JP2005304920A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly fetch game balls discharged from a discharge port to a fetch port in a game machine. <P>SOLUTION: A Palot (pachinko slot machine played with pachinko balls) is provided with a putout route 29a and a putout part 33 for leading the game ball 5 put out from a putout device 93 to the discharge port 33a, changing the advancing direction of the game ball 5 to be roughly right below near the discharge port 33a and discharging it. Then, the Palot makes the game ball 5 discharged from the discharge port 33a fall toward a tray 31. Also, the tray 31 is inclined and arranged so that the side of the fetch port 35a for a game becomes low. Thus, since the putout route 29a and the putout part 33 changes the direction of the game ball 5 rolling on an inclined path to be roughly right below, even when the putout device 93 is not positioned right above the tray 31, the time after the game ball 5 is discharged from the discharge port 33a until it reaches the fetch port 35a for the game is shortened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that pays out a gaming ball in accordance with a gaming result using the gaming ball.

  Conventionally, there is a gaming machine in which a game ball is paid out to a tray according to a game result using the game ball, and the played game ball is taken from an intake port located at an end of the tray to repeatedly play a game. It has been.

In this gaming machine, when the gaming ball is paid out to the tray, the gaming ball is discharged from the back side to the near side of the gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-52987 A

  However, in the above gaming machine, the game ball discharged from the back side of the gaming machine toward the near side collides with the near wall surface of the ball receiving tray, and begins to roll in the direction of the intake after the momentum is lost. For this reason, the above gaming machine has a problem that it takes time until the game ball is taken in.

If it takes a long time for the game balls to be taken in this way, a game stagnation time is generated, so that the circulation of the game balls is deteriorated, and there is a possibility that the player and the game hall may be disadvantaged.
Therefore, in view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to allow a game ball discharged from a discharge port in a gaming machine to be quickly taken into the intake port.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the tray for accumulating game balls is inclined to guide the game balls from the discharge port side to the game intake port side. In addition, the discharge port is located directly above the tray and is open downward. And this game machine is equipped with the discharge means which drops a game ball to a saucer from a discharge port.

  That is, according to this configuration, the game ball discharged from the discharge port falls toward the tray. And the game ball collided with the saucer is repelled in the direction of the game intake because the saucer is inclined and arranged on the game intake side.

  Therefore, according to such a gaming machine, the game ball that collided with the tray is biased in the direction of the game intake port, so that the game ball discharged from the discharge port is taken into the game intake port. Can be shortened.

  In particular, when the gaming machine is configured to play a game by simultaneously taking a plurality of gaming balls from the gaming inlet, as shown in claim 2, a row of gaming balls is placed in the tray. It is desirable to provide a plurality of paths that are aligned with each other and led to the game intake.

According to such a gaming machine, a large number of game balls can be taken in from the game take-in port in a short time.
By the way, as a specific configuration of the discharge means, for example, a payout means for paying out a game ball is arranged right above the receiving tray, and the game ball is discharged from the payout means substantially below or in the direction of the game intake port. Although a structure etc. can be considered, depending on arrangement | positioning of the apparatus which comprises a game machine, it may be difficult to arrange | position a payout means just above a saucer. In particular, when the payout means is located on the deeper side of the gaming machine than the tray, the game ball paid out from the payout means is guided to the discharge port as described in claim 3, and a game is played in the vicinity of the discharge port. It is desirable to provide guidance means for changing the direction of travel of the sphere substantially downward and discharging it.

  According to such a gaming machine, the guiding means changes the direction of the game ball that rolls on the ramp substantially downward, so that the game ball is discharged from the discharge port even if the payout device is not located directly above the tray. It is possible to shorten the time required to reach the game intake.

  In addition, the bottom surface on the discharge port side of the tray may be provided with an inclination for guiding the game ball to the game intake port. More preferably, as described in claim 4, the discharge port of the tray is It is desirable that the inclination angle of the bottom surface is set larger than the bottom surface located below.

  In the gaming machine configured as described above, the game ball that collides with the bottom surface on the discharge port side in the tray is compared with the case where the game ball collides with the bottom surface having the same inclination angle as the bottom surface on the game intake side in the tray. Since momentum is applied to the intake port side and repels, the time until the game ball is discharged from the discharge port and reaches the game intake port can be further shortened.

The bottom surface of the tray on the discharge port side may be a flat surface or a curved surface as long as the inclination angle is larger than the bottom surface of the tray on the side of the game intake port.
Furthermore, in the above gaming machine, when the tray is arranged so as to protrude to the front side of the gaming machine, when a large number of gaming balls are discharged at once, the gaming balls discharged from the discharge port collide with each other. There is a risk of falling outside the tray. For this reason, as described in claim 5, it is desirable to provide a fall prevention wall for preventing the game ball from falling outside the saucer on the near side of the saucer.

According to such a gaming machine, it is possible to prevent the gaming ball from falling from the tray even if the tray is disposed so as to protrude to the front side of the gaming machine.
In particular, in the gaming machine according to claim 5, as described in claim 6, it is preferable that at least a part of the fall prevention wall is made of a transparent member.

  In such a gaming machine, the player can easily check the movement of the game ball discharged from the discharge port, so that it can be easily released when a trouble such as a ball clogging occurs.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 5 or 6, for example, when a game ball is replenished to a receiving tray from a rental machine or the like, it is necessary to avoid the position where the fall prevention wall is located. If it is provided, it may be troublesome to supply game balls. For this reason, as described in claim 7, it is desirable that a ball receiving portion for replenishing the game ball from the outside to the game intake port is formed on the further front side of the fall prevention wall.

  In this way, the game ball can also flow to the near side of the fall prevention wall, and it is not necessary to worry about the position of the fall prevention wall when refilling the game ball. It can be carried out.

  Moreover, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, it is desirable that the gaming machine be configured as described in claim 8. That is, the game balls are discharged to the tray until the game balls accumulated in the tray reach a predetermined amount. When the number of game balls to be discharged exceeds a predetermined amount, the digitizing means limits the accumulation of game balls exceeding the predetermined amount in the tray and stores the number of game balls exceeding the predetermined amount. . At this time, the digitizing means displays the stored number of game balls at a position that can be visually recognized by the player.

  Therefore, according to such a gaming machine, the game balls are discharged to the tray until the amount of game balls accumulated in the tray reaches a predetermined amount, so that it is easy for the player to obtain a sense of acquiring the game balls. Can do.

Further, since the game balls discharged to the tray are sequentially taken from the game intake port, the player can repeatedly play the game and can continue the game smoothly.
By the way, when the number of game balls exceeding a predetermined amount is stored by the digitizing means, if the player repeatedly plays the game, the game balls accumulated in the tray may decrease and the game cannot be continued. is there. For this reason, it is desirable that the game ball stored by the digitizing means can be used for the game.

  Specifically, for example, as described in claim 9, subtracting means for enabling a game by subtracting the number of game balls necessary for the game from the number of game balls stored in the digitizing means is provided. It only has to be.

Therefore, in such a gaming machine, the game can be continued even if the game balls accumulated in the tray are reduced.
In addition, in the gaming machine according to claim 9, in particular, as described in claim 10, the digitizing means takes in the game ball from the game intake port, so that the game ball exceeding a predetermined amount is transferred to the tray. It is conceivable to limit the accumulation.

In such a gaming machine, since it is not necessary to arrange components other than the discharge port and the game intake port in the tray, the size of the tray can be reduced.
Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 8 or claim 9, as described in claim 10, the digitizing means may be configured to take in the game ball from the game inlet, but the numerical value is stored in the tray. In the case where a digitizing inlet is provided, as described in claim 11, the digitizing means may be configured to store the number of game balls taken from the digitizing inlet.

According to such a gaming machine, since all the game balls are once discharged to the tray, it is possible to more easily give the player a sense of acquiring the game balls.
Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 11, when the amount of game balls accumulated in the tray is less than a predetermined lower limit as described in claim 12, it is stored by the digitizing means. It is desirable to provide payout means for paying back the game balls to the tray with the upper limit of the number of game balls.

  According to such a gaming machine, when the number of game balls is stored by the digitizing means, the payout means is controlled so that the game balls accumulated in the saucer do not become lower than the lower limit value. Even if the accumulated game balls decrease, the game can be continued smoothly.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 8 to 12, when the number of game balls stored in the digitizing means reaches a predetermined constant number as described in claim 13, It is desirable to have an excess payout means for paying out the game balls exceeding a certain number to the external container.

  According to such a gaming machine, game balls that are not used in the game for the time being can be discharged to show to other players, so that it is possible to give the player a sense of superiority without interfering with the game. it can.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a parrot 1 (a gaming machine referred to in the present invention) to which the present invention is applied.
The parrot 1 enters a game-ready state by taking in the game ball 5, and from this state, a game by the player (that is, a game that matches the symbols displayed on the symbol display unit 21 (see FIG. 1)) is executed, and this This is a device configured to pay out the game ball 5 in accordance with the game result.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the parrot 1 includes a tray 31 for accumulating game balls 5 below the front surface of the main body 11. In the center of the front surface of the main body 11, a symbol display unit 21, a start lever 23 and stop buttons 25 a to 25 c for controlling movements of symbols displayed on the symbol display unit 21, and a saucer 31. And a throw-in button 43 for taking in the game ball 5 accumulated in the main body 11. In addition, the parrot 1 is a storage for displaying the number of game balls 5 stored in a RAM 75 of the main board 70 described later, and a payout number display 27 for displaying the number of payout of the game balls 5 on the right side of the symbol display unit 21. A number display 41 is provided. Further, the parrot 1 has a checkout button 45 for returning the game ball 5 (the game ball 5 displayed on the stored number display 41) stored in the RAM 75 of the main board 70 to the right side of the tray 31 and the tray 31. And a return button 47 for discharging the game ball 5 accumulated in the tray 31 to the outside of the parrot 1. Further, the parrot 1 is provided with a lamp 13 that is lit or blinks above the front surface of the main body 11 when a big hit or a store clerk is called.

  The symbol display unit 21 includes three display windows, and a first reel 21a, a second reel 21b, and a third reel 21c are sequentially arranged from the left in the back of each display window. Various symbols are arranged on the reels 21a to 21c at predetermined intervals, and when all the reels 21a to 21c are stopped, the player observes three symbols for each of the reels 21a to 21c. It becomes possible.

  Here, parrot 1 has a total of five winning lines, three horizontal lines and two diagonal lines, each of which is a linear combination of the symbols of each reel 21a to 21c. Based on the number of game balls 5 (any one of 5, 10 and 15), the number of valid pay lines is determined. For this reason, the parrot 1 is configured to pay out the number of game balls 5 according to the combination of symbols when a combination of symbols set in advance as a winning combination is arranged on an active winning line. Yes.

  Also, below the parrot 1, a final payout opening for paying out the game ball 5 from the parrot 1 to a dollar box (an external container in the present invention) is provided. From the final payout port, the game ball 5 is paid out when the game by the parrot 1 is completed or when the game balls 5 accumulated in the parrot 1 are full. If a dollar box is arranged at a position where the game ball 5 near the final payout port can be received, the game ball 5 discharged from the final payout port is accumulated in the dollar box.

Next, the tray 31 portion will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
2A is a plan view of the saucer 31, FIG. 2B is an AA sectional view of the saucer 31, FIG. 3A is a BB sectional view of the saucer 31, and FIG. It is CC sectional drawing in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), on the left side of the tray 31, the present invention includes the payout part 33 (the payout means 29 together with the payout path 29a and the payout device 93) from which the game balls 5 are discharged. It comprises a discharge means. Further, on the right side of the tray 31, there is provided an intake 35 through which the game ball 5 is taken into the main body 11. The tray 31 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the payout unit 33 side is high and the intake port 35 side is low so that the game balls 5 discharged from the payout unit 33 can reach the intake port 35.

  In addition, the receiving tray 31 is located on the front side of the payout portion 33, and a ball rental replenishment portion 51 (a ball receiving portion in the present invention) for replenishing the game balls 5 discharged from the ball rental machine 97, and a payout The game ball 5 discharged from the portion 33 is provided with a fall prevention wall 37 for preventing the ball lending replenishment portion 51 and the receiving tray 31 from jumping out. Here, the game ball 5 discharged from the payout unit 33 and the game ball 5 replenished to the lending replenishment unit 51 join at the intake port 35 side (right side in FIG. 2) of the fall prevention wall 37. It is configured as follows.

  In addition, the intake port 35 is set with a game intake port 35a and a digitization intake port 35b. The game intake port 35a is set so as to sequentially take in the game balls 5 accumulated in the tray 31 in a state of being arranged in three rows. That is, three rows of the game balls 5 are arranged on the intake port 35 side of the tray 31 from the position where the game balls 5 discharged from the payout unit 33 and the game balls 5 supplied to the rental ball supply unit 51 merge. A separation wall 31a is provided for guiding the game to the game intake port 35a in an aligned state.

  The separation wall 31 a is set so as to partition a path along which the game ball 5 rolls with a width that is slightly wider than the diameter of the game ball 5. Each separation wall 31a is divided into a member on the payout portion 33 side and a member on the intake port 35 side, and the central portion (about one third of the length of the separation wall 31a) is , Has been removed.

  A groove 31b for guiding the game ball 5 to the position of the separation wall 31a on the intake port 35 side in a state where the game balls 5 are aligned in the vicinity of the portion where the separation wall 31a is removed in the tray 31. (3) are formed for each path of the game balls 5. Further, in the vicinity of the groove 31b, an overflow payout port 39 is provided on the back side of the tray 31 (upper side in FIG. 2A).

  Further, in the vicinity of the groove 31b, a digitizing path 31c for taking in the game ball 5 pushed to the front of the groove 31b is provided on the front side of the tray 31b. The game ball 5 that has moved to the digitization path 31c moves to the digitization intake port 35b and is taken in as it is. Here, a digitizing sensor 53 for detecting the game ball 5 is arranged in the digitization intake 35b, and the parrot 1 can count the game balls 5 taken in from the digitization intake 35b. It is configured.

  Further, in the vicinity of the separation wall 31a on the payout portion 33 side, a remaining ball sensor 31d for detecting the approximate amount of the game ball 5 on the tray 31 is provided for each path of the game ball 5 separated by the separation wall 31a. Is arranged.

  Further, on the front side of the tray 31, a numerical value display 55 for displaying the number of game balls 5 detected by the numerical sensor 53 and various buttons are arranged. 57a, a digitized portion payout button 57b, and an automatic / manual switching button 57c are arranged. These buttons will be described in detail later.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the payout unit 33 is discharged by a payout device 93 (payout means in the present invention) located at the back of the board surface of the parrot 1, and the payout path 29a is placed on the front side of the board surface. The game ball 5 that has been rolled is configured to change its direction substantially downward and drop onto the tray 31 from the discharge port 33a. That is, the upper wall 33 b constituting the payout portion 33 has a curved surface that gently contacts the game ball 5 paid out from the payout device 93. For this reason, the direction of the game ball 5 is changed along this curved surface.

The game ball 5 discharged from the payout unit 33 in this manner collides with the bottom surface of the tray 31 as shown in FIG.
Here, in the tray 31, the inclination of the position in the vicinity of the payout portion 33 is set so that the inclination angle is larger than the inclination in the vicinity of the intake port 35.

  For this reason, the game ball 5 dropped at a position far from the intake port 35 in the payout unit 33 smoothly contacts the bottom surface of the tray 31, and the energy of the drop moves in the direction of the intake port 35 as it is. Is converted into energy for.

In addition, the game ball 5 dropped at a position near the intake port 35 in the payout unit 33 collides with the bottom surface of the tray 31 and repels in the direction of the intake port 35.
Therefore, the game ball 5 discharged from the payout unit 33 can be rolled in the direction of the intake port 35 and reach the intake port 35 smoothly.

  A branch path 29 b for guiding the game ball 5 paid out from the payout device 93 to the overflow payout outlet 39 is formed on the payout path 29 a on which the game ball 5 rolls from the payout device 93 to the payout unit 33. (See FIG. 2 (b)). In the branch path 29b, when a large amount of game balls 5 are accumulated in the tray 31, and the game balls 5 cannot be discharged from the payout unit 33 (the amount of game balls at this time corresponds to a predetermined amount in the present invention). The game ball 5 paid out from the payout device 93 is set to flow.

  The game ball 5 guided to the branch path 29b is discharged from an overflow payout port 39 formed on the intake port 35 side with respect to the payout portion 33. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the game ball 5 continues to roll so as to cross the three groove portions 31b, and when there is a game ball 5 on the groove portion 31b, the game ball 5 Clash with. Then, the game ball 5 collided is pushed out to the digitizing path 31c, and the game ball 5 discharged from the overflow payout port 39 is placed in the receiving tray 31 instead of the game ball 5 pushed out to the digitizing path 31c. Remains.

  In this way, the game ball 5 discharged from the overflow payout port 39 is once discharged into the tray 31 and then taken into the inside of the parrot 1 (the numerical input 35b), so that the game ball 5 is discharged. Compared with the case where it is converted into a numerical value, it is easier for the player to obtain an actual feeling of acquiring the game ball 5. In addition, the player can follow the movement of the game ball 5 taken in for digitization with his / her own eyes, so that the game using the parrot 1 can be more enjoyed.

Next, the fall prevention wall 37 will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the fall prevention wall 37 is disposed between the ball lending supply portion 51 and the payout portion 33, and a part of the fall prevention wall 37 is visible so that the back side across the fall prevention wall 37 is visible. It is comprised by 37a (for example, an acrylic board, a glass plate, etc.) (refer FIG.2 (b)). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, when a large amount of game balls 5 are accumulated behind the fall prevention wall 37, the player can prevent the game ball 5 from falling. This can be easily performed from the front side of the wall 37 through the transmission member 37a.

Next, the payout device 93 will be described with reference to FIG.
The payout device 93 is engaged with the two sensors 93a for counting the game balls 5 paid out from the payout device 93, the sprocket 93b rotating with the weight of the game balls 5 to be paid out, and the sprocket 93b. A sprocket 93b can be rotated by attracting a stopper 93c for stopping the rotation, a spring 93d for biasing the stopper 93c to a position where the rotation of the sprocket 93b stops, and a suction member 93f provided on the stopper 93c. And an actuator 93e.

  In the payout device 93, during normal times (that is, when the game ball 5 is not paid out), the actuator 93e is in an OFF state. At this time, the stopper 93c engages with the sprocket 93b and rotates the sprocket 93b. Stop. For this reason, the game ball 5 is not paid out from the payout device 93.

  When the payout device 93 receives a payout command from the main board 70, which will be described later, the payout device 93 is in a payout state until the number of game balls 5 that have received the command from the main board 70 are paid out. That is, the actuator 93e is turned on to attract the suction member 93f of the stopper 93c. For this reason, the sprocket 93b is in a rotatable state, is rotated by the weight of the game ball 5, and the game ball 5 is paid out. At this time, the payout device 93 detects the game balls 5 to be paid out by the sensor 93a, and when the number of game balls 5 matching the payout command is paid out, the actuator 93e is turned off. Then, the stopper 93c returns to the position where it engages with the sprocket 93b by the urging force of the spring 93d.

In this way, the payout device 93 can pay out a predetermined number of game balls 5.
Next, the game take-in device 99 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the game take-in device 99.

  The game take-in device 99 is disposed inside the game take-in port 35 a in the tray 31. Further, the game take-in device 99 is arranged by the number of rows when the game balls 5 are taken from the game take-in port 35a (in this embodiment, three game balls 5 are arranged in three rows). ing.

  Each of these game take-in devices 99 includes a rod 99a that can move up and down, an actuator 99b that moves the rod 99a up and down, and a front side and a back side in the moving direction of the game ball 5 relative to the rod 99a. And a take-in sensor 99c for counting the game balls 5. Further, the rod 99a includes a spring 99d that urges the rod 99a downward (that is, a state where the game ball 5 is not taken in).

  When the game take-in device 99 receives a game ball 5 take-in command from the main board 70, the game take-in device 99 turns on the actuator 99b, pulls up the rod 99a, and takes in a predetermined number of game balls 5.

  At this time, the game take-in device 99 counts the number of game balls 5 passing over the sensor by the take-in sensor 99c, and if the number of game balls 5 that matches the take-in command is taken in, the actuator 99b is turned off. And lower the rod 99a. Then, a signal indicating that the game ball 5 has been normally taken in is transmitted to the main board 70.

  If a predetermined number of game balls 5 are not taken within a predetermined time (for example, about 2 seconds), the fact is transmitted to the main board 70 and the rod 99a is lowered. In this case, a take-in command is sent from the main board 70 to the other game take-in device 99, and the insufficient game balls 5 are taken in from the other game take-in device 99.

Next, the basic movement of the parrot 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship in the parrot 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation of the parrot 1 is basically controlled by a known microcomputer including a CPU 71, a ROM 73, a RAM 75, and the like disposed on the main board 70. In addition to the CPU 71, ROM 73, and RAM 75, the main board 70 includes a random number generation unit 77 and a winning combination determination unit 79.

  The main board 70 includes an effect board 91, a payout device 93, take-in devices 95 and 99, and various sensors for controlling lighting / flashing of the lamp 13 and sound effects emitted from a speaker (not shown). A ball rental machine 97 for supplying a ball rental to the parrot 1 from the vicinity of the parrot 1 is connected.

  When playing a game by a player, first, the CPU 71 determines whether or not a predetermined number of game balls 5 necessary for the game are taken into the main body 11 and when a predetermined number of game balls 5 are taken in. In addition, the player is set in a state in which a game can be started. Then, the CPU 71 extracts a random number generated by the random number generation unit 77 at a timing when the start lever 23 is operated by the player, and inquires the winning combination determination unit 79 (table) of the random number value. In this manner, it is determined whether or not the game is won. In addition, when CPU71 determines that this game is winning, it also determines the winning combination. Then, the CPU 71 controls the symbol control unit 81 to stop the combination of symbols according to the lottery result on the winning line based on the player's operation of the stop buttons 25a to 25c, and stops the reels 21a to 21c. Let At this time, the CPU 71 controls the stop positions of the reels 21a to 21c based on the detection results by the position sensors 22a to 22c that detect the positions of the reels 21a to 21c.

  Then, the CPU 71 drives the payout device 93 based on the stop positions of the reels 21a to 21c to pay out the game ball 5. Further, when the CPU 71 pays out the game ball 5, a control command is also transmitted to the effect board 91 and the display control unit 83 to perform display and effect according to the game result.

Next, various buttons provided on the tray 31 will be described.
The collective digitizing button 57a is a button for taking in the game balls 5 from the game take-in port 35a until the digitized number reaches the upper limit value (1000 in this embodiment). When this button is operated by the player, the CPU 71 (see FIG. 6) drives the game take-in device 99 until all the remaining ball sensors 31d are game balls until the numerical value reaches the upper limit value. The game ball 5 is continuously taken in (numerical means) until 5 is not detected. The parrot 1 is configured to be able to store the number of two game balls 5 (the number of storage and the number of numerical values) in the RAM 75 (see FIG. 6), but when the collective numerical value button 57a is operated. It is set to increase the number of storage before increasing the number of digitization. Then, the CPU 71 starts increasing the numerical value when the storage number reaches the upper limit value that can be stored in the RAM 75.

  The digitized part payout button 57 b is a button for paying back the game ball 5 (numerized part) stored in the RAM 75 onto the tray 31. When this button is operated by the player, the CPU 71 drives the payout device 93 so as to pay out a preset number of game balls 5 (for example, 100).

  The automatic / manual switching button 57c is switched ON / OFF by an operation by the player. When the automatic / manual switching button 57c is in the ON state, the game balls 5 are taken in so that the CPU 71 storage number is always the upper limit value (250 in this embodiment). When the automatic / manual switching button 57c is in the OFF state, the CPU 71 takes in the game ball 5 when the insertion button 43 is operated.

Next, the taking-in operation of the game ball 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the capture process executed by the CPU 71 of the main board 70.
The capture process shown in FIG. 7 is an interrupt process that starts when the player presses the input button 43. However, if the input button 43 is further pressed during execution of the capture process, the subsequent operation is set to be invalid. By this setting, it is prevented that it is detected that the insertion button 43 is pressed against the player's intention.

  In this take-in process, first, in S110, it is detected whether the bet is possible and the number of stored game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is 245 or less. Here, the BET ready state means that the game is not being played and there is a pay line that is not activated.

  In S110, when the BET is possible and the number of stored is 245 or less, the process proceeds to S140. When the BET is possible and the number of stored is not 245 or less, the process proceeds to S120.

  In S120, one unit of game balls 5 (5 in the present embodiment) is taken from the game take-in port 35a. That is, if the CPU 71 transmits an instruction for taking in the game ball 5 to a certain game take-in device 99 and receives a signal indicating that the game has been taken in normally from the game take-in device 99, the CPU 71 proceeds to S130. . In addition, when a signal indicating that the game cannot be normally taken in is received from the game take-in device 99, a take-in command is transmitted to another game take-in device 99.

  Further, the CPU 71 stores the game take-in device 99 that has taken in the game ball 5 in the process of S120 in the RAM 75, and the next time the game ball 5 is taken in, a different game take-in device is stored. 99 are set to be used in order.

  Next, in S130, the number of game balls 5 for one unit is added to the stored number stored in the RAM 75, and the stored number after the addition is displayed on the stored number display 41 via the display control unit 83. Finish the process.

Next, in S140, it is determined whether or not the game ball 5 stored in the RAM 75 is stored. If there is storage, the process proceeds to S160, and if there is no storage, the process proceeds to S150.
In S150, one unit of game ball 5 is taken from the game take-in port 35a, and the process proceeds to S200. The process in S150 is the same as the process in S120. For this reason, detailed description of the processing is omitted.

In S160, it is determined whether or not the number of stored game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is one unit or more.
If the stored number is equal to or greater than one unit, the process proceeds to S170, and one unit is subtracted from the stored number of game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75, and the process proceeds to S200.

  On the other hand, when the number of stored game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is less than one unit at S160, the number of stored RAM 75 is set to 0 at S180, and the shortage from the game intake 35a at S190. The game ball 5 is taken in and the process proceeds to S200.

In S200, the winning line is validated for one unit, and the capturing process is terminated.
Next, processing when the game ball 5 is supplied from the ball rental machine 97 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sphere adding process executed by the CPU 71.

  The ball rental addition process shown in FIG. 8 is an interrupt process that starts when the automatic / manual switching button 57c is in an ON state and when there is an input signal for replenishing the game ball 5 (ball rental) from the ball rental machine 97. is there. However, during the execution of the renting addition process or the above-described taking-in process, the input signal from the renting machine 97 is stored in the RAM 75, and when the process being executed is completed, the renting machine 97 at this time And the process is started. Further, when the automatic / manual switching button 57 c is in the OFF state, the ball rental machine 97 pays out the game ball 5 to the ball rental supply unit 51.

In this ball rental addition process, first, in S310, the addition number of the game balls 5 input from the ball rental machine 97 is added to the stored number of game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75, and the process proceeds to S320.
In S320, it is determined whether or not the number of stored game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is greater than 250. When the number of storage is 250 or less, the lending addition process is terminated as it is, and when the number of storage is larger than 250, the process proceeds to S330, and more than 250 game balls 5 are paid back to the tray 31. Then, the lending addition process is terminated.

  Next, the operation of taking in and paying out the game ball 5 from the digitizing intake 35b will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the digitization process performed by the CPU 71.

  In the digitizing process, the processes of S410, S420, and S510 correspond to the digitizing means in the present invention, and the processes of S430 to S450 correspond to the excess payout means. Moreover, the process of S460-S500 corresponds to a subtraction means and a refund means.

  In the digitization process, first, in S410, it is determined whether or not there is an input indicating that the game ball 5 has been detected from the digitization take-in device 95. If there is no input from the digitizing capturing device 95, the process proceeds to S460, and if there is an input from the digitizing capturing device 95, the process proceeds to S420.

In S420, the number of game balls 5 input from the digitizing capture device 95 is added to the digitized number stored in the RAM 75, and the process proceeds to S430.
In S430, it is determined whether or not the number of digitized game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is greater than 1000. If the number of digitization is greater than 1000, the process proceeds to S440, and if the number of digitization is 1000 or less, the process proceeds to S460.

Next, in S440, the number of digitized game balls 5 is subtracted to 1000, and the process proceeds to S450.
In S450, the number of game balls 5 subtracted in the process of S440 is discharged to the outside of the parrot 1, and the process proceeds to S460.

  Next, in S460, it is determined whether or not all of the three remaining ball sensors 31d provided in the vicinity of the separation wall 31a of the tray 31 have not detected the game ball 5 (a state below the lower limit value). . If all of the three remaining ball sensors 31d have not detected the game ball 5, the process proceeds to S470. If any of the three remaining ball sensors 31d has detected the game ball 5, the process proceeds to S510.

  In S470, it is determined whether or not the number of digitized game balls 5 is 30 or more. If the number of digitized game balls 5 is 30 or more, the process proceeds to S480, the number of digitized game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is subtracted, and the process proceeds to S500.

  On the other hand, if the number of digitized game balls 5 is less than 30 in S470, the number of game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 is subtracted as much as possible in S490, and the process proceeds to S500. That is, the numerical value of the game ball 5 is set to zero.

In S500, the number of game balls 5 subtracted in the process of S480 or S490 is paid out to the tray 31, and the process proceeds to S510.
In S510, the numerical value of the game ball 5 stored in the RAM 75 is displayed on the numerical value display 55, and the process returns to S410 to repeat the numerical processing.

  In the parrot 1 described in detail above, the game balls 5 are discharged to the tray 31 until the game balls 5 accumulated in the tray 31 reach a predetermined amount. When the number of game balls 5 to be discharged exceeds a predetermined amount, the CPU 71 restricts accumulation of the game balls 5 exceeding the predetermined amount in the tray 31 and the number of game balls 5 exceeding the predetermined amount ( (Numerical number) is stored in the RAM 75. At this time, the CPU 71 displays the number of game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 at a position (numerical value display 55) that can be visually recognized by the player.

  Therefore, according to such a parrot 1, the game ball 5 is discharged to the tray 31 until the game ball 5 accumulated in the tray 31 reaches a predetermined amount, so that the player can feel that the game ball 5 has been acquired. It can be made easy to obtain.

Further, the CPU 71 is configured to allow a game by subtracting the number of game balls 5 necessary for the game from the number of game balls 5 (stored number) stored in the RAM 75.
Therefore, since the player can continue the game without reducing the game balls 5 accumulated in the tray 31, the player can obtain a sense of superiority.

Further, the CPU 71 is configured to store in the RAM 75 the number of game balls 5 taken from the digitizing intake 35b.
Therefore, since all the game balls 5 are once discharged to the tray 31, it is possible to make it easier for the player to feel that the game balls 5 have been acquired.

  In addition, when the amount of the game balls 5 accumulated in the tray 31 becomes less than a predetermined lower limit value, the CPU 71 sets the number of the game balls 5 stored in the RAM 75 to the upper limit and sets the game balls 5 in the tray 31. Is set to refund.

  Therefore, when the number of game balls 5 is stored in the RAM 75, the CPU 71 controls the game balls 5 stored in the tray 31 so as not to be lower than the lower limit value. Even if the number decreases, the game can be continued smoothly.

Further, the tray 31 is provided with a plurality of paths for aligning the game balls 5 in one row and leading them to the game intake 35a.
Therefore, since many game balls 5 can be taken in from the game intake port 35a in a short time, the game stagnation time is shortened and the circulation of the game balls 5 is improved. For this reason, it can prevent giving a disadvantage to a player and a game arcade.

  Further, the parrot 1 drops the game ball 5 discharged from the discharge port 33a toward the tray 31, and the tray 31 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the game intake port 35a side is lowered.

  Accordingly, the game ball 5 repelled in the direction of the game intake 35a and collided with the receiving tray 31 is urged in the direction of the game intake 35a, so that it is discharged from the discharge port 33a and then taken into the game. The time until it is taken into the mouth 35a can be shortened.

  Further, the parrot 1 guides the game ball 5 paid out from the payout device 93 to the discharge port 33a, and changes the traveling direction of the game ball 5 in the vicinity of the discharge port 33a so as to discharge the game ball 5 and the payout route 29a. A payout unit 33 is provided.

  Therefore, since the payout path 29a and the payout portion 33 change the direction of the game ball 5 rolling on the ramp substantially downward, the game ball 5 can be discharged even if the payout device 93 is not located directly above the tray 31. It is possible to shorten the time from the discharge from 33a to the game intake port 35a.

In addition, the bottom surface of the tray 31 located immediately below the discharge port 33a is set to have a larger inclination angle than the bottom surface on the game intake port 35a side.
Accordingly, the game ball 5 that collides with the bottom surface of the tray 31 that is located directly below the discharge port 33a is compared with the case where the game ball 5 collides with the bottom surface that has the same inclination angle as the bottom surface of the tray 31 on the game intake port 35a side. Since momentum is applied to the side of the intake port 35a and repulsion, it is possible to further shorten the time until the game ball 5 is discharged from the discharge port 33a and reaches the game intake port 35a.

Furthermore, a drop prevention wall 37 for preventing the game ball 5 from falling outside the tray 31 is provided on the front side of the tray 31.
Therefore, the game ball 5 can be prevented from falling from the tray 31.

In particular, at least a part of the fall prevention wall 37 is constituted by a transparent transmitting member 37a.
Therefore, since the player can easily confirm the movement of the game ball 5 discharged from the discharge port 33a, it is possible to easily release the ball when the ball is clogged.

Further, on the further front side of the fall prevention wall 37, a ball rental replenishment portion 51 for replenishing the game ball 5 from the outside to the game intake port 35a is formed.
Therefore, the game ball 5 can be made to flow also on the front side of the fall prevention wall 37, and it is not necessary to care about the position of the fall prevention wall 37 when the game ball 5 is replenished. Can be done.

When the number of game balls 5 stored in the CPU 71 reaches a predetermined number, the parrot 1 pays out the game balls 5 exceeding the predetermined number to the external container.
Therefore, since the game ball 5 that is not used for the game for the time being can be discharged to show to other players, it is possible to give the player a sense of superiority without interfering with the game.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the game ball 5 is used to play a game. However, not only the game ball 5 but also a medium (for example, medal, card, etc.) that is taken into the parrot 1 and used. So that the game is played. In this case, the inclination of the tray 31 may be adjusted so that these media are taken in from the respective intake ports 35.

  In the present embodiment, the game balls 5 that exceed a predetermined amount (the amount of game balls 5 that can be accumulated in the tray 31) are taken in from the numerical value intake 35b. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. It may be configured to take in all the game balls 5 accumulated in the tray 31 from the game intake 35a and store the number of the game balls 5. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide the digitization inlet 35b, so that the size of the tray 31 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the payout device 93 is arranged on the back side of the parrot 1, but it is not necessary to place the payout device 93 in such a position. For example, the payout device 9393 for paying out the game ball 5 (payout device 93). May be arranged right above the tray 31 and the game ball 5 may be discharged from the payout device 9393 substantially directly below or in the direction of the game inlet 35a. With such a configuration, the game ball 5 can be taken in from the game take-in port 35a earlier.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface on the discharge port 33a side of the tray 31 is configured to be a curved surface. However, as long as the inclination angle is larger than the bottom surface of the tray 31 on the game intake port 35a side, the bottom surface is not limited to a curved surface. It may be a flat surface.

  In the present embodiment, the game balls 5 are taken in the tray 31 in a state of being arranged in three rows. However, the game balls 5 are not particularly limited to three rows, and may be arranged in a plurality of rows, for example, five rows. You may make it align with. In this configuration, when the game balls 5 are taken in from the game take-in port 35a, the game take-in device 99 acquires one game ball 5 from each row in which the game balls 5 are aligned (that is, 1 The game balls 5 for each unit may be acquired).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the game ball 5 is taken into the parrot 1 when the game ball 5 can no longer be stored in the tray 31 and when the player operates the insertion button 43 or the like. For example, all the game balls 5 paid out to the tray 31 may be captured. In this case, a configuration in which all the game balls 5 are taken in from the game take-in port 35a, and the game balls 5 are taken up to the upper limit that can be stored in the RAM 75 in the order of the number of storages and the number of digitizations.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a parrot. It is the top view (a) of a saucer, and AA sectional drawing (b) in a saucer. It is BB sectional drawing (a) in a saucer, and CC sectional drawing (b) in a saucer. It is explanatory drawing (a) which shows a fall prevention wall, and explanatory drawing (b) which shows a payout apparatus. It is sectional drawing in the vicinity of the game taking device. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection relationship in a parrot. It is a flowchart which shows an acquisition process. It is a flowchart which shows a lending addition process. It is a flowchart which shows a numerical conversion process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Parrot, 5 ... Game ball, 11 ... Main part, 13 ... Lamp, 21 ... Symbol display part, 21a-21c ... Reel, 22a-22c ... Position sensor, 23 ... Start lever, 25a-25c ... Stop button, 27 ... Number of payout indicators, 29a ... Payout path, 29b ... Branch path, 31 ... Dish, 31a ... Separation wall, 31b ... Groove, 31c ... Digitization path, 31d ... Residual ball sensor, 33 ... Payout part, 33a ... Drain Outlet, 33b ... Upper wall, 35 ... Intake port, 35a ... Intake port for gaming, 35b ... Intake port for digitization, 37 ... Fall prevention wall, 37a ... Permeation member, 39 ... Overflow payout port, 41 ... Storage Number indicator, 43 ... Insert button, 45 ... Settlement button, 47 ... Return button, 51 ... Loan supply unit, 53 ... Numeric sensor, 55 ... Digitized number indicator, 57a ... Batch digitization button, 57b ... Numerical value Partial payment Button 57c ... Auto / manual switching button 70 ... Main board 71 ... CPU 73 ... ROM 75 ... RAM 77 ... Random number generation unit 79 ... Winning role determination unit 81 ... Design control unit 83 ... Display control , 91 ... Production board, 93 ... Dispensing device, 93a ... Sensor, 93b ... Sprocket, 93c ... Stopper, 93d ... Spring, 93e ... Actuator, 93f ... Suction member, 95 ... Numerical capture device, 97 ... Machine 99 ... Game take-in device, 99a ... Rod, 99b ... Actuator, 99c ... Take-in sensor, 99d ... Spring.

Claims (13)

It is provided with a saucer for accumulating game balls and guiding the game balls to the game intake port,
A gaming machine that can play a game by taking a game ball from the game take-in port, and discharges the game ball from the discharge port to the tray according to the result of the game,
The tray is disposed to be inclined so as to guide the game ball from the discharge port side to the game intake port side,
The discharge port is located directly above the saucer and is configured to open downward,
A gaming machine comprising discharging means for dropping the game ball from the discharge port onto the tray. The gaming machine is configured to be able to play a game by simultaneously taking a plurality of gaming balls from a gaming inlet,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the tray includes a plurality of paths for aligning the gaming balls in one row and guiding the gaming balls to the gaming inlet. The discharging means is
A payout means located on the back side of the gaming machine with respect to the tray and for paying out the game ball;
Guiding means for guiding the game ball paid out from the payout means to the discharge port, and changing the traveling direction of the game ball in the vicinity of the discharge port to be substantially right below and discharging the game ball;
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:   The bottom surface located below the discharge port in the tray is a lower surface than the bottom surface on the game intake side in the tray in order to rapidly guide the game ball dropped from the discharge port to the game intake side. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inclination angle is set large. The saucer is arranged to protrude to the front side of the gaming machine,
The fall prevention wall for preventing the game balls discharged | emitted from this discharge port from colliding and falling outside the said saucer was provided in the near side of the said saucer. Item 5. A gaming machine according to any one of Items 4 to 5.   The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the fall prevention wall is made of a transparent member.   7. The ball receiving portion for supplying a game ball from the outside to the game intake port is formed on the further front side of the fall prevention wall. Gaming machine. When the amount of game balls accumulated in the saucer exceeds a predetermined amount, a game ball exceeding the predetermined amount is restricted from being accumulated in the saucer, and a game exceeding the predetermined amount The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a digitizing unit that stores the number of balls and displays the number at a position where the player can visually recognize the number of balls.   9. The gaming machine according to claim 8, further comprising subtracting means for enabling a game by subtracting the number of game balls necessary for a game from the number of game balls stored in the digitizing means.   The said digitization means restrict | limits that the game ball exceeding the said predetermined amount is accumulate | stored in the said saucer by taking in the said game ball from the said game intake port. Gaming machine. The tray is provided with a digitized intake port through which game balls exceeding the predetermined amount are taken when the amount of game balls accumulated in the tray is larger than the predetermined amount,
The gaming machine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the digitizing means stores the number of game balls taken from the digitizing slot.   Refund means for paying back game balls to the tray with the number of game balls stored by the digitizing means as an upper limit when the amount of game balls accumulated in the tray is less than a predetermined lower limit value; The gaming machine according to claim 11, comprising the gaming machine.   An excess payout means for paying out the game balls exceeding the fixed number to an external container when the number of game balls stored in the digitizing means reaches a predetermined fixed number. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

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