JP2020014953A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of discharging enclosed game media to the outside of the game machine only when a player cannot play games.SOLUTION: A game machine allows a player to play games by using game media enclosed inside in exchange for reduction of holding points. The game machine includes: circulation circuits 23, 25, and 27 for recovering game media used in games and circulating the same to a position where the game media can be used for games again; and discharging means 19 and 21a capable of discharging the game media outside, when there is no holding point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that performs a game using an enclosed game medium.

  As a gaming machine, an enclosed pachinko game in which a game medium such as a game ball is fired into a game area by a launch device, and the game medium wins a prize area such as a winning opening provided in the game area, thereby giving a score. There is a machine. Further, a variable display device capable of variably displaying identification information (also referred to as “fluctuation”) when a game medium wins in a predetermined prize area (start condition is satisfied) is provided. Is configured to be controllable to a specific game state (big hit game state) which is advantageous for the player when the display result of (1) becomes a specific display result (big hit symbol).

  A plurality of gaming balls (game media) are enclosed in the enclosed pachinko gaming machine. The enclosed pachinko gaming machine provides a game using game balls by circulating the enclosed game balls. The game balls thus sealed are not discharged to the outside of the game machine at normal times. However, at the time of maintenance or replacement of the gaming machine, it is necessary to discharge the gaming ball to the outside of the gaming machine. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a means for discharging the enclosed game balls to the outside in the enclosed pachinko gaming machine. Patent Literature 1 discloses an enclosed pachinko gaming machine in which the distance between a launch rail near a hit ball firing device and a hitting stopper can be changed. The enclosed pachinko gaming machine can discharge the gaming ball to the outside of the gaming machine by making the distance between the launch rail and the hitting ball stopper larger than the size of the gaming ball.

JP 2013-55977 A

  In the enclosed pachinko gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when a player is playing a game, there is a possibility that a game medium (game ball) is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine. As described above, if the game medium is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine during the game, there is a possibility that the player may be disadvantaged, for example, the game cannot be played during the game.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of discharging an enclosed game medium to the outside of the gaming machine only when the player cannot play the game.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present application
A gaming machine (e.g., a pachinko gaming machine 1) that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein in exchange for a deduction of a point.
A circulation path (for example, including a polishing device 23, a doffing device 25, and a launching device 14) for collecting the game media used in the game and circulating the game media again to a position usable for the game, and the pachinko machine 1 A route configured to go around and return to its original position),
Discharging means (for example, a ball-drawing operation switch 90, a ball-drawing path 76) capable of discharging game media to the outside,
A game board holding frame (for example, main body frame 100) for holding a game board (for example, game board 2) on which a game using a game medium is performed;
A transparent member holding frame (for example, upper front frame 3A) for holding a transparent member (for example, transparent cover 11) provided on the front side of the game board;
Operating means (ball-off switch 19, power switch 21a) operable when the game board holding frame is opened;
There is no point, the game board holding frame is opened, the transparent member holding frame is mounted on the game board holding frame, and power is turned on in a state where the operating means is operated. Dischargeable state transition means (payout control unit 171) for transitioning to a state where the game medium can be discharged to the outside by the discharge means;
It is characterized by having.
In the gaming machine of the above (1),
A launching means (for example, a launching device 14) for launching the game medium to the game area;
The discharge means includes a circulation path (for example, a circulation path 91) and a discharge path (for example, a ball removal path 76) for discharging the path of the game medium fired by the firing means to the outside of the gaming machine. Switching means (for example, a ball removal operation switch 90) for switching between
It is characterized by the following.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of discharging the enclosed game medium to the outside of the gaming machine only when the player cannot play the game.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the game frame according to the present application is:
A game frame (for example, a main body frame 100) of a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein in exchange for a deduction of a point.
A flow path through which the game medium flows (for example, a path of a game ball including the polishing device 23 and the game ball detection device 27);
Discharging means (for example, a ball-drawing operation switch 90, a ball-drawing path 76) capable of discharging game media to the outside,
A game board holding frame (for example, a frame 100a) for holding a game board (for example, the game board 2) in which a game using a game medium is performed;
A transparent member holding frame (for example, upper front frame 3A) for holding a transparent member (for example, transparent cover 11) provided on the front side of the game board;
There is no point, the game board holding frame is opened, the transparent member holding frame is attached to the game board holding frame, and operation means (for example, operable when the game board holding frame is opened) In a state in which the bobble switch 19 and the power switch 21a) are operated, on condition that the power is turned on, a dischargeable state transition means (e.g., a state in which the discharge means shifts to a state where the game medium can be discharged to the outside by the discharge means ( Payout control unit 171),
It is characterized by having.
In the game frame of (2) above,
The discharging means is configured to circulate the path of the game medium fired by the firing means to a circulation path (for example, a circulation path 91) for circulating the game machine and a discharge path (for example, to discharge the game medium to the outside). Switching means (for example, a ball-dropping operation switch 90) for switching between the ball-dropping path 76).
It is characterized by the following.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a game frame in which the enclosed game medium can be discharged to the outside of the gaming machine only when the player cannot play the game.

(3) In the gaming machine of (1),
A game board holding frame (for example, main body frame 100) for holding a game board (for example, game board 2) on which a game using a game medium is performed;
A transparent member holding frame (for example, upper front frame 3A) for holding a transparent member (for example, transparent cover 11) provided on the front side of the game board;
Operating means (for example, a ball-off switch 19, a power switch 21A) operable when the gaming board holding frame is opened,
When there is no game medium usable for the game, the game board holding frame is opened, the transparent member holding frame is mounted on the game board holding frame, and the power is turned on in a state where the operating means is operated. On the condition that the game medium has been discharged, a dischargeable state transition unit (for example, a payout control unit 171) for transitioning to a state where the game medium can be discharged to the outside is further provided.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the player from accidentally discharging the game medium to the outside.

(4) In the gaming machine of (3),
While the game medium can be discharged to the outside, communication with the outside is restricted.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormality in communication with the outside while the game medium is in a state where the game medium can be discharged to the outside, and it is also possible to prevent fraud.

(5) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1), (3), and (4),
Launching means (for example, a launching device 14) for launching a game medium into the game area;
A circulation path (for example, a circulation path 91) for circulating the game medium emitted by the launching means in the gaming machine and a discharge path (for example, a ball removal path 76) for discharging the game medium to the outside of the gaming machine. And a switching means (for example, a ball-drawing operation switch 90) for switching between the operation mode and the operation mode.

  According to such a configuration, since the game medium in the gaming machine can be discharged to the outside using the launching means, the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine can be suppressed.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an arrangement layout of main members. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which looked at the main part frame of the game machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. It is a perspective view of the game ball detection device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a diagram viewed from the rear, (b) is a diagram viewed from the front. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a game ball detection device of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball detection device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a game ball is sucked and blocked by a game ball detection device of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. The figure seen from. It is a perspective view of the grinding device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a view seen from the front, (b) is a view seen from the back. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a polishing machine for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the polishing machine of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the polishing machine of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the doffing and feeding device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the launching device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a game medium is filled in a ball passage of the launching device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the launching device showing the entrance of the game ball by omitting a part of the launching device shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the launching device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control unit used in a card unit of a gaming machine and a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart showing a ball movement control mode process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing ball movement control processing of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. 22A is a flowchart showing details of the ball supply process shown in FIG. 22, FIG. 22B is a flowchart showing details of the normal ball circulation process shown in FIG. 22, and FIG. 22C is a flowchart showing details of the ball feed process shown in FIG. The flowchart shown. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the abnormality detection processing shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the abnormality detection process, which is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the ball removal process shown in FIG. 22.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an arrangement layout of main members. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 includes a main body frame 100, an upper front frame 3A pivotally supported on the left side of the main body frame 100 in a vertically rotatable and detachable manner, and a lower side of the upper front frame 3A. A lower front frame 3B rotatably and vertically removably supported on one side of the main body frame 100, and a display unit 50 disposed on the front surface of the lower front frame 3B. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the upper front frame 3A, the lower front frame 3B, and the display unit 50 constitute the front surface of the gaming machine 1.

  The upper front frame 3A and the lower front frame 3B are separated from each other. In the upper front frame 3A, bearings 31a and 31b mounted on one side up and down are pivotally supported by hinges (not shown) of the main body frame 100. As a result, it is rotatably attached to the main body frame 100. A game board (gauge board) 2 constituting a game board surface is detachably attached to the upper front frame 3A. The game board 2 has a game area surrounded by guide rails and having a substantially circular outer edge. In this game area, game balls as game media are fired and driven.

  A first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided at predetermined positions of the game board 2 (on the lower right edge of the game area in the example shown in FIG. 1). Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is composed of, for example, a 7-segment or dot matrix LED (light emitting diode), and identifies each of them in a special figure game which is an example of a variable display game. A special symbol (also referred to as a "special figure"), which is a plurality of types of identification information (special identification information), is displayed (variably displayed) in a variable manner. For example, each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B variably displays a plurality of types of special symbols including numbers indicating “0” to “9”, symbols indicating “−”, and the like. I do. Note that the special symbols displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are limited to those composed of numbers indicating "0" to "9", symbols indicating "-", and the like. Instead, for example, a plurality of types of lighting patterns in which a combination of a 7-segment LED to be turned on and a light to be turned off may be set in advance as a plurality of types of special symbols.

  A symbol number corresponding to each of a plurality of types of special symbols is given. As an example, symbol numbers “0” to “9” are assigned to numbers indicating “0” to “9”, and symbol numbers “10” are assigned to symbols indicating “−”. Just do it. Hereinafter, the special symbol variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A is also referred to as “first special symbol”, and the special symbol variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 4B is also referred to as “second special symbol”. .

  Both the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B are formed, for example, in a square shape. Note that the type of the first special map and the type of the second special map may be the same (for example, both numbers indicating “0” to “9” and a symbol indicating “−”), or the type may be different. It may be different. In addition, the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B may be configured to variably display, for example, numbers (or two-digit symbols) indicating “00” to “99”. .

  An image display device 5 is provided near the center of the game area on the game board 2. The image display device 5 includes, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. The display area of the image display device 5 corresponds to the variable display of the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A and the variable display of the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B in the special figure game. For example, in a decorative design display area serving as a plurality of variable display units, for example, three, a decorative design, which is a plurality of types of identification information (decoration identification information) each of which can be identified, is variably displayed. The variable display of the decorative pattern is also included in the variable display game.

  As an example, in the display area of the image display device 5, “left”, “middle”, and “right” decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged. Then, in response to the start of any one of the change of the first special figure in the first special symbol display device 4A and the change of the second special figure in the second special symbol display device 4B in the special figure game, In the decorative pattern display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left", "middle", and "right", the change of the decorative pattern (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction) is started. Thereafter, when the fixed special symbol is stopped and displayed as a variable display result in the special figure game, the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of the "left", "middle", and "right" on the image display device 5 are displayed. Then, the fixed decoration symbol (final stop symbol) which is the variable display result of the decoration symbol is stopped and displayed.

  As described above, in the display area of the image display device 5, a special figure game using the first special figure in the first special symbol display apparatus 4A or a special figure game using the second special figure in the second special symbol display apparatus 4B is used. In synchronization with the figure game, a plurality of types of decorative symbols, each of which is identifiable, are variably displayed, and a determined decorative pattern which is a variable display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as “derived”). Deriving and displaying various display symbols, such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol, means stopping the identification information of the decorative symbol or the like (also referred to as complete stop display or final stop display) and terminating the variable display. . On the other hand, during the variable display from the start of the variable display of the decorative symbol to the derivation and display of the fixed decorative symbol as the variable display result, the fluctuation speed of the decorative symbol becomes “0” and the decorative symbol becomes “0”. The design may be stopped and displayed, for example, in a display state that causes slight shaking, expansion and contraction, and the like. Such a display state is also referred to as a temporary stop display, and although the display result in the variable display is not steadily displayed, the player can recognize that the fluctuation of the decorative symbol due to the scroll display or the update display is not progressing. Becomes Note that the temporary stop display may include, for example, completely displaying the decorative symbol for a shorter time than a predetermined time (for example, one second) without causing slight shaking or expansion / contraction.

  The decorative symbols variably displayed in the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left," "middle," and "right" include, for example, eight types of symbols (alphanumeric characters "1" to "8" or Chinese characters). Numbers, English characters, eight character images related to a predetermined motif, any combination of numbers and characters or symbols and character images, etc., may be a character image, for example, a person or animal, an object other than these, or , A symbol such as a character, or any other decorative image indicating an arbitrary figure). Each of the decorative symbols is assigned a corresponding symbol number. For example, symbol numbers "1" to "8" are assigned to alphanumeric characters indicating "1" to "8", respectively. The number of decorative patterns is not limited to eight, but may be any number (for example, seven or nine) as long as an appropriate number of combinations such as a big hit combination and a lossy combination can be configured.

  After the variable display of the decorative symbol is started, before the determined decorative symbol as the variable display result is derived and displayed, each of the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left," "middle," and "right." In the display, for example, scroll display is performed such that the symbol numbers sequentially flow from upper to lower, from small to large, and when the decorative symbol with the maximum symbol number (for example, “8”) is displayed, Thus, the decorative symbol having the smallest symbol number (for example, “1”) is displayed. Alternatively, in at least one of the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R (for example, the “left” decorative symbol display area 5L, etc.), scroll display is performed from a symbol with a larger symbol number to a symbol with a smaller symbol number. When the decorative symbol having the smallest number is displayed, the decorative symbol having the largest symbol number may be subsequently displayed.

  In the display area of the image display device 5, a start winning storage display area 5H is arranged. In the start winning prize memory display area 5H, a hold memory display for variably displaying the number of hold (special figure hold storage number) corresponding to the special figure game is performed. Here, the suspension of the variable display corresponding to the special figure game is such that the game ball passes through the first starting winning opening formed by the normal winning prize ball device 6A or the second starting winning opening formed by the normal variable winning prize ball device 6B. This occurs based on a start winning prize due to (entering). That is, a start condition (also referred to as an “execution condition”) for executing a variable display game such as a special figure game or a variable display of a decorative symbol is satisfied, but the variable display game based on the previously established start condition is being executed. Due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the big hit gaming state, when the start condition allowing the start of the variable display game is not established, the suspension of the variable display corresponding to the established start condition is performed. Done.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first special symbol display device 4A and the lower part of the second special symbol display device 4B, together with the start winning memory display area 5H, are used for the first special symbol display device so that the first special symbol display storage number can be specified. An indicator 25A and a second hold indicator 25B are provided. The first reservation display 25A displays the first special figure reservation storage number in a identifiable manner. The second reservation display 25B displays the second special figure reservation storage number in a identifiable manner. The first special figure reserved storage number is the number of memories in which execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is suspended. The second special figure reserved storage number is the number of storages in which execution of the special figure game using the second special figure is suspended. The variable display reserved storage number obtained by adding the first special figure reserved storage number and the second special figure reserved storage number is particularly referred to as a total reserved storage number. When simply referred to as “the number of special figure reserved storages”, it generally refers to a concept including any of the first special figure reserved storage number, the second special figure reserved storage number, and the total reserved storage number. (The concept includes the first special figure reserved storage number and the second special figure reserved storage number, but excludes the total reserved storage number).

  Below the game area on the game board 2, a normal winning prize ball device 6A and a normal variable prize ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning prize ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) that is always kept in a fixed open state by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The ordinary variable winning prize ball device 6B is an electric tulip-type accessory (ordinary electric accessory) having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed by a solenoid (not shown) between a normal open state, which is a vertical position, and an enlarged open state, which is a tilt position. And a second start winning port is formed.

  As an example, in the normal variable winning prize ball device 6B, the game sphere passes (enters) the second starting winning opening when the movable wing piece is in the vertical position when the solenoid for the normal electric accessory is in the off state. It becomes a normally open state. On the other hand, in the normal variable winning ball device 6B, the game ball passes through the second starting winning opening by the tilt control in which the movable wing piece is in the tilting position when the solenoid for the normal electric accessory is turned on. ) It is easy to enlarge and open. Note that, even when the normally variable winning prize ball device 6B is in the normally open state, although the game ball can enter the second starting winning opening, it is more likely that the gaming ball enters than in the enlarged opening state. You may comprise so that it may become low. Alternatively, the normally variable winning prize ball device 6B may be configured such that, in the normally open state, for example, by closing the second starting winning port, the game ball does not enter the second starting winning port. As described above, the second start winning opening as the second start area has an enlarged open state in which the game balls easily pass (enter), and a normal open state in which the game balls hardly pass (enter) or cannot pass (enter). Changes to

  A game ball that has passed (entered) a first starting winning opening formed in the normal winning prize ball device 6A or a second starting winning opening formed in the normal variable prize winning ball device 6B is, for example, a first starting opening switch (not shown) or a second starting winning switch. 2 Detected by starter switch. Based on the detection of the game balls by the first starting port switch, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and the first special figure reserved storage number becomes a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). )) If below, the first start condition is satisfied. Based on the detection of the game balls by the second starting port switch, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and the second special figure reserved storage number becomes a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”). )) If below, the second starting condition is satisfied. The number of prize balls paid out based on detection of a game ball by the first starting port switch and the number of prize balls paid out based on detection of a game ball by the second starting port switch are as follows: The number may be the same as each other, or may be different.

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable prize ball device 7 includes a special prize opening door that is driven to open and close by a solenoid (not shown) for a special prize opening door, and the special prize opening door is changed into an open state and a closed state by the special prize opening door. Form a mouth.

  As an example, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid for the special winning opening door is off, the special winning opening door closes the special winning opening, and the game ball can pass (enter) the special winning opening. Lose it. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid for the special winning opening door is on, the special winning opening door opens the special winning opening, and the game ball passes through (enters) the special winning opening. Easy to do. In this way, the special winning opening as the specific area changes between an open state in which the game balls easily pass (enter), which is advantageous for the player, and a closed state in which the game balls cannot pass (enter), which is disadvantageous for the player. I do. In addition, instead of the closed state in which the game ball cannot pass (enter) the special winning opening, or in addition to the closed state, a partially open state in which the game ball hardly passes (enter) the special winning opening may be provided.

  A game ball that has passed (entered) the special winning opening is detected by, for example, a count switch (not shown). Based on the detection of the game ball by the count switch, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are counted. In this way, when the game ball passes through (enters) the large winning opening that has been opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the gaming ball passes through another winning opening, for example, the first starting winning opening or the second starting winning opening. More prize balls are counted than when passing (entering). Therefore, when the special winning opening is opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the game ball can enter the special winning opening, and the first state is advantageous to the player. On the other hand, if the special winning opening is closed in the special variable winning ball device 7, it becomes impossible or difficult to obtain a prize ball by passing (entering) a game ball into the special winning opening. The second state is disadvantageous.

  At a predetermined position of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, on the left side of the game area), a normal symbol display 20 is provided. As an example, the ordinary symbol display device 20 is composed of a 7-segment or dot-matrix LED or the like like the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and a plurality of types of identification information different from the special symbol. Is variably displayed (variably displayed). Such a variable display of ordinary symbols is called an ordinary game (also referred to as a “normal game”).

  Above the ordinary symbol display 20, there is provided an ordinary symbol holding display 25 </ b> C. The general-purpose reserve display 25C includes, for example, four LEDs, and displays the general-purpose reserved storage number as the number of effective passing balls that have passed through the passage gate 26.

  On the surface of the game board 2, in addition to the above-described configuration, a windmill for changing the flowing direction and speed of the game ball and a number of obstacle nails are provided. Further, as a winning opening different from the first starting winning opening, the second starting winning opening, and the big winning opening, for example, a single or a plurality of general winning openings that are always kept in a fixed open state by a predetermined ball receiving member are provided. You may be. In this case, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls may be counted as prize balls based on detection of a game ball that has entered any of the general prize holes by a predetermined general prize ball switch. . At the bottom of the game area, there is provided an out port 8 for taking in a game ball that has not entered any of the winning ports.

  Speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at upper left and right positions of the upper front frame 3A. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal prize ball device 6A, the normal variable prize ball device 6B, the special variable prize ball device 7, etc.) in the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 is an enclosed pachinko gaming machine in which gaming balls (pachinko balls) as an example of a game medium are enclosed. The enclosed pachinko gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine that performs a game using a gaming ball enclosed therein in exchange for a deduction of a player's points. A non-magnetic game ball is enclosed in the enclosed pachinko gaming machine in order to prevent fraud using a magnet. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the firing solenoid 41 (FIGS. 16 to 18) included in the firing device 14 (FIG. 2) is driven so that the game balls are shot one by one into the game area of the game board 2. It is configured so that a player can play a game. Specifically, a touch sensor is provided around the hit ball operation handle 37, and the player's hand touches the touch sensor while the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, and the player's hand Is detected by the touch sensor, and the firing solenoid 41 (FIGS. 16 to 18) is driven. In this state, the momentum of hitting the ball is adjusted according to the amount of rotation of the hitting operation handle 37 by the player, and the game ball is fired in the game area.

  The game ball hit into the game area wins one of the winning openings or is collected in the out opening 8 without winning. The game ball that has won the winning opening and the game ball that has been collected in the out opening 8 are returned to the firing position 14 again through the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Then, when the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the game ball at the hit ball firing position is hit into the game area again.

  A card unit 10 (hereinafter may be abbreviated as CU) is provided on a side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as P units) in a one-to-one correspondence. The card unit 10 is used for a visitor card having a prepaid function, which is a game recording medium issued to a general player who has not registered as a member, or is issued to a member player who has registered as a member at the game hall. A pachinko game corresponding to a membership card which is a game recording medium to be played, and using a game value (for example, a card balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls stored, etc.) owned by the player specified by the record information of the card. The game machine 1 has a function of making it possible to play a game by ejecting an enclosed ball as an example of a game medium. Note that the visitor card and the membership card are constituted by IC cards.

  The card unit 10 that receives those cards converts the game value (for example, the card balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls stored) owned by the player specified by the record information of the cards into “game ball data”. Having. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a ball game corresponding to the number of balls specified by the game ball data is enabled.

  On the front side of the card unit 10, a bill insertion slot 302 for inserting a bill, a card insertion / discharge port 309 for inserting a membership card or a visitor card, and the like are provided. The membership card or visitor card inserted into the card insertion / ejection port 309 is received by a card reader / writer (not shown), and the information recorded on the card is read.

  Here, the “ball storage” is a game medium deposited in a game hall, and is generally managed by a hall management computer or another management computer installed in the game hall.

  "Number of balls" is the number of balls that are owned by the player as a result of the player playing the game with the gaming machine and recorded on the card, and the number of balls that have not yet been deposited in the game hall That is. Generally, the number of balls obtained by a player on the day at a game hall is referred to as "holding ball", and the number of balls obtained by the player before the previous day and deposited at the game hall is referred to as "ball savings". Say

  "Gaming balls" are data on the number of balls that can be fired by the gaming machine. This data is generated in exchange for debiting the balance of the prepaid card, the value of the ball, or the value of the ball.

Note that the number of possessed balls may be managed by a management device for managing the number of possessed balls set in the game hall. In short, the difference between “ball storage” and “holding ball” is the number of balls deposited in the game hall by performing a ball storage operation for depositing in the game hall, or the number of balls that are still deposited in the game hall. This is the number of balls that are not in the stage.

  In the present embodiment, the ball storage data is not directly recorded on the member card, but is stored in a hall server installed in a game arcade such as a hall management computer in association with the member card number, and the corresponding ball storage is based on the member card number. It is configured to be searchable. On the other hand, the possessed ball is recorded directly on the card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. Also in the case of a visitor card, the possessed ball is recorded directly on the visitor card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the possessed ball may be stored in the hall server in association with the card number. When storing the data in the hall server in association with the card number, data which can specify the time stored in the hall server may be written to a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged. The prepaid balance is directly written on a card (member card, visitor card) and discharged.

  The timing of storing the ball in the card (member card, visitor card) or the hall server is stored in real time every time the counting button is operated and the counting process is performed, for example, and stored at regular intervals. Or collectively store the card when returning it.

  The bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 302 is taken in by a bill validator (not shown), and its authenticity and bill type are identified.

  A plurality of operation switches 38 are formed on the lower front frame 3B. The operation switches 38 are, for example, a ball lending button (also called a lending button) and a return button. The ball lending button is a button for withdrawing the balance recorded on the inserted card and performing an operation (a conversion operation to a game ball) for use in a game by the pachinko gaming machine 1. The return button is operated when the player ends the game, and the number of game balls determined at the end of the game (the number of balls at the time of card insertion−the number of balls converted into game balls + counting operation) This is an operation button for storing and discharging the counted number of balls. Note that the ball lending button and the return button may be provided on the card unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the up, down, left, and right directions when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is viewed from the front (a front, which will be described later) are used in the following description as they are, and the side where the player is located with respect to the pachinko gaming machine 1 is forward. (The opposite side is the back) and the following description will be made. As shown in the figure, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is configured such that the respective constituent members overlap in the front-rear direction.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a rectangular outer frame 60 that is vertically long in the vertical direction. The outer frame 60 includes an upper plate 61 and a lower plate 62 made of a wooden plate, and left and right side plates 63 and 64 made of a steel plate. The upper plate 61 and the left and right side plates 63 and 64 and the lower plate 62 and the left and right side plates 63 and 64 are connected by a mounting bracket 65. Thereby, the outer frame 60 is formed in a square shape. Note that the left and right side plates 63 and 64 are not limited to steel, but can be made of a metal material such as an aluminum material or a stainless steel material. A shaft hole 65a is formed in the mounting bracket 65 provided at the upper left of the outer frame 60. A shaft pin (not shown) projecting upward is formed on a mounting bracket (not shown) provided at a lower left portion of the outer frame 60.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a main body frame 100 rotatably supported by the outer frame 60. The main body frame 100 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and has a rectangular shape, like the outer frame 60 described above. The main body frame 100 holds the game board 2. Further, various driving means such as the firing device 14 are attached to the main body frame 100 as described later. At the upper left of the main body frame 100, a connecting piece 101 formed with a downwardly directed shaft pin 101a is attached so as to protrude forward. In the lower left part of the main body frame 100, a connecting piece 102 having an axial pin 102a projecting upward and an axial hole (not shown) formed in the lower surface is attached so as to project forward.

  A shaft pin 101a formed on the connecting piece 101 of the main body frame 100 is inserted into a shaft hole 65a formed in the mounting bracket 65 of the outer frame 60, and is provided at a lower left portion of the outer frame 60 (not shown). The body frame 100 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 60 by inserting the shaft pin into a shaft hole (not shown) formed in the connecting piece 102.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an upper front frame 3A rotatably supported by the main body frame 100. In the upper front frame 3A, a see-through window 3C which is an opening corresponding to a game area formed in the game board 2 is formed. The transparent cover 11 that covers the see-through window 3C from behind is attached to the upper front frame 3A by well-known fixing means (for example, screwing). The transparent cover 11 is made of, for example, a glass body. Thereby, the player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 2 through the transparent cover 11 attached to the see-through window 3C. The transparent cover 11 thus attached forms a gap between the transparent cover 11 and the game board 2 that is larger than the diameter of the game ball. Thereby, the game ball fired by the firing device 14 flows down the game area. Note that the transparent cover 11 provided on the see-through window 3C is not limited to a glass body, and may be a transparent synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin.

  A shaft hole (not shown) is formed on the lower surface of the connecting piece 103 of the main body frame 100. A shaft pin 104a protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the connecting piece 104 of the main body frame 100. The upper front frame 3A is pivotally supported by these shaft holes (not shown) and the shaft pins 104a, and is rotatably supported by the main body frame 100.

In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a lower front frame 3B below the upper front frame 3A.
A point display unit 35 and an operation unit 36 are provided on the front upper side of the lower front frame 3B, and a hit ball operation handle 37 for firing game balls is provided on the right side of the lower front frame 3B. ing. The point display unit 35 is configured by a 7-segment, dot-matrix LED, LCD (liquid crystal display), or the like, and displays the player's points. The operation unit 36 is provided with one or more of various switches (payment switch, interruption switch, ball lending switch, automatic ball lending switch, replay switch, card data switch, call switch), for example. ing. The hit ball operation handle 37 is connected to a hit ball firing device (not shown), and a player operates a handle ring of the hit ball operation handle 37 to fire a game ball into a game area.

  In the lower front frame 3B, a display unit 50 is arranged on an arrangement surface 39 which is a space avoiding the point display section 35 and the hit ball operation handle 37. An arrangement surface 39 for disposing the display unit 50 on the lower front frame 3B is formed to be retracted (offset) behind the rotation axis R of the lower front frame 3B. Further, a locking portion (locking member) 39a for locking the display unit 50 to the lower front frame 3B is provided on the arrangement surface 39. Note that the number of the locking portions 39a is not limited to two provided on the left and right, and may be provided, for example, only one.

  In the lower front frame 3B, an axis pin 105 facing upward is inserted into a shaft hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the connection piece 104 of the main body frame 100, and the shaft pin 102a of the connection piece 102 of the main body frame 100 is inserted. Is rotatably supported by the body frame 100 by being inserted through a shaft hole (not shown).

  The display unit 50 is attached to the card unit 10 via the arm 51, and is arranged on the arrangement surface 39 of the lower front frame 3B. The arm 51 has a plurality of rotation axes (joints), and can move the display unit 50 freely. Therefore, the display unit 50 can be easily arranged on the arrangement surface 39. The display unit 50 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays various display screens to a player.

  Next, various devices for circulating gaming balls in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 100 holds the game board 2 and has a firing device 14 at the upper left. The game ball is fired from the launch port 14a of the launch device 14 toward the game board 2, and the game ball that has not entered any winning port flows down from the out port 8 toward the rear of the game board 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a main control board 16 and a payout control board 17 are provided behind the main body frame 100. The main control board 16 is provided behind the gaming board 2 and controls the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The payout control board 17 is provided on a back cover 18 that covers the rear surface of the game board 2. Further, on the payout control board 17, a ball removal switch 19 for discharging game balls to the outside at the time of maintenance or the like is provided. The details of the ball removal process using the ball removal switch 19 will be described later. The back cover 18 has four legs 18 a, each of which is bolted to the body frame 100. As a result, the back cover 18 provided with the payout control board 17 is attached to the main body frame 100 in a state of partially covering the rear surface of the main body frame 100.

  5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of the main body frame of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. On the rear surface of the main body frame 100, a power supply device 21, a game ball detection device 27, a polishing device 23, and a lifting device 25 are further disposed. On the right side of the power supply device 21, a power switch 21a of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided. The four legs 18a of the back cover 18 have a sufficient height so that the power switch 21a can be operated even when the back cover 18 is attached to the rear of the main body frame 100.

  As will be described later, the game ball detection device 27 is a device that guides the game ball that has entered the out port 8 or the winning port to the polishing device 23, and forms a part of a circulation path. The polishing device 23 has a transport screw 72 (FIGS. 13 and 14) that constitutes a part of the circulation path, as described later. The polishing device 23 conveys the game balls toward the doffing and conveying device 25 with the transfer screw 72 (FIGS. 13 and 14), and polishes the game balls. The ball lifting device 25 is a device that transports (lifts) gaming balls to the upper part of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and forms a part of a circulation path. In addition, the launching device 14 that is disposed above the main body frame 100 and that launches the game ball toward the game area of the game board 2 also constitutes a part of the circulation path. Thus, the circulation path of the game ball in the present embodiment basically includes the game ball detection device 27, the polishing device 23, the doffing device 25, and the firing device 14, and makes a round in the pachinko game machine 1. The path is configured to return to the original position (for example, the firing position of the firing device 14). In addition, in addition to the above-described members, the circulation area may include the game area of the game board 2. The main body frame 100 may be, for example, a general term for all of the members shown in FIG. 5, or from the one shown in FIG. 5, for example, the game board 2, the power supply device 21, and the doffing device 25. May be a generic term excluding. Alternatively, the main body frame 100 includes, for example, a frame body 100a, a flow path through which game balls flow, a magnet body 114 and a polishing entrance sensor 701 (FIG. 12) provided on the flow path, a payout control board 17, and a power supply. The device 21 may be included.

  Next, a path through which the game ball circulates in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described while describing details of each device constituting the circulation path. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the game ball fired toward the game area of the game board 2 enters the winning opening or the out opening 8 (FIG. 6) and flows down to the game ball detecting device 27. I do. FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the game ball detection device, wherein FIG. 7A is a diagram viewed from the front and FIG. 7B is a diagram viewed from the rear.

  The game ball detection device 27 has a detection device main body 29, a protective cover 68 attached to the rear surface of the detection device main body 29, and a pressing plate 69 attached to the front surface. An upper portion of the detection device main body 29 is formed with an out ball receiving portion 66 for receiving a game ball that has entered the out port 8 (FIG. 6) and a winning ball receiving portion 67 for receiving a game ball that has entered the winning port. .

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the game ball detecting device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front, and FIG. 9 is a view of the game ball detecting device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from the back. It is an exploded perspective view. As shown in FIG. 8, the detection device main body 29 is formed with a vertical path 120 facing downward, which is a flow path following the first inclined path 115, and a flow path following the vertical path 120. A certain second ramp 116 is formed. The holding plate 69 is attached to the front surface of the detection device main body 29 in order to define the sides of the first inclined path 115, the vertical path 120, and the second inclined path 116. The holding plate 69 is formed with a downflow path 69a which is a flow path following the second inclined path 116. Further, the detection device main body 29 is formed with a downflow path 117 that guides the game ball backward, which is a flow path following the downflow path 69a. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a third inclined path 121, which is a flow path following the downflow path 117, is formed on the front surface of the detection device main body 29. In addition, at the end portion 122 of the third ramp 121, a wall is formed at which the flowing game ball hits to form a flow path bent at a right angle toward the discharge port 119 located at the rear.

  The protective cover 68 is provided on the rear surface of the detection device main body 29, covers a changeover switch 113 described later, and defines the side of the third ramp 121. In addition, the protective cover 68 is provided with an outlet 119 for discharging game balls from the game ball detection device 27. In this way, the game ball that has entered from the out port 8 (FIG. 6) is received by the out ball receiving portion 66, and the first ramp 115, the vertical path 120, the second ramp 116, the downflow path 69a, and the downflow path 117. Then, it flows down in the order of the third ramp 121, and is discharged from the discharge port 119 to the outside of the game ball detecting device 27. The vertical path 120 is provided with an out ball detection sensor 88 that detects a game ball that has entered the out port 8 (FIG. 6). The out-sphere detection sensor 88 is a switch that detects both a magnetic substance and a non-magnetic substance. For example, the out-sphere detection sensor 88 includes a photosensor and a microswitch. When the out ball detection sensor 88 detects a game ball made of a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material, a detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  On the other hand, the game ball that has entered the winning opening flows down a ramp (not shown). Then, the ramp joins the second ramp 116 at the junction 118 shown in FIG. 8 while changing the direction. The flow of the winning ball downstream of the junction 118 is the same as the flow of the game ball entering the out port 8 (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 9, the game ball detection device 27 includes a winning ball detection sensor 110 that detects a game ball that has entered a winning port. The winning ball detection sensor 110 is provided upstream of the junction (FIG. 8). The winning ball detection sensor 110 is a switch that detects both a magnetic substance and a non-magnetic substance. For example, the winning ball detection sensor 110 includes a photo sensor and a micro switch. When the winning ball detection sensor 110 detects a game ball made of a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material, a detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  Further, the game ball detection device 27 is provided with an adsorbing means for adsorbing the magnetic substance mixed in the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and closing the flow path of the game ball with the adsorbed magnetic substance. As shown in FIG. 9, on the rear surface of the game ball detection device 27, a changeover switch 113 that is rotatable around a rotation shaft 112 is provided. The changeover switch 113 includes an operation lever 113a and a magnet holder 113b. The magnet body holding portion 113b holds a magnet body 114 made of a rectangular parallelepiped permanent magnet. When the switch 113 is viewed from the rear, the switch 113 is covered by the protective cover 68. However, a space is provided for allowing the finger to be inserted from above the protective cover 68 to rotate the switch 113. I have.

  Note that the mounting state of the changeover switch 113 shown in FIG. 9 is a state in which the magnet body holding portion 113b is in contact with the stopper 123, and a state in which the space between the held magnet body 114 and the flowing game medium is sufficiently ensured. It is in. Therefore, the flowing magnetic material is not attracted to the magnet 114. That is, the mounted state of the changeover switch 113 shown in FIG. 9 can be said to be a state in which the flowing down game media cannot be sucked.

  From the state of the changeover switch 113 shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 10A, a finger is put on the operation lever 113 a so that the magnet body 114 faces downward, and the changeover switch 113 is turned around the rotation shaft 112. Rotate. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a magnetic substance is attracted and blocked by the game ball detecting device of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. b) is a view as seen from the front.

  In the state shown in FIG. 10A, the magnet body 114 is disposed at a position adjacent to the third ramp 121, and is closer to the flowing game medium than the case shown in FIG. The magnet body 114 is adjacent to the terminal end 122 of the third ramp 121. The game ball flowing down the third ramp 121 once hits a wall formed at the end portion 122, and is then discharged from the discharge port 119 while changing its flowing direction to the right. As described above, since the game ball collides with the wall of the end portion 112, the flowing speed of the game ball decreases at the end portion 122 of the third ramp 121. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the game ball 12a made of the mixed magnetic material is attracted to the magnet body 114. The game balls 12a made of a magnetic material adsorbed in this way block the flow path (circulation path) of the game balls. Therefore, the subsequent non-magnetic game balls 12 are closed and connected upstream as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).

  Generally, an enclosed pachinko game machine has about 50 game balls enclosed therein. FIG. 10 shows, for example, a state in which all of the enclosed 50 game media 12 are connected upstream. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in the pachinko game machine according to the present embodiment, even if all the enclosed game balls are blocked and connected upstream, the game ball detection device 27 is provided. A sufficiently long flow path is secured inside the game ball detecting device 27 so as to fit in the inside. Note that the game ball detection device 27 does not have a drive source for transporting the game balls 12. Therefore, even if the game balls 12a made of a magnetic material are blocked and the subsequent game balls 12 are connected upstream, the game balls do not come into contact with the driving source.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the non-magnetic gaming ball is formed by rotating the changeover switch 113 so that the magnet body 114 is located at a position close to the flow path (circulation path). The game ball 12 a made of a magnetic material mixed in the magnet 12 is attracted to the magnet 114. Thereby, the circulation of the game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is stopped.

  The game balls discharged from the game ball detection device 27 enter the polishing device 23 located below the game ball detection device 27. 11A and 11B are perspective views of a polishing machine for a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 11A is a diagram viewed from the front, and FIG. 11B is a diagram viewed from the rear. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the polishing apparatus of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front. The polishing device 23 mainly includes a polishing motor 71, a transport screw 72, a polishing cassette 73, and a cassette motor 74. The polishing motor 71 is a motor for driving the polishing device (transport screw 72) 23 to transport game balls in the polishing device 23, and is disposed behind the transport screw 72 and the like. As described above, the transport screw 72 transports the game balls to be polished while circulating.

  The polishing cassette 73 is a cassette in which polishing members are stored. In FIG. 11A, the polishing member is arranged behind the polishing cassette 73 and is not shown, but is for polishing the surface of the game ball. The polishing member has, for example, a buff main body and a surface mesh that covers the surface of the buff main body. The buff body is, for example, a band-shaped member formed of a porous member such as a sponge, but is not limited to a sponge. For example, the buff main body may take in dirt removed from the surface of the ball by polishing the surface of the ball. Any material that can be used can be used. The surface mesh portion is, for example, arranged such that a mesh net covers the outer surface of the buff main body portion. That is, since the surface mesh portion has a large number of holes, dirt and the like removed from the surface of the ball by polishing the surface of the ball, for example, can be transmitted through the surface mesh portion and taken into the inside of the buff main body.

  The buff main body does not necessarily have to be covered with the surface mesh part, and may have a configuration having only the buff main body, for example. Also in this case, as an example, a buff main body made of a member such as paper may be used.

  The cassette motor 74 is a motor that moves a polishing member connected thereto by rotating a motor gear (not shown) provided therein so as to circulate in the polishing cassette 73, for example. More specifically, when the cassette motor 74 is driven by the payout control board 17 described above, the motor gear rotates, and the polishing member moves.

  Here, the transport screw 72 in FIG. 12 is installed in a tilted manner so that the downstream side of the game ball transported thereby is provided above the upstream side. While the polishing member is installed substantially horizontally, the transfer screw 72 is installed obliquely, so that game balls that are polished while flowing along the transfer screw 72 cause contamination of the polishing member (surface mesh portion). Covers almost the entire width in the vertical direction in FIG. For this reason, polishing using a wider area of the surface mesh portion can be performed with high efficiency. If the transport screw 72 flows along the horizontal direction similarly to the polishing member (surface mesh portion), the game ball is also polished while flowing in the horizontal direction. Only a part of the surface mesh portion is replaced without being soiled at all, and the utilization efficiency of the surface mesh portion is reduced. However, the transfer screw 72 may be installed horizontally with respect to the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The movement of the polishing member (surface mesh portion), in particular, the place where polishing is performed, and the switching of the polishing surface may be performed little by little at all times. However, the above-described movement or switching may be performed at a time after a certain time has elapsed or after a certain number of polishings, for example.

  FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the polishing apparatus of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. In FIG. 13, the conveying screw 72 is shown separated from the case 23a of the polishing device 23 so that the path of the game ball can be recognized.

  The game balls discharged from the game ball detection device 27 enter the polishing device 23 from the game ball entrance 702 and enter the polishing start end 78 of the transfer screw 72. Here, when a game ball enters the polishing start end portion 78 of the transport screw 72 in a state where the polishing cassette 73 is set so as to face the front surface of the transport screw 72, the game ball becomes the polishing start end portion 78 and the polishing cassette. It is installed so as to be sandwiched between the polishing members in 73. The game balls that have thus entered the polishing apparatus 23 are detected by the polishing inlet sensor 701, and the polishing motor 71 starts driving on the condition that a first filling detection sensor 75, which will be described later, does not detect the full state of the balls. . The polishing entrance sensor 701 is a switch that detects both a magnetic substance and a non-magnetic substance. For example, the polishing inlet sensor 701 includes a photo sensor and a micro switch. The driving of the polishing motor 71 is controlled by the payout control board 17 described above. When the polishing motor 71 is driven, the motor gear provided in the polishing motor 71 rotates, and the transport screw 72 fixed to the gear connected to the motor gear starts to rotate. In particular, when a polishing member that constantly moves or the like is used, the polishing member may start to be driven as described above.

  Due to the rotational drive of the transport screw 72, the game balls in contact with the transport screw 72 are transported toward the polishing end end 79, which is the other end of the transport screw 72 (relative to the polishing start end 78), and the surface thereof is polished. It is polished by the member to remove surface dirt.

  A first fullness detection sensor 75 is disposed near the polishing device 23 (here, the polishing end portion 79). The first filling detection sensor 75 is a sensor at the entrance of the doffing and feeding device, for example, as shown in FIG. The first fullness detection sensor 75 is a sensor that detects that the game ball is full, and the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball has begun to be thrown into the doffing and feeding device 25 by the start of the game. Also serves as a sensor. That is, the first fullness detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball has begun to enter the area of the first fullness detection sensor 75, and the second fullness detection sensor 40 described later does not detect the fullness state of the game ball. The function of starting the driving of the doffing and feeding device 25 on the condition that the game balls are filled is detected, and the driving of the polishing motor 71 is stopped, and no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the polishing device 23. It also has the function of setting the status.

  In other words, until the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game balls are full (from the time when the polishing motor 71 starts to be driven) until the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball is full, the driving of the polishing motor 71 and the polishing screw 72 is performed. The game ball moves from the polishing start end 78 to the polishing end end 79. Stop means is provided for stopping driving of the polishing motor 71 when the first filling detection sensor 75 detects that the game ball is filled. When the first filling detection sensor 75 detects the insertion of the game ball, the lifting motor 93 of the doffing device 25 constituting the circulation path starts to be driven, and the circulation path moves the game ball toward the doffing device 25. It can be transferred to

In addition, the above-mentioned function of the first filling detection sensor 75 is merely an example, and a separate sensor may be provided according to each function.

  The ball removal path 76 is a discharge port for discharging game balls disposed inside the circulation path, for example, during maintenance, to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Accordingly, an operation is performed in which the pachinko gaming machine 1 is set in the maintenance mode (ball-pullable state), and then the game balls are discharged from the ball-pulling path 76.

  The ball removal operation switch 90 is used to switch the flow of the game ball between the circulation path 91 for guiding the game ball to the ball lifting device 25 and the ball removal path 76 for discharging the game ball to the outside. Switch. The boring operation switch 90 has a boring lever 90a and a switching piece 90b attached to the boring lever 90a. The switching piece 90b can also be rotated about the rotation axis R by hooking the ball removal lever 90a with a finger and rotating about the rotation axis R.

  13 is in a state where the switching piece 90b abuts on the stopper 124b to open the circulation path 91 and close the ball extraction path 76. Therefore, the game balls transported to the polishing end portion 79 by the transport screw 72 are guided to the doffing and feeding device 25 through the circulation path 91.

  From the state of the ball-pulling operation switch 90 shown in FIG. 13, the ball-pulling lever 90a is hooked with a finger and turned clockwise. Then, the switching piece 90b rotates together with the ball pulling lever 90a, and comes into contact with the stopper 124a as shown in FIG. In this state, it can be said that the switching piece 90b closes the circulation path 91 and opens the ball removal path 76. Thus, the game balls transported to the polishing end portion 79 by the transport screw 72 are discharged to the outside of the polishing device 23 through the ball removal path 76.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the flow path of the flowing game balls is set to the circulation path 91 leading to the circulation path of the game balls, or the discharge path 76 for discharging to the outside of the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is possible to select whether to perform the operation by operating the ball removal operation switch 90.

  The game ball that has passed through the circulation path 91 of the polishing device 23 enters the doffing device 25 on the right side of the polishing device 23. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the ball-lifting device of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear. The ball lifting device 25 mainly has a ball feeding inlet 92, a lifting motor 93, a lifting screw 94, a lifting device cover 95, and a ball discharging outlet 96. The game balls entering the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball inlet 92 are installed so as to be sandwiched between the lifting screw 94 and the lifting cover 95. When the sensor senses, the lifting motor 93 and the lifting screw 94 start to be driven in the same manner as the polishing motor 71, the conveying screw 72, and the cassette motor 74 described above. Then, the game balls in contact with the lifting screw 94 are transported upward along the lifting screw 94 and exit the ball lifting device 25 from the lifting ball outlet 96.

  16 to 19 show the configuration of the launching device only in more detail, and the configuration of the launching device will be described with reference to these drawings. The firing device 14 includes a foul ball detection switch 33, a firing solenoid 41, a hit ball hammer 42, a firing position 43, a ball passage 44, a firing ball inlet 46, a ball feed solenoid 47, a link 48, and a fulcrum 49. And mainly. In addition, a second fullness detection sensor 40 is provided in the vicinity (on the back side) of the firing device 14. The second fullness detection sensor 40 is filled with a game ball arranged on a part of the circulation path (in particular, on the downstream side of the doffing device 25 where the second fullness detection sensor 40 is arranged in FIGS. 17 to 19). The second fullness detection sensor 40 also has a function as a sensor that detects that a game ball has begun to be thrown into the firing device 14 by the start of the game. That is, the second filling detection sensor 40 detects that a game ball has begun to enter the area of the second filling detection sensor 40 and starts driving the firing device 14 (ball feed solenoid 47), and the game ball is filled. This function is also used to stop the driving of the lifting motor 93 upon detecting that the game ball is no longer sent to the downstream side of the ball lifting device 25.

  Conversely, during the period from when the lifting motor 93 starts to be driven until the second filling detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball has been filled with the ball lifting device 25 (as long as it is not detected), The game ball moves the ball lifting device 25 upward by the driving of the lifting motor 93.

  The function of the second filling detection sensor 40 is also merely an example, and a separate sensor may be provided according to each function.

  Furthermore, the drive control of the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor 93 controls the movement of the ball in each case regardless of whether or not the sensor (the polishing inlet sensor 701 and the first filling sensor 75) detects the movement of the ball in each case. Control may be performed so that driving is started when the state of filling of the ball is no longer detected by the downstream sensors (the first filling sensor 75 and the second filling sensor 40).

  When the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the game balls are full, the driving of the lifting motor 93 stops, and no more game balls are sent to the downstream side of the movement of the ball lifting device 25. Becomes That is, a stop means for stopping the driving of the lifting motor 93 when the second filling detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball is filled is provided. When the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects the insertion of the game ball, the circulation path is in a state where the game ball can be transferred to the launching device 14.

  The launch position 43 corresponds to an exit exiting from the launch device 14 for launching a game ball with respect to the launch ball entrance 46. The ball passage 44 is a game ball passage that passes through the inside of the firing device 14 from the firing ball inlet 46 to the firing position 43.

  The ball feed solenoid 47 is a solenoid for transporting the game ball in the ball passage 44 toward the firing position 43. The link 48 and the fulcrum 49 are members that control the transfer of the game balls in the ball passage 44 and have the same functions as, for example, the transfer screw 72 in the polishing device 23. Specifically, when the ball feed solenoid 47 starts to be driven by the payout control board 17, the link 48 is attracted to the ball feed solenoid 47 by the excitation of the ball feed solenoid (solenoid coil) 47. As a result, the link 48 rotates about the fulcrum 49. In the state where the link 48 is not sucked by the solenoid 47, as shown in FIG. 17, the flow of the succeeding game ball is stopped, but when the ball 48 is sucked by the ball feed solenoid 47, the link 48 moves upward. The swinging of the game balls is allowed, and only one game ball is conveyed toward the downstream side of the ball passage 44. The link 48 is configured such that when a portion in contact with a game ball is sucked, one upstream game ball enters the portion, and the solenoid 47 is repeatedly excited and de-excited, thereby playing one game at a time. Acts to send a ball.

  A firing ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream of the link 48. When one game ball is sent out by the swing of the link 48, the shooting ball detection switch 99 is momentarily in a ball non-detection state, and the detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171 to determine that one ball is shot. I do.

  The firing solenoid 41 is a solenoid that is driven to fire the game ball from the firing position 43 toward the game area of the game board 2. The hit ball hammer 42 is a hammer that hits a game ball in order to fire the game ball. The hitting ball hammer 42 has a rotating shaft 51 and a coil attracting portion 52 and is an arm-shaped member. The arm moves about the rotating shaft 51 to give a hitting force to the game ball, and Fire toward the game area. Specifically, when the firing solenoid 41 (solenoid coil) is excited, the hitting hammer 42 causes the coil suction unit 52 formed on the arm to attract the excitation area in the solenoid coil around the rotation shaft 51. When the solenoid coil is de-energized, a reciprocating motion occurs, such as a return to the original position due to a restoring force of a spring (not shown). The reciprocating motion is used to fire a game ball. The firing strength of the game ball is adjusted by a variable resistance or the like whose resistance value changes according to the amount of rotation of the hit ball operation handle 37.

  The foul ball detection switch 33 is provided in the middle of the path of the ball passage 44, and is a switch for detecting a state in which game balls are accumulated in the ball passage 44 and stagnated. If the foul ball detection switch 33 detects that the game ball in the middle of the path of the ball passage 44 is stagnant without being fired, the feeding operation in which the game ball is conveyed downstream of the movement of the ball passage 44 is performed. The game is stopped, and an operation of exclusively firing game balls from the firing position 43 to the game area is performed. Specifically, for example, while the firing operation of the game ball is repeated three times (three game balls are fired from the firing position 43), the excitation of the ball feeding solenoid 47 is stopped and the ball passage 44 of the game ball is provided. Is prevented by the link 48, and only discharge (firing) of the ball from the ball passage 44 is performed. In this way, it is possible to prevent the game balls existing in the ball passage 44 from being in an excessive state.

  Here, the operation of firing the ball by the hammer 42 and the operation of transporting the game ball to the firing position 43 of the ball feed solenoid 47 are independently performed by time control. That is, the operation of the ball hammer 42 firing the game ball and the operation of the ball feed solenoid 47 transporting the game ball toward the firing position 43 are controlled so as to have the same speed (one in 0.6 seconds). ing.

  If the foul ball detection switch 33 is on the trajectory (launch trajectory) in the game area of the game ball fired at the firing position 43 (including the vicinity of the firing position 43), the foul ball detection switch 33 is fired. There is a possibility that the ball may be damaged by the impact of the game ball or the hit ball hammer 42. However, as in the present embodiment, the foul ball detection switch 33 is provided at a location (ball path 44) different from the location on the launch trajectory of the game ball fired at the launch position 43. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage caused by hitting of the game ball.

  In the ball circulation movement control in the circulation path (specifically, the normal ball circulation processing in S17 to be described later) according to the present embodiment, the moving speed of the game ball is higher at the upstream of the game ball in the circulation path. Specifically, for example, in the case of the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above, the speed at which the game balls are transported by the transport screw 72 in the polishing device 23 is the highest, and the ball is transported by the lifting screw 94 in the doffing device 25. Next to this speed, the speed of conveyance in the ball path 44 is the lowest.

  In this way, the game balls on the downstream side of the circulation path, particularly the standby balls for which the flow is restricted by the link 48, catch up with the subsequent upstream game balls. For example, when a situation occurs in which two game balls pass through the link 48 and are supplied to the firing position at the same time during the game, the number of balls to be fired becomes one less than usual, but immediately the second fullness is reached. Since the fullness of the balls is no longer detected by the detection sensor 40, the lifting motor 93 is operated to lift the balls at a speed higher than the normal ball feeding speed and supply the balls to the link 48. The deficiency state of the balls is eliminated, and an appropriate number of balls to be fired can be maintained. Further, if the first filling detection sensor 40 does not detect the full state of the balls by the balls being discharged at a speed higher than the normal ball feeding speed, the polishing motor 71 operates and the normal filling speed is increased. Since the balls are polished and sent out at a high speed, the shortage state of the balls at the entrance portion of the ball lifting and feeding device 25 is eliminated.

However, in order to prevent the filling of the game balls on the downstream side of the circulation path from becoming excessive, when the first filling detection sensor 75 and the second filling detection sensor 40 detect the filling state of the game balls, the stopping means ( In S22 and S25), the device adjacent on the upstream side is stopped. This can prevent the game balls from being excessively filled.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the card unit 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1. With reference to FIG. 20, an outline of a control circuit of the card unit 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

The card unit 10 is provided with a CU control unit 323 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The CU control unit 323 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU, control data, and the like, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices, and the like are provided.

The CU control unit 323 is provided with an external communication unit (not shown) for communicating with a hall management computer and a hall server (not shown) for managing security, and pays out the pachinko gaming machine 1. A security board 325 for communicating with the control board 17 while ensuring security is provided. The card unit 10 is provided with a connection (not shown) to the pachinko gaming machine 1 side, and the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a connection (not shown) to the card unit 10 side. These connecting parts are constituted by, for example, connectors.

The security board 325 on the CU side and the payout control board 17 on the P-th side are communicably connected via this connector and connection wiring. The security board 325 is provided with a communication control IC 325a for controlling communication between the security board 325 and the payout control board 17, and a security chip (SC) 325b for monitoring the security of the pachinko gaming machine 1. Further, the SC 325b includes a fraud detecting unit 1325, and the fraud detecting unit 1325 performs fraud detection by monitoring the addition request information of the game balls notified to the P-unit 1 from the CU control unit 323, and performs key management at the time of fraud detection. Notify the server (not shown). Further, the setting value (constant) for fraud detection is notified from the key management server as board control information.

The authenticity and type of the banknote are identified by the above-described currency identifier, and the identification result signal is input to the CU control unit 323. If the IR photosensitive unit receives infrared rays emitted from a remote control possessed by a staff at the game arcade, the received light signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The recorded information of the inserted card is read by the card reader / writer, and the read information is input to the CU control unit 323, and the data to be written to the inserted card is transmitted from the CU control unit 323 to the card reader / writer. When transmitted, the card reader / writer writes the data on the inserted card.

The CU control unit 323 manages and stores a ball held by the player when the player is playing the game. Data such as the balance or the number of game balls is output from the CU control unit 323 to the display control unit 350, and is converted into display data by the display control unit 350. The display data converted by the display control unit 350 is output to the display 312, and the display 312 displays the output display data. When the player operates the touch panel provided on the surface of the display 312, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323 via the display control unit 350. When the player operates the ball lending button 38a, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. The ball lending button 38a is not limited to the configuration provided in the CU 10, but may be a configuration in which the ball lending button 38a is provided in the P unit 1 and an operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the replay button 38c, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323. When the player operates the return button 38b, the operation signal is input to the CU control unit 323.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a main control board 16 for controlling the progress of the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a payout control board 17 for managing and storing game balls, and a firing solenoid 41 based on a command from the payout control board 17. A launch control board 31 for driving control and a variable display device 278 are provided.

As described above, the main control board 16 is provided on the game board 2. On the main control board 16, a game control microcomputer as a main control unit 161 is mounted. The gaming machine control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU, control data, and the like, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices, and the like are provided. The main controller 161 is connected to a winning sensor 162 and a radio wave sensor 163 provided on the game board 2. The game board 2 is further provided with a display control board (effect control board) for controlling the variable display device 278 and the like.

The payout control board 17 is provided on the main body frame 100. The payout control board 17 has a payout control microcomputer 171 mounted thereon.

The payout control microcomputer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for operating the CPU, control data, and the like, and a RAM (RAM) functioning as a work area of the CPU. Random Access Memory), an input / output interface for maintaining signal consistency with peripheral devices, and the like are provided.

In addition, a ball removal switch 19 is provided on the payout control board 17. The ball removal switch 19 is a switch for discharging the enclosed pachinko gaming balls for maintenance of the pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like. As will be described in detail later, pressing of the ball removal switch 19 is one condition for executing the ball removal processing. This ball removal processing is executed, and when a firing operation is detected, a driving source (specifically, a polishing motor 71, a lifting motor, etc.) for discharging game balls that cannot be discharged by automatic flow down (in the pachinko game machine 1). The feed motor 93, the ball feed solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41) are automatically operated.

Further, with respect to the payout control board 17, a firing ball detection switch (not shown), a winning ball detection sensor 110, an out ball detection sensor 88, a polishing entrance sensor 701, a foul ball detection switch 33, a lifting motor 93, a polishing motor 71, The ball feed solenoid 47, the first fullness detection sensor 75, the second fullness detection sensor 40, the count button 28, and the radio wave sensor 173 are provided in a state where they are electrically connected. The radio wave sensor 173 is for detecting a fraudulent act of illegally transmitting a radio wave.

The detection signal of the radio wave sensor 173 is input to the payout control unit 171 via an input port (not shown) of the payout control board 17.

However, if an illegal radio wave is generated, no matter how many balls are fired, the number of game balls is not reduced. Such radio fraud is detected by the radio wave sensor 173. Here, there is a possibility that the fired ball detection switch may be subject to fraud by radio waves. That is, when the actually fired ball is collected and detected by the fired ball detection switch, a discrepancy occurs between the number of fired balls and the collected ball (out ball), an abnormality is detected, and “fire / OUT” is detected. The fraud detection information of "the number of inconsistent balls" is transmitted from the P units 1 to the CU 10. However, by sending an illegal radio wave also to this fired ball detection switch to make it undetectable, the inconvenience that the improper detection information of the above-mentioned “number of fired / OUT mismatched balls” is not transmitted from the P unit 1 to the CU 10 occurs. . In the present embodiment, since the radio wave sensor 173 also detects an illegal radio wave transmitted to such a fired ball detection switch, the above-described inconvenience can be prevented.

Further, a shot ball detection switch 99 is provided slightly upstream of the ball feed solenoid 47 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). Each time one shot ball is detected by the shot ball detection switch 99, The payout control unit 171 subtracts “1” from the number of game balls. Specifically, the number of game balls is incremented by "1", and the number of game balls is incremented by "1".

 As another modified example of subtracting and updating the number of game balls by "1", there is a method of using a foul ball detection switch 33. Essentially, when the foul ball is filled in the ball passage 44 as described later, the foul ball detection switch 33 detects the full foul ball. In this case, the foul ball detection switch 33 outputs a continuous detection signal instead of an instantaneous pulse signal, and the payout control unit 171 that has received the continuous detection signal outputs a foul ball to the ball passage 44. It is determined that it is full, and a YES determination is made in S31 of FIG. On the other hand, when the ball feed solenoid 47 is excited once, one game ball flows down the ball passage 44 and the passing ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 33. Output from the switch 33. The payout control unit 171 that has received the instantaneous pulse signal may control so as to add and update the subtraction ball number counter by “1” and to add and update the game ball number by “1”.

As described above, the foul ball detection switch 33 is configured to detect a game ball passing through the ball passage 44 in order to reduce the number of game balls and to detect a foul ball filled in the ball passage 44 to detect both of them. May be configured as a dual-purpose switch.

 From the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17, the main control chip ID, winning opening information, round information, connection confirmation signal, winning detection signal, starting winning opening winning information, error information, number of symbols determined, big hit information, manufacturer specific Jackpot information is sent.

 The main control chip ID (also referred to as a main chip ID) is a chip ID recorded on the main control board 16 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. Information. The winning opening information is information including the type of winning opening (starting winning opening, normal winning opening, large winning opening) and the number of winning balls (the number of payout balls when a game ball enters the winning opening). This is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on. The round information is information on the number of rounds at the time of a big hit, and is transmitted to the payout control board 17 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on.

 The connection confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that the main control board 16 and the payout control board 17 are connected, and a signal of a predetermined voltage is constantly supplied from the main control board 16 to the payout control board 17. The operation of the payout control board 17 is controlled on condition that the payout control board 17 receives the predetermined voltage signal. The winning detection signal is a detection signal of a game ball that has won a winning opening other than the starting winning opening. Upon receiving the detection signal, the payout control board 17 performs control to add the number of balls to be awarded to one winning ball to the number of game balls and the number of additional balls. This will be described later in detail.

 The starting winning opening winning information is information indicating that the game ball has won either the starting winning opening 1 or the starting winning opening 2. The error information is information for notifying the payout control board 17 that an error has occurred while the main control board 16 is performing game control.

 The symbol determination frequency is information of a symbol determined as a display result of the variable display device for winning in each starting winning opening.

 The jackpot information is information indicating that a jackpot has occurred, and the details include common jackpot information indicating a jackpot common to each maker and maker-specific jackpot information indicating a jackpot unique to a maker. The common jackpot information is a jackpot commonly used by each game machine maker, such as a 15-round jackpot, and includes a probability change information when a probability change occurs with the jackpot, and includes the probability change information. When a time saving state (a control state for reducing the variable display time of the variable display device) occurs, the time saving information is included. The maker-specific jackpot is a jackpot state that only a certain gaming machine maker employs, such as a sudden change (abrupt change).

 A health check command and a winning ball number reception command are transmitted from the payout control board 17 to the main control board 16. The health check command is a command for checking whether the main control board 16 is operating normally. The prize ball number reception command is a command indicating that the number of added balls has been received.

The out ball collected from the out port 8 is detected by an out ball detection switch 88 (see FIG. 8), and an out ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. The winning balls collected from the winning opening are detected by the winning ball detection sensor 110, and a winning ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171. The polishing entrance sensor 701 detects a passing game ball, and a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control unit 171.

  The security board 325 of the card unit 10 and the payout control board 17 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are electrically connected, and the recovery request, the recovery detail request, and the communication are transmitted from the security board 325 to the payout control board 17 as described later. Various commands such as a start request, a communication end request, status information, a card insertion notification, a card return notification, and a communication test request are transmitted.

The recovery request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify recovery information, as described later. Upon receiving the recovery request, the payout control board 17 notifies the card unit 10 of recovery information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The recovery detailed request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify the detailed recovery information. Upon receiving the recovery details request, the payout control board 17 notifies the card unit 10 of the recovery details information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The communication start request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to start communication. Upon receiving the communication start request, the payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 that communication has started. The communication end request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to end communication. Upon receiving the communication end request, the payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 that the communication has ended.

 The state information request is a command for requesting the pachinko gaming machine 1 to notify the state information. Upon receiving the status information request, the payout control board 17 notifies the card unit 10 of the status information of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The card insertion notification is a command for notifying the pachinko gaming machine 1 that a card has been inserted. Upon receiving the card insertion notification, the payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 that the card has been inserted. The card return notification is a command for notifying the pachinko gaming machine 1 that the card has been returned. Upon receiving the card return notification, the payout control board 17 responds to the card unit 10 that the card has been returned. The communication test request is a command for notifying the pachinko gaming machine 1 of test data. The payout control board 17 receives the communication test request and responds the test data to the card unit 10.

 Various responses such as a recovery response, a recovery detailed response, a communication start response, a communication end response, a status information response, a card insertion response, a card return response, and a communication test response are transmitted from the payout control substrate 17 to the security substrate 325.

 The body frame 100 is provided with a launch control board 31 and a launch solenoid 41. The launch control board 31 emits a launch solenoid excitation output when the touch ring input signal for detecting that the player is touching the hit ball operating handle 37 is input, and drives the launch solenoid 41.

 A firing control signal and a firing permission signal are output from the payout control board 17 to the firing control board 31. Upon receiving the signal, the firing control board 31 outputs a signal for exciting the firing solenoid 41. As a result, a state is achieved in which the game ball is shot and fired into the game area.

 The main body frame 100 is provided with a display unit 50. The display unit 50 receives display data from the display control unit 350 of the card unit 10 and displays a display screen. As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 50 on the P side is configured to be controlled on the CU side, but instead, the display unit 50 is displayed on the P side. A display control substrate for control may be provided. In this case, the display control board controls the display of the display unit 50 based on a command from the payout control unit 171. Although not shown in FIG. 20, the detection signal of the out ball detection switch 88 and the detection signal of the firing ball detection switch 99 are input to the payout control unit 171.

  Next, a description will be given of a mode for discharging a game ball enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the outside during maintenance or the like. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a ball movement control mode process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the game machine shifts to the "ball-off mode" for discharging the game balls to the outside on condition that all of a plurality of conditions are satisfied when the power is turned on. These plurality of conditions are the conditions shown in S1 to S4 of FIG. 21 when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, and if any of these conditions is not satisfied, the mode shifts to the “ball removal mode”. I will not do it.

  First, when the power switch 21a (FIG. 6) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is operated and the power is turned on, it is determined whether or not the number of gaming balls is 0 (S1). Here, the “number of game balls” refers to the number of balls that can be fired by the pachinko gaming machine 1, the number of balls generated by withdrawing the balance of the prepaid card and the number of balls (holding balls), and the result of playing a game. The number of balls owned by the player. That is, the number of balls that can be fired by the player operating the hit ball operation handle 37 (FIG. 1). In addition, it is assumed that the “number of game balls” may be expressed as “points”, and game balls are fired from the launch device 14 to the game area in exchange for deductions of the “points”. In S1, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls (points) is 0, but other conditions may be determined. For example, it may be determined in S1 whether a visitor card having a prepaid function or a membership card as a game recording medium is inserted into the card unit 10 (FIG. 1). If these cards have not been inserted into the card unit 10 (FIG. 1), the control proceeds to S2. Further, it may be determined in S1 whether or not the visitor card or the membership card has a game value owned by the player (for example, the card balance, the number of balls held, or the number of balls stored). If it is determined that there is no game value owned by the player, the control proceeds to S2. In S1, a plurality of determinations are made as to whether or not the number of possessed balls is 0, whether or not a visitor card or the like is inserted, and whether or not the visitor card or the like has a game value. You may.

  If the number of game balls (points) is 0 (S1: Yes), then it is determined whether or not the ball removal switch 19 (FIGS. 4, 5) is operated (S2). The boring switch 19 is provided on the payout control board 17 as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to operate the ball removal switch 19, it is necessary to rotate the main body frame 100 so that the rear surface of the main body frame 100 can be touched, as in the case of operating the power switch 21 a. That is, when the main body frame 100 is opened with respect to the outer frame 60, the ball removal switch 19 can be operated.

  If there is an operation of the ball removal switch 19 (S2: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the transparent cover 11 (FIG. 2) is in a state where the game board 2 (FIG. 2) is closed (S3). The determination in S3 is performed by a sensor that detects the open / close state of the upper front frame 3A to which the transparent cover 11 is attached and the main frame 100, as shown in FIG. Here, the state in which the upper front frame 3A is closed with respect to the main frame 100 means that the upper front frame 3A and the main frame 100 are in close contact with each other. In such a state, the transparent cover 11 is in a state where the game board 2 is closed, and the game balls flowing down on the game board 2 do not jump out. On the other hand, the state in which the upper front frame 3A is open with respect to the main body frame 100 means a state in which the upper front frame 3A rotates from the closed state and separates from the main body frame 100. The sensor that detects the open / closed state of the upper front frame 3A and the main body frame 100 is a sensor that detects a detection piece provided on one of the main frame 100 and the upper front frame 3A with a proximity sensor provided on the other. You may.

  When the transparent cover 11 is in the closed state (S3: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the main body frame 100 (FIG. 2) is in the open state (S4). The S4 determination is performed by a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the main frame 100 and the outer frame 60 shown in FIG. Here, the state where the main body frame 100 is closed with respect to the outer frame 60 means that the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 are in close contact with each other. On the other hand, the state in which the main body frame 100 is open with respect to the outer frame 60 means a state in which the main body frame 100 rotates from the closed state and separates from the outer frame 60. The sensor that detects the open / closed state between the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 may be a sensor that detects a detection piece provided on one of the main body frame 100 and the outer frame 60 with a proximity sensor provided on the other. Good.

  If the main body frame 100 is open (S4: Yes), the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2" (S5). On the other hand, if any one of S1 to S4 is determined to be No, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "1" (S6).

  As described above, the ball movement control mode flag is set to "2" only when all of S1 to S4 are determined to be Yes. When the ball movement control mode flag is set to “2” in this manner, the mode shifts to the “ball removal mode” and the ball removal process is executed as described later.

  In S1, the reason why the case where the number of game balls (points) = 0 is the condition for executing the ball removal process is that if ball removal is permitted while the number of game balls is held, the game is being played. This is because there is a risk that the game cannot be played. In this manner, by allowing the ball to be removed under the condition that the number of game balls = 0, it is possible to prevent the ball from being removed during the game.

  Further, the reason why the case where the ball-dropping operation button 19 is operated in S2 is a condition for executing the ball-dropping process is to confirm a clear intention to execute the ball-dropping process. Thereby, it is possible not only to prevent the boring process during the game, but also to prevent a problem that the game balls are discharged when the maintenance that does not require the discharge of the game balls is performed.

  In S3, the reason why the case where the transparent cover 11 is closed is set as a condition for executing the ball removal processing is that a game ball fired from the firing device 14 is a gap between the transparent cover and the game board 2. This is to prevent jumping out of the vehicle. As a result, all game balls can be discharged from the ball removal path 76.

  In addition, in S4, the case where the main body frame 100 is opened is a condition for executing the boring processing. The reason is that when the main body frame 100 is open, no game is played, so that the player This is because there is no unexpected disadvantage. Further, since the main body frame 100 is locked, the player cannot open the main body frame 100. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the player from dropping a ball.

  Next, a flow of a series of ball movement control processing when the pachinko gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration is driven will be described in detail. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a ball movement control process of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 22, first, it is determined whether the ball movement control mode flag is “1” (S7). As described above, when the ball movement control mode flag is “1”, the ball removal process is not performed.

  When the ball movement control mode flag is “1” (S7: Yes), the process of moving (circulating) the game ball inside the pachinko gaming machine 1 (circulation path) is a ball supply process (S8), a normal ball. The circulation processing (S9), the ball feeding processing (S10), and the abnormality detection processing (S11) are performed by being periodically performed. Here, the time required for performing one of the above-described steps S7 to S11 is, for example, 2 msec.

  23A is a flowchart showing details of the ball supply process shown in FIG. 22, FIG. 23B is a flowchart showing details of the normal ball circulation process shown in FIG. 22, and FIG. 23C is shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of ball feed processing.

  As shown in FIG. 23 (a), in S15, the presence or absence of stored balls in the circulation path is determined. That the stored ball has not entered the circulation path (YES in S15) is determined, for example, by detecting that neither the first fullness detection sensor 75 nor the second fullness detection sensor 40 contains a game ball. Can be.

  If a game ball is thrown into the circulation path from the out port 8 and the game ball is detected by the out ball detection sensor 88, NO is determined in S15, and the control proceeds to S16. That is, when the replenished game balls are detected by the polishing entrance sensor 701 from a state in which no stored balls enter the circulation path (YES in S15), it is recognized that the introduction of the game balls in the circulation path has started. Then, the control advances to S17 for performing normal ball circulation processing. The determination of YES in S16 is made when a staff at the game hall throws in a game ball from the out port 8 to supply a ball. On the other hand, when the out ball detection sensor 88 does not detect a game ball (NO in S16), the subroutine program ends immediately without performing the normal ball circulation process.

  By the normal ball circulation processing in S17, for example, a game ball inserted from the out port 8 is circulated and conveyed in the circulation path and is supplied to a position short of the link 48.

 The above description of FIG. 23 (a) is a program applied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 of a specification in which the game ball is started to circulate in the circulation path when the out ball detection sensor 88 detects the game ball. As described above, even if neither the first filling detection sensor 75 nor the second filling detection sensor 40 detects a game ball, as long as the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on, the polishing motor 71 and the lifting motor When the driving of the driving mechanism 93 starts, the steps of S15 and S16 become unnecessary.

In addition, when performing ball replenishment, a ball may be inserted from a winning opening provided in a game area, for example, instead of inserting a ball from the above-described out opening 8. In this case, the game ball inserted may be detected by the winning ball detection sensor 110.

  Referring to FIG. 23 (b), in S20, it is determined whether or not first filling detection sensor 75 is ON. As described above, the first fullness detection sensor 75 shown in FIG. 15 is provided in a region where the game ball sent from the polishing device 23 to the doffing device 25 bridges the polishing device 23 and the doffing device 25. It turns ON when it is filled in the vicinity (YES in S20). Here, the filling occurs when the replenishment of the game balls in the circulating device progresses by the ball replenishing process shown in FIG. 23A (S8 in FIG. 22). Specifically, instead of an instantaneous pulse signal output from the first filling detection sensor 75 at the time of detection of the passage of the playing ball, the game ball stays at the detection point of the first filling detection sensor 75 and remains for a predetermined time (for example, one second). ) When the ball detection signal is continuously output, the determination in S15 is YES. The same applies to the determination of YES in S23 described later and the determination of YES in S31. As a result of the determination of YES in S20, the control proceeds to S22, and the polishing motor 71 stops. As a result, the conveyance of the game balls to the downstream side of the polishing device 23 is stopped, and since the game balls on the further downstream side move exclusively, the control is performed in a direction in which the fullness of the game balls on the downstream side of the polishing device 23 is eliminated. move on. However, if the first fullness detection sensor 75 has not yet detected the fullness of the game balls (NO in S20), the control proceeds to S21, and the polishing motor 71 is driven (continues driving).

 Next, in S23, it is determined whether or not the second filling sensor 40 is ON. As described above, the second fullness detection sensor 40 detects that the game ball sent from the doffing device 25 to the launching device 14 is filled in the vicinity of the region bridging the doffing device 25 and the launching device 14. (ON in S23). Here, the filling occurs when the replenishment of the game balls in the circulation device progresses by the ball replenishment process shown in FIG. 23A (S8 in FIG. 22A). As a result, the control proceeds to S25, and the lifting motor 93 stops. As a result, the conveyance of the game balls to the downstream side of the doffing and feeding device 25 is stopped, and the game balls on the downstream side move exclusively, so that the filling of the game balls on the downstream side of the doffing and feeding device 25 is canceled. Control proceeds in the direction. However, if the second fullness detection sensor 40 has not yet detected the fullness of the game balls (NO in S23), the control proceeds to S24, and the lifting motor 93 is driven (the driving is continued).

 According to the subroutine program of FIG. 23 (b), when the game balls are filled in the circulation path, the transportation from the upstream side is temporarily stopped (by the stopping means) to transfer the game balls on the downstream side to the downstream side. The cycle in which the game balls are sent out from the upstream side again when the filling of the game balls on the downstream side is eliminated, and the cycle is repeated.

  After the normal ball circulation process of S17 is performed in the above-described ball supply process, the ball feed solenoid 47 may be excited once to supply only one ball to the firing position. Then, from the moment the player operates the hit ball operation handle 37, the game ball is launched into the game area.

  Also, as described above, since the moving speed of the game balls is faster on the upstream side in the circulation path than on the downstream side, even if the number of game balls is temporarily insufficient on the downstream side, the game area is always changed from the upstream to the game area. Since a state in which the game balls can be fired can be secured, a state in which the game balls are insufficient on the downstream side can be eliminated.

 The normal ball circulation processing described above includes the ball circulation processing at the time of the normal game in which the player is hitting the ball in S9 of FIG. 22 and the ball being distributed in the circulation path at the time of the ball replenishment at S17 of FIG. The processing is also used for

  FIG. 23C is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the ball feeding process shown in S10 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 23C, in the ball feeding process, first, in S30, it is determined whether or not a firing operation has been detected. Specifically, this is a step of determining whether or not a game ball has been fired from the firing position 43 to the game area.

 As described above, when the metal plate-shaped sensor called the touch sensor provided around the hit ball operation handle 37 shown in FIG. 1 touches the player's hand, the pachinko gaming machine 1 detects the firing operation (S30). YES), the control proceeds to S31, and it is determined whether or not the foul ball detection switch 33 (see FIG. 17) detects a ball. Normally, no foul ball stagnates in the ball passage 44 (see FIG. 17), a NO determination is made in S31, the ball feed solenoid 47 is drive-controlled in S32, and the ball is shot through the ball passage 44. Supplied to the location. The supplied game balls are fired into the game area by driving (excitation) the firing solenoid 41 in S33.

 On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not detect a firing operation without the touch sensor touching the player's hand in S30 (NO in S30), the subroutine program is terminated without driving the firing solenoid 41. In this case, the transfer of the game ball in the ball passage 44 is not performed.

 In some cases, such as when the ball firing force is extremely weak, the ball is not fired and remains at the ball firing position for some reason. The stagnated foul ball is detected by the foul ball detection switch 33, and the determination of YES is made in S31. Then, the driving of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped, and while a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are fired from the firing position 43, an operation of exclusively firing game balls from the firing position 43 to the game area is performed. (S34). However, it may be a time in which a number of game balls other than three are fired from the firing position 43. Thus, the control proceeds in a direction in which the fullness of the game balls in the ball passage 44 is eliminated. After the operation of exclusively launching the game ball from the launch position 43 to the game area is performed, the launch solenoid 41 is again controlled to be drivable (S33).

  However, in S32 and S33, the ball feed solenoid 47 and the firing solenoid 41 are controlled to be drivable every 2 msec, which is the cycle of the program in FIG. 22, but are actually driven, for example, by driving the hitting hammer 42. The launch of the game ball from the launch position 43 to the game area is performed, for example, about every 600 msec, but may be a longer time cycle or a shorter time cycle. That is, when the firing solenoid 41 is driven as usual, the game balls are fired from the firing device 14 to the game area at a rate of 100 times per minute. As described above, by the joint operation of S32 and S33, the firing device 14 conveys the game ball toward the firing position 43 and fires the game ball from the firing position 43. The driving of the firing solenoid 41 in S33 while the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 is stopped in S34 is also performed, for example, about every 600 msec, but may be a longer time cycle or a shorter time cycle. It may be.

 The timing for driving (exciting) the firing solenoid 41 in S31 may actually be provided with a predetermined time difference from the timing for driving (exciting) the ball feed solenoid 47 in S33. Specifically, after the ball feeding solenoid 47 drives the game ball to drive, the driving solenoid 41 is driven (excited) with a delay by the time required for the game ball to reach the firing position 43.

 According to the subroutine program of FIG. 23 (c), when the game path is full in the ball path 44, the transportation from the upstream side is temporarily stopped to concentrate on firing the game ball on the downstream side, and the downstream side is focused on. When the fullness of the game balls is eliminated, the cycle of sending the game balls again from the upstream side is repeated.

As described above, the determination in S31 is determined to be YES when the ball detection signal is output from the foul ball detection switch 33 for a predetermined time (for example, one second) continuously. Alternatively, control may be performed such that the ball is detected at a timing avoiding the timing at which the game ball sent by the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 passes the ball detection position of the foul ball detection switch 33.

 As a specific control method, for example, a time period during which the game ball fed along with the excitation of the ball feed solenoid 47 flows down the ball passage 44 and reaches the ball detection position of the foul ball detection switch 33 (arrival time) ) Is stored in the payout control unit 171 at the stage of manufacturing the P-table 1, and when the ball feed solenoid 47 is excited, the timer starts counting, and the counted value of the timer becomes a value near the above-mentioned arrival time (for example, the arrival time). When the time is not ± 0.1 second), the ball detection operation by the foul ball detection switch 33 is controlled to be performed. When the time value of the timer has not reached a value near the above-mentioned arrival time (for example, the arrival time ± 0.1 second), the ball detection operation by the foul ball detection switch 33 is performed, and the detection signal of the presence of the ball is output. When input to the unit 171, the payout control unit 171 determines that a foul ball exists.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the abnormality detection processing shown in FIG. 22, and FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the abnormality detection processing, which is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. The upstream sensors shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are the out ball detection sensor 88 and the winning ball detection sensor 110 shown in FIG. The downstream sensor shown in FIG. 25 is a sensor located downstream of the upstream sensor, and is the polishing inlet sensor 701 shown in FIG. 24 and 25 are also executed by the payout control unit 171.

  First, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been fired (S40). A touch sensor is formed around the hitting operation handle 13. When the player touches the touch sensor, the pachinko gaming machine 1 detects a firing operation.

  When the launch of the game ball is detected (S40: Yes), an upstream sensor detection waiting timer is set (S41). The upstream sensor detection waiting timer value is a timer value from when the player operates the hit ball operation handle 13 and the game ball is fired from the firing device 14 to when the game ball reaches the upstream sensor. Since the time to reach the upstream sensor differs depending on the model of the pachinko gaming machine 1, different payout control units 171 store different timer values that are determined to be abnormal in advance in the pachinko gaming machine 1, The timing of the timer is started with the firing. For example, in the case where the game ball adopts the downflow mode that takes the longest time, the time from when the game ball is fired to when it reaches the upstream sensor, plus some extra time, is set as the upstream sensor detection waiting timer. It can be. When the game balls are continuously fired, a plurality of timers are stored in the payout control unit 171.

  When the upstream sensor detection waiting timer is set in S41, it is next determined whether or not the upstream sensor has detected a game ball (S42). Here, the upstream sensor is the out ball detection sensor 88 and the winning ball detection sensor 110 shown in FIG. 9, and the game ball fired from the firing device 14 passes through any of the sensors. It is.

  When the upstream sensor does not detect a game ball (S42: No), the value of the upstream sensor detection waiting timer is subtracted (S43). Here, if a plurality of upstream sensor detection waiting timer values are set, all timer values are decremented.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all the upstream sensor detection waiting timer values thus subtracted have become 0 (S44).

  If there is a timer whose upstream sensor detection waiting timer value is 0 (S44: Yes), a situation has occurred in which a game ball fired from the firing device 14 is not detected by the upstream sensor. Therefore, as an abnormal time process, the payout control unit 171 displays on the display unit 50 that the clogging has occurred (between the launching device 14 and the upstream sensor), and a hall management computer (not shown). A notification signal is sent to the hall server indicating that the ball is jammed (S45). In this way, when an abnormality is detected by the upstream sensor and it is determined that a jam is occurring, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not necessarily stop the game. The clerk at the game store may check the state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and take necessary measures such as eliminating jamming. On the other hand, if there is a high possibility that an illegal act is performed, the game may be stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent illegal acts and the like, and to prevent disadvantages of the player caused by playing in a disadvantageous state, such as when the game ball is not fired. It should be noted that a case where the gaming ball does not exist for some reason in the pachinko gaming machine 1 or an abnormality has occurred in the upstream sensor, so that the upstream detection waiting timer value becomes 0 (S44: Yes) is also assumed. . Therefore, in the abnormal time process in S44, a notification signal indicating that a game ball does not exist or an abnormality has occurred in the upstream sensor may be transmitted together. In this case, the clerk of the amusement store checks the presence or absence of clogging by visually checking the state of the gaming board 2 or the like, or operates the hitting operation handle 37 to determine whether or not there is a gaming ball in the pachinko gaming machine 1. You can check. In addition, an abnormality of the upstream sensor can be confirmed based on the presence or absence of the confirmed game ball.

  In S40, when the launch of the game ball is not detected (S40: No), it is determined whether or not the set upstream sensor detection waiting timer value exists (S46). If there is an upstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S46: Yes), the control proceeds to S42. If there is no upstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S46: No), it is determined that no abnormality has been detected in the upstream sensor, and the control proceeds to S49.

  Here, if the upstream sensor detects a game ball (S42: Yes), the timer value for the upstream sensor detection wait is reset (S47). Here, when there are a plurality of upstream sensor detection waiting timer values, the upstream sensor detection waiting timer value closest to 0 is reset. The game balls fired from the firing device 14 are not detected by the upstream sensor in the firing order, but are detected in a different order depending on the flow-down manner in the game area. In a normal state, since all the game balls fired from the firing device 14 are detected by the upstream sensor, here, the upstream sensor detection waiting timer value closest to 0 is reset.

  Subsequent to S47, in S48, it is determined whether or not the set upstream sensor detection waiting timer value exists. If there is an upstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S48: Yes), the control proceeds to S43. When there is no upstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S48: No), it is determined that no abnormality is detected in the upstream sensor, and the control proceeds to S49.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the upstream sensor has detected a game ball (S49). When the upstream sensor detects a game ball (S49: Yes), it sets a downstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S50). The downstream sensor detection waiting timer value is a timer value from when the game ball passes through the upstream sensor to when it reaches the downstream sensor. This timer value is stored in the payout control unit 171 at the stage of manufacturing the pachinko gaming machine 1, and when the upstream sensor detects the timer value, the timer starts counting. Since the time required for the flow from the upstream sensor to the downstream sensor is substantially constant, the value of the downstream sensor detection waiting timer is set to a value obtained by adding a little time to the normal flow time.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the downstream sensor has detected a game ball (S51). Here, the downstream sensor is the polishing inlet sensor 701 shown in FIG. When the downstream sensor has not detected the game ball (S51: No), the downstream sensor detection waiting timer value is decremented (S52). Here, if a plurality of downstream sensor detection waiting timer values are set, all timer values are decremented.

  Subsequently, when there is a downstream sensor detection waiting timer value of 0 (S53: Yes), a situation is assumed in which a game ball that has passed through the upstream sensor does not pass through the downstream sensor. Such a situation is a situation in which a magnetic substance is mixed into a game ball enclosed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and, as shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic substance is attracted by a magnet and the flow path is closed. is there. For this reason, a situation has arisen in which a game ball made of a non-magnetic material does not flow downstream and is not detected by the polishing inlet sensor 701 which is a downstream sensor. Subsequently, the control proceeds to S54 (abnormal processing). When there is a downstream sensor detection waiting timer value of 0 (S53: Yes), in addition to the above-described case, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred in the upstream sensor or the downstream sensor.

  In S54, as a process at the time of abnormality, the fact that a magnetic material is mixed in the enclosed game ball made of a non-magnetic material is displayed on the display unit 50, and a ball is recorded on a hall management computer or a hall server (not shown). A notification signal indicating that clogging has occurred is transmitted. In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 stops the game, and also stops firing of the game balls in the firing device 14 (S54). As a result, it is possible to prevent improper use using a magnet and prevent disadvantages of a player caused by playing in an unfavorable state, for example, a game ball is not fired. As described above, a case where the timer value becomes 0 due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the upstream sensor or the downstream sensor (S53: Yes) is also assumed. For this reason, in the abnormality processing in S54, a notification signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the upstream sensor or the downstream sensor may be transmitted together. In this case, the clerk of the amusement store determines what abnormality has occurred by opening the main body frame 100 and removing the protective cover 68 (FIG. 9) of the game ball detecting device 27 (FIG. 9). Is possible. That is, if there is a magnetic substance adsorbed on the magnet body 114 (FIG. 9), it can be determined that the magnetic substance is mixed. On the other hand, when there is no magnetic substance attracted to the magnet body 114 (FIG. 9), it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the upstream sensor or the downstream sensor.

  In S49, when the game ball is not detected by the upstream sensor (S49: No), it is determined whether or not the set downstream sensor detection waiting timer value exists (S55). If there is a downstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S55: Yes), the control proceeds to S51. If there is no downstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S55: No), it is determined that no abnormality has been detected in the downstream sensor, and the subroutine program is terminated.

  Here, when the downstream sensor detects a game ball (S51: Yes), the timer value for waiting for downstream sensor detection is reset (S56). Here, when there are a plurality of downstream sensor detection waiting timer values, the downstream sensor detection waiting timer value closest to 0 is reset.

  Subsequent to S56, in S57, it is determined whether or not the set downstream sensor detection waiting timer value exists. If there is a downstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S57: Yes), the control proceeds to S52. If there is no downstream sensor detection waiting timer value (S57: No), it is determined that no abnormality has been detected in the downstream sensor, and the subroutine program is terminated.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, by monitoring the elapsed time from when the launching device 14 launches the game ball to when it is detected by the upstream sensor, it is possible to detect the jamming of the game ball. can do. Also, by detecting the elapsed time from when the game ball is detected by the upstream sensor to when it is detected by the downstream sensor, it is possible to detect the magnetic material mixed in the game ball made of the enclosed non-magnetic material. Is possible.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the details of the ball removing process shown in FIG. In S7 shown in FIG. 22, when the ball movement control mode flag is not “1” (S7: No), the control proceeds to S12, and the ball removing process is executed. In the ball removing process, as shown in S60 of FIG. 26, it is determined whether or not a power-off is detected (S60). The ball removal process is a process that is terminated on condition that the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned off.

  If the power-off is not detected (S60: No), it is next determined whether or not the firing operation is detected (S61). As described above, a touch sensor is formed around the hit ball operation handle 13, and when the player touches the touch sensor, the pachinko gaming machine 1 detects a firing operation.

  When the shooting operation is detected (S61: Yes), the polishing motor 71 for transporting the game ball, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the shooting solenoid 41 are driven (S62). Thereby, the game ball is transported along the circulation path in the pachinko gaming machine 1 described above. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, by operating the ball removal operation switch 90 and bringing the switching piece 90b into contact with the stopper 124a, a flow path of the game ball communicating with the ball removal path 76 is formed. As a result, the game balls transported by the transport screw 72 to the polishing end 79 are discharged to the outside from the ball removal path 76. In addition, since all the driving sources (specifically, the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41) for transporting the game balls are operated, they are sealed in the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is possible to discharge all of the game balls that have passed through the ball removal path 76.

  In S62, when operating the driving source such as the polishing motor 71, the out ball detection sensor 88, the winning ball detection sensor 110, the first filling detection sensor 75, the second filling detection sensor 40, the polishing entrance sensor 701, etc. Sensors are not activated. Thus, it is possible to prevent an abnormality from being detected in the abnormality detection process shown in S11 while the drive source is operating. In the subroutine program of FIG. 23 (b), the polishing motor and the lifting motor are driven based on the detection results of the first fullness detection sensor 75 and the second fullness detection sensor 40, and the transport speeds thereof are also varied. Was. On the other hand, when operating the drive source in S62, the game balls cannot be circulated based on the detection results of the sensors. Therefore, it is preferable that the transport speeds of the polishing motor, the lifting motor, and the like be the same. If the shooting operation is not detected (S61: No), the ball-pulling-out processing is terminated as it is.

  When the power-off is detected (S60: Yes), it is determined whether or not the polishing motor, the lifting motor, the ball feeding solenoid, and the firing solenoid, which are the means for transporting the game ball, are being driven (S63), and the driving is being performed. If there is any (S63: Yes), the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41 are stopped (S64), and then the ball removal processing is completed, and if it is not being driven (S63: No) ), The ball removal process is terminated as it is.

  In this manner, the person who performs the boring operation can set the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the “ball bobble possible mode” by setting the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a state satisfying the conditions from S1 to S4 in FIG. . At this time, a display is displayed on the display unit 50 (FIG. 1) to the effect that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the "ball-off mode". Thereby, the worker can confirm whether or not the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the “ball-pulling-off mode”, and can easily determine whether the ball-pulling-out operation may be performed.

  Then, by turning the ball-pulling operation switch 90 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the “ball-pulling possible mode”, the flow path of the game ball is connected to the ball-pulling path 76. By operating the hitting operation handle 37 (FIG. 1) in this state, the game balls being conveyed to the circulation path by the driving source can be discharged from the ball removal path 76. When all the game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are discharged, the power is turned off by the power switch 21a (FIG. 6). As a result, the “ball removal mode” of the pachinko gaming machine 1 ends.

  As a method for determining whether or not all of the gaming balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 have been discharged, for example, the polishing unit sensor 701 does not detect for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), so that the display unit 50 (FIG. 1) removes balls. May be displayed to the effect that has been completed. Alternatively, the operator may confirm that no ball is discharged from the ball ejection path 76 and operate the power switch 21a (FIG. 6) to turn off the power.

  The drive control in S62 in the ball removal process of FIG. 26 is the same drive control (drive control at the same speed) as in the normal game in which the player is playing. However, the speed may be increased during the boring processing. As described above, during the normal game operation, since the ball is fired once every 0.6 seconds, the circulation movement speed of the game ball in the circulation path cannot be made higher than the shooting speed. However, when the game is not performed, such as in the maintenance mode, the firing speed is not restricted to one shot per 0.6 seconds, so that the circulation moving speed of the game ball in the circulation path is controlled to be higher than that in the normal game. The ball removal processing may be performed at a high speed. Specifically, during the ball removal process of FIG. 26, the driving speed of the polishing motor 71, the lifting motor 93, the ball feeding solenoid 47, and the firing solenoid 41 in S62 is rotated at a higher speed than during the normal game operation. . This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the boring processing.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the card unit 10 and the pachinko gaming machine 1 are communicably connected via connection wiring, and transmit and receive various data stored therein. In this embodiment, the number of game balls is calculated on the P side 1 side, and the current latest game ball number is stored and managed. The CU 10 also calculates and stores the current number of game balls, but the number of game balls is based on information transmitted from the P unit 1 side. On the other hand, the number of balls (the number of cards held), the number of balls stored, and the card balance (balance) are managed and stored on the CU 10 side.

  On the other hand, when the power is turned on in a state where the conditions from S1 to S4 in FIG. 21 are satisfied, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which is in the “ball removal mode” does not perform any communication with the card unit 10. Thereby, it is possible to prevent fraud such as the fraudulent data performed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 being sent to the card unit.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the magnet body 114 that adsorbs the magnetic body 12a flowing through the circulation path of the game ball and closes the circulation path with the attracted magnetic body 12a is provided. I have. Therefore, the flowing game balls 12 are blocked and connected to the upstream. Therefore, if a sensor that can detect only the flow of the game ball is provided downstream of the magnet body 114, the mixed magnetic body can be detected. As described above, since it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor for detecting the magnetic body 12a, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of detecting the magnetic body at low manufacturing cost.

  Further, even if the magnetic body 12a is closed by the magnetic body 114 and the game balls 12 are connected upstream, a sufficient length is provided inside the game ball detection device 27 so that the game balls 12 are accommodated in the game ball detection device 27. Are secured. Note that the game ball detection device 27 does not have a drive source for transporting the game balls 12. Therefore, even if the game balls 12a made of a magnetic material are blocked and connected upstream as described above, the game balls do not come into contact with the drive source, and the game balls are prevented from being clogged at the drive source. Can be.

  Further, sensors (out ball detection sensor 88 and winning ball detection sensor 110) are provided not only downstream of the magnet body 114 but also upstream thereof. Thereby, not only illegal mixing of the magnetic substance but also clogging of the game balls can be detected, and abnormality of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be detected more finely.

  In addition, the game is stopped when a clogged ball generated in the circulation path is detected or when a mixed magnetic body is detected. As a result, it is possible to prevent improper use using a magnet and prevent disadvantages of a player caused by playing in an unfavorable state, for example, a game ball is not fired.

  Further, by rotating the changeover switch 113, the magnet body 114 can be switched between a position close to the flow path (circulation path) and a position away from the flow path (circulation path). Thereby, the magnetic body can be made adsorbable or non-adsorbable by the magnet body 114, and can be set as appropriate, and the operation range of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be expanded.

  Further, the location where the magnet body 114 attracts the magnetic body 12a is a location where the circulation path is bent at a right angle, and is a location where the game body is decelerated. Thereby, the magnetic body 12a is attracted by the magnet body 114, and it becomes possible to block the flow path of the game ball.

  In addition, since the case where the number of game balls (points) = 0 is set as a condition for executing the ball removal processing, ball removal is not permitted while the number of game balls (points) is held, and It is possible to prevent the ball from being removed inside.

  In addition, since the condition for executing the ball-dropping process is set when the ball-dropping operation button 19 is operated, it is possible to prevent the ball-dropping process during the game and to eliminate the need to discharge the game ball. When performing the maintenance, it is possible to prevent a problem that the game ball is discharged.

  In addition, since the case where the transparent cover 11 is closed is set as a condition for executing the ball-dropping process, it is necessary that the game ball fired from the firing device 14 jumps out of the gap between the transparent cover and the game board 2. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since the case where the main body frame 100 is opened is a condition for executing the ball extracting process, the ball extracting process is not executed in a state where the game is being played. Therefore, there is no unexpected disadvantage to the player. Further, since the main body frame 100 is locked, the player cannot open the main body frame 100. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the player from dropping a ball.

  In addition, the pachinko gaming machine 1 which has been set to the “ball removal mode” does not perform any communication with the card unit 10. Thereby, it is possible to prevent fraud such as the fraudulent data performed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 being sent to the card unit.

  In addition, by rotating the ball removal operation switch 90, the switching piece 90b can close the circulation path 91 and open the ball removal path 76. The game balls transported to the polishing end portion 79 by the transport screw 72 are discharged to the outside of the polishing device 23 through the ball removal path 76. Thus, the game medium in the gaming machine can be discharged to the outside by using the firing device 14, so that the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. In the above embodiment, the out ball detection sensor 88 and the winning ball detection sensor 110, which are upstream sensors, are provided upstream of the magnet body 114, and the polishing entrance sensor 701, which is a downstream sensor, is provided downstream of the magnet body 114. However, the upstream sensor may be omitted and only the downstream sensor may be provided.

  For example, when only a downstream sensor is provided, the downstream sensor detection waiting timer may be set when the launch of a game ball is detected. Note that the downstream sensor detection waiting timer in this case can be set based on the time required from when the game device is fired by the firing device 14 to when the game ball reaches the downstream sensor. When the downstream sensor detection waiting timer becomes 0, the processing at the time of abnormality is performed in the same manner. In this case, whether the ball is clogged or the magnetic substance is mixed is determined. There is no way to tell if it is. However, the mixed magnetic material can be detected with a simpler configuration than the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 provided with the upstream sensor and the downstream sensor, the detection of the game ball by the upstream sensor may be turned off, and only the downstream sensor may be operated.

  Further, on condition that the launching of the game ball by the launch device 14 is continuously performed, the detection waiting timer of the upstream sensor and the downstream sensor may be set on the condition that the previous game ball is detected. Good. That is, an abnormality may be detected by monitoring the interval at which the upstream sensor and the downstream sensor detect a game ball. As described above, the time from when the game ball is fired from the firing device 14 to when it is detected by the upstream sensor has a relatively large variation. Therefore, it is preferable to set an upstream sensor detection waiting timer on the basis of the time in which such a variation is added to the interval at which the firing device 14 fires the game ball.

  In the above-described embodiment, the downstream sensor detection waiting timer is set when the upstream sensor detects a game ball. That is, the downstream sensor detects an abnormality on the premise that the upstream sensor detects a game ball. However, even when the upstream sensor does not detect a game ball, the abnormality may be notified when the downstream sensor detects a game ball. For example, when the downstream sensor detects a game ball, it may be confirmed immediately before that whether the upstream sensor has detected the same game ball. In this case, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in one of the sensors or both of the sensors, and the fact may be displayed on the display unit 50. A notification signal indicating the occurrence may be transmitted.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the location where the magnet 114 attracts the magnetic material is a location where the circulation path is bent at a right angle. And various other methods can be employed. For example, a projection may be provided on the bottom surface of the circulation path to decelerate the game ball, or the circuit path may meander.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the ball-pulling operation switch 90 provided on the polishing device 23 is manually switched between guiding the game balls to the discharge path 76 and the circulation path 91. Was. However, a drive unit for rotating the ball-drawing operation switch 90 may be separately provided. Then, by setting the condition from S1 to S4 in FIG. 21 to be satisfied, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to the “balling possible mode”, the ballless operation switch 90 is automatically rotated, The game balls may be guided to the discharge path 76. In addition, when the pachinko gaming machine 1 shifts to the “ball extraction mode”, the display unit 50 displays on the display unit 50 a message indicating to the operator whether or not to switch the ball extraction operation switch 90. The confirmation may be requested using the operation switch group 38.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the abnormality control process is performed by the payout control unit 171 provided in the main body frame 100. However, for example, it may be configured to be executed by the firing control board 31 provided in the main body frame 100 or may be configured to be executed by the main control unit 161 provided in the game board 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko gaming machine 2 Game board 3A Upper front frame 3A Lower front frame 8 Out port 14 Launcher 10 Card unit 16 Main control board 17 Dispensing control board 19 Ball release switch 21a Power switch 23 Polishing device 25 Lifting device 27 Game ball detection Device 50 Display unit 60 Outer frame 76 Ball extraction path 88 Out ball detection sensor 90 Ball extraction operation switch 91 Circulation path 100 Body frame 110 Winning ball detection sensor 113 Changeover switch 114 Magnet
701 Polishing inlet sensor

Claims (1)

A gaming machine which performs a game using a game medium enclosed therein in exchange for a deduction of a point,
A circulation path for collecting the game media used for the game and circulating it again to a position usable for the game,
Discharging means for discharging game media to the outside,
A game board holding frame for holding a game board on which a game using a game medium is performed,
A transparent member holding frame that holds a transparent member provided on the front side of the game board,
Operating means operable when the gaming board holding frame is opened,
There is no point, the game board holding frame is opened, the transparent member holding frame is mounted on the game board holding frame, and power is turned on in a state where the operating means is operated. Dischargeable state transition means for transitioning to a state in which game media can be discharged to the outside by the discharge means,
A gaming machine comprising: