JP2001025528A - Game ball fetching device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the speed of fetching game balls from a feeding tray while counting them. SOLUTION: By rotating a screw body 59 forward from the state of the figure (a), a game ball B1 on the upper surface 76b is moved to the right by a projected line 59a and falls down to a first 1B discharging path 80b to be discharged as shown in the figure (b). Since the game ball passing through the path 80b cuts off light emitted from a light emitting element (a) to a light- receiving element, the signal level of the light-receiving element is varied, thereby the passing through of the game ball can be detected. By rotating the body 59 backward from the state of the figure (a), the game ball B1 on the surface 76b is moved to the left by the projected line 59a and falls down to a second 2B discharging path 82b to be discharged as shown in the figure (b). Since the game ball is consecutively fetched by the rotation of the body 59, a fetching speed is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a game machine using a game ball (pachinko ball).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some game balls using game balls, when a set number of units (for example, 1 unit or more with 5 units as one unit) is inserted (for example, a slot machine). There is also a game machine in which a large number of game balls are captured (credited) in advance, and a game can be performed within the range of the credit. An example of such a gaming machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-7542. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-7642, a game ball that has flowed into a guiding gutter from a supply tray is temporarily blocked, and after it is confirmed that, for example, three units of game balls are filled in the guiding gutter, the blocking is performed. There is disclosed a configuration in which game balls are released to take in game balls, and a configuration in which game balls are taken in by sprockets and detected by sensors.

[0003]

However, once the flow of the game balls from the supply plate is interrupted (stopping the movement of the game balls) and the number of the balls is confirmed, the game balls are taken in. Was intermittent, so the speed was slow.

In the case of a sprocket, the sprocket is taken in continuously, but since the game balls are to be accommodated in the ball accommodating portion of the sprocket, the rotation of the sprocket must be intermittent or extremely slow. Could not be rotated at high speed (ie, rapid uptake).

An object of the present invention is to increase the speed of taking in game balls from a supply tray while counting them.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The game ball capturing device according to the aspect of the invention includes a screw body having a helical ridge or a helical groove on an outer periphery, a driving unit that drives the screw body to rotate in a forward / reverse direction, And a first and a second discharge path arranged apart from each other along the axial direction of the screw body, and a game ball received at a receiving position set between the first and the second discharge paths. Is moved by the rotation of the screw body, the game ball capturing device that discharges from one of the first and second discharge paths according to the rotation direction of the screw body, wherein the receiving position is A game ball supplied from a supply tray is received, one of the first and second discharge paths is connected to a path (take path) for taking the game ball to the gaming machine side, and the other is connected to the game ball for the player side. It is connected to the return path (return path).

In this game ball take-in device, when the screw body is rotationally driven by the driving means, the game body moves the game ball at the receiving position along the axial direction of the screw body. This direction of movement corresponds to the direction of rotation of the screw body. Further, a first discharge path is arranged on one side along the axial direction of the screw body from the receiving position, and a second discharge path is arranged on the other side. For this reason, the game ball moved by the screw body flows into one of the first and second discharge paths and is discharged.

The rotation direction of the screw body for moving the game ball toward the first discharge path is temporarily referred to as a forward direction, and if the screw body is rotated in the forward direction, the game ball is moved to the first direction.
The game ball can be discharged from the second discharge path by rotating the screw body in the reverse direction.

[0009] For example, the first discharge path is connected to a path (take-in path) for taking game balls into the gaming machine, and the second discharge path is a path for returning game balls to the player side (for example, the lower tray). By connecting to the (return path), it is possible to take in the game ball to the gaming machine side and return it to the player side depending on the rotation direction of the screw body.

[0010] Since the taking or returning of the game ball is performed continuously by the rotation of the screw body, it is not necessary to intermittently stop the movement of the game ball. In addition, since the reception at the receiving position and the movement (discharge) from the receiving position can be continuously performed, the screw body can be rotated at a high speed. Further, for counting the balls to be taken, a sensor or a switch capable of detecting game balls passing therethrough may be provided in the discharge path or the take-in path, and it is not necessary to temporarily stop the flow of the game balls for counting. In other words, when capturing game balls while counting them, the capture speed can be increased quickly.

In the prior art for blocking game balls for counting, a series of passages from the supply tray to the blocking mechanism are provided, so that the path from the supply tray to the guide gutter (ie, for detecting or counting game balls). Wire) can easily be inserted, and for example, the sensor may be malfunctioned.

However, in the case of this game ball taking-in device, the structure is such that the game ball supplied to the receiving position is moved by the rotation of the screw body, and the position of the sensor for counting the game balls is smaller than that of the screw body. Because it will be on the import route side,
The screw body functions as a protection means against intrusion of wire or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an illegal scheme in which the sensor is erroneously operated by inserting a wire or the like.

A sensor, a switch, or the like for detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge path connected to the intake path, that is, an intake ball detection means may be provided at an entrance of the intake path, for example. If the game ball capturing device is provided as described above, it is not necessary to attach a sensor or a switch to the capturing path in the assembling process of the gaming machine, which leads to simplification of the assembling process.

There is no limitation on the game ball capturing device, that is, the means for storing the game balls to be taken into the gaming machine and the receiving means for receiving the game balls returned to the player, but known as the former (storage means). As the supply tray (upper tray) and the latter (receiving means), a known lower tray may be employed. Therefore, a game machine equipped with the game ball capturing device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with a supply plate for supplying game balls to the game ball capturing device and a lower portion of the supply plate. Lower tray, a take-in path connected to one of the first and second discharge paths and guiding game balls discharged from the discharge path to the gaming machine side, and a discharge path connected to the other discharge path. It is good to have a return path which guides the game ball discharged | emitted from to the lower plate. With this configuration, it is only necessary to modify or newly install the connection path between the game ball capturing device and the supply plate and the lower plate in accordance with the game ball capturing device, and it is necessary to change other structures of the gaming machine. Therefore, it can be used without greatly changing the structure of a conventional game machine.

By the way, the game ball taking-in device of the present invention is configured such that the rotation direction of the screw body is set to the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the game ball can be alternatively selected from the first discharge path or the second discharge path. Is to be discharged. In such a configuration, if the distance at which the game ball at the receiving position is moved by the screw body before being discharged from the first or second discharge path is long, the game ball previously moved from the receiving position. A subsequent game ball may come to the (second game ball) receiving position before the (first game ball) is discharged from the first or second discharge path. That is, two game balls can be moved by the screw body in the same communication path. If the direction of rotation of the screw body is changed in this state, the second game ball is moved forward and the first game ball moved ahead is moved later in the same direction.

The second game ball moves from the receiving position and the first game ball moves to the first game ball.
Will return to the receiving position, but a game ball (third gaming ball) that is supposed to enter the receiving position next may be stuck between the second gaming ball and the first gaming ball. There is. When such a situation occurs, the third game ball hinders the movement of the first game ball toward the receiving position, whereby the rotation of the screw body is hindered (the rotation becomes poor).

Therefore, the dimension of the communication passage along the axial direction of the screw body is such that when the succeeding game ball arrives at the receiving position, the game ball previously moved from the receiving position separates from the screw body. (For example, moving to the first or second discharge path).

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a game ball capturing apparatus and a game machine according to the present invention will be described, and the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 10 corresponding to a gaming machine includes a symbol display device 14 in which three symbol belts 12 are juxtaposed. Each symbol belt 12 of the symbol display device 14 can be independently rotated and stopped,
That is, scroll display and static display of the symbol are possible.

The upper half of the front of the slot machine 10 has a transparent display window 16 facing the front of the symbol display device 14.
Is covered with a front cover 18 having Below the front cover 18, a dish door 22 having an upper plate 20 for storing game balls (pachinko balls) to be supplied as game media into the slot machine 10 has a door shape with respect to the main body side of the slot machine 10. It can be opened and closed.

A bet switch 2 for selecting the number of game balls to be thrown in one game is provided at the right end of the plate door 22.
4a, 24b and 24c are attached, and a credit switch 26 is attached at the lower left corner. A ball movement switch 27 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper plate 20.

When the bet switch 24a is turned on, 3
When the betting switch 24b is turned on, one unit of the game ball is turned on, and when the bet switch 24c is turned on, two units of the game ball are turned on. It is taken in.
Details of the capture will be described later.

It is also possible to play the game after the game balls are loaded into the slot machine 10 as credits. In this case, the bet switches 24a, 24b, 24
The credit of 3 units, 1 unit or 2 units is subtracted according to the ON operation of c. The credit switch 26
A switch for instructing the execution and settlement of credits.The switch changes from a protruding position, which is an off position, to a pressing position, which is an on position, when the pressing operation is performed. This is a switch that returns to the position. If the player puts the game ball into the upper plate 20 and puts the credit switch 26 to the push position, or puts the credit switch 26 into the push position and then puts the game ball into the upper plate 20, the player puts the game ball into the upper plate 20. Is taken in as a credit, and thereafter, when the credit switch 26 is returned to the protruding position, the game ball corresponding to the credit is paid out.

An effective determination line is determined according to the bet switches 24a to 24c. In this example, if the bet switch 24b (1 unit), lines crossing the center of the symbol display device 14 (lines B, E, and H in FIG. 1) are valid. Three lines are also valid including the lines (A, D, G and C, F, J), and two more diagonal lines (A, E, J, C, E, G) with the bet switch 24a (3 units). In addition, five lines are valid.

At the front edge of the upper plate 20, a start switch 28 for instructing the start of a game (ie, the start of rotation of each symbol belt 12 of the symbol display device 14) and each symbol of the symbol display device 14 are provided. Stop switches 30a, 30b and 30c for stopping the belt 12 are attached.

After the player throws a game ball into the upper plate 20 and turns on one of the bet switches 24a to 24c to take in one to three units of the game ball, or after taking it as a credit, Bet switches 24a to 24c
Is turned on and the start switch 28 is turned on, the three symbol belts 12 of the symbol display device 14 start rotating (scroll display). When the player presses the stop switch 30a, the left symbol belt 12 stops, when the stop switch 30b is pressed, the center symbol belt 12 stops, and when the stop switch 30c is pressed, the right symbol belt 12 stops. When the three symbol belts 12 stop, the operated bet switches 24a to 24a-2
If the symbol combination along one of the determination lines validated according to 4c becomes one of the preset prize combinations (there are a plurality of types), the number of game balls according to the established prize combination Is paid out as a prize ball. The paid out prize balls are discharged from the upper plate opening 20a to the upper plate 20, and when the upper plate 20 is full, the balls are discharged from the lower plate opening 32a to the lower plate 32 attached below the upper plate 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a game ball capturing device 50 is connected to the outflow passage 20 b of the upper plate 20.
The game balls flowing out of the upper plate 20 are supplied to the game ball capturing device 50. On the discharge side of the game ball capturing device 50, a capturing path 3
4 and the return path 36 are connected. The lower end of the take-in path 34 is open, and a collecting gutter (not shown) is connected thereto, so that the game balls flowing into the take-in path 34 are taken into the slot machine 10 side (that is, the game store side). On the other hand, the downstream end of the return path 36 is connected to the lower plate opening 32a, and the game balls flowing into the return path 36 are discharged to the lower plate 32 (returned to the player side).

Next, referring to FIGS.
0 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, a case 52 serving as an outer shell of the game ball capturing device 50 includes a pair of boxes 54.
a and 54b are joined. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the insides of the boxes 54 a and 54 b have partitions 56 a and
The motor housings 60a and 60 for housing a motor 58 (not shown in FIG. 3) corresponding to the driving means and a circuit board or wiring (not shown).
b, and the other are passage portions 62a and 62b for receiving and discharging game balls.

The partitions 56a and 56b are provided with semicircular notches 57a and 57b, respectively.
4b, a circular through-hole is formed as shown in FIG. 4 to 6, a screw body 59 having a spiral ridge 59a penetrates the through hole. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the base end of the screw body 59 is It is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 58.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The notches a and 62b are provided with notches serving as game ball receiving ports 64a and 64b, and ribs 66a and 66b meandering from positions adjacent thereto and reaching the partitions 56a and 56b. The wall 67 facing the ribs 66a, 66b
The protrusions 68a, 68b project from the protrusions a, 67b, and a gap is formed between the ribs 66a, 66b and the protrusions 68a, 68b so that the game balls can move in a line.
The lower ends of the passage portions 62a and 62b are open, but the open portion is divided into two parts by ball receivers 70a and 70b provided upright on the walls 69a and 69b. Ball receiver 7
0a, 70b and partitions 56a, 56b and ball receiver 7
A gap through which the game ball can pass is secured between the first and second walls 0a and 70b and the walls 67a and 67b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the boxes 54a and 54b are provided between the passages 62a and 62b.
2, a partition body 72, a first guide path 74a partitioned by ribs 66a and protrusions 68a are formed on the side of the passage 62a, and the partition 72 and ribs are formed on the side of the passage 62b. A second guide path 74b defined by the projection 66b and the projection 66b is formed. Game balls that have passed through the first taxiway 74a and the second taxiway 74b are:
As shown in FIG. 4, it is set so that the ball receivers fall on the upper surfaces 76a and 76b of the ball receivers 70a and 70b, respectively.
6b corresponds to the receiving position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ribs 66a,
At the lower ends of the projections 66a and the projections 68a and 68b, the distance therebetween is widened, and the partitions 56a and 56b and the walls 67a and 67
A space in which the game balls can move along the axial direction of the screw body 59 is formed between the screw balls 59 and b. The space portions along the axial direction of the screw body 59 are a first communication passage 78a and a second communication passage 78b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first communication path 7
Both ends of the ball receiver 8a communicate with a space partitioned by the ball receiver 70a. The wall 67a of the ball receiver 70a is a first A discharge path 80a, and the partition 56a is a second A discharge path 82a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, both ends of the second communication passage 78b communicate with the space partitioned by the ball receiver 70b on the second communication passage 78b side as well as on the first communication passage 78a side. The wall 67b side of the ball receiver 70b is the first B discharge path 80.
b, the partition 56b side is a second B discharge path 82b.

As shown in FIG. 6, a light emitting element (LED in this example) 84a is mounted on the wall 69a, and a light receiving element (phototransistor in this example) 84b facing the light emitting element 84a is mounted on the wall 69b. Installed. The set of the light emitting element 84a and the light receiving element 84b corresponds to the catching ball detecting means, and can detect a game ball passing through the first A discharging path 80a and the first B discharging path 80b corresponding to the first discharging path. Although not provided in this example, the second A discharge path 82a and the second B discharge path 82b corresponding to the second discharge path are also provided with the same game ball detecting means including the same light emitting element and light receiving element. Then, it is possible to detect the game balls passing through these discharge paths.

The game ball taking-in device 50 thus configured discharges a game ball received from the receiving port 64a from the first A discharge path 80a or the second A discharge path 82a according to the rotation direction of the screw body 59. The game balls received from the receiving port 64b can be discharged from the first B discharge path 80b or the second B discharge path 82b according to the rotation direction of the screw body 59.

In this embodiment, however, the receiving port 64b is connected to the downstream end of the outflow path 20b of the upper plate 20, as shown in FIG. 3, but the receiving port 64a has a path for supplying game balls. Not connected. For this reason, in the case of the present embodiment, the game balls received from the receiving port 64b are supplied to the first B discharging path 80b.
Alternatively, it is only discharged from the second B discharge path 82b. Although not shown in detail, the first A discharge path 80
a and the open ends of the first B discharge path 80b are connected to the intake path 34, and the open ends of the second A discharge path 82a and the second B discharge path 82b are connected to the return path 36.

That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the game ball capturing device 50 transfers the game balls flowing from the outflow channel 20b of the upper plate 20 to the receiving port 64b through the first B discharge channel 80b.
4 and then to the return path 36 via the second B discharge path 82b. The operation of the game ball capturing device 50 will be described below.

From the outflow passage 20b of the upper plate 20 to the receiving port 64b
Game balls flowing into the second guiding path 74 from the receiving entrance 64b.
b into the ball receiver 70b from the second taxiway 74b.
Trying to fall on the upper surface 76b of the camera. At this time, if the ridge 59a of the screw body 59 is not between the upper surface 76b and the second guide path 74b, the screw body 59 can fall on the upper surface 76b of the ball receiver 70b as in the game ball B1 of FIG.

However, if the ridge 59a of the screw body 59 is between the upper surface 76b and the second guide path 74b, this blocks the drop of the game ball, and for example, the game ball B3 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. For example, FIG.
When the screw body 59 is rotated leftward (hereinafter referred to as forward rotation) when viewed from the motor 58 side in the state of FIG.
The game ball B1 on the upper surface 76b is moved rightward by the ridge 59a, and falls into the first B discharge path 80b to be discharged as shown in FIG. 7B. 1st B discharge path 80b
The game ball passing through blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 84a and reaches the light receiving element 84b, so that the signal level of the light receiving element 84b changes, whereby the passage (discharge) of the game ball can be detected.

On the other hand, for example, when the screw body 59 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the motor 58 side (hereinafter referred to as reverse rotation) from the state of FIG.
The game ball B1 located at 6b is moved leftward by the ridge 59a, and is dropped and discharged to the second B discharge path 82b.

In the present embodiment, the game ball is not supplied to the receiving port 64a, that is, the upper surface 76a of the ball receiver 70a, but when the game ball is supplied here, the game ball is also moved in the rotation direction of the screw body 59. Accordingly, the gas is discharged from the first A discharge path 80a or the second A discharge path 82a. And ball receiver 7
0a and the ball receiver 70b are provided with the ridges 59 of the screw body 59.
Since there is a phase difference a, game balls are alternately supplied to the upper surfaces 76a and 76b, and are discharged alternately therefrom.

The upper surfaces 76 of the ball receivers 70a, 70b
Only one game ball is placed on each of the a and b, and the ridge 59a of the screw body 59 is rotated until the screw body 59 rotates by an amount corresponding to drop the preceding game ball on the upper surfaces 76a and 76b. Since the subsequent game balls are prevented from falling, neither two or more game balls exist in the first communication path 78a nor two or more game balls exist in the second communication path 78b.

Therefore, when the rotation direction of the screw body 59 is changed, the two game balls are not moved through the same communication paths 78a, 78b, and the next game ball is moved between the two game balls. The game ball does not fall and get stuck, resulting in poor rotation. Next, control of the operation of the game ball capturing device 50 (capture of game balls accompanying a game) will be described.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the control system of the slot machine 10.
As shown in FIG. The control device 40, which is the center of the control system, is a microcomputer having a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output ports, and the like. Control device 40
Include bet switches 24a to 24c, credit switch 26, ball movement switch 27, start switch 2
8. Switches and sensors such as the stop switches 30a to 30c are connected, and the control device 40 can acquire these detection signals and the like. The control device 40 is also connected to devices such as the symbol display device 14, the game ball capture device 50, and the payout device 42, and the control device 40 can control the operations thereof.

The control device 40 executes various control processes related to the execution of the game in the slot machine 10,
Among them, the processing closely related to the present invention will be described. Since the slot machine 10 allows a gaming ball to be taken into the slot machine 10 as a credit prior to the execution of the game, and a credit game in which the credit is subtracted upon the execution of the game is possible, first, the credit taking process will be described. explain.

The credit taking process is as shown in FIG. 9. The control device 40 determines whether or not the credit switch 26 is on (S401). If the credit switch 26 is off, the game is not a game using credits (S401: NO). ), Return without performing any substantial processing (return to other processing).

When the credit switch 26 is ON (S401: YES), the control device 40 rotates the screw body 59 of the game ball capturing device 50 forward (S402).
By the rotation of the screw body 59, the game ball is discharged from the first B discharge path 80b of the game ball capturing device 50, and is captured via the capture path. At this time, if the control device 40 confirms that the game ball has passed by the change in the signal level of the light receiving element 84b (S403: YES), it adds 1 to the count value of the credit counter provided in the RAM (S404). The value (initial value) of the credit counter when the slot machine 10 is activated is 0. And
It is determined whether or not the value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (250 in this example) (S405). If the value of the credit counter has reached the upper limit (S405: YES), the screw 5
9 is stopped (S406), and the process returns.

If the upper limit has not been reached (S
405: NO), returning to S402 and screw body 59
Continue rotating. On the other hand, when the passage of the game ball is not detected in S403 (S403: NO),
The control device 40 determines whether or not the signal of the light receiving element 84b continues at the non-detection level for a set time, for example, 5 seconds or more (S407). If this is less than the set time, the process returns to S402, but if it is longer than the set time (S407: N
O), the supply of the game balls to the game ball capturing device 50 is stopped (the upper plate 20 is empty), and the rotation of the screw body 59 is stopped (S408).

Then, it is determined whether or not the count value of the credit counter is a multiple of a bet unit (five in this example), that is, whether or not there is a fraction (S409).
If the value of the credit counter is a multiple of 5 and there is no fraction (S409: NO), the process returns. If there is a fraction (S409: YES), the payout device 42 is operated and the fractional game balls are paid. At the same time, the value of the credit counter is reduced (S410). As a result, the credit becomes a multiple of the bet unit.

Next, an outline of a game process executed by the control device 40 during a game will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Wait until any one of Nos. To 24c is turned on (S30).
1) When one of them is turned on, the game balls of a unit number corresponding to the bet switches 24a to 24c operated by the capture process are taken into the game ball capturing device 50, or the game balls are used as credits in advance. If so,
Credit decrement, operated bet switch 24a
Valid judgment lines are also set according to .about.24c (S3).
02).

The details of the fetching process are as shown in FIG. 11. The control device 40 determines whether or not the credit switch 26 is off (S351), and when the credit switch 26 is off (S351: YES), the control device 40 causes the screw body 59 of the game ball capturing device 50 to rotate forward (S352). Due to the rotation of the screw body 59, the first B discharge path 80b of the game ball capturing device 50
The game ball is discharged from the, and is taken in through the taking-in path 34. At this time, if the control device 40 confirms the passage of the game ball by the change in the signal level of the light receiving element 84b (S3
53: YES), increments the count value of the capture counter provided in the RAM by 1 (S354). The value (initial value) of the number-of-acquisitions counter at the time of starting the slot machine 10 is 0.
It is. Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the take-in number counter has reached the bet unit corresponding to the bet switch 24a to 24c whose operation has been detected in S301 (S355), and if the value has reached the bet unit (S355). : YES),
The rotation of the screw body 59 is stopped, and a bet (effective determination line) is set (S356).

When the number of bets has not been reached (S355: NO), the flow returns to S352, and the rotation of the screw body 59 is continued. On the other hand, when the passage of the game ball is not detected in S353 (S353: N
O), the control device 40 determines whether or not the signal of the light receiving element 84b continues at the non-detection level for a set time, for example, 5 seconds or more (S357). If this is less than the set time, S352
Is returned to, but if it is longer than the set time (S35
7: NO), it is determined that the supply of the game balls to the game ball capturing device 50 has been interrupted (the upper plate 20 has been emptied), and the screw body 5 has been stopped.
The rotation of No. 9 is stopped (S358).

Whether the count value of the take-in number counter is a multiple of the bet unit (five in this example),
That is, it is determined whether or not there is a fraction (S359). If the value of the take-in number counter is a multiple of 5 and there is no fraction (S359: NO), a bet (valid judgment line) corresponding to the value of the take-in number counter at that time is set (S3).
56). For example, even if the bet switch 24a is turned on (even if the player indicates a bet of 3 units),
If the number of game balls actually taken in is 2 units or 1 unit, only the bet corresponding to the taken-in amount is accepted.

If there is a fraction (S359: YES), the payout device 42 is operated to pay out the fractional number of game balls, and a bet (valid judgment line) is set for the number of units taken in (S360). ). For example, even if the bet switch 24a is turned on (even if the player indicates a bet of 3 units), if the number of game balls actually taken is 2 units or 1 unit, it corresponds to the taken amount. Only accept bets. If the number does not reach one unit, the bet itself will not be accepted because the fractional payout and the take-in number become 0.

In this way, unit take-in and bet acceptance are performed. The take-in number counter is cleared when a bet is set in S356 or S360. On the other hand, if the credit switch 26 is on, it is a game using credits (S351: NO). If there is a credit (S361: YES), the credit is subtracted by the unit corresponding to the bet switches 24a to 24c that have been turned on. A bet (valid judgment line) for the unit is set (S362). However, when there is no credit (S361: NO), no bet is accepted.

If the bet is not accepted because the number of acquisitions does not reach one unit in the above-mentioned acquisition or if no bet is accepted without credit, the control unit 40
Is not executed in S303 shown in FIG.
Return to 01. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when the start switch 28 is turned on (S303: YE).
S), the control device 40 instructs the symbol display device 14 to rotate all the symbol belts 12 (S304).

When one of the stop switches 30a to 30c is turned on after the symbol belt 12 starts rotating (S305), the control device 40 instructs the symbol display device 14 to operate the stop switches 30a to 30c. Is stopped (S306).

The process of stopping the symbol belt 12 is described as 3
Times and the three design belts 12 stop (S
307: YES), the control device 40 determines whether or not the prize combination is established by the three symbols along the valid determination line (S308). If the prize combination is established, the control device 40 instructs the payout device 42. The number of game balls corresponding to the winning combination established as a result is discharged as prize balls (S30).
9). The paid game balls are discharged to the upper plate 20 or the lower plate 32. The number of award balls is in bet units (5 in this example).
Is set as a multiple thereof, for example, 5, 10, 15, or the like. When the credit switch 26 is turned on (pushed position) and the credit game is being played, the prize ball is added to the credit counter instead of paying out the prize ball.

After S309 or when the prize combination is not established (S308: NO), the control device 40 returns to S301. In this manner, the bet, scroll display, scroll stop, determination of establishment of the prize combination, and payout of prize balls (or credit addition) are repeated.

At the end of the game by the slot machine 10, if there is a balance in the credit, it is necessary to settle the balance. This payment instruction only needs to return the credit switch 26 from the pushed position to the projected position. The control device 40
When the credit switch 26 is returned to the projecting position (turned off), the payout device 42 is operated to pay out the same number of game balls as the count value of the credit counter, and the credit counter is reset to zero.

When game balls are accumulated in the upper plate 20 to the game ball capturing device 50 by such settlement or by payout according to the game result, the ball moving switch 27 is used.
By operating the game ball capturing device 50, the game balls can be moved to the lower plate 32. That is, when the ball moving switch 27 is turned on, the control device 40 rotates the screw body 59 of the game ball capturing device 50 in the reverse direction. Then, the game ball that has flowed into the game ball capture device 50 from the upper plate 20 falls into the second B discharge path 82b and returns to the second path B 82b.
From 6 is discharged to the lower plate 32. The player may take out the game ball from the lower plate 32 and carry it to the counter using a dollar box or the like.

As described above, according to the game ball taking-in device 50 of this embodiment, the game ball supplied from the upper plate 20 is taken into the taking path 34 (game Either the ball can be taken in) or the return path 36 (moving to the lower plate) can be discharged.

The game balls are taken in or returned to the lower plate 32 continuously by the rotation of the screw body 59, so that it is not necessary to stop the movement of the game balls intermittently, and it is very quick. Further, since the game balls to be taken in are detected and counted by the light emitting element 84a and the light receiving element 84b installed in the discharge path, there is no need to temporarily stop the flow of the game balls for counting. In other words, when capturing game balls while counting them, the capture speed can be increased quickly.

Since the light emitting element 84a and the light receiving element 84b are provided in the game ball capturing device 50, the capturing path 3
It is not necessary to attach a sensor or a switch to 4, which leads to simplification of the assembling process. Moreover, the structure is such that the game balls supplied to the upper surfaces 76a, 76b of the ball receivers 70a, 70b at the receiving positions are moved by the rotation of the screw body 59, and a sensor for counting the game balls (the light emitting element 84a and the light receiving element 84a). Since the position of the element 84b) is closer to the intake path 34 than the screw body 59, the screw body 59 functions as a protection means against entry of wire or the like. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent an unauthorized scheme that causes a sensor to malfunction by inserting a wire or the like.

In this slot machine 10, the game ball taking-in device 50, that is, the storage means for the game balls to be taken into the slot machine 10 side is the upper plate 20, and the receiving means for receiving the game balls returned to the player side is the lower portion. Plate 32, the first
The first B discharge path 80b serving as the discharge path is connected to the intake path 34, and the second B discharge path 82b serving as the second discharge path is connected to the lower plate 32 via the return path 36. The connection path between the game ball taking-in device 50 and the upper plate 20 and the lower plate 32 requires only a slight modification of the structure of a conventional ball game machine (such as a pachinko machine). Can be used without significantly changing the structure.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described according to the examples and the modified examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a game ball path on an upstream side and a downstream side of a game ball capturing device in the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game ball capturing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the game ball capturing device according to the embodiment in a state where one box and a partition are removed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the game ball capturing device according to the embodiment,
It is sectional drawing along the A line.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the game ball capturing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of discharging a game ball in the game ball capturing device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a credit take-in process executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a game process executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a loading process executed by the control device of the slot machine of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 slot machine (game machine), 14 symbol display device, 20 upper plate (supply plate), 32 lower plate, 34 intake path, 36 return path, 40 control device, 42 payout device, 50: game ball capturing device, 58: motor (drive means), 59: screw body, 59a: convex ridge, 70a: ball receiver (receiving position), 70b: ball receiver (receiving position), 76
a: upper surface (receiving position), 76b: upper surface (receiving position), 8
0a: 1A discharge path (first discharge path), 80b: 1B
Discharge path (first discharge path), 82a... 2A discharge path (second discharge path)
, 82b... 2B discharge path (second discharge path),
84a: Light-emitting element (captured ball detection means), 84b: Light-receiving element (captured ball detection means).

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A screw body having a helical ridge or a helical groove on the outer periphery, a driving means for driving the screw body to rotate forward and reverse, and the screw body on the same side with respect to the axis of the screw body. A first and a second discharge path disposed apart from each other along the axial direction of the game ball, wherein the game ball received at a receiving position set between the first and the second discharge path is provided by the screw The first body is moved by rotation of the body, and the first body is moved in accordance with the rotation direction of the screw body.
And a game ball take-in device for discharging game balls from one of the second discharge path, wherein the receiving position receives game balls supplied from a supply plate, and one of the first and second discharge paths is The other path is connected to a path for taking game balls into the gaming machine (take path), and the other path is for returning game balls to the player side (return path).
Game ball capture device connected to the. 2. The game ball capturing device according to claim 1, further comprising a captured ball detecting means for detecting a game ball discharged from the discharge path connected to the capture path. Game ball capture device. 3. A game ball capturing device according to claim 1 or 2, a supply plate for supplying game balls to the game ball capturing device, a lower plate disposed below the supply plate, and A take-in path connected to one of the first and second discharge paths to guide the game balls discharged from the discharge path to the gaming machine side; and an intake path connected to the other of the first and second discharge paths. A gaming machine having a return path for guiding game balls discharged from a discharge path to the lower plate.