JP2002165936A - Combination game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a combination game machine allowing a game player to easily seize the progress of a game. SOLUTION: A winning hole means 29 having more than one winning hole 29 is arranged in a lower part of a game area 27, a shooting means 16 is provided for shooting a game ball to the game area 27, and a progress state announcing means 95 is arranged on the front side of a game machine body 3 or a game board 15 for announcing the progress state of the game to the game player.

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 formats, at the time of the game, 16 game balls are fired into the game area of the game board by the firing means for each game, and the game balls are played by the winning opening means arranged at the lower part of the game area. Win any one of the winning openings. When a predetermined winning combination is established by winning a predetermined winning opening, such as winning four adjacent winning openings adjacent to the winning opening means, a score is awarded according to the difficulty of the establishment. Then, a predetermined number of medals or game balls are paid out to the player as prizes.

In this type of arrangement ball machine, conventionally, no means has been taken to notify the progress of the game to the player.

[0004]

A game is established by hitting a maximum of 16 game balls into a game area,
In addition, since the firing means sequentially fires nearly 100 game balls per minute and hits them into the game area, one game is completed in an extremely short time.

However, in the conventional arrangement ball machine, the progress of the game, for example, the number of hit balls is not displayed to the player. For this reason, at the time of launching each game ball, the player in the game can determine whether the number of shots of the game ball at that time is approximately and how many game balls can be shot later. Very difficult.

Therefore, even if there is a high possibility that a game ball has already been placed in three adjacent winning ports and a winning combination is established, the remaining number of shots cannot be accurately grasped. There are times when you have to give up trying to complete a role.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a combination gaming machine that allows a player to easily grasp the progress of a game.

[0008]

The present invention relates to a game area 27.
Winning port means 29 having a plurality of winning ports 29 below
In the combination gaming machine provided with a launching means 16 for launching a game ball to the gaming area 27, the progress of notifying the player of the progress of the game to the player in front of the gaming machine body 3 or the gaming board 15 This is provided with status notifying means 95.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 illustrate a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a medal insertion type arrangement ball machine. 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 constitutes a medal storing means for storing medals. The medal hopper 6 has a medal shooter 10 for receiving inserted medals and an auxiliary medal for assisting surplus medals when the internal medals are full. An overflow port 11 for overflowing into the tank 7 and medal payout means 12 for paying out prize medals are provided. The medal payout means 12 is for paying out the medals in the medal hopper 6 for prizes or return, and is provided below the medal hopper 6. (Not shown) 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. Operating means 26a, 26b, normal winning means 26c, 2
Each game component such as 6d is arranged. A number of game nails (not shown) are provided between the winning opening means 22 and each game component. The guide symbol display means 23 is constituted by a liquid crystal display means, and one or more, for example, three guide symbols 23a, provided that the operation means 26a detects a game ball.
Fluctuates for a predetermined time and stops. In addition,
Numerical symbols, characters, and other appropriate symbols, for example, numeric symbols, are used for the guide symbol 23a.

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, a winning opening means 22, a guide symbol displaying means 23, a specific winning means 24, a score increasing means 25, and operating means 26a, 2
6b, a back cover 31 that covers each game component such as the normal prize winning means 26c and 26d from the back side, and a ball collection case 32 disposed below the back cover 31 are detachably mounted.
A main board case 34 for housing a main control board 33 and an audio board case 36 for housing an audio board 35 are detachably mounted on the back surface of the back cover 31.

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 ball 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 detecting switch 30 and then do not stop inside the winning opening means 22 and the like, pass through the ball collecting case 32, and reach the ball outlet 32b.
It is to be discharged from.

The ball discharge port 32b of the ball collecting case 32 has a ball feeding means 4 larger than 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.
8 is displaced to the opposite side. Also, on the left and right sides of the winning opening means 22, the game balls from the specific winning means 24, the score increasing means 25 and the like are filled with ball sets 3 of the ball collecting case 32.
A guide passage 32c for guiding to 2a is mounted so as to protrude 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 or the like 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.

In front of the launch rail 37, the launch rail 3
A rail cover 90 is provided to cover a portion of the guide rail 21 on the side of the firing rail 37 from the front side. 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.
In the vicinity of the launch rail 37, a launch detection switch 94 for detecting the launch of a game ball is provided. Note that the firing detection switch 94 may be provided at a location other than the vicinity of the firing rail 37.

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 standby 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 its launching means 16 side is inclined in the left and right direction so as to be lowered and its upstream side does not interfere with the lower end of the game board 15. It communicates with the outlet 32b 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 37 and the standby passage 47. It is detachably attached to the support frame 19 and the like between the parts.

As shown in FIG. 3, a foul ball guide passage 92 which penetrates the support frame 19 in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward and backward is connected to a middle portion of the standby passage 47.
The foul ball guide passage 92 is a foul ball that stalls in the middle of the guide rail 21 and returns without reaching the game area 27.
The foul ball guide passage 92 is also provided for guiding from the lower front side of the game board 15 to the standby passage 47.
6. In the foul ball guide passage 92, a foul ball detection switch 93 (see FIG. 10) for detecting passage of a foul ball is provided.

The number of game balls in the circulation path 44 is equal to or more than the minimum number required for one game (for example, 16 to
It is desirable that the number is at least enough to allow the firing means 16 to fire the game balls at predetermined time intervals, and may be less than the predetermined number required for one game. 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.

The medal selecting means 17 is for selecting the right or wrong of a medal inserted from a medal insertion slot 49 described later. As shown in FIGS. 19 and the like. The medal selection means 17 determines whether the medal is correct based on the weight, the outer shape, the material, and the like during the movement of the medal. Then, a normal (regular) medal is guided to the medal shoot 10 of the medal hopper 6. In the medal selection means 17, a medal detection switch 52 for detecting a regular 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 glass door 53 is provided with a progress display means 95 for visually displaying and informing the player of the progress of the game.

The progress display means 95 constitutes progress notification means. The progress display means 95 is provided with a plurality of display portions 96 in a continuous manner.
Is mounted on the door frame 59 of the glass door 53 at the front side of the gaming machine main body 3 at a predetermined position such as a side opposite to the launching means 16.

The progress display means 95 is adapted to directly or indirectly display the number of hit balls as the game progresses into the game area 27 as the progress of the game. It has the same number of display portions 96 as the number of shots, is provided vertically long along the outer edge of the door frame 59 of the glass door 53, and has a display state according to the number of game balls hit by the firing means 16 into the game area 27. The number of the display units 96 is sequentially increased from bottom to top.

In the progress display means 95, the entire display section 96 may be constituted by a liquid crystal display means, or each display section 96 may be constituted by a display lamp such as a light emitting diode. Further, the display units 96 may be arranged at predetermined intervals. Further, the progress display means 95 is provided for the glass door 5.
The third door frame 59 may be arranged in an arc along the inner edge thereof.

The upper panel 54 is disposed 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. The upper display means 61
Display cover 62 detachably attached to upper panel 54
And one or a plurality of display lamps 63 provided in the 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
This is for displaying the number of medals inserted from 9 (the number of deposited medals), and is disposed 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. For example, it is constituted by a display means of seven segments capable of displaying two digits.
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. 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 a score awarded when a winning combination is established or a score of an unpaid premium medal, for example, on one side in the left-right direction on the display panel section 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". It should be noted that, instead of the score display means 69 or together with the score display means 69, a medal count display means is provided, and the obtained medal count display means allows the medal count obtained according to the score or the medal count not paid out to be obtained. 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 insertion slot 49 has a hopper shape large enough to insert a plurality of prescribed medals required for at least one game, preferably a large number of medals for a plurality of games.
The outlet 49a on the lower side is narrow so that medals can be supplied to the medal selecting means 17 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 operates 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 more than a prescribed number is obtained. If there is, the process of subtracting a specified number of medals is performed before the start of each game, unless the manual selection switch 71 is operated, and then the game can be started.

The return switch 73 is for requesting the return of the deposited medals, and 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 switch 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. 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 formed with a through hole 42 for allowing the support tube 43 that supports the firing handle 41 to pass through 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, progress display control means 97, and the like.

The main control means 80 determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved, whether or not the fluctuation condition of the guide symbol display means 23 has been established, whether or not the operating condition of the specific winning means 24 has been established, and whether or not the operating condition of the score increasing means 25 has been established. Has a function of controlling the game operation of each game.

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 settlement 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 displays the score on the score display means 69; At the same time as or after the end of the process, the settlement process is terminated when there is a termination command of the settlement process.

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.

The medal counting means 84 has a medal slot 49.
For counting the regular medals inserted from,
The number of inserted medals is counted based on a signal from the medal detection switch 52. 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 for each game based on a command from the game selecting means 86. Each time the prescribed number of medals required for one game is subtracted from the number of deposited medals, the number of deposited medals is updated, and each time the number of deposited medals is further updated, the actual number of deposited medals at that time is displayed on the number-of-medals display means 68. It is designed to be displayed.

The game selecting means 86 issues 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 after each game, and the deposit processing means 85 performs a process of subtracting a prescribed number of medals. On the condition that the player operates the firing handle 41 of the firing means 16 based on the instruction of the game selecting means 86,
When the launching means 16 hits a maximum predetermined number (16) of game balls into the game area 27, the operation of the launching means 16 is stopped. Note that the control system allows the launch control means 87 to control the launch means 16 by gripping the launch handle 41 when the medals of the prescribed number or more are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49, so that the game can be started. .

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

The progress display control means 97 includes a driving counter 98 and a display controller 99 as shown in FIG. The driving counting section 98 includes a firing detection switch 94.
For counting the number of game balls hit into the game area 27 of the game board 15 on the basis of the signals of the ball detection switch 93 and the ball detection switch 93.
In addition to the addition of the signals from No. 4 and the subtraction of the signal from the foul sphere detection switch 93, the number of actual shots is counted.

The display control unit 99 controls the display of the progress display means 95 based on the count value of the driving counting unit 98 during the actual game excluding the pause time. Each time the count value of the driving counter 98 increases as the driving advances, the number of the display units 96 in the display state increases substantially in proportion to the count value. It emits light to display the progress of the game.

Accordingly, when the progress status display means 95 repeats the game in which a predetermined number of game balls are hit into the game area 27 at a predetermined pause time, the progress status display means 95 excludes the pause time. During the game, the progress of the game (increase in the number of hits) can be displayed as the game balls are hit.

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 medal number stored in the memorized deposit medal. 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 deposited 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.

For example, when a new medal is inserted while the number of deposited medals is 0, the deposited processing means 85 automatically subtracts a prescribed number from the deposited medals without operating the manual selection switch 71, You may comprise so that a game can be started.

Thereafter, when the player grips and operates the firing handle 41, the firing control means 87 causes the game selection means 8 to operate.
The ball sending means 48 supplies the game balls in the standby passage 47 one by one to the firing rail 37 on the basis of the command from the player 6 on the firing rail 37, and hits the game balls on the firing rail 37 with the hammer 38. , And sequentially hits the game area 15 of the game board 15 via the guide rails 21, whereby a normal game proceeds.

When game balls are sequentially fired to the game area 27 by the firing means 16, the driving counting section 98 of the progress display control means 97 performs actual driving based on signals from the fire detection switch 94 and the foul ball detection switch 93. The number of game balls hit into the game area 27 is counted, and the counted value is sent to the display control unit 99. Then, the display control unit 9
In FIG. 9, as shown by hatching in FIG.
As the count value increases, each display section 96 corresponding to the number of shots of the progress display means 95 is sequentially illuminated from bottom to top. For this reason, the display portion 96 of the display state of the progress display means 95 becomes longer in proportion to the increase in the number of hit balls, so that the player can display the progress display means 95.
, The number of game balls hit, which is the progress of the game, can be easily grasped.

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.

When a point is awarded by the formation of a winning combination,
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 in accordance with the score.
Pay out to. 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.

When the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, as long as the number of deposited medals is equal to or more than the prescribed number necessary 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, the medal payout means 12 is operated under the control of the return control means 88 and the medal hopper is operated on the condition that the number of deposited medals stored in the deposit processing means 85 has a balance. From 6, medals corresponding to the number of deposited medals are paid out to the medal tray 75.

If the game can be started on condition that a plurality of prescribed medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 49 as in this embodiment, conventional medals such as slot machine medals are used. Unlike special medals, the game can be played using medals for other gaming machines with low value. In this case, 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, a plurality of The number of inserted medals can be easily and surely confirmed as compared with a method for detecting insertion of medals.

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. By adopting a sealed type in which a plurality of game balls are sealed in the circulation path 44, the player does not need to handle the game balls, and can play a game by processing medals.

The gaming machine main body 3 includes an outer frame 1 and a front frame 2 disposed in front of the outer frame 1, and a medal hopper (medal storing means) 6 for storing medals on the outer frame 1 side. ,
A medal payout unit 12 for paying out the medals in the medal hopper 6; 75, each device associated with the medal processing can be
Can be efficiently arranged on the outer frame 1 and the front frame 2.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, when a special game state occurs, the progress of each game in the special game state (for example, the number of games) Is notified by the progress display means 95.

That is, the progress display means 95 is for displaying the progress (number of games) of the game in the special game state, and as shown in FIG. A display portion 96 is provided in a strip shape in the vicinity of the board 15, for example, in an arc shape on the upper panel portion 54 and corresponding to the maximum number of games that can be continued in the special game state.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control system includes a game state determination means 100, a guide symbol display control means 101, a special game state generation means 102, a progress state display control means 97 and the like. The game state determination means 100 includes the operation means 2
It is for determining whether or not to generate a special game state by the random number processing from a random number value randomly selected on condition that the game ball of 6a is detected. Guide symbol display control means 101
Is based on the determination result of the game state determination means 100, when the determination result is a special game determination, the guide symbol 2 after the change
3a is for controlling the guide symbol 23a of the guide symbol display means 23 such that the guide symbol 23a after the change displays the non-special mode in the case of displaying the special mode and the non-special game determination.

When the result of the judgment by the game state judging means 100 is a special game judgment, the special game state generating means 102 opens the specific winning means 24 after the guide symbol 23a is stopped,
Special operating area 2 in which a winning game ball is formed.
When a predetermined condition such as passing through 4a is satisfied, a special game state advantageous to the player is generated over a plurality of games (for example, 14 games). In the special game state, the operating means 26b is enabled, and the point increasing means 25 is provided by the winning of the game ball to the operating means 26b.
When the game ball wins in the score increasing means 25, the settlement processing means 82 increases (doubles) the score in the game.

The progress display control means 97 is for displaying the progress (for example, the number of games) of each game in the special game state on the progress display means 95 to notify the user when the special game state occurs. Then, the game counting section 103 for counting the number of games in the special game state, and the respective display sections 96 of the progress display means 95 corresponding to the respective count values are sequentially displayed based on the count values of the game count section 103. A display control unit 99 is provided. The progress display means 95
Corresponds to the number of games in which the special game state can be continued.

In this embodiment, when the operation means 26a detects a game ball, the game state determination means 100 determines whether or not to generate a special game state from the lottery value at that time.
Under the control of the guide symbol display control means 101 based on the determination result, the guide symbol 23a of the guide symbol display means 23 starts changing for a predetermined time. And the game state determination means 10
When the determination result of 0 is a special game, after the guide symbol 23a after the change stops in a special mode such as “7.7.7”,
The specific winning means 24 is opened.

When the game ball which has won the special prize means 24 passes through the special operation area 24a, the special game state generating means 102 operates, and the special game state advantageous to the player over 14 games including that game is provided. Occurs. In this special game state, the operating means 26b is activated, and if a game ball wins in the operating means 26b, the score increasing means 25 is opened and the game ball wins in the score increasing means 25. Double the points earned.

On the other hand, when a special game state occurs, the game counting section 103 of the progress display control means 97 sequentially counts the number of subsequent games. Then, when the game counting section 103 counts the games, the display section 96 corresponding to the number of each game of the progress state display means 95 becomes a display state under the control of the display control section 99, and the progress state in the special game state is displayed. Display as needed. For this reason, the player can easily grasp the number of games in the special game state, the number of remaining games, and the like by displaying the progress status display means 95.

FIG. 13 exemplifies a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display for displaying the progress of a game with characters and others is provided near the game board 15 and in front of the game machine main body 3. Is provided on both the left and right sides. The progress display means 95 is provided on the front panel 5.
Among them, the upper panel 54 disposed on the upper side of the game board 15 is mounted on both left and right sides.

In the game, the game area 27
Each time a game ball is driven into the game, one progress status display means 9
5 displays the number of hits in characters such as "1" or "2", and if a special game state occurs, the other progress display means 95 displays the number of games in that state as "1 game". And "2 games".

FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal progress display means 95 is provided.
Number display unit 104 and game number display unit 105
Are provided on the upper and lower sides, and the display units 104 and 105 are formed in a band shape. I try to make it longer. In this case, the number of hits and the number of games in the special game state can be easily grasped by the length of the display state of each of the display units 104 and 105.

The number-of-hits display section 104 and the number-of-games display section 105 may be numbers corresponding to the number of hits and the number of games, and may be arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction and other directions. The progress display means 95 may also serve as a display means for displaying a model name, a trademark, an advertisement, and other information of the gaming machine during a pause time other than during the actual game.

FIG. 15 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a progress display means 95 is arranged on the game board 15 side. The game board 15 has side display means 1 provided with a plurality of display lamps 108 in a vertical direction inside a display case 107 on both left and right sides of the game area 27.
Reference numeral 06 is provided, and the side display means 106 is also used as the progress display means 95. The number of display lamps 108 of each side display means 106 corresponds to the number of game balls hit per game,
7. When the game ball is driven into 7, the display lamp 108 of one side display means 106 is displayed according to the number of the game balls driven.
Sequentially emits light or blinks, and then the display lamp 108 of the other side display means 106 emits light or blinks sequentially.

The progress display means 95 is connected to the game board 15
In this case, game components other than the side display means 106 of the game board 15 may be used. Further, a progress display means 95 such as a lamp type or a liquid crystal type may be provided at an appropriate place on the game board 15 so as not to obstruct the passage of the game ball.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, as the progress of the game to be displayed on the progress display means 95, a change in the number of game balls hit into the game area 27 and a change in the number of games in the special game state are exemplified. Although the change in the number of games is displayed over time on the progress display means 95, information on the progress of other games may be displayed (notified).

For example, when the special symbol after the change of the guide symbol display means 23 is the special mode, the guide symbol 23a is thereafter given a predetermined number of times (for example, 20 to 50) according to the type of the guide symbol 23a of the special mode. In a gaming machine configured to change the probability that the gaming state determination means 100 determines a special game from a normal probability to a high probability until the game state determination means 100 fluctuates, the fluctuation of the guide symbol 23a after the probability change The number of times may be sequentially displayed by the progress display means 95 over time.

When the progress of the game is displayed on the progress display means 95, the number of hits, the number of games, the number of fluctuations, and the like are displayed. It may be increased, or may be decreased. For example, when the number of shots or the like is displayed by a number, the number may be displayed in an ascending order or in a descending order. In the case of the ascending order method, the number of shots or the like at that time is directly displayed. In the case of the descending order method, the remaining number of shots or the like at that time is directly displayed.

As the progress notifying means, in addition to the progress displaying means 95 for notifying by a display, a voice notifying means for notifying the player of the progress of the game by voice may be employed. Notification (display) of the progress of the game may be direct or indirect. In short, it is sufficient to be able to notify (display) information related to the progress of the game.

Further, 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 detected on the condition of the detection. May be started.
If one medal is inserted, the game may be started on that condition.

When the game can be started by inserting a plurality of medals, the embodiment selects either manual or automatic. However, there are deposit medals necessary for one game,
As long as the firing handle 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 continuation of the game is stopped after the end of the game when the player releases the touch piece of the firing handle 41.

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 embodiment.
Manual selection and automatic selection may be performed by using the selection switches. 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. It is also possible to use a single selection display means so that the display can be automatically or manually identified by the color of the display, the presence or absence of blinking, and the like.

In the embodiment, the manual selection switch 71
Is operated, the deposit processing means 8 is operated by the operation.
5 performs a predetermined number of medals subtraction processing before the start of the game, and when the automatic selection switch 72 is operated, the deposit processing means 85 performs the predetermined number of medals subtraction processing before the start of each game by the operation. I try to do it,
In any case, on condition that the player operates the firing handle 41 after inserting the medals, the deposit processing means 85 may perform a process of subtracting a specified number of medals before the start of the game.

The gaming machine main body 3 comprises an outer frame 1 and a front frame 2 on the front side thereof, 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. The gaming machine body 3 may be configured as described above, and a front panel 5 may be provided on the front side of the gaming machine body 3 so as to be freely opened and closed. 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 may be integrally formed, and the front panel 5 may be provided to be freely opened and closed with respect to the gaming machine main body 3.
The front frame 2 and the front panel 5 may be configured integrally. The number of medals required for one game need not be four, but one.
Any number is acceptable. Also, a plurality of types of medals may be made available.

In the above 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 changed for each game. The number of deposited medals is sequentially added to the number of medals until the upper limit is reached, updated at the same time, and displayed at any time on the number of medals display means 68. May be.

In the embodiment, a score is given as a game value by the formation of a winning combination, and a medal is paid out based on the score. However, a game value other than the score may be used. Other game media may be paid out. In short, as long as the player can acquire some game media according to the game value, the game media may be game balls, medals, and the like.

The fire detection switch 94, the foul sphere detection switch 93, and the like may be provided at other locations. Further, in the embodiment, the arrangement ball machine is exemplified, but 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. In addition to the medal insertion type, the present invention can be similarly applied to a game ball insertion type or card type combination gaming machine.

[0099]

According to the present invention, a combination gaming machine provided with a prize hole means 29 having a plurality of prize holes 29 below the game area 27, and a launch means 16 for launching a game ball to the game area 27. , The gaming machine body 3 or the gaming board 1
Since the progress status notifying means 95 for notifying the progress status of the game to the player is provided on the front side of 5, there is an advantage that the player can easily grasp the progress status of the game.

[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 block diagram of a control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a 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 front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of an arrangement ball machine showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 gaming machine body 15 game board 16 launch means 27 game area 29 winning opening 44 circulation route 45 launch side route 46 return route 49 medal slot 53 glass door 93 foul ball detection switch 94 launch detection switch 95 progress display means (progress Situation notification means) 96 display unit 98 driving counting unit 102 special game state generation means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of winning ports are provided at a lower portion of the game area (27).
The winning area means (29) having (29) is provided, and the gaming area (27)
In the combination game machine equipped with a launching means (16) for launching a game ball, the progress of notifying the player of the progress of the game to the player on the front side of the gaming machine body (3) or the game board (15) A combination gaming machine comprising a notification means (95). 2. The combination gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said progress notification means is progress display means (95) for visually displaying and notifying said progress. 3. The game board according to claim 1, wherein
3. The combination game machine according to claim 2, wherein the combination game machine is arranged in front of the game machine main body in the vicinity of the game machine. 4. The progress display means (95) includes a plurality of display portions (96) continuously or at predetermined intervals, and the progress display means (95) is provided in front of the game board (15). Glass Door (53)
4. The combination game machine according to claim 3, wherein the combination is provided along an outer edge or an inner edge of the glass door. 5. The progress display means (95) is configured to display the number of display portions (96) in a display state in accordance with an increase in the number of game balls hit into the game area (27) by the launch means (16). The combination game machine according to claim 4, further comprising a function of increasing display. 6. A function of enabling a game in which a predetermined number of game balls are hit into the game area (27) as one unit at a predetermined pause time, and a function that allows the game to be repeated during an actual game excluding the pause time. A function of displaying the progress on the progress display means (95).
A combination gaming machine according to any one of the above. 7. A function of enabling a game in which a predetermined number of game balls are driven into the game area (27) as one unit at a predetermined pause time, and is advantageous to a player over a plurality of games. Special game state generating means (102) for generating a special game state, and, when the special game state occurs, informing the progress state of each game in the special game state by the progress state notifying means (95). The combination game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a function. 8. A firing detection switch (94) for detecting a game ball fired by said firing means (16), and said game area (2).
7) a foul ball detection switch (93) for detecting a foul ball returning without reaching, and driving of a game ball into the game area (27) based on a signal from each of the detection switches (93) and (94). The combination game machine according to claim 5, further comprising a driving counting section (98) for counting the number. 9. A game machine comprising a medal insertion slot (49) for inserting a medal, wherein a game can be started on condition that one or a plurality of prescribed medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot (49). The combination game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: 10. A launch path (45) for guiding game balls from the launch means (16) to the game board (15), and a game ball from the game board (15) to the launch means (16). Return path (46)
The combination game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a closed loop circulation path (44) including the following is formed, and a plurality of game balls are sealed in the circulation path (44). .