JP2018171339A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suitably managing game media possessed by a player.SOLUTION: A storage part 4231 includes a normal storage area 4235 which is provided on the upstream side of a feed-out part 231B, which is an area where game balls paid out by a payout device 540 are stored, and where the stored game balls advance toward the feed-out part 231B in response to the operation of a shooting device 330. The storage part 4231 further includes an auxiliary storage area 4236 which is an area where game balls stay without advancement despite the operation of the shooting device 330, which allows transfer of game balls to the normal storage area 4235 by a pressing operation of a player to the game balls, and which serves as a countable storage area where a prescribed number of game balls is countably arranged in a row.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 31

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a ball game machine.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-224362 A

  In a conventional gaming machine, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing the game media possessed by the player.

  Accordingly, an object of the gaming machine according to the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably managing gaming media possessed by a player, for example.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention
A game area visible to the player,
A launch operation means in which a launch operation is performed by a player;
Launching means for launching a game ball into the game area by a player's operation on the launch operation means;
A payout device for paying out game balls;
A storage means for storing game balls which are paid out by the payout device and used for games;
A sending section for sending game balls stored in the storing means to the emitting means side;
The storage means is an area that is provided upstream of the delivery section and stores game balls paid out by the payout device, and the stored game balls are operated according to the operation of the launching means. A normal storage area that proceeds to the delivery section side is provided,
Further, even if the launching means is operated, the game ball is stopped without proceeding, and the game ball can be transferred to the normal storage region by a predetermined pressing operation by the player, and a predetermined number of games It is characterized by a countable storage area in which spheres are arranged side by side and can be counted.

  With the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably managing gaming media possessed by the player.

Front side perspective view of a pachinko machine as an example of a gaming machine Perspective view showing pachinko machine in open state Perspective view showing the pachinko machine in another open state A perspective view showing the pachinko machine in yet another open state Front view of pachinko machine Front view of the pachinko machine with the front block removed Front view of game board Rear perspective view of pachinko machine Rear view of pachinko machine Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine Flow chart showing an example of main control main processing Flow chart showing an example of main control interrupt processing Front view showing arrangement of pachinko machine and game ball management device (1) Rear view of pachinko machine and game ball management device Outline diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach prevention posture Schematic diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach prevention posture (1) Outline diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach prevention posture Outline diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach allowable posture Schematic diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach permitting posture (1) Outline diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach allowable posture Front view showing arrangement of pachinko machine and game ball management device (2) Rear view showing arrangement of pachinko machine and game ball management device (1) Outline diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach prevention posture (2) Schematic diagram showing the periphery of the rear passage in the approach allowable posture (2) Outline diagram showing configuration of storage section (1) Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a storage part Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the reservoir (2) Outline diagram showing configuration of storage section (3) Rear view showing arrangement of pachinko machine and game ball management device (2) Outline diagram showing configuration of transfer passage Outline diagram showing configurations of storage section and transfer passage

  With respect to an embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, a pachinko machine 100 as an example of a ball and ball gaming machine which is a kind of gaming machine will be described, and then a modified example and other types of gaming machines will be described. First, regarding the embodiment of the pachinko machine 100, a structural configuration, an electrical configuration, and various control processes will be described in order.

<Structural structure>
First, the structure of the structural part of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference mainly to FIGS. 1 to 4 are perspective views showing various states of the pachinko machine 100, FIG. 1 shows a closed state of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 2 shows that the front block 102 and the intermediate block 103 are integrated with the outer frame 101. 3 shows a state in which the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the rear block 104 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103. Show. 5 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the front block 102 of the pachinko machine 100 is removed from the state of FIG. Various wirings are omitted in each figure, and a part of the configuration of the game board 400 is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 6.

  The pachinko machine 100 includes, for example, an outer frame 101, a front block 102, an intermediate block 103, and a rear block 104, as shown in FIGS. It is configured to be displaceable.

  The outer frame 101 has a function as a main body support means for supporting the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer frame 101 is a substantially quadrilateral frame in which a top plate portion 111, a bottom plate portion 112, a left side plate portion 113, and a right side plate portion 114 are assembled, and the pachinko machine 100 is installed. The game machine is installed in a game machine installation facility (island facility) provided in the game hall and is firmly fixed by a fixture (not shown). In the pachinko machine 100, the outer frame 101 is not an indispensable configuration, and the main body portion corresponding to the configuration of the pachinko machine 100 excluding the outer frame 101 has the same inner shape as the outer frame 101 or the outer frame 101. It is good also as a structure with which the island facility was equipped with the support mechanism to support, and a part of locking mechanism which locks the main-body part.

  Intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided on one side of the outer frame 101 in the left-right direction (on the left side plate portion 113 side). The outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 are connected (coupled) by the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 rotates one end side (left side) in the left-right direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. The base end side is configured to be capable of rotating forward with the other end side (right side) serving as a rotating front end side.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided separately at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the outer frame 101. Each of the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 is configured such that, for example, a shaft portion provided in the intermediate block 103 is supported from below by a shaft support portion provided in the outer frame 101, and a shaft portion is provided in a shaft hole provided in the shaft support portion. It is comprised so that rotation is possible by setting it as the state inserted. In addition, the structure which can rotate the main-body part of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is not limited to the above structure, and a shaft hole is provided on the intermediate block 103 side and a shaft part is formed on the outer frame 101 side. Other configurations may be used.

  The intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 are provided with a function of releasing the connection state between the outer frame 101 and the intermediate block 103 by a predetermined removal operation, and the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 including the intermediate block 103 is attached to the outer frame 101. Removably attached to it. For example, the connection state of the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 is released by performing a predetermined removal operation of opening the intermediate block 103 with respect to the outer frame 101 by a predetermined amount or more and moving it upward. The Thereby, the main body portion of the pachinko machine 100 can be removed from the outer frame 101.

  The front block 102 is disposed so as to overlap the front side with respect to the intermediate block 103, and the intermediate block 103 and the front block 102 are connected by front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 provided on the left side of the front view. The front block support mechanisms 131 and 132 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122, support the front block 102 so as to be pivotable forward with respect to the intermediate block 103, and remove it by a predetermined removal operation. It is configured to be possible.

  The rear block 104 is arranged on the rear side with respect to the intermediate block 103, and the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 are arranged by rear block support mechanisms 136, 137 (see FIG. 8) provided on the left side in front view. It is connected. The rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137 have the same configuration as the intermediate block support mechanisms 121 and 122 and the front block support mechanisms 131 and 132, and support the rear block 104 so that the rear block 104 can be rotated rearward with respect to the intermediate block 103. And, it is configured to be supported so as to be removable by a predetermined removal operation.

  The pachinko machine 100 also includes an intermediate block locking mechanism that restricts the opening and closing of the intermediate block 103 relative to the outer frame 101, a front block locking mechanism that restricts the opening and closing of the front block 102 relative to the intermediate block 103, an intermediate block locking mechanism, and a front block There is provided a lock operating mechanism that is operated to unlock and lock the block locking mechanism. As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate block 103 is provided with a key cylinder 141 as a lock operating mechanism that is exposed to the front side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening of the front block 102.

  As a predetermined operation on the key cylinder 141, when a right rotation operation is performed with an operation key (not shown), the movable portion 143 of the intermediate block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is activated. As a result, the engagement between the engaged portion 142 provided on the outer frame 101 and the movable portion 143 as part of the intermediate block locking mechanism is released, and the intermediate block 103 is in an open / close permitted state with respect to the outer frame 101. Become.

  On the other hand, the movable portion 144 of the front block locking mechanism provided in the intermediate block 103 is operated in response to a left rotation operation with a predetermined operation key on the key cylinder 141. As a result, the engaged portion 145 provided on the front block 102 as a part of the front block locking mechanism and the movable portion 144 are disengaged, and the front block 102 is in an open / close permitted state with respect to the intermediate block 103. Become.

  Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a rear block opening / closing regulating mechanism that regulates opening / closing of the rear block 104 with respect to the intermediate block 103. By this rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism, the rear block 104 can be switched with respect to the intermediate block 103 between a state in which opening / closing is prohibited (open / close prohibited state) and a state in which opening / closing is permitted (open / close permitted state) by a predetermined operation. It is said that.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear block opening / closing restriction mechanism includes two opening / closing restriction portions 150 </ b> A and 150 </ b> B provided in the intermediate block 103 and one opening / closing restriction portion 150 </ b> C provided in the rear block 104. . The three opening / closing regulating portions 150A to 150C are provided with rotating pieces 151A to 151C that can be rotated. The rotating pieces 151A to 151C change the engagement state with the opening portion arranged so as to overlap in the front-rear direction in the closed state of the rear block 104 due to the rotation operation, and thereby the open / close prohibited posture corresponding to the open / close prohibited state And an open / close permission posture corresponding to the open / close permission state can be switched. When all the rotating pieces 151A to 151C are in the opening / closing allowable posture, the rotating pieces 151A to 151C can pass through the openings, and the rear block 104 is in an opening / closing allowable state with respect to the intermediate block 103. The open / close prohibited posture and the open / close allowable posture may be switched between the open / close prohibited state and the open / close permitted state by at least one of the positions and orientations of the rotating pieces 151A to 151C. Alternatively, it may be configured to move in a certain direction, or may be configured to operate by a combination of movement and rotation. Hereinafter, the same applies to the change in posture when the constituent members in each apparatus move between a plurality of postures.

  Among the three rotating pieces 151A to 151C, two rotating pieces 151A and 151B corresponding to a part of them are formed in the rear block 104 in the open / close prohibited state of the rear block 104 as shown in FIG. One rotating piece 151C exposed to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 through the opening and corresponding to the remaining portion is exposed to the front side of the intermediate block 103 as shown in FIG. For this reason, it is not possible to switch all the rotating pieces 151A to 151C to the opening / closing allowable posture only by an operation from one side such as the back side of the pachinko machine 100 or the front side of the intermediate block 103. Has been increased.

  Further, the pachinko machine 100 is provided with a game ball movement restricting mechanism for restricting the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, for example, the game ball movement restriction mechanism is configured by a combination of a flow restriction piece 161 provided in the intermediate block 103 and a restriction changing unit 162 provided in the front block 102. The flow restricting piece 161 is biased by a coil spring (not shown) toward the front side where the front block 102 is located.

  In a state in which the front block 102 is closed with respect to the intermediate block 103 (a closed state of the front block 102), the flow-down restricting piece 161 is in a movement-permitted state that allows the game ball to flow down. The change unit 162 is pushed and pushed to the rear side of the intermediate block 103. The flow restricting piece 161 is arranged to be shifted rearward with respect to a guide passage (not shown) for guiding the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 in the movement-permitted state. Thereby, in the closed state of the front block 102, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the front block 102 is permitted.

  On the other hand, in the state where the front block 102 is opened with respect to the intermediate block 103 (open state of the front block 102), the pressure of the flow restricting piece 161 by the restriction changing unit 162 is released, and compared with the closed state of the front block 102. Accordingly, the movement restriction state in which the flow restriction piece 161 protrudes toward the front block 102 is set. The flow restriction piece 161 protrudes into the guide passage in the movement prohibited state, and prevents the game ball from flowing down to the downstream side. Thereby, the movement of the game ball from the intermediate block 103 to the previous block 102 is prohibited.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 100, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the intermediate block 103 is closed with respect to the outer frame 101 at the lower end portion on the rear side of the intermediate block 103 and on the rotation front end side (left side in the rear view). An open / close detection switch 108 for detecting whether or not the intermediate block 103 is provided is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. An open / close detection switch 109 for detecting whether or not the front block 102 is closed with respect to 103 is provided.

  Next, each structure of the front block 102, the intermediate block 103, and the back block 104 is demonstrated in order.

 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front block 102 forms a substantially entire front surface of the pachinko machine 100 and is a substantially rectangular member having a thickness in the front-rear direction, and decorates the front surface portion of the pachinko machine 100. It functions as a front decoration means. The front block 102 is mainly configured by a base frame 201 made of synthetic resin, and is configured by attaching a plurality of functional parts before and after the base frame 201. On the front side of the base frame 201, a front decorative body 210 that forms the front surface of the pachinko machine 100 surrounds the opening 210A along the outer edge of the opening 210A that is formed to include the front-view center portion of the front block 102. It is attached. In a state where the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 constituting the front block 102 are combined, the opening 210A is formed through the wide area excluding the outer periphery to which the front decorative body 210 is attached. The intermediate block 103 including the game board 400 located on the rear side of the front block 102 is configured to be visible to the player through the opening 210A.

  1 and 3, the front block 102 includes a central panel 220 provided on the back side of the base frame 201 so as to close the opening 210A, a main storage mechanism 230 for storing game balls, An auxiliary storage mechanism 240 that stores game balls and a launch operation device 250 that is operated by a player to launch game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the front block 102 has an opening peripheral portion 211 that surrounds the periphery of the opening 210A as a part of the front decorative body 210, and projects forward on the lower side with respect to the opening 210A. An upper projecting portion 217, a lower projecting portion 218 located below the upper projecting portion 217 and projecting forward, and an upper projecting portion 217 and a lower projecting portion on the right side of the lower projecting portion 218. A flat portion 219 is formed which is configured by a substantially flat region located on the back side from 218 and on which the firing operation device 250 is disposed. The main storage mechanism 230 is disposed on the upper protrusion 217, and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is disposed on the lower protrusion 218.

  The center panel 220 has a function as a cover body that allows the rear side to be visually recognized while closing the opening 210 </ b> A formed penetrating in the front-rear direction in a state where the base frame 201 and the front decorative body 210 are combined. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the center panel 220 includes a panel frame 221 (see FIG. 3) attached from the rear side of the base frame 201, and a light transmitting property fitted on the front side of the panel frame 221. 1 and a light transmitting rear plate 223 (see FIG. 3) fitted substantially parallel to the front plate 222 with a predetermined gap on the rear side of the panel frame 221. Yes.

  The main storage mechanism 230 has a function of storing game balls acquired as the game progresses and game balls lent out from the game hall. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the main storage mechanism 230 includes a storage portion 231, a ball removal mechanism (not shown), and a ball removal operation member 232 that operates the ball removal mechanism. The storage unit 231 includes an inflow port 231 </ b> A that allows game balls to flow into the storage unit 231 from the inside of the pachinko machine 100, and an outflow port (not shown) that allows game balls to flow out from the storage unit 231 into the pachinko machine 100. A discharge port (not shown) formed upstream from the outflow port is provided. By releasing the discharge port, the game ball is released from the storage unit 231 to the player side without being taken into the pachinko machine 100. The ball removal mechanism has a function of switching the discharge destination of the game ball between the outlet and the outlet.

  A game ball acquired according to the progress of the game and a game ball lent according to a lending operation to a lending operation device 292 described later mainly flow into the storage unit 231 through the inflow port 231A. The storage portion 231 is formed with an opening on the upper side, and a game ball owned by a player is manually inserted through the opening, or a game ball lent out at a game hall is supplied.

  The game balls that have flowed into the storage unit 231 are sequentially guided to the side where the outflow port and the discharge port are formed (upper right side in FIG. 1) while being aligned in a row. When a ball removing operation (for example, a pressing operation) is not performed on the ball removing operation member 232, the game ball is guided to a launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) described later through an outlet. On the other hand, when the ball removal operation is performed on the ball removal operation member 232, the game ball is guided to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 1) through the discharge port.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 includes an auxiliary storage unit 241 having game ball inflow ports 241A and 241C (see FIG. 5) and a discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1), and a discharge port 241B. A ball removal mechanism 243 that opens and closes and a ball removal operation member 242 that operates the ball removal mechanism 243 are provided. Game balls and the like acquired as the game progresses mainly flow into the main storage mechanism 230, but flow into the auxiliary storage unit 241 through the inflow port 241A if the storage unit 231 is full. Further, even in response to the ball removal operation on the ball removal operation member 232, the game ball flows from the storage portion 231 into the auxiliary storage portion 241 through the inflow port 241C.

  The bottom surface of the auxiliary storage unit 241 is inclined downward toward the discharge port 241B. When the discharge port 241B is opened by a ball removal operation (for example, a pressing operation) with respect to the ball removal operation member 242, all the game balls stored in the auxiliary storage unit 241 can be sequentially released to the outside of the pachinko machine 100. In addition, when the discharge port 241B is completely opened by the ball removal operation on the ball removal operation member 242, the release state is kept until a return operation (for example, a pressing operation again) is performed on the ball removal operation member 242. Maintained. Behind the inflow port 241A, a ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) for detecting whether or not a game ball is stored up to a predetermined upper limit in the auxiliary storage unit 241 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the firing operation device 250 includes a pedestal 251 projecting forward from the flat portion 219 of the front decorative body 210, a rotatable firing handle 252 provided around the pedestal 251, A variable resistor 253 (see FIG. 10) for detecting the rotation operation amount of the firing handle 252, a contact sensor 254 (see FIG. 10) for detecting that a player is in contact with the firing handle 252, and the firing handle 252 It includes a firing stop switch 255 (see FIG. 5) that invalidates the injection of the game ball accompanying the rotation operation by the player's operation. When the launch handle 252 is rotated by the player, a game ball is ejected from the launch device 330 (see FIG. 3) toward the game board 400 (see FIG. 3) with an intensity corresponding to the rotational operation amount. When the contact between the firing handle 252 and the player is not detected by the contact sensor 254, or when the firing operation is invalidated by the operation of the firing stop switch 255, the firing handle 252 is rotated. However, the game ball is not ejected from the launching device 330.

  In addition, frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 (see FIG. 10) are provided at the back of the front decorative body 210 in the front block 102. The frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 are arranged so as to overlap the opening peripheral portion 211 of the front decorative body 210 and are attached to the base frame 201. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening peripheral edge 211 includes an upper central edge 211A, an upper left edge 211B and an upper right edge 211C located on both the left and right sides of the upper central edge 211A, and an upper left edge. The left side edge portion 211D positioned below 211B and the right side edge portion 211E positioned below the upper right side edge portion 211C as light emitting portions, and frame light emission corresponding to each light emitting portion Devices 271 to 275 are installed.

  The frame light-emitting devices 271 to 275 include an upper center frame light-emitting device 271 corresponding to the upper central edge portion 211A, a left upper frame light-emitting device 272 corresponding to the left upper edge portion 211B, and an upper-right frame light emission corresponding to the upper right side edge portion 211C. The apparatus 273 includes a left frame light emitting device 274 corresponding to the left edge 211D, and a right frame light emitting device 275 (see FIG. 10) corresponding to the right edge 211E. Each of the frame light emitting devices 271 to 275 integrates and electrically connects a light emitting diode (LED) as one or a plurality of light emitting means, an electronic component such as a resistor for controlling the LED, and the electronic components. And a printed circuit board.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the front block 102 is provided with, for example, an upper left acoustic output port 211F and an upper right acoustic output port 211G at the upper portion of the opening peripheral edge 211, and these upper left acoustic output ports 211F. In addition, an upper left acoustic device 281 and an upper right acoustic device 282 (see FIGS. 3 and 10) are provided corresponding to each of the upper right acoustic output ports 211G. The upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 are attached to the base frame 201 so as to be located behind (in the rear of) the opening peripheral edge 211 of the front decorative body 210. Further, the front block 102 is provided with acoustic devices 283 to 285 different from the upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 so as to output sound effects on the front side (see FIG. 10), and these acoustic devices 283 are provided. Description of ˜285 will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with a game ball lending device 290, for example, on the upper right portion of the upper protrusion 217. The game ball lending device 290 includes a frequency display device 291, a lending operation device 292 operated by a player when receiving a game ball lending, and a return operation device 293, and is arranged side by side with the pachinko machine 100. It is configured to be able to communicate with a game ball management device 700 (see FIG. 13) such as a card unit, and is configured so that a player can recognize and operate information regarding rental of game balls from the game hall via the game ball management device 700. Has been.

  The frequency display device 291 is information that is managed by the game ball management device 700 (see FIG. 13) and can display information related to the game value (the managed amount and the number of game balls) possessed by the player. And the unused amount of the inserted bills recorded in a value storage medium such as a card or a coin used in the gaming ball management device 700. A numerical value corresponding to is displayed. When the return operation device 293 returns a card, a coin, or the like as a value storage medium for storing information corresponding to the amount inserted into the game ball management device 700 or the remaining amount that is not lent out of the amount, A device operated by a player (for example, a push button type device capable of pressing operation).

  Here, the game ball management device 700 is configured so that a game ball possessed by the player (hereinafter also referred to as a possessed ball) can be thrown in, and the number of possessed balls thrown by throwing the possessed ball ( Hereinafter, information corresponding to the number of possessed balls) is stored in the value storage medium together with the amount of money possessed by the player. The player can store the amount of money stored in the value storage medium in the gaming ball management device 700 arranged side by side in the pachinko machine 100 being played, or in another gaming ball management device 700 arranged in parallel with another pachinko machine. Lending of game balls corresponding to the number of possessed balls can be executed by inserting a value storage medium into the game ball management device 700 and operating the game ball rental device 290.

  When a value storage medium such as a bill or a card is inserted into the game ball management device 700, numerical values corresponding to those amounts (remaining amount) are displayed on the frequency display device 291. When a lending operation is performed on the lending operation device 292 in the valid state where the amount is displayed on the frequency display device 291, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out in the payout device 540 ( The display of the frequency display device 291 is updated with the rental of the game ball. On the other hand, when a return operation is performed on the return operation device 293 in the valid state, a value storage medium in which the equivalent of the banknote corresponding to the remaining amount or the remaining amount is recorded is returned from the game ball management device 700 according to the return operation. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front block 102 is provided with an input operation device 260 capable of an input operation different from the shooting operation by the player. The input operation device 260 includes, for example, a push operation device 261 that can perform a push operation, a rotation operation device 262 that can perform a rotation operation, and a selection operation device 263 that can perform an up / down / left / right direction operation. With these operation devices 261 to 263, an effect selection operation for selecting an effect to be executed in the pachinko machine 100, an apparatus setting operation for setting the volume and light amount of each device for executing the effect of the pachinko machine 100, or a player It is possible to execute a production setting operation or the like that enables execution of the performance of the pachinko machine 100 according to the game before the previous time by inputting information, and these operations can be performed by the player or the game hall manager as necessary. It is said that. Note that an input operation unit (for example, an annular rotation operation unit in the rotation operation device 262) that the player contacts in the input operation device 260 is rotated, moved up and down by an input operation unit driving means such as a motor or a solenoid, or It is preferable that an operation such as vibration is executed by control of the pachinko machine 100 (for example, control of the sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10)), either before or after the input operation, or during the input operation, By operating the input portion at a plurality of timings, it is possible to diversify the effects accompanied by the input operation, such as actively prompting the input operation.

  Next, the intermediate block 103 will be described. The intermediate block 103 is a substantially rectangular member having substantially the same size as the front block 102, and the front block 102 and the rear block 104 are attached so that the main body of the pachinko machine 100 is integrated. have. The intermediate block 103 is configured by attaching a plurality of functional components including the game board 400 to the base frame 301.

  3 and 4, the intermediate block 103 includes a base frame 301 having an opening, a game board 400 (see FIG. 3) that is attached from the front side while covering the opening of the base frame 301, and a base frame A game board support mechanism that rotatably and detachably supports the game board 400 with respect to the 301, a game board fixing mechanism that fixes the position of the game board 400 with respect to the base frame 301, and a game ball on the game board 400. Based on a command from the launching device 330 (see FIG. 3) to be ejected, a main control device 370 (see FIG. 4) that is attached to the back side of the game board 400 and controls the progress of the game in an integrated manner. And a sub-control device 390 (see FIG. 4) for controlling game effects and state notifications.

  In the base frame 301, as shown in FIG. 3, a guide passage portion 301A in which a guide passage for guiding a game ball released from a payout device 540 (see FIG. 8) described later to the front block 102 is formed, A plurality of wirings (not shown) and an opening 301B where the signal relay device 311 is located are provided. The opening 301B has a shape penetrating in the front-rear direction below the game board 400, and a plurality of wires inserted into the opening 301B are various devices provided in the front block 102 (for example, frame light emitting devices 271 to 271). 275, an upper left acoustic device 281 and an upper right acoustic device 282) and devices (for example, the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390) provided on the back side of the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 The signal relay device 311 includes a wiring, and has a function as a relay board that relays a part of the wiring.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game board 400 includes a flat base 401 having a through-hole through which a game ball such as a discharge port 401A can pass back and forth, and an outer rail that curves smoothly from the lower left to the upper right of the base 401. 402, the inner rail 403 that curves smoothly from the lower right to the upper left of the base body 401, the return ball prevention mechanism 404 attached to the upper left end of the inner rail 403, and the upper right end of the outer rail 402 And a rebound preventing member 405 to be attached. The outer rail 402 guides a game ball launched from a launch device 330 described later into the game area. The return ball prevention mechanism 404 prevents the game ball once released into the game area from the launch passage 401B formed at a portion where the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403 are opposed in parallel from returning to the launch passage 401B. The recoil prevention member 405 has a shock absorption property that prevents a significant recoil of the game ball that has passed the upper center of the game board 400 and directed to the right side through the upper center and returns to the left side again. For example, it is made of a material such as vibration damping rubber.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a return ball passage portion 163 is formed in the lower portion on the back side of the front block 102. There is a gap between the guide member 335 for guiding the game ball from the launcher 330 in the direction of the launch path 401B and the outer rail 402, and the launcher 330 was launched but launched without exceeding the return ball prevention mechanism 404. The game ball returning backward in the passage 401B is returned to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 (see FIG. 5) from the inlet 241A (see FIG. 5) via the return ball passage portion 163 arranged below the gap.

  The game ball that has advanced beyond the return ball prevention mechanism 404 reaches the game area, and moves (flows down) while falling in the game area by its own weight. The game area has a substantially circular outer peripheral shape, and is divided into a shape having a large area in the front-rear width slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. The game area is generally divided into an outer peripheral portion by the outer rail 402 and the inner rail 403, the front side is substantially planar by the rear plate 223 of the central panel 220, and the rear side is substantially planar by the base body 401 of the game board 400. It is divided into. Various structures provided in the game area will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the launching device 330 sequentially sends out game balls stored in the main storage mechanism 230 to the launch position, and a ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 (FIG. 10). A launching mechanism 333 for injecting a game ball arranged at the launch position, a launching solenoid 334 for driving the launching mechanism 333 (see FIG. 10), and a game ball launched from the launching mechanism 333 on the game board 400. And a guide member 335 for guiding to the firing passage 401B. As described above, the launch device 330 operates in response to the launch operation on the launch operation device 250, and the drive control of the launch solenoid 334 changes in accordance with the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 to adjust the launch force.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the main controller 370 includes a main control board 920 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 371 having a split structure that accommodates the main control board 920. The main control board 920 is housed in a light-transmitting board case 371 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace.

  Further, the main control device 370 is rotatably attached to the back side of the game board 400. Specifically, an attachment portion 372 is rotatably connected and fixed to the base 401 of the game board 400 on the back side, and the main controller 370 is attached to the attachment portion 372. As a result, not only the rear side (front side) of the main control device 370 but also the front side (back side) of the main control device 370 is operated on the game board 400 by rotating the mounting portion 372. It can be easily confirmed while attached. The main control device 370 may be connected to the attachment portion 372 so that it cannot be removed without leaving a trace, and the removal state of the main control device 370 may be easily managed.

  The sub-control device 390 includes a sub-control board 940 (see FIG. 10) and a board case 391 having a split structure that accommodates the sub-control board 940. For example, the sub-control board 940 is housed in a translucent board case 391 that is sealed so that it cannot be opened without leaving a trace, like the main control board 920. It is attached to the back side.

  Here, in the game board 400, various structures arranged in the game area will be described with reference mainly to FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of the game board 400.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 includes a base body 401, flow-down changing members such as nails 411 and windmills 412 that change the flow direction and flow speed of the game ball, and a center disposed at the center of the base body 401. A structure 420, a starting device (specifically, an upper middle starting winning device 431A and a lower middle starting winning device 431B) according to a first special symbol disposed below the central structure 420, a center A starting device (specifically, a right starting winning device 432) according to a second special symbol arranged on the lower right side with respect to the structure 420, and a big winning device 433 arranged below the right starting winning device 432 434 (specifically, the lower prize-winning device 433 and the upper prize-winning device 434), the starting device 436 related to the normal symbol arranged on the upper side (upstream side) of the right starting winning-winning device 432, and the game board 400 On the top right and above and below Winning device that the winning combination communicating actuating device 435 which is arranged above (upstream side) with respect to 433, regular winning device 439A arranged on both left and right sides of the lower side middle starting winning device 431 B, and a 439B.

  Further, the game board 400 is provided with a plurality of switches as detection means for detecting the passage of the game ball corresponding to the above-mentioned upper middle start winning device 431A and the like (see FIG. 10), and corresponds to each switch. The entry of a game ball into a predetermined area can be detected. For example, a middle start winning switch (upper middle start winning switch 441A) that detects a game ball that has entered the upper middle start winning device 431A, and a middle start winning switch (lower) that detects a game ball that has entered the lower middle start winning device 431B. Side middle start winning switch 441B), right start winning switch 442 that detects a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432, lower large prize switch 443 that detects a game ball that has entered the lower large winning device 433, and a top large winning device. An upper prize switch 444 that detects a game ball that has entered 434, a combination operation switch 445 that detects a game ball that has entered the combination actuating device 435, a start switch 446 that detects a game ball that has entered the starter 436, and the bottom A non-specific passage switch 447 for detecting a game ball that has entered a non-specific passage (not shown) formed inside the grand prize winning device 433; A specific path switch 448 for detecting a game ball that has entered a specific path (not shown) formed inside the grand prize winning device 433, and a general prize switch 449A for detecting each of the game balls that have entered the general winning devices 439A and 439B. 449B and the like are installed on the game board 400.

  Further, the game board 400 is provided with various sensors for preventing fraud (see FIG. 10), and an abnormality occurring in the pachinko machine 100 can be detected. For example, a magnetic sensor 491, a vibration sensor 492, a radio wave sensor 493, and the like are installed on the game board 400.

  The entrance portion of the game ball of the central structure 420 and the starter 436 constitutes a ball entrance, and the game ball that has entered each ball entrance is discharged into the game area. Games of each winning device, specifically, upper middle starting winning device 431A, lower middle starting winning device 431B, right starting winning device 432, lower large winning device 433, upper large winning device 434 and general winning devices 439A, 439B The entrance portion of the ball constitutes a winning opening, and the game ball that has entered each winning opening is guided through a through hole formed in the base 401 to a recovery / discharge passage (not shown) formed on the back side of the base 401. . In addition, the game balls that have not entered each winning device are guided to the collection / discharge passage through the discharge port 401A provided in the most downstream portion of the game area. The game balls guided to the collection discharge passage are discharged from the pachinko machine 100 to a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided in the game hall. When a game ball enters one of the winning devices, a predetermined number of gaming balls corresponding to the type of the winning device are paid out from the payout device 540 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Each winning device may be configured separately from other winning devices, or an apparatus in which two or more winning devices (for example, the upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle start winning device 431B) are integrated. The starting device such as the upper middle starting winning device 431A may not necessarily be a winning opening through which a predetermined number of game balls are paid out when a game ball enters. It is good also as a entrance where a ball | bowl is discharge | released again to a game area, without paying out.

  Each of the upper middle start winning device 431A and the lower middle start winning device 431B and the general winning device 439A and the general winning device 439B according to the first special symbol does not change the probability of entering the game ball into them, and enters The played game ball is guided to the back side of the base body 401. Further, the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol has a mechanism for changing the entrance probability of the game ball into the inside. The mechanism for changing the probability of entering the game ball need not be provided only in the starting device related to the second special symbol. Instead of or in addition to that, the starting device and the general winning device related to the first special symbol. It may be provided in any one or a plurality of 439A and 439B. In addition, the mechanism for changing the entrance probability of the game ball may be constituted by a drive means such as an electrically driven solenoid, and is represented by a mechanism that operates by the weight of the game ball that has entered the predetermined area. You may comprise by the mechanism which operate | moves mechanically.

  The right start prize winning device 432 according to the second special symbol includes a right entry restriction mechanism 452 that changes an entry probability of a game ball to the inside by a transition between an entry allowable attitude and an entry prohibited attitude, and a right entry restriction mechanism A right entry restricting solenoid 462 (see FIG. 10) for driving 452. The right entry restriction mechanism 452 includes two movable pieces that are driven by the right entry restriction solenoid 462. When the right entry restriction mechanism 452 is in the entry prohibition posture, the two movable pieces are the entrance (award opening). The game ball cannot enter the right start prize-winning device 432 by adopting an arrangement that narrows (or closes)), but when the right entry restricting mechanism 452 is in the approaching allowable posture, the two movable pieces are at their tips. The game ball can enter the right start winning device 432 by arranging the parts so that the interval between the parts is increased. The right entry restriction mechanism 452 enters the right when a game ball that has entered the starter 436 related to the normal symbol is won by a lottery based on detection by the start switch 446 (hereinafter also referred to as “normal symbol lottery”). In accordance with the drive by the restriction solenoid 462, the posture is allowed to enter the predetermined allowable number of times and for a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lower grand prize winning device 433 includes a lower entry restriction mechanism 453 for restricting the entry of a game ball into the inside by a transition between an allowable entry position and an prohibited entry attitude, and a lower entry restriction mechanism. The lower entry restriction solenoid 463 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 453 and the transition between the non-guidance posture and the guidance posture causes the game ball that has entered the lower prize winning device 433 to be a non-specific passage or a specific passage. A sorting mechanism (not shown) for sorting and a switching solenoid 465 (see FIG. 10) for switching the guidance destination of the game ball by changing the attitude of the sorting mechanism are provided. When the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 is in the entry prohibition posture, the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 closes the entrance (winning entrance), so that the game ball cannot enter the lower outstanding prize device 433. When the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 is in the approach permitting posture, the lower entry restricting mechanism 453 opens the entrance, so that the game ball can enter the lower prize-winning device 433. In addition, the game ball that has entered the lower prize-winning device 433 is guided to a non-specific path when the distribution mechanism is in a non-guided posture protruding forward, and is in a guided posture in which the distribution mechanism is immersed backward. It is guided to a specific passage. The specific passage, the non-specific passage, and the distribution mechanism are provided to diversify the game state transition, and when a game ball enters the specific passage, an advantageous game state is given to the player as a privilege. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the upper prize winning device 434 includes an upper entry restriction mechanism 454 that restricts the entry of a game ball into the inside by a transition between an entry allowable attitude and an entry prohibited attitude, and an upper entry restriction. An upper entry restriction solenoid 464 (see FIG. 10) that changes the posture of the mechanism 454 is provided. When the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 is in the entry prohibition posture, the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 closes the entrance (winning port) so that the game ball cannot enter the upper prize winning device 434, but the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 Is in the allowance for entering position, the upper entry restricting mechanism 454 opens the entrance to allow the game ball to enter the upper prize winning device 434.

  In addition, as an approach allowable posture and an entry prohibition posture as a mechanism for changing the probability of entering a game ball into the right entry restricting mechanism 452 or the like, each mechanism is configured to receive a winning opening (or a winning opening) of each device. In response to a change in posture of the operation member that switches between a special state in which a game ball can enter and a normal state in which the game ball cannot enter, at least one of the position and orientation of the operation member differs depending on each posture I just need it. Further, as a mechanism for changing the entrance probability of a game ball such as the right entry restriction mechanism 452, it is not always necessary to set the game ball in an inaccessible state, and the game ball is allowed to enter even in the normal state. In the state, the posture of the operation member may be changed so that the game ball can enter more easily than the normal state.

  A game ball can enter the lower prize-winning apparatus 433 and the upper prize-winning apparatus 434 when winning a lottery. Specifically, a game ball that has entered the upper middle start prize device 431A or the lower middle start prize device 431B according to the first special symbol is detected by the upper middle start prize switch 441A or the lower middle start prize switch 441B. When a lottery based on the above (hereinafter also referred to as “first special symbol lottery”) is won, or a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442 When winning a lottery based on (hereinafter also referred to as “second special symbol lottery”), at least one of the lower entry restriction solenoid 463 and the upper entry restriction solenoid 464 is activated. By this operation, at least one of the lower approach restricting mechanism 453 and the upper approach restricting mechanism 454 takes the approach permitting posture for a predetermined time for a predetermined number of times. In addition, the distribution mechanism shifts to the guidance posture in accordance with the operation of the switching solenoid 465 after a predetermined time from the transition of the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 to the approach allowable posture, and further switches after the predetermined time from the transition to the guidance posture. The non-guided posture is returned in response to the stop of the solenoid 465.

  The combination operating device 435 is a device for setting conditions necessary for the lower prize winning device 433 and the upper prize winning device 434 to start operating. After winning the big win lottery, either the lower big prize device 433 or the upper big prize device 434 starts operation on condition that the game ball of the combination operating device 435 passes. For this reason, when a player wins a big hit, the player can start a special gaming state at the timing he / she intends. Note that it is not always necessary that either the lower prize-winning device 433 or the upper prize-winning device 434 start the operation on condition that the game ball of the combination actuating device 435 passes, instead of or In addition, either the lower prize-winning device 433 or the upper prize-winning device 434 may be activated when a predetermined time elapses.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the game board 400 is integrated with display devices 471 to 473 for displaying symbol change display and lottery results, and display devices 476 to 478 for displaying the number of times a game is held. A display device having a plurality of light emitting units is provided in a lower left portion corresponding to a part of the game board 400. The plurality of light emitting units are partitioned in advance into light emitting areas corresponding to each device, and the state of each device is displayed according to the light emitting state.

  Specifically, the first special symbol is variably displayed on the game board 400 in accordance with the first special symbol lottery, or the first special symbol is fixedly displayed with a stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. The special symbol display device 471 related to the special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed in a variable manner in accordance with the second special symbol lottery, or the second special symbol is displayed with the stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. Special symbol display device 472 related to the special symbol, special symbol hold display device 476 that displays the number of times the unit game is held according to the first special symbol, and special symbol hold that displays the number of times the unit game is held related to the second special symbol A display device 477 is provided. The right of the unit game related to the first special symbol and the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol are each reserved up to four times. Here, the unit game is a game for one time executed based on one start prize, and whether or not a lottery is executed based on one start prize and a lottery based on the determination A series of games including the start and end of variable display until the result is displayed.

  When the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, the game ball that has entered the start winning device 431 is the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) or the lower middle start winning switch. Even if it is detected by 441B (see FIG. 10), the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol is not added. Similarly, when the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times, it is assumed that the game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 is detected by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10). However, the unit game right related to the second special symbol is not added.

  Each of the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol is composed of a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). . Each of the display of the first special symbol and the display of the second special symbol is represented by a light emission pattern of the plurality of light emitting units (a combination of a light emission state including a light emission color (off, on, flashing)). The special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol and the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol have the number of times of holding depending on the combination of the light emission states (off, on, flashing) of the two single color light emitting units. indicate.

  In addition, the game board 400 includes a normal symbol display device 473 that displays a normal symbol in a variable manner or a normal symbol that is fixedly displayed in accordance with a lottery result according to the normal symbol. A normal symbol hold display device 478 for displaying the number of hold times of the right of the unit game is provided. The right to unit games related to normal symbols is reserved up to 4 times. When the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is held up to the maximum number of times, the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is not added even if the game ball that has entered the starter 436 is detected by the start switch 446.

  The normal symbol display device 473 includes a plurality of light emitting units, and is controlled by the main control board 920 (see FIG. 10). A normal symbol is expressed by a light emission pattern of a plurality of light emitting units. Further, the normal symbol hold display device 478 displays the number of hold times by a combination of the light emission states (off, on, flashing) of the two single color light emitting units.

  In addition, the game board 400 is displayed so as to overlap the rear of the central structure 420, so that the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner or the decorative symbols are displayed in a unit game related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol. A decorative symbol display device 479 is provided. The variation display and confirmation display of the decorative symbols are controlled by the sub-control board 940, and are synchronized with the variation display and confirmation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol by the main control board 920. In the variation display of the decorative symbol, more complicated and various effects are executed than the variation display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It should be noted that the variation display and final display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol and the variation display and final display of the decorative symbol always start to change at the same timing or stop display as the final display. It is not necessary, and the setting may be such that the change is started at substantially the same timing while providing a slight time difference at each timing, and the final display is performed at substantially the same timing.

  Further, the game board 400 includes a board surface light emitting device 490 (see FIG. 10) provided on the back side of various structures, and the board surface light emitting device 490 accompanies the progress of the game based on the control by the sub control board 940. Various light emission effects and state notifications by light emission are executed.

  Here, various game states and transitions between game states will be described. The normal game state (hereinafter abbreviated as “normal game state”) is a state in which the variable display time of the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is long (hereinafter also referred to as “non-short state”). Correspond.

  When a big win is won in the first special symbol lottery or the second special symbol lottery, the game ball enters the specific passage (the internal passage of the lower grand prize winning device 433) during the special game state that shifts based on the win. Depending on whether or not, the game state to be transferred after the special game state is different. If the game ball does not enter the specific passage during the special game state, the variation display time of the first special symbol lottery, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol is shorter than the non-short-time state (hereinafter referred to as the “short-time state”). And a gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as a “low-probability state”) in which the winning probability of the jackpot in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is the same as the normal gaming state (hereinafter also referred to as “low probability state”). In the following, it is also referred to as “time saving gaming state”. On the other hand, when a game ball enters the specific passage during the special game state, the game is in a short-time state and the winning probability of the big hit in the first special symbol lottery and the second special symbol lottery is higher than the normal game state. The game state (hereinafter also referred to as “probability game state”), which is a “high probability state” (hereinafter, also referred to as “high probability state”).

  The short-time gaming state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times), but thereafter returns to the normal gaming state. In addition, the probability variation gaming state is maintained until the total number of unit games related to the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times), but thereafter returns to the normal gaming state.

  Note that the transition between the gaming state and the gaming state is not necessarily configured as described above. For example, the high probability state may be continued until the next big win, or the gaming state may be changed depending on other contents. At least one may be configured, a configuration in which a gaming state different from the above-described gaming states is further included, or a configuration in which the gaming state is shifted by a condition different from the above-described conditions may be employed.

  Next, the operation of the main devices of the game board 400 will be described in chronological order. In the main control board 920, winning random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, stop pattern random numbers, various variation pattern random numbers related to special symbols (common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol) are generated, and various game states are generated. When a game ball that has entered one of the start winning devices 431A and 431B related to the first special symbol is detected by one of the medium start winning switches 441A and 441B (see FIG. 10), the start winning of the first special symbol is detected. It becomes. At the time of starting winning the first special symbol, if the unit game right related to the first special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number of times, the winning random number, jackpot symbol random number and stop pattern random number relating to the special symbol are acquired, It is stored in a predetermined area of the main control board 920 RAM.

  The unit game based on the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is not in the special game state, not the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, but the unit game related to the first special symbol. If the right is not reserved, it is started immediately after storing the random numbers. In addition, even when the game is not in a special game state, when the unit game right related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol is reserved during the unit game related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The unit game based on the current start winning is started after the end of the unit game relating to all the special symbols (the first special symbol and the second special symbol) held before the current winning. If each random number is acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol during the special gaming state, the unit game based on the random number is all of the units that were held before the current starting winning prize after the special gaming state. It starts after a unit game related to a special symbol.

  In addition, the unit game based on the random number acquired based on the start winning of the first special symbol is started after the end of all the unit games related to the second special symbol. That is, when each random number is acquired based on the start winning of the second special symbol after the current start winning, the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is preferentially executed. The unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol does not necessarily have to be executed in preference to the unit game related to the first special symbol, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol in order of the start winning. The configuration may be such that unit advantage control is executed, or the two special symbols are not alternative but can be varied simultaneously.

  In the case of winning a jackpot in the first special symbol lottery based on the start winning of the first special symbol, the stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot winning in the first special symbol lottery is further based on the acquired jackpot symbol random number ( The type of jackpot symbol) is determined. The types of stop symbols correspond to the types of jackpots, for example, the number of rounds corresponding to the number of times the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 takes the entry allowable posture (for example, 6 rounds and 16 rounds), A plurality of types of jackpots are set corresponding to the type of gaming state such as a gaming state that shifts after the special gaming state (whether or not to shift to the probability variation gaming state), and a jackpot symbol is set for each type. In the first special symbol lottery, when a big win is not won, a lost symbol different from the big win symbol is set as a stop symbol.

  After the first special symbol lottery, based on the current gaming state, lottery result, stop pattern random number value, various variation pattern random number values, and the number of reserved unit rights related to the first special symbol, the first special symbol The design variation display time is determined, and the design variation pattern is selected. Thereafter, the first special symbol variation display on the special symbol display device 471 relating to the first special symbol and the decorative symbol variation display (variation effect) on the decoration symbol display device 479 are started, and the first special symbol variation is started. Variation display according to a certain pattern is continued over the display time, and variation display according to the variation pattern is continued over the variation display time in the decorative design. Thereafter, as the variable display time elapses, the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is fixedly displayed, and the symbol corresponding to the stop symbol of the first special symbol is fixedly displayed as a decorative symbol. The final display of the first special symbol and the decorative symbol is continued for at least a predetermined time.

  When the stop symbol related to the first special symbol is a jackpot symbol, the gaming state shifts to the special gaming state after the final display of the first special symbol. In the special gaming state, the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 of the lower prize winning device 433 are allowed to enter the prescribed number of times in a predetermined order according to the type of the big hit. . When a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls are detected by the big winning switches 443 and 444 in each of the allowed entry postures in the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454, or a predetermined maximum When the allowable entry time (for example, 29.5 seconds) has elapsed, the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 shifts to the entry prohibition posture. Thereafter, after a predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed, either the lower entry restriction mechanism 453 or the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 returns to the entry allowable posture again. This entry restriction operation is repeated a predetermined number of times in a predetermined order corresponding to the type of jackpot.

  The lower entry restriction mechanism 453 and the upper entry restriction mechanism 454 are configured such that only one of them takes an entry allowable posture during the special game state, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed from the start of the special game state (after the opening period) ) Will shift to the first allowed entry posture. In addition, the special gaming state ends after a predetermined entry prohibition time has elapsed since the last return to the prohibition posture and a predetermined standby time has elapsed thereafter (after the ending period). After the end of the special gaming state, as described above, the state shifts to the short-time gaming state or the probability variation gaming state.

  In various gaming states, when a game ball that has entered the right start winning device 432 related to the second special symbol is detected by the right start winning switch 442, the start special winning of the second special symbol is made. The control of the unit game based on the start winning of the second special symbol is executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol described above. That is, if the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol is not reserved up to the maximum number of times when starting the second special symbol, each random number related to the special symbol is acquired and the unit game based on the start winning is executed. Is done. Also, stop symbol determination according to the second special symbol lottery, decoration symbol variation pattern selection, variation display execution, game state transition control, etc. are executed in the same manner as the control related to the first special symbol. Is done.

  In various gaming states, when a game ball that has entered the starter 436 is detected by the start switch 446, the winning random number for the normal symbol is acquired unless the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol is reserved up to the maximum number of times. Then, it is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 920. At this time, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is not in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started immediately after the storage. On the other hand, if the unit game related to the normal symbol is in progress, the unit game related to the acquired normal symbol is started after the unit game based on the right of the unit game related to the already obtained normal symbol.

  In the unit game related to the normal symbol, it is determined whether or not the winning game is won based on the value of the winning random number, and when winning, a predetermined winning symbol is set as the stop symbol. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a predetermined lose symbol is set as the stop symbol. After the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol display device 473 starts the variable display of the normal symbol. In the non-time-short state, the variable pattern is continuously displayed over a predetermined variable display time, and in the time-short state. The variable display by a fixed pattern is continued over a predetermined variable display time shorter than the non-time-short state. As the predetermined time corresponding to the gaming state elapses, the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is fixedly displayed over a certain period of time.

  When the stop symbol related to the normal symbol is a winning symbol, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 of the right start winning device 432 shifts to the entry allowable posture at least once after the normal symbol is confirmed and displayed. Specifically, when winning in a non-time-saving state (normal game state and special game state), the right start winning device 432 allows entry for a predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, approximately 0.1 seconds). In the case of winning in the time-short state (time-short game state and probability variable game state), the predetermined maximum entry allowable time (for example, approximately 4.8 seconds) is longer than that in the case where the right start winning device 432 is in the non-time-short state. ) Intermittently (for example, divided into three times) to allow the approach allowable posture. However, when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are detected by the right start winning switch 442, the right entry restriction mechanism 452 shifts to the entry prohibition posture without waiting for the maximum allowable entry time to elapse. In addition, even if the number of times of transition to the permissible approach posture has not reached the predetermined number of times, the operation of the right start winning device 432 in the unit game related to the current normal symbol ends.

  Next, the playability of the pachinko machine 100 of the present embodiment will be described. In order to receive the second special symbol lottery, first, the normal symbol lottery must be won, and further, the game ball enters the right start prize winning device 432 in the permitted entry state of the right start winning device 432 based on the winning. Must. The winning probability of winning for the normal symbol in the normal gaming state is the same as the winning probability in the short-time gaming state, but the staying time (for example, approximately) 0.1 seconds) is set to be very short compared to the time spent in the short-time state (for example, approximately 4.8 seconds), so the opportunity per unit time for receiving the second special symbol drawing in the normal gaming state Is much smaller than the opportunity per unit time for receiving the first special symbol drawing. On the other hand, in the short-time state such as the short-time gaming state or the probability variation gaming state, the opportunity per unit time for receiving the second special symbol lottery is significantly larger than the opportunity per unit time for receiving the first special symbol lottery. .

  Therefore, the player plays a game aiming at the transition to the probability-changing gaming state by winning the big hit in the first special symbol lottery and then allowing the game ball to enter the specific passage in the subsequent special gaming state. On the other hand, in the short-time gaming state and the probability variation gaming state, the game is played aiming to win a big win in the second special symbol lottery before each gaming state ends.

  Specifically, the game board 400 is provided with a central structure 420 in the center of the game area where the game balls flow down, and a game technique (left-handed game) in which the game balls flow down mainly from the left side of the central structure 420. Method) and a game method (right-handed game method) in which a game ball flows down mainly from the right side of the central structure 420 can be selectively performed. A player plays a game using the left-handed gaming method in the normal gaming state, and plays a game using the right-handed gaming method in the short-time gaming state and the probability-changing gaming state. Further, since the lower prize-winning device 433 and the upper prize-winning device 434 are arranged on the right side with respect to the central structure 420, the game is played by the right-handed game technique even in the special game state.

  Next, the rear block 104 will be described. 8 and 9 are a rear perspective view and a rear view showing the pachinko machine 100, respectively. In FIG. 8, the outer frame 101 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear block 104 is configured by attaching other members and devices to the base 501. By connecting the base body 501 and the intermediate block 103 by the rear block support mechanisms 136 and 137, the rear block 104 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the intermediate block 103.

  The rear block 104 has a game ball tank 510 serving as a ball storage unit for storing game balls, and rectifies the game balls (for example, in one row) continuously on the downstream side of the game ball tank 510 and aligns them in one row. A tank rail 520 as a ball alignment portion, a case rail 530 as a ball guiding portion for guiding a game ball flowing in from the tank rail 520 on the downstream side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball payout on the downstream side of the case rail 530 A payout device 540 that lends out game balls, a guide member 550 that guides game balls that have flowed out of the payout device 540 downstream of the payout device 540 to a guide passage formed in the base body 501, and a game ball by the payout device 540 Payout control device 560 for controlling the payout of game balls and the rental of game balls, and a predetermined amount that requires external power by various devices, etc. A power source having a function as power supply means for converting to voltage power and outputting and a function as launch control means for controlling the emission of a game ball based on the launch operation on the launch operation device 250 in cooperation with the main control board 920 A relay device that relays signals between the launch control device 570, the payout control device 560, the game ball lending device 290 (see FIG. 1), and a card unit (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 100. 950.

  The base body 501 is integrally formed of resin (for example, ABS resin), and includes a base portion 502 corresponding to the front side portion and a protective cover portion 503 positioned behind the base portion 502. The upper portion of the base portion 502 is formed in a substantially frame shape along the outer shape of the rear block 104, and the lower portion is formed in a substantially flat shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. It has a function as a mounted part.

  The protective cover portion 503 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness in the front-rear direction. The protective cover 503 is not shaped to cover the entire back surface of the intermediate block 103, but a part of the back surface of the intermediate block 103 that requires frequent inspection and confirmation, such as a part of the main controller 370, is attached to the back surface of the pachinko machine 100. It is set to a size that forms a window portion for exposure to the window. A large number of air holes 503 </ b> A having a function of improving the heat dissipation of heat generation in the main control device 370 and the sub control device 390 are formed on the back surface of the protective cover portion 503.

  The game ball tank 510 is a horizontally long box-shaped container that opens upward, and game balls supplied from a ball circulation device (not shown) of the island facility are sequentially supplied to one end side in the longitudinal direction. An opening (not shown) is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction different from the side where the game ball is supplied in the game ball tank 510. The bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is gently inclined in the longitudinal direction, and the game ball supplied to the game ball tank 510 moves to the opening side by its own weight. Further, the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 is inclined in a direction (front-rear direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as compared with the longitudinal direction, and guides the game ball to the side where the opening is provided (for example, the front side). . Further, a metal antistatic plate (not shown) is attached to the bottom surface of the game ball tank 510 so as to overlap the game ball tank 510, and the antistatic plate is connected to the ground potential so that the inside of the game ball tank 510 and The static electricity of the game ball on the downstream side is removed.

  The tank rail 520 is attached to the side where the opening of the game ball tank 510 is formed, and the game ball flows through the opening of the game ball tank 510. The tank rail 520 gradually increases in height as a passage forming member 521 that forms a passage for a substantially bowl-shaped gaming ball having a width through which game balls pass in a row, and an upper surface of the passage formed by the passage forming member 521. And a rectifying member 522 that rectifies the game balls flowing down the passage from the height of the top and bottom to the first level gradually. The passage formed by the tank rail 520 is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and guides the game ball to the side opposite to the game ball tank 510.

  The case rail 530 is formed in a vertically long shape so as to continue to the lower side of the tank rail 520, and a game ball from the tank rail 520 flows in. The case rail 530 continues downward while curving left and right so that game balls do not flow vigorously. In addition, a ball break detector 539 for detecting a ball break is provided in the middle portion of the ball path of the case rail 530. The ball breakage detection unit 539 includes a storage ball switch 591 (see FIG. 10). The storage ball switch 591 causes a ball clogging or the like on the case rail 530 or the upstream side thereof, and a game ball is placed in the case rail 530. Detects out-of-ball condition that is not replenished normally.

  The payout device 540 includes a payout mechanism for sending out the game ball, a payout motor 542 (see FIG. 10) as a driving means for driving the payout mechanism, and a payout counting switch 592 (see FIG. 10). In accordance with the operation of the payout motor 542 based on the control by the payout control device 560, the game balls stored in the ball passage are released downstream. The passage of the released game ball through the ball passage is detected by a payout counting switch 592, whereby the payout control device 560 (payout control board 930) counts the number of payout of game balls.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the payout control device 560 and the power supply / launch control device 570 are attached so as to overlap the lower back surface of the base portion 502 of the base body 501 so as to be positioned at the lower back side of the rear block 104. It has been. The rear block 104 including the payout control device 560 and the power supply / launch control device 570 can be continuously used even when the game board 400 is replaced with another game board in a model change or the like.

  The payout control device 560 includes a payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10) and a board case that houses the payout control board 930, and the payout control board 930 does not leave any trace of opening, like the main control board 920. The substrate case is sealed so that it cannot be opened.

  The power / fire control device 570 includes a power / fire control board 900 (see FIG. 10) and a board case that houses the power / fire control board 900. The power / fire control board 900 is the same as the main control board 920. Are accommodated in a sealed substrate case.

<Electrical configuration>
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the pachinko machine 100 includes control circuit devices such as a power supply / launch control board 900, a power supply monitoring board 910, a main control board 920, a payout control board 930, and a sub control board 940. In FIG. 10, a relay circuit device that only relays various signals is omitted. Hereinafter, these main control circuit devices will be individually described in detail.

  The power supply / launch control board 900 includes a power supply unit 901 that supplies power of a predetermined voltage to each part of the pachinko machine 100 via a power supply path (broken line in the figure), and a launching device according to the operation of the launching operation device 250. A launch control unit 902 that controls the driving of 330, and a signal relay unit 903 that relays an initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 and a ball overflow signal from the ball overflow switch 249.

  The power supply unit 901 takes in external power (for example, AC 24 volts) supplied from the outside and converts it into internal power (for example, DC 24 volts), and generates various types of power from the internal power. The power generated by the power supply unit 901 is power of driving voltage (for example, DC 12 volts) for driving devices such as various solenoids and various motors, drives various switches, and executes control processing. Power of control voltage (for example, DC 5 volts) for backup, power of backup voltage for holding the contents of the RAM of the main control board 920, and the like.

  The power supply unit 901 supplies various power generated from the internal power to the power supply monitoring board 910, the main control board 920, the payout control board 930, the sub control board 940, and the like. Specifically, internal power, driving voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage power are supplied to the power monitoring board 910. The main control board 920 is supplied with driving voltage, control voltage, and backup voltage power, and these powers are supplied via the power supply monitoring unit 911 of the power supply monitoring board 910. The payout control board 930 is supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power. The sub-control board 940 is supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power. The firing control unit 902 and the signal relay unit 903 are supplied with driving voltage and control voltage power.

  A power switch 909 is connected to the power supply unit 901. When the power switch 909 is in an off state, the external power capture is stopped. It is to be noted that the power switch 909 is turned off or a power plug (not shown) connected to the power supply unit 901 via the power switch 909 is removed from an external power supply outlet (not shown). A state where the supply of power to the inside of the machine 100 is stopped and a state where the supply of external power itself is stopped are collectively referred to as a “power failure state”.

  The power supply unit 901 is configured to normally output the control voltage power over a predetermined period even after the transition to the power failure state. As a result, the main control board 920 can save the state and finish the control so that the current control state can be restored.

  The firing control unit 902 controls the driving of the ball feed solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 of the launching device 330 in cooperation with the main control board 920. The ball feed solenoid 332 and the firing solenoid 334 are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, it is detected that the player is touching the firing handle 252 (see FIG. 1) based on a contact sensor signal from the contact sensor 254, and a launch stop switch 255 for stopping the launch is provided. On the condition that it is not operated, the firing control unit 902 outputs a firing permission signal in an on state to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 outputs a firing solenoid control signal and a ball feed solenoid control signal to the firing control unit 902 based on the firing permission signal and the firing abnormality signal. The firing control unit 902 activates the ball feed solenoid 332 based on the ball feed control signal in the on state, and activates the launch solenoid 334 based on the reception of the launch solenoid control signal in the on state and the resistance value of the variable resistor 253. Let As a result, the game balls are sequentially fired from the launching device 330 with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor 253 (the rotational operation amount of the firing handle 252).

  The signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state initialization signal to the main control board 920 when the initialization switch 907 is pressed. In the main control board 920, the storage information stored in the RAM of the main control board 920 is initialized in response to the reception of the ON state initialization signal. The initialization switch 907 is not necessarily configured to output a signal to the main control board 920 via the signal relay unit 903. For example, the initialization switch 907 is directly mounted on the main control board 920. The initialization switch 907 may be accommodated in the substrate case 371, and thus illegal signal input targeting a section in which a signal is transmitted can be suppressed.

  Further, when the ball overflow switch 249 detects a game ball, the signal relay unit 903 outputs an on-state ball overflow signal to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 outputs a low-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the ON state, and the payout control board 930 that has received the low-speed payout signal receives the rotation speed of the payout motor 542 (payout). The game ball payout speed from the device 540 is reduced. The main control board 920 outputs a high-speed payout signal to the payout control board 930 based on the detection of the ball overflow signal in the off state, and the payout control board 930 that has received the high-speed payout signal controls the rotation speed of the payout motor 542. Make it faster.

  The power monitoring board 910 is a power monitoring section 911 that monitors the power supply state from the power / fire control board 900, and supplies power and transmits various signals between the power / fire control board 900 and the main control board 920. And a signal relay unit 912 for relaying. The power monitoring unit 911 also outputs a power failure signal to the main control board 920 in response to the transition to the power failure state, and monitors the voltage of 24 VDC which is the maximum voltage output from the power source unit 901. When the state where the voltage is less than 22 volts continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the state is a power failure, and an on-state power failure signal is output to the main control board 920. The main control board 920 recognizes the transition to the power failure state by receiving the power failure signal in the on state.

  The main control board 920 comprehensively controls the operation of the pachinko machine 100. On the main control board 920, an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer is mounted. The MPU includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (not shown) storing various control programs and fixed data executed by the CPU, and various data temporarily during execution of the control program. And a RAM (not shown) for storing and the like. In addition, various circuits such as a timer circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted on the main control board 920. Yes. The RAM of the main control board 920 is configured to be able to maintain (back up) internal data by supplying a backup voltage from the power / fire control board 900 even after the transition to the power failure state.

  The payout control board 930 controls a game ball payout operation by the payout apparatus 540 according to an instruction from the main control board 920 and a game ball lending operation by the payout apparatus 540 according to an operation of the game ball lending apparatus 290. As with the main control board 920, the payout control board 930 is an MPU (not shown) as a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), ROM (not shown), and RAM (not shown), a timer circuit. Various circuits such as (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), a clock generation circuit (not shown), a signal transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are mounted. The payout control board 930 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so as to be able to communicate information. For example, the main control board 920 and the relay device 950 can perform bidirectional information input / output communication. The open / close detection switches 108 and 109, the storage ball switch 591 and the payout counting switch 592 are connected so that only information input communication in only one direction is possible, and the payout motor 542 has information in only one direction. Only output communication is possible. Note that the RAM of the payout control board 930 may be configured to have a backup function that allows internal data to be maintained over a certain period in a power failure state, like the RAM of the main control board 920, or the RAM of the main control board 920. Unlike the case, the internal data may not be maintained in a power failure state.

  The sub control board 940 controls operations of various rendering devices, various light emitting devices, various acoustic devices, and the like based on instructions from the main control board 920. The sub-control board 940 is equipped with an input / output port as a connection means for connecting to other devices so as to be able to perform information communication. The input operation device 260 is connected to be capable of information communication in both directions, and the decorative symbol display device 479 is connected to be capable of only one-way information output communication.

<Various control processes>
Next, various control processes executed by the main control board 920 will be described. The control processing in the main control board 920 can be broadly divided into main processing that is started upon recovery from a power failure state, and periodic execution (in this embodiment, with a cycle of 2 ms (milliseconds)). Timer interrupt processing.

  First, the main process executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main process of the main control board 920 (abbreviated as “main control main process” in FIG. 11).

  In the main process of the main control board 920, first, a series of control start processes (program start process S1001 to random number initial setting process S1019) for starting up the main control board 920 and initializing various information are executed only once. After that, the interrupt prohibition processing S1020 for prohibiting the interrupt, the winning random number initial value counter (partial area of the RAM), the jackpot symbol random number initial value counter (partial area of the RAM) and the normal symbol related to the special symbol Random initial value update processing S1021 for updating the value of the winning random number initial value counter (part of the RAM) and the first variation type counter to the fourth variation type for determining the variation time, variation pattern, etc. Fluctuation counter update processing S1022 for updating the value of the counter (part of the RAM), and interrupt permission processing S for permitting interrupts 023 and is repeatedly executed. When a timer interrupt request is generated before the interrupt permission process S1023, the timer interrupt process is executed immediately after the interrupt permission process S1023.

  In a series of control start processes, a program start process S1001 for setting an initial value to a stack pointer (part of the RAM) for controlling the execution of a program, an interrupt mode setting process S1002 for setting an interrupt mode, and a payout control board A stand-by standby process S1003 that waits for a predetermined time until 930, the sub-control board 940, and the like stand up is executed.

  After the start-up standby process S1003, a determination process S1004 of the output state of the initialization signal from the initialization switch 907 of the power supply / emission control board 900, a determination process S1005 of the value of the power failure information (part of the RAM), and storage Information storage state determination processing S1007 is performed, and it is determined based on these determination results whether the stored information in the RAM is to be deleted. Here, the stored information is information necessary for returning to the state of the game before the power failure, and corresponds to a part of the RAM that has been updated according to the progress of the game before the power failure. The counter value related to the unit game in the middle, the counter value stored by the start winning, and the like are exemplified.

  The storage state of the stored information is determined as follows. First, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated (checksum calculation process S1006), and the current checksum value and a power failure monitoring process S1202 (see FIG. 12) accompanying the transition to the previous power failure state. It is determined whether or not the exclusive OR with the RAM determination value that is the 2's complement of the checksum value calculated in (0) is “0” (determination processing S1007), and thereby the current checksum value and It is determined whether or not the checksum value at the time of transition to the power failure state is the same.

  When the initialization signal is in the on state (S1004: Y), when the power failure information is not a predetermined power failure value indicating that the stored information is stored and terminated when the transition to the power failure state is completed (S1005: N), or saved If the information is not normally held (S1007: N), a RAM clear process S1008 for erasing the stored information in the RAM is executed. After it is determined that the stored information is normally held (S1007: Y), or after the RAM clear process S1008 is executed, hardware for initializing various devices connected to the main control board 920 A hardware initialization process S1009 is executed.

  After the hardware initialization process S1009, a determination process S1010 of whether or not the power failure information is a power failure value is executed. When the power failure information is a power failure value (S1010: N), a RAM recovery setting process S1011 for initial setting of various types of information including a return of stored information and a recovery command indicating completion of the setting are set (return command). Output processing S1012). By returning the stored information in the RAM return setting process S1011, the control state of the main control board 920 is returned to the control state immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state.

  On the other hand, when the power failure information is not a power failure value (S1010: Y), various types of information are initialized without returning the retained information (RAM initial setting processing S1013), and an initialization command indicating the completion of the setting is output. (Initialization command output processing S1014).

  In the RAM recovery setting process S1011 and the RAM initial setting process S1013, the power failure information is set to a predetermined energization value different from the power failure value, and various error states such as fraud detection errors immediately before the transition to the previous power failure state. Even if has occurred, all those error states are cleared. Also, either the return command or the initialization command is output from the main control board 920 to both the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940, and the payout control board 930 and the sub control board 940 that have received the return command or the initialization command. In each of these, a predetermined initialization process is executed.

  After the initial setting of the RAM according to the situation at the time of start-up (determination process S1004 to initialization command output process S1014), if the condition device is operating at the time of transition to the previous power failure state, the special gaming state is set. Preparation for returning is performed (special gaming state return preparation processing S1015). Specifically, in the special game state return preparation process S1015, the operating states of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are determined, and a process corresponding to the game situation in the power failure state is executed in the sub-control board 940. The

  After the special game state return preparation process S1015, it is determined whether or not the time-short state flag is set to determine whether it is a time-short state or a non-time-short state (determination process S1016). In the case (S1016: Y), a time reduction command is output (time reduction command output processing S1017). On the other hand, if it is in the non-time-short state (S1016: N), a non-time-short command is output (non-time-short command output processing S1018). Thereafter, the value of the winning random number counter (part of the RAM) related to the special symbol is initialized (random number initial setting process S1019).

  Next, timer interrupt processing executed by the main control board 920 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing (abbreviated as “main control interrupt processing” in the figure) executed by the main control board 920.

  In the timer interrupt process of the main control board 920, first, an interrupt start process S1201 for starting a timer interrupt is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the interrupt control register. As a result, interrupts other than this timer interrupt are prohibited. Thereafter, a power failure monitoring process S1202 to an external information output process S1221 related to substantial control such as game progress control of the pachinko machine 100 and monitoring of various sensors are sequentially executed. However, when the game progress is stopped based on various fraud detections (S1207: Y), the control signal output process S1208 to the external information output process S1221 are not executed. Finally, an interrupt permission process S1222 that permits the next timer interrupt is executed, and the current timer interrupt process ends. In the following, various main processes will be described individually.

  In the power failure monitoring process S1202, the value of the power failure information (part of the RAM) is updated based on the output state of the power failure signal output from the power monitoring unit 911 of the power monitoring board 910. Specifically, the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, and when the on state is detected at all three times, the power failure state is determined. If it is not determined in this determination that the power is out, the power outage information is maintained at the energization value.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the power failure monitoring process S1202 that the power is out, the following process is executed. First, the value of the power failure information is changed from the energization value set in the RAM recovery setting process S1011 or the RAM initial setting process S1013 (see FIG. 11) to a predetermined power failure value. Also, a checksum value for a storage area in a predetermined range of the RAM is calculated, and the 2's complement of the checksum value is set as the RAM determination value. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 enters an infinite loop that does not perform substantial control such as game progress or monitoring of various sensors, and the state of the RAM after the RAM determination value is set is held based on the backup power. The Since the output state of the power failure signal is confirmed three times, each process of timer interruption is executed twice after the first reception of the power failure signal is detected.

  In the random number update process S1203, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, when the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is a value different from the specified maximum value (for example, “576”), the value is changed by “1” larger than the current value, and the special symbol is changed. When the value of the winning random number counter relating to is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). However, if the value after the change is the same as the cyclic initial value for the winning random number counter related to the special symbol, the value of the winning random number counter related to the special symbol is the same as the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol. The cyclic initial value is also set to the same value as the winning random number initial value counter.

  The jackpot symbol random number counter, the stop pattern selection counter, and the winning random number counter related to the normal symbol are also updated in the same manner as the winning random number counter related to the special symbol. However, as the update range determined by the specified maximum value and specified minimum value of each counter, a unique value is set for each counter, and a plurality of counters are updated asynchronously. Is referred to an initial value counter unique to each counter. For example, the winning random number counter related to the special symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol have the same value range, and the big hit symbol random number counter and the big hit symbol random number initial value counter have the same value range, The winning random number counter related to the normal symbol and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol have the same value range.

  In the random number initial value update process S1204, the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol, the big hit symbol random number initial value counter, and the winning random number initial value counter related to the normal symbol are updated. Specifically, if the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the special symbol is different from the specified maximum value (for example, “576”), the value is changed to a value “1” larger than the current value, When the value of the winning random number initial value counter related to the symbol is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The initial random number counter for the special symbol and the initial random number counter for the normal symbol are also the initial random numbers for the special symbol, except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are unique to those counters. It is updated in the same way as the value counter.

  In the variation counter update processing S1205, the values of the first variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter for determining the variation time, variation pattern, and the like are updated. Specifically, when the value of the first variation type counter is a value different from a specified maximum value (for example, “187”), the value is changed to a value that is larger by “1” than the current value, and the first variation When the value of the type counter is the specified maximum value, it is changed to the specified minimum value (“0”). The second variation type counter to the fourth variation type counter are also updated in the same manner as the first variation type counter except that the specified maximum value and the specified minimum value are values unique to those counters. Is done.

  Note that each winning random number counter, jackpot symbol random number counter, stop pattern selection counter and each variation type counter related to special symbols and normal symbols are not necessarily configured as described above, and at least a part of the counters as other configurations. For example, it may be configured to update from a constant initial value without using an initial value counter, or may be configured by a random number generating IC without using a program and refer to a value as necessary. .

  In the game stop determination process S1206, when the fraud detection information is a fraud detection value, it is updated to the game stop value and various information for stopping the progress of the game is set. On the other hand, if the fraud detection information is not a fraud detection value or is already a game stop value, the game stop determination process S1206 ends without executing each process for stopping the game progress. The fraud detection information is set to a fraud detection value when occurrence of various frauds is detected in the fraud detection processing S1211. In the determination process S1207, whether or not the game is stopped is determined based on whether or not the fraud detection information is a game stop value.

  In the control signal output process S1208, based on the control data stored in the output buffer, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, and the normal symbol related Signals for controlling various notification devices such as the normal symbol display device 473 are output. Based on the control data stored in the output buffer, various actuators such as a ball feed solenoid 332, a firing solenoid 334, a right entry restriction solenoid 462, a lower entry restriction solenoid 463, an upper entry restriction solenoid 464, and a switching solenoid 465 are provided. A control signal is output.

  In the switch reading process S1209, the middle start winning switch 441A, 441B, the right starting winning switch 442, the lower large winning switch 443, the upper large winning switch 444, the combination operation switch 445, the starting switch 446, the non-specific passage switch 447, the specific The signal state from each of the passage switch 448 and the general winning switches 449A and 449B is read, and a change in the detection state of the game ball by various switches is detected.

  Specifically, in the switch reading process S1209, signal states from various switches are read into the input buffer (part of the RAM) twice at predetermined time intervals, and signals from the various switches are read. Each time, the signal state read for the first time (hereinafter abbreviated as “first signal state”) and the signal state read for the second time (hereinafter abbreviated as “second signal state”) Based on the detection state detected by the previous timer interrupt (hereinafter abbreviated as “previous detection state”), changes in the detection state of various switches are detected. For each switch, when the previous detection state is the off state, the first signal state is the on state, and when the second signal state is the on state, it is determined that the switch is on. Thus, a detection flag (a partial area of the RAM) corresponding to the type of switch is set. As described in the power failure monitoring process S1202, even if the power supply is stopped, each process of the timer interrupt is executed twice, so that the various switches are turned on immediately after the power supply is stopped. Even when it is started, detection flags of various switches can be set accurately.

  In the timer update process S1210, various timers (predetermined areas of the RAM) used for special symbol and normal symbol variation display, control of each gaming state, fraud monitoring, and the like are updated.

  In the fraud detection process S1211, an illegal act such as forcibly entering a game ball into various winning devices or forcibly operating various winning devices is detected. Specifically, the right start winning device 432, the lower grand prize winning device 433, and the upper grand prize winning device 434 are forced to move into the allowable approaching posture, and the game ball is guided to a specific passage of the lower major prize winning device 433 by vibration. , The right start winning device 432 by radio waves, the lower winning device 433 and the upper winning device 434 are forcibly triggered, the game balls are guided to various winning devices by magnetic attraction, the upper middle starting winning device 431A, There is a high possibility that an illegal act such as guiding a game ball at an abnormal timing to the lower middle start winning device 431B, the right start winning device 432, the lower large winning device 433, and the upper large winning device 434 is performed. Detect occurrence.

  In the winning detection response process S1212, control based on detection of a game ball by various switches provided in the game board 400 is executed. Specifically, when the middle start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the upper middle start winning switch 441A (see FIG. 10) and the lower middle start winning switch 441B (see FIG. 10). The middle start winning counter (predetermined area of the RAM) and the first payout counter (predetermined area of the RAM) are updated. Further, when the right start winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the right start winning switch 442 (see FIG. 10), the first payout counter is updated. Further, when the lower prize winning switch detection flag is set based on the detection of the game ball by the lower prize winning switch 443 (see FIG. 10), or when the game ball is detected by the upper prize winning switch 444 (see FIG. 10). If the upper prize winning switch detection flag is set on the basis, the big prize counter (predetermined area of the RAM) and the second payout counter (predetermined area of the RAM) are updated.

  In the launch control process S1213, launch related information for controlling the launch of the game ball by the launch device 330 is updated. Specifically, the operation flag of the ball feed solenoid 332 that drives the ball feed mechanism 331 and the operation flag of the firing solenoid 334 that drives the firing mechanism 333 are updated.

  In the input signal monitoring process S1214, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 108 (see FIG. 10) via the payout control board 930, an intermediate block is provided for the outer frame 101 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). It is detected whether 103 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.2) is closed. Further, based on the output state of the signal from the open / close detection switch 109 via the payout control board 930 (see FIG. 10), the front block 102 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) with respect to the intermediate block 103 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). 3) is detected.

  In the payout state monitoring process S1215, information indicating the payout control state output from the payout control board 930 is monitored, and various payout state commands corresponding to the payout control state are set as necessary. The sub-control board 940 that has received the payout state command causes the decorative symbol display device 479, the upper left acoustic device 281 and the upper right acoustic device 282 to execute notification according to the type of the payout state command.

  In the payout signal output process S1216, various prize ball commands are set based on the values of the first payout counter and the second payout counter as necessary, and output to the payout control board 930. The first payout counter and the second payout counter are updated according to the setting of the prize ball command. For example, the first payout counter is incremented by 1 each time a game ball corresponding to one winning is detected, and decremented by 1 each time a winning ball command based on the winning is set. Each time the payout control board 930 executes control for paying out the number of game balls (for example, 3) corresponding to the winning (specifically, shortly before the payout is completed), the main control board 920 is awarded. In a situation where a ball command is requested and the payout of a prize ball is continuing, a further prize ball command is output from the main control board 920. The second payout counter is a counter that is updated in response to a winning (for example, 13) that has a different number of prize balls than the first payout counter. When the 930 is received, the payout control board 930 executes control for paying out a number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command.

  In the special symbol-related process S1217, control for holding the right of the unit game related to the first special symbol and control of the unit game related to the first special symbol are executed. Specifically, operation control of the special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol is executed in the hold control of the unit game right related to the first special symbol. In addition, in the control of the unit game related to the first special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol is executed. Operation control of 433 and the top prize winning device 434 is further executed.

  Further, in the special symbol related process S1217, the unit game right holding control related to the second special symbol and the unit game control related to the second special symbol are executed. Specifically, the operation control of the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol is executed in the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the second special symbol. In addition, in the control of the unit game related to the second special symbol, the operation control of the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol is executed, and when the big win is won in the second special symbol lottery, Operation control of 433 and the top prize winning device 434 is further executed.

  In the normal symbol related process S1218, the unit game right holding control related to the normal symbol and the unit game control related to the normal symbol are executed. Specifically, the operation control of the normal symbol hold display device 478 is executed in the hold control of the right of the unit game related to the normal symbol. Further, in the control of the unit game related to the normal symbol, the operation control of the normal symbol display device 473 related to the normal symbol is executed, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the operation control of the right start winning device 432 is further executed. .

  In the display control processing S1219, the special symbol display device 471 related to the first special symbol, the special symbol display device 472 related to the second special symbol, the special symbol hold display device 476 related to the first special symbol in the special symbol related processing S1217, and Based on various information updated to control the operation of the special symbol hold display device 477 related to the second special symbol, output data for specifically operating these devices is synthesized. The synthesized output data is output to each device in the control signal output process S1208 based on the next timer interrupt.

  In the motor control process S1220, operation control of various motors is executed. In the external information output process S1221, output data to be output to an external device such as a data display device (not shown) or a management device (not shown) electrically connected to the pachinko machine 100 is set.

<Composition of game ball payout route (1)>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13 and subsequent figures, a configuration relating to a payout path for game balls will be described. FIG. 13 is a front view of the pachinko machine 100 and the game ball management device 700 as seen from the front side (front side). Next to (on the left side of) the pachinko machine 100, a game ball management device 700 that manages the possessed balls of the players who play games on the pachinko machine 100 is installed.

  The game ball management device 700 includes a management information display unit 701 capable of displaying the number of possessed balls and the amount of money possessed by the player, a lending operation of game balls using the possessed ball and the possessed amount, and an operation of taking out a value storage medium. Management device operation unit 702, bill insertion unit 703 for inserting bills, storage medium insertion unit 704 for inserting value storage media such as cards and coins capable of recording information, and game ball management device 700 A front ball throwing portion 705 and a front passage member 706 for throwing a game ball to be played from the front side, and a rear ball throwing portion 707 for throwing a game ball managed by the game ball management device 700 from the rear side. Yes.

  The front-side passage member 706 is a member constituting a front-side passage as a transfer passage for transferring the game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 100 to the game ball management device 700. The front passage member 706 is installed such that the upstream end portion is positioned below the lower auxiliary storage portion 241 of the two storage portions 231 and 241 provided in the pachinko machine 100. Further, the front passage member 706 is rotatably attached to the left front side with the left side when viewed from the front as the center of rotation, and is pushed by the front block 102 when opening and closing the front block 102 and the intermediate block 103 of the pachinko machine 100. It rotates in synchronization.

  The upstream portion of the front passage opens upward on the lower side of the discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1) of the auxiliary storage portion 241. Further, the front passage is inclined downward to the left of the front view so that the game ball advances toward the game ball management device 700 and is connected to the front ball insertion unit 705 of the game ball management device 700 at the downstream end. Has been. The game balls stored in the auxiliary storage unit 241 can be transferred to the game ball management device 700 via the front passage by the player operating the ball removal operation member 242 (see FIG. 1).

  Further, on the back side of the pachinko machine 100, a rear passage member constituting a rear passage 580 is provided as a transfer passage for transferring game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 100 to the game ball management device 700. Yes. Whether or not the game ball can enter the rear passage 580 can be selected by operating the back side of the pachinko machine 100 by the manager of the game hall. The manager of the game hall can select whether or not to enable the function of transferring the game ball to the game ball management device 700 via the rear passage 580, and the configuration details regarding the rear passage 580 are detailed. Will be described later.

  Next, a configuration relating to a payout path of game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 100 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 100 and the game ball management device 700 as viewed from the rear side (rear side), schematically showing the main configuration related to the payout path of the game balls, and omitting some configurations. ing. 14A shows a state where the game ball is transferred from the front side of the pachinko machine 100 to the game ball management device 700 via the auxiliary storage unit 241 and the front side passage (front side transfer state). (B) shows a state where the game ball can be transferred to the game ball management device 700 on the rear side of the pachinko machine 100 without going through the auxiliary storage unit 241 (rear transfer state). Further, in FIG. 14, a thin line with an arrow indicates a part and a direction of a path through which the game ball can flow and travel.

  First, with reference to FIG. 14 (A), the structure regarding the payout path | route of the game ball in a front side transfer state is demonstrated.

  The pachinko machine 100 is supplied with game balls from the game hall equipment to the game ball tank 510. The game balls supplied to the game ball tank 510 enter the payout device 540 through the tank rail 520 and the case rail 530. The payout device 540 causes the game balls to flow downstream one by one under the control of the payout control device 560 (see FIG. 10). For example, the game balls advance one ball at a time in accordance with the rotation operation. It has a ball feeding member (not shown). The game balls are outputted one by one by the rotation of the ball feeding member, proceed to the downstream side, pass through the payout counting switch 592 (see FIG. 10), and then to the ball guiding portion 551 of the guiding member 550. enter in. On the downstream side of the ball guiding portion 551, two guiding passages 552 and 553 are provided as a part of the ball guiding portion 551 so as to branch into two forks.

  A game ball that has entered the ball guiding portion 551 is guided so as to enter with priority over the main side guiding passage 552 on one side (left side in the rear view). When the main side guide passage 552 is filled with game balls and the game ball is in a full tank state where it cannot enter, the game balls are guided to the auxiliary side guide passage 553 which is the other side (right side in rear view). The

  The main side guide passage 552 is provided on the left side of the pachinko machine 100 as viewed from the rear and on the side away from the game ball management device 700, and is connected to the storage portion 231 of the main storage mechanism 230. An inflow port 231 </ b> A of the main storage mechanism 230 is provided on the downstream side of the main side guide passage 552, and the game ball that has entered the main side guide passage 552 is guided to the storage portion 231 of the main storage mechanism 230.

  The auxiliary side guide passage 553 is provided on the right side of the pachinko machine 100 in the rear view and close to the game ball management device 700, and is connected to the auxiliary storage unit 241 of the auxiliary storage mechanism 240. An inflow port 241A of the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is provided on the downstream side of the auxiliary side guide passage 553, and the game ball that has entered the auxiliary side guide passage 553 is guided to the auxiliary storage portion 241 of the auxiliary storage mechanism 240.

  The game balls paid out by the payout device 540 flow down through the ball guide portion 551 with priority given to the main guide passage 552 connected to the main storage mechanism 230 out of the two guide passages 552 and 553, It is guided to the storage part 231 of the main storage mechanism 230. When the main side guide passage 552 connected to the main storage mechanism 230 becomes full, the game ball flows down through the auxiliary side guide passage 553 connected to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240. When the game ball is stored in a full tank state until reaching a predetermined upper limit height position in the auxiliary side guide passage 553 connected to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240, the payout of the game ball is temporarily stopped, and the full tank state is When canceled, the payout is resumed.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the periphery of the branching portion between the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580 in a state where the entry switching member 581 as the front transfer state is in the approach prevention posture. In FIG. 15, a part and direction of a path through which the game ball can flow down and travel are illustrated by thin lines with arrows.

  The rear passage 580 is provided so as to continue from the branch portion from the auxiliary guide passage 553 so as to be inclined downward slightly from the horizontal direction, and the downstream portion thereof is the right side (as viewed from the front side) of the pachinko machine 100. The game ball management device 700 on the left side continues to the position overlapping the back side. The outlet 580B at the downstream end of the rear passage 580 is connected to the rear ball insertion portion 707 of the game ball management device 700, and the game ball that has passed through the rear passage 580 enters the game ball management device 700 from the back side. It is possible. An approach switching member 581 is provided near the inlet 580A in the rear passage 580.

  The approach switching member 581 is provided at a branch portion between the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580. The upstream side end of the rear passage 580 is connected to an intermediate portion of the auxiliary guide passage 553, and the entry switching member 581 that has taken the approach prevention posture corresponding to the front transfer state is located behind the auxiliary guide passage 553. The entrance to the side passage 580 is closed, and the game ball cannot enter the rear passage 580. Thereby, in the front transfer state, the game ball passing through the auxiliary side guide passage 553 cannot enter the rear side passage 580, and the game ball reaching the branch portion is connected to the auxiliary storage mechanism 240. It flows down along the passage 553 and is guided to the storage portion 241 of the auxiliary storage mechanism 240.

  Here, the rear passage member forming the rear passage 580 is rotatably supported by a shaft 580 </ b> C provided on the back side portion of the outer frame 101, and the rear passage member is supported by the outer frame 101 and integrated. Has been. When the rear passage member is rotated by the shaft 580C so as to be vertically long (in the state of the outline 580X indicated by a chain line in FIG. 15), the rear passage member has a rectangular shape of the outer frame 101 in the rear view of the pachinko machine 100. It is comprised so that it may be in the accommodation state settled in an external shape. Thereby, when installing the pachinko machine 100 in a game arcade, the malfunction which the rear side passage member contacts and damages a peripheral part is prevented.

  Here, a part of the rear passage member forming the rear passage 580 is configured to be extendable and contracted, and the guide member 550 is installed in an installation state in which the inlet 580A of the rear passage 580 can be continued to the auxiliary guide passage 553. It is preferable that the rear passage 580 and the auxiliary guide passage 553 be maintained in a continuous state even when the rear block 104 including the pivot is rotated with respect to the outer frame 101. Alternatively, when the rear block 104 rotates with respect to the outer frame 101 in the installed state, the entry switching member 581 is configured to close the inlet 580A of the rear passage 580 in conjunction with the rotation operation, In the auxiliary side guiding passage 553, another lid member for closing the passage continuing to the rear side passage 580 is provided, and the inlet 580A of the rear side passage 580 and the outlet portion of the auxiliary side guiding passage 553 to the rear side passage 580 are separated. It is good also as a structure closed to.

  A ball detection member 559 that can detect the presence of a game ball by being pressed by a game ball is provided upstream of the auxiliary guide passage 553 and upstream of the branching portion to the rear passage 580. Yes. The ball detection member 559 is a member for detecting a full tank state in which the game ball is filled until it reaches a predetermined upper limit height position with respect to the auxiliary side guide passage 553, and the state of the ball detection member 559 is It is possible to detect whether or not the game ball is stored up to the upper limit of the lower storage section that is detected by the ball overflow switch 249 (see FIG. 10) and has the auxiliary storage section 241 as the downstream end.

  FIG. 16 is a view schematically showing the entry switching member 581 in the approach prevention posture together with the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580, and FIG. It is the figure which showed the state which was visually recognized from the back side and the left side of the pachinko machine 100.

  The entry switching member 581 is provided with an entry blocking portion 582, a rotation shaft portion 583 provided on the lower side of the entry blocking portion 582 and capable of turning the entry blocking portion 582, and a game hall manager operable. And a switching operation unit 584 as an operation unit. The rotation shaft portion 583 of the entry switching member 581 is rotatably supported by the rear passage member, and the entry blocking portion 582 is configured to be rotatable (displaceable) by the rotation shaft portion 583, and is disposed at the arrangement position. As a result of the change, the approach prevention posture that prevents the game ball from entering the rear passage 580 and the entry allowable posture that allows the game ball to enter the rear passage 580 are taken.

  The rotation shaft portion 583 is a part that constitutes a part of a mechanism for enabling the entry switching member 581 to rotate. The rotation shaft portion 583 is connected to the switching operation portion 584, and the entry blocking portion 582 can be rotated and displaced to a position substantially parallel to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the switching operation portion 584. it can.

  The approach switching member 581 takes an approach preventing posture by being positioned in the vertical direction, and takes an approach permitting posture by being positioned substantially in parallel. The posture change of the entry switching member 581 can be performed by rotating the entry prevention unit 582 by operating the switching operation unit 584. The entry switching member 581 holds (maintains) the entry prevention unit 582 at a predetermined position substantially parallel to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction when the entry prevention unit 582 is operated to a position substantially parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. A holding mechanism (not shown) is provided. Note that “substantially parallel” may be within a range of ± 10 ° from parallel and includes “parallel”.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the entry switching member 581 takes an entry prevention posture by arranging the entry prevention portion 582 in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction, and a communication portion between the main side guide passage 552 and the rear side passage 580. Is blocked so that the game ball cannot pass through, and the game ball is prevented from entering the rear passage 580. When the entry switching member 581 is in the approach prevention posture, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 15, the game ball that has been paid out in a situation where the main guide passage 552 is in a full state is used as the guide member 550. However, it makes it approach to the auxiliary | assistant side guidance | induction channel | path 553, advances to a downstream side, and guides it to the auxiliary storage part 241 through the inflow port 241A.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14 (B) and FIGS. 18 to 20, a configuration relating to the payout path of the game ball in the rear transfer state will be described.

  In the pachinko machine 100, a rear side passage 580 is provided from the middle of the auxiliary side guide passage 553 in a lateral direction different from the side where the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is provided, and a game ball enters the rear side passage 580. Is controlled by the position of the entry switching member 581. The rear passage 580 schematically shows only the outer shape of the passage for easy understanding in some drawings, and schematically shows a state in which the inside of the passage is visible from the back side. 2, 4, 8 and 9, the rear passage member and the entry switching member 581 are omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the periphery of a branch portion between the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580 in a state where the entry switching member 581 is in the approach prevention posture. In FIG. 18, a thin line with an arrow indicates a part and a direction of a path through which the game ball can flow and travel. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing an approach switching member 581 that has taken an approach permitting posture together with the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580, and FIG. 20 is an approach switching member 581 that has taken an approach permitting posture. It is the figure which showed the state which was visually recognized from the back side and the left side of the pachinko machine 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the entry switching member 581 takes an approach permitting posture corresponding to the rear transfer state, so that the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the rear passage 580 are continuous. 582 is tilted to the side where the auxiliary guide passage 553 is provided (left side in the rear view). The approach switching member 581 in the approach permitting posture is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the rear passage 580 (a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal direction) and slightly inclined downward to the right in the rear view. A game ball is opened so that a game ball can pass through a communication portion between the side guide passage 553 and the rear side passage 580, and the game ball is allowed to enter the auxiliary side guide passage 553 into the rear side passage 580. Further, the entry switching member 581 taking the approach allowing posture closes the opening on the passage side continuous to the downstream side of the auxiliary side guide passage 553 and moves the game ball passing through the auxiliary side guide passage 553 to the rear side passage 580. And induce.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (B), when the approach switching member 581 is in the approach permitting posture, the game balls overflowing from the main side guide passage 552 and entering the auxiliary side guide passage 553 are moved back by the entrance switch member 581. It is guided to the side passage 580 and enters the game ball management device 700.

  The game balls that have entered the game ball management apparatus 700 are managed by the game ball management apparatus 700. For example, the number of entries is counted by a measurement counter (not shown) provided in the game ball management apparatus 700. Is added to the number of balls possessed by the player. The addition of the number of possessed balls is stored in a value storage medium in the game ball management device 700, and the display content of the management information display unit 701 is updated. Further, the game balls that have progressed into the game ball management device 700 are discharged to a game ball circulation device (not shown) provided on the game hall side via a ball outlet (not shown) of the game ball management device 700. Is done.

  Here, the pachinko machine 100n is provided with an entry unnecessary detection function for detecting a state in which the game ball cannot enter the rear passage 580. When the game ball cannot travel to the game ball management device 700 side and the rear passage 580 is filled with the game ball, the game ball continues to the auxiliary guidance passage 553 side. . A ball detection member 559 is provided on the upstream side of a branch portion between the auxiliary side guide passage 553 and the rear side passage 580, and when the game ball is filled up to the height position of the ball detection member 559, the ball detection member 559 passes through The full state of the side passage 580 is detected. As a result, the pachinko machine 100 can detect a situation in which a game ball cannot enter the rear passage 580, and control such as stopping the payout of the game ball corresponding to the full state of the rear passage 580 can be performed. It has become. In addition to the ball detection member 559, a detection member or sensor for detecting a full tank state is provided in the rear passage 580 so that the full tank state can be detected at a position different from the auxiliary guide passage 553. The pachinko machine 100 may be configured to perform control such as stopping the payout of the game ball in response to the full tank state.

  The entry switching member 581 is exposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 100, is configured so that the player cannot operate, and can be operated by the manager of the game hall. For example, when the administrator of the game hall directly operates the back side of the pachinko machine 100, a direct switching operation for the entry switching member 581 is executed. As a result, the manager of the game hall needs to respond according to the specifications of the game ball management device 700 installed in the game hall, according to the model of the pachinko machine 100, or according to the preference of the game hall. Thus, any one of the approach prevention posture and the approach allowable posture can be freely selected and switched.

  Thus, the pachinko machine 100 stores the game balls paid out from the payout device 540 on the front side of the pachinko machine 100, and the game balls stored in the auxiliary storage unit 241 on the front side of the pachinko machine. The discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage portion 241 to be taken out of the gaming machine, the auxiliary side guide passage 553 located between the payout device 540 and the storage portion 241, and the auxiliary side guide passage 553 are provided separately from the payout device 540. A rear passage 580 for delivering the paid-out game balls to the outside of the gaming machine on the back side of the pachinko machine 100 different from the discharge port of the auxiliary storage unit 241, and a game ball paid out from the payout device 540 And an entry switching member 581 capable of switching whether or not to enter 580. For this reason, using the discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage unit 241, it is possible to transfer the game ball to the ball box managed by the player himself or the game ball management device 700 via the front side of the pachinko machine 100, as in the past. In addition, it is possible to transfer the game ball to the game ball management device 700 via the back side of the pachinko machine 100 using the rear passage 580.

  That is, a part of the game balls can be transferred to the game ball management device 700 without going through the storage units 231 and 241 on the front side of the pachinko machine 100, so that the player has the game balls possessed by the player. It can be easily managed without the opportunity to touch. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the work of overflowing the game balls from the storage units 231 and 241 or to transfer them to the ball box, and to transfer the game balls to the game ball management device 700 via a position far from the player. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the sound that the game balls pass and the contact sound between the game balls to reach the players, and to improve the convenience of the players.

<Suppression structure for game ball passing sound and contact sound>
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the structure for reducing the passing sound of the game balls and the contact sound between the game balls in the pachinko machine 100 will be further described. The pachinko machine 100 is provided with an acoustic device 283 at a position overlapping the front side of the rear passage 580 in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 100. The acoustic device 283 is provided in front of the rear passage 580, and by providing the acoustic device 283, it is difficult for the passing sound and the contact sound of the game ball from the rear passage 580 to be output to the front side, and the acoustic device is provided. The sound of 283 is configured to easily reach the player. For the sound device 283, in addition to the sound output unit that outputs sound, a sound detection unit such as a microphone that detects sound from the back side is provided, and the sound of the reverse phase that cancels the sound detected by the sound detection unit May be output from the sound output unit of the audio device 283. For example, the sub-control board 940 detects the sound detected by the sound detection unit of the audio device 283, and the sound of the opposite phase is also detected by the sub-control board 940. You may make it output from a sound output part. Thereby, the passing sound and the contact sound of the game ball can be further canceled, and the sound set as the effect of the pachinko machine 100 can be made easier to reach the player.

  An acoustic device 284 configured in the same manner as the acoustic device 283 is provided on the opposite side of the left and right objects with respect to the acoustic device 283 provided on the left side of the front view. The sound device 284 makes it difficult for the sound of the game ball that travels to enter the game ball management device 700 from the rear passage 580 in the adjacent pachinko machine 100 arranged on the right side of the pachinko machine 100 to reach the player. With this, the sound set as the effect of the pachinko machine 100 can be easily delivered to the player.

  Thus, in the pachinko machine 100, the rear passage 580 is formed by the passage forming member as the transfer passage through which the game ball passes between the outlet of the rear passage 580 and the payout device 540, and the rear passage 580 is formed. A sound device 283 that outputs sound effects such as effects of the pachinko machine 100 is provided on the front side of a part of the sound device. For this reason, in the process until the game ball is taken out of the pachinko machine 100, the sound output by the acoustic device 283 is given priority to the game sound passing through the rear passage 580 and the contact sound and reaching the player. It is possible to make it easier for the player to hear sound effects such as effects set in the pachinko machine 100. In addition, the acoustic devices 281 to 285 include a highly rigid metal member and a casing (enclosure) for resonating sound, and a part of these members is positioned in front of the rear passage 580, thereby causing the rear passage 580. It is possible to reduce the strength at which the sound generated in the game reaches the player.

  The acoustic device 285 is also provided at a position overlapping the front side of the discharge port 241B (see FIG. 1) through which the game ball is discharged downward from the auxiliary storage unit 241 of the auxiliary storage mechanism 240. Since the auxiliary storage unit 241 is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 100, a passing sound or a contact sound of the game ball is easily output at a position close to the player, and the auxiliary storage unit 241 is on the front side with respect to a position where the sound is likely to be generated. By providing the sound device 285 so as to overlap, it is possible to make it easy for the sound from the sound device 285 to reach the player. In particular, it is effective in a situation where the ball removal operation member 242 is operated and the game ball is discharged, and a collision sound when the game ball enters the front passage of the front passage member 706 or under the auxiliary storage unit 241. Regarding the sound of the game ball entering the ball box with the resin ball box placed, the sound device 285 is arranged between the player and the collision portion to make it difficult for the game ball to reach the player. be able to. The sound device 285 is also preferably provided with a sound detection unit, and an opposite phase sound that cancels the sound detected by the sound detection unit is output from the sound output unit of the sound device 285.

  Note that the acoustic devices 283 to 285 do not necessarily need to be provided at a position overlapping the front side of the rear passage 580 or the discharge port 241B, and may be arranged at a shifted position. In this case, it is preferable that the rear passage 580 and the discharge port 241B are disposed on the side close to the center in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100. This is preferable because the sound generated by the sound devices 283 to 285 can easily reach the player in a situation in which the face is placed near the center in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the front view of the pachinko machine 100.

  In addition, a sound detection unit such as a microphone that detects sound from the back side with respect to at least one of the acoustic devices 283 to 285 has directivity and is provided with a rear passage 580 or a release channel located on the back side. The sound on the side where the outlet 241B is provided is provided in a state in which it is easier to input than other directions such as the front side, and the sound is emitted from the rear passage 580 and the outlet 241B side detected by the sound detection unit of the acoustic devices 283 to 285 It is preferable to output a sound having an opposite phase to the sound from the sound output unit of the acoustic devices 283 to 285. Thereby, it is possible to further cancel the sound other than the sound effect such as the passing sound or the contact sound of the game ball, and to easily reach the player with the effect sound such as the effect set as the effect of the pachinko machine 100.

<Composition of game ball payout route (2)>
Next, with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, for an example provided with a payout path having a configuration different from that of the above embodiment, a reference numeral obtained by adding 1000 to a location having a configuration different from that of the pachinko machine 100 described above is added. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same configuration, and description thereof is omitted. FIG. 21 is a front view showing the arrangement of the two pachinko machines 1100 and the game ball management device 700 viewed from the front side, and FIG. 22 shows the pachinko machine 1100 and the game ball management device 700 viewed from the rear side. It is a rear view which shows the state. Here, in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, only main components of the pachinko machine 1100 and the game ball management device 700 are schematically shown for easy understanding.

  In the pachinko machine 100 described above, the configuration in which the game ball management apparatus 700 is provided with a transfer path capable of transferring the game ball without passing through the front side of the pachinko machine 100 has been described. However, the pachinko machine 1100 according to the present embodiment. Then, the other pachinko machine 1100 is also provided with a transfer path through which game balls can be transferred. In a state where a plurality of pachinko machines 1100 are installed side by side, a ball guiding section 551 provided on the back side of one pachinko machine 1100 and a ball guiding section 551 of the pachinko machine 1100 installed next to each pachinko machine 1100 Two rear passages 1590A and 1590B provided in 1100 are connected to each other so that game balls can be transferred in both directions. Further, the pachinko machine 1100 is provided with a rear passage 1580 that allows the game ball to be transferred to the game ball management device 700.

  One rear passage 1590A is a passage for transferring a game ball to another pachinko machine 1100. Among the plurality of pachinko machines 1100 arranged side by side, a front view right side (rear view right side) and a front view right side (rear view). It is provided so that a game ball can be transferred to the pachinko machine 1100 on the left side). The rear passage 1590A is slightly inclined downward toward the right side (left side in the rear view) when viewed from the front, and branches from a main guide passage 552 that is provided on the downstream side of the ball guide portion 551. An approach switching member 1591A is provided near the branch portion.

  Another rear passage 1590B is a passage through which the game ball flows into its own pachinko machine 1100, and from the pachinko machine 1100 on the right side in the front view (left side in the rear view) of the plurality of pachinko machines 1100 arranged, the left side in the front view (rear side) It is provided so that a game ball can be transferred to the pachinko machine 1100 on the right side). The rear passage 1590B slightly inclines downward toward the left side in the front view (right side in the rear view) and branches off from the main side guide passage 552 provided on the downstream side of the ball guide portion 551. An approach switching member 1591B is provided near the branch portion.

  23 and 24 are schematic lines schematically showing the periphery of a branching portion of the main guide passage 552 and the rear passage 1590A in a state where the entry switching member 1591A takes the entry prevention posture and the entry prevention posture, respectively. FIG. The two entry switching members 1591A and 1591B have the same configuration, and only one of the entry switching members 1591A will be described, and the description of the other entry switching member 1591B will be omitted.

  The entry switching member 1591A has a plate-like entry blocking portion arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction, so that the game ball passes through the communication portion between the main guide passage 552 and the upstream portion of the rear passage 1590A. An approach blocking posture that is impossiblely blocked is taken to prevent the game ball from entering the rear passage 1590A. As shown in FIG. 23, when the entry switching member 1591A is in the approach prevention posture, if there are many game balls stored in the storage unit 231 and the game balls are stored in the main guide passage 552 to the upper limit, The sphere is stored up to the upper side from the height position where the entry switching member 1591A is provided. Further, when the game balls are stored up to the upper end of the main side guide passage 552, the subsequent game balls cannot be entered into the main side guide passage 552 and are guided to the auxiliary side guide passage 553. That is, when the storage unit 231 continuous from the main side guide passage 552 is in a full state, the game balls are supplied to the auxiliary storage unit 241.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24, the entry switching member 1591A is tilted toward the direction side (rear side) in which the plate-like entry prevention portion is located in the rear passage 1590A, and the side where the rear passage 1590A is provided. An approach permitting posture is achieved by being arranged substantially parallel (a direction that is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and slightly tilts downward toward the rear side). As a result, the communication portion between the main guide passage 552 and the rear passage 1590A is opened so that the game ball can pass therethrough, and the game ball is allowed to enter the rear passage 1590A. At this time, since the entrance portion of the rear passage 1590A is provided below the upper end of the main guide passage 552, the game balls are stored in the main guide passage 552 as shown in FIG. When the upper end portion of the game ball stored at the height position of the entrance portion of the passage 1590A reaches a state, the subsequent game ball enters the rear passage 1590A and is inclined by the inclination of the entry prevention portion of the entry switching member 1591A. It flows down to the rear side and enters the main side guide passage 552 of the adjacent pachinko machine 1100 via the exit portion of the rear side passage 1590A.

  In addition, an entrance switching member 1592A is provided at the exit of the rear passage 1590A. For example, the entrance switching member 1592A has a configuration in which a plate-like entry prevention portion rotates to take an entry prevention posture and an entry permission posture in the same manner as the above-described entry switching member 1591A. The entrance switching member 1592 </ b> A has the exit portion of the rear passage 1590 </ b> A of the adjacent pachinko machine 1100 only when the pachinko machine 1100 performs a permission operation for allowing the game ball to enter the adjacent pachinko machine 1100. The game ball is opened so as to allow the game ball to enter the entrance of the game ball provided in the main guide passage 552, that is, the game ball can pass therethrough. If the permission operation is not executed, the exit portion of the rear passage 1590A is blocked by the entry switching member 1592A so that the game ball cannot pass therethrough.

  The adjacent pachinko machine 1100 is allowed to enter the main side guide passage 552 and prevent the game ball from entering the main side guide passage 552 at the position where the entrance switching member 1592A is provided. An approach switching member (not shown) that takes an approach permitting posture is provided, and this approach switching member is provided so as to interlock with an approach switching member 1592A provided in the rear passage 1590A. A condition is established in which the exit portion of the rear passage 1590A is connected to the main guide passage 552, and the admission operation for allowing the game ball to enter the pachinko machine 1100 is executed in the adjacent pachinko machine 1100. Only in some cases, the entry switching member takes the approach-permitted posture and allows the game ball to enter the main guide passage 552. If any of the conditions is not satisfied, the entry switching member takes the approach prevention posture. The entry of the game ball into the main guide passage 552 is blocked.

  Thereby, in the situation where the game ball is stored in the main side guide passage 552 of its own pachinko machine 1100, the game ball is stored in the exit portion of the rear passage 1590A and at the height position where the entry switching member 1592A is provided. Even when the upstream portion of the game ball reaches the state, the game ball enters the rear passage 1590A from the downstream side through the communication portion with the exit portion of the rear passage 1590A in the main guide passage 552. Can be avoided.

  As shown in FIG. 21, on the front side of the pachinko machine 1100, a switching operation unit 1588 for switching the postures of the entry switching members 1591A, 1592A, 1591B, and 1592B is provided. In addition, an interlocking mechanism (not shown) including a motor as a power source for switching the approach preventing posture or the approach allowing posture of the approach switching members 1581A and 1581B according to the operation of the switching operation portion 1588 is electrically connected to the switching operation portion 1588. It is connected to the. For example, the right button operation for operating the entry switching members 1591A and 1592A for sending out the game ball to the right adjacent pachinko machine 1100 and the left adjacent pachinko machine 1100 by a switch that can be operated by pressing the left and right side by side. The button operation on the left side for operating the entry switching members 1591B and 1592B for sending the game ball to the player can be executed.

  The player can freely select the left and right pachinko machines 1100 as the destination to which the game ball is paid out according to the game situation by operating the switching operation unit 1588. In the state where the approach switching member 1581A is in the approach allowing posture, the pachinko machine 1100 blinks the switching operation unit 1588, or the paid-out game ball is displayed on the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 479. It has a configuration for notifying that a game ball is being supplied to another pachinko machine 1100 by, for example, displaying information during transfer setting corresponding to being set to be transferable in the pachinko machine 1100 for alerting. It is preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the pachinko machine 1100 is provided with two ball detecting members 1559A and 1559B. One ball detection member 1559A is provided at the upper end portion of the auxiliary side guide passage 553, like the above-described ball detection member 559, and after the game ball overflows in the main side guide passage 552, the auxiliary side guide passage 553 is predetermined. When the game balls are stored up to the upper limit, it is detected by the ball detection member 559 that the game balls are supplied up to the upper limit of the auxiliary guide passage 553.

  The other ball detection member 1559B is provided at the upper end of the main side guide passage 552. When the game ball is stored up to a predetermined upper limit of the main side guide passage 552, the ball detection member 1559B It is detected that the main side guide passage 552 is supplied up to the upper limit. In the pachinko machine 1100, in a situation where the switching operation unit 1588 is operated so that a game ball can be transferred to another pachinko machine 1100, the payout control board 930 is the main side of the two ball detection members 1559A and 1559B. The ball detection member 1559B provided in the guide passage 552 controls to pay out the game ball as one of the conditions that the game ball is not stored up to the upper limit of the main side guide passage 552. When the ball detection member 1559B detects that the game ball is stored up to the upper limit of the main guide passage 552, the payout control board 930 controls the payout motor 542 to stop paying out the game ball. Thereby, in a situation where the main side guide passage 552 overflows with game balls, the game balls can be stored in the pachinko machine 1100 without entering the auxiliary side guide passage 553. Accordingly, when the player wants to transfer the game ball to another pachinko machine 1100, the player is less required to manually transfer the game ball paid out to the auxiliary storage unit 241 to the other pachinko machine 1100. The game ball can be easily transferred to the pachinko machine 1100.

  In addition, rear passages 1590A and 1590B for supplying game balls to other pachinko machines 1100 are provided to branch from the main guide passage 552, and rear sides for transferring the game balls to the game ball management device 700. The passage 1580 is provided to be branched from the auxiliary side guide passage 553. Since the paid-out game balls are supplied to the main-side guide passage 552 with priority over the auxiliary-side guide passage 553, settings for transferring the game balls to both the other pachinko machine 1100 and the game ball management device 700 are made. In this case, the game ball can be preferentially transferred to another pachinko machine 1100. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the situation in which the game balls are short due to the other pachinko machines 1100 and the player suffers disadvantages, and it is more suitable when a plurality of players play a game side by side with a plurality of pachinko machines 1100. The game can be progressed. Of the other pachinko machines 1100 and the game ball management device 700, for example, the game ball is supplied to the rear passage that branches from the main guide passage 552 so that the game ball is supplied to the game ball management device 700 with priority. The ball management device 700 may be connected, and another pachinko machine 1100 may be connected to a rear passage that is branched from the auxiliary guidance passage 553.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 21, sound devices 283 and 284 are provided on the front side of the two rear passages 1590A and 1590B so that sound effects such as effects outputted from the sound devices 283 and 284 are output. Easier to reach the player. Further, the rear passage members forming the two rear passages 1590A and 1590B are rotatably supported by shafts 1593A and 1593B provided on the back side portion of the outer frame 101, and are integrated with the outer frame 101. . When the rear passage member is rotated so as to be vertically long by the shafts 1593A and 1593B, the rear passage member is configured to be housed within the rectangular outer shape of the outer frame 101 when viewed from the rear side of the pachinko machine 100. When the pachinko machine 100 is installed in the game hall, the rear passage member does not come into contact with the peripheral portion and is not broken. In the installation state in which a part of the rear passage member forming the two rear passages 1590A and 1590B can be expanded and contracted, and the rear passages 1590A and 1590B can be continued to the main guide passage 552, the guide member Even if the rear block 104 including 550 rotates with respect to the outer frame 101, it is preferable that the rear passages 1590A and 1590B and the main guide passage 552 be maintained in a continuous state. Alternatively, when the rear block 104 including the guide member 550 is rotated with respect to the outer frame 101 in an installation state in which the rear side passages 1590A and 1590B can be connected to the main side guide passage 552, the entry switching members 1591A and 1592A are rotated. , 1591B and 1592B may be configured to close the inlet and outlet of the rear passages 1590A and 1590B and close the passage continuing to the rear passages 1590A and 1590B in the main guide passage 552.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1100 is provided with the rear passages 1590A and 1590B that allow the game ball to be transferred to the other pachinko machine 1100. By operating the switching operation unit 1588, the player can win a big hit. In such a case, it is possible to share a game ball with a simple operation without touching the game ball to a friend or family who is playing with the adjacent pachinko machine 1100. In addition, since the game ball can be supplied to the adjacent pachinko machine 1100 without the game ball passing through the front side of the pachinko machine 1100, it is easy for the player to utilize the space on the front side of the pachinko machine 1100. The pachinko machine 1100 can be easily played by expanding the space for placing the mobile phone and drinks owned by the player without having to install extra ball boxes or cup-shaped ball containers on the player's side. Can do.

<Configuration of storage unit>
Next, the configuration of the main storage mechanism 230 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in more detail. The pachinko machine 100 is provided with a specific passage switch 448 (see FIG. 10) that detects a game ball that has entered a specific passage formed in the lower grand prize winning device 433 (see FIG. 7). When the lower prize winning device 433 is opened, if there is no game ball in the storage unit 231 of the pachinko machine 100 and there is no game ball in the auxiliary storage unit 241, the game ball is placed in a specific passage within the opening operation time. If it is not possible to enter, or if a lottery such as opening the lower grand prize winning device 433 is won for a short time, it becomes impossible to win a part of a predetermined number of game balls that can be won by the winning. There is a risk of inconvenience. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 100, as the storage unit 231, the normal storage region 235 where the game balls flow down to the outlet 231B side where the launching device 330 is provided, and the number of game balls paid out to the storage unit 231 is a certain amount or more. In this case, an auxiliary storage area 236 is provided in which the game ball is stored, but the game ball does not flow down to the launching device 330 side even if the game ball of the storage unit 231 decreases according to the launch operation of the game ball. Yes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the storage unit 231 receives a game ball supplied from the inflow port 231A and stores the game ball. In the storage unit 231, the game balls preferentially flow down to the normal storage area 235 among the normal storage area 235 and the auxiliary storage area 236. The bottom surface of the normal storage area 235 has a slight downward slope (about 0.5 to 5 °) and continues from the inflow port 231A to the outflow port 231B continuous to the launching device 330 side. Let the game ball flow down (progress) from left to right. Thereby, when paying out the game balls of a certain amount or less, the game balls flow down only in the normal storage area 235 of the storage unit 231, and the game balls do not enter the auxiliary storage area 236.

  The auxiliary storage area 236 is provided adjacent to a part of the normal storage area 235, and is formed on the front side of the normal storage area 235 in the storage portion 231. The area of the auxiliary storage region 236 is preferably 5 to 50%, more preferably about 10 to 25% of the bottom area of the storage unit 231, and the number of game balls stored is in the range of 5 to 50 It is preferable to be within, and it is preferable to be within the range of 10 to 30.

  FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the shape of the reservoir 231 cut along the line X-X ′ of FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 26, the boundary 236A between the normal storage area 235 and the auxiliary storage area 236 is formed by a series of ridge-shaped top portions protruding upward, and the height of the game ball is constant. Until it is stored in the storage unit 231 as described above, it is set so that the game ball cannot enter the auxiliary storage region 236 side. For example, in the front-rear direction, the boundary 236 </ b> A is configured by a top portion protruding upward by about 0.5 to 5 mm from the lowest position of the storage portion 231. As shown in FIGS. 26 (A) and 26 (B) as separate shapes, the boundary 236A is formed as a mountain-shaped slope with the boundary portion between the normal storage region 235 and the auxiliary storage region 236 as the top. Alternatively, it may be formed by a protruding portion that partially protrudes upward. Or, as the shape of the other boundary A, as shown in FIG. 26 (C), a normal storage area 235 and an auxiliary storage area 236 are provided inclined downward to the back side (right side of FIG. 26 (C)), The boundary 236 </ b> A may be configured by a step configured so that the normal storage region 235 side is one step higher.

  When there are few game balls stored in the storage unit 231, the game balls are guided to the normal storage region 235. On the other hand, when the number of game balls stored in the storage unit 231 increases, the game balls get over the boundary 236A and are stored in the auxiliary storage area 236. When a game ball is launched by the launching device 330 during a game, the game ball stored in the normal storage area 235 advances to the right according to the launch operation, but the game ball in the auxiliary storage area 236 is assisted by the boundary 236A. It will remain inside the storage area 236. The height of the boundary 236A is set so low that it can be guided to the normal storage area 235 over the boundary 236A when the player pushes the hand to advance the game ball to the back side. In the case where the boundary 236A is constituted by a simple protrusion, it is preferably set lower than the radius of the game ball and set to a height of 1/3 or less of the diameter of the game ball. Once the player has acquired a large number of game balls, even if the game balls in the normal storage area 235 are exhausted, they can remain in the auxiliary storage area 236 without being aware of the game balls. When necessary, a game can be played using the game balls in the auxiliary storage area 236.

  As described above, the storage unit 231 is an area that is located upstream of the delivery unit 231 </ b> B and stores the game balls paid out by the payout device 540, and the stored game balls are stored in the launching device 330. A normal storage area 235 that progresses toward the sending unit 231 </ b> B according to the operation is provided, and a game ball enters when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the normal storage area 235 by the payout device 540. There is an auxiliary storage area 236 that is an area where at least a part of the game balls do not advance even if the launching device 330 operates and stops, and the game balls can be transferred to the normal storage area 235 by a predetermined pressing operation by the player. Is provided.

  For this reason, a part of the game ball is stopped in the auxiliary storage area 236, and a game ball that is not automatically fired by the launching means can be secured in the auxiliary storage area 236. Therefore, even when it is delayed that the player notices that there is no game ball in the normal storage area 235, the game can be continued quickly using the game balls in the auxiliary storage area 236. In addition, since the game balls in the auxiliary storage area 236 can be transferred to the normal storage area 235 by the player's pressing operation on the game balls, the transfer of the game balls from the auxiliary storage area 236 to the normal storage area 235 is simple and easy. It is quick and can improve the convenience of the player.

  27 and 28 show a normal storage area 1235 and an auxiliary storage area 1236 that are different from the arrangement of the normal storage area 235 and the auxiliary storage area 236 described above. As shown in FIG. 27, the auxiliary storage area 1236 is provided on the rear side of the storage portion 1231 of the main storage mechanism 1230, and the normal storage area 1235 is continuous on the near side close to the player, and a certain amount or more of game balls. As a result, the game balls are stored not only in the normal storage area 1235 but also in the auxiliary storage area 1236. As shown in FIG. 28, when the game balls are gradually reduced, the game balls remain in the auxiliary storage area 1236. Since the auxiliary storage area 1236 is provided on the rear side away from the player with respect to the normal storage area 1235, the presence or absence of a game ball in the auxiliary storage area 1236 is determined from the front side where the player is located. It is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the presence of the game ball in the auxiliary storage area 1236 because it is less likely to be hidden behind the wall portion constituting the. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from moving after finishing the game while leaving the game ball in the auxiliary storage area 1236.

  Here, as the boundary 1236A in the auxiliary storage region 1236, the boundary 1236A is formed in a step shape surrounding the left side and the near side of the auxiliary storage region 236, and the boundary 1236A having no step is formed on the outlet 231B side (right side). good. As a result, when the player manually pushes the game ball to the right, the game ball can be quickly moved to the launching device 330 side without exceeding the step, so that the game ball can be normally stored more easily and suitably. This is preferable because it can be guided to the region 1235.

  Next, another embodiment different from the above embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 29 is a rear view showing the arrangement of the pachinko machine 2100 and the game ball management device 700 different from the above embodiment. The pachinko machine 2100 is different from the pachinko machine 1100 described above in the configuration of the passage connecting the game balls so as to be transportable.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which adjacent pachinko machines 1100 are connected so that the game balls can be transferred by the rear passages 1590A and 1590B branched from the main guidance passage 552 has been described. The side passages 1590A and 1590B need not be branched. As shown in FIG. 29, for adjacent pachinko machines 2100, the rear side passages 2590 </ b> A and 2590 </ b> B are branched from the auxiliary side guide passage 553 so that a game ball can enter the main side guide passage 552 of the adjacent pachinko machine 2100. Good. Also in this case, it is preferable that the entrance and exit of the rear passages 2590A and 2590B can be opened and closed by the entry switching members 2591A, 2592A, 2591B and 2592B, similarly to the pachinko machine 1100 described above.

  FIG. 30 is a front view of a pachinko machine 3100 in a form in which an exit part from which a game ball paid out by the payout device 540 can be discharged is provided at a position different from the above embodiment and a partial cross-sectional view seen from above. It is the figure which showed the part. The pachinko machine 3100 differs from the pachinko machine 100 described above in the configuration of a passage (transfer passage) for transferring a game ball to the game ball management device. FIG. 30 schematically shows the path of the game ball passing through the transfer path by a thin line with an arrow, and the discharge path member 3101B and the guide member when moved to another position by a one-dot chain line. 550 and the rear passage 3580 are schematically shown.

  In the above embodiment, the discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage unit 241 is provided as the first outlet, and the rear passages 580, 1580, and 1590A are provided as the second outlet on the back side of the pachinko machines 100 and 1100. , 1590B outlet is provided. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the second outlet portion is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 3100.

  The outer frame 3101 is configured in a frame shape that forms an internal space penetrating in the front-rear direction. For the outer frame 3101, a combination of the front block 3102 and the intermediate block 103 and the rear block 104 including the payout device 540 (see FIG. 2) is configured to be openable to the front side as an opening / closing member.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the outer frame 3101 is provided with a guide path 3101A for a game ball inside the outer frame 101 in the above embodiment, and the guide path 3101A is a vertically long structure that forms the left side of the outer frame 3101. Is formed inside the frame portion 3101C. In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary side guide passage 553 of the guide member 550 is connected to the inlet 3580A of the rear side passage 3580 so as to be transportable, and the upstream end of the guide passage 3101A communicates with the rear side passage 3580. As a result, the auxiliary guide passage 553 and the guide passage 3101A are continuous. Then, as in the above embodiment, an entry switching member (not shown) is operated by the operation of the game hall manager or player to enter the front transfer state in which the auxiliary storage unit 241 flows down the game ball, or the game ball The management device 3700 is configured to be capable of selecting whether to enter the rear transfer state in which the game ball flows down through the rear passage 3580.

  In addition, the front block 3102 is a left end portion in front view with respect to the front block 102 in the above embodiment, and a part corresponding to a height at which the main storage mechanism 230 and the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 are provided is cut off. The left frame portion 3101C of the outer frame 3101 is exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 3100.

  When the game ball is guided to the left end of the pachinko machine 3100 by the rear passage 3580, the game ball is transferred to the front side of the pachinko machine 3100 via the guide passage 3101A provided in the outer frame 3101. The game ball transferred to the front side of the pachinko machine 3100 can be transferred to the game ball management device 3700 by a discharge passage member 3101B provided as a part of the outer frame 3101. The game ball management device 3700 is provided with a ball throwing portion 3705 that is open upward so that the passage in the vertical direction communicates with the exit portion of the game ball provided in the discharge passage member 3101B. A game ball can be transferred from the pachinko machine 3100 to the game ball management device 3700 via the guide passage 3101A of the frame 3101 and the internal passage of the discharge passage member 3101B.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 30B, the discharge passage member 3101B is provided so that the front side of the pachinko machine 3100 can be turned left and right about the vertical direction by a shaft support portion 3101D, and the tip side is on the left side. When it points, it continues to the ball throwing unit 3705 of the game ball management device 3700. On the other hand, when the front end side of the discharge passage member 3101B is directed to the right side, the outlet portion of the discharge passage member 3101B opens toward the auxiliary storage portion 241, and the game ball that has entered the rear passage 3580 is supplied to the auxiliary storage portion 241. (The state of the discharge passage member 3101X in FIGS. 30A and 30B). Thus, even when the player wants to pass the game ball to another player using the ball box even in the rear guidance state in which the game ball is guided to the rear passage 3580, the auxiliary storage mechanism 240 is used. The game ball is allowed to flow down to the auxiliary storage unit 241 and the game ball is discharged from the discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage unit 241 so that a necessary amount of game balls can be delivered to another player.

  In this manner, the outer frame 3101 is provided with a guide passage 3101A that forms part of a transfer passage for transferring the game ball together with the rear passage 3580 to the game ball management device 3700. For this reason, at least a part of the game balls paid out from the payout device 540 can be transferred to the game ball management device 3700 via a part of the transfer passage formed by the outer frame 3101. Since the outer frame 3101 is provided on the outermost side in the left-right direction of the pachinko machine 3100, it is possible to make it difficult for the passing sound and the contact sound of the game ball passing through a part of the transfer passage to reach the player. It is possible to make it easier for the player to hear the sound effect such as the set effect. The outer frame 3101 functions as a support when the pachinko machine 3100 is attached to the amusement hall while supporting an openable / closable portion including the payout device 540, and is composed of a material having high rigidity and strength. A part of the transfer passage formed by the outer frame 3101 can be made difficult to be illegally pierced or modified. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an illegal act such as a game ball possessed by the player being taken away by another person (criminal).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 31, a pachinko machine 4100 provided with a normal storage area 4235 and auxiliary storage areas 4236A1 and 4236A2 different from the above embodiment will be described. The pachinko machine 4100 can transfer the game ball stored in the storage unit 4231 and the configuration of the storage unit 4231 of the main storage mechanism 4230 to the game ball management device 3700 with respect to the above-described pachinko machine 100 shown in FIG. The structure of the transfer passage is different. In FIG. 31, the path of the game ball passing through the transfer passage is schematically shown by a thin line with an arrow, and a part of the game ball stored in the storage unit 4231 is schematically shown by a one-dot chain line. ing.

  FIG. 31A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the storage portion 4231 of the main storage mechanism 4230 of the pachinko machine 4100 is viewed in plan.

  In the storage part 4231 of the main storage mechanism 4230, the normal storage area 4235 where the game balls flow down to the outlet 231B side where the launching device 330 is provided, and the number of game balls paid out to the storage part 4231 become a certain amount or more. In this case, an auxiliary storage area 4236 is provided in which the game ball is stored, but the game ball does not flow down to the launching device 330 side even if the game ball of the storage unit 4231 decreases according to the launch operation of the game ball. . The normal storage area 4235 and the auxiliary storage area 4236 can be transferred by the payout of the game balls by the payout device 540 only to the auxiliary storage area 4236 side by the boundary 4236A.

  The auxiliary storage area 4236 is formed in a shape in which game balls wait in a predetermined number of rows (“5” in this embodiment) and a predetermined number (“5” in this embodiment). A predetermined number (25 in this embodiment) of game balls are stored as standby balls. Each row of the auxiliary storage area 4236 is provided with undulations so that game balls are arranged in each row. For example, peaks that protrude upward between the rows and continue along the direction of each row. The game balls are arranged side by side in each row by the ridge portion 4236B having a shape.

  Further, the auxiliary storage area 4236 is set to “5”, for example, so that the number of standby balls (hereinafter also referred to as the number of standby balls) can be easily grasped. The number of rows of the auxiliary storage area 4236 and the number of waiting balls in each row may be a multiple of “3” (for example, “3” or “6”), or “5” so that the player can easily grasp the number of waiting balls. It is preferable to set a multiple of "" (for example, "5" or "10").

  FIG. 31B schematically shows the shape of the storage portion 4231 cut along the Y-Y ′ cross section of FIG. The bottom surface of the auxiliary storage area 4236 is inclined to the front side where the player is located, and the lower standby area 4236C1 where the foremost game ball is located is configured to operate so that the bottom surface can be opened and closed. It is blocked by 4236D. A standby area 4236C2 in which four game balls continue as standby balls is provided on the rear side (the right side of FIG. 31B) with respect to the game balls supported by the ball support member 4236D in the standby area 4236C1. In the area 4236C2, five game balls are arranged side by side in each row.

  In each row of the auxiliary storage areas 4236 constituted by the standby areas 4236C1 and 4236C2, a boundary 4236A is provided on the rear side from the bottom surface where the five game balls come into contact to form a top portion that protrudes upward. . The game ball located on the rear side of the auxiliary storage area 4236 can flow down to the launching device 330 side by being supported by the bottom surface of the normal storage area 4235.

  The ball support member 4236D is integrated with a discharge operation unit 4236E provided near the auxiliary storage region 4236 in plan view. A waiting area 4236C1 that constitutes a part of the bottom surface of the auxiliary storage area 4236 is opened by a player performing a movement operation in a predetermined direction (for example, diagonally rearward to the right) with respect to the discharge operation portion 4236E, and a ball support member A game ball supported on the lower side by 4236D flows downward. The number of game balls flowing down by this moving operation matches the number of standby balls in the auxiliary storage area 4236, and in a state where the game balls are arranged as standby balls in all areas, the “25” game balls are moved downward. Can flow down.

  The wall surface 4231A of the storage portion 231 that supports the game ball on the front side of the game ball supported on the lower side by the ball support member 4236D is formed lower than the diameter of the game ball and is positioned closer to the player Is configured so that the upper portion protrudes upward from the wall surface 4231A. For this reason, the player's finger YB can easily come into contact with the standby ball, and the game ball whose lower side is supported by the ball support member 4236D can be easily transferred from the auxiliary storage area 4236 to the normal storage area 4235.

  In addition, the height at which the wall surface 4231A and the game ball whose lower side is supported by the ball support member 4236D is set higher than the gravity center position TG of the game ball. For this reason, even if a plurality of game balls are connected to each other in the auxiliary storage area 4236, the game balls are pushed out and moved (for example, the standby balls get over the wall surface 4231A). This makes it possible to easily store standby balls having a preset number of standby balls in the auxiliary storage area 4236.

  Each row of the auxiliary storage area 4236 continues diagonally to the right rear side and faces the downstream side of the normal storage area 4235. Therefore, the player can quickly guide the game ball toward the launching device 330 by pressing the standby ball in the auxiliary storage region 4236 against the normal storage region 4235. The direction of the downstream side in the normal storage area 4235 is preferably set within approximately 45 degrees with respect to the direction in which the game balls stand by in the auxiliary storage area 4236, and is set within approximately 30 degrees. Is preferred.

  FIG. 31C is a diagram showing a part of the pachinko machine 4100 in a front view. The pachinko machine 4100 is configured such that the standby ball stored in the auxiliary storage area 4236 of the storage unit 4231 can be transferred to the game ball management device 3700 by a discharge passage member 3101B provided as a part of the outer frame 3101.

  The transfer passage 4232 is continuous below the standby region 4236C1 of the auxiliary storage region 4236 of the storage portion 4231, and the internal passage of the discharge passage member 3101B is continuous downstream of the transfer passage 4232. For this reason, the standby ball stored in the auxiliary storage area 4236 can be transferred to the game ball management device 3700 via the discharge passage member 3101B provided as a part of the outer frame 3101. Therefore, in a state where the game balls are arranged as the standby balls in the entire area of the auxiliary storage area 4236, a certain number of game balls can be transferred to the game ball management device 3700 by causing the “25” game balls to flow downward. it can.

  Here, in the auxiliary storage area 4236, a predetermined number of game balls are stored as standby balls in a plurality of rows. For this reason, the player can easily transfer a smaller number of game balls to the game ball management device 3700 by selecting an area in which the standby balls are arranged in the auxiliary storage area 4236. For example, when 10 game balls are to be transferred to the game ball management device 3700, the player transfers the game balls to the normal storage area 4235 for three of the five rows of the auxiliary storage area 4236, What is necessary is just to operate discharge operation part 4236E, after ten game balls are arrange | positioned as a waiting ball in 2 rows of the auxiliary storage area | region 4236. FIG. The number of waiting balls in one row of each row may be reduced, so that it is possible to easily count and play game balls other than a multiple of the number of waiting balls that can wait in each row, such as 8 game balls. It can be transferred to the management apparatus 3700.

  As described above, the storage unit 4231 is an area that is provided upstream of the sending unit 231 </ b> B and stores the game balls paid out by the payout device 540, and the stored game balls are stored in the launching device 330. A normal storage area 4235 that progresses toward the sending unit 231B in accordance with the operation is provided, and further, even if the launching device 330 operates, the game ball does not proceed and stops, and the game ball played by the player An auxiliary storage area 4236 is provided as a countable storage area in which a predetermined number of game balls can be arranged side by side and can be counted. Since the number of game balls stopped in the auxiliary storage area 4236 is stored side by side as a unit number, the number of waiting balls can be easily counted by the player. A few minutes of game balls can be easily taken out of the game machine. Further, since the game balls in the auxiliary storage area 4236 can be transferred to the normal storage area 4235 by the player's pressing operation on the game balls, the transfer of the game balls from the auxiliary storage area 4236 to the normal storage area 4235 is simple and easy. It is quick and can improve the convenience of the player.

  Here, similarly to the sound devices 283 to 285, the sound device 4286 is provided on the front side of the transfer passage 4232 so that sound effects such as effects outputted from the sound device 4286 easily reach the player. It has become. The acoustic device 4286 does not necessarily have to be disposed at a position overlapping the front side with respect to the transfer passage 4232, and may be disposed at a shifted position. However, in the front view of the pachinko machine 4100, It is preferable to arrange on the side close to the center. In addition, the sound detected by the sound detection unit of the sound device 4286 is provided such that a sound detection unit such as a microphone that detects sound from the back side is provided for the sound device 4286 so as to output the sound in the opposite phase together with the sound effect. Is detected by the sub-control board 940, and the sound of the opposite phase is preferably output from the sound output unit of the acoustic device 4286.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a part of the configuration described in each of the above-described embodiments may be applied as the configuration of another embodiment, or as described below. You may carry out by deform | transforming. In this case, each configuration described below may be applied to each of the above embodiments, or a plurality of configurations described below may be combined and applied to each of the above embodiments.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the pachinko machines 100, 1100, 2100, 3100, and 4100 have the auxiliary storage unit 241, but the auxiliary storage unit 241 may be omitted. Even in this case, the auxiliary storage areas 236, 1236, and 4236 are provided in the storage units 231, 1231, and 4231, so that spare game balls can be left in the storage units 231, 1231, and 4231, When necessary, it is possible to play using the game balls in the auxiliary storage areas 236, 1236, and 4236. Also, there is no outlet part of the auxiliary storage part 241, no downstream part of the auxiliary side guide passage 554 continuing to the auxiliary storage part 241 is provided, and the game ball is only on the side via the rear passages 580, 1580, 3580. You may provide the exit part which takes out out of a game machine. Since the auxiliary storage part 241 is provided in the lower part of the pachinko machine 100, 1100, it may be difficult to monitor behind the player, and the exit part of the game ball at that part can be omitted. Security performance can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the direction in which the game ball flows down is switched by selecting either the downstream side of the auxiliary side guide passage 553 and the rear side passages 580 and 1580 by the entry switching member 581 has been described. However, it is not always necessary to enter 100% to one side and not to enter the other side at all, but by the entry switching member 581 so that the game balls flow down to both sides, such as half and 5: 1. A distribution mechanism that distributes the direction of the game balls at a fixed number before the game balls have advanced to the rear passages 580 and 1580 may be provided so that some of the game balls are returned to the auxiliary guidance passage 553. The flow rate of the game ball may be adjustable by making it possible to select the opening width of the rear passage 580. In the configuration of changing the flow rate of the game ball by the entry switching member in other embodiments, it is not always necessary to flow the game ball to either one, and the game ball may flow to both.

  In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which adjacent pachinko machines 1100 and 2100 are connected so that the game balls can be transferred by the rear passages 1590A, 1590B, 2590A, and 2590B branched from the guide passages 552 and 553, It is not necessary to connect the pachinko machine 1100 and the rear passage adjacent to each other on the left and right, but connect the pachinko machines facing each other in the rear passage, or the pachinko machines located apart from each other with the other pachinko machines in between. Alternatively, the game ball may be connected to be transportable in the rear passage.

  In the embodiment described above, the pachinko machines 100, 1100, 2100, 3100, 4100 that connect the game balls to the adjacent game ball management devices 700, 3700 and the adjacent pachinko machines 1100, 2100 in a transportable manner. However, it is not limited to gaming balls that can be transported, but instead of this, or in addition to this, information on gaming machines may be transported. Information related to winning game balls (information corresponding to the probability of winning and the ratio between the number of shot balls and winning balls), information related to lottery of gaming machines such as the occurrence of jackpots and game status, detection of fraud and game addicts Information regarding the occurrence of an abnormality such as the use of a gaming machine may be transferred to another gaming device or gaming machine. In this case, it is not always necessary to provide an information communication connection line in the gaming machine, and the payout of the payout device 540 such as the transfer timing of the game ball transferred via the rear passage and the time interval for transferring the game ball, etc. A control for information output is provided as a control, and a detection device for detecting the game ball is provided at the entrance portion where the game ball is transferred to the opponent gaming device or game machine, and information is detected according to the detection result of the detection sensor. It may be possible to communicate.

  In the above embodiment, the rear passages 580, 1580, and the rear passages 580, 1580, on the substantially horizontal direction side corresponding to the direction substantially perpendicular to the main guidance passage 552 or the auxiliary guidance passage 553 that guides the game ball vertically downward. Although the configuration in which 1590A, 1590B, 2591A, and 2591B branches is described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rear passages 580, 1580, 1590A, 1590B, 2591A, and 2591B may be branched at about 30 °. What is necessary is just to be comprised so that a game ball can be induced | guided | derived to the direction different from the direction where the guidance paths 552 and 553 continue.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the game ball lending device 290 is provided in the gaming machine such as the pachinko machine 100 has been described. However, the game ball lending device 290 is not necessarily provided in the gaming machine. The management device operation unit 702 may be operated to perform a game ball lending operation corresponding to a game value possessed by the player or a value storage medium return operation.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the entry switching member 581 operates by switching between the entry prevention posture and the entry allowable posture by a manual operation on the switching operation unit 584. However, with respect to the operation switch and the operation switch, A drive source such as a motor that is driven by the above operation may be provided so that the entry switching member 581 is electrically operated. In this case, an operation switch is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 to provide an entry switching member. The operation of 581 may be settable by the game hall manager, or an operation switch is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 so that the player can control whether or not the game ball can enter the rear passage 580. Alternatively, a first operation switch for a player is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 100, and a second operation switch for a game hall manager is provided on the back side. The first operation switch may be enabled / disabled by a two-operation switch, so that the player can play the game ball to the rear passage 580 only when the game hall management device corresponds to the rear passage 580. It is preferable that whether or not the vehicle can enter is switchable.

  The configuration of the entry switching members 581, 1581, 1591A, 1591B, 2591A, and 2591B is not limited to the above configuration, and it is possible to prevent and allow the game ball to enter the rear passages 580, 1580, 1590A, 1590B, 2590A, and 2590B. Any other configuration may be used as long as switching is possible, for example, the posture may be switched by sliding movement.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the pachinko machine 100 is provided with the rear passage members that form the rear passages 580, 1580, 1590A, 1590B, 2590A, 2590B, and 3580, but is not necessarily limited to the pachinko machines 100, 1100, 2100, and 3100. , 4100 need not be provided with a rear passage member. A rear passage member may be provided in the game ball management device 700, and the pachinko machine 100 may have a ball outlet on the back side of the pachinko machine 100 for allowing the game ball to enter the auxiliary passage 553 into the rear passage 580. . In this case, the entrance switching member 581 is provided on the guide member 550 of the pachinko machine 100 to prevent the ball from being output from the ball exit, and to prevent the game ball from entering the rear passage 580 from the ball exit. It is preferable that a switching operation can be performed between the allowable approach allowable posture.

  The pachinko machines 100, 1100, and 2100 are not necessarily configured to allow the game ball management device 700 to enter the game balls from a plurality of ball insertion portions provided at the front and back, but only from one side of the front or rear. It is good also as a structure which makes a game ball approach.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the game balls paid out by the payout device 540 are stored in the auxiliary storage area 4236. However, the game balls are paid out by the payout apparatus 540 and the normal storage area 4235 has a predetermined amount or more. Even in such a case, the game ball may not enter (is not stored in) the auxiliary storage area 4236, and the player may store the game ball in the auxiliary storage area 4236 by manual operation. Even in this case, an auxiliary storage area 4236 is provided next to the normal storage area 4235, and a normal operation is performed across the boundary between the normal storage area 4235 and the auxiliary storage area 4236 by the player's pressing operation on the game ball. It is preferable that the game ball can be transferred from the storage area 4235 to the auxiliary storage area 4236.

  In the above-described embodiment, the standby ball stored in the auxiliary storage area 4236 has been described as being able to enter the transfer passage 4232 without contacting the game ball. The waiting ball may be configured such that the player contacts the game ball and manually enters the transfer ball into the transfer passage.

  In the above embodiment, the standby ball stored in the auxiliary storage area 4236 has been described for the case where the player manually transfers the game ball to the normal storage area 4235. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game for a predetermined operation unit is performed. It may be possible to transfer the game ball from the auxiliary storage area 4236 to the normal storage area 4235 without touching the standby ball by the operation of the person. For example, the bottom surface of the auxiliary storage area 4236 is configured to be operable so as to rise or change the inclination angle, and an operation unit operated by a player to operate the bottom surface is provided integrally with the bottom surface. Alternatively, a drive source such as a motor for operating the bottom surface of the auxiliary storage area 4236 and a switch capable of pressing operation for controlling the operation of the driving source are provided, and the player can operate the switch from the auxiliary storage area 4236 by operating the switch. The game ball may be transported to the normal storage area 4235.

  (2) You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a type different from the said embodiment. For example, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine in which the big hit expectation value is increased until the big hit state is generated a plurality of times (for example, twice or three times) including the big hit. Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special gaming state on the condition that a ball wins a predetermined area after a big hit symbol is displayed. Moreover, you may implement in the enclosed pachinko machine with which a ball | bowl circulates. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as an arrangement ball type pachinko machine and a sparrow ball. Further, the present invention is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be implemented in a game machine using a medal other than a game ball as a game medium. For example, the present invention may be applied to a revolving game machine such as a slot machine. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a game machine such as a parrot as a revolving game machine using a game ball as a game medium.

<Invention extracted from the above embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from the above-described embodiment will be described while showing problems and effects as necessary. In the following, for easy understanding, the corresponding configuration in each of the above embodiments is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses. In addition, the meanings and examples of terms described in each feature may be applied as the meanings and examples of terms described in other features described in the same wording.

<Feature 10>
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100, 1100, 2100, 3100, 4100) that uses a gaming medium to play a game,
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game media;
A storage unit (storage unit 231, 241) that stores the game medium paid out from the payout device on the front side of the gaming machine so that the player can take out and operate the game medium;
A first outlet portion (a discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage portion 241) for taking out the game medium stored in the storage portion outside the gaming machine;
A first payout passage (auxiliary side guide passage 553) provided between the payout device and the storage portion for paying out game media from the payout device to the storage portion;
A second outlet portion (rear side passages 580, 1580) that is provided separately from the first payout passage and takes out the game medium paid out from the payout device to the outside of the gaming machine at a position different from the first outlet portion. And an outlet of the discharge passage member 3101B),
Entry switching means (entrance switching members 581, 1581, 1591A, 1591B, ball support member 4236D) capable of switching whether or not the game medium paid out from the payout device enters the second outlet portion; A gaming machine characterized by comprising.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  In these conventional gaming machines, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing game media possessed by the player.

  According to the gaming machine described in feature 10, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suitably manage the gaming balls possessed by the player. That is, while using the first exit portion, it is possible to transfer the game ball to a ball box or game device managed by the player himself, as in the past, and further, using the second exit portion, another gaming machine The game ball can be suitably transferred to the game device.

  Note that the gaming machine described in the feature 10 includes an entrance rate switching unit (entry blocking unit 582) that prevents the game ball from entering the second exit unit, and a shaft unit that allows the entrance rate switching unit to rotate. A rotation shaft portion (rotation shaft portion 583) that enables switching between an entry prevention posture that prevents entry of the game ball into the second outlet portion and an entry permission posture that allows entry of the game ball, and an entry prevention posture. And a switching operation unit (switching operation unit 584) for switching between the approaching allowable posture.

  In addition, the rate at which the game medium changed by the entry rate changing means may include a rate at which 100% enters one side and does not enter at all on the other side. The rate at which the medium flows down may also be included.

  In addition, the description of taking out the gaming machine according to the feature 10 may be that the gaming medium may be taken out from a storage section or a passage that can support the gaming medium in the gaming machine, and the gaming machine cannot support the gaming medium. A game medium may be put out.

  In addition, the second outlet portion described in the feature 10 may be located at a position different from the first outlet portion and in the gaming machine in a direction different from the first outlet portion. May emit a game ball on the front side of the gaming machine, and the second outlet may emit the game ball at a position different from the front side of the gaming machine.

<Feature 11>
In the gaming machine according to feature 10,
The first payout passage is
The downstream side constitutes the inflow port (inlet 231A) of the game ball in the storage part,
The second outlet portion is
Provided in the middle of the first payout passage and on the upstream side of the inflow port, and when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the first payout passage, the game balls are taken out of the gaming machine A gaming machine characterized by being said to be.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 11, the second outlet portion is provided on the upstream side of the inflow port, and the game is stored only when the storage portion is full and the game ball is stored on the upstream side of the inflow port. The sphere can enter the second outlet portion side. This allows the gaming machine in the middle of a game to escape to the second outlet part only with more paid out game balls while maintaining the state where the storage part is filled with game balls. The game balls can be suitably managed while the game balls are quickly paid out.

<Feature 12>
In the gaming machine according to feature 10 or feature 11,
The second outlet portion is
The number of game balls that can be lent to a player is stored in a value storage medium, and the game sphere is given to a game device (game ball management device 700) that can rent game balls according to the player's operation. Connected to be transportable,
The gaming device is configured to be able to add the number of game balls transferred through the second outlet portion to the rentable number and store the number in the storage medium. Gaming machine.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 12, it is possible to transfer the game ball to the gaming device via the second outlet part without passing through the first outlet part, and to add to the rentable number, It can be set as the structure which show | plays the effect by not passing through a 1st exit part. For example, since the first exit portion is provided at a position close to the player, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that it is difficult to hear the effect sound due to the contact sound between the game balls passing therethrough.

<Feature 13>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 12,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the second outlet portion is configured to deliver the game ball to a passage through which the game ball flows down to a storage portion in another game machine.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 13, it is possible to transfer or rent a game ball to or from other gaming machines that a friend, family, or the like plays, and the convenience of the player can be improved.

<Feature 14>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 13,
The gaming machine characterized in that the entry rate changing means is configured to allow an operation to change the rate at which a game ball enters the second exit part by a player.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 14, the player can select an exit part from which a game ball comes out at any timing, and the convenience of the player can be improved.

<Feature 15>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 13 to 14,
A gaming machine characterized in that the first payout passage is provided with a connecting portion capable of connecting a passage through which a game ball exiting from a second outlet provided in another gaming machine can enter.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 15, it is possible to connect the second outlet of other gaming machines, so that it is possible to supply gaming balls in both directions between the connected gaming machines. Further convenience can be enhanced.

<Feature 16>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 11 to 15,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the second outlet portion is provided at a plurality of locations, and is configured such that a gaming ball can be put out into a passage through which the gaming ball flows down to a storage portion in the plurality of gaming machines.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 16, the convenience can be further enhanced, for example, it is possible to supply gaming balls in both directions between a plurality of gaming machines.

<Feature 17>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 10 to 16,
The first payout passage branches into two passages and is continuous with the first storage portion and the second storage portion, respectively.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second outlet portion is provided to be branched from the first payout passage at a downstream side of a branch portion branched into two passages in the first payout passage.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 17, since the game ball flows to the second outlet portion on the downstream side from the branch portion branched into the two passages, one of the first storage portion and the second storage portion. For example, it is possible to change the proportion of the game medium entering the second outlet so that the game ball does not flow to the side, and the convenience can be further enhanced.

<Feature 20>
A game area that can be seen by the player (flowing area of the game ball);
Firing operation means (launching operation device 250) in which a firing operation is performed by a player;
Launching means (launching device 330) for launching a game ball into the game area by a player's operation on the launching operation means;
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game balls;
Storage means (main storage mechanism 230) for storing game balls that are paid out by the payout device and used for games;
A delivery section (outflow port 231B) for delivering the game ball stored in the storage means to the launch means side;
The storage means (storage units 231, 1231, 4231) is an area that is located upstream from the delivery unit and stores game balls that are paid out by the payout device, and the stored game balls Is provided with a normal storage area (normal storage areas 235, 1235, 4235) that proceeds to the delivery unit according to the operation of the launching means,
Further, the game ball enters when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the normal storage region by the payout device, and at least some of the game balls do not advance even if the launching unit operates. The game machine is characterized in that a stationary storage area (auxiliary storage areas 236, 1336, 4236) is provided which can be stopped at a predetermined distance and transferred to the normal storage area by a predetermined pressing operation by a player.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  In these conventional gaming machines, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing game media possessed by the player.

  In addition, in conventional gaming machines, game balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or game balls lent out according to a deposit amount are stored in a storage means (so-called upper plate) installed near the player's hand. Stored. Auxiliary auxiliary storage means (so-called lower pan) is provided below the storage means (see, for example, JP 2009-22160 A). The player can make up for the shortage of game balls in the storage means by replenishing the storage means with the game balls stored in the auxiliary storage means.

  However, in the conventional gaming machine, the auxiliary storage means is located away from the storage means, and the operation of supplementing the game ball may be troublesome.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 20, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably managing the gaming balls possessed by the player. That is, a part of the game ball is stopped in the stop storage area, and a game ball that is not automatically fired by the launching means can be secured in the stop storage area. For this reason, even if it is a case where it is late for a player to notice that there are no game balls in the normal storage area, the game can be continued quickly using the game balls in the stop storage area. Further, since the game balls in the stationary storage area can be transferred to the normal storage area by a predetermined pressing operation by the player, the transfer of the game balls from the stationary storage area to the normal storage area is simplified and quick, and the player's Convenience can be improved.

<Feature 21>
In the gaming machine according to feature 20,
A gaming machine, wherein a protrusion protruding upward is formed at least at a part of a boundary between the normal storage area and the stationary storage area at a height lower than the radius of the game ball.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 21, the boundary is formed by the protruding portion, and the game ball can be easily transferred from the stationary storage area to the normal storage area by a pressing operation to the game ball by the player. Can do.

<Feature 22>
In the gaming machine according to feature 21,
A part of the boundary is located on a side where the delivery port is provided.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 22, if the game ball is pushed out toward the side where the delivery port is provided as a part of the boundary, the game ball is supplied to the launching means via the delivery port in a short time. can do. For this reason, it is possible to easily and reliably launch the game ball in a situation where the player wants to quickly shoot the game ball, and the possibility that the player suffers an unexpected disadvantage can be reduced.

<Feature 23>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 20 to 22,
The normal storage area and the stationary storage area are provided side by side on the gaming machine front side where the player is located and the gaming machine rear side,
In the normal storage area and the stationary storage area, a game is characterized in that a boundary is provided as a top part protruding upward and a bottom part inclined downward in the front and rear directions is provided so that the game balls are separated and stopped. Machine.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 23, the normal storage area and the stationary storage area are clearly separated by the inclination of the bottom surface portion, so that the player can easily recognize the game balls stored in the stationary storage area. it can.

<Feature 24>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 20 to 23,
The gaming machine characterized in that the stationary storage area is provided in front of a gaming machine where a player is located with respect to the normal storage area.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 24, it is easy for the player to visually recognize the normal storage area so that the player can easily check the remaining amount of game balls in the normal storage area, and the stationary storage area is Since it is provided at a close position, the player can easily transfer the standby ball stored in the stationary storage area to the normal storage area by manually pressing the standby ball.

<Feature 25>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 20 to 24,
The gaming machine characterized in that the stationary storage area is provided on the rear side of the gaming machine that is separated from the player with respect to the normal storage area.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 25, since the stationary storage area is easy to visually recognize, the player can easily visually recognize the situation in which the gaming balls remain in the stationary storage area, and the gaming balls are placed in the stationary storage area. It is possible to prevent the player from moving by ending the game while remaining.

<Feature 26>
In the gaming machine according to any one of features 20 to 25,
The stop storage area is set to a size that occupies 5 to 50% of the bottom area of the storage means.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 26, an appropriate amount of gaming balls can be secured in the stationary storage area.

<Feature 30>
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game media;
An exit portion for discharging the game medium paid out from the payout device to the outside of the gaming machine (the discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage unit 241, the rear passages 580 and 1580, and the discharge passage member 3101B);
A passage forming member that forms a transfer passage through which a game medium passes between the outlet portion and the payout device;
An opening / closing member capable of opening and closing on the front side is a gaming machine (pachinko machine 3100, 4100) supported by an outer frame member configured in a frame shape forming an internal space penetrating in the front-rear direction,
The dispensing device is provided on the opening / closing member,
The gaming machine, wherein the outer frame member constitutes a part of the passage forming member to form a part of the transfer passage (guide passage 3101A).

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  In these conventional gaming machines, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing game media possessed by the player.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 30, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suitably manage the gaming balls possessed by the player. That is, the payout device is provided on the opening / closing member, and the outer frame member constitutes a part of the passage forming member and forms a part of the transfer passage, so that at least a part of the game balls paid out from the payout device is It is discharged out of the gaming machine through a part of the transfer passage formed by the outer frame member. Since the outer frame member is provided on the outermost side in the left-right direction of the gaming machine, it is possible to make it difficult for the passing sound and contact sound of the game medium passing through a part of the transfer passage to reach the player, and to be set in the gaming machine. It is possible to make it easier for a player to hear sound effects such as production. In addition, the outer frame member functions as a support for attaching the gaming machine to the game arcade while supporting the opening / closing member including the payout device, and is configured by a material having high rigidity and strength. A portion of the formed transfer path can be made difficult to be tampered with or modified. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an illegal act such as a game ball possessed by the player being taken away by another person (criminal).

<Feature 31>
The gaming machine according to feature 30, wherein
The opening / closing member has a shape overlapping the front side with respect to a part of the outer frame member, and is configured to expose a vertically long frame configuration portion provided on one side in the left-right direction of the outer frame member to the front side of the gaming machine. And
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a passage through which a game ball can be transferred to the front side of the gaming machine after flowing down downward as a part of the transfer passage is formed in the frame component.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 31, the game ball can be emitted to the front side of the gaming machine via the outermost side in the left-right direction of the gaming machine, so that the player can receive sound effects such as effects set in the gaming machine. However, it is possible to manage the game ball on the front side of the gaming machine with respect to the player as in the conventional case.

<Feature 40>
A gaming machine (pachinko machine 100, 1100, 2100, 3100, 4100) that uses a gaming medium to play a game,
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game media;
An exit (outside of the game ball via the rear passages 580, 1590A, 1590B, 3580A, an outlet 241B of the auxiliary storage unit 241) for taking out the game medium paid out from the payout device to the outside of the gaming machine;
A passage forming member that forms a transfer passage through which a game medium passes between the outlet portion and the payout device;
A game machine comprising sound output means (acoustic devices 283 to 285, 4286) provided on the front side with respect to a part of the transfer passage and outputting a predetermined sound.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  In these conventional gaming machines, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing game media possessed by the player.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 40, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suitably manage the gaming balls possessed by the player. That is, since sound output means is provided on the front side with respect to a part of the transfer passage, the sound from the passing sound or contact sound of the game medium passing through the transfer passage in the process until the game medium is taken out of the gaming machine. The sound output by the output means can be given priority to the player, and the player can easily hear the sound effect such as the effect set in the gaming machine. Further, the sound output means includes a rigid metal member and a casing (enclosure) for resonating sound, and these members are generated in the rear transfer passage by being positioned in front of the transfer passage. The strength at which the sound reaches the player can be reduced.

<Feature 41>
The gaming machine according to feature 40,
Sound detection means provided on the front side with respect to a part of the transfer passage, and detecting sound generated on the side where the part of the transfer passage is provided,
The sound output means, based on the sound detected by the sound detection means, a sound including a sound including a sound that reduces the output of the sound to the front side of the gaming machine (a sound having an opposite phase that cancels the detected sound) A gaming machine characterized by outputting to the front side.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 41, the sound detection unit can reduce the degree to which the sound generated in a part of the transfer passage is output to the front side of the gaming machine, so that the game ball passes through the transfer passage. Sounds and contact sounds can be easily canceled, and sound effects set in the gaming machine can be easily delivered to the player.

<Feature 50>
A game area that can be seen by the player (flowing area of the game ball);
Firing operation means (launching operation device 250) in which a firing operation is performed by a player;
Launching means (launching device 330) for launching a game ball into the game area by a player's operation on the launching operation means;
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game balls;
Storage means (main storage mechanism 4230) for storing game balls paid out by the payout device and used for games;
A delivery section (outflow port 231B) for delivering the game ball stored in the storage means to the launch means side;
The storage means is an area that is provided upstream of the delivery section and stores game balls paid out by the payout device, and the stored game balls are operated according to the operation of the launching means. A normal storage area (normal storage area 4235) that travels toward the delivery section is provided,
Further, even if the launching means is operated, the game ball is stopped without proceeding, and the game ball can be transferred to the normal storage region by a predetermined pressing operation by the player, and a predetermined number of games A gaming machine characterized in that a countable storage area (auxiliary storage area 4236) in which balls are arranged side by side and capable of counting is provided.

  In conventional gaming machines, gaming balls paid out as a bonus according to a prize or gaming balls lent out according to the amount of money are placed in the vicinity of the player in addition to the ball tray provided in the gaming machine. It was common to pass through the ball outlet of the ball tray to a ball box or the like for storage. There is also known a gaming apparatus configured to store information corresponding to the money held by the player and the number of game balls in a value storage medium such as an IC card (for example, JP-A-2002-224362). See the official gazette).

  In these conventional gaming machines, there is a possibility that there is still room for improvement in the configuration for managing game media possessed by the player.

  According to the gaming machine described in the feature 50, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suitably manage the gaming balls possessed by the player. That is, since the player can count the number of game balls stopped in the countable storage area, it is possible to make it easier for the player to take out as many game balls as necessary. Further, since the game balls in the countable storage area can be transferred to the normal storage area by a predetermined pressing operation by the player, the transfer of the game balls from the countable storage area to the normal storage area is simplified and quick, The convenience of the player can be improved.

<Feature 51>
The gaming machine according to feature 50,
A payout device (payout device 540) for paying out game media;
A storage unit (storage unit 241) that stores the game medium paid out from the payout device on the front side of the gaming machine so that the player can take out the game medium;
A first outlet portion (a discharge port 241B of the auxiliary storage portion 241) for taking out the game medium stored in the storage portion outside the gaming machine;
A first payout passage (auxiliary side guide passage 553) provided between the payout device and the storage portion for paying out game media from the payout device to the storage portion;
A second outlet portion (of the transfer passage 4232 and the discharge passage member 3101B) that takes out the game balls stored in the countable storage area to the outside of the gaming machine at a position different from the first outlet portion by a predetermined discharging operation by the player. And an internal passage).

  According to the gaming machine of the feature 51, the first outlet is used to transfer the game ball to the ball box or game device managed by the player himself, as in the prior art. It is possible to suitably transfer the number of game balls that the player wants to transfer to other gaming machines or gaming devices using the exit portion.

  Note that at least one feature described in the features 10 to 51 may be applied in combination with any one or a plurality of features. The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which the above-described features can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko machine: launch operation means operated by a player, game ball launch means for launching a game ball based on the operation of the launch operation means, a passage section for guiding the launched game ball to a predetermined game area, A gaming machine that includes each gaming component arranged in a gaming area, and gives a bonus to a player when a gaming ball passes through a predetermined passing portion of each gaming component.

  A spinning machine such as a slot machine: the rotation of the circulating body is started based on the operation of the start operation means, the rotation of the circulating body is stopped based on the operation of the stop operation means, and the player is made according to the pattern after the stop. A gaming machine that grants bonuses.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for a gaming machine such as a ball game machine.

  100, 1100, 2100, 3100, 4100: Pachinko machines, 230, 4230: Main storage mechanism, 231, 4231: Storage section, 231A: Inlet, 235, 1235, 4235: Normal storage area, 236, 1336, 4236: Auxiliary Storage area, 241: auxiliary storage section, 241B: discharge port, 330: launch device, 281-285, 4286: acoustic device, 540: payout device, 552: main side guide passage, 553: auxiliary side guide passage, 580, 1580 , 3580: rear passage, 581, 1581, 1591A, 1591B: entry switching member, 700, 3700: game ball management device, 4236D: ball support member

Claims (2)

A game area visible to the player,
A launch operation means in which a launch operation is performed by a player;
Launching means for launching a game ball into the game area by a player's operation on the launch operation means;
A payout device for paying out game balls;
A storage means for storing game balls which are paid out by the payout device and used for games;
A sending section for sending game balls stored in the storing means to the emitting means side;
The storage means is an area that is provided upstream of the delivery section and stores game balls paid out by the payout device, and the stored game balls are operated according to the operation of the launching means. A normal storage area that proceeds to the delivery section side is provided,
Further, even if the launching means is operated, the game ball is stopped without proceeding, and the game ball can be transferred to the normal storage region by a predetermined pressing operation by the player, and a predetermined number of games A game machine characterized in that a countable storage area in which balls are arranged side by side and which can be counted is provided.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine.