstream of the sphere discharge device. As the maximum prize ball detection sensor, for example, a photoelectric switch, a limit switch, a proximity switch, and the like, as long as the standby sphere can detect whether or not the one or more prize balls are equal to or more than the maximum sphere. Such a format may be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the waiting ball to be given by the ball discharging device is based on the detection of the maximum winning ball number detection sensor. A maximum prize ball number determining means (for example, a game control device 50 or the like) for determining whether or not there is a maximum prize ball number or more as one prize ball given by Game disabling means (for example, a game control device 50 or the like) for disabling the variable display game based on the determination that the variable display game is less than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball. The configuration was adopted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waiting ball to be given by the ball ejection device is given by the ball ejection device based on the detection of the maximum winning ball number detection sensor.
Maximum prize ball number determining means for determining whether or not the number of prize balls is equal to or more than the maximum prize ball number, and the standby sphere is filled by the maximum prize ball number by the maximum prize ball number determination means. And a game disabling means for disabling the variable display game based on the determination that there is no prize ball if the standby ball does not reach the maximum number of balls as the single prize ball. When the number is determined by the number determination means, the variable display game is disabled by the game disablement means. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the problem that the ball runs out during the discharge of the prize ball.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, credit means (for example, a game control device 50 or the like) for storing a ball held by the player as a credit ball within a predetermined number range. A credit free space determining means for determining whether or not the free space of credit storage that can be stored by the credit means is equal to or larger than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball given by the ball discharging device (for example, If the credit free space determination means determines that the free space in the credit storage is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball, the maximum free prize is determined. Control for enabling the variable display game even when the number-of-balls determining means determines that the standby ball is less than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball. It was configured to be carried out.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the free space of the credit storage which can be stored by the credit means is equal to or larger than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball given by the ball discharging device, In the case where the judgment is made by the free space judging means, even when the maximum prize ball number judging means judges that the standby ball is less than the maximum ball number as the one prize ball, the variable display game is performed. Since the enabling control is performed, it is possible to prevent the variable display game from being disabled more than necessary.

Here, the free space of credit storage is
It is obtained by subtracting the credit storage number already stored in the credit means from the maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored by the credit means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the first aspect, a credit means (for example, a game control device 50 or the like) for storing a ball held by the player as a credit ball within a predetermined number range. A maximum credit ball number detection sensor (65) for detecting whether or not a standby ball to be given by the ball discharging device is equal to or greater than a maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored by the credit means; Was provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the credit means for storing the balls held by the player as credit balls within a predetermined number range, and the standby ball to be given by the ball discharging device is the credit means. A maximum number of credit spheres detection sensor for detecting whether or not there is more than the maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored, so that the standby sphere exists above the maximum credit storage capacity. It is possible to control the gaming device based on whether or not it is playing. For example, if the standby ball is less than the maximum number of balls that can be stored by the credit means, if the control for disabling the credit ball settlement is performed, the ball runs out during the settlement of the credit ball. Such a problem can be reduced.

More specifically, examples of the maximum credit ball number detection sensor include a photoelectric switch, a limit switch,
Any type may be used as long as it is possible to detect whether or not the waiting ball is present at a maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored by the credit means, such as a proximity switch.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the third or fourth aspect, the ball flow path (61) capable of retaining the standby ball having a maximum credit storage capacity or more that can be stored by the credit means. ), And the spherical flow path is provided in a folded state.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ball flow path is provided in a zigzag state, the downward force of the standby ball can be reduced at a plurality of bent portions, and the back side of the gaming machine. The limited space on the side can be used efficiently.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine exemplified as a gaming machine according to the present invention.

The slot machine 100 according to this embodiment
Is a slot machine using a ball (pachinko ball) as a game medium. A front cover member 120 is attached to a front frame 110 of the slot machine so as to be openable and closable with a left end as an axis.

On the upper part of the front cover member 120, a special game state indicator 12,... For displaying the degree of progress of the special game state (big hit bonus game),
1 and the like are provided.

At the center of the front cover member 120, three variable display windows 4a, 4b, 4c are provided, and through each of the variable display windows 4a, 4b, 4c, three rotating windows independently rotating at the rear side thereof. Display (reel) 4A, 4B, 4C
, A variable display (display of a variable display game) of a plurality of types of identification information (for example, symbols) can be seen.
Each rotation display section 4A, 4B, 4C is provided with a start switch 1
(Described later) is pressed or a predetermined time elapses, or the corresponding stop switches 2a, 2b, and 2c (described later) are sequentially stopped by being pressed.
4B and 4C, each variable display window 4 is stopped.
From a, 4b, and 4c, identification information (including a blank)
3 stop indications can be seen.
When the combination of the stop displays (stop result mode) becomes a predetermined result mode, a required number of prize balls are given to the player according to the content of the result mode. ing.

Below the variable display windows 4a, 4b, 4c, stop enable indicators 3a, 3b indicating that the stop switches 2a, 2b, 2c corresponding to the respective rotary display units 4A, 4B, 4C are effective. , 3c, and a max bet switch 8 for setting the number of balls bet to the maximum (for example, 15 balls). On the right side of the variable display window 4c, a credit number display 13 for displaying the number of balls (the number of credits) stored as credit balls, and a single prize ball number given as a result of the variable display game are displayed. The award ball number display 14 and the like are provided. Further, on the left side of the variable display window 4a (not shown in FIG. 1), a line indicator 15 (FIG. 5) showing an effective line (combination of effective stop display positions) corresponding to the number of bets is provided. I have.

At the lower part of the front cover member 120, an upper plate 105 for supplying the balls to the take-in device 70 (FIG. 2), a lower plate 107 for storing the balls that cannot be accommodated in the upper plate 105, and an ashtray 106 And so on. On the front end face of the upper plate 105, a start switch 1 for starting a variable display game, stop switches 2a, 2b, 2c for stopping the respective rotation display units 4A, 4B, 4C, and a bet number of balls are provided. A 1-bet switch 6 for setting the number of unit balls (for example, 5 balls) and a 2-bet switch 7 for setting the number of balls to be doubled (for example, 10 balls) are set. In addition, below the upper plate 105, the capturing device 7
A flow path changeover switch 10 for switching between a ball taken in at 0 (FIG. 2) as a betting ball or discharging to the lower plate 107 without forming a betting ball, and a prize ball stored as a credit ball. A credit switch 9 is provided for switching between the operation and the discharge to the upper plate 105 with a real ball. This credit switch 9 has
The credit settlement possible display 9a (FIG. 5) is built in, and the switching state of the credit switch 9 is displayed by the display of the credit settlement possible display 9a.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the slot machine.

A storage tank 81 for storing a reserve ball (standby ball), and a ball guided downward from the storage tank 81 are provided on the back side of a front frame 110 which is openably and closably mounted on a main frame 130 of the slot machine 100. To the upper plate 105 (the upper plate 1
When 05 is full, the ball discharging device 60 for discharging to the lower plate 107), the capturing device 70 for capturing the ball in the upper plate 105 as a betting ball, a power supply device 83 having a power supply circuit, and a relay having an external output terminal A substrate 82 and the like are provided. Inside the storage tank 81, a tank ball out detector 81a for detecting a ball out in the storage tank 81 (FIG. 5)
Are arranged. In addition, the capturing device 70 includes a captured ball detection sensor 7 that can detect one ball captured as a betting ball.
1 (FIG. 5), a take-in solenoid 72 (FIG. 5) for taking in a required number of balls from the upper plate 105, and whether or not the number of balls that can be taken is equal to or more than the unit ball number (for example, 5 balls). And a two-bet ball detection sensor 77 for detecting whether or not the number of balls that can be captured is twice or more (for example, 10 balls) or more (for example, 10 balls). (FIG. 5),
A 3-bet ball detection sensor 78 (FIG. 5) for detecting whether or not the number of balls that can be taken is equal to or more than three times the number of unit balls (the maximum number of balls that can be taken as betting balls; for example, 15 balls). ). Downstream of the intake device 70, an upper plate 105
The flow path switching solenoid 10 for switching the ball taken into the take-in device 70 to either one of collecting as a betting ball or discharging to the lower plate 107 without forming a betting ball.
a (FIG. 5).

At the center opening 110A of the front frame 110,
As shown in FIG. 2, a rotary display device 4 having rotary display units 4A, 4B, and 4C is mounted in a state protruding from the back side of the front frame 110, and a control of a game system is provided on the back of the rotary display device 4. Is provided.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a ball flow path provided in the ball discharging device. FIG. 4 shows a sensor for detecting the maximum number of prize balls arranged in a ball flow path, wherein (a) is a front view thereof,
(B) is a cross-sectional view, and (c) is a perspective view in which a part of a spherical flow path is cut away.

The ball discharge device 60 includes a ball flow channel 61 communicating with the storage tank 81, a discharge ball detection sensor 62 (FIG. 5) capable of detecting one ball discharged from the end of the ball flow channel 61,
A discharge solenoid 63 (FIG. 5) for regulating the flow of balls (standby balls) in the ball channel 61 and discharging a required number of standby balls from the end of the ball channel 61. The spherical channel 61 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, it is provided in a crooked state (a multi-turned state), so that at least 250 (the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls) or more standby balls can be reserved therein. Has become. This spherical channel 61
A maximum prize ball number detection sensor 64 for detecting whether or not a standby ball having a maximum ball number (for example, 75 balls) or more as one prize ball exists in the ball channel 61; Maximum number of spheres that can be stored as a sphere (for example, 250 balls)
A maximum credit ball number detection sensor 65 for detecting whether or not the above standby ball exists in the ball channel 61 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the maximum prize ball number detection sensor 64 is configured by, for example, a photoelectric switch including a light projector 64a, a light receiver 64b, and an amplifier 64c.
7 counting from the head standby ball at the lower end of the ball channel 61
It is installed at a position where the fifth (the maximum number of balls as one prize ball) standby ball can be detected. Like the maximum winning ball number detecting sensor 64, the maximum credit ball number detecting sensor 65 is constituted by a photoelectric switch or the like, and is the 250th (maximum number of balls that can be stored as a credit ball) counted from the head standby ball. It is installed at a position where a waiting ball can be detected.

FIG. 5 is a main control block diagram of the game control device.

The game control device 50 has a CPU (Central Pr
ocessing Unit) 51a, RAM (Random Access Memor)
y) It comprises a 51b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 51c, an interface 52, etc., and controls various devices connected to the interface 52 in accordance with a control program and control data written in the ROM 51c.

The CPU 51a includes a control unit, an operation unit, various counters, various registers, and performs operation control.
Random numbers that determine the probability of occurrence of various bonus games are also generated. RAM 51b is a storage area for credit spheres,
A storage area for various random numbers generated by the CPU 51a (for example, random numbers related to various bonus game occurrences);
A storage area for temporarily storing various data;
a working area. In the ROM 51c, a control program and control data for the game are written,
Determination values for determining the occurrence of various bonus games are written.

The interface 52 is connected to a low-ball filter (not shown), a buffer gate, and the like. Detection sensor 77, 3-bet ball presence detection sensor 78, start switch 1, stop switch 2a, 2b, 2c, credit switch 9, 1-bet switch 6, 2-bet switch 7, max bet switch 8, maximum winning ball number detection sensor 64 , The maximum credit ball number detection sensor 65, the flow path changeover switch 10 and the like are connected, and various output signals output from these are output to the CPU 51a. Also, the interface 52 receives a control signal output from the CPU 51a, and outputs the output solenoid 63, the intake solenoid 7 via an output port (not shown) and a driver.
2. Completion lamp 11, special game state display 12,... Prize ball number display 14, line display 15, stop possible display 3a, 3b, 3c, flow path switching solenoid 10a, credit settlement possible display 9a, It is output to the credit number display 13 and the like.

The game control device 50 controls the take-in device 70 (take-in solenoid 72) based on a detection signal from any one of the 1-bet switch 6, the 2-bet switch 7 and the max-bet switch 8. When activated, the number of betting balls corresponding to the switch is taken in from the upper plate 105, and a control signal is sent to the line display 15 to display an active line corresponding to the switch. At this time, if credit balls equal to or larger than the number of betting balls corresponding to the switches are stored in the RAM 51b, the capturing device 70 is not operated, and only the number of betting balls corresponding to the respective switches is stored in the RAM 51b. A process of subtracting the stored number of credit balls is performed. Next, based on the detection signal from the start switch 1, the rotation display device 4
To cause the player to play a variable display game in the variable display windows 4a, 4b, 4c. That is, the start switch 1
The rotation display units 4A, 4B, 4
After rotating C simultaneously, the stop switches 2a, 2b,
2c (or the rotation display units 4A, 4B, 4
C), the rotation display units 4A, 4A corresponding to the stop switches 2a, 2b, 2c.
4B and 4C are stopped. When the rotation display units 4A, 4B, and 4C stop, the combination of the stop displays on the active lines displayed by the line display 15 (stop result mode) becomes a predetermined result mode. In operation, the ball discharging device 60 is operated, and the prize balls of the quantity according to the content of the result mode are supplied to the upper plate 105 (the upper plate 1).
When 05 is full, it is discharged to the lower plate 107). However, if the credit switch 9 is selected to be in the credit state and the available credit storage capacity that can be stored in the RAM 51b is equal to or greater than the number of winning balls, the ball discharging device 60 is not operated and the winning balls are deleted. A process of storing the credit sphere in the RAM 51b is performed. That is, the gaming control device 50 constitutes credit means.

Each time the variable display game is completed once, the game control device 50 sets one of the waiting balls retained in the ball flow path 61 based on the detection signal from the maximum winning ball number detection sensor 64. Maximum number of balls as prize balls of the time (for example, 75 balls)
It is determined whether or not there is the above, and if the result of the determination is that the number of waiting balls is less than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball, the free space of credit storage that can be stored in the RAM 51b. It is determined whether or not there is more than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball. As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the free space of the credit storage is less than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball, control for disabling the variable display game is performed. That is, by this game control device 50,
The maximum winning ball number determining means and the game disabling means are configured.

Further, each time the variable display game is completed once, the game control device 50 sets the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls (for example, the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls) based on the detection signal from the maximum number of credit balls detection sensor 65. , 250 balls) or more are present in the ball channel 61, and as a result of the determination, if there is no standby ball having the maximum credit storage capacity or more in the ball channel 61, , Credit switch 9
Disabling, and credit settlement possible display 9a
Is converted into a display indicating that payment cannot be made, and payment of credit balls with real balls (payment of credit balls) is disabled.
That is, the game control device 50 constitutes a credit free space determination unit.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the game disabling process performed by the game control device.

The game disabling process is performed, for example, every time the variable display game is completed once. When the game disabling process is started, first, in step S11, based on the detection signal from the maximum winning ball count detection sensor 64, the standby ball retained in the ball channel 61 is set as one winning ball. It is determined whether or not there is a maximum number of balls (for example, 75 balls) or more. If the result of this determination is that there are more standby balls than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball, the game disabling process is terminated. On the other hand, if the number of waiting balls is less than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball, the process proceeds to step S12 and the RAM 5
1b is the free space of the credit storage that can be stored in the 1
It is determined whether or not there is a maximum number of balls as the prize balls of the times. If the result of this determination is that there is more free space in the credit storage than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball, the game disabling process is terminated. On the other hand, when the free space of the credit storage is less than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball, the process shifts to step S13 to perform a process of disabling the variable display game, The conversion process ends.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the settlement disabling process performed by the game control device.

The settlement disabling process is performed, for example, every time the variable display game is completed once. When the settlement disabling process is started, first, in step S21, based on the detection signal from the maximum number of credit balls detection sensor 65, the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls (for example, 250 balls) is obtained. It is determined whether or not the waiting ball exists in the ball channel 61. If the result of this determination is that there is a standby ball in the ball flow path 61 that is equal to or greater than the maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored as a credit ball, this settlement disabling process is terminated. On the other hand, if the waiting ball does not reach the maximum number of balls that can be stored as a credit ball, the process proceeds to step S22, where the credit switch 9 is disabled and the display of the credit clearable display 9a is disabled. After the processing for disabling the payout of the credit sphere with the real sphere (the settlement of the credit sphere) is performed, the settlement disabling processing is terminated.

According to the slot machine 100 of this embodiment, the maximum number of balls (for example, 75 balls) as one prize ball.
A maximum winning ball number detection sensor 64 for detecting whether or not the above-mentioned waiting ball is present in the ball channel 61 is provided. If it is detected that the number of balls is less than the maximum number of prize balls,
Since the control for disabling the variable display game is performed by the game control device 50, it is possible to reduce the problem that the ball runs out during the discharge of the prize ball. If it is determined that the free space of the credit storage that can be stored in the RAM 51b is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball, the standby ball becomes the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball. Even when it is determined that the variable display game is not satisfied, since the game control device 50 performs control for enabling the variable display game, it is possible to prevent the variable display game from being disabled more than necessary. In addition, a maximum credit ball number detection sensor 65 for detecting whether or not a standby ball having a maximum number of balls (for example, 250 balls) that can be stored as credit balls is present in the ball channel 61 is provided. If the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls is less than the maximum number of balls that can be stored as credit balls by the maximum credit ball number detection sensor 65, the game control device 50 pays out the credit balls (the number of credit balls). Since the control for disabling the settlement is performed, it is possible to reduce the problem that the ball runs out during the payout of the credit ball. Further, since the ball flow path 61 is provided in a crooked state, the downward force of the standby ball can be reduced at a plurality of bent portions, and the limited space on the back side of the slot machine 100 is efficiently used. can do.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the slot machine 100 shown in this embodiment, and a variable display game is performed by performing a switch operation by betting a ball. What kind of gaming device is the gaming device in which the required number of prize balls are given by the ball discharge device according to the content of the result mode based on the fact that the stop result mode is a predetermined result mode It may be.
Further, the maximum prize ball number detection sensor and the maximum credit ball number detection sensor are not limited to the photoelectric switch, and may be configured by, for example, a proximity switch, a limit switch, or the like.

In addition, the maximum prize ball number detection sensor is, for example,
A configuration as shown in FIG. 8 is also possible. In FIG. 8, the maximum winning ball number detection sensor includes a semicircular ball detecting member 164a that generates a rotational displacement according to the presence or absence of a standby ball M flowing down the spherical channel 61, and a free end side upper portion of the semispherical ball detecting member 164a And a photoelectric switch 164b that is disposed at a position and detects a displacement state of the hemisphere detecting member 164a. That is, in the maximum winning ball count detection sensor, the standby ball M is located below the odd-sphere detecting member 164a in the ball flow path 61, and the tip end side of the odd-sphere detecting member 164a is raised by the standby ball M. Is a photoelectric switch 164b
The light emitted from the light projector is cut off at the tip of the semicircular sphere detecting member 164a to be in a light-blocking state that is not detected by the photodetector of the photoelectric switch 164b.
In the state where the standby ball M is not below the a and the distal end side of the semicircular ball detection member 164a is lowered, the photoelectric switch 16
The light emitted from the projector 4b is a photoelectric switch 164b.
The light receiving state is detected by the light receiver of
It is possible to detect the presence or absence of a broken ball at (a position below the hemisphere detecting member 164a). Note that the maximum credit ball number detection sensor can also have the same configuration as the above-described maximum prize ball number detection sensor.

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the standby ball to be provided by the ball discharging device is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball provided by the ball discharging device. Is provided with a sensor for detecting the maximum number of prize balls, so that the gaming device can be controlled based on whether or not the standby ball exists as the one or more prize balls. Will be possible. For example, when the standby ball is less than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball, if the control for disabling the variable display game is performed, the ball may run out during the discharge of the prize ball. Can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the waiting ball to be given by the ball discharging device is a single prize ball given by the ball discharging device based on the detection of the maximum winning ball number detection sensor. Maximum prize ball number determining means for determining whether or not there is a maximum sphere number or more, and the maximum prize ball number determining means determine that the waiting ball is less than the maximum ball number as the one prize ball. And a game disabling means for disabling the variable display game based on the above, so that the maximum prize ball number judging means judges that the standby ball is less than the maximum ball number as the one prize ball. In this case, the variable display game is disabled by the game disabler. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the problem that the ball runs out during the discharge of the prize ball.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the free capacity of the credit storage which can be stored by the credit means is:
If the credit free space determining means determines that the number of balls is equal to or greater than the maximum number of balls as one prize ball given by the ball discharge device, the waiting ball is determined by the maximum prize ball number determining means. Even if it is determined that the number of balls is less than the maximum number of balls, the control for enabling the variable display game is performed, so that it is possible to prevent the variable display game from being unnecessarily disabled.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the credit means for storing the balls held by the player as credit balls within a predetermined number range, and the standby ball to be given by the ball discharging device is provided by the credit means. A maximum number of credit spheres detection sensor for detecting whether or not there is more than the maximum credit storage capacity that can be stored, so that the standby sphere exists more than the maximum credit storage capacity. It is possible to control the gaming device based on whether or not the game device is present. For example, if the standby ball is less than the maximum number of balls that can be stored by the credit means, if the control for disabling the credit ball settlement is performed, the ball runs out during the settlement of the credit ball. Such a problem can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ball flow path is provided in a zigzag state, the downward force of the standby ball can be reduced at a plurality of bent portions, and the back side of the gaming machine. Limited space can be used efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine exemplified as a gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the slot machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a ball flow path of a ball discharging device provided in the slot machine of FIG. 1;

4A and 4B show a sensor for detecting the maximum number of prize balls arranged in the spherical flow path of FIG. 3, wherein FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is a main control block diagram of a game control device provided in the slot machine of FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart of a game disabling process performed by the game control device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a settlement disabling process performed by the game control device of FIG. 5;

8 is a front view showing another configuration example of the maximum winning ball count detection sensor of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Rotation display device 4A, 4B, 4C Rotation display unit 4a, 4b, 4c Variable display window 50 Game control device (maximum prize ball number determination means, game disabling means, credit means, credit free space determination means) 60 Ball ejection device 61 Ball Channel 64 Maximum Prize Ball Number Detection Sensor 65 Maximum Credit Ball Number Detection Sensor 70 Capture Device 100 Slot Machine (Game)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A variable display game is performed by performing a switch operation by betting a ball, and based on a stop result mode of the variable display game becoming a predetermined result mode, In a game device in which a required number of prize balls are provided by a ball discharging device according to the contents, a standby ball to be provided by the ball discharging device is the largest ball as one prize ball provided by the ball discharging device. A gaming device comprising a maximum number of prize balls detection sensor for detecting whether or not there are more than a number of balls. 2. A waiting ball to be given by the ball discharging device, as a single prize ball given by the ball discharging device based on detection of the maximum winning ball number detection sensor, is equal to or more than the maximum number of balls. Maximum prize ball number determining means for determining whether or not to perform, based on that the maximum prize ball number determining means determines that the standby ball is less than the maximum ball number as the one prize ball, 2. The gaming device according to claim 1, further comprising: a game disabling means for disabling a variable display game. 3. A credit means for storing a ball held by a player as a credit ball within a predetermined number range, and a free space for credit storage which can be stored by the credit means is provided by the ball discharging device. Credit free space determining means for determining whether or not the number of prize balls is equal to or more than the maximum number of prize balls, wherein the free space of the credit storage is the maximum as the one prize ball by the credit free space determining means. When it is determined that the number of balls is equal to or more than the number of balls, even if it is determined by the maximum winning ball number determining means that the standby ball is less than the maximum number of balls as the one prize ball, 3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein control for enabling the variable display game is performed. 4. A credit means for storing a ball held by a player as a credit ball within a predetermined number range, and a standby ball to be given by the ball discharging device is the maximum number of balls that can be stored by the credit means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a maximum credit number detecting sensor for detecting whether or not there is a credit storage capacity or more. 5. A sphere flow path capable of retaining the standby sphere having a maximum credit storage capacity which can be stored by the credit means, wherein the sphere flow path is provided in a crooked state. The gaming device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein