JP2014221386A - Rotary drum game machine using game balls - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game ball using rotary drum game machine capable of reducing the interruption of a game due to a ball shortage.SOLUTION: A main control unit 505 comprises: a sensor unit at a loading unit 153; an arrival decision unit for deciding whether or not a game ball number detected at a downstream side loading sensor has reached its bet number; and an automatic ball lending condition holding decision unit for deciding that an automatic ball lending condition holds, if the ball lending residual number to the player is a ball lendable state in the case where the non-arrival is decided. Thus, in the case where it is detected that the game balls to be used at this game are short (or the ball shortage), and in the ball lending state where the balls are left to be lent to the player, the predetermined number of the balls left for the player can be automatically lent so that the game can be temporarily interrupted for the time period for the ball lending operation, thereby to reduce the interruption of the game due to the ball shortage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a spinning machine using game balls such as a slot machine using game balls.

  As a kind of gaming machine, it has a reel device with a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface, and it starts rotating the reel device (variable display of symbols) with the start operation by the player and also with the stop operation by the player 2. Description of the Related Art A slot machine (cylinder game machine) that stops the rotation of a reel device is known. In the slot machine, medals are used as game media, and when the stop symbol of the reel device displayed on a predetermined active line matches a predetermined small role formation symbol, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to each formed combination. Will be paid out. In addition, when the stop symbol of the reel device is a specific symbol, a predetermined game (special game state) that is advantageous to the player, such as a big bonus game, occurs.

  In recent years, a ball-use spinning machine that can play a game similar to the slot machine using a game ball used in a pachinko machine instead of a medal has been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a gaming machine, rotation of the reel device (variable display of symbols on the display device) is started by performing a starting operation after a predetermined number of game balls are taken in. Then, when the stop symbol of the reel device matches the small role formation symbol, a predetermined number of game strengths are paid out corresponding to the respective combination combination. If such a gaming machine is used in place of a slot machine, the game ball can be handled as a common game medium with the pachinko machine in a gaming hall such as a pachinko hall and the gaming characteristics of the slot machine can be maintained. In addition, in this case, the problems such as the burden on the equipment due to the separate handling of medals and game balls and restrictions on the location of the game machine, which are often seen in current game halls where pachinko machines and slot machines are mixed, are solved. In addition, there is an advantage that flexibility such as installing the game machine on the island of the pachinko machine is generated.

  In addition, in the case of the conventional slot machine, the player has to throw in medals one by one. However, in the above spinning ball machine using the game ball, the game ball is paid out to the ball tray like a pachinko machine. Since a predetermined number of game balls are automatically taken into the take-in device when the player presses the BET button, there is no hassle of throwing medals in the conventional slot machine, and the game of the slot machine You can enjoy sex.

    JP 2001-112922 A (page 4-7, FIG. 5)

However, the conventional example having such a configuration has the following problems.
That is, in the conventional spinning ball machine using a game ball, for example, since it has the gaming nature of a slot machine, the BET button operation / start lever operation is started for each game, and the game is started. There is a problem that there is a high possibility that the game will be temporarily interrupted during the time required for the ball lending operation without noticing that there is no remaining number of game balls until the time of BET button operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a revolving game machine using a game ball that can reduce the interruption of the game due to a ball break.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, the invention described in claim 1
Based on the start operation by the player, the variable display of the symbol is started by starting the rotation of the rotating body with a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface, and the symbol display mode when the rotation of the rotating body is stopped is a predetermined display. In a game machine using a game ball in which a game ball is paid out when it is an aspect,
A betting number instruction operating means for receiving an instruction of a betting number of game balls from a player;
Starting operation means for receiving a rotation instruction of the rotating body from a player;
A storage unit capable of storing the paid-out game balls;
A take-in device for taking in game balls stored in the storage unit in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by a player;
Incorporated ball number detecting means for detecting the number of game balls captured by the capturing device;
Arrival determination means for determining whether or not the number of game balls detected by the taken-in ball number detection means has reached the number of bets;
When it is determined that the arrival determination means has not yet reached, if there is a ball lending available state with a remaining number of balls to the player, automatic ball lending condition establishment determination means for determining that automatic ball lending conditions are satisfied;
When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied, the payment is made toward the storage unit so as to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Ball lending means
A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by comprising:

  [Operation / Effect] According to the invention described in claim 1, the player instructs the betting number of the game balls by operating the betting number instruction operating means to the spinning game machine using the game balls. Thereafter, the start operation means is operated to instruct the rotation of the rotating body, that is, to start the game. The storage unit can store the paid-out game balls. The take-in device takes in the game balls stored in the storage unit in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The taken-in ball number detecting means detects the number of game balls taken in by the taking-in device. The arrival determining means determines whether or not the number of game balls detected by the taken-in ball number detecting means has reached the bet number. The automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied if it is determined that the arrival determining means has not reached the ball lending condition with the number of remaining ball lending to the player. The ball lending means, when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established, causes the storage unit to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Pay out.

  Accordingly, when the number of game balls taken in by the take-in device has not reached the bet number due to the player operating the bet number instruction operation means, that is, there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game (balls If the player is in a state where it is possible to lend a ball to the player, a predetermined number of the remaining ball lending to the player is automatically lended. It is possible to reduce the interruption of the game temporarily due to the time required for the ball lending operation, and to reduce the interruption of the game due to the ball running out.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, when the player has operated the bet number instruction operation means, the number of game balls taken in by the take-in device has not reached the bet number, that is, used for the current game. When it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be played (out of balls), and there is a remaining ball lending to the player, the predetermined number of remaining ball lending to the player The number of balls can be automatically lent, and it is possible to reduce the interruption of the game temporarily due to the time required for the sphere rental operation, and it is possible to reduce the interruption of the game due to the ball running out.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] It is a perspective view which shows the whole game machine in one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the internal open state of a gaming machine. It is a perspective view which shows the internal open state of a gaming machine. It is a rear view of a gaming machine. It is a figure which shows typically the outline | summary of a game machine main body and its opening / closing operation | movement. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows a door block and a saucer block. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows a door block and a saucer block. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the front door body and inner frame which comprise a door block. It is a perspective view which isolate | separates and shows the front door body and inner frame which comprise a door block. It is a front view of a saucer block. It is a top view of a saucer block. It is a rear view of a saucer block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a saucer block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a saucer block. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an upper plate and the member provided accompanying it. It is a top view of an upper plate. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a discharge operation transmission apparatus. It is a top view which shows the structure of the discharge operation transmission apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the ball channel | path formation body and the member provided accompanying it. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the ball channel | path formation body and the member provided accompanying it. It is a top view which shows the structure of the single-piece | unit of a ball stopper. It is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the ball passage formation body with the ball stopper. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation state of a ball stopper and the flow of a game ball. It is a perspective view of an intake unit. It is a perspective view of an intake unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of an intake unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of an intake unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a taking-in apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a taking-in apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a taking-in apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a discharge gate member. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a discharge gate member. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of a taking-in apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a payout control unit. It is a perspective view of a surface change block. It is a perspective view of a surface change block. It is a front view of a surface change block. It is a disassembled perspective view of a surface change block. It is a disassembled perspective view of an exchange block. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a front frame. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a base board. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a reel apparatus. It is a perspective view of a payout block. It is a rear view of a payout block. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the electrical structure of a game machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the main control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a main control device according to a third embodiment. It is a fragmentary top view which shows the principal part of the upper plate of Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the main controller of a modification.

  The present specification also discloses an invention relating to a revolving game machine using the following game balls.

(1) Based on the start operation by the player, the variable display of the symbol is started by starting the rotation of the rotating body with a plurality of symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface, and the symbol display mode when the rotation of the rotating body is stopped is In a spinning ball game machine using a game ball in which a game ball is paid out in a predetermined display mode,
A betting number instruction operating means for receiving an instruction of a betting number of game balls from a player;
Starting operation means for receiving a rotation instruction of the rotating body from a player;
A storage unit capable of storing the paid-out game balls;
A take-in device for taking in game balls stored in the storage unit in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by a player;
Incorporated ball number detecting means for detecting the number of game balls captured by the capturing device;
Waiting ball number detecting means for detecting the number of waiting balls that are waiting in the storage unit and are scheduled to be taken into the take-in device as the next game,
Next arrival determination means for determining whether or not the number of waiting balls detected by the waiting ball number detection means has reached the number of bets for the next time;
When it is determined that the next time arrival determination means has not reached, a notification means for performing notification of a ball break advance notification;
A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by comprising:

  According to the invention described in the above (1), the player instructs the betting number instruction operation means on the spinning game machine using the game ball to instruct the bet number of the game ball, and thereafter By operating the start operation means, the rotation of the rotating body is instructed, that is, the start of the game is instructed. The storage unit can store the paid-out game balls. The take-in device takes in the game balls stored in the storage unit in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The taken-in ball number detecting means detects the number of game balls taken in by the taking-in device. The waiting ball number detecting means detects the number of waiting balls that are waiting in the storage unit and are scheduled to be taken into the take-in device as the next game. The next time arrival determining means determines whether or not the number of waiting balls detected by the waiting ball number detecting means has reached the number of bets for the next time. The informing means informs of a prior notice of out-of-ball when it is determined that it has not reached the next time arrival judging means.

  Therefore, when the player operates the bet number instruction operation means, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets is taken in by the take-in device, and is taken into the take-in device as the next game waiting on the storage unit. If the number of waiting balls to be played has not reached the number of bets for the next game, that is, if it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next game will run out) Prior notice is notified, the player can be alerted before the ball runs out, can receive a ball lending before the ball runs out, and the interruption of the game due to the ball running out can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the present specification also discloses an invention relating to a spinning-reel game machine using a game ball that solves the following problems.

(Technical problem) As described above, as a spinning game machine using a game ball having an automatic lending function for a game ball, for example, a card into which a prepaid card for lending a game ball is inserted at the left end side thereof. In the state where a prepaid card with a remaining loan amount is installed in the card unit, if the number of game balls taken in the take-in device has not reached the number of bets, or the remaining number of game balls in the storage unit When it is detected that the number has become small, a configuration in which game balls are automatically lent out to the storage unit is mentioned. However, in a spinning ball machine using a game ball having such an automatic lending function, for example, the player thought that he would bet the game ball currently in the storage unit and end the game, When the remaining number becomes small, the automatic lending function works, and the lending of game balls is automatically done regardless of the player's intention, and the game can not be ended quickly or the game continues unintentionally As a result, there is a problem that a game ball is used in vain or the interest of the game is reduced. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a spinning ball game machine using a game ball that can improve the automatic lending function of the game ball.
The present specification also discloses an invention relating to a gaming machine that solves the following problems.

(2) In the revolving game machine using the game ball according to claim 1,
In the case where it is determined that the arrival determination means has not reached yet, it is provided with a notification means for performing no ball notification,
The automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means is in a ball lending state where there is a remaining ball lending to the player when the arrival determining means determines that it has not yet reached, and further, with respect to the betting number instruction operating means A revolving gaming machine using a game ball, characterized in that it is determined that an automatic ball lending condition is satisfied based on a specific operation different from a normal operation being performed.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, the player instructs the betting number of the game ball by operating the betting number instruction operating means to the spinning game machine using the game ball, By operating the starting operation means, an instruction to rotate the rotating body, that is, an instruction to start a game is given. The storage unit can store the paid-out game balls. The take-in device takes in the game balls stored in the storage unit in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The taken-in ball number detecting means detects the number of game balls taken in by the taking-in device. The notification means performs the absence of a ball when the determination means determines that it has not reached. The automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means is in a ball lending possible state where there is a remaining ball lending to the player when the arrival determining means determines that it has not reached, and further, a normal operation for the betting number instruction operating means Determines that automatic ball lending conditions are met based on the fact that a different specific operation has been performed. The ball lending means, when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established, causes the storage unit to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Pay out.

  Accordingly, when the number of game balls taken in by the take-in device has not reached the bet number due to the player operating the bet number instruction operation means, that is, there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game (balls In this case, it is not automatically lending a ball regardless of the player's intention, but informing means even when it is detected that there is a ball lending amount remaining to the player. The player can select permission / non-permission of the automatic ball lending in response to the no ball notification by. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the betting number instruction operation means is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

(3) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (1),
When it is determined by the next arrival determination means that it has not reached, a ball lending state with a remaining number of balls for the player is available, and a specific operation different from the normal operation for the start operation means is performed. Automatic ball lending condition establishment judging means for judging that automatic ball lending condition establishment based on
When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied, the payment is made toward the storage unit so as to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Ball lending means
A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by comprising:

  According to the invention described in (3) above, the player instructs the number of game balls bet by operating the betting number instruction operating means to the spinning game machine using the game balls, By operating the start operation means, the rotation of the rotating body is instructed, that is, the start of the game is instructed. The storage unit can store the paid-out game balls. The take-in device takes in the game balls stored in the storage unit in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The taken-in ball number detecting means detects the number of game balls taken in by the taking-in device. The waiting ball number detecting means detects the number of waiting balls that are waiting in the storage unit and are scheduled to be taken into the take-in device as the next game. The next time arrival determining means determines whether or not the number of waiting balls detected by the waiting ball number detecting means has reached the number of bets for the next time. The informing means informs of a prior notice of out-of-ball when it is determined that it has not reached the next time arrival judging means. The automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means is in a ball lending possible state in which there is a remaining number of ball lending to the player when it is determined by the arrival determining means next time that it has not yet reached, Determines that automatic ball lending conditions are met based on the fact that a different specific operation has been performed. The ball lending means, when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established, causes the storage unit to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Pay out.

  Therefore, when the player operates the bet number instruction operation means, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets is taken in by the take-in device, and is taken into the take-in device as the next game waiting on the storage unit. If the number of waiting balls to be played has not reached the number of bets for the next game, that is, if it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next game will run out) Prior notice is notified, the player can be alerted before the ball runs out, and the player can select whether or not to lend the ball before the ball runs out. In other words, even when it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game and there is a remaining number of balls available to the player, the player's intention Regardless of whether or not the ball is lent automatically, the player can select whether the automatic ball lending is permitted or not triggered by the notification of the absence of the ball by the notification means. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the starting operation means is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

(4) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (3),
The specified operation for the start operation means includes an instruction to start rotation of the rotating body in addition to an automatic ball lending instruction.

  According to the invention as described in said (4), the said specific operation with respect to a starting operation means contains the rotation start instruction | indication of the said rotary body other than an automatic ball lending instruction | indication. Therefore, when it is determined by the arrival determination means that it has not reached the next time, there is a remaining ball lending state to the player, and further, a specific operation different from the normal operation for the starting operation means is performed. In addition to determining that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied, the rotation of the rotating body is started, and the automatic ball lending instruction and the rotation start instruction of the rotating body are determined by one specific operation on the starting operation means. It can be performed.

(5) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (4),
First random number generating means for generating a first random number group for determining whether or not to pay out game balls;
First random number storage means for storing one first random number in the first random number group generated by the first random number generation means based on operation detection of the start operation means;
First determination means for determining whether or not the first random number stored in the first random number storage means is a winning value;
Whether the symbol display mode of the rotating body that has started rotating based on the operation of the starting operation means when the rotation is stopped is a hit value that is a predetermined display mode indicating that the game ball is paid out. Second determination means for determining
The determination by the first determination unit and the second determination unit performed based on the specific operation on the start operation unit when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established is true. In this case, there is provided an adjusting means for stopping or delaying the ball lending by the ball lending means.

  According to the invention as described in said (5), a 1st random number generation means produces | generates the 1st random number group for determining whether payout of a game ball is performed. The first random number storage means stores one first random number of the first random number group generated by the first random number generation means based on the operation detection of the start operation means. The first determination means determines whether or not the first random number stored in the first random number storage means is a winning value. The second determination means is a hit value in which the symbol display mode when the rotation of the rotating body started to rotate based on the operation of the start operation unit is a predetermined display mode indicating that the game ball is paid out. It is determined whether or not there is. The adjustment means is based on the determination by the first determination means and the second determination means performed based on the specific operation for the start operation means when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established. If it is, stop or delay the ball lending by the ball lending means.

  Therefore, the determination of the first determination means and the second determination means performed based on the specific operation for the starting operation means when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied is a hit. In this case, the ball lending by the ball lending means can be canceled or delayed. In other words, if the current game played in a state where the number of betting game balls for the next time is insufficient (the game ball is paid out), the prize ball payout of the game ball due to the winning will be stored in the storage unit. As the number of game balls stored in the storage section increases and the urgency of automatic ball lending diminishes, if you stop ball lending by ball lending means, the number of game balls for the next time will be insufficient Automatic ball lending can be performed when a state is reached, and when ball lending by ball lending means is delayed, automatic ball lending can be performed appropriately without the need for another instruction.

(6) In the revolving game machine using the game ball according to any one of (1), (3) to (5),
The informing means includes an informing mode in which the start operation means is invalidated for a predetermined period of time.

  According to the invention described in (6) above, in the spinning game machine, the number of game balls bet is set by the player operating the bet number instruction operation means, and then the start operation means is operated by the player. The rotating body rotates, and the player operates the stop button to stop the rotating body from rotating. When the symbol display mode when the rotating body stops rotating is a predetermined display mode, the game ball is paid out. Therefore, it can be said that most of the players operate the start operation means as soon as the bet number instruction operation means is operated. The notification means performs notification that the start operation means is invalidated for a predetermined period of time as a notification of a prior ball break notification when the arrival determination means determines that it has not reached the next time. Therefore, most of the players operate the start operation means immediately after operating the betting number instruction operation means, so that the player notices that the operation is invalid and is not accepted when the start operation means is operated. It is possible to surely inform the user that the next time the ball will run out or whether automatic ball lending is permitted or not permitted.

(7) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to claim 1,
A credit means for holding a game ball to be paid out to a player in an internal data format called a credit number, instead of paying out the game ball to the storage unit;
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, priority order specifying means for prioritizing the use of the credit number over the game ball ingestion in the capture device,
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, subtracting means for subtracting the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player;
With
The arrival determination means has either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total of the remaining credit number and the number of game balls detected by the taken-in ball number detecting means reaches the bet number. A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by determining whether or not it exists.

  According to the invention described in (7) above, the credit means does not pay out the game balls to be paid out to the player to the storage unit, but holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called credit number. . When there is a credit amount by the credit means, the priority order specifying means gives priority to the use of the credit number over the game ball taking in by the take-in device. When there is a credit amount in the credit means, the subtracting means subtracts the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The arrival determination means determines whether any of the remaining credit number in the credit means or the sum of the remaining credit number and the number of game balls detected by the number-of-ingestion ball detection means has reached the bet number. Determine. Therefore, even in a spinning machine using a game ball with a credit function, when it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game (out of balls), and the remaining number of balls left for the player When a certain ball is available for lending, a predetermined number of remaining ball lending to the player can be automatically lended, and the game is temporarily interrupted during the time required for the ball lending operation. It is possible to reduce the interruption of the game due to a ball break.

(8) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (1),
A credit means for holding a game ball to be paid out to a player in an internal data format called a credit number, instead of paying out the game ball to the storage unit;
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, priority order specifying means for prioritizing the use of the credit number over the game ball ingestion in the capture device,
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, subtracting means for subtracting the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player;
With
The next-minute arrival determination means is configured such that either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total number of the remaining credit number and the number of waiting balls waiting in the storage unit reaches the betting number for the next time. A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by determining whether or not it exists.

  According to the invention described in (8) above, the credit means does not pay out the game balls to be paid out to the player to the storage unit, but holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called the credit number. . When there is a credit amount by the credit means, the priority order specifying means gives priority to the use of the credit number over the game ball taking in by the take-in device. When there is a credit amount in the credit means, the subtracting means subtracts the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The next arrival determination means determines whether either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total number of the remaining credit number and the number of waiting balls waiting in the storage unit has reached the next bet number. Determine. Therefore, even in a spinning-reel game machine using a credit ball with a credit function, when it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next time the ball has run out), a notification of prior ball-out notification is issued. Thus, the player can be alerted before the ball runs out, can receive a ball lending before the ball runs out, and the interruption of the game due to the ball running out can be reduced.

(9) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (2),
A credit means for holding a game ball to be paid out to a player in an internal data format called a credit number, instead of paying out the game ball to the storage unit;
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, priority order specifying means for prioritizing the use of the credit number over the game ball ingestion in the capture device,
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, subtracting means for subtracting the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player;
With
The arrival determination means has either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total of the remaining credit number and the number of game balls detected by the taken-in ball number detecting means reaches the bet number. A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by determining whether or not it exists.

  According to the invention described in (9) above, the credit means does not pay out the game balls to be paid out to the player to the storage unit, but holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called credit number. . When there is a credit amount by the credit means, the priority order specifying means gives priority to the use of the credit number over the game ball taking in by the take-in device. When there is a credit amount in the credit means, the subtracting means subtracts the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The arrival determination means determines whether any of the remaining credit number in the credit means or the sum of the remaining credit number and the number of game balls detected by the number-of-ingestion ball detection means has reached the bet number. Determine. Therefore, even in a spinning machine using a game ball with a credit function, when it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game (out of balls), and the remaining number of balls left for the player Even when a certain ball is available for lending, the player is not automatically lending a ball regardless of the player's intention, but the player is permitted / not permitted to lend the automatic ball lending when triggered by the notification means. You can make a choice. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the betting number instruction operation means is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

(10) In the spinning game machine using the game ball according to (3),
A credit means for holding a game ball to be paid out to a player in an internal data format called a credit number, instead of paying out the game ball to the storage unit;
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, priority order specifying means for prioritizing the use of the credit number over the game ball ingestion in the capture device,
If there is a credit amount in the credit means, subtracting means for subtracting the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player;
With
The next-minute arrival determination means is configured such that either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total number of the remaining credit number and the number of waiting balls waiting in the storage unit reaches the betting number for the next time. A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by determining whether or not it exists.

  According to the invention described in (10) above, the credit means does not pay out the game balls to be paid out to the player to the storage unit, but holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called the credit number. . When there is a credit amount by the credit means, the priority order specifying means gives priority to the use of the credit number over the game ball taking in by the take-in device. When there is a credit amount in the credit means, the subtracting means subtracts the credit number in the credit means by the bet number in accordance with the operation of the betting number instruction operation means by the player. The next arrival determination means determines whether either the remaining credit number in the credit means or the total number of the remaining credit number and the number of waiting balls waiting in the storage unit has reached the next bet number. Determine. Therefore, even in a spinning-reel game machine using a credit ball with a credit function, when it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next time the ball has run out), a notification of prior ball-out notification is issued. Thus, the player can be alerted before the ball runs out, and can choose whether or not to receive a ball lending before the ball runs out. In other words, even when it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game and there is a remaining number of balls available to the player, the player's intention Regardless of whether or not the ball is lent automatically, the player can select whether the automatic ball lending is permitted or not triggered by the notification of the absence of the ball by the notification means. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the starting operation means is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments relating to a game ball revolving game machine that performs a game using a game ball as a game medium will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The gaming machine of Embodiment 1 will be described in detail based on the drawings. The gaming machine according to the first embodiment requires taking in a game ball (for example, a game ball similar to a pachinko machine: a pachinko ball) as a predetermined number of game media (game value) in the game, and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Is configured to pay out a plurality of game balls, and in some cases, a large number of game balls. This game machine is supplied with game balls from the same game ball supply system as the pachinko machine in the game hall, etc., and this game is installed in the existing island facility (pachinko island) where the pachinko machine is installed. It is possible to install a machine.

  First, the outline of the external configuration and internal structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire gaming machine 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 1, FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an open state of the gaming machine 1, and FIG. 5 is a gaming machine. 1 is a rear view of FIG. In the following description, unless otherwise noted, directions such as left, right, up and down are described with reference to the state viewed from the front of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 as a main body frame, and a gaming machine main body portion 3 attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be rotatable forward. The outer frame 2 is configured by connecting wooden plate members to four sides, and has a rectangular shape as a whole. When the gaming machine 1 is installed in the game hall, the outer frame 2 is attached and fixed to the island facility. The outer frame 2 can be made of a metal such as synthetic resin or aluminum. Although not shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the right side plate material among the four side plate materials constituting the outer frame 2 is provided with a locking member (in detail, a hook member provided on the door block 4 to be described later at two locations inside and below the inner side. A hook receiving portion (not shown) for locking the metal fittings 123 and 124 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming machine main unit 3 includes a door block 4 that is a door body unit, a saucer block 5 that is a ball tray unit, a surface changing block 8 that is a picture display unit, and a game ball payout unit. It is comprised from the payout block 7 which is. As shown in FIG. 3, the door block 4 is provided with hinge metal fittings 8 at two upper and lower portions, and the door block 4 (game) is provided by the hinge metal fitting 8 and the two upper and lower support metal fittings 9 on the outer frame 2 side. The machine body 3) is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 2. In this case, the rotation axis is provided on the left side when the gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front, and the gaming machine main body 3 is opened with the right side as the rotation tip when viewed from the front. When the gaming machine main body 3 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the rear surface of the outer peripheral edge of the door block 4 is in contact with the front surface of the outer frame 2.

  The saucer block 5 is detachably attached to the back side of the door block 4. In addition, the surface changing block 6 is attached above the saucer block 5 on the back side of the door block 4, and a payout block 7 is attached so as to cover both the changing blocks 6 from the back side. The surface changing block 6 and the dispensing block 7 are rotatably supported by a part of the door block 4, and the blocks 6 and 7 can rotate integrally with the door block 4 with respect to the outer frame 2. And has a structure that can be individually rotated with respect to the door block 4.

  When the gaming machine main body 3 is viewed from the back side, a payout block 7 and a tray block 5 are arranged on the back side of the door block 4 so as to be lined up and down.

  Here, the relative positional relationship and the operation state of each member constituting the gaming machine main body 3 will be briefly described. 6 is a drawing schematically showing the gaming machine main body 3, FIG. 6 (a) is a view of the gaming machine main body 3 from the back side, and FIGS. 6 (b) to 6 (d) are for the door block 4. It is a figure which shows the open | release operation condition of the surface change block 6 and the payout block 7. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, an axis AX1 for opening the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 with respect to the door block 4 is provided on the right side (left side when viewed from the front). The axis AX1 serves as both an axis for supporting the surface changing block 6 and an axis for supporting the payout block 7. In this case, M1 and M2 shown in the figure are support means for supporting the surface changing block 6, and M3 and M4 are support means for supporting the dispensing block 7. That is, the support means M1 and M2 for the surface changing block 6 are coaxially provided in a pair of upper and lower sides. Further, the support means M3 and M4 for the payout block 7 are coaxially provided in a pair so as to sandwich the support means M1 and M2, and are also coaxial with the support means M1 and M2.

  With the above configuration, each operation of FIGS. 6B to 6D is possible. 6 (b), the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 are integrally opened with respect to the door block 4. In FIG. 6 (c), the surface changing block is changed from the state shown in FIG. 6 (b). 6, the payout block 7 is opened. In FIG. 6D, only the payout block 7 is opened from the state in which the surface changing block 6 is closed with respect to the door block 4.

(Description of door block 4)
Next, the door block 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 is a perspective view which isolate | separates the door block 4 and the saucer block 5, and shows them from the front and back. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12 constituting the door block 4 separated from the front and the rear. In the following description of the door block 4, the above-described FIG. 1 and FIG.

  In the door block 4, the front door body 11 has substantially the same size (vertical dimension and horizontal dimension) as the outer frame 2, and the inner frame 12 is attached so as to overlap the back side. The inner frame 12 is formed by, for example, aluminum die casting, and has a role of reinforcing the front door body 11 and also has a role of supporting the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 described in detail later.

(Description of the front door 11)
As shown in FIG. 1, the front door body 11 includes a symbol visual recognition unit (a visual recognition window 21) that enables visual recognition of a reel symbol, a liquid crystal symbol, and the like, which will be described later, and an operation unit 30 that is manually operated by a player during the game, And a lower plate 71 for storing game balls and the like which are surplus in the upper plate portion 151.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, a visual recognition window 21 having a substantially trapezoidal shape as a symbol visual recognition portion is formed in the upper half portion of the front door body 11. The viewing window 21 is fitted with a transparent panel 22 made of a flat transparent plate, and the inside thereof can be visually recognized through the transparent panel 22. The transparent panel 22 has two panel parts (an upper panel part 22a and a lower panel part 22b) which are divided into a top and bottom and slightly bent, and the upper panel part 22a is provided in a substantially vertical direction. The portion 22b is provided so as to face slightly upward. The upper panel portion 22a covers the front surface of a liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display device 504 shown in FIG. 39) described later, and a display image of the liquid crystal display device 504 (see FIG. 39) is displayed via the upper panel portion 22a. Visible. The lower panel portion 22b covers the front surface of a reel device (reel device 503 shown in FIG. 39), which will be described later, and the design of the reel device 503 (see FIG. 39) is visually recognized through the lower panel portion 22b. The

  According to such a relatively large viewing window 21 (transparent panel 22), in addition to being able to give a great impact to the player by the display effect of the image using a large liquid crystal display device, The visibility of the symbol of the reel device 503 (see FIG. 39), which is the main display device of the gaming machine 1, is good.

  On the peripheral edge of the front door 11, an enclosure 23 is provided so as to surround the visual recognition window 21 and project forward from the transparent panel 22. The enclosure portion 23 is provided with a central lamp portion 24 and a pair of left and right side lamp portions 25, and speaker portions 26 are provided at the upper right corner portion and the upper left corner portion of the front door body 11. During the game, the lamp units 24 and 25 and the speaker unit 26 perform a lamp effect, a sound effect, and the like according to the game situation each time. In other words, the player is notified of the formation of the combination by appropriately changing the light emission color and light emission pattern by the lamp units 24 and 25 or by appropriately changing the sound pattern by the speaker unit 26. Further, it is possible to perform error notification or the like using the lamp units 24 and 25 and the speaker unit 26.

  Incidentally, the visual recognition window 21 is provided in a range excluding the surrounding portion 23 (left and right side lamp portions 25) with respect to the lateral width of the front door body 11, and thus the visual recognition window 21 is wide on the left and right. Yes. In addition, the visual recognition window 21 is wider than the lateral width of a reel device 503 (see FIG. 39) and a liquid crystal display device 504 (see FIG. 39) which will be described later.

  Below the viewing window 21 is provided an operation unit 30 provided with various operation members operated by the player. The operation unit 30 has a front plate portion 31 which is horizontally long and slightly arcuate as a whole. The front plate portion 31 is provided with a start lever 33 and a stop switch 35 including a triple button. , 36, 37 are provided. Further, a bet switch mounting plate portion 32 is formed at the upper end portion of the front plate portion 31 at a position toward the left side (generally between the start lever 33 and the left stop switch 35). A button-like bet switch 38 is attached to the front.

  The bet switch 38 allows a player to set a bet (the number of bets), and a predetermined number of game balls stored in the upper plate 151 are taken in by the pushing operation. In the present embodiment, a so-called MAX bet switch is provided as the bet switch 38), and game balls equivalent to 3 bets (for 15 balls) are taken in by an effective one-time pressing operation. The bet switch 38 constitutes an input command means for instructing input of a game ball as an investment value. In addition to the bet switch 38 as the MAX bet switch, a configuration in which a 1-bet switch or a 2-bet switch is provided may be used. By the way, the 1-bet switch is a bet switch for taking in a game ball equivalent to 1 bet (for 5 balls) by one push operation, and the 2-bet switch is equivalent to 2 bets by a single push operation (10 This is a bet switch for taking in game balls.

  The start lever 33 is an operation member for starting rotation of each reel (rotating body) of a reel device 503 (see FIG. 39) described later, and is operated to start rotation of each reel, that is, to start variable display of symbols. The starting operation means is configured.

  The stop switches 35 to 37 are provided so as to correspond to the reels to be stopped (left, middle and right three rows of reels), and are operated to stop each of the rotating reels individually. Configure the means. Each of the stop switches 35 to 37 is in a state where it can be stopped when each reel rotates at a constant speed, and a lamp (not shown) is lit and displayed during this state to notify that a stop operation is possible. When the reels stop rotating, they are turned off.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a laterally long opening 41 having substantially the same length as that of the front plate 31 and opening upward is formed behind the operation unit 30. The opening 41 is an opening region for arranging the upper plate 151 when the tray block 5 is mounted on the front door body 11, and the width dimension in the left-right direction of the opening 41 is the width in the left-right direction of the upper plate 151. The width dimension in the front-rear direction of the opening 41 is slightly shorter than the width dimension in the front-rear direction of the upper plate 151.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the front plate 31 of the operation unit 30 has a notch 42 formed in the lower right portion when viewed from the front. The notch 42 is an installation space for installing an operation lever 188 of a discharge operation transmission device 180 described later.

  Between the visual recognition window 21 (transparent panel 22) and the operation unit 30, a long plate-like sub-panel unit 50 extending in the left-right direction is provided. The sub-panel unit 50 includes an information display unit 51 and a renting operation unit. 52 are provided. The information display unit 51 includes an acquired ball number display unit 53 that displays the number of acquired balls when the small role is established, and a game number that displays, for example, the number of remaining games in a special game state such as a big bonus or a regular bonus. A display unit 54 is provided. Although these display parts 53 and 54 are comprised by the 7 segment display, it is naturally possible to substitute by a liquid crystal display etc. FIG.

  The ball lending operation unit 52 is, for example, a ball lending operation, a card or the like in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a vertically long card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side (for example, left side) of the gaming machine 1. The return operation and the effectiveness count are confirmed, and a ball lending button 56, a return button 57, and a frequency display section 58 are integrally provided in parallel. In this case, the ball lending button 56 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card (recording medium) or the like, and the lending ball is paid out as long as the remaining amount exists on the card or the like. . The return button 57 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. The frequency display unit 58 displays remaining amount information such as a card.

  In the front door body 11, arc-shaped dent portions 61 are provided on the left and right side portions of the information display portion 51 and the rented rental work portion 52 so as to recede to the back side as compared with the surrounding enclosure portion 23. A locking member for locking and unlocking the gaming machine main body 3 (door block 4) with respect to the outer frame 2 (in detail, provided in the inner frame 12 to be described later) is provided in the recessed portion 61. A key cylinder installation hole 62 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) for exposing the key cylinder 125) to the front is provided.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1 and the like, the left and right recesses 61 are located immediately above the upper plate 151. Therefore, even if a game ball is lent to the upper plate 151 via a ball rental nozzle (so-called elephant nose) extending from the ball rental unit in the game hall, the interference between the ball rental nozzle and the front door body 11 Can be avoided. Therefore, it is a useful configuration even considering the installation situation in the game hall.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the front door body 11, a bulging portion 70 is formed below the operation portion 30 so as to be continuous with the enclosure portion 23 and the concave portion 61. A lower plate 71 and an ashtray 72 are formed so as to be surrounded by As shown in FIG. 9, a lower dish discharge port 74 and a speaker hole 75 are formed in the back wall portion 73 surrounded by the bulging portion 70. When the game balls are fully stored in the upper plate 151 and its upstream passage and the game balls are further paid out from the payout device (payout device 608 in FIG. 45 described later), or in the upper plate 151 When the ball removal operation is performed on the game balls stored in the game ball, the game balls are discharged to the lower plate 71 through the lower plate discharge port 74.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an opening is formed in the bottom of the lower plate 71, and an opening / closing plate 76 is provided in the opening. In addition, a ball punching operation piece 77 for a lower dish is provided at a substantially central portion of the bulging portion 70. The ball removal operation piece 77 is an operation piece for discharging the game balls stored in the lower plate 71 to a ball storage box (a so-called dollar box) placed below the lower plate 71, from the normal position shown in the figure. By operating leftward, the open / close plate 76 slides to the open position, and the game balls in the lower plate 71 are discharged. In addition, lower plate lamp portions 78 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower plate 71 in the bulging portion 70.

  As shown in FIG. 10, as a configuration on the back side of the front door body 11, lamp accommodation portions 91 that accommodate the side lamp portions 25 are provided on the left and right sides of the viewing window 21. The lamp accommodating portion 91 has a substantially prismatic shape, and a panel support plate material 92 for supporting the transparent panel 22 from the rear is attached to the inner side surface thereof.

  Here, a procedure for attaching the transparent panel 22 will be described. A panel receiving groove 93 having a width corresponding to the panel thickness is formed at the lower edge of the viewing window 21. The transparent panel 22 has its lower end fitted into the panel receiving groove 93 from the rear of the front door body 11 and its upper end abutted against the back surface of the front door 11. In this state, the left and right panel support plates 92 are attached with screws or the like. Thereby, attachment to the front door body 11 of the transparent panel 22 is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, on the back side of the front door body 11, a protruding plate 98 is provided below the viewing window 21 (transparent panel 22) so as to protrude rearward from the rear edge of the opening 41. Is provided.

(Description of inner frame 12)
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the inner frame 12 has a rectangular shape that is similar to the front door body 11, and the left frame portion 101, the right frame portion 102, and the upper frame portion 103 having substantially the same narrow width. And a lower frame portion 104 wider than them. A portion surrounded by each of the frame portions 101 to 104 is a central opening portion 105, and the central opening portion 105 is formed on the back side of the inner frame 12 within a range excluding a part of the upper edge portion of the lower frame portion 104. A rib 106 having a constant height is formed so as to surround it. Further, in the inner frame 12, a return portion 107 (see FIG. 10) that is bent forward at a right angle is formed at the outer peripheral edge portion. When the inner frame 12 is assembled to the front door body 11, the return portion 107 overlaps the inside of the outer edge portion of the front door body 11, thereby forming a space between the front door body 11 and the inner frame 12. Is done. A lamp device or the like is arranged using this space.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 has a configuration in which a rotation axis is provided on the left side when viewed from the front, and the above-described hinge bracket 8 is attached to the upper frame portion 103 and the lower frame portion 104 at two positions, upper and lower. It has been.

  In addition, a pair of upper and lower shaft brackets 110 and 111 are attached to the left frame portion 101 at a predetermined interval so as to extend rearward from the tip portion of the rib 106. The shaft brackets 110 and 111 are bracket members for rotatably supporting the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7. The shaft brackets 110 and 111 are both substantially U-shaped, and the shaft bracket 110 has upper and lower bearing portions 110a and 110b, and the shaft bracket 111 has upper and lower bearing portions 111a and 111b. A shaft hole is formed in each of the bearing portions 110a, 110b, 111a, 111b of the shaft brackets 110, 111, and the shaft brackets 110, 111 are ribs so that all the shaft holes are arranged on the same axis. 106 is fixed.

  In such a case, the lower bearing portion 110b of the shaft bracket 110 and the upper bearing portion 111a of the shaft bracket 111 correspond to a surface changing block support means for supporting the surface changing block 6, and the upper bearing of the shaft bracket 110 is supported. It corresponds to a payout block support means for supporting the portion 110a, the lower bearing portion 111b of the shaft fitting 111 and the payout block 7.

  Further, the right frame portion 102 is provided with a locking device for holding the door pro γ 4 in a locked state that cannot be opened. That is, a base frame 121 extending in the vertical direction is nationally defined on the back side of the right frame portion 102, and the base frame 121 is a long shape that is assembled to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the base frame 121. The interlocking rod 122 is provided. The interlocking rod 122 is provided with a pair of upper and lower hook metal fittings 123 and 124 having a hook shape. The intermediate parts of the metal fittings 123 and 124 are pivotally supported on the base frame 121 side, and the distal end hook part moves downward when the interlocking bar 122 moves upward.

  The base frame 121 is provided with a key cylinder 125 as an unlocking operation unit. The key cylinder 125 is provided in a direction extending in the front-rear direction. When the inner frame 12 is assembled to the front door body 11, the front surface of the cylinder (the side where the key insertion hole is installed) is provided on the front door body 11. It will be exposed from the installation hole 62. The locking mechanism including the interlocking rod 122, the key cylinder 125, and an operation key (not shown) inserted into the key cylinder 125 and rotated in a predetermined direction are omitted. 1 lock device is constituted.

  In such a case, when the operation key is rotated clockwise with the operation key inserted into the key cylinder 125, the interlocking rod 122 moves upward (when viewed from the back of the door, the rotating portion of the key cylinder 125 is opposite). To turn clockwise). As a result, when the front hooks of the hooks 123 and 124 of the interlocking hook 122 move downward and the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the hooks 123 and 124 and the hooks on the outer frame 2 side. The locked state (that is, the locked state) with the receiving portion (not shown) is released. The door block 4 can be opened with respect to the outer frame 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower frame portion 104 is provided with a communication port 131 that communicates with the lower tray discharge port 74 provided in the front door body 11, and a speaker 132 exposed forward from the speaker hole 75. Is provided. In addition, the lower frame portion 104 is provided with protruding column portions 133 and 134 protruding rearward.

  Fixing means for fixing the tray block 5 and the dispensing block 7 attached to the back side of the door block 4 are provided at a plurality of locations on the back side of the inner frame 12. That is, a total of five metal fittings (metal fittings 136a, 136b, 136c, 136d, 136e) are provided as fixing means for the saucer block 5. In addition, as fixing means for the payout block 7, a total of four metal fittings (metal fittings 137a, 137b, 137c, 137d) are provided.

  The inner frame 12 is attached and fixed to the front door body 11 using a fastener such as a screw. The state is shown in FIG. In this case, a space portion extending in the left-right direction is formed between the protruding plate 98 provided on the back side of the front door body 11 and the upper end portion of the lower frame portion 104 of the inner frame 12. An upper plate 151 of the receiving block 5 is incorporated.

(Description of saucer block 5)
Next, the tray block 5 will be described. 11 is a front view of the saucer block 5, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the saucer block 5, FIG. 13 is a rear view of the saucer block 5, and FIGS. 14 and 15 are exploded perspective views of the saucer block 5 (FIG. 14 is viewed from the front). FIG. 15 is a view from the rear).

  The saucer flock 5 includes an upper plate 151 having a function of temporarily storing game balls that are sequentially loaded and a game ball supplied from a payout device (a payout device 608 in FIG. 45 to be described later). It includes a ball passage forming body 152 having a function of circulating in the lower plate 71 and the like, and a take-in unit 153 having a function of taking in a game ball. In addition, as an electrical configuration, a power supply device 156 and a payout control device 157 and a payout control unit 155.

(Description of the upper plate 151)
The upper plate 151 constitutes a plate member for temporarily storing game balls lent out from the ball lending device of the island facility and game balls paid out from the payout device 608 of FIG. 45 described later. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the upper plate 151 and members provided therewith, and FIG. 17 is a plan view of the upper plate 151.

  The upper plate 151 is formed in a horizontally long bowl shape, and includes a bottom plate portion 161 and a peripheral wall portion 162 surrounding the peripheral edge portion. A game ball storage area is formed by being surrounded by the bottom plate portion 161 and the peripheral wall portion 162. A discharge port 163 is provided in a wall portion on the back side of the peripheral wall portion 162 at a position on the left side when viewed from the front. In addition, the bottom plate portion 161 is provided with an opening 164 at a position on the right side when viewed from the front.

  The bottom plate portion 161 is generally configured to be lowered from the discharge port 163 toward the opening 164 (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 17). Specifically, the bottom plate portion 161 is formed in two stages in the front-rear direction, and the rear region is formed in two steps in the left-right direction. In this case, in the bottom plate portion 161, the front region (region R1 in FIG. 17) is the highest, the left side of the rear region (region R2 in FIG. 17) is the next highest, and the right side of the rear region (FIG. 17). R3 region) is the lowest. Accordingly, the game ball discharged from the discharge port 163 flows downstream along the route of region R2 → region R1 → region R3 (or the route of region R2 → region R3).

  In the bottom plate portion 161, a ridge guide portion 165 is formed in the front region (region R1), and the game ball that has flowed into the front region (region R1) hits the ridge guide portion 165 to cause R3. Guided to the area.

  Two partition portions 167 and 168 are provided in the most downstream portion (region R3) of the upper plate 151, and the three rows of guide passages 171, 172, and 173 are partitioned by the partition portions 167 and 168. Is formed. Each of these guide passages 171 to 173 is provided so as to communicate with the opening 164, and constitutes an alignment passage portion that aligns the game balls in each row.

  A cover member 175 is attached to the upper plate 151 so as to cover the opening 164 and a part of each of the guide passages 171 to 173 from above. The cover member 175 is a member for restricting the height dimension of each of the guide passages 171 to 173 to approximately one game ball. By attaching the cover member 175 to the upper plate 151, each guide passage 171 is provided. At 173, game balls are taken one by one. The cover member 175 is formed of a transparent material so that the presence or absence of a game ball below it can be visually recognized.

  A concave portion 176 is formed in the front wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 162, and the concave portion 176 causes the upper portion of the bed switch mounting slope portion 32 and the upper portion when the tray block 5 is assembled to the door block 4 as shown in FIG. Interference with the plate 151 is avoided.

  Further, a discharge operation transmission device 180 for discharging a stored ball in the upper plate 151 to the lower plate 71 by operating a discharge gate member 340 of the take-in unit 153 described later is attached to the bottom of the upper plate 151. Here, the configuration of the discharge operation transmission device 180 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

(Description of discharge operation transmission device 180)
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in the discharge operation transmission device 180, the case body 181 is provided with two shaft portions 182 and 183, and the shaft portions 182 and 183 have first link pieces 184 and 184, respectively. The second link piece 185 is rotatably supported. The first and second link pieces 184 and 185 are partially connected to each other, and the second link piece 185 rotates in conjunction with the first link piece 184. The first link piece 184 is provided with a tension spring 186, and the first link piece 184 is always urged in the same direction (counterclockwise direction in the drawing) by the spring of the tension spring 186. In addition, an operation lever 188 that is movable in the left-right direction is provided on the front end surface of the case body 181, and a support column part 188 a that is provided integrally with the operation lever 188 is provided on the first link piece 184. It is inserted through the hole 184a. Therefore, the first link piece 184 rotates around the shaft portion 182 as the operating lever 188 is slid.

  In the discharging operation transmission device 180 having the above-described configuration, the first link piece 184 is moved to the spring force of the tension spring 186 by a slide operation of the operation lever 188 leftward (P1 direction in FIG. 19) by a player or the like. Against this, the second link piece 185 rotates counterclockwise (P3 direction in FIG. 19) while rotating in the clockwise direction (P2 direction in FIG. 19). Thereby, the rotation front-end | tip part of the 2nd link piece 185 moves to the back side (P4 direction of FIG. 19). When the operation lever 188 is released, the first link piece 184 is rotated counterclockwise by the spring of the tension spring 186 and the second link piece 185 is rotated clockwise. . Thereby, the discharge operation transmission device 180 returns to the original state. By such an operation of the discharge operation transmission device 180, a discharge gate member 340 of the take-in unit 153, which will be described later, is operated, and game balls are discharged via the take-in unit 153 (actually, the game balls are discharged to the lower plate 71). ) Is to be performed.

(Description of the ball passage forming body 152)
Next, the ball path forming body 152 will be described. 20 and 21 are exploded perspective views showing the ball passage forming body 152 and members provided therewith.

  On the back side of the ball passage forming body 152, a lower tray discharge passage 201 for discharging the game ball to the lower tray 71, and an external discharge passage for discharging the game ball to the outside of the gaming machine (island facility of the game hall). 202 are formed in parallel. The lower tray discharge passage 201 communicates with a discharge port 203 provided on the front side of the ball passage forming body 152, and the game balls flowing down the lower plate discharge passage 201 are discharged to the lower plate 71 through the discharge port 203. Will be. In addition, a discharge passage 204 that communicates with the discharge port 163 of the upper plate 151 is formed in the vicinity of the most upstream portion of the lower plate discharge passage 201 and the external discharge passage 202.

  A path force bar member 206 is attached to the back side of the ball path forming body 152 so as to block the lower dish discharge path 201 and the external discharge path 202, and at the most upstream part of these paths 201 and 202, A game ball distribution member 210 for distributing the ball to any one of the lower dish discharge passage 201, the external discharge passage 202, and the discharge passage 204 is attached. The game ball distribution member 210 is provided with three passages 211, 212, and 213, and when the game ball distribution member 210 is attached to the ball passage formation body 152, the passage 211 is connected to the lower dish discharge passage 201. The passage 212 communicates with the external discharge passage 202, and the passage 213 communicates with the discharge passage 204.

  A substantially square-shaped opening 215 for accommodating the take-in unit 153 is formed ahead of the most downstream portion of the lower dish discharge passage 201 in the ball passage forming body 152. Below the opening 215, a ball discharge chamber 216 is formed to be discharged after the game ball is taken in by the take-in unit 153. The ball discharge chamber 216 communicates with the external guide passage 217, and the game ball discharged into the ball discharge chamber 216 is further discharged to the outside of the game ball (the island facility of the game hall) through the external guide passage 217. Further, a discharge guiding passage 218 for guiding a lotus ball that is discharged in accordance with a discharge operation by the player (a lever operation of the discharge operation transmission device 180) to the discharge port 203 is formed on the side of the ball discharge chamber 216. ing.

  A ball retainer 240 is provided on the front side of the ball passage forming body 152 so as to overlap the bottom surface of the upper plate 151. FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a single structure of the ball-fastening eyebrow 240, and FIG. 23 is a rear view showing the state where the ball-fastening device 240 is mounted on the ball passage forming body 152 from the rear side. In addition, as an operation state of the ball retainer 240, FIG. 22 (a) corresponds to FIG. 23 (a), and FIG. 22 (b) corresponds to FIG. 23 (b).

  The ball fastening device 240 includes a main body part 241 fixed to the ball passage forming body 152, a movable part 242 mounted on the main body part 241 and capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction in FIG. 22, and the movable part 242 in the left-right direction. And an operation lever portion 243 that is rotated to reciprocate. And this ball stopper 240 is assembled | attached to the ball channel | path formation body 152 so that the operation lever part 243 may become a back side.

  The movable portion 242 is formed with three arm portions 244, 245, 246 so as to be aligned in the same direction. Each of the arm portions 244 to 246 is bifurcated, and two standing portions 247, 248, and 249 are formed at the tip of the arm portions 247, 248, and 249 so as to be bent upward (front side in FIG. 22). ing. The intervals between the arm portions 244 to 246 formed in the movable portion 242 match the three guide passages 171 to 173 formed in the upper plate 151, and as shown in FIG. Upright portions 247 to 249 of the arm portions 244 to 246 appear from the opening portion 164 that communicates with each other.

  The operation lever portion 243 has a detail 251 supported by the main body portion 241 and can be rotated within an angle range of approximately 90 degrees. Projection pieces 252a and 252b extending radially at an angle of 90 degrees from the shaft center are formed on the shaft portion 251, and the protrusion pieces 252a and 252b are accommodated in a gap 253 formed in the movable portion 242. Yes. The width in the left-right direction of the gap 253 is a dimension that is approximately the sum of the diameter of the shaft portion 251 and the length of the protruding piece 252a or 252b. In this case, in the state of FIG. 23A, the tip of one projection piece 252b hits the inner wall of the gap 253, and when the operation lever portion 243 is turned to the state of FIG. The tip of the piece 252a hits the inner wall of the gap 253. Thereby, the movable part 242 moves in the left-right direction. In FIG. 22, due to the movement of the movable portion 242 in the left-right direction, the protruding amounts of the tips of the arm portions 244 to 246 of the movable portion 242 are different between (a) and (b). In (a), the tip protrusion amount = L1, whereas in (b), the tip protrusion amount = L2 (Ll <L2).

  The operation lever portion 243 is provided with a holding plate piece 254 for holding the take-in unit 153 attached to the opening 215 of the ball passage forming body 152 in the attached state. The hold plate piece 254 has a tongue shape extending from the axial center of the shaft portion 243. When the operation lever portion 243 is turned, the hold plate piece 254 is moved to the position shown in FIGS. ) Are operated at the positions shown in FIG.

  Here, the mutual relationship between the operation position of the operation lever portion 243 and the take-in unit 153 will be described. When the operation lever portion 243 is in the state shown in FIG. 23A, the rotating tip portion of the hold plate piece 254 provided integrally with the operation lever portion 243 is in contact with the back surface of the take-in unit 153. This is the take-in unit holding position (lock position). In this state, the take-in unit 153 is held in a state where it is mounted on the ball passage forming body 152, and the take-in unit 153 cannot be removed. On the other hand, when the operation lever portion 243 shifts to the state shown in FIG. 23B, the state in which the rotating tip portion of the hold plate piece 254 hits the back surface of the take-in unit 153 is released. This is the take-in unit removal position (unlock position). Thereby, the take-in unit 153 can be removed (a state where the take-in unit 153 is removed is shown in FIG. 23B).

  FIG. 24 shows the relationship between the operation state of the ball stopper 240 and the flow of the game ball. In FIG. 24, (a) shows a normal gaming state, and this state corresponds to (a) in FIG. 23 and (a) in FIG. Moreover, (b) and (c) show the detachable state of the take-in unit 153 and the state after detachment, and this state corresponds to (b) of FIG. 23 and (b) of FIG.

  In the state of (a) in FIG. 24, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), the protruding amounts of the arms 244 to 246 of the movable portion 242 are relatively small, and therefore the guide passages 171 to 173 of the upper plate 151 are used. Accordingly, the flow of the game balls supplied from is not blocked, so that the game balls are successively sent to the take-in unit 153 side.

  On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 24B, as shown in FIG. 22B, the protruding amounts of the tips of the arm portions 244 to 246 of the movable portion 242 are relatively large. The flow of the game ball supplied from the passages 171 to 173 is blocked by the tip portions (standing portions 247 to 249) of the arm portions 244 to 246. In this state, since the game ball is not sent to the take-in unit 153 side, as shown in (c), even if the take-in unit 153 is removed, the game ball in the upper plate 151 may fall. Is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, on the back side of the ball passage forming body 152, mounting fixing means (locking members 261a, 261b, 261c, 261d, 261e) are provided at a plurality of locations. That is, the lock members 261a to 261e are provided at a total of five positions at positions corresponding to the metal fittings 136a to 136e (see FIG. 10) of the inner frame 12, and locking pieces to be engaged with the metal fittings 136a to 136e, respectively. It is configured. In this case, the receiving block 5 is mounted and fixed to the door block 4 by setting the locking pieces of the lock members 261a to 261e to the locked state with respect to the metal fittings 136a to 136e, and the locked state is released. The saucer block 5 can be removed from the door block 4.

  On the front side of the ball passage forming body 152, column support portions 263 and 264 for receiving the protruding column portions 133 and 134 provided on the inner frame 12 are formed. Further, a horizontally long thin plate-like sheet plate 265 is attached to the upper part of the ball passage forming body 152. The sheet plate 265 is attached to the upper part of the ball passage forming body 152 in a state where the upper plate 151 is mounted on the ball passage forming body 152.

  According to the sheet plate 265, an upper lid is provided on a part of the back side of the upper plate 151 (see FIG. 7 and the like). The covered portion of the upper plate 151 by the sheet plate 265 corresponds to a portion where the upper plate 151 is hidden inside the door block 4 in a state where the receiving block 5 is mounted on the door block 4. That is, in the state where the saucer block 5 is attached to the door block 4, the width dimension (A) in the front-rear direction of the opening 41 provided in the door block 4 (front door body 11) and the width dimension in the front-rear direction of the upper plate 151 ( B) and A <B (A and B are dimensional comparisons in the same place in the left-right direction), so that part of the back side of the upper plate 151 is immersed inside the door block 4. In this case, if the portion of the upper plate 151 that has been inserted into the door block 4 remains open upward, fingers or unauthorized tools placed from the near side of the upper plate 151 to the far side will open upward on the far side of the upper plate 151. There is a concern that the game machine may be inserted into the gaming machine through the portion and illegal activities are performed inside the gaming machine. In this regard, by providing the sheet plate 265 as described above, it is possible to suppress an illegal act by inserting a finger, an unauthorized tool, or the like into the gaming machine through the upper plate 151. In short, the sheet plate 265 is a shielding member that shields between the upper plate 151 and the space inside the gaming machine (the inner region of the front door body 11).

  Note that the sheet plate 265 is formed of a transparent plate. Therefore, even if a part of the upper plate 151 is hidden by the sheet plate 265, it is easy to confirm the inside of the upper plate 151 (including confirmation of dirt, defeat, etc.).

(Description of capture unit 153)
The take-in unit 153 constitutes take-in means for taking in a predetermined number of game balls based on an operation by the player, and each time a game is taken in by taking in a predetermined number of game balls by the take-in unit 153. The (game) start condition is satisfied, and preparations for starting the game are made.

  25 is a perspective view of the capture unit 153 as viewed from the front side, FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the capture unit 153 as viewed from the rear side, and FIGS. 27 and 28 are exploded perspective views of the capture unit 153. . The take-in unit 153 is provided with three take-in devices 301, 302, 303 so as to overlap each other, and the take-in unit 153 has a substantially cubic shape as a whole (in the following description, in FIG. The capture device 301 located on the front side is the “first capture device”, the capture device 302 located on the center is the “second capture device”, and the capture device 303 located on the far side is the “third capture device”. Also referred to as a device)

  On the upper surface of each of the capture devices 301 to 303, inlet passages 305, 306, and 307 are formed in three rows while being opened upward and routed to the outside. These inlet passages 305 to 307 constitute a game ball inlet portion in the take-in unit 153, and in the completed state as the tray block 5, the game balls supplied from the upper plate 151 are first entered into the inlet passages 305 to 307. And then sequentially taken in a line. In the completed state, the inlet passages 305 to 307 are visible from above through an opening 164 (see FIG. 17) provided in the upper plate 151. A coupling plate 308 for coupling the respective capture devices 301 and 303 is attached to the side surface of the capture unit 153.

(Description of capture devices 301-303)
Next, the configuration of each of the capture devices 301 to 303 will be described. However, since each of the capture devices 301 and 303 has substantially the same configuration, here, the first capture device 301 will be basically described separately. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the capture device 301, and FIGS. 30 and 31 are exploded perspective views of the capture device 301. FIG. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the vertical and horizontal directions are described in the state shown in FIG.

  The take-in device 301 includes a pair of front and back housing members 311 and 312 made of a synthetic resin molded product. These housing members 311 and 312 are joined together by screws or the like to form a substantially square box-like housing, and a game ball passage, which will be described later, is formed in the internal space, and the opening and closing for opening and closing the passage A gate mechanism and the like are accommodated. Each housing member 311, 312 is molded from a black resin material containing carbon. For convenience of explanation, the housing member 311 is also referred to as a “first housing member”, and the housing member 312 is also referred to as a “second housing member”.

  Incidentally, each housing member 311 and 312 may be formed of a transparent resin material. By making each housing member 311, 312 transparent, the game ball stored in the passage, in addition to the game ball passage and the open / close gate mechanism inside the take-in device, without disconnecting the two housing members 311, 312. Can be visually recognized.

  Passage walls 313 and 314 are formed on the upper surface portions of the first housing member 311 and the second housing member 312, respectively. By connecting the housing members 311 and 312, the passage walls 313 and 314 facing each other are formed. An inlet passage 305 is formed therebetween. The bottom surface of the inlet passage 305 is slightly inclined downward toward the left side of FIG.

  The first housing member 311 and the other passage wall 313 are formed with an arcuate recess 313a, while the passage wall 314 on the second housing member 312 side has a triangular mountain-shaped projection at a position facing the recess 313a. 314a is formed. The recess 313a and the protrusion 314a of each of the passage walls 313 and 314 constitute a rectifying unit 310 for adjusting the flow of the game ball to a constant level. When the game ball that flows downstream through the inlet passage 305 reaches the rectifying unit 310, it first collides with the protrusion 314 a and then collides with the inner wall of the recess 313 a while changing the flow direction (the course). Thus, by changing the direction of the flow of the game ball in the rectification unit 310 (the recess 313a and the projection 314a) of the entrance passage 305, the momentum of the flow of the game ball is reduced, and the subsequent flow speed is reduced. Therefore, detection errors at the time of game ball detection described later after passing through the rectifying unit 310 are reduced. In addition, when a large number of game balls are connected in a daisy chain and taken into the take-in device 301, when passing through the rectifying unit 310, an interval between adjacent game balls can be created due to the speed difference. The problem of erroneous detection as a game ball is eliminated. In other words, the presence of the rectifying unit 310 ensures the detection of the game ball after the passage.

  The intake device 301 is provided with an intake passage 315 and a discharge passage 316 on the downstream side of the inlet passage 305 so as to be surrounded by the first housing member 311 and the second housing member 312. Similar to the entrance passage 305, the intake passage 315 and the discharge passage 316 have passage widths sufficient to allow the game balls to pass through in a row. The intake passage 315 is provided continuously to the inlet passage 305 and is formed so as to be bent in the vertical direction in the middle thereof. When a predetermined game start operation is performed by the player, a predetermined number of game balls, which are conditions for starting each game, are taken in through the take-in passage 315. Further, the discharge passage 316 is provided so as to be branched from the bent portion (corner portion) of the intake passage 315 from the intake passage 315. At the time of payment accompanying the end of the game, the game balls remaining on the take-in device 301 and the upper plate 151 are returned to the player through the discharge passage 316 (that is, the upper plate 151 and the like are removed). )

  The first housing member 311 and the second housing member 312 have different dimensions in the thickness direction, and most of the inlet passage 305, the intake passage 315, and the discharge passage 316 are the first housing member 311. It is designed to be formed on the side. As a result, the path in which the game balls actually come into contact with each other is a part deviated from the boundary part (joint part) between the two housing members 311 and 312, and the flow of the game ball is hindered by dust or dust collected at the boundary part. Such inconveniences are avoided.

  The first and second housing members 311 and 312 are provided with a straight protrusion 317 along the inlet passage 305 and the intake passage 315. The protruding portion 317 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the game ball passing through the entrance passage 305 and the intake passage 315 (in the entrance passage 305, the central portion in the height direction, the intake portion). The passage 315 is provided at a central portion in the left-right width direction, and the height of the protrusion 317 (projecting dimension into the passage) is about 0.5 mm, thereby the inlet passage 305 and the intake passage. In other words, the passage width of the entrance passage 305 and the intake passage 315 is basically about 12 mm, but the provision of the protrusion 317 makes it possible to reduce the substantial passage width. As a result, the gap between the inner walls of the entrance passage 305 and the intake passage 315 and the game ball can be reduced, and the game ball can flow down in a stable state. In particular, Since detection of a game ball, which will be described later, is performed in the insertion passage 315, the detection error can be reduced, however, the protrusion 317 is provided only on one of the first and second brother 2 housing members 311 and 312. The ridge part 317 may be arbitrarily installed in the rectifying part 310.

  A take-in gate member 320 is provided on the side of the take-in passage 315 in the housing internal space so as to follow the vertical direction portion of the take-in passage 315. The take-in gate member 320 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 321, and the claw portion 320 a provided at the distal end portion of the take-in gate member 320 is taken in by turning about the support shaft 321. Invade with respect to the passage 315. At this time, a passage notch 322 is formed in the passage wall of the take-in passage 315, and the claw portion 320 a of the take-in gate member 320 goes in and out through the passage notch 322. When the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 protrudes from the take-in passage 315, the game ball is prevented from passing through the take-in passage 315. Further, when the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is immersed in the take-in passage 315, the game ball is allowed to pass through the take-in passage 315.

  In such a case, since the protruding and retracting position of the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 is a position immediately downstream of the corner portion in the intake passage 315, in other words, the passage notch portion 322 is immediately downstream of the corner portion in the intake passage 315. Therefore, in the state where the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 protrudes into the passage (passage prevention state), the game ball flowing to the corner portion of the intake passage 315 is in the intake passage 315. It has a configuration that does not flow into the vertical part.

  A solenoid 325 is disposed in the housing internal space as a drive source for the take-in gate member 320. The solenoid 325 includes a main body 326 and an output shaft 327 as main components. When the main body 326 is energized, the output shaft 327 moves in the expansion / contraction direction. The solenoid 325 is translated so that the output shaft 327 protrudes downward on the right side of the intake gate member 320. The solenoid 325 is provided with a coil spring 328 for holding the output shaft 327 in an extended state. The solenoid 325 is fixed to the first housing member 311 by a solenoid cover 329.

  A guide 331 is attached to the tip of the solenoid output shaft 327. A part of the rotating piece 332 is engaged with the guide 331, and the other part of the rotating piece 332 is drivingly connected to the rear end portion of the take-in gate member 320. Reference numeral 333 is a support shaft that is provided substantially at the center of the rotating piece 332 and rotatably supports the rotating piece 332.

  According to this configuration, when the solenoid 325 is not energized, the output shaft 327 is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 328 as shown, and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is taken in the take-in passage. It is in a state of protruding into 315. Thereby, the intake passage 315 is closed. On the other hand, when the solenoid 325 is energized, the output shaft 327 moves in the contracting direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 328. Therefore, the take-in gate member 320 is turned through the guide 331 and the turning piece 332 (turned in the clockwise direction in FIG. 29), and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 is outside the take-in passage 315. Retracted. Thereby, the intake passage 315 is opened. When the energization of the solenoid 325 is stopped, the output shaft 327 is extended by the urging force of the coil spring 328, and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 returns to the state in which it protrudes into the take-in passage 315.

  On the other hand, through-holes 337 and 338 are provided at the inlet positions of the discharge passage 316 in the first and second housing members 311 and 312, respectively, and discharge is performed so as to penetrate the through-holes 337 and 338 in the front-rear direction. A gate member 340 is provided. The discharge gate member 340 is not provided individually to the capture devices 301 to 303 but is provided in common to all the capture devices 301 to 303. Depending on the operating state of the discharge gate member 340, In the take-in devices 301 to 303, the discharge (ball removal) of the game balls is allowed or prevented at the same time.

  Here, details of the discharge gate member 340 will be described with reference to FIG. The discharge gate member 340 has a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and substantially square-shaped openings 341, 342, 343 are formed at three locations. These openings 341 to 343 respectively correspond to the discharge passages 316 provided in the respective intake devices 301 to 303, and are provided at regular intervals. The openings 341 to 343 constitute a part of the discharge passage 316. In this case, the discharge gate member 340 moves in the longitudinal direction (the front-rear direction of the take-in unit 156) to close or open the discharge passage 316. That is, in the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. When the gate member 340 is in the position shown in (a), the discharge passage 316 of each of the capture devices 301 to 303 is closed by the wall plate portion of the discharge gate member 340, and the discharge of the game ball through the passage 316 is prevented. When the discharge gate portion 340 is moved to the position shown in (b), the discharge passages 316 of the intake devices 301 to 303 are simultaneously opened by the openings 341 to 343 of the discharge gate member 340, The discharge of the game ball through the passage 316 is allowed.

  Ball guide protrusions 344, 345, and 346 are formed below the openings 341 to 343, respectively. The upper surfaces of the ball guide protrusions 344 to 346 are continuously provided at the same angle as the upper surfaces of the bottoms of the openings 341 to 343, and the angle matches the inclination angle of the inlet portion of the discharge passage 316. . Accordingly, when the game ball flows into the discharge passage 316 through the openings 341 to 343, the game ball passes while rolling on the ball guide protrusions 344 to 346, and the game ball flows into the discharge passage 316. Will be performed smoothly.

  A spring receiving portion 347 is formed at one end of the discharge gate member 340, and a rod portion 348 is formed at the other end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 27 and the like, a cover member 351 is provided in the third take-in device 303, and a coil spring 252 is incorporated between the cover member 351 and the spring receiving portion 347 of the discharge gate member 340. Reference numeral 353 denotes a spring accommodating portion for accommodating the coil spring 352. Reference numeral 354 is a relay board that collects the electrical wiring and the like in the take-in unit 153 in a lump and can be electrically connected to the main controller and the like.

  The discharge gate member 340 is always urged in one direction by the urging force of the coil spring 352. At this time, the discharge gate member 340 is actually held in the state of FIG. 33A by the biasing force of the coil spring 352, and when a force is applied from the gate operation unit 348, the discharge gate member 340 is applied to the biasing force of the coil spring 352. Accordingly, the state shifts to the state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 25 and the like, a rod portion 348 protrudes on the first capture device 301 side in the capture unit 153. The tip of the rod portion 348 comes into contact with the second link piece 185 (see FIG. 18) of the discharge operation transmission device 180 described above, and the operation lever 188 is operated in the discharge operation transmission device 180. When the link pieces 184 and 185 are moved accordingly, the movement is transmitted to the rod portion 348. Thereby, the discharge gate member 340 operates.

  At one end of the discharge gate member 340, a protrusion 355 extending in the longitudinal direction of the discharge gate member 340 is formed below the spring receiving portion 347. A discharge gate detection sensor 356 is provided on the cover member 351 provided on one end side of the discharge gate member 340 (see FIG. 27). In this case, in the state where the discharge gate member 340 is always urged in one direction by the urging force of the coil spring 352 as described above, the protrusion 355 is not detected by the discharge gate detection sensor 356. On the other hand, the discharge gate member 340 moves against the urging force of the coil spring 352, so that the protrusion 355 is detected by the discharge gate detection sensor 356. That is, the discharge gate detection sensor 356 constitutes a discharge operation detection means for detecting the operation state (operation position) of the discharge gate member 340.

  Further, the first take-in device 301 is provided with a sensor unit 370 that detects the passage of a game ball in the take-in passage 315. The configuration of the sensor unit 370 will be described with reference to FIGS. The sensor unit 370 constitutes a game ball counting means for counting the number of game balls passing through the take-in passage 315, and includes a known optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element.

  The sensor unit 370 has a substantially U shape, and is assembled so as to straddle the first and second housing members 311 and 312. Specifically, the sensor unit 370 includes a sensor body 371 extending in the thickness direction of the take-in device 301, and the intake passage 315 side from both ends of the sensor body 371 along the outer wall surfaces of the housing members 311 and 312. Arm portions 372 and 373 extending in the direction. A sensor circuit board (not shown) is accommodated in the sensor body 371, and a connector hole 371a for exposing a connector terminal 374 provided on the sensor circuit board to the outside is provided on the back surface of the sensor body 371. Is formed.

  A light emitting element is accommodated in one of the arm portions 372 and 373, and a light receiving element is accommodated in the other. In addition, a pair of upper and lower sensor detection holes 376 and 377 are formed at the inner portions of the distal ends of the arm portions 372 and 373. In this case, two light emitting elements and two light receiving elements are accommodated in each of the arm portions 372 and 373, and these elements emit and receive light through the sensor detection holes 376 and 377.

  Fitting grooves 378 and 379 for installing the arm portions 372 and 373 of the sensor unit 370 are formed on the outer wall surfaces of the first and second housing members 311 and 312. The fitting grooves 378 and 379 are formed with a pair of upper and lower through holes 378a and 379a. The through holes 378a and 379a are arranged so as to face each other in a state where the first and younger brother 2 housing members 311 and 312 are joined. When the sensor unit 370 is assembled to the housing members 311 and 312 in the housing joined state, the sensor units 370 are fitted so that the arm portions 372 and 373 are fitted in the corresponding fitting grooves 378 and 379, respectively. Are assembled to the housing members 311 and 312. In this state, the positions of the sensor detection holes 376 and 377 provided at the distal ends of the arm portions 372 and 373, and the positions of the through holes 378a and 379a provided in the fitting structures 378 and 379 of the housing members 311 and 312, respectively. Are arranged so that they face each other.

  As shown in FIG. 29, in the housing, the through hole 378a is provided at a position slightly offset from the center in the intake passage 315 (not shown, but the through hole 379a is also the same). The position of the through hole 378a (379a) is a game slave detection position by the sensor unit 370. In this case, in particular, the through hole 378a (379a) is provided at a position directly below the claw portion 320a formed at the distal end portion of the intake gate member 320 (the right offset position of the intake passage 315 in FIG. 29). As long as the claw portion 320a of the gate member 320 does not move to the insertion side, the game ball is not detected by the sensor unit 370. Assuming that the through-hole 378a (379a) is provided on the opposite side of the intake passage 315 (the left offset position of the intake passage 315 in FIG. 29), the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 is in the protruding position. In order to prevent erroneous detection of a game ball in a state in which it is located (including erroneous detection of a game ball when discharging a game ball through the discharge passage 316), it is necessary to lower the position of the through hole 378a (379a) below the illustrated position. However, according to the above-described configuration of the gaming machine 1, the through hole 378a (379a) can be disposed in the vicinity of the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320. Therefore, it is possible to quickly detect a game ball that flows down due to the opening of the intake gate member 320.

  When a game ball is taken in with the take-in gate member 320 opened, in the upper and lower sensor elements (light emitting element + light receiving element) in the sensor unit 370, the game ball is first detected by the upstream sensor element, Thereafter, the game ball is detected by the sensor element on the downstream side. Detection signals from these sensor elements are sequentially output to a main controller 505 described later that manages the taking-in of game balls. In this case, main controller 505 determines whether or not a game ball has been normally taken in based on a game ball detection signal from each sensor element. Specifically, it is determined that the game ball has been normally taken in only when the game ball is detected in the order of the upstream sensor element → the downstream sensor element within a predetermined specified time. The

  If the required time from the detection of the game ball by the upstream sensor element to the detection of the game ball by the downstream sensor element is longer than the specified time, or contrary to normal, the downstream sensor element → the upstream sensor When the game balls are detected in the order of the elements, it is regarded as abnormal, the fact is notified, and the subsequent games are stopped. Therefore, for example, by attaching a string or the like to a game ball or other dummy object to be moved up and down, it is possible to prevent cheating as if a plurality of game balls were taken in.

  As described above, in the sensor unit 370, of the arm portions 372 and 373,-is a light emitting portion and the other is a light receiving portion, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are provided integrally. Accordingly, the alignment accuracy between the light emitting element and the light receiving element can be increased, and the detection accuracy of the gaming machine can be improved. In addition, a sensor circuit board is provided in the sensor main body 371 that connects the arm parts 372 and 373, and the connector terminal 374 provided on the sensor circuit board enables electrical connection to an external board. In addition, the signal lines connected to the light receiving element can be integrated and integrated, and the wiring can be easily connected to the external substrate.

  Further, a downstream side intake sensor 380 is provided at the most downstream portion of the intake passage 315 for detecting the game ball that has passed through the intake gate member 320 by the sensor unit 370 and then detecting the game ball again. ing. This downstream side intake sensor 380 is configured by a magnetic detection type proximity sensor, and detects the passage of the game ball by the change of the magnetic field accompanying the passage of the game ball. That is, the plate-shaped sensor main body 381 is provided with a through hole 381a, and the sensor main body 381 detects a change in magnetic field when a game ball passes through the through hole 381a and outputs it as an electrical signal. The through hole 381 a has a substantially perfect circle shape, and its diameter substantially matches the width dimension of the intake passage 315. A connector terminal 382 is provided on the sensor main body 381.

  Similar to the detection signal of the sensor unit 370, the detection signal from the downstream intake sensor 380 is output to the main controller 505 described later. In this case, in the main controller 505, based on the detection signal of the sensor unit 370 and the detection signal of the downstream intake sensor 380, the detection result of the current game ball acquisition (result of the acquisition determination by the sensor unit 370) is It is determined whether it is legitimate, that is, whether it is not illegal. Specifically, the number of game balls counted by the sensor unit 370 (for example, the number of game balls counted by the detection result of one sensor element) is compared with the number of game balls counted by the downstream intake sensor 380, and the respective counts are calculated. When the numbers match, it is determined that the detection result of the current game ball uptake (result of the uptake determination by the sensor unit 370) is normal. On the other hand, when the count numbers do not match, it is determined that the detection result of the current game ball capture (the result of the capture determination by the sensor unit 370) is not a regular one but is due to an illegal act. .

  As a fraudulent act on the capture device 301, it is conceivable to attach a fraudulent device that emits light so as to cause the sensor unit 370 to erroneously detect the passage of a game ball. For example, an illegal device comprising two light emitters that blinks regardless of the actual game ball take-in is attached to the take-in device 301, and the game balls pass by flashing these light emitters in a predetermined order. Is misdetected. When such an illegal act is performed, it is difficult to avoid erroneous detection of the game ball due to the illegal act only by the detection of the game ball by the sensor unit 370. In this regard, it is possible to avoid erroneous detection of a game ball due to fraudulent action by fraud confirmation based on the detection signal of the downstream intake sensor 380 as described above.

  Since two sensor devices (sensor unit 370 and downstream side intake sensor 380) having different detection methods are provided in the intake passage 315, it is difficult to erroneously detect a game ball in any of the sensor devices. It will be something. Therefore, countermeasures against fraud in the capture device 301 are desirable.

  Each component of the intake device 301 described above (excluding the discharge gate member 340, the intake gate member 320, the gate drive mechanism including the solenoid 325, the sensor unit 370, etc.) is a corner between the inlet passage 305 and the intake passage 315. It is arranged in a concentrated manner in the inner region of the part. Thereby, each structural member can be efficiently arrange | positioned within the limited area | region, As a result, size reduction (including thickness reduction) of the capture device 301 is realizable.

  Next, referring to FIG. 34, an actual game ball take-in operation by the first take-in device 301 will be described. 34A shows an initial state, FIG. 34B shows a game ball taking-in state, and FIG. 34C shows a game ball discharging state. In the actual game, game balls successively enter the entrance passage 305, but only five game balls are shown in FIGS. 34 (a) to 34 (c).

  In the initial state shown in FIG. 34A, the solenoid 325 is not energized, and the claw portion 320a of the take-in gate member 320 projects into the take-in passage 315. Further, since the discharge gate member 340 is in a non-operating state, the inlet of the discharge passage 316 is closed by the discharge gate member 340. That is, the intake passage 315 and the discharge passage 316 are closed by the intake gate member 320 and the discharge gate member 340, thereby preventing the passage of the game ball. In this case, of the game balls that have entered the take-in device 301, the top game ball is held in a state where it hits both the take-in gate member 320 and the discharge gate member 340.

  In the state where the game ball is taken in as shown in FIG. 34B, the claw portion 320a of the release gate member 320 is retracted from the take-in passage 315 by energization of the solenoid 325. Thereby, the passage of the game ball in the take-in passage 315 is permitted, and the game ball is taken in sequentially. When the game ball is taken in, the game ball that has entered the take-in passage 315 from the entrance passage 305 collides with the discharge gate member 340 in the passage closed state, and the momentum of the flow is reduced due to the collision. It flows with the downstream side of the entrance passage 315. At this time, the front and rear game balls flow down in a state of being separated from each other in the intake passage 315, and the sensor unit 370 reliably detects the passage of the far game balls.

  Further, in the game ball discharge state shown in FIG. 34 (c), the discharge gate member 340 is operated by the discharge operation by the player (actually the operation lever 188 of the discharge operation transmission device 180), and the passage is opened. (However, at this time, the solenoid 325 is in a non-energized state). Thereby, the passage of the game ball in the discharge passage 316 is allowed, and the game ball is discharged (ball removal). When the game ball is discharged, the entrance portion of the vertical portion of the intake passage 315 is closed by the claw portion 320a of the intake gate member 320 and the ball guide protrusion 344 of the discharge gate member 340, and these claw portions 320a. The game ball passes over the ball guide protrusion 344. At this time, the game ball flows smoothly and the game ball is suitably discharged.

  In the take-in unit 153 in which the take-up devices having the above-described configuration are provided in a triple manner, game balls are supplied to the take-in devices 301 to 303 from the guide passages 171 to 173 of the upper plate 151, respectively, and the bet switch on the front of the game machine In accordance with operation 37, each of the capture devices 301 to 303 captures a game ball. Specifically, for example, when 15 (maximum bet) game balls are taken in, the take-in gate member 320 is simultaneously operated to the open position in all the take-in devices 301 to 303, and the take-in of game balls is performed all at once. To begin. At this time, each of the take-in devices 301 to 303 takes in five game balls.

  However, if any of the three capture devices 301 to 303 is not filled with a game ball, or if any of the capture devices does not operate normally due to a malfunction of the solenoid 325, etc. The game ball is taken in by the remaining take-in devices that can perform normal take-in operations. For example, when the first take-in device 301 is not filled with a game ball or when the solenoid 325 or the like of the take-in device 301 is out of order, a take-in device other than the first take-in device 301 (second, second, 15 game balls are taken in by the 3 take-in devices 302 and 303).

  On the other hand, when the game balls remaining on the take-in devices 301 to 303 and the upper plate 151 are discharged to the lower plate 71, the discharge gate member 340 is operated in accordance with the operation of the operation lever 188 on the front surface of the game machine, and each take The game balls are discharged all at once by the insertion devices 301 to 303.

(Description of payout control unit 155)
Next, the payout control unit 155 will be described. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the payout control unit 155. The completed state as the payout control unit 155 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 35 and the like, the payout control unit 155 is configured by arranging a power supply device 156 and a payout control device 157 side by side and connecting these devices 156 and 157 with a connector 401.

  Specifically, the power supply device 156 includes a power supply board (not shown) and a board box 402 that houses the radio wave board. The substrate box 402 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and in particular, is a transparent box so that the circular portion (power supply substrate) can be visually recognized. Slit-like notches are formed in the corners of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate box 402, and the notch forms a flexible plate portion 403 and a projection 404 is formed on the flexible plate portion 403. However, FIG. 35 shows only the upper flexible plate portion and the protrusion. Thereby, the flexible plate part 403 and the protrusion 404 are bent and deformed by the action of a force from above (or below).

  The payout control device 157 includes a payout control board (not shown) and a board box 405 that houses the payout control board. The board box 405 is formed of a synthetic resin material, and in particular is a transparent box so that the inside (payout control board) can be visually recognized. Slit-like notches are formed at the corners of the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate box 405, and a flexible plate portion 406 is formed by the notches, and a protrusion 407 is formed on the flexible plate portion 406. However, FIG. 35 shows only the upper flexible plate portion and the protrusion. Thereby, the flexible plate part 403 and the protrusion 407 are bent and deformed by the action of a force from above (or below). In each of the board boxes 402 and 405 of the power supply device 156 and the payout control device 157, their height dimension (vertical dimension) and thickness dimension (front-rear dimension) are the same.

  The connector 401 is substantially U-shaped, and includes an intermediate plate portion 401a, an upper plate portion 401b, and a lower plate portion 401c. The middle plate portion 401a has substantially the same length (vertical size) as the height of the substrate boxes 402 and 405 of the power supply device 156 and the payout control device 157, and the upper plate portion 401b and the lower plate portion 401c. Has the same length dimension (dimension in the front-rear direction) as the thickness dimension of the substrate boxes 402 and 405. Two holes 408 and 409 are formed in each of the upper plate portion 401b and the lower plate portion 401c.

  By engaging the projections 404 and 407 provided on the substrate boxes 402 and 405 of the power supply device 156 and the dispensing control device 157 with the holes 408 and 409 of the connection tool 401, the power supply device 156 and A payout control device 157 is connected. In a state where the power supply device 156 and the dispensing control device 157 are connected, the substrates in the devices 156 and 157 are all directed in the same direction (the rear side as the tray block 5). In this state, the power supply device 156 and the payout control device 157 are arranged with a predetermined gap therebetween. Then, as shown in FIG. 15 and the like, the payout control unit 155 is configured such that the back surface side of the power supply device 156 and the payout control device 157 (the middle plate portion 401a side of the connector 401) faces the ball path forming body 152. Is attached to the ball passage forming body 152.

(Description of operation as the saucer block 5)
FIG. 7 (overall perspective view 2), FIG. 17 (plan view of the upper plate 151), FIG. 21 (perspective view of the ball passage forming body 152), FIG. 29 (configuration cross section of the take-in device 301) This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the tray block 5 configured as described above, in a state where a large number of game balls are stored in the upper plate 151, the game balls are aligned in a row in the guide passages 171 to 173 which are the most downstream portions of the upper plate 151. In this aligned state, they are guided to the inlet passages 305 to 307 of the intake devices 301 to 303 corresponding to the respective guide passages 171 to 173. At this time, a transparent cover member 175 is attached to a part of each of the guide passages 171 to 173 and above the entrance passages 305 to 307, and the game balls flow down through the respective guide passages 171 to 173 and the entrance passages 305 to 307. Is easily visible.

  When the game balls are taken in the take-in devices 301 to 303 of the take-in unit 153, the take-in gate members 320 of the take-in devices 301 to 303 are opened, and the game balls are taken in sequentially through the take-in passage 315. . The taken game balls flow in the order of the ball discharge chamber 216 provided in the ball passage forming body 152 → the external guide passage 217 and are discharged to the outside (the island facility of the game hall). Further, when the game ball is discharged (when the ball is removed) by operating the discharge gate member 340, the game ball flows in the order of the discharge passage 316 → the discharge guide passage 218 → the discharge port 203 of each of the intake devices 301 to 303. Thus, it is discharged to the lower plate 71.

  On the other hand, when a game ball is supplied to the game ball distribution member 210 from a payout device or the like, which will be described later, the game balls are distributed by the respective paths 211 to 213 provided in the distribution path 210 so that the game balls are placed in the upper plate 151 and the lower plate discharge passage 201 and the external discharge passage 202.

(Description of the face change block 6)
Next, the surface changing block 6 will be described. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the surface changing block 6 as seen from the oblique front, FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the surface changing block 6 as seen from the oblique rear, and FIG. 38 is a front view of the surface changing block 6. 39 and 40 are exploded perspective views of the surface changing block 6. FIG.

  The face change block 6 is mainly composed of a front frame 501 made of synthetic resin, a metal base plate 502 attached to the back side of the front frame 501, a reel device 503 as a symbol display device, and an auxiliary effect device. As a liquid crystal display device 504, a main control device 505 that performs various main controls relating to games, and a display control device 506 that performs subordinate display control based on commands from the main control device 505. In this case, the face change block 6 is configured to include all the main parts that determine the game contents of the gaming machine 1, and if the model change is performed in a game hall or the like, the face change block 6 is displayed. The model can be switched by replacing the model with a new model. That is, the surface changing block 6 is an exchange unit when the model is changed.

(Description of front frame 501)
Details of the front frame 501 will be described with reference to FIG. 41A is a perspective view of the front frame 501 viewed from the front, and FIG. 41B is a perspective view of the front frame 501 viewed from the rear.

  The front frame 501 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, and a window frame 512 is formed in a three-dimensional manner so as to protrude forward from a flange 511 provided at the peripheral edge. The window frame portion 512 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front, and has a shape and a size that substantially match the viewing window 21 of the front door body 11.

  Further, the front portion of the window frame portion 512 is provided with two upper and lower openings each having a horizontally long rectangular shape, which are an upper display window 513 and a lower display window 514, respectively. Each of the display windows 513 and 514 is provided at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction on the front surface of the window frame portion 512, and the lower display window 514 is formed to be larger when compared with each other. The upper display window 513 corresponds to a liquid crystal image display unit for displaying a display image by the liquid crystal display device 504, and the lower display window 514 is a reel for displaying reel symbols attached to the outer periphery of the reel device 503. It corresponds to the symbol display section.

  The front surface of the window frame portion 512 (that is, a portion other than the display windows 513 and 514) is generally a flat surface. However, when the peripheral portion of the upper display window 513 and the peripheral portion of the lower display window 514 are compared in the window frame portion 512, their installation angles are different, and the peripheral portion of the upper display dense 513 is provided in a substantially vertical direction. On the other hand, the peripheral portion of the lower display window 514 is provided so as to face slightly upward. The front angle of the window frame portion 512 is in accordance with the transparent panel 22 provided in the viewing window 21 of the front door rest 11. Therefore, assuming that the surface changing block 6 is mounted on the door block 4, the peripheral portion of the upper display window 513 is provided in a substantially vertical direction like the upper panel surface 22 a of the transparent panel 22, and the lower display window 514. As with the lower panel surface 22b of the transparent panel 22, the peripheral portion is provided so as to face slightly upward.

  In a state where the surface changing block 6 is mounted on the door block 4, the flange portion 511 of the front frame 501 contacts the panel support plate material 92 (see FIG. 8) of the door block 4. At this time, however, the length from the flange portion 511 to the front surface of the window frame portion 512 in the front frame 501 (the width in the front-rear direction) and the length in the front-rear direction of the panel support plate 92 are larger. It has become. Accordingly, in the mounted state, a gap is formed between the front surface of the window frame portion 512 and the transparent panel 22.

  Since the window frame portion 512 and the viewing window 21 (transparent panel 22) on the door block 4 side have substantially the same size, this game is provided in the front area F of the window frame portion 512 (that is, other than the display windows 513 and 514). If various information and decorations related to the machine 1 are given, the various information and decorations can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine through the viewing window 21 (transparent panel 22). In this case, since the front area F of the window frame portion 512 is a substantially flat surface as described above, a seal or the like can be attached to the front area.

(Description of base plate 502)
Next, details of the base plate 502 will be described with reference to FIG. 42A is a perspective view of the base plate 502 viewed from the front, and FIG. 42B is a perspective view of the base plate 502 viewed from the rear.

  The base plate 502 has substantially the same size as the front frame 501, and the base plate 502 has two rectangular upper and lower openings (upper opening 521, lower opening 522). Is formed. Among these, the upper opening 521 is an opening for mounting the liquid crystal display device 504, and the lower opening 522 is an opening for mounting the reel device 503. The base plate 502 is attached to the front frame 501 at the side portions of the openings 521 and 522. The openings 521 and 522 are provided corresponding to the display windows 513 and 514 of the front frame 501, respectively, and are larger than the display windows 513 and 514.

  On the back side of the base plate 502, the opening edge between the upper and lower openings 521 and 522 and the lower opening edge of the lower opening 522 are respectively long for supporting the reel device 503. Shaped reel support members 525 and 526 are provided. The upper reel support member 525 is provided with holes 525a and 525b at two locations on the left and right. The lower reel support member 526 is provided with holes 526a and 526b at two locations on the left and right sides, and a return portion 527 for placing a support fixing portion 546 of a case member 540 described later.

  On the back side of the base plate 502, prismatic column portions 531 and 532 are attached to the left and right edges, respectively. Among them, a support fitting 533 is attached to the right column portion 531 when viewed from the back side. The support fitting 533 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 534a and 534b. The support shafts 534a and 534b of the support fitting 533 constitute support means for rotatably supporting the surface changing block 6 on the door block 4, and the support shafts 534a and 534b are provided on the door block 4. The shaft fittings 110 and 111 are inserted into the shaft holes (see FIG. 8 and the like) of the bearing portions 110b and 111a. The bearing portions 110b and 111a on the door block 4 side and the support shafts 534a and 534b on the surface changing block 6 side correspond to “support means M1 and M2 for the surface changing block 6” shown in FIG.

  A metal plate 535 is attached to the left column 532 as viewed from the back side, and the metal plate 535 is provided with a pair of upper and lower flanges 536a and 536b. The flanges 536 a and 536 b function as a fixing means for fixing the payout block 7 to the surface changing block 6.

  An external terminal plate 537 is attached between the upper opening 521 and the column portion 531 on the back side of the base plate 502.

(Description of reel device 503)
FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the reel device 503. The reel device 503 includes a metal case member 540 and three reels 541, 542, and 543 on the left, middle, and right that are accommodated in the case member 540. The case member 540 has three reels 541 to 543 rotatably accommodated therein, and a part of the reels 541 to 543 appears forward. In the case member 540, a support fixing portion 545 formed by bending upward is provided at the front end portion of the upper surface portion, and a support fixing portion 546 formed by bending downward at the front end portion of the lower surface portion. Is provided. These support fixing portions 545 and 546 constitute attachment means for attaching the reel device 503 to the base plate 502.

  The support fixing portions 545 and 546 are provided with holes 545a, 545b, 546a, and 546b at two positions on the left and right sides, respectively. The fixing and fixing of the reel device 503 to the base plate 502 is performed with the holes 545a, 545b, and 546a. , 546b is hinged to the upper and lower reel support members 525, 526 (holes 525a, 525b, 526a, 526b) of the base plate 502.

  As can be seen in FIG. 37 and the like, a reel relay substrate 548 for electrical connection between the reel device 503 and a control system such as the main control device 505 is installed on the upper portion of the case member 540. Further, at the lower part of the case member 540, protrusions 549 that are contact portions with the floor or the like when the surface changing block 6 is placed on the floor or the like are provided at two places on the left and right.

  The configuration of each of the reels 541 to 543 is well known, and although detailed illustration is omitted here, the configuration will be briefly described. Each of the reels 541 to 543 includes a cylindrical skeleton member that forms a cylindrical cage, and a belt-like belt wound around the outer periphery thereof. On the outer peripheral surface of the belt, a number of symbols as identification information are printed at equal intervals (for example, 21 symbols). A stepping motor as a drive source is provided at the center of each of the reels 541 to 543, and the reels 541 to 543 are driven to rotate individually, that is, independently, by driving the stepping motor. The reel device 503 is provided with a reel index sensor (rotational position detection sensor) for detecting the rotational position of each of the reels 541 to 543 as another configuration. Further, a backlight (rear light emitting means) made of a fluorescent lamp or the like is provided on the inner peripheral side of each reel 541 to 543, and each symbol attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel is brighter than the rear by this backlight. Illuminated. By the light emission of the backlight, it is possible to improve the visibility of each symbol attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel and to diversify the auxiliary effects in the game.

(Description of main controller 505, etc.)
Next, the configuration of the main controller 505, the display controller 506, etc. will be described with reference to FIG.

  The main control device 505 includes a main control board 561 on which electronic components such as a CPU and a memory are mounted, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case member (a case base 562 and a case cover 563) for housing the main control board 561. It is configured. The case base 562 and the case cover 563 are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the main control board 561 inside the case base 562 and the case cover 563 is visible. On the case base 562, attachment portions 564 and 565 for attaching the main controller 505 to the base plate 502 are formed at two places in the upper and lower parts of the figure.

  The case base 562 and the case cover 563 are provided with a sealing portion (so-called caulking portion) (not shown) as sealing means for connecting these members. The seal part allows the case member to be opened by breaking, etc., and the member that has been broken remains as the opening history after opening, so the opening history can be confirmed by the opening history Yes. Thereby, in the case where the case member is unlawfully opened, for example, it is possible to find an unauthorized act by confirming the seal portion.

  The display control device 506 includes a display control board 571 on which electronic components such as a CPU and a memory are mounted, and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case member (a case base 572 and a case cover 573) for housing the display control board 571. It is configured. The case base 572 and the case cover 573 are formed of a transparent synthetic resin material, and the display control board 571 inside the case base 572 and the case cover 573 is visible. On the case base 572, attachment portions 574 and 575 for attaching the display control device 506 to the base plate 502 are formed at two places on the left and right in the drawing.

  The liquid crystal display device 504 includes a liquid crystal panel 581 and a liquid crystal driver 582 that drives the liquid crystal panel 581.

(Explanation of completed state as changeable block 6)
The completed state of the surface changing block 6 will be described again with reference to FIGS. As the face change block 6, a reel device 503 is attached from the back to the integrated front frame 501 and base plate 502, and a liquid crystal display device 504 is attached above the reel device 503. A main control device 505 is attached to the side of the reel device 503, and a display control device 506 is attached above the reel device 503.

  In the face change block 6, the entire panel surface of the liquid crystal panel 581 can be visually recognized from the upper display window 513 of the front frame 501. Further, from the lower display window 514 of the front frame 501, a part of each reel 541 to 543 of the reel device 503 can be visually recognized. At this time, out of many symbols (21 in this embodiment) attached to the outer circumference of each of the reels 541 to 543, three symbols for each reel can be visually recognized through the lower display window 514. Yes.

(Description of payout block 7)
Next, the payout block 7 will be described. FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the payout block 7, and FIG. 45 is a rear view of the payout block 7.

  The payout block 7 is configured by integrating a back cover member 601 integrally formed of a synthetic resin material and a payout mechanism 602 for paying out game balls. The back cover member 601 includes a substantially flat base portion 603 and a protective cover portion 604 that protrudes rearward (backward of the gaming machine 1) and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 604 has a shape in which the left and right surfaces and the upper and lower surfaces and the rear surface are closed, and has a size sufficient to accommodate at least the reel device 503 of the surface changing block 6. Although illustration is omitted, a large number of ventilation holes are provided on the back surface of the protective cover portion 604.

  The payout mechanism 602 is attached to the base portion 603 of the back cover member 601 so as to bypass the protective cover portion 604. That is, a tank 605 that opens upward is provided at the uppermost portion of the back cover member 601, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 605. Below the tank 605, for example, a tank rail 606 that has two rows (two rows) of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. The tank rail 606 extends in the vertical direction downstream of the tank rail 606. Case rail 607 is connected.

  The payout device 608 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 607, and the payout motor 609 is driven by a control signal from the payout control device 157 provided in the tray block 5 so that a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately. The game balls paid out from the payout device 608 are supplied to the upper plate 151 through a payout passage (not shown) or the like. Although illustration is omitted, a tank ball absence sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a game ball supplied from the tank 605 or the tank rail 606 is provided upstream of the case rail 607. Also, the payout device 608 is provided with a payout rotation sensor that detects the rotation of the payout motor 609 and a payout count switch that counts the number of game balls to be paid out.

  The payout mechanism 602 is provided with a payout relay board 611 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 157 to the payout device 608. In addition, the payout mechanism 602 is provided with a power switch board (not shown) for taking in the main power from the outside.

  Both the tank and the passage members in the dispensing mechanism 602 are formed of a conductive synthetic resin material such as a conductive polycarbonate resin, and are grounded at a part thereof. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the noise by charging of a game ball is suppressed.

  The back cover member 601 is provided with a pair of upper and lower support shafts 621a and 621b at the right end when viewed from the back side. The support shafts 621 a and 621 b constitute support means for rotatably supporting the payout block 7 on the door block 4. The support shafts 621 a and 621 b are provided on the door block 4. , 111 are inserted into shaft holes (see FIG. 8 and the like) of the bearing portions 110a, 111b. The bearing portions 110a and 111b on the door block 4 side and the support shafts 621a and 621b on the payout block 7 side correspond to “support means M3 and M4 for the payout block 7” shown in FIG.

  In addition, the back cover member 601 is provided with mounting fixing means (lock members 625a, 625b) for fixing the payout block 7 to the surface changing block 6 at a plurality of locations. Mounting fixing means (locking members 627a, 627b, 627c, 627d) for fixing in a state of being mounted on are provided at a plurality of locations.

  On the other hand, the lock members 625a and 625b for the surface changing block 6 are provided in two positions at positions corresponding to the flanges 536a and 536b (see FIG. 37) of the metal plate 535 provided on the surface changing block 6, respectively. Each of the flange portions 536a and 536b is configured to have a locking piece to be locked. In this case, by setting the locking pieces of the lock members 625a and 625b to the hooked portions 536a and 536b, the payout block 7 is mounted on the surface changing block 6, and the locked state is released. Thus, the payout block 7 can be removed from the surface changing block 6.

  Further, the lock members 627a to 627d for the door block 4 are provided at a total of four positions at positions corresponding to the metal fittings 137a to 137d (see FIG. 8) of the front door body 11 (door block 4), and each of the metal fittings 137a. It has the latching piece latched by 137d. In this case, by setting the locking pieces of the lock members 6278 to 627d to the locked state with respect to the metal fittings 137a to 137d, the payout block 7 is attached and fixed to the door block 4, and the locked state is released. The payout block 7 can be removed from the door block 4.

(Description of replacement work of the surface changing unit 6)
As described above, the replacement block 6 is a replaceable unit. Here, the replacement operation of the replacement block 6 at the time of model change in the game hall will be described.

  First, the locked state of the door block 4 with respect to the outer frame 2 is released using a prescribed operation key, and the door block 4 is opened to the front side. At this time, the face changing block 6 and the payout block 7 are integrally operated together with the door block 4. This is the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, by operating the lock members 627a to 627d provided on the backing bar member 601 of the payout block 7 in an unlocked state with a finger or the like, the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 are rotated with respect to the door block 4. The dispensation block 7 can be rotated (can be opened) by changing the lock members 625a and 625b to the unlocked state with a finger or the like. When the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 are rotated in this state, the state shown in FIG. 4 is obtained. In this state, electrical wiring between the blocks is removed as appropriate.

  Then, in the state of FIG. 4, the surface changing block 6 is removed from the door block 4 so as to be lifted upward. At this time, the support shafts 534a and 534b provided on the surface changing block 6 side are pulled from the bearing portions 110b and 111a of the shaft fittings 110 and 111 provided on the door block 4 side, and the surface changing block 6 is changed from the door block 4 to the surface changing block 6. Are separated.

  Thereafter, the new surface changing block 6 is mounted in the reverse operation procedure from that for removal. That is, a new surface changing block 6 is attached to the door block 4 and connection such as electric wiring is appropriately executed. Then, the lock members 625a and 625b are operated to the locked state with a finger or the like in a state where the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 are overlapped. In addition, the integrated body of the surface changing block 6 and the payout block 7 is overlapped on the door block 4, and in this state, the lock members 627a to 627d are operated to be locked with a finger or the like. Finally, when the door block 4 is closed with respect to the outer frame 2, the replacement of the gaming machine 1 is completed.

  When exchanging the surface changing block 6 described above, no special tool or the like is required except for unlocking the door block 4 with an operation key, and the exchanging operation is facilitated.

(Explanation of electrical configuration)
Next, the electrical configuration of the game machine 1 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 46, each electrical component is divided into a door block 4, a saucer block 5, a surface changing block 6 and a payout block 7. In addition, a supply line of power supplied from the power supply device 156 is indicated by a double line arrow, and a signal line is indicated by a solid line arrow.

  In FIG. 46, the main control device 505, the display control device 506, and the payout control device 157 are all configured by a logical operation device having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and the CPU of each control device is a ROM. Various controls relating to the game are executed based on a calculation program stored in advance. Each of these control devices is connected via a signal line, a relay board, and the like, and in the game, the game progresses by exchanging commands and the like between the control devices.

  Specifically, in the surface changing block 6, the reel device 503 and the external terminal plate 537 are connected to the main controller 505 via the reel relay board 548, and the display controller 506 is connected via the sub relay board 701. It is connected. In the reel device 503, the rotation of each reel 541 to 543 is controlled based on a command from the main control device 505. The external terminal board 537 is a relay device connected to a hall management device (so-called hall computer) installed in a game hall or the like. Through this external terminal board 537, the game situation (the number of games, the number of hits, etc.) is changed. Output to the management device. The display control device 506 receives various commands related to the auxiliary effects of each game from the main control device 505, and performs the auxiliary effects by the liquid crystal display device 504 according to the commands, and the door upper relay board provided in the door block 4 The driving of the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 is controlled via the 703.

  Although description by illustration etc. was abbreviate | omitted, this game machine 1 is provided with the door switch for detecting that the game machine main body 3 (door block 4) was open | released with respect to the outer frame 2, and this The door switch detection signal is input to the main controller 505 via the reel relay board 548.

  In main controller 505, a backup area in which a backup voltage is supplied from power supply device 156 and data can be retained (backed up) even after power-off of game machine 1 is provided in a part of the RAM. ing. Therefore, when the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the various data at the time of power shut-off are stored and retained in the RAM backup area, and the gaming machine 1 at the next power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation). Can be restored to the state before the power was shut off.

  In addition, the saucer block 5 is provided with a saucer block relay board 702, and the main controller 505 of the surface changing block 6, the payout controller 157 of the saucer block 5, and the take-in via this saucer block relay board 702 The unit 153 is connected. In addition, the main controller 505 of the surface changing block 6 and the door block relay board 704 of the door block 4 are connected via the tray block relay board 702.

  In this case, when various operation members (the bet switch 38, the start lever 33, and the stop switches 35 to 37) of the door block 4 are operated by the player, the operation is detected by the operation detection unit built in these operation members. Each operation detection signal is input to the main controller 505 via the door block relay board 704 and the saucer block relay board 702. For example, when an operation detection signal associated with the operation of the bet switch 38 is input to the main controller 505, the main controller 505 outputs an acquisition control signal to the acquisition unit 153 via the tray block relay board 702. By this take-in control signal, the solenoid 325 in each take-in device 301 to 303 of the take-in unit 153 is driven, and game balls are taken in sequentially. The detection signal of the game ball take-in detection sensor (sensor unit 370, downstream take-in sensor 380) at the time of taking in the game ball is also input to the main controller 505 through the saucer block intermediate substrate 702.

  In addition, a stop symbol (three upper and lower symbols visible from the visual window 21 of the door block 4 and a combination of the symbols) of each reel of the reel device 503 is a predetermined game ball paying combination (small role symbol, bonus symbol). If it matches, the main control unit 505 sets the number of game balls to be paid out according to the winning combination each time, and sends out a payout control signal corresponding to the number of payouts via the receiving tray relay board 702. To 157. Thereby, the payout device 608 (the payout motor 609) is driven by the payout control device 157, and the fast-acting ball is paid out.

  In the payout control device 157, a part of the RAM retains data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 156 even after the game machine 1 is turned off, like the RAM of the main control device 505. There is a backup area that can be used. Therefore, if the power is shut down due to a power failure, the various data at the time of power shut-off are stored in the RAM backup area, and the next time the power is turned on (including power on due to power failure cancellation) The state of the gaming machine 1 can be restored to the state before the power is shut off.

  Although not shown, the payout control device 157 manages the information display board for managing the display contents of the information display unit 51 provided in the door block 4 and the payout of game balls lent out from the ball lending unit. A ball rental unit connection board or the like is connected.

  The power supply device 156 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches, motors, etc., + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, and the like. + 5V power and backup power are supplied to the main controller 505, the payout controller 157, and the like.

(Outline explanation of the game)
Next, an outline of the game performed by the player for the gaming machine 1 configured as described above will be briefly described.

  At the start of the game, when the player presses the bat switch 38 in a situation where there are enough game balls on the upper plate 151, each of the take-in devices 301 to 303 of the take-in unit 153 takes in the game balls. Done. When the start lever 33 is operated after a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls corresponding to the number of bets has been taken in, the reels 541 to 543 of the reel device 503 are simultaneously or predetermined. Start spinning in order. When the start lever 33 is operated, the main control unit 505 performs an internal lottery regarding a small role, replay (replay), bonus game, and the like. When the reels 541 to 543 are rotated, the symbols attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof are visually recognized in such a manner as to move from top to bottom through the viewing window 21.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the stop switches 35 to 37 in an arbitrary order, the rotation of the corresponding reels 54l to 543 is stopped in accordance with the operation timing of each of the stop switches 35 to 37. At this time, when the reels 541 to 543 are stopped, pull-in stop control for stopping a predetermined symbol at a specific position is appropriately performed. For example, when a small combination is established by an internal lottery, the stop symbols can be slid for a maximum of 4 symbols from the operation timing of the stop switches 35 and 37 so that the combination of the stop symbols is established. (Stop symbol sliding is performed). Incidentally, after the start of the rotation of the reels 541 to 543, when the specified time elapses without the stop switches 35 to 37 being operated, the rotation of the reels 541 to 543 is stopped at that time.

  When the reels 541 to 543 are stopped (when the symbols are stopped), when the stopped symbols and the combinations thereof match the small role symbols and bonus symbols, the number of game balls corresponding to the winning combination at that time is paid out. In this case, the game ball is paid out to the upper plate 151 by driving the payout device 608.

  Next, the structure of the further characteristic part of the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the main control device according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment starts the rotation of the reels 541 to 543 (see FIG. 36) having a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface based on the start operation by the player. When the symbol display mode when the rotation of the reels 541 to 543 is stopped is a predetermined display mode, that is, when a predetermined game ball paying combination (small role symbol, bonus symbol) is given, Is to be done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is paid out with a bet switch 38 for receiving an instruction on the number of bets on the game ball from the player, and a start lever 33 for receiving instructions for rotating the reels 541 to 543 from the player. An upper plate 151 that can store the game balls, and each take-in device 301 to 303 that takes in the game balls stored in the upper plate 151 according to the operation of the bet switch 38 by the player (see FIG. 26), A sensor unit 370 for detecting the number of game balls taken in by the take-in devices 301 to 303 and a downstream-side take-in sensor 380 (see FIG. 30) are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 47, main controller 505 includes arrival determination unit 801 that determines whether or not the number of game balls detected by sensor unit 370 and downstream take-in sensor 380 has reached the bet number. When the arrival determination unit 801 determines that the ball has not been reached, the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied if there is a ball lending available state with the remaining number of balls to the player. And. In addition, as a ball lending possible state in which there are remaining ball lending to the player, for example, a bill or a card is placed on a vertically long card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side (for example, left side) of the gaming machine 1. The state with the effective frequency of a banknote or a card | curd in the state which inserted etc. is mentioned.

  When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining unit 802 determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established, the main control device 505 pays out a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player to the upper plate 151. Thus, the payout block 7 is controlled.

  The reels 541 to 543 described above correspond to the rotating body of the present invention, the bet switch 38 described above corresponds to the betting number instruction operating means of the present invention, and the start lever 33 described above corresponds to the starting operation means of the present invention. The upper plate 151 described above corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention, the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 described above correspond to the number-of-incorporated ball detection means of the present invention, and the arrival determination unit 801 described above includes The automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 corresponds to the arrival determination unit of the present invention, the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 corresponds to the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit of the present invention, and the above-described payout block 7 corresponds to the ball lending unit of the present invention. .

  As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of game balls taken by the take-in devices 301 to 303 due to the player operating the bet switch 38 has not reached the bet number. If, in other words, it is detected that there are not enough game balls used for the current game (out of balls), and there is a remaining ball lending to the player, it is possible to lend to the player. It is possible to automatically lend a predetermined number of the remaining lending balls. In other words, when there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game, the ball lending is automatically performed if the ball lending is possible, for example, the card has an effective number of cards. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the temporary interruption of the game during the time required for the ball lending operation, and it is possible to reduce the interruption of the game due to the ball running out.

  Next, the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment described above is configured to automatically lend a ball when the ball runs out, but the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment 2 notifies before automatic lending and operates the bet switch 38 normally. This is different from the first embodiment described above in that automatic ball lending can be instructed by performing a specific operation (for example, long press for 1.5 seconds) different from (simply pressing). The description of the same contents as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the characteristic part of the second embodiment (notification + specific operation of the bet switch 38) and the like will be described in detail below.

  The gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment includes a speaker group 705 and a lamp group 706 that notify that there is no ball when the arrival determination unit 801 determines that it has not reached. The automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 is in a ball lending state where there is a remaining ball lending to the player when the arrival determination unit 801 determines that it has not reached, and further, a normal operation ( The automatic ball lending condition is determined to be satisfied based on a specific operation (for example, a long press) different from the simple pressing operation.

  The speakers 705 and the lamps 706 described above correspond to notification means of the present invention.

  Here, the operation | movement about selection of a ball break notification and automatic ball lending in the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

  When the player operates the bet switch 38 and the number of game balls taken in by each of the take-in devices 301 to 303 has not reached the bet number, that is, there are not enough game balls used for the current game (balls When it is detected that the power is off, the main control device 505 controls the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 via the display control device 506 so as to notify that there is no ball. Note that the main controller 505 may directly control the speakers 705 and the lamps 706.

  The player recognizes that there are not enough game balls used for the current game (out of balls) based on the absence of ball notification from the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. When the player permits automatic ball lending, the player performs a specific operation (for example, long press) on the bet switch 38, and when not permitting automatic ball lending, the player performs a specific operation (for example, long press) on the bet switch 38. ) And the game ends.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the arrival determination unit 801 determines that it has not reached, the speaker 705 and the lamps 706 that notify the absence of a ball are provided, and automatic ball lending conditions When the arrival determination unit 801 determines that the achievement determination unit 801 has not reached, the formation determination unit 802 is in a ball lending state where there is a remaining ball lending to the player, and further, a normal operation (simply press operation) on the bet switch 38. Since it is determined that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied based on the fact that a specific operation (for example, long press) different from that is performed, it is captured by the capture devices 301 to 303 when the player operates the bet switch 38. The number of game balls that have not reached the number of bets, that is, when it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the current game (out of balls), and A certain ball rental Even when the player is in a possible state, the player does not automatically lend a ball regardless of the player's intention, but the player is given permission / non-permission of the automatic ball lending when triggered by the absence of a ball by the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. You can make permission choices. That is, if a specific operation (for example, long press) different from the normal operation (simply pressing) for the bet switch 38 is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and the specific operation (for example, long press) is not performed. As long as automatic ball lending is not permitted. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

  Next, the gaming machine 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the main control device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 49 is a partial plan view showing the main part of the upper plate of the third embodiment.

  The gaming machine 1 of the second embodiment described above is configured to notify when there are not enough game balls used for the current game, but the gaming machine 1 of the third embodiment is used for the current game. There is a game ball, but it differs from the second embodiment described above in that it is configured to notify when there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game. The description of the same contents as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and the characteristic part (game ball detection and information for the next time) of the third embodiment will be described in detail below.

  As shown in FIG. 49, the gaming machine 1 according to the third embodiment is a game ball waiting on the upper plate 151, and the number of standby balls scheduled to be taken into the take-in devices 301 to 303 as the next game is calculated. A standby ball number detection sensor 803 for detection is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 48, main controller 505 includes a next arrival determination unit 804 that determines whether or not the number of standby balls detected by standby ball number detection sensor 803 has reached the number of bets for the next time. ing. The main control device 505 controls the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 via the display control device 506 so as to notify the prior notification that the ball has run out when the arrival determination unit 804 determines that it has not reached the next time. Note that the main controller 505 may directly control the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. Further, main controller 505 disables operation of start lever 33 for a predetermined period (for example, 1 second or several seconds). That is, not only notification by the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 but also notification that the operation of the start lever 33 is invalid for a predetermined period is simultaneously performed.

  As described above, the take-in devices 301 to 303 each have a configuration including a take-in gate member 320, a guide 331, and a solenoid 325 as a take-in portion for taking in a game ball, and guide the game ball to the take-in portion. Entrance passages 305 to 307 and the respective intake passages 315 for discharging the game balls taken in by the take-in portion. The take-in unit takes in one waiting ball waiting in the entrance passages 305 to 307 one by one. As described above, each take-in passage 315 detects the game ball by the sensor unit 370 that detects the game ball by the first detection method and the second detection method that is different from the first detection method of the sensor unit 370. The downstream intake sensors 380 to be detected are arranged in the intake passage 315 side by side along the flow direction of the game balls in that order. As shown in FIG. 48, the main control device 505 normally takes in the game ball when it is detected by the downstream intake sensor 380 within a predetermined specified time after detection by the sensor unit 370. A detection determination unit 805 that determines that the image has been detected.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper plate 151 includes a cover member 175 that covers at least a part of the guide passages 171 to 173 above the guide passages 171 to 173 on the downstream side of the region R3. Yes. The cover member 175 is a member for restricting the height dimension of each guide passage 171 to 173 to approximately one game ball, and is formed of a transparent material.

  The waiting ball number detection sensor 803 detects a waiting ball, which is a game ball waiting upstream from the take-in portion (a structure including the take-in gate member 320, the guide 331, and the solenoid 325 shown in FIG. 29). The number of waiting balls is detected by detecting the passage of a game ball toward the take-in part. Specifically, the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 is provided for each of the inlet passages 305 to 307 in order to detect a waiting ball waiting in the inlet passages 305 to 307.

  More specifically, the standby ball number detection sensor 803 is provided at a position above the guide passages 171 to 173 in the cover member 175, and a standby ball that is a game ball waiting in the guide passages 171 to 173 is detected. To detect. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, 15 game balls are taken in by the take-in portion when the bet switch 38 is pressed, so that 15 game balls as the next game wait in the entrance passages 305 to 307. become. The standby ball number detection sensor 803 is arranged in the cover member 175 upstream of the range in which the MAXBET number (15) by pressing the bet switch 38 is stored. In FIG. 49, the cover member 175 is not shown, and the arrangement position of the standby ball number detection sensor 803 is shown. It should be noted that the upper plate 151 is not supplied with the game balls concentrated on a specific one of the guide passages 171 to 173, but is distributed and supplied to the guide passages 171 to 173 substantially evenly. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 48, main controller 505 includes a waiting ball number calculation unit 806 that calculates the number of waiting balls by counting the number of detected passing balls in each waiting ball number detection sensor 803, and the number of waiting balls. A drive control unit 807 that individually controls each take-in unit (specifically, solenoid 325) so as to take in game balls according to the number of bets based on the counting result in the calculation unit 806 is provided.

  The waiting ball number detection sensor 803 described above corresponds to the waiting ball detection means and the waiting ball number detection means of the present invention, and the next arrival determination unit 804 described above corresponds to the next arrival determination means of the present invention. The intake gate member 320, the guide 331, and the solenoid 325 correspond to the intake portion of the present invention, the inlet passages 305 to 307 described above correspond to the guide intake passage of the present invention, and the intake passage 315 described above corresponds to the main passage. The above-described region R3 of the upper plate 151 corresponds to the guide passage portion of the present invention, the above-described guide passages 171 to 173 correspond to the branch passage of the present invention, and the sensor units 370, 370, The downstream intake sensor 380 corresponds to the individual intake ball number detection unit of the present invention, the sensor unit 370 described above corresponds to the first detection unit of the present invention, and the downstream intake sensor 380 described above corresponds to the present invention. Second inspection The above-described detection determination unit 805 corresponds to the detection determination unit of the present invention, the above-described cover member 175 corresponds to the covering member of the present invention, and the above-described standby ball number calculation unit 806 corresponds to the standby of the present invention. The drive control unit 807 described above corresponds to a ball number calculation unit, and corresponds to the drive control unit of the present invention.

  Here, an operation for notifying that the game ball for the next time in the gaming machine 1 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  When the player operates the bet switch 38, the waiting balls waiting in the entrance passages 305 to 307 are taken in by the take-in devices 301 to 303, and the next game ball is branched in the guide passages 171 to 173 of the upper plate 151. And supplied to the inlet passages 305 to 307. At this time, game balls passing through the respective guide paths 171 to 173 are detected by the respective standby ball number detection sensors 803. Main controller 505 calculates the total number of waiting balls by counting the number of game balls detected by each waiting ball number detection sensor 803 in the waiting ball number calculation unit 806.

  At this time, for example, four game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 305 through the guide passage 171, and six game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 306 through the guide passage 172. Assuming that there are seven game balls passing through the passage 173 and supplied to the entrance passage 307, the standby ball number calculation unit 806 of the main controller 505 calculates that the total of these is seventeen. The next arrival determination unit 804 determines that the number of waiting balls detected by the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 (e.g., 17 here) has reached the number of bets for the next time (15), that is, Since the game balls (standby balls) for the next time are secured, there is no need for prior notification of ball breakage, and the main controller 505 does not perform prior ball break notification to the speakers 705 and the lamps 706.

  At the time of the next take-in, the drive control unit 807 of the main controller 505 has four game balls that pass through the guide passage 171 and are supplied to the entrance passage 305, and pass through the guide passage 172. Since there are six game balls supplied to the entrance passage 306 and seven game balls supplied to the entrance passage 307 through the guide passage 173, there are four standby balls in the entrance passage 305. The five waiting balls in the passage 306 and the six waiting balls in the entrance passage 307 are taken in, and the taking devices 301 to 303 are driven and controlled so that a total of 15 gaming balls are taken in as a whole.

  For example, three game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 305 through the guide passage 171, and four game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 306 through the guide passage 172. Assuming that there are five game balls that have passed through and are supplied to the entrance passage 307, the standby ball number calculation unit 806 of the main controller 505 calculates that the total of these is twelve. The next arrival determination unit 804 determines that the number of standby balls detected by the standby ball number detection sensor 803 (for example, 12 here) has not reached the number of bets (15) for the next time, that is, Since game balls (standby balls) for the next time are not secured, the main control device 505 controls the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 through the display control device 506 so as to make a prior notification of the ball breaking.

  The player recognizes that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game based on the prior notification of the ball being cut by the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. A player performs a ball lending operation when he / she wants to receive a ball lending, and does not perform a ball lending operation when he / she does not receive a ball lending.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the third embodiment, the number of waiting balls that are waiting on the upper plate 151 and that are scheduled to be taken into the taking-in devices 301 to 303 as the next game are calculated. A waiting ball number detection sensor 803 to be detected, a next arrival determination unit 804 that determines whether or not the waiting ball number detected by the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 has reached the next betting number, and this next time Since it is provided with speakers 705 and lamps 706 for notifying that the ball has not been reached by the minute arrival determination unit 804, the player can operate the player by operating the bet switch 38. The number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets will be taken in by the loading devices 301 to 303, and the number of waiting balls scheduled to be taken into the taking devices 301 to 303 as the next game waiting on the upper plate 151 is If the number of wagers has not been reached, that is, if it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next time the ball has run out), a prior notice will be given and the ball will be The player can be alerted before becoming a ball, and can receive a ball lending before the ball runs out, and the interruption of the game due to the ball running out can be reduced.

  Specifically, the take-in devices 301 to 303 include a take-in portion (a structure including a take-in gate member 320, a guide 331, and a solenoid 325 shown in FIG. 29) that takes in game balls, and is upstream of this take-in portion. Since the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 for detecting the waiting ball, which is a game ball waiting at, is provided, it is possible to detect the waiting ball number waiting upstream from the take-in portion. That is, it is possible to detect the number of waiting balls to be taken in next time by the take-in devices 301 to 303, and it is possible to detect in advance a ball break. And this detected number of waiting balls can also be used for prior notification of the ball breaking.

  The upper plate 151 is provided with a region R3 for guiding the game ball to the take-in devices 301 to 303 at least on the downstream side, and this region R3 includes at least a plurality of guide passages 171 to 173 branched on the downstream side. The intake devices 301 to 303 are provided with respective inlet passages 305 to 307 communicated with each of the guide passages 171 to 173, and an intake portion (an intake gate member 320, a guide 331, a solenoid shown in FIG. 29). 325) is provided for each of the entrance passages 305 to 307, and a plurality of rows of game balls are taken in by the entrance passages 305 to 307. The waiting ball number detecting means is provided in each of the entrance passages 305 to 307. Since the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 are arranged for each of the entrance passages 305 to 307, When the player operates the bet switch 38, the game balls are taken in the respective entrance passages 305 to 307 (the same number of passages as the guide passages 171 to 173) of the take-in devices 301 to 303, and the number of game balls corresponding to the number of bets is obtained. Can be taken in as a whole at each inlet passage 305-307. That is, the game balls can be taken in parallel by the number of the entrance passages 305 to 307, and the take-in time of the game balls taken into the take-in devices 301 to 303 as the bet number can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to detect a waiting ball waiting in each of the inlet passages 305 to 307 upstream from the take-in portion. That is, it is possible to detect a waiting ball over a plurality of rows (here, 3 rows) to be taken in the next time by the take-in devices 301 to 303, and it is possible to detect in advance a broken ball. And the presence or absence of this waiting ball can also be used for prior notification of a ball break.

  In addition, a sensor unit 370 that detects a game ball by a first detection method, and a downstream side intake sensor 380 that detects a game ball by a second detection method that is different from the first detection method of the sensor unit 370. Since the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 having different detection methods are provided, the game ball is erroneously detected (illegal detection) in both the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380. It is difficult to do and is superior in anti-fraud measures.

  In addition, the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 are arranged side by side along the flow direction of the game ball in the intake passage 315 in that order, and the detection determination unit 805 detects the detection by the sensor unit 370. Since it is determined that the game ball has been normally captured when the downstream capture sensor 380 detects within a predetermined time after that, the sensor unit 370 → the downstream capture is determined within the predetermined time. Only when the sensors 380 are detected in the order, it is determined that the game ball has been normally taken in. That is, even if the detection order of the sensor unit 370 and the downstream-side capture sensor 380 is reversed, or even if detection is performed in the order of the sensor unit 370 → the downstream-side capture sensor 380, the specified time after the detection by the sensor unit 370 If there is a detection by the downstream intake sensor 380 beyond that, it can be determined that there is an abnormality. In other words, the detection unit and the detection time of the sensor unit 370 and the downstream acquisition sensor 380 are monitored not only by adopting a sensor unit 370 and a downstream acquisition sensor 380 of different detection methods to take countermeasures against fraud. Therefore, it is possible to make it more difficult to erroneously detect (illegal detection) the game ball in both the sensor unit 370 and the downstream-side capture sensor 380, which is excellent in countermeasures against fraud.

  In addition, each of the inlet passages 305 to 307 is provided with a rectifying unit 310 for adjusting the flow of the game ball on the upstream side of the arrangement position of the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380. 151, the flow of the game balls guided to the inlet passages 305 to 307 of the capture devices 301 to 303 can be made constant, and the sensor unit 370 and the downstream capture sensor 380 after passing through the rectifying unit 310 Detection errors can be reduced.

  The rectifying unit 310 includes a recess 313a formed on the first side wall which is one of the side walls forming the inlet passages 305 to 307, and a second side which is the other side wall of the both side walls. And a protrusion 314a formed on the side wall at a position facing the recess 313a. That is, the flow of the game balls guided from the upper plate 151 to the inlet passages 305 to 307 of the take-in devices 301 to 303 can be made constant, and the game balls guided to the inlet passages 305 to 307 are rectified by the rectifying unit. When it reaches 310, it first collides with the protrusion 314a and then collides with the inner wall of the recess 313a, thereby reducing the flow of the game ball and reducing the subsequent flow speed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a detection error when the game ball is detected by the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 after passing through the rectifying unit 310. In addition, when a large number of game balls are connected in a daisy chain and taken into the take-in devices 301 to 303, when passing through the rectifying unit 310, an interval between adjacent game balls can be created due to a speed difference. The problem of erroneous detection as one game ball is also eliminated. In other words, the presence of the rectifying unit 310 can ensure the detection of the game ball after the passage.

  Further, the cover member 175 covers at least a part of the guide passages 171 to 173 at positions above the guide passages 171 to 173 in the region R3 of the upper plate 151, and sets the height direction dimensions of the guide passages 171 to 173. Since the number of game balls is generally limited to one, it is possible to prevent the game balls from being overlapped in the height direction and supplied to the take-in devices 301 to 303, and to supply the game balls to the take-in devices 301 to 303 one by one. be able to. And the cover member 175 is shape | molded with the transparent material, and can visually recognize the presence or absence of the game ball below it.

  In addition, the standby ball number detection sensor 803 provided in the cover member 175 at positions above the respective guide paths 171 to 173 in the region R3 of the upper plate 151 is a standby ball that is a game ball waiting in the respective guide paths 171 to 173. Therefore, it is possible to detect a standby ball that is next captured by the capture devices 301 to 303, and the presence / absence of the standby ball can be used for prior notification of a broken ball.

  Since the waiting ball number calculating unit 806 detects each waiting ball number which is a game ball waiting in each of the guide passages 171 to 173, the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 counts the number of detected detections of the game ball in the take-in device. Since the waiting ball number is calculated, the waiting ball number on the upper plate 151 is calculated even when the game ball is not waiting on the guide passages 171 to 173 in the region R3 of the upper plate 151. Can do.

  In addition, each of the entrance passages 305 to 307 of the take-in devices 301 to 303 includes a take-in portion that takes in one game ball in each of the entrance passages 305 to 307, and the drive control unit 807 calculates the number of waiting balls. Since each take-in unit is individually controlled so as to take in game balls according to the number of bets based on the counting result in the unit 806, the game balls are equal to the guide paths 171 to 173 in the region R3 of the upper plate 151. Even in a state where is not waiting, it is possible to suitably take in the game balls waiting in the respective guide paths 171 to 173. That is, when a certain one of the guide passages 171 to 173 has a smaller number of standby balls than the other guide passages, extra standby balls can be taken in from the guide passage having a larger number of standby balls.

  Next, the gaming machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

  The gaming machine 1 of the above-described third embodiment is configured to notify when there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game, but the gaming machine 1 of the fourth embodiment further sets the start lever 33 normally. This is different from the above-described third embodiment in that automatic ball lending can be instructed by performing a specific operation (for example, an operation of tilting to the left) different from the operation (simply tilting to the front). In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the content similar to the above-mentioned Examples 1-3, and suppose that the characteristic part (specific operation of the start lever 33), etc. of Example 4 is demonstrated in detail below.

  In Example 4, the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 shown in FIG. 48 has a ball lending available state in which there is a remaining ball lending to the player when the next arrival determination unit 804 determines that it has not reached yet. Further, it is determined that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied based on a specific operation (for example, an operation of tilting leftward) different from the normal operation (simply tilting forward) on the start lever 33 being performed. Is. Further, a specific operation (for example, an operation of tilting to the left) on the start lever 33 includes an instruction to start rotation of the reels 541 to 543 in addition to an automatic ball lending instruction.

  When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining unit 802 determines that the automatic ball lending condition is established, the main controller 505 pays a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player to the upper plate 151 parts. The payout block 7 is controlled so as to be issued.

  Here, an operation related to the operation of the start lever 33 after notifying the next game ball of the gaming machine 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

  When the player operates the bet switch 38, the waiting balls waiting in the entrance passages 305 to 307 are taken in by the take-in devices 301 to 303, and the next game ball is branched in the guide passages 171 to 173 of the upper plate 151. And supplied to the inlet passages 305 to 307. At this time, game balls passing through the respective guide paths 171 to 173 are detected by the respective standby ball number detection sensors 803. Main controller 505 calculates the total number of waiting balls by counting the number of game balls detected by each waiting ball number detection sensor 803 in the waiting ball number calculation unit 806.

  At this time, for example, three game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 305 through the guide passage 171, and four game balls are supplied to the entrance passage 306 through the guide passage 172. If the number of game balls that have passed through the passage 173 and are supplied to the entrance passage 307 is five, the standby ball number calculation unit 806 of the main controller 505 calculates that the total of these is twelve. The next arrival determination unit 804 determines that the number of standby balls detected by the standby ball number detection sensor 803 (for example, 12 here) has not reached the number of bets (15) for the next time, that is, Since game balls (standby balls) for the next time are not secured, the main control device 505 controls the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 through the display control device 506 so as to make a prior notification of the ball breaking.

  The player recognizes that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game based on the prior notification of the ball being cut by the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. When the player permits automatic ball lending, the player performs a specific operation of the start lever 33 (for example, pushing the lever to the left), and the main controller 505 moves the payout block 7 to perform automatic ball lending. While controlling, this game (symbol fluctuation) is started. When the player does not permit automatic ball lending, the player performs a normal operation of the start lever 33 (for example, pushing the lever forward), and the main controller 505 performs automatic ball lending control on the payout block 7. Only the current game (symbol fluctuation) is started.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that the next time arrival determination unit 804 has not reached, it is in a state where it is possible to lend a ball with a remaining number of balls to the player. Further, based on the fact that a specific operation (for example, an operation of tilting to the left) that is different from the normal operation of the start lever 33 (simply tilting to the front) is performed, the automatic ball lending is determined to satisfy the automatic ball lending condition. When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining unit 802 determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied, the main controller 505 includes a predetermined number of games out of the remaining ball lending to the player. Since the payout block 7 is controlled so as to pay out the balls to the upper plate 151 part, the number of standby balls to be taken into the taking-in devices 301 to 303 as the next game waiting on the upper plate 151 is the next time. Not reached the number of bets In other words, if it is detected that there are not enough game balls to be used for the next game (the next time the ball has run out), a prior notice will be given, and the player will be alerted before the ball runs out. It can be aroused and a choice can be made as to whether or not to lend a ball before the ball runs out. In other words, even when it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game and there is a remaining number of balls available to the player, the player's intention Regardless of the automatic ball lending, the player can select whether to allow or disallow the automatic ball lending in response to the absence of ball notification by the speakers 705 and the lamps 706. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the start lever 33 is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as follows.

  (1) In the above-described fourth embodiment, when there is a prize ball payout, the ball lending by the payout block 7 may be stopped or delayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 50, the first random number generator 810 (first random number generator) for generating a first random number group for determining whether or not to pay out the game ball and the operation of the start lever 33 A first random number storage unit 811 (first random number storage unit) that stores one first random number in the first random number group generated by the first random number generation unit 810 based on the detection, and a first random number storage unit A first determination unit 812 (first determination unit) that determines whether or not the first random number stored in 811 is a winning value, and reels 541 to 543 that have started rotating based on the operation of the start lever 33. A second determination unit 813 (second determination means) for determining whether or not the symbol display mode at the time of the rotation stop is a winning value which is a predetermined display mode indicating that the game ball is paid out; Automatic ball lending by the ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 When the determination by the first determination unit 812 and the second determination unit 813 made based on the specific operation with respect to the start lever 33 when it is determined that the case is established, the lending by the payout block 7 is performed. The structure provided with the adjustment part 814 (adjustment means) to cancel or delay is mentioned.

  In this case, the first determination unit 812 and the second determination unit 813 performed based on a specific operation on the start lever 33 when the automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit 802 determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied. When the determination is successful, ball lending by the payout block 7 can be stopped or delayed. In other words, if the current game performed in a state where the number of game balls for the next time is insufficient, the winning ball payout of the game ball by the winning is the upper plate 151. The number of game balls stored in the upper plate 151 increases and the urgency of automatic ball lending diminishes. Therefore, when the ball lending by the payout block 7 is canceled, the number of game balls bet for the next time will be increased. Automatic ball lending can be performed when there is a shortage, and when ball lending by the payout block 7 is delayed, it is possible to appropriately lend the ball without the need for another instruction.

  (2) In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 detects the waiting balls in the inlet passages 305 to 307 of the take-in devices 301 to 303, but the region R3 of the upper plate 151 Or it is good also as what detects the waiting ball | bowl in each of the guide paths 171-173.

  (3) In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 employs a passage detection sensor that detects the passage of the game ball, but detects whether or not the game ball is located at a predetermined location. Various sensors such as a position detection sensor may be employed. If a position detection sensor is used, it is not the number of game balls passed, but the presence of a game ball is detected by the position detection sensor, so that a predetermined number of game balls are waiting in line until this sensor position. Will be detected.

  (4) In the above-described third and fourth embodiments, when the game ball waits in one of the guide paths 171 to 173 in the region R3 of the upper plate 151, the standby ball concentrates. The waiting ball number detection sensor 803 may be arranged upstream of the range in which the MAXBET number (15) is stored in the guide passage.

  (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, description has been made by taking as an example a spinning ball machine using a game ball of the type having only a MAXBET switch (the number of bets is 15) as the bet switch 38. The present invention can also be applied to a type that has only one BET switch (e.g., five bets) as 38 and a type of revolving game machine that uses both types of switches and that uses a game ball. For example, if it is desired to detect whether or not there are five next waiting balls after the 1BET switch (the number of bets is five, for example), the waiting ball number detection sensor 803 is set to a 1BET switch (the number of bets is five, for example). ) May be arranged upstream of the range in which it is stored.

  (6) In the first and third embodiments described above, instead of paying out the game balls to be paid out to the player to the upper plate 151, a credit device that holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called credit number ( Credit means) and a priority specifying unit (priority specifying means) that prioritizes the use of the number of credits over the game ball capture in the capture devices 301 to 303 when there is a credit number in the credit device; When there is a credit amount in the credit device, a subtraction unit (subtraction means) that subtracts the credit amount in the credit device by the bet amount in accordance with the operation of the bet switch 38 by the player, and determination of arrival The unit 801 includes the number of remaining credits in the credit device, or the remaining credit number and the number of captured balls (sensor unit 370 and Either the sum of the game ball speed detected by the side intake sensor 380) may be adopted a configuration that determines whether or not reached the bet number. For example, 250 or less prize balls are stored in the credit device, and the credit number is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 504 or the like.

  In the case where the configuration of (6) is provided in the first embodiment, it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) used for the current game even in a spinning-reel game machine using a game ball with a credit function. And when a player is in a lentable state with a remaining number of balls lent to a player, a predetermined number of the remaining number of balls lent to the player can be automatically lent. It is possible to reduce the temporary interruption of the game during the time required for the lending operation, and it is possible to reduce the interruption of the game due to a ball break.

  When the configuration of (6) is provided in the third embodiment, it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the current game even in the spinning game machine using the game balls with a credit function. Even when the player is in a lentable state where there is a remaining number of balls lent to the player, the ball is not automatically lent regardless of the player's intention. The player can select permission / non-permission of the automatic ball lending in response to the no ball notification by the lamps 706). That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the bet switch 38 is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

  (7) In the above-described second and fourth embodiments, the game ball to be paid out to the player is not paid out to the upper plate 151, but the credit device that holds the number of game balls in an internal data format called the credit number ( Credit means) and a priority specifying unit (priority specifying means) that prioritizes the use of the number of credits over the game ball capture in the capture devices 301 to 303 when there is a credit number in the credit device; When there is a credit amount in the credit device, a subtracting unit (subtraction means) that subtracts the credit amount in the credit device by the bet amount in accordance with the operation of the bet switch 38 by the player, The arrival determination unit 804 is the number of remaining credits in the credit device or the total number of the remaining credits and the number of waiting balls waiting on the upper plate 151. Zureka may be adopted a configuration that determines whether the reached bet number of the next minute.

  In the case where the configuration of (7) is provided in the second embodiment, there is not enough game balls to be used for the next game even in the revolving game machine using the game balls with a credit function (the next time the ball is run out). If a ball is detected, a prior notice will be given, the player will be alerted before the ball runs out, a ball can be lent before the ball runs out, Can be reduced.

  In the case where the configuration of (7) is provided in the fourth embodiment, there is not enough game balls to be used for the next game even in the spinning game machine using a game ball with a credit function (the next time the ball is run out). If a ball is detected, a prior notice will be given and the player will be alerted before the ball runs out. Can do. In other words, even when it is detected that there are not enough game balls (out of balls) to be used for the next game and there is a remaining number of balls available to the player, the player's intention Regardless of whether or not the ball is automatically rented, the player may select whether or not to allow the automatic ball lending in response to the notification of the absence of the ball by the notification means (speakers 705, lamps 706). it can. That is, if a specific operation different from the normal operation for the start lever 33 is performed, automatic ball lending is permitted, and automatic ball lending is not permitted unless the specific operation is performed. By selecting the automatic ball lending disapproval, the game can be ended quickly, and the game ball is not unnecessarily continued and the game ball is not used unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to provide a revolving game machine using game balls that can improve the automatic lending function of game balls.

  (8) In each of the embodiments described above, the sensor unit 370 and the downstream intake sensor 380 are arranged in this order, but this order may be reversed.

  (9) In each embodiment described above, the main control device 505 and the display control device 506 may be integrated, and the main control device 505 may be responsible for the control function of the display control device 506. On the contrary, among the control functions of the display control device 506, the control of the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 may be left to another control device. For example, an audio lamp control device for controlling the speakers 705 and the lamps 706 is newly provided to subdivide the control sharing.

  (10) The number of game balls inserted per bet (predetermined number), the maximum number of games inserted, the number of payouts, etc. of the game balls in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and are not particularly limited to the above numerical values.

  (11) In each embodiment described above, the gaming machine 1 is not necessarily installed on the pachinko island. In this case, the outer frame may not be a requirement, and the gaming machine main body 3 may be supported by a housing or the like. Further, the game ball is not limited to a pachinko ball, and may be a metal ball other than a pachinko standard. Other than the metal sphere, for example, a ceramic sphere may be used.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for a spinning game machine using a game ball.

7 ... Payment block (ball lending means)
33 ... Start lever (starting operation means)
38 ... Bet switch (betting number instruction operation means)
151 ... upper plate (storage part)
171-173 ... Guide passage (branch passage)
301 to 303 ... take-in devices 305 to 307 ... entrance passage (guide take-in passage)
315 ... Intake passage (discharge passage)
320 ... Take-in gate member (take-in part)
325 ... Solenoid (take-in part)
331 ... Guide (take-in part)
370 ... Sensor unit (taken ball number detecting means)
380 ... Downstream side intake sensor (incorporated ball number detecting means)
505 ... Main control devices 541 to 543 ... Reel (rotating body)
705 ... Speakers (notification means)
706 ... Lamps (notification means)
801 ... Arrival determination unit (arrival determination means)
802 ... Automatic ball lending condition establishment determination unit (automatic ball lending condition establishment determination means)
803 ... Standby ball number detection sensor (standby ball detection means, standby ball number detection means)
804 ... Next time arrival determination unit (next time arrival determination means)
805 ... Detection determination unit (detection determination means)
806 ... Standby ball number calculation unit (standby ball number calculation means)
807 ... Drive control unit (drive control means)
810 ... 1st random number generation part (1st random number generation means)
811... First random number storage unit (first random number storage means)
812 ... 1st determination part (1st determination means)
813 ... 2nd determination part (2nd determination means)
814 ... Adjustment unit (adjustment means)
R3 ... Area (guide passage)

Claims (1)

Based on the start operation by the player, the variable display of the symbol is started by starting the rotation of the rotating body with a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral surface, and the symbol display mode when the rotation of the rotating body is stopped is a predetermined display. In a game machine using a game ball in which a game ball is paid out when it is an aspect,
A betting number instruction operating means for receiving an instruction of a betting number of game balls from a player;
Starting operation means for receiving a rotation instruction of the rotating body from a player;
A storage unit capable of storing the paid-out game balls;
A take-in device for taking in game balls stored in the storage unit in response to an operation of the betting number instruction operation means by a player;
Incorporated ball number detecting means for detecting the number of game balls captured by the capturing device;
Arrival determination means for determining whether or not the number of game balls detected by the taken-in ball number detection means has reached the number of bets;
When it is determined that the arrival determination means has not yet reached, if there is a ball lending available state with a remaining number of balls to the player, automatic ball lending condition establishment determination means for determining that automatic ball lending conditions are satisfied;
When the automatic ball lending condition establishment determining means determines that the automatic ball lending condition is satisfied, the payment is made toward the storage unit so as to lend a predetermined number of game balls out of the remaining number of ball lending to the player. Ball lending means
A revolving game machine using a game ball, characterized by comprising:

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