JP2006025846A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly return game balls in a slot machine capable of temporarily retaining the game balls imported as game media and returning them till starting a game. <P>SOLUTION: This slot machine, when a player commands to return game balls during the operation of an importing device 50, even before the importing device 50 imports the necessary importing set number R of game balls (x), changes a switching device 51 from a regular state to a return state to fall the game balls temporarily retained in a storage channel 60 after the importing toward a lower storage area 21 and return them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine using game balls for pachinko machines as game media.

  Slot machines that use game balls for pachinko machines as game media have been proposed. In such a slot machine, it is usually possible to start a game by inserting a game ball into a game machine instead of a medal used as a game medium, and when a start instruction means such as a start switch or the like is used, a change start instruction for a symbol is given. The symbol display device variably displays a plurality of symbols. Then, after the variable display, when a predetermined winning symbol is fixedly displayed on the winning line, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the player. Since these slot machines can be played using the game balls used for pachinko machines, by installing them together with the pachinko machines in the game hall, players can enjoy both pachinko machines and slot machines with one type of game medium. It is possible to improve the convenience of the player. In particular, game balls are generally treated with a value of game balls lower than that of medals, so even when the same value is input, the number of game media to be input is larger than that of medals. Therefore, in slot machines using medals, only three bets (1 to 3 medals) can usually be selected, whereas in the case of using game balls, if one game ball is used as one unit of bet. It is also possible to select more various betting numbers (for example, 15 types) in one game.

  In addition, if this slot machine is mounted on a game island for a pachinko machine in the game hall and uses a ball supply / discharge mechanism for the pachinko machine, the facilities for the game hall can be simplified and the management of the game media can be made. Costs can be reduced. For this reason, the configuration already proposed is composed of an outer frame arranged upright on a game island for a pachinko machine in a game hall, and a gaming machine main body that covers the front opening of the outer frame. A game ball is suitably received from a game island for use, and a used game ball can be discharged to the game island (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In addition, like these existing pachinko machines, these slot machines are provided with upper and lower dish members on the front surface of the gaming machine main body, and store gaming balls for input in the upper storage area of the upper dish member, When the upper storage area is full of game balls, the game balls are paid out to the lower storage area of the lower plate member. Here, in the pachinko machine, the game balls stored in the upper storage area are automatically and sequentially supplied to the launching device in accordance with the launching operation of the game balls, whereas the slot machine has a take-in device for taking in the game balls. When a game using a rotating drum is started, first, a player issues a take-in instruction by a take-in number instruction means such as a BET switch, and picks up the game balls in the upper storage area by an amount corresponding to the bet number. It is made to make it take in to a loading device.

  Here, the ball taken in by the take-in device generally flows as it is to the back side of the slot machine and is discharged to the ball collection device on the game island. A configuration has been proposed in which the game ball taken in by the take-in device is temporarily stopped in the passage (temporary storage passage) without being immediately discharged, and the game ball can be returned before the game starts. Yes. In such a configuration, a return instruction means including a switch or the like for instructing a return of the temporarily stopped game ball is provided, and when the return instruction is given before the game starts, the stopped game ball is temporarily stored. It returns to the lower storage area from the passage. For this reason, even if the player wants to stop the game after the game ball is taken in, the taken game ball can be collected, so that the game can be stopped without suffering a loss.

  In addition, in the configuration of Patent Document 3, not only when the game is stopped after the take-in, but even when a lot of game balls are instructed due to an erroneous operation and an excessive number of bets are set up, If the game balls that have stopped after the return are returned and a correct number of instructions are issued, the number of bets can be reset. In particular, in a slot machine using a game ball as a game medium, as described above, it is possible to select a larger number of bets than those using medals. The return instruction mechanism is also complicated and the frequency of erroneous operations is high, so that the return mechanism is highly useful.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-47056 JP 2001-299995 A JP 2001-204888 A

  Here, when the game balls are taken in again as described above, first, the game balls that have been taken in and stopped in the temporary storage passage must be discharged from the passage. For this reason, if it takes a long time to complete the return of the game ball, the player must wait for it to be recaptured every time a return instruction is given. It is desired to complete the return of the game ball quickly and to resume the take-in as soon as possible.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this present condition, and aims at provision of the structure which can return quickly the game ball stopped after taking in.

  The present invention includes a symbol display device that fixedly displays a plurality of symbols after variation display, an upper storage region that stores a game ball for input, a lower storage region provided below the upper storage region, and an upper storage region A rectification passage in which game balls flow in and aligns, a take-in device that takes in game balls one by one from the downstream end of the rectification passage, a temporary storage passage into which game balls taken in by the take-in device flow, and a take-in device Taking-in counting means for counting the game balls taken in, a collection passage for flowing the game balls from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage to the lower storage region, and a game ball flowing down from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage to the back side A take-in ball discharge path and a steady state in which the game ball in the temporary storage path, which is provided downstream of the temporary storage path, cannot flow down from the temporary storage path, and a return state in which only the recovery path can flow into the collection path , Flows only into the intake ball discharge path Based on the switching device that changes to the discharged state, the number-of-instructions means for the player to instruct to take in game balls corresponding to the required number of bets, and the player's instruction for taking-in The take-in control means for continuously operating the take-in device until the take-in setting number is determined and the take-in counting means counts the same number of game balls as the take-in set number, Returning instruction means for instructing the return of the game ball that stops at the game, and all the game balls that stop in the temporary storage passage by changing the switching device from the steady state to the return state based on the return instruction from the player Based on the return control means for causing the player to flow into the collection passage, the start instruction means for the player to instruct the symbol start of the symbol display device, and the change start instruction from the player. Change to the discharge state and stop in the temporary storage passage A game for a pachinko machine comprising: a discharge control means for causing all game balls to flow into the take-in ball discharge path; and a symbol control means for starting the variation of the symbol of the symbol display device based on a variation start instruction from the player In the slot machine using a ball as a game medium, the return control means is configured such that when the player gives a return instruction during the operation of the capture device, the count value of the capture count means is less than the capture set number. However, the slot machine is characterized in that the switching device is changed from the steady state to the return state (claim 1).

  Here, the symbol display device usually comprises a rotating drum having symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, and the intake control means, return control means, discharge control means, symbol control means, etc. It can be realized by one or a plurality of boards in which an electric circuit is incorporated and a program executed on the boards. The number-of-take-in instruction means, the return instruction means, the start instruction means, and the like can be configured by a switch operated by the player and an electric circuit that transmits the operation of the switch to the control means as a take-in instruction. Further, the intake counting means can be realized by a detection switch that detects a game ball that has flowed into the temporary storage passage and an electric circuit that stores the number of detection operations of the switch. In such a configuration, even if the take-in device is in operation, the switching device changes to the return state due to the player's return instruction, and the game ball stored in the temporary storage passage flows into the recovery passage. It will be returned to the lower storage area. For this reason, since the inflow from the temporary storage passage to the collection passage can be completed quickly, the switching device is returned to the steady state, and the game ball can be taken in again at an early stage.

  Further, the take-in device has a ball receiving recess that can accommodate one game ball in the peripheral portion, a position in which the ball receiving recess is opposed to the downstream end of the rectifying passage, and the ball receiving recess in the temporary storage passage. The sprocket can be rotated to a position facing the entrance, and an electric drive device that rotates the sprocket, and the take-in control means takes on the basis of a take-in instruction from the player. After determining the set number, the electric drive device is operated to rotate the sprocket from the predetermined standby position, and the game ball is received from the downstream end of the rectifying passage into the ball receiving recess, and the game of the ball receiving recess is played. The balls are alternately discharged to the temporary storage passage, and when the count value of the take-in counting means is equal to the set take-in number, the sprocket is stopped at the standby position, and the player When a return instruction is given, Value be less than taking the set number, it constitutes the sprocket is intended to stop at the standby position is proposed in real (claim 2).

  In such a configuration, when a return instruction is given during operation of the take-in device, the take-in device stops the sprocket at the standby position before taking in the entire set amount of take-in. As a result, after the return instruction, extra game balls are not taken into the temporary storage passage, and the increase of game balls to be returned is suppressed. The waiting time can be shortened. In addition, in order to retake the game balls returned to the lower storage area, the game balls must be transferred to the upper storage area. However, in this configuration, the number of game balls to be returned decreases. Transfer work is also easy.

  When the game balls in the temporary storage passage are returned, the switching device must be maintained in the return state until at least all of the game balls in the temporary storage passage are discharged to the collection passage. However, since the re-uptake into the temporary storage passage is impossible until the switching device returns to the steady state, the switching device can be quickly returned to the steady state after the game ball has flowed into the collection passage. desirable. Specifically, it is proposed that the switching device is quickly returned to the steady state when the switching device is returned to the return state for a time during which the maximum number of game balls that can be stored in the temporary storage passage can be discharged. Also, according to the number of game balls to be returned, that is, the number of game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage, the time for returning the switching device to the return state is varied, or a game ball detection switch is provided at the entrance of the collection passage, If the number of game balls that have flowed into is counted, the switching device can be returned to a steady state without delay after the game balls are discharged from the temporary storage passage.

  Further, the slot machine uses one game ball as one unit of bet, and includes a slip detection means for detecting whether or not there is a game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage. If the slip detection means detects that there is no ball, even if the count value of the take-in counting means is less than the set take-in number, the take-in control means stops the operation of the take-in device and enters the temporary storage passage. It is also proposed that the symbols on the symbol display device can be changed according to a change start instruction from the player, with the number of game balls to be stopped as the number of bets. In such a configuration, since it is possible to play a game ball by one unit, it is possible to play a game with any number of game balls less than the set number of acquisition balls. For this reason, even if the set number of game balls cannot be taken in due to a lack of game balls in the rectifying passage, refilling of the game balls will not be requested or an error will occur. By using the number of game balls as the number of bets, the game can be started smoothly. In addition, since the game ball depletion is immediately detected and the take-in device is deactivated to determine the number of bets, an early game start is possible.

  Further, the switching device is movably provided at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage, and is selected between a return position for allowing the game balls in the temporary storage passage to flow into the collection passage and a discharge position for flowing into the intake ball discharge passage. A switching valve that is held in place, a blocking position that protrudes into the temporary storage passage and locks the game ball upstream of the switching valve, and a release position that retreats from the temporary storage passage and allows the game ball to flow down A configuration is also proposed in which a stopper that is selectively held is provided. In such a configuration, the state where the stopper is held at the blocking position becomes the steady state of the switching device, the state where the stopper is held at the release position and the switching valve is held at the return position is the return of the switching device. The state where the stopper is held at the release position and the switching valve is held at the discharge position is the discharge state of the switching device. And by switching and holding each of the switching valve and the stopper between two positions by an electric drive device such as a solenoid, the switching device can fluctuate between a steady state, a return state, and a recovery state. it can. Accordingly, in this configuration, since the switching device can be changed and maintained in each state by turning on and off the two electric drive devices that displace the switching valve and the stopper, the state control is very easy.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the return control means is instructed to return by the player during the operation of the capture device, the count value of the capture count means is less than the capture set number. Since the slot machine is characterized in that the switching device is changed from the steady state to the return state (Claim 1), when the player gives a return instruction, without waiting for the completion of the operation of the capture device. Since the game balls in the temporary storage passage are immediately sent out to the collection passage, the game balls are quickly discharged from the temporary storage passage, and the take-in of the game balls can be resumed early. Accordingly, even if the player has instructed to take in more than necessary game balls due to an erroneous operation, the player can quickly take in again, so that the game can be continued at a good tempo without waiting. . In particular, the present invention is capable of early re-acquisition when the take-in instruction is wrong, so that it is possible to set a fine wager and is excellent when the take-in instruction is applied to a configuration that is relatively error-prone. Show the effect.

  Further, the take-in device is constituted by a sprocket having a ball receiving recess that can accommodate one game ball in the peripheral portion, and an electric drive device that rotates the sprocket, and the player can change the sprocket while the sprocket is rotating. When a return instruction is given, even if the count value of the take-in counting means is less than the set take-in number, the return control device immediately stops the sprocket at the standby position (claim 2). ) Since the operation of the take-in device is terminated halfway based on the return instruction, an increase in the number of game balls to be returned from the temporary storage passage is suppressed, so that the take-in operation can be resumed earlier. Further, since the take-in device is terminated halfway, the number of game balls returned from the upper storage area to the lower storage area is reduced, so that the player has less time to replenish the upper storage area.

  A slot machine that uses one game ball as one unit of bet, and if the idle detection means detects that there is no game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage during operation of the take-in device, Even if the count value of the counting means is less than the set number of take-in, the take-in control means stops the operation of the take-in device, and the fluctuation starts from the player with the number of game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage as the bet number When it is made possible to start changing the symbol of the symbol display device according to the instruction (claim 3), even if the game ball is depleted during capture, the player does not feel any trouble, The game can be started as usual.

  Further, the switching device is provided movably at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage, and is selected between a return position for allowing the game balls in the temporary storage passage to flow into the collection passage and a discharge position for flowing into the intake ball discharge passage. A switching valve that is held in place, a blocking position that protrudes into the temporary storage passage and locks the game ball upstream of the switching valve, and a release position that retreats from the temporary storage passage and allows the game ball to flow down (4), the switching device can be changed to the required state by displacing each member of the switching valve and the stopper between two positions. Therefore, the fluctuation control can be easily performed.

Embodiments of the present invention are described according to the following examples.
The slot machine 1 of this embodiment uses a game ball for a pachinko machine as a game medium, and is normally attached to a game island for a pachinko machine in the same manner as the pachinko machine. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the slot machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 having the same shape as a pachinko machine fixed to a game island, and rotating drums 12 a to 12 c. 2 and a gaming machine main body 3 pivotably attached to the door. Also, on the left side of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a card unit 11 that is connected to the slot machine 1 and reads and writes a prepaid card storing the number of rented balls is mounted as an accessory device.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the gaming machine main body 3 has a front frame 4 that pivots directly on the outer frame 2 via a hinge member 9, and a front frame 4 that is attached to the front half of the front frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed. A door 6, an upper plate member 8 and the like are provided on the front surface, and an opening / closing panel 7 that can be opened and closed below the front door 6, and a back mechanism plate 5 that can be opened and closed on the back side of the front frame 4. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 is provided with three rotary drums 12 a to 12 c having various kinds of symbols F on the outer peripheral surface at the center. These rotary drums 12a to 12c are assembled to a drum motor that individually drives them and a support member that supports the motor to constitute an integrated drum unit 10 (see FIG. 3). When the drum motor is driven by the input signal from the means, the symbol F of the rotating drums 12a to 12c is displayed in a variable manner. When the drum motor is stopped, the symbol F of the rotating drums 12a to 12c is fixedly displayed. That is, the drum unit 10 constitutes a symbol display device according to the present invention, and the drum unit 10 can be suitably used for a slot machine having a conventional configuration. Further, a lower plate member 19 is disposed at the lower part of the front side of the front frame 4 so as to be positioned below the open / close panel 7. The lower plate member 19 has a lower storage area 21 for storing game balls therein, and a ball discharge port 18 is formed on the front surface of the front frame 4 so as to face the lower storage area 21. Further, the lower plate member 19 is provided with a ball slide slider 20 that opens and closes an opening formed in the bottom surface of the lower storage area 21, and the opening is opened by the player moving the ball slide slider 20. Then, the game ball x in the lower storage area 21 is discharged downward. In addition, on the lower back side of the front frame 4, a speaker or the like that emits game sound effects is provided (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 6 has a rectangular shape with decoration on the front surface, and is attached so as to be openable and closable via a hinge member (not shown) provided on the left edge thereof. A display window 23 is formed at the center position of the front door 6 so that the rotary drums 12a to 12c provided on the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front. The display window 23 has a design F in front of the rotary drums 12a to 12c. Is expressed. In addition, an auxiliary display 14 for displaying the number of winnings in the regular bonus, the number of winning balls won by one winning, the number of game balls for which the payout operation has not been completed, etc. is arranged immediately below the display window 23. A winning line lamp 24 is provided on the left side of the display window 23 to notify the player of the winning line set according to the number of bets. Further, at the lower part of the front door 6, a card return button 25 for instructing the player to return the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 11, and a ball for instructing to pay out a predetermined number of game balls x as rental balls. A card operation unit 28 including a lending button 26 and a frequency indicator 27 for displaying the balance of the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 11 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the open / close panel 7 made of a metal plate is attached to the lower portion of the front frame 4 via a hinge member 55 so as to be able to be opened in one side. An upper plate member 8 is fixed to the front surface of the open / close panel 7, and an upper storage region 36 for storing a game ball for input is provided on the upper plate member 8. In the upper storage area 36, a player can directly supply a game ball for insertion through an upper open portion, and a game such as a prize ball can be obtained from a ball supply port 35 opened to the left rear portion thereof. A sphere x flows in. In addition, an elongated rectifying passage 54 is formed in the left-right direction at the upper portion of the upper plate member 8, and the game balls x stored in the upper storage region 36 sequentially flow into the rectifying passage 54 and are aligned. The downstream end portion (right end portion) is taken into a take-in device 50 (see FIG. 8) described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various operation switches 41 to 44 used for a game operation are provided on the upper surface and the front surface of the upper plate member 8. The lever-type start switch 41 provided on the left side of the front surface of the upper plate member 8 constitutes a start instruction means according to the present invention, and the rotating drums 12a to 12c rotate based on the pressing operation of the switch 41. The symbol F is displayed variably after starting. Button type stop switches 43a to 43c provided in the front center of the upper plate member 8 are used for stopping the rotating drums 12a to 12c. When these switches are pressed during rotation of the rotating drums 12a to 12c, Based on this operation timing, the control device stops the rotary drums 12a to 12c corresponding to the switches, and the symbol F is fixedly displayed. The button-type MAXBET switch 42a and the single BET switch 42b provided on the upper left portion of the upper plate member 8 constitute a take-in number instructing means for instructing the take-in of game balls corresponding to the required bet number. As will be described later, based on the pressing operation of these switches, the game balls in the rectifying passage 54 are taken into the temporary storage passage 60 (see FIG. 6) inside the gaming machine by the take-in device 50. A button-type cancel switch 44 provided on the upper right portion of the upper plate member 8 constitutes a return instruction means for instructing a return of a game ball stopped in a temporary storage passage 60 described later. This cancel switch Based on the pressing operation of 44, the game ball x in the temporary storage passage 60 is returned to the lower storage area 21. Further, a ball removal operation member 65 for ball removal protrudes behind the cancel switch 44, and when the player presses the ball removal operation member 65, a game ball is drawn from the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54. Flows down to the lower storage area 21.

  Further, the upper plate member 8 is provided with various state display lamps 45 to 49 indicating the gaming state. Between the start switch 41 and the stop switches 43a to 43c, an intake display lamp 45, an operation display lamp 46, and a start display lamp 47 are provided side by side. The take-in display lamp 45 is lit when a game ball take-in instruction is possible, and even if the BET switches 42a and 42b are operated while the lamp is turned off, the game ball is not taken in. The operation display lamp 46 is lit during operation of a capture device 50 described later. The start display lamp 47 is lit when the game can be started. When the start switch 41 is operated while the lamp is lit, the rotary drums 12a to 12c rotate and the symbol F is displayed in a variable manner. A cancel display lamp 48 is provided to the right of the stop switches 43a to 43c. The cancel display lamp 48 is lit while a switching device 51 described later is in a return state. Further, a ballless display lamp 49 provided on the upper left portion of the upper plate member 8 is lit when there is no game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54 and prompts the player to replenish the game ball x. Further, a BET instruction number display 57 and a take-in ball number display 58 constituted by a 7-segment display are provided on the upper right portion of the upper plate member 8. The BET instruction number display 57 displays the take-in instruction number P instructed by operating the BET switches 42a and 42b. On the other hand, the number-of-ingestion ball number display 58 displays the number of game balls that are parked in the temporary storage passage 60. Here, as will be described later, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment uses one game ball as a unit of bet amount, and the number displayed on the take-in ball number display 58 displays the bet number. But there is.

  Further, as described above, the back mechanism plate 5 is attached to the back surface of the front frame 4 so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIG. 3, substrates 100 to 107 on which electronic circuits are incorporated on the back surface. Substrate units 13 and 13 containing a plurality of (see FIG. 4) are provided. These boards 100 to 107 are electrically connected to each other and are connected to various sensors, switches, motors, lamps and the like provided in the gaming machine main body 3 to constitute a control device that controls the game. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a ball tank 30 that receives supply of the game ball x from the ball supply device of the game island facility is provided on the upper part of the back mechanism plate 5. The ball tank 30 is connected to a ball supply port 35 that faces the upper storage region 36 of the upper plate member 8 and a ball release that faces the lower storage region 21 via a ball supply passage 17 formed on the side of the back mechanism plate 5. When a payout device 31 that is in communication with the outlet 18 and is provided in the middle of the ball supply passage 17 is activated, a predetermined number of game balls x located on the ball tank 30 side are stored in the upper storage area 36 and the lower storage area. It is paid out to 21. The game ball x delivered from the payout device 31 is normally discharged from the ball supply port 35 to the upper storage region 36. When the upper storage region 36 is full, the game ball x is discharged from the ball discharge port 18 to the lower part. Released to the storage area 21. The game ball supply mechanism to the upper storage area 36 can suitably use the configuration of an existing pachinko machine.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a mechanical configuration for taking in a game ball from the rectifying passage 54 and stopping, returning, and discharging the taken game ball.
As shown in FIG. 4, the rectifying passage 54 is provided in the left-right direction at the right front position above the upper plate member 8. The rectifying passage 54 has an elongated shape through which one game ball can pass, and has a length at which 15 game balls x corresponding to the maximum number of bets can be aligned in a row with the right end as the head. The rectifying passage 54 is inclined downward to the right, and its upstream end (right end) communicates with the upper storage region 36, and serves as an inlet for game balls to flow from the region, and its downstream end. An intake port 66 through which one game ball x can pass is formed on the bottom surface of the portion (left end portion), and an intake device 50 is provided directly below the intake port 66. In addition, a fifteen position switch 75 is disposed at a position facing the fifteenth game ball x aligned with the rectifying passage 54. The 15-position switch 75 is turned on when a game ball x is present at the facing position. Based on the operating state of the switch 75, the control device determines whether or not 15 gaming balls x (15 bets) are aligned in the rectifying passage 54. Further, an idling detection switch 78 is provided above the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54. The idling detection switch 78 includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, emits light from the light emitting portion to the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54, and whether or not the light is reflected by the game ball and received by the light receiving portion. The presence or absence of a game ball at the position is detected, and the ON operation is performed when there is no game ball x. That is, the control device determines whether or not there is a game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54 based on the operating state of the switch, and the idling detection switch 78 constitutes the idling detection means according to the present invention. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the take-in device 50 provided below the take-in port 66 includes a sprocket 71 and a take-in motor 72 that constitutes an electric drive device that rotates the sprocket 71. The sprocket 71 is attached to a position below the rectifying passage 54 inside the upper plate member 8 and the sprocket 71 is positioned directly below the intake port 66. The take-in motor 72 is a stepping motor, is connected to a main control board 100 (see FIG. 13) provided on the back mechanism plate 5, and has a sprocket at a rotation angle corresponding to a control signal from the main control board 100. 71 is rotated. On the other hand, the sprocket 71 has a thickness dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the rectifying passage 54, and has a substantially Y-shaped front surface in which three ball receiving recesses 70 are formed at equal intervals on the circumference thereof. When the ball receiving recess 70 faces the intake port 66, one game ball x can be accommodated in the ball receiving recess 70 from the rectifying passage 54, and the locking portion 73 between the ball receiving recesses 70 is provided. By facing the intake port 66, the intake port 66 is closed and the game ball x can be locked at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a temporary storage passage 60 extending to the back side of the opening / closing panel 7 is formed on the right side of the sprocket 71 by a saddle member, and the intake motor 72 rotates the sprocket 71. Thus, when the ball receiving recess 70 containing the game ball x from the intake port 66 faces the entrance of the temporary storage passage 60, the game ball x is discharged into the temporary storage passage 60. The take-in device 50 is controlled so as to stop the sprocket 71 at a position facing the take-in port 66 of any of the locking portions 73 as shown in FIG. Is the standby position w of the sprocket 71.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, a ball outlet 80 for returning a game ball is opened on the back side of the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54, and a ball outlet 80 is provided behind the ball outlet 80. A ball extraction passage 63 is provided for allowing the game ball x flowing in through the ball to flow down to the ball discharge port 18. 7, 8, 11, and 12, the back surface of the ball outlet 80 has an opening 82 having substantially the same shape as that of the ball outlet 80, and the opening 82 is connected to the front and rear of the ball outlet 80. A plate-like opening / closing member 81 is provided that changes the position between an upper open position where the ball outlet 80 is opened and the lower closed position where the opening 82 is lowered to block the ball outlet 80. It is done. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the opening / closing member 81 is normally urged to the closed position by a coil spring 85 connected to the lower end thereof, and the upper end of the opening / closing member 81 is pivotally supported on the front surface of the opening / closing panel 7. The connection member 83 is connected to a ball removal operation member 65 protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate member 8, and when the ball removal operation member 65 is pushed down, the opening / closing member 81 rises to the open position, 80 is opened, and the game ball x flows into the ball removal passage 63 from the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54 and is returned to the lower storage area 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, an intake counting switch 77 constituting an intake counting means according to the present invention is provided on the right side of the sprocket 71. The take-in counting switch 77 is fixed to the entrance portion of the temporary storage passage 60 and is turned on when the game ball x is released from the ball receiving ball receiving recess 70 of the sprocket 71 into the temporary storage passage 60. The control device counts the number of game balls taken in by the take-in device 50 based on the number of times the switch is operated.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the temporary storage passage 60 has a folded shape, extends to the right, passes through the open / close panel 7, exits to the back side, and then along the back of the open / close panel. It extends in the left direction and branches into a take-in ball discharge path 61 and a recovery path 62 at its downstream end. Therefore, the game ball taken into the take-in device 50 and flowing into the temporary storage passage 60 can flow down the passage and flow into either the take-in ball discharge passage 61 or the collection passage 62. . The temporary storage passage 60 has a length that allows the maximum number of game balls (15) to be aligned. When the game ball is prevented from flowing in the downstream portion, the take-in device 50 takes in the temporary storage passage 60. The game ball can be stably stopped in the passage. The take-in ball discharge path 61 extending downward from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage 60 leads to the back side of the slot machine 1 as shown in FIG. After flowing down to the back side of the slot machine 1, it is discharged to the ball collection facility on the game island. The recovery passage 62 extending leftward from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage 60 leads to the ball discharge port 18 that opens to the rear of the lower storage region 21, and allows the game ball x flowing in from the temporary storage passage 60 to flow into the lower storage region. Flow down to 21. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the collection passage 62 merges with the above-described ball extraction passage 63 and has a common flow path to the lower storage region 21.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the game ball in the temporary storage passage 60 can flow into the downstream position of the temporary storage passage 60 only in a steady state where the flow cannot be made to flow down from the temporary storage passage 60 and the recovery passage 62. A switching device 51 is provided that varies between a return state that becomes and a discharge state that allows only the take-in ball discharge path 61 to flow. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the switching device 51 is pivotally supported at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage 60 so as to be tiltable, and closes the entrance of the intake ball discharge path 61. A switching valve 90 that is selectively held at an upper discharge position b that closes the inlet of the collection passage 62, and is provided in front of the switching valve 90 so that the switching valve 90 is set to a return position a and a discharge position b. A switching valve solenoid 92 that converts and holds, and a blocking position c that is pivotally supported on the upstream side of the switching valve 90, protrudes into the temporary storage passage 60, and locks the game ball x so as not to flow down upstream of the switching valve 90. A stopper 91 that is selectively held at a release position d that retreats above the temporary storage passage 60 and allows the game ball x to flow down, and is provided in front of the stopper 91, and the stopper 91 is placed at a blocking position c. Stopper solenoid 93 that converts to and holds the release position d It made.

  In the state where the stopper 91 is held at the blocking position c, the switching device 51 is locked so that the game ball that has flowed into the temporary storage passage 60 cannot flow down by the stopper 91 as shown in FIG. . Such a state is a steady state of the switching device 51. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the stopper 91 is changed from the steady state to the release position d and the switching valve 90 is held at the discharge position b, the stopper 91 stops the temporary storage passage 60. The game ball x flows out into the take-in ball discharge path 61 and is discharged from the back side of the slot machine 1 to the game island. Such a state is referred to as a discharge state of the switching device 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the stopper 91 is changed from the steady state to the release position d and the switching valve 90 is held at the return position a, the stopper 91 stops the temporary storage passage 60. The game ball x flows out to the collection passage 62 and flows down to the lower storage area 21. Such a state is a return state of the switching device 51.

  The switching valve solenoid 92 and the stopper solenoid 93 are constituted by a rotary solenoid connected to the main control board 100 (see FIG. 13), and the switching valve 90 and the stopper 91 fixed to the rotating shaft are rotated. Hold. Specifically, the switching valve solenoid 92 holds the switching valve 90 at the discharge position b in a non-actuated state, and is turned on when the operation signal is input from the main control board 100 to return the switching valve 90 to the return position. It changes to a and is held at the return position a until the operation signal is interrupted. On the other hand, the stopper solenoid 93 is in a non-operating state and holds the stopper 91 at the blocking position c. When an operation signal is input from the main control board 100, the stopper solenoid 93 is turned on to move the stopper 91 to the release position d. The release signal is held at the release position d until the operation signal is interrupted. That is, the switching device 51 can be easily changed and held in each of the steady state, the discharge state, and the return state depending on the presence / absence of an operation signal from the main control board 100 to the solenoids 92 and 93.

  Next, a control circuit for each of the substrates 100 to 107 constituting the control device of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The main control board 100 constituting the microcomputer is provided with a board circuit for performing game control of the slot machine 1. The board circuit of the main control board 100 is provided with an input port and an output port (not shown) for performing data communication with peripheral devices, and a control signal from the main control board 100 is issued through the output port. The control board 101, the display control board 102, the lamp control board 103, and the information terminal board 105 are connected so as to be output toward the input ports. In addition, the input port of the main control board 100 includes an operation switch such as the above-described start switch 41, each of the stop switches 43a to 43c, the cancel switch 44, a 15-position switch 75, an intake count switch 77, and an idling detection. A game ball detection switch such as the switch 78 is connected, and the main control board 100 checks these operation states every 2 ms and controls the game state according to the operation. The main control board 100 is also connected with a take-in motor 72 of the take-in device 50, a switching valve solenoid 92, a stopper solenoid 93, and the like. A control signal is output to the solenoid to activate it. That is, the intake control means, the return control means, and the discharge control means according to the present invention are configured by the main control board 100.

  Furthermore, a MAXBET switch 42 a and a single BET switch 42 b are connected to the main control board 100 via a take-in instruction board 107. When the BET switches 42a and 42b are pressed, the take-in instruction board 107 outputs a take-in instruction signal instructing to take in a predetermined number of game balls to the main control board 100 based on the operation. Based on the take-in instruction signal, the main control board 100 as take-in control means operates the take-in device 50. The take-in instruction board 107 immediately sends a take-in instruction signal instructing to take in 15 game balls to the main control board 100 when the MAXBET switch 42a is pressed. When the switch 42b is pressed, the take-in instruction signal is not output immediately, and the take-in instruction signal is output after 1000 ms has elapsed from the end of the operation. Here, when the operation is performed again within 1000 ms from the end of the operation, the number instructing the acquisition is changed from 1 to 2, and each time the operation is performed again within 1000 ms after such re-operation, When the number of game balls to be instructed is increased by one and no operation is performed for 1000 ms, an acquisition instruction signal is output to the main control board 100 so as to acquire the current number of game balls. Further, even when one BET switch is kept pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 200 ms) or more, the number of game balls instructing the take-in is gradually increased until it reaches 15. That is, the BET switches 42a and 42b and the take-in instruction board 107 can instruct to take in from one game ball (one bet number) to 15 and take-in number instruction means according to the present invention. Is constituted by the BET switches 42 a and 42 b and the take-in instruction board 107. Further, a BET instruction number display 57 is also connected to the take-in instruction board 107 so that the number of game balls instructing take-in is displayed for each operation of the BET switches 42a and 42b. .

  The payout control board 101 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the payout operation of the game ball x. The circuit board is connected to the payout device 31 and operates the payout device 31 in accordance with a command input from the main control board 100 to execute the payout of the rented or winning balls. Further, the payout control board 101 is connected to a card unit 11 which is an accessory device for reading and writing a prepaid card storing the number of rented balls via a CR connection board 104 that relays data processing of the prepaid card, The remaining ball data of the game ball x is exchanged. Further, the payout control board 101 is provided with a ball break switch for detecting the ball break in the ball tank 30 or at the back of the ball discharge port 18 so that the lower storage area 21 is filled with the game ball x. It is also connected to a full switch for detecting this.

  The display control board 102 is provided with a board circuit for performing stop control of the rotary drums 12a to 12c. The substrate circuit is connected to a drum motor that rotates each of the rotating drums 12 a to 12 c and a reference position sensor that detects the rotation angle of the rotating drums 12 a to 12 c, and the drum motor according to a command input from the main control substrate 100. The symbol F is displayed in a variable manner by rotating the rotary drums 12a to 12c, and the rotary drums 12a to 12c are stopped at the instructed rotation angles, and the symbol F is fixedly displayed. That is, the symbol control means according to the present invention includes the display control board 102 and the main control board 100. Further, the display control board 102 is connected to an auxiliary display 14 provided below the display window 23, and is also connected to a speaker via a sound control board 106 that controls output of sound effects and sounds.

  The lamp control board 103 is connected to a winning line lamp 24, various status display lamps 45 to 49 lamps, and a number-of-take-in-ball display 58, and displays various lamps according to commands input from the main control board 100. The player is notified of the gaming state by controlling the lighting mode of the device. The lamp control board 103 is also connected to effect decoration lamps provided at various locations on the front surface of the slot machine 1.

  The information terminal board 105 is for connection to the central management device 108 of the game island equipment, and information such as the number of winning balls and the number of jackpots sent from the main control board 100 and the payout control board 101 The data can be transmitted to the central management device 108 via this board.

  Next, a description will be given of a control process related to the taking-in of game balls in the rectifying passage 54 and the discharge / return of the game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage 60. These control processes are realized by five subroutines of an acquisition number setting process, an acquisition apparatus control process, a cancellation process, a game start process, and a winning determination process executed on the main control board 100. These subroutines are repeatedly executed on the main control board 100 from the end of the game to the start of the next game.

Before describing specific processing contents of each subroutine, main flags and variables stored in the storage device of the main control board and used for control will be briefly described.
The take-in instruction number P stores the number of game balls instructed to be taken into the take-in instruction signal input from the take-in instruction board 107 by operating the BET switches 42a and 42b. That is, when a take-in instruction signal is input, the take-in instruction number P takes any value from 1 to 15. The fetch setting number R stores the number of game balls to be taken in by a series of operations of the take-in device 50, and is determined based on the fetch instruction number P. The main control board 100 normally operates the take-in device 50 until the take-in device 50 takes in the game balls having the set take-in number R. The number of already taken-in balls Q stores the number of game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage 60 by the take-in device 50. When the take-in device 50 is activated, the number of taken-in game balls is added to start the game. For example, when the game ball x stopped in the temporary storage passage 60 flows out, Q = 0 is reset. In the present embodiment, since one gaming ball is used as one unit of betting number, the already-acquired number of balls Q also stores the betting number. The take-in count value S stores the number of game balls taken in by the continuous operation of the take-in device 50, and the main control board 100 takes in the take-in meter every time the take-in count switch 77 detects a game ball. The numerical value S is added one by one, and when the take-in count value S becomes equal to the take-in set number R, it is determined that a necessary number of game balls have been taken in, and the take-in device 50 is stopped. That is, the capture count value S stores the count value of the capture count means according to the present invention.

  The capture allowance flag is used to determine whether or not the capture instruction signal is valid, and is turned on when the capture instruction signal is validated and turned off when the capture instruction signal is invalidated. The take-in operation flag is used to determine whether or not the take-in device 50 is in operation. The take-in operation flag is turned on when the take-in device 50 is operating, and is turned off when the take-in device 50 is stopped. The start permission flag is turned on when the game can be started, and turned off when the game cannot be started. The MAX flag is used to determine whether or not the captured game balls have reached the upper limit of the betting number. When the total of the set number of captures R and the number of captured balls Q reaches 15, ON, and if it is less than 15, it is OFF. The start flag is used to determine whether or not the winning determination process should be performed. When the start switch 41 is operated when the operation of the start switch 41 is valid, the flag is turned on to start the game. A winning determination process for executing the game is executed. The cancel flag is used to determine whether or not the game ball in the temporary storage passage 60 is being returned to the lower storage area 21, and is turned ON when the switching device 51 is changing to the return state.

  In the acquisition number setting process, a process for starting the operation of the acquisition device 50 is performed in response to the operation of the BET switches 42a and 42b. When this process is started, first, as shown in FIG. 14, the state of the capture permission flag is determined. If it is OFF, the process ends because it is invalid even if a capture instruction signal is input. To do. When the take-in permission flag is ON, it is determined whether or not a take-in instruction signal has been input by operating the BET switch. If there is no take-in instruction, the take-in number setting process is terminated as it is, and if there is a take-in instruction, after the start permission flag is turned off so as to invalidate the operation of the start switch 41. Then, a series of processes for determining the set number of captures R is performed. In the determination of the take-in setting number R, first, the already taken-in ball number Q is referred to and it is determined whether or not the game ball x taken into the temporary storage passage 60 has already stopped. When the number of already taken balls Q is Q = 0, it is determined whether or not the number of fetch instructions P is the upper limit, that is, P = 15. If P <15, the set number of fetches R Is set to the value of the number P of fetch instructions. If P = 15, after setting R = 15 to the fetch setting number R, the max flag is turned ON. On the other hand, if the number of already fetched balls Q is Q> 0, it is determined whether the sum of the number of already fetched balls Q and the number of fetch instructions P exceeds the upper limit (15) of bets. If it is 15 or less, the current acquisition instruction number P is set to the acquisition setting number R as it is. When the total exceeds 15, the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of already-acquired balls Q from 15 is set to the set number R, and then the max flag is turned ON. Then, after the setting number R is determined, the capture operation flag indicating that the capture device 50 is in operation is set to ON so that the capture instruction signal is not accepted while the capture device 50 is in operation. After the take-in permission flag is turned off, the take-in device 50 is started to operate.

  In the capture device control process, processing for appropriately continuing and stopping the operation of the capture device 50 is performed in accordance with the number of captured balls and the number of remaining balls, and the main control of the capture control means according to the present invention. The portion is realized by the capture device control process and the capture number setting process. As shown in FIG. 15, at the beginning of the process, it is determined whether or not the capture device 50 is operating according to the state of the capture operation flag. If the capture operation flag is OFF, this subroutine is terminated. When the take-in device 50 is in operation (take-in operation flag ON), the state of the idling detection switch 78 is determined. If a game ball is present at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54 and the idling detection switch 78 is OFF, the state of the intake counting switch 77 is determined. If the intake counting switch 77 is OFF, a subroutine is executed. The operation of the capture device 50 is continued. On the other hand, when the capture count switch 77 is ON, after adding 1 to the capture count value S, it is determined whether the capture count value S is greater than or equal to the set capture number R. If S has not reached the set capture number R (S <R), the subroutine is terminated and the operation of the capture device 50 is continued. If the take-in count value S is greater than or equal to the take-in set number R, it is determined that the game ball has been taken in by the take-in set number R, the operation of the take-in device 50 is stopped, and the current take-in operation is performed. The number of game balls, that is, the taken-in count value S is added to the already taken-in ball number Q, and the take-in set number R is reset to R = 0. Then, after the take-in operation flag is turned off, the start permission flag is turned on so that the operation of the start switch 41 can be accepted. Further, it is determined whether or not the number of balls taken in is the upper limit depending on the state of the max flag. If the max flag is OFF, the take-in permission flag is turned on to enable further taking-in of game balls, and max If the flag is ON, the acquisition permission flag is set to OFF and no further acquisition is permitted.

  On the other hand, in the take-in device control process, while the take-in device 50 is operating (take-in operation flag ON), there is no game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54 and the idling detection switch 78 is turned on. In this case, since the game ball cannot be taken in, the position of the sprocket 71 is confirmed, and if it is the standby position w, the take-in device 50 is immediately stopped, and if it is not the standby position w, it rotates to the standby position w. The capture device 50 is stopped. Then, in order to be able to start the game with the number of game balls taken up to the present time as a bet number, the number of game balls taken in by this take-in operation (take-in count value S) is added to the number Q of already taken- After resetting the acquisition setting number R to R = 0, the acquisition operation flag is turned OFF, the start allowable flag is turned ON to enable the operation of the start switch 41, and finally the acquisition allowable flag is OFF. The additional capture instruction is invalidated, and the capture device control process is terminated. As described above, in this embodiment, when the game ball is depleted and the idling detection switch 78 is turned ON in the take-in operation, the take-in device 50 is quickly stopped without being used wastefully, The game can be started with the number of game balls as bets.

  The cancel process is a process for returning the game ball stopped in the temporary storage passage 60 to the lower storage area 21 in accordance with the operation of the cancel switch 44, and the return process according to the present invention is performed by the cancel process. A control means is realized. First, as shown in FIG. 16, at the beginning of the process, the value of the stopper release timer T at which the release time of the stopper 91 is set is determined. When the stopper release timer T is T> 0, the game ball x in the temporary storage passage 60 is being returned to the lower storage area 21 and the return state of the switching device 51 should be continued. Exit. When the stopper release timer T is T = 0, it is the case where the switching device 51 is in a steady state or should return from the return state to the steady state, and therefore the state determination of the cancel flag is performed next. When the cancel flag is ON, the main control board 100 stops the output of the operation signal to the switching valve solenoid 92 and the stopper solenoid 93, and switches the stopper 91 from the release position d to the blocking position c. Is moved from the return position a to the discharge position b, and the switching device 51 is returned from the return state to the steady state. On the other hand, if the cancel flag is OFF, it is determined whether or not the cancel switch 44 has been operated. If the cancel switch 44 has not been operated, the cancel process is terminated. When the cancel switch 44 is operated (cancel switch ON), after setting the cancel flag to ON, the acquisition permission flag is turned OFF so that a new acquisition instruction is not accepted and the start permission flag is turned OFF. Thus, the operation of the start switch 41 is invalidated. Subsequently, the stopper release timer T is set to t1. This t1 is a time sufficient to discharge the maximum (15) game balls that can be stopped in the temporary storage passage 60. Then, an operation signal is output to the switching valve solenoid 92 and the stopper solenoid 93, the switching valve 90 is moved to the return position a, the stopper 91 is moved to the release position d, and the switching device 51 is changed from the steady state to the return state. Thus, the game ball x in the temporary storage passage 60 is caused to flow into the collection passage 62. Further, the state of the take-in operation flag is determined, and when the take-in operation flag is ON (the take-in device 50 is operating), the operation of the take-in device 50 is stopped. That is, it is determined whether or not the sprocket 71 is at the standby position w. If the sprocket 71 is at the standby position w, the operation is performed immediately after the sprocket 71 is moved to the standby position w. Stop. Further, since the capture operation is stopped, the capture setting number R is reset to R = 0 and the capture operation flag is turned OFF. That is, the control mechanism in which the return control means according to the present invention stops the sprocket 71 in response to the return instruction is realized by such processing. Thus, according to the cancellation process, when a return instruction is made by operating the cancel switch 44, the switching device 51 is in a steady state regardless of the capture count value S even when the capture device is in operation. Thus, the game ball x stopped in the temporary storage passage 60 can be quickly flowed out into the collection passage 62, and the game ball can be taken in again quickly. Further, when the take-in device 50 is in operation, even before the take-in set number R of game balls are taken in, the sprocket 71 is set to the standby position w, and the take-in operation is terminated halfway. Later, extra game balls are not taken in.

  In the game start process, a process for starting a game is performed in response to the operation of the start switch 41, and the discharge control means according to the present invention is realized by such a process. First, as shown in FIG. 17, when the process is started, the state of the start permission flag is determined. When the process is OFF, the operation of the start switch 41 is invalid and the game start process is terminated. Even if the capture permission flag is ON, the game start process is also ended when the start switch 41 is OFF. When the start permission flag is ON and the start switch 41 is operated to turn ON, a series of processes for starting the game is performed. That is, the start flag is turned ON, and the variable value M is extracted from the winning determination counter. Then, after the take-in allowance flag and the start allowance flag are turned OFF, the stopper release timer T is set to T = t1. Finally, the stopper 91 is rotated to the release position d by the operation of the stopper solenoid 93, the switching device 51 is changed to the discharge state, and the game ball x stopped in the temporary storage passage 60 is taken out to the intake ball discharge path 61. Then, the game start process is terminated.

  In the winning determination process, a process for determining whether or not winning is possible in the game is performed with the start of the game. First, as shown in FIG. 18, the state determination of the start flag is performed. When the flag is OFF, the game is not started, and the winning determination process is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the start flag is ON, it is determined whether or not the variable value M extracted in the game start process is a predetermined bonus generation value. If it is a bonus generation value, the bonus flag is set to ON. To do. If it is not the bonus generation value, it is determined whether or not the variable value M is a predetermined small combination generation value. If the variable value M is equal to the small combination generation value, the small combination flag is set to ON. Set the flag to ON. Then, the start flag is turned OFF and the winning determination process is terminated. When the start switch 41 is operated and the winning determination is made, the rotating drums 12a to 12c are rotated and the game is started. These subroutines are not executed until the game ends. The state of the bonus flag or the like based on the determination result is used for state determination in stop control of the rotating drums 12a to 12c, prize ball payout control, various effects control, and the like.

Next, the game operation of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be briefly described.
In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, one game ball constitutes one unit of bet number, and the game is started after the game ball stored in the upper storage area 36 is inserted in units of bet number. In the game form of the present embodiment, the number of bets up to 15 units can be set for one game, and as described above, the game corresponding to the required bet number is obtained by operating the two BET switches 42a and 42b. An instruction to take in the ball x is given. When the rotary drums 12a to 12c are rotating, when 15 game balls are already taken in the temporary storage passage 60, or when there is no game ball in the rectifying passage 54, the take-in display lamp 45 is turned off. Therefore, even if each BET switch 42a, 42b is operated, the take-in device 50 does not operate.

  When at least one (one bet number) game ball is taken into the temporary storage passage 60 by the switch operation, the start display lamp 47 is turned on. When the start switch 41 is pushed down when the start display lamp 47 is lit, the rotating drums 12a to 12c start to rotate and the symbol F is displayed in a variable manner. When the stop switches 43a to 43c are pressed during the change display, the main control board 100 determines the stop mode of the symbol F based on the operation timing and the state of a flag such as a bonus flag. Each drum motor is stopped so as to be in a stop mode. When the rotary drums 12a to 12c are stopped and the symbols F displayed on the winning line are arranged in a predetermined combination, the winning combination is made and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out from the payout device 31. Or a bonus game or the like advantageous to the player is executed. Note that the stop control mechanism of the rotary drums 12a to 12c executed by the main control board 100 and the game contents such as the bonus game can be the same as those of a known slot machine.

  In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the display window 23 is provided with an upper line, a middle line, a lower line, a right shoulder line, and a left shoulder line as shown in FIG. These lines are set as winning lines according to the number of bets. On the other hand, unlike the ordinary slot machine, this embodiment does not allow a game with one to three bets, but one game ball is one unit and one bet (one game ball 1). Any number from 15) to 15 bets (15 game balls) can be played. Therefore, unlike the existing slot machine, a winning line and a payout are not set for three bets, but in this embodiment, a payline and a payout corresponding to 15 bets are set. . In the following, the winning line and payout pattern with respect to the number of bets will be described.

  When the number of bets is 1 to 5 units, only the middle line is the winning line. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, in the case of such bets, the bonus winning probability value is 1/1200, the small role A winning probability value is 1/18, and the small role B winning probability value is 1/3000. And a flag related to the occurrence of a prize is turned on based on the probability. Then, when winning is achieved and the predetermined winning symbol arrangement is aligned with the middle line, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets is paid out. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, if the bet amount is 5 units and the full payout (1.0 times), the bet amount is 1 unit, 0.2 times, the bet amount is 2 units, 0.4 times, When the bet number is 3 units, the payout is 0.6 times, and when the bet number is 4 units, the payout is 0.8 times. Specifically, in the case of 5 bets, 10 game balls are paid out by double payout and 75 game balls are paid out by 15 times payout, whereas in the case of 1 bet number, it is 0.2 times. Therefore, two game balls are paid out by double payout, and 15 game balls are paid out by paying 15 times.

  When the bet number is 6 to 10 units, as shown in FIG. 18, the upper, middle and lower lines are three pay lines, and each win probability value is also higher than the case where the bet number is 1 to 5 units. As shown in FIG. 20, the payout in this case is paid out in a full payout (1.0 times) regardless of the number of bets when a predetermined winning symbol arrangement is arranged on the middle line. On the other hand, when the predetermined winning symbol arrangement is aligned on the upper line and the lower line, the payout is 0.2 times as the bet number increases from 6 units to 10 units, as in the case of 1 to 5 bets. It increases to -1.0 times (full dividend). Further, when the bet amount is 11 to 15 units, as shown in FIG. 18, in addition to the upper, middle and lower stages, the right shoulder descending line and the left descending line are also winning lines, and each winning probability value is This is even higher than in the case of 6 to 10 bets. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, in such a case, when the winning symbol arrangement is aligned on any of the upper, middle and lower winning lines, the full payout (1.0 times) is paid regardless of the number of bets. When the winning symbol arrangement is aligned on the right-sloping line or the left-sloping line, the payout becomes 0 as the bet number increases from 11 to 15 as in the case of 1 to 5 bets. .2 times to 1.0 times (full dividend).

  Further, in this embodiment, when the number of bets is 6 to 15 units, a value is extracted from a counter of 16 frames from 0 to 15 to determine which winning line the winning symbol array is to be displayed when winning. The extraction value is determined according to where in the table shown in FIG. Specifically, when the bet amount is 6 units and the extracted value is 0 to 7, the winning symbol array is fixedly displayed on the middle line, the full payout is paid out, and the extracted value is 8 to 11 If the extracted value is 12-15, the winning symbol arrangement is confirmed and displayed on the lower line, and a payout of 0.2 times the full payout is paid out. Further, as shown in the right side of FIG. 22, the number of bets increases in each case where there are three pay lines (6 to 10 bets) and five pay lines (11 to 15 bets). As the winning symbols are arranged, there is a higher probability that the full payout will be paid out, and the larger the number of bets, the more advantageous the situation becomes.

Next, a game ball taking-in operation by the taking-in device 50 will be described.
When the operation of the BET switches 42a and 42b is valid, when the switches 42a and 42b are pressed, an acquisition instruction signal is output from the acquisition instruction board 107 to the main control board 100,
With this signal as a trigger, a pulse signal is sent from the main control board 100 to the take-in motor 72. The take-in motor 72 has a step angle of 7.5 ° and rotates the sprocket 71 clockwise in front view according to the number of received pulse signals. As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the take-in device 50 has a standby position w at a position facing one of the locking portions 73 of the sprocket 71 and the take-in port 66. It is controlled to always stop at the standby position. For this reason, when the take-in motor 72 is stopped, the game ball x in the rectifying passage 54 is locked by the locking portion 73 at the downstream end position. Then, when a pulse signal is sent from the main control board 100 while the take-in motor 72 is stopped, and the take-in motor 72 rotates the sprocket 71 60 degrees clockwise from the steady state, FIG. As shown in (c), the ball receiving recess 70 faces the intake port 66, and one game ball x in the rectifying passage 54 is accommodated in the ball receiving recess 70. When the sprocket is further rotated by 60 °, as shown in FIGS. 9C to 9E, another locking portion 73 faces the outlet of the rectifying passage 54 and becomes the standby position w again. The ball receiving recess 70 containing x is opposed to the entrance of the temporary storage passage 60 on the right side, and the game ball x received in the ball receiving recess 70 is detected by the take-in counting switch 77 and is taken as the take-in count value S. After being counted by the main control board 100, it is stored in the temporary storage passage 60 until the start switch 41 or the cancel switch 44 is operated.

  As described above, the take-in device 50 according to this embodiment rotates one sprocket 71 from the standby position w by 120 ° in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front, thereby collecting one game ball x located at the downstream end of the rectifying passage 54. The game ball x is accommodated in the receiving recess 70, and the game ball x is discharged to the temporary storage passage 60 while the subsequent flow of the game ball x is blocked by the locking portion 73. Therefore, for example, when the set number of captures R is n (pieces), the capture motor 72 operates until the sprocket 71 rotates n × 120 ° clockwise as viewed from the front, and n games from the rectifying passage 54. The sphere is taken in and sent to the temporary storage passage 60. In this embodiment, even if the take-in counting switch 77 detects the game ball x other than during the operation of the take-in motor 72 (during the take-in operation), the main control board 100 has taken in the game ball x. It is not counted as a game ball and is invalid.

  Next, an example of the manner in which game balls are taken in, discharged, and returned, which are executed in accordance with the operation of the BET switches 42a and 42b, the start switch 41, and the cancel switch 44, will be described in detail. FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing normal take-in operation and game start. In this timing chart, when the BET switches 42a and 42b are operated effectively and there is no game ball in the temporary storage passage 60, the MAXBET switch 42a is operated, and the MAXBET switch 42a is turned ON. A take-in instruction signal for instructing take-in of 15 game balls is input from the take-in instruction board 107 to the main control board 100. Then, as described above, the main control board 100 sets the set number of captures R to 15, transmits a pulse signal to the capture motor 72, and rotates the sprocket 71. Thereby, the game balls are taken one by one from the rectifying passage 54 into the temporary storage passage 60, and each time the take-in counting switch 77 is turned ON, the main control board 100 determines the take-in count value S based on this. Add values one by one. In this state, since the switching device 51 is in a steady state, the taken game ball x is stored in the temporary storage passage 60 as shown in FIG. When 15 game balls x are taken in from the rectifying passage 54 and the take-in count value S becomes equal to the take-in set number R, the main control board 100 stops the take-in motor 72 and the number of already taken-in balls. Q is changed from 0 to 15, the number of bets is set to 15, and the start display lamp 47 is turned on, and the game can be started by operating the start switch 41. When the start switch 41 is operated, the stopper 91 is rotated from the blocking position c to the release position d, and the switching device 51 is changed to the discharge state. As shown in FIG. The 15 game balls stored in 60 flow out to the take-in ball discharge path 61 and are returned from the back side of the slot machine 1 to the ball collection facility on the game island. At the same time, the drum motor is driven to start the rotation of the rotating drums 12a to 12c, and the symbol F is displayed in a variable manner.

  FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing how the game ball is returned when the cancel switch 44 is operated while the take-in device 50 is in operation. In such a case, as in the timing chart of FIG. 24, the operation of the BET switches 42a and 42b is effective, and the MAXBET switch 42a is operated in a state where no game balls are stored in the temporary storage passage 60. The insertion device 50 is activated, and the game ball x is taken into the temporary storage passage 60 from the rectifying passage 54. Here, in such a case, the cancel switch 44 is operated and the cancel switch 44 is turned ON before 15 game balls are captured by the capture device 50. Then, the switching valve 90 is immediately moved to the return position a and the stopper 91 is immediately moved to the release position d, the switching device 51 is returned to the return state, and the game ball x already taken into the temporary storage passage 60 is shown in FIG. ), It flows into the collection passage 62 and is returned to the lower storage area 21. Further, when the cancel switch 44 is turned ON, the take-in device 50 rotates the sprocket 71 to the standby position w, and releases the sixth game ball x received in the ball receiving recess 70 to the temporary storage passage 60. Then stop its operation.

  Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a return instruction is given by operating the cancel switch 44, the switching device 51 immediately changes to the return state even if the capture device 50 is in operation. Since the game balls flow out from the temporary storage passage 60 to the collection passage 62, the outflow of game balls from the temporary storage passage 60 can be completed quickly. Therefore, the switching device 51 can be returned to the steady state, and the capture can be resumed promptly. When a return instruction is given, the take-in device 50 is also stopped at the standby position w before the take-in of 15 game balls is completed. For this reason, it is only necessary to return 6 game balls instead of 15 to the lower storage area 21, and return of the game balls can be completed in a shorter period of time, and extra game balls x are allowed to flow out of the upper storage area 36. There is nothing.

  FIG. 26 is a timing chart showing an operation mode in the case where the number of game balls aligned in the rectifying passage 54 is less than the set number of captures R. Even in such a case, the MAXBET switch 42a is operated in a state where there is no game ball in the temporary storage passage 60, the set number of acquisitions R is set to 15, the acquisition device 50 operates, and the temporary rectification passage 54 temporarily The game ball x is taken into the storage passage 60. Here, at the time of starting the take-in, only five game balls are aligned in the rectifying passage 54, and when the take-in device 50 takes in five game balls x, the downstream end portion of the rectifying passage 54 The game ball no longer exists at the position, and the idling detection switch 78 is turned ON. As a result, the main control board 100 detects the depletion of the game balls, stops the take-in device 50 with the sprocket 71 as the standby position w, and terminates the take-in operation halfway when the five game balls are taken in. Then, the number of balls already taken in Q is changed to five already taken in, and the start display lamp 47 is lit, and the operation of the start switch 41 becomes effective. When an instruction to start changing the symbol is made by operating the start switch 41, the stopper 91 is rotated to the release position d, the switching device 51 is changed to the discharge state, and the five stored in the temporary storage passage 60 are stored. The game balls are discharged to the game island, and the rotating drums 12a to 12c are rotated to start the game with a unit of 5 bets.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even when the game balls are exhausted and the set number of game balls R cannot be taken in during the take-in operation, an error does not occur and Since the number of already played game balls is set as the number of bets, the game can be flexibly started according to the number of remaining balls. In particular, the depletion of game balls is detected by the idling detection switch 78, and the take-in device 50 immediately stops and the bet number is determined, so that the game can be started immediately.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of the said Example, It can change suitably within the range of the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the capture device 50 is configured by the sprocket 71 and the capture motor 72, but the configuration of the capture device 50 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. For example, it is possible to suitably use a configuration of a known capture device such as using a solenoid instead of the capture motor 72. Further, the rectifying passage 54 for allowing the game ball to flow down from the upper storage area 36 to the take-in device 50 is provided in the upper plate member 8 and opened upward, but may be shielded from above, Instead of the member 8, it may be configured by a flange member and provided on the back side of the open / close panel 7. In the embodiment, the player instructs to take in the game ball by operating the MAX BET switch 42a and the single BET switch 42b. However, the game ball 5 is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. It is also possible to provide five BET switches or the like for instructing individual take-in, and the method for instructing take-in can be variously changed.

Further, in the embodiment, when the game balls in the temporary storage passage 60 are caused to flow into the collection passage 62, the time for releasing the stopper 91 is the upper limit (15 pieces) of game balls stored in the temporary storage passage 60. Although it is fixed at the time t1 that can be allowed to flow down, for example, when the time taken according to the number of already taken balls Q is set and the number of already taken balls Q is small and the game balls flow out quickly, the stopper 91 is released. If the time is shortened, the game ball can be taken in again quickly. In addition, a game ball detection switch is provided near the entrance of the collection passage 62, the game balls flowing in from the temporary storage passage 60 are counted, and the stopper 91 is returned to the blocking position c when all flow in. Time to restart can be shortened. The switching device 51 is not limited to the configuration including the stopper 91 and the switching valve 90 as described above, and a known configuration of the switching device can also be used.
For example, at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage, there are three selections: a blocking position for holding the game ball, a discharge position for allowing the game ball to flow down to the intake ball discharge path side, and a return position for flowing down to the collection path side A switching member that can be held by the ball can be provided, or a sprocket for ball feeding is arranged at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage, and the ball intake passage and the collection passage are different depending on the rotation direction. A game ball may be sent to any of the above. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the game ball taken into the temporary storage passage 60 is stopped until the start switch 41 or the cancel switch 44 is operated. When the switch is not operated, it is also possible to cause the stopped game ball to flow down to the intake ball discharge path 61 or the collection path 62.

2 is a front view of the slot machine 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the slot machine 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the slot machine 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the open / close panel 7 and the upper plate member 8. FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the open / close panel 7. It is a schematic front view which expands and shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the rectification | straightening channel | path 54, the sprocket 71, the temporary storage channel | path 60, etc. FIG. It is a sectional side view which expands and shows the arrangement | positioning relationship of the intake device 50, the rectification | straightening channel | path 54, the ball extraction channel | path 63, etc. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning relationships, such as the intake device 50, the rectification | straightening channel | path 54, the temporary storage channel | path 60, the ball extraction channel | path 63. It is explanatory drawing (i)-(e) which shows the action | operation of the taking-in apparatus 50. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation | variation aspect of the switching apparatus 51 by opening the temporary storage passages 60 grade | etc., (A) shows the steady state of the switching apparatus 51, (b) shows a discharge state, (c) shows a return state. . FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a positional relationship among a ball removal operation member 65, an opening / closing member 81, and a connecting member 83. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position conversion of the opening-and-closing member 81 accompanying operation of the ball extraction operation member 65, (a) shows the state which open | releases the ball extraction port 80, (b) shows the state which obstruct | occludes the ball extraction port 80. . It is a block circuit diagram which shows the control circuit which controls a game. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of acquisition number setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of taking-in apparatus control processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of cancellation processing. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a game start process. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a winning determination process. It is a chart which shows the number of winning lines according to the number of bets and various winning probability values. It is a chart which shows the dividend rate and the number of payouts when the number of bets is 1 to 5 units. It is a graph which shows the payout ratio in case the number of bets is 6-10 units. It is a graph which shows the payout ratio in case a bet number is 11-15 units. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the capture device 50 and the switching device 51. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the capture device 50 and the switching device 51. 6 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the capture device 50 and the switching device 51.

Explanation of symbols

1 Slot machine 10 Drum unit (design display device)
21 Lower storage area 36 Upper storage area 41 Start switch (start instruction means)
42a MAXBET switch 42b 1 BET switch 44 Cancel switch (return instruction means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Taking-in apparatus 51 Switching apparatus 54 Rectification passage 60 Temporary storage passage 61 Taking-in ball discharge path 62 Collection | recovery passage 70 Ball receiving recessed part 71 Sprocket 72 Taking-in motor (electric drive device)
77 Acquisition counting switch 78 Idling detection switch (idling detection means)
90 Switching Valve 91 Stopper 92 Switching Valve Solenoid 93 Stopper Solenoid x Game Ball w Standby Position a Return Position b Discharge Position c Blocking Position d Release Position P Number of Capture Instructions Q Number of Captured Balls R Number of Capture Settings S Capture Meter Numeric

Claims (4)

A symbol display device for fixedly displaying a plurality of symbols after the variable display;
An upper storage area for storing game balls for input;
A lower storage area provided below the upper storage area;
A rectifying passage in which game balls flow in from the upper storage area and are aligned;
A take-in device for taking game balls one by one from the downstream end of the rectifying passage;
A temporary storage passage into which game balls taken in by the take-in device flow, and
Taking-in counting means for counting game balls taken in by the taking-in device;
A collection passage for flowing the game ball from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage to the lower storage region;
A take-in ball discharge path for allowing the game ball to flow downward from the downstream end of the temporary storage passage; and
Provided downstream of the temporary storage passage, the game ball in the temporary storage passage is in a steady state where it cannot flow down from the temporary storage passage, in a return state in which it can only flow into the collection passage, and in the intake ball discharge passage A switching device that fluctuates to a discharge state that allows only inflow,
A number-of-instructions instruction means for a player to instruct to take in game balls corresponding to the required number of bets;
A take-in control that determines the take-in set number based on a take-in instruction from the player and continuously operates the take-in device until the take-in counting means counts the same number of game balls as the take-in set number. Means,
A return instruction means for the player to instruct the return of the game ball stopped in the temporary storage passage;
Based on the return instruction from the player, the return control means for changing the switching device from the steady state to the return state, and causing all the game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage to flow into the collection passage,
A start instructing means for the player to instruct the symbol start of the symbol display device;
Based on the change start instruction from the player, the discharge control means for changing the switching device from the steady state to the discharge state, and causing all the game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage to flow into the intake ball discharge path,
A slot machine that uses a game ball for a pachinko machine as a game medium, with a symbol control means for starting variation of the symbol of the symbol display device based on a variation start instruction from a player,
Return control means
If the player gives a return instruction during the operation of the capture device, the switching device is changed from the steady state to the return state even if the count value of the capture counting means is less than the set number of captures. A slot machine characterized by that. The capture device is
There is a ball receiving recess that can accommodate one game ball in the periphery, and the ball receiving recess is opposed to the downstream end of the rectifying passage, and the ball receiving recess is opposed to the inlet of the temporary storage passage. It is composed of a rotatable sprocket and an electric drive device for rotating the sprocket,
The capture control means
After determining the set number of take-in based on the take-in instruction from the player, the electric drive device is operated to rotate the sprocket from a predetermined standby position, and from the downstream end of the rectifying passage to the ball receiving recess Alternately storing the game ball and releasing the game ball in the ball receiving recess into the temporary storage passage, and when the count value of the capture counting means becomes equal to the set number of capture, the sprocket is stopped at the standby position,
In addition, if the player gives a return instruction while the sprocket is rotating, the sprocket is immediately stopped at the standby position even if the count value of the capture counting means is less than the set capture number. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein there is a slot machine. A slot machine that uses one game ball as one unit of bet,
An idle rotation detecting means for detecting whether or not there is a game ball at the downstream end of the rectifying passage is provided, and if the idle rotation detection means detects that there is no game ball during operation of the take-in device, the intake counting means Even if the count value is less than the set number of captures, the capture control means stops the operation of the capture device, and the number of game balls stopped in the temporary storage passage is used as a wager number according to a change start instruction from the player. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the symbol of the symbol display device can be changed. Switching device is
A switch that is movably provided at the downstream end of the temporary storage passage and is selectively held between a return position for allowing the game balls in the temporary storage passage to flow into the collection passage and a discharge position for flowing into the intake ball discharge passage. A valve,
A stopper that is selectively held at a blocking position that protrudes into the temporary storage passage and prevents the game ball from flowing down upstream of the switching valve and a release position that retreats from the temporary storage passage and allows the game ball to flow down. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slot machine is provided.

Images