JP4076960B2 - Game ball receiving device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball receiving device provided in a gaming machine that opens and closes a receiving port for receiving a game ball when a predetermined game condition is satisfied.

Conventionally, as this type of game ball receiving device, for example, a variable prize device provided in a first type of pachinko machine shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 is known.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view of a conventional pachinko machine equipped with a blade-type variable winning device. FIG. 9 (A) is an explanatory view showing a state where a game ball wins the variable winning device provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 (B) shows the winning in the variable winning device shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow path | route of the game ball which was made. FIG. 10 is an explanatory front view of a conventional pachinko machine equipped with a door-type variable prize device. FIG. 11 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a game ball wins a variable prize apparatus provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 (B) shows a prize in the variable prize apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow path | route of the game ball which was made.

  In the conventional pachinko machine 500 shown in FIG. 8, when a game ball launched from a launching device (not shown) passes through the first type starting port 504 provided in the game board 502, the special symbol display device 506 is changed from “0” to “0”. A special symbol such as “9” is scrolled up and down at three horizontal positions, and a big hit occurs when the three stopped symbols are aligned with the same special symbol. Then, the blade-type blade members 512 and 512 provided in the variable winning device 510 are opened, and the special winning ports 514 and 514 are opened for a predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the game ball P that has won a prize winning opening 514, 514 is connected to the back of the game board 502 from a passage 516 formed through the game board 502 as shown in FIG. 9 (B). And is detected by the detection switch 520 through the flow down path 518 and discharged to a collecting rod (not shown). Further, the CPU 522 counts the number of winning prizes to the big winning openings 514 and 514 based on a detection signal from the detection switch 520, and a winning ball corresponding to the counted value is paid out.

  When the opening time of the big prize opening 514, 514 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or the number of winning prizes to the big prize opening 514, 514 reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), the CPU 522 The members 512 and 512 are closed to close the special winning openings 514 and 514. At this time, when the winning ball that has won the big winning opening 514, 514 passes through a specific area (not shown) provided in the variable winning apparatus 510, the big winning openings 514, 514 are continuously opened. In this way, it is possible to play a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) on the condition that the game balls pass through the specific area, with one round from the opening to the closing of the special winning openings 514, 514.

  Further, the conventional pachinko machine 600 shown in FIG. 10 is also controlled in the same manner as the pachinko machine 500 shown in FIG. 8 except that the structure of the variable winning device 610 is different. That is, when a big hit occurs, the door-type movable member 612 provided in the variable winning device 610 opens, and the big winning opening 614 opens for a predetermined time. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), the game ball P that has won the open big prize opening 614, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), from the passage 516 formed through the game board 502, the game board 502. , And is detected by the detection switch 520 through the flow-down path 518 and discharged to a collecting rod (not shown). Further, the CPU 522 counts the number of winnings to the big winning opening 614 based on the detection signal from the detection switch 520, and a winning ball corresponding to the counted value is paid out.

  Then, the CPU 522 closes the movable member 612 when the opening time of the big prize opening 614 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or the number of winning prizes to the big prize opening 614 reaches a predetermined number (for example, ten). Operate and close the special winning opening 614. At this time, when the winning ball that has won the big winning opening 614 passes through a specific area (not shown) provided in the variable winning apparatus 610, the big winning opening 614 is continuously opened. In this way, it is possible to play a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16 rounds) on the condition that the game ball passes through the specific area with one round from the opening to the closing of the special winning opening 614.

JP-A-11-009787 (11th to 14th paragraphs, FIG. 3).

However, as shown in FIG. 10, the conventional pachinko machine 500 has a long distance from the game ball P winning the winning prize opening 514, 514 to the detection switch 520. For this reason, when the CPU 522 counts the number of winnings (for example, 10) and closes the blade members 512 and 512, some game balls have already won from the big winning ports 514 and 514, and the blade members 512 and 512 May flow down toward the passage 516, or may have already flowed down the flow path 518. Since these game balls are eventually detected by the detection switch 520, prize balls corresponding to the number of detection are paid out.
In other words, since the count number by the detection switch 520 is not constant, there is a problem that the number of prize balls acquired by the player due to the big hit is different. Similarly, the conventional pachinko machine 600 also has the same problem as the pachinko machine 500 because the distance from the big prize opening 614 to the detection switch 520 is long.
An attempt has been made to limit the number of game balls from winning a prize to the big prize opening by adjusting the spacing and arrangement of nails driven into the game board near the entrance to the big prize opening. This is not preferable because the peculiar taste of jackpot that many game balls win at the same timing is lost.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to realize a game ball receiving apparatus that can eliminate the difference in the number of prize balls acquired by a player by jackpot.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the game board is provided in the game board and opens and closes a receiving port for receiving the game ball, and the game ball received in the receiving port. Detecting means for detecting a game ball, counting means for counting game balls detected by the detecting means, and when the count value by the counting means reaches a predetermined value, the receiving means is operated to close the receiving opening. In the game ball receiving device comprising a control means, the receiving means comprises a fixed member fixed at a predetermined location and a movable member movable opposite to the fixed member, and the receiving port comprises: The detecting means is formed between the fixed member and the movable member, and the detection means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided on one of the fixed member and the movable member, and the light emitting element The light sensor detects that the game ball is received in the receiving port when the light receiving element receives the reflected light reflected by the game ball received in the receiving port. The technical means is used.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming ball receiving device according to the first aspect, the other of the fixed member and the movable member is provided with a light absorbing means for absorbing the irradiation light irradiated from the light emitting element. Use technical means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming ball receiving device according to the first or second aspect, the control means is a technical means for opening and closing the receiving means a plurality of times in a predetermined gaming state. Is used.

(Effect of the invention of claim 1)
Since the detecting means for detecting the game ball received in the receiving port is provided in the receiving port, the counting means can count the game ball at the same time as the game ball is received. The receiving port can be closed as soon as the count value reaches a predetermined value by the means.
Therefore, since the game ball is not received in the receiving port after the count value reaches the predetermined value, the difference in the number of prize balls acquired by the player due to the big hit can be eliminated.

  In addition, when a receiving port is formed between a fixed member fixed at a predetermined position and a movable member that moves opposite to the fixed member, the count value by the counting means has reached a predetermined value. At the same time, the movable member can be operated to close the receiving port, so that the difference in the number of winning balls acquired by the player due to the big hit can be eliminated.

Furthermore, since the optical sensor can detect at higher speed than the mechanical switch, it can perform from the detection of the game ball to the control of the movable member by the control means through the counting by the counting means. When the game ball that will reach the predetermined value is received in the receiving port, the movable member can be operated to close the receiving port.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate the difference in the number of prize balls acquired by the player due to the big hit. In addition, since the optical sensor is contactless, it has no worn part and is more durable than a mechanical switch.

  Further, since the light receiving element receives the reflected light reflected by the game ball received by the light receiving element from the light emitting element, it can be detected that the game ball has been received by the light receiving element. The game ball can be detected at a high speed at the same time as it is received in the receiving port.

(Effect of the invention described in claim 2)
When a game ball is not received in the receiving port, the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element can be absorbed. Therefore, the irradiation light from the light emitting element is reflected by the other of the fixed member and the movable member. The reflected light is received by the light receiving element, and it is not erroneously detected that the game ball is received in the receiving port.

(Effect of the invention according to claim 3)
In a gaming machine that opens and closes the receiving means a plurality of times in a predetermined gaming state, an extra game ball is received every time the receiving means is opened, and an extra accepted game ball is received when the receiving means is opened a plurality of times. The number of game balls is cumulatively added, thereby increasing the number of extraneous game balls to be detected. By using the technical means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, such a method is used. A game ball receiving apparatus that does not generate extra detected game balls can be realized.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game ball receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment described below, a first type of pachinko machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine provided with a gaming ball receiving device according to the present invention.
[Overall main configuration]
First, the main configuration of the pachinko machine provided with the game ball receiving apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the perspective explanatory view of FIG. 1 showing the appearance of the pachinko machine.
The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a front frame 2 that can be opened and closed, and a glass frame 4 is attached to the front frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. On the right side of the front frame 2, a key hole 3 is provided for inserting a key for opening and closing the glass frame 4. A game board 5 is provided inside the glass frame 4, and a launch motor (indicated by reference numeral 15e in FIG. 6) for launching a game ball to the game board 5 is operated below the right side of the front frame 2. The firing handle 15a is rotatably attached.

  Below the glass frame 4, a prize ball / rental supply port 6a for supplying prize balls or rental balls is formed. The prize ball / rental supply port 6a has a prize ball / rental supply port 6a on the supply side. An upper tray 6 is provided for collecting prize balls and balls supplied from the ball rental supply port 6a. Below the upper tray 6, there is formed a discharge port 7 a that discharges prize balls that have flowed beyond the capacity of the upper tray 6 and game balls discharged from the upper tray 6 by operating the upper tray ball removal lever 6 b. Has been. On the discharge side of the discharge port 7a, a lower tray 7 is provided for storing game balls discharged from the discharge port 7a. A frame lamp 9 is provided above the game board 5, and an ashtray 7 b is provided on the left side of the lower tray 7.

[Main configuration of game board 5]
Next, the main configuration of the game board 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
A center case 30 is provided in the approximate center of the game board 5. The center case 30 has a winning symbol 31, a normal symbol display device 33 composed of three LEDs, and a normal symbol storage display LED 34 that displays the number of times the normal symbol display device 33 can be started by four LEDs. A special symbol display device 32 for displaying a plurality of symbols, for example, special symbols of the numbers “0” to “9” and a background image, and the number of times that the special symbol display device 32 can be started is four LEDs. And a special symbol memory display LED 35 for displaying.

  On the diagonally upper left and right sides of the center case 30, there are provided decorative windmills 21 decorated with LEDs. A normal symbol operation right gate 26 for operating the normal symbol display device 33 is provided diagonally to the lower right of the right decorative windmill 21. A left gate 27 is provided. A right sleeve winning port 22 is provided below the normal symbol operating right gate 26, and a left sleeve winning port 23 is provided below the normal symbol operating left gate 27. Below the center case 30, there is provided a variable winning device 40 that operates when the special symbol display device 32 has a big hit symbol. The variable winning device 40 is provided with wing-like blade members 41 and 42 that open when the big hit occurs and open the large winning ports 43 and 44 so as to be openable and closable. A lower right prize opening 24 is provided on the right side of the right blade member 41, and a lower left prize opening 25 is provided on the left side of the left blade member 42.

A first type starting port 28 having a function of operating the special symbol display device 32 is provided at the top of the variable winning device 40, and the normal symbol display unit 33 is stopped below the first type starting port 28. A normal electric accessory 29 is provided that opens both wings when the symbol becomes a winning symbol. The ordinary electric accessory 29 with both wings open has the function of starting the operation of the special symbol display device 32 in the same manner as the first type starting port 28.
Further, inside the variable winning device 40, a specific area having a function of continuously opening the blade members 41 and 42, and a specific area switch for detecting a game ball that has passed through the specific area (reference numeral 53 in FIG. 6). Is provided).

  The game board 5 is provided with rails 13 for guiding the launched game balls to the game area, and corner decorations 11 are provided on the upper left and right corners of the game board 5, respectively. Side decorations 20 are respectively provided on the right side and the left side of 5. Further, the game board 5 is provided with ordinary windmills 12 and 12 and an out port 14 for collecting game balls that have not won a prize as out balls. A lot of nails (not shown) are driven into the game board 5, and the game balls launched on the game board 5 fall while dancing between the nails and win each prize opening. It passes through the start port or is recovered from the out port 14.

(Structure of the variable winning device 40)
Next, the structure of the variable winning device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the front mechanism attached to the surface of the game board 5 in the variable prize apparatus 40 as viewed from the upper right side. FIG. 4 shows the front mechanism of the variable prize apparatus 40 and the game board 5. It is the perspective explanatory view which divided the back mechanism and drive mechanism attached to a back surface, and was seen from diagonally upward right. FIG. 5 (A) is an explanatory view showing the electrical configuration of the variable winning device 40, and FIG. 5 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state where a game ball is received in the big winning opening.
In the following description, the direction from the surface of the game board 5 toward the player sitting in front of the pachinko machine 1 is referred to as the front, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the variable winning device 40 includes a front mechanism 40 a attached to the front surface of the game board 5, a back mechanism 40 b attached to the back surface of the game board 5, and a drive mechanism 40 c. As shown in FIG. 3, the front mechanism 40 a includes a decorative bracket 47. The decorative bracket 47 is formed with a plurality of screw holes 47a that are attached to the front surface of the game board 5 (FIG. 2) with screws. The decorative bracket 47 is formed with a housing 48 protruding forward from the lower center thereof. A base portion of the right blade member 41 is rotatably attached to the right end of the housing 48, and a base portion of the left blade member 42 is rotatably attached to the left side of the housing 48.

An ordinary electric accessory 29 is attached to the front upper portion of the decorative bracket 47. A front plate 29a is attached to the front surface of the ordinary electric accessory 29. As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion of the blade member 29c rotates between both ends of the front plate 29a and the decorative bracket 47, respectively. Installed as possible.
Between the front plate 29a and the decorative bracket 47, from the vicinity of the base end portion of the right blade member 29c, a protruding portion 29d is formed to protrude rightward, and in the vicinity of the base end portion of the left blade member 29c. The projecting portion 29e is formed to project from the left side. A guide hole (not shown) is formed through the lower portion of the front plate 29a and substantially in the center of the decorative bracket 47, and the guide hole communicates with a passage (not shown) formed through the game board 5. is doing.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the blade members 41 and 42 are opened, a big prize opening 43 is formed between the tip of the right blade member 41 and the lower right corner of the right protruding portion 29d. Then, a big winning opening 44 is formed between the tip of the left blade member 42 and the lower left corner of the left protrusion 29e.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the blade members 41 and 42 are closing, the tip of the right blade member 41 and the lower right corner of the right protruding portion 29d approach each other. The winning opening 43 is closed, and the leading end of the left blade member 42 and the lower left corner of the left protruding portion 29e approach each other, thereby closing the large winning opening 44.

As shown in FIG. 4, the back mechanism 40 b includes a housing 52, and the housing 52 is attached to a position corresponding to the front mechanism 40 a on the back surface of the game board 5. A space 52a having an open bottom surface is formed at the center lower portion of the housing 52, and a game ball guided to the back surface of the game board 5 through the passage from the guide hole of the front mechanism 40a. A specific area switch 53 for detecting P is provided. The game balls that have reached the back mechanism 40b flow down through the flow paths W1 to W3, and the game balls that flow down through the flow path W2 are detected by the specific area switch 53.
In this embodiment, a current transformer is used as the specific area switch 53.

On both sides of the housing 52, rod-shaped rods 54, 54 are inserted in the front-rear direction, and the rear end of each rod 54 is inserted near one end of a connecting member 55 whose longitudinal section is an elongated hole shape. Near the other end of each connecting member 55, a rod-shaped rod 56 is inserted. The tip of each rod 54 is connected to each shaft member of the blade members 41 and 42. Two LEDs 57 are attached to both sides of the front surface of the housing 52.
The drive mechanism 40c is provided with a plate-shaped mounting plate 58, to which the special winning opening solenoids 59, 59 are mounted side by side in the horizontal direction. A rod 56 is attached to the lower end of the plunger (not shown) of each big prize opening solenoid 59.
That is, when each of the prize winning solenoids 59 is driven and the plunger expands and contracts, the linear motion is converted into the rotational motion of each connecting member 55, the rod 54 rotates, and the shaft member rotates. , 42 open and close.

As shown in FIG. 5, a translucent part 29f made of a translucent material is formed at the tip of the projecting part 29d. Inside the translucent part 29f, the light emitting element 41b and The light receiving element 29h is accommodated. A light absorbing portion 41c formed of a light absorbing material is formed on the upper surface of the blade member 41 at a position where the irradiation light irradiated from the light emitting element 41b is irradiated when the blade member 41 is in an opening operation. Has been.
The light emitting element 41b is electrically connected to the drive circuit 50a, and the drive circuit 50a is electrically connected to the main substrate 100. The light receiving element 29h is electrically connected to the amplification circuit 50b, the amplification circuit 50b is electrically connected to the detection circuit 50c, and the detection circuit 50c is electrically connected to the main substrate 100. .

  When a drive command is output from the main substrate 100 to the drive circuit 50a, the drive circuit 50a outputs a drive signal to the light emitting element 41b, and the light emitting element 41b emits light. When the blade member 41 is opened to open the grand prize opening 43 and the game ball P is on the optical path of the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b, that is, when the prize winning opening 43 is won. In addition, the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b is reflected by the surface of the game ball P, and is reflected by the light receiving element 29h as reflected light L2. The electric signal generated in the light receiving element 29h by the light reception is output as a detection signal to the amplification circuit 50b, and is amplified to a predetermined voltage in the amplification circuit 50b. The amplified signal is subjected to filtering and A / D conversion in the detection circuit 50c, and the converted digital signal is input to the main board 100.

Then, the main CPU 112 mounted on the main board 100 counts the input digital signal. When the count value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b is changed to the game ball P. The reflected light L2 is received by the light receiving element 29h, that is, the game ball P exists on the optical path of the irradiation light L1 irradiated from the light emitting element 41b (the prize winning opening 43 is won). Determined).
In addition, when the count value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the main CPU 112 absorbs the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b by the light absorption unit 41c and does not reflect the surface of the game ball P. That is, it is determined that the game ball P does not exist on the optical path of the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b (the prize winning opening 43 is not won).
5 shows the electrical configuration of the right blade member 41 and the protruding portion 29d, the left blade member 42 and the protruding portion 29e have the same electrical configuration as the right side. The drive circuit 50a, the light emitting element 41b, the light receiving element 29h, the amplifier circuit 50b, and the detection circuit 50c constitute an optical sensor.

[Electric configuration of pachinko machine 1]
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main board 100, and a microprocessor 110 is mounted on the main board 100. The microprocessor 110 includes a main CPU 112 that performs main control of the game, such as determination of a big hit, counting the number of winning prizes to the big winning openings 43 and 44, and control of the round, and the main CPU 112 executes various controls. The ROM 114 in which various control programs are recorded, the various data generated during the game such as the detection result that the game ball has passed through the first type starting port 28, the control program read from the ROM 114, etc. are temporarily stored. A RAM 116 for storing is mounted.

  The following is electrically connected to the main board 100. First type start port switch 28a for detecting that a game ball has passed the first type start port 28, a special symbol display device 32, a lamp control device 300 for controlling LEDs and lamps, a power supply board 80, and a payout of a prize ball The payout control base 200 for controlling the game, the sound control device 79 for controlling the sound effects during the game, and the game board information relating to winnings and jackpots are transmitted to a computer (not shown) provided in the pachinko hall management room or the like. A game frame information terminal board 72, a board surface relay board 71, and a game frame relay board 73.

The payout control board 200 is equipped with a microprocessor 210 that operates by inputting a control command sent from the main board 100. The microprocessor 210 includes a sub CPU 212 that controls the payout of prize balls, and the like. The ROM 214 in which various control programs for the sub CPU 212 to execute control such as paying out a prize ball are recorded, and the control programs read from the ROM 214 when the sub CPU 212 executes the various control programs and winnings generated during the game. A RAM 216 that temporarily stores various data such as the number and the number of prize balls is mounted.
The payout control board 200 is electrically connected to a power supply board 80, a launch motor drive board 15c for driving the launch motor 15e, a game frame information terminal board 72, and a payout relay board 75. A launch switch 15d for outputting a drive signal from the launch motor drive substrate 15c to the launch motor 15e is connected to the launch motor drive substrate 15c.

A full detection switch 77 and a sensor relay board 74 are electrically connected to the game frame relay board 73. The sensor relay board 74 is electrically connected to the prize ball payout sensors 62 a and 62 b and the payout relay board 75 provided in the prize ball unit 62. The payout relay board 75 is electrically connected to a ball rental limit switch 76, a prize ball payout motor 62c, and a ball rental unit 63.
On the board relay board 71, a right gate switch 26a for detecting a game ball that has passed through the normal electric accessory solenoid 29j for driving the normal electric accessory 29, the normal symbol display device 33, the drive circuit 50a, and the normal symbol actuating right gate 26. The left gate switch 27a for detecting the game ball that has passed the normal symbol operating left gate 27, the right sleeve winning port switch 22a for detecting the game ball that has won the right sleeve winning port 22, and the game ball having won the left sleeve winning port 23 A left sleeve winning opening switch 23a for detecting a game ball won in the top winning opening 31, a right winning opening switch 24a for detecting a gaming ball winning in the lower right winning opening 24, and a lower left winning prize These are a lower left winning opening switch 25a and a large winning opening relay board 70 for detecting a game ball won in the opening 25.
The special prize opening relay board 70 is electrically connected with special prize opening solenoids 59, 59, a detection circuit 50c, and a specific area switch 53.
The power supply board 80 is supplied with power from a main power supply 78 of AC 24 V (50 Hz / 60 Hz) and supplies necessary power to each board.

(Operation of the variable winning device 40)
Next, the operation of the variable winning device 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the special prize opening process executed by the main CPU 112.
When the game ball passes through the first type starting port 28, the special symbol display device 32 scrolls up and down a plurality of special symbols in three horizontal directions on the screen. And if the same special symbol stops in three places, a big hit will occur.
When the main CPU 112 determines that the big hit flag indicating the occurrence of the big win is set (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 10: Yes), the main CPU 112 adds “1” to the round number R indicating the number of executed rounds. (S12). Subsequently, the main CPU 112 outputs an opening command for opening the special winning openings 43 and 44 to the special winning opening solenoids 59 and 59 (S14). As a result, the special winning opening solenoids 59 and 59 are operated, the blade members 41 and 42 are opened, and the special winning openings 43 and 44 are opened.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the game ball P wins the big prize opening 43, the irradiation light L1 irradiated from the light emitting element 41b is reflected on the surface of the game ball P to become reflected light L2. The main CPU 112 adds “1” to the winning number P1 of the game balls P that have won the big winning opening 43. Even when the game ball P wins from the big winning opening 44, the main CPU 112 similarly adds “1” to the winning number P1.
The winnings from the big winning openings 43 and 44 are guided to the back mechanism 40b, proceed in an indefinite direction in the space 52a, and flow down along one of the flow paths W1, W2 and W3 (FIG. 4).
The main CPU 112 determines whether or not the time since the opening of the special winning openings 43 and 44 has elapsed t1 (S16), and when the time t1 has not elapsed (S16: No), the winning number P1 is determined. It is determined whether or not “10” has been reached (S18). When the main CPU 112 determines that t1 has elapsed (S16: Yes), or when the winning number P1 reaches “10” (S18: Yes), the operations of the big prize opening solenoids 59 and 59 are stopped. Then, the blade members 41 and 42 are closed, and the special winning openings 43 and 44 are closed (S20).

That is, the winning number P1 is counted at the moment when the game ball P wins the big winning openings 43 and 44, and when the winning number P1 reaches "10", the big winning openings 43 and 44 can be closed immediately. Therefore, it is possible to perform the process from winning detection to closing of the large winning openings 43 and 44 at substantially the same timing.
Therefore, after the winning number P1 reaches “10”, the game ball P does not win extra in the big winning openings 43 and 44.
Subsequently, the main CPU 112 determines whether or not the number of rounds R has reached “16” (S22), and if not (S22: No), whether or not the specific area switch 53 is turned on, that is, a game It is determined whether or not the sphere P has passed the specific area (S24). Subsequently, when the specific area switch 53 is ON (S24: Yes), the main CPU 112 resets the winning number P1 to 0 (S26) and executes the next round (S10 to S20).
When the round number R reaches “16” (S22: Yes), or when the specific area switch 53 is not turned on (S24: No), the main CPU 112 resets the round number R and the winning number P1 to 0. (S28), the jackpot flag is reset (S30), and the current routine of the big prize opening process is terminated.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
(1) As described above, if the variable winning device 40 according to the first embodiment is implemented, the game ball P can be detected simultaneously with winning a prize winning opening 43, 44. There is almost no delay, and when the winning number P1 reaches “10”, the large winning openings 43 and 44 can be closed substantially simultaneously.
Therefore, since the winning number P1 does not exceed “10”, it is possible to eliminate the difference in the number of winning balls acquired by the players due to the big hit, so that no unfairness occurs between the players.

(2) Moreover, since the optical sensor can detect the game ball at a higher speed than the mechanical switch, the moment when the game ball P whose winning number P1 reaches “10” is received in the special winning openings 43 and 44. It is possible to close the special winning openings 43 and 44 by operating the blade members 41 and 42.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate the difference in the number of prize balls acquired by the player due to the big hit. In addition, since the optical sensor is contactless, it has no worn part and is more durable than a mechanical switch.

(3) In addition, when the game ball P has not won the grand prize winning holes 43 and 44, the light absorbing portion 41c can absorb the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light emitting element 41b, and therefore, from the light emitting element 41b. The reflected light generated when the irradiation light L1 is reflected on the upper surface of the blade member 41 is received by the light receiving element 29h, and it is erroneously detected that the game ball P is received in the special winning openings 43 and 44. There is nothing.

<Other embodiments>
(1) In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided in the protruding portion and the light absorbing portion is provided in the blade member has been described. The structure which provides an absorption part in a protrusion part may be sufficient.
In addition, in the case where the reflected light of the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element is absorbed by the blade member or the protruding part to such an extent that the CPU cannot determine the winning, or is scattered, a light absorbing part is provided. There is no need.

(2) In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the light absorbing portion is provided on the blade member side has been described. However, the reflecting portion that reflects light is provided on the blade member side, and the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected in the reflecting portion. A configuration in which the light is reflected and the reflected light is received by a light receiving element may be used. In the case of this configuration, the level of the electric signal generated in the light emitting element when the reflected light reflected by the surface of the reflecting portion is received is lower than the level when the reflected light reflected by the surface of the game ball is received. Set as follows. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the game ball has won by the CPU determining the level of the level.
In the case of this configuration, a reflecting portion may be provided on the protruding portion side, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element may be provided on the blade member side.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the variable winning device 40 has been described as an example of the game ball receiving device according to the present invention. However, the present invention can also be applied to the ordinary electric accessory 29. For example, the light emitting element 41b and the light receiving element 29h are provided at the tip of the blade members 29c and 29c shown in FIG. In addition, the game ball receiving device according to the present invention can be applied as long as it is movable and opens and closes the receiving port, such as a so-called tulip or the like.

[Correspondence between Claims and Embodiments]
The variable winning device 40 corresponds to the game ball receiving device according to the present invention, the big winning ports 43 and 44 correspond to the receiving port described in claim 1, and the table mechanism 40a corresponds to the receiving means. Further, the protruding portions 29d and 29e correspond to the fixed member, and the blade members 41 and 42 correspond to the movable member. Further, the light absorbing portion 41c corresponds to the light absorbing means described in claim 2.
And S18 which main CPU112 performs functions as a counting means as described in Claim 1, and S20 functions as a control means as described in Claim 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing an external appearance of a pachinko machine 1 provided with a variable winning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a main configuration of the game board 5 provided in the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the front mechanism 40a attached to the surface of the game board 5 from the upper right side of the variable prize device 40 provided in the game board 5 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the front mechanism 40a of the variable prize device 40 provided on the game board 5 shown in FIG. 2, the back mechanism 40b attached to the back surface of the game board 5 and the drive mechanism 40c as viewed from the upper right side. FIG. 5 (A) is an explanatory view showing the electrical configuration of the variable prize apparatus 40, and FIG. 5 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state where a game ball is received in the receiving port. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electrical structure of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 with a block. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the big prize opening process which main CPU112 performs. It is front explanatory drawing of the conventional pachinko machine provided with the blade | wing type | formula variable prize apparatus. FIG. 9 (A) is an explanatory view showing a state where a game ball wins the variable winning device provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 (B) shows the winning in the variable winning device shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow path | route of the game ball which was made. It is front explanatory drawing of the conventional pachinko machine provided with the door-type fluctuation | variation prize apparatus. FIG. 11 (A) is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a game ball wins a variable prize apparatus provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 (B) shows a prize in the variable prize apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow path | route of the game ball which was made.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 5 Game board 29h Light receiving element 40a Front mechanism (accepting means)
41b Light-emitting element 41c Light absorption part (light absorption means)
43,44 Grand prize opening (accepting entrance)
112 Main CPU
P game ball

Claims (3)

A receiving means provided on the game board for opening and closing a receiving opening for receiving a game ball, a detecting means for detecting a gaming ball received in the receiving opening, and a count for counting the gaming balls detected by the detecting means In a game ball receiving apparatus comprising: means and a control means for operating the receiving means to close the receiving port when the count value by the counting means reaches a predetermined value.
The receiving means includes a fixed member fixed at a predetermined location, and a movable member that moves opposite to the fixed member,
The receiving port is formed between the fixed member and the movable member,
The detecting means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided on one of the fixed member and the movable member, and the irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the game ball received in the receiving port. A game ball receiving apparatus, wherein the light receiving element receives reflected light and detects that the game ball is received in the receiving port.   2. The game ball receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light absorbing means for absorbing irradiation light emitted from the light emitting element is provided on the other of the fixed member and the movable member. The game ball receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means opens and closes the receiving means a plurality of times in a predetermined gaming state.

Images