JP2002126181A - Combination game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination game machine allowing a player to play a game by using medals common to another game machine such as a slot machine. SOLUTION: A game machine main body 3 is provided with a game board 15 for a combination game, a game medium insertion port 49 into which game media are inserted, and a shooting means 16 shooting a prescribed number of game balls to the game region 27 of the game board 15 in this combination game machine. The game can be started on condition that specified multiple game media are inserted into the game medium insertion port 49, thereby the game can be performed by using the medals common to another game machine requiring a small mount of dispensed money for a medal such as the slot machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combination game machine such as an arrangement ball machine and a sparrow ball game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are a combination game machine, for example, an arrangement ball machine, of a game ball insertion type and a medal insertion type. In any of these types of arrangement ball machines, at the time of a game, 16 game balls for each game are shot into the game area of the game board by the firing means, and the game balls are arranged in a winning port located at the lower part of the game area. When one of the winning means of any of the means is awarded, and four winning holes adjacent to the winning means are won and a predetermined winning combination is established, a score is given according to the difficulty of the establishment. A predetermined number of medals or game balls are paid out to the player as prizes.

[0003] In a game ball throw-in type arrangement ball machine, game balls are thrown into an upper plate on the front side of a game machine body, and the game balls are fired one by one by a feeding means in conjunction with a firing operation of a firing means. The ball is supplied to the rail, and the medal insertion type arrange ball machine has a game ball sealed in a circulation path including the game board side and the launching means side, and a predetermined medal insertion slot is provided at the front side of the game machine body. When one medal is inserted, the game balls are supplied one by one to the firing rail by the feeding means in conjunction with the firing operation of the firing means.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A medal insertion type arrangement ball machine has a smaller absolute number than other medal insertion type gaming machines such as slot machines. There is a problem that the production cost increases, and even if there is an arrangement ball machine and a slot machine in the game hall, you can play games on the slot machine using medals for the arrangement ball machine, and conversely, There is a problem that it is not possible to play a game with an arrangement ball machine using medals.

Therefore, medals for slot machines can be used in an arrangement ball machine to reduce the production cost of medals, and a player can use the medals in either a slot machine or an arrangement ball machine. It is desired to be able to play games.

Here, in an arrangement ball machine of a game ball insertion type, 20 game balls with a lending amount of 4 yen per game are used per game, and 4 of the game balls are collected and the remaining 16 balls are collected.
It is contemplated that the sphere may be used for firing. in this case,
The player's burden per game is 80 yen. On the other hand, the loan amount of one medal used in the slot machine is, for example, 20 yen, which is smaller than the burden amount for one game ball-arranged ball game machine. Therefore, if the medal insertion type arrangement ball machine is made to be able to play one game with one slot machine medal, the burden cannot be balanced with the game ball insertion type arrangement ball machine. There is no one type of medal that can be played on either the slot machine or the arranged ball machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a combination gaming machine capable of playing a game using a common medal with another gaming machine such as a slot machine.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gaming machine main body 3.
In addition, a combination game including a game board 15 for a combination game, a game medium insertion port 49 for inserting a game medium, and a firing means 16 for firing a predetermined number of game balls to the game area 27 of the game board 15. In the machine, a game can be started on condition that a plurality of prescribed game media are inserted into the game medium insertion port 49.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 illustrate a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a medal insertion type arrangement ball machine using medals as a game medium. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the arrangement ball machine has a game machine main body 3 having an outer frame 1 and a front frame 2 arranged on the front side of the outer frame 1. Is attached to the outer frame 1 via a vertical hinge 4 at one of the left and right ends so as to be openable and closable and detachable.

The gaming machine body 3 has a front panel 5 mounted on the front side thereof, a medal hopper 6, an auxiliary tank 7, a power supply unit 8 and the like provided on the outer frame 1 side, and a game on the front frame 2 side. Board 15, launching means 16, medal selecting means 17
Are provided on the back side of the front panel 5 inside the game machine main body 3 and various internal mechanisms including the game board 15 are provided.

The outer frame 1 is constituted by a rectangular frame or the like which is long in the vertical direction, and a medal hopper 6, an auxiliary tank 7, a power supply unit 8 and the like are arranged at a lower portion inside the outer frame 1. The outer frame 1 is provided with a back plate 9 on the back side. The front frame 2 is configured by a rectangular frame or the like that is long in the vertical direction corresponding to the outer frame 1. A front panel 5 is mounted on the front side of the front frame 2, and a game board 15, a launching unit 16, a medal selecting unit 17, and the like are arranged inside the back side of the front panel 5.

The medal hopper 6 stores medals as game media. The medal hopper 6 has a medal shoot 10 for receiving inserted medals and an auxiliary tank 7 for storing surplus medals when the internal medals are full. There are provided an overflow port 11 for overflowing to the, and a medal payout means 12 for paying out prize medals. The medal payout means (game medium payout means) 12 is for paying out medals in the medal hopper 6 for prizes or return, and is provided at a lower side of the medal hopper 6. A rotating body (not shown) in the hopper 6 is driven to pay out medals from the medal payout opening 14 to the front side. In addition, the auxiliary tank 7 can be freely taken in and out.

The game board 15 is removably fitted from the back side between the game board mounting frame 18 and the support frame 19 inside the front frame 2, and a plurality of game boards provided on the back side of the game board mounting frame 18. Are detachably fixed by the fastening means 18a. Therefore,
The game board 15 is located on the front side of the gaming machine main body 3,
It is detachable from the back side. The game board mounting frame 18 has a gate shape, and its upper side and both right and left sides are above the support frame 19 and the front frame 2.
It is fixed to the inner surface of. The support frame 19 includes the game board 15
Is provided integrally on the upper edge side of the game board receiving portion 20 for receiving the game from below, and is installed in the front frame 2 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, a guide rail 21 is annularly mounted on the front surface of the game board 15, and a winning opening means 22 is disposed below the game area 27 inside the guide rail 21. On the upper side of the winning opening means 22, a guide symbol display means 23, a specific winning means 24, a score increasing means 2
5. Each game component such as the operating means 26 is arranged. A number of game nails (not shown) are provided between the winning opening means 22 and each game component.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the winning opening means 22 is provided with a winning case 28 detachably attached to the opening 15a of the game board 15 from the back side, and the winning case 28 is arranged in a horizontal line. A plurality of, for example, 16 winning ports 29 for guiding the formed game balls winning from the front side to the back side of the game board 15, and a plurality of, for example, 16 for detecting the gaming balls winning each of the winning ports 29. A game ball falling along the game board 15 is provided with a winning detection switch 30;
, And the winning detection switch 30 detects the game ball.

The specific winning means 24, the score increasing means 25, and the like are configured to guide the game balls won on the front side of the game board 15 to the back side of the game board 15, and when the game balls are won, One or more corresponding winning ports 2
9 is equivalent to the winning of a game ball.

On the back side of the game board 15, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there are provided various game parts such as a winning opening means 22, a guide symbol displaying means 23, a specific winning means 24, a score increasing means 25, and an operating means 26. A back cover 31 that covers from the back side and a ball collection case 32 that is disposed below the back cover 31 are detachably mounted, and the main control board 3 is mounted on the back surface of the back cover 31.
The main board case 34 for housing the audio board 3 and the audio board case 36 for housing the audio board 35 are detachably mounted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the back cover 31 has an opening 31b at the front edge of a bottom wall 31a. The ball collecting case 32 is passed through the game components such as the winning opening means 22, the specific winning means 24, the score increasing means 25 and the like, and
5, for collecting the game balls guided to the back side, and as shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, a ball collection portion 32a having an open upper side, and game balls collected by the ball collection portion 32a. And a discharge port 32b for discharging the downward direction, and is mounted on the back side of the game board 15 below the winning case 28. The game balls that have won the winning opening 29 are detected by the winning detection switch 30 and then discharged from the outlet 32b through the ball collecting case 32 without stopping inside the winning opening means 22 or the like. Has become.

The discharge port 32b of the ball collecting case 32 has a ball feeding means 48 located closer to the center of the ball collecting case 32 in the left-right direction so that the length of a standby passage 47 described later can be easily secured.
And it is displaced to the opposite side. Also, on both left and right sides of the winning opening means 22, game balls from the specific winning means 24, the score increasing means 25, etc.
The guide passage 32c for guiding to a is mounted so as to project toward the ball collecting case 32 through the opening 31b of the back cover 31.

The launch means 16 is used to guide the game ball to the guide rail 2.
1 for firing to the game area 27 of the game board 15 as shown in FIGS.
And a hitting hammer 38 for hitting the game ball on the firing rail 37 toward the guide rail 21, a firing spring (not shown) for urging the hitting hammer 38 in the hitting direction of the game ball, and a cam mechanism 39. Drive means 4 such as a motor for intermittently swinging the hammer 38 in the anti-hit direction while resisting the firing spring
0, and a firing handle 41 that activates the firing drive means 40 by the player's grip and adjusts the spring pressure of the firing spring by its rotation operation, and is detachable from the support frame 19 via the mounting plate 16a or the like. It is attached to.

The firing rail 37 is mounted on the front side of the support frame 19 or the like corresponding to the guide rail 21 on the game board 15 side. The hitting hammer 38 is disposed on the front side of the support frame 19 corresponding to the firing rail 37 so as to hit a game ball on the firing rail 37, and is swingably supported by the mounting plate 16a by a pivot in the front-rear direction. ing. The firing handle 41 is
As shown in FIG. 5, the support tube 43 is provided at the front end of the support tube 43 that projects through the through hole 42 of the front panel 5 and protrudes to the front. Can be operated. The firing handle 41 has
A touch piece of a touch switch (not shown) for detecting a grasp or operation of the player is provided. On the front side of the firing rail 37, a rail cover 90 that covers a part of the firing rail 37 and the guide rail 21 on the firing rail 37 side from the front side.
Is provided. The rail cover 90 is detachably mounted on, for example, a support member 91 provided on the front panel 5 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 8, between the launching means 16 and the game board 15, a circulation path 44 for game balls including these is formed in a closed loop, and A plurality of game balls are enclosed in the path 44. The circulation path 44 includes a launch side path 45 for guiding the game ball fired by the firing means 16 to the game board 15 side, and a game board 15
And a return path 46 for returning the game ball passing behind to the launching means 16 side. The firing side path 45 is configured by the firing rail 37, the guide rail 21, and the like, and the return side path 46 is configured by the ball collecting case 32, the standby passage 47, the ball feeding means 48, and the like.

The waiting passage 47 is for holding a game ball returning after passing through the game board 15 and supporting the support frame 19.
It is detachably mounted on the front frame 2 side such as the back side of the ball collecting case 32 at a position where the firing means 16 is inclined in the left-right direction so that the firing means 16 side is lowered and its upstream side does not interfere with the lower end of the game board 15. 32b is communicated from below. The ball feeding means 48 is for feeding the game balls in the standby passage 47 one by one onto the firing rail 37 in conjunction with the firing operation of the firing means 16, and the downstream ends of the firing rail 3 and the standby passage 47. It is detachably attached to the support frame 19 and the like between the parts.

The number of game balls in the circulation path 44 is desirably equal to or more than the minimum number required for one game (for example, about 16 to 25). Further, it is desirable that the standby passage 47 be long enough that all or a part (about several) of the game balls corresponding to the enclosed number are arranged in a line.

Medal sorting means (game medium sorting means) 17
Is used to select the correctness of a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot 49 described later. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the medal insertion slot 49 is removably attached to the support frame 19 and the like. Have been. And this medal selection means 17
Determines whether the medal is correct based on the weight, outer shape, material, and the like during the movement of the medal, returns the defective medal to the medal guide gutter 51 described below via the defective shoot 50 according to the determination result, and returns the normal (normal) ) Is guided to the medal shoot 10 of the medal hopper 6. In the medal selection means 17, a medal detection switch (game medium detection switch) 52 for detecting a legitimate medal is provided on the downstream side of the determination unit.

The front panel 5 is divided into a plurality of glass doors 53 corresponding to at least the front side of the game board 15 and other parts. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front panel 5 includes, for example, a glass door 53 corresponding to the front side of the game board 15, an upper panel 54 disposed above the glass door 53, and a glass door 53. The upper panel 54, the glass door 53, and the intermediate panel 55 are divided into a plurality of intermediate panels 55 disposed on the lower side and a lower panel 56 disposed on the lower side of the intermediate panel 55, excluding the lower panel 56. , Front frame 2
Of the front frame 2 on the same side as the hinge 4
, Which are pivotally mounted to be openable and closable individually. The front panel 5 may be formed integrally with the front frame 2.

The glass door 53 is connected to the game area 2 of the game board 15.
7, a door frame 59 having a window hole 58 formed therein, and a glass plate 60 mounted on the door frame 59 so as to close the window hole 58.
And The upper panel 54 is arranged on the upper side of the front frame 2 and is provided with upper display means 61 for displaying a special game state, other game states, and the like. Upper display means 61
Is a display cover 6 detachably attached to the upper panel 54.
2 and one or a plurality of display lamps 63 provided in a display cover 62, and the display lamps 63 emit light by blinking according to the game state. The display cover 62 protrudes forward over substantially the entire width of the gaming machine body 3 in the left-right direction, and has a front side inclined downward and downward.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the intermediate panel 55 has a projecting portion 64 projecting forward, and a display panel portion 65 inclined downward and a control panel on the upper side of the projecting portion 64. A bottom wall portion 64a is provided below the overhang portion 64 and is bent rearward from the lower end toward the front frame 2 side. The intermediate panel 5
The lower end of the lower panel 5 is located above the firing handle 41 so as not to interfere with the firing handle 41 when it is opened and closed.
6, when the intermediate panel 55 is closed, the upper panel 5 comes into contact with the upper end of the lower panel 56 from the front side, or the lower panel 5
6 and vertically overlap.

The display panel section 65 is formed to be elongated in the left-right direction near the lower side of the glass door 53, and an operation panel section 66 is provided in front of the display panel section 65. The display panel section 65 is provided with a prize display means 67 at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction, and one of the prize display means 67 in the left-right direction is provided with a medal number display means 68 and the other is provided with a score display means 69. ing. The display panel unit 65
Has a larger inclination angle than the operation panel section 66 so that the display state of each of the display means 67 to 69 can be easily checked.

The prize display means 67 includes a plurality of, for example, 16 prize display sections 70 corresponding to the respective prize ports 29 of the prize port means 22.
Are arranged in a horizontal row so as to be close to each other in the front-rear direction in correspondence with the respective winning ports 29. Then, each winning display section 70
When a game ball wins one of the winning ports 29, the corresponding winning display section 70 emits light, and the winning is displayed to the player by other means. Each winning display section 70 is numbered sequentially from one end side in correspondence with each winning opening 29. The prize display means 67 is provided at the center or the like of the game area 27 above the prize port means 22,
The prize display units 70 may be arranged vertically and horizontally in combination by a predetermined number (for example, four).

The medal number display means 68 is provided for the medal slot 4
The number of medals inserted from the medal slot 49 (the number of deposited medals) is displayed. The medal number display means 68 is arranged on one side in the left-right direction on the display panel section 65, for example, near a medal insertion slot 49 described later on the left side, and is provided by, for example, a seven-segment display means capable of displaying two digits. It is configured. When medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49, the total number of inserted medals is displayed on the medal number display means 68 as the number of deposited medals. Also, every time the game is started, the prescribed number of medals required for one game is subtracted from the deposited medal number, and the subtracted deposited medal number is displayed on the medal number display means 68.

The player can display the number of deposited medals displayed on the number-of-medals display means 68 as a prescribed number (for example, 4) required for one game.
), It can be recognized that the game can be started. Here, when the number of deposited medals reaches a prescribed number (for example, four) required for one game, for example, a change in display of the medal number display means 68, for example, a display color,
The fact that the game can be started may be notified by a change in the background color or the like. Note that an upper limit (for example, 50) is set for the number of deposited medals displayed on the medal number display means 68, and when the number of deposited medals exceeds the upper limit, the number of deposited medals exceeding the predetermined number is paid out. It has become.

The score display means 69 is for displaying the score awarded when the winning combination is established or the unpaid point of the premium medal. One of the left and right sides on the display panel 65, for example, It is arranged on the opposite side of the medal number display means 68. The score display means 69 is constituted by, for example, a seven-segment display means capable of displaying two digits, like the medal number display means 68. When a winning combination is achieved during the game, the total score according to the winning combination is displayed on the score display means 69. An upper limit (for example, 10 points) is set for the points given in the game. When the premium medal corresponding to the score is paid out at the end of the game, the display of the score display means 69 becomes, for example, "0". Instead of waiting for the game to end, when a score is given during the game, a premium medal according to the score may be paid out. In addition, instead of the score display means 69 or together with the score display means 69, provided medal number display means is provided, and the obtained medal number display means allows the number of acquired medals obtained according to the score or the number of acquired medals not paid out. It may be displayed.

The operation panel 66 includes a medal slot 4
9, a manual selection switch 71, an automatic selection switch 72, and a return switch 73 are provided. Medal slot 49
Are hinges 4 on one side in the left-right direction of the operation panel section 66.
The manual selection switch 71, the automatic selection switch 72, and the return switch 73 are disposed at or near the end near the side 57, and at the center in the left-right direction beyond the medal insertion slot 49.
Are arranged in a line in the left-right direction.

The medal slot (game medium slot) 49 is
The hopper has a size such that a plurality of prescribed medals required for at least one game, preferably a large number of medals for a plurality of games can be inserted. Are supplied one by one. Outside the medal slot 49, a vibration imparting means 74 for slightly shaking the medal slot 49 so that the medals are aligned on the exit 49a side even when a large number of medals are inserted is mounted. The vibration applying means 74
It is activated when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 49. Note that the medal insertion slot 49 may have a number of medals that is equal to or less than a predetermined number required for one game, for example, a medal insertion slot 49 that can insert medals one by one.

The manual selection switch 71 is set to one for each operation.
When the manual selection switch 71 is operated, a process of subtracting a prescribed number of medals, for example, four medals from the number of deposited medals is performed, and the process is performed for one game. Game is ready to start.

The automatic selection switch 72 is for enabling the game to be started continuously and repeatedly after a predetermined pause period. When the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, the number of deposited medals equal to or greater than a prescribed number is obtained. If so, unless the manual selection switch 71 is operated, a process of subtracting a prescribed number of medals from the number of deposited medals is performed before the start of each game, and the game can be started thereafter.

The return switch 73 is for requesting the return of the deposited medals. When the return switch 73 is operated, the medal payout means 12 is operated to pay out the medals from the medal hopper 6 for the number of the deposited medals. It has become.

As the manual selection switch 71, the automatic selection switch 72, and the return switch 73, a push button type or the like is used. The manual selection switch 71 and the automatic selection switch 72 are provided with selection display means (not shown) such as lamps on the operation unit side, and the selection display means displays the selection status. The selection display means includes a manual selection switch 71, an automatic selection switch 7
2 may be provided in the vicinity.

The lower panel 56 is fixed to the lower part of the front frame 2. The lower panel 56 is provided with a medal tray 75 and a medal guide gutter 51 in the front and rear at substantially the center of the lower side in the left-right direction, and one side in the left-right direction of the medal tray 75 and a side near the hinges 4, 57. An ashtray 76 is provided, and a hand rest 77 is provided on the opposite side. Medal tray 7
5. The ashtray 76 and the hand rest 77 project forward from the lower panel 56, and their front ends are flush. The lower panel 56 is provided with a through hole 42 for penetrating the support cylinder 43 supporting the firing handle 41 in the front-rear direction.

The medal tray 75 is for storing medals paid out from the medal paying means 12, defective medals returned through the defective shoot 50, and the like. The medal guide gutter 51 is for guiding the medals paid out from the medal payout means 12 and the defective medals returned through the defective shoot 50 to the medal tray 75, and protrudes rearward from the lower panel 56. The medal tray 75 is provided integrally or separately.

The firing handle 41 is provided above the hand rest 77.
There, these hand rest 77 and the launch handle 41,
The hinges 4 and 57 and the medal insertion slot 49 are disposed at or near the opposite end in the left and right direction. The hand rest 77 is for holding a part of the hand when operating the firing handle 41, and the distance between the hand rest 77 and the firing handle 41 is one hand on the hand rest 77. The setting is such that the firing handle 41 can be operated even when the part is mounted, and can be operated even when the part is not mounted. On the upper side of the firing handle 41, a concave portion 78 is formed in the projecting portion 64 of the intermediate panel 55 so as to be recessed in an arc shape upward, and the firing handle 41 is gripped between the firing handle 41 and the projecting portion 64. In such a case, an interval is secured such that the hand does not come into contact with the overhanging portion 64 of the intermediate panel 55.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of the arrangement ball machine. As shown in FIG. 9, the control system includes a main control unit 80, a winning display control unit 81, a settlement processing unit 82, a payout control unit 83, a medal counting unit 84, a deposit processing unit 85, a game selection unit 86, a launch control unit. 87, return control means 88 and the like.

The main control means 80 determines whether the winning combination, success or failure of the guide symbol display means 23, success or failure of the operating condition of the specific winning means 24, success or failure of the operating condition of the score increasing means 25, etc., on the game board 15 side. Is configured to control each game operation.

The winning display control means 81 includes the winning opening means 22.
For example, when a game ball wins in each of the winning openings 29, the winning display portion 70 of the winning display means 67 corresponding to the winning opening 29 or the like.
Is displayed as a prize. Settlement processing means 8
2 performs a payment process for calculating a score according to the success or failure of the winning combination during the game or at the end of the game in accordance with a signal from the main control means 80, and the score is displayed on the score display means 69. ing.

The payout control means 83 is provided with the settlement processing means 8
When a score is given by the settlement process of 2, the medal payout means 12 is controlled during the game or after the game is over, and medals in the medal hopper 6 are transferred to the medal tray 75 by the medal payout means 12 according to the score. And pay it out.

Medal counting means (game medium counting means) 84
Is for counting the number of regular medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 49, and the number of inserted medals is counted by a signal from the medal detection switch 52. The deposit processing means 85 sequentially updates the deposited medal number by adding the inserted medal number counted by the medal counting means 84 to the stored deposited medal number, and updates the deposited medal number for each game based on a command from the game selecting means 86. The defined medal number required for one game is subtracted from the deposited medal number to update the deposited medal number, and each time the deposited medal number is updated, the actual deposited medal number at that time is displayed on the medal number display means 68. It is made to let.

The game selecting means 86 gives a command of one game or a continuous game to the deposit processing means 85, the firing control means 87 and other parts based on the selection result selected by the manual selection switch 71 and the automatic selection switch 72. For example, when the manual selection switch 71 is operated, a command to reduce the number of medals for one game is operated for each operation. When the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, a command for one game is generated for each game. A command for sequentially subtracting the numbers is issued to cause the deposit processing means 85 to subtract a prescribed number from the deposited medal number before the game starts, and a manual selection switch 71.
Is operated, the command for one game is issued by the firing control means 87.
When the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, a command for a continuous game is issued to the firing control means 87.

The firing control means 87 is for controlling the firing operation of the firing means 16 with a predetermined pause every time each game ends, and the deposit processing means 85 performs a process of subtracting a prescribed number of medals. On condition that the player operates the firing handle 41 of the firing means 16 and that the player operates the firing means 16 based on a command from the game selection means 86, the predetermined number (16) of the game balls are fired. Until the player hits the game area 27.
Therefore, the control system is ready to start the game if more than a specified number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49.

The number of game balls hit into the game area 27 can be obtained by subtracting the number of foul balls from the number of shots on the firing means 16 side, or the number of game balls hit by the winning opening means 22, the specific winning means 24 or the like. Can be obtained from the number.

When the return switch 73 is operated, the return control means 88 determines that the medal payout means 12 has a balance of the number of deposited medals on condition that there is a balance in the number of deposited medals stored in the deposit processing means 85 side. It is for controlling to pay out medals.

Next, the operation of the arrangement ball machine configured as described above will be described. At the start of the game, a plurality of medals of a prescribed number or more required for one game are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49. Then, the medals are aligned in the medal insertion slot 49 and enter the medal selection means 17, and the medal selection means 17 determines whether or not the medal is correct. Only the medals fall through the medal shoot 10 to the medal hopper 6.

At this time, the medal detection switch 52 detects a regular medal, the medal counting means 84 counts the medal number, and the deposit processing means 85 adds and updates the memorized deposited medal number. This enables the deposit processing means 85 to perform the medal subtraction processing based on the instruction of the game selection means 86, and the game can be started. When a medal is inserted, the medal number display unit 68 displays the number of deposited medals under the control of the deposited processing unit 85. Therefore, the player can easily confirm the number of medals at that time by the display.

Next, when the manual selection switch 71 is operated,
The game selection means 86 sends a command for selecting one game to the deposit processing means 85, the launch control means 87, and other units, and the deposit processing means 85 performs a process of subtracting a prescribed number from the deposited medal number and updating it. The launching means 16 is now ready to launch a game ball. The deposit processing means 85
Performs subtraction processing, the medal number display means 68 displays the number of deposited medals after the subtraction.

When the player grasps and operates the firing handle 41 after confirming that the number of deposited medals displayed on the medal number display means 68 has reached the prescribed number required for one game, the firing control means 87 Activates the firing means 16 based on a command from the game selection means 86, and the ball feeding means 48 supplies the game balls in the standby passage 47 one by one to the firing rail 37, and the game balls on the firing rail 37 Is hit with a hitting hammer 38, and is sequentially driven into the game area 27 of the game board 15 via the guide rail 21, whereby a normal game proceeds.

The game ball hit into the game area 27 wins one of the winning openings 29 of the winning opening means 22 or wins the special winning means 24 or the like, and is guided to the back side of the game board 15. After that, it is sequentially returned to the waiting passage 47 through the ball collecting case 32. For example, the game ball is a winning opening means 22
When the player wins any one of the winning ports 29, the game ball is guided from the winning port 29 to the back side of the game board 15 and returned to the standby passage 47 via the ball collecting case 32. When a game ball passes from the winning opening 29 to the back side of the game board 15, the winning detection switch 30 detects the game ball, and under the control of the win display control means 81, the corresponding win of the win display means 67. The display unit 70 displays the winning.

When a game ball wins in four adjacent winning openings 29 of the winning openings 29 of the winning opening means 22 and a winning combination is established, the main control means 80 determines the establishment of the winning combination. The settlement processing unit 82 performs a settlement process for giving a score according to the difficulty level of the winning combination, and the score display unit 69 displays the score. Therefore, the player can easily confirm the score obtained in the game by the display of the score display means 69.

On the other hand, when a score is given, the medal payout means 12 is operated under the control of the payout control means 83, and the medals in the medal hopper 6 are transferred from the medal payout port 14 to the medal tray 75 according to the score. Pay out. Thereby, the player can enjoy a predetermined profit.
The maximum score per game is 10 points, and the number of paid out medals per point is four. Therefore, the number of medals paid out by the medal payout means 12 is up to 40 per game.

When 16 game balls are hit into the game area 27, the firing means 16 is stopped under the control of the firing control means 87, one game is completed, and the game is suspended for a predetermined time until the next game. Therefore, during the idle time, the manual selection switch 71
Is operated, the game selecting means 86, the deposit processing means 85
And the like function similarly, but the firing means 16 does not operate immediately, but operates after the elapse of the pause time to start firing game balls.

When the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, as long as the number of deposited medals is equal to or greater than the prescribed number required for one game, the deposit processing means 85 performs a subtraction process of the prescribed number of medals for each game, and Hits a predetermined number of game balls into the game area 27 for each game. Therefore,
By simply operating the firing handle 41, the player can automatically and continuously play a game with a predetermined pause time.

When the return switch 73 is operated, on the condition that the number of deposited medals stored in the deposit processing means 85 has a balance, the return control means 88 controls
The medal payout means 12 operates to pay out medals from the medal hopper 6 to the medal tray 75 for the number of deposited medals.

As described above, if the game can be started on condition that a plurality of prescribed medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49, conventional dedicated medals such as medals for slot machines can be used. However, it is possible to play a game using medals for other gaming machines having a different value.

Further, if a medal number display means 68 for displaying the number of deposited medals in the medal insertion slot 49 in a stepwise manner is provided, the player can know the current number of inserted medals. Also, it is possible to easily know how many medals should be inserted after the game is started.

If the medals inserted into the medal slot 49 are counted by the medal counting means 84 and the game can be started when the medal counting means 84 counts a plurality of medals, for example, the weight etc. As a result, the number of inserted medals can be easily and surely confirmed as compared with the method of detecting insertion of a plurality of medals.

Further, a medal selecting means 17 for selecting whether the medal inserted through the medal insertion slot 49 is correct or not, and a medal detecting switch 52 for detecting a regular medal selected by the medal selecting means 17 are provided. The regular medals detected by the switch 52 are medal counting means 84
, The use of illegal medals and other defective medals can be prevented.

Also, according to the score given in the game,
By paying out medals of a multiple of the prescribed number required for one game by the medal payout means 12, even if the paid-out medals are inserted and the game is played, a surplus of medals less than the prescribed number occurs. There is no.

A closed loop circulation path 44 including a launch path 45 for guiding game balls from the launch means 16 to the game board 15 and a return path 46 for returning game balls from the game board 15 to the launch means 16. And a sealed type in which a plurality of game balls are sealed in the circulation path 44 is used, so that the player does not need to handle the game balls, and can play a game by processing medals.

FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention and show an example in which a prescribed number of medals are inserted for each game. Since a predetermined number of medals are inserted by the player for each game and medals exceeding one game are not deposited, the manual selection switch 71 and the automatic selection switch 72 are not mounted. In addition, instead of the medal number display means 68 for displaying the number of deposited medals, insertion state display means 68 'for displaying the number of medals inserted for each game in a stepwise manner is provided on, for example, the operation panel section 66. I have. As shown in FIG. 11, the insertion state display means 68 'includes, for example, the same number (here, four) of light emitting means L as the prescribed number of medals required for one game.
For example, characters “1”, “2”, “3”, and “start” are displayed on or near each light emitting unit L, respectively. Each time one medal is inserted, the insertion state display means 68 'causes the light-emitting means L displayed as "1", "2", "3", and "start" to light up one by one in order. Has become. The player can easily know the current number of inserted medals based on the number of light emitting units L of the inserted state display unit 68 '. Note that the input state display means 68 '
Alternatively, the number of inserted medals may be added or subtracted on a digital display such as a 7-segment display.

As for the control system, as shown in FIG.
The deposit processing means 85 updates the deposited medal number by sequentially adding the inserted medal number counted by the medal counting means 84 to the stored deposited medal number, and displays the deposited medal number at that time to the inserted state display means 68 '. When the number of deposited medals reaches a specified number required for one game, a game start command is output to the firing control means 87. When medals exceeding the specified number are inserted, medals exceeding the specified number may be paid out by the medal paying means 12, for example.

The firing control means 87 operates the firing means 16 on condition that there is a game start command from the deposit processing means 85 and that the player operates the firing handle 41 of the firing means 16. The means 16 is a predetermined number (16
) Until the game ball is hit into the game area 27.

As described above, the present invention can be applied to an arrangement ball machine that inserts medals for each game.

FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the main control means 80, the settlement processing means 82, the medal counting means 84, the deposit processing means 85, and the game selection means 86 are provided. An example is shown in which the payout control means 83 and the return control means 88 are respectively constructed on the main control board 33 and the payout control board 33a. Here, since the payout control board 33a can be commonly used even if the game machine models are different, for example, the support frame 1
If the game board 15 is attached to a place other than the game board 15, such as when the game board 15 is replaced and the model is changed, it is not necessary to remove the game board 15, thereby simplifying the operation and reducing the cost. Note that the payment processing means 82, the medal counting means 84, the deposit processing means 85, the game selection means 86, and the like, which can be used in common even if the game machine models are different, are provided on a board different from the main control board 33. And may be attached to a portion other than the game board 15.

FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the main control means 80, the settlement processing means 82, the medal counting means 84, and the deposit processing means 85 are provided.
Is shown on the main control board 33, and the payout control means 83 and the return control means 88 are built on the payout control board 33a. Also in this case, it is desirable that the payout control board 33a be mounted on a portion other than the game board 15 such as on the support frame 19, as in the third embodiment. The settlement processing means 82 and the medal counting means 8
4. Regarding the deposit processing means 85, etc., those which can be used in common even if the types of gaming machines are different are the main control board 3.
The game board 15 may be constructed on a substrate different from that of the game board 3 and may be mounted on a portion other than the game board 15.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the embodiment, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 49 are counted one by one by the medal counting means 84. However, a predetermined number of medals are detected as a unit, and the game is started on condition of the detection. May be enabled.

When the game can be started by inserting a plurality of medals, the first embodiment selects manual or automatic. However, there are deposit medals required for one game, and the shooting handle is set. As long as 41 is operated, the game may be automatically repeated after a predetermined pause time. Also in this case, there is no particular problem if the game is terminated when the user releases the touch piece of the firing handle 41 or the game is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the score of the game exceeds the upper limit of one game during the game, the game may be ended at that time.

Even when a selection switch for selecting manual or automatic is provided, it is not necessary to separately provide the manual selection switch 71 and the automatic selection switch 72 as in the first embodiment. , Automatic may be selected. In this case, by providing the manual selection display means and the automatic selection display means at an appropriate place such as in the vicinity of the selection switch, the player can easily distinguish between manual and automatic. In addition, the color of the display,
Automatic or manual display may be made identifiable by the presence or absence of blinking.

In the first embodiment, when the manual selection switch 71 is operated, the deposit processing means 85 performs a predetermined number of medals subtraction processing before the start of the game by operating the manual selection switch 71, and operates the automatic selection switch 72. In such a case, the deposit processing means 85 performs the subtraction processing of the specified number of medals before the start of each game by the operation, but in any case, the player operates the firing handle 41 after inserting the medals. Deposit processing means 8
5 may perform a process of subtracting a prescribed number of medals before the start of the game.

In the embodiment, the outer frame 1 and the front frame 2
And a front panel 5 is provided on the front side of the front frame 2. The outer frame 1 and the front frame 2 are integrated to form the game machine main body 3. A front panel 5 may be provided on the front side of 3 so as to be openable and closable. Even when the front panel 5 is provided on the front of the gaming machine main body 3, it is not always necessary to divide the front panel 5 into a plurality. The entire front panel 5 including the glass door 53 is integrally configured,
The front panel 5 may be provided to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body 3. The number of medals required for one game need not be four, but may be two or more. Also, a plurality of types of medals may be made available.

Further, in the embodiment, the medals obtained in the game are paid out to the medal tray 75 for each game. However, the medals obtained in the game are not paid out each time, but the number of medals obtained is calculated in each game. Each time, the number of deposited medals may be sequentially added to the number of deposited medals, updated and displayed on the medal number display means 68 at any time. For example, when the return switch 73 is pressed, the deposited medals including the obtained medals may be collectively paid out. The update of the score for each game may be performed at any time without waiting for the end of the game.

The arrangement state machine 6 shown in FIG. 11 is further provided in the arrangement ball machine shown in the first embodiment.
It is also possible to mount 8 '.

In each of the embodiments, examples have been described in which medals are used as game media. However, the game media is not limited to medals, and various media such as cards, game balls, coins, and game chips are used. It is possible.

Further, in the embodiment, the arrangement ball machine is exemplified. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to various combination game machines such as a sparrow ball game machine in addition to the arrangement ball machine.

[0083]

According to the present invention, a predetermined number of game balls are provided in the game machine main body 3 to the game board 15 for combination games, the game medium slot 49 for inserting game media, and the game area 27 of the game board 15. In the combination game machine provided with the launching means 16 for launching the game, the game can be started on condition that a plurality of prescribed game media are inserted into the game medium slot 49, so that the slot machine or the like can be used. It is possible to play a game by using a common medal with the gaming machine of the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the arrangement ball machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a front frame showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an outer frame showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement ball machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement ball machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement ball machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a return path portion showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an insertion state display means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control system showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Gaming Machine Body 12 Medal Payout Means (Gaming Media Payout Means) 15 Gaming Board 16 Launching Means 17 Medal Sorting Means (Gaming Medium Sorting Means) 27 Gaming Area 44 Circulation Path 45 Launch Path 46 Return Path 49 Medal Slot (Gaming) Medium insertion port) 52 Medal detection switch (game medium detection switch) 68 Medal number display means (insertion state display means) 68 'Insertion state display means 84 Medal counting means (game medium counting means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine body (3), a game board (15) for a combination game, and a game medium slot (49) for inserting a game medium.
And a launching means (16) for launching a predetermined number of gaming balls to a gaming area (27) of the gaming board (15). Characterized in that the game can be started on condition that the game medium is inserted. 2. Insertion state display means (68) (6) for displaying the insertion state of the game medium into the game medium insertion port (49) in a stepwise manner.
The combination game machine according to claim 1, further comprising 8 '). 3. A game medium counting means (84) for counting the number of game media inserted into the game medium slot (49), wherein the game medium counting means (84) counts a specified number of game media. The combination game machine according to claim 1, further comprising a function of enabling a game to be started on the condition of: 4. A game medium selection means (17) for selecting whether the game medium inserted from the game medium input port (49) is correct or not, and a regular game medium selected by the game medium selection means (17). A game medium detection switch (52) for detecting the game medium, wherein the game medium counting means (84) counts a regular game medium detected by the game medium detection switch (52). 3. The combination gaming machine according to 3. 5. A game medium payout means (12) for paying out game media of a multiple of the specified number according to a score given in one game. Combination gaming machine described in. 6. An upper limit is set for the score given in one game, and the game medium payout means (12) sets the number of game media according to the upper limit score as a limit of payout in one game. The combination game machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. A launch path (45) for guiding a game ball from said launch means (16) to said gaming board (15), and said gaming board (15).
A return path (4) for returning the game ball from the
The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a closed loop-shaped circulation path (44) including (6) is formed, and a plurality of game balls are enclosed in the circulation path (44). Gaming machine.