JP2006158504A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine with high reliability, capable of immediately restoring a once taken-in game ball to the state before a request for setting the number of betting by simple control when the number of betting is canceled or the setting is changed, and securing the authenticity of the restoration operation. <P>SOLUTION: Movable holding pieces 50a-50c in which game balls x are stored in the number to be used for one bet can be moved from a game ball standby area C, which is a part of an upper storage area A, to a game ball take-in area D. If the operation is normal, game balls in a prescribed movable holding piece 50a-50c in the game ball take-in area D are discharged to a discharge passage 33, which is a taken-in ball passage, according to the pressing operation of a start switch 41. If a request for canceling the number of betting is made, the prescribed movable holding piece 50a-50c is restored to the game standby area C so that the original game balls taken in by the previously setting of the number of betting are returned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  A slot machine has been proposed in which a game ball for a pachinko machine is used as a game medium instead of a medal that is normally used as a game medium. By providing such a slot machine together with a pachinko machine in a game hall, it is possible to play both the pachinko machine and the slot machine with a single type of game medium, thereby improving the convenience of the player. it can. In addition, since the ball supply / collection device for the pachinko machine can be used by attaching it to the game island for the pachinko machine, the equipment cost of the game machine, the management cost of the game medium, and the like can be reduced.

  Such a slot machine generally includes an alignment passage for causing the game balls stored in the upper storage tray on the front surface of the gaming machine to flow in an aligned manner, and a take-in device for taking the game balls flowing down from the alignment passage into the gaming machine, A discharge passage for discharging the game ball taken into the game machine to the ball collection device side of the game island. First, based on the player's bet number setting request, a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the bet number are taken into the gaming machine from the alignment passage by the take-in device, and then the bet number is set. Based on the game start request, a plurality of rotating reels pivotally supported in the left-right direction in the gaming machine start rotating, and a plurality of symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the rotating reels are displayed in a variable manner on the display window on the front of the gaming machine. Is done. Furthermore, when a predetermined winning symbol arrangement is fixedly displayed on the winning line of the display window after such a variation display of symbols, a specified number of gaming balls are paid out to the player side as winning balls (Patent Document 1). Thru | or patent document 3).

  By the way, in the slot machine, the game balls taken into the gaming machine due to the player's betting number setting request flow down the discharge passage and are immediately discharged to the ball collecting device side of the gaming island. It cannot be returned to the player. For this reason, once a player sets a bet number, the player cannot cancel the game by canceling the bet number, or cannot change the setting to a small bet number, and does not start the game with an unintentional bet number. I can't take it. Therefore, in such a configuration, the player is liable to lose interest in the game and suffers an economic loss.

  In order to solve this problem, a slot machine described in Patent Document 4 has been proposed. Such a slot machine has a take-in passage for temporarily stopping the game balls taken in by the take-in device in an aligned manner on the downstream side of the take-in device, and a game ball stopped in the take-in passage. A discharge device for discharging to the downstream side, a discharge passage for discharging game balls to the ball collection device side of the game island, a return passage for discharging game balls to the lower storage tray on the front of the gaming machine, and a game discharged by the discharge device And a switching device that switches the destination of the sphere to either the discharge passage or the return passage. First, based on the player's bet number setting request, a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the bet number are taken into the take-in passage from the alignment passage by the take-in device, and the game balls are placed in the take-in passage. In this way, the number of bets is set and the game can be started. In this state where the game can be started, when a player makes a game start request, the switching device switches the flow destination of the game ball discharged from the discharge device to the discharge passage, and the game ball in the intake passage is moved by the discharge device. The ball is discharged to the ball collection device side of the game island, and a plurality of rotating reels start rotating, and the symbols are displayed in a variable manner on the display window. On the other hand, when a player makes a bet number change request from a large bet number once set to a small bet number in a state where the game can be started, the switching device first returns the flow destination of the game balls discharged from the discharge device to the return path All the game balls in the take-in passage are discharged to the lower storage tray by the discharge device, and then a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to a small number of bets are taken into the take-in passage by the take-in device. Thus, the small number of bets is set. With this configuration, the player can change the setting to the desired number of bets and start the game, thereby avoiding a decrease in interest in the game and economic loss.

Japanese Patent No. 2704255 JP 2002-143389 A JP 2004-202225 A JP 2003-102916 A

  As described above, the slot machine described in Patent Document 4 is configured to be able to change the betting number setting. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary for the gaming machine to sequentially operate the switching device, the discharging device, and the taking-in device to return and retake the game ball by changing the bet number setting, It takes a considerable amount of time from when a bet number change request is made until a game can be started with the changed bet number. Therefore, in such a slot machine, the player is prevented from smoothly playing the game due to the betting number change request and loses interest in the game.

  Further, in such a configuration, based on the player's bet number change request, the game balls taken from the upper storage tray into the intake passage in the previous bet number setting are returned to the lower storage tray, and the upper Since the game balls are taken in again from the storage tray, the game balls in the upper storage tray are reduced even though the player is not actually playing a game. For this reason, the player may need to lift the game balls from the lower storage tray to the upper storage tray, and when the game balls stored in the upper storage tray are extremely small, The game ball cannot be retaken, and the number of bets cannot be changed.

  Further, in such a configuration, a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets are taken into the take-in passage inside the invisible gaming machine from the alignment passage by the take-in device, and this is changed by changing the setting of the bet number. Since it is returned to the lower storage tray, the player cannot confirm whether or not a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets has actually been returned, and authenticity cannot be ensured. In addition, a means for counting the number of game balls taken in by the game ball take-in operation and clearing based on the counted value is conceivable, but in this case, the actual game ball is not returned. The question of authenticity will not be resolved.

  Further, in the slot machine, in order to be able to change the setting of the betting number, it is necessary to provide a switching device for switching the flow destination of the game ball discharged from the discharging device on the downstream side of the discharging device, As a result, the manufacturing cost increases, and complicated control is required when changing the setting of the number of bets, and malfunctions are likely to occur.

  The present invention was invented in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. When a bet number cancellation request is made, the game ball once taken into the gaming machine by simple control before the bet number setting request is made. It is possible to quickly return to the state, thereby enabling the player to change the bet number quickly and to propose a highly reliable slot machine in which authenticity is ensured in the restoration operation of the game ball. It is.

  The present invention uses a game ball for a pachinko machine as a game medium, and starts rotating a bet switch for setting a bet number per game and a plurality of rotary reels pivotally supported in the left-right direction in the game machine. Is stored in the upper storage area, the upper storage area for storing the game balls for taking in, the lower storage area for storing excess game balls, A cancel switch for canceling a set bet number in a slot machine comprising a take-in device for taking a game ball into a game machine, a discharge passage for discharging the taken game ball, and a game control means for operating the take-in device; A part of the upper storage area, where a predetermined number of game balls before being loaded are aligned and stopped, and the game ball standby area are juxtaposed with the game ball standby area, with the downstream end in contact with the discharge passage. The game ball capture area where a predetermined number of game balls after the completion of the capture are aligned and stopped, and the number of game balls used per bet are aligned and accommodated, and in the game ball standby area, the alignment direction is mutually A discharge device comprising a number of movable holding pieces corresponding to the maximum number of bets, a movable movable opening / closing plate for opening / closing the inlet of the discharge passage, and a drive source for the movable open / close plate. And the take-in device comprises a moving device that moves each movable holding piece between the game ball standby area and the game ball take-in area, and the game control means outputs an operation signal for the bet switch. Based on this, the movable holding piece moves from the game ball standby area to the game ball take-in area, and the number of game balls used per bet accommodated in the movable holding piece is taken in from the pre-take-in state. Game ball take-in control to drive the mobile device to be in a state and Based on the operation signal of the start switch, the discharge movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the discharge passage to connect the game ball intake area and the discharge passage, and is accommodated in the movable holding piece in the game ball intake area. The movable holding piece moves from the game ball take-in area to the game ball standby area based on the game ball discharge control that drives the discharge device so that the game ball that is flowing down the discharge passage and the operation signal of the cancel switch, The content of the control is taken-in cancellation control for driving the moving device so that the number of game balls used per bet accommodated in the movable holding piece returns from the taken-in state to the pre-take-in state. There is a slot machine (claim 1).

  In this configuration, the game balls thrown into the upper storage area are stored in an aligned manner in the number of used balls per bet on each movable holding piece in the game ball standby area that forms part of the upper storage area. The When the player operates the bet switch to make a bet number setting request, the number of movable holding pieces corresponding to the bet number moves to the game ball take-in area in a state where the game balls are accommodated by the moving device. As a result, the number of game balls used per bet is taken in, the bet number is set, and the game can be started. When the game can be started and the player operates the start switch to make a game start request, the exit of the discharge passage is opened by the discharge device, and the game in the capture completed state is stopped in the game ball capture area. As the ball flows into the discharge passage, the plurality of rotary reels start to rotate, and the game is started. On the other hand, when the player can start the game, if the player operates the cancel switch to make a bet number cancellation request, the movable holding in which the game ball in the game ball capture area is accommodated in the game ball capture area The piece is moved to the game ball standby area by the moving device, whereby the game ball captured in the previous bet number setting is returned and the bet number is canceled. Therefore, in such a configuration, based on the player's bet number cancellation request, the original game ball taken from the game ball standby area to the game ball capture area in the previous bet number setting is the game ball standby. Since the game ball is immediately returned by returning to the current state by returning to the area, the player can quickly change the bet number setting without reducing the game ball in the upper storage area. It is. Furthermore, in such a configuration, when the setting of the bet number is changed, since the game ball does not newly flow into the game ball standby area, the player has returned the original game ball. It is possible to confirm that. Here, the movable holding pieces are arranged in series with each other in the game ball waiting area when the number of bets is not set. In addition, the game balls that flow into the game ball standby area are stored in alignment with the movable holding pieces and are stopped in the game ball standby area, and cannot flow into the game ball standby area without the movable hold pieces. It is.

  Here, a return switch that returns the game balls stored in the upper storage area to the lower storage area, a return path that connects to the downstream end of the game ball standby area and returns the game balls before taking in, and a return path And a return device having a return movable opening and closing plate for opening and closing the entrance and a drive source of the movable opening and closing plate, and the game control means operates the return device, based on the operation signal of the return switch The return movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the return passage, and the game ball standby area in which all the movable holding pieces are aligned in series and the return path are communicated and stored in the upper storage area. A configuration (claim 2) is proposed in which game ball return control for driving the return device so that the game ball flows down to the return passage is the control content.

  In such a configuration, since the return passage is connected to the downstream end of the game ball standby area, the player can move and hold the game ball standby area by operating the return switch to make a return request. All of the game balls stored in the upper storage area, including the game balls that have been received and stopped before being taken in, and the game balls that have been returned to the game ball standby area based on the operation signal of the cancel switch It can be returned to the storage area.

  Further, in the slot machine, the game control means first sets a moving device so that all the movable holding pieces in the game ball take-in area move to the game ball standby area based on the operation signal of the return switch. Next, the return movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the return passage, and the game ball standby area where all the movable holding pieces are aligned in series and the return path are communicated, and stored in the upper storage area. A configuration (claim 3) is proposed in which the game ball return control for driving the return device so that the game ball being flowed down the return passage is the control content.

  In the slot machine of the present invention, since the game balls cannot flow into the game ball waiting area where the movable holding pieces are not aligned, the number of bets is set and the number of movable balls corresponding to the number of bets is set. If the holding piece is located in the game ball take-in area, before making a return request, the player first operates the cancel switch to make a bet number cancellation request and is placed in the game ball take-in area. It is necessary to return the movable holding piece to the game ball standby area. However, in this configuration, when the player makes a return request by operating the return switch after setting the number of bets, first, all the movable holding pieces in the game ball take-in area are moved to the game ball standby area. Thus, even if the number of bets is set, the player can return all the game balls stored in the game ball take-in area and the upper storage area only by operating the return switch. This can be done quickly.

  In the slot machine, the discharge passage and the return passage are arranged so that the entrance of the discharge passage and the entrance of the return passage are adjacent to each other, and the discharge movable opening / closing plate is used as the discharge device and the return device. And the return movable opening / closing plate so as to cross both the outlets of the discharge passage and the return passage, and on the condition that the movable holding piece is in the game ball take-in area, On the condition that the entrance is opened and the movable holding piece is in the game ball waiting area, it is proposed to constitute a movable opening / closing plate that opens both entrances by an operation signal of the return switch.

  In the slot machine of the present invention, the game ball take-in area whose downstream end portion is connected to the discharge passage is juxtaposed with the game ball standby area whose downstream end portion is connected to the return passage, and the entrance of the discharge passage It is possible to arrange the discharge passage and the return passage so that the inlet of the return passage is adjacent to the return passage. Therefore, as such a configuration, the discharge movable opening and closing plate and the return movable opening and closing plate are constituted by one movable opening and closing plate that operates so as to cross both the inlets of the discharge passage and the return passage, and the discharge device and the return device By using both, the movable opening / closing plate and the drive source are reduced one by one, and the configuration of the slot machine can be simplified.

  Further, in the above slot machine, a transparent protective plate is disposed on the upper part of the game ball taking-in area, and the game ball taking-in area is covered by the protective plate so as to be visible from the player side ( Claim 5) is proposed.

  In such a configuration, the player can visually recognize the game ball take-in area, so that the player can play the game while confirming the number of game balls actually taken in by setting the bet number.

  In the slot machine, a configuration is provided in which the movable holding piece is provided with means for detecting the number of game balls to be accommodated (claim 6).

  In the present invention, the game ball is always accommodated in the movable holding piece before and after taking-in, and thus, by adopting such a configuration, it is only necessary to provide one detection means, and each before and after taking-in. It becomes possible to detect the number of game balls.

  In the slot machine of the present invention, the movable holding piece containing the number of game balls used per bet moves from the game ball standby area to the game ball take-in area, thereby completing the take-in of the game balls. The bet number is canceled by moving the movable holding piece from the game ball taking-in area to the game ball waiting area. Therefore, even if the player sets an unintentional bet number by mistake, the player issues a bet number cancellation request with the cancel switch, and then makes a bet number setting request again with the bet switch. You can cancel and change the setting to the desired number of bets. In addition, since the setting or cancellation of the bet number is completed quickly only by moving the movable holding piece as described above, the player can proceed with the game even when changing the bet number setting. All gaming operations can be performed continuously without interruption. In the present invention, since the game balls are not reduced from the upper storage area due to the setting change of the betting number, even when the remaining game balls in the upper storage area are small, the player holds the game balls in the lower storage area. It is possible to change the setting of the number of bets any number of times without lifting. Further, in the present invention, when a bet number cancellation request is made, the movable holding piece returns to the game ball standby area and returns to the state before making the bet number setting request, thereby Since the game ball is returned, the authenticity of the game ball return is guaranteed, and the player can confirm the return and re-uptake of the original ball. As a result, the reliability of the slot machine is improved, and the player can be more enthusiastic and entertained.

  In this configuration, the game balls stored in the upper storage area can be returned from the downstream end of the game ball standby area to the lower storage area (Claim 2), so that the game balls can be held in the game ball standby area. All of the game balls stored in the upper storage area, including the game balls before being taken in and held in one piece, and the game balls returned to the game ball standby area by canceling the number of bets are placed in the lower storage area. Can be returned. Further, in the conventional slot machine, in order to return all the game balls thrown into the gaming machine to the lower storage tray, it is necessary to include a plurality of return passages and the switching device described above. Since all the game balls can be returned only by providing one return passage connected to the storage area, it is possible to greatly reduce the cost burden.

  Further, the game control means first drives the moving device so that all the movable holding pieces in the game ball take-in area move to the game ball standby area based on the operation signal of the return switch, By configuring the game ball return control to drive the return device so that the game balls stored in the upper storage area flow down the return passage (claim 3), Even after the number of bets is set, the game can be interrupted and the game ball can be returned immediately, and the convenience of the player is improved.

  Further, the discharge passage and the return passage are arranged so that the entrance of the discharge passage and the entrance of the return passage are adjacent to each other, and the discharge movable opening and closing plate and the return movable opening and closing are combined with the discharge device and the return device. By configuring the plate with a single movable opening / closing plate that operates so as to cross both inlets of the discharge passage and the return passage, the structure of the slot machine can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. At the same time, the control contents are simplified, and the malfunction of the gaming machine is prevented. Further, since the space required for the arrangement is halved compared to the case where the two apparatuses of the discharge device and the return device are arranged, it is possible to easily arrange the peripheral devices and the peripheral members.

  In addition, in a slot machine that uses game balls as game media, since a large number of game balls are used per game, the take-in and return operations of the game balls are not visible, and the authenticity of such operations is ensured. If not, there is a concern that the player may have anxiety as to whether the correct number of game balls have been taken in or whether they have been returned, or distrust of the gaming machine. Therefore, in the slot machine of the present invention, a transparent protective plate is disposed on the upper part of the game ball taking-in area, and the game board taking-in area is covered by the protective plate so as to be visible from the player side. By adopting the configuration (claim 5), the player can actually visually recognize the game ball taken in by setting the number of bets, and the anxiety and distrust to the gaming machine are resolved. This makes it possible to entertain and enjoy games for a long time. Further, in such a configuration, the player can play a game while enjoying the mechanical operation of the slot machine, such as a game ball take-in operation and a discharge operation.

  Further, in the conventional slot machine, a predetermined position at which the game balls before and after taking in the pre-loading detection means for detecting the number of game balls before fetching and the post-loading detection means for detecting the number of game balls after fetching flow down. However, in the present invention, by providing the movable holding piece with detection means for the number of game balls accommodated in the movable holding piece (Claim 6), before and after taking in by one detecting means. The number of game balls can be detected. Further, in the conventional configuration, it is common to detect a game ball that is flowing down, but in such a configuration, the game ball is detected in a state where it is housed in a movable holding piece and stopped. Therefore, the number of game balls can be detected more accurately, and malfunction of the game machine can be prevented.

Embodiments of the present invention are described according to the following examples.
A slot machine 1 according to the present invention uses a game ball x (see FIG. 6) for a pachinko machine as a game medium, and is fixed to a game island (not shown) for a pachinko machine as shown in FIG. A wooden outer frame 2 is provided. The outer frame 2 is formed in the same shape as a wooden outer frame of a general pachinko machine by assembling plate materials into a rectangular frame shape, and has side flanges 2a and 2a on both the left and right sides and an upper upper flange 2b. And a bottom flange 2c on the lower side. A curtain plate 22 is disposed at the lower end portion of the front surface of the outer frame 2 so as to extend between the side flange portions 2a and 2a on the left and right sides. This curtain plate 22 is provided for securing a space for placing a ball box for collecting game balls discharged from the bottom opening of the lower storage tray 13 immediately below the lower storage tray 13 described later. This is essential for pachinko machines and slot machines that use game balls as game media.

  A front frame 4 having one side edge pivoted by upper and lower hinge members 3 and 3 is attached to the upper part of the curtain plate 22 on the front surface of the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 3, the front frame 4 has an opening 5 at a position near the center, and a gaming board 7 to which a design board 6 is attached is fitted in the opening 5. Is done. The design board 6 is decorated with an appropriate pattern on the front surface, and a display window at a substantially central portion that allows a design P (see FIG. 2) of rotating reels 63a to 63c described later to be visible from the front. 8a to 8c are formed. On the left side of the display window 8a located on the left side, as shown in FIG. 2, a winning line lamp 9 for notifying the player of an effective winning line is provided. Further, above the display windows 8a to 8c, a chance lamp 10 that informs the player that the gaming state is the reach state on the left side, and a special lamp that informs the player that the gaming state is the special state on the right side. A status display lamp 11 is provided. Further, various displays 12a to 12c attached to the game board 7 are arranged in a horizontal row below the display windows 8a to 8c. Here, the display unit 12a displays the number of winnings in the regular bonus, etc., the display unit 12b displays the number of winning balls acquired by one winning, and the display unit 12c has not completed the payout operation. The number of game balls is displayed.

  A reel unit 62 constituting a symbol display device is attached to the back side of the game board 7. Here, the reel unit 62 has three rotary reels 63a to 63c and a plurality of reel drive motors (not shown) for driving the rotary reels 63a to 63c at predetermined positions of the robust storage frame 64. A plurality of symbols P (see FIG. 2) are arranged at appropriate intervals on the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 63a to 63c. And the reel unit 62 is arrange | positioned at the game board 7 in the state which can display the symbol P of this rotating reel 63a-63c on the display windows 8a-8c mentioned above. Each reel drive motor of the reel unit 62 is electrically connected to a display control board 102 (see FIG. 5) for controlling the rotation of the motor via wiring (not shown).

  A lower storage tray 13 is disposed at the lower front of the front frame 4, and a ball discharge port 14 is formed at a position facing the lower storage tray 13. The lower storage tray 13 is a lower storage area B (see FIG. 3) for storing excess game balls inside, and a game ball and a return operation overflowing from an upper storage area A (see FIG. 6) described later. The game ball returned by the inflow from the ball outlet 14 is stored. Further, the lower storage tray 13 has an opening formed on the bottom surface thereof, and is provided with a ball slide slider 16 (see FIG. 2) for opening and closing the opening, and the player moves the ball slide slider 16. By operating, the opening is opened, and the game balls stored in the lower storage tray 13 are discharged downward.

  A front door 17 having one side edge pivoted by a hinge member (not shown) is attached to the front side of the front frame 4 so as to be openable and closable. The front door 17 includes a window 18 in which a transparent cover plate made of glass or synthetic resin is fitted, and the rotary reels 63a to 63c that are exposed from the window 18 to the display windows 8a to 8c described above. The design P, various displays 12a-12c, etc. can be visually recognized. Decorative lamps 19 and 19 are disposed on the left and right sides of the window 18, and speakers 20 and 20 are disposed on the upper sides thereof. The decoration lamps 19 and 19 and the speakers 20 and 20 and the chance lamp 10 and the special state display lamp 11 described above are used to produce an effect by a predetermined flashing light or sound effect according to the gaming state. A card operation unit 21 is disposed below the window 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the card operation unit 21 has a card return switch 25 for requesting a player to return a prepaid card inserted into a card unit (not shown) attached to the side of the slot machine 1; A ball lending switch 26 that requests to pay out a predetermined number of game balls as a lending ball, and a frequency display 27 that displays the balance of the prepaid card inserted into the card unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a game operation unit 39 in which an upper storage tray 15, a ball supply port 47, and the like, which will be described later, are integrally formed, is disposed below the front door 17. The game operation unit 39 includes a start switch 41 on the left side of the front wall, stop switches 43a to 43c in the center, and a return switch 45 and a cancel switch 46 on the right side as game operation means for the player. In addition, a 1 BET switch 42a and a MAXBET switch 42b are respectively disposed on the right front side of the top wall. And a game is performed when a player operates these lever type and button type switches. Here, the 1BET switch 42a and the MAXBET switch 42b are for making a betting number setting request, and by these pressing operations, a predetermined number of game balls are taken into the gaming machine, the betting number is set, and the game is played. It becomes possible to start. The start switch 41 is for making a game start request, and when the game can be started by setting the bet number, the lever type switch is pushed down to take in by setting the bet number. The game balls thus discharged are discharged to the ball collection device (not shown) side of the game island, and the rotation reels 63a to 63c are rotated to start the game. The stop switches 43a to 43c are used for the stop operation of the rotary reels 63a to 63c. When these switches are pressed while the rotary reels 63a to 63c are rotating, the game control means stops each operation based on the operation timing. The rotary reels 63a to 63c corresponding to the switches 43a to 43c are stopped. Moreover, the return switch 45 is for returning the game ball thrown into the upper storage area A (refer FIG. 6) mentioned later to the lower storage area B (refer FIG. 3), and presses this switch 45. Thus, the game ball flows down from the upper storage area A to the lower storage area B, and the game ball is returned. The cancel switch 46 is for making a request for canceling the bet number set before the start of the game, and the game ball taken into the gaming machine by the setting of the bet number by pressing the switch 46 is stored in the upper storage area. Returning to A, the set bet number is canceled. Here, the BET switches 42a and 42b, the stop switches 43a to 43c, and the cancel switch 46 are each provided with a lamp, and the player is notified that the switch operation is effective by lighting each lamp. It has become.

  Further, an upper storage tray 15 is disposed on the upper surface wall of the game operation unit 39 from the left side to the center. A ball supply port 47 for discharging game balls to be paid out from the payout device 32 (see FIG. 4) is opened at a position facing the inside of the upper storage tray 15. The configuration of the game ball standby area C, the moving device 55, the discharge / return device 65, and the like disposed on the downstream side of the upper storage tray 15 is a main part of the present invention, and will be described in detail later.

  A back mechanism plate 37 whose one side edge is pivotally connected by a hinge member (not shown) is attached to the back side of the front frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 4, a substrate unit 38 is mounted on the back surface of the back mechanism plate 37, and a plurality of substrates 100 to 106 in which electronic circuits are incorporated (see FIG. 5). Is built-in. These boards 100 to 106 are electrically connected to each other, and are connected to various sensors, switches, motors, solenoids, lamps, and the like included in the slot machine 1. It is comprised from the board | substrates 100-106. Above the back mechanism plate 37 is provided a ball tank 30 that receives supply of game balls from a ball supply device (not shown) on the game island. The sphere tank 30 communicates with the sphere discharge port 14 formed at a position facing the lower storage tray 13 through a vertical sphere supply passage 31 formed by being biased to the side of the back mechanism plate 37. A payout device 32 is provided in the middle of the ball supply passage 31. The payout device 32 includes a payout motor (not shown) for sending game balls from the ball tank 30 side to the ball discharge port 14 side, and a payout ball detection switch (not shown) for detecting the sent game balls. Driven by a command signal from the main control board (see FIG. 5), a predetermined number of game balls located on the ball tank 30 side are sent to the ball discharge port 14. The game balls paid out from the payout device 32 normally flow into the upper storage tray 15 from a ball supply port 47 provided in the middle of the ball supply passage 31, but when the upper storage area A is full. Overflows from the ball supply port 47 and the game ball is discharged from the ball discharge port 14 to the lower storage tray 13.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing various boards constituting the game control means of the slot machine 1 according to the present invention and the connection state of the boards.
A main control board 100 constituted by a microcomputer is provided with a board circuit including a central control device (CPU) for main control for comprehensively controlling the game operation 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 signals are output to the input ports of the control board 101, the display control board 102, the lamp control board 103, and the information terminal board 105. The start switch 41, the BET switches 42a and 42b, the stop switches 43a to 43c, the return switch 45, the cancel switch 46, and the like are connected to the input port of the main control board 100. These operating states are checked every predetermined time (for example, every 2 ms), and the gaming state is controlled according to the ON operation. The main control board 100 is connected to game ball detection switches 51a to 51c, movement solenoids 56a to 56c, and a discharge / return solenoid 66, which will be described later. Further, the main control board 100 includes a storage device ROM for storing an operation program used for arithmetic processing and a storage device RAM capable of reading and writing necessary data at any time via a bus (not shown). Connected to the device CPU.

  The payout control board 101 is provided with a board circuit for controlling the payout operation of the game ball. This board circuit is connected to the payout device 32 of the back mechanism plate 37, and operates the payout device 32 in accordance with a command sent from the main control board 100 to execute the payout of the rented or winning balls. Also, the payout control board 101 is connected to a card unit, which is an accessory device that reads and writes a prepaid card storing the number of rented balls, via a CR connection board 104 that relays the data processing of this prepaid card. Exchanges the remaining sphere data of the sphere. Further, the payout control board 101 is connected to a ball switch (not shown) for detecting a ball break in the ball tank 30.

  The display control board 102 is provided with a board circuit for performing stop control of the rotary reels 63a to 63c. The substrate circuit is connected to a reel drive motor that rotationally drives the rotating reels 63 a to 63 c and a reference position sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the rotating reels 63 a to 63 c, and is sent from the main control substrate 100. The reel drive motor is operated in accordance with the command to rotate each of the rotating reels 63a to 63c, and is stopped at a predetermined rotation angle. The display control board 102 is connected to the various displays 12a to 12c provided below the rotary reels 63a to 63c, and the speaker 20 via the voice control board 106 that controls output of sound effects and voices. 20 is connected.

  The lamp control board 103 is connected to a winning line lamp 9 and lamps built in various switches 42 a, 42 b, 43 a to 43 c, 46 provided in the game operation unit 39, and are sent from the main control board 100. In accordance with the command, various lamps are controlled to be informed to the player that the winning line or the switch operation is valid. Further, the lamp control board 103 is connected with a chance lamp 10, a special state display lamp 11, and decorative lamps 19 and 19, and these are controlled in a predetermined manner according to the gaming state according to a command sent from the main control board 100. The lamp lights up and flashes.

  The information terminal board 105 is for connecting to a centralized management device installed on the amusement island, 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 is received. The information is transmitted to the centralized management apparatus via the information terminal board 105.

Next, the main part of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, at the right end of the above-described upper storage tray 15, there is provided a game ball standby area C in which the number of game balls x used per most bets (15) can be parked in a line, A region obtained by combining the inside of the upper storage tray 15 and the game ball standby region C is an upper storage region A that stores the game balls before being taken in. Further, in front of the game ball standby area C, a game ball capture area D in which the game balls captured by the capture device stop in a line is arranged in parallel with the game ball standby area C. Has been. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a transparent panel 70 as a protection plate is disposed on the upper surface wall of the game operation unit 39 at a position above the game ball take-in area D. The ball take-in area D is visible from the player side. The bottom surface of the upper storage tray 15 is inclined downward toward the game ball standby area C, and the game balls discharged from the above-described ball supply port 47 to the upper storage tray 15 sequentially flow down into the game ball standby area C. It is supposed to be.

  In the game ball standby area C, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of movable holding pieces 50a to 50c in which the number of used (5) game balls per bet are stored in an aligned manner are mutually connected. Are arranged in series along the alignment direction. The number of the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c is the number (three) corresponding to the most betting number. Further, the movable holding pieces 50 a to 50 c have a U-shaped bowl shape, and the bottom surfaces thereof are inclined downward to the right side, similarly to the upper storage tray 15 described above. Due to the downward inclination of the bottom surfaces of the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c, the game ball x flowing down from the upper storage tray 15 into the game ball standby area C flows down on the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c in the area C. The right movable holding pieces 50c are sequentially accommodated in order of 5 pieces. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable holding pieces 50 a to 50 c are game ball detection switches 51 a to 51 c that are paired with a front wall and a rear wall at a position facing a fifth game ball x. Are arranged respectively. The game ball detection switches 51a to 51c are turned on when it is detected that a game ball is parked between the front wall and the rear wall, and the main control is performed based on the operation state of the switches. Whether or not five (one bet number), ten (two bet numbers), and fifteen (maximum bet number) game balls x exist in the game ball waiting area C by the substrate 100 (see FIG. 5). Is judged. In the slot machine 1, based on the determination results of the game ball detection switches 51a to 51c, a command signal is sent from the main control board 100, and the number of game balls stopped in the game ball standby area C is 5 or more and less than 15. When it is determined, the 1BET switch 42a is operable, and when it is determined that the number of gaming balls is 15, the 1BET switch 42a and the MAXBET switch 42b are operable, and a lamp built in the switch is turned on. The player is informed that the BET switches 42a and 42b can be operated.

  Further, behind the gaming ball standby area C, a moving device 55 is provided as a take-in device for taking the game ball into the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 7, the moving device 55 includes a plurality of moving solenoids 56a to 56c, which are driving sources, and a driving source holding plate 57 for fixing the moving solenoids 56a to 56c. The moving solenoids 56a to 56c are integrally formed, and are arranged at positions facing the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c aligned in series in the game ball standby area C. The moving solenoids 56a to 56c are respectively connected to the rear walls of the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c so that the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c are connected to the moving solenoids 56a as shown in FIG. By driving ~ 56c, the game ball standby area C and the game ball take-in area D are moved forward and backward. That is, when the moving solenoids 56a to 56c are turned from the OFF state to the ON state by a command signal from the main control board 100, the predetermined movable holding pieces 50a to 50b are moved from the game ball standby area C to the game ball take-in area D. When it is driven to move (hereinafter referred to as ON drive) and is turned from the ON state to the OFF state by a command signal from the main control board 100, the predetermined movable holding pieces 50a to 50b are played from the game ball take-in area D. Drive to move to the ball standby area C (hereinafter referred to as OFF drive). Here, the moving solenoids 56a to 56c are connected to the BET switches 42a and 42b and the cancel switch 46 provided in the game operation unit 39 via the main control board 100, and the BET switch 42a (42b) is connected. When the BET switch 42a (42b) is pressed when the operation is possible, the predetermined moving solenoids 56a to 56c are turned ON to execute the game ball take-in control, and the cancel switch 46 can be operated. In this case, when the switch 46 is pressed, the predetermined moving solenoids 56a to 56c are driven to be turned off, and take-in cancellation control is executed.

  Here, the above-mentioned game ball take-in control means that the BET switch 42a (42b) is pressed when at least one of the above-described game ball detection switches 51a to 51c is turned ON and the betting number can be set. When operated, it is executed by the game control means, and when the number of bets can be set, if the 1BET switch 42a is pressed, a command from the main control board 100 sent based on the operation signal of the switch 42a In accordance with the signal, the moving solenoid 56a, 56b or 56c connected to a predetermined movable holding piece 50a, 50b or 50c located on the most downstream side in the game ball standby area C is driven ON, and the movable holding piece 50a, 50b or 50c moves forward from the game ball standby area C to the game ball take-in area D in a state where the game ball is accommodated. That is, with reference to FIG. 9, when the number of bets is not set (A), the moving solenoid 56c connected to the movable holding piece 50c disposed on the right side is driven ON, and the movable holding piece 50c moves forward to the game ball take-in area D (b). When the number of bets is already set (b), the moving solenoid 56b connected to the movable holding piece 50b disposed in the center is turned ON, and the movable holding piece 50b is taken in the game ball. Move forward to region D (c). Further, in the case where the number of two bets has already been set (C), the game ball standby area C located downstream is the movable holding piece 50a disposed on the left side. The moving solenoid 56a connected to 50a is turned ON, and the movable holding piece 50a moves forward to the game ball take-in area D (D). As a result, the number of game balls used per bet that has been accommodated in the predetermined movable holding pieces 50a, 50b, or 50c and stopped in the game ball standby area C is taken into the game ball take-in area D. It becomes. Further, when the bet number can be set and the MAXBET switch 42b is pressed, it is positioned in the game ball standby area C in accordance with a command signal sent from the main control board 100 based on an operation signal of the switch 42b. All the moving solenoids 56a, 56a to 56b or 56a to 56c connected to the movable holding pieces 50a, 50a to 50b or 50a to 50c are turned ON, and the movable holding pieces 50a, 50a to 50b or 50a to 50c are turned on. The game ball moves forward from the game ball standby area C to the game ball take-in area D in a state where the game ball is accommodated. That is, with reference to FIG. 9, in the case where the number of bets is not set (A), all the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c are located in the game ball standby area C. ˜56c is turned ON, and the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c move forward to the game ball take-in area D. When the number of bets is already set (b), the moving solenoids 56a and 56b connected to the movable holding pieces 50a and 50b located in the game ball standby area C are ON-driven, and the movable The holding pieces 50a and 50b move forward to the game ball taking-in area D. Furthermore, when the number of two bets is already set (C), the moving solenoid 56a connected to the movable holding piece 50a located in the game ball standby area C is driven ON, and the movable holding piece 50a It moves forward to the game ball take-in area D. As a result, the number of used game balls per maximum bet number accommodated in the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c and stopped in the game ball standby area C is brought into the game ball capture area D ( (See FIG. 9 (d)). Thus, when the predetermined movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c corresponding to the setting of the betting number move from the game ball standby area C to the game ball take-in area D, the game ball detection switch 51a described above. ˜51c, it is determined whether or not five game balls are present in each of the predetermined movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c located in the game ball take-in area D, and set. When the requested bet number corresponds to the operating state of the game ball detection switches 51a to 51c, the bet number is fixed and the winning line lamp 9 is turned on, and the start switch 41 can be operated to start the game. It becomes possible. At the same time that the bet number is confirmed, the lamp built in the cancel switch 46 is turned on, the cancel switch 46 can be operated, and the set bet number can be canceled. On the other hand, if the number of bets requested to be set does not correspond to the operating state of the game ball detection switches 51a to 51c, a command signal is sent from the main control board 100, and the solenoids 56a to 56c in FIG. As shown in the flow chart relating to the driving mode 66, it is connected to a predetermined movable holding piece 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c moved to the game ball taking-in area D by the operation of the previous BET switch 42a (42b). The predetermined moving solenoid 56c, 56b to 56c or 56a to 56c is turned OFF, and the movable holding piece 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c moves backward to the game ball standby area C, and a betting number setting request is made. Returns to the previous state. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable holding pieces 50 a to 50 c are provided with flow-down preventing pieces 52 a to 52 c so as to be erected from the left end of the rear wall. When the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c are in the game ball standby area C, the flow-preventing pieces 52a to 52c are located at the rear of the game ball standby area C, and the game of each movable holding piece 50a to 50c. Along with the movement to the ball take-in area D, each appears in the game ball standby area C, and thereby, to the game ball standby area C where the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c do not exist. The game ball x is prevented from flowing down. For example, when the right movable holding piece 50c moves to the game ball take-in area D (see FIG. 9B), the left rear end of the movable holding piece 50c is moved along with the movement of the movable holding piece 50c. The flow-preventing piece 52c arranged in the game ball appears in a position facing the leading game ball that stops in the game ball standby area C, and as a result, the game ball standby area C that has become an empty area due to the movement of the movable holding piece 50c. A game ball can be prevented from flowing down. Further, when all the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c move to the game ball take-in area D (see FIG. 9D), the movable holding piece 50a moves along with the movement of the left movable holding piece 50a. The flow-down prevention piece 52a disposed at the left end of the rear surface of the upper surface of the upper storage tray 15 appears at a position serving as an upstream end of the game ball waiting area C facing the front game ball stored in the upper storage tray 15, and thereby movable. The game balls are prevented from flowing down to all the game ball standby areas C that have become empty areas due to the movement of the holding pieces 50a to 50c. Therefore, the game ball standby area C behind the movable holding pieces 50c, 50c to 50b or 50a to 50c moved to the game ball take-in area D is always kept in the empty area by the flow prevention pieces 52a to 52c. When the cancel switch 46 is operated, the movable holding pieces 50c, 50c to 50b, or 50a to 50c for storing the taken game balls are immediately moved backward to quickly return to the state before the betting number setting request is made. It is possible.

  The take-in cancellation control is executed by the game control means when the cancel switch 46 is pressed when the bet number is fixed, and when the bet number can be canceled, When the cancel switch 46 is pressed, the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c located in the game ball take-in area D according to the command signal from the main control board 100 sent based on the operation signal of the switch 46 or All the moving solenoids 56c, 56b to 56c or 56a to 56c connected to 50a to 50c are turned off, and the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c are played from the game ball take-in area D. It moves backward to the waiting area C. That is, with reference to FIG. 9, when the number of bets is set (b), the moving solenoid 56c connected to the movable holding piece 50c located in the game ball take-in area D is driven OFF. Thus, the movable holding piece 50c moves backward to the game ball standby area C. In the case where two bets are set (C), the moving solenoids 56b and 56c connected to the movable holding pieces 50b and 50c located in the game ball take-in area D are turned OFF, and the movable The holding pieces 50b and 50c move backward to the game ball standby area C. Further, when the maximum bet number is set (d), since all the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c are located in the game ball take-in area D, all the moving solenoids 56a to 56c are driven OFF. Thus, the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c move backward to the game ball standby area C. As a result, the original game ball taken into the gaming machine with the previous bet number setting is returned to the game ball standby area C, and the current state is returned to the state before the bet number setting request is made. The lamp built in 46 and the winning line lamp 9 are turned off. When the game ball detection switches 51a to 51c detect the game balls again in the game ball standby area C and are turned ON, the lamps built in the 1BET switch 42a or the BET switches 42a and 42b are turned on, and the 1BET switch 42a or both BET switches 42a and 42b can be operated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a return passage 35 is disposed at the downstream end of the game ball standby area C. The return passage 35 communicates with the above-described ball discharge port 14 and discharges the flowing game ball x to the lower storage tray 13. In addition, a discharge passage 33 for discharging the inflowing game balls to the ball collecting device side of the game island is provided at the downstream end of the game ball receiving area D arranged in front of the game ball standby area C. The entrance of the passage 33 and the entrance of the return passage 35 are disposed adjacent to each other. Then, immediately below both the entrances of the discharge passage 33 and the return passage 35, the game balls stored in the upper storage area A and the return balls for returning the game balls stored in the upper storage area A to the lower storage area B are played. A discharge / return device 65 is disposed as a discharge device that discharges to the ball collecting device side of the island. The discharge / return device 65 is connected to a discharge / return solenoid 66 as a driving source and a rod end of the discharge / return solenoid 66, and crosses both inlets of the discharge passage 33 and the return passage 35 by driving the solenoid 66. The discharge / return movable opening / closing plate 67 that operates to be mounted is mounted on a drive source holding plate 68 for screw-fixing the discharge / return solenoid 66. As shown in FIG. 11, the movable opening / closing plate 67 is driven by a discharge / return solenoid 66 so as to block the inlets of the discharge passage 33 and the return passage 35 collectively and to open both the inlets collectively. The position is supposed to move. That is, when the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned from the OFF state to the ON state by a command signal from the main control board 100, the movable opening / closing plate 67 is driven by the discharge / return solenoid 66 (hereinafter referred to as ON drive). When the discharge / return solenoid 66 is moved from the upper position to the lower position and the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned off by the command signal from the main control board 100, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is driven (hereinafter referred to as OFF drive). )) To move from the lower position to the upper position. Here, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is connected to the start switch 41 and the return switch 45 provided in the game operation unit 39 via the main control board 100, and the start switch 41 is operable. When the switch 41 is pressed down, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned on to execute the game ball discharge control, and when the return switch 45 is operable, the switch 45 is pressed. Then, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned on to execute the game ball return control.

  Here, the game ball discharge control is executed by the game control means when the lever type start switch 41 is pushed down when the number of bets is set and the game can be started. When the start switch 41 is pushed down when the game can be started, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned ON in accordance with a command signal sent from the main control board 100 based on the operation signal of the switch 41. The movable opening / closing plate 67 moves from the upper position to the lower position. Thereby, the entrance of the discharge passage 33 is opened, and the game ball taking-in area D and the discharge passage 33 communicate with each other, and the game ball taking-in area D is accommodated in the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b-50c or 50a-50c. The game ball x that has been stopped and has been taken in flows into the discharge passage 33 by the downward inclination to the right formed on the bottom surface of the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c, or 50a to 50c. It will flow down 33 and will be discharged to the ball collection device side of the game island. When the game ball discharge control is completed and all the game balls stopped in the game ball take-in area D are released to the discharge passage 33, a discharge return solenoid 66 and a movement solenoid 56a from the main control board 100. A command signal is automatically sent to .about.56c, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is turned OFF, the movable opening / closing plate 67 moves to the upper position, and the game ball located in the game ball take-in area D is accommodated. The moving solenoids 56c, 56b to 56c or 56a to 56c connected to the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c in the not-turned state are turned OFF, and the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c are driven. Moves backward to the game ball standby area C (see FIG. 10). As a result, the game balls stored in the upper storage tray 15 can flow down to the game ball standby area C.

  The game ball return control is executed by the game control means when the return switch 45 is pressed. When the return switch 45 is pressed before setting the bet amount, the operation of the switch 45 is performed. In accordance with a command signal sent from the main control board 100 based on the signal, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is driven ON, and the movable opening / closing plate 67 moves from the upper position to the lower position. Further, when the return switch 45 is pressed after setting the number of bets, it is first positioned in the game ball take-in area D according to a command signal from the main control board 100 sent based on the operation signal of the switch 45. The moving solenoids 56c, 56b to 56c or 56a to 56c connected to the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c are turned OFF, and the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c are on standby for the game ball. Retreating to the region C, the bet number is canceled, and then the discharge / return solenoid 66 is driven ON, and the movable opening / closing plate 67 moves from the upper position to the lower position. As a result, the entrance of the return passage 35 is opened and the game ball standby area C and the return path 35 communicate with each other. In the game ball standby area C, the games held in the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c and stopped in alignment. The balls and the game balls stored in the upper storage area A flow into the return passage 33 due to the rightward downward inclination formed on the bottom surfaces of the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c, and flow down the return passage 33. It will be discharged | emitted from the bulb | ball discharge port 14 to the lower storage area | region B. FIG. The return of the game ball is interrupted when the return switch 45 is pressed again. When the return switch 45 is pressed when the game ball is returned, the return of the game ball is based on the operation signal of the switch 45. In accordance with a command signal sent from the main control board 100, the discharge / return solenoid 66 is driven OFF, and the movable opening / closing plate 67 is moved to the upper position, whereby the entrance of the return passage 35 is shielded and the game ball Is canceled (see FIG. 10).

  Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the predetermined movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c containing the game balls are moved from the game ball standby area C to the game ball take-in area D by the moving device 55. By moving forward, the game ball is taken into the game machine, the bet number is set, and the movable holding piece 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c is taken into the game ball take-in area by the moving device 55. Since the original game ball x is returned to the game ball standby area C by retreating from D to the game ball standby area C, the bet number is canceled. Setting, canceling, and other game operations can be performed smoothly and continuously. Further, in the slot machine 1, as described above, the betting amount is canceled by returning the current state that the movable holding pieces 50c, 50b to 50c or 50a to 50c return to the game ball standby area C. In addition to being returned, detection of the number of game balls before and after taking in is performed on a stationary game ball, and as described above, the control content of the game control means is easier than before. Therefore, the authenticity of the game control operation such as the game ball take-in operation and return operation is ensured. Further, in the slot machine 1, the game ball standby area C is directly visible from the player side, and the game ball capture area D is also visible from the player side by the transparent panel 70. The player can actually confirm the number of game balls to be taken in and the number of game balls to be returned, thereby improving the reliability of the gaming machine and ensuring the authenticity described above. For this reason, the player can enthusiastically entertain the game.

  Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments, and the configuration of the slot machine can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention. . For example, in this embodiment, the game ball take-in area D is juxtaposed in front of the game ball standby area C, and the movable holding pieces 50a to 50c are moved forward and backward by the moving device 55 using a solenoid as a drive source. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the game ball take-in area is juxtaposed above the game ball standby area and the movable holding piece is rotated by a moving device using a motor as a drive source.

1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 1 according to the present invention. It is a front view of the slot machine 1 same as the above. It is a disassembled perspective view of the slot machine 1 same as the above. 4 is a rear perspective view of a back mechanism plate 37. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit which controls a game. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the downstream of the upper storage tray 15, partially cutting the game operation part 39 longitudinally. It is a perspective view which shows the structure and arrangement | positioning relationship of the movable holding pieces 50a-50c, the moving apparatus 55, the discharge return apparatus 65, the discharge passage 33, and the return path 35. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position aspect of the movable holding pieces 50a-50c by the drive of the movement solenoids 56a-56c, (a) is a state in which the movable holding pieces 50a-50c exist in the game ball waiting area C, (b) Indicates a state in which the movable holding pieces 50 a to 50 c are in the game ball taking-in area D. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position aspect of the movable holding pieces 50a-50c with respect to the bet number, (A) is the state before setting the bet number, (B) is the set state of one bet number, and (C) is the two bet numbers. (D) shows the setting state of the most bets. It is a flowchart figure which shows the drive aspect of the solenoids 56a-56c for a movement, and the solenoid 66 for discharge | emission return. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position aspect of the movable opening-and-closing board 67 by the drive of the discharge return solenoid 66, (A) shows the shielding state of the discharge passage 33 entrance, (B) shows the open state of the discharge passage 33 entrance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Outer frame 8a-8c Display window 10 Chance lamp 11 Special status display lamp 12a-12c Indicator 13 Lower storage tray 14 Ball discharge port 15 Upper storage tray 21 Card operation part 33 Discharge path 35 Return path 37 Back mechanism board DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 Game operation part 41 Start switch 42a 1BET switch 42b MAXBET switch 43a-43c Stop switch 45 Return switch 46 Discharge switch 47 Ball supply port 50a-50c Movable holding piece 51a-51c Game ball detection switch 52a-52c Fall-down prevention piece 55 Moving apparatus 56a-56c Movement solenoid 65 Discharge / return device 66 Discharge / return solenoid 67 Movable opening / closing plate 70 Transparent panel 100 Main control board A Upper storage area B Lower storage area C Game ball standby area D Game ball take-in area P Design x game Ball

Claims (6)

A game ball for a pachinko machine is used as a game medium,
A bet switch for setting the number of bets per game;
A start switch for starting rotation of a plurality of rotating reels pivotally supported in the left-right direction in the gaming machine;
A stop switch for stopping the rotation of the rotating reel;
An upper storage area for storing game balls for capture;
A lower storage area for storing excess game balls;
A take-in device for taking game balls stored in the upper storage area into the gaming machine;
A discharge passage for discharging the captured game ball;
In a slot machine comprising game control means for operating a take-in device,
Cancel switch to cancel the set bet number,
A part of the upper storage area, a game ball standby area in which a predetermined number of game balls before taking in are aligned and stopped;
A game ball take-in area that is arranged in parallel with the game ball standby area, the downstream end portion is connected to the discharge passage, and a predetermined number of game balls after taking-in are aligned and stopped;
A number of movable holding pieces corresponding to the maximum number of bets, in which the number of game balls used per bet are accommodated in alignment and are arranged in series in the alignment direction in the game ball standby area, ,
A discharge movable opening / closing plate for opening and closing the inlet of the discharge passage and a discharge device including a drive source for the movable opening / closing plate;
The capture device comprises a moving device that moves each movable holding piece between the game ball standby area and the game ball capture area,
Based on the operation signal of the bet switch, the game control means moves the movable holding piece from the game ball standby area to the game ball take-in area and uses the number per bet accommodated in the movable holding piece. Game ball take-in control for driving the moving device so that the game ball of the take-in state is taken from the pre-take-in state,
Based on the operation signal of the start switch, the discharge movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the discharge passage to connect the game ball intake area and the discharge passage, and is accommodated in the movable holding piece in the game ball intake area. A game ball discharge control for driving the discharge device so that the game ball is flowing down to the discharge passage;
Based on the cancel switch operation signal, the movable holding piece moves from the game ball take-in area to the game ball standby area, and the number of game balls used per bet accommodated in the movable hold piece is taken in. A slot machine characterized in that the content of control is capture cancellation control for driving the moving device so as to return from the completed state to the pre-capture state. A return switch for returning the game balls stored in the upper storage area to the lower storage area;
A return passage that connects to the downstream end of the game ball standby area and returns the game ball before taking in,
A return movable opening and closing plate for opening and closing the entrance of the return passage, and a return device comprising a drive source for the movable opening and closing plate,
The game control means activates the return device, and based on the operation signal of the return switch, the return movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the return passage, and all the movable holding pieces are aligned in series. The game ball return control that drives the return device so that the game ball standby area and the return passage are in communication with each other and the game balls stored in the upper storage area flow down to the return passage is a control content. The slot machine according to claim 1.   Based on the operation signal of the return switch, the game control means first drives the moving device so that all the movable holding pieces in the game ball take-in area move to the game ball standby area, and then returns The movable opening / closing plate opens the entrance of the return passage, and the game ball waiting area in which all the movable holding pieces are aligned in series and the return passage communicate with each other, and the game balls stored in the upper storage area are returned. 3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein a game ball return control for driving the return device so as to flow down the passage is a control content.   The discharge passage and the return passage are disposed so that the entrance of the discharge passage and the entrance of the return passage are adjacent to each other, and the discharge movable opening and closing plate and the return movable opening and closing plate are combined with the discharge device and the return device. Is operated so as to cross both the inlets of the discharge passage and the return passage, and on the condition that the movable holding piece is in the game ball taking-in area, both the inlets are opened by the operation signal of the start switch, and the movable holding is held. 4. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the slot machine is configured by a movable opening / closing plate that opens both inlets by an operation signal of a return switch on condition that the piece is in the game ball standby area.   A transparent protective plate is disposed on an upper part of the game ball taking-in area, and the game board taking-in area is covered with the protective plate so as to be visible from the player side. The slot machine according to claim 4. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movable holding piece is provided with means for detecting the number of game balls accommodated.

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