JP2005102963A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can dispense the total number of game balls requested by enabling the addition of the number of game balls requested from a dispensing processor up to the upper limit of the number of balls in the memory means while achieving the quick intake of the game balls. <P>SOLUTION: When no number of balls available in the credit exists as necessary for the setting of the number of betting, a game control part 41 orders an intake put-out control part 61 to take in the pachinko balls and the intake put-out control part carries out the intake operation of the pachinko balls with an intake device 100 whether the pachinko balls are in standby or not. When receiving the dispensing demand from a card unit 15, an addition demand signal: on is give to the game control part to add the number of balls requested to the number of balls available in the credit and the game control part makes the addition thereof to the number of balls available in the credit and outputs the number of put-out ball signal indicating the number of balls not added when the number of balls requested exceeds the upper limit of the credit while the addition result signal: on is given as a return signal on the number of balls equivalent to the fraction back. The intake put-out control part makes a put-out device 200 put out the pachinko balls corresponding to the number of balls equivalent to the fraction indicated by the number of put-out ball signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine capable of playing a game using a gaming ball such as a pachinko ball.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a medal type gaming machine) capable of playing a game by setting a bet number using a medal as a gaming medium is generally used. Because there is a demand to install medal-type gaming machines on gaming islands where pachinko machines such as pachinko machines that use existing pachinko balls are installed, pachinko balls (gaming balls) are used as gaming media. Some gaming machines capable of playing a game by setting the number of bets have been proposed.

  The gaming machine for setting the number of bets using these pachinko balls includes, for example, a take-in device for taking in pachinko balls waiting on an upper plate or the like, and the take-in device takes in the pachinko balls inside, The number of bets is set using these captured pachinko balls. On the other hand, in the game hall, the normal medal lending rate is set higher than the lending rate of pachinko balls. For example, when the pachinko ball lending rate is 4 yen and the medal lending rate is set to 20 yen, the gaming characteristics similar to those of the medal type gaming machine are used for the gaming machine for setting the number of bets using the pachinko ball. In order to prepare for this, it is necessary to use five pachinko balls in order to set the number of bets of one unit. For this reason, in a gaming machine in which a bet number is set using a conventionally proposed pachinko ball, for detecting whether one unit or more of the pachinko ball is prepared on the upstream side of the capturing device. A preparation ball sensor is provided, and when the pachinko ball is detected by the preparation ball sensor, that is, when one unit or more of the pachinko ball is prepared, the take-in device can be driven. The thing is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, as a gaming machine capable of playing a game by setting the bet number, a game medium for use in setting the bet number is stored in a storage means (hereinafter also referred to as credit), and these stored game media Many gaming machines that can be used for gaming have been put into practical use. For example, a slot machine or the like that can store game media taken in in credits and use the number of game media stored in these credits for setting the number of bets (for example, see Patent Document 2). On the other hand, there has been proposed a gaming machine capable of lending gaming media by adding to the credit the number of gaming media according to a request from a lending processing device such as a card unit installed correspondingly. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-271269 A (first page) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-221353 (pages 7-8, FIGS. 8, 9)

  In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, unless one unit or more pachinko balls (for example, five pachinko balls) are prepared, the take-in device is configured not to be driven. Even when pachinko spheres less than the unit (for example, four pachinko spheres) are prepared, the pachinko sphere is newly supplied into the capturing device, and one or more pachinko spheres (for example, five pachinko spheres) are prepared. ) Is detected by the preparation ball sensor, the take-in operation is not started. For this reason, even if no pachinko ball is detected by the preparation ball sensor, if it is possible to take in less than one unit of pachinko balls, the next take-in operation can take in the insufficient pachinko balls. In spite of this, one or more pachinko balls will be taken in after the pachinko ball is detected by the preparation ball sensor. There was a problem that could not proceed.

  In addition, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 2 described above, in response to the lending request from the lending processing device, it is determined whether the credit has a free space for the number of gaming media requested by the lending request at that time, Only when it is determined that the credit is available, the requested number of game media is added to the credit in response to the loan request. However, in such a configuration, when there is no available credit due to a single lending request, the lending is not performed, and in most cases, the game medium is stored up to the upper limit of the credit. However, since the credit does not reach the upper limit due to the rental of the game medium, the player has to frequently perform the lending operation. On the other hand, if a loan is made with no credit available, the number of game media that can be added to the credit is insufficient for the number of game media requested by the loan request. There was a problem that it was not possible to produce a fraction.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and can quickly take in game balls, and stores the number of game balls requested by a lending request from a lending processing device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can add up to the upper limit to the number of game balls stored in the game, and can lend out all the number of game balls requested by the lending request.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention enables a game to be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using game balls, The display result of the variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified is derived and displayed, so that one game is completed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device. A gaming machine,
Bet number operating means operated when setting the bet number;
Game ball number storage means for storing the number of game balls owned by a player that can be used for setting the bet number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number;
Game control means for controlling the game and performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls stored in the game ball number storage means;
Game ball taking-in means for taking in game balls to set the bet number;
A game ball standby unit for waiting for a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means;
Game ball payout means for paying out game balls;
Take-in / out control means for performing game ball take-in control by the game ball take-in means and game ball pay-out control by the game ball pay-out means;
With
The game control means is configured such that when the betting number setting operation means is operated in the betting number setting operation accepting state for accepting an operation of the betting number setting operation means, the stored game ball number is stored in the betting number setting operation means. Including a first required number determination means for determining whether or not a bet number setting necessary number necessary for setting a bet number according to an operation is satisfied;
The game control means includes
When the first required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means is set using the stored number of game balls,
When the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not reached, a take-in request for taking in a game ball is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and The bet number setting operation not accepting the operation of the bet number setting operation means is not accepted,
The take-out / payout control means takes in the game ball to be taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the game ball standby section when the take-in request is received. Take in the capture control to perform the operation, and when the capture control is completed, return the capture control end information indicating that to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the take-in control end information, the total number of the stored game balls and the number of taken-in balls taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings. A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not
The game control means includes
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means using the stored game ball number and the captured ball number Set
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is not reached, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation acceptance state is set again.
The take-out / payout control means stores the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request when the lending request is received from a lending processing device that issues a lending request for a predetermined number of game balls according to a player's operation. An addition request for requesting addition to the number of game balls is transmitted to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the addition request, the game control means adds the number of added game balls corresponding to the addition request to the number of stored game balls, thereby determining whether or not the number of stored game balls exceeds the predetermined upper limit number. Including an addition game ball number excess judging means for judging whether
The game control means includes
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the addition game ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the addition game ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the range of the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit number Return the number of game balls that can specify the number of game balls exceeding the number to the take-out / payout control means,
The take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means.
According to this feature, when the number of game balls necessary for setting the bet number corresponding to the operation when the bet number setting operation means is operated is not stored in the game ball number storage means, The game ball is taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the standby section, so that the game ball can be taken in quickly and the game is smoothly performed. Can proceed. In addition, even if the game ball is not taken in by the take-in operation of the game ball take-in means, the take-in operation ends and the operation of the betting number setting operation means can be accepted. Can be avoided. In addition, the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request from the lending processing device can be added to the upper limit of the number of stored game balls, and the number of fractions not added because the upper limit of the number of stored game balls has been exceeded. Since the game balls are paid out directly by the game ball paying means, it is possible to lend out all the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request. Further, since the take-in control of the game ball and the pay-out control of the game ball are performed by the take-out / payout control means provided separately from the game control means, the control load of the game control means for controlling the game is reduced. Can do.
Note that the predetermined number of bets is at least one bet number, and a game can be started by setting a bet number of two or more or setting a maximum bet number. good.

A gaming machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the game control means receives the addition request in a period until the game that can be started by the bet number is completed after the bet number is set, the game ball requested by the addition request The number of game balls that can specify the number is returned to the take-out / payout control means.
According to this feature, when the number of bets is set and the game can be started, the addition control of the number of stored game balls is not performed, and the addition control of the number of stored game balls and the control for starting the game are performed. Are not performed in parallel, so that the control load of the game control means can be reduced. Further, even when the addition request is received after the bet number is set, the information on the number of game balls that can specify the number of game balls to be added is returned to the take-out / payout control means, and the game balls for the addition request are game balls. Since it is paid out by the payout means, it is possible to lend out all the number of game balls requested from the lending processing device.

In the gaming machine according to claim 3 of the present invention, a game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game ball, and a plurality of types of identification each of which can be identified A game machine in which a display result of a variable display device capable of variably displaying information is derived and displayed, and one game is completed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
Bet number operating means operated when setting the bet number;
Game ball number storage means for storing the number of game balls owned by a player that can be used for setting the bet number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number;
Game control means for controlling the game and performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls stored in the game ball number storage means;
Game ball taking-in means for taking in game balls to set the bet number;
A game ball standby unit for waiting for a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means;
Game ball payout means for paying out game balls;
Take-in / out control means for performing game ball take-in control by the game ball take-in means and game ball pay-out control by the game ball pay-out means;
With
The game control means is configured such that when the betting number setting operation means is operated in the betting number setting operation accepting state for accepting an operation of the betting number setting operation means, the stored game ball number is stored in the betting number setting operation means. Including a first required number determination means for determining whether or not a bet number setting necessary number necessary for setting a bet number according to an operation is satisfied;
The game control means includes
When the first required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means is set using the stored number of game balls,
When the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not reached, a take-in request for taking in a game ball is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and The bet number setting operation not accepting the operation of the bet number setting operation means is not accepted,
The take-out / payout control means takes in the game ball to be taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the game ball standby section when the take-in request is received. Take in the capture control to perform the operation, and when the capture control is completed, return the capture control end information indicating that to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the take-in control end information, the total number of the stored game balls and the number of taken-in balls taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings. A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not
The game control means includes
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means using the stored game ball number and the captured ball number Set
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is not reached, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation acceptance state is set again.
The take-out / payout control means stores the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request when the lending request is received from a lending processing device that issues a lending request for a predetermined number of game balls according to a player's operation. An addition request for requesting addition to the number of game balls is transmitted to the game control means,
The game control means includes
When the addition request is received in a state where the maximum bet number that can be set for one game has not yet been set, the maximum bet number is set in the state among the addition game balls corresponding to the addition request. Bet number setting means for setting a bet number using the number of game balls necessary for
When the addition request is received, the memory game ball is obtained by adding a remainder game ball number obtained by subtracting the game ball number necessary for setting the maximum bet number from the addition game ball number to the memory game ball number. Adding game ball number excess determining means for determining whether or not the number exceeds the predetermined upper limit number;
The game control means includes
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the surplus game ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the excess game ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit Return the number of game balls that can specify the number of game balls exceeding the number to the take-out / payout control means,
The take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means.
According to this feature, when the number of game balls necessary for setting the bet number corresponding to the operation when the bet number setting operation means is operated is not stored in the game ball number storage means, The game ball is taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the standby section, so that the game ball can be taken in quickly and the game is smoothly performed. Can proceed. In addition, even if the game ball is not taken in by the take-in operation of the game ball take-in means, the take-in operation ends and the operation of the betting number setting operation means can be accepted. Can be avoided. In addition, the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request from the lending processing device can be added to the upper limit of the number of stored game balls, and the number of fractions not added because the upper limit of the number of stored game balls has been exceeded. Since the game balls are paid out directly by the game ball paying means, it is possible to lend out all the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request. Furthermore, after the bet number can be set, if the maximum bet number has not yet been set, the maximum bet number is set in this state among the number of game balls corresponding to the loan request from the loan processing device. Since the number of game balls necessary for making a bet is used to set the bet number, it is not necessary to perform an operation for setting the bet number separately from the lending operation, and the convenience of the player is improved. Can do. Further, since the take-in control of the game ball and the pay-out control of the game ball are performed by the take-out / payout control means provided separately from the game control means, the control load of the game control means for controlling the game is reduced. Can do.
Note that the predetermined number of bets is at least one bet number, and a game can be started by setting a bet number of two or more or setting a maximum bet number. good.

A gaming machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The game control means, when the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the game ball capable of specifying 0 as the number of game balls exceeding the predetermined upper limit number The number information is returned to the take-out / payout control means.
According to this feature, regardless of whether or not the total number of game balls can be added to the number of stored game balls, the result can be returned as a common type of information to the take-out / payout control means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the control from becoming complicated due to an increase in the types of information transmitted to the take-out / payout control means.

A gaming machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the game control means receives the addition request during the game, the game control means returns game ball number information that can specify the number of added game balls to the take-out / payout control means.
According to this feature, during the game, even if the addition request is received, the addition control of the game ball number storage means is not performed, and the execution control of the game and the addition control of the game ball number storage means are performed in parallel. Since it is not performed, the control load of the game control means can be reduced.

A gaming machine of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When the take-out / payout control means receives the lending request from the lending processing device during the game, the take-out / payout control means responds to the lending request without transmitting the addition request corresponding to the lending request to the game control means. The payout control is performed such that a corresponding number of game balls are paid out by the game ball payout means.
According to this feature, during the game, the addition request based on the lending request is not transmitted, and the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request is paid out directly by the game ball paying means, and the game execution control and memory are stored. Since the addition control of the number of game balls is not performed in parallel, the control load of the game control means can be reduced.

A gaming machine according to claim 6 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The game control means includes
A prize ball granting means for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated;
A prize ball number excess judging means for judging whether or not the memory game ball number exceeds the predetermined upper limit number by adding the prize ball number given by the prize ball giving means to the memory game ball number;
Including
The game control means includes
When the award ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the award ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the award ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the award ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit number is set. Transmitting a game ball payout request for paying out game balls over the above amount to the take-out and payout control means;
The take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball payout request received from the game control means, and the game ball number information or the When the winning occurs during the game ball payout control based on the lending request, the game ball payout control is received from the game control means after the game ball number information or the game ball payout control based on the lending request is finished. The payout control is performed such that the number of game balls specified by the game ball payout request is paid out by the game ball payout means.
According to this feature, even if a winning occurs during the game ball payout control based on the game ball number information or the lending request, the game ball payout control and the winning based on the game ball number information or the lending request are performed. Since the game ball payout control based on the occurrence of this is not performed in parallel, the control load of the take-out payout control means can be reduced.

A gaming machine according to claim 7 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
In response to the lending request from the lending processing device, the number of rented game balls that displays the total number of game balls added to the number of stored game balls and the number of game balls paid out from the game ball payout means Means are provided.
According to this feature, the player can grasp the number of game balls already lent out of the number of game balls corresponding to the rent request.

A gaming machine according to claim 8 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A storage unit for storing game balls paid out from the game ball paying means;
The take-out / payout control means sends the addition request to the game control means on the condition that when the loan request is received from the loan processing device, the number of game balls stored in the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount. It is characterized by transmitting to.
According to this feature, it is possible to prevent in advance problems such as lending being performed and the game ball payout means being clogged even though the storage unit is full.

A gaming machine according to claim 9 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The game control means can specify the number of game balls necessary to satisfy the required number of betting numbers when the first required number determining means determines that the required number of betting numbers is not satisfied. Is sent to the take-out / payout control means,
The take-out / payout control means performs take-in control for performing a take-in operation for taking in the number of game balls specified by the take-in request by the game ball take-in means when the take-in request is received. It is characterized by performing.
According to this feature, when the bet number setting operation means is operated, it is required to take in the number of game balls necessary to satisfy the required bet number setting number according to the operation. Can be taken in more quickly.

A gaming machine of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The game control means cancels the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state and the bet number setting operation acceptance state again when the second necessary number determination means determines that the bet number setting necessary number is not reached. When the bet number setting operation means is operated in the bet number setting operation acceptance state, the game ball taking means takes in from the number of game balls necessary to satisfy the required bet number setting number, and Sending a take-in request including information capable of specifying the number of game balls subtracted from the number of game balls not yet used for setting the bet amount to the take-out / payout control means;
The take-out / payout control means performs take-in control for performing a take-in operation for taking in the number of game balls specified by the take-in request by the game ball take-in means when the take-in request is received. It is characterized by performing.
According to this feature, when the requested number of game balls is not taken in, and the betting number setting operation means is operated again, the game balls excluding the number of game balls already taken in from the number of game balls requested last time. Since it is required to take in a number, it is possible to take in a game ball more quickly.

A gaming machine according to claim 10 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A capture ball detection means for detecting the game ball captured by the game ball capture means;
A signal indicating that a game ball has been detected by the take-in ball detecting means is input to both the game control means and the take-out / payout control means.
According to this feature, since the number of game balls taken in by the game ball take-in means can also be grasped by the game control means, the amount of information transmitted from the take-out / payout control means to the game control means can be reduced.

A gaming machine according to claim 11 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The bet number is set on condition that a predetermined number of game balls have been taken in, and
The game control means includes prize ball grant means for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated,
The award ball granting means is capable of giving an arbitrary number of game balls, not limited to a multiple of the predetermined unit number, according to the winning.
According to this feature, the number of winning balls awarded according to the winning when a winning occurs can be set more finely according to the type of each winning.

A gaming machine according to claim 12 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The game balls of the game ball standby unit are guided to the game ball take-in means from a plurality of passages.
According to this feature, it is possible to improve the introduction speed of the game ball from the game ball standby unit to the game ball take-in means, so that the game ball take-in speed by the game ball take-in means can also be improved. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Embodiment 1 of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a slot machine 1 which is a gaming machine of this embodiment has a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer periphery. The belts 2L, 2C, and 2R are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction, and three consecutive symbols out of the symbols arranged in the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R are provided from the see-through window 3 provided on the front surface of the slot machine 1. Arranged to be visible.

  The belts 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated by belt motors 34L, 34C, and 34R provided in correspondence with each other, so that the symbols of the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuously changed to the see-through window 3. In addition to being displayed, by stopping the rotation of the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R, three continuous symbols are derived and displayed as display results on the fluoroscopic window 3.

  In addition, an upper plate 12 for storing pachinko balls used for the game is provided below the fluoroscopic window 3 on the front surface of the slot machine 1, and further, pachinko balls overflowing from the upper plate 12 are provided below the upper plate 12. A lower tray 11 is provided for storage.

  Further, the slot machine 1 stores the number of pachinko balls (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko balls” stored in a storage unit (a credit ball counter set in a RAM of the game control unit 41 described later) as a gaming value owned by the player. Credit indicator 14 on which the credit ball number is displayed), 1BET switch 5 and MAXBET switch 6 which are operated when setting the bet number using the pachinko ball stored in the upper plate 12 and the credit ball number, these The number of pachinko balls captured by the operation of the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6 is less than the number of pachinko balls (5 balls) necessary for setting the minimum unit bet amount, and has not yet been used for setting the bet number. The read-in ball indicator 16 that displays the number of balls already read out, and the pre-paid card that is being received by the card unit 15 arranged in parallel. A balance indicator 18 for displaying the balance of the value and value, a ball lending switch 19 operated when lending a pachinko ball within the range of the remaining value of the value displayed on the balance indicator 18, and a card unit arranged in parallel The number of pachinko balls (the number of bets) added to the credit ball counter in response to a request from the card unit 15 based on the detection of the return switch 20 and the ball lending switch 19 that are operated when the prepaid card being accepted is returned to 15. (Including the number of pachinko balls used for setting) and the payout ball display 17 for displaying the total value of the number of pachinko balls paid out on the upper plate 12, credit balls, and pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 are settled Settlement switch 10 operated when playing, start switch 7 operated when starting the game, operated when stopping the rotation of the belts 2L, 2C, 2R, respectively Stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R, etc. are provided to.

  Further, inside the slot machine 1, a pachinko supplied from a take-in device 100 for taking in a pachinko ball guided from the upper plate 12, an amusement island (not shown) on which the slot machine 1 is installed, and the like. A payout device 200 for paying out the balls to the upper plate 12 or the lower plate 11 is provided.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 are divided into two strips on the downstream side, and as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), The pachinko balls thus made are guided to the take-in device 100 through the take-in preparation ball passage 110.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 are divided into two lanes on the downstream side and guided to the capture device 100, so that the pachinko balls are introduced from the upper plate 12 into the capture device 100. It becomes possible to improve a speed | rate, and the uptake | capture speed of the pachinko ball by the uptake | capture apparatus 100 can also be improved by this.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), the take-in device 100 is provided with sprockets 106 for ball cutting corresponding to the respective strips of the take-in preparation ball passage 110. Three notches (see FIG. 3B) are formed on the outer periphery of the sprocket 106, and the pachinko ball that has entered the notch as the sprocket 106 is rotated by driving the take-in motor 101 is 1 Each ball is discharged downward. Further, the sprockets 106 corresponding to the respective strips are arranged so that the positions of the notches are shifted from each other, and the pachinko balls are alternately discharged by synchronously rotating both the sprockets 106.

  Below the sprocket 106, it swings when the sorting solenoid 102 is excited or released, and the flow path of the pachinko sphere discharged by the rotation of the sprocket 106 is either the take-in ball guide passage 108 or the return ball guide passage 109. A flow path switching valve 107 for switching to one side is provided. In addition, the discharge port connected to the intake ball guide passage 108 is provided with an intake ball detection switch 104 for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball taken inside, and the discharge port connected to the return ball guide passage 109. Is provided with a return ball detection switch 105 for detecting the passage of a pachinko ball discharged to the lower plate 11 through the return ball guide passage 109.

  When the pachinko ball guided from the upper plate 12 is taken in the take-in device 100, the pachinko ball discharged by the rotation of the sprocket 106 is set by setting the flow path switching valve 107 as shown in FIG. After the ball is detected by the take-in ball detection switch 104, the ball is discharged into the take-in ball guide passage 108 and collected in the out ball tank inside the game island. Further, when the pachinko ball of the upper plate 12 is discharged to the lower plate 11, the flow path switching valve 107 is swung by the excitation of the sorting solenoid 102, and the state shown in FIG. After the pachinko balls discharged by the rotation of the sprocket 106 are detected by the return ball detection switch 105, the pachinko balls are discharged to the return ball guide passage 109 and discharged to the lower plate 11. Further, the return ball guiding passage 109 is provided with a ball clogging detection switch 111 (see FIG. 5) for detecting a clogging in the passage. For example, the return ball guiding passage 109 is filled because the lower plate 11 is full. Can detect whether or not the ball is clogged.

  In the present embodiment, the pachinko balls supplied from the game island are divided into two in the ball supply passage 210 and then supplied to the payout device 200, and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). As shown in FIG. 4, the ball supply passage 210 is provided with a supply ball detection switch 205 corresponding to each line, and at least 100 pachinko balls supplied to the dispensing device 200 by the supply ball detection switch 205 are provided. Whether the pachinko ball is waiting is detected.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the payout device 200 is provided with sprockets 206 corresponding to the respective strips of the ball supply passage 210. A payout ball detection switch 202 is provided below the payout device 200 to detect the passage of a pachinko ball discharged based on payout of a prize ball or the like. After being detected by the payout ball detection switch 202, the ball is discharged to the ball lowering basket 208.

  A communication port 13 (see FIG. 1) communicating with the upper plate 12 is provided below the dispensing device 200, and pachinko balls paid out from the dispensing device 200 are paid out to the upper plate 12 through the communication port 13. It is supposed to be. The communication port 13 is connected to an excess ball passage (not shown) communicating with the lower plate 11, and the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 are in a full state. An overflowing pachinko ball flows down the surplus ball passage and is discharged to the lower plate 11. Further, a lower pan full tank detection switch 112 (see FIG. 5) for detecting a state in which the pachinko balls stored in the lower pan 11 have exceeded a predetermined amount, that is, a full tank state, is provided in the surplus ball passage. It is possible to detect whether or not the lower plate 11 is full.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided in parallel with a card unit 15 that accepts a prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded, and a card unit based on the operation of the above-described ball rental switch 19. In response to a request from 15, a pachinko ball can be lent using the valuable value recorded on the prepaid card being accepted.

  When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, the number of bets is set using the number of pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 or the number of credit balls stored as the value owned by the player. To set the bet number, the MAXBET switch 6 or the 1BET switch 5 may be operated. In this embodiment, when the MAXBET switch 6 is operated, the maximum number of bets allowed in one game from the number of pachinko balls or credit balls stored in the upper plate 12 is 3 BET (1 BET (the minimum unit bet number). The number of pachinko balls required for setting) = 5 balls) is taken in, and when the 1BET button is operated, the pachinko balls for 1 BET are taken in from the number of pachinko balls or credit balls stored in the upper plate 12 .

  Next, when a predetermined number of bets are set, the winning lines L1, L2, L2 ′, L3, and L3 ′ (see FIG. 1) are enabled according to the set bets, and the operation of the start switch 7 is enabled. State, that is, a state where the game can be started. In this embodiment, the game can be started at least when 1 is set as the bet number. The predetermined number of bets is at least one bet number, and when a bet number of two or more is set, for example, when the maximum bet number (3) is set as the bet number, the game starts. It may be in a possible state.

  When the start switch 7 is operated while the game can be started, the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate, and the symbols of the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R continuously change. When any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding belt 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed.

  Then, when all the belts 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped, one game is finished, and is determined in advance on any of the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ′, L3 and L3 ′ which are activated according to the number of bets. When the combination of the given symbols is stopped as a display result of each belt 2L, 2C, 2R, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of pachinko balls are given to the player according to the winning, credit balls Added to the number. Further, when the number of credit balls reaches the upper limit number (250 in this embodiment), the pachinko balls are paid out directly to the upper plate 12.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, a take-out / payout control board 60, and an effect control board 90. The payout control board 60 controls the take-in and payout of pachinko balls, and the effect control board 90 controls the effect according to the gaming state.

  The game control board 40 is connected to the 1BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, the settlement switch 10, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and the take-in ball detection switch 104, and the belts 2L, 2C. A belt sensor 35 for detecting a 2R reference position is connected, and detection signals from these connected switches and sensors are input.

  The game control board 40 is connected to the belt motors 34L, 34C, 34R, the credit indicator 14, and the captured ball indicator 16 described above, and these electric components are mounted on the game control board 40. It is driven based on the control of a game control unit 41 described later.

  The game control board 40 includes a CPU that performs calculations in a predetermined procedure, a ROM that stores a control program for the CPU and various data tables, a RAM that performs writing and reading of necessary data, a game control board 41, and a game control board. 40, a switch circuit 42 to which a detection signal inputted from the sensor is inputted, a motor circuit 43 for controlling driving of the belt motors 34L, 34C, 34R, a credit indicator 14 and a captured ball indicator 16 A display drive circuit 44 that performs display drive of the game is mounted, and the game control unit 41 receives various detection controls from the switches and sensors connected to the game control board 40 according to the progress of the game. I do.

  Connected to the take-in / out control board 60 are the above-described take-in ball detection switch 104, return ball detection switch 105, pay-out ball detection switch 202, supply ball detection switch 205, ball clogging detection switch 111, and lower pan full switch 112. The detection signals of these connected switches are input.

  The take-in / out control board 60 is connected to the take-in motor 101, the sorting solenoid 102, the pay-out motor 201, and the pay-out ball indicator 17, and these electrical components are connected to the take-out / payout control board 60. It is driven based on control by a later-described loading / dispensing control unit 61.

  The take-out / payout control board 60 has the same CPU, ROM, and RAM as the game control part 41, and the drive of the take-out motor 101 and the pay-out motor 201 connected to the take-out / payout control board 60. Motor circuit 62 for performing control, solenoid drive circuit 63 for performing drive control of the distribution solenoid 102, switch circuit 64 to which a detection signal input from a switch connected to the take-out / dispensing control board 60 is input, a payout ball indicator The display drive circuit 65 that performs 17 display driving is mounted, and the take-out / payout control unit 61 receives signals output from the game control unit 41 mounted on the game control board 40, and the take-out / payout control board. In response to the detection signal from the switch connected to 60, various controls for taking in and out the pachinko ball and the like are performed. Further, the take-out / payout control board 60 is connected to the card units 15 arranged in parallel, and the take-out / payout control unit 61 responds to a request from a control unit (not shown) mounted on the card unit 15. Lending control for lending pachinko balls.

  The effect control board 90 is connected to a liquid crystal display 51, game effect LED 52, and speakers 53, 54 arranged on the front surface of the slot machine 1, and these electrical components are described later mounted on the effect control board 90. It is driven based on the control by the effect control unit 91.

  The effect control board 90 includes an effect control part 91 having the same CPU, ROM, and RAM as the game control part 41, a liquid crystal drive circuit 92 that controls the liquid crystal display 51 connected to the effect control board 90, and a game effect. A lamp drive circuit 93 that performs drive control of the LED 52, a sound output circuit 94 that performs sound output control from the speakers 53 and 54, and the like are mounted, and the effect control unit 91 is a game control mounted on the game control board 40. In response to a command transmitted from the unit 41, various controls are performed to produce an effect.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the game control unit 41 mounted on the game control board 40 has a payout ball number signal, a take-in ball number signal, a credit indicating a value of 0 to 100 with respect to the take-out payout control board 60. To the payment request signal for requesting the payment of the number of balls, the acquisition request signal for requesting the acquisition of the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12, the payout request signal for requesting the payment of the pachinko balls, and the credit number based on the addition request An addition result signal indicating the addition result is output. On the other hand, the take-out / payout control unit 61 mounted on the take-out / payout control board 60 has an operation signal indicating that the payout device 200 is in operation, and a predetermined number (25 balls in this embodiment) of pachinko balls. An addition request signal for requesting addition to the number of credit balls is output.

  Further, a detection signal from the take-in ball detection switch 104 provided in the take-in device 100 is input to both the game control board 40 and the take-out / payout control board 60. As described above, in this embodiment, the detection signal of the take-in ball detection switch 104 is input to both the game control board 40 and the take-out / payout control board 60, and the pachinko taken by the take-in device 100. Since the number of balls can also be grasped by the game control unit 41, it is not necessary to output the number of taken-in balls from the take-out / payout control board 60 to the game control board 40. That is, the amount of information transmitted from the take-out / payout control board 60 to the game control board 40 can be reduced.

  Further, the take-out / payout control board 60 is connected to the card unit 15 arranged in parallel, and the take-out / payout control unit 61 indicates to the card unit 15 that a lending request operation has been performed by the player from the card unit 15. A READY signal (BRDY) and a lending request signal (BRQ) requesting lending of a pachinko ball are input, and a state in which lending control can be performed on the card unit 15 from the take-out / dispensing control unit 61 is shown. A lending completion signal (EXS) indicating that the lending of the pachinko ball based on the slot machine READY signal (SRDY) and the BRQ has been normally completed is output. The above-described lending control is performed by the input / output of.

  The card unit 15 arranged in parallel with the slot machine 1 receives a prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded, and a reader / writer (not shown) that reads the valuable value of the received prepaid card or a micro that controls the card unit 15. A computer is installed. As shown in FIG. 6, the balance indicator 18 mounted on the slot machine 1 is connected to the card unit 15, and the card unit 15 outputs a balance display control signal to the balance indicator 18. Control is performed to display the balance of the valuable value read from the prepaid card being accepted. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a ball lending switch 19 and a return switch 20 mounted on the slot machine 1 are also connected to the card unit 15, and detection signals (ball lending operation detection signals) of these ball lending switches 19 and Detection signals (return operation detection signals) from the return switch 20 are input to the card unit 15 and various processes are executed based on these detection signals. Specifically, when the operation of the ball lending switch 19 is detected, the BRDY described above is output on the condition that the valuable value read from the prepaid card being accepted remains, and the BRQ described above is performed multiple times. By outputting, processing for requesting the slot machine 1 to lend a pachinko ball is performed. Moreover, the process of returning the prepaid card under reception is performed by detecting the operation of the return switch 20.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a symbol arrangement of each belt 2L, 2C, 2R. Each belt 2L, 2C, 2R has “black 7” corresponding to each symbol number “1” to “21”. , “White 7”, “BAR”, “Watermelon”, “Bell”, “Cherry”, “Replay” are arranged in 21 patterns on each belt.

  In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the combination of “cherry-any-any” is aligned on one activated pay line in the normal gaming state, 12 pachinko balls are used. A cherry win with a ball is generated. In addition, when the combination of “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is aligned on one activated pay line, a watermelon winning with 62 pachinko balls is generated. Further, when the combination of “bell-bell-bell” is aligned on one activated pay line, a bell winning with 48 pachinko balls is generated. In addition, when the combination of “replay-replay-replay” is arranged on one activated pay line, a replay game (re-game) in which the next game can be executed with the same bet number as that game. ) Will be given a replay (replay) win. These cherry prizes, watermelon prizes, bell prizes, and replay prizes are also called small role prizes.

  In addition, if a combination of symbols “BAR-BAR-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines activated in the normal gaming state, an RB winning is generated, and 75 pachinko balls are awarded as the price. At the same time, a regular bonus (RB) advantageous to the player is generated, and Jac is awarded 75 pachinko balls on a single pay line where the “replay-replay-replay” combination is activated. A regular bonus game (RB game) in which a winning is generated with a high probability is awarded to the player.

  Also, if the combination of the symbols “Black 7-Black 7-Black 7” or “White 7-White 7-White 7” is aligned on the winning line activated in the normal gaming state, the BB winning which is a special winning will be provided. As a reward, 75 pachinko balls are awarded, a big bonus (BB) advantageous to the player is generated, and a big bonus game (BB) having a higher probability of winning a small role than in the normal gaming state Game) and the above-mentioned RB are given to the player.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of balls necessary for setting the minimum bet number, that is, five pachinko balls as the number of balls for 1 BET, is required for winning. The number of pachinko balls (the number of prize balls) to be given is not limited to the number of balls that is a multiple of 5 balls, which is the number of balls for 1 BET. It is possible to give 12 pachinko balls according to winning prizes or 62 pachinko balls according to watermelon winning prizes, and so on according to the occurrence of these winning prizes. The number of pachinko balls can be set more finely according to each prize.

  Next, various control contents executed by the game control unit 41 of the game control board 40 in this embodiment as the game progresses will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, an initial process for preparing for a game start is executed as the power is turned on. Specifically, the connection of various devices, the operation status, and the like are checked, and if it is possible to return to the gaming state before the power is cut off, a recovery process is performed (Sa1).

  Next, the BET process (Sa2), the internal lottery process (Sa3), the belt rotation process (Sa4), the belt stop process (Sa5), the winning determination process (Sa6), and the winning ball grant process (Sa7) are repeatedly executed in a loop process. Transition.

  In the BET process in the step of Sa2, the player waits in a state where the pachinko balls and credit balls stored in the upper plate 12 can be taken in, and the bet number according to the acquisition of the pachinko balls and credit balls stored in the upper plate 12 Is set, and the process of determining the bet amount is executed when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected. Further, when a replay winning is generated in the previous game, the same bet number as in the previous game is set.

  In the internal lottery process in the step Sa3, a winning is generated based on a comparison result between a random value acquired at the start of the game by the detection of the start switch 7 in the step Sa2 and an internal winning probability table that determines the winning probability of each winning. Whether or not to allow is determined, and processing for setting an internal winning flag is executed according to the result.

  In the belt rotation process in step Sa4, a process of rotating each belt 2L, 2C, 2R is executed. In this belt rotation process, the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is validated when all the belts 2L, 2C, 2R rotate at a constant speed.

  In the belt stop process in the step Sa5, the player's operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected or the player operates the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R from the start of the rotation of the belts 2L, 2C, 2R. The processing for stopping the rotation of the corresponding belts 2L, 2C, 2R is executed in response to the elapse of the automatic stop time without being detected. In this belt stop process, a process of stopping each belt 2L, 2C, 2R is performed based on the control pattern corresponding to the result of the internal lottery process in step Sa3.

  In the winning determination process in step Sa6, when it is determined in step Sa5 that the rotation of all the belts 2L, 2C, and 2R has been stopped, a winning is determined according to the display result derived for each belt 2L, 2C, and 2R. A process of determining whether or not it has occurred is executed.

  In the prize ball grant process in step Sa7, when it is determined in step Sa6 that a prize has been generated, credits are added and pachinko balls are paid out based on the number of prize balls awarded in accordance with the prize. Process. In this award ball granting process, the awarded ball is added to the number of credit balls stored in the credit ball counter, and if the awarded ball exceeds the upper limit of the credit ball counter, the prize ball exceeding the upper limit is exceeded. The payout request signal and payout ball number signal for requesting the payout are output to the take-out payout control board 60, and the pachinko balls are paid out.

  10 to 14 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the BET process executed by the game control unit 41 in the step Sa2.

  In the BET process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the current game is a replay game (Sb1). If the game is a replay game, the start switch 7 is awaiting detection (Sb2). In this state, the start switch 7 is detected. Then, the game is started with the value of the BET counter storing the bet number set at that time, that is, the bet number set in the previous game as the bet number of the game.

  If it is not a replay game in Sb1, the BET counter is cleared (Sb3), a bet number setting flag indicating that the bet number can be set is set (Sb4), the settlement switch 10, and the 1BET switch 5 Then, it waits in a state of waiting for the detection of the MAXBET switch 6 (Sb5 to Sb9).

  If the settlement switch 10 is detected in the state of Sb5 to Sb9, whether or not it is in a state of waiting for the end of lending with reference to a lending end waiting flag indicating the waiting for the end of pachinko ball payout based on the output of the addition result signal (Sb13), and if it is in the state of waiting for the end of lending, the state returns to the state of Sb5 to Sb9.

  If it is not waiting for the end of lending in Sb13, a credit processing flag indicating that the credit ball counter addition / subtraction control of the credit ball counter is being performed is set (Sb16). Next, a credit ball counter, and a captured ball counter that stores the number of pachinko balls that have already been captured but have not yet been used to set the number of bets (hereinafter referred to as the number of captured balls) , It is confirmed whether or not the sum of the number of credit balls and the number of captured balls is 100 or more (Sb17). If the sum of the number of credit balls and the number of balls already taken in Sb17 is 100 or more, a payout ball number signal indicating 100 is output to the take-out payout control board 60 (Sb18). In addition, if the sum of the number of captured balls and the number of credited balls is less than 100 in Sb17, a payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls obtained by summing the number of captured balls and the number of credited balls is taken in and paid out. Output to the control board 60 (Sb19). Then, the settlement request signal for requesting settlement of the number of balls specified by the paid-out ball number signal is turned on (Sb20).

  Next, the output status of the operating signal output from the take-out / payout control board 60 is monitored until a response waiting time (1 second in this embodiment) elapses (Sb21, Sb22). If the in-operation signal: on is not detected even after the response waiting time elapses in Sb21 and Sb22, the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb23), and the value of the BET counter is 0, that is, the bet number is set. If not, the system waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb9, and if the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, that is, if the number of bets less than the maximum bet is set, the settlement switch 10, 1BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7 is waiting for detection (Sb5 to Sb10), and if the value of the BET counter is 3, that is, if the maximum bet number is set, the payment switch 10 and the start switch 7 are waiting for detection (Sb5 , Sb6, Sb10).

  In Sb21 and Sb22, when the in-operation signal: on is detected, that is, when the start of the operation corresponding to the settlement request signal: on is confirmed, the number of payout balls output in Sb18 or Sb19 is first set. Subtracted from the number of credit balls in the credit ball counter, and after the number of credit balls has become 0, after subtracting from the number of captured balls of the captured ball counter (Sb24), it is output from the take-out / payout control board 40. The output status of the operating signal is monitored (Sb25). Further, the number of captured balls displayed on the captured ball display 16 is also subtracted and updated as the number of captured balls of the captured ball counter is subtracted. In the present embodiment, when the number of credit balls is 0, the number of captured balls is subtracted, that is, the number of credited balls is preferentially adjusted. It is good also as composition to do.

  In addition, when the in-operation signal: off is detected in Sb25, that is, when it is confirmed that the operation according to the settlement request signal: on is finished, the settlement request signal and the payout ball number signal are sequentially turned off (Sb26, Sb27) Referring to the captured ball counter and the credit ball counter, it is confirmed whether the sum of the captured ball count and the credit ball count is 0, that is, whether there is a remaining ball count to be settled. (Sb28). If the sum of the number of captured balls and the number of credit balls is 0, the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb30), and if the value of the BET counter is 0, the state of Sb5 to Sb9 If the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, the process waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb10. If the value of the BET counter is 3, the process waits in the state of Sb5, Sb6, Sb10. In addition, when the sum of the number of captured balls and the number of credit balls is not 0 in Sb28, the transmission waiting time (1 second in this embodiment) elapses after the in-operation signal: off is detected. Wait (Sb29), and then return to Sb17.

  In the state of Sb5 to Sb9 or Sb5 to Sb10, when the 1BET switch 5 is detected, it is checked whether or not it is waiting for the lending end (Sb14), and if it is waiting for the lending end, Sb5 to Sb9 or It returns to the state of Sb5-Sb10.

  If it is not in the state of waiting for the loan end in Sb14, a credit processing flag is set (Sb31), and it is confirmed whether the credit ball number of the credit ball counter is 0 (Sb32). If the credit ball number is not 0, That is, if the number of credit balls remains, subtract 1 from the number of credit balls in the credit ball counter until the number of credit balls reaches 0 or the number of captured balls reaches 5. The process of adding 1 to the number of balls already included is repeated (Sb32 to Sb34). Further, the number of taken-in balls displayed on the taken-in ball display 16 is added and updated with the addition of the number of taken-in balls in the taken-in ball counter. Then, when the number of balls already taken in the fetched ball counter becomes 5 in Sb23, that is, when a 1-BET pachinko ball is taken from the credit ball number, 1 is added to the BET counter and the ball is taken in. The number of already taken balls in the completed ball counter is cleared (Sb35), the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb36), and if the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, it waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb10, and the BET If the value of the counter is 3, it waits in the state of Sb5, Sb6, Sb10. In addition, the number of taken-in balls displayed on the taken-in ball display 16 is updated to 0 with the clearing of the number of taken-in balls in the taken-in ball counter. If the credit ball counter of the credit ball counter is 0 in Sb32, the acquired ball counter is referred to, and an acquired ball number signal indicating the ball number obtained by subtracting the acquired ball number from the number of balls of 1 BET is obtained. An output is made to the pay-in / out control board 60 (Sb37).

  Then, the acquisition request signal for requesting the acquisition of the number of pachinko balls specified by the acquisition ball number signal is turned on (Sb46), and output from the acquisition / payout control board 60 until the response waiting time elapses. The output status of the in-operation signal is monitored (Sb47, Sb48). If the operating signal: on is not detected even after the response waiting time has elapsed in Sb47 and Sb48, the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb49), and if the value of the BET counter is 0, Sb5 to Sb9 If the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, the process waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb10. If the value of the BET counter is 3, the process waits in the states of Sb5, Sb6, and Sb10.

  Further, when the operation signal: on is detected in Sb47 and Sb48, that is, when the start of the operation in response to the acquisition request signal: on is confirmed, the operation signal and the acquisition by the acquisition ball detection switch 104 are detected. The detection status of the sphere is monitored (Sb50, Sb51), and when a captured ball is detected in Sb51, the number of captured balls in the captured ball counter is incremented by 1 (Sb52), and the captured ball counter is further captured. If the number of completed balls is 5 (Sb53), 1 is added to the BET counter, the number of captured balls of the captured ball counter is cleared (Sb54), and the process stands by again in the state of Sb50 and Sb51. In addition, the added ball number displayed on the acquired ball indicator 16 is added and updated with the addition of the acquired ball counter, and the acquired ball counter displays the acquired ball counter. As the number is cleared, the number of captured balls displayed on the captured ball display 16 is also updated to zero. In addition, when the operation signal: off is detected in Sb50, that is, when the completion of the operation in response to the acquisition request signal: on is confirmed, the acquisition request signal and the acquisition ball number signal are sequentially turned off. (Sb55, Sb56), the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb57), and if the value of the BET counter is 0, it waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb9, and if the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, Sb5 Wait in the state of Sb10, and if the value of the BET counter is 3, it waits in the state of Sb5, Sb6, Sb10.

  As described above, when the operation of the 1BET switch 5 is detected while waiting for the setting of the bet number, the number of credit balls (5 balls) necessary for setting the number of bets corresponding to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 is set. If the number of credits meets the number of balls required to set the number of bets according to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 (5 balls), the number of bets is set using the number of credits If the number of credit balls is less than the number of balls required to set the number of bets corresponding to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 (five balls), it is required to take in insufficient pachinko balls. Then, it is determined whether the number of balls taken in based on the request satisfies the number of balls (5 balls) necessary for setting the number of bets according to the operation of the 1BET switch 5, and the number of balls taken in is determined by the 1BET switch. When the number of balls required to set the number of bets according to the operation of 5 (5 balls) is satisfied, the number of bets is set using the number of balls taken, and if the number is less than the maximum bet number, And waiting for the start of the game. If the maximum number of bets is set, the game is waiting for the start of the game. If the number of balls taken is less than the number of balls required to set the bet number according to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 (5 balls), the bet number is not set and the bet number is already set. If the bet number has been set, the bet number setting waiting state and the game start waiting state are entered. If the bet number has not yet been set, the bet number setting wait state is entered.

  In the state of Sb5 to Sb9 or Sb5 to Sb10, when the MAXBET switch 6 is detected, it is checked whether or not it is waiting for the lending end (Sb15), and if it is waiting for the lending end, Sb5 to Sb9 or It returns to the state of Sb5-Sb10.

  If it is not waiting for the end of lending in Sb15, a credit processing flag is set (Sb38), and it is confirmed whether the number of credit balls in the credit ball counter is 0 (Sb39). Is a process of subtracting 1 from the credit ball counter and adding 1 to the captured ball counter until the credit ball count reaches 0 or the captured ball count reaches 5. Is repeated (Sb39 to Sb41). Further, the number of taken-in balls displayed on the taken-in ball display 16 is added and updated with the addition of the number of taken-in balls in the taken-in ball counter. If the number of balls already taken in the fetched ball counter is 5 in Sb41, that is, if a 1-BET pachinko ball is taken from the credit ball number, 1 is added to the BET counter and the ball is taken in. The number of balls already taken in the completed ball counter is cleared (Sb42), whether or not the value of the BET counter is 3, that is, whether or not the maximum bet number is set (Sb37), and the value of the BET counter is If it is 3, the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb44), and the system waits in the state of Sb5, Sb6, Sb10. In addition, the number of taken-in balls displayed on the taken-in ball display 16 is updated to 0 with the clearing of the number of taken-in balls in the taken-in ball counter. If the value of the BET counter is not 3 in Sb43, steps Sb39 to Sb43 are repeated until the credit ball count of the credit ball counter becomes 0 or the value of the BET counter becomes 3. If the credit ball counter of the credit ball counter is 0 in Sb39, refer to the BET counter and the already-acquired ball counter, and the number of balls already used for setting the bet number from the number of balls for 3 BET and the acquisition A take-in ball number signal indicating the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of finished balls, that is, the number of balls required to set the maximum bet number is output to the take-out and payout control board 60 (Sb45).

  Then, the acquisition request signal for requesting the acquisition of the number of pachinko balls specified by the acquisition ball number signal is turned on (Sb46), and output from the acquisition / payout control board 60 until the response waiting time elapses. The output status of the in-operation signal is monitored (Sb47, Sb48). If the operating signal: on is not detected even after the response waiting time has elapsed in Sb47 and Sb48, the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb49), and if the value of the BET counter is 0, Sb5 to Sb9 If the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, the process waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb10. If the value of the BET counter is 3, the process waits in the states of Sb5, Sb6, and Sb10.

  Further, when the operation signal: on is detected in Sb47 and Sb48, that is, when the start of the operation in response to the acquisition request signal: on is confirmed, the operation signal and the acquisition by the acquisition ball detection switch 104 are detected. The detection status of the sphere is monitored (Sb50, Sb51), and when a captured ball is detected in Sb51, the number of captured balls in the captured ball counter is incremented by 1 (Sb52), and the captured ball counter is further captured. If the number of completed balls is 5 (Sb53), 1 is added to the BET counter, the number of captured balls of the captured ball counter is cleared (Sb54), and the process stands by again in the state of Sb50 and Sb51. In addition, the added ball number displayed on the acquired ball indicator 16 is added and updated with the addition of the acquired ball counter, and the acquired ball counter displays the acquired ball counter. As the number is cleared, the number of captured balls displayed on the captured ball display 16 is also updated to zero. In addition, when the operation signal: off is detected in Sb50, that is, when the completion of the operation in response to the acquisition request signal: on is confirmed, the acquisition request signal and the acquisition ball number signal are sequentially turned off. (Sb55, Sb56), the credit processing flag is cleared (Sb57), and if the value of the BET counter is 0, it waits in the state of Sb5 to Sb9, and if the value of the BET counter is 1 or 2, Sb5 Wait in the state of Sb10, and if the value of the BET counter is 3, it waits in the state of Sb5, Sb6, Sb10.

  By detecting the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 in this way, it is determined whether the number of credit balls satisfies the number of balls (15 balls) required for setting the number of bets according to the operation of the MAXBET switch 6. When the number of balls satisfies the number of balls (15 balls) necessary for setting the number of bets according to the operation of the MAXBET switch 6, the number of bets is set using the number of credit balls, and the number of credit balls is set to the MAXBET switch. When the number of balls required to set the number of bets according to the operation of 6 is less than 15 (15 balls), it is required to take in the insufficient amount of pachinko balls. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of balls taken in based on the request satisfies the number of balls (15 balls) necessary for setting the number of bets according to the operation of the MAXBET switch 6, and the number of balls taken in is determined by the MAXBET switch. When the number of balls required to set the number of bets according to the operation of 6 (15 balls) is satisfied, the maximum number of bets is set using the number of balls taken, and the game is waiting to start, If the number of balls taken is less than the number of balls required to set the number of bets corresponding to the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 (15 balls), the number of bets is set within the range of the number of balls taken, If the number of bets has already been set, the state is waiting for the setting of the number of bets and the state of waiting for the start of the game. If the number of bets has not yet been set, the state is waiting for the setting of the number of bets.

  In addition, when the start switch 7 is detected in the state of Sb5 to Sb10 or Sb5, Sb6, Sb10, the bet amount setting flag is cleared (Sb11), and the BET counter is set with reference to the BET counter. Is set as the bet number of the game (Sb12), and the game is started.

  As described above, in this embodiment, after one game is finished, except for a game in which a replay win has occurred in the previous game, the acceptance state of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 (or the settlement switch 10) when the bet number is 0. In this state, when the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated, the operating signal output from the take-out / payout control board 60 is not detected even if the response waiting time elapses, or the operating signal: After the detection of on, until the in-operation signal: off is detected, that is, until the take-in control by the take-out and payout control unit 61 ends, the state where the next control is not shifted, that is, the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET The switch 6 and the start switch 7 (and the settlement switch 10) are not accepted. Further, after setting the bet number, if the bet number is less than the maximum bet number (3), the 1BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6 or the start switch 7 (or the settlement switch 10) is accepted, and in this state, the start switch 7 Is operated, the 1BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, and the start switch 7 (and the settlement switch 10) are not accepted, and the game starts. When the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated while the 1BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6 or the start switch 7 (or the checkout switch 10) is being accepted, the operating signal: on is the response waiting time as described above. The 1BET switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, and the start switch 7 (and the settlement switch 10) are in a non-acceptance state until no detection is made even after the elapse of time or until the take-in control by the take-out and payout control unit 61 ends. Also, after setting the bet amount, if the bet amount is the maximum bet number (3), only the start switch 7 (or the settlement switch 10) is accepted, and the start switch 7 is operated in this state, thereby 1BET The switch 5, the MAXBET switch 6, and the start switch 7 (and the settlement switch 10) are not accepted, and the game starts.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the prize ball granting process executed by the game control unit 41 in step Sa7.

  First, in the winning determination process of Sa6, when it is determined that a winning has occurred, the number of winning balls to be awarded when the winning is generated is set in the winning ball counter (Sc1).

  Next, referring to the prize ball counter and the credit ball counter, it is confirmed whether or not the sum of the prize ball number and the credit ball number is equal to or less than the upper limit value (250) of the credit ball number (Sc2). If the sum of the number of prize balls and the number of credit balls is 250 or less, that is, if the total number of prize balls does not exceed the upper limit value of the number of credit balls, The value of the prize ball counter is added (Sc3), and the added value is subtracted from the prize ball counter (Sc5). In addition, if the sum of the number of prize balls and the number of credit balls exceeds 250 in Sc2, that is, if the total number of prize balls is added to the number of credit balls and the upper limit of the number of credit balls is exceeded, The number of prize balls is added to the number of credit balls until the number of balls reaches 250. Specifically, the value of (250-credit ball counter) is added to the credit ball counter (Sc4), and the added value is subtracted from the prize ball counter (Sc5).

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball counter is 0 (Sc6). When the prize ball counter is 0, that is, when all the prize balls are added to the credit ball, the prize ball granting process is terminated. Further, when the prize ball counter is not 0 in Sc6, it is checked whether or not it is in a state of waiting for the end of lending (Sc7).

  If it is not waiting for the end of lending in Sc7, a winning ball counter value, that is, a payout ball number signal indicating the number of winning balls that has not been added to the credit ball number is output (Sc8), and the payout ball The payout request signal for requesting payout of the number of pachinko balls specified by the number signal is turned on (Sc9). Next, the output status of the in-operation signal output from the take-out / payout control board 60 is monitored (Sc10, Sc11). If the waiting state for ending lending is confirmed before the on-operation signal: on is detected in Sc10 and Sc11, the process returns to Sc7.

  Further, when the operating signal: on is detected in Sc10 and Sc11, that is, when the start of the operation in response to the payout request signal: on is confirmed, the prize ball counter is cleared (Sc12), and the operating signal : Wait until off is detected (Sc13). When the in-operation signal: off is detected, that is, when the completion of the operation according to the payout request signal: on is confirmed, the payout request signal and the payout ball number signal are sequentially turned off (Sc14, Sc15), The prize ball grant process is terminated.

  Next, the control contents of the timer interrupt process executed as a subroutine by the game control unit 41 of the game control board 40 in this embodiment at a constant cycle (every 0.56 ms in this embodiment) are described based on the flowchart of FIG. This will be explained below.

  In the timer interrupt process, first, the branch counter for identifying the timer interrupt process to be executed from the four types of timer interrupt processes 1 to 4 is advanced by 1 (Sd1). In Sd1, 1 is added when the branch counter value is 0 to 2, and is updated to 0 when the branch counter value is 3. That is, the branch counter value loops in the order of 0, 1, 2, 3, 0... Each time the timer interrupt process is executed.

  Next, referring to the branch counter value, whether the process to be executed as the current timer interrupt process is the timer interrupt process 1, the timer interrupt process 2, the timer interrupt process 3, or the timer interrupt process. It is determined whether it is a process 4 (Sd2-4). Specifically, if the branch counter value is 0, it is determined that the timer interrupt processing 1 is performed, and if it is 1, it is determined that the timer interrupt processing 2 is performed, and if it is 2, the timer interrupt processing 3 is performed. If it is determined that there is 3, the timer interrupt process 4 is determined.

  Next, one of the timer interrupt processes 1 to 4 corresponding to the determination in steps Sd2 to Sd4 is executed (Sd5 to 8), and the process returns to the original position of the main routine.

  In this embodiment, the timer interrupt process as described above is performed at intervals of 0.56 ms, so that four types of timer interrupt processes consisting of timer interrupt processes 1 to 4 are sequentially repeated at intervals of 2.24 ms. To be done.

  FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the control contents of the lending acceptance process executed by the game control unit 41 in the timer interrupt process 1.

  In the lending acceptance process, first, it is checked whether or not the lending end waiting flag is set based on whether or not the lending end waiting flag is set (Se1). It is confirmed whether or not the addition request signal: on is detected (Se7). If the addition request signal: on is not detected in Se7, the lending acceptance process is terminated.

  In addition, when the addition request signal: on is detected in Se7, addition to the credit ball number is requested based on the detection of the addition request signal: on, and it is still added to the bet number setting and the credit ball number. An addition request counter that stores the number of balls that have not been added is requested to be added to the number of credit balls based on the detection of the addition request signal: on (hereinafter also referred to as the addition request number of balls) (25 balls in this embodiment) ) Is set (Se8), and whether or not the bet number can be set is checked based on whether or not the bet number settable flag is set (Se9).

  When the number of bets can be set in Se9, the number of credit balls is being processed based on whether the credit processing flag is set, that is, based on the operation of the settlement switch 10, the 1BET switch 5, and the MAXBET switch 6. It is confirmed whether or not the addition / subtraction control is being performed (Se10). If the credit processing is in progress, the lending acceptance processing is terminated.

  Further, when the number of bets cannot be set in Se9, that is, when the addition request signal: on is detected during the execution of the game, the ball requested by detecting the value of the addition ball counter, that is, the addition request signal: on. The payout ball number signal indicating the number is output to the take-out payout control board 60 (Se18), the addition result signal indicating the addition result to the credit ball number based on the addition request is turned on (Se19), and the lending ends A lending end waiting flag indicating that the state is waiting is set (Se20), and the lending acceptance processing is ended.

  If the credit is not being processed in Se10, it is confirmed whether the value of the BET counter is 3 (Se11). If the value of the BET counter is not 3, that is, if the maximum bet number is not set. Then, 1 is subtracted from the number of added balls of the added ball counter, and 1 is added to the number of taken balls of the taken-in ball counter (Se12), and it is determined whether or not the value of the taken-up ball counter has reached 5 If the value of the captured ball counter has not reached 5, the process returns to Se11. If the value of the captured ball counter has reached 5, the value of the BET counter is incremented by 1, After clearing the completed ball counter (Se14), the process returns to Se11. In other words, the added ball counter is decremented by 1 until the maximum bet number is set, the acquired ball counter is incremented by 1 and the value of the captured ball counter is 5. The BET counter is incremented by 1 and the process of clearing the captured ball counter is repeated. In addition, with the addition of the number of captured balls of the captured ball counter in Se11 to Se14, the number of captured balls displayed on the captured ball display 16 is also added and updated to clear the captured ball counter. As a result, the number of captured balls displayed on the captured ball display 16 is also updated to zero.

  If the value of the BET counter is 3 in Se11, that is, the maximum bet number is set, it is confirmed whether or not the number of added balls of the addition ball counter is 0, that is, whether or not the number of added balls remains. (Se15) If the number of added balls is not 0, it is confirmed whether the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter is less than 250 (Se16). If the number of credit balls is less than 250, the number of added balls of the added ball counter is set. After 1 is subtracted and the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter is incremented by 1 (Se17), the process returns to Se15 again. That is, the number of added balls of the added ball counter is decremented by 1 until the number of added balls of the added ball counter becomes zero or the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter reaches the upper limit (250), and the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter The process of adding 1 is repeated. As described above, in the steps of Se15 to Se17, it is determined whether or not the credit ball number exceeds the upper limit by adding the additional ball number to the credit ball number. When the number of balls does not exceed the upper limit, the number of added balls is added to the number of credit balls.

  In Se15 to Se17, when the added ball count of the adder ball counter becomes 0 or the credit ball counter reaches the upper limit value (250), a payout ball number signal indicating the value of the added ball counter is displayed. Output to the take-out / payout control board 60 (Se18), turn on the addition result signal indicating the addition result to the number of credit balls based on the addition request (Se19), and set the lending end waiting flag (Se20) ), Ending the lending acceptance process.

  In addition, if it is in the state of waiting for lending completion at Se1, the output status of the addition request signal and the operating signal is confirmed (Se2, Se3), and when neither the addition request signal: off or the operating signal: off is detected. Ends the lending acceptance process. When both the addition request signal: off and the operation end signal: off are detected, that is, when the end of the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on is confirmed, the addition result signal and the payout ball number signal are sequentially turned off. (Se4, Se5), the lending end waiting flag is cleared (Se6), and the lending acceptance process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the control for adding the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter based on the addition request signal output from the take-out / payout control board 60 is executed in the lending acceptance process executed during the timer interruption process. It has come to be.

  In this embodiment, when the bet number of the BET counter is not the maximum bet number, the added ball counter is decremented by 1 until the bet number reaches the maximum bet number, and the captured ball counter 1 is added to the number of balls already taken, the value of the BET counter is incremented by 1 when the number of balls already taken is 5, and the process of clearing the value of the taken ball counter is repeated to maximize the number of bets However, the number of balls required to set the maximum number of bets at that time is calculated from the value of the already-taken ball counter, and the calculated number of balls is subtracted from the addition ball counter at once. The maximum bet number may be set.

  In this embodiment, when the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter is equal to or less than the upper limit value (250), the number of added balls of the addition ball counter becomes 0 or the number of credit balls reaches the upper limit value (250). Until then, the value of the addition ball counter is decremented by 1 and the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter is incremented by 1. However, from the value of the credit ball counter, the number of balls that can be added to the credit ball counter is determined. The calculated number of balls may be collectively added to the credit ball counter.

  Next, various control contents executed by the take-in / out control unit 61 of the take-out / payout control board 60 in this embodiment as the game progresses will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, an initial setting for preparing for the game start is executed as the power is turned on. Specifically, the connection of various devices, the operation status, and the like are checked, and if it is possible to return to the gaming state before the power is cut off, a recovery process is performed (Sf1).

  Next, it waits in a state of waiting for detection of a settlement request signal from the game control board 40: on, a take-in request signal: on, a payout request signal: on, and a BRDY: on output from the card unit 15 arranged in parallel. (Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8).

  When the payment request signal: on is detected in the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8, the number of pachinko balls specified by the payout ball number signal is paid out, and the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 are removed from the lower plate 11 (Sf3), and after completion of the process, the process returns to the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8.

  When the capture request signal: on is detected in the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8, the capture process for capturing the capture ball number specified by the capture ball number signal from the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 12 is performed. Execute (Sf5), and after the process is finished, return to the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8.

  When the payout request signal: on is detected in the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8, a prize ball payout process for paying out the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal to the upper plate 12 is executed (Sf7). After the completion, the state returns to the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8.

  When BRDY: on is detected in the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, and Sf8, a predetermined number (for example, 25 balls) of pachinko balls is lent each time BRQ: on is detected until BRDY: on is no longer detected. The lending process is executed (Sf9), and after the process ends, the process returns to the state of Sf2, Sf4, Sf6, Sf8.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the settlement process executed by the take-out and payout control unit 61 in Sf3.

  In the checkout process, firstly, a payout ball number signal output from the game control board 40 is acquired (Sg1), and the number of balls for which payout is requested and not paid out (referred to as the number of unpaid balls) is stored. The number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal is set in the unpaid ball counter (Sg2).

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the number of unpaid balls in the unpaid ball counter is 0, that is, whether or not the number of unpaid balls remains (Sg3). Payment request signal: Outputs to the game control board 40 that the operation corresponding to on is started (Sg4), and performs control to cause the payout device 200 to pay out the pachinko balls of the number of unpaid balls of the unpaid-off ball counter. The payout process for this is performed (Sg5). Then, after the payout process is completed, the fact that the operation according to the settlement request signal: on has been completed is output to the game control board 40 as an in-operation signal: off (Sg6), and the process waits until the settlement request signal: off is detected. (Sg7). Then, after the settlement request signal: off is detected, waiting until the settlement request signal: on is detected again or the reception waiting time (1 second in this embodiment) elapses after the settlement request signal: off is detected. (Sg8, Sg9), the process returns to Sg1 when the settlement request signal: on is detected.

  If the unpaid ball counter is 0 in Sg3 or if the reception waiting time has elapsed in Sg9, first, the distribution solenoid 102 of the take-in device 100 is excited to swing the flow path switching valve 107. After the flow path of the captured pachinko sphere is switched to the return ball guiding path 109 (Sg10), the intake motor 101 is driven (Sg11). Next, a predetermined time after the return ball detection switch 105 detects the return ball last time (in this embodiment, the pachinko ball guided from the upper plate 12 is discharged and returned to the return side by the return operation of the capture device 100. The system waits until a sufficient time has elapsed until detection by the ball detection switch 105 or until the ball clogging detection switch 111 is detected (Sg12, Sg13).

  When the clogging detection switch 111 detects clogging in the return ball guiding passage 109 in Sg13, the take-in motor 101 is stopped (Sg14), and the system waits until the clogging detection switch 111 is no longer detected (Sg15). ). Then, when the detection of the ball clogging detection switch 111 is lost, the take-in motor 101 is driven again (Sg16), and the state returns to the state of Sg12 and Sg13.

  In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the return ball detection switch 105 finally detected the return ball in Sg12 and Sg13, the take-in motor 101 is stopped (Sg17), and the sorting solenoid of the take-in device 100 is stopped. The flow down path of the pachinko sphere taken in after the excitation of 102 is released is returned to the side of the taking-in ball guiding path 108 (Sg18), and the settlement process is terminated.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the control content of the payout process executed by the take-out payout control unit 61 in Sg5.

  In the payout process, first, 3 is set in the retry counter for storing the retry count of the payout operation (Sh1), and more than 100 pachinko balls (the maximum payout ball number for one payout operation) are supplied to the payout device 200. Whether or not the supply ball detection switch 202 is detected, and whether or not the pachinko ball stored in the lower plate 11 is not full, that is, the lower plate full switch 112 is detected. (Sh2, Sh3), if 100 or more pachinko balls are supplied to the dispensing device 200 and the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 11 are not full, the dispensing motor 201 is turned on. Drive (Sh4). In addition, when the pachinko ball is not supplied to the dispensing device 200 in Sh2, or when the pachinko ball stored in the lower plate 11 is full in Sh3, it waits in that state until these are eliminated, and is resolved. At that time, the payout motor 201 is driven (Sh4).

  Next, the payout ball detection switch 204 waits for the detection of the payout ball or the end of the rotation of the payout motor 201 (Sh5, Sh7, Sh8). Whether or not the rotation of the payout motor 201 has been completed is confirmed by whether or not the rotation corresponding to the payout of the number of unpaid balls in the unpaid ball counter has been completed.

  When a payout ball is detected by the payout ball detection switch 204 in Sh5, Sh7, and Sh8, the number of unpaid balls is decremented by 1 (Sh6), and the process returns to Sh5, Sh7, and Sh8 again.

  When the completion of the rotation corresponding to the payout is confirmed in Sh5, Sh7, Sh8, the drive of the payout motor 201 is stopped (Sh9), and the pachinko ball paid out by the rotation of the payout motor 201 is paid out. The payout ball detection switch 204 waits for detection of a payout ball until a payout ball detection waiting time which is a time required for detection by the detection switch 204 elapses (Sh5, Sh7, Sh10).

  When a payout ball is detected by the payout ball detection switch 204 in Sh5, Sh7, Sh10, the number of unpaid balls is decremented by 1 (Sd9), and the process returns to Sh5, Sh7, Sh10 again.

  In addition, when the payout ball detection waiting time has elapsed in Sh5, Sh7, and Sh10, whether or not the number of unpaid balls in the unpaid ball counter is 0, that is, whether or not all pachinko balls for the number of payout balls have been paid out If the number of unpaid balls is 0, the retry counter is cleared (Sh12), and the payout process is terminated.

  If the unpaid ball of the unpaid ball counter remains in Sh11, it is checked whether the retry counter is 0, that is, whether the payout operation has been performed over the number of retries (Sh13). Is left, the value of the retry counter is decremented by 1 (Sh15), and the process returns to Sh2 again to perform a payout operation according to the number of remaining payout balls. In addition, when there is no remaining number of retries in Sh13, a predetermined error process is performed (Sh14), and the error process is canceled to return to Sh1 again, and a payout operation according to the number of remaining unpaid balls is performed. Do.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the control content of the capture processing executed by the capture / dispensing control unit 61 in Sf5.

  In the take-in process, first, an in-operation signal: on is output to the game control board 40 to start the operation based on the receipt of the take-in request signal (Si1). Then, an acquisition ball number signal output from the game control board 40 is acquired (Si2), and an acquisition is requested and the number of balls that have not yet been acquired (referred to as the number of unincorporated balls) is stored. The ball number specified by the ball number signal is added to the ball counter (Si3).

  Next, 3 is set in the retry counter for storing the number of times of retry of the take-in operation (Si4), and the take-in motor 101 is driven (Si5) regardless of whether the pachinko ball is guided from the upper plate 12 or not.

  Next, a state of waiting for completion of rotation of the take-in ball detection or take-in motor 101 by the take-in ball detection switch 104 is entered (Si6, Si8, Si9). Whether or not the rotation of the take-in motor 101 is completed is confirmed by whether or not the rotation corresponding to the take-in of the number of untaken balls set in the take-in ball counter is completed.

  When a captured ball is detected by the captured ball detection switch 104 in Si6, Si8, and Si9, 1 is subtracted from the number of uncaptured balls in the captured ball counter (Si7), and the process returns to Si6, Si8, and Si9 again. .

  Further, when the completion of rotation corresponding to the capture is confirmed in Si6, Si8, Si9, the drive of the capture motor 101 is stopped (Si10), and pachinko balls captured by the rotation of the capture motor 101 are detected. The system waits for detection of an incoming ball by the incoming ball detection switch 104 until the incoming ball detection waiting time, which is the time required for detection by the incoming ball detection switch 104, has elapsed (Si6, Si8, Si11).

  When a captured ball is detected by the captured ball detection switch 104 in Si6, Si8, and Si11, the number of uncaptured balls in the captured ball counter is decremented by 1 (Si7), and the process returns to Si6, Si8, and Si11 again. .

  In addition, when the waiting time for detecting a captured ball has elapsed in Si6, Si8, and Si11, whether or not the number of uncaptured balls in the capture ball counter is 0, that is, all the pachinko balls corresponding to the number of captured balls are captured. (Si12), if the number of unacquired balls is 0, the retry counter is cleared (Si13), and the operation based on the reception of the acquisition request signal is completed as an operating signal: off. Is output to the game control board 40 (Si14). Thereafter, the process waits until the capture request signal: off is detected (Si15), and when the capture request signal: off is detected, the capture process is terminated.

  Further, in Si12, when the number of unacquired balls remaining in the intake ball counter remains, it is confirmed whether or not the retry counter is 0, that is, whether or not the capture operation has been performed for the number of retries (Si16). If the number of retries remains, the value of the retry counter is decremented by 1 (Si17), and the process returns to Si5 again to perform a take-in operation according to the number of remaining untaken balls. Further, when there is no retry number remaining in Si16, it is based on the reception of the acquisition request signal as an in-operation signal: off regardless of whether or not the required number of pachinko balls have been acquired. The fact that the operation is finished is output to the game control board 40 (Si14), and when the take-in request signal: off is detected (Si15), the take-in process is finished.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the prize ball payout process executed by the take-out payout control unit 61 in Sf7.

  In the winning ball payout process, first, a payout ball number signal output from the game control board 40 is acquired (Sj1), and the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal is set in the unpaid ball count signal (Sj2). Next, an in-operation signal: on is output to the game control board 40 that the operation corresponding to the payout request signal: on is started (Sj3), and the above-mentioned payout process is performed to pay out the number of unpaid balls (Sj4). ). After the payout process is completed, the fact that the operation according to the payout request signal: on is completed is output to the game control board 40 as an in-operation signal: off (Sj5), and it waits until the payout request signal: off is detected. (Sj6). When the payout request signal: off is detected, the prize ball payout process is terminated.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the lending process executed by the take-out and payout control unit 61 in Sf9.

  In the lending process, first, the output status of BRDY and BRQ output from the card unit 15 is monitored (Sk1, Sk2). In Sk1 and Sk2, a state indicating that BRDY: off, that is, a series of control on the card unit 15 side according to the operation of the ball lending switch 18 by the player (control for outputting BRQ: on multiple times) has been completed. When it is detected, it is checked whether the credit full tank flag is set to be regarded as a state where the number of credit balls on the game control board 40 has reached the upper limit value. If the credit full flag is set, the credit full flag is cleared. (Sk5), and the lending process is terminated.

  Further, when BRQ: on is detected in Sk1 and Sk2, whether or not 100 or more pachinko balls (the maximum payout ball number associated with one payout operation) are supplied to the payout device 200, that is, supply ball detection It is confirmed whether or not the switch 205 is detected, and whether or not the pachinko ball stored in the lower plate 11 is not full, that is, whether or not the lower plate full switch 112 is detected (Sk3, Sk4). . In Sk3 and Sk4, if 100 or more pachinko balls are not supplied to the dispensing device 200 or if the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 11 are full, check whether the credit full flag is set, If the credit full flag is set, the credit full flag is cleared (Sk5), and the lending process is terminated.

  Further, in Sk3 and Sk4, when 100 or more pachinko balls are supplied to the dispensing device 200 and the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 11 are not full, EXS: on and BRQ: on To the card unit 15 (Sk6), whether or not the above-mentioned credit full flag is set, that is, the number of credit balls on the game control board 40 side reaches the upper limit value. It is confirmed whether it is in a state (Sk7).

  If the credit full flag is not set in Sk7, the addition request signal is turned on, and the game control board 40 is requested to add to the credit ball number of 25 balls (Sk8). When the output result of the addition result signal output from the substrate 40 is monitored (Sk9) and the addition result signal: on is detected, that is, when it is confirmed that the processing based on the addition request signal: on is completed. The payout ball number signal output from the game control board 40 is acquired (Sk10), and it is confirmed whether or not the ball number specified by the payout ball number signal is 0 (Sk11).

  When the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal at Sk11 is 0, that is, when there are no pachinko balls that could not be added to the credit ball number on the game control board 40, the addition request signal: off is set. (Sk18), wait until the addition result signal: off is detected (Sk19). When the payout request signal: off is detected, EXS: off is output to the card unit 15 indicating that the operation according to BRQ: on is completed (Sk22), the process returns to Sk1, and the output status of BRDY and BRQ is changed again. Monitor. In addition, the value of the payout ball indicator 17 is updated to the value (25) added to the credit ball number with respect to the addition request signal when the addition result signal: on is detected.

  In addition, when the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal is not 0 in Sk11, that is, when a pachinko ball that could not be added to the credit ball number in the game control board 40 with respect to the addition request signal: on remains, Since it can be considered that the number of credit balls has reached the upper limit value (250), the above-described credit full flag is set (Sk12), and the number of balls specified by the paid-out ball number signal is set in the unpaid ball counter (Sk13). Further, the value of the payout ball indicator 17 is used for setting the betting number with respect to the addition request signal or added to the credit ball number in accordance with the detection of the addition result signal: on (25-the payout ball number signal). To the number of balls specified by

  Next, the in-operation signal: on is output to the game control board 40 that the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on is started (Sk14), and the addition request signal is turned off (Sk15). Processing, that is, processing for performing control to cause the dispensing device 200 to pay out the pachinko balls of the number of unpaid balls in the unpaid ball counter (Sk16). Along with this, every time a pachinko ball paid out from the payout device 200 is detected by the payout ball detection switch 202, the value of the payout ball display 17 is added and updated. Then, after the payout process is finished, the fact that the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on is finished is output to the game control board 40 as an in-operation signal: off (Sk17), and it waits until the addition result signal: off is detected. (Sk19). When the payout request signal: off is detected, EXS: off is output to the card unit 15 indicating that the operation according to BRQ: on is completed (Sk22), the process returns to Sk1, and the output status of BRDY and BRQ is changed again. Monitor.

  Further, when the credit full flag is set in Sk7, that is, when it is considered that the number of credit balls has reached the upper limit value (250), the card unit 15 is detected by the unpaid ball counter based on the detection of BRQ: on. Is set to 25, which is the number of balls requested from (Sk20), and the above-described payout process is performed (Sk21). After the payout process is completed, the fact that the operation according to BRQ: on is completed is output as EXS: off to the card unit 15 (Sk22), and the process returns to Sk1. At this time, every time the pachinko ball paid out from the payout device 200 is detected by the payout ball detection switch 202, the value of the payout ball display 17 is added and updated.

  Next, the exchange of signals of the card unit 15, the take-out / payout control unit 61, and the game control unit 41 accompanying the lending of pachinko balls and the operation status of each unit will be described based on the timing charts shown in FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 25, when the ball lending switch 19 is operated by the player, the card unit 15 notifies the take-out / payout control unit 61 that the lending operation has been performed as BRDY: on. (T1), BRQ: On is requested to rent 25 pachinko balls (t2).

  Upon detecting BRQ: on, the take-out / payout control unit 61 sets EXS: on, and notifies the card unit 15 that the operation based on the detection of BRQ: on is started (t3). Then, an addition request signal: on is requested to the game control unit 41 to add to the 25 credit balls requested by BRQ: on (t4).

  When the game control unit 41 detects the addition request signal: on, the bet number can be set. If the maximum bet number has not yet been set, the game control unit 41 adds to the credit ball number by the addition request signal. Of the 25 balls requested, the number of balls necessary to set the maximum bet number is used for setting the bet number, and the remaining number of balls is added to the credit ball number. If the bet number can be set and the maximum bet number has already been set, 25 balls requested to be added to the credit ball number by the addition request signal are added to the credit ball number. . When all 25 required balls are used for setting the bet number or added to the credit ball number, a payout ball number signal indicating 0 ball is output and addition is requested as an addition result signal: on. The fact that all the balls have been added to the credit balls is returned to the take-out / payout controller 61 (t5).

  Further, by adding the number of balls not used for setting the betting number among the 25 balls requested to be added to the number of credit balls by the addition request signal, the upper limit value of the number of credit balls (250). When the number exceeds the upper limit, the number of balls that were not used for setting the betting number out of the required 25 balls was added to the number of credit balls within the upper limit range, and the amount that was not added to exceed the upper limit value The payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls is output, and the addition result signal: on, the ball number not added to the credit ball number among the ball numbers requested to be added is returned to the take-out payout control unit 61. (T5 ′).

  Upon detecting the addition result signal: on, the take-out payout control unit 61 acquires the number of balls not added to the credit ball number from the payout ball number signal, and when the acquired ball number is 0, the requested ball It is determined that all the numbers have been added to the number of credit balls, and notifies the card unit 15 that the requested pachinko ball lending has been completed based on BRQ: on as EXS: off (t6). Further, if the number of balls acquired from the payout ball number signal is other than 0, the game control unit 41 is informed that the pachinko ball payout operation for the amount not added to the credit ball number as an in-operation signal: on is started. (T7), and the payout device 200 pays out the pachinko balls for the number of balls acquired from the payout ball number signal (t8). Then, after the payout of the number of pachinko balls obtained from the payout ball number signal, the card unit 15 is notified that the requested pachinko ball lending has been completed based on BRQ: on as EXS: off ( t6 ′).

  In addition, after performing the payout operation of the pachinko balls for the number of balls acquired from the payout ball number signal, the take-out payout control unit 61 detects the BRQ: on, the credit ball number reaches the upper limit value. After notifying the card unit 15 that the operation based on the detection of BRQ: on is started as EXS: on (t3 ′), addition to the credit ball number to the game control unit 41 No request is made, and the 25 pachinko balls requested by BRQ: on are paid out by the dispensing device 200 (t8 ′). Then, after paying out the 25 pachinko balls requested by BRQ: on, the card unit 15 is informed that the rental of the pachinko balls requested based on BRQ: on is completed as EXS: off (t6). ").

  Each time the card unit 15 detects EXS: off, the card unit 15 requests to rent a pachinko ball as BRQ: on, and detects the OFF of EXS for the specified number of times (5 in this embodiment) BRQ: on. As a result, BRDY: off is notified to the take-out / payout controller 61 that a series of processes based on one operation of the ball lending switch 19 has been completed (t9).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, when a winning ball is generated during the lending of pachinko balls, the game control unit 41 outputs a payout ball number signal indicating the number of winning balls, and the addition result Signal: Requests award ball payout as on (t10). The take-out / payout control unit 61 waits for the detection of BRDY: off, that is, the end of a series of processes based on one operation of the ball lending switch 19 (t11), and obtains the number of winning balls indicated by the payout ball number signal. Then, the game control unit 41 is notified that the payout operation based on the prize ball is performed as the in-operation signal: on (t12), and the payout device 200 pays out the pachinko balls for the number of balls acquired from the payout ball number signal. (T13).

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated, the credit ball number necessary for setting the bet number corresponding to the operation does not remain. Since the pachinko ball is taken in by the take-in device 100 regardless of whether or not the pachinko ball is waiting on the upper plate 12, the pachinko ball can be taken in promptly and the game is smoothly performed. Can proceed to.

  Further, even if the pachinko ball is not taken in by the take-in operation of the take-in device 100, the take-in operation is completed and the operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 can be accepted. It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as the operation being performed endlessly.

  In addition, when the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated, the number of already-acquired balls that have already been captured but are not used for setting the number of bets because they are less than 1 bet (5 balls) have already been captured. When remaining in the ball counter, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of balls already taken in from the ball counter already taken from the number of balls that need to be taken in according to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6, that is, necessary at that time Therefore, the pachinko ball can be taken in more quickly.

  The present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated and the number of credit balls necessary for setting the bet number corresponding to the operation does not remain, Necessary for setting the number of bets corresponding to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 to the take-out / payout control unit 61 from the game control unit 41 regardless of whether or not the taken-in ball number remains. A large number of balls (for example, 10 if the bet number is already set to 1 and 15 if the bet number is set to 2 is requested). Well, if you do this, you need to take in the number of balls required to set the number of bets according to the operation of 1BET switch 5 or MAXBET switch 6, so you can quickly take in pachinko balls But Kill. Further, when the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is operated and the number of credit balls necessary for setting the number of bets corresponding to the operation does not remain, the game control unit 41 sends the take-out / payout control unit 61 A uniform number of balls (for example, 15 balls) must be taken in, or the number of balls corresponding to the operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 (for example, 5 balls for the operation of the 1BET switch 5, MAXBET If the switch 6 is operated, 15 balls) may be requested.

  In the present embodiment, the detection signal of the take-in ball detection switch 104 that detects the passage of the pachinko ball taken in by the take-in device 100 is input to both the game control unit 41 and the take-out / payout control unit 61. Of these, the number of captured balls used for setting the betting number is counted by the detection signal input to the game control unit 41, and the detection signal input to the acquisition / payout control unit 61 Whether the pachinko sphere has been normally taken in by driving the motor 101 is confirmed. Therefore, it is not necessary to notify the game control unit 41 from the take-out / payout control unit 61 of the number of balls taken in by the take-in device 100, and the amount of information transmitted from the take-out / payout control unit 61 to the game control unit 41 The game control unit 41 sets the bet number based on the detection signal input from the take-in ball detection switch 104 without waiting for the notification of the take-in ball number from the take-out / payout control unit 61. The betting number based on the number of taken-in balls taken in by the taking-in device 100 can be quickly set. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, a detection signal from the take-in ball detection switch 104 is input only to the take-out / payout control unit 61, and the take-out / payout control unit 61 is based on the detection signal. While confirming whether or not the pachinko ball has been normally captured by driving the capture motor 101, information indicating the number of captured balls captured by the capture device 100 is transmitted to the game control unit 41 based on the detection signal. Based on this, the game control unit 41 may count the number of captured balls used for setting the bet amount, and in this way, more signals are input to the game control unit 41 than necessary. In addition, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as an illegal signal being input to the game control unit 41 using the signal line from the take-in ball detection switch 104 and to simplify the wiring.

  Further, when the take-out / payout control unit 61 receives a lending request (BRQ: on) from the card unit 15, the credit of the number of balls requested in the lending request to the game control unit 41 as an addition request signal: on. Based on this, the game control unit 41 credits the requested number of balls when the requested number of balls is added to the number of credited balls and the upper limit of the number of credited balls is not exceeded. In addition to the number of balls, when the requested number of balls is added to the number of credited balls, if the upper limit value of the number of credited balls is exceeded, the requested number of balls is added to the number of credited balls within the range of the upper limit value. A payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls of fractions that could not be output is output, and the addition result signal: on is returned as the number of balls of fractions. Based on this, the take-out payout control unit 61 receives the payout ball number signal. Fraction The number of pachinko balls is paid out by the payout device 200, and the number of balls requested by the lending request from the card unit 15 can be added to the credit ball number up to the upper limit, and the credit The fractional pachinko balls that have not been added due to exceeding the upper limit of the number of balls are paid out directly by the payout device 200, so that it is possible to lend all the number of balls requested by the lending request.

  Furthermore, the take-out / payout control unit 61 pays out 100 or more pachinko balls to the dispensing device 200, that is, pays out more pachinko balls than requested by the card unit (BRQ: on). In order to request addition of the number of balls requested in the lending request to the game control unit 41 as an addition request signal: on, on condition that it is supplied to the device 200, for example, a lending request Even when the number of balls requested by the above cannot be added to the number of credit balls, the number of pachinko balls requested by the lending request can be reliably paid out by the dispensing device 200.

  Further, the take-out / payout control unit 61 lends the game control unit 41 as an addition request signal: on on the condition that the lower pan full tank switch 112 is not detected, that is, the lower pan 12 is not full. In order to request the addition of the number of balls requested in the request to the number of credit balls, the lending is performed even though the lower plate 11 is full, and the payout device 200 becomes clogged. Can be prevented in advance.

  Further, the take-out / payout control unit 61 adds all the pachinko balls requested by the addition request to the credit ball number when the ball number acquired from the pay-out ball number signal when the addition result signal: on is detected is zero. If a loan request (BRQ: on) is continuously output from the card unit 15 in response to one operation of the player after receiving a reply indicating that the game has been made, the game is added as an addition request signal: on. While the control unit 41 is requested to add the number of balls requested in the lending request to the number of credit balls, the number of balls acquired from the payout ball number signal when the addition result signal: on is detected. In the case other than 0, that is, when a pachinko ball is paid out in response to a reply that the number of pachinko balls requested by the addition request has not been added to the number of credit balls, When a lending request that is continuously output in response to one operation is received, an addition request to the game control unit 41 is not made, and the number of pachinko balls requested by the lending request is directly received by the dispensing device 200. In order to pay out, it is possible to rent all the number of pachinko balls requested by a continuous lending request according to one operation of the player from the card unit 15 and add to the game control unit 41 more than necessary. No request is made, and the control loads of both the game control unit 41 and the take-out / payout control unit 61 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, after the betting number can be set, the game control unit 41 determines the number of balls requested by the addition request from the take-out / payout control unit 61 if the maximum betting number has not yet been set. Among them, the number of balls necessary to set the maximum bet number is used for setting the bet number, and the extra number of balls is added to the credit ball number. It is not necessary to perform an operation for setting the number of bets (operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6) separately from the operation of (1), and the convenience of the player can be improved.

  Further, since the payout device 200 for paying out the pachinko balls and the take-in device 100 for taking in the pachinko balls are controlled by the take-out / payout control means 60 provided separately from the game control unit 41, The control load of the game control unit 41 that performs control can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when all the pachinko balls requested by the game control unit 41 in response to the addition request (addition request signal: on) are added to the credit ball number, a payout ball number signal indicating 0 is output. Addition result signal: By turning on, the fact that the number of pachinko balls requested by the addition request is all added to the number of credit balls is returned to the take-out / payout control unit 61, and the game control unit 41 Regardless of whether or not all the pachinko balls requested by the addition request can be added to the number of credit balls, the result can be returned to the take-out / payout controller 61 as a common type of information. It is possible to prevent the control from becoming complicated due to an increase in the types of information transmitted from 41 to the take-out / payout control unit 61.

  Further, in this embodiment, even if the game control unit 41 receives an addition request (addition request signal: on) from the take-in / out control unit 61 during the game, the credit ball number addition control is not performed. Since the execution control and the credit ball number addition control are not performed in parallel, the control load of the game control unit 41 can be reduced. At this time, since the game control unit 41 returns all the requested ball numbers as the number of balls not added to the credit ball number, the take-out / payout control unit 61 based on this returns the pachinko of the returned ball number. Since the balls are paid out by the payout device 200, the required number of pachinko balls can be lent out during the game.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the game control unit 41 outputs a message indicating that the game is in progress to the take-out / payout control unit 61, and the take-out / payout control unit 61 displays a card unit during the game. When the lending request (BRQ: on) is received from 15, the number of pachinko balls requested in the lending request is paid out by the dispensing device 200 without making an addition request to the game control unit 41. Even if it does in this way, since execution control of a game and addition control of the number of credit balls are not performed in parallel, the control load of game control part 41 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, when a winning ball is generated and a winning ball is generated, the game control unit 41 adds the winning ball to the credit ball number, and if the credit ball number does not exceed the upper limit, When the number of credit balls exceeds the upper limit by adding to the number of credit balls and adding the prize ball to the number of credit balls, a payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls exceeding the upper limit of the prize balls is output. The payout request signal: on is requested to be paid out, and based on this, the take-out payout control unit 61 causes the payout device 200 to pay out the pachinko balls that exceed the upper limit value among the requested number of balls, that is, prize balls. In this way, award balls generated by winning a prize can be added up to the upper limit of the number of credit balls.

  Furthermore, when a winning occurs while the take-out / payout control unit 61 is performing the lending process, and the game control unit 41 makes a prize ball payout request based on the winning, the lending process ends. The pachinko ball is paid out based on a prize ball payout request based on the winning a prize, and even if a win occurs while paying out the pachinko ball based on the loan, the pachinko ball based on the loan is issued. Since the payout control of the ball and the payout control of the pachinko ball based on the occurrence of the winning are not performed in parallel, the control load of the take-out payout control unit 61 can be reduced.

  Further, in this embodiment, the number of pachinko balls (the number of pachinko balls used for setting the number of bets) added to the credit ball counter in response to the lending request (BRQ: on) from the card unit 15 to the payout ball display 17. And the total number of pachinko balls paid out to the upper plate 12 is displayed, and the number of balls already lent out of the number of balls requested by the lending request from the card unit 15 is displayed. The player can grasp.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. The configuration of the slot machine 1 ′, which is a gaming machine of the present embodiment, is the same as the configuration of the slot machine 1 described in the first embodiment, except for the lending acceptance process executed by the game control unit 41. In the embodiment, only the loan acceptance process executed by the game control unit 41 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the loan acceptance process executed in the timer interrupt process 1 of the game control unit 41 in the slot machine 1 ′ of the present embodiment.

  In the lending acceptance process, first, whether or not the lending end waiting flag is set is checked based on whether or not the lending end waiting flag is set (Sl1). It is confirmed whether or not the addition request signal: on is detected (S17). If the addition request signal: on is not detected in S17, the lending acceptance process is terminated.

  In addition, when the addition request signal: on is detected in S17, addition of the credit ball number is requested based on the detection of the addition request signal: on, and the ball number that has not been added to the credit ball number is stored. The number of balls requested to be added to the number of credit balls based on the detection of the addition request signal: on (hereinafter referred to as the number of requested balls to add) (25 balls in this embodiment) is set in the adding ball counter (Sl8). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the bet number can be set based on whether or not the bet number settable flag is set (Sl9).

  When the bet amount can be set in S9, the credit ball number is being processed based on whether or not the credit processing flag is set, that is, based on the operation of the settlement switch 10, the 1BET switch 5, and the MAXBET switch 6. It is confirmed whether or not the addition / subtraction control is being performed (Sl10). If the credit processing is in progress, the lending acceptance processing is terminated.

  In addition, when the bet number cannot be set in Sl9, that is, when the addition request signal: on is detected during the execution of the game, the ball requested by detecting the value of the addition ball counter, that is, the addition request signal: on. The payout ball number signal indicating the number is output to the take-out payout control board 60 (Sl15), the addition result signal indicating the addition result to the credit ball number based on the addition request is turned on (Sl16), and the lending ends A lending end waiting flag indicating that the state is waiting is set (Sl17), and the lending acceptance processing is ended.

  If the credit processing is not in progress at Sl10, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the BET counter is 0 (Sl11). If the value of the BET counter is not 0, that is, if the number of bets has already been set. The value of the addition ball counter, that is, the addition request signal: a payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls requested by detecting on is output to the payout control board 60 (Sl15), and the number of credit balls based on the addition request The addition result signal indicating the addition result is turned on (Sl16), a lending end waiting flag indicating that the lending end is awaited is set (Sl17), and the lending acceptance process is terminated.

  In step S111, if the value of the BET counter is 0, that is, if the betting number has not yet been set, whether or not the added ball number of the added ball counter is 0, that is, whether or not the added ball number remains. (Sl12), if the number of added balls is not 0, it is checked whether the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter is less than 250 (Sl13). If the number of credit balls is less than 250, After performing the process of subtracting 1 from the number of added balls and adding 1 to the number of credit balls in the credit ball counter (S114), the process returns to S112 again. That is, the number of added balls of the added ball counter is decremented by 1 until the number of added balls of the added ball counter becomes zero or the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter reaches the upper limit (250), and the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter The process of adding 1 is repeated. As described above, in the steps S112 to S114, it is determined whether or not the credit ball number exceeds the upper limit by adding the additional ball number to the credit ball number, and even if the added ball number is added to the credit ball number When the number of balls does not exceed the upper limit, the number of added balls is added to the number of credit balls.

  In S112 to S114, when the number of added balls of the adding ball counter becomes 0 or the number of credit balls of the credit ball counter reaches the upper limit value (250), a payout ball number signal indicating the value of the added ball counter is displayed. Output to the take-out / payout control board 60 (Sl15), turn on the addition result signal indicating the addition result to the number of credit balls based on the addition request (Sl16), and set the lending end wait flag (Sl17) ), Ending the lending acceptance process.

  In addition, if it is in the lending end waiting state in S11, the output status of the addition request signal and the in-operation signal is confirmed (Sl2, S13), and the addition request signal: off or the in-operation signal: off is not detected. Ends the lending acceptance process. When both the addition request signal: off and the operation end signal: off are detected, that is, when the end of the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on is confirmed, the addition result signal and the payout ball number signal are sequentially turned off. (Sl4, Sl5), the lending end waiting flag is cleared (Sl6), and the lending acceptance process is terminated.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 ′ of the present embodiment, when the value of the BET counter is other than 0, that is, when the bet number is set and the game can be started, the game control unit 41 takes in and pays out. Even when an addition request (addition request signal: on) is received from the control unit 61, the credit ball number addition control is not performed, and the credit ball number addition control and the control for starting the game are performed in parallel. Therefore, the control load of the game control unit 41 can be reduced. Furthermore, even when the game control unit 41 receives an addition request (addition request signal: on) from the take-out / payout control unit 61 after the bet number is set, the number of balls requested by the addition request is taken-in / out. Since the pachinko balls corresponding to the addition request are returned to the control unit 61 and are paid out by the payout device 200, all the pachinko balls requested from the card unit 15 can be lent out.

  A third embodiment of the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described below. The configuration of the slot machine 1 ″ that is the gaming machine of the present embodiment is the same as the slot machine 1 described in the first embodiment or the slot described in the second embodiment except for the lending process executed by the take-out / payout control unit 61. Since the configuration is the same as that of the machine 1 ′, only the lending process executed by the take-out / payout control unit 61 will be described in detail in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the lending process executed by the take-out / payout control unit 61 in the slot machine 1 ″ of this embodiment.

  In the lending process, first, the output status of BRDY and BRQ output from the card unit 15 is monitored (Sm1 to Sm3). In Sm1 to Sm3, a state indicating that BRDY: off, that is, a series of control on the card unit 15 side according to the operation of the ball lending switch 18 by the player (control to output BRQ: on multiple times) is completed. When it is detected, it is checked whether the credit full tank flag is set, which is regarded as a state where the number of credit balls on the game control board 40 has reached the upper limit value. If the credit full flag is set, the credit full flag is cleared. (Sm6) to end the lending process.

  In addition, when BRQ: on is detected in Sm1 to Sm3, whether or not 100 or more pachinko balls (the maximum payout ball number associated with one payout operation) are supplied to the payout device 200, that is, supply ball detection It is confirmed whether or not the switch 205 is detected and whether or not the pachinko ball stored in the lower plate 11 is not full, that is, whether or not the lower plate full switch 112 is detected (Sm4, Sm5). . In Sm4 and Sm5, when 100 or more pachinko balls are not supplied to the dispensing device 200 or when the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 11 are full, check whether the credit full flag is set, If the credit full flag is set, the credit full flag is cleared (Sm6), and the lending process is terminated.

  In Sm4 and Sm5, when 100 or more pachinko balls are supplied to the dispensing device 200 and the pachinko balls stored in the lower plate 11 are not full, EXS: on and BRQ: on To start the operation is output to the card unit 15 (Sm7).

  Then, the addition request signal is turned on to output that the game control board 40 is requested to add 25 credits (Sm8), and the output status of the addition result signal output from the game control board 40 is displayed. Monitored (Sm9), and when the addition result signal: on is detected, that is, when it is confirmed that the processing based on the addition request signal: on is completed, the payout ball number signal output from the game control board 40 (Sm10), and it is confirmed whether or not the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal is 0 (Sm11).

  If the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal in Sm11 is 0, that is, if there are no pachinko balls that could not be added to the credit ball number on the game control board 40, the addition request signal: off is set. (Sm18), and waits until the addition result signal: off is detected (Sm19). When the payout request signal: off is detected, EXS: off is output to the card unit 15 indicating that the operation according to BRQ: on is completed (Sm20), the process returns to Sm1, and the output status of BRDY and BRQ is again displayed. Monitor. In addition, the value of the payout ball indicator 17 is updated to the value (25) added to the credit ball number with respect to the addition request signal when the addition result signal: on is detected.

  Further, when the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal in Sm11 is not 0, that is, when there is a pachinko ball that could not be added to the credit ball number in the game control board 40 for the addition request signal: on, Since it can be considered that the number of credit balls has reached the upper limit value (250), the above-described credit full flag is set (Sm12), and the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal is set in the unpaid ball counter (Sm13). Further, the value of the payout ball indicator 17 is updated to a value added to the credit ball number (25-the number of balls specified by the payout ball number signal) with the detection of the addition result signal: on.

  Next, the in-operation signal: on is output to the game control board 40 that the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on is started (Sm14), and the addition request signal: off (Sm15), and the above-mentioned payout Processing, that is, processing for performing control to cause the dispensing device 200 to pay out the pachinko balls of the number of unpaid balls of the unpaid ball counter (Sm16). Along with this, every time a pachinko ball paid out from the payout device 200 is detected by the payout ball detection switch 202, the value of the payout ball display 17 is added and updated. Then, after the payout process is completed, the fact that the operation corresponding to the addition result signal: on has been completed is output to the game control board 40 as an in-operation signal: off (Sm17), and waiting until the addition result signal: off is detected. (Sm19). When the payout request signal: off is detected, the fact that the operation corresponding to BRQ: on is completed is output as EXS: off to the card unit 15 (Sm20), and the process returns to Sm1. Since the credit full flag is set in Sm12, the output status of only BRDY is monitored (Sm1, Sm2), and when BRDY: off is detected, the credit full flag is cleared and the lending process is terminated. .

  Thus, in the slot machine 1 ″ of the present embodiment, the take-out / payout control unit 61 sends a reply that the number of balls requested by the addition request (addition request signal: on) is added to the number of credit balls. When receiving from 41, it is in a state (Sm1 to Sm3) in which a continuous lending request (BRQ: on) is received from the card unit 15 according to one operation of the player, and the fraction not added to the number of credit balls When a reply indicating the number of balls is received from the game control unit 41, a fractional pachinko ball is paid out by the payout device 200, and thereafter, it is continuously lent according to one operation of the player In order to make the request unacceptable (Sm1, Sm2), when the number of credit balls reaches the upper limit, pachinko balls will not be paid out even if a subsequent lending request is received, It is possible to reduce the effort for capturing was Desa had pachinko balls again.

  Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 29, in the slot machine 301 that is the gaming machine of the present embodiment, reels 302L, 302C, and 302R in which plural kinds of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. , 302C, 302R are arranged so that three consecutive symbols can be seen from the see-through window 303 provided on the front surface of the slot machine 301.

  Each of the reels 302L, 302C, 302R is rotated by reel motors 334L, 334C, 334R provided correspondingly, so that the symbols of the reels 302L, 302C, 302R are continuously changed to the see-through window 3. In addition to being displayed, by stopping the rotation of each of the reels 302L, 302C, 302R, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the fluoroscopic window 303 as display results.

  Further, the slot machine 301 stores the number of medals (hereinafter referred to as credits) stored in a storage unit (a credit counter set in a RAM of a game control unit 341 described later) as a gaming value owned by the player. A credit indicator 314 for displaying the medals, a medal insertion unit 304 into which medals can be inserted, a one-BET switch 305 and a MAXBET switch 306 operated when setting a bet amount using credits, and cards arranged in parallel The remaining value indicator 318 that displays the remaining value of the valuable value read from the prepaid card being accepted by the unit 315 is operated when a medal is lent within the range of the remaining value of the value displayed on the remaining amount indicator 318. Lending switch 319, returning prepaid card being accepted to card unit 315 installed side by side The number of medals added to the credit counter in response to a request from the card unit 315 based on the detection of the return switch 320, the lending switch 319 (including the number of medals used for setting the number of bets) and the lower plate A payout indicator 317 that displays the total value of the number of medals paid out in 311, a settlement switch 310 that is operated when the credit is settled, a start switch 307 that is operated when the game is started, a reel 302L, Stop switches 308L, 308C, 308R, and the like that are operated when stopping the rotation of 302C and 302R are provided.

  In addition, a lower plate 311 for storing medals used for the game is provided at the lower front portion of the slot machine 301.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 29, the slot machine 301 of this embodiment is provided in parallel with a card unit 315 that accepts a prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded, and the card unit 315 based on the operation of the lending switch 319 described above. It is possible to lend a pachinko ball using the valuable value recorded on the prepaid card being accepted in response to a request from

  When a game is played in the slot machine 301 of the present embodiment, first, medals are inserted from the medal insertion unit 304, or credits are used to set the number of bets. In order to use credit, the MAX BET switch 306 or the single BET switch 305 may be operated. When a predetermined number of bets are set, the winning lines L301, L302, L302 ′, L303, and L303 ′ (see FIG. 29) become valid according to the set bets, and the operation of the start switch 307 is valid. That is, the game can be started.

  When the start switch 307 is operated while the game can be started, the reels 302L, 302C, and 302R rotate, and the symbols of the reels 302L, 302C, and 302R continuously vary. If any one of the stop switches 308L, 308C, 308R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 302L, 302C, 302R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed.

  Then, when all the reels 302L, 302C, 302R are stopped, one game is finished, and is determined in advance on any of the pay lines L301, L302, L302 ′, L303, L303 ′ activated according to the number of bets. When the given symbol combination stops as a display result of each reel 302L, 302C, 302R, a winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player and added to the credit Is done. When the credit reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly to the lower plate 311 from the medal payout hole 309 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the slot machine 301. As shown in FIG. 30, the slot machine 301 is provided with a game control board 340, a payout control board 360, and an effect control board 390. The game state is mainly controlled by the game control board 340, and the payout control board 360 is provided. The medal payout is controlled, and the effect control board 90 controls the effect according to the gaming state.

  The game control board 340 is connected to the one-BET switch 305, the MAXBET switch 306, the start switch 307, the stop switches 308L, 308C, and 308R described above, and detects the medal inserted from the medal insertion unit 304. A reel sensor 335 for detecting a reference position of the medal sensor 331 and the reels 302L, 302C, and 302R is connected, and detection signals from these connected switches and sensors are input.

  The game control board 340 is connected to the reel motors 334L, 334C, 334R, and the credit indicator 314 described above, and these electrical components are connected to a game control unit 341 (described later) mounted on the game control board 340. It is driven based on the control.

  The game control board 340 includes a CPU that performs calculations according to a predetermined procedure, a ROM that stores CPU control programs and various data tables, a game control unit 341 that includes a RAM that writes and reads necessary data, and a game control board. A switch connected to 340, a switch circuit 342 to which a detection signal input from the sensor is input, a motor circuit 343 for controlling driving of the belt motors 334L, 334C, and 334R, and a display driving circuit for driving display of the credit indicator 314 The game control unit 341 receives various detection signals from switches and sensors connected to the game control board 340, and performs various controls according to the progress of the game.

  The payout control board 360 has a payout sensor 402 for detecting medals paid out from the medal payout holes 309, a storage amount detection switch 405 for detecting whether or not a predetermined number of medals are stored in a payout device 400 described below, A lower pan full switch 412 for detecting a full state of the pan 311 is connected, and detection signals of these connected switches are input.

  The payout control board 360 is connected to a payout device 400 for paying out medals stored therein by rotation of a hopper motor, and a payout number display 317. These electric components are mounted on the payout control board 360. Further, it is driven based on control by a later-described payout control unit 361.

  The payout control board 360 is driven by a payout control section 361 having the same CPU, ROM and RAM as the game control section 341, and a hopper motor (not shown) mounted on the payout device 400 connected to the payout control board 360. A motor circuit 362 to be performed, a switch circuit 364 to which a detection signal input from a switch connected to the payout control board 360 is input, a display drive circuit 365 to perform display driving of the payout number display 317, and the like are mounted. The payout control unit 361 receives a signal output from the game control unit 341 mounted on the game control board 340 or a detection signal from a switch connected to the payout control board 360, and performs payout of medals. Perform various controls. The payout control board 360 is connected to the card units 315 arranged in parallel, and the payout control unit 361 rents out medals in response to a request from a control unit (not shown) mounted on the card unit 315. Perform lending control.

  The effect control board 390 is connected to a liquid crystal display 351, a game effect LED 352, and speakers 353 and 354 arranged on the front surface of the slot machine 301, and these electric components are described later mounted on the effect control board 390. It is driven based on the control by the effect control unit 391.

  The effect control board 390 includes an effect control section 391 having the same CPU, ROM, and RAM as the game control section 341, a liquid crystal drive circuit 392 that controls the liquid crystal display 351 connected to the effect control board 390, and a game effect. A lamp driving circuit 393 that controls the driving of the LED 352, an audio output circuit 394 that controls audio output from the speakers 353 and 354, and the like are mounted, and the effect control unit 391 is a game control mounted on the game control board 340. In response to a command transmitted from the unit 341, various controls are performed to produce an effect.

  The game control unit 341 mounted on the game control board 340 gives the payout control board 360 a payout number signal indicating a value of 0 to 50, a checkout request signal for requesting a credit checkout, and a payout requesting a medal payout. A request signal and an addition result signal indicating the addition result to the credit based on the addition request are output. On the other hand, the take-out payout control unit 361 mounted on the payout control board 360 adds an operating signal indicating that the payout device 400 is operating, and adds a predetermined number (25 in this embodiment) of medals to credits. The addition request signal for requesting is output.

  Further, the payout control board 360 is connected to the card units 315 arranged in parallel, and a card unit READY signal indicating that a lending request operation has been performed by the player from the card unit 315 to the take-out payout control unit 361. (MRDY) and a lending request signal (MRQ) for requesting medal lending are input, and a slot machine READY signal (indicating a state in which lending control can be performed from the payout control unit 361 to the card unit 315) ( SRDY) and MRQ based lending completion signal (EXS) indicating that the medal lending has been completed normally is output, and the payout control unit 361 controls the above-described lending control by inputting and outputting these signals. I do.

  A card unit 315 arranged in parallel with the slot machine 301 receives a prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded in the same manner as the card unit 315 described in the first embodiment, and reads the valuable value of the received prepaid card (illustration). And a microcomputer for controlling the card unit 315 is mounted. The remaining amount indicator 318 mounted on the slot machine 301 is connected to the card unit 315 side, and the card unit 315 outputs the remaining amount display control signal to the remaining amount indicator 318 to read from the prepaid card being accepted. Control is performed to display the remaining value of the value. Further, the lending switch 319 and the return switch 320 mounted on the slot machine 301 are also connected to the card unit 315, and the detection signal of the lending switch 319 and the detection signal of the return switch 320 are input to the card unit 315. Various processes are executed based on the detection signal. Specifically, the SRDY described above is output on the condition that the valuable value read from the prepaid card being accepted remains due to the operation of the lending switch 319 being detected, and the MRQ described above is output a plurality of times. As a result, processing for requesting the slot machine 301 to lend medals is performed. Moreover, the process of returning the prepaid card under reception is performed by detecting the operation of the return switch 320.

  Next, the exchange of signals of the card unit 315, the payout control unit 361, and the game control unit 341 accompanying the lending of pachinko balls and the operation status of each unit will be described.

  First, by operating the lending switch 319 by the player, the card unit 315 notifies the payout control unit 361 that the lending operation has been performed as MRDY: on, and lends 25 medals as MRQ: on. Request.

  When the payout control unit 361 detects MRQ: on, it sets EXS: on, and notifies the card unit 315 that the operation based on the detection of MRQ: on is started. Then, the game control unit 341 is requested to add 25 medals requested by MRQ: on as an addition request signal: on.

  When the game control unit 341 detects the addition request signal: on, the bet number can be set. If the maximum bet number has not yet been set, the game control unit 341 requests addition to the credit by the addition request signal. Of the 25 cards, the number required to set the maximum bet number is used for setting the bet number, and the surplus number is added to the credit. If the bet number can be set and the maximum bet number has already been set, 25 cards requested to be added to the credit by the addition request signal are added to the credit. When all the required 25 cards are used for setting the number of bets or added to the credit, a payout number signal indicating 0 is output and the number of sheets requested to be added is added as an addition result signal: on. The fact that all the credits have been added is returned to the payout control unit 361.

  Also, it is required when the upper limit value (50) of credit is exceeded by adding to the credit the number of 25 sheets that have not been used for setting the number of bets out of the 25 sheets requested to be added to the credit by the addition request signal. In addition, the number that is not used for setting the number of bets out of the 25 is added to the credit within the range of the upper limit value, and a payout number signal indicating the number of sheets that has not been added to exceed the upper limit value is output. The addition result signal: “on” is returned to the payout control unit 361 of the number of sheets requested to be added and not added to the credit.

  When the addition control signal 361 is detected, the payout control unit 361 acquires the number that has not been added to the credit from the payout number signal, and if the acquired number is 0, all the requested numbers have been added to the credit. The card unit 315 is notified that the requested medal lending is completed based on MRQ: on as EXS: off. Also, if the number obtained from the payout number signal is other than 0, the game control unit 341 is notified that the operation of the medals for the amount not added to the credit is started as an in-operation signal: on, and the payout is made. The payout device 400 pays out medals for the number obtained from the number signal. Then, after the payout of the number of medals obtained from the payout number signal is completed, the card unit 315 is notified that the requested medal lending is completed based on MRQ: on as EXS: off.

  Further, the payout control unit 361 can determine that the credit has reached the upper limit value when MRQ: on is detected after performing the payout operation for the number of medals obtained from the payout number signal. After notifying the card unit 315 that the operation based on the detection of MRQ: on is started as EXS: on, the game control unit 341 is not requested to add credits, and 25 requested by MRQ: on. The payout device 400 pays out medals. Then, after the payout of the 25 medals requested by MRQ: on is completed, the card unit 315 is notified that the requested medal lending is completed based on MRQ: on as EXS: off.

  Each time the card unit 315 detects EXS: off, the card unit 315 requests the medal lending as MRQ: on, and detects the EXS off for the MRQ: on of the prescribed number of times (in this embodiment). Thus, MRDY: off is notified to the payout control unit 361 that a series of processes based on one operation of the lending switch 319 is completed.

  Also, when a medal payout occurs while medals are lent out, the game control unit 341 is not added to the credit because the upper limit of the number of payouts according to the win is exceeded. A payout ball number signal indicating the number of balls is output. Then, the payout control unit 361 obtains the number indicated by the payout number signal after waiting for detection of MRDY: off, that is, the end of a series of processes based on one operation of the lending switch 319, and the number obtained from the payout number signal. Minute medals are paid out to the payout device 400.

  As described above, in the slot machine 301 of this embodiment, when the payout control unit 361 receives a lending request (MRQ: on) from the card unit 315, the addition request signal: on is sent to the game control unit 341. When the addition of the requested number to the credit is requested and the game control unit 341 adds the requested number to the credit based on the request, the requested number is not exceeded. Is added to the credit, and when the requested number exceeds the upper limit of the credit, the requested number is added to the credit within the range of the upper limit. A payout number signal is output, and an addition result signal: on is returned as a fractional number. Based on this, the payout control unit 361 As many medals as the fraction indicated by the issued number signal are paid out by the paying device 400, and the number requested by the lending request from the card unit 315 can be added to the credit up to the upper limit. At the same time, the medals for the fractions that have not been added due to exceeding the upper limit of credits are paid out directly by the payout device 400, so that all the medals requested by the loan request can be lent.

  In addition, since the payout device 400 for paying out medals is controlled by the payout control means 360 provided separately from the game control unit 341, the control load on the game control unit 341 for controlling the game is reduced. Can do.

  Further, the payout control unit 361 adds the request signal for addition: on, on the condition that the payout device 400 stores more medals than the number requested by the lending request (MRQ: on) from the card unit. It is preferable to request the game control unit 341 to add the requested number of credits to the credit, and in this way, even if the requested number of credits cannot be added to the credit. The number of medals requested by the lending request can be surely paid out by the payout device 400.

  Also, the payout control unit 361 issues a request for lending to the game control unit 341 as an addition request signal: on, provided that the lower pan full switch 412 is not detected, that is, the lower pan 311 is not full. It is preferable to request the addition of the requested number of credits. In this way, the lending is performed even though the lower plate 311 is full, and the payout device 400 is jammed. Can be prevented in advance.

  The payout control unit 361 receives a reply that the number obtained from the payout number signal is 0 when the addition result signal: on is detected, that is, the number of sheets requested by the addition request is all added to the credit. In this case, when a lending request (MRQ: on) is output continuously from the card unit 315 in response to one operation of the player, a lending request is sent to the game control unit 341 as an addition request signal: on. Requesting the addition of the number of balls requested in step 1 to the number of credit balls, but when the number obtained from the payout number signal when the addition result signal: on is detected is other than 0, that is, requested by the addition request When a medal is paid out in response to a reply that the number of credits was not added to the credit, the card unit 315 then continuously responds according to one operation of the player. When the lending request output is received, it is preferable not to make an addition request to the game control unit 341 but to pay out the number of medals requested by the lending request directly at the payout device 400. For example, all the required medals can be lent from the card unit 315 in response to a player's one-time operation, and an addition request is made to the game control unit 341 more than necessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the control loads of both the game control unit 341 and the payout control unit 361.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the payout control unit 361 has received a reply from the game control unit 341 that the number requested by the addition request (addition request signal: on) has been added to the credit. Sometimes, the card unit 315 accepts a continuous lending request (MRQ: on) in response to a player's one operation, and a response indicating the number of fractions not added to the credit is sent from the game control unit 341. When received, a fractional medal is paid out by the payout device 400, and thereafter, a continuous lending request may not be accepted according to one operation of the player. When the credit reaches the upper limit, the medal will not be paid out even if it receives a subsequent lending request, and the paid-out medal is inserted again. It is possible to reduce the between.

  In addition, after the betting number can be set, the game control unit 341 determines the maximum number of sheets requested by the addition request from the payout control unit 361 if the maximum betting number has not yet been set. It is preferable to use the number required for setting the number of bets for setting the number of bets and to add the surplus number to the credit. In this way, an operation for lending (the lending switch 319 In addition to the operation, it is not necessary to perform an operation for setting the number of bets (operation of the single BET switch 305 or the MAX BET switch 306), and the convenience of the player can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and the number of sheets requested by the addition request from the payout control unit 361 is not used for setting the bet number, and the BET counter value is other than 0, that is, When the number of bets is set and the game can be started, even if the game control unit 341 receives an addition request (addition request signal: on) from the payout control unit 361, the credit addition control may not be performed. In this way, since the credit addition control and the control for starting the game are not performed in parallel, the control load on the game control unit 341 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although Example 1-4 of this invention has been demonstrated based on drawing, this invention is not limited to these Examples, Even if there exists a change and addition in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention. It goes without saying that it is included in the present invention.

  For example, in the first to third embodiments, when the maximum number of bets (3BETs) of pachinko balls are taken in, only the start switch 7 and the settlement switch 10 are in a waiting state for detection. In this state, the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6 is not detected. For example, even when a maximum number of bets (3 BETs) of pachinko balls are taken in, the detection of the 1 BET switch 5 is accepted and the 1 BET switch 5 is detected in this state. Thus, pachinko balls for 2 BETs may be returned so that the number of bets, that is, the value of the BET counter can be updated to 1.

  In the first to third embodiments, the pachinko ball captured by operating the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 in a state where the maximum bet number is not set is used for setting the bet number, In the state where the bet number is set, the operation of the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch 6 is invalidated. For example, in the state where the maximum bet number is set, the 1BET switch 5 or the MAXBET switch The pachinko ball taken in by the operation of 6 may be added to the credit ball number.

  In the first to third embodiments, a 1 BET switch 5 that can take pachinko balls for 1 BET, which is the minimum bet number, and a 3 BET that is the maximum bet number, as an operation unit for taking in the pachinko balls of the upper plate 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there are three or more operation units, for example, one BET portion according to the designated number of take-in. A 1 BET switch that can take in the pachinko balls of 2 BETs, a 2 BET switch that can take in the pachinko balls for 2 BETs, and a 3 BET switch that can take in the pachinko balls for 3 BETs may be provided individually.

  In the first to third embodiments, a motor-type take-in device 100 that takes in pachinko balls in a sprocket that rotates in synchronization with the drive rotation of the motor is used as the take-in device. For example, a solenoid-type taking-in device that takes in the pachinko sphere by opening a pachinko sphere taking-in passage by excitation of a solenoid may be applied. Further, the pachinko ball is made to wait in a standby groove in a cylindrical rotor provided with a plurality of standby grooves capable of waiting a predetermined number of pachinko balls on the outer periphery, and the rotor is rotated to wait in the standby groove. You may apply the taking-in apparatus which can take in the pachinko ball to do.

  In addition, although the two-row-type take-in device 100 that takes in the pachinko balls guided from the two supply passages is applied to the take-in devices in Examples 1 to 3, the present invention is limited to this. However, a single-row capture device or a triple-row capture device may be applied.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the number-of-taken-ball signals and the number-of-payout balls signals (payout number signals) output from the game control unit 41 (341) to the take-out / payout control unit 61 (payout control unit 361). Is transmitted as a parallel signal, and a settlement request signal, an import request signal, a payout request signal, and an addition result signal are transmitted as a pulse signal, but all of this information is transmitted as a parallel signal or a serial signal. You may make it transmit. Also, information indicating the number of balls (number) that was not added to the number of credit balls (credit) in response to the addition request, and the number of balls (number) that was not added to the number of credit balls (credit) due to winning. Information is output on a common signal line, but each of these signals may be output on a separate signal line. Further, the addition request signal and the in-operation signal output from the take-out / payout control unit 61 (payout control unit 361) to the game control unit 41 (341) are transmitted as pulse signals. Such information may be transmitted as a parallel signal or a serial signal.

  In Examples 1 to 3, a belt is used as the variable display device, and in Example 4, a reel is used as the variable display device. As these variable display devices, a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is used. It may be applied.

  Each element in the embodiment corresponds to the present invention as follows.

  According to claim 1 of the present invention, a game can be started by setting a predetermined number (1 to 3) of bets per game using game balls (pachinko balls), and each can be identified. One game is completed when the display results of the variable display devices (belts 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs) are derived and displayed, and according to the display results of the variable display devices. A gaming machine (slot machine 1 ′, 1 ″) that is allowed to receive a winning, and a bet number operating means (1BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6) operated when setting the bet number, and the bet A game ball number storage means (credit ball counter) for storing the number of game balls owned by the player (credit ball number) that can be used for setting the number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number (250), and controlling the game Together with the game ball Game control means (game control unit 41) for performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls (credit balls) stored in the storage means, and game ball take-in for taking in game balls to set the bet number Means (take-in device 100), a game ball standby unit (upper plate 12) in which a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means waits, and a game ball pay-out means (pay-out device 200) for paying out game balls , A take-in / out control unit (intake-out control unit 61) that performs a game ball take-in control (take-in process) by the game ball take-in means and a game ball pay-out control (pay-out process) by the game ball pay-out means The game control means is configured to operate the bet number setting operation means in a bet number setting operation acceptance state (awaiting detection of the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6) for accepting an operation of the bet number setting operation means. When made A first determination is made as to whether or not the number of game balls satisfies the required number of betting numbers (1 BET switch: 5 balls, MAXBET switch 15 balls) necessary for setting the betting number according to the operation of the betting number setting operation means. The game control means uses the stored game ball number to perform the bet number setting operation when the first control unit determines that the first required number determination means satisfies the bet number setting required number. A betting number corresponding to the operation of the means is set, and when the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not less than the required number, the take-in request (take-in) A request signal: on, the number-of-acquisition ball signal) is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and a bet-number setting operation non-acceptance state (operation end signal: off is not accepted) Detection waiting state), and the take-out / payout control means Regardless of whether or not a game ball is waiting in the game ball standby unit when receiving a capture request, a take-in operation (drive of the take-in motor 101) for taking in the game ball by the game ball take-in means is performed. The capture control to be performed is performed, and when the capture control is completed, capture control end information (operation end signal: off) indicating that is returned to the game control means, and the game control means Whether the total value of the number of stored game balls and the number of acquired balls (the number of already acquired balls) taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings when receiving the control-in-completion information A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not the game control means determines that the second required number determining means satisfies the betting number setting required number and the stored game ball number and Depending on the operation of the betting number setting operation means using the number of taken-in balls When the second required number determining means determines that the bet number setting required number is less than the required bet number setting required number, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation is accepted again. In the state, the take-out / payout control means performs a lending processing device (card unit) that issues a lending request (BRQ: on) of a predetermined number (25) of game balls in response to a player's operation (ball lending switch 19: on). When the lending request is received from 15), an addition request (addition request signal: on) requesting addition of the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request to the number of stored game balls is transmitted to the game control means. When the game control means receives the addition request, the game control means adds the number of game balls to be added (the number of addition request balls) corresponding to the request for addition to the number of memory game balls, thereby obtaining the predetermined number of stored game balls. Addition to determine whether the upper limit of the number is exceeded The game control means adds the number of added game balls to the number of stored game balls when the game control means determines that the added game ball number excess determination means does not exceed the predetermined upper limit number. When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the addition game ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the range of the predetermined upper limit number, Game ball number information (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal) capable of specifying the number of game balls ((addition request ball number + credit ball number) −250) exceeding the upper limit number of In response to the means, the take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the game control means (game control unit 41) sets the request for addition (in a period until a game that can be started with the bet number ends after the bet number is set). When the addition request signal: on) is received, the number of game balls (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal) that can specify the number of additional game balls (addition request ball number) is specified as the take-out payout control means. It returns to (take-in / out control unit 61).

  According to claim 3 of the present invention, a game can be started by setting a predetermined number (1 to 3) of bets for one game using game balls (pachinko balls), and each can be identified. One game is completed when the display results of the variable display devices (belts 2L, 2C, 2R) capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information (designs) are derived and displayed, and according to the display results of the variable display devices. A gaming machine (slot machine 1 ′, 1 ″) that is allowed to receive a winning, and a bet number operating means (1BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6) operated when setting the bet number, and the bet A game ball number storage means (credit ball counter) for storing the number of game balls owned by the player (credit ball number) that can be used for setting the number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number (250), and controlling the game Together with the game ball Game control means (game control unit 41) for performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls (credit balls) stored in the storage means, and game ball take-in for taking in game balls to set the bet number Means (take-in device 100), a game ball standby unit (upper plate 12) in which a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means waits, and a game ball pay-out means (pay-out device 200) for paying out game balls , A take-in / out control unit (intake-out control unit 61) that performs a game ball take-in control (take-in process) by the game ball take-in means and a game ball pay-out control (pay-out process) by the game ball pay-out means The game control means is configured to operate the bet number setting operation means in a bet number setting operation acceptance state (awaiting detection of the 1BET switch 5 and the MAXBET switch 6) for accepting an operation of the bet number setting operation means. When made A first determination is made as to whether or not the number of game balls satisfies the required number of betting numbers (1 BET switch: 5 balls, MAXBET switch 15 balls) necessary for setting the betting number according to the operation of the betting number setting operation means. The game control means uses the stored game ball number to perform the bet number setting operation when the first control unit determines that the first required number determination means satisfies the bet number setting required number. A betting number corresponding to the operation of the means is set, and when the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not less than the required number, the take-in request (take-in) A request signal: on, the number-of-acquisition ball signal) is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and a bet-number setting operation non-acceptance state (operation end signal: off is not accepted) Detection waiting state), and the take-out / payout control means Regardless of whether or not a game ball is waiting in the game ball standby unit when receiving a capture request, a take-in operation (drive of the take-in motor 101) for taking in the game ball by the game ball take-in means is performed. The capture control to be performed is performed, and when the capture control is completed, capture control end information (operation end signal: off) indicating that is returned to the game control means, and the game control means Whether the total value of the number of stored game balls and the number of acquired balls (the number of already acquired balls) taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings when receiving the control-in-completion information A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not the game control means determines that the second required number determining means satisfies the betting number setting required number and the stored game ball number and Depending on the operation of the betting number setting operation means using the number of taken-in balls When the second required number determining means determines that the bet number setting required number is less than the required bet number setting required number, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation is accepted again. In the state, the take-out / payout control means performs a lending processing device (card unit) that issues a lending request (BRQ: on) of a predetermined number (25) of game balls in response to a player's operation (ball lending switch 19: on). When the lending request is received from 15), an addition request (addition request signal: on) requesting addition of the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request to the number of stored game balls is transmitted to the game control means. The game control means responds to the addition request when the addition request is received in a state where the maximum bet number (3) that can be set for one game is not yet set (BET counter <3). Number of game balls to be added Bet number setting means (lending acceptance) for setting the bet number using the number of game balls ((3-BET counter) × 5-number of already acquired balls) necessary to set the maximum bet number in the state Processing) and the remaining number of game balls obtained by subtracting the number of game balls necessary to set the maximum bet number from the number of game balls to be added when the addition request is received (number of addition game balls− (3-BET counter ) × 5—the number of captured balls) is added to the number of stored game balls to determine whether the number of stored game balls exceeds the predetermined upper limit number; And the game control means adds the excess game balls number to the stored game ball number when the addition game ball number excess determination means judges that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, and the addition game ball number When it is determined that the number excess determining means exceeds the predetermined upper limit number, The number of game balls is added to the number of stored game balls within the range of the predetermined upper limit number, and the number of game balls (credit ball number + addition request ball number− (3-BET counter) exceeding the predetermined upper limit number ) × 5-game ball number information (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal) that can specify the fetched ball number-250) is returned to the take-out / payout control means, The payout control is performed such that the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means is paid out by the game ball payout means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the game control means (game control unit 41) determines that the addition game ball number excess determination means does not exceed the predetermined upper limit number (250), the predetermined upper limit The game ball number information (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal indicating 0) that can specify 0 as the number of game balls exceeding the number is returned to the take-out / payout control means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the game control means (game control unit 41) receives the addition request (addition request signal: on) during the game, the number of added game balls (the number of addition requested balls) ) Game ball number information (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal) can be returned to the take-out / payout control means (take-out / payout control unit 61).

  In the present invention, when the take-out / payout control means (the take-out / payout control unit 61) receives the lending request (BRQ: on) from the lending processing device (card unit 15) during the game, Without sending the addition request (addition request signal: on) according to the request to the game control means (game control unit 41), the number of game balls (pachinko balls) corresponding to the rental request is paid out. A payout control (payout process) for paying out by means (payout device 200) is performed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the game control means (game control unit 41) includes a prize ball granting means (prize ball granting process) for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of stored game balls exceeds the predetermined upper limit number (250) by adding the number of prize balls given by the prize ball granting unit to the number of stored game balls (number of credit balls) And the game control means determines the number of prize balls to be stored when the prize-ball number excess determination means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded. When the award ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the award ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the predetermined upper limit number, A game ball payout request to pay out game balls (pachinko balls) exceeding the maximum number of balls (Payout request signal: on, payout number signal) is transmitted to the take-out payout control means (take-out payout control section 61), and the take-out payout control means responds to the game ball payout request received from the game control means. Performs payout control (payout processing) for paying out a specified number of game balls by the game ball payout means (payout device 200), and performs payout control of game balls based on the game ball number information or the loan request. When the winning occurs during the game, after the game ball payout control based on the game ball number information (addition result signal: on, payout ball number signal) or the lending request is finished, the game control means A payout control is performed in which the number of game balls specified by the received game ball payout request is paid out by the game ball payout means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the number of game balls added to the number of stored game balls (credit balls) in response to the loan request (BRQ: on) from the loan processing device (card unit 15) and the Lending game ball number display means (payout ball display 17) for displaying the total value of the number of game balls paid out from the game ball payout means (payout device 200).

  Claim 8 of the present invention comprises a storage part (lower plate 11) for storing the game balls (pachinko balls) paid out from the game ball paying means (payout device 200), When receiving the lending request (BRQ: on) from the lending processing device, the pay-in / out control unit 61) determines that the number of game balls stored in the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount (lower pan full switch 112 : Off) is sent to the game control means (game control unit 41).

  According to claim 9 of the present invention, the game control means (game control unit 41) is such that the first required number determination means is less than the required betting number setting required number (1 BET switch: 5 balls, MAXBET switch 15 balls). It is possible to specify the number of game balls (1BET switch 5: (5-credit ball number), MAXBET switch 6: (15-credit ball number)) necessary to satisfy the required number setting bet number A take-in request (take-in request signal: on, take-in ball number signal) including information (take-in ball number signal) is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means (take-out / payout control unit 61), and the take-in The pay-out / payout control means receives the number of game balls specified by the take-in request when the take-in request is received by the game ball take-in means (take-in device 100). Take-in control (take-in) to drive the motor 101) Carry out the management).

  In the present invention, when the game control means (game control unit 41) determines that the second required number determination means does not satisfy the bet number setting required number (1 BET switch: 5 balls, MAXBET switch 15 balls). Then, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state (operation end signal: off detection waiting state) is canceled and the bet number setting operation acceptance state (1 BET switch 5 and MAXBET switch 6 detection wait state) is set again. When the bet number setting operation means (1 BET switch 5, MAXBET switch 6) is operated in the number setting operation acceptance state, the game ball taking means is calculated from the number of game balls necessary to satisfy the bet number setting required number. Information that can identify the number of game balls that have been subtracted from the number of game balls that have been taken in by the (take-in device 100) and that have not yet been used for setting the bet number A take-in request (take-in request signal: on, take-in ball number signal) including the ball number signal) to the take-out / payout control means (take-in / out control unit 61), and the take-out / payout control means Takes in the take-in operation (drive of the take-in motor 101) for taking in the number of game balls (pachinko balls) specified by the take-in request when the take-in request is received by the game ball taking-in means. Performs capture control (capture processing) to be performed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided ingestion ball detection means (acquisition ball detection switch 104) for detecting a game ball taken in by the game ball taking-in means (intake device 100). A signal (taken ball detection signal) indicating that a game ball has been detected by the means is input to both the game control means (game control unit 41) and the take-out / payout control means (take-out / payout control unit 61). The

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the bet amount is set on condition that a predetermined number (5) of game balls (pachinko balls) are taken in, and the game control means (game control unit 41). Includes a prize ball granting unit (prize ball granting process) for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated, and the prize ball granting unit is configured to receive the predetermined unit according to the prize. Any number of game balls, not limited to a multiple of the number, can be given.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the game balls of the game ball standby unit (upper plate 12) are guided to the game ball take-in means (take-in device 100) from a plurality of (two) passages.

It is a front view of the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a top view of the upper plate provided in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. (A) is a partially broken perspective view which shows the structure of the taking-in apparatus provided in the slot machine of Examples 1-3, (b) (c) is sectional drawing which shows a taking-in (return) state. is there. It is sectional drawing which shows the payout condition by the payout apparatus provided in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a figure which shows the communication condition of each board | substrate of the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of the belt in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a figure which shows the combination of the winning symbol in the slot machine of Examples 1-3, and the number of prize balls provided in that case. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the BET process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the BET process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the BET process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the BET process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the BET process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball provision process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which the game control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 regularly performs. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a lending acceptance process executed in the timer interrupt process 1 shown in FIG. 16 by the game control unit in the slot machine of the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a lending acceptance process executed in the timer interrupt process 1 shown in FIG. 16 by the game control unit in the slot machines of the first and third embodiments. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the taking-out / payout control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3. It is a flowchart which shows the adjustment process which the taking in / out control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the payout process which the taking in / out control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the taking-in process which the taking-out / payout control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the prize ball payout process which the taking-in / payout control part in the slot machine of Examples 1-3 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the lending process which the taking in / out control part in the slot machine of Example 1, 2 performs. It is a timing chart which shows the execution condition of the lending process which the taking in / out control part in the slot machine of Example 1, 2 performs. It is a timing chart which shows the execution condition of the lending process which the taking in / out control part in the slot machine of Example 1, 2 performs. 17 is a flowchart showing a lending acceptance process executed in the timer interrupt process 1 shown in FIG. 16 by the game control unit in the slot machine of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the lending process which the taking-out / payout control part performs in the slot machine of Example 3. FIG. 10 is a front view of the slot machine according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slot machine according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R, belt, 5 1BET switch, 6 MAXBET switch, 11 lower plate, 12 upper plate, 15 card unit, 17 payout ball indicator, 19 ball lending switch, 41 game control unit, 61 take Loading / discharging control unit, 100 loading device, 104 loading ball detection switch, 112 lower plate full tank switch, 200 dispensing device, 205 feeding ball detection switch, 301 slot machine, 302L, 302C, 302R reel, 305 1-sheet BET switch , 306 MAXBET switch, 311 lower plate, 315 card unit, 319 lending switch, 341 game control unit, 361 payout control unit, 400 payout device

Claims (12)

A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game ball, and a display result of a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable A gaming machine in which one game is ended by being derived and displayed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
Bet number operating means operated when setting the bet number;
Game ball number storage means for storing the number of game balls owned by a player that can be used for setting the bet number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number;
Game control means for controlling the game and performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls stored in the game ball number storage means;
Game ball taking-in means for taking in game balls to set the bet number;
A game ball standby unit for waiting for a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means;
Game ball payout means for paying out game balls;
Take-in / out control means for performing game ball take-in control by the game ball take-in means and game ball pay-out control by the game ball pay-out means;
With
The game control means is configured such that when the betting number setting operation means is operated in the betting number setting operation accepting state for accepting an operation of the betting number setting operation means, the stored game ball number is stored in the betting number setting operation means. Including a first required number determination means for determining whether or not a bet number setting necessary number necessary for setting a bet number according to an operation is satisfied;
The game control means includes
When the first required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means is set using the stored number of game balls,
When the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not reached, a take-in request for taking in a game ball is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and The bet number setting operation not accepting the operation of the bet number setting operation means is not accepted,
The take-out / payout control means takes in the game ball to be taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the game ball standby section when the take-in request is received. Take in the capture control to perform the operation, and when the capture control is completed, return the capture control end information indicating that to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the take-in control end information, the total number of the stored game balls and the number of taken-in balls taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings. A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not
The game control means includes
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means using the stored game ball number and the captured ball number Set
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is not reached, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation acceptance state is set again.
The take-out / payout control means stores the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request when the lending request is received from a lending processing device that issues a lending request for a predetermined number of game balls according to a player's operation. An addition request for requesting addition to the number of game balls is transmitted to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the addition request, the game control means adds the number of added game balls corresponding to the addition request to the number of stored game balls, thereby determining whether or not the number of stored game balls exceeds the predetermined upper limit number. Including an addition game ball number excess judging means for judging whether
The game control means includes
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the addition game ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the addition game ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the range of the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit number Return the number of game balls that can specify the number of game balls exceeding the number to the take-out / payout control means,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means.   When the game control means receives the addition request in a period until the game that can be started by the bet number is completed after the bet number is set, the game ball requested by the addition request 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of game balls that can be specified is returned to the take-out / payout control means. A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game ball, and a display result of a variable display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable A gaming machine in which one game is ended by being derived and displayed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result of the variable display device,
Bet number operating means operated when setting the bet number;
Game ball number storage means for storing the number of game balls owned by a player that can be used for setting the bet number within a range of a predetermined upper limit number;
Game control means for controlling the game and performing addition / subtraction control of the number of game balls stored in the game ball number storage means;
Game ball taking-in means for taking in game balls to set the bet number;
A game ball standby unit for waiting for a game ball guided to the game ball take-in means;
Game ball payout means for paying out game balls;
Take-in / out control means for performing game ball take-in control by the game ball take-in means and game ball pay-out control by the game ball pay-out means;
With
The game control means is configured such that when the betting number setting operation means is operated in the betting number setting operation accepting state for accepting an operation of the betting number setting operation means, the stored game ball number is stored in the betting number setting operation means. Including a first required number determination means for determining whether or not a bet number setting necessary number necessary for setting a bet number according to an operation is satisfied;
The game control means includes
When the first required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means is set using the stored number of game balls,
When the first required number determining means determines that the betting number setting required number is not reached, a take-in request for taking in a game ball is transmitted to the take-out / payout control means, and The bet number setting operation not accepting the operation of the bet number setting operation means is not accepted,
The take-out / payout control means takes in the game ball to be taken in by the game ball take-in means regardless of whether or not the game ball is waiting in the game ball standby section when the take-in request is received. Take in the capture control to perform the operation, and when the capture control is completed, return the capture control end information indicating that to the game control means,
When the game control means receives the take-in control end information, the total number of the stored game balls and the number of taken-in balls taken in by the game ball taking-in means satisfies the required number of betting number settings. A second necessary number determining means for determining whether or not
The game control means includes
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is satisfied, the bet number according to the operation of the bet number setting operation means using the stored game ball number and the captured ball number Set
When the second required number determination means determines that the bet number setting required number is not reached, the bet number setting operation non-acceptance state is canceled and the bet number setting operation acceptance state is set again.
The take-out / payout control means stores the number of game balls corresponding to the lending request when the lending request is received from a lending processing device that issues a lending request for a predetermined number of game balls according to a player's operation. An addition request for requesting addition to the number of game balls is transmitted to the game control means,
The game control means includes
When the addition request is received in a state where the maximum bet number that can be set for one game has not yet been set, the maximum bet number is set in the state among the addition game balls corresponding to the addition request. Bet number setting means for setting a bet number using the number of game balls necessary for
When the addition request is received, the memory game ball is obtained by adding a remainder game ball number obtained by subtracting the game ball number necessary for setting the maximum bet number from the addition game ball number to the memory game ball number. Adding game ball number excess determining means for determining whether or not the number exceeds the predetermined upper limit number;
The game control means includes
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the surplus game ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the addition game ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the excess game ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit Return the number of game balls that can specify the number of game balls exceeding the number to the take-out / payout control means,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball number information received from the game control means.   The game ball number information that allows the game control means to specify 0 as the number of game balls exceeding the predetermined upper limit number when the second determination means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game machine is returned to the take-out / payout control means.   5. The game control means, when receiving the addition request during the game, returns game ball number information capable of specifying the number of additional game balls to the take-out / payout control means. The gaming machine described in 1. The game control means includes
A prize ball granting means for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated;
A prize ball number excess judging means for judging whether or not the memory game ball number exceeds the predetermined upper limit number by adding the prize ball number given by the prize ball giving means to the memory game ball number;
Including
The game control means includes
When the award ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is not exceeded, the award ball number is added to the stored game ball number;
When the award ball number excess determining means determines that the predetermined upper limit number is exceeded, the award ball number is added to the stored game ball number within the predetermined upper limit number, and the predetermined upper limit number is set. Transmitting a game ball payout request for paying out game balls over the above amount to the take-out and payout control means;
The take-out / payout control means performs payout control in which the game ball payout means pays out the number of game balls specified by the game ball payout request received from the game control means, and the game ball number information or the When the winning occurs during the game ball payout control based on the lending request, the game ball payout control is received from the game control means after the game ball number information or the game ball payout control based on the lending request is finished. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein payout control is performed such that the number of game balls specified by the game ball payout request is paid out by the game ball payout means.   In response to the lending request from the lending processing device, the number of rented game balls that displays the total number of game balls added to the number of stored game balls and the number of game balls paid out from the game ball payout means The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means. A storage unit for storing game balls paid out from the game ball paying means;
The take-out / payout control means sends the addition request to the game control means on the condition that when the loan request is received from the loan processing device, the number of game balls stored in the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is transmitted to. The game control means is information that can specify the number of game balls necessary to satisfy the required number of betting numbers when the first required number determination means determines that the required number of betting numbers is not satisfied. Is sent to the take-out / payout control means,
The take-out / payout control means performs take-in control for performing a take-in operation for taking in the number of game balls specified by the take-in request by the game ball take-in means when the take-in request is received. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A capture ball detection means for detecting the game ball captured by the game ball capture means;
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a signal indicating that a game ball has been detected by the take-in ball detecting means is input to both the game control means and the take-out / payout control means. The bet number is set on condition that a predetermined number of game balls have been taken in, and
The game control means includes prize ball grant means for granting a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize when the prize is generated,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the prize ball granting unit can grant an arbitrary number of game balls, not limited to a multiple of the predetermined unit number, according to the winning.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a gaming ball of the gaming ball standby unit is guided to the gaming ball taking-in means from a plurality of passages.

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